Jason Kaneshiro

This is my personal worry, I'm quiet heavily in debt. Though, job depending, I'll be paying a lot more towards it from now on. - Kol Tregaskes

There is no form of credit that is immune. We are seeing the economy re-set after years of overly available, overly used credit. All of the bad credit will need to be purged from the system before there is any real recovery. - Brian roy

I'm very worried about this. As someone who makes his money off e-commerce, if credit cards are 'turned off', I'll probably see a 75% drop in income immediately. The upside - if it is that - is that it's very difficult for people to escape their credit card debt. The heavily indebted will just have to work it off, God help them. - Rob Sterling

Unfortunate but true. - AJ Kohn

Sad to see this domino effect put into action. Although lending practices in the credit card market were obviously more risky for the lender, the real fear to me would be rising unemployment. As this occurs more people cannot pay, and the cycle goes on. I will be surprised if unemployment doesn't spike to 10% in the next year... yikes! - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

I have been waiting for this one to hit. It just has seemed inevitable for years. I hope that better regulation will be the ultimate outcome, maybe before the shit hits ... nah, now that's crazy talk. - Nadine Schaeffer

Personal anecdote - I just got a letter in the mail from one credit card I have, saying the account would be closed starting in november. I hadn't used the card in a year and have excellent credit. They're already pulling back. - Jason Kaneshiro

At least this is happening. The last bastion of abuse (and probably the worst) is being approached. The downside. Those that didn't get out in time have been using their CC's to save their homes while repositioning, even at the (usually) insane rates. Jason - I'm still getting at least 3 apps in the mail a week. Are they clear?? Plain language? No way. - Charlie Anzman

Indeed, we've been teetering on the edge of financial collapse for years. Bush and McCain did nothing to prevent this. Rather, they accelerated the pace. - Mike Reynolds

Well it IS funny, people not spending and taking money out of banks because of the NON STOP cries of 'Banks Failing'. What in the absolute hell would you expect people to do? Go buy a car? I'm not denying there's this issue, but I'm wondering (similar to being sick and googling yourself sicker) if that psychological part isn't part of the fuel. In a way, that puts us very close to the round-the-clock-eye-on-explosion coverage we get from the MSM. Offer solutions, it will bring you more traffic anyway. - Eric Rice

This is starting to piss me off. The LAST thing we need is for the MSM and bloggers to get wussy and start saying "everything's okay, don't panic". That bull kept the public from acting in regards to the Iraq War and all the other BS that Bush co pulled over on us for the last 8 years. If we see whole scale government intervention in the markets to where this country basically turns socialist, there better be a freaking revolution. Any body who claims to believe in the "free market" should be pissed. - Jason Kaneshiro

Well, the problem is that pulling all your money out of the bank causes the bank to fail. Chicken or egg? - Cyndy

Screw the bank, mine already failed (WAMU). I won't stand for my hard earned money to be used as collateral for shitty loans that never should have been made in the first place. - Jason Kaneshiro

Jason: interesting that you still have a "let the whole economy burn" approach just to punish those who caused this to happen. - Robert Scoble

@Jason - I have never said everything is okay I'm not that stupid or naive regardless of what some might be suggesting. I know things are going to get tough - hell they could get nasty but I am only trying to stress that this overly negative prose being used to describe what is happening isn't helping matters at all. We can be realistic about the current situation without having to scare the ever loving shit out of everyone. - Steven Hodson

I am increasingly convinced that the people who are looking for a solution (this weekend) have absolutely no idea what they're doing. It's getting really close to abandon ship, save yourself mode. - Jason Kaneshiro

Steven: I wasn't negative enough. ABC Radio just reported that the World Bank is saying that the financial system worldwide is very close to melting down. Nothing I can say can make things worse. Nothing. - Robert Scoble

Steven, I agree with your last statement. - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

Fear is a powerful motivator. It gets people to start acting instead of being passive pushovers, which is what the american people have been guilty of for too many years. If this economic turmoil scares some joe six pack into voting Obama, I say that's a good thing. And let's be clear - the Bush administration and all the rich cronies are the ones saying calm down, don't panic. Sound a bit familiar to "stay the course?" - Jason Kaneshiro

Jason, IMHO this is a bi-partisan mess we are all in ;-) - mainly b/c a greedy few took advantage of American closing its eyes. We are all to blame, and I'm voting for the candidate that steps up and says we all have to buckle up and time to get back to business. Small problem though, there hasn't been one, yet! Both are too busy pointing fingers... I did like Obama's stance on AIG execs though :-) Skewer those guys. - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

... and by AIG execs - I'm referring to the expensive retreat just days after their $85B bailout landed. - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

You mean the one Obama lied about? Where there were no execs involved, where it had been paid for months before, and where they were rewarding their best independent salespeople? Yup, let's start skewering those execs who reward their salespeople, that'll surely make sales go through the roof. - Wichita Lineman

Glen, what happened to the Southwest Airlines mentality? When times got tough, everyone sucked it up and took it. I have a hard time believing AIG didn't know troubled times were ahead... - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

Obama also put forth the idea to increase FDIC insurance, another good idea http://blogs.abcnews.com/polit... - Jason Kaneshiro

Quote from CNN.com:Days after it got a federal bailout, American International Group Inc. spent $440,000 on a posh California retreat for its executives, complete with spa treatments, banquets and golf outings, according to lawmakers investigating the company's meltdown. - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

Ken: there's a little bit of another story to that retreat story. They paid the hotel a long time ago and signed contracts. That's how the hotel industry works. If I think I'm going to run a good event next June I'd have to put up a deposit and sign a contract saying I'll pay a certain price. Not able to cancel just because the economy goes south. - Robert Scoble

Don't get me wrong here: (a) it looks bad, and (b) they've cancelled future ones. Canceling that one, however, would have not saved any taxpayer money at all. Ugly, yes, but Obama's statements were incorrect. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200... - Wichita Lineman

Robert and Glen, I can appreciate the reservation aspect. However, from a PR standpoint this is disastrous. Much more expensive to go. Additionally, canceling a 'hotel' is often not a huge deal and done quite often - even for a large group. Not to mention the air fare, spa treatments, meals, etc. For the record, I'm not worried about saving tax payers money. This does show why AIG was in trouble though - no common sense. If you can disagree with this, I would have to question yours as well ;-) - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

Ken: I don't disagree that the PR impact is huge and that was stupid. - Robert Scoble

Glen: good read on the link. Thank you. - ChangeForge | Ken Stewart

Ken, I would agree with your assessment that they are lacking in common sense. They also have serious management problems; if you can stay awake, try reading through some of the Waxman committee transcripts. The AIG board has never been graded higher than a C by an independent outside reviewer. - Wichita Lineman

That's bullshit Aaron. How many readers do I have? A few hundred thousand on a great day. My influence isn't that deep or wide to affect economies. And, anyway, I'm not going to be a propogandist and smile and blow smoke up your behind just because you want me to. I will report what I'm seeing and hearing. If you are seeing or hearing something else, please let me know, but don't tell me to shut up just because you don't like what you're hearing. - Robert Scoble

Well, Mr. Scoble- I don't believe I mentioned your name, but if you feel particularly stung by my comment, then maybe I'm not the one you should be calling bullshit on. As a matter of fact, the space is full of negative propaganda that is self-fulfilling. - Aaron Brazell via fftogo

Aaron: you're reading different blogs than I am. Dave McClure and Chris Brogan and many others are trying to keep a stiff upper lip. Steven, here, is taking me to task for being too negative. So where's this "full of negative propoganda" that you're talking about? In fact, I see the blogosphere as being "full of positive propoganda." - Robert Scoble

Wait a second, Robert... aren't you debunking everything you've been saying for the last few years? You've been boasting how great it is to have a smaller readership than the TC's, Mash's and RWW's of the world because your audience is * influential* rather than *legion*. You can't have it both ways. Either you're shouting into the wind, or you've got influence. Which is it? - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins

Mark: I have influence, but with the tech industry. My readers are very smart and if what I'm telling them is not true they come to their own opinions. Also, I link to those who point out I'm full of it (like this post, actually) to show my readers people who have an opposite point of view to my own (not to mention my comments are open so anyone can point out that I'm an idiot). But that won't stop me from pointing out what I'm hearing or seeing. Even if it's unpopular. - Robert Scoble

Oh, and having influence is just that you can get a message out to lots of people. It doesn't mean that those people will actually do anything because of that message. If I had THAT power I'd just write "please send me $100." Heheh. - Robert Scoble

Integrity + speaking what's truly on your mind, bold concepts indeed. Kudos, Robert - Dave Hussein Martin

Robert, that makes no sense... you influence people to... listen to your message? I don't think influence means what you think it means. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins

Mark, all I have the influence to do is to get people to engage with me and talk about ideas. For instance, what we're doing here. I had the influence to get you to engage with me. If you think I have more influence than that, I'm flattered, but I'm not going to claim it myself. - Robert Scoble

That's pretty big influence, Robert, and that's all people are asking for you. You can engage with people and find the silver linings and give reason to hope. No one is asking you to be the savior of the world. Just the King of your sphere of influence - which is pretty big regardless of whatever self-deprecating things you have to say about it. - Aaron Brazell

عجب وبلاگ زیبایی. تقدیم به فرزاد زمانی و تمام اقتصادیهای فرندفید رونوشت به میلاد. شاندیز اخر و عاقبت تو و سلما همینجوریه ها :) - mhmazidi

I like these. I feel their pain. - Ryan

Friends o/h said there were grown men crying all week... - Vicky Pearce

People with looks of "Oh SH*T I didn't see this coming" on their faces are not the people I want responsible for my retirement. I think I'll look after my own money from now on, thank you very much. - Alan Cheslow

haha, alan, that's very true. - Corie "Viper" Jones

Palm Pilots - Jason Brooks

this is hilarious... i gotta share this... by the way, it was either Stephen Colbert or Jon Stewart who showed a composite graphic with such photos for a few seconds one or two nights ago... thanks - Mason Wong

sad moments - Farz∂d Zam∂ni

Here's another - http://sadguysontradingfloors.... - Alan Cheslow

lmao @ Akiva - Lindsey Smith

Akiva, don't post anything for the rest of the night. - Monique(AwesomelySaucy) via fftogo

Amen! - JMakesAwesomeSauce

I guess I'm subscribed to the right people. I'm not seeing any of this stuff. - Rochelle

:( - Akiva Moskovitz

akiva! ha. - edythe

LOL!!! Awww...Akiva :) - RAHwsomeSHEENsauce™

This really belongs in the Bitch room. :) - Christopher Welle

I don't know if they told you this about me, Christopher, but I'll cut a mutha fucka... - Monique(AwesomelySaucy) via fftogo

lol @ monique - Lindsey Smith

:P got to find me first. - Christopher Welle

Monique, did somebody whinge earlier? - Sally Church

Sally: yes, and had the nerve to do it directly in the person's thread. - Monique(AwesomelySaucy) via fftogo

Monique, wow - Sally Church

Let the church say "Amen!" There are plenty of filtering tools on friendfeed,etc. so put ya big kid draws on and use them and quit whining. - Kristasphere

I'm not sure he can win a campaign of plans/policies any more. He's too far behind at this point. Plus he has the ghost of GW haunting his election and I don't think he's going to be able to shake that off either. - Alex "Gamerpoints" Scoble

As we say back in the Blighty, a week is a long time in politics so 25 days is an eternity. A lot can happen between now and Nov 4th. - Sally Church

McCain would have been way better off is he just acted like himself. Of course, to become the Republican nominee, he had to drop what he stood for to become a model Republican. Now he's in an awkward position and the majority of people are freaked out about his awkward behavior and speech. - Mike Reynolds

Will check back in to this thread next week and see what the outlook is. 18 days is less than an eternity. :) - Alex "Gamerpoints" Scoble

Alex, tell you what I think the trend is definitely in Obama's direction barring a major disaster or a brilliant comeback by McCain. 6 moderate fiscally conservative but socially liberal and independent friends have finally come off the fence and decided they will all vote for Obama. If many other moderates are going the same way, it's a good sign. - Sally Church

@Mike Unfortunately, I think we have finally seen the true McCain. So perhaps he truly is acting like himself. Have you read the Rolling Stone piece in which a fellow war hero called him a spoiled, irresponsible brat? And isn't that how he's been conducting his campaign? No wonder he couldnt' look Obama in the eye. - Rick Powell

If there is a soul left inside McCain at this point, it has to be sick at what this campaign has been reduced to. - Cyndy

Well said, Cyndy. What started out with much promise seems to be a shadow of it's former self now. - Sally Church

I agree Cyndy. The real question is this, When you go extremely negative and rile up people to the threat of a mob like state, where do you go from there? - Christopher Welle

it's a wrap. it's all about reaching now. - Carlos Ayala

Alex, please check your email. I sent you a note. My emails often go to people's SPAM folder. Even when I BCC myself it goes to my own SPAM folder! I don't know why that is. It's a Yahoo account, not some spammy domain. rolling eyes - Dawn

I'm so cynical about politics I'm not counting Obama until he's elected and inaugurated. All it would take is one loony with a gun, bush starting a war or fixed voting machines and we get four more years - Jason Kaneshiro

No, no, and heck no! - Alex "Gamerpoints" Scoble

no - Jason Kaneshiro

No, of either candidate. A foul accusation, used simply because it's so vivid in the American psyche and is therefore a highly powerful way of defaming someone. It's use shows a cruel and desperate mind. The British used to use it against Indian nationals that were fighting for independence. It's a classic ploy. - Mo 'Killer Sauce' Kargas

I honestly am not trying to headhunt or anything like that, I'm just curious as to who would seriously believe this type of stuff and why. Are people in America that scared? I also added the "fair game" part because, even if you don't believe it, how can you vote for an organization that would do this? - RAHwsomeSHEENsauce™

Your questions indicate your own bias, so they're obviously not worth answering. - Wichita Lineman

First off I want you to define terrorist... Second if association with someone effectively puts you in the same pail as them, then McCain has a lot to answer too. I truly thought we were done with McCarthyism. - Christopher Welle

Where I live there are definitely people who question Obama's pedigree, for lack of a better term. For many of them it's the name, plain and simple. For someone of average intelligence who's seen 6-7 years of 'Arabs' attacking the US and bombing us abroad, the name + the insinuations are all it takes. - Stupid Emoo (aka Tina)

Not sure where my bias is 1) All that obvious or 2) pertinent to this conversation. If you weren't going to bother with a useful comment, I don't understand why you bothered at all. - RAHwsomeSHEENsauce™

I think its a (not so) thinly veiled attempt to play on peoples fear and bigotry. If they thought it would win the election they would call him a [the N-Word] - J. Abdul-Qahhar

John McCain spelled backwards is BIN LADIN! - Outsanity

how are these questions biased in any way? just answer the questions man. - Cee Bee

Palin's connections are a factor of 100x more scary than Obama's. Why she's not being crucified for being a secessionist is beyond me - Duncan Riley

I don't, at all. I would really like to see all of the candidates answer that question, directly. Not with a nod, wink, or "... well, you know, he/she was seen with so and so..." Campaigns have always traded in innuendo, but this has been whipped up to such a frenzied level that it makes a mockery of the whole process. (something I would have thought was hard to do, up until this point) - Jennifer Dittrich

Rah: no, cubed. - Steven Hussein Perez