Social Mood Erupting

The week brought us a series of events and contradictions, raising questions as to how much the American people can take.

• An Arab-American Army doctor went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood. Was it a 'black swan' event, or the law of unintended consequences? We may never know.
  
• Unemployment surged past ten percent, with underemployment variously reported as somewhere between 17.5 and 22 percent. Bespoke gave us historical precedent.
  
• The Federal Reserve announced that they would keep interest rates "exceptionally low," not surprising in the face of the unemployment data.
• The market acted with relative indifference initially to the employment data, perhaps taking comfort in the enduring low rates and economic stimulus.
• A New Mexico junior soccer player made headlines for making soccer a full-contact sport...and then some. Fans and writers reacted with anger, amazement, or sometimes a modicum of support.
  
• The GE and Comcast talks over NBC Universal come to a head.
• The Lord works in strange ways.
• Pi in the face. ZeroHedge shows us the really big numbers in derivatives.
• Matt Taibbi reminds us of the perils of a financial system out of control.
  
• The House of Representatives passed a healthcare initiative (not reform) that has less chance in the Senate than a snowball in hell.
  
• Doyou feel lucky enough to invest in the auto industry?
• MISH summarizes what we already know, globalization is producing a convergence of lifestyles, less here and more there.
• The problem with the 'blame your predecessor' approach is eventually, you become your predecessor.
  
• Stephen Vita wonders whether volume says something is wrong.
• Who are The Prince, the counselors, and the mercenaries? You be the judge.

Good trading and great risk management to all.

Educational use only. Never intended as investment advice.