Apple Inc (AAPL)

[NewHerb]

OT: Novosibersk

Never been to Siberia although I've seen some of the Russian Far East; Petro-Pavlosk, Kamchaski (sp), Magadan, and Kharbarsk (sp). Just remember to bring your own tolet paper.

My impressions of Russia and Russians is of a very educated people with an over abundance of natural resources. Even so, after 70 years of communism, tolet paper is still not a commodity. All of their great projects, subway in Vladisvistok, etc, were built with prison labor. Their natural resources, oil and gas, etc. will enable China's growth and prosperity. Alas, not their own.

Russia has many parallels to Latin America. Corruption stymes growth.

I am so thankful to live in the US. As big a mess as our government is at times, it works pretty darn well. The Enrons and World Coms flame out fairly quickly.

Herb: Posting from Dutch Harbor, Alaska waiting for the main engine on the fishing boat to be tuned up so he can get across the Gulf to Seattle. (cam shaft, bearings all the way around, 16 new cylinders, 8 rebuilt heads, rebuilt fuel pump, new salt to fresh water heat exchanger, 2 new turbos, new bearings in the gear box; at $100k + this isn't Jiffy Lube!)