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The Coltimbers Chronicle
All the months news on one page
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OCTOBER 2008
31 October 2008
INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND BUSINESS LESSONS
- Democrat Barrack Obama wins the most expensive ever US presidential election, becoming the first
African American (he is of Kenyan ancestry) US President. Republican rival John McCain conceds
after a resounding defeat. In the Senate and Congress, Democrats expand their majorities.
- Charismatic and popular, Obama campaigned on a CHANGE platform. McCain`s jibes that Obama is a
tax-and-spend liberal should prove true, with Obama proposing increased taxes on America`s
middle class.
- Obama is inheriting a sick ship with serious leaks - the social security shortfall (American
can`t pay its aging population promised benefits), massive budget and current account deficits,
a weak economy, lack of faith in financial institutions following recent banking failures, and a
stalemate in Iraq which has severly damaged America`s standing
- This is the opposite of the healthy and balanced ship George W Bush inherited just 8 years ago.
- One Republican supporter told CNN "Our government`s idiot-proof. There`s nothing he can do that
we can`t fix in the end." With Bush leaving Obama with a lot of fixing to do, let`s hope for the
world`s sake these dire predictions for Obama`s presidency prove false!
SPORT
- The Sharks deservedly win the Currie Cup. Our tired Springboks, must now raise themselves after
a long season for another end of season European tour. Coach Pieter de Villiers doesn`t pick a
recognized flyhalf, but he answers expert calls to test talented Ruaan Pienaar in that position
(he cannot get past incumbent Fourie du Preez)
- Liverpool fans are hopeful that the club can win the Premier League after an agonizing 18 year
wait. Victories over Man Utd and Chelsea have however been soured by draws and a loss to lowly
opposition
- England`s Rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson replaces Brian Ashton as coach of the
national team
- Diego Maradona, one of the greatest footballers of all time and a troubled soul who has battled
depression and substance abuse his whole life, is appointed coach of the Argentina national
team. An interesting choice…
AT HOME
- The Rand and JSE crash in the most tumultuous month on financial markets since 1929.
- Last month, we wrote in our newsletter "The Rand collapses in the month, moving from R7.77 to
R8.48". This month, the Rand went above R11.30 to the dollar before bouncing back to R9.50. A
picture tells a thousand words – see below exchange rates for the last few months
- Consistent costing of imported products is virtually impossible. If the Rand stabilizes at R9.50
to R10.00, customers can expect a meranti price increase early in the new year
NEWS FROM THE COL FACE
- Congrats to Glenwood Hardware, the only winners in our "find three mistakes on our new website"
competition. Reminder to visit www.coltimbers.co.za
- Our first month in the Swartland fold saw our service levels and availability excellent as
always
- Please place your Christmas order early to ensure a smooth service to your store
MONTHLY MOTIVATIONAL THOUGHT
43% of all statistics are useless!!!
As always, thank you for choosing Col Timbers as your supplier of choice
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