Reindeer Games

I've run out of important things to say in 2010!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all!!



The only time that Linus ever drops his blanket!

Normality & Linear Thinking

"The mainstream linear thinkers see a recovery and a return to their concept of normality. They will be shocked and flabbergasted when they realize that this is only the beginning of a 20 year period of turmoil, chaos and war. It seems that some study of history would benefit the mainstream talking media heads pretending to know what is happening and political hacks in Washington D.C. who pretend to administer the affairs of state. The cycles of history are not identical, but the alignment of generations is always the same."
James Quinn, The Burning Platform

Shoot More Bad Guys

"Pentagon shifting Afghanistan war strategy to 'shoot more bad guys'? White House review of Afghanistan war strategy finds progress, but at the Pentagon support is growing for a shift toward more hard power."
Source: Christian Science Monitor

Don't forget the "real story":
http://randomroving.blogspot.com/2009/11/truth-about-afghanistan.html

"The imperialistic invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq engaged the U.S. military and temporarily aroused the patriotic spirit in America. I'm not quite clear why bombing other human beings makes us feel patriotic, but the America flags were flying high. Today, many question our continued presence, yet fear is alive and well."

Random Roving, May 29, 2009

A Golden Christmas

This one might "take the cake"!

"An Abu Dhabi hotel unveiled a jewel-encrusted Christmas tree today worth more than $11 million. How's that for bling?  It is the "most expensive Christmas tree ever," said Hans Olbertz, general manager of Emirates Palace hotel, according to Agence-France Presse. The tree stands 40 feet tall and is decorated with silver and gold bows, ball-shaped ornaments and white lights.  Its branches are draped with 181 diamonds, pearls, emeralds, sapphires and other previous stones."
Source: Daily Finance

A Gold Alternative

An altnerative to investing in gold!

"Las Vegas Police Department have released footage of a man running through the Bellagio after stealing $1.5 million (£945,700) worth of casino chips. Police say an armed man wearing a jumpsuit and a motorcycle helmet with white stripes walked into the Bellagio hotel and casino complex in Las Vegas, robbed a betting table then fled on a motorcycle early on Tuesday."

Dead Cat Dow Bounce

I received this video from an anonymous source. Great stuff.

Derivatives & The Blob

I was flipping channels over the Thanksgiving holiday and stumbled upon the movie classic, "The Blob".  I had forgotten that this 1958 horror classic starred Steve McQueen.  I remember as a kid that this was the ultimate scary movie.  "The blob eats you alive!".

Reading an article on Bloomberg last night regarding financial derivatives reminded me of The Blob.  It just oozes along devouring everything in its path.  In the end, they froze The Blob and sent it to the Arctic for a permanent freeze.  How are we going to "freeze" these instruments that Buffet described as "weapons of mass destruction"?

"Global derivatives trading in over- the-counter and exchange-traded futures and options will represent a $700 trillion market with $3.7 quadrillion in annual turnover by the end of this year, research company TABB Group said.  Rules to have central clearing for over-the-counter trading would require additional collateral of as much as $2.2 trillion, Westborough, Massachusetts-based TABB said in a statement on its website, citing a report it completed at the request of the World Federation of Exchanges."
Source: Bloomberg

"The 'derivative monster' still lurks in these financial waters. Every contraction cycle needs a culprit. Derivatives will be the blame for this one."
Random Roving, July 3, 2010
 
"Puplava's risk comments are targeted at the significant amount of derivatives in the world.  His argument is that the risk can NOT be taken out. Many on Wall Street believe that great mathematical models can remove the risk. For a more thorough understanding of the crisis evolving...."             http://www.financialsense.com/series2/rogue.htm

Random Roving, March 27, 2003 (email era)

Precious Metals Defined

"The most liquid, tangible, fungible, recognizable, coveted, time-tested, and easily-converted-to-something-else assets are precious metals."

Jerry Western, Financial Article Summaries Today, Editor and Author

A Cash Shiller Housing Index Update

Are we seeing another "tremor" in the housing sector?

Uranium You Say?

It might be some time to invest in some uranium. A new ETF (symbol URA) provides an easy option.

Uranium price (Source: Bloomberg)