• 09 Sep 2008 at 9:52 AM

Opening Bell: 09.09.08

hecouldrescuefannieandfreddieifhewantedto.jpgRescue of Mortgage Giants Displays Paulson’s Clout (NYT)
Recently, President Bushy has made no bones about the fact the he’s back on the sauce. And it turns out we’re all safer for it, because apparently for Jorge, with stunning drunkness comes stunning clarity–that he doesn’t know shit. Or maybe it’s not that so much that he’s come to grips with the fact that he wouldn’t know not to stick his dick in a pencil sharpener, let alone how to save Fannie and Freddie, but simply taking active steps to avoid a DUI No. 2? President Bush may be the nation’s first M.B.A. president, but when Mr. Bush and a small coterie of advisers met in the Oval Office last week to complete their plan to rescue the mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, there was no question who was in charge. It was Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr…”He was all the way in the driver’s seat, and that was where the president wanted him,” said Tony Fratto, Mr. Bush’s deputy press secretary, adding, “The sentiment was, ‘You’re in charge, and I hope it works.’ “
B of A On Deck With Yankees (NYP)
Hey, Yankees fans, need a reminder your team in the toilet? Bank of America is finalizing a deal to become the biggest sponsor of the new stadium. The near $20 million package is in the same league as Citi’s arrangement with the Mets, though unlike Panditville does not come with naming rights.
London Joins New York At Top (FT)
Let’s be crazy today and do something we haven’t done in years: argue over which city is the financial capital of the world. London or New York. A new study by the World Economic Forum can’t decide.
Financier Tied to Burkle Nears Plea Deal (WSJ)
Anne Hathaway’s boyfriend is said to be near an agreement to plead guilty to fraud and money-laundering charges. For his alleged crime, which involved misleading investors by hilariously convincing them that he was tight with the Vatican, Raffaello Follieri faces up to five years in prison.

Feeling Left Out? France Calls for More Intervention
(CNBC)
Aw, zee frogs want in on zee fun! French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde told CNBC that witnessing the Fannie and Freddie fiasco has convinced her to get more involved in her own country’s financial sector. “It only goes to show that nothing is ever certain in this world and that clearly we need to collectively rethink the moral compass that has driven the financial actors, the financial players and the financial markets,” Lagarde said yesterday.
Bulletproof Your Job (Fox Business)
These are Fox Business’s tips for not getting laid off:
1. Have good chemistry with your boss.
2. Come into the office.
3. Volunteer to get paid less
4. Don’t take up time consuming hobbies “like starting a bakery.”
5. Set up a Google alert for your company and boss and use whatever you find to your advantage (“Maybe your firm’s getting sold,” “Maybe [your boss] has a DUI charge”).

Comments (67)

  1. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 9:56 AM

    Mayo First, Yeah!

  2. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 9:58 AM

    2nd sham-wow

  3. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 9:58 AM

    Don’t take up time consuming hobbies “like starting a bakery.”

    Hmmm. So bridge tournaments are out?

  4. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 9:59 AM

    Too long, didn’t read.

  5. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:01 AM

    @4- you are not funny. kill yourself or just shut the fuck up. or at least get some new material.

  6. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:03 AM

    # 3 what kind of stupid comment is that.

  7. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:03 AM

    @5 – Shhhhhh

  8. Posted by Anal_yst | September 9, 2008 at 10:06 AM

    love this (unsurprising) gem:
    10:04 09/09 *DJ National Assoc Of Realtors Sees Home Prices Up 2%-4% In ’09

  9. Posted by AJ | September 9, 2008 at 10:11 AM

    Is #6 slow or just an ass?

  10. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:13 AM

    bess, you’re white trash.
    so long.

  11. Posted by bank_teller | September 9, 2008 at 10:14 AM

    And Bess comes out the gate swinging today!
    @1/2/4 — don’t give up the fight until people like @5 go away. Or at least until @5 merges with @6 in order to survive.

  12. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:21 AM

    @10– wtf are you talking about?

  13. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:23 AM

    @Anal_yst
    Nice find. I haven’t been by the terminal today.

  14. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:26 AM

    How does this not get any attention….I think as long as they keep their eyes on George Clooney and Brad Pitt they should be safe….
    http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/09/news/companies/kfc_recipe/index.htm?postversion=2008090908

  15. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:27 AM

    @10– leave.

  16. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:32 AM

    #7 you are a snarky lil’ cowardice cunt fuck off piss ant.

  17. Posted by AJ | September 9, 2008 at 10:32 AM

    Lehman is now below its 52week low…. ouch

  18. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:34 AM

    BESS = FLAMING LIBERAL

  19. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:34 AM

    @16
    “snarky”
    …Stopped reading right there, m8.

  20. Posted by Bess Levin | September 9, 2008 at 10:36 AM

    Interesting, 10, how do you figure?

  21. Posted by girl | September 9, 2008 at 10:42 AM

    Bush’s own father thinks he’s an idiot, don’t get your cotton granny panties in a twist @ 10 & 18

  22. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:44 AM

    also, 10, go fuck yourself. which glaringly obvious aspect of this post upset you? the part about the yankees having a bad season or bush being an idiot? surely even if you’re a mccain supporter you’d agree with that, given the vast lenghts your party’s gone to distance itself from the Dubya.

  23. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:46 AM

    i believe you are the white trash, 10. are you going to explain what you’re pissed about? do it now and then leave for good you classless scum.

  24. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:47 AM

    Let’s have a poll to see what pissed 10 off.
    She’s a:
    Bushie
    Yankees Fan
    Frog
    Baker with a DUI

  25. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:49 AM

    any update on the Leh layoffs that were supposed to start today?

  26. Posted by bank_teller | September 9, 2008 at 10:51 AM

    @girl — how’d I just get lumped in with these loonies? I’m just a city girl living in a lonely world… and also about the hugest Bess fan out there. Also, I prefer freeballing, so nothing to get in a twist.

  27. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:53 AM

    @bank_teller– it says 10&18.
    and there’s no fooling us– you’re a boy!

  28. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:54 AM

    leh toast

  29. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:54 AM

    @26,
    you a guy or a girl?

  30. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:56 AM

    DB quoting Gawker as a legitimate news source? For shame, Bess, for shame.

  31. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:58 AM

    @30 she didn’t quote gawker, she linked to pictures they had of him appearing drunk. get it right, you stupid twat.

  32. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 10:59 AM

    @30- also, the first post is mainly about the nyt story, and just uses the gawker picture.

  33. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM

    Tips:
    6) Dont work for LEH

  34. Posted by diablo | September 9, 2008 at 11:05 AM

    Is #10 the same guy who comments here all the time to insult Bess and say he’s not coming back again? I’m guessing because I don’t have his IP, but Bess does.

  35. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:07 AM

    nice picture of Bush. Pass to the left, bro.

  36. Posted by Debter | September 9, 2008 at 11:09 AM

    Jesus Christo people are fired up this morning…I could understand if you used to work for Lehman

  37. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:10 AM

    @32/@34
    Really? You don’t see the link (http://gawker.com/5035885/bush-looking-drunk-at-the-olympics), stating the “fact that he’s back on the sauce”? Oh ok. You’re right. Must be LEH employees.

  38. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:12 AM

    @37– actually, gawker DIDN’T say he was, they said he looked like he was, and bess was making a joke that he’s been all upfront about it. not surprised that you can’t get that but jesus.

  39. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:13 AM

    Some major Bush/Repub/Palin bashing and Obama love. Levin hooked up with Russel Brand, huh?
    At least he had the right man on the job. Unlike Der Messiah who needs teams of 300 advisors on all issues – the ones he knows shit about (like economy, internation affairs etc).

  40. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:16 AM

    As a Republican voting for McCain– who is distancing himself as much as possible from Bush, and making a campaign about being a Maverick who will be differnt– I find it hilarious that you people are crying about this.

  41. Posted by diablo | September 9, 2008 at 11:16 AM

    #37/#10/#18/#30
    It’s obvious that you haven’t been around here for too long. Go back to where you came from.

  42. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:18 AM

    agreed with diablo and also would like to say a little Bush bashing is preferable to a certain someone’s bull shit palin posts.

  43. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:18 AM

    @26 – Don’t stop believin’… hold on to the feelin’…
    –CS

  44. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:40 AM

    #42, There is little better you can expect of an east coast liberal arts grad ‘sluts in the city’ inspired women. Sarah Palin casts a bright and highly uncomfortable light on the lives of these women who till now managed to live their miserable ‘city’ lives by rationalizing that the other suburban women/wives/moms are sad/more frustrated/ingnorant/devoid of any professional achievements. Their fig leaf is rapidly withering away, this is just the initial reaction. Expect more of these mindless rants against Palin.
    Oh, and of course when you cannot hate on Palin – Bush always provides the perfect opportunity. So hate on – this is funny and sad at the same time.

  45. Posted by Bess Levin | September 9, 2008 at 11:45 AM

    Lehman Brothers employee @44– I don’t give a shit what you think about my politics but when you imply that I model my life after Sex and the City,* you go too far. Go fuck yourself. Actually, better idea– if you insist on hanging out here, put your LEH IP to use and give us a little color on what went wrong with the Koreans.
    *’sluts in the city’– that was a good one! If your job at Lehman doesn’t already afford you the free time to come up with clever little puns like that I’m sure your impending layoff will.

  46. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:48 AM

    Keep Fiddling as rome burns
    LEH=$8.50

  47. Posted by girl | September 9, 2008 at 11:51 AM

    @ 44,
    By golly you’re right. Palin sure puts me in my place doesn’t she- I should be out in Connecticut raising children instead of actually, you know, having a job…and (gasp) having safe sex so the likes of you (i’m reaching here, but you seemed to really need to ego boost) don’t have to bear the brunt of financially supporting our illegitimate chidlren you backwards piece of horseshit excuse for a man.

  48. Posted by TheUpwardlyMob | September 9, 2008 at 11:56 AM

    c’mon, girl, you’re totally ignoring the allure of moose-hunting in Alaska – isn’t this everyone’s secret dream?

  49. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 11:58 AM

    outed, little lehman bitch @ 44

  50. Posted by girl | September 9, 2008 at 12:07 PM

    @ 48
    That’s tied with taking 6 years to complete undergrad and trying to ban the dictionary from my local library for being ‘scandalous’, yes.

  51. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:11 PM

    @44– don’t presume to have the first clue about how people you’ve never met choose to live their lives or secretly desire to live their lives. and don’t pass judgment on them, either. we don’t judge you for wanting a wife with a hallway-sized vagina, do we?

  52. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:14 PM

    #44 here again
    Ah, I see that hit a raw nerve :) I already know that you can (and do) track IP’s and have pointed that out multiple times so there you go. I am scared.
    Oh, and lets not forget that in a political argument (yours from yesterday) against political argument today, the fact that the only rebuttal you could think of was attacking where I work based on your access to IP’s shows that you have totally won the argument. Oh my god, you are so smart, intelligent and sooo intellectual (not to mention grown-up). I am floored!!
    girl @47, you can do ANYTHING you want to do and live anyway you want to. However, if you are going to hate on someone based on their lifestyle and faith, then you better be ready to stand attacks on yours.

  53. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:22 PM

    wow 44, way to entirely miss the point. and also “Oh, and lets not forget that in a political argument (yours from yesterday) against political argument today”? what does that even mean? It seems she chose not to get into a political argument (that you started) because your “argument” was based on utter bull shit– that being a dem and not in favor of mccain/palin (which this post wasn’t even about) must mean some that the person is secretly sad about her life and is just jealous she can’t be like palin.
    The IP wasn’t a “rebuttal” so much as a, have a nice day, you soon to be unemployed cocksucker.

  54. Posted by diablo | September 9, 2008 at 12:23 PM

    #44 is now desperatly trying to figure out how to wipe his hard disk clean (and I really mean disk with an s). We barely knew him…

  55. Posted by girl | September 9, 2008 at 12:25 PM

    @ 44, Again you are presuming that I am faithless and are making assumptions about my lifestyle which are untrue. I believe wholeheartedly that people can choose to live their individual lives as they see fit, but when it comes to imposing one’s supposed morality on an entire population, this is where I take issue. It is completely indicative of her limited scope that she is unable to imagine the ramifications of the policy that she so staunchly supports.
    I don’t know if you are aware of this in the least, but she is attempting to limit the education we give our children, both with respects to sexuality and otherwise as evident with her proceedings with the Wasilla library. The spike in disease, unwanted pregnancy and required welfare that results from abstinence education and the illegalization of abortion is simply astounding.
    From a purely logistic standpoint, she is a detriment to the progress that we have so enjoyed in this country. To have her in office is not only an embarassment on a personal level, but a catastrophe on a national one.
    On a personal note, if we’re comparing notes here, I grew up in a household where teenage sex was most certainly NOT condoned, and I still believe that it is the job of parents to raise their families and for the government to protect the rights of the individual. Sara Palin is an example of how frightening it is when this distinction is blurred.

  56. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:38 PM

    @44- after you get fired, either today, or when your firm goes under, can you start giving us reports from the life of a guy leading that awesome enriching existence in the suburbs where you make yourself feel better about having a wife whose vagina is so wide from popping out 8 kids that it feels like you’re throwing a hotdog down a hallway by hating on people who don’t live in the suburbs and –gasp– might even have casual sex (or not, but you tell yourself they’re all whores cause it’s more comforting)?
    oh, and when your daughter(s) get raped and have to have the kid (cause your ‘bright light’ wife opposes all abortion, even in the case of rape and incest), tell us about that too.
    cause, you know, everyone’s so jealous and wishes they could be like you.

  57. Posted by TheUpwardlyMob | September 9, 2008 at 12:41 PM

    @50 – Can we just stop with the “mothers have large vaginas” meme? Its a muscle, and the human body is made to be capable of birth.

  58. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:43 PM

    @TheUpMob- I’m sorry, I know it was a low blow, I’m just trying to go to the extreme, like 44 does (wife having a billion kids being the opposite of some ‘slut in the city’).

  59. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:55 PM

    #55,
    Do YOU really know much about the library incident? Exhaustive searches have revealed nothing. The internet book list is a hoax. No books were removed. Yes, she is supposed to have inquired about some books and whether they could be removed an nothing happened. No ‘verified’ news is available beyond that.
    Also, the ‘opposition’ to sex education is also based on the principle of ‘individual rights’ which you claim you believe in. The parents of a child should have full control over what message they intend to send to a kid (irrespective of how successful they are, we cannot take over parenthood from bad parents can we?) Why should nameless bureaucrats and unionized teachers control the message? You are the one trying to impose YOUR view of sex education on others. Clearly (and you agree) it is not an ‘academic’ subject but rather a social issue. Then why is it that non-imposition of your view on a social issue is violation of rights?
    You also refer to welfare. That is a second level imposition. No, irresponsible unwed mothers should NOT automatically qualify for welfare. This is ridiculous. Your ideology first sets up welfare, then claims that further ideological imposition is required so that more people do not claim welfare??
    The progress enjoyed is due to respect for individuality. You say that you believe that it is the responsibility of parents to raise their families. Then why is it everyone else’s responsibility to educate them about sex?
    Given the vast number of restrictions that the left aspires to place upon the individual in the name of ‘greater public good’ no one who seriously claims to support individual rights can think of supporting them.
    The individual is antipathic to the core philosophy of the left which is based on collectivism. Claiming support of individual rights and the left at the same time is either contradictory or evidence of failure to even understand the left.

  60. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 12:59 PM

    @59 no books were removed because the librarian refused to comply with the order, you dumb fuck.
    “Also, the ‘opposition’ to sex education is also based on the principle of ‘individual rights’ which you claim you believe in. The parents of a child should have full control over what message they intend to send to a kid”– are you retarded? many parents besides those in the religious right want their kids to receive sex education, and not have some Jesus-freak who doesn’t get that PEOPLE FUCK, and have done so since the dawn of time, and will always find away to do so regardless of whether or not you equip them with the tools to protec themselves control the (non) message.

  61. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 1:01 PM

    Damn, Bess, I love when you kick their asses! Same for ‘girl’. I love educated women! Now if we can just make sure the ignorant one doesn’t get anywhere near the White House…
    http://sarahpalinexposed.com/

  62. Posted by diablo | September 9, 2008 at 1:02 PM

    Shorter #59
    War is Peace
    Freedom is Slavery
    Ignorance is Strength

  63. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 1:10 PM

    #60 – “..many parents besides those in the religious right want their kids to receive sex education…”
    So why do they need tax payer funded public schools to do their work?
    Once again, no one is stopping ANY parent from teaching whatever the hell it is that they want to teach their kids. But the right SUPPORTS that individual right. The left wants everyone to submit 1) run public school with taxpayer money and 2) use that to further their social goal.
    Are you so thick so as to not see the difference? The point is not about teaching kids that people dont have sex. The point is letting individual parents chose what they want for their kids instead of en-masse commonality.
    God. #62 applies to you as much as it does to #62. Forcing all parents to give up individual control over their kids and allowing the government to teach them about sex is supporting ‘individual rights’? Wow.

  64. Posted by EricM | September 9, 2008 at 1:37 PM

    Speaking of Palin, the lie I’m truly appalled by is calling a Westwind II a “luxury jet.”

  65. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 1:40 PM

    @64 Eric, go suck Obama’s cock then.

  66. Posted by EricM | September 9, 2008 at 2:36 PM

    Sorry, 65, not a fan of the Savior, either.

  67. Posted by guest | September 9, 2008 at 9:03 PM

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