Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

America's 'top' 20 Miserable places to live

have to ask.... what's number one?

Detroit* is number one on the charts, no surprise there.

In Pictures: America's Most Miserable Cities - Forbes.com

• Plucky Stockton was nipping at it's heels though, just 7 points behind the motor city in Forbes Misery Measure index.

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

Detroit is number one on the charts, no surprise there.

That was from 2008 - its worse there now.

How did I know it was old? From this...

Motown is the worst in the country when it comes to violent crime, with an annual rate of 1,251 crimes for every 100,000 residents. Unemployment in the area is below the double-digit rates it hit in the early 1990s, but at 8.5% over the past three years, it is still the second-highest in the country among the 150 largest metro areas.

They'd say prayers of thanks for 8.5% now.

Do you think if we asked the indians nicely enough, they might take it back from us?

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

Do you think if we asked the indians nicely enough, they might take it back from us?

nope; but, it would give them a good laugh if you asked.

Detroit has stiffling humidity and/or bullets in the summer, and Stockton has stiffling heat and a noxious combination of farm smells as an added bonus, call it a draw.

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

Do you think if we asked the indians nicely enough, they might take it back from us?

Actually - yes they would - if we promised to all go back to where our ancestors came from.

dryfly wrote:

if we promised to all go back to where our ancestors came from.

lol

Andy Xie with some sobering thoughts on aging economies:

Our Next Economic Plague: Japan Disease_English_Caixin

Dumb, fat and lazy is no way to go through life, but it seems to work for us...

so far-so good.

CORRECTION - - UPDATE 1-$4 bln yanked from U.S. stock funds in February
| Reuters

energyecon wrote:

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:
Dumb, fat and lazy is no way to go through life, but it seems to work for us...
so far-so good.
"My advice to you is start drinking heavy..."

The brilliant California State Lands Commission has formally notified Clearwater Port LLC that its application for an offshore LNG terminal project off Oxnard’s shore has been terminated.
...
“This is the second time in three years we have stopped an LNG project off our coast,” said Linda Krop, chief counsel of the EDC, in a prepared press release. “The Clearwater Port LNG proposal threatened the Santa Barbara Channel with a major source of air and water pollution and harm to migrating whales and other sensitive wildlife. ”

This State deserves its fate. Migrating freakin' whales fergawdsake.

The state of Virginia this past weekend used the weakness of motorists to solve the state’s $2.2 billion budget deficit. According to reports, Virginia’s revenue-pumping ticket blitz resulted in an outstanding 7,016 traffic tickets this past weekend.

Apparently, tax dollars helped fund Virginia’s budget-fixing move with overtime for the state troopers being paid via a federal grant.

Of the 7,016 traffic tickets, 3,536 were speeding tickets. Most troopers issued 717 citations for reckless driving, “judgment call” ticket that can be handed out for speeding as little as 10 or 15 mph over the speed limit. The ticket comes with a eye-popping fine of as much as $2,500.

Virginia state troopers hand out 7,016 tickets in one weekend - egmCarTech

I figured sooner or later the gescopo in some state would go draconian on drivers, as the coppers are about the only entitiy in any state that can 'print' money...

CR wrote:

On financing, over 60 percent were either all cash (30.7%) or FHA loans (30.2%), suggesting most of the activity in distressed former bubble areas like Sacramento is first time home buyers using government-insured FHA loans, and investors paying cash.

In other words, 30.7% are speculating with their own money (best of luck to them) and 30.2% are speculating with taxpayer money (not so good for us).

Clearly, the government has strong political pressure to keep the FHA lifeline going. This game doesn't end until the credit of the US Treasury itself is downgraded.

Rob Dawg wrote:
The brilliant California State Lands Commission has formally notified Clearwater Port LLC that its application for an offshore LNG terminal project off Oxnard’s shore has been terminated....This State deserves its fate. Migrating freakin' whales fergawdsake.
Given that reason alone I'd agree, but...... where would they be importing LNG from? The Pacific coast of Canada? The U.S. Gulf coast via the Panama Canal? Or most likely THE GULF..... the one that actually matters.
I'm not assuming it isn't a damned boondoggle just because a spokeswoman in Santa Barbara mouths enviro-bullshit platitudes. Who benefits? (and do not cite the California consumer. Please.)

Hi scone, yes, I'm here. Testing is on hold for a bit, unfortunately. I'll let you know, thanks.

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

Virginia’s revenue-pumping ticket blitz resulted in an outstanding 7,016 traffic tickets this past weekend.

Revenuers. Maybe they should start enforcing jay walking, too?

dryfly wrote:

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

I figured sooner or later the gescopo in some state would go draconian on drivers

Pulaski, Tennessee has been paying for itself that way for decades.

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

to mercifully exit-stage left.

Was Snagglepuss an environmentalist? I always took him as a page for Senators.

Did I miss anything today?

The Africans might not want us there

Sacramento has got full Hellwhole status, as far as i'm concerned...

Hawley Smoot wrote:

Just sayin'

lol well thanks Smoot

Juvenal Delinquent wrote:

Projects that were going nowhere fast benefit from using environmental do goodery, to mercifully exit-stage left.

It's the perfect scapegoat. Same with refineries - if a company doesn't want to build or expand a refinery due to economics - then never cite economics [especially when there's like $3 gas]... blame the tree huggers - that's why God made them. And the cool thing is they are so eager to oblige.

Sacramento has got full Hellwhole status

Hey watch your spelling. Next thing you know, you'll be telling us about Hole Foods.

You haven't traveled to the Midwest much.

I live in the Midwest. I love this part of the country. But then, I prefer 'rust-belt' snow-packed places to always-sunny Lands of Jaw-Dropping Delusion (like CA). Honestly, I don't know why anyone would want a winter without snow.

Hawley Smoot wrote:

I don't know why anyone would want a winter without snow.

Ask the people of Fargo in a week or two. They are already stockpiling sandbags.

Hawley Smoot wrote:

Honestly, I don't know why anyone would want a winter without snow.

They like going outside without ten minutes of prep first?

Hawley Smoot wrote:

Honestly, I don't know why anyone would want a winter without snow.

hell smoot, we must belong to the same church.

Hawley Smoot wrote:

You haven't traveled to the Midwest much.

I live in the Midwest. I love this part of the country.

What could be more beautiful than the night view of the lights from the US Steel Gary Works while driving the Chicago Skyway?

The Germans benefited from creative destruction in the 40's

That's an odd way to look at it.

4thstreet wrote:

Honestly, I don't know why anyone would want a winter without snow.

hell smoot, we must belong to the same church.

So then - do either of you two have 6-8 months of semi-frozen dog poop in your back yard that was just exposed by the recent thaw? Just askin'...

some investor guy wrote:

Ha! Take Amtrak just about anywhere between Baltimore and Providence. The rails are lined with trash and derelict buildings.

Amtrak is to transportation what Cabrini Greens was to housing. The results are just as predictable.

Which city has done better since VE Day...

Hamburg or Hamtramck?

dryfly wrote:

Just askin'...

nope. no livestock.

Comrade Kristina wrote:

Did I miss anything today?

LLiz's typing is getting better. Must be the drugs.

about an hours drive away mt rainier and the cascades have all the snow you could ever want

How about Hurricane Ridge? Beautiful place, any time of year.

i outta find out wich drugs so mi spellung wood improv

Rob Dawg wrote:

Amtrak is to transportation what Cabrini Greens was to housing. The results are just as predictable.

You're rewriting history here. Trains go through derelict areas because when the transition was made from mostly train-fed commercial to mostly truck-fed, it was cheaper to develop greenfield sites than redevelop old train-based warehouses and industrial. These areas were on the long downhill ride quite a ways before Amtrak was even a gleam in Richard Nixon's eye.

Careful DC,

You are gonna mess with ,rad Dawgma's worship of Saint Dick.

Hawley Smoot wrote:

I live in the Midwest. I love this part of the country.

Assuming you must be errr, ah young. I've been a midwesterner for over half a century. First falling snow is the perfect compliment to a glass of wine, fireplace, and some great jazz music with ah, well you get the idea. Any way this midwest winter had too many cloudy overcast grey skies. I need sun with snow. Explains why oldsters move to sunny climes, we need our vitamin D3.

energyecon wrote:

Funny thing is right now refinieries are being shed left and right, the reason being cited is economics...

Wouldn't you? The thing is - when prices pop a little are they going to actually SAY they shuttered capacity to help the crack spread? Or are they going to cite 'regulations' & 'restrictions' to J6P?

They have the means to get their rents back up by shutting off under-performing assets - smart thing to do - just never never never admit that.

"earth first"

clear cut all the other planets later

dont steal

the government hates comepetition

energyecon wrote:

Funny thing is right now refinieries are being shed left and right, the reason being cited is economics...

Well economics is a religion and it's lent right?

Just a reminder that the Optimistic Bear internet radio show will be airing live tonight (Tuesday the 16th) at 9:00pm Pacific Time. We will be discussing the past week in economics and finance. Feel free to call in and share your thoughts.

Pomp & Surkanstance: Introducing the Optimistic Bear Weekly Economics and Finance

dryfly wrote:

Wouldn't you? The thing is - when prices pop a little are they going to actually SAY they shuttered capacity to help the crack spread? Or are they going to cite 'regulations' & 'restrictions to J6P?
They have the means to get their rents back up by shutting off under-performing assets - smart thing to do - just never never never admit that.

dryfly,

Oil companies look at permanent refinery cutbacks | Global Petroleum Club

Energy companies are suffering huge losses from refining because of slumping gasoline use -- a product of the economic downturn and changing consumer habits and preferences. Energy experts say refining cutbacks have begun and will accelerate as corporations strive for profits.

Major refiners have been circumspect about their plans, saying that they are considering options that could include closing refineries, selling parts of their operations, laying off workers and slashing spending.

"Refineries will have to be closed," said Fadel Gheit, senior energy analyst with Oppenheimer & Co. "Unless this excess capacity is permanently shuttered, a recovery in refining margins is unsustainable."

This week Chevron Corp. launched an overhaul of its fuel-making and retailing business with a plan to cut at least 2,000 jobs, put a refinery in Wales up for sale and take a hard look at its Hawaii refinery.

Royal Dutch Shell said it was reviewing its refinery operations with the idea of keeping only those with the best growth potential. Sunoco Inc. has sold one plant and said last month that its previously idled Eagle Point, N.J., refinery was being shut down permanently.

Valero Energy Corp., the nation's largest refiner, last year closed a Delaware refinery, laying off 500 workers, and mothballed a plant in Aruba.

"We're actually assessing the entire East Coast, whether we should be there or not," Valero Chief Executive William R. Klesse told executives at a recent energy conference.

Our Pirates wear business suits dryfly...They're harder to notice that way

energyecon wrote:

Oil companies look at permanent refinery cutbacks | Global Petroleum Club

I'm well aware of that - except when the crack spread finally improves I seriously doubt you'll hear much - we shut'em down to make money - we'll hear we can't build more because of tree huggers. Mark my words - that's what you will hear.

Comrade Kristina wrote:

Our Pirates wear business suits dryfly...They're harder to notice that way

LOL!!! And when they aren't piratin' they are golfing. Of course - silly me.

"Careful DC,
You are gonna mess with ,rad Dawgma's worship of Saint Dick."

familyblogfamilyblog

DCRogers wrote:

energyecon, serious question -- how has the rapid growth of onshore 'fracking' sources of NG affected the desirability/economics of transport by ship to terminals in the US?
(OT: hard to use the word 'fracking' without thinking of Battlestar Galactica...)

That is the shale gas, where advances in drilling and hydro-fracturing have resulting in previously unproducible and uneconomic formations (of which we, the USA, have a metric sh!t ton) to become producible and possible economic (just not at natural gas <$5/mcf). It has major implications here and elsewhere in the world, as there are other shale plays on the planet. However, for existing LNG plants the investment is a sunk cost and producing LNG may be the most profitable or least loss proposition. Also, the economics of some LNG projects are really driven by the natural gas liquids stripped from the gas production so marketing the dry gas is almost a disposal problem.

The durability of production from the shale gas wells without further stimulation is also open to question (aka additional investment).

That's only at the Buccaneers football field.

Comrade Kristina wrote:

here in Florida they make up the rules as they go along

Not even those poor little people in Orlando who have to walk around in mouse costumes in 110 degree, 110% humidity? They only get to pee every so often because Uncle Walt lets them? Uncle Walt wouldn't have to let them pee? Maybe that's why he didn't stick with Anaheim.

rps wrote:

And Sheila decides who's condemed

We need the law changed to have a minimum bank failure rate. We shouldn't wait for the whole herd to get sick before we begin to cull the weak ones. If we decided that every year at least 0.5% of banks were going to fail, then the FDIC could put the names of the worst run banks into a hat each month and then pick four names and close them, whether they were solvent or not.

Then bank management would have an incentive to not be at the bottom of the list.

Comrade kristina

yeah its crazy

we have all read a lot of comments about how this or that person despises unions

and i understand that some unions have negotiated or used job actions and strikes etc

to get excessive wage and benefit concessions from management

but in the last 10 years unions have never been weaker since world war 2

my wifes side of the family come from coal miners back east...they are all very pro union

and the rest of the country is about to re learn the lesson why

there was a time when miners factory and agricultural laborers were worked to death and

made to work in conditions almost as dangerous as going to war

Comrade Kristina wrote:

Hubby was informed they are going to work the entire weekend and not to plan on going home

Thank God he doesn't have a dangerous or critical job--like, oh, I don't know, wiring stuff with electricity.

Comrade Kristina wrote:

These guys are already running on fumes after working anywhere from 25-60 days straight and many of those days 10-12 hr shifts.

The end result in the destruction of unions. It's the 21st century forced back into sweatshop conditions.

"Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent." Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hawley Smoot - Honestly, I don't know why anyone would want a winter without snow.

I can think of a few reasons, I'm not a fan of shoving out my car to get to work for one thing. Snow is great if I don't have to go anywhere.

Kauai_Kahuna wrote:

I can think of a few reasons, I'm not a fan of shoving out my car to get to work for one thing. Snow is great if I don't have to go anywhere.

I was walking along the beach on the Big Island when a snowball went wizzing by a few inches from my face.

Hawaiian teenagers. They had been up to Mauna Kea and filled a pickup with snow.

Bespoke Investment Group - Think BIG - Rotating Back Into the US

top o' the morning, yank.

Comrade Kristina - I just learned something new. There are no Federal Regulations on how many hours an employer can require you to work nor any rules about breaks for any reason.

Most of them are safety rules coming from OSHA.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration - Home

Safety and Health Topics: Asbestos - OSHA Standards

Yes. Hubby thinks some asses got chewed. They are bringing people in from all over the country to push this. They'll never be open on time.

Yeah burnside but it doesn't affect me. I'm in town not the beach. This is hubby that is about to snap.

so he's a union guy working for a non-union company?

I give up.

barfly, pretty common down here. They guy that is the BA here was never Union until he became BA. Hubby has worked exactly 2 months for the Union in a year and half. He had to drive 160 miles round trip every day to get that work.

VA is the same way. DC too I believe. The only strong Union around here is the Custodial Services one.

nova,

I finished AA yesterday, you've got talent!

JD. Cool. I'm glad you liked it. If you can -- leave a review on Amazon. It helps a lot

is there a basketball tourney coming up?

FYI, OSHA has no rules on it either. I don't know why I thought their used to be rules on this stuff. Does anyone else remember? If there were, I'm kinda curious as to when they changed...

JD, Whenever.

Flying Turtles of Doom?! LOL.

How are oil refinery margins down so much with $3 gas? That begs the question of when were the margins higher and "excess capacity" lower. Must have been the $1.50-$2.00 gas?

I'm guessing refinery capacity was ramped up over the last several bubble years to meet the demand, but now it looks like we are adjusting to a new lower "normal"?

So has anybody noticed that the FOMC statement said they would continue low rates but the effective Fed Funds rate has slowly increased from 0.12% to 0.20%. A few more basis points and it'll repo time again.

DCRogers wrote:
Trains go through derelict areas...
I think you're missing his point. Public transportation is a third world slum on wheels in itself. As but one example take the DC subway that I ride every day. The carpets on the floor are filthy. You wouldn't tolerate such filth in your own car. You wouldn't tolerate such filth if there were any competition with civilized standards of hygiene.

On the subject of oil production, refineries are confirmed to be ramping down in Southern California. Local governments get a nice chunk of tax revenue from refineries and the amount will drop now, of course. Cities will have to scramble to cover the shortfall because while they expected reduced sales tax, etc., falling oil revenues weren't on the radar.

whats your take on Brazil breaking patents?

kidbuck,

I think DC metro is pretty nice. Cuffing kids for eating helps.

Thanks,energyecon !

Rachel Maddow is interviewing Timmay right now. I missed most of it talking with Hubby but she is usually a very sharp interviewer. They will show the rerun at 10Central.

Bringing up pitchforks and torches...oh my.

Timmy just said "The government has failed the American People"....I need a double

dryfly wrote:

I saw the same thing along the Arkansas - Missouri border a few weeks ago - highway patrol cars nailing cars coming in from out of state [both ways - AR nailing cars coming from MO & MO nailing cars coming from AR]... it was like the cold war at Brandenburg Gate.

New Hampshire had a governor, Meldrim Thomson, who took the state warfare thing to heart.

"He was also a strong proponent of state sovereignty. When Thomson learned Massachusetts tax agents were at New Hampshire liquor stores taking down the numbers on cars with Massachusetts license plates, he had them arrested. When he learned that Maine had arrested a Portsmouth (New Hampshire) lobsterman, in Maine waters, he began what was known as the "Lobster war." The conflict ended in the U.S. Supreme Court with the drawing of an ocean boundary between the two states at the mouth of the Piscataqua River."

Monkey see-monkey do...

YouTube - Monkey Zoetrope at Burning Man 2007

Here's what I see in Oakland...

Low end - straight to REO
Middle - deep (I mean REALLY DEEP) discounted short sales
Upper end - not many REO's or short sales - There weren't a lot of sales (at least relatively) during the bubble so most are still going at prices above purchase; those that were bought in the bubble usually were move-ups so buyer tended to make larger downpayments, thus the homeowner is taking the biggest hit.

CK - what else did Timmy say?

nova wrote:

I know of one federal agency that will be replacing almost all of its servers next budget year.

Maybe someone is watching the books?

At my server farm, I am paying $200/month for each clean 20A circuit (with batteries and diesel backup). You can believe that I'm doing the math as soon as I see the selling price on the new boxes and the actual measured power consumption.

sm_landlord wrote :

80% of the class raised their hands for "white".
I don't drive white cars any more.

I have always thought white car = rental. Maybe cops do too.

also OT : I never really worried about the floors of the Metro. It's not like I'm gonna eat off it.

Some previous FOMC forecasts