This is Angelo R Mozilo. If you were to read this article, Public Bravado, Private Doubts at Countrywide – NYTimes.com, you might get the impression that he was a fair to good CEO whose company got away from him. Indeed, if you were to read this article, Angelo Mozilo of Countrywide Settles Fraud Case for $67.5 Million in the NYTimes.com, you might feel bad from him. However, if you start with the Wikipedia article about him and work your way out onto Google, you can see he is anything but a half decent CEO you should feel sorry for. Indeed, he has been listed as one of the worst American CEOs of all time. The $67.5 million fine is partially being paid by Countrywide and is only a fraction of his overall worth. The currently closing part of the Wikipedia article sums it up this way: he was “widely regarded as one of the chief malefactors in the home mortgage
fiasco that nearly collapsed the US financial system, (and he) has been allowed
to keep most of his fortune, deny responsibility for his harmful
actions, and avoid prison.”

In a way, it is too bad he paid the fine. It would have been better for him to suffer a lengthy trail. Mozilo was responsible for weapons of mass financial destruction. He should have to undergo a greater ordeal than he has.

There’s lots of people to have sympathy for in the meltdown of the U.S. financial system. This guy is not one of them.

That said, such a fine could be alot less, or the case could have even collapsed. A trial would have been more educational and reminded people of what has just occurred, as much as people would like to forget it.

The NYTimes.com has a great list here. It comes across as 5 items, but it is more, once you start adding the tape measure, etc.

One thing they left off the list is a level. It doesn’t have to be super expensive, and if you are only doing small projects, it can be small, but when it comes to doing things like putting up shelves, a level is essential. I’d also add a hacksaw. Those can be cheap as well, since you may not use them that often, but there will come a time when you are dealing with a difficult piece of metal and if you have a hacksaw, you’ll be glad you have it.

I agree with the choice of a jigsaw over a circular saw. The latter is great for doing lots of cuts, but a jigsaw is safer and more versatile. If you are getting a jigsaw, get good blades. Ask the people in the store. It will save you alot of time when it comes to actually cutting the wood.

I am sure the $220 drill is a great tool, but again, you might find the cheaper one does the job. Like the jigsaw, get good bits. It will make the job alot easier. And if it isn’t cordless, get a thick extension cord: you will likely need it.

Finally, get yourself a good set of safety glasses. That’s the first thing that should be on the list. Having once had a hammer head snap off and almost take out my eye — it was stopped by my real glasses — I cannot recommend it enough.  Make sure they fit and don’t slide off. If they are uncomfortable or loose, you will be tempted to take them off. You never want to do that.

After alot of complaints before the games, the NYTimes.com reports that Indian Officials Declare Success After Games.
It’s good to hear. It’s also one of a string of successes by the nations that are rising up in the 21st century, nations like China, Brazil and South Africa. I would not be surprised to see Russia going for an Olympic bid again sometime in the next 20 years.

One thing the article points out though, which I think is true: the events themselves don’t change the countries as much as highlight the new wealth and influence and character of the countries hosting the games. Organizers of the Games like to say the events will transform the countries hosting them. But I think the countries are already harnessing the transformations underway in those places. Those transformations would be going on with or without the event. It’s just not as visible. I especially don’t think these events change the culture of the host countries. It’s the underlying transformations that are occurring that are doing that. For example, China will change, not because it hosted the Olympic games, but because of the increasing wealth of the country and the significant urbanization that is underway.