NorthSideSox72

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 03:02 PM) It's based on total hybrids manufactured by the company, not just model or year. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=162562,00.html Toyota hybrid owners stopped getting credit on October 1st, 2007. Hondas stop receiving credit on January 1st, 2009. That's weird, I see what you are saying now. I could have sworn when I did this research originally that wasn't the case. Either it changed or I misunderstood. Either way, fortunately, my car is still in the clear by your previous chart and the other site. But that sucks for Prius people. The moral of the story then, I guess, is that if you want a hybrid incentive, check the IRS site for production levels on the model first!

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:58 PM) Fair enough. After seeing as many places as we have go under, they are running through all of the classic steps towards failure. I tend to go with history. I could very well be wrong though I just don't think a RETAIL bank the size of C will go under. I hope I'm right, but, I can't say I know for sure.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:56 PM) I guess it depends on the specific model, but the most popular ones are no longer eligible because they have met production incentives. http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=157632,00.html As I mentioned in a later posts, the production values are by-year. And mine is still on that list at that link. As they make more of them though, this bizarre policy of decayed rebate over model year time creates an artificial front-loading of demand by year. Something to keep in mind. If you want a hybrid and the credit, buy the models early in the model year.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:50 PM) 1. Agreed, but I was talking specifically about cars since that's what Cknolls brought up. 2. I know, that's what I was trying to allude to. 3. Agreed, and while this is progress, we're still using gas, albeit less. 4. Not sure what exactly you're getting at here, I think I agree...? On 4, I was just pointing out that the purely financial incentive for certain hybrid and alternate drivetrain cars continues to get better, although we've obviously seen a few steps back in recent months.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:49 PM) NSS, I remember your hybrid analysis. One of the big federal tax breaks (the one worth a few thousand) has since been phased out. According to the federal gov't's website on this matter, the rebates are still good. The "phase outs" are about how many are sold - and I got mine in January, early in the year, and get full credit. My car model and year are still there, at $2200.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:49 PM) NSS, I remember your hybrid analysis. One of the big federal tax breaks (the one worth a few thousand) has since been phased out. I just looked at the IRS site like a month ago, and its still there as active for 2008. I'll end up with $2800 from the feds. I will now go see if its still there.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:43 PM) Thanks for the opinions folks. Figured I'd play it safer and just cashed in $250 worth of gift cards. They'll get used at some point guaranteed, at that way I don't have to worry about it. Careful which companies you get gift cards from. Some of them may actually go bankrupt (like Circuit City just did), and they might negate those too.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:46 PM) Banks don't declare bankruptcy though. The get shutdown by the Fed bank. Its a different mechanism. bankrupt, insolvent, government control, whatever the terminology, I think its not going to happen.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:35 PM) I can't buy a car powered by alternative energy right now because they don't exist. The only options we have are: A. Own a gas-powered car B. Use public transportation C. Walk/ride bike I live too far for option C, and the direction of my job from where I live eliminates option B, so I have no choice but to have a gas-powered car. With that option, I have the choice of buying a gas-guzzler, reasonable-mileage car, or high-mileage car - the 3rd option is the best obviously, but I'm not about to dump my Impala yet. So all I can really do is grin and bear it when gas prices go up. That being said, anyone who's bought a gas guzzler within the past few years and complains about the price of gas is a tool, and I've said as much to many a face. Four things. One, its not just about cars. You consume energy in many other ways. Two, I think you shouldn't lump all gas-powered cars into one pile. There is a big difference between an F350 that gets 10 mpg and a Prius that gets 50. Three, the opportunities for cars that use far less gas continue to increase dramatically. For example, 2 years ago, if you wanted a hybrid SUV, you had 2 or 3 choices. Now, you have about 20. Tesla is now available as an all electric car, and 2 or 3 plug-in hybrids will (probably) hit the market next year. Fourth and finally, as I demonstrated in here a while back, the payback period on hybrids decreased dramatically for the last few years (until the past three months), between gas price increases, fed/state tax incentive increases, and decreases in differential technology costs. Something to keep an eye on when gas is back over $3 and then $4 again, which will happen sooner rather than later.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 02:05 PM) They aren't going to lose their bank accounts, but the extras are the first things to go because they are back of the line creditors at the point it fails. Its why places that file bankruptcy invalidate or severely markdown their giftcards. The main creditors force this. If they actually fail, as in bankruptcy, yes. What I am saying is, I believe they will not actually go bankrupt. Balta- I have about 100,000 points on a Citi travel rewards type card. I'm not going to take them out. You do whatever makes you most comfortable. I just feel the chances of C going bankrupt are very, very low.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:58 PM) You guys are talking as if we had a say in the matter. Well, in a way, we do. As SS has pointed out, our behavior is what is most responsible for the energy mess we are in (which will only get worse over time). If more of us did more to change our behavior and our energy choices, it could make the transition to alternatives smoother and cheaper.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:56 PM) Their stock is falling and falling hard. Their cost of insuring $10,000,000 went from $390,000 to $470,000 in a few days. Last year it was $80,000. The next step is the bank run on deposits because people are paniced about the stock price. Any good run on desposits will cause a violation of capital ratios. They pretty much have to either break up the company, which they just said they won't do, sell the company, or go under. No doubt they are in deep doo-doo. But from a consumer banking perspective, I just don't think its panic time. Now, higher end investors have a whole different picture to deal with of course. Heck, even money market funds may suddenly start having issues. But people won't lose their bank accounts.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:53 PM) Your argument makes sense to me. So should I do a cash dump from there or should I be cautious and hold? I wouldn't do a cash dump from bank accounts anywhere, even now. Even with all this financial collapse going on, the banks that have crumbled were scooped up and the FDIC didn't even have to get involved in covering the deposits. There is risk there certainly, but I think the chances of losing your C deposits going away are infinitessimally small. And even if that happens, FDIC is there. But, as C restructures in some way, they will inevitably try to cut costs. That could mean things like less rewards, higher fees, higher min bals, etc. So going forward, you may want to look elsewhere. They won't do anything drastic like taking away all your points or your cash, but, they will start chipping away in areas where they can without losing a ton of customers. So, looking around is good, but I wouldn't go doing a panic money pull. Just my view.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:47 PM) Most likely they will get aquired before something happens, but if they don't quickly, and they go insolvent, they are worthless. C won't go insolvent. They don't have enough bad plays, and still have quite a few positive cash flow centers. Plus their market presence in retail is huge. Even if they are broken up or acquired, of course, they won't just get rid of people's points or what not. That would cause customers to flee - the opposite of what they want. Oddly, they'll take away employee benefits before customer benefits. This is the same for the Big 3 auto companies. Unless they become truly insolvent and inoperable, the warranties on cars will remain intact, or else they'd be writing their own corporate death warrants.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:37 PM) I would guess for about the same reason we are still getting Sarah Palin updates... And those are tiring too. QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:46 PM) I wish they would both just fade away into obscurity. Thank you.

QUOTE (Cknolls @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:44 PM) Never used one. Until something comes along as efficient and cost effective as gasoline, I'm doing fine with what I have. This mode of thinking would, if taken forward, end up destroying the US economy in the long run. If we don't incubate and encourage innovation and technology for energy, by the time we start changing, we'll be over the barrell to a point that our economy is no longer in our hands. No thanks.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:21 PM) http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/16/business/16oil.php This amazing view can soon have drill platforms in the background. I'm pretty sure Teddy Roosevelt would kick Bush's ass. That is f***ing moronic. The US already has millions of acres of leased land specifically for the purpose of drilling with minimal impact (after studies). So, apparently, we can't drill there, but we need to drill in protected space??? Idiots.

QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:21 PM) Before Obama, Al was pretty vocal against blacks in power, especially Colin Powell and Condi Rice.Al got this question at a speech at Tennessee State University in Nashville: "Rev. Al Sharpton, Do you believe that political leaders such as Condoleezza Rice and Colin Powell are viewed as "house negroes" by other African Americans, by going along with the President against their beliefs?" Here was his response then: NOW, after Obama, Al Sharpton is outraged that Al-Qaeda would dare call Barack Obama or anyone a "house negro": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3U2IZfxCV0 Another case of do as I say, not as I do. My only hope in an Obama victory was that the professional race-baiters like Al and jessie would go away. I wonder how long until they petition congress and Obama for a bailout? AD, why do you waste your time on Al Sharpton? I didn't realize you were a fan.

QUOTE (DBAHO @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 01:16 PM) Citi's share price is collapsing ATM. Crisis meeting being held b/w the CEO and his execs this afternoon, break up of the business could very well be the outcome. C was around 20 just over a month ago. It opened today at about 5.20, and is now trading at ~3.70. Yikes.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 12:54 PM) drilling and mining on national park land has already started. Expound good sir.

QUOTE (Texsox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 12:28 PM) His legacy is cast. And it isn't pretty. Agreed, but most Presidents sort of spazz out in their last couple months trying to make a good mark on the world through various executive orders.

QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 12:04 PM) Since when do court decisions hold sway over what BushCo decides to do? They don't, as we know. But in this case, he's in that part of his Presidency where he wants his "legacy", so he may elect to buck the trend. If not, Obama will make sure it gets done, I'd bet.

Federal judge orders the release of 5 Gitmo prisoners who have been there for 7 years, due to insufficient evidence. Will BushCo comply, or will this wait until January so that Obama can do so?

QUOTE (fathom @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 11:56 AM) Brian Anderson is a better player than Perez. Perez also has a horrific throwing arm that makes Juan Pierre look like Roberto Clemente. So he's Taveras without the arm? In other words, he's Jerry Owens?

QUOTE (JPN366 @ Nov 21, 2008 -> 11:54 AM) I've heard that Tampa may deal Crawford, so the talk is relevant. It will be Edwin Jackson, Fernando Perez & Jeff Niemen for Jermaine Dye. I'm surprised no one has mentioned Perez. He could be a 60-70 steal guy, much cheaper than Willy Tavares. Very smart, he went to Columbia, very nice guy. Was so money in the Southern League in 2007. I'd be surprised if KW wasn't asking for him. Or, it could be Jenks and Dye, Tampa needs a closer, RF & a DH. Then you get back Jackson, Niemen, Perez & Davis. Just my two cents. You sound very confident in your statements. Will be? Do you have some inside info?