Sunday Evening Post - (CV version)

Some headlines that have caught my eye over the weekend (& a personal e-mail)...


FROM ZH


- "It is no secret that the last few weeks saw massive liquidations along all asset classes. The result was a huge outflow across almost all products: Loans, HY Bonds, Municipals, Commodities... all a typical reaction to broad based liquidations. However, note we said "almost" - one class that actually posted a $6.2 billion inflow was equities. Yet not is all as it seems: peeking underneath the hood indicates that the bulk of this inflow, or $10.3 billion, had to do with inflow into ETFs... or rather, just one ETF - the SPY, accounting for $10.1 billion. Did someone prop up the entire equity market last week by massively pushing capital into the most liquid equity proxy available?"




From KD


- "So Friday we had a "flash rally" in the last 20 minutes of the day - about 20 handles (S&P points) straight up.  Will there be an "investigation" to see why that happened?


Of course not, even though I have no evidence (or belief) that it was anything nefarious.  But boy, when the bids disappear (instead of offers), that's worthy of a Presidential Commission!


Uh huh."


(well - at least that explains the SPY inflows)... I guess...


From "DOWN UNDER"


http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/05/20/2905304.htm


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And, of course, the "piece de la resistance"... (an e-mail that I received, PERSONALLY, from President Barack Obama)...


"Dear Maria" (damn Barry Dunham STILL thinks I'm named "Maria") - he must be looking at the tele-prompter and not looking at my face...


"On Thursday, the Senate passed historic Wall Street reform. This movement proved again that the strongest special interests, who for so long have called the shots in Washington, can be beat.


When opponents in Congress tried to block the legislation altogether, you stood up -- and they backed down. When the lobbyists pushed for loopholes and exemptions just before a final vote, you did not relent -- and we fought them off.


Your support brought us to this day -- and, because of that, we're poised to implement sensible reforms that will provide a stronger foundation for economic growth.


Now, the House and Senate must iron out their differences before I can sign it into law. But the financial industry will not give up. They have already spent more than $1 million per member of Congress, lobbying on this issue. And in the coming days, they will go all in. This is their last shot to stall, weaken, or kill reform, and they are not accustomed to losing.


But this movement has you -- and together, we have beaten the special interests before.


Please donate $5 or more today to help counter the special interests' attacks and get strong Wall Street reform to my desk.


Every American has a stake in this bill.


If you have ever been treated unfairly by a credit card company, this reform works for you -- never again will Americans be duped by fine print or hidden fees.


If you ever try to take out a home loan or student loan, this reform works for you -- putting an end to predatory and deceptive lending practices.


And, if you or your small business relies on credit from community banks that are being punished for playing by the rules while their competitors do not, this reform works for you -- reining in the big banks and making sure all our lenders are subject to tough oversight.


These reforms would put in place the strongest consumer financial protections in history. And, by helping safeguard our economy from recklessness on Wall Street, it would ensure that a crisis like the one that caused this recession never happens again.


This is not a zero-sum game where Wall Street loses and Main Street wins. As we have learned, in today's economy, we are all connected. When the economy prospers, we all win. Senators of both parties recognize that fact, and that is why lawmakers stood up to the lobbyists and worked across the aisle to ensure that Wall Street reform passed.


But this fight is not yet over. And it is up to us to overcome this final test and pass reform into law. When we do, the power of this movement to make change in Washington -- despite the best efforts of the special interests -- will no longer be up for debate.


Please donate $5 or more today:


http://my.democrats.org/HistoricReform


Thank you,


President Barack Obama"


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What do y'all think? Should I send him the $5 bucks? Should I "volunteer" for his 2012 re-election? (if I want a "Thank you Maria" note, I ought to)...


I know, I know... Too early to tell, RIGHT... (Which, to CV, kinds of puts into perspective what the hell people in 2008 must have been thinking)...


When it comes to AMERICANS & THINKING... Well, those are two words that don't often collide in the same sentence...