Notice that when one puts in “montreaux” as name of the fund, something flashes by and then error message shows up

Did not know where else to leave a message regarding the site.

If I can help in any way, I will work for free. I try for 24-hr turn-around, not 2-weeks to start scheduling.

Tom Mason

I walked into a coffee shop in Grand Central Station today. A large cup of coffee usually costs $1.50. I was surprised to learn that the price had increased to $1.75. Maybe they were just adjusting to the market price or the “Starbucks Standard”. The clerk then directed me to a sign that stated “We are unfortunately compelled to implement price increases. This is due to the increase in prices for both wheat and dairy.” Agriculture prices are significantly increasing. I also watched a great piece on 60 minutes about the effect of bees and pollination and how that effects US farms. Oil and natural gas prices are through the roof. Gold, historically considered a gauge of inflation, is approaching $1000. The dollar continues to weaken against the EURO and Latin American currencies as a whole. How about college tuition, or healthcare expenses? What direction are they going in?
Yet, the Federal Reserve continues to cut rates, both the Fed Funds and Discount Rate. Sure, these moves help bail out the banking system, but should the US be cutting rates in a period of increased inflation. Bernanke needs to get real about inflation. How can our government exclude energy and food? Let’s be honest and upfront rather than utilize data that is simply not relevant! I would argue that we are currently experiencing stagflation, or a period of inflation combined with stagnation or slow growth. I am concerned with the what I am reading compared to what I am actually experiencing. I am confident that the monoline insurers (monoline insurers guarantee the timely repayment of bond principal and interest when an issuer defaults) will be bailed out (FGIC, MBIA, AMBAC) because my opinion is that financial institutions are better off with them in business, then with them out of business, for now. This might even be a temporary boost for the equity markets. Going forward though, will major banks trust these monoline insurers, or will they go to Warren Buffet for bond insurance, a business Berkshire has recently entered.
I am writing to you because I am curious to learn your opinion and to see if you are having a similar or different experience. If I am correct, how will this effect the vc community, your investments, and your family?
I look forward to hearing your response.

Best Regards,
Stephen

You may find this series to be helpful in establishing the City of the Future. Only one film of the series has been shown so far. Food is an important part of any society.

Stanford University Ethics in Society presents:

Ethics of Food and the Environment

This February, March, and April the public has the opportunity to participate in an exciting series of films, lectures, and discussions on the ethics of food production in the United States and around the globe. The series is sponsored by Stanford’s Department of Ethics in Society . It is free and open to the public.

Three well-known experts in the field of food will address topics relating to industrial food production and the environment and explore of questions relating to organic food, processed food, genetically modified food. and food choices. All three speakers have published highly acclaimed, recent works on food and food production. They are Michael Pollan, author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals and In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto, Marion Nestle, author of What to Eat, and Peter Singer, author of The Way We eat: Why Our Food Choices Matter.

Five thought-provoking films focus on various aspects of food today. Stanford professors with expertise in the subject matter will lead discussions after each screening.

Speakers:
March 3. Lecture: Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: The Omnivore’s Solution,
7:30pm in Kresge Auditorium, Stanford.
March 6. Lecture: Marion Nestle, “What to Eat: Personal Responsibility vs. Social
Responsibility”5:30-7:00pm in Annenberg Auditorium in the Cummings Art
Bldg. , Stanford.
March 7. Discussion: Discussion Seminar with Marion Nestle tentatively 10am-12pm
(location TBA), Stanford.
April 23. Lecture: Peter Singer, All Animals Are Equal – But in What Sense of
Equality?”7pm, Dinkelspiel Auditorium, Stanford.

Films remaining to be shown:
Feb. 21. Film: “Super Size Me,” 7pm Annenberg Auditorium, Stanford. Post film discussion led by Dr. Christopher Gardner
April 10. Film: “Darwin’s Nightmare,” 7pm Annenberg Auditorium, Stanford. Post film
discussion led by Dr. Rosamond Naylor

More information: 650-723-0997 or http://ethicsinsociety.stanford.edu