swissie

Plenty of meaningless greeting and goodby phrases. But I can top it all. Very common in the German language to greet someone by "Gruess Gott". In English: "Greet God". As I have no connection to God, how should I relate his greetings to God? Why does he not greet God himself, without taking me as an "in between"? Try this: If in England or the US. instead of saying "Hello", say "Greet God". You will get some strange looks. Rightly so, but not so in Germany.

Same in Europe. Space is getting scarce. Plenty of land in Australia, but heard that "land developpers" developpe only comperatively little land to keep prizes artificially high. (A land mafia)? Is there anything to it?

No logical analisys for a change. I allow myself to shamelessly expose my "gut feelings" here. - I would like to see the recent "dip" of the US markets as a "technical correction". But the recent lows MUST hold, otherwise a more severe "correction" is likely to follow. As the year progresses, the "Donald Trump Index" will increasingly affect "investor sentiment". Come fall at the latest, investors will be mesmerised by the weekly polls and rightly so: A second term president Trump would mean epochal changes, too numerous to mention here. But just for starters: If sombody throws a "monkey wrench" into the machinery of global trade, this would likely make investors "shake in their boots". Affecting every form of investment. (Including the prize of your kitchen sink). ---------------------------- I always like to consult my 103 year old Romanian Gypsy Clairvoyant Lady. She claims that this Trump guy is fogging up her crystal ball to a degree, that predictions have become utterly impossible. Otherwise she had always a firm conviction as far as investments are concerned: - 33% is careful analisys (doing the opposite of what financial advisers tell you to do). - 33% is your gut feelings (after having smoked some mushrooms). - 33% is the most important factor: PURE LUCK!

So glad JT diden't emigrate to Ecuador, once high on his list. Relatively easy "visa requirements" at the time. Today: A political powder keg. Above all: Thailand is a better place to sample Chinese Cuisine than Ecuador.

Not to forget that "the teacher of the nation" (Konfuzius) claimed that a "mentally healthy family" is the basement of a healthy state. Not easy to apply in "the West" as a good number of families qualify as "disfunctional". Good to know that certain "families" have spread all over the world. The Italian Mafia and the Chinese Mafia. Long live the "Families"!

The Dry Baltic Exchange only mirrors "Dry Goods" limited to a relatively small geografical area. I would rather have a daily/weekly/monthly "container shipping index" as most goods today are shipped by container.

Actually European educated people are more interested in Donald Trump than US educated people. WHY? Trump has no use for NATO, nor defending anyones borders, exept US borders. The end of NATO would open the doors for Putin for future military adventurism. - Without the US, Europe has not the military capabilities to self defend. This is why Europeans are more concerned about the US November elections than than the US voters.

In Italy and the whole continent of South America the "Family" is still the most important thing. China had a "civilisation" before Europeans knew how to spell "civilisation".

Yes it's Asia. The US and Europe is very "ripe" with too much good news already priced in. With the exeption of Brasil, South America hasen't been able to "take off" for the last 300 years. Africa has potential, but stifeled by corruption as a accepted way of life by the population. Yes it's Asia. Surely, China has a few propbems, not sure how they will adress those problems at this time. But not to forget: While in Western Democracies it takes weeks, months, years of debate to rectify major economic problems, the Chinese political system allowes for drastic remedies within 48 hours. In todays fast changing world a tremendeous advantage. The Taiwan question: The Chinese are awaiting the next US presidential election. Knowing that a president Trump will do nothing for the defense of Taiwan. Thus setteling the matter quickly. It remains a "wild card" though.

The US TV Evangelists will supply all the answers.

Before you were born, nothing but "etrnety" existed. You felt no discomfort whatsoever. After your demise we (you) will revert back to "non existance". Very comfortable. No worries. "Non existance" is the best way of "existance". The eternal sleep. Same as before we were born.

I have been known to advocate Dr. Copper as a simplifyed global indicator concerning "economic growth" globally. As of today, I may have to lessen the importance of Copper as far as a global indicator of economic activity. Realising that the price of Copper was mainly supported by Chinese imports (construction boom). Contrary to my expectations, the Chinese economy has not found alternative use of Copper, resembling the former usage during the RE Boom. Therefore, the price of Copper can not be regarded as a indicator of future global economic activity anymore (the Chinese distortion factor). ------------------------ What could take the future place of a simlified "economic indicator"? As Dr. Copper has lost "importance"? Please discuss ans supply ideas.

Do you occasionally read the "Financial Press"?. Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Neue Zuercher Zeitung, etc etc etc?

Well GG, must confess that sometimes I must read your posts 17 times to extract the essential. Reading between the lines is an art. I am getting better at it. PS: I don't click on "Links". For internet security reasons. The last time I clicked a "link" I won the Nigerian lottery, asking me to transfer $ 1000 so that the 20 million prize could be transfered to my account.

Very true and very frightening. Even university folks increasingly worship the "Evangelist TV Propaganda Machinery". Religious Fundamentalism in the Heartland of the US is rampant. To the point, that non "Bible Thumbers" have restricted career opportunites. Having to take intellectual refuge on the east/west coast of the US.

Why Are Readers Here...So...Interested in...God-Related Topics??? Because we can't understand that we are here only to reproduce. Nothing else. No panic. Flowers and goldhamsters also don't know why they are here, except for reproduction. To instill some sort of sense, the most advanced monkey had to invent Gods and religions. The rest of all living things can do fine without Gods and Religions.

I was hoping that this thread will go on vigorously. But it can't, unless somebody can define to me and the rest of humanity what "a soul" is. WHAT IS "A SOUL"?

Plus the mushrooming "financial industry" outside of traditional banking/brokerage. Not subjet to any governemental control/legislation. Flabergasting amounts floating around. All of them highly leveraged.

The birthplace of all the thousands of "Gods" is in the human brain. So is the "Soul". = Soul: Extreme conciousness, residing in the human brain. Nowhere else. - 2 weeks ago, my goldhamster died. Where has his "soul" found a new home?

Not the first time I feel this way. Walker88 to me is the ONE poster that enriches this forum with "deep thought". Well thought out and well written. The above text should be distributed at every university to Biology and Psychology students.

She visits the daughters 1 month a year. Always glad to return back to Europe. She claims, that after over 20 years in Europe, Thailand is for her just a tourist destination and if it wasn't for the daughters, she would have very little reason to visit Thailand again. A compromise may take effect: I might stay in Thailand for 3 months a year (Winter). The kids will have to pay for the best (temporary) health insurance for me. Otherwise I won't go as my health is getting "fragile".

Only 1 granddaughter. A 6 year old rascal. Her parents and I set up some "Education Account" for her. I discovered, that my monthly contributions only amout to about 30%. The rest comes from the parents. Over time, I must have become the "poor European relative".

Not the first time I recognise you as a "serious investor", doing his homework. Your contributions are welcome and of importance. Of the many indicators, Dr. Copper can serve as an simplified indicator of things to come. In spite of all the overwhelmingly positive fundamentals and the promess of global "electrification", Copper fails to surpass recent highs. Rather heading south. I like Dr. Copper as a simplified indicator of future economic activity. Currently Dr. Copper indicates: "Yawn".

Looking back, it's the only good thing I did over the last 70 years. Not saving the world, but making a difference for 2 young peoples lives.

The UK is an extreme example of "Heat or Eat" for a large part of the population. A harbinger for the rest of the "western world".