Wednesday, March 25, 2009

A Whatnot Wednesday

You ask, "what's a whatnot ?"

"Whatnot" is a noun meaning (1) a small, trivial, or unspecified object, or (2) a set of light, open shelves for ornaments. Today's blog contains small items in an open format, hence is a whatnot of whatnots, figuratively.

The Bloviator continues to bloviate the blather of buncombe.

Successful hedge fund managers make billions. And pay low taxes on their skim. Unsuccessful hedge fund managers close their funds and go out to raise more money for new funds so their fee "high water mark" can be low again. The analogy is re-pricing stock options. Heads they win, tails investors lose.

The press reports more whiners and worryers.

Japan GDP falls 12% in Q4 and exports are cut in half. Nations like Japan need a balanced economy with local consumer demand. They cannot expect the US to pull their wagon again.

Ukraine nears financial meltdown. Unfortunately, that nation blew its chance to reform when times were good, so the suffering of the people will likely be great.

The Czech government falls.

A WSJ article about pensions in Hungary shows why its pension system is bankrupting the nation. A 40 year old guy with an injured foot gets a paycheck for life. No retraining, etc. Of course he could do a job sitting on his butt answering the phone or doing paperwork. In some ways it's similar to the pension systems for many US State governments. They will be a huge burden on taxpayers forever unless reformed.

The "card check" bill that would let union goons force people to sign up and then let the union get recognized is losing steam. Good - that was one of the worst ideas ever to hit Washington. Imagine, legislating Stalinist union "elections".

Markets

The big rally held rather well yesterday. I have subscribed to the HBC rights offering in Fido Fund, as did Mrs. B in her Sky Fund.

Word of the Day

"Protreptic" - adjective and noun [$1000]
Protreptic means (adjective) directive, instructive, didactic; (noun) a book, writing or speech intended to exhort or instruct; an exhortation, instruction.
Sentence: When will Obama get off his interminably protreptic butt and do something ?

Le Mot du Jour

"Exprimer" - verb, regular -er conjugation; "s'exprimer" - the related pronominal verb.
"Exprimer" means to express.
"S'exprimer" means to express oneself.
La Phrase: Obama s'exprime, et s'exprime, et s'exprime sans cesse. Faites quelque chose !
Sentence: Obama expresses himself, and expresses himself and expresses himself endlessly. Do something !

80 comments:

Bud said...

i'm pretty sure unsuccessful beefers are not gonna be able to raise new money anytime soon


'dumb and stupid rich'

Bud said...

ukraine will be a good case study on this global recession

financial collapse..........leads to civil unrest and a violent overthrow of the government.......maybe a coup........wonder if Putin gets involved ....


costa rica here i come !!!!

Bud said...

card check is outright thuggery and intimidation


do you want to organize and form a union ?? no ?? ok ....no problem..........watch your fingers next time you on the assembly line

Bud said...

wsj tremendous editorial on this bogus AIG bonus broo-haha

congress a bunch of gutless cowards.....the spook has no guts to explain the truth to the american people.....shame on him......cuomo a punk and a thug

Bunkerman said...

Ukraine could have shoved out the oligarchs and reclaimed their stolen assets at the early part of the Orange Revolution - they did it for one steel company sold to MT ... but the rest were protected by the President who seemed to have lost his nerve.

maverick said...

Did I miss anythng the last 5 days? I see a dinky rally on Monday.

Bunkerman said...

This clown Arthur Levitt is a complete fool - unable to recognize incompetent in the SEC and foolish theories in the FASB. What an old fart!

The SEC is in the pocket of hedge funds and the Street viking looters.

Bud said...

well............arthur was right about one thing


it's disgraceful that the punks in congress are threatening the FASB......they are and shud remain independent

Bud said...

SEC in the pocket of hedge funds ??? huh ???


i thought you always said that the SEC was in the pocket of the large firms GS MS etc....

Bunkerman said...

well, you missed some excellent writing and thinking and fine new words - even French words, too.

;)

Bunkerman said...

Ove rteh wall, Bud.

Uh .. GS = super beefer, so what is not consistent ?

Bunkerman said...

over the wall - I need to type slower - or check for typos.

Bunkerman said...

Uh ... Bud ... this round of moronic "mark-to'market" rules got put in because of SEC, Congress pressure in the last crisis.

mern said...

so is obama doing better or worse after about 90 days, than dubya?

some of what obama, biden and hildog is doing, i like, but certainly not all.

i frankly cant think of 1 gud thing dubya did, but cut taxes. but when u cut taxes, jacking the budget up, is pretty fucking retarded, no?

everyone on the right has found religion, its called fiscal conservatism. too bad, when the right is in power, they practice their other religion (and spend like drunken donkeys) called BIBLE THUMPIN.

we clearly need a third party, becuase these two will never really "change".

the dems still seem like the lesser of 2 evils.

i just look at what happened from 01-06, when the elephants controlled everything.......and well, we were headed in that direction but yep, they killed capitalism. any dem thats been in congress for a long time like frank, isnt much further behind in the blame, but seriously his fudge packing FNM execs is nothing compared to what greenspan did (reagan appointed him, right? dubya didnt make him retire when it was clear to any idiot, what he was doing was insane.) and the republican lead congress.

we need joe dumars in their, becuase he will do to the pistons, what we need to do in DC.

Bunkerman said...

February Durable Goods Orders +3.4% vs -2.5% consensus, prior revised to -7.3% from -5.2%

08:30 ECONX February Durable Goods ex-trans +3.9% vs -2.0% consensus, prior revised to -5.9% from -2.5%

What happened to the Depression ?

I guess it went the way of last year's "inflation" - into the dustbin of doom-monger delusions.

Bunkerman said...

gosh, another alliterative home run by Bman !

mfl59 said...

come on Bunkerman...stop drinking the Obama kool aid....you know this # will get revised down just like last month...lets not data mine sir....

Bud said...

Bman.........please don't listen to ace.........these numbers are good.....but they ain't good for the doom and gloomers

depression ?? armageddon ??? pfffffffffffft



ace.....he's a punk

mfl59 said...

Back from picking up "jim's" dry cleaning so soon Bud? Don't forget, you have to cut his grass on Wednesdays....This time make sure you use the weed wacker to trim the edges....you know how pissed he gets when you don't do that...

Bud said...

what an incredible run the shark tank has been on........totally nailed this rally......trim the edges......no problem......plus i'm gonna spit shine the cars........be happy to do it


sharkinvesting.com rules !!!!!




PS.........well played ace.......i like to start the day off with a some high cheese.........just lettin the bunker know i bringin the heat today

Spin-em said...

looking at 01-06 is ezpzjapneze..now....like some things BO plenty and the gang are now...dont like some things....even-steven.....make sure in 2012 you tell us how everything went ok?..looool

Spin-em said...

.."plus i'm gonna spit shine the cars.".......

uhhhh..thats not his car...the cars out in the driveway..thats his cock sir....
lmaoooooooooooooo

mfl59 said...

"I feel lost"

"Small caps can really cut you"

"Market needs a rest"

"This rally is senseless"


indeed........................

Spin-em said...

curtain call?..(spin tips his cap)

Bud said...

spin !!!!!


LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO




well played ......well played SKF quenn

Bunkerman said...

yes, spin hits grand slam.

roflmao.

Bunkerman said...

omg, Timmy at the CFR - the birchers are going to go ape-sh*t.

New World Order déjà vu.

Bud said...

the birchers ??? huh ??? is that some sort of animal

Bunkerman said...

huh ?? new home sales up, inventory down ???

I thought things depressed in a depression ?

Bunkerman said...

birchers = John Birch Society

They think a New World Order is being created to take away freedom, led by people in the Council on Foreign Relations (= "CFR")

Elmer, W, W's father, etc. all members of CFR.

Bunkerman said...

in their view, people like William F. Buckley were CFR stooges, crypto-commies.

Bunkerman said...

They have a magazine called "The New American". See ->

http://www.thenewamerican.com/

Bunkerman said...

In some ways they are quite lucid and eloquent kooks. Fun reading sometimes.

Bud said...

good housing number


still think it's 'data mining' ace ???


pfffffffffffffffffffffffft

Bud said...

PL

LZR

CBG

ACAS

CKSW

RGR

FEED


THANKS JIM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mfl59 said...

No Bud I believe housing has bottomed......you have to be an idiot to think it hasnt....

mfl59 said...

boy Bunkerman I cant get you to swing at anything...good eye sir good eye

tejasjeff said...

http://247wallst.com/2009/03/25/homebuilder-etfs-hope-this-is-a-bottom-xhb-itb/

Homebuilder ETF’s Hope This Is A Bottom (XHB, ITB)


fwiw

Frosty said...

Bunky...are we making any sales...lil trading around the core.

Bunkerman said...

I am contemplating that, frosty.

Spin-em said...

A guy calls his buddy, the horse rancher, and says he's sending a friend

over to look at a horse.



His buddy asks, 'How will I recognize him?'



'That's easy; he's a dwarf with a speech impediment.'



So, the dwarf shows up, and the guy asks him if he's looking for a male

or female horse.



'A female horth.'



So he shows him a prized filly.



'Nith lookin horth. Can I thee her eyeth?'



So the guy picks up the dwarf and he gives the horse's eyes the once over.



'Nith eyeth, can I thee her earzth?'



So he picks the little fella up again, and shows him the horse's ears.



'Nith earzth, can I thee her mouf?'



The rancher is getting pretty ticked off by this point, but he picks him

up again and shows him the horse's mouth.



'Nice mouf, can I see her twat?'



Totally mad at this point, the rancher grabs him under his arms and rams

the dwarf's head up the horse's fanny, pulls him out and slams him on the

ground.



The midget gets up, sputtering and coughing.



'Perhapth I should rephrase that. Can I thee her wun awound a widdlebit?'

Bunkerman said...

sold 1/2 of positions in FCX, MT, X

Sold all GE in Obama.

Sold FCT.

Sold bit of 1/3 CETV added much lower.

Some more I can't remember tnow.

Obama is almost off margin.

Bunkerman said...

rofl spin. good one.

Bunkerman said...

sold a bit of CAB, too.

Bunkerman said...

sold 1/2 MS, too.

Frosty said...

I have built a nice lil book off the Bunky bottom in an attempt to get long term...best run since 38' about the time you graduated MIT, taking sugar here.

Since aazzhead is so in luv with GS, I put it out today as a hedge.

mfl59 said...

aazzzhead....

lmaoooooooooo

mr. drool bucket

capricious ($10) indeed

Spin-em said...

"well done bunk"..lol

Bunkerman said...

After screwing up that last big rally, I am trying to be not overconfident again.

Bud said...

here we go again ....with the ass kissing


the f'ng triplets

Frosty said...

atta boy Bunky, well played sir...while overconfident is a rather mild, and odd under embellished self assessment...I can live with that :)

mfl59 said...

Nice work Bunkerman....when Bud can't control himself with bullish blather you know you have to take some off the table....

Spin-em said...

here we go again ....with the ass kissing

we prefer THE FIGHTIN ZAHARIAS BROTHERS sir

http://pro.corbis.com/images/U443294ACME.jpg?size=67&uid=%7B31C2373A-F43B-4511-8553-3963A175C70C%7D

Spin-em said...

ace on the left

mfl59 said...

lmaooooooooooooooo....good one spinny....

mfl59 said...

Mern did you look at that bed and breakfast for sale that I posted last night?


http://www.dos-palmas.net/

Bud said...

listen ace


that stupid joke wasn't funny last nite.........and it ain't funny today


tete de noeud indeed

tejasjeff said...

March 25 (Bloomberg) -- California home prices dropped 41 percent last month from a year earlier, more than double the U.S. decline, as surging foreclosures drove down values, the state Association of Realtors said today.


whoaa

mfl59 said...

"GS going to 200"

"Bunkerman I think they have changed"


"thanks Bud"

mfl59 said...

that's what bottoms are made of tejas......

right Bud?

mern said...

welp kass said he called the bottom, and we all know what that means, right?

maybe ill check tonite, mfl.

spin not only did i bitch about my P&C i did something most 34 yr olds cudnt do. i didnt carry any P&C for almost 18 months, until prices became sorta resonable. is my policy worth enuff to burn my crib with all my worldy positions, and run the risk of being caught...............

obama, mcant, god, no one will save us from depressflation!

the economy is contracting clearly. frankly dont see inflation rolling over, actually going up again. gas spiked down here 8 cents from last nite.

im gonna add to my CHK, on the next leg down.

anyone with any gud currency ideas, becuase the $ is worthless or like costanza balding, and will be bald.
The Dude: It's like what Lenin said... you look for the person who will benefit, and, uh, uh...
Donny: I am the walrus.
The Dude: You know what I'm trying to say...
Donny: I am the walrus.
Walter Sobchak: That fucking bitch...
The Dude: Oh yeah!
Donny: I am the walrus.
Walter Sobchak: Shut the fuck up, Donny! V.I. Lenin. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov!
Donny: What the fuck is he talking about, Dude?

Frosty said...

SKF KING preparing for leauge today with gold plated clubs...rented the golden bear to smooth the swing plane...can he punk the great white shark skins format...I think so.

Bunkerman said...

I guess the game is ping pong again.

mfl59 said...

FXA or FXC....Aussie $ or Canadian $.....

as long as that faggot Geithner is in charge, you cannot own US dollars...

Bud said...

SKF queen no practice for league tonite.......she busy............new victoria secret summer panties collection is out



PS.......stop using my f'ng line you prick !!!!!!

mfl59 said...

uhhh Spin why wasn't I invited to practice? I thought I was third alternate?

Spin-em said...

What a sucky pitch bud..lool.....rates up there with Pedro's broke arm...you may kiss my ring....THEN MY AZZZZ!!!!.....puckerup buttercup

lmaooooooooooooooo

Spin-em said...

always room for ace!!!!!

mfl59 said...

MVP MVP MVP

Spin-em said...

ps...the team uses Clevelands for practice..one and done..they're throw aways....lool

mfl59 said...

anything I can do to help the team....all I care about is wins for the team....

"Pick it up Bud....that 7 footer is good by me"

"Nah those arent out of bounds stakes...just drop one by the green...."

yhoo handicap indeed

Spin-em said...

Goldman Sachs (GS) just made a negative call on the financial sector, saying "no faith in rally ... take money off of the table."...BAC the same call yesterday...UBS sell MS, missed Q...fyi
Date: 3/25/2009 10:38:37 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time


THE FIGHTIN ZAHARIAS BROTHERS sold and shorted at the top....thanks to FROSTY ALERT!!

"what a call Bob"

jim????.......jim????......JIM!!!!!!!

Bud said...

ace.....pick it up!!!


lamooooooooooooooooooooooo

Bunkerman said...

Yes, frosty is the Man.

Thanks Frosty.

Allez à l'enfer, Jim.

mfl59 said...

good timing on those sales Bunkerman....you still have the tradin touch big fella

Spin-em said...

note to self..Krypotonites keep ya sharp

"helluva job scott"

Bunkerman said...

nice recovery ... I wonder if underinvested real buyers stepped up "on the dip" ?

mfl59 said...

real buyers....

is that a fluttering meatball down the middle?

Frosty said...

yes Bunky, real buyers coming after the tape, a mere three week 24% spiddy run into the end of the Q, averaging up indeed...Mrs B, did you forget to lock the liquor cabinet again, shame on you, it's not Friday.

Spin-em said...

spin not only did i bitch about my P&C i did something most 34 yr olds cudnt do. i didnt carry any P&C for almost 18 months, until prices became sorta resonable. is my policy worth enuff to burn my crib with all my worldy positions, and run the risk of being caught...............

sorry I didnt read this earlier..too fn long


I see the burn still stings 24 hours later..lil Noxzema will take of that pal...

you needed a solution..I offered one...lol