Thursday's Views on the News

Mexico incensed by new US border fence plans. Few things unite Mexicans more than perceived U.S. insults and plans to build a high-tech fence to stop migrants crossing the border have incensed people here, regardless of their social class or political stripes.

==> Oh, boy. This one is a powderkeg. On one hand, I understand Americans who are tired of seeing tax dollars spent on illegal immigrants. I also understand the national security issues with having an open border. But it's obvious that with a Republican President in Washington DC, this will be categorized as a racist move. I think the only way to get this done, is to implement some worker Visa program that allows folks to come over to the US and work legally.

CBSMarketwatch's Mark Hulbert asks contrarian investors if you talk the talk, do you walk the walk? How many of you have stepped up to the plate recently and bought shares of General Motors?

==> Hell no. I'm a pussy. But this article makes you think about it. Good job, Mark.

Health care concessions at Ford and a deal is near at GM.

Ford: The UAW said 51 percent of members voted in favor of the deal reached last week. It has said the agreement will help Ford save $850 million annually in health care expenses.

GM: The healthcare deal would save the world's largest automaker $1 billion a year in healthcare costs.

==> Maybe that contrarian play could work out, eh? US car companies had to do something. Wouldn't it be nice if as a first step, they built cars that people wanted to buy? Wouldn't that resolve a lot of their money problems? It is true that management negotiated horrible contracts with the union, that have put the companies in a bind. Not like those managers who negotiated those deals care a whole bunch. Are many still around, or are they off on a remote island basking in the sunshine?

Last game of Monday Night Football on ABC. When the New York Jets and New England Patriots end their football game next Monday, the lights will go out on one of the great shows in the history of television.

==> It's just hopping to ESPN. Smaller viewership, but most sports nuts will still be watching.

Leading indicators post solid gains. The Index of Leading Indicators, which is supposed to forecast economic trends up to six months ahead, rose for the second straight month, climbing to 0.5 percent after rising a revised 1 percent in October, the Conference Board said.

==> Sorry, bears. Can't seem to find much bad news to stick in your Christmas stockings. I know everyone on the planet is predicting a Santa Claus rally. And everyone on the planet seems to be predicting a bad 2006 for stocks. The news coming out from this economy aren't too cold, aren't too hot, and seem to be just fine. Say, that reminds me of a fairy tale...