News

On Thursday, February 19, 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama made his first foreign tour as head of state, traveling to his northern neighbor, the gentle giant, Canada. President Obama restored a decades-old tradition of presidents making Canada the destination of their first foreign trip.

When Czech President Vaclav Klaus addressed the E.U. parliament, he blasted the European Union for alienating voters and oppressing member states.  Standing before a shocked parliament, Mr. Klaus then escalated his attack.  He compared the E.U. to the Soviet Union – permitting no freedom.  Parliament members threw their hands into the air and exited the chamber in protest (Associated Press, February 19, 2009).

While the syndicated "Dear Abby" advice column in many newspapers across the U.S. has been celebrated for decades for its wit and "common sense," in the column I read the other day it was clear that "Abby" had struck out. The individual writing to "Abby" was a 16-year-old, struggling with seemingly overwhelming homosexual feelings.  Struggling to deal with those feelings and failing to change them, the teen asks "Abby" for advice on how to "come out" and make his or her homosexuality public, expressing concern about how family and friends will react. "Abby's" advice?  Abysmal.  Let's take a look.

On January 20, 2009, Barack Hussein Obama assumed the leadership of a mighty but beleaguered nation.  Regardless of whether we are individually thrilled, indifferent, or dismayed about the new American president and his Democratic majority, perhaps we should ask ourselves an honest question: are we sincerely praying for President Obama?   A brief check of the world news and a brief analysis of President Obama's inaugural speech show us that there is a lot we should pray about.

For years, economists have worried about inflation.  But now, the fear of deflation is haunting governments and business leaders alike.  Could we experience a devastating deflationary period followed by an almost unimaginable death-blow of rapid "Zimbabwe-like" inflation?  How can you prepare?