Food Crisis: WTO acknowledges that Greed is the Problem

Posted on May 7th, 2008

Greed behind food price rises: development bank head

Read the rest of the Reuters story here by clicking the link above.

Posted in Financial Markets, From 10,000 Feet, Government | Tagged as: , , | Leave a comment

Food Crisis World-Wide

Posted on May 6th, 2008

MOGADISHU, Somalia (Reuters) “I’m hungry and yet cannot even buy food,” Abdifatah Hussein, 25, told Reuters, clutching a bunch of Somali shillings. “I fear we might start eating one another. We will never stop protesting until traders accept the notes.”

The problem: there has been so much inflation, in this case caused by the illegal printing of money, that the local currency has nominal value and food has huge value. The local people only have local currency and they are now out of the running to buy the food on world markets. (is globalism really good?)

This quote says a lot about the state of desperation that exists in Somalia and many other countries as inflation and a failing currency are rejected by world market traders.

The fundamental problem with rising prices for commodities throughout the world is that investors and middlemen are trying to either make or preserve their money. If the food stocks were in the hands of the individuals who grew it, it would be a different situation, they would sell food, instead of hoarding it.

The situation is sad, but this is the result of globalized markets where there is always someone who has the money to pay more. The poor are out bid by the rich for the only thing that really matters – food. Globalization has turned food into a commodity and that commodity is traded for gain to the highest bidder.

In this climate, one would ask themselves what can I do? How should I respond to this crisis? What is moral? What is ethical? How can I impact this bidding war.

We live in a culture that considers unbridled consumption the pinnacle of success. It is our right to consume just because we are able. We wear our consumption like a badge of honour. However, here is another way to look at life and this crisis that is taking place throughout the world. Whenever we bid on energy or food we bid with a currency which has many times the power other countries and people do not have. They have no chance of competing with us. Their work is worth one/one-hundredths of ours just because of the country they were born in. When we out bid them for the food they need to live, we sentence them and their families to malnutrition, sickness, and a shortened life.

What Can You Do?

When we reduce our consumption levels we take the pressure off the demand side of the supply/demand equation thereby freeing up food for others. If we grow as much of our own food as possible we take our consumption off the world market. We are no longer bidding for the limited supply of food on the world market. By reducing our consumption in the area of energy and food we can literally save thousands of lives. By getting off the grid as it were, we are eliminating or minimizing our consumption of energy and food from world supplies. We are literally taking food out of the hand of the hungry. Our level of consumption is literally a life death matter for some people in countries less fortunate then the one you were lucky enough to be born in. Our culture is driven by the media the media is programmed by the proponents of consumption. Our consumption is indirectly but literally killing people in countries around the world. I think we should know that and do something about it. More on ways to reduce our consumption in upcoming posts.

P.S. I have been hypermiling (see the previous post) and it really works!!! I have reduced my consumption by at least 25%. Currently fuel is $1.20 a litre ($5.00 a gallon). I have also reduced miles driven by a least 25%. I didn’t think it possible to cut my consumption in half but it has been easier than I thought.

Paul Weigel

Posted in From 10,000 Feet, Host's Posts | Tagged as: , , | Leave a comment

Three “Telling” quotes mean inflation

Posted on April 30th, 2008

Here are three telling quotes from a Reuters news story about the Fed contemplating a rate cut from 2.25 to 2.00.

April 30, 2008 (Reuters)
The U.S. housing market has shown no sign of hitting bottom and credit markets still appear strained. At the same time elevated prices for food and fuel are causing concerns among both consumers and Fed officials………

In addition to lowering rates to spur the economy, the central bank has rolled out a series of emergency steps to pump billions of dollars of liquidity into financial markets to beat back a credit crunch. Policy-makers will debate a new liquidity tool — paying interest on bank reserves — on Wednesday…………

Policy-makers also expect the combined effects of the central bank’s rate cuts — which act with a lag — and a $152 billion fiscal stimulus package will provide a boost to the economy in months to come.

All of these so called “solutions” are inflationary. By reducing the interest rate they reduce the value of the currency and hence increase the cost of fuel and other imported items. By printing a wack of money (152 Billion they don’t have) they are further devaluating the dollar. Will the Fed give us hyper inflation?? It is a real possibility. When hedge funds run for cover in oil and commodities they are hedging against inflation. What is your hedge against inflation? What should you do about inflation eating up your equity and savings? We are going to address that in coming posts.

By-the-way, who is getting that $152B? It better not be the financial institutions that got us in this mess – although it sounds like it. We will be watching to see where it goes. Furthermore, recently the Senate said they couldn’t bail out the Banks because the people wouldn’t hear of it (based on polls). Seems like all that has changed in the last week.

Paul Weigel

Posted in From 10,000 Feet | Tagged as: , | Leave a comment

The Price of Gas is the US Public’s #1 Concern (AAA)

Posted on April 30th, 2008

Could Hypermiling be a solution?
There isn’t much we can do about the price of fuel but there is something we can do about our consumption. A technique called hypermiling (hyper-miling) optimizes your vehicle and your driving habits to maximize your fuel consumption.

Some people have recorded as much as double the mileage using the technique. Some ways to hypermile include reducing drag, accelerating slowly, over-inflating tires, and following closely behind trucks that pull you along.

Fore more information about hypermiling check out http://hypermiling.com/

Posted in From 10,000 Feet | Tagged as: , | Leave a comment

Dominos

Posted on April 29th, 2008

The biggest story in the news today, as it has been for 5 months, is the price of oil. There has been a lot of disinformation about what is causing the rise in the price of crude. It has increased 25% in the past 4 months. Prime Minister Gordon Brown and G. W. Bush have been calling for OPEC to increase supply in a season when normal consumption is at its lowest (spring). The forecasted economic slow down is expected to further slow demand by 1.5%. As the price increases it becomes out of reach for many buyers with weaker economies and currencies, also reducing demand. OPEC continues to assert that there is adequate supply to meet demand. Saudi Arabia has even reduced supply slightly in response to the slowing demand. So why is the price of oil continuing to climb?

The daily assertions in the media about fears of disruptions in supply are misleading. The real cause of the price inflation is the weakening US dollar. Hedge funds used to take refuge in gold, silver, platinum and other metals because they offered protection against a devaluating dollar. But the large investors see oil as a better hedge against the devaluating dollar, because it is a world-wide consumable. Recently, market pundits have predicted $200. per barrel of oil, which would more than double the price in a year. That doesn’t reflect supply or demand for oil, but the lack of confidence in the US economy precipitated by the sub-prime banking scandal, massive debt and trade deficit, and a costly war.

Here is the crux of the problem. In the short term, oil provides protection from inflation (devaluation of the dollar), but in the long term the increase in the price of oil causes the cost of food and manufactured goods to increase. That is inflation. To protect against inflation investors continue to bid up the price of oil and thereby cause inflation. It becomes a destructive cycle which has the potential to bring a catastrophic world-wide economic collapse. So far there has been little leadership from governments in the west. Thailand and Indonesia have banned exports of rice in the anticipation of the coming problems. They have effectively taken themselves off the world markets. They will grow their own food and supply their own demand at prices their people can afford. Nationalism has been presented in the corporate agenda driven media as the counter-productive, small minded ideals of backward governments. However, it now will protect countries from the whims of the global investor and soften the blow of a potential world-wide financial catastrophe.

The US has been the detonator for this economic explosion but the problems in the world financial markets are equally as severe as in the US. There has been a tremendous increase in the accumulation of wealth. The imbalance this creates is like a 400 pound guy in a canoe with two 50 pound children. The markets have been destabilized by the relative size of the “players”. Greed, and fear have no conscience and the investors who “play” the markets have no moral, ethical or social responsibility. They play for today with little foresight into the implications their actions will have on tomorrow or on others.

Our relatively short experiment with globalization of world markets has put the future of the planet in the hands of people who have no intention of managing it. They neither want the job nor are capable of handling it. Their goals are incompatible with the task. Political leaders have failed to lead because their leadership has been compromised by duplicity. They know they should do something, but they are afraid to end the party. The party being, the amassing of the world’s wealth by a relative few.

The planet faces environmental, and economic problems of monumental magnitude. The resulting social upheaval could cause unimaginable human suffering and loss if there isn’t inspired leadership. The planet can not survive under the current system. It is destructive, oppressive and diabolic and if left uncontrolled will self destruct. The question is, will our leaders mitigate the suffering and loss by taking the necessary but difficult high road; or will they compromise and surrender to pressures and stand on the sidelines as the impact of their compromises ravishes the nations.

There is a new age coming, heralded and ushered in by a company of forerunners. The current pains are but the birth contractions of a new era. More on that in the coming posts.

Paul Weigel

Posted in From 10,000 Feet | Tagged as: , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Oil Prices Up on Word US Ship fired on boats in Persian Gulf

Posted on April 25th, 2008

NEW YORK (AP) – Oil prices rose sharply Friday on news that a ship under contract to the U.S. Defense Department fired warning shots at two boats in the Persian Gulf. Retail gas prices as expected rose further into record territory, nearing $3.60 a gallon. Crude prices rose on initial reports that a U.S. ship had fired on two Iranian boats; the news raised concerns that a conflict between U.S. and Iranian forces could cut oil supplies from the region. A Navy spokeswoman said the origin of the boats was unclear.

The news was enough to send light, sweet crude for June delivery up to $119.55 before the contract retreated to settle up $2.46 at $118.52 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Every day the excuse to charge more for oil gets more ridiculous than the day before. How it can be justified that the world price of oil should be higher based on a minor incident in the Persian Gulf is a jump over the Grand Canyon. When there isn’t any reason to raise the price of crude, they raise it anyway and call it “Market Sentiment”. What is market sentiment? I have come to believe it is traders wanting to profit from raising the price of oil.

Recently, OPEC said they wouldn’t increase the production of oil because there was enough supply to meet demand. Since I haven’t seen any shortage in Canada or the USA or heard of any around world I have a tendency to believe them (OPEC). So why is oil going up daily? In the last 6 years it has tripled in price. Could it be sub-prime greed? And furthermore where does all that money go. The oil companies haven’t invested in any new oil refineries even though last year they made over 30% on the money they have invested. Are they creating shortages by reducing the capacity to refine the oil they do have? And isn’t 30% return on investment more than enough reason to invest in the business of refining oil?

The key to the oil company’s scheme is to look like they aren’t in control of the price. They claim it is the market that sets prices. What they mean by that is, there are a bunch of guys in a room bidding up the price it would appear for no rational reason. Of course they can’t help that – now can they?

Real market driven pricing isnt’ determined by a handful of people. It can only be measured when there is unbiased competition for demand. But prices aren’t set by demand, but by the perception of demand. It is a handful of traders who decide the price, based on their perceptions of demand. When the price of oil rises rarely is the justification anything to do with demand, or supply for that matter. When one group controls prices and supply they have an unfair advantage in the market place. What we have is not a free market, and there should be intervention world-wide to protect the consumer and our economy from being raped.

When prices where $40 a barrel the oil industry was profitable, at $80 is was outrageous. At $120 per barrel the profits are immoral, but they still want more. They will continue to gorge themselves on oil profits and recently predicted $200 per barrel of oil. Why? Don’t they have enough money? How much more money do they want/need?

Posted in From 10,000 Feet | Tagged as: , | Leave a comment

Housing Crisis or Transfer of Wealth?

Posted on April 25th, 2008

The Senate is trying to figure out a way to avoid the collapse of the financial system. Lenders are leveraging for a bail out. But Americans are angry, as they well should be. They don’t want the perpetrators of the problem to “walk” while they take the “fall”.

“Excerpt from (LA Times, April 25, 2008)
Frank’s committee this week approved a Republican proposal to give lenders and loan servicers protection against such lawsuits. But powerful industry groups, such as the Mortgage Bankers Assn., have scorned the proposal.

“It makes me concerned [that] lenders and servicers really aren’t interested in sitting down and negotiating a resolution to these problems,” said Rep. Michael N. Castle (R-Del.), chief author of the GOP proposal.

“Maybe they figure the government will get desperate enough at some point, it’ll throw money at the problem and they can come out with no write-down of these mortgages,” he mused.

“There is no sympathy for anything that smacks of bailout,” said Allen Sinai, chief economist of Decision Economics Inc., who recently testified in favor of the Frank bill. “The outrage has shown up very quickly, and means that at this point the government can only go so far.” (End Quote)

People are aware that the problems they now face were caused by uncontrolled and blinding greed in the financial markets. They want control of their lives back. They shouldn’t have to worry about deals being made on Wall Street that will take from them everything they have worked for most of their lives. They want their Government to act on THEIR behalf.

The lack of government intervention in these areas have stolen hundreds of thousands of average American’s lifetime of work and savings. If it was done with a gun there would be a war. Freedom, is worth defending but some freedom or lack of government control takes other people’s freedom away. The media (the agents of Corporations – proport freedom of the markets) There isn’t freedom of the market. If there was there wouldn’t be a collapse. We wouldn’t pay 3.50/gallon for gas. We wouldn’t pay $150,000 for a gallbladder operation. Prices are controlled not by the market but by a handful of people who profit from their control. There is no free market where the consumer can shop and compare prices in a competitive market. Oil is priced not by the consumer supply and demand but by a handful of people in New York who profit from its rising price. The system we have is not free market – it is tyranny wrapped in idealism.

The government has allowed speculators and financial institutions to gain at the expense of the people, effectively turning the entire country into a labor camp. Housing and oil isn’t the only areas where the balance of power has been allowed to shift far in favor of company’s shareholders and market profiteers. Powerful groups control medical services in American which can transfer the wealth of an entire family into its hands simple by having one medical need in your lifetime. How many family’s have been left with nothing. How free is that?

The system is flawed and no American is immune of being robbed of their saving and financial future as long as the system continues to give certain people more freedom at the expense of others. The people with the authority to intervene didn’t – even when they knew what the outcome would be. That is a breach of trust and crime against the people. The repercussions of the collapse of the housing market has effectively syphoned off billions of dollars from the economy which are now in the hands of the greedy. If the government bails these institutions out, then it will be using your money to further rob you of everything you have worked for. This crisis could have been avoided. But that would have taken someone to stand tall and strong against the corruption. Apparently there was no one. People knew what was going on and did nothing. That is a crime against you and me. The corruption has weakened America and could destroy it if it doesn’t get leaders that will not bow to the power brokers who are destroying our freedom and stealing our wealth.

Posted in From 10,000 Feet | Tagged as: , , , , | 1 Comment

The Forerunner Project

Posted on February 19th, 2008

Within every society there are people who are motivated to build, innovate, create, and reform. These are the visionaries, pioneers, leaders and reformers and they can be found in every occupation, institution, and strata of society. They are the non-conformists who question everything and who are passionate about finding a better way to do things. Some of them seem like misfits and oddballs but they are motivated by different values and goals than most of us. They are sometimes called “boat-rockers” and “square pegs” but we call them “forerunners” because they are the forerunners of the age-to-come. They see a vision of the future and use their talents and passion to bring it into the present. They are truly our greatest natural resource.

Many of our institutions are not equipped to deal with these forerunners. Most businesses and schools are threatened by their attempt to reform them. They are widely misunderstand, often isolated, sometimes suppressed and frequently minimized; however, it is these people who are responsible for most of the advancement in technology, education, government, law, arts and entertainment and communications. Forerunners are compelled to bring change and expand the boundaries of knowledge and professional practice in ever domain of society.

We are changing the world faster
than we can change ourselves,
and we are applying to the present
the habits of the past
Winston Churchill

For the past 60 years, the western world has experienced a sustained technological revolution unlike anything in the past. Historically, after every technological revolution there is a social reformation which follows closely behind. Observation will reveal that business, science, government, education, media, entertainment, the arts, and religion are all in various stages of reformation. Considering the significance of the technological revolution, this could be the greatest social reformation in recorded history, and it is the forerunners who will lead it. Reformation and transformation is the passion and the gifted ability of Forerunners. If the past 40 years have been the era of the “geek”, then the next 40 years will be the era of the “forerunner generation”.

This revolution is timely considering the many serious challenges which lay ahead of us. This generation of forerunners will have to discover solutions to problems of cataclysmic proportion. They are, however, intrinsically equipped to develop the technologies, concepts, and strategies which will advance mankind and save the earth from ecological destruction. It is of critical importance to our country, our people, and our planet to invest in developing knowledge and systems to assist, encourage and nurture forerunners.

Posted in What is a Forerunner | Tagged as: | Leave a comment

The Forerunner Project(s)

Posted on February 18th, 2008

Forerunner Projects
1. The Forerunner Film Festival and Awards – Forerunners respond to vision and modeling and the Forerunner Film Festival will tell stories of forerunners and social entrepreneurs who have made significant contributions to society. Our focus is on youth because it is our most prudent investment. High school and college age students will be targeted as the audience for this week long celebration of the forerunner spirit. The festival culminates with the Forerunner Awards presentation to acknowledge exceptional examples of leadership, innovation and creativity in building and reforming society.

2. Wisdom-Radio is a weekly 30 minute radio program featuring inspiring stories of exemplary forerunners who contend for a better world in every area of society. The program begins with a first person narrative account focusing on the birth of an idea and its development through to fruition of the project. Wisdom engages storytellers from every walk of life who have pioneered projects, expanded the boundaries of humanity through innovation, reformed systems and society to enhance the quality of our lives. It engages artists, performers and musicians who have enriched us with beauty and creativity, and those who have inspired us through their uncompromising stand for truth, justice and compassion for the weak and the poor.
To hear a demo of the program visit www.wisdom-radio.com

3. Web Site(s), Newsletter, Blog is an online opportunity for forerunners to network, learn, be encouraged, access resources and ask questions. An e-Newsletter and Blog will provide attendees with the opportunity to stay connected and find resources to assist them in their journey.

4. Seminars and Events: the Forerunner Project has developed several seminars on the topic of giftedness and how to discover and live your “Authentic Life”. These are presented in schools, churches, and through community groups. The seminars help individuals in any stage of their life to discover their talents, strengths and motivations, and will encourage them to become more fully engaged in their occupation and community.

Posted in What is a Forerunner | Tagged as: | Leave a comment

Forerunners

Posted on October 9th, 2007

Everyone wants to accomplish something in their life that has significance, because living for something that is bigger than ourselves gives us pleasure, meaning, and worth.

Every human is gifted with talents and abilities which when they are inspired, sharpened through use and nurtured, can transformation every area of our world. Never has their been a time in history where we have needed the reformation and wisdom of inspired men and women to reform our institutions. We must alleviate poverty, needless suffering and disease. We must take a stand for justice and equality, and push the boundaries of knowledge and understanding to new heights. Everyone of us is positioned to make a contribution to making our world what we image it to be, and beyond!

As stewards of the Earth it is our responsibility and destiny to manage its resources and develop its potential. As forerunners of the age-to-come it is our pleasure to create, reform and to set new benchmarks for standards in every area of our world starting with government, education, religion, entertainment, media, the arts, science and business. It is with wisdom we can transform every area we touch, though creativity, integrity, and the pursuit of excellence. We must reform what exists and discover what does not.

Every purpose we undertake will have challenges that require our mental, emotional and spiritual strength. Every objective has its difficulties which we must learn to let transform us rather than defeat us. They are to teach us and make us into the people we need to be to accomplish the purpose we set out to achieve. It is in the valleys when we can not see our objective that we gain or lose our dream. It is in these moments we must strengthen ourselves and believe we have the resources to overcome every obstacle. If we can do this, we can overcome anything. Our choices in crisis will determine our success. We therefore must learn to overcome doubt, disappointment and feelings of defeat. When we do, there is nothing which will be impossible for us.

Posted in Host's Posts, What is a Forerunner | Tagged as: | Leave a comment

  • Welcome to the Forerunner Project Blog

    Posted on these pages are stories of forerunners (the forerunner column) - Coverage of under-covered news which is important in gaining an overview of critical issues (From 10000 Feet). The purpose is to inspire and inform forerunners.

  • Log In here to comment

  • RSS Comment Feed

    • An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. Try again later.

  • RSS The Forerunner Project – Blog

    • RIM From 10,000 Feet December 1, 2011
      Inventors always want to protect their ideas so that only they can capitalize on them; however, that may be misguided. In the history of recent technology, being the “first in” has proven to be of no advantage – possibly even a disadvantage. At one time, there was a very good operating system called CPM that […]
      mediaguy
    • Retire With Purpose October 17, 2011
      Recently a friend of mine retired from his job as an editor at the CBC. He had worked there for more than 30 years dodging layoffs and cutbacks to complete a full tenure at the Corporation. In fact, Mark worked for an additional 3 years beyond the required service even though he was ready in […]
      mediaguy
    • An Anonymous Commentor wrote this skillful description of our world. October 16, 2011
      I had to publish this since it was so well said….. “Never before has the global financial system been so interlinked and integrated, which means that problems in one part of the world are capable of causing severe stress almost everywhere else. ” That’s globalism for you, folks. That’s what the globalists have forced upon […]
      mediaguy
    • On October 6th……. September 15, 2011
      “The arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and assistance to foreign hands should be curtailed, lest Rome fall.” Cicero  – 55 BC Recently a friend from San Diego sent me a similar quote about the state of Rome in the era of Cicero. A little research revealed that the original quote (as shown […]
      mediaguy
    • Is There Religious Freedom in Canada?? August 15, 2011
      Recently, I inquired about posting a film screening notice at the Stanley Park Community Centre. The attendant aggressively questioned if the film was religious (I gave her no reason to believe it was). I almost had to “swear an oath” that there was no religious content in the film before she would post the flyer […]
      mediaguy
    • You May be Getting “Crammed” and Not Know It. July 15, 2011
      A few weeks ago in this column, I wrote about businesses who regularly take advantage of Canadians and who seem to get away with it because of their size. One of those companies I named was Bell Canada. Recently, the multi-media conglomerate was fined $10,000,000 (the maximum allowed by law) for deceptive advertising practises. Bell […]
      mediaguy
    • Some Tough Questions – Some Tough Decisions June 15, 2011
      June will be the first month of parliament for a government which is eager to get things done. Although I am pleased that we now have a functioning government, I am cautious about the Conservative’s position on Cap and Trade. Prior to the federal election, the Canadian Science Advisory Board advised the Conservative government to […]
      mediaguy
    • A New Charter of Rights May 26, 2011
      A few months ago, I rented a car in Costa Rica. To my surprise, the car rental company offered to provide me with a mobile phone for 30 days with unlimited calling anywhere in the country for just $10. I was shocked at how economical it was to provide the service. When I inquired about […]
      mediaguy
    • Building The Future On The Past April 26, 2011
      There has been a lot of talk about growth in Wilmot Township recently with many references to the province’s  “Places to Grow” policy. The foundational principles of the document are to restrict growth in agricultural areas and to intensify growth in urban areas. There is abundant evidence that this policy is highly flawed and is […]
      mediaguy
    • Politics From 10,000 Feet – Corruption March 10, 2011
      Waterloo Region has a whole new team of enthusiastic politicians eager to make their mark on the political fabric of our communities. I have high expectations for the good that can come from even one persistent, skilled, visionary leader. I think of Ira Needles and Jerry Hagey, co-founders of the University of Waterloo, whose positive […]
      mediaguy

  • Find what your looking for

  • Archives