We Regret To Inform You…
Tensions have been escalating on Blog Street
Unfortunately diplomacy has failed
You cannot reason with a madman
There will be only two winners
UTC readers
And
underthecounter
UTC declares war on boring financial commentary
Bring your A-game or shut down your site
Game on January 2, 2007.
**********Citigroup Update Halted until 2:00 PM EST***********
Man of The Year
Eric Bolling is a squirrel. In our house, that is a HUGE compliment.
He is also 1440’s 2006 Man of The Year.
We did not choose him. You did. Through your obsessive searches.
Nuts indeed.
We are going to throw Eric a few curve balls in a rambling three-part interview. We might even try to brush him back. Chances are, he will end up on the mound and in our face…
Strength up the middle is one of the requisites of winning baseball. From 1977 to 1980, Eric T. Bolling and his indispensable skills as a hard-hitting shortstop proved instrumental to Loyola’s diamond success, and clearly established his credentials for entry into the Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-time varsity baseball letter-winner, Eric displayed all the talent necessary to be an outstanding all-around player. He could hit, run, throw, and even pitch if needed. He was equally effective both in the batter’s box and in the infield. On offense, he was a fine, consistent hitter, with a career average of .343 that included a .420 junior season. During both his junior and senior campaigns, he led the Ramblers in runs, extra base hits, and runs batted in. On defense, he was an anchor at shortstop - his glovework was sure, his range excellent, his decision-making astute.
However, it was his leadership skills that set Eric apart from the rest. He took a team, made-up mostly of sophomores and juniors, on his back and carried it to the Regional championship game. Although the Ramblers lost a hard-fought game, Eric Bolling’s legacy as one of Loyola’s all-time great baseball players was secure. Eric’s all-around excellence was recognized with his selection to the All-Catholic League and All-Area teams following both the 1979 and 1980 seasons. A multi-sport athlete, Eric also excelled on the varsity soccer (All-Catholic League) and basketball teams, earning a total of ten letters at the Academy. After graduation, Eric took his bat and glove to Rollins University in Florida, where he played on a full scholarship. There he led the Rollins nine to second in the nation in the 1984 NCAA Division II championships. Eric was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and, leaving behind a fellowship at Duke University, he entered the Pirates farm system. A shoulder injury, however, soon cut short his career. Loyola Academy
Need a break from boring blogs? Our three-part series, The Eric Bolling Diaries
won’t
New World Order?
Hopefully you need no introduction to Andy Kessler. But if you do we are happy to oblige.
Andy has a few stamps on his passport. He is probably best known for writing several books. Running Money is our favorite...they are all worthy of investing your time. He scribes a nifty blog to boot. His latest post is a tasty treat.
Please join us in peking at Andy’s take on China…
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and other polished cabinetry are visiting China later this week. They’ll see fields of skyscrapers, traffic jams of new cars and designer couture replacing the old Maoist uniform with five buttons and too-long sleeves. In other words, we’ve got the Chinese right where we want ‘em.
Sure, the China Miracle is impressive—double-digit economic growth, exports up 30%, a $150-billion trade surplus and a trillion dollars of foreign currency in their treasury as reserves. The prevailing opinion is that at any moment, China can stop funding U.S. budget deficits by not buying our bonds—so Messrs. Paulson and Bernanke should come hat in hand and beg for indulgence. Don’t believe it.
Your hotel will probably be on a street that didn’t exist two years ago. The traffic jam getting you there? It’s from the 1.4 million new family car drivers in Beijing, now just learning how to drive—and not too well. Think of China as a bunch of high school kids (albeit with strict parents) with new driver’s licenses and you won’t be far off. Don’t give them the keys to anything. Be a little coy. From the consumers to the government, they are simply adolescents.
UTC Man of The Year
The votes are in. And its a landslide.
underthecounter’s 2006 Man of the Year is ready to be unveiled.
You know him. And you love him. Trust us on this.
But only we have him..
In a groundbreaking three-part series we will separate the man from the myth. Debunk urban legends. And find out what makes him tick.
We can only give you one clue...it sure as hell ain’t Aleksey Vayner.
stay tuned...
