September 2008
33 posts
Another fantastic explanation of credit markets... →
“I understand how important this debate is and I’m very hopeful, but I also have...”
– John McCain, expanding on his decision to postpone the first presidential debate, via foxnews.com
Buffett on Financial "Linkage" Circa 2003
Charlie and I are of one mind in how we feel about derivatives and the trading activities that go with them: We view them as time bombs, both for the parties that deal in them and the economic system.
In recent years, some huge-scale frauds and near-frauds have been facilitated by derivatives trades. In the energy and electric utility sectors, for example, companies used derivatives and trading...
San Francisco -> New York
After resigning in August and jumping over to San Francisco for a month, I’m headed back to New York tonight. I’m excited to come home to friends, and I feel I’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible here in SF. I’m excited for the opportunity to keep learning from everyone I’ve met here. There is a special energy among so many new friends;...
WSJ Compiles Campaign Ads →
For some reason it’s really hard to find all the campaign TV ads from each McCain & Obama, even among news stories that discuss them. WSJ comes to rescue, and also includes special interests’ ads as well.
Data Centers Crucial To Lehman Sale
A story on slashdot today shows how upside down things are:
“What assets retain value in the midst of a financial panic? Data centers. When assets of bankrupt Lehman Brothers were sold to Barclays Tuesday for $1.75 billion, Lehman’s data centers and headquarters accounted for $1.5 billion of the value in the deal. That echoes the JPMorgan-Bear Stearns fire sale, in which Bear’s...
Accessible Finance
Adam Davidson and Alex Blumberg just launched a new podcast on NPR and blog called Planet Money that makes current events in high-finance accessible. This is a great idea, and a perfect way to bring these crucial but esoteric issues into view.
This project comes after This American Life’s The Giant Pool of Money episode a few months back, which was also fantastic.
Teeter Totter
Nation Hit Hard
NEW YORK—Faced with several tough factors, the nation has once again been hit hard, sources reported Tuesday. “It is unclear whether the American people will ever fully recover from this blow,” said Dr. Gerald Davidson, an expert. “The country is still reeling from November’s massive slump, as well as widespread skyrocketing in 2006. And let’s not forget that...
http://www.jellydesk.com/ →
Just launched our splash page using Google App Engine & Python!
Choice: Head-In-Sand or Set-Record-Straight Time?
John Feehery, a Republican strategist, said the campaign is entering a stage in which skirmishes over the facts are less important than the dominant themes that are forming voters’ opinions of the candidates.
“The more the New York Times and The Washington Post go after Sarah Palin, the better off she is, because there’s a bigger truth out there and the bigger truths are...
http:// has the large hadron collider destroyed... →
Palin switched colleges 6 times in 6 years
Palin and three friends went to the University of Hawaii at Hilo after graduation from high school in Alaska in 1982. But they left after a few weeks because of the constant rain
Via AP
No Shit
At this point, Freddie Mac does not plan to issue a statement or comment on today’s announcement by the U.S. Treasury Department and Federal Housing Finance Agency
- spokeswoman Sharon McHale. Via Reuters. Context here.
WatchAwesome coworking video from blankspaces in Los Angeles.
