Fwd: THE WORLD IS GOING TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET - AND WE DON'T SAY THAT LIGHTLY

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: James Donald <tiare.taporo3@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Jun 2022 at 19:50
Subject: THE WORLD IS GOING TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET - AND WE DON'T SAY THAT LIGHTLY
To: Abbie Kitchen <Abbie.Kitchen@asb.co.nz>

Firstly Colombian doings - 

Since our last blog, the building renovations have been proceeding apace. The outside construction is finished - all that remains as far as that is concerned is internal painting and still some tiling to complete in the new living room and laundry. Once the latter is finished, we can install the washing machine, drier and gas califont which is bigger than the one we had previously. Stage 2 commenced a few days later and the kitchen is now completely demolished. Holes are appearing in the external walls where the new windows will be together with the demolition of half a wardrobe in the adjoining TV room to be. That half wardrobe is now incorporated into the kitchen. We've now almost bought all our tiles which meant going down to Medellin on the 09/06 to return some artesanal tiles and buying the laundry tiles and replacements for a small part of the kitchen floor which of necessity has had to be destroyed.

We should mention at this stage that Humberto, our builder/project manager, calls yours truly "Don Jim"!! DJ had better be careful or all this will be going to the head!! Attempts to coerce Dona Jean to show proper respect have regretfully come to naught. Takes us back to when Jim used to hoist Jean up the mast to do the odd little job with strictures that if she showed mutinous tendencies, he'd leave her up there - overnight!! Seemed to work then, but alas, things have deteriorated since!!

Further update - new windows all installed and as of this morning (17/06) most of the kitchen units. Benchtops tomorrow. So progress is good, except that one of the upstairs bathrooms developed a leak in the concrete floor which manifested itself as drips from the ceiling of what will be the TV room. Just as well it happened now with Humberto on site. Nothing to do with the work; just an unfortunate happening, which in masonry buildings means digging into walls or floors. This was a leaking pipe fitting in the shower floor and fairly easily found. But it does mean re-tiling the shower floor. Could have been worse. Probably about another 10 days before we will be able to move back in as we also need to demolish a low wall above the stairwell upstairs to make way for the entrance to the elevator we wish to install, plus the lower parts of the stairs which will be moved sideways to make way for the elevator. On that note, it turns out that the makers of the steel roof of the new laundry also fabricate and install these elevators which are just an open platform raised and lowered by an electric motor driving a chain system. Ours will only be going up one floor so very straight forward. And best of all, we had a meeting on the 17/06  with Humberto, the engineers and our fellow bi-lingual expat, Peter English, to discuss all of this because Peter wishes to install one himself and the cost for us fully installed is around 14.6 million Colombian Pesos (approx. NZD 5,960). Most of the demolition of the stairs has now been completed. New stairs to be built in timber - not concrete, with a space left for the ascensor.

We had an interesting time returning to Retiro the other day. First of all, we had just had our new/old car completely checked over by a mechanic in Medellin who had been recommended to us by a neighbour (Juan) who has a 1981 W123 250 - same as Jim had at one stage in NZ years ago, except that that car was automatic whereas Juan's is manual. Jim had bought the old 250 on Waiheke Island in 1997! Juan is a retired Colombian diplomat who had spent all of his life in the Colombian foreign service in various European capitals. He is a die-hard Mercedes enthusiast, but only with the old ones - like us!! We're all antiques!  

Anyway, the car was fine, but unbeknownst to anyone, the radiator hoses were suspect (who knows when if ever in 30 years they had been replaced) and one developed a split through which pressurised super-heated steam escaped. But Jim, who is always conscious of these things, noticed that suddenly the temperature gauge showed an increased reading. So, we immediately pulled over and found the problem. What to do? So we rang our Cuban neighbour (Jose) who just happened to be returning home to Retiro from Rio Negro where he has a business. He was only 10 minutes behind us in his Volvo and in the meantime had rung his Retiro mechanic, Carlos, who happened to be going in the opposite direction! Jose and Carlos arrived on opposite sides of the road in the middle of roadwork queues within 5 minutes of each other. Carlos had a look and decided that, as the split in the hose was very close to a hose clip, he could just pull the hose further onto the metal fitting and re-clip it - at least sufficiently to get us home. And it worked. Jose followed us to make sure we made it home and then the next day we took it to Carlos's workshop in the village where two new hoses were fitted. A lucky escape from what could have been an incident with a very nasty outcome. 

Then on 16/06 another cooling issue with the old girl - the car it must be said! There is no doubt that when buying old vehicles there are always teething problems because you never know how much maintenance has been done in the past - and when. Anyway, the cooling systems on the 124's are quite sophisticated and there are 3 cooling fans - one belt driven as is normal and two electric fans which are supposed to operate when the engine temperature exceeds 100 degrees C. However, there seemed to be a problem with the sensor because the fans did not start up just as we were approaching El Tunel Oriente on our way down to Medellin. We noticed that as we were approaching the tunnel entrance, the temperature started going over 100 degrees and close to 120. The book says that under pressure the boiling point is 130C, but we didn't want to get anywhere near that!  So, rather than risking having to stop in the tunnel (which is 11 kms long) , we stopped and ascertained that the electric fans were not working. So, we rang our mechanic in Medellin who first said that these cars are supposed to run at high temperatures, but later agreed that perhaps there was a problem. In the meantime we had turned around and were gingerly retracing our steps towards Retiro when the temperature started increasing again. So this time we stopped at the entrance to a gated community, where once again we experienced the usual Colombian helpfulness from the Portero (who told us he had been 35 years in the security business) and we had previously contacted our Cuban friend, Jose, who had already organised a tow truck because it didn't look likely that we could safely drive all the way back. The truck arrived about 30-45 minutes later and we winched the antique old girl up onto the back. Us two old antiques climbed into the truck cab and off we went. After all our other bizarre adventures on the boat, this was certainly different, but no less bizarre. Anyway, it was an uneventful trip with the old girl sitting with aplomb on the tray, suitably secured. We then had two hoses replaced. 

But overall, she's great. These 124's have often been said to be the epitome of traditional Mercedes excellence - pre-computer, and given the overall condition and the just wonderful driving experience, that comment is certainly true. There are no rattles after 30 years and she feels glued to the road. So, we must just persevere with these annoying issues until we get her into a totally secure and reliable condition. 

One further development re the 300E. We decided to get the entire cooling system checked over and so our retired Colombian diplomat friend's mechanic, Wilson Aguiar, came up here and took the old girl back to Medellin. He has now extensively checked over the entire cooling system including removing the radiator and flushing it, new thermostat (with holes drilled into it), new clutch for the main engine-driven fan and examination of the water pump and other ancillary bits. All ok. We are so lucky to have discovered Wilson. Apart from the cooling issues he has checked everything else and has pronounced the car as excellent. We will order a new set of water hoses and brake pads soon.

Then on Sunday the 19th. we had the final run-off for the next President of Colombia. After many candidates were eliminated in the earlier elections, we are now left with Gustavo Petro (extreme Left) and Rodolfo Hernandez (centre right). So it's a no-brainer as to who we hope will win. Rodolfo is a former mayor of Bucaramanga (Colombia's 6th. largest city), but apart from that has no political baggage. He's a businessman like Donald Trump and is a straight shooter - like Trump! By comparison, Petro would probably be something of a disaster for Colombia - just the opposite from the real needs of the country. With Communist Venezuela on the border we need firm, economically sensible policies and with as least corruption as possible. And that is what Rodolfo offers. Corruption, drug criminality and inequality are the three main issues holding Colombia back from being a real powerhouse. Unfettered and equal access to education is the key to the inequality question, and a higher standard of living generally.

But now we have the final result and it's Petro!  50% for the Left and 47% for the centre right. Apart from feeling a bit gobsmacked, we have absolutely no idea how this will directly impact us. Fortunately our renovations are coming to an end and we must just get on with it. It will be interesting to see how this development might affect North Americans fleeing despotic leftist governments in Canada and the US. Maybe it will slow down; maybe it won't. We can't comment on that issue any further - as always time will tell.

All we can say is that Colombia has been hobbled by extreme corruption and increasingly right-wing authoritarian government for a long time now and the Duque/Uribe cartel ripped up the Peace Agreement reached by the previous Santos government with the FARC. These rightist policies are almost as bad as extreme left and they foster extreme political views. The blame for the present left political ascendancy can be laid squarely at the Duque/Uribe door and those guys deserve any consequences that may be coming their way - except that they are probably already in their private jets heading for Monaco!!. Corruption, covert support for paramilitary groups and outright murder of mainly indigenous leaders who have been trying to achieve justice for their constituents and who have had their land stolen just relatively recently have been a feature of the past administration. We now have the political consequence which could be a turning point for Colombia - and hopefully not all bad. 

In the end, it all comes down to EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY and perhaps if the new government can achieve that, Colombia could be on its way to realising its full potential. That is the most optimistic spin we can put on the situation right now.

There has been much panicked talk coming out of our friends and associates and expat internet sites. Dire predictions of a plunge in the value of the COP, etc. It has certainly gone down against the USD, but only by 5.0% in 4 days since the election, and only by 3.3% against the Kiwi. Property confiscation and expulsion of expats are some more dire predictions that we have heard, but we are committed here and we don't believe that any of these things will eventuate. Colombia needs the expats and more, and while property values may decline short-term, that will stabilise. And we live here, so we just get on with our lives. We don't feel too much concern - hopefully we are not wrong. 

On a lighter note, there is a restaurant which was opposite the Airbnb where we are currently living, but it has had to relocate as the building has been sold. Last night (25/06) we went to the opening of the new premises and met our ex Kentucky friends, Mike and Martha, there. There was a cabaret singer who started out with some belly dancing which was only mediocre, but then she launched into Colombian folk songs which were mesmerising and which captivated the house. It was a great night. The audience participation was wholehearted and is something you'd never see in many other countries. 

Today we had the entertaining experience of choosing paint colours for our new extension and the painted surfaces in the new kitchen. There is a paint shop not too far from here with state of the art computerised paint colour mixing technology and, although it necessitated 2 visits there, we finally got it right - we think!

And our new gas cooking hobs on a glass/ceramic base is actually curved so we need to get it exchanged. It should obviously be totally level and straight. So we need to go "down the hill" to Homecenter, Envigado tomorrow (29/06) to do this. These are the frustrations of doing renovations in Colombia, but we have to say that our builder/project manager, Humberto, is excellent and we have no issues in our dealings with him. We are very fortunate and we remain indebted to our fellow ex-pat, Don Pietro, for the introduction.

** The ever increasing political and economic horror story coming out of NZ (otherwise known as Godzone!) - Ardern & Co. are busily destroying the country we all used to know. The list is endless - taxing farmers for animal farts, taxing diesel vehicles which most people in business have to buy because there is no electric alternative, 3 Waters which has been endlessly criticised together with the massive changes to the health system - both of which are using race to divide society and achieve their nefarious democracy-stealing ends. Then there is NZ's insistence on continuing with the 4th Covid vaccine booster dose, in spite of the fact that Pfizer itself has stated that it is not necessary as they are increasingly concerned at being sued for the adverse health effects (including death) caused by their murderous vaccines. Hopefully Ardern & Co. will be sued, but no doubt because of NZ's Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) legislation, that avenue won't be available. And just today (23/06) we heard a post from Leigh Dundas of America's Frontline Doctors and she stated an absolutely horrifying statistic - in the US in recent years there have normally been around 1.5 to 1.7 million potentially lethal health conditions, such as cancer, every year; now since the lethal Chinese Virus vaccinations, that number has increased to 22 million. That's a 1,275% increase. You can check these figures from their website if you've a mind to.  

Once again we urge everyone who reads this blog to read Dr. Muriel Newman's weekly NZ Centre for Political Research newsletters and listen to Leighton Smith's weekly podcasts in which he interviews some very erudite experts in their various fields. In his last podcast he interviewed Professor James Allan who is a Canadian constitutional law professor and who has spent 11 years at Otago University before taking up his present position at the University of Queensland. He said that over a long period of time "wokeness" was well established in NZ and by extension now in most "western" societies. So, do not think that the NZ Marxists will necessarily be kicked out next year. Their ilk is well established now in most facets of NZ society and they will not be easily dislodged. It needs a determined effort - only rivalling the infiltration of the left into all our educational institutions over a long period of time. The graduates of these institutions are taking over and have taken over many facets of the country - whether you like to admit it or not. Only by taking these actions of being aware of the truth of current politics will you escape the lies and false narratives being continuously promoted in the corrupt media which has been bought off by the Ardern cabal to the tune of NZD 55 million. Messrs. Wilson & Horton (the founders of the NZ Herald in the 1800's) will be revolving like tops in their graves. The country is in an appalling mess with the NZD continuing to sink versus the USD, the NZX50 in decline and debt piling up. And the much vaunted property sector, for so long the only game in town, is going the same way. 

And there is no way that we will be hearing anything from the Ardern Marxist crooks about the horrific deaths of 50 illegal migrants in Texas today. We heard plenty about the Moslems in Christchurch 3 years ago, but the NZ media will hardly mention this latest outrage, being as they are completely bought and sold by the Labour Marxists to the tune of 55 million NZ dollars (34.1 US dollars).

** The deliberate destruction of the USA by the Biden administration - Biden & Co. have declared war on the oil and gas industry - the life blood of the US economy. They have cancelled pipelines and made it next to impossible to obtain new leases to drill on Federal land. And all the while promoting the lie that "they are doing all they can" to alleviate the current high energy prices! And they want to now go cap in hand to countries like Iran for oil. North America is sitting on at least 200 years of untapped oil reserves - plenty of time to allow alternative energy sources to be researched in a properly considered way. The Biden energy policy is using so-called "climate change" non scientific claptrap as quite simply part of their deliberate strategy to destroy the United States.

And just today (28/06) we have the horrific news that 50 illegal migrants - including children - have been found DEAD inside a semi-trailer in Texas in over 40 degree C heat with no water. They died a horrible death of heatstroke and dehydration. As the Governor of Texas tweeted, "This is on you, Biden". These F-----g lying murderous bastards in the White (Black) House need to be forcibly removed from office and executed for treason, and that would be too good for them. This is DELIBERATE destruction of the 240 yr old republic, and a flagrant breach of the US Constitution. 

Biden has consistently said that he had no knowledge of his feckless and treasonous son's offshore business dealings. Now there is a voice message recording from Biden Snr. that absolutely proves that statement to be a grotesque lie. Biden, his 2 brothers and his son, Hunter, have personally profited from Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Russia, the Communist Party of China, and Nicaragua - and others -  over many years at the expense of American taxpayers and to the great detriment of the security of the United States - and by extension, the rest of the so-called free world.

It seems that the US under the present administration is so corrupt, that they will do anything to cover up these crimes. Much less actually take the necessary action to prosecute the individuals involved. 

The US is as a result in what many have described as terminal decline, and unless serious and determined action is taken NOW to arrest this criminal behaviour we will ALL be suffering - and not so far into the future. 

The Dims are totally hypocritical. Biden himself is senile and as such is a danger to the free world. And Kamala Harris is incompetent and 100% corrupt. The whole elitist Democrat establishment is so out of touch and narcissistic that they seem to have no idea that they are going to get slaughtered in the November mid-terms. We can't wait.

There has however been a great development in the last week which at last reflects the will of the voters. The Supreme Court has just overturned a 1973 law known as Roe v. Wade which allowed unfettered access to abortion across the country. Now the Supreme Court has formally handed that matter back to individual states to make the appropriate laws based on the wishes of their own electorates. It is worth bearing in mind that since 1973 when Rowe v. Wade was decided in a flawed decision, 63 million babies have had their short existences terminated. The US with its aging population could have done with those extra young people.

It must also be said that abortion doesn't just depend on a woman's right. It always seems to be forgotten that there are 2 lives to be considered - not just one for often a selfish point of view. Of course there are justifications for abortion - rape, incest and any serious risk to the mother's health. And the foetal "heartbeat" test. Definitely not full-term abortion which some US states now allow. Another word for this is infanticide.

** The rest of the world (there is nothing good anywhere) - there is rampant inflation just about everywhere - from over 70% p.a. in Turkey to around 10% p.a. just about everywhere else. This is a direct result of crackpot Socialist economic policy - not as is dishonestly claimed, a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On top of that the world is staring a severe food shortage in the face. The reasons for this are myriad but the obvious ones are the shortage and resultant very high price of fertiliser, most of which comes from Russia, and of course the ruinously high price of diesel together with governments taxing farmers for ruminant emissions when many scientific studies show quite clearly that these emissions have absolutely no effect on the world climate whatsoever. More examples of Socialist BS being used to destroy viable businesses. 

** Economic news - comparisons from the beginning of 2022 and now (26/06) - 

S & P 500 - down 20.4%

All Ords (Australia) - down 10.6%

NZX50 -  down 15.9%

COLCAP (Colombia) - down 2.4%

NZD/USD - down 8.1%

USD/EURO - up 7.4%

NZD/COP (Colombian Peso) - down 7.5%

USD/COP - up 0.6%

It's interesting that the COP is holding up against the USD and NZD, but who knows what will happen now that we have a Socialist government in Colombia? There are all sorts of predictions about various economies, but one cannot escape the fact that with the unbridled printing of counterfeit money  - mainly by the US, but also the EU, Australia and NZ and others - that the mother of all financial crashes is very close.  Add to that the increasing interest rates which are essential to arrest the stagflation which has been unleashed upon the world, and the outlook is grim. Some of us remember interest rates in excess of 20% p.a. in the 1980's and those need to return (hopefully briefly) in order to defeat the inflation which the Socialist economic saboteurs have deliberately unleashed upon all of us. So now is the time for all of us to anticipate this downturn coming and just hunker down. But always remember that these economic times were unleashed in the US by the Carter Democrat Administration in the 1970's, just as the current times have been unleashed by the Biden Democrat regime's lunatic and deliberately destructive economic policies today. Unfortunately people have such short memories and hardly anyone these days is aware of even recent history. 

We hope that everyone remains well and bearing up against these Socialists whose time is coming to an end. In the words of Larry Kudlow, President Trump's former Treasury Secretary, "the cavalry is coming".

With love and all best wishes from us in El Retiro, Antioquia...................

Jim and Jean