Monday was Columbus day, we all think it is a day to celebrate the non discovery of America. I was well aware of the fact he didn’t really “discover” America and never really made it to what we now know as the United States. I still felt the deeds he performed were admirable, you know the whole sailing a tiny ship across the ocean thing. Turns out I was sorely mistaken and we should in fact all petition the US government to strike the holiday from the records as Columbus in fact started the Atlantic slave trade, murdered, raped, and pillaged. He was more akin to a pirate than a hero.
I partially jest even though everything I just said was the truth and I really didn’t know some of the things that happened when Columbus made landfall down south of here. If you are curious why I bring it up at all feel free to drop by my post on Monday about What we Can Learn from Columbus. Please pretend that post is actually written about an explorer who didn’t abuse the natives for profit… oh wait. Seriously though the post turned into quite the history lesson. I really did learn something from the post so I guess yet again Columbus provides value. Here are a few other controversial posts from around the web and few non controversial ones thrown in.
@Matt_SF presents 10 Reasons Why Investing in Gold is a Bad Idea. I guess the fact that I am not an avid investor or economist affects my knowledge of this investment opportunity. I don’t understand why anyone is buying gold, you can’t buy anything with gold. I can’t get a loaf of bread with gold unless it is a gold coin with a monetary value. The crazy thing is that coin is only worth the monetary value to store not it’s weight in gold. Go figure.
@ExtremeJacob went all extreme on the implications of financial freedom. True financial freedom, to me anyway, would be living close the freegan lifestyle where you consume little to no consumer goods. You live outside of the capitalism we practice so you are truly free of the financial system. Otherwise you are still bound by pay, the markets, or other financial issues.
@FinancialFreak discusses being debt free on $5 a day. Wow that really just wouldn’t work, I mean $5 goes into $250,000, 50,000 times. The gist of the post is to pay your debt first before you blow it on hookers and booze. Well he didn’t say that last part but with a site called Financial Freakshow he should have.
@JoeTaxpayer is covering some of the Roth IRA Mania going on. I think the United States just has way to much tax code creating all of these options and accounts and tax breaks. Seriously it is just confusing, good thing we have people like Joe to straighten us out and give us some decent info on the subject.
@FreeFromBroke switched over to cable phone service, and had a few issues. I don’t know what is worse, the fact I was thinking Comcast the whole time I read this post, or the fact the first comment asked if it was Comcast. Surprisingly it wasn’t Comcast but man cable companies can be a B@#%. I could, and probably will, tell some great stories about my dealings with a cable company whose name may have already been mentioned.
Other Stuff
So I forgot to submit to carnivals last week so I feel like a tool but I will do better next week I promise. I also was lax in deals posting due to some projects I have to get finished for the job that actually pays me money. Be sure to check out today’s deals post though, it has some good stuff in it that doesn’t cost you anything and could get you some big money in return.
{ 6 comments }
I think it’s a matter of definitions. We can use financial independence for one and financial freedom for another.
Here’s one thing I don’t get about Columbus Day – It’s celebrated by Italians but wasn’t it the Spanish that agreed to finance the voyage (in fact they were the only one who would)? Shouldn’t it be a Spanish holiday? Ehh, maybe I’m mistaken?
Anyway, thanks for the mention!
Yes, it was King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain who agreed to finance the voyage. As I recently learned it was a loan that was to be repaid with spoils of the travel. I wasn’t aware the Italians celebrate the holiday, it does make a little sense though as I am pretty certain Columbus was in fact Italian.
Matt_SF needs to get a clue about gold. i’m sure that’s not the first he’s heard that, i’m sure. he’s right about a couple things like if it’s not a good time to buy, but give me a brick of gold over some rice and beans…please. if the dollar goes kaput then gold will be the new dollar. think of it that way.
Larry,
Were you bullish on gold when it was at $250, or just a momentum investor?
I’ve found there are three types:
1) those who invested in gold for the right reasons since proper portfolio allocation suggests you keep a small percentage in precious metals.
2) those who were bullish on gold when it was at $250 some time ago.
3) momentum players who want to keep the bullish sentiment in place so they can keep their gold coin eBay business going.
Which might you be?
As for having a clue, the same resentful comments were uttered on oil bubbles, real estate bubbles, and on and on.
Si; Columbus was Italian. Nice reminder! I like how you turned the controversial post into a history lesson;) I’ll have to read up on some of these articles, too.
Comments on this entry are closed.