Monday Mailbag The Rude Awakening
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Monday, December 18, 2006 - Gold vs. your 401K and the impact of global volatility,
- Mainstream media - a little too little, a little too late,
- Tremors in Malaysia, your backdoor play for discount bullion and plenty more…
Feeling the trembles in South East Asia, Joel Bowman reports… It was not, thankfully, the recent tectonic shake in Sumatra, Indonesia, that had your gallivanting junior editor's flip-flops trembling this afternoon. Elephas maximus, the Asian cousin of the largest land animal, the African elephant, provided our transport around the jungle (and into the river) today as we skipped the humidity of KL in favor of a more tropical venue.   There is certainly something calming about interacting with these graceful giants. The human-like expression in their eyes seems knowing of their plight. With between only 35,000 and 65,000 left in Asia, reserves like the one we visited today are instrumental in their preservation and an afternoon spent in such peaceful company is perfect for relaxing and soothing the soul. But one cannot avoid a troubled reality by merely escaping into the shade of a few palms every couple of days. As the jungle-induced tranquility wore off on our journey back into KL, our mind began to tick over to more pressing matters…like how were we going to pay for our night's accommodation? Even here in Malaysia the weakening dollar doesn't buy what it used to. The knock-off Coach bags and Gucci watches along Petaling Street are still a fraction of the value of their authentic cousins…but every dip of the dollar means you will pay a fraction more for them. Vacationing Americans are enjoying less and less buying power abroad and they are enjoying less and less fitful nights rest as they watch the value of their dollar-denominated investments dwindle. Read on as a few Rude readers weigh-in with their thoughts on the dollar, gold, mainstream media and French cheeses… Oh, and if you have any comments of your own about anything Rude related, you can email them to your slightly bruised editor at aussiejoel@the-rude-awakening.com. Cheers, jOEL ---------------------- Gold vs. 401K Dear jOEL, Just a note from a reader and an enlightened holder of a 401K… In reading yours and the various other related publications for many years, I was fortunate enough to understand my investment deficiencies in 2001. I was then hired by another Bank and rolled my 401K to the folks at Sam Park's (presently retired) company. The person that I was purchasing my precious metals from at that time advised this move although he was not particularly in favor of gold stocks but had known Sam for 20+ years. I put $96,000 in various stocks by Sam's recommendation and they recently passed $500,000 in a little less than 6 years. My direct path now is to take as much out in my tax deferred account with my present bank and transfer it to the other company. My current 401K provider doesn't like this a bit but I could care less. I will transfer approximately $45,000 in 30 or so days. Gold stocks are great but a $20,000 purchase of a Canadian oil play is now worth $185,000 in two years. My recommendation - transfer, tax free by rollover, ALL of your IRAs and 401Ks as time will eventually be gone. I live in Charlotte, N.C. and am referred to by my northern bank home office as a 'redneck'. But then again - I could care less. Rude Reader -------- Special Report -------
Thinking about buying the Thai baht? Buy the Thai baht using a money market account or certificate of deposit at EverBank®. It is one of the simplest ways to buy foreign currencies---low minimums; easy online access; FDIC insured. EverBank is an equal housing lender and member FDIC
©EverBank®, 2006
06EWMGNET001 ---------------------------- Gold and Geographical Volatility Joel, While you're in Thailand, check out how much "Asian Gold" cost. Asian gold is what we called the gold metal strips the US Military Police would brings back to the States and sell. The strips are about an inch wide, six inches long and one-eighth of an inch thick and have six or eight languages imprinted, stating the metal was pure (99.9%). The MP's got the gold from Viet citizens they smuggled to safety. Actually, any bullion coins would do… just see how much the precious metals cost in Asia… it may surprise you (do "Pandas" or "Maple Leafs" - they're safer).We can offer any number of reasons why PM's are at their current levels, but bottom line is… The reason the metals are where they are is because of the chaos in the Middle East and Asia. Remember the investment rule regarding precious metals? They should make up 10-15% of your portfolio. Have a great trip… KIT Best Regards,
Chiron the Alchemist ---------------------------- Mainstream vs. The Alternative Hi Joel, The people who actually work in the USA are to busy worrying about how to pay the mortgage. They do not have time to read anything but what they see in the mainstream media. There is available for all to read the fabrications of our Federal Government. The people that they report to are nearly to the point of retirement so they do not have any cause to create any systemic change. The same can be said for our political system as well You can't possibly know what you don't know… People fall into one of two camps in this regard, either they are to busy busting their hump to have the time to study the truth or are to arrogant to listen to anything other than what they are spoon fed. Greed and fear are the two most significant motivators we have as humans. I believe we are heading towards both very soon. On a little lighter note, did anyone ever hear of where deceased leader of Enron was put to rest? Kind Regards, G. Melcher ~ A loyal reader.
--- The Original Alternative Media ---
The world's greatest economist has never been shy to say what the mainstream press refuses to. Earlier this year this man made the (then) unpopular predictions that the U.S. housing market would slump, the Greenback would take a beating and savings would plummet below zero… Fortunately, he also outlined two surefire ways to protect yourself. Read the full report here… -------------------------------------- Your Rudeness(es), After years enjoying your irreverent rantings, I have finally found a reply irresistible, for I too was in Paris last night, making the rounds with a cheese-maker whom I am assisting for fun and enlightenment in Le Valée du Loire. The goat cheese on your salad was actually polluted byA merican fingers, and you thought it was pure! I was also struggling with the language, and enjoying the challenge, but the French seem to have less respect for untrained American attempts at their language as the Mogumbo madman has for the Greenmadmanspan… I tried to be cute and quip that every other phrase on French television is "stoopeed Americain". I received a surprisingly surprising straight-faced "because they are". I was surprisingly offended and ended the rapport… So keep pokin' 'em in the ribs - somewhere between tickle and torture…and hope I don't sneeze in your cheese. PSP | 
