Why the hell is everything on allocation?

It is acknowledging reality the way Rich is equipped to see it. If he wasn't quite a such a pig-ignorant nitwit, he might appreciate that there is a way of being convinced of the scientific evidence for anthropogenic global warming that doesn't involve an irrational belief in a revealed truth, but rather a rational consideration of the available evidence.

You do have to know stuff to consider the evidence, and it takes a longer attention span that Rich can manage.

His reality is severely curtailed by his intellectual defects.

But evolution saved us from having to believe in gods.

-- Bill Sloman, Nijmegen

I'm sorry that your version of "reality" doesn't have room for observed evidence, but trust me, it's nothing personal.

Cheers! Rich

The item in question is NOT a 'tangible' item, idiot.

And the part of you that would be dead would be your current Earthly mortal coils.

It is a place that YOU will NOT "get to", dead or otherwise. How do I know?

Your attitude, and lack of grasp of what "treasures in heaven" are.

God does not have a gender, idiot. It is disrespectful to God for you to think otherwise.

So, how many decades ago did your bent brain decide that the entire rest of the world is doing it wrong, and your new, bent brained perception of God is the new order?

You've got that exactly the wrong way around.

Your version of reality doesn't seem to have room for scientific evidence derived from observing reality in a disciplined and reproducible way. I understand that you think that you can get understanding via divine revelation, but one wonders what kind of divinity would waste their time revealing stuff to you.

Whatever it is that is forming your understanding doesn't seem to be a source of hihg quality information.

-- Bill Sloman, Nijmegen

Quite embarrassing. But wait until Jan 2013 rolls around and the Orwellian trailer in the HIRE act kicks in. Chances are, numerous banks in other countries may dump US investments because the onerous reporting requirements are deemed to costly. We better pray that our economy is strong enough by then to survive such a possible blow. And it's a homemade blow.

Rich, I don't believe in Jesus as God. But I am very partial to some of His goals. The world would truly be a better place were it that Christians actually followed Him -- even somewhat. They don't, as a rule. I think Jörg is one of the few better ones, though, and I respect that a great deal -- more than he realizes.

The bulk of your comments is about Christian hypocracy -- and there I agree, broadly speaking. I don't believe there are very many following any of what is the very core of their own belief system. I have, more than once, preached to preachers and ministers (as recently as last week) since I blame this more on the leadership, less on the laity. So you don't need to convince me that they don't follow Jesus, often.

It's not easy. But then, it wasn't any easier for the early Christian communes, either. And yet they actually walked the walk. Stayed during the plagues of 150 and 250 AD in Rome and tended to all who came, no matter who they were. I'd like to see that kind of courage and faith, today. But it is long gone.

So there are very few true Christians in the world, anymore, I conclude.

Still, my point was that Jörg was right about the bible in regard to your comment about those with developmental disabilities and health care and the bible. It is their duty by the words of Jesus.

Jon

Damn Chinese banks are making loans.

Back in late 2008, I walked into my local machine tools and goodies store to buy a cheapo (Chinese) dial indicator and magnetic base. The economy was (reported to be) already sick, so I figured they'd have lots on hand. No luck. Backordered, two weeks until delivery.

As the weeks and months went by, every time I stopped by, I checked on the order. Still not in. Finally, I had a little chat with the manager. I asked if times were really all that bad. He said, "No. We just can't borrow to place an order. The Chinese manufacturers demand cash up front. We have several container loads of back orders we'd like to fill. But nobody will lend."

After about 6 months, the gizmo finally arrived. So I decided to have some fun. I ordered some cheap 1-2-3 blocks (jigs used for setting up work on a mill). Back ordered, two weeks. "Yeah, right", I thought. But two weeks later, they arrived. So I cornered the manager and asked, "What changed?" "New bank", he said. I asked which US banks were now lending again. "Not American", he said.

I didn't push him for details. But I suspect its either a Canadian bank (they are located just over the border from Vancouver BC) or a Chinese bank.

People are lining up to buy stuff, trucks are coming and going. Business is good. It never was bad. They've just managed to clean up their back order log.

F*ck the US banking system. Someone out there is willing to lend money to small and mid-sized businesses. If Citi or Chase goes under, I won't shed a tear.

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If you mean Harbor Freight, they've been having some trouble--the son took charge and he's been spending. Millions and zillions. There's a court battle, etc.

"The complaint states [CEO] Eric Smidt took out more than $500 million in loans to acquire property such as The Knoll, the former Beverly Hills estate of the late billionaire Marvin Davis. Eric Smidt paid a reported $46 million for the Georgian-style estate, which was on Forbes.com=92s list of the most expensive homes In America in 2004."

is

Nor should you. Companies that fail should fail. Citi's earned it, with interest.

-- Cheers, James Arthur