EVEN MONEY?
May 31, 2003
Robert Chapman, an international forecaster has it as “even money” for a major terrorist attack in America around July 4th. Being one of the first to see the newly released movie, Sum Of All Fears, I’d have to say that I am surprised that there hasn’t been an attack already. Why don’t we give the FBI a break! Forget about the one miscue and be thankful for all the terrorist acts they have prevented. God only knows how many that has been. Of course it’s an election year and politicians need a drum to beat on.
Politicians are sick!
Let me end this thought on two points. First, I’d say we currently live in an environment that’s greatly changed and it’s “even money” EVERY DAY for some sort of terrorist attack. Secondly, the movie reminded me that the sum of all fears isn’t really a nuclear attack but the fear that we die without the opportunity to BE what it is we were created to BE. I don’t know about you, but I want o make my life count for something and I can’t envision I was put here just to be here- purposeless. That’s the sum of all my fears and I’d put 9-1 odds on that!
NOT ON CNBC
May 31, 2003
One day the Wall Street cheerleaders (CNBC) will have to acknowledge something that they have been evading and avoiding all year long.
The number one performing sector on Wall Street is not defense stocks- though they have been doing very well.
Forget retail stocks as they have peaked. The pharmaceutical stocks are having patent problems. Bank stocks are on the ropes. The brokerage houses and seeing less and less business.
So, what’s this hot sector that no one wants to talk about that’s leading the market by far? It’s the same sector that Goldman Sachs trashed and downgraded last week in an attempt to manipulate the markets and the interests of their investors: pure FRAUD!
It’s GOLD stocks! In fact in the last eighteen months the two major gold indices are up 105% (XAU) and 300% (HUI). You’ll not hear about this on CNBC of course since they have been putting down gold for the last 18 months while hyping Nasdaq which in the last 18 months is down about as much as gold is up.
MINI ME?
May 30, 2003
Austin Powers comes out with his latest spoof this summer and it’s aimed at none other than James Bond.
This series has been a big hit- with what crowd, I’m not sure. His take on “mini-me” came to mind today as I read a story from The Christian Science Monitor wherein the lead line is that “India Is Going To Launch A Small War”.
Forget about the nuclear war stuff folks, this is only going to be a mini-war! You know, a skirmish where just a few hundred, give or take a thousand here and there die.
Of course the problem is that mini’s become MAXI’S but then that’s another discussion.
NOW THE FAMINE?
May 30, 2003
You’ve heard the addage: it’s either feast or famine. It was Joseph of OT fame who saw the coming famine. Is there a Joseph in the house today? Do we need one?
The US$ has just ended a seven year run. Since 1995 it has increased more than 40% and every foreigner wanted to party with the US$. The party (shall we call it a feast or more of a drunken orge?) is over. You hear that? Everyone go home, there is no more alcohol! We’ve had foreigners paying for our little bash recently to the tune of $1.5B a DAY! Yep, that’s what our annual trade deficit has been. In January of this year (just 5 months ago) the US$ topped out. The US$ stood atop the currency hill at 120 back in January. Today, it dropped below 111 before closing a tad over.
The US$ has been the government and the consumers “no-limit” credit card. The card-holders now want to be paid. Just how far and how fast the US$ falls will dertermine the severity of the hang-over. Will a seven year famine follow the seven year orge?
God, I hope not, but we’re definitely in need of a bottle of extra-strength Tylenol! Make that a case!
IS CHAVEZ NEXT?
May 30, 2003
Carmona has escaped the country. Finally, he did something right but his life isn’t worth a lot no matter where he puts down roots.
But, back at home in Venezuela, we have Chavez hanging on by a thread (though he probably doesn’t know that).
The nation seems to be impossibly split awaiting the ONE who can unite the nation. Does anyone have his name? With the announcement today that the government will be raising taxes, with the further devaluation of the Bolivar, and with the heightened tensions, can Chavez be too far bahind- in needing to leave the country?
IN YOUR FACE!
May 29, 2003
Three radical Muslims challenged the Indian premier this morning. He had said that one more attack and he’d act. Well, it’s now his move. Will India back up its word after three Indian policemen were shot by the radical Muslim elements?
I guess it’s not enough for the radical Muslims to take on the Christian West, they want to take on the Hindu East as well.
I try to put the adjective “radical” before the noun “Muslim” because not all Muslims are violent and interpret the Koran as does the al Qaeda and UBL crowd. Nonetheless, the ball is now in India’s court!
Just when we thought 9-11 was the BIG ACT, nuclear war could take center stage. The world watches, the Dow tumbles, gold rises, and all plans are on temporary hold!
NUCLEAR WAR?
May 29, 2003
For several decades the rest of the world watched and held their breath as the old USSR and the USA threatened one another with nuclear war. There were just two super-powers in those days.
Now as the two presidents of their respective countries sign agreements to reduce the number of nuclear warheads, two other nations are on the brink of war- with nuclear weapons. Now, the US and Russia know what it feels like to think that radioactive clouds could be loosed upon the earth.
This is so serious that America is airlifting 1,100 troops and as many as 63,000 U.S. citizens out of both countries. We would not be going to such expense on a whim! This is a reality and it could happen any day!
ARE YOU READY?
May 29, 2003
Christians love to ask the question, “where would you go if you died today”? I’m not sure it’s any of their business and when you add the demeanor and tone that usually goes with the question, it really goes against the grain.
Anyway, we all need to be asking ourselves if we’re at least somewhat ready- for the rainy days, the thunderstorm filled nights, and the just overcast days.
We can’t live in the sunshine forever and this world was not made for our pleasure. Think about how well prepared you are for: a hurricane, the tragic loss of a spouse or child, another terrorist act, and maybe nuclear war some where in the world. Think about it because all of those WILL happen one day. Don’t stay there but at least visit the realities if ever so briefly. It’s a healthy act.
BLAME GAME
May 29, 2003
They say a war between India and Pakistan would initially kill one-quarter million people with as many as 12 million probably killed when the nuclear dust settles.
The new angle on this scenario has the al Qaeda in the shadows fomenting trouble as well as instigating fire-fights. You see, if they can get India and Pakistan to fight a war it will wreck havoc on the American economy. Oh well, we’ll just encourage the consumer to go to the malls and shop some more to combat terrorism and nuclear war.
We’ve got it all figured out here in America: or do we?
SORRY GORE-Y
May 28, 2003
The U.S. Justice Departmnet said that they could find no credible (that’s a new buzz-word in America these days) evidence that any of the Florida voters were intentionally denied their right to vote.
Oh well, Al Gore will believe whatever he wants to beleive- don’t we all? He probably even thinks that he can win in 2004. Get another thought!
CHICKEN OR EGG?
May 28, 2003
You know that proverbial question but do you know its brother? Do our law enforcement agencies (ie. FBI) just investigate and enforce laws or prevent them?
Tom Cruise is set to release a movie this month wherein authorities are able to prevent crimes before they happen. Today, the FBI announces a major shake-up. They are now in the terror “prevention” business as much as the law enforcement business.
So, here we have the brother to the lead question. Does art imitate life or does life imitate art?
The VP?
May 28, 2003
Come on, tell me it isn’t so! Now the SEC is investigating Halliburton. Is there any corporation that is clean? I mean do you realize that our VP, Dick Cheney, was the CEO during the time that the SEC is investigating? Not the VP of the United States!
FAIR PLAY?
May 28, 2003
The Pope is quick to chime in on what he thinks about war, how a nation should handle human rights, abortion, and a number of issues. Did I mention child abuse by priests?
Anyway, many are questioning George W. Bush’s talking to the Pope about his concern for the Catholic church in America.
Is the Pope above criticism? Can the church take constructive criticism? Can the religious denominations take it as well as dish it out?
BANKS TO THE RESCUE?
May 28, 2003
Gold was up another $3.40 today. This is getting serious. All the analysts will have to be eating crow for dinner if the bankers don’t come in soon and announce that they are going to sell more of the yellow stuff. But then there’s this problem that England just got raked over the coals for. The BOE sold tonnes of that metal a few months ago and as a result, they’ve lost hundreds of millions of dollars as gold continues to shine and Wall Street continues to frown. Did I mention that the Dow is now once again below 10,000? 
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