As It Stands: It's Time to Stop the Government Gravy Train for Corporations

       By Dave Stancliff
       We’ve bailed out the bankers on Wall Street.
       We’ve bailed out Freddie Mack and Fannie Mae.
       We’ve bailed out the Big Three.
       Now the Commercial Real Estate Properties want money.
       When is someone going to bail out me?
       Like Janis Joplin, all I want is a Mercedes Benz.
       Seriously, when do the handouts end?
       When we have no more money to hand out? No, because that’s what we’re doing now. The government is busy printing funny money and spending it faster than it takes the bills to dry.
       This latest example of shoddy management practices begging for relief, comes from Richard Cowden, managing editor of the Real Estate Law and Industry Report. He told NPR “that it’s been a train wreck for the commercial real estate market,” during a recent interview.
       Cowden was talking about getting loans. Whether you are a plumber looking to buy a $20,000 truck or a real estate company looking to refinance a $20 million office building, the credit crisis has made it harder to get a loan now. The banks are giving out less loans this year and playing the Grinch, even though they got their cash infusion from Congress.
       Experts are talking about $400 billion of commercial mortgages that will mature in 12 months. Why should that bother you and I? Michael Grupe, a vice president with the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, says the pipeline for funneling cash into the system has slowed down. “It’s not like there’s been a mild slowdown here. The pipeline is frozen. No money is coming out,” Grupe told the press.
       So now we have to wonder what that means. What is going to happen when hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of commercial real estate can’t get refinanced when it comes due? “We don’t want to find out, “ Grupe said.
         Maybe “we” ought to find out. I’m sick and tired of big business getting massive loans because they can. What happened to declaring bankruptcy these days? It use to be when you couldn’t pay your bills as a businessman your only recourse was to declare bankruptcy.
         Now, for reasons that I suspect are corruption at it’s finest, the big boys are lining up with sob stories and trying to scare Congress and the American people into giving them a handout.
Grupe and others in the real estate industry have been meeting with officials at the Federal Reserve and asking the government for help.
         I’m sure getting tired of hearing that the only way to save the economy is to print more bad money for bad businessmen, who will go on being bad, regardless of the amount given. CEOs are getting their obscene bonus checks while the pink slips trickle down to the rank and file.
         Economists are starting to admit that our current situation is as bad, if not worse, than the Great Depression. We all know that it lingered on for years, and what we’re facing now looks like a repeat in the worst way.
         Whose next? Giant entertainment industries like Disneyland? I can just see Goofy stating Disney’s case in Congress. He’ll probably blend in there nicely.
          We can’t keep bailing out every big business that comes asking for funds. It’s just not possible. Businesses are going to have to tough this out and come up with a future model for doing business. But if they keep getting handouts for doing a shoddy job, where’s the incentive for them to change their ways?
         As It Stands, call it tough love, but I think it’s time to stop the government gravy train. 

Global cyber-crime more profitable than illegal drugs

A sure sign of the new millennium is that cyber-crime has passed illegal drugs in world-wide crime according to experts.

Russian hackers are targeting the U.S. and Europe daily, hiding in cyber-rat holes that even the police have been unable to uncover.

The chief international culprits are the Russians and the Chinese. Both have attacked the U.S. Department of Defense computers recently, as well as both Obama's and Mccain's computers during the presidential election.

Even NASA has been attacked repeatedly. But most of these reportedly young and smart hackers crimes come in the following areas; pilfering online bank accounts, swiping Social Security numbers, stealing credit card data and peeking at email log-ins and passwords, are accounting for an estimated $100 million-a-year global cyber-crime business.

Welcome to 21st Century crime.

 

Lakers celebrate Christmas and beat Celtics 92-83

If you missed this game, you missed the NBA at its best. It was the first time two teams with as few as a combined seven  losses have played against each other.

It was the East leader and the West leader, and the West was best! The Lakers are out to get revenge for last year's NBA Finals Playoff loss.

This was a good way to make a statement. The Lakers are officially prime time!

                     photo by Wally Skalij/LA Times

Merry Christmas 2008 to my blogger friends and visitors!

The Stancliff Family wishes you all a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! May all of your wishes come true!

Christmas Eve Movie Alert: Watch 'Christmas Vacation'

Looking for a funny Christmas story in keeping with the season?

Watch the Griswold Family "Christmas Vacation." If you ever saw "Family Vacation" then you know you're in for belly laughs when Clark hosts Christmas for the entire family. One of my favorite performers (aside from Chevy Chase) is Randy Quaid who gives a great white trash impersonation.

Best line in the movie was when Quaid's character pointed at his trashy, run down, motorhome, and proudly said, "Now Clark...that there is what they call an RV!" 

My wife and I, watch it every year with our other favorite holiday classics.

 'Tis the season to be merry!  

Christmas can be funny - on a day that may not be sunny!

Political Christmas Song III:Do You See What I See?

(To the tune of “Do You Hear What I hear?")

Said the American people to Congress
“Do you see what I see
way up on Wall Street, the Banks, and the Big Three?”
“Do you see what I see
CEOs dancing in the night
and hugging bonuses under the moon’s light?
and hugging bonuses under the moon’s light?”

Said the taxpayer to The Mighty Fed
“Do you see what I see
a bunch of bankers getting bonus money
Do you see what I see
financial corporations hurting the economy?
financial corporations hurting the economy ?”

Said the average guy to the Mighty President
“Do you see what I see
a wrong war and the loss of my privacy
Do you see what I see
A time for peace in this country?
A time for peace in this country?”

Fan Alert:Lakers and Celtics to play on Christmas Day!

The highly anticipated first encounter between the Los Angeles Lakers and The Boston Celtics this season, is on Christmas Day.

The Lakers may need a Christmas miracle to beat the streaking Celtics who have won a franchise-best 19 straight games. It's a home game for LA and a great opportunity to "make a statement" before the inevitable

Finals meeting between these two conference leaders. East meets West, in what I hope is a highly entertaining contest that ends up as a victory for the Lakers! GO LAKERS! I'll be watching you tomorrow...

Santa tracked by NORAD as he travels across the world

Who says Santa Claus doesn't exist?

The military personnel charged with being the eyes in the sky are certainly acting like he does — and they've been joined on the Internet by millions of believers.

Even doubters have reason to pause when they hear the North American Aerospace Defense Command — or NORAD, which monitors air and space threats against the U.S. and Canada — is in charge of the annual Christmas mission to keep children informed of Santa's worldwide journey to their homes.

"They challenge it, but only to a point," said Senior Master Sgt. Sharon Ryder-Platts, 49, who for five years has been a Santa tracker, taking calls from those wanting to know the location of jolly old St. Nick.

According to NORAD, Santa began his latest flight early Wednesday at the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean. Historically, Santa visits the South Pacific first, then New Zealand and Australia. NORAD points out that only Santa knows his route.

McKinleyville Press: Christmas At Nana & Papa's House

                By Dave Stancliff

          It was the day after Thanksgiving, my wife’s birthday, when Christmas started coming to our household.
         Red and green plastic crates were opened and rows of lights (inside and out) slithered down in ungainly clumps - to be separated later - until there was a pile up to my knees.

        As more tops popped off the crates, Christmas tree ornaments came into view, nestled between angels and tinsel too.
        The fresh-cut Noble Pine, in front of the window, was soon flanked by two three-foot high metal Nutcracker Kings who smirked with secret knowledge. The boughs were bare, but the recently discovered ornaments would soon be there.
        Mistletoe was attached to the chandelier, ready to catch someone unaware. Ivy climbed out of the crates and onto the windows, framing them in evergreen. Colorful wreaths wrapped in ribbon centered themselves magically.
        Santa and Mrs. Santa were there too. They stood next to some mischievous elves with big grins. Next to them, sporting holiday hats and mittens, there were penguins.
          The stuffed pugs were giving hugs as they took their place on the wicker stand. The miniature Christmas village, parts of which were 80 years-old, were spread out in a puffy wonder winterland that really looks cold.
          The music box played “Who’s That Doggie in the Window?” when it was wound up. Soon every wall was adorned with scenes of Christmas outdoors and holiday clocks. Hanging from the stairway there was a row of empty socks.
           Papa’s “The Night Before Christmas’” storybook was brought forth and set upon the livingroom table in anticipation of five grandchildren. Christmas carols were in the air as Nana and Papa emptied the crates carefully so they didn’t break the special holiday plates.
            The spirit of Christmas was there all right. We nearly stayed up all night. As we hung the trappings of Christmas, we remembered Christmas’s past. We have celebrated forty-three together so far, and each has been resplendent with treasured memories that will forever last.
           As we strung lights on the tree, visions of our sons growing up made us smile as we recalled their eagerness on many Christmas Eves. All three have grown up and now have children of their own.
           Despite our best efforts we shed a tear now and then remembering how it had been. Three sons who once depended upon us now are on their own. Yet, they haven’t gone too far.
They all live reasonably near, and we get together throughout the year.
            Once, it was just Dave and Shirley. Then we became Mom and Dad. Now, at this juncture of our life, we are Nana and Papa, and couldn’t be more glad!
           Grandchildren are great and they really make our season(s) special. Now, just days before Christmas, Nana and Papa’s house had been completely transformed, inside and out, in preparation of our family - which is what the season’s all about!
           As It Stands, I wish all of my readers Merry Christmas, and to all a good night!

PIck up a copy of this column at newstands near you.