BaLOG Obama

This is why I ♥ Barack Obama; he is answering my wishes: "the more blogs, the better..."

And it is validation on how & why he got the top job as mentioned here. Taken from this site (change.gov)... a weekly blog (address)  from one of the most powerful person to be (come January 20th, 2009):

Check out Jacob Morgan's thoughts (& blog) about it here.

Where Second Life becomes your First Life

According to a technology article by Guardian.co.uk a British couple is set to divorce after the wife found her husband's alter-ego chatting affectionately with a woman in the virtual world of "Second Life".

And here's the irony...

"Appropriately enough, Amy Taylor (she has already changed her name by deed poll), 28, and David Pollard, 40, met in an internet chatroom. She moved from her home in London to be with him in Newquay, north Cornwall, and at first they had fun together in real life and cyberspace."

And the hilarity:

"Amy said she still played Second Life - and there was a chance that her alter ego would bump into her former partner's. It would be awkward but they would survive."

You can read the entire story here.

I can see a whole bunch of lawyers and attorneys signing up now to the virtual world offering their services and engage in some online branding to Second Life addicts.

P.S.

I wonder if a Third Life is possible? Y'know... where your virtual alter-ego has created it's own online character!

Times are a Changin'

Is it just me or is there anyone else out there developing post-election withdrawal symptoms? Not only was the 2008 Presidential election campaign the most widely followed and covered political event in years and received the most turnout of American voters since 1964 - a 9% increase from 2004 (122 million) and 26% rise from 2000 (105 million), it was also one of the most fascinating and entertaining (Sarah Palin vs. Tina Fey) election campaigns in recent memory. Check out some of the best campaign humour collected (quotes, videos, cartoons, jokes, pictures, etc...) throughout the 2008 election here.

And while a McCain/Palin led Government would have been interesting and engaging to say the least, the choice by the American people to elect Barack Obama as their 44th President last week on November 4th was the correct outcome. Yes, the best candidate won on the day, not because he is African American but because Obama and his party fought a brilliant campaign. And from early on in the campaign, Obama and his team knew exactly how to confront the digital technology and use the Internet to reach the young voters and retargeting the disillusioned. Obama and his advisors were so persistent and relentless in their online strategy that it became more than just an election campaign and turned out to be a bigger movement for "change".

By utilising social-networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter to engage with his audience, YouTube and podcast to remessage, and emails to solicit donations and fundraising, Obama was able to convert the disenfranchised and key demographics into a convincing victory over the Republican party. See graphic below:

abcnews.go.com/pollingunit/exitpolls

Even though Obama has sealed the win it is by no means the end of his campaigning. In fact the conversations are just beginning... see the website below that was launched just after Obama's election victory:

Change.Gov

"This is your victory. And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century."

"But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

Obama FTW

If the U.S. Presidential election were to be determined through the polling in Facebook then Barack Obama would win without much of a contest. According to the numbers who support or are members of the Obama/McCain groups page, Barack Obama would be a 4 to 1 overwhelming favourite to win.

Obama & McCain's Facebook Groups page

Don't forget to vote. Go vote.

While the election is only open to registered U.S. voters, there is an interesting website that allows the world to cast their own opinions on who should be the next President of the United States of America - If the World Could Vote? It would be pretty much a landslide victory for Obama when it comes to Australian voters. Apparently, John McCain is most popular in the former Yugoslavian Replublic, Macedonia.

www.iftheworldcouldvote.com

Mighty funny ad, Mitre 10

Here's a recent Mitre 10 TVC from NZ that really speaks in kids language on DIY. The cuteness wins you over, the humour is colloquially appropriate, and the message is simple. The rivalry between New Zealand and Australia continues...

Japanese Yen - the barometer of fear

For those who are considering on doing some online shopping for the holiday seasons on Amazon.com or are planning on an end-of-season vacation to U.S. or Japan than I feel for you and your wallets. Our Aussie dollar has been beaten up so badly that it has become the worst performing currency of the major crossrates – the selling compounded on Friday evening to establish a multi-year low – and it looks like the trend will continue. The main reason is the heightened fear factor in the markets and as a result investors and traders are rushing to the exits in search for ‘safe haven’ assets. Traditionally in the past it has been the precious metals such as Gold & Silver acting as the asset class to own in times of duress and pessimism but in this current financial environment even that is seen as a risky investment with the value of the commodity depreciating as the U.S. Dollar strengthens. See table below on how the major currency crossrates have fared in the past month/year:

¥ (Yen) cross rate versus	High	Date	Low	Date	H-L (%)	October (%)	$ (USD) cross rate versus	October (%)
USD	110.65	August 15, 2008	96.85	October 24, 2008	-17.9%	-10.8%	YEN	-10.8%
EUR	169.96	July 23, 2008	124.59	October 24, 2008	-33.0%	-20.4%	EUR	+11.3%
AUD	104.46	July 23, 2008	62.93	October 24, 2008	-47.4%	-30.3%	AUD	+23.7%
GBP	215.88	July 23, 2008	156.97	October 24, 2008	-35.6%	-20.4%	GBP	+14.3%
NZD	88.09	February 26, 2008	56.75	October 24, 2008	-43.3%	-25.5%	NZD	+18%
CAD	109.64	February 26, 2008	76.87	October 24, 2008	-35.3%	-25.4%	CAD	+20.7%
CHF	105.08	July 3, 2008	86.52	October 24, 2008	-25.1%	-14.5%	CHF	+4.7%

If there is one definite that Wall Street and traders do not like than that would have to be‘uncertainty’. Uncertainty breeds doubt and doubt leads to an undermining of confidence. With the absence of confidence, the market becomes indecisive and volatile; readily to reject and question any resolve. The appetite for risk will be withdrawn as the market reverts to safety than to growth. And without the visibility of growth the market becomes apprehensive and insecure, paying out to speculation and negative sentiments. Hence, the explanation of the Yen and U.S. dollar strengthening, reflecting the markets tolerance to risk and its fearfulness of possible further bank failures, economic meltdowns, and poor corporate earnings. Yes, the Japanese Yen is the “fear-o-meter”, the gauge in which we can measure the level of uncertainty in the marketplace, or our barometer of fear amongst market participants.

The chart below illustrates how the balance of fear entered a new level on Friday with the Yen rallying to a new 13-year high while stockmarkets in Europe and Asia both plunged and Wall Street traded in a ‘limit down’ restriction on its futures market:

Correlation between AUDJPY crossrate and Dow Jones Industrial Average

This coming week all the attention will be focused on the US Federal Reserve as Ben Bernanke will address the nation (and world) on its interest rates policy. A 50-basis point cut is widely expected by the markets but what the financial world is awaiting is the rhetoric of the Fed's and Government's position and handling of this crisis. Does the Japanese Yen have anything to fear from the 'Bailout Boys' or will the panic add fuel to the Yen strength? A fascinating week ensues, then we will welcome a new President of the U.S.A. and possibly a new America.

UPDATES:
RBA Intervenes to Support Aussie Dollar

Bank of Japan may intervene to curb the 'excessive volatility' by selling Yen

Hitler gets a margin call

This current market conditions is hitting everyone hard. Spare a thought for Adolf Hitler who had his portfolio almost completely wiped out this past week following the plunge in Gold, Silver & the Euro...

Thanks to Ashley J. for sending this one in.