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5 Key Takeaways from SNL's Bank M&A Conference

Tom,
At first glance "SNL" evokes you know what... it's too bad that a simple ampersand stands in the way of clarity of purpose. Then again, perhaps SNL (the comedic version) should do a piece on banking - it might be even more valuable than the one you report on here!

U.S. Government Needs a Maggie Sue

Mr. DeLong speaks to this issue in a most authoritative manner. Should there be a move toward setting up his "Maggie Sue", may we then expect that it will be managed with the same high levels of integrity, due diligence and, professionalism enjoyed at "Fannie Mae" & "Freddie Mac"? If so, what does Mr. DeLong think the "vig" (as in vigorish) will be in terms of payouts to Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, & other esteemed members of the U.S. Congress? Who would head up this "Maggie Sue"? Mr. Raines & Ms. Gorelik might be available.

Cramer's Stop Trading! Dow Doomsday Scenario (3/6/09)

Cramer is the Spike Jones of the financial arena. But, that is hardly fair to Spike - Mr. Jones would be playing a Stradivarius, while Jim would be only tootling on a kazoo.

Two Fed Graybeards Speak Out

Cautiouswillie has got it about dead right in my view, with the possible exception of Glass-Steagall.

Friday's Jobs Report: Key Variables to Watch

After listening to the entirety of P.M. Gordon Brown's wonderfully glib oratory to a joint session of the U.S. Congress yesterday - I predict that the Labor Dept. will announce the loss of 658,000 jobs.

The Sound and the Fury in the Markets

While you are recuperating and since you have no apparent interest in the Snopes Trilogy , I was wondering if you just might find an Akira Kurasowa film or two of interest (if, indeed, we are all turning Japanese) - perhaps... viewing "Yojimbo" might assist you in acquiring a new perspective on the trading of the yen. After all, this particular film is a small study of economics, involving(as best I can recall) a wine merchant seeking to "corner" a market & enlists the aid of a passing cutlery salesman. Or, possibly, "Sanjuro" , where a senior type of fellow assists a group of young & aspiring junior types to be more assertive in their business dealings. Who knows, you might even find another inspired acronym or two - to apply to Asian economies of course.

The Golden Bog Award for Worst Economic Behavior in 2008

Macro Man,
Thain is a great pick for this distinguished award but, I must confess a small measure of disappointment insofar as there is no 2nd or, 3rd place awards for your other nominees.
Surely the Friehling/Horowitz group would offer some suggestions to this end. Or, perhaps, Mr. Madoff could venture an idea or two.
We can't have Ministers Brown & Putin off in some corner, sulking over a perceived slight now, can we?
I implore you, Sir! It is certainly not my place to presume anything in this Golden Sanctuary of Achievment - but, possibly a crumb or two for these two distinguished men! What about a gold plated peso banknote overstamped with a large "GBP" & signed by Alistair Darling (or, would this risk offending the Mexican government?) for Minister Brown? For Mr. Putin, possibly a very thinly plated gold tank (an old T34 might do)? Austerity should be the measure, in any regard, but I'm way over my boundaries! Godspeed!