Jerzy Popiełuszko, chaplain of Solidarność
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Ephesians 6:12
"As a country becomes industrialized, its governance and corruption challenges do not disappear. They simply morph and become more sophisticated: transfer of a briefcase stashed with cash is less frequent. Instead, subtler forms of capture and 'legal corruption' exist: an expectation of a future job for a regulator in a lobbying firm, or a campaign contribution with strings attached. In industrialized nations undue influence is often legally exercised by powerful private interests, which in turn influence the nation's regulations, policies and laws."
Daniel Kaufmann, Corruption And The Global Financial Crisis, Forbes, January 2009
"The abuse of buying and selling votes crept in and money began to play an important part in determining elections. Later on, this process of corruption spread to the law courts. And then to the army, and finally the Republic was subjected to the rule of emperors."
Plutarch, The Roman Republic
"The word of God is a living thing, and works among us. It is sharper than a double-edged sword, and penetrates even to the dividing of soul and spirit, the joints and the marrow; it judges the innermost thoughts and inclinations of every heart. Nothing in all of creation is hidden from the sight of the Lord. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we will some day give an account."
Hebrews 4:12-13
Stocks did a major pop and flop today, after the impressive decline of yesterday.
The pop was probably due to the usual wash and rinse action.
The flop seems to have been triggered by the stunning plunge in the stock price of NYCB, a New York regional bank.
Otherwise the Dollar fell sharply.
The VIX was generally clueless.
Gold and silver extended their rallies, with gold setting another record high.
Powell will be continuing his song and dance before the Congress tomorrow.
Non-Farm payrolls on Friday could move the markets.
Have a pleasant evening.
