If the pattern of the ’30s holds, we won’t see the stock market bottom until 2011.

When we left three weeks ago, it was cold and rainy in Europe…and the world was in the midst of a terrible financial crisis.

But now we’re back…and everything has changed. The trees along the Boulevard de la Villette have leafed out. Flowers are in bloom. People are sitting at sidewalk cafes. Life seems to be returning to normal. As expected, the financial world seems to be walking with a lighter step. It feels the sun on its face…and guesses that the long winter is behind it.

“Encouraging signs” are everywhere, says Le Monde. In fact, all the news reports say they see them. Consumer sentiment isn’t as bad as it used to be. Stocks are rising. The banks are back in business.

“How to profit from the recovery,” says one headline.

“Stocks point to end of downturn,”

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Alex’s Notes: Any one else besides me disgusted with this stuff?

I mean seriously, when the time comes that the normal course of natures laws forces corrupt financial firms to pay for their hubris, arrogance, and outright fraud in leveraging assets into the stratosphere, and they get off the hook by simply changing the rules?

These people have no shame.

A society that promotes lies (make believe computer based asset valuation by fiduciaries) as truth (real value) for the profit of the few is NOT a society, but rather a group of animals destined for their own immediate destruction. –Jim Sinclair

Accounting rule change hopes spur Wall St. rally

By Ellis Mnyandu Ellis Mnyandu – Thu Feb 5, 5:06 pm ET A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, January 21, 2009. Reuters – A trader works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, January 21, 2009. IBM and

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Gold prices have fluctuated wildly in the last week as jittery investors reacted to the meltdown in the financial markets and the government's bailout proposals. Ed Bugos says gold's fundamentals remain strong, however. He says the recent correction was a mistake by the market and that the outlook for rising inflation and a tumbling dollar makes a strong case for gold. Ed says investors should take advantage of short-term price dips to buy the shiny metal on the cheap.

Three unlikely catalysts have been driving the U.S. economy off a cliff. This FREE report tells you how long the U.S. economy will suffer before it recovers… That sound you hear… it’s millions of Americans cracking their nest eggs. Inflation is at a 27-year high while personal incomes are down 1.6% from last month. And the results are twofold: We have less money to spend. And we’re spending more for less. Worse, that’s just one reason why one Wall Street analyst believes we’re "facing the prospect of a depression and the end of the American Dream." This exclusive report reveals the two other economy-crashing catalysts and how they will drive the U.S. into recession. More importantly, it also gives four ways any investor can protect their money - even profit - before and during the fallout. It’s a must-read for anyone who owns property, stocks or is just plain ...