Good morning. And we have a lift-off!!

source: http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2013/02/markets-or-media-which-is-more-irrational/

And in case you wonder what the sequester is all about: this tells you in 1 minute (via @mwcleon)
http://youtu.be/h-8HUn0c4Mw article: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/28/us-usa-fiscal-idUSBRE91P0W220130228 article: http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/1b4c202c-81c8-11e2-ae78-00144feabdc0.html

Buy stocks when they are high. Everybody knows that…

http://www.mebanefaber.com/2013/02/26/buy-high-sell-higher/

 

A new report by Shell on the major trends for the 21st century. They even have an app!

the report: http://s03.static-shell.com/content/dam/shell-new/local/corporate/Scenarios/New_Lens_Scenarios_Low_Res.pdf the app: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/scenarios/id605820338?mt=8

But so far it is still down to coal, gas and oil. Speaking of oil, sometimes only one line suffices…

source: http://www.aei-ideas.org/2013/02/exponential-growth-in-saudi-texas-oil-output-has-doubled-over-last-3-years-and-completely-reversed-a-23-year-decline/

…or you settle for a study by the IMF on the subject!

source: http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2013/03/helbling.htm

Cool: they should have released this just prior to Valentine’s Day. And tweaked the data a little bit…

source: http://ftalphaville.ft.com/2013/02/28/1404392/a-us-housing-swirlogram/

I like this chart, also because it indirectly shows the growth of Africa: compare 2008 vs 2011

source: http://blogs.ft.com/beyond-brics/2013/02/28/what-use-is-a-credit-rating-for-africa-it-means-fdi/

Cool chart from the NewYork Times on US government spending through the decades: deleveraging

source: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/02/26/business/government-tightening.html

…which is NO LONGER the case for US consumers though!

source: http://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2013/02/fed-consumer-debt-increased-slightly-in.html

Why is Germany not at the top of this chart, I wonder….?

source: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-02-28/italy-not-spain-its-worse

And we end today with a nice picture series of the White House: check them out

source: http://www.nationaljournal.com/whitehouse/what-the-white-house-looks-like-completely-gutted-20130226#.USz57XJNq A complete overview of all previous editions of Best of the Web can be found here http://tinyurl.com/yb9e5dg. All links provided are collected from public websites, unless otherwise specified. I have not checked the data or information for accuracy used, and therefore do not guarantee that all data provided will be 100% correct. The links provided do not necessarily reflect my personal opinion and should be seen as general interest: oftentimes I do not agree with arguments presented, but nevertheless think it is worthwhile to read them. It is up to the reader to make up their own mind. Suggestions or discussions are more than welcome. Do not quote unless specifically cleared beforehand!