Split from T61/p owners: How are the new screens???

[Crunch]

Would you be willing to pay $6000 for a T61p?

I see your point. I have my own business, so the capitalist in me loves the current, and embarrassing EUR/USD exchange rate. The patriot hates it. Imma make a killing tho. Quick OT question: Do you see it break $1.50?

[furrycute]

The cynic in me thinks that as long as we remain as the preeminent military power on this planet, we can be safely assured that our standard of living wont change much no matter what.

Quick OT question: Do you see it break $1.50?

[Crunch]

The cynic in me thinks that as long as we remain as the preeminent military power on this planet, we can be safely assured that our standard of living wont change much no matter what.

Quick OT question: Do you see it break $1.50?

I totally agree. I think that's more realistic than cynical, although I love cynicism (think Bill Maher). I was asking more from a capitalistic angle. Currently, a weak dollar is going to be very profitable for me. So you see the USD go down farther? Sorry for the 20 questions./END OT

[turnerpr]

Off topic, but I personally take little comfort in our status as the world's sole military superpower. During the Cold War, the USSR was a military superpower BECAUSE they virtually ignored the consumer sector. What protects us is our democracy (which enables us to vote out politicians who don't protect our economic security) and the fact that we are the world's largest consumer market. As long as the world needs us to buy their products and American citizens vote with their pocketbook/economic rights in mind (and not just in fear of terrorism), our standard of living is secure.

[furrycute]

Sorry about all this off topic talk.

Anyways, what makes the good old U.S. of A. economically secure is the fact that the American dollar is the de facto default monetary instrument of the world economy. If we sink, we take down the rest of the world with us. So no matter what happens the rest of the world will have to keep us afloat.

Of course this all depends on how much longer we can cling onto our military and economic supremacy.

[Crunch]

Sorry about all this off topic talk.

Anyways, what makes the good old U.S. of A. economically secure is the fact that the American dollar is the de facto default monetary instrument of the world economy. If we sink, we take down the rest of the world with us. So no matter what happens the rest of the world will have to keep us afloat.

Of course this all depends on how much longer we can cling onto our military and economic supremacy.

We're stretched thin in the Middle East. Troop morale is low. No more support for this BS war. $9.5 trillion debt load. Inflation at over 2%. Real estate market in bad shape. And 15 more months of our mass-murdering super-corrupt President. Democrats have done nothing.

Let me also apologize for the OT talk. And to everyone who is not an American, I apologize for the Bush administration and the idiocy of our people.

[furrycute]

We've been living on borrowed money ever since the late 70's. More borrowed money is not going to hurt us more.

[bill bolton]

and the fact that we are the world's largest consumer market.

That hasn't been the case for some time now.

If we sink, we take down the rest of the world with us.

Not any longer. While the USD remains an important element in the global economy, it is not solely dependent on the USD by any means.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[wolfman]

We've been living on borrowed money ever since the late 70's. More borrowed money is not going to hurt us more.

Longer than that, however, it's exploded since then - what was the debt - $980 billion when Reagon took office? $5.7 trillion when Clinton left and it's up to $9+ trillion and counting...a little over 6.5 years later. You'd never know that by listening to the President who all of a sudden sounds like he's been vetoing budgets for years...anyone look into what this administration has done to the average maturity of the US national debt while they've been in office? Instead of capitalizing on the lowest interest rates in 30 years to lock in a reduced rate of interest for the people, these guys have reduced the average maturity of our debt to 57 months. I guess the next President, who will likely enter office in an environment of rising interest rates, will have to deal with what that does to the budget deficit. So I guess that's one way to try and cover up for the tax cuts you made while increasing spending and while deciding to pre-emptively invade Iraq...mortgaging the future for the lowest possible short term interest rates today.

The Republican spinners are talking about debt as a percentage of GDP, etc versus looking at the raw dollars and reminds me of the days of Abbey Joseph Cohen and the new metrics that must be applied to internet stocks to justify their valuations...this too will end badly for the American people, in my opinion...