BeanCounterGrad'03

Lithuania, Ethiopia, Haiti Source: my ass

She set my high school freshman pants on fire and I've had a crush on her ever since.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

I've remained relatively quiet on this and other related topics, and its driving me nuts! So here's my release: I believe both lenders and borrowers are to blame. That, to me, is not debatable. What is debatable is which is more to blame. I believe borrowers are more to blame, but the banks definitely are not innocent. My belief is based on my personal experience as a recent home buyer. As my new wife and I started the housing search almost 2 years ago, we visited a "community in progress" that had homes ranging from the 200's (our range) to the 500's. After touring a couple home models in our range we filled out forms with the builder to allow them to check out our credit worthiness. We made it clear to them we were looking in the low 200's range. Yet, they took the effort to sit us down and TELL US what we could afford. It was difficult for me to keep a straight, respectful look as the salesman told me I could "afford" a $400K+ house with a 5/1 ARM. We politely listened to their "presentation" and we told them "we'd get back to them". Needless to say, we didn't give them a second look. In fact, I felt a little insulted that they were telling us what we could afford, like we were to stupid to make our own decisions. Thankfully, we are intelligent enough to know when we are being played. To back up JohnDenver on his above post, lenders knew exactly what they were doing when they "invented" ARM's, Jumbo, Balloon, Interest-Only, and whatever other silly/complicated loans they could come up with. They took a risk...and failed! That's right, just as borrowers took the risk that they would be selling the house within 5 years or make enough in 5 years to afford an ARM...and failed! In my opinion, to place all blame on uniformed borrowers is sticking your head in the sand to the possibility that free markets are not the godsend some of you make it out to be. Call me socialist if you like (I personally don't see it as an insult). I prefer to call myself a "limited capitalist" or something like that. Do I agree that free markets can regulate themselves? Yes. Do I agree that over-regulation can be detrimental? Yes. Do I like asking myself questions and answering myself? Yes. Where I disagree with some of the free-market proponents is the way that free markets regulate themselves. In my view, regulation is meant to assist the free markets in "smoothing out" economic growth. If the market was allowed to "roam free", I'm sure, at times, that the economy would explode beyond our wildest dreams. But when it stalls, we would see the lowest of lows. As a history buff, I draw this opinion from what happened in the early 1900's with the roaring 20's and the subsequent Great Depression. I could go on a while on this topic, but I'll spare yall the beating. But what do I know...I am a CPA and internal auditor, not an economist or MBA degree holder. (my disclaimer )

Is Gary Larlson the creator of Garfield?

Here's an excerpt of an interview that Larry King did recently with Michael Moore. While I know that he is the conservatives' anti-Christ, I think he makes a good point about management not doing a good enough job of watching consumer wants and needs. Michael Moore's thoughts on auto industry bailout And thus ends my attempt to keep this thread going on FOREVER!!!!!

Maybe you're 98% straight, 2% gay. Does the fact that I like Broadway musicals, Elton John, and Miata sports cars slide me down a notch or two on the heteroscale? I feel a Bob & Dan Gay or Not Gay episode coming on.

For those who knew (or at least had inklings (sp?)) that they were gay from a very young age, it was not a choice. Most issues in this world are not black and white, including this.

Thanks to all those who have served our country, past and present!

This sure doesn't help the Redneck image

Nothing personal against you wanting to start some BCS talk, but I'm not wasting much time worrying about these senarios until there is a decent (i.e. 8+ team) playoff system implemented. That being said...I'm rooting for the underdog Tech to go all the way.

Regardless of how Dodge turns out, nothing changes the fact that it was time for Dickey to go. Something is rubbing shaft the wrong way.

Probably so...looks like he lost his senate race by less than 600 votes. Though I'm sure a recount is being done.

I fully expect gas prices to go up in 6 months based on higher spring and summer traffic. I'd be interested to see gas price trends in presidential election years for the last few elections to see if they tend to go down in hopes that it helps the Republican candidate. Just a theory...

Just listened to McCain's speech...classy as expected. Best wishes to him and I'm sure he will continue to serve his state and the nation well!

That's how I think it may turn out in a couple years.

Agreed!

The WKU bottom ten entry from the same blog: 10. A) Western Kentucky (2-7) LW NR- The HillFloppers get the "Shame of the Week" award for losing to the previous winless North Texas Mean Ganja-Green. But before I get any farther....what the hell is their logo? Look at this thing. They should change that rag to the white flag of surrender after losing to North Texas. Is that a feminine napkin they are waving there? And I thought Stanford's mascot was lame....geez. The reason the HillFloppers get the #10 spot is I want them to get the mojo, beat Troy, so I don't have to look at that wavering maxi-pad for the rest of the season. Lord, that is bad. In the spirit of election day: Hilarious or tasteless...you be the judge.

How do we get these guys on our schedule?

I did my part

Uh, is that Wikipedia pirate picture appropriate for this forum? On a similar topic...how did you get the name LongJim?

Ouch! I was talking with my dad this morning and he said he read in the Houston Chronicle this morning that the UH AD was going to be making some phone calls to Marshall today. The carts shouldn't have been put there, IMHO.

Did anybody hear the whole segment where he called into the Hardline and talked about the drug test? There wasn't much substance on the back end of the segment. I only heard George say he supports what Dodge did.

Thanks! However, all I get is a black screen...nothing playing. I'll see if I can get it from another machine of mine.