Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

For military? I think they can retire after 20 years with full benefits, but I could be wildly wrong. I believe that after 20 years, the only change is that your high-three years of salary (or whatever the basis for setting the pension is) will increase.

The 20-year rule is why all the defense contractors and such start lining up at the doors of the majors and captains, looking to get them into the procurement areas. The soldiers can cash out at full pay, and take another job. Pretty cushy, although generally deserved for their years of service.

Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

I think the pension creates a sense of security. You watch it grow over years and it becomes the post retirement lifeline. Its "safe," whereas the account you have with your broker isn't psychologically seen as such a safe lifeline. Partly, my impression stems from hearing people I know gush about how they have it made based on their pensions. In these parts, people brag about moving from DE to PA when they get pensions for tax reasons. Its viewed as a safety net. And frankly, I think safety nets are bad things. They stunt growth and ambition. People don't take as many chances. But I guess you could say, when looking at the housing market, maybe its not such a good thing for Americans to take chances.

Terror alert raised
 

To Orange for mass transit systems.

Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

That ain't just the military. I have a family friend doing that now. Totally able to work, but happily sitting out his late 50s laughing his ass off. God bless him. I mean, really... he worked it. But something seems wrong about it.

a religion of peace and tolerance for our time
 

Sounds to me more like Sen. George Aiken (R--Vt.).

Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

If a person was ambitious and took chances in his or her 20s, 30s, and 40s, is being a bit less professionally ambitious and growth-oriented in the 50s and 60s really so bad? I'm not talking about slacking off so much as easing up in favor of channeling one's energy elsewhere. You're the one who's always saying nobody says on their deathbead I should have spent more time at the office.

I hope to hell I have a safety net when I'm in my 50s, especially in light of how difficult it is to find a job or switch careers at that age.

london bombings
 

Powell's "Pottery Barn" theory. Bush didn't much like that one.


Unfortunately, it's true -- but how much more of this shit? Twelve years of last throes?

london bombings
 

Fundamentalism is a modern phenomena. You don't have to worry about the people living in tents. You have to worry about the people who have left the tents for the cities, and become disaffected.

Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

Most pensions came about, I believe, because the unions realized their members couldn't or wouldn't save for retirement, so they forced the companies to do it for them. The trade off was lower up-front salaries for the employees.

The transition to 401(k)s has come about b/c the companies got sick of funding the pension plans and have found that people will, indeed, save money if they are given enough incentive.

And regarding the retirement age thing, it seems you don't understand how pensions work. Being vested after 25 years of service doesn't mean you can start drawing after that time. Most plans have a minimum retirement age before you can get your money out.

london bombings
 

The bombings in Spain and the bombings today were committed with standard explosives. A week ago I walked on the DC subway at rush hour with a carry on suitcase. It could have contained explosives. The Iraq war (putting aside it's ultimate value) was never intended to stop the presence of standard explosives.

The web site pronouncement included Afghanistan as justification, not just Iraq. So Iraq wasn't intended to stop this sort nor does it appear to have been the sole motivation. In fact, I believe Scotland Yard has broken up several imminent attacks over the past few years. Some sounded like they would have been very very horrific- worse that today if that matters. Some of these thrawted attacks were pre-Iraq invasion.

To claim Iraq was wrong because of today, is to claim that the only response to any of this is to hope it stops.

Remember, in Spain AFTER the announcement of withdraw from Iraq, they found more bombs on train tracks.

The situation is fucked. It is the situation we are in.

london bombings
 

I thought it was great the way they were able to twist this against Kerry. He'd note that Iraq is fucked up, and the Rs would say, "What would you do differently?" Of course, there's not a lot that you can do differently. We're stuck. You can't undo the decision to go there in the first place.

Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

Same goes for my company. No imminent plans to discontinue the pension. Don't count on having rollerballs in a couple of months, however. You'll use Bic pens, and you'll like it.

Why oh why did my 401k die?
 

Most of the people who took chances in 20-40s don't find themselves relying on pensions. A lot of people hit a point where they realize they have to work for themselves to make as much as they want.

london bombings
 

So you admit that the war in Iraq has nothing to do with stopping terrorism?

london bombings
 

I assume you mean this as a joke, but I'm really not in the right frame of mind.

Iraq was intended to stop/lessen the possibilty that the bombs today would have been something other than standard explosives.

To stop things like happened today requires identifying and stopping people moled into our country and our allies countries. Britian does not play with this shit. I expect you'll see some big changes over the next few months there re. how fundamentalist can preach hate. I expect you will see big arrests.