Treasure in Santa Fe New Mexico

Nobody has said that they have found the Fenn Treasure in New Mexico so I guess there's still time for me to formulate a theory about where it is and go look for it. I just might be right. What have I got to lose? This is NOT breaking news so don't get excited. 

Iraqi Army Officers

At last, many Iraqi Army officers from the army that Paul Bremer dismantled are being allowed back. Bremer's stupid mistake cost at least three years of unnecessary fighting and countless lives lost. It has been said that at least 20,000 officers are being reinstated. By now, everyone knows that if the Iraqi Army had been left - for the most part - in place, the chances for mayhem after the American invasion would have been seriously diminished. Even this topless woman knows that.

The future

Well, now it looks like the President must explain himself to a group of world leaders in New York. The papers are saying that the U.S. economy and the rest of the world are inextricably linked and they are right. Now, as a result of this greedy financial fiasco, you can bet that the rest of the world will be very cautious about linking up with the U.S. economy from now on. The U.S. is now beholden to all those foreign governments and big foreign investors for buying so much of the debt guarantees (in the form of bonds). What would happen if the U.S. defaulted? It is not unthinkable. A few months ago, who would have predicted that the country would be left with no large investment banks to speak of? Next up for your tax money? The auto manufacturers. Keep this in mind, the government is not bailing out the economy - it's bailing out the big Wall Street firms which lost billions. Wall Street is holding the economy hostage by saying that it is no longer credit worthy and no bank will lend it a dime so that their enterprises can keep going. Who knew thay had zero liquidity? Of course, a seizing up of the most important credit markets will cause the economy to sputter in a very big way. What a way to do business. The economy will survive this turmoil but the rest of the world will now ponder this sad and risky scenario very seriously and begin to stay clear of the U.S.

HUGO CHAVEZ

Hugo Chavez rarely grants interviews to the western press but he agreed to talk to our Timid Reporter.

TR: Good afternoon. Are you President Chavez?
HC: Of course. I’m Hugo Chavez!! Para que pregunta hombre? You may call me Hugo. Consider me your friend.
TR: I don’t know how to be informal with famous or powerful people. I would be more comfortable with President Chavez.
HC: I am President Chavez.
TR: That’s not what I meant.
HC: Explain yourself hombre. Don’t be afraid.
TR: I have trouble with that.
HC: Let me tell you a story. I used to stutter. Would you believe that?
TR: No.
HC: Well, just believe it. Kids used to make fun of me until the day I met this very nice girl who told me she would cure me of the problem. I was only fourteen and I knew nothing about girls so I just laughed at her. Do you hear me stuttering any more?
TR: No sir.
HC: Well, she cured me.
TR: How?
HC: Use your imagination hombre. By seven o’clock that afternoon I was free of my little problem. Needless to say, I have been grateful to her ever since. She is now my Assistant Secretary of Labor.
TR: You’re a very nice man.
HC: That’s what I keep trying to tell the world. Let me ask you a favor, I would prefer this interview be done in Spanish.
TR: I am not fluent…. My eight readers won’t understand a word.
HC: Don’t use excuses, just make the effort.
TR: Ok. Esta bien, Mr. Presidente.
HC: You see. You have lost your fear. I was just testing you.
TR: You made me believe.
HC: I’m a good poker player – the best in all of Venezuela.
TR: I can see why.
HC: I read your interview of Fidel.
TR: How did that happen? You’re not a member of the Coffee Club.
HC: I have sources all over my friend. Even Putin calls me for information. I’m like your IRS, FBI, CIA, ICE, NSC, NSA, DIA, and Army Corp. of Engineers combined.
TR: I have never interviewed them.
HC: You never will. They are too embarrassed by what happened to your beautiful New Orleans.
TR: You keep yourself informed of everything?
HC: Not only that, I am presently studying four languages. I have a special tutor – a beautiful Swedish woman who is fluent in fourteen languages.
TR: Which languages are you studying?
HC: German, Russian, French, and Chinese.
TR: No Swedish?
HC: I’m learning that informally, as we go along.
TR: I think I know what you mean.
HC: It doesn’t matter. It’s confidential and you can’t publish that.
TR: I won’t.
HC: The important thing is that I have come to realize that it’s very hard to understand a culture completely unless you speak the language. That’s the secret code, if you will.
TR: Is that why President Bush doesn’t understand you?
HC: No. He just has a problem understanding anything.
TR: He won’t like what you just said.
HC: Does he read your newsletter?
TR: I don’t think so.
HC: Well then, don’t worry. If he makes trouble for you, you can come live in Venezuela.
TR: Can I write for the newspapers here, Mr. President?
HC: You can do whatever you like. This is a free country.
TR: I would like to work for El Sistema.
HC: You have heard of it. Good. That’s one of our many success stories. We have placed thousands of children in these huge orchestras to learn music and art instead of violence. You don’t see them out in the streets demonstrating, do you? We are now studying the possibility of starting a Sistema for adults. The only trouble is they’re too lazy to practice.
TR: How do you know?
HC: Maestro Dudamel told me so.
TR: Where would you get so many instruments?
HC: That’s not a problem - mostly out of Germany, Russia, and Cuba. One of my cousins takes care of all the imports into Venezuela and the government pays for everything.
TR: Do you have a favorite in the upcoming elections in the U.S.?
HC: Right now, that’s too touchy a subject so I won’t answer that. Besides, I am not one to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.
TR: Thank you, sir. You have been most gracious.
HC: Come back soon my friend. Vaya con Dios.

I cannot make this guy famous

Not all by myself. You have to help the Timid Reporter get famous. Well, ok - if not famous just a little bit more popular. After all, he can interview just about anyone he wants - except the Pope and the Dalai Lama. That's because they won't let him in the door.

Not a paid political Ad

I will only infrequently post any politically oriented blogs. Politics was invented so that big people could tell little people what to do. It's nice work if you can get it. Have a nice day.