Here's what we're following this morning:

 (via Dangerous Minds)

We don't owe $16 trillion, and you don't owe $50,000 - Corrente | While I understand the author's point, it remains a pie-in-the-sky dream for any entity to issue those platinum coins.

Shhh: here's what the European Stability Mechanism just *might* be doing - Bloomberg | Do Italy and Spain know that they've just been shut out of funding?  Nevermind: we just have to wait for the next draft.

Bernanke is King of the Data Hill - NJB Deflator | If Bernanke took action, there's a reason.  Let's all hope the markets continue to have faith.

Raising the retirement age to 69 will lower monthly beneft by... - Naked Capitalism | Live longer?  Work longer!  Success!

4 years later, and what have we learned? - The Atlantic | If he still believes that you can't change Washington from the inside, does that mean that all those Prius bumper stickers can be torn off, now?

Why QE3 is bound to backfire - Counterpunch | If the banks are choosing not to reduce mortgage rates further, then why is Bernanke purchasing $40 billion of mortgage-backed securities each month?

The problem with Americans: too much sleep - Truthdig | I'm not sure what I'd do if I had the chance to sleep that much.

The global carbon trading system has "essentially collapsed" - The Guardian | So much for that one.  Governments not taking this seriously?  I can't imagine what they'd have on their plates right now.

New wave of workers tries novel approach: save more - Wall Street Journal | No one will save them except themselves.

What if Israel bombed Iran? - The Washington Post | A country united in wrath can act for good and for evil.

What on earth ISN'T the Swiss National Bank manipulating? - Financial Times | CHF, then euros.  Then German bonds.  Then French bonds.  We're well past a hat trick at this point.