First they survived 10 days deep inside a cave in Thailand, then the world waited and wondered if they would make it out alive, and finally after a mammoth rescue operation all twelve boys and their coach are out and safe.
Showing posts with label world events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label world events. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 11, 2018
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
A Week in the Life of President Trump
American politics in the media is more like entertainment TV than current affairs at the moment. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion, it's gripping drama but it makes you recoil in horror and hope the casualty rate won't be too high. Donald Trump received clearance from his doctor today who said he had 'no concerns about his cognitive ability'. Does that mean Trump knows that he acts oafish, sexist and racist, and just doesn't care?
Here are some snippets about Trump from just the past week. Trevor Noah puts things into brilliant and hilarious perspective.
By the way, Trevor Noah's autobiography is also brilliant.
Here are some snippets about Trump from just the past week. Trevor Noah puts things into brilliant and hilarious perspective.
By the way, Trevor Noah's autobiography is also brilliant.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Economic News Baffles Me
There is plenty of information about the world economy in the media but not much in the way of explaining how it all works. At least not in a way that I can understand it. I saw an article in the New Zealand Herald by columnist Garth George who asked the questions that I've been wondering, such as where does all that borrowed money come from? He doesn't give any answers but his article and some of the comments were interesting to read.
An excerpt from his article is below or click on the title to view the full article.
Debt Madness Demands An Explanation
What I would very much like is to have someone explain to those of us who are fiscal ignoramuses what these incomprehensible figures mean.
For instance, where does all this unbelievable amount of borrowed money come from and why do governments allow themselves to get into such a situation?
How come the US$5 trillion surplus that Democrat Bill Clinton bequeathed to the US in 2001 has in a decade, most of it under Republican George W Bush, been turned into a $15 trillion deficit? How does the US Government manage to pay the interest, let alone any principal? What is the money spent on? What are the chances of such a debt ever being repaid and, if so, with what?
What happens if a major creditor suddenly calls in loans? What is the security offered on such loans?
Where does the IMF get the money to lend to nearly bankrupt nations? Is that also borrowed and if so where from? If all the borrowed money was repaid today, where would it end up?
An excerpt from his article is below or click on the title to view the full article.
Debt Madness Demands An Explanation
What I would very much like is to have someone explain to those of us who are fiscal ignoramuses what these incomprehensible figures mean.
For instance, where does all this unbelievable amount of borrowed money come from and why do governments allow themselves to get into such a situation?
How come the US$5 trillion surplus that Democrat Bill Clinton bequeathed to the US in 2001 has in a decade, most of it under Republican George W Bush, been turned into a $15 trillion deficit? How does the US Government manage to pay the interest, let alone any principal? What is the money spent on? What are the chances of such a debt ever being repaid and, if so, with what?
What happens if a major creditor suddenly calls in loans? What is the security offered on such loans?
Where does the IMF get the money to lend to nearly bankrupt nations? Is that also borrowed and if so where from? If all the borrowed money was repaid today, where would it end up?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
The Wedding
Last time I was at university I watched Charles and Diana get married. Now I'm back at university, a whole generation later, and I watched their son marry his beautiful bride. The British get 10/10 for doing pomp and ceremony so well, and Kate's dress receives 10/10 for its elegance and style. Princess Beatrice's hat? Well that's a 4/10 with all four points allocated to entertainment value.
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