doorapan

Fitch Downgrades Reaffirm the Case to Exit Eastern Europe

You write : "The fact is that none of the economies of Eastern Europe (GUR, IEER.LSE) have succeeded in completing the socialism-to-free market transition. On the contrary, virtually all former Soviet Republics are well on their way to become basket cases when compared to their counterparts in Western Europe, with the possible exception of the Czech Republic and Poland" --- do you imply ?? that the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, etc were Soviet Republics? And that sweeping statement that none succeeded to free market economy? On what criteria? Either extremely sloppy -- too bad, or simple ignorance -- even worse. Neither helps to entangle a situation which is indeed problematic...

Ethanol: Our Answer to Reducing U.S. Dependence on Foreign Oil

Even if we (u.s) used all of our corn to make ethanol, with nothing left for food or animal feed, we could only displace perhaps 1.5 million barrels per day of this demand [U.S. consumption is 21 million barrels per day]. Clearly, corn ethanol is a part of the solution but by itself is not a sufficient long-term solution to our oil dependence. Ethanol is currently transported mainly by tanker truck or rail cars because it cannot be shipped in existing gasoline pipelines. The potential capacity for ethanol production from corn is fairly limited. In addition to concerns about feedstock limitations, corn ethanol derives much of its energy from fossil fuel inputs.

Russian Oil Exports: Dropping, But Why?

please, this is not the place for criptosoviet propaganda (although I cant really decide this is being serious or joke)

Hedge Fund Manager's Notebook: Blood on the Streets - Buy Russia

Sorry, meant to say: 1) gas is depleting

Hedge Fund Manager's Notebook: Blood on the Streets - Buy Russia

Muddlling investor: although this is true, the big picture does not help in this case, for 1) oil is depleting in Europe 2) 25% is for the whole of Europe, but some parts are more (50-80-100%) dependent on Russian gas 3) even if you had spare capacity elsewhere, you don't have the infrastructure to get it to where it is needed (especially in the case of gas) 4) and is there spare capacity elsewhere? we are talking about magnnitudes.
Of course this is a typical example of mutual benefit and dependence - all I am saying that in the short run Europe is more vulnerable.

Hedge Fund Manager's Notebook: Blood on the Streets - Buy Russia

And Europe is nothing without Russion oil and gas... Europe goes belly up before Russia does.