Christmas Eve Celebration

Well well, it is that time of year once again!

Merry Christmas to all the regulars;
Mark, Watchtower, Dave, Jeff, Lisa, Sedentary State, Gawains, C-T and Kevin.

And also for the many that stop in from time to time and for all those that find this place due to Lol Cat picture posts!

I could do a far reaching, deep thought financial post, but it is Christmas Eve and what fun would that be? Plus it is unlikely I have ever written anything far reaching anyway!

I will let a few writers do the heavy lifting on some items you may not want to let slip by this week, but then a festive post!

State Budget Problems
As discussed here this week, states are going to have a rough go of it. Some more than others to be sure. One big mess (besides California) is Arizona and Mish has a good one today:
Arizona Crisis of "Unparalleled Dimension"
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer is brutally honest about the state's situation and great commentary by Mish.

I would point out this section from the Governor's letter as it shows where things will be heading:

-I ordered the Arizona Department of Corrections to return to the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) -- as soon as possible -- all non-violent criminal aliens as is allowed under existing law. These inmates are the responsibility of the federal government (as is securing our border with Mexico). Arizona should not have to bear this cost.
-I am restating my Arizonans-only directives to state agencies to ensure that public benefits are provided only to those who are legally in this country and who reside in this state.

And so it begins.

When times are flush major problems (like illegal immigration) are ignored or condoned. When TSHTF, the gloves will come off. This bears watching.

Households Buying Treasuries in Record Numbers?
Jesse covers today all that is wrong with government lies and games. This is becoming so bad you do not know whether to laugh or cry. I try and laugh but the comedy may be coming to a sudden end:
Who is Buying all Theses US Treasuries (And Can they Keep it Up in 2010?)
You need to read this over a couple of times. Very important. One snippet:

If you think that this crisis will be deflationary, then you might be a bit surprised to see what happens if and when a US sovereign debt offering fails in the market. It will not be pretty. And it will not be dollar friendly in the longer term. But who can say what will happen, when there are so many possibilities.

Great stuff.

Christmas Celebration
I am a huge fan of Christmas with only some one's birthday being larger to me as a holiday. I am a sucker for gifts for all my friends and family and so I do play the "great consumer" role at times like this! Sue me.

My favorite Christmas film is "It's a Wonderful Life" which to this day smacks me upside the sentimental head. Considered a "flop" when is was released it has since attained legend status. In a film of truly touching scenes enjoy this climatic selection:

Love it.

Has anyone really not seen "A Christmas Story"? If you have not, well, that stinks. Enjoy the "Pink Nightmare":

Too funny.

If you want to go Christmas, you want to go large. To do that you have to have Bing Crosby:

Classic from a time when you had to have real talent to be a singer.

Poor Santa never gets a break:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Kitty Christmas list:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures


All,
Enjoy the holiday and I wish you a Merry Christmas. Thank you so much for being a part of this show and for all the feedback. Many who stop in show what's best in people and that gives me hope we will figure a way out of this mess.

Have a good night.