FB: We don't care about your privacy.
Me: I don't care for your "free" service.
Friday, May 25, 2018
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Legislate. Repeal. Fail. Repeat.
On Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
Remember the repeal of Glass-Steagall Act in the late 1990s? It was said that law inhibited the efficiency of financial market and credit flow. Just a decade later we have the 100-year-financial-flood and tsunami in our life time.
Now just a decade after that financial crisis, Dodd-Frank rollback and Volker Ruler repeal have the majority support of the Congress.
Most of the Congressmen are servants of the mega banks. That is a fact.
Remember the repeal of Glass-Steagall Act in the late 1990s? It was said that law inhibited the efficiency of financial market and credit flow. Just a decade later we have the 100-year-financial-flood and tsunami in our life time.
Now just a decade after that financial crisis, Dodd-Frank rollback and Volker Ruler repeal have the majority support of the Congress.
Most of the Congressmen are servants of the mega banks. That is a fact.
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
Price tags on some unusual services
1. Ask a porn start to shut up and not talk about a past affair - $130,000 - Stormy Daniel
2. Ask a former Playboy model to shut up and not talk about a past affair - $150,000 - Karen McDougan
3. AT&T paid Michael Cohen to influence policy - $600,000 a year
4. Novartis paid Michael Cohen to influence policy - $1.2 million
2. Ask a former Playboy model to shut up and not talk about a past affair - $150,000 - Karen McDougan
3. AT&T paid Michael Cohen to influence policy - $600,000 a year
4. Novartis paid Michael Cohen to influence policy - $1.2 million
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Who is Robert Bridge?
Robert Bridge is an old time troll for Russia Today (RT), a pro-Trump, pro-Russia, anti-West propagandist who trash the mainstream media in favor of RT and Alternative Facts. According to him the US committed more war crimes in Syria than Russia did. If you love fake news and Russian propaganda remember to sign up to receive his news letters or follow him on Twitter.
Side note: Michael Flynn received $45,000 as a speaker at an RT hosted dinner with Putin as main guest.
Side note: Michael Flynn received $45,000 as a speaker at an RT hosted dinner with Putin as main guest.
Sunday, April 01, 2018
UK announced interest in joining CPTPP
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comprehensive_and_Progressive_Agreement_for_Trans-Pacific_Partnership
UK announced interest in joining. Taiwan should announce ASAP.
UK announced interest in joining. Taiwan should announce ASAP.
Thursday, March 15, 2018
The war in Syria
Today marks the seventh anniversary of “day of rage” protests that sparked the war in Syria. Given the carnage since, it’s hard to recall that it all began with 15 children, arrested in a provincial city for anti-government graffiti.
The protests over those arrests in Daraa, near the border with Jordan were peaceful, but President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal response tipped the country into violence. With Iranian, Russian, Turkish and U.S. troops now on the ground, 11 million people displaced and an estimated 511,000 dead, there’s little sign of an end to a conflict already longer and bloodier than the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.
Syria’s conflict has transformed the geopolitics of the Middle East, and the wave of refugees it generated has sent shockwaves through Europe. In the first months of this year, U.S. jets killed scores of Russian contract soldiers, Israel and Iran clashed directly, and NATO member Turkey threatened to move its troops against an area defended by U.S. special forces.
Allegations that Assad is still using chemical weapons have also raised the possibility of further U.S. airstrikes against the regime. With the State Department to be led by Mike Pompeo, a foreign policy hawk who last year argued for resolute action to secure U.S. interests in Syria, the war could become still more complex.
The protests over those arrests in Daraa, near the border with Jordan were peaceful, but President Bashar al-Assad’s brutal response tipped the country into violence. With Iranian, Russian, Turkish and U.S. troops now on the ground, 11 million people displaced and an estimated 511,000 dead, there’s little sign of an end to a conflict already longer and bloodier than the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s.
Syria’s conflict has transformed the geopolitics of the Middle East, and the wave of refugees it generated has sent shockwaves through Europe. In the first months of this year, U.S. jets killed scores of Russian contract soldiers, Israel and Iran clashed directly, and NATO member Turkey threatened to move its troops against an area defended by U.S. special forces.
Allegations that Assad is still using chemical weapons have also raised the possibility of further U.S. airstrikes against the regime. With the State Department to be led by Mike Pompeo, a foreign policy hawk who last year argued for resolute action to secure U.S. interests in Syria, the war could become still more complex.
Friday, October 27, 2017
If you see American Taliban, call them out.
Misogynists hate only those women who are powerful. Misogynists are fond of powerless women. In fact many of them are womanizers and even brag about their philanderer behavior.
Let's face it: Taliban's mistreatment of women started from their faith. They want to keep women powerless so they can easily control them. Christianity in the middle ages has similar sexist attitude. Enlightenment over the past 500 years changed that attitude toward equality. Unfortunately, if you read some of the American religious institution's faith statement, you realize not a small number of people still live in the middle age.
Since the founding of this country our forefathers are beacons of enlightenment. Our declaration of independence is a milestone and testimony of enlightenment thinking. All we need to do is to go back to our glorious tradition and embrace enlightenment once again.
If you see American Taliban, call them out.
Let's face it: Taliban's mistreatment of women started from their faith. They want to keep women powerless so they can easily control them. Christianity in the middle ages has similar sexist attitude. Enlightenment over the past 500 years changed that attitude toward equality. Unfortunately, if you read some of the American religious institution's faith statement, you realize not a small number of people still live in the middle age.
Since the founding of this country our forefathers are beacons of enlightenment. Our declaration of independence is a milestone and testimony of enlightenment thinking. All we need to do is to go back to our glorious tradition and embrace enlightenment once again.
If you see American Taliban, call them out.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Free market principle doesn't work for healthcare
U.S is the country truly believe in free market. In order for market to work, we need buyers sensitive to price and quality. In healthcare patients have limited ability to differentiate quality, and price shopping when a patient has life threatening disease, is, if not fantasy, very very difficult to do. Yes, you can price shop on small things, but for the big ticket surgeries and cancer treatments, how sensitive are you to price difference?
Free market does not work in healthcare. Not in a meaningful way. Add on to the complexity is the insurance market. For profit insurers are avoiding the sick and try very hard to sign up the healthy. Given the high cost of coverage, the young and healthy, if not working for large employer, try to avoid buying health insurance altogether. These behaviors make the US healthcare the most expensive in the world, while the results, judging from premature death rate and life expectancy, lagging OECD countries. What's the point of having a first rate medical research if you don't have access to healthcare?
Free market does not work in healthcare. Not in a meaningful way. Add on to the complexity is the insurance market. For profit insurers are avoiding the sick and try very hard to sign up the healthy. Given the high cost of coverage, the young and healthy, if not working for large employer, try to avoid buying health insurance altogether. These behaviors make the US healthcare the most expensive in the world, while the results, judging from premature death rate and life expectancy, lagging OECD countries. What's the point of having a first rate medical research if you don't have access to healthcare?
Sunday, February 05, 2017
Reflection of 2017
T. Rex as chief diplomat
Pit bull in charge of education
ruled by billionaires who
complain about unfair term of trade
building a wall
to keep the newcomers out
oh yes
the thundering roar goes
a nation for the natives only
while the real natives die
on the trail of tears
their numbers dwindle
to almost a disappear
can't even keep their own
drinking water clean
from the pollution of oil
the richest smell of foul
This is the right nation
not always correct, just right
in the sense of self-righteousness
by way of alternative facts
and enhanced interrogation
no longer willing to lead
it's now all about me
Friday, November 11, 2016
History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.
Financial crisis is a symptom, the underlying economic ailment is what's hurting the society.
When people are hurting, there are behavioral responses that is human nature, which didn't change much over the recorded history.
If we look back at the Great Depression, and the ensuing tariff war, and the following competition for colonies, and the resulting militarism and fascism, I wonder what's in the store down the road for the world? The world is so interconnected today it is hard to imagine we will take the same paths our grandparents did. But given the rise of nationalism worldwide and the recent 2008 financial crisis, the deja vu cannot be ignored.
When people are hurting, there are behavioral responses that is human nature, which didn't change much over the recorded history.
If we look back at the Great Depression, and the ensuing tariff war, and the following competition for colonies, and the resulting militarism and fascism, I wonder what's in the store down the road for the world? The world is so interconnected today it is hard to imagine we will take the same paths our grandparents did. But given the rise of nationalism worldwide and the recent 2008 financial crisis, the deja vu cannot be ignored.
CFPB to become toothless?
I am wondering if Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), the crown jewel of Elizabeth Warren's achievement, will be reformed into toothless SEC like commissioner structure, now that Republicans have both the House and Senate, and the Presidency. Bank stock index rose more than 2% yesterday, which maybe informed by the change of political regulatory environment. The working whites who worked so hard to elect their president may wake up to find the law designed to protect them water down. Wall Street is just too smart and the less fortunate brothers and sisters stand little chance to win. Either way you move Wall Street has a plan to get you.
GOP obstruction on Supreme Court nominee pays off
The injustice on Supreme Court nominee Judge Merrick Garland is hard to bear. Obstructionism will be on the rise due to this precedent. "You did it first."
RMB further appreciation
I think RMB will face renewed pressure from the US to appreciate given president-elect Trump's promise to mid-western state supporters a manufacturing revival .
DOL fiduciary rule on brokers
One possible big winner in the financial industry from Trump's victory is the broker dealers who tried and failed to push back Department of Labor's fiduciary rule on brokers. The rule basically says that small investors cannot tell the difference between a broker and an advisor and therefore they should be treated the same. Before this DOL ruling, advisors have to consider your best interest in determining if an investment is good for you, but commission based brokers do not.
Sunday, May 15, 2016
Alexender Hamilton on marriage
"It's a very good thing when their stars unite two people who are fit for each other, who have souls capable of relishing the sweets of friendship and sensibilities... But it's a dog of a life when two dissonant tempers meet."
Alexander Hamilton
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Wednesday, December 02, 2015
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Singapore and the Closed Organizational System
With the death of Lee Kuan Yew, former prime minister of Singapore for three decades, there is renewed debate on the so called "Asian Value" versus the Western liberal democracy. Lee championed the idea of Asian value, which advocates an alternative form of government that emphasized efficiency over freedom of speech and democracy.
Singapore's successful development over the past 30 years from one of the newly industrializing nations to a top international financial center today with a per capita GDP that's on par with the US, seems to vindicate Lee's vision. But past performance does not guarantee future success. And here is why: Singapore's success relies on a closed organizational system.
A close system is structured, top down, with clear chain of command. Meetings are held behind closed doors, decisions are made by few, speech is limited, and feedback focus on the negatives - the problems. With a strong and formal leadership a closed system can be efficient, especially in repetitive processes. The system is most successful when definition of success is clearly defined over a long period of time.
But there are drawbacks to the closed system. A closed system does not embrace change easily. Individual freedom is sacrificed. New idea is easily rejected if it's not coming from the top. In a world when product cycle becomes short and cultural appeal becomes an important differentiator, a closed system may find itself challenged.
Democracy, on the other hand, is an open system. An open system balance good of the whole with that of the individual. Collective decisions are arrived by consensus and depends on people's value. It emphasizes collaboration, communication, team work, and problem solving. Feedback balances between positive and negative. Change requires consensus and acceptance.
The strength of democracy lies in its adaptability. Different ideas are constantly evaluated and competing with each other. Talents can be found from unexpected corners. Innovations can thrive. In a changing environment where definition of success can change in a short period of time it has the advantage of both distributed thinking and collective wisdom.
Closed system is more efficient to solve well defined problems. An example of that is the military. An open system incorporates value, culture, and individual freedom, and will be more effective in solving a wide variety of problems in the long run.
Singapore's successful development over the past 30 years from one of the newly industrializing nations to a top international financial center today with a per capita GDP that's on par with the US, seems to vindicate Lee's vision. But past performance does not guarantee future success. And here is why: Singapore's success relies on a closed organizational system.
A close system is structured, top down, with clear chain of command. Meetings are held behind closed doors, decisions are made by few, speech is limited, and feedback focus on the negatives - the problems. With a strong and formal leadership a closed system can be efficient, especially in repetitive processes. The system is most successful when definition of success is clearly defined over a long period of time.
But there are drawbacks to the closed system. A closed system does not embrace change easily. Individual freedom is sacrificed. New idea is easily rejected if it's not coming from the top. In a world when product cycle becomes short and cultural appeal becomes an important differentiator, a closed system may find itself challenged.
Democracy, on the other hand, is an open system. An open system balance good of the whole with that of the individual. Collective decisions are arrived by consensus and depends on people's value. It emphasizes collaboration, communication, team work, and problem solving. Feedback balances between positive and negative. Change requires consensus and acceptance.
The strength of democracy lies in its adaptability. Different ideas are constantly evaluated and competing with each other. Talents can be found from unexpected corners. Innovations can thrive. In a changing environment where definition of success can change in a short period of time it has the advantage of both distributed thinking and collective wisdom.
Closed system is more efficient to solve well defined problems. An example of that is the military. An open system incorporates value, culture, and individual freedom, and will be more effective in solving a wide variety of problems in the long run.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Government Data Links
Federal Reserve Economic Data - http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/
Bureau of Census - http://www.census.gov/data.html
Bureau of Labor Statistics - http://www.bls.gov/data/
Bureau of Economic Analysis - http://www.bea.gov/itable/
US Courts Administration - http://www.uscourts.gov/Statistics.aspx
Thursday, December 11, 2014
心內彈琵琶----回憶蘇慶黎和蘇媽媽蕭不纏 | Our lightning
心內彈琵琶----回憶蘇慶黎和蘇媽媽蕭不纏 | Our lightning:
很長的故事，ㄧ路讀著讀著，又淚又笑的、淚濕了又乾了無數回…讚嘆香燕老師的筆，和一雙ㄧ貫清澈純真的眼睛，從這雙奇妙的
安靜的眼睛捕捉到的，不管是幸或不幸的看見，竟然也都各自找到它存在的位置，不論美醜好壞，只讓行路經過的人，清晰的看見
那個時代的世間風景，人性的真實景象。很深很深的感動，久久還回不來…
很長的故事，ㄧ路讀著讀著，又淚又笑的、淚濕了又乾了無數回…讚嘆香燕老師的筆，和一雙ㄧ貫清澈純真的眼睛，從這雙奇妙的
安靜的眼睛捕捉到的，不管是幸或不幸的看見，竟然也都各自找到它存在的位置，不論美醜好壞，只讓行路經過的人，清晰的看見
那個時代的世間風景，人性的真實景象。很深很深的感動，久久還回不來…
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