The Lion is dead long live the paper tiger.

After parliament in the U.K,voted down Cameron's, water down motion, to warn Syria action will taken for their use of poison gas.The Lion is dead long live the paper tiger.Britain is no longer the land of Dunkirk,or battle of Britain those people have faded away the glory of Brits is gone,just minor nation with great history.
No more Winston Churchill's plenty of Ramsey McDonald's(The boneless wonder) in Britain.Of course,churchill give great speech were call Ramsey McDonald the boneless wonder.it went like this,"I remember ,when I was a child ,being taken to the celebrated Barnum circus,which contained an exhibition of freaks and monstrosities,but the exhibit on the programme which I most desired to see was the one descibed as "The Boneless Wonder." My parents judged that spectacle would be too revolting and demoralising for my youthful eyes,and I have waited 50 years to see the boneless wonder  sitting on the Treasury Bench."
And Churchill pointed to Ramsey McDonald.

Will king coal return? Lead by Peabody?

Will king coal return? Lead by Peabody? Boy I hope so I own Peabody stock.  There is article in this weeks on Peabody and in the introduction on table contents it states,"Shares of the world's largest private-sector coal company could double,as a better balance between supply and demand boost coal prices." Demand from electric utilities in the U.S,Peabody's biggest customer,has increase for coal since price of natural gas has begin rise,and since Peabody owns mines in Australia beside western United States,it will help from demand from countries like Japan and Germany which abandoning nuclear power,plus emerging market like China and India where coal-fired plants are cheapest sourse of electricity will add demand for coal.
Of course,the Obama adminstration hates coal so kept that in mind,but still a stock like Peabody is near bottom,a good company so upside is there and maybe for big gains. 

Where are Winston Churchills of today?

Where are Winston Churchills of today? I'm remembered of old Simon and Garfunkel song the lyrics are"Where have gone Joe DiMaggio? Well I wonder where has you gone Winston Churchill? for saw part the debate in the British Parliamentary on Syria.What sad spectacle,for lion is dead and many members are in dreamy land.I mean,one idiot,a member of Labour Party,a back bencher,with a Scottish last name,maybe MacDonald,said situlation was cause because President Obama was bully by John McCain and the Republicans to draw a red line.Well this idiot member of Labour obviously likes Obama but what he doesn't understand is he makes Obama look weak;after all,if Obama can't stand up to McCain and Republicans how can he stand up to Assad.And then this member said sometime quite stupid we should negotiate with Assad.Well Assad understands if he loese power there noose around his neck,I don't think Assad will negotigate his own death and if stays in power then proves using chemical weapons works.

How the Fourteenth Amendment become law.

How the Fourteenth Amendment became law.It's interest story and Fourteenth Amendment maybe most important in the Constitution because it's part of what called Civil War Amendments,which passed after the Civil War but makes these amendments unique is they apply to the states.For was time in United States of America were Constitution only applies to federal government,but 13,14 and 15 amendments were aim at the states.Fourteenth Amendment takes some characteristic of Fifth Amendment in that state the state can't deprive any person life,liberty or property.
Now how did pass? The Constitution requires two third of vote in both houses for an amendment then third fourth of states must approve for amendment to become law.Well,14 amendment passed house but one vote short in Senate.John Stockton from New Jersey was key vote against but people yell foul since Stockton was elected to Senate only for plurality vote from state legislature(in those days senator were elected by the state legislature,which change in 1914 when 17 amendment became law)and not majority so he was removed Senate.problem was Constitution requires two third vote to expel a member,only majority voted to remove Stockton.The logic used was he was removed not expelled.Fishy but it work and 14 Amendment became law.

Tesla hype? Netflix hype? Green Mountain Coffee has make green for it's ghareholders.

Tesla hype? Much has made by gains of Tesla has made in California but misleading for only 14 Tesla were sold in California in 2012,in 2013 it's up 4,500.
Netflix is now buying or making it's own content,however,still cable pays lot more than Netflix for content,hence,one has think why CBS is taking such hard on Time Warner Cable? Content there say is king,well there stock until recently when whole market has taken a u-turn down has done very well.
Green Mountain Coffee which was pronounced die by David Einhorn,he said short,short when stock was below 20 now around 80.Yes,they have lost market share for single serve coffee market,but still by a lot number one still over 40% second Smucker-Folger a little under 20%.

Ackman gets not penny for penney but loses half billion.Och!

Ackman gets not penny for penney but loses half billion.Och!
Merger between exchanges BAT and Direct Edge.If goes though it replace Nasdaq as number two exchange.Poor Nasdaq it had bad week and computer breakdown shut market down for awhile.Maybe more merger for exchanges,for it wasn't that long ago the New York Stock Exchange was going to be taken over by a German exchange but the EU authorities did not ok deal.New York exchanges might faces problem if any Democrats running for mayor get elected.For they are left-wing loons who are economy idiots.
Housing prices went up 12 percent,however,many a slowdown in housing is in the works.Durable goods order down 7.3% in July.
Amgen will buy out Onyx.Amgen patents are going ran out and Onyx big on new drug to fight Cancer.
Surprising wise words from Oliver North,he said Obama should read Barbara Tuchman's excellent book,"The Guns of August" of course,it's how World War was started,by accident and miscalculation and this deals with Syria today!

Daniel D. Tompkins

Many years ago when worked for New York County Lawyers Association,a young man,lawyer come to membership Dept where I worked and on membership card I saw the name Tompkins,which knew was Governor of New York in early part of the Republic.So asked if was relalated,he said yes and also pointed out,which I didn't know at the time was also Vice-President of the United States.
The only thing that the name Tompkins conjure up would Tompkins Square Park which in 1980s became camping ground for the homeless and gather ground for drug dealers.In 1988 the City put end to that but not became a riot.
Tompkins is buried at St.Mark's Church in the Bowery,it's an Episcopal Church in east Village.i went there a few ago and was disheartening,here it is in middle of old New York,well in the beginning it was outskirts,indeed,it was the area of Peter Stuyvesant Estate,I saw young men with blonde hair fair skin skateboarding so unnatural for New york it was like California nightmare.
Daniel D. Tompkins who is forgotten but most,is man should remember an exception person,indeed,for he was one first leaders of anti-slave movement in America.He also put his own money maybe $50,000 to raise a militia to defend New York during 1812 War.He was Governor of New York and Monroe's Vice-President.His Richmond Turnpike Company  built a thoroughfare across what now Staten Island.Also involve with the Nautilus which begin first ferry service from Staten Island to Manhattan.Tompkins died in 1825 just few months after being Vice-President.

Saw one of my favorite movies today-The Shootist John Wayne's last movie.

Saw one of my favorite movies today-"The Shootist John Wayne's last movie.
It was fitting end for John Wayne's great career,a man,indeed, a legend the Shootist is dying of cancer.Wayne himself would die cancer three years later.There is always a sadness when things come to end,but sadness there is romamce,our heros often loses the final for example Bonnie Prince Charle or Robert E. Lee.
Anyway the picture's director was Don Siegel Clint Eastwood's favorite diector,they did five pictures together.Also in the film was Ron Howard,Lauren Bacall and James Stewart,who also did a movie that was one of my favors with John Wayne,The Man who shot Liberty Valance" just great film saw in Bronx at first with my mother almost by accident,it was early nineteen sixties,maybe 1965 maybe ealier,anyway we were walking in Fordham Road and saw movie theater and decided to go in.The film was directed by John Ford,John Wayne's favorite director.It's greats seem so many times now Jimmy Stewart thinks his shoot the evil Liberty Valance(played by Lee Marvin) but it's John Wayne who did the noble deed.Stewarts gets Wayne girl become a U.s Senator because his man that shoot Liberty Valance,Wayne sort quits on life,never coment never complain just noble man who did right at great cost to himself.

The cutting edge issue in the NYC mayor's race.And bomb man leaves Microsoft.

The cutting edge issue in the NYC mayor's race is circumcision.What's right circumcision.Maybe it's because Anthony Weiner never got over fact he was circumcised.In Anthony's case it was no big deal.
The man that bomb at helm of Microsoft is leaving and stock went up 7 percent.The Bomb guided Microsoft though hells gates.The Bomb man was business school product who look a dickhead,perhaps he makes case against circumcision,too many dick heads are positions are power.
Copper prices rising but why? Is China hoarding or their manufacturing picking up? If it is maybe the world economy will too.

Suez Canal an interest history and sometimes unexpected results

This morning watch Bloomberg T.V they did quite bit on Suez Canal.The Canal has interesting history and sometimes unexpected results.For example,it's opening in 1869  which many thought would bring era prosperity to world economy did the opposite.Suez Canal made good so much cheaper because traveling less time,less money that lead glut of goods on world market which lead to world depression,economists call it creative destruction.
Suez Canal was brainchild of brilliant man Ferdinand de Lesseps  also Panama Canal was his baby.
In 1875 the Egyptian khedive near bankruptcy sold his interest in Canal to the British Government,who become the majority owner,hence the creation of Suez Company Canal company,which believe still exist today in different form and has nothing to do with Canal.Believe where I live Fort Lee,New Jersey the local water company,United Water is a subsidiary of Suez environmental Group,an offshoot of the Suez Company.When Sarkozy was President of France,he want the Suez Company to concentrate on energy and and get rid of other business,mostly dealing with water.
When British took change of the Suez Canal Egypt become almost a semi-colony of Britain.A coup took place,which lead to Nasser become a dictator and he nationalize the canal.In 1956 Britain France and Israel went war with Egypt and looked like Nasser and his government were doomed,but believe or not,the U.S.A  saved him.
The canal today about 5 percent world oil goes through and about 10 percent of all seabourd traffic.It account for 10 percent of Egyt's revenue and 2.5 percent of it's G.N.P.

Housing hot the consumer cold

Housing which cause financial crises is slowly picking up stream;however the consumer which two thirds of American economy depend on are very cautious to lighten their pocket.
Stocks like Home Depot and Lowe's are doing extremely well,more housing being brought more demand for extra that Home Depot Lowe's sell.
However retail for most part has seem disappointing earning and sales.Yes,there are some exception like Urban Outfits,which specialty store catering to young people.Wal-Mart results disappointing and many believe Wal-Mart is bellwether for the american economy.Macy's also disappointed many on the street,of course,Macy's is the iconic American Department store and besides Macy's the brand also has Bloomingdale's and other from Federated store and name brands from other mergers.
Buffett has sold some of Wells Fargo,but still his largest holding,maybe some profit taking,since financial crisis when was in teens today mid-forties,not bad.Also sold all his Gannett,make big profit no doubt Gannett was in single digits today mid-twenties,however,this might done by the team because Buffett loves newspaper,but true true enough he also lives money and maybe he loves money more than newspapers.

Has the Left lost it's love affair with Obama ?

Has the Left lost it's love affair with Obama? Obama use to be the champion of the Left,indeed,to young hipster,he was cool,if you will, a rock star.But rock of ages marches on,politics demands reality and soaring rhetoric of young visionary soon becomes the tried words of an old man,this is nature of life and politics is life on  steroids.
It's curious thing despite Obama's victory on health care the Left isn't happy,they see as sell out,they want a single-payer system now.Also it's curious the Left didn't turn on Obama when he didn't nationalize the banks during the financial crisis,nor did with GM,yes the old GM went out business,hurting shareholders and bond owners,and new GM has some government ownership but not 100 percent,nor does manage it at all,it very much operates like any private owned company.Nor the Left wanted to notice Obama kept much of the Bush policies on fighting terrorism.No,what got the Left's goat was NSA scandel,big brother seems to be alive and well under Obama.
Now that's not to say,Obama if ran today would lose the election.Today the Left is lucky ,because the Right(which I am part of)is so insular,listening to radio talk(people like Rush Limbaugh) which is echo chamber,that lost touch with American people.There is no Ronald Reagan today,a true political genius,however, he was man of his time the nineteen eighties and that was more thirty years ago what work them doesn't fly these days.Plus Reagan was great man,for when you win a war without firing a bullet that is a remarkable accomplishment and sadly some stupid people on the Right don't appreciate because there was not bloodshed and people on Left are too bigoted to give Reagan credit.

I know who JFK is sleeping with the saga continues:Mary Pinchot(the person JKF was sleeping with is murder.)

In previous blog,I mention story about Philip Graham(at the time the publisher of Washington Post) going to publishers meeting in Phoenix,as in Arizona,where Mr.Graham got up and started undressing and singing,I know who John Kennedy(JFK) sleeping with,and somebody called the White House and plane was sent(maybe Air Force One) to Phoenix and pick Mr.Graham and place him in mental institution and few months ago Graham committed suicide.Well,I learn the person who Graham was talking about,the woman who was sleeping with JFK was Mary Pinchot Meyer,who curiously she was murder about month before JFK.Also curiously her ex-husband Cord Meyer was high official in the C.I.A.
I remember,many years,maybe 40 or mores years)watching I think it was David Frost Show(the Englishman,who did famous interviews with Richard Nixon that movie was made of)and the guest was Benjamin Bradlee,who at the time was executive editor of Washington Post.He told an incredible story:Mary Pinchot Meyer was his sister-in-law at the time of the murder,he said he got hold of a diary and, get this, he said he hand it over to James Jesus Angleton.Bradlee he didn't know who James Jesus Angleton was that's very hard to believe.For Angleton was a legendary figure in the C.I.A know as spycatcher.Bradlee said Angleton burned the diary.
Both Mary and Cord had interesting backgrounds,both of their politics was Left-wing(it might surprise to know in early days of C.I.A most agents come from Ivy League and were liberal).Mary's uncle was famous Gifford Pinchot,know conservatives twice Governor of Pennsylvania.Her father was Amos Pinchot know radial,help founded the Progressive Party,but was far Left of them,he help finance the socialist,or maybe communist magazine Masses.
Cord also come from blue blood,old money family.He was a member of Communist party for a while
quit but believe in one world government as did Mary,indeed,they meet in a meeting of United World Federation which Cord was President of before joining the C.I.A

Buffett buys GM,Ackman sells Mondelez,Peltz buys DuPont,Loeb buys Disney.

Warren Buffett this quarter has bought GM stock and Suncor,however,many think it was done under links.
Bill Ackman has sold his holding or his company Pershing in Mondelez International,which use to be part Kraft,their international division.Nelson Peltz want Pepsi to takeover Mondelez,by the way,Peltz has just bought Dupont stock.
Dan Loeb after dising Sony has bought Disney stock.Disney has produce a bomb the Lone Ranger the movie,losing much green but rest business especially theme parks are quite well.
CBS ratings drop five percent as Time-Warner Cable has drop them,although P.G.A was up 17 percent.Believe is deal will made just before football season begins.CBS has lost viewers from Time-Warner customers in New York,L.A and the big D(Dallas).

Will Bill Ackman give a penny for his thoughts?

Bill Bill Ackman give a penny for his thoughts? Old Ackman took a bath with J.C Penney the question is will smell ever leave him? Saw parts of his interview with Charlie Rose,you knew the Southern boy who loves the big city.And Ackman was pretty good,he recognize what great business the railroads are and now at least more thirty years Herbalife was pyramid scheme.For when I lived in Houston back 1981 or 82 I went interview or group seminar,may be accurate for and it was pyramid scheme so wasn't interested in them.
Is California a crazy land? Now any kid can say what bathroom he or she wants or join any sport teams sex is what kid said it is,or more the parents.Boys will not boys any more,nor girls.California is turning into nightmare.Of course,the Governor is evil foe of Superman Lexs Luther(A.K.A Jerry Brown).

An Apple a day may kept you out of the poor house?

An Apple a day may kept you of the poor house? Carl Icahn thinks so and so David Einhorn(although if took his advice and shorted Green Mountain Coffee you just might wine in the poor house) David Tepper owns a lot stock,by the way, lately buying a lot bank stocks,indeed,second largest holding is Citigroup also is buying Bank of America stock.Charles Payne,filling in Sturt Vassey on Fox Business channel says charts say buy Apple: two Double Bottom and accumulation when stock hits bottom.
In the Barron's dated 8/5/13 there is title Green Mountain K-Cup problem.Green Mountain Coffee has been roll coaster in 2011 it was over 90 then fall in 2012 to 20,Einhorn said short but stock rose to 80.Problem is patent for single serving coffee(K-Cup) expired, now competition many companies are that business but Green Mountain seems to holding it's own.Management confident but article has it's doubt about long prospects for Green Mountain Coffee.

The day Theodore Roosevelt declare war on Joseph Pulitzer.

The day Theodore Roosevelt(T.R) declare war on Joseph Pulitzer. The day was 12/15/1908.T.R sent a special message to Congress in which he asked investigation of New York World(Pulitzer's paper).T.R labeled a series of critical articles that had appeared in the World and had been widely reprinted before and after the election"string of infamous libels."The articles,on the Panama Canal purchase accused him of lying and charge that insides ,including his brother-in-law,Douglas Robinson,and Charles Taft,half-brother of the President-elect,had siphoned off millions of dollars when the U.S paid $40,000,000 for the defunct French Company.The real offender T.R said in his message was Joseph Pulitzer.
On 2/17/1909 a federal grand jury indicted Joseph Pulitzer and the editors of the New York World. A federal indictment was returned in the District of Columbia District Court.Pulitzer was charged on five counts of criminal libil of Roosevelt,Charles Taft,Douglas Robinson,J.P Morgan,Elihu Root,and William N. Cromwell.Cromwell,a New York lawyer,had earned a legal fee of $800,000(not bad for those days)for his part in the Panama Canal purchase.The indictment was totally unjustified,in inasmuch as the defendaents defendents were summoned to appear for trail trial in Washington rather than their home districts, the case was distri dismissed on the ground of jurisdiction, on 1/25/1910.           

The movie Advise and Consent

I just saw the movie Advise and Consent.It's on Allen Drury book which won Pulitzer Prize in 1960.The movie was made in 1962 produced and directed by Otto Preminger and starring  Henry Fonda,Walter Pidgeon,Charles Laughton,Peter Lawford and some others.
Interesting Preminger was a Jewish Hollywood  liberal and Drury was a conservative he thought most reporters support a policy appeasement with Soviet Union.
The story goes a dying President wants Left-winger(played by Henry Fonda Leftinworth a name on name like Dickson,love that)to be Secretary of State but his enemy at his heels,the Senator from South Carolina Sean Cooley(by Charles Laughton,the last role he played)and Senator caught in middle was Brig Anderson from Utah,who opposes the President's nomate because caught lie,but a Left-wing Senator tries to blackmail by exposing a homosexal affair he had in Army.Anderson commits suicide and nomination fall apart as President dies and Vice-President Hudson wanted pick his own man.
Now was true incident that suicide of Anderson might been based on.Senator Hunt from Wyoming,had son who was arrested for what so called immoral acts in those days.When the public found out Senator Hunt suicide.Now story was feed to press by Senator Bridges from New Hampshire,who leader of Republicans and called Senator Yankee.Bridges was very friendly to Democratic leader of the Senate Lyndon Johnson(LBJ),indeed,Bridges might have saved Johnson career.There had been a bill to decontrol natural gas in 1956,the industry set up shop in LBJ's office.A Senator Francis Case,a Republican from South Dakota received in his office an envelope with two thousand dollars in cash.The Senator got up on senate floor and decry that natural gas industry try bribe him.Well all finger pointed at LBJ so ask for investigation a special committee made up 3 Dem and 3 Repubs but Johnson with Bridge's help made sure the investigation was whitewash.

Lucky Lindy not so lucky, Lindy Boggs R.I.P maybe she was she lived until 98

Lucky Lindy not so lucky,Lindy Boggs R.I.P maybe she was she lived until 98.Saw the ob for Lindy Boggs on 7/29/13 in the Wall Street Journal.Lindy live a long time 98 years,part dynasty she descendant of old Southern family,indeed,I believe first governor of Louisiana before it became a state.He was marry to Hale Boggs,a congressman from Louisiana,who become majority leader,and if he lived maybe specker some day,but died in plane crash in Alaska(no Sarah Palin wasn't behind it,crash took place in 1973 when Boggs campaigning for Congressman Begich,who also died in crash,and by the way,his son Mark Begich is today the U.S Senator from Alaska.)When Hale died Lindy took over his seat.By the way,the bodies were never found and U.S Government undertook the most expense seach in U.S history at the time,personal order by President Nixon.
Lindy Boggs has the the famous T.V journalist Cokie Roberts as a daughter.She also had another daughter involved in New Jersey politics,who was mayor of Princeton and ran for Governor in 1989,unfortunately even when she ran for governor she wear an eye patch because of cancer,the cancer would return and kill.Lindy also had son,who ran for Congress in Maryland and lost but become a big time lobbyist in the beltway.

The New York Times favorite reports for the Communist

The New York Times favorite reports for the Communist:are Herbert Matthews and Walter Duranty.
Matthews was less of evil of two,he was dupe of Castro leading people believe Castro taking power would lead democracy.When Castro took power many in U.S believe him to a democratic,largely on reporting of Herbert Matthews.Even Richard Nixon,who was Vice-President then didn't know what make of Castro,whether he was guy or bad.
Walter Duranty was most likely the worst journalist ever,and work for New York Times and win Pulitzer Prize.Duranty was a monster to do Stalin's bidding Duranty would paid by girls who like whip.I mean,this man was sick yet Times didn't care they were one few News outlets from the West that allow in Soviet Union in Nineteen thirties.It was feather in cap,and allow there front page to be used as propaganda sheet for the Soviet Union and this was done through the reporting of Walter Duranty.His reporting was unbelievable,Stalin was going to bring democracy to the Soviet Union,guaranteeing free speech,the press,religion and two house legislature all this on front page.I guess that was all news fit print and grey lady turned pink.What a disgrace the New York Times has done.

Does Marissa Mayer proves Nordic woman superior.

This week I saw Bloomberg Businessweek cover,with the face,indeed,looking like godless of Marissa Mayer, and the cover had wording of Marissa Mayer save Yahoo? With her blue eyes,blonde hair ,fair complex and oh so pretty(which I understand she hates being called)looking very much the Nordic woman,hard to tell if she's angel or devil? But did strike me,does Marissa Mayer proves Nordic woman is superior?
Now Ms. Mayer has a baby,but is she marry for never heard talk of men in her life.It reminders me of Dan Quayle and what he said about Murray Brown.Is Marissa Mayer the new modern woman who doesn't need a man in her life?
By the way,Marissa is no relation to Eugene Mayer,who wrote about in previous blog.Eugene Mayer was a financier-businessman,government offical and publisher of Washington Post(he was the founder Mayer-Graham line that just sold the Washington Post.Eugene Mayer was born Jewish,something he sort of try to hide,he marry a woman that was Lutheran and believe he raised his children Episcopalian.Marissa,at least with my generation,looks like every Jewish mother's nightmare,a good looking shiksa.

Chinese food wets the appetite for the world's hungry for economic growth.

Chinese food wets the appetite for the world's hungry for economic growth.A better then expect report on the China economy has lead to hope of better economic times for world.But is this just food for thought? Well,this morning on Bloomberg T.V reported that Chinese inventory for copper is down,maybe sparking demand for copper,may be good for mining stocks? Also another measure to protect possible that copper is just being moved from place to place they(Bloomberg) measure how profitable steel mills are China and goes indicated demand is go.
Tesla stock is going crazy,but may be only crazy buy it.Yes,there reported a profit for last quarter,however,they were using funny math,for if result were measured in standard accounting principles Tesla would have lost 30 million dollars,so much for the hype.
JCPenney making big news,investor activist Ackman wants new C.E.O but this clown is one that push Ron Johnson for C.E.O what a bomb that was.
Prineline going though the roof,crazy!

Eugene Meyer must be turning over in his grave and Richard Nixon must be smiling in his grave.

Eugene Meyer must be turning over in his grave and Richard Nixon must be smiling in his grave.For the Washington was sold to King of Amazon(Jeffrey Bezos) for mere 250 million,my how mighty have fallen.The Graham family has sold their crown jewel.Katharine Graham was daughter of Eugene Meyer,who bought the paper in 1934 in auction from the  Estate of Ned McLean,a rich playboy who went through the family fortune.Meyer had been one nation's most successful business,he enter government,in a way,as child of Woodrow Wilson,as did his very good friend Bernard Baruch,and man he admired greatly Herbert Hoover and he would detest Franklin D. Roosevelt(F.D.R).Indeed,Meyer bought paper because he hated F.D.R because he thought F.D.R treated Hoover shamefully.In a way,Meyer was Hoover's point man for fighting the depression for was Chairman of FED and RFC.He quit government when F.D.R came in and don't enter again until Truman appointed him President of the World Bank(first one).Meyer died in 1959 his son-in-law Philip Graham who was a manic depressant,who would kill himself.The story goes,Philip was atending a publishers meeting in Phoenix,no doubt a very starchy affair with the wifes of publishers having blue hair.Well,Philip address this group but he starts undressing and singing,I know who John Kennedy is sleeping with,well somebody calls the White House and with in hours a plane(Air Force One) arrives in Phoenix picks Philip up goes to Washington places him in mental institution.Well in few months he talks his way out of the institution and them commits suicide.
Now rule of Katharine Graham begins much to chagrin of Richard Nixon.For Washington Post would made it's name from Watergate putting an end to most enigmatic careers in American politicans. 

What U.S President took the U.S off the Gold standard?

What U.S President took the U.S off the Gold Standard? A Gold company is using this question as promotion,if got right answer you win an ounce(a bar) of gold.They give three possible answer:Ronald Reagan,Richard Nixon and Franklin D. Roosevelt(F.D.R).The question is bit disingenuous because there are two correct answer:FDR took the U.S off gold standard domestically on 6/5/1933.On 8/15/1971 Richard Nixon took the U.S off the international gold standard,hence,ending fix exchange rates and an end to the Bretton Wood system,although the I.M.F and world Bank still exists.

Czar Reed

Czar Reed(Thomas Brackett Reed) is now largely forgotten in American History.But in his day,he was larly then life,indeed,literally he was big in every sense word,over six feet three and more 300 pounds,also huge intellect,very witty but at cost his sharp tongue might have cause him the presidency,he was fluent in French,indeed,he wrote in his diary in French.
I first became aware of Czar in collage from my friend Richard Donovan.Richard a very witty man himself enjoy Reed's barbs.Of course,some more famous ones are are when Reed was asked if he would attend the funeral of politcal enemy,Reed reply,"No but he heartily approve of it."He also said,"A stateman is a successful politician who is dead." When ask if he would be his parties nominate for President,Reed replyed,"They might do worse and I think they will."Reed also had words of wisdom:discussing the Venezuela affair(when the U.S also went to war with Great Britain in 1895)Reed said," A skillful politician once said to me, It is a good rule in politics,when you don't
know what to do, do nothing."Reed also said,"They(two fellow Congressmen) never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge."
Reed was ahead of his times,for example he was very Pro civil rights,however,his view of foreign policy left in the cold from two supports T.R and Lodge.For Reed didn't believe in the America Empire.and left the political stage over principle,for he was against the Spanish-American War.So he left the speakership,hence,the end of rule of Czar Reed.  

Harry Byrd Jr. R.I.P

Harry Byrd Jr. died,indeed, I thought he died years ago but today I looked at the Wall Street Journal dated 7/31/13 and it had Byrd's obit.He was 98 when he died,a relic of different world,even when he became Senator in 1965,replacing his ailing father,he never was power in the Senate his father was,for his father ruled the finance committee,like ancient king,only legation,which in his case was the budget and taxes,he favor would reach the light of day.Robert Cato,LBJ's biographer tells a the story that when Johnson wanted a tax cut he said to aid,"we must have Byrd aboard,"the aid repiled," he just one of nine votes need to pass the tax cut"Johnson replied," Byrd always seems to have nine votes in his pocket." Junior(can you imagine that a man lives to 98 and yet he's name is Junior) never that power,indeed,he's father's machine was breaking down.Junior would be elected severial times but Byrd was wanning the times they were changing,the South was no longer controlled the old guard segregationist Democrats,Jim Crow had to eat crow.
Byrd's death was reported by a family newspaper Winchester Star.I think that's paper somebody(Daniel O'Reilly)I went to Shepherd College with grandfather was the editor of that paper and think he broke with Byrds when JFK ran for president in 1960.The Byrd machine stop backing Democrats for president in 1948 often by stealth.
The Byrds were quite the power in Sheiandoah Valley(beautiful country,where is famous highway with great views)indeed, I remember they had business dealing with apples and of course non-union. 
The Byrds go back 300 years,if not more, in Virginia Junior was last in line of those in public live:he enter the Senate 1965,elected in 1966 the same year Will Robertson(Pat's dad) lost his senate seat which he had for many years.Robertson was like Byrd the old guard,however,he wasn't part Byrd machine,indeed,he had his own machine,but his defeat shown times were of changing in Old Dominion.Byrd went on to win re-election in 1970 and 1976,however,that year he ran as Independent,he lae the Senate in 1982,the last of the dynasty.

Profits down for big oil:Exxon,Shell and Chevron.Unravelling of Potash Cartel good news for farmers.

Profits down for big oil:Exxon,Shell and Chevron.Exxon,my second largest holding for number of share largest for value(amount of money).All the big oil companies are try to cash in on Shale Boom,but this has lead to more production,hence,more supply and demand is down as economic lumbers along lead to lower prices.Also Exxon is so huge,it actually produces more oil than state of Texas,hence,it might be too big to succeed,this maybe why there is talk of breaking up Exxon into three companies.But I think although the price of stock is a bit too high,I still think for long term it's good company,with little debt,and even though the price of natural gas is very low Exxon buying the biggest producer of  natural gas XTO Energy was very smart move and help profit this quarter by billion dollars.
Shell is writing down(not cash lost) it's holding of shale in the U.S.A. and may sell some of it's holdings.
Chevron a stock most analyses like over Exxon also saw profit down.Problem maybe that counties with big oil reverses:like Iraq and Mexico aren't open to big oil,however, in Mexico there is talk of ending or maybe selling or selling of Pemex.
Russian potash producer Uralkali has pull out of partnership with Belarus,hence,unravelling of Potash Cartel good news for farmers,hence,agriculture stocks just might do well.