Barrow Bits

GM

In my post concerning new year predictions I opined that I thought GM would go bankrupt, and indeed, that seems to be unfolding.  Let's face it folks the American car industry needs an extensive overhaul and bankruptcy may be the best way to let that unfold.  The stock market is silly to be bothered by this.  There are so many other things to worry about besides GM.  The economy is far from recovery and key sectors are very weak.  Credit from what I'm hearing is still very tight for those wanting to buy a home and until that loosens up I can't get too excited about the market.

Mayor Bloomberg must go

As most readers know I have absolutely no regard for Mayor Mike Bloomberg of NYC.  He is a pompous, egotistical creep who should go back to Boston.  He and his traffic commissioner are trying to turn NYC into Beijing by turning virtually every street into a bicycle friendly path.  Meanwhile, they are screwing with the traffic pattern and have ruined the Times Square experience for many people.  This guy must go.

It's all about housing

Per my earlier post: http://www.cnbc.com/id/30940363/site/14081545?__source=yahoo|headline|quote|text|&par=yahoo

Summer Rally?

With the advent of warmer weather the usual talk now develops of whether or not there will be a summer rally.  It seems "summer rallies" are one of those Wall Street fetish topics that really has no relevance in the world of investing, but nonetheless draws attention.  For my part, I really have never been a seasonal investor depending rather on macro-economic analysis in judging the markets' potential.  Right now I continue to view that potential as very limited.  I will repeat:  until there is an improvement in the housing sector no economic recovery is sustainable, hence there is little bullish potential in the current market.  In fact, I think the market is ripe for a significant correction real soon.

Alan Greenspan - The Ultimate in Gall

It's really incredible.  Alan Greenspan opined that the nation's banking system is still in terrible shape and that the financial crisis is not over.  Really folks, this is the ultimate in gall.  This man is probably most to blame for the crisis in banking that has taken place in recent months, and yet he has the nerve to comment that things may get worse.  Please, someone tell this old fool to shut up!

Cap and Trade and Evergreen Energy -EEE

It looks like cap and trade may be gaining some steam.  Indeed, today the head of GE came out for the idea on TV.  By the end of this week the House Energy Sub-Committee may approve the concept.  If so, it will certainly benefit Evergreen Energy that has a subsidiary that specializes in this area, which is being done in conjunction with IBM.  As readers know I'm not happy with my EEE investment but if cap and trade is approved that could change very rapidly.

Stock message boards

The advent and evolution of the Internet has made it possible for investors to obtain lots of information about their investments.  Indeed, compared to just ten years ago the information that is available with just a click of a mouse is staggering.  For the most part this is a good and exciting development.  However, there is a downside, and one of those negative things is stock message boards.  These threads are dangerous if taken seriously since they are usually the domain of unscrupulous stock promoters and those trying to manipulate the price of a stock.  Message boards have been used extensively by short sellers and in some cases with great success.  So a word to readers:  DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING YOU READ ON A MESSAGE BOARD. In fact, don't even read them.  Do your own research without the opinion of some folks who are obviously sociopaths. 

The housing market

Readers know that I can't get too excited about the current market rally as long as housing remains in the pits, and the most recent report from Toll Brothers makes me even more certain that before too long stock prices will begin to fade reflecting economic reality and not irrational exuberance.

Liz Claman continued

Golly gee there are Liz Claman fans out there judging from the response to yesterdays post.  Anyway, I still think she dresses like a lady of the evening, and could stand losing about 20 pounds before wearing an outfit like she had on yesterday.  I stand by my comment about being a financial idiot.  Check out her resume.  She has no schooling in economics or finance.  Without a teleprompter she would be lost.  So she interviews Warren Buffett and Bill Gates.  So what?  Lots of people can do that and be better dressed while doing it. 

Liz Claman on Fox Business - LOL

Been channel surfing this afternoon and when I got to Fox Business News I could not believe what Liz Claman was wearing.  She is literally stuffed into a yellowish orange dress which made me laugh at loud when I saw it.  So aside from being a financial idiot she is also a terrible dresser.  If Fox thinks this will garner them the viewers they desperately need, they are wrong.  But it was good for a laugh!!