Comments on: Politics & Real Estate – Strange Bedfellows

By: Tom Koziol

Tom Koziol — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:22:25 +0000

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the post but you lost me. I haven’t heard the term “het-privilege” before so I don’t know how to respond to that. As for making any sort of proclamations, opinions, statements or otherwise about insurance or John Reed, I for one believe both are in the public realm and since they put themselves there it doesn’t affect their identity an iota.

I wonder if I had made a statement about Barak Obama and his distinct disdain for those of us in the middle class. Would that have qualified for the same rhetoric? Just curious.

I look forward to hearing anything else you have to say.

By: Bob Martin

Bob Martin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 11:54:48 +0000

I don’t think it’s realistic to make proclamations about this stuff without some understanding of the politics of het-privilege and how that affects people’s identity decisions on both sides and in the middle.

By: Tom Koziol

Tom Koziol — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:10:50 +0000

Mark – I guess intimidation can be a way to impose self censorship. Personally, I hope he doesn’t quit writing about, as you called them, snake oil salesmen.

By: Mark McGlothlin

Mark McGlothlin — Mon, 19 May 2008 00:21:26 +0000

Tom – nice angle on JTReed’s unfortunate interaction with USAA. I too have been an intermittent reader of his guru opinions for years, and he can be acerbic (I might have even used mordacious); his willingness to “make the call” on gurus is respected by many (including me).

While ostensibly JTReed’s issue is a matter of increased risk exposure for he and his liability carrier, your question of whether or not this represents a form of censorship is food for careful thought.

Can insurance companies direct behavior of their clients? You bet they can – ask your doctor next time you’re in the office how much their liability carrier influences what they say and write every day.

One of my most respected and oldest mentors suggested that you’ll stay out of lots of trouble in life if you just keep your mouth shut most of the time. Some folks just have more to say than others – let’s hope people like JTReed keep talking about things that need to be discussed – like exposing gurus selling snake oil.

By: Tom Koziol

Tom Koziol — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:28:06 +0000

James – An interview is a great idea. If you can work in the USAA angle that would be great too. I have talked w/him on the phone but that was back in the ’90’s. If I still lived in Vacaville, heck, I’d interview him.

As for Madden, a friend of mine (now deceased) told me about John. The short of it was Madden is a pretty active investor.

I look forward to your interview.

By: Joshua Dorkin

Joshua Dorkin — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:11:41 +0000

James –
I “challenged” you to interview him because that is what the others on the discussion were requesting and you let people know of your proximity of Mr Reed. Beyond that, I thought it would make an interesting interview.

If you’re reading any more into it, you’re reading more into it.

JTReed is well known in the REI world and I thought it would be of interest to our readers to find out more about the guy. Nothing more, nothing less.

By: Sunny

Sunny — Sat, 17 May 2008 23:13:44 +0000

Wow! Interesting information. When I say interesting, I mean creepy.
This is my first time on your site. I will be back.