Wise words from Germany

[florafloraflora]

Today's New York Times has four brief pieces on the view of the financial meltdown from Europe. Here's something from the German piece, by Christoph Peters, that I can't help agreeing with:Television viewers accustomed to watching stockbrokers in action on their screens have long suspected that these are people with severe personality disorders,

Comments

[miketroll]

I also agree with Peters. I've worked with and for such people. It's a sad fact that many rise to the top in financial corporations more through their personal ambition, greed and unscrupulousness than through their wisdom, integrity and analytical skills. You didn't have to be a genius to see that the sub-prime mortgage market was a classic bubble waiting to burst, but many corporation chiefs on colossal salaries somehow bought it wholesale.

John Banville's title is great! "Éirinn go bráth" is an old Irish warcry meaning "Ireland Forever".

[florafloraflora]

You didn't have to be a genius to see that the sub-prime mortgage market was a classic bubble waiting to burst, but many corporation chiefs on colossal salaries somehow bought it wholesale.

I know I was told I was crazy for not buying it, and half began to wonder myself.

"Éirinn go bráth" is an old Irish warcry meaning "Ireland Forever".

Yes, and very popular on shirts, coasters, towels, mugs and every other kind of Irish-heritage-celebrating trinket here in the US.

[miketroll]

"Éirinn go bráth" is an old Irish warcry meaning "Ireland Forever".

Yes, and very popular on shirts, coasters, towels, mugs and every other kind of Irish-heritage-celebrating trinket here in the US.

Interesting - I never saw it in Ireland!

[florafloraflora]

It's usually spelled Erin Go Bragh, but yeah. Another reason I hate all that old-country heritage stuff.

Also seen in lots of hideous puns, like "Erin Go Braless".