Posted on under Uncategorized

This week the controversy has been swirling around us here in regard to whistle-blower Edward Snowden. Snowden revealed to the American people the extent to which the United States government is spying on all of its own citizens. This was not exactly news to us. It confirmed what we already suspected. But sometimes you prefer to find out that what you suspected is wrong. This is one of those times.

Our first reaction to the Snowden story was swelling pride and admiration for this courageous American, willing to risk all on the belief that the American people, once informed, would do something to stop the rush to tyranny.But on the other hand, since the Nayirah incident in 1990, wherein a young woman, testifying before the U.S. Congress, tearfully told the world that the Iraqi soldiers went into the hospital, took babies out of the incubators and threw them on the floor to die–since then we have questioned every story.

Even the president of the United States at that time, George H. W. Bush, used the story to whip Americans into a willingness to send their own sons to die in Iraq.Later it was revealed that the whole thing was a fabrication of the powerful advertising and PR firm Hill and Knowlton, employed by George H.W. Bush and others. The event never happened at all but was a propaganda scheme hatched in the minds of handsomely paid publicists. To see Nayirah’s testimony go toNayirah testifies before the U. S. Congress.

So sure enough, through the euphoria of pride, that nagging question began to surface in our midst: Could the Snowden events be a diversion to take our attention from far more embarrassing acts of the globalist bankers and politicians? Well if so, it worked. Our collective minds were completely absorbed by this whistle-blower’s courageous flight to find safe refuge.Snowden is, after all, a CIA agent.

So is this another psy-op?  We don’t know. We want to support those who deserve our support and at the same time we try to be less gullible than in years past. What we do know is that Snowden has confirmed our uneasy suspicions about the continued war on any vestige of privacy.

Trends analyst Gerald Celente teaches us that you and I can identify trends if we will thoughtfully observe and analyze current events.  In what direction are those events taking us? Does each succeeding news event look better for us and the nation–or worse?  Is the Constitution receiving more regard—or less? Are we becoming more free–or less free. Based on current events and on the revelation of Edward Snowden, which road is the United States traveling?

We have carefully analyzed current events and our long term strategy is in place. We hope that yours is too and—whatever that strategy is—that you have begun to act on it.  Doing the research, considering the facts, making your analysis, deciding your course of action in every case, making a plan and acting on that plan is empowering. It takes that sense of helplessness and indecision and turns it into confidence, courage and strength.

Just taking positive action helps us to think again.So what if your worst case scenario does not materialize? It will be cause for rejoicing, that’s what! But what if it does? it helps to have a plan.

Different people have adopted different strategies. Some are moving outside their home country altogether. Some are moving out of the big city to smaller towns, planting gardens, storing food, taking first aid classes. Some are learning new skills that they know will be valuable anywhere. Some are doing a  combination. Our aforementioned friend, Gerald Celente, for example, has three weeks supply of food on hand and says that, if a crisis lasts longer than that, he will be on a plane out.

Not everyone has that option and so we make use of what we have.  And don’t forget. Every crisis brings with it opportunity.  So while we make our plans—let’s think in terms of opportunity. What opportunity do you think a specific crisis might present for you?

Depending on personal assets, keeping some money outside your home country could be important. Regardless of your interest in South America—whether it is an option in case of problems back home, or if you just want to come for the adventure, the tango, the lower cost of living–providing options for yourself and your family still seems wise to us.

But then your reporter was once a Girl Scout. That motto sticks—Be Prepared!

——————————————————–

Coffee Farm in Colombia

Medelin, Colombia

Medellin, Colombia

We were contacted recently by subscribers in Panama to tell us about what they consider an opportunity they have come across and are considering—in Colombia. They suggested that we pass it on to other subscribers..Colombia is not on our beat at present but if we hear of possible opportunity we will pass it on to you. A lot of people are afraid of security issues in Colombia and, as with even the United States, there are no doubt places in Colombia that should be avoided.

But in our investigation we find nothing that would prevent us from being interested in opportunity there. In fact, one of our favorite real estate analysts, Leif Simon, thinks that Colombia is now an emerging country and a good place to invest. We don’t claim to know. We are merely passing on the information. Our subscribers suggesting that we post this have no financial benefit in this project, nor do we, and this is not a paid advertisement. If it interests you, we urge you to use your own due diligence. You can check it out first at coffee farm.

——————————————————

Update on our Area

Not much has changed in our part of the world. Chile and Uruguay both continue to prosper. Argentines are not crossing the river to buy real estate and other assets in Uruguay at the same rate they have in the past because of currency controls now in place in Argentina–one real-life illustration to us for the wisdom of diversifying assets in more than one country during this unstable period. Many Argentines, who did not park money outside their country in good times, now are unable to take it out. We think it will be interesting to see how much this affects Uruguay. We believe that it will have an effect to some degree.

Argentina remains on its trajectory to the next crisis. Because of the falling value of the peso, it is becoming ever more economical to live in Argentina if income is other than Argentina pesos. People who know their way around Argentina can get a very good exchange rate called the “blue” rate.  Not only does the dollar have an advantage here,  Uruguayans tell me they live for their next shopping trip to Buenos Aires because the Uruguay peso buys so much here. For them, as well, there is a very beneficial exchange rate because of the state of the Argentina peso.

The official exchange rate in Argentina today is 5.377 pesos per U. S. dollar. Only a short time ago you could get nearly 10 pesos for a US dollar on the “blue” or “illegal” market. Argentina is indeed an interesting country. I have asked several people, including one attorney, what happens if a person gets caught exchanging for the “illegal” rate rather than the “official” rate. I have yet to get an answer. Sometimes people just laugh. One person patted me on the shoulder and told me don’t worry about it. So if you’re curious—so am I.

The “blue” rate was down to 7.7 pesos for the dollar the last we checked. This is not unusual. Currency is a commodity and commodities are known to fluctuate—sometimes wildly.

This reporter is still waiting for citizenship documentation to be delivered. In Argentina they deliver quite a few government documents to your address. You don’t just go and pick them up like many of us are used to. I have my receipt here for the 32 peso fee I paid for the new ID, which I am supposed to hand him at the door in exchange for the citizenship ID. It’s been two months and I am still waiting. Once that is done, I hope to make an excursion across the cordillera of the Andes—to Chile. It’s been a few years since I was in Chile and I am looking forward to visiting there again. What a beautiful country!

Thanks for stopping by. It’s been fun. Hoping to see you again next week . . . .

Arlean