Search found 458 matches

by FarmerD
Wed Jun 01, 2016 11:35 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Medical marijuana and cancer
Replies: 5
Views: 3682

Medical marijuana and cancer

Is marijuana hemp oil worth taking as a cancer treatment with or without chemo? Certainly there are no controlled clinical trials using it, only some interesting research and some anecdotal evidence of efficacy. Still, is it worth trying? Disclaimer: I'm talking CBD hemp oil which is legal in all 50...
by FarmerD
Mon May 09, 2016 4:15 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Small Cap Index is Best Index for the PP?
Replies: 3
Views: 2686

Small Cap Index is Best Index for the PP?

I'm going argue here the Small Cap Index is better than the Total Market Index or S % P index funds for the PP.  1.  Backtesting using the Small Cap Index results in a PP CAGR of 10.3% which beats the 9.4% earned by tradition PP using a large cap or total stock market index.  That's not particularly...
by FarmerD
Fri Apr 15, 2016 9:10 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Gold Standard in Islamic Finance ‘Almost There’ for Submission
Replies: 7
Views: 4660

Re: Gold Standard in Islamic Finance ‘Almost There’ for Submission

Arab countries have always been great place to buy gold.  As I understand it, at least in Saudi Arabia and Oman, it's the law (the Koran may mandate this) that every gold seller is required to explicitly state the amount of gold in their product and the exact dealer markup.  As a result nobody gets ...
by FarmerD
Tue Mar 29, 2016 9:48 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The Permanent Garden
Replies: 51
Views: 20212

Re: The Permanent Garden

My approach to tree planting that now seems to work well for my climate is as follows: - Use a jackhammer/demo hammer to loosen the soil where I'm gonna dig (yes really) - Dig a square hole 3 times the diameter of the rootball and as deep (square holes reduce the tendency of roots to circle when th...
by FarmerD
Tue Mar 29, 2016 1:12 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: Geographically diversify - Move Gold to Texas
Replies: 11
Views: 6003

Re: Geographically diversify - Move Gold to Texas

I haven't seen this discussed here at at all.  The Texas Gold Depository is supposed to be set up this quarter.  If it works as advertised it may be a far better oprtionthan Perth Mint or any other way to store gold overseas.  Curious what others think (MedTex, I've heard the depository will in Dal...
by FarmerD
Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:37 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Geographically diversify - Move Gold to Texas
Replies: 11
Views: 6003

Geographically diversify - Move Gold to Texas

I haven't seen this discussed here at at all.  The Texas Gold Depository is supposed to be set up this quarter.  If it works as advertised it may be a far better oprtionthan Perth Mint or any other way to store gold overseas.  Curious what others think (MedTex, I've heard the depository will in Dall...
by FarmerD
Sat Jan 16, 2016 2:34 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: Time to buy CEF?
Replies: 5
Views: 4266

Re: Time to buy CEF?

dragoncar wrote: Isn't it just the next takeover target?
Let's hope so.  If Sprott wants to make a move to buy this and drive the discount to zero, great for me. 
by FarmerD
Fri Jan 15, 2016 9:01 pm
Forum: Gold
Topic: Time to buy CEF?
Replies: 5
Views: 4266

Time to buy CEF?

Me, along with quite few on this board, bought GTU when its discount widened into the 5-10 percent area.  Now the discount is narrowed to 2%, I've been thinking of switching some of my gold investment over to the Central Fund of Canada.  The Central Fund of Canada is a closed end precious metals fun...
by FarmerD
Mon Aug 24, 2015 9:33 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Curveball
Replies: 2
Views: 2395

Re: Curveball

I don't think the authors are saying that a curve ball doesn't actually curve. But the "illusion" (which I interpret as the mismatch between reality and the expectation of the eye + brain) is an important part of its success. The same is true with MT's high school teammate's change-up.  If he threw...
by FarmerD
Sun Aug 23, 2015 2:04 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Curveball
Replies: 2
Views: 2395

Re: Curveball

In high school I was scouted by a couple MLB teams.  Both scouts said I threw a "big yakker," i.e. a slow big breaking lateral curve like Mike Boddicker of the Orioles.  If I aimed it at the hitter, the batter would bail out and it would bend over for a strike.  If I threw it down the middle of the ...
by FarmerD
Wed Jul 01, 2015 4:37 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: The First Emotional Robot
Replies: 3
Views: 2253

Re: The First Emotional Robot

Eh, I'll wait for the Jessica Alba model to come out.
by FarmerD
Fri May 15, 2015 1:08 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Japan PP
Replies: 8
Views: 4992

Re: Japan PP

The wayback machine (internet archive) has part of it, but not the tables, at http://web.archive.org/web/20140605102007/http://europeanpermanentportfolio.blogspot.sg/p/permanent-portfolio.html For the one that still has the tables (since they were saved as GIFs or JPGs instead of as Google spreadsh...
by FarmerD
Wed May 13, 2015 3:46 pm
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Japan PP
Replies: 8
Views: 4992

Japan PP

Does anyone have any data on how the Japanese PP has performed historically?  There was a website a few years ago (I think it was Marc De Mesel (sp?)) that had this data but his website is gone.  Going forward, it may be a god idea to study the Japanese as to how our PP may perform in the future. 
by FarmerD
Sat May 09, 2015 8:38 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: US Raises Threat Level At All Domestic Military Bases
Replies: 7
Views: 3811

Re: US Raises Threat Level At All Domestic Military Bases

If you think military bases stateside are safe from terrorists, think again.  Before I retired I sent ans essay around to base personnel (from a friends home computer) about base security.  Below is a small part of the essay.  It's all true. In the good old days, prior to 9/11, all it took to gain e...
by FarmerD
Sat May 09, 2015 8:14 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: US Raises Threat Level At All Domestic Military Bases
Replies: 7
Views: 3811

Re: US Raises Threat Level At All Domestic Military Bases

I would propose a very simple solution to the threat to attack our domestic military bases, Reub. They could actually arm the soldiers who are being threatened and let them defend themselves. I speak as one with military service predicting this will not be done. Of course it won't be done.  Militar...
by FarmerD
Tue May 05, 2015 10:51 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Why own a gun?
Replies: 15
Views: 5687

Re: Why own a gun?

I seem to be the only libertarian here who refuses to have a gun in the house.  If I felt the need for greater home security I would much rather have a peppers spray gun like the one linked below.  There are many problems with a gun in the house.  As noted above, if you have kids you're supposed to ...
by FarmerD
Wed Apr 22, 2015 10:49 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Guess What's Destroying the Middle Class?
Replies: 165
Views: 54452

Re: Guess What's Destroying the Middle Class?

It all comes down to financial management.  Most people are comically bad at this.  I don't know what the solution is...requiring personal finance courses in high school?  More personal finance blogs?  Giving everyone a copy of YNAB upon high school graduation?  Increasing income certainly won't so...
by FarmerD
Mon Apr 20, 2015 1:07 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Dr. Oz is a quack
Replies: 12
Views: 6144

Re: Dr. Oz is a quack

The other comment worth making, is that if you look at the dietary/supplement advice which is the "consensus" for this forum including that cholesterol ain't "bad" for you, wheat is, etc. most MDs would tell you that it is all quackery. Point not being to defend Oz (since I've no idea of all of wha...
by FarmerD
Sat Apr 18, 2015 10:51 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Seeking beta-readers for my new book which includes discussion of the PP
Replies: 8
Views: 6232

Re: Seeking beta-readers for my new book which includes discussion of the PP

Jake,
I just signed up.  I'm interested to see what you've got written. 
by FarmerD
Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:06 am
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Examine.com 4 superfoods you should be eating
Replies: 35
Views: 16344

Re: Examine.com 4 superfoods you should be eating

Activz has organic versions of powdered fruits and veggies (I buy from iherb to save money) and I've been using among others their powdered beet root, mixed berries, spinach on days when I don't eat as many veggies as I like. You might want to check out znatural foods - they have dozens  of discoun...
by FarmerD
Thu Mar 19, 2015 3:34 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Modern Medicine Critique - Wow! I'm speechless.
Replies: 11
Views: 4814

Re: Modern Medicine Critique - Wow! I'm speechless.

WiseOne/MG As a sidenote, there's a really nice long blog post on Vegetablepharm about how the thought on cancer development and treatment has been on a long circular route over the past 30 years or so.  The blogger quotes from several studies including "Coming Full Circle—From Endless Complexity to...
by FarmerD
Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:51 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Modern Medicine Critique - Wow! I'm speechless.
Replies: 11
Views: 4814

Re: Modern Medicine Critique - Wow! I'm speechless.

Well, you know talk is cheap, but money is everything. Which book are you referring to, Doctoring Data? Yep, Doctoring Data.  It's seems like the medical field has sort of reached a tipping point where more and more criticism is coming from within.  It used to be only fringe people like Uffe Ravnsk...
by FarmerD
Wed Mar 18, 2015 9:04 pm
Forum: Other Discussions
Topic: Modern Medicine Critique - Wow! I'm speechless.
Replies: 11
Views: 4814

Modern Medicine Critique - Wow! I'm speechless.

The Fathead blog had a link to Dr Malcom Kendrick's latest book.  The Amazon description of the book had the following quote: “It is simply no longer possible to believe much of the clinical research that is published, or to rely on the judgment of trusted physicians or authoritative medical guideli...
by FarmerD
Mon Mar 16, 2015 7:51 am
Forum: Permanent Portfolio Discussion
Topic: Questions to Consider, Interested in Thoughts
Replies: 19
Views: 8140

Re: Questions to Consider, Interested in Thoughts

Some very good comments so far. I've always liked the 4 bucket analogy for the PP. The US's gross domestic product is growing at some rate.  Someone is creating value and that value is going somewhere.  Harry surmised that holding bonds, equities, gold and cash would be a sufficient portfolio such ...
by FarmerD
Mon Mar 16, 2015 6:38 am
Forum: Gold
Topic: Never have long positions in UGLD or DGLD
Replies: 5
Views: 4169

Re: Never have long positions in UGLD or DGLD

Leveraged ETF's won't give you 2X or 3X but they can be held long term.  Inverse leveraged ETF's are of course horrible. 

http://ddnum.com/articles/leveragedETFs.php