川普之恐嚇詐騙案／莊峻華

 川普之恐嚇詐騙案／莊峻華

美國前總統川普，正在面對美國法律，昨日一位昔日白宮助理，哈奇遜小姐公開國會作證，掀起一陣高潮，暴露出詳細內幕，我連續觀看六次國會聽證，美國輿論開始指出，這是一種處理美國黑社會，恐嚇詐騙腐敗之偵查方法，其中之黑社會幫頭，就是美國前任總統川普，川普前任私人律師科恩，經常指出川普手段，就是紐約黑社會幫派手法，十分有趣，美國國會正在調查去年一月六日國會暴動，追究責任，現在可以看出是針對川普總統，美國畢竟是一法治之國，國會之聽證會，都有法律之根據，這是一非常高級之政治公民課，我們都隨時在進修中。

先說川普不承認2020年敗選，到現在仍舊不承認，仍舊在亂，仍舊在募款，準備捲土重來2024，川普一生做姦犯科，走法律漏洞，高薪聘請律師打官司，他是十億萬級富人，但可以20年不交所得稅，做生意專門倒閉破產，當上總統就不想下台，深信法律碰不到他，尤其當上總統，他是少數幾位少數選票當選之美國總統，所以他是食髓知味，他在2020年輸八百萬選票，約一百多張選舉人票，仍舊不認輸，認為七州有作票行為，於是展開一連串之抗議，最後一次是國會暴動，圖謀在暴動混亂中，繼續執政，非常有趣，美國輿論每天都在詳細分析他的動機，方法，共謀等，當然他的不法最後失敗，但他仍舊造成美國民主法治社會之一大威脅。

川普有死派支持者，募款兩億五千萬美金，支持他與美國國會對抗，今年十一月，如果共和黨拿下衆院，這川普之恐嚇詐騙案，將告一段落，而且不了了之，美國法治總有缺陷，有人高於法律，川普其一例證，至於他是否能再騙國一次，我甚懷疑，不選他者，在美國仍舊是多數，美國仍舊是一合理適居人道之好國家。

Re-visiting Sin Maartien 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Re-visiting Sin Maartien 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Sin Maartien is located in the eastern Caribbean where I have visited several times. it is also called as San Martin in French. Some passengers take the excursion to visit French section not far away while the cruise disembark at Philisburg on the Dutch side of the island. I always stay at the port and visit the small town and finish my day before the noon.

I would march to the main street of the town from the town center to the end of the street. Most of the street are stores of gift shops and restaurants. It is by a beautiful beach where you have to pay a small amount in order to get to swim. I introduced the downtown street to Mr. Yong and attempted to locate an art gallery which I had visited the owner several times. I couldn't find the shop this time that might be closed due to the pandemic. He had a nice garden on the back yard with two star fruits on two trees. His name is Maxmilliam who has a son lives at Brownsville, Texas  opens a capoeira center, a kind of self defense exercises sports.

Several Chinese restaurants are still on the main street mostly Cantonese restaurants. You can good fresh steam fishes with a good Chinese food taste. It is very interesting that the down town stores are full of jewelry stores and Asian Indian owners.

I like to visit a small town in the Caribbean because that it refreshes my fond memory of my childhood in Taiwan. Of course my home town Huwei is much larger than here yet the environment, the tropical plants and heat way with the ocean wind, etc. I can get my walking exercises and come back to the ship to have my lunch with a good memory.

I did my research of the island on the French part. People come to that part to observe the low flying passenger jet to take off or landing from the airport.

重返荷屬聖馬丁島2022／莊峻華

 重返荷屬聖馬丁島2022／莊峻華

荷蘭屬島聖馬丁，座落於東加勒比海，是郵輪必經之島，荷蘭和法國在17世紀，瓜分此小島，我們船停靠在菲律斯堡，我來過此島多次，非常熟識，一條主街，濱海沙灘，許多船上乘客和船員，均能善用此幽雅環境，我帶榮祥逛街去，一一介紹鎮中據點，我主要是要拜望一畫廊，我認識這位老畫家，他畫廊背院是一小花園，有兩株楊桃，果實累累。

聖馬丁是一小島，菲律斯堡是一小鎮，鎮雖小倒亦五臟俱全，有幾家中餐廳，而且甚具規模，我參觀過三家，第一家在鎮前路上，有鮮魚料理相片，有外賣也有堂食，第二家在鎮上大街，在二樓，一次船上菲律賓愛女們組隊光顧，自購食材，甚至帶上船上大廚，前來烹煮，很有意思。第三家是畫廊主人介紹我，請教餐廳主人魚名，我在前站安地瓜吃的那蒸魚，餐廳主人有私艇捕魚，幾位船上愛女口饞，前來光顧。

主街雖小，但亦車水馬龍，遊客多人租車，環繞全島，甚至有專車，越境到法屬聖馬丁，停靠時間一整白日，通常我早回郵輪午餐。一年，我描述等待畫廊主人，贈我幾粒楊桃不果，愛女瑪莉歇兒，回12層巴西餐廳取兩粒楊桃贈我，後來郵輪調她離去，也有幾年不見，這次尋找畫廊未果悵甚。

Re-visiting Antigua 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Re-visiting Antigua 2022/Carlos Pueblo

Antigua is located in the Eastern Caribbean, a frequent stop of the cruise on the eastern route. I have visited the island for many times. Each time, I would walk to an Episcopal Church on the hill and once I even marched pass that church to a lovely beach and beyond, a battery post facing the sea. I know admiral Nelson was station here during that time of fighting among European naval power.

I believed that the ship was on a different pier; therefore, I couldn't go directly to the main street, instead, I ran into an old and smaller frame Catholic church with all doors and windows closed. A old lady opened the window on the second floor and yelled to me that the church was closed. She pointed it out to another direction to the girls senior high where in adjacent to the church I liked to visit. Before I left that Catholic church, I picked up two mangos fallen on the ground. I started feeling that I had to go to a toilet. 

We entered the church from a gate facing the girls senior high. The gate used to be closed due to the renovation. There is a concrete platform on the entrance where I used to take a nap on my previous visits where I could also see the high school class rooms and campus.

I had had a vey good chat with a church lady who was on duty for visitors. She said that the girls senior high was established by this church and donated to the island nation. Antigua residents speak multi languages, English, Spanish, and African native. I asked her about a Chinese restaurant near by the church, she told me that restaurant was closed. I once consumed a fish meal at that small eatery and the lady owner gave me a home grown vegetable. Both plates were very delicious. Many cruise staff came to this four tables restaurant also.

I was urgent need to find a toilet and it was too late. It is an old age issue. I had to wait outside of a small building side wall in order for the paint to dry. That was the time I enjoyed those two mangos. We walked back to the main street toward the pier. We were on the cruise tender service which was a small boat provided by the cruise to be on and off the cruise ship.

重返安地瓜2022／莊峻華

 重返安地瓜2022／莊峻華

安地瓜和巴布達兩島，座落於東加勒比海，是一小島國，人口不到十萬，面積一百平方哩，首都聖約翰，有很多美麗之海灘，我搭郵輪上岸很多次，這次郵輪停靠碼頭稍異，下船後走上另條街，沒找到熟悉之老教堂，但很快就弄清楚方向，是這樣的，我一直都是沿著大街，走向稍高崗之老教堂，教堂在整修中，於是我在背後門一水泥地打盹，觀看安地瓜高女校園，和兩處間之街道。

此大教堂是英國國教堂，甚具規模，但已沒落多時，教友一直努力整修中，這次我走經另一平行街到，在漢堡王餐廳外，我曾在漢堡王借廁所，和使用網路，我看到一更沒落之天主教堂，所有門窗都關閉，有一女士在二樓打開窗戶喊曰，我們關閉，我說是要找老大教堂，她不知我所云，我再喊道高女校園，她指隔壁方向，離去前我在芒果樹下，撿到兩粒小芒果。

側門進入老教堂，就是女高面對過去休憩水泥地後門，教堂開放，有一位女司事在介紹，另外一位在旁提醒要奉獻，提醒好幾次，這位女司事和我聊天，我提到教堂附近一家中餐飯館，她知道但已經關閉，有一年我走近飯館，大蓋就是三小桌，點一蒸鮮魚，和女老闆聊天，她是福建福清人，很能幹在安地瓜作生意，她還贈我一盤家裏帶來之小白菜，魚和菜都像台灣家庭口味，也看到幾位船上下來之船員來用餐。

女司事提到這女高，原屬其教堂，現教堂早已捐給安地瓜政府，英帝國仍派總都在聖約翰鎮，其宿舍就在芒果樹老天主堂旁，我查谷歌得知，當年納爾遜大將，曾駐安地瓜，當年加勒比海列強艦隊雲集，下次再返安地瓜，必尋古蹟。

走回碼頭，我已經開始尿急，這次處理不好，尿道長褲，只好在鎮公所附近樹下，吃撿來芒果，等待風乾長褲，這附近有賭場，上次我也向賭場借用廁所，這次真是太大意，還好容祥不在意，如果我走向教堂後之美麗海灘，是有廁所的，海灘附近有一濱海公園，有古砲台，就是我猜的古蹟。

Donald Trump is guilty/Carlos Pueblo

 Donald Trump is guilty/Carlos Pueblo

The Congress January 6 special committee is conducting 6 of the public hearing to investigate what happen on January 6, 2021 on the congress building. The first hearing was the review of the riot of that day, the second hearing was showing most his advisors' opinions toward his wish to stop Vice President Pence to proceed a ceremonial votes counting, and the third hearing yesterday was the argument of him and the ground advisors of the Vice President. Trump is very worry that he may have already committed a crime, as a matter of facts, he has committed many crime in his life including on his tenure as the President of the United States. Donald Trump is guilty.

He is guilty of not fulfilling his promise to pay his loans. He has filed more than 6 time for bankruptcy on his business, yet he is still very rich. I don't know how he can get away from not paying recaptured tax and not paying federal income tax for 20 years.

He pays hash money to women whom he has had affairs with. The IRS has limited resource to audit him if he deducts such funds as business expanse. I like to know.

He did pay fine for his Trump University scandal by reimburse some tuitions for students, yet I don't see the report of how his collection of charity money without any of the charity distribution. I like to know that there is an audit for his political campaign funds disbursement. It must be fair and he is not above the law.

He is under several civil and criminal litigation in the country, in New York City and State. in California, and in Fulton County, Georgia, etc. Once he is proven guilty, many victim on January 6 in the District of Columbia can sue his for damage. He is not too big or too famous to be sued. He is not above the law. He dares to challenge the law and he must face the law.

川普有罪／莊峻華

 川普有罪／莊峻華

川普有罪，而且是民事刑事，通通有罪，很奇怪的事，美國法率無法刑之以法，一直到現在，仍舊招搖撞騙，政治募款兩億五千萬美元，募款任由他花用，無甚節制，幾十年如一日，將近一半美國人口喜歡他，東方人，包括中國人，台灣人，日本人，菲律賓人等，支持他者衆，這是我甚少朋友之故，所以我乾脆去郵輪旅行，結交年輕美麗之船員小姐，以免生氣。

去年一月六日，川普有計劃扇動暴亂國會大廈，阻撓國會形式驗票，造成死傷，至今仍舊不承認2020年敗選，沒完沒了，國會一月六日小組，進行調查一年，上週開始公開聽證會，已經開了三次，川普當然有罪，只不過是美國將如何提起公訴，或甚現行逮捕，現在當日攻入國會者，已經陸續逮捕判刑，川普也開始花錢請辯護律師，全家子女女婿等都戰戰兢兢，誠惶誠恐，惟恐官司纏身。

我觀乎川普有罪，主要是此人心術不正，出身紈絝子弟，生性好色，做生意倒閉賺錢，倒包工錢，倒銀行錢，倒投資者錢等，幾十年不交所得稅，辦大學騙學生錢，設慈善基金募款，有進無出，一騙再騙，騙到美國總統一職，我們都要提早投票，和一般少數民族，投票反對他連任，我們在郡裡贏，但全州輸，也輸一輩一生，只能默默無語，無需叛亂。

這三次公開聽證會，首次是介紹當日暴動，川普無知，送一群幾千人不滿敗選者，攻佔國會大廈，美國真的如此脆弱？英帝國都要華盛頓多年持槍叛亂，始能退翻喬治三世統治，川普幼稚，就憑這些暴民，就可以攻佔國會？第二次聽證會是講川普白宮助手，都告訴他，選舉已敗，但川普不能敗，一敗就塗地，所有的東窗都要事發，所以小丑戲要持續演，他女兒都承認他敗選，他到現在還不承認，繼續騙錢募款。

第三次是講到逼副總統犯法，阻撓他之形式開票責任，副總統研究後拒絕，川普繼續公開施壓，到現在仍怪副總統不幫忙犯法，這三次聽證會，非常精彩，美國畢竟是一民主法治成熟之國家，川普有罪，我們拭目以待。

The U.S. economic sanction to China/Carlos Pueblo

 The U.S. economic sanction to China/Carlos Pueblo

The U.S. economic sanction to China is a big deal to both China and the U.S. Chinese economic growth is collapsing while the inflation 2022 is a headache to the U.S. Chinese Premier Li emphasizes the economic growth first and Covic-19 fighting second while President Biden is considering to relax some tariff posted by his predecessor Trump. It is necessary to post 25% tariff on Chinese goods export to the U.S. because Beijing China inhumane behavior toward Eastern Turkistan, Chinese name Xin Chiang means new territory and break the mutual agreement between China and the United Kingdom about Hong Kong. The most important reason of the sanction is the initiation of Wuhan Corona Virus Pandemic, the Covic-19 named after Chinese protest of the local city name. 

Instead of a military action against China like the one in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, Biden continues Trump tariff toward China and some severe limit on the intellectual products made in China because Chinese illegal copying, manufacturing, and marketing, etc. Biden also threatens additional sanction if China help Russian and goods to invade Ukraine. I think that is better than a physical war.

In addition to the economic sanction, the U.S. also tell China to back off the claim that both the South China Sea and the Formosa Straight are Chinese territory. The U.S. disagree Chinese claim that Taiwan is a part of China in case of Chinese invasion of Taiwan, the U.S. will come to help Taiwanese defense like Russian invade Ukraine. Even Japan is willing to help Taiwan.

There is a talking in Taiwan that the U.S. is expecting the collapse of both current regimes in Moscow and Beijing due to the war in Ukraine and the economic collapse in China. Both authoritarian regime post a threat of the U.S. national security and the world peace.

美國正在制裁中國／莊峻華

 美國正在制裁中國／莊峻華

美國正在制裁中國，態度不是很好，中國政府手足無措，中國文字媒體等，也說不出所以然，我的看法和了解是這樣的，武漢肺炎，南中國海之航行，香港問題，科技的盜竊等，俄羅斯侵略烏克蘭後，美國開始防範中國侵略台灣，影響到美國之利益，和國家安全，所以從川普開始就對中國強硬，增加中國貨物進口稅。

武肺之發生，中國海外異議者陳破空，手握資訊，早指出是來自武漢生化戰劑廠，一是洩漏病毒，習近平一夥全力隱瞞，事發當時，我正準備旅行香港，我已經有陳之說法，台灣也有十年前中國煞死病毒經驗，立即封境，美國無經驗，結果病毒傳入美國，造成國家動盪不安。中國一直否認武肺來自武肺廠，美國派專家和世衛組織專家，均得不到中國之合作調察，拜登上台之90日調察真相，也不了了之，因為真相一出，是要出兵打仗，中國媒體形容下的新八國聯軍，拜登市忍了下來，最近世衛組織的報告，已經明指病毒來自武漢廠，美國已經經濟制裁中國兩年半，中國經濟人民，一片哀號，美國沒有中國廉價進口貨，通貨開始膨脹。

習近平抵抗反送中抗議，我在香港旅行中，特別參觀香港大學之學生中心，香港獨立之大字報，習近平撕裂1997年英中兩國香港條約，香港商業自主不再，外國資本蒙受巨大損失，美國，英國，和日本，有苦難言，就像1950年，中國沒收全中國私人土地和財產一般，通通沒收。現在世界都經濟制裁中國，中國人苦難矣。

中國在南中國海填島，聲稱南中國海也是中國神聖領土，美國和歐洲海權國，都需派軍艦來南中國海演習，連澳洲，印度，和日本都參加，習近平很節制，不准解放軍開第一槍。

盜竊高科技，山寨版產品充斥，美國開始禁令，甚至不准在美國股票上市，有無影響？只待結果。

俄羅斯侵略烏克蘭，美國除軍援烏國外，甚至警告中國，不准幫助俄羅斯，習近平連吭氣都不敢，只能揚言攻打台灣，台灣的美國利益更大於香港，連日本均曰台灣有事，日本也有事。

How to manage the inflation 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 How to manage the inflation 2022/Carlos Pueblo

It is not too late to start to manage the inflation 2022, as a matter of fact, it takes a long time to prepare ourselves to be ready for such economic change. A great nation can provide a better environment for citizens to work and it is up to ourselves to find a job and keep on working. I like to describe myself as an example. I am still a nobody, yet I am much better than when I came to this Nation in 1975. I am in a different kinds of financial class, a financial independent no worry for the situation such as this 2022 inflation.

I work; therefore, I have been a recipient of the social security benefit, an amount of $1,550 a month. This amount is roughly the amount to maintain my monthly expanse. If the inflation is a concern to me, I quit on spending. I have some other resource to pay all taxes.

Secondly, I am still saving which is my life time habit. I feel goo when I am still saving that means my money is still growing. I live by the rule that my spending is less than my income.

The third step is investing. I buy house first to have my own place to live. I pay off the loan as soon as I can and leave the real estate tax as the only burden. I save as much as I can and the laws allow me to. I would rather to pay the income tax later when I retire or when I need the fund. It is all right that I pay tax more now than before because that my retirement income is higher than before. I am happy and the IRS is happy. 

Most of the population in this Nation are able to follow such guide line to prepare ourselves to manage the inflation. Only a few disadvantage people need the help from the government and that is what we pay the tax for it. 

如何面對通貨膨脹（2）？／莊峻華

 如何面對通貨膨脹（2）？／莊峻華

通貨膨脹2022是真實不虛，個人如何面對此經濟突變？是人生必需解決之難題，這不是短期之解決，而是長期之準備，我有三代之經驗，當然政府政策有關，執行政策官員有關，最直接且重要者，還是個人財務之安排，這需長期甚至幾代家庭之努力。

要有工作收入，工作不分貴賤，收入不分高低，有了工作收入後，減少通貨膨脹增加支出之壓力，我一生工作中，總是讓公司開除，因為我拒絕辭職，因辭職就失去工作收入，所以雖然沒有主要工作二十餘年，但一直有一些收入，實際上，自十九歲考入台灣師大領取台灣政府公費後，當年是1967，公費額是一個月五元美金，加上免學費，兩年學生宿舍。畢業後服兩年常備兵役，有一個月兩美元之收入，這是義務役，役滿返鄉任教高中，收入增加到一個月一百美元，如此兩年，台灣國民黨政府，很信用發放教師薪水。離開台灣是領薪水到八月，八月中旬來美國，阿拉巴馬州政府給助學金一個月三百七十五美元，從九月開始，在休大是四百五十美元一個月，一直到現在七十五歲，仍舊有一些工作收入，當然主要是社會福利金和退休儲蓄領出等收入，我一直都有收入，我的兩位子女也都有工作收入，有投資收入，支出都在收入範圍內，先父生前在台灣糖廠工作一生，收入甚是微薄，但有穩定之家境，培養出來我們之節約儲蓄習慣。

節約儲蓄就是累積資本，讓錢來幫我們賺錢，我的投資大部分在住屋和退休金，這次遇到2022年通貨膨脹，把長期壓抑之石油股兌現，本金加股息今錢領出。通貨膨脹帶來之消條，已經在股市呈現，全球都需要美國之消費者，努力以赴。

全球消條後，始能體會美國的社會福利政策，領社會福利金，我已經領近20年，需要長期工作，累積分數，還可以有老人健保，加上退休金，節約儲蓄，2022年通貨膨脹無慮。

在社會上要有工作，必需上學校讀書，有堅決之意志，有好家庭背景，父母親之鼓勵。

Re-visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 Re-visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico 2022/Carlos Pueblo

By late March this year, I have been away from any traveling for more than 27 months due to the Corona Virus Pandemic and I feel sorry for myself because of my aging and there is limited time for me to enjoy my life as a matter of the fact. I, therefore, booked a ten days cruise trip to the Eastern Caribbean Sea. The first port to visit is San Juan, Puerto Rico where I have been visited for about 10 times and only around the port area and the down town.

Houston, Texas was still chilly while Puerto Rico was nice and warm. Mr. Yong, my brother-in-law and my travel partner, agreed that we only walked around the down town streets. He lives in New York City and is accustom to the busy environment of San Juan. I had my one purpose for my walk around that was to replace the battery of my old idle wrist watch. None of jewelry stores offer such service because the wrist watch is no longer popular while the i-phone can provide exact time. The old city is very attractive and we can see the first floor stores and inns on the second floor. People are coming out now like that we come out for a trip away from home. I didn't dare to take him to march to the old National Heritage Park for a view of the old guns facing to the sea. He was just out of a serious illness while old age caught me. I still love Puerto Rico.

I attempted to get a Wi-Fi connection at a restaurant. It was not working for some reasons. Cruise ships regularly would charge a fee for the internet connection and I always learn to follow the cruise staff on the street to find where they use to get the connection. This time the ship still prohibits them to disembark. What my desire to connect my i-phone is simply to send a message home or watch the stock market. I was alright at San Juan because my i-phone was working because P.R. is still considered domestic and the phone is still working without a charge. We came back for a nice lunch on board and didn't go out again.

The huge ship is really like a small Texas town which I would say about 2,500 people living among 14 plus decks. It is enough for me to eat at free restaurants which I mean meal costs are included in the fare. I am invited to two fee restaurants with a guest due to my frequent passenger status. Usually I choose the steak house and an Italian Restaurant. Restaurants on the cruise are very high quality with the over all environment and foods which they provided. I can't eat very much now because that I don't like to eat too much meat. 

He can't drink now and I hate to pay, yet I still have some opportunity to get free drink such as a latitude party to meet fellow frequent passengers and a bottle of free wine along with one of the free specialty restaurant.

重返波多黎哥珊璜市2022／莊峻華

 重返波多黎哥珊璜市2022／莊峻華

三月底，開始懷念郵輪旅行，邀請連襟榮祥兄同遊，剛好他有興趣，我在2016年也邀他同遊跨大西洋到西班牙巴瑟隆那市，這次寶石號在紐約市曼哈頓碼頭上船，時期十日，遊覽東加勒必海，他很仔細教我如搭地下鐵和市公車，我睡在他公寓沙發，他公寓座落女皇區的愛斯托莉亞，是住宅區，環境幽雅，很像西歐熱鬧小市區，他帶我出去逛街，我邀請峻嚴老友桃園阿火兄，帶我們到法拉盛唐人街吃韓國料理，上次他請過我，印象深刻，店內美麗女侍能言北京語，原來是滿洲朝鮮族，很有意思，捲舌且字正腔圓。

紐約市很大，榮祥在市交通公司退休，幾十年都是我的導遊，這次他也帶我參觀新景區，我將一一報導，例如公寓附近的公園，在東哈德遜河畔，有運貨鐵橋，有戴客地鐵穿過東河，非常壯觀，還有後來特別到羅斯福島，坐纜車吊過東河，真是有趣，他特別介紹聯合國職員社區，只是我們時間有限，而且我年紀稍大，容易疲倦。

我們先搭地鐵到50街和第八大道附近，然後再叫計程車到碼頭，一到碼頭，我就非常親切，像是回到家一樣興奮，我在入船注冊時，需要郵武肺未感染證明，這在手機上，我們房間分別在第八和第九層甲板，上船後就有午餐，已經是首日。

紐約開到波多黎哥約有兩日航程，郵輪很穩重，水波不興，我們在船上結識很多新朋友，每天節目精彩，食物豐盛可口，最美麗的餐廳，最佳之服務，榮祥來自馬來西亞，熟悉印度料理，郵輪上很多印度大廚，中餐是菲律賓大廚，都非常道地，郵輪材料新鮮，由一家美國大食品公司提供。

我來珊璜市不下十次，有時候機省錢，甚至住客棧，所以我能帶榮祥逛街，因為體力，我未行軍到砲台國家歷史公園，只在鬧區找手錶店，擬換電池，但無店可換，一直到最後的龜港，始問到一家，其實紐約唐人街更方便。

波多黎哥是否獨立？是否入美國一州？是否維持現狀？現在有浮出新聞，可能會有公民投票，波多黎哥風景很美，人口約僅兩百萬，許多住民都已經移民美國。

The inflation of 2022/Carlos Pueblo

 The inflation of 2022/Carlos Pueblo

the inflation of 2022 is the highest one in four decades that is what the newspaper says today. I have been throughout the severe inflation of the mid-seventy thill the late 80's and I know what the inflation is. When I came to the United States, I had little to be mentioned and what I had was a $375.00 a month stipend as a teaching assistant. I managed to pay $90 for the tuition, $90 for the apartment rent, and I even saved $400 after two years. It was the oil embargo of the 70's made the inflation of everything related to oil products. 

I came to Houston in 1977 and my paid was raised to $450 a month and I gave that $400 saving to my poor elder sister for her expensive at school in Kansas. My brother allowed me to stay at his home until I got married. At that time, I had purchased a condominium and a new house with minimum down payments and 9.75% mortgage which was very high inflation. One time, I even joined my elder sister to purchase a rental house with 12.75% mortgage gradually increasing rate of 1% each year, that was 1982. I have not in default for every house which I had owned. I didn't make a profit, yet I did get my money back with a little bit of diminished value after 20 years. During this period of hard inflation, I had been working and raising a family simultaneously. I have never received any of the welfare money and the un-employment benefit because both are not applied to my situation by laws.

I have been very lucky to be healthy and also I have saved to the maximum allowed to my retirement in mutual funds. For the past 10 years, the country has been experienced the economic boom as a matter of fact more than 2 decades. My retirement savings have been appreciated and I can maintain my frugal life style without any worry. This inflation of 2022 means no stress to me. As a matter of fact, I get my old investment of the oil stock money back, of course, not as good as high tech stocks in my retirement mutual funds. My retirement funds are down more than 20% this year and that is also the worry of the U.S. government because I can't pay more income tax.

People will get used to the inflation as long as we can manage to live through it. We must take advantage of our opportunity to work and to save for the funds available for a hard time like this. 

2022年經濟狀況／莊峻華

 2022年經濟狀況／莊峻華

今年已過半年，股市低迷，年初沒有明顯的小股票漲價，年中也沒有夏季重振，股市續跌，而且通貨膨脹，非常厲害，開車使用之汽油，增加一倍以上，原油一桶飆高到一百二十元，我先將石油股賣出，拿回本金，今年以前的十五年，都是虧本，當然領回本金，也是貶值之美金。

經濟成長幾十年，是將遇到通貨膨脹，而且美金也會貶值，例如投資的股票，消條之經濟，消費者減少支出，將就一切，商業會受不了，聯邦政府中的民主黨參議員，又提議增加社會福利金，也是騙票辦法，和共和黨之減富人所得稅率一般，我的經驗是，每個人從小就要養成好習慣，努力讀書，認真工作，節約儲蓄，入必縛出，有錢要買斷一切，不要有債務。

我看總統以下，財政部長，央行總裁等，都開始頭疼，如何處理這頑固之通貨膨脹？我稍歸類幾項主因，第一，長期擴充之經濟，需要冷却，消耗掉過餘之生產，戰爭一例，雖然殘忍，但戰爭消耗許多庫存。第二，減稅，可以使美國人大膽消費，刺激生產。第三，減輕進口關稅，美國需要斟酌對中國之關稅，中國貨物廉價，維護美國幾十年廉價消費物品，當然，也需要考慮中國之狡詐，盜竊成品專利。

這些都需時間，要能渡過難關，例如，買斷之住屋座車等，通貨膨脹時，住行都無問題，前幾天我拿舊西裝去乾洗，十年來不曾穿洗，休市夏天太熱，無業後也無需西服社交，偶爾取出參加郵輪派對，僅此而已。

講到郵輪，我就擔心郵輪在消條期間之生意，郵輪旅行是一消費，不是必需，但確是嗜好，期中又必需考慮到機票，旅舍，和碼頭交通等，通貨膨脹後，我需多考慮成本，郵輪航空公司旅舍等，都需煩惱沒有生意。

To my dear friemds on cruises/Carlos Pueblo

 To my dear friends on cruises/Carlos Pueblo

After a week back from my 4 cruises vacation, my life is back to regular and normal. The right shoulder pain due to the lack of tennis playing is getting better every day. I am enjoying the heat way of South Texas weather by swimming after my morning tennis. My defensive stroke in tennis is back and I am back in my game.

I have taken some photos on the trip from both ships. My son Arthur has helped me up-load them to my desk top and i am going to send them to you. I know that I may have some difficulty to e-mail each one properly, yet I am going to do my best. Thank you very much for your patience and your friendships.

I have a plan to go back to Seattle to take the last Alaskan cruise for the season and back to Miami along the Pacific Coast through the Panama Canal in October. I hope to see some of you if you're not on vacation.

郵輪旅行回來一週／莊峻華

 郵輪旅行回來一週／莊峻華

上週一郵輪旅行返家，這是武肺肆虐27個月後，首次出外旅行，我選擇郵輪旅行，因為較為方便習慣，這次連續週遊加勒比海，橫跨大西洋和地中海，最後在阿拉斯加結束，我希望十月中旬，重返西雅圖港，再搭船遊最後一季阿拉斯加，再隨該輪遊美墨西海岸，沿巴拿馬運河回邁阿密港，愛美要我回家過感恩節。

這次搭兩船，寶石號和安可號，都是初次，但都有舊識關係可尋，搭乘郵輪旅行，像是回家一般親切，而且行程多次重複，我仍舊認收愛女愛孫女，現在連男孩們也來找慣係，許多船員都是舊識，非常親切，我因年紀漸高，開始接認孫女，一兩日後整船都知道這號人物之到來，這是我最喜愛郵輪旅行之處，這些年輕船員，工作努力，和藹親切，認勞認怨，真實社會難覓，連我親生女兒，已近中年，口氣仍舊拔扈不勘。

因為武肺未解除，郵輪職員，仍舊需要戴口罩，我們也跟著戴口罩，我戴三具，第一具抗議中國習近平，隱瞞瘟疫，第二具抗議不打疫苗者，第三具抗議不戴口罩者，船上人口密集，雖然許多防範措施，我相信還是有人感染，例如一些人突然失蹤幾日，大約是被隔離，郵輪已經有能力和知識應戰，有時候郵輪開始發口罩，或是強調戴口罩，都是有原因。

我大約留覽一下拍攝相片，我將開始寄出相片留念，我希望身體尚能郵輪旅行幾年，這是我老年之嗜好，對我身心調劑有益。雖然旅行中，有很多步行，甚至爬山行軍，但均未有適當之手背運動，右肩開始酸痛，有時影享睡眠，回來一週，恢復網球和游泳，四肢開始恢復正常。

The inflation/Carlos Pueblo

 The inflation/Carlos Pueblo

The inflation occurs every year and has been with us all the time. Recently, I think of my time to preparation of coming to the United States in 1975. I was required to show a $2,000 proof of the fund to support myself for the first year. That amount is about a month of expanse now in Houston for myself. $2,000 U.S. dollar can purchase much less goods now than in 1975 and it is called the inflation. The inflation is more significant after a long time of the economic growth such as several generation of continual growth in the American history. Many people are richer than ever before and how do we manage the inflation if we are not catching on?

Don't waste our time, we must work to have earned an income, first. Second, we must save money every day and our expanse must be less than our income. Let rich people to worry about the spending not us and the national economic growth is too huge for us to worry. Some people are beneficial due to the inflation such as producers and merchants can sell their goods in higher prices and the debtors can pay their debts less of value; however, we must be able to pay back the loan first. It is very simple yet people usually ignore.

I did what I learned from the text book about the inflation. I invested huge in oil stock and vehicle manufacture stock. Both have been depressed for the past 15 years. I finally run into the inflation and get rid of my oil stock and get back all my loss with a little bit of better than the bank interest of certificate. I appreciate the inflation.

I also only purchase goods on sale. I drive less nowadays. I also consider to travel less from now on. I shall contribute my part of effort to force the inflation down.

如何面對通貨膨脹？／莊峻華

 如何面對通貨膨脹？／莊峻華

每年通貨膨脹持續存在，就是美金一直在貶值中，今年較為顯著，因為汽油漲價，原油一桶漲到120美元，一加侖汽油比去年貴一倍以上，一般食物價錢，有顯著增加，銀行利息，稍微增高，美金漸漸買不到去年同額商品，這是通貨膨脹，我查一下書架中之美國歷史，美國一直在面對通貨膨脹，我們個人如何面對通貨膨脹？

我一直握有石油股票，石油股一直備受市場壓抑，這次我一舉全數賣出，手握現金，十年餘投資回報率，比銀行定期高，但比不上高科技基金，高科技股現在暴跌，我將逐漸領出現金，渡過這困難的幾年，一切都是按課本操作。

我不再向銀行高利貸款，過去我還借信用卡錢，交3％手續費，現在省下，我已經多年不上餐廳用餐，而且我一直開舊車，我都在存款準備年底交所有稅捐。

我要更堅持每日清晨運動，網球和游泳，入冬後改成散步，維持身體健康，不為病痛折磨，早睡早起，一年復一年。

Asking the passerby for directions/Carlos Pueblo

 Asking the passerby for directions/Carlos Pueblo

Traveling around the world in a frugal way required to ask the passerby for directions especially I am not that good or updated with the current i-phone technology. I just come back for a two months traveling on a four cruises  with several cities in and out of airports, motel, and hotels, etc., a lot of asking plus some Google researches.

My first cruise was a Eastern Caribbean 10 day route from the Manhattan pier in New York City. I was lucky that I invited my brother-in-law to come along. He lives in the city and very good at the city location. I came back to Houston to wait for the second cruise to across the Atlantic Ocean with the same ship. This time, I could stay at his sofa in his apartment. I therefore decided to wait at New Haven, Connecticut due to the cost of five night motel. I first needed to get out of the La Guardia Airport to the Grant Central station to take that MTA North line train. An information center girl wrote me a note 1. M60 Bus 2. Stop 125 Take train 4 or 6 to 42nd Street Grand Station Terminal. I asked many passerby for directions. Stop 125 is at the famous Harlem District, a nice lady was carefully watched me getting down the elevator to the subway station. On the train, two ladies were carefully again to make sure that I got off at the right station. I always ask questions to get help and also practice my language.

At New Haven, the Yale University campus, I also asked questions to get around such as to reach West New have drug store to get my Covic-19 test two days before boarding the ship. I ask and there are always kind persons there to help me at the right time to remind me to get off the bus. I was in panic when I learned that no shuttle bus available on Sunday to the rail station to return to NYC. This homeless man across the Green Park called me and told me to move to the front of a big church to wait for a regular bus, as a matter of the fact that there are two buses can go to the rail station. I got to the Grand Central and following my Google search note to find a bus to the Manhattan pier, a kind lady security walked me out of the station toward a bus stop that bus took me to the end and I could see the huge ship park right there.

The cross Atlantic cruise ends at Civitavecchia, a port north of Rome, Italy. I have been there twice before. The ship arranged a fee bus to transfer us to a rail station and I paid 4.5 Euro ticket to Rome and another 7 euro to the Rome International Airport. Turkey Air sent me to Istanbul International Airport to be consolidated with passengers fully loaded back to Houston. I asked all the way for directions and had a good time.

問道於善人／莊峻華

 問道於善人／莊峻華

約是三月底，開始恢復郵輪旅行，兩次在紐約市曼哈頓港口上下船，一次在西雅圖上下，另一次在羅馬市北郊外港下船，都是舊遊地，但均需問道於善心人士，因為我節檢旅行，喜歡搭乘公共交通工具，所以行前需要谷歌蒐集資料，抵達目的地後，開始問道於路人，遇到陌生善人相助，人生大幸，從小我也養成此習慣，幫助問路人。

我先在紐約市上船，行前約連襟榮祥兄同遊，他到拉闊地亞機場接我，我們搭巴士和地鐵到他的公寓，過去他教我搭地鐵輪渡到他史帖登島住宅，我是先回家看顧琳兒住宅五日後，再搭機回拉闊地亞機場，這次不能住榮祥家，只能搭車到康乃狄克州紐海文市五日候船，這是耶魯大學，我曾住過一週。機場案內小姐給我寫下指示，先搭巴士出機場，在125站下車，再搭4或6線地鐵到42街大中央總站，轉搭紐約市地鐵北線到紐海文市，兩小時火車時程，我就一路問道，原來125站在紐約市哈林區，善心女士下車後，一直指點我到搭電梯下地鐵站始離去，哈林區強人出沒，頗為箸名，問好方向上車後，又開始問道，地鐵乘客多半是少數民族，而且是女性，樂意助人。

登船兩日前，需要作武肺無感染檢驗，於是我約在西海文市一藥局，也是一路問路搭車，有一學生小姐，一路聽到我的問題，等到該下車時，提早要我注意是下一站過馬路。

週日從紐海文綠地公園，準備搭車回曼哈頓港，發現城中專車休息，正在焦慮，一位騎樓下流浪者，招手叫我，問我何處去？我說是火車站，他說專用車休假，但可搭一班車，就在教堂前，又有一位西語小姐告知兩班車，均可抵達火車站。

越洋郵輪在羅馬市外港停靠，我來過兩次，都未入羅馬市，我習慣郵輪之食宿，下船後跟著乘客到車站，搭一火車約是四點五歐元到羅馬市，然後再搭火車到國際機場，約是七歐元，經濟實惠，飛機帶我到土耳其伊斯坦堡機場，再跨大西洋美東回休士頓市。

阿拉斯加兩此郵輪行更精彩，我將在下文敘述。

In Memory of Mr. Ronald Wen of Kaoshiung, Taiwan 1949-2022/Carlos Pueblo

 In Memory of Mr. Ronald Wen of Kaohsiung, Taiwan 1948-2022/Carlos Pueblo

While visiting the Alaskan Governor's mansion at Juneau, Alaska on my Cruise, I learned that my college classmate, Ronald Wen of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, passed away on May the 9th. He had a severe stroke on April 12th at home at Irvine, California. He is a good friend of mine and helping me to solve a visa problem to leave Taiwan in 1975 and I must repeat his kind effort again in memory fo this rare Taiwanese gentleman.

He is from a wealth family, yet he selects to enter Taiwan Normal University, a school to prepare secondary school teacher in Taiwan. He was number one in our junior class; therefore, he was elected as the class leader to manage our class affair such as delivering the monthly allowance from the ministry of education and lease the cap and gown at the graduation, etc. After two years army draft service and two years teaching at middle school, we were all eligible to apply studying abroad in 1975. He was alright to get the visa to come to the United States with a full scholarship while I ran into my difficulty to get mine. I performed poorly at the college with my grade point average and in the result that I didn't pass the national examination to study abroad. I failed to pass the Organic Chemistry yet I did pass English, GRE, and TOEFL. I also didn't get the admission of any American University at all. Finally, I got a part time lab technician job, called the tuition-ship at the Lamar University and was allowed to apply the exit visa in lieu of passing the national examination. It was required by the U.S. Consulate General office in Taipei, Taiwan that I provided a US$2,000 check from the Bank of Taiwan to prove that I had financial support of a year. This was a huge amount for me at that time in Taiwan. He understood my strong desire to leave Taiwan and my family couldn't help me at all. He asked his father, a very generous business tycoon at that time to loan me that amount and that was how I could start my application for a visa.

Before my purchase a single way air plane ticket, a full scholarship letter came from Auburn University in Alabama. I took the check to the U.S. and waiting his instruction to mail my personal check to him. I remember this favor for all my life and I talk about it and write about it. 

He finished his study at the University of Wisconsin with two degrees, one in chemistry and another one in the environmental science. He came to visit us in Houston several times in the 80's, even Amy still remembers it. I have visited him several times when he moved to Irvine, California. I miss him very much. Recently, I read about his whole family's trip to Oregon to visit old professors friends from Wisconsin and I am so happy for him. I don't realize that is a farewell.