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…

Off to the Motherland (Italy) for 2 weeks.

http://www.marincanto.it/eng/hotel_maricanto_eng.html

http://www.castelloripadorcia.com/home_ing.php

Hopefully, a revolution (ha!) less intense than the creepy Ron Paul Revolution is started in the interim.

P.S.  Air Altilia is about as worthless as you can get and we haven’t even got to the airport.  I won’t go into details until possibly post trip.  Mom, pray for us.  Glad we added the optional trip insurance through our travel consultant.  Hey, as long as the plane lands – right?

Consumers (you and me if the word “consumer” doesn’t resonate) are paying RAISED interest rates for mortgages and credit cards – so, why keep cutting the rates (or hinting that you’ll leave them alone for the remainder of the year) as more US dollars have been released into the market thus making the value of the dollar worthless?

The Divided States of America is already under the pressure of horrendous inflation – Gas is $4.30+ a gallon and milk is $3.99 a gallon.  Why?  Supply vs. Demand.  Of course not.  Why are economists, the administration, etc. unwilling to say the word INFLATION?

Check out the definition of inflation.  If those gas and milk numbers in my random blog posting aren’t convincing enough check out “hard” data…

https://bcclist.com/2008/06/13/inflation-surprise-or-not/

Of all that the bush administration has fcked up on, the handling of the current inflation issue may be what’s remembered most clearly since this joke of a process has happened since as he’s embarrassingly tried to close out his last 12 months (7 and ticking now).  Naw, maybe the iraq “war” and denying constitutional rights may stand out most clearly.  But, this is a joke.  For Bernanke to hint that he doesn’t plan on raising the interest rates during the remainder of 2008 is fcking insane.

Richard Fisher is the smartest guy in the room…

http://money.cnn.com/2008/06/25/news/economy/fed_decision/index.htm

Why am I blaming a worthless bush administration?  Bernanke is another crony put in a position that he isn’t qualified for…

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4372562.stm

“Analyst concerns

But not everyone is pleased.

Some commentators say the Princeton University economist has little experience outside the academic realm.

The nomination also marks the third time in as many years that the president has turned to Mr Bernanke for a sensitive post.

In 2002 Mr Bush put him on the Fed’s board and this year made him chairman of the president’s Council of Economic Advisors – prompting concerns that he may be “too close” to the Republican government.

“He worries me as the next Fed head. He’s very tied to what Bush wants too. Having been made the head of the CEA, Bush has gotten to know him, and feels in control,” said John Tierney, credit strategist, Deutsche Bank.

Mr Bernanke is a leading advocate of “inflation targeting” – an approach widely adopted in Europe – under which central banks set a target for inflation and stick to it.

However, Mr Greenspan believes central banks should keep markets guessing on how tough they would be on inflation.”

This is a (REALLY FUNNY) joke, right?

http://store.johnmccain.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=BTR2217

I’m definitely buying one of these because it’s probably the funniest thing I’ve ever seen.  Unfortunately, this means mccain would get a $5.00 contribution from me.  Damnit.

Oh well, I’ve blown at least $5.00 worth of his ad spend by Googling mccain periodically (cough, frequently and from multiple ip addresses) and then clicking on his sponsored link.  Of course, I do this solely to learn more about his sound – I mean senile – policies.

P.S.  Andy, stop turning into me – you radical.  Nice find though I’m not sure how stumbled upon this in his store. I visited his store – through the google sponsored link of course – but, couldn’t find it until I googled “Arab Americans for McCain.”

Ericka, thank you.

Well I think he’s losing his mind this time, this time he’s losing his mind…

Digg, thank you.

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/bcclist.com

Sticking awkwardly on “The Real World” theme of late, my goal is to surpass creepy Julie’s website…currently rated as the 3,312,310 most visited website per Alexa.

http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details/planetjulie.com