tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post5114966716173360520..comments2024-03-19T03:14:04.172-04:00Comments on Rabett Run: End of the year odds - Eli cleans the atticEliRabetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07957002964638398767noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-22798395914403072142012-01-01T13:18:34.270-05:002012-01-01T13:18:34.270-05:00http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=f...http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=federal-judge-blocks-californiHank Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521410755553979665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-35372406479009116152012-01-01T13:16:57.664-05:002012-01-01T13:16:57.664-05:00http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=c...http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=court-issues-last-minute-epa#comment-01Hank Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521410755553979665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-80178097079843280672011-12-31T19:18:34.881-05:002011-12-31T19:18:34.881-05:00Russell, 28/12/11, 12:38 PM
Um, according to the ...Russell, 28/12/11, 12:38 PM<br /><br />Um, according to the text of the copy of Collapse that Diamond autographed for me, he used many cases to illustrate his title theme. Maya, Norse Greenland, Anasazi, Easter and Pitcairn Islanders, Rwanda, Haiti visa vie the Dominican Republic, as well as problems in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley where he has a spread, plus others.<br /><br />The book isn’t all about societal failures, or solely focused on the environmental considerations linked to their collapse. He discuses successful coping with sever resource limitations by the Polynesians of minuscule Tikopia Island in the South Pacific, some 600 mi to the southwest of the Guadalcanal; the long time densely populated highlands of central New Guinea, unknown to the world before WW 2; Tokugawa-era forest management by the Japanese.<br /><br />This recent focus on Rapa Nui is just another attack by “The Auditors” on “The Icons” in lieu of substance.<br /><br />And Oh... how many volumes do you think should be devoted to your 3 paragraphs in light of your neglect to read the book?WhiteBeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02098595320365529798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-69826084655646851862011-12-30T14:35:15.841-05:002011-12-30T14:35:15.841-05:00Dr. Jay Cadbury, phd.
@Kooiti Masuda
"And w...Dr. Jay Cadbury, phd.<br /><br />@Kooiti Masuda<br /><br />"And we are basically successors of those who caused the second stage rather than the victims."<br /><br />Kooiti, I am part Irish and I think you're right. I'm going to fly to England and demand reparations from the English because Oliver Cromwell was a bastard and most likely killed one of my relatives. <br /><br />Kooiti, please feel free to travel to Easter Island and give someone 5 dollars, I just don't think it is going to accomplish anything. <br /><br />Can anybody think of a group or ethnicity that hasn't been persecuted? I sure can't. I also haven't seen any posts from Eli on this site about how the Romans persecuted Christians and fed them to the lions.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-59791956208983782592011-12-29T23:52:51.982-05:002011-12-29T23:52:51.982-05:00Thanks for the clarification, MinniesMum. I must h...Thanks for the clarification, MinniesMum. I must have conflated the tax free status of reservists' allowances with the base salary of fulltime personnel.<br /><br />Of course, given the difference in the salaries between those listed for US Army and Australian Army, having to pay income tax on a large portion doesn't even come close to bridging the apparent gap -- even if the entire amount of the 1st year private's salary is taxable he'll still get over $43,000. It sure looks like you're better off being a private in the Australian Army than a captain in the US Army, regardless of whether US soldiers pay tax or not!<br /><br />JasonBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-26909839281930536082011-12-29T22:10:37.392-05:002011-12-29T22:10:37.392-05:00Back to Eli's original story.
If we want to m...Back to Eli's original story.<br /><br />If we want to mention Easter Island in the context of sustainability, we should recognize two collapses. The first one is perhaps caused by un-wise (in afterthought) decisions by the isolated human community. The second one is caused by those human groups external to the island which happened to have hegemony during some stage of modern globalization. And we are basically successors of those who caused the second stage rather than the victims.Kooiti Masudahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15709237727441869109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-31989612939509468752011-12-29T17:58:53.014-05:002011-12-29T17:58:53.014-05:00Sorry to burst the bubble about Australian defence...Sorry to burst the bubble about Australian defence forces pay. <br /><br />The small allowances paid to the reserves for their attendance at training is tax free. The salary for fulltime personnel is not usually tax free. Additional payments for overseas service in 'prescribed areas' are tax free. So if you're overseas as part of a delegation or diplomatic arrangement, fully taxed. If you're in Iraq or Afghanistan or similar active duty, the additional allowances are tax exempt. <br /><br />MinniesMumAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-7098300757643192382011-12-29T17:07:17.531-05:002011-12-29T17:07:17.531-05:00Blueshift,
That is a lot of calculation to determ...Blueshift,<br /><br />That is a lot of calculation to determine what the exact difference in tax receipts would be if the top 10% of earners found themselves back at 2000 Tax Table rates. The 2001 tax changes not only lowered rates (39.5-35, 36-33, 31-28, 28-25, 15-15& a new 10% bracket) Captial gains were adjusted, child credits, marriage penalty all applied on a graduated scale.<br /><br />Reference the IRS link and this http://www.moneychimp.com/features/tax_brackets.htm<br /><br />We cannot simply raise taxes and grow out of this debt, we have to be realistic and reduce spending.<br /><br /><br />Carrot Eater was the inspiration for my choosing this name.<br /><br /><br /><br />Celery EaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-36284602973443802322011-12-29T16:11:12.419-05:002011-12-29T16:11:12.419-05:00Dr. Jay Cadbury, phd.
Ah, Celery eater, Carrot Ea...Dr. Jay Cadbury, phd.<br /><br />Ah, Celery eater, Carrot Eater's arch nemesis.<br /><br />Celery, I tried to make a similar point 2 weeks ago, T Boone Pickens has paid 665 million dollars in taxes from the time he was 70-83. <br /><br />So if you average that out it is 51.16 million per year and all Mika Brezinski could say was "how much did you make"?<br /><br />Pickens responded "you don't think I paid enough?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-33870084972116475872011-12-29T15:57:46.101-05:002011-12-29T15:57:46.101-05:00Ok, CE thanks for the links. So if we did put rat...Ok, CE thanks for the links. So if we did put rates for the top 10% back at clinton levels, how much more would be raised?<br /><br />Also, Eli's comment isn't clear, but you shouldn't be assuming indefinite trillion dollar deficits. As the recession ends revenue will pick up and certain programs (e.g. Medicaid) will get cheaper.<br /><br />-BlueshiftAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-67017705860819188422011-12-29T15:52:23.846-05:002011-12-29T15:52:23.846-05:00Perhaps the palmy Tale of Why will sooth Steve...Perhaps the palmy Tale of Why will sooth Steve's bloomin dyspepsia:<br /><br />http://vimeo.com/1516019THE CLIMATE WARShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578106673226403151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-87077073853376526512011-12-29T15:07:46.244-05:002011-12-29T15:07:46.244-05:00For the curious.
http://www.military.com/benefit...For the curious.<br /><br /><br />http://www.military.com/benefits/content/military-pay/the-military-retirement-system.html<br /><br /><br />Also, only 17% of those who start military service make it to 20 years.<br /><br /><br /><br />Celery EaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-50102593530365924922011-12-29T14:46:48.553-05:002011-12-29T14:46:48.553-05:00"20 and out, pension, lifelong health care ....."20 and out, pension, lifelong health care ... "<br /><br /><br />The hard part is making it the 20 to get 50%. It is not as easy as it sounds.<br /><br /><br /><br />Celery EaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-38470947152654801782011-12-29T14:26:34.080-05:002011-12-29T14:26:34.080-05:00"- People must work to get paid and all their..."- People must work to get paid and all their benefits, if you choose not to work and have to be disciplined you could forfeit all your pay and benefits"<br /><br />20 and out, pension, lifelong health care ...dhogazanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-28832840086775759992011-12-29T12:08:49.300-05:002011-12-29T12:08:49.300-05:00If you want to call the military the most socialis...If you want to call the military the most socialist part of our society and use it as an example of great government in action, I agree.<br /><br />- People must work to get paid and all their benefits, if you choose not to work and have to be disciplined you could forfeit all your pay and benefits<br /><br />- Effort, performance, conduct, and time are the main factors for advancing in rank, if you lack in these areas you remain at the bottom, if you are at the bottom too long, you are out<br /><br />- Must be willing to put your life on the line and work in hostile environments which is measured in months/years rather than hours/days<br /><br />- What are weekends?<br /><br />- Your appearance must be maintained within very strict guidelines, this goes to conduct<br /><br />- Like drugs? Not going to last long<br /><br /><br />If you would like to attach the above to say welfare, unemployment insurance, health care I am with you 100%<br /><br /><br /><br />Celery EaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-64666757395383013742011-12-29T11:51:08.293-05:002011-12-29T11:51:08.293-05:00JasonB:
"US Army Private on active duty: $17...JasonB:<br /><br />"US Army Private on active duty: $17,124. (!)"<br /><br />You have to figure in the value of all the spam and shit on a shingle you can eat!<br /><br />(shit on a shingle - creamed chipped beef on toast - and no, I have no personal experience of this!)dhogazanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-83799053687271623192011-12-29T05:06:34.733-05:002011-12-29T05:06:34.733-05:00Wow... Those US Army pay rates are unbelievable. A...Wow... Those US Army pay rates are unbelievable. Are there other amounts not listed?<br /><br />Here are the Australian ones: http://content.defencejobs.gov.au/pdf/triservice/DFT_Document_PayRates.pdf<br /><br />Current exchange rate is US$1 = A$1.<br /><br />Australian Defence Force personnel do not pay any tax at all on salary and some allowances.<br /><br />Some examples:<br /><br />US Army Captain on active duty: $38,652-$58,500 from 1 to 10+ years.<br /><br />Australian Army Captain with Service Allowance: $72,757-$124,797 from 1 to 10+ years.<br /><br />US Army Private on active duty: $17,124. (!)<br /><br />Australian Army Private with Service Allowance: $53,786-$87,130. (Interestingly you have to go to a rank of Major to find an officer whose salary has no overlap with a Private of 10+ years' experience.)<br /><br />The highest pay grade is still only 5x the lowest, it's just that the lowest is apparently a lot higher.<br /><br />JasonBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-8984797168465196962011-12-29T01:54:35.255-05:002011-12-29T01:54:35.255-05:00Hank, do you mean that, objectively speaking, the ...Hank, do you mean that, objectively speaking, the army is (one of) the most socialistic part(s) of the U.S. society?Kooiti Masudahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15709237727441869109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-42880318400935379132011-12-29T00:30:30.235-05:002011-12-29T00:30:30.235-05:00socialism ... utopia ... the army
Well, the lowes...socialism ... utopia ... the army<br /><br />Well, the lowest and highest pay grades are less than 10x different:<br />http://www.us-army-info.com/pages/ranks.htmlHank Robertshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07521410755553979665noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-38244254729383987242011-12-28T16:35:50.702-05:002011-12-28T16:35:50.702-05:00Getting senile, Russell? That comment was bathed ...Getting senile, Russell? That comment was bathed in teh stupid from top to bottom.Steve Bloomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12943109973917998380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-10862517478947715002011-12-28T15:38:27.949-05:002011-12-28T15:38:27.949-05:00The elephant in Eli'sattic is that the poor, ...The elephant in Eli'sattic is that the poor, palmless, decimated ,navigation-challenged and tuckered-out-from-statue-delivery Rapa Nui still found time to up and invent Polynesia's only written language.<br /><br />Until the lava tunnels yield a rongo-rongo tablet on how to manufacture palm nut ball bearings , armchair archaeoagnatologists will remain free as WUWT commenter to declare the palms went extinct because so many trunks were required to package the statues as bundles round enough for convenient cross-country rolling.<br /><br />Meanwhile, it speaks volumes that Diamond had to go to so bizarre an end of the Earth to make the case for a supposedly universal theory.THE CLIMATE WARShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02578106673226403151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-37718560658926544992011-12-28T14:25:15.051-05:002011-12-28T14:25:15.051-05:00"No one is talking about doubling the effecti..."No one is talking about doubling the effective tax rate on households making $112,000."<br /><br /><br />The whole point of the conversation was Eli said we could raise taxes on the top 1% by returning their rates to the 1990's level and it would be a good idea to raise taxes on the top 10% (household income $112K) and "that would bring the deficit into balance PDQ.."<br /><br /><br /><br />"Sounds like the Army ... " <br /><br />Ya know what, it does. People WORKING for their PAY, imagine that!!<br /><br /><br />Celery EaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-39167077817133086222011-12-28T14:02:30.830-05:002011-12-28T14:02:30.830-05:00"That is Household income at $112,000.00 ouch..."That is Household income at $112,000.00 ouch that is gonna hurt those people that live in the big cities. So the top 10% earned $2.933 trillion and paid $660 billion in taxes in 2009 about a 22.5% rate. To pull another $1 trillion out of these nice folks you will have to raise their effective rate to 56.5% (not accounting for deductions etc this number will certainly need to be higher)."<br /><br />No one is talking about doubling the effective tax rate on households making $112,000. If the Bush tax cuts expire and the payroll tax holiday expires we're looking at about a return to earlier rates which were a few percent (not 100%) higher than the *temporary* rates put in place during the Bush administration and the payroll tax holiday of the last year.<br /><br />"Of course after the Federal government pays for everyone's health care, education, house, car, cell phone, cable tv, food, clothing. Sounds like Utopia."<br /><br />Sounds like the Army ...dhogazanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-30444972513535467162011-12-28T13:18:04.226-05:002011-12-28T13:18:04.226-05:00Brian,
Republicans blocked nothing in the Obamaca...Brian,<br /><br />Republicans blocked nothing in the Obamacare bill, remember we were on the back of the bus because Obama won.<br /><br />So three years into an Obama administration and it is still all the Republicans fault. Heads you win tails I lose. I have not met a Democrat going on 10+ years that will take responsibility for one dang thing. It is always "but it is there fault". Lame.<br /><br /><br /><br />Raising on the top 10%, so much for OWS cheerleading on Rabett Run, but I digress.<br /><br />That is Household income at $112,000.00 ouch that is gonna hurt those people that live in the big cities. So the top 10% earned $2.933 trillion and paid $660 billion in taxes in 2009 about a 22.5% rate. To pull another $1 trillion out of these nice folks you will have to raise their effective rate to 56.5% (not accounting for deductions etc this number will certainly need to be higher).<br /><br />Sounds like a good plan.<br /><br /><br />Why don't we just have everyone throw their money into one pot and then everyone takes out an equal share? Of course after the Federal government pays for everyone's health care, education, house, car, cell phone, cable tv, food, clothing. Sounds like Utopia.<br /><br />I recommend we rename Rabett Run to Class Clowns or Socialist Society.<br /><br /><br />Celery EaterAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16612221.post-30717033094536601102011-12-28T12:56:32.292-05:002011-12-28T12:56:32.292-05:00CE is missing the raising the rates on the top ten...CE is missing the raising the rates on the top tenth part of the comment. Personally I'm not sure even that would be enough given the unpaid Republican wars, the unpaid Republican corporate welfare for pharmaceutical companies, and the Republican blockage of cost control provisions in health care reform, but in the off-hand context of a single sentence in a comment, I don't consider this to matter much for credibility.<br /><br />(Apologies for getting roped into the thread hijack.)Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09301230860904555513noreply@blogger.com