Debris and Wreckage

Debris and wreckage from the on-going chaos in the financial markets continues to accumulate. The Switzerland government has arranged a CHF 70,000,000,000.00 bailout, eh, rescue fund for UBS. This is equivalent to every person (man, women and child) in Switzerland making a contribution of CHF 9,300. Per capita, this dwarfs the American bailout. The collapse of swissair was traumatic for the local citizens, but a banking failure would be unbearable. Some people are blaming me.

“Everything was fine until you began working in Financial Services,” Peter said.

“I don’t think..”

“I bet you even flew on Swissair.”

“Well..”

“And you told your own son that he should work in Iceland,” Bert commented.

“The alternative was Pakistan,” I replied.

“Actually, Dan,” Nazy interrupted. “The alternative was California.”

“Same difference,” I thought.

“Didn’t you also destroy ContiCommodity and COMPAQ?” Larry asked.

“They didn’t need my help.” I replied.

“You used to work with ING – and now they need government support.” Jim noted.

“ING said that they didn’t need money,” I said. “Everybody needs money,” I thought.

“So what are you going to do,” Jim, Larry, Bert, Nazy and Peter asked.

In times like this, it is important to be positive. If you’re mired in muck, open a mud-wrestling emporium. (On the other hand, I felt like a guy trying to sell water conversation technology in the middle of a flood.) Then inspiration:

“I am going to improve the human situation on the planet,” I exclaimed. “I will ask HP to transfer me to the Defense Industry sector. In a few years, no weapon will work. Discourse and negotiation will replace conflict and warfare.”

“You’ll get the Nobel Peace Prize, Dan.”

“I love the support I get from my spouse,” I thought as I opened an official-looking envelope that had arrived in the mail. The government, asking me to stay away from cheese and chocolate, reminded me that my broken Coo-coo Clock was made in Germany.