TPS

This is a good piece on the CDS risks and AIG. Probably need the NYT subscription. AIG

The democrats are in the pockets of financial sector lobbyists as well.

Historically speculation and "mal-investment" have occured with or without government subsidies. Ending government loan guarantees will not end financial crises. Regulation is necessary to temper the inherent riskiness of finance which is built on leverage. Regulation will never end crises either, but it can help reduce their severity--as opposed to the black hole we now face...

The most important facet of the game for me was the ability of the Bills to move the ball--almost at will--against an excellent defense ON THE ROAD. There were only two series where they did not move the ball. Once deep in their own end, after a penalty and sack, they made sure not to turn it over and ran the ball on 2nd and 3rd. The second was with 3 minutes left in the half at their 20-yard line, and instead of going into a "2-minute" mode, they played conservative--which I didn't like in that situation. It almost came back to bite them, but ended with McGee's int. This gives me confidence that they can win any game now, even against a Belichek defense. So, no, I'm not going to curb my enthusiasm....

A few things to add: - This was a good road win against a good defense--they put up the necessary 20 points to get a road win. In fact, for the most part, it seemed like they moved the ball at will. There were two series where they played it conservative, the first time they were backed in their own territory, and that was the right thing to do. The second with just over two minutes to play in the first half, and I thought they should've gone to a two-minute drill, but it looked like they were playing not to lose. Jax got the ball back and got their first score. - I am really looking forward to see how this offense plays against the Pats' D. - I really liked the use of F. Jackson today, a couple of big plays. - Nice baby step for Hardy too. That indeed was a perfect throw where only Hardy had a chance for it. This is going to open things up for Evans in the red zone too. - Everyone in our group watching the game believed TE would take us down and score on that last drive. I was never that confident with JP. There's a little irony in the fact that JP getting knocked out of the Pats game last year lead to the emergence of Trent Edwards. - Love the depth we have at CB now. Youboty is pushing for time, but Greer has done nothing to lose his spot. In fact, he gets picked on the most and continues to make plays. - The defense had some lapses, but came up big when they needed to stop Jax in the 4th. Luckily, Jax was put into a situation where they needed to pass the ball which exposed their weakness in the middle of the line. - The Bills can easily be 5 and 0 going into the bye week, but 4 and 1 wouldn't be so bad.... One of my concerns: I think the weakest part of the Bills' defense is the LB unit, and certainly the thinnest. Of course, weak is a relative term. This team is fun to watch. In watching the games so far this year, I find the biggest difference is that I rarely say "how could they be so stupid?" Especially wrt to the offensive play calling.

As I read this thread, the very first thing I thought of was "preemptive strike against countries (accused of) developing wmds." Maybe you right wing neoconservatives weren't paying attention to what he was doing because you were so in love...err...it was still the honeymoon period....

As a GSE, the government has guaranteed the debt, so they have to step in and bail out. The argument made in the aritcle is that it was the foreign holders of the debt that forced the administration's hand in this bailout because they (foreigners) weren't going to continue to purchase new issues.

You apparently didn't read the article. The point was that the bailout was targeted toward them in order to prevent them from bailing on US assets in general triggering a collapse of the dollar. There's a difference between "involve them" and "aimed at them." You're slipping...

Why is he to blame?

Ahh...the irony...

The first article talks about the increased borrowings by banks from the fed's discount window, something that used to be frowned upon. The second says the Freddie/Fannie bail outs were aimed at foreign holders of the debt, specifically the official sources, not the private. Gee, the administration acquiesced to foreign governments for fear they'd dump the dollar? Where have I heard that before.... Bank borrowings Foreign bond holders

Christ! Stick to working the web site. Now I'm gonna bet money on the Jags...

Might want to look at that again, since I never argued that. As for taxes, I still believe the best solution for the current problem is a temporary cut (10%?) in social security taxes. And yes, everyone got a cut, but the majority of the cuts were skewed toward the top. When demand is the problem, I believe it's more effective to skew the cuts toward the group that spends all of their income.

If you watch what happened to their gunners on that punt, you could see that Roscoe was going to have a good return. Same thing a few punts earlier, our guys totally stopped their gunners, and he almost took that one back. I fully expect all punters will be trying to kick higher and shorter as a result.

Yeah, we need to cut those taxes at the top so more so we can continue the success that Bush started....errr.... Oh, yeah, it was Greenspan's fault... Note: I believe tax cuts stimulate the economy, but it's more effective to cut taxes on those who spend, not those who save.

Couple more things about D and Stroud: - Kyle Williams had 1.5 sacks. Larry who? - Officially the D gave up 252 yards, but 100 came in the 4th quarter after the 34 - 10 lead.

Maybe you don't remember Kevin Gilbride? I think the Bills passed on every first and second down...

Couple of things: - First good Turk/bad Turk: loved the draw call on 3rd and long for the TD by Lynch; don't understand why you empty the backfield on 3rd and 1 though? - I feel a lot better about the O-line depth now. Someone will go down before the season ends, and today showed they can be solid when that happens. - Glad the team did not give up on Youboty, he is coming into his own. - Finally, will Moorman create a QB controversy?

"They"?

Speaking from experience???

For both of you partisan hacks, there was a recession during Bush1's term; there was no recession at the start of Clinton's 8 years. For Bush2, the recession began before his term started--it began at the end of Clinton's term. It may be true that Bush2 is the only president since WWII to begin and end his term in recession, but that's not assigning blame, especially in terms of him inheriting the first one. As for what to expect, from my new favorite prognosticator: Roubini

The easy plan is to do the Chippewa scene, and there is quite a mix of bars there. If you're going to do the walking tour, then I'd start about 4pm. If you make it back to Chippewa and close the place down at 4am, then you are my idol.....

Best thread I've seen here in months.

Better yet, here's my assessment of that walk. 1. Goodbars: the ultimate dive bar. A good 20 beers on tap, and a nice patio to observe the little coeds walking down from the college. 2. Coles, the classic Buffalo bar. Another 20 beers on tap. Good Guiness, and maybe get your wings here (or try the Buffalo Shrimp--a take on wings). 3. Bullfeathers is next. Again, lots of beer choices, strange crowd. 4. Next up, the old "No Names" at the corner of Bidwell and Elmwood. Can't remember what it's called now, but a great place to sit for one of their many micro brews on tap. 5. Things get a bit dicey from here. Ok, maybe you can take your first trip to the east side of the street when you reach Merlins. Classic biker bar and a great little patio out front. Always have live music on Saturdays. Beer selection sucks, unless all you need is Blue or Molson. 6. A few blocks from there, you hit pay dirt again. You can stop in at Mode, but it's a bit too yuppity/artsy-fartsy. Go straight to Toro. Yeah, it's really a restaurant, but the scenery, read that as hot babes, is great. Besides, when you're ready for your next real beer, Faherty's is right next door. Have the Murphy's there, and play some tunes on the juke. 7. Better have a couple at Faherty's, because the next bar is a little hike. You basically need to walk to Allen at this point. Again, I'd recommend a trip to the East side just before Allen street, with a stop at Cozumel--best deck on the Elmwood strip. Might as well do a shot of tequila here. 8. Ok, now it's time to take a little detour. Turn right on Allen, and you have your hands full. There's Mulligan's Brick bar, the old pink (now something else), and The Allen Street Hardware Cafe (or something like that), which will have one of the best beer selections in the city. After that, head across the street and do Nietzsches--probably a cover because of live music, but always good. 9. At this point, a big decision to make. Do you wander back down Elmwood to the Hampton and Chippewa? OR do you head east on Allen toward Colter Bay? I suggest the latter. Colter Bay is another great beer bar. Of course, you will have to stop at Gabriel's Gate before you reach Colter BAy. 10. After Colter Bay, you've got Gallaghers, then head down Virginia. 11. On Virginia you've got Fat Bobs, Mothers, and Scarlet's (for the hot professional babe crowd). In fact, once you're done with Virginia, go back on the Delaware Ave side of that block and stop at "The Snooty Fox" (another babe hangout), and Stillwaters--very impressive upscale place. 12. From here, it's just a hop, skip, and a jump back to Chippewa, assuming you are still standing. Good luck.

There ought to be enough Bills' fans going to the game to hitch a ride with someone for a beer, or seven.... Yes, staying in the city at the Hampton is the choice. The suburbs suck. Friday (or Saturday) night catch the bus down Elmwood to Coles (or start at Goodbar's next door). Then start walking back and make a stop at every bar on the west side of the street. You'll never make it if you do both sides...