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  1. MarkB

    Farewell Somersoft, and thank you

    Below is a picture of the Apollo XIII Lunar Module (callsign: "Aquarius") which was designed to land on the moon, but (as we all know) it never did, hence it still has the feet. It instead became a life-raft for three astronauts stuck 380,000 km's away in space. It got them as far as it...
  2. MarkB

    End of an Era

    At various points in time, I have been addicted to this forum, somewhat estranged from it, ignored it, helped make it better, unquestionably also made it worse... I've trolled, I've baited, I've been trolled and been baited, I've argued, I've laughed, I've swore...... But I met my wife in...
  3. MarkB

    2016 US Presidential Election

    I don't see them as an issue for the following reasons. Firstly, I think depriving someone of their birthright to run for President would likely infringe on a fundamental right of natural born US citizens. The country where anyone can be President - well except those who happen to be a close...
  4. MarkB

    Is there a way for landlords to join forces and boycott kmart?

    So who are these students of yours? Internationals from even warmer climes than Brisbane?
  5. MarkB

    2016 US Presidential Election

    He's listed among those "Formally exploring a candidacy" for the GOP side (see link in Post #1).
  6. MarkB

    2016 US Presidential Election

    You are also required to have been a permanent resident in the US for at least 14 years.
  7. MarkB

    2016 US Presidential Election

    I think in days past people did put a lot of their own money into campaigns.... the Kennedy's certainly did. Ross Perot is another that comes to mind. But realistically you don't fund high-9-figure campaigns (if not 10 figures this time around) out of your own pocket - you rely on OPM.
  8. MarkB

    2016 US Presidential Election

    18 months or so out and this is already getting very interesting. This is a list of current Democratic Party nominations. Lincoln Chafee (fmr Governor of Rhode Island) Hillary Clinton (Mrs #42, fmr Senator for New York, fmr Secretary of State) Martin O'Malley (fmr Governor of Maryland) Bernie...
  9. MarkB

    Cotton-wool parenting

    These idiots did row - a court injunction forced the school's hand. But they didn't win national selection in any event. Apparently two of the schools rowing coaches resigned in protest at (what they considered to be) the school's heavy handed approach - since they wanted the boys to row...
  10. MarkB

    RBA to cut another 1%?

    Minutes of the Monetary Policy Meeting of the Reserve Bank Board Considerations for Monetary Policy Members noted that information becoming available over the past month had not led to any material change to the global outlook, which was for growth of Australia's major trading partners to...
  11. MarkB

    RBA to cut another 1%?

    fixed that for you. And I think my interest rate forecasting record on SS is pretty **** tbh. Most of economics is a matter of perspective imo.
  12. MarkB

    Anyone remember the days before the property boom?

    This isn't Byron, but as recently as the mid 1990's $150k would have bought you the land that the original Ramada hotel in Ballina was built on - about 1/2 acre (or so) by the Richmond River. It used to be a boat dealer (tinnies, etc) The development is now called Riverside Holiday apartments...
  13. MarkB

    HECS debt and death.

    This is what happens when too many people go to university - but I don't blame the students, the system is broken (it dates back to the time of the Dawkins reforms). My understanding is that most of the debt that is unlikely to ever be recovered is simply because people won't reach the...
  14. MarkB

    Starting my building co. Looking for advice or mentor!

    What Dave wrote should be taped to the back of the clipboard that every tradie carries when they do a quote (those decent enough to turn up, that is).
  15. MarkB

    RBA to cut another 1%?

    Sure, but what he says and what he forecasts are two different things. From our perspective, both the June statement and May minutes carry a similar message ? that the Board sees itself as having the flexibility to further cut rates if the circumstances require action but is making no...
  16. MarkB

    RBA to cut another 1%?

    Some would disagree. Treasury boss John Fraser fears about investment in housing, points to home renovation shows "When you look at the housing price bubble evidence, it's unequivocally the case in Sydney, unequivocal," Mr Fraser told senators on Monday, at an estimates hearing. "It's...
  17. MarkB

    RBA to cut another 1%?

    Lets get the actual wording, which is a bit bigger than those two - The Reserve Bank Board sets interest rates so as to achieve the objectives set out in the Reserve Bank Act 1959 - the stability of the currency of Australia; the maintenance of full employment in Australia; and the economic...
  18. MarkB

    RBA to cut another 1%?

    Hi ULMM You've presented a range of pretty compelling information on why the RBA should cut the cash rate. So we seem to have The arguments for a rate cut? Capex falling - never a good leading indicator With the CPI at 1.3% (and could well fall), no issue there with a bit of stimulus Real...
  19. MarkB

    Calculating how long left to pay off HECS

    This is rough (I haven't even yet bothered to make it zero properly), but it pretty much works (bearing in mind the simplicity of the assumptions).
  20. MarkB

    Kids Sport

    My memories of being coached as a kid.... That many of the parents took the game far more seriously than most the children did - that's what I remember. One story that sticks out concerns the U/14 cricket. The team I was in had been the best team all year - undefeated with victories...
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