Russian Vodka turns to Steel

It used to be Russia was famous for its Vodka here in the United States, however since the fall of communism, the ex-communists saw opportunity and thus became billionaires like Roman Abramovich.

In the headlines on Drudge, I found this: Will Kremlin bail out an Oregon steel plant?

I found the headline of interest because I have been talking about Russia, Gazprom and IPSCO for sometime.

On the ADN blog I got into a spat with Eddie Burke on some issue that started off on Menard.

Now I like Eddie and he and I have disagreed on the air, but I think his heart is in the right place. But here is what was said.

June 12, 2008 - 11:42pm Talkradio
Maybe their wrong
Have you ever given any consideration that Lyda and Ralph just might be wrong?
Eddie
Burke
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June 13,
2008 - 6:06am cat966
Way to go Eddie
They are wrong and thats why theseguys are quiting--they were losing in the POLLs badly--thats why they are getting out while the getting is good.
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June 13, 2008 - 1:01am tlamb775
For crying out loud Eddie,
will you give it a rest for once.

My mother ran against Menard in a school board race and Menard is an NEA supporter. A Dem turned Republican.

What Lyda did with the Dems is no different than what Governor Palin has done with surrounding herself with who knows what in the hell they are.

Eddie in Tuesdays news it was stated that: "...The International Energy Agency says Russia has turned into the biggest crude oil producer, a title traditionally belonged to Saudi Arabia."

(...)

"...In principle, Russia’s oil bonanza could continue for years: it has the world’s seventh-biggest oil reserves, at 80 billion barrels, according to BP, a British oil firm.

And oilmen reckon there are 100 billion more barrels to find—“the biggest exploration prize in the world”, in the words of Robert Dudley, the boss of TNK-BP, BP’s Russian joint venture."

Maybe Sen. Schumer from N.Y would like to recant. And Samuels was right. They only one.

What isn't being talked about is the fact that Russians are buying steel companies like IPSCO which TransCanada had dealings with when it comes to pipe.

http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/06/13/afx5112812.htm

Evraz completes acquisition of IPSCO Canada

"...Russia-based steel maker Evraz Group S.A. said it has completed its
acquisition of IPSCO's Canadian plate and pipe business (IPSCO Canada)."

TransCanada hasn't talked with Gazprom? Highly doubtful that they
didn't.

Eddie when it comes time to find pipe to build the line, who will the
companies be dealing with? And how will they win when it comes to dealing
with the Russians?

Governor Palin is way in over her head on dealing with this issue and how to play the game. The enemy isn't the oil companies. Will you get that in your thick head of yours. In case you missed it mortages in default are on the rise in Alaska.
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June 13, 2008 - 7:54am Talkradio
Murkowski left-overs

Tom, the sky is not falling. Were going to be fine. You Murkowski left overs need to understand your man and his ideas lost. WE have a new gov now and we should allow her to do it her way... So far so good.
Eddie Burke
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June 13, 2008 - 10:08am
tlamb775
Eddie you know damn well that I didn't vote for Murkowski.

Remember our conversation off-air?

I'll tell you what, when it comes time to get the steel for the pipe,
let's see who is right.

http://www.metalcenternews.com/2008/May/May2008_TMK_NA.htm

"Russian' Headlong into the Americas

Russian companies, such as the TMK Group, are investing aggressively in the
North American steel market and shaking up the traditional sources of supply for
service centers"

The point here I was making with Eddie was; Russia via Putin was looking at controlling a lot of steel in the United States. The Russians would have leverage on negotiations with the oil companies which would be bad for the U.S.

The companies are still considered U.S. companies but they are owned by Russians who are tied to Gazprom and Putin.

Now that the stimulus package will be signed, it will be interesting to see how projects are handled since these steel mills are still U.S. companies but are owned by Russians.

On a different note I will be talking about Menard and how she voted with the Senate on the resolution to find Todd Palin in contempt.

You will see my original comments on why would Sarah Palin surround herself with people like Menard. When I talk about it, it starts from there and I bring in comments my mother told me when she ran against Menard for the school board race.