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ucodegen
Participant[quote=FlyerInHi]
China is cool because it innovates and produces things that people need and use.I don’t agree with China’s political philosophy, but I admire their business planning and tech innovations.[/quote]
Much of China’s innovation is actually copying someone else’s designs. What I have noticed is that China is much more willing to risk the money to put an innovation into production, though I think it may at times be to beat the actual inventor to the punch(delivery).Our bean-counter mentality of managers have ruined our businesses. MBAs have no real vision, what they consider a ‘vision’ is actually a joke – or maybe leftover hallucinations from the pot party they were at last night. They think that innovation is trying to eke out the last dollar possible out of a transaction, and not about creating a new market, new device or new way of doing things.
We still have some visionaries, ie Bezos (who is developing the rocket engine that NASA couldn’t at Blue Origin, despite all the billions that were available to NASA.)
ucodegen
Participant[quote=flu]
but but but china is so cool, according to Brian…..Why are people so surprised about this?[/quote]
I know I’m not, I came across an altered ethernet controller chip that was modded for a similar purpose by China, more than 10 years ago. The part that did surprise me was the sizing of the component and the transition to between fiberglass layers placement of surveillance components.The other aspect that surprised me was how lax the US government has been with respect to where their components are sourced.
If you outsource, particularly to China, expect to do a thorough per item QA back here in the states.
NOTE: I wish ‘sanitizing’ the boards were covered. How to remove the device, whether the device was designed to operate on a pulled up bus line or as a ‘pass through’ intercept (which would need a jumper after removing the component). The entire production of that particular motherboard was not affected. It may have been a bit more ‘targeted’.
ucodegen
Participant[quote=SK in CV]
Monkeys could fly in 2020.[/quote]It may be sooner. China was just busted big time with inserting spy chips into computer products they make for other countries – including SuperMicro motherboards. They either pretend to be a SuperMicro manager, bribe, or used threats to get the items inserted. At least 30 large companies have been affected, as well as governmental offices etc.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2018/10/04/supermicro_bloomberg/
‘flu’ may be interested in this tech. There is an even more advanced version where the IC substrate has been ground down to the thickness of paper or less and then it is inserted within the motherboard’s fiberglass layers.
Considering that some companies have closed offices in China (sold off) and some of taken the step of disposing of all of their affected/suspect gear.. who knows where this ripple is going to go. It might adversely affect China. They have 2.5 times the US debt to GDP ratio. I think China forgot that you have to be careful of taking a dump where you eat.
What happens to an economy under sanctions/tariffs for various IP theft and dumping issues when it is also found to be inserting spy/remote access components into its computer components? Particularly when it relies on those exports to survive while running 2.5x the US’s debt (The US debt is bad enough as it is. Servicing the interest costs is starting to get expensive.)
ucodegen
Participant[quote=flu]Funny also CNN buries this on the back pages and it isn’t page 1 content. I guess negative coverage of Trump (which we all already know about) is far more important than some of the social issues, especially when it doesn’t fit with the far left progressive narrative of being all inclusive of all “minorities”…. lol[/quote]
Well griping about Trump does fit the far left progressive narrative, while race-based admissions processes (which these groups support) are inherently racist, discriminatory and racially biased. This is the hypocrisy of the far left.If you want to get more Blacks and Hispanics into college, don’t force feed at the college level. Fix the respective elementary, intermediate and high schools. Push the parents to be more involved in their children’s education. Push the focus to be on the basics and not ‘feel good’ classes or social promotion. If you try to force it at college, too much time is spent on remedial classes to try to bring them up to speed.
On a side note, I don’t know how much of the page position is dependent upon intentional placement vs algorithm based placement based upon information on tracking your previous views or the views of those from your area/county/state. The intent would be to present to you only those things that you would view or which could also lead to additional ‘views’. This can cause a problem where news only presents things that they think agree with your current beliefs based upon tracking info and that then can lead to something known as confirmation bias.
[quote=FlyerInHi]Flu, I guess you don’t believe in private organizations’ right to do what they want.[/quote]
Here’s the problem. The news agencies are not your typical ‘company’. They can’t behave as propagandists or lobbyists. If they do, they cross over into a different part of tax code as well as ‘rights’ to operate. The first amendment gives certain freedoms of the press to news agencies to poke and prod (try to get past a fire-line without a press pass, or past police barriers without a press pass) which the rest of us don’t get. With that comes some responsibilities for honesty and ‘fair play’.ucodegen
Participant[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=JPJones]Anyone giving odds on whether or not he gets re-elected in spite of the indictment?[/quote]
If this were the Deep South, I’d say odds of Duncan Hunter’s relection are pretty high. But it’s San Diego which has been turning blue from the coast eastward. I doubt he will be able to beat the charges brought by republican us attorney.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/paloma/daily-202/2018/08/23/daily-202-duncan-hunter-embraces-the-smash-mouth-tactics-trump-learned-from-roy-cohn/5b7dda0d1b326b3f31919d14/?utm_term=.ee6d0839d52d
These charges were brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in San Diego, which is led by Trump appointee Adam Braverman. Attorney General Jeff Sessions installed Braverman in the post last year. Before he became a prosecutor, Braverman clerked for three federal judges. One was appointed by George H.W. Bush. The others were appointed by George W. Bush.[/quote]I think he (Duncan Hunter Jr.) will be told(should) by the party, not to place his hat in the ring, and they will front someone else. Considering that Paul Ryan(R) was taking action to have him removed from committees when Duncan Hunter would not (refused to?) remove himself from the committees, I think the likelihood of him being told to step down may be good – despite what some analysis seems to be saying about his re-election chances. It could be that people are waiting for the ‘results’. I read through the indictment and it is not good. For those that think it was a ‘Democratic/Liberal’ witch hunt; it may have started as that, but Duncan Hunter shouldn’t have made it so damn easy. On the poll, it could be that those polled were waiting on the results. The Republican party needs to get ahead of this.
http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/sd-me-hunter-poll-20180521-story.html
[quote=FlyerInHi]To relate this to real estate, I think people who are hoarders, whose houses are filled with toys are not good financial managers. They get reeled into desiring stuff just to accumulate.[/quote]
It is more than just ‘not being good financial managers’. It is actually a combination of two psychological disorders.The acquisition of stuff gives some people a dopamine and endorphin boost in their own brain (yes, the human brain can create opiates(dopamine)). This creates an addictive style of response. Depressed=>Shop, Sad=>Shop, Bored=>Shop; and with the resulting financial situation. The ‘pain’ of the cost is deferred using credit (expensive but painless{short term} money). The actual paying off gets deferred as long as possible with the resulting financial costs.
The hoarding of stuff gives them a sense(false sense) of security. The junk becomes like a ‘security blanket’. They develop a feeling of angst/fear on the mere thought of getting rid of something even though it hasn’t been used for a long time(years), they forgot they had it and it is decrepit or broken/not repairable. They don’t realize that when going through life, you are literally ‘carrying’ that junk along on your back. It makes one much less mobile and flexible. If one finds something that is really worth purchasing, where is one going to put it with all the junk taking up space? How is one going to enjoy your residence if one has so much junk that they have to rent a hotel room in their own city just to get away and relax?
[quote=FlyerInHi]I have been seen Duncan Hunter’s house. The land is full of junk. There is a dried out, empty swimming pool. There is a tennis court that is parking for dusty and rusted outdoor toys — a lot of junk everywhere like a landfill. It took a lot money to acquire those useless stuff. It shows the propensity to desire riches and a lifestyle that one cannot really afford it.[/quote]
I don’t know if I believe this story, not because it is unlikely that Duncan Hunter’s house is full of junk, but because I don’t believe you have actually seen it as well as the fact that Duncan Hunter Jr had to sell his property to cover debts/repay political campaign for personal expenses in 2016. He had to move in with his father.ucodegen
Participant[quote=Rich Toscano][quote=FlyerInHi]Over the years, I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting the corrupt people and flimflamers.
I never met Duncan Hunter, Jr. But I met the old man as well as John Cunningham. They look and act like mafiosos or corrupt sheriffs. And you know what they say about looking the part….[/quote]Did “John” Cunningham give you a fake name when you two were hanging out? Part of the flimflam maybe?[/quote]
ROTFLMAO.. I have a hard time seeing FlyerInHi ‘conversing’ with hard core, old guard Republicans.and moving on..
I generally don’t trust ANY politicians. They survive and are successful if they have flexible morals and ethics. They often say one thing and do another – and expect no one to notice the disconnect.On the charges – I can see a golf outing being a valid use of campaign funds IFF the purpose was working on campaign related issues. I am often surprised at how much is sometimes hammered out over a game of golf.
That said; almost everything else stated is pretty(more like very) bad. I almost get the impression that it is she, not he that wears the pants and he didn’t want to tell her no. Her name crops up too much. That is still not a valid excuse.
Link to PDF of indictment: http://www.trbas.com/media/media/acrobat/2018-08/100721818-21163454.pdf
An interesting quirk, It shows a September 2016 Gran Jury, but filed Aug 18, 2018.
Umm.. here is another interesting tidbit. Duncan Hunter Jr was pulling in about $957,000/yr in gov salary?!?! Base salary shown as $174,000/yr.
https://ballotpedia.org/Staff_salaries_of_United_States_Senators_and_Representatives
ucodegen
Participant[quote=spdrun]Yes, but sproglets stay inside yappin’ on Snapchat and gaming instead of actually playing outside. And idiot American neighbors would likely call the pigs on someone who lets their kids (zOMG) play outside, unsupervised.[/quote]
For those who think it doesn’t happen, or that it is far fetched;
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-child-neglect-citation-reversed-met-20151215-story.html
more info on the prev noted case:
https://www.thenation.com/article/has-child-protective-services-gone-too-far/Canada:
https://www.scarymommy.com/mom-child-services-investigation-kids-play-backyard/http://insider.foxnews.com/2015/06/14/florida-parents-charged-felony-neglect-after-11-year-old-son-plays-backyard-90-minutes
http://time.com/3728832/child-neglect-maryland-park/Notes on consequences of kids not having ‘unstructured’ time;
https://inhabitat.com/inhabitots/the-convincing-case-for-sending-your-kids-outside-to-play-alone/June 20, 2018 at 1:41 PM in reply to: CA Landlords. What do you plan to do if the rent control initiative passes in November? #810286ucodegen
ParticipantYou can never fix a supply and demand problem through controlling prices. Why would any apartment builders risk building new units when they become at risk of not covering their costs?
ucodegen
Participant[quote=spdrun]Crossing the border illegally is a misdemeanor. It’s very common for people accused of misdemeanors (or even low-grade felonies) to be booked then released on their own recognizance. Separation of parents and children is a deliberate policy choice, NOT one required by law.[/quote]
True, however there is also the problem of Failure To Appear. The ROR has been abused by migrants.NOTE: To overstay a visa is actually a ‘Civil Infraction’, ie parking ticket. To enter illegally is a misdemeanor. Unlawful re-entry can rise to a felony and be a federal crime – depending. 8 USC 1325 – illegal entry – penalties of fine($50 to $250) and/or imprisoned for up to 6 months – repeats the fine can be doubled and/or imprisoned up to 2 years. There is also additional under 8 USC 1182.
Many of those entering also commit identity theft – obtaining fraudulent Social Security IDs.
ucodegen
ParticipantI got to thinking…. last week I ran into a friend and fellow landlord whom I always thought was a bad landlord and business person. She rents to bad elements who don’t behave well. One of her tenants is a single mom with 4 kids. Husband is in prison on gun charges. Tenants always pays late.
I used to help people like that too.. until I found out that if the tables were turned, these ‘bad elements’ would not do anything to help you. They often get into that condition through a long series of bad decisions. ie. the gun charge. You don’t go to prison for unregistered firearm, you might if you are a felon in possession. Why the felony? In this situation, I worry about the children. They learn by the example of their parents. Being compassionate and helping may have a bad side effect. It may create a moral hazard played out in front of the children, where parents might be seen as getting rewarded for poor behavior and lack of responsibility by the children seeing it all played out in front of them; Children that may not understand that their current difficulties may in part be due to a long series of bad decisions by their parents – but they get a nice movie and meal made by someone else and no cost to themselves or their parents.
Situations like the above, and the illegal migrants with children make me very sad. I can see both sides of the issue. Children should not have to suffer due to the irresponsibility of their parents. However we also have to be careful of what is being learned by the children in the process. We have to be careful of ‘adults’ using and abusing our goodwill, good nature and willingness to help – the Fagins of the world? (supposed adults – who might have produced 4 children, but are themselves so out of control that they have problems staying out of prison, nor keeping a good job)
ucodegen
ParticipantBut the practice of separating children and parents who are asylum seekers is very inhumane. Imagine the trauma to the kids.
This is misconstruing what it happening. Those seeking asylum are not separated provided that they make a claim for asylum on entry. They are then granted a hearing date on the claim of asylum and given temporary entry. If they then skip the hearing date, they are considered in the U.S. illegally and that they may not have a valid asylum claim (claim being used for pretense the enter and get lost ‘in the crowd’). Often these people are given several additional dates to appear for the asylum hearing and many skip those as well. Often this happens for many years.
Those crossing the border illegally, ie using coyotes and are then found inside the country illegally, are often separated from their children. Unlike those who have made a claim for asylum on entry, they have not expressed a claim for asylum (until caught). As with U.S. citizens who have to go to jail for a criminal act, they will be separated from the children with the children either living with relatives or are temporarily fostered. Having children does not grant you immunity from consequences for your actions. An additional fact; if a parent has shown risky and irresponsible behavior that repeatedly lands them in jail or puts their children at risk, their children can actually be taken from them by C.P.S. and they can permanently loose custody.
We are being played by most of the Main Stream Media as well as those who try to make us feel bad about the separation; “Feel for the Children”. Well I feel for the children, but not the parents. They uprooted their children and put them at risk to cross the border illegally. Women (adult and sometimes minors) are sometimes sexually assaulted in the process – often by the coyotes as a form of payment to the coyotes. I can understand to some extent why people try to enter illegally. They are told by those in the business of transporting migrants that money literally drops from the sky into their laps and they don’t have to work very hard to make a living (the proverbial streets paved with gold story). When the migrants get here, they discover it is much different. They don’t have the needed language skills, have minimal education in a job environment that is getting increasingly technical.
ucodegen
Participant[quote=henrysd]I just found out this site and it has good information on many Poway USD CFD bonds. It is public data in:
http://mycataxdata.com/docs/ContDisc.GOB_1617_Fn.pdf%5B/quote%5D
Interesting data. I read through it, it includes how money was spent too.Expenditures by object, pg 37 of PDF;
31.98% Certificated Salaries
14.29% Classified Salaries (support personnel, admin)
27.37% Employee Benefits
8.61% Other
8.56% Services and Other Operating Expenditures
5.53% Capital Outlay (buildings and improvement?)
3.46% Books and supplies (almost at the bottom?)
0.20% Other financing uses?-That is a lot for benefits, not much for books and school supplies. Expenditure on ‘Classified’ salaries is also fairly large, particularly considering that a school might have over 30 teachers, but maybe 2 janitors, 1 part time electrician, 3 part time cafeteria staff.
You can track down the info on the bonds by the CUSIP number. Some searches require you to take the space out of the source number vs bond series. ie. you may need to search using “738850QA7” instead of “738850 QA7”. For that one, I used ‘municipalbonds.com’:
http://www.municipalbonds.com/bonds/issue/738850QA7/
search link:
http://california.municipalbonds.com/results/Just for ‘giggles’, I ran a google search on that CUSIP with the space in place, and ran across:
https://www.sfgcorpmarkets.com/cmc/financialinformation/2013%20NA%20Annual%20Statement.pdfWhich is financial information for an insurance company. If you search the PDF for 738850, you will see Poway School Bonds.
Basically, an insurance companies takes your $1 and invests in tax free bonds. They eventually pays your $0.90 claim and pockets the $0.10 and all interest paid by the bond. Profiting from other people’s money – nice gig if you can get it!ucodegen
ParticipantActually the price was very close to market price: $52.50, market price at the time was $50.72. I suspect that Herbalife didn’t want all those shares hitting the market at one time. Before the sale, he had a 26.2% stake. Icahn’s supposed average cost was $21.03/sh. Not too chabby.
Icahn claims that it was representing too large a share of his portfolio, so he reduced the holdings to balance.
https://www.barrons.com/articles/carl-icahn-sells-552-million-in-herbalife-stock-1527798299
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/icahn-sells-10-5-million-herbalife-shares-back-195655515–sector.htmlucodegen
ParticipantUsually 52 week lows are low for a very good reason and any increase will come slowly. I look for good stocks that got beat down with the masses, so I am looking in the region of 3 mo low with increasing revenue and income.
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