Christmas Wish List

Some Christmas wishes that we hope will come true……

Violence and hatred to stop.

I want to know what my neighbor across the street does for a living.

College football players should get lifetime medical coverage.

Pat Haden should run the NCAA.

Kobe should coach the Lakers. He does anyway.

Hope the Dodgers are also trying to trade their awful TV contract.

The City of La Verne City Council to be impeached.

To know the winners of the opening four races at Santa Anita on December 26.

College Faculty to work in a job from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm every day for a year.

The NHL shoot-out to end…for the Detroit Red Wings sake at least.

All High School graduating seniors who can write a paragraph.

Written thank you notes.

The Snub to find a new hobby.

The Pin Ball Wizard to finally find out I am not a member of the Veritas Society.

Newspapers to not get any smaller.

All of my graduating undergraduate and graduate students to find a job and career that is rewarding and meaningful for their personal goals.

Business associates who manage their business unselfishly.

Egos to end.

First Lieutenant Geoffrey Ball to be safe and secure in his tour of duty.

A safe and healthy 2015 for my family, friends, associates, and President Obama.

Peace and love to all.

COLLEGE CHRONICLES - During a meeting two years ago to brainstorm a collaborative project, Ahmet Oğüt and two artist colleagues wanted to find a topic that addressed one of the most urgent current issues in the U.S. They landed on debt -- specifically the mammoth, more-than-trillion-dollar sum held by those who borrowed money for college.

“Day After Debt: A Call for Student Loan Relief" is about the demand for higher education, the related growth in student debt and the pressures that puts on graduates. The exhibit opened last month at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University.

The project aims not only to raise awareness about the student debt burden in the U.S., but also to help chip away at it. Each of the six pieces collects money that will be given to Debt Collective, an advocacy group that organizes projects around reducing student debt.

Oğüt’s contribution to the exhibit, called "Anti-Debt Monolith," is a large, solid black box modeled after the mysterious object built by an extraterrestrial species in Stanley Kubrick’s famous film “2001: A Space Odyssey.” Oğüt liked the simplicity of the box and the legend behind it, and he designed it to play coin-operated audio recording speaking about the growth of student debt in the past 10 years.

Other pieces include bricks full of shredded American currency and a transparent plastic shopping bag with spending levels tied to ironic and humorous names that praise the person giving money as, "you are a friend" and "you are an angel."

http://broadmuseum.msu.edu/exhibitions/day-after-debt-call-student-loan-relief

SIX QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEGE RATINGS: The Obama administration's college ratings proposal is due any day now - and college presidents and higher education lobbyists have some burning questions. For example, what will the rating scale look like? It could have a big effect on how the public perceives the ratings and how much of a hit colleges would take if they rate poorly. Early word is that each institution will get a numerical score for each metric, such as graduation rate, loan default rate and accessibility to low-income students. Another one of the most contentious questions: Will graduates' salaries be considered? The White House has repeatedly indicated that it's an important measure of a college's success, but no one wants to penalize institutions that focus on preparing students for relatively low-paying jobs or that encourage graduates to enter public service.

THE COLLEGE RATINGS ARE COMING: But not any time soon. The Education Department released a draft framework today, detailing a list of things the agency is considering in its analysis of which institutions offer students the biggest bang for their buck. The highly anticipated draft has been delayed twice. And half the metrics - all of which aim to measure accessibility, affordability and outcomes - can't even be measured right now. The plan is to rate more than 4,000 two- and four-year colleges by the start of the next academic year. But it could be at least a few years until the system the administration envisions is in place. And the ratings proposal will have to survive challenges from Congress or perhaps from the next administration. "The question is, will we actually see ratings for the 2015-16 school year," said Robert Kelchen, an assistant professor of higher education at Seton Hall University and an expert on college ratings. "I'd be surprised ... to be honest." The department wants more public input on the framework; they're taking comments through Feb. 17.

BATTLE OF THE BULGE - 70 years ago this past week, World War II's Battle of the Bulge began. Per the History Channel, "On December 16 [1944], three German armies (more than a quarter-million troops) launched the deadliest and most desperate battle of the war in the west in the poorly roaded, rugged, heavily forested Ardennes" to Antwerp, Belgium. http://bit.ly/1zkEnwA

 On Dec. 20, 1944, the lead article of the N.Y. Times - with the subhead, "OUR MEN CONFIDENT" -- called it "by far the greatest battle in American history." http://nyti.ms/1wE6Dbd

TOM BROKAW in remission, per email  - "To my NBC FAMILY, A year ago my future was more uncertain than I cared to acknowledge but now I face the New Year with very encouraging news. The cancer is in remission and I will shortly go on a drug maintenance regimen to keep it there. Last weekend I was reminded of how fortunate we all are ... I was a Presidential delegate to the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the fight which went on for most of December 1944, in one of the worst winters in 20th century Europe. ... Monty Meigs and I went into the forest surrounding Bastogne, where remains of the original 101st Div fox holes still are visible.

"They slept in heavy snow, ... eating cold rations. About 30 vets returned. The oldest was 96 and the youngest 89. One Airborne old timer kept struggling to lift himself out of his wheelchair when the occasion called for a salute. I finally whispered to him, 'Stay seated. No one will give you KP for not standing.' We both had a good laugh. ... I flew home reflecting again on how lucky we are that generation gave us the lives we have today -- how my last year was a challenge but I was meeting it in world-class hospitals with brilliant physicians ... Happy New Year all. T Bone."

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to: Wesley Clark (70), Annie Lennox (60), Diane Sawyer (69), Sissy Spacek (65), Denzel Washington (60).

SYLLABUS – Claremont Unified School District is now on Winter Break until January 5, 2015. Claremont School District has 7,031 students in seven elementary schools, one intermediate school and two high schools. Student Population: 39% Hispanic, 36% White, 11% Asian, 6% African American, and 8% Other.

RINK RATS SPORTS - Steelers, Packers, Cowboys, Seahawks win, move into playoffs: The Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers both qualified for the NFL playoffs with wins Sunday. Next week, they will play for division titles at home. Defending Super Bowl champion Seattle also qualified, routing Arizona 35-6, and moved into a tie for the top spot in the NFC West. The Seahawks (11-4) own the tiebreaker over the Cardinals should they both finish with the same record. ... The Bengals (9-4-1) host Denver (11-3) on Monday night.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – National University Holiday Bowl: Saturday 12/17, 8:00 PM ET, ABC: #24 University of Southern California Trojans (8-4) vs.  Nebraska Cornhuskers (9-3). USC will win in San Diego, 38 – 28.   Season to date (10-7)

SMALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – D-III Playoffs, Finals: The Alonzo Stagg Bowl – Congratulations to UW Whitewater Warhawks in their victory 43-34 over Mount Union. A perfect season (15-0). Final Season totals (7-8)

NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Sunday 12/28, 4:25 PM ET, CBS: Detroit Lions (11-4) vs. Green Bay Packers (11-4). A final battle for #2 in the NFC and the Norris Division Championship. The Pack is too tough at home, 24 – 21.   Season to date (11-5)

THE SWAMI’S WEEK TOP PICKS –

(NFL, Dec. 28) Carolina Panthers (6-8-1) 21 at Atlanta Falcons (6-9) 32

(NCAA hockey, Dec. 29) #5 Michigan Tech Huskies (13-3) 5 at Michigan Wolverines (8-7) 3

(NHL, Dec. 27) San Jose Sharks (19-11-4) 3 at Los Angeles Kings (17-11-6) 4

Season to date (77 - 66)

WORDS OF THE MONTH –

chutzpa

\KHOOT-spuh, HOOT-\

noun

1. Slang. unmitigated effrontery or impudence; gall.

2. Slang. audacity; nerve.

"That's chutzpa," Levy said admiringly, "pure, unadulterated chutzpa." "What's chutzpa?" "Yiddish for gall, nerve, arrogance—whatever…" -- Howard Fast, The Immigrants, 1977

Origin

Chutzpa came to English from Yiddish in the 1890s. This term is ultimately derived from the Aramaic ḥūṣpā.

sacar

verb - to get, to obtain; to take

“Voy a sacar dinero del cajero automático.” I’m going to take some money out of the ATM.

MARKET WEEK – During this holiday-shortened trading week, investors get a bunch of economic reports starting today with November existing home sales. A drop of 1.1 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.20 million units is expected, following October’s 1.5 percent increase to 5.26 million.

The stock market will close early Christmas Eve Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET. Financial markets are closed on Christmas Day, opening back up Friday for a full day of trading.

DRIVING THE WEEK –  Congress is gone, the President is in Hawaii and outside the tragic events in New York City on Saturday the news cycle should be fairly quiet. Big-city police departments and union leaders around the country are warning the rank and file to wear bulletproof vests and avoid making inflammatory posts on social media in the days after a man ambushed two officers and shot them to death inside their patrol car. The slayings of Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu ... in Brooklyn heightened fears about the safety of law enforcement officials nationwide, though there is no evidence any threats are imminent.

Next week: 2014 Top Five

Until Next Monday, Happy Festivus.

Claremont, CA

December 22, 2014

#V-35-245

CARTOON OF THE WEEK –  Peanuts by Charles Schultz

The Holiday Party

Some random notes of holiday parties I have attending thus far this holiday season.

There is always one holiday party where the dreaded “it’s him” is in attendance. You know the fellow; creepy grin, always a black shirt, dyed hair, AND he is always wrong. No matter what the topic this fellow is never right! How he keeps his job and survives in this world is one of the great mysteries of my life. I always ask him who he likes to win in a game and always bet the opposite. I always win.

Then there is the fellow worker who still believes it is 1966, with the husband who looks like a well-worn rock star. The fashion police would have a field day with this couple.

Another holiday party tradition is always the person who mispronounces your name, even though you have known them for over fifteen years. Also, don’t forget the standard end of conversation sentence: “I will call you for lunch, we will get together.” Oh if I had a dollar for every one of those lines, Warren Buffett here I come.

The Holiday Party food – is it written somewhere that we have to have some unrecognizable party treat that tastes like an oily rag. I would give up Democratic politics for a few corndogs and pizza as the holiday faire.

Finally, why must people who see each other for eight hours every day for 50 weeks a year sit and talk together at a holiday party. What the hell do they have to talk about! How about conversing with people who they never see or come in contact with on a regular basis?

One last holiday party tradition, the annual family get-together: I guess it takes us a year to forget how dysfunctional ones’ family is, because we get right back into it around holiday time. The Uncle with the toupee, the cousin who drives a Mercedes but never has a job, sister’s new boyfriend who always has bad teeth, and the grandparent who now travels exclusively with a dog (or I think it is a dog), ah yes the family holiday party.

Where did I put my psychiatrist’s phone number???

MOVIES TO SEE THIS HOLIDAY –

Interstellar - Interstellar chronicles the adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the vast distances involved in an interstellar voyage.

Birdman - A fading actor (Michael Keaton) best known for his portrayal of a popular superhero attempts to mount a comeback by appearing in a Broadway play. As opening night approaches, his attempts to become more altruistic, rebuild his career, and reconnect with friends and family prove more difficult than expected. Lindsay Duncan, Zach Galifianakis, and Edward Norton co-star in this black comedy from Biutiful director Alejandro González Iñárritu.

Whiplash - Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.

Gone Girl - With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent.

TIME Person of the Year, “The Ebola Fighters” -- The rest of the world can sleep at night because a group of men and women are willing to stand and fight. For tireless acts of courage and mercy, for buying the world time to boost its defenses, for risking, for persisting, for sacrificing and saving, the Ebola fighters are Time’s 2014 Person of the Year.” http://ti.me/1yxi0oC

See the five covers: http://ti.me/12Krqz5

COLLEGE CHRONICLES - California Gov. Jerry Brown, state legislature study ways to avoid UC, Cal State tuition hikes. Los Angeles Times: http://lat.ms/1BAMpn9

FAMILY DEBT KEEPS DROPPING — U.S. families’ debt burdens have settled at their lowest level in over a decade, putting the economy on a stronger footing relative to global rivals going into 2015. With home values rising, Americans are beginning to borrow more, a development that could help lift spending and juice the U.S. economy. Total U.S. household debt, when measured as a share of disposable income, has fallen from a peak of 135 percent in late 2007 to 108 percent this year through September … That’s the lowest sustained level since early 2003 and far below levels among households in Britain, Canada and Japan.

Americans’ healthier balance sheets, along with falling unemployment and cheaper gasoline, could boost consumer spending, which accounts for two-thirds of U.S. economic output. Economists say the progress U.S. households have made in reducing their debt burdens — either by paying off debt or just defaulting on loans — is a key reason why the U.S. is now outperforming much of Europe and Japan. While defaults and bankruptcies are painful and hurt consumers’ credit histories, they also speed up the process of repairing household finances.

THE DECLINE OF WORK — Working, in America, is in decline. The share of prime-age men — those 25 to 54 years old — who are not working has more than tripled since the late 1960s, to 16 percent. More recently, since the turn of the century, the share of women without paying jobs has been rising, too. The United States, which had one of the highest employment rates among developed nations as recently as 2000, has fallen toward the bottom of the list. … Many men, in particular, have decided that low-wage work will not improve their lives, in part because deep changes in American society have made it easier for them to live without working.

These changes include the availability of federal disability benefits; the decline of marriage, which means fewer men provide for children; and the rise of the Internet, which has reduced the isolation of unemployment. At the same time, it has become harder for men to find higher-paying jobs. Foreign competition and technological advances have eliminated many of the jobs in which high school graduates … once could earn $40 an hour, or more.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to: Chris Evert (60), Jane Fonda (77), Don Johnson (65), Al Kaline (80), Ray Liotta (60), Karrie Webb (40).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – The Bowl season now begins, 39 games to bring the true meaning of the holiday season to your HD flat screen. Saturday 12/20, 3:30 PM ET, ABC: the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, #22 Utah Utes (8-4) vs. Colorado State Marijuanas (10-2). We like the Utes over the Marijuana’s 35 – 28.     Season to date (9-7)

SMALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – D-III Playoffs, Finals: The Alonzo Stagg Bowl - #1 University of Wisconsin Whitewater Warhawks (14-0) vs. #3 Mount Union University Purple Raiders (14-0). It won’t be close Mount Union 42 Warhawks 24. Season to date (7-7)

NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Sunday 12/21, 8:30 PM ET, NBC; Seattle Seahawks (10-4) at Arizona Cardinals (11-3), the battle for the NFC West, Hawks beat the Cardinals 21 – 17.   Season to date (10-5)

THE SWAMI’S WEEK TOP PICKS –

(NFL, Dec. 21) Kansas City Chiefs (8-6) 17 at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) 28.

(NHL, Dec. 20) Tampa Bay Lightning (19-9-3) 3 at New York Islander (20-10-0) 2

Season to date (76 - 65)

MARKET WEEK - Born in March 2009, today’s bull market is the fourth longest in history -- and it isn’t about to end, despite last week’s shellacking. That’s the word from Wall Street’s top strategists, who expect the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index to rise 10% in 2015.

DRIVING THE WEEK –  Senate back to take up the nominations freed up by Sen. Ted Cruz and Mike Lee’s (unsuccessful) gambit to try to slow the cromnibus and get a symbolic vote on Obama’s immigration moves (which failed badly) … President Obama today heads to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey “to deliver remarks expressing gratitude to the troops for their service and sacrifice” … Industrial production today at 9:15 a.m. expected to grow by 0.7% with capacity use at 79.4% … NAHB housing index today at 10:00 a.m. expected to rise to 59 from 58 … Consumer prices on Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. expected to drop 0.1% headline and rise 0.1% core … FOMC announcement at 2:00 p.m. expected to feature removal of “considerable time” language in statement on how long rates will stay below zero after QE fully rolls off … Yellen presser at 2:30 p.m. … Index of leading indicators at 10:00 a.m. Thursday expected to rise 0.6%.

Next week: Words of the month and last minute Christmas gift wishes.

Until Next Monday, Happy Hanukkah.

Claremont, CA

December 15, 2014

#V-34-244

CARTOON OF THE WEEK –  Dilbert by Scot Adams

Walkabouts

The holiday season is also the eating season; office parties, family gatherings, football games, and general relaxation give way to gaining weight and poor health habits.

Cheryl Strayed’s 2012 novel “Wild” coming to movie theatres this holiday season is a story of a woman coming to the end of her emotional rope who sets off to hike the 1,000 mile Pacific Crest Trail. With all the attention focused on this movie about setting off into nature to cleanse one’s soul.  It came to mind another way to “feel good” over the holidays.

The hometown walkabout: many of us are so wrapped up in our jobs, families, social media, and general B.S., how about getting out this holiday season and walking around your hometown. Walk streets you never have walked. Visit neighborhoods, parks, memorials, monuments, shops in your hometown. Get to know where you live. You might be surprised.

Venture out and meet your neighbors, where I live we have many little city parks and neighborhoods that I have never visited. Enjoy the winter weather, walk the streets of your hometown. You never know what you will find. Just ask Cheryl Strayed.

STAR TREK - Speaking of walkabouts our NASA space agency this past week tested out America’s new vehicle for space travel.

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is a spacecraft intended to carry a crew of up to four astronauts to destinations beyond-low Earth orbit.

Max speed: 20,000 mph (32,187 km/h)

Manufacturers: Astrium, Lockheed Martin

Current FY 2014 Orion Budget $2.7 billion.

Current FY 2014 NASA budget $17.7 billion.

HOLIDAY COOKIES – Peppermint Sugar Cookies

Makes: 52 to 60 servings

Prep 40 mins

Bake 6 mins to 10 mins

Cool 1 mins

Peppermint extract infuses these crisp, buttery cookies with holiday flavor. Choose between slice-and-bake swirls or candy-cane shape cookies.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

10 tablespoons butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Red gel paste food coloring

Red decorating sugar (optional)

Directions

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat for 2 minutes on medium speed or until mixture is light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add egg and egg yolk; beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Beat in peppermint extract. Gradually add flour mixture beating on low speed just until combined.

Divide dough in half. Knead about 1/2 teaspoon gel paste food coloring into one of the dough portions (add more, if desired, for a deeper red color). Leave the remaining dough portion plain. If necessary, wrap and chill dough for at least 1 hour or until easy to handle.

Form dough into desired shape. For peppermint swirl cookies: Divide each red and plain dough portion in half for a total of four dough portions. Roll a red dough portion into an 8x6-inch rectangle on waxed paper. Pat or roll a plain dough portion into an 8x6-inch rectangle on waxed paper. Use the waxed paper and your hand to carefully invert the red dough rectangle on top of the plain dough rectangle; remove top layer of waxed paper. Starting from a long side, roll up dough using bottom layer of waxed paper to help lift and guide the roll. Pinch dough edges to seal; wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining red and plain doughs. Chill dough rolls for 1 to 2 hours or until dough is firm enough to slice. Unwrap dough rolls; reshape, if necessary. If desired, roll each of the dough rolls in red edible glitter or red coarse decorating sugar. Using a sharp, thin-bladed knife, slice rolls crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Rotate roll while cutting to prevent flattening. For candy cane cookies: For each cookie, on a lightly floured surface, shape a 1/2-inch ball of plain cookie dough into a 5-inch rope. Repeat with a 1/2-inch ball (1 measuring teaspoon) of red cookie dough. Place the ropes side by side and twist together. Form into a cane shape.

Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake in a 350 degrees F oven until edges are set (9 to 10 minutes for swirl cookies; 6 to 8 minutes for candy cane cookies). Cool on cookie sheets on wire rack for 1 minute. Transfer cookies to wire racks; cool.

COLLEGE CHRONICLES - COLLEGES CUT TIES WITH COSBY: Comedian Bill Cosby, facing numerous allegations of sexual assault, resigned from Temple University's Board of Trustees on Monday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. It's a seat Cosby has held since 1982. The resignation comes after a string of severed relationships with colleges and universities. For example, the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently cut ties with Cosby, who served as an honorary co-chair of UMass Amherst's capital campaign. But one college is still backing the embattled comedian: Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., where two of Cosby's daughters attended college and an endowed professorship is named after both Cosby parents.

ROLLIN' IN THE DOUGH: Football and men's basketball coaches get all the attention for extravagant salaries, but many private college presidents aren't doing too badly, either. Three dozen of them made a million bucks or more in 2012, The Chronicle of Higher Education reports in its annual analysis. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Shirley Ann Jackson tops the list; she brought in more than $7 million. The heads of Quinnipiac and Columbia universities both made more than $3 million, and the University of Pennsylvania president brought in nearly $2.5 million. Charles R. Middleton of Roosevelt University rounds out the top five with $1.7 million. The median salary, though, was a measly $400,000 - though that is up 2.5 percent from 2011. See the full list here: http://bit.ly/1oGj0kR

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to: Dick Butkus (72), Judi Dench (80), Kirk Douglas (98), Bobby Flay (50), Laurie Hill …Michigan State and Alpena, Tom Kite (65), Bill Nighy (65).

PAY TV -  You're Not Watching Sports Without Cable TV: U.S. sports fans are pretty much required to get pay TV, in large part because ESPN, the country's most powerful cable channel, has locked up the rights to the biggest sports leagues and events - or at least a portion of them - usually for a decade or more. A handy chart from MoffettNathanson analyst Michael Nathanson ... spells this out quite clearly ... Nathanson figures ESPN will pay $3.8 billion for those games this year, and $5.1 billion by 2017." With the graphic: http://on.recode.net/1ty7Vki

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – Saturday 12/13, 3:00 PM ET, CBS: Navy Midshipmen (6-5) vs. Army Black Knights (4-7). Another college football season comes to a regular season end with Navy cruising over the Cadets, 42 – 20.  Season to date (8-7)

SMALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – D-III Playoffs, Semi Finals, Saturday 12/13, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN3: #10 Linfield Wildcats (11-1) at #1 University of Wisconsin Whitewater Warhawks (13-0).  A blow out in cheese country, Warhawks 42 Wildcats 14.  Season to date (6-7)

NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Sunday 12/14, 1:00 PM ET, CBS: Miami Dolphins (7-6) at New England Patriots (10-3), last gasp for the fish, I don’t think so: Pats 28 Dolphins 17.   Season to date (9-5)

THE SWAMI’S WEEK TOP PICKS –

(NFL, Dec. 14) Denver Broncos (10-3) 24 at San Diego Chargers (8-5) 27

(NCAA hockey, Dec. 13) #1 North Dakota (12-3-2) 3 at #11 University of Denver Pioneers (9-4) 4

(NHL, Dec. 13) Detroit Red Wings (17-6-5) 3 at Toronto Maple Leafs (14-9-3) 2

Season to date (76 - 62)

MARKET WEEK – The Dow is now within less than 90 points of 18,000 following its 33rd record close of 2014, while the S&P comes off its 48th record finish of the year.

Oil prices fell to a five-year low on Monday, after Morgan Stanley cut its 2015 forecast for Brent crude, citing oversupply. This is not a great time to be an oil producer. Extending a slide that began in June, crude prices have fallen by more than a third, and it's not clear how much lower they're heading. The drop has taken a multibillion-dollar bite out of the world economies that depend heavily on oil production. It's also created a windfall for countries, companies and consumers that use all that oil.

The Mighty Dollar: Currencies across the globe are tumbling against the U.S dollar, resulting in a widening gap between the expanding U.S. economy and struggling countries in Europe and Asia. Our story looks at how a surging greenback and falling commodities prices are delivering a windfall to American shoppers and confounding central bankers who are considering—or have already introduced—drastic measures. The fall in the price of oil, however, is reducing the effectiveness of provisions aimed at raising consumer prices. At the same time, Saudi Arabia now believes oil prices could stabilize at around $60 a barrel, according to people familiar with the situation. Meanwhile, the Bank of Russia acknowledged this morning that the tumbling ruble is posing a risk to financial stability, and President Vladimir Putin told lawmakers that the time has come to push back against the “speculative attack” on the currency. We note also that the euro has fallen to a fresh two-year low against the dollar.

DRIVING THE WEEK – –  Congress will likely pass a spending bill to avoid a shutdown on Thursday but there could be some seasick moments between now and then (more below) ... President Obama this morning hosts England's Price William ... Obama Monday afternoon tapes an interview for the Colbert Report at George Washington University ... NFIB small business survey on Tuesday at 7:30 a.m. expected to rise to 96.5 from 96.1 ... JOLTS survey on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. expected to show openings up to 4770K from 4735K ... Retail sales at 8:30 a.m. Thursday expected to rise 0.4 percent headline and 0.1 percent ex-autos ... Producer prices at 8:30 a.m. Friday expected to dip 0.1 percent headline and rise 0.1 percent core ... University of Michigan sentiment Friday at 9:55 a.m. expected to rise to 89.5 from 88.8 .

Next week: Holiday movies and holiday parties – The Horror

Until Next Monday, Adios.

Claremont, CA

December 8, 2014

#V-33-243

CARTOON OF THE WEEK –  Zachary Kanin

'Tis The Season

What can say the holiday better than semester final examinations week. That time (in most colleges, December 8-12) when higher education is at its' very best. The all nighter fueled by “Red Bull”, coffee, and other substances we care not know about. The prior fifteen weeks of classes skipped, spent texting in, and generally blown off, now pay off with panic, twenty plus hours of cramming and stress. Those were the days...now as an Exam giver I take heart as I see students stumble in to spend those two plus hours red eyed, ashen faced, and looking horribly perplexed. Nothing says the holidays like sheer panic on students' faces during examination week... Ho, ho, ho!

HOLIDAY FILMS FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE HOLIDAY FILMS – Holiday movies, you know what that means. The annual viewing of “It's a Wonderful Life”, perhaps a drive-by sighting of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. And, whether it be via school play, a high numbered cable station, or Blu-ray, the inevitable encounter with “A Christmas Carol” (1935, 1938, 1951-my favorite, 1970, 1992, 1997, 2001, and 2009 editions).

How about other movies set during the holidays but a lot more fun to watch:

“Lethal Weapon” - Most Holiday films do not have suicide as a recurring theme, if you can put aside Mel Gibson's later exploits, this remains an essential non-Christmas themed holiday adventure.

“Gremlins” - Lest we forget the pet mogwai who spawned an army of little monsters was given as a Christmas gift. This horror-comic classic, the holiday season serves as a colorful background to the mad little critters.

“Love Actually” - A staple of all that represents a “date flick”, love during the holidays with a top-notch cast – Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson (after he proposed to Brooke Shields), Keira Knightley and Bill Nighy, who steals the movie as the aging rock star.

“Die Hard” - My personal non-Christmas themed holiday action movie favorite. Bruce Willis becomes a movie star in this action adventure of contrasts between Santa and terrorists.

BITCHY RESTING FACE: Do you know of one? - One of the typical highlights of the holiday season or any season, especially in the workplace is Bitchy Resting Face. http://youtu.be/3v98CPXNiSk

Becoming an increasing common trait in society: Those individuals who are constantly looking angry or irritated. You know who they are: the Office Manager, the ex-boyfriend, the so called marketing professional who now is a so called video instructor, the political science Department Chair. They might be normal people (a stretch) but they constantly are looking upset and generally p _ _ _ ed off.

DEAR RINK RATS (Holiday version) -

In line this past weekend at Starbucks for my usual drip coffee, the woman in front of me ordered a Peppermint Mocha. The clerk said, “I'm sorry, we're out of Peppermint Mocha at the moment.” She ordered something else. The clerk added, “Here's a certificate for a complimentary drink the next time you come.” When it was my turn, I ordered a Peppermint Mocha. Was this ethical?

Signed,

U.S.C. Law School Grad '94

Dear U.S.C. Law School Grad '94:

No it is not ethical. You're a liar, a low-rent con artist, and a Richard Nixon Republican. And you live in a community where Peppermint Mocha beverages are way to popular.

Signed,

Rink Rats

COLLEGE CHRONICLES - As protesters across the University of California system continue their fight against a controversial tuition hike, advocates are accelerating their push to keep the other costs of college - books and living expenses - affordable for low-income students. The state's new College Access Tax Fund has only been open for a month, but the year-end deadline for 2014 contributions is fast-approaching. This year, individuals and companies that donate to the fund will get more than 60 percent of their money back through state tax credits and a federal charitable deduction. (The state tax credit will decline gradually in the next two years, before legislators decide in 2017 whether to continue the program.) California will use the donated cash to expand the Cal Grant B for low-income students, covering books, transportation and other living expenses.

Depending on how much money comes in, students could receive up to $5,000 annually, more than triple the current maximum of $1,648 per student. More than 200,000 students annually access the awards, California Student Aid Commission spokeswoman Patti Colston told Morning Education. Groups like the Campaign for College Opportunity hope to spread the word as much in possible in the coming weeks to maximize the award money. There's still nearly $500 million worth of tax credits available: http://bit.ly/11roWFu

OBAMA DUMPS HAGEL - “When President Obama first summoned Chuck Hagel to the Oval Office in October [to get the Defense secretary's take on what the next two years would look like for the Pentagon and national security], he wanted to know how his Pentagon chief planned to cope with ... the Islamic State ... But after several lackluster, low-energy sessions, Obama was so unimpressed ... that he decided Hagel 'just wasn't the man for the job,' according to a senior administration official. That set in motion the decision that led to Hagel's decorous dumping on Monday by a president who almost never fires anybody ...”

"Hagel, a heavy-lidded former Republican senator from Nebraska, ... freely acknowledged his own shortcomings in at least three meetings with Obama. He had signed on to preside over the end of ... wars ... Now, Hagel reckoned, he wasn't the kind of gung-ho, wartime consigliore Obama needed as he recalibrates his national security strategy to deal with a new round of conflict in the Middle East. ... White House chief of staff Denis McDonough has groused about Hagel's inability to control the Pentagon brass ... believing the Pentagon had been the source of ... leaks over expanding the war in Iraq and Syria intended to narrow Obama's policy options. ...”

“Appearing in a half-empty State Dining Room-with only pool reporters and cameras present-a grim Obama and Hagel delivered stilted statements under the scowling visage of Vice President Joe Biden, a close friend of Hagel's who was 'ticked off' at the way his former Senate colleague was treated by the White House, according to an administration official.

NEXT YEAR'S NEWS -- The coming wave of anti-abortion laws: New GOP state legislatures will make access to abortion harder than ever: GOP victories in the statehouses and governor's mansions ... are priming the ground for another round of legal restrictions on abortion [including action in Ark., W.Va. and Tenn.]. Abortion rights advocates have had setbacks in the states for several years, with a surge of legislative activity since 2011. Women seeking abortions may face mandatory waiting periods or ultrasound requirements. Clinics may face stricter building codes or hospital admitting privilege rules they can't satisfy. Dozens of clinics have shut down in multiple states. Texas ... has fewer than 10 abortion clinics now. A year ago, it had 40.

Republicans [will] hold two-thirds of the state legislative bodies, after winning control of 11 more chambers. They [will] completely control the legislature in more than half the states, adding Nevada, New Hampshire and West Virginia ... And they gained two more governor's seats, so they will hold 31 next year. Republican leaders who will control the U.S. Senate come January say they want to take up abortion this year, perhaps on a House-passed bill that would limit the procedure after 20 weeks. But ... Senate Republicans will still fall a few votes shy of the 60 needed.

HOW THEY JERRY BROWN DID IT -- Democrats' 'Dr. Death' team can't lose - for now: It might have been the neatest political trick of this election season - Gov. Jerry Brown's 'non-campaign' for a historic fourth term that wasn't really a non-campaign at all, yet managed to hide all the trappings of a traditional political run. From Brown's TV spots for a pair of Mom-and-apple-pie ballot measures to his lone, low-key debate with Republican opponent Neel Kashkari, the plan by a team of veteran San Francisco strategists [Sean Clegg, Dan Newman, and Ace Smith] was to push the governor as 'the reasonable father figure' rising above the divisive politics that engulfed the rest of the nation.

CAPITOL HILL - U.S. lawmakers returning to Capitol Hill today will have less than two weeks to figure out how to keep the government funded amid a bitter fight between Republicans and the White House over immigration. The party leaders, vowing to avoid a repeat of last fall’s partial government shutdown, want to dispatch lingering 2014 business so that they can start the new year showing they can pass Republican-leaning legislation. However, it is unclear what they will do to satisfy conservatives who want to express their anger over President Barack Obama’s decision to shield millions of illegal immigrants from deportation through executive action.

BIRTHDAYS THIS WEEK – Birthday wishes and thoughts this week to: Jeff Bridges (65), Little Richard (82), Aaron Rodgers (31), Britney Spears (33), Marisa Tomei (50), Lee Trevino (75), Katarina Witt (49).

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – Saturday 12/6, 8:17 PM ET Fox; Big Fourteen Championship game, #14 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2) vs. #6 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1). The last time we hear from the Big Fourteen this season, Wisconsin 32 Buckeyes 21. Season to date (8-6)

SMALL COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICK OF THE WEEK – D-III Playoffs, Quarterfinals: Saturday 12/6 12:00 PM ET, ESPNU; #9 Hobart Statesmen (12-0) at #4 Wesley Wolverines (11-1). The magical season for Hobart ends in Dover, Delaware; Wesley 28 Hobart 14. Season to date (6-6)

NFL PICK OF THE WEEK – Sunday 12/7, 1:00 PM ET CBS; Pittsburgh Steelers (7-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1). The last we hear from the Steelers for this season, Bengals 42 Steelers 21. Season to date (9-4)

THE SWAMI’S WEEK TOP PICKS –

(NCAA, Dec. 5) #11 Arizona Wildcats (10-2) 28 vs. #2 Oregon Ducks (11-1) 45

(NFL, Dec. 7) New England Patriots (9-3) 24 at San Diego Chargers (8-4) 21

(NCAA hockey, Dec. 6) Clarkson Golden Knights (5-7-4) 2 at St. Lawrence Saints (8-5-1) 5

(NHL, Dec. 6) Chicago Blackhawks (15-8-1) 4 at Nashville Predators (16-5-2) 2

Season to date (73 - 61)

MARKET WEEK – Commodities are firmly in control of global markets this morning, with a slump in metals and oil shaking up assets and currencies around the world. The price of Brent crude has continued its slide, and the Russian ruble slumped to a fresh all-time low. Gold and silver prices also tumbled in Asian trade and Moody’s downgraded Japan’s government debt rating, citing uncertainty over the country’s deficit reduction. Meanwhile, portfolio managers are bracing themselves for unruly trading ahead of an expected U.S. Federal Reserve rate increase in 2015. “Liquidity is like oxygen,” said one money manager. “You take it for granted when it’s there, and when it’s not, things quickly die.” Still, there is no certainty that the Fed will raise interest rates in 2015.

Retailers are hoping for a better Cyber Monday. Sales on Thanksgiving and Black Friday fell 0.5 percent, while spending for the four-day weekend was seen dropping 11 percent.

DRIVING THE WEEK – Big week for economic data with the biggest news coming Friday with the November jobs report which is expected to show a gain of 225K with no change to the 5.8 percent unemployment rate and 0.2 percent increase in wages ... President Obama meets with his Cabinet this afternoon "to discuss federal programs and funding that provide equipment to state and local law enforcement agencies" and will "sit down with young local and national civil rights leaders in the Oval Office ... Congress returns to DC with just 10 days until the CR funding the government runs out. Latest idea is to pass a long-term funding measure for all of the government except immigration enforcement agencies (including DHS), which would get only a short-term extension into early next year. But expect multiple changes to the plan between now and when the clock runs out. Likelihood is still no shutdown but no one really knows how it's going to shake out and taking bets on House GOP action is a fool's game ... There's also TRIA and tax extenders to deal with so it's going to be an interesting final two weeks of the lame duck ... ISM manufacturing today at 10:00 a.m. expected to dip to 57.8 from 59.0 ... Construction spending at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday expected to rise 0.6 percent ... ADP employment on Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. expected to show a gain of 222K ... ISM non-manufacturing at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday expected to rise to 57.5 from 57.1 ... Int'l trade at 8:30 a.m. Friday expected to show a deficit of $41B ... Factory orders at 10:00 a.m. Friday expected to dip 0.2 percent ... Consumer credit at 3:00 p.m. Friday expected to expand by $16.4B.

Next week: Holiday movies, holiday travel, holiday food.

Until Next Monday, Adios.

Jackson, Michigan

December 1, 2014

#V-33, 242

CARTOON OF THE WEEK – New Yorker, M.S. Bevens