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Bob O'Brien's Sanity Check Blog

Author: bobo Created: 1/10/2006 10:09 AM
This blog is dedicated to Bob O'Brien's Sanity Check editorials, and discussions about the Market Reform Movement, the SEC, failing to deliver/naked shorting, etc. It was created so that his many detractors and fans can tell him that he is full of it, correct his mistakes, rant and rave, kowtow, preen, or whatever seems appropriate. The only sins are being boring, or inarticulate, or dim. Humorous pieces can be found in the new Funny Bunny Blog area above, for a lighter-hearted take on being a bunny. Older Bobo blogs can be viewed by selecting a month under the calendar to your right.

Dr. Patrick Byrne Publishes Letter To DTCC
By bobo on 6/30/2006 9:01 AM
Dr. Byrne publishes a remarkable letter to the DTCC, in reponse to their "clarification" press release the other day.
Comments (36) More...

The Case For A Special Prosecutor
By bobo on 6/29/2006 6:10 AM
Bobo advocates a special prosecutor to investigate Gary Aguirre's charges against the SEC, as well as the allegations against Pequot.
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DTCC claims FTDs trivial. Bobo says, why, sure they are...
By bobo on 6/28/2006 7:13 AM
The DTCC felt compelled to issue a new release today. Bobo shares his feelings about these poor, maligned souls. And Gradient claims Senate testimony tainted. UPDATE: 3:20 PST. SEC Attorney Feedback Corroborates Aguirre, Eisinger/Alpert Conniving, Hinton Scheming...UPDATE 7:45 PM PST - NEW FORBES ARTICLE NOW UP.
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Senate Judiciary Hearings Yield Remarkable Testimony
By bobo on 6/28/2006 1:24 AM
Here's my quick take on the proceedings, which were landmark. NEW: Testimony Links Now Live at end of today's blog!
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How Dare You Defy The Great OZ!!! I Will Crush Your Head Like A Wallnut...
By bobo on 6/27/2006 8:10 PM
That's one way to deal with whistleblowers, I suppose...
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Now Uploaded - Symphony of Greed, Intro Chapter
By bobo on 6/27/2006 4:48 AM
I posted the intro chapter to the non-fiction book, which can be downloaded using Adobe Acrobat Reader. UPDATE, 5:00 PM, PST - NEW COLUMBIA JOURNALISM REVIEW ARTICLE A MUST READ! ALSO, GARY AGUIRRE'S 18-PAGE LETTER TO CONGRESS.
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Senate Hearing Live Audio - Wed., 9:30 EST - Tentative Witness List Issued
By bobo on 6/26/2006 2:18 PM
The Senate Judiciary Hearing's lineup is out, along with a link for the audio.
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When Smart People Say Stupid Things; Lies, Damn Lies, And Politicians...
By bobo on 6/26/2006 12:39 AM
The NY Post is at it again, and Senator Shelby on the boob tube proves that he is an intractable part of the problem...
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My predictions, and how the system circles the wagons to protect itself...
By bobo on 6/25/2006 6:14 AM
After spending 24 hours ruminating on the Aguirre letter, Bobo offers up some thoughts, and some predictions...
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Must Read Documents - The Ugly Truth About The SEC?
By bobo on 6/23/2006 1:58 PM
A former SEC Staffer wrote two landmark letters highlighting what can only be described as obvious corruption of the Commission, and the sort of cover-up that is only supposed to happen in third world nations. UPDATE: WHOLE 18 PAGE LETTER TO CONGRESS NOW POSTED.
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All Pigs Are Created Equal...But Some Are More Equal Than Others.... UPDATE RE: Hedge Fund Registration
By bobo on 6/23/2006 4:04 AM
Investigating a big, powerful hedge fund? Given glowing job reviews, pay increases? Want to interview some politically sensitive figures?....You're fired. And an appeals court ruled today that the requirement for hedge funds to register with the SEC couldn't stand...
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NFI Shareholders Sue NYSE Specialist And Prime Brokers for NSS; OSTK FTD Data Now Available From FOIA; Mark Cuban Admits NSS is "wrong"...
By bobo on 6/22/2006 4:14 PM
A landmark suit was filed this afternoon by a group of NFI shareholders against the Specialist, the prime brokers, and I presume those with whom they were colluding. OSTK FOIA data shows that FTDs have grown to over 10% of all outstanding shares. And Mark Cuban says NSS is wrong.
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Senate Hearing postponed one week - It is what it is...
By bobo on 6/17/2006 7:34 PM
Depending upon who you talk to, this is a body blow, or a good thing. The Bunny, from the road, advises pragmatic optimism.
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Great article out today; CNBC discusses conspiracy against hedge funds; Bunny Man goes walkabout
By bobo on 6/16/2006 4:19 AM
Some people get it - the author of this article does. CNBC says mean old Patrick is picking on all those billion dollar a year hedge funds. Bobo goes walkies.
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The Bunny's Semi-Annual "I told you so" War Dance Blog
By bobo on 6/14/2006 10:07 AM
We've been seeing a lot more coverage on the naked short selling and market manipulation fronts. Here's where Bobo says, "Gee, where did we hear this first?" Also, a simple primer on how to short a SHO stock into the ground for a buck a share. And Mark Cuban slyly tickles our funny bones again...
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Senate Judiciary Committee To Hold Hearing on Hedge Funds, "Independent" Analysts, and Short Selling
By bobo on 6/13/2006 7:14 PM
Well, well, well. It would appear that someone is paying attention to the massive, concerted, collusive activities of a group of hedge funds, and the "independent analysts" accused of touting their plays and writing hatchet jobs about their shorts. Now we are seeing US Senate hearings on the topic. What a difference a year makes...
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Joe Nocera Successfully Crafts An Article That Is Wrong/Factually Inaccurate/Biased in Virtually Every Statement...
By bobo on 6/11/2006 6:15 AM
It requires a special talent and years of practice to create a piece of "journalism" that is so badly off the mark, it could act as a poster boy for gross inaccuracy. This quarter, we announce the awarding of the Q2 "Greenberg Trophy" to the NY Times' Joe Nocera. Congrats, Joe, you delivered a masterpiece...
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120 letters in Wall of Letters; Ant & Sons covers Naked Short Selling advocacy
By bobo on 6/7/2006 2:02 PM
Special thanks to Mhatmccane for helping with the Wall of Letters section, and Ant & Sons has yours truly in their latest on the Naked Short Selling crisis. Also, someone is writing a lot of ugly Amazon reviews - all variations on the same theme; and I get an interesting matrix sent to me highlighting 'lilGW's book reviewers - all of whom give him 5 stars, and apparently read and slam the same authors...
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Fish Wrapped In NY Post Protest Low Quality Of Writing; Budgie Claims AP Bird Liner Cruel And Unusual
By bobo on 6/7/2006 2:55 AM
Those hard hitting investigative journalists on the East Coast are hard at work spinning the latest news...
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What's Wrong With The NY Financial Press - Dishonest, Stupid, or Both?
By bobo on 6/6/2006 5:56 AM
I do so enjoy how the NY financial press seems to have an endless capacity for ignoring elephants in rooms. Is it because they are too dim to see the huge, hulking beast, or is it because they have ulterior motives to ignore it - "Elephant, what elephant?"
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Financialwire Has Damning Article About Securities Industry Association Killing Reg SHO's Efficacy
By bobo on 6/5/2006 7:08 AM
So, the brokers basically neutered Reg SHO from the get go in order to safeguard their illegal trading profits, and the SEC went along...
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A Depressing Summer State Of The Union
By bobo on 6/4/2006 7:30 PM
Bobo isn't terribly happy with the way things appear to be going, with the market, or the government. Agree, or disagree, at least you always know where he stands...
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DTCC Kills The CFA Forum On NSS? Anyone Surprised?
By bobo on 6/2/2006 10:31 PM
Well, at least the power structure is capable of silencing dissention....
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"It wasn't widely known that trading on secret information was wrong..."
By bobo on 6/2/2006 7:06 AM
Sometimes one statement comes to the surface, which highlights both the level of impunity and arrogance that the hedge funds feel in today's market, as well as the contempt that they feel for the intelligence of the American investor. Today, we got a priceless sound-bite from thestreet.com.
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Dr. Byrne, Dr. Trimbath and Arne Alsin to Speak about NSS at Los Angeles CFA Symposium
By bobo on 6/1/2006 3:19 PM
Dr. Byrne, Dr. Trimbath and Arne Alsin will be addressing the LA Chartered Financial Analyst Association on June 6.
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Why Doesn't The Government Do Anything About Wall Street Corruption?
By bobo on 6/1/2006 4:39 AM
In this two part blog, Bobo offers some thoughts on Wall Street's wisdom in buying the best government it can afford; and reviews the stunning track record of honesty and integrity of Goldman Sachs under newly appointed Sec. of the Treasury Paulson.
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Milberg Weiss Indictment Cites 245 Overt Acts of RICO Violations
By bobo on 5/30/2006 6:16 PM
You really have to shake your head in awe at the sheer scope of the larceny. And these are bit players compared to the prime brokers and hedge funds...
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Cal Maine FOIA Request Shows Yet Another SHO List Company with 10+% Of All Shares Failed
By bobo on 5/30/2006 6:10 AM
Huh. So, FTDs aren't a bit problem, and yet every time we get more FOIA data we see where 10 percent or more of a company's stock are FTDs. Which raises the question, what would a big problem look like?
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Article in Nebraska Paper Cites NCANS For Naked Short Selling Description
By bobo on 5/29/2006 2:23 PM
It's always fun when a paper cites NCANS as an authority on naked short selling...
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Clarification of the ramifications of the new UT FTD reporting bill.
By bobo on 5/26/2006 9:48 AM
It seems like there are quite a few who don't fully appreciate what the UT bill means. Here's my humble attempt at clarification...
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UT Governor Facing Wall Street Blackmail, Extortion
By bobo on 5/26/2006 4:49 AM
The story of the amount of pressure being exerted, and the dirty deeds pulled by Wall Street over the new bill recently passed by the legislature, is stunning in the level it reveals Wall Street's fear of exposure. And they have literally stopped at nothing. UPDATE: I JUST GOT AN EMAIL THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL!
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UT Gov Feeling WS Heat; Great Article On Market Manipulation; 'lilGW Travails Continue...
By bobo on 5/25/2006 11:28 AM
The UT Governor is getting the full court press on pressure to veto the new FTD reporting bill. And there's a great article on market manipulation by a guy who gets it. And 'lilGW's saga on the Yahoo boards continues...
Comments (37) More...

Landmark Anti-FTD Bill Passes In Utah; Gary Weiss Message Board Basher?
By bobo on 5/25/2006 5:35 AM
Utah passed a landmark bill requiring real disclosure and transparency from the brokers. And "'lilGW" is first out of the gate to condemn it - yet he faces disturbing credibility issues of his own...
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New Bobo Blog - Humorous Video - The Market Shuffle
By bobo on 5/24/2006 12:00 PM
Jeff Mathews Versus Patrick Byrne, Set To Music...
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More Commentary on the SEC letter to the NV court clerk...
By bobo on 5/24/2006 5:41 AM
A few folks have sent me commentary - one, a regular poster on the MF board, and another, a former SEC attorney. Their perspectives are worthy of commemorating.
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SEC issues bizarre letter to NV court, DOJ getting involved in OSTK case
By bobo on 5/22/2006 8:51 AM
Every time the Bunny turns around, the situation gets weirder and weirder...
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Spitzer Returns Milberg Cash - Is Shocked That One Of His Larger Contributors Crooked
By bobo on 5/21/2006 9:04 AM
Is that bad, when you are running for office on a platform of ostensibly being honest, reforming crusader, but your campaign is being financed largely by Wall Street and crooked law firms and the like?
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Milberg Goes Down Hard, NFI Back On Reg SHO
By bobo on 5/19/2006 3:53 PM
The Bunny Roundup brings us Milberg Weiss indicted on 20 counts, including racketeering....and NFI, longtime Rocker Partners short/also sued by Milberg Weiss reappears on SHO list after 18% price decline on no news...
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Casey At The Bat...Fated to Strike Out?
By bobo on 5/17/2006 6:12 PM
Kathy Casey, Senator Shelby's staff director, is going to be nominated for the SEC Commissioner role...
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DMC Requests Naked Short Selling Probe
By bobo on 5/17/2006 2:01 PM
Yet another company's shares are plummeting, they recently appeared on the Reg SHO list, and the market is pretending that all is well...
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Another Day I Should Have Stayed In Bed - Congress On Hedge Funds
By bobo on 5/17/2006 5:50 AM
Just when you thought you had heard every imbecilic notion ever uttered by an elected official, new records are set...
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Regulation? We don' need no steenkeeeng regulation...
By bobo on 5/16/2006 5:54 PM
The Fed chimed in today with some amazing statements about hedge funds. The Bunny has a thing or two to say about that...
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How Wall Street and Hedge Funds Created An Alternative Banking System
By bobo on 5/15/2006 7:00 AM
This one is for the FBI, Homeland Security, DOJ, IRS. The SEC is clearly uninterested in dealing with the new reality of global money laundering and the like, so perhaps the law enforcement groups chartered with dealing with this will take a crack at it…?
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New Dr. Patrick Byrne Interview A Must Listen
By bobo on 5/14/2006 3:00 AM
Bobo brings you the latest radio interview, from NPR, with Dr. Byrne, which discusses naked short selling in some detail.
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Electronic Trading Group Versus The Prime Brokers
By bobo on 5/12/2006 4:00 AM
Bobo brings you the suit that is causing all the uproar...
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SEC Chairman Cox Speaks, Pile On at OSTK Continues...
By bobo on 5/10/2006 11:00 PM
The head of the SEC had inspiring words, which the Bunny will ruin for everyone, and more of the cockroach cadre scuttle back into the light, emboldened at least temporarily by their strength in numbers...
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As Predicted. The Usual Suspects Chime In On OSTK Subpoena
By bobo on 5/9/2006 11:00 PM
If only there was anything that didn't seem obligatory and transparent in all this...
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The farce continues unabated: OSTK receives subpoena from SEC
By bobo on 5/8/2006 11:00 PM
"911" "Yes, please, you have to help, they have broken in and robbed me again, and they are stealing everything, and I hear them talking, and they say they want to destroy me!" "I see. I'm afraid we need to audit you - can you please deliver all your records for the last 3 years of operations....?"
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TSCM's Arne Alsin Tells The Truth About Failure To Deliver, and Overstock
By bobo on 5/7/2006 11:00 PM
What can you say when only one of thousands of journalists working is willing to tell the truth about the structural problems in the US market, and describes the inevitable crisis in confidence that must ensue? Thank you might be a good start...
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Quickies From The Road
By bobo on 5/7/2006 11:00 PM
I am short on time, but these are noteworthy...
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