All times are U.S. Mountain Time
(Yesterday's Discussion.)
Gonlyold (2/29/04; 23:44:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 117867)
Resistance Against the Euro
http://www.entrepreneur.com/mag/article/0,1539,311879,00.html
Much has been posted on this board about the acceptance of the Euro. Lately I ran across this bit of information that may signal resistance to it. It seems that TPTB insist on tracking our every transaction. Here's an excerpt from the article:
"It's getting hard for consumers to hide, as "spyware" programs invade personal computers and large retailers such as Wal-Mart move toward Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, a wireless "bar code" that lets retailers track inventory even after it's left the store. Even paying in cash may not guarantee customers anonymity much longer: The European Union is adding RFID to the Euro. If successful, RFID could be added to U.S. currency within a few years, making it possible to track money from the ATM to the cash register."
Gonlyold: Here in the US of A, we do have our "support" group against RFID's.
"CASPIAN (Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering)is a grass-roots consumer group fighting retail surveillance schemes since 1999, and item-level RFID tagging since 2002."
Gonlyold: CASPIAN, http://www.nocards.org, recently traveled to Germany where they reported the resistance against the RFID's in shoppers "loyalty" cards. They reported that,
"Scandal Forces METRO to Drop RFID Loyalty Card like Hot Wienerschnitzel.
"This is the power of the free market at work," says CASPIAN. Hammered by the press and facing a Saturday protest, METRO executives announced Thursday that they would stop putting Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags in their shopper "loyalty cards" at the Extra
Future store. In addition, they will replace cards already issued to consumers.
The tags, hidden within the card's plastic, could transmit identifying information about consumers at distances of 3 feet or more via invisible radio waves. This information could be read secretly, right through a shopper's purse, backpack or wallet, said Katherine Albrecht, Founder
and Director of CASPIAN…
METRO has faced a tidal wave of negative press in Germany since privacy advocates discovered the abusive RFID practices at the store, following a visit by CASPIAN's Albrecht in January.
METRO AG is Germany's largest retailer and the fifth largest retailer in the world. METRO runs more than 2,000 stores in 28 countries, including the UK, Spain, France, China, Japan and India. Their holdings include supermarkets, department stores, home improvement stores and electronics stores that operate under names like Cash & Carry, Real and Extra.
Because of its global reach, METRO's policies have an impact on millions of consumers worldwide."
Gonlyold: How far this resistance goes is anybody's guess at the moment. But it seems like people aren't receptive of tracking devices.
The next question is will gold be tracked by RFID's? Or, more to our horror, is it already being tracked?
physicalman (2/29/04; 21:59:52MT - usagold.com msg#: 117866)
(No Subject)
Sorry, 2/19/2004
physicalman (2/29/04; 21:59:02MT - usagold.com msg#: 117865)
Knotakare
I knew that was going on in the SE US but wasn't sure if it was happening in the far north and Maine. See my post of 2/16/2004 #117410
Sundeck (2/29/04; 21:43:46MT - usagold.com msg#: 117864)
Prices: How High Is Up?
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_10/b3873035.htm
Snip:
"...
Suddenly, there's a whiff of inflation in the air. Raw-material prices are soaring, boosted by heavy demand out of China. The dollar is weakening, pushing up the prices of goods imported into the U.S. And a host of companies -- from steel mills to chemical manufacturers -- are jacking up prices...
..."
Sundeck: Perhaps...
One would think that China (buying raw materials at ever-increasing prices in US-dollar terms and selling manufactured goods to the US for unchanging prices) are going to find margins decreasing - especially if the Chinese labour force wants to have some of the new-found prosperity by bidding for higher wages... Thus, prices in the US for Chinese manufactures should increase even if the Yuan is not allowed to drift upwards. Hence upward pressure on consumer prices or "inflation" in the crude sense of the word...
...but complex non-linear systems are unpredictable, so let's wait and see...
Gandalf the White (2/29/04; 21:29:07MT - usagold.com msg#: 117863)
TEST
<;-)
Goldilox (2/29/04; 21:13:29MT - usagold.com msg#: 117862)
Going for the Gold
@ Gandalf:
Are you watching? The hobbits have taken home so much gold, that in Billy Crystal's words, "There's officially no one left in New Zealand to thank."
Sundeck (2/29/04; 21:09:58MT - usagold.com msg#: 117861)
Talk of pricing oil in euros abounds in market despite OPEC denial
http://www.etaiwannews.com/Business/2004/03/01/1078106588.htm
Snip:
"...
"What's more, Russia, one of OPEC's competitors, has been threatening for several months now to switch its oil market to euros," the source said.
For other raw materials, notably iron and cast-iron, Russia already demands being paid in euros.
And this challenge to the supremacy of the U.S. currency seems to be gaining ground.
The world's foremost steel maker, Europe's Arcelor, has started asking that China pays for steel in euros.
And the big German chemical groups are selling some of their products, like the plastics polyethylene and polypropylene, in the European currency.
..."
Sundeck: The story that just wonm't go away...
The flood-gates are starting to leak badly...will they burst or be allowed to overflow? It can't be in too many countries' interest to allow them to burst...I vote for overflow or "tightly controlled and restricted openings"...
;-)
Gandalf the White (2/29/04; 20:58:57MT - usagold.com msg#: 117860)
Reading between the "lines"
THANKS for the story LINK, Sir Sundeck !
"The Philippine Central Bank Governor Rafael Buenaventura has closed an $125-million gold-backed loan with American International Group Inc. (AIG) to boost the country's dollar reserves."
---
"GoodVenture" = "Buenaventura" --- NOT !
<;-)
knotakare (2/29/04; 20:26:40MT - usagold.com msg#: 117859)
dis-investment in america
The following is a personal story, about an area I have had a connection with over the past 25 years. Its how a previously, well managed, northern hardwoods holding of about 150,000 acres in Michigan's upper peninsula, have been left in a sad state of neglect.
It is a story of how this hardwoods business, which had been nurtured and sustained for over 50 years, was suddenly abandoned,no doubt for greater profits elsewhere.
This holding had been owned by American Can Corporation (ACC), a well know American Industrial company based, Greenich Conneticut. Back round 1980, ACC began to invest in Insurance Companies, and at the same time began to divest itself, in a big way, much of their timberlands, packaging and can operations. Many of their operations in the Green Bay/Neneeh Wisconsin area's were sold to James River Corporation.
What is interestting is how rapidly ACC morphed into a financial services company, from an old line Fortune 100 manaufacturer. ACC rapidly lost its identity, when it merged its financial opreations with Primerica. And then Primerica merged with Smith Barney, and then Firemans Insurance, and then Fireman's merged into CitiGroup.
So capital that had been formerly employed in producing packaging, and managing timberlands, had in 10 short years ended up in the largest, financaial supermarket in the world.
But the real sory is about what is left, when the old patriarchal, corporate benefactors pull out, and the new robber barrons move in. When the timberlands in Michigan were sold off in the mid 1980's, local timber interests took over. They promptly sold off all the recreationally oriented land, for hunting camps and summer cabins. They then began cutting the hardwood forest very hard, very hard. So hard, that they now have pulled out, and sold the timberlands again to some REIT fund in North Carolina. The little timber company office in the local village is closed, the employees let go.
I know about this situation, because my parents live in that area. And I have a fishing-hunting cabin up in that area. 10 years ago, the log yard would be full with veneer logs by late winter. Today I was up at my place, and as I drove by the old log yard, it was empty.
The conspiracy theorists say these vast tracts of timberlands, will some day soon, be deeded over and/or controlled by the UN. That these areas are being cleared, for future wilderness. If that is so, where is the veneer for furniture going to come from?
We are seeing some amazing changes, in what is considered a valued asset or investment. It is just amazing how fast things have changed, now that I think about what has transpired in this area over the past 20 years.
Sundeck (2/29/04; 20:13:38MT - usagold.com msg#: 117858)
PHILIPPINES Central Bank Gets $125M Gold-Backed Loan
http://sg.biz.yahoo.com/040301/15/3ieoe.html
Snip:
"...
MANILA (Dow Jones)--The Philippine central bank has closed a $125-million gold-backed loan with American International Group Inc. (AIG) to boost the country's dollar reserves...
..."
Sundeck:
Not much detail. The lendor going for gold collateral security? Not a bad move in the current climate...the Philippines Pesos has depreciated 40% against the US dollar in the last four years (and 83% against gold). Could make a killing if the Philippines has trouble repaying the loan for any reason...
steady (2/29/04; 19:13:03MT - usagold.com msg#: 117857)
height/depth/ strenght/
looks like its going to be over 4 soon , i best get to shore! latters>
steady (2/29/04; 17:45:52MT - usagold.com msg#: 117856)
dang
u see that tube ride by that new kid on the block dam that was way cool on the first set, bouys indicating larger swelss /waves headed our way, lets hope the info is correct, who wants to hang ten w/ me?
Sundeck (2/29/04; 17:01:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 117855)
Stock funds inundated
Sorry, no link
Following information is from Dow Jones Newswires, via The Australian Financial Review of Mon 1 Mar 04:
Apparently, net input to US stock mutual funds in January was $US43.76B, the third highest monthly figure ever.
The two higher net inputs were $US55.61B and $US44.54B in Feb and Jan 2000 respectively.
Totals in US mutual funds in Jan 04 are $US7.536T, a record, exceeding the previous record of $US7.467 set in (wait for it) August 2000.
Are we witnessing another rush of the lemmings? Or do all these people know something that I don't?
I think I'll wait and see...
;-)
Sundeck
steady (2/29/04; 16:25:17MT - usagold.com msg#: 117854)
the cusp.
waves, . sets. waiting, calm. silence? OUTSIDE!!!!gold bugs can drop in with the best of them know when to buzz and when to swarm.
gold: vigilante justice exercised upon fiat on an indiviual basis.
USAGOLD / Centennial Precious Metals, Inc. (2/29/04; 14:57:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 117853)
An Invitation to Prospective Clients....
http://www.usagold.com/Order_Form.html
Cavan Man (2/29/04; 12:15:16MT - usagold.com msg#: 117852)
US Marines to Haiti
The US Coup D'Etat juggernaut rolls on. I have a very good friend who has been a missionary there for 18 years. It is not as it appears.
Mr Gresham (2/29/04; 11:58:22MT - usagold.com msg#: 117851)
Bon jour, Henri
Thoughts very much on my mind; just sat up half the night reading up on CR, and considering a very soon visit. The addition of oro to the mix -- ah! Am I having a mid-life crise, or a delayed reaction to the Ex-patriot act? Well, at least I'm too old for the draft...but I'm sure they'd find something t'take besides my creaky ol' bones. gotta run...
Henri (2/29/04; 11:00:42MT - usagold.com msg#: 117850)
Gold Hill
Haven't seen the display...too busy soaking my buns in the beautiful gardens waterfalls of Hot Springs beneath the volcano Arenal at Tabacon. Something very primal about it. High on my list of final destinations. The sight of someone elses gold just would not pull me away.
Gold Hill (2/29/04; 10:13:13MT - usagold.com msg#: 117849)
Henri----Costa Rica
One of the spots that is a must see is the Museo de Oro Banco Central (gold museum) in San Jose. More than 20,000 ounces of gold on display. Very impressive!! I spent 12 days in the country, my base was Alajuela from there hit both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Am thinking about retirement there but haven't seen Belize yet.
I get these thoughts every winter!!!
Cheers
Gold Hill
Henri (2/29/04; 05:39:43MT - usagold.com msg#: 117847)
Mr Gresham...and thought for a sunday morning
Costa Rica is currently my choice...and they have gold mines there. Climate on the central plateau is pleasant year round.
I am never so blind as when I tries to see
yet the veil begins to lift when I am merely eye
Dollar Bill (2/29/04; 05:35:25MT - usagold.com msg#: 117846)
.,.
The Invisible Hand, Good Morning, Not saying they wont be "screwed", But that the big bond boys do pay attention.
However, I read this in the FT. Or WALL ST J. They did a study of fund managers, Pimco, Janus, and about 10 others. The top guy in each of these funds had ZERO dollars of his own money in the investments! Not a conflict of interest thing mind you, but they would not put any of thier own money in thier own vehicles they were selling to investors!
Aint that some info. I bet those guys own some gold.
ViewYesterday's Discussion.
