WEBPLUNGER

Entrepreneurship & US

% of Chinese who say they intend to start a business within the next 3 years= 23

% of Colombians and Americans, respectively, who say this= 57, 7

source: (4-2010 harpers index)

ROAD TO WWIII

Twitter references to WWIII

• “everyone thought we were on the brink of WWIII, but now it’s clear its much uglier than that… its the new Dark Age…here comes the plague”

• “middle ages (compared with today)= maybe they had the internet back then, for if it collapses too, it will be the ultimate eraser of history”

1. The Middle Eastern Conflict(s)

• Pakistan changes legal system to now operate under Islamic Law - 
  • a surprise to international regulators (ie, g20, UN, etc. you know, those international orgs. hat try to keep the peace? or try to keep the power….)
• Afghanistan/Iraq - U.S. Occupation in the two countries (more so Afghanistan, than the latter) increasing
  • May 2009 - BRITISH TROOPS WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN & IRAQ, they say we’re done
  • U.S. - Increases US presence by sending more and more troops to the region - fueling more opposition from Afghans & the suicide bombing people who now have more U.S. targets than ever (and thus the number of incidents a week has increased dramatically)
    • despite the change in U.S. leadership (now ruling under Obama - who suggested removing the troops in 6 months during his campaign) has come to his military-senses regarding war and has actually increased the number of U.S. troops to increase by over 20,000 within the past 2 months
  • IRAN - rising opposition between them and their bordering countries over NUCLEAR PROGRAM

2/3 Florida residents - no threat from hurricanes?

The Miami Herald, in a May 28th article on preparedness of its coastal residents’ for hurricane season, found that “2/3s of residents in Florida feel no threat from storms. More than half would not evacuate in the face of a major storm unless ordered to do so. Nearly half don’t even know whether their homeowner’s insurance covers storm damage.”

The startling stats don’t end there….

“Half the respondents did not have coverage for flood damage. Nearly one in four was uncertain if they had enough insurance to rebuild.”

Source: Curtis Morgan. “Poll: Most coastal residents unprepared for hurricanes.” The Miami Herald. 28 May 2009 http://www.miamiherald.com

Every 7 seconds a baby boomer turns 60.

“Every 7 seconds a baby boomer turns 60. In the insurance industry alone, thousands of jobs are expected to open as boomers retire.”

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(The above statistic was used in the INVEST ad campaign for 2009- insurance industry non-profit that encourages education & career exploration beginning in high school, among other things )

“Inner Mongolia to Strengthen Agricultural Insurance Management” - A.M. BEST

“Inner Mongolia to Strengthen Agricultural Insurance Management”
The insurance regulator in northern China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region said the development of a sound risk management emergency mechanism is regarded as its first priority in strengthening the …from A.M. BestWire

SaveNewOrleans before it can no longer be saved…

antsq:

This is disheartening - nola City of Sickness http://bit.ly/15uFyN via @addthis

‘Healthy’ Foods: Keep your eyes peeled for imposters..

If you haven’t been skeptical of your healthier food choices (ex. organic, all natural products and so on) then this video will open your eyes to why you should be.  For those who keep their eye on the fine print, this video will beef up your existing food knowledge, and simplify the array of misconceptions into a point by point run through.

Source: Navigating Health Food Claims - WSJ.com

“$31 billion = The worth of California’s 2006 agricultural output [more than any other states].”

Source: “Dust to Dust.” The Economist. 7 March 2009.