Comments on Maison Fleury: Toxic finance

interesting article indeed. AIG is a ponzi, and a...

2009-08-28T15:31:42.912-07:00

interesting article indeed. AIG is a ponzi, and a disgrace that was brought down by CDS.

I agree Bill. I have to say it's very interesting ...

2009-08-28T09:27:49.252-07:00

I agree Bill. I have to say it's very interesting to watch the requests to disclose the recipients of TARP money just like the fight to get the recipients of AIG money disclosed.

The arguments on both sides are good. I mean we're talking _a lot_ of taxpayer money here (actually unprecedented amounts)so accountability is needed. But yes, disclosure could hurt the recipient, defeating the purpose (and possibly the cost the taxpayer).
But since 'lack of oversight' is the main cause of the crisis to begin with I tend to believe that disclosure is needed. "Walk the talk" I guess.

Jean-Luc, interesting article. I don't believe in...

2009-08-28T09:08:30.120-07:00

Jean-Luc, interesting article. I don't believe in conspiracies though. Many agencies are underfunded. There's also not a lot of talent at any level of government (local, state, fed, congress, bureaucracy). This creates a lot of mistakes due to total and utter incompetence at all levels. Gross incompetence, IMO, can look a lot like "conspiracy".

I thought this was interesting too: http://www.ma...

2009-08-26T05:12:56.868-07:00

I thought this was interesting too:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/dismantle-bernankes-happy-conspiracy-now-2009-08-25

I'm fascinated by the discussion in Box 9, (pag 73...

2009-08-25T21:04:44.631-07:00

I'm fascinated by the discussion in Box 9, (pag 73 onward) on leverage of risk on a global scale and the US 'balance sheet'