Rants

VPILF

2008-09-12T16:21:00.000-04:00

My website of the day

http://www.vpilf.com/

Let's get ready to rumble

2008-09-12T16:20:00.001-04:00

This has been my favorite politico blog entry I've seen lately...

from

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/12/mccain_gets_an_earful_on_the_v.html

Prepare yourself for the greatest ideological match-up of the century!

No, it's not Obama versus McCain, it's McCain versus Palin.

LET'S GET READY TO RUUUMMMBBBLLLE...!

This was John McCain, late last year on why he was qualified to be the president:

"I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training. I wasn't a mayor for a short period of time. I wasn't a governor for a short period of time."

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/21/us/politics/21debate-transcript.html?_r=1&pagewanted=3&fta=y&oref=slogin
.

And here is Sarah Palin last night on why she is ready to be a 72-year old heartbeat away from the presidency:

"Charlie, again, we've got to remember what the desire is in this nation at this time. It is for no more politics as usual and somebody's big, fat resume maybe that shows decades and decades in that Washington establishment, where, yes, they've had opportunities to meet heads of state."

http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=5782924
.

So there you have it. The ultimate he said, she said. John McCain explained why Sarah Palin isn't qualified to be a heartbeat away from the presidency, and Sarah Palin explained why John McCain doesn't represent change, just more of the same old politics as usual.

AMERICA, IF YOU'RE DUMB ENOUGH TO VOTE FOR THESE TWO KNOW NOTHINGS (MCCAIN/PALIN) THEN YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET - FOUR MORE YEARS OF BUSH/CHENEY LIKE INCOMPETENCE AND THUGGERY!

Posted by: DrainYou | September 12, 2008 3:15 PM

*****************************************************************************

An impolite conversation

2008-09-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

ehamme32: http://thepage.time.com/2008/09/04/georgia-rep-calls-obamas-uppity/
ehamme32: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-04-westmoreland_N.htm
CinciDood: uppity...
CinciDood: and the main thing those people point to is how well educated they are
ehamme32: yes
CinciDood: and where the fuck did George W Bush go to school?????
CinciDood: tell me
CinciDood: please
CinciDood: tell me
ehamme32: remember, rudy said ivy league right before he started mocking the community organizer thing
CinciDood: please
ehamme32: and it was yale
CinciDood: and
ehamme32: fucking blue blood ass yale
CinciDood: and
CinciDood: fucking harvard business school
ehamme32: oh yeah
ehamme32: i forgot about that
CinciDood: ivy league all the fucking way to the white house goddamit
CinciDood: from a family of privilege
ehamme32: yup
CinciDood: the reps need to shut their fucking pie holes on that issue

Way to go Ohio!

2008-08-27T04:20:00.000-04:00

America's fastest dying cities.

Don't let good intentions result in bad policy

2008-05-29T04:20:00.000-04:00

Read the Free-Trade Paradox in the May 26, 2008 New Yorker.

A Radiohead Rant

2008-05-20T04:20:00.000-04:00

from http://www.radiohead.com/themostgiganticflyingmouthforsometime/

"Where to play? Where to play? The Best Foot Forward report identified fan travel as the single biggest contributor to our carbon footprint. Public transport moves further up the list of importance, but venue availability, power, space, truck parking etc etc are still priority. A nice clean, sterile arena would have been sufficient, but having more adverts than character is not appealing to any of us. So the needs of the product override the ideals of the project and thus this plan came together."

My rant:

Ok, I really like this band. No, really, I really like this band. And I appreciate how they wish to pull off a rather "green" tour. Green is the way to go. And apparently they like the greenery of an amphitheater. Yes, an amphitheater out in the suburbs. (Oh, you should read Paul Krugman's recent opinion piece in the NYT.) A place where I'm not convinced all of Radiohead's attempts at a low carbon footprint will offset all of our driving to the venue.

And what is wrong with a "nice clean, sterile arena"? More adverts than character? Sorry guys, if you think there is some special aesthetic about the suburban shed I question your artistic depth. Except for the incredibly well designed and well kept Blossom Music Center, all amphitheaters in the suburbs and located close to theme parks are all dreary parking lots with a dirt pile they call a "lawn". Maybe backstage areas are nice for all you guys in the band, but you see, we don't get to see that part.

Acoustics? Well, maybe amphitheaters win on that one. But if you have good equipment you can make the best arenas sound like a concert hall. Ok, I exaggerate. I would definitely prefer to see Radiohead at MSG than at Jones Beach or PNC. I'd rather see Radiohead at the Q than Blossom. I'd rather have gone to the Verizon Center rather than Nissan Pavilion.

Still, guys, back in 2001 I saw you play Suffolk Downs in East Boston. I'm sure MOST people arrived by T. Now that was a great venue.

I got tickets for the Camden NJ show. Yeah, not really suburban, but the same thing: a mound of dirt and a nondescript pavilion in a nondescript section of urban blight. You get a nice view of one of those bridge thingerdoodles in Philadelphia, but you're in Camden. Enough said.

Radiohead, I'm just not convinced you're doing this as right as you want to.

Nissan Pavilion is a Bust

2008-05-12T16:20:00.001-04:00

Just for all you DC folk and good intentioned Radioheads, the Radiohead show on 5/11 should have been cancelled. Nevertheless, Nissan is a crap shed in a parking lot. No one has been able to do an amphitheatre like Blossom Music Center. All the rest of you LiveNation sheds, just go away. I'd just as soon see a summer show in an arena or a parking lot.

http://dcist.com/2008/05/12/morning_roundup_255.php

http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/index.php?a=371

As one blog commenter notes, its tough to be "green" when you play your shows out in the suburbs. No public transportation there. Just streets and parking lots. Come on. (Last tour they played BankAmerica Pavilion in Boston. The best bet is public transportation. Play venues in the city, you're more apt to go green.)

My two cents.

Holiday Greetings!

2007-12-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

The rant blog hasn't seen much ranting lately. Perhaps I have little to rant about except the same old same old: Pennsylvania drivers. The problems persist and the car has taken another hit. I let my beat up beauty serve as a reminder that one is always in harms way on the PA roadways.

Other than that, I'm working on having a happy holiday. I hope your's is the more awesome than mine!

Ho ho ho.

Rules to live by

2007-10-31T16:20:00.000-04:00

It is time for Taco Bell to produce another commercial. Your rules-to-live-by-Nachos-Bell-Grande commercial is among your most lame. And the fact that it is repeated ad nauseum, I cannot bring myself to eating that lump of grade B food product.

What? Me Worry?

2007-09-19T16:20:00.000-04:00

With all due respect, tell me, should I be worried? (click)

Your Old International Econ Text (No Rant)

2007-08-29T16:20:00.000-04:00

I'm posting this to my rant blog because it is linked to my facebook page.

If you are a former Econ 345 or 346 student with a copy of the 8th or 9th edition of Carbaugh's International Economics text, I'm sure there are some people in my current 345 section who would be willing to buy your used copy. Contact me or IM me (CinciDood) and I'll try to assist.

No Rants?

2007-07-27T16:20:00.000-04:00

I haven't ranted much lately. That must mean things have been going OK. The contract dispute is settled. I'm trying to not be so stressed about driving around Indiana. Bush hasn't had to appoint another supreme court justice this summer. Otherwise, Baghdad is apparently still an unpleasant place. Bush hasn't gotten the message. It's obvious he's just waiting to turn it over to the next administration. Too bad it's his baby and he's not caring for it right. You are a naughty Mr. President.

Oh, here's a tiny rant: What's the deal with NASCAR? Aren't you fans all bored by it? Indy Car and Champ Car are so much cooler. Yay open wheel racing.

I'm off to see the Simpson's movie. Jack Out.

We all lose

2007-06-25T16:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, I concede the argument. The Bush Administration has been successful in moving the Supreme Court to the right.

The latest.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: You better live a long life.

This court is yanking away your rights. We all lose.

the new Delta

2007-06-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

Delta airlines is trying to be new and improved.

Yesterday I flew out to San Jose CA from Cleveland, via Salt Lake City.

Everything was on time. I had a great exit row seat on each leg of the flight. They did not try to charge me any extra.

Moreover, I got sprayed in the face by an opening soda can when the flight attendants were engaged in beverage service. I wound up with two free cocktails.

Thanks Delta.

Obligatory rant: Each flight attendant looked pretty scary. Too much makeup, but honestly, they'd probably look worse without it. :-/

J

A Crack in Solidarity

2007-06-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

My union, APSCUF, is poised to strike this summer. My message to my colleagues: you are making me mad. If I strike I will be hammered financially. But I have no kids or mortgage so I am certain I will get NOTHING from you. If eventually I get a decent raise I'm likely to get hammered by a lowered credit rating as I'm likely to miss some credit payments. I'm certain I'm not the only one living paycheck to paycheck. And don't think that's such an outrageous thing. Getting through grad school is not a cheap thing.

Don't expect me to walk the picket line. Expect to see me working for WalMart or Don Huey while you're trying to send a message to Harrisburg.

Fuck you all. Sorry, I haven't bought into all this. This union seems to be so much more resource using than the benefits. I'm looking for a new job as we speak.

Yeah. I said "fuck". I'm not averse to using that word.

I'm fucking pissed at all of you.

And no, i won't be crossing a picket line. But don't expect to have earned any of my respect if I suffer because of your hardball posturing.

Sorry, as much as you might have an historical perspective, I've been here 4 years and am not complaining. I'm grateful.

My two cents. (And I'm not ashamed to voice this nor am I afraid to leave this fucking hellhole of rural PA.)

Things I still don't like

2007-05-29T16:20:00.000-04:00

Drivers in Indiana PA

The President of the United States

Detroit Pistons

Lack of Triple Crown Mania, again.

People who like the President of the United States

Hugo Chavez

That dude from Iran. (Yeah, I'm supposed to be well educated and know his name and even spell it correctly, but that takes the fun out of ridicule.)

Peanuts in my mixed nuts.

Seeds and stems.

Burnt bacon

There are other things. I'm just done ranting.

Jack out

Rant update

2007-05-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

Hey folks:

Not much to rant about lately except the same old same old. Again, driving in Indiana PA sucks worse than eating rocks.

A big flip back of the bird to the guy who was sitting at a stop sign (waiting for it to turn "go"?) when there was no traffic and I was behind him. How long do I wait before I honk? Why should I wait? But I was considerate. I have him about 15 seconds. Obviously he was unaware anyone was behind him. So I honk. Not a laying on of the horn, just a quick beep to alert him. And he fucking flips me off. Like it was my fault he was being an idiot texting his friend or something. Hey asshole: bite me. And next time you're texting I hope you wrap your car around a tree. Dickweed.

And honestly folks in Indiana: you are among the worst on the planet. You make me cuss and swear so much. Only bad drivers and republicans who fail to think make me swear so much.

Pay attention out there. I'm behind you.

Breaking Ranks

2007-04-25T16:20:00.000-04:00

Dear APSCUF:

Get off my back.

You may be "protecting" me but I think you're protecting yourselves. If you work hard and do your job you don't need "protection".

I don't really need you. I'm making you look good.

So stop hassling me.

Going my own way...

Virginia Tech

2007-04-16T16:20:00.000-04:00

God, this is so sad.

Say a prayer for the families of our fallen Hokies.

My Name Is...

2007-04-15T16:20:00.001-04:00

Jackie.

Yes, my given name is Jackie. Not Jack. Not John. Jackie.

You can imagine how much shit a dorky white boy* gets when his name is Jackie. Jackie is a girls name.

Somehow, every February, I got some relief. February was Black History Month. At my elementary school, the curriculum was celebratory. Jackie Robinson's achievements were certainly recounted and praised. And Jackie Julian no longer felt the heat. I had the cool name. I shared a moment with Jackie Robinson.

So Jackie Robinson, thank you for allowing this dorky white boy to feel proud of his name, especially today, Jackie Robinson Day.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

"42"

*full disclosure: Except for 7th - 9th grade, I attended schools in which I was in very much the ethnic minority. Rankin Elementary and Buchtel High School. Moreover, I was a dweeb dork nerd social retard until 10th grade. In an aim to use measured and appropriate language, kids are kids, and I was the very different one, not necessarily in a cool way.

What Ticketmaster does for you.

2007-04-04T16:21:00.000-04:00

If you've ever ordered tickets online from Ticketmaster.com you are familiar with the code verification.

I check some things on Ticketmaster rather obsessively (cultural and sporting events and their ticket sales are fascinating to this economist).

My last ticket search resulted in having to type in this "code" or string of characters.

One of infinite possibilities

2007-04-04T16:20:00.000-04:00

West 72nd and Broadway.

8:30 last Saturday night.

It all turned out one way. It could have been another, but only for the choices made along the way.

(map)

Who's indebted to whom?

2007-03-29T04:20:00.000-04:00

Sometimes the creditors become the debtors.

This week's This Modern World (note last frame).

When the bank loans you $10,000 you are indebted to them. When the bank loans you $10,000,000 they become indebted to you.

China may "own our ass" by buying up a lot of our treasury debt. But they certainly have an interest in our economy doing well so that we are able to make payments.

Thanks

2007-03-26T16:20:00.000-04:00

Thanks Verizon. I appreciate you selling me my second shitty phone in as many contracts. You have me by the balls for another year. (It's some crappy LG model. Be careful folks._

You're on notice.

Bite me.

J

P.S., Colin updated his blog. More reason for Verizon to bite me.

Open Letter to US Airways

2007-03-26T04:20:00.000-04:00

Dear US Airways:

Bite me.

Warmest regards,

Jack

Word to Cloin

2007-03-22T16:21:00.000-04:00

Hey Colin.

;-)

Dear Employee:

2007-03-22T04:20:00.000-04:00

Dear Employee

Many of the members of the hiring committee had reservations when we hired you 6 years ago. But we tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. Recently, we've had a number of complaints about your performance from nearly everyone you interface with. Please consider this your final warning.

Customer Service
We have numerous complaints from both internal and external customers. Internally, people feel that you are not a team player and are more interested in covering your ass and accruing power than working for the greater good. External customers tell us that you completely refuse to work with them unless there's something in it for you. There is suspicion of collusion with competitors.

Arrogance
Over and over again, we hear from employees and customers alike that you make it clear you don't feel that you're accountable to anyone except the stockholders. When asked to sign off on company policy, you add ridiculous side notes indicating that the rules apply to everyone but you.

Requests for Help
Several of your divisions have been through difficult times. When pressured, you make commitments to help, but the help never seems to arrive.

Company Policy
This company was built on some very basic principles. Your actions have worked to undermine our conduct and our reputation. We are no longer trusted to treat customers fairly and are often suspected of dirty tricks. You have also engaged us in frivolous lawsuits that are very expensive and result in a loss of stability for the company..

Attendance
You take more vacation and time than any of your predecessors. You claim you are on call, but on more than one occasion, you refused to cut your vacation short when one of our divisions was dealing with a major crisis. The New Orleans division is not likely to recover from this lack of action.

Personnel
Where to start with this one? You have chipped away at all of the benefits this company was so proud to offer – particularly to our retirees and workers compensation cases. You have been known to fire personnel who do not exhibit personal loyalty to you and then blame others for handling the firings badly.

Accountability
You are not known to accept responsibility easily, rather you shift the blame to someone who reports to you when things go wrong. When legitimately criticized, you blame the critics for trying to undermine you.

All in all Mr. Bush, your performance is unacceptable on many levels. Recently, many of the people who advocated hiring you have indicated that they regret that choice. Please remember that you work for us, not the other way around, or we will have to refer your status to the appropriate department and consider dismissal.

The People of the United States of America

(I don't have a source for this.)

Grrrr

2007-03-19T16:20:00.000-04:00

Indiana drivers. I'm back in the seventh circle. Grrr.

WWJD?

Time for a Rave

2007-03-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

No rants. Today a few raves.

1. Soooo many nice birthday wishes. Thank you all for writing on my facebook wall. All my facebook friends rock my socks.

2. I finally had to get a new drivers license today. I'd been driving around on an Ohio drivers license that expires today. So I'm dreading going down to the Indiana Mall to deal with a government agency. I just don't get along with the government very well. However, I found myself in and out of the Drivers License Center in less than a half hour. The first lady who processed my application was so nice and pleasant and friendly and, geez, I just wanted to adopt her as my second mother. Then the other lady at the picture center was just so by-the-book friendly. Few people have nice things to say about the hassles of getting drivers licenses but, boy, I was pleasantly amazed. Thanks Indiana Drivers License Center for making that a swift, efficient experience.

Time for some celebratory libations. Cheers.

pet peeves

2007-02-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

1. The inability of some people to properly use "their", "there" and "they're".

2. The inability of some people to properly use "your" and "you're".

3. The inability of some people to distinguish among other homophones (like "hear" and "here").

4. The misuse of the word "prove". Science doesn't prove a whole heck of a lot. But that's ok. Science isn't a court of law. But scientists, with the use of experiments and statistics, have very rigorous ways to support hypotheses. Although things such as global warming are not "provable" by science, the data can be overwhelmingly convincing. Moreover, one piece of data does not force me to accept an argument or dismiss one. Show me a Ph.D. and I'll show you someone retarded.* Average their IQs and it'll be the same as yours. Don't show me someone so mentally challenged and expect me to conclude we're all retarded.

5. High society and high class are poor substitutes for "those with high income". High society is an empty term. High class implies social stratifications. There are many rich "lower class" people. There are many poor people with "high class" tastes (blogger among them). The term "middle class" is generally acceptable as a scholarly term, but please, let's not be too strict classifying ourselves in social class. Let's just keep it all on the 1040 form, meaning people are "rich" or "wealthy" or "poor" or somewhere in between. Jeff Foxworthy is wealthy but the dude ain't high class or high society.

To my students: you should lose at least 5% on any assignment for each time you commit such an error.

*The term "retarded" is often used in a derogatory sense. I am not using it this way. No offense to anyone with mentally challenged love ones. I could use the phrase "mentally handicapped" or "mentally challenged", but those are merely definitions of "retarded".

Audi 4000 (a rave)

2007-02-19T16:22:00.000-05:00

I just have to rave about the Audi 4000 quattro. In spite of its poor electrical system and failure of door handles and the locking mechanism, this if one fine piece of work. Slap some good snow tires on it (I have Michelin Alpins) and this bad boy is unstoppable in the worst snow.

I love my Audi 4K. Next significant snowfall, hit me up for a ride. You'll learn how amazing this vehicle is. Much of it is the quattro with good snow tires, for sure, but some of it is the 4000 itself. It's one bad ass beast.

I think I'm in love with my car.

Hendrick's

2007-02-19T16:21:00.000-05:00

In light of the previous rant:

Moreover, I can no longer get Hendrick's gin in this god-forsaken town.

Bah!

Is it so weird?

2007-02-19T16:20:00.000-05:00

Today is President's Day, or Washington's Birthday as it is officially known (but the 3rd Monday in February will never fall on his actual birthday). In honor of this birthday we celebrate by closing banks, the post office, and government offices. The celebration continues with the infamous Presidents' Day Sale. That is, except for the Wine and Liquor stores in Pennsylvania. Here in Indiana PA, they are closed. Since this is a state-run enterprise we don't find it surprising. However, it is a rare case of the state in the business of retail sales. They arguably have no business in retail. Moreover, they are acting counter to the celebration of the holiday: sell something!

As you all know by now I grew up in Ohio. Back in the day we had state-run liquor stores which were even more sterile than the wine and liquor stores in PA. However, Ohio got out of that business. The state realized that all they needed to do was control its sale by liquor retail licensing and taxation. So yeah, we can buy liquor, as well as beer and wine, at many grocery stores and other beverage stores.

I was enjoying a beer here in PA with a new friend who, learning I was from Ohio, said "Ohio is so weird." "Why so?" I inquired. "Well, you can buy beer in convenience stores." I was taken aback that he believed it to be "weird". For someone enjoying beer most people would find it "cool" that you can actually get beer at 7-11 or Sheetz.

My point: PA is weird. It continues to be an odd place for this Ohio boy. As much as I try to find this place quaint or enchanting, I continue to find it a step behind. Let's get with the program, folks: beer at Sheetz and liquor at Martin's. That's the way it should be.

Amber Pub, R.I.P.

2007-02-12T16:20:00.000-05:00

The Amber Pub in Akron, Ohio, has closed.

It had been a west side hidden gem for over 40 years. For me, it has always been there.

Only in the last few years have I come to realize its true beauty and importance for myself, my family, and my community. It will be missed.

The Amber Pub is owned by Gayle Johnson, who also runs the O'Neil House on Akron's west side. I'm sure she misses the pub she loves dearly.

It was reported by my sister in communication with Ms. Johnson that the owner of the property on which the Amber Pub was locate sold the property. It is clear that she was forced to vacate the property. It is also believed that she was not offered an opportunity to purchase the property. She was given 30 days upon the sale to vacate. I went home for Christmas. It was closed.

I'm sad. Nostalgic sad a little bit. But mostly sad just for a personal loss. It was my place to escape for a drink and late dinner when visiting my parents. Watching the game. Drinking one of the finest martinis. To-die-for sauerkraut balls. Chatting with Gayle. Buying Miss Daisy a drink after work. (She's a fine cook!)

Will I get over it? Maybe. For now, tho, I don't want to get over it. It rots.

There is love

2007-02-07T16:20:00.000-05:00

As much as I may complain or point out the shortcomings of IUP, I really like my classes this semester. My students rawk.

Good luck on your upcoming tests and keep up the good work.

J

grrrr

2007-02-05T16:20:00.000-05:00

It's one of those days...

IUP--you suck
APSCUF--you suck too
Pennsylvania Faculty Health and Welfare Fund--you are chief among those that suck

I wish I could quit you all.

Prospects for Rural Pennsylvania

2007-01-29T16:20:00.000-05:00

I'm wrapping up a research study with my colleague, David Yerger. We're looking at unemployment and underemployment in rural areas of Pennsylvania.

Good news: If you graduate from high school (or complete your GED), you'll be ok continuing to live in these beautiful Laurel Highlands, or other areas in the commonwealth.

Bad news: If you are a college graduate living in rural areas (or a college student expecting to maintain residency in rural areas once you graduate), you're likely to find yourself complaining about your job and your wage (i.e., you are more likely to consider yourself "under-" employed). Unless there are some changes in the economy or some policies targeting job growth for college graduates in these rural areas, you ought to think about making a move to Phila or da 'Burgh, or Harrisburg (is there any slang term for Harrisburg?).

The full report will be available at a later date.

boo to bad ebayers

2007-01-24T16:20:00.000-05:00

Ok people, if you're selling something on ebay and someone pays right away with paypal, you really ought to acknowledge the receipt of payment. You really ought to coddle the buyer.

There is someone out there who has failed to do that on something I purchased three days ago. It could be in the mail or you could be just a rude and ignorant seller. I don't care if I receive the package tomorrow, you're not getting any positive feedback.

Boo.

Union City Blues

2007-01-18T04:20:00.000-05:00

As many of you might know, I had been complaining about my office for a few years. For the most part it is a great office but the desk, being one of those "workstation" type of set ups, pieces bolted together and bolted to the wall, was not immediately movable or reconfigurable. Moreover, if it was reconfigured it would require finesse as well as approval, in particular by the dean, a former occupant of this office space.

So I finally come up with a good plan that would be easy to execute and I got approval. Well, wouldn't you know that I was not permitted to disassemble university property like that on my own. It required a work order for maintenance to do this. Ok. Sounds great. Must be a union thing. (It is indeed.) So they finally arrive but find that they need a "carpenter" to employ a drill needed to unbolt the hardware.

It took two carpenters and two maintenace workers to handle this task. It was something I was able to do on my own but I was not allowed to. I guess I'm privvy to more information on this than you are, dear reader, however, I couldn't help but be stupefied by this event.

Just so you know, I'm not thrilled about being a union guy myself. This institutionalized adversarial relationship between "management" and "labor", terms which I loathe in this academic environment, also results in the creation of additional institutions, offices, bureaus that use resources but don't really produce anything.

Back to work.

Yay

2007-01-17T16:20:00.000-05:00

I noticed gasoline dropped 6 cents at Sunoco today. It's about time.

Oil and gasoline prices are falling

2007-01-16T16:20:00.000-05:00

Oil prices have been falling.

So when the fuck are they going to drop gasoline prices around Indiana?

Although my analysis is not rigorous, I've been following gas prices between Ohio and central PA over the last few years. Gas prices have not been quick to adjust around here. Tell me if you've seen gasoline below $2.359 for regular around IUP? Sheetz, Sunoco, they all price the same and without volatility. Anyone regularly traveling to Ohio or Philadelphia will notice that pump prices are consistently lower. In Ohio, more volatile. Over the holiday break I've seen lowest priced gas as high as $2.259 and, most recently this weekend, $1.979. I returned to Indiana and noticed $2.259 at the Sheetz on US 422 near New Castle and, low and behold, holding steady at $2.359 in Indiana. Don't say it is taxes. My argument still holds even controlling for that. I'm not suggesting prices around here need to be closer to Ohio's. I'm saying they ought to be lower than they are now. They haven't moved downward when the prices in much of the rest of the country have fallen. Is there price fixing? Probably to some extent. Difficult to prove, but I think I smell an oil soaked rat at Sheetz.

From historian Paul Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers (1987)

2006-12-20T04:21:00.000-05:00

lthough the United States is at present still in a class of its own economically and perhaps even militarily, it cannot avoid confronting the two great tests which challenge the longevity of every major power that occupies the ‘number one’ position in world affairs: whether, in the military/strategical realm, it can preserve a reasonable balance between the nation’s perceived defense requirements and the means it possesses to maintain those commitments; and whether, as an intimately related point, it can preserve the technological and economic bases of its power from relative erosion in the face of the ever-shifting patterns of global production. This test of American abilities will be the greater because it, like imperial Spain around 1600 or the British Empire around 1900, is the inheritor of a vast array of strategical commitments which had been made decades earlier, when the nation’s political, economic, and military capacity to influence world affairs seems so much more assured. In consequence, the United States now runs the risk, so familiar to historians of the rise and fall of previous great powers, of what might roughly be called ‘imperial overstretch’: that is to say, decision makers in Washington must face the awkward and enduring fact that the sum total of the United States’ global interests and obligations is nowadays far larger than the country’s power to defend them all simultaneously.

Bush: U.S. needs bigger military

2006-12-20T04:20:00.000-05:00

W. wants to increase the size of the military. Hmmm.

How are you going to pay for this?

Who you gonna get to sign up?

NFL network, revisited, and non-related rants

2006-12-15T04:20:00.000-05:00

I didn't like it the first time. I didn't like it the second time. I still don't like it.

The games are OK.

Bryant Gumble is still bad.

I've been surrounded by bad ideas lately.

NFL Network and Bryant Gumble.

The layout of the new IUP web design. (My two word critique: diminished expectations)

Liberal Studies Committee's runaway train which will likely turn into a trainwreck. Way to go University Senate. Thanks for distracting us away from our real work. Actually teaching these engaged learners and leaders at IUP and showing a little scholarship.

Back to deckin' the halls.

University Senate

2006-12-06T16:20:00.000-05:00

I went to my first University Senate meeting on Tuesday. What a major disappointment all around. My (extended beyond my department) colleagues kinda give me the willies. I hope they spend some time thinking because evidence suggests otherwise. And parliamentary procedure continues to frustrate me. I guess I'll continue to avoid situations of collective decision-making except when my vote is requested.

Grrr. I think these people are also the bad drivers I bitch about. If not, my pool of bitching recipients just got larger.

Jackout

NFL network

2006-11-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

NFL Network. They have no personality.

Bryant Gumble's shot at redemption and relevance is ... uh... shot.

Bad.

Keep trying if you must. I know you're trying to make your bucks.

More Driving Bitching

2006-11-29T16:20:00.000-05:00

Get off your goddamn cell phone and drive your goddamn car like you got goddamn someplace to go.

Thanksgiving misses (and a few hits)

2006-11-27T16:20:00.000-05:00

I had a good Thanksgiving in Orlando. My dad turned 70. We had a big party.

But there were several downsides. Most are my own fault but in retrospect, still are worthy of rants:

1. Missed out on the pumpkin pie.
2. Missed out on the cranberry sauce.
3. I didn't get to hold my new niece, Madaline. She's such a sweetie but I didn't get the opportunity. :-/ (I'll come visit you, baby.)
4. Mom: keep your expectations tiny and you won't be so whiny.

Raves:

1. My cousin's smoked turkey.
2. My cousin's deep fried turkey.
3. My aunt's pecan pie.
4. My aunt Connie's presence. You go girl.
5. My ganja-loving sister!!!!!!! Always a great accomplice. :-P

J

San Francisco Values

2006-11-14T16:20:00.000-05:00

IUP Hellbenders

2006-11-09T16:21:00.000-05:00

IUP Hellbenders facebook.

Hellbenders.org

IUP Mascot options

Not to vilify the administration. The institution is being coerced.

Got a better idea?

136 Keith Hall

2006-11-09T16:20:00.000-05:00

It's always 4:20 in 136 Keith Hall.

u no its truth let me hear you testify

:-P

Ode to Donald Rumsfeld

2006-11-08T16:20:00.000-05:00

"There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don't know we don't know." -- Donald Rumsfeld

Is it not clear?

2006-11-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

Is it not clear that Kerry was trying to take a jab at the President and not at the troops? Either the Republicans are as dumb as they seem or are as dumb as you are.

Pundits and the press: get the story right. That's your job. Most of you are doing it poorly right now. You focus on the story and not on the subject. Are you as dumb as the Republicans or is your demographic merely dumb Republicans?

Is dumb too harsh? Well, that's the word my colleagues and I use to describe someone who is not particularly interested or curious about things they ought to be curious about and interested in, and really lack the desire to include all data or interpret it within a cogent framework.

Kerry, you tell a bad joke. But don't let up.

And Hillary... you know better. Don't tell the country you think shit sandwiches taste good. Your own credibility is at stake.

Jack out.

Are you ready for some football?

2006-10-30T16:20:00.000-05:00

NFL? eh.
College? yeah baby!

Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for 3rd place in the AFC North. How nice.

(That's a combination rant and rave. )

Go team.

Buckeyes still the undisputed #1.

(Smack talk: Wolverine tastes like chicken.)

Shameless Santorum

2006-10-27T16:20:00.000-04:00

Rick Santorum:

Your campaign ads are shameless.

WWJD?

Jesus: "I do not know thee."

Drivin' & Cryin'

2006-10-26T16:20:00.000-04:00

I need to move to a place where I don't have to drive so much. It's not like I've got a commute that sucks. It takes less than two Radiohead songs to get to campus from my home. However, each morning and afternoon, and, well, so many other times tooling around Indiana, PA, I deal with drivers that, I feel, are inconsiderate, oblivious, distracted, and/or dangerous.

One hour's worth of data:

Driving down a road, a line of cars coming opposite direction of me are turning left. I come into the intersection. One left turner slams on breaks and honks at me because s/he had to yield to my oncoming movement. I did have the right of way. I did not deserve the honk. I expect the yield.

I travel about 40 mph down Rose. Many travel that at 60. Or 20. Odd road. Is it a highway? Is it a city road? Well, it is 35. But beside the point, someone backs out of a drive by that Nationwide "house". Backs out. In front of me. There was certainly view of me from the driver of the perpetrator. But they back out. And stop. (I listen for stalled restart. No. Just oblivious.) I honk. "Hey buddy, yield please." The driver moves on. I gesticulate, arms waving as if "wft? you just cut someone off." I get gesticulation in response. Amusingly we do this dance. (I think we were both getting into it in an odd way. Some dirty dancing in separate vehicles.) Anyway, you cut me off pal. Big time.

Then about 30 minutes later, driving to Martins from Spring Meadow. I'm driving up Mansfield, cutting through that neighborhood. Many stop signs. Which is irrelevant. Some driver who pulls onto Mansfield behind me clicks on his/her high beams. Were they just not thinking? Well, as oncoming traffic approached, the high beams were dimmed. Then reilluminated when opposing traffic passes. People: When someone is right in front of you you don't need to use the high beams. Moreover, you should not use the high beams. You don't high beam the guy right in front of you. You use the high beams when it is dark and no one is in front of you. (When it's back far enough it's no big deal. But keep in mind. There were stops signs. That means s/he was not far behind. And it wasn't like the driver was trying to signal I was slow. The way they were driving was not aggressive at all.)

Ok, that was yesterday's ordeal. But there are countless others on a daily basis. Mostly slow drivers or those not paying attention. I can't believe the amount I have to tap my horn around here.

When I am fortunate to get a glance at drivers that irritate me, they are often either elderly (slow drivers), disrespectful drivers (ages 16-25), or distracted drivers (high school students, college kids, soccer moms). I've been guilty of using the cellie while driving. I know it is a distraction. Please people, when you need to concentrate, just call back when you're out of traffic or parked. Its often easy to do. You don't always HAVE to answer your phone.

Oh Jack, it's like that everywhere.

No it isn't. I drive all over the state and all over Ohio, rural, urban, all kinds. It's nothing like it is in Indiana. You're bad drivers people. No wonder our insurance premiums are so high.

I don't know what to do about it. Move maybe? I haven't ruled that out.

(Sorry, I don't want to stereotype our senior citizens, college students, or soccer moms. But I think statistically speaking, I'm really not saying anything outrageous here.)

My Hypotheses

2006-10-19T16:20:00.000-04:00

Hypothesis 1: The stock market is doing well IN SPITE of the reckless government spending and deficit.

Hypothesis 2: The stock market is going nuts because the market now believes the democrats are actually going to take over Congress.

Test

J

Eww, that smell

2006-10-02T16:20:00.000-04:00

This posting is primarily directed at the IUP community.

If you've been in McElhaney Hall or certain other places around campus the past week you may have noticed that "fishy" smell. Well, I don't think it's so much "fishy" but some smell often associated with it. But I won't alienate people by telling you what I really think it smells like. Anyway, I've been told it will dissipate. I think it's taking a long time to do so.

Unfortunately, it seems that there is little that people can do about it, at least as individuals. However, I think en masse we might be able to accomplish something. Walk out? Work stoppage? Protest?

I am honestly convinced this issue is not getting the attention it deserves. Where's the Penn? Did they report on it?

Please leave comments. This is an open forum.

Stage Four Sucks

2006-09-14T04:20:00.000-04:00

A 9/11 Rant?

2006-09-11T16:20:00.000-04:00

I'll let Keith Olberman rant for me today.

But we should finally end this somber tone. I say we start having Freedom Parties on 9/11. We can actually enjoy some of the freedoms we're actually trying to protect.

J

Katie on Facebook!

2006-09-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric covers the facebook fiasco.

(Not to be confused with the new book Fiasco by Thomas Ricks.

The (pronounced "thee")

2006-09-07T16:20:00.000-04:00

Sorry NFL players,

The Ohio State University was the first "The". You can add it to your school if you want but

a) it's probably not part of your school's generally recognized name (uh, yeah....who says "The Pennsylvania State University"?)

and/or

b) you'll look silly proclaiming your school is "The" university of whatever. (e.g., Penn State)

Go Bucks!

;-) (It's all right. I love you Nittnay Lions like a good conference rival deserves. And I'd take a job there in a second!)

Yeah, this isn't an improvement

2006-09-06T16:20:00.000-04:00

Facebook's bad idea.

Can you admit "fucked up"?

Dear Mothers-to-be

2006-08-22T16:20:00.000-04:00

Please don't name your daughter Madison. They're going to wind up in school with 4 other Madisons in their class and they'll feel dumb. Furthermore, why do you find it such a compelling name? I don't get it. Maybe it's just me. But this is my blog. Got a problem? Leave a comment.

Paul Kennedy saw this coming.

2006-08-18T16:20:00.000-04:00

From historian Paul Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers (1987)

Although the United States is at present still in a class of its own economically and perhaps even militarily, it cannot avoid confronting the two great tests which challenge the longevity of every major power that occupies the ‘number one’ position in world affairs: whether, in the military/strategical realm, it can preserve a reasonable balance between the nation’s perceived defense requirements and the means it possesses to maintain those commitments; and whether, as an intimately related point, it can preserve the technological and economic bases of its power from relative erosion in the face of the ever-shifting patterns of global production. This test of American abilities will be the greater because it, like imperial Spain around 1600 or the British Empire around 1900, is the inheritor of a vast array of strategical commitments which had been made decades earlier, when the nation’s political, economic, and military capacity to influence world affairs seems so much more assured. In consequence, the United States now runs the risk, so familiar to historians of the rise and fall of previous great powers, of what might roughly be called ‘imperial overstretch’: that is to say, decision makers in Washington must face the awkward and enduring fact that the sum total of the United States’ global interests and obligations is nowadays far larger than the country’s power to defend them all simultaneously.

Fed leaves rates constant

2006-08-08T16:20:00.000-04:00

Fed statement

It's about time. Let's hope they didn't stop it too late.

Jerusalem

2006-08-07T16:21:00.000-04:00

Could Jerusalem flourish as an independent city-state? It seems that town is quite the sticking point. I don't think it would be like the Vatican because that would require some theocratic head of state.

I've pondered the benefits of its independence for years. Jon Stewart brought it up recently during some interview (yeah, I'm too lazy to put in a hyperlink here--Google it yourself).

I'm not sure it would happen, but I'd like to think every sticking point is negotiable. (Bill Clinton, you were so damn close. Yes, we can/should blame Arafat.) UN? Got cajones?

Details, geez... i don't feel like writing more right now. But if you take me on I'll either defend myself or concede.

Way to go BP

2006-08-07T16:20:00.000-04:00

BP has to shut down its Prudhoe Bay oil field due to "corroded pipes". Nice maintenance. All in the shadow of your record profits.

This is corporate irresponsibility of its grandest.

And watch: their profits will go up even more because of the way the market works.

Remember folks, you can throw around the terms "supply" and "demand" but that doesn't cut to the core of what is going on. Consolidation in the oil refining industry has allowed them to set the retail price that pads their profits. If you doubt, think about this: In what other industries can you have increases in costs (in this case crude oil) result in higher profits. If you think "hey, when my costs are higher my profits get squeezed" you are thinking logically. So the oil industry defies logic. Or that logic is that they are exercising market power. And don't think this administration will go after oil companies. They're in bed together.

Folks, there is no oil shortage. Prices are high, yes. Blame the turmoil in the mideast (and the lack of successful US interventionist policies). Blame the consolidation of the oil industry (and the pro-business leanings of the powers that be). But don't blame supply and demand. They are, as always, on their best behavior. It is the circumvention of the rules of supply and demand that are the culprit.

Way to go BP. Go to hell while you're at it.

At least their stock dropped today.

Dang

2006-07-27T16:20:00.000-04:00

Michael: dammit

Kristen: thanks :-*

Other rant: work. But you'd just tell me to shut the fuck up 'cuz I don't know how good I got it.

It's good.

But Michael...damn.

Flush it

2006-07-17T04:20:00.000-04:00

Gentlemen of western Pennsylvania:

When using a public restroom facility, please remember to flush the toilet or urinal after use. You may feel it appropriate to let the yellow mellow at your abode, but in public you should always flush it. No one wants your little gifts.

Thank you.

It may be natural

2006-07-12T16:20:00.000-04:00

But that doesn't mean it is good.

It's not very creamy. And that's what it's all about, really.

The Greek

2006-06-24T04:20:00.000-04:00

Ok, not really a rant. (I'll find something to complain about.)

I saw Radiohead at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley CA last night. Great show. Wonderful venue. I was at the top of the hill and I had great sight lines and the sound was pristine. The Greek could be the best place to see a show.

Obligatory rant: I saw some pretty long lines at the rest rooms.

Conciliatory rave: Well behaved crowd. I saw little or no security after the pad down going in.

Now going to learn how to disappear completely.

United We Fail

2006-06-23T04:20:00.000-04:00

United Airlines will soon go out of business. I will dance on its grave. In the mean time I will do what I can to avoid that airline. If I do have to fly them again I will try to get the best deal possible so that they make the least amout of money possible.

Yes, I had another bad day flying. In part it was due to weather issues, but it became much more of a deal beyond the weather. When I complained each representative said "Well what would you like us to do about it?" So I tell them and NO ONE had power to do anything. Then they suggested contacting customer service. But they were closed by the time I was able to contact them. I got NOTHING but helpless assholes all day.

The bright spot: One leg of my trip got rebooked on Frontier Airlines. Very nice.
I'm hopefully optimistic about the trip home on Continental, but they irk me by having that stupid blue carpet at the gates that only "elite" club members may walk on. I laugh but then it still pisses me off.

You big old airlines are going DOWN and I will not cry.

Long live the cut rate airlines.

Verizon and LG suck

2006-06-22T04:20:00.000-04:00

Hey kids!

Check out Colin's rant today (June 22) on cell phones. If you're like everyone else and think that its about time you should have better service or better rates, he's got some good comments. Now to sick the feds on them. (Oh, right, this Justice Department seems to have shut down the anti-trust division. The FTC isn't doing much either. They let firms like Verizon et al, and Ticketmaster get away with blatant violations of the Sherman Act and its various ammendments.

Colin Speaks Out on Wireless Competition

Furthermore, Verizon set me up last with an LG, I think its a LG VX5200. The phone is crap.

Ebay Shipping

2006-06-20T16:20:00.000-04:00

Ever shop around ebay and find something that seems to be a great deal. You may wish to bid/buy now but you scroll down and see the shipping. $8.00 for a t-shirt or cd or something like that. The point being that it is obvious that the seller aims to make a few bucks off of shipping.

If you net over $1 on shipping you are a bastard. You should charge what you expect to be shipping costs WITHOUT your "labor cost" or as the economist would call it "opportunity cost". It should be a given that an ebay item will be shipped. Tell me you are so inconvenienced by selling the product you wanted to sell that you want me to compensate you for going to the post office.

Perhaps shipping should be included in the purchase price. However, we'd like a system where there could be some choice among shipping options such as overnight or first class, or UPSP or FedEx. (Woe unto you, you lame CD or DVD sellers who ship media mail but charge $5 to ship. You know who I'm talking about.)

The best thing, I think, is that people bid only on those who clearly advocate pure shipping cost pricing for shipping. Hell, even FedEx will pick up your package for you. Don't charge me an extra $3 to have your hot FedEx boy pick up the parcel. You know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, I refuse to bid on items that have shipping that I feel is greater than I would charge for a similar item. Sometimes, when I get pissed, I'll email the seller and call them out on their high charge. Actually, if I want the item I'll negotiate before bidding...I've gotten a few people to agree to cheaper shipping. (Much of that just depends on the demand for the good.)

I guess it all could be complicated. Just beware and don't let the tricksters trick you and let's all be good people and see if we can get the tricksters to play fair and with clarity.

Ideas?

Phoenix Blog

2006-06-19T16:20:00.000-04:00

Click this link for reflections on ranting by Married to the Sea (it's ok, it's a harmless jpeg).

Hey You!

2006-06-15T07:20:00.000-04:00

get off of my cloud

don't hang around because two's a crowd

on my cloud

P.S. People please remember when driving: You should only pull out in front of someone if you are definitely in a bigger hurry than they are. It is very rude to pull out and force the driver(s) behind you to slow down. Although their tapping the brake is a good safety habit in response to your selfish action, you should quickly speed ahead so as to give those drivers behind you the opportunity to recover and speed up too. Play fair. We all really do own the roads.

Ben Bernanke's baptism of fire

2006-06-07T19:20:00.000-04:00

Wow! I wasn't expecting a stock market decline with a little inflation worries. Taking bets on interest rate changes. 2:1 they stay constant and the Fed will move quickly to make that clear just to chill out the stock market.

Bonus rant: Pittsburgh Airport: I like your cheap extended parking. It would be nice, tho, if NO MORE THAN ONE passenger moving walkway is out of service. I've come to expect one, but not two. You got some maintenance work to do. I shall follow up next time I am travelling by air from PIT. (I've made through with my threat to blog this all over the internet! Howdoyalikethat Pittsburgh Airport and related operating authorities?)

You look silly

2006-06-06T19:22:00.000-04:00

OK, I can't resist another rant. I can't help it because when I waste time at an airport I do TONs of people watching (I'm definitely a social scientist). You crackberry users, keep on using. It's your problem, not mine. But you cell phone users who do not have a handheld but have a wire rigged or worse, the earpiece, when you walk around and talk, you look really really retarded. People initially assume you are talking to (a) them or (b) yourself. Either way you look dumb. Tell me, earpiece users, do you get silly looks or people who turn to you and say "huh?" It's because you are appearing to be walking around talking to yourself. I'm all about freeing your hands, but that's only worth it if you have a drink in one and your cock in another.

I laugh at you.

BTW folks, I'm still in the WorldClub "Quiet Zone", hang up your cellie.

Love you long time.

I hope you're all enjoying 6-6-6. George (6 letters) Walker (6 letters) Bushie (6 letters, at least his wife thinks so).

A mini rant and a mini rave

2006-06-06T19:21:00.000-04:00

Mini rant: please people, get familiar with the unwritten rules of air travel ettiquette. I'll leave Colin to more clearly articulate those. I'm travelling today and as always, air travel would be so much better if it weren't for other passengers. Except for you, dear Tilly, who was the best random passenger to ever sit next to me in the middle seat. I would LOVE to go drinking with you again, preferably on our way to Las Vegas again. I'll bring the Tito's again.)

Mini rave: I've been in Northwest Airline's WorldClub in DTW for about an hour, enduring a 7 hour layover. For $45 I have all day access to the WorldClub. It is sooooooo worth it. It is the rare place in an airport or dealing with airline personnel where they kiss my booty. I can pour all the beverages I want. Not top shelf, but I could easily be dropping fat cash down in the airport terminal. But I have a soft sofa and CNN Headline news and wifi. This rocks my socks.

Time to get another drink. If anything pisses me off before I get home I'll rant with you later.

Jackout.

Cheap

2006-06-06T19:20:00.000-04:00

As you may know from the previous post, I was in Boston to see Radiohead at Bank of America Pavilion. I must call out the owners/promoters for this and other similar venues. I was weaned on seeing shows at either large arenas, small college arenas, and theaters (nice ones and decrepit ones). But these "tent" venues have to be the awfulest venues of all.

I'm not a resident of Boston so some of my claims may be false. I don't mind being corrected because I love to be right. The venue is located in South Boston, near a facility known as the World Trade Center, which is probably some large international commerce and convention center. The venue seems to be a converted parking lot. In fact, it seems to be just some pavement with a tent set up. Not a cheap tent, it's posts are obviously steel and secured to the ground. It seems nice and seems very post industrially cool. But the first thing you realize when taking your seats is that the seats are folding chair, not permanent (very cheap ass) and it is flat as a parking lot (ok, I noticed a gentle slope but much weaker than even the oldest movie theater you've ever attended). So it is really hard to see at times and there is very little space to move. Many shows I attend, like Radiohead, people tend to stand and "rock out". Rock and roll is often meant to be felt, not to be enjoyed while just sitting there. But either standing or sitting, it is extremely inconvenient for fellow audience members to move in and out of rows. People either kick over cups or step on your jackets that are on the seat. They obviously use the same rule as Airtran Airways: put rows as close and tight as possible to fit in 5 more rows of seats. None of this adds to the enjoyment of a show (or flight). It makes it all the more inconvenient. When you go to an amphitheater with a nice slope with padded or at least molded seats which (here's the great innovation) fold up when you stand up to free up dance space, you enjoy the event so much more. The newer venues tend to have beverage holders which sometimes are awkward and people can still knock them out when passing by, but it keeps it off the floor. (I understand we will never eliminate the kicking over of a beverage.)

The venue does not seem to have very many food and drink establishments nearby. I saw some sign about Yankee Lobster or something like that, but that's about it. Colin mentioned Harpoon Brewery was nearby. Maybe next show we'll take that in. But in general the neighborhood was pretty ho hum.

The other thing about the venue is the obvious temporary structures of the concessions and restrooms. I was reminded of M.A.S.H. in that it seems like the venue could be taken down and moved in a matter of hours. Keith pointed out it wouldn't be that easy, but I will hold that it would be much easier to turn that area back into a parking lot as "demolition" is minimal. As an economist I see this as taking measures to have freedom of exit. But that just cheapens the commercial activity. No civic pride in this type of structure. No aesthetic redemption. I feel like it is a WalMart product. "Hey, this is cheap. Quality is irrelevant." But I appreciate good architecture, even if its just a show. I even enjoyed seeing a show (Radiohead, 2001) at Suffolk Downs, a horse track. I would prefer an open field and a stage set up outdoors than a tent on a parking lot.

Exceptions that would be cool: Radiohead's very limited Kid A tour was entirely set up under their own movable tents. But those were set up in picturesque parks. I can't say "this is cool and this is not cool" with certainty as a concert even must be considered the sum of many characteristics: band related as well as venue related. I had a great time at Radiohead but I will say in spite of BoA Pavilion, not because of.

Other "cheap ass" venues: Tower City Amphitheater in Cleveland, Chevrolet (or whatever it is called now) Amphitheater at Station Square in Pittsburgh. Tents. Good god, let's let this die with the multipurpose stadium of the 1970s (Three Rivers, Vets, Riverfront, etc.): architectural and cultural mistakes.

Disclaimer: I don't proofread my posts very well. Point out typos and editing errors if you want. I won't take it personally. It's just that I don't get paid for this and will likely not help get me tenure (unless maybe Paul Krugman chimes in and makes some comments).

Rock on my rock and roll friends.

"I'm just a rock and roll heart looking for a good time."--Lou Reed

Cya again Boston when Madonna hits town.

P.S. I also feel I don't have to do as much hyperlinking anymore because the cool browsers tend to allow you to merely highlight text and do an instant search. I'll continue to link when I think I can direct you better than a google search.

Boston

2006-06-05T19:20:00.000-04:00

I'm in Boston. Seeing two Radiohead shows. Yes, I'm bragging. I know how to get tickets.

Colin: Love the new glasses.

Keith: Love partying with you as always.

Have fun tonight.

My baby's on the level.

Not in the mood to rant

2006-05-26T19:20:00.000-04:00

Schools out. I'm on hiatus. Not much to rant about. Well, I guess I'm just taking it all a bit more chill tho.

I'd like to make two public apologies tho:

(1) To Druanne: Sorry I pissed you off. I hope you like the brownies.

(2) To overstock.com: Sorry I was such a dick. But thanks for giving me not only ALL my money back but cut me a deal along the way. You still pissed me off but how else can I take out my frustrations on a faceless corporation. I can't so easily berate all the stockholders so I take it out on the customer service reps. Well, that is your job.

And one final praise to the karmic wheel: Channel surving during the 7 p.m. hour I stumble onto Ronin. Just moments before the chase scene. If you haven't seen that movie, it is worth renting the DVD just for the fun of that chase scene. (Cheers to Cloin.)

Peace out my pimps,

Wack Juice

(that's my ghetto name)

Inflation dilemma (revised)

2006-05-17T19:21:00.000-04:00

The April 2006 CPI figures were released this morning and it has sent Wall Street reeling. Perhaps the 3.5% (annual rate) increase was above market expectations. That would likely lead investors to believe that the Fed will continue to raise interest rates to keep inflation in check.

Looking more closely at the figures we see that much of the increase is due to energy price spikes. But even the "core" as they call it, all items less food and energy, rose 2.3%.

A micro view:

Who all is really that surprised? In fact in this environment I would have bet against Wall Street that the expectations should be higher. It must be kept in mind that energy is an input into the production and delivery of many goods. As production costs are higher then prices should eventually be higher.

For several months we might have expected that firms have been able to eat some of the cost increases, that is keep prices steady and reduce profits. But at some point that ought to give. Firms will find it imparative to raise prices and will be certain rivals will follow rather than not (for those who know the "kinked demand curve" story, the point of tacit collusion has been racheted up). And they should be able to get away with raising prices because we should all be expecting higher prices.

a macro view:

Now, this inflation is most likely a "cost push" rather than a "demand pull" inflation. Demand pull is the usual type where money is easy and interest rates are low. Households and businesses spend and as firms reach their production capacity (in the short run) they have too many dollars chasing two few goods. The standard remedy is to raise interest rates to cool off spending and it takes the heat off rising prices.

Cost push inflation, however, is where firms face higher input costs. As these costs rise faster than wages (I would think there is significant lag these days) then people will have their limited dollars chasing higher priced goods. People will sooner or later have to start buying fewer goods. This can provoke the "stagflation" problem: rising prices and falling spending. Fed policy is in a bind. If they are hawks on inflation then further increases in interest rates will further cool off spending. But if they want to make sure employment levels are maintained, they will have to forget inflation and keep interest rates steady.

Ok Jack, but there is no recession. Ooops. Well, maybe it just hasn't happened yet. I'm not wanting one. Furthermore, we've experienced high fuel prices before. We know we can adjust. Regardless, as long as people continue to buy the same quantities of goods regardless of the price, we can have inflation with full employment. Unfortunately this adjustment mechanism has been notoriously sloppy in past episodes (oil shocks of the 70s, a little in early 90s). On the otherhand, the economy is more adept at processing information these days.

Anyway, I'm not at all surprised by today's news and I'm just not convinced that this is typical inflation. Furthermore, we don't know that energy prices will stay so high. If pump prices follow crude oil prices, then let's keep in mind that commodity prices can fluctuate. They are prone to speculative run ups. Those who are betting that prices will rise will further drive prices higher. At some point they will believe these prices to be unsustainable and will bet that the prices will fall. Crude prices could fall to $60 in a matter of days if the stage is set right.

I'm just talking out my ass folks. If I'm so smart I'd be rich. I'm not placing bets on anything. I'm a wuss.

J

P.S. See Colin's comment on today (5/17/06)

Put it down

2006-05-16T07:20:00.000-04:00

To the women in my life: Put down that salt shaker. Please. The food really doesn't need it.

Salt is such an American seasoning. Bland. Just like our best selling beer.

You can do better.

But please, mom, sisters, you don't need that.

Please.

Tell them to their face? I've had trouble talking to people lately. I alienate. I try to be reasonable but when you put someone on the defensive like that they only get pissed. I need to try to get people to think that my ideas are actually their ideas.

But what do I know. I still have 11 sharpie slash marks on my arm from hanging out with the track team.

The Tao of Not Buying Insurance

2006-05-15T19:21:00.000-04:00

The Undercover Economist on insurance

The Undercover Economist > Freakonomics

Judicial Independence

2006-05-15T19:20:00.000-04:00

Not a rant. Just a rave.

You Go Girl!!

Oh no she di'in't!

Jackout

TicketBastard

2006-05-14T07:20:00.000-04:00

http://www.slate.com/id/2141425/fr/rss/

Yeah, that's tough. It seems that the industry is always subject to
scalpers.

Back in the day when it was queuing, there were always scalpers there in
line. In Cincinnati there was a pharmacy in the suburbs. The many times I
arrived at 5:30 a.m. (for a 10 a.m. on sale) and some dude is there in the
parking lot. Gets out of the car goes to the door as I pull in.
Fortunately I beat him for the '95 Phish Nutter Center show. Got great
seats for that.

But even then we fought against those who got to call in their orders.

Would temporary online and phoneline blocks work? Again, the scalpers will
just get in line. This begets the "line lottery" issue where it is random.
Again, the hardcore fan is screwed.

Could they go to exclusive will call? Maybe. That could be a cluster fuck
at larger venues, or the requirement that the venue employ a lot of people
for a short time to distribute tickets.

Maybe do all internet and do all print your own tickets but deliver the
tickets the morning of the event. Makes people less reluctant to buy on
ebay if they don't get hard tickets.

The thing about it is that we are smart as are the scalpers. Every time I
find a way to get to the front of the line they find a way to reduce my
chances of that. It seems that tiered pricing works pretty good on those
high end events. But for a small club show or GA event you can't work the
tiered pricing so well.

I guess it isn't all TicketMaster's fault. They are the easy target. I so
welcomed online sales. As an out-of-towner willing to travel to see a show
I'm very happy to have access to it. I grudgingly pay convenience fees.

$10.85

Fricken $10.85 for a Phil Lesh/GRAB show this summer.

That's the bigger outrage, I think. There is so much market power there it
isn't funny. They cannot justify charging different convenience fees for
different events or for different priced tickets for the same event. Any
justification for a convenience fee would be to cover the average total cost
per ticket sale. And I cannot be convinced the marginal cost of selling one
more ticket is more than a buck. Even when you have to have a person sell
it to you that time is valued less than a buck.

And TM has us by the balls. "There's always the box office," they can point to. But that is a weak response that deflects the issue. The point is that it doesn't cost $10.85 to sell one ticket. And when you buy more than that in one transaction, the average and marginal costs are both falling. Marginal cost HAS to be zero for any ticket over 1 (up to the point where it increases the weight of the envelope, and that's only like 25-cents at probably the 7th or 8th ticket). Furthermore, for an event in high demand you have no box office advantage. For the recent run of Radiohead onsales, I bet no more than the first two people in any line at any box office or Ticketmaster retail outlet got tickets. So again, you're resigned to use only Ticketmaster.

Don't get me wrong. If I had the market power that Ticketmaster has I'd be charging whatever I could too. Ticketmaster has shored up their market power in large part by being agressive and signing venues to have Ticketmaster be the exclusive (alternative to box office) seller of tickets. They probably make the deal so sweet that competitors like tickets.com or ticketweb.com find it difficult to compete.

They also are figuring out that those of us who want to go to see an event are usually willing to pay more than we usually pay. Ok, so they steal some of our consumer surplus. I use steal only because in a more competitive market the price would certainly be much lower. Here's the rub: we don't get to haggle over the surplus. They have us by the balls. Take it or leave it and go to the box office.

OK, I rant. What can I do to solve the problem. Not go to shows or games? Sure. Only buy from box office? sure.

The bigger issue here is that this is something that deserves a court battle. But the little guy can't go up against the mighty corporate lawyers. Class action? Yeah, I'll get a buck back if we win. Maybe lower future fees could result. What should be going on is that the Justice Department or FTC should go after them. Funny how we haven't heard much activity from the feds on antitrust this administration. Ok, its not funny. It's very very sad that we have laws that won't be enforced. The court doesn't make decisions until someone complains and to complain to the court you have to have lawyers. I'd rather pay fees than pay lawyers.

I'll avoid fees when I can. And I'll continue to pay up because I still feel like I'm getting my money's worth.

I'm a two timer

2006-05-11T07:20:00.000-04:00

So as much as I've been bad mouthing firefox lately, I gotta love the effective adblocker. And the pop up blockers i've used with explorer are very inferior. Can't find a good one.

So really folks, I've been a two browser user. Approx. 60% firefox, 40% explorer. Often it is a function of where I plan to surf.

I have tried Opera. It worked well for about a day and then wouldn't open. But Windows thought it was open and wouldn't close it. I tried it a few times. Maybe some other time.

Still can't get Last.fm to work. I'll just have to live vicariously through Cloin's last.fm

The President's favorite sandwich.

What is wrong with Ticketmaster?

2006-05-10T19:20:00.001-04:00

I revised this on May 14. Neither are well written. I get that way when I rant. Sorry. It's just a blog that no one reads. Except maybe Colin. (Thanks.)

http://www.slate.com/id/2141425/fr/rss/

In response to the above...

Yeah, that's tough. It seems that the industry is always subject to
scalpers.

Back in the day when it was queuing, there were always scalpers there in
line. In Cincinnati there was a pharmacy in the suburbs. The many times I
arrived at 5:30 a.m. (for a 10 a.m. on sale) and some dude is there in the
parking lot. Gets out of the car goes to the door as I pull in.
Fortunately I beat him for the '95 Phish Nutter Center show. Got great
seats for that.

But even then we fought against those who got to call in their orders.

Would temporary online and phoneline blocks work? Again, the scalpers will
just get in line. This begets the "line lottery" issue where it is random.
Again, the hardcore fan is screwed.

Could they go to exclusive will call? Maybe. That could be a cluster fuck
at larger venues, or the requirement that the venue employ a lot of people
for a short time to distribute tickets.

Maybe do all internet and do all print your own tickets but deliver the
tickets the morning of the event. Makes people less reluctant to buy on
ebay if they don't get hard tickets.

The thing about it is that we are smart as are the scalpers. Every time I
find a way to get to the front of the line they find a way to reduce my
chances of that. It seems that tiered pricing works pretty good on those
high end events. But for a small club show or GA event you can't work the
tiered pricing so well.

I guess it isn't all TicketMaster's fault. They are the easy target. I so
welcomed online sales. As an out-of-towner willing to travel to see a show
I'm very happy to have access to it. I grudgingly pay convenience fees.

That's the bigger outrage, I think. There is so much market power there it
isn't funny. They cannot justify charging different convenience fees for
different events or for different priced tickets for the same event. Any
justification for a convenience fee would be to cover the average total cost
per ticket sale. And I cannot be convinced the marginal cost of selling one
more ticket is more than a buck. Even when you have to have a person sell
it to you that time is valued less than a buck.

Any other ideas?

Full disclosure. I have purchased tickets that I've resold. Sometimes at a loss. Sometimes at a profit. If I fee guilty I take comfort that at least two mutually advantageous exchanges were made. I was just an unauthorized middleman.

Haven't we learned what we're supposed to have learned already?

2006-05-10T19:20:00.000-04:00

Why do people get fellowships and grants to "study the education system" of Japan or China or whatever exotic destination. We've been doing it for years. You're on a boondoggle people. You're wasting someone else's money and I'm jealous. Get back to work. And you philanthropists ought to stop funding those junkets. Are the trips memorable? Sure do they make a difference? If so why do we keep having to send you back?

I am a skeptic.

Jack out

Gas prices

2006-04-24T19:20:00.000-04:00

First things first: I'm not surprised at the price of gasoline. I generally side with the environmentalists that some reduction in our consumption of gasoline is good for the environment. Maybe also good for many urban workers' daily commute.

However, much of conventional wisdon does put the blame at the price of oil per barrel in the market. Here are some comments/issues:

Much of the trouble with oil is in its "futures" prices. Much of that seems to be speculation. Some wonder if speculators should be shot. In some ways, it is a bit manipulative. Therefore deceitful. So I'm glad I'm not a speculator.

However,

You'd think that a firm that is facing rising costs ought to feel a squeeze. That is, unless they can easily pass that on to consumers. In fact, maybe a little more is passed on than is typical. You just don't find firms earning such large prices when their costs are rising.

So what are oil companies doing? They are price searching. They are looking for the price that maximizes profits. No shame in that. But just because it is maximizing profits doesn't mean it is efficient. In fact, it can be very inefficient.

Think of this scenario: Bush calls oil executives. "Hey, looks like congress wants to hit you with a windfall profits tax. Let's not see me have to veto this." Watch gas prices fall around 50 cents fast. But Bush won't. Why? No spine? Stands to gain? False hope in free markets that have actually been taken hostage? As an economist, I feel there are many reasons. Some more reasonable and compelling than others.

Give how I started this rant, I shouldn't be too upset. But I can handle this increase in fuel prices. But my concern is those on a lower income range. Our economy has indeed become dependent on transportation. Cheap transportation. The poor are more likely to have trouble buying gas and have trouble owning the most fuel efficient vehicles. They are the ones who are going to get hammered. And if these people play the "Ohio" card, voting republican because they are are scared their family values are in jeapordy, they get what they deserve... a whole lot of NOTHING.

Oh oh way to go Ohio. (The Pretenders, My City Was Gone, about my home town. Go find it and download it.)

Jack out.

I.T.M.F.A.

2006-04-12T19:20:00.000-04:00

Seriously.

itmfa.com

and

The case...

Vegas

2006-04-10T07:20:00.000-04:00

They say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas."

That presumes something actually happened there that you don't want others to know about. Sometimes it's a way of trying to get you to think something hot actually happened there even when it didn't.

Guess which was my weekend.

Final Four

2006-04-03T19:21:00.000-04:00

Most boring Final Four ever.

A Mary Poppins day

2006-04-03T19:20:00.000-04:00

If you can't say something nice
shhh... say nothing

Until the day is over

2006-04-02T19:20:00.000-04:00

Until the day is over

I see you in my way

I see you on my running boards

I see you and I say

Ok, I never say it but I know you know the light

You deny it or avoid it, but I do not have a right

I’m trying to say I quit you

But I’m stuck in such a quandary

Everything I do I fuck

Everything I do is luck

Ok I don’t always fuck it

But I certainly don’t fuck enough

And I’ll certainly not get to fuck you

Until the day is over

You'll be glad you did

2006-03-31T07:20:00.000-05:00

Married to the Sea

The Secret of George Mason

2006-03-29T19:21:00.000-05:00

The Secret of George Mason.

Apple v. Apple

2006-03-28T07:20:00.000-05:00

Email from my friend superfuzz:

I found this rather amusing...

I thought that Apple Corps folded along with the Beatles. And doesn't the little weasel MJ own the rights anyhow?

D

LONDON (AP) - Two legendary companies in the music industry are to meet Wednesday in a London courtroom to fight it out over what might be the world's most recognizable logo: A simple piece of fruit.

Apple Corps Ltd., the Beatles' record company and guardian of the band's musical heritage and business interests, is suing Apple Computer Inc. (AAPL), claiming the company violated a 1991 agreement by entering the music business with its iTunes online music store.

The case will be heard by Judge Martin Mann, who said during pretrial hearings that he was the owner of an iPod digital music player, which is used with the iTunes music store.

At issue is a 1991 pact that ended a long-running trademark fight between the two Apples in which each agreed not to tread on the other's toes by entering into a "field of use" agreement over the trademark.

Apple Computer said in a statement that "unfortunately, Apple and Apple Corps now have differing interpretations of this agreement and will need to ask a court to resolve this dispute."

Apple Corps - founded in 1968 and owned by surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the widow of John Lennon and the estate of George Harrison - is seeking both an injunction to enforce the 1991 agreement and monetary damages for the alleged contract breach.

The computer company's logo is a cartoonish apple with a neat bite out of the side; the record company is represented by a perfect, shiny green Granny Smith apple.

Apple Computer had asked to have the case heard in California, where it is based, but Mann rejected that application in 2004 and ordered the case be heard at the stately Royal Courts of Justice in central London.

Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple Computer was formed in 1976, when two college dropouts - Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak - filed partnership papers on April Fools' Day. Their goal was to build and sell personal computers, and their first product was a build-it-yourself computer kit. In 1984, the Apple Macintosh was introduced. Their ubiquitous iPods first came out in October 2001.

The iTunes music store first opened for business in the United States in April 2003; it is now available across Europe, in Australia, Japan, and Canada. About 3 million songs are downloaded every day from the service. In the United States, a song costs 99 cents; in the U.K, they fetch 79 pence ($1.38). Not available on the service are Beatles' songs, which haven't been licensed for downloading.

My comments:

Apple Corp is still a partnership among "the Beatles" and their heirs.

Michael Jackson owns publishing rights to some, if not all, songs. I think
that means he gets a share of royalties. But that stuff is separate from
the still existing Apple Corp.

Apparently Apple Corp allowed Apple to use the Apple logo and trademark as
long as it wasn't in the "music business." Now they are.

Here's what I think: the nature of Apple Computer's "music business" is
much different than Apple Corp's music business. Also, it is not
deterministic that Apple Corp would (have) develop(ed) such things as iPods
and iTunes. I think the court in whatever jurisdiction, will find in favor
of Apple Computer. Furthermore, Apple Computer is a much more well known
trademark and logo than Apple Corp. I think the court will find that Apple
Corp is a bit rotten and Apple Computer's success has NOT been on the backs
of Apple Corp. If both want to save some wasted court time, just negotiate
a tasty little settlement and get back to work.

My two cents.

JJ