[gandalf]

Naw, Veritas. No names today. It’s okay. 90% of Piggs is always great, very cool. I’m pretty laid back most of the time, focus on work and family.

Have to understand, not ordinary times in our country anymore. The right-wing talk-show thing has gone over the top, partisan, dishonest and irresponsible. Most of the people I know are done with it, no more “bash-the-democrats” business. Not the time. Not during war. Not with everything AT RISK the way it is. Look at the polls, that’s where most of the country is. Enough already.

BTW, I’m completely okay with substantive and honest discussions. Completely okay with people who disagree, so long as they’re not disagreeable. Piggs is usually good because it’s generally more substantive than the talking point nonsense you read elsewhere on the Internet.

Moving on, how about this bailout business? Where do you stand? I’m genuinely conflicted. Risks for systemic meltdown are there. They’re real. But I’m a capitalist, and the bailout is worse than socialism, it’s corrupt and something they’d do in Russia. We’re about to create a nationalized banking system. Amazing. Is there any way to ‘let it crash’ without taking down the broader economy?

Also, I have to say, this whole inflation versus deflation debate is just fascinating, in a sick and macabre sort of way, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow-motion, scientific curiosity to see what happens.

I cast my cards with kewp. Deflation rules the day for now because money supply (created through loose credit) is going up in smoke as we speak, in massive amouts. Down the road, if the economy starts to roll again and employment picks back up, we might see vicious inflation, but right now, I’m thinking “Cash is king.”

OTH, there are a few scenarios out there leading to a dollar crisis. Foreign policy plays a role. Frightening stuff, and serious business. I wonder how many people are just cruising along on auto-pilot, no clue as to the magnitude of the risks we face right now… Just surreal.

This too shall pass.

[gandalf]

Naw, Veritas. No names today. It’s okay. 90% of Piggs is always great, very cool. I’m pretty laid back most of the time, focus on work and family.

Have to understand, not ordinary times in our country anymore. The right-wing talk-show thing has gone over the top, partisan, dishonest and irresponsible. Most of the people I know are done with it, no more “bash-the-democrats” business. Not the time. Not during war. Not with everything AT RISK the way it is. Look at the polls, that’s where most of the country is. Enough already.

BTW, I’m completely okay with substantive and honest discussions. Completely okay with people who disagree, so long as they’re not disagreeable. Piggs is usually good because it’s generally more substantive than the talking point nonsense you read elsewhere on the Internet.

Moving on, how about this bailout business? Where do you stand? I’m genuinely conflicted. Risks for systemic meltdown are there. They’re real. But I’m a capitalist, and the bailout is worse than socialism, it’s corrupt and something they’d do in Russia. We’re about to create a nationalized banking system. Amazing. Is there any way to ‘let it crash’ without taking down the broader economy?

Also, I have to say, this whole inflation versus deflation debate is just fascinating, in a sick and macabre sort of way, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow-motion, scientific curiosity to see what happens.

I cast my cards with kewp. Deflation rules the day for now because money supply (created through loose credit) is going up in smoke as we speak, in massive amouts. Down the road, if the economy starts to roll again and employment picks back up, we might see vicious inflation, but right now, I’m thinking “Cash is king.”

OTH, there are a few scenarios out there leading to a dollar crisis. Foreign policy plays a role. Frightening stuff, and serious business. I wonder how many people are just cruising along on auto-pilot, no clue as to the magnitude of the risks we face right now… Just surreal.

This too shall pass.

[gandalf]

Naw, Veritas. No names today. It’s okay. 90% of Piggs is always great, very cool. I’m pretty laid back most of the time, focus on work and family.

Have to understand, not ordinary times in our country anymore. The right-wing talk-show thing has gone over the top, partisan, dishonest and irresponsible. Most of the people I know are done with it, no more “bash-the-democrats” business. Not the time. Not during war. Not with everything AT RISK the way it is. Look at the polls, that’s where most of the country is. Enough already.

BTW, I’m completely okay with substantive and honest discussions. Completely okay with people who disagree, so long as they’re not disagreeable. Piggs is usually good because it’s generally more substantive than the talking point nonsense you read elsewhere on the Internet.

Moving on, how about this bailout business? Where do you stand? I’m genuinely conflicted. Risks for systemic meltdown are there. They’re real. But I’m a capitalist, and the bailout is worse than socialism, it’s corrupt and something they’d do in Russia. We’re about to create a nationalized banking system. Amazing. Is there any way to ‘let it crash’ without taking down the broader economy?

Also, I have to say, this whole inflation versus deflation debate is just fascinating, in a sick and macabre sort of way, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow-motion, scientific curiosity to see what happens.

I cast my cards with kewp. Deflation rules the day for now because money supply (created through loose credit) is going up in smoke as we speak, in massive amouts. Down the road, if the economy starts to roll again and employment picks back up, we might see vicious inflation, but right now, I’m thinking “Cash is king.”

OTH, there are a few scenarios out there leading to a dollar crisis. Foreign policy plays a role. Frightening stuff, and serious business. I wonder how many people are just cruising along on auto-pilot, no clue as to the magnitude of the risks we face right now… Just surreal.

This too shall pass.

[gandalf]

Naw, Veritas. No names today. It’s okay. 90% of Piggs is always great, very cool. I’m pretty laid back most of the time, focus on work and family.

Have to understand, not ordinary times in our country anymore. The right-wing talk-show thing has gone over the top, partisan, dishonest and irresponsible. Most of the people I know are done with it, no more “bash-the-democrats” business. Not the time. Not during war. Not with everything AT RISK the way it is. Look at the polls, that’s where most of the country is. Enough already.

BTW, I’m completely okay with substantive and honest discussions. Completely okay with people who disagree, so long as they’re not disagreeable. Piggs is usually good because it’s generally more substantive than the talking point nonsense you read elsewhere on the Internet.

Moving on, how about this bailout business? Where do you stand? I’m genuinely conflicted. Risks for systemic meltdown are there. They’re real. But I’m a capitalist, and the bailout is worse than socialism, it’s corrupt and something they’d do in Russia. We’re about to create a nationalized banking system. Amazing. Is there any way to ‘let it crash’ without taking down the broader economy?

Also, I have to say, this whole inflation versus deflation debate is just fascinating, in a sick and macabre sort of way, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow-motion, scientific curiosity to see what happens.

I cast my cards with kewp. Deflation rules the day for now because money supply (created through loose credit) is going up in smoke as we speak, in massive amouts. Down the road, if the economy starts to roll again and employment picks back up, we might see vicious inflation, but right now, I’m thinking “Cash is king.”

OTH, there are a few scenarios out there leading to a dollar crisis. Foreign policy plays a role. Frightening stuff, and serious business. I wonder how many people are just cruising along on auto-pilot, no clue as to the magnitude of the risks we face right now… Just surreal.

This too shall pass.

[gandalf]

Naw, Veritas. No names today. It’s okay. 90% of Piggs is always great, very cool. I’m pretty laid back most of the time, focus on work and family.

Have to understand, not ordinary times in our country anymore. The right-wing talk-show thing has gone over the top, partisan, dishonest and irresponsible. Most of the people I know are done with it, no more “bash-the-democrats” business. Not the time. Not during war. Not with everything AT RISK the way it is. Look at the polls, that’s where most of the country is. Enough already.

BTW, I’m completely okay with substantive and honest discussions. Completely okay with people who disagree, so long as they’re not disagreeable. Piggs is usually good because it’s generally more substantive than the talking point nonsense you read elsewhere on the Internet.

Moving on, how about this bailout business? Where do you stand? I’m genuinely conflicted. Risks for systemic meltdown are there. They’re real. But I’m a capitalist, and the bailout is worse than socialism, it’s corrupt and something they’d do in Russia. We’re about to create a nationalized banking system. Amazing. Is there any way to ‘let it crash’ without taking down the broader economy?

Also, I have to say, this whole inflation versus deflation debate is just fascinating, in a sick and macabre sort of way, it’s like watching a train wreck in slow-motion, scientific curiosity to see what happens.

I cast my cards with kewp. Deflation rules the day for now because money supply (created through loose credit) is going up in smoke as we speak, in massive amouts. Down the road, if the economy starts to roll again and employment picks back up, we might see vicious inflation, but right now, I’m thinking “Cash is king.”

OTH, there are a few scenarios out there leading to a dollar crisis. Foreign policy plays a role. Frightening stuff, and serious business. I wonder how many people are just cruising along on auto-pilot, no clue as to the magnitude of the risks we face right now… Just surreal.

This too shall pass.

[gandalf]

Yeah, me too. Big-time. Bad economy opens the door to mob democracy and populism. And eventually war. What’s that Lewis quote? When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

The mistake is thinking it’s a ‘leftist’ mob. It’s been fermenting on the right for a couple of decades now, aided and abetted by right-wing opinion makers and politicians — truly anti-American.

Real republicans are starting to realize this too, and seem to be stepping in to keep the wheels from coming off the bus. Establishment is finally reading the tea leaves. McCain campaign crowds last week were just remarkable.

Let us all take care, respect our history and traditions. Hard times ahead and we’re in the midst of a political war with extremists within our own country. May the moderates prevail.

[gandalf]

Yeah, me too. Big-time. Bad economy opens the door to mob democracy and populism. And eventually war. What’s that Lewis quote? When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

The mistake is thinking it’s a ‘leftist’ mob. It’s been fermenting on the right for a couple of decades now, aided and abetted by right-wing opinion makers and politicians — truly anti-American.

Real republicans are starting to realize this too, and seem to be stepping in to keep the wheels from coming off the bus. Establishment is finally reading the tea leaves. McCain campaign crowds last week were just remarkable.

Let us all take care, respect our history and traditions. Hard times ahead and we’re in the midst of a political war with extremists within our own country. May the moderates prevail.

[gandalf]

Yeah, me too. Big-time. Bad economy opens the door to mob democracy and populism. And eventually war. What’s that Lewis quote? When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

The mistake is thinking it’s a ‘leftist’ mob. It’s been fermenting on the right for a couple of decades now, aided and abetted by right-wing opinion makers and politicians — truly anti-American.

Real republicans are starting to realize this too, and seem to be stepping in to keep the wheels from coming off the bus. Establishment is finally reading the tea leaves. McCain campaign crowds last week were just remarkable.

Let us all take care, respect our history and traditions. Hard times ahead and we’re in the midst of a political war with extremists within our own country. May the moderates prevail.

[gandalf]

Yeah, me too. Big-time. Bad economy opens the door to mob democracy and populism. And eventually war. What’s that Lewis quote? When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

The mistake is thinking it’s a ‘leftist’ mob. It’s been fermenting on the right for a couple of decades now, aided and abetted by right-wing opinion makers and politicians — truly anti-American.

Real republicans are starting to realize this too, and seem to be stepping in to keep the wheels from coming off the bus. Establishment is finally reading the tea leaves. McCain campaign crowds last week were just remarkable.

Let us all take care, respect our history and traditions. Hard times ahead and we’re in the midst of a political war with extremists within our own country. May the moderates prevail.

[gandalf]

Yeah, me too. Big-time. Bad economy opens the door to mob democracy and populism. And eventually war. What’s that Lewis quote? When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.

The mistake is thinking it’s a ‘leftist’ mob. It’s been fermenting on the right for a couple of decades now, aided and abetted by right-wing opinion makers and politicians — truly anti-American.

Real republicans are starting to realize this too, and seem to be stepping in to keep the wheels from coming off the bus. Establishment is finally reading the tea leaves. McCain campaign crowds last week were just remarkable.

Let us all take care, respect our history and traditions. Hard times ahead and we’re in the midst of a political war with extremists within our own country. May the moderates prevail.

[gandalf]

Yeah. I do. I think it will contribute to the panic. I think it will contribute to the obfuscation and loss of trust among market participants.

Part of the reason we find ourselves here, in addition to basic leveraging and imbalances between risk/return, is gaming of the rules and obfuscation. The bailout is a really, really tough pill to swallow. If they had let everything fail, I am of the mind it would have gotten bad very quickly. Insolvency all over the place. Good business going down. Extremely high unemployment and overall bad for everybody.

At the same time, the solutions they seem to have proposed are just mind-boggling, and they don’t really get at the issues of transparency, obfuscation and gaming of the rules. In fact, the allocation of bailout money strikes me as the ‘ultimate game’. Enormous sums of money for the firms tapped to succeed. Process for determining the winners occurs behind closed doors. Welcome to new American economy, the national bank, and the end of an era in free-market capitalism. Utterly inane. Some basic transparency, regulation and a sense of responsibility among the bankers would have avoided all of it.

[gandalf]

Yeah. I do. I think it will contribute to the panic. I think it will contribute to the obfuscation and loss of trust among market participants.

Part of the reason we find ourselves here, in addition to basic leveraging and imbalances between risk/return, is gaming of the rules and obfuscation. The bailout is a really, really tough pill to swallow. If they had let everything fail, I am of the mind it would have gotten bad very quickly. Insolvency all over the place. Good business going down. Extremely high unemployment and overall bad for everybody.

At the same time, the solutions they seem to have proposed are just mind-boggling, and they don’t really get at the issues of transparency, obfuscation and gaming of the rules. In fact, the allocation of bailout money strikes me as the ‘ultimate game’. Enormous sums of money for the firms tapped to succeed. Process for determining the winners occurs behind closed doors. Welcome to new American economy, the national bank, and the end of an era in free-market capitalism. Utterly inane. Some basic transparency, regulation and a sense of responsibility among the bankers would have avoided all of it.

[gandalf]

Yeah. I do. I think it will contribute to the panic. I think it will contribute to the obfuscation and loss of trust among market participants.

Part of the reason we find ourselves here, in addition to basic leveraging and imbalances between risk/return, is gaming of the rules and obfuscation. The bailout is a really, really tough pill to swallow. If they had let everything fail, I am of the mind it would have gotten bad very quickly. Insolvency all over the place. Good business going down. Extremely high unemployment and overall bad for everybody.

At the same time, the solutions they seem to have proposed are just mind-boggling, and they don’t really get at the issues of transparency, obfuscation and gaming of the rules. In fact, the allocation of bailout money strikes me as the ‘ultimate game’. Enormous sums of money for the firms tapped to succeed. Process for determining the winners occurs behind closed doors. Welcome to new American economy, the national bank, and the end of an era in free-market capitalism. Utterly inane. Some basic transparency, regulation and a sense of responsibility among the bankers would have avoided all of it.

[gandalf]

Yeah. I do. I think it will contribute to the panic. I think it will contribute to the obfuscation and loss of trust among market participants.

Part of the reason we find ourselves here, in addition to basic leveraging and imbalances between risk/return, is gaming of the rules and obfuscation. The bailout is a really, really tough pill to swallow. If they had let everything fail, I am of the mind it would have gotten bad very quickly. Insolvency all over the place. Good business going down. Extremely high unemployment and overall bad for everybody.

At the same time, the solutions they seem to have proposed are just mind-boggling, and they don’t really get at the issues of transparency, obfuscation and gaming of the rules. In fact, the allocation of bailout money strikes me as the ‘ultimate game’. Enormous sums of money for the firms tapped to succeed. Process for determining the winners occurs behind closed doors. Welcome to new American economy, the national bank, and the end of an era in free-market capitalism. Utterly inane. Some basic transparency, regulation and a sense of responsibility among the bankers would have avoided all of it.

[gandalf]

Yeah. I do. I think it will contribute to the panic. I think it will contribute to the obfuscation and loss of trust among market participants.

Part of the reason we find ourselves here, in addition to basic leveraging and imbalances between risk/return, is gaming of the rules and obfuscation. The bailout is a really, really tough pill to swallow. If they had let everything fail, I am of the mind it would have gotten bad very quickly. Insolvency all over the place. Good business going down. Extremely high unemployment and overall bad for everybody.

At the same time, the solutions they seem to have proposed are just mind-boggling, and they don’t really get at the issues of transparency, obfuscation and gaming of the rules. In fact, the allocation of bailout money strikes me as the ‘ultimate game’. Enormous sums of money for the firms tapped to succeed. Process for determining the winners occurs behind closed doors. Welcome to new American economy, the national bank, and the end of an era in free-market capitalism. Utterly inane. Some basic transparency, regulation and a sense of responsibility among the bankers would have avoided all of it.

[Author]

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