Joe Public

Despite Massive Layoffs Nationwide, These 28 Companies Are Hiring

The author states: "Disclosure: The author owns none of the securities in his portfolio". I wonder who owns them, if not him? ;^)

Interpreters of Data Should Exercise Care to Get Facts Right

Jeff, you might have missed one when he said "There is no conspiracy here." (from the 4th excerpt you provided) It's an opinion. Many observers have wondered if the government chooses methodology that reports more favorably than is warranted (e.g., CPI).

On your YOY Change in Home Sales chart, it's true in retrospect that the July 2006 and March 2008 data points might have been viewed as indications of stability or the start of a rebound, but in order to see that, one would have needed at least one or two more months of data. Without such perspective, those points simply indicate further decline.

Wall Street Breakfast: Must-Know News

Not that I was ever tempted to do this, but I won't be taking market timing advice from Harry "it's not going to be a pleasant sight" Reid. As I write this, the S&P is up a point on the day. Bravo to the Senators who just said no to this multi-billion dollar band-aid. But a big Thumbs Down to every single one of them who value their December vacations more highly than continuing to work on this problem. Didn't we rip the Iraqis for taking their August vacation instead of working on their constitution? What's so different here?