Paint’s Blog

http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=57817

congress is urging Bush Admin not to go forth with NAU

yeah! congress.

Hi guys,

As you know, I’m the only one with enough time to really keep up on currentevents in some detail. I read the WSJ & several magazines regularly which is really a chore. I’ve also been fortunate in getting a world view from my business travels. Let me pass along some thoughts which you can use as you wish. Incidentally this is a lot harder to write for me with my one finger typing. Yesterday I wrote the memo & then wiped it out by jiggling the Mouse too hard.

Hope this makes it!

Pass this along to your spouse. I sent it to Anna because I don’t have Chris’ E-mail

Most Americans don’t realise it but the US position in the world is changing. When I was your age, we were the only “big dog”. Europe had no money so we started the Marshall Plan. China was in shambles. Japan was making toys. Russia had the A-bonb but no economy. Oil was $10 a barrel. so the middle East was poor.Today we’re the worlds largest debtor nation. Because of the oil being $80 a barrel & our insationable desire for cheap imports & energy, the above areas now have all the money. This is putting our whole economy under terrific stress. This probably was inevitable but our politicians are still acting like we’re alone in the world & worrying only about domestic problems. Making it worse, the American K-12 education has been in shambles making Americans dumber every day at all levels.

Because of the above, you guys face a much tougher future. I wrote you before telling you how much easier I had it. These problems are growing & I’m not sure too many people will be able to cope with them or even recognize why they exist.

I don’t mean to be all doom & gloom so let me make some suggestions. First, do all you can to make our government recognise the problems & do something about them. One area is to fix our education system so that everyone can learn. Set standards at a higher level. Don’t aim only to get the dumbest through. I learned a lot being on the school board in Chicago. Ask Matt about his experience with a teacher in the 2nd grade. I know you can’t change the world but try to do a little part.

Your main job will be to protect yourself & your family. Regular Pensions are disappearig fast. As “rich” folks you’ll bear the brunt of many problems.I think Social Security will still be around but I’ll bet the top earners will get a smaller share & you’ll all have to be older to get it. Not too many early retirements! College costs will continue to rise much higher than the cost of living & you’ll be too “rich” to get help. The main answer you have is to work hard & save as much as possible & invest it wisely. I’m sure most of you have already started. Have a good life but be very careful of the Discretionary spending. A dollar saved today when invested wisely is worth a lot more than the same dollar 10 years from now. I can’t tell you how to invest but I feel consistent input is important then maybe Index funds with a decent share of International funds. Believe me having a strong asset position in the future is going to be very important.

Whats occurred to me even more that I’ve lived here is that many Dumb or average people have made a lot of money. Some are just in the right place at the right time, some are more focused at making money than others, or some have more guts in making decisions than others. Often the latter are just too dumb too know that they could have a problem. Don’t get me wrong there are lots of very talented people here who deserve every thing they’ve got but there are lots of the others too. My point is that I’ve always been very good at judging people.I know I’m biased but I think all of you (including spouses) Are extremely bright & talented. Use these talents to the utmost. I’m afraid I’ve been often too complacent & enjoying my work & you may have inhereted some of this. The difference is that in my time I could afford this but now you can’t. You can’t wait for someone, some company to take care of you. I suggest you each do a self appraisal- away from your daily work place. What are you really good at & are you using these talents? Maybe you are but maybe you need something different to bring out the best (& highest paying) You may have to take a risk to get where you want to be but with your talent, you really can’t lose at your age!

I’m very indebted to Mark for getting me started on an exercise program which I follow to this day. I know you’re all very busy but try to get regular exercise. Also eat right & stay relatively slim. Believe me when you get older it’s hard to lose weight., I know. Being fit & trim makes life a lot better. Most Captains of Industry are pretty fit, you have to be to do the job required.

Relative to finances, I’m not rich enough to keep you going. I don’t know how much will be left when I cash in but the bulk of it will be yours. I hope I don’t have major bills at the end. I’m hoping there’ll be enough to help you get the kids through college. There will be 2 parts. The sale of my house, car & sundries plus return of my Landings equities will be free & clear but may take some time. My investments are all in an IRA. They have to go directly to your IRA’s or you’ll have some major penalties. I explored changing to a Roth IRA but with my income it’s not economical. I also looked at leaving these directly to the grand kids but my broker says this could lead to sizable penalties. I’ll leave this the way it is but continue to explore with my broker & attorney. If you or your advisors have any ideas, let me know.

Lastly, I feel I must discuss politics in light of the coming elections, touchy as it is. First let me say that I’m unhappy with all politicians. There seems to be no leaders but a bunch of small people serving their self interests. As a young person I grew up in a Democratic Irish family. I met Harry Truman, Eleanor & the Boston Politicos. My Uncle Jack Made speeches for FDR, was on the national Power commission, & was to be nominated as the Democratic candidate for the US Senate until my Aunt who knew uncle Jack well objected. As I progressed in business, though, I started to lean more to the Republican view. Maybe early on it was Eisenhauer as president of Columbia or Regan’s success. My dislike of politicians, though made me really

think about it this time. After some time, however, I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re better off with the Republicans with all of their faults.Two main reasons led me this way:

0 I’m not comfortable with the Democratic big government, high tax on the rich (US) approach to life. Republicans at least preach smaller govt., lower taxes, & individual control.

0 Today’s Democratic Party is not the same party I grew up with. All indications are that it’s been highjacked by the left by little candidates doing anything for campaign money. This Moveon.og thinking is 180degrees opposite my Philosophy.

You can read the above & use any part of it you want. You’re all independent thinkers & will go your own way. I did feel that I should pass along my thinking which may help you form yours. If it at least makes you think, Ill be happy!

Love, Dad

Birth Data: mary

Birth Date:

July 29, 1980

Signs	mary
Year	Metal Monkey
Month	Water Sheep
Day	Water Rabbit

Introduction

This reading is based on your Year, Month, Day and Time (Chinese hour) of birth. From ancient times, the Chinese have believed that certain parameters of your personality and fate were set at your moment of birth. The Chinese are not strict determinists, however, and do believe people can use the information in their charts to improve their lives. For example, athletic coaches train their teams to exploit their strengths and to find ways to compensate for their weaknesses. That’s an ideal use of this personality analysis.

Each part of this reading contributes valuable information to help you put together the pieces of the puzzle that make up this marvelous individual known as your self. There are many factors that make up your chart. Only by considering them all and forming an overall picture is it possible to accurately understand the complexity of your personality.

Furthermore, your chart can only tell you about a particular strength, weakness or other characteristic. It is up to you to take advantage of this information, to wisely use your strengths and compensate for weaknesses. Yes, Chinese astrology does outline the parameters of your life, but it is ultimately you who determines your fortune and your destiny. You can do this better if you are conscious of the roots of your behavior.

The analysis begins with a look at your year sign, which is the primary sign in Chinese astrology. This sign forms the basis of your personality.

Your Year sign

Your Year sign

This section has three parts. The first notes some facts about your sign. The second describes your personality, first by stating your salient characteristics, then your preferred means for making decisions, then positive and negative personality traits, and finally the qualities you admire and those you dislike. The third identifies how the element ruling your year of birth modifies the basic personality of your year sign.

Basic facts about your sign – Monkey

The Chinese name for your sign: HOU

Ranking order in the Chinese zodiac: Ninth

Lunar years of the Monkey Year Sign:

Begin Date	End Date	Element
2/2/1908 12:00:00 AM	1/21/1909 12:00:00 AM	Earth
2/20/1920 12:00:00 AM	2/7/1921 12:00:00 AM	Metal
2/6/1932 12:00:00 AM	1/25/1933 12:00:00 AM	Water
1/25/1944 12:00:00 AM	2/12/1945 12:00:00 AM	Wood
2/12/1956 12:00:00 AM	1/30/1957 12:00:00 AM	Fire
1/30/1968 12:00:00 AM	2/16/1969 12:00:00 AM	Earth
2/16/1980 12:00:00 AM	2/4/1981 12:00:00 AM	Metal
2/4/1992 12:00:00 AM	1/22/1993 12:00:00 AM	Water

Direction: West – Southwest

Season: Summer

Hour ruled by the Metal: 3pm-5pm

(Note: Chinese astrology “hours” are two hours long, and the new day begins at Western time 11pm.)

Fixed Element: Metal

(Note: Your fixed element is common to all people of your sign, regardless of the element that rules your year of birth. Its characteristics are incorporated into the description of your year sign.)

Ruling planet: Sun

Environment: Anywhere the action is

Color(s): Violet

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2. The Monkey Personality

Defining Characteristics: Of all the signs, the Monkey symbolizes fun and versatility.

Making Decisions:

To understand how the Monkey operates, it is important to know Monkey is a Yang and a head sign.

Being a Yang sign person, you are most effective using a direct, if not aggressive, approach to life. You tend to be proactive. As a head sign person, you are most comfortable basing decisions on logic.

Since your primary sign is a Yang sign, you are most effective using a direct, if not aggressive, approach to life.