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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.

Treasury's Bank Plan: Oh, How It's Flawed

Peter,
Thanks for an insightful article. You have, at the very least, put more on the table than anything Secretay Geithner has in any of his recent (but infrequent) appearances. As to the confiscation of private equity by our government - I believe very strongly that they (and I do mean the present & past administrations & our Congress [a collective band of theives]) have laid waste to our equities markets in general! I do not invest in any financial companies, nor would I hold any position in a company with any debt - and yet, any number of companies with zero debt, strong sales, & great earnings suffer the same fate in this terrible debacle with a loss in share prices. "Rape, pillage, burn & steal" was the motto of Ghenghis Khan and his mongol hordes - but, Mr. Khan may end up looking like Santa Claus when our government gets thru with us!

Nationalization, By Any Other Name

Our government should announce that a temporary "cominternment" of the bank(s) shall take place. In addition, the statement should come directly from a new head of this function. The "Commisioner of Cominternment" seems apt. Pretty catchy, huh!

U.S. Gets Some Citi: The Rise of Hazardization

Paul,
I will (attempt to) assist you - this is either a form of "cockney" dialect (found only within pealing distance of the Bowe bells), or possibly a recent form of "Okie" dialect (as found in and around Tulsa , Oklahoma). It is definitely not a "midlands" dialect (as in Lancashire). It is readily apparent that the writer omitted a parenthesis: (seeking a want) and, further that the use of:'s for the term "his"; in combination constitute a pathological intent on the part of the writer. Since you have identified the source as FT (Financial Times), a British publication, one can only conclude that the author is a transplanted Oklahoman and, that he (not she) meant to say; "gimme-one-a-them-ther... Glad to help out!

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.