LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA - The Market Ticker

LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA - The Market Ticker: "LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA

That's the sound of someone with their fingers in their ears making noise so they don't have to listen to the person talking in front of them.

The list includes:

London Banker: Deflation has become inevitable

London Banker: Deflation has become inevitable Anyone sitting on a pile of cash now is unlikely to want to either (a) place it in a bank, or (b) invest it in the stock market. As a result, the implosion of the financial and real economy must continue no matter how big the central bank’s aspirations for its balance sheet or the treasury’s aspirations for its deficit.

If US, EU and UK had substantial domestic savings to fund their banks (as in Japan in 1990), then perhaps the consequences would not be so imminently disastrous. Lacking sufficient domestic savings, however, their actions will likely make foreign creditors in Japan, China, the Gulf and elsewhere question whether it is worthwhile to keep pumping scarce savings into such flawed and reckless economies.

London Banker: Deflation has become inevitable

This is how money works -- and -- this is how you say goodbye to your blog.

London Banker: Deflation has become inevitable I have accepted a full time executive position which will take all of my time and passion going forward in 2009, so the blogging has to be suspended at year end. The job will enable me to put into practice the principles I’ve illuminated here, hopefully mitigating some of the impacts of financial instability. I’ll still lurk, and maybe comment on Professor Roubini’s thread from time to time.

How to kill time in Wal-Mart got my boys ROTFL

The other 14 are making the rounds in email chain letter.

Go into a fitting room and shut the door and wait a while; and, then, yell, very loudly, 'There is no toilet paper in here!'

Conversation about blogs in Pittsburgh with BurghBlog's sudden shut down.

Bram and I talk. We laugh, we cry.

The conversation has ended. You can listen to what we talked about.

9-1-1 Conversation on the closing of the BurghBlog -- due to start about... now!

We are going to -- and perhaps already -- talking about another blog closing.

Call: (724) 444-7444

Call ID: 3181

Six arrested in tow pound scheme

Six arrested in tow pound scheme: "Mr. Livingstone, of Mount Washington, was responsible for recording the winning bid prices on the slips, the complaint says. He is a 12-year city employee and earns $39,951 annually.

Controller Michael Lamb would not discuss the arrest.

'There's an issue, and we've been talking to the police about it, and they've asked us to hold off on saying anything,' he said.

'They're in the middle of making some other arrests,' he said, but they will not occur in his office. 'We've been cooperative from the time that we knew about it, but this has been an ongoing police investigation.'

In January, longtime Controller's Office employee Kim D. Platt was arrested for theft of checks and eventually pleaded guilty to forgery and was sentenced to two years' probation plus $5,101 in restitution."

In China, heads would roll. From time to time, in certain instances, I miss China.

A friend on the South Side wants to build a guillotine. He like to dream of the French, not too long ago.

Punishment is one issue to watch. Getting the pension is another.

CBS, Turner may make bid for Olympic TV rights - More Sports - SI.com

CBS, Turner may make bid for Olympic TV rights - More Sports - SI.com CBS Corp. and Time Warner Inc. executives have discussed joining forces to bid on rights to televise the Olympics in 2014 and 2016, turning that competition into an even greater clash of media titans.

TV empires headed by incumbent NBC, Fox and ABC-ESPN have all said they expect to bid on the U.S. rights to the games. Because of the economy, the International Olympics Committee has said it is prepared to postpone its bid selection until after the host city is named next October for the 2016 Summer Games.

I'm for an open source Olympics. That way, anyone can broadcast the games.

Mixed Report - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh

Yep. The citizens have been getting screwed for a long time.

Mixed Report - Views - Potter's Field - Pittsburgh City Paper - Pittsburgh By law, Allegheny County should already have been posting this information for the past two years. Which means that city employees, and taxpayers, are going to be shouldering a burden the county is supposed to carry itself. So much for consolidation of services!

However, Michael Lamb's efforts are not nearly as good, cheap nor effective as what I've proposed -- Transparent PAC Accounts.

The banks could easily -- or one bank could easily -- make an elegant solution.

Pittsburgh Council refuses to lower parking tax

The key phrase in the article about city council is LARGELY SYMBOLIC. City council is mostly just symbolic. I wish is wasn't so, but that is how the body acts most of the time.

Pittsburgh Council refuses to lower parking tax In a surprise move that may prove largely symbolic, Pittsburgh City Council today voted against lowering the parking tax from 40 percent to 37.5 percent, despite a state law that requires the reduction.

Though the state in 2004 set a schedule for the reduction of the tax, which was once 50 percent, the annual cuts require council votes. Today's preliminary vote of 4-4, with one council seat empty, if repeated at council's final meeting of the year on Dec. 30, would prevent the reduction.

My point about parking tax and the associated areas should be restated as the topic is being revisited.

I think that the tax should stay at 50% until the parking authority is liquidated and then the tax should drop to some minimal amount, from 0% to 20%. The key is to get rid of the public subsidization of parking downtown.

The Parking Authority can be liquidated and what remains can be a parking department within municipal government.

A schedule of liquidation of the lots can be hooked to the tax collected.

Selling the parking lots, especially the parking garages, is something that should occur. Allow for a union to bid on one. Stage the sell off for different months for a few years. Take open bids. Auction others. Make one a co-op for all I care. Make them all co-ops even.

The city has been using parking deals as a sweetener for other bone-headed deals.

A public parking garage was built at PNC Firstside. And, it is way too big and the top floor is hardly ever used.

More parking garages are being built on Second Ave by the suburban tech buildings. Rather, I'd like to see them expanded upwards if possible. And, that land has been TIFed TWICE. A big tax break came to get the first buildings and now there is not enough value to have it continue in growth unless more TIF (bribes) are put on the table -- ripping off the kids in schools today.

Parking was part of Lazarus. Parking was part of stadium deals too.

Public money should not subsidize parking for those in high-end condos either.

In a better world, car parking would be part of the sustainable solutions for property owners. Now, they just figure out who has the clout to bribe and bargain for parking needs with taxpayer money rather than private investment. Private money won't go into parking now -- as the 900 pound gorilla is government owned parking facilities that can give away free parking (twinkle season) and jack with parking taxes.

In 1935 the number one problem with downtown so reported on survey was parking. Then came the Parking Authority. To this day, one of the worst problems with downtown is parking.

There is plenty of poison in the downtown parking and city-wide parking issue. The way to get rid of it is to flush it -- liquidate. Unload the public-owned facilities. Get a fair price for them. Then the city can worry a bit about what really matters -- like government.

I think that the people in Harrisburg would be happy to hear the plan. The city will cut parking taxes to -- say 10% -- for all suburban and city people who park here. But, that price cut comes after the debt and burden of the Parking Authority is removed.

Finally, I'd not be shocked if the Parking Authority liquidation nets a profit. If it is done well, it could. That cash could go to debt reduction and/or parks -- rather than parking.

Why the city has a parking authority and not a park authority / park district is a sin. The city cares more about the parked autos of mostly suburban commuters than it does about the health and wellness of the kids who live in the city.

Finally, did you see how 'parking' in the 'parks' has turned into an issue at Schenley Park and also at Mellon Park. Contractors are parking in the park and not the job site at Baker's Square.

That recent thud you heard was the trade show industry

This is like saying that the New York Yankees are going to not show up for the World Series. Wait. That has already happened. How about, the Yankees won't play Major League Baseball.

Or, how about the Rooney family won't show up for Steeler games.

Nevermind.

The trade show industry will be seeking a bailout next. They might be bailout #9 or #10. We better get the case built to bail out the Pittsburgh Convention Center too, so as to pile on.

Apple Announces Its Last Year at Macworld: "Apple Announces Its Last Year at Macworld
CUPERTINO, California—December 16, 2008—Apple® today announced that this year is the last year the company will exhibit at Macworld Expo. Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it will be Apple’s last keynote at the show. The keynote address will be held at Moscone West on Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. Macworld will be held at San Francisco’s Moscone Center January 5-9, 2009.
Apple is reaching more people in more ways than ever before, so like many companies, trade shows have become a very minor part of how Apple reaches its customers. The increasing popularity of Apple’s Retail Stores, which more than 3.5 million people visit every week, and the Apple.com website enable Apple to directly reach more than a hundred million customers around the world in innovative new ways.
Apple has been steadily scaling back on trade shows in recent years, including NAB, Macworld New York, Macworld Tokyo and Apple Expo in Paris.
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone."

Pittsburgh Council turns down planned South Side bar/restaurant

Central planning is alive and well in Pittsburgh. Well, to be clear, the planning lives but the city isn't nearly as healthy as it could and should be.

Pittsburgh Council turns down planned South Side bar/restaurant Pittsburgh City Council declared it closing time for new South Side bars today, voting unanimously against allowing a new BaBa D's restaurant at 2126 E. Carson St. to serve alcohol.
Council based its decision on an ordinance passed last year that creates a 'saturation point' for alcohol establishments in large neighborhood commercial districts. Councilman Bruce Kraus said there are already 62 bars in the applicable part of East Carson -- nine more than the saturation level under the city formula -- meaning there can be no more.

At another blog, I just posted the following:

Time will tell. But, here we go again.

"Hi-ho, hi-ho, off to court they go."

The legislation was a way to protect the current tavern owners. The legislation puts a cap on something that is already not only full -- but over flowing.

However, once that casino, -- err, slots parlor, opens on the North Side -- err, North Shore -- then we'll have about 15 bars on the South Side go out of business. The weak will die as the times change.

Meanwhile, the dead should NOT be our kids, as was the case again last night at 9 pm on Brownsville Road, with a guy who just turned 16.

New Viddler Group: Competitive Swimming

I've just created a new group on a video service called, Viddler. It will be the place where I upload various swim races.

Here is a race #1, a 50 free.



One of the nice elements of Viddler is the ability to insert a comment within the timeline.

Another nice feature is the ability to download the video to your own computer.

Wiki Milestone: even if the article barely passed the reviewer's NPOV check, MSM files Wikinews article

Judy Rebick, a former Canadian Broadcasting Corporation host/commentator/columnist, has filed a report for Wikinews. Cary Bass posted a report, based on a first hand account of a Canadian political protest.

http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Thousands_protest_PM_Harper_in_Toronto

Will Joe Grata and others who have recently departed from the P-G pick up their craft with Wiki outlets, such as at FixPA.wikia.com and Wikinews?

Specter's ethnic jokes lay an egg

Specter's ethnic jokes lay an egg: "Blasted all over the blogosphere, the remarks drew predictable outrage from Polish fraternal groups, among others.

'I find it appalling,'' said Tim Kuzma, president of the Polish Falcons of America, based in Green Tree.

Just yesterday, while walking home from school with Grant, 11, an older guy on the street shared a couple of jokes. One was about the bailout. Then my son told the guy he had a joke or two for him.

Grant told two "blonde" jokes. Grant is with blonde hair.

Note to Senator Specter, perhaps you should only tell dumb senator jokes.

Did you year about the three construction workers on the high rise at lunch time? They all made a pact that if their wife packs them the same lunch tomorrow, (burrito, susi, peanut and butter sandwich) that they'd jump off the building.

At the funeral, the wife of the senator learned of this pledge and said, "But he packs his own lunch."

The joke's punch line isn't as funny with the senator telling it on himself, perhaps, as I can't see him eating P-B-&-Js nor doing it for himself.

Perhaps Senator Specter should shave his head and go to only a comedy routine that is filled with "bald man jokes."

Teen Shot To Death On 16th Birthday In Mt. Oliver - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh

This sucks.

Teen Shot To Death On 16th Birthday In Mt. Oliver - News Story - WPXI Pittsburgh: "Teen Shot To Death On 16th Birthday In Mt. Oliver

The Collected Notes of Secret Agent Ska: Why City Council is not Millennial-friendly

The Collected Notes of Secret Agent Ska: Why City Council is not Millennial-friendly: "Why City Council is not Millennial-friendly"

Right on Agent Ska.

This boils down to "philosophy." That's an age old area of thought. They don't need the same philosophy -- they just need to be aware of thought and process that gives reason of it being grounded in a philosophy.

They act without logic.

Where they are coming from and where they are going is not tied to a greater picture of the landscape of Pittsburgh at this millennial-time.



Dave N is a friend. His brother's movie is now out of DVD too.

PS: Agent Ska, (in here blog post that I point to above) did NOT mean prothonatary, however. The word should be "Controller" (Michael Lamb). Lamb, who is not friendly to the cause as is city council, used to have that job with Allegheny County until it was removed with row-office reform.

Running Mate is with a new baby!

Way to go Dave Powell, Chair of the Libertarian Party of Allegheny County. Dave and his wife have a new member to the family.

Anderson Maxwell Powell born 12:30PM 12-16-2008. He's happy at 8 lbs 12 oz, and 21 3/4inches long.

Bravo!

Perhaps in a few years, this Powell child will be a classmate with a peer named Ravenstahl.

Libertarian Party and Green Party of Pennsylvania denounce court decision

Commonwealth Court holds that state indictments of illegal activity are not grounds for overturning earlier judgment against Ralph Nader

Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania (LPPA) http://www.lppa.org

Green Party of Pennsylvania (GPPA)

For Immediate Release: December 16, 2008

Contact: Doug Leard (Media Relations) at Media-Relations@lppa.org
Michael Robertson (LPPA Chair) at 1-800-R-RIGHTS / chair@lppa.org
Hillary Aisenstein (GPPA Chair) at 1-267-971-3559 / hillarya@pobox.upenn.edu


Harrisburg, PA – The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania and the Green Party of Pennsylvania denounce the recent Commonwealth Court decision against 2004 independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader and his vice presidential candidate Peter Camejo (Mr. Camejo recently passed away after a battle with cancer).

A grand jury report, which led to the indictment of state House Whip Mike Veon and ten former state House Democratic staffers indicated that Veon led a statewide political operation that used commonwealth resources to run a “massive” effort to oust independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader from the 2004 ballot.

According to the report, as many as 50 Pennsylvania House staff members worked on a challenge to Nader's ballot petition, and more than half received state-funded bonuses, in part for their "Nader efforts.”

On the basis of the report and indictment, Mr. Nader challenged a court ruling holding him accountable for nearly $81,000 in costs to remove him from the ballot.
Although the original judgment appears to be based on a criminal conspiracy, the court ruled that opening or vacating the judgment was not justified and went further to say that Nader’s efforts to comply with Pennsylvania’s extremely restrictive signature requirements were “the most deceitful and fraudulent exercise ever perpetuated” against the court.

"This decision drives yet another nail into the political coffin of challenger parties", said Ken Krawchuk, a two-time Libertarian candidate for Pennsylvania Governor. "First they force us to collect thirty-three times as many signatures to get on the statewide ballot, then they fine us $80,000-plus for the trying, and now they say it's okay for our elected officials to break the law to crush free elections. It's bad enough being ground into the dust under the heel of criminal oppression, but the saddest part of all is that there is no public outcry, no disgust, no anger. Pennsylvania voters are letting them get away with it! It seems as if no one cares any longer about the rule of law. I fear for our future as a free people."

Hillary Aisenstein, GPPA Chair said "It's absolutely astounding to me that in the face rampant fraud and corruption by the Democratic Party, the Court is still ruling against Nader. If they want to see 'deceitful and fraudulent,' they should take a look in the mirror."

LPPA Chair Michael Robertson added “Not only should Mr. Nader not have been assessed fees at all, but it is a complete travesty of justice that he should be assessed fees as a result of the criminal activity against him. He was victimized by the criminals and then again by the justice system.”

Pgh Public Schools Elementary School Swim Championships

From Mark Rauterkus

This is me coaching warm-ups before the big meet.

Context later.