TPS

Ok, I have 6 coupons that are good for 9 holes each. I'll probably walk, as it's the only exercise I get...

I think it's even more complicated than simply blaming regulations, government and unions. Deindustrialization doesn't begin until the 1970s, so there's an historical context. But that's a much longer story about US dominance and decline, complacent management, recalcitrant unions, etc. Why do foreign companies move production to the US if regulations, government, etc are so onerous? For US corps outsourcing, there are myriad reasons, but the dominant one is to reduce the largest component of costs--wages. You can blame union wages, but would you expect workers in the US to go from $20+/hr to $20/day to compete? More recently, a lot of the moves by MNCs in general has to do with reducing exchange rate risk. Japan's auto industry got clobbered in the late 1980s as the dollar collapsed after its 1985 peak. As for cause and effect, I did not say finance is the cause, rather it's the accelerator. There are a lot of firms that stuck it out and fought back. Cummins Engine for example. There are a lot of firms that were going to "cash it in" but were converted to ESOPs. In these cases, the firms are not subject to the myopia of short term profits dictated by "the markets"....

The Bills come out sluggish in the first half, thinking they are as good as last week's score. The Raiders take a pounding to the Bills early. The game slowly turns, as the Bills scratch back into the game in the second half. Trailing by 2 with 2:22 to play in the 4th, a fumble recovery gives the Bills possession on their own 22 yard line. Fitz leads a drive to the Raider 27 yard line yard line, and Lindell hits the last second 44 yard FG.

Dude, I made a generalization about the tendency for asset bubbles to emerge more frequently based on several broad factors. While not explicit, the point made is that the focus on short term profitability means taking the easy way out(sourcing). Yes, the cost of doing business (all costs) is higher in the US, and it's easier to "join them" (there) than fight them here. Fighting them here (becoming more competitive) requires a long term focus. Given the outsourcing of production, there are fewer tangible assets to "invest in" domestically. Rising inequality means a greater source of funds for finance, as the top saves more. What to "invest in"? Internet stocks, deregulated energy companies (that falsified their books to increase paper profits and stocks prices), housing, "default bets" on bonds of private companies or sovereign nations, emerging markets, commodities.... So you are fine with China creating an unfair competitive advantage vis-a-vis the US by keeping the yuan artificially pegged (low) against the $?

No way. I want McGee in (if he IS healthy) when the Bills play their wild card game! yeah baby!

Here ya go: My link

There's a brief analysis (using video tape of the game i assume) of Merriman's play in the KC game on the Rumbling's site. In particular, Galliford talks about how Merriman was strong against the run, and how he was able to disengage blockers and set the edge. There's been a lot of debate here about the extent of the improvement of the running game based on a few big gains and the lack of runs by the chiefs. As I've stated in several of those posts, Carrington was the RDE on the first two big runs, the first by Charles the second Dexter M. Carrington failed to disengage his single blocker on both of those runs. Conclusions: 1. A healthy Merriman not only helps the pass rush, but more importantly helps the running game. Merriman himself talked about his off season MMA workouts that helped him with his hand-fighting techniques. 2. Carrington needs to improve significantly in this area of his game. I sure hope Merriman stays healthy... Go Bills!

As an optimist, I was certainly worried too. KC seemed to finally be generating a little offense in the second quarter. The fact that the Bills' offense excelled for two halves was amazing! As someone who participates in the Yahoo pro pickem, it "seems" for the majority of games that whoever leads at the half, loses it in the second half. Especially if I've picked that team... I think RM's reaction stems from the past 10+ years. The Bills looked good in game one, so let's enjoy and hope it continues, then you can roast the media. But now is a bit premature.

Thanks for posting Scott. From a TBS old-timer's perspective, despite our many differences, it was and still is one big Bills' family. Condolences Lori.

Yes, good article, but he's a little rusty or weak on his math.... 4-2, does not make 75%...

Excellent! Glad to see a little more detail on those "controversial" (much debate here about the extent of the D's improvement) big runs. I attributed them to Carrington's inexperience. From my "untrained eye," it looks like he has difficulty disengaging from blockers. Seems he needs to work on improving his hand "defense." Appreciate the detail on the O-line too. I think it's possible we'll see Hairston at RT at some point this season? Go Bills!

Holy crap, 58! Was that a course record? On the bright side, I have 2 coupons confirmed, and 2 more "in the mail." If you play 9, it's covered; otherwise, you pay for the second 9 only. As of now, I think I can only play 9. Given that I am going to Pearl Jam Thursday and the game Sunday, the wife is giving me the evil eye. Fortunately, it's all in the name of birthday week, though it's next week...

Nice piece. It's never so simple as "Obama (or Bush) sucks." I like the line "we need to re-learn how to make things in this country." For 30 years the US pursued the "race to the bottom" strategy, moving production to low wage countries. As the financial sector came to dominate industrial interests, the process quickened, as finance is all about short term profits. Given the short-term focus, fewer real assets to finance (we're a service-based economy), and rising inequality, the economy is more prone to bubbles. There is hope in that the lower dollar is creating a competitive advantage for many US firms. However, it's time to put tariffs on Chinese goods, especially if they won't let their currency float.

I wonder if they can expand rosters by 25 million for a day?

Ditto

The first run by Charles for 22yds came on first and ten just after the Bills scored their second TD, with just under a minute in Q1. I really don't know who else was on the line for that one, as I only saw AC not contain (the edge). I'd be interested in that breakdown. As for Dexter's big run later, AC did force it inside, and the LBs had to make that play (but didn't), as someone else suggested.

In case I wasn't clear, not for individuals, but businesses.

I think I've said on more than one occasion that we should restore the top rate from the Bush cuts. Also, I think we should stop pretending to have different taxes that support different programs, especially on business side of taxation--lump the business income and payroll taxes into a VAT.

As I posted in the other thread, he was playing RDE in place of Merriman from what I saw. The run was "left end" from KC's perspective, against our RDE. Again, I hope someone taped it to provide more detail. There were two big run plays when Carrington was at RDE in the first half. He looked to have difficulty disengaging from his single blocker both times.

I posted this in another thread. The two longest runs came when Carrington was playing down at RDE (the runs went to his side). If someone looks at the film maybe they can add more, but it looked like Carrington failed to set the edge on the first one (or possibley was held?), and on the second was pushed out of the way as dexter ran between the G-T. I believe Barnett almost got him, but got caught between players. These two runs could be the result of Carrington's inexperience? Maybe with Merriman in, the results would've been different on thsoe two plays? Either way, the run D was significantly better, and will continue to get better.

Money may have factored into it, but it was one of several factors, and probably doesn't top the list. Here's a list of possible factors: - One-dimensional outside receiver who doesn't fit the profile for Gailey's offense - Never "clicked" with Fitz - Money - A couple of younger guys (Jones and Easley) ready to take the next step I'm sure there are more.

Wasn't predicting, rather saying I'd like to see it happen. They lost a lot of close ones last year because they couldn't finish. I'd like to see them close the deal on a close one at home.

No. You can put me in the Buffett camp on this one...

The point is that you don't pursue "austerity" measures when the economy is bordering on a double-dip recession. You worry about "fixing" the deficit after you've helped push the economy toward recovery. There are a lot of good ideas mentioned in BO's speech that will hopefully be passed. Once the economy gains serious momentum, and unemployment gets closer to 6%, a majority of the deficit gap will be "closed." That's when you start working on the long term issues and fixes. No one advocates the caricature that you paint.

Staying on the field, and getting off the field, something the Bills stunk at last year, but did well yesterday: Bills 50% KC 23% Add the excellent red zone performance, and good things start happening.