Economics and Investing:

The credit derivatives plot thickens: New York Fed’s Secret Choice to Pay for Swaps Hits Taxpayers. (Thanks to David V. for the link.)

Russia delays sale of 50 tons of gold. (A hat tip to Trey for the link, by way of MineWeb.)

GG sent this: Stimulus jobs overstated by thousands

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson spotted this New York Times piece: Hard Work, No Pay. It includes this memorable quote: “I am not unemployable. I have a master’s of fine arts and spent two years in the Peace Corps.” Mike’s comment: “Er…I thought that was the definition of unemployable!”

Ben L. liked this article: Gold Market Reaching The Breaking Point

Items from The Economatrix:

Gold to Rise to $2,000 Amid “Massive” Inflation, Superfund Says

Paul Craig Roberts: Are You Ready for the Next Financial and Economic Crisis? “Evidence that the US is a failed state is piling up faster than I can record it. One conclusive hallmark of a failed state is that the crooks are inside the government, using government to protect and to advance their private interests.”

Goldie Sachs Defends Controversial Trading Practices

Recession Declared Over But Job Losses Mounting

Home Foreclosures Jump in Previously Untouched Cities

Credit Card Hikes Raise Congresses’ Blood Pressure

Unemployed Tap their 401ks