Thursday, April 09, 2026

Al Gordon, Kidder Peabody & Co. Inc.

I started my Wall Street training at the venerable white-shoe firm of Kidder, Peabody, Inc. in 1982. 

Al Gordon, the Wall Street maverick who left Goldman Sachs to buy Kidder and move it to New York City was a distinguished lecturer in our training class in 1983.   He was a Republican, a learner, a runner, frugal, and was an optimist.  Just make the calls he told us.

He lived to age 107.  Started running marathons in his 80's.

A legend.  Infectious smile, unassuming, slight build, he just never quit.    

Wednesday, April 08, 2026

NFL Statistics from GROK

The USA Today NFL arrests database (the most comprehensive public tracker, covering arrests, charges, and citations for offenses more serious than routine traffic violations) shows roughly 1,100–1,107 incidents involving NFL players since 2000 as of early 2026.

Exact counts of unique players (vs. total incidents, since some players are arrested multiple times) are not directly published for the full period or the last 10 years, but historical analyses provide context:
  • From 2000–2014: About 574 unique players were arrested out of ~8,454 who played in the NFL during that span (around 6.8%), with 769 total incidents (131 players arrested more than once).
  • Broader estimates since 2000 often cite 650–800+ unique players arrested across ~850–1,100 incidents, depending on the exact cutoff and whether repeats are double-counted.

United States Securities & Exchange Commission

 America.

All you need to know.

United States SEC

Perspective

If you live where you can see stars here is something to ponder. 

The moon is only about 238,855 miles from Earth.

The nearest star is 4.24 light years away.

You can take this to the bank..................

I never give up.   Never.

-----Elon Musk on X

Why Life Is Expensive

4 companies control 55% to 85% of the meat market.  

4 airlines control 80% of air travel. 

3 companies control 92% of the soda market. 

3 companies control 73% of the cereal market. 

Why don't I hear about it? 

6 companies control 90% of the news.

Tuesday, April 07, 2026

Common Sense

WE CAN LAUNCH 4 HUMAN BEINGS OFF INTO THE EMPTY VOID OF SPACE TO TRAVEL A QUARTER-MILLION MILES TO SHOOT PHOTOS OF THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOON.  

BUT WE CANNOT GET 60 PEOPLE IN A BUILDING IN D.C. TO PASS A BILL THAT SAYS YOU SHOULD PROVE YOU'RE A CITIZEN TO VOTE.

------Matt Von Swol  on  X