After one of the most important days in the history of our nation, I am still in awe over something I continued to see from the left: a complete and total lack of respect for the outgoing President.
I found it so appalling, that I felt ashamed of my fellow "enlightened" Americans.
Say what you want about the myriad of faults associated with the last eight years, but the one fact remains: You were kept safe. The threat level would vary depending on where you get your information (and I'm not going to debate you conspiracy theorists), but NO Americans were killed on our soil as attacks occurred in other parts of the globe.
The cost was high. As our ex completely took his attention away from domestic issues and allowed a Democratic led Congress to run wild over us as Frank, Pelosi, Reed, et. al. just could not help themselves. Unfortunately, it happened on his watch and he takes the fall for not controlling the children with the power of the pen. He SHOULD be held accountable for that unforgivable mistake.
The vilifying on the way out though is disgusting.
I'm ashamed to call these morons my countrymen.
As much as I think our current President is unproven, I am willing to reserve judgement until 12-18 months into the gig. I also RESPECT the Office. Even if I do not agree with the man, his politics, his seedy political background, and nebulous personal history, I cannot escape the fact he is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. That in and of itself deserves your respect.
To all those "educated souls" who can only express themselves in four letter words and illogical emotion--good luck in the future.
History will judge everyone, and my belief is that our ex-President took it on the chin to combat a threat he believed to be priority #1. Strong is a man who can do so-- whether right or wrong.
I hope the current party has the same fortitude. Recent history shows it hasn't, but I hope I'm wrong.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Two Companies, Same Story.
My brother just got laid off yesterday. Actually, my brothers entire division got laid off yesterday. Seriously-- the entire sales force was told to hit the bricks. Things became "so bad" in the software business that an industry leader decided to axe its only real incoming source of new revenue. Talented individuals showed up Monday like everything was fine and were back at home by noon wondering "what next?".
An associate of mine has an issue. He's a one man shop. Built his business starting from the ground up in 2000. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but smart and dedicated enough to build a decent business with a "future". That was until the downturn came. Now he is stuck in the middle--can't afford a mortgage, can't expand the business (has nothing to offer except higher commission rates), and is like a hamster running on a wheel.
One is a 40 man shop, the other a 1 man shop. Both American backbones.
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I had to cut overhead, lay off employees, jump to just in time ordering, pare inventory down to nil, and be as lean and mean as possible. Mind you--this was during the "boom". Everyone else was knee deep in excess as we were bailing out the water from the sinking ship. Guess what--we held out for seven more years-- but then closed.
Eventually there was nothing more we could do-- it wasn't our fault-- markets change, conditions change, etc. Still we were forced to become innovative and aggressive as the market pared everyone out. We could have survived but we foresaw everything collapsing around us. We were just smarter than everyone else and ran out the door before it was slammed shut on us.
The two cases of companies I laid out in the beginning are in the exact same position: heading for closure. They just don't know it yet.
Everyone faced with paring back starts axing fixed costs: wages. Problem is you do not get the same productivity out of what or who you kept to replace what you have let go. I axed all my sales guys in 2005. Went Internet based and print based. The result: sales were off 20 %. They were down 15% industry wide so in reality I was only down 5 points, but it still was down.
Next I started axing crew. Soon 5 guys were doing the work of 15. Quality inevitably starts slipping, mistakes increase, product satisfaction decreases, and you are left asking "why" when you know damn well what the answer is: you are just trying to get by.
Soon you have no choice. It is made for you.
We made rational decisions over a period of years in a "good" economy and were forced to close.
Irrational decisions are being made now. Panic has set in.
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My brothers problem: His company fired all its bullets at the enemy and now the gun is empty as the enemy comes in for the kill.
My associates problem: He has no bullets to fire at the enemy.
Guess what--both companies are screwed. They will both close. It is inevitable.
That my friends is why the politicians need to be held accountable for their actions. Wars, Markets, Open Borders, Tort Law, Mismanagement of Tax Coffers, etc.etc.etc.
We were ready for the onslaught-- why wasn't everyone else?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's leave on a good note though!!!!
Don't ever lose the ability to dream! It keeps us going against all that is evil and wrong with this world!
-The Cap'n
An associate of mine has an issue. He's a one man shop. Built his business starting from the ground up in 2000. Not the sharpest tool in the shed, but smart and dedicated enough to build a decent business with a "future". That was until the downturn came. Now he is stuck in the middle--can't afford a mortgage, can't expand the business (has nothing to offer except higher commission rates), and is like a hamster running on a wheel.
One is a 40 man shop, the other a 1 man shop. Both American backbones.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Captain's old business was one that faced decline since 2001. We were saddled with a constricting marketplace, higher costs, declining margins, and an ever declining customers base. People just did not want to open their wallets for our product anymore.
I had to cut overhead, lay off employees, jump to just in time ordering, pare inventory down to nil, and be as lean and mean as possible. Mind you--this was during the "boom". Everyone else was knee deep in excess as we were bailing out the water from the sinking ship. Guess what--we held out for seven more years-- but then closed.
Eventually there was nothing more we could do-- it wasn't our fault-- markets change, conditions change, etc. Still we were forced to become innovative and aggressive as the market pared everyone out. We could have survived but we foresaw everything collapsing around us. We were just smarter than everyone else and ran out the door before it was slammed shut on us.
The two cases of companies I laid out in the beginning are in the exact same position: heading for closure. They just don't know it yet.
Everyone faced with paring back starts axing fixed costs: wages. Problem is you do not get the same productivity out of what or who you kept to replace what you have let go. I axed all my sales guys in 2005. Went Internet based and print based. The result: sales were off 20 %. They were down 15% industry wide so in reality I was only down 5 points, but it still was down.
Next I started axing crew. Soon 5 guys were doing the work of 15. Quality inevitably starts slipping, mistakes increase, product satisfaction decreases, and you are left asking "why" when you know damn well what the answer is: you are just trying to get by.
Soon you have no choice. It is made for you.
We made rational decisions over a period of years in a "good" economy and were forced to close.
Irrational decisions are being made now. Panic has set in.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My brothers problem: His company fired all its bullets at the enemy and now the gun is empty as the enemy comes in for the kill.
My associates problem: He has no bullets to fire at the enemy.
Guess what--both companies are screwed. They will both close. It is inevitable.
That my friends is why the politicians need to be held accountable for their actions. Wars, Markets, Open Borders, Tort Law, Mismanagement of Tax Coffers, etc.etc.etc.
We were ready for the onslaught-- why wasn't everyone else?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's leave on a good note though!!!!
Don't ever lose the ability to dream! It keeps us going against all that is evil and wrong with this world!
-The Cap'n
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Has it Been That long??
Wow!!!! Impending fatherhood can make the time fly like a mofo. Well here are some post 2008, not so pre 2009 thoughts:
* This year is going to suck if you let it. There will be many things to get you down this year- economy will not be better, housing market will still be weak, 15% unemployment, socialism pushes forward in the U.S., - but there is still much to be happy about!! You are not taking a dirt nap and Burn Notice is coming back on USA Network! Hooray!
* Where has the formality gone in this country? Damn the whole casual lifestyle attitude. How you dress has a lot in determining how you act, feel, and perform. Screw casual Friday and bring back business formal.
* Was I one of the few who saw Transporter 3 and thought it was just as good as the new Bond flick?
* Jameson 18 year is damn good. Sorry JW Blue--you gots some competition.
* A treat for you from the G.O.A.T!!!!!
* I'll be surprised if Bernie Madoff and Blagojevich make it to April....
* Is there anything better than warm Marion berry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?
Well, some more thoughts later--and remember especially this year to not bitch and moan when you got what you wanted and it turned out worse than you thought!!
* This year is going to suck if you let it. There will be many things to get you down this year- economy will not be better, housing market will still be weak, 15% unemployment, socialism pushes forward in the U.S., - but there is still much to be happy about!! You are not taking a dirt nap and Burn Notice is coming back on USA Network! Hooray!
* Where has the formality gone in this country? Damn the whole casual lifestyle attitude. How you dress has a lot in determining how you act, feel, and perform. Screw casual Friday and bring back business formal.
* Was I one of the few who saw Transporter 3 and thought it was just as good as the new Bond flick?
* Jameson 18 year is damn good. Sorry JW Blue--you gots some competition.
* A treat for you from the G.O.A.T!!!!!
* I'll be surprised if Bernie Madoff and Blagojevich make it to April....
* Is there anything better than warm Marion berry pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?
Well, some more thoughts later--and remember especially this year to not bitch and moan when you got what you wanted and it turned out worse than you thought!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Who Are You?
Where there is smoke, there is fire. Decide for yourself. The Cap'n has.
There is right and there is wrong. There is emotion and there is fact. It all needs to be sorted out so everyone has the proper information and then can vote for who they choose.
The sin is in not exercising your right to vote. The crime is lying to the American public to influence that process. We have seen enough of that over the years from both parties, but could this one be the biggest? Decide for yourself.
-The Cap'n
There is right and there is wrong. There is emotion and there is fact. It all needs to be sorted out so everyone has the proper information and then can vote for who they choose.
The sin is in not exercising your right to vote. The crime is lying to the American public to influence that process. We have seen enough of that over the years from both parties, but could this one be the biggest? Decide for yourself.
-The Cap'n
Monday, October 20, 2008
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Well America, I'm hoping you surprise me on November 4th. I'm starting to doubt the overall intelligence of the general populace and hope that we have another Truman over Dewey scenario in the end....but I digress. Some personal points however:
1) This is disgusting. It is devoid of any moral fiber. These people are cretins and enemies of the State.
2) If you have the fortitude to read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged then you understand the gist of the book: The 10% of the world that produces makes up for the 90% looking for a free handout.
What then happens when the 10% who generate the wealth in this country decide they have had enough of the garbage? What happens when over regulation, taxation, and litigation so clog the system that it is easier to walk away?
I think we are getting ready to see.
This has always been a nation which allowed the individual to excel if they had the determination and focus to do so. If you want something bad enough there is ALWAYS a legal way to get it in this nation. You just have to have the gumption to find it and stay the course.
We have been a nation that kicks ass and takes names. Period. Sure, like any nation we have issues that crop up which need to be addressed, but it has built us into the greatest nation in the history of the world. EVERYONE wants to come here because we aren't a socialist laden, go nowhere nation like Italy or France.
You go there for vacation--not to start a life.
3) Here's another pretty good link for those who need another clue. Well written and not heretical by any means.
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/18/opposingviews_1018/#more-1757
4) And now to the most important issue: The 49ers finally fired Mike Nolan. You want to talk about incompetence on the big stage. This guy was the 4 star pick of the year!
He should have run for President himself. A good defensive coordinator with no clue how to run a big club. Every answer was nebulous and circular. Game management was extremely suspect.
In times of crisis he folded like a 50 cent sanitary napkin.
Damn....sounds like somebody else in the news.
5) Today, I'd like to leave on a positive note:
Remember-- It's never as bad as they say, but it can sure feel like it some days!
-The Cap'n
1) This is disgusting. It is devoid of any moral fiber. These people are cretins and enemies of the State.
2) If you have the fortitude to read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged then you understand the gist of the book: The 10% of the world that produces makes up for the 90% looking for a free handout.
What then happens when the 10% who generate the wealth in this country decide they have had enough of the garbage? What happens when over regulation, taxation, and litigation so clog the system that it is easier to walk away?
I think we are getting ready to see.
This has always been a nation which allowed the individual to excel if they had the determination and focus to do so. If you want something bad enough there is ALWAYS a legal way to get it in this nation. You just have to have the gumption to find it and stay the course.
We have been a nation that kicks ass and takes names. Period. Sure, like any nation we have issues that crop up which need to be addressed, but it has built us into the greatest nation in the history of the world. EVERYONE wants to come here because we aren't a socialist laden, go nowhere nation like Italy or France.
You go there for vacation--not to start a life.
3) Here's another pretty good link for those who need another clue. Well written and not heretical by any means.
http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/10/18/opposingviews_1018/#more-1757
4) And now to the most important issue: The 49ers finally fired Mike Nolan. You want to talk about incompetence on the big stage. This guy was the 4 star pick of the year!
He should have run for President himself. A good defensive coordinator with no clue how to run a big club. Every answer was nebulous and circular. Game management was extremely suspect.
In times of crisis he folded like a 50 cent sanitary napkin.
Damn....sounds like somebody else in the news.
5) Today, I'd like to leave on a positive note:
Remember-- It's never as bad as they say, but it can sure feel like it some days!
-The Cap'n
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
The Aristocrats
Well, the whole impending fatherhood/selling my business/ partnering up for a new business/painting kid's rooms deal has kept me busy. Today, however, I'm wondering if the two little buggers would even want to pop into this world with all the events of the last thirty days.
Therefore I am leaving this link to say it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvKaXeQN9Kc
Therefore I am leaving this link to say it all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvKaXeQN9Kc
I was going to post the video, but figured the link would do the same. Either way it is perhaps the funniest thing Gilbert Gottfried has ever done.....but....it is exactly how I feel today:
Like The Aristocrats have taken over and sanity is out the window.
And yes--with the legalized theft rammed down our throat with this "bailout" we have just been fed the last piece of the pie: institutionalized socialism
The general public should be vomiting like they swallowed a bottle of ipecac. The whole mess is a complete lack of responsibility on the parts of every individual involved.
From the fake naivety of the bottom line signers to the Alfred E. Neumann grin of the lenders, you absolutely, positively cannot tell me that you all gambled and LOST. Time to go live under a bridge by the river and pay for your sins.
When you go to a Vegas casino and lose your ass, does the managing partner reward you with a subsidy from the casino to insure they receive their full amount? Nope. You are put on a strict payment plan/re-possession plan/ end up in the desert plan. Sounds simple- never gamble what you can't afford to lose.
With that point made, I still understand the need to stabilize the system. I am not stupid. Healthy banks (such as B of A) are buying up these mortgages at non- inflated, realistic property valuations and are allowed to sell them in due time as market rationality ensues. There is no appointed "must sell" time, and T-bills are backing the process.
The ensuing housing stability brings rationality back to the equities markets where emotion and fear generally rule the roost. Great. Got it. Start another cycle.
Now, if I can repeat it enough to myself maybe I will feel like my unborn twins didn't just get the shaft.
-The Cap'n
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The State Fair!!!!! Yeah!!!
Went to the State Fair last night on a gorgeous summer evening and had a few musings as the corn dogs and egg rolls on a stick went down:
* Are Raiders jerseys required attire?
* If you are under the age of 18, must you make out with your first ever girlfriend in public the entire time?
* Why are people paying to see Weird Al Yankovic?
* Is a State Fair corn dog and a beer not completely awesome?
* Why do I always pay two bucks to see the giant cow?
* Why do I think the giant cow is freaking amazing?
* How many idiots bought a spa, some cookware, or an amazing metal cleaner for over twenty bucks tonight?
* Am I ever going to make that hoop shot for a freaking prize?
* Why do I have more teeth and look less chemical dependant than most others here?
* Am I the only one that loves the individual County exhibits?
* How many pedophiles will be at the Friday Vanessa Hudgens show?
* Check that...How many leering fathers will be there with their daughters at the Friday Vanessa Hudgens show?
Not bad for a Monday night.....next year will have to bring the twins to their first one.
See you next post...
-The Cap'n
* Are Raiders jerseys required attire?
* If you are under the age of 18, must you make out with your first ever girlfriend in public the entire time?
* Why are people paying to see Weird Al Yankovic?
* Is a State Fair corn dog and a beer not completely awesome?
* Why do I always pay two bucks to see the giant cow?
* Why do I think the giant cow is freaking amazing?
* How many idiots bought a spa, some cookware, or an amazing metal cleaner for over twenty bucks tonight?
* Am I ever going to make that hoop shot for a freaking prize?
* Why do I have more teeth and look less chemical dependant than most others here?
* Am I the only one that loves the individual County exhibits?
* How many pedophiles will be at the Friday Vanessa Hudgens show?
* Check that...How many leering fathers will be there with their daughters at the Friday Vanessa Hudgens show?
Not bad for a Monday night.....next year will have to bring the twins to their first one.
See you next post...
-The Cap'n
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