The rain is back. At least this time it comes with entertaining lightning and distant thunder. My dog rarely gets up on the bed, but last night he did because thunder worries him a lot (even though he's 13 years old now and growing hard of hearing.) This afternoon we had severe thunderstorm warnings, though nothing materialized. First they said it ( Read more... )

Oil down $4 to under $50? Incredible. They say demand is off so much that the price just keeps dropping. Also incredible. I just bought gas for $1.95/gal and I honestly don't remember the last time it was below $2 around here. Certainly it's been at least three years. The rate of drop is more amazing, and in my entire life I've never seen anything ( Read more... )

Only indirectly felt, but it's becoming more and more obvious that the mortgage lending fiasco is only part of what's been going on. It's amazing to me that so many people are still walking around with their fingers in their ears saying "La la la, can't hear you ( Read more... )

By now everyone knows that the US markets are sliding rapidly again, companies are announcing intentions to lay off thousands more, etc. As I pointed out to someone today, it is incorrect to blame the rotten economic situation on politicians who haven't yet been elected, so if Obama becomes president, do not try to blame this recession on him. ( Read more... )