[Allan from Fallbrook]

SDR: One of the coaches in our league owns a Southland Title office. I offhandedly asked how business was (not thinking about his line of work, and just making conversation), and you would’ve thought I smacked his kid in the head.

I belatedly realized my faux pas, but the stricken look on his face said it all. Quite a few folks in town are in FIRE and, as of late, don’t seem very inclined to talk about business, or the RE markets, or anything related to them. Bear in mind, these same folks 2+ yrs ago would NOT shut up. I got very used to being the stick in the mud when I would bring up boom and bust cycles, or when I asked how their clients were qualifying for loans. At the time, it was just understood that I didn’t “get it”.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

SDR: One of the coaches in our league owns a Southland Title office. I offhandedly asked how business was (not thinking about his line of work, and just making conversation), and you would’ve thought I smacked his kid in the head.

I belatedly realized my faux pas, but the stricken look on his face said it all. Quite a few folks in town are in FIRE and, as of late, don’t seem very inclined to talk about business, or the RE markets, or anything related to them. Bear in mind, these same folks 2+ yrs ago would NOT shut up. I got very used to being the stick in the mud when I would bring up boom and bust cycles, or when I asked how their clients were qualifying for loans. At the time, it was just understood that I didn’t “get it”.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

SDR: One of the coaches in our league owns a Southland Title office. I offhandedly asked how business was (not thinking about his line of work, and just making conversation), and you would’ve thought I smacked his kid in the head.

I belatedly realized my faux pas, but the stricken look on his face said it all. Quite a few folks in town are in FIRE and, as of late, don’t seem very inclined to talk about business, or the RE markets, or anything related to them. Bear in mind, these same folks 2+ yrs ago would NOT shut up. I got very used to being the stick in the mud when I would bring up boom and bust cycles, or when I asked how their clients were qualifying for loans. At the time, it was just understood that I didn’t “get it”.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

SDR: One of the coaches in our league owns a Southland Title office. I offhandedly asked how business was (not thinking about his line of work, and just making conversation), and you would’ve thought I smacked his kid in the head.

I belatedly realized my faux pas, but the stricken look on his face said it all. Quite a few folks in town are in FIRE and, as of late, don’t seem very inclined to talk about business, or the RE markets, or anything related to them. Bear in mind, these same folks 2+ yrs ago would NOT shut up. I got very used to being the stick in the mud when I would bring up boom and bust cycles, or when I asked how their clients were qualifying for loans. At the time, it was just understood that I didn’t “get it”.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

raptorduck: I just visited St. Francis again over the Thanksgiving holiday. I travel up there with my family to visit San Francisco, and make my “pilgrimage” to Franny on the drive back to SoCal.

I cannot believe how big the high school is now, nor can I believe how much money they have sunk into performing and graphic arts.

Bear in mind, I graduated in 1983. When I graduated, we did not have a swimming pool (we had to use Awalt’s), and total enrollment was around 1,100 students. They are now building a $12MM theatre and performing arts center, next to the old one (which didn’t exist when I was there), and talking about “upgrading” the tech facilities to include direct connections to Stanford’s Computer Lab and Engineering Dept.

Times change.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

raptorduck: I just visited St. Francis again over the Thanksgiving holiday. I travel up there with my family to visit San Francisco, and make my “pilgrimage” to Franny on the drive back to SoCal.

I cannot believe how big the high school is now, nor can I believe how much money they have sunk into performing and graphic arts.

Bear in mind, I graduated in 1983. When I graduated, we did not have a swimming pool (we had to use Awalt’s), and total enrollment was around 1,100 students. They are now building a $12MM theatre and performing arts center, next to the old one (which didn’t exist when I was there), and talking about “upgrading” the tech facilities to include direct connections to Stanford’s Computer Lab and Engineering Dept.

Times change.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

raptorduck: I just visited St. Francis again over the Thanksgiving holiday. I travel up there with my family to visit San Francisco, and make my “pilgrimage” to Franny on the drive back to SoCal.

I cannot believe how big the high school is now, nor can I believe how much money they have sunk into performing and graphic arts.

Bear in mind, I graduated in 1983. When I graduated, we did not have a swimming pool (we had to use Awalt’s), and total enrollment was around 1,100 students. They are now building a $12MM theatre and performing arts center, next to the old one (which didn’t exist when I was there), and talking about “upgrading” the tech facilities to include direct connections to Stanford’s Computer Lab and Engineering Dept.

Times change.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

raptorduck: I just visited St. Francis again over the Thanksgiving holiday. I travel up there with my family to visit San Francisco, and make my “pilgrimage” to Franny on the drive back to SoCal.

I cannot believe how big the high school is now, nor can I believe how much money they have sunk into performing and graphic arts.

Bear in mind, I graduated in 1983. When I graduated, we did not have a swimming pool (we had to use Awalt’s), and total enrollment was around 1,100 students. They are now building a $12MM theatre and performing arts center, next to the old one (which didn’t exist when I was there), and talking about “upgrading” the tech facilities to include direct connections to Stanford’s Computer Lab and Engineering Dept.

Times change.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

raptorduck: I just visited St. Francis again over the Thanksgiving holiday. I travel up there with my family to visit San Francisco, and make my “pilgrimage” to Franny on the drive back to SoCal.

I cannot believe how big the high school is now, nor can I believe how much money they have sunk into performing and graphic arts.

Bear in mind, I graduated in 1983. When I graduated, we did not have a swimming pool (we had to use Awalt’s), and total enrollment was around 1,100 students. They are now building a $12MM theatre and performing arts center, next to the old one (which didn’t exist when I was there), and talking about “upgrading” the tech facilities to include direct connections to Stanford’s Computer Lab and Engineering Dept.

Times change.

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Sandi: I would argue that much of the increase in the price of oil has to do with China’s energy demands as it’s economy expands. Look at the prices of steel, iron ore, and other materials and consumables. All are up, and considerably. To argue that the price of oil is up solely because of the Iraq war is somewhat specious, to say the least.

As far as Russia goes: It’s economic success is nearly all due to it’s energy exports. It is lapsing back into authoritarianism, it is corrupt and nearly entirely dependent on oil and natural gas exports for hard currency. It has no economy to speak of, and foreign investors are running for the exits.

In the case of both China and India, they have both experienced exponential growth. However, both of them are now suffering from overstretch. Labor costs have mushroomed in both countries, and both are hamstrung due to lack of qualified management and legal personnel. Neither economy can continue expanding at the present rate, and neither possesses a strong enough government, legal system or financial infrastructure to support future, sustained growth.

I can’t comment on Brazil, but if history is any indicator, Brazil is probably part of the same boom and bust cycle that most South American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina find themselves part of periodically.

The “allies” we have alienated, such as Germany, France and Italy, are part of the same group that have done nothing to combat terrorism, or bear their fair share of responsibility for ensuring stability and order through either NATO or the UN. If I am going to entrust my security to someone, I doubt seriously it would be either the UN or the european security collective (CSCE).

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Sandi: I would argue that much of the increase in the price of oil has to do with China’s energy demands as it’s economy expands. Look at the prices of steel, iron ore, and other materials and consumables. All are up, and considerably. To argue that the price of oil is up solely because of the Iraq war is somewhat specious, to say the least.

As far as Russia goes: It’s economic success is nearly all due to it’s energy exports. It is lapsing back into authoritarianism, it is corrupt and nearly entirely dependent on oil and natural gas exports for hard currency. It has no economy to speak of, and foreign investors are running for the exits.

In the case of both China and India, they have both experienced exponential growth. However, both of them are now suffering from overstretch. Labor costs have mushroomed in both countries, and both are hamstrung due to lack of qualified management and legal personnel. Neither economy can continue expanding at the present rate, and neither possesses a strong enough government, legal system or financial infrastructure to support future, sustained growth.

I can’t comment on Brazil, but if history is any indicator, Brazil is probably part of the same boom and bust cycle that most South American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina find themselves part of periodically.

The “allies” we have alienated, such as Germany, France and Italy, are part of the same group that have done nothing to combat terrorism, or bear their fair share of responsibility for ensuring stability and order through either NATO or the UN. If I am going to entrust my security to someone, I doubt seriously it would be either the UN or the european security collective (CSCE).

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Sandi: I would argue that much of the increase in the price of oil has to do with China’s energy demands as it’s economy expands. Look at the prices of steel, iron ore, and other materials and consumables. All are up, and considerably. To argue that the price of oil is up solely because of the Iraq war is somewhat specious, to say the least.

As far as Russia goes: It’s economic success is nearly all due to it’s energy exports. It is lapsing back into authoritarianism, it is corrupt and nearly entirely dependent on oil and natural gas exports for hard currency. It has no economy to speak of, and foreign investors are running for the exits.

In the case of both China and India, they have both experienced exponential growth. However, both of them are now suffering from overstretch. Labor costs have mushroomed in both countries, and both are hamstrung due to lack of qualified management and legal personnel. Neither economy can continue expanding at the present rate, and neither possesses a strong enough government, legal system or financial infrastructure to support future, sustained growth.

I can’t comment on Brazil, but if history is any indicator, Brazil is probably part of the same boom and bust cycle that most South American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina find themselves part of periodically.

The “allies” we have alienated, such as Germany, France and Italy, are part of the same group that have done nothing to combat terrorism, or bear their fair share of responsibility for ensuring stability and order through either NATO or the UN. If I am going to entrust my security to someone, I doubt seriously it would be either the UN or the european security collective (CSCE).

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Sandi: I would argue that much of the increase in the price of oil has to do with China’s energy demands as it’s economy expands. Look at the prices of steel, iron ore, and other materials and consumables. All are up, and considerably. To argue that the price of oil is up solely because of the Iraq war is somewhat specious, to say the least.

As far as Russia goes: It’s economic success is nearly all due to it’s energy exports. It is lapsing back into authoritarianism, it is corrupt and nearly entirely dependent on oil and natural gas exports for hard currency. It has no economy to speak of, and foreign investors are running for the exits.

In the case of both China and India, they have both experienced exponential growth. However, both of them are now suffering from overstretch. Labor costs have mushroomed in both countries, and both are hamstrung due to lack of qualified management and legal personnel. Neither economy can continue expanding at the present rate, and neither possesses a strong enough government, legal system or financial infrastructure to support future, sustained growth.

I can’t comment on Brazil, but if history is any indicator, Brazil is probably part of the same boom and bust cycle that most South American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina find themselves part of periodically.

The “allies” we have alienated, such as Germany, France and Italy, are part of the same group that have done nothing to combat terrorism, or bear their fair share of responsibility for ensuring stability and order through either NATO or the UN. If I am going to entrust my security to someone, I doubt seriously it would be either the UN or the european security collective (CSCE).

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Sandi: I would argue that much of the increase in the price of oil has to do with China’s energy demands as it’s economy expands. Look at the prices of steel, iron ore, and other materials and consumables. All are up, and considerably. To argue that the price of oil is up solely because of the Iraq war is somewhat specious, to say the least.

As far as Russia goes: It’s economic success is nearly all due to it’s energy exports. It is lapsing back into authoritarianism, it is corrupt and nearly entirely dependent on oil and natural gas exports for hard currency. It has no economy to speak of, and foreign investors are running for the exits.

In the case of both China and India, they have both experienced exponential growth. However, both of them are now suffering from overstretch. Labor costs have mushroomed in both countries, and both are hamstrung due to lack of qualified management and legal personnel. Neither economy can continue expanding at the present rate, and neither possesses a strong enough government, legal system or financial infrastructure to support future, sustained growth.

I can’t comment on Brazil, but if history is any indicator, Brazil is probably part of the same boom and bust cycle that most South American countries such as Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina find themselves part of periodically.

The “allies” we have alienated, such as Germany, France and Italy, are part of the same group that have done nothing to combat terrorism, or bear their fair share of responsibility for ensuring stability and order through either NATO or the UN. If I am going to entrust my security to someone, I doubt seriously it would be either the UN or the european security collective (CSCE).

[Allan from Fallbrook]

Rus: No hurt feelings. And, no, I’m not arguing that the US has some moral imperative to influence world affairs. The problem is this: When the US has withdrawn from the world stage, like in the 1930s, it creates a vacuum and the potential for bad things to happen, such as the rise of fascism in Europe, and Japanese militarism in the Pacific.

The period of the late 1970s is another excellent example. The Soviets enjoyed tremendous sway in world affairs, and the US had pulled back as a result of Vietnam, Watergate, the Iran hostage crisis, etc. When Reagan came to power, he immediately set about reversing that course, and to great effect. In my mind, it is inarguable that this was a good thing, and it culminated in the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact forces. Were some of the methods used questionable? Absolutely.

A weak US provided the opportunity for Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda to strike us in 2001. This perceived weakness was derived from our unwillingness to strike back after the embassy bombings, the first World Trade Center bombing, Khobar Towers in Saudi, the Cole incident and our abrupt departure from Somalia.

What do you think would happen if we effected a similarly abrupt exit from Iraq?

[Author]

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