Brahm's Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/184545/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/166916-natural-gas-from-shale-emerging-plays?source=feed#comment-717470 717470
Excellent brief review! Brahm ]]> Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:44:14 -0400
Excellent brief review! Brahm ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144129-friday-outlook-commodities-global-markets?source=feed#comment-553492 553492 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:25:03 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/142202-coal-what-happens-if-it-isn-t-cheap-and-plentiful?source=feed#comment-540180 540180
Right now there are legitimate concerns that the availability of gas offers a competitive option to supplant or limit coal's utilization. Natural gas appears to be cheaper and widely available in the US at the least, and when coupled with cheaper combined cycle power plant costs in relation to coal burning (or gasification) technology plants, it does appear that coal's broader utilization in the intermediate future would be not sustainable on wider basis. This is especially true if recent predictions of mounting mining coasts will be realized.]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:51:50 -0400
Right now there are legitimate concerns that the availability of gas offers a competitive option to supplant or limit coal's utilization. Natural gas appears to be cheaper and widely available in the US at the least, and when coupled with cheaper combined cycle power plant costs in relation to coal burning (or gasification) technology plants, it does appear that coal's broader utilization in the intermediate future would be not sustainable on wider basis. This is especially true if recent predictions of mounting mining coasts will be realized.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/130766-china-recovery-or-just-slightly-improved-data?source=feed#comment-462745 462745
Perhaps, the need for China to act the way Mark has outlined in loosening its fist and its monetary and fiscal policies is the the Communist Party's realization that a painful slowdown of the economy or collapse would trigger widespread revolt and disorder in China among the masses, which the Paqrty may not be able to face easily. At the other end, the Party and Government probably also realize that the spending spree from consumers in the US and Europe is perhaps over for a long time due to dubious retirement prospectss for the majority of Americans as a result of the recent economic tsunami in the West. So what better time to inflate the domestic Chinese economy, infrasatructure expansion, and consumption. Necessary for survival of the Party and the order in the face of constraints on China's exports for years to come. However, habits can't usually be given up easily, and Chinese masses, long trained to be thrifty, may not fully oblige immediaterly. So, my guess is China also will face lower growth prospects (in the 5 to 8% range) for quite awhile, and perhaps some unrest to boot from the working-class masses..

]]> Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:18:40 -0400
Perhaps, the need for China to act the way Mark has outlined in loosening its fist and its monetary and fiscal policies is the the Communist Party's realization that a painful slowdown of the economy or collapse would trigger widespread revolt and disorder in China among the masses, which the Paqrty may not be able to face easily. At the other end, the Party and Government probably also realize that the spending spree from consumers in the US and Europe is perhaps over for a long time due to dubious retirement prospectss for the majority of Americans as a result of the recent economic tsunami in the West. So what better time to inflate the domestic Chinese economy, infrasatructure expansion, and consumption. Necessary for survival of the Party and the order in the face of constraints on China's exports for years to come. However, habits can't usually be given up easily, and Chinese masses, long trained to be thrifty, may not fully oblige immediaterly. So, my guess is China also will face lower growth prospects (in the 5 to 8% range) for quite awhile, and perhaps some unrest to boot from the working-class masses..

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/119038-unintended-consequences-of-four-government-policies?source=feed#comment-378271 378271 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:34:02 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/118654-exactly-how-bad-will-it-get?source=feed#comment-376697 376697 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 09:11:16 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/116267-obama-s-aggressive-attitude-towards-china-is-nothing-new?source=feed#comment-365430 365430 Sun, 25 Jan 2009 08:40:48 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/116148-ibm-and-boeing-bring-work-closer-to-home-bad-news-for-outsourcing?source=feed#comment-365153 365153
Well, I hope you will also find out more about Indian justice and jails, and I look forward to more balanced pieces from you in future. For my part, I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE EVEN A RAT IN AN iNDIAN JAIL OR BE FACING UP TO SWIFT iNDIAN jUSTICE!.]]> Sat, 24 Jan 2009 16:35:06 -0500
Well, I hope you will also find out more about Indian justice and jails, and I look forward to more balanced pieces from you in future. For my part, I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE EVEN A RAT IN AN iNDIAN JAIL OR BE FACING UP TO SWIFT iNDIAN jUSTICE!.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/115120-gazprom-to-ukraine-no-gas-for-you?source=feed#comment-357815 357815 Fri, 16 Jan 2009 13:11:48 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/114819-world-bank-publishes-procurement-blacklist?source=feed#comment-355972 355972
You should approach the Bank to obtain the complete list.]]> Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:56:11 -0500
You should approach the Bank to obtain the complete list.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/113224-geopolitical-energy-centered-on-the-caspian-sea-part-2-of-2?source=feed#comment-346402 346402
As Europe's dependence on Russia and Central Asian energy increases with time, a divergence in approach to Central Asia and Iran will most likely increase between the US and the Europeans. One can see the nuances of this divergence even now.]]> Mon, 05 Jan 2009 11:24:31 -0500
As Europe's dependence on Russia and Central Asian energy increases with time, a divergence in approach to Central Asia and Iran will most likely increase between the US and the Europeans. One can see the nuances of this divergence even now.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/112101-celebrating-wealth-destruction?source=feed#comment-337655 337655
There will be innovation and saviing. I am sure of that, because when balances get smaller these people need further incentives to make the next million. What could be more incentive than relative poverty to their former balances! And, there will be lots of collateral benefits and windfalls for others on the lower rung of the economic ladder.

It is just like what I say about CEO and management pay. If shareholders are empowered (by the grace of the SEC!) to determine what the pay should be for them, then there will be incentives for CEO's and others on their team to perform the way they should. That is because the majority of sophisticated shareholders have the wisdom to understand that the greatest incentive for CEOs, boards and management to perform is if they realize that their job and pay depend on shareholder approval, and not on crony board members.]]> Wed, 24 Dec 2008 13:06:10 -0500
There will be innovation and saviing. I am sure of that, because when balances get smaller these people need further incentives to make the next million. What could be more incentive than relative poverty to their former balances! And, there will be lots of collateral benefits and windfalls for others on the lower rung of the economic ladder.

It is just like what I say about CEO and management pay. If shareholders are empowered (by the grace of the SEC!) to determine what the pay should be for them, then there will be incentives for CEO's and others on their team to perform the way they should. That is because the majority of sophisticated shareholders have the wisdom to understand that the greatest incentive for CEOs, boards and management to perform is if they realize that their job and pay depend on shareholder approval, and not on crony board members.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/111613-expert-coal-reserve-estimates-way-too-high?source=feed#comment-333823 333823 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:24:00 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/110219-natural-gas-transportation-is-a-win-win-technology?source=feed#comment-326690 326690
Electric is a complicated issue at this tyime. What is the basis for elctricity genration. NG? It would be folly of an extreme nature. Producing electricity from NG provides generation efficiency at the most of about 60% (using gas-fired combined cycle plants). Loss of 40%!! Tends to nullify the advantages of NG as a greenhouse controller. Then there is cost of (NG use) relating to inefficiency, investment i power plant and tgarnsmission facilities, etc and etc. Unless someone can show that the NG-electricity-electri... engine route is more efficient than an NG fired option car. Tall order!!! Transmission system problems are more easily resolvable than other problems I have indicated, becasuse costs for setting up a grid is not all that formidable an d other issues relatging to decision/regulation are not formidable.

However, begin focussing also on issues relating to storage batteries and the engine required. Current estimates I have seen say that this plug-in electric engine car is about $10K more expensive than a corrwponding gasoline fired car engine car. The public will not be amused of such price differences. That is why I say let all options be available, and we will probably need all for safety, economics/competition, etc and also limitations of fuel supply (NG, oil, environment if coal is one of the options). ]]> Thu, 11 Dec 2008 16:22:44 -0500
Electric is a complicated issue at this tyime. What is the basis for elctricity genration. NG? It would be folly of an extreme nature. Producing electricity from NG provides generation efficiency at the most of about 60% (using gas-fired combined cycle plants). Loss of 40%!! Tends to nullify the advantages of NG as a greenhouse controller. Then there is cost of (NG use) relating to inefficiency, investment i power plant and tgarnsmission facilities, etc and etc. Unless someone can show that the NG-electricity-electri... engine route is more efficient than an NG fired option car. Tall order!!! Transmission system problems are more easily resolvable than other problems I have indicated, becasuse costs for setting up a grid is not all that formidable an d other issues relatging to decision/regulation are not formidable.

However, begin focussing also on issues relating to storage batteries and the engine required. Current estimates I have seen say that this plug-in electric engine car is about $10K more expensive than a corrwponding gasoline fired car engine car. The public will not be amused of such price differences. That is why I say let all options be available, and we will probably need all for safety, economics/competition, etc and also limitations of fuel supply (NG, oil, environment if coal is one of the options). ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/106332-the-pickens-plan-changes-its-strategy?source=feed#comment-307868 307868
Synthesis of liquid fuels (diesel) involves a thermal efficiency of about 50%. That means it takes about 2 MM BTU of CNG to produce one MM BTU of diesel! This chips off significantly the advasntage for a tacit objective of putting out less carbon to contain global warming. The author should not forget that rather than the volume of the tank it is the weight of the fuel and its BTU density which determines the overall performance (mpg) of the engine, if other issues such as engine burn characteristics, etc remain equivalent for the two fuels. BTU to BTU diesel is much more weighty than CNG!

There is an economic dimension to the issues I have raised. The fuel material input costs, i.e. the cost of natural gas input for diesel, is double that of CNG as a direct firing fuel (low synthesis efficiency!). In other words, the present $6 per MM BTU CNG becomes a $12 per MMBTU input cost for diesel. Add to this plant capital, depreciation, interest on capital borrowed, ROR, etc, you have $16 per MM BTU cost. Quite a lot more than $6 CNG!!! A massive shift to the use of this kind of diesel will roil gas markets, bring gas supply concerns, etc, etc and etc. MY guess is there would be no advantage vis-a-vis oil, especially if OPEC or other oil intersts turn themselves as upsetters of the apple-cart. Competition!!!

There are other profound issues which I will leave you, MR. Pickens and others to think and browse about. But there are there. Without good thinking we may go down a sticky wcket again. Please! Us, little people, and OBAMA does not need another mess on our hands through shoddy thinking and slickness. Please continue the good work with my blessings! And, if you have the energy to do it check it out with me. I am "retired", though, but would not mind giving my inputs]]> Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:22:45 -0500
Synthesis of liquid fuels (diesel) involves a thermal efficiency of about 50%. That means it takes about 2 MM BTU of CNG to produce one MM BTU of diesel! This chips off significantly the advasntage for a tacit objective of putting out less carbon to contain global warming. The author should not forget that rather than the volume of the tank it is the weight of the fuel and its BTU density which determines the overall performance (mpg) of the engine, if other issues such as engine burn characteristics, etc remain equivalent for the two fuels. BTU to BTU diesel is much more weighty than CNG!

There is an economic dimension to the issues I have raised. The fuel material input costs, i.e. the cost of natural gas input for diesel, is double that of CNG as a direct firing fuel (low synthesis efficiency!). In other words, the present $6 per MM BTU CNG becomes a $12 per MMBTU input cost for diesel. Add to this plant capital, depreciation, interest on capital borrowed, ROR, etc, you have $16 per MM BTU cost. Quite a lot more than $6 CNG!!! A massive shift to the use of this kind of diesel will roil gas markets, bring gas supply concerns, etc, etc and etc. MY guess is there would be no advantage vis-a-vis oil, especially if OPEC or other oil intersts turn themselves as upsetters of the apple-cart. Competition!!!

There are other profound issues which I will leave you, MR. Pickens and others to think and browse about. But there are there. Without good thinking we may go down a sticky wcket again. Please! Us, little people, and OBAMA does not need another mess on our hands through shoddy thinking and slickness. Please continue the good work with my blessings! And, if you have the energy to do it check it out with me. I am "retired", though, but would not mind giving my inputs]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105131-is-india-s-economy-about-to-blast-off?source=feed#comment-302548 302548
Infrastructure growth can lift the economies of both countries significantly to avoid a deeper slide, and both can and will marshall plans to do so. However, the pace for execution of infrastructure investment are significantly different for each ofthese countries. India's processes are cumbersome and extrtemely prone to delay or sabotage, mainly due to a corrupt bureacracy and resultant endless scope for negotiation, endless protestr and review on procedural grounds, and loften resulting litigation. Due to the potential for huge leakage into the pocketrs of vested interests there is also considerable bickering and infighting beteween bureacrats, politicians on control and execution issuews before a project can get started.

The Indian economy is always going to be handicapped by these issues, unless India gets into the habit of setting up a government of the people, by the people and of the people. For many of us NRI's it is a source of shame and disenchantment to find that India's officials and politicians are determined to hold the people hostage to their own weaknesses and personal agendas. China has a a considerably better record in this respect. That is why China will always be ahead in forseeable future with regard to pace and rate of growth, despite the global constraints at times on its economy. ]]> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:41:20 -0500
Infrastructure growth can lift the economies of both countries significantly to avoid a deeper slide, and both can and will marshall plans to do so. However, the pace for execution of infrastructure investment are significantly different for each ofthese countries. India's processes are cumbersome and extrtemely prone to delay or sabotage, mainly due to a corrupt bureacracy and resultant endless scope for negotiation, endless protestr and review on procedural grounds, and loften resulting litigation. Due to the potential for huge leakage into the pocketrs of vested interests there is also considerable bickering and infighting beteween bureacrats, politicians on control and execution issuews before a project can get started.

The Indian economy is always going to be handicapped by these issues, unless India gets into the habit of setting up a government of the people, by the people and of the people. For many of us NRI's it is a source of shame and disenchantment to find that India's officials and politicians are determined to hold the people hostage to their own weaknesses and personal agendas. China has a a considerably better record in this respect. That is why China will always be ahead in forseeable future with regard to pace and rate of growth, despite the global constraints at times on its economy. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/99041-india-battered-by-global-storm?source=feed#comment-276739 276739
The Indian (and also Brazil, perhaps) industrial growth story is still preserved though at a slower pace while that of China faces a significant slowdown or marginal decline. China's economy is much more meshed in with the larger global economy due to heavy export dependency, while India's is less so. The effect of commodities is larger on the Indian economy since it weighs in at heavier relative level in its consumption and much of it based on imports. Thus the effects of commoditities recently on Indian inflation based on this dependency has been much larger. Perhaps, with the fall in commodity prices globally there soon woul be significant relief from inflation for the Indian economy.

India is also likely to see significant pick-up in investments after the elections expected soon in development of its infrastructure which has been subpar in recent years. The authror's suggestion of the likelihood of the preservatgion of India's growth story is plausible. I would bet that it is highly likely. The one area of concern is in India's poor track record for development and growth of its farm sector and agri-industry.

]]> Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:04:13 -0400
The Indian (and also Brazil, perhaps) industrial growth story is still preserved though at a slower pace while that of China faces a significant slowdown or marginal decline. China's economy is much more meshed in with the larger global economy due to heavy export dependency, while India's is less so. The effect of commodities is larger on the Indian economy since it weighs in at heavier relative level in its consumption and much of it based on imports. Thus the effects of commoditities recently on Indian inflation based on this dependency has been much larger. Perhaps, with the fall in commodity prices globally there soon woul be significant relief from inflation for the Indian economy.

India is also likely to see significant pick-up in investments after the elections expected soon in development of its infrastructure which has been subpar in recent years. The authror's suggestion of the likelihood of the preservatgion of India's growth story is plausible. I would bet that it is highly likely. The one area of concern is in India's poor track record for development and growth of its farm sector and agri-industry.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/98479-citi-examines-its-carrots-and-sticks?source=feed#comment-273565 273565 Sat, 04 Oct 2008 16:46:40 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/97840-what-s-brewing-between-china-vale-and-the-baltic-dry-index?source=feed#comment-270528 270528 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:35:26 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/97925-why-have-things-gone-so-wrong?source=feed#comment-270374 270374
To many laymen one of the greatest failures with regard to transparency in the last several years has been the way in which disclosures were made before the floating of these toxic securities which have been at the root of our problems now. There is the story how Paulson's former firm (Goldman) packaged some of the most toxic securities. The disclosure document was about 400 pages long. It disclosed everything about the packaged securities (SIV), including the toxicity of some of the parts of the package. However, someone had to have a PhD in finance and several other disciplines to understand the full possible impact, and more imprortant, weeks of time to find out what is wrong or horriblle about the package.

Whose fault was this that something like this can happen or be allowed?

Of course, Goldman first, perhaps. Why? They weren't thinking about anyone else., except themselves! Legally? Certainly, thye were not at fault at all. Those who helped peddle these to their ignorant and unsuspecting clients are seriously at fault. No doubt of it. Here the failure had been telling and outrageous.

How about the SEC, or the monitoring and permitting agency which should either require better concise disclosure or not allowed these securities to be floated since some of them were worthless or highly risky. Some were also unrelated to the more acceptable securities in the packaged SIV. Certaiinly, this or other Fed agencies connnected with the permitting of these securities were derelict. Here definitely was a problem, and from the layman's point of view, a serious on e. Agencies which were asleep or forgot their responsibilities in regard to transparency and, perhaps, even also on appropriateness. It will require a lot of legal, ethical, moral, as well as regulatory experience to browse on these failures to serve as leeson for the future. However, will we see this reviewed in a meaningful way. It is doubtful!

]]> Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:09:10 -0400
To many laymen one of the greatest failures with regard to transparency in the last several years has been the way in which disclosures were made before the floating of these toxic securities which have been at the root of our problems now. There is the story how Paulson's former firm (Goldman) packaged some of the most toxic securities. The disclosure document was about 400 pages long. It disclosed everything about the packaged securities (SIV), including the toxicity of some of the parts of the package. However, someone had to have a PhD in finance and several other disciplines to understand the full possible impact, and more imprortant, weeks of time to find out what is wrong or horriblle about the package.

Whose fault was this that something like this can happen or be allowed?

Of course, Goldman first, perhaps. Why? They weren't thinking about anyone else., except themselves! Legally? Certainly, thye were not at fault at all. Those who helped peddle these to their ignorant and unsuspecting clients are seriously at fault. No doubt of it. Here the failure had been telling and outrageous.

How about the SEC, or the monitoring and permitting agency which should either require better concise disclosure or not allowed these securities to be floated since some of them were worthless or highly risky. Some were also unrelated to the more acceptable securities in the packaged SIV. Certaiinly, this or other Fed agencies connnected with the permitting of these securities were derelict. Here definitely was a problem, and from the layman's point of view, a serious on e. Agencies which were asleep or forgot their responsibilities in regard to transparency and, perhaps, even also on appropriateness. It will require a lot of legal, ethical, moral, as well as regulatory experience to browse on these failures to serve as leeson for the future. However, will we see this reviewed in a meaningful way. It is doubtful!

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/97910-tuesday-outlook-commodities-emerging-markets-more?source=feed#comment-270312 270312 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:49:41 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/96510-read-it-and-weep-for-the-usa?source=feed#comment-260859 260859 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:41:50 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/96203-hedge-funds-may-have-gone-too-far?source=feed#comment-258907 258907 Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:44:07 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/94563-canadian-natural-resources-horizon-slippage?source=feed#comment-255251 255251 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:54:16 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/94768-dow-chemical-s-next-move?source=feed#comment-250394 250394 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:49:01 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/94645-oil-spreads-widen-and-narrow?source=feed#comment-250344 250344
However, gas supply infrastructure development may prove to be costly unless the Government formulates a policy to "bless" gas engines in vehicles on a long term basis as one of the vehicle options. Otherwise, there will be very little enthusiasm for deploying capital for infrastructure development and investment.]]> Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:27:35 -0400
However, gas supply infrastructure development may prove to be costly unless the Government formulates a policy to "bless" gas engines in vehicles on a long term basis as one of the vehicle options. Otherwise, there will be very little enthusiasm for deploying capital for infrastructure development and investment.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94472-fannie-freddie-bailout-disastrous-fiasco?source=feed#comment-249537 249537
It is not the bailout per se that is bad, but, as Cheng said, it is the manner it has been formulated and then executed. Unfortunately, no one has gone to jail yet for all this mess. Perhaps, no one will have to, save some lowly broker or mortgage banker in the distant future.]]> Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:15:05 -0400
It is not the bailout per se that is bad, but, as Cheng said, it is the manner it has been formulated and then executed. Unfortunately, no one has gone to jail yet for all this mess. Perhaps, no one will have to, save some lowly broker or mortgage banker in the distant future.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94106-tata-motors-makes-its-move-out-of-singur?source=feed#comment-247118 247118
This is a major accomplishment on your part worth a proclamation ackowledging you as one of the few persons deserving the genuine appelation of being an India expert. However, you only got about 80% of the facts straightened out or listed. It is no mean accomplishment though. Hope you did not have someone fill in the blanks too much for yourself on this. Even then it serves the purpose.

Now you know why many of us highbrows and not so highbrows upward aspiring"Indians" have been over here as your hiumble guests or second class citizens/residents. The place back "home" is impossible to navigate for the most of us (who still call themselves NRIs, or non-resident Indians). Even with our US earned PhDs or business school credentials from the ivy leagues and other prestigious schools, we would just be babes in the woods in the urban jungles of India.
The real present India is frightening to many of us. This India which has been fashioned by the Nehru and his decendants (the Gandhis including the the Italian import} will perhaps always be an elusive dream --at least for our life-times. India needs a lot of "change" before the corrupt establisments spawning over its land, especially of the Left variety and that present in its GOP, are permanently dethroned and uprooted. But when will that day dawn when the huddeld masses of India get their freedom from the parasitic establishments?

Somehow the foreign markets have more faith in India's future than many of us descendants from the land of the Buddha, Rama and Gandhi. Hope the market is right, and we are wrong!

Tatas, the local Government, Mamamta and the Central Government are all grand-standing. Time and suffering are cheap commodities in India. The land problem may be solved this weekend or any day soon. At the end of the day most of the parties to the dispute, thriving under Big Brother's control of the Indian scene, do not want the car project to leave Bengal. Even so, I would still not buy TTM at this price level yet!]]> Sat, 06 Sep 2008 17:33:13 -0400
This is a major accomplishment on your part worth a proclamation ackowledging you as one of the few persons deserving the genuine appelation of being an India expert. However, you only got about 80% of the facts straightened out or listed. It is no mean accomplishment though. Hope you did not have someone fill in the blanks too much for yourself on this. Even then it serves the purpose.

Now you know why many of us highbrows and not so highbrows upward aspiring"Indians" have been over here as your hiumble guests or second class citizens/residents. The place back "home" is impossible to navigate for the most of us (who still call themselves NRIs, or non-resident Indians). Even with our US earned PhDs or business school credentials from the ivy leagues and other prestigious schools, we would just be babes in the woods in the urban jungles of India.
The real present India is frightening to many of us. This India which has been fashioned by the Nehru and his decendants (the Gandhis including the the Italian import} will perhaps always be an elusive dream --at least for our life-times. India needs a lot of "change" before the corrupt establisments spawning over its land, especially of the Left variety and that present in its GOP, are permanently dethroned and uprooted. But when will that day dawn when the huddeld masses of India get their freedom from the parasitic establishments?

Somehow the foreign markets have more faith in India's future than many of us descendants from the land of the Buddha, Rama and Gandhi. Hope the market is right, and we are wrong!

Tatas, the local Government, Mamamta and the Central Government are all grand-standing. Time and suffering are cheap commodities in India. The land problem may be solved this weekend or any day soon. At the end of the day most of the parties to the dispute, thriving under Big Brother's control of the Indian scene, do not want the car project to leave Bengal. Even so, I would still not buy TTM at this price level yet!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/94189-rescuing-frannie?source=feed#comment-247069 247069 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:57:39 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/94159-time-to-consider-oil-s-homely-cousin-natural-gas?source=feed#comment-247047 247047 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 15:30:14 -0400