Chief Justice John Roberts Bipartisan Challenge

The Democratic party is missing a tremendous chance to change the tone in Washington by not praising Justice Roberts’ bold bipartisan move to support the President’s health care legislation. The Chief Justice put aside the “no prisoners” approach of the Republican party from which he was nominated and grew up in. Judges are to be non-partisan but we also acknowledge the reality...

Gabby’s recovery

It is 1 week to the hour that I learned of the attack on my friend Gabby Gifford. I find it hard to return to “normal” chats here and elsewhere. But the miracles of prayers with her progress gives us hope. The discussion that has ensued is not about blame. It is about behavior. Those with access to a public forum (indeed a national forum) speak both to the serious and the delirious. They/we...

Words have meaning

Words have meaning. Gabby’s opponents have been reckless in their use of emotionally charged words and images. Here is a story from CNN that discusses this issue and how Gabby herself warned Palin and others to consider the consequences. We can only hope that Gabby’s personal sacrifice and pain will awaken Americans to stop those who seek to inflame. Let’s not just shake our heads...

Securing the Grid

Intelligent financing creates new options for grid modernization By Michael Ebert and Joseph Fichera — Improving the delivery of electricity over the existing strained electric power grid through grid modernization-”smart grid”-is a national priority, but it is in danger of becoming another victim of the financial crisis. Federal economic stimulus funds from the American Recovery...

Thanksgving 2010

Today, generations from the Greatest to the Boomers to Generations X, Y and Z, will sit together and share a meal reminiscent of when all the generations were just known as a family. Our country has many difficult challenges ahead. Thanksgiving began as the celebration of the harvest which was the hard work of the family. Let’s be thankful for what we have and mindful that each harvest requires...

“Pension Reform a Red, White and Blue Issue” says Fichera on Varney & Co.

9/11/01

About this time on 9/11/01 two of my colleagues and I had safely walked up the West Side Highway from the WTC. We didn’t leave when the planes hit only when the first Tower went down while we were in the World Financial Center directly across the street. The smoke and debris was difficult to navigate at first but quickly dispersed. As we walked from the site, emergency vehicle after vehicle...

“Targeted tax cuts are government programs”

Martin Feldstein wrote an important op-ed piece in the Wall Street Journalyou might have overlooked.  We need to see that the popular positions of Democrats and Republicans for so called “targeted tax cuts” are really taxpayer subsidies and government programs. This is not a moral issue but one of efficiency and effectiveness. Whether we should subsidize the activity directly with...

“But everybody is doing it.” Denver Board of Education and Synthetic Fixed Rate Swaps

As I noted in Friday’s (8/6/10) front page NY Times article attached, the Denver Board of Education was another issuer of a complex derivative deal who took on risks and wasn’t prepared for a downturn. Can risks be better known and managed? One help would be if the advisors weren’t also on the other side of the transaction. But equally important to remember is that, in the long...

CEOs and Board Independence: Bloomberg Summit Discussion with Saber Partners and Wachtell Lipton

Bloomberg News | June 15, 2010

Pension Funds at Risk?

Interview with Fox News: Pension Funds at Risk? Given while in San Francisco speaking at Bloomberg Conference. Follow up to Mary Williams Walsh incisive article in New York Times concerning expectations and efforts to keep the promises in public pension funds. Unfortunately, it is another crisis over the horizon.

The Swaps That Swallowed Your Town

Here is a NYT article by top financial journalist, Gretchen Morgenson: difficult topic, written in easy to understand manner, raises important issues, surprise ending. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/07/business/07gret.html

Happy New Year

Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimension.”  I am just ending 3 days of seminars and panels at Renaissance Weekend in Charleston.  Humbling to realize how little I know and enthused by everything I learned. Happy new year, new decade and to the new ideas… and energy we have to make a difference.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas…

Ralph Blaine wrote the poem/lyrics in 1943 but it touches us today/tonight/tomorrow:.. “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, Let your heart be light. From now on, our troubles will be out of sight. Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more. Through the years , we all will be together, if the fates allow. Hang a shining star upon the highest bough. And have yourself...

“Thanks” and “giving” go together

These are tough times for many. Am home with family and reminded by my 89-year old Dad that but for the grace of God there go I. “Thanks” and “giving” go together and are needed now more than ever. As we enjoy our blessings, let us also become more willing to share them as well.