That, combined with some irrelevant cheap shot about amassing power (Well, yeah, they\’re regulators; it\’s their job to have power. If they don\’t have any power, they\’re not regulators, they\’re cheerleaders). I mean, if you\’re saying they\’re going too far in this case, say that. Don\’t resort to name-calling.

[If I didn\'t respect most of your writing, I might end by saying something along the lines of how I understand, as name-calling probably leads to more controversy, more readers, and therefore more power for the journalist. And of course you journalists always first amass power and only then think about informing... But instead I\'ll assume it\'s just a bad day on your part]

“keep an eye on high frequency trading…”

For the sake of what? I’m so embarrassed for us all. It has already been explained to us in fifth-grade terms how high frequency trading front-runs the market and defrauds the economy of billions, or tens of billions, annually.

Felix, why aren’t you more like Matt Taibbi? Where is the outrage? You managed to take down Ben Stein, a lightweight and a minor figure in the grand scheme of things. Meanwhile, our entire markets are a cesspool and nobody has the cojones to really fight when it comes to the important stuff. It is very sophisticated-seeming to maintain a cool analytical detachment when the sanest response to all of what we’ve seen would be anger.

I mostly limit the amount that I am personally defrauded through HFT by holding for years at a stretch, moving relatively minor sums of money around, and staying far away from all mutual funds (which we now see underperform the market in part because they are easy targets of HFT fraud, and their high turnovers don’t help at all). But the harm that this and many other practices do to trust will be long-lasting indeed.

Below is the email.
Congratulations you have been found suitable for the position to serve in Chevron Nigeria Limited. You are expected to resume site by 28th September 2009. You are also expected within two weeks to have rounded up all immigration matters with the accredited immigration consultant in Nigeria (you are not to pay for the services of the immigration consultant, as this has already been taken care of by your employers)

This will enable us to have enough time to provide the necessary documents (expatriate quota and cable visa) needed by the Nigerian Embassy, so that you can be invited officially for visa.

Upon completion of the immigration process with the immigration consultant funds will then be made available to enable you take care of your flight ticket and other miscellaneous expenses after we have confirmed the approval of your workers /residential permit.

Attached is the letter of appointment as you are requested to put down your signature on it and send a copy to us and the immigration attorney along with other necessary requirements which include a copy of your international passport.

You will be in contact with the Nigerian Immigration lawyer as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Mr. Larry Davies