Check out the new Purplemuse Poker section of my website, http://www.thepurplemuse.com/id38.html, concerning my adventures in the poker world.  Even a "mature" person can participate in this great game.

TPM

About two weeks ago my wife and I were looking for a place to sit in the Lido Restaurant of the Holland America Lines ship ms Statendam for breakfast.  We were on a two week cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego via the Panama Canal and having a very pleasant time in all respects.  We happened to sit down at a large table that was already occupied by another couple.  Mr. Harold W. G. Allen introduced himself and his wife to us.

We then began one of the most amazing conversations I have ever had on a cruise ship or any other travel experience in my life.  It was an amazing experience by any definition.  Mr. Allen proceeded to begin to explain to me some of his theories that are outlined in his books and website, http://cosmicperspective.com/.  The title of his home page is "Cosmic Perspective Cosmology Science".  I just finished reading all of the material that is available on the web site and it is fascinating.  I only obtained a small portion of Mr. Allen's theories in my personal discussion with him on the Statendam.  Mr. Allen talks like Albert Einstein when he was trying to develop his unified field theory, only Mr. Allen's objective appears to be far larger than Einstein's.  From disproving the Big Bang Theory, to correcting fundamental errors in our understanding of Physics, to interpreting the Dead Sea Scrolls, to smashing the fundamental precepts of many Christian religions, Mr. Allen is attempting to provide a logical understanding of our universe.  He is trying to find the "truth" and document it for the world.

I haven't read or ordered any of Mr. Allen's books yet, but his web site is extremely intriguing for those with an open mind.  Check it out at http://cosmicperspective.com/.

TPM

I received The Lunatic Express by Carl Hoffman as a Christmas present.  I read it during the first of four cruises my wife and I plan to take in our effort to circumnavigate the world on cruise ships.  Check out the Cruising section of the site. 

Mr. Hoffman tells the story of his 'round the world trip to some very out of the way locations on all sorts of dangerous and crazy modes of transportation (from our perspective) in his book.  There is no comparison between our beautiful cruise ship and Hoffman's bottom of the barrel buses, trains, ferries and airplanes.  But in many ways the intent of the trips are similar.  Both my wife and I and Hoffman are on trips of discovery.  We are trying to get at least a taste of other cultures at some level so we can better understand the people from all over the world that share our planet.

Mr. Hoffman's book is very interesting and entertaining.  I can't imagine myself ever doing the things he did during his trip.  Mr. Hoffman's approach to his trip was just too over the top in many respects from my perspective.  But The Lunatic Express is worth your time and money if you want to read about a recent real life adventure by a person that needed to improve his perspective on what was really important in his life.  Check it out if you have an opportunity.

TPM

Check out my updated version of Spin, Lies, Conspiracy and Truth, http://www.thepurplemuse.com/id33.html.  I finished reading Graham Hancock's book, Underworld - The Mysterious Origins of Civilization, recently.  Why do archaeologists and historians fail to give us the whole story about the development of cultures?  Because they look at issues with a narrow focus, not an multidisciplinary integrated focus.  There is a lot more for all of us to learn about our past.  I believe the truth will help us prepare for our future.

TPM

I just finished watching President Obama's State of the Union speech and Paul Ryan's Republican response and reading Michele Bachman's Tea Party speech.  I think the State of the Union was one of Obama's poorer efforts.  I don't think his heart will allow him to go where his head must go.  This is an era that demands smaller government, reduced spending and less government impact on the lives of US citizens.  This is the opposite direction from Obama's liberal/progressive roots.  Our President is trying to move toward the center but he is not getting past his moderately progressive core principles.

The star tonight was Paul Ryan who delivered the Republican response to the State of the Union.  It was one of the most honest speeches I have ever heard from a politician.  Ryan is very sharp and tonight was his best effort from my perspective.  Bachman made some good points but her speech was mostly a non-event.  She showed two charts which were aimed at attacking President Obama and I thought were unfair in the manner in which they were presented. 

Ryan put the Republicans on the line to deliver a full restructuring of the US government to deal with our well known issues.  Ryan did not use the "restructuring" word directly but he described it very well in his speech.  Ryan only had a few minutes and could not describe the Republican plan in detail.  However, the House Republicans are now committed to deliver the legislation that will restructure the US government, reduce spending and put the US on a more financially sound financial path.  The House Republicans have the ball.  It is time for them to them to force the Senate Democrats and the President to fully engage the debate.  We will be watching and listening.

TPM

I just returned from a two week plus trip that included a two week cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego via the Panama Canal.  Great experiences, read several books, met interesting people and visited some new places.  I have a lot of new material for thepurplemuse.com that I will be putting on the site over the next couple of weeks.

As far as politics and the economy goes, not much happened during my travels that will impact the primary trends that govern our lives.  State of the Union speech is coming up this week.  Hopefully, it will be worth watching.

TPM

It is time for the new US House of Representatives and its Republican leadership to start making major changes in the US government spending in all areas including DoD, entitlement programs and other government programs of all types.  Federal government spending needs to be reduced to a level below 20 percent of GDP very quickly and then head even lower.  Obviously, the House leaders can't make these decisions alone.  The Senate and the President also must agree.  However, the new members of the House must make their votes count and send solid legislation for big changes in government spending forward.  The House needs to pressure the Democrats in the Senate and President Obama to make the big decisions in front of the voters.  If the current group of leaders won't act decisively, the voters will make even bigger leadership changes in 2012.  The time for effective leadership is now.  There is no tolerance left for politics as usual in Washington.

Paul Ryan sent out a tweet tonight claiming the House leaders were ready to go forward. To the Republican leaders I say to you;  Make it happen and make it happen now!

P.S.  Why did Nancy Pelosi make such a long speech today when she stepped down as Speaker of the House?  It was like she didn't want to step aside.  She doesn't get it that US voters completely rejected her work product for the past two years.  Even CNBC commentators remarked that Pelosi's speech was unexpectedly long.

TPM

Take a look at the following list of end-of-year prices for a single ounce of gold.  This is a ten year bull market that shows no signs of ending.  This price list was published by Richard Russell of www.dowtheoryletters.com.  This is an extremely clear vote by the global financial markets against the fiat money of the US.  Our "Federal Reserve Notes" have been devalued by more than 5 to 1 in ten years.

2000 -- $273.60
2001 -- $279.00
2002 -- $348.20
2003 -- $416.10
2004 -- $438.40
2005 -- $518.90
2006 -- $638.00
2007 -- $838.00
2008 -- $889.00
2009 -- $1096.50
2010 -- $1421.40

This is what happens when a government and its central bank act irresponsibly.  The government spends money its doesn't have or collect via taxes and the central bank monetizes the debt.  I don't know when this bull market for gold will end or at what level.  But it should be a lesson to everyone that the global markets are bigger and stronger than any one government or central bank.  Check out my article The Case For Gold, http://www.thepurplemuse.com/id29.html, when you get a chance.

Today, gold sold off 30 plus US$.  Is this the end of the ten year gold bull market?  I doubt it.  The fundamentals haven't changed.  The financial path of the US government hasn't changed, yet!  Will the new Republican dominated US House of Representatives make a difference after they are sworn in this week?  We will find out in the months ahead.

TPM

Check out the updates to the Cruising section of the site, http://www.thepurplemuse.com/id35.html.  Hopefully, we will see you on a board a cruise ship somewhere in the world in the future.  Send any comments or questions you have about cruise experiences to tpm@thepurplemuse.com or particpate in the cruise industry dialog at www.cruisecritic.com.

TPM