LET THE GAMES BEGIN

It's not often the Olympics play a role in the American presidential elections but apparently nothing is too trivial for the American press not to turn into a campaign issue.  When asked yesterday by an American news reader whether he felt he games would be a success, Romney gave an honest answer of, "Let's wait and see."  Poor ol' Mitt simply has to learn there are time when one shouldn't say anything at all much less the truth, but his response was turned into the foreign policy gaff of the century akin to...well...returning Churchill's bust, or damn near patting HM on the bum, or bowing to the Saudi King, or...Anyway, the PM made a meal out of it, the Lord Mayor had a bit of fun in front of 50,000 at Hyde Corner where some REALLY stupid things have been said in the past, and no American on either side of the politics understands that the Brits could care less and having a bit of a go when things are a bit tense is so terribly, terribly British.  So here's to you London, grand old town you are. Have a great games!

And now on to less serious matters.

The GDP numbers for the second quarter came in at plus 1.5%.  1/10 above the estimates but horrible none-the-less.  The DOW in response closed up 187 points.  Europe was calm, or so we are told.  Close to dead is perhaps more accurate.  Your humble scribe, however, was cheered on by the fact that a few folks in Euroland began today questioning just exactly was meant by Draghi's comments of yesterday which I took to mean that I have more readers than I thought.  I say questioning because there were no answers forthcoming to the questions being asked.  That wasn't a surprise either. Look for a heavy dose of silence on this front until the games are close to ending.   Priorities are important.

Over here, The Suit can't catch a break.  Fresh off of getting pounded over L'Affair Libor, the poor little fella gets pounded unmercifully by all reports in a new book by his second-in-command at the Treasury over TARP of all things.  As if the call for his resignation (or firing) in The Times the other day wasn't enough, the Administration seems to be allowing the archetect of its economic policy--that's a joke, son--to be discredited 100 days before the election in every manner possible.  Are they looking for someone to replace George Bush in the great list of people responsible for a 1.5% growth rate?  Keep an eye on this one.

Finally, and returning to Docklands, it appears that Ladbrokes, the great British bookmaker, is giving odds as to whether the Athletes' Village will run short of condoms during the course of the games.  Imagine that as a possibility...and with a socialized medicine plan mind you.  I knew there was a reason I didn't much like Obamacare.  Oh well, Lads.  It is what it is.  Accept what you got, button up and carry on.  England expects every man...

It's rained a lot lately so the corn is looking much better and the soy beans are fine.  Have a great weekend.