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Archive 12-30-2008 05:53 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David McDonald</b><p>Glad to see you're coming around, Tom.

Archive 12-30-2008 05:56 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Frank L.</b><p>Interesting Mr. Boblitt<br><br>I wonder if I am thinking along the same lines you are?<br>

Archive 12-30-2008 06:10 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>yep......I'm convinced, Bruce must be Mormon.<br><br>Jason

Archive 12-30-2008 06:12 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Frank L and others....I don't think we can have any anonymity, in this thread, so if you aren't well known by your login, then you need to put a good first and last name along with a good email address with your post. I/we (smiley) appreciate your support on that matter . Please don't take this as a &quot;squelch&quot; of any speech except what it is meant to be......best regards <br><br><br>ps...Frank- I realize this is sort of a private board but I still believe in free speech as much as possible ....<br><a href="http://www.mysmiley.net"><img src="http://img3.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/animated/anim_04.gif" alt="free smilies" border="0"></a><br>

Archive 12-30-2008 06:22 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>Your secret world government reminds you to remain calm; all is well. Nevermind those black helicopters...<br><br>Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

Archive 12-30-2008 06:43 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Frank L.</b><p>Hello Leon<br><br>Sorry, not trying to be anonymous. I am Frank Lastra(flastra@tampabay.rr.com). New to speaking on the forum for the last few weeks. I reside near Tampa, Florida. <br><br>Sincerely<br><br>Frank L. <br><br>

Archive 12-30-2008 06:49 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David McDonald</b><p>Anybody receive their winnings from Memory Lane yet or have they gone under in the last two weeks (in which case for me it's gonna be the Panic of <i>2008</i> )?

Archive 12-30-2008 07:24 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>Hey, Bruce...<br><br>How many books have <i>you</i> written? I haven't been able to find any written by a &quot;Bruce Dorskind.&quot; Did you use a nom de plume? (Or perhaps, noms?)<br><br>I'm looking for a good read, and someone who's attended <i>two</i>--count 'em, two--Ivy League schools <i>must</i> have written a winner. (Or two, or...)

Archive 12-30-2008 07:49 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>In all seriousness (I couldn't resist the gentle poke, Tom <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif"> ), I think the recession will bottom out and things will get better during 2009, both for the nation and for our hobby. Besides, if prices for cards continue to fall the hobby will not suffer, the investors will cringe but the collectors will continue with business as usual.

Archive 12-30-2008 08:36 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>MikeU</b><p>Very interesting topics Bruce. In my opinion, the hobby was stronger before Mastro, REA, PSA etc. ever existed. I really do not think I would care at all if 70%-90% of the auction companys and 50%-75% of the grading companies ceased to exist. There are too many of both of these that exist currently. A very hypercompetitive market. For gods sakes, we do not need 12 auction companys and 4 grading services.<br><br>I would collect if cards were worthless. That is essentially how they were when I started. I am all for some plumeting prices. Just hope I am in a postion to reap the benefits of cheaper prices. That is my biggest concern.

Archive 12-30-2008 08:54 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Anonymous</b><p>ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ dorskind ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Wake me up when this thread is over!!!!!! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ<br><br>edited in a page break.

Archive 12-30-2008 11:08 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>MikeU</b><p>Bruce, <br><br>What do you do for a living? I apologize in advance if this has been stated in the past.

Archive 12-31-2008 09:09 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>LenK59</b><p> ladies and gentlemen...i emplore you...in these times of economic crises and spiritual wasteland...to donate all of your baseball card worldly possesions to me.....Maharishi Yogi Berra....bless each and everyone of you

Archive 12-31-2008 12:03 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dave Hornish</b><p><img src="http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p280/dsh46/panic.jpg" alt="[linked image]">

Archive 12-31-2008 12:06 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Dave- is that a real underground comic or is it photoshopped? MAD's tagline was of course &quot;humor in a jugular vein.&quot;

Archive 12-31-2008 12:31 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>I wonder if Bruce has ever realized that the items in his collection will long outlive him. The precious pieces of cardboard that once made him feel superior to others will at some point in the future will be held by others when Bruce is 6 ft. under (or however he spends eternity), and that he will not be remembered for the items he once owned but for the person he once was, in which case he won't be remembered well. <br><br>I've been collecting cards off and on for almost 25 years now (sorry it's not longer gang, but I'm only 33), and take great pride and joy in my collection. With any luck, I'll be collecting cards for another 50 + years. One thing I learned early on though is that we only hold the cards for a period of time before they move on to the next collector, either by choice, opportunity, or passing. Should something happen to me tomorrow, my collection will be given to my niece and nephew (or more correctly, to their parents for safe keeping for now) should they decide they want to collect. If they don't, then there will be instructions on whom to contact to have the collection liquidated, with the proceeds going to a trust for the 2 of them. Either way, I'll be happy with what happens with my collection. I doubt Bruce can say (or has even thought of) the same.

Archive 12-31-2008 12:47 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>peter ullman</b><p>If bruce's collection goes into a museum...his name will live on...and on...and on...maybe the museum will have some sound bites of Bruce's commentary on his collection...and life in general...wouldn't that be something!

Archive 12-31-2008 12:48 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>I think talking about Bruce whether positively or negatively is exactly what Bruce craves. I would like to see a moratorium on all things Bruce.

Archive 12-31-2008 12:55 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>I prefer not to give him the satisfaction, but sometimes you have to say what you think.

Archive 12-31-2008 01:24 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Bruce Dorskind</b><p><br><br><br>Sean<br><br><br><br>We have never met nor are we ever likely to meet<br><br>Thus you have no business commenting on what we do<br>with and/or how we manage our collection<br><br><br><br>Bruce Dorskind<br>America's Toughest Want List

Archive 12-31-2008 01:25 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dave Hornish</b><p>....real EC comic, sister publication to MAD. The first issue got banned in Boston and it was downhill from there. The story is here if you are interested:<br><br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_(comic" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_(comic</a>)

Archive 12-31-2008 01:31 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Thanks Dave.<br><br>Bruce- please do me a favor and don't say things like that on the board. It's really unnecessary. Thank you, and happy New Year.<br>

Archive 12-31-2008 01:33 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>Still waiting to hear about your book(s), Bruce.

Archive 12-31-2008 03:12 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>Your silence speaks volumes.<br><br>(Pun intended.)

Archive 12-31-2008 03:27 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>When you go out and talk about your collection the way you do, others are going to comment about it in response. In this case, I'm choosing to comment about what will happen to your collection in the future when you are no longer around to enjoy it.

Archive 12-31-2008 04:51 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>Me too. Unfortunately, the moratorium needs to start with the Group, which needs to stop posting in ways that make its members look like horses' patoots. Remember, regime change starts at home...<br><br>Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

Archive 12-31-2008 08:03 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>J Levine</b><p>As many of you know, more than a year ago, the government<br><br>predicted that the Dow would fall below 7500 and<br><br>that several major investment banks would go bankrupt.<br><br>Many of the government's posts reflect the government's strong belief that the Dorskind Group will face<br><br>a depression between 2009-2012. Baseball card prices, with some<br><br>notable exceptions are likely to fall- perhaps as much as 25%-35%<br><br>A number of auction houses will close because collectors will stop selling.<br><br>However, there is a strong possibility that a far more tragic scenario<br><br>will develop.<br><br>For argument sake, let the government assume the announced Dorskind Group investigation<br><br>into price manipulation and alteration of cards moves ahead rapidly and there<br><br>are formal Indictments.<br><br>Let's all assume the Dorskind Group decides to seize all the property of the auction<br><br>houses and or grading services that has been indicted.<br><br>What is the position of the consignor with regard to items seized by the Dorskind Group?<br><br>If the he or she has received an advance, do they have to return it?<br><br>How can he or she get his cards back?<br><br>Is there any insurance available that will protect collectors or consignors?<br><br>If and when this &quot;perfect storm&quot; occurs, how will impact the future of the<br><br>hobby?<br><br>The purpose of this post is not to argue the state of the economy and/or<br><br>how bad things are likely to get, but rather to raise the question of how<br><br>is the collector protected when and if an auction house<br><br><br><br>(a) Is indicted by the Dorskind Group and property is seized?<br><br>(b) Auction house closes its doors before an auction is completed<br><br>and said auction house has consignments from collectors.<br><br><br><br>Our hobby must prepare for a worse case scenario- who knows, our own<br><br>version of Bernie Madoff could be on the Board as we speak.<br><br><br><br>Best wishes for the New Year!<br><br>The Government<br><br>America's Toughest Want List<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><b r><br><br><br><br><br><br>

Archive 12-31-2008 08:11 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>steve</b><p>BRAVO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Archive 12-31-2008 09:04 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Fred C</b><p>Holy cow JL, you're way ahead of me... I think I've got to be a keg behind you buddy... I'll read that post again in an hour after I've started to catch up to you... <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

Archive 12-31-2008 11:56 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>&quot;The blood bath is coming. It's just around the corner.&quot;<br> -- Discharge

Archive 01-01-2009 09:02 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>To change the tone of this thread slightly, We for two am looking forward to a great 2009. Our area has not be hit by the housing problems the rest of country has faced. The larger and local banks did not grant morgages to people that could not afford them and we see no one losing their houses because of it. Construction in our area is booming and the work force is in place. Although we did see our stocks tumble by 30%, we as arm pit collectors, but good investors never put more than 10% of our assets in one place or in one stock. Where we see a tumble in one area we have seen a rise in others. <br>We (as in the BEG ) think that this is the perfect time to place our money in stocks that are under valued and cards or other collectibles that will surely retain their value if times continue to be tough. We are in the midst of purchasing a major piece to add to our growing collection, but it will not be baseball hobby related. We feel that the best option is to find the best value for our dollar in any investment. If others continue to predict doom and gloom we will be happy to help in this situation by purchasing and keep the economy on an even keel. While others are selling we intend to buy heavily at prices that will make both the seller and the buyer happy. I will say that times will continue to be tough, but we are not heading for a depression. We will see a turn around by the 3rd quarter of 2009 and if everyone keeps their heads we shall pull out of it just fine. The panic is caused by emotion and emotion has no place in business or the market. The key is to buy low and sell high and emotion takes over and people panic and dump their assets at very low prices. We intent to look for the best stocks at this time and buy, buy, buy. <br>I hope eveyone that has the assets and disposible income looks at this time as a great opportunity to expand their wealth and collections.<br><br>We as the BEG wish everyone a very Happy New Year and we hope you all obtain the cards on your want lists. <br><br><br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 09:23 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>so where's the apocalypse? <br><br>

Archive 01-01-2009 09:55 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Scott Daloisio</b><p>&quot;As far as the economy goes....It sucks...will continue sucking for a lot of '09 and then hopefully will get better. Even though I didn't vote for Obama I do have confidence in him....best regards&quot; <br><br>Agree 100% Leon. I did not vote for Obama either, but I back him. I think he will bring excitemeht and vitality to the nation. He does have a tough job ahead of him and it will take time. Hoepfully when he steps in later this month we will see start to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Like him or not, he is our president. I certainly hope everyone gives him a fair chance.

Archive 01-01-2009 10:30 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David McDonald</b><p>I heard that he pals around with terrorists.

Archive 01-01-2009 11:24 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>David-<br><br>David: I usually stay out of these non-card threads but not this time. Count me as one more of the offended. An American named Jason gets to hear alot of ignorant commentary in one lifetime. Your aside about Obama's background ranks right up there. What the hell does his being ethnically mixed have to do with anything, especially terrorism. Have it any way you want. Maybe you are prejudiced, maybe not. I don't know. But, man, you are insensitive. Your subsequent comments, your wriggling logic, continue to offend. I really hope you are not so thick that you are unable to understand what I am trying to tell you (which is that your dumbass comment wasn't welcome).<br><br>Jason

Archive 01-01-2009 11:36 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>I heard he isn't even American and he pals around with corrupt governors. At least that is what the spin machine tells me.

Archive 01-01-2009 11:40 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jeff Lichtman</b><p>I heard he pals around with terrorists AND smokes cigarettes. <br><br>Ok, I admit it: I'm prejudiced and I just said those awful things in order to induce a race war. Damn.

Archive 01-01-2009 11:59 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>LOL.......I am just ribbing Dave from the Ebay post the other day. If you read what I wrote I actually pasted and edited his own text. Kind of like the pot calling the kellte black. At any rate I am from IL and didn't even vote for Obama. I KNOW how corrupt that state is and the governor there is a real dousche, as are many of the politicians there. I live in MO now and only miss my family. Anyway.....only time will tell, but the state of our country is out of the hands of our president elect anyway. It's like the beginnings of a large avalanche and we are still at the top. I do support him, however, and hope that they can figure something out, but until the greed and corruption is dealt with, it will only get worse. As far as baseball cards, I really cannot see the prices plummeting. I think its actually a great time to buy with everyone &quot;panic-stricken&quot;. <br><br>David MCD: Enjoy the post and don't take my comeback personally. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

Archive 01-01-2009 12:48 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>We predict that out next president will perform 150% better than anyone expects. We also think that if anything goes wrong in his administration it will look badly for a large % of the American population. Seeing this downside he will become a great leader. America needs a SMART man running the country. It will take a SMART man to turn the USA around. Look forward to an administration that is both respected and feared by the rest of the world. <br>Turning the economy and bringing our boys home will be a good start. <br>He is our President and he deserves a chance to make it work. <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 12:51 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Good call on the market Bruce and another interesting post. The board would be a lot less interesting without your contributions. disregard the naysayers--many of whom never write anything of interest and keep up the posts.<br><br>Count me among those who hopes Obama fails miserably and socialism is thoroughly discredited as a way to run any country.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:03 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>Nice one Jim. Obama fails miserably? Kind like you last joke of a president help your portfolio and your job situation. Hoping that Obama fails is hoping America fails. You got your wish with the mindless 80 IQ Bush. Now maybe Mexico is the next place you should reside if you hope America fails. Next time you go to push the respond button, just push delete. <br><br>Next time you have a thought, just let it go. <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:13 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>joe,<br><br>Same advice to you--delete is a good choice.<br><br>Obama succeeds-America takes long turn to the left. You may like this but I don't. I think an activist government, high taxes, high spending and an increasing influence of the loony left is bad for the country.<br><br>Bush never stood up to the radical left and restrained government spending. He did do the right thing on taxes though and has done a great job fighting terrorism.<br><br>Happy New Year,<br><br>Jim

Archive 01-01-2009 01:15 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>There goes Jim C. playing the socialism card again. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif"><br><br>Hi Jim, hope you had a good holiday.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:18 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Left or right if you are wishing for the American president to fail you are wishing for America to fail and you are not a good American. <br><br>Period.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:22 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Barry,<br><br>Same to you--just back from vacation. See some things don't change,. Bruce makes another good post, people obsess over his style and the liberals come out and praise Obama.<br><br>On the new news side, just got Joe Orlando's book in the mail and it certainly looks very impressive.<br><br>

Archive 01-01-2009 01:25 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>The only &quot;thought&quot; Crandell has ever had, Joe, goes something like this:<br><br>&quot;Think I'll resubmit those cards to PSA. Yeah. That's just what I'll do.&quot;<br><br>

Archive 01-01-2009 01:27 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Dan,<br><br><br><br>Not so--I want Obama to fail so America can succeed. America will never move back toward greatness led by the most liberal person in the Senate. The only route we have is Obama failing and repubs making major strides in the Senate in 2010 and winning the presidency in 2012.<br><br><br><br>Period and exclamation point.<br><br><br><br>Jim

Archive 01-01-2009 01:28 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>And the loony asst prof comes out again in 2009.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:29 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>You're going to have to find a Wayback Machine if you think the Republicans need to win the presidency in 2008.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:30 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>Bush never stood up to the radical left and restrained government spending. He did do the right thing on taxes though and has done a great job fighting terrorism. <br><br>Huh? What job did he do. Dropped a few bombs on Afganistan and let Bin Laden slip through his fingers while he went on a witch hunt for WMD's. All the while we are spending $10 Billion a month in a country we have no business being in and young Americans are dying everyday. He learned nothing from Vietnam. <br><br>No Jim, I didn't make the statement that you wanted our next President to fail, you did. Bush will go down in history among the worst of the worst President's ever and the party he represents is a joke, filled with corrupt politician only hoping to line their own pockets.<br><br>Whatever Obama does he cannot ever fail as badly as our last joke in office. The government will not change over night and your idea of government is not the plan for our next America. For such as intelligent man as you are you make some very offensive statements. I cannot believe you would back a party that effected you like this last party did. I will not make this a personal thread, but I do believe I am not alone in thinking that if wish America to fail you should delete your post and keep it to yourself. If you can add something constructive with your knowledge of money and finance, I'm all ears. <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:30 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>Jim, there are four glaring errors in your post above.<br><br>See if you can find them.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:33 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>I got news for you Jim, I have voted Republican for 30 years. Only the last 2 elections did I see this writing on the wall. If only you would have seen the writing on the wall 4 years ago, you might have seen the fall that I predicted and changed you financial plan accordingly. <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 01:35 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>Obama is NOT Muslim!.....He is Mormon.<br><br>Jason

Archive 01-01-2009 01:37 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Adam</b><p>Boy is it time to lock this thread and move on!

Archive 01-01-2009 01:42 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>boxingcardman</b><p>I think that anyone who hopes the Obama administration fails should be ashamed of himself. If the incoming administration fails, we ALL fail. Wishing otherwise for the nation is disgraceful. Even after he stole the elections in 2000 and 2004 I never hoped that right-wing fascist scumbag would screw things up like this. <br><br><br><br>Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

Archive 01-01-2009 01:44 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Sorry Joe--don't wish bad things for my country but will actively work to support causes that are against what the Socialist believes in.<br><br>Bush has done an excellent job fighting terrorism. Not one major attack on our soil since 9/11 and many foiled. This will be his legacy and one can only hope that Obama is as vigilant as Bush in fighting terrorism.<br><br>Joe, I did not see your post from four years ago or for that matter Bruces 1 year ago but since you are such great predictors of the future why don't you get togerther with him and make your predictions for 2009. I think you would make an interesting team.<br><br>Cheers,<br><br>Jim

Archive 01-01-2009 01:50 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>Socialism would definitely be short term &quot;fix&quot; and ultimately the Kiss of Death. Hopefully Obama is smarter than what he seems and will avoid such destructive measures. Even though I didn't vote for him, I do support him and am willing to give him a chance. As for Bush, no doubt he did some positive things in protecting us here. I do not agree, however, 100% with all policies under his administration. If we want to pinpoint the disaster of the economy we need to look deeper in the Clinton administration, even though corruption on wall street was already moving forward earlier than that. If Bush would go down as one of the worst, then we must assume Clinton to be vying for the cellar. How did we get so bent on politics and religion anyway?<br><br><br>Jason

Archive 01-01-2009 02:26 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>Jim, If you read all the post and not just a selected few you will see that I made a prediction of the upcoming year. I will cut and paste it again for you. I also said in the beginning of 2008 that the stock market was overpriced and we were heading to another downturn like that of the dot.com crash. I did not predict it to be this bad, but I did alter my portfolio to protect myself. I saw that my company stock was way over priced and diverified with the profits. We went from $65 a share to our current $40. Although I did lose on the current shares I own, I never paid more than $37 a share so in that aspect I never had the money, so I didn't lose it. the worth just decreased.<br>As far as you hoping America doesn't fail, I am glad to here it. If Bush's only legacy is we weren't attacked by a foreign country, he joins 40+ other President's with that distinction. Good job Duba. While he played with his tanks in Iraq, New Orleans sunk farther into the Gulf. How in our modern times does a President let 1000 Americans die in our own Country and then sit idle while nothing is being done in this country to help their plight? If you feel he has a legacy lets go to his Library. <br><br>The George W. Bush Presidential Library is now in the planning stages.<br><br>The Library will include:<br><br>The Hurricane Katrina Room, which is still under construction.<br><br>The Alberto Gonzales Room, where you won't be able to remember anything. <br><br>The Texas Air National Guard Room, where you don't even have to show up. <br><br>The Walter Reed Hospital Room, where they don't let you in.<br><br>The Guantanamo Bay Room, where they don't let you out.<br><br>The Weapons of Mass Destruction Room, which no one has been able to find.<br><br>The National Debt Room which is huge and has no ceiling.<br><br>The 'Tax Cut' Room with entry only to the wealthy<br><br>The 'Economy Room' which is in the toilet.<br><br>The Iraq War Room. After you complete your first tour, they make you go back for a second, third, fourth, and sometimes a fifth time.<br><br>The Dick Cheney Room, in the famous undisclosed location, complete with <br>shotgun gallery.<br><br>The Environmental Conservation Room, still empty.<br><br>The Supreme Court's Gift Shop, where you can buy an election.<br><br>The Airport Men's Room, where you can meet some of your favorite Republican Senators<br><br>The 'Decider Room' complete with dart board, Magic 8-ball, Ouija board, dice, coins, and straws.<br><br>The museum will also have an electron microscope to help you locate the President's accomplishments.<br><br><br><br> <br> <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 02:28 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>Jim, Here is my prediction from an earlier post:<br><br>I will say that times will continue to be tough, but we are not heading for a depression. We will see a turn around by the 3rd quarter of 2009 and if everyone keeps their heads we shall pull out of it just fine. The panic is caused by emotion and emotion has no place in business or the market. The key is to buy low and sell high and emotion takes over and people panic and dump their assets at very low prices. We intent to look for the best stocks at this time and buy, buy, buy. <br><br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 02:32 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>Good stuff Joe--I hope you are right about the market.<br><br>Happy New Year.<br><br>Jim

Archive 01-01-2009 02:34 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>Jim, Happy New Year to you also. <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 03:08 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jeff Lichtman</b><p>&quot;Left or right if you are wishing for the American president to fail you are wishing for America to fail and you are not a good American. <br><br>Period&quot;<br><br>Hilarious post -- no doubt coming from someone who laughed when Bush had two shoes thrown at him.

Archive 01-01-2009 03:17 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Hey Jeff follow the link and read my post in this usenet thread from 12/15 and then you can issue me a public apology.<br><br><a href="http://tinyurl.com/7cjx37" target="_new">http://tinyurl.com/7cjx37</a><br><br>just in case you don't feel like clicking the above link here is exactly what I wrote about the shoe thrower.<br><br>&quot;Okay...Bush screwed up the exit plan for this war for sure...we prolly<br>never should have gone in there to begin with, but it's a bit ironic<br>for a journalist to throw shoes at his liberator.<br><br>At least he can write about it without fear of going to the torture<br>chamber.&quot;<br><br>

Archive 01-01-2009 03:46 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jeff Lichtman</b><p>Dan, that's good to know. Public apology? Good luck. <br><br>Would you agree that the great majority of liberals laughed their asses off at the shoe throwing incident? Are you suggesting that all of those millions of people who voted Democratic are not good Americans because they laughed at Bush?

Archive 01-01-2009 03:52 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Well if not an apology at least you could admit you were wrong about me???<br><br>Maybe not. <img src="/images/wink.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="wink.gif"> It's easy to assume things about people you only know from the internet...and there's a big difference between laughing at Bush and rooting for him to fail and I don't deny that there are liberals who openly rooted for Bush to fail. I was not one of them. I'm an American first and Democrat second. I never have and never will wish failure for America.

Archive 01-01-2009 05:38 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Frank L.</b><p>Hello<br><br>I am fairly new to the forum. I am happy that we have both sides of the political spectrum represented. <br><br>To lay it out there, I am a primary care physician north of the Tampa Bay Area. I have collected cards since about 1971. I got into prewar in the 1980's. I am conservative but understand points on both sides. <br><br>I believe it is good to have opposing sides give their opinion so that we may come somewhere in the middle. I do not hope Obama fails, but I hope he is a centerist. I believe extremism left will certainly hurt this country. I also believe as would most conservatives, right extremism is also not good.<br><br>This thread makes me think of my office. My partner is hard left. We may disagree about alot of things, but we are in the end, friends and still go for the good. <br><br>It looks like this forum is certainly like that, alot of friends, though alot of differing opinion. <br><br>This is a very interesting thread by Bruce. What holds for us, who really knows?<br><br>I hope it is an oportunity to buy more stuff I have always wanted. <br><br><br>Sincerely<br><br>Frank L.

Archive 01-01-2009 06:34 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>Jim must be pretty flexible to get his head that far up his ass.

Archive 01-01-2009 07:31 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Matthew Pime</b><p>Hey Guys, Happy New Year. I've been a lurker for what seems like a thousand years. Thanks in advance for allowing me to join the conversation. I'd like to share my viewpoint on what I feel is a crucial thread and respectable town forum. <br><br>Without a doubt, we are amidst a very unique geo-political and geo-economic time. Fear is rampant worldwide. Here in the US, discomfort is at an all time high.<br>As a registered investment advisor and FINRA appointed Registered Principal, I am on the frontlines of the economy. Fortunately, we're independently affiliated with the most solvent insurance based firm in the business. However, the news isn't good for most and will likely continue in some fashion until 2011, possibly all the way towards 2015. Here's why-<br><br>1. Investments have either evaporated (this time affecting many upper 2%'s due to investments in derivatives and Bernie Madoff fallout) or have dropped between 30-50% on average within the equity markets over the past year. <br><br>2. Nationwide leveraging in both corporate and personal capacities. Capitulation is likely to occur between 2010 and 2011. Corporations will be unable to refinance debt obligations and millions of homeowners will see their option-arm mortgages implode. <br><br>3. TARP money is likely to be ill-appropriated. Some executive players (i.e. Krause with Merrill Lynch) will be teflon, while others may be indicted. This will again create fear and an unwillingness to trust Wall Street as we know it. Recently, FOX News sued the government on a 'freedom of information act' claim. They petitioned for a public record accounting of these monies. So far, no dice. It's not looking good at this point. The average taxpayer is likely to be individually responsible for $5k-10k of their income to fund these mysterious bailouts.<br><br>4. Bernie Madoff is essentially the Jesse James of investments; the crook of all crooks. He is responsible for a generational wealth gap that in most cases in unrecoverable. The headlines alone are enough to discourage most of the nation from investing heavily in the equity markets. Hedge funds will likely shrink in number once redemptions are possible. They will have to unravel their portfolios, which may possibly produce other ponzi-schemes. <br><br>5. There will be a new generation of broke senior citizens like we've never seen before. Even when the equity markets were performing well, there was concern that most boomers hadn't saved enough and were over-extended. Fast forward several years and you'll find that they are leveraged to the hilt and whatever they had saved has lost a dramatic amount of principal. <br><br>Imagine a 55 year old with a $500k 401k balance who wants to retire and take distribution by age 70. If the investor acheives a 6% annual return, he will have $1.275 million when he needs to turn it into income. Based on a 6% distribution rate, that equates to approximately $72,500 of lifetime income. However, the reality is an absolute 'double negative.' First of all, investments are likely to either have flat or dismal returns over that time horizon. Combine that with higher income needs and the fact that people are living longer than ever...and you've got a serious wealth crisis amongst the elderly. They will essentially run out of money because their distributions will outpace their returns.<br><br>So....Bruce isn't that far off on his predictions. <br><br>I do see a silver lining and ultimate rebirth of the economic system when this has all flushed out. It will likely create a tremendous bull market for those who participate and more responsibility through proper regulation. <br><br>Now...when it comes to cards (whew!!), protected wealth will likely support pricing because the market for premium examples is thinly traded. People like Bruce and myself will hopefully be able to participate in fractional bargains because we see value. High end cards are truly tangible and in most cases have better name recognition and headline capacity than most fine art and other high end collectables. (antique furniture, non-gold coins and others)<br><br>I've been buying nice cards lately between $400 and $5000 at deep discounts to their respective peaks. I've participated for over 20 years because it is a sentimental investment, and a valuable part of my financial portfolio. From my perspective, Generation X'ers like myself will assimilate better towards fine art of the Mantle,Mays,Cobb,Ruth genre than Picasso,Matisse,Hockney kind of old. <br><br>The 'right' cards will continue to rise in value due to simple supply and demand during these tough times. Bottom feeders will pick up discounts and their will be a flight to quality within all portfolio fundamentals.<br><br>Be safe in 2009 and hug your loved ones. They are your most prized possessions.<br><br>Hopefully, I'll have time to contribute in the coming year.<br><br>Best,<br>Matt<br>

Archive 01-01-2009 07:56 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>David Atkatz</b><p>&quot;High end cards are truly tangible and in most cases have better name recognition and headline capacity than most fine art and other high end collectables.&quot;<br><br>Absolute poppycock.<br><br>&quot;However, the news isn't good for most and will likely continue in some fashion until 2011, <i>possibly all the way towards 2015</i>.&quot;<br><br>Nonsense again.<br><br>&quot;Bernie Madoff is essentially the Jesse James of investments; the crook of all crooks. He is responsible for a generational wealth gap that in most cases in unrecoverable. The headlines alone are enough to discourage most of the nation from investing heavily in the equity markets.&quot;<br><br>If &quot;most of the nation&quot; will be discouraged from investing in plans that promise a 20% return almost guaranteed, good. As W.C. Fields so aptly put it, &quot;You can't cheat an honest man.&quot;<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

Archive 01-01-2009 08:03 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Sean C</b><p>It's very interesting to see people putting their party before their country, yet continuing to think that they are good Americans. Guess that Kool-Aid is tough to get out of the system. <br><br><br><br>During the Bush years, I don't think many liberals actively wanted W to fail; we were just embarrassed at how much of an abysmal failure he was and angry over the repeated denials, spin, and outright lies made by his administration. History will not be kind to him, nor to those that enabled and supported him. <br><br>As for the shoe throwing; the American in me was appalled and angered that something like that could happen to our sitting president. The personality in me was disappointed that they didn't hit, and even more disappointed in W's response to the attack, which showed how utterly clueless he really is.

Archive 01-01-2009 08:07 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Lance</b><p>I don't think anybody can insight more turbulance (sp?) and fury on the board with each and every post....except for, uhh, I think Leon got rid of the other Peter C., right?<br><br>...Let there be peace on Earth or absolute chaos....whatever.

Archive 01-01-2009 08:55 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>joe brennan</b><p>Mathew, Extremely well thought out and interesting post. <br><br>&quot;High end cards are truly tangible and in most cases have better name recognition and headline capacity than most fine art and other high end collectables.&quot; <br><br>But, This is a statement that you might want to retract. Baseball collectors are .0000000000000001% compared to the Art collecting world. If just one fine art collector decided to collect baseball cards and aggresively buy with their income, not one card would ever fall into your hands, Bruces or Jim's hands again. If he let one slip through it would be 100x's what you would be willing to pay. Our national sport has been around for 100 years. Collecting fine art has been around for a bit longer. <br><br>I do believe the name Rembrandt is more well known in this world than Wagner. We have one collectible worth over $1M while lesser known works of less famous artists reach this figure daily. To think your baseball collection will be valued more than museum pieces can not be coming from a person offering any sound financial advice. <br><br>As for the doom and gloom statement till 2015, don't hold your breath. Investors will be scooping up bargains and bolstering a slumping market with fresh money. Stocks at a bargain price will not sit their un bought. There will always be someone selling and someone looking to buy. Look for a turn around sooner than you think.<br><br>As for the crooks. Their have been crooks since the beginning of time and they will be exposed and the scheme will be uncovered. Pretty soon a new one will start. Jesse James made a living robbing trains and banks and I guess people are still coming up with ways of robbing banks, just not using guns any more. We will survive the latest bank robbers and continue to store our money there. <br><br>People and lending institutes that bought and loaned money for houses they could not afford were doomed to lose them from the beginning. Smart people still live in houses they could afford and will be able to afford through tough times. Just because your income increases doesn't mean you have to buy a bigger house every time you get a raise. Keeping up with the Jones is like showing your privates. Someone always has a bigger one. Kinda like some of the collectors that try to be whales. In the long run they are swallowed by a bigger fish. <br><br>Rest assured Mathew we will survive this. I just hope that with the doom a gloom attitudes and the hopes that the new adminstations fail, that some people are not advising people where to invest their money. I for one would not like to have my money in their hands. <br><br>I hope that you next post is as well written, but a little less fantasy. <br><br>In Rememberance of James W. Brennan Sr. 1924-1982. Dad, thanks for everything you did for me.

Archive 01-01-2009 09:22 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>BcD</b><p>How do you all live in such a small apartment together?<br>One you don't even own!<br><br>BcD <img src="/images/happy.gif" height="14" width="14" alt="happy.gif">

Archive 01-01-2009 10:07 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Matthew Pime</b><p>Joe,<br><br>My point is that there is a good possibility of a shift in perception in regards to high end tangible assets. Names such as Rembrandt, Warhol and Picasso will always have an inevitable following. Some of those effective 'tastes' will change for two reasons.<br><br>1. Classical culture in the arts isn't as appreciated in America as in prior decades. Much like coin collectors were positioned until the State Quarter phenomenon, the art crowd is largely an aging population. Unfortunately, fine art is not the media superstar it once was in prior decades. The multimedia experience of the 20th century further enhances future generations of high end collectors because they can better relate to what they have experienced firsthand. In the US, nostalgia is likely to play a increasing role in price, rather than obselete prestige.<br><br>That being said, I have dipped into the art market with Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. Their pieces sell well because of name recognition and the 'pop' nostalgia connected within. It's not the big names that will be affected- millions of dollars go into what I'd call 'fringe' art that is acquired for big numbers and has no 'name' behind it. Sure...you can like a piece or two...but to speculate on unknowns for big pricing is likely to fade in America. I believe acquired taste will almost completely be European driven in the coming decades. <br><br>Why...because people buy what they know, and what they like.<br><br>In regards to fantasy- I don't mean to be a 'party pooper', but its pretty ugly out there. The main problem is that the time value of money is at a standstill. We're also likely to see massive inflation as part of that recovery. I've been buying TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Bonds) as a hedge because of this assumption.<br><br>I do agree with Bruce in most cases. 'Depression' doesn't necessarily have to mean FDR policy and the 'Grapes of Wrath.' There are too many systems in place to have our cities overrun by massive homelessness and tumbleweeds flying through the streets. Things are tough, and most of it is by circumstance. He is right, because some will have to part with their most prized possessions to meet financial margin calls on their stock, real estate and business livelihoods.<br><br>...and this crazy situation has screwed many of those who suppossedly had 'recession proof businesses'<br><br>Think about this...oil has gone from $70 to $150 and back to $37 in just one year. That effects everyone. Airlines, municipalities and businesses abound locked in commodity contracts near the peaks because they were afraid it would go higher. Again, another economy killer because it all trickles down.<br><br>There are some that will be completely unaffected and may 'jump' economic classes simply by not being 'invested.' This could be the new wealth spectrum, and completely unlike previous 'rich' folk in prior generations. My guess is that their investments will be more simple than ever before.<br><br>MP<br>

Archive 01-02-2009 04:50 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>NickM</b><p>Other people have already answered the bankruptcy questions, but no one has really talked about seizure as part of criminal investigation. <br>There are 2 different types of seizure that could happen - seizure for the purpose of asset forfeiture or seizure for investigation/evidence gathering. <br><br>Seizure for the purpose of asset forfeiture would likely result in consignors having to hire lawyers to file claims to get their property back (I doubt most U.S. Attorneys' offices will even fight the claims), while seizure for investigation/evidence gathering results in the return of property to the owner afterward . . . BUT many law enforcement entities do not exercise proper care with valuable property seized as evidence. One anecdotal point will illustrate this. A dealer friend of mine had an expensive raw card (high-grade post-WWII HOFer rookie) stolen. It was recovered when the thief was arrested. The dealer got it back after the trial - with an evidence sticker now stuck directly on the card.

Archive 01-02-2009 07:08 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Are you sure that raw, stolen card wasn't just sent to GAI to be graded? They seem to like to put stickers on things quite a bit. Being very small stickers with their name on them I guess they think it's good advertising...

Archive 01-02-2009 09:44 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Bob</b><p>Left or right if you are wishing for the American president to fail you are wishing for America to fail and you are not a good American. <br><br>Period.&gt;&gt;<br><br>Agree 100%<br>Good Lord, don't tell me the hating on Obama has already begun. Cut the guy some slack and let's see if he can try to lead us out of the morass that Dubbya left. There's a reason Bush was voted the worst President in the history of our country and yet the personal attacks on the man paled in comparison to the barbs and down right cruel hatred Clinton faced from the right wing. <br>As far as there not being one single act of terror on American soil after 9/11, how many acts were there before Bush? The so-called &quot;Patriot Act&quot; and the pervading environment of Fear that Bush and his cronies fostered will be his real legacy, not the ruined economy, the inane war in Iraq or any of his other blunders.

Archive 01-02-2009 11:56 AM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Jeff Lichtman</b><p>The first World Trade Center attack?

Archive 01-02-2009 12:17 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>JimCrandell</b><p>I have a friend whose son is in the CIA(seriously) who is no movement conservative and has told me you would not believe how many potential terrorist attacks have been thwarted because of the major effort put across by the Bush administration to fight terrorism.<br><br>To me the role of government and taxes are major issues but keeping the country safe from the enemy is even more important and I give him an A plus here.

Archive 01-02-2009 01:13 PM

Hobby Panic in 2009
 
Posted By: <b>Rich Klein</b><p> In December 2001, I needed to take some time off to satisfy the minimum (sic) number of vacation days I had to take at Beckett. Also; my dad had just had &quot;the fall&quot; and I wanted to spend some time with him around the holidays.<br> Flying back from Newark to DFW it was an absolute nightmare; made worse by what I thought was a ridiculous rule about taking off one's shoes. (If anyone ever sees what shoes I wear; you'd understand why I thought it was weird)<br> Lo and behold; 2 days later the &quot;shoe bomber&quot; was stopped before he could light his bomb.<br><br> From that point on; I always figured there was some stuff the government knew that I did not.<br><br>Rich<br>


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