Archive for September 29, 2009

Remember…

September 29, 2009 Economics

We’re on the hook for these.

Fannie Mae reported that the serious delinquency rate for conventional loans in its single-family guarantee business increased to 4.17 percent in July, up from 3.94 percent in June – and up from 1.45% in July 2008.

“Includes seriously delinquent conventional single-family loans as a percent of the total number of conventional single-family loans. These rates are based on conventional single-family mortgage loans and exclude reverse mortgages and non-Fannie Mae mortgage securities held in our portfolio.”

Just more evidence of some shadow inventory and the next wave of foreclosures.

2 comments

This Could Get Interesting

September 28, 2009 Christian Life, Science, Theology

Whenever there is an early announcement of a “major discovery” that demonstrates “missing links” in evolution, or that “disprove Biblical accounts”, I always am skeptical. Why? every time this happens, the “discovery” either (a) turns out to be more sizzle than steak, or (b) turns out to be fraudulent, or (c) turns out to be more nebulous than advertised and therefore subject to the bias of the interpreter of the “evidence”.

Sometimes, even the “discoveries” that either “prove” or “give weight” to Scripture, ought to be regarded cautiously. The latest case–the announcement of ancient Egyptian coins that contain references to Joseph, and his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream–is no exception.

Still, while the validity of the Biblical account does not hinge on the validity of the discovery, if the coins are genuine it would certainly give substantial merit to the Biblical account. After all, we are talking about a very significant portion of the very first book of the Bible. A portion that is absolutely critical to the unfolding of God’s providence to Man.

6 comments

Quote of the Week

September 27, 2009 Humor

As FutureMrsLarijani notes that a friend of hers is getting married two weeks after we are, I intoned that we will be quite busy during that time, doing very inductive Bible studies–with practical applications–within the Song of Solomon.

FutureMrsLarijani: Is there 7 or 8 chapters in the Song of Solomon?

Amir: Hopefully 8 ;)

::::Amir opens up the Bible and checks…counting the chapters 1..2..3..4..5..6..7..::: yep, it’s 8…YES!!!

FutureMrsLarijani: “and God says, ‘You’re welcome!’”

2 comments

Good Riddance! Swiss Nab Polanski

September 27, 2009 Criminals, Sex Offenders

In 1978, film director Roman Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl. Oh, and given that he was well into his 40s at the time, this was no case of teenage love getting out of control. After the plea, Polanski fled the country and has lived in France.

During this time, he has continued his career as a film director, even winning an Oscar in absentia. (This is huge proof that Hollywood has no standards, given that they award Oscars to sex offenders.)

While we can empathize with some of Polanski’s tragedies in life–his wife, Sharon Tate, was murdered by Charles Manson’s outfit–we cannot excuse his sex offenses against teenagers.

If that were a case of a 15-year-old boy getting it on with his 13-year-old girlfriend, it would not merit this level of legal scrutiny.

But in doing what he did, Polanski showed that he is in league with the same Arab nutjobs who marry prepubescent–even teenage–girls to get their jollies.

3 comments

Quote of the day

September 26, 2009 News/Opinion

(I’m making my way to Amir’s house, but still need guidance. . . )

Amir: “What do you see?”

FML: “Trees. Lots of Trees.”

Amir: “TREEEEESSSSS!!”

2 comments

Get Ready for a Nice Ride

September 24, 2009 Economics

While the financial talking heads in the mainstream media, are calling the end of the recession, it is getting quite obvious that we are just getting started with Great Depression II.

This “uptick” in economic activity is merely blip, helped in large part by the Cash for SuckersClunkers program.

Deleveraging is under way, and it is going to be the mother of all cycles.

6 comments

Just as it is in Baseball…So it is in Life

September 24, 2009 Misc, Sports

The Ten Commandments for success in Major League Baseball, by Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy:

1. Nobody ever became a ballplayer by walking after a ball.
2. You will never become a .300 hitter unless you take the bat off your shoulder.
3. An outfield who throws in back of a runner is locking the barn after the horse is stolen.
4. Keep your head up and you may not have to keep it down.
5. When you start to slide, SLIDE. He who changes his mind may have to change a good leg for a bad one.
6. Do not alibi on bad hops. Anyone can field the good ones.
7. Always run them out. You never can tell.
8. Do not quit.
9. Try not to find too much fault with the umpires. You cannot expect them to be as perfect as you are.
10. A pitcher who hasn’t control hasn’t anything.

3 comments

Ultrarunners Found…1 in Serious Condition

September 24, 2009 News/Opinion

This shows that even the most experienced runners–and Natera-Armenta is a VERY experienced ultrarunner, who has completed 100-mile races–can get lost in the mountains on an 8-10 hour run.

9 comments

God does all things well . . .

September 23, 2009 News/Opinion

So, Monday I was involved in a car collision . . . just what every person wants to happen 2 months before they get married. On top of the aforementioned stress this was exactly what I wanted to happen.

But

I have received lots of blessings in the midst of everything. Little blessings (like reading Scripture with Amir) and huge blessings (like not being as sore as I could be) have been heaped out in abundance on me.

Then

I just found out on facebook that a college friend is engaged. This college friend pursued a couple of my (female) friends during our time at our dear alma mater. He very much desired marriage, but had to wait on the Lord’s timing. I met the wonderful gal this past Christmas. She matches him so very well.

And I am learning that God is always at work, even when we think He is stalling. He was shaping Amir into the man that I would need. He was shaping me into the woman Amir would need me to be. He was at work the whole stinkin’ time.

He is at work now, even when I desire for things to be a tad easier and a little less stressful.

Psalm 92 is excellent for times like these.

6 comments

One More Time…

September 23, 2009 Gun Rights, News/Opinion

This is a public service announcement. These are the rules of firearm safety. Follow them, and your chances of an accident are close to zero:

(1) There is no such thing as an “unloaded” gun. When people assume otherwise, that accounts for almost all accidents. Whether it is a basketball player shooting his chauffeur, or a man shooting himself in the head while teaching his girlfriend firearm safety, the rule is the same: THE GUN IS LOADED! That means ALWAYS TREAT IT THAT WAY!

(2) Always point the gun in a safe direction. That means (a) point it at the target downrange, or (b) point it at an object you would not mind seeing destroyed, like public school textbook, or (c) point it at the bastard who just broke into your house. But please DO NOT POINT THE GUN AT YOUR HEAD!!!

(3) Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot! Many a cop has blown his foot off, by grasping the trigger while pulling the gun out of the holster. That is very bad juju.

(4) Know your target, and what is beyond your target. Every year, a deer hunter fires off a high-caliber round, probably a .308 or .22-250–which misses the deer, travels a couple miles, goes through a window, and kills someone in their own home. Such hunters need to be prosecuted, as they should know better. This fourth rule is often called the “backdrop rule”. This is why most responsible gun owners use hollow-point ammunition. Beside the fact that hollow-points have better stopping power, they also minimize the risk of “overpenetration”: where the bullet hits the bad guy, goes through him, exits his body, and hits the poor 4-year-old standing behind him.

17 comments
« Older Entries