Texsox

Better buy a gun if you want to eat.

After three or four years in a row a Texas kid probably will not be #1 in the NFL Draft. It's a sad day here in the Lone Star State.

By the way, if you love live music Nashville (Lower Broadway) and Memphis (Beale Street) are world class. I remember one bar in Nashville with four stories and a band playing on all four levels. On the top floor was this Prince looking, rocking, lead singer with an awesome band then on the main floor was a mom, dad, sister, brother, other dad country band that was amazing. In between those floors was more rock. Our back east summer trips now take almost a week to get through Tennessee.

So which world leader has the coolest whip? President Trump = a Cadillac nicknamed "the Beast" South Korean President Moon Jae-in = Hyundai Nexo SUV British Prime Minister Boris Johnson = Jaguar XJ Sentinel German Chancellor Angela Merkel = Audi A8 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe = Toyota Century Royal

From what I've heard from three people who were laid off, they took drops in income. Unemployment did not cover their full salaries. In two cases they were sales reps who are down almost 75% because unemployment is only covering their base wages, not bonuses or commissions. The third was a product manager who was earning approximately (I've been out of the industry for a while but my guess is close) $80,000. They have only been out of work for two weeks so perhaps they aren't aware of everything they will be receiving, but they are pretty stressed right now and want to get back to work.

Which is valid. I do believe it is easier to take a hard stand on a full stomach and a paycheck in your back pocket.

I had a rational discussion with a neighbor whose adult kid with two children is out of work because he works for a "non essential" business as does his wife. The world is a vastly different place if you are still collecting a pay check. And to anyone who remembers what it's like to suddenly be without a job, now realize that no one is hiring because they are all closed. Now look at the picture above and analyse the confrontation as being between the getting paid and the not getting paid. You have someone secure in receiving a check and paying for their rent and food bravely stopping someone not getting paid and potentially homeless from working. It's a strange time to be alive.

Now that Texas has opened up (with heavy restrictions) the State Parks for people to basically walk around in I'm hoping allowing self contained RVs isn't far behind. I'd much rather spend the next few weeks in my RV at a state park then here at home. I even have one picked out with cell phone service that will allow us to keep working.

We need to look at the difference between helping the employees and helping the business. Why should the government be giving / loaning money for a business to make payroll? Give it to the people directly. If the money is to pay rent, insurance, and other costs associated with running a business that do not go away when the doors are shut, should it make a difference in how many employees a company has?

I don't know how not planning makes sense. How about this plan? We open when we have a better understanding of where we are at with this virus. Virtually all of the unknowns are known. We know how many have had it, whether those who had it are now immune and if so for how long, what drugs treat it, at what point patients should be placed on a ventilator, and how long the virus is surviving on certain surfaces. The search for a treatment or a vaccine is focused and in reach . The tests for anti-bodies are reliable. How does that plan not make sense? Without a plan we're just wandering around aimlessly. Goals and a plan create action and focus.

I just learned in laws living in England have tested positive and most are quarantined. I believe that being in laws it's two degrees of separation.

Everyone who is ordering takeout, curbside, or having food delivered is dealing with that now.

The forum is admittedly more relaxed on this rule if you are hating on Trump (governments) actions.

https://www.sacbee.com/news/coronavirus/article241995866.html California's plan to reopen.

From the Morning Brew https://link.morningbrew.com/click/20018258.753565/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubW9ybmluZ2JyZXcuY29tL2RhaWx5L3IvP2tpZD05ZjQ3MTk5ZA/5cf7034844d51f506205eaf0B18d395f8 Israel's plan to reopen. The plan consists of four phases and focuses on opening more lucrative sectors first, Haaretz reports: Phase 1: Tech and finance, plus slices of trade-oriented industries. These sectors employ more than 10% of the population. Phase 2: Commerce and retail stores. Phase 3: Restaurants and hotels. The NSC expects most of the education system will be back at this point, too. Phase 4: Recreational sectors like sports, air travel, and entertainment. If that seems like a straightforward process, consider these caveats: Each phase will have a two-week buffer to review whether the next can proceed. All of the public health guidelines we've been subject to (social distancing, face masks, etc.) will be required for reopening industries. None of these phases applies to people over 60 and other at-risk populations. Bottom line: Coronavirus restrictions will almost definitely extend into the summer. + While we're here: NY, NJ, and a few other northeastern states have formed a task force to coordinate reopening their economies. So have some West Coast states.

Perhaps. This was interesting in how many people traveled to the meeting. Those Easter services at least were localized.

One meeting 100 infections https://news.yahoo.com/premier-u-drug-company-became-121442563.html?.tsrc=notification-brknews

And his supporters will tell you why it's the perfect group . . .

Kindred spirits.

I'm wondering if there would be a chance to eventually get back to the regular stadiums but keep this alignment. Why stay there in September if we're back to work?

ChiSoxFn Thank you for the thoughts. I'm guilty here of not looking how this money would fit into my overall strategy. These funds came into being for me because I could literally set them up on my phone with a couple clicks and basically thought of them as a savings+ not really an investment. Or to put it another way, the money sat between my "active investments" and my savings account. I never "worked" at these other than sweeping my checking account every couple months into the funds. As a teacher my 401k is actually a 403(b) but works about the same. So I have a interesting mix at retirement that will "fight" each other. I am fully in SS. Texas has a defined pension plan (TRS), and I have a 403(b). Of course there will also be savings and investments. I said earlier they fight each other. My SS is reduced partly for each dollar I receive through TRS. Every year or so a couple Dem members of congress will propose eliminating the "windfall" provision but it never comes to a vote. Weird retirement planning thought for the twenty somethings around here. Of all the things I spent discretionary monies on in my twenties and thirties when money towards retirement will grow the most, (vacations, memberships, hobbies) I wish I had purchased two less cars. I bought seven new cars in that time period. It would have meant hanging onto each car maybe four to six months longer. That $30,000 or so would be worth over $250,000 at retirement. That's working an extra couple years. Retirement is a financial condition -- NOT AN AGE I have that sign in my classroom. It may help a kid someday, long after I'm gone.

Some states have gone with early release and commuting sentences. That's what I originally mentioned.

I'll toss this in there. Al Lopez would be managing, but damn it was tough to pass over Tony.

After looking over your list, I'm going to agree. Looking at the bench having AJ, Maggs, and Aparicio available would make it easy for any manager. The batting order doesn't feel right but I haven't come up with a better one. How would flipping Ventura with Konerko and Baines with Fisk look? Thomas is a lock in the 3 spot so he would be followed by Ventura (L), Konerko (R), Baines (L) and Fisk (R). I was even looking at Baines in the 4th spot . . .

And there will be a glut of used units available at rock bottom prices. The industry is cyclical and this is definitely a major downturn. I don't ever try to time the market, but I would be going in knowing it's a hold for a couple years. With all the consolidation that has happened these two own 80% of the market. Again, I wouldn't gamble my retirement money on either of these two but this might be fun to watch. I also see them buying up the last remaining independents and solidifying even more the market. This would be a good time to consolidate some of their subsidiaries as well.