1. Do you believe the main cause of a companys failure is due to its risk assessment and risk appetite practices, or does the general economy play a more important factor? Please support your answers with your reasoning.

2. Discuss the state of governance at these companies ((es). Please include your thoughts on the objectivity and/or independence of the various members of the Board of Directors.

3. Discuss whether you think companies could have effective internal controls over financial reporting (i.e., SOX 404 compliance) yet still have major weaknesses in its overall system of internal controls.