Ditto

Hi Liz, Beautiful synopsis of a very dismal week. Thanks for that. Hey, here’s a tip. If you go to Barron’s in the Market Laborator section, and look in the Bond section for Top Savings Deposit Yields, you’ll find that immediately prior to their demise, Indy Mac was paying the highest rate in the country for CD’s. Who’s on top now? Why, it’s Washington Mutual. Seems that, with little data in, a predictive factor for trouble is overpaying for CDs. More to follow… By the way, Liz, after reading Tom Friedman’s latest book, I’ve begrudgingly moved from a hard line “no market involvement” capitalist position to agreement with you that an artificially high gasoline rate IS a good idea. I rarely agree with the strategy of artifical prices, but the data supporting your position is overwhelming. Thanks for raising a timely financial policy point so eloquently. And, finally, with respect you your last point, China still owns $501 billion in our public debt, right? Maybe we can reconsider the method of repayment of that debt…

Hi Fly, I have not read Mr. Taleb’s book. I’ll pop over to Powell’s and pick it up - then send it to my friend Dr. Denson, a smartypants professor of statistical analysis, to explain it to me. Thanks for the recommendation! History is on your side with high volume dramatic price movement. Just make sure you do a regression trend analysis to make sure you don’t get “whip-sawed.” Thanks again, Fly.

This piece ripped my heart to shreds. The pain in her beautiful face says all that can be said.

Note to self… don’t marry the wrong guy while the death penalty is in force.

Will Kitty beat her head against the wall until her brains fall out if she hears the name “Sarah Palin” again? Stay tuned …

Hi Pi, I talk about economics because it’s what I know, but I am bored out of my mind with that and politics. Would be nice to have an “all girl’s” salon, wouldn’t it?

Hi Lucinda, My sweet little Meema with an 8th grade education (and the brightest woman I’ve ever known) was my surrogate mother and role model. When I was a little girl, she told me that God gave me TWO ears and only one mouth, as a reminder to listen twice as much as I speak. I hope to live long enough to be as smart as my Meema.

I attended a lecture (where I was confused immediately after the professor said, “As any child could understand…”) discussing black holes, space travel and time/space continuum, where a hypothesis was presented that, if one were to actually travel to a black hole, it would be possible to return before one left. So, worry not, Rainbow Power! If you’re pulled in, you can come back yesterday and let us know what happened.

Hi Dabney, About the only real understanding I have about Professor Hawking is that he prefers very spicey Thai food. I have only the most tertiary understanding of his work. Sounds like you’re quite an investor! Good for you. (The contents of my portfolio would bore you to tears.)

Hi Phyllis, Mr. Kitty, who was an advertising executive for much of his career, recently pointed out that candidates are “branded” much in the way products were when he was creating advertising campaigns. He noted that McCain/Palin’s brand appeared to be “Maverick” and “Reformer,” which would necessitate Palin to take the position that she turned down the “bridge to nowhere” money, as a reformer. It has nothing to do with truth - and everything to do with branding. Interesting point of view, no?

Hi Fly, Fascinating question. Here are the variables I’d consider. First, the sampling represents the participants, likely to be heavily weighted toward technical traders in the financial markets. If true, this would skew results toward Republican outcomes, as this group tends to be more politically conservative. Next, the participants are those who have the financial means to participate. I would consider this component to be mostly party neutral, with an insignificant tendency toward Republican. The last major political event was the Republican National Convention, which should have resulted in a bounce toward McCain. In addition, the Republican VP candidate is drawing significant press, since she is not a well known public figure. The Heisinger Principle (the quantum physics hypothesis that a variable will behave in an extraordinary way just by virtue of its being observed) may cause some positive volatility in this measurement, too. With those considerations, it may be that the Republican candidate is enjoying an affirmative price “bounce” that may be unsustainable. You may want to consider “smoothing” recent price movement with a regression analysis that will give you a more accurate look at long term direction. Hope this helps.

It took me 20 years experience in my industry to prepare me to be president of my company. So, let me see, if it took me 20 years to manage 1/2 billion dollars, how many years would it take to manage 3.1 trillion dollars. Let’s see here, it looks like 124,280 years experience would be about right. On the other hand, ability to communicate a clear vision, motivate and manage people - and the wisdom to hire and retain the best minds in the country - may be a pretty good start…

What Liz said, with emphasis on the financial ramifications of keeping her baby.

Poor Michael. Were it not for Liz’s conflicting event, he would have had the thrill of a lifetime. As to the rest, I’ll join Chris in a welcome reprieve.