What do an Indian businessman, the world’s richest man, and Will Ferrell all have in common? MEXICO man! Forget that outdated stereotype in your brain about Mexico being a drug-infested, backwater underbelly of the US….this place has tremendous promise for the immediate future, and a whole variety of things are happening there right now that underscores its growing importance in the world. In this “in the filed” report from the SxSW conference in Austin, Texas, the Professor points out how business, technology, and even popular culture in Mexico are showing its potential as a powerhouse player in the Americas and the world, despite drug war problems and negative imagery ingrained in the average American’s mind about our neighbors to the south. Vamanos! Let’s learn!
Keywords: Mexico, Will Ferrell, Carlos Slim, business, culture, Spanish, US, cartel wars, economy
Was ist das? Germany is bailing out Greece, and will likely have to bail out other failing EU countries too? Why Germany, and not France or the UK? Oh, that’s because Germany has the most dynamic, vibrant, growing, powerhouse, awesome economy of Europe and the 4th largest economy in the world! In this plaid rant, the Avenger points out a slew of reasons why the German economic machine rocks, including their manufacturing emphasis, their education model which promotes skilled labor, their fiscal and monetary savvy, and even the role of the Euro in their economic success story….a story that will go on into the foreseeable future, even as other European economies fall by the wayside. Ich bin ein Berliner! Ja, ja!
Keywords: Germany, economy, manufacturing, exports, industrial, industry, services, fiscal policy, Euro, Deutschmark, European Central Bank, education, skilled labor, family-owned businesses, steel, autos, solar and wind technologies
2012 is a big election year…everywhere! The Professor takes a brief world tour to catch you up on the hot spots of political power transition happening right now across the planet.Russians are at the polls today to likely re-elect Vladimir Putin; a presidential run-off is in play in Senegal; Iran just wiped out political support for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; Nicolas Sarkozy of France is getting ready to be trounced; and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela is a big question mark as a second round of cancer treatment calls into question his ability to stand again for office. Democratic change is afoot, Watson!
In tune with the Leap Year calendar, the North Korean leadership has a moment of sanity about every four years, and today is the day for both these events to unfold! How so? Kim Jong-Un’s North Korea has just brokered a deal with the US to have a moratorium on their nuclear program and to allow in IAEA inspectors, in exchange for food. This deal may or may not amount to anything given the psychotic history of the Hermit Kingdom, but the Professor points out several things that are of interest nonetheless, including: a possible new strategy for the Un-Kim regime; the re-start of the 6-Party; and how this move puts pressure on Iran. Leap it up!
Keywords: North Korea, US, China, nuclear, moratorium, starvation, food aid, 6-Party Talks, China, South Korea, Japan, Russia, Iran
All hell is breaking loose in the small west African state of Senegal, and the revolt is led by a revolutionary rebellious posse of rappers! What is the fuss about? Unfortunately, the public-dissent-turned-violent-street protests are over an all-too-common issue in Africa: political corruption. The current 90-year old Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade has gone down the path of so many other African leaders before him: changing laws and diminishing democracy in a desperate bid to cling to power at all costs after his mediocre 12 years in office…now running for an unprecedented third term, in election being held this week. This story is fascinating in its implications for maturing democracies in Africa, as well as the true power that music and rap offer to oppressed peoples everywhere. Good stuff!
Keywords: Senegal, Dakar, Africa, Abdoulaye Wade, rappers, rap, Y'en a Marre, Enough is Enough, democracy, corruption
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