Don't Ask Why, Just Buy

The message on Bloomberg Television this morning is loud and clear: "Don't ask why, just buy."

The chief message carrier was a Mr. Brian Belski of Oppenheimer, who suggested that trying to analyze the markets for yourself is a waste of time. Just listen to the experts.

We have a new bull market. Who cares whether it is cyclical or secular. Let's just be happy that the worst is now behind us, and frankly, just buy.

Brian is representing the notion that any sort of gain over 20% is a new bull market.

Well Brian, here's your new bull market. Maybe it will become one. But from this perspective it is just a typical bounce within a powerful bear market. It must prove itself.

So far this looks like hot money from the public (taxes) trying to push up the shell of the Ponzi credit bubble while the insiders continue to hit the exits.

And we do not care what anyone says, the fundamentals are rotten. They are just not falling apart as quickly now after a precipitous revelation of the truth behind the facade of statistical manipulation. There are no green shoots, and there is no recovery.

There has been little or no reform. Just a fresh smear of lipstick on the same old pig, applied by the swineherds of Wall Street and Washington.




And in the meantime, let's buy some gold, silver, food, critical supplies, and party on...








Burn your credit cards, honor your family and friends friends, give to God what is His, live within your means.

Financially Farcical Friday

Institutional Risk Analytics is one of the best weekly reads around.

Institutional Risk Analytics

"Washington has indeed fixed the solvency problems of the large zombie banks -- not with additional capital or stress tests, as many of us seem to think. Rather, the banks have been stabilized by turning them into GSEs via FDIC guarantees on their debt. Those banks which can end their dependence on federal guarantees will be the visible winners in the post stress test market, and valuations and spreads will reflect this divergence between zombies and viable private banks.

Seen from this perspective, Chrysler, General Motors and the large banks are GSEs rather than private companies, parestatales as they know them in Mexico. To talk about a rally in the equity of large US financials seems truly ridiculous, at least to us, especially true when you look at how the public sector subsidies being applied to the banks have distorted their financial statements."

"We hear from the Big Media, BTW, that Tim Geithner's growing corps of handlers directs media inquiries to Roubini for "an objective view" of the Secretary's handling of the financial crisis. One Democrat asks: Could it be Larry Summers to the Fed, Roubini to the White House?

And speaking of the fall of the elites, FRBNY Chairman Steve Friedman finally resigned yesterday, ending a scandalous period when the greater community of present and past employees of Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and other dealers was arguably in control of the most important arm of the US central bank. (Ending? With Dudley still in place? - Jesse)

The fact that the Board of Governors appointed former GS ibanker Freidman as a "C" class director, who are meant to represent the public interest and not be past officers of regulated banks, was scandal enough. But then, when GS formally became a bank holding company last year, the Board failed to remove Friedman when his conflict became acute. The Board also failed too to appoint another "C" class director, making it almost seem that the Board wanted to assist in the GS operation to influence the operations of a Federal Reserve Bank."

The Banks must be restrained, and the financial system reformed, before there can be a sustainable economic recovery.

Friedman Resigns as NY Fed Chairman, Had Been Buying Goldman Stock in 2008-9

It just keeps getting more blatant and more brazen.

"And, with respect to Steve’s purchases of Goldman shares in December of 2008 and January of 2009, which have been the object of some attention lately, it is my view that these purchases did not violate any Federal Reserve statute, rule or policy."

Let's see, it is perfectly all right for a Fed Chairman to buy shares in one of the banks he is 'regulating' especially when he is helping to make critical policy decisions directly involving them.

Who writes the Fed's conflicts of interest policy, Alberto Gonzalez?

Yes the Fed would certainly make a very good systemic regulator...

Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Stephen Friedman Resigns as Chairman of the New York Fed’s Board of Directors
May 7, 2009

NEW YORK—The Federal Reserve Bank of New York announced today that Stephen Friedman, chairman of the board of directors of the New York Fed, has informed William C. Dudley, president and chief executive officer of the New York Fed, and the Board of Governors of his decision to resign effective immediately. Consistent with the Federal Reserve Act, Denis M. Hughes, deputy chair of the board, will exercise the powers and duties of the chair.

“My colleagues and I appreciate Steve’s vital service to the Bank during this time of great economic stress,” said Mr. Hughes. “We value his contributions and I know the Bank’s leadership acknowledges his unique perspectives on the economy and his financial market expertise. We all join in thanking him for his service and leadership.” Mr. Hughes added, “This is a remarkable organization at the center of helping the nation through the most difficult economic period since the 1930s. I have watched as the people of the Fed managed the unprecedented financial storms with creativity, energy and integrity.”

Thomas C. Baxter, Jr., executive vice president and general counsel, said, “There is no doubt that 2008 was one of the most challenging years in the New York Fed’s history. We were fortunate to have Steve as our chairman during that time, especially in view of Mr. Geithner’s decision to accept President Obama’s nomination to become Secretary of the Treasury. When the President announced his decision to nominate now-Secretary Geithner on November 24, 2008, Steve immediately stepped into action and formed a search committee of the New York Fed’s board of directors.

During the committee’s often intense deliberations over the next two months, I was privileged to observe closely Steve’s dedication, professionalism and work ethic. He was extraordinary. And, with respect to Steve’s purchases of Goldman shares in December of 2008 and January of 2009, which have been the object of some attention lately, it is my view that these purchases did not violate any Federal Reserve statute, rule or policy. I enjoyed working with Steve, and will miss his contributions in the boardroom.”

“I would like to thank Steve Friedman and his fellow directors on the New York Fed’s board for their service,” said Donald L. Kohn, vice chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. “I particularly appreciate the very rigorous process Steve established to select the new president of the New York Fed.”

New York, NY 10022
May 7, 2009
Mr. Wiliam C. Dudley
President
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
33 Libert Street
New York, NY 10045

Dear Bill:

By copy of this letter to Chairman Bernanke, I hereby resign as a Class C Director and
Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, effective immediately.
Last Fall, after Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. became a bank holding company, I agreed to
remain on the Board, pursuant to the waiver authority of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, to provide continuity durng a time of financial market instability. Today,
although I have been in compliance with the rules, my public service motivated continuation on
the Reserve Bank Board is being mischaracterized as improper. The Federal Reserve System has
importnt work to do and does not need this distraction.

Please convey my appreciation and respect to my fellow Directors and the Reserve Bank
staff for their cooperation and their service. It has been a pleasure to work with you, your
predecessor, and our distinguished Board, as well as the dedicated, hard-working men and
women of the New York Fed. The New York Fed plays an extraordinary and vital role in
restoring stability to the financial system durng this very critical period, and it has been an honor
to be part of the institution's effort. I also am grateful to Chairman Bernanke and the other
Members and staff of the Board of Governors for their advice and support in connection with the
search for a new Chief Executive Officer for the New York Fed.


Stephen Friedman


cc: The Honorable Ben S. Bernane
Chairman
Federal Reserve Board of Govemors
Federal Reserve System
Washington, DC 20551

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