Nobrainer’s Think Tank

Sites reflecting the price of oil and gasoline futures, for the last few weeks, have been included in my frequent bookmarks folders. Upon checking on these prices tonight, I see that crude is at $56.13 and gasoline is at $1.388. This is the first time I have seen crude below $57. This is also the first time I have seen gas below $1.40.

The breaking of both these barriers have occurred since this morning. Nice.

Update:

And at this point, less than a day later, crude is up above $57 and gas futures are close to $1.50 a gallon. What the hell, man?

Ok, so I was going to write a semi-humorous post about a certain mother who is now disgracing her brave son’s memory. However, I long ago vowed to myself to not give any attention to the attention whore.

I am happy to report, however, that while I will one day be burning mercilessly in Hell, she, not I nor Saddam Hussein, will be the one tossing Satan’s salad.

Thank you,

Nobrainer

From Larry Kudlow: Economic Tea Leaves

Despite energy spikes, hurricanes, war costs, and multiple Fed tightenings, the U.S. economy continues to prosper.

Here are some notable highlights:

Real GDP has grown at 3 percent or better for ten straight quarters for an average rate of 4.1 percent, the best performance since the middle 1980s.

etc.

And in furtherance of the Anti-Anti-Wal-Mart theme, refer to Russell Roberts as he enjoys the work of the Washington Post’s Sebastian Mallaby who demonstrates why Wal-Mart is good for poor people (the hell you say!). Furthermore, Wal-Mart is no worse for the rest of the American public than any other company (get outta here! — No, it’s true!).

By now, most of us have seen some snarky comments about US Border Patrol uniforms being made in Mexico. “How ironic!” It makes good sense to me.

The best counter-argument is that Mexicans can keep/steal the uniforms to more easily cross the border. The is a fair fear. However, if that tactic is successful, what’s to keep foreigners for making uniforms on their own anyway?

But what are we really doing by having these uniforms made in Mexico? We’re keeping jobs for Mexicans in Mexico. I reckon, and this is crazy I know, but by helping to create jobs in Mexico, there is less impetus to sneak into the US. . . all while saving money here.

I knew as soon as I stepped outside that I shouldn’t venture to the grocery store. There’s something about hauling in groceries through the rain that is unappealing.

Why would I put myself in position to do something intelligent? It hasn’t stopped me before.

Upon arrival, what to my wondering eyes did appear but a 400 pound man fighting his 250 pound wife over who would get to ride the motor buggy through the store. For the first of at least three times I had to detour around these festively fat folks. If they appear in your aisle, tough luck. Go around. Given their combined mass, I was surprised at the miniscule volume of food they purchased. Then I realized that they must have been shopping at Kroger as a special holiday treat for themselves.

Aside from the several detours, I expeditiously arrived at the check-out lanes — each hosting a long line. Yay.

Given two options that look about the same, which option should I have chosen? Well it doesn’t matter because the line I enter will be the one that takes the longest.

The first idiot in my line caused some problem that took a while to resolve.

The next idiot spent about five minutes try to learn how to use her credit card.

The third idiot, apparently frightened by her friend’s bad experience, opted to use a check. Honestly, who under the age of 79 uses checks?

The fourth idiot, the man in front of me… wait, actually he had his shit together. He had a couple items and cash. The fourth obstruction was some guy who went to the service counter, which was closed, because he was overcharged on his recent purchase. My check-out lady spent two minutes trying to figure out if she could or would help him.

Even the fatty McFatterson family finished their shopping experience before me.

On the upside, this may have been the first time I was there when they had enough baggers.

“Nobrainer,” you must be asking yourselves, “why do you go to this store?” Well it seems to be the one with the greatest propensity for having attractive, young, female customers. But I sure do miss Bi-Lo in Clemson.

We have now bulldozed our way into the five most important weeks of the year. Ok I don’t really think that’s true. But now is the time when we all put together our wish lists in anticipation of getting the goodies we desire. With my late birthday, it is these five weeks when my greed wishes are somewhat satisfied.

Right now, I don’t have the foggiest clue of what I plan to buy for anyone. It’s still November, which means it is definitely more than one week before Christmas; I’ve got time.

But I do know what I’m most excited about, and what I might just go ahead and get for myself because I just can’t wait.

UNIVERSAL REMOTES
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