The art of the con - lessons from the Cazique, or prince, of the land of Poyais

The conman who pulled off history’s most audacious scam

Excerpt:

Con artists have long recognised that persuasion must appeal to two very particular aspects of human motivation – the drive that will get people to do something, and the inertia that prevents them from wanting to do it. In 2003, two social psychologists, Eric Knowles at the University of Arkansas and Jay Linn at Widener University, formalised this idea by naming two types of persuasive tactics.

The first, alpha, was far more frequent: increasing the appeal of something. The second, omega, decreased the resistance surrounding something. In the one, you do what you can to make your proposition, whatever it may be, more attractive. You rev up the backstory – why this is such a wonderful opportunity, why you are the perfect person to do it, how much everyone will gain, and the like. In the other, you make a request or offer seem so easy as to be a no-brainer – why wouldn’t I do this? What do I have to lose?

They called the juxtaposition the approach-avoidance model of persuasion: you can convince me of something by making me want to approach it and decreasing any reasons I might have to avoid it. According to Columbia University psychologist Tory Higgins, people are usually more likely to be swayed by one or other of the two motivational lines: some people are promotion-focused (they think of possible positive gains), and some, prevention-focused (they focus on losses and avoiding mistakes). An approach that unites the alpha with the omega appeals to both mindsets, however, giving it universal appeal – and it is easy to see how MacGregor’s proposition offered this potent combination.

He published interviews in national papers, for instance, touting the perks that would come from investing or settling in Poyais. He highlighted the bravery and fortitude that such a gesture would demonstrate: you wouldn’t just be smart; you would be a real man. The Scottish Highlanders were known for their hardiness and adventurous spirit, he wrote; Poyais would be the ultimate testing ground, a challenge and gift, all in one. He pointed those who needed more convincing to a book on the virtues of the small island nation, by the elusive Thomas Strangeways (actually MacGregor himself). His prospectuses enticed the public with their masterful promises, their lure of opportunity, their appeal to scarcity, their admonitions not to let this perfect moment pass by.

..... Psychologist Robert Cialdini, one of the leading experts on persuasion, argues that six principles govern most persuasive relationships:

1. reciprocity (I rub your back, you rub mine)
2. consistency (I believe the same thing today as I did yesterday)
3. social validation (doing this will make me belong)
4. friendship or liking (exactly what it sounds like)
5. scarcity (quick! there isn’t much to go around)
6. authority (you seem like you know what you’re talking about). Consider how many of those MacGregor used instinctively.

1. Reciprocity: you invest with me, and I give you the opportunity of a lifetime – a life so wonderful that no one else can give you something comparable.
2. Social validation: you will be the most Scottish of Scotsmen, the most respected of people, a pioneer and role model.
3. Scarcity: act now, for this is not an opening that will remain. If Scotland doesn’t sweep Poyais up, someone else will – and there goes the nation’s one chance at colonial greatness.
4. Authority: Dr. Strangeways surely knows that of which he speaks. If you don’t trust me, then at least trust him – though why wouldn’t you trust me? After all, I’ve published in the best media of the time.

Comment: Wiki article . All images from the Wiki article except the graph below. Source.

Investing circa 1843

What ‘Panic’ Meant to Investors 143 Years Ago

Excerpt:

You can see how an earlier era of investors thought of the term in this engraving, by the illustrator Frank Bellew for the cover of the Sept. 29, 1873, edition of The Daily Graphic, titled “Panic, as a Health Officer, Sweeping the Garbage Out of Wall Street.”

“Panic” appears to be dressed in rags, but in fact Mr. Bellew has portrayed him wearing breeches and a jerkin, or rough shirt, made of goat skin — an obvious reference to the Greek god. (This sculpture, from the 1st century A.D., shows how common that imagery was.) The garbage that Panic is sweeping out of Wall Street consists mainly of strips of ticker tape bearing such descriptions as “ROTTEN RAILWAYS,” “SHAKY BANKS” and “BOGUS BROKERS.” A few squawking ducks, one hobbling to the left between Panic’s feet, are trying to escape the wreckage — symbolizing the old Wall Street term “lame ducks,” or traders who bought stock with borrowed money they can no longer afford to pay back.

... In his unforgettable image, Mr. Bellew compares bad investments, and weak investors, to sources of disease. By spreading the fear that flushes out such “garbage” in the short term, panic ends up improving the hygiene of the market in the long term. That’s good for investors who have the staying power to outlast a panic — and bad for those who don’t.

Comment: Staying power ... a lesson from 1843. Image source.

Why I chose Laparoscopic Prostatectomy

Surgery day will be Wednesday March 2nd. I found these links very helpful:

• How is prostate cancer staged?: Me: PSA = 5.1; Gleason = 7; T1c
• Six different options available for the treatment of prostate cancer
• For newly diagnosed patients …
• Good FAQ site …
• Initial treatment of prostate cancer by stage
• Prostate brachytherapy
• Local Cyberknife: Allina health | Health East |
• Mayo Proton Therapy
• Treatment Comparison: Proton Therapy vs. CyberKnife
• Cyberknife Is Not Robotic Surgery Pro-surgery
• Robotic Surgery for Prostate Cancer

After careful consideration, the consultation with multiple individuals, and much reading (2 books plus much on the Internet (including the above):

• I personally interviewed three men who have received the diagnosis. One chose Cyberknife, another Proton Therapy, and another prostatectomy.
• Additionally we had a lot of 2nd hand testimonies that were in the form of "my brother's experience" or "my Father's experience", et cetera. Examples:
• Jim S's father had the prostatectomy
• Eric E's friend had the brachytherapy
• Roy W's brother had radiation
• We met with a radiologist oncologist to discuss options
• And yesterday morning we met with a surgeon
• Based on our research and knowing that every man (and his wife if he is married) must make the best choice for them, we  chose surgery
• I chose surgery because:
• Pathological staging is not done with radiation (while with surgery the removed prostate can be examined in the lab).
• Prostate surgery is often not an option after radiation  
• I believe that with my age (66 ½) and expected lifespan (my Mother is nearly 96), that surgery is the better option for me.
• Surgeons will be Nathan Hoffman and Daniel Zapzalka
• At Methodist Hospital
• Using the da Vinci Surgical System (image above)
• We are:
  • Trusting the Lord: 1 Peter 5:7, "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
  • Confident: Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ"
  • Optimistic: Romans 8:31, " If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"
• Prayers appreciated!

Robotic surgery may be something like this .... 

Why I bought Intuitive Surgical (ISRG)

Intuitive Surgical

Excerpt:

The idea of surgical robotics was little more than a curiosity until 1999, the year Intuitive Surgical introduced the da Vinci® Surgical System. Today, Intuitive Surgical is the global leader in the rapidly emerging field of robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery. 

Comment: I'm not exactly "all in" as I only bought 1 share! Not my normal type to stock to buy .... almost exclusively purchase dividend stocks. On March 2nd, two surgeons will use a da Vinci robot to remove my prostate. Some cool videos below:





More on the stock:

Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) is a Zacks Rank #1(Strong Buy) that designs, manufacturers and markets the da Vinci surgical systems and related instruments. The da Vinci surgical system, which operates in hospitals worldwide, is the primary driver for growth. The system can be best described as a robotic surgeon, controlled by a human operator, which enhances visualization and precision for that operator. Benefits for the patients include less pain, less blood loss, shorter hospital stay and quicker recover. Intuitive Surgical has a market cap of $21 Billion with a Forward PE of 32. The company has Zacks Style Score in Momentum of “A” and is sitting only a couple percentage points away from its 52-week highs. Last week’s earnings were impressive, causing the stock to head almost 5% higher before pulling back. The company reported Q4 revenue at $5.89 vs $5.01 expected, with revenue coming in at $677 Million vs the $617 Million expected. Da Vinci systems revenue was up 8% year over year, while service revenue was up 9% over the same period. Worldwide da Vinci procedures were up 15% year over year, showing the popularity and momentum of robotic surgery. EPS surprises are nothing new for the company, surprising to the upside six out of the last seven quarters. Estimates are also heading higher, with analyst revising numbers higher for 2016 and 2017. Intuitive has been a very volatile stock that has had issues in the past. One of these issues has been reoccurring lawsuits, which accused the surgical system to be flawed and cause health complications. Lawsuits are troublesome and risks to the stock, but investors are shrugging them off for now as the stock approaches all time highs.

Jollibee, a national treasure in the Philippines, comes to the US

Jollibee USA

Already 34 US locations

"The Thing" expresses how I feel about Cancer

Comment: That being ... "bring the flamethrower!". The Thing (1982): The film's title refers to its primary antagonist: a parasitic extraterrestrial lifeform that assimilates other organisms and in turn imitates them

Johnson Controls: Another Inversion Deal because of a failed Corporate Tax System

Johnson Controls, Tyco to Merge in Inversion Deal - Merger will place combined companies’ headquarters in Ireland, Tyco’s home

Excerpt:

Johnson Controls Inc. and Tyco International PLC agreed to merge, the companies said Monday, in a deal that will place the combined company’s headquarters in Ireland.

Under the terms of the agreement, Johnson Controls will own about 56% of the merged company. The new firm will be renamed Johnson Controls PLC and maintain Tyco’s Irish legal domicile. The companies said the merged entity would save at least $150 million a year on taxes and at least $500 million in costs over the first three years after the completion of the deal.

Johnson Controls Chief Executive Alex Molinaroli will lead the firm for 18 months after the tie-up is complete. After that term, Tyco CEO George Oliver will become CEO and Mr. Molinaroli will become executive chairman for a year, after which Mr. Oliver will become chairman and CEO.

So-called inversion deals, in which U.S.-based companies acquire foreign-based businesses to take advantage of the more favorable tax status, have popular—and controversial—in recent years.

Comment: Last year was Medtronic . Image source.

In this dismal market - are there still stocks to buy?

The market sell off that many anticipated has arrived and we are likely in for a rough ride for 2016. I am convinced that value investing is still a valid investing option. I look for companies that:

• Have a product or products that consumers will buy!
• Are earning income
• Have a solid track record even in difficult times.
• Have low or moderate P/E scores
• And pay a dividend

Here are a handful and why I like them:

• B&G Foods Inc. / Quote: BGS | Comment: My wife buys their products at the grocery. 4% yield.
• Diebold / Quote: DBD | Comment: Leader in banking technology. 4.5% yield.
• Edison International / Quote: EIX | Comment: CA electric utility. 3.2% yield.
• Royal Bank of Canada / Quote: RY | Comment: Stable money-center bank w 4.8% yield.
• Johnson & Johnson / Quote: JNJ | Comment: Stable dividend payer at 3% yield.

Image source. My own philosophy is to buy a stock that one can hold onto through market swings. If that company can be profitable and will distribute a dividend through tough days, it is a valuable investment. 

Brief thoughts on a cancer diagnosis

Background:

I've been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had an elevated PSA when I had my annual physical in late August. A follow on PSA test in late November was further elevated. I had a prostate biopsy last Monday (1/11) and received the results yesterday (1/18). I also had CAT scan yesterday. It is deemed an intermediate risk cancer with the recommendation to address the issue without waiting. I have 2 appointments upcoming next week: Monday with a radiologist who specializes in cancer. And then on Wednesday with a urologist surgeon. Based upon those meetings, we will be making a decision.

Comments:

• John Piper: Don't Waste Your Cancer is a helpful read.
• Prior to receiving the news yesterday, Kathee and I resolved to praise the Lord no matter what the diagnosis. The Biblical basis for this is found in Habakkuk 3:17-18, "Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
• Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible ... it was there yesterday and it is there today!
• I am confident that the Lord will accomplish His will in my life and in 46 years of being a Christian, He has never disappointed me!

The "End of the Spear" kerfuffle - 1 decade later

NYTimes: Evangelical Filmmakers Criticized for Hiring Gay Actor

Excerpt:

The film relates the true story of five American missionaries who were killed in 1956 by an indigenous tribe in Ecuador. The missionaries' families ultimately converted the tribe to Christianity, and forgave and befriended the killers. The tale inspired evangelicals 40 years ago with its message of redemption and grace, and the film company expected a similar reception.

On Jan. 12, though, the Rev. Jason Janz took the filmmakers to task for casting Chad Allen, an openly gay man and an activist, in the movie's lead role as one of the slain missionaries, and later, his grown son.

An assistant pastor at the independent Red Rocks Baptist Church in Denver, Mr. Janz posted his comments on his fundamentalist Christian Web site, sharperiron.org. He also asked the filmmakers to apologize for their choice.

The executives at Every Tribe stood by Mr. Allen. Jim Hanon, the director, said he was by far the best actor for the role. "If we make films according to what the Bible says is true, it's incumbent upon us to live that," he said. "We disagree with Chad about homosexuality, but we love him and worked with him, and we feel that's a Biblical position."

More than 100 pastors of churches across the country signed a letter drafted by Mr. Janz and addressed to Every Tribe expressing their disappointment in the casting of Mr. Allen.

Some evangelicals have boycotted the film, and Every Tribe's executives said that they had also turned over to the authorities material that they considered threatening.

"Does anyone really believe that Chad Allen was the best possible actor for Nate Saint?" Mr. Janz asked in his Jan. 12 Web log entry, referring to one of the characters in the movie. "That would be like Madonna playing the Virgin Mary."

After discussions with executives at Every Tribe, Mr. Janz wrote in an e-mail message that he had recently corrected a few assertions in his original posting and sent the corrections to his audience and members.

But Mr. Janz, who said he rarely weighed in on the culture wars, stood by his previous statement that "we must realize that the Christian message and the messenger are intricately related."

He wrote that Mr. Allen's homosexuality was not so much the problem as was his open activism for gay causes, and that if a drunk who "promoted drunkenness" had acted in the movie, "I'd be just as mad."

One Web log, nossobrii.blogspot.com, written by Kevin T. Bauder, president of Central Baptist Seminary in Minneapolis, stated in a Jan. 13 entry: "Granted, we must not overreact. And it would probably be an overreaction to firebomb these men's houses. But what they have done is no mistake. It is a calculated strategy."

Greg Clifford, chief operating officer of Every Tribe, said the company, based in Oklahoma, had alerted the F.B.I. there about the Web log. The F.B.I. did not return phone calls yesterday about the matter.

Mr. Janz said he had not been contacted by the F.B.I., and Mr. Bauder could not be reached for comment.

Many evangelicals are concerned that young people inspired by the movie will look up Mr. Allen on the Web and "get exposed to his views on homosexuality, and that would cause some of them to question Biblical views of homosexuality and every other sin," said Will Hall, executive director of BPNews.net, the news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, which has published articles critical of Every Tribe's decisions.

The original Janz article (from the "wayback" archive)

Excerpt:

Every Tribe Entertainment chose a gay actor to play Nate Saint in the movie.

In an interview, he was asked if he had ever been in love. He said, “Yes, absolutely. I’ve loved deeply, in the romantic sense. I’m very proud of that.” The interviewer asked, “Not so long ago you had a big reputation around drugs and parties. Were you a circuit boy?” Allen responded, “No, I was a guy who loved to push everything to its limits. That included the use of drugs and alcohol to expand and heighten every emotion to its absolute extreme. I’ve experienced the rave scene, the underground New York and L.A. scenes, the circuit party scene among gay men—all of it. It’s a nice little label to give somebody, but what does it really tell you about them? Nothing. I’ve had beautiful, intense romantic relationships with women in my life. And in this period in my life I have beautiful, intense romantic relationships with men.”

I’ve been around evangelicalism enough to know that many will not be a bit concerned about this. After all, is homosexuality the worst sin in the world? Chad is not only gay, he flaunts his sexuality on the big screen. In an interview with InLA Magazine, he was asked about his first gay love scene in a movie. He responded, “I want beautiful, positive representations of gay male sexuality out there. So it was very important to the director, Ron Oliver, and me to make a really good sex scene that wasn't gratuitous or gross but was healthy, sexy, and beautiful.”

Every Tribe Entertainment chose a producer of gay films.

Chad Allen is co-producing a film called The Way Out, starring David Duchovny, about two old men who fall in love in an old folk’s home.3 He also started a company called Mythgarden. In August of 2005, he gave an interview to Scene magazine in which he expanded on Mythgarden’s plans. He said, “For television, we have a biography series of gay and lesbian heroes throughout history. We also have a wonderful series that takes classic fairy tales both familiar and lesser known and makes them gay. There's a fantastic book we optioned called Fairy Tales for Gay Men.”

He further elaborated on his goals when he said, "There are so many good stories that want to be told, and we just want to make good movies with and for gay people," says Allen, who is going back into production with a new Donald Strachey mystery for Here TV in which he plays a gay detective. "We want to tell stories that highlight historical events and also illustrate what it really means to be gay." His agenda comes across pretty clear when he states in an interview with Out magazine that he hopes to use Mythgarden to show gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered people in a positive light.

Every Tribe Entertainment chose a gay activist.

Not only is Allen a gay movie actor who also produces gay films, he is an activist for gay causes. According to Out magazine’s January 2006 article, Chad tours the country with gay outreach programs.6 In an April 23 interview, he was asked if he had been to many gay pride celebrations around the country. He replied, “I love it. Everyone gets so uptight about people marching down the street…I mean who cares, these people have been doing this before we could even talk about being openly gay and stuff. These people have pushed the community so (expletive) far forward, excuse my language that who cares about the shock.”

According to Advocate magazine in November of 2003, “He began pouring his energy and time into myriad causes, including the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, which helps elect openly gay candidates nationwide, and the Trevor Project, which sponsors a toll-free, round-the-clock suicide hotline for GLBT teens.”

Every Tribe Entertainment chose a star who has appeared in plays that have degraded Christ and Christianity. In 2001, Allen starred in a play, set in 1950’s Corpus Christi, Texas. The play is said to parallel the New Testament story of Jesus. The play features a hard-drinking gay man gay named Joshua. Joshua is the Christ-figure who is different because he is gay. He grows up in isolation and becomes an object of ridicule. He runs from the environment of the city and while traveling gathers about him a group of twelve disciples who cling to him because of his message of love and tolerance. Most of the twelve disciples bear the names of Christ's apostles.

The nossobrii.blogspot.com Bauder article (from the "wayback" archive)

Excerpt:

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2006

No Way!

Jason Janz on SharperIron has published an article documenting that Every Tribe Enterainment has used a homosexual activist to play Nate Saint in End of the Spear, an about-to-be-released film biography of the famous aviator and missionary martyr. The actor and activist is Chad Allen. This is the same Chad Allen who debated John MacArthur on Larry King Live about the legitimacy of homosexuality, homosexual marriage, and homosexuals getting legal guarantees for the “right” to adopt children.

The director who cast him for the role (knowingly, as Janz clearly demonstrates) is Jim Hanon. In order to put Allen in the movie, Hanon secured the blessing of Nate Saint’s son, Steve Saint, who was also aware of Allen’s homosexual activism. Presumably the executives of Every Tribe Entertainment had to approve this decision.

Who are they? The CEO at Every Tribe Entertainment is Mart Green, who is also the perpetrator of Mardel Christian and Educational Supply, a chain of 21 Christian junk shops. The ETE president and the producer of End of the Spear is Bill Ewing, whose other credits include Charlie’s Angels (how can a Christian not think that Charlie’s Angels is pornographic?).

That's a great group of guys behind this film. If you wonder what this is about, the Every Tribe mission statement makes it clear. “We base our film choices on what we hope to inspire rather than what we hope to sell.” Seems pretty straightforward.

We needed to know what was going on. Attaboy, Jason.

We also need to respond correctly. Jason recommends sending a letter to Every Tribe Entertainment “with meekness,” expressing “deep disappointment” for the company’s “mistake.”

Huh?

I feel a bit as if Jason has run the ball 98 yards, only to be tripped up at the one-yard-line. It was a great run (really great), but I can’t help wishing he’d have gone another step or two.

Granted, we must not overreact. And it would probably be an overreaction to firebomb these men’s houses.

But what they have done is no mistake. It is a calculated strategy.

This is not a private peccadillo. It is a very public scandal.

It is a scandal because it promotes a man who is working hard to advance one of the most shameful and unnatural of human abuses.

It is a scandal because this concession to homosexual activism dishonors the memory of a Christian martyr (who himself would certainly have been scandalized by homosexuality) and ultimately brings reproach upon the name of Christ Himself.

It is a scandal because it panders to the evangelical appetite for amusement, furthering the confused perception that somehow the Christian faith can be turned into a form of entertainment.

It is a scandal because it exploits evangelical naivety and lack of discernment. Every Tribes Entertainment clearly assumes that American Christians can be induced to ignore moral incongruities and to part with their dollars simply because they are offered an amusing spectacle wrapped around a vaguely Christian theme. The production company is trying to huckster money from evangelicals that they should really be getting from NAMBLA.

Meekness? Once we have caught our breath, the only ordinate response is deliberate fury.

If this were a Matthew 18 situation, private pleading would be appropriate. It is not.

If this were a Galatians 2:11 situation, we would withstand these debasers of the faith to their faces because they are to be blamed.

If this were a 1 Corinthians 5 situation, we could simply deliver such ones unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, the “ones” including Messrs. Green, Hannon, Ewing, and (Steve) Saint.

I wonder, however, whether this situation does not fit the parameters of Galatians 1:8-9. Does this kind of confusion actually alter the gospel itself? I am tempted to think that it does—and does it deliberately, “with malice aforethought.” If so, then we know what is required of us.

Where is Bob Jones, Jr., when you really need him?

"Stuff Out Loud article: "Rhetoric anyone?"

Excerpt:

Greg Clifford from ETE, notified the FBI because someone said not to firebomb them. How did that phone call go?

_________________________________

Umm, Hello??? Is this the FBI? Um, Yeah ... Um, I'd like to report that the president of a fundamental seminary who is an obscenely smart fellow with a great sense of rhetoric published his personal blog in which he said that no one should firebomb us over our choice of Chad Allen. Can you please look into this?

Um, sure. What would you like us to look into?

Well, he said that people shouldn't firebomb us.

Yes, I understand that. What would you like us to look into?

His comment that people shouldn't firebomb us, that firebombing would be an overreaction.

And what's the problem there?

Well, that's threatening?

It's threatening?

Yes, he threatened us by saying that people shouldn't firebomb us?

What exactly is the threat?

That people shouldn't firebomb us.

That's a threat?

Of course. He used the word "firebomb" and "these men's offices" in the same sentence.

Didn't he also say that it would be an overraction to "firebomb these men's offices."

Yes.

Do you want your offices firebombed?

No.

So this blog agrees with your position that your offices shouldn't be firebombed?

Um ... um ... sorry, call on the other line. Gotta run ...

_________________________________

You know, I can't imagine any graceful way to get out of that conversation.

Comments - 10 years on:

• Chad Allen has retired from acting
• Jason Janz sold Sharper Iron and is now an elder at Providence Church in Denver
• Kevin Bauder is Research Professor of Systematic Theology at Central seminary. He no longer blogs
• The film itself was widely panned. I haven't viewed it but 10 years ago I planned to. I wonder if anyone became a missionary as a result of the film. I doubt anyone caught gayness from viewing it!
• Me? On the cancer journey
• Meanwhile: The book looks to be much better!

Update:

Reflecting on - 13 years agohttps://t.co/umyVKS9Fmp

— James Peet (@jrpeet) February 27, 2019

The "Pear" - my experience with a Prostate biopsy

The Pear - The Medieval Torture Museum 

Excerpt:

This instrument was forced into the mouth or rectum of male victims and into the vagina of female victims. The oral, rectal, or vaginal pear was inflicted on people guilty of sodomy, on women guilty of adultery, people guilty of incest or sexual union with Satan, and it was also inflicted on heretical preachers and blasphemers.

Comment: This post is an exaggerated and hopefully somewhat humorous account.

Today was the dreaded day and thankfully I am now home! Herein is a PSA (Public Service Announcement): If one's PSA is high, this adventure awaits.

As an aside I inquired of a brother and a brother-in-law about their PSA counts. Neither knew. Perhaps they are better off!

Today I am sorry I even have a prostate. I have always gotten the prostate and the pituitary glands confused. Explained: One is near the brain and the other near a man's other brain.

Back when I was a boy and had to have the pre-camp physical, it the DRE was an annual event near the 4th of July. The "R" stands for one's backside and the "D" stands for the finger ... someone else's finger (not that I would want to put my own finger there!). For years I have not experienced the DRE (nor the other "turn your head and cough" experience.)

Then for years it seemed that no Doctor wished to so probe me - not that I blame them!

Now that I am retired and have a lot of time on my hands, I have old man problems. So my PSA was high and I had the DRE. The DRE is like 3rd base but without the snuggles.

Back to why one even has a prostate: Now that I have progeny and have ceased adding to the population, I don't need it any more. It functions like bullets for the gun. And I don't need bullets anymore.

But it's there: there to haunt one in the night ... wake up time to "pee"! (4 times a night sometimes). It's kind of like karma ... you've had your fun, now is my time to torture you!

The DRE leads to the probe. And the probe is like the pear. Prep for the probe requires something called an enema. This too has it's own probe. Tip ... remove the orange cap or it will get lost up there.

The enema is of the "Fleet" brand - but not from Fleet Farm (a favorite store of mine!). The box has a yellow banner announcing "now 70% more volume". I'm thinking "why?!"

Some may wonder how the enema compares and contrasts with the colon cleanse required for a colonoscopy: Well while both pertain to the same orifice, one is to be drunk and the other inserted. I'm good with the colon cleanse as I've discovered that if mixed with vodka the prep makes for one fun night!

The enema perhaps could be better tolerated with vodka shots too!  I'm not sure why but my wife said I was on my own with this!

At the Dr's office - and just to digress a bit ... why would someone choose this career field? I mean be a wealth advisor or something!

I'm in the exam room with a lovely nurse in a pink outfit with matching pink shoes. She asks me to disrobe and I think I must have died and gone to Muslim paradise.

I'm now reclined and blushingly naked. The gorgeous nurse is alone in the room with me. But then from behind a curtain the torturer emerges and the lovely nurse exits. I am trapped!

There's a company in my town called Lube-Tech. I hypothesize that they are suppliers for this medical office. With enough lube a Mac truck can be squeezed into a compact car parking spot.

A sonogram explores the depths of my innards. I saw a image of this later and it looks like the Roman catacombs, or a rat filled abandoned irrigation tunnel under ancient Istanbul. I expect this image be included in the next edition of National Geographic Rarely Seen: Photographs of the Extraordinary.

The sonogram is a prelude the main event: 12 cores into my prostate. Each core is fired into my prostate with a crack that I would liken to the discharge of a 22 long rifle.

I grip the table and confess sins! I may now be a Buddhist or a Muslim!

The inquisitor leaves and I am alone in my shame. I've been violated! I am no longer a virgin (reminder of the comment above!)

Afterwards the lovely nurse appears: a bottle of water and a wet washcloth is proffered. I'm thinking - a shot of whiskey seems more appropriate!

On a scale of 1 to 10 (the not fun at all to very fun scale), this event was a "1". I've had shots in my facet joints. I would rate that as a "5". And I've had the colonoscopy ... a "10" (but use the vodka advice above).

Wells Fargo responds to Vikings "photo-bomb" suit

Wells Fargo to Vikings: Our signs are just fine

 Excerpt:

The Vikings’ position “belies common sense and the purpose of the signage. A sign is made to be seen,” according to the response signed by Lindquist & Vennum lawyers Christopher Grote and Brian Freeman.

The response notes the Vikings’ claim that “raised lettering and illumination of the signage irreparably injures them somehow by distracting from the image of the new stadium.” Wells Fargo’s attorneys call that a “never-before-recognized form of irreparable injury.”

The argument revolves around two signs, 56 feet by 56 feet, on the rooftops of the two 17-story towers. The red-and-gold signs have “Wells Fargo” in letters raised about 1-1/2 feet above the roof surface. The signs have not yet been lighted.

At the heart of the dispute is the multimillion dollar issue of branding. U.S. Bank has paid the Vikings undisclosed millions to put its name on the new stadium to promote the brand in widely broadcast events, including the 2018 Super Bowl. While U.S. Bank isn’t a party to the legal dispute, the Vikings presumably want to protect the value of the naming rights. The Vikings claim the signs would permanently “photo-bomb” the image of “iconic” U.S. Bank Stadium, which they emphasize is a public investment to be protected.

Comment: Full 39 page response here.

Understanding "the market": a "cacophony of exogenous events"

How long the stock selling stampede may last

 Excerpt:

On Thursday, Saut blamed a "cacophony of exogenous events" for derailing the traditional year-end rally and leading to the worst start to a new year on Wall Street since 2008.

It all began with "the $1.2 trillion options and futures expiration" on quadruple-witching Friday on Dec. 18, Saut said. "That upset the rhythm of the rally. But we gathered our strength and came back the next week.

And then you've been hit by this potential war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the Chinese slowdown, and the 'H-bomb' of North Korea." "The markets look like they're in a free fall right here," he said. "It feels like we're in one of those selling stampedes, and they typically last 17 to 25 sessions. And this would be only session six. I would be more cautious here."

Comments:

• Who could blame the Saudis for having nuke ambitions?! Imagine the Middle - East with Muslims with Nukes!!! 
• On the China slowdown: The market is soft because of fears the Chinese economy has slipped or will slip into recession. My take is that it will! WSJ has more on this here. Image above is capture from this article.
• On DPRK and the H-Bomb: doubt it but  Kim Jong-un is the bad boy brat of the region
• Updated: 3rd photo from this article. See also

Perspective:

More: 

The stock selloff is happening in a parallel universe

Do we all live in China now? Investors could be excused for thinking that, given that arcane indicators such as a Chinese manufacturing index and the value of the Chinese yuan are inducing nauseating drops in the U.S. stock market. And the surprise halt to trading in the latest Chinese session, a mere 30 minutes after markets opened, has thrown U.S. and European markets into a tailspin.

Last we checked, however, the Dow Jones and S&P 500 indexes were composed of U.S. companies that might do some business in China, but still earn the vast majority of their revenue elsewhere. And elsewhere, economic fundamentals are looking way better than the gloomy start to this year’s trading would suggest. The U.S. economy will probably grow around 2.5% this year, which isn’t great, but is a sustainable pace that seems nowhere near overheating. The economy can progress at that measured pace for a long time before the next downturn occurs.

Another perspective chart:

Hold on ... Dow closes down triple digits, posts worst opening day in 8 years

Dow closes down triple digits, posts worst opening day in 8 years

Excerpt:

The Dow Jones industrial average closed about 275 points lower. The index closed down 1.58 percent, for its worst start to the year since Jan. 2, 2008, when the Dow fell 1.66 percent.

Earlier, the index fell 467 points, or more than 2.5 percent, temporarily on pace for its largest percent decline on the first trading day of the year since 1932.

"I guess it makes a little more difficult hole (at the) start of the year for the market to dig itself out of," said Daniel Deming, managing director at KKM Financial. "This is just a culmination of some of the things built up over the weekend — conflict in the Middle East, lower highs and lower lows," he said.

Comment: Heatmap image source - screen shot here.  I rarely mention specific investments, but today I bought shares of HSBC.