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HomeCharles Lewis: If Truth Be Told
Posted by Larry Doyle on June 19th, 2014 9:50 AM |
The truth.
The health of our democracy demands that we pursue and embrace the truth wherever it may take us and whatever we may learn. Regrettably as a nation the truth often largely escapes us due to forces wielded by those who might suffer in the process. We see evidence of this reality almost on a daily basis.
Investigative journalism is critically important to unearthing the truth yet this most noble undertaking remains under serious pressure. Fortunately we have individuals like Charles Lewis, one of the most highly distinguished investigative journalists in our nation’s history, to fight back against the tide.
Lewis provides fabulous context on this topic in a recently penned 3-part series entitled If Truth Be Told. In light of all that is going on in our nation, this series qualifies as an absolute must read and an instant Sense on Cents classic. As a teaser, I welcome providing a few snippets of Lewis’ work. Let’s navigate. (more…)
Arthur Brooks’ The Secret to Happiness
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 16th, 2013 12:00 PM |
Is there any question more widely pondered than, “What is the secret to happiness?”
I think not.
From philosophers centuries ago to advice columnists today, there are far more opinions on this question than there are real answers. More often than not, I pass over commentaries or clips addressing this topic. This morning, though, I came across a 20-minute clip on happiness, and I did not pass over it. I am very glad I made that choice.
Arthur Brooks, president of the American Enterprise Institute — a favorite site of mine while navigating the economic landscape — offers some great insights on happiness. At the 5-minute mark of the clip, I was intrigued. At the 10-minute mark, I was thinking, ‘Give me more.’ At the 15-minute mark, I knew I had to share this clip with readers. At the culmination of Brook’s remarks, I immediately inducted him into the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame. (more…)
“Greatest Wall Street Backdoor Bailout of All Time”: Sense on Cents Instant Classic
Posted by Larry Doyle on November 12th, 2013 10:01 AM |
It is not often that, in the midst of my daily morning reads, my jaw drops and I am left aghast by a writer’s hard hitting delivery. While many an editorial and commentary dive into topics that I appreciate and find riveting, I do not often find a writer from inside the arena who freely and openly speaks his/her mind.
This morning I had just such a pleasure.
While America and the world have been force-fed the notion that the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing programs have been the magic elixir nursing our economy back to health, Andrew Huszar has a decidedly different take.
Who is Huszar? Only a former Fed official responsible for executing a large part of the Fed’s bond buying. Currently a senior fellow at Rutgers Business School, Huszar gains immediate induction into the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame as he pulls no punches in delivering a knockout in this morning’s WSJ. He begins with an apology. It only gets better from there.
I can only say: I’m sorry, America. (more…)
Schweizer Exposes Washington’s ‘Mafia-Like Tactics’
Posted by Larry Doyle on October 26th, 2013 6:23 AM |
With this commentary, I welcome inducting Peter Schweizer of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University into the highest echelon of the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame.
If you do not think that the folks in Washington employ practices (e.g, shakedowns, protection money) commonly connected to those engaged in ‘organized activities’, then take the mere 5-minutes to view a recent Yahoo clip highlighted below with the acclaimed author of the recently published Extortion: How Politicians Extract Your Money, Buy Votes, and Line Their Own Pockets.
Schweizer opines on a standard Washington practice directed at business owners and executives.
“If they don’t offer up campaign donations…lobbying contracts for friends or family members, bad things will happen to them so they feel compelled to give when they would rather just be focused on building their business.” (more…)
Olympus “Tobashi” Scandal: The Whistleblower Talks
Posted by Larry Doyle on December 5th, 2012 9:07 AM |
The Wall Street Journal reported a year ago tomorrow that an independent panel investigating the accounting scandal at Olympus, the Japanese maker of cameras and medical imaging equipment, announced that the company had hidden losses of more than $1.5 billion over an extended period.
What was going on in this Japanese version of Enron? A practice known as tobashi, that is, a transferal of assets so as to conceal losses. Sounds very Enron-like. Who was involved and how did this persist for so long? (more…)
Michael Burry: UCLA Commencement Address . . . . Strongly Recommended
Posted by Larry Doyle on June 24th, 2012 10:25 AM |
The lessons we learn from those who see the ocean while all are focused on a wave are truly special.
Thanks to our friend Huckleberry for prompting me to view the UCLA commencement address recently delivered by one Dr. Michael Burry.
Burry strikes me as a relatively soft-spoken and unassuming individual. His message is anything but. This address is a must view.
Burry may be talking primarily to the UCLA graduates but his message resonates far beyond that small group. He provides wisdom to graduates and people everywhere who care to learn how we have come to be enmeshed in such an economic crisis.
What does Burry recommend we do? (more…)
Ray Dalio Speaks, Sense on Cents Listens
Posted by Larry Doyle on March 3rd, 2012 8:05 AM |
While most people see the trees, the waves, and the stars, there are a few money managers and economists out there who see and speak truly about the forest, the oceans, and the galaxies.
Who are a few of these individuals?
Jeremy Grantham of Grantham Mayo, whom I highlighted a week ago. Bob Rodriguez of First Pacific Advisors of whom I have written often. Harvard economist Kenneth Rogoff is without peer in understanding and delivering on the depth and breadth of our global economic crisis. I personally think the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy’s Amar Bhide is in a class with only Simon Johnson in addressing what the world of finance needs to do in correcting itself circa 2012.
Who else also occupies the loftiest of spots in the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame and distinguishes himself along with these other luminaries?
Profiles in Courage Blowing the Whistle
Posted by Larry Doyle on February 22nd, 2012 2:01 PM |
I have crossed paths with some exceptionally interesting people while navigating our economic landscape and writing Sense on Cents over the last few years. These individuals encompass a wide swath of our American population and include investors, economists, lawyers, consumers, small businesspeople, bankers, students, and so many more.
While I admire and respect most of the people with whom I interact, there are a handful who truly occupy a very special place in my heart and in the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame. Who are these people whom I consider true American heroes? (more…)
CitiMortgage, Further Evidence of Wall Street Racket
Posted by Larry Doyle on February 17th, 2012 11:35 AM |
The story of rampant abuse within CitiMortgage is garnering enormous attention throughout the blogosphere today.
Do you find it ironic that an institution such as Citi, which was saved by Uncle Sam in 2008, would be abusing the old man a full three years later? No surprise here.
In a financial system in which regulators are ill equipped and overwhelmed by industry practices, rampant abuse and fraud seems to have become endemic. I tip my hat to Sherry Hunt, a whistleblower within CitiMortgage, for exposing the fraud within the mortgage underwriting business at Citi for which taxpayers foot the bill. Ms. Hunt gains immediate induction into the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame in the process. (more…)
Start Your Weekend Reading WSJ’s Jason Zweig
Posted by Larry Doyle on June 16th, 2012 6:27 AM |
How did I start my day? The same way I start every Saturday morning. I just read my favorite columnist, The Wall Street Journal’s Jason Zweig.
Long ago I inducted Zweig into the Sense on Cents Hall of Fame. He earns that honorable distinction regularly. How so? Zweig takes his readers into corners of Wall Street not often traveled. After reading his work, I always come away impressed and more informed.
For example, over the last few weeks, Zweig wrote of a portfolio manager at Blackrock who perhaps had “too much skin in the game”. That is, “investors’ skin” in “his game”. Conflict of interest, perhaps? If there is any doubt that Zweig is an impact player, do you think it is pure coincidence that after Jason Zweig broke this story two weeks ago, the PM just stepped down from his responsibility managing the fund. (more…)
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