Kids in Fantasy Football
Really fun story about kids in fantasy football leagues from Rob the Ranter:


We have kids in our fantasy baseball and football league. They do a really great job, and we have a blast. I'd point you to our league so you can see, but stupid Yahoo will only let members see it. Now, why Yahoo wants to prevent people from seeing the stupid ads that support all this stuff in the first place, I don't know. It's a brain twizzler.

I'd thank Rob T for his contribution, but I can't. I'm actually in the midst of a blogger blood feud with Rob T because he recently referred to "Leaving Las Vegas" as a "decent" film. Decent. Decent? I know I should defer to Rob T (with Aurora, IL being the film capital of the free world and all), but LLV is better than decent. One of the best metaphors for addiction, fun story, great performances, and Elizabeth Shue putting out for you. Decent! Dang. I demand retribution!

He he.
Why do I think I'm so funny... when I know I'm not.
Oh yeah , self-delusion.
Forgot.

Investing in China
One of my favorite investing blogs is the Mad Hedge Fund Trader. I don't always agree with the guy, but he's rational and reasonable... a hurdle many of these blogs cannot, um, hurdle.

Here's an interesting post on China/Asia: Mad Hedge Fund Trader

Stuff I liked from the post:

1. We are still far ahead of China... "Power is not shifting from West to East; Asia is just lifting itself off the mat, with per capita GDP only at $5,800, compared to $48,000 in the US."
   
2. Future global power will be more diffuse... "We are simply moving from a unipolar to a multipolar world. China is not going to dominate the world, or even Asia, where there is a long history of regional rivalries and wars. China can’t even control China, where recessions lead to revolutions, and 30% of the country, Tibet and the Uighurs, want to secede."
3. We need a new model/relationship with China longer-term... "All of Asia’s progress to date has been built on selling to the US market. Take us out, and they’re nowhere. With enormous resource, environmental, and demographic challenges constraining growth, Asia is not replacing the US anytime soon."
4. China's system is still in its infancy... "There is no miracle form of Asian capitalism; impoverished, younger populations are simply forced to save more because there is no social safety net. Ever heard of a Chinese unemployment office?"
5. The media sucks (he he)... "The press often touts the 600,000 engineers that China graduates, joined by 350,000 in India. In fact, 90% of these are only educated to a trade school standard. Asia only has one world class school, the University of Tokyo."
   

In my lifetime, this is the third narrative foreboding the end of the United States... the first two were Russia and Japan. So now, China and Asia are gong to kick our ass. Maybe. Could be. But I'm betting on the USA until we stop competing... not because we are competing. Make sense?

Investing in China and all emerging markets is the place to be, but it's neck-wrenching volatile... up and down 10% in a flash.

I'll leave you with QOTD from that post.

QOTD

"As much as we despise ourselves and wallow in our failures, Asians see us as a bright, shining example for the world. After all, it was our open trade policies and innovation that lifted them out of poverty and destitution. Walk the streets of China, as I have done for nearly four decades, and you feel this."
- Mad Hedge Fund Trader, source

A bright shining example for the world... Yup.
usa... yow, bill

PS - Our bikini lead over China remains formidable... as evidenced by Miss China over there. She's got my runner tan with the half-tanned legs. Dop.

PPS - Add this one to your favorites or delicious or whatever. I didn't go this year, but next? Maybe with Rob T if we're ever on speaking terms again. He he. Dammit. LOL.

Labels: fun, investing, myphoto, politics, qotd