ARCHIVES
03/19/2006 - Rarer Than Gold
DO YOU HAVE an implicit, unswerving trust in the government-assured value of the dollar? If so, please don't waste your time reading this essay. But if you have even a sliver of doubt in the ever-dwindling value of fiat currency...if you fear the ravages of inflation...or if you're interested in some non-paper based capital protection and possible appreciation...please read on. You might find a compelling, unique opportunity today. 03/05/2006 - Whiskey Goes to India
Sitting alone at my desk in dreary, chilly Baltimore, I often dream myself tramping around the crowded, filthy, sweltering streets of Mumbai. But don't you fear, staid Whiskey aficionado - I'll return to India this fall. With you, if you'd like. 02/19/2006 - India Joins the 5-Digit Quartet
THE FOREIGNER GIVETH. Then he taketh away. Or so it is in the case of India's main stock index, the Sensex. For those who have no clue, the Sensex is a bundle of 30 of the largest stocks on the Bombay Stock Exchange. It is the DJIA of India. 01/29/2006 - Central America's Last "Value" Play?
Here's the main gist of what I found: Nicaragua boasts some of the cheapest pristine coastal real estate left in the Americas. Admittedly, land prices in Nicaragua have trended briskly upward over the past few years. But it seems to me that that's simply the beginning of a long-term trend. And compared to overdeveloped coastal plots in my South Floridian Fatherland, Nicaragua's a darned steal. 01/15/2006 - Weekend History -- Tireless History
QUITE AN AMBITIOUS task he set for himself. But then, an inherent duty of all historians may be to give to all time. Thus, I will humbly attempt to suss out some contemporary parallels for Thucydides' fine work on the first recorded "World War" between Athens and Sparta. I'll leave the final answers to you. But first, we must add some enriching background detail to Thucydides' subject. 12/25/2005 - Liberty and Safety..?
MERRY CHRISTMAS. Your editor praises and thanks Jesus. Alas, I am not so forgiving as He...so today I will forget all Holiday Cheer and make the case for impeaching the President. To put it simply, the President broke the law by authorizing domestic spying without a warrant. He also tramples on the Bill of Rights and Article II of the Constitution. His actions are illegal and unconstitutional. Christmas notwithstanding - it's time to impeach. 04/28/2005 - The Myster of Mr. Wu and the 12-Cent Lighters
Plopped in a fine fake-leather chair in the lobby of Beijing's Grand Hyatt, I tried to answer three interwoven questions:
1. How did Mr. Wu's pension jump 900% in 13 years when the average rate of inflation loomed under 5% annually over the same time period?
2. How can you buy a disposable cigarette lighter in Beijing for 12 cents?
3. Why does the love of my life have to pay back the money she borrows on her credit cards? | 
