Ulti

Sorry try this link https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/realestate/blackstone-has-misled-investors-inside-the-growing-alarm-over-breit/ar-BB1lXcUf

https://www.businessinsider.com/blackstone-breit-commercial-real-estate-fund-misled-investors-private-equity-2024-5

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/citadel-founder-and-ceo-investing-innovation-culture/id1614211565?i=1000654123844 good interview with Ken Griffin ( wish he had discussed his move to Miami and real estate purchase haha)

https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-brokerage-cicc-cutting-dealmakers-base-pay-by-25-sources-say-2024-04-28/ China's top graft-busting watchdog earlier this year vowed to eliminate ideas of a Western-style "financial elite" and rectify the hedonism of excessive pursuit of "high-end taste".

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/warren-buffett-or-not-berkshire-hathaway-stock-is-built-to-last/ar-AA1nGYvR

I'll have to respectfully disagree (and I'm a moderate and have many issues with this admin as well as the last.) They must be doing something right with all these left wing protest against them going on.

My off the cuff thought is that the current US admin is trying to play both sides ( esp. after the latest UN vote ). They need the votes.

+1

My 2 cents: I had a similar situation several years ago with my 95 year old mother in law. Her family approached me to help them manage (ie clean up the mess of her portfolio ). Assets were all outside of retirement accounts ) With the families permission moved her to C.Sch. Established a relationship with the manager of the outlet (family approved ). I cleaned up\sold and emphasized companies she owned that were in good shape and produced dividends(except her berkshire of course ) .Also chose not to reinvest but to take the cash for expenses. Wound up with about a 40\60 portfolio. Suggestions: -Don't reinvest dividends but use vehicles that generate income (vwinx ?) -Here is Vanguards info on Annuities:https://ownyourfuture.vanguard.com/content/en/learn/living-in-retirement/are-annuities-right-for-me.html -Chose not to do an annuity because she has a bit more in assets than your Grandma and like liquidity. - It might be worthwhile to explore Medicaid options for that just in case the running out of money option occurs https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/eligibility/index.html ... you live in AZ from your handle? -https://lawforseniors.org/ has some pretty info that might help...got this from the Arizona legal aid group. Good luck , who knows the future, but your an awesome grandson for doing this.

Seems like a bipartisan bill was shot down earlier this year ( even the border is patrol urged passage) https://www.factcheck.org/2024/02/unraveling-misinformation-about-bipartisan-immigration-bill/

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-mazzig-mizrahi-jews-israel-20190520-story.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Israel

I read that and thought of the late 19th century quote .. to paraphrase... Power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely.. Seems to be catching on all over the world. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/absolute-power-corrupts-absolutely.html

https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-gaza-analysis-mideast-95a0861c8b51cda375d31a806686c23a

Attacks on Israel Largely 'Performative,' Says Former Senior U.S. Official By Laurence Norman Iran's attacks on Israel appear to have been performative, said Michael Singh, a former senior director for Middle East affairs at the U.S. National Security Council. This was "a slow-moving, thoroughly telegraphed, and ultimately unsuccessful retaliation," he said. Israel said it expects further waves as part of the attack. "The event has yet to end," Israel military spokesman Daniel Hagari said. Israel said it had intercepted dozens of surface-to-surface missiles, though some had reached Israeli soil. Dozens of drones were also intercepted, Israel said. Singh, who is now at the Washington Institute, said the attack "showcased Iran’s reluctance for direct confrontation with Israel, and...highlighted Israel’s close military cooperation with Arab and international partners." "The question now is whether Israel will pull its punch in return so as to allow Iran’s apparent failure to linger, or whether it will feel sharper retaliation is needed," he said. "The Biden Administration is undoubtedly pushing for the former in hopes that they can count this crisis averted," Singh said.

Yeah just ask Bill Clinton and Arafat

https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosopher-king

Personally , I enjoy reading your differing view...Its what makes the world go around...As for investing in China, I'm always trying to learn. https://www.nbim.no/en/publications/podcast/alibaba-co-founder-and-chair-china-jack-ma-ai-and-baseball/

I think the whole argument boils down to having a government system with plenty of checks and balances ; where power is not centralized and the rights of the people are paramount. https://www.learnancientrome.com/what-were-checks-and-balances-in-ancient-rome/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-home-insurance-markets-in-california-and-florida/id1056200096?i=1000649969352 excellent Podcast on how homeowner ins is working and why cost are high.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/03/04/inside-north-koreas-forced-labor-program-in-china maybe slightly off topic; but disgusting none the less

https://oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Worlds-Top-Oil-Trader-Sees-Oil-Demand-Peak-After-2030.html

Totally agree…. Recently tried out about 10 different 9mm handguns and went with a Sig… felt the best and my luck, the most comfortable and expensive… And don’t forget , manufacturers make$$ from a variety of add ons

Excellent interview with CEO of MEG… learned more about the Canadian sands ( which interest me being an SU shareholder)

Thank you for your personal insight.. I am curious; you did not touch base on local feeling on politics social media heavy handed government officials in the people’s business,etc…. What’s contributing to the stress besides the economy…And I’m curious as to how they feel about the west and US in particular….( regular folks are great gov and gov officials suck.. haha)