STOCK MARKET WATCH, Friday December 17

[ozymandius]

Source: du

STOCK MARKET WATCH, Friday December 17, 2010

AT THE CLOSING BELL ON December 16, 2010

Dow 11,499.25 +41.78 (+0.36%)
Nasdaq 2,637.31 +20.09 (+0.77%)
S&P 500 1,242.87 +7.64 (+0.62%)
10-Yr Bond... 3.41 -0.02 (-0.61%)
30-Year Bond 4.52 -0.02 (-0.48%)

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Market Conditions During Trading Hours

Euro, Yen, Loonie, Silver and Gold

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Handy Links - Market Data and News:Economic Calendar    Marketwatch Data    Bloomberg Economic News    Yahoo! Finance    Google Finance    Bank Tracker    
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Handy Links - Economic Blogs:
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Brad DeLong      Bonddad    Atrios    goldmansachs666    The Stand-Up Economist

Handy Links - Government Issues:
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Handy Links - Videos:
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    William Black: This Economic Disaster    Bill Moyers with Kevin Drum and David Corn

Bush Administration Officials Convicted = 2
Names: David Safavian, James Fondren
Dishonorable Mention: former House majority leader, Tom DeLay

Bush Administration Officials Charged = 1
Name(s): Richard Lopez Razo

Financial Sector Officials Convicted since 1/20/09 = 11

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This thread contains opinions and observations. Individuals may post their experiences, inferences and opinions on this thread. However, it should not be construed as advice. It is unethical (and probably illegal) for financial recommendations to be given here.

Read more: du

[Festivito]

1. Debt: 12/15/2010 13,879,785,054,580.12 (UP 27,195,723,668.29) (Wed)

(Up big. Good day.)
A late day for all.
(Debt under Obama seems to jump up big then drop slowly maybe up a little and down a little for days--repeat.)
= Held by the Public + Intragovernmental(FICA)
= 9,324,634,043,036.62 + 4,555,151,011,543.50
UP 35,075,952,728.32 + DOWN 7,880,229,060.03

Source: Debt to the penny:
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np

THINKING IN BILLIONS: Think 3 or 4 dollars per billion in a 311-Million person America.
If every American, man, woman and child puts in $3.22 THAT'S 1B$, and $3,216.20 makes 1T$.
A family of three: Mom, Dad, Child: $9.65, ABOUT TEN BUCKS for a 1B$ federal program.
I hope that is clear. However, I'd suggest using $3 per 1B$ to underestimate it.
Use $4 per 1B$ to overestimate the cost when thinking: Is the federal program worth it?
Aid to Dependant Children: 2B$/yr =$8/yr(a movie a year) Family of 3: $24/yr(an hour of bowling)

PERSONALIZED DEBT:
Every 12 seconds we net gain another American, so at the end of the workday of the report, there should be 310,925,792 people in America.
http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html ON 10/04/2010 04:37 -> 310,403,677
Currently, each of these Americans owe $44,640.19.
A family of three owes $133,920.56. (And that is IN ADDITION to their mortgage.)

ANALYSIS:
There were 22 reports in the last 30 days.
The average for the last 22 reports is 4,125,976,958.47.
The average for the last 30 days would be 3,025,716,436.21.

There were 252 reports in 365 days of FY2007 averaging 1.99B$ per report, 1.37B$/day.
There were 253 reports in 366 days of FY2008 averaging 4.02B$ per report, 2.78B$/day.
There were 75 reports in 112 days of GWB's part of FY2009 averaging 8.03B$ per report, 5.38B$/day.
There were 174 reports in 253 days of Obama's part of FY2009 averaging 7.33B$ per report, 5.07B$/day so far.
There were 249 reports in 365 days of FY2009 averaging 7.57B$ per report, 5.16B$/day.
There were 251 reports in 365 days of FY2010 averaging 6.58B$ per report, 4.53B$/day.
There were 52 reports in 76 days of FY2011 averaging 6.12B$ per report, 4.19B$/day.
Above line should be okay

PROJECTION:
There are 767 days remaining in this Obama 1st term.
By that time the debt could be between 14.9 and 17.8T$.
It could be higher. It could be lower.

HISTORICAL:
President's term begins and ends on Jan 20.
(Guess who might want to hide the Reagan Bush years. Jan 20 data is missing before 1993.)
01/20/1993 _4,188,092,107,183.60 WJC Inaugural
01/22/2001 _5,728,195,796,181.57 WJC (UP 1,540,103,688,997.97)
01/20/2009 10,626,877,048,913.08 GWB (UP 4,898,681,252,731.43)
12/15/2010 13,879,785,054,580.12 BHO (UP 3,252,908,005,667.04 so far since Obama took office.)

FISCAL YEAR DEBT CHANGE, Sep 30 prior year to Sep 30 named year:
(One "* " for each 40B$ reached)
FY1994 +0,281,261,026,873.94 ------------* * * * * * * WJC
FY1995 +0,281,232,990,696.07 ------------* * * * * * * WJC
FY1996 +0,250,828,038,426.34 ------------* * * * * * WJC
FY1997 +0,188,335,072,261.61 ------------* * * * WJC
FY1998 +0,113,046,997,500.28 ------------* * WJC
FY1999 +0,130,077,892,735.81 ------------* * * WJC
FY2000 +0,017,907,308,253.43 ------------WJC
FY2001 +0,133,285,202,313.20 ------------* * * C&B
01-WJC +0,053,598,528,417.78 ------------* WJC 31% of FY, 40% of FY-Debt
01-GWB +0,079,686,673,895.42 ------------* GWB 69% of FY, 60% of FY-Debt
FY2002 +0,420,772,553,397.10 ------------* * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2003 +0,554,995,097,146.46 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2004 +0,595,821,633,586.70 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2005 +0,553,656,965,393.18 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2006 +0,574,264,237,491.73 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2007 +0,500,679,473,047.25 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2008 +1,017,071,524,649.92 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2009 +1,885,104,106,599.30 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * B&O
09GWB +0,602,152,152,000.60 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB 31% of FY, 32% of FY-Debt
09-BHO +1,282,951,954,598.70 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BHO 69% of FY, 68% of FY-Debt
FY2010 +1,651,794,027,380.00 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BHO
FY2011 +0,318,162,023,688.40 ------------* * * * * * * BHO
Endof11 +1,528,014,982,187.71 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BHO

LAST FIFTEEN REPORTS OF ADDITIONS TO PUBLIC DEBT(NOT FICA):
11/24/2010 +000,282,063,227.86 ------------********
11/26/2010 +003,743,380,701.15 ------------*********
11/29/2010 +000,134,381,143.81 ------------******** Mon
11/30/2010 +065,487,463,946.10 ------------**********
12/01/2010 -005,680,380,232.98 --
12/02/2010 +000,827,003,518.64 ------------********
12/03/2010 -000,051,568,825.48 ----
12/06/2010 +000,077,038,802.53 ------------******* Mon
12/07/2010 +000,178,077,201.68 ------------********
12/08/2010 +018,541,141,818.10 ------------**********
12/09/2010 +000,426,018,289.04 ------------********
12/10/2010 +000,085,971,333.21 ------------*******
12/13/2010 -000,140,409,571.73 --- Mon
12/14/2010 +000,270,507,131.41 ------------********
12/15/2010 +035,075,952,728.32 ------------**********

119,256,641,211.66 Total of 15 above reports.

Heavy borrowing seems to start after 09/18/2008 while Bush was in power JUST BEFORE fiscal year end.
Bush admin borrowed $962,245,245,654.01 in those last 124 days in office crossing two fiscal years.
$360,093,093,653.42 in last 12 days of FY2008, and $602,152,152,000.59 in subsequent 112 days before leaving office.

For a prettier and more explanatory view of our nation's debt:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
DUer primer on National debt

(Debt to the penny keeps changing. Stuff is missing. Best to keep our own history.) LAST REPORT:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4661225&mesg_id=4661260

[Festivito]

87. Debt: 12/16/2010 13,878,837,351,150.62 (DOWN 947,703,429.50) (Thu)

(Down some. Good day.)
What a week.
(Debt under Obama seems to jump up big then drop slowly maybe up a little and down a little for days--repeat.)
= Held by the Public + Intragovernmental(FICA)
= 9,321,691,439,320.33 + 4,557,145,911,830.29
DOWN 2,942,603,716.29 + UP 1,994,900,286.79

Source: Debt to the penny:
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/NP/BPDLogin?application=np

THINKING IN BILLIONS: Think 3 or 4 dollars per billion in a 311-Million person America.
If every American, man, woman and child puts in $3.22 THAT'S 1B$, and $3,216.13 makes 1T$.
A family of three: Mom, Dad, Child: $9.65, ABOUT TEN BUCKS for a 1B$ federal program.
I hope that is clear. However, I'd suggest using $3 per 1B$ to underestimate it.
Use $4 per 1B$ to overestimate the cost when thinking: Is the federal program worth it?
Aid to Dependant Children: 2B$/yr =$8/yr(a movie a year) Family of 3: $24/yr(an hour of bowling)

PERSONALIZED DEBT:
Every 12 seconds we net gain another American, so at the end of the workday of the report, there should be 310,932,992 people in America.
http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html ON 10/04/2010 04:37 -> 310,403,677
Currently, each of these Americans owe $44,636.1.
A family of three owes $133,908.31. (And that is IN ADDITION to their mortgage.)

ANALYSIS:
There were 22 reports in the last 30 days.
The average for the last 22 reports is 3,804,665,464.19.
The average for the last 30 days would be 2,790,088,007.07.

There were 252 reports in 365 days of FY2007 averaging 1.99B$ per report, 1.37B$/day.
There were 253 reports in 366 days of FY2008 averaging 4.02B$ per report, 2.78B$/day.
There were 75 reports in 112 days of GWB's part of FY2009 averaging 8.03B$ per report, 5.38B$/day.
There were 174 reports in 253 days of Obama's part of FY2009 averaging 7.33B$ per report, 5.07B$/day so far.
There were 249 reports in 365 days of FY2009 averaging 7.57B$ per report, 5.16B$/day.
There were 251 reports in 365 days of FY2010 averaging 6.58B$ per report, 4.53B$/day.
There were 53 reports in 77 days of FY2011 averaging 5.99B$ per report, 4.12B$/day.
Above line should be okay

PROJECTION:
There are 766 days remaining in this Obama 1st term.
By that time the debt could be between 14.9 and 17.8T$.
It could be higher. It could be lower.

HISTORICAL:
President's term begins and ends on Jan 20.
(Guess who might want to hide the Reagan Bush years. Jan 20 data is missing before 1993.)
01/20/1993 _4,188,092,107,183.60 WJC Inaugural
01/22/2001 _5,728,195,796,181.57 WJC (UP 1,540,103,688,997.97)
01/20/2009 10,626,877,048,913.08 GWB (UP 4,898,681,252,731.43)
12/16/2010 13,878,837,351,150.62 BHO (UP 3,251,960,302,237.54 so far since Obama took office.)

FISCAL YEAR DEBT CHANGE, Sep 30 prior year to Sep 30 named year:
(One "* " for each 40B$ reached)
FY1994 +0,281,261,026,873.94 ------------* * * * * * * WJC
FY1995 +0,281,232,990,696.07 ------------* * * * * * * WJC
FY1996 +0,250,828,038,426.34 ------------* * * * * * WJC
FY1997 +0,188,335,072,261.61 ------------* * * * WJC
FY1998 +0,113,046,997,500.28 ------------* * WJC
FY1999 +0,130,077,892,735.81 ------------* * * WJC
FY2000 +0,017,907,308,253.43 ------------WJC
FY2001 +0,133,285,202,313.20 ------------* * * C&B
01-WJC +0,053,598,528,417.78 ------------* WJC 31% of FY, 40% of FY-Debt
01-GWB +0,079,686,673,895.42 ------------* GWB 69% of FY, 60% of FY-Debt
FY2002 +0,420,772,553,397.10 ------------* * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2003 +0,554,995,097,146.46 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2004 +0,595,821,633,586.70 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2005 +0,553,656,965,393.18 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2006 +0,574,264,237,491.73 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2007 +0,500,679,473,047.25 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2008 +1,017,071,524,649.92 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB
FY2009 +1,885,104,106,599.30 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * B&O
09GWB +0,602,152,152,000.60 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * GWB 31% of FY, 32% of FY-Debt
09-BHO +1,282,951,954,598.70 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BHO 69% of FY, 68% of FY-Debt
FY2010 +1,651,794,027,380.00 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BHO
FY2011 +0,317,214,320,258.90 ------------* * * * * * * BHO
Endof11 +1,503,678,271,357.13 ------------* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * BHO

LAST FIFTEEN REPORTS OF ADDITIONS TO PUBLIC DEBT(NOT FICA):
11/26/2010 +003,743,380,701.15 ------------*********
11/29/2010 +000,134,381,143.81 ------------******** Mon
11/30/2010 +065,487,463,946.10 ------------**********
12/01/2010 -005,680,380,232.98 --
12/02/2010 +000,827,003,518.64 ------------********
12/03/2010 -000,051,568,825.48 ----
12/06/2010 +000,077,038,802.53 ------------******* Mon
12/07/2010 +000,178,077,201.68 ------------********
12/08/2010 +018,541,141,818.10 ------------**********
12/09/2010 +000,426,018,289.04 ------------********
12/10/2010 +000,085,971,333.21 ------------*******
12/13/2010 -000,140,409,571.73 --- Mon
12/14/2010 +000,270,507,131.41 ------------********
12/15/2010 +035,075,952,728.32 ------------**********
12/16/2010 -002,942,603,716.29 --

116,031,974,267.51 Total of 15 above reports.

Heavy borrowing seems to start after 09/18/2008 while Bush was in power JUST BEFORE fiscal year end.
Bush admin borrowed $962,245,245,654.01 in those last 124 days in office crossing two fiscal years.
$360,093,093,653.42 in last 12 days of FY2008, and $602,152,152,000.59 in subsequent 112 days before leaving office.

For a prettier and more explanatory view of our nation's debt:
http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock
http://www.usdebtclock.org/
DUer primer on National debt

(Debt to the penny keeps changing. Stuff is missing. Best to keep our own history.) LAST REPORT:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4662827&mesg_id=4662836

[ozymandius]

2. My friends, it is time for me to retire.

This has been a very difficult decision. I have been doing this for eight years with very few breaks along the way. Many factors have convinced me that it is just time to go.

I cherish the relationships that we have cultivated here. That aspect of this job has made the effort and many challenges very worthwhile. I really would not trade the experience for anything. This online community and, primarily, the regular participants of this thread have created something larger than itself. I may not have ever decided to become a teacher without the influence and challenges of this thread.

Since so much tumult over the future of DU has come into focus of late, I ask that someone assume the regular duties of maintaining the sanctuary of this daily feature. Mind you, this is a job. The responsibilities of the job sometimes call on one to intercede when either personal matters expressed here go awry or when heat from moderators and administrators compels some kind of action. Like I said: it is work.

The end of the year seems appropriate for a hand-over. I will post my last Stock Market Watch on Friday, December 31, 2010. If whoever accepts this challenge would like to assume the duties prior to that date, then that's fine. I will help you learn the ropes and try to make it an easier responsibility.

Please accept my heartfelt 'thank you' for all that you have done to make this place a refuge.

Sincerely yours,

ozymandius

[Pale Blue Dot]

3. Wow. Understanding doesn't make this any easier.

You are a treasure, ozy. Even though I'm not a regular poster, I lurk in this thread every day. I've always appreciated your clear-headed, unemotional approach to this complex and often depressing subject. I hope you'll reconsider, but I'll understand if you don't. These are strange times that we live in.

There are others who would be eminently more qualified, but I would consider taking over the thread if no one else can. This resource needs to remain on DU.

Good luck, ozy. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

[Karenina]

4. Much love and gratitude to you, Ozy.

:hug::loveya::hug:


:cry:

[Po_d Mainiac]

5. No doubt this came as a difficult decision

Your insight and analysis (unlike that of the analist's) has been a breeze of fresh air compared to the sewer fumes rising from the financial world and and our nations capital.

I sincerely wish you the best, and thank you for your effort to educate.

IMHO; Without a sound economy and equitable balance of wealth, none of the Democratic values we espouse will become our way of life.

The best wish amongst fly anglers is "Tight Lines"

Tight lines, Ozy!

[AnneD]

7. Mourning Marketeers....

:donut: Ozy, it has been a wonderful run. I hope you realize how much this thread has meant to all of us.

Through the focal point of economics, many of us have come to some disturbing truths. Through economics, we have seen exactly what TPTB, whether they be GOP or the current DEM, are doing. They are stealing our lives and the future of our children. Like Joseph, we are being sold into slavery.

I have enjoyed the daily information and the people I have met and rely on the information that many bring here. This has been a life altering thread for me too. It has been a life jacket in rough economic seas.

I have posted for many years here and hope it continues, but if it doesn't well that's what it is. Ozy, I wish you well and thanks for the hard work. Let us know of your future endeavors and if you need help. I think a nice blog might be in your future, well we can wish.

Enjoy your life, career and young family.

Happy hunting and watch out for the bears.

[Roland99]

8. Term limiting yourself, eh, ozy?

It's been a real pleasure checking this thread every day and seeing your insight and wit and dedication.

We'll keep carrying the torch for economic truth.

And please don't be a stranger!

:toast:

[Tansy_Gold]

9. Ozy, I do not have words sufficient

to express my gratitude for what you have done over the past few years that I have been a part of the SMW family.

Thank you, from the very bottom of my heart, and total understanding, too.

Peace and blessings to you and your family.




Tansy Gold

[hamerfan]

10. Thank you, Ozy

This has indeed been an oasis of rational thought in a desert of goofballness. I do thank you and all the regular posters of SMW for all the hard work and lessons taught to this lurker. Bravo!
:donut:
:applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

[ozymandius]

95. Love the image!

Joker with a donut.

Your sentiments are too kind.

[Caretha]

11. Daily lurker reccer here Ozy

Your dedication and special insight has truly been a gift to DU. Thank you so much for sharing. Your eight years of leading many out of the "wilderness", and helping make sense of this topsy turvy financial world deserves a reward.

When people like you used to retire in the business world they were presented with a gold watch. Consider yourself awarded with a cy ber space gold watch engraved with:

"With Gratitude & Our Deepest Respect,
Thank you for your service
The DU Members"

Caretha

[alterfurz]

57. heartily seconded!

but I'm feeling like Lightnin' Hopkins now: Ozy Please Don't Go!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d49m6G9vOrI

[ozymandius]

92. You are so kind.

Thank you, Caretha. I humbly accept your gift.

[Demeter]

12. I wish you could elaborate on the "tumult at DU" aspect

Is it even possible for another to maintain the effort, or is the whole concept getting squeezed out? I don't spend much time in the more vicious parts of DU, and feel like I'm missing large pieces of the picture.

I really doubt that anyone could take your place, Ozy, even if some brave soul volunteers to succeed you....

[bread_and_roses]

14. This has been a green pasture amid the wastelands

Many thanks to you, Ozy. I discovered SMW late in the game, but have been truly nurtured by it since. Enjoy your family and whatever new ventures you embark upon.

The nature of all internet communities is to bloom, grow, and then fade away...I would not be surprised to see this one fade away too. Not because there are not other talented people here who might pick up the banner, but because all come to life with a particular chemistry of interaction. Something else good may arise, but with the departure of DrPhool and now you, it won't be the same.

Many thanks, b&r

[tclambert]

17. Ozy! Say it ain't so!

Thank you for running this thread for so long. I read it every day, even when I don't have time to post goofy comments. You have done an excellent job.

Ozy, Ozy, oy, oy, oy!

[Roland99]

24. Wait! Wait! Wait! ... Wait a sec! Hmm....Larry King is retiring, too.

Coincidence????

[AnneD]

36. Oh No...

:tinfoilhat:

[tclambert]

50. Have you ever seen the two of them in the same place at the same time?

Come to think of it, Clark never seems to be around when Super--nah, can't be. Clark wears glasses.

[Roland99]

51. ....

:spray:

[Mira]

29. What a shock this was for me! Every morning you started my day, brought me

information and a great cartoon. Your dedication and reliability has continually impressed me, I understand but don't like that you need to step away.
Thank you for giving such a big chunk of your life for so long, I respect you immensely, wish you all the best, and hope to see you around DU.

[Loge23]

With respect and gratitude...

It has been said that Teaching is the profession that teaches all of the other professions.
I have learned plenty of this board and I greatly appreciate the collegial atmosphere that you have created here.
Be well, and may good tidings find you.
The continuance of this vital site is a formidable challenge.

[Roland99]

30. Index futures dip into red on news of ozy's retirement

S&P 500 1,237 -1.50 -0.12%
DOW 11,420 -11.00 -0.10%
NASDAQ 2,218 -1.75 -0.08%

[InkAddict]

34. Thank you Ozymandius!

Just wanted you to know that this thread has been my first stop each weekday. We will certainly miss your early bird posting of SMW. Don't think I've ever had the 1st rec, but then I'm not all that fond of those slithering worms, prefering at least the good juicy hamburger this thread always delivers as it grows.

Your leadership has provided us all an all too often cold, frosty window into the politics of economics and finance. Auld Lang Syne, my fellow DUer. With warmest wishes for the New Year, may 2011 bring whatever you seek or better!

[jtuck004]

35. The only regret is that I didn't find this sooner.

Thank you for all your work. And I hope you got the car going again...

[MsLeopard]

37. Thank you, Ozy

I've been lurking and reading long enough to remember when you first took over the thread - and have admired the job you've done ever since. Thank you for all your insight over the years. You will be missed.

[nc4bo]

40. Oh please don't Ozy.

I'm on my way out the door and thought I'd take a quick stop into SMW before leaving only to see this.

Oh man - Please know that I (as many others do also) appreciate your efforts here (as well as the other contributors) and hope you change your mind. SMW is an island of truthful information that won't be the same without you.

Gotta run now.

Peace.

[IScreamSundays]

44. I have read your Stock Market thread throughout the

last 8 years on and off. I too have had to take breaks from this place. I hope that someone continues on with the tradition. Thank you for all your years of service. It will not be the same here without your daily contributions. May peace be with you.

[PassingFair]

45. Ack! What's to become of us?

:patriot:

Thank you for giving me years of information.

:patriot:

[Hotler]

47. Thank you for all the hard work.

sanctuary and refuge is what SMW gives to me also. Like many I have been an everyday lurker. This is the first place I come to in the mornings and during the day I drop in for a moment just to get away from the madness out there in the world. I have learned tons from this thread. With you moving on it's like losing a good neighbor. Peace and prosperity Ozy. I'll miss your post.

[DemReadingDU]

48. Many thanks and appreciation to you Ozy

I have learned a lot from this daily thread, but I can understand the frustrations of doing it daily too.

[Hotler]

49. Shit! I call for a group hug.

:grouphug:

[Hugin]

63. ...

:grouphug:

[JNelson6563]

52. I recently wondered how long you'd stay at it.

It has been a very long time old friend, I can't say I blame you.

Thanks for all your efforts. Take good care of you and yours. :hi:

Julie

[ozymandius]

94. From one old timer to another -

Your presence here through the years has been a great boon. I fondly recall the days when you were here daily and were the go-to person for insights into the bond markets. The time you have afforded to this little outpost on the web has left a profound imprint on me.

:hi:

[JNelson6563]

53. I recently wondered how long you'd stay at it.

It has been a very long time old friend, I can't say I blame you.

Thanks for all your efforts. Take good care of you and yours. :hi:

Julie

[silverlib]

56. My morning coffee before heading off to work will never be the same...

I wish you the best, my extreme thanks to you for your endurance and consistency. It appears to be as I thought - many lurkers like me, learning more about economics from this wonderful group than I ever learned in school.

I truly hope that this group continues - without you and Dr. Phool it want be the same. However, it will still be valuable.

And for anyone of you that are willing to take this on...we will also value and appreciate you!

[Hugin]

61. It's a tenure to be proud of, Ozy!

Taking a thread and turning it into an institution!

It's not with dry eyes as I witness the ending of your competent stewardship of the SMW... :cry:

However, I am confident you have created something greater than any one person. So, be sure to drop in from time to time. I'm sure we can find something to talk about. :7

:patriot:

[DoBotherMe]

69. A "heartfelt thank you" to you too!

You have provided DU with a great service and my favorite "thread". Thank you for caring enough to keep it going all these years. Dana ; )

[Skinner]

70. Thank you for all your hard work over the years maintaining the Stock Market Watch.

I am sorry to see you go.

[Caretha]

102. Where is his gold watch Skinner?

You cannot deny he earned/deserves one. I been here a long long time, and I'm watching to see if you have "de class". :)

[jannyk]

72. Thank you for educating me.

I am so grateful. Even though I never posted, I read SMW almost every day.

You Ozy, would be an asset to any organization, here you are 'Legend' and your loss is going to tear a hole in the fabric of this 'community'. I understand completely why you have to 'go'. It's the end of an era - it's the beginning of the end.

Thank you!

[CatholicEdHead]

73. Ozy thanks for all your hard work

I found SMW around 2007. It was invaluable to see the coming economic collapse coming. SMW was way ahead of the curve, partly thanks to you. SMW is the best daily thread on DU.

[some guy]

75. Thank you for all your efforts.

:hug:

[cosmicdot]

78. Thank You

I logged-in just to make a personal statement of gratitude.

[ozymandius]

79. Thank you, all. The responses to the news of my retirement have been overwhelming.

This overwhelming wave of support brought me to tears. Eight years is a long time for just about anything. So I leave sadly, but proudly for what has transpired here and happily anticipate the fruit of my new endeavors which have already begun.

Skinner's response was truly touching. If you read this, please know that a personal response from me is forthcoming. Those who sent me personal messages have received a message in return.

But all good things... as the saying goes. When a successor claims this thread, I eagerly await what changes are certain to come.

[JNelson6563]

81. You prove yet again what a class act you are.

Your deft touch will be missed. Do stop in and see us from time to time, eh?

Cheers,
Julie

[ozymandius]

82. Certainly.

It will be nice once-in-awhile to recommend the SMW.

[DemReadingDU]

88. Is that your blog in your sig Line?

Alea iacta est.
http://macroindex.blogspot.com/


P.S. I went back into the archives to find when the SMW first appeared, but archives only go back to 2004 and you already were starting it up every morning. Do you know who first started the SMW daily thread, and when it started?

I came along in early 2006, and have always appreciated your daily dedication, and all the information posted by various posters. Thanks again for everything I have learned.

[ozymandius]

90. Yes. That's my blog.

I took over the SMW from radfringe in 2002 when I was very much a "newbie" at DU. Maeve was a regular at the SMW in the early days. She had the history of the SMW written down and may still have that chronicle. Alas, I have lost my copy but remember a few details.

The SMW as we know it began when the markets dumped after 9/11. Back then, matcom started a thread that represented a kind of blow-by-blow of market events. When the meltdown accelerated, matcom and others lobbied the admins to allow the thread to be posted in the LBN forum. There it has stayed for these nine years. Eventually, radfringe took over the posting duties and formalized the opening page, much as you see it today.

Thank you for the high compliment! Honestly, the learning process goes both ways. We have collectively learned so much together.

Economics is often a very forbidding subject and frequently bores people to tears. One of the strengths of this thread is that it gives people something to care about. This thread has transformed from one dedicated to the stock markets into one that examines macro economics with a little stock info on the side. It comes as no surprise that it has cultivated the following it has because it offers insights into the many ways that people have been systematically disenfranchised. Stocks, bonds, PPI, CPI, unemployment and the like matrix together into a gestalt of our economic state with reverberations to the most basic levels that impact our daily lives.

I have always enjoyed your posts here. Your life experience shines through your comments.

[DemReadingDU]

98. Had to look up the name of your SigLine

Latin: "The die has been cast"

The phrase is still used today to mean that events have passed a point of no return, that something inevitable will happen.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alea_iacta_est

**********************

Agree, something ominous is coming.

As I joined DU in Dec 2004, I had no idea this thread has such history behind it. I also miss seeing those IDs and others who posted regularly.

Economics shouldn't be boring, it permeates everyone's lives. But somewhere people lost their critical thinking skills, and the nation has suffered immensely because of that.

The best to you during the holidays, I will check out your blog!

[girl gone mad]

80. Best wishes to you, Ozy..

hope to see you around in all the (un)usual places.

it's been a fun ride..


We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

Keep smilin' through
Just like you always do
Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song

We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4VlruVG81w

[Zenlitened]

84. Many, many thanks for all your excellent work.

SMW has been an absolute treasure!

[TexasObserver]

85. I always enjoyed the cartoons you posted.

And the charts.

[Mojorabbit]

86. I am sorry to see this

though I totally understand. I may not have posted much but I have followed this thread every day for years. Thank you for this gift.

[Festivito]

89. Congratulations on your retirement. Pretty somber party around here.

I understand in part how doing this can be work, and retiring is a part of that scenario. You have been a wonder. Not only with your knowledge, but your insight and especially, most specially, your demeanor on line.

Thank you.

Not enough for someone doing this on his own all this time. I've been a hit and run poster, not having time, ever, it seems. Sometimes I've not been able to post until days later. I do not know how you have done it so long. Mine is just a quick check of calculations from an excel spreadsheet with a copy and paste. Yours is more involved, finding a great toon each day and scouring the net to find such.

We could find a way to keep it alive I imagine. Perhaps not with just one person, but several somehow. First one to post wins the honor that day, or waits for their prescribed time each day.

In any case, I wish you well. :party:

[ozymandius]

91. Thank you, Festivito.

Your information-rich posts are simply nothing short of amazing. I like your idea about a collective approach to starting the thread. I encourage the establishment of a "Captain" of sorts. I am occasionally called upon to put out fires and provide advocacy on some issues. Thank you for the kind farewell.

[The abyss]

96. Well Hell! I am so sorry to hear this!

I apologize for never stating, in the here and now, just how much I admired your daily posts.

Long - long before I ever actively joined this board I read your posts and actually made a few pennies here and there by listening and researching against your comments and observations.

Damn! I really hate to see you shut this posting down.

Wherever you go - whatever you do - Best of luck!

[ozymandius]

97. Hopefully, a successor will step forward.

I am quite pleased that you made a little scratch. Even though it is outside the intent of the thread to issue advice, I suppose an astute person will find actionable information here. Thank you very, very much.

[The abyss]

101. I salute you!

My wish is that you will remain a a poster on this board always at the ready with a razor sharp stiletto.

See ya here - See ya there

[sam kane]

103. Thank you Ozymandius!

You will be missed by many more than you can imagine. You have given us a great gift.

[xchrom]

6. i owe you a lot of thanks -- this has been a gem and

i will so miss this.

thank you.

[Demeter]

13. Another Day, Another Rating Agency Fail, This Time S&P

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2010/12/another-day-another-rating-agency-fail-this-time-sp.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

If you thought that the rating agencies had cleaned up their act in the wake of the crisis, think again. Our Richard Smith reported on a couple of black eyes by Moody’s, one a rather implausible 180 degree turn on its take on the US tax deal, the other a suspiciously flattering take on whether Countrywide had indeed transferred notes (retaining them, as an executive testified they did on a routine basis, would confirm our suspicions about widespread problems in the securitization industry.

Now we have a big blooper by S&P, this one in the form of mass rerating, based on an admitted faulty analysis. That is code for “big error in the model that everyone missed.”

The subject of this screwup is 129 so-called re-remics, consisting of about $85 billion of bonds which were devised by repackaging existing residential mortgage backed securities. Never heard of re-remics? There’s a good reason why. This market has been very active since early last year, but third party purchases were limited. Given the scarcity of third party buyers, which means the deals were largely retained by banks, one has to assume that the object of re-remics was to manipulate capital levels. Just like CDOs, which are now understood to have been over-rated, re-remics achieve the seemingly impossible task of increasing ratings of junky RMBS....

REMICS--WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THOSE RECENTLY, BOYS AND GIRLS...

The most questionable part of this exercise is that 308 re-remic tranches had been downgraded by S&P from AAA to CCC, which is junk, back in May. Earth to base, any instrument that has so much embedded leverage that it can be downgraded that dramatically in the absence of accounting fraud means it should never have been rated AAA in the first place...

[Demeter]

15. Riots in Athens and Rome

Short news videos I doubt America will see broadcast on MSM...

http://cryptogon.com/?p=19355

[mbperrin]

16. Adieu! I have too grieved a heart to take a tedious leave.

Bill Shakespeare said it well, as always. I check this thread several times a day, post a bit, and it is an oasis for me living in this reddest part of Texas, my lifetime home gone astray.

Thank you, ozy, for all that you have done here; it truly is a great work.

Now, Charles Bukowski:
things are made of something and
go to nothing.
I understand the fall of cities, of
nations.
a small plane passes overhead.
I look upward as if it made sense to
look upward.
it's true, the sky has rotted:
it won't be long for any of
us.

Be well!

[Demeter]

18. WikiLeaks reveals BP blowout in Azerbaijan

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/wikileaks-reveals-bp-blowout-azerbaijan/

...According to cables released Wednesday by WikiLeaks and obtained by the Guardian, BP experienced a blowout in Azerbaijan in September, 2008, that had "striking resemblances" to the Gulf oil spill...The news comes as the US Department of Justice announced a lawsuit against BP that could see the multinational energy company on the hook for unlimited damages over the Gulf oil spill...

MORE AT LINK

[Demeter]

19. MUST READ:Tolerating Deception for the Sake of Economic Growth By Eric Fry

During the height of the credit crisis of 2008-9, the Federal Reserve and Treasury launched so many different lending programs and bailout facilities that it was hard to keep track of them all.

Each program or facility used a distinct acronym to represent its particular portion of Bernanke’s Bailout Buffet. Thus, for example, the Commercial Paper Funding Facility became simply the “CPFF.” But the Fed also served up bailout facilities known as the TARP, TOP, TAF, TSLF, TALF, PDCF, AMBSPP, etc.

At the end of the day, this “alphabet soup” of lending programs contained distinctions without a difference. On the receiving side of every acronym you would find a Wall Street banker with a hat in his hand. For ease of accounting, the Fed could have simply merged all the programs together into one giant WSBBF (Wall Street Banker Bailout Facility). But politics prevented that option.

So instead, the Fed created lots of different programs and facilities with essentially identical mandates. And if you’re curious about the volume of lending they conducted, or about any other component of the Fed’s balance sheet, you can find the information right here…or at least most of the information...


Read more: Tolerating Deception for the Sake of Economic Growth http://dailyreckoning.com/tolerating-deception-for-the-sake-of-economic-growth/#ixzz18NJABOSV

[Demeter]

20. The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Privateers By Alexander Tabarrok

...The privateer’s license was no mere formality. Without the license and a legal proceeding, the privateer could not sell its prizes legally. More important, courts throughout the world recognized a privateer’s license as valid. Pirates, in contrast, were barbarians and operated outside the rule of law; if caught, they would be hanged. Even the British, then the enemy, recognized that a privateer acted within the law of nations, and its captain and crew, if captured, would be accorded the same rights as captured officers and crew of the US Navy… Thus, private means were used to wage public wars.

Public navies were expensive, especially because they had to be maintained in peacetime as well as in wartime, and, until the late nineteenth century, tax systems tended to be ineffectual and inefficient. Governments, therefore, sometimes relied heavily on private initiative and enterprise to fight their wars. With a few extra cannon and men, a merchant vessel could be converted into a commissioned vessel capable of capturing small prizes should any cross its trading route. The more adventurous might build ships solely for the purpose of capturing prizes. The merchant vessels went on “voyages”; the commissioned vessels “cruised” and became known as privateers. The great era of Elizabethan exploration and expansion, for example, was financed and run by privateers. Sir Francis Drake, Sir Martin Frobisher, and Sir Walter Raleigh all operated as privateers with the Crown as partner.

Privateering played a critical role in the American Revolution, with approximately seven hundred commissioned ships, compared to approximately one hundred ships in the US Navy. Thomas Paine owned stock in privateers, as did General George Washington. Benjamin Franklin did not own such stock, but he went to great lengths to commission privateers in France. He wanted to secure the release of American soldiers held in British prisons, but because the American military captured few prisoners, he had little with which to barter. Privateers provided a ready supply of prisoners for exchange.

The apogee of the privateering system undoubtedly occurred during the War of 1812… The Comet, for example, was owned by a group of wealthy Baltimore investors who had anticipated the war. Commissioned on June 29, just eleven days after the declaration of war, this ship cleared Baltimore’s harbor along with several other privateers on July 12, and it captured its first prize on July 26.

Thus, in less than thirty days a fleet of cruisers was launched from the US coast ready to harass and imperil the British commercial fleet throughout the Western world...


Read more: The Rise, Fall, and Rise Again of Privateers http://dailyreckoning.com/the-rise-fall-and-rise-again-of-privateers/#ixzz18NLVP4Dj

[AnneD]

42. Funny...

During the first Depression cold, the alphabet soup helped the common man recover and eventually business. During the second Depression cold, the alphabet soup helped WS. I am not looking for the common man to recover. PERIOD.

[Demeter]

21. How $90 Oil Affects the Global Economy By Dave Gonigam

http://dailyreckoning.com/how-90-oil-affects-the-global-economy/

With 10 shopping days before Christmas, it’s looking more and more likely: The holiday-season price of gasoline will top $3 a gallon for the first time.

According to AAA, the national average today for regular unleaded is $2.984 – up nearly a dime over the last month. The price of crude oil is up $7 a barrel over the same period.

“Of course,” you might say, “it’s the weaker dollar. No surprise there.” Except the dollar actually strengthened a bit over the last month. And over the last three months, it’s gone basically nowhere, while crude has jumped over 12%...


Read more: How $90 Oil Affects the Global Economy http://dailyreckoning.com/how-90-oil-affects-the-global-economy/#ixzz18NMNT9vI

GRAPHIC PORN!

[boomerbust]

22. Demeter

Logical choice.:hi: Thanks Ozy, always first stop on the DU.

[Demeter]

27. Thanks for "Volunteering" Me

I am considering it....but I need to know where the crocs are...and I doubt I could do half the job.

[Roland99]

32. I was thinking of a few things.

But, at the least, it would be nice if we could all (or anyone interested) get a copy of the template used for the OP so anyone could fill in at any time if needed.

I'm not usually up early enough, well...I'm up but not on the PC much anymore at home, but can certainly help out when needed. :)

[xchrom]

39. you would do a wonderful job.

i'm learning a lot from the regular contributers here.

i would love to see it go on.

[tclambert]

54. I kind of assumed you would take over eventually.

WEE was (were?) practice for it, no?

[Demeter]

23. The Unwavering and Inimitable Ron Paul By Bill Bonner

The New York Times carried an article about him. Astonishingly, it wasn’t negative. Yes, it mentioned that Ron was regarded as a “crank.” But in context, that didn’t seem so bad.

“I was with Ron just last week,” said colleague Addison Wiggin. “He was just coming up for the chairmanship of the House subcommittee that oversees the Fed. He said he thought he had a ‘snowball’s chance in Hell’ of getting the post.

“The last time he was in line for it, the Republican hierarchy blocked him. But that was then. This is now.”


Read more: The Unwavering and Inimitable Ron Paul http://dailyreckoning.com/the-unwavering-and-inimitable-ron-paul/#ixzz18NNaRFE8

[Po_d Mainiac]

41. Good read from the NYT article..link below

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/17/business/economy/17norris.html?_r=2&ref=business

[howaboutme]

66. Interesting

I can foresee changes coming in the alliances within and of both major Parties. I see Americans as beginning to recognize that there is too much going on within our government where the people and US interests are subservient and behind those of wealth and power. I've heard the author of the Daily Reckoning , Bill Bonner, speak on the Ron Smith radio show WBAL Baltimore. Ron Smith is not your standard ditto head conservative who promotes pure ideology. He is more libertarian and has guests that represent in depth discussions on all sides.

I've lurked on this market thread and found it highly informative but have never participated. Thank you for providing it OZ.

[Demeter]

74. Bill Bonner is a crank, but sometimes entertaining, sometimes even informative

he made his money the old-fashioned way...he married it.

[Demeter]

25. Shadowstats’ John Williams Expects Hyperinflation Within Months By Rocky Vega

There are those predicting inflation, those predicting deflation, those in between… and then there’s the ultra-hardcore hyperinflationists. It’s easy to see where John Williams, founder of Shadowstats.com, fits in. He’s forecasting a hyperinflationary future which he anticipates coming home to roost within months.

To say the least, it’s an aggressive prediction. Still, it’s compelling to get his forecast given his diligence in crunching US government statistics in the feds’ own original and now old-fashioned way, long before the numbers were quite so massaged — almost like a TSA pat down — prior to being released upon an unsuspecting public.

In the clip below, Williams presents his perspective and offers some advice for hyperinflationary times. Here’s a highlight from the interview:

“In the US we don’t have a backup system. Zimbabwe had the worst hyperinflation anyone’s ever seen. But they survived, they had an ongoing economy. That was because of the black market in US dollars… we don’t have a black market in the US. There’s no backup to our system.”


Read more: Shadowstats' John Williams Expects Hyperinflation Within Months http://dailyreckoning.com/shadowstats-john-williams-expects-hyperinflation-within-months/#ixzz18NOC7tHM

WELL, THERE WAS RON PAUL'S ALTERNATE, PM CURRENCY, THERE WERE THE BARTER CLUBS, THERE'S LOCAL SCRIP, THERE HAVE BEEN ANY NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS TO BREAK THE HEGEMONY OF THE DOLLAR AT HOME...

[Demeter]

26. Williams Calls for "Great Hyperinflationary Great Depression"; A Very Easy Rebuttal By Mike Shedlock

http://www.favstocks.com/williams-calls-for-great-hyperinflationary-great-depression-a-very-easy-rebuttal/1229699/

[Demeter]

28. Strong US Retail Sales Equals Stronger US Dollar By Chuck Butler

A chill came over the currencies and metals yesterday, which was about right, when you take into consideration the trading patterns of the past month… Two days risk on; two days risk off, and so on… This time though, the risk off that began yesterday mid-morning, looked to me to be a fundamental move… What? Fundamentals driving currency movements? What, has the world gone crazy? Well… It certainly looked that way… And it all began with the printing of US retail sales…

First, let’s take a trip back to Monday’s Pfennig, when I said this regarding what I expected for retail sales… “We’ll also see retail sales for November, tomorrow… and I would have to say that not only is the Butler Household Index (BHI) flashing strong signals for a strong number, but… Remember, gasoline sales are a part of retail sales… and what have I been telling you for over a month now? That oil prices were rising… And if oil prices are rising, gas prices are rising, and if gas prices are rising, retail sales are rising!”

And then, what did we have happen yesterday that apparently surprised a lot of people? We had a very strong retail sales number print! (These knuckleheads should consult me on the BHI; that would set them straight!) US retail sales increased by 0.8% last month – more than expected, as holiday shoppers streamed into stores and went online to buy stuff!


Read more: Strong US Retail Sales Equals Stronger US Dollar http://dailyreckoning.com/strong-us-retail-sales-equals-stronger-us-dollar/#ixzz18NPl1ND8

[howaboutme]

83. But virtually all of the stuff we buy

comes from China or some other country so how will strong consumer sales result in a stronger dollar?

How can we create an economy with our massive trade imbalances and deficits? Recessions have always had inevitable inventory replenishment and manufacturing rebound to bring back our economy. Since we no longer have manufacturing, at least for consumer products, we no longer have that cyclical economic boost. Our expanding trillions in debt that began in earnest in the 1980s served to mask our real economic decline. We lost our manufacturing base and to that we can thank unpatriotic corporations, governmental leaders and to some extent apathetic voters.

Many Americans believe that the USA has been living high on the hog on a credit card with an ever increasing debt limit. It means we've had a false economy for decades now where our debt load has created an illusion of wealth and growth. Possibly our GDP was distorted due to the fantasy financial products of Wall Street.

[Demeter]

31. Outing Ben Bernanke By Eric Fry

http://dailyreckoning.com/outing-ben-bernanke/

BY WAY OF GOLDMAN SACHS...

[Demeter]

33. Why You Shouldn’t Trust the Core CPI Numbers By Addison Wiggin

Sooner or later, reality is going to catch up to the gamed statistics. Indeed, “an inflationary outbreak is very likely,” says Chris Mayer, editor of Mayer’s Special Situations.

History is on our side.

“The dollar has done nothing more reliably than lose its value over time,” Chris points out. “I think the future will be no different. People who worry about deflation – that, somehow, the dollars in our pocket will actually buy more in the years ahead, not less – will not only be wrong. They will be broke.

“Writer Jason Zweig points out that ‘Since 1960, 69% of the world’s market-oriented economies have suffered at least one year in which inflation ran at an annualized rate of 25% or more. On average, those inflationary periods destroyed 53% of an investor’s purchasing power.’


Read more: Why You Shouldn't Trust the Core CPI Numbers http://dailyreckoning.com/why-you-shouldnt-trust-the-core-cpi-numbers/#ixzz18NRWiPtr

[Demeter]

38. Why Central Bank Secrecy is Detrimental to Free-Market Capitalism By Eric Fry

WikiLeaks is grabbing the headlines, but your California editor considers the “Icky-Leaks” issuing from the Federal Reserve to be much more intriguing – like the icky leak that the Fed doled out trillions of dollars in clandestine bailouts and guarantees during the crisis of 2008 and early 2009.

Thanks to a nifty little provision in the Dodd-Frank reform bill, the Fed was forced to come clean with these embarrassing details. On December 1, the Fed published an exhaustive and detailed list of bailout recipients, along with the sums each received.

“The document dump confirms,” The Nation reports, “that the $700 billion Treasury Department bank bailout…signed into law under President George W. Bush in 2008 was a small down payment on an secretive ‘backdoor bailout’ that saw the Fed provide roughly $3.3 trillion in liquidity and more than $9 trillion in short-term loans and other financial arrangements.”

Bernanke vehemently resisted making these disclosures…for obvious reasons. The disclosures reveal the Fed’s too-cozy relationship with Wall Street. They also reveal a kind of institutionalized arrogance: the Federal Reserve knows what’s best for us, even if we don’t know it ourselves…or believe it.


Read more: Why Central Bank Secrecy is Detrimental to Free-Market Capitalism http://dailyreckoning.com/why-central-bank-secrecy-is-detrimental-to-free-market-capitalism/#ixzz18NTtmGHy

[xchrom]

43. +1

[florida08]

46. thank you for the education ozymandius

and the wonderful cartoons. It saddens me..no one can replace you. Best of fortune in all your endeavors.

[silverlib]

55. self delete - wrong place

[Ghost Dog]

58. Times change, and we needs must change with them.

When God, disgusted with man,
Turned towards heaven,
And man, disgusted with God,
Turned towards Eve,
Things looked like falling apart.

But Crow Crow
Crow nailed them together,
Nailing heaven and earth together-

So man cried, but with God's voice.
And God bled, but with man's blood.

Then heaven and earth creaked at the joint
Which became gangrenous and stank-
A horror beyond redemption.

The agony did not diminish.

Man could not be man nor God God.

The agony

Grew.

Crow

Grinned

Crying: "This is my Creation,"

Flying the black flag of himself.



- Crow Blacker Than Ever, Ted Hughes.

Let your choices always be wise, Ozy.

[hamerfan]

59. I'd laugh if I weren't crying....

"Experts agree: Get over your fear and get back into stocks"

NEW YORK — Five Wall Street heavyweights say it's time for individual investors to shun the perceived safety of bonds — and get over their fear of the U.S. stock market — so they can take advantage of what they predict will be a third straight year of solid gains for stocks in 2011.

More here:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/stocks/2010-12-16-usa-today-investment-roundtable_N.htm

[Demeter]

60. Show me the modern equivalent of IBM, and I'll Consider It

[mikita]

62. Thank you Ozymandius

what a fantastic service and run you've provided.

Mikita

[mrdmk]

64. Those dam cartoons, K & R

BTY, has anybody heard from Doc lately? I never got to ask him about his Korg keyboard he purchased a while back...

[Demeter]

65. He has been tombstoned

[mrdmk]

67. Yes, that was observed earlier this week

With that, it is not going to me from replying some of the crap that is spewed out on this board. I mean it is still a discussion board...

[StarburstClock]

68. Thank you Ozy for all that you did

I completely understand. There is no free speech and guessing what can pass as "free speech" everyday must be a miserable chore. I hope you visit regularly.

[westerebus]

71. Big Thank You.

I've lurked here for the better part of five years and it has been a pleasure. Again, thanks.

[ozymandius]

93. The pleasure has been all mine.

Thank you. And you're welcome.

[Demeter]

76. Due to an All-night Dress Rehearsal

and the fact that I agreed to do a friend's route at midnight, the Weekend starts tomorrow, whenever I regain consciousness and the feeling in my extremities...

and I suppose I can reveal the theme, at least:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhHwnrlZRus

Anybody who wants to start early has my permission...

[Demeter]

77. Well, WEE are open for business

have at it, all!

[ProudDad]

99. Corporate America's Plan to Loot Our Pensions Is the Latest Battle in Decades-Long Assault

http://www.alternet.org/story/149226/corporate_america%27s_plan_to_loot_our_pensions_is_the_latest_battle_in_decades-long_assault_on_the_middle_class_?page=entire

[UpInArms]

100. I just dropped in to say "Thank You" Ozy! Job well done and with such style!