George Gately died 7 years ago

Cartoonist (creating Heathcliff) George Gately was born as George Gately Gallagher on December 21, 1928 in Queens, New York City, New York. Mr. Gately died on September 30, 2001 in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Ronnie Aldrich died 15 years ago

Pianist, arranger, conductor, and composer Ronnie Aldrich was born on February 15, 1916 in Erith, Kent, England. Mr. Aldrich died on September 30, 1993 on the Isle of Man.

Simone Signoret died 23 years ago

Actress (in Swiss Tour) Simone Signoret was born as Simone Henriette Charlotte Kaminker on March 25, 1921 in Wiesbaden, Germany. Ms. Signoret died on September 30, 1985 in Auteuil-Anthouillet, France.

Edgar Bergen died 30 years ago

Ventriloquist (creating Charlie McCarthy) Edgar John Bergen was born on February 16, 1903 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the father of Candice Bergen... Mr. Bergen died on September 30, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mary Ford died 31 years ago

Guitarist and singer (with her husband Les Paul) Mary Ford was born as Iris Colleen Summers on July 7, 1924 in El Monte, California. Ms. Ford died on September 30, 1977 in Arcadia, California.

Why stop at $700,000,000,000?

Ali Velshi - cheerleader extraordinaire - said that we just must have a $700,000,000,000 bailout, so it must be the truth, right? Well, if it's so wonderful, then why stop there? Why not go for a cool $1,000,000,000,000 or even $2,000,000,000,000? The answer is that it will all cause much more inflation, i.e. higher prices.

Ali also said that this is a time to put aside principles - as in a principled opposition to a bailout. Well, he doesn't have to worry there. Most politicians haven't had one since high school.

WARP Speed Ahead?

The U.S. Congress is being asked to bailout financially failing (or is that failed?) institutions. Specifically, the draft legislation would allow the Secretary - he doesn't really do much typing - of the Treasury to establish a TARP, i.e. a "troubled asset relief program". It is now realized by some that this was a typo. It should have been titled a WARP, i.e. a worthless asset relief program. With this program, those institutions deemed worthy of such help will get a fresh start to keep doing what they did before. There will be some new rules, but, as with all new rules, they'll find a way around them.

This new money will eventually be used to increase the prices of food, clothing, fuel, disease & disability care, and you-name-it. Tax rates won't have to be increased - people don't like that. The balance sheets of businesses will also look better - on paper. We can import more goods - since we're running so low on them - from China. China can also keep receiving those hefty interest payments from financing U.S. Government debts. The whole world will be a happier place... You can wake up now.