Disqus - Latest Comments for guymisterioso

Re: HHS Secretary Tom Price resigns, Puerto Rico slowly responds after hurricane and GOP releases tax plan

guymisterioso — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 13:58:09 -0000

I believe the correct phrase for what the president unveiled is a "tax cut" not a tax plan. They are not putting together an overhaul of the tax system, as they had said previously. And as Josh Barro noted:

"But while there is a lot we don't know, we can identify a group of taxpayers likely to face tax increases from this proposal: people with moderate to upper-moderate incomes who take itemized deductions, like those for mortgage interest and state and local taxes paid.

Some of these deductions would be eliminated. And while Republicans like to misleadingly claim that their plan would "double the standard deduction," these itemizing taxpayers would lose the ability to take the personal exemption for themselves or their spouses, subjecting an additional $8,100 of their income to tax."

So what turns out, this "tax cut" becomes tax increases for middle-income folks to pay for higher end earners ("job creators", those who can turn labor income to pass-through income). At least those at the bottom wouldn't be hit as hard, though their 10% tax bracket would increase to 12%.

Re: HHS Secretary Tom Price resigns, Puerto Rico slowly responds after hurricane and GOP releases tax plan

guymisterioso — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 22:06:57 -0000

From the NYTimes:

"But the disconnect between what officials in Washington were saying and the situation on the ground in Puerto Rico was captured on live television by the response of the mayor of San Juan when she was played a clip of the Homeland Security secretary, Elaine Duke, saying that she was “very satisfied” with the government’s response. Ms. Duke called it “a good news story in terms of our ability to reach people and the limited number of deaths that have taken place.”

The retort from Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz: “This is, damn it, this is not a good news story. This is a ‘people are dying’ story. This is a ‘life or death’ story. This is ‘there’s a truckload of stuff that cannot be taken to people’ story. This is a story of a devastation that continues to worsen.”

Re: Music vs Movies

guymisterioso — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:56:35 -0000

So perhaps we should shift the curve on music. Therefore a 72 would be merely average music and 85 would be good and 92 and above is great. Makes sense to me. Might be easier to make "pleasing" music but that doesn't make it good. Just means it's less offensive. But I agree with your point about just the act of reviewing something means it struck the reviewer at some level.

Re: Picking 8 from 28

guymisterioso — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:34:52 -0000

Why 8 songs? That would put the album around 24 minutes. I think you gotta get into the 35 minute territory. Or do you have a couple songs that are epic?

Re: The Living Room 9/3/09

guymisterioso — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:15:50 -0000

So say we all.

Re: Is Twitter A Cyber Ghetto?

guymisterioso — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:48:39 -0000

I hate Myspace.

Re: Everything Becomes A Service

guymisterioso — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 19:48:24 -0000

An interesting idea. I remember that Plan 9 in C-ville did build that concert hall in the back of their store. They eventually sold it I think, and then I believe it went out of business. So that might not be too sustainable for a store, especially if you need a liquor license or provide food with a kitchen, etc. Amoeba does have bands play there (just saw Tortoise last week, really really good and FREE) and I picked up some music too. I don't think you necessarily need to include some other revenue stream but perhaps having a coffee bar (like what Powell's Books in Portland has) would keep people there longer. With all the closures with the big record chains, maybe this is a good time for the indies. In fact a bunch of vinyl only record stores have opened in Los Angeles to capitalize on that growing niche. Btw didn't the Virgin Megastore close in Union Square? I know they closed the one in Times Square and the ones here in Los Angeles. Also, remember driving around D.C. looking for a record store last T-giving? I don't think there is one stand alone record store, independent or otherwise, left in the whole metro area.

Re: If I Ran The Movies

guymisterioso — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 10:39:26 -0000

The Arclight offers variable pricing of a sort, they charge more from 6pm Friday through the rest of the weekend. $14 as opposed to $12 I think. Also if you are a member (which is free) they do offer early member screenings on their email list. I recently saw the first screening in Los Angeles of Star Trek a day ahead of the release. That is akin to your "jumping in line" idea. But of course you already know who good the Arclight is. I would also mention a clean theater with comfortable seats as a rule. No more sticky floors.

Re: Track #7: St. Marys

guymisterioso — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:01:49 -0000

I guess a collected entity. Definitely digital, but all in one place with a downloadable cover? You would have three versions of PIARS, official / demo / remix.