Live from Amsterdam

Open Thread for topics other than Guns and Excessive Force

Walking through Amsterdam's Schiphol airport this morning a couple of things caught my attention.

• Obama Mania!
• Strong Euro
• US Economy

Barack Obama is wildly popular in Western Europe. I talked to several people about the US elections and most were supporters of Obama (for what it's worth). No official polling but the picture I took at the newsstand tells the story. Too bad I forgot my USB to mini USB adapter! The display had about 12 magazines on it, 6 on each side, and 9 of the 12 slots held different magazines with Obama on the front. No Hillary, no Edwards.

It's no secret the Euro is strong amid a weak Dollar. But, it's so bad that US based rappers like Jay-Z are glorifying the Euro instead of dead presidents. Could this mean the drug trade in the US takes on a different role? Now, I'm not flat out saying drugs are good, they are not. But, they do have a foot hold in our economy and you can't dismiss the monetary figures associated with drug trade. Will the US become an intermediate stop between South America and countries like Italy and Spain?

U.S. Banks are in trouble... no doubt. Global investors came to the rescue of Citigroup and Merrill Lynch yesterday. The deep wounds from mortgage-related investments are having a big impact on the financial sector's bottom line. $21.1 billion in capital split between the two afore mentioned financial firms.

The global markets are about to close up over here and it's not good news. Investors are giving in to recession fears.