Human impact has created a ‘plastic planet

Planet Earth’s oceans and lands will be buried by increasing layers of plastic waste by the mid-century due to human activity, according to research led by the University of Leicester. A new study, which has been published in the journal Anthropocene, examines the evidence that we now live in the Anthropocene, an epoch where humans dominate the Earth’s surface geology, …

It’s Our Money with Ellen Brown – Sacred vs Mundane? – 01.20.16

Would replacing our commodity-based economic model with one that prioritizes human-interest qualify to be called “Sacred Economics?” That’s the name of a book by Ellen’s guest this week, Charles Eisenstein, a highly popular radical re-thinker of the nature of human economy. Eisenstein observes some of the inherent flaws in our economic thinking and reminds us that we are the ones in a position to create new priorities. And co-host Walt McRee speaks with Santa Fe public banking leader Nichoe Lichen of Banking on New Mexico, which this past week saw release of a very positive city feasibility study that supports creating a new city-owned public bank.

Smart Show (goharrison) with Cary Harrison – 12.28.15

Guest 1: Richard Matthews, California State Senate candidate – scientist, engineering exec.

Gas leak larger then BP, covers California
(This massive leak is spewing out literally a ton of gas every minute. It is releasing 1/4 as much methane as all of California normally releases. Toxins including methyl mercaptan, benzene, and radon are making people sick across our region.)

Guest 2: Jim Naureckis , FAIR.org. Media watchdog breaks down CNN, bias, GOP debate and republican candidates.

Guest 3: Julian Assange – WikiLeaks founder talks to book TV about Edward Snowden and why Russia.

It’s Our Money with Ellen Brown – Looking Back – Watching Out – 12.23.15

This past year saw the crossing of financial boundaries and traditions around the world as economic and political events continue to make the monetary horizon an ever-changing realm. Digitized dollars and cash-less societies, global banks overruling national democracies and growing populist demands for economic fairness all help shape a view forward suggesting turmoil and perhaps real trouble for dominant bank institutions — and hence our own prospects. Ellen speaks with Wolfram Morales of the German Sparkassen savings banks that have taken it on themselves to help preserve the success of local banks around the world. And co-host Walt McRee joins Ellen and public banking commentator Matt Stannard for a retrospective on the year’s financial stories that they thought significant.

Ellen Brown – Reinventing Banking: From Russia to Iceland to Ecuador

Global developments in finance and geopolitics are prompting a rethinking of the structure of banking and of the nature of money itself. Among other interesting news items: In Russia, vulnerability to Western sanctions has led to proposals for a banking system that is not only independent of the West but is based on different design principles. In Iceland, the booms …

Derrick Broze – Bombshell: Documents Show Witness Lied to Get Chevron out of Billions in Fines

A witness who was instrumental in overturning a $9.5 billion (USD) environmental fine levied against Chevron in Ecuador has admitted to lying, according to newly released transcripts. Nearly two years ago, Alberto Guerra testified in a New York federal court that he bribed judge Nicolas Zambrano to write the multibillion dollar judgement against Chevron for oil damage in the Amazon …

Expat Files – 10.25.15

-In your quest in becoming an Expat, are you searching for a Latin country with a very low-level of perceived government corruption- like maybe Ecuador? Is that detail on your wish list?
Today you’ll hear a few top level corruption stories from Ecuador that will truly surprise you (or not). So does all that mean Ecuador’s not a good choice for Expats? Not necessarily, and here’s why…

-Which Latin countries have the best and worst human rights records? Which countries have the most race and class discrimination?
Sure, they all have sub-par, rickety social safety nets of one kind or another, but most are corrupt horribly underfunded and terribly administered. That said, are there any social plans/programs for the sweaty masses that are half way decent? You’ll be surprised…

-More on the Arab and Muslim contingent in Latin America and why it would be very rare for an expat to even see a Muslim down here. (You’ll never hearthis stuff in the main stream media!!)

Expat Files – 09.11.15

-Bolivia is having all kinds of civil unrest. The steep 50% drop in state oil revenues in the past year has caused President Evo Morales to call a press conference asking the general population to officially tighten their belts. Yes, the public is being forced by necessity into doing that right now (like they needed his official proclamation, duh!) but you can bet that no government official will ever follow suit (yup, less 5 star hotels, champagne and caviar maybe?)

-People want to know why some Latin countries (Panama, Ecuador, Belize and El Salvador) use the US dollar as their official funny money. How do those Franklins affect local economies, and what about the dollar effects on the surrounding Latin countries who use their own homegrown funny money?

-With the Latin real estate bubble about ready to pop, it’s definitely a renter’s market. But fresh clueless gringos often don’t get in on the good deals. So then how can you get the best deal on rent? Today, frequent contributor Captain Mango tells us how he got his $650 a month rent sliced all the way down to $250 a month- a 60% reduction!!!

-A “boots on the ground” real estate and cost of living report from Medellin Colombia.

-Did you know that Colombia’s peso has crashed 27% against the dollar in the last year? It’s really causing havoc especially at the border towns. That means many gringo opportunities… but do look out for potholes!!

Binoy Kampmark – Sieges in an Age of Economic Austerity: The State Surveillance Costs of Monitoring Julian Assange, More than 12 Million Pounds

It is, we are told, an age of bitter austerity, where belts are being tightened with dedication, and services cut with thrifty diligence. There are, however, always exceptions to the rule. The surveillance state needs succour; the intelligence services need their daily bread from the bakers in Downing Street.  The dogs of war similarly need to be fed.  And then, …

Expat Files – 08.14.15

-Colombia is on the map as one of the latest, greatest retirement destinations- that’s according to nearly all of the popular retirement rags and blogs. But what most gringos and Expats don’t realize is that the country’s very heavily taxed business and manufacturing sector is forcing many medium and large companies to close or flee to more business friendly countries. Colombia now has a corporate tax structure with rates hovering around 75% and the country is rapidly de-industrializing.

– Gringo tipping anxiety in Latin America: a primer on restaurant bills/charges and common gringo tipping mistakes and false assumptions

-Ecuador’s socialist government is in an expensive growth spurt (some surprise, huh?) and now that tax revenues are way down (due to the big oil price slump) President Correa is preparing to substantially increase taxes on more productive sectors of society.

-S.A. corporations are alive and well in Latin America but much less than 5% of the population have one or even know anything about them or what they’re for…

-Here’s a stale, old Latin joke… but it’s true:

Pancho, “Hey Senor, where is the men’s room?”

Jose, “Anywhere you like.”

-CONSULT WITH JOHNNY- SCHEDULE A CELL OR SKYPE CALL:

Follow the consult link on the main page at www.ExpatWisdom.com and Johnny will help you sort out your Latin American plans.