574. What do Apple, Yum, and Starbucks have in common?

What do Apple, Yum, and Starbucks have in common? CHINA. Want to play the market where growth is inevitable? Play these stocks. Wish I had the coin to jump into a lot of Apple. Remember, China is also part of the Emerging Market, along with the other big player India. There are Emerging market ETFs and funds that can get you the exposure you want. Or, grab some Starbucks coffee, order a pizza from Pizza Hut,  or indulge in a healthy Apple. YUM will also serve you KFC or some good choices at Taco Bell. How much will the Chinese like these tastes? We know they LOVE electronics. Here's an article to entice your taste.

573. Keystone Pipeline jobs + Regulation jobs

Another pipeline leak. What will the fate of the Keystone Pipeline be? It has been approved -- at least that was the last word. What and when it will be built I do not know. But, for sure, and it seems necessary, better inspections and safety & operation regulations may be in order. Hence, the government may get a job kick as well as private sector. Here's an article about the latest pipeline leak.

572. Well, Heck. Amazon Sales Tax for Texas

It was too good to be true. No income tax and no sales tax when bought at Amazon. Starting July 1, Amazon will now charge sales tax for Texans. That's the bad news. The good news is that we might see several distribution centers in the next few years, more jobs, and more income from the new facilities. I think we can take this settlement with Amazon.

571. Can we believe Timmy Geithner re economy?

Reuter's release an article "Geithner: Can the U.S. withstand any Europe stresses" a few days ago where Timmy paints a rosy future economy despite the troubles in Europe. I like optimistic news. However, I don't like other statements he made that I cannot accept as facts without some evidence. For example, "There's better protection for intellectual property rights in China, less piracy against U.S. firms" and "China is gradually dismantling a range of the subsidies that their firms enjoy which gives them an unfair advantage." Less piracy? Show me Tim. Also, the only subsidy I saw back in 2011 that was supposed to be eliminated was Wind energy products. And, that was because the WTO put extreme pressure on them after U.S. objections. But, how about steel, aluminum, solar panels, paper, chemicals, etc. Again, a lot of complaints to WTO, but NO action that I can see. What I do see though are bills passed recently signed by Obama that impose tariffs on several of these products. In other words, a counter measure and hints of a trade war instead of Chinese cooperation. So, what was won? In the last 2 days I also saw an article where Russia and China signed a multi-billion dollar contract to work together on airliners. Oops. Timmy forgot to mention that there are other ways to "steal" jobs from U.S. workers: Build your own products! And, guess what? They will build with their OWN raw materials that they have been purchasing for years -- both raw and manufacturers. And we are to believe the demand for our products will remain the same or increase to grow out economy? Oh, Timmy. You seemed to fail to tell us about all this and many more issues hurting America LONG-term because you and the OBlunder administration rather provide a "quick" short-term, but ineffective long-term, solution to maintain jobs in America. Do you realize that tariffs on imports increase products to consumers. Thus, effectively, another hidden "tax-increase"? I wish all people were capable to see beyond the smoke and mirrors and rhetoric. Sorry, but I can't show respect to people who continue to run us into a ditch while collecting high salaries from the tax-payers to just finish there short-term assignments without regard to long-term effects. Let's see: about a month ago we lost an opportunity to shine in the drilling business in the Arctic with Russia taking the ball. Now we see Russia and China take the rug from under our U.S. airline manufacturers. Granted, not a major impact short term, but China is NOT in the short-term business. When you have the wealth, you can maintain the status quo for years without giving up concessions. We need an administration who can think both outside the box AND inside the box. Right now we have one that is totally ineffective in preparing America for long-term. Soon the band aids will come off and the wounds will NOT be healed.

570. OBlunder's Lips Keep Flapping in the Wind

When you haven't produced anything meaningful in 3.5 years, throw everything at the walls and see if it sticks. So is OBlunder's latest yap about the military GI Bill. After reading this article I still have no clue what he is talking about, but "his" media, the AP, had to get something out. While in the Navy I was given the responsibility of career counseling the last 6 months of my scheduled duty. As the career counselor, I helped individuals nearing their release date determine what was waiting for them outside the Navy, as well as, what can be gained by staying in the Navy. One of the topic was the GI Bill, which I also took advantage of. I always instructed the individuals on not only the availability, but also how to prepare BEFORE they got out. Maybe times have changed,  but I expect the career counseling still exists today in the different services. Thus, military personnel should be familiar with the opportunities. In addition to my counseling, the government and other sponsored agencies send GI Bill information out to individuals who have chosen to leave the military. So, what is OBlunder saying he will do? He already stated, according to the article, the VAST number of colleges "legitimately" pursue the individuals that served the country. Is that because the government guarantees the funds? Hardly! They will take the tuition from any source that pays it. They are simply showing and doing what they believe in -- reaching out to service members. So, OBlunder, give me examples, significant numbers of them, of who you are referring to who are going after the funds ONLY as you state. I am sure there are some less "credible" educational avenues that can be selected; yet, they may still be appropriate for the education a particular individual wants to pursue. Not everybody needs to go to Harvard with the GI Bill (CAN'T!). Some may simply want additional trade education, unrelated to a degree. I truly believe OBlunder is stretching the truth once again re the use of the GI Bill. If he really believed the way he states, why hasn't anything already been done in 3.5 years? Politics. Campaign time! Doesn't he have anything important to bring to the table? This a do-nothing "bill" from a do-nothing president and requires NO CONGRESSIONAL action. Only type he can get passed! Almost like passing gas.

569. Read Between the Lines re Home Sale Bidding Wars

This article by the Wall Street Journal can get you excited about the home market if you are selling, but, what is really happening? Let's look at Supply and Demand again. WHY is the supply of homes so low in some areas? Why is there more demand? Supply: Investors holding houses in foreclosure or not have held them OFF the market in anticipation of higher prices in future. These investors are SPECULATORS. Now that OBlunder gave the oars away again with dirt-cheap loans and increasingly lower and lower down payments, Fannie and Freddie have been sitting on foreclosures. They know the demand for those cheap houses would snap them up immediately; so, why put them on the market when you can MANIPULATE the home prices by reducing the inventory and forcing buyers to COMPETE for existing houses.Hence, the bidding wars! Who is winning the bidding wars FOR THE PRESTIGE properties? Why other investors who offer cash up front. Your dream house is being stolen by investors AGAIN! Same as before, but not as bad YET. We have an artificial reduction of supply and a speculative demand for the better properties. If you believe the article, it appears that California is leading the artificial manipulation AGAIN.WHO will get bitten this time? Hmmm ... the taxpayer? Ask your government WHY they are manipulating home prices by holding houses off the market. Does our government believe laws and rules are for meant for them, but are for everybody else? Or, pool your pennies with a bunch of neighbors (yeah, right) and join the speculators. If they are wrong, I'll guarantee OBlunder will again cry BAIL OUT. Didn't we learn from the economic failures?

568. European Troubles Continue

Spain is one hurting country. And we though Greece was bad. 24% unemployment and multiple recessions over 3 years. Unfortunately, they even affected bond sales by other countries lately, like another bad guy, Italy. Will Europe ever get the ox cart out of the ditch? I fear Summer is going to present a horrid market. Ride the last wave before May slams you against the shore. As you have been warned, get out by May and stay away. After OUR earnings have been recorded, what else is there except for the untrustworthy analysts and media to cause enough doubts to dump the market. I'm not negative on U.S. companies; I am negative on the psychology of the investors when the media starts playing its games. Europe + politics+media+high oil & gas + wishy-washy analysts who follow instead of lead is not a recipe for dessert.

567. OBlunder and Biden grasping at straws

Is it important whether Bin Laden is dead? Did the world magically become safe when he was killed? Or have our military been keeping aggressive to fight the war on terror, Bin Laden or not. Bin Laden was not an issue for many years. And as Romney stated in 2007, it doesn't matter much if he is killed, meaning, the terrorism continues until the world organizations wipe it out. He also stated that eventually, Bin Laden would be caught in their continuous pursuit of terrorists. So be it.

OBlunder and Biden aren't satisfied with that statement, despite OBlunder being the target of not going after Bin Laden during his campaign (Clinton attacked him). It's just politics folks. OBlunder has nothing to hang his hat on re progress and now searches his dirty basement for cobwebs that might take an image of something positive for him. A true leader! He'll disturb so much dust in his basement that it will cloud the important issues for America. This issue re Bin Laden is a classic example of his  desperation. I am so glad Biden has opened his mouth. Now we can hear the choked desperation of both the Democrats. Losers!

566. Student Loan Battle

Who will win the Student Loan battle? Bother parties want to keep the loans at 3.4%; they will rise to 6.8 automatically July 1 if a bill extending them is not passed. Thus, Congress has yet another issue to take to the finish line. This won't get resolved until June 30th -- another last day effort as usual! So, what are the differences in bills? AP's article describes some of the differences: First, all bills would keep student loans at 3.4 %. The republicans would pay for the loan program ($5.9B) by killing what they call a "slush fund" that is a Preventive Health fund that has the intent of aiding areas of the Obamacare preventive health objectives, such as breast cancer screening (please research the effectiveness of this type of screening), children immunizations, etc. The reason the Republicans call it a "slush" fund is because Obama already wanted to use $4B of it for OTHER items in HIS BUDGET! Plus, the Democrats earlier, before a bill was passed to continue paying doctors instead of lowering their Medicare fees, wanted to subsidize the doctors [for the mistake they made to lower the fees]. Meanwhile, the Democratic Senate will probably write their student loan bill targeting HIGH-EARNERS in PRIVATE companies for a tax. NOTE: PRIVATE companies, NOT government earners [like THEM, or agencies. Democrats want to pick and choose who they will hurt [no lobbying here, huh?].

Compromise? Increase student loans to 4% [good times are ahead] and limit college property and facilities growth to no more than 10% per year for 2 years [reduce payments to them if they exceed]. Cut the "slush fund" by 60% and allow NO BORROWING or USE except for specifically defined, and no other way supported, preventive care. Provide incentives for not only high-earners , but also rich people to DONATE to the trust fund that is administered by a PRIVATE corporation to administer the loans WITHOUT GOVERNMENT BIAS as to who can get them.

WHY is government always in the way instead of ever coming up with a workable solution. WHY do we even need government to provide loans to students?

565. Goodbye Newt

I think Newt would have been a good leader, but still favored Romney. As I posted in earlier posts, a ticket with both on would be interesting. I hope he keeps the pot churning for the GOP. We need his backing. It was a good run.

565. More SS Trust Money to Disappear

In addition to losses to the SS Trust Fund dollars, I just learned on the Greta Van Susteren show that OBlunder is taking ANOTHER $8.3B out of the trust fund to partially negate his Obamacare destruction of Medicare Advantage programs. This move is totally political! Obamacare was going to remove 1/3 of the subsidizing of Medicare Advantage to meet its goal of taking $500B from SS. His latest move, which was done without any other approval, gives money back to the Advantage program so those seniors who choose a program during the open selection period -- October-December -- AND BEFORE the presidential election will not see any changes for the coming YEAR! After that, its back to the Obamacare program, except the $8.3B taken OUT of the trust will be GONE. This exasperates what was discussed in post #564 and hurts all those NOT currently on Medicare. OBlunder has pulled the mirrors and smoke out of his closets. Please clear the smoke and look behind the mirrors when you vote.

564. Beware young people...SS Trust 3 yrs lower

Although this article doesn't address OBlunder and Congress giving away future SS Trust $$$ to the working class through its already extended bill reducing the percent of income going to SS and into the pockets of those working today, it doesn't surprise me that the fund is now due to run out sooner. Pay me now, or pay me later! The young have quietly chosen (by NOT arguing to kill the extension) to take a few more bucks today. Congress blessed them by passing the extension. OBlunder grins because he thinks he helping people today -- the working class! Unfortunately, its the poor and seniors who don't get to participate in the $Billion handouts, while all you young ones get to suffer in the end. So glad it won't affect me! Don't miss the alarm next time folks!

563. I'm Watching You

Buy your new car BEFORE 2015 or Big Brother will have hooks in your 2015 car to keep an eye on you. Bet you didn't see this bill, passed by Senate and now by House go past. Isn't it interesting how Big Government KEEPS GROWING ONTO YOUR TURF without you knowing it, all under the leadership of OBlunder-the-destroyer. And, don't be delinquent in taxes of more than $50K (right!) or you'll lose your passport (piggy-backing on this bill). Of course, there MUST be exceptions for the left-Hollywood celebrities. I wonder who convinced Congress that cars need black boxes like planes? Just what will it record? Your speed? GPS coordinates and history? Sex in the back seat? Isn't enough, ENOUGH?

562. Keystone PL Approved by House

Once again our Representatives are fighting to improve jobs. This time they slipped the Keystone Pipeline into a Highway Funds bill in hopes OBlunder will approve. Keep an eye on him. This will probably pass, BUT WHEN? After it does, WILL ACTION be taken to let it get built? Or will OBlunder come up with more lame excuses, such as cross-state border issues, to prevent it? My feeling is that OBlunder will drag this out beyond the November election. Other articles today report how dismal job creation remains.

561. GSA Scandal wasting OUR taxpayer money known by WH Administration

11 months ago Obama's WH Administration knew about the WASTEFUL spending of taxpayer money by the GSA AND NOTHING WAS DONE! Now, that's leadership isn't it. OBlunder must have been on his own trip when that happened. This preswident has spent so much of OUR money wastefully. Do you REALLY want this guy in office for 4 more years?

560. Pinocchio OBlunder Lies Again to America

OBlunder once again was caught with his pants down as this article reports that he stated America has only 2% of the oil reserves in the world, whereas a Geological survey claims 26%. He used his 2% to make a  point for his politics. Well, America, keep you ears and eyes open for the FACTS. OBlunder CONSTANTLY LIES. He just refuses to give us our independence from OPEC! Gotta wonder who he is working for.

459. Tired of constantly responding to Secure Content Only popup?

In my pursuit to fixing other problems, I had to reset my Internet Options under (TOOLS) and again started to receive the annoying popup message that warned me and asked me if I want to view only Secure Content. Seems that over 50% of webpages now mix secure and nonsecure text on pages and quite often don't take the time to selectively send only one or the other. So, the solution to the annoyance is to go to Internet Options, SECURITY tab, Internet zone, select CUSTOM LEVEL..., scroll down to Miscellaneous branch and then continue under it to find Display Mixed Content radio buttons. Select ENABLE and OK out. All fixed. You won't be bothered again.

458. Microwave Interferring with your Wireless?

I finally took the time to look up the frequency (radio wave) that my microwave was running at (2.45 Mhz) and set my network wireless (router and network card channel) to a frequency furthest from that. Turn out, I needed channel 1. If you have a newer router than an old B-Clunker like mine, you probably aren't running into this problem where your Internet browsing stops until the microwave is off, because, the newer routers run at higher frequencies and do not conflict. But, if you have an old thing like me, go to you router setup (usually by entering an address like 192.168.1.1 into browser), find the Wireless settings, and set to a different channel. Now, change you network adapter:open Network and Sharing Center, select Change Adapters and then your adapter. Select PROPERTIES, then CONFIGURE for your adapter. Go to ADVANCED tab and find the channel number (mine was WZC IBSS Channel Number) and set it to same number as you set in router. Voila, no more interference!

457. Silver Spoon Comment

I was going to comment on OBlunder's "Silver Spoon" comments which indirectly alleged Romney was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but I held off. Now it is more appropriate now that Romney responded that he won't apologize for his father earning millions, but BEING BORN POOR. Way to go Oblunder. My comment was going to be and is now OBlunder must have been born with his FOOT in his mouth. Seems he is still gnawing on it. What a loser. Thank you Mitt for telling us how your father succeeded in the American Dream. At least We the People will again have one under you. I am sure with Solyndra (see latest on investigation), $535M lost from OUR wallets, and his unnecessary trips everywhere, several more $Millions, Oblunder WASTED much more than 10x Romney's father. Also note in the article, that his father and Mitt donated much of the father's fortune to CHARITY. OBlunder, what a fool and liar your are.

456. Thank you Mr. Panetta

I thank Mr. Panetta for his apology for the inappropriate behavior of some of our troops who took photos with corpse parts. We don't need this type "bragging" and publicity. Now, when will OBlunder apologize for the misbehavior of his secret agents? Or does he find this acceptable behavior? Is he clueless? Does he not realize that agents reveling who they were and why they were there jeopardizes the president of the United States and all other American personnel in the area? Guess it didn't make it to his teleprompter yet!

455. More jobs and $$$ moved OUT of U.S.

OBlunder will probably spin negative press about Exxon joining Russia on a $500B venture to develop technologies re drilling in the Arctic. But, is Exxon supposed to sit on its hands and wait for OBlunder to ACT? Thanks OBlunder for doing NOTHING once again to keep JOB, MONEY, and TECHNOLOGY in the America! Probably going to blame Bush or Big Oil for his lack of leadership. OBlunder is killing America! Bet Russia doesn't tax Exxon 35%.

454. Spend $1B to pay MORE for energy

Now this article highlights clueless "contributors" at the Atlantic. Those who have worked in the computer industry around large accounts must be laughing their butts off at these clowns. Apparently, instead of the electric utilities converting to clean energy, it is now Apple, HP, and IBM's fault that a whole 2% of the electric running their datacenters is BAD! It's far better to move families (or fire/rehire employees) is their claim. Where do we get these kooks? And they think I don't question their facts too? I bought Apple today! Thank you Apple for your fine products and innovation. Obviously, and thankfully, that is more than important than to know or care how electric is being produced for your datacenters. I am sure you'd pay whatever price for electric running into your existing datacenters -- so, utility companies, do you agree with the clowns? Obviously not, or you would have switched already and made this article unnecessary. Oh, how I love the media!

453. OBlunder - Do you understand Supply & Demand?

OBlunder sticks foot in mouth again; of course, to our detriment.  This Daily Ticker article clearly explains his illogical and quite naive understanding of gas prices and causes. When I lived out here in Texas in the 80s I took my kids to a discovery Center in Oklahoma where they had a computer model that you could login to and which explained the law of Supply & Demand. OBlunder, schedule one of you many, many taxpayer vacation and trips to something simple that you might understand. Given restraints on oil supplies (Iran) and demand of oil (China), there is only one way oil prices can go. UP! We've been seeing Supply and Demand work in the natural gas industry where the new discoveries and drilling produced much more gas than demand for it. Thus, natural gas (yes, you heat) went down. But, beware, more and more electric utility companies are converting from coal to cleaner natural gas BECAUSE the prices are so low (demand going up), plus, oil rig drillers are also starting to run their drills with gas instead of diesel (demand up even more). Now if the car industry really got their act together and the consumers buy in, natural gas could become a viable supply to consumers (more demand). Want to guess which way diesel will be going?

OBlunder has neither a short-term solution, nor a long-term solution for the most dominant energy we use - oil & gasoline. Hello. We've been waiting for almost 4 years now and could have had additional U.S. Oil production hitting the market already (CA rigs that are already built). We could have had a nuclear plan or two, instead of just ONE approved one (some are already built and not being used). Interest in gasoline for you car, consider refiners in addition to oil prices. Their old, constantly-being-repaired facilities are major interruptions to steady gasoline prices. OBlunder, why are you holding up the exporting of natural gas? Why all the regulations to hurt all oil & gas energy? Time for you to step OUT OF THE WAY!

452. It's Been a while

Spring is usually a busy time for me. When you accidentally cut the phone line and have to wait for AT&T, it becomes unusually long. Now add another week after the repair for a global AT&T problem that hampered my Internet connection and it just became a real long time since I reported here. Thanks AT&T.

But then nothing really is different. Yes, the Republican race has seen a few fallout, AT LAST. And OBlunder and his secret agents are putting on an admirable show for the world in Columbia at the summit meeting, if you call parties with prostitutes and p***ing off Latin America leaders admirable. I just love his lack of facts and continuous lies to We the People. Unfortunately, the larger part of America is so clueless they relish the rhetoric off his lips like a sweet ice cream Sunday.

The market has held its own since last time. Of course it has its down days for BUYING, but should rally one more time before the dreaded summer months' stall. Politics will dig its claws into the economy and market until the victor can be predicted. Oh how I don't want 4 more years of small business bashing, dependency on OPEC, world leader rebellion, far more debt and deficits. If only the larger majority of "clueless" voters would absorb just 10% of what has been going on. But, we've all heard about arguing with rocks or walls.

I've been trying to understand what's so neat about Facebook for the last week. My first concern was to try to figure out WHO would see the things I enter and how to restrict things to just friends. I was also swamped with "possible" new friends. WOW. Facebook presents you with everybody's friend's friend's friend.... etc. and asks you if they are possible somebody you know. I threw several pictures out there, and now see how others can comment on them; unfortunately, the comments were to someone in a picture, but I ended up getting it too. Haven't figured it out yet how to limit things to what I really want and no more. If you want to chat, catch me on FACEBOOK at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003751748920#!/profile.php?id=100003751748920

Bought a monster tiller this year and have the entire garden planted except for peppers. My tomatoes were again planted inside wall-of-waters the last week in March and have already grown out the top. Last year I had the first tomato around June 1. I currently have a few small ones on some plants now and should beat that date by a week this year. And, yeah ... no back aches this year!

OK ... now we're up to date. I'll try to get back to the news and my ranting. Will also document a few Windows 7 peculiarities and solutions. Stay tuned.