Good morning. It is 53 degrees and sunny here in Upstate NY. I am working through a bit of a cold, so I've got that sniffly, sore throaty type of feeling. I was shaking a lot of hands last Sunday and I suspect that's where I picked it up. Many have seen the photo of Romney with a heavy spray on tan speaking before a crowd of Latin American people. It's a funny idea for a photoshop comment, and I think that's what it is at least I sure hope so. Romney seems to 'adjust' with the meme of the day and this photo hits that point. All in all it needs to be noted that Romney's campaign people seem to be not quite as sharp and professional as Obama's. I think the American people deserve a little bit better from the GOTP. Perhaps Romney is trying to impress that he is a regular type of guy, unfortunately his leaked tape has squashed that impression.

  At 8:00 a.m. futures are modestly higher, the dollar is down against major world currencies, and the price of oil is higher per barrel. The market is poised to open higher.

  Investors are marveling at the new Apple iPhone 5. Man I wish I bought shares of Apple back when it was below $100 per share in the pit of the recession. Everybody does. Well for the people that did, kudos to you, nice investment.

  Otherwise the week has been ripe with major concerns about the quality of the global economy. The enormity of that issue is daunting. We suspect that the global economy will continue to be the focus for the upcoming period. On the other hand with recent reports on a slightly strengthening US housing market, the US recovery continues in a modestly positive direction, very modest.

CNN: Stocks: 3rd week of gains on the line

...World Trade Organization economists scaled back their forecasts for world trade expansion, though recent moves by central banks around the world to take action was cheered.

Apple's iPhone 5 goes on sale in U.S. stores Friday and is almost sure to be the company's best seller yet.