Weekend Open Thread
Well, it’s the weekend and it’s open thread time! Whoopeee! Anything exciting going on this weekend? I have to go shoe shopping. I know you’re all jealous.
So let’s get started. I found this really interesting (via Eschaton):
John S. Reed, who helped engineer the merger that created Citigroup Inc., apologized for his role in building a company that has taken $45 billion in direct U.S. aid and said banks that big should be divided into separate parts.
“I’m sorry,” Reed, 70, said in an interview yesterday. “These are people I love and care about. You could imagine emotionally it’s not easy to see what’s happened.”
[…]
Congress’ overhaul of U.S. financial regulations should include ordering banks to hold more capital, ensuring executives’ compensation is aligned with long-term profitability and banning firms that take deposits from also engaging in equities and fixed-income trading, Reed said.
“I would compartmentalize the industry for the same reason you compartmentalize ships,” Reed said in the interview in his office on Park Avenue in New York. “If you have a leak, the leak doesn’t spread and sink the whole vessel. So generally speaking you’d have consumer banking separate from trading bonds and equity.”
Isn’t it interesting how many of these guys are having “come to Jesus” moments now, after they blew up the economy. Well, I hope they aren’t just saying words but will actively help to put some new regulations in place to prevent this from happening again.
Go read this amusing dkos diary about a single activist causing trouble for teabaggers by calling up companies about their use of their name and brand.
Tags: Open Thread
Happy Carl Sagan Day!
Went up to PA for some family fun today that involved a trip to King of Prussia Plaza — it was a mad house! People are out looking for Christmas bargains already. It was great to get back to sleepy little Hockessin.
Punkin’ Chunkin’
More on Citigroup:
By JENNY ANDERSON
Published: November 5, 2009
New York City health officials have distributed small amounts of the swine flu vaccine to some major New York companies, including Wall Street banks like Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, even as shortages continue.
Citigroup has received 1,200 doses, more than half of what it requested, health officials said, and in late October, Goldman received 200 of the 5,400 doses it asked for. By contrast, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center received 200 of the 27,400 doses that it requested for its workers, according to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
‘Chuck’ bucks have run dry (Tax-cheat Charlie’s deserted “monument to me” needs $30 mil)
NY Post ^ | 11/08/09 | MELISSA KLEIN and ISABEL VINCENT
‘Chuck’ bucks have run dryJust 3G in donations for ‘Rangel’ school By MELISSA KLEIN and ISABEL VINCENT Last Updated: 6:42 AM, November 8, 2009 Donors have contributed just $3,315 to the Rangel Center at City College since the Harlem congressman became enmeshed in scandal last fall. The center — which critics have derided as a “monument to me” — needs $30 million to renovate a derelict building in Harlem and fulfill its mission to prepare minority students for public-service careers. But data provided by the college shows Rangel’s pet project has amassed just $6.6 million in pledges, and only $650,000…
William Jefferson (D-La & significant flight risk) sentencing of 27-33 years recommended
NOLA ^ | 11/06/09 | Jonathan Tilove
Prosecutors on Friday night issued a memorandum recommending that former U.S. Rep. William Jefferson be sentenced to between 27 and 33 years in prison. Jefferson, 62, will be sentenced by federal Judge T.S. Ellis III on Nov. 13. The prosecution’s sentencing memorandum suggests that Jefferson, who served 18 years in Congress, may have hidden resources and “poses a significant risk of flight,” and ought to be immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service after sentencing at the Alexandria, Va., courthouse.
Carper to Hold Castle’s Coat:
The NRSC sent something around to show how popular Mike Castle is in Delaware among Democrats.
Say Wha..?
If I was Christine O’Donnell I’d be making noise about the is NRSC press release. But she really isn’t running for anything by all outward appearances.
Sorry if this os old news.
Seriously question. Has O’Donnell suspended her primary campaign against Castle? She was supposed to have an event yesterday and that event was either canceled on short notice, or too thinly attended to count as a campaign event.
V Takes on Obamamania
Pajamas Media ^ | November 8 | Christian Toto
The first episode of the new series V demands a second viewing. Maybe even a third.
Did a major television network really greenlight a show mocking the hope ‘n’ change express via an invading alien horde?
The series, a sleek upgrade of the cheesy 1980’s model, follows a smooth-talking, hope-spreading alien race who come in peace. But their platitudes are only skin deep. Lizard skin deep, for those who recall the source material.
The show, airing on Tuesday nights on ABC, earned praise from many television critics, though the folks at the New York Times and the New Republic weren’t pleased one bit.
McNubbins is a no-heart chump…and yes, Amish-Jason told me I can steal his copyright!
Where is everyone? McNubbins is still a no-heart chump.
No. Heart. Chump. (c)
Thanx for the free use of the copyright.
In defense of McNubbins, he’s not the only no-heart chump, Reid was HORRIBLE tonight.
In Round 1 Chump vs Choke 2009: Choke wins.