General
Tulips Part II
So, we’ve established that, with a little creativity, almost anything can be considered an investment. Tulip bulbs mesmerized the Dutch.
A recent example in the extreme was a young man who listed his “soul” on eBay.
The buyer was a priest who was touched by the young man’s plight. The young man thought he had a buyer [...]
Tulips (Just in time for Spring)
It is April 3rd , the 66th trading day of the year, and we’ve already had 30 days where the markets have been up or down at least 1%. That’s volatility with a Capital “V” my friends. However, it might be comforting to know that we’ve gone through this sort of thing before.
Our current crisis [...]
The Ingenuity of Man
I have great news for you.
I know for certain that government can work, that government can be efficient, responsive and effective. I’ll say that again for those of you who may think you didn’t quite hear that quite right. Government can work. I’ve seen it happen.
Sure, we have memories of FEMA’s lightning-quick response to the [...]
Fed Up?
Quote: “We can’t solve problems with the same kind of thinking that created
them.”
Albert Einstein
Maybe it’s time to shake the cobwebs out, order another espresso (make it a double), and get to work. Historic changes are occurring right before our eyes.
Last week, the Federal Reserve Bank in an unprecedented move, offered JP Morgan a $30 billion [...]
A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing
It becomes apparent as the green revolution evolves, that we have to be careful who we listen to.
The Motley Fool, the stockpicker / online blogger, is running a green investing series in advance of Earth Day on April 22. The MF perspective re: green investing focuses on long-term shareholder value, but so be it. Pretty [...]
The Fifth Element
Al Gore is a winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.
This is a statement, but not about Al Gore, although his decades - long commitment to the issues of global warming are finally being properly recognized. It is a statement about what this issue is really about. Perhaps you did not notice that this is [...]
Moved by the Movie
Longing for Bedford Falls….
I think I’ve got the answer.
Do you remember the story of “It’s a Wonderful Life”? The story of George Bailey, and his “wonderful old Building and Loan”? It’s a story about community, about values, about what is really important in our lives.
Why has this movie become a classic? Why do we watch [...]
Bad Santa
Written Christmas 2006
It is obvious to all of us, that we have major threats we must deal with.
We can no longer allow refuge to the rest of the world. We must patrol our borders, ensure our safety, and our security.
No one is beyond scrutiny, there is too much at stake-and so I call for [...]
Taxing Our Patience
In January of 2006, the New York Times reported that everyone’s favorite agency, the IRS, withheld refunds to our poorest Americans by labeling the refunds as fraudulent. In reality, these poor folks were guilty of no crime, although today, poverty seems to be one. In spite of their dire circumstances, the IRS didn’t return their [...]
Deck Chairs
It is the winter holidays 2006.
I’m on vacation, but these days there is no time for relaxation. I write, and I read, and I work, and write more. It seems that every bit of information I receive is a guided message I must respond to, integrate somehow. There is meaning everywhere.
I read the financial reports [...]
