Stress Kills: Ken Lay Dead at 64

[Cajungator26]

Originally Posted by boldruler

The markets are all about perceived value, that is why so many companies have high stock prices but aren't even close to profitable. They made Enron look a lot better than it was on paper, inflated the price, and dumped it. You probably already know this but the securities business has the rating agencies like Moodys and S&P that keep it as pretty honest. The hedge funds are the ones right now that are pretty sketchy because nobody really watches over them.

They're watching the variable AND fixed annuities as well as the hedge funds right now. We've done a few IPO's that are now being watched as well as a few hedge funds (Citigroup did an alternative hedge that isn't doing SQUAT right now.) Basically, people with more money at a younger age are going to go with a more aggressive fund or stock versus an S&P or Moody's AAA rated bond. That was the case with Enron. It's a huge gamble.

[Danzig]

also, regarding all those who lost their money in enron--that goes to the most basic rule of investing--DIVERSIFY!!! don't put all your money in one company, or one fund. too much risk. yeah, lay was a bad guy--but those who only saw $ signs dancing in their heads must have some blame, shouldn't they? easy money....right?

[somerfrost]

It's sad how narrow-minded some folks are....and how much they hate anyone different than they are or who thinks differently than they do...Mensa says I'm pretty smart, my degrees say I'm fairly well educated, my life's experiences tell folks I've been around, yet I'm a mindless twit to some because I find wisdom in the words of someone like Castro...it's the message not the messenger for god sake! My quote from the former First Lady certainly has been proven here by the comments of some. I had the hours to take my undergrad degree in Philosophy and have read continually since but still I go back to Plato....all some ever see are the shadows on the cave wall, reflections of reality...really sad!

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

It's sad how narrow-minded some folks are....and how much they hate anyone different than they are or who thinks differently than they do...Mensa says I'm pretty smart, my degrees say I'm fairly well educated, my life's experiences tell folks I've been around, yet I'm a mindless twit to some because I find wisdom in the words of someone like Castro...it's the message not the messenger for god sake! My quote from the former First Lady certainly has been proven here by the comments of some. I had the hours to take my undergrad degree in Philosophy and have read continually since but still I go back to Plato....all some ever see are the shadows on the cave wall, reflections of reality...really sad!

Your ego is bigger than LIL KIM'S A$$.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Your ego is bigger than LIL KIM'S A$$.

As opposed to your's? Mine would be a grain of sand in the desert in comparison! It's funny, when anybody speaks up and calls people on their ignorance they are labeled arrogant...well, if that's the measure then I guess arrogance is better than narrow-mindedness. Actually, there is nothing wrong with arrogance unless it's paired with stupidity....and having an ego at least means you don't go through life depending solely on the id!

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

As opposed to your's? Mine would be a grain of sand in the desert in comparison! It's funny, when anybody speaks up and calls people on their ignorance they are labeled arrogant...well, if that's the measure then I guess arrogance is better than narrow-mindedness. Actually, there is nothing wrong with arrogance unless it's paired with stupidity....and having an ego at least means you don't go through life depending solely on the id!

Originally Posted by somerfrost

1)"..I'm pretty smart,

2) my degrees say I'm fairly well educated,

3)my life's experiences tell folks I've been around

4) I had the hours to take my undergrad degree in Philosophy and have read continually since but still I go back to Plato


I am not even commenting on your fight with somebody else about the use of Castro's words ,or whoever's words.I am just saying your ego is pretty damn large.You have to admit that.Wouldn't you admit that? Why is it in dispute?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by SCUDSBROTHER

Originally Posted by somerfrost

1)"..I'm pretty smart,

2) my degrees say I'm fairly well educated,

3)my life's experiences tell folks I've been around

4) I had the hours to take my undergrad degree in Philosophy and have read continually since but still I go back to Plato


I am not even commenting on your fight with somebody else about the use of Castro's words ,or whoever's words.I am just saying your ego is pretty damn large.You have to admit that.Wouldn't you admit that? Why is it in dispute?

It's not in dispute, I'm just saying that your's isn't exactly tiny itself! I'm smarter than most folks...I'm also old, recently unemployed and things are looking mighty bleak...if things continue as recently, well...at least I won't be the first smart, well-educated old fool living in a cardboard box over some heating grate...that says absolutely nothing but somehow makes me feel better so...live with it or point out more of my perceived shortcomings...up to you!

[packerbacker7964]

What the hell hell ever frosty the snowman. This man knew all along what he was doing with other people's money. Some people lost everything but their name and he gets to go to Club Med. I hope his family has to give all of the life insurance money and the ashes get sold on E-Bay to pay these people back he robbed. His crime is no worse than someone knocking off the local 7-11 store if you ask me. I won't wish death on someone but when it happens to certain people I'll jump up and dance. He screwed hard earning people out of thier retirement and lively hood with being like a sneaky rat. Go to Hell Ken Lay, My God show no mercy on your dirty rotten soul.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Originally Posted by packerbacker7964

What the hell hell ever frosty the snowman. This man knew all along what he was doing with other people's money. Some people lost everything but their name and he gets to go to Club Med. I hope his family has to give all of the life insurance money and the ashes get sold on E-Bay to pay these people back he robbed. His crime is no worse than someone knocking off the local 7-11 store if you ask me. I won't wish death on someone but when it happens to certain people I'll jump up and dance. He screwed hard earning people out of thier retirement and lively hood with being like a sneaky rat. Go to Hell Ken Lay, My God show no mercy on your dirty rotten soul.

He was a lot worse than a rapist,or a guy who knocks an old lady down (and takes her purse.)That is atleast a crime against just 1 person.This guy destroyed the future of a lot of people who counted on the money he stole from them.What he did was the equivalent of a serial rapist's work over a period of 30 years(non-stop.)

Originally Posted by somerfrost

... I'm a mindless twit to some because I find wisdom in the words of someone like Castro...it's the message not the messenger for god sake!

Yes, indeed ... Hitler loved dogs and was very kind to little children ... let's give him credit for that.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Bold Brooklynite

Yes, indeed ... Hitler loved dogs and was very kind to little children ... let's give him credit for that.

You really do have trouble with any type of abstract thought, don't you? It's not about giving credit to Castro, it's the thought that was expressed...and from a ruthless dictator no less! You continue to focus on the person and not the idea...

[Dunbar]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

You really do have trouble with any type of abstract thought, don't you? It's not about giving credit to Castro, it's the thought that was expressed...and from a ruthless dictator no less! You continue to focus on the person and not the idea...

Sorry, I don't even buy "Castro, the ruthless dictator". Battista, the guy Castro overthrew, was a ruthless dictator. We, the US, have supported numerous ruthless dictators when it suited our purpose. We supported Battista's regime, and we've paid the price for 50 years. Castro is a saint compared to Battista, who fled with as much of his country's wealth as he could stuff into his offshore accounts.

--Dunbar

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

Sorry, I don't even buy "Castro, the ruthless dictator". Battista, the guy Castro overthrew, was a ruthless dictator. We, the US, have supported numerous ruthless dictators when it suited our purpose. We supported Battista's regime, and we've paid the price for 50 years. Castro is a saint compared to Battista, who fled with as much of his country's wealth as he could stuff into his offshore accounts.

--Dunbar

Good point Dunbar.
Just a question...which country supported the dictator named Saddam until about 1990?
And if you get that one, which country supported the dictator in the Phillipines named Marcos?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Dunbar

Sorry, I don't even buy "Castro, the ruthless dictator". Battista, the guy Castro overthrew, was a ruthless dictator. We, the US, have supported numerous ruthless dictators when it suited our purpose. We supported Battista's regime, and we've paid the price for 50 years. Castro is a saint compared to Battista, who fled with as much of his country's wealth as he could stuff into his offshore accounts.

--Dunbar

I don't disagree with your characterizations, I would only point out that while "better" than Battista, Castro has allowed great suffering by the people of Cuba...of course, this rather stupid embargo that the US persists with for obvious internal political reasons hasn't helped.

Originally Posted by Dunbar

Sorry, I don't even buy "Castro, the ruthless dictator". Battista, the guy Castro overthrew, was a ruthless dictator. We, the US, have supported numerous ruthless dictators when it suited our purpose. We supported Battista's regime, and we've paid the price for 50 years. Castro is a saint compared to Battista, who fled with as much of his country's wealth as he could stuff into his offshore accounts.

Faulty reasoning ...

... a mass murderer is a mass murderer ...

... and just because someone else is a mass murderer ... that doesn't make your mass murders any more defensible.

Originally Posted by somerfrost

You really do have trouble with any type of abstract thought, don't you? It's not about giving credit to Castro, it's the thought that was expressed...and from a ruthless dictator no less! You continue to focus on the person and not the idea...

My point is ... that vicious murderers should never be given credit for anything ... not even for feeding stray dogs.

I'm sure there are more honorable sources who are quotable ... focus on them.