Alrighty! Please welcome "lastlib" as your new co-host of this forum. (This has run its course)

[A HERETIC I AM]

Last edited Sat Jan 24, 2026, 02:45 PM - Edit history (2)

The response was overwhelming! (No it wasn't) I had hundreds of PM's (no I didn't) and the interest in this position was massive! (no it wasn't).

Anyway, lastlib has graciously volunteered to be a co-host.

He was the former head of the Poughkeepsie branch of the Federal Reserve, was simultaneously the CEO of Bear Stearns, and the Captain of the Andrea Doria and the Titanic, Chief design engineer on the Edsel, head of forward looking marketing for The Rambler Motor Car Company and was the lead engineer on the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Galloping Gertie)

His title as Co-Host of this little forum equips him with a fricking shark with a frickin laser on its frickin head, fingers that can tantalize unsuspecting squirrels from 100 yards away and the innate ability to spot BS.

That and the fact that he was in the financial industry for a long time, a long time ago.

HE'S PERFECT!

Again, it's just to be an extra set of eyes and make sure none of you wankers steps out of line, dammit!


LOL....

Thanks for agreeing to this, bud. It's a thankless job, much like cleaning truck stop showers, but without the occasional five dollar bill left behind.

Hello regulars!

As many of you are aware, I have been the host of this forum for a little over 7 years now. I recently had job change which tends to occupy a lot of time, as well as the fact that I am just not that active on DU any longer.

While I usually check this site at least once a day, I do not always read this forum, so I'm hoping one of you would like to volunteer to be a second set of eyes.

Those of you that are regular readers and/or posters will know that I am not in any way heavy handed in hosting this forum. I do not recall ever locking a thread and I only blocked one DU'er who had her account flagged for review by the admins shortly after and has not posted in 6 years!

The way I look at the responsibilities of Host is pretty simple and I mentioned it in the post I linked above, back in 2018;

The reasons I might see fit to lock or otherwise interfere with a thread or post is if it deliberately attempts to promote a specific security or investment. In other words, posts that say "You need to buy stock in XYZ company RIGHT NOW!!" are over the top, as I think most of you would agree.

On the other hand, a post that said "You should check out XYZ company! They seem to be ready for a huge upswing (or whatever) and here's why", THAT would be perfectly fine, in my view.

Telling someone to make a specific purchase or execute a particular trade are things to avoid. Pointing out a trend or offering research to back up an opinion is a different story, and that is the point I'm trying to make.

I explain my logic a bit further in that post.


So...my intentions are and have been simply to act like a Border Collie! Keep things moving along (Which they pretty much do by themselves, anyway!), don't let anything stray too far afield and keep the wolves at bay. Keep the ridiculous to a minimum and the wolves and the obnoxious outside the door. I think it is in the interest of all participants that this forum stay grounded in reality, eschew hyperbole and absurdity, promote accuracy and stay as close to the "Statement of Purpose" as is practical;

Discuss matters of personal finance and investing, share advice and ideas to improve your financial situation, and learn about personal finance and investing.

We really do have very little of any kind of content that falls outside of the SOP, so that's why I've never had to lock a thread. On the rare occasion I might have an issue with a post I will message the member directly and ask them to alter or modify their post (and fully explain why I am asking) so as not to call undue attention or embarrassment. That has worked pretty well. Also have enjoyed the occasional notifications of a couple other members who PM me when they see something I should be aware of.

I think it's time for another set of eyes however, for no other reason than what I mentioned above. I'm not able to pay as close attention as I used to and I don't want that to be a disservice to this group.

Being a co-host does not require 24/7 monitoring, not by any stretch. Just read the OP's quickly every other day or so and make sure the Chicken Little types aren't running the asylum!

So.....

Any takers? If you would like to be a co-host, you can say so in this thread and/or PM me directly. It pays bugger all, and no one will think any better or worse of you for it! (LOL) I would give preference to individuals with either direct professional experience in the Financial Industry or at least people well versed in the various types of securities available to the casual investor. In other words, people that know the difference between yield rate and coupon rate on a bond!

I look forward to reading whatever you all have to say.

Highest regards, and may all your trades be net gains.

Paul.

[lastlib]

1. Lastlib: Yeah, I was head of Bear Stearns in 2008.....

when it was crushed by the financial crisis that fall. (I STILL say those credit default swaps were GOLDEN! )

Thank you, Mr. Heretic for accepting me! I do solemnly swear that I will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States, against ALL enemies, foreign and especially domestic (DJT is the latter) so help me Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[A HERETIC I AM]

2. LOL!

Last edited Fri Jan 30, 2026, 10:11 PM - Edit history (2)

At ease, there soldier. Don't take this too seriously!

I will now give the oath of office;

“Do you promise to covet property, propriety, paralyty, surety, security, and not hurt the state? Say 'What?’”

And always remember to keep your frickin shark with the frickin laser on its frickin head on a frickin leash.

[lastlib]

3. What?

I do! (I promise I will keep my frickin' shark on its frickin' leash--unless a MAGAt comes on; then it's Free Willy! )

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. Perfect!

Carry on.

[question everything]

5. Welcome. And thanks.

[bucolic_frolic]

6. Was Bare Sterns in the Epstein files?

I really don't pay close attention.

[A HERETIC I AM]

7. LOL!

Naaaah...It was in the safe on the Andrea Doria.