Category: Economics and Finance

The Loan Shark Who Dared Not Speak His Name

I had a visit from a client who wished to remain anonymous today.  I get them occasionally, and, quite frankly, I’ve found that their envelopes of cash, velvet sacks of platinum Maple Leaf sovereigns, Prada bags crammed chock full of glistening Krugerrands, attache cases of sturdy iridium rod and plain, ordinary cardboard boxes of silver… Continue reading The Loan Shark Who Dared Not Speak His Name

Old Soldiers Never Lie, It Just Sounds That Way

Henry Clay, who died 156 years ago this last June 29, contributed quite a few things to American history.  Some put him in the top ten politicians to ever hold federal office.  The man certainly kept busy, that’s for sure, almost single-handedly starting the War of 1812, acting as the chief architect of the Missouri… Continue reading Old Soldiers Never Lie, It Just Sounds That Way

Dragnet Snares 400 Alleged Weasels

Last night, Cerise and I dined at a pricey and elegant restaurant which recently opened on K Street.  For reasons that will soon become evident, however, I won’t mention the name of that establishment in this post. It came as a shock, I must say, when the sommelier approached our table.  He approached from behind… Continue reading Dragnet Snares 400 Alleged Weasels

British Physicist Ponders Scientific Mystery

I’ve always wondered about the English tradition of hyphenated last names.  The whole concept strikes me as a perfect example of vain impracticality.  As if a woman named Chuzzlewit didn’t have enough problems already – could changing her last name to Havisham be all that bad?  Apparently so, and here comes Ms. Chuzzlewit-Havisham, tripping so… Continue reading British Physicist Ponders Scientific Mystery