Clean energy lacks backers

This Minyanville piece explains the viewpoint of one academian who sees no real substance in short-term changes toward clean energy.

Not a bad piece, but can journalists please get more focused and bring us viewpoints of clean energy movers with real answers? I'm tired of constant skepticism without concrete, constructive solutions. Is there really no creative way for the US to move forward, away from dependence on crude oil?

Bearish echo

Who is Richard Russell and why does he keep hollering about an imminent crash?

He makes quite a point about John Paulson loading up on gold and gold-related vehicles.

One of the greatest modern traders, John Paulson, who made billions on the housing collapse, has, I understand, all his personal money in gold-related items. Many of my subscribers have now built gold profits beyond anything they have ever achieved before. I know at this point one could get itchy fingers thinking of the profits achievable by switching gold for fiat currency. I warn subscribers, stay on the yellow brick road. The big profits, the astounding profits, will accrue when gold finally bursts loose of its prejudices and freely expresses itself.

Right or wrong, note that Russell refers to hard gold, or whatever you term it. ETF gold, i.e. GLD, has its inherent risk — seizable by the Fed in an inhospitable economic climate.

Alibaba is Brand #1?

Really? I don't believe it and you probably don't, either. Credit Suisse, however, has its own list of 27 global brand kings, and Alibaba is at the top of the list, followed by Amazon, Almarai, Apple and BIM.

The Thurston Howell III play

It is possible that while most of Planet Earth crumbles, the elite rich and powerful will enjoy their truffles and Coach bags more than ever. You and I could bother to cash in on their bootyful ways through this ridiculous new (?) ETF known as ROB.

Room for big, fat smartphones?

So really, do people want a 4.3-inch screen? I am not in the smartphone universe, so I really have no feel for this, but if people are turned off by Apple's closed system and already like what Google/Droid/Verizon/Motorola have to offer ...

What traction does the Droid X have?

The anticipated phone, which has an 8-megapixel camera and HD videorecording, will sell at Verizon Wireless stores and online beginning July 15. It will cost $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate, provided the buyer agrees to a 2-year service agreement. (Buyers will have to pay $299.99 up front, then wait to be mailed the debit card containing their $100 rebate.)

The Good Doc

Howard Lindzon with Dr. J (Jon Najarian).

Krullster the not-self-important

First, Krullster explains to an intrusive e-mailer that there is no "self importance" going on.



Here, offspring of Krullster with an important message to BP.



Video: Hit The Bid