Frontrunning: March 18

• Another bogus econ datapoint: CPI ex food and energy at 1.8%
• UK Unemployment rises at fastest pace since 1971 (Bloomberg)
• The disastrous January TIC data (Brad Setser)
• AIG furor shifting to Goldman Sachs (Reuters)
• The joke that are retention bonuses (NYT)
• Why "covenant-lite" was the worst thing to happen to companies balance sheets (WSJ)
• Some more on Nissan's TALF bond sale (Bloomberg)
• In historic event, bankrupt Vallejo, CA judge rules city can void union contracts (Law.com)
• Intrade line on Geithner departure by June 2009 getting expensive (Infectious Greed)