I think it's more a political statement ? a social statement ? rather than an economic statement.

It does a lot for the economy just having a whole bunch of extra people working there and spending money - there's an immediate positive affect on spending.

Is he looking a little more tarnished than a year ago? Yes. But is he seriously weakened? I don't think so.

I think it happens a lot. These guys do care whether they're on the top of the table, in part because it's free publicity.

That is certainly a bearish sign, not for the (stock) market, but for the expected profits of the exchange going forward.

Given the hole we were in literally and figuratively after Sept. 11, this is clearly a plus.

An awful lot of negotiation occurs ahead of time, and in the overwhelming number of cases either there is no problem to begin with, or the problem gets settled through negotiation or an agreement that a certain number of stores or branches get sold off.

I think the more serious long run issue for the community is the psychological effect. Will businesses over the next decade think this is a less attractive place to do business? Will individuals think this is a less attractive place to live? To visit? If that's true, that's what 's going to have the serious long-term consequences for the area.