Archive for November, 2008
Food prices to rise next year
November 25th, 2008Here is a bloomberg story quoting Jochen Hitzfeld, an analyst at UniCredit SpA in Munich.
“Agricultural commodities will outperform the broad commodity indices in 2009,” Hitzfeld wrote in a research note this week. “If key crop-producing countries then impose export bans again and speculators drive up prices via physical stockpiling and futures contracts, new food unrest […]
Charities Need Your Help
November 25th, 2008In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I think everyone should consider that as much as the economy and the stock market may be hurting you, its hurting other people and institutions even more, especially charities and non-profits. Judging just from my ability to give money this year, non-profits are in for a world of hurt. This […]
Get Paid for Not Working!
November 21st, 2008Another great post on the Carpe Diem site highlighting that the Big 3 pay half a billion to people that don’t work:
Jobs Bank and Not Working
Ford’s CEO pay package and the Bailout
November 19th, 2008In April, Ford reported Mr. Mulally received $2 million in base salary, a $4 million bonus and more than $11 million of stock and options in 2007. His base salary was unchanged over 2006. Mr. Mulally has earned nearly $50 million in compensation since taking the helm of the auto maker.
Why exactly are we listening […]
Why the Big Three Shouldn’t Be Bailed Out
November 19th, 2008This is an excellent blog post from Mark Perry’s Carpe Diem blog on how Honda is actually expanding in this country:
Honda expands
New Yorker Article on Agriculture
November 17th, 2008This is a good article from the NewYorker highlighting the problems with agriculture that I’m worried about.
Agriculture Efficiency article
Who owns these stocks?
November 17th, 2008After months of internal debate at Goldman, the seven top executives at the firm, including Chief Executive Officer Lloyd Blankfein, asked the board’s compensation committee to grant them no bonuses. The board approved the request on Sunday.
The executives will only be eligible for their base salaries, $600,000 for each. A firm spokesman said the executives […]
Adversity and Underprivilege
November 17th, 2008There is a fascinating article in the New Yorker by Malcolm Gladwell on how outsiders and the underprivileged sometimes have an an advantage. He profiles Sidney Weinberg, the guy who transformed Goldman Sachs into a powerhouse, and how he came from a very poor upbringing. Its a really good read.
Malcolm Gladwell on adversity
Excellent Video on Car Bailouts
November 13th, 2008This is an excellent video interview by Thomas Friedman on the proposed bailout of the auto industry. The end is excellent.
Thomas Friedman
The End of Wall Street?
November 11th, 2008A very good article by Michael Lewis, asking that very question:
Michael Lewis and the End of Wall Street