The Cynic

10 Comments

    • The Bailout to End All Bailouts [view article]
      Again I ask what brave American will lead the tax revolt that this incredible Wall Street bailout calls for?? Maybe Ron Paul or Warren Buffet?? It will take such a notable person with inherent credibility so people will listen. Sep 22 11:07 AM
    • AIG and the Derivative Nightmare [view article]
      Like the FNM/FRE bailout situation, I imagine the AIG loan/bailout/conservat... will constitute a credit event that will trigger its CDS obligations. I'm interested to hear others thoughts about this. Sep 17 12:32 PM
    • Problematic GSE Bailout [view article]
      Hmmm..., why protect bondholders and not stockholders?? Perhaps the anser depends on considering who the bondholders are and who the stockholders are. In the calculus of this decision, Paulson probably thought he could live with the possible hurt to the small banks and individual investors who have equity positions. But the large private institutions, central banks and foreign governments who have debt positions, well..., that's another matter. Sep 08 11:03 AM
    • Paulson Rolls The Dice At Taxpayer Expense [view article]
      OK OK, with this delay tactic now in place, what American is going to lead the charge for a taxpayer revolt??!! Really showing your lack of confidence in this way is the only way to get the message to your elected representatives. Now that you're in the throws of a presidential and congressional election, seize the day! Sep 08 10:20 AM
    • Ironies in the Financials [view article]
      It seems like the US banking sector is in for some longer term pain. I say that because of the whole slowly unravelling story about option ARM mortgages. perhaps WFC is in a better position than most since it didn't get into that line, and hopefully it doesn't own much paper based on such mortgages. But I read a bit the other day that suggests that banks in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are thriving largely based on petro-dollars. So far it looks like Asian and Middle-Eastern banks are relatively strong, but who knows with the whole unwinding of leverage that'll occur over next years. Perhaps its best to look at the most conservative of banks too, like some Canadian. Or of course just sit out of the whole sector if you're looking at the long side of things. Of course, you can play the down side too, which in this environment could be rather profitable. Sep 03 12:00 PM
    • Hydroelectric vs. Slow Volcanic Power [view article]
      I like this article, but it's not a question of hydro versus geothermal. It's a question of harnassing all the sources of energy in the most cost-effective and ecologically sensitive manner. Each has a role to play and, in my view, hydro and geothermal should have a much greater emphasis than nuclear. It aamazes me that nuclear is so often given the "green" tag of approval. Has everyone forgotten about heavy water discharges and spent nuclear fuel rods??? Sep 03 11:38 AM
    • Liquidity (Literally) [view article]
      The point is valid. The price of gas is artificially low considering the process necessary to produce it. This is even more stark when compared, as you do, with other items. However, to moderate it a bit, one should compare it to the rate of usage. One isn't supposed to consume Nyquil at a comparable rate to gas! The other point made above by another contributer about choices is equally valid. One can choose to drive a hybrid car, or to buy the no name version of Nyquil, Heinz ketchup or whatever else. It's the new frugality! Cheers. Sep 03 11:14 AM
    • Credit Spreads Continue to Get Worse [view article]
      How much does the current spread exceed that which existed at the Bear Sterns debacle? Aug 27 12:39 PM
    • Goldman: Readying Short Position Initiation Sequence [view article]
      It's true, it's not the easiest short. But when the GS magic wears off and it has to delever its pretty massive leverage, look out below! Aug 19 02:26 PM
    • Strategists' 2008 S&P 500 Price Targets [view article]
      I'm sufficiently cynical about such forecasts because, should these financial instituions estimate an 1100 or even 1000 finish to the year, I think they think that'd stimulate a sell-off. Since the S&P has such a strong financial component, what they think they'd be feeding is a sell off of their own companies. Hmmm..., a vested interest perhaps?? Jul 24 01:30 PM
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