Any new info there? Also very interested in finding out.

I'd venture that's not always the case, I actually found smaller, savvier companies are often a lot quicker and more responsive on their feet than the bigger ones – there's a lot of overhead and a lack of personal attention involved in dealing with a well-oiled marketing machine, particularly if you're a smaller investor – they're very quick on the sales side, but once you're a client, the experience can be quite different.

The Middle East is a tinderbox since app. 1939 (some would argue far before that)- nothing changed. That's why I (and many others) left.

"your people"? Seriously? "My people" are who I associate myself with, thanks very much. You can keep this type of comments to yourself, I'm done here.

I actually completely agree with you about debt, wouldn't touch a loan with a ten foot pole. just not about the results of the worlds addiction to it. Where you see apocalypse, I see balance being restored. Sure, it hurts, but its also a necessity. All good

as for the Berlin analogy (I know I said I'd give you the last word, but that one hit a bit too close to home), allow me to contest that, I know what those times were like all too well, having come from a holocaust survivors' family, and believe it or not, it hasn't reduced their optimism, love of life and the human race one bit. My grandparents passed away not with a bitter pessimistic approach like yours, but surrounded by their families, with love and peace, in spite of having gone through the worst imaginable human inflicted catastrophes. I've also, regrettably, had to deal with scumbags that don't give a rats backside for anyone but their own benefit, personal gratification and selfishness, at the expense of others' lives, and still I choose to do the best i can with a smile on my face rather than moan and groan about the horror of it all. So no, it's not age and experience that sets us apart. Just a frame of mind. You choose to let the krap overtake the good you see in the world – I choose otherwise.

you can call people like me blind optimists. Others might label us never give uppers or change enthusiasts. The truth, as in anything, probably lies somewhere in the interim. Everything balances out, as mentioned above.

Psychedelic, yes. Born and raised in Israel, I was jumping and jolting to skazi, asterisk infected mushroom etc before I even knew anything about Australia or real estate except to say "kangaroo" or "mortgage". it'd be interesting to hear a trancey version of gangnam style though!

too old for concerts? Say what??? If only I had the time…can't wait for the wee one to hit his teens, so I can retire, then drag him along with me to Koh-pahn-gan or goa (the mrs isn't too keen…)

(hey, admin, appreciate the patience, I'm sure your fingers must be itching to hit the "offtopic" button on this thread…

Wow, sounds more like a 5 month itinerary ) make sure to get some sleep in between activities…

And get a few properties while you're there? Where are you going in the US, if you don't mind my asking?

I think Richard may be right there…here's another link discussing the issue – http://thedunnthing.com/tag/s67a/

we're of the same view, freckle, its just that I don't think there's a climax coming or any particular boys club in control, its us getting what we deserve, centuries of manipulation and abuse and pretense as a doctrine, and it hasn't changed or climaxed at all (at least, not more than usual), just shifted, we're all living in it (unless you're living in an Eco village raising your kids via equal rights commune decisions and living off the land…wild guess, but you're probably more the fortified bunker in the mountain type).

well gee whiz, that's real nice of ya, but unfortunately some of the very basics of the "big business" you're teaching in schools around the world today is based on exploitation, so there's hardly any "big business" about without it. Its a grand idea to think that Gina or Murdoch are unique but hey, who's buying the media hype now? The reason these guys are singled out has nothing to do with the system trying to correct itself, and everything to do with who or what happens to be on top at any given moment. the fact that there's a top to rise to, a competition, a popularity meter, politics as a profession instead of expert guidance and communal decision, is more the problem in my view – but this isn't a discussion that you or I will resolve here today, so I suggest we drop it.

no, I simply don't think there's a big brother. It's just us, looking down at ourselves, and having only ourselves to blame. When our values change, so will our future and present, through propagating those values until the system brings forth the best according to the new value set, as opposed to the best of the old krap we still celebrate and teach today. And if you think Gina and her likes, Murdoch, or the few unfortunate sods you caught trying to cheat ya are it, you're the naive party in this discussion. 

Nice to see you guys talking, at least. Any resolution, Col?