Can a Potty-Mouth Get You a Promotion?
“Swearing does provide a sort of release that other language doesn’t provide.”
~ Dr. Daniel Zimmerman, a co-author of a study that says cursing can “clear the head,” and “conveys the sort of aggression that is rewarded with honors and promotions in high-stress workplaces.”
Paul Krugman Doesn’t Like Being Included in GOP Tax Cut Talking Points
“The point is that I’m not a real small businessman, but I play one in anti-tax propaganda.”
~ The Professor was a little too sarcastic the first go round.
The Big 4 Abbott & Costello Routine
“Do you want 7 to go into 28 a total of 13 times? Sure. Just hire a Big Four auditor, and he’s got a rubber stamp with your name on it.”
~ Gary Weiss thinks auditors are a joke.
For Some, There Is An Upside to Dodd-Frank
“Like Sarbox, it is destined to fail—except for all the lawyers and accountants and new bureaucrats it will enrich.”
~ Neil Weinberg found the silver lining.
In Politics, Spite Will Forever Trump Progress
“It’s amazing to me how difficult it is to work together around here, even when we want to.”
~ Orrin Hatch (R-UT), referring to how the U.S. Senate managed to drag out the passing of the small-business bill.
A Big 4 Identity Crisis?
“The Big 4 don’t even like being called AUDITORS. Rather they provide ‘ASSURANCE Services,’ and act as ‘TRUSTED ADVISORS.’ This isn’t just rhetorical. It’s a cynical PR move and an effort to limit their liability.”
~ Francine McKenna, who will be on a panel with Lehman Brothers Bankruptcy Examiner Anton Valukas, NYT Chief Financial Correspondent Floyd Norris and others, discussing the financial crisis.
How Do You Make Up for Ignoring Massive Corruption?
“Whatever good things international accountancy firms are doing in Russia – and I’m sure there are a few – blowing the whistle on massive corruption isn’t really one of them.”
~ Tim Wall, in the Moscow News. [via Re:The Auditors]
Nikki Haley’s Accounting Skills Are Being Called into Question
“Every time she touches a balance sheet, she leaves behind a tral [sic] of tax liens and penalties. If Rep. Haley really is an accountant, she is as incompetent as her mentor is at job recruitment.”
~ Trav Robertson, spokesman for South Carolina Gubernatorial candidate Vincent Sheheen, is talking out of his ass a little but the jab at Mark Sanford is duly noted.
Paul Hogan Is Pleased to be Back on U.S. Soil
“I have come to this great tax haven, the USA, where the IRS are gentlemen compared to our lot.”
~ Mick Dundee isn’t making a helluva lot sense but it’s fine, he’s still more or less a celebrity.
How Is the Homebuyer Tax Credit Like Jason Voorhees?
“Like the killers in those really bad slasher movies, this tax subsidy wreaks havoc wherever it goes, appears to meet its demise in the last reel, yet returns to create more misery.”
In Other Words, Nicolas Cage’s Accountant Is Probably Counting Some Money
“Nic is happy that it is resolved.”
~ A TMZ “source,” on the settlement reached between NC and his former accountant, who were both blaming each other for Cage’s financial trubs.
Famous Last Words
“The lawsuit is a bunch of BS. They’re throwing everything at me. I’m not afraid of the IRS.”
~ William Alexander, on allegations brought against him by the IRS.
Good Thing They Had Auditors
“Lehman’s books were in such a mess that I don’t think they knew where they were.”
~ Elizabeth James, a director of Barclays’s futures business, testifying in bankruptcy court.
Bernanke: This Ride Isn’t Over
“[W]e have come a long way, but there is still some way to travel.”
~ The Fed Chairman wants you to chew on that while he kicks it in Jackson Hole.
As to Whether Allen Stanford Knew His CDs Were Worthless
“I think it’s obviously obvious.”
~ Forensic accountant Mark Berenblut, responding in the affirmative that R. Allen Stanford knew he was “misrepresent[ing] the liquidity and soundness of the CDs.”
Dov Charney’s Business Sense Doesn’t Include Reliable Financial Statements
“He flies in the face of business sense, fashion manufacturing and retailing sense.”
~ Bryan Roberts, research director for retail analysts Planet Retail, couldn’t get through to Deloitte in time with this message.
Why Would Someone Want to Buy a Sports Franchise?
“Because of the way the value of sports franchises generally appreciates each year in the marketplace, each owner is in it for the holy grail, and that is to sell the team eventually when they realize very nice capital gains.”
~ Brian Beerman of Beerman, Piper & Associates LLP insists that championships are NBD.
New Jersey Nets Fans May Have Gotten Ripped Off
“She promises to significantly reduce their IRS tax debts, but instead preys on their vulnerability, taking large up-front payments but providing little or no help in lowering their tax bills.”
~ California Attorney General Jerry Brown isn’t impressed with Roni Deutch’s advertising. And the Nets likely have one less way to try and draw crowds.
Maybe If We Put Internal Controls Last, No One Will Notice
“That is quite a risk to put at the end of the list.”
~ Peter Henning isn’t so sure that General Motors is taking the whole “disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting are currently not effective” serious enough.
This Could Easily Be a Member of Congress
“We are grateful to the courageous taxpayer who came forward to notify the United States attorney’s office of a corrupt public servant.”
~ U.S. Attorney Todd Jones is really just referring to that IRS agent who needed $9,700.
And If Only American Apparel Hadn’t Burned Through All That Cash, They Could Have Made Bigger Campaign Contributions
“If it weren’t for the immigration bust by the Obama administration, the company would have been OK this year.”
~ “[A] source close to American Apparel” quoted in the Post obviously isn’t familiar with the company’s debt position.
Tim Geithner Will Tell You Exactly What He Thinks of Fannie and Freddie
“This administration will side with those who want fundamental change. It is not tenable to leave in place the system we have today. We will not support returning Fannie and Freddie to the role they played before conservatorship, where they fought to take market share from private competitors while enjoying the privilege of government support.”
~ The Treasury Secretary has had it up to his coif.
Charlie Gasparino Suggests That Erin Callan Should Be Shaking in Her Designer Boots
“At least part of it is focused on the March 2008 capital raise where they went out and did a preferred deal. Erin Callan made some very positive bullish statements about Lehman. About how the nature of its finances would mean that it did not need more capital and three months later Lehman Brothers needed more capital and then came the decline of the firm.”
~ The Fox Business Correspondent/Ace Reporter insists that an announcement is “imminent.” That’s what the rumor mill says anyway.
Paging Tea Party Members…
“If you wanted to irritate the raise-taxes folks with tax-hiking proposals designed to nettle and sting their tender flanks, what would you do?”
~ James Lileks puts it out there. His example was taxing professors on their tenure. Ironically, this comes via TaxProf Paul Caron. If you’ve got ideas, leave them below.
Accountants Still Don’t Have the Warm Fuzzies About the Economy
“Uncertainty about the sustainability of the recovery continues to limit planned investment and hiring.”
~ Professor Mark Lang on the results of the AICPA/University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School survey of CPAs in leadership positions.
The CPA That Cried “IRS!”
“No bureaucracy ever thinks it has all the power it needs.”
~ Joe Kristan can’t see the future (to our knowledge) but he did predict that the IRS would try to extend the tax preparer regulations to CPAs.
Memo to IRS: Regulating Tax Preparers Is Not ‘Mission Critical’
“We believe that the IRS has neither demonstrated the need for extending the non-signing preparer requirements to CPA firms nor that its proposed testing program merits shifting IRS resources away from other mission-critical programs.”
~ Thirty-one members of Congress sent a letter to Tim Geithner, asking TG, Doug Shulman & Co. to, pretty please, reconsider the requirement for non-signing CPAs.
The PCAOB Is Pleased with How the Whistleblowing Has Gone
“We thought auditors and investors would like to have an avenue to report violations of accounting and auditing standards and financial fraud.”
~ Claudius Modesti, PCAOB Enforcement and Investigations Division director. Last year, the Board fielded 179 tips – a record – that alleged wrongdoing by audit firms and their employees.
In Other Words, “Our Numbers Are Good and My Old Boss Is a Pig.”
“We thought it was important for people to appreciate that the announcement today has nothing to do with the operational performance of the company, it is all about Mark’s behavior and judgment.”
~ HP Chief Financial Officer Cathie Lesjak, who is now interim CEO after an abrupt resignation by Mark Hurd amid sexual harassment allegations.
Gird Your Loins, Big 4
“I believe the time has come for us to ask Congress to change the law and make our enforcement proceedings public, unless there is some good reason for a particular matter to be closed.”
~ Dan Goelzer, Acting Chair of the PCAOB, would like to get things out there.
Warren Buffet Will Bring His A-game Next Time
“It was a very soft sell, but 40 signed up.”
~ The Oracle of O probably didn’t even mention the fact that the estate tax will eventually come back.
Memo to Washington: Please Consider Tax Reform
“Instead of reprising their partisan, tiresome, and largely unproductive argument about what to do with the Bush tax cuts, President Obama and Congress ought to be asking a very different question: How do we build a tax system capable of generating the revenues we need to fund the government we want in the most efficient and fair way possible?”
Maxine Waters Takes Exception with the Ethics Violations
“I have not violated any House rules. Therefore, I simply will not be forced to admit to something I did not do.”
~ The California Congresswoman, in a statement, won’t be going quietly.
Tony Hayward Is a Lover, Not a Spiller
“I didn’t want to leave BP, because I love the company. Because I love the company, I must leave BP.”
~ Tony Hayward may, as some have suggested, have a future as a poet.
It’s Been Awhile Since Charlie Rangel Had a Bad Day
“Sixty years ago, I survived a Chinese attack in North Korea and have said that I haven’t had a bad day since. But after today, I may have to revise that statement.”
~ Rangs had a helluva run. Not that it’s any consolation.
California’s Budget Crisis Streak Continues
“Without a budget in place that addresses our $19 billion budget deficit, every day of delay brings California closer to a fiscal meltdown,”
~ California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger probably wouldn’t mind having the ability to go back in time and try to do something. Anything.
Tony Hayward Goes Out on a High Note
“We have followed the IRS regulations as they’re currently written.”
~ The outgoing BP CEO, explaining the $9.9 billion tax credit the company took in the second quarter.
Are Face Tattoos a Dealbreaker at PwC?
“I’m guessing that if Mike Tyson walked into a job interview for a financial analyst position at PricewaterhouseCoopers with his half-face tribal tattoo, he probably wouldn’t be asked back for a second interview.”
~ Brie Reynolds, over at Ology, is making the assumption that the baddest man on the planet wouldn’t be able to provide the PwC Experience.
Charlie Rangel Is Perfectly Aware of the Allegations
“I’m in the kitchen and I’m not walking out.”
~ The 80-year old Congressman would prefer you to bring it.
“Who do I make the check out to?”
“We are pleased to have resolved this matter. We are committed to maintaining clear and accurate reporting of our periodic results, supporting our customers, and executing our growth strategy.”
~ Michael Dell doesn’t seem too broken up about today’s little setback.
Business as Usual at the SEC
“The SEC at least knew of this issue and tried to inquire when they could.”
~ Don Whalen, AuditAnalytics.com’s director of research, is referring to the Commission’s knowledge of repurchase agreements used by various companies as early as 2004, but could easily be talking about Bernie Madoff.
Was the $550 Million Not Enough for You?
“I couldn’t tell you, Mike, that there is a company in the world that does not have a threat of a criminal investigation at some point in time. I mean, every company in the entire world has that. All I can tell you is that we are not aware of any criminal investigation of Goldman Sachs.”
~ Goldman Sachs CFO David Viniar, responding to CLSA analyst Mike Mayo, who really, really, really, really wants to know if there is a threat of a criminal investigation into Goldman Sachs.
Accounting = Weapons of Mass Destruction
“Accounting is the CEO’s “weapon of choice” that transforms the perverse incentive into what economists, regulators, and criminologists agree is a “sure thing” in crises (means).”
~ William K. Black, Associate Professor of Economics and Law at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Thumbs Up or Down on Financial Regulatory Reform?
“The answer to that question for both proponents and detractors of the bill is to read it. All of it. Then decide.”
~ Steven M. Davidoff, the Deal Professor, read all 2,300 some-odd pages and just assigned all of you some homework. It’s going become law after all.
The Frank-Dodd Act Could Solve Part of the Unemployment Problem
“In 2,500 pages of dense prose, we’re about to receive legislation that could better be entitled ‘The Lawyers’ and Lobbyists’ Full Employment Act.”’
~ Harvey Pitt, former SEC Chairman, graduated with his law degree from St. John’s in 1968.
Have Americans Embraced…Saving?
“[I]t’s like saving money when they shop is a new kind of game, a way to stick it back to the man.”
~ Pat Conroy, vice chairman and Deloitte’s consumer products practice leader, is proud of all the consumers out there.
For Starters, PwC Pays Their Attorneys a Lot of Money
“How can any self-respecting attorney still argue – and any lucid judge still believe – that PwC’s global firm is not just a sham legal construct, an artificial vehicle for the strongest member firms to control and potentially exploit their weaker ones, all under the guise of ‘improving quality and seamless delivery to multinational clients…’ ?”
~ Francine McKenna still isn’t buying it.
LeBron James’ CPA Needs to Get to Work
“Wouldn’t you love to be Mr. James’s tax accountant right about now?”
Who Says No One Loves the IRS?
“She was probably two when she did that because she looks fantastic.”
~ Michelle Obama, referring to 60-year IRS vet, Pauline Fenderson, who started as a typist during the Truman years.
The AICPA Is Jumping on This Audit Committee Trend
“The audit committee is essentially its organization’s financial conscience. The responsibilities have grown demonstrably, and committee members need appropriate guidance to carry out their essential charge. That’s the AICPA’s goal for its first audit committee forum.”
~ Carol Scott, AICPA vice president for business, industry and government thinks it’s about time we got down to business.
This Fall, It’s Do or Die for Accounting Rule Convergence
“If we can’t get converged (on financial instruments), it would suggest the convergence effort is going to be challenged and questioned on a significant basis.”
~ FASB member Tom Linsmeier levels with everyone on the FASB’s big test in the convergence process this fall.
Goldman Sachs Isn’t Perfect, Ya Know
“During the course of the financial crisis, we made our fair share of mistakes. We lost a considerable amount of money through our exposure to leveraged loans and mortgages.”
~ Goldman Sachs CFO David Viniar, in his opening statement before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission.
In Other Words, Determining AIG’s CDS Losses Was a Big Game of Darts
“I did not expect actual, economic losses on the portfolio. That said, I was truthful at all times about the unrealized accounting losses and did my very best to estimate them accurately, in consultation with others at AIG-FP, as well as with my supervisors, AIG’s senior accounting staff, and its internal and external auditors.”
~ Joe Cassano, in his prepared testimony before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission
A Meaningless Win for Free Enterprise Fund and Beckstead and Watts
“Beckstead and Watts, LLP, and the Free Enterprise won, but there is no prize for them.”
~ Professor David Albrecht (guest posting at JDA), pointing out that despite a victory, the petitioners basically get jack squat.
Sarbanes-Oxley Lives
“The Sarbanes-Oxley Act remains ‘fully operative as a law’ with these tenure restrictions excised.”
~ Chief Justice John Roberts, in the Supreme Court’s majority opinion.
Imagine a Future Free of Questions on Revenue Recognition
“It is an important step towards a single global principle-based standard that would make it absolutely clear when revenue is recognised-and why.”
~ Sir David Tweedie is pretty happy with how the converged revenue recognition standard turned out.
Bring on the Reform, Banks Will Continue Doing Just Fine
“Despite the reality of impending financial reform, banking and financial services executives are bullish about their business prospects in the current year and 2011, with many investing for long-term growth and specifically focused on traditional services, emerging technologies and M&A as a means to generate growth.”
~ Scott Marcello, deputy leader of KPMG LLP’s Financial Services practice.
Steny Hoyer Might Be Calling a Lot of His Colleagues Liars
“We’re lying to ourselves and our children if we say we can maintain our current levels of entitlement spending, defense spending, and taxation without bankrupting our country.”
~ House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) would prefer that everyone quit lying.
The IRS Did the Exact Opposite of What Chuck Grassley Wanted
“These changes appear to be limiting the scope of whistleblowers and the type of recoveries that would be eligible for an award. The fewer people eligible for rewards, the fewer people coming forward with information that might check out as tax fraud.”
~ Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), wants more whistleblowers to get paid.
BP CFO Explains the Ixnay on the Ividenday
“It’s an extraordinary thing for a company to do, but it’s an extraordinary thing we’re in.”
~ BP CFO Byron Grote, on the company’s decision to suspend its dividend, on a conference call with investors.
FASB Fair Value Proposal Brings the Hate
“In my mind you are largely responsible for the market collapse in 2007, 2008, 2009.”
~ John Sherman, in a public comment on the FASB’s proposed fair value rule, most of which are really, really, really not nice.
Yes, It’s Perfectly Fine to Call Me While I’m on Vacation
“It’s been my experience that an ‘out of office’ response means nothing anymore.”
~ Edward T. Creagan, a medical oncologist and writer of the Mayo Clinic Stress Blog.
Jeff Skilling Will Tell You That Prison Has Its Drawbacks
“Could you buy me a cup of coffee? Inmates aren’t allowed to touch money or approach the machines. They could put me in solitary for a week.”
~ The former Enron CEO is adjusting to his 24 year vacation.
Accounting Convergence Will Claim Some Bodies
“I am proud to say that so far my fellow board members and our staff, both FASB and IASB, have risen to the occasion. But I do fear potential burnout, as it’s not so easy to be running a marathon at sprint speed.”
~ Bob Herz, admitting that maybe these accounting wonks might be working too hard.
But Do They Become Good Accountants?
“When the going gets tough, the tough take accounting.”
~ New York Times columnist David Brooks, who says that the weak economy leads many wannabe humanity majors into the arms of the double-entry system.
Does Anyone Have a Crayon for Mary Schapiro?
“The SEC’s efforts are, and will always be, a work in progress. We will continually refocus our energies as circumstances warrant, as new ideas are offered and considered, as we consider your opinions and suggestions. But the outlines are emerging, the colors are being filled in, and I am hopeful that a portrait of a financial marketplace more stable and efficient than the one we saw in 2008 is beginning to emerge.”
SEC Chair Mary Schapiro at CEO Quarterly Meeting of the Business Roundtable on the SEC’s ongoing efforts to color inside the lines. Apparently the Commission was free-handing all this time.
Ben Bernanke’s Idea of “Recovery” Might Not Correlate with Yours
“My best guess is we’ll have continued recovery, but it won’t feel terrific.”
~ Ben Bernanke takes a stab at the economy.
Bernie Madoff Doesn’t Sound Particularly Remorseful
“Well, that’s what I did.”
~ Bernie Madoff’s to a fellow prisoner telling him that taking advantage of old ladies was “kind of fucked up.”
Who Says Accountants Just Talk About Money?
“People think that accountants are all white shirts and blue suits and that we just talk about money all the time but we’re not! We’ve got personalities too and I’m hoping my appearance on the show will improve our image.”
~ Christopher Stone (aka the Singing Accountant) is thinking about all of you white shirted, blue suited types out there.
Memo to the World: You’ll Just Have to Live with the Big 4 Whether You Like It or Not
“[T]here are plenty of industries where there are four big players. The world just has to get on with it.”
~ John Griffith-Jones, chairman of KPMG in the UK and co-chairman in Europe on the concern that four accounting major accounting firms are not enough.
Accounting Rules Were Just Fine Until You Came Along
“The primary result of the convergence project has been to take a set of perfectly mediocre accounting standards (U.S. GAAP) and messed them all up.”
~ Professor David Albrecht, who isn’t quite ready to dance on the grave of accounting convergence.
HR 4213: Soon-to-be the Worst Tax Enactment of the New Decade?
“The S corporation tax increase in HR 4213 is a mess and should not be enacted.”
~ Joe Kristan, on the legislation that will hit small business with a 2.9% medicare tax increase.
Hillary Clinton Sounds Like She Would Be Supportive of the Wealth Squads
“The rich are not paying their fair share in any nation that is facing the kind of employment issues [that America is] – whether it’s individual, corporate or whatever taxation forms are.”
~ Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
The FASB Is Prepared for the Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth
“[It] will not be very warm.”
~ FASB Chairman Bob Herz, on the financial services industry’s reaction to the Board’s new proposals for valuing loans and loan-like instruments at their market value.
A Freakishly Good Memory Isn’t Necessary to Succeed in Public Accounting
“I know that some people might not have the same kind of memory that I have, but if you have enough passion about wanting to help people and you’re willing to work hard, you’ll go very far in the world of public accounting.”
~ Steven M. Braunstein, President of Snyder Cohn
The PCAOB Has a Plan B if the Supreme Court Manages to Make a Huge Mistake
“In the event that the PCAOB does not prevail – and the decision requires a legislative change – I would urge Congress to act quickly to fix whatever structural problems the Court identifies.”
~ Interim PCAOB Chairman Dan Goelzer, in testimony today.
At Which Point the SEC Will Announce That “Things Are Progressing” on IFRS
“As we move forward, we are committed to providing public progress reports beginning no later than October 2010 and frequently thereafter until the work is complete.”
~ SEC Chief Accountant James Kroeker’s testimony for tomorrow’s hearing before the House Subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government Sponsored Enterprises.
The IFRS Foot Dragging Talk Is Just Your Opinion
“This…is wrong. To be clear, while I strongly believe in our commitment to high-quality accounting standards, I believe just as strongly that this commitment is only the beginning of the discussion, not the end.”
~ SEC Chair Mary Schaprio, on the Commission’s approach to IFRS.
The IRS Outreach to Nonprofits Didn’t Go So Hot
“The IRS has conducted an unprecedented outreach effort in the tax-exempt sector on the 2006 law’s new filing requirements, but many of these smaller organizations are just now learning of the May 17 deadline.”
~ Doug Shulman, IRS Commissioner
We’re Talking About Congress, Right?
“I continue to count on good sense and wisdom to trump short-term political advantage.”
~ Ben Bernanke, who may be right out of his mind.
In Other Words, Senator Levin, It’s Another Sh—y Deal?
“Transfer pricing is the corporate equivalent of the secret offshore accounts of individual tax dodgers.”
~ Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), in a less colorful manner.
Does Father Know Best About Restatements?
“My father brings tremendous wisdom and experience, which will help Overstock continue to grow and mature as a company. I am pleased that the Board of Directors nominated him, grateful that he was elected by the stockholders, and look forward to working with him again.”
~ Patrick Byrne, on his Dad, Jack Byrne, rejoining the OSTK board of directors.
Spreading the Good SaaS Word
“How dare Sage criticise anyone else! They exist because clients and accountants don’t want to change. If only clients could see what SAAS would give them (provided they had the right accountants). Perhaps I need to become an evangelist!”
~ Unnamed accountant, commenting on Sage’s tepid position on SaaS.
Memo to Big 4 Partners
“Overtime-induced work stress might contribute to a substantial proportion of cardiovascular disease.”
~ Gordon McInnes, professor of clinical pharmacology at the University of Glasgow’s Western Infirmary.
Maybe Asking Tax Preparers to Post Grades in Their Windows Would Work?
“Taxpayers need to be able to distinguish between the professional capabilities and education of the different groups of tax preparers.”
~ Patricia Thompson, vice chair of the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee
But Spongetech Execs Aren’t Used to Handling Bar Soap…
“Spongetech’s masterminds are going to prison. File that under ‘unfinished business.'”
~ Gary Weiss, on Spongetech executives who were arrested yesterday for securities fraud and obstruction of justice.
A CEO’s Reaction After Losing $8 Billion in Three Months
“Though more needs to be done, we are seeing some signs of stabilization in the housing market, including house prices and sales in some key geographic areas.”
~ Charles Haldeman, CEO of Freddie Mac. The “more needs to be done” includes additional government funds.
It’s Entirely Possible that the State of Pennsylvania Is Exaggerating Their Intelligence Gathering Capabilities
“If Pennsylvania really had Syndrome’s technology to help it zero in on tax evaders and perhaps blow them off the face of the planet, why would they need an amnesty in the first place? You’d think they would just collect the tax or vaporize the deadbeats. It’s largely a bluff.”
~ Joe Kristan, on this.
Summing Up the Feeling Inside the Big 4
“There are increasing job opportunities in the marketplace and anxiety on the inside.”
~ Bob Moritz, in the Wall St. Journal.
Putting the Success of the Homebuyer Tax Credit in Perspective
“Yes, it is a success, if the objective was to demonstrate that people will take free money if you give it to them.”
– Joe Kristan, explaining the success of the homebuyer tax credit program, which ends today.
She Forgot to Mention How None of Her Porn-Watching Employees Were Fired
“Swift and vigorous prosecution of those who have broken the law is at the heart of the agency’s efforts to restore investor confidence.”
– SEC Chair Mary Schapiro in testimony before a Senate appropriations subcommittee Wednesday defending the SEC’s request to be self-funded.
In Case You Are Unclear, The P in GAAP Stands For Principles
“U.S. GAAP is founded upon principles, that’s what the P is supposed to stand for.”
– SEC Chief Accountant James Kroeker arguing at a Pace University IFRS discussion that GAAP is just as principles-based as IFRS.
The Goldman Sachs Hearing – Uncensored! (Literally)
“How about the fact that you sold hundreds of millions of that deal after your people knew it was a shitty deal? Does that bother you at all?”
– Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) to Goldman Sachs’ Daniel Sparks, regarding SEC allegations that Goldman Sachs sold knowingly shitty CDOs to clients.
Sarah Palin Didn’t Need Another Reason to Dislike the IRS
“Who would have thought that the IRS would have a favorability rating a third higher than the tea party movement’s? Or that the IRS would be twice as popular as Palin?”
~ David Cay Johnston, on a recent poll that showed the IRS having a 49% favorable rating versus the former governor’s rating of less than 25% (Nancy Pelosi was 29%).
Enron on the Stage Enjoys Ironic Timing
“[It was] crudely beneficial for us.”
~ Lucy Prebble, playwright, on the timing of the economic collapse and “Enron,” her play set to open in New York next week.