The unimportant news thread

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Only 8% of the millionaires in the USA consider themselves as wealthy.


https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/10/survey-31percent-of-millionaires-say-they-are-part-of-the-middle-class.html

[Todd]

From ICN: Planned Fossil Fuel Production Vastly Exceeds the World's Climate Goals, 'Throwing Humanity's Future Into Question'

Among the 20 top fossil fuel-producing countries, the U.S., Brazil and Saudi Arabia foresee significant increases in domestic oil production, while Russia, India and Indonesia all project substantial increases in coal.

Inger Andersen, the executive director of U.N. Environment Program, said in a statement accompanying the report that "governments' plans to expand fossil fuel production are undermining the energy transition needed to achieve net-zero emissions, throwing humanity's future into question."

Cited in the ICN piece, and directly from the IMF: Fossil Fuel Subsidies Surged to Record $7 Trillion

[drogulus]

    Stocks won't go much higher next year, Wall Street bear predicts


    First.....hahahaha, he's, like, a bear, OK?

    Second....a word of warning. This does not mean stocks will go up.

[BWV 1080]

Today was declared 'Original Ninfa's Day' in Houston, celebrating Mama Ninfa and the birthplace of fajitas

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/food-culture/restaurants-bars/article/original-ninfas-day-50-anniversary-tex-mex-18487955.php#:~:text=The%20city%20of%20Houston%20declared,its%2050th%20anniversary%20this%20year.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Credit card debt soars in the USA.


https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/09/average-credit-card-balances-top-6000-a-10-year-high.html

[Todd]

From AP: Fiery right-wing populist Javier Milei wins Argentina's presidency amid discontent over economy

I admit I don't follow Argentinian politics, but here are some other headline descriptions of the election:

WSJ: "Javier Milei, a Self-Described Anarcho-Capitalist, Is Elected President of Argentina"

FT: "Radical libertarian Javier Milei elected president of Argentina"

NPR: "Javier Milei, a radical libertarian populist, elected president of Argentina"

NBC New York: "Self-described anarcho-capitalist appears to win Argentina's presidential election"


Hmm.  I have doubts that the corporate press is reporting in a dispassionate way.  If anyone here is a published authority on Argentinian politics, I should like to know more.  In the meantime, I am modestly happy that an Anarcho-Capitalist now leads a lesser power. 

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Former US President Donald Trump congratulated Mr Milei on his victory, saying he would "Make Argentina Great Again!".

[JBS]

From AP: Fiery right-wing populist Javier Milei wins Argentina's presidency amid discontent over economy

I admit I don't follow Argentinian politics, but here are some other headline descriptions of the election:

WSJ: "Javier Milei, a Self-Described Anarcho-Capitalist, Is Elected President of Argentina"

FT: "Radical libertarian Javier Milei elected president of Argentina"

NPR: "Javier Milei, a radical libertarian populist, elected president of Argentina"

NBC New York: "Self-described anarcho-capitalist appears to win Argentina's presidential election"


Hmm.  I have doubts that the corporate press is reporting in a dispassionate way.  If anyone here is a published authority on Argentinian politics, I should like to know more.  In the meantime, I am modestly happy that an Anarcho-Capitalist now leads a lesser power. 

The one factoid I know about him is that he admires Margaret Thatcher.

I guess La Guerra de Las Malvinas will now become el malestar previo.

[Todd]

It looks like Milei digs the 70s:

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

OpenAI Staff Threaten to Quit Unless Board Resigns.


https://www.wired.com/story/openai-staff-walk-protest-sam-altman/

[Karl Henning]

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Americans ditched big cities during the pandemic. Now many are regretting it.


https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-regretting-moves-from-city-to-suburbs-housing-crisis-millennials-2023-11

[drogulus]

Credit card debt soars in the USA.


https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/09/average-credit-card-balances-top-6000-a-10-year-high.html

    I just got an AMEX card. I got a mailing with an offer, something I usually tear up. This time I applied online and was approved, got the card in the mail and lived happily ever after so far.

    Now I have 3 cards. One is for monthly expenses and is paid immediately every month, another is for larger stuff like an auto repair or a new toy like maybe a PC or a 12" alnico speaker with 101db/w sensitivity.

    Card III is for I don't know what. Maybe it fits into the last slot in my wallet and that's all.

[Spotted Horses]

Card III is for I don't know what. Maybe it fits into the last slot in my wallet and that's all.

If you don't use it at all they may just cancel it.

[drogulus]

If you don't use it at all they may just cancel it.

     It's OK with me.



     I might buy something. What should I buy?

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

It's OK with me.



     I might buy something. What should I buy?

Onsen (waffle) towels.

[drogulus]

Onsen (waffle) towels.

Order summary

    Waffle Bath Towel × 1

Forest / Individual
CYBER MONDAY 30% OFF (-$15)   

$35
   
Subtotal
    $35

Shipping
    $0

Taxes
    $0

Total
    $35 USD

     Look, I bought a Cyber Towel!

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Good price. Reviews of Onsen towels are below.


https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/onsen-towel

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/article/onsen-towel-review/?sh=47cedcb6759b

[drogulus]

    In the Stock Market, Don't Buy and Sell. Just Hold.

     I would put it differently such that one should Always Be Buying.



I'd be happier knowing a way of beating the market regularly, of course. I'd rather be a stellar performer, not an average one.

But, as it turns out, striving to be average is probably a wise choice. Just match the market returns; don't try to beat the market by buying and selling at moments that seem like great opportunities. You're likely to hurt yourself.

     That's right. Don't beat the market, own it.

[drogulus]

     I think you can see why the US talks to China about climate stuff.