The Filibuster

It seems a sad fact that most of my work stories involve some sort of medication, but honestly work isn't normally that exciting.

My first day back in the actual office after recovering from pneumonia over the past few weeks, was spent in a large informal meeting with the head of our group in corporate. The members of management who were the stars of this meeting probably oversee thousands.

Since it was an informal meeting, we were discussing basically anything. In this case the meeting started out discussing the economy. I won't go into too much detail but suffice it to say I had to say something. After being on an antibiotic strong enough to make me dizzy for the past 10-12 days, I probably shouldn't have started a rant, much less in front of people who are 4 or more degrees separated from me in management.

I started out by explaining the nature of regulation and the constant abiilty of investment bankers to find new ways to make money. Primarily the CDS and CDO in this case. Then I started talking about improving the situation by changing the nature of the Fed by trying to control inflation rather than spurring economic booms. Mind you It took me about 3 minutes or more to do all of this. I lost most people after about 30 seconds. I wanted to just trail off at that point when I realized I had just started talking about policy in a big informal gathering and get to know you style sit down. Rather than trail off I had to finish, the problem was finishing my statement would be anything but coherent because I had already lost all of my audience.

Umm, so now I'm famous for my filibuster on economic policy. My friends at work now call me Cliff (You know, from cheers). Remind me to keep my mouth shut next time, or if I can't make a point within 15 seconds to not say anything.