on CNBC and the traders on Fast Money have been telling me how we're all in this financial crisis together. Trust me, guys, I get it but I do still have a few questions: Does this mean Hank Paulson will be writing me into his will? When do I start vacationing in the Hamptions? Will my black American Express card arrive this week or next?<< MORE >>

Citing his inability to execute the company restructuring he had envisioned, word has it that the ex-CEO of AIG Robert Willlumstad has refused his $22 million severance package.    

        

plan for the Government to buy mortgage backed securities began to be released to the public, the story of how Hank and Ben scared the living daylights out of the congressional leadership was also being told. Well, there are a few things that scare the living daylights out of me as well. For instance, how is it that the men and women of the House and Senate (who will now be called upon to pass legislation authorizing the plan) did not realize - until told by H&B on Thursday - that the situation was so dire? Hell, I had a friend telling me on Tuesday that he felt we were headed for a Depression style Crash.<< MORE >>

Nothing like the financial world going to Hell in a handbasket to give the ratings a goose. Sunday night it was like a frat party when a special live edition on the network pulled in virtually everyone on the payroll - almost expected Liz Claman to show up; even Cramer and Maria Bartiromo were there via telephone. Already overloaded with headlines and chyrons, every word that drops from a CNBC correspondent's mouth these days is "breaking news", "unprecedented" or "historic". BREAKING NEWS: Joe Kernan joins the ACLU. UNPRECENTED: Dylan Ratigan takes a breath. HISTORIC: Mark Haines puts mustard on his fries. (I actually prefer to listen to Bernard Lo on Bloomberg, a lot less drama and a lot more in depth info. This evening he opened Bloomberg Live by saying, "Look for more damage today after that big mess on the Street. Sorry to tell you that but truth is truth.") With all the backward analysis on CNBC, it's odd to me that they have yet address the questions I have about AIG's sudden fall: What part did those AIG laughing babies play in the debacle? Are they responsible? Can they be prosecuted? << MORE >>

it was also - for me - a deal breaker. I was hoping that Senator McCain would nominate Lindsey Graham or someone along the same lines. Governor Palin's strong anti-choice views (Although I believe that life begins at conception, I also believe that choices of that nature must be made by the woman in consultation with her loved ones and spiritual advisors. As a mother I do not think the vast majority of women make such a choice lightly and that women of means and poor, desperate women will always find a way to end a pregnancy but I guess all of that is a separate post.) and her "drill, drill, drill" philosophy are signficantly different from mine to make it impossible for me to vote for her. Also, just as I find Senator Obama insufficiently experienced to be President, I find Governor Palin insufficiently experienced to be President (sauce for the gander, sauce for the goose). Still, I am mystified by female Democrats who have villified Senator McCain for selecting her and demonized Governor Palin as being able to single handedly destroy the feminist movement. Apparently, the Democrat's Big Tent has only one entrance for women. << MORE >>

Coming up against Sarah Palin the Obama campaign seems to be making the same mistakes the Clinton campaign made when it came up against a rock star challenging its front runner status. Obamaville has strayed off message and allowed itself to be drawn into a battle it cannot win. If it continues with this strategy Obama-ites may well learn what it is to be a true Democrat. Understanding that Obamaville is built on the vague foundation of "yes, you can" it is now time to find out about a few "no, you can'ts". << MORE >>

Sorry for the all caps but - huzza, huzza - I have returned from the UK.  Plus, it seems that every network has taken to captioning every story as breaking news.  CNBC is particularly bad about this.  They will be interviewing a guest and label a rehash of his/her comments running below his/her picture as breaking news.  Kind of makes you wonder what they would label true breaking news.  It's like always using profanity, you're left with no words when profanity is really needed.  I'm reminded of the Iraqi interpreter for CNN (and I am so ashamed that I cannot recall or find his name, as though he was just an Iraqi interpreter so why remember his name) who was killed.  The people who worked with him fondly recalled that he was always running into the hotel where they all stayed yelling, "Breaking news, breaking news."  After awhile to josh him they took to calling everything breaking news.  They would run out of toilet paper and say, "Breaking news, breaking news, we're out of toilet paper." So,

Breaking news!  Breaking news!  I have returned.  Alert the media.

        

A friend of mine was in a bar having lunch when the Sarah Palin choice was announced by John McCain. Seated next to my friend was a young professional woman who said, "Well, that's it. McCain wins and I'm never going to have children. I can't bring them into a country run by George III." I have heard similar comments by so many Obama-ites. If J Mc wins I'm outta here - the party, the country, the child bearing populace. Well, those folks need to grow a pair. Sixty-seven days out and you're calling the fight? No wonder you didn't understand what Hillary was all about. It's a fight, a struggle, you don't give up - there's no giving up in the Democratic Party. If you can't fight and lose, you're not a Democrat. Losing is virtually a plank in the platform. I should know, in the last 32 years with the exception of two votes for the Clintons, I haven't voted for a winner since 1976. If you believe in Obama, man up and shut up and register someone to vote.<< MORE >>

I applaud Senator McCain's maverick choice - it plays to his base and it may bring over some Hillary voters although it does take the lack of experience card out of the deck (much as Senator Obama's choice of Joe Biden removed the age card). Still, she ain't Hillary or anywhere close and I'm not sure she is a person I would want as commander in chief if tragedy should strike. The race is closer today though than it was last night.<< MORE >>

and on Wednesday night Bill Clinton hit a grand slam walk off home run. They are both political superstars. Should the Obama/Biden ticket win in November they will owe a large portion of that win to the abilities of the only two people who have been able together to win and hold the presidency for the Democrats in the last 32 years. Do Hil and Bill have personal agendas? Damn straight, so do Barack and Michelle. << MORE >>