Write Offs: 08.12.08

$$$ Our weekly M&A roundup: The number of North American deals grew last week -- to 52 from 44 -- but the volume of transactions plunged, as multibillion-dollar deals nearly vanished from the books. [CFO.com]

$$$ Be careful, or the mortgage mess could turn your home into a brothel. [Fox]

$$$ No one trusts CDS counterparties anymore. [Market Beat]

$$$ How to think about alt-A mortgages. [Calculated Risk]

$$$ Is any month not cursed for the markets these days? [Portfolio]

$$$ Zimbabwe to Gasoline: You are so money. [The Beacon]