Is It Dinar Time?

Howdy Ya'll,
 
Forgive the pun. I've been waiting for an opportunity to use it. I have lots of time on my hands to come up with low humor. Puns aside, lets discuss economics.
 
I am no economist, and I would hesitate in referring to myself as even a speculator, but speculating is what were are doing when discussing the Iraqi Dinar. It has been a hot topic amongst many over here, and I believe for many in the States as well. It is a matter of historical precedents, economic reform, belief in the power of our actions, and blind faith in the future of this country.
 
The currency of Kuwait went through much the same roller coaster ride following the first Gulf War, and there were optimists and naysayers a plenty likewise. The investment panned out, and there were many who benefited from a risky investment. The Iraqi Dinar is in much the same situation. It is practically worthless, but it is backed by strong technology, a promise of flowing oil, and the support of potential investment from the global community.
 
When last I checked there is about 6.5 trillion in Dinar in circulation. A good percentage of that has been purchased by foreign investors and expatriate in a very speculative currency venture.  The Dinar is roughly worth 0.007 dollars making the exchange at about $1 - IQD1430. There are those, of course, who profit from the sale of currency, and most in the States will be able to purchase Dinar at about $1 - 1000 IQD. The key hope is that it can only go up.
 
The truth is that there is only one direction for this currency to go. It can only improve. Iraq recently released new Treasure bonds, and the Iraq Stock Exchange is gearing up. The international monetary fund has moved in to help establish an economy, and Iraq based companies are actually beginning to see growth.
 
I know what criticisms and doubts you have heard regarding this very topic. The news is full of them, and I'm sure they dominate many a dinner table conversation. I am not discounting those possibilities, but I would remind people that there is a reason it is referred to as an investment. A risk investment, no less. I have purchased my own Iraqi currency, and I know full well that my venture could prove fruitless, but that is the inherent fun in an endeavor such as this. My losses would be very near negligible, while the gains could prove great. I do not believe that the Dinar will ever return to pre war levels, but I do believe that it must improve.
 
In truth, I have very little faith in the abilities of the Iraqi people themselves, as I have just heard a story of a local electrocuting himself after urinating on a high voltage transformer, but I do believe in the ambition of the international community in making this dusty excuse of a country something worth keeping. Far too much investment has been made by others on behalf of this country for failure to be allowed.
 
An economy will be established, prosperity will flow forth, and those of us with the where with all to take advantage of this unique situation will find the whole endeavor profitable. I don't think I'll be in a position to retire early, but perhaps I can take myself on a vacation with the spoils.
 
These are my thoughts on the matter. I'm just a simple bear, and I am not trying to provide sound economic advice. I am only voicing my humble opinion on the matter. Perhaps my optimism will prove correct. We can hope.
 
-Pooh out.

Timesheet Day

Howdy Ya'll,
 
Well, today is timesheet day. This means lots of hot, confused people coming in and out of the office so that they can be annoyed by Project Controls telling them that they coded their time incorrectly.
 
It's not bad. Heck, I have messed up my timesheet plenty of times but I have the good fortune of working with the people that can correct me almost immediately. Unfortunately, the high traffic makes for heavy distraction every Sunday. Work is not very much in the "motivated to happen" category.
 
Anyway, I obviously found the inspiration to drop you all a line on the blog today so perhaps I will convince myself to work on something else. I hope you all find yourself well these days. As always I am safe and trying my best to stay that way.
 
-Pooh out.

Fahrenheit 118

Howdy All,

Okay, this really has nothing to do with the recent movie, the classic book, or that idiot Michael Moore other than to say the he is a imbecile whose efforts are hardly worth the effort of comment or criticism.

What this is really about is that fact that the temperature crawled its way up to 118 degrees yesterday around here. Okay, even for those of us who grew up in South Texas, that is hot! Strangely enough, though, it does have its benefits. Much like the calming and therapeutic effect of spending a short time in a dry sauna, a quick trip outside can be relaxing, but any longer that a quick walk between buildings and you begin to feel like a marshmallow in a microwave (Except for the whole expanding thing, okay so maybe that isn't an appropriate analogy).

This heat does have the advantage of providing constant hot water for showers. As a matter of fact, I haven't turned on the water heater in a while. I can't even brush my teeth with cold water because there isn't any. I can't complain though because we are all enjoying these side effects. I think I can speak for everyone, including the troops when I say that hot water is better than no water.

While I'm hear I do need to address the issue of OPSEC, or Operational Security. If anyone may wonder why I limit most of my discussions to personal experience or trivial anecdotes as opposed to more lengthy discussions and dissection of current events involving our activities and experience over here it is due to OPSEC. Remember the World War II adage that "loose lips sink ships?" This is exactly the problem we face here, only in exponential form. With the internet, cell phones, webpages (he says with a grin), Instant Messenger services, email, and other more traditional means of communication, one of the biggest challenges we face around here is keeping things quiet that could otherwise provide these insurgents opportunities otherwise unavailable to them. Now, more than likely, their limited cognitive abilities provide some buffer against the ability to use all of our information against us, but dumb luck has had its rewards for them as well. Anyway, I will keep filling your screens with silliness and ramblings as long as you would care to read them, so enjoy!

-Pooh out.

Fast Food, Fireworks, And Independence A Plenty

Howdy,

Happy Fourth of July! It is just another work day here, but I rest well knowing that my family and friends are enjoying their holiday because of the work of these soldiers here. We had a barbecue. I did not attend. It didn't feel right without those I really care about around me. In truth, the absence of fireworks around here is probably the most happy of thoughts.

On occasions such as this, one is apt to introspection, but that is the past time of philosophers and the hopelessly bored. I will not bore you with the details. Just know that I miss you all, and think of good times often. Not that I'm having bad times here, but excitement is in short supply.

Happy Fourth of July. Eat something good for me, and don't burn down your house.

-Pooh out.