Burtbbb

CapitalSource: Tremendous Opportunity or Value Trap?

I've held CSE from it's REIT status and been rewarded well in those dividends. Buying a bank and converting to a bank to gain the access to deposits and less dependance on raising capital seemed to be a great move. And believing in CSE good management even as their stock slid down I averaged down accordingly on several buys. Now it would appear this was stupid! CSE seems headed for bankruptcy along with the others (BAC, C) and now that the commercial loans are in question as to defaults it is even more likely, despite what their management espouses. Last info I read was they would be applying for TARP! I hope your analysis is good medicine, but it appears any cure will be worse than the disease because we can't determine what is ailing! I have no choice but to wait and see the outcome.

Charles Schwab - Conservative but Smart

I am one of the ones who left Citi Smith Barney for Charles Schwab in late 2008 because I felt Smith Barney cared more about serving its Corporate interesests than it did about its clients. When Smith Barney moved from Citi Investment Services (CIS) to Citigroup Global Investment Management it notified its clients they would be changing their fee structure for trading, but they did this without providing any schedule of fees. My first trade resulted in charging me seven times (7X) the previous fees under CIS! Despite my appeal to FINRA and Smith Barney there was never any attempt to rectify the charge. It is no wonder to me that so many Financial Advisors and clients are leaving Citi Smith Barney and moving to Charles Schwab.

Intuit Screws Up, And H&R Block Will Profit

That comment about Intuit being responsive doesn't strike a chord with me. I've had problems with their product Quicken and sent e-mails to ask for a solution.....no response! There is not an easy way to get to Intuit if you have problems with their software. Incidentally, I am a very long time user of Quicken and worked only 1 year with Turbo Tax without filing. I use a CPA for preparing my tax returns, that way I know the job will get down right, especially if I need technical advice from Intuit...it just won't happen!

How Does the Financial Crisis Affect the Peak Oil Thesis?

There is no such word as "irregardless" -- tell me the difference between "regardless" and "irregardless"?