, what with Obama sprinting through Asia, Lloyd Blankfein issuing an apology, and Sarah Palin going rogue. But that didn t stop the business Twitterati from focusing on what they know best trading, deal-making and, well, football. In our weekly Twitter roundup this week: Amazon s meteoric rise, GM s payback of taxpayer money, and Jack Welch on a controversial 4th-and-goal call by New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

It s been a wild week

"Yo AMZN, how is the air up there"
Todd Stottlemyre -- Stock analyst, former Major League pitcher, on the rise of amazon.com stock, up 37% Wednesday from a month earlier.
Twitter.com/ToddStottlemeyre

"Banking source says he hasn't heard any PE firms circling Monster Worldwide."
Dan Primack -- Editor of private equity-focused Web site, after Internet message board rumors Wednesday prompted a 7.1% spike in Monster s stock.
Twitter.com/peHUB

"GM uses government money to repay government money. Buy."
Zero Hedge -- Commentary from editors of the financial blog, zerohedge.com on GM s announcement Monday that it would start paying back the $52 billion it has received in government aid.
Twitter.com/zerohedge

Economy/General Business

"At event last night w/Morgan Stanley's John Mack: 'We cannot control ourselves. You have to step in and control the Street.' That's honest."
Andrew Ross Sorkin -- New York Times reporter and editor of Dealbook.
twitter.com/andrewrsorkin

"How to monetize the prestige of the NYT: Turn it into a million-dollar book deal! NYT itself, of course, gets $0."
Felix Salmon -- Finance blogger, Reuters, on news of New York Times reporter Jodi Kantor s reported book deal for a volume on the Obamas.
twitter.com/felixsalmon

"Even in the Holiday blitz, cash-strapped US consumers can't carry economic recovery. Time to shift to more of an investment economy"
Bill George -- former CEO, Medtronic
Twitter.com/Bill_George

"If AP cuts happen, note that CEO Tom Curley said his employees were 'fine' last month"
The Neiman Journalism Lab at Harvard University on Monday s rumors that the Associated Press would announce layoffs. They did.
Twitter.com/NeimanLab

"Sell off being blamed on the comment that the 'rally has outpaced the prospects for economic growth'. No shit, Sherlock! But why today?"
Scott Bleier -- director, Create Capital Advisors, on Thursday's market selloff.
twitter.com/createcapital

"at current money market rates u will double ur $ in 6000 years"
Joe Donohue -- CEO of Desert Shores Capital.
twitter.com/upsidetrader

The Lighter Side

"I liked Belichick call at end of game even if experts didn't. Needed 2 yards and he wins. His defense was dead and couldn't have stopped me"
Jack Welch -- former CEO, GE, on New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick s decision to go for a two-yard first down, rather than punting, in the final minutes of a game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots failed, and the Colts went on to score and win.
Twitter.com/jack_welch

"Most fun part of owning team. Charging court after buzzer beater .knowing the cops aren t rt behind you"
Mark Cuban -- investor, owner of Dallas Mavericks, on the Maverick s 115-113 overtime victory Monday over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Twitter.com/mcuban