The Barron Blog

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Movie Review 126: Frost/Nixon

Unfortunately, I missed the original Nixon interviews in 1977. However, these interviews were stunning brought to life by Michael Sheen as Frost and Frank Legella as Nixon.
The development of the plot puts David Frost as the real underdog in this story. His producer thinks it will be hard to interview Nixon. Later on, Frost has difficulty finding advertisers for the program. He faces bankrupcty if the interviews don't air. The U.S. networks also pass on the subject matter.
When the interviews do start, Nixon controls most of the agenda and makes himself look good through his rambling "good old boy" responses.
However, in the last interview, Frost pulls out surprise questions from "The Watergate Tapes" and gets Nixon to demonstrate presidential arrogance by saying "When a president does anything it isn't illegal."
Frank Langella is magnificent as the complex, pitiful Nixon. Time and time again, Frost confronts him with his mistakes, but Nixon has difficulty remembering details. In the end, justice is served and "The Nixon Interviews" gain a TV viewership of 400 million.
This is a great drama with terrific acting. I'd give Frank Langella the Best Actor Oscar for 2008. Four stars!!!

Posted by qualteam at 9:23 PM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 27 January 2009 10:09 PM EST

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Sunday, 25 January 2009

How To Be Happy In 2009 And Beyond

Figure out exactly what is important to you. For example, Leo Babauta, a former miserable speechwriter and the contented author of "The Power Of Less" boiled it down to four things: spending time with his family, writing, reading and running.
Learn how to live on a tight budget. This would be paying extra on your debts including your car and house. It would include a minimun of luxuries like travelling, dining out and electronic toys like a Blackberry.
Become a prayer warrior and social activist. We are all stewards of this world. This involves a responsibility for improving mankind's condition. Our job is to make Earth a better place physically and spiritually.
Learn how to save and invest properly. In Canada, there are high interest tax-free saings accounts called TFSAs. You can put $5000 in one every year and you never pay tax on the interest. This would be a good financial product for the U.S. too. Tell Barack Obama you want it. You should also have your own online trading account and learn bad investing from good investing.
Develop a program for a healty diet and physical exercise that you can enjoy. These would be good habits that you can continue through your life and into retirement.
Write a blog on your life, thoughts and visions. Every person is unique is his/her own way. It's great to "find the oneself" in our life experiences and communicate to others.
I'm a great believer in personal empowerment through education and self development.
If you have a blog or just want to communicate, please share your thoughts with me.

Posted by qualteam at 12:08 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 25 January 2009 12:26 PM EST

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Wednesday, 21 January 2009

America Gets Another Chance

I believe that Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and Franklin D. Roosevelt have unfinished business concerning the U.S. today.
Over the last eight years, we've seen a weakening of the United States as a power for peace and prosperity in this world. This is something that would not rest lightly with spirits of the former presidents above.
It will take an "all hands" effort to restore America back to where it once was from the 1950s to the 1990s.
I believe the three former presidents will be on President Obama's team as spiritual advisors. You can't leave this earthly game until you leave as a winner. United States must become a major force for peace and prosperity in this world.
This may be too much for Barack Obama and his team (physical and otherwise) to handle. That is why there has to be a DH on the team too. A "Designated Higher Power".
The Lord will take control if necessary. All you have to say is "Jesus Take The Wheel":

Posted by qualteam at 11:40 AM EST

Updated: Wednesday, 21 January 2009 5:07 PM EST

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Tuesday, 20 January 2009

Obama's Effect On Children

The best thing about the Barack Obama's inauguration was the positive effect it had on children. Suddenly, children could see a world without prejudice or inequality where we're all part of the human condition trying to achieve our dreams.
They related Obama's success with Martin Luther King's Vision about a world where all mankind is free from oppression including economic oppression.
A leader that inspires not only the present generation, but the next is someone valuable to have around.
Those who have manipulated wealth through subprime mortgages, oil futures and short stock positions will be replaced by the true wealth creators of tomorrow who are willing to share with those who are less fortunate then themselves.
Positive Economic News

Posted by qualteam at 10:28 PM EST

Updated: Tuesday, 20 January 2009 11:18 PM EST

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Sunday, 18 January 2009

The Decade Of "Yes We Can" Begins Now

American has overcome many national problems and conflicts over the last 250 years. The present recession is just another challenge for those who like challenges. "When the going gets tough", the tough get going". "The improbable we do now. The impossible takes a little longer".
Here's a top ten list of national crises that were solved satisfactorily.
Getting rid of the colonial rule of Great Britain in the 18th century and founding a successful republic.
Putting an end to slavery during the Civil War and keeping the U.S. Federation together.
The gradual end of segregation for African Americans from 1865 to the 1970s.
The gradual end of the depression by FDR who encouraged infrastructure projects and international cooperation with other countries.
A successful end of the Second World War which brought about international organizations like "The World Trade Organization" "The United Nations" and "The World Bank", etc.
In 1962, JFK made the Soviet Union back down on its deployment of missiles in Cuba.
With the help of a free media and the Supreme Court, Richard Nixon's involvement in Watergate was exposed and he resigned.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, the Soviet Union was in an arms race with the U.S. that it couldn't afford. In the end, the Communist Union went bankrupt and split into many countries.
In the late 1980s, many Saving and Loan companies were bailed out by the Federal Government.
The U.S. recovered well after the 9/11 attack. Homeland security was beefed up and there were no further attacks on home soil.
The present financial and economic crisis is daunting to any leader in any country, but as the old saying goes, "The bigger the mountain, the sweeter the victory".
The recession will separate the winning companies and CEOs from the losers very quickly. Hopefully, the U.S. Government will invest in the winners of the next decade and beyond.

Posted by qualteam at 6:16 PM EST

Updated: Sunday, 18 January 2009 7:22 PM EST

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Wednesday, 14 January 2009

Welcome To The Deep Freeze In Canada

It's cold and it's getting colder in Brampton and the Greater Toronto Area. The temperature with the wind chill will be lower than minus 30C over the next few days.
Despite our low temperatures, it's still colder in Winnipeg Manitoba by at least 8 degrees Celius.
There's lots of winter sports in Canada, but right now, you would have to be an Eskimo to enjoy them.
It's still great to live in Canada and be a Canadian.
Have you seen the "I Am Canadian" commerical below? It's a hoot.

Posted by qualteam at 9:40 PM EST

Updated: Wednesday, 14 January 2009 10:28 PM EST

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Sunday, 11 January 2009

I'm A Lucky Guy

I feel privileged that I can write about those subjects and ideas that mean a great deal to me.
It's great having a blog and webpages that get over 1500 page views a month.
I was lucky to get a one gigabyte webspace with Tripod.com that allows me to do so much with hyperlinks, pictures, music and videos.
I also have a good job with Canada Post and I'll be receiving a pension from them very soon. Fortunately, I'm in a position where I can retire without having to worry about the world's stock markets (yet).
I'm lucky I had a loving mother (Doreen Barron) that helped me and my wife with our mortgage.
I'm lucky that I feel concern over those who've been badly affected by job losses and the recession. I placed a pray for them called "Deliver Us From Economic Evil" at www.prayway.com.
The above YouTube video demonstrates that individuals can be saved from disaster. There are spiritual beings who look out for you and your family.
In times of trouble one can be lucky or blessed. It's six of one and a half dozen of the other. In most cases, we can get the ball rolling ourselves.
May 2009 be a better year for you than 2008.

Posted by qualteam at 10:37 PM EST

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Wednesday, 7 January 2009

First Capital Gain Of The Year

As we know, last year was a nightmare for capital gains and dividends.
The capital losses rolled over investors like tanks on their way to a war.
It's great if you can start the New Year on the right foot: A capital gain without any loss.
I've done just that. I've sold my shares in Thompson Creek Mining for a nice profit. The profit wasn't huge only $200, but it validated my ability to buy and sell a stock at the right time.
Thompson Creek is good company that mines Molybdenum, a mineral used in steel to strenghten it.
During the rush into commodities last year, the stock peaked at $25.00 a share. It's now in the $6.00 range. I bought into it a couple a weeks ago when it was $4.00 a share.
It's symbol on the Toronto Stock Exchange is TCM.TO. It should do well when the infrastructure projects start going in China, The U.S. and Canada.

Posted by qualteam at 10:51 PM EST

Updated: Wednesday, 7 January 2009 11:00 PM EST

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Monday, 5 January 2009

Winning The Economic Game From A Higher Level

On a higher level of reality, there are spirits and aliens who support the efforts of earthly governments to get mankind out of the present recession and there are those who want to push us into a deep depression.
For those who are working towards becoming superbeings, it is imperative that you handle difficult challenges on Earth like the present economic slowdown.
You can't walk (fly?) away from Earth until you leave as a winner.
Instead of just manipulating money to make more money on oil and commodity futures. We have to use money to build a new economy and infrastructure that will help individuals realize their dreams.
There is divine assistance to bail out humans if necessary.

Posted by qualteam at 9:44 PM EST

Updated: Monday, 5 January 2009 10:09 PM EST

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Thursday, 1 January 2009

Looking Behind And Looking Ahead
Mood: hungry

The surprising thing about 2008 was how quickly, the bad investments in toxic paper and ludricous energy futures of $200 a barrel came to a head so quickly. It simply demonstated to me that many incompetent financiers were controlling too much money. By the year's end, the world's stock markets had collapsed like a house of cards.
Not only did those with lots of money engage in panic selling, but hedge fund managers sold off their blue chip stocks to cover crazy future contracts in commodities and energy. Moral: Just because you have a big bank account doesn't make you a smart businessman or investor.
No doubt, many of these CEOs and money men have been given the boot already. There is a need for much more competent and dedicated businessmen/financiers in the U.S. Hopefully, the new President of the United States, Barack Obama, will encourage changes in the management of Corporate America.
I'd like to think ahead for a positive 2009 where we've learned many lessons from 2008. There are opportunities for real job and wealth creation in the U.S. and Canada. Lets take a look:
The decaying infrastructure in North America with regards to roads, bridges and sewers will be addressed with long term projects. This will encourage investment in commodities and infrastructure companies.
Green techology will be developed quickly to produce jobs and wean us off of decreasing dirty fossil fuels.
There will be atequate credit available so that profitable companies can buy insolvent companies. Governments will lean on banks to make sure this happen.
Cheap foreclosured homes will assist renovation companies and handymen to increase the value of abandoned houses by renovating them.
Cheaper gasoline prices will encourage tourism and small businesses.
Retiring baby boomers will buy more RVs than ever. This will be good for the trucking industry and the vacation industry.
Baby boomers will increase online trading accounts. This will be profitable for the investment industry and baby boomers.
I lost some money in mutual funds and stocks during 2008, but I'm not going to give up investing because I got an investment haircut.
I have an online trading account and a tax free saving account where I can put a few dollars if I have any. I don't know if U.S. banks have that kind of account, but The Canadian Government has approved them for Canada in 2009.
Happy New Year! Happy Investing! Happy Saving! And most of all, I wish you success in those activities and relationships that mean a great deal to you.

Posted by qualteam at 2:14 PM EST

Updated: Thursday, 1 January 2009 3:01 PM EST

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