Are you gullible? I think most of us are, at least in some areas of our lives. A man named Stephen Greenspan has written a book entitled The Annals of Gullibility. Greenspan is a college professor. Guess what? He was one of the investors in Madoff-run funds!
In a lengthy article in the Saturday, January 3 Wall Street Journal, Greenspan tells us about his own gullibility, and lists some of the main features of the gullibilty we all experience from time-to-time.
First, there is the situation. "Every gullible act occurs when an individual is presented with a social challenge that he has to solve." Greenspan was hearing positive word-of-mouth testimonials from extended family and friends about the slow, steady income they were receiving in good times and bad, from investing in Madoff funds. Greenspan convinced himself that it would be foolish not to take advantage of such good fortune!
Second, there are deficiencies in knowledge and/or clear thinking. He had a profound ignorance of finance, coupled with a "lazy unwillingness to remedy that ignorance."
Third, know when to be trusting, and when not to be. This is a hard one for most of us. Are you a person who does not like to say no? Are you a risk-taker? Are you sometimes impulsive in decision-making? How emotional are you? Do you get excited at the prospects of something that you think is going to happen in the future?
Fourth, is the importance of healthy skepticism. Never throw all caution to the wind. At least Greenspan had the smarts to invest "only" 30% of his retirement fund with Madoff. Always realize, "The one who you think might be the Messiah might actually be Satan!"
One final thought from Greenspan: "Our survival depends on being able to recognize, analyze and escape from highly dangerous situations."
And friends, please remember, the Messiah has already come. His name is Jesus!
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
"I prefer being a living German to a dead Frenchman"
So said novelist Jean Giono, who was one of many artists and intellectuals who collaborated with the Nazis in France.
Obama on the Constitution
Obama in a 2001 interview gave his views on the U.S. Constitution:
There is no indication that Obama undrstands that the constitution is the very reason why we have individual freedom to pursue happiness.
It is a charter of negative liberties. Says what states can't do to you. Says what the Federal government can't do to you, but doesn't say what the Federal government or State governments must do on your behalf."
There is no indication that Obama undrstands that the constitution is the very reason why we have individual freedom to pursue happiness.
What Will He Do?
Michael Bennet has been picked by Democratic Governor Bill Ritter to become the next U.S. Senator from Colorado, presuming that Ken Salazar will be confirmed as the next Secretary of the Interior.
Bennet has been working as the Superintendent of the Denver Public Schools. In that position he has been opposed by the teachers union, as he has sought to improve results of children's education.
Now he goes to Washington, where the unions are expecting payback from the politicians whose campaigns were bankrolled by unions. It will be interesting to see if Bennet votes, despite his firsthand experience, in lockstep with the Democratic Senators to give unions even more power to stifle reform.
Not having to campaign for the job, it is unknown what Bennet will do. Nobody, except perhaps Governor Ritter, knows how he will vote on issues to be debated this year in the Senate.
Bennet has been working as the Superintendent of the Denver Public Schools. In that position he has been opposed by the teachers union, as he has sought to improve results of children's education.
Now he goes to Washington, where the unions are expecting payback from the politicians whose campaigns were bankrolled by unions. It will be interesting to see if Bennet votes, despite his firsthand experience, in lockstep with the Democratic Senators to give unions even more power to stifle reform.
Not having to campaign for the job, it is unknown what Bennet will do. Nobody, except perhaps Governor Ritter, knows how he will vote on issues to be debated this year in the Senate.
New Life
Merry had three puppies last night. Two were born dead. This little sweetheart is hanging on, thanks to Colleen. She rubbed the puppy for long periods to keep him warm, and made sure he got some nourishment. These are Merry's first puppies. At first she wanted to run away, but now her maternal instincts have kicked in, and she is being very protective.
Watching Colleen with this puppy reminds me of how she used to stay up all night with our last foster baby.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
We Have Been Had!
Unemployment is increasing. I know someone who has a job now, and he is going to get an even better job after January 20. His name is Hank Paulson. He is the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States of America. He gave billions of taxpayers' dollars to Goldman Sachs, where he is going to be working after January 20.
Do you think maybe we have been had?
Do you think maybe we have been had?
"Bring it on, you great big quivering gelatinous invertebrate jelly of indecision."
London's popular mayor is a conservative named Boris Johnson. A former columnist, Johnson has a way with words. Recently he challenged Labour's Gordon Brown to hold elections in June, by saying, "Bring it on, you great big quivering gelatinous invertabrate jelly of indecision."
If John McCain would have shown some of Johnson's spunk, he might hve been elected instead of Barack. Johnson is trying to make transport safer and jumpstart the housing market. He stood up to the bankers in the fall. There is a Wall Street Journal interview with him Janury 3 by Matthew Kaminski.
If John McCain would have shown some of Johnson's spunk, he might hve been elected instead of Barack. Johnson is trying to make transport safer and jumpstart the housing market. He stood up to the bankers in the fall. There is a Wall Street Journal interview with him Janury 3 by Matthew Kaminski.
One Tough Little General
Stephan Miller of the Wall Street Journal wrote a wonderful remembrance Saturday of 5'4" Marine General Victor Krulak, who commanded 80,000 Marines in Vietnam. Krulak disagreed with General Westmoreland's big battle strategy, advocating instead a strategy of winning the hearts and minds of the South Vietnamese people with localized military efforts, similar to what we have done in Iraq.
General Krulak, though, did not shy away from tough combat. Noticing the Japanese strategy in World War II of using snipers to climb trees and kill Americans in the jungles of the South Pacific, Krulak devised a plan to place razor blades in the hand holds of trees. Japanese snipers would climb about ten feet up the trees, then fall to the ground. While they were examining their hands, the Marines would shoot them.
General Krulak was rescued by JFK in the South Pacific. They later celebrated in the White House with a bottle of whiskey. Krulak was also the man who insisted that the allied forces develop the boxy crafts that ferried men and materiel from boats to beaches in World War II.
LBJ didn't like General Krulak. That is recommendation enough for me! Krulak died recently at the age of 95.
General Krulak, though, did not shy away from tough combat. Noticing the Japanese strategy in World War II of using snipers to climb trees and kill Americans in the jungles of the South Pacific, Krulak devised a plan to place razor blades in the hand holds of trees. Japanese snipers would climb about ten feet up the trees, then fall to the ground. While they were examining their hands, the Marines would shoot them.
General Krulak was rescued by JFK in the South Pacific. They later celebrated in the White House with a bottle of whiskey. Krulak was also the man who insisted that the allied forces develop the boxy crafts that ferried men and materiel from boats to beaches in World War II.
LBJ didn't like General Krulak. That is recommendation enough for me! Krulak died recently at the age of 95.
Protocol
"Hello, Senator Reid. We have come to you today to ask your help in passing legisation that will help our organization."
"How much are you contributing to my campaign for reelection?"
"We can funnel $25,000 through the loopholes you have set up."
"Make it $75,000, and I'll support your legislation."
Yes, Sir."
"Hello, Mr. Reid, It's Blago calling! I've got a nominee to replace Obama."
"You are a disgrace. We will not seat your nominee."
"But, Mr. Majority Leader, I didn't do anything you don't do every single day!"
"Oh yes you did. You did it on tape, with prosecutors listening! I make sure all my deals are done discreetly."
"How much are you contributing to my campaign for reelection?"
"We can funnel $25,000 through the loopholes you have set up."
"Make it $75,000, and I'll support your legislation."
Yes, Sir."
"Hello, Mr. Reid, It's Blago calling! I've got a nominee to replace Obama."
"You are a disgrace. We will not seat your nominee."
"But, Mr. Majority Leader, I didn't do anything you don't do every single day!"
"Oh yes you did. You did it on tape, with prosecutors listening! I make sure all my deals are done discreetly."
Sunday, January 04, 2009
The First Annual Goat Pull
Jon thinks, "If I can get this goat to pull me, I can go all over the property!"
New Camera
Sorry, I just had to take some pictures with my new camera this morning. I knew it would be a pretty morning, after last night's snow.
Saturday, January 03, 2009
Pandering
Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg is giving abortion groups assurance that she is pro-choice and supports Roe V, Wade. The most notable pro life Catholic leader I know of is Archbishop Chaput of Denver. The Cardinal and bishops in New York have not publicly challenged Caroline's pro-choice pandering. This must be very confusing to faithful Catholics who believe that the right to life is the foundation of every other human right.
"Let's Be Worthy of Their Sacrifice"
Karl Rove has written a marvelous column with the above title. It is about Navy Seals he has met who "put themselves in harms way for our nation." Read the whole thing.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Should Taxpayers Bail Out Newspapers?
Should taxpayers bail out newspapers? Many newspapers are said to be on the brink of collapse, losing millions of dollars per year, laying off thousands, and cutting back on news coverage. They were surely a huge help to Obama in his election bid this year. Maybe he will find a way to help them out.
Such a concept would have been unthinkable prior to the bailouts that have taken place in the last few months. Now it is being discussed openly.
Such a concept would have been unthinkable prior to the bailouts that have taken place in the last few months. Now it is being discussed openly.
Pinpoint accuracy
In contrast to the indiscriminate lobbing of rockets into southern Israel by the terrorists of Hamas, look at the pinpoint accuracy of the Israeli bombs hitting terrorist targets. The people of Gaza are very fortunate that the Israelis are not being indiscrimate, like Hamas.
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