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Photo of the Day

2008-11-28T15:26:06Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-28T01:16:16Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-26T04:48:39Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-25T23:21:22Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-24T03:22:50Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-23T13:27:17Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-22T03:25:25Z

The Big Three Sucked Anyways

2008-11-21T03:34:28Z

The only topic being discussed on American and Southern AM radio is concerning the federal bailout package and the recently proposed initiative to save the "Big Three". In regards to the first, I have always been a staunch opponent of the bailout. Banks made loans that were too risky, consumers borrowed more than they could really afford, and both deserved to suffer the consequences of their bad choices. I also thought it to be ironic how during previous years homeowners received absolutely no federal assistance, while loaning institutions were to be bailed out shortly after screaming for help. For decades certain sectors of the population did not have the means to purchase their own home, but once Floridian middle class families become affected, everybody begins to panic.

The Big Three bail out is even more ridiculous. These companies in recent years have invested their efforts in producing larger, affluent, gas-guzzling vehicles only to have them sit on lots as consumers turned to smaller, more efficient cars in face of rising oil prices. Declining sales in such vehicles is something that I believe to be positive, even if it means that large vehicle manufacturers have to fold so that more efficient companies will take their place and fill in the new demand.

A traditional "bail out" is out of the question for me, but I would feel different for an over-all nationalization. I'm all for Hugo Chavez-style nationalizations of sensitive and ailing industries, but under the condition that the public coffers benefit from any profits and royalties that are earned. Using tax dollars to bail out corporations only to hand them over to private investors later down the road is simply a bad deal. Using tax dollars to invest in an industry with hopes to earn back a profit in the name of improved health or education is another issue. Despite this, I have doubts on the federal government's ability to run a corporation (its record as a nation builder is bad enough).

One must ask themselves if it is even worth to save an economic system that depends on rampant consumerism and tax dollars.

Photo of the Day

2008-11-21T03:23:56Z

'Bama Ramblings

2008-11-21T03:13:50Z

Sorry for being so out of touch during the last week.

Not only am I starting a new job, but I was in-between phone numbers, I had yet to have a sturdy Internet connection, and I have been in the process of moving. I am renting a nice little duplex in the Historic District and

I have no curtains so for a few days my neighbors would see me wander around the house in pajamas. Those who know me in person know that I've always been a sort of exhibitionist so it didn't mind me at all. I finally got around to pinning up some old sheets that my father lent me over primary windows to avoid any embarrassing Youtube videos that might pop up when I'm rich and famous.

Crystal got in on Tuesday. Since then we have been running around catching up with old friends, buying stuff for the house, and U-hauling her stuff from a Columbus warehouse. She's in New York for the weekend so I've finally had a chance to sit down and use the computer without getting a mean mug expression from her. Ja!

We spent the first few nights sleeping on a floor mat without any heating or adequate bedding. It was the first time I've ever tried sleeping in 60-something temperature.

It's nice to have running water with such high pressure (in rural Puerto Rico the bathtub can take maybe half an hour to fill up). It's also nice to have more stores open late enough to tend to a 3am Slim Jim crave. It's cool to be able to put a piece of paper on the table without having it become a sheet of mush after a day of Puerto Rico humidity.

But it sucks always having dry lips. It sucks having a dry face in general. I miss being able to U-turn over a median. I also see how much I've taken for granted a sunny day or even the pitter patter of the rain hitting plantain leaves. But boy is that sweet tea quite tasty.

Photo of the Day

2008-11-20T03:11:09Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-19T03:10:50Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-18T03:10:18Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-17T03:09:27Z

Photo of the Day

2008-11-16T03:06:58Z