Quote Critique

"With globalization, the big [countries] don't eat the small, the fast eat the slow."
- Thomas L. Friedman (NY Times foreign affairs columnist, referring to the Arab nations)

A cryptic quote without context, I can only assume Mr. Friedman was hungry when he wrote this commentary. Using words like fast, slow, big and small, confuses me because I have no idea what sort of metrics he reviewed to formulate this opinion. IMHO, countries that produce and utilize cheap, efficient weaponry, outlast the competition in the game of global survivor.

Bong Break

A tip of the hat to Adam Warner at the Daily Options Report for re-posting this awesome clip. I'm glad the fellows at Clusterstock keep tabs on the important stuff.

CNBC: The Whole Country Needs A Bong Break from AlleyInsider on Vimeo.

Clearly Smoking Securities is ahead of the curve.

Ratios to Reason $SPX

A weekly look at 5 indicators that depict the current market environment.

$BPSPX:$VIX = 97.31

$BXM:$SPX = 70.22

$CPMKTE:$CPMKTB = 39.67

$SPXA50R:$VIX = 87.58

$SPXHILO:$VIX = 15

The only glimmer of bullish hope my indicators offer is a 50% increase in the $SPXHILO:$VIX since my last analysis here. Otherwise, the bear market remains intact, and until the VIX can make a sustained move down, I suspect we will see increased market weakness. I'm eager to see how Barclays new volatility ETN's will trade, especially in light of the markets lack of confidence in their risk management, reflected by the $3 stock price. New products offer new strategies, and though their entry seems late to the party, the potential for increased diversification is wonderful.