Month: June 2014

You Want to Know the Truth About the World? Ask a Child…

“Why is she so fat Daddy?” …looking at an obese woman struggling to get out of her car at the supermarket. “I like your funny hair.” …said to a surfer with dreadlocks. “How do you know that?” …asked of a religious, end-of-the-world crusader holding up a placard and yelling that

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Iraq: A View from the Inside Out

Today I bring you insights from Kevin Virgil, an ex army ranger, and the founder and managing director of Frontera news an emerging markets news portal. Once again, Iraq is in the news. The Western media has interrupted its 24-hour Kardashian coverage to bring stories of fearsome insurgents who appeared

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Is Crude Setting Up for Something Big?

Our friend and colleague Harris Kupperman recently wrote an article about Kashagan and the massive delays being enjoyed by this particular project. The problem is that Kashagan is a poster child for the sector as a whole. This isn’t an anomaly. Let me copy a few key paragraphs from his

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The March of Technology

My recent post “It’s over!” stirred up a lot of emotions. I received many thoughtful replies commending me on it, and quite a few others threatening me and wishing me bodily harm, disease, death or a job at the TSA. I’m not sure which would be worse…? In that piece

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It’s Over!

At a “pitch fest” a few nights ago, while sitting listening to the companies present their stories, and questioning the founders, one particular company struck me as a glaring outcast. I’ll tell you why they were an outcast, but first… After just a few pointed questions I discovered that this

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Personal Insights from a Global Hedge Fund Trader

This week Brad discusses his view on short and long term trading ideas, and outlines the criteria he uses to screen the companies. If you have any questions, thoughts or comments for Brad feel free to drop them here. Brad is a trading veteran with 20+ years of experience under

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Self Sufficiency – Lessons from a Mother

Recently I wrote an article explaining why I want my children to go cold and hungry. I’ve read a lot about resiliency and self sufficiency and I’m oft amused by the concept of resiliency being seen as a setup. A series of items as it were, all provided as a

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Trading Floor Insights – How to Protect Against an Inevitable Risk

Recently, while going through the process of changing an insurance policy on a home I own, I was subjected to the stereotypical fear driven sales “facts”. Apparently THOUSANDS of homes each year burn to the ground! Thousands, I tell you. Hail Mary, save us from the terror. With the requisite

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