Funny you mention global integration. I was just having a discussion on a radio show about how the super powers of the world have become increasingly diminished because of globalization. Where once, nuclear weapons were the ultimate deterrent, now they're pretty much obsolete since deployment would essentially destroy your own economy.
(07-05-2016 01:33 PM)DimeBait Wrote: Funny you mention global integration. I was just having a discussion on a radio show about how the super powers of the world have become increasingly diminished because of globalization. Where once, nuclear weapons were the ultimate deterrent, now they're pretty much obsolete since deployment would essentially destroy your own economy.
That was the whole idea behind the post WW2 order. Create positive incentives (economic co-dependence) to negate the the necessity for war over resources. Unchecked nationalism sooner or later has to lead protectionism, and eventually that leads to war for more [protected] resources, the only other alternative is erosion of economic power, and irrelevance - similar to Japan's massive 30 year stagnation and debt.
I think today's smart money is laying the ground work for its exit to a safe location if the forces of unchecked nationalism make a resurgence. You see it with Chinese people sending their money to Canada and Australia via real estate investment. You'll start seeing it with European money making an exit too. I predict the Visa free passport in Africa is a test run to see if the continent can remain stable once the floodgates open in 2018. I'd watch for cities like Lagos/Eko Atlantic, Nairobi, Standton, and Luanda getting even more investment once 2018 rolls around.
But that's all mental masturbation. We can't change the politics, there's always trends and tides, but we can certainly take advantage of the opportunities.
If there's money to be made, there will be demand for western trained professionals, especially in the technical field. It's a good time to be an engineer, tradesman, or financial professional, and willing to be mobile.
Definitely would like to hear more from the African based RFV guys (or those who visit there often) about how they see opportunities for professionals there.
The problem in most developing countries isn't money, it's governance.
Western corporations don't trust African governments. African citizens don't trust African governments. The same can be said for Latin America and most of Asia.
That's why the physical and social infrastructure is so bad. The elites within the society often loot the public coffers. The smart kids try to work for the government or multi national corporations. The small business men have to then deal with street criminals and wary public.
The fish stinks from the head.
Legitimate business needs political stability and reliable infrastructure to thrive.
But unstable governments? What's one of America's top exports?
Weapon systems. Global instability is good for the arms business.
There are fortunes to be made, but if you have to grease every palm, where is your profit?
(07-05-2016 11:04 AM)DjembaDjemba Wrote: For the guys on here who have African passports, will you be taking advantage once the pan-African passport and visa free travel are enacted in 2018 for all 54 countries?
E-Passports will be issued to 'the ruling class' next month, in 2018 a continental passport will be issued and visa free travel will be enacted across the whole continent (for passport holders only).
Is this the next pussy paradise? Especially for the upper middle class? Is this a good move? Will you be tempted to get a hold of such a passport?
(07-05-2016 11:04 AM)DjembaDjemba Wrote: For the guys on here who have African passports, will you be taking advantage once the pan-African passport and visa free travel are enacted in 2018 for all 54 countries?
E-Passports will be issued to 'the ruling class' next month, in 2018 a continental passport will be issued and visa free travel will be enacted across the whole continent (for passport holders only).
Is this the next pussy paradise? Especially for the upper middle class? Is this a good move? Will you be tempted to get a hold of such a passport?
I have both an African and American passport, so for me it probably doesn't change much, although essentially borderless travel is a welcome addition. Ironically, its much easier for a European or American to travel between African countries than it is for African to travel between African countries with regard to VISA requirements, so this will probably have a greater net impact on native Africans. This is kind of a necessary step since foreign investment in falling on the continent, so greater economic cooperation is need to sustain any growth patterns. I would like to see the travel infrastructure develop in parallel as well, since that can be a major hindrance to efficient travel. Traveling in Africa is not as cheap as one would expect either especially if you're doing heavy tourist activities and partying as well.
As far as opportunity in Africa there are some good options. For example, South Africa revised its immigration policy to give 5 year worker VISAs to foreigners who have a skill on the 'Critical Skills List'. Basically the list is made up of skills that South African firms cannot source domestically, many of which include engineering and IT skills, and hope to fill with foreign nationals.
Quote:Areas of the South African workforce have been identified by the government as to be lacking qualified and experienced professionals in these roles.
The Critical Skills Permit was created to address these areas of improvement within the workforce by opening the doors to foreign nationals who could help provide additional skills, experience and knowledge in these areas. While ultimately supporting the country’s economy, this visa aims to attract international talent and experience to specific areas requiring development on South African shores.
Processing time for the permit is around 30-40 days with a government fee of R1520 and a new submission centre fee of (in South Africa) of R1350. The government fee abroad is dependent on currency.
Click here to submit an application form when applying outside South Africa.
What are the specifics of Critical Skills Permit?
• This visa falls in the temporary residency visa stream and allows foreign nationals to legally live and work in South Africa for a period of up to five years.
• Visa’s are granted based on the applicant being able to prove that they hold the experience and qualifications needed in that specific field of occupation as listed on the Critical Skills List of more than 200 occupations for which this skills shortage exists.
• The applicant will not need a job offer on application and may apply for this visa without a job offer.
• Under this visa the holder must secure employment in his specific field, for which this visa was granted, within 12 months.
• The visa holder has freedom of movement between employers, provided that they always work in the occupation for which their visa was granted.
• The applicant need not obtain a letter of recommendation from the Department of Labour
• This visa also offers the bearer the option to apply for permanent residency in the country subject to certain conditions. But can be applied for straight away if the applicant can prove more than 5 years’ experience in their field of expertise.
A list of specific skills can be found below with agricultural engineers and software developers being in particularly high demand. South Africa(Johannesburg, Cape Town) has a particularly chronic shortage of developer talent as it vies(along with Lagos and Nairobi) to facilitate a digital revolution of sorts. These cities actually figure very prominently on the world startup scene as well, so they need these skills to continue the momentum.
In Ghana there is the Right to Abode program where US Citizens are fast tracked to Ghanaian dual citizenship. You need to be financially independent though, so this maybe better if you have a business idea in hand or have good connects.
I have an African passport and I keep my options open. I have a few friends and family that have immigrated to Africa from Europe. My friend took his American girl (who is now his wife) there and they are enjoying it. So all this flies, malaria and crappy infrastructure stuff is just smoke blown by the West to prevent brain drain. My friend told me that you can order food via text in the country he is in. He has also lived in America and has to come here annually. He said he would NEVER live here and is loving Africa. He is born and raised in London, England, literally a stone's throw from where I grew up.
I have a couple pieces. (1) Springfield XD .40 caliber and (2) Bushmaster AR-15 .223 caliber. Having guns is almost a must in the USA since everyone else seems to have one.
You?
Nada, illegal in my hamlet to possess a firearm. Soon as i move though...I will take the proper courses and training and exercise another of my constitutional rights.
(07-06-2016 03:51 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote: Hence my rekindled interest in acquiring firearms.
WIA
I think folks should take full advantage of open-carry, ccw-permits, and permit-less ccw laws. I keep my pistol on me at all times. Seems like now though, we need bullet-proof vests as well.
What an excellent thread! I've been reading slowly the past week and I swear there's no resource on cyberspace that can compete with this particular thread. I hope to add material here soonest.
(07-06-2016 11:21 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote: How many of you guys are good with guns?
WIA
You been watching Colion Archie?
I have been a hunter most of my life. I only had one pistol when I finished college. Now I have a bunch of guns and an AR15. I always carry one pistol on my person, at all times, and keep one in my vehicle.
I highly encourage everyone to conceal or open carry.
Even our "favorite ranting nigga from Spain", is back home and got his mind right about it.
Start at 1:40 or so. He's silly as usual, but he is right. You won't end up a Trayvon Martin like victim if you carry your own gun and get educated on the laws. Singing we shall overcome won't work at all.
(07-06-2016 03:12 PM)Mentavious Wrote: You guys watch the video of the black male getting shot in the back while cuffed?
Which one? The dude in Baton Rouge? If so, don't feel sorry for that guy. He wrestled and fought with two police officers and only got shot after his gun fell out on the ground. He wasn't handcuffed, they were still trying to pin him down.
Apparently he flashed his gun at some other dude for some reason. He was selling CDs in front of a corner store. That person or someone else called the police on him, then he fought them and jumped on their cop car. I read somewhere else he was tased and it failed, but I cannot confirm that yet.
This dude even did time in prison for sex with girl 13-17.
Don't give these BLM idiots any more credibility by associating with their nonsense. You fist fight police officers, they will kill you. Double so if your gun falls out of your pants because you failed to tell them upon approach that you have one. He was a felon anyway, so him having a handgun was illegal to begin with. Nothing of value was lost and those cops did nothing wrong.