http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/09/clinton.obama/index.html

“Businesswoman Lynn Forester de Rothschild launched a Web site bringing Clinton supporters together to put the pressure on Obama.

“We are being asked to embrace party unity without the fair representation of Hillary Clinton and her 18 million voters,” she says on her Web site. “Party unity requires bilateral action. We ask Barack Obama and the Democratic National Committee to respond.”

De Rothschild is one of the so-called “Hillraisers” — supporters who raised at least $100,000 for Clinton. She’s yet to fork over any cash for Obama, and she doesn’t know if she will.

“I certainly know there are lots of people who are withholding their money,” she said.

“This is a hard decision for me personally because frankly I don’t like him. I feel like he is an elitist. I feel like he has not given me reason to trust him.””

Linda – look up the definition of elitist.  I’m sure you’ll (sarcastically) see a blip about the Clinton family.  Moreover, read a book if you don’t trust or know where Obama plans on taking our country without hopefully HRCs “assistance” as the VP.  If buying Audacity of Hope for $7.99 is too elitist for you, check it out from the library.  Lastly, your name is too long.

From the WSJ on July 7th…

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121538245133130871.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

“But for the dollar to rebound further, it probably will need Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, who speaks Thursday in Washington, to indicate the U.S. central bank is considering near-term interest-rate increases to fight inflation.

Higher interest rates from the Fed could help the dollar as they tend to boost returns on dollar-based investments.”

As originally seen on BccList.com here…here…here…here…here…here…and here going back to May 27th.

That would mean the devil (Rupert Murdoch) would be writing the paychecks though…maybe that’s not a good idea.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/06/news/economy/dollar_doldrums.ap/index.htm

But, the article still doesn’t explain correctly that all the fed needs to do is even suggest increasing the interest rates this year so that gas goes down to $2.50 a gallon, milk returns to $1.99 a gallon, and everyone can live a “normal” life again.

Instead, the article incorrectly mentions there is no fix and increasing the interest rate could slow the economy.  This would be the the case if US consumers weren’t ALREADY PAYING INCREASED INTEREST RATES.

This is a fcking joke but luckily the world – specifically the European Central Bank – is giving us a hand.  Yeah, that story isn’t going to be making it to the front page of any US news site.  Though I haven’t checked their website, hopefully I can subscribe to the paper addition of the International Herald Tribune (a New York Times publication) in the States.

As mentioned previously here…Richard Fisher is the smartest guy in the room.

a) I don’t want to leave the Amalfi Coast – ever. Damnit.

Off to Rome…

Per the NY Times, as seen abroad in the International Herald Tribune…

http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1464299/taking_care_out_of_day_care_at_google_talking_business/index.html?source=r_technology

Do you think you know how this story ends? You’re probably guessing that because it involves “do no evil” Google, Fortune magazine’s “Best Company to Work For” in the past two years, this is a heartwarming tale of a good company reversing a dumb decision.

If only. Although Google is rolling back its price increase slightly – to 69 percent instead of the original 75 percent – and is phasing in the higher price over five quarters, the outline of the original decision remains largely unchanged. At a TGIF in June, Sergey Brin, who founded Google with Larry Page, said he had no sympathy for the parents and was tired of “Googlers” who felt entitled to perks like “bottled water and M&Ms,” according to several people in the meeting. On Monday, Google began to implement the first phase of its new day care plan, letting go of the outsourcing firm that had been handling one of its facilities.

Hey, Sergey – you ass – it’s probably easier to “do no evil” when you’re 25 years old founding a start-up, eh?  Keep in mind that all great “empires” fall.  Are we ready to “Microsoft Search” everything once Microsoft Live Search finally gets functional/usable?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ajFfPTZJ0kHk

“Oil prices will climb to $170 a barrel this year because of increased demand, political tension and decisions made by monetary policymakers in the U.S. and Europe that have devalued the U.S. dollar, OPEC President Chakib Khelil told Bloomberg News on Saturday.

OPEC President and Algerian Oil Minister Chakib Khelil also insisted that rising prices aren’t linked to supply. “There is more than enough oil in the market to meet the international demand,”  he said June 28.”

The price will probably get to $170+ a barrel in late July and August.  But, after the “busy driving season” (translated: the best time to rip consumers off) the prices will fall below $100 a barrel assuming the fed raises interest rates/leaves them alone during Q3 and/or the administration doesn’t wake up and decide it would be a good day to invade Iran.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/02/news/international/gas_subsidies/index.htm

“Let the price rise in those countries, the thinking goes, demand will fall, and global prices will come down too.”

As originally seen on BccList.com here…

“Also, did you know, India’s inflation has climbed to an unbearable 11+%?  Modern day caste system at its best.  Say goodbye to global demand for oil when their economy crashes shortly.”

Strangely CNN didn’t mention India’s HUGE inflation issue – since nobody likes to say the “i” word in America – but at least they covered India’s faltering economy.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/04/clinton.poll/index.html

Obama won’t need your elderly, racist, and/or semitic vote anyways.  The 100+ million voters will ask themselves if they want 4 more years of the last 8 and the choice will be pretty clear.

While the “truth,” this is definitely a Vino induced posting.

1) The Amalfi Coast drive isn’t as intense as it’s rumored to be.  But, there are a ton of hairpin turns, the roads are narrow enough for only two cars and passing mopeds, and the sights are amazing.

2) I don’t want to leave Positano. Ever.

3) Make sure you pack CDs if you plan a trip abroad.  We overpaid for some crap.  More on that when I have decent enough time.  Sort of funny.

4) This goes back to Tuscany, but, Gregorian chants are as lame as you could imagine.  And, the monks constantly have a neutral or frowned look.  Life isn’t that horrible dude…you do nothing but sing and pray all day.

5) There’s a ton more but my time is nearly expired and I’ve had too much “Vino.”

Out!

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/01/obama-clark-just-somebody-on-a-cable-show/

Gavin, say goodbye to Clark as a VP candidate. Awesome…

“I’m happy to have all sorts of conversations about how we deal with Iraq and what happens with Iran,” the presumptive Democratic nominee told reporters at a press conference in Zanesville, Ohio.

“But the fact that somebody on a cable show or on a news show like Gen. Clark said something that was inartful about Sen. McCain I don’t think is probably the thing that is keeping Ohioans up at night.”

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/01/obama-takes-swipe-at-moveon/

As I explained to my republican uncle a year or so ago, MoveOn and DailyKos are so 2003 and look where that got “us” as a country.

In a speech designed to combat charges he lacks patriotism, Obama sharply condemned organizations that use “these old, threadbare arguments” to level criticisms and specifically pointed to MoveOn.org’s controversial newspaper ad last fall that attacked the top U.S. general in Iraq, David Petraeus.

“All too often our politics still seems trapped in these old, threadbare arguments – a fact most evident during our recent debates about the war in Iraq, when those who opposed administration policy were tagged by some as unpatriotic, and a general providing his best counsel on how to move forward in Iraq was accused of betrayal,” Obama said.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/04/polls-white-house-race-remains-tight/

A landslide victory is 8-12% points.  The election will be decided by more than 6% points once mccain is forced to share the same stage with Obama.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/07/03/mccain-and-obama-put-it-on-the-line/

I wonder who throws the dice for the old man.

NOTE: 

On Monday – that’s like forever ago – I picked up the International Herald Tribune.  This day’s newspaper had at least 10 US and worldwide inflation articles.  Yes, 10. I still don’t see shiat regarding inflation on US news/economic websites though I don’t have daily access to the internet or much time available once I get my hand on a keyboard.  WTF? 

Did you know, the US won’t have to RAISE interest rates as I’ve begged since the European Central Bank made concessions recently that should slightly help our inflation issue? 

Also, did you know, India’s inflation has climbed to an unbearable 11+%?  Modern day caste system at its best.  Say goodbye to global demand for oil when their economy crashes shortly.

Lastly, unless the Chinese decide to finally allow their currency to be unpegged, we’ll be buying American goods cheaper than the shady Chinese equivalents.  Interesting.  What up now, Gordon?

1) The internet is not way better than Siena. If you’re planning a trip to Italy, go to Siena for at least a few days.

2) Ok, calling Italian women gross was too broad of a stereotype.  But, it’s definitely a million euros a dozen.

3) As previously noted, the food continues to get better each meal.  I’m not kidding.  It’s amazing to see how capitalism/greed has killed American “fine” or casual dining.  When it takes less than 30 minutes to make multiple fresh pasta dishes and feed a group of people, there’s no reason an Italian restaurant in America should buy noodles from Sysco because it’s easier and quicker.  Seriously, my favorite eateries in Chicago have been put to shame by the simplest hole in the wall restaurants in Tuscany.  Maybe that’s too deep of a thought but you’ll understand the distaste for American food and “passion” behind this post if you get a sampling of some Tuscan food.

4) Judging by the cars you see on the highways, Italians/Europeans definitely think Ford first.  If not first, then second or third.  I see how Ford turned a profit in Q1.  Amazing – Ford should release their standard 4 door European car that I’ve been seeing everywhere in America.  It’s efficient but large enough for a family.  No, it’s not the ugly Ford focus we’re used to in the states…it actually looks decent.  Ford, this isn’t rocket science – you figured things out in Italy/Europe.  Now duplicate the business model of making decent/efficient cars in America.

5) A week in Tuscany is enough but not too much.  I’m definitely looking forward to the Amalfi Coast and rumored intense drive.

6) I’m enjoying eating once a day…maybe twice at the most.  Best diet ever equals good food in healthy portions and 82 degree weather.  Wine – which I could previously do without – can definitely make a good second meal on its own.

7) Our English hot air balloon tour guide says Italians mock freedom of speech.  Ha – hail Mussolini, eh? That didn’t work out so well.

8 ) Not having the internet readily available is fcking nuts.  Screw the tv but I would trade electricity and/or running water for the internet.  I guess if I’m trading electricity for the internet the computer wouldn’t turn on.  So, I would trade running water for the internet.  When your time runs out – as is the case now (again) – it sucks.

Excluding 1 and 2, the following are based solely on a subset of “data” gathered after 4 days…

1) The internet is a way better time than Galleria degli Uffizi (purposely no link) could EVER hope to be. What a horrible tourist trap yet somehow it’s a “must see”attraction. Give me The Art Institute of Chicago ANY day of the week.

2) As noted pre-airport, Air Alitalia (purposely no link) is worthless. My chair was broken the entire flight, the Italian stewardess rolled her eyes when I asked for a different seat 5 hours into the flight since I got annoyed at slouching so that the person behind me didn’t have my chair resting on his crotch, I was elbowed on the head purposely after I asked for some soda, etc. But, the plane landed. Grazie.

3) Not that I’m looking – wife – but Italian women are gross. Everyone of them. Occasionally you think that’s a horrible stereotype but then the tourist starts speaking in fluent northern European or English accents.

4) There are 2 types of Italians – obnoxiously rude or overly friendly. There is no in between. Thankfully, we’re meeting an equal amount of each type.

5) As my sister noted while leaving here, Italian drivers are fcking crazy. The only thing Italians do fast is drive. EVERYTHING else is brutally slow.

6) On that note, Italian drivers may be fcking crazy but they know what they’re doing. Americans are the ones with the problem. These people are great drivers whether it be a car, bus, taxi, moped, or bicycle. They always (correctly) anticipate and accommodate for the next move.

7) As Rick Steves says, the next meal will be your best meal. It’s true. The food here is the best I’ve ever had. We took a cooking class – homemade pasta for everyone on our return.

8 ) If planning a trip to Italy, use a travel consultant. Leslie Erickson is great.  She saved us the cost to use her services – $250 – afre the very first thing she booked for us.  Outside of the touristy things everyone “must see,” everything recommended has been unbelievable and her coordinated planning alone has saved us at least $1000. No joke.

9) Don’t let your internet time run out before proofreading a blog entry. Ciao…