Thanks for this article hgs225. As I read it I was reminded about naked short selling and it dangerous effects on markets. Naked shorting doesn't require one to borrow the stock to short In this article you can insure a house without owning it, and then set about to burn it down to collect. I know that is an anology of default swaps, but it helps explain the process. This could be another powder keg waiting to explode. I'm not very confident the powers that be can or have the will to change the bad practices of our financial institutions. Take care.