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Friday, August 30, 2002
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By: C. Alexander Green, Investment Director, Oxford Club
If you're like me, you're packing up for a Labor Day holiday and
looking forward to getting away from the markets - and the market
commentary - for a few days.
So today I thought I'd jot down a personal note about what kind
of attitude attracts money... and what kind doesn't.
One of my younger brothers provides a fine example. He's honest,
hardworking... and totally indigent. The other night I had
dinner out with him, always an enlightening experience. He's a
dyed-in-the-wool socialist, with political views only slightly
left of Gus Hall's. That means I got stuck with an earful and,
of course, the check. (Maybe you've got one in your family too.)
It only takes a few minutes of conversation with him to figure
out why he doesn't have two nickels to rub together. He's
vehemently anti-money.
He's outraged that Bill Gates' personal net worth is greater than
some third-world countries'. In fact, it would hardly be
overstating it to say it keeps him awake at night.
This is a hard sentiment for me to share since I'm writing this
on Microsoft Word and have owned a half dozen computers over the
years that ran on MS-DOS.
(Aside from making a few of my dress shirts, third-world
countries haven't done nearly as much for me.)
Like most Oxfordians, I don't begrudge Bill Gates one cent of his
fortune. I don't care whether he's worth $50 billion or $150
billion. And while his philanthropic organization, the Gates
Foundation, gives tens of millions of dollars to worthy causes
every year, if he chose to spend it all on Lamborghini's and
dancehall girls, more power to him.
As long as he got it legally, why should I object?
Of course, my sibling is equally outraged that the Texas Rangers
are paying shortstop Alex Rodriguez a quarter of a billion
dollars for a ten-year contract. He doesn't understand why high
school teachers - who rarely bat better than .150 - are paid so
little by comparison.
But I couldn't be more delighted for Mr. Rodriguez. He didn't
steal or extort a quarter of a billion like some of the convicts-
in-waiting at Enron. He found someone who volunteered to pay him
a quarter of a billion. More power to him as well.
"But no baseball player is worth $250 million," my brother fumes.
Apparently, the owner of the Texas Rangers feels differently. He
even posed for pictures after agreeing to pay it.
Sadly, my brother is dwelling in a philosophical no-man's land.
By opposing Bill Gates' fortune, he's showing the world that he's
anti-management. By opposing Alex Rodriguez's fortune, he's
demonstrating that he's also anti-labor.
This makes no sense. Unless, of course, his attitude is just
anti-money. Which it is. Which is a big part of why he doesn't
have any.
I've never understood this point of view. If you're not
interested in accumulating wealth personally, why would you be so
obsessed about who has it and who doesn't? This is an age-old
question, I suppose. As Oscar Wilde once remarked, "There is
only one class in the community that thinks more about money that
the rich, and that is the poor."
My brother will argue, of course, that it's really not about
money, it's about equality. But money is the most egalitarian
force in society. It confers power on whoever holds it. All you
have to do is earn it.
In an interview once, I saw actor Paul Hogan comment about the
different views held here in U.S. vs. Europe, where he was
filming a movie.
Hogan put it this way. "If a worker in Europe sees someone drive
by in a big, black limousine, he says, 'Look at that guy in that
big, fancy car. What's he ever done to deserve a ride like
that?'"
"In America, the same worker sees someone pull up in a big, black
limousine, and he says, 'Look at that guy in that big, fancy car.
Some day I'm going to have a ride like that.''
Ordinarily, my brother takes the bus.
Enjoy your Labor Day weekend...
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3:10:51 PM 
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By Matt Brignall, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (August 29, 2002)—Drinking soy milk regularly may lead to substantial reductions of blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition (2002;132:1900–2).
In this study, 40 people with moderately elevated blood pressure were randomly assigned to drink one liter per day of either soy milk or skimmed cow's milk for a three-month period. Participants drinking the soy milk had a significantly greater fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, compared with those drinking cow's milk. This effect, however, was variable, with some study participants receiving substantial benefits from the soy milk and others receiving very little.
After three months, the average systolic blood pressure (the higher number) had decreased by 18.4 mm Hg and the diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) had fallen by 15.9 mm Hg in the soy group. This reduction is comparable to that seen with many prescription blood pressure-lowering drugs. The authors of the study characterized the benefit seen in the soy milk group as only "modest," which is surprising given the fact that simply drinking soy milk for three months would have been sufficient to bring the elevated blood pressure of many participants down to normal.
The diet currently recommended for individuals with high blood pressure is the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet. The DASH diet is high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and low-fat dairy products, and low in refined sugar, alcohol, and saturated fat. Given the results of this new study, soy milk may be a superior alternative to low-fat dairy products for people consuming the DASH diet.
According to the American Heart Association, one in four adult Americans has high blood pressure (hypertension). Up to 30% of Americans with hypertension are undiagnosed and are not receiving treatment. Over time, high blood pressure can lead to a number of adverse health consequences, including stroke, heart attack, vision loss, and kidney disease.
Soy milk can be found in most large grocery stores and in health-food stores. It can be used as a replacement for cow's milk, both as a beverage and in recipes.
Matt Brignall, ND is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Bastyr University. He works at the Seattle Cancer Treatment and Wellness Center, where he specializes in complementary medicine approaches to cancer. He has been published in several journals, including Alternative Medicine Review, Coping With Cancer, and the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Dr. Brignall also teaches clinical nutrition at Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. He is a regular contributor to Healthnotes, Healthnotes Newswire, and the Healthnotes Quick!Reference series.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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1:31:15 PM
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By Darin Ingels, ND
Healthnotes Newswire (August 29, 2002)—A new report issued by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences states that there is no known safe intake amount of trans fatty acids in the diet. This announcement may lead to food labels that list the amount of trans fatty acids in food so consumers can better understand the potential health risks associated with a particular food product.
Trans fatty acids are partially saturated (also called “partially hydrogenated”) fats that do not occur naturally in foods, except in small quantities in some dairy products. They are produced during the processing of unsaturated oils such as soybean oil and corn oil. Trans fatty acids are found in margarine, shortening, and foods that contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. The partial hydrogenation process contributes to the food’s texture (usually creamy) and spreadability and increases its shelf life.
In the past couple of decades, concerns over the health risks of trans fatty acids have surfaced. Studies show that these fats elevate total cholesterol levels, decrease high-density lipoprotein (“good”) cholesterol, and interfere with essential fatty acids and with the liver’s detoxification system. There is circumstantial evidence that consuming trans fatty acids may increase the risk of developing heart disease or cancer.
The Institute of Medicine’s report is the result of a petition filed in 1994 by the Center for Science in the Public Interest requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require food manufacturers to list trans fatty acids as part of the "Nutrition Facts" on food labels. While saturated and unsaturated fat amounts are currently listed, trans fatty acid specifications are not required in product labeling.
The FDA delayed making a final decision until an expert panel of the Institute of Medicine concluded their evaluation of trans fatty acids and released their official report. In light of this report, the FDA will likely follow the expert panel’s recommendations and require that all food manufacturers disclose the amount of trans fatty acids in their products. However, no regulations regarding trans fatty acids labeling have been issued yet by the FDA.
Darin Ingels, ND, MT (ASCP), received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and his Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University in Kenmore, WA. Dr. Ingels is the author of The Natural Pharmacist: Lowering Cholesterol (Prima, 1999) and Natural Treatments for High Cholesterol (Prima, 2000). He currently is in private practice at New England Family Health Associates located in Southport, CT, where he specializes in environmental medicine and allergies. Dr. Ingels is a regular contributor to Healthnotes and Healthnotes Newswire.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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1:30:48 PM
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By Alan R. Gaby, MD
Healthnotes Newswire (August 29, 2002)—Although most Americans consume adequate or even excessive amounts of phosphorus in their diets, elderly individuals taking calcium supplements are at risk of developing phosphorus deficiency according to a report in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition (2002;21:239–44). Since phosphorus is an essential nutrient for bone formation, a deficiency of this mineral could lead to osteoporosis or might block the beneficial effect of calcium supplementation.
Researchers studied the effect of different levels of calcium intake on the absorption of phosphorus by healthy men and women between the ages of 19 and 78. They found that for each 500 mg per day increase in calcium intake the absorption of phosphorus decreased by 166 mg per day. For an elderly person taking 1,500 mg of supplemental calcium per day, that would translate to approximately a 45% reduction in the amount of phosphorus absorbed.
The main dietary sources of phosphorus are milk products, meat, and grains. In addition, a number of processed foods (particularly cola beverages) contain phosphate additives that provide absorbable phosphorus. Although most Americans consume 100% or more of the Recommended Dietary Allowance for phosphorus, older individuals often reduce their total food intake and consume less of the high-phosphorus foods. While these dietary changes may not by themselves be enough to cause phosphorus deficiency, supplementing with large amounts of calcium could lead to a phosphorus deficiency in people who are consuming marginal amounts of the mineral.
To prevent calcium-induced phosphorus deficiency, the authors of this study recommend that at least a portion of an older person's calcium supplementation be taken in the form of a calcium phosphate preparation (such as tricalcium phosphate), instead of the more commonly used calcium carbonate or calcium citrate. They point out that one of the most successful clinical studies of calcium supplementation in elderly people used tricalcium phosphate as the calcium source. Calcium phosphate products are commercially available (Posture®, for example), although they are not widely advertised.
Taking extra phosphorus is not appropriate for individuals who already consume large amounts in their diets. In fact, much of the research on phosphorus intake has focused on the problem of excessive phosphorus intake leading to a calcium deficiency. A dietician or nutritionist can assess habitual intakes of calcium and phosphorus, and determine whether taking additional phosphorus would be desirable. Measuring blood and urinary levels of phosphorus might also provide a clue as to whether phosphorus intake is sufficient.
Alan R. Gaby, MD, an expert in nutritional therapies, testified to the White House Commission on CAM upon request in December 2001. Dr. Gaby served as a member of the Ad-Hoc Advisory Panel of the National Institutes of Health Office of Alternative Medicine. He is the author of Preventing and Reversing Osteoporosis (Prima, 1994), and co-author of The Natural Pharmacy, 2nd Edition (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), the A–Z Guide to Drug-Herb-Vitamin Interactions (Healthnotes, Prima, 1999), Clinical Essentials Volume 1 and 2 (Healthnotes, 2000), and The Patient’s Book of Natural Healing (Prima, 1999). A former professor at Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences, in Kenmore, WA, where he served as the Endowed Professor of Nutrition, Dr. Gaby is the Chief Medical Editor for Healthnotes, Inc.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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1:30:04 PM
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The great rulers - the people do not notice their existence. The lesser ones they attach to and praise them. The still lesser ones - they fear them. The still lesser ones - they despise them. For where faith is lacking it cannot be met by faith. -Tao Te Ching
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1:29:28 PM
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Henry L. Stimson. "The chief lesson I have learned in a long life is that the only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him; and the surest way to make him untrustworthy is to distrust him and show your distrust."
Margaret Fuller. "If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it."
Clementine Paddleford. "Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be."
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10:43:05 AM
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Tomatoes, Anyone?
An unemployed man is desperate to support his family.
His wife watches TV all day and his three teenage kids
have dropped out of high school to hang around with the
local toughs. He applies for a janitor's job at a large
firm and easily passes an aptitude test.
The human resources manager tells him, "You will be hired
at minimum wage of $5.15 an hour. Let me have your e-mail
address so that we can get you in the loop. Our system will
automatically e-mail you all the forms and advise you when
to start and where to report on your first day."
Taken back, the man protests that he is poor and has neither
a computer nor an e-mail address. To this the manager replies,
"You must understand that to a company like ours that means
that you virtually do not exist. Without an e-mail address
you can hardly expect to be employed by a high-tech firm.
Good day."
Stunned, the man leaves. Not knowing where to turn and having
$10 in his wallet, he walks past a farmers' market and sees
a stand selling 25lb crates of beautiful red tomatoes. He buys
a crate, carries it to a busy corner and displays the tomatoes.
In less than 2 hours he sells all the tomatoes and makes 100%
profit. Repeating the process several times more that day, he
ends up with almost $100 and arrives home that night with several
bags of groceries for his family.
During the night he decides to repeat the tomato business the
next day. By the end of the week he is getting up early every
day and working into the night. He multiplies his profits quickly.
Early in the second week he acquires a cart to transport several
boxes of tomatoes at a time, but before a month is up he sells the
cart to buy a broken-down pickup truck.
At the end of a year he owns three old trucks. His two sons have
left their neighborhood gangs to help him with the tomato business,
his wife is buying the tomatoes, and his daughter is taking night
courses at the community college so she can keep books for him.
By the end of the second year he has a dozen very nice used
trucks and employs fifteen previously unemployed people, all
selling tomatoes. He continues to work hard. Time passes and at
the end of the fifth year he owns a fleet of nice trucks and
a warehouse which his wife supervises, plus two tomato farms
that the boys manage.
The tomato company's payroll has put hundreds of homeless and
jobless people to work. His daughter reports that the business
grossed a million dollars.
Planning for the future, he decides to buy some life insurance.
Consulting with an insurance adviser, he picks an insurance plan
to fit his new circumstances. Then the adviser asks him for his
e-mail address in order to send the final documents electronically.
When the man replies that he doesn't have time to mess with a
computer and has no e-mail address, the insurance man is stunned,
What, you don't have e-mail? No computer? No Internet? Just think
where you would be today if you'd had all of that five years ago!"
"Ha!" snorts the man. "If I'd had e-mail five years ago I would
be sweeping floors at Microsoft and making $5.15 an hour."
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10:07:48 AM
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© Copyright
2002
Rick@Leaders.net.
Last update:
11/18/2002; 10:52:41 PM.
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