Comments on: Thank You Sir! May I Have Another? http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547 Research (on Financial Markets) Conducted by Other Means Thu, 09 Sep 2010 10:11:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: The Professor http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72988 The Professor Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:20:20 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72988 I thought chickens had pecking orders, not chimps, and what's more, these sort of analogies are always a big stretch. I can also assure you that this is not Putin's M/O, and that he and Ahmadinejad, the Chinese leadership, etc. interpret Hillary's flaccid response. I thought chickens had pecking orders, not chimps, and what’s more, these sort of analogies are always a big stretch. I can also assure you that this is not Putin’s M/O, and that he and Ahmadinejad, the Chinese leadership, etc. interpret Hillary’s flaccid response.

]]> By: The Professor http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72987 The Professor Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:15:39 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72987 @Mossy. The audience is not Russians, to be quite frank. There's likely nothing that Hillary or anybody could say that would influence their attitudes towards the US. So, if she pushes back, 90 percent of Russians think that the US is an enemy, instead of 80 percent, and Putin's popularity goes from 70 pct to 80 pct? Not a material difference. But a thank-you-sir-may-I-have-another attitude oozes weakness, and encourages adventurers, including not just Putin but the Iranians and others. In these sorts of matters, like Machiavelli said, it is better to be feared than loved. And here, that's not even the choice. It's between being feared and scorned as a weakling. The former is definitely preferred, but Hillary's response will just feed the latter. @Mossy. The audience is not Russians, to be quite frank. There’s likely nothing that Hillary or anybody could say that would influence their attitudes towards the US. So, if she pushes back, 90 percent of Russians think that the US is an enemy, instead of 80 percent, and Putin’s popularity goes from 70 pct to 80 pct? Not a material difference. But a thank-you-sir-may-I-have-another attitude oozes weakness, and encourages adventurers, including not just Putin but the Iranians and others. In these sorts of matters, like Machiavelli said, it is better to be feared than loved. And here, that’s not even the choice. It’s between being feared and scorned as a weakling. The former is definitely preferred, but Hillary’s response will just feed the latter.

]]> By: mossy http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72978 mossy Wed, 24 Mar 2010 08:30:36 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72978 SO, and the US shouldn't support Georgia because...? Because it's a neighbor of Russia and therefore doesn't have the right to determine its own future? And ditto for the Baltic states? Why don't you read what Putin ranted about. The WTO is not admitting Russia? How about because at the last minute Russia decided it would enter as a union? How about the fact that intellectual property rights are not respected in Russia? It's complaining about Jackson-Vanick? Yeah, it should be repealed, but that's not holding up Russian development -- corruption is. Putin's ranting is just an irrational list of gripes, most of which are brought up to distract the world from the real problems Russia is facing. SO, and the US shouldn’t support Georgia because…? Because it’s a neighbor of Russia and therefore doesn’t have the right to determine its own future? And ditto for the Baltic states?
Why don’t you read what Putin ranted about. The WTO is not admitting Russia? How about because at the last minute Russia decided it would enter as a union? How about the fact that intellectual property rights are not respected in Russia? It’s complaining about Jackson-Vanick? Yeah, it should be repealed, but that’s not holding up Russian development — corruption is. Putin’s ranting is just an irrational list of gripes, most of which are brought up to distract the world from the real problems Russia is facing.

]]> By: Sublime Oblivion http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72955 Sublime Oblivion Mon, 22 Mar 2010 19:28:46 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72955 If I was in Putin's place I would rant against the US, and the West in general, all the time too. At the same time as Hillary is supposedly stretching out a hand of friendship, the US continues supporting Georgia and is conducting military exercises in the Baltics. So which button exactly is Hillary pressing? As usually the "Western hypocrisy" button. Furthermore, Bush also ranted a lot - about freedom, democracy, blah blah blah, while invading countries and torturing people. Whenever he appeared on TV I wanted to throw a shoe at him. Why can Bush rant and not Putin? This wish to suppress Putin's words only displays the liberast hatred of free speech. If I was in Putin’s place I would rant against the US, and the West in general, all the time too.

At the same time as Hillary is supposedly stretching out a hand of friendship, the US continues supporting Georgia and is conducting military exercises in the Baltics. So which button exactly is Hillary pressing? As usually the “Western hypocrisy” button.

Furthermore, Bush also ranted a lot – about freedom, democracy, blah blah blah, while invading countries and torturing people. Whenever he appeared on TV I wanted to throw a shoe at him. Why can Bush rant and not Putin? This wish to suppress Putin’s words only displays the liberast hatred of free speech.

]]> By: mossy http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72949 mossy Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:12:55 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72949 Prof, I don't agree with you here. Mr P apparently rants about the US to everyone who comes in contact with him. People who have been ranted at say that's it's totally crazy: it's like you push a button and get three hours of vitriol. But what would have happened if Hillary ranted back? The Russian press would have reported her attacks and increased anti-Americanism. Putin would have ranted more. I'm sorry she didn't call him on it -- say something like, "I'm sorry Mr P has chosen to list his grievances at a time when we are concentrating on establishing a better relationship..." But the thing is, if she zinged him, he would act out more in the future. He and the gov't are like teenagers looking for a fight. They are just dying for you to challenge them. And the worst thing you can do is give them the fight they are looking for, because they don't have the brains to stop. Yeah, it's annoying. It's not satisfying. But I think it's better to ignore him. The message is: this isn't worth discussing. It's not worthy of a response. My 2 cents. Prof, I don’t agree with you here. Mr P apparently rants about the US to everyone who comes in contact with him. People who have been ranted at say that’s it’s totally crazy: it’s like you push a button and get three hours of vitriol.

But what would have happened if Hillary ranted back? The Russian press would have reported her attacks and increased anti-Americanism. Putin would have ranted more. I’m sorry she didn’t call him on it — say something like, “I’m sorry Mr P has chosen to list his grievances at a time when we are concentrating on establishing a better relationship…” But the thing is, if she zinged him, he would act out more in the future. He and the gov’t are like teenagers looking for a fight. They are just dying for you to challenge them. And the worst thing you can do is give them the fight they are looking for, because they don’t have the brains to stop.

Yeah, it’s annoying. It’s not satisfying. But I think it’s better to ignore him. The message is: this isn’t worth discussing. It’s not worthy of a response.
My 2 cents.

]]> By: boss http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72929 boss Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:45:16 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72929 "While there, she was sandbagged by Vladimir Putin." Something that has done by the other side. Sometimes the tit for tat doesn't happen right away. "(e.g., Russia’s continued support for Iran’s nuclear program)" At last notice, it has been suggested that China is taking a "softer" stand on Iran. “While there, she was sandbagged by Vladimir Putin.”

Something that has done by the other side.

Sometimes the tit for tat doesn’t happen right away.

“(e.g., Russia’s continued support for Iran’s nuclear program)”

At last notice, it has been suggested that China is taking a “softer” stand on Iran.

]]> By: elmer http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72927 elmer Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:17:31 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72927 Seems like the previous Obama Global Apology Tour has had its effect. At least Billary did not say "thank you, sir, may I have another." This might be of interest to you, SWP [excerpt pasted in below]: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18129 High-stakes Eurasian Chess Game: Russia’s New Geopolitical Energy Calculus Tectonic Shift in Heartland Power: Part II by F. William Engdahl Russia’s North-South-East-West energy strategy The defusing of major Washington military threats is far from the only gain for Moscow in having a neutral but stable Ukrainian neighbor. Russia now vastly improves its ability to expand the one great power lever it has, outside of its remaining and still formidable nuclear strike force. That lever is to counter Washington’s relentless mililtary pressure by cleverly using export of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas, a fuel much in demand in Western Europe and even in UK where North Sea fields are in decline. According to west European industry estimates, demand within the European Union countries for natural gas, especially for use in electric power generation where it is seen as a clean and very efficient fuel, is estimated to rise some 40% from today’s levels over the next twenty years. That increase in gas demand will coincide with a decline in current gas output from fields in the UK, Netherlands and elsewhere in the EU. [1] With Ukraine’s shift from hostile opposition to Moscow to what Yanukovych terms ‘non-aligned’ neutrality -- with an early emphasis on stabilizing Russian-Ukrainian gas geopolitics -- Moscow suddenly holds a far stronger array of economic options with which to neutralize Washington’s game of military and economic encirclement. When Yushchenko and Georgia's Saakashvili took the reins of power in their respective countries and began taking steps with Washington to join NATO, one of the few means available for Putin’s Russia to re-establish some semblance of economic security was its energy card. Russia has by far the world's largest known reserves of natural gas. Interestingly, according to US Department of Energy estimates, the second largest gas reserves are in Iran, a country also high on Washington's target list.[2] Today, Russia is clearly pursuing a fascinating, highly complex multi-pronged energy strategy. In effect it is using its energy as a diplomatic and political lever to ‘win friends and influence (EU) people.’ Putin’s successor as President, Dmitry Medvedev, is well suited to the role of overseeing gas pipeline geopolitics. Before becoming Russian President, he had been chairman of the state-owned Gazprom. Seems like the previous Obama Global Apology Tour has had its effect. At least Billary did not say “thank you, sir, may I have another.”

This might be of interest to you, SWP [excerpt pasted in below]:

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=18129

High-stakes Eurasian Chess Game: Russia’s New Geopolitical Energy Calculus
Tectonic Shift in Heartland Power: Part II

by F. William Engdahl
Russia’s North-South-East-West energy strategy

The defusing of major Washington military threats is far from the only gain for Moscow in having a neutral but stable Ukrainian neighbor. Russia now vastly improves its ability to expand the one great power lever it has, outside of its remaining and still formidable nuclear strike force. That lever is to counter Washington’s relentless mililtary pressure by cleverly using export of the world’s largest reserves of natural gas, a fuel much in demand in Western Europe and even in UK where North Sea fields are in decline.

According to west European industry estimates, demand within the European Union countries for natural gas, especially for use in electric power generation where it is seen as a clean and very efficient fuel, is estimated to rise some 40% from today’s levels over the next twenty years. That increase in gas demand will coincide with a decline in current gas output from fields in the UK, Netherlands and elsewhere in the EU. [1] With Ukraine’s shift from hostile opposition to Moscow to what Yanukovych terms ‘non-aligned’ neutrality — with an early emphasis on stabilizing Russian-Ukrainian gas geopolitics — Moscow suddenly holds a far stronger array of economic options with which to neutralize Washington’s game of military and economic encirclement.

When Yushchenko and Georgia’s Saakashvili took the reins of power in their respective countries and began taking steps with Washington to join NATO, one of the few means available for Putin’s Russia to re-establish some semblance of economic security was its energy card. Russia has by far the world’s largest known reserves of natural gas. Interestingly, according to US Department of Energy estimates, the second largest gas reserves are in Iran, a country also high on Washington’s target list.[2]

Today, Russia is clearly pursuing a fascinating, highly complex multi-pronged energy strategy. In effect it is using its energy as a diplomatic and political lever to ‘win friends and influence (EU) people.’ Putin’s successor as President, Dmitry Medvedev, is well suited to the role of overseeing gas pipeline geopolitics. Before becoming Russian President, he had been chairman of the state-owned Gazprom.

]]> By: Sublime Oblivion http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72926 Sublime Oblivion Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:07:57 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72926 Old alpha males at the peak of a chimpanzee pecking order usually pointedly ignore challenges from younger males seeking to take their place, instead of trouncing them as they did when they were younger. The US is that aging chimp, whereas Russia/China/Iran are the younger challenger chimps. Old alpha males at the peak of a chimpanzee pecking order usually pointedly ignore challenges from younger males seeking to take their place, instead of trouncing them as they did when they were younger. The US is that aging chimp, whereas Russia/China/Iran are the younger challenger chimps.

]]> By: Official Russia | Russia-US: A Derogatory Dilemma http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72924 Official Russia | Russia-US: A Derogatory Dilemma Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:00:24 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72924 [...] Professor reflects upon US Secretary of State's, Hillary Clinton, visit to Moscow and reacts against her not responding [...] [...] Professor reflects upon US Secretary of State's, Hillary Clinton, visit to Moscow and reacts against her not responding [...]

]]> By: Leos Tomicek http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547&cpage=1#comment-72923 Leos Tomicek Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:24:20 +0000 http://streetwiseprofessor.com/?p=3547#comment-72923 First of all the Bushehr power-plant would go online anyway, I still wonder what took them so long. The Russian's must be watching America's Iranian dilemma with joy. The American's cannot attack Iran and win. Well, only if they institute the draft maybe, but they are afraid of actual grassroots that will make the Tea Parties look very good in comparison. But if they do not act, Israel will act for them. Either way the Americans would be dragged into a conflict. Wanna ask some kuffiyeh wearing undergraduates what they think about fighting a war Israel started. Smacking Hillary on a blog is easy, but what would you do in her situation? First of all the Bushehr power-plant would go online anyway, I still wonder what took them so long.

The Russian’s must be watching America’s Iranian dilemma with joy. The American’s cannot attack Iran and win. Well, only if they institute the draft maybe, but they are afraid of actual grassroots that will make the Tea Parties look very good in comparison. But if they do not act, Israel will act for them. Either way the Americans would be dragged into a conflict. Wanna ask some kuffiyeh wearing undergraduates what they think about fighting a war Israel started.

Smacking Hillary on a blog is easy, but what would you do in her situation?

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