February 2010
20 posts
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Volcker on Why to Forbid Commercial Bank Prop... →
Unfair advantage and conflicts of interest, but more importantly: risk to the commercial banking system, which actually matters in the economy.
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Vacation "Playoff" Beard
pambeckman:
Following in the tradition started several years ago by Beckman and D/R, no shaving allowed while on vacation. Beckman has a pretty savage fire chin going on now. GPOYW “7 days of growth addition” to follow when I return. Oh, and GPOYW “funny mustache/porkchop sideburns addition” will be exhibited as well. It’s like I timed my return to be on a wednesday for this very reason…
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January 2010
22 posts
“I left the cocoon of Harvard, I left the cocoon of Saturday Night Live, I left...”
– Conan O’Brien’s Commencement Speech to the Havard Class of 2000 (via liezlwashere)
Thanks Conan!
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Obama Backs Volcker's Views, Takes Tougher Stand... →
Volcker wants to restrict commercial banks from prop trading, and keep them small enough that they can fail without freezing the banking system.
Two years ago I would have thought that this was a bad idea. Now I don’t believe that “financial innovation” is a net positive for society, and I only trust wise old men who calmly say what other people do not want to hear (Volcker and...
Hedge Fund Principled Capital Management Shutting... →
adriennes:
The recession has officially hit home.
The good news is that I can finally start investing in my personal account, and I can get back into running.
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Walk Away From Your Mortgage! →
Excellent article, and I was surprised to see that it was written by Roger Lowenstein.
My opinion is that morals and ethics are how we deal with people. When we deal with corporations we should only make decisions based on the financial merits and legal consequences present in the situation, as these are the corporations’ only considerations when they deal with us.
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“Would you like a sweater, a sweatshirt, socks, underwear…?”
– The elderly* lady holding a full Brooks Brothers bag walking away from a parked Maserati, to the homeless man lying on the steps of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
*The word doesn’t do her justice. She’s “of a certain age” which I would estimate at 60-80.
“Alfalfa pollination is somewhat problematic, however, because Western honey...”
– Wikipedia
Hilarious, thank you Wikipedia
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“In 2007, in fact, Kraft spent $3.6 billion to repurchase shares at about $33 per...”
– - Warren Buffett to Kraft
If you ignore him when he calls to say that you’re spending too much to buy mediocre British chocolates then he’ll eviscerate you in public. Good luck Ms. Rosenfeld, your days at Kraft may be numbered.
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Average Annual Inflation-Adjusted US Stock Market...
6.7% — Average 10 Year Period 10.8% — Average 10 Year Period where the prior 10 year return was negative
-2.8% —Average Annual Return, 1999-2009
So maybe it won’t be so bad to be in stocks for the next 10 years.
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Cathrine: New York pizza is good New Years Day food
Adrienne: We can have New Pizza Town deliver while we free the Prisoners of Catan.