Global capital markets pose the same kinds of problems that jet planes do. They are faster, more comfortable, and they get you where you are going better. But the crashes are much more spectacular.

In politics, as in poetry, it is sometimes true that it is darkest before dawn.

It says something about this new global economy that USA Today now reports every morning on the day's events in Asian markets.

In this age of electronic money, investors are no longer seduced by a financial 'dance of a thousand veils.' Only hard and accurate information on reserves, current accounts, and monetary and fiscal conditions will keep capital from fleeing precipitously at the first sign of trouble.

Now is the time for us to strike. We must strengthen our foothold in Asia, to ensure no nation overtakes us.

There probably won't be a chest bump, probably a handshake. I'm not mad or angry at Coach Pete because this is a business. Whenever the opportunity comes to improve yourself, you have to take advantage. There's no animosity towards Coach Pete.