I'm ready to hit the ground running.

It feels like the firings were completely based on propositions of conspiracy, which are non-existent.

By getting rid of us so close to tuition setting, it really puts the students at a disadvantage. It's a very dangerous time to be getting rid of those who know what's going on.

I won't be running my posts past any editor before they appear. I will continue to write simply what I believe or think, however misguided I may be. I will continue to correct any errors in the full light of day and change my mind if new events demand it or new facts compel it. I think we're going to see a pronounced shift towards the brand of the writer. Media outlets may find themselves in the position of football clubs, forced to pay higher and higher premiums if they want to keep their stars.

All that Communism needs to make it successful is someone to feed and clothe it.

Citigroup's acquisition of Golden State was an outlier in what was otherwise another slow quarter for bank and thrift mergers. Deal activity, as measured in number of deals, was up modestly from an abysmal first quarter. We expect this trend will continue.