McCain is running away because of this? The DOW is stabilizing. There is no evidence of a sincere crisis. The market has been artifically inflated.

The DOW is adjusting. Something "W"rong with that? Well, maybe for Paulson.



The DOW sustained a loss today of 29 points. A whopping loss of .27 precent. And McCann is worried about what is transpiring in DC? For once, DC is actually making the prudent decision and demanding proof and reassurances.

Across the board; the Americas, Commodities, Asia, Europe and Bonds are all stabilizing. There are minor ups and downs around the entire globe. What in the heck does Paulson think he is trying to pull?

McCain acts like nobody else gives a hoot. Does he actually know what is going on?

NZ Super fund not critically exposed, says Orr (click here)
1:15PM Wednesday Sep 24, 2008
...Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation chief executive Adrian Orr told the annual Institute of Finance Professionals, or INFINZ, conference in Auckland today, that direct exposure to financial sector shares, hit by the collapse of Wall Street institutions, had been less than 10 per cent of the fund.
The specific companies that had attracted much of the media attention, such as Lehman Bros, made up less than 1 per cent of the fund....

The markets don't have money? They have money. Someone found $70 million somewhere !

UPDATE 1-Ligand to buy Pharmacopeia in $70 mln stock deal (click here)
Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:05pm EDT
Sept 24 (Reuters) - Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc (LGND.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) agreed to acquire Pharmacopeia Inc (PCOP.O: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) in a stock deal valued up to $70 million, gaining access to Pharmacopeia's royalty partnerships, the companies said.
Pharmacopeia stockholders will also be entitled to a Contingent Value Right (CVR) under certain circumstances to a cash payment of an total of $15 million for all Pharmacopeia stockholders.
Under the deal, Ligand will issue 0.58 share for each outstanding Pharmacopeia share and Ligand stockholders will own about 84 percent of the combined company, with remaining owned by Pharmacopeia stockholders.
This exchange ratio is based on closing prices of Ligand shares between $3.00 and $3.75 for a period prior to the closing date....

And look. Bechtel is doing even better than everyone else.

Bechtel nabs $6B nuclear deal (click here)
Frederick subsidiary will assume management of federal labs
by Rebecca McClay Staff Writer

Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corp. has snared a $6 billion contract from the U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program to operate Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory near Pittsburgh and Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory in New York.
The company is a subsidiary of Bechtel National Inc. of Frederick. Bechtel spokesman Mike Kidder called the contracts, particularly the Knolls deal, "a big step forward" for the company and "a win for Frederick management."
Bechtel Bettis Inc., another subsidiary of Bechtel, previously managed Bettis labs in Pittsburgh, Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Charleston, S.C. Bechtel Marine Propulsion will take over the Bettis labs, plus Knolls, a joint program of the Department of Energy and the U.S. Naval Sea Systems Command, from Lockheed Martin's KAPL Inc. after a four-month transition period, on Feb. 1.
"We are very pleased to be able to continue our service for [the Energy Department] and the U.S. Navy in support of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program," Bechtel National Chairman Scott Ogilvie said in a statement. "We are committed to a smooth and efficient transition of Bettis and Knolls into [Bechtel Marine Propulsion], and look forward to continuing the accomplishments of the men and women at Bettis and Knolls in support of our national defense."...

And the gang is all here, just like old home week.

KBR JV's FEED contract for Gorgon Project extended (click here)

KBR Inc, the engineering and construction company, announced that Kellogg Joint Venture Group (KJVG) has been awarded a Work Authorization by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd for approximately AUD$300 million to finalise front end engineering and design (FEED) for the Chevron-operated Gorgon Project....

DOJ: Ex-KBR chief pleads guilty to bribery charges (click here)
By MARCY GORDON – Sep 4, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former chief executive of construction firm KBR Inc. has pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges in connection with the company's natural gas operations in Nigeria from 1995 to 2004.
The Justice Department said Albert "Jack" Stanley entered a guilty plea Wednesday in federal court in Houston to conspiring in a decade-long scheme to bribe Nigerian government officials in return for engineering and construction contracts.
As CEO of Houston-based KBR, Stanley headed a subsidiary within Halliburton Co., the oilfield services conglomerate whose chief executive from 1995 to 2000 was Vice President Dick Cheney....

KBR gets $232 mln deal for Louisiana carbon plant (click here)

Wed Sep 10, 2008 4:58pm EDT

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Engineering and construction company KBR Inc said on Wednesday one of its units had been awarded a $232 million contract by ADA-ES Inc for construction of a new activated carbon plant.
ADA-ES, which develops technology such as activated carbon to reduce mercury exhaust from burning coal, has chosen BE&K to provide full engineering, procurement and construction services for the plant in Red River Parish, Louisiana, KBR said in a statement.

(Reporting by Braden Reddall; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)

Investigation widens in electrocutions at military sites (click here)

By Brian Bowling

TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

A Department of Defense investigation into the electrocution of a Shaler soldier serving in Iraq will review eight similar deaths on military facilities, and investigators have subpoenaed more information from the contractor maintaining those facilities.
Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton announced the expanded investigation Monday after a briefing by the Defense Department's Inspector General's Office. Investigators said they've discovered at least 18 soldiers and civilian workers have been electrocuted in Iraq, two more than previously reported.
Cheryl Harris of Cranberry said she believes the Pentagon finally is taking her son's death seriously....

I haven't even gotten to Halliburton yet. I guess I haven't done a Cheney Observer in awhile.

Plea in KBR bribe case may signal more on the way (click here)

Tue Sep 9, 2008 11:29am EDT

By Anna Driver - Analysis
HOUSTON (Reuters) - The guilty plea in a years-long bribery probe by the U.S. government of Halliburton Co and its former KBR Inc unit means more legal woes may be on the way for the global energy companies.
Albert "Jack" Stanley, a former KBR chief executive officer, pleaded guilty last week to charges involving a scheme to pay $180 million in bribes to Nigerian government officials to win work on the $6 billion Bonny Island liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant....

Now, this does not look like a company ready to go down the drain. Granted $30,000 ain't $700 billion, but,...$30,000? All Halliburton is donating is $30,000. Man, oh, man talk about PR on the cheap.

Halliburton gives to S.D. college (click here)

A Houston-based petroleum company has donated $30,000 to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology's geology department for scholarships and faculty support.

Halliburton wants to work with the School of Mines not only to become better known by students and faculty, but also to develop new technologies, said Ibrahim Palaz, director of strategic educational and research and development partnerships.

Palaz, a 1989 graduate of the School of Mines, said the company's growth is focused on the Rocky Mountain area, and it recruits School of Mines engineers and scientists.

As of September 12, 2008, Halliburton had an A rating.

Halliburton has sustained a price in the range of $34.00 for the last THREE years, with advancing stock prices since Cheney pushed the USA into Iraq. (click here)

Fitch Rates Halliburton's Sr. Notes 'A-'; Outlook Stable (click here)
Last update: 4:56 p.m. EDT Sept. 12, 2008
CHICAGO, Sep 12, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Fitch assigns an 'A-' rating to Halliburton's (HAL:
Halliburton Company
Last: 34.97-0.23-0.65%4:01pm 09/24/2008Delayed quote data
Sponsored by:
HAL 34.97, -0.23, -0.6%) $400 million of 5.9% Senior Notes due 2018 and $800 million of 6.7% Senior Notes due 2038 issued today. Fitch also affirms HAL's ratings as follows:...

E N O U G H !

Biden: McCain Is "Dangerously Wrong" - THE DEBATE will go on without McCann

Obama says debate should go ahead (click here)
1 hour ago
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Democrat Barack Obama says that amid the current financial crisis, it's more important than ever for he and John McCain to sit down and hold a presidential debate.
Republican McCain proposed earlier Wednesday that Friday's debate be postponed while the two candidates work to deal with the nation's financial troubles. Obama said he and McCain are working on a joint statement setting out their ideas on how to solve the financial crisis. But Obama also said he believes it's important to go ahead and have the debate.
Obama said, "It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess."...

From CBS News'

September 24, 2008, 4:36 PM

Ryan Corsaro:

(CINCINNATI) - Joe Biden tackled the broad spectrum of national security today, saying the Democratic ticket would offer more “hard-headed” diplomacy with allies in dealing with countries like Iran and calling John McCain “dangerously wrong” in his views on terrorism, the war in Iraq, and foreign relations.

Appearing in the cavernous dome of Union Station, Biden attempted to drive the Obama campaign’s message that a McCain presidency would carry on the same type of foreign policy under the Bush Administration.

“After 9/11, the President of the United States of America had an incredible opportunity. He had an opportunity to join America and the rest of the world in common cause,” said Biden, speaking in the same spot where Bush made a televised case against Saddam Hussein in 2002.

“But instead, instead by starting a war of choice in Iraq before winning the war of necessity in Afghanistan, the President of the United States by imposing torture, detention, eavesdropping that defy our values and endanger our national security.”

“By showing disdain to our allies and empty bluster to our enemies, President Bush divided America, divided the world instead of, instead of uniting us.”

Biden accused McCain of the same blustering and fixation on Iraq, and insisted the central war on terrorism was not in Iraq, but rather in the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan....

Grandstanding in DC is better for McCain than to debate an illegal war he voted for, while Palin does a crash course with Kissinger.

No matter what verbage used, the only reason "Mr. McCain Goes to Washington," is for the basis of political gains. He portrays himself as a sacrificial candidate to the issue of Fiscal Responsiblity.

The question is WHOM'S fiscal responsibility, certainly NOT that of the USA Treasury.

If he actually had the ability to instill priorities to the importance of including the American homeowner and job market which included full disclosure by Paulson that brought such high-handed demands, he might be even start to get the attention of the American people. But having a person pursue a concern of the nation when he isn't qualified to do it, is only adding fuel to the fire.



John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign comes as two new polls show him slipping in the head to head matchup against Barack Obama. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

The businesses at the receiving end of Paulson's Trillion $US Giveaway are all the Republican cronies. McCann is too loyal to his Big Dollar Brothers to stay away now. The idea that he even backs Paulson when there is no evidence to the demands for a Free Giveaway to the financial sector is more and more evidence that McCann is NOT the man the USA needs at the top of the Executive Branch.

I wouldn't put it past the Republicans to 'stage' a 'meeting of the minds' to come up with a 'better plan than Paulson's.' They are losing the House and the Senate and they are desperate for political clout.

By returning to DC to Grand Stand the financial expoitation by Paulson and his failing Goldman-Sachs he is admitting he will micromanage every aspect of his presidency. That isn't a leader that inspires and it isn't a leader that anyone trusts. He is another Bush that exerts overbearing interference with the Legislature in order to achieve his political agenda.

Barak should continue to speak to the people on the campaign trail and complain about McCann 'skipping out' on the first debate of this election season on Friday night.

Palin isn't suspending anything. She is being coached by Henry Kissinger regarding foreign affairs. The question that comes to mind, "Is Kissinger doing this in fear of Palin actually having to take the Presidency?" I would believe McCain was actually suspending his campaign if Palin were on her way back to Alaska without coaches in tow.

McCann's definition of 'suspending' doesn't mean staying in DC until ALL the facts are known and ALL the evidence is compiled; it is to give a 'flash in the pan' presence to an already failing campaign. If John McCain feels his role as Senator is more important than that of Republican nominee, he can concede to Barak right now with only the formality of voting in November left to be registered.

McCain is desperate, his campaign exudes same all along the way. John McCain = Poor choices.

What's "W"rong Hank? Your Bailout didn't come in time for today's margin call? Hank can really 'work-it,' can't he?

18 months ago: WASHINGTON - MARCH 13: (L-r) Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson; Warren Buffett, chairman and CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.; and Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO, General Electric Company; participate in a panel discussion, "Framing the Issues: Markets Perspectives," at Georgetown University March 13, 2007 in Washington, DC. Secretary Paulson hosted the "Treasury Conference on U.S. Capital Markets Competativeness," a day-long program to focus on capital market issues like regulation, competition and other related topics. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

It seems a bit UN-AMERICAN to me to risk the USA solvency on all the 'gambles' in the world. I don't apprecaite the focus by Paulson that the USA Treasury is his oyster. I believe there are many in the USA that simply don't see why he has to lie either. I mean we all know how the markets have been hideously roller-coastering. Where does he think this is all headed? I vote NO on any bailout. I believe Buffet and people like him should be sought in difficult times. This is hideous. Come January Paulson won't even be in his office and why should the USA hand the new Secretary of the Treasury 'HIS MESS' to clean up?

Paulson offers no solid solutions to any bailout of the financial markets. He offers speculative guesswork and not much more. Where are the balance sheets Hank? Simply because your friends need an endless supply of liquidity doesn't mean Americans answer the call. Wars for oil and now this. Amazing.

...Although the U.S. government is now proposing a bailout of the bad debt that is rattling investor confidence and seizing up credit markets, financial stocks were nonetheless trading 2.0% lower across Europe Tuesday morning. There is clearly some skepticism that even a $700 billion debt-purchasing facility will not be enough to purge the financial sector of losses....

When a USA Secretary of the Treasury gives the Congress 'the bumbs rush' to judgement, one has to know there is 'something afoot.' Where are the balance sheets, Hank? There are none, are there? Paulson needs a dozen Super-computers to figure this one out. That's the problem Hank, when you should have been using your slide rule, you simply figured on you office computer providing all the answers! The Financial Sector has developed a very bad habit, they keep coming back for more liquidity everytime the markets find more and more of the slippery slope that Paulson never talks about? If Buffet hadn't been coming forward to invest, he'd be collecting our tax dollars, or better said our "Middle America Debt."

Vote NO on the Paulson Bailout ! The American Middle Class can rebuild their own country, we are already well on our way. Get these Carpetbaggers out of the White House ! They haven't got a 'clue' as to where this is all going or what they are doing. Paulson is grasping at straws. There is plenty of liquidity in the market, ask Donald Trump. Oh, wait, I am sure he is far to busy building another floating gambling casino or some darn thing. Here is a sure bet, Trump won't be building his next casino in Darfur !