Economics and Investing:

Farmer John suggested this piece by James Quinn: American Idiots. John’s comment: “This is why the government can do what it wants.”

Karen H. kindly sent these items:

Regulators Shut Down Colonial BancGroup; Largest U.S. Bank to Fail in 2009. JWR Warns: There are many more bank failures to come!

Toxic Loans Topping 5% May Push 150 Banks to Point of No Return

Sugar May Advance 80% on Supply Crunch, Coleman says [Have you already stocked up?]

U.S. Economy: Consumer Sentiment Falls, Prices Steady

Items from The Economatrix:

Alabama-based Colonial Bank Fails, Cost is $2.8 Billion

BB&T Takes Colonial as Regulators Take Five Banks; Biggest Failure Since WaMu

This So-Called Recovery is Going Nowhere

Goldman: Get Ready for Oil to Go Back to $147 [Top off your fuel storage tanks in Septemeber, when the price of fuel bottoms!]