"Unemployment is likely to top 10% for the first time in over 25 years opening the Obama administration up to charges that the $787 Billion stimulus was a failure.
Posted by taxman at 08:48 AM"

Actually, it hit 9.8%:

"Here in Taiwan we get an earthquake at least once a week that we can feel. The big issue this time of year is the typhoons. A devastating one hit Taiwan in September, and the storm that's now pounding Luzon will be here by Tuesday.
#9 | Posted by vernon at 2009-10-02 10:38 AM"

That may be true for all of Taiwan, but most of Taiwan (both in area and population) does not experience that degree (size and frequency) of earthquakes. Of course, if you live in Hualien...

Typhoons (especially THIS year) are much more of a concern.

"Question: How much (and for how long) of the $787 Billion stimulus has been spent?

#11 | Posted by TrueBlue at 2009-10-02 12:23 PM"

Curiously, it looks like no one has been willing to pick up on this question so far. As of July, only $60 Billion (less than 8%!) had been spent. The plan was for only about $185 Billion to be spent by the end of 2009 (less than 24% of the total). Bottom line: feel free to throw around the $787 Billion figure all you want, but very little of that has actually been spent and even that only recently. To evaluate the effectiveness (or lack) of the stimulus package probably should at least wait until it has been implemented.

"Funny how that works. Something negative said about the stimulus, we are told to wait on evaluating it. Something positive? Praise Obama!
#35 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-10-02 05:24 PM"

Curious.

I was thinking just the opposite, from following YOUR lead...

"Are you retarded? I've never been outright opposed to the stimulus. I questioned the hasty nature in which it was passed, especially in light of the lack of haste in spending it, but haven't been against it. Sounds like you're butt-hurt, because you know that you have no problem with hasty evaluations that favor your political party, but take issue and ask people to wait when negative evaluations come out.
#41 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-10-02 05:39 PM"

Nice.

In case you missed the point of my post #39: I was highlighting the irony that folks from another point of view (you, for example) were likely to deride/praise President Obama but in an OPPOSITE sense (such as you have in previous comments). Clear enough now?

At no time did I make any comment pro/con regarding the stimulus, except for a previous post (NOT directed specifically to you, BTW) suggesting a wait-and-see attitude since the stimulus only has JUST begun being implemented. OTOH, it would appear that you are more inclined to make the hasty evaluations.

Meanwhile, my butt is just fine (not that it's any of your business), thank you. Similarly, thank you for asking, but I'm going to pass on your question regarding my retardedness.

"Try looking at how the stimulus is being spent in your state.
#43 | Posted by mysterytoy at 2009-10-02 06:49 PM"

Actually, my state appears to be (fortunately) not as hard hit by the Recession and is likely to be one of the first to come out of the Recession. There is a 'stimulus project' (infrastructure construction) going on within 10 miles of my home (kudos to a governor who is investing in the future!). At this point, I'd be hesitant to definitively say whether the two issues (stimulus vs. recovery) have any verifiable connection. They might (or might not), I just think it is too soon to tell.

"I wonder how flying to Denmark helped our economy.
#44 | Posted by mysterytoy at 2009-10-02 06:52 PM"

Probably more than clearing brush.

See how easy it is to deflect off topic?

"Similarly, thank you for asking, but I'm going to pass on your question regarding my retardedness.
#42 | Posted by TrueBlue at 2009-10-02 06:45 PM

Probably for the best.
#47 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-10-02 07:46 PM"

Agreed.

After your comments and my rebuttals, it'll be obvious which one is retarded.

Q.E.D.

"LOL, your rebuttals?
Like when I said I guess we'll find out in regards to the stimulus, and you said it would appear that you are more inclined to make the hasty evaluations?

Yeah, nice rebuttal, retard. hahaha
#49 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-10-03 12:22 AM"

*sigh* Wrong again.

My post #39 was a rebuttal to your post #35. FYI: you can tell that because it quotes and references your post #35: "Funny how that works. Something negative said about the stimulus, we are told to wait on evaluating it. Something positive? Praise Obama!
#35 | Posted by LIVE_OR_DIE at 2009-10-02 05:24 PM"

Curious.
I was thinking just the opposite, from following YOUR lead...
#39 | Posted by TrueBlue at 2009-10-02 05:35 PM"

The "opposite" would be:
'Funny how that works. Something POSITIVE said about the stimulus, wait on evaluating it. Something NEGATIVE? Praise Obama!'

Apparently that seemed to confuse you since you then launched into a juvenile response which tauted that you were not opposed to the stimulus, you were just opposed to the manner in which it was passed and the rate it was being implemented. HOWEVER, your comments had NOTHING to do with my rebuttal and to clarify I stated that in my reply.

You also wandered even further off into sweeping generalizations that I have "no problem with hasty evaluations" (IRONY!). From that it was obvious that you are the one making hasty evaluations. A side note: we likely have much to agree on regarding the stimulus and how it's being implemented, but (again) that had nothing to do what I posted to you.

Meanwhile, your repeated name calling and added fascination with the condition of my butt just illustrated the depth of your arguments and understanding of the issue.

Nice chatting with you.