From an email doing the rounds…

Jan 282012
 
Economically simplistic but still perhaps the cleverest and simplest description of the debt problems facing both the US and many European counties. Why the U.S. was downgraded:
  • U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
  • Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
  • New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000
  • National debt: $14,271,000,000,000
  • Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000

Let’s now remove 8 zeros and pretend it’s a household budget:

  • Annual family income: $21,700
  • Money the family spent: $38,200
  • New debt on the credit card: $16,500
  • Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
  • Total budget cuts: $385
Puts it into perspective seen like that…

Why writing is important…

Jan 152012
 

“But words are things and a small drop of ink, Falling like a dew, upon a thought produces That which makes thousands, perhaps millions think; and why what we write needs to carefully considered… ‘Tis strange, the shortest letter which man uses Instead of speech, may form a lasting link Of ages; to what straits [...]

Message to Garcia

Jan 112012
 

The language is no longer current, the “motivational techniques” will not pass today’s muster but in essence there is much to be said for the sentiments expressed in… A Message to Garcia By Elbert Hubbard 1899 In all this Cuban business there is one man stands out on the horizon of my memory like Mars [...]

Mid-life Crisis

Jan 022012
 

I’ve just finished a call with a colleague in the States who is facing that thing we know so well… the mid-life crisis. It sounds banal but it is a very real experience for those going through it. And it looks something like this. My work no longer satisfies me I try to find satisfaction [...]

A strong Germany

Jan 022012
 

A German colleague and I were discussing the Euro crisis and the general perceptions surrounding it. At one point he made the comment that “people are still afraid of a strong Germany”. My response to him was that Germany will be forever misunderstood. Then I read this letter to the editor in one of New [...]

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