• 22Nov

  Dollars

  Dollars 1 Comment

  

  The dollar is suffering. Rarely a day passes when something is not written about its weakness against the pound and the Euro. The classic Sergio Leone western was titled A Fistful of Dollars. Even the Italian title was Per un pugno di dollari. A fistful of pesos or lira just wouldn’t sound right…but where will this all end? While it is true, that a low dollar will attract foreigners to the states to purchase, the long term effects could be severely detrimental. Additionally, there are some places, such as the Taj Mahal and dozens of other sites in India, that no longer accept dollars. No longer accepting the dollar? And Bush is doing nothing about this….too?

  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, whose words are worthless, said that OPEC’s members have expressed interest in converting their cash reserves into a currency other than the depreciating U.S. dollar, which he called a “worthless piece of paper.”

  Only those that travel or live abroad have felt the true impact of this now, the rest will feel it in the future….I never thought I would say this, but as an American living abroad, I sure am happy that I don’t earn dollars. A friend of mine does, he works for a large blue-chip tech firm here, and exchanges as little as he must for he and his family to survive. I questioned him as to why he doesn’t return, since he is paid in dollars, to which he responded, “I would if I could, I am under contract”.

  The good side to a low dollar: flocks of Brits seek to shop in the US, and Airbus is losing badly to Boeing :}

  Airbus fears weak dollar death

  

  Here, the dollar was at a high of 42 to the crown under Clinton, under Bush, it is a whopping 17.5…..

  www.democratsabroad.org

• 18Nov

  Arrogant Americans

  Arrogant Americans No Comments

  

  It says, “Yankees, keep your radar at home”. Today in Prague was the demonstration against the proposed radar base. Thousands showed up to protest over their governments decision to host the US radar. The chants ranged from ‘arrogant Americans’ to some more descriptive anti-American slurs. What they want is a referendum, and it doesn’t seem too much to ask. They claim that democracy is dead, for the government won’t give the people a say on the radar. They just went ahead and agreed to the US terms, without asking the people.

  

  Now, while I am all for the radar if it stands a chance of protecting my country, I must agree with them on a few issues. Democracy is based upon, “Let the people decide”, and they have been stifled. The reason is simple, should it be put to vote, they is no way that the Czechs would vote yes to it’s hosting. While there exists a small, “For the Base” campaign, opposition hovers around 80%, and in the proposed town where it is to be constructed, around 98% against. Moreover, if true, then it could very well signal the end to a truly democratic society. This is similar to the previous vote in the US, where George W. was re-elected in a most dubious fashion, in a state where his brother just happen to be governor.

  

  Being an America abroad now is very difficult. Being an American in the CR is…well, almost unbearable. The anti-American sentiment is growing worldwide, and when I thought about moving to to different country, I found myself at a loss for one where I could live and not be subjected to those sentiments. Attending this rally, for a guy like me, one that is screaming with the American look, probably was a bit unsafe, but curiosity killed the cat.

  

  It says, “No American radar in the CR” and “Stop Bush’s crusade (march)”. Last week, the news here claimed that already, spies from numerous countries are scoping out the land for the base, causing further insecurities for the people.

  

  If any other president would have proposed the base, this would have been so much simpler. Additionally, they way that we proposed it was more of a slap in the face. Poorly thought out, we essentially told them where we wanted it, and did little to appease and inform them. In hindsight, we have now launched an informative campaign, designed to enlighten them about radar, it’s health risks, etc. I think the Czechs should reconsider their opposition, for the radar would definitely protect them as well. But I also think that they should be able to decide for themselves. The day was pick intentionally, to coincide with the anniversary of the 1989 uprising, which saw millions protesting against Soviet occupation.

  

   

   

   

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