Play-By-Play World Business News, The Moguls & Star Style Power ‘Tis the Season For Silver and Gold By Derrick Thompson When people, businesses, and markets become beleaguered by economic, financial windfalls and when discretionary income is excised by job loss or inflationary conundrum, these painful challenges should warrant an impetus in how people think, act, and react in tumultuous times or seasons of malady. And since the U.S. dollar is not backed by silver and gold (fiat money), what form of security and protection can people seek comfort in to secure (and augment) their investment and savings portfolios? Historically, silver and gold have been vouchsafed as ironclad solutions. Since gold investment coins provide hedges against devalued and debased currency, numismatic and collector coins sell at higher premiums to their gold content. Conversely, gold bullion coins sell at smaller premiums over the value of their gold content and make the best gold investments. On December 31, 1974, Americans regained the "right" to own gold bullion. Previously, since President Roosevelt's 1933 "gold call-in," Americans could own only numismatic coins whose prices were valued and determined more by collector interest than by solely on the value of gold content. Numismatic and collector coins sell at higher markups, oftentimes at prices many times the value of their gold content. Bullion gold investment coins sell at small markups over the current value (or spot price) of their gold content. The Power Playbook
American Gold Eagles are the best selling gold investment bullion coins in the world. South African Krugerrands, although no longer imported into the U.S. for the investment market, remain immensely popular, with thousands of them trading daily in the U.S. Krugerrands sell at much smaller premiums over spot than Gold Eagles. Still, Gold Eagles are the best selling gold bullion coins in the world, as millions of investors have made them their preferred gold commodity. Gold Eagles and Krugerrands garner more appeal than 50 Pesos and 100 Coronas for two reasons. First, they contain one ounce of gold. By contrast, the 50 Pesos contain 37.5 grams (1.2057 ounce) and the 100 Corona . 9802 ounces. Americans are more comfortable with ounces than with grams or fractional ounces. Second, Gold Eagles and Krugerrands have their gold contents stamped on them in English. In contrast, 50 Pesos have "37.5 Gms ORO PURO" stamped on them, whereas, 100 Coronas do not have their gold content on them. The silver investment market offers a variety of silver bullion products. Silver bars have surfaced as popular commodities because they are uniform in size, making them easy to handle and convenient to store. Silver bars are also compact, which enables investors to secure a great deal of wealth in relative small storage areas. And silver bars embossed with hallmarks are readily accepted for resale, making them much easier to convert to cash. Silver bars composed of .999 fine (99.9% pure), are the industry standard. 10-oz and 100-oz silver bars are the most popular. 1,000-oz silver bars are mostly recommended for IRA silver investments. One-oz silver bars (rectangles) are available but not nearly as popular as 1-oz rounds (coins). 1-oz silver rounds are popular because of their artistry and commemorative value. 100-oz investment silver bars dominate the silver investing market. Investors who buy 100-oz silver bars generally ignore the survival aspect of owning silver, which comes with owning pre-1965 US 90% silver coins and 1-oz silver rounds. 10-oz silver bars provide features of both silver investment bars and survival forms of (circulated 90% coins and 1-oz rounds). A few popular and credible sources for acquiring large and small lots of silver and gold can be found at seekbullion.com, bullion.nwtmint.com, goldworthfinancial.com, swissamerica.com, monex.com, and ebay.com. In layman’s terms, a good rule for investing in silver is for those investors who can handle silver's bulk and weight. Those who cannot should invest in gold. Therefore, regardless of your power player status in life, whether in economic good or bad times, there are attainable acquisition opportunities for silver and gold. - Derrick L. Thompson is an author and cultural critic. His current book is entitled “The Influenza of Hip-Hop: Is There A Cure For Its Counter-Culture?” www.outskirtspress.com/theinfluenzaofhiphop
It’s a Victory – What’s next? WRITTEN BY MARK WINKLER As the throngs of elated cheers from Chicago’s Grant Park start to fade into the annals of history, America and the World wonders, what next Obama? Where Mr. President Elect do you take us from here? America is in the middle of two wars, a devastating economic crisis and a world in the thralls of utter confusion and turmoil – think Mumbai, India (God bless them). Some would question rather or not Obama is in his right mind wanting to take
As the throngs of elated cheers from Chicago’s Grant Park start to fade into the annals of history, America and the World wonders, what next Obama? Where Mr. President Elect do you take us from here? America is in the middle of two wars, a devastating economic crisis and a world in the thralls of utter confusion and turmoil – think Mumbai, India (God bless them). Some would question rather or not Obama is in his right mind wanting to take the reigns of leadership in the middle of such a catastrophic storm. This writer believes that he is in deed firmly in his right mind and moreover, has the right stuff to help navigate us through the storm. The first strong indication that Obama was in fact taking the right leadership steps can be found in his cabinet and adviser choices. Experience, innovative and independent thinkers like Rahm Emanuel, Eric Holder, Tom Daschle, Bill Richardson, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and most likely Hillary Clinton, Madam Secretary if you’re nasty, are not new faces but they are all extremely competent and proven professionals. In addition, Timothy Geithner, Mr. Obama’s choice for Treasury secretary, and Lawrence Summers, his pick for director of the National Economic Council, each has shown a propensity for good judgment and sound ideas. Some have argued that these choices represent more of the same not change. Mr. Obama strongly asserts, and I agree, that the change factor would emanate from his leadership. He will set the tone and course for his team to follow – in a word, in his administration, the tail will not wag the dog. After eight years of President Cheney and his trusty side-kick Mr. Bush, that is a reassuring and comforting reality to look forward to. My question is, what can we as concerned and conscious citizen’s do to help Obama help us? There are three things I believe most crucial to concentrate on: 1. We can stay alert and informed – read the local and national papers everyday, watch your local and cable news programs, listen to both progressive and right wing radio stations and of course read hip and cool political blogs like yours truly (or write your own). 2. Become familiar with your local and city-wide elected leadership. Examine if these politicians are doing what they promised to do. If they are, write or call them and let them know. If they have fallen short of their campaign dream words, vote them out – and perhaps run baby run yourself or become a community organizer and help get someone else who is worthy and honest elected. 3. Please have patience with President Elect Obama. The horrid condition of this country did not get this way overnight. It took eight years of irresponsible and careless leadership to sink us into this hole. Mr. Obama will need some time to begin digging us out. Always remain vigilant and awake. If after a reasonable amount of time you see Mr. Obama making no progress towards his promises, get ready to vote again. If however you see an earnest effort yielding modest but visual change, hold fast, keep the faith and continue to chant and believe the words of victory YES WE CAN. Visit: www.Change.gov
Play by Play Holiday Legendary Greeting From The Fabulous Eartha Kitt w/Friends Santa Baby
Play by Play Music Moment Goes To Mariah Carey for her AMA 2008 Award & Performance
Play by Play Hit List On Myspace No matter what people say about Myspace, this brand of social networking and connecting people from across the world has universal appeal. We say its' all about how you promote and get millions to view your brand wether it be within music, TV, film fashion, charities or just plain promoting you, we all should connect the dots of business on Myspace. Here is a list of the hot artist we deem worthy of highlight as future power players in music. 1. Heidi Newfield www.myspace.com/heidinewfield 2. Tamia: http://www.myspace.com/therealtamia 3. Little Jackie: www.myspace.com/littlejackiemu 4. Clay Walker: www.myspace.com/claywalker 5. Justin Nozika: www.myspace.com/justinnozuka
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