Squawker Silenced

Certainly saddened today to learn of the passing of CNBC's Mark Haines, the veteran co-host of Squawk Box and later Squawk on the Street.

Haines was a straight shooter and I spent most every morning over the last 15 years or so listening to his interviews and analysis along with David Faber and Joe Kernen. I always loved the "briefcase indicator" in attempting to gauge the direction of the FED on interest rates based on the volume of Chairman Alan Greenspan's briefcase. Fun times.

Haines also did a masterful job on September 11, 2001, bringing us the dreadful events of that morning all the while knowing many former guests and current friends were in peril.

There is an abundance of talent over at CNBC, but from the beginning Haines was a centerpiece. Along with much of the street and viewers across the globe, I will miss his smart elect remarks and pinpoint interviews.