Mortgage Markets – Week of 7.07.08
Housing Market Meltdown Causes Massive Losses
By Dean Baker – The Center for Economic & Policy Research (9 Jul 2008)
Mortgage Market Basics
Fannie and Freddie are down again this morning…
Fed’s Discount Window Said Open to Fannie and Freddie
By Romain Bostick – Bloomberg News (11 Jul 2008)
In 1997, in my attempt to persuade US leaders…
Deja Vu View – No Accident
Our evaporating mortgage bubble represents the culmination of a long evolution of systemic mortgage fraud in the United States. If you want to understand the deeper story, here is the the update we wr…
The Mortgage Bear Growls
Fannie and Freddie are down this morning:
One consensus is emerging on line that the Fed is to blame for mortgage market woes:
Who Killed the Economy? – At Portfolio.com (24 Jun 2008)
The respon…
Who’s Who in the Housing & Mortgage Bubble
Given the interest in the housing and mortgage bubble, here are links to introduce leading institutional players in the governance, regulation and credit guarantee/enhancement of the US mortgage market.
As the housing and mortgage bubble was a component of the “strong dollar policy,” the same players are also present in the other components, including the suppression of the gold price (a necessary step that preceded this bubble as the suppression of the gold price turns off the financial “smoke alarm”) and the refusal to produce audited financial statements for the US government from fiscal 1995 to date (as required by law) thus allowiing trillions to go missing from the US government.
Who's Who in the Housing & Mortgage Bubble
Given the interest in the housing and mortgage bubble, here are links to introduce leading institutional players in the governance, regulation and credit guarantee/enhancement of the US mortgage market.
As the housing and mortgage bubble was a component of the “strong dollar policy,” the same players are also present in the other components, including the suppression of the gold price (a necessary step that preceded this bubble as the suppression of the gold price turns off the financial “smoke alarm”) and the refusal to produce audited financial statements for the US government from fiscal 1995 to date (as required by law) thus allowiing trillions to go missing from the US government.
Community Waste
I am quite inspired these days by the folks I am working with on sustainability issues here in Tennessee. (Example: see Financial Permaculture ) I asked one of our sustainability leaders recently for…
McMarvelous
Here is the heartwarming story of two British activists, Helen Steel and David Morris, achieving the impossible by rewarding McDonald’s lawsuit against them with a PR nightmare, a watchdog website “Mc…
Quote du Jour
Thanks to Caroline Casey at visionaryactivism.com for pointing this out.
The Bell Tolls for the Bubble
The inflation of the U.S. financial and mortgage finance stocks that began in the mid-1990’s with institution of the strong dollar policy, the suppression of the gold price and the movement of signifi…
Money & Markets – Week of 7.07.08
Russia is Most Likely Midwife of a Fairer World Economic Order
By Massoud Hedeshi – Al Jazeera.net (10 Jul 2008)
Money Supply (MZM) at 10 Jul 2008
St. Louis Federal Reserve Report
~ Previous blog …
Money & Markets – Week of 7.07.08
Russia is Most Likely Midwife of a Fairer World Economic Order
By Massoud Hedeshi – Al Jazeera.net (10 Jul 2008)
Money Supply (MZM) at 10 Jul 2008
St. Louis Federal Reserve Report
~ Previous blog …
Precious Metals – Week of 7.07.08
Reflections: The Death of Gallium
By Robert Silverberg – Asimov’s Science Fiction
Without Gold and Silver, You’re Already Confiscated
By Jason Hommel – Silver Stock Report (4 Jul 2008)
Geopolitical – Week of 7.07.08
Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayor’s Home, Kill His 2 Dogs
Washington Post | 31 July 2008
Bush Signs Spy Bill and Draws Lawsuit
By Randall Mikkelsen – Reuters (10 Jul 2008)
Karl Rove Pulls No-Show o…
Food & Health – Week of 7.07.08
Cutting Out the Middlemen, Shoppers Buy Slices of Farms
By Susan Saulny – New York Times (10 Jul 2008)
Food Storage 102 – 2 Weeks Is Not Enough
Sharon Astyk’s Ruminations Blog (8 Jul 2008)
Turn Off …
Food & Health – Week of 7.07.08
Cutting Out the Middlemen, Shoppers Buy Slices of Farms
By Susan Saulny – New York Times (10 Jul 2008)
Food Storage 102 – 2 Weeks Is Not Enough
Sharon Astyk’s Ruminations Blog (8 Jul 2008)
Turn Off …
Community Wizards
I grew up in a community where all the kids freely used the “F” word. Then I went to work on Wall Street, where the “F” word was quite common. If you want a taste of the Wall Street culture multivaria…
History’s Actors
“In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn’t like about Bush’s former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to B…
History's Actors
“In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn’t like about Bush’s former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to B…
Fourth of July Mystery
We had our July 4th Parade this morning. We had our three fire trucks, lots of ATVs brimming with kids and flags and a procession of beautiful, polished tractors and farm equipment. One mysterious gen…
Jessie Helms Dies – July 4, 2008
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. (October 18, 1921 – July 4, 2008) was a five-term United States Senator from North Carolina, and a member of the Republican Party. He served as chairman of the Senate Fore…
Y’All Are Welcome
I don’t know which is more nourishing – getting to know my cousin Jane or getting some of the Powell Farm’s sweet corn grown by her husband Billy and son Bob. You can do both this Saturday at the Farm…
Y'All Are Welcome
I don’t know which is more nourishing – getting to know my cousin Jane or getting some of the Powell Farm’s sweet corn grown by her husband Billy and son Bob. You can do both this Saturday at the Farm…
Deja Vu View – $59 Billion Missing from HUD
Inspired by an insight from our attorney, Carolyn Betts, and the practice of one of our favorite journalists, Sam Smith at Progressive Review, we are going to republish bits and pieces of previous art…
Vanity Fair on Bear Stearns
Bringing Down Bear Stearns
By Bryan Burrough – Vanity Fair (Aug 2008)
On Monday, March 10, the rumor started: Bear Stearns was having liquidity problems. In fact, the maverick investment bank had aro…
Ohio Does Sex and Mortgage Fraud
Mark Dann was the attorney general of Ohio. In January, Ohio Attorney General Mark Dann sued Freddie Mac and the members of its board:
Ohio Pension Fund Sues Freddie Mac
That was right after Clevela…
Mortgage Markets – Week of 6.30.08
Mortgage Ruling Could Shock U.S. Banking Industry
By Gina Keating – Reuters (30 Jun 2008)
Countrywide’s Pressures Mount
By Ruth Simon – Wall Street Journal (26 Jun 2008)
“The legal and financial pr…
Precious Metals – Week of 6.30.08
ECB is Done Selling Gold Through September
From Agence France-Press (1 Jul 2008)
On the Precipice
By James Turk – GoldMoney.com (28 Jun 2008)
Food & Health – Week of 6.30.08
The Doctors’ Revolt
By Roger Bybee – The American Prospect (1 Jul 2008)
Tonight for dinner I had the first fruits from my garden – Golden Scallopini Squash. It was simply incredible thanks to seeds f…
Food & Health – Week of 6.30.08
The Doctors’ Revolt
By Roger Bybee – The American Prospect (1 Jul 2008)
Tonight for dinner I had the first fruits from my garden – Golden Scallopini Squash. It was simply incredible thanks to seeds f…
Geopolitical – Week of 6.30.08
Ex-Agent Says CIA Ignored Iran Facts
By Joby Warrick – Washington Post (1 Jul 2008)
Agents Can Randomly Seize Travelers’ Laptops or PDAs
By Jim Puzzanghera – Baltimore Sun (29 Jun 2008)
Abu Ghraib I…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.30.08
Bankers Seen Holding Off Clear Channel Loan Sale to Next Week
By Cynthia Koons – Dow Jones Newswire (3 Jul 2008)
~ View previous blog posts: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Vanity Plate Sold for $14 Million …
Money & Markets – Week of 6.30.08
Bankers Seen Holding Off Clear Channel Loan Sale to Next Week
By Cynthia Koons – Dow Jones Newswire (3 Jul 2008)
~ View previous blog posts: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
Vanity Plate Sold for $14 Million …
Life – Week of 6.30.2008
Local and National Outbreak of Grave Robbing
By Nicholas J.C. Pistor – St. Louis Post-Dispatch (30 Jun 2008)
Oklahoma Asserts Sovereignty
View the vote tally in the Oklahoma House of Representatives
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U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Gun Ownership
Wikipedia on Gun Politics
The Supreme Court Opens Fire
The Economist (26 Jun 2008)
Read the Supreme Court Decision
In From a Network Member
A Letter to My Stockbroker
February 2008
Dear John:
I sent you the article on Bill Gross of PIMCO because I was interested in someone who feels as I do—that the U.S. and the dollar are moving in t…
The National Security Business
Charlie Black, in an interview with Fortune, said “a fresh terrorist attack ‘certainly would be a big advantage to him [John McCain].'” Black also “said that the December assassination of former Pakis…
Request for Prayer and Financial Action
In response to the Supreme Court’s decision on Valdez, I would like to ask for prayers for all the people and living things harmed by the Valdez spill and for the people of Alaska. I would also reque…
From Barnes Capital Insight
Here is the year-to-date price change in commodities and stocks:
Crude oil up 43%
Ethanol up 21%
Heating oil up 44%
Natural gas up 77%
Unleaded gas up 40%
Cattle up 1%
Corn up 59%
Soy beans up; 26%
W…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.23.08
Shortages, Prices Hit California Food Banks as Schools Recess
By Ryan Flinn – Bloomberg.com (23 Jun 2008)
The Crime of the Century
Jim Puplava’s webcast presentation on Naked Short Selling
Billion D…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.23.08
Shortages, Prices Hit California Food Banks as Schools Recess
By Ryan Flinn – Bloomberg.com (23 Jun 2008)
The Crime of the Century
Jim Puplava’s webcast presentation on Naked Short Selling
Billion D…
Precious Metals – Week of 6.23.08
Inflation Explodes in Manufacturers’ Prices — But Not Gold and Silver
By Francesco Guerrera, et al – Financial Times, London (24 Jun 2008)
Correspondance re: Vatican Gold Accounts at the NY Federal …
Geopolitical – Week of 6.23.08
The Hedge Schools
By John Walsh – Irish Cultural Society of the Garden City Area
I Still crouching ‘neath the sheltering hedge,
Or stretched on mountain fern,
The teacher and his pupils met feloniousl…
Life – Week of 6.23.08
America at Home: Small Houses and Quirky Homes
Photos – At Yahoo News (16 Jun 2008)
Russian Spa Opens Monument to the Enema
Associated Press (19 Jun 2008)
Images from the Spitzer Space Telescope
Th…
How McCain’s Money Works
For those of you who do not typically use financial filings, I thought I would make it easy for you to access information on how the Presidential candidates’ money works. Once you see how to access …
How McCain's Money Works
For those of you who do not typically use financial filings, I thought I would make it easy for you to access information on how the Presidential candidates’ money works. Once you see how to access …
Is Your Safety Deposit Box a Crime Scene?
Money High Street
By Mark Nestmann
For many years, I’ve advocated keeping valuable items in private vaults, rather than safety deposit boxes. A raid June 2 on three private vaults in London has le…
Financial Truffles
I just love reporters who take the time to dig into financial statements and come up with the truffles to be found there. I posted Jonathan Weil’s gem from Boomberg this week on the Fed’s treatment of…
Shock Doctrine
I finally finished The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein. What a fine piece of investigative journalism. Klein nails Milton Friedman, Jeff Sachs and the line of economist…
Book Review: Shock Doctrine
I finally finished The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein. What a fine piece of investigative journalism. Klein nails Milton Friedman, Jeff Sachs and the line of economists…
Sam Smith on Hillary Clinton
Most Recent Hillary Clinton Stories:
The Clinton Scandals
What You Won’t Find in The Clinton Museum and Library
The Real Divide on Hillary Clinton
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama & Vanna White
Th…
“What’s Up in Alabama?” Updated
Catherine’s post – “What’s Up in Alabama?” has been updated. ~ View it here.
"What's Up in Alabama?" Updated
Catherine’s post – “What’s Up in Alabama?” has been updated. ~ View it here.
Jason Defense Advisory Group on Wind Farms
Wind farms that use spinning blades and turbines to generate electricity have the undesirable side effect of disrupting the operation of radar systems. The JASON defense science advisory group was ask…
Court Skinner Hot Tip
The coolest techie we know, Court Skinner of Computers for Everyone, in Palo Alto says Puppy Linux is going to resurrect antique computers (that is, more than ten years old). New computers can use it…
Derivatives Shoot the Moon
A new report from the Bank of International Settlements indicates that global outstanding derivatives just keep growing in amount.
Highlights of International Banking and Financial Market Activity – …
Another Unanswered Question
When Jim Johnson announced his resignation, the first uncensored thought that came to mind was “I wonder if Andrew Cuomo and Jack Kemp where in cahoots on this one?” It was just intuition, but with Ke…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.16.08
Charges at Bear Stearns Linked to Subprime Debacle
By Tom Hays – Associated Pres (19 Jun 2008)
~ Read the PRESS RELEASE – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York
~ Read the SEC C…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.16.08
Charges at Bear Stearns Linked to Subprime Debacle
By Tom Hays – Associated Pres (19 Jun 2008)
~ Read the PRESS RELEASE – U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York
~ Read the SEC C…
Geopolitical – Week of 6.16.08
Beware the Chicago Boys
By Naomi Klein – The Guardian (14 Jun 2008)
Israel Seen Rehearsing Iran Attack
By Doina Chiacu – Reuters (20 Jun 2008)
Testimony at DC City Council Hearing on Police Checkpoi…
Mortgage Markets – Week of 6.16.08
Hundreds Swept up in Mortgage Fraud Arrests
By Lara Jakes Jordan – Associated Press (19 Jun 2008)
Food & Health – Week of 6.16.08
Cancer Patient Recovers After Injection of Immune Cells
By Roger Highfield – London Telegraph (18 Jun 2008)
IPM Matters. Why?
Integrated Pest Management website
Exposed: Harvard Shrink Gets Rich Lab…
Food & Health – Week of 6.16.08
Cancer Patient Recovers After Injection of Immune Cells
By Roger Highfield – London Telegraph (18 Jun 2008)
IPM Matters. Why?
Integrated Pest Management website
Exposed: Harvard Shrink Gets Rich Lab…
Life – Week of 6.16.08
Americans Drive 1.4 Billion Fewer Highway Miles
CNN.com (19 Jun 2008)
Court Overturns Father’s Grounding of 12-year-old
The Sydney Morning Herald (19 Jun 2008)
Old School Sanitation – An Outhouse is…
How Obama’s Money Works
For those of you who do not typically use financial filings, I thought I would make it easy for you to access information on how the Presidential candidates’ money works. Once you see how to access …
How Obama's Money Works
For those of you who do not typically use financial filings, I thought I would make it easy for you to access information on how the Presidential candidates’ money works. Once you see how to access …
The Smell of Our Money
I first met Jim Johnson in the early 1990’s. I was a great admirer of his predecessor at Fannie Mae, David Maxwell. David had recruited Jim from Lehman Brothers to serve as Vice-Chairman at Fannie Mae…
Alcohol Can Be a Gas
I just saw a fascinating presentation. David Blume explained ethanol and its economics in the context of reviving communities at the Sonnenschien Festival in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Here are links for h…
A Must Read
The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination
Harvard University Commencement Address
By J.K. Rowling – Harvard University Gazette Online (Jun 2008)
View a live video recording or…
Money Supply (MZM)
Money Supply at 5 Jun 2008
St. Louis Federal Reserve Report
~ Previous blog posts on MZM: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
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Adjusted Monetary Base
Adjusted Monetary Base
St. Louis Federal Reserve Report
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Money & Markets – Week of 6.09.08
Central Bank Body Warns of Great Depression
By Gill Montia – Banking Times (9 Jun 2008)
Germans Begin Rejecting Euros From Latin Bloc
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (13 Jun 2008)
Chin…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.09.08
Central Bank Body Warns of Great Depression
By Gill Montia – Banking Times (9 Jun 2008)
Germans Begin Rejecting Euros From Latin Bloc
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (13 Jun 2008)
Chin…
Precious Metals – Week of 6.09.08
Iran Says it Will Sell Euro Instruments for Gold and Stocks
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (10 Jun 2008)
U.S. Silver Eagles Illegally Rationed
By Chris Powell – GATA (4 Jun 2008)
Food & Health – Week of 6.09.08
Listening to Cellphone Warnings
By Tyler Hamilton – thestar.com (31 May 2008)
More Evidence of Dangerous Insanity
By Dr. Tom O’Connell – doctortom.org (7 Jun 208)
Food & Health – Week of 6.09.08
Listening to Cellphone Warnings
By Tyler Hamilton – thestar.com (31 May 2008)
More Evidence of Dangerous Insanity
By Dr. Tom O’Connell – doctortom.org (7 Jun 208)
Geopolitical – Week of 6.09.08
BP Statistical Review – 2007
British Petroleum’s review of world energy trends
Rating Countries for the Happiness Factor
By Marina Kamenev – BusinessWeek.com (11 Oct 2006)
The Revolution Will Not Be…
Life – Week of 6.09.08
Transparent Butterfly
What Doctors Don’t Tell You ~ Dental Fillings: They Are Toxic
WDDTY e-news (12 Jun 2008)
Brazil Reveals Uncontacted Amazon Tribe Associated Press (30 May 2008)
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Water In The Stock Market
Water Crisis to be Biggest World Risk
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (6 Jun 2008)
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In Memorium
Let’s take a moment and give thanks for the life and work of one excellent man.
Utah Phillips passed away on May 23rd. Described as the “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest,” you can learn more about…
American Wisdom
Just 17% Say Federal Government Represents Will of the People
Rasmussen Reports (3 Jun 2008)
Just 17% of voters say that the federal government represents the will of the American people. A Rasmussen…
Let’s Help the New President
I have been asked to start a list of things that the President could do to improve the economy. I thought I would start this list and invite you into the invention room to add. Remember, we are in bra…
Let's Help the New President
I have been asked to start a list of things that the President could do to improve the economy. I thought I would start this list and invite you into the invention room to add. Remember, we are in bra…
Most Americans Agree
Neither Honest Nor Trustworthy: The 10 Worst Corporations of 2007
By Russell Mokhiber & Robert Weissman – Multinational Monitor.org (Nov/Dec 2007)
“A November 2007 Harris poll found that less tha…
Comment on Bishop Jake’s Blog
Bishop:
Thank you so much for your words on this topic Negative Press Distracts Church from Mission and for offering us the opportunity to access your leadership and inspiration through your blog.
I…
Comment on Bishop Jake's Blog
Bishop:
Thank you so much for your words on this topic Negative Press Distracts Church from Mission and for offering us the opportunity to access your leadership and inspiration through your blog.
I…
Two New Morsels from GiftHub.org
From Phil Cubeta – At GiftHub.org:
Getting Your Philanthropy Advice from a Loan Shark?
(31 May 2008)
Mr. Repo Man as Philanthropic Advisor
(31 May 2008)
FRED Graph
Total Borrowings of Depository Institutions from the Fed – 1910 to present:
Advice to a University Student
Miss Catherine,
It is a pleasure to be introduced to you. I have been on Solari.com and read many of your papers. Your Narco Dollars series was particularly interesting/upsetting. I never realized ho…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.02.08
Economist Challenges Government Data
By Sam Zuckerman – SFGate.com (25 May 2008)
A Lawyer’s Open Letter to a CFTC Commissioner
By Chris Powell – GATA (7 Jun 2008)
Crisis Trade Talks in Paris as Prot…
Money & Markets – Week of 6.02.08
Economist Challenges Government Data
By Sam Zuckerman – SFGate.com (25 May 2008)
A Lawyer’s Open Letter to a CFTC Commissioner
By Chris Powell – GATA (7 Jun 2008)
Crisis Trade Talks in Paris as Prot…
Precious Metals – Week of 6.02.08
Reg Howe: Gold Derivatives Are Moving Up Again
By Chris Powell – GATA (30 May 2008)
Geopolitical – Week of 6.02.08
Gates Ousts Air Force Leaders in Historic Shake-up
By Robert Burns – Associated Pres (5 Jun 2008)
Weather Warfare
By Michel Chossudovsky – EcologistOnline.org (22 May 2008)
Negative Press Distracts …
Food & Health – Week of 6.02.08
How To Avoid Genetically Modified Food
At WikiHow
Food & Health – Week of 6.02.08
How To Avoid Genetically Modified Food
At WikiHow
Kirby’s Letter to WSJ
Rob Kirby wrote to the Wall Street Journal earlier this week:
Kate Kelly:
Congratulations on your article, “Fear, Rumors Touched Off Fatal Run on Bear Stearns.
Quite a story you’ve written there….
Kirby's Letter to WSJ
Rob Kirby wrote to the Wall Street Journal earlier this week:
Kate Kelly:
Congratulations on your article, “Fear, Rumors Touched Off Fatal Run on Bear Stearns.
Quite a story you’ve written there….
Return on Reputation: Mission Aligned Investing
The proprietor of GiftHub.org has his next comment for us:
Read the full article here.