On Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:33:43 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:


Well, we will probably continue to agree to disagree. :)

I don't think we really disagree, more like we view the consequences
of some breakdowns differently.
I think we can agree the shuttle disasters occurred because "simple"
systems failed. Frankly, for all the admiration I have for the teams
that put the shuttles together, the management side let them and
astronauts down. You may feel differently, but I view both failures
as preventable and unnecessary. The o-ring problem was known,
and so was the ice hitting tiles. They took chances they didn't have
to take. Given the tremendous achievements of the shuttle program
it's difficult to come down on them hard, but that's my opinion.
I was really ****ed seeing my heros die, and less so that 40% of the
shuttle fleet was destroyed by an o-ring and a piece of ice.
On the market side, I'm not well versed since I don't trade except
commodity futures on a small-time level, and consider that gambling on
my part. Outside of some floor trader price manipulation to do some
"personal arbitrage" on buy/sell prices, sometimes by hitting stops
- a problem I think has been reduced by computerization - I've had no
complaints since I quit using stops. I've found that supply and
demand always has the final say, and if I'm right I'm right, wrong I'm
wrong.
If you're a day trader, or look at portfolio value fluctuations daily,
that's a psychological issue - and I'm not imputing any of this to
you, BTW, just yakking.
When I first responded to this topic I was thinking of basic
power/communication infrastructures, not Wall Street.
But since I'm here, and you know more this than me, how the hell did
the Great Depression occur, and could it happen again?
Not asking for an essay, as I don't want to put you out and keep you
from testing boats.
My real "economic" concern is that we don't produce our own goods, and
China has us by the balls.

--Vic