The creation of financial wealth in our capitalistic system requires speculation. In this case, speculation is defined as the act of risking money through investment in the hope of a future profit. The idea of risk is critical, as speculation always requires risk. Making money... Continue
Columnist
I have always had an insatiable desire to glimpse what’s on the other side of the mountain. Here in Sinai, I must make an important decision. Do I take my son Andrew beyond the safety of Sharm-el-Sheikh, a well-fortified tourist town situated on the Red... Continue
Our culture is obsessed with content, the words and pictures that form the narrative of most thought, conversation and daily life. Argument, rhetoric, reports, articles, columns, news, blogs, tweets and posts are all part of our obsession with content, an endless stream of abstracted opinion... Continue
This column comes direct from Egypt. Last week, my son Andrew and I traveled from San Francisco to Paris and on to Cairo. The day of departure began perfectly. Andrew had a championship game with his St. Francis CYO league and squeezed out a two-point... Continue
GuideStar is a valuable online nonprofit resource whose mission is to “revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.” Information on 1.8 million nonprofits is available on GuideStar through a free basic search. Most savvy... Continue
Sentimentality ruled the night at this week’s City Council meeting. During an agenda item to consider regulating wine tasting rooms, wine makers were cast as “friends who went to Alta Mira” who “provide jobs” and represent nothing more than “farm to table.” In a display... Continue
I know it’s the beginning of spring and we’re supposed to lighten up, but I have a hairball tonight. Sometimes I just have to get them out, like cats do. Life’s too short to hold it all in. I’m a baby boomer and people are... Continue
Boys like things that go “boom!” but it’s a far cry from the fireworks of July 4th to the destructive force of America’s most popular battlefield weapon, the Hellfire missile. Launched by helicopter, ship-based platforms, land-based installations and fixed-wing aircraft, the Hellfire is a $50,000... Continue
Two of our sister-cities are in trouble. First, Egypt has undergone tremendous change since Mubarak was overthrown in 2011. Now, Ukraine is under fire. Our sisters live in Aswan and Kaniv. The very least we can do, which may be more powerful than one might... Continue
The debate over the modest proposed raise in the minimum wage has revealed the deep resistance to any structural economic reform that would challenge the current (and growing) levels of poverty and underemployment. The stock argument put forth is that raising wages for low-income workers... Continue