Amazon has perhaps the best franchise in the sector and they are having trouble meeting revenues estimates ... and that hurts the entire tech sector.

We beat analyst estimates on revenues for the quarter.

We think the revenues were in line or perhaps a little better than the Street, which is attributable to the deceleration of declines in radio revenue and improving outdoor advertising revenues.

I have heard estimates of up to 4,000 private sector security personnel working in Iraq.

With scandal-ridden capital markets, a mediocre recovery and still high valuations, a lengthy bottoming and healing period is needed before we get a substantial upturn in equities.

If you are a competitive investor, you've got to assume the Fed will succeed in re-igniting the economy.