THE KOCH BROTHERS CLOWN SHOW: Energy From Sun Not Viable Episode?

Fierce Attackers???

The Koch Attack on Solar Energy

(The New York Times) – At long last, the Koch brothers and their conservative allies in state government have found a new tax they can support. Naturally it’s a tax on something the country needs: solar energy panels. 

For the last few months, the Kochs and other big polluters have been spending heavily to fight incentives for renewable energy, which have been adopted by most states. They particularly dislike state laws that allow homeowners with solar panels to sell power they don’t need back to electric utilities. So they’ve been pushing legislatures to impose a surtax on this increasingly popular practice, hoping to make installing solar panels on houses less attractive. 

And watch...

Oklahoma lawmakers recently approved such a surcharge at the behest of the American Legislative Exchange Council, the conservative group that often dictates bills to Republican statehouses and receives financing from the utility industry and fossil-fuel producers, including the Kochs. As The Los Angeles Times reported recently, the Kochs and ALEC have made similar efforts in other states, though they were beaten back by solar advocates in Kansas and the surtax was reduced to $5 a month in Arizona.

But the Big Carbon advocates aren’t giving up. The same group is trying to repeal or freeze Ohio’s requirement that 12.5 percent of the state’s electric power come from renewable sources like solar and wind by 2025. Twenty-nine states have established similar standards that call for 10 percent or more in renewable power. These states can now anticipate well-financed campaigns to eliminate these targets or scale them back. 


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Would you take these clowns seriously?

JAPAN-- What if the water becomes contaminated?

JAPAN -- What if the water becomes contaminated? (read more - The New York Times)

What? Their water is radioactive?

Not just a passing concern nor high speculation, but a possibility that can be assigned some level of probability. Perhaps something you would not normally be concerned with when thinking about markets, however a wide-scale disaster of this sort could cause an unprecedented collapse in Japanese securities' markets. The nature of this disaster could make significant portions of the island nation just unlivable.

Anyway we remain skeptical about what authorities are disclosing and this lack of transparency,promptness and accuracy does not create a lot of confidence in competencies. We are assigning much higher levels of risk because we fear the unknown, unknowns that could emerge out of nowhere. Try to explain to clients why you didn't see this one coming,

Anyway, for sure, we are staying away from coastal properties as long-term investments. To be forewarned, is to be forearmed - invest wisely.

Dr Peter G Kinesa

July 27, 2013

ITS OK TO BE SMART

PLATINUM WEALTH PARTNERS - BLOOMBERG, ALJAZEERA, PAUL KRUGMAN

PLATINUM WEALTH PARTNERS:

Week Ended July 21 2013

 DR. PETER G. KINESA'S 
INTERNATIONAL INSIGHTS

"PLATINUM WEALTH PARTNERS"

VISIT OUR WEBSITE 

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www.pwa2100.blogspot.com

The Marc Faber Blog: Somewhere down the line we will have a Massive Wealth Destruction

Just a short post noting that Marc's 50% prediction is in line with what we suggest is a possible valuation adjustment in our July 17th comments on Paul Krugman's Blog - Prophecies of Maestrodamus.

Not a hard one to figure out as it is really just "present value mathematics" whereby if long 30 year bond rates double, then their market value dips by 50%. Very straightforward mathematics that no amount of economic theory nor policy measures can override as it is simply a hard conceptual constraint. Mathematics cannot be persuaded, legislated nor negotiated with - and that should come as no surprise to anyone.

Down the line, looks to be a scary turbulent road ahead. 

We will post more comments from this blog later on.

PLATINUM WEALTH PARTNERS

July 21, 2013

What waits down the line?

By every account, all negotiations with mathematics have resulted in a win-lose situation. Some things are just absolute.

Dr Peter G Kinesa

July 21, 2013  

Bloomberg BusinessWeek - The Social Media Bubble is Quietly Deflating

Just a few months back, you may recall, along with Jim Rogers, we raised concerns about Facebook and generally the whole social media industry, referring to it as a generational fad and having difficulty seeing how a sustainable business model could be developed. Moreover, whether such tools or derivatives could find useful and profitable transitions into business markets. Guess what? Looks like the markets are tuning into Mr Rogers and ourselves as VC (Venture Capital) funding has plummeted to 2% this past quarter.

As one insider notes; what a business - "thinking about how to make people click ads"  And that pretty well sums up the industry's "Critical Success Factor" and how you build any sort of Sustainable Competitive Advantage around it, remains a puzzle.

Anyway we still believe that the big ticket, high margin objects just simply requires good ole face to face contact -  a little of that human touch!

INVESTORS INSIGHTS - February 18, 2013  

JIM ROGERS - Facebook is not an Investment, it's a Waste of TIME  

PLATINUM WEALTH PARTNERS

July 20, 2013

Not a Happy Camper

Comparing the social media frenzy to the dot-com bubble may not be such a good analogy, albeit in both cases you can observe that common sense gave way to a strange fear of missed opportunity combined with unrealistic expectations. The other common ground was that object business measures, standards and principles no longer applied . Market history repeated again.

And for some strange reason this won't be the last time. Humans? Go Figure?

Dr Peter G Kinesa

July 20, 2013  

Bloomberg - Spanish 10-Year Bonds Decline as Italian Yield Rises to 4.48%

In light of our market alert, regarding Portugal's Bonds, earlier this week, along with the growing concern for adverse circumstances in Europe, even more focus is now being given to European Bond Markets. Market activity in these markets may now have greater bearing on the global financial system than US treasuries. No kidding?

Similar to Japan, bond values and rates in the US appear to be hand-cuffed at low levels for some time. Moreover, enjoying the reserve currency status allows the US to gather the loose liquidity in the global system and harbour its flight and fright capital, thereby easing any upward rate pressures. Plus, an interest rate increase state-side would be absolutely devastating to the US economy at this juncture - and just pour gas on a stumbling economy's fires. 

Underlying the European bond markets are chronic diseases that  show no signs of abating - in fact there is growing evidence to the contrary. Like Japan and Middle East countries, Europe suffers from a physical economic overcapacity issue that cannot be resolved by abstructionist economic measures. Limited and declining physical economic inputs can only lead to one result - declining economic outputs. All of which is made worse as populations grow and per capita output consumption ratios thusly sink even further. Bad "Real" News!

Particularly after Cyprus, we are seeing signs of desperate central bankers pulling out devious last stops to cure the terminal economic cancer. The markets in Greece, Spain, Italy, Ireland and Portugal are at the greatest risk of crashing global bond prices. They are "bonded" by a common concern with a staggering rippling potential affecting markets with traumatic head to toe  effects. 

Our main message here - this one ain't over yet; 'cause, "it ain't over, 'til its over"  

PLATINUM WEALTH PARTNERS

July 19, 2013

A Bonding Crisis - the future is yet to come...

While the rest of the world may think that the FED is the driver behind global rates, largely because of the US reserve currency status and its trading volumes - we are not so certain, and believe as Grandma use to say "the devil is in the details - at Lehman Bros?" And so when all hell breaks loose; something small and overlooked is often perpetrating the angst.

Of course, then there was Yogi's wisdom - a great "Bondplayer" too  

Dr. Peter G Kinesa

July 19, 2013

The New York Times 

The Prophecies of Maestrodamus

Paul Krugman

Comments:

"I know one thing; that I know nothing" Hmm. I think we could all learn from one of Socrates’ last thoughts - but you never know!

Still we could attribute much of our current mess to too many who believe they know - then later we find that even simple notions were somehow forgotten. Or a fog had set in. (- R. S. McNamara).

Despite what may be economic headlines today, Greenspan's legacy may be his contribution to our current low interest rate trap - that has lasted for much too long. Getting out of it could trigger a massive deflation of financial assets - causing an unprecedented ASSET VALUE WRITE-DOWN. Evaporating years of value in moments.

A mere 2% rise in rates, for example, could deflate financial assets by as much as 50% - wiping out the equity boxes of financial intermediaries and banks , while creating massive unfunded pension and insurance fund liabilities on the basis of marked to market accounting calculations. =ing HUGE liquidity CRUNCH.

Moreover, the total value of US federal debt could grow substantively with a mathematical pen stroke, which has little to do with deficits or economic theory and activity. And I don’t even want think about what could happen if rates should revert to levels over their historic mean; it would be devastating.

So it seems that the Maestro knew how get us into this trap, but did not know how to get us out of it - but then again "who knows?" And as far as we know, he's still on first...

INVESTORS' INSIGHTS

Juky 17, 2013

I don't know?

ALJAZEERA - (English) Worldwide PC sales keep sliding

Lenovo (China) Top PC Maker???

Bad news for everyone, except China as they take the leadership position in another market that has long been dominated by American makers for decades. Who do we blame this on? Management? Tablets? Consumers? Or China's low cost producer strategy for an industry where products are becoming commoditized, as it really does not take that much to do the reverse engineering. Again China is following a "national business strategy" much like Japan did from the 60's onwards in automotive and consumer electronics.

But the real issue is what good is the WTO? How does it ensure that everyone is on an equal playing field when labour, environmental, and health standards are barbaric is contrast to North America. Add to all that a fixed currency to the US dollar and this game becomes a one horse race.

But who loses big time? North American and European union and salaried workers. In fact, in America the real hourly wage, according to St Louis, FED statistics have not risen much since 1982! So, where are the unions???

Beyond all this meaning more doom and gloom for the ordinary American worker, here 's list of PC makers facing tougher times as this saturated market begins to consolidate. Smaller players will be forced to merge or simply fade away into the sunset - while margins face continued presures from commoditization.

TOP Five PC Makers
  41% (est) Market Share

Lenova
Hewlett Packard
Dell
Acer
Asus

INVESTORS' INSIGHTS

First Financial Insights

July 16, 2013 

Those were the days - "in our home towns... and they ain't coming back"

- Bruce Springstein

Where Have All the Fish GONE?

Where Have All the Fish GONE?

Can you believe it? Not only are we running out of oil and many other non-renewable resources, but soon; it seems, we will also be runnung out of fish. This is much more than a staple, as fish has provided many dietary essentials, including protein, to places food alternatives are in short supply  So if you have some free time this weekend, you may want to do a quick read of the FAO report (linked above) which also covers many other foodstocks.

Recreational fishing may be a thing of the past in a few short decades or years, however the bigger concern is that populations continue to grow, while fish are dwindling in supply. Albeit there are some positive signs that with proper management some stocks have improved.  Nonetheless it is something else to think about.

Dr Peter G Kinesa

July 12, 2013 

WHAT! You mean they ate them ALL??? 

   

The Marc Faber Blog - Oil Prices Moving to $500? - (Video) Bullish on Crude Oil , Bearish on India

The Marc Faber Blog - Oil Prices Moving to $500? - Bullish on Crude Oil , Bearish on India

Not a good picture!

 

Impossible! Could Never Happen! Well actually in mathematical terms it has happened a number of times before. And $500 a barrel is not that ridiculous when you think about it.- that's just a five fold increase  Compare that to the jump it took between 1971 and 1980 when it moved from $2 to $35 a barrel - a 17 fold increase. Meaning a five-fold increase is possible and more probable to occur as time goes on.

So Marc's bullish attitude towards oil is well founded and supported by growing demand from increasing populations and on-going economic growth in Asian markets. However, it is quite the opposite on the supply-side as most believe we are at or near peak extraction and can no longer add to reserves an amount equal to this consumption.

Doing some simple analysis, we confront a rather disturbing destiny. With present global consumption running at 30 billion barrels annually - equating to 300 billion every decade - total  reserves of 1.2 trillion are thus set to be practically depleted by 2053, if not sooner.

But what comes between this date and now is much more disturbing, as the world scrambles to find a way to replace the cheap energy equivalent provided by these 30 billion barrels. One thing is certain, if alternatives are found they will not be any cheaper than today's energies prices. Expect more political and social turbulence as the world seeks to rebalance this physical loss of energy inputs - that will dramatically affect food and basic transportation needs. 


To the point, we are bullish on oil and bearish on currencies whose national economies are highly dependent on imported supplies - their turbulence could be devastating. As well it will place huge downside pressure on stock and bond markets - so cash, and better yet a farm, are certain to become increasingly popular as oil prices rocket to new heights.

Dr. Peter G Kinesa
July 11, 2013

One last drop -

Sign in Egypt protest: “Wake up America, Obama backs a fascist regime in Egypt.” (Picture) | AgainstCronyCapitalism.org

Sign in Egypt protest: “Wake up America, Obama backs a fascist regime in Egypt.” (Picture) | AgainstCronyCapitalism.org

LANGUAGE TRANSLATION:

 "Feed them meat and potatoes"

What never ceases to amaze us is how everyone thinks this is all about ideology - what label would you like me to wear? Unless my belly is comfy; whatever politics, theology or economics you preach, you will not convince me or anyone else for that matter. Then once it is full. you have the opportunity to tell everyone why your way is the best way, and how it can and will be done forever. Then it becomes hard to fight the eternal benefits you promise with ideology through the narratives of science or logic. Who wants to give up a shot at eternity? So, almost everyone hedges their bets and buys into a label. Such is a simple view of life, from introspective nutshells -

Back to Egypt. Here again we can see that the real issue is "meat and potatoes." Seems as if they don't have enough to feed their ever expanding masses; they thus are prepared to follow anyone with a here-and-now solution, then worry about a bunch of tomorrows at some other convenient time. That makes sense.

Unfortunately, Egypt is on the growing list of Nauru Paradigm Countries, whereby the populations have overshot the delivery capacities of their physical economies - leading to shortages of just about everything needed to survive. Sadly, the WTO, IMF, World Bank, EU and leading economists and politicians have placed all of their bets on the abstractionist's economic models and are thereby insanely stoking the flames. When will they ever wake up?

So add Egypt to our coveted list of countries facing the final stages of the Nauru Paradigm, a nation that will now play out the Animal Farm parody for years to come, as long as incoming revolutionary leaders subscribe to outdated neo-classical economic theories - (Stories?) - they are guaranteed short careers in a shrinking world.



Dr Peter G Kinesa
July 5, 2013 

Egypt or Nauru: More Animal Farms?

KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE - How Dumb Are WE?

Keystone XL pipeline would have little impact on climate change, State Department analysis says

Good Question!

The Keystone XL Pipeline Causes NO Environmental Problems???

The State Department should just give up - NOBODY - but beer-guzzling rednecks from the Southern Bible-Belt believes anything these guys say. That's a land where higher education meets the standards set by the Fartobebug Monkees, where you take your sister to the prom and the village's chief would be its idiot anywhere else in the world, including Alaska. And worse, they think Sarah Palin and Abe Lincoln have comparable talents, skills, insights - and get this - Notable Quotes.

Yep, so there you go - the truth. Not even the Pope, Steve Colbert, Michael Moore and Zawbootu tribe of South-East Nauru, believe the State Department anymore. Why? Here's a real quick and short list we put together; starting around 1865, detailing some of the supposedly true statements that the State Department and its affiliates, agents and other assorted allies would have or like us to believe.

C''mon, who really shot Lincoln?

Pearl Harbor - We had no idea what East or West wind blowing meant? But, Sleeping Giants do.

Russians are coming? All Russians are actors? Russians own, run and live in Hollywood? Russians, in Tennessee, talk loudly about some gal named Stella; they have many desires.

The Dominoes Theory? Sorry wrong war game - then blame it on the fog.

The Warren Commission - what does that have to do with Katrina?  

One small step for man - was not a giant step for mankind.

I am not a crook - dreamed  I saw a child of God walking along the road that missed Kent State.

"Tell the United Nations, those turnip trucks are moving all the Weapons of Mass Destruction around the country.",

Remind me again, Why are we in Afghanistan? Poppies? 

Patriots' Act. Who, Hmm?

The War on Terror? On Drugs? On Poverty? On LIES...On OWS? How's about - The War on Wars - for PEACE?

Land of the Brave - Home of the Free - REALLY!

As you can plainly see, the list is as long as Santa's. Hey, but they actually think that we believe them. May be we should just send our response to.their truths. "WE were all born late at night - but it just wasn't last night". Then we all follow the road less travelled and,  

STOP THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE.

Then, let them know. Then let them know our truths. Let them know, of our true Heroes. Those who dare, and will dare greatly again and again; standing tall on the shoulders of giants - in the arena holding the true torch of  LIBERTY. Let them know! 

For Freedom, 
Carry On Bravehearts,


Dr Peter G Kinesa
May 3,  2013 

"Noam Chomsky"  

American Hero

"Click Here"

"Liberty Stands On These Shoulders; Inspiring its Torch, its Light, and its Journey to Destiny's Shores, Beyond the Last Eternity."

First Financial Insights, March 2, 2013

"WE ARE NOT THAT DUMB"

STOP KEYSTONE!

The Boston Globe - Chief of US Pacific Forces Calls Climate Biggest Worry

Chief of US Pacific Forces Calls Climate Biggest Worry 

click above

When the US military realizes and states that climate change is one of the greatest threats to security we should be very concerned. Particularly, when we considered that often coined oxymoron " Military Intelligence" . Think about how much it takes these guys to figure things out, after all these years?

Enough said,  and let's have Admiral Samuel Locklear tell us about their profound "Ah Ha" moment -  I don't want to rain on their parade.

Dr Peter G Kinesa
April  15, 2013   

"Folks, you will never believe what I am about to tell you... " 

China Feels Inflation, CPI Spikes

China Feels Inflation, CPI Spikes

Before getting into the deeper issues - the first thing to put on the table is the CPI number itself. Who believes any financial number coming out of China?
Who believes that an economy can grow at 5,7 or 10% without experiencing any inflation? Who believes that an economy with excessive liquidity can hold prices down? Then there's the growing need to import more and more commodities... well, you can decide this one.

The real concern is whether currency games are going to become the new form of protectionism - a new form of trade war. With so many countries debasing their currencies - global inflation is certain to follow as more funny sovereign paper will be needed to buy real things. Now if we take the abstracts out of all this and remember that we are past peak everything  - prices of all commodities are sure  to climb dramatically. Some will be more intense than others.

Chinese inflation - you can bet the farm on it. But it is the new protectionism we are most concerned about and the trade of cheap, oppressed labour for scarcer resources. Who will level the playing field now?

Dr Peter G Kinesa
April 14, 2013

How's about a level playing field too?