How the big banks rigged the market
When Lloyd Blankfein met politicians in London a little while ago he brushed aside warnings that investment banks faced higher taxes if they ignored the rising public outcry about multibillion-dollar bonus pools. The Goldman chief executive seemed to believe governments would not dare.
Economic Breakdown on the Financial Highway
The stock market fell 100 points on the Dow index on Friday. We hope Daily Reckoning readers are out of US stocks. Sooner or later this jig is going to be up. You don’t want to be heavily invested when it does.
The Guantánamo “Suicides”: A Camp Delta sergeant blows the whistle
1. “Asymmetrical Warfare”
When President Barack Obama took office last year, he promised to “restore the standards of due process and the core constitutional values that have made this country great.” Toward that end, the president issued an executive order declaring that the extra-constitutional prison camp at Guantánamo “shall be closed as soon as practicable, and no later than one year from the date of this order.” Obama has failed to fulfill his promise. Some prisoners are being charged with crimes, others released, but the date for closing the camp seems to recede steadily into the future. Furthermore, new evidence now emerging may entangle Obama’s young administration with crimes that occurred during the Bush presidency, evidence that suggests the current administration failed to investigate seriously—and may even have continued—a cover-up of the possible homicides of three prisoners at Guantánamo in 2006.
2010 To Mark Dollar Demise
Well, that was another year, and decade, one that was characterized by exacting prices for almost a century of easy money led by the Fed. And it continues today with bubble dynamics in economies and markets considered a normal expectation these days, explaining why gold was top performer over the past 10-years, and should remain in that spot moving forward as well baring silver’s remonetization. That is to say, anybody, like Time Magazine, expecting smooth sailing over the next 10-years is most likely barking up the wrong tree with all the problems that still lie ahead for us, problems ranging from increasingly unmanageable debts and deficits, which are a result of the big turn in the credit cycle in 2008, to the pending demise of the dollar ($) as the world’s reserve currency.
The Reluctant Anarchist
My arrival (very recently) at philosophical anarchism has disturbed some of my conservative and Christian friends. In fact, it surprises me, going as it does against my own inclinations.
International Intelligence Organizations and State-Sponsored Terrorism
by Michael E. Kreca
LewRockwell.com
“If Jesus Christ were to stand up today, he’d be gunned down cold by the CIA.”
- The The, “Armageddon Days,” Mind Bomb, Epic Records, 1991
A major strategic principle states that the success of most domestic rebellions, insurgencies or revolutionary movements is closely dependent upon the level of interest by or aid from an outside power. History has confirmed this principle – that, with few exceptions, any insurgency, regardless of its size and extent, cannot survive without the support of a wide spectrum of the native populace and some kind of sympathetic and influential external ally. Rebels cannot successfully undermine the state’s authority unless they possess the financial, logistical and political support of agents whose influence equals or surpasses the domestic government’s power. These agents may be internally based (like the French anti-Gaullist resistance), but, in general, they tend to be an external third power.
PRESIDENT OBAMA ESTABLISHES “COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS”
By Chuck Baldwin
January 19, 2010
NewsWithViews.com
The White House Office of the Press Secretary released a report on the White House web site titled “President Obama Signs Executive Order Establishing Council of Governors.” According to the press release, “The President today [January 11, 2009] signed an Executive Order establishing a Council of Governors to strengthen further the partnership between the Federal Government and State Governments to protect our Nation against all types of hazards. When appointed, the Council will be reviewing such matters as involving the National Guard of the various States; homeland defense; civil support; synchronization and integration of State and Federal military activities in the United States; and other matters of mutual interest pertaining to National Guard, homeland defense, and civil support activities.”
California To Swing Prison Doors Open Jan. 25th
State to Release Thousands of Felons; Prison Gates Open January 25, Says Los Angeles Police Protective League
Starting January 25th, thousands of dangerous criminals will be released early from California state prisons – and for the first time in nearly 30 years, sent back to local communities without any supervision,” stated the Los Angeles Police Protective League.
Company collapses set to worsen in 2010
TimesOnlineUK
January 18, 2010
The number of British companies in financial distress rose by 6 per cent in the last three months of 2009, to 140,000, raising fears the worst effects of the recession are yet to come.
Eurozone On Life Support…
Europe’s Debt Dilemma
Governments are raising taxes and cutting spending to rein in debt, but that could stifle the recovery
BusinessWeek.com
Consumer Anger Rising Fast: Chargebacks
by Karl Denninger
Market Ticker
Monday, January 18. 2010
Anecdotal report thus far….
On the forum there is a report of a number of merchants dropping credit card processing entirely due to rampant (and bogus) chargebacks.
A North American Security Perimeter on the Horizon
NAFTA has extended from economic integration into a political and regional security pact which has been achieved through the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) of North America, Plan Mexico, as well as other initiatives. Various pieces of legislation and reports, along with influential individuals have called for closer trilateral cooperation regarding common rules for immigration and security enforcement around the perimeter of the continent. A major part of the U.S. security agenda already includes the defense of North America, but a full blown security zone would bring Canada and Mexico further under its control. A Fortress North America poses a serious threat to our sovereignty and would mean the loss of more civil liberties.
