Through the Looking Glass: Actions Speak Louder Than Words

http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/todd-harrison-stock-market-economy-financial/12/8/2010/id/31559

Actions do speak louder than words,
It's time to end the game.
For the sake of all of our children

With that said, the DNA of global financial markets has changed. While the stateside averages are higher, the measuring stick (greenback) is lower, a fact not lost on foreign holders of dollar denominated assets. While they're swallowing austerity measures and digesting upward taxation, they look across the pond to see more "extend and pretend" by our elected leaders. And you wonder why social mood is shifting so quickly? (See: Will QE2 Trigger War Games?)

At the end of the day, we must ask ourselves an honest question: If the capital markets need an IV drip from the government to stay afloat -- or if the financial industry remains one FASB 187 accounting change away from technical insolvency -- how will that dormant toxicity and ever-expanding largesse manifest as we edge ahead?

We can only assess the forward spectrum and proactively position for what’s to come.

Conventional Wisdom: The Financial Crisis Is Over

http://www.minyanville.com/businessmarkets/articles/todd-harrison-financial-crisis-headlines-stock/12/3/2010/id/31484

Point received, on a touchdown pass!

Old School Minyans know we don’t “do” acrimony in these parts. As my grandfather used to say, “Take the high road; it’s less crowded and has a better view.” Still, once in a while an item screams across our screens and it merits attention. Yesterday afternoon, one of those moments arrived.

Banking analyst Dick Bove openly offered that the financial crisis is “officially” over. While he correctly qualified his remarks by saying that “the only entity that needs this money any longer is the United States Government
,” the headline was too juicy to let slide by.