First Draft

CORRECTED-WRAPUP 1-Italy under fire in widening euro debt crisis | Reuters

2011-08-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

CORRECTED-WRAPUP 1-Italy under fire in widening euro debt crisis | Reuters

Italy as bad as Spain? Man this slow-motion collision is not fun to watch.

The draft Eurozone plan — Marginal Revolution

2011-07-21T15:16:00.000-05:00

The draft Eurozone plan — Marginal Revolution

Wow, this is disastrous. I'm not sure what to think about this. Must be a good way to bet on the dissolution of the Euro.

Rudderless EU: Chancellor Merkel's Dangerous Lack of Passion For Europe - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

2011-07-20T08:48:00.000-05:00

Rudderless EU: Chancellor Merkel's Dangerous Lack of Passion For Europe - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International

When I heard about Kohl's criticism a few days ago I just heard some sour grapes about the next generation. However, this morning I thought that this is the gist of the Greek crisis. Does Merkel want a unified Europe? The answer is no, not if it costs too much.

I don't think any of her actions over this crisis have reassured markets. She's only thinking about elections (as most politicians do). However she's showing a remarkable lack of leadership for the European Project. If you were trying to slowly dissolve it, she's doing a pretty good job. If I were a betting man, I'd say Greece is and the Euro are in serious trouble as long as Merkel keeps up her schtick.

Political Animal - Brooks blasts the ‘Gods of the New Dawn’

2011-07-19T15:52:00.000-05:00

Political Animal - Brooks blasts the ‘Gods of the New Dawn’

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/19/opinion/19brooks.html?src=recg

This "Gods of a New Dawn" fits the modern GOP. In it I see what has happened in Wisconsin and Governor Scott Walker. The GOP has won a traditionally moderate to progressive state with the familiar Tea Party/Conservative bent. They try to implement their world view and all hell breaks loose. This works in the South, but is fought everywhere else.

The GOP want to do this nationally. That's the plan. I'm not sure that it is a good way to govern, but that's what they want. The continued Southern Fried GOP rolls on with consequences for the rest of the nation.

Guide to Writing About Greece For People Who Can’t Bear To Write About Greece

2011-06-29T16:35:00.000-05:00

Guide to Writing About Greece For People Who Can’t Bear To Write About Greece

Too much :)

FT Alphaville � The French proposal

2011-06-28T08:52:00.000-05:00

FT Alphaville � The French proposal

Brady Bonds for Greece looks like it's gaining momentum. I'm still stunned by the fact that "austerity" is the new black. It was conventional wisdom that getting out of economic crisis was "pump-priming." We had made the mistakes of austerity during the Great Depression. Yet here we are again. The disgrace of the fresh water economists and the smart guys in Europe is that they make the same mistakes again.

DER SPIEGEL 25/2011 - Inhaltsverzeichnis

2011-06-20T11:37:00.000-05:00

DER SPIEGEL 25/2011 - Inhaltsverzeichnis

End of the Euro?

Uh-oh — Marginal Revolution

2011-06-14T16:09:00.000-05:00

Uh-oh — Marginal Revolution

Another reason that Greece is a problem.

"American banks and insurance companies that will have to make the lion’s share of default insurance payments to European institutions if Greece fails"

The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why? by Marcia Angell | The New York Review of Books

2011-06-09T11:38:00.000-05:00

The Epidemic of Mental Illness: Why? by Marcia Angell | The New York Review of Books

FT Alphaville � The biggest gamble in IMF history

2011-06-03T16:08:00.000-05:00

FT Alphaville � The biggest gamble in IMF history

I don't like this one bit. I hope someone is getting something for all this pain.

Euro in Crisis - Megan McArdle - Business - The Atlantic

2011-06-01T16:06:00.000-05:00

Euro in Crisis - Megan McArdle - Business - The Atlantic
More on the euro crisis. Another point about European integration is that there is no consistent bankruptcy policy across borders. I mean that if those Irish banks made all those terrible loans, they should go out of business. But due to national pride that can't happen. Let's look at the S&L crisis of the 1980s http://bit.ly/qaD6M. A mess of banks made some really bad loans and went out of business. What happened in Ireland the last couple of years? The banks were taken over by the government and propped up. They need to be slowly unwound. Why does every country in the Eurozone need its own bank?

The Euro Living Dangerously - NYTimes.com

2011-06-01T11:50:00.000-05:00

The Euro Living Dangerously - NYTimes.com
Is it getting to the point where it now a matter of when? If this starts, where will it end and who benefits? Strong Dollar proponents, of course. Might be a good time to short some European bank stocks. Will this demolish the modest US recovery? If the Euro collapses or crashes, that will hurt exports to Europe. What does China do in the case of Euro failure? See less stuff to Europe, so turn up US exports?

Lagarde, Juncker, and Greece’s solvency | Felix Salmon

2011-05-26T15:22:00.000-05:00

Lagarde, Juncker, and Greece’s solvency | Felix Salmon

More terrible choices. Is the IMF doing the right thing? Perhaps the middle ground of muddling through and hoping it doesn't end badly really isn't a strategy.

FT Alphaville � German exposure to Greece, a bad bank tale [updated]

2011-05-25T16:07:00.000-05:00

FT Alphaville � German exposure to Greece, a bad bank tale [updated]

Northern European bank (and sovereign) exposure is the real reason why bondholders can't take a haircut on Greece. If this goes bad, it could be a disaster for the whole Euro zone. I'm not sure what the solution is going to be or how this plays out, but the 3rd and 4th order results could be bad.

FT Alphaville � Greek-out culminates in talk of eurozone exit [updated]

2011-05-10T10:23:00.000-05:00

FT Alphaville � Greek-out culminates in talk of eurozone exit [updated]

If this Greece restructures, what's going to happen in Ireland and Portugal? Will they restructure too? Or will all of them leave the Eurozone. I'm pretty ignorant about this, but people keep mentioning a Lehman Brother's collapse type catastrophe. If that happens, what will happen to the Eurozone (mainly German, but French and Spanish too) banks? Are they capitalized enough for a Greek haircut? I don't think this is something we want to see. But the status quo will be a disaster for Greece. The austerity measures in Ireland will be a nice experiment on what not to do in a economic crisis. So much uncertainty and not enough people are paying attention in the US.

Op-Ed Columnist - Myths of Austerity - NYTimes.com

2010-07-02T12:16:00.000-05:00

Op-Ed Columnist - Myths of Austerity - NYTimes.com

I'm fascinated by the tonic of balanced budgets for the US. It seems folks are oblivious to the fact that we did this before and it worked out terribly. The Great Depression in the mid 30s was starting to recover. FDR tried to balance the budget and cut spending. What happened? Another dip and the recession during the Great Depression.

In other words, no austerity measures for the US till we get out of this mess. With the end of the 1st Stimulus, there is already going to be a traumatic and huge shrinking of GDP when the states and municipalities begin their cuts in spending and start raising fees and taxes. Funny how watching this slow motion repeat of the past is so disheartening.

Bill Simmons: 2010 NBA trade value column - ESPN

2010-02-16T15:13:00.000-06:00

Bill Simmons: 2010 NBA trade value column - ESPN:

"'Nothing good can happen at this point,' Wes explains simply. 'You can't chase the night. When the night is over, the night is over. That's just the way it is. You just gotta wake up tomorrow and hope for a better day.'"

Chicago News Cooperative - The Pulse - Lawyer Wants Oversight for Hiring - NYTimes.com

2010-01-08T11:21:00.000-06:00

Chicago News Cooperative - The Pulse - Lawyer Wants Oversight for Hiring - NYTimes.com

Although I fully admit that I have personal interest in this, I'm not sure what the Shakman decree has done to improve the City. Are services better? The person making out on the decree are lawyers. Noelle Gaffney makes megabucks on the City through the decree.

Most private corporations can hire and fire most of their management and professional staff while the City cannot. Trying to manage people without those sticks and carrots is difficult. It's like fighting with both hands tied behind your back.

Howard Kurtz - Media Notes: Howard Kurtz on the evolution of media in the Awful Aughts - washingtonpost.com

2009-12-28T09:47:00.000-06:00

Howard Kurtz - Media Notes: Howard Kurtz on the evolution of media in the Awful Aughts - washingtonpost.com:

"Imagine if all the reporters chasing Woods's many mistresses had been assigned to study whether Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction"

A too true look back at the last decade's media failings, with a little "we love the Intertubes" on top.

Urlacher, 'Tank' Johnson vouched for Vrdolyak to judge - Chicago Breaking News

2009-11-13T16:05:00.000-06:00

Urlacher, 'Tank' Johnson vouched for Vrdolyak to judge - Chicago Breaking News

You've got to be kidding me.

City Room™ - Politics - One-on-One with Mayor Richard Daley

2009-11-02T08:54:00.000-06:00

City Room™ - Politics - One-on-One with Mayor Richard Daley

Rare on on one interview with Da Mayor. I wish there was a transcript.

John Feinstein - The defining moment of the Redskins' decline was a safety at the end of Sunday's loss - washingtonpost.com

2009-10-20T09:29:00.000-05:00

John Feinstein - The defining moment of the Redskins' decline was a safety at the end of Sunday's loss - washingtonpost.com

I'm usually not a fan of Feinstein, but he hits the nail on the head. It's Snyder and no one else. As a fan, I'm fading fast.

Howard Kurtz - Howard Kurtz's Media Notes: The future of journalism - washingtonpost.com

2009-10-19T15:36:00.000-05:00

Howard Kurtz - Howard Kurtz's Media Notes: The future of journalism - washingtonpost.com

This feeds into the way the press covered the news a hundred years ago, but instead of paper, the Web has taken over. I'm pretty sure that when cities had multiple papers, many of the papers didn't make money and were vanity projects. We'll see how long this Web start-up thing lasts and when they start consolidating. Maybe it's going to be the sites that aggregates that are successful. No reason that it can't be the Washingtonpost.com, but no reason it can't be Twit or Huffingtonpost either.

Something New on the Mall - The New York Review of Books

2009-10-16T12:58:00.000-05:00

Something New on the Mall - The New York Review of Books

A good look at the right-wing Astroturfers and the tea-party movement.

Richard Holbrooke and the war in Afghanistan : The New Yorker

2009-10-09T11:17:00.000-05:00

Richard Holbrooke and the war in Afghanistan : The New Yorker

A lot of words (29K), but worth the effort. This article is practically driving the entire media obsession with Afghanistan/Pakistan right now. I hope that Holbrooke gets it right.

Having a Grand Time, Chicago: 2000s Archive : gourmet.com

2009-10-06T10:42:00.000-05:00

Having a Grand Time, Chicago: 2000s Archive : gourmet.com

Seems like a bunch pedestrian/establishment choices. No Schwa or Blackbird (or Mr. Beef or Coalfire)? This thing reads like some list put together by a hotel concierge. All solid picks but nothing adventurous or unique.

The Media Equation - With Tribune in Bankruptcy, a Tone-Deaf Request for Bonuses - NYTimes.com

2009-10-05T10:07:00.000-05:00

The Media Equation - With Tribune in Bankruptcy, a Tone-Deaf Request for Bonuses - NYTimes.com

Terrible timing for the bonus stuff. I only thought that Wall Street financiers would try to get a bonus when they destroy value, but I guess it extends to all that are greedy?

Sally Jenkins - For a Troubled Organization, Blame Resides at the Top - washingtonpost.com

2009-10-01T09:33:00.000-05:00

Sally Jenkins - For a Troubled Organization, Blame Resides at the Top - washingtonpost.com

Amen sister!

Why the Sun-Times Deserves to Die - Chicagosphere

2009-09-21T13:57:00.000-05:00

Why the Sun-Times Deserves to Die - Chicagosphere

While I don't disagree with this headline, he's kinda making a straw-man argument concerning Miner. I'm not sure the logic of ending the Sun-Times as we know it. It looks like it is going to go belly up if the Union sticks to its guns. No employer means no check. If you want better, then maybe you should quit. There's no time machine to go back. How is no job better than half a job?

Nick Friedell's Blog - NBA's Fountain of Youth - ESPN Chicago

2009-09-17T14:38:00.000-05:00

Nick Friedell's Blog - NBA's Fountain of Youth - ESPN Chicago

Pretty cool look at ATTACK gym here in Chicago and the NBA stars that come through. I'd love to see one of their pickup games during the Summer.

2009-09-14T13:04:00.002-05:00

Tribune Cook County Slating

SEIU Supports Quinn

It looks like Gov. Quinn is building a coalition in an attempt to win the upcoming Primary. All the special interests combining to 50 percent plus one. That is certainly old-school and very Illinois. I can't decide if I like him or not, he's so wishy washy and I hear he's a micrmanager. If Hynes can get this election to be about Quinn and his craziness, he might have a chance.

Should the FCC force Apple to sell Google's iPhone apps? - By Farhad Manjoo - Slate Magazine

2009-08-06T15:56:00.000-05:00

Should the FCC force Apple to sell Google's iPhone apps? - By Farhad Manjoo - Slate Magazine

The other weird thing is if and when Apple starts selling the iPhone with other carriers, will the phone still suck? Everyone blames AT&T for their sucky phone coverage, but I have the theory that the phone itself is bad. I recall that AT&T was pretty decent and the best of the GSM companies. I wonder ...

Second Reading: Jonathan Yardley Reexamines Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice” - washingtonpost.com

2009-07-30T11:22:00.000-05:00

Second Reading: Jonathan Yardley Reexamines Jane Austen's “Pride and Prejudice” - washingtonpost.com

I've always loved Yardley. This essay plays against the reason to read most critics. I usually read criticism to see a skilled writer skewer some poor writer or movie. This essay is one about loving a book too much. Obviously sentimental, it also succeeds in conveying Yardley's love for the book without being too cloying. Maybe a sign of getting old, but I wish to read more happy reviews.

Ethan Hastert speaks to supporters :: Beacon News :: Local News

2009-07-27T09:01:00.000-05:00

Ethan Hastert speaks to supporters :: Beacon News :: Local News:

"'I didn't get into this race because my dad held the seat,' Ethan Hastert assured."

If his name was Ethan Smith he'd be nowhere. He looks good, but I don't if nepotism is going to play here.

Dana Milbank - Washington Sketch: GOP's Steele Couldn't Have Said It Better Himself - washingtonpost.com

2009-07-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

Dana Milbank - Washington Sketch: GOP's Steele Couldn't Have Said It Better Himself - washingtonpost.com

A must read about the GOP efforts to kill health care.

TV Review: Hank Stuever on 'Wendy Williams Show': Daytime Talkfest Jittery, Lame - washingtonpost.com

2009-07-17T13:16:00.000-05:00

TV Review: Hank Stuever on 'Wendy Williams Show': Daytime Talkfest Jittery, Lame - washingtonpost.com:

"The sound of a television turned on at high noon is the sound of utter human defeat. (The drone never ceases with the ads: bad credit, bad floors, bad living.)"

Best line I've heard in a long while.

Guns N' Roses Leaker Gets Probation - washingtonpost.com

2009-07-15T10:08:00.000-05:00

Guns N' Roses Leaker Gets Probation - washingtonpost.com

Best publicity for Gn'R since the album was leaked.

The Vocal Minority - Moon Landing Was a Hoax - NYTimes.com

2009-07-14T09:16:00.000-05:00

The Vocal Minority - Moon Landing Was a Hoax - NYTimes.com

I can certainly empathize with conspiracy theorist, but in the end we have to believe in science. Maybe this is part of the religious/faith disconnect modernity brings.

Rep. Kirk opts out of Senate race: report | Crain's Chicago Business

2009-07-10T15:32:00.000-05:00

Rep. Kirk opts out of Senate race: report | Crain's Chicago Business

This is smellier than week old fish. either that or the circular firing squad is in action again.

Daley replaces his Streets and Sanitation boss | Clout Street - local political coverage

2009-06-29T13:57:00.000-05:00

Daley replaces his Streets and Sanitation boss | Clout Street - local political coverage

Shocked this didn't happen earlier. I thought Picardi was gone after the plowing disaster last winter. No news about Human Resources guy. I don't know if that's to spite Hoffman or just because the City can't afford hire anyone.

2009-06-19T08:32:00.002-05:00

Greg Hinz

Claypool announcing that he won't run for Cook County President is way too fishy. It sounds like he is leaving politics to go run a Medical startup? Seem really suspicious. There has got be something more. The only good thing about this is that it is so early in the election cycle that there is time for a reformer to come out of the pack. I don't know if that's going to happen, but the Stroger/Daley people should have waited a little longer.

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City

2009-06-18T11:29:00.000-05:00

Chicago Reader Blogs: Clout City

Beachwood Reporter

Two brutal assessments of the Mayor's Chicago 2016 dreams. We are getting railroaded into paying for something most people don't want. We are sheep, but proud sheep. Combined with the parking meter fiasco and the "reform" aldermen, the Mayor is in for some tough sledding on this. No one seems to be able to get a clear answer on what the Mayor signed the City up for. No one seems to know what the downside or upside of his signature. If there were a strong candidate to run in a couple of years, Mayor Daley could be voted out of office. It's not likely, but now a possibility.

Calif. Aid Request Spurned By U.S. - washingtonpost.com

2009-06-16T08:49:00.000-05:00

Calif. Aid Request Spurned By U.S. - washingtonpost.com

I think the people in California, the middle class, don't care that their government is failing. It's not that important to them. The term-limits laws in Michigan and California need to be overturned. These two states have the worst fiscal problems in the country. Instead of bringing more accountability to the Lansing or Sacramento, they have made the lobbyists all powerful. It's not to say New York or Illinois have their fiscal houses in order, but they are in slightly better shape since the legislators know the issues and care about their district more than the next office.

Metra to offer credit card options for some passes :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Transportation

2009-06-12T15:16:00.000-05:00

Metra to offer credit card options for some passes :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Transportation

Time Macine baby!

Holy crap it's like it's 1999 over there in Metra land. Credit cards are too expensive? Maybe you'll get more riders. Wacky idea. Check out the Metrarail.com Web site, that's like from 1996.

The Ice Age Cometh - TIME

2009-06-12T09:43:00.000-05:00

The Ice Age Cometh - TIME

The GOP has other problems, but Murphy hits it on the head with the demographics. The inability of the GOP to adapt to the new America is killing its electoral chances. The strong anti-immigration rhetoric that often crosses the line into racism is its number one problem. If you want to return to Reaganism, be optimistic about immigration.

This is a country based on optimistic immigrants and America should welcome that. Increasing raids and building fences, do nothing for the underlying solution of immigration. People will always want to come to America. We should encourage that.

Getting back to the GOP, would it hurt the Dems to keep putting immigration on the front burner? It would keep polarizing the electorate (very Rovian) and hopefully move non-whites permanently into the Dem column. I don't see much of a downside to this. Worst case scenario you get immigration reform through or the GOPself-immolates as a stand in for the No-Nothings. Win-win.

An Innocent Abroad - Timothy Egan Blog - NYTimes.com

2009-06-11T08:29:00.000-05:00

An Innocent Abroad - Timothy Egan Blog - NYTimes.com

A clear look at this odd Italian murder case. It seemed that the earlier reporting had a touch of sensationalism and this seems a little more levelheaded albeit a little too much personalization. I'm not sure what is served by their conviction. Someone also needs to reign in that prosecutor. He's off the deep end and should be investigating stuff that matters.

Kung Fu star David Carradine found dead in Bangkok - 6/04/09 - New York News and Tri-State News - 7online.com

2009-06-04T09:16:00.000-05:00

Kung Fu star David Carradine found dead in Bangkok - 6/04/09 - New York News and Tri-State News - 7online.com

Wow. Sorry to hear this news.

TheHill.com - Critics focus on Sotomayor speech in La Raza journal

2009-06-03T15:34:00.000-05:00

TheHill.com - Critics focus on Sotomayor speech in La Raza journal:

"This has prompted some Republicans to muse privately about whether Sotomayor is suggesting that distinctive Puerto Rican cuisine such as patitas de cerdo con garbanzo — pigs’ feet with chickpeas — would somehow, in some small way influence her verdicts from the bench."

All I can say is hallelujah! These morons are not only pissing off the fastest growing and largest minority in the country, they have gone off the deep end. I wonder if that spicy Italian food makes Alito or Scalia so ornery?

Editorial Observer - The Lord Justice Hath Ruled - Pringles Are Potato Chips - NYTimes.com

2009-06-01T15:06:00.000-05:00

Editorial Observer - The Lord Justice Hath Ruled - Pringles Are Potato Chips - NYTimes.com

Finally, Pringles are declared potato chips.

George F. Will - Identity Justice: Obama's Conventional Choice - washingtonpost.com

2009-05-27T10:33:00.000-05:00

George F. Will - Identity Justice: Obama's Conventional Choice - washingtonpost.com

These conservatives are crazy. I don't recall the outrage with the nomination of Roberts and Alito. They are conservative judges that have stuck to W.'s ideals on the Court. What's wrong with Obama wanting the same thing? Maybe he likes identity politics? I don't know, but he did win a huge victory last Fall and deserves to get the chance to mold the Court as he wants. That's kinda of Constitutional perogative.

breakingviews | California breakup

2009-05-22T08:49:00.000-05:00

breakingviews | California breakup

This is a whack idea, but I love it. Although it might be accomplished with a constitutional convention that restricted the use of referendums and expanded the legislature. Hutchinson's argument that expanding the legislature would be expensive is dumb. You think building three new state capitals with new legislatures is cheap? Still a good idea that should be debated and expanded upon.

The High Cost of Poverty: Why the Poor Pay More

2009-05-18T11:01:00.000-05:00

The High Cost of Poverty: Why the Poor Pay More

I don't know if the article answers the question, but it is a good look at the working poor that most newspapers and the media rarely cover. We know some of the problems, so what next?

Chrysler Plans to Shut a Quarter of Dealers - NYTimes.com

2009-05-14T11:41:00.000-05:00

Chrysler Plans to Shut a Quarter of Dealers - NYTimes.com

This is ridiculous and still too many dealers. Chrysler is significantly smaller than Toyota. Toyota has about 1,500 dealers compared with the new Chrysler with 2,400. No wonder why Detroit is in trouble, they can't count.

Russia Stockpiles the Gems, Awaiting the Return of Demand - NYTimes.com

2009-05-13T09:35:00.000-05:00

Russia Stockpiles the Gems, Awaiting the Return of Demand - NYTimes.com

This is the most obvious case of price manipulation and out right monopolistic behavior in the world. I'm glad that the EU is doing something about this, but how in the world can the Justice Department defend not going after them. I know that DeBeers settled a few years ago, but they are still behaving badly. The consumer is being hurt, please do something.

Health Secretary Cordova Praised for Flu Response in Mexico - washingtonpost.com

2009-05-11T13:36:00.000-05:00

Health Secretary Cordova Praised for Flu Response in Mexico - washingtonpost.com:

"'Now you hear some people saying that it was an excessive response. But what people seem to forget is that the reason why this crisis is now coming down was because the initial response was so vigorous,' said Julio Frenk, dean of the Harvard School of Public Health and Mexico's health secretary from 2000 to 2006."

everyone is talking about the media hype about the possibility of a pandemic, but the consequences are very high. It's not that some people will be out an election, but there is the very real possibility that millions could die. We are lucky that this virus is not as lethal as it could be, but we are lucky. If we were unlucky and it has been similar to any of the true pandemics of the past, many more people would have suffered and died. Bravo Mexico!

Annals of Innovation: How David Beats Goliath: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

2009-05-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

Annals of Innovation: How David Beats Goliath: Reporting & Essays: The New Yorker

Another Gladwell classic. Disruption of the normal is difficult, but effective. How do you bottle that?

Big-Screen e-Readers May Help Save Newspapers - NYTimes.com

2009-05-05T09:48:00.000-05:00

Big-Screen e-Readers May Help Save Newspapers - NYTimes.com

Another issue not brought up in this article is what about the cost of the reader? Papers cost about $1 and are very disposable and easy to give to others. The e-readers do not solve these problems. If they gave away the readers (or under $20) and charged a subscription they might gain some traction. A $200-$400 newspaper is not going to solve the main problem.

Dealbook - Bank Profits Appear Out of Thin Air - NYTimes.com

2009-04-21T10:42:00.000-05:00

Dealbook - Bank Profits Appear Out of Thin Air - NYTimes.com

I still think that replacing the CEOs of these companies with a bunch of smart B-School grads would be more useful than keeping these destroyers of capital around.

The point about stress test is a good. What is the best case scenario? Everyone passes, but then that means the test isn't stressful enough putting all banks under a shadow. Some bank pass, some fail, the banks that fail evaporate. That puts all banks under a shadow. If there were a way to keep the results secret, then the Feds help out the banks. Secret gets out putting all banks under a shadow. I hope they come up with something good.

Sources: Chrysler Financial Refused Government Loan Over Limits on Executive Pay - washingtonpost.com

2009-04-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

Sources: Chrysler Financial Refused Government Loan Over Limits on Executive Pay - washingtonpost.com

Geniuses! I wonder if this is a good thing or not. It would be good to take out some car building capacity. It would also be good to see Bob Nardelli have to live on his severance pay from his last job. He has got to have a record of the amount of capital he has destroyed though. It is staggering.

Democrats: Perry should disavow secession talk | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

2009-04-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

Democrats: Perry should disavow secession talk | AP Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Sounds like he's a traitor. I'm not sure what the circular firing squad is going to do next, but it sure is fun to watch.

The Beachwood Reporter

2009-04-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

The Beachwood Reporter

About the lack of Quorums in the Chicago City Council committees. Not exactly the most exciting stuff, but it could bite someone in the butt. They are pretty well paid and should probably show up. Ask about it some more.

Clout Street: Politics Explained. The not so 'accessible' mayor -- chicagotribune.com

2009-04-15T16:09:00.000-05:00

Clout Street: Politics Explained. The not so 'accessible' mayor -- chicagotribune.com

I should have posted this a while ago. Not the most insightful, but does shed some light on the Mayor Daley's "available, but not answering questions about that right now" attitude. Would it be possible for the media organizations in town to make this a crusade? Pick one question and ask him about it constantly. "Who hired Angelo Torres?" or "How did the HDO get its start?" It would at least give him the opportunity to dodge constantly and make news in the fact that it's day 51 in not answering the question. Just an idea.

Fair Game - He Doesn’t Let the Money Managers Off the Hook - News Analysis - NYTimes.com

2009-04-13T10:57:00.000-05:00

Fair Game - He Doesn’t Let the Money Managers Off the Hook - News Analysis - NYTimes.com

This seems like some common sense legislation. Obviously someone is doing something right because there are so many funds out there that charge high fees. Sunshine would be best for the consumers.

Stroger seeking 2nd term | Crain's Chicago Business

2009-04-10T13:50:00.000-05:00

Stroger seeking 2nd term | Crain's Chicago Business

Impressive and delusional. I wonder if he is being setup or if he will win. He does have a strong base and the reformers seem a little out of sorts with Quigley moving up. The machine will definitely "back him" for now. He could also end up wearing the jacket.

Analysis: Daley's big game: All or nothing :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: News

2009-04-07T11:15:00.000-05:00

Analysis: Daley's big game: All or nothing :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: News

I wonder if any of this matters for the 2016. On one hand there are tons of problems, but every cty at this stage of the game has problems. What does the IOC want? Back in the day, the voters wanted massages, jobs for relatives, and cash. They supposedly cleaned it up, but I'm not so sure. It still seems like a European Boys club to me. They represent the world like the color black represents a choice for Model Ts.

Anyways, it's still going to be about cash, but this time maybe TV money from NBC Universal? The times would be convenient for the East Coast viewing if they were here or Rio. Madrid would be following right on the heels of London. Tokyo would have to do some serious scheduling contortions to get live on East Coast primetime. It would be similar to what they did in Beijing. The other thing is that it hasn't been in the Western Hemisphere since 1996 Atlanta.

It will be very expensive and the tax payers of Chicago and Cook County will be on the hook. The plan's current price tag is seriously unrealistic. The security stuff seems nice but counts 8,200 retired police officers in the total number of security personnel? I don't know about you, but 83 year old retired police officers don't put me at ease when managing crowds.

So as my old Poli Sci teacher used to write on his exams, "So what?" Chicago does have a good chance to get the Olympics. If we get them it will cost us a lot of money, time, and energy focused on something that will last a couple of weeks. If we lose we get an angry mayor and save at least $5 trillion. I don't think it's a tough trade off.

Deadspin - I'm Assuming The Tar Heels Are Also Welcome To Service Sparty - Michigan State

2009-04-06T10:56:00.000-05:00

Deadspin - I'm Assuming The Tar Heels Are Also Welcome To Service Sparty - Michigan State

I love the poster on the right. Are Terp fans watching?

A charmless oligarchy of schools has sucked the excitement out of the NCAA Tournament. - By Charles P. Pierce - Slate Magazine

2009-04-03T15:05:00.000-05:00

A charmless oligarchy of schools has sucked the excitement out of the NCAA Tournament. - By Charles P. Pierce - Slate Magazine:

"The Final Four is now the Super Bowl, is now the Derby, and so on."

I'm not sure that any major sports event is worth attending anymore. It's turning away the obsessives with their tacky basements and dog-like loyalty. It's an occasion to sell something, cement "relationships", and become boring. That's probably why news of the weird has any sort of following. Somebody is sick of the same old same old.

Stimulus Stance Isolates Sanford - WSJ.com

2009-04-02T14:02:00.000-05:00

Stimulus Stance Isolates Sanford - WSJ.com

The GOP is in serious trouble. They are forming circular firing squads all over the country. In Pennsylvania, Senator Spector's seat is under heavy threat from conservative candidates. He may pull off winning the primary, but the general could be tough as the state trends Blue.

SC is crazy for turning down federal money. With the second highest unemployment rate in the country, you might think that funding schools and police might be a good idea. I'm not sure what the long-term effects of this will be but, I can see a DNC ad when Sanford runs for Prez about how he refused to take care of teachers and public safety when he had a chance to.

The issue is that the GOP is the Democratic party of 1972. They are the party of special interests. The Club for Growth crazies feel that principles are more important than being competent. The "Conservatives" have to give special dispensation from to raise funds. The Democrats will have an easy time picking off moderate GOP seats as long as "principle" and "Reagan" are paramount before governing and competence. Perhaps that is Karl Rove's greatest legacy to the Democrats?

Gmail: Google's approach to email

2009-04-01T10:53:00.000-05:00

Gmail: Google's approach to email

A good April fool's Day joke?

Companies Adjust Stock Options After Shares Fall - NYTimes.com

2009-03-27T09:17:00.000-05:00

Companies Adjust Stock Options After Shares Fall - NYTimes.com:

"The moves are usually described as important for retaining employees, especially as stock options that vest over several years look utterly worthless in the current market."

Can anyone explain to me how this is not just plain theft? Regular paychecks and your reputation should be your motivators right now. I'm sure that any of these companies can find qualified people that will work for far less. I guarantee if you can't find a CEO at Kellogg or Wharton class of 2009 you're not looking hard enough.

Advertising - A Network Takes Us Out to a Ballgame - NYTimes.com

2009-03-24T11:37:00.000-05:00

Advertising - A Network Takes Us Out to a Ballgame - NYTimes.com:

"Mr. Kanefsky of MPG said that there were so many avid fans around the country that “you can’t have too much baseball.”

What planet do these people live on? The ratings for this stuff is not going up. Only old white guys like this crap/sport. Anything id good if its cheap enough.

On the other hand, it does finally offer some competition to ESPN (at least in one sport) and their ham handed monopoly.

Now if the NFL Network were smart enough to split some of the ownership with the Cable Operators they would really have a threat. Better yet if they could combine NFL with MLB they'd be able to really go after ESPN. Pure fantasy.

Good news, the NFL with finally have Sunday Ticket games over the Internet. bad news, it won't be till 2012.

http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/DirecTV-Extends-Exclusive-NFL-Contract-101514

In New Dilemma, Banks Cite Two Paths to Disaster - washingtonpost.com

2009-03-20T09:27:00.000-05:00

In New Dilemma, Banks Cite Two Paths to Disaster - washingtonpost.com

Bullshit! This is the biggest plate of crap that the U.S. Taxpayer is expected to eat in a long time. Fire them all. You can get outsource their jobs to younger, smarter people. Sure there will be some problems, but it's not like we are jumping to pile of crap already (see Slumdog!). If they don't want the jobs then tough, find another six figure gig using all those brain muscles.

Wolverine as Masterpiece - washingtonpost.com

2009-03-20T09:23:00.000-05:00

Wolverine as Masterpiece - washingtonpost.com

Kinda dumb, but for an X-Men nerd liek myself, very funny.

2016 Olympics transportation: Metra looks to beef up system by borrowing locomotives, cars -- chicagotribune.com

2009-03-16T13:56:00.000-05:00

2016 Olympics transportation: Metra looks to beef up system by borrowing locomotives, cars -- chicagotribune.com:

"Chicago has the best public transit system of the competing cities, but service enhancements are needed, Arnot said."

Is Arnot being dense or is he lying. Madrid? Tokyo? Those places have much more extensive, cleaner public transit. Another reason to be against the Olympics.

The Case Against Breast-Feeding - The Atlantic (April 2009)

2009-03-12T11:42:00.000-05:00

The Case Against Breast-Feeding - The Atlantic (April 2009)

The one thing the writer does not mention is that the wealth that allows women not to work and breast feed is a huge factor. Gotta love rich people that don't think they are rich!

Chicago Reader | What's Black and White and Dead All Over?: Notes on journalism’s past, present, and future prompted by the Chicago Journalism Town Hall | By Whet Moser

2009-03-12T10:05:00.000-05:00

Chicago Reader | What's Black and White and Dead All Over?: Notes on journalism’s past, present, and future prompted by the Chicago Journalism Town Hall | By Whet Moser

Fascinating look at the problem with newspapers and the Web. He does do some heavy lifting (and a lot of name dropping) explaining what the Web is doing to the old newspaper institutions. He doesn't mention TV or radio too much, but they don't do too much original journalism either.

The business case for journalism is how do you get paid? It used to be ads. What's the new model? If "journalism" dies, then what? What does the market want? Will we end up with websites hiring freelancers to report the news? What about editorial standards? It'll be interesting to see what shakes out. Although I have a feeling that newspapers will be around in one form or another for a long time.

US Supreme Court holds to narrow interpretation of the Voting Rights Act | csmonitor.com

2009-03-10T09:16:00.000-05:00

US Supreme Court holds to narrow interpretation of the Voting Rights Act | csmonitor.com

I'm not sure what the implications of this ruling will be in the upcoming census and redistricting fight. It does sound like the conservatives will be packing more minorities into fewer districts. While this will elect more minorities to Congress (and other legislative bodies), the overall number of minority interests will probably be diluted. This is just more of the status quo I guess. This will probably have some long term consequences when talking about immigration. George HW Bush rides again!

badpaintingsofbarackobama.com

2009-03-09T14:06:00.000-05:00

badpaintingsofbarackobama.com

Funny, but touching that people actually care about the man that much.

Magazine Preview - All Boarded Up - How Cleveland is Dealing With Mass Foreclosure - NYTimes.com

2009-03-05T11:16:00.000-06:00

Magazine Preview - All Boarded Up - How Cleveland is Dealing With Mass Foreclosure - NYTimes.com

Wow! This is a great article illustrating the rusty point of the foreclosure spear. It doesn't look like Cleveland is dealing with mass foreclosure at all.

Chicago Business News, Analysis & Articles | Olympic list: clout city | Crain's

2009-03-04T16:03:00.000-06:00

Chicago Business News, Analysis & Articles | Olympic list: clout city | Crain's

Surprise, surprise, surprise! This is where the Re-election folks went.

Politics: Bobby Jindal Channels Kenneth the Page in GOP Response

2009-02-25T11:07:00.000-06:00

Politics: Bobby Jindal Channels Kenneth the Page in GOP Response

I didn't see this till now, but it is hilarious. The Kenneth the Page thing is just mean, but it has a kernel of truth in it. He better get his ass in gear if he wants to make a recovery.

Michael Gerson - The Jindal Phenomenon - washingtonpost.com

2009-02-25T10:49:00.000-06:00

Michael Gerson - The Jindal Phenomenon - washingtonpost.com:

"Jindal's manner more closely resembles another recent president: Bill Clinton. Like Clinton (a fellow Rhodes scholar), Jindal has the ability to overwhelm any topic with facts and thoughtful arguments -- displaying a mastery of detail that encourages confidence."

What does this mean? Jindal is a GOP Clinton without the personal baggage and Hillary? That's what makes Clinton so tough is that connection to people and he doesn't look or feel like a policy robot. Jindal is an appealing flavor of the month. If he's smart and ambitious enough it will be great to see him fight for the nomination.

Amazon.com: Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation): Kindle Store

2009-02-23T11:45:00.000-06:00

Amazon.com: Kindle 2: Amazon's New Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation): Kindle Store

$359 is a bit steep. My issue with the Kindle is that it's too expensive. I know my weaknesses and the big one is that I lose stuff. The great thing about a paperback is that I'm out $10 tops instead of $359. I really do like the model that gets me newspapers over the air and I'd bet that the reading experience is pretty decent too. If they could come out with a cheap newspaper only Kindle ($20-50 plus subscription fees) I think I'd bite. the key is getting over the fact that I'm going to lose it and at $359 I can't afford too many of those. But imagine all the newspaper and magazine clutter it would eliminate?

California budget negotiations hit a new snag - Los Angeles Times

2009-02-18T11:21:00.000-06:00

California budget negotiations hit a new snag - Los Angeles Times

Frickin' amateur night in Sacramento again. The problems in the Western states are numerous and hopefully this disaster generates some new reforms. Obviously they are not going to eliminate Propositions. However maybe someone can come to their senses and get rid of term limits (or at least lengthen them). Right now the Sacramento is run by staffers and lobbyists with no accountability to the electorate. One can hope anyways.

C-SPAN Survey of Presidential Leadership - Home - C-SPAN

2009-02-17T10:27:00.000-06:00

C-SPAN Survey of Presidential Leadership - Home - C-SPAN

I love these lists. It's a good way to look at the President's in comparison to others.

Lessons From Japan in Stemming a Crisis - NYTimes.com

2009-02-13T08:49:00.000-06:00

Lessons From Japan in Stemming a Crisis - NYTimes.com

The Japanese experience is definitely something to learn from. As the economy stabilizes, the government may need to to step up it's regulatory measures and let the banks fail. If one of the "too big to fail" banks didn't survive, it might shake things up a little and restore faith in the banks that were left. We don't want the financial system to collapse, we don't want "zombie" banks, and need to restore faith as soon as possible. How do you do that?

Missed Shots: The Maryland Men's Basketball Program's Fall From the Top

2009-02-11T16:36:00.000-06:00

Missed Shots: The Maryland Men's Basketball Program's Fall From the Top

I don't want Gary fired. If anyone remembers the Bob Wade days, even going to the NIT is way better than that. That being said, he needs to get some stability on his staff, go recruit some diamonds in the rough, and win some games.

David Ignatius - The Death of 'Rational Man' - washingtonpost.com

2009-02-11T13:21:00.000-06:00

David Ignatius - The Death of 'Rational Man' - washingtonpost.com

A quick good look at the current trends in the Dismal Science and what Macro guys are thinking about the economic crisis.

Letter case Scoopsville ... :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Michael Sneed

2009-02-10T08:37:00.000-06:00

Letter case Scoopsville ... :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Michael Sneed

why does she have a column. It's just a press release from Burke half the time. Aggravating.

Free Trade's Hidden Cost | The Big Money

2009-02-04T10:45:00.000-06:00

Free Trade's Hidden Cost | The Big Money

I don't see any conventional wisdom being debunked. I do see old anti-globalization arguments. I'm not sure what Miller is claiming. His argument seems confused. So productivity changes, as it has throughout time. So what? Is it better that China's productivity increases? What's so bad about that? Isn't he making a moral/ethical implication that it's bad to have productivity improvements in other countries? Then argues the same implication about the compensation idea? He totally misses out on the creative destruction aspect of this. Does he want to freeze time?

Downturn Forces Transit Cuts as Ridership Grows - NYTimes.com

2009-02-03T14:13:00.000-06:00

Downturn Forces Transit Cuts as Ridership Grows - NYTimes.com

It's not a transit paradox, it's a intentional and deliberate model for funding that cannot support public transit. If Congress and the rest of Washington got their crap together they would realize what public transit offers. What really matters is offering people a variety of routes and modes to get people moving. If you have a monoculture like highways , you will have problems if the highways are too expensive too run.

David S. Broder - The Blagojevich Show: It's No Joke to Illinois - washingtonpost.com

2009-01-29T15:48:00.000-06:00

David S. Broder - The Blagojevich Show: It's No Joke to Illinois - washingtonpost.com

Broder is pissed. I agree with him 100% on this. Blago has been the worst governor ever. His sheer incompetence is only matched by his narcissistic bluster. we all know this, but it's amazing that the national media is getting snookered by this chump. I guess it makes sense, these are the same people that obsess about missing white women.

Taxpayers told not to worry about Olympics cost :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago 2016

2009-01-28T10:45:00.000-06:00

Taxpayers told not to worry about Olympics cost :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicago 2016

I wonder who is lying?

$200 Laptops Break a Business Model - NYTimes.com

2009-01-27T09:45:00.000-06:00

$200 Laptops Break a Business Model - NYTimes.com

I know that autos are many times more complicated, but there is something to be said for disruptive technologies. Many have been co-opted by the Auto industry, but there is a chance for some serious changes in the near future. While PCs cycle is maybe a couple few years, cars go much longer than that. Add in government regulation and the massive amounts of capital needed, it will be slow going. However the new technology introduced at the auto show may upset the current hegemony of the auto industry. Tesla, that Chinese battery/car company could change the way we drive. The question is how fast can the auto industry as we know it adapt.

Detroit Says Emissions Proposals Are Too Strict - NYTimes.com

2009-01-27T09:21:00.000-06:00

Detroit Says Emissions Proposals Are Too Strict - NYTimes.com:

"“I want clean air and clean water just like the next guy,” said Erich Merkle, an independent automotive analyst in Grand Rapids, Mich. “But in the real world, there would be consumer outrage with the fact that they’re limited to maybe two vehicles and there’s nothing there that would meet their family’s needs.”"

These guy a short sighted reactionaries. The market will find new ways to make consumers happy. It's called "creative destruction" and it works all the time. Why don't we all have landlines or all work as farmers? Things change, we change and adapt. It's too bad if some companies can't adapt and it does cause suffering, but it is coming one way or another.

Second thing is that they should all be going advocating 100% the strictest environmental and safety laws possible. It's a way to get a niche, be green, and get the people on your side. right now folks are looking at Detroit and saying, "hey you've screwed up since I got the Cougar 20 years ago and now you want my money for a bailout?" Aggressively push for change and get ahead of the curve instead of run over behind it.

Delays in Cabinet Nominations Demonstrate GOP Resolve - WSJ.com

2009-01-26T10:29:00.000-06:00

Delays in Cabinet Nominations Demonstrate GOP Resolve - WSJ.com

No Honeymoon for the President. This is terrible and needs to be addressed by the Senate. The article doesn't do a good job of this, but how is the minority party holding this stuff up?

The other thing is that America voted for change and the GOP is all about "no". This is only a short-term strategy that only drives up the partisanship on Washington. How do you attack this problem? I'm thinking that giving the GOP plenty of rope will help.

The Capitol Fax Blog � The governor’s media event

2009-01-23T14:37:00.000-06:00

The Capitol Fax Blog � The governor’s media event

He might be the worst person ever. Not evil or malicious, just the worst person. I'm so ashamed that I voted for him.

Barack Obama's humble start to long journey :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Lynn Sweet

2009-01-20T08:44:00.000-06:00

Barack Obama's humble start to long journey :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Lynn Sweet

Today is Inauguration Day and our long nightmare of W. are done. It' sunny here in Chicago, with some Lake Effect snow, and all is right with the world. I am worried about our soon to be Prez. Expectations are so high and the challenges so difficult. He has done little to lower expectations. The plan for the economy and the financial crisis sound like vague Washingtonese. We need to hope for the best. Obama's going to need it.

Japan’s Governing Party Is Plunging in Polls - NYTimes.com

2009-01-14T10:05:00.000-06:00

Japan’s Governing Party Is Plunging in Polls - NYTimes.com

The death notices of the LDP have been coming for years. Still they hang around and take control. They have the support of the bureaucracy. The voters can't seem to find someone with a consistent message. The LDP becomes the default again. They remind me a lot of the PRI in Mexico. You can beat them here and there, but they are like zombies and keep coming.

An answer to David Carr's question on "how to build an iTunes for newspapers." - By Jack Shafer - Slate Magazine

2009-01-13T09:47:00.000-06:00

An answer to David Carr's question on "how to build an iTunes for newspapers." - By Jack Shafer - Slate Magazine

I don't think that this is the way to do this. The people that use iTunes buy music. That's something that is very compact and they reuse many many times. The problem with the news is it is disposable. Once it is read once, it's done. At most you might have someone forward it. That's it though. Outside momentous events does anyone want to hold on and reread the paper. The iTunes model that Carr proposes would fail.

The Kindle is a solution looking for a problem. How many people do you know read 200 books at one time, plus two or three newspapers a day? I lose stuff all the time in airplanes and however cool it would be get the Kindle, it would seriously bum me out to lose my $359 newspaper when a $1 one is pretty convenient on its own.

The better model is the Rhapsody model where the newspapers, surprise surprise, sell monthly subscriptions. The better way to charge for it is the big problem. How much does it cost to run a major newspaper? What are acceptable profit margins?

the other option is to go nuclear and remove themselves from the Web and sell physical copies of newspapers. If the Washington Post didn't give it self up for free what would you do? If you live in Chicago like I do, I'd be SOL, but if I lived in DC, I'd get the paper every day because its worth it to me. Some newspapers have done this and it might make sense.