Another day.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 04:18 AM | Add Comment
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TDNBW for a rapid recovery stabilization.

A new Gallup Poll shows 32% of Americans reporting that their recently depressed spending habits will become a "new normal" in the years ahead. These Americans say they have been spending less and plan on continuing that pattern in the future. Eight percent say their new normal will be spending more in the years ahead...

This poll essentially confirms a suspicion I've had for a while that this recession is going to change people's habits going forward. Maybe not quite to the extent that the great depression scarred people, but it is going to be a long lasting influence. It also confirms that my investments in outfits like BigLots, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar are probably sound.

These "32-percenters", like I have, have come to realize that everything matters. I'm sure they've looked around their houses and garages, sifted through past credit card bills and noticed all sorts of useless crap they've spent money on over the years and are saying to themselves "you know I really could have done without that $1,000 worth of CD's I hardly ever listen to anymore, that I'd have trouble selling for $50"

Posted by: Purple Avenger at 06:02 PM | Add Comment
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You know who drive more, get more tickets, and have more expensive insurance claims than the average driver? Hybrid owners.

San Francisco-based Quality Planning analyzed the driving habits of about 360,000 vehicle owners and found that hybrid owners drive up to 25 percent more than non-hybrid owners.

The firm looked at several common use categories used by insurers—including "pleasure use" (everyday driving) and "high commute" (commuting more than 15 miles a day). The long commuters traveled about the same distance whether they drove a hybrid or not, but the everyday drivers of hybrids drove about 25 percent (2,000 miles) farther than those of non-hybrids—largely offsetting any petroleum savings.

For some hybrid owners, the decreased guilt associated with improved fuel-efficiency might actually increase the number of pleasure trips. "High mileage drivers appear to be attracted to these vehicles, so insurers should take steps to verify the intended use of hybrids and validate actual miles driven whenever possible," said Dr. Raj Bhat, the president of Quality Planning.

Quality Planning recommends ditching the "hybrid discount" many insurers provide.

Posted by: Gabriel Malor at 05:53 PM | Add Comment
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Not new, they've been in production and rushed into theater since 2007, but I recently had an opportunity to listen to the intelligence officer of an armored cavalry regiment talk about their latest deployment in Iraq. He mentioned having these in the inventory this time around saved lives.

They're heavily armored, built around a V-shaped hull that deflects the blast of a mine, which minimizes damage to the vehicle and protects the crew. They've been so successful the DoD recently placed an order for 5,200 more. There are currently 9,500 in Iraq and 2,600 in Afghanistan.

Here's a video of one being hit by an IED. Listen to the radio chatter;

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Posted by: Dave in Texas at 05:22 PM | Add Comment
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Wired.com is pleased to present us with a list from Insurance.com advising us of The 10 Most Dangerous Foods to Eat While Driving. We.com are certainly.com appreciative.com to learn.com more.com about (canÂ’t do that oneÂ…itÂ’s an actual site) this subject.com.

”Insurance.com has come up with a list of the 10 most dangerous things eat behind the wheel. Seriously. Topping the list is the one thing we’ve all shoved into our faces during the morning commute. Before we get to that, though, we should explain why Insurance.com thought this was important enough to investigate. Hagerty Classic Insurance, the folks who let you cover that ‘57 Chevrolet Bel Air or 1935 Dusenberg SJ in your garage, ran an applicant through the DMV. It discovered the guy had a restraining order barring him from having food within his reach while driving. Apparently the guy had been in several accidents while stuffing his maw.”

1. Coffee. ItÂ’s hot. It can spill. ThatÂ’s bad. That said, weÂ’re guilty of this. So are you. Admit it.
2. Hot soup. ItÂ’s hot. It can spill. ThatÂ’s bad.
3. Tacos. Very messy.
4. Chili. ItÂ’s hot. It can spill. ThatÂ’s bad. And itÂ’s very messy.
5. Hamburgers. Greasy hands and a steering wheel do not mix.
6. Barbecued food. Um, that should go without saying.
7. Fried chicken. You think burgers are greasy?
8. Jelly or cream-filled donuts. Ever bitten into one and not had it squirt all over the place?
9. Soft drinks. Big threat of spillage, says Insurance.com, and unacceptable risk of “fizz up your nose.” Huh?
10. Chocolate. It melts on your fingers, which makes a mess on the steering wheel.

I’m fairly sure I can conjure up lots of things far more dangerous than the ones on that list that you could eat while driving. Does it just mean that the food is dangerous regarding the driving in and of itself? Or does it mean that the food can kill you before you crash the car into an abutment because it wasn’t prepared properly? Such as the Pufferfish? And of course there are also other things that are dangerous to eat while driving, even though they might not be considered “food” per se. (And you might want to keep an eye out for those potholes while you’re at it. The ones on the street that is, gutter brains.)

Non-topic topic found at Phil the News JunkieÂ’s blog. Who should really know better by now not to post things like this given what weÂ’ll do to them here.
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Posted by: Open Blog at 05:20 PM | Comments (1)
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Once upon a time (like a month or so ago) Obama was a big fan of the Mayo Clinic. He even cited their work in the run up to his ABC health care infomercial.

I'm guessing after this, there will be fewer White House chats for the folks from Mayo.

In general, the proposals under discussion are not patient focused or results oriented. Lawmakers have failed to use a fundamental lever – a change in Medicare payment policy – to help drive necessary improvements in American health care. Unless legislators create payment systems that pay for good patient results at reasonable costs, the promise of transformation in American health care will wither. The real losers will be the citizens of the United States.

Meanwhile, more polling that shows on health care and the economy, Obama is tanking.

Better find some Republicans to attack ASAP because being President is hard.

Posted by: DrewM at 02:08 PM | Comments (1)
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It isn't easy being the Obmasiah. President "I Won" seems a little annoyed that not everyone has fallen on bended knee and promised to do his bidding.

Speaking at a children's hospital, the president said, "Now, there are some in this town who are content to perpetuate the status quo, are in fact fighting reform on behalf of powerful special interests. There are others who recognize the problem, but believe -- or perhaps, hope -- that we can put off the hard work of insurance reform for another day, another year, another decade.

"Just the other day," the president continued, "one Republican senator said -- and I'm quoting him now -- 'If we're able to stop Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him.' Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses, and breaking America's economy."

Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) took up the same theme as Obama.

"What we're seeing from the Republican response is that they'll say anything to President Obama suggests," Cardin said in a conference call organized by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) this afternoon.

Cardin took aim at Steele's claims made in a speech before the National Press Club this morning, where the RNC head claimed that President Obama and congressional Democrats are "experimenting" with the economy and the healthcare system.

"The only option that should not be on the table is the status quo, and that looks like what the Republicans are suggesting," Cardin said, after accusing Steele of "politicizing" the debate over healthcare.

First, good for DeMint and Steele for laying down markers. Hopefully, the Maine gals are listening (though who really thinks that's the case?).

More importantly though, Obama is a Democrat, the Democrats have a filibuster proof majority and the Senate and an overwhelming edge in the House but if health care fails, it'll be the fault of Republicans. The numbers don't quite add up.

Gee, why the sudden focus on a minority party with zero ability to actually block or even slow down the Democrats? Maybe it's because his health care proposals are tanking with the public.

Of course Obama doesn't engage the Republican's actual health care plan but rather sets up a political fight because that's easier than actually governing.

Wednesday's news conference should be interesting. I hope at least one reporter (Hello Major Garrett, though what are the odds of him getting question after last time) points out this transparent and pathetic attempt by Obama to change the subject from his own failures and the fact the public is starting to catch on.

Posted by: DrewM at 11:14 AM | Comments (1)
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I'm as small a government type as they come but I have to admit to being totally in the tank for the space program. Throughout history great nations explored, space is what's next and the US should be at the forefront of space exploration.

Sometimes 'because we can' is a good enough reason to do a thing. Quite frankly, I'd rather be spending the money on going back to the Moon and on to Mars than ACORN and the UAW.

Below the fold, one of the very few interviews Neil Armstrong has ever done.
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Posted by: DrewM at 09:07 AM | Comments (2)
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Steele has endured his share of critique from many, including me. Has he learned the lesson to stay on message?

This is a start anyway.

"Obama-Pelosi want to start building a colossal, closed health care system where Washington decides. Republicans want and support an open health care system where patients and doctors make the decisions," Steele said.

Asked if Obama's health care plan represented socialism, Steele responded: "Yes. Next question."

Posted by: Open Blog at 07:38 AM | Comments (1)
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Is being planned. Contact info. at the linky. Please note that I will not be returning individual emails right away. It'll be a few days, but I will get back to you, I promise.

The last one was a blast. more...

Posted by: LauraW at 06:16 AM | Comments (1)
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