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Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Tags: Bernanke, Bernard Madoff, Eliot Spitzer, Paulson, Rod Blagojevich, WaMu, Wall Street, bingstuff
I won’t say a lot about 2008. I suppose there were many good things about it, although it’s hard to remember them now, what with all the Spitzers and Blagojeviches and Madoffs and Greenspans and Paulsons and Bernankes and assorted Wall Street miscreants, the bailouts and the purges and the blown hedges and wilted WaMus and all that. The list of losers grows so long that it’s hard to remember who we were mad at last month, last week, yesterday. You kind of want to hope that 2009 will be different, and maybe it will be. We’ll have a new president. The markets will have to return to some kind of normalcy after a long period of disease. Like, creditors will have to start giving people credit again at some point, right? The debt folks will have to do what they do for a living, more responsibly, we hope. Car makers will have to figure out a way to sell some cars, which probably means somebody will start advertising again. Life will find a way. The general feeling I get is that we’re all pretty glad to get out of 2008 with at least a portion of our skins on. Nobody I know is sad to see the old year go. That twinkle in the common eye might not be tears of sadness or rage. It might be a glimmer of hope. Thanks to all of you who come here to browse, get excited, feel outrage or occasional amusement. I love to read what you write. I am very happy to publish the lot of you, as long as you keep it relatively clean and marginally on-point. One thing I do know about the year to come. I look forward to hanging with all of you as we chew over – and occasionally spit out – the events of this world as they unfold. Now I guess I’ll just lock up and get out of here. I’ll see you when I see you, guys. Hey! Read more! Have a good new year, MJ. Posted By Bing : December 30, 2008 5:05 pm
Bing: Thank you for your blog and for publish our, sometimes, nonsense. Have a stable 2009!!!! Posted By Isaac, Culver City Ca : December 30, 2008 5:52 pm
Hi Stanley, I’m a big fan from all the way in Australia. Ever visited? If you did we would all call you Binga. Have a lemonade for me on NYE. Tim. Posted By Tim, Adelaide, AUS. : December 30, 2008 5:58 pm
I read your stuff every time something new is posted, and I’m never (yes, never) disappointed. Here’s a toast to the hope that, maybe, next year will be better than the last. Posted By Bruce Geiger : December 30, 2008 6:15 pm
Yes, it’s going to be nice to leave this year behind. On the bright side of things, my Gypsy tea leaf reader informs me that she can now read coffee grounds in a cup, with better results than the tea leaves when it comes to picking stocks and investments. 2009 could be a good year, then again maybe not. I think I head over to her place for a cup of “joe”….I still have a couple of 20 dollar bills that the lap dancer missed out on,,,could turn that into a small fortune if I invest it right… See ya in 2009, Bing..It’s been a slice…that’s for sure.. Posted By Jack Hammond Canada : December 30, 2008 6:21 pm
Happy New Year, Bing! GFR to 2008 (in the spirit of your admonition to keep it clean and on task I’ll leave it to your capable imagination to figure out what the acronym stands for). While it wasn’t exactly a stellar year, at least we’re all still, for the moment, on the ‘right side of the grass’. Despite daily news that generally makes one feel like they’ve been hit up side the head with a sock full of nickels, you’ve got to admit its been interesting. You could not make this stuff up. This too shall pass, and onward to new vexations and victories. May you live long enough to bore your grand and great-grandchildren with tales of ancient market failures and epic winter snows. Posted By Mike, Spokane, WA : December 30, 2008 8:34 pm
2008, to me, is the year of the big “sink hole”. Under mining of the Capital Markets, linked with Capitol Hill, has weakened the foundations of American confidence. Our leaders scramble to fix our country’s problems; but, it just seems that their solutions are no more than plausible. Leaders in finance, industry, government, and education seem to make soft touch decisions that don’t rock the boat. In 2009, rocking the boat may lead to change; but getting hung up on a sand bar will lead to continuity, or, business as usual. I recall a cliche’ from the old days: Teachers teaching the “golden rule” teach to the tune of the hickory stick. In manufactoring today, they call that tune “product testing”. Posted By Bob Shelby Twp. Mi. : December 30, 2008 9:01 pm
Happy new year to you Bing. This is for me was crazy as far as the economy and world events, but it was pretty bitchin otherwise. I found the love of my life, a better job and I’m quite content. My girl is a fighter, beating liver cancer while working overtime. You couldn’t ask for a better woman both in and out of bed. I wrote a lot of good music this year of which i am exceedingly proud of. When I separate my life from the news it really changes my perspective. Heck, even the gas prices are down. So happy new year to all, and may next year be as good in the news as it has in my recent life. Thank you Bing, you are the man! Don’t blush too much now lol….I’m whiskeyed and merry! Posted By Josh, Tucson, Az : December 30, 2008 9:53 pm
A-OK Bing, take a well-deserved break. Speaking as one blogger, I appreciate your kind hosting, and also your measured comments to bloggers. Let’s pray that 2009 is somewhat less distressing than 2008. We all could use some cheer. See you on the other side! Posted By Bill, Laurel, MD : December 30, 2008 10:12 pm
Ba-Da-Bing! That’s it for 2008. I think I’m going to enjoy having a whole new fresh start in 2009. Cheers to you Bing, May you ever continue to kick things up a knotch. I’m going to go watch Emeril now. Posted By Anne, Tyler, TX : December 30, 2008 11:22 pm
as we teeter on the abyss let’s hope the impact when we fall isn’t that great and we emerge a wiser society. although i don’t always agree with you i have to say your banter provokes thought and brings a welcome relief from the daily rat race. happy new year bing. let’s hope the landing isn’t too hard. Posted By Insert Name Here, New Jersey : December 31, 2008 9:53 am
Thanks for the entertainment, Bing. I do love your blog! Except for the beating that my 401k has taken, for me personally, I can’t complain much about 2008. Life has been good. And as Mike said, if anything, it has been a very interesting (albeit sometimes gutwrenching) ride. Who knows what 2009 will be like, but I remain hopeful. One thing that is becoming apparent to me is that the only sure thing that will cure our ills is time. No one really knows what to do and nothing really seems to be working anyway. And as you said, eventually everyone has to go back and start doing the things that they do: lend money, sell cars, build houses…It’s the whole “revision to the mean” thing that we can all take comfort in. Posted By T, Jville, FL Go Gators, Beat OK : December 31, 2008 10:02 am
Nevermind that I was going to see them bright and early the next day. But instead of telling me “goodnight” or “see you tomorrow” my parents tucked me into bed one New Years Eve and said “See You Next Year”. I closed my eyes at the end of that year with a smile on my face. Posted By Mike Jackson – Austin, Texas : December 31, 2008 10:35 am
Happy New Year Bing! I hope this recurring wishful thinking every year around this time it will come at least possible with the coming of a new Administration. Posted By J.C.Martini, Reseda CA : December 31, 2008 12:32 pm
Though I gave you hell about the title of your Sun Tzu book a few years ago, I nevertheless enjoy your writings immensely. You don’t just write about your opinions but also the logic behind them. Whether we agree or disagree, does it matter?; we still like you just the way you are. I wish you the best in 2009, Stanley. Posted By Thomas H Atlanta, GA : December 31, 2008 1:26 pm
Happy New Year, Bing. I take back everything my friends said about you in 2008. Thanks for being there with your humor and insight. Posted By TJ Knowles San Diego, CA : December 31, 2008 3:32 pm
May your boss continue to be understanding of your writing gig. Judging by the posts you are a mentor to many of us who still aspire to business success! Posted By John, Vancouver BC : December 31, 2008 3:52 pm
Well from one ill-fitting pair of pants to another, I bid you a Chappy New Year. Posted By Ivan, Washington, D.C. : December 31, 2008 4:12 pm
Thanks, John, but if I was a success — or a big enough failure, like some of the great Bozos we have seen this year — I’m not sure I’d still have to be working, you know? Posted By Bing : December 31, 2008 4:29 pm
It’s the end of the work day and time to hustle home. There’s a Hoyo De Monterrey in the humidor and a bottle of bubbly with my name on it. Happy Hew Year to all and good “Fortune” in 2009. Posted By Bruce L. Chicago, Ill. : December 31, 2008 6:19 pm
Well put, Bing. I can’t wait to see 2008 behind me, it was the worst year I’ve ever experienced. I don’t have any notion that 2009 will magically be better, but at least we can turn the page on the crap we’ve had to put up with in 2008. Happy new year. Posted By humphrmi, Chicago, IL : December 31, 2008 11:00 pm
Bing, I am a reader from India, and I enjoy your writing just as much as your American readers. This economic crisis has affected everyone, and we all wish and hope that 2009 will turn out to be better than 2008. All the best to you, and to all your readers. Thanks for keeping us entertained and also giving us the insights into what is happening… Posted By Anil, Bangalore, INDIA : January 1, 2009 8:18 am
Bing.. A fan of yours from Belgium. This blog of yours and the readers comments provide some wholesome entertainment. Hoping America gets back to business soon. Posted By Mahadevan, Leuven, Belgium : January 1, 2009 9:30 pm
Well, I couldn’t resist a comment. Even though I’m retired, I still enjoy keeping up with today’s world. And, frankly, you make it a little more fun for me and sometimes my children and friends. Here’s to a great 2009! Posted By V. Laslow Banning, CA : January 1, 2009 10:12 pm
I have been reading all the magazines that men read for many years. Thanks for the wit and wisdom. Onward. Posted By David Hughes, Rock Hill, SC : January 2, 2009 8:53 am
Happy New Year to Bing and everyone!!!!!!!! May we all have a much better year. I hope they fix the federal aid or at least “work on it” so that students can have enough money to go to school. Alot of them are having to quit school because their loans are not covering nearly enough of the costs. Well that’s my New Year’s Wish this year!!!!!!! Posted By Liberty, Seattle, Washington : January 2, 2009 1:41 pm
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Stanley Bing
Stanley Bing is a Fortune columnist and best-selling author of business books noted for their wisdom as well as their sharp, slightly acrid sense of humor. He is also the only writer on business and the workplace who still puts on a suit and tie and goes to do battle with the dragons that breathe fire at corporate America every day. This blog captures what remains of his brain after it has exploded in all other directions.
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It’s the last day I’ll be spending at the office this year. Always a funny feeling. Another year is gone. A new calendar must be cracked open. I feel like I should clean up, but there’s really nothing to get rid of. One day I guess I’ll leave this place for real, and perhaps it will feel a little bit like this, only moreso. This time around, I’m luckier than some. I get to come back and see how things work out for another cycle.
Bing,
I don’t get to read your column as often as I’d like. However, when I do make it over here to read, it truly is a highlight in my miserable work day.
Best wishes for the New Year!