You Think What?

Here’s a nifty little video by satirist Merle Hazard–aka Harvard grad Jon Shayne. You are cautioned not to confuse the name with one of the all time Country Western great singers Merle Haggard. The name-Merle Hazard is very similar to the term “moral hazard” used in the fiancial industry and other places to describe the times when a person’s behavior is altered because his risks are borne by others. A perfect example of “moral hazard” is the bail out of the banks. The financial institutions called “too big to fail.” (more…)

Recently in the news we were hearing a good deal about R. Allen Stanford. He’s the Texas billionaire who was  indicted and jailed on charges from the federal Justice Department. The officials say R. Allen Stanford’s international banking business is nothing more than –this will make you laugh–a ponzi scheme.

We have been thinking about this accusation. Just like Bernie Madoff, R. Allen Stanford is accused of doing that ponzi scheme thing. Often described as “any fraudulent investment scheme that pays returns to investors from their own money or money paid by subsequent investors rather than from any actual profit earned”, this definition brings us to conclude, banks do the same thing. (more…)

We know the headline isn’t really earth shattering news;  we don’t know how else to get your attention so you know the banks are being protected.  Your best interests are with someone who knows how to help you get out of your mess. Assistance for getting you out of your mess will not be found at the financial institutions. They are the ones who got us into the mess, and they are the money experts. Think about that.

Requests for assistance, i.e. loan modification, from consumers facing foreclosure or those who have received notice of foreclosure from the lender(s) who hold the mortgage(s) on their house, have increased.

The lenders do not find it profitable to help save your home. Even with the government money for the banks as incentive to help consumers, (more…)

We support charging overdraft fees taken from social security payments and other government beneficiary payments, providing the same standard is applied to the banks. (more…)

All right. It’s time to get back to the real issues; before we do let’s talk about the soon-to-be ex Governor of Alaska Sarah Palin. (more…)

The entertainer we most closely relate to Michael Jackson in terms of talent, influence and lack of childhood experience, is Sammy Davis Jr. Following our commentary are two video examples of the respect, admiration and love, the kinship between these two entertainment giants of overlapping generations.

Neither man was considered a likely candidate to become world famous; nor did it seem Davis or Jackson was destined to be successful in life at all. (more…)

The world loves Michael Jackson. The people of the planet are expressing their joy for having known him and his art. (more…)

Today is the public memorial in Los Angeles, California for Michael Jackson. The entertainer, innovator, singer, dancer, composer, philanthropist, the acknowledged King of Pop, the most extraordinary performer to have come along in forty years died in California on June 25, 2009. He is survived by his three children, his parents and his siblings.

Below are the lyrics to one of their most popular ballads. We think the chorus is significantly appropriate to express how we along with legions of his fans feel about his demise and his contribution. We are glad he left behind this tremendous legacy of great songs and memorable performances. Rest in peace.
Never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no… I
I never can say goodbye
Even tho’ the pain and heartache seem to follow me wherever I go
Tho’ I tried and tried to hide my feelings they always seem to show
Then you try to say you’re leaving me and I always have to say no
Tell me why is it so?
But I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no
I never can say goodbye
Ev’ry time I think I’ve had enough and start heading for the door
There’s a very strange vibration, piercing me right to the core
It says turn around you fool you know you love her more and more
Tell me why is it so?

Don’t wanna let you go
I never can say goodbye girl
(never can say goodbye, girl)
Ohh, ohh, baby,
(don’t wanna let you go, girl)
I never can say goodbye,
No, no, no, no, no, no

Ohh, I never can say goodbye girl
(never can say goodbye, girl)
Ohh, ohh, ohh,
(don’t wanna let you go, baby)
I never can say goodbye,
No, no, no, no, no, no,
Ohh

Never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no
I never can say goodbye
I keep thinkin’ that our problems soon are all gonna work out
But there’s that same unhappy feelin’ there’s that anguish, there’s that doubt
It’s that same old dizzy hang-up can’t do with you or without
Tell me why is it so?

Don’t wanna let you go
I never can say goodbye girl
(never can say goodbye, girl)
Ohh, ohh, baby,
(baby)
I never can say goodbye
No, no, no, no, no, no

Ohh, I never can say goodbye girl
(never can say goodbye, girl)
Ohh, ohh, ohh,
(baby)
I never can say goodbye,
No, no, no, no, no, no,
Ohh

Serena Williams has captured another coveted tennis Grand Slam award. We know who the best woman in tennis is, and her last name is Williams. (more…)

Happy Birthday to America! Picnics, parties, barbecue dinners and fireworks displays abound as communities all across the nation celebrate what took place in Philadelphia in 1776 at the Continental Congress. (more…)