Pattaya Mail Web

 

 
COLUMNS
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:

Money matters

Snap Shots

Modern Medicine

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Let’s go to the movies

Money matters:   Graham Macdonald MBMG International Ltd. Nominated for the Lorenzo Natali Prize

Obama has not learned from history, part 1

The only new thing in the world is the history you do not know - President Truman

After World War I, the allies imposed Treaty of Versailles on the defeated Germans. The reparations were severe and everyone knew that Germany had very little chance in making the payments. The newly formed Weimar Republic decided the only chance they had was to print money. The value of the Papiermark was 4.2 to one US Dollar in 1914. By late summer 1923 it was one million per dollar. People were forced to carry their money in wheelbarrows when they went shopping. Hyperinflation had hit Germany. To counter this, the Germans had to do what was called a “monetary reset” and brought in the Rentenmark at the old value of 4.2 to the US Dollar.
Shocking as though it may seem, it is not impossible that the financial repercussions of the 1920s will not be repeated now. Hyperinflation is becoming more likely every day. This is especially so should the plans of the Fed miss their target or if the Chinese get their way and the US Dollar is no longer considered as the world’s major reserve currency. The chances of the latter happening in the near future are not massive as approximately fifty percent of Chinese reserves are invested in American debt. Also, many of the world’s most important economies are heavily invested in US Dollars.
As things are now, the US has nearly USD11 trillion in debt already. And with USD8.5 trillion committed to bailouts and USD3.6 trillion more ready and on the spending table, we are not going to have a shortage of debt any time soon.
What will be interesting though is to see how the above nations react to the recent announcement of the Fed to print another USD1 trillion into the American economy via long term government debt. This is something they have not done for over fifty years. Basically, it is making money out of thin air.
Just to remind you, the USD, in an experiment dating back to 15th August 1971, is a fiat currency which means that it is not pegged to anything. The Fed controls how many dollars are allowed into the market. It is interesting that now countries know how America plans to respond to the present crisis, they are now calling for governments to consider a new world reserve currency which is actually made up from a basket of currencies.
I do not think that this will happen in the near future but it shows how people feel about the US Dollar at the moment. This is reflected in the questioning of the value and future of the Greenback in the media, Chinese ministerial observations, Davos, the G20, academic, financial and industrial research and even in satirical and semi-serious material that almost borders on bathos.
Now, bearing in mind the quotation at the top of the page from President Obama’s Democratic predecessor, let us look at comparisons between Germany in the 1920s and America over eighty years later – the parallel to German war reparations then is derivatives now.

To be continued…

The above data and research was compiled from sources believed to be reliable. However, neither MBMG International Ltd nor its officers can accept any liability for any errors or omissions in the above article nor bear any responsibility for any losses achieved as a result of any actions taken or not taken as a consequence of reading the above article. For more information please contact Graham Macdonald on [email protected]

Snap Shots: by Harry Flashman

Perfect Timing

The photographs with this week’s column were sent to me by an old friend, suggesting that they could be useful in one of the photography columns for the newspaper, and when I downloaded them, I could only agree.

Jet plane crane.
However, there is much that can be learned from careful study of these photographs, and “perfect timing” is not quite the name of the game here. Let’s look at the first pic. I will, for the sake of the exercise, presume that this is a genuine photograph, and not something that has been ‘photo-shopped’ together to make the final image. To get the timing right for this shot is almost impossible with the two variables being the jet plane and its contrails and the flight of the crane (or heron). Quite honestly, I believe this is one of those incredibly lucky shots that might occur once in every photographer’s lifetime. Or on the other hand, it probably is Mr. Photo-shop!

Soda fountain.
The second photo is a different situation entirely. The soft drink can could be placed, relative to the camera and the fountain in the background, to give the impression of the spray coming from the can. However, there are a few problems to be overcome, and the first is depth of field. If the can is in focus and the fountain is not, the impression is immediately lost. This shot requires great depth of field, which would have been accomplished by having a small diameter aperture (which equates to a large f stop number, as always remember that f16 is a smaller aperture size than f 8). Another factor involved in depth of field is the focal length of lens used. A telephoto lens shortens the depth of field, whilst the ‘normal’ lens of around 50 mm and wider (down to 28 mm) will increase the depth of field. Looking at the buildings in the background and the foreground size of the woman and the can, I think this would have been taken with the ‘normal’ focal length of 50 mm.
By using that aperture of f 16, the correct exposure for that shot would require a shutter speed of around 1/30 second, and looking at the fountain spray, that would appear to be the shutter speed selected, as it is ‘foamy’ and not crystal sharp.
Now, did the photographer go out to get that shot, or did he stumble across it by accident? My guess is that he (or she) went there to take that shot, as the variables in the exposure (aperture and shutter speed) and selected lens are just too much of a coincidence to have happened all at the same time.
So what is the lesson for the amateur photographer? Well, the first is to never believe anything you hear and about 50 percent of what you see! The keen photographer should also sit down and work out how any shots are actually accomplished. Some photo books will even state the exposure details of the published shots, so before you go out to try and create some ‘Perfect Timing’ shots of your own, you will have a rough idea of what you want to take, and the necessary mechanics you will need.
By the way, I am not suggesting you rush out and slavishly take a foaming can photograph this weekend, but the concept is one worth remembering. There could be many shots with foam sprouting from some object, or even a person, that would have impact. With a cloud formation, you could put that in (apparent) contact with something else. You could get tree branches growing out of someone’s ears. The possibilities are endless, but please don’t wait for flight TG 03 and a homecoming heron!

Modern Medicine: by Dr. Iain Corness, Consultant

Beware the Black and Tarries

In many ways, we are all our own physicians, untrained perhaps, but sufficiently savvy to spot things that are ‘different’ with our daily bodily habitus. One of the readers discovered what happens if you ignore warning signs in a very painful way, and sent me the following (and I thank you Richard, I am sure it will help somebody out there).
(Richard’s story): Looking back I remember an acquaintance on the beach saying to me for many years, the company doctor advising him to “Check his poo, always, if it is black and tarry and sticks to the side of the toilet there is something very wrong somewhere, get it checked immediately!”
I forgot his words of wisdom, I mean checking the color of one’s poo is not high on the list of ‘Must do things’ is it?
About a month ago I stood up and suddenly keeled over, I had been feeling strange for a few days before. I lay on the bed and began shaking very badly as people do in the films just before they are about to die and I thought I was a goner, as I would have been according to the Doctor had my friends not gotten me into hospital in record time.
In emergency I suddenly needed a bed pan, and apparently pints of blood came pouring out, more followed.
It seems I had had a hole in the side of my stomach for some time which suddenly got bigger and blood was leaking into my stomach. The doctor at emergency told my friends if they had put me to bed and waited to see if I felt better later there was a good chance I would have died, my blood pressure was almost non existent and my kidneys had failed. I had blood transfusion after blood transfusion
The next morning the Specialist went through my gullet into my stomach and managed somehow to close the hole, the hospital very kindly gave me a CD of the operation but I have no desire to watch it at the moment
I was in intensive care for five days, nil by mouth and had more drips going into me than my laptop has connections. I was then transferred to the hospital and given a very strong purge to make sure there was no blood leaking into the intestines.
The Dr. said aspirin might have contributed to the ulcer, my heart Dr. prescribed an aspirin every day to thin the blood down. I injured my back doing something stupid and another Dr. prescribed some pain killers which also contained aspirin. Too much aspirin seems not to be a good idea!
Another five days and I was allowed to go home, my poo having settled down to being the same color as my cornflakes, with strict instructions, only soft food, nothing spicy, no alcohol and to drink plenty of water and strict instructions if my poo was dark at anytime to go straight back to the hospital.
I had been taking aspirin along with my blood pressure tablets and the Doctor said to stop taking them as aspirin over a long period could have caused the ulcer.
After a month an outpatients visit to the doctor with a sample of my poo and urine, after the results of a blood test, everything was fine, but I still have to follow the first instructions and inspect the color of my poo without fail, not the most interesting part of my day!
Another outpatients visit in another month when I hope I will be cleared to eat what I want and enjoy a glass of wine with my dinner.
So, dear readers, a word of warning, check the color of your poo and if it is black and sticky ‘You are in the sh*t!’
If you have been eating a lot of beetroot one’s poo may be a reddish colour, but that is because of the beetroot, not blood, so panic yea not
My sincere hopes what happened to me will never happen to any one of you! (R.W)
(Dr. Iain: Thank you Richard. Yes, do check your poo, and remember any deviation from the normal color is a warning.)

Heart to Heart with Hillary

Dear Hillary,
I notice over the years (and that’s a few now) that you frequently put out the call for Belgian chocolates. I have been thinking about sending you some, but where do you get these chocolates?
Henry
Dear Henry,
Are you kidding me? Or do you have some sort of learning problem that we shouldn’t speak about? Belgian chocolates come from Belgium! However, here’s a little known secret, there are companies in Bangkok that make Belgian chocolate to original Belgian recipes. There is a Belgian owned company, run by Managing Director Jean-Louis Graindorge who took over the chocolate making business from his father. There you are Henry, I’ve done all the leg-work for you. Now all you have to do is drop a box off at the office, clearly marked “For Hillary Only!” Of course they go down even better with some bubbles, French by choice. Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.
Dear Hillary,
Can you trust a bar girl? Why I ask is that you are telling us to look for the ‘good’ girls, but at my age, I haven’t got the time or effort to be playing the dating game. I did that years ago in my own country and look at all the good that brought me! I’ve met some really nice ones, and they are available, which is more than your ‘nice’ ones. How do we mature guys find the diamonds?
Alfie
Dear Alfie,
Finding diamonds is a bit like panning for gold they tell me. You get a fine sieve and put the stones and gravel in, wash with water, shake a lot, pray even more and if you are very, very lucky you might find a diamond caught in the mesh. It’s a bit hard to do that down at Perfect Match A Go-Go, isn’t it, Alfie my Petal. What you have to remember is that the girls that work in bars are there to make money. That’s their ‘regular’ job, and you are the supplier of that money. Can you trust a bar girl? You can be sure they are good at handling money, the more the merrier, and some of it, or all of it, will be yours! Provided you understand the basis of the relationship with your “available” ladies, and keep your eyes open and your wallet closed, you will be fine.
Hi Hillary,
You are just the person I need to sort out a couple of friends in the UK. They came over last year with a pocket of blue diamonds and talk about kids in the candy shop! Since then, Jack, the eldest one has had a heart attack and George, the other fat one looks like he’s next to go. How do I arrange some nice slow times for them? And even some ideas on how I can keep them under control. I don’t want to have to send them home in a wooden box. I’ve told them that they have to slow down, but they’re ignoring that side of things. What’s next?
George
Dear George,
What’s next? Problems I guess! Now, how old are these friends of yours? 22 and 23? It sounds like it, or is it 62 and 63 minus 40 for the Vitamin V they will be taking by the handful when they get here? George, sometimes you can’t help people, and you might be in that situation, my Petal. You know what they are coming over for, so probably the best thing you can do is make sure they have travel insurance! Perhaps arranging that they have the same company for the time they are here might also stop the bull in the china shop! Lots of luck. They’ll need it by the sounds of it.
Dear Hillary,
Just a quick question. Where would you suggest we go for our first trip to Thailand? We’re a middle aged couple, but broad minded, and would like to see something of the country in the two weeks we will be there.
Joyce
Dear Joyce,
For a first trip, do it all by the travel agent’s arrangements. Tours will happen and you will be quite safe. I suggest Bangkok (temples and palaces), Chiang Mai (elephants and mountains), Pattaya (nightlife and golf) and Phuket (beaches).
G’Day, Aunt DD Plus,
Pater has decided to have his Roller shipped over to protect it from the amorous advances of Daisy the Friesian. You would love Daisy, Hillary. Much more cuddly than a buffalo and the best set of teats in the business!
Mistersingha
Dear Mistersingha,
Do you honestly think that either the readers or myself are interested in your claims that your father owns a fancy expensive motor car? There would be as much substance in that as all your other claims over the years as far as the chocolates and French fizzwater is concerned. And as far as Daisy the Friesian is concerned, Friesians have always been good milkers, whether they are called Daisy or Dozy (which would be more appropriate for your family, I think). Mistersingha, my Petal, I don’t really know how to say this nicely, but I think you have a severe problem. You should get some professional help. I cannot help you, so no more letters please. Just desist, as I cannot in all conscience expose the readership to this kind of communication. Goodbye Mistersingha.

Let’s go to the movies: by Mark Gernpy

Now playing in Pattaya
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra: US, Action/ Adventure/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – From Hasbro we get another action-adventure film based on toys, like Transformers.  “From the Egyptian desert to deep below the polar ice caps, the elite G.I. Joe team uses the latest in next-generation spy and military equipment to fight a corrupt arms dealer and the growing threat of the mysterious Cobra organization to prevent them from plunging the world into chaos.”  The term “G.I. Joe” here refers to a Hasbro-created military-themed line of action figures and toys which lasted from 1982 to 1994, and included over 500 different figures and 250 vehicles and playsets.  A series of comics were printed as part of the promotion package.  With Dennis Quaid, Channing Tatum, Marlon Wayans.
Sam Chuk: Thai, Drama – Based on a true story, this is a rarity for Thailand: a social issues film, exploring the lives of seven teenagers who are entangled with and devastated by drug use in a small province called Sam Chuk.  Their local teacher tries to teach them to cope with their problems.
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3: US/ UK, Crime/ Drama/ Thriller – I found it a thoroughly engrossing and exciting film, and a satisfying dramatic experience – everything Public Enemies tried for and failed to achieve (in my opinion.)  Denzel Washington plays a New York City subway dispatcher whose day is thrown into chaos by an audacious crime: the hijacking of a subway train.  The criminal mastermind, played by John Travolta, is the leader of a gang who threatens to execute the train’s passengers unless a large ransom is paid within one hour.  Rated R in the US for violence and pervasive language.  Mixed or average reviews.
6:66 Death Happens / tai mai dai tai: Thai, Horror –  A crime reporter starts seeing weird and scary things after someone who was supposed to die doesn’t die, causing a rip in the fabric between life and death, or something like that.  A dreadful movie, to gauge from the previews and posters. 
Public Enemies: US, Action/ Crime/ Drama/ History – I think it’s a mess, albeit a brilliant mess, but I don’t want to unnecessarily discourage you from seeing it, because it offers many pleasures. It’s an impeccably crafted film, with some fine performances, vast attention to period detail, an innovative use of high-definition video instead of film, and a fascinating era recreated.  Still, it’s a hodge-podge in my opinion, and doesn’t gel into anything coherent.  Johnny Depp plays the criminal John Dillinger and Christian Bale plays government agent Melvin Purvis in a Great Depression-era drama about the fledgling FBI’s attempts to end a crime wave.  Rated R in the US for gangster violence and some language.  Generally favorable reviews.
Director Michael Mann has been accused of bringing what has been dubbed the “MTV Look” first to television drama and then to films, a look which favors style over substance and technique over storytelling, in the “short attention span” manner of the MTV cable network.  That’s the overwhelming impression I get here.  The style and the techniques are truly impressive, but Mann has said, “The biggest struggle, for me is always: Get the story to work,” he said.  “The story has to be about the inner experience of [Dillinger], so that by the end, it’s not about him getting shot.  Is your heart with him?  Do you know him?  That’s the battle.”
A battle I think he truly lost in this instance.
Dear Galileo: Thai, Comedy/ Drama – A pleasant enough diversion about two Thai girls on their own in Europe – low-keyed and low-powered, slow and meandering.  From Nithiwat Tharathorn as he continues his examination of students in love: two girls backpack for a year in London, Paris, and Rome.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: US/ UK, Adventure/ Fantasy/ Romance – This, the latest and darkest Harry Potter episode, is a dazzling film, with brilliant cinematography, fantastic effects, and moments of emotional power.  I think you’ll find it incoherent unless you’re a close follower of the previous films, or have immersed yourself in the books.  If not, large sections of the film will make absolutely no sense whatsoever, because all the characters seem to know things the audience is never privy to.  Generally favorable reviews.
Thick as Thieves / The Code: US/ Germany, Crime – A master thief recruits a younger crook to help him steal two famous Faberge eggs.  With Morgan Freeman, Antonio Banderas.  Savagely poor reviews with a few which say it’s an OK time-waster.  Rated R in the US for sexuality, language, and some nudity.
Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs [in 3D]: US, Animation/ Comedy – If you enjoyed the previous two installments, you should like this one.  Mixed or average reviews.
Wongkamlao: Thai, Comedy/ Family – Popular comedian turned director Mum Jokmok directs and stars in this quite well-received romantic comedy.


News | Business | Features | Columns | Mail Bag | Sports | Auto Mania
Our Children | Travel | Our Community | Dining Out & Entertainment
Social Scene | Classifieds | Community Happenings | Books Music Movies
Clubs in Pattaya | Sports Round-Up

E-mail: [email protected]
Pattaya Mail Publishing Co.Ltd.
62/284-286 Thepprasit Road, (Between Soi 6 & 8) Moo 12, Pattaya City
T. Nongprue, A. Banglamung,
Chonburi 20150 Thailand
Tel.66-38 411 240-1, 413 240-1, Fax:66-38 427 596

Copyright © 2004 Pattaya Mail. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Speak German Confidently and Naturally in Less Than 3 Months! Click Here