Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to my sister, Linda, who turns 65 today. Medicare eligible. YIKES!

As previously noted, my sister graduated from high school the same year I entered kindergarten. We had quite different upbringings in many respects. She spent her early years living on 4th Street and her summers as a child out on the boat with my folks commercial fishing. And she remembers the family cabin out on Lena Loop.

I've always envied her for her experiences on the boat and at the cabin. On the other hand, my folks were much more affluent when I was growing-up and I was spoiled rotten whereas she had a much more frugal childhood. When she was a teenager mom would panic if she thought Linda was hanging out at Percy's soda fountain. When I was a teenager...well, never mind....

This morning I'm going to make Linda a lemon birthday cake - per her request. And I am furnishing filets for supper. While having your birthday on New Years Eve may sound attractive at first blush; I know for a fact it has resulted over the years in serious short-changing in the gift department given the proximity to Christmas.

Sister Linda and Brother Elmer

Dad, Linda, and Mom in front of the house on 4th Street.

Linda on the bow of the Frederick F - one of dad's trollers in the late 40's - early 50's.

Composting

Whew! A busy couple of days. I went to the ball game last night with Dougie and Eric. We had supper at El Sombrero beforehand. It's really winter. Driving is tricky - even with Eric in his LARGE Ford pickup. Baby it's cold out there...

The high school basketball experience was quite fun...four or five sons of people we know...including several of our contemporaries from JDHS were on the team. YIKES! I will fucking freak-out the first time I see a GRANDCHILD of one of our contemporaries...but it's just a matter of a few years, I'm sure.

Today we played cards at Dougie's and Alison's and I actually emerged a winner. A good sign for the upcoming new year.

I just got home and was surveying the online news. Nothing remarkable - certainly not the renewed carnage in Palestine with the tit-for-tat stuff in Gaza - just the latest in an apparently endless round-robin of folly.

The only thing that caught my fancy was an article in Slate regarding household waste http://www.slate.com/id/2201176/ which prompts me to describe a heretofore unreported element of my morning chores at the elders.

As previously reported, mom is a card-carrying member of PETA. Her latest personal crusade involves providing daily winter sustenance to a squadron of ravens based at Raven Station Walmart which, as a raven flies, is but a brief sortie of no more than a minute or so from my parent's home. There are three squadrons (consisting of about 12 individuals each) based at Walmart. Similar bases exist at every other grocery store in Juneau in the winter. The A&P (formerly Foodland) Raven Base is augmented by several flights of seagulls and pigeons.

All squadrons can be scrambled immediately to deal with any opportunity that presents itself - like a moron leaving his groceries unattended in sacks in the back of his pick-up or some boob inadvertently dropping something on the way to the car.

In any event, my mom saves all table scraps and other organics for the ravens' breakfast and every morning I must deposit said breakfast on a big flat stone by the stream behind my folks' place. The ravens greet this offering with considerable enthusiasm.

Now, strictly speaking, I'm not sure if this is a "green" activity or not. I prefer to think of it as composting - with the compost simply being spread over the entire neighborhood via air drop as opposed to being spread via rake and hoe in the garden. What do you think?

An Old Friend in Juneau for Christmas

A fun day today. An OLD friend, Brent Long, who grew-up down in my old neighborhood by the Federal Building is in town to visit his elderly dad. I hadn't seen Brent since high school - we have a mutual friend, his cousin's husband, Kevin Henderson, who works for the Department of Health and Social Services. I had asked Kevin for Brent's email some time ago and sent Brent an email earlier this month inquiring if he would be up for the holidays.

Brent replied that he would be in Juneau and this morning we went out for coffee and then did some touring of the old burg. Even though we hadn't seen each other in decades we had no problem with conversation - lots of good memories from the neighborhood and lots of catching-up to do.

Brent will be back-up for a cousin's wedding in January. I hope to see him again and maybe round-up a few folks for pizza. He'd really like to see John Chapman who lived just down the street from him.

Tonight Dougie, Eric, and I are going to a high school basketball game. Haven't been to one since high school. So it's a nostalgia laden day.

Among the fun-filled events of my early youth few things topped a good birthday party. So, in the spirit of the moment I offer a few pics of birthday parties at my family's house on 11th Street - I think these are from 1960-61 or 1961-62.

From left to right: Elmer, Stevie Reid, and Brent Long.

Same as above with Dennis Reid added on the far left.

From left to right: Brent Long, Patrick Greany, and Jim Trucano.

From left to right: Elmer, John Chapman, Brent Long, Chuck Nygaard, Bob Chapman, Dylan Gibson, and Jim Trucano.

It was a damn fine neighborhood and we had lots of fun doing all the traditional kid things - many of which involved toys which have long since been taken off the market as serious kid hazards. Not that we didn't get into trouble from time-to-time like when Stevie Reid almost burned-down the Chapman's house. Still, it was good clean fun for the most part.

Brent's house was right-up against the cemetary - which was a primary playground. Flying kites, sailing balsa wood airplanes, playing baseball, sledding, and playing "army" were among our favourite pastimes in Evergreen Cemetary. And on the streets of the neighborhood playing with Super Balls (c'mon they weren't REALLY that dangerous), water balloon fights, riding bikes, making "forts" in the big piles of snow pushed-up on every other street corner by the city, and running through the neighbors' yards was all great fun.

Pretty much a "Leave it to Beaver" gig come to think of it...

I Wish You a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Amanda and Mathew

The picture above was included in a box of candy and cookies from my daughters in Portland. "Rudolph" has a distinct Palin-esque air about him. Indeed, there are other "Alaskana" aspects to this picture - Mathew has adopted at least half of the Southeast Alaska traditional costume (although come to think of it I guess Pendleton shirts are, technically, Oregonian). The question that must be asked: Mathew, are you wearing XtraTuffs?

The weather has cleared again in Juneau after receiving about 4 inches of snow yesterday. It was pretty treacherous late in the afternoon as the snow fell; but the snow stopped early in the evening. It's a winter wonderland this morning.

I'll mosey on over to the folks to do the morning chores in a few minutes and then to town for a quick workout. I've got some cooking to do this afternoon for the traditional Christmas Eve supper at Alison's and Dougie's.

Then home and to bed in the hope that Santa soon will be here! Click on the following link for the North American Air Defense Command "Santa Tracker" http://www.noradsanta.org/en/home.html

Christmas 1965. Look at that loot!

Lois Killowich (left), Cousins Sandy, Jan, and yours truly

"I will grant you one Christmas wish!"

Christmas dinner at Grandma Newman's

The last pic is my all-time favourite. Grandma loved Christmas dinner and she made a mean turkey with all the trimmings. I always remember her standing in the kitchen door - her kitchen was her fiefdom. She cooked on an old oil stove and the kitchen was always about 100 degrees (as opposed to the rest of the house which was always quite chilly). Grandma Nora (my mom's mom) is in the blue blouse.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!

White Christmas

Light snow is gently falling on Alaska's Capital this morning with 3-6 inches expected by tomorrow morning. So we should have a lovely white Christmas this year. Ho! Ho! Ho!

I did the last of my shopping yesterday and finished wrapping all the presents. So, I'm READY for Santa.

Yesterday I also mixed up some mincemeat for a pie. I've never made mincemeat before. Black raisins, golden raisins, currants, apples, brown sugar, a few spices, and SUET. Yes, more suet. And then you douse the whole works with brandy and let it marinate for a few days. I'll make the pie Christmas day.

These suet recipes have been around for a few centuries I expect. I'm sure Queen Victoria enjoyed her plum pudd. And Henry VIII looks like a mincemeat kind of guy to me. Wonder if these recipes came over to England with the Vikings? Suet strikes me as something my cousins might have thought-up.

Today I need to do some grocery shopping to allow me to complete my remaining cooking assignments for Christmas Eve and Christmas suppers. Then perhaps a walk in the snow...

Dad and Linda at Grandma Newman's - I'm guessing this is somewhere between 1950-1952. I believe the cat was named Cocoa.

And Mom at Grandma's...guessing the same year as Linda and Dad, above.

Technically, this is NOT a Christmas picture; but I was sure a cute little dickens in my snow gear.

The Classic Christmas Party

Last evening was Alison's mom's traditional Christmas party...and it was the traditional success. Lots of good food and company. I will post a bunch more holiday pics on my Kodak site later; but in the meantime here are some familiar faces!

Dougie does his Bad Santa routine as official mixmaster for the event.

This was Shelly's first Christmas party at Thelma's. I think she liked it.

Eric enjoys a beverage.

The photographer gets the "stink eye" from Carol Collins.


Thelma prepares to ignite the traditional plum pudding.


Alison assists in the ignition.

In other news, the Great Northwest continues with its winter of discontent. Portland is apparently now completely cut-off from the east as I-84 has been closed due to high winds, snow, and freezing rain. Flights are cancelled - as they were yesterday. Seattle, too, is getting pounded. It remains clear and cold in Juneau altough snow is expected tomorrow. A white Christmas!

Meanwhile, the Oregonian featured the following headline in today's paper which I could not resist:

Elderly cat trappers avoid trial in eastern Oregon town


It seems that an elderly couple in Prairie City, Oregon has taken to trapping feral and nuisance cats that keep trespassing on their property. They then drive them out into the boondocks and let them loose. A neighbor's cat was caught in the live trap which resulted in the filing of a criminal complaint.

Wilborns were charged with theft of a companion animal. The case was headed to trial this month before District Attorney Ryan Joslin of Grant County had the case dismissed by the justice of the peace.

Joslin told he Wilborns' court-appointed attorneys that he could refile the charges unless the Wilborns pay the vet bill, stop trapping cats and write a letter of apology to the Willets.

The Wilborns' court-appointed attorneys, however, said they had already rejected those demands in earlier court proceedings. "I'm ready for trial," said Markku Sario, who represents 87-year-old Vera.

Smokey Wilborn, 83, is also against the settlement: "That cat still comes up here."

I guess they don't like cats...

Christmas Shopping

I did a big chunk of my remaining Christmas shopping yesterday. It was NOT crowded and a couple of the merchants I spoke to were quite downbeat about the whole season. I wandered around downtown for a couple of hours. Quite a few stores are open for the season although all of the Outside tourist-oriented chains - like the dozen or so jewelry stores that grace South Franklin in the summer - are closed-up tight with the operators no doubt enjoying the sunny Caribbean this holiday season. I still have several gifts to find; but made generally good progress. And I got a number of packages wrapped last evening.

I always enjoy getting my landlords' kids gifts. It's interesting to me to discover what's hot with the pre-school and elementary school crowd. This year young Samantha's wish list is apparently heavy with Hannah Montana paraphernalia courtesy of our friends at Disney. Fred Meyer's has a bunch of the stuff. I came within a cat's whisker of acquiring the Hannah Montana Pop Star electric guitar which struck me as the near perfect gift and clearly capable of raising quite a clamor.

In the end, however, I chickened-out and went for the far more sedate Hannah Montana Pop Star/Teen Hooker doll. After all, I do share a common wall with the family and, besides, I really don't want to be evicted in the middle of winter.

In other news, I note that winter continues in the Great Northwest with both Seattle and Portland under winter storm siege. Schools are closed, bus routes cancelled, and general confusion appear to be the order of the day. Here in Juneau the temperature got down to near zero and the forecast is for continued clear to partly cloudy weather for another week.

Today I am going up to Alison's mom's to help Thelma make plum pudding for her holiday party this weekend. This has potential for great humor. I will be playing the role of scullery maid. My first task is to find three-cups of suet - something Alison was unable to obtain at Fred Meyers yesterday. I have never cooked with suet which, according to dictionary.com, is "the hard fatty tissue about the loins and kidneys of beef, sheep, etc., used in cooking or processed to yield tallow." Yum.


Dad's friend Dave Reischl with his daughter, Peggy, dad, and yours truly at Christmas 1957.

Cute Animal Pictures

How many pics of animals doing cutesy things do you get every week? I get plenty. I have even contributed to the glut myself from time-to-time. And don't get me wrong, I'm as big a sucker for cute furry critters as anyone.

But for a completely new perspective on our animal pals, check-out my new favourite website "Fuck you, Penguin (A Blog Where I Tell Cute Animals What's What)" a link to which Dougie thoughtfully provided me a couple of days ago. I am now checking it every morning even before I get my first cup of coffee. http://fuckyoupenguin.blogspot.com/

It remains clear and cold here in Juneau. All of the precipitation is going onshore in the Great Northwest. Seattle schools are closed today. Corvallis schools were closed on Monday. People abandoning their cars on freeways. CHAOS! I only wish I was present for the carnage. I'd sit in a cozy coffeeshop all morning on the corner of a busy intersection and just enjoy the show.

Today is going to be shopping and wrapping day. I need to get a few things downtown and will then repair to my lair to wrap presents. This is a highly ritualized process similar to tree trimming insofar as it involves a good bottle of wine and the singing of Christmas tunes.

In other news, I trust you all caught Dubya's Iraq Victory Tour - particularly the part where the Iraqi journalist heaved his shoes at our esteemed leader. I loved it. It was so delightfully symbolic on so many levels - pretty much summed up the Bush Administration's foreign policy legacy in my mind. Well, in an equally irony soaked sequel, it turns out that after the offending journalist was nabbed by the Iraqi security guys, they took him into the backroom for a little "enhanced" questioning of the Dick Cheney approved variety.

According to the New York Times "Mr Zadari faces up to seven years in prison if he is charged with and convicted of offending the head of a foreign state." The Times today also reports dozens of arrests of Iraqi security forces - including at least one general officer - for allegedly plotting a coup. Good job George, I see democracy has now taken root in Iraq just as you promised. Mission accomplished!

My sister, Linda in front of our tree on 11th Street. Probably about 1960 or so.

Legislative Finance Christmas Reunion

Sunday evening Alison Browne had a bunch of us old Legislative Finance hands over for pizza. It was quite fun...many old stories retold. And the crew looked pretty damn good - all things considered.

The Juneau contingent of the old Legislative Finance Division crew and their associates

Our hostess Alison Browne - lookin' mighty fit.

And Uncle Miltie is as chipper as always

Other Christmas preparations continue apace. Yesterday I finished all my cards and will pop them in the mail today. The folks' place is now decorated. Another UPS consignment should arrive today although I still need to do some shopping downtown.

On the culinary front, today is beef stew day...will whip-up a batch for the elders. I made beef stock over the weekend and I should use the portion I did not freeze. And perhaps the first batch of Christmas cookies...I am feeling Snickerdoodle-ish. Or maybe lemon bars.

Gotta hit the road...running late. My damn computer is full...it did NOT like downloading the pics from my camera this morning and I am feeling frustrated. Serious digital indigestion. I will order a new computer with mega disc space after the first of the year.

TallyHo!

Bettie Page, Queen of Pinups, 1923 - 2008

Ms. Bettie Page was, to quote the New York Times, "the most famous pinup girl of the post-World War II era, a centerfold on a million locker doors and garage walls." Indeed Bettie was so popular that she soon attracted the attention of the quacks in Washington and was a subject of Senator Estes Kefauver's anti-pornography investigation of the mid-1950's. I confess I had never heard of Ms. Page until I read her obituary this morning - she had already entered into a long period of seclusion before I reached puberty and thus I had no occasion to fully appreciate her art.

Ms. Page lived a long and troubled life. And despite her emergence later in life as a born-again Christian, she refused to renounce her career as a pin-up girl. “I want to be remembered as I was when I was young and in my golden times,” she told The Los Angeles Times in 2006. “I want to be remembered as a woman who changed people’s perspectives concerning nudity in its natural form.”

And there is little doubt that the people's perspective has changed. Indeed as one surveys the smoldering ruins of the U.S. economy that is the legacy of the Bush Administration, it is interesting to note that the porn industry is one of the few that has not, to my knowledge, announced massive layoffs.

The New York Times story is available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/12/arts/12page.html?hp

Ms. Bettie Page, 1923-2008. R.I.P.

In other news, it is as clear as a bell this morning and the forecast is for dry weather for the next week or so. I will endeavor to get plenty of exercise out-of-doors. Doesn't sound like it's supposed to get too cold; but it will be blowing Taku downtown, I'm sure.

I continue a series of ol' timey Christmas pictures with the exhibit below of yours truly on a cherished toy, a molded plastic tank that shot little plastic balls. The tank was particularly useful for annoying my teenage sister and her friends. I was a little brat. Another favourite pastime of this era was listening-in on Linda's phone calls (she had an extension in her bedroom in the basement and I would pick-up the phone upstairs). I would then rat-her-out to mom, e.g., "Big party tonight mom, you better ground her." I also recall standing outside on the front porch and yelling at the top of my lungs such newsworthy items as "Linda has a boyfriend!" It's amazing my sister even speaks to me...

Little Elmer as General Patton.

Big Ed

On Saturday Ed Dankworth, former Col. of the Alaska State Troopers, State Senator, and lobbyist departed this earth for the great unknown. If I was a believer, I would say he ought to be checking-in to hell about now...

Ed was responsible for the near demise of the Division of Legislative Finance when I worked there in the early 1980's. Jay Hogan, the division director, had the poor taste to accuse him of corruption when Ed, Co-Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, slipped an item into the state budget to require the State to purchase a used pipeline camp that he happened to own at the time. Senator Dankworth was indicted but got off on a technicality. The Senate promptly eliminated the Division of Legislative Finance from their version of the budget. Jay left the legislative payroll to work for Governor Sheffield.

Notwithstanding the personal inconvenience that Senator Dankworth caused me in my professional development, I have, over the years, mellowed in my regard for him. He was, of course, corrupt to the bone; but he was also intelligent in a crafty sort of way and quite the charmer. I was apparently untainted in his mind by my association with Mr. Hogan and he always treated me cordially while he remained in the Senate. And afterward, when we both took-up lobbying - Ed in the private sector and yours truly for the Department of Health and Social Services - we would always exchange pleasantries and engage in chit-chat as we went about our business in the hallowed halls of the Capitol.

Indeed Ed really hit his stride as a lobbyist. He was the Kingmaker of several Senate organizations and made a boatload of dough. He was a friend and associate of Bill Allen of VECO infamy; although the two ultimately had a falling-out when they chose opposite sides in the telecom wars.

The Anchorage Daily News story on Ed's checkered career as well as some additional pics are available at: http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/617473.html

Senators Eliason and Kerttula confer with Big Ed in the Senate Finance Committee Room. This picture gives me the serious willys. I wonder how many hours I spent sitting in this room?...

Lobbyists Sam Kito and Big Ed. Sam was VERY close to my boss of many years, Al Adams. Sam is still doing his thing in the Capitol...

Lobbyists Big Ed, Ashley Reed, and Dana Pruhs. Ashley still works the halls...it always amazed me that ANYONE would pay him ANYTHING to lobby. He was always, in my opinion, as worthless as tits on a boar (a favourite expression of good ol' Rep. Ernie Haugen). Pruhs lobbied for the North Slope Borough when I worked for Al. I think he was convicted of something...but my recollection of the details is dim.

In other news, I note in the Seattle Times that today is "call in gay" day. The idea apparently is for all gay folks to take the day off and volunteer at a human rights organization. Part of the California Prop 8 backlash (to be followed by a counter-backlash no doubt). Comment from a reader: "If you're bi, does that mean you take half the day off?"

Well, time to go chop some wood...

SantaCon and the Pirates of Portlandia

You learn something new every day...

In my case, on Saturday, I was fascinated by an article in The Oregonian describing this year's SantaCon in Portland. For the uninitiated, Santa Con originated in San Francisco a little more than a decade ago and has become an event in several other cities. SantaCon is described in the Oregonian as "an adult combination of Halloween and Mardi Gras, involving silly parading around in Santa costumes and serious pub crawling."

This year the event began in Hillsboro drinking establishments "to avoid trouble with the Portland police, who had issues with some of last year's revelers." Although by mid-afternoon the assembled Santas had apparently sampled all Hillsboro had to offer and staggered to the Max station for the trip downtown to continue the crawl.

"It's just a fun way to socialize," said Alan Jabin of Milwaukie, who attended with his wife, Debbie. "We participate in a lot of dress-up events," he said, "including the monthly Pirates of Portlandia."

Sadly, no additional information was provided on the monthly piratical events...

SantaCon has apparently received mixed reviews in other communities. The following comment was posted by a gentleman from Seattle:

"What a bunch of losers...I was living in Seattle two years ago when these creeps blocked traffic and the sidewalks on 1st Avenue...that was until about ten local gang bangers decided they had enough of the blockage...and we applauded as they knocked the crap out of these drunken bozos."

Bah Humbug!

In other news, Juneau is now under a Winter Storm Watch - the snow should start to fly by 6 PM and continue for up to 24 hours. Storm snow total up to 20 inches. And then rain for a couple of days. And then clearing-up with temperatures getting down into the teens.



Grandpa and Grandma Newman, Aunt Emilie's daughters Janis and Sandra, and yours truly circa 1965. Grandma Newman was a very serious Christmas afficionado. I suspect I got my Christmas gene from her...

Winter Arrives

I awoke to about four inches of new snow this morning and it's still coming down. It's supposed to turn to rain this afternoon...so it will be a sloppy day.

Yesterday was quite nice. I walked the new Auke Lake trail which meanders along the east side of the lake from the main highway to the Back-Loop Road. The trail's not completely finished - most of it is still fairly large rock which makes walking difficult. But it's going to be a great trail once completed. It will be very popular with bicyclists (including myself).

Not much to report otherwise. I'm going to work on a Photoshop project for an hour or so and then shovel snow here and at the folks. And then a workout, of course. I bought some fresh cranberries the other day and this afternoon I think I'll make cranberry scones. Pretty exciting, eh?

I think I mentioned previously that I had hoped to provide Christmas tunes on the Blog for the holiday season; but I have been completely flummoxed by the free software I have attempted to install on several occasions. So...instead I will provide you with a series of ol' timey holiday pics featuring one of my favourite people - me.

Big Elmer and Little Elmer circa 1963 at 622 West 11th. I loved my PJs with feet. Pretty cool doilies too!

A Most Wonderful Day

Finally! A dry day...with some sun. I did the usual elder gig this morning, had my normal workout, visited the elders again, spoke to Amanda who was in a quite jovial mood, and THEN...I GOT TO TAKE A WALK OUTDOORS!!

It was a most amazing thing. Filtered sunshine, a lot of high clouds, about 30 degrees, no wind - HEAVEN. I walked the dike trail by the airport. Lots of folks with hounds enjoying the day. Chatted with all of them - two-legged and four-legged - everyone was in high spirits.

Having said all that...I still need to kick it up the proverbial notch for the holidays. I've been suffering from whatever you might call the photoshop equivalent of writer's block - just can't seem to get my photo projects the way I want them. AAARRRGGGHH! I have a very strong suspicion that I just don't have much talent. I think I need some professional training. Although, if my golf game is anything to go by, the professional help may not help all that much.

On the other hand...so what? Hah!

I put up my tree yesterday...a day long ritual that I always enjoy very much. The tree in question is an artifact of the early 1990's - it's actually made in America - although I suspect the same cannot be said for most of the decorations.

Assemblage is as follows. First, open a good bottle of Pinot Noir. Second, fire up the iPod Holiday ensemble. Third, drag the bloody tree in its box from the closet to the front room. This doesn't sound like much of a challenge; except for those of you who know the dimensions of my apartment. Then you curse the fact that you have, once again, somehow misplaced the document that will easily allow you to attach the color-coded branches in ascending order.

Whew! You've once again assembled the tree in a fashion that most nearly allows the poor thing to resemble an actual tree. And then you decorate said tree with lights and baubles...singing Christmas Classics like Louis Armstrong's "Christmas Night in Harlem" at the top of your voice with the hope that the landlord, landlady, and landkids can't hear you. Then you sit at your dining room table, finish the Pinot, and think about the ghosts of Christmas past. Bittersweet yes. But still sweet.

I truly love the holidays!

People all feelin' mighty good
In that good old neighborhood
Let it now be understood
It's Christmas night in Harlem

C'mon now every Jane and Joe
Meet your sweet b'neath the mistletoe
With a kiss and a hi-de-ho
It's Christmas night in Harlem

"...people kind of looked at us regulators as old-fashioned."

The above quote from Mr. Jeffrey Brown a former top official at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency excerpted from an excellent story in the Washington Post this morning on the history of the mortgage meltdown.

Back in 2005 several federal agencies issued draft regulations to tighten mortgage lending practices - especially for adjustable rate loans and other exotic (now toxic) mortgage products.

The proposed rules were subsequently watered-down and many provisions dropped at the insistence of the banking industry. Exemplia gratia:

"These mortgages have been considered more safe and sound for portfolio lenders than many fixed-rate mortgages," David Schneider, home loan president of Washington Mutual, told federal regulators in early 2006.

"An open market will mean that different institutions will develop different methodologies for achieving this goal," Joseph Polizzotto, counsel to now-bankrupt Lehman Brothers, told U.S. regulators in March 2006. The goal in question was to verify that borrowers actually had jobs, assets or other income.

Countrywide Financial Corp., at the time the nation's largest mortgage lender, agreed. The proposal "appears excessive and will inhibit future innovation in the marketplace," said Mary Jane Seebach, managing director of public affairs.

The proposal that banks should independently verify information provided by brokers was met with much indignation. "It is not our role to be the regulator for the third-party lenders," wrote Ruthann Melbourne, chief risk officer of IndyMac Bank.

The Chief Credit Officer of (now defunct) Downey Savings Bank stated that "To conclude that 'nontraditional' equates to higher risk does not appropriately balance risk and compensating factors of these products."

Diane Casey-Landry, of the American Bankers Association, said the industry feared a two-tiered system in which banks had to follow rules that mortgage brokers did not. She said opposition was based on the banks' best information.

"You're looking at a decline in real estate values that was never contemplated," she said.

Such was the reasoning of America's Titan's of Finance as recently as 2006. Many of these individuals are now out-of-a-job which I suppose should bring us some satisfaction. And while criminal investigations are ongoing, the Wall Street view that stupidity, incompetence, and greed are not - in and of themselves - criminal offenses, may at the end of the day prove correct. It was all just a big misunderstanding...sorry about that America. Oh yeah, and thanks for the 700 billion - which, by the way, may not be quite enough to tide us over...