My pleasure! See you 4/1/09 when "WyomingKnott" (whoever that really is; we all have our suspicions) will presumably start another group!

posted by Carnophile at 10:54 pm (EST) on Jun 23, 2008

hi there,

wondering what you thought of john bolton's new book?

-Gene

posted by BentleyJunkie at 7:56 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2007

There is no end of people looking for a free lunch. Take the people that got into the low, teaser-rate mortgages. Their plan was to flip the home (sell it) before the reset date and pocket the difference (a free lunch). Too many people trying to do the same thing (an overcrowded market) and too complex mortgage instruments led to contagion (market weakness spreads). Instead of picking up some small change and moving on to something else (or realizing that the teaser rate is a fool's bet), they sought a big free lunch. They were hogs, and there's a Wall Street saying: "Pigs get fed; hogs get slaughtered."

posted by Barking_Mad at 10:59 pm (EST) on Nov 13, 2007

Thanks for your comment. As regards structured finance, it is so ubiquious that namy sectors are unaffected. The problem with the SIVs (structured investment vehicles) is that the lesson of the S&Ls (savings and loan institutions) in the '80s was forgotten: Bad things happen when you borrow short and lend long.

At the heart of it, the structured instruments held by the SIVs were too complex to be properly valued. The models used by the rating agencies were simply off the mark. Added to that is classic contagion, too many people trying to sell similar instruments at the same spread the low prices to everyone.

The reason why the problem persists is that the SIVs can't be unwound because their assets are long-term. As their short-term liabilities come due, they can't pay them because of the long-term nature of their assets --- they can't liquidate the assets because of contagion and the maturity dates are far in the future. hence,they must access the short-term market, and therein lies the problem. Short-term liabilities against long-term assets: borrowing short (liabilitiers) and lending long (assets).

posted by Barking_Mad at 11:11 am (EST) on Nov 13, 2007

I pre-ordered Atkinson's new book from Barnes & Noble. Checking my mailbox eagerly every day.

posted by OldSarge at 7:54 pm (EST) on Sep 30, 2007

steiac,

haven't loggerd in a long while, the book, "Why I turned Right' that you asked about is OK, maybe a 7 out of 10. some essays better than others; i'd say wait for paperback, or get it at big discount.

posted by dougarb at 11:17 am (EST) on Jul 9, 2007

I thank you for your kind comments. Sorry it took awhile to reply but I was on a much needed vacation introducing the little one to the beach and boardwalk. I love the Jersey Shore! Didn't wear shoes, shave or even read the papers for a week. Just me, the missus, kids, my mother, sisters and brother enjoying what my fellow soldiers work so hard to protect.

I don't consider myself a conservative so much as a classic liberal/libertarian. I am definately an anti-socialist/communist/left wing though. Had a lifetime of standing in line for everything. As for my service, I am just one man out of many doing their job.

I have my parents to thank for my love of American history.

posted by OldSarge at 6:53 am (EST) on Jun 25, 2007

I agree with your predictions, unfortunately. And I am particularly worried that we are in for some ridiculous and crippling regulations aimed at stopping global warming. Of course, the Supreme Court got the jump on the legislative branch on that one, with its recent EPA ruling. But I think we are in for some rough times.

posted by ggchickapee at 6:07 pm (EST) on May 22, 2007

I'm planning on getting Chris Buckley's latest,

posted by dougarb at 6:09 am (EST) on Apr 22, 2007

absolutely addicting; i even started to look for the corect covers.

posted by dougarb at 10:36 am (EST) on Apr 21, 2007

steiac, i've got about 120 books listed now, trying to decide how far back to go. Green Eggs and Ham? On the Road?

dougarb

posted by dougarb at 5:52 pm (EST) on Apr 18, 2007

thanks steve, just added a bunch more books; will be home next weekend and will peruse my shelves

posted by dougarb at 7:17 am (EST) on Apr 15, 2007

Steiac,
I certianly agree. During my career as a government Forester, I have taken may politicos on field trips. This man was far above all others. The last trip with Jackson was a helicopter overview of wilderness on the Mt. Baker NF. Unfortunately, he died a few weeks later.
McLean

posted by mcleanbooks at 1:05 pm (EST) on Mar 9, 2007

In addition to our shared timing and fortune in good books, I wish we could have also shared the two winning Mega Millions lottery tickets this week. Until we can share in that kind of luck, I look forward to learning about new great books through this unique website!

Thanks,

eye2eye

posted by eye2eye at 9:52 pm (EST) on Mar 8, 2007

Thank you for joining the Political Conservatives group. Welcome!

posted by ggchickapee at 4:47 pm (EST) on Mar 6, 2007