It’s been said “there are no atheists in foxholes.” Apparently, the economic equivalent is “there are no true Free Marketers during depressions,” either . . . –Barry Ritholtz, The Big Picture Regular readers know I’m a big fan of blogger (and fellow former attorney) Barry Ritholtz (“The Big Picture”). Quotes like the one above are...Read More
“Agriculture is the New Golf” The sentiment is practically out of Thoreau: Why not line streets with almond and avocado trees, or replace shrubbery with cabbage and currants? Golf courses could plant their roughs with kale and corn. Lawns”where they must exist”could be edged with chives and herbs. –Stephanie Simon, “An Apple Tree Grows in...Read More
To Financial Giants, Everything is a “Micro-Loan” Three years ago, the federal government used tens of billions in taxpayer dollars to save the banking system. Now, at this dire economic moment, the country needs the banks to return the favor. –Joe Nocera, “Mr. Banker, Can You Spare a Dime?”; The New York Times (9/10/2011) It’s...Read More
Should You “Just Get Out?” That was the most provocative question posed to Liz Ann Sonders, Chief Investment Strategist for Charles Schwab, at a conference call with investors earlier this week (I saw a taped version the next day). Her answer? “No,” because there are no accepted, reliable metrics for deciding: a) when to get out;...Read More
Lloyd Blankfein’s Very Well-Qualifed Attorney It isn’t clear precisely why [Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd] Blankfein hired Reid Weingarten, who focuses his practice on white-collar criminal defense. –“Goldman Officers Lawyer Up“; The Wall Street Journal (8/23/2011) It “isn’t clear” why Blankfein hired his own counsel? Really?? After countless allegations of corporate fraud, misrepresentation, self-dealing, front-running, perjury and other illegal —...Read More
Opting for Swedish over Japanese Tired of my rants against Wall Street? Consider this “guest” rant instead, which IMHO is pitch-perfect (minus a few #!%#!, perhaps): After 40 years of pain avoidance, can we just rip off the f**kin’ band-aid already? Enough with the asset price protection, it is the root cause of everything bad about...Read More
