Saturday Randomosity

• I don't think going to war with Syria will have a long-lasting effect on the market. 
• I'm still in cash, and waiting patiently.  
• College football Saturday!  I've been watching a lot of games... since Thursday!  Friday night's North Dakota State win over Kansas State was very fun to watch!
• Not that I'm in favor of going to war with Syria.   Haven't we learned our lesson(s) with wars in the Middle East?
• So, Same-sex couples to get federal tax breaks. Hey, what about the marriage penalty?  Aren't taxes higher when incomes of two wage earners are combined? 
• President Obama said he was going to ask Congress if it was okay to bomb Syria.  Really?  I think he's looking for the do-nothing Congress that opposes him on everything to tell him NO, and that's his out.  Right?  Then, back to working on his golf handicap.
• They say consumer spending tapered off in July as folks held on tight to their wallets. I wonder how rising interest rates and rising gasoline prices are contributing to this.  Oh... and the higher payroll tax, too.
• Sarah Palin said on Syria, "Let Allah sort it out.'"  Agreed!

Monday Randomosity

• Whoa, is this thing plugged in? The market was down slightly most of the day but managed to close in the positive. Advancers led decliners, and volume was light. 
• The market has come a long way (baby) the last two weeks.  I think a lot of folks are frustrated that they missed it.  Many have been trying to short the rallies and that certainly hasn't worked.
• Sarah Palin steps down.  I imagine she's going to go out on the talking circuit and cash in.
• As Barry Ritholtz noted over the weekend, we've had many stocks report better than expected earnings because of cutting costs.  Amgen today.  Biotechnology company Amgen Inc. said Monday second-quarter profit jumped 40 percent on a tax benefit and lower costs following a restructuring program, despite a continued decline in anemia drug sales.
• Verizon says "Hey, we can play that game!" and announces 8000 job cuts.
• Senate group omitting Democrats health care goals.  After weeks of secretive talks, a bipartisan group in the Senate edged closer Monday to a health care compromise that omits a requirement for businesses to offer coverage to their workers and lacks a government insurance option that President Barack Obama favors, according to numerous officials.
• Michael Vick reinstated to the NFL.  Remember, he's a fantasy stat killer.  So should Vick sign with a team and be named the starter, those receivers go to the bottom of the fantasy draft list. 
• If you're married, stay married!  It's not clear if the dissolution of a marriage directly affects health or if some other factor is at play. Still, "marital loss does seem to be a powerful force damaging health," said sociologist and study co-author Linda Waite. "And it seems to work about the same way for men and women, and for emotional well-being and physical health."
• Another reason to love summer... Watermelon!  Sugar water (nature's gatorade).