Anyone see the hearings this week in CONgress with Bernake and Paulson. Paulson (tres sec) is asking for a blank check from congress to be able to
bailout Fannie and Freddie, but "he doesn't expect to have to use it he jsut wants to have it. Also there was a request that any funds used by the
treasury to bail out FNM or FRE not be applied to the debt ceiling. Absolutely infurating grab at power from the executive branch, and abdication of
responsibillity by CONgress if this goes through.
Also, there was wind from the SEC about "short sellers". They've made it illegal to "naked short" FNM, FRE, or primary dealers. My understanding
was it was already illegal to naked short, just never enforced. Then after it sparked a short covering rally in financials the SEC came out today and
said that Market Makers, will continue to be able to "naked" short. Naked shorting is not done at the retail level, a retail short (like myself) has
to find the shares to borrow (not necessarily easy with financials right now

) usually having to call the brokerage to find the shares to short.