Life!

So, looking back over LJ land, I see that I've not really had anything to post recently except quick comments, political and economic stuff, and memes. I haven't actually written about events and such in life since the end of July! I've been meaning to for ages, and now I find it's the end of September...sigh. So, um, life!
( Work )

( Work-Like Things - Writing and School )

( August - Gencon, Weddings, and More! )

( September )

( Juggling )

( Health and Such )

That's about it from NYC. A minor side note, as I've said about a zillion times to the people who spend time with me, is that I've been shocked by the extent to which I miss Japan. It blows my mind that it was a year ago when I was there, and I'm really jonesing to go back. The current plan is to leave next summer immediately after Origins and return just before Gencon. I'll see if I can pull it off - right now, I couldn't afford that plan. But I'm GOING back, I'll MAKE it happen. :)

More Wall Street Woes

Honestly, I can't figure out if the Pres's financial bail out was a good idea or not. My instincts said run like hell, but everything I read about had me thinking it might be necessary. But now it's moot - House Rejects Bailout 228 - 205. Both support and opposition to the bill appear to have been at least somewhat bipartisan. As a result, the Dow Jones Industrial has dropped almost 700 points so far today. The S&P 500 has dropped 8%. The exchanges in London and Paris were down 5% at closing, HK lost 4.3%. I suspect (fear?) that tomorrow will be worse on the international scene.

Meanwhile, Citigroup has bought Wachovia, meaning that - as far as I recall - four out of the five major investment banks in the country have now folded. I can't remember where I read that, though, so it might be incorrect. Oh, and Washington Mutual is gone, too. Wachovia had been the nation's fourth largest bank. Now, Citigroup, JP Chase/Morgan, and Bank of America control almost a third of all deposits in the country. Including almost all of mine (I have accounts with Citi and Chase...).

I don't know what happens next, but it frightens me.

Edit: After a bit of looking, I've finally found an article that mentions the break down on partisan lines - 95 democrats and 2/3rd of republicans voted against the bill. The article is from the BBC, and mentions a few of the more international affects of the crisis, as well. More BBC comments. The break down is 140 Dems and 65 GOP pro, 95 Dems and 133 GOP against.

Listening to the talking head on MSNBC ripping apart McCain's financial guy, who is attempting to blame the democrats, is really funny.

( So I'm Trying to Figure Out If the Bail Out was a Good or Bad Idea... )

I have to go, but I definitely will be doing more research on this after I get back from walking the dog. :)

In an only somewhat related topic, here's a neat page with lots of election polling data. It seems pretty good.