Greenspan

It was in 1998 (I believe) that Allan Greenspan mentioned the term "irrational exuberance". I totally agreed with him. What I didn't agree was that he said it publicly. I don't think that the governor of the Fed, or any president of Central Banks, shall go public and specially say anything that can influence the market. From that day on I have been a anti-Greenspan. I have been only one of a very few as Greenspan was put on a pedestal above any mortal. Later on I criticized Greenspan for holding interest rates too low for too long... specially just before the last presidential election, helping pres. Bush to be re-elected. Today it has been more common to read criticism to Greenspan while he was the governor of the Fed. Too bad that people look mostly at their own interests than at policies that sooner or later will affect us all. Greenspan is now retired, making millions with his books and speeches. I watched him the other day on TV... sorry folks, I can't stand him.

Condolleza Rice

Condi Rice was in the "war team" as special adviser to Pres. Bush. The she sided with Collin Powel and collided with Rumsfeld. She became Secretary of State in the 2nd. Bush term. Condi Rice became a major force in the US government is straighten things out in the world. Iran slowed down their nuclear program and specially talking about it, an agreement with North Korea has been set forth and the world seems to be quiet down lately. I do believe that Condi Rice has been behind the scenes working quietly in putting order in the convoluted world created by the invasion of Iraq. Condi Rice for president?!?!?

Pres. Bush and Israel

Many of my friends that took the unfortunate decision to vote for Pres. Bush and had as one of the reasons that he was the best friend of Israel may be wondering. In January 2008 Pres. Bush will go to Israel to try to convince the Israelis to give up the East side of Jerusalem to the Palestinians, so that the Palestinians can have their capital there ... regardless of the political decision in going on that path, is Bush a real friend of Israel? Or were people eluded by his bellicosity's in name of defending Israel? I told you so ...

Absentee and 2008.

For almost 1 year I didn't write anything though so often I though on doing it. I don't even remember the topics. Today, December 24,2007 I decided not to go to the office. I've worked a lot this year, had great successes and some disappointments. What's new? But the balance was positive. And I spent a lot of time in the manganese mine in Brazil. Though I got testimony's about the existence of manganese ore at that place from geologists and mining engineers I am still troubled about the end result. Ricky, my son, and Pat are doing a great job in supervising the project and making sure that my money is properly allocated. I am very happy that they are so involved.In about 2 weeks the verdict will be out. I hope that all documents are in order and that no new surprise will surface.
A new year is coming up. 2008 will be a great year in trading and if it will be also a great year for the manganese ore mine, it will be a fenomenal year.

The (maybe) lucky Pres. Bush

If the now thinly Democrat majority US Senate votes to prevent the USA to send the additional 21,000 troops to Iraq that Pres. Bush wants to, it would be a strike of luck for Pres. Bush. The troops won't be sent which is supported by the big majority of US citizens, and if anything goes wrong it will be the Senate's responsability....

my thoughts about increasing the troops in Iraq

Shortly, as another more explanatory blog will follow. It simply doesn't make sense to increase the troops in Iraq. Except for window dressing and pure domestic political reasons..... The additional forces would possibly quelch the insurgents....temporarily. As soon as they start leaving Iraq it will start all over again. More American lifes will be wasted, more Americans will be injured phisically and mentally for life...The result will be zero at a very high cost. There is no way in the short term to prevent Shiites and Sunnis to fight themselves. The majority shiites, with the support of Iran, that were supressed for so many years by the minority Sunnis of Saddam Hussein will take revenge for their suffering, of their family members that were killed, of their money that was stolen. This is part of history and only time may heal the rivalry and fight, with a lot of political negotiations backed by reason and good sense.....And I didn't even put the Kurds into the equation....

the joke of the collision of a nuclear submarine....

An American nuclear submarine collides with a Japanese tanker in the Strait of Ormuz - just a few miles off Iran's coast..... Oooops!!! It's not a joke! Can you imagine this? With all the technology installed in this ships, and in this case a nuclear submarine, it collides with another vessel? And off the coast of Iran where it probably was on a spy mission?! Two years ago in the Pacific Ocean another nuclear submarine also collided with another vessel - if I remember well also a Japanese one. What's wrong with these people? Is it proof enough that technology alone is not sufficient to win a war? Good and competent people are needed to operate these gadgets! It seems that it is easier to reach the Moon .....or Mars....