Watchful Waiting for Breast Cancer?

Study Suggests Some Cancers May Go Away – NYTimes.com

This is an interesting article on spontaneous remission.  While I do not doubt the existence of spontaneous remission in human cancers, I just can’t wait for the brokerage community to advance the idea that since the cancer is just being watched (and not specifically treated) then how bad can it be?  Standard.

Preferred?

I think not.

One Hell of a Deal (if you like Tandoori Chicken)

Insurer Offers Option for Surgery in India – NYTimes.com

My orthopedic surgeon says I have the worst knees he has ever seen.  I countered that statement by asserting he had not seen enough severely arthritic knees to make that judgment. Then the good doctor showed me the pictures.

I’ve had arthroscopic procedures bilaterally.  There is a strong probability I’ll need a TKR.

It’s a good thing I like Indian food.

Another One Bites the Dust

Protective Life to buy bank, seeking bailout cash – Business News from The Birmingham News – al.com

According to the Birmingham Business Journal:

Protective Life Corp. reported third quarter 2008 net losses of $100 million as its investments plunged by $203 million.

The Birmingham-based insurance firm reported pre-tax stock losses of $92.4 million in Lehman Bros., $45.3 million in Washington Mutual, $7.1 million in Freddie Mac and $21.9 million in Fannie Mae.

Protective Life’s net losses for the quarter ended Sept. 30 follow three previous quarters in which it posted a combined $135 million in net income.

Protective Life reported net income of $73 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007.

And the Madness continues…

Survival Strategies

I was having a wonderfully quiet morning until I read this article from Bloomberg.  I’ve provided the first paragraph which essentially summarizes the survival strategies for some of the largest insurance companies on the planet.

  • Buy a small bank that no one else would want due to imprudent and improper lending practices
  • Convert into a Federally regulated bank or S&L
  • Stand in line and beg for money from the US taxpayer.

Go ahead and read the entire article.  It will make you violently ill.

I felt I needed to explain my previous post.

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

Nov. 17 (Bloomberg) — Four of the world’s biggest life insurers may acquire small banks that regulators have cited for improper practices to improve their own chances of getting cash from the $700 billion U.S. government bailout fund.