Comments by mtndriver
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Posted on October 5 at 9:34 a.m.
Whoa, Nelly. The vitriol is just amazing to me. How many of those attacking this protest thought the bank bailouts were a good idea? We've been sunk in a recession for three years and corporate profits are climbing, executive pay through the roof, while unemployment continues at very high levels. We all have stories about friends and relatives and our kids with advanced degrees working at entry-level retail jobs, or moving home with the folks. My son in another state couldn't get enough construction work to fill out the family budget and with a degree and a strong resume applied to 15 companies that were hiring, ending up earning $11/hr at Target. Try to feed your mortgage on that, after ten years earning good carpenter's wages. And also, don't get sick, unsupportable.
Why assume those taking part don't have jobs? It's bizarre! When the tea party holds its gatherings, do you tell them to go get a job?
I'm not on board with some of the demands on the list cartoonz posted, but is that a reason to rant and trash the whole idea that things are out of balance in this country? Things are way out of balance, and protesting that seems admirable to me.
Posted on October 3 at 9:24 a.m.
Thanks for this piece, Tam. As a complete layperson with respect to science, I'm often lost after the first dependent clause in an explanation of these theories. But not so with your article.
I always find your little essays interesting, thought-provoking.
Posted on August 24 at 9:13 a.m.
The writer said "particularly bad turmoil", not particularly bad market, so your comparisons aren't really relevant to his point, Nitz. He doesn't claim there is a better market somewhere else.
But I also was a little shocked that he said that, since my understanding is that foreclosures and under-water mortgages and vacant houses are much worse problems in Arizona, Nevada, Florida--places where the market values of houses increased at the same or higher rates than here, but where the prices were still "affordable" compared to California (and especially our area). Drive through some Las Vegas new home tracts, or Phoenix/Mesa subdivisions, and it is scary how many vacant (bank owned) houses there are. The only places I have seen that kind of thing in California is in Victorville, Lancaster, Palmdale. Probably there are similar areas in Northern Cal, don't know. The places that boomed the most seem to have had the biggest busts, which makes sense.
I agree it's pretty ironic that the realtors are screaming now. They made a bundle on sales (at 6% commission, usually) during the boom years, guess they thought the goose was going to keep laying those eggs indefinitely. They have a lot to answer for, along with the mortgage companies and especially the investment banks that created the mortgage-backed securities.
Posted on August 19 at 5:04 p.m.
Since there's the allegation that it's a hate crime, it makes sense to keep mentioning that the victim was black, Henry. It's sort of required for clarity.
Posted on August 15 at 6:41 p.m.
Thanks very much, and maybe we could add, let our lives be of some use to others. Service gives meaning.
Posted on July 27 at 12:05 p.m.
Drives me nuts, too, gleetagal. But it's (note correct usage) pervasive....
Posted on July 20 at 10:21 a.m.
Certainly sounds like a very silly decision, rule-bound, not rational. But state laws about proof of drinking age don't tend to concern themselves with tourism issues--they're simply addressed at preventing underage drinking. Perhaps if the Chamber of Commerce were to lobby for a change in the law, there would be a chance of success. Annoyed young drinkers from outside the US are not a group likely to have much clout in Sacramento. Any pressure would need to come from those who are losing business income from all those drinkers. Let the Chamber of Commerce know your concerns.
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Posted on November 17 at 8:46 a.m.
Amen, Ken_Volak.
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