bills_fan

I think the reasons are far more nefarious. Lets think about this for a second....banks securitized the 1st mortgage and sold it off to pension funds, institutions etc. They act as mortgage servicers (we'll come back to this) on that 1st motgage (who do you pay each month). However, a large percentage of mortgages were done with 1sts and 2nds (90/10/10), not to mention home equity loans or lines of credit. In many (most?) cases, the banks hold the 2nds/home equity line/loan as an asset on their balance sheet, or in certain cases, off-balance sheet. The banks have that asset marked at $0.98 or $0.96 on the dollar. As soon as the 1st mortgage is foreclosed upon, the second becomes instantly worthless. The 2nd is always subordinated in that if there is not enough money to pay off the 1st lender, the second gets bupkus. If enough 2nds go belly-up, say goodbye to the bank. Take a look at how many banks the FDIC closes on a weekly basis and look at the asset haircut (loss) to the FDIC fund....its 40-50% in most cases. That 40-50% if off what the bank is reporting as "good" capital. Now, back to the servicers...a terrible conflict of interest when the banks also own a 2nd. Lets say the homeowner decides to get the free ride, as the article suggests and they have a 2nd/home equity line/loan. The banks have a vested interest in keeping the 1st as a performing loan, so that the 2nd stays a "good" asset. My theory: the banks are paying the 1st to perserve their balance sheet marks. The party ends when the cash flow runs out.

That was funny. I missed it the first times.

Really. I did not know that.

Not trillons on research, but a cap and trade system would cost trillons.

Fair point. And I don't think there has been any dispute that the planet has warmed considerably over the past 130 or so years. I think the question is why. Were we going through an usually cold spell when records were being kept? Perhaps because of major volcanic eruptions like this one or this one. Are humans the cause? I don't know the answer, but spending trillions because well-maybe-we-caused-it doesn't seem like a prudent use of resources.

Otherwise known in corporate-speak as global wage arbitrage. It is also the reason why we have already had rampant inflation in the US in the last 15 years (in the stock market, price of gas, housing etc.) without the killing wage-price spiral that existed in the 70s. Pay no attention to government calculations of CPI, they exclude the "volatile food and energy" as if noone has to drive or eat and make insane adjustments for housing (google "owner's equivalent rent" or just read this article).

Oh Crudele is very good at poking out the government lies over stats. He was one of the first to analyze the birth/death model used by BLS and the goosed employment numbers that are only borne out by the U6 report. His requests under FOIA for telephone conversations had between Treasury and investment banks and minutes of the meeting of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets (aka the Plunge Protection team) are legendary. His columns appear in the Post every Tuesday and Thursday. Bookmark him, its always a great read. He will follow up.

I thought you meant these jobs. Or maybe these. Can't trust anything you're told anymore. And before anyone attacks the source, Crudele is one helluva writer who does his homework.

Lets see TE prove that a California QB can hack it in WNY. Proof is in the pudding and the last 3 Calif QBs have been awful, up until this point.

I was about to amend the poll to include that and Raging Bull/Rocky.

I gotta go with Bull Durham as the best. What say you?

Since birth...Bills, Sabres, Yankees, Duke Basketball

Exactly. And this teenager will have to answer for it every time he is googled or on almost any job interview because the newspaper decided to name him (with the news department voting 7-0 to include his name). Nice guys there.

The stigma, yes, but it would not likely show up on Google search in 20 years when the kid applies for a job. Thats the problem I have. Branding a 15 year old kid with a permanent scarlet letter for one, apprently isolated, act of stupidity.

This article is hysterical. Had me laughing out loud on the train this morning. No easy feat given how hungover I was. Here is the link to the actual site... http://www.textsfromlastnight.com/ And some examples...

I don't think they should have printed his name at all. Yes, he did his act in full public view of many people. But to have this story follow the kid around for oh...the next 30 or so years is wrong. Most jobs run Google searches on you before being hired. I assume many colleges may do likewise in the admissions process. To force this kid to explain this away as a youthful indiscretion for the forseeable future is wrong, IMHO. How many of us would have liked our stupidest decisions made when we were 15-17 years old printed in the local paper and searchable by Google forcing us to explain them to potential employers for years to come? I disagree completely with their secondary reason that he is some type of "role model," just because he is an athlete. That is bupkus.

No Ron Mexico? I'd wear that one.

Gonna be interesting to see how this plays out in the scalpers market. I usually buy scalped tix to see the Bills play the Jets every year. I rarely pay more than $100 and am usually between the 20s in the lower bowl.

Believe me, there is not much of a price difference and a huge quality difference between a good off-the-rack and a custom. I get my customs for approx $650-800 depending on the fabric.

Cool. And Nelson Blue...I've been known to hang out there on ocassion, but my boss loves the place. Pauly and Jamey are buddies of his. Great place.

Have fun dealing with the tourist crowds, especially after November 1. I love working downtown and dread the day I may have to go to midtown.

See, I've found their stuff to be poorly made. It just doesn't wear well. For suits, I get them custom tailored now. Fits like a glove, wears very well (sewn right there) and free adjustments for life. Price is actually not too bad depending on the fabric you pick.

Would that be carnal knowledge?

Leaving downtown?

While we fight amongst ourselves, the incumbants of both parties rob us blind. Convenient distractions.