MonkeyBusinessBlog

Almost Showtime!

Yes, this afternoon, we are practicing our "bits", as they say in show business. Tomorrow we are up at Peekskill Middle School in Peekskill, NY, having a little fun with the students, with our man, All-Pro Center for the NY football Giants, Shaun O'Hara. Promoting Shaun's new book, teaching kids, and their parents and pals, about the basics of finance. Should be a blast.

Forgive us, if we are unable to blog with you for the rest of today and perhaps tomorrow, due to show business. You know how it goes. Here's the press release again, for all you pikers, who haven't heard about it. And let me reiterate, the public is NOT invited, unless you write a check. Look, that's how everything else in the world happens. We're just honest and upfront about it. Tally-ho!

Peekskill City School District

Press Release

New York Giant Player and Children’s Author to Visit Peekskill Middle School June 1

PEEKSKILL….Shaun O’Hara is an all-pro football player for the New York Giants with a Super Bowl ring. Now, he is adding a new role to his resume: children’s author. His upcoming book is aimed at young readers, with the goal of helping them make smart decisions about money by teaching them the basics of finance. He will be sharing some of his insights from the new book, along with some football life lessons, when he visits Peekskill Middle School students on Thursday, June 1.

"I remember my dad selling the family car when he wanted to start a business" says O'Hara. "There was no going into debt--no credit cards. My parents taught us to spend what we earned and be fiscally responsible."

O’Hara will be joined in the 10 a.m.assembly by Pete Dominick, a well-known comedian and commentator who is featured regularly on CNN.

And, making this a very special occasion for Peekskill students are two Peekskill High School graduates who want to give something back to their community. Michael C. Skouras, PHS Class of 1984, and Richard B. Bennett, Jr., Class of 1985. Skouras and Bennett are executive producers who are making possible the publication of O’Hara’s book and are also developing other book and television projects involving sports figures and celebrities. Together with their partner, Eric Salzman, Skouras and Bennett have many years of experience in entertainment, from reality shows exercise videos to radio to blogging. They will also be sharing some of their experiences and advice with the Peekskill Middle School students on June 1.

"I always felt that coming back to your roots was important," says Skouras. "My high school years at PHS were fantastic and I have always held the community very near and dear to me. I know Rich feels the same way, especially with much of his family still living in the area. “

The team plans on making further presentations to area schools, but Peekskill Middle School is the launching pad. “We are very pleased to have this group of individuals speak to our students,” confirms Principal David Fine. “The life lessons they will share are immensely valuable.”

For further information, contact:

Dr. David Fine, Principal, Peekskill Middle School 914-737-4542

Anita Prentice, Peekskill CSD Communications 914-737-3300 x312

Livin' Large

Oh there's a double dip in housing?!? Some are saying prices will now go back to the prices from the 80s? This could be. I know I TALK a lot about the MonkeyBusiness McMansion, but have yet to pull the trigger. Been talking about it for almost 3 years now. I gather that's been a good call on the markets. Are you surprised? In case you've been living in a cave, that's what we do REALLY well around here. Who was it, the old time cowboy Roy Rogers (not the fast food joint, you jamokes) who said, "I'm not so concerned about the return ON my money, I'm concerned about the return OF my money."? Yeah, well truer words were never spoken.

So this Case/Schiller report this morning is now confirming that housing prices haven't been this low since 2006 (pre-bust). And the foreclosures are still piling up, which doesn't make it sound too good for prices in the short term. Sure, mortgage rates are low, too, but as we have stated, good luck getting a mortgage.

And yet, I still feel it in my gut, that there's going to be a LOT of scared people that will look back at this time in a few years, and kick themselves in the epizoodik (technical term for buttocks), for not buying some sort of real estate. Again, I yap like this WITHOUT putting up my money. Or yours. Yet. But I remain vigilant, and on the continued prowl. Oh, and the stock market is going up again. I'll have something to say about that soon, too. Maybe sell your stocks and buy a home, homes? Stay tuned.

Swamp Land in the Desert?

Whoooa Nellie. Bloomberg.com is reporting in "Arizona Land Sells for 8% of Price CalPers Paid at Peak", that a 10,200 acre piece of land (big piece) just sold for $32.5mm outside of Phoenix, Arizona. And that the same plot of land was going to be developed into a 42,000 house development (42,000 houses!) in 2006. AFTER the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPers) and a few "friends" paid, $400mm for that same piece of land. That looks like a nice 92% discount from top to bottom eh?

Only thing is the cats who just bought it--and paid CASH/MONEY for it--said, "This place won't get developed in our lifetimes." No, they think they might sell the water rights to it or let the local municipality expand their landfill with it. Now that's the new trend if I ever heard one. I guess the thinking is they'll get the land sooooooooooooo cheap, they can just let it sit there, and someday, some way, it will go up in value. I guess $32mm divided by 10,200 acres is about $3100 an acre. That sounds pretty cheap to me. Of land that was at one time, very MUCH develop-able (technical term, I think I just made up). I guess you could just sit there and wait. Oh, and congrats to the public employees of California and their pensions. You made a few somebodies rich once more. Just not yourselves. Good luck to you.

Memorial Day Weekend

Just wanted to make sure you all have a fabulous weekend, and at some point, WHATEVER you are doing, please, in your own way, thank the people who have given their lives to keep this country free, and the best place EVER on earth. We all go to barbeques, picnics, road trips, etc, because a lot of somebodies paid the ultimate price.

It looks like the weather should be nice in most of the USA as well this weekend, so enjoy! We'll be back on Tuesday morning, if not sooner with some fun and fact filled stuff. God bless.

All That Glitters

Well knock me down! Bad economy, huh? Discretionary spending non-existant, huh? Well go tell that to the people at Tiffany and Co. Yep, the sellers of jewels and other nifty things that come in that little light blue box? Well ticker TIF just hit an ALL-TIME high, baby. And unless you are one of these bubbly, tech stocks that makes "funny" money, you can't really say your stock is at an ALL-TIME high, now can you? And remember, Tiffany gets a lot of business from Japan. Japan had some issues, to say the least, the last few months right? And they still knocked the cover off the ball. Well done and maybe, just maybe, this is a promising sign for the economy? I'm not buying anything at Tiffany's anytime soon though. You see those prices?

Speaking of jewels and prices, did you see that 20 karat ring that Kim Kardashian is sporting? Maybe her man got that at Tiffany's? $2mm they say it cost. But I noticed something else. They say she and her sisters are worth $65mm on their own from their reality shows and their clothing stores?!?! Are you kidding me? Look, I KNOW what people get paid to be on these reality shows. And I have gone by their "stores" a few times and there's never anyone in there. So why do I think this whole sordid story could end up Lenny Dykstra-like? But christ, I hope its all true, being a reality show developer guy and all. I didnt think there was that much money in these things. But she is wearing the $2mm ring. Oh wait, that was a gift from her NBA man. Interesting times.

How You Like Us Now???!

With apologies to Crosby, Stills, and Nash, "by the time we got to Harlem, we were 3500 strong!" Oh that was some protest yesterday morning. You may have seen TV clips. This was the NYC Charter School protest of the NYC Teachers Union AND the NAACP suing to close down the Charter Schools. The leader, Eva Moskowitz and that cat Geoffrey Canada from the Oscar winning documentary, "Waiting for Superman", were there. So were the teachers and students from Harlem Success Academy 2. Ms. Moskowitz canceled morning classes at the school and the way she was looking yesterday she was BEGGING someone to question her on whether or not a school day should be canceled for this event. I know she would've said something like, "I could give these kids half the friggin' year off and they'd still score better then the rest of those chumps at the cesspool public schools." I mean she started the "rally" with a nice little, "HEY, I thought we wanted MORE great schools, not less."

I had my protesting pants on sure, but I also had my reporter pants on too. I asked some father named James what was up with the NAACP joining in this lawsuit and he shook his head and said, "Somebody got paid." A woman named Yasmine, a mother of a student, told me, "It's disgusting. Horrible. They have no idea what we will do to keep these schools open. No idea. They are flat out WRONG for suing. These kids are successes that come out of this program. Everyone of them."

Here's a prediction. The NAACP backs out of this thing real quick. Ms. Moskowitz just sent out an email with EVERY local NAACP member, their office addresses, phone numbers, e-mails, and said "Have at it." Love this lady. Want the info?

Stay tuned for further enjoyment, but I am going to call some NAACP people now and just fire the question, "How much are you gettin?!? HOW MUCH?!?!?" And then when they hang up, call the next one on the list. They'll be out of this lawsuit by lunchtime. The teachers union? Well their stealing, ahem, livelihoods, are on the line, so they will be harder to battle, but in the end they're gonna lose too. I can hear Hendrix playing "The Star Spangled Banner" accoustically in the rain..........

That's Low Bro, But I KNOW!

Mortgage rates dropped again this week to their lowest level since November and really the lowest in a generation. Yep the average 30 year mortgage has fallen to 4.60%. 15 year mortgages are 3.78% also the lowest of 2011. I know. I know. You're going to say, "Richie it doesn't matter of rates are 0%, if the banks aren't lending. And they AREN'T lending".

Well, I got a funny feeling that the gravy train to the banks has dried up. I really do. And it's not because someone in Washington has figured out that its smart to NOT be nice to the banks. No, we're broke as a nation, folks. These foreclosures that are going to be coming, and all the toxic assets that we the taxpayers bought from the banks, are still a big poopie sandwich. But if this country has taught us anything, broke dont mean dead.

And when the banks aint making money by getting gifts, they will figure out how to make money without the gifts. Now it might be a smaller amount of money they will make, and it may be a different way that they make it, then they have the last 20 years, but they WILL make money. I think an easy way to start is to lend to folks who want to buy a house with pristine credit, 20-25% downpayments, and a 30 year fixed committment. You do realize how much interest you pay on a 30 year mortgage even WITH low interest rates right? Um, plenty. And when the government cries about the money not being lended out ENOUGH, to the poor, the banks will happily tell them all to go pound salt. Cause poor = deadbeats as far as the banks are concerned. Always have. Always will.

BUT, that SMART lending, will help the banks make plenty of money in the coming years. Oh sure, it might drop the homownership number from like 65% of Americans today, to like 35% for a bit, but the country needs renters, too. And people will realize again how much of a sacrifice it is to buy and maintain ownership in a home. It's all good if you qualify to buy right now. Real good.

Keep It In The Family!

Sooooooooo, word is out now that the NY Mets will be selling 49% of themselves to David Einhorn, President of hedge fund Greenlight Capital, Inc, for $200mm. You may recognize that name because we talk a little bit about David now and then, and certainly talked about him a LOT back in 2008 when it seemed like he and WE (the royal "we") were screaming loudest about how the financial world was ending as we knew it. If memory serves me correctly, we did a lot of talking about LEHMAN BROTHERS and his opinions of them at the time. Which funnily enough, mirrored ours.

Well we're proud to say that David is a reader of our blog. How do we know such a thing? Because one day when we were quoting him early on, we called him John Einhorn or something like that. He wrote an e-mail to us shortly thereafter. He didn't say "thanks for the shoutout" or "like the blog" or "interesting opinions". Oh no, he said: "The name is David". That's it! Short and perfectly sweet. I don't think if I dreamed, I could have come up with a response like that. Which I thought was one of the best responses we've ever gotten here and one of the reasons why this man now owns a baseball franchise, and I am in my boxers, blogging, drinking 2 day old Ripple. So DAVID, anytime you'd like to slide us some luxury suite tickets, we will be glad to come. Maybe we can have a nice investment discussion or two as well. Congrats, "Cousin Dave".

Burning Bras and Making Peace

"Hell No! We Won't Go!" and "Make Love. Not War!" are some of the things I'm going to be chanting in Harlem in a few minutes. Maybe even a little "What do we need?!?!" "FREEDOM!" "When do we need it?!?!" NOW!" will be sprinkled in there. I'm talking of course about the big protest that is going to start at 8 am eastern time today at 163 West 125th Street, Harlem, USA. It'll be the Charter School folk versus the NYC Teacher's Union AND the NAACP. I'm going just to see what the NAACP's gripe is. I mean NAACP stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People right? Um, I think in these Charter Schools there's a "little bit" of advancement of colored people going on right? Now, it wouldn't be that the teachers union gives a LOT of money to the NAACP and they strong armed the NAACP to join a lawsuit to throw charter schools out, would it? Couldn't be right?

Hey maybe Oprah can get to the bottom of this?! She's got some free time now. And she's built her own kind of charter school!! Oh wait, in Africa. That's right. Not here in the US. Ok, skip her. Ok let me get my tie-dye shirt on, my bandana, and my Crosby, Stills, and Nash CD. I'm going to MARCH! Feel free to join up. I bet there's even riot police there!!

Bring the Protests, Leave the Politics

Ahhh yes, former President Billy Clinton has stepped into the budget fray. Why not? Its fun. The Wall Street Journal is reporting that President Clinton says for the US government to default is NOT calamitous. Yeah let's try this default thing out for a few days and see what happens. This oughta be good follow through in the press and from the Obama administration. I actually agree with him on this, but only if its because there will be REAL permanent spending cuts if we are to delay the raising of the ceiling.

Speaking of cuts, I'm going to be attending a good old fashioned protest tomorrow on 125th Street in Harlem at 8 am. Oh yes baby, the Pro-Charter School folks are going to march on a New York State building protesting that the teachers union AND the NAACP have filed a lawsuit to abolish charter schools. Altogether. Boom. Yep. You may remember I wrote about the charter schools a little while back and their leader, Eva Moscowitz? She was the one who has witty lines like, "School starts at 7:45 am and my watch and my teachers' watches are the ones that count. Not yours, parents. If you want to use your watch, open your own school."

Well, you may ask what would this have to do with business? Oh plenty. The teachers union is losing power with this charter school "concept" and that means less pull in government which I think might lead to less wasteful TAXES for all involved. Remember the teachers in the charter schools aren't necessarily in the union. So I guess they are "scabs" in the teacher union world? Yeah, really horrible job stealers, getting their students better test results in the state, and working in the classroom from 7:30-4:15 EVERY day. I hope some of the teachers at the charters are there too. But probably not, because they have to WORK! I might interview some of them for the blog if there are there though. Good times.

RIP Mark Haines

I know I sometimes bash CNBC for being a bunch of cheerleading asshats who never stop telling people to buy stocks. Now I haven't watched the network for years, but when I did, I always felt like anchor Mark Haines was the voice of reason, and someone I could have 6-12 beers with.

Sadly, Haines died on Tuesday night at his home. God bless him and his family and friends.

It's A Numbers Kind of Day

Read my NY Post--back to front my friends, back of the paper to front!!--already this morning. I noticed some interesting facts and figures. First off, tech expert Garett Sloane reports in "Zynga IPOville" that Zynga, the social networking game company on Facebook, is going to do an IPO by Labor Day, just like wildly successful LinkedIn and Yandex did. Unlike those 2, Zynga makes REAL money from their virtual game business. Those other 2 just make virtual money. Zynga allegedly MADE $630mm in profits last year. THIS may be an IPO, I can get behind! Stay tuned.

Now when they measure inflation these days, where do they come up with the numbers? The Post is also reporting today that the traditional Memorial Day cookout is going to cost you 29% MORE than last year. And they aren't using gold coins as something you eat at a cookout either, baby. Just the basics. Tomatoes, corn, meat, potatoes. Hello! Calling Ben Bernanke!! No inflation? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Just like when you and the bird watcher Hank Paulson said "everything was fine" back in 2007 with the economy. I dunno about you, but the only thing that seems to be going down in price in our daily lives is housing.

Finally, to show that one needs to read the ENTIRE paper if you want excellent kernels of news, the tiny article, "'Dishonest Abe", shows that some counterfeiting cat in Manahattan used 8 counterfeit $100 bills in 2 Manhattan stores on Sunday. You know how he got caught? The $100 bills had pictures of Abe Lincoln on them. I dunno which is worse this dopey assclown printing them, or the fools at the stores that accepted 7 of them before he finally got caught after the 8th one. And the article says there were TWO stores, so the dopes in one of the stores, never even KNEW the difference!!

Be careful out there this morning, US stock futures are down.....AGAIN. I'm off to my kids' "Family Fun Day" at school. Except there are no bouncy castles or hayrides at this fun day. Oh no, Math and Science projects that the kiddies do with their parents. We will try to win first prize and we will cheat if we have to. Just kidding. Kind of.

Media Alert!!

Now, when you do a major production, that will be taking the world by storm, you must write up good scripts, rehearse such scripts, and let the entertainment fly! You also need to do what the Hollywood types like to call "a promotional tour".

So this afternoon, at 5pm Eastern on the Sirius/XM POTUS network channel 124--yes, the channel numbers have changed effective earlier this month, to make it more "uniformed", so it's now channel 124 on BOTH Sirius AND XM satellite radio--we will be on the radio. And by "we" I mean, me, Eric, and All-Pro Super Bowl Champion NY Giant Center Shaun O'Hara. We will be on Pete Dominick's ever popular show, "Stand Up With Pete Dominick".

Of course, we will be talking about all things monkey business, as well as the hottest school assembly to ever be produced. In case, you've been living in a cave, and missed the press release, me, Eric, Mr. O'Hara, and Mr. Dominick will be holding a full fledged Hollywood production at Peekskill Middle School in lovely Peekskill, NY next Wednesday, June 1. Teaching the kids about finance. In our own witty way. Where kids and the teachers AND the press will remember for a good loooooooooong time. And like I've said before, NO, you are not invited, unless you have a TV camera, or a big checkbook.

So tune in today, to Sirius/XM channel 124, at 5pm eastern, and get a little sneak "preview" of what we are going to talk about, as well as some details on the book you are going to be buying soon for all of your family and friends. Cheers.

Morning Musings

So much to talk about, so little time.......

How 'bout those Mets? So you may have heard, Fred Wilpon, owner of the Mets is 1) publicly bashing his team, 2) frantically trying to sell them, 3) watching about 20% less people come to Citi Field versus last year. When this is all played out, would you be aghast (aghast, I say!) if Wilpon and his partner/brother-in-law, GAVE Bernie Madoff the idea for the Ponzi scheme?

Stocks rallying a bit from yesterday's bashing, but still feel a little "heavy", no? Don't think there's much of a shot for another round of "quantitative easing" (printing money) by the Fed this time around either to prop the prices up.

Speaking of the Fed, pretty nice performance last night on HBO with the show "Too Big To Fail". They got James Woods to play Dick Fuld! Excellent choice. Played the same kind of character, he played in the movie "Casino". Make sure you catch it, when they show it again. They WILL show it again.

Finally, nice little public school vs charter school battle going on in NYC. The Teacher's Union and the NAACP are suing to prohibit any charter schools at ALL in NYC. This will be a good debate. Let's see now, charter schools producing the higest test scores in the state, kids working their fannys off on schoolwork, and staying in school. Public schools? Um, well. Should be an interesting court case.

Now, I'm going in to take a nap. When I come out, and the stock market is DOWN again, I'll know it's time to short it. If not, I'll wait a little longer.

Y2K This Is Not

So the world did not end on Saturday at 6pm eastern time. Some might have thought the world ended about 20 minutes later when SHACKELFORD won the big horse race at the Preakness Stakes at 12-1, but most of us are still here on planet Earth, and that's a good thing. I seem to remember when it turned January 1, 2000, there were a lot of doomsayers out there that said, not only will your computers disintegrate (the feeling was the computers would blow up, since they couldn't read the "00" in 2000), but the world would come to an end. Not only did that NOT occur, but once it didn't, the markets rallied like we were partying like it was 1999. Kind of a euphoria that things didn't go haywire.

Well this morning we sit and stocks all over the world are getting blasted. HEY, the world DID NOT end, people! Why are stock traders so grumpy? Oh, maybe it's because the ECONOMIC world still isnt too promising. In any event, this should be a rocky Monday.

Hearing that there also might be some nifty subpoeanas sent down to Goldman Sachs sometime soon. Something about them lying to Congress? A little advice to Main Street? Other than a few "lackeys" getting a wrist slap and another few dollars in fines, you aint gonna see much happen to the people at Goldman. Oh sure CEO Lloyd Blankfein might resign, but that's just so they can get an extra pop to their stock. So please refrain from cluttering up message boards with stuff like, "They should fine them billions and throw them all in jail", because you aint gonna see a DIME of that money, and if this prosecution extends to other banks, good luck getting any kind of loan in the future without an 800 credit score, or above.

No the world didn't end, but it doesn't seem to be any cause for cheer in the financial markets. I'm already tired, and it's only Monday morning.

You in The IN-Surance Buying Business Freddie?

Lot of people talking about this LinkedIn IPO eh? Up a bunch on the first day of trading. That's a stock that you won't catch me buying anytime soon. You know how I heard someone describe the "business" of LinkedIn? "It's a big resume database holder." Um, not for nothin, but I think "resume database holder", aint worthy of a $9bn market cap. Which is what LinkedIn has after yesterday's stock market close in NY. Stay tuned for new developments in the frothy tech world, but it ain't gonna end well unless the profits are there. And notice I didn't say REVENUES or Gross Sales or any of that other mutha jazz. EARNINGS are where its at folks. Always was. Always will be.

Speaking of earnings, the NY Post is reporting in "Hit by Bern Pitch", that the NY Mets brass, you remember them, the dudes who are being accused of knowing about Bernie Madoff's Ponzi scheme, but continuing to profit from it? Well the Post reports that Madoff victim's "bulldog", Irving Picard, claims that all the way back in 2001, the Wilpon family, owner of the Mets and an outfit called Sterling Equities, was looking to buy "fraud insurance", just in case there might be "losses" by Madoff. Uh huh. This aint gonna end well either. Unless, you're in the market for a baseball team on the cheap.

Speaking of cheap, I'll be headed out tomorrow to find some good happy hours for the day of horse racing. The 136th Preakness goes off at approximately 6:20pm eastern time. I'll be "going off" a lot earlier than that. If for some reason, you haven't looked below for Big D's Preakness analysis, by all means do so! Enjoy the weekend everyone. Cheers.

Preakness Picker-ooooooze!

Editor's Note--Saints preserve us! Black-Eyed Susans and crabcakes! Maryland, My Maryland! It's time for the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Race Track in beautiful Baltimore! We have Big Dick, handicapper to the A-listers, in our corner, and we couldn't be happier. Speaking of horse racing, I just wanted to let you all know that the familiar blue and black racing silks, of the Richard B. Bennett, Jr. Stable, will be on jockey Jeremiah Flores on Saturday at 1:10pm in Race 1 from lovely upstate New York at the Finger Lakes Race Track, as he rides the lovely #2 CLASSY JET. So it will be ALL racing, ALL Saturday for me. As far as Big D goes, we didn't get any winners from him on the Kentucky Derby, but we know this wagering business ain't a sprint, it's a loooooooong, drawn out process. So we are jumping up and down with excitement, Le Grande Dick! Take it away, brother!--R.B.

Richie, I wish you luck with your CLASSY JET, the #2 filly in the 1st race at Finger Lakes Saturday. I wanted to also give a big good luck to all the folks that made the REAL place "where the elite, meet, to eat", ELAINE's, on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, so wonderful for all these years. Since the early 1960s, ELAINE's has played host to everyone who is somebody, in New York City. It will close down next Thursday, May 26th for good. Elaine, of ELAINE's passed away in December and it just hasn't been the same. So they are closing down. A real lowdown dirty shame. Many nights, Big Dick spent drinking fine cocktails served up by guys like Alex and Duffy, who are such New York institutions. Elaine herself, would hold court with every VIP there ever was. For you younger folks, who don't know who or what Elaine's was, you may know the lyrics to Billy Joel's song, "Big Shot". You know, "They were all impressed with your Halston dress, and the people that you knew at Elaine's!" And there were BIG people at Elaine's. And this was back in the day when you would actually have a drink with the press, that people now call, "paparazzi". And if you were pals with them, they WOULDN'T print or photograph some embarassing things about you. A really good joint, as they say. Big Dick will be present next Thursday night for the finale. They will stay open until ??? in the wee hours of Friday morning. Feel free to join me, for this very special farewell.

So yeah, there's this horse race on Saturday in Baltimore! Believe it or not, many, many times the FAVORITE wins this Preakness Race. A lot of people try to discount the favorite, but if you think about it, the favorite is almost certainly the colt that beat 19 of his "toughest" competitors, 2 weeks before in the Kentucky Derby. Many of the 20 horsies that raced in the Derby, do not come to the Preakness. Many of the horsies that entered in the Preakness, were NOT good enough to come to the Derby, otherwise you better bet your sweet bippy, they would've been there.

So, I gotta have the #11 ANIMAL KINGDOM in my wagering. The colt that really tried hard and was finishing very strong for third place, #9 MUCHO MACHO MAN, also has to be included. I think this race actually suits both of these deep closing horses, because unlike the Derby, which was like the slowest in 50 years, this Preakness will have at least 3 horsies gunning it from the beginning, and hoping to "hold on" at the end.

Now, you may sit there and say, "Um, Big Dick, this is not what we pay you for. (Actually, YOU pay NOTHING for Big D's analysis, which will change in due time, but still). You pick the 2-1 favorite and the 6-1 3rd choice, and you call this analysis?!?" And Big D just smiles. And thinks to himself, "a horse for the course." Wanna know how many horses, of these 14, have run at this funky Pimlico racetrack? Just one my friends. Just one. He's run 2 times here as a matter of fact. How'd he do in those races? He won both times. Who is his jockey? SHELDON RUSSELL, who has ridden here at Pimlico 111 times. Just this season. He's won 25 of those races for a win % of 23%. Um, that's good my friends. The trainer is EDDIE GAUDET, who is also a local guy, and is 80 years old, and he ALWAYS has his horses ready. The odds? Probably 50-1 come post time. I'm talking about the #13 CONCEALED IDENTITY, and we are wagering with/for/on him.

So the very simple wagers are two. Just a mere 9-11-13 exacta box (must be top 2 finishers to win). And a mere 9-11-13 trifecta box (must be all top 3 finishers to win), for all the marbles. Run, don't walk, to the windows, pal. Good luck and of course, god bless. See you soon.

That's The Spirit!

Uh huh! Glass half empty huh?!? Glass half FULL, baby! Bloomberg.com is reporting today "US Mortgage Foreclosures Fall From Record on Employment". Yep! Foreclosures are now down to 4.52% from 4.64% in the 4th quarter of 2010. New foreclosures fell to 1.08% of loans from 1.27%. Even the "seriously delinquent rate", dropped from 8.6% to 8.1%. The biggest decline since the beginning of the real estate bust in 2006!

On the flip side, because there's always a flip side, I guess Congress is the anti-me. Remember the other day how I was chatting about the idea of letting people tap into their 401(k) plans, without penalty or borrowing costs, if they were going to buy a home? Welp, there's a bill going around that's going to make it even HARDER to tap into your 401(k) for ANYTHING. Let me know how that works out for you Congressfolk when you are out on your keisters because just about everything you did, continues to ruin the economy.

Back to the good side, I like these positive housing numbers. You won't probably be seeing that news a lot today though. They, the royal "they", are going to be talking about how existing home sales were awful. What can you do? But when you see ANY kind of numbers that are the most positive since 2006, that's a glass half full signal to me, pal. Chew on that.

Large And NOT in Charge

So I hear they are hiring over at the IMF where it seems a lot of someones are responding to the question, "Who is prepared to be in charge?", "It is I, MF!" (not a very nice technical term). But there's this whole political thing going on where the Asians and South Americans are jockeying to have their man or woman be the boss. Instead of a European, which it has ALWAYS been. The Europeans also dont take too kindly to losing roles like this one. But they might be in for a fight, because, as you can imagine, there's a LOT more money in Asia and South America then there used to be. Stay tuned.

Speaking of staying tuned, there's a little horsie race on Saturday in Maryland, that our resident prognosticator, Big Dick, will be giving some investment advice on tomorrow. He's already been burning the midnight oil, studying. Which is wonderful news!! We wait here with baited breath.

Speaking of breath, I am not going to waste too much on this stock market. It just kind of moves sideways these days. I mean it was up at the open this morning and then just came back to earth when more crappy (technical term that I cleaned up) housing numbers came out at 10:00 am New York time. I'm just not involved at the moment, and there's nothing really wrong with that. Soon, my friends. Soon.

Media Alert!

Hey, you ding dongs! I know you think we just blog away in our drawers all day, sipping cheap wine through a straw, blowing cigar smoke out of a half opened window, and cheering on the horse racing. And to be honest, on many days you would be correct. But not today, my friends. Well at least the part about just sitting in my drawers. No today, I must go to rehearsals. For the show that we will be putting on as mentioned in the press release below.

Just so you know, it's not all dollars and cents with us. We like to help people. And when this book gets published, you would be wise to buy it for yourself, or your children, or your parents, or even nieces and nephews. This book will be for EVERYONE. And you could say the launch of it starts......NOW!

So I will be "out of the office" the rest of the day, rehearsing for this event. And by rehearsing, I am like Frank Sinatra, and will be doing only one take per scene. Then I will be at the bar. I dont care what the Hollywood muckety-mucks say.

And no this is NOT open to the public, unless you have a TV camera or a big checkbook. But we MIGHT have one of our famous contests, and giveaway 2 tickets to the live show. So stay tuned. Now I'm off to the undisclosed studio. God bless.

Peekskill City School District

Press Release

New York Giant Player and Children’s Author to Visit Peekskill Middle School June 1

PEEKSKILL….Shaun O’Hara is an all-pro football player for the New York Giants with a Super Bowl ring. Now, he is adding a new role to his resume: children’s author. His upcoming book is aimed at young readers, with the goal of helping them make smart decisions about money by teaching them the basics of finance. He will be sharing some of his insights from the new book, along with some football life lessons, when he visits Peekskill Middle School students on Wednesday, June 1.

"I remember my dad selling the family car when he wanted to start a business" says O'Hara. "There was no going into debt--no credit cards. My parents taught us to spend what we earned and be fiscally responsible."

O’Hara will be joined in the 10 a.m.assembly by Pete Dominick, a well-known comedian and commentator who is featured regularly on CNN.

And, making this a very special occasion for Peekskill students are two Peekskill High School graduates who want to give something back to their community. Michael C. Skouras, PHS Class of 1984, and Richard B. Bennett, Jr., Class of 1985. Skouras and Bennett are executive producers who are making possible the publication of O’Hara’s book and are also developing other book and television projects involving sports figures and celebrities. Together with their partner, Eric Salzman, Skouras and Bennett have many years of experience in entertainment, from reality shows exercise videos to radio to blogging. They will also be sharing some of their experiences and advice with the Peekskill Middle School students on June 1.

"I always felt that coming back to your roots was important," says Skouras. "My high school years at PHS were fantastic and I have always held the community very near and dear to me. I know Rich feels the same way, especially with much of his family still living in the area. “

The team plans on making further presentations to area schools, but Peekskill Middle School is the launching pad. “We are very pleased to have this group of individuals speak to our students,” confirms Principal David Fine. “The life lessons they will share are immensely valuable.”

For further information, contact:

Dr. David Fine, Principal, Peekskill Middle School 914-737-4542

Anita Prentice, Peekskill CSD Communications 914-737-3300 x312

I Did Not......With That Woman

So I just saw on the computer, the clip of the "ladies" on that show "The View" really lay into ex California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, for fathering a child out of his marriage, with a former staff member at his home. Bravo ladies. Bravo. There is no place for that. He probably used his powerful position to force that woman into the relationship. She probably felt trapped and seemed to be helpless. Horrible. Horrible stuff. No one needs to go through that and anyone in power who does such a thing should be strung up in my opinion. It really sets us all back to the Neandrethal ages.

So, you "ladies" on "The View", I'm sure the next time ex President of the United States, William Jefferson Clinton is on your show, you will not fawn over him like you all do, but you will read him the riot act. Now if you would ALL please jump off the highest building and kill yourselves. Thank you.

Ah Yes. The Blame Game

Well, well, well, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has got "the ass" (technical term, meaning he is angry) at Republicans. He said at the Haaaaaaaaaavaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhd Club in New York yesterday during a cotillion (look that word up) of some sort, with Ivy League Communists: "If Republicans try to impose that plan on this country as a condition for raising the debt limit, then they will own the responsibility for the first default in our history, with devastating consequences." "That plan" of course is the really assinine one which says, the Republicans will not allow the US to increase its debt limit without some serious permanent spending cuts.

You know how assinine that plan is Timmy? Its about as assinine as being the chief tax collector in the country and not knowing you CANT deduct your kids summer camp from your personal income taxes. Oh that's not assinine cause YOU did exactly that?! You feckless assclown.

I have a feeling I know what happened here. Timmy tried to strong arm that "guy who cries all the time", Republican House Leader Rep. John Boehner. But I got a funny feeling, Boehner wasn't crying when he met with Timmy. I think he told Timmy to politely go back to his non-elected position back at the Treasury building, and shut his stupid trap. That Boehner, himself, would decide which way his boys and girls would vote on whether or not Geithner and the Obama administration, can keep spending like they were going to the electric chair. And Timmy didn't like it, but couldn't do a damn thing about it. Except he could go to his fellow Ivy League "messenger boys" at the Haaaaavaaaaaaaahhd Club and cry to them. Who knows, they probably gave Timmy a standing ovation when he said that. I wasn't there.

The thing is, since Geithner isn't in an elected position, he can run off at his mouth. Does anyone find it odd that there aren't a HUGE amount of people yappin from the Democrat side saying the same thing about the Republicans? Oh sure, there's been a few nifty little jabs like telling the old people they aren't going to have anymore Medicaid and Social Security because of those bad Republicans. But NO ONE that's electable or non-electable is really saying this is a HORRIBLE idea by the Republicans, because there were some interesting things that were stated, not so subtlely, in the last elections. Like hope and change. But different from the President's version when he was elected in 2008.

I mean can't EVERYONE understand and agree with this: Johnny owes Freddy $100 but he needs $100 more. Freddy says, "Well, bro, what did you do with the other $100?" Johnny says, "You know bro. I got my cable TV premium channel for $20 a month. I got my ring tones for another $10 a month. And I like to take my ladyfriend out to eat at Olive Garden for $20 (we get the early bird special) a month." To which Freddy says, "Bro. I'll give you the extra $100 but you gotta do without the TV channel and the ring tones. But you can keep going out with the lady cause she's hot. Now let me see you cancel that premium channel and the ring tones in front of me and you can have the extra $100. And now you owe me $200 and you still got the lady, but if you don't pay me back in 2 months, I'll have your legs broken. Deal?" And that's really whats going on in the US government today. With Johnny as the Democrats and Freddy as the Republicans. Can any sound minded person REALLY dispute what Freddy is saying? And even the unsound minded people in Congress get this, and like to stay elected so they won't drop statements like the unelected Tim Geithner. Good times.

It's All Ball Bearings These Days

I tend to be a different type of cat. Sometimes bad. Sometimes not so bad. You're going to hear at some point today about the housing market and how the new numbers for April were ATROCIOUS. New construction has PLUMMETED. Condos and apartment building construction down 28%. Home builders are going to say some god awful things about how they aren't sure when things are going to come back, if ever. Probably angling for a nice handout from you and me. But we ain't got none left.

I still take a different approach here. Since its a "Fletch" kind of day......remember when "Fletch" pretends to be the airplane mechanic (quite arguably, the funniest clip in comedic history, but this is just one man's opinion)? Well he's got the fake teeth and he tells the other mechanics, "Come on guys, what do you need, a refresher course? It's all ball bearings these days." Well, I'm hear to tell you its ALL supply and demand these days, and the old days, and the soon to be days.

People are getting more depressed about these housing numbers, and the stock market is taking it in the shorts too, since these numbers came out, a little over an hour ago. Me? I know it's bad news. But it IS the kind of bad news that will lead to good news. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week, but the housing market is going to get a good shot in the arm coming soon. And you know who knows that really well, right around now? The PRESIDENT of the United States. Who is in his first term. And DESPERATELY wants to be in a second term. And people vote with their pocketbooks. And the economy aint gonna be humming unless this housing market gets better. So he will do what he can to make it better. Trust me. And it ain't because he's some wonderful guy. It's because he DESPERATELY loves being called Mr. President. Like the previous Democrat President, Billy C. Its that simple. Oh and the little part about demand for housing. As in, if they aint building no more buildings, (check), and there are people still moving here (check), they all need somewhere to live (check). And I got it about how like 4 families are going to keep living with each other under one roof. But there will be a swing to some serious demand and people will realize there aint tons of housing out there. I realize that's not yet. But its coming.

The government rigged the stock market. They can rig the housing market. Oh, it might make other things not work so well, but if the President is convinced housing is the way he gets re-elected, he will come up with something. And don't give me your crying about how I'm giving some idiots view of the housing market. Lots of "smart" people with fancy graphs, charts, and research are still talking about how the Dow Jones should be at 6500. Well it aint. And if you put your money in the market to bet that the Dow should be at 6500, you lost your ass. We bet that. When it was GOING down to 6500. Then we reversed our feelings. Not at 6500, but soon thereafter, and MADE money. You want to listen to the "smart" guys and be poor? Good. Go to their little "meetings" where they smoke cigarettes underhanded and talk about how brilliant every one of their friends is. We won't be at the party. But we'll be buying toys, and laughing at those assclowns all the way to the bank. Again.

Now you go ask your neighbors and friends what they think of housing. Yeah the same people who you asked earlier about commodities. Most of them are telling you its horrible right? Now let me reiterate a simple idea that our man John Crudele came up with at the NY Post. There's skeighty-eight kazillion (technical term, meaning a lot) dollars sitting in 401k plans. John's idea is to allow people to tap into their 401k without penalty if they are using the money to buy a home. Oh sure, the stock market guys would scream bloody murder, because there'd be a wholesale selling of stocks to buy these homes. But you know what? There'd be a lot homes that got bought. A LOT. And that might be something Mr. President could get passed in Congress, soon. If he wanted too. So you naysayers, go back to your charts and graphs. The rest of you keep reading this blog for little nuggets like this.

There was ground broken on a mere seasonally adjusted 523,000 dwellings per year last month. I really hope the number is 0 for May. Then we'll be doin some real "stunt flyin" around here (inside "Fletch" joke from that same airline mechanic scene).

Where's the Beef?

Remember, in perhaps the greatest comedy of all-time, "Fletch", when Frank, Fletch's boss, the newspaper editor, shows Fletch the full page ad they run in the paper promoting the story that Fletch is supposed to have completed by the upcoming Sunday? He tells Fletch, "Fletch we NEED that story. Because you can't run the ad, and NOT run the story." And Fletch replies perfectly, "You can't?" Well our friends in the media who write a WHOLE lot about "speculators" who push up commodity prices on us lemmings and we are all screwed, and they are all criminals, blah, blah, blah, aren't writing much these days about those "bad guys". Why? Because in the last few weeks, those "bad guys" have been wheeled off in stretchers. They are getting financially crushed. It makes me want to say to those "evil" speculators, like Frank the editor, "Um, you can't keep pushing up commodity prices, if the economy is weak, and people CAN'T pay those prices, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange ain't gonna let you buy on margin too much." To which, I'm sure some of them would reply, "You can't?"

Oh, everything from oil to pork bellies to silver and gold are getting beat up in this whole thing. Now I guess if you are selling the stuff, or shorting it, that would make you a "good guy" or a nice investor, to these same media types who vilify the "evil" ones who push the prices up? See what I'm saying? No one is really evil in this whole thing or they are ALL evil. Its called "this is what makes a market". Don't you remember when oil hit $150 a barrel a few years back and there was Goldman Sachs telling everyone it was going to $200? And those media types might've killed the "evil speculators" if they had the chance. Well, you know what's funny? A lot of those guys killed themselves. Oil didn't go to $200. It went to like $60. That's right. It went waaaaaaaaaay down. Binga bonga.

I still havent formulated a market view on these commodities just yet, but I will tell you this. Ask your neighbors or your friends what they think about buying gold, and they will almost ALL tell you, that the American dollar is worthless and we are all going to be in a depression forever. And you know who normally gets fleeced in the markets, going up or down? Your neighbors and friends. Unless you live next to George Soros. And if you do, you better be sending me a lot of money when we buy our string of Monkey Business McMansions. Cause I know you got it.

Out of Wood

Right about now, the United States of America just technically ran out of money. Yep. No bell went off or any alarms, but we ran out of wheat, jake, benjamins, wood, wampum, or any other word you want to use to describe cold hard cash. Now of course, this is a "mere" technicality, as the government, led by the famous taxpayer, Timmy Geithner, will do a few things here and there and let the money not truly run out, until August 2nd. Don't you love government accounting? But anyway, Timmy is making enough noise directly to the politicians that August 2nd is the drop dead date. As in, if the gang in D.C. hasn't raised the debt ceiling by August 2nd, the United States will be in default of its obligations and that's a REALLY, REALLY awful thing. What about not paying your taxes Timmy? Is that a REALLY, REALLY awful thing?

On the one side that seems frightening, no? Big Uncle Sam with no more shekles? On the other side, the debt ceiling I think has been raised 70 (SEVENTY) times in history, and the US government bond market certainly isn't trading like people are worried.

It does sound like the "Tea Party" folks though, are saying quite loudly to the Republican side, that they want NO debt ceiling raised, without some spending cuts. Of course, the Democrats are thrilled with this notion that they might have their Republican counterparts in a real pickle. I mean on the one hand, the Republicans who vote for NO new debt ceiling, raise the risk that THEY will be blamed if there's any kind of new financial crisis, while on the other, the "Tea Party" carries a lot of political muscle, and if the Republicans don't vote the way the "Tea Party" wants it (no new debt ceiling without some good, meaty spending cuts), they will soon find themselves unelected at the next election. Boy, that's quite the quandry.

Me? I think I'd lean towards the spending cuts with no increase in the debt ceiling, and let the chips fall where they may. I mean look where this increased debt thing has got us so far. And what if the DEMOCRATS blinked, and agreed? It would also give me some nice redemption when some assclown of the first order, who happened to sell US government bonds, (and I cant even remember his name, a real shame), told me when I was just out of the training program and 22 years old, that "the USA CANNOT default on it's debt. Impossible. Because they can ALWAYS print money". I, of course, questioned him on that, and he thought I was a real pain in the ass. Well, it took over 20 years, but here we are. How you like me now assclown, government bond salesman? I wonder if you've changed your lame, INCORRECT, tune, these days? Hell, maybe I should go to one of those "Tea Party" meetings! Do they serve booze there?

Grecian Formula

Soooo, let me get this straight. Greece is going to have less of a chance of getting more bailout money today, because a "burly" French dude with gray hair, also known as "the hot rabbit", has been arrested in NYC, for allegedly raping a maid in a Midtown Manhattan Hotel?

And for guys everywhere, there is true hope. I mean did anyone take a look at this old assclown who liked to be called "DSK"? THIS guy is a well known womanizer in France? THIS guy???! I gather the DSK "thing" is because he wanted to be reminding people, he was the next "JFK"? Um, I didn't know JFK, but from where I sit pal, YOU are NO JFK. Unless you count political beliefs. Then I agree DSK = JFK because you are both "Communists". Communists was put in quotes, because both dudes REALLY enjoyed stuff like their own yachts, fast cars, and fast women, but spent a lot of time telling US why the working folks taxes should go up, to help the poor (i.e. deadbeats who didn't feel like working). So I will give you that, DSK, head of the IMF, but no longer the HMFIC (technical military term that can't be repeated on a family website.). And there is hope for all men, to become womanizers in their own lands, but hopefully not alleged rapists.

In conclusion, does anyone remember the ArchDuke Ferdinand in 1914? Well he was the cat who was assassinated in Europe and many point to as the tipping point to start WWI. Could this DSK getting pinched for rape, cause Greece to get no more money, Europe to get smashed up further in world finance, and lead to a global meltdown (again), of stocks? Stay tuned my friends. Stay tuned. As an aside, they booked this potential next French President in a police precinct in East Harlem, NYC. I hope the arresting officers wrote down the comments that this Burberry suit wearing, "aristocrat", was getting from some of his "pals" in the jail cell, while they processed him. Had to be priceless. Au revoir Frenchie.

Now The Pitchforks Might Be Coming

Soooo, bloomberg.com is reporting that these 2 ladies are suing AIG, yeah THAT AIG, for sexual discrimination. They claim that because they were old women, they were dismissed, and not treated fairly. Um, maybe you got fired because your firm had to get 182 BILLION DOLLARS (said like Dr. Evil from Austin Powers) so, the whole shebang didn't come crashing down?!?! There were a LOT of people that got fired, ladies, at your firm, and others. But that's not the point of my rant. Oh no.

Part of this whole case is about pay for the ladies. So what do their lawyers want? EVERYBODY's salary and bonus that I think EVER worked at AIG-Financial Products. Holy moly! Remember when then Attorney General, Andrew Cuomo told these AIG guys and gals that if they gave back their bonuses, he wouldn't release their names to the guys just getting out of Attica, and anyone else who wanted to know these things? I think that worked. People were giving money back in droves for fear of their lives. Now these 2 broads are starting it all up again! Beautiful. Can you imagine if like foreclosed upon, out of work, folks, decided to go to some rich guy's house and just TAKE it because he got "ill-gotten gains" by working at AIG?!? How about the cops who come to the "stolen house", and are reminded their pensions are decimated because of rich theives like this guy?!?? Do they look the other way when the 100 inch flat screen is "removed"?!?

This is definitely a story to follow. Because the riots are potentially brewing! As an aside, the kingpin of this whole AIG-FP who sounded like a real "beaut", made $40mm not one year, but two, 2003 and 2006. Joe Cassano, originally from Brooklyn. I remember there were guys on the street who "knew the deal" and talked about how dopey and idiotic this guy and his people at AIG were for taking on this risk. This guy Cassano can probably BUY Brooklyn today. So who is the dope now, wiseguys? And you AINT catchin that guy. He's in some compound in Florida with 1000 armed guards. The "people" and their pitchforks don't stand a chance.

So, enjoy the weekend everyone and we look to start anew again this Monday. Perhaps, with a new stock market call. Um, it aint gonna be to buy AIG stock, I can tell you that. Have a good one.

Sell Low, Buy Even Lower

The Associated Press is reporting, "The Great Government Sale is On" which has to do with state and local governments (maybe even some Federal Government) selling the buildings they own to plug budget deficits, rather than raise more taxes or cut more costs. Sometimes you gotta do, what you gotta do. But you know what? Whose side would you like to be on during these types of negotiations? Some dopey politician who is gonna get a kickback from his "pal" the buyer, or the guy who has a ton of cash (for a reason) and knows a good deal when he sees it?

My tax guy is tied into a lot of "Russian-types" from Brooklyn, NY. He told me that when Governor Ahhhhhhhhnold from California proposed that Cali sell a bunch of government buildings to "erase some of the deficit", it was like when the Iron Curtain collapsed. These "Russian-types"from BROOKLYN were diving over each other to get involved in buying these buildings in CALIFORNIA. And these weren't people normally involved in commercial buildings. Why? Well where in the hell are these government agencies that reside in these buildings going to go once they sell the buildings? Um, nowhere!

So what these investors saw was/is an opportunity of a lifetime. Buy these buildings and get a built in, well paying tenant, for the foreseeable future.......the Government! Christ, who wouldn't sign up for that type of deal? Unless.........

Someone put a cap on the rent that the government could possibly pay. You say that aint very capitalistic of you, Richie? Well neither is some dopey/crooked politicians giving taxpayer buildings away at firesale prices. And I would argue, that its very capitalistic. It might make the buyers take a pause, no? Only the dudes who really thought they weren't stealing would continue to bid for the property. And that's the kind of landlord you can deal with. Not a "legalized" thief. And look, I'm not saying the government can stay as a tenant forever either. But long enough for we taxpayers to get a good deal. Then, after some long term lease deal, the landlord and the tenant are able to agree to disagree and move on. And THEN, all bets are off, and the landlord can charge whatever the hell they want.

I mean after all, the landlords should have some skin in the game, no? Capitalism is about risk, no? Guaranteed these discussions have never, or barely, happened by the politicians and the "eager" buyers. Pretty sad, and I thought about this in 5 minutes. Guaranteed, no politican did. And if they did, they kept it somewhat quiet to not "anger" their friend/kickback provider, the nice developer.

The AP article talks about how Mayor Daley in Chicago sold the rights to the parking meters to "raise" some dough, and its a disaster, because parking rates have gone up by 42% for JS Ragman (technical term) in the Windy City. The new owners of the meters, a consortium of Chinese, A-rabs, and Morgan Stanley, had no comment. Really? Shocker. Again, I'm not being Communist here but if the city said, you can charge only up to "X" for the next 20 years for parking, would the commoners be bitchin? And don't tell me the dudes buying still couldnt have had a good fair deal. Too much grabbin, pal. Too much grabbin' and robbin'. Hope the pitchforks and tin foil hats aren't coming up that hill, by pissed off people, anytime soon.

New York Flight

Well I didn't win yesterday at the track. I mean I had a few winners, but not enough to offset the losers I had, and show a profit. And yes it was a beautiful day, but I am not one of those asshats that says stuff like "a bad day at the track, is better than a good day at work." Because a good day at work, means I'm making money. I like money, in case you didn't realize that.

Speaking of work, less people seem to be working in New York State and less people seem to be LIVING, or planning to LIVE, in New York. The NY Post is reporting in, "Empire Exodus", 36% people under 30 in New York plan on........leaving. You know why? Well 77% say that the state is too expensive. The cat from Marist College who ran the poll said, "Right now, many young people do not see their future in New York State. Unchecked, this threatens to drain the state of the next generation." Uh oh.

I do hope NY Governor Cuomo and his merry men, women, and monkeys are reading these types of things. In the last decade, the article states, New York's population only grew 2.1%, 4th worst in the country, and yes, Michigan was the slowest. In Michigan, you can get houses for like 10k now, and there's still PLENTY of inventory. Not a good camp to be in for New York.

But let's RAISE taxes, that seems to be working great.

Blogging Today? Not So Much

I love you all dearly. I really do. But today i'll be taking a "mental health day" or "telecommuting" or "at a meeting offsite and hard to reach" or whatever people call it these days when they play hooky and goof off. If you live in the northeast US today, have you been outside?!?! By far the best weather day of the year. So I will be taking advantage. A pen in my ear, a daily racing form under my arm, a cup of beer, and a half lit, chewed on cigar will be in my possession most of this sunny 75 degree day. Watching the "equine ballet" in Elmont, NY. Just the way the good lord would want it. This will of course make it difficult to blog to you. Sorry. Feel free to join me if you would like. My train leaves in 10 minutes. Theres another in about an hour from Penn Station, NY. Enjoy the day, really. Now it's off to beautiful Belmont Park!