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Peter Kobs's definitions

Spillonomics

1. A scientific way to calculate the true costs of massive oil spills, such as the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

Spillonomics was conceived shortly after the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Sadly, it has become a major growth industry in the last 21 years.

Unlike other methods favored by the petroleum industry, Spillonomics takes into account both short-term clean-up costs AND long-term costs related to marine ecosystems, tourism, fishing, coastal employment, real estate values and water quality.

2. Dick Cheney's latest nightmare.
I'm majoring in Spillonomics. My uncle at Halliburton is livid. Serves him right!
by Peter Kobs June 1, 2010
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Warm Wanter

1. Someone who lives in a cold region of the world who secretly hopes for Global Warming to accelerate.
2. The anti-scientific feeling you get in Michigan when it snows -- AGAIN -- in late April or early October.
3. A surrender to climatic selfishness at the expense of global environmental collapse.
John became a Warm Wanter after it snowed on Earth Day -- April 22 -- for the fourth year in a row!
by Peter Kobs May 18, 2009
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Turnaround Tipster

1. An economist or investor who claims to know when the stock market has "bottomed out" based on inside information or a unique set of obscure metrics. 2. Someone who tells you to "get back in the market" because the turnaround has begun. 3. A charlatan.
Ted says we should start buying stock again because the semi-conductor market is firming up in Taiwan. He's one of those Turnaround Tipsters on CNBC.
by Peter Kobs March 10, 2009
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Rendezvous with Reality

1. A sudden encounter with economic reality that dramatically changes one's perceptions, plans or outlook.
2. A rude awakening to the stark differences between fantasy and actual life.
3. The dramatic change process that began in September 2008 with the collapse of the U.S. financial system.
Jean was planning to buy a vacation home in Hawaii until she had a Rendezvous with Reality -- her retirement fund had declined 50% since last fall.
by Peter Kobs May 19, 2009
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Prius Panic

1. A sudden feeling of intense dread associated with the Toyota Prius hybrid automobile.

Owners of the formerly chic enviro-friendly car now live in fear that their vehicle will suddenly accelerate out of control, propelling them over a cliff.

2. The scourge of the Toyota PR Department. Whether true or not, millions of people now believe that the Prius is a dangerous car.
"My wife insists on driving my old Chevy Mailbu to work now. She's got a bad case of Prius Panic."
by Peter Kobs March 11, 2010
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Slumburbia

1. A derisive term for older suburbs that are declining into poverty. The word is a combination of "Slum" and "Suburbia."

2. The bleak future for many aging American suburbs.

3. What happens when people refuse to take urban planning seriously.

Slumburbia is almost always found in large metro areas. As middle-class residents move farther and farther away from the urban core, the closer-in suburbs start to deteriorate. Property values fall leading to reduced local tax revenue, decreased public services, declining schools and increasing crime, especially gang activity. This vicious circle continues for years until the suburb itself is no longer distinguishable from the large city it borders.

Examples of Slumburbia: Hamtramck, Michigan; Somerville, Massachusetts; Camden, New Jersey; and Compton, California.
My hometown is turning into Slumburbia. You can hear gunfire there almost every night.
by Peter Kobs March 9, 2010
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House Heckler

1. A politician who openly heckles, threatens or attacks the President of the United States on the House Floor during a joint session of Congress.

2. Any person who brazenly violates the code of civility and decorum of the U.S. House of Representatives, especially elected officials.

3. Rep. Joe Brown of South Carolina, who yelled "You lie!" at our first African-American President during his speech on health care to Congress on Sept. 9, 2009. (Brown's contention that the proposed health care reform bill would somehow insure illegal aliens was later deemed false on both FactCheck.org and Politifact.org.)
"Did you ever meet Joe Brown? He's that infamous House Heckler who called Obama a liar on the floor of Congress during a speech by the President."
by Peter Kobs September 10, 2009
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