As beautiful a country as Greece may be, it has become a real pain in the behind. Dragging the Euro down and thus creating a false impression that the USD is stronger than it may seem. The Euro may be weak and might even get weaker, what will not change however, is the dollar's downfall. The USD is still heading down, for at least a couple of years, this run up is pure noise. The fact that it achieved parity with the Canadian dollar along with Yen is strengthening speaks volumes about the latest run in the dollar. Its simply skewed against the EURO in its components, and that's whats causing the run up.

Things just aren't as good or healthy as they may seem, ECB may have to turn to 'nuclear option' to prevent Southern European debt collapse

Greece may be in trouble,  Portugal is equally messed up, Spain is next in line, and in time, Italy, Ireland and a host of other countries will follow. Sovereign debt will be the next issue that the world will have to deal with, and whats important to note, is that the US will be in line. We might have the 'mighty' dollar to help us, but that will only work for so long. Meanwhile, (as Jim Rogers agrees) East Asian countries with much better balance sheets will be positioned to rule the next century.

I thought that failed bank list was going to stay for a while... yet a weekend, not to go wasted, the state of Illinois came through with a fresh batch! Lucky for them, the state of Arizona has congested the airwaves with the immigrants news. This shall go hush hush...

Seven Illinois Banks Closed

List now stands at 57 failed banks, for 2010.