Based on your brilliant market analysis, I have a stock tip for you Charles:

When the Yellowstone super-volcano erupts, you're going to want to start shorting like CRAZY!

What a breakthrough! I can't believe nobody figured out that large natural disasters can negatively affect the markets before you.

The wet weather in North America added to the fires in Russia, actually.

Systems are global.

Urbanites, prepare for the great iPad riots of 2011.

A volcano eruption in Iceland... that intensified the winter... that compounded the famine... that brought the French to their Revolution.

But the bus philosopher was a bit off in his remark. Money is money regardless of what anyone believes- but money is only one measure of WEALTH, and a rather poor measure at that.

Very true, @4.

Sometimes, Charles, you write like a 14 year old girl who thinks she's a poet and draws hearts over her i's.