It’s often said that markets hate uncertainty. That’s true, but the key to keeping your head above water is to anticipate the unanticipated. While the worldwide economic crisis is front and center one should be asking, “What’s the next big thing that can greatly impact the markets.”
I believe it’s not a question of if, but when Israel attacks Iran. Such an attack would become headline news and greatly impact markets worldwide. My belief as a Christian that we could be in “End Times” plays no role in this assessment. (There are Christians supporting Israel in the belief this can somehow accelerate or induce end times). I’m truly looking at this through secular glasses and as someone who has spent 25 years away from the pack on Wall Street.
The Middle East has been front and center since biblical times. Religious or not, you must realize how Jews have found themselves smack in the middle of many of the most important times in history. Despite being a Christian, I’m the son of a Jewish mother, so Jewish tradition says I’m still a Jew. Since my Lord and Savior was a Jew and His Father has made the Jews his chosen people, this commentary is indeed being written by someone who sympathizes with their historical plight. But again, I pen this article not as a sympathizer but as a market strategist who happens to see them in the middle of the next big event that can impact the financial markets.
So why do I believe it’s a question of when, not if?
Newly-elected Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will present his new government to parliament tomorrow. Based on media reports, it’s expected to be a so-called “hard-line” coalition. Key members of this coalition have been calling for radical changes to the perceived “dovish” ways Israel has been going in recent years. Prime Minister Netanyahu, a very polished speaker who has spent a lot of time in front of the U.S. media (and is very well liked among Conservatives), has openly stated on numerous occasions that Israel can’t allow Iran to go nuclear. I have no doubt that this is not posturing on his part but a deep conviction.
Make no mistake about it: the people of Israel are divided on this potential development. We also must be keenly aware that such an attack will almost certainly have no open political support and be publicly condemned worldwide. But a part of this criticism will be fluff as many in the world, including many Arab states, would like nothing better than to see Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his regime disappear. But they can’t risk the outrage that’s certainly to be heard from the Muslim world and the liberal community.
My speculation after watching, reading and hearing Prime Minister Netanyahu these last few years is he will do all he can to see Iran stopped in its quest to become a nuclear power. He will not back down no matter how much political fallout from around the world develops. But to expect him to act next week, next month or maybe in just several months, remains an open question.
Knowing the United States has been its biggest ally, he will need to do a very good balancing act, especially since the Obama administration has taken a whole new tack towards Iran versus the previous administration. While we’ll certainly hear a lot of public debate about this, I believe Israel will first try to obtain a real sense of where the Obama administration will fall after the watershed event. But regardless of what they conclude, I remain convinced they will attack.
So what are the potential financial outcomes of such an attack? The no-brainer is oil goes to a significant higher level and keeps much of whatever that premium becomes. Financial markets are almost certain to react to the downside, but to what extent the physical and political damage occurs should go a long way in determining how low they go and for how long. Gold is also an expected benefactor.
I don’t take any pride in looking for destruction and loss of lives but my job is to deal with any and all potential factors that can impact markets. This plight won’t be the only hotbed area that can impact markets. I think Pakistan is fast becoming a country losing central control and, since it’s already a nuclear power, could only add to expected Iran/Israel conflict.
The Obama administration is changing both the tone and language on how it speaks about terrorism, enemies, etc. You need to know i think this is a big mistake. Many years ago, a man who would become President made a speech that IMHO, was bang on then and bang on now. Liberals are best not to watch.
“Some people like the Jews, and some do not. But no thoughtful man can deny the fact that they are, beyond any question, the most formidable and the most remarkable race which has appeared in the world.”
- Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Peter,
What do you foresee happening to interest rates in this situation? Would the PST and TBT get a boost as the US encounters even greater difficulty in funding its debt?
Added more energy shares today. Looking to add more if oil goes down more. Thanks.
the world’s geopolitical climate is soon going to be very hostile.
Between the inevitable attack on Iran and the push by China and Russia as well as a number of oil producing countries to diminish the role of the US$ in currency reserves and trade, the world will spiral into a bloodier war then any war of the past.
It appears to becoming increasingly likely that trade by “rogue” countries in OPEC will occur using something other than the US$ as the basis for transactions.
Get ready for an all out trade war and devastation since it does not appear that the US government is prepared to graciously exit as economic leader of the world.
the prophet
Tom, I posted this on the previous blog but didn’t know if you saw it. While it doesn’t relate point on to US Treasuries, thought it interesting that even great countries are experiencing some difficulty with their financing issues.
Canada is having trouble raising $$$ –
No Takers In Bank Of Canada 28-Day Term Loan Facility
OTTAWA (Dow Jones)–There were no takers Wednesday in the Bank of Canada’s C$2 billion (US$1.6 billion) 28-day term loan facility operation.
The next such operation is scheduled for March 30.
Web site: http://www.bankofcanada.ca
Thanks for your insight Peter. It is more important to see things the way they are instead of the way we want them to be. For good or bad!
Peter , did you follow judaism as a child ?
Wouldn’t disagree with your thoughts, just hope that you’re wrong because China & Russia have an interest in Iran and would view an attack as complicit with U.S. cooperation. We could descend into economic devastation if Middle East Oil shipments are delayed or withheld. Outright World War is a possibility too. Maybe the real danger is Dirty bombs or sneak bombs later brought to the U.S. for retaliation. Pakistan might topple, especially after our recent military incursions into their territory, perhaps a mistake.
Reportedly in the later days of the Bush administration, substantial arms were shipped to Israel that should be able to accomplish the objective in Iran. In past situations where opposing nations have developed A-Weapons, it’s been a stalemate and there’s no reason in my thinking that it would be any different between Iran & Israel. I can’t see Iran throwing bombs and poisoning the Middle East. It’s a wild card and nevertheless, you may be right considering the attack on Iraq’s nuclear facilities years ago. I suppose that their fear is the same as ours – one or two small tactical weapons. No more than a few.
Hi Peter, I don’t know all what motivated Churchill to make this statement you quoted, ( or when and in what context he made it ) but surely, a large portion of it had to do with the perplexing stranglehold that ‘Jewish’ bankers had on European and North American financial institutions and in turn on the political affairs of nations. As a politician Churchill had to deal with this state of affairs continually throughout his life, as have all American President’s and Congressmen throughout the 20th Century and now into the 21st Century.
What Churchill was wrong about is that the ‘Jewish’ people are a “race” of people. Predominantly they are not. This is widely understood by even Jews themselves, and has been shown in numerous historical studies, notably in Arthur Koestler’s ‘The Thirteenth Tribe’, and Israel Shahak’s ‘Jewish History, Jewish Religion: The Weight of 3000 Years’. This is not widely known by the majority of non-Jews in the world. The vast majority of European Jews have no genetic ties to Biblically historic Israel at all.
Contemporary Judaism, and Jewishness, is a multi-faceted religious and cultural ideology which, while having historic ties to the province of ‘Judea’ that existed in the Roman Empire, is, in fact, significantly different from both the truly Israelite physical heritage and the Mosaic religion of Jesus of Nazareth. Many Christians are ignorant of these facts and have been seduced into supporting the state of Israel which was established through the combined influences of European political Zionism and the European ‘Jewish’ bankers. There are many Israelis ( citizens of the present state) who are opposed to political ‘Zionism’, and the mythology which has been created to empower it, such as the claims of a Biblical right to the land. ( Nevertheless I am a Christian and believe we are near the end of this age.)
In trying to comprehend for the purposes of our own financial well-being and freedom, if not survival, and the ‘black swan’ events which may impact it, you have made some important points. The problem for us is our attempt to rightly discern what is really going on in the minds of the American administration ( which is quite packed with American Jewish persons) and President Obama, as well as the heavily Zionist right wing coalition newly elected in the State of Israel. Is there really a split between the Obama administration and Netanyahu’s? Or is this another of the ploys of political/financial gamesmanship that has been going on as long as we have been alive? The duplicity and fraud that we have seen in financial affairs in America among the ‘elite’ would seem to indicate that almost nothing can be taken on face value anymore and the confusion we all have concerning which way things will turn or be turned ( inflation? deflation? democracy? dictatorship?) could very well be in itself a ploy by the powers that be.
I watched a show the other day about how dolphins ‘herd’ sardines, by feinted attacks, before they feed on them. Such practiced deception is a fundamental practice even in the NFL. I admit how difficult things are to discern.
If Israel intends to take out ‘Iran’, why isn’t any body talking about them having to take out Pakistan as well, which already has nuclear weapons which are in jeopardy of falling into desperate hands? Or is that going to be left to the USA , or India? Or maybe Israel intends on taking out Russia too, maybe they can take out everybody! Madness really is uncomfortably unpredictable.
Peter,
If the S&P 500 closes the day below 790 do you think it would be time to turn bearish again and get out of the overall markets or should we wait a few more days to see what happens?
Thanks
Susan – I’m by no means an expert in this, but I believe the BoC Term Loan Facility is a means for the government to inject liquidity by way of a 30-day term loan to financial institutions, in which non-mortgage loans can be used as collateral. This isn’t the same thing as raising money through government bonds. Let me know if I’ve misinterpreted your remarks.
I agree that NetanYAHOO will bomb Iran – he makes Reagan look like a pacifist. It would be a total disaster on many levels. Iran has its nuclear centrifuges spread around in numerous underground locations. An attack would not only be likely to fail, it would provide Iran with more funding via a spike in oil prices. Iran also would likely retaliate against US interests in the area.
One should not forget that Iran has a legitimate beef with the US. In 1953, in order to “secure oil” the CIA overthrew a popular elected government and installed the Shah to do America’s bidding. His rule was in many ways similar to Saddam’s in Iraq. Streets in downtown Tehran were renamed after American Presidents. Iranians had to live with that for 26 years.
Suppose the old KGB had overthrown the American government, canceled the constitution, installed a dictator to do Moscow’s bidding, and renamed US city streets after Lenin, Stalin & Kruschev. How would most Americans feel about that? Hey, walk a mile in someone’s shoes – before they find out, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes (just couldn’t resist).
(Indicators still positive but this is weak stuff ) ….., especially in view of the looming GM bankrupcy and the scary removal of G.M.’s Rick Wagoner. Word on Fox News was that the GM bondholders wanted more concessions from the unions and Wagoner stood with them. Fox news says that the Obama admin. pushed him aside favoring the unions. An unbelievable action usurping the rights of shareholders and the Board of Directors which will all be replaced too. It’s incredible that we’re even going to guarantee the G.M.’s product warranties to support sales. I was a loyal G.M. customer, but I won’t buy a government car.
Anyway, it seems that this is a selling squall that should pass soon, and we have 3 – no more than 6 weeks of some further advance. Most likely, it will regain some momentum from here and rollover soon just as it has after past short interim advances. There should be a distribution phase after the March rally, going well into April. It’s less likely that we’ll just go down from here. Just opinion.
Pediment ( PEZ ) halted trading a moment ago. Any knows what is happening?
Maybe you should start an “end of days” hedge fund???? Ha ha
Hey John Whitling I’ve known PG since he was my broker. One of his many talents is to truly think out of the box. His commentary today was not written so he could sell guns, dry food, shelters or anything that could make him money. He wrote it because he thinks investors should be aware of it. If you knew anything about the man you would know how many times he’s been ahead of the crowd.
It’s immature people like yourself who try to cheapen a well thought out possibility because your little mind can’t accept anything that doesn’t conform to the vast majority of sheep’s who tow the line day in and day out.
I want to say to PG keep up your willingness to speak out no matter unpopular it may be to the masses. It’s what made you and why so many like myself are grateful for your insights.
Pediment Gold : I got the answer for the share suspension. Nothing spectacular but just a private share issue.
http://www.pedimentgold.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=343106
If such an event were to occur, it would possibly bring safe have currency into play for the us dollar- would it not?this would be counter to the bearish dollar view, your comments ps.
what would happen to us treasuries and how do we position the short treasuries trade in case such an event were to occur.
Peter because you are not a big fan of CNBC-Tout-tv I thought i would share this with you.
The next time you see some talking-head on CNBC, just remember this quote from the Wizard of Oz:
———————-
Scarecrow: I haven’t got a brain … only straw.
Dorothy: How can you talk if you haven’t got a brain?
Scarecrow: I don’t know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?
Dorothy: Yes, I guess you’re right.
– The Wizard of Oz
ps- do you own a position in PPN-Platmin Ltd.
thanks
Lex
I remember Netanyahu being interviewed by Glen Beck several months ago.
His comment to an Iranian strike was that Ahmadinejad had publicly given notice that they wanted to wipe Israel of the map. You have to take that as a serious threat. The longer the rest of the world lets Iran continue with their nuclear enrichment program, the fewer options will be on the table to deter the threat. He made it very clear that Israel would defend itself.
The question become was the statement an Iranian tactic to force Israel into a preemtive strike to get world opinion in their favour or they prepared to stand on their own commitments.
Israel/U.S. will probably wait until the June elections in Iran are over to see if more moderate policies formulate. http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13331239&fsrc=rss
Hopefully diplomacy will win over war.
Hold on there. Back up a sec. Rewind, please.
You believe in “End Times”? Like Revelations and Armageddon and Rapture and all that stuff?
Peter, I know you’re a Christian. I’ve heard you speak at conferences, I’ve watched you on BNN, I’ve heard you make passing references to your beliefs. Fine, you have a right to think what you like. Just as I have a right to be a godless heathen secular humanist. I’m an ex-Catholic, a product of a badly dysfunctional church I am very happy to have left behind.
I’ve only just started reading this blog, and I’m somewhat dismayed at how thick you lay on the religion. Again, you have a right to think and say what you like. It’s your blog, after all, and I don’t have to read it. But I’m here to learn more about finance. I think, with all due respect, that what is Caesar’s should be left to Caesar, and that the life of the spirit is a separate matter. The framers of the US Constitution thought the same way, and they were right. Nothing you can say about religion will make me come to God.
I won’t pay attention to the financial views of someone who believes that the Chosen Few will soon be whisked up to heaven by Jesus after a catastrophic war against good and evil. I choose to live my life according to logic, not silly fantasies.
I have probably stepped over the line with this post. If so, I apologize.
But I have one more thing to say, and it is a question: Peter, do you believe in evolution, or is the world only 6,000 years old?
If the latter, I’m out of here.
Dear H.Angus
First read this http://grandich.agoracom.com/2009/02/grandich-comes-out-of-the-closet/
Now let me address your post
Yes I believe in End Times. How could anyone say they’re truly a Christian (Catholics and Protestants are all Christians) and not believe the last chapter of the blueprint of life called the Holy Bible?
If you so chose to remove yourself from being a Christian, I believe that’s your choice. For me, my personal relationship with God through the Holy Sacraments is what sustains me. But I won’t judge anyone who says their relationship with God is found in another Christian church
You say you come here to learn about finances. I believe it’s impossible to not know one’s personal beliefs and how it interact swith their investment decisions, especially in a global economy. Why? Because religion impacts many economies as well as social and political events. Therefore knowing what one believes or not believes is actually a major plus IMHO when considering someone’s views. Think about it, why would you care what I say financially if you disagree with how I look at all factors that impact markets?
I think your view of the framers is totally without merit. The very fact that the framers were devout Christians is why God was so inter-wound into everything they did and said.
You say you won’t pay attention to any financial views of anyone who believes the Book of Revelation. That’s your choice but you need to know I pray someday you’ll change your mind because of what I believe is true in Revelation.
No need to apologize. I have often stated all views will be posted so long as they’re done in good taste.
I think evolution is totally impossible. I’ll be willing to change my mind when you answer the following questions:
Who or what created the atoms that ended up exploding to create the universe?
How did the earth end up on such an angle that if it was just one degree different, we would spin out to space and die?
What came first, the chicken or the egg?
Please allow me to wish you well on whatever blog you end up on.
God Bless,
Peter
The chicken and egg question is actually one of evolution/creationism … an egg means the chicken evolved from something that laid it … the chicken would have been God’s creation.
the prophet
To H. Angus,
I share your observations on many of the posts to this site and would like to offer to following. I heard Peter on the radio and BNN and found my way to his blog. If you’re looking for financial education this is a good place to include on anyone’s list of informative sites but you do have to be prepared to filter out the enormous amount of NOISE that comes along with it. In fact, some of the noise can be viewed as a form of entertainment in its own right. You have the entire spectrum from right-wing, religious fanatics to cave-dwelling neanderthals and everything in between. Enjoy and don’t take ANYTHING too seriously – life is short.
Bill K,that may well be the wisest thing ever posted on this blog!fair enough,thats the negetive aspect to a blog,the fact that anyone can spout off without consequense,the positive is the fact you actually get what people really believe rather than the “political” restriction we all face!…..post on!!
Susan:
I think you have misinterpreted the news on the 28-day term loan facility operation. The term loan facility is not about the Bank of Canada borrowing – it’s about the Bank of Canada LENDING. It was put in place in response to the financial crisis and is intended to allow banks to borrow using non-mortgage loans as collateral. It’s intent was to ease liquidity. The fact that there were “no takers” in the last operation is a sign that Canadian Banks are strong and do not require special Bank of Canada loans.
http://www.thepolitic.com/archives/2008/11/12/term-loan-facility-tlf-license-to-print-money/
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/17/canada-banks.html?ref=rss
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2008/10/08/imf.html?ref=rss
Go Canada!
Peter,
Nice call on NCU. It popped today with copper up $.09.
Ryan
Bill K (#23)……..totally agree. Although I’m amused by the totally one-sided political views (could we just once hear a criticism of a Republican?) and can’t relate to the religious comments, it is my favorite investment reading each day (and I read a LOT), and I respect Peter’s openess and honesty. Who knows what hidden thoughts other blog writers might be harboring that we never hear about? There is REAL VALUE here!!! Anyone who has read Peter for awhile can attest to this.
Daleboca #27,
The entire administration of “W” was a betrayal of conservative values. He and his administration were pathological liars. The Republican Party USED to be the party for small central government. Now BOTH major parties increase spending and government intrusion into the private sector. The Republican Party is ripe for a major split and they deserve it.
Now you’ve got your criticism of Republicans, and I’ll bet Peter would say “Amen” to it. (Except he might not want to get that religous).
Peter –
I came back to see if you had responded to my message, and you did. For your courtesy, which is rare in blogland, I will respond to you. Your questions to me:
“Who or what created the atoms that ended up exploding to create the universe?”
Neither you as a Christian, nor I can answer this. As you must know if you have read any science at all, science makes no attempt to ask or answer such questions. The theory of the Big Bang is itself less than 50 years old – there will certainly be more discoveries in this area of physics in our lifetimes, and more data to support and/or alter the known physical evidence, proven beyond doubt, of an expanding universe. My inability to answer this question is not proof of divine creation. You, as a religious believer, have no objective proof of anything – you are satisfied with this, because to believers, the creation of the world by God is a matter of faith. You believe what you believe, and that is all there is to it. You need, or profess to need, nothing more than faith – which means that it’s silly for you to even debate someone like me, because we are using separate, incompatible modes of thought.
As for all the atoms in this universe, which you argue must have been created – you don’t deal with the 6,000 year timeline in the Bible, so maybe even you have a problem with this – well, what exactly does “creation” mean? We now know there are many billions, possibly trillions, of stars in the universe. There may well be tens of trillions of planets. Think of that: earth could be but one of an almost infinite number of worlds in the universe. And this was all done for our benefit, us on one of trillions of planets? By a God that favored and created us especially? To what purpose? By what crazy probability? To put it mildly, that’s a stretch. But if you believe that (on faith, of course), what were the terms of this creation? Is it not possible that God does indeed move in mysterious ways, and that His ways might encompass a complex process of creation, destruction and evolution, extending over a vast gulf of time, almost immeasurable to us as human beings? What can you, or any Christian, profess to know of the mechanics of creation? The Book of Genesis offers a precis, a few sentences about creation that say almost nothing of how this vast event actually happened. Have you ever considered that Genesis may be a metaphor for the intricate and awesome forces science has just begun to give us insight into?
The Bible itself teaches that all is vanity, and that God and his workings are ultimately a mystery, unknowable to us. There is, therefore, no answer to how God may have created the world – and no basis upon which Christians can dispute science. Whenever any church has attacked science, it has lost. The discoveries of Copernicus and Galileo directly contradicted what is still written in the Bible, that the earth is immovable and that the sun moves around it. Obviously this is false, though – who knows? – you may still believe it. The church tortured Galileo for publishing his contractory observations, which became the basis for the Scientific Method. Torture cannot assert truth, even when committed in the name of God (in fact, it’s a travesty of everything God is supposed to mean). Darwinism is no less revolutionary than what Galileo proposed, and is supported by a huge and growing body of physical evidence. Christians have no argument against it, only their own faith to shield them from data they choose not to consider with their (God-given) reason.
“How did the earth end up on such an angle that if it was just one degree different, we would spin out to space and die?”
Luck, I suppose. And physics. As children, most of us played with spinning tops and learned how a symmetrical object, spun on its axis, will tend to maintain that axis. In the absence of friction, spinning objects will hold their position indefinitely. The earth does this. That’s not proof of God’s presence or absence. In fact, it’s possible the axis of the world may change – the magnetic poles have changed locations many times, and now move a small amount each year. If we get whacked by a big enough asteroid, the axis of rotation may change quickly (will that be God’s fault?).
“What came first, the chicken or the egg?”
Ha. Another question that can’t be answered. And even if it could, it proves nothing evolution or creationism – because it’s the wrong question. [But if you want an answer, I would refer you to the use of the egg as a symbol in religious paintings from the Renaissance throughout Europe. The egg is often shown as a symbol of the origin of life. So in religious, metaphorical terms, the egg came first. For what that's worth.] What came first was amino acids and elements that evolved into basic life forms (this process has been replicated in labs, BTW – it’s proven by science). Then came one-celled organisms, invertebrates, vertebrates, reptiles (laying eggs), then chickens. Over many, many millions of years, as the fossil record proves, supported by carbon-dating. It didn’t all happen in 6,000 years. The Flintstones is fiction, not a documentary.
H. Angus,
You obviously are intelligent and have a knowledge of the Christian faith. It is also obvious that you had some rather painful experiences in the Catholic Church. No way to know, but perhaps you were one of the abuse victims. Whatever the reason, your rage is quite palpable. And probably justified. The Church is not made up of Saints mostly, but rather, some saints, some “recovering sinners”, and a pluarity of hypocrites. (And there are far more hypocrites in the Protestant Church as well, where I originated from.) I’d love to talk to you about the Eastern Church vs. the Western Church, and why so many abuses ran rampant in the Catholic Church over time. And I will if you tell me to.
But you are absolutely right when you decide that to believe in God as the Creator vs. evolution, is based on faith. I’ve never read or seen a more eloquent presentation of the evolutionist’s point of view.
But for me, the evolutionist’s point of view leads only to despair. If there is nothing after this life, it really ain’t worth living. There is absolutely no point to the B.S. and suffering we all do down here, if there is no “hereafter”. Faith in the Bible and in what God has told us is the only thing that keeps me from ultimate depression. So!, either I am just totally weak, (and I am a very successful businessman), or the Promise of life in Heaven is the true Reality that keeps the life down here meaningful.
As far as your pain is concerned, I can only pray and hope that those responsible are held to account, and that you can find the healing that you need and deserve.
And please reconsider leaving the blog, just because Peter is a “religous nut”. It doesn’t mean he isn’t good at what he does.
I’m a religous nut too. And I admire you.
Okay fine. I know it’s spelled “plurality”.
H. Angus
This web site may give you some insight to a Christian position regarding the origins of life, the age of the earth, etc.
See: http://www.reasons.org/evolution/molecular-evolution. These people are reputable PHD’s in physics and provide many articles and information that supports a Christian viewpoint. See: http://www.reasons.org/about-us/our-people#hugh_ross
When I say Christian I don’t mean Christian RELIGION as there are many varieties, each having it own viewpoint., one of which appears to have offended you.
As humans who spend a miniscule amount of time in physical form relative to the total human experience, we search for the truth and, more often that not, our thoughts and beliefs are egocentric. I don’t pretend to know how life came into existence, but there is sufficient evidence to believe something bigger that all of us combined is behind it and that humans have a special place in it and are designed to have some relationship to the author of it. Even the THEORY of evolution requires faith to believe.
If you take the time to do some research from the above mentioned site, it may help you understand the Christian viewpoint on some of the topics you outline, and may help answer your questions and allow you to formulate a less dogmatic position.
Peter is the real deal. He is open about his beliefs, world view, and how they relate to the financial markets. No second guessing here. Where are you going to find this calibre of market information and be able to add your two cents worth at no cost. You would do well to stay tuned to this site.
Cheers!
Dear H Angus As you can see, i welcomed your response. Now allow me to give you my last comment on this matter:
“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible.”
Peace Be With You.
peter
[...] Follow-up to my “The Next Big Thing” [...]
The Holy Spirit knows the deep things of God. If the Holy Spirit resides in you, You will become a verry wise man.
May China rise as they are truly a trading nation without offensive weapons. For example they have no nuclear submarines or aircraft carriers to threaten other nations. The Chinese navy and air force are relatively small. While I lived there for 4 months I saw no evidence of any offensive weapons or attitudes. The army that I did see had spades and were cleaning snow off the freeways. This is a stark contrast to my 4 years in the USA where even the average Joe would like to rule the world. The Chinese are truly focussed on their own well being and have little time to interfere in other nations politics.
As for the middle east question, I find it a ludicrous situation that 1% of the world’s population should occupy the big dog’s (USA) psyche.
Ignore all the mideast clowns. let them battle it out and isolate them. No news reports. The world will be a much better place and terrorists, who thrive on news, will shrivel and die on the vine.
Dan M. –
I don’t know how you might have gotten the idea that I was abused by a member of the Catholic clergy. No, this did not happen. You don’t have to be a victim of abuse to be a skeptical former Catholic. I appreciate that many people find great solace in religion. To some extent, I admire this.
What really repels me is belief without humility, faith that advertises and aggrandizes itself, and religion twisted into an angry, narrow political agenda. Listen to almost any conservative fundamentalist and there’s the proof: religion is bastardized and betrayed when it becomes political.
Peter –
Thanks for the exchange of views. Peace be with you, too.
For what it’s worth, I will continue to monitor this site, because as an investor (if not in other ways, too), I need all the help I can get.
I’m off this thread.
Thanks, H.
[...] Follow-Up to this report [...]