Thursday Links -- Chesapeake and EPA Close to Announcing Interesting Partnership

I'm sick in bed, so I will be watching a bit of CNBC, reading the WSJ, and updating my will. 

And if my eyes hold out, reading more of Debt: The First 5,000 Years, by David Graeber, a very, very interesting book. The book has give me a new outlook on investing. 

Talk about a great day, in one of my better moods: I was able to attend our granddaughter's band concert earlier this morning at a school assembly but then back to bed. 

Crude oil inventories: very interesting -- supplies of US crude oil rose in latest report, and yet price of WTI continues to go up. Combination of weaker dollar and narrowing of WTI/Brent spread. I thought I saw this yesterday and now CNBC is reporting that the Seaway operators are decreasing the flow from 400,000 bopd to 175,000 bopd. Prior to the expansion, the daily capacity was 150,000 or 175,000 bopd if I recall correctly; the expansion took the Seaway to 400,000. And now I see WTI is up over a dollar -- very interesting. Possibly a third factor: folks are optimistic about a better global economy later this year.

First time unemployment benefit claims down significantly, and down surprisingly. Huge. Great news. 

So, oil is up; several stories on global warming; market hitting new highs in some areas; unemployment report surprisingly good; and, the Bakken is as busy as ever. What a great day.

WSJ Links

Section D (Personal Journal): nothing today, except a long article on how to save money on air flights by buying two discounted tickets for a long haul flight with one connecting flight, rather than buying "one" ticket for the entire flight.

Section C (Money & Investing):
Cocoa hits 6-month low as Europe cuts back! Great news -- our granddaughters love a) hot chocolate; and, b) Ghiradelli brownies.

Section B (Marketplace): 
Page 3 (and we've talked about page 3 many time), big story: Chesapeake to host EPA in study of fracking risk.  Three column-wide story; a big deal. Several other companies mentioned, including Denbury and Range Resources.

Several stories throughout the Journal (and on CNBC today) regarding AAPL. I have never invested and AAPL and I have said I never will. But it is getting very, very tempting. Again, this is not an investment site; just idle chatter. Do not make any investment decisions based on anything you read here.

Section A: 
Combat ban for women to end, page 1. Op-ed: the reality that awaits women in combat.

Even for Minnesota, it's cold, page 2.

The lowest air temperature so far this week was 38 below zero Tuesday morning in Babbitt, Minn., Mr. Tentinger said. It warmed up Wednesday, but Thursday morning's lows were expected to reach 40 below in the area.

"It's finally winter," said Christine Mackai, a 39-year-old stay-at-home mom with three kids who lives in Embarrass, a township with a population of 600. Ms. Mackai steels herself with long johns, several layers on top and boots. She said that when she sits down in the car, it is "like sitting on a board."

Once it gets colder than 20 degrees below, it all feels the same. At least that's what I recall growing up in North Dakota during the 50s and 60s.

Op-ed: climate-change misdirection. 

Op-ed: The RomneyCare bill comes due -- Deval Patrick proposes a large tax increase on the middle class. Cue up Connie Francis.

Op-ed: the myth of a stagnant middle class.