Is Wall Street run by crooks and liars?

Discussion in 'Wall St. News' started by walter4, Jan 24, 2009.

  1. Trust.. All But Gone!
    By Gary Kaltbaum
    http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/stocks/commentary/gkitermi/TrustAll-But-Gone-79981.cfm


    "For the better part of 18 months, I have been writing to you about the withering trust of Wall Street, the government and all the players involved. I have been posing the question about how markets will react to all the crooks, all the charlatans and all the chicanery. Well, simply put, the beat goes on.

    In the past, I have talked about:

    Ratings services rating stuff AAA.

    CEOS of major financial institutions out and out lying to the world...and in plain sight. For instance:

    John Thain saying on a conference call that Merrill did not need to raise more capital...6 days later...raises $8.5 billion.

    Dick Fuld removing losses off the balance sheet of Lehman and only putting them back when called out by a hedge fund manager.

    Chuck Prince telling Wall Street on several occasions their capital base was just fine and losses were limited.

    On top of that:

    The Bush and administration and specifically Hank Paulson telling us everything was just fine as housing was bottoming, subprime was contained and the economy will stand tall.

    Ditto for Ben Bernanke.

    The head of the SEC, Chris Cox, going on TV to defend Bear Stearns' capital base several days before Bear Stearns went out of business. Yup...the #1 regulator defending a company he regulates.

    Barney Frank defending FNM/FRE and their business prospects.

    Emails out of WAMU where upper management talk about horrid lending practices.

    Apple Computer selectively putting out material information. Don't get me started on their earnings guidance.

    Do I need to mention Madoff?

    This is just a starter list!

    After all this, you would think someone would learn a lesson that the markets need to trust...and when they do not trust, they will be sold off. The market does not trust anything coming out of the Financial giants. You do not need me to tell you that. Look at the stock prices. But no one is learning.

    We are now finding out that Ken Lewis, the head honcho, top dog, big cheese of BAC knew in December that Merrill's losses were much bigger than told. What did he do? He held the information. Only this week, did shareholders find out. Of course, this is a clear violation of securities law. Don't even get me started on John Thain's commode as well as the paying of billions in bonuses to a company that was going down like the Titanic.

    So...we come into this week with a new president where hope pervades the air...where the talk of transparency and honesty is now filling the room...and what do we now get? We get a Treasury Secretary that will now oversee the IRS...that evaded taxes. Yes...tax evasion. Last, I looked, I would think the little people would be prosecuted for what he did. Taking a write-off of your kid's summer camp? Are you kidding me? What do we hear from government officials? We will overlook the "mistake!" Who are they trying to kid? You may kid some...but you cannot kid the market.

    That leads me back to my main point...a point I have been making for a long while...what happens to the markets when they recognize those that are in charge cannot be trusted? What do we get when no one is investigated the bad guys...but instead rewarding them? What do you get? We are getting the answer!

    Markets are teetering on the edge of breaking the 15 week trading range I have been talking about. The market had better make a goal-line stand...and soon! I wish I had better news...ok here is one...my son Eric becomes a man this weekend as he celebrates his Bar Mitzvah. Lord knows we need some good men right now!"
     
  2. talknet

    talknet

  3. Yes
     
  4. Duh!
     
  5. piezoe

    piezoe

    There are some questions that needn't be asked.
     
  6. Is Wall Street run by crooks and liars?
    No, by looks and cryers. A girl with a really good face and a really good body and a useful tear or two can win over the men in suits any time.:D
     
  7. does bear sh*t in woods?
     
  8. Redneck

    Redneck

    IMHO

    I believe Greed is what runs it

    Take Care
     
  9. BSAM

    BSAM

    I don't believe there are any crooks or liars in the government or on Wall Street.

    They are smarter than the rest of us and are doing their best to take care of the country.

    Nobody should question what they are doing. They are looking out for us.
     
  10. We are under the rule of crooks and liars
     
    #10     Jan 24, 2009