Links: 2009-02-02

Happy Groundhog Day. By the way, the word on the street is that Germans who came over to Pennsylvania wanted to use hedgehogs in this mythical are-we-going-to-have -six-more-weeks-of-winter ritual. But, because there are no hedgehogs, they used groundhogs. This could be totally made-up rubbish, but that’s my contribution.

By, the way Punxatawney Phil saw his damn shadow. Winter is in full effect, as Londoners will attest.

YES WE CAN!! have a global depression if we really continue to work at it… – Willem Buiter’s Maverecon

The Real Daschle Problem « – Swampland – TIME.com

Don’t Go There, Mr. President « – Swampland – TIME.com (Obama dissing Jessica Simpson?)

Zimbabwe dollar sheds 12 zeros – BBC News (most people wish the could add zeros)

New GOP chair comes out swinging – – USATODAY.com

I have fallen into recession’s web of fear – FT.com – Lucy Kellaway (Hat tip, Yves Smith)

Iceland on the Thames: Can Countries Really Go Bankrupt? – SPIEGEL ONLINE – News – International

Credit downgrade hits Barclays’ shares – FT.com

Chinese spending creates deficit – BBC News

Buenos Aires’ boom town – – National Post

It’s Not the Bonus Money. It’s the Principle – NYTimes.com

Commercial property values plunge – BBC News

Rio in stake talks with Chinalco – – BBC News

In Time of Tumult, Obscure Economist Gains Currency – WSJ.com

financial newsWillem Buiter