Rice rationing redux?  Chris Mayer on the return of rising food prices… Dan Amoss on what the Fed says versus what the Fed does… Russia sings dollar’s praises, dollar bulls stampede… Chuck Butler looks past the rhetoric… China’s latest resource grab… Iraqi oil… America’s best-selling car… with an MSRP of $60…

While the mainstream media has been focused on the run-up in equities, one overlooked sector has turned “red hot,” according to Justice Litle in Taipan Daily. Justice is talking about the grain markets – foodstuffs like corn, wheat, soy and sugar.

Last night, I had dinner with Gary, an Iowa commodities broker. As we sat down to steaks, Gary told me two large hog businesses had gone under this week in Sioux City. “I saw the banker down at the farm counting livestock heads,” he said. “The banker in this town never leaves his office. It’s the first time he’s ever had to get s**t on his shoes.”