Bring it on!!! ... *smiles* chat & forums.

Posted In Forum:

Home

MyForums

Show ALL Forums

Author

Thread: Bring it on!!! ... *smiles*

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 15 (view)

Bring it on!!! ... smiles Posted: 9/6/2009 8:33:57 AM
This lady is a veritable wealth of conversation......what's in her profile is only the tip of the iceberg. Absolutely. Really, for anyone who has spend any time on the POF forums a year ago, before Ms Cassandra went into her self-imposed temporary exile, it'd be impossible not to run across her. She is a forum legend, and has legions of fans. All for a good reason too. No profile suggestions. OK, I do see one comma that I don't think should be where it is, but that is about the extent of the changes. Even the things that are traditionally to be avoided, like the long list of things in the first date section, work well in this profile - because they are an indication of depth and breadth of Red's interests.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 3 (view)

Help! Please review my profile...What should I change/add? Posted: 7/30/2009 10:11:46 AM
The profile is pretty well written, and while long, it is a good read. But, you do need better photos. The one you have is not badly composed, but it's too dark and blurry. And, you need one or two full body shots, since BBW category can cover many different body types.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Updated profile Posted: 7/22/2009 6:44:24 AM
It looks reasonable. Main photo is not ideal, but it is the best of the ones posted. Slowdown in number of messages is normal - when you join, all the people who are actively looking see you, but after a while, you get fewer and fewer people who have not seen you yet and would like to date you. The main difficulty with this profile is that you say that you would be moving away when you get a chance. Granted, not a lot of guys your age want to settle down into family life just yet, but still, being a self-described "permanent wanderer", you are not likely to attract those who are seriously looking for someone. Toning that down would probably get you more contacts, but then again, they might be the contacts from types that you don't match with.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 51 (view)

Too fat for surgeon general?? wow..prejudice ok?? Posted: 7/21/2009 1:59:30 PM
Yes, she is somewhat plump..but she is not the Goodyear Blimp. Absolutely. Of all the horrible, no good, harmful, dangerous, useless appointments Obama made, to pick on this particular one because woman is somewhat overweight is silly. I googled for her photos. If she had a profile on POF, she wouldn't even be a BBW, she would be "a few pounds extra" and not on the upper range of that either. If she was obese to the point where it would be detrimental to her ability to be a good spokesperson for her role (cough, cough, Geithner), then maybe it'd be a factor. As it is, it is more of a strawman argument.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 5 (view)

New here. Profile review please. Posted: 7/21/2009 1:18:12 PM
Your sarcasm comes off well in profile and all of your jokes are on target, in my view. I would not worry that you are misinterpreted and I would not remove that sentence. What I would change if I were you are photos. The main one is not good - you look too androgynous. I thought it was a woman's profile when I first clicked on it. The other ones are not good either. You are either covered by surfboard, you give "don't approach me" vibe with crossed arms, or you have hat on and a young lady nearby (neither is good). Also, captions for profile photos are a really good place for some humor. While your profile does not suffer from lack of humor, I'd still add some funny captions. Oh, and you have only been on POF for a week, not a month. So, if the profile hasn't produced the expected results yet, give it some time. If you post better main photo, you should get more views.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 3 (view)

Hmmm.... So what exactly does my profile project??? Posted: 7/21/2009 9:00:31 AM
after some of the messages I have received, I am somewhat concerned about the message that I'm projecting to others. It's not the quantity of the messages that I have a problem with, more the quality. Too suggestive, I take it. Yeah, tone down the photos. Way, way too much cleavage.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 7 (view)

Review, please Posted: 7/21/2009 7:41:12 AM
No tiaras in the main photo, please. Really. Hmmm... Disagree. I find that photo very amusing - not just the tiara, but the expression too. I bet it would generate a ton of views. The intent of main photo is to get someone to read the profile, and that image would definitely do it. I know my views went through the roof when I put similarly silly photo as main.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 3 (view)

Another 'lack of email' question. Is it me, my profile or what? Posted: 7/21/2009 7:31:22 AM
Profile is pretty generic and doesn't have several categories it should have, like interests and first date. First photo is very nice, but zoom in on your face for the thumbnail. Second photo is not great. I would get rid of it and add 5-6 more along the lines of the first one. The text is not bad, but you need to add a bit of personality and uniqueness. The long lists of likes and personality traits is just too impersonal, especially when it includes such cliches as long walks on the beach.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

What the hell am I doing wrong, getting no responses Posted: 7/20/2009 9:45:32 AM
Couple immediate problems. 1) You are sending conflicting messages. You are not supposed to lie, sure, but you are supposed to sell yourself. That means put the best foot forward. Instead, you start with cutting yourself up, talking about being lazy or having bad days or having bad jobs. Put the positive spin on things. Talk about how you are making changes for the better without talking about what was not so good before. 2) A bit closer cut to the face on your main photo. You have a smile in most of the photos (which is good), but it is a slight smile. If you have photos with a happier expression, I'd use one of them for main.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Please tell me if this is too much or too little - Thanks Posted: 7/20/2009 9:32:42 AM
It is of reasonable length. However, couple things you should change. 1) The current main photo is not good. Too dark and not a great expression. For that matter, I am not a fan of the first three photos at all. Mirror photos don't come out well, and the expression in all three is very posed. The last two photos (work and memorial walk) are very nice. I'd add more like that. 2) Open up your age range on the upper side. You have 15-year juniors, bit only 3-year seniors. You are cutting quite a bit of your potential audience from even being able to contact you. 3) Add interests and first date sections. 4) There is some negativity in the text. Nothing huge that would be immediate "next" signal, but still, it is better to have as little as possible.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Decent, boring, or what? Posted: 7/20/2009 8:30:13 AM
It's a good profile. And, sorry to say, but I don't think the last paragraph in it is something that should be there. As you said, you hate to put negatives into the profile - so I think you know those are pushing people away. The people who send you lewd messages will not be deterred by that paragraph. Nothing you can really do to stop those; it is just an unpleasant part of dating.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 4 (view)

You know the drill...rate my profile. Posted: 7/14/2009 1:50:36 PM
You open with three paragraphs of negativity, sprinkle some more throughout the rest of the profile, and then wonder what is wrong with the profile? And, yes, you do need better photos.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 4 (view)

What else can I do? Posted: 7/12/2009 8:29:33 PM
The first paragraph was added to the profile after it was originally written, right? Not a good addition, and definitely not a good first impression. I'd remove "I don't mean for this to come off sounding rude or vain." paragraph. Photos... I know the are meant to convey that you are active. But, they show too much scenery and not enough you. Also, I'd add several face closeups and put one as main. I know the age range seems to be the issue, but I think the limits put in are too restrictive. The biological age of the person is only somewhat related to level of energy or maturity. People outside of that range can't contact you even if they fit what you are looking for otherwise. Proofread the text a little, or pass it through grammar checker. There is nothing really wrong with most of the sentences, but there are a few minor fixes that could be made.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 7 (view)

I know what I am trying to portray...but is my message being interpreted that way... Posted: 7/12/2009 7:59:54 PM
How do I convey that I am not an average size girl without making it seem like it's an issue? Is the BBW deceiving? You are not a BBW. "Few Extra Pounds" is probably accurate, and based on the photos posted, you look closer to the average side of that category than to BBW side. Still, body types are subjective, so posting several representative full body shots should eliminate all uncertainties.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 5 (view)

Okay, have at! Posted: 7/10/2009 2:48:50 PM
Well, men not reading the profile and contacting women, often with inappropriate suggestions is just something that happens. The problem is that it is generally impossible to write a profile so that you weed out the ... ummm... only the weeds. This looks like it was a normal (and pretty well written) profile, and then the opening paragraph and couple closing ones were tacked on. And those paragraphs say "defensive, guarded, carrying some resentment and baggage from recent contacts". Not something that you'd want to convey.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 6 (view)

Need help with my profile Posted: 6/24/2009 4:48:30 PM
A few observations: 1) "Long Term" and "Separated" is a bad combination. I would guess that separated all by itself is the biggest reason for non-reply. Scale down the goal or carefully mention what separated means. 2) First couple photos good. Second couple photos... not so good. You look a little like a wax statue of yourself in them. I suggest replacing them with face closeups. Have a friendly smiling expression in them, and pick the best one for main. Generally, face shots work better for main than the one you have now. 3) Interest list is a bit too short and too generic. Add some more and make a few that are more specific to you. 4) Text is a bit too dry. Liven it up a bit. You do have a few humorous observations in the first paragraph (which is too long, BTW, and needs to be split), but not enough. 5) First date is a bit generic. That is fine - you don't want to get too creative with someone you don't know. Still, add some details to the scenario.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

Me too! Posted: 6/23/2009 12:35:14 PM
Handle is your user name "Insert Clever Line Here". It is pretty funny all by itself. Headline is the line of dashes. It works as part of the joke in the handle, as in "the place where to insert the clever line". But, when you do a search, they don't show next to each other, so the joke is lost. It's no big deal (relatively minor part of the profile), just thought I'd mention that. As for age restriction, the problem is that number of years is only a part of maturity. You can certainly indicate a preference, but the problem is that someone who is biologically of certain age might have a mindset and energy of someone much younger or older. Heck, my best friend is half my age and in some ways she is more mature than me. And, you can always rule out someone who acts too young or too old - but don't stop them from being able to even contact you.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 6 (view)

Profile review - any advice? Posted: 6/23/2009 12:19:37 PM
Hello, Angela. The profile is generally fine, but way too subdued. Your text is well written, but comes over as overly formalized and stilted. There is no sense of humor, of fun that is conveyed in it. Same goes for interests - they are certainly important to give a sense of who you are, but they are too impersonal and generic. Even your photos have that "I am posing for photos" look, with the type of smile that a person gets when she has her photo taken. The last one is pretty good, though - the smile there appears more genuine and friendly. If it was not for the sunglasses, it'd be a clear winner for main. I'd say you need to try to bring some fun to the profile. Loosen up a bit. Give the people who want to contact you a reason to smile and a bunch of "hooks' - meaning good subjects to bring up some kind of joke or a clever witticism in an opening message. Same for first date section - a little less formal and a little more fun.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 6 (view)

Me too! Posted: 6/23/2009 11:53:13 AM
Let's see... Handle is amusing. Headline works with handle but not so much standalone. So, on a profile, the joke is clear, but in searches, it is not. Photos are pretty good - good expression, some variety, requisite full body shot (with a good caption to boot). Main photo is well chosen. I liked the interests as well. About the right number, varied, some with funny descriptions. Interests are usually a good place to give someone a subject for an opening message, and I think you make it pretty easy for someone who is interested to contact you with a good opening line. I would change the phrase "be better at it this time". Seems to imply a little baggage here, which shouldn't be in profile, especially since your next paragraph mentions that you don't want any. I'd also remove some of the "nots". The negativity mentioned above seems to be gone mostly, but still, there are a few traces. It is usually better to focus on what you want rather than what you don't. E.g, liking the clean shaven look instead of disliking facial hair, liking someone with variety of interests instead of disliking sports fanatic, liking to communicate in person instead of disliking long chain of emails, etc... There is too much description of what you are looking for, and not enough of who you are. I'd focus a little more on you and a little less on your partner. Describe yourself a little more, with a paragraph on your interests and one on personality. I'd also expand the first date section a bit. As mentioned, expand your age range. Way too narrow, especially since this is an absolute restriction. A potential match can't even contact you if he falls outside of the range. And, while huge age differences are usually not good, I'd allow at least 8 years on either side of your own age.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 6 (view)

Prpfiles Posted: 6/23/2009 11:20:58 AM
Miss Lonely, this is not really a profile review request, so doesn't belong here. But, if you really want to send a message to that person, just change your zip code temporarily. That should allow you to send that message; and once two of you start exchanging messages, you can put it back. Of course, you will have to tell him at some point that you are further away than he prefers.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 49 (view)

How important is Political Compatibilty in DATING? Posted: 6/6/2009 7:50:20 PM
The way people look at politics is pretty indicative on how they look at many other aspects of life. So, if the political views are significantly different, there is a good change that views on other things are significantly different. At that point, it becomes an issue of how much difference you are looking for in your partner, versus how much similarity. For me, I want someone who is pretty similar to myself because I think significant differences put too much strain on relationship. So I would not date someone who is very far away from me politically. As a friend, I can tolerate relatively big political differences. As a spouse / significant other - no, I'd like someone who is close to me. Being on opposite sides would be a showstopper. I can learn to appreciate and respect the way she is different from me in many ways. Politics is not one of them.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 14 (view)

No Nursing Home for Me Posted: 5/20/2009 12:28:31 PM
Nursing homes smell like old forum threads that have been buried for 4 years and then brought back to life by virgin sacrifice, goat blood and chicken entrails. Not a pretty smell.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

Help the post office Posted: 5/20/2009 8:40:13 AM
Meanwhile in other news... since the credit card laws being passed are looking to restrict the fees/interest from customers who are carrying balance and not paying on time, the companies which are issuing them are looking at changing the ways in which they treat the responsible customers, the ones that don't make late payments and are not carrying balances. As in, charging the interest without grace period and bringing back annual fees. And, if that doesn't work, then guess what the next step is going to be? I'll give you a hint - it is something that merchants are eventually going to pass back to consumers in form of higher prices. Or maybe, you'll win and you'll stop the so-called commercial mail - and then we'll see if the post office was right about the postage rate increases being delayed and reduced due to that mail subsidizing the standard consumer mail. So, yeah, go for it - get your satisfaction. Your face didn't need that nose anyway.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 4 (view)

Let's talk about economy cars. Posted: 5/16/2009 4:11:22 PM
I generally drive econoboxes and my next car is likely going to be one. Reliability is my main concern, economy second. I drive in the urban environment, so I don't need to have a lot of power - it is mostly stop and go. Japanese compacts and sub-compacts are generally the way to go in that category. I've been diving Mazda 323 and several generation of Toyota Corollas (well, the Chevrolet branded version of Corollas). Been very happy with them. Recently test drove the subcompacts and I they are now not nearly as cramped as they used to be, so definitely would consider them for next car. Since you are only 5'2" with presumably smaller frame, I would imagine that it would be even less of the factor for you. I had an accident in a Corolla that impressed the heck out of me. Take a look at this photo (http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1204323/crash.jpg) to see how bad it was - yet I was barely hurt. The car collapsed exactly in the way it meant to, and protected me from most of the damage. In other words, the overall concern with econoboxes being less safe might be true, but they are doing good job these days to make them as safe as can be. What would be the econoboxes I'd look into next? Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa. When introduced, Toyota Yaris was not all that well received, with both Fit and Versa getting better reviews. Unless they redesigned it, that would be my third choice in subcompacts, after Fit and Versa. Nissan is generally considered a bit below Toyota and Honda in quality (but I think they did pretty darn good job with Versa); but, on the other hand, they tend to be a bit cheaper, so for same money, you might be able to get the newer car.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 10 (view)

General Motors and China Posted: 5/15/2009 6:58:53 AM
GM has been described as benefit management company with a little car-making business on the side. So, they might as well focus on what the real core of the company is. "Making cars" isn't it. Besides, it is not like anyone will be buying whatever attempts at vehicles they try to sell. Really, GM has no business plan, except for asking for government money and not paying it back. So, what does it matter where they make the cars. Besides, while Chinese current car industry is pretty pitiful, they are getting better at making stuff all the time. It is only a matter of time before the cars they make will be better than what UAW makes.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 34 (view)

Obamas first 100 days Posted: 5/8/2009 10:51:41 AM
The Spherion Employee Confidence Index increased 4.0 points to 45.4 in April. "On March 6, recruiting and staffing company, Spherion Corporation reported a decrease in the Spherion Employee Confidence Index of 2.6 points to 40.1, its lowest level since 1967". Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/20090306/spherion-employee-confidence-index-hits-lowest-level-since-1967.htm So, not setting two consecutive 42-year lows is a sign of recovery, eh? Yay, we are not going straight down every month. I am sure we are going to be seeing that employment pickup any day now. Not a moment too soon, either, what with the unemployment hitting 8.9% already before the inevitable downward revision.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 19 (view)

predict your own death... Posted: 5/1/2009 9:58:58 AM
At 73, from heart attack while "getting friendly" with a hot 40-year old chick. Yeah, I wish... At my funeral, people cheer as they play "Another one bites the dust" Naaaaah.... I'll go with at 57, being shot by border guards while trying to climb over Canadian border fence. Louis Armstrong's "What a wonderful world" on my funeral.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 14 (view)

Arlen Specter ... newest Democrat in the Senate. Posted: 4/28/2009 8:58:58 PM
He-he... I just checked some left websites and pundits and they are a bit split. On one hand, they are happy to pick up a vote that has D on it. On another, they know that Specter is an unprincipled hack so they are concerned that now they are stuck with the same problem that Republicans had in 2004 - a candidate that the party doesn't like. On the other hand, most of the ones on the right are not too upset, and many are happy to see him go. Specter is now someone else's headache.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Arlen Specter ... newest Democrat in the Senate. Posted: 4/28/2009 10:57:40 AM
Specter was always a Democrat. He just had "R" after his name. The polls show him with much higher approval among democrats than either independents or republicans. He was going to lose that primary in rather handily. As he said, he was unwilling to have his career judged by the primary voters, so he jumped formally. Good riddance to bad rubbish. The party is better off without him.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 4 (view)

Amazing Story of Elephant Etiquette Posted: 4/27/2009 4:22:32 PM
Oh, for gods sake... You, kids, are not taking this as a true story, are you? http://www.snopes.com/critters/malice/elephant.asp

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 11 (view)

How to rid of an annoying neighbor? Posted: 4/25/2009 3:21:35 PM
Top 10 ways to get back at of annoying neighbor. 10) Go into every seedy dive nearby and write "for good times, visit this address" on men's room walls 9) Alert police that every time you go near her house, it smells like pot. 8) The old "pizza delivery" trick. 7) Download "Don't come around here no more" MP3 and put it on player attached to motion-sensing detector in front of your house 6) Buy a small breathalyzer and next time she comes around, ask her to breath into it, then look at it and say "wow... folks at the station will be glad to know about this". 5) Place an order at http://www.skunk-scent.com/ 4) Tar. Feathers. Pitchforks 3) Bear Traps. 2) Post the "Trespassers Will Be Shot On Sight" on the trees on your yard and from time to time fire a shot and yell "Aha! Got another one!" 1) Go down to a local... Hold on. There is someone at the door. Be right back.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 12 (view)

What are you accomplishments? Posted: 4/23/2009 10:39:35 AM
Is "wasting taxpayer's money by doing stupid and useless work on a government project" an accomplishment? Sure hope it is, because I've done a lot of that lately.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 28 (view)

3 chores you dislike doing as a single person Posted: 4/22/2009 7:10:53 PM
I think all the stuff that people mention are just as much unfun to do when single as they are when married (or in relationship). A chore is a chore. I can't think of anything that I enjoy doing less now after my divorce than I did while married. Well, there is one thing that is a lot harder to do now that I am alone. But it isn't exactly a chore.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 8 (view)

Coming to a realization. I can't change career without leaving Posted: 4/22/2009 6:53:58 PM
Let me see if I understand this correctly. OP is asking people's thoughts on leaving the job that he didn't mention to do something else that he didn't mention either. And people are telling him to go for it, right? Let's follow the clues. OP's current profession is in "...an industry that is always going to be in demand" and profession is listed as "technologist". I also see "Aspiring Writer" in the profession, and "Writing Fiction" in the interest list. So, it would not be an unreasonable guess that the new profession is as a writer of fiction. Do people who offer words of encouragement realize how few aspiring writers become successful writers? To me, it looks like a fairly standard mid-life crisis, based on what little I see. Surely, "writing The Great American Novel" (or, in this case "The Great Canadian Novel") is one of the top 5 usual mid-life crisis goals. And, I am not saying it can't work. There are success stories, to be sure. But, I'd say the chances that OP will come to regret this are very high. I wouldn't play those type of odds, not without getting someone in the industry (like a professional editor) give the OP an honest evaluation of his potential first. Perhaps that was already done with positive results, in which case there might be merit to the plan. But, if not, then it sounds to me like a path wrought with danger.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 7 (view)

Texas go home! Posted: 4/20/2009 7:00:24 AM
Can we get New Jersey to secede instead? I can fully get behind that one. Driving a few extra miles from Philly to New York would be a small price to pay for not having the state popularly known as "Armpit of America" be a part of the union. All in favor...

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 8 (view)

the invasion of the ants! ...coming soon, to a home near you... Posted: 4/18/2009 7:27:36 PM
Take a rubber tree plant and nail it to the floor. Ants can't resist trying to move that plant.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 171 (view)

Somali Pirates Posted: 4/17/2009 6:11:34 PM
we need to quit calling them "pirates" and call them what they are...terrorists! Haven't you got the memo? You are no longer supposed to use the "t" word. The new term is "man-caused disasters". I find that to be a double plus good word.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 10 (view)

It's Offical! President Obama has lost my 2012 vote. Posted: 4/17/2009 6:59:35 AM
Sanguine, eh? Yeah, I can see that. Really good example of the attitude. So, OP, going to be signing that "Draft Kucinich for 2012" petition?

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

HELP! My dog... Posted: 4/16/2009 9:55:11 AM
Switch to decaf, and ask local Starbucks to limit her to one latte a day.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 92 (view)

Somali Pirates Posted: 4/14/2009 7:44:12 AM
What a bunch of amateurs! A million here, a million there, and you have to go and do the risky stunts like hijacking the ships and taking hostages. And all for little redistribution of money from those who have it to those who don't. Really, getting money at the point of the gun is passe. If you really want to do it, go into government services. That's where real money is, and that is where the real theft is occurring. A lot less risk and a lot more profit.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 46 (view)

Somali Pirates Posted: 4/13/2009 8:13:18 AM
To me, the interesting part about this rescue story is how much of it is true. Officially, there was no rescue attempt. The decision to shoot the three pirates was a split second decision by a local commander under the authorization that firing is allowed if there is a belief that the life of hostage is in danger. But, there doesn't need to be a special authorization for that - that is part of standard operating process within military teams assigned to those type of missions. And, the story is that the pirates had the gun pointed at Captain Phillips, and they just happened to be in position where there was a decent chance to hit all three of them. If that story is true, then it was a rescue of opportunity and the credit for it goes to the officer who gave orders to fire and to the SEALs who hit three pretty well concealed targets with three shots. But, if there was a wink, wink, nudge, nudge to that operation, if there was a tone of "we can't say so officially, but your mission is to create such opportunity", then kudos to Obama. Of course, as international crisis go, this is small potatoes. Four pirates, at least one of whom is a 16-year old are not exactly a match to US Navy. Still, all is well that ends well.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 36 (view)

An ACTUAL solution to the economic problems.... Posted: 4/10/2009 5:33:29 PM
I love this thread. It starts with a person who thinks that legalizing marijuana and allowing convicts better legal remedies is "an ACTUAL solution to the economic problems" and it ends with a person trying to explain how socialism works to someone who lived under it. Where else can one get such entertainment for free? FWIW, at the risk of invoking Godwin's law, there is a case to be made that the type of control that government seeks over the industry is very much in line with fascist thinking. E.g... http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/Fascism.html Where socialism sought totalitarian control of a society’s economic processes through direct state operation of the means of production, fascism sought that control indirectly, through domination of nominally private owners. Where socialism nationalized property explicitly, fascism did so implicitly, by requiring owners to use their property in the “national interest”—that is, as the autocratic authority conceived it. (Nevertheless, a few industries were operated by the state.) Where socialism abolished all market relations outright, fascism left the appearance of market relations while planning all economic activities. Where socialism abolished money and prices, fascism controlled the monetary system and set all prices and wages politically.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 7 (view)

Somali Pirates Posted: 4/10/2009 9:33:47 AM
Why is it that most people can only see and think to deal with the symptoms rather than the cause of these problems? Hey, we are working pretty darn hard these days on eliminating those causes, from our end at least. But, I can clearly see the time when the "disparity between the very rich and the very poor" will going away. Sure, it will take some time to dissipate the wealth of industrialized countries, but it can be done. We've been building it for centuries, it is not going away in a few days. The important part is that we got the right people for the job now, working hard on making sure that there won't be any "very rich" in the near future.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Somali Pirates Posted: 4/10/2009 8:52:08 AM
How militaristic of you! We should apologize to pirates and assure them that it is all a misunderstanding. We want to get away from the pirate-American relationships of the past, turn over the new page and establish an outreach to pirate community. The sad period of history run by previous administrations, when pirates were treated as less than equals should be closed, and we should establish a new era of understanding, cooperation, peace and togetherness. I nominate UN to broker that. They are really good at these types of tasks.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 4 (view)

Geithner Hiding Results of Bank Stress Tests Posted: 4/9/2009 9:12:27 AM
I do feel sorry for Geithner. He always looks so uncomfortable talking out of both sides of his mouth. Whatever one thinks about his judgement, he is competent enough economist to know when he is lying, and he doesn't seem to do it convincingly. It's as if in the back of his head there is a little voice going "They are not buying it. They can see that there is no there "there". They know I am making up numbers. They can tell that president has no clothes". He should take some lessons from Krugman. Krugman never lets his knowledge of economics get in a way of making the point he wants to make.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 7 (view)

Let GM go bust.....no more money for them....seriously they are out of touch!!! Posted: 4/8/2009 10:53:40 AM
The problem with GM (and with other US auto makers) is that they can't build a good small cheap car. They can build a good small expensive car. They can build a good large cheap car (or SUV or truck). But, the US econoboxes have never been all that good. Only way they even come close to being good is by rebranding the foreign makes and designs. Which would have been fine, normally. Stick to things you can make, and leave stuff you are not good at making to someone who is. Ah, but that means that your average vehicle is going to be in violation of increasingly more demanding emission standards. We can't have that, can we? We have to mandate that the companies make the cars that they can't really make well. And then, we turn around and act all surprised that they are in trouble.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 14 (view)

Honoring The 14th Ammendment To The US Constitution: Bravo Green Mountaineers! Posted: 4/8/2009 10:43:58 AM
Why stop at polygamy? Why not go for incest? Can't have all the proverbial inbreeds have all the fun.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 10 (view)

Gay families to join White House egg roll Posted: 4/8/2009 7:24:38 AM
Oh, this year's ticket distribution process is very amusing. Tickets have always been available to anyone who wants them, and the way to get it was "first come, first served". As in, you get in line and you get tickets. This year they changed it to be online, with predictable results - the distribution became very much random among the actual families. People tried to get it, completely swamped the site, the pages weren't loading, the information had to be retyped over and over, the chances of getting one became a crapshoot. I don't know if bots were involved, but based on my experiences with those methods of distribution, they usually are. Naturally, as always happens in cases like that, this developed into a market - as in, people are scalping them in greater numbers than in previous years. There are a bunch on Ebay, a lot more on Craigslist. One auction ended at almost $1000 for a set of 6. So, if there is a theme to this year's attendees, it is probably more has to do with having extra money to pay the scalpers rather than sexual orientation.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Will the banks at least send us a thank-you card? Posted: 4/3/2009 10:42:49 AM
Yeah, but look at the positive side. This way we avoid the depreciation of assets, so the housing prices can remain at the level that guarantees that no young family trying to buy the house can possibly afford one. Ha! Take that, youngsters! Not only are we spending your money, but we are also going to make sure that you can't afford housing. No building wealth for you! And if you think you are inheriting the stuff once we pass away... not so fast. Check out those death taxes. Maybe next time you'll stay awake in your economics classes.

Yevgeny

Joined: 3/15/2008

Msg: 2 (view)

Buying a used car... Posted: 4/3/2009 8:16:16 AM
Some parameters that would affect the decision... 1) How much are you driving daily and on what kind of roads. 2) Do you anticipate a need for a lot of people and stuff to carry? 3) How much do factors like reliability, performance, comfort, style or luxury matters to you. 4) Do you have a trusted mechanic to have the car checked? 5) There are some people who love to negotiate and some who hate it. If you don't like negotiation, but know someone who does, might want to enlist that person. There are even people that can be hired. 6) Older, higher end car or newer, lower end car? 7) Do you think the gas will be higher soon or not? I'd pick up 2-3 used car guides at a book store and go from there. That's what I usually do when getting a used car. Also, there are many good sources online on current pricing and reviews.

Show ALL Forums