Sam Taliaferro at the Panama Investor Blog continues to put together interesting work.? I read his blog to keep up on the state of the economy, real estate, politics, business, and pretty much anything else going on in Panama.? However, every once in a while he steps out into the rest of the world and

I was going to try to do a review of all the propositions and bills on this years ballot.? That was until I realized that there is more propaganda out there than real information.? It is impossible to figure out what is truly at stake in each one of these any more. The more I read

A major concern here at GreenTaxi is the long term risk of cell phones causing cancer or any other risk to our bodies.? Walking around all day with a device sending out radio waves directly into our head seems like it must be a risk of some sort longer term. We've discussed this previously and continue

*image source: McClatchy

As we continue to develop tools, design the final site, create video, and prepare interviews or content from established basketball experts, one progression for Basketball.org?stands out above the rest: Content. While George and others have been hard at work preparing articles on drills, skills, plays, and stories, we also have talented writers put...

As the de-leveraging slowly works its way down from the top to the bottom, I would like to pose the prediction of 90% further downside in the financial markets.? I am not 100% sure in this prediction, but I have been putting the data together in the last two days and there are a few

This article by the WSJ gives a lot of clarity into the problem at the core of it all.? And this quote pretty much sums up the horror of why we will not get out: "I don't deserve a bailout," Mr. Sherman said. "Will I take one? You are darned right I will." This city, Los Banos,

The markets tank again. Every drop is due to an even uglier problem than the day before. Yet with each fall, I always here, "well, it can't get worse than this". Why do people refuse to believe that this is an utterly disastrous?situation?? Or even a bad situation?? The worldwide market and economy is in serious

A big business like AIG making big loans and covering big insurance is not always felt directly on "Main Street", unless "Joe Six-pack" happens to be working for that big business on the other side of the AIG deal. But Main Street in Los Angeles, if there were such a place, is about to feel the

Sometimes it is quite surprising to see more candid moments from the President, or the next President.? Often when they are tackling issues it becomes so predictable or during the campaign process, negative. But over the weekend, the two candidates were able to roast each other at an Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner.? It is

In an Op-Ed New York Times article this morning, Warren Buffett?states that he is buying equities into this market?crash and encourages others to do the same.? The article is patriotically titled "Buy American.?I am." To begin with, let me point out that Warren Buffett is much smarter than you or I.? Let me also point out

For anyone watching the Presidential Debate last night, at some point you must have thought, who is Joe the Plumber?? Then you went online and searched for "Joe the Plumber" on Google to find over 2,000 news articles already dedicated to Joe the Plumber.? Even today, the day after the debate, Google Hot Trends show

A work buddy sent me over a great linkfest of everything that has gone on so far in this credit crunch.? From the beginning with the Suprime Collapse through to Lehman's failure and on to government support of these markets.? It has it all. On the down side, it would take about a year to read

A graphic from Bloomberg today clearly shows that this election is tied to this stock market.? Obama's ratings have surged as the Economy becomes the primary focus of people's decision.? Looking at the image, you can see how it has acted even more accurately in the last week, including today. What McCain needs to win this

Title: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald Format: Short Story (56 pages) Benjamin Button was written in 1922 by one of the greatest American authors ever.? However, the idea could have been written at any point in time, which is a testament to Fitzgerald's uniqueness. The story is brief and focuses on?the psychological ...

Coining a new term for what is about to come: Depression 2.0 Click on the image from Shaun to see it in full clear size.

Iceland's financial system has collapsed.? The government seized control of all of Iceland's banks, guaranteeing the banks deposits and helping manage the troubled companies.? The problem is that the government does not have enough money to cover the debt of these banks.? The debt, $62 billion, is 12 times the size of the economy.? That...

To help offset the loss you are taking on your falling home prices, you should consider have your property re-assessed for tax valuation. I am going to need some help with this subject as I do not own a home.? Also, please remember that everybody's situation is different.? Different states have different tax laws (or even?close

After these last three weeks, I have hit serious writers block.? I need a weekend of relaxation to get my mind back on pace. Speaking of minds, I find the psychology of a recession truly amazing.? Conversations I've heard and had recently are much different than 2 months ago.? You can hear the pain in people's

As the market collapses this week, it reminds me of my first truck in Hawaii, Baby Blue.? I drove that thing for over a year, hauling many drunk buddies around in its bed.? Then I sold it to my friend Kevin, for $500, and got to be on the receiving end of those drunk rides

I truly believe the next quarter or two?of the American economy is going to be very ugly.? The primary reason for this is that I think mainstream America (Main Street) has finally realized how bad the economy truly is and that it is going to actually affect their lives directly.? Consumption is going to dry

Did anyone else hear that statistic on the cost of the war in Iraq during the Presidential Debate last night and find the number eerily familiar?? The current cost of the war is Iraq is something like $600 billion and we are currently spending $10 billion per month on the war.? Amazingly, this financial bailout

In a follow up to yesterdays post to "How the Crisis Started", which highlighted an article from nine years ago pointing out exactly what could happen, and did, I found an article dated nine years from now explaining what happens over the next nine years.? Yes, in?October 2017, the article "Rescue Plan Sows Seeds of

The Western Climate Initiative was announced yesterday, with the intent on making the most profound impact on global warming today. The plan is to charge for the ability to emit greenhouse gases, so in effect it becomes a tax on transportation. While I encourage the initiative and progress, I do agree with some of the opponents

Title:? The 4-Hour Workweek Author:? Timothy Ferriss Format:? Hardback Finally completing a journey began a couple of months ago, I finished The 4-Hour Workweek while travelling this week.? This is a must-read, but not because the book is so spectacular.? Rather because the book offers many insightful business and entrepreneurial tactics that will ...

"The miracle is not to walk on water.? The miracle is to walk on the green earth, dwelling deeply in the present moment and feeling truly alive." -Thich Nhat Hanh

I would like to thank the US Government, errr, sorry, the US Taxpayer, for bailing out the financial markets this week. Having the foresight to withdraw my stock holdings from the market due to the growing economic concerns, I guess I was mistaken to believe that I could still end up on the losing end

As I mentioned previously, I tried to plan and research most of my Europe trip on strictly geodomain resources.? With Florence.com failing, I was happy to see AmalfiCoast.com as a real site.? Well, the research and suggestions put forth through their geodomain have come through amazingly well.? For hotels, the site lists Casa Angelina, in Praiano,?...

Well, where do we stand? Lehman Brothers has filed for Bankruptcy Merrill Lynch was saved (bought) by Bank of America before it went bankrupt Washington Mutual is on the verge of bankruptcy Wachovia is racing WaMu to try to beat them to bankruptcy AIG is begging the US Government to help save them Fannie and Freddie had to be saved by

Quick note from abroad.? I'm in Italy to start this week off and I must admit the ".it" TLD rules the domain game over here.? I have not yet seen one .com. Prior to coming over here I tried to schedule my trip using primarily geodomains.? As my first destination, I started with Florence.com and realized

The cost of flying is a very interesting issue to me.? First of all, it take many interesting parameters to price: oil, customer service, psychology, online competitive bidding, predictive pricing interest, etc.? Secondly, like you, I fly a lot these days.? I do not fit well into seats (I am long, not wide) and often

For markets like these, we must maintain focus and try and stick to rules and risk parameters closely.? We also need to stay positive.? For a little inspiration in your trading, enjoy "If", by Rudyard Kipling. If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust

Okay, maybe not the whole thing, but it is truly amazing the extent to which the Chinese have gone to give the impression of perfection for these Olympics.? Rick Reilly does an excellent job explaining?that: There was a fake building in Beijing They built walls to hide the slums alongside the marathon Many of the fireworks from the

In true Green Taxi nature, Michael Yon reports in "Where Eagles Dare"?on an amazing operation in Afghanistan by the good guys to?transport a new turbine up to a hydro-electric dam in the middle of hostile Taliban territory. "If another turbine could be brought online, and power lines stretched from generator to consumer, wide swaths of the...

Just in time for the Asian markets to open and show us how the world should react.? This could go anywhere. For full coverage, I point you to The Big Picture, which provides dozens of great links and articles, including: Treasury Takeover of GSEs: 10 Key Points Treasury Department Press Release Financial Times Commentary New York Times Commentary ...

While fishing in Canada a few weeks back I caught a few salmon.? Nowhere near our expected tally, but enjoyable nonetheless.? The King I released, but the Sockeye we kept.? My dad also kept a Silver, but the rest we released (either on our own, or in most cases we lost on the line).

If you were a publicly listed real estate company in Japan, do you think the best strategy for supporting your share price is to post on your web site that you are "puking your inventories"? SunCity (8910 JT Equity on Bloomberg), seems to not mind.? The stock is now down 95% over the last year and

In Northern British Columbia, Canada, there are bald eagles everywhere.? EVERYWHERE.? Especially when fishing on the rivers.? That is their prime area to hunt (or, rather, scavenge).? At times, we could see several bald eagles in a single tree?and several?more?in the air at the same time. After catching a fresh sockeye Salmon and lying it up

I had such a hectic travel schedule the last 3 weeks (about 23 days) that I have barely been able to sleep, let alone blog.? I survived, but to recap briefly, here are?a few stats: Destinations: Portland, British Columbia, San Diego, Minnesota, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and New Jersey Weddings: 4 (yes, in 3 weeks) Business meetings: 16 King Salmon