Goldman Sachs strategist ready to buy the dip on Omicron variant scare

We think a broad risk recovery may be impeded in the near term by the need to digest the prospect of a more hawkish Fed and a less consistent cyclical tailwind.  Ironically, the Omicron scare itself may now create the best possibilities for relief in the coming weeks, either because incoming news is better than feared or because it prompts monetary policymakers to take a more cautious stance toward tightening.

~ Dominic Wilson, Goldman Sachs strategist, client note, November 29, 2021

Calvin Lapp on the three things the Amish don't like

There’s three things the Amish don’t like: that’s government – they won’t get involved in government. They don’t like the public education system – they won’t send their children to education.  And they also don’t like the health system – they rip us off.  Those are three things that we feel like we’re fighting against all the time.  But those three things are part of what COVID is.

~ Calvin Lapp, Amish Mennonite, "How Amish Communities Achieved 'Herd Immunity' Without Higher Death Rates, Lockdowns, Masks or Vaccines," The Pulse, November 25, 2021

George Orwell on gun control

That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy.  It is our job to see that it stays there. 

~ George Orwell

(The photo below was taken by Dennis Call: "I love to wander the backroads of Texas.  It may never get completed, but I am putting together a coffee-table book called "Driving Texas."  It is a picture book of places/sights/only in Texas and other items of interest.")

"Only in Texas!"

Dr. Aseem Malhotra on the vaccines and link to heart disease

I think now it's high time that policy makers around the world put an end to the mandates because I think if this signal [heart disease link with Covid vaccines] is strong and if it's correct, then history will not be on their side and the public will not forgive them for it.

~ Dr. Aseem Malhotra, "Explosive Interview, UK Cardiologist Highlights Link Between mRNA Vaccines and Heart Disease, While Noting Researchers Withholding Data Fearful of Losing Funding," The Last Refuge, 2:50 mark, November 27, 2021

Josef Lakonishok on the importance of valuations on momentum investing

We tried to see if valuations also matter within momentum.  So actually what we did, we looked at companies with high momentum, low momentum, deciles, quintiles, whichever you want to do, and then we looked at the valuations.  Let’s call it momentum factor.  So when the momentum factor is cheap, it kind of tends to do well.  But when the momentum factor is crazy expensive, the high momentum guys are very expensive relative to low momentum guys, subsequently the return on this momentum factor is nothing to write home about.  And I actually find it to be a very interesting finding because valuations always matter.  We know that valuations matter when you compare value to growth.  Valuations matter when you compare high momentum to low momentum.  I’m sure that it matters when you compare large companies to small companies.  So for me it is just another indication that you cannot run away from valuation.

~ Josef Lakonishok, LSV Asset Management, "Value For the Long Run" roundtable discussion, October 28, 2020

Penn State football coach James Franklin on Covid vaccines

I don’t think they want me to get into the exact percentage of where we’re at.  It’s something that I’ve been tracking all year long and been very aggressive...  For me to sit here and tell you I’m happy, I’m not going to be happy until it’s 100%.  That is staff, players and everybody associated with the program. 

I think vaccination rates are clearly going to be a competitive advantage or a competitive disadvantage.  I’ve stated that very clearly to my team.  If you have a certain position that has low vaccination rates, then all of a sudden you get somebody that pops positive and you lose four guys at one position, that’s going to be a challenge.  That’s going to be an issue.

~ James Franklin, "Penn State football coach James Franklin, players pushing for vaccinations among personnel," Centre Daily Times, July 10, 2021

(At Big Ten Media Days Thursday on July 8, coach Franklin said his team had over a 70% vaccination rate.)

Dr. Sohrab Lutchmedial on the Covid vaccine (2021)

So happy to do my part.  I'm really looking forward to visiting my father again and not being worried when I do.

~ Dr. Sohrab Lutchmedial, after receiving his first mRNA vaccine, January 16, 2021

For those who won't get the vaccine for selfish reasons - whatever - I won't cry at their funeral.

~ tweet, July 10, 2021

The vaccine has been tested on youth and looks undeniably safe.  You have a higher chance of getting into a car accident on your way to hockey practice than you do having a complication from this vaccine.

~ Facebook post, September 25, 2021

I think all of us would treat that unvaxxed patient with respect and to the best of our abilities.  But the people that convinved them not to get vaxxed?  I want to punch those people in the face.

~ tweet, October 9, 2021

Dr. Lutchmedial received his third vaccine shot on October 24 and passed away in his sleep on November 8.

1969-2021