BBC Blog Network

User Profile

spur22

Listed below are comments made by spur22 between Friday, 23rd January 2009 and Friday, 27th November 2009.

«Newer
Older»

Dubai: Just a sideshow? 3:53pm on 27 Nov 2009 The 'smart money' - it's as if it isn't controlled by human beings.

How clever have we been so far?
The Goldman infallibility myth 10:33am on 17 Mar 2009 What is happening to post #131?
More about it here...
http://bit.ly/aUdXR
The Goldman infallibility myth 09:15am on 17 Mar 2009 All about post #131
http://bit.ly/aUdXR
The Goldman infallibility myth 00:14am on 17 Mar 2009 Respect to poster No1 BasaltRocky who delivered a fine fisking, worth rereading for its analysis of the really major political and economic decision which was taken in the autumn of last year.

The following link leads to an an attempt to put what has happened in the financial world into a piece of picture reporting.

[Unsuitable/Broken URL removed by Moderator]

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I wasn't able to get this published by anything other than a small print run magazine. This was a shame because I think it says something about what has happened to our country.
Will China be strengthened by adversity? 3:45pm on 02 Mar 2009 @the headline writer
> Will China be strengthened by adversity?

No, it will be strengthened by relativity, the west will be less obviously dominant economically and China's power will rise as a result.
Taxpayers to insure £500bn of bank assets 09:35am on 24 Feb 2009 @125 MarkL64

Yes, your point about misunderstanding is well made, however in 'insuring' the banks bad debts, the state absorbs the risks for them.

If this scheme goes ahead (and there is a case for it), it is no longer a banking crisis, it is adding to a situation about the solvency of the country and its ability to meet its liabilities. The market will certainly bet against our weak currency and everyone will become poorer as a result. We may even default.

This is what can happen when financial institutions are allowed, or encouraged to get bigger than national governments.
Taxpayers to insure £500bn of bank assets 10:04pm on 23 Feb 2009 I wonder if Del and Rodney would like a go at running the economy?
Bankers and responsibility 1:50pm on 30 Jan 2009 Dear 36
It was quite possibly contrived. After all, it makes him look like many of the rest of us doesn't it?
The long and short of banks 11:48am on 25 Jan 2009 @ laughingblacksheep 482-486

Is it right to assume from your posting that you have never been in want of money for basic provisions and shelter during your life?

No matter if not. Lucky you. If you have been, perhaps you should know better.

If you want an example of the anything goes attitude which has allowed this 'situation' to develop, you might want to look back at the recent story of Farepak - a christmas savers club which catered to the festive needs of some of the poorer people in the country.

Members of the scheme saved all year around and paid into the contributions club so that they could 'have' a christmas.

http://tinyurl.com/b2qtc8
(From Wikipedia)

When the scheme got into difficulties...the plug was pulled by the bank - the bank was HBOS, as it happens.

http://tinyurl.com/dj2rah
(from The Times)

Nevermind! HBOS offered a donation to the relief fund!
http://tinyurl.com/bvd5fd
(Credit to Julia Finch of The Guardian for noticing)

The government's reaction to the misfortune of thrifty savers from hard-working families had been a non-too-subtle, we're not helping you out.

Still, no problem for HBOS ’eh?

The local paper to Farepak's former distribution base in Swindon - the Evening Advertiser has good coverage here

http://tinyurl.com/dmo66h

Or, you can get a taste of the latest from Wales Online here
http://tinyurl.com/aopkds
The writing on the wall 3:20pm on 23 Jan 2009 A short word of praise to the journalist for responding to the bloggers (see update 1403 under initial piece).

This qualifies as good journalism, listening as well as informing.

Please keep it up - you are putting Mr Peston to shame.

«Newer
Older»

^ Back to top

BBC MMVI

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC.co.uk

BBC Blog Network

Find and talk to the BBC's bloggers.

User Profile

spur22