Buccephalus

Consumer Credit Decline Continues

How long will it continue?

The Fed subsidizes Banks at the expense of Savers.
The leaches are fed and the Savers/Retirees starve!

I question how long the Fed Civil Servents feel it appropriate to borrow monies from nowhere and RAPE Taxpaxers at the expense of aiding Banks!

Ameren Corporation Q1 2009 Earnings Call Transcript

One wonders why AEE continues to have excuses for poor earnings and dividend cuts! Their neighbor across the street, LG both continues to improve in earnings and in dividends. A possible improvement would be for AEE to ask the Laclede Group to both take them over and replace their management.

Buccephalus

Bank of America Extends More Credit to a Bankrupt Enterprise

I heard Republic bought a similar Glass and Window factory in Iowa a few weeks ago. I also heard their owners bought a multi-million dollar mansion in Chicago last year. If either/both of these rumors are true I wish the media would post some pictures of the house and factory.

Credit Card Crunch

Whitney had one good prediction! At the same time I believe her other
portfolio picks cost her clients dearly.

If most analysts evaluate the market one way, and a singular analyst sees it a different way, shouldn't we look at the quantitatives which made the sole analyst prophetic! Either a new method or pure luck guided her fame!

I would love to see a Seeking Alpha article which
looked at Whitney's Other Picks and/or performance and explained
the heuristics which make her a superior Financial Analyst.

Sincerely,

JT

The Citi Exclusivity Agreement

My feeling is, "It usually isn't good to countermand the FDIC if you are a major bank under it's auspices."
If WFC is willing to front the consequences of a greater failure, they should go right ahead:
1. Self-ensure their own deposits.
2. Repay the mega billions of dollars they currently have borrowed from the Feds.

I feel that any member of Congress who leaves this forum and seeks re-election should be fired (not-voted for). There was much PORK in the kettle which, once voted for should be immediately repealed. For example, should our Gov spend our money on exporting American Jobs to Samoa, or should they spend the money on us? (Do not even ask regarding my opinion of Bombs vs Americans, which appears to
be the current direction!)

I suggest you ask anyone who leaves to campaign to please explain how they left our government with the following provisions still in place and where they feel they find any money is left to help the American People:

Peace,

JT

"Certain wooden arrows designed for use by children" (Sec 503) [11]
Wool research (Sec. 325)
Film and television productions (Sec. 502)
Litigants in the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill (Sec. 504)
Virgin Island and Puerto Rican rum (Section 308)
American Samoa (Sec. 309)
Mine rescue teams (Sec. 310)
Mine safety equipment (Sec. 311)
Domestic production activities in Puerto Rico (Sec. 312)
Indian tribes (Sec. 314, 315)
Railroads (Sec. 316)
Auto racing tracks (317)
District of Columbia (Sec. 322)

Putting the Perception and Reality of the Financial Crisis Into Perspective

The truth of the matter is: 1. America buys much more than it sells (GDP). 2. America consequentely depends upon China, Japan, etc.
to indulge this vainglory. 3. Their joy of financing this deficit has greatly decreased over the past year. To perpetuate this stupidity, Congress has less risk if the bill is passed tonight! 4. The size of the monies owed may suggest major foreign banks could collapse tomorrow if Congress does not remove it's head from another part of it's anatomy!
This may suggest the best November solution is to vote for me, Honest John. You have your choice of VP's between my two CATS. Casey is a little arrogant, but has the welfare of the country at heart. Penny Cat is a more feeling type of individual who views decisions more from an emotional framework.

Altria's Last Legal Hurdle Should Be Settled This Fall

As I understand it Racketing (RICO) is a criminal offense and should be tried in Criminal Court. The government lawyers tried it in Civil Court because the burden of proof is less. They then demanded the penalties allowed by Criminal Court.

It's kind of like asking Judge Judy to try a murder case. Nobody gets hanged, and if your lucky you may get a judgement for a couple thousand bucks!

The sad thing is the government team of lawyers has been pursuing this case forever! The trial started before President Bush took office!

JT

BofA CEO Lewis the Next to Fall?

I understand BAC has a scheme to create a holding company. When it becomes owner of CFC it will deposit as much toxic waste (under-secured loans to CFC) into that company as possible. Payments, if any, to that holding company will be as little as possible to satisy nearly worthless loans.

If that is not Mr. Lewis's plan, I agree with Alpha Dog. The man is nuts!

Opera Files Complaint in EU Against Microsoft Over IE

Thank you Neo for your understanding!
May I share an additional comment sent to me by email:

"It's almost awesome how the EU screws American companies. It's not just MSFT, it's any company, big or small. I can't get any work there anymore." (From a Small Company enterpreneur)

I do disagree with Mr. Nemo on one point. I do not feel the EU has been duped. Either:
A. They pretend to be utterly stupid to reap huge fines.
or
B. They actually are super-Stupid!

To determine the above I feel the US should require EU companies
to either 1. Export degraded products to the US or 2. Pay ridiculous fines if their products show the least bit of superiority to EU produced goods!

Do we wonder why the Euro has advanced against the Dollar?

Opera Files Complaint in EU Against Microsoft Over IE

I have always been disappointed that the US Government let the
EU get away with the regulation of American companies to the extent which prevailed with MSFT. In this case, it was even over isssues which the US had already settled!

The other thing is... EU regulators demonstrate their computer illiteracy by by their very judgements! Point in case, MSFT was forced to sell a software version sans a browser. I doubt more
than 10 copies were ever bought!

I would like to see the US intercede. I would also like to
see a retaliation where the US appoints the pointy-haired boss
in Dilbert to apply similar judgements agains EU companies doing business in the US!

Wachovia's NovaStar Waivers: D-Day Delay?

I believe the word is "Greed"! Pay out the big WB bonuses in
December and defer the bad news until next year.