buddhaspeaksbiz

Contrary to polls, Vancouver's not so nice

2011-07-04T11:51:00.000-07:00

Contrary to polls, Vancouver's not so nice

Zentrepreneur - Senior Articles - Senior News - Senior Housing News - Senior Living Magazine

2011-05-30T11:51:00.000-07:00

Zentrepreneur - Senior Articles - Senior News - Senior Housing News - Senior Living Magazine

2011-04-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Zentrepreneur - Senior Articles - Senior News - Senior Housing News - Senior Living Magazine

Research proves PWRN Media Changing Society

2011-04-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Acts of kindness can inspire others

Georgian luger's death in Vancouver still haunts his hometown

2011-02-11T14:25:00.000-08:00

Georgian luger's death in Vancouver still haunts his hometown

Here is the question? Why are we reluctant to bring John Furlong to justice. Is it because we will do anything to not tarnish the after glow of the Olympics.

The man lied, he knew something and decided to bury it and was an accomplice to an avoidable death. In many courts that's an accessory.

If this kid's parents were wealthy and living in Vancouver they would have hired one of the top law firms in town and gotten some justice.

Did Furlong and Vanoc count on this going away because his grieving family was in another part of the world with limited financial resources.

The real shame is that Furlong shows up to the kid's funeral, expressing his sadness to the family, knowing full well that he had e-mailed his troops about the safety issues on the track.

That's like Bernie Madoff knowing full well he just took millions of her husbands money, planted it off shore, and then shows up to his funeral to offer his condolences to the wife.

That smacks of a sociopath and like so many corporate CEO's they see nothing wrong with their behavior. He was really hoping you'd buy his story that the kid was ill prepared.

Wow, how many more of these sociopaths have we got kicking around B.C. Politicians are notorious for this skullduggery. We attract them here like skiers to fresh powder; Gordo and Gregor are the latest. And then there are the federal politicians who happily take our money and tell us to TRUST them. Would you ever trust Bernie again with your money?

But then again we are a peaceful people, and we don't make a fuss. My parents taught me to not be loud, only Americans are loud. So, as I approach my twilight years, I see that the most Canadians ever get excited about is the talk of abolishing universal health care, and their hockey team losing the Stanley Cup.

When you actually believe your own lies, you are more dangerous than a petty criminal who at least admits he stole that purse. Let's stop being so polite as Canadians and start DEMANDING the truth.

We don't need to revolt in the streets quite yet like Egypt. But when you think of it, that's how it started 30 years ago for them. As long as we accept everything that people in power tell us, we become robotic in our allegiance.

It's a slow burn. Try thinking with your own head for a while and see how clear minded you get. Start asking questions. Don't be afraid. The government should be afraid of us , not us afraid of the government. We have it all wrong.

Every time a politician, a boss, a CEO, a manager, your wife, your husband, your children, your friends, your business partner etc. tells you something, all you need to ask them is one question, and don't be afraid of the answer. "So what part of what you just told me was a lie?"

Here's what somebody told me once, or maybe I heard it in a movie:

"Don't trust anyone who lies to you and don't lie to anyone who trusts you"

TED WILLIAMS & HIS MOTHER INTERVIEW {HOMELESS MAN BECOMES FAMOUS} {TODAY...

2011-01-14T01:49:00.000-08:00

PWRN in 2011

2011-01-13T10:27:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to be working with Mercury Communications in developing our new website. Should be ready in 3 weeks.

Opening Gambit: Best. Decade. Ever. - By Charles Kenny | Foreign Policy

2010-12-24T14:39:00.000-08:00

Opening Gambit: Best. Decade. Ever. - By Charles Kenny | Foreign Policy

Breaking down barriers around aging and well-being

2010-12-08T11:45:00.000-08:00

Breaking down barriers around aging and well-being

Editorial: Vision doesn't care what you think

2010-10-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Editorial: Vision doesn't care what you think

Vision Vancouver political supporter wins unusual $60,000 City Hall cont...

2010-10-08T15:30:00.000-07:00

Stand By Me | Playing For Change | Song Around the World

2010-09-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

How to fight City Hall: First, pout

2010-09-03T12:46:00.000-07:00

How to fight City Hall: First, pout

vancouver city hall s empty floors and the mayor s office expansion plans

2010-09-01T22:14:00.000-07:00

vancouver city hall s empty floors and the mayor s office expansion plans

STOP THE INSANITY AT VANCOUVER CITY HALL!

2010-08-29T13:47:00.000-07:00

While Mayor Gregor grooves his way through bike lanes, our students go without schools, and parents wonder what our priorities really are. Can you really blame them. A Mayor should lead from the front to champion ways to improve the lives of it's citizens, especially children "our future". Think about the $260,000 spent on a bike lane used by one small segment of the population, and the fact that $42,820 would have saved this school.

It's time for the dissenters to speak up. I don't belong to any particular party and I stopped being "General Manager" of the universe, but when things start making less and less sense in my own backyard, I think it's time we stopped being such a polite bunch while this Mayor and Council seem to operate like a cuban dictatorship.

And true to his impish nature, when asked how he can justify spending money to make his office larger during these tough economic times, and while 7 floors at city hall remain empty, he is quoted as saying; I deserve to have a bigger office and that's what I'm going to get. It's the Gregorian Principle of always getting what he wants. Please Mr. and Mrs. Robertson pick up your little boy, wash his mouth out with soap, teach him some manners, and lend him a few bucks from his inheritance to help add another wing for his playroom. Maybe you can transfer some toys too from his bedroom at home to keep him busy in between the occasional bike trip on Burrard Street for a photo op.

As Jeff Green, the astute Vancouver Sun reporter said: "This city council is one that has never met a green initiative it didn't like. I would not expect this council, which pushed ahead with alacrity despite some concerns to build the $800,000 Dunsmuir lane and to put two separated lanes on Burrard Bridge, to somehow think differently about Hornby Street. "

"It's worth reading the city report on looking forward to cycling in 2010-2011. Will this Hornby bike lane be good or bad for the city? I have no idea. Cities don't advance or modernize without provocative leadership. But cities can also be harmed by overly-aggressive political agendas."

As evidenced by his untimely foul mouthed expression of disdain for dissenters, it's no wonder that this Mayor, more so than any other in our history has assumed a marxist philosophy that he will determine what is good and right for this city.

This past week somebody just happened to wander up to the seventh floor of city hall and look what they found:

VANCOUVER SUN - For nearly 75 years, the imposing grey art deco city hall building at the corner of 12th and Cambie has been a symbol of civic government in Vancouver. But for more than a year, city hall has harboured a secret, one created in the confusion of a growing and independent bureaucracy and complicated by changing politics and the 2010 Olympics. The upper seven floors of the 11-storey tower, built in 1936, are completely empty.

Last summer the entire engineering department moved into a newly built 86,000-square-foot commercial space at Cambie and Broadway that the city has leased for $41 million over the next 10 years. The city spent another $7 million to outfit and move the department. The move came in the same year the city laid off 158 people and raised taxes by 2.26 per cent to cover a $61-million shortfall in its $961-million budget.

That move, and another one this summer involving the social development, housing and cultural affairs departments moving into three city-owned floors of the renovated Woodward’s heritage building were done in the absence of any master plan, something city manager Penny Ballem says can’t happen again. WAIT A MINUTE, how long has this mayor and council been in office? They were elected Nov. 18, 2008. So,does that mean they kept their dirty little secret till now. You can't tell me that somebody didn't ask the question, what's happened to the people from floors 7-11??

She has now put a stop to departments making their own lease arrangements and wants to consolidate services back into a few city-owned buildings. BECAUSE SOMEBODY FROM THE MEDIA FOUND OUT! Come on who are you kidding. Stop the lies and how stupid must she think we are. The only unfortunate aspect of this is that if this was Enron , we would have had a whistle blower by now, but because it's government, everyone protects each other for fear they will lose their secure job.

When they left city hall, the engineers left everything, including desks, chairs, filing cabinets and boardroom tables. Now, the only services in the heritage building are the council chambers, mayor’s and councillors’ offices, city manager’s office, a public counter and a handful of small departments on the first three floors.

The Vancouver Services Review team is in temporary quarters on the fifth floor. As part of the reorganization, the city quietly closed the fourth-floor offices of the working media, turning them into a storage room for the protocol department. It has promised the media new offices elsewhere.

Plans for the now-vacant floors aren’t complete and the city hasn’t approved a budget for repopulating at least five of the seven empty floors. But Ballem acknowledged that her office will move from the third floor to the sixth this fall, allowing Mayor Gregor Robertson to expand his offices into her existing space. The city will also create a dining room and meeting area in part of the mayor’s old offices for the elected councillors who, Ballem says, now have no suitable place to eat. She said Robertson’s space is too cramped and he has no private office. Boo Hoo!!

WHAT A MESS!! We all know that it is illegal to withhold property taxes, but as a taxpayer who pays for this unbelievable travesty, I say it's time for not just a "wake up" call, but a complete shake up and investigation.

Most Canadians are conformists and we have a world wide reputation for being polite. Polite yes, but stupid no! It's time to show up en masse and get this Mayor and Council out to a school gymnasium somewhere in Vancouver and ask them what the hell is going on. TELL US THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR AGENDA! If they can show up for a "Meet the Candidates Meeting" to tell us why they should be elected, then they can bloody well show up and tell us why we should believe and trust them with OUR MONEY! Would you give your money to a financial planner and not ask any questions about what he/she was doing with your money, and just trusted them to do the right thing?. Oh yeah, a lot of people did that didn't they. Can you say Bernie Madoff.

Dissenters benefit others, while conformists benefit themselves. Ask yourself this question, do I become a dissenter when something affects me and my family, and until that happens am I a conformist? And if so, what's the price I pay both financially and persoanlly.

Raw Video: Names Make for Hilarious Horse Race

2010-08-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

Vancouver jazz institution shuts down, but the bands play on

2010-08-26T16:27:00.000-07:00

Vancouver jazz institution shuts down, but the bands play on

Faith Popcorn - the Future of LOHAS pt 2

2010-08-20T13:51:00.000-07:00

Zardari 'diverted £300m quake aid to other causes'

2010-08-14T16:21:00.000-07:00

Zardari 'diverted £300m quake aid to other causes'

America's Got Talent YouTube Special - Jackie Evancho

2010-08-11T23:56:00.000-07:00

Two summer mistakes expose mayor's attitude and intellect

2010-08-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

Two summer mistakes expose mayor's attitude and intellect

2010-08-11T11:38:00.000-07:00

Two summer mistakes expose mayor's attitude and intellect

'Never mind the heat, climate change is hoax by gravy-train scientists'

2010-08-11T10:40:00.000-07:00

POSITIVE WORLD RADIO LAUNCHES

2010-08-07T23:10:00.000-07:00

THE MISSION OF THE POSITIVE WORLD RADIO NETWORK

"PWRN is at the cutting edge of the next phase of human evolution. Our mission is to use our global media network as a forum to; connect, share, build ideas,movements,social change, businesses, political change and helping those in need in an an era where everyone in the world is inter-connected."

Facebook | My Links

2009-08-27T13:03:00.000-07:00

Facebook | My Links

Love Everyone, Trust a Few!

2009-07-25T11:42:00.001-07:00

These days, every day seems to bring with it yet another test of man's ability to withstand the news without indignation or anger. I am not sure what you felt after seeing three rabbis and three mayors from the state of New Jersey led away in handcuffs after an undercover FBI sting operation uncovered bribes and the selling of human organs.

This was not an episode of the Sopranos, it was not a mafia deal gone bad, these were citizens occupying positions of trust. So what to make of this.

Well, I have been saying on media interviews since the financial meltdown that this was just the tip of the iceberg, and that there were more Bernie Madoffs and more of what the world of business of the past decade has been producing. And there is still more to come.

Eliot Spitzer was indeed on to something, unfortunately he had indiscressions, but his credibility as a district attorney must never be underestimated.

And now Canada has our own Bernie Madoff, Earl Jones, who has bilked millions out of their life savings in another Ponzi scheme. So how do celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and alleged self help gurus play a role in these mounting crimes?

The world of business has been operating for many years on auto pilot., And despite what we would like to believe , it still is. Familiar behaviour is hard to break. The addiction to money and power is also difficult to break, because there is nothing else to replace it for many people in their lives. Religion isn’t an answer, because most of the Mafia kingpins are devout Roman Catholics, and as we have seen even ultra orthodox Jews are falling victim to crime. Some of Enron swindlers were devout Christians.

It’s rather comedic, and in some ways tragic when Oprah Winfrey, the self proclaimed Goddess in the U.S., especially in the eyes of American women, and mother of all that is right and holy continues to send double messages to her worshipping fans.

The network last week aired a show in which she had couples challenging them to get rid of “stuff” and to go for a week with not driving their cars and walk their kids to school.. Also, no T.V. for a week. The message was to stop buying things and appreciate what they had.

The same Oprah who got upset at Nordstrom’s for not opening the store early so she could go on a private spending spree. So Oprah closes the show by challenging everyone in the audience to stop buying “more stuff”, and to appreciate what they already have. Nice idea. Except immediately after the shows credit s, the announcer tells everyone about the Oprah Summer Giveaway- Cars, refrigerators, vacations, blackberries, all kinds of STUFF. And then right on cue the audience leaps up and starts screaming, and waving their hands like scenes from a Baptist Bible Revival gathering. And guess who is leading the charge, edging them on, the Queen of all that is good and right, Oprah herself.

And so you wonder why America has lost its way! The images keep repeating themselves. It’s a losing game for people who worship false idols and truly are addicted to money, power and success. And then there is Donald Trump, the self proclaimed guru of the financial world, who was quoted in a book about his life, as being a millionaire, not a billionaire. He sued the author, claiming it ruined his reputation.

How many more lessons, how many more idols must people worship to get the message that it is time to turn away from those who are narcissistic and ego driven to the point where they take everyone who is desperate enough to follow them down the dark road to financial and personal destruction.

I encourage you to read Desiderata again and the eight fold path of the Buddha and you will see how easy it is to change your perspective on things. It just requires breaking the addiction to celebrities and “gurus” of all types disguised as saviors. And yes, even the President of the United States, or for that matter any politician.

As the Dalai Lama says; “Love everyone,trust a few”.

VANCOUVER HOSTS WORLD ZENBIZ DAY AND DALAI LAMA

2009-06-11T16:46:00.000-07:00

CHANGING THE WAY THE WORLD DOES BUSINESS

Vancouver B.C. June 10, 2009 A gathering of like minded entrepreneurs, visionaries, futurists, and corporate leaders committed to changing the way the world does business will take place in Vancouver, Canada on Sept. 12, 2009.

Two weeks before the special visit of the Dalai Lama who is on a mission to bring world peace through personal peace and compassion,The Zentrepreneurship Centre, founded by local author and visionary Allan Holender, will stage an all-day event , called "World ZenBiz Day"!

The Norman Rothstein Theater will be the venue. According to Holender, who wrote his "new thought" book "Zentrepreneurism", three years ago as a guide for the the 21st century of business; "It's time to change the way the world does business from one of selfishness, greed, and corruption, to one of selflessness, purpose, and profits with integrity."

Since the financial meltdown in 2009, the world has become a different place to do business in, we have indeed been humbled. " We were at the lowest level of trust since the 1930s' before the meltdown, and now we are even lower in our faith and trust of government and companies. Bailouts and spending more money to get more will not heal our economy or our world, but compassion and respect will."

The event scheduled from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.pacific time will feature presentations from Zentrepreneurs who are "leading from the front". Conference organizer, David R. Smith, himself a Zentrepreneur, who has a consulting practise in Toronto, say's; "Zentrepreneurs are the world's visionary leaders and mentors for the next decade, they are breaking ground for a new paradigm in business thinking. But more importantly they are bringing us hope and promise not just for now but for future generations." He follows a zen-like approach to his own business by acting with right understanding, right intent, right speech, right action, right livelihood, and right mindfulness.

"Social entrepreneurship", Holender says, can best be described as doing good by being good. "This new paradigm is replacing the old business philosopy of if I do good, what's the payoff. Social entrepreneurship is really about applying practical, innovative and sustainable approaches that benefit society in general. The companies that succeed on this path will be on the cutting edge."

Just as the CEO (Chief Embezzlement Officer is being replaced by the Chief Enlightenment Officer), bottom-line thinking is being replaced by "blended bottom-line thinking". How will what I do in business and life impact my employeees, my company, my community, and my planet. This new frontier of social entrepreneurship is now entering the hallowed classrooms of some of the finest academic institution business schools,and is becoming part of the MBA program of studies at many world class Universities.

"Speakers are still being selected", according to Smith, "We are witnessing a radical shift towards a more enlightened form of capitalism, which bodes well for the healing of our ecomony, our planet, and the people inhabiting our planet. We are very clear about who we want speaking at the event. We do not want motivational speakers., instead we want inspirational speakers with the right intention. When you motivate, you serve yourself, however when you inspire, you serve others".

Presentations will include:

How to Zen Your Business; Infusing your corporate culture with trust, compassion and purpose. Transparency in relationships to shareholders, employees, and the general public. Transparency is the hallmark of an enterprise that has integrity. Firms that present truthful information operate openly, and stand behind their word make their risks more manageable. ‘People are expecting more from the companies they’re doing business with and more from the companies they’re buying from’.

Becoming a Zenlightened Leader: Directors who fail to direct and managers who fail to lead are at the root of what ails the corporate world today. A recent survey of thirteen thousand workers in all major industries shows that fewer than two out of five employees trust their senior leaders.Unless a company can resolve the crisis of confidence among its employees, it has little hope of restoring the trust and confidence of investors and customers.

Creating Zenployees in the Workplace:How do you inspire your workforce? The conditions are not favourable: pension funds are underwater, stock options have disappeared, and health benefits are diminishing. This presentation will focus on overcoming low morale and guiding workers to a significant and productive career. Once workers feel like valuable team members, they start to view their own personal success as part and parcel with the company's success. "The fusion of one’s personal vision with one’s professional mission will hallmark the next hundred years", writes Holender in his book.This presentation will provide you with ideas on how you inspire your employees to become “zenployees”enabling them to feel a sense of passion and purpose in the work they do.

The Age of Enlightened Capitalism: For decades, environmentalists have been warning us that human economic activity is exceeding the planet’s limits. Of course we keep pushing those limits back with clever new technologies; yet living systems are undeniably in decline. This presentation features a blueprint for a new economy, explaining how the world is on the verge of a new industrial revolution--one that promises to transform our fundamental notions about commerce and its role in shaping our future.

The event will be live streamed around the world, and will be watched by millions as they gather for "watch parties" in living rooms, offices, board rooms, open air pavilions, theatres, coffee houses, villages, anywhere there is an internet connection.

Tickets for the all day live event in Vancouver are $10 each and available now at http://zenbizday.eventbrite.com Proceeds will be used to host future events. If you would like to participate in volunteering, provide goods and services, or explore sponsorship opportunities, contact David R. Smith at drsmithzenbiz@yahoo.ca

Direct all media enquires to David R. Smith at drsmithzenbiz@yahoo.ca

2009-03-21T11:29:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/21-22/09

"Above, below and around you, all is Spontaneously existing, for There is nowhere which is Outside Buddha-Mind."-Huang Po

COMING SOON- CONVERSATIONS with Allan Holender "A New Kind of Blog Talk Radio"-Real Conversations with Real People". Stay tuned....

2009-03-20T16:32:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/20/09

"Wise people, who know and understand the soul, are indifferent to both pleasure and pain; they have risen above sensations".- The Upanishads

COMING SOON! CONVERSATIONS with Allan Holender- "A New Kind of BlogTalk Radio"!

2009-03-19T01:58:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/10/09

"Conquer your circumscribed consciousness and expand your spiritual powers without limit. You can go as far as you want to go, past all limitations, and live a supremely victorius existence. "- Parmahansa Yogananda

2009-03-17T23:39:00.001-07:00

The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

Award winning author and screenwriter looks at the past, present, and future of The Corporation!

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 17, 2009 -- Voice America, the world's premiere web radio network, announces the appearance of renowned author, screenwriter and law professor Joel Bakan exclusively on the highly acclaimed ZenBiz Radio Show on Wednesday March. 18th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at http://ping.fm/wOYoh

The film, "The Corporation", winner of 26 International awards, including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, was based on Joel Bakan's book, "The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power."

Provoking, witty, stylish and sweepingly informative, The Corporation explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time.

Part film and part movement, The Corporation transformed audiences and dazzled critics with its insightful and compelling analysis. And now five years later from Enron to AIG, Bakan asks the rhetorical question; "Have we learned anything"?

Bakan will talk about the hyping of worthless stock and corporate fraud that facilitates the wealth of those extracting enormous and unjustified salaries and perks.

As well, he notes that over the last 300 years corporations have amassed such great power as to weaken governments ability to control them.

Indeed congress has gotten its piece of the action as corporate leaders share part of their profits with the very politicians charged with regulating them.
Some politicians even own stock in the companies they regulate.

Find out about his compelling prediction about the future of the corporation in America.

Exclusively on ZenBiz Radio at http://ping.fm/Sslk5 ZenBiz Radio airs live on Wednesdays at 11 AM Pacific / 1 PM Central / 2 PM Eastern on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel. To access the show, log on at http://ping.fm/yHqMO All shows will be available in Allan Holender's Content Library on the VoiceAmerica Business Channel for on-demand and podcast download.

2009-03-17T23:37:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/17/09

"The Self exists both inside and outside the physical body, just as an image exists inside and outside the mirror".- Ashtavakra Gita

2009-03-16T07:37:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/16/09

"Then in the end one leaves the body together with one's possessions. Knowing this, the intelligent man Enjoys possessions and gives. Having enjoyed and given in line with his means, uncensored he goes to the heavenly state."- Addita Sutra

For an hour of zenful business talk Join Allan and Bruce Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. pst for ZenBiz Radio on Voice America Business www.voiceamerica.com . (Joel Bakan of "The Corporation") is the featured guest.

DOWNLOAD ALLAN'S E-BOOK TODAY FOR $9.95 at www.zentrepreneurism.com

2009-03-14T17:03:00.001-07:00

EXCLUSIVELY ON ZENBIZ RADIO WED. MAR. 18TH

The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power

Award winning author and screenwriter looks at the past, present, and future of The Corporation!

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) March 18th, 2009 -- Voice America, the world's premiere web radio network, announces the appearance of renowned author, screenwriter and law professor Joel Bakan exclusively on the highly acclaimed ZenBiz Radio Show on Wednesday March. 18th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at http://ping.fm/INwUH

The film, "The Corporation", winner of 26 International awards, including the 2004 Sundance Film Festival,was based on Joel Bakan's book, "The Corporation-The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power."

Provoking, witty, stylish and sweepingly informative, THE CORPORATION explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time.

Part film and part movement, The Corporation transformed audiences and dazzled critics with its insightful and compelling analysis.

And now five years later from Enron to AIG, Bakan asks the rhetorical question; "Have we learned anything"?

Bakan will talk about the hyping of worthless stock and corporate fraud that facilitates the wealth of those extracting enormous and unjustified salaries and perks.

As well, he notes that over the last 300 years corporations have amassed such great power as to weaken governments ability to control them.

Indeed congress has gotten its piece of the action as corporate leaders share part of their profits with the very politicians charged with regulating them.

Some politicians even own stock in the companies they regulate.

Find out about his compelling prediction about the future of the corporation in America.

Exclusively on ZenBiz Radio at http//www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-14T16:49:00.001-07:00

Download Allan's Book TODAY For $9.95 at www.zenbiz.net Start Zenning Today!

2009-03-14T16:33:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/14/15

"All that we are is the result of what we have thought"- Buddha

2009-03-13T11:44:00.001-07:00

WATCH JOHN STOSSEL ON 20/20 TONIGHT!

We wanted to pass along this letter from John Stossel about his "20/20" special airing tonight, March 13, on "Bailouts and Bull," 10 p.m. ET.

Following is the letter from John:

***

Hi,

Please forgive the impersonal email, but I want to let you know about my bailout special! With the help of Drew Carey and Reason TV, we look at Big Government's promise to "fix" the economy and other bull.

Here's what ABC lets me say about it:

The Conceit of the Ruling Class

Politicians and pundits say government must do "something." It sound like a Viagra ad: "Does your economy have performance issues? If it's hard to achieve and maintain growth, 'stimulus' is right for you!" But shouldn't "stimulus" come with a warning label? "Side effects may include hyper-inflation, dollar devaluation, horrible debt, growth of welfare state, and unrealized expectations. Stimulus has not been proven successful, so it should not be used in the hopes of achieving actual growth ..."

While politicians claim that "all" or a "consensus" of economists agree that something "big" must be done, more than 300 economists say that the government's action do more harm than good. I interview some, calculate the amount the stimulus costs per taxpayer (about $16,000) and ask lawmakers: Where will you get the money? If too much debt was a problem, why is more debt now a solution?

I confront House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer about his claim that "all economists agree."

Land of Opportunity

Even before the current recession, we were told that the American dream was out of reach for many. Arthur Brooks of The American Enterprise Institute says: Don't believe the doom and gloom -- wages and living standards have been on the rise since the 1950s. Despite what folks like Barbara Ehrenreich claim ("It is definitely harder to be middle class today than it was a generation ago"), the American dream is alive and well. Ehrenreich published "Nickel and Dimed", a best-seller that argues that it's almost impossible for an entry level worker to make it in America. College student Adam Shepard decided to test her theory. He picked a city out of a hat, went there with $25 in his pocket, telling no one of his college degree. Soon he had a job, an apartment, enough savings to buy a used truck, and thousands of dollars in the bank. He says he thinks Barbara Ehrenreich "wanted to fail." I confront Ehrenreich.

Universal Pre-K

Yesterday President Obama made a speech promoting Universal Pre-School. The promise sounds wonderful: Let's help sweet little pre-schoolers get a strong start in school. But SHOULD that be the job of our government? President Obama says, "We'll see a $10 return for every dollar we spend." I investigate those statistics. They turn out to be largely bull, based on a tiny study of severely disadvantaged kids. States like Oklahoma and Georgia have already spent billions on universal Pre-K and have nothing to show for it. Even the famous Head Start turns out to have no noticeable effect by the fourth grade. Dumping more money into an already failing government-monopoly school system? Give me a break.

Run for the Border

Do you sleep better at night knowing there's an expensive fence on America's southern border? Will a giant wall really secure our country? So far, those wanting to come here just go around the wall, climb over it, or cut holes in it. If we further reinforce the entire southern border, then what about Canada? Won't terrorists, illegals, and drug smugglers just come across from the north? And what about the miles of east and west coast beaches? Will we patrol our coastline with machine guns? In fact, half the illegals in America entered legally by using tourist or student visas, and staying after their visa expired. It's absolute BULL to think an expensive fence will keep anyone determined to get in this country out.

Killer Commute

Got traffic on your morning commute? It's only going to get worse. Drew Carey and I profile workers with terrible commutes. Wouldn't traffic flow better if we had some extra lanes on the freeway or new roads? Wouldn't it be good if they were paid for by someone other than taxpayers? Some politicians say yes: privatize the roads. Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels did that with the Indiana Toll Road. Of the company that now leases the road, Daniels says: "They either build and maintain a road that is attractive enough and inexpensive enough, or they'll lose money. Your first insurance that they're gonna run a better road than the politicians did is, if they don't, people won't drive on it and they'll lose a lot of money. They have every incentive to make traffic flow swiftly, to make that drive as pleasant and safe as possible." Indiana taxpayers made billions of dollars on the lease, but Congressman Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., says :"Privatizing existing taxpayer infrastructure is not a solution for anybody." I confront Defazio.

Medical Marijuana

Melissa Etheridge, Montel Williams and thousands more say that without medical marijuana, they would be very sick. Fortunately for them, 13 states now allow medical marijuana. Unfortunately for them, U.S. government says federal rules trump state law, and the federal government classifies marijuana as worse than crack cocaine. This is odd, since politicians from the party in power like Barack Obama, John Kerry and John Edwards have all joked about their own marijuana use. Charlie Lynch made the mistake of running a medical marijuana dispensary that tried to obey all the state laws. But still fell afoul of federal prosecutors. He now faces up to 100 years behind bars in a federal prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced March 23.

2009-03-13T11:40:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/13/09

"If you don't find a teacher soon, you'll live this life in vain".- Bodhidhama

2009-03-12T21:48:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/12/09

"A superior man in dealing with the world is not for anything or against anything." He follows righteousness as the standard".- Confucius

2009-03-11T00:36:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/11/09

"Freedom from the desire for an answer is essential to the understanding of a problem"- Krishnamurti

To purchase the e-book that is changing the way the world does business go to www.zentrepreneurism.com

2009-03-10T20:36:00.001-07:00

ZENBIZ RADIO MEDIA ALERT!!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11am Pacific

'Conscious Capitalism"- Changing the World for Good

Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems shows how business can become the most important force for good in the world.

Written by Michael Strong, with an introduction by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, it includes articles by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, Co-Chair of the U.N. Commission on the Legal Empowerment of the Poor Hernando de Soto, and others.

Michael Strong is also co-founder and CEO of FLOW, a non-profit devoted to "Liberating the Entrepreneurial Spirit for Good." FLOW's co-founder and largest supporter is John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market.

Michael and John created FLOW out of the belief that entrepreneurs and markets were the most effective means of creating a better world. Michael has had a long interest in, and commitment to, mindfulness practices, including tai chi, yoga, and meditation. Michael Strong will be our very special guest!

LISTEN ON-LINE LIVE AT www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-10T20:34:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/10/09

"You work that you may keep pace with the earth and the soul of the earth. For to be idle is to become a stranger unto the seasons, and to step out of life's procession, that marches in majesty and proud submission towards the infinite.- Kahlil Gibran

2009-03-09T09:29:00.001-07:00

ZENBIZ RADIO MEDIA ALERT!

Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 11am Pacific

'Conscious Capitalism"- Changing the World for Good

Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World's Problems shows how business can become the most important force for good in the world. Written by Michael Strong, with an introduction by John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, it includes articles by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, Co-Chair of the U.N. Commission on the Legal Empowerment of the Poor Hernando de Soto, and others. Michael Strong is also co-founder and CEO of FLOW, a non-profit devoted to "Liberating the Entrepreneurial Spirit for Good." FLOW's co-founder and largest supporter is John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market. Michael and John created FLOW out of the belief that entrepreneurs and markets were the most effective means of creating a better world. Michael has had a long interest in, and commitment to, mindfulness practices, including tai chi, yoga, and meditation. Michael Strong will be our very special guest.

Listen on-line live on Voice America Business

www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-09T09:26:00.001-07:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/9/09

"The blue mountain bordering the sea does not move, but the mind of the bird over the waves breaks free and follows the course of the river."--Daishi

2009-03-07T00:47:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/7/8/09

"May not one take muddy water and make it clear by keeping still".- Lao-tzu

Don't forget to listen to the re-broadcast of ZenBiz Radio on Voice America today (Saturday) at 12:00 noon pacific at www.voiceamerica.com

ZenBiz Radio- "Changing the way the world does business, one listener at a time".

2009-03-06T23:57:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/6/09

"Do not seek the truth. Only cease to cherish opinions"- Zen saying

2009-03-05T12:46:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/5/09

"If a man speaks or acts with a pure thought, happiness follows him, like a shadow that never leaves him"- The Dhammapada

2009-03-04T12:12:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/4/09

"If you are not happy here and now, you will never be." - Taisen Deshimaru

* Listen to archived ZenBiz Radio Shows at www.voiceamerica.com

2009-03-03T21:44:00.001-08:00

ZenBiz Radio Media Alert!!

Tommorow on ZenBiz Radio at 11:00 a.m. pacific, 2:00 p.m. eastern on Voice America Business at www.voiceamerica.com

"The Game Changers"

Today, the stale and stilted business storylines of the Industrial Age are giving way to the fresh and exciting narratives of the Networked World and the global economy.

This new arena calls for a new generation of players. These players understand that the new narratives will be improvised, not scripted. They focus more on preparation than on outcomes.

They make every action meaningful and productive. They combine optimism with pragmatism. They balance competition and cooperation. Roles and character. Life and work.

They know that the past is a memory, the future a dream, and that right here, right now is the only thing that matters. They are The GameChangers.

Based on his book, GameChangers -- Improvisation for Business in the Networked World, our guest this week Mike Bonifer invites listeners to hear and share stories about players and brands who are changing the game.

2009-03-03T21:41:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 3/3/09

"Men are suffering from the fever of violent emotion, and so they make a philosophy of it."- Sarveoalli Radhakrishnan

2009-03-02T18:53:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 2/2/09

"I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness. That is clear. Whether one believes in religion or not, whether one believes in this religion or that religion, we are all seeking something better in life. So I think, the very motion of our life is towards happiness...." - Dalai Lama

2009-02-28T22:02:00.001-08:00

As the economic crisis deepens, climate change approaches critical levels and global tensions increase, the need to break the monopoly on television daily news has never been greater. We must know why the crisis is happening and what we can do to defend ourselves. Corporate TV news won’t ask the real questions, let alone provide answers.

The scale of the problems facing us demands original and profound solutions. If ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, get ready for an era of unprecedented imagination and innovation. But there will be no progress without a fight against forces wedded to the status quo. We are entering a period of action, where people take solutions into their own hands and create a bold vision for new ways of living and doing business.

Check out Real News Network at www.therealnews.com

2009-02-28T21:43:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 2/28.3/1

"Fear comes from this selfish idea of cutting one's self off from the universe".- Swami Vivekananda

2009-02-26T23:23:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen 2/27/09

"Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness"- Confucius

2009-02-26T08:48:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen for Thursday Feb.26/09

"To free oneself of knowledge is to die, and thus one lives"- Krishnamurti

2009-02-25T23:36:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen for Wednesday Feb 25/09

"The main purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, act rightly".- Mahatma Gandhi

2009-02-24T16:33:00.001-08:00

ZENBIZ RADIO MEDIA ALERT

Don't miss tommorow's show on ZenBiz Radio on Voice America Business at 11:00 a.m. pacific, 2:00 p.m. eastern

"Surviving, Thriving, and Sustaining"!

If a lot of the things we depend upon break down, can you survive? One of our guests this week, who practices under the single name Shahee, says yes!

Shahee is a raw food chef - and he notes that a raw, local diet is a good substitute for pharmaceuticals. His latest project is the building of a bus to be his mobile home and clinic, running fully on ecologically sound systems and with very simple technology cobbled together out of parts available from any junk pile..

Find out how to thrive if the trucks stop showing up with fuel for the pumps, groceries for the store, and if the power goes out and stays out.

Our other guest Susan Davis, is passionate about and committed to Sustainable Design & Green Building. She is co owner of Spectrum Fine Homes, Inc and GreenPoint Coach.

Susan takes a unique holistic approach to planning and building; addressing the spirit of the occupants, the building itself, and the health of the environment. Join in at www.voiceamerica.com

2009-02-24T00:25:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen for Tuesday Feb. 24/09

"Whoever gives reverence receives reverence: whoever brings sugar eats almond cake"- Djalal ad-Din Rumi

2009-02-23T11:52:00.001-08:00

Your Moment of Zen!

Dear fellow Zenners,

Each day I hope you will pause for a moment, take a breath, and just absorb these zenful thoughts, it will truly be your Moment of Zen !

Monday Feb. 23

"There is only the one reality, neither to be realized or attained. To say, "I am able to realize something" or "I am able to attain something" is to place yourself among the arrogant"- Huang Po

2009-02-23T00:18:00.001-08:00

You have only three things to do.

1. Do no evil; try to find out what causes harm to yourself and others and try to refrain from doing them in body, speech and mind as much as possible.

2. Do good; try to find out what causes good and what helps yourself and others and try to do those things as much as possible.

3.Tame your mind; try to learn how to work on your negative emotions and habitual patterns and try to tame them. This is where the view and meditation comes in. All these are ways to become a better human being.

2009-02-21T15:30:00.001-08:00

Quote of the Day from The Zenman:

Friday Feb. 20 "Of all the strategies, to know when to quit may be the best".

Saturday/Sunday Feb 21/22 "Where beauty is, then there is ugliness: where right is, also there is wrong. Knowledge and ignorance are interdependent, delusion and enlightenment condition each other. Since olden times it has been so. How could it be otherwise now"- Ryokan

2009-02-17T23:57:00.001-08:00

The Proliferation of Ponzi and Pyramid Schemes
World expert looks at why they are exploding during these uncertain times

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) February 17, 2009 -- Voice America, the world's premiere web radio network, announces the appearance of international fraud expert Robert L. Fitzpatrick, exclusively on the highly acclaimed ZenBiz Radio Show on Wednesday Feb. 18th at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time at http://ping.fm/h5FZ2

Robert L. FitzPatrick is an expert in examining fraud in North America.. He is an internationally recognized authority in multi-level marketing schemes and pyramid fraud, and is a leader in the campaign for stronger regulation of investment and business opportunity schemes.

Fitzpatrick is also co-author of False Profits, the first book to critically examine the multilevel marketing industry.

He recently appeared on "Marketplace" on the CBC television network in Canada exposing the shocking picture of the Canadian authorities allowing an obvious scam artist to ply his trade all over the country.

Ponzis and Pyramids do indeed represent a dark side to our culture and economy and exposing or examining their realities represents a place of light and courage but can also be quite disturbing.

Fitzpatrick will touch on the deeper questions as to why the schemes are proliferating, why they are tolerated and protected by government and why would otherwise seemingly honest people fall for them so readily - and defend them so vehemently.

Don't miss this exclusive inside look at Ponzis and Pyramids only on ZenBiz Radio at http//www.voiceamerica.com.

ZenBiz Radio airs live on Wednesdays at 11 AM Pacific / 1 PM Central / 2 PM Eastern on the VoiceAmerica Business Network, with a replay the folowing Saturday on VoiceAmerica's Variety Network. To access the show, log on at http://ping.fm/uhLlw All shows will be available in Allan Holender's Content Library on the VoiceAmerica Business Network for on-demand and podcast download.

The VoiceAmericaTM Network offers the latest conversations in a talk radio format, providing education, interaction, and advice on key issues live, on demand as well as through pod cast download. If interested in hosting a talk radio show on VoiceAmerica Network, contact Jeff Spenard, President of Internet Radio at 480-294-6417 or at jeff.spenard @ modavox.com.

Contact Executive Producer Dave Kredell at 480-294-6409 for advertising / sponsorship information or other show details

2009-02-13T20:32:00.001-08:00

LAST DAYS TO REGISTER!!!

LANGARA COLLEGE OFFERS FIRST COURSE ON "ESSENCE OF ZENTREPRENEURSHIP"

Langara College in Vancouver is offering a new course on the "Essence of Zentrepreneurship" in Spring 2009.

Explore enlightened approaches to business planning, leadership, management, professional relationships and social entrepreneurism.

Discover how Western enterprises and business people can implement insights from Eastern philosophies into their search for more meaningful work and find ethical paths to lasting prosperity.

Instructor Allan Holender is the author of the recently published book Zentrepreneurism-A 21st Century Guide to The New World of Business.

Allan gained his knowledge through first hand experience as a business owner, "serial entrepreneur", CEO, Manager, leadership expert, teacher and writer. He is also a popular media personality and commentator in Canada and the United States, having hosted a nationally syndicated business radio show on the Talk America Network.

Note: Course includes the textbook.

$359 1.8 CEU's/ILUs

3 days- Sats Feb 21, 28, Mar. 7, 2009- 1000-1600 (CRN50590)

Call to register 604.323.5322

2009-02-11T08:23:00.001-08:00

How Close Might Our Society Be To Collapse"?

LISTEN TODAY TO ZENBIZ RADIO FOR THE ANSWER!! ON VOICE AMERICA BUSINESS AT 11:00 a.m. pst http://ping.fm/9e1Xw

"Embodied Intelligence in the Face of Chaos and Uncertainty"

It sometimes seems that no matter where you look, the world appears to be falling to pieces. Financial markets have plummeted. People are losing their jobs. The environment is wracked by immense shifts. Yet some people know, in their bones, that despite the turmoil and disarray, opportunities abound for them.

How do you find your silver lining in all this mess? Join Allan and Bruce as they interview Dr. Susan Bernstein, an expert in optimizing "embodied intelligence" in the face of chaos and uncertainty. She'll discuss the four forces of panic and how to avoid t hem.

Bruce turns "The Stewart Report" this week over to a topic that most people would really rather not think about: how close might our society be to collapse? Bruce will explore when the tipping point of collapse could be reached - and how listeners can take a good hard look at their own communities and determine whether they'd be a safe place to be in a collapsing society!

Check it out on ZenBiz Radio Today at 11:00 a.m. pst. on Voice America Business: http://ping.fm/9e1Xw

PASS IT ON!! SPREAD THE WORD!! SHARE THIS!!

2009-02-03T22:43:00.001-08:00

LISTEN UP!

ZENBIZ RADIO ON VOICE AMERICA BUSINESS TOMORROW AT 11:00 A.M. PST
www.voiceamerica.com

Finding the Sweet Spot

This week, Allan Holender and Bruce Stewart will be interviewing Dave Pollard, the author of Finding the Sweet Spot: The Natural Entrepreneur's Guide to Responsible, Sustainable, Joyful Work. Dave Pollard has been an advisor to entrepreneurs for most of his professional career. His approach is highly zentrepreneurial: it is as much about removing the stress from your life as it is about making a viable living. Allan will also be sharing his thoughts on the killer epidemic in American culture- "The Relentless Pursuit of Success". And catch the new weekly feature ZenBiz Buzz with Allan and Bru ce. This will truly be your moment of Zen.

2009-01-30T11:51:00.001-08:00

PONZI SCHEMES PROLIFERATING

Federal and state authorities are reporting a growing number of financial scams that echo the alleged Madoff fraud, as strapped investors seek access to their cash amid increasingly hard times.

At least six suspected multimillion-dollar fraud cases have emerged this month alone, many of them alleged Ponzi schemes, in which investors are lured by promises of lofty returns but are actually paid off from new victims' funds. For the full Wall Street Journal story go to Allan's blog at www.zentrepreneurism.com

Ponzi Schemes Poliferating!

2009-01-30T11:10:00.000-08:00

Wall Street Journal

JANUARY 28, 2009

By STEVE STECKLOW

Federal and state authorities are reporting a growing number of financial scams that echo the alleged Madoff fraud, as strapped investors seek access to their cash amid increasingly hard times.At least six suspected multimillion-dollar fraud cases have emerged this month alone, many of themalleged Ponzi schemes, in which investors are lured by promises of lofty returns but are actually paid offfrom new victims' funds.

On Tuesday, authorities arrested Arthur Nadel, the missing Florida hedge-fund adviser, who wasaccused by federal authorities of defrauding clients of millions of dollars. His arrest came as Spanishbanking giant Banco Santander SA said it would offer thousands of its private-banking clients !1.38billion ($1.82 billion) in compensation for losses arising from investments in Bernard L. Madoff'salleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme, the first financial company to do so.

Todd Foster, a lawyer for Mr. Nadel, says his client voluntarily surrendered to the authorities and is cooperating with them. He says "we aren't in a position to comment on the criminal charges now,"adding that investment "losses don't necessarily equate with fraud."

In the latest case to emerge, Nicholas Cosmo, a Long Island, N.Y., investment-firm owner, surrenderedto federal authorities Monday. Mr. Cosmo allegedly raised more than $370 million between 2006 and2008 by promising investors 48% annual returns from funding commercial loans, according to a federal affidavit in support of his arrest.

But little money was lent, and only about $746,000 remains, according to the federal affidavit.
According to his attorneys, Mr. Cosmo intends to work with authorities "to allay investors' concerns." A federal judge in New York's Eastern District ordered him held pending a bail hearing Thursday.

The rise in financial-fraud reports preceded the Madoff case's emergence. A review of recent Securities and Exchange Commission civil actions shows an increase in cases in which the agency alleged Ponzi schemes. The agency, which doesn't keep an official count, brought at least 23 Ponzi cases last year, upfrom 15 in 2007. It has already filed four in 2009.

That tally doesn't include actions on the state level,where allegations of securities fraud are routinely pursued. The SEC declined to make anyone availableto discuss its Ponzi cases.
More schemes are emerging now, experts say, in part because of the economic downturn. Tough times have prompted people to seek to cash in their investments, only to find out their money is missing.

New investment also dries up in slumps, making it harder for fraudulent funds to replenish their coffers andmake the payments needed to keep their operations going.

The recent economic boom may have made some investors especially susceptible to Ponzi schemes andother investment frauds, investigators say. That's because legitimate but secretive hedge funds and other investment firms reported years of strong gains, making eye-popping returns seem more plausible."When you have serious economic problems, people who have been content with where their money hasbeen sitting sometimes need it," says Bill E. Branscum, a private investigator in Naples, Fla., who has probed dozens of Ponzi schemes. "And in needing it and in finding out that they can't get it, that servesto reveal Ponzi schemes that may have gone unnoticed."

Three weeks ago, the SEC accused a Philadelphia-area investment fund manager, Joseph S. Forte, with running a Ponzi scheme since at least 1995 that claimed returns as high as 38% and raised $50 million.Mr. Forte didn't return phone calls made late in the day.

Meanwhile, Idaho's securities regulators are investigating allegations by investors in Idaho Falls that they lost up to $100 million in an alleged Ponzi scheme by Daren Palmer, a local money manager. No charges have been filed. Mr. Palmer didn't return phone calls made late in the day.
There was also the case of Marcus Schrenker, an Indiana financial adviser who was arrested in Florida earlier this month after allegedly trying to stage his death in a plane crash as investigators probed his businesses.

He faces charges in Indiana and Florida; his lawyer has said Mr. Schrenker isn't mentallycompetent to stand trial in Florida.The biggest case, of course, is the one allegedly carried off by New York money manager Mr. Madoff,who has estimated inflicting losses of $50 billion on his investors. Mr. Madoff's attorney, Ira Lee Sorkin, declined to comment.

In scale, all of the SEC's other alleged Ponzi cases pale in comparison with Mr. Madoff's alleged scheme,which lasted for decades. The second-largest SEC case last year, one that the agency says primarily targeted Orthodox Jews, totaled about $255 million, according to SEC records. Excluding the Madoff case, the alleged schemes cited in the past 13 months generated more than $1.1 billion from unsuspecting investors, according to SEC records.

The Ponzi scams alleged by the SEC sprung up all around the country: in Texas, where participants,many of them elderly, invested $45 million in a phony hedge fund that supposedly produced annual returns as high as 61%; in a currency-trading scheme in Georgia which promised returns of 10% a month; in Florida, where two companies raised $30 million by allegedly convincing investors they would earn money by exporting gadgets like Apple iPods to South America. The SEC alleges that the companies purchased few electronics and used "newly invested funds to make principal and interest payments toexisting investors."

An attorney for the defendant in the Texas case, Rod Cameron Stringer, had no comment. An attorneyfor the defendant in the Georgia case, James G. Ossie, said his client "hasn't yet responded to the allegations of the government" but that "he's been cooperating with regulators and wants to makerestitution to all his clients." The defendant in the Florida case, Andres Pimstein, pleaded guilty last month to related criminal charges of wire fraud "in connection with a multi-million dollar investment'Ponzi' scheme," according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mr. Pimstein couldn't be reached for comment. According to SEC filings, many of the alleged victims in the agency's cases believed they were receiving huge returns from exotic investments, including hedge funds, private placements of securities and Ponzi operators "always need a disguise," says Robert L. FitzPatrick, a Charlotte, N.C., consultant andexpert on Ponzi and pyramid schemes, a similar form of ruse in which investors lure other investors. "

It normally includes some kind of rather vague description of the way it earns money." He notes that legitimate hedge funds, which are lightly regulated, generally lack transparency. The Ponzi scheme's namesake, Charles Ponzi, a Boston-based con man, peddled an exotic investment.Mr. Ponzi raised millions of dollars in 1920 by promising 50% returns in 45 days by exploiting exchange-rate discrepancies in international postal coupons, used to buy stamps. But authorities said he wasn't even buying the coupons; he later pleaded guilty to mail fraud.

In many of the SEC cases, the perpetrators allegedly siphoned off money to fund lavish lifestyles. An SECcivil complaint last year accuses a California investment adviser of using millions of his clients' money"to pay for lavish personal expenses, such as upkeep on his Ferrari, limousine services and shopping trips." The defendant, Robert C. Brown Jr., of Hillsborough, Calif., couldn't be reached for comment late in the day.

The SEC has accused South Florida investment adviser Anthony A. James of misappropriating at least$2.4 million in client funds to buy a six-bedroom home, a Porsche and season tickets to the Miami Heatbasketball team. In that case, filed in September, the SEC alleges that between 2001 and January 2008,Mr. James, principal of James Asset Advisory LLC, received at least $5.2 million from about 44 clientswho were told their money would be invested in stocks, bonds and mutual funds.

The SEC alleges the money never was invested. Instead, the agency says, Mr. James misappropriated atleast $2.4 million for personal expenses. They also say that "like a classic Ponzi scheme," he and hiscompany "transferred approximately $2.8 million from new clients to existing clients to repay principal or to create the illusion of profitable trading."

Bruce M. Lyons, Mr. James's attorney in the SEC case, says his client doesn't dispute the allegations and that he's "trying to arrange to make everybody who was involved in the transactions whole."—Philip Shishkin and William M. Bulkeley contributed to this article.

Write to Steve Stecklow at steve.stecklow@wsj.com

2009-01-27T16:17:00.001-08:00

ZENBIZ RADIO MEDIA ALERT

LISTEN UP!! TOMMOROW AT 11:00 A.M. PACIFIC
ON WWW.VOICEAMERICA.COM

Taking Charge for Yourself

This week, Allan Holender and Bruce Stewart will start sharing their on-going dialogue about life with you. Allan - the author of Zentrepreneurism - and Bruce - the founder of Accendor Research - will share in conversation their parallel journeys toward the Zentrepreneurial road. Hear how the book came to be, and a little bit about Allan's journey through the slings and arrows of the kinds of schemes that ensnare so many budding entrepreneurs. Hear how Bruce, disgusted with the behaviours of both the corporate managers and entrepreneurs he worked with, had to overcome his own beliefs to found his own Zentrepreneurial company.

Missed the Live Show ? This episode is rebroadcast at 11pm Pacific. Past Episodes are available On Demand and Podcast Ready

2009-01-23T23:50:00.001-08:00

MEDIA ALERT!!

If you missed the inaugural ZenBiz Radio Show with Dave Stewart you can listen to the re-broadcast at 8:00 a.m. pacific Saturday morning on www.voiceamerica.com

2009-01-21T08:25:00.001-08:00

LISTEN UP! ZENBIZ RADIO LAUNCHES WITH GUEST DAVE STEWART TODAY AT 11:00 A.M. PST ON VOICE AMERICA www.voiceamerica.com
"A NEW KIND OF TALK RADIO FOR GOOD"!

2009-01-20T15:31:00.001-08:00

LISTEN TO ZENBIZ RADIO WITH DAVE STEWART TOMMOROW ON VOICE AMERICA!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 11am Pacific

Welcome to the inaugural episode of ZenBiz Radio

Zentrepreneur of the Week A day after the historic inauguration of Barack Obama, Dave Stewart, music icon and humanitarian will be Allan Holender's guest. Allan and Dave will discuss Dave's commitment to humanity through his music, why he feels the world is ready for the message of Zentrepreneurism, and what causes, music projects and entrepreneurial ventures he is currently working on. Dave's music tribute video to Obama, "American Prayer", shown at the Inauguration ceremony will be talked about, as well as Dave's heroes, what he is most passionate about. He'll also be asked the question Allan asks all his guests: "What did you love to do most when you were 10 years old?" - inspirational, engaging and entertaining talk you shouldn't miss!

Missed the Live Show ? This episode is rebroadcast at 11pm Pacific. Past Episodes are available On Demand and Podcast Ready

Listen LIVE to VoiceAmericaBusiness!
Be sure to tune to ZenBiz Radio Wednesdays at 11AM PST.

Log on to Listen
www.modavox.com/VoiceAmericaBusiness
Questions? Comments? Call: 1-866-472-5790
For More Information Visit :

http://ping.fm/ymE22

2009-01-16T12:44:00.000-08:00

MEDIA ALERT

Allan Holender will be interviewed today at 1:00 p.m. pacific time on Achieve Radio. You can listen live on www.achieveradio.com

2009-01-11T17:19:00.001-08:00

ZENBIZ RADIO IS ON THE AIR!!

Faced with global issues such as poverty, genocide, climate change, financial collapse, greed, and corruption, it’s easy to feel powerless. We want to do good and change the world, but too often feel paralyzed by the fear that individuals can’t make significant impact. ZenBiz Radio with Allan Holender and Co-Host Bruce Stewart is a new kind of talk radio for good!

ZenBiz Radio is a media project about making a difference : Inspiring interviews with zentrepreneurs who are creating a new world of business for good! Stories About Creating A Business As Well As A Life! Zentrepreneurism is a wake-up call—a call to action, to change, to re-invent and to harness each and every person’s unique ability to help build a better world for business.

ZenBiz Radio is an engaging, informative, and empowering radio show with interviews and conversations with zentrepreneurs from around the globe, some well-known and others less so, who have been inspired to do their part to effect meaningful social change. These notable advocates, activists, and social entrepreneurs share the causes they are passionate about and give advice on what each of us can do to positively impact our employees, communities, and those of others around the world.

From music icon Dave Stewart, who has aligned his corporate mission with notable causes such GreenPeace, TED, and Pangea Day to Arran Stephens, founder of Natures Path Organic Foods, affectionately known as the “hippie capitalist”, who sees money as “green energy”-”From a more enlightened centre within, we can use money for great good, or if selfish and greedy, we can use it to harm and congeal”. These personal journeys illustrate the power of the individual to motivate change.

We are now accepting a limited number of founding partnerships anywhere in the world for this new media convergence project, ZenBiz Radio will air on the Voice America Talk Network. Wednesday’s at 11:00 a.m. pacific http://ping.fm/9e1Xw

If you would like to explore this partnership opportunity please contact Dave Kredell our ExecutiveProducer dave.kredell@modavox.com It would be very exciting to have you join us on the next phase of the journey. Since the birth of Zentrepreneurism three years ago we have taken our message around the world to over 21 different countries and with 817 members enrolled in the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs, it is now time to spread the word around the globe through a virtual medium. Go to www.zentrepreneurism.com to learn more about joining WWAZ and the movement.

A great opportunity awaits for us to engage together globally in a mutually beneficial, purposeful, and profitable project. Coincidentally We are scheduled to launch January 21, 2009, the day after one of the most significant events in the history of the United States of America, the election of Barack Obama, it’s first African American President. Obama has called for an end to selfishness and greed, and to change the way Wall Street and the White House do business.

ZenBiz Radio will do it’s part and we encourage you to join us in this zenful revolution!. We will accept proposals till January 15th.

I look forward to you joining me on ZENBIZ RADIO!

Yes We Zen!

Allan

2009-01-05T22:10:00.001-08:00

The 9 Predictions for 2009

1. People are going to:

Re-Invent themselves
Re- Adjust themselves
Re-Educate themselves
Re-Purpose themselves

2. People are going to fuse their personal vision with their professional mission, thus creating purpose and passion in their life, and profits with integrity in their business.

3. People will re-evaluate the relentless pursuit of success. This relentless pursuit of success has had massive repercussions for one's mental and physical health: Broken marriages, broken relationships, broken trust and broken dreams

4. Motivational books will be replaced by inspirational books, because when you motivate you serve yourself, but when you inspire you serve others.

5. People are going to be climbing the consciousness ladder instead of the corporate ladder.

6. We are at the lowest level of trust in government and companies since the 1930's. 2009 is going to be the year of "Building Trust".

7. 2009 is going to be all about building trust with your employees, your suppliers, your partners , and in all your personal and business relationships.

8. Greed, power and selfishness will be replaced by credibility, integrity and intent of mutual benefit.

9. Truth and transparency in the business world will no longer be hoped for....it will be demanded.

copyright Allan Holender 2009

2009-01-05T12:41:00.001-08:00

MEDIA ALERT

Allan will be interviewed on The Terry Spence Show on CFAX Radio in Victoria, B.C today from 2:00-3:00 p.m. pacific time. You can listen online as well on www.cfax1070.com
Terry and Allan will be discussing his 9-point “path to business enlightenment”, and giving his views on how best to succeed in the current world economy.We will also have the opportunity to take calls from listeners and answer any questions you may have.

Join us if you Zen!

2008-12-30T13:02:00.001-08:00

Press Release

Voice America launches a

“New Kind of TalkRadio For Good”

ZenBiz Radio with Allan Holender

Phoenix, Arizona -December 18, 2008 The Voice America Talk Network www.voiceamerica.com announced today that it will be launching a “New Kind of Talk Radio For Good” The ZenBiz Radio Show will be hosted by veteran broadcaster Allan Holender . Allan is the founder and author of the revolutionary and inspiring new book, Zentrepreneurism.

ZenBiz Radio -”Changing the World of Business For Good” will begin broadcasting from the Voice America studios in Phoenix on Jan. 21, 2009.. This coincides with the inauguration of President-elect Obama who has committed to putting an end to the culture of greed and scheming in America.

Just as Obama has inspired millions with his message of hope and change we can believe in, ZenBiz Radio is committed to changing the world of business for good. From Enron to the board rooms of AIG and the penthouse suite of Bernard Madoff, America has seen the karmic repercussions of years of corrupt capitalism on Wall Street and nepotism in the White House.

Zentrepreneurism is about changing the way the world does business, as well as introducing a “new era” of business enlightenment. It offers hope of a new 21st century model for solving social and economic problems. A new world founded on the principles of honesty, ethics, purpose and the creation of profits with integrity.

Each week ZenBiz Radio will explore this burgeoning market of social entrepreneurship with the intention to inform, educate, entertain and inspire listeners.

Many of the guests for this “new kind of talk radio show” will be Zentrepreneurs featured in Allan’s book. ”Zentrepreneurism” which is available at www.thebooktree.com or www.amazon.com

His first guest will be Dave Stewart of the legendary group the Eurythmics. As CEO of Weapons of Mass Entertainment Dave Stewart has been a ”Zentrepreneur” for some time now and has worked with socially conscious organizations such as GreenPeace, TED and Pangea Day.

Other scheduled guests include Arran Stephens , founder and CEO of Natures Path Organic Foods, the world’s largest supplier of organic cereal. Joel Bakan , writer and screenwriter for the highly acclaimed movie “The Corporation”, as well as Zentrepreneurs from around the world who are creating a business as well as a life!

Weekly features include ;

“The Scheme Alert” with Robert Fitzpatrick ,author and advisor to world governments on ponzi and pyramid schemes. Exclusive to ZenBiz Radio,each week Robert will reveal the latest scheme and how you can avoid them!

“The GameChangers” with Mike Bonifer . Nurturing the skills you and your organization need to compete in the Networked World. Mike will also be telling the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things!

The Stewart Report .Noted futurist and author Bruce Stewart will be speaking his truth about current economic realities and solutions. How we got here and where we go from here!

Zentrepreneur of the Week. We are entering an era of “enlightened capitalism, where the reason to be in business is no longer just the bottom line. This era is also birthing “social capitalists” who are fusing their personal vision with their professional mission. Where people, planet, and profits share equal importance. Who are these people? Allan will interview them each week during this segment.

“Those things to which we devote ourselves have a karmic effect on future lives which arise “like one fire lit from another”.

The staggering demand for ageless and empowering content is being fueled by people becoming more consciously awake around the globe. VoiceAmerica is bridging the gap between the highly sought after demand and the limited supply of quality content by introducing innovative and multiple new forms of content distribution including pod casting, internet radio, I-Tunes and cell phone technology. This convergence of supply and demand is creating a dynamic opportunity.

VoiceAmerica Talk Radio Network

PRESENTS:

Allan Holender and The ZenBiz Radio Show

Would You Like To Be A Part Of “ZenBiz Radio”?

The number of internet radio listeners jumped considerably last year with a year-end total of 72 million monthly listeners, up from 45 million listeners at the tail end of 2005, according to figures released by Bridge Ratings & Research. That number is forecast to be 148 million by 2010.

If you’d like your business to reach the eyes and ears of this growing demographic, a limited number of founding sponsor partnership opportunities are available for ZenBiz Radio.

Contact:

Dave Kredell,

Executive Producer

ZenBiz Radio

Direct Line: 480-294-6409

dave.kredell@modavox.com

2008-12-30T12:59:00.001-08:00

Yes We Zen!!

Dear Fellow Zentrepreneurs,

Faced with global issues such as poverty, genocide, climate change, financial collapse, greed, and corruption, it's easy to feel powerless. We want to do good and change the world, but too often feel paralyzed by the fear that individuals can't make significant impact. ZenBiz Radio with Allan Holender is a new kind of talk radio for good! ZenBiz Radio is a media project about making a difference : Inspiring interviews with zentrepreneurs who are creating a new world of business for good! Stories About Creating A Business As Well As A Life! Zentrepreneurism is a wake-up call--a call to action, to change, to re-invent and to harness each and every person's unique ability to help build a better world for business.

ZenBiz Radio is an engaging, informative, and empowering radio show with interviews and conversations with zentrepreneurs from around the globe, some well-known and others less so, who have been inspired to do their part to effect meaningful social change. These notable advocates, activists, and social entrepreneurs share the causes they are passionate about and give advice on what each of us can do to positively impact our employees, communities, and those of others around the world.

From music icon Dave Stewart, who has aligned his corporate mission with notable causes such GreenPeace, TED, and Pangea Day to Arran Stephens, the founder of Natures Path Foods, the world's largest producer of organic cereal, who sees money as "green energy"-"From a more enlightened centre within, we can use money for great good, or if selfish and greedy, we can use it to harm and congeal". These personal journeys illustrate the power of the individual to motivate change.

We are now accepting proposals for a limited number of founding partners anywhere in the world for our new media convergence project, ZenBiz Radio.

If you would like to submit a proposal please contact Dave Kredell our Executive Producer. dave.kredell@modavox.com .It would be very exciting to have you join us on the next phase of the journey. Since the birth of Zentrepreneurism three years ago we have taken our message around the world to over 21 different countries and with 810 members enrolled in the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs, it is now time to spread the word around the globe through a virtual medium.

I have valued your support and commitment to the principles of Zentrepreneurism. We are truly now a global movement that is changing the way the world does business for good. As a fellow zentrepreneur and business leader who personifies the triple bottom line, I now invite you to participate in a cause you already believe in.

A great opportunity awaits for us to engage together globally in a mutually beneficial, purposeful, and profitable project. We are scheduled to launch January 21, 2009. We will accept proposals till January 15th.

I look forward to you joining me !!

Yes We Zen!!

Allan

2008-12-29T20:03:00.001-08:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE PATH TO BUSINESS ENLIGHTENMENT IN 2009

Based on his research for the revolutionary book "Zentrepreneurism"- A 21st Century Guide To the New World of Business and after interviewing hundreds of entrepreneurs, author Allan Holender has defined the nine key distinctions of Enlightened Zentrepreneurs. Here are his suggestions on what you need to know to survive life and business in 2009 during chaotic financial and stressful times.

1. Force vs. Power

When you are forcing something, you are pushing and shoving to get things to work out the way you want. There is a great deal of effort involved, and usually struggle. Power, on the other hand, implies a strength that goes beyond what you might be able to exert. You experience power when you align your inner energies, beliefs, and emotions with your outer actions. This will propel you forward towards your goals with much less effort and fewer toes being stepped on. So people talk about this as "flow!”

2. Accomplish vs. Attain

Accomplishment has a sense of finality, an end point, and refers more to a task. Accomplishments often feel meaningless once you've accomplished them. Have you ever worked hard in order to get something, and then once you had it, it didn't seem so important or meaningful anymore? There was a bit of a letdown.

Attainment, on the other hand, has no end. It is based in a spiritual or inspired knowing that what you are doing is meaningful at a level that goes far beyond just you or your company. Enlightened Zentrepreneurs indicate that when they made the shift to attainment, it expanded their capacity to create the life they wanted.

3. Gaining information vs. Using

While it might seem obvious that to simply gain information is not sufficient for producing incredible, enlightened success, there are a lot of business people out there reading and acquiring information without really putting it into practice. Until you use what you learn, you haven't really learned it. You've just expanded your storehouse of information.

4. Segmented vs. Enlightened Zentrepreneurs

Enlightened Zentrepreneurs say that before they became incredibly successful, they thought of their lives in compartmentalized segments. Even within their businesses they had a segmented approach to their services, products, and even their efforts.

The shift for them came when they created a synergy by integrating their work and their lives. When you have an integrated approach, activity in one area directly benefits goals in another area. This is part of how you can move three paces ahead with only one step.

5. Working Hard vs. Working Joyfully

Working hard brings with it all the “must do’s” and “to do’s,” plus all the heaviness that those lists entail. Working joyfully, on the other hand, brings with it ease, fun, inspiration, and a light, powerful sense. When you work joyfully, you are working in tandem with spirit, in tandem with your true desires, whereas when you work hard you are usually pushing against something (See Force vs. Power).

Enlightened Zentrepreneurs often learned this the hard way. They spent years working hard, only to see their goals slipping away – along with their health and their energy. Often they “hit bottom” before they decided to try it a different way. When they did make the shift to working joyfully, they found themselves thinking, “Is it really this easy?” or “Wow, this is great! I can have fun, make money, and make a difference!”

6. Structure vs. Environments

Structure is a good thing. You need some structure in order to get things done – even if your structure looks vastly different from someone else’s. Structure is focused on tasks and specific outcomes.

Environments, on the other hand, go beyond structure to setting up entire systems of support that enable you to continue making progress without even “working” at it.

The distinction is that an environment works for you, while a structure requires you to do the work. An environment makes the structure YOURS. Enlightened Zentrepreneurs say this is one of the most important distinctions. When they could transform their structures – or lack of structure – into environmental supports, they were able to consistently move ahead with far less effort.

7. Behaviour Change vs. Shift

A behaviour change is just what it sounds like. You either stop doing or start doing something. It can be simple, and may or may not be lasting. A shift, on the other hand, is powerful. It usually comes as the result of an experience of some sort (perhaps from the behaviour change), and results in a deep, cellular change in how you approach things. It is often accompanied by an identify shift as well.

Think of those “a-ha!” moments and epiphanies you have had – the times when you all of a sudden “got it.” That is a shift. You can try to go back to the old way of doing things, but there is a part of you that always knows you’re not participating at your full potential.

For example, once you realize that what you think about and focus on affects your results, you cannot pretend it isn’t so. You might temporarily think less than helpful thoughts, but your internal set point has changed and you will be inspired to go back to what you know to be the truth. In order to get to this shift point; however, you might have to practice it as behaviour change until you get the evidence of how it works.

8. Pessimism vs. Optimism

This distinction seems obvious. What’s not always so obvious to people is WHEN they are being pessimistic. People who are struggling with their businesses often describe themselves as being “realistic,” seeing what’s really going on. The truth is they are only looking at a portion of what’s going on, and chances are they are making that worse than it really is.

Optimism is not just a state of mind or an approach. It is a commitment to looking for what’s working, looking for the good in a situation, and building on that. It is based on spiritual and scientific principles that when we focus on what’s working and looking with vision and passion toward what we want, that we are actually more resourceful and creative.

Enlightened Zentrepreneurs have MASTERED this distinction!

9. Focusing on the Gap vs. Honoring Where You Are

While wanting more is not a bad thing, when most people talk about what they want, what they are really doing is focusing on the gap between what they want and what they have. By doing this, they actually activate the “not having” more than the “having,” so it sets up a bit of a catch-22.

Honoring where you are is being fully present, loving each moment, knowing that each moment is already full and perfect, regardless of whether you have accomplished or attained. It is tapping in to the power of NOW.

Honoring where you are doesn’t discount that you might have dreams and desires, but in really honoring, you activate trust, celebration, and good feelings that allow in more of what you want.

As you’ve noticed, these key distinctions of Enlightened Zentrepreneurs are grounded in inner and outer attitudes, beliefs, and actions. They require a spiritual shift as well as an external, or action, shift.

By applying these key distinctions you will have begun the journey towards becoming a zentrepreneur. While an entrepreneur creates a business, a zentrepreneur creates a business and a life.

By Allan Holender, Author of “Zentrepreneurism”- A 21st Century Guide to the New World of Business. Allan is also Founder & CEO of The Centre for Zentrepreneurism, dedicated to instilling passion, purpose and profits with integrity in North American business. Their website is www.zentrepreneurism.com

This article is the property of Allan M. Holender. It may not be reproduced in part or in whole without the express written consent of Allan Holender allan@zentrepreneurism.com

2008-12-18T19:36:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone,

If you missed the great "fireside chat"conference call on Tuesday night here is the playback number and access code. My thanks in particular to Lawrence Didsbury from Texas, Mike Bonifer from Los Angeles and Joel Denis from Montreal for enriching the call with their valued input.

Be sure to get your pen and paper ready before you call so that you can make notes:

PLAYBACK NUMBER 1.218.339.4399 Access Code 446420#

2008-12-16T12:10:00.001-08:00

Join us TONIGHT for our very free "very zenful" fireside chat.

"The Opportunity to do the Right Things During Perilous Economic Times".

A time to share and support one another during these uncertain times. Join us in the comfort of your own home by phone. No traffic, no parking, no hassels. Just pick up the phone and call.

IMPORTANT CALL-IN INFORMATION

Call 1.218.339-4300 then enter access code- 446420#

Following are a few tips to ensure you will successfully access the call.

When you enter the passcode, press the keys firmly. Avoid talking, moving around, or background noise when pressing the keys. The tones from the keys must be conveyed clearly to the system. Other noises can interfere. If you can't get in the first time, make sure you are in a quiet place, call back and enter the passcode again.

Please call at the exact time scheduled. Calling early may interrupt another group's call.

This dial-in number is a special number. Call only during your scheduled time, as it may be in use by other parties at other times.

P.S. SHOW YOU CARE....INVITE A FRIEND!

2008-12-14T12:31:00.001-08:00

"THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS IN PERILOUS ECONOMIC TIMES"

WHEN: TUESDAY DECEMBER 16TH

TIME: 6:30 P.M PST, 7:30 P.M. EST, 9:30 P.M. EST

REGISTER TODAY FOR OUR FREE TELE-CONFERENCE CALL!!

There are three days left to register for our free "very zenful" fireside chat. A time to share and support one another during these uncertain times. Join us in the comfort of your own home by phone. No traffic, no parking, no hassels. Just pick up the phone and call. When you register you will be given the dial-in number and access code.

Happy Ho Ho In Zen,

Allan

2008-12-12T16:08:00.001-08:00

Four days to go!

The three things that will help us get through these challenging times:Relationships,Collaboration,and Trust.

Trust is the key lever that drives our personal and business relationships.

It has always been our intent to build the Zentrepreneurism movement around those three guiding principles.

I hope you can make this very zenful fireside chat and join others who believe, like you, in these fundamental principles.

In Zen,

Allan

Sign Up at: http://ping.fm/ysDob

"I Never Slept With That Woman"!

2008-12-12T16:01:00.000-08:00

Perhaps it all started with that famous quote , but lately it seems as though everybody is using that line. The definition of a "sociopath" is basically someone with no care for human life. Symptoms include : Lack of concern regarding society's rules and expectations. Repeated violations of the rights of others. Unlawful behavior. Lack of regard for the truth.

A sociopath, also known as a psychopath, is someone who has no conscience. He or she shows a reckless disregard for the rights and feelings of others, and tends to live a parasitic lifestyle. The classic work on psychopaths is "The Mask of Sanity," by Hervey Cleckley.Dr. Robert Hare, a recognized authority on psychopaths (and a fellow Canadian) has written a book for the lay person called "Without Conscience: The Disturbing World of the Psychopaths Among Us," as well as a book on psychopaths in the workplace, "Snakes in Suits: When Psychopaths Go To Work." "Without Conscience" is an excellent introduction to the topic that give some warning signs.

I quoted Dr. Hare in my book when I examined the personality traits of some of the most well known CEO's of North America. Well, it looks like they are indeed still walking amongst us. And it also appears that America is very forgiving of it's liars and crooks, and thus we are in the mess we are in.

The CEO's of bailed out AIG think nothing of taking between $92,000 and 4 million dollars in performance bonuses after they were told to use the bail out money to help people who were losing their homes through foreclosures. It started with Enron, World Com, Wall Street, the CEO's of the Big Three Car giants flying in on their corporate jets, and now it's spilled into politics. How much more is America willing to take. I guess they are counting the days to Obama, but now it's even spilling into his yard.

The Governor of Illinois this week, with a name nobody can pronounce says he did nothing, even though they have tape recordings to prove he was trying to sell Obama's seat. Jessie Jackson Jnr. says he knows nothing, even though the FBI says he is "candidate #5". Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel refused to take questions. Even though in one wiretap, the Governor refers to a transition team adviser with whom they were talking. If you have nothing to hide, just tell the truth.

Just telling the truth seems to be not an option. Yes, it started in the White House with those famous lines "I did not sleep with that woman" , but it really started in a moment of history we will never forget- the Nuremberg trials when Adolf Eichman was asked if he was responsible for the death of 6 milllion Jews, said "Nicht Shuldik"- NOT GUILTY!

2008-12-11T17:57:00.001-08:00

Apologies we did not list the proper link to register for our fireside chat. To sign up go to:
http://ping.fm/ysDob

2008-12-11T17:52:00.001-08:00

"THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS IN PERILOUS ECONOMIC TIMES"

Because of the success of our economic meltdown tele-summit, we are hosting a special pre-christmas very zenful fireside chat on "The Opportunity to do the Right Thing in Perilous Economic Times".. We hope you will join us on Tuesday December 16th for an evening of sharing and support. It's free! So take a break from the stress, the corrupt politicians from Illinois, the bail out bandits from AIG, the snow, the rain, and stop the mad urge to buy more "stuff"! Instead, build a fire, put on your slippers, get a cup of hot chocolate, and join us by phone. Mark your calendar for 6:30 p.m. pst, 7:30 p.m. cst, 9:30 p.m. est.

Sign up at : http://firesidechat.eventbrite.com

P.S. The way the world is going we could all use a little zen in our hot buttered rum these days!

Happy Ho Ho!

Zenner Clause

2008-11-27T10:48:00.001-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow American Zentrepreneurs! May this year of hope and change bless each and everyone of you!

Allan Holender.
Founder, Zentrepreneurism- "Changing The Way The World Does Business".

Who Can You Believe?

2008-11-21T20:28:00.000-08:00

Politics is an interesting "beast", it is not a model to be used in our educational system to teach children about integrity.

According to the U.S. Centre for Public Integrity we are at the lowest level of trust of government and the corporate sector since the 1930's.

So who do we believe. Was Hillary telling the truth when she said Obama was not qualified for the job of President. Was he lying when he said Hillary was not the change America was looking for. Or did they both lie? What did Obama really mean when he said "change you can believe in". When I ran for school board in my hometown, an old political war horse gave me this sage advice. He said; "Allan if you want to get elected you need to tell people what they want to hear". Is that lying or simply not telling the truth.

Nobody at any of the political rallies stood up and asked the candidates, including Hillary and Obama- "So what part of what you just told us is a lie". Even if the truth hurts, wouldn't you rather know what you are dealing with and can believe in.

I know that everyone is hungry for a solution, for change, to cleanse our souls from the Bush era. But America is looking for a "lifeline" right now, and sometimes when you are so desperate for hope and salvation you ratioanlize your decisions.

Political rallies have often been compared to a religious experience. I do believe many people had that experience in Grant Park. That euphoria has now been replaced by both fear and optimism. An interesting combination, as is the human reaction to fear, which is one of anger.

The financial hurricane we are in the midst of has also created the "perfect karmic storm" for America to look at how it has been conducting it's business, running it's government , electing it's politicians, and justifying "small fibs" that become "giant lies" to justify winning and succeeding at all cost. Be grateful it was just money lost and not lives.

The universe has created a golden opportunity. The world is watching to see if America has indeed changed. Americans have been viewed by the rest of the world as addicted to celebrities, money and power. Will we learn the lessons of the past or will history repeat itself. So far the jury is still out.

Has Obama Changed Your Belief In America?

2008-11-08T13:54:00.000-08:00

Has Obama Changed Your Belief In America?

It's now been three days since Grant Park. It's been three days since America elected it's first African American President. It's been three days since every black man and woman all over the world wept with joy to see a black man inherit in their mind the most powerful position in the free world. It's been three days since white and black, young and old celebrated in the streets.

Now that the euphoria is over, what has changed with you personally. If you are an American you can probably answer this question better than I can. I am a Canadian by birth, but as many of you know I graduated from The University of Montana, married an American, and my children have dual ciitizenship. But I live in Canada.

Many people have asked me why it took so long. Rather than me answer that question along with a number of other questions, I am going to let those of you who are American respond to this discussion forum. So here are the questions in no particular order:
Why did it take so long to elect an African American President?

If you voted for Obama did you choose him because he is black or because you were sick and tired of the George Bush era?

How different do you feel emotionally today than you did on Tuesday night?

Given that half the population favoured McCain in the popular vote, how many of them do you think will believe in Obamas message of hope and will rally around his supporters to build a better America?

How long does Obama have to deliver on all of his promises before people lose faith or hope?

Do you believe Obama is a politician or a statesman?

How different will the Obama Democratic administration be from Carter or Clinton?
In his speech in Grant Park he told the people it might take one term to get things on course, Do you believe he was saying that to lower people's expectations or was he cleverly positioning himself for re-election in 2012?
What things are you planning to do to contribute to his call for unity of all Americans?
If you were his advisor what would you tell him his priorities should be?
How will the election of Obama change the way business has been conducted in America; wall street, ponzi schemes, unethical behaviour of CEO's of some of the most respected companies?
And finally, if there was no Obama what would happen to America?

These questions are to stimulate discussion, I don't expect anyone to anwer all of them, just jump in on any you choose. As zentrepreneurs you have more than a passing interest in you and your families future in America, and you view things from an "awakened", passionate, purposeful and yet realistic perspective. I value and respect your input and responses.

Zentrepreneurism - Changing The Way The World Does Business - Allan Holender

2008-11-07T10:19:00.000-08:00

Zentrepreneurism - Changing The Way The World Does Business - Allan Holender

2008-11-06T01:02:00.001-08:00

YES WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

Dear Fellow Zentrepreneur,

Last night America made history by electing the first African American President.. The battle cry throughout the campaign was "Yes We Can". It has given hope to Americans and the global community that change is possible.

It is for that reason that we started the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs. "While an entrepreneur creates a business, a zentrepreneur creates a business and a life"!

The intent ot the WWAZ is "To Change The Way The World does Business". Our goal is to spread the message of Zentrepreneurism- creating purpose, passion and profits with integrity!

Today is the "perfect" day for you to begin that journey with us!

"This is a passionate, profound invitation...to stop
thinking about business and life as it should be and to start experiencing it as it could be"

I am inviting you to join the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs, a Groupsite that was created utilizing the CollectiveX platform for groups.

This Groupsite will enable us to share, network and coordinate our efforts. All information provided through this platform is maintained for the use of World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs members.

Please click the link below so you may quickly and easily participate in the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs. Membership is free. Signup is simple and takes less than a minute. Help us reach our goal of 1,000 members by January 1, 2009

http://www.zentrepreneurism.com/

Thank you,

Allan Holender

Accept the invitation from Allan Holender

2008-10-31T23:46:00.001-07:00

MEDIA ALERT

ALLAN HOLENDER WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON THE GOOD LIFE SHOW WITH JESSE DYLAN ON 650 CISL AM SUNDAY MORNING AT 7:00 A.M. PST, 10:00 A.M. EST

LISTEN AS ALLAN AND JESSE DISCUSS THE UP-COMING ECONOMIC SOLUTION SUMMIT AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE. YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN ON-LINE AROUND THE WORLD AT http://www.650cisl.com/

2008-10-31T13:16:00.001-07:00

TEN SPACES LEFT! SPECIAL FOR SINGLES !

DEADLINE MONDAY!!

NORTH AMERICA'S FIRST ECONOMIC SOLUTION SUMMIT!!!

Nov. 13-16

Galiano Island B.C. Canada

THERE ARE TEN SPACES LEFT FOR THE ECONOMIC SOLUTION SUMMIT WEEKEND ON GALIANO ISLAND.

WE HAVE NOW OPENED THE SPACES TO INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS COUPLES, SO IF YOU ARE SINGLE AND WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF AN INCREDIBLE OFFER OF $995 FOR:

THREE NIGHTS ACCOMODATION IN A 5 STAR OCEAN VIEW SUITE.
ALL GOURMET MEALS
ALL SNACKS AND REFRESHMENTS
COMPLIMENTARY YOGA CLASSES
COMPLIMENTARY FLOATATION BATH SESSION
FULL ACCESS TO ALL PROGRAMS & PRESENTATIONS.
FULL ACCESS TO ALL INDIVIDUAL EXPERTS ON FACULTY.
COMPLIMENTARY OPENING WINE & CHEESE RECEPTION.
REGISTER TODAY FOR $995 CA or $837 US !!

FOR COUPLES YOU GET ALL THE ABOVE FOR JUST $1,200CA or $1,008 US

YOU MUST REGISTER BY MONDAY!!

CALL 1-877-530-3939

FOR FULL PROGRAM AND FACULTY GO TO: www.zentrepreneurism.com

GALIANO ISLAND IS 25 MINUTES FROM VANCOUVER , BUT A WORLD AWAY!

P.S. If you received this notice and have already unscubscribed, our sincere apologies.

2008-10-26T18:56:00.001-07:00

ON CBS 60 MINUTES TONIGHT!!

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

"We need the most dramatic rethinking of the regulatory scheme for financial markets since the New Deal. If anything has demonstrated that imperative, it's the economy right now and the tragic circumstances we're in," and a realistic understanding of the dangers involved," says Harvey Goldschmid, a Columbia University law professor and a former commissioner and general counsel of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Asked how much danger he thinks is still out there, Goldschmid says, "We don't know. Part of the problem of the lack of transparency in these markets has been we don't really know."

If you would like a realistic understanding of the dangers involved in planning for your business, your future, and for your families' future, don't miss the first Economic Solution Summit in North America on Galiano Island B.C.. There are only a few spaces left, so REGISTER TODAY!

Go to www.zentrepreneurism.com for full program and registration info.

2008-10-25T17:59:00.001-07:00

MEDIA ALERT

ALLAN HOLENDER WILL BE INTERVIEWED ON THE GOOD LIFE SHOW WITH JESSE DYLAN ON 650 CISL AM SUNDAY MORNING AT 7:00 A.M. PST

LISTEN AS ALLAN AND JESSE DISCUSS THE LATEST IMPACT ON THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS. YOU CAN ALSO LISTEN ON-LINE AROUND THE WORLD AT http://www.650cisl.com/

2008-10-25T17:40:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WORLD LEADERS TO MEET IN WASHINGTON D.C. WHILE LOCAL GROUP MEETS ON GALIANO ISLAND TO DISCUSS THE GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS. ON NOV.15TH

U.S. President George W. Bush announced Wednesday that the White House will host the summit, where leaders are expected to discuss the causes of the crisis as well as potential reforms to the regulations and institutions that govern the global financial system.

The Bank of England deputy governor Charles Bean said that “this is no longer just a story about falling portfolio values. This is a once in a lifetime crises, and possibly the largest financial crises of it’s kind in human history”

Simultaneously, while world leaders are meeting, The Zentrepreneurism Centre, which is dedicated to changing the way the world does business, is presenting it’s first Economic $olution Summit to look at how we got here, the real economics, the remedies and a new vision for mankind.

The distinguished faculty includes; futurists, visionaries, entrepreneurs, business leaders, economic and relationship advisors.

To register call 1-877-530-3939

For interviews:
Call Allan Holender 604.684.9224 or allan@zentrepreneurism.com

________________________________________

2008-10-21T14:02:00.001-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“THE ECONOMIC $OLUTION SUMMIT”

From corrupt to conscious capitalism. Building upon capitalism’s most powerful assets while infusing it with a higher purpose.

The first Economic $olution Summit to look at how we got here, the real economics, the remedies and a new mission for mankind.

Join a distinguished faculty of futurists, visionaries, entrepreneurs, business leaders, economic and relationship advisors, as we explore the causes, impacts and solutions to the current global financial crisis.

The Summit takes place at the Galiano Island Oceanside Inn and Spa (www.galianoinn.com) Nov. 13-16th.

The goal of the Summit is to provide ideas and practices to ease your anxieties and fears during this troubling and traumatic time. You will receive real and practical tools to serve you in your business and personal life, and the renewed energy and heart to move ahead with your dreams.

“We have a situation where we don’t trust our government or our capitalist system and the level of distrust right now is probably unparalleled since the 1930’s.”- Charles Lewis Founder, Centre for Public Integrity

Because of limited space, the Summit is open to only twenty couples. To reserve today call toll free 1-877-530-3939

This special Summit is being presented by The Zentrepreneurism Centre (www.zentrepreneurism.com) and The Good Life Radio Show & Network (www.goodlifenetworks.com )

“Changing the Way the World does Business”
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2008-10-11T00:45:00.001-07:00

RE-PLAY OF "THE WALL STREET MELTDOWN" TELE-FORUM -HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE WORLD, YOUR BUSINESS, AND YOUR LIFE IS NOW AVAILABLE. LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS BY CALLING PlayBack # 1- 641-715-3440 Access Code 446420#

2008-10-04T12:44:00.001-07:00

BREAKING NEWS!!

..... REPLAY OF THE TELE-SUMMIT FORUM ON "THE WALL STREET MELTDOWN" IS NOW AVAILABLE BY CALLING 1-641-715-3440 ACCESS CODE: 446420# YOU CAN HEAR THE ENTIRE CONFERENCE CALL.

........ALLAN WAS RECENTLY INTERVIEWED ON "SQUEEZE PLAY" ON THE BNN (BUSINESS NEWS NETWORK). YOU CAN WATCH THE INTERVIEW BY CLICKING ON http://ping.fm/mTkjJ

.......THIS SUNDAY MORNING ALLAN WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY WELL KNOWN RADIO HOST JESSE DYLAN ON THE GOOD LIFE SHOW ON 650 CISL AM FROM 7:00-8:00 a.m. pst, 8:00-9:00 a.m. mst, 10:00-11:00: a.m. est. You can listen on-line to live streaming audio at www.650cisl.com

2008-10-03T11:37:00.001-07:00

BREAKING NEWS

Allan is being interviewed today on BNN, The Business News Network in Canada at 2:20 p.m. pst, 3:20 p.m. mst, 5:20 p.m. est. Check your local listings for the station in your area. In Vancouver it is Channel 58 on Shaw Cable.

2008-10-02T16:11:00.001-07:00

COUNTDOWN TO CRISIS

URGENT TELESUMMIT

TONIGHT

WHAT: "WALL STREET WRECKAGE"- THE AFTERMATH IMPACT IT WILL HAVE ON THE U.S., NORTH AMERICA ,THE WORLD, YOUR BUSINESS AND YOUR LIFE!!

WHEN: TONIGHT IN 2.5 HOURS

TIME: 6:30-8:30 P.M. (PACIFIC) 7:30-9:30 P.M. (MOUNTAIN) 9:30-11:30 P.M. (EASTERN)

TAPE OR TVO THE VP DEBATE OR WATCH IT LATER ON CNN, IT IS BEING RE-BROADCAST AT 9:00 P.M. PACIFIC, 10:00 P.M. MOUNTAIN OR MIDNITE EASTERN.

COST: FREE

PROGRAM: THIS A TOWN HALL FORUM WITH EXPERTS FROM THE U.S. AND CANADA DISCUSSING THE MOST IMPORTANT TIME IN OUR ECONOMIC HISTORY. NOT SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION HAS THERE BEEN A FINANCIAL CRISIS OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE: YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN THIS EVENT. LET YOUR VOICES BE HEARD BY CALLING: 1-218-339-4300 AND THEN ACCESS CODE: 446420#

YOU DO NOT NEED TO RESPOND TO THIS INVITATION, AS ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE ABOVE NUMBER UNTIL THE START TIMES LISTED ABOVE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU JOIN US. THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE EVENT BEING SPONSORED BY THE ZENTREPRENEURISM CENTRE. www.zentrepreneurism.com