here is my take. even though the core rate of inflation seems to be in line and "contained", the inflation problem is worse when you look under the hood. look at gold and oil. that said,although the fed said they are'nt there to bail out financial markets they need to show that they are doing something/ they did that when they lowered the discount rate. the discount rate does not affect inflation but it tells the markets they are watching and care about the current situation. i believe with the horrific jobs numbers we recieved last coupled with the mortgage turmoil that the fed(greenspan) created,they have no choice but to lower the fed funds rate. however,the market see's 50 basis points and i do not. i see 25 basis points and the market will sell off when they do that. i think we are in the eye of the hurricane.