JRI,
Well, I guess one could always buy one of those no-brainer international mutual funds and not worry about it....
Yeah, right. I'm reminded of that brilliant manager for Templeton, Mark Mobius. A few years back he invested in a Malay shoe manufacturer. Put a few million USD to work there. After not getting an annual report or a fresh quote after a few quarters, he decided he better visit the company, which he was dutiful enough to do before investing and see a humming operation. When he came back after 18 months, all that was left was the abandoned, molding building in the middle of the jungle. Oops. Markdown? 100% haircut. Turns out the equipment walked up to Guangdong province, seeking cheaper labor and better returns. The principals were more of the Casper the Friendly Ghost types we dearly love. Took a page out of the Marc Rich playbook.
Debbie Boone? Dude, you are giving away your age..... <bg>
I always mention Brittany Spears, one can never be too thin or too rich or too well endowed. One of my favorite quotes from Mariah Carey: "Whenever I watch TV and see those poor starving children all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean, I'd love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff."
R. :) |
