Ruminations on Russia

I suppose that is a $10 word. This usage of "rumination" is from "ruminate" meaning "to meditate at length: MUSE". See below for more interesting meanings and usages.

China criticizes Russian actions in Georgia. So that's good-bye to Russia's delusion of Asian hegemony and Asian support.

Investors in Gazprom must be delusional to think they will ever see a dime from that company controlled by the Capone mob in Moscow.

Speaking of the "Russian economy", is there anything else significant than the oil industry, Moscow and the government ? Since we are re-thinking that nation's outlook, perhaps we should cease optimistic expectations that Russia will evolve into a normal, free economy anytime soon. Fascist China is much broader and more diverse.

Regarding investments in Russia, I think the boxing maxim, "protect yourself at all times" applies. I have none except indirectly via whatever the Vanguard Emerging Market Fund holds. I was asked about those a few years ago and used the Al Capone analogy in saying "no" with humor. I think that still applies. Any Russian play is a short term trade.

Markets

With good durable goods numbers and a reasonable upward revision of GDP expected today, the recession-mongers have a long row to hoe. For city-slickers, that is an American slang for a lot of hard work. A "hoe" is an agricultural tool and using it is to hoe; one hoes a row of plants to get rid of weeds, etc. I suppose the Urban Dictionary can give another definition of "hoe" but that won't fit here.

Recent data indication housing is bottoming. An uptrend might commence anytime soon. But don't be a hero - the beefers can still make Ms. Market dance to any tune they wish, short term. Wait for good entries.

Word of the Day

"Ruminate" - verb [$10]
Ruminate means (intransitive) 1. to chew a cud; 2. to meditate at length: muse, not the alternative definition of "to chew a cud"; (transitive) to reflect or meditate on.
Sentence: Bunkerman ruminates about the US and world economic trajectory for quite a lot of time every week.

By the way, for any city-slickers, here is a bonus word: "cud"
"Cud" - noun [$10]
Cud means 1. food regurgitated from the first stomach of ruminant [e. g. a cow] and chewed again; 2. Somethings, as a quid of tobacco, suitable to be held in the mouth and chewed. I suppose bubble gum or chewing gum is another example of a "cud".
Sentence: I once tried chewing a cud of tobacco, but in modern setting not on a baseball diamond, getting rid of the juice was disgusting.

And another bonus word: "quid"
"Quid" - noun [$10]
Quid means a cut of something to be chewed, especially a plug of tobacco. Another usage is British slang for a pound sterling.
Sentence: I wonder if teeny-boppers chewing quids of bubble gum are representative of youthful Obama supporters, or is it activist college kids with their bongs ?

And another related bonus word for city-slickers:
"Ruminant" - noun and adjective [$10]
Ruminant means (noun) a hoofed, even-toed, usually horned mammal of the suborder Ruminantia, as a cow, sheep, goat, deer or giraffe, having a stomach divided into four compartments, and chewing a cud consisting of regurgitated, partially digested food; (adjective) 1. that chews a cud; 2. of or belonging to the Ruminantia; 3. Meditative: reflective
Sentence: My dog Sky can herd almost any domesticated ruminant; he's great with sheep and could do cattle, but we've never tried goats.