FEBRUARY 12, 2009

Full News Archive

• Headline: Valmadonna Trust Library Collection at Sotheby's. Impact: The sale of the Valmadonna Trust Library at Sotheby's set off a global interest in Jewish history, causing collectors to suddenly realize that owning a dusty old book might not be as impressive as owning a first edition of a celebrity memoir. Thanks, Valmadonna, for ruining antiquities for everyone!. Fact: Sotheby's is known for auctioning off all sorts of oddities. Who knew that a bunch of old Hebrew texts could outshine a moldy sandwich signed by a B-list actor?.
• Headline: Leadership Changes at Three NY Colleges. Impact: The search for new college presidents during fiscal uncertainty spawned a secret society of university leaders who meet in basements to discuss how to avoid accountability while sipping overpriced coffee. The future of academia? More like a sitcom waiting to happen.. Fact: In college administration, 'departing presidents' is code for 'please hold my coffee while I run away from responsibility.'.
• Headline: Bank Test May Expand U.S. Regulators’ Role. Impact: The bank test expansion may lead to a future where banks are treated like toddlers on a sugar high: constantly monitored but allowed to run amok with other people's money. Who needs regulations when you can have chaos?. Fact: If you think bank regulations are tough, try getting a toddler to share their toys. Spoiler alert: it ends in tears..
• Headline: Obama’s Battle on Stimulus Shows Threats to His Agenda. Impact: Obama's stimulus battle paved the way for future leaders to engage in the fine art of political tug-of-war, where progress is often sacrificed for the sake of looking busy. The next generation of politicians were taking notes on how to juggle promises like a circus act.. Fact: The stimulus negotiations were so intense they could have been mistaken for a competitive sport. Who knew politics could be so riveting? Pass the popcorn!.