Business / Economic / Financial

[ This link to a somewhat more cumulative blog posts page will precede current days news since most all topics remain current in terms of impact and longer-term effect and can be searched by topical index term more easily. The same is provided since the blog site http://alpeiablog.blogspot.com has just been censored as to size by google which is typical for google as nsa / cia / gov’t shill as more are becoming aware of. The same is true for microsoft, another co. that’s seen their best days and relies on the government to maintain their monopoly. Up to now the better page http://www.scribd.com/alpeia is provided for ease of formatting and clarity thereby while the Washington Post page is the real deal but without formatting http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp- srv/community/mypost/index.html?plckPersonaPage=PersonaComments&plckUserId=alpeia&newspaperUserId=alpeia (Only up to 3-11-11-you must be logged in - (Washington Post) [ Comments COMMENTS ARE CLOSED WHILE WE UPGRADE OUR SYSTEMS ] the comments are no longer archived on their site ) . The following is the cumulative archive of blog posts / topics for 2010 as the new year starts anew (and archived by quarter): http://albertpeia.com/December312010postsarchive.htm or PDF formatted version
http://albertpeia.com/December312010postsarchive.pdf ]

Poll: Egyptians skeptical about U.S. Egyptians have an unfavorable view of the U.S., but they are also divided over Islamic fundamentalists. (Washington Post) [ Hey! … Guess what? … americans and the rest of the world (except zionist israel, zionists, and old biddy britain) are skeptical and have an unfavorable view of america. The Economic Collapse: 24 more signs of economic decline in America…

#1 On Monday, S&P altered its outlook on U.S. government debt from “stable” to “negative” ..at the rest of the world is losing faith in the U.S. dollar and in U.S. Treasuries.

#2 China has announced reducing their holdings of U.S. dollar

#3 .. “panic dollar selling is setting in” and U.S. dollar in for a huge decline.

#4 The biggest bond fund in the world, PIMCO, is now shorting U.S. government bonds.

#5 This cruel economy is causing “ghost towns” to appear all across the United States..

#6 There are now about 7.25 million less jobs in America than when the recession began back in 2007.

#7 The average American family is having a really tough time right now.  Only 45.4% of Americans had a job during 2010.  .

#8 Only 66.8% of American men had a job last year.  That was the lowest level ever ..

#9 According to a new report from the AFL-CIO, the average CEO made 343 times more money than the average American

#10 Gas prices reached five dollars per gallon at a gas station in Washington, DC on April 19th, 2011.  .. $6 gas soon

#11 .. 12 months the average price of gasoline in the United States has gone up by about 30%.

#12 Due to rising fuel prices, American Airlines lost a staggering $436 million during the first quarter of 2011.

#13 U.S. households are now receiving more income from the U.S. governmentthan they are paying to the government in taxes.

#14 1 of 4 dollars that the U.S. government borrows goes to pay the interest on the national debt.

#15 Total home mortgage debt in the United States is now about 5 times larger than it was just 20 years ago.

#16 Total credit card debt in u.s. more than 8 times larger than 30 yrs ago.

#17 Average household debt in the United States has now reached a level of 136% of average household income.  In China, average household debt is only 17% of average household income.

#18 The average American now spends approximately 23 percent .. on food and gas.

#19 .. 74 percent of Americans said that they planned to slow down their spending in coming months

#20 59 percent u.s. receive money from the federal government ..

#21 average length of unemployment in the U.S. is now an all-time record 39 weeks.

#22 As the economy continues to collapse, frustration ..“random acts of violence”…

#23 Some Americans have become so desperate for cash that they are literallypopping the gold teeth right out of their mouths and selling them to pawn shops.

#24 ..u.s. people have been gobbling up larger and larger amounts of antidepressants and other prescription drugs.  ..’ ]

Attorney General Holder defends his tenure (Washington Post) [ Defending the indefensible! Yes … there is no defending this ag … He should step down, forced to resign … Obama faces fundraising test in California (Washington Post) [ Test? You mean intelligence test for those Californians? A cliché, aphorism is apposite: ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me’. Now frauds on wall street got value for their bribes; viz., no prosecution of their continuing nation-destroying frauds, yet cleaning up the frauds with prosecutions was the presumption upon which their support was predicated , at least in part. Certainly Hollywood spoke with their academy award for ‘Inside Job’ . Roche 'The worst part of it ...Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( what do holder and wobama have in common … wall street money? … a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ?...all/some of the above … or is it something else ... . UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ' Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud WP | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ]

Chernobyl, 25 years later (Washington Post) Following the nuclear disaster in Japan, the Chernobyl accident has a particular importance. Japan declares evacuation zone near nuclear plant (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like a plan! … From the beginning, as I’ve written on my website, I’ve thought the catastrophic nature and impact of this disaster to have been underreported at the least … the Japanese uncharacteristically have adopted somewhat of a ‘if wishing could make it so’ tact in this sad crisis. Cesium 137 Threat Grows While Corporate Media Remains Mute The hereditary communist dictatorship in North Korea reports on the spread of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant, but it has all but fallen off the corporate media radar screen here. Monitoring stations across North Korea from April 11 to 17 detected iodine-131 and cesium-137 in the air above Wonsan in the southeast and Chongjin in the southeast, according to the country’s state-run media. According to the Los Angeles Times, seawater near the Fukushima nuclear complex was recently found to contain “iodine-131 at 7.5 million times the legal limit”. Something Odd Is Happening at Reactor Number 4 The operator of the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is carefully monitoring the situation at the Number 4 spent fuel pool, where the water temperature is rising despite increased injections of cooling water. Helen Caldicott Talks About the Horror of Fukushima Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe and what we can expect. It ain’t pretty. Busby: ‘Can’t seal Fukushima like Chernobyl – it all goes into sea’ As world marks the Chernobyl anniversary, many say that the world has failed to learn the lessons on nuclear safety that the tragedy provided. RT talks to Professor Christopher Busby, Scientific secretary of the European Committee on radiation risks, for a little more insight on 21st century’s most serious nuclear crisis at Fukushima. Assassinate Qaddafi? Tyrants Beware – What Goes Around Might Come Around Lindsey Graham and John McCain, both of the meddling International Republican Institute implicated in funding and fueling the “Arab Spring” to begin with, have called for the assassination of Libya’s Qaddafi and members of his inner circle. The London Telegraph also reported that Foreign Secretary William Hague refused to rule out using US drones to assassinate Qaddafi. TEPCO finds radioactive concrete emitting 900,000 microsieverts per hour of nuclear radiation The operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says that concrete debris emitting a high level of radiation has been found near the Number 3 reactor.

States face shortfall for retirees (Washington Post) Public workers’ retirement funds had a gap of $1.26 trillion at the end of fiscal 2009, a report says.

Study: Affordable rentals scarce (Washington Post) Share of renters who spend more than half their income on housing is at its highest level in half a century.

Poll: For Obama, low marks on Afghan war (Washington Post) More Americans disapprove of President Obama’s management of the war in Afghanistan than support it, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, a finding that reflects the public’s broader concern over the course of the nearly decade-old conflict.

Fuel prices cut into Obama popularity (Washington Post) As gas prices bite into household incomes, Obama’s support takes a hit, according to new poll. The high fuel price dynamic is the slow / now faster motion, long predicted hyperinflationary consequence of failed fed, administration, congressional economic / financial / fiscal policy that essentially has been interposed for the (short-term particularly) benefit of the frauds on wall street (The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed), and have used the mideast turmoil to obfuscate their failure. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog / the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar ... According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued …only time the markets have been more overvalued .. 1929 & tech bubble. http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Davis ) Return of Inflation: 5 Worrying Signs From Friday's NY Times

Return of Inflation: 5 Worrying Signs From Friday's NY Times

Index Fund Rip-Off? Bartalos ‘Would you pay $5 for something that costs $1? Not if you could help it. However, that’s precisely what many investors are doing.

American Stock Ownership Declines

24 Signs Of Economic Decline In America ‘The United States is in the middle of a devastating long-term economic decline and it is getting really hard to deny it. Over the past year I have included literally thousands of depressing statistics in my articles about the U.S. economy. The Economic Collapse April 23, 2011

The United States is in the middle of a devastating long-term economic decline and it is getting really hard to deny it.  Over the past year I have included literally thousands of depressing statistics in my articles about the U.S. economy… the U.S. economy is in deep decline and is dying a little bit more every single day… 

With Barbour now out, new questions for GOP (Washington Post) THE TAKE | Decision sets off scramble for parts of his financial and political network and raises questions about challenges party faces in unseating Obama.

Poll: For Obama, low marks on Afghan war (Washington Post) [ If only ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) had been a man of his word and stopped these nation-bankrupting, murderous wars. ]

Drudgereport: TRUMP: Obama Not Worthy of Ivy Leagues... [ Talk about the pot calling the kettle black … trump’s b.s., low grade (penn) ivy league (courtesy of papa mobster trump who ‘twisted his arm to go’ so people would take him ‘seriously’ – papa mobster trump would pound the undistinguished academically / athletically, Donald with the mantra, ‘you’re a killer, you’re a king’ in film noir melodramatic fashion which proved too much for the more balanced and ‘chosen / favored’ elder brother trump who committed suicide. The old man also required trump to go to prep / military / boarding school where according to a classmate, Ted Levine, trump used to wet / pee in his bed. ) vegetable garden in the same manner as dumbya bush … mobster trump and people like trump are part of the problem (total b*** s***, fraud, etc., as in his home turf, mob-infested sinkholes, jersey / new york), not the solution. Indeed, trump is an interesting mental case in that he evolved from narcissist (those inflated grandiose moods coupled with feelings of inferiority – he loved to obsessively read those hitler speeches for inspiration and to pump himself up according to Ivana Trump) to severe case of antisocial personality disorder [ predatory disregard for and violation of the rights of others – hence, those sophomoric soundbite solutions to complex problems as, ie., taking oil fields(Libya), 25% tariff on Chinese (actually including american goods made in China), drug money laundering in his casinos, bribery, etc. http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ]

In a rational nation that wasn’t in decline as pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, trump and sister Maryanne would both be in prison.

'Terrible student,' not good enough for Harvard... Biden daughter trashes Trump...
Bill Cosby slams: 'He's full of it!'...
Trump Takes On NYT, Gail Collins...
Admires her for surviving 'so long with so little talent'...
NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Lawrence O'Donnell insists parent company NBC consider firing Donald Trump Daily Caller ... Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such)…

Financial Folklore: Tales from Wall Street to Main Street DeLegge April 22, 2011 SAN DIEGO (ETFguide.com) – ‘Throughout the ages, financial folklore has been handed down from one generation to the next as so-called wisdom. And our generation has been brainwashed with its fair share of folklore.

Let's consider some examples.

'Buying a home is the best investment anyone can make.'

The pummeled housing market should have put this particular fairy tale to rest, but there are a few holdouts that haven't gotten the message.

People, for example, that bought their home decades ago are often cited as proof that buying a home is still the 'best investment anywhere.' But before we count their profits, don't forget to deduct their insurance premiums, the cost of home maintenance, improvements and property taxes. Including these real life expenses into the equations portrays a far more realistic picture about the true investment value of home ownership. It's not as good of a deal as you've been sold.

But the real test of truthfulness behind this is to ask anyone that's purchased a home or condominium within the past 10 years. Ask them how profitable their foray into housing market has been and they'll tell you.  

'Max out your 401(k) plan.'

Overstuffing your 401(k) plan with lots of money - is a good savings habits - but won't necessarily help you you're your investments more profitable. Why? It's because most 401(k) plans offer a diverse menu of rigged investment choices with unnecessarily high fees. It's the mutual fund industry's best kept secret. 

What about the wonderful benefits of tax free growth and employer matches? Unfortunately, these 401(k) features are undermined by consistent underperformance by mutual fund managers, poor asset allocation decisions by plan members and compounding fees.

Unless low cost index funds and ETFs are investment choices inside your 401(k) plan, overstuffing your 401(k) retirement plan with bloated contributions is probably not a good idea. 

'Only invest in funds with managers that have a good track record.'

There are countless examples of how this piece of advice has been proven false more times than true. But since we don't have countless time or space, let's consider just one recent example - Philip Jabre.

Jabre is one of Europe's best known hedge fund managers and after posting a tranquil 3% gain during 2008's financial crisis, he followed it up with a handsome 46% gain in 2009. Surely investing money with Jabre - a seasoned professional with an impressive track record - was the smart thing to do, right?

In March, Jabre bought Japanese stocks (NYSEArca: EWJ - News) on news of the earthquake but got clobbered when the Nikkei Stock Average tumbled. Instead of staying calm, Jabre panicked and sold his shares before Japanese stocks bounced back, which netted his firm $300 million in losses. Hardly anyone could've foreseen this sort of meltdown from a guy with an amazing track record!

For anyone confiding in the false comfort of past performance, beware!

'Buy whatever Warren Buffett is buying.'

In the 1960s and 70s, youthful groupies would follow their favorite musical bands from city to city. Today, these same folks have graduated to following the financial moves made by investing legends like Warren Buffett. Are there guaranteed profits for those who ape the 'big money?'

Reuters looked at five recent acquisitions made by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK-A - News) to test out this theory.

Someone who bought 100,000 shares in stock in each of Berkshire's acquisition targets 70 days before Buffett announced a deal, would have made money in just three out of five tries. Not bad, but hardly a sure thing.

In this simplified case study conducted by Reuters, the reward for aping Warren Buffett's past five deals - or should we say, beating him to each deal by 70 days - was a complete wash. The profitable trades amounted to a gain of $3.256 million whereas the losses were $3.268 million. 

So much for the false theory that copying financial titans delivers market beating results.’  

Return of Inflation: 5 Worrying Signs From Friday's NY Times

Index Fund Rip-Off? Bartalos ‘Would you pay $5 for something that costs $1? Not if you could help it. However, that’s precisely what many investors are doing.

As financial advisers increasingly embrace a fee-based model based on the amount of assets overseen — instead of charging a flat fee — the portion invested in index funds is costing investors mightily writes Dow Jones columnist Ian Salisbury.

Salisbury notes that since 2006 “many advisers began charging smaller, but more regular, fees to manage a portfolio, often in the neighborhood of 1% a year.”

While 1% is a big improvement over the 5% fee that advisers often charged in years past, the savings that index funds offer in this context are effectively nullified.

The average expense ratio for U.S. stock index funds is 0.19%, versus 0.92% for actively managed funds, which have to charge for stock research and trading, according to investment researcher Morningstar Inc.

Individual investors can do better cost-wise by buying index funds directly from issuers.

However, it would be overly simplistic to focus exclusively on cost when considering the relative merits of using an adviser.

Advisers can add value by managing a portfolio’s asset allocation, both to take advantage of market trends and to grow more conservative as an investor ages. They often also provide extra services such as tax and estate planning.’

American Stock Ownership Declines

24 Signs Of Economic Decline In America ‘The United States is in the middle of a devastating long-term economic decline and it is getting really hard to deny it. Over the past year I have included literally thousands of depressing statistics in my articles about the U.S. economy. The Economic Collapse April 23, 2011

The United States is in the middle of a devastating long-term economic decline and it is getting really hard to deny it.  Over the past year I have included literally thousands of depressing statistics in my articles about the U.S. economy.  I have done this in order to make an overwhelming case that the U.S. economy is in deep decline and is dying a little bit more every single day.  Until we understand exactly how bad our problems are we will never be willing to accept the solutions.  The truth is that our leaders have absolutely wrecked the greatest economic machine that the world has ever seen.  Most Americans just assume that we will always experience overwhelming prosperity, but that is not anywhere close to the truth.  We are not guaranteed anything.  Our manufacturing base has been gutted, the number of jobs is declining, more Americans are dependent on government handouts than ever before, our dollar is dying and as a nation we are absolutely drowning in debt.  The economists that are trumpeting an “economic recovery” and that are declaring that the U.S. economy will soon be “better than ever” are delusional.  We really are steamrolling toward a complete and total economic collapse and our leaders are doing nothing to stop it.

The following are 24 more signs of economic decline in America.  Hopefully you will not get too depressed as you read them….

#1 On Monday, Standard & Poor’s altered its outlook on U.S. government debt from “stable” to “negative” and warned the U.S. that it could soon lose its AAA rating.  This is yet another sign that the rest of the world is losing faith in the U.S. dollar and in U.S. Treasuries.

#2 China has announced that they are going to be reducing their holdings of U.S. dollars.  In fact, there are persistent rumors that this has already been happening.

#3 Hedge fund manager Dennis Gartman says that “panic dollar selling is setting in” and that the U.S. dollar could be in for a huge decline.

#4 The biggest bond fund in the world, PIMCO, is now shorting U.S. government bonds.

#5 This cruel economy is causing “ghost towns” to appear all across the United States.  There are quite a few counties across the nation that now have home vacancy rates of over 50%.

#6 There are now about 7.25 million less jobs in America than when the recession began back in 2007.

#7 The average American family is having a really tough time right now.  Only 45.4% of Americans had a job during 2010.  The last time the employment level was that low was back in 1983.

#8 Only 66.8% of American men had a job last year.  That was the lowest level that has ever been recorded in all of U.S. history.

#9 According to a new report from the AFL-CIO, the average CEO made 343 times more money than the average American did last year.

#10 Gas prices reached five dollars per gallon at a gas station in Washington, DC on April 19th, 2011.  Could we see $6 gas soon?

#11 Over the past 12 months the average price of gasoline in the United States has gone up by about 30%.

#12 Due to rising fuel prices, American Airlines lost a staggering $436 million during the first quarter of 2011.

#13 U.S. households are now receiving more income from the U.S. governmentthan they are paying to the government in taxes.

#14 Approximately one out of every four dollars that the U.S. government borrows goes to pay the interest on the national debt.

#15 Total home mortgage debt in the United States is now about 5 times larger than it was just 20 years ago.

#16 Total credit card debt in the United States is now more than 8 times larger than it was just 30 years ago.

#17 Average household debt in the United States has now reached a level of 136% of average household income.  In China, average household debt is only 17% of average household income.

#18 The average American now spends approximately 23 percent of his or her income on food and gas.

#19 In a recent survey conducted by Deloitte Consulting, 74 percent of Americans said that they planned to slow down their spending in coming months due to rising prices.

#20 59 percent of all Americans now receive money from the federal government in one form or another.

#21 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average length of unemployment in the U.S. is now an all-time record 39 weeks.

#22 As the economy continues to collapse, frustration among young people will continue to grow and we will see more seemingly “random acts of violence”.  One shocking example of this happened in the Atlanta area recently.  The following is how a local Atlanta newspaper described the attack….

Roughly two dozen teens, chanting the name of a well-known Atlanta gang, brought mob rule to MARTA early Sunday morning, overwhelming nervous passengers and assaulting two Delta flight attendants.

#23 Some Americans have become so desperate for cash that they are literallypopping the gold teeth right out of their mouths and selling them to pawn shops.

#24 As the economy has declined, the American people have been gobbling up larger and larger amounts of antidepressants and other prescription drugs.  In fact, the American people spent 60 billion dollars more on prescription drugs in 2010 than they did in 2005.’

Ecomonic Strength Is An Illusion Dohmen ‘There is a perception that economic growth in many countries is very strong. Is it? These countries have an accelerating inflation problem that is presenting an illusion of economic strength. Russia is running at 9.5%, India at 9%, Brazil 6.3%. China’s official inflation rate (CPI) just came in at 5.4%, higher “than expected by analysts.” Well, that number is a fairy tale. Actual inflation is mid-teens. “Official” food inflation year-over-year is 11%. Actual food inflation is probably twice that.

What always happens in such an environment is that the central bank hikes interest rates, but always too little, too late. The added cost of money raises the cost of business and is passed on as price increases, causing even higher inflation. The governments restrict credit only grudgingly because they don’t want the economy to weaken. That would make people unhappy and cause them to riot. Not pleasant for autocratic regimes. And that’s how these countries will eventually see double-digit inflation.

When that happens, they will become more forceful in tightening money, availability of credit, etc. And that eventually produces a recession, pain, and a financial crisis.

There is another aspect to this under-reporting of inflation: the GDP growth numbers of these countries are fictitious. Yet, money managers apparently believe them and are sending billions of dollars overseas into stocks in those countries. For example,  let’s assume a country’s nominal GDP growth is 15%. Official inflation is 5%, which is deducted from the 15% to give headline GDP growth of 10%. But what if actual inflation is 10% instead of the “official” version of 5%? Then actual GDP growth is 5%. That certainly reduces the great growth stories of these emerging markets.

In the U.S., inflation is also far underreported. John Williams’ Shadow Government Statistics calculates the CPI before the “fudge factors” were introduced by Bush Senior and Clinton. According to him, the CPI now is at 10%.

If we use that number to convert nominal GDP to actual GDP, then we get negative, “real” economic growth. In other words, most or all of the reported GDP growth here and abroad reflects price increases, not genuine economic growth. Currently, nominal GDP growth is 4%. The CPI is 2.7%. That gives us “real” GDP growth of 1.3%, certainly not the 4% Wall Street had been predicting. If we use the GDP deflator of 3.6%, then we get “real” GDP growth of 0.3%, barely above zero.

I ask, how can this anemic growth, if any, give you the 20% corporate profit growth that Wall Street has been predicting? It would mean that companies can raise prices faster than their cost of supplies. That seems unlikely in the current high-unemployment environment except for consumer essentials, like food and energy. Beware of governmental statistics! As an investor, you can protect yourself against this hidden inflation via gold and silver.’

VIX at 34-Month Low - Time to Sell and Go Away Before May? Maierhofer, On Monday April 25, 2011,

‘This should be interesting. The VIX is at a 34-month low and stocks have been rising on anemically low volume, but the S&P is within points of breaking above the technically important neckline of an inverse head and shoulders bottom formation.

Of more immediate importance is the S&P's resistance at 1,339, which has rebuffed the S&P 500 on seven different trading days. And as if there wasn't enough intrigue to the current constellation, the S&P has an open chart gap right below 1,343.

Open Chart Gaps - Unfinished Business

The gap was caused by a February 22 gap down open that left a vacuum between 1,339 and 1,443. Concerning this chart gap, the ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter stated on the night of February 21:

'As of 11pm EST the S&P futures are down 15 points. Since there's a good chance of a gap down open, it would be timely to mention that the S&P has a strong tendency of closing open chart gaps sooner or later. If an early morning gap isn't closed right away, it might be closed sometime later this week, month or year.'

This open chart gap was one reason the ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter speculated on March 20 that: '1,249.05 was the low of a 7% correction that will result in new highs around 1,3XX (target level reserved for subscribers) as discussed in the March ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter, page 3.'

What's it Worth? The VIX Sell Signal

As the S&P has come within points of closing this vexing chart gap, the VIX (Chicago Options: ^VIX) has dropped to a 34-month low. Not only that, the VIX has also dropped below the lower Bollinger Band. A close back above the lower Bollinger Band will trigger a sell signal for stocks.

There have been five such VIX sell signals since the March 2009 bottom. June 30, 2009 - January 12, 2010 - April 13, 2010 - September 4, 2010 - October 13, 2010. Discerning eyes will see that the market corrected sharply following the first three sell signals.

The S&P (SNP: ^GSPC), Dow Jones (DJI: ^DJI), Nasdaq (Nasdaq: ^IXIC), small caps (NYSEArca: IWM - News) and mid caps (NYSEArca: MDY - News) tumbled 15 - 20% from April - June 2010.

The April 2010 VIX sell signal was compounded by a 10-year low in the CBOE equity put/call ratio. A low put/call ratio means that only a minority of equity positions are equipped with a put safety net.

On April 16, 2010 the ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter warned that: 'Once prices do fall and investors do get afraid of incurring losses, the only option is to sell. Selling, results in more selling. This negative feedback loop usually results in rapidly falling prices.' The market peaked six trading days later. The 'Flash Crash,' which temporarily reduced the Dow by 1,000 points, happened 14 trading days later.

As accurate as the June, January, and April VIX signals were, the two sell signals that occurred since QE2 was announced (September and October 2010) failed miserably.

Sector Discrepancies

Looking at a long-term chart, the S&P is short of reaching important Fibonacci and multi-decade trend lines and a potential head and shoulders target. Market technicians like myself, would like to see the S&P go higher before reversing meaningfully. With the VIX at a 34-month low, this may or may not happen.

It seems even the broad market is torn between bullish potential and bearish overtones. The technology sector (NYSEArca: XLK - News) is in the process of reasserting itself while the financial sector (NYSEArca: XLF - News) is trading near this year's low.

The new recovery high in the Dow Jones Industrial Average is thus far unconfirmed by the Dow Jones Transportation Average (NYSEArca: IYT - News), which is a negative according to Dow Theory (this could be resolved soon though). The S&P 500 futures rallied to a new 2-month high while the S&P 500 cash index did not.

Risk Assessment in a Nutshell

At least two technical chart formations suggest higher prices if we see a close above 1,340. The VIX suggests not only elevated complacency but the potential for a significant decline. Every decline below 15.5 for the VIX over the past 2 years was followed by a quick 7 - 17% decline for stocks. On Thursday the VIX closed at 14.69.

The positive seasonality of April is dwindling away and the summer doldrums often start out with the 'sell in May and go away' adage (that was certainly the case last year).

In a nutshell, the market appears to be at cross roads. To deal with it, stocks may continue churning for a bit longer but will eventually break out one way or another. Detecting the direction of the next big move early is key to capital protection and trading/investment profits…’

Beijing detains Christian church members on Easter (AP)

Hong Kong assets have ‘peaked’: analyst

Roadside bombs kill 3 NATO troops in Afghanistan (AP) - Roadside bombs killed three NATO service members and a gunman shot dead a prominent local official in southern Afghanistan, where thousands of Afghan and international troops are bracing for an e...

Economic Recovery Evades Fed and Congress Efforts Economic recovery does not seem to be taking effect in spite of more massive expenditures by Congress and the Fed. The IMF says financial stability has improved, but then again their vision is almost always clouded.

Will Adverse Regulatory Changes Cause Further Deterioration In Shadow Banking And Force The Fed’s QE Hand Again? Confused by the recent dramatic moves in General Collateral repo rates? Carry trade killing FDIC assessments got you down (and copycatting other blogs)? Still anguished by relentless end of quarter window dressing even as primary dealers reduce leverage to post crisis lows?

Gold and silver continue to surge Neil Dennis | Gold hit a record high, while silver surged more than 5 per cent to within a whisker of its all-time peak.

Don’t Like a Weak Dollar? Might as Well Get Used to It CNBC.com | Weakness in the US dollar, which is causing everything to go up.

Four Scary Words: “Silver Delivery Not Possible” The SHTFPlan’s Mac Slavo brings us the story of one Bill Cramer who decided to cash in on his silver profits after a nearly decade holding period (under the assumption he was receiving warehousing services considering he was paying storage fees), confident that he could simply receive the metal he held with a broker, until he heard the following 5 very disturbing words: “Sorry, delivery is not possible.”

British pound devalues by 94% in 50yrs A new survey shows that the value of money in the UK has dropped by 94 percent over the past 50 years, which means an 18-time increase in retail prices.

Financial Heist of the Century: Confiscating Libya’s Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF) The objective of the war against Libya is not just its oil reserves (now estimated at 60 billion barrels), which are the greatest in Africa and whose extraction costs are among the lowest in the world, nor the natural gas reserves of which are estimated at about 1,500 billion cubic meters.

China Proposes To Cut Two Thirds Of Its $3 Trillion In USD Holdings

All those who were hoping global stock markets would surge tomorrow based on a ridiculous rumor that China would revalue the CNY by 10% will have to wait.

(4-25-11) Dow  12,479 -26 Nasdaq  2,826  +5   S&P 500  1,335  -2   [CLOSE- OIL $111.41 (-54% for year 2008) (RECORD TRADING HIGH $147.27) GAS $3.82 (reg. gas in LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS  $4.20 REG./ $4.30 MID-GRADE/$4.40 PREM./ $4.54  DIESELL) /  GOLD $1,497 (+24% for year 2009) / SILVER $45.93 (+47% for year 2009) PLATINUM $1,798 (+56% for year 2009)  Metal News for the Day  / DOLLAR= .68 EURO, 80 YEN, .60 POUND STERLING, ETC. (How low can you go - LOWER)/  Interest Rates: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield 10 YR NOTE YIELD 3.36%        …..…   AP Business Highlights             ...Yahoo Market Update...      T. Rowe Price Weekly Recap – Stocks / Bonds / Currencies -  Domestic / International   This Is a Secular Bear Market and The End of Buy and Hold … and Hope   The bull market that never was/were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold ‘WORST ECONOMIC COLLAPSE EVER’ Must Read Economic / Financial Data                     This Depression is just beginning The coming depression…  thecomingdepression.net The Next Wave of Collapse is Coming Sooner than you think Sliding Back Into the Great Depression ABSOLUTELY, ABSURDLY, RIDICULOUS! SELL / TAKE PROFITS WHILE YOU CAN SINCE MUCH, MUCH WORSE TO COME!

National / World

Something Odd Is Happening at Reactor Number 4 The operator of the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is carefully monitoring the situation at the Number 4 spent fuel pool, where the water temperature is rising despite increased injections of cooling water.

Helen Caldicott Talks About the Horror of Fukushima Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe and what we can expect. It ain’t pretty.

Busby: ‘Can’t seal Fukushima like Chernobyl – it all goes into sea’ As world marks the Chernobyl anniversary, many say that the world has failed to learn the lessons on nuclear safety that the tragedy provided. RT talks to Professor Christopher Busby, Scientific secretary of the European Committee on radiation risks, for a little more insight on 21st century’s most serious nuclear crisis at Fukushima.

Assassinate Qaddafi? Tyrants Beware – What Goes Around Might Come Around Lindsey Graham and John McCain, both of the meddling International Republican Institute implicated in funding and fueling the “Arab Spring” to begin with, have called for the assassination of Libya’s Qaddafi and members of his inner circle. The London Telegraph also reported that Foreign Secretary William Hague refused to rule out using US drones to assassinate Qaddafi.

Small plane full of cocaine crashes in New Mexico lake A small planed loaded with bundles of cocaine crashed into a lake in northern New Mexico on Sunday morning, apparently killing all on board, according to the New Mexico State Police.

Wikileaks Gitmo Files: Corporate Media Reports Information We Brought To You Five Years Ago With much fanfare the mainstream media is today reporting on the Wikileaks guantanamo revelations, which highlight the fact that the US government knew there were no high ranking terrorists being held at Guantanamo Bay.

Ron Paul To Announce 2012 Presidential Run Within Days Texas Congressman Ron Paul could be set to officially announce whether or not he is running for the Republican 2012 nomination this week with a series of back to back high profile media appearances.

IMF bombshell: Age of America nears end For the first time, the international organization has set a date for the moment when the “Age of America” will end and the U.S. economy will be overtaken by that of China. And it’s a lot closer than you may think.

Your Cellphone Has Been Tracking You For Nearly a Decade The controversy generated as a result of computer researchers discovering a hidden file that allows Apple to track the location of iPhone and iPad users has been treated as a shocking revelation by the media, and yet since October 2001, the FCC has mandated that all wireless carriers track the location of their users down to within 50 feet.

Ron Paul on The View: Whoopi Goldberg Frustrated When Audience Cheers Ron Paul Infowars.com | Whoopi appears to be incapable of understanding that big government destroys liberty and eventually impoverishes everybody.

The Decline of the Dollar Infowars | Weakness in the US dollar is unlikely to go away soon as selling frenzy hits.

Investigation: Government Ordered Cellphone Companies to Spy on Users Paul Joseph Watson | Under federal law, surveillance grid in place for 10 years.

Ron Paul To Announce 2012 Presidential Run Within Days Steve Watson | Congressman will meet criteria to participate in May 5th S.C. debate.

IMF: Age of America nears end MarketWatch | China’s economy will surpass that of America in real terms in 2016 — just five years from now.

American Hellholes The Economic Collapse | The U.S. economy is slowly dying. The U.S. economy is dying and we are heading for the next Great Depression. The talking heads in the mainstream media love to spin the economic numbers around and around and they love to make it sound like the economy is improving, but the truth is that it doesn’t take a genius to see what is happening to the U.S. economic system.

Sen. Graham: Murder Gaddafi’s Inner Circle Infowars.com | Graham said that “it’s going to be hard” for the U.S. to achieve its national security interests if Gaddafi remains.

TSA: An Army of Pervs and Criminals Kurt Nimmo | Organs of police state control and intimidation invariably hire perverts and criminals.

Corporate Media Refuses to Report Truth About NATO Contras in Libya Infowars.com | Like the attack on Iraq, the attack on Libya is based on a series of lies and fabrications.

Will governments confiscate gold? Alasdair Macleod | The situation today is very different from that of 78 years ago when Roosevelt confiscated gold.

Short Life Expectancy for BP Whistleblowers? Pat Shannan | Mysterious deaths have befallen at least 9 whistleblowers reportedly connected to the gulf oil spill.

‘No sign Gaddafi bombed Tripoli – NATO wages war on false claims’ Sukant Chandan, who has just returned from a monitoring mission in Libya, believes there’s no justification for NATO’s actions.

US carries out first drone strike in Libya: Pentagon The United States carried out its first drone strike in Libya on Saturday, the Pentagon said, two days after approving the use of pilotless aircraft to aid rebels fighting Moamer Kadhafi’s forces.

TEPCO finds radioactive concrete emitting 900,000 microsieverts per hour of nuclear radiation The operator of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says that concrete debris emitting a high level of radiation has been found near the Number 3 reactor.

Japan: Fukushima 50 criticise ‘inconsistent’ information The Fukushima 50, emergency nuclear plant workers in Japan, have accused the government of inconsistent handling of data in relation to radiation exposure.

TSA officer charged in distributing child pornography A passenger screener at Philadelphia International Airport is facing charges that he distributed more than 100 images of child pornography via Facebook, records show.

Heroes Villainized: FBI to investigate 9/11 first responders for terrorism A provision in a new draft of the 9/11 healthcare bill will force the FBI to investigate tens of thousands of cops, firefighters, construction workers and others for ties to terrorism by comparing names to those on the Terrorism Watch List.

Helen Caldicott Talks About the Horror of Fukushima Australian physician, author, and anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott talks about the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe and what we can expect. It ain’t pretty.

Fukushima Evacuation area officially expanded The Japanese government has announced the official expansion of the evacuation zone around the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to selected areas beyond the existing 20-kilometer radius. Residents of the new areas are being asked to evacuate by the end of May.

Short Life Expectancy for BP Whistleblowers? Pat Shannan | Mysterious deaths have befallen at least 9 whistleblowers reportedly connected to the gulf oil spill.

Using police to enforce a Big Pharma medication agenda violates civil rights Mike Adams | I do not remember any cops swearing an oath to protect and serve the interests of the pharmaceutical corporations.

Jobs Bill? The Government Passed a Jobs Bill Years Ago … Just Not for US Washington’s Blog | So stop whining, we’ve already got a jobs bill … it’s just not for you and me.

ElBaradei urges ICC trial of Bush Press TV | The so-called hunt for WMD in Iraq yielded no results.

Video Reporting Possible CIA/Saudi Snipers in Syria No sooner was “Color Revolution’s Mystery Gunmen” posted, when a reader sent in a news clip from Iran’s Al-Alam News Network reportedly indicating Saudi/CIA snipers are in Syria taking out protesters. Al-Alam broadcasts throughout the region, in Arabic.

Normalizing Evil: The NY Times’ Curious Take on the Gitmo Files

Britain, the Traitor Nation: Media Disinformation and Crimes against Humanity in Libya

Drudgereport: RON PAUL: HE'S IN!
Killer Combo of High Gas, Food Prices at 'Key Tipping Point'...
AAA Sees 18% Increase In Roadside Calls For Drivers Out Of Gas...
$5.69 GALLON IN ORLANDO -- FOR REGULAR...

Dollar's Decline Speeds Up...

IMF: AGE OF AMERICA NEARS END...
Dollar's Decline Speeds Up...
China planning to cut U.S. reserves by two-thirds?
Gold and silver continue to surge...
Reid's China junket sked kept secret over 'security concerns'...
WASHPOST: If the trip's so dangerous, why are senators spouses tagging along?

TRUMP: Obama Not Worthy of Ivy Leagues... [ Talk about the pot calling the kettle black … trump’s b.s., low grade (penn) ivy league (courtesy of papa mobster trump who ‘twisted his arm to go’ so people would take him ‘seriously’ – papa mobster trump would pound the undistinguished academically / athletically, Donald with the mantra, ‘you’re a killer, you’re a king’ in film noir melodramatic fashion which proved too much for the more balanced and ‘chosen / favored’ elder brother trump who committed suicide. The old man also required trump to go to prep / military / boarding school where according to a classmate, Ted Levine, trump used to wet / pee in his bed. ) vegetable garden in the same manner as dumbya bush … mobster trump and people like trump are part of the problem (total b*** s***, fraud, etc., as in his home turf, mob-infested sinkholes, jersey / new york), not the solution. Indeed, trump is an interesting mental case in that he evolved from narcissist (those inflated grandiose moods coupled with feelings of inferiority – he loved to obsessively read those hitler speeches for inspiration and to pump himself up according to Ivana Trump) to severe case of antisocial personality disorder [ predatory disregard for and violation of the rights of others – hence, those sophomoric soundbite solutions to complex problems as, ie., taking oil fields(Libya), 25% tariff on Chinese (actually including american goods made in China), drug money laundering in his casinos, bribery, etc. http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ]

In a rational nation that wasn’t in decline as pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, trump and sister Maryanne would both be in prison.

'Terrible student,' not good enough for Harvard... Biden daughter trashes Trump...
Bill Cosby slams: 'He's full of it!'...
Trump Takes On NYT, Gail Collins...
Admires her for surviving 'so long with so little talent'...
NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Lawrence O'Donnell insists parent company NBC consider firing Donald Trump Daily Caller ... Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE... PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]

SHOCK VIDEO: ANOTHER MCDONALDS BEATDOWN
Dad who broke up fight in MCDONALD'S shot dead... A DAD-of-four who split up a fight in a McDonald’s was shot dead moments after being told he wouldn’t see the morning.

Raymond Mitchell, 34, had only popped into the restaurant to buy a hot chocolate.

But he apparently caused offence after splitting up two men fighting in the queue.

One of them, who had several gold teeth, shouted at Raymond: “You are gonna die tonight, you are not gonna see the morning.”

The thug is then said to have phoned an accomplice to fetch a gun, yelling into his mobile: “Bring me that thing.”

Raymond left the 24-hour McDonald’s but was chased into a cul-de-sac. The gun was then delivered and Mr Mitchell was beaten and pistol-whipped before being shot three times in an alley in Brixton, South London, at 6.50am on Sunday. Raymond, nicknamed Brown, was taken to hospital but died hours later.

One neighbour, who saw the shooting but was too terrified to be named, said: “He was begging, literally begging for his life. I didn’t dare look out my window in case they saw me. I heard them laughing and swearing at him, calling him a ‘b***h’. I heard them laughing afterwards as well.”

Raymond’s partner, who asked not to be named, said: “I’m terrified. They’re still out there and they’ve not been caught. I’ve been told how they were laughing, actually laughing after they beat him and shot him. How could anybody do something like that?”

Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/04/21/dad-who-split-up-fight-in-mcdonald-s-shot-dead-115875-23075797/#ixzz1KRChO3dm ‘

Pakistan: U.S. missile strike near border kills 25 (Washington Post) ‘ ISLAMABAD — U.S. drones fired a volley of missiles into a militant-held Pakistani region close to the Afghan border on Friday, killing 25 people, Pakistani intelligence officials said. The strike came a day after Pakistan’s army chief denounced such attacks, and could further sour deteriorating relations between Washington and Islamabad. …Three children and two women were believed to be among the dead, they said…’ [ Winning hearts and minds … yup … that’s what pervasively corrupt, war mongering, defacto bankrupt, war crimes nation is doing, alright … riiiiight! Pakistan Tells U.S. to Halt Drones Pakistan has privately demanded the Central Intelligence Agency suspend drone strikes against militants on its territory, officials said. U.S. role in Libyan conflict widens (Washington Post) Buoyed by Obama’s deployment of armed drones and a visit by Sen. John McCain, rebels expressed hope that increased support will help turn the tide in the conflict. [ As if we didn’t see that coming! With Iraq saying thanks, but no thanks to continued american ‘help’, despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation, america’s looking for new war horizons. Now that ‘sounds like a plan’! ]

Obama misleads on oil (Washington Post) [ Oil? If oil was the only thing ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) misleads on, the future would look at least a wee bit better than horrifically dismal. Obama likes Facebook (Washington Post) And Facebook likes Obama. [ I believe Mr. Milbank has found a fit … a group that like him, is totally full of sh**! Now I can see people shunning the republicans … but for a 3rd party candidate which is more real a possibility than most can imagine. But ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***)? How totally embarrassing for facebook across the board.. Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor Shocking but true revelations from David Icke (a must read) | ‘…He has been covertly funded and supported ever since by the Trilateral Commission and its network of foundations connecting into the Ford Foundation, for whom Obama's mother worked... Does anyone really believe that someone, a 'man of the people', would simply appear from apparently nowhere to run the slickest and best-funded presidential campaign in American history? He was chosen long ago by those who wish to enslave the very people that Obama says he wants to 'set free'. The sources of Obama funding read like a Wall Street Who's Who - Goldman Sachs, UBS, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and so on. No wonder he went back on his pledge to accept the limitations of public funding .. It was they who kept his many skeletons under wraps, like the gay sex and crack cocaine allegations of Larry Sinclair (from affidavit: 1. Who is Ron Allen that claims to be with your Presidential camp, who is alleged to claim that someone claiming to represent me called asking for $100,000, to keep me from coming forward about our (Obama and I) November 1999 encounter of sex and cocaine use?), and they will continue to do so as long as he jumps to their bidding. Obama is just another Banksters' moll prostituting himself for fame and power, and that's why he supported the grotesque bail-out of the banking system and why he will always put their interests before the people. .. The very people who caused the financial crisis are being appointed by Obama to decide how to respond to it (more taxpayers' money for them and their friends) CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

]

Milbank: Andrew Breitbart and rifts on the right (Washington Post) [ Ah, yes! Disarray on on the right … Mr. Milbank’s wet dream … Come on! … What does that matter? Moreover, what isn’t in disarray in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america. Then there’s the pervasive incompetence, left and right. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . ]

U.S. role in Libyan conflict widens (Washington Post) Buoyed by Obama’s deployment of armed drones and a visit by Sen. John McCain, rebels expressed hope that increased support will help turn the tide in the conflict. [ As if we didn’t see that coming! With Iraq saying thanks, but no thanks to continued american ‘help’, despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation, america’s looking for new war horizons. Now that ‘sounds like a plan’! ‘Mission creep’ feared in Libya campaign The National | US maintains it will not send any ground troops into Libya. Libyan War Gets Weird: Defending the Indefensible Even those who have studied for years the criminal consolidation of this planet under the global corporate-financier oligarchy may be noticing that the war in Libya is turning into something new and unprecedented. Roberts: Pentagon budget is the result of corruption Half a century ago, president Dwight Eisenhower issued a warning to the American nation about growing military industrial complexes being a threat to democracy, and now it seems as though Eisenhower’s warning has become reality. US is the modern world’s biggest military spender. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, a former Reagan administration official and a columnist, shares his opinion on RT. Libya: Increased Airstrikes, Ground Troops, Contractors, Civilians Killed, Deadly DU Munitions – Can We Call This A War Yet? The globalist coalition refers to it as ‘kinetic military action’, yet as more civilians are killed in NATO bombings, and with experts adamant that deadly Depleted Uranium weapons are being used by Western forces, the conflict in Libya looks a hell of a lot like the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq all over again.]

The U.S. dollar, no longer almighty [ Talk about understatements … and not just the dollar that’s not almighty in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america. ] (Washington Post) Amid talk of deficits, investing gurus, such as Warren Buffett, are betting against the dollar. [ Duh! Winning! (As per Charlie Sheen). But are they? I don’t think so … Indeed, senile buffet had in the manner of a ‘lovefest’ expressed his unbridled enthusiasm for favorable prospects for the u.s. economy. Yet, at this rate, buffet et als won’t be declaring ‘mission accomplished’(as per dumbya bush) and complete victory until loaves of bread are going for $100 a pop and near everyone has stopped looking for those non-existent, fleeting, fleeing jobs enabling them to declare near 100% employment. Indeed, such mundane considerations worry buffet not … ‘cause the frauds on wall street got his back … Why? … ‘cause he’s got their backs and shills for them in that homespun, country bumpkin kind of way. And, with manipulated frauds as are ubiquitous on wall street, reality impacts them … almost not at all. Suckers’ rally into the close to keep suckers suckered on really bad news : Philadelphia Fed Depresses Economists Durden ‘4-21-11 And here comes the first indicator that Q2 GDP is about to be mass revised by everyone, courtesy of Japan, and ongoing inflation pressures: the Philadelphia Fed collapsed from a revised 43.4 (a 27 year high) to 18.5, the lowest since November 2010. ‘…natural resource plays provided an afternoon lift…’ … This is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Remember: ‘Sell in May and go away! … ]

America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog.. the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar ... According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued …only time the markets have been more overvalued .. 1929 & tech bubble. http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates...]

Suckers’ rally into the close to keep suckers suckered on really bad news : Philadelphia Fed Depresses Economists Durden ‘On Thursday April 21, 2011, 1:32 pm EDT And here comes the first indicator that Q2 GDP is about to be mass revised by everyone, courtesy of Japan, and ongoing inflation pressures: the Philadelphia Fed collapsed from a revised 43.4 (a 27 year high) to 18.5, the lowest since November 2010. … sounds like a real pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american plan! ‘…natural resource plays provided an afternoon lift…’ …Riiiiight! You can’t make this stuff up, you really can’t. How totally pathetic! … This is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Remember: ‘Sell in May and go away! … ]

America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog | It’s now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding. . According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble. [chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble … A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s ...

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ .

Lawyer charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ Come on! Just enough for a few headlines so people think they're actually doing something. They could (but don't) bring a case as this or other wall street crime against a different wall street liar (sic lawyer) / fraud in that corrupt sinkhole new york (metro, ie., jersey, conn., etc.) every single day and bearly touch the tip of the iceberg. Is anybody foolish enough to think what goes on there is legitimate? Remember, still no pros for the huge debacle / fraud precipitatin the last and continuing economic / financial crisis. Chemist charged with insider trading (WP) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). SEC: Wachovia cheated investors (WP) [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' Adler ]

Philadelphia Fed Depresses Economists Durden ‘On Thursday April 21, 2011, 1:32 pm EDT

And here comes the first indicator that Q2 GDP is about to be mass revised by everyone, courtesy of Japan, and ongoing inflation pressures: the Philadelphia Fed collapsed from a revised 43.4 (a 27 year high) to 18.5, the lowest since November 2010.

And here is why even the Philly Fed admits “indicators suggest slower growth” – “The survey’s broadest measure of manufacturing conditions, the diffusion index of current activity, decreased from 43.4 in March to 18.5 this month (see Chart). The demand for manufactured goods, as measured by the current new orders index, showed a similar slowing: The index fell 22 points, following seven consecutive months of increase.

The shipments index declined 6 points  and remained at a relatively high level….A majority of firms continue to cite price pressures, and a significant share of firms reported higher prices for their own manufactured goods again this month.” Translation: Wall Street Q2 GDP revisions coming en masse: the podium is yours Jan Hatzius.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Philly-Fed-April1.jpg

Alas, as companies are only starting to recall, inflation is sticky and takes far more than 15 minutes to fix:

Firms Report Higher Output Prices

Firms continue to report price increases for inputs as well as their own manufactured goods. The prices paid index declined 7 points this month but remains about 45 points higher than readings just seven months ago. Fifty?nine percent of the firms reported higher prices for inputs this month, compared to 64 percent last month. On balance, firms also reported an increase in prices for their own manufactured goods: The prices received index increased 5 points and has steadily increased over the last eight months. Thirty percent of firms reported higher prices for their own goods this month; just 3 percent reported price reductions.

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Philly-Fed-April-Index2.jpg

Tyler Durden is the founder of Zero Hedge.’

Where Did All the Bulls Go?

Clock Still Ticking on Greece and Portugal Default Inflation Trader ‘The clock is clearly ticking on Greece and Portugal’s default or severe restructuring, and the clock seems to be speeding up. Yesterday Greek 10-year yields rose to 14.75% and 2-year yields soared past 22%. If you think Greece is not going to default and force significant haircuts on its bondholders (including the ECB), you have a great opportunity to buy a 22% note that will pay off at par! Portuguese 10-years are at 9.28%; 2-years at 10.5% (see Chart below for the 2yr, click to enlarge). The Irish 2y and 10y are both over 10% as well.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/21/saupload_portublech.png

Portuguese, Greek, 2y or 10y. It doesn't matter, they all look this bad. This happens to be the Portuguese 2-year note yield.

This is starting to be an all-the-king’s horses situation. With all the powers that can be brought to bear on the problems, all of the ECB secondary market support, all of the rescue packages and promised rescue packages – and even after Spain and Portugal both successfully sold bonds overnight – these markets are in free-fall.

One reason for it is that investors are newly skeptical that the European Financial Stability Facility, and its successor European Stability Mechanism, are going to work because of one little design flaw: the fact that member countries must cough up the dough. Well, make that two design flaws: member countries are by and large democratic, and the ‘little people’ seem to object to coughing up the dough. We saw the recent German election results, and the Finns this week gave a lot of votes to a “euro-skeptic” protest party (although a Finnish friend of mine thinks it is unlikely that party will end up as part of the ruling coalition). Today, the ruling party in Slovakia declared that it won’t support the creation of the ESM, which means that two minority parties will need to form a coalition if Slovakia is going to participate. The words of the ruling party’s chairman resound:

We are here to defend interests of Slovak citizens, not the interests of foreign banks, which have for a long time made profits on high interest on loans to irresponsible countries.

Investors are gradually coming to realize that the cacophony in Europe right now isn’t merely distracting, but destructive to the notion of a unified eurozone. And that is causing them to separate the (German) wheat from the (periphery) chaff when it comes to periphery markets. This may ironically be good for the euro if only the periphery are jettisoned, but the behavior of the euro bond markets look much like a film of the mid-1990s “convergence trade” being run in reverse.

Having a bailout mechanism that requires consensus of the members appears to be simply not workable. By contrast, the U.S. bailouts do not require state approval, nor Federal approval. The Fed just prints the money and voila! And so far, it has worked.

It has worked, that is, except for the fact that the dollar’s downtrend periodically threatens to become disorderly. Yesterday the greenback reversed the rest of Monday’s rally and went to new lows on the year. It is challenging 2009’s low now. Partly as a consequence, commodities rallied again yesterday, with NYMEX Crude Oil setting its second-highest close of the year (above $111). Softs, Precious Metals, and Industrial Metals all rallied.

The dollar’s problems and the imminent shuttering of the debt markets to Portugal and Greece didn’t impact the equity markets. Stocks soared overnight and then traded sideways on light-to-medium volume throughout the day. Supposedly this was due to Intel’s (INTC) generous outlook in their earnings release Tuesday. I’ve never understood why Intel’s earnings, or those of almost any other single company with the possible exception of a megaconglomerate like GE, matter to the other 5000 stocks, but this was the excuse. Stocks are back up near the 2011 highs again! I suspect that we’ll need some actual good news, rather than scattered positive quarterly earnings reports, to propel stocks much higher but to be honest I’m not sure why they’re levitating now.

Bonds sold off slightly, with 10y nominal Treasuries at 3.40% and the 10y TIPS at 0.78%. Today the Treasury auctions $14bln new 5y TIPS at 11:30ET ahead of the early close and Good Friday holiday.[1] The new TIPs will have a coupon of 0-1/8%, the lowest ever auctioned, and if they still issued paper bonds I’d buy some just to frame for that reason. They’ll be auctioned at a premium at that coupon, because the real yield will be negative. It doesn’t light my fire unless and probably only unless your alternative is the nominal Treasury note. The market needs inflation-linked paper because of all of the money flowing into inflation-linked bond strategies, but I think there’s a chance this one is sloppy and needs to be cleaned up next week.

The economic data yesterday didn’t do much to push the inflation outlook higher. Existing Home Sales were somewhat above expectations (although, as with Housing Starts, the current level isn’t impressive), but the inventory of existing homes rose slightly to 3.549mm units. That implies CPI Shelter over the next 12 months should be expected to be roughly +1.1%, all else being equal (see Chart, click to enlarge).

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/21/saupload_hafsshelt.png

Housing Inventory like this augurs something like 1.1% Shelter inflation in the year ahead.

All else, of course, is not equal and this is a very simple regression. CPI Shelter could well be higher and could possibly be lower. But if CPI for Shelter is only +1.1% over the next 12 months, it will be difficult for overall inflation to really blast off. Still, if core CPI ex-Shelter continues to rise, it will still feel bad.

Today, we have another Initial Claims figure (Consensus: 390k from 412k), with the consensus hoping…praying…that the jump last week was an aberration. If we get another number around 400k-410k, bonds might get a bid into the long weekend. Also today is the Philly Fed index (Consensus: 36.4 vs 43.4), which should remain fairly strong, and some home price data. As noted, it is also a short trading session (in the bond market). I will write a comment after today’s session (or on Friday), but then I am out of the country for a week and will not be writing commentary from the beach. The next installment of this serial, after tomorrow, will be on or around May 2^nd. Happy Easter.

---

[1] SIFMA, the self-regulatory body that ‘recommends’ early closes and holidays for the bond market, made a decision in 2009 to de-emphasize early closes and holidays. Oddly, although Good Friday isn’t always a holiday (unlike Christmas) in the market, they’ve decided this year that it should be even though they’re trying to make bond traders work harder. I don’t understand why, but I’m grateful.’

The Myth of 'Inflation Proof' Stocks

AAII Sentiment Survey: Bullish Sentiment PLUNGES

Profit Margin Squeeze and Inflation Risk

Oil Up, Dollar Down Reuters | Factory activity in the Mid-Atlantic region fell in April.

US jobless claims stick above 400,000 FT.com | The number of people claiming unemployment benefit stayed above 400,000 for the second week in a row.

Standard & Poor’s Outlook for U.S. Karen De Coster | Three largest rating companies failed to downgrade the obvious: failing insurance companies.

University Of Texas Fund CEO Shares His Views On Gold, Explains Why He Took Delivery Of $1 Billion In The Precious Metal Over the weekend, University of Texas made headlines after disclosing it was the first major institution to take delivery of $1 billion in gold, although still keeping it in the Comex system.

$6 Gas? Could Happen if Dollar Keeps Getting Weaker A dollar plumbing three-year lows is hitting Americans squarely in the gas tank, and one economist thinks it could drive prices as high as $6 a gallon or more by summertime under the right conditions.

Even Ben Stein Is Warning That An Economic Collapse Is Coming He sure has come a long way since “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”. During a recent television segment for CBS, Ben Stein declared that “the tea leaves are ominous” and he warned that an economic collapse may be coming.

Americans hold dim view of U.S. economic outlook: poll Reuters - WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans are more pessimistic about the US economic outlook than they have been since the start of the Obama administration and most believe the United States is on the wrong track, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll ... Nation's Mood at Lowest Level in Two Years, Poll Shows New York Times Poll: 45% of Republicans don't think Obama was born in the USA Los Angeles Times

(4-21-11) Dow  12,506 +53 Nasdaq  2,820  +17   S&P 500  1,330  +7   [CLOSE- OIL $112.29 (-54% for year 2008) (RECORD TRADING HIGH $147.27) GAS $3.82 (reg. gas in LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS  $4.20 REG./ $4.30 MID-GRADE/$4.40 PREM./ $4.54  DIESELL) /  GOLD $1,509 (+24% for year 2009) / SILVER $46.65 (+47% for year 2009) PLATINUM $1,813 (+56% for year 2009)  Metal News for the Day  / DOLLAR= .68 EURO, 82 YEN, .60 POUND STERLING, ETC. (How low can you go - LOWER)/  Interest Rates: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield 10 YR NOTE YIELD 3.42%        …..…   AP Business Highlights             ...Yahoo Market Update...      T. Rowe Price Weekly Recap – Stocks / Bonds / Currencies -  Domestic / International   This Is a Secular Bear Market and The End of Buy and Hold … and Hope   The bull market that never was/were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold ‘WORST ECONOMIC COLLAPSE EVER’ Must Read Economic / Financial Data                     This Depression is just beginning The coming depression…  thecomingdepression.net The Next Wave of Collapse is Coming Sooner than you think Sliding Back Into the Great Depression ABSOLUTELY, ABSURDLY, RIDICULOUS! SELL / TAKE PROFITS WHILE YOU CAN SINCE MUCH, MUCH WORSE TO COME!

ECONOMIC CRISIS ARCHIVE

National / World

Are You Scared Yet? Big Sis To Beam Terror Warnings To Your iPhone Steve Watson | The government will tell you when to stay indoors.

Easily Duped Islamists Demand Blind CIA Operative Be Released from Prison Kurt Nimmo | The fact Abdul-Rahman worked with U.S. and British intelligence should send up a red flag for any self-respecting Islamist.

Lukashenko: Globalists Are Preparing To Strangle Belarus Paul Joseph Watson | “They want to force us to be just like everybody else….we will resist.”

Gingrich: Ben Bernanke Has “Done a Terrible Job” Real Clear Politics | Newt Gingrich was very critical of Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.

DHS Launches New Alert System Designed to Terrorize Public Kurt Nimmo & Alex Jones | The government wants the war against manufactured terror in your face 24-7.

‘Mission creep’ feared in Libya campaign The National | US maintains it will not send any ground troops into Libya.

Lukashenko: Globalists Are Preparing To Strangle Belarus Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko warned today that the globalists were preparing to strangle his country because of its refusal to join the new world order, with Belarus set to become the latest target of the contrived “Arab Spring” riots as the NATO powers further encircle Russia and China.

Are You Scared Yet? Big Sis To Beam Terror Warnings To Your Iphone The Department of Homeland Security is beefing up it’s terror alert warning system in a move that will see terror alerts, whether real or phony, issued via the mainstream media and directly to your phone or computer over social networking sites, and possibly even via Emergency Alert broadcasts.

Silver surge prompts conspiracy theorists In 1980 it was the Hunt brothers. In 1998 it was Warren Buffett. And in 2011? For anyone unversed in the history of the silver market, those dates refer to market squeezes that caused surges in the silver price. The talk among some conspiracy-minded traders and analysts is that something similar could be happening today.

Silver Surges Over $46.25/oz As Rumours Of A Short Squeeze And Cornering Market Gain Credence Traders and technically minded investors are firmly focused on silver’s record nominal high of $50.35/oz. Some with a longer term fundamental focus continue to see silver in triple digits if it is to match the real record highs of $130/oz seen in 1980.

Soros Event Sets in Motion New Attacks on Dollar It’s been two weeks since George Soros bought himself a major economic conference designed to remake the entire global economy. Just because the event received little major news attention, it still had an impact Americans might be reeling from for years.

Nanny State Gone Wild A shocking acceleration of the nanny state in recent months confirms that the government has launched a total takeover of society under the pretext of keeping everyone safe, when in reality the move is a calculated coup d’état against individuality and is designed to oppress and enslave the American people.

Libyan War Gets Weird: Defending the Indefensible Even those who have studied for years the criminal consolidation of this planet under the global corporate-financier oligarchy may be noticing that the war in Libya is turning into something new and unprecedented.

NYC budget cuts include closing of 20 fire stations, while millions of dollars in toxic fluoride keep flowing in the water supply Following years of cuts to its police force, New York City is now choosing to cut the ranks of its fire department as well.

10 Examples That Should Convince Anyone That We No Longer Live In The Land Of The Free And The Home Of The Brave Do you know people that still believe that America is a free country? Do you have friends or family that are proud to live in “the land of the free and the home of the brave”? If you do, just show them this article.

Oil Crisis Just Got Real: Sinopec (Read China) Cuts Off Oil Exports As if a dollar in freefall was not enough, surging oil is about to hit the turbo boost, decimating what is left of the US (and global) consumer. Xinhua, via Energy Daily, brings this stunner: ” Chinese oil giant Sinopec has stopped exporting oil products to maintain domestic supplies amid disruption concerns caused by Middle East unrest and Japan’s earthquake, a report said Wednesday.

Lies about the war on Libya It has been said that truth is the first casualty of war. The Libyan military operations and Resolution 1973, which functions as their legal basis, are not an exception to the rule.

Besieging Belarus: Next on the Globalists’ Chopping Block With Libya preparing to face Western troops, and Syria fending off an overtly foreign-backed uprising, other nations long accused of being “rouge” by the global corporate-financier oligarchy are bracing for what is inevitably to come.

Drudgereport: Debt Hits New High: $14.3 Trillion...
FOLLOWING YOU: APPLE RECEIVES IPHONE LOCATIONS

Dollar plunges to 2½-year low...

NYTCBSNEWS POLL: Nation's Mood Lowest in Years...

OIL DRAMA CONTINUES...
Killing Spring Breaks...
Obama to investigate...Gold Rallies to New Record for Fifth Straight Trading Session...

REPORT: Man Kills Parents Over $5 in Gas Money...
CA's Criminal Alien Population Leaps...
SUPPORTERS HECKLE OBAMA: 'WHERE'S OUR CHANGE?'
Darling Obama Becomes 'Snarling' Obama...
Dollar Continues Slide...

$6 GAS BY SUMMER?
Federal Borrowing on Pace to Hit Debt Limit in Less Than Week...
CANTOR: No more borrowing without major cuts, reforms...
OBAMA'S DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN 'FALLS SHORT'
GOLD: $1,500 FOR 1ST TIME...
China warns US to protect creditors...
US hurries to sell GM stake...
Agency/NASA loses (stolen) large amounts of high-tech equipment; Vanished...
Calls GOP proposal 'radical'...
BOOK TO REVEAL OBAMA'S TRUE IDENTITY?
HITS #2 AMAZON... ' BOOK TO REVEAL OBAMA'S 'TRUE' IDENTITY?
Wed Apr 20 2011 10:35:52 ET

**Exclusive**

This year's high stakes publishing project quietly went to press this week, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

After years of research and digging by the nation's top private investigators, here it comes:

"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE? The Case that Barack Obama is not Eligible to be President."

MORE

The street date is a LONG month away, and author Jerome Corsi, the man who torpedoed John Kerry's presidential dreams with SWIFT BOAT, has gone underground and is holding his new findings thisclose.

"It's utterly devastating," reveals a source close to the publisher. "Obama may learn things he didn't even know about himself!"

MORE

Does Corsi definitively declare the location of Obama's birth?

Will the president's attorneys attempt to interfere with the book's distribution? [The publisher vows to vigorously fight any legal action that may be taken.]

Will the book finally -- once and for all -- put an end to the growing controversy?

Or will it just ignite new ones!?

"When Donald Trump said he sent PIs to Hawaii to get to the bottom of all this, he meant this book," declares an insider.

[THE CASE ranked #1,341 on AMAZON's hitparade late Wednesday morning.]

Developing... '

U.S., Europe step up efforts to aid Libya rebels (Washington Post) U.S. and its allies enter a new stage of involvement, sending assistance and advisers directly to opposition forces, who are still fighting to break Gaddafi’s grip. [ Ah! Riiiiight!…’new stage of involvement’ … so that’s what they’re calling it … I wonder what they called such … in Vietnam, etc.. Wow! And defacto bankrupt america / nato friends can really afford it! Total US Debt Now Officially Above The Ceiling Zero Hedge

Libya Proxy Cold War Between China & West? Many share the opinion that Washington is pursuing a larger goal than just regime change across the Arab world. RT crosses live to Brazil to speak to Asia Times correspondent – Pepe Escobar – about the role some countries are playing in the uprisings.

Libyan Rebels Fighting the Globalists’ War As the global corporate-financier oligarchs prepare the way rhetorically and logistically to send in the ground troops we were told would never set foot on Libyan soil, in a war that was only to last days, then weeks, but now over a month, the discernment, ambition, and true intentions of the Libyan rebels must be called into question. U.S. Credit Downgrade: A Game-Changer in Progress Alexandre 'We heard about the threat of a credit downgrade for an extremely long time, but it never occurred, and we became somewhat complacent about the issue. Now it’s here, although in its mildest form, and markets reacted in unexpected ways…’ The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Drudgereport: Dollar Continues Slide...

$6 GAS BY SUMMER?
Federal Borrowing on Pace to Hit Debt Limit in Less Than Week...
BOOK TO REVEAL OBAMA'S TRUE IDENTITY?
HITS #2 AMAZON...


After years of research and digging by the nation's top private investigators, here it comes:

"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE? The Case that Barack Obama is not Eligible to be President."
Missing Records in Hawaii, Missing Records in Kenya, Missing Records in Indonesia

"It's utterly devastating," reveals a source close to the publisher. "Obama may learn things he didn't even know about himself!"

Renewed Recession, Housing Bottom, and the Faux Chinese Luxury Bubble Adler, Winter, Krowne ]

Japan declares evacuation zone near nuclear plant (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like a plan! … From the beginning, as I’ve written on my website, I’ve thought the catastrophic nature and impact of this disaster to have been underreported at the least … the Japanese uncharacteristically have adopted somewhat of a ‘if wishing could make it so’ tact in this sad crisis. Cesium 137 Threat Grows While Corporate Media Remains Mute The hereditary communist dictatorship in North Korea reports on the spread of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant, but it has all but fallen off the corporate media radar screen here. Monitoring stations across North Korea from April 11 to 17 detected iodine-131 and cesium-137 in the air above Wonsan in the southeast and Chongjin in the southeast, according to the country’s state-run media. According to the Los Angeles Times, seawater near the Fukushima nuclear complex was recently found to contain “iodine-131 at 7.5 million times the legal limit”.

Authorities in Japan recently upgraded the crisis at Fukushima to a “level 7″ nuclear disaster, and almost everyone is finally acknowledging that this crisis is as bad or worse than Chernobyl…’

Many now fear that vast portions of northern Japan may end up beinguninhabitable after all this is over.  The health effects and the economic effects from this nightmare are going to be felt for the rest of our lives. Radiation Monitor in Richland Not Working Properly Air, water, and milk, the feds are watching closely for any spikes in radiation following the nuclear fallout in Japan. KEPR uncovered a flaw in the system. The air monitoring station in Richland isn’t working properly.

Japan Forces Top Official To Retract Prime Minister’s Comments That Fukushima Permanently Uninhabitable Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano has apologized to the public over media reports about the long-term inhabitability of areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Groundwater radiation level at nuke plant rises: TEPCO The concentration levels of radioactive iodine and cesium in groundwater near the troubled Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have increased up to several dozen times in one week, suggesting that toxic water has seeped from nearby reactor turbine buildings or elsewhere, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Thursday. ]

Tech firms’ optimism fuels markets Companies not only reported strong profits but also raised their expectations for the future. (Washington Post) [ They’re dreamin’. Sounds like the dot com b*** s*** bubble, along with america’s now defacto bankruptcy. The earnings are totally manipulated; a combination of ever more worthless, overprinted fiat currency to prop the ever more worthless paper stocks for the churn-and-earn fraud; FASB rule change fraud-prone manipulation; illusory currency translation profits; etc.. High oil / worthless dollar (currency translation) / manipulated earnings rally … sounds like a real pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american plan! ‘…natural resource plays provided an afternoon lift…’ …Riiiiight! You can’t make this stuff up, you really can’t. How totally pathetic! ]
America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... potential ramifications of this are astounding . Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble

today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

a valuation bubble, earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...']

Obama likes Facebook (Washington Post) And Facebook likes Obama. [ I believe Mr. Milbank has found a fit … a group that like him, is totally full of sh**! Now I can see people shunning the republicans … but for a 3rd party candidate which is more real a possibility than most can imagine. But ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***)? How totally embarrassing for facebook across the board; and, though previously neutral, I’m now constrained to dislike facebook (you couldn’t place comments or even reply – I tried – totally ‘set to music’, controlled, contrived – how pathetic. Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor Shocking but true revelations from David Icke (a must read) | ‘…He has been covertly funded and supported ever since by the Trilateral Commission and its network of foundations connecting into the Ford Foundation, for whom Obama's mother worked... Does anyone really believe that someone, a 'man of the people', would simply appear from apparently nowhere to run the slickest and best-funded presidential campaign in American history? He was chosen long ago by those who wish to enslave the very people that Obama says he wants to 'set free'. The sources of Obama funding read like a Wall Street Who's Who - Goldman Sachs, UBS, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and so on. No wonder he went back on his pledge to accept the limitations of public funding … Soros, the multi-billionaire associate of Brzezinski and closely involved with the funding and marketing of Obama…a major insider' …Obama is just more of the same, a big smile with strings attached, and controlled completely by the Illuminati networks that chose him, trained him, sold him and provided his record funding. It was they who kept his many skeletons under wraps, like the gay sex and crack cocaine allegations of Larry Sinclair (from affidavit: 1. Who is Ron Allen that claims to be with your Presidential camp, who is alleged to claim that someone claiming to represent me called asking for $100,000, to keep me from coming forward about our (Obama and I) November 1999 encounter of sex and cocaine use?), and they will continue to do so as long as he jumps to their bidding. Obama is just another Banksters' moll prostituting himself for fame and power, and that's why he supported the grotesque bail-out of the banking system and why he will always put their interests before the people. His financial advisors are straight from the Wall Street 'A' list, … Another Wall Street insider, the Zionist Timothy Geithner (Bilderberg Group, Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations), was appointed by Obama to be his Treasury Secretary, a former employee of both the Council on Foreign Relations and the appalling Kissinger Associates. Obama's Treasury team locks into the inner circle around the Zionist Robert Rubin, Citigroup, co-chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, and economic advisor to Obama. Rubin, ..Illuminati Bilderberg Group, was the man behind Citigroup's strategy of expanding its risk in debt markets which forced it to be rescued by taxpayers' money. The very people who caused the financial crisis are being appointed by Obama to decide how to respond to it (more taxpayers' money for them and their friends) CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

]

Obama seeks friends for deficit plan (WP) Obama ramps up his criticism of the Republican budget: “radical”/“not courageous” at Facebook. [Obama likes Facebook (WP) Facebook likes Obama - Mr. Milbank has found a fit - a group that like him, is totally full of sh**! I can see people shunning the republicans … but for a 3rd party candidate which is more real a possibility than most imagine. But ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***)? How embarrassing for facebook; though previously neutral, I’m now constrained to dislike facebook (you couldn’t place comments or reply – I tried – totally ‘set to music’, controlled, contrived – how pathetic. Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor Shocking but true revelations from David Icke

High oil / worthless dollar (currency translation) / manipulated earnings rally … sounds like a real pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american plan! ‘…natural resource plays provided an afternoon lift…’ …Riiiiight! You can’t make this stuff up, you really can’t. How totally pathetic! ]
America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog | It’s now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding. . According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble. [chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble … A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s ...

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ .

Lawyer charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ Come on! Just enough for a few headlines so people think they're actually doing something. They could (but don't) bring a case as this or other wall street crime against a different wall street liar (sic lawyer) / fraud in that corrupt sinkhole new york (metro, ie., jersey, conn., etc.) every single day and bearly touch the tip of the iceberg. Is anybody foolish enough to think what goes on there is legitimate? Remember, still no pros for the huge debacle / fraud precipitatin the last and continuing economic / financial crisis. Chemist charged with insider trading (WP) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). SEC: Wachovia cheated investors (WP) [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' Adler ]

U.S. Credit Downgrade: A Game-Changer in Progress Alexandre 'We heard about the threat of a credit downgrade for an extremely long time, but it never occurred, and we became somewhat complacent about the issue. Now it’s here, although in its mildest form, and markets reacted in unexpected ways.

With the exception for the Japanese yen, every major currency dropped on the news that the S&P had downgraded the U.S.'s credit outlook from positive to negative while maintaining the AAA rating. Certainly a downgrade from the much-coveted high rating wouldn’t take place without a generous warning, and the U.S. government deserved the “shot across the bow.” If nothing else, the negative outlook is a wake-up call to get our fiscal house in order. But one thing is certain: Market dynamics have changed.

[Click to enlarge]

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/19/765325-130325009045926-Carlos-X--Alexandre.png

U.S. Treasuries and the dollar rallied as if a celebration was taking place, and at least two factors were in play. First, as a “carry trade” currency, the dollar benefited from a knee-jerk reaction from short positions in view of potential higher rates. But the second reason was less apparent: Whether one likes it or not, the broad thinking goes that if the U.S. triple A rating is in jeopardy, there’s no safety anywhere.

U.S. Credit Default Swaps jumped to 49.42 (priced in euros), a level that is still lower than it was in late January, around the time when the S&P downgraded Japan to AA- from AA. However, government debt continues to escalate despite some well-touted yet meaningless spending reductions, which are the equivalent of reducing an individual’s annual bread consumption by one slice a year.

On the historical day when the U.S. received its first negative outlook ever, what other countries in this global village joined the Credit Default Swap sinking party? Just about everyone, as the table below demonstrates, showing the eight highest increases on April 18, courtesy of CMA. Even China’s CDS cost went up 2.25% to 73.16. To varying degrees, this is a global disease.

Entity Name	5 Yr Mid	Change (%)	Change (bps)	CPD (%)
United States of America	49.42	+19.21	+7.96	4.30
Italy	159.20	+10.97	+15.74	13.16
France	78.60	+10.14	+7.23	6.80
Sweden	27.19	+9.88	+2.44	2.40
Greece	1332.06	+9.04	+110.43	65.76
Spain	253.31	+8.70	+20.28	20.18
Austria	67.13	+8.29	+5.14	5.82
Poland	154.01	+8.20	+11.67	10.45

But before we jump up and down and start saying “I told you so” about the upcoming American meltdown, please be mindful that if such an event was to occur, the reverberations would be felt around the globe. The so called “American Empire” would be the first climber on the side of a steep cliff to fall, dragging every other climber attached to the same rope. And that is what the markets told us.

The quantity of debt by itself does not establish risk. It’s the ability to service the debt that raises eyebrows, and the U.S. has a trump card that is mostly absent in other countries, especially at this juncture. As economically hurtful and as unwelcome as it will be, the U.S. has the ability and the room to raise taxes. Although we wish that our government was an efficient enterprise, it is still less of a burden on society than in the majority of other countries.

The influence of the dollar goes well beyond the reserve status, and in addition to the perceived and largely accepted safety status, global economies have developed with the dollar as its foundation.

Could it change? Certainly, but the currency cannot be abandoned without repercussions, and simplistic views that America is doomed and everyone else will rise are just that: Simplistic.

A Reuters article gathered a few opinions:

"One of the reasons why the U.S. dollar is still the reserve currency is the lack of other options, and in two years there may still be no other options," said Tom Simons, a money market economist at Jefferies & Co. in New York. If the dollar did weaken, it could boosts export sales of U.S. manufacturers, but also put upward pressure on inflation by making imports more expensive.

"While still a remote risk, the possibility of the U.S. losing its AAA rating could result in a wholesale abandonment of dollar assets and would potentially destabilize the entire global economy," said Omer Esiner, chief market analyst at Commonwealth Foreign Exchange in Washington.

Raising taxes and reducing spending to resolve our government’s debt issues does not happen in a vacuum. Real people with real lives are directly affected by both tactics, and that is the reason why the solution to our financial ills will trigger unpopular side effects – no “ifs” or “buts” about it.

It’s a no-brainer: Lower government spending and higher taxes cut directly into consumption that will affect private companies and real people. And the global community is not immune, either. Politicians are now under the gun to implement both approaches, and "headline-pleasing" moves are no longer an option. All the S&P did was to get the race going by starting the stopwatch.

Mark Hulbert wrote an article for MarketWatch which started by saying, “Here’s another entry for 'Ripley’s Believe It Or Not',” referring to the fall in treasury yields after the S&P downgrade.

This comes as such a surprise because, other things being equal, a ratings downgrade should lead investors into demanding higher yields to compensate them for the greater risk of default.

But “other things” are not equal, and simplistic linear analysis hardly holds the answer. The markets are still digesting the current situation, and players are formulating strategies without the benefit of a historical point of reference -- although some will yank some parallels that will prove of little help in this framework. The dollar resumed its fall the day after and treasuries still rose, providing lower yields while US CDS dropped a bit to 47.43. Lastly, there is no other security as big and as liquid as U.S. Treasuries.

Time to rethink investment strategies, especially for long-term investors.'

[$$] Watch for the Next Moment of Weakness

Greenback Reverses Gains Boosting Commodities and TIPs

Energy stocks ride $111 oil to higher close

Drudgereport: Dollar Continues Slide...

$6 GAS BY SUMMER?
Federal Borrowing on Pace to Hit Debt Limit in Less Than Week...

Renewed Recession, Housing Bottom, and the Faux Chinese Luxury Bubble Adler, Winter, Krowne ' The Wall Street Examiner’s Lee Adler, Russ Winter of Winter Watch, and Aaron Krowne of the Mortgage Lender Implode-o-meter focus their discussion this week on whether the data pointing to continued recovery are real or illusory, whether a housing bottom is in, signs of collapse in the luxury bubble, and the Fed being caught between a rock and a hard place.

Here’s what we covered in Part 1:

· Corporate income taxes are weak but better than our last look

· Consumer Metrics show renewed recession, weak retail

· Uptick in house listing prices points to interest rate and housing price bubble … technical outlook says final top approaching ...'

Here’s Why Existing Home Sales Were Up in March wallstcheatsheet '... Noteworthy Stats: Distressed homes – typically sold at discounts in the vicinity of 20 percent – accounted for a 40 percent market share in March, up from 39 percent in February and 35 percent in March 2010 ...'

Short-Term, High-Probability Mean-Reversion Indicator: TBT Moves Into an Extreme State Crowder 'It has been a strange few weeks in the market.

We had several trading days of strong resistance in the S&P 500 (SPY) and have basically sold off since the beginning of earnings season. Is it me, or does the market almost seems too predictable at the moment.

Will the market truly be this simple to predict over the coming months?

I am certainly not claiming to have the magic crystal ball, but at the moment, the market just feels heavy and tired.

With the old Wall Street adage about to grace us with its seasonal presence, I feel like we have seen the highs for a while. I expect to see a decent decline during the summer doldrums, which I think will offer a very good buying opportunity over the long-term. We could see a few gaps close that were created months ago. I to plan to discuss the gaps in an upcoming weekly newsletter edition stay tuned. There just isn’t enough room here.

However, I am not overly concerned with the long-term, at least in my strategy. I only want to take advantage of short-term high-probability set-ups created by a variety of extremes in the market.

This is one of the reasons that led me to options. Options, when used in the proper way, allow you to profit from bullish, bearish or sideways price action. It truly doesn’t matter.

Over the coming months, in my free weekly newsletter, I plan to speak more about various options strategies and how to apply them to current market conditions.

Believe me, I have a few favorites, including credit spreads, iron condors and other premium selling strategies that I often use with my favorite strategy – the HP-MR strategy.

Short-Term High-Probability, Mean-Reversion Indicator – as of close 4/19/11

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/20/saupload_4_19_20_hpmr.png '

Standard & Poor’s Outlook for U.S. Karen De Coster | Three largest rating companies failed to downgrade the obvious: failing insurance companies.

Max Keiser Documentary On Irish Eco Hell Max Keiser, in his typical engaging and florid style, has released the first part of a documentary focusing on economic collapse hotspots offshore.

The Fed Is Not There To Solve Your Problem Many banks are insolvent, yet are allowed to stay in business. Being allowed to keep two sets of books is obscuring their real estate loan problems.

Jim Rogers Comments On Triple Digit Silver And Issues Warning: “Parabolic Moves Always Collapse” Jim Rogers commented on the recent move by the University of Texas to take delivery of $1 billion in gold, saying the decision is long overdue, and has only occurred because everyone else is now buying thereby taking metal out of circulation.

$50 Silver — The Price Point of Liberty $50 dollar silver is the first sign of blue sky after a devastating storm. It’s the morning-after sunshine bringing people out of hiding and together again for the process of rebuilding with the promise of a new start.

(4-20-11) Dow  12,453 +186 Nasdaq  2,803  +57   S&P 500  1,330  +17   [CLOSE- OIL $111.92 (-54% for year 2008) (RECORD TRADING HIGH $147.27) GAS $3.82 (reg. gas in LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS  $4.20 REG./ $4.30 MID-GRADE/$4.40 PREM./ $4.54  DIESELL) /  GOLD $1,505 (+24% for year 2009) / SILVER $45.68  (+47% for year 2009) PLATINUM $1,802 (+56% for year 2009)  Metal News for the Day  / DOLLAR= .69 EURO, 82 YEN, .60 POUND STERLING, ETC. (How low can you go - LOWER)/  Interest Rates: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield 10 YR NOTE YIELD 3.43%        …..…   AP Business Highlights             ...Yahoo Market Update...      T. Rowe Price Weekly Recap – Stocks / Bonds / Currencies -  Domestic / International   This Is a Secular Bear Market and The End of Buy and Hold … and Hope   The bull market that never was/were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold ‘WORST ECONOMIC COLLAPSE EVER’ Must Read Economic / Financial Data                     This Depression is just beginning The coming depression…  thecomingdepression.net The Next Wave of Collapse is Coming Sooner than you think Sliding Back Into the Great Depression ABSOLUTELY, ABSURDLY, RIDICULOUS! SELL / TAKE PROFITS WHILE YOU CAN SINCE MUCH, MUCH WORSE TO COME!

National / World

Missing Records in Hawaii, Missing Records in Kenya, Missing Records in Indonesia Drudge Report | Book to reveal Obama’s true identity?

Study Reveals Eco Bulbs Cause Cancer Paul Joseph Watson | Americans will be forced to use CFLs that contain poisonous carcinogens after government ban on traditional light bulb begins to take effect in January.

Government Orders Expedited Printing of Detainee Handbook Kurt Nimmo | Considering the history of FEMA and the government, it does not take a lot of imagination to speculate on the contents of the handbook.

Censored Video: Alex Jones Joins the New World Order The Alex Jones Channel | The pressure has finally got to Alex.

Gold Breaks $1,500 as Oil Prices Climb Kurt Nimmo | Spot gold traded at $1,505.21 as a hedge against a tumbling dollar.

Damning New Study: Eco Bulbs Cause Cancer A damning new study conducted by German scientists has found that so-called energy saving light bulbs contain poisonous carcinogens that could cause cancer and should be “kept as far away as possible from the human environment,” but Americans will be forced to replace their traditional light bulbs with toxic CFLs ahead of a government ban set to take effect at the start of next year.

Cesium 137 Threat Grows While Corporate Media Remains Mute The hereditary communist dictatorship in North Korea reports on the spread of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear plant, but it has all but fallen off the corporate media radar screen here. Monitoring stations across North Korea from April 11 to 17 detected iodine-131 and cesium-137 in the air above Wonsan in the southeast and Chongjin in the southeast, according to the country’s state-run media.

Book To Reveal Obama’s True Identity? The street date is a LONG month away, and author Jerome Corsi, the man who torpedoed John Kerry’s presidential dreams with SWIFT BOAT, has gone underground and is holding his new findings thisclose. “It’s utterly devastating,” reveals a source close to the publisher. “Obama may learn things he didn’t even know about himself!”

iPhone Keeps Record of Everywhere You Go Security researchers have discovered that Apple’s iPhone keeps track of where you go – and saves every detail of it to a secret file on the device which is then copied to the owner’s computer when the two are synchronised.

Libya Proxy Cold War Between China & West? Many share the opinion that Washington is pursuing a larger goal than just regime change across the Arab world. RT crosses live to Brazil to speak to Asia Times correspondent – Pepe Escobar – about the role some countries are playing in the uprisings.

Libyan Rebels Fighting the Globalists’ War As the global corporate-financier oligarchs prepare the way rhetorically and logistically to send in the ground troops we were told would never set foot on Libyan soil, in a war that was only to last days, then weeks, but now over a month, the discernment, ambition, and true intentions of the Libyan rebels must be called into question.

Censored Video: Alex Jones Joins the New World Order The pressure has finally got to Alex. He has decided to implement a new “Employee Meal Plan”. Watch as he and crew use absurdity to point out the absurd with the current federal nanny state.

Cops Use Mobile Scanner To Steal Cellphone Data From Innocent Americans If there was a scintilla of doubt as to whether Americans are living in a predatory police state, then this story completely eviscerates it. Michigan state police have been using a handheld mobile forensics device to steal information from cell phones belonging to motorists stopped for minor traffic violations.

Drudgereport: Dollar Continues Slide...

$6 GAS BY SUMMER?
Federal Borrowing on Pace to Hit Debt Limit in Less Than Week...
CANTOR: No more borrowing without major cuts, reforms...
OBAMA'S DEFICIT REDUCTION PLAN 'FALLS SHORT'
Agency/NASA loses (stolen) large amounts of high-tech equipment; Vanished...
Calls GOP proposal 'radical'...
BOOK TO REVEAL OBAMA'S TRUE IDENTITY?
HITS #2 AMAZON... ' BOOK TO REVEAL OBAMA'S 'TRUE' IDENTITY?
Wed Apr 20 2011 10:35:52 ET

**Exclusive**

This year's high stakes publishing project quietly went to press this week, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

After years of research and digging by the nation's top private investigators, here it comes:

"WHERE'S THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE? The Case that Barack Obama is not Eligible to be President."

MORE

The street date is a LONG month away, and author Jerome Corsi, the man who torpedoed John Kerry's presidential dreams with SWIFT BOAT, has gone underground and is holding his new findings thisclose.

"It's utterly devastating," reveals a source close to the publisher. "Obama may learn things he didn't even know about himself!"

MORE

Does Corsi definitively declare the location of Obama's birth?

Will the president's attorneys attempt to interfere with the book's distribution? [The publisher vows to vigorously fight any legal action that may be taken.]

Will the book finally -- once and for all -- put an end to the growing controversy?

Or will it just ignite new ones!?

"When Donald Trump said he sent PIs to Hawaii to get to the bottom of all this, he meant this book," declares an insider.

[THE CASE ranked #1,341 on AMAZON's hitparade late Wednesday morning.]

Developing... '

Obama faces fundraising test in California (Washington Post) [ Test? You mean intelligence test for those Californians? A cliché, aphorism is apposite: ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me’. Now frauds on wall street got value for their bribes; viz., no prosecution of their continuing nation-destroying frauds, yet cleaning up the frauds with prosecutions was the presumption upon which their support was predicated , at least in part. Certainly Hollywood spoke with their academy award for ‘Inside Job’ . Roche 'The worst part of it ...Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( what do holder and wobama have in common … wall street money? … a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ?...all/some of the above … or is it something else ... . UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ' Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud WP | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. I mean, what can he do for the siliconeheads? … act like some communist country and buy their sh**ty, unreliable, dysfunctional technology? ] The president will woo big-money donors this week in California in the first test of whether he can renew support from the entertainment and high-tech industries that helped him win in 2008. There have been some signs that fervor for Obama in Hollywood and Silicon Valley has ebbed.

S&P unmoved by U.S. entreaties (Washington Post) [ You really have to shake your head and wonder … The audacity, given the blatantly precarious (I'm being euphemistically kind) state of u.s. finances; viz., defacto bankruptcy. You have to give Standard & Poor’s credit here for not succumbing to the schmooze among fairly presumed other pressures; particularly from the ultimate, stereotypically fitting jive-talker, 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***). If anything, they should be faulted for being remiss in not so doing much earlier. Indeed, most financially attuned individuals, including yours truly have as Atlas, shrugged and with a yawn say, tell us something we don't know. Well, I will tell people now what they don't want to know; namely, they're just not going to get it done! It's all too little, too late. Moreover, absent prosecution, fines, jail and disgorgement first from the (continuing, complicit) frauds on wall street, it should not be done. It should be noted that very smart money, PIMCO, already sold off there once very large stake in u.s. treasuries. ] Obama looks to reassure on debt [ Come on! Who'd be foolish enough to believe anything 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) says? ] So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ .

The Obama administration privately urged Standard & Poor’s in recent weeks not to lower its outlook on the U.S. — a suggestion the ratings agency ignored.

China’s $3 trillion dilemma (Washington Post) [ Pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america would love to have such a dilemma. And yet, China, already burned, stands to inevitably get burned in a very big way owing to imprudently large stakes in american debt. It should be noted that very smart money, PIMCO, already sold off there once very large stake in u.s. treasuries. Obama looks to reassure on debt (WP) Come on! Who'd be foolish enough to believe anything 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) says? ]

High oil / IBM worthless dollar (currency translation) rally … sounds like a real pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american plan! [ YAHOO [BRIEFING.COM ] :‘…natural resource plays provided an afternoon lift…’ …Riiiiight!
America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog | It’s now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted. http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding. . According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble. [chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble ...

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

Afghan veteran is called elsewhere (Washington Post) [ Is Mr. Jaffe dreaming here? Indeed, in looking away from the headline momentarily the image persisted and the latter part of the sentence became ‘he leaves with depth of experience few can DREAM OF’. Yes, dream, as in nightmare; as in death, destruction, pillaging and plundering for no good reason at all. I’ve previously said that beginning with clinton and on, all honorable, capable military brass either resigned or retired. Make no mistake, if large scale heroin production / distribution is the experience alluded to, then that otherwise preposterous statement would ring true. The Afghanistan campaign is unequivocally a disastrous self-destructive, nation bankrupting conflict for Afghanistan and the respective defacto bankrupt nato members. ! This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). In sum, who’d want to match or emulate that ‘depth of experience’. After all, how low can you go? Over the past decade, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost U.S. taxpayerswell over a trillion dollars.

So what have we gotten in return for a trillion dollars?

In Afghanistan, we haven’t even found the one man we supposedly went there to look for – Osama Bin Laden… set up a good form of government, right?

Oh yeah, we set up a really wonderful government.  For example, they recently arrested a one-legged Afghan Red Cross worker and sentenced him to death for converting to Christianity…

The same thing is true in Iraq.  Yeah, we may have gotten rid of Saddam, but the nation is now in far worse shape than before we went in…’ The End Of An Empire And The Beginning Of A Depression Since the end ofWorld War 2, the United States has been the leading military power and the leading economic power on the entire globe. Those days are done! By The American Dream These are a far cry from the brightest bulbs on the planet. ] As Lt. Gen. David M. Rodriguez departs theater, he leaves with depth of experience few can match.

Loan Sharks Rejoice - Greece 2-Year Notes at 20% !

[video]Trader: S&P Downgrade A Game Changer NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Ben Willis of Sunrise Securities is rethinking his portfolio after the downgrade from S&P.

Infographic: Easiest Way to Fix a Windows, Mac, or Linux Computer [ Yeah! ‘american technology’ (not really american anymore and that’s the positive, value-part of the equation) is really all that bad / overrated / overvalued. I believe most are afraid to admit that owing to an insecure fear that they’ll be pegged as among the ranks of the ubiquitous ‘computer illiterate’ (beyond the bells and whistles interface). But such is foolishness because ‘american technology’ is all that … BAD. …Really … bad news … kind of in the realm of that brilliant GM strategy of ‘planned obsolescence’ so they’d sell more cars as you’d need new cars to replace the shoddy old cars … sounds like … a defacto bankrupt american plan! Yet, fraud’s become pervasively corrupt america’s strongest suit. Day in, day out on wall street, that’s really what it is in the final analysis; viz., a huge, government-protected (through bribes, one way or another, and that ‘insecurity thing’ concerning their finance / economics illiteracy) foisted scam / fraud. I surprised these ‘american companies’ are still in business … including intel (they’re all wintel machines now, and they should know better). ]

Interest on National Debt is Biggest Projected Problem, Not Healthcare

Standard & Poor’s Outlook for U.S. Karen De Coster | Three largest rating companies failed to downgrade the obvious: failing insurance companies.

Total US Debt Now Officially Above The Ceiling Zero Hedge

Rand Paul: Spending cuts must include Pentagon Washington Times | Military spending will have to be cut if the country is going to get its debt problems under control.

Marc Faber: The Dollar’s Value In The Future Will Be Zero Dr. Marc Faber spoke with CNBC this morning about currency markets, notably the recent movements in the euro, global long-term position in the dollar, and the rise of gold and silver.

Economic Woes Created By Elitists Behind The Scenes Europe continues to struggle from one problem to another. The euro has been strong only because the dollar has been weak. The governments of Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Spain continue their balancing acts on the edge of a financial precipice.

Is There a Financial Scam Behind the Rise in Oil and Food Prices? The global economy and its recovery, and the living standards of millions of plain folks, are now at risk from the sudden rise in oil and commodity prices.

(4-19-11) Dow  12,266 +65 Nasdaq  2,745  +9   S&P 500  1,313  +7   [CLOSE- OIL $108.67   (-54% for year 2008) (RECORD TRADING HIGH $147.27) GAS $3.82 (reg. gas in LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS  $4.20 REG./ $4.30 MID-GRADE/$4.40 PREM./ $4.54  DIESELL) /  GOLD $1,497 (+24% for year 2009) / SILVER $44.26  (+47% for year 2009) PLATINUM $1,779 (+56% for year 2009)  Metal News for the Day  / DOLLAR= .69 EURO, 82 YEN, .60 POUND STERLING, ETC. (How low can you go - LOWER)/  Interest Rates: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield 10 YR NOTE YIELD 3.39%        …..…   AP Business Highlights             ...Yahoo Market Update...      T. Rowe Price Weekly Recap – Stocks / Bonds / Currencies -  Domestic / International   This Is a Secular Bear Market and The End of Buy and Hold … and Hope   The bull market that never was/were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold ‘WORST ECONOMIC COLLAPSE EVER’ Must Read Economic / Financial Data                     This Depression is just beginning The coming depression…  thecomingdepression.net The Next Wave of Collapse is Coming Sooner than you think Sliding Back Into the Great Depression ABSOLUTELY, ABSURDLY, RIDICULOUS! SELL / TAKE PROFITS WHILE YOU CAN SINCE MUCH, MUCH WORSE TO COME!

National / World

UK Sends In Troops As Ground Invasion Of Libya Accelerates Paul Joseph Watson | Pretext for deeper intervention required as globalist Al-Qaeda-backed rebels being soundly trounced by Gaddafi forces.

Alex Jones On EU Ground Invasion Of Libya Infowars.com | Alex Jones addresses the cynical, pre-planned announcement by the EU to officially launch ground forces in Libya.

Mother “Considering All Options” After TSA Groped Six Year-Old-Daughter Steve Watson | Parents say they have not ruled out legal challenge to “dangerous” TSA policies.

Obama Takes to the Road as Economy Begins Final Descent Kurt Nimmo | Obama to sell cutting granny’s Medicare while remaining silent on cutting the financing of the endless wars of the global elite.

Budget Cuts are Meaningless Without Fed Transparency Ron Paul | Recently the Fed was forced to reveal some details of loans given out during the financial crisis of 2008 and they are truly shocking.

Gold Tops $1,500 on Outlook for Escalating U.S. Debt, Dollar Gold futures rose to a record $1,500.50 an ounce as U.S. debt concerns weighed on the dollar, boosting demand for the precious metal as an alternative investment.

UK Sends In Troops As Ground Invasion Of Libya Accelerates Unleashing yet another deft salvo of Orwellian doublespeak, the British government announced today that it would be sending in military forces to “help” Libyan rebels while still insisting that it is not sending in military forces, as the EU gears up to dispatch a further 1,000 troops, also under the dubious pretense of preventing humanitarian suffering.

G. Edward Griffin: The Collectivist Conspiracy In this exclusive 80 minute video interview for Prison Planet.tv subscribers, legendary conspiracy author G. Edward Griffin explains how his research, which spans no less than 5 decades, has revealed a banking elite obsessed with enforcing a world government under a collectivist model that will crush individualism and eventually institute martial law as a response to the inevitable backlash that will be generated as a result of a fundamental re-shaping of society.

Libya vows to fight any foreign troops on its soil, rebuffs E.U. proposal The Libyan government on Tuesday firmly rebuffed a proposal from the European Union, saying it would fight any foreign troops that landed on its soil, even if they were supposedly there to escort humanitarian aid convoys.

UN-believable: Who sanctioned Gaddafi out? Russia’s Foreign Minister has joined the criticism of NATO’s strategy in Libya. The alliance wants Colonel Gaddafi out, and is supporting the rebels with aid and air strikes. But Sergei Lavrov says toppling Gaddafi is not sanctioned by the United Nations.

Pretext For War On Libya Proven Fraudulent By Casualty Figures As the EU prepares to invade Libya with ground troops under the contrived pretext of “humanitarian aid,” Texas University Professor Alan J. Kuperman highlights the fact that the entire justification behind the NATO-backed aggression has been proven fraudulent by casualty figures that clearly indicate Gaddafi has not deliberately targeted civilians.

War for Oil? Why, Yes, It Was Back in the heady, heated days before the invasion of Iraq, one of the quickest ways to be relegated to the margins of the debate was to claim that the financial interests of politically connected oil companies played any role in the considerations of the great statesmen of the West as they confronted the global menace of Saddam Hussein.

Send to a friendSarah Palin: Don't pick on Donald Trump Politico - Even though Donald Trump has wholeheartedly embraced the wall-to-wall media coverage that's come with his promotion of the widely discredited “birther” issue, Sarah Palin argued Tuesday that the press is treating him ... Trump's business success claims questioned CBS News ‘…Trump hotels and casinos in Atlantic City have filed for bankruptcy protection three times. While Trump blamed market forces, he has long been chairman of the board for the casino businesses.In his defense, Trump said he "didn't run the company." Isikoff then asked why he was paid $2 million per year to chair the board of that business. Trump replied: "Excuse me. Because I'm a genius, okay."Trump said many different businesses license the use of his name, but he's not directly involved in their operations.Casinos have not been the only weakness in the Trump empire. There have been many high profile bankruptcy filings, bad real estate deals, and a trail of ongoing lawsuits accusing him of bad business practices.Another questionable move was "Trump University," an online, for-profit business education firm. The attorney general in Texas ordered him to stop using the word "university" in its title. Trump said his company was unaware of restrictions on the use of that word.Isikoff also said he asked Trump if he thought the state of Hawaii was lying in regards to Obama being born there, and he did not answer the question. In summation of his experiences that qualify him to be President of the United States, Trump told Isikoff: "My successes...have been vast. I don't even view myself as having failures, and I certainly learned from things that don't work out as well." ‘ As Trump rants, TV ratings slide Tampabay.com

Drudgereport: Debt Hits New High: $14.3 Trillion...
GOLD: $1,500 FOR 1ST TIME...
China warns US to protect creditors...
US hurries to sell GM stake...
More than $11B loss for taxpayers...
Brits join ground fight in Libya...
Military advisers to aid rebels...
Iran Considering Crackdown on Dog Ownership...[ I once had the unfortunate occasion to have witnessed an adult, pedigree german shepard take a dump on the floor and lap it up like it was the greatest, most delicious treat in all the world … how totally disgusting … a cat would never, never do that! ]

Forecast for Fed: No change (Washington Post) [ Well, what did you expect … after all, insanity has been described by some as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result … and we all know that nothing succeeds like failure in america (and frauds, the fraudulent wall street crimes / bailouts, etc.) … and the 'no-recession' fed's been great ... for fraudulent wall street … The End Of An Empire And The Beginning Of A Depression .. US has been the leading military.. and ..economic power on the entire globe. Those days are done!

The American Dream 4-16-11 'Since the end of World War 2, the United States has been the leading military power and the leading economic power on the entire globe.  The U.S. has had the largest economy in the history of the world, the U.S. dollar has been used by nearly all of the nations on earth as a reserve currency and the U.S. military has had a physical presence in most of the countries on the planet.  Today, the U.S. military is in approximately 130 different nations and it has a total of about 700 military bases around the world.  But just like the Roman Empire, the U.S. empire has become overextended and it is starting to decline.  Most of our politicians believe that we can continue to “police the world” and project our power to every corner of the globe, but the more we meddle the more the rest of the world hates us and the worse our financial problems get.  America is now swamped with debts and our influence is fading.  The truth is that what we are witnessing is the end of an empire and the beginning of a depression.

Over the past decade, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost U.S. taxpayerswell over a trillion dollars.

So what have we gotten in return for a trillion dollars?

In Afghanistan, we haven’t even found the one man we supposedly went there to look for – Osama Bin Laden. ..

But at least we got rid of the Taliban and set up a good form of government, right?

Oh yeah, we set up a really wonderful government.  For example, they recently arrested a one-legged Afghan Red Cross worker and sentenced him to death for converting to Christianity.

Fortunately there was enough of an international outcry that Said Musa was not hung, but the fact that the Afghan government wanted to string him up is enough to show that we have completely failed over there.

The same thing is true in Iraq.  Yeah, we may have gotten rid of Saddam, but the nation is now in far worse shape than before we went in.

Before the war Christians felt safe in Iraq.  Now large numbers of them are fleeing Iraq as fast as they can.  More than 80 Iraqi Christians were recently beheaded on a single day.  All the Christians were trying to do was attend a church service...

Now .. a 3rd war in the MidEast...' ]

Robinson: Take Donald Trump seriously (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight! For Mr. Robinson an oft times wobama apologist whom I have invariably found to be but a disingenuous shill for what could be described in the absence of a better term, the black lobby, a trump candidacy would be a dream come true. Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: Obama 49% Trump 34%... Yet, where is the objective analysis of wobama's betrayal of that very block among others, yet, you know, based on skin color alone, they will vote for wobama. Indeed, it is an inconvenient truth that I have found blacks to be as racially prejudiced based on skin color alone as any other race. UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ' Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud WP | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. Cohen: Donald Trump, the comeback huckster (WP) [On the other hand is the zionist shill Mr. Cohen who in his startling revelation states 'back in 1990, Ivana Trump told her divorce lawyer Michael Kennedy that “from time to time, her husband [Donald Trump] reads a book of Hitler’s collected speeches, ‘My New Order,’ which he keeps in a cabinet by his bed.” This information, which comes from a startling 1990 Vanity Fair profile of Trump …' . I must say that beyond his corrupt, mob related / type activities detailed on my web site, trump was 'naziish' in his dog-pack, bully mentality (sinkholes jersey/new yorkster). Certainly Steve Wynn who now successfully does business in Macau / Vegas can attest to same. To be sure, trump is a mental case … but, so is wobama … but, then again, mental illness is rife in pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america.

Roche 'The worst part of it ...Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( what do holder and wobama have in common … wall street money? … a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ?...all/some of the above … or is it something else ... ]

S&P lowers its outlook on U.S. debt (Washington Post) [ My sentiments as artfully written by Dave: Reality Bites: Dave's Daily 'First, why do we depend on these fee-conflicted rating agencies who have dropped the ball repeatedly? Answer: because there are no other non-fee conflicted rating (ratting?) agencies that have also made serious mistakes. Is there something from S&P today regarding U.S. debt we didn't already know? Hardly, so no Black Swan here. We've just been on an "extend and pretend" path to see how much money we can make before "the you know what" hits the fan. And, for all we know denial will continue and we could close this week higher as we shrug this off as something "down the road". As we enter a short week, and with markets already weak from the get-go, the S&P outlook for U.S. debt as "negative" blind-sided investors. Markets sold-off sharply but then recovered much of the damage late which should surprise given the pervasive dip buying mentality. Bonds initially sold-off then rallied (the down the road mentality) while commodities were mixed with energy falling despite a cut in crude oil output by the Saudis while precious metals and grains higher. The dollar rallied off its critical support as investor's repatriated money, not necessarily to safe parking, but maybe to cover some margin calls. Some believe, and I have no credible information on this other than chatter, the Fed is selling puts on U.S. debt to pin interest rates lower. That's an interesting strategy and could consume an entire posting and then some. Earnings were posted for Citigroup(C_) and given all the adjustments, accounting games and what not, reported lower than expected revenues but beat earnings expectations by penny. The stock was flat and the reverse split will be coming shortly along with the symbolic penny dividend. The market remains extraordinarily manipulated. Note the headline DJIA ("the window dressing for the tourists") reclaimed the 50-day moving average. Volume was much higher on the sell-off as stops routinely get hit on these event-type days. As you would expect, breadth per the WSJ, was clearly as negative as you would expect. ' ]Agency warns status as world’s most secure economy could be lost if lawmakers don’t rein in debt.

[Suckers' rally into the close off lows for no reason at all but to keep the suckers suckered. But this tact, and the not good news is not news which though true for quite some time, has been conveniently ignored by the frauds on wall street: YAHOO [BRIEFING.COM] '...sell-off came as a culmination of concerns stemming from speculation about debt restructuring for less fiscally responsible eurozone nations like Greece, Ireland, and Portugal and news that analysts at S&P lowered their outlook on U.S. debt to Negative...']

Economy is battering Obama in the polls (Washington Post) [ As indeed should be the case; yet, I'm constrained to say that I doubt that polls by Zogby, Rasmussen, Gallup would be as kindly / generous to 'wobama the b' (b*** s***) as the WP / ABC poll based on what he has done though promising not to do, and what he has not done though promising to do. Quite simply, you can't trust a word he says. In light of that reality, including the dire circumstances, in terms of pervasive corruption, defacto bankruptcy of the nation, financial, economic, political, geopolitical concerns, missteps, realities, a 'roll of the dice' with a new president is without risk; and hence, rational. ]

Pelosi, far from the helm (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! Mr. Milbank's once again starting to sound like a political school-child; and, embarrassing himself quite profusely as he does so. Indeed, making excuses for wobama is intellectually and journalistically dishonest. After all, wobama came in riding the wave of discontent with the easiest act in history to follow; viz., the undeniably failed presidency of war criminal / moron dumbya bush. Make no mistake, he ran on exactly that. Yet he's done the same (as bush), even as he similarly (as did bush) have the short-lived (for good reason) benefit of 'control' of both houses of congress. He had a mandate to do what he promised to do and didn't. Unbridled war spending continued in that new debacle called Afghanistan, no pros of the frauds on wall street, and on top of that, some excess spending of his own. Pelosi was, is a joke as they've all become, with 'wobama the b' (for b***s***) the biggest joke. He's really no more than a stereotype without any credibility whatsoever. He is pathetic; which, derivatively makes Mr. Milbank pathetic in making excuses for this morass of absolutely nothing, who stands for absolutely nothing, that nothing being 'wobama the b' (for b***s***) . No excuses … all wobama! Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (WP) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (WP) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is incompetent, a total failure, and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low

Lawmakers seize on S&P outlook (Washington Post) [ Ah! So reassuring! I mean, come on! There's no mystery here. I'd even say at this point the u.s. debt has become an insurmountable problem having come in the form of too little, too late. Budget passes, but conservatives let down (Washington Post) The compromise touted as cutting $38.5 billion would actually only cut $352 million this fiscal year, an analysis says. While that didn’t prevent the budget from passing, it could sour some Republicans. [ Come on! This 'budget deal' was a showboating scam ab initio … Davis gets this right: Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (WP) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (WP) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees. ]

Suckers' rally into the close off lows for no reason at all but to keep the suckers suckered. But this tact, and the not good news is not news which though true for quite some time, has been conveniently ignored by the frauds on wall street: YAHOO [BRIEFING.COM] '...sell-off came as a culmination of concerns stemming from speculation about debt restructuring for less fiscally responsible eurozone nations like Greece, Ireland, and Portugal and news that analysts at S&P lowered their outlook on U.S. debt to Negative...'

Reality Bites: Dave's Daily 'First, why do we depend on these fee-conflicted rating agencies who have dropped the ball repeatedly? Answer: because there are no other non-fee conflicted rating (ratting?) agencies that have also made serious mistakes. Is there something from S&P today regarding U.S. debt we didn't already know? Hardly, so no Black Swan here. We've just been on an "extend and pretend" path to see how much money we can make before "the you know what" hits the fan. And, for all we know denial will continue and we could close this week higher as we shrug this off as something "down the road". As we enter a short week, and with markets already weak from the get-go, the S&P outlook for U.S. debt as "negative" blind-sided investors. Markets sold-off sharply but then recovered much of the damage late which should surprise given the pervasive dip buying mentality. Bonds initially sold-off then rallied (the down the road mentality) while commodities were mixed with energy falling despite a cut in crude oil output by the Saudis while precious metals and grains higher. The dollar rallied off its critical support as investor's repatriated money, not necessarily to safe parking, but maybe to cover some margin calls. Some believe, and I have no credible information on this other than chatter, the Fed is selling puts on U.S. debt to pin interest rates lower. That's an interesting strategy and could consume an entire posting and then some. Earnings were posted for Citigroup(C_) and given all the adjustments, accounting games and what not, reported lower than expected revenues but beat earnings expectations by penny. The stock was flat and the reverse split will be coming shortly along with the symbolic penny dividend. The market remains extraordinarily manipulated. Note the headline DJIA ("the window dressing for the tourists") reclaimed the 50-day moving average. Volume was much higher on the sell-off as stops routinely get hit on these event-type days. As you would expect, breadth per the WSJ, was clearly as negative as you would expect. '

Gannett's newspaper ad woes drag down 1Q earnings (AP) [ My experience with them is such that they should be out of business! ]

S&P threatens to cut U.S. credit rating on deficit (Reuters)

Super rich see federal taxes drop dramatically (AP)

Wall Street falls on sovereign fears (Reuters) -  S&P threatens to cut U.S. credit rating on deficit (Reuters) - Citi profit sags as revenue shrinks, expenses grow (Reuters) - Texas Instruments misses forecasts, blames Japan (Reuters) - Eliot Spitzer Wants Attorney General Eric Holder To Prosecute Goldman Sachs Right This Second - America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog | It’s now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted.

The End Of An Empire And The Beginning Of A Depression Since the end ofWorld War 2, the United States has been the leading military power and the leading economic power on the entire globe. Those days are done!

The American Dream April 16, 2011 'Since the end of World War 2, the United States has been the leading military power and the leading economic power on the entire globe.  The U.S. has had the largest economy in the history of the world, the U.S. dollar has been used by nearly all of the nations on earth as a reserve currency and the U.S. military has had a physical presence in most of the countries on the planet.  Today, the U.S. military is in approximately 130 different nations and it has a total of about 700 military bases around the world.  But just like the Roman Empire, the U.S. empire has become overextended and it is starting to decline.  Most of our politicians believe that we can continue to “police the world” and project our power to every corner of the globe, but the more we meddle the more the rest of the world hates us and the worse our financial problems get.  America is now swamped with debts and our influence is fading.  The truth is that what we are witnessing is the end of an empire and the beginning of a depression.

Over the past decade, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have cost U.S. taxpayerswell over a trillion dollars.

So what have we gotten in return for a trillion dollars?

In Afghanistan, we haven’t even found the one man we supposedly went there to look for – Osama Bin Laden.  It defies comprehension how a man with a really bad kidney disease can hide in caves and evade the most powerful military on earth for nearly a decade.

But at least we got rid of the Taliban and set up a good form of government, right?

Oh yeah, we set up a really wonderful government.  For example, they recently arrested a one-legged Afghan Red Cross worker and sentenced him to death for converting to Christianity.

Fortunately there was enough of an international outcry that Said Musa was not hung, but the fact that the Afghan government wanted to string him up is enough to show that we have completely failed over there.

The same thing is true in Iraq.  Yeah, we may have gotten rid of Saddam, but the nation is now in far worse shape than before we went in.

Before the war Christians felt safe in Iraq.  Now large numbers of them are fleeing Iraq as fast as they can.  More than 80 Iraqi Christians were recently beheaded on a single day.  All the Christians were trying to do was attend a church service.

Now we are involved in a third war in the Middle East.  Even though Libya was no threat to the United States, Obama felt compelled to stick our nose into a chaotic civil war.

Now it looks like our involvement in Libya could last for a very, very long time.

In a joint op-ed piece in the New York Times, Barack Obama, David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy declared that NATO military operations in Libya will not end until there is a regime change….

However, so long as Qaddafi is in power, NATO must maintain its operations so that civilians remain protected and the pressure on the regime builds. Then a genuine transition from dictatorship to an inclusive constitutional process can really begin, led by a new generation of leaders. In order for that transition to succeed, Qaddafi must go and go for good.

So exactly who are we “helping” in Libya?

It turns out that we are providing “air cover” for many of the same people who were shooting at our troops in Iraq.

Yes, you read the correctly.

According to The Telegraph, the leader of the Libyan rebels is even admitting that his “troops” include jihadists that were firing bullets at U.S. troops in Iraq….

Abdel-Hakim al-Hasidi, the Libyan rebel leader, has said jihadists who fought against allied troops in Iraq are on the front lines of the battle against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

What type of government do you think they are going to set up once this is over?

And all of this meddling is turning the rest of the world against us in a big way.

Most Americans don’t realize just how much hatred there is for America in the rest of the world.  There are millions upon millions of people out there that now hate us with every fiber of their beings, and every time we bomb someone else world opinion turns against us even more.

Sadly, our meddling goes well beyond the three wars we are currently fighting.  The truth is that the U.S. military is actively “conducting operations” in dozens of different countries.

For example, most Americans don’t even realize what the U.S. is doing in Pakistan.

How would you like it if a foreign power was conducting missile attacks inside the United States over the objections of our national leaders?

Well, that is what we are doing in Pakistan and we are going to continue even though Pakistani officials are adamantly objecting.

According to AFP, the CIA intends to continue conducting operations in Pakistan no matter what the Pakistani government says….

The Central Intelligence Agency has no plans to suspend “operations” in Pakistan against terror suspects despite objections from leaders in Islamabad, a US official said Thursday.

This approach to foreign policy is absolutely foolish.  Attempting to have an “iron grip” on the rest of the world is only going to cause the rest of the world to deeply hate us and deeply resent us.  We like to think of ourselves as “do gooders” but most of the rest of the world considers us to be tyrannical.  Eventually the rest of the world will lash out at us.

In addition, maintaining our vast empire is bankrupting us.

As I have written about previously, U.S. military spending is wildly out of control.  The truth is that U.S. military spending is greater than the military spending of China, Russia, Japan, India, and the rest of NATO combined.

The United States already accounts for 46.5% of all military spending in the world.  China is next with only 6.6%.

Just one day of the war in Afghanistan costs more money than it took to build the entire Pentagon.

So will reducing military spending solve all of our financial problems?

Of course not.

In fact, if you eliminated every penny of military spending we would still have a gigantic budget deficit.

And that is another reason why our empire is dying.

The United States has the biggest debt problem in the history of the world.

Right now the U.S. government is over 14 trillion dollars in debt.  Our debt is increasing by over 2 million dollars every single minute.

Our politicians are running up the national credit card as if there will never be any consequences.

But a very serious day of reckoning is coming, and when it arrives the rest of the world is not going to be in the mood to help us.

It is being projected that by 2021, the U.S. will be paying $1.1 trillion a year just in interest on the national debt.

So how big is a trillion dollars?

Well, if you were alive when Jesus was born and you spent a million dollars every single day since then, you still would not have spent a trillion dollars by now.

Our national debt is now at a tipping point.  A recently revised IMF policy paper entitled “An Analysis of U.S. Fiscal and Generational Imbalances: Who Will Pay and How?” projects that U.S. government debt will rise to about 400 percent of GDP by the year 2050.

So what are our politicians doing about it?

Nothing.

During the last election, the Republicans made a “pledge” to the American people to cut $100 billion from the 2011 budget if they were elected.

Then once they got in they told us that $61 billion would be enough.

Then John Boehner gave in and agreed to cut the 2011 budget by only $38.5 billion.

Well, now it turns out that even the $38.5 billion figure was not even real.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, the “budget deal” will only slash $352 million (with an “m”) from the 2011 budget.

That is less than one percent of the $38.5 billion figure that was announced.

No wonder so many Tea Party activists are now declaring that John Boehner must go.

In the end, our politicians do not intend to do anything about our runaway debt.

The Democrats will shut down the government rather than allow serious cuts to social programs or entitlements.

The Republicans will never allow serious cuts to the military and they are pushing for even more tax cuts.

So how in the world is U.S. government debt ever going to be brought under control?

The sad news is that it is not going to be.  It is just a matter of time before a great U.S. debt crisis strikes.

But the U.S. is not the only one with a debt crisis.

The European debt crisis just seems to get worse with each passing month.  The bonds of several European nations have been significantly downgraded in recent weeks.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Moody’s actually downgraded Irish debt by two levels on Friday….

Moody’s Investors Service Inc. downgraded Ireland’s government debt by two notches Friday, taking the country to the brink of junk status, and kept its outlook negative.

Things are getting scary.

Bond yields all over Europe are going through the roof.

A year ago, the yield on 10-year Portuguese bonds was hovering around 5%.  On Friday it reached 9.0%.

A year ago, the yield on 10-year Irish bonds was also generally in the neighborhood of 5%.  On Friday it closed at 9.7%.

But that is nothing compared to what is happening to Greek debt.  On Friday, the yield on 10-year Greek bonds skyrocketed to an astounding 13.83%.

Yes, a depression is getting a little bit closer every single day.

Things don’t look good in Asia either.  Prior to the recent tsunami, the Japanese economy was the third largest economy on the entire globe.

But there are now very serious questions about whether or not Japan will ever fully recover from what has just happened.

The mainstream media has been really downplaying the economic damage that has been done to Japan, but eventually the truth will become clear.  In a previous article, I contended that this was essentially a “death blow” for the Japanese economy….

The tsunami that struck Japan on March 11th swept up to 6 miles inland, destroying virtually everything in the way. Thousands upon thousands of Japanese were killed and entire cities were wiped off the map. Yes, Japan is a resilient nation, but exactly how does a nation that is already drowning in debt replace dozens of cities and towns that are suddenly gone? The truth is that thousands of square miles have been more completely destroyed than if they had been bombed by a foreign military force. The loss of homes, cars, businesses and personal wealth is almost unimaginable. It is going to take many years to rebuild the roads, bridges, rail systems, ports, power lines and water systems that were lost. Nobody is quite sure when the rolling blackouts are going to end, and nobody is quite sure when all of the damaged manufacturing facilities are going to be fully brought back online.

If all that wasn’t bad enough, the nuclear crisis at Fukushima just seems to get worse by the day.

According to the Los Angeles Times, seawater near the Fukushima nuclear complex was recently found to contain “iodine-131 at 7.5 million times the legal limit”.

Authorities in Japan recently upgraded the crisis at Fukushima to a “level 7″ nuclear disaster, and almost everyone is finally acknowledging that this crisis is as bad or worse than Chernobyl.

Many now fear that vast portions of northern Japan may end up beinguninhabitable after all this is over.  The health effects and the economic effects from this nightmare are going to be felt for the rest of our lives.

But even if all of the things above were not happening, the rapidly rising price of oil could potentially be enough to push the world into a depression.  The entire global economy is predicated on the ability to consume gigantic amounts of very cheap oil.  Nobody has ever been able to prove that the global economy can continue to function normally if the price of oil stays above $100 a barrel for an extended period of time.

When oil goes up, people start staying home.  Certain types of economic activity become unprofitable.  The cost of transporting all goods increases.  The amount of money being transferred out of the U.S. economy and into the hands of oil barons soars.

The average price of a gallon of gasoline in the United States is now $3.81.  It is about a dollar higher than it was at this time last year.

If the price of oil stays where it is right now, the global economy can probably handle it, at least for a while.  However, if it explodes up to $150 or $200 a barrel it is going to unleash hell on world financial markets.

The world is becoming a very unstable place.  The U.S. empire is crumbling and the global financial system is on the verge of a nightmare.

Hopefully the rest of 2011 will not be as eventful as the first part has.  We could use some global peace and stability for a while.  Unfortunately, that is probably not going to be the case.'

Shock employment figures: Fewer than 46% of Americans have jobs The percentage of Americans who have jobs has fallen to the lowest point in three decades and now hovers just above 45 percent of the total population, according to an analysis of labor data published by USA Today.

World Markets Retreat

[video] Trader: S&P Downgrade A Game Changer

Easy Money (2): U.S. Inflation Now at 4% - How Fed Dismisses the Signs Tobey 'In "Easy Money (1): Fed Touts Flawed/Risky Rationale," we discussed the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee's (FOMC's) weak rationale for easy money.

Today, we'll cover how the FOMC dismisses clear signs of 4% inflation.

As FOMC members speak out, trying to deflate growing inflation worries, they are revealing weaknesses in their analysis. Judging by their comments, they are using selected data to support their arguments and dismissing other, better signs of inflation.

There are two important problem areas:

First, the FOMC's preferred price index adjustment (i.e., excluding food and energy) is misleading. It is resulting in significantly reduced price inflation readings in this economy.

Second, the official money supply numbers are too low. The FOMC's policies are creating the problem.

Today's write-up addresses the Fed's choice of an inflation measure. Money supply will be discussed in the following write-up.

CPI vs. PCEPI

To measure inflation, the FOMC prefers the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index (PCEPI) to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The PCEPI has a unique construction that makes it less effective than the CPI in measuring price inflation caused by money supply expansion. The problem is that it expands the parties involved beyond consumers and it allows the spending basket to continually change. These moving parts can disguise what we're looking for: fiat money inflation

Even at that, the two indexes are highly correlated, with the PCEPI being a bit less volatile. (And the FOMC likes less volatility, as will be discussed next.)

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-130306461217606-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

In addition, here is the comparison of CPI and PCEPI excluding food and energy (to be discussed next).

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-130306467435166-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

Note: For the rest of this write-up, I will be using CPI data because of the high correlation between CPI and PCEPI, CPI's better measurement of inflation and the availability of CPI component data.

Excluding food and energy is improper

The Fed and others defend taking food and energy out of a price index because they are so "volatile." Supporting this proposition is usually a graph like the following, showing 12-month price changes comparing with and without.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-130306471039341-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

That graph may look like the only effect is volatility, but it's not. Food and energy have their own price trends beyond those movements.

Importantly, food and energy, as key commodities, are at the heart of all long-term inflation studies. When inflation shows up, food and energy prices are among the first to react. They are even better measures today because these worldwide commodities can be both traded and transported among countries with relative ease. (Contrast food and energy price moves to other CPI categories such as housing, medical and education. These other items react slowly to inflation caused by money supply changes.)

Looking at the cumulative price movements, not a simple 12-month moving one, we can see a significant rise in inflation by including food and energy.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-13030647528933-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

Clearly, there has been more inflation in the U.S. than the Fed's measure is showing. The 11+ year 2.5% inflation rate is well above the Fed's "limit" of 2%.

Housing, the FOMC's inflation friend, should be excluded

Housing costs are slow moving and significantly affected by factors beyond money supply inflation. These characteristics are visible in the CPI-housing index.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-130306479786696-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

Note especially how the housing price index changed its shape in the past three years, during which housing costs were down or flat. As we know, this pattern reflects housing's supply/demand conditions – not the effect of the FOMC's easy money policy. Therefore, including housing in the price index hides what's actually happening.

All countries face the same problem. Therefore, a common CPI adjustment made outside the U.S. is to report CPI excluding housing. Such an adjusted index is thought to be a better measure of price inflation.

The preferred inflation measure: CPI excluding housing

So, let's adopt the international convention and examine CPI without housing. Although it is not a publicly released CPI number, we can approximate it.

Housing represents about 40% of the CPI basket (much higher if food and energy are excluded). By presuming a 40% weighting throughout the period (this isn't precise, but it is an acceptable approximation), we can use the CPI measures available to calculate:

CPI excluding housing = [(CPI * 100%) – (CPI for housing * 40%)] / 60%

Here is the result:

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-13030648510201-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-130306555644225-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

Comparing the price index numbers

Now let's compare all those different measures. Here are the different price index results for the entire period and sub periods.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/17/524222-130306512628397-John-Tobey.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

Note how many readings show inflation above the Fed's "limit" of 2%. The latest ones are the what's bothering investors - especially as the FOMC takes comfort in its single, low measure.

Final thought: Why only one index?

Looking at these different index results raises the question of why the FOMC publicly uses only one number to defend its easy money policy. Is it playing the old marketing game of cherry picking the statistic that best supports its position? Or is it myopic, focusing on its one choice, believing all other measures to be flawed and, therefore, not requiring presentation or explanation? Or is it simply trying to keep our confidence up and not adversely affect "inflation expectations?"

Good analysis is fulsome (looking at an issue from all sides), objective (not being influenced by other considerations) and unique (incorporating underlying conditions, not simply relying on a number). The FOMC's comments have not shown good analysis – and that is worrisome.

So … price index measures are showing inflation running well above the FOMC's 2% "limit." These measures lend support to the rising inflation concerns we read about, along with rising long-term interest rates (in spite of the FOMC's bond buying program). Only the FOMC seems relaxed - and that's causing even more concern.

Next … reported money supply numbers are too low.'

Top 3 Reasons Markets were as Negative as US Credit Outlook Wall St. Cheat Sheet  Markets closed down on Wall Street: DJI -1.14% SP500 -1.1% Nasdaq -1.06% Gold +0.47% Oil -2.05 .

Markets got slammed today when the S&P (NYSE:MHP) came out of the blue and downgraded the US Credit Rating outlook to “Negative”. On the commodities front,  Oil (NYSE:USO) got hit hard and slid $2 although OPEC said they won’t be increasing supply any time soon.  Gold (NYSE:GLD) and  Silver (NYSE:SLV) resumed their climb to the moon as investors are now fretting whether the US will receive a full downgrade.

Don’t Miss: Wall St. Cheat Sheet’s newest Feature Trades of the Month>>

Today’s markets were down because:

1) Yes, the US really just took a bullet in the armor. Many investors and analysts have been warning of a downgrade to the US credit rating, but it’s another phenomenon to actually see one in the wild. (Check Out: The Shocking S&P Note) Plain and simple: a lot of investors are reducing risk in case the next credit rating headline pierces the armor. But isn’t the US “Too Big to Fail”?

2) Earnings continue to come in mixed. Strangely, solid earnings from Citibank (NYSE:C) and Halliburton (NYSE:HAL) couldn’t drag indexes higher. The biggest miss of the day goes to drug company Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) which fought all day to make up ground on the earnings blunder. Get ready for the rest of the week as earnings just keep pouring in like Passover and Easter guests.

3) Everybody hates tax day. Too bad the Federal government didn’t shutdown. Taxes were due today and 55% of the nation should’ve been sending a check to Uncle Sam. On such a special day, Wall St. Cheat Sheet’s expert contributor Ed Dolan takes a look at whether Tax Reform is Real, or just more political B.S.'

Russian Finance Minister Kudrin Says US Won't Meet Budget Goals '...Russia, thanks to windfalls from oil revenues from its three state owned oil giants — Gazprom, Lukoil and Rosneft — coupled with a declining population will help the government meet its goal of eradicating its deficit by 2015. The government agreed to cut federal spending three fold by then. Kudrin also noted in his keynote speech at the Peterson Institute that his government is not treating the budget issue politically. “We have an economics department that handles this, and not a political party,” he said, in short.Russia’s federal budget deficit is expected to end the year around 1.5% of GDP. The US federal deficit as percentage of GDP is around 7% to 8%.'

Rand Paul: Spending cuts must include Pentagon Washington Times | Military spending will have to be cut if the country is going to get its debt problems under control.

IRS, CPA bureaucracy cost tax payers $431 billion a year WSJ | There is a lot more to taxes than simply paying the bill.

S&P Moves US Outlook To Negative, Gold Hits New Record CNBC | Standard & Poor’s on Monday downgraded the outlook for the United States to negative.

World Bank president: ‘One shock away from crisis’ The president of the World Bank has warned that the world is “one shock away from a full-blown crisis”.

Bank Of America Analyst Advocates The “Unthinkable” — An Intentional Default On US Debt We continue to be astounded by the emergence of the pro-default meme within financial circles.

(4-18-11) Dow  12,202 -140 Nasdaq  2,735  -29   S&P 500  1,305 -15   [CLOSE- OIL $107.78   (-54% for year 2008) (RECORD TRADING HIGH $147.27) GAS $3.82 (reg. gas in LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS  $4.20 REG./ $4.30 MID-GRADE/$4.40 PREM./ $4.54  DIESELL) /  GOLD $1,493 (+24% for year 2009) / SILVER $43.20  (+47% for year 2009) PLATINUM $1,768 (+56% for year 2009)  Metal News for the Day  / DOLLAR= .69 EURO, 83 YEN, .60 POUND STERLING, ETC. (How low can you go - LOWER)/  Interest Rates: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield 10 YR NOTE YIELD 3.38%        …..…   AP Business Highlights             ...Yahoo Market Update...      T. Rowe Price Weekly Recap – Stocks / Bonds / Currencies -  Domestic / International   This Is a Secular Bear Market and The End of Buy and Hold … and Hope   The bull market that never was/were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold ‘WORST ECONOMIC COLLAPSE EVER’ Must Read Economic / Financial Data                     This Depression is just beginning The coming depression…  thecomingdepression.net The Next Wave of Collapse is Coming Sooner than you think Sliding Back Into the Great Depression ABSOLUTELY, ABSURDLY, RIDICULOUS! SELL / TAKE PROFITS WHILE YOU CAN SINCE MUCH, MUCH WORSE TO COME!

National / World

Fukushima Radiation Nightmare May Last Indefinitely Kurt Nimmo | TEPCO says the Fukushima facility should be in “cold shutdown” within nine months, a claim even the corporate media finds dubious.

Breaking: EU Preparing to Launch Ground Invasion in Libya Paul Joseph Watson | UN to rubber stamp occupying force in bid to goad Gaddafi into attacking western troops. EU Prepares To Invade Libya With Ground Troops Under “Humanitarian” Hoax The United Nations is set to rubber stamp an EU invasion force of ground troops that would be sent into Libya under the cooked up pretense of “humanitarian aid” and empowered to fight if Gaddafi forces threatened to impede their mission to “secure sea and land corridors inside the country,” another blatant attempt to legitimize the aggressive war by goading Gaddafi into attacking western troops and justifying a wider military intervention.

Congressman Calls for Bank Financed Drug Cartels to be Designated as Terrorists Kurt Nimmo | Banks will continue to be issued a free ticket to peddle poison.

Lou Dobbs Puts Geithner on the Hot Seat for Financial Terrorism Steve Watson | Treasury Secretary suggested armageddon is around the corner if administration’s policies are not implemented.

Cables Reveal State Department, CIA NGOs Fomented Syrian Unrest Kurt Nimmo | Syria regime marked for removal following the September 11 false flag attacks.

The West is to blame for regional unrest, Ahmadinejad says CNN | Ahmadinejad blamed the West for unrest throughout the Middle East and North Africa in a speech.

Afghan soldier kills 5 NATO troops and 4 Afghan comrades Washington Post | The bombing took place at the headquarters of the Afghan army’s 201st Corps.

Pelosi, far from the helm (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! Mr. Milbank's once again starting to sound like a political school-child; and, embarrassing himself quite profusely as he does so. Indeed, making excuses for wobama is intellectually and journalistically dishonest. After all, wobama came in riding the wave of discontent with the easiest act in history to follow; viz., the undeniably failed presidency of war criminal / moron dumbya bush. Make no mistake, he ran on exactly that. Yet he's done the same (as bush), even as he similarly (as did bush) have the short-lived (for good reason) benefit of 'control' of both houses of congress. He had a mandate to do what he promised to do and didn't. Unbridled war spending continued in that new debacle called Afghanistan, no pros of the frauds on wall street, and on top of that, some excess spending of his own. Pelosi was, is a joke as they've all become, with 'wobama the b' (for b***s***) the biggest joke. He's really no more than a stereotype without any credibility whatsoever. He is pathetic; which, derivatively makes Mr. Milbank pathetic in making excuses for this morass of absolutely nothing, who stands for absolutely nothing, that nothing being 'wobama the b' (for b***s***) . No excuses … all wobama! Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (WP) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (WP) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees. ] Without a liberal rudder, Obama drifts to the center.

Parker: The GOP plays a crazy Trump card (Washington Post) [ I don't know what polls Ms. Parker's referring to; but unless she's referring to mobster trump apprentice news (trump was fired from his own casino company), that certainly doesn't comport with polls I've read. Moreover, like palin, trump's the joke that keeps on giving (for SNL, late-night talk hosts, etc.). Indeed, such a move by the GOP would almost guarantee a 3^rd Party shoe-in. After all, trump has as little credibility as wobama. My other t_rump posts won't fit here, but the latest from Drudge is noteworthy (note the date, inside parentheses my words) (4-15-11) Drudgereport: Flashback: Updated 11/11/2008 09:19 PM NY1 Exclusive: Donald Trump Slams "Evil" Bush, Praises Obama By: Dominic Carter 'If there's one thing certain about real estate mogul Donald Trump, it's that he (like Charlie Sheen) likes to win (duh … winning) ... even though he endorsed John McCain for president. "McCain, really, that was almost an impossible situation," said Trump. Bush has been so bad, maybe the worst president in the history of this country. He has been so incompetent, so bad, so evil that I don't think any Republican could have won

During an exclusive interview with NY1 in his Midtown office on Fifth Avenue, Trump slammed President George Bush's foreign policies.

"You know, you can be enemies with people, whether it's Iran, Iraq, or anyplace else and you can still have dialogue. These people wouldn't even talk with him. It's terrible," said Trump.

While he had harsh words for the outgoing president, he had a much different opinion of President-elect Barack Obama.

"I think he has a chance to go down as a great president. Now, if he's not a great president, this country is in serious trouble," said Trump.

"I think [Obama's] going to lead through consensus," continued Trump. "It's not going to be just a bull run like Bush did. He just did whatever the hell he wanted. He'd go into a country, attack Iraq, which had nothing to do with the World Trade Center and just do it because he wanted to do it."

Trump was then asked if he ever thought he would see an African-American president in his lifetime.

"They always said 100 years before a black man or woman could be elected president. And the 100 years turned out to be, like, one year. He's done an amazing job," said Trump.

An Associated Press GFK poll released Tuesday shows that a majority of people share Trump's approval of Obama...' trump:
'CARTER WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY'...
'BUSH WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY'...
'OBAMA WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY...
[ Clearly, like wobama, mobster trump is full of his own s***! ] ]

Rob Pegoraro logs off from The Post (Washington Post)After 11 and a half years, I’m leaving The Post. Here are six lessons I learned from my experience. [ Truth be told, I'm not a big fan of that 'latest new thing' technology orientation. Indeed, I was very wary of and opposed digitization of books only because of the ease by which ultimately these sources of knowledge could then be abridged, altered, to the point that the point therein was no point at all, which seems to be the direction of things, certainly within the last decade plus, frauds and all. I no longer care about that, because truly, that no longer matters (not enough time for significant evolutionary effect). I especially appreciate your 2^nd lesson which I repeat here for my record. It is interesting that you chose the apple power mac cube as but a impractical illusion:

'… Anything can look great in a demo. For many years, my signature bore the saying — a tweak on a quote from sci-fi author Arthur C. Clarke seen online — that “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo.” While it’s not possible to make every botched product look good in a demonstration, a huge number of flops have looked fantastic and compelling in a precisely rehearsed demo. (I admit it: The Power Mac Cube looked magical and revolutionary at first.) And enough people will buy after that introduction to make the gadget look like a hit. As tech analyst Michael Gartenberg observes, “You can sell 50,000 of anything.” …'

I have sampled the apple products and have invariably concluded that they are overpriced, overvalued, and are but means of getting consumers to part with their cash (ie., exclusive, proprietary itunes prerequisites, etc.) owing to what I infer to be particularly influenced by Jobs' LSD induced empathetic feel for the 'pizzaz' that has invariably worked most applephiles into a frenzy with each 'new introduction' (the touch screen / ipad was an exception which though easily produced for far less gets an 'a' for pioneering). I further believe that apple's success is a testament to how dumb americans particularly have become. This is no shill for the pc which both as I write here and for other mundane tasks I've been constrained to use linux ubuntu (dual boot) for stability otherwise absent with xp (microsoft is a dinosaur). Given the state of the world, it is not so surprising that such obsessions with devices as those alluded to, the next new thing, etc., have a psychological component that does not bespeak mental well being / balance. This is not to say that I deplore technology in which to the contrary I have found great utility. What it is, since you mentioned Arthur C. Clarke, is what I perceive to be a new innate longing for HAL (and not IBM particularly), in one form or another. Ah! The wisdom of cats! Good Luck!

House passes GOP’s 2012 budget blueprint (Washington Post) [ Why am I skeptical? Well, this is early in that 'horse-trading' that they try to foist off as the 'american politcal process' that has failed so well in the past. But one thing can be said for sure, if, like wobama et als, the plan does not include prosecution of the (too big to fail) big frauds on wall street with jail, fines, disgorgement before even a penny is asked from the citizenry, then you're looking at a guaranteed 3^rd party victory in 2012. Budget passes, but conservatives let down (Washington Post) The compromise touted as cutting $38.5 billion would actually only cut $352 million this fiscal year, an analysis says. While that didn’t prevent the budget from passing, it could sour some Republicans. [ Come on! This 'budget deal' was a showboating scam ab initio … Davis gets this right: Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (WP) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (WP) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees. ]

Grants for housing counseling slashed / Job training feels budget ax (Washington Post) [ For what jobs? The 'new green jobs'? How is such an investent going to pass muster in rigorous financial analysis for profit? Where's the capital coming from? People must come to grips with the reality that the nation's defacto bankrupt and all that that entails.The news is bad, the reality daunting, yet stocks rallied … A mystery? … Yes, until you look up and see that blazing full moon. I was somewhat nonplussed by the suckers’ market bounce; and then, ‘Eureka!’ … there it was, staring down for all to see … a blazing full moon. Yes, they have such effects on lunatics as in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america et als; but particularly on wall street, and it certainly doesn’t take much to push the frauds on wall street over the edge and into their predisposed fraudulent madness. In fact, you could say, ‘it’s in their genes’ America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog | It’s now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding. . According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble. [chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble … A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s ...

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

What was left out of this article is the point that the movie studio led an Oscar campaign for Natalie Portman based in large part emphasizing her development into a professional ballerina for the role and the majority of scenes in the movie they stated she danced herself. Sarah Lane has contested that she danced the majority and even the editor of the movie is on the record stating more of Sarah's dance scenes were included in the movie than the studio stated were. Sounds like the studio boondoggled the Oscar voters to get a win for Natalie. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1377550/Caroline-Davis-paid-250-act-Natalie-Portmans-body-double-Your-Highness.html#ixzz1Jli7GtVQ

GOP leader Marilyn Davenport e-mails photo of chimp-like Obama ...

Drudgereport: S&P SOUNDS ALARM ON USA
Worst since Pearl Harbor: Debt blow for economy...
Trump's Political 'Pit Bull'; Dem Op Has The Donald's Back...
Rove: 'Joke Candidate'...
TRUMP: SEIZE OIL FIELDS IN LIBYA...
RASMUSSEN: Obama 49% Trump 34%...
Anti-spending group blasts The Donald as 'tax-hiking liberal'...
Gas at $4 in nation's capital, 5 states...

____________________________________________

The news is bad, the reality daunting, yet stocks rallied … A mystery? … Yes, until you look up and see that blazing full moon. I was somewhat nonplussed by the suckers’ market bounce; and then, ‘Eureka!’ … there it was, staring down for all to see … a blazing full moon. Yes, they have such affects on lunatics as in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america et als; but particularly on wall street, and it certainly doesn’t take much to push the frauds on wall street over the edge and into their predisposed fraudulent madness. In fact, you could say, ‘it’s in their genes’ America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime Washington’s Blog | It’s now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding / April Is a Good Time to Sell Adler ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding. Exhibit one: The cyclically-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, or CAPE. This is not a “fad” valuation metric. CAPE dates back to 1871, offering 140 years worth of data, during which time, the mean price-to-earnings ratio is 16. According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble. [chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble … A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s ...

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

10 Scary Charts: A 'Post-Recession' Economy Wake Up Call Kavadas 'I find the following 10 charts to be disturbing. These charts would be disturbing at any point in the economic cycle; that they depict such a tenuous situation now – 21 months after the official (as per the 9-20-10 NBER announcement) June 2009 end of the recession – is especially notable.

These charts raise a lot of questions. As well, they highlight the "atypical" nature of our economic situation from a long-term historical perspective. I regularly discuss many troubling characteristics of our economy in this EconomicGreenfield.com blog.

All of these charts (except one, as noted) are from the Federal Reserve, and represent the most recently updated data.

These following charts are from the St. Louis Federal Reserve:

Housing starts (last updated 3-16-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_houst_3_16_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

The Federal Deficit (last updated 2-17-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_fyfsd_2_17_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

Federal Net Outlays (last updated 2-17-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_fyonet_2_17_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

State & Local Personal Income Tax Receipts (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 3-25-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totll_4_11_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

Total Loans and Leases of Commercial Banks (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 4-11-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totll_4_11_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

Bank Credit – All Commercial Banks (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 4-11-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totbkcr_4_11_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

M1 Money Multiplier (last updated 4-7-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_mult_4_7_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

Median Duration of Unemployment (last updated 4-1-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_uempmed_4_1_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

This next chart is from the CalculatedRisk.com blog post of 4-1-11, and it shows (in red) the relative length and depth of this downturn and subsequent recovery from an employment perspective:

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_calcrisk_recession_job_losses_4_1_11.jpg

(Click to enlarge)

This last chart is of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index and it depicts broad-based economic activity (last updated 3-21-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_cfnai_monthly_ma3_3_21_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

I will update these charts on an intermittent basis as they deserve close monitoring ...'

Consumers spend more, but on gas (Washington Post) [ Retail Sales Miss Expectations Wall St. Cheat Sheet  On Wednesday April 13, 2011, 9:40 am EDT 'The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $389.3 billion, an increase of 0.4 percent from the previous month, and 7.1 percent above March 2010. Analysts were expecting a rise of 0.5 percent...' Retail sales? Where? The mall? If they can find one with stores … Drudgereport: Malls hit highest vacancy in 11 years... This is the grim economic reality http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . A Trading System That Challenges the Efficient Market Hypothesis [ ...What parallel universe is McCurdy operating in? Even in the heyday of that so-called hypothesis, close examination of the data indicated that if you weren't timing the market you were, in a somewhat 'Charlie Sheenish' manner of speaking, duh! … losing! (my MBA Thesis, 1977, NYU GBA, Finance – which required study / mastery of such math intensive theory). Said 'hypothesis' wasn't true then and certainly isn't true today where complex computer-programming can and does artificially produce the various criteria / buy / sell / signals alluded to in the article (they're widely known / followed) creating the rigged / fraudulent trading game geared to maximized the 'churn-and-earn' commission profits (net negative in economic terms) and enabling the passing of 'those hot potatoes'/paper shares in a manner that resembles a game of musical chairs with those not in the loop winding up holding the bag (including pension funds, etc.); all the while funding those lavish lifesyles / over-compensation of the frauds on wall street along with the direct / indirect bribes inuring them from stigma and as well, insulating them from proper scrutiny and prosecution. Fundamentals, fundamental rational analysis has become virtually irrelevant to these now fraud-prone markets like never before in history facilitating frauds of magnitudes that have made the rationalization 'too big to fail' a byword... The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! ]

Don't Be A Lemming, Keep Cash In Your Portfolio Dohmen 'My work shows that the rally going into early April brought bullish sentiment in the stock market to levels seen at extreme tops in 2000 and 2007. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we will have a crash, because the Fed would fight any strong market decline with everything they have. But it does say that a great amount of cash in your portfolio right now would be a good idea.

The low volume on the bounce since the mid-March low has been pathetic.  Until the last two years, that was always a very important warning signal. Yet, most money managers don’t even analyze charts. The late March rally, which created so much enthusiasm, didn’t even bring the major indices such as the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ Composite above their February highs.

Mutual fund cash is now lower than at the top in 2007. Low fund cash positions correlate very well with market tops. Our astute colleague Alan Newman (www.cross-currents.net)  points out that even with the rise in fund assets in January, the total outflow since February 2007 has been $213 billion. It appears that the average investor is gone, although in January there was an inflow of over $25 billion. Are they getting back in at just the wrong time?

Corporate insiders are selling at the heaviest pace since other major market tops. Obviously, they don’t agree with Wall Street about the euphoric outlook. Have you noticed that so many top company officials being interviewed make cautious remarks about “things are improving,” or “we see some positive signs, etc.”  When there is genuine improvement, these people will shout it from the rooftops on national TV.

But in spite of this, investment professionals are super-bullish. Rydex is closing down 12 of its leveraged, inverse ETF’s, the ones that sell short, because of the low amount of assets. Could that mean that traders are not interested in being short? That’s often a very good contrarian signal.

Investors Intelligence, which surveys the sentiment of investment advisors, in their latest survey had the percent of bulls increase to 57.3% from 51%. That’s a huge jump and now is at levels seen at important market tops. The bears have plunged to 15.7% compared to 23.1%. The difference between bulls and bears is now at 41.6, which is in the “danger” zone (over 40).

Because so far the stock market has almost ignored some of the greatest global turmoil in many decades, including one of the worst natural disasters in Japan, money managers believe that the market cannot go down. So, they buy, which triggers buying by other managers, which then creates more buying. That continues, until they look and suddenly see that they are looking at themselves in the mirror and that there is no one to sell to.

The Fed’s QE2 is ending in June. That’s no secret. There is a big 86% correlation between the size of the Fed’s balance sheet–read security purchases–and the S&P 500. Therefore, if the balance sheet stops growing in June, so should the stock market rise. The bulls say that’s already in the market. That’s totally unrealistic. When suddenly $50 billion per month of liquidity injection is missing, there are consequences.

The large trading operations have to attract sufficient buyers from the sidelines to enable the “distribution” of their stock holdings. This is done by having produced that last gasp rally when the reluctant bulls can no longer stand being out of the market. At a top, these lemmings finally plunge in, allowing the smart money to make the turn.

Don’t be a lemming!'

U.S. bank failure tally hits 34 Regulators close six banks to bring the year’s tally of bank failures to 34, according to the Federl ...

Earnings stumbles to awaken bears (Reuters)

Sustaining Disbelief in the Face of Obvious Impossibilities / The Problem With Inflation Targets '... there are plenty of other elements of core inflation that are rising, and the uptrend is well-established...'

Stocks are Cheap, Buy Now! - Really? Maierhofer, April 15, 2011

'This is no time to sell stocks.'

'Evidence is building that we have a self-sustaining recovery.'

'We see accelerating growth around the globe.'

'This market looks cheap to us.'

'Dividends may increase to a record $31.07 a share in 2013.'

All the above quotes were taken from a recent Bloomberg article regarding the most explosive profit growth in the past century. This profit explosion is happening right here, right now.

'The gap between projected 12-month profits and average earnings over the last 10 years is set to widen the most since 1951,' continues the article. Projected earnings are expected to clock in at a record $91 for S&P 500 companies.

The Best 'Buying' Opportunity since 1951?

Before you trigger the 'buy everything now' button, think about the above statement for a second. If the gap between projected profits and average earnings is the biggest since 1951, it means that it's bigger than in 2000 and 2007. Could that be a contrarian indicator?

I purposely picked the years 2000 and 2007 because they marked major market tops and were followed by sizeable declines. The gap between projected and average profits today is, in fact, larger than it was in 2000 and 2007, although not by much.

If you graph this out, you would see three spikes; one pop in 2000, one in 2007 and one now. Every time the spread spiked to new highs, stocks fell hard.

In 2000, it was the post-tech boom (NYSEArca: XLK - News) crash. In 2007, it was the overleveraged financial sector (NYSEArca: XLF - News) that caused a nasty recession. Both times, the spread was the highest since 1951.

Keep in mind that the spread is based on projected earnings. Projected earnings are about as certain as a politician's promise.

Accuracy of Earnings Projections

Nevertheless, let's examine the accuracy of analysts and earnings projections.

'As earnings estimates are ratcheted down and hope for a quick economic fix fades, the once-inconceivable notion of returning to Dow 5000 or S&P 5000 looks a little less far-fetched.'

This quote was taken from a Wall Street Journal front-page article featured on March 9, 2009. If history isn't your forte, March 9 was the date the Dow Jones (DJI: ^DJI) bottomed at 6,470, the S&P (SNP: ^GSPC) at 666, and the Nasdaq (Nasdaq: ^IXIC) at 1,265.

Days before the March 2009 low, Goldman lowered its earnings outlook for the S&P from $113 incrementally to $40. Bank of America Merrill Lynch lowered their estimate to $46 and Citigroup lowered to $51.

At the same time - on March 2, 2009 - the ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter sent out a special buy alert and recommended loading up on broad market indexes, economically sensitive sectors, dividend ETFs like the iShares Dow Jones Dividend ETF (NYSEArca: DVY - News), SPDR S&P Dividend (NYSEArca: SDY - News) and leveraged ETFs like the Ultra S&P ProShares (NYSEArca: SSO - News), and Ultra Financial ProShares (NYSEArca: UYG - News).

The moral of the story is that analysts tend to be overly bullish at market tops just as they are overly bearish at market bottoms. Based on Standard & Poor's data, earnings actually peaked at $87 in 2006 and never reached Goldman's projected upside target of $113. Earnings also bottomed before they reached Goldman's projected down side target of $40.

Of course, even analysts have an accuracy sweet spot. This sweet spot is during extended trends. Analysts are correct as long as the trend persists, but as a group they never see a trend change coming.

Ready for a Curveball?

It seems like analysts have selective memories. Here is what Merrill Lynch's 2007 Global Market Forecast predicted: 'First, the global economy will continue to grow in 2007 - with no sign of a cyclical slowdown.'

Keep in mind that in 2007, there was no European debt crisis, unemployment in the U.S. was around 5% not 9%, housing prices were stable, there was no financial crisis, there was no Middle East unrest, there was no BP oil spill, there was no Japanese earthquake, Tsunami, and nuclear disaster, etc.

Rather than counting un-hatched chickens (projected earnings), let's take a look at P/E ratios with substance. The chart below shows a 110-year history of the Robert J. Shiller's cyclically-adjusted P/E ratio.

Chart http://www.etfguide.com//contributor/UserFiles/8/Image/CAPE%20PE%204%2011.gif

The red line marks the average since 1900. Professor Shiller considers the S&P to be 41% over valued.

Valuations are always mean reverting. As such, owning stocks at current prices is risky even though - or rather because - analysts expect earnings to rise.

Safety Locks

Whenever rich valuations rendezvous with optimism and complacency, investors should become extra cautious. The ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter identified three such occasions over the past 15 months - January 2010, April 2010, and February 2011.

Each time, stocks (NYSEArca: VTI - News) declined between 7 - 20%. However, all three declines turned out to be head fakes and optimistic analysts' projections haven't been as reliable as contrarian indicators as they were in March 2009 and late 2007. I suppose this is due to the Federal Reserve's QE2 liquidity.

Just as QE2 is a plus for equities (and commodities) right now, it is likely to eventually turn into a double or triple minus as individual and institutional investors start unloading some of their positions. Eventually, the 'too good to be true' syndrome will multiply like a malignant cell and overwhelm the exchanges with sell orders.

This doesn't mean stocks can't go higher in the short-term. In fact, it would be great to see the S&P rally to its ideal target range. The ideal target range is comprised of a multi-decade trend line and important Fibonacci resistance. If the S&P is able to rally into that range, it would have exhausted its up side potential and has no obvious reason to come back anytime soon...'

Why Options Traders See a 10% Market Correction Rama 'The Teflon market began chipping on April 7 after another earthquake hit Japan, threatening to bring a second tsunami.

The tsunami alert was a false alarm, but the S&P held a 4-day losing streak till Wednesday. Try as investors may, however, they haven't been able stay away from stocks. With all that easy money flying around and few other options for high returns, equities have held their year-to-date gains despite mounting geopolitical troubles that threaten to derail the recovery.

But a big trade Thursday in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF [SPY  Loading...      ()   ] shows stock investors' nerves of steel are faltering. The trade, called a put fly, positioned for a gain if the S&P 500 breaks through the key 1304 technical level and plunges 10% from there to 1180 (a 118 level on the SPY).

"To me it seems interesting that people are concerned with downside more than they were," said Jim Iuorio, Director at TJM Institutional Services. "There are a lot of dark clouds gathering, oil, labor numbers, there are more nerves," he added.

The put fly turned out to to be a bad trade for Thursday because the S&P broke through the 1304 level and rejected it, ending higher. That was a moderately positive signal for the index, Iuorio noted, but the trade belies the persistently low volatility index, which is holding below 17 despite investors' growing skittishness.

Iuorio expects volatility to shoot higher once Fed liquidity dries up, so he says it's prudent to buy it now that it's cheap.

"If you keep preventing a correction through government liquidity, when that correction finally comes it, it could be more dramatic than normal," the Options Action contributor said. '

Gold Celebrates Complete Lack Of Inflation By Surging To New Record Zero Hedge | Gold takes a new all time high of $1,481.46.

Rand Paul: ‘Pentagon thinks it’s too big to audit’; no serious budget cuts proposed in Washington Infowars | Senator Rand Paul said the Washington shutdown was threatened over nothing, because no serious cuts were proposed.“We threatened to shut down Washington over nothing, because we’re not cutting spending in any serious way…” that was just one part of Senator Rand Paul’s fiery floor speech blasting both sides of the isle for failing to make a sober effort to operate from a balanced budget.

America Is a Failed State Because It Won’t Prosecute Financial Crime It is now mainstream news that none of the big financial criminals have been prosecuted.

Oil Hits 32-Month High As Unrest Persists in the Middle East Marin Katusa | For at least the rest of the year, uncertainty is the most reliable aspect of oil.

35 Statistics That Show The Average American Family Has Been Broke Down, Tore Down, Beat Down, Busted And Disgusted By This Economy The economic statistics that you are about to read are incredibly shocking, but they are also very, very real. Tonight there are going to be millions of men and women all across America that cannot sleep because they are consumed with anxiety about their financial problems.

ECONOMIC CRISIS ARCHIVE

National / World

Complaining About TSA Molestation Will Get You Profiled as a Terrorist Kurt Nimmo | Objecting to TSA goons molesting your six year old daughter is characterized as “contempt against airport passenger procedures.”

“Outraged and Disgusted” Congressman Introduces Legislation To Bar TSA From Groping Children Steve Watson | “I am so furious with them I can’t even see straight,” Chaffetz said.

It’s Official: “Arab Spring” Subversion U.S. Funded Tony Cartalucci | We must see the global corporate-financier empire as the source of the problem and its removal and replacement as the solution.

Obama Budget Plan: Higher Taxes on Small Businesses American Small Business League | Fortune 500 firms and other corporate giants are the actual recipients of most federal small business contracts.

Banksters Cook Up Economic Snake Oil for Egypt Kurt Nimmo | A cabal of banking interests led by the World Bank prepares “action plan” for the impoverished country.

Why an Income Tax is Not Necessary to Fund the U.S. Government Devvy Kidd | Where do your “income” tax dollars go?

Our Income taxes go to the private group called the Federal Reserve Steve Balich | Do you want to know where your tax dollars really go?

20 Signs That A Horrific Global Food Crisis Is Coming The Economic Collapse | The world is on the verge of a horrific global food crisis.

Obama says ‘birther’ talk will be a liability for GOP (The Ticket) [ Listen to 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) … having b*** s***ed everybody else, he’s now resorted to b*** s***ing himself … the story of his life! ]

CIA will not halt operations in Pakistan: official AFP | CIA has no plans to suspend “operations” in Pakistan despite objections from Islamabad leaders.

Russia: NATO gone too far in Libya Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says NATO’s military intervention in oil-rich Libya has gone far beyond the mandate authorized by the United Nations.

Libya: The Hard-Sell is Coming When presidents are writing editorials in newspapers a hard-sell is just around the corner. Judging by the recent tripartite op-ed in the New York Times by Obama, Sarkozy, and Cameron regarding Libya, the hard-sell is most likely a protracted air campaign above Libya with an ever increasing ground presence below possibly leading to an all out invasion. Clearly the operation in Libya will exceed the “days or weeks, but not months” we were told it would take.

Now it IS regime change: Cameron, Obama and Sarkozy promise to keep bombing Libya until Gaddafi is gone David Cameron, Barack Obama and Nicolas Sarkozy upped the stakes in the Libya conflict last night as they vowed to fight on until Colonel Gaddafi is ousted.

Radiation Monitor in Richland Not Working Properly Air, water, and milk, the feds are watching closely for any spikes in radiation following the nuclear fallout in Japan. KEPR uncovered a flaw in the system. The air monitoring station in Richland isn’t working properly.

Japan Forces Top Official To Retract Prime Minister’s Comments That Fukushima Permanently Uninhabitable Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano has apologized to the public over media reports about the long-term inhabitability of areas around the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Groundwater radiation level at nuke plant rises: TEPCO The concentration levels of radioactive iodine and cesium in groundwater near the troubled Nos. 1 and 2 reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant have increased up to several dozen times in one week, suggesting that toxic water has seeped from nearby reactor turbine buildings or elsewhere, Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Thursday.

Somali pirates keep Indian hostages after ransomSomali pirates keep Indian hostages after ransom ... Navy reasons to summarily shell and sink, without taking prisoners, more pirate boats. ... http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2705523/posts Somali pirates keep Indian hostages after ransom - Yahoo! News Apr 15, 2011 ... Somali pirates keep Indian hostages after ransom .... and night vison equipment to free the captured and kill the pirates, no prisoners! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110415/ap_on_re_af/piracy [ I really must say that I am amazed that these somali pirates are not bombed out of the water, and then bombed in their safe-haven homelands … Indeed, those 18 dead rangers over a decade ago on a humanitarian mission in Somalia who were paraded around by the skinnies garnered a similar response from me … a bombing from which no somalians would have walked away … you know, 'parking lot style'. Unlike the war crimes / war profiteering / self-destructive / self-defeating / nation-bankrupting wars in the mid-east, this would be action that needs doin’! I'm at a total loss for words. ]

Drudgereport: OBAMA BACK TO GALLUP LOW...
'YOU THINK WE'RE STUPID?'
Disappointed With Lack of 'Cool' Phone in Oval Office...
HOT MIC: GOP tried to 'sneak' agenda into budget...
CARNEY: 'Miscommunication'...
HOUSE PASSES $6 TRILLION SPENDING CUT PLAN...
U.S. gas prices pass $4 in some states...'...The national average has increased for 24 straight days, hitting $3.82 per gallon on Friday. Motorists in Connecticut, Illinois, California, Hawaii and Alaska now pay more than $4 per gallon. A gallon of regular cost an average of $3.979 in New York and $3.999 in Washington...'
PUSH CONSUMER PRICES HIGHER...
Feds Shut 6 Banks...
It's 2016: Dow's at 4000, gas prices sky-high: 'ATLAS SHRUGGED' hits the screen...
Will Conservatives Make Film A Hit?
STUDY: Nearly half of US meat tainted with drug-resistant bacteria...
Flashback: Updated 11/11/2008 09:19 PM NY1 Exclusive: Donald Trump Slams "Evil" Bush, Praises Obama By: Dominic Carter 'If there's one thing certain about real estate mogul Donald Trump, it's that he (like Charlie Sheen) likes to win (duh … winning) ... even though he endorsed John McCain for president. "McCain, really, that was almost an impossible situation," said Trump. Bush has been so bad, maybe the worst president in the history of this country. He has been so incompetent, so bad, so evil that I don't think any Republican could have won.

During an exclusive interview with NY1 in his Midtown office on Fifth Avenue, Trump slammed President George Bush's foreign policies.

"You know, you can be enemies with people, whether it's Iran, Iraq, or anyplace else and you can still have dialogue. These people wouldn't even talk with him. It's terrible," said Trump.

While he had harsh words for the outgoing president, he had a much different opinion of President-elect Barack Obama.

"I think he has a chance to go down as a great president. Now, if he's not a great president, this country is in serious trouble," said Trump.

"I think [Obama's] going to lead through consensus," continued Trump. "It's not going to be just a bull run like Bush did. He just did whatever the hell he wanted. He'd go into a country, attack Iraq, which had nothing to do with the World Trade Center and just do it because he wanted to do it."

Trump was then asked if he ever thought he would see an African-American president in his lifetime.

"They always said 100 years before a black man or woman could be elected president. And the 100 years turned out to be, like, one year. He's done an amazing job," said Trump.

An Associated Press GFK poll released Tuesday shows that a majority of people share Trump's approval of Obama...' trump:
'CARTER WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY'...
'BUSH WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY'...
'OBAMA WORST PRESIDENT IN HISTORY...
[ Clearly, like wobama, mobster trump is full of his own s***! ]

'Black Swan Dance Double: Filmmakers Are "Completely Lying" - In a new 20/20 interview airing tonight (4/15/11), Natalie Portman's dance double from Black Swan...

Eye on entertainment (Washington Post) [ I don't ordinarily 'do entertainment' but I'm compelled to comment that I was taken in on the following (I was somewhat amazed by what I falsely presumed to be Portman's 'quick study' ballet performance … not! … eh ... what can you expect from someone born in israel), but not taken in as so many in the latter concerning that highly publicized 'threat to society'; the infamous Lindsey Lohan. ‘Black Swan' double claims Portman did only 5% of dance shots...'The ballerina who served as a dancing double for Natalie Portman’s Oscar-winnning role in Black Swan tells EW she has been the victim of a “cover-up” to mislead the public about how much dancing Portman actually did in the film. “Of the full body shots, I would say 5 percent are Natalie,” says Sarah Lane, 27, an American Ballet Theatre soloist who performed many of the film’s complicated dance sequences, allowing Portman’s face to be digitally grafted onto her body. “All the other shots are me.”

Lane’s claim follows a March 23 L.A. Times article in which Portman’s fiancé and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied said Lane’s work in the film was far less significant. “There are articles now talking about her dance double [American Ballet Theatre dancer Sarah Lane] that are making it sound like [Lane] did a lot of the work, but really, she just did the footwork, and the fouettés, and one diagonal [phrase] in the studio,” he said. “Honestly, 85 percent of that movie is Natalie.”

Lane disagrees. “The shots that are just her face with arms, those shots are definitely Natalie,” she says. “But that doesn’t show the actual dancing.” Lane admits that she was never promised a particular title for her six weeks of work on the film, though she was disappointed to see that she is credited only as as “Hand Model,” “Stunt Double,” and “Lady in the Lane” (a brief walk-on role).

Lane also says that Black Swan producer Ari Handel specifically told her not to talk about her work to the press, even though she claims there was no such stipulation in her contract. “They wanted to create this idea in people’s minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar,” says Lane. “It is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. I’ve been doing this for 22 years…. Can you become a concert pianist in a year and a half, even if you’re a movie star?”...'' ]

[ Give Lane a break! This in no way disparages nor diminishes Portman's acting performance or the film which I found to be superb (which I attribute to my own personal fascination with viewing female ballet dancing) though my pick for Oscar was 'Inception' by Nolan. ] [ Drudgereport: FADE: OSCAR RATINGS DOWN 10% ...
Injury Added to Insult... [ In terms of production value (rich in content in every way), I believe this to be as good and in my view better than ever as award ceremonies can be without the inimitable Bob Hope. I believe any falloff can be directly attributable to last year the academy’s egregious misstep in overlooking ‘Avatar’ / Cameron presaging a similar fate concerning my clear choice of ‘Inception’ / Nolan ( Truth be told, I’ve yet to see ‘The King’s Speech’ failing to muster any enthusiasm for seeing a film centered around a ‘so-called royal’ trying to over-come a speech impediment, albeit a minor one, regardless of circumstances; viz., stuttering, though I would concede that it was probably well done. We all know of the problems attendant to english royal inbreeding…ho hum…) I did find ‘The Black Swan’ superb but attribute same to my own bias and fascination with viewing female ballet dancing). Bob Hope: Academy Awards, ‘passover’ … very funny! ]

Lohan rejects judge's plea offer in theft case (AP) [ It is common practice in the entertainment industry for 'loaners' far more expensive than the subject 'costume piece' here, to garner the benefit of the 'show and tell', particularly for this little hole in the wall in Venice. I mean, come on; this was hardly a surprise taking in a bustling store overrun by customers. Then there are the 'evidentiary' problems attendant to the venal motives of the store itself and monies received. In all, one must conclude that these invariably corrupt judges / prosecutors as corrupt steve the cooley (check out those land deals) like to bully the girls, ie., Lindsay Lohan, Winona Ryder, etc.. I'm not going to mention the guys of late who got a pass. Blatant misogyny? What else can you call it; particularly since they're letting scores of far more serious criminals out of jail, and we all know the numbers of serious violent criminals walkin' the streets with impunity in so-cal. Paris Hilton prosecutor arrested for buying cocaine (Reuters) ]

Penn State wins first title since 1953 Nittany Lions lead four schools with five All-Americans Roger Moore, NCAA.com [ I'm totally astounded … never woulda' thunk it … but with a mascot like a lion … how could they lose! ]

2011 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA USA
March 17-19, 2011

Outstanding Wrestler - Anthony Robles, Arizona State, 125 lbs.

Team Standings - 3/20/2011

1 - 107.5 - Penn State
2  -  93.5 - Cornell
3  -  86.5 - Iowa
4  -  70.5 - Oklahoma State
5  -  65.0 - American
6  -  62.5 - Arizona State
7  -  61.0 - Minnesota
8  -  58.5 - Lehigh
9  -  57.5 - Boise State
10 - 54.5 - Wisconsin
11 - 44.0 - Stanford
12 - 43.5 - Nebraska
13 - 39.0 - Central Michigan
13 - 39.0 - Northwestern
15 - 38.5 - Michigan
16 - 38.0 - Oklahoma
17 - 37.0 - Kent State
18 - 35.5 - Maryland
19 - 35.0 - Missouri
20 - 31.5 - Iowa State
21 - 26.0 - Oregon
22 - 25.0 - Illinois
23 - 24.0 - Edinboro
23 - 24.0 - Virginia
25 - 23.5 - Indiana
26 - 22.0 - Hofstra
27 - 21.5 - Rutgers
28 - 21.0 - Wyoming
29 - 20.5 - Ohio State
30 - 18.5 - Utah Valley University
31 - 17.5 - Pennsylvania
32 - 17.0 - Cal Poly
33 - 16.0 - Virginia Tech
34 - 15.5 - Pittsburgh
35 - 12.5 - Harvard
36 - 11.5 - Bucknell
37 - 11.0 - Navy
37 - 11.0 - Old Dominion
39  - 9.0 - Buffalo
39  - 9.0 - Columbia
39  - 9.0 - Purdue
42  - 8.0 - Boston U
43  - 7.0 - Michigan State
43  - 7.0 - North Carolina
45  - 6.0 - Lock Haven
46  - 5.5 - Air Force
46  - 5.5 - Northern Iowa
48  - 5.0 - Clarion
48  - 5.0 - Duke
48  - 5.0 - Rider
51  - 4.5 - West Virginia
52  - 4.0 - North Carolina-Greensboro
52  - 4.0 - North Dakota State University
54  - 3.5 - Bloomsburg
54  - 3.5 - Northern Illinois
56  - 3.0 - Appalachian State
56  - 3.0 - Binghamton
56  - 3.0 - North Carolina State
56  - 3.0 - Ohio
60  - 2.0 - Drexel
60  - 2.0 - Northern Colorado
62  - 1.0 - Army
62  - 1.0 - Cal State Bakersfield
62  - 1.0 - Gardner-Webb
65  - 0.0 - Campbell
65  - 0.0 - Chattanooga
65  - 0.0 - Eastern Michigan
65  - 0.0 - Franklin & Marshall
65  - 0.0 - Liberty
65  - 0.0 - Millersville
65  - 0.0 - Princeton
65  - 0.0 - The Citadel
65  - 0.0 - VMI

MEDALISTS

Wt. 125
125 1st:  Anthony Robles (Arizona State)
125 2nd:  Matt McDonough (Iowa)
125 3rd:  Brandon Precin (Northwestern)
125 4th:  Ben Kjar (Utah Valley University)
125 5th:  Zachary Sanders (Minnesota)
125 6th:  Ryan Mango (Stanford)
125 7th:  Jarrod Patterson (Oklahoma)
125 8th:  James Nicholson (Old Dominion)

Wt. 133
133 1st:  Jordan Oliver (Oklahoma State)
133 2nd:  Andrew Hochstrasser (Boise State)
133 3rd:  Andrew Long (Penn State)
133 4th:  Scotti Sentes (Central Michigan)
133 5th:  Tyler Graff (Wisconsin)
133 6th:  Mike Grey (Cornell)
133 7th:  Lou Ruggirello (Hofstra)
133 8th:  Bernard Futrell (Illinois)

Wt. 141
141 1st:  Kellen Russell (Michigan)
141 2nd:  Borislav Novachkov (Cal Poly)
141 3rd:  Michael Thorn (Minnesota)
141 4th:  Montell Marion (Iowa)
141 5th:  James Kennedy (Illinois)
141 6th:  Todd Schavrien (Missouri)
141 7th:  Zack Bailey (Oklahoma)
141 8th:  Zack Kemmerer (Pennsylvania)

Wt. 149
149 1st:  Kyle Dake (Cornell)
149 2nd:  Frank Molinaro (Penn State)
149 3rd:  Jason Chamberlain (Boise State)
149 4th:  Ganbayar Sanjaa (American)
149 5th:  Jamal Parks (Oklahoma State)
149 6th:  Andrew Nadhir (Northwestern)
149 7th:  Kevin LeValley (Bucknell)
149 8th:  Derek Valenti (Virginia)

Wt. 157
157 1st:  Bubba Jenkins (Arizona State)
157 2nd:  David Taylor (Penn State)
157 3rd:  Steve Fittery (American)
157 4th:  Derek St. John (Iowa)
157 5th:  Adam Hall (Boise State)
157 6th:  Jason Welch (Northwestern)
157 7th:  Bryce Saddoris (Navy)
157 8th:  Walter Peppelman (Harvard)

Wt. 165
165 1st:  Jordan Burroughs (Nebraska)
165 2nd:  Tyler Caldwell (Oklahoma)
165 3rd:  Andrew Howe (Wisconsin)
165 4th:  Colt Sponseller (Ohio State)
165 5th:  Shane Onufer (Wyoming)
165 6th:  Josh Asper (Maryland)
165 7th:  Brandon Hatchett (Lehigh)
165 8th:  Paul Gillespie (Hofstra)

Wt. 174
174 1st:  Jonathan Reader (Iowa State)
174 2nd:  Nick Amuchastegui (Stanford)
174 3rd:  Edward Ruth (Penn State)
174 4th:  Mack Lewnes (Cornell)
174 5th:  Colby Covington (Oregon State)
174 6th:  Christopher Henrich (Virginia)
174 7th:  Mike Letts (Maryland)
174 8th:  Ben Bennett (Central Michigan)

Wt. 184
184 1st:  Quentin Wright (Penn State)
184 2nd:  Robert Hamlin (Lehigh)
184 3rd:  Grant Gambrall (Iowa)
184 4th:  Steve Bosak (Cornell)
184 5th:  Christopher Honeycutt (Edinboro)
184 6th:  Joe LeBlanc (Wyoming)
184 7th:  Travis Rutt (Wisconsin)
184 8th:  Kevin Steinhaus (Minnesota)

Wt. 197
197 1st:  Dustin Kilgore (Kent State)
197 2nd:  Clayton Foster (Oklahoma State)
197 3rd:  Cam Simaz (Cornell)
197 4th:  Trevor Brandvold (Wisconsin)
197 5th:  Luke Lofthouse (Iowa)
197 6th:  Zack Giesen (Stanford)
197 7th:  Sonny Yohn (Minnesota)
197 8th:  Matt Powless (Indiana)

Wt. 285
285 1st:  Zachery Rey (Lehigh)
285 2nd:  Ryan Flores (American)
285 3rd:  Dominque Bradley (Missouri)
285 4th:  Jarod Trice (Central Michigan)
285 5th:  Ricardo Alcala (Indiana)
285 6th:  Spencer Myers (Maryland)
285 7th:  Anthony Nelson (Minnesota)
285 8th:  Levi Cooper (Arizona State)

Session V Team Standings

2. Session V Brackets

3. Session V Match-by-Match

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Penn State University math majors were working during Saturday’s first session.

With the program’s first championship since 1953 within reach, it wasn’t a matter of ‘if’, but ‘when.’

When Wisconsin’s Tyler Graff beat Cornell’s Mike Grey for fifth place at 133 and PSU’s Andrew Long rallied to beat Central Michigan’s Scotti Sentes for third at the same weight, the Nittany Lion lead was 102.5 to 88.5, a 14-point advantage ahead of Cornell.

Fittingly, when Penn State’s Ed Ruth and Cornell’s Mack Lewnes didn’t end with a pin – in Lewnes’ favor – the team title was mathematically clinched.

“This is a real tough tournament. Things go your way sometimes and sometimes they don’t,” said second-year Nittany Lion coach Cael Sanderson after Ruth’s victory against Lewnes. “You just have to want it and you can see it the kids’ eyes before they wrestle. I really liked the way guys wrestled this week.

“Our guys today did a great job. They made it really easy for our guys in the finals. Now they can just focus on going out there and chasing their dream.”

Ruth had to injury default his quarterfinal match to Stanford’s Nick Amuchastegui on Friday morning. There was questions as to whether he could come back.

Ruth, the No. 2 seed at 174, came back with a 7-6 win and a 42-second pin on Friday night. After beating Virginia’s Chris Henrich, he finished off Lewnes and Cornell.

“It’s a big honor [to clinch the team title],” Ruth said. “I was thinking of my knee and all the things that could go wrong and all the things that could go right.”

Added Sanderson, “To do that as freshman, to have that kind of frustration and then come back to beat some tough kids, it really shows a lot of who Ed Ruth is. Just really proud of him.”

The battle of attrition was all-but-decided on Friday night when the Nittany Lions pushed three into the finals and the Big Red saw Lewnes, third-seed Steve Bozak and No. 1 seed Cam Simaz lose back-to-back semifinal matches.

PSU, Cornell, Iowa and Minnesota all finish with five All-Americans with Oklahoma State and American leading a pack of 10 with three apiece.

“This tournament is going to take five or six All-Americans [to win],” said Oklahoma State coach John Smith before the tournament. “And you have to have high All-Americans, a couple of guys in the finals and two or three high finishers. If you have less than five you aren’t going to have a chance.”

The Cowboys put two in the finals but only managed one other All-American – 149-pounder Jamal Parks.

Penn State’s Frank Molinaro, David Taylor and Quentin Wright still have a match to wrestle in the finals Saturday night. Sophomore 133-pounder Andrew Long bounced back from a semifinal loss to win two matches, including a pin of Cornell’s Mike Grey Saturday morning. Long, a transfer from Iowa State, lost in the 125-pound final in 2010 and finished third in 2011.

“(Long) has been a big part of this team,” Sanderson said. “He brings intensity everyday, a good attitude to practice. He was a big addition to our program.”

Iowa, winners of three consecutive team titles from 2008 to 2010, pushed just one to a final and saw Montell Marion, Derek St. John and Grant Gambrall take fourth place.

The first
Utah Valley’s Ben Kjar finished fourth at 125 pounds. The senior dropped a 4-2 decision to top-seeded Anthony Robles of Arizona State in Friday’s semifinals. After winning a bout Saturday morning, Kjar lost to Northwestern’s Brandon Precin in the third-place match.

Kjar (30-8) is the first Division I All-American in program history.

“I’m happy for the program,” said Penn State assistant coach Cody Sanderson, who was the school’s first coach in 2003 when wrestling was added. “It’s important for a young program like (Utah Valley) to have All-Americans. It’s not easy at a place like that, it takes a lot of work.

“I’m very happy for (Kjar).”

Four-timer
American’s Steve Fittery finished his career as a four-time All-American, twice in Division II for Shippensburg (Pa.) State and twice in DI for the Eagles. The Pennsylvania native, who finished this season 33-1, took third at 157 after beating Boise State’s Adam Hall and Iowa’s Dan St. John on Saturday. 

Three-timers
Minnesota’s Zach Sanders, Northwestern’s Brandon Precin, Illinois’ James Kennedy, Wisconsin’s Andrew Howe, Virginia’s Chris Henrich each picked up their third All-America medal this week. Sanders, fifth at 125 pounds, and Howe, third at 165 after winning the title in 2010, will be back for one more season.

The next one?
University of Oklahoma head coach Jack Spates announced his retirement earlier this season. The Division II champion for Slippery Rock as a student-athlete in 1973 and Division I finalist in 1974 saw Jarrod Patterson, seventh at 125, and Zack Bailey, seventh at 141, finish as All-Americans in his final season.

Spates will coach one last time on the big stage Saturday night when Tyler Caldwell faces Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs in the 165-pound final.

Word around Philadelphia is that former world champion and current assistant coach Sam Henson will take over the program which has won seven NCAA championships, the last in 1974 under Stan Abel.

Iron Man Award(s)
Maryland heavyweight Spencer Myers lost a 9-7 overtime match to Indiana’s Ricky Alcala in the first round on Thursday morning. The freshman from Selinsgrove, Pa., came back to win five matches before falling to Missouri’s Dom Bradley in the wrestleback semifinals. 

Myers (30-11) wrestled seven matches in three days and took home a sixth-place medal after falling to Alcala again in the fifth-place match.

Northwestern 149-pounder Andrew Nadhir, the 11th seed, was pinned by Lehigh’s Joey Napoli in the first round. Nadhir, a senior from Michigan, had to go overtime to beat Pitt’s Dane Johnson in his first wrestleback, and again against Wyoming’s Cole Dallaserra two rounds later, on his march to a sixth-place showing.

Like Myers, Nadhir (34-7) wrestled seven matches in the tournament, losing to Oklahoma State’s Jamal Parks in the fifth-place contest. '

Budget passes, but conservatives let down (Washington Post) The compromise touted as cutting $38.5 billion would actually only cut $352 million this fiscal year, an analysis says. While that didn’t prevent the budget from passing, it could sour some Republicans. [ Come on! This 'budget deal' was a showboating scam ab initio … Davis gets this right: Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (WP) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (WP) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees.

U.S. Deficit to Rise to Largest Among Major Economies, IMF Says The U.S. is set to have the largest budget deficit of major developed economies this year and should narrow it now rather than face tough adjustments in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said.

Inflation, fueled by gas and food prices, adds to worry

White House warns of debt ‘Armageddon’

Drudgereport: Obama to Call for Higher Taxes...
DEFICIT ROCKETS 16% IN FIRST HALF OF YEAR...
Inflation Actually 'Near 10%'...
IMF: US 'lacks credibility' on debt...

U.S. response in Bahrain criticized (Washington Post) With Bahrain’s iron first tightening, the White House is facing awkward questions on its Mideast approach. [ Approach? What approach? That is, what cohesive, rational strategy can be discerned at least through the last decade to present other than a self-fulfilling, self-perpetuating, self-defeating policy that has literally alienated much of the world, even beyond that region, against america while literally bankrupting this nation. Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (WP) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (WP) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what doing what he promised not to, and not doing what he promised to do, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low

New World Powers Push for End of Dollar Dominance Reuters | The BRICS group of emerging-market powers kept up the pressure on Thursday for a revamped global monetary system that relies less on the dollar

Paper: Obama’s Speech Most ‘Dishonest in Decades’ WSJ | Obama’s toxic speech and even worse plan for deficits and debt.

Libya: All About Oil, or All About Banking? I have never before heard of a central bank being created in just a matter of weeks out of a popular uprising. This suggests we have a bit more than a rag tag bunch of rebels running around and that there are some pretty sophisticated influences.

Corrupted!: 5 Shocking Examples Of Government Corruption That Will Blow Your Mind At times it really is breathtaking how corrupted the U.S. government has become. Government corruption has become so endemic in our society that most people have just kind of accepted it as “normal”. ]

A new economic world order? (Washington Post) Brazil, Russia, India, China and S. Africa use third summit to demand restructuring of global finance. [

New World Powers Push for End of Dollar Dominance Reuters | The BRICS group of emerging-market powers kept up the pressure on Thursday for a revamped global monetary system that relies less on the dollar. Let's not kid ourselves … for the rest of the world, if not this nation, reality counts! Too many people, in too many nations (including this one), in too many ways, have been burnt by pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america. Weekly Unemployment Claims Suddenly Jump Higher Wall St. Cheat Sheet 'The Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report was released this morning for last week. The 27,000 increase in claims is on top of a 3,000 upward revision to the previous week’s claims. Here is the official statement from the Department of Labor: …' [ Spare yourself their mindless b*** s***/statement. Do you know how many points on the dow, etc., that b.s. story was good for... then there's the 'stopped looking fudge factor'. ] [ Worthless dollar, high metals, high oil price rally on wall street … riiiiight! ] Trade Data is Bleak: Exports Down, Imports Down, Growth Estimates Down

Dow, S&P inch up as growth questioned, Google off late (Reuters) Stocks that outperform in a weak economy helped the Dow and S&P 500 eke out gains on Thursday as concerns about faltering growth and inflation prompted investors to seek out less volatile na...

Earnings Help DJIA Turn a Bad Day Good [ Earnings? Are people dreaming … blocking … repressing reality? Kaspar '… ... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” accounting profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...' ]

Congress OKs big budget cuts, bigger fights await (AP) [ Record? Come on! Wake up! In todays evermore worthless dollars, and compared to the record, insurmountable debt? They're dreamin'! Barely covers annual interest! ]

Shut out of ownership? (Washington Post) Officials criticize White House proposal to push home buyers to come up with 20% down payments. [ And especially in this economy … things are much worse than they are 'letting on' … take a look at these realistically dismal charts from of all places, the St. Louis fed for a more sobering view: 10 Scary Charts: A 'Post-Recession' Economy Wake Up Call Kavadas 'I find the following 10 charts to be disturbing. These charts would be disturbing at any point in the economic cycle; that they depict such a tenuous situation now – 21 months after the official (as per the 9-20-10 NBER announcement) June 2009 end of the recession – is especially notable.

...

These following charts are from the St. Louis Federal Reserve:

Housing starts (last updated 3-16-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_houst_3_16_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

The Federal Deficit (last updated 2-17-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_fyfsd_2_17_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

Federal Net Outlays (last updated 2-17-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_fyonet_2_17_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

State & Local Personal Income Tax Receipts (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 3-25-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totll_4_11_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

Total Loans and Leases of Commercial Banks (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 4-11-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totll_4_11_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

Bank Credit – All Commercial Banks (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 4-11-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totbkcr_4_11_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

M1 Money Multiplier (last updated 4-7-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_mult_4_7_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

Median Duration of Unemployment (last updated 4-1-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_uempmed_4_1_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

This next chart is from the CalculatedRisk.com blog post of 4-1-11, and it shows (in red) the relative length and depth of this downturn and subsequent recovery from an employment perspective:

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_calcrisk_recession_job_losses_4_1_11.jpg

(Click to enlarge)

This last chart is of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index and it depicts broad-based economic activity (last updated 3-21-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_cfnai_monthly_ma3_3_21_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

…' ]

Clinton predicts violent spring in Afghanistan (Washington Post) Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday warned NATO allies not to abandon Afghanistan and predicted a violent spring in the war there. [ Well, there you go … something to look forward to … sounds like a plan … you know, that progress thing so touted by gates / petraeus … and don't be surprised if in a symbolic gesture to drive home her non-message that she plant some forget-me-nots in the ever growing cemeteries which realistically remind us that these people, particularly innocent civilians, died for no good reason at all. Then again there's america's defacto bankruptcy. 'Alas, poor america … a nation of infinite jest, and unexcellent fancy … and pervasive criminality' … Barry Bonds Faces Jail Time While Wall Street Execs Sit Pretty Touryalai ' … Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released the findings of a 2-year investigation around Wall Street’s bad behavior leading up the financial crisis. The report concluded that Wall Street firms contaminated the U.S. financial system with toxic mortgages and engaged in conflicts of interest. Goldman Sachs’ behavior was especially egregious according to the report, and Senator Carl Levin wants everyone to know it. In fact, he hopes to see the “great vampire squid” face criminal charges for allegedly lying in its 2010 testimony before Congress.“In my judgment, Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled the Congress,” he said.So now, Levin plans to refer that testimony to the Department of Justice (which has the power to bring criminal charges) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (which has authority to bring civil charges and fines and already did against Goldman when it settled for $550 million.)But will Levin’s threats amount to any criminal action against Goldman? Probably not ... it seems like Levin isn’t even going after Goldman for any of its actual business activity rather he’s accusing the firm’s executives like CEO Lloyd Blankfein of lying before Congress. Here’s the problem with that: the question and answer session between Senators and executives during the testimony was so incredibly rife with unclarity and so confusing that it would be hard to accuse the executives of willingly giving false answers.Bill Singer, a veteran Wall Street securities lawyer and Forbes contributor says the senators’ questions were so tactless and fuzzy that they allowed for extremely indirect answers by executives. Singers says the testimony made him “wince” when he heard the “incompetent” Congress members deliver speeches and follow them up with inept questions...' Former fund manager charged (WP) [ Joseph F. Skowron III accused of insider trading. Drudgereport: Senate panel slams Goldman in scathing crisis report... (Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled Congress … referring this matter to the Justice Department and to the SEC) ]

Weekly Unemployment Claims Suddenly Jump Higher Wall St. Cheat Sheet 'The Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report was released this morning for last week. The 27,000 increase in claims is on top of a 3,000 upward revision to the previous week’s claims. Here is the official statement from the Department of Labor: …' [ Spare yourself their mindless b*** s***/statement. Do you know how many points on the dow, etc., that b.s. story was good for... then there's the 'stopped looking fudge factor'. ] [ Worthless dollar, high metals, high oil price rally on wall street … riiiiight! ] Trade Data is Bleak: Exports Down, Imports Down, Growth Estimates Down

Dow, S&P inch up as growth questioned, Google off late (Reuters) Stocks that outperform in a weak economy helped the Dow and S&P 500 eke out gains on Thursday as concerns about faltering growth and inflation prompted investors to seek out less volatile na...

Earnings Help DJIA Turn a Bad Day Good [ Earnings? Are people dreaming … blocking … repressing reality? Kaspar '… ... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” accounting profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...' ]

Congress OKs big budget cuts, bigger fights await (AP) [ Record? Come on! Wake up! In todays evermore worthless dollars, and compared to the record, insurmountable debt? They're dreamin'! Barely covers annual interest! ]AP - Congress sent President Barack Obama hard-fought legislation cutting a record $38 billion from domestic spending on Thursday, bestowing bipartisan support on the first major compromise between th...

'Perfect Storm' Has Markets in Its Path

LIARS! Goldman Sachs is the Next Barry BondsWall Street Cheat Sheet 'If you hate Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS), you’ll love today’s news. A Senate subcommittee released a new report showing how Goldman recommended four Collateralized Debt Obligations — Hudson, Anderson, Timberwolf, and Abacus — to its clients without “fully disclosing key information about those products,” or Goldman’s opinions of the securities.

To make matters worse for the firm some people describe as a “Vampire Squid“, Sen. Carl Levin said the Senators also found new evidence proving Goldman Sachs’ (NYSE:GS) executives including CEO  Lloyd Blankfein may have perjured themselves during Congressional testimony given last year. Move over Barry Bonds. Steroid use didn’t abet the collapse of the US economy.

Goldman isn’t the only high profile bank (NYSE:XLF) on the coals.  Deutsche Bank (NYSE:DB) committed the same scams and Washington Mutual (NYSE:JPM) “knowingly underwrote mortgages of questionable value despite warnings from their chief credit officer.”

Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) already agreed to pay $550 million to settle civil fraud charges over similar accusations. So, they can’t be squeaky clean. And we all know Congress is looking for more blood, so I think Blankfein and friends better be taking notes on how everything plays out with Barry Bonds.

Goldman may also consider spending less time issuing bearish analyst notes on Oil and more on the operation in their own building.'

Barry Bonds Faces Jail Time While Wall Street Execs Sit Pretty Touryalai ' … Yesterday, the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations released the findings of a 2-year investigation around Wall Street’s bad behavior leading up the financial crisis. The report concluded that Wall Street firms contaminated the U.S. financial system with toxic mortgages and engaged in conflicts of interest.Goldman Sachs’ behavior was especially egregious according to the report, and Senator Carl Levin wants everyone to know it.In fact, he hopes to see the “great vampire squid” face criminal charges for allegedly lying in its 2010 testimony before Congress.“In my judgment, Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled the Congress,” he said.So now, Levin plans to refer that testimony to the Department of Justice (which has the power to bring criminal charges) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (which has authority to bring civil charges and fines and already did against Goldman when it settled for $550 million.)But will Levin’s threats amount to any criminal action against Goldman? Probably not.First, it seems like Levin isn’t even going after Goldman for any of its actual business activity rather he’s accusing the firm’s executives like CEO Lloyd Blankfein of lying before Congress. Here’s the problem with that: the question and answer session between Senators and executives during the testimony was so incredibly rife with unclarity and so confusing that it would be hard to accuse the executives of willingly giving false answers.Bill Singer, a veteran Wall Street securities lawyer and Forbes contributor says the senators’ questions were so tactless and fuzzy that they allowed for extremely indirect answers by executives. Singers says the testimony made him “wince” when he heard the “incompetent” Congress members deliver speeches and follow them up with inept questions...' Former fund manager charged (Washington Post) [ Joseph F. Skowron III accused of insider trading. Drudgereport: Senate panel slams Goldman in scathing crisis report... (Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled Congress … referring this matter to the Justice Department and to the SEC)

Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding.

Exhibit one: The cyclically-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, or CAPE.

This is not a “fad” valuation metric. CAPE dates back to 1871, offering 140 years worth of data, during which time, the mean price-to-earnings ratio is 16.

According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble … A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s ...

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

U.S. Consumer Credit Puts Markets and Economy on Notice Alexandre 'I often see money supply as the headline when pointing to inflationary pressures building up in the system, but the supply of anything is not very meaningful unless it is being consumed. If I attend a party and the host drops 12 bottles of the finest wine on my lap, I will not get drunk unless I consume the mind-altering juice.

Apparently the effects of the Fed’s Quantitative Easing – or "money printing," if one wishes – are muted at best, and the so-called runaway inflation is not taking shape, although the recent oil spike is only now impacting retail food prices – mostly vegetables, fruit, and dairy -- and has added a few percentage points to daily staples. I am aware of this because I do most of the household food shopping and can recite the current prices of a number of items, and what they were last December, although aggressive sales on a variety of items continue to take place to attract a shrinking consumer’s wallet. However, more pronounced deflationary pressures continue to erode the savings tied to real estate – the largest asset for most Americans – and will not end anytime soon.

U.S. trade balance figures were best summarized by Reuters, and came on the heels of the first Chinese trade balance negative quarter since 2004:

U.S. imports and exports fell in February, prompting analysts to cut again their forecasts for U.S. economic growth in early 2011 and showing signs of a slowing in the global recovery. The trade gap totaled $45.8 billion and was down 2.6 percent from January as imports fell faster than exports, even as oil prices hit their highest level since October 2008, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday.

U.S. retail sales delivered a mixed and weak picture, due to the high price of gasoline with 0.4% growth and 0.8% core, while previous numbers were revised up — February from 0.3% to 0.7%, and March’s sales increased to 1.1% from 1.0%. However, auto sales shrunk 1.7%, which brings us to consumer credit and how the data series is building an uneasy picture of divergence between reality and expectations. Even if one is to assume that the Fed’s quantitative easing had a hand in credit expansion, the impact was negligible and is already fading before the program ends.

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/765325-130278941172719-Carlos-X--Alexandre.png

Revolving credit includes credit cards, or the daily financial bread and butter for most consumers. Non-revolving is defined by the Federal Reserve Board in its release as including “automobile loans and all other loans not included in revolving credit, such as loans for mobile homes, education, boats, trailers, or vacations. These loans may be secured or unsecured.”

For the record, consumer credit expanded virtually non-stop between 1943 and 2008, then dropped precipitously into last year. Now we are observing an expansion of non-revolving, a resumption of a contraction in the revolving category, and total consumer credit displaying a little bounce and starting to descend again. Residential mortgages and home equity lines of credit are not tracked by the Fed in this report, but we know that tale from other sources.

But let’s stop a second and take a look at the non-revolving story. Of the seven types — and you can see them in the release — only “Federal Government” increased, while the other six decreased. Why? Student loans. That type of credit, although helpful to those seeking an education, is not contributing to the traditional economic engine, and without student loans, consumer credit would have been short by $9 billion – and an overall contraction.

One very interesting piece of data in the report is the “Loan-to-Value Ratio” for new car loans at auto finance companies; I see it as a little window into consumers’ demeanor. Where in 2006 the consumer was financing 94% of value, the latest reading shows a huge decline to 80% – larger cash down payments – and that is a screaming reflection of consumers’ attitudes toward debt. The table below shows that, with the exception of the “Loan-to-Value Ratio,” not much has changed between 2006 and today.

New Car Loans by Auto Finance Companies	2006	2011
Interest Rate	4.99%	4.73%
Loan Maturity	63 months	62.3 months
Loan-to-Value Ratio	94%	80%
Amount Financed	$26,620	$26,673

Joe and Mary Consumer are extremely conservative about their money, and no longer splurge without a second thought. Going forward, consumer attitudes have changed considerably, are here to stay, and are not priced in the markets. The fallout will be felt for a very long time, and for those who state that the American consumer is not that important in a global sense, time will tell – and the cracks are already showing...'

10 Scary Charts: A 'Post-Recession' Economy Wake Up Call Kavadas 'I find the following 10 charts to be disturbing. These charts would be disturbing at any point in the economic cycle; that they depict such a tenuous situation now – 21 months after the official (as per the 9-20-10 NBER announcement) June 2009 end of the recession – is especially notable.

These charts raise a lot of questions. As well, they highlight the "atypical" nature of our economic situation from a long-term historical perspective. I regularly discuss many troubling characteristics of our economy in this EconomicGreenfield.com blog.

All of these charts (except one, as noted) are from the Federal Reserve, and represent the most recently updated data.

These following charts are from the St. Louis Federal Reserve:

Housing starts (last updated 3-16-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_houst_3_16_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

The Federal Deficit (last updated 2-17-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_fyfsd_2_17_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

Federal Net Outlays (last updated 2-17-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_fyonet_2_17_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

State & Local Personal Income Tax Receipts (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 3-25-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totll_4_11_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

Total Loans and Leases of Commercial Banks (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 4-11-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totll_4_11_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

Bank Credit – All Commercial Banks (% Change from Year Ago)(last updated 4-11-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_totbkcr_4_11_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

M1 Money Multiplier (last updated 4-7-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_mult_4_7_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

Median Duration of Unemployment (last updated 4-1-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_uempmed_4_1_11_1.png

(Click to enlarge)

This next chart is from the CalculatedRisk.com blog post of 4-1-11, and it shows (in red) the relative length and depth of this downturn and subsequent recovery from an employment perspective:

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_economicgreenfield_4_13_11_calcrisk_recession_job_losses_4_1_11.jpg

(Click to enlarge)

This last chart is of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index and it depicts broad-based economic activity (last updated 3-21-11):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/14/saupload_cfnai_monthly_ma3_3_21_11.png

(Click to enlarge)

I will update these charts on an intermittent basis as they deserve close monitoring ...'

Consumers spend more, but on gas (Washington Post) [ Retail Sales Miss Expectations Wall St. Cheat Sheet  On Wednesday April 13, 2011, 9:40 am EDT 'The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $389.3 billion, an increase of 0.4 percent from the previous month, and 7.1 percent above March 2010. Analysts were expecting a rise of 0.5 percent...' Retail sales? Where? The mall? If they can find one with stores … Drudgereport: Malls hit highest vacancy in 11 years... This is the grim economic reality http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . A Trading System That Challenges the Efficient Market Hypothesis [ ...What parallel universe is McCurdy operating in? Even in the heyday of that so-called hypothesis, close examination of the data indicated that if you weren't timing the market you were, in a somewhat 'Charlie Sheenish' manner of speaking, duh! … losing! (my MBA Thesis, 1977, NYU GBA, Finance – which required study / mastery of such math intensive theory). Said 'hypothesis' wasn't true then and certainly isn't true today where complex computer-programming can and does artificially produce the various criteria / buy / sell / signals alluded to in the article (they're widely known / followed) creating the rigged / fraudulent trading game geared to maximized the 'churn-and-earn' commission profits (net negative in economic terms) and enabling the passing of 'those hot potatoes'/paper shares in a manner that resembles a game of musical chairs with those not in the loop winding up holding the bag (including pension funds, etc.); all the while funding those lavish lifesyles / over-compensation of the frauds on wall street along with the direct / indirect bribes inuring them from stigma and as well, insulating them from proper scrutiny and prosecution. Fundamentals, fundamental rational analysis has become virtually irrelevant to these now fraud-prone markets like never before in history facilitating frauds of magnitudes that have made the rationalization 'too big to fail' a byword... The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! ]

Bretton Woods II-attendee Joseph Stiglitz advocates global reserve currency RT | Fmr. World Bank Chief Economist says the US dollar as the reserve currency is hurting the entire world.

More Americans leaving workforce USA Today | Only 45.4% of Americans had jobs in 2010, the lowest rate since 1983.

Jobless Claims Unexpectedly Rise; Inflation Pressure Grows CNBC | Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 27,000 to a seasonally adjusted 412,000, the Labor Department said.

Goldman Sachs misled Congress after duping clients, Senate panel chairman says

Bloomberg | Goldman Sachs misled clients and Congress about the firm’s bets on securities tied to the housing market.

BRICS demand global monetary shake-up, greater influence The BRICS group of emerging-market powers kept up the pressure on Thursday for a revamped global monetary system that relies less on the dollar and for a louder voice in international financial institutions.

Gold prices to strike records ‘above $1,600 this year’ Record-breaking gold will likely surge past $1,600 per ounce for the first time later this year, driven by fears over high inflation and low global interest rates, consultancy GFMS forecast Wednesday.

Change: Percent Of Americans Working Lowest Since Reagan The share of the population that is working fell to its lowest level last year since women started entering the workforce in large numbers three decades ago, a USA TODAY analysis finds.

The Budget Deal Turns Out To Be A Gigantic Fraud Originally the deal between The White House and Congressional Republicans was touted for delivering $38 billion in cost savings.

ECONOMIC CRISIS ARCHIVE

(4-14-11) Dow  12,285  +14 Nasdaq  2,760  -1   S&P 500  1,314  -0-   [CLOSE- OIL $109.19   (-54% for year 2008) (RECORD TRADING HIGH $147.27) GAS $3.69 (reg. gas in LAND OF FRUITS AND NUTS  $4.07 REG./ $4.14 MID-GRADE/ $4.22 PREM./ $4.27  DIESEL) /  GOLD $1,476 (+24% for year 2009) / SILVER $42.22  (+47% for year 2009) PLATINUM $1,790 (+56% for year 2009)  Metal News for the Day       / DOLLAR= .69 EURO, 83 YEN, .60 POUND STERLING, ETC. (How low can you go - LOWER)/  Interest Rates: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/data-chart-center/interest-rates/Pages/TextView.aspx?data=yield 10 YR NOTE YIELD 3.51%        …..…   AP Business Highlights             ...Yahoo Market Update...      T. Rowe Price Weekly Recap – Stocks / Bonds / Currencies -  Domestic / International                    This Is a Secular Bear Market and The End of Buy and Hold … and Hope   The bull market that never was/were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold ‘WORST ECONOMIC COLLAPSE EVER’ Must Read Economic / Financial Data                     This Depression is just beginning The coming depression…  thecomingdepression.net The Next Wave of Collapse is Coming Sooner than you think Sliding Back Into the Great Depression ABSOLUTELY, ABSURDLY, RIDICULOUS! SELL / TAKE PROFITS WHILE YOU CAN SINCE MUCH, MUCH WORSE TO COME!

National / World

Alex Jones: We’re Not Your Slaves! Infowars | Alex takes a call from a chicago women who says the school system there has been corrupt for many years.

SWAT Attacks Home School Mom for Refusing to Force Med Child Kurt Nimmo | CPS works with SWAT team to grab home schooled child for refusing to take dangerous drug Risperdal.

TSA Gropes 8-Year Old Boy, In Front Of Outraged Mother Steve Watson | Ms Shehan quickly grabbed her camera and took photos to document the incident.

Red Pill Review: Police State 4 – The Rise of FEMA William Walbut | This review from our Red Pill Documentaries page covers Police State 4-The Rise of FEMA.

Obama, Boehner Budget Deal Increases Deficit Kurt Nimmo | Bernanke and the Fed are doing the best job they can to enslave you and your children.

Banks Face $3.6 Trillion ‘Wall’ of Debt: IMF Reuters | The world’s banks face a $3.6 trillion “wall of maturing debt” in the next two years.

Globalists Positioned to Exploit Japan’s Tragedy Tony Cartalucci | America couldn’t offer Japan much help even if they wanted to.

New World Powers Push for End of Dollar Dominance Reuters | The BRICS group of emerging-market powers kept up the pressure on Thursday for a revamped global monetary system that relies less on the dollar

Paper: Obama’s Speech Most ‘Dishonest in Decades’ WSJ | Obama’s toxic speech and even worse plan for deficits and debt.

Nuclear expert Fuksushima 1000 Time Worse Than Engineers Ever Anticipated Arnold Gundersen discusses the Fukushima Accident Severity Level Being Raised to Level 7, saying the Fukushima disasters is 1,000 times worse than the nuclear engineers who built the plant ever anticipated.

Libya: All About Oil, or All About Banking? I have never before heard of a central bank being created in just a matter of weeks out of a popular uprising. This suggests we have a bit more than a rag tag bunch of rebels running around and that there are some pretty sophisticated influences.

Busby: 400,000 to develop cancer in 200 km radius of Fukushima Engineers at Japan’s Fukushima plant continue work on emptying highly radioactive water from one of the nuclear reactors. The latest tests show that radiation levels in the sea near the damaged facility have spiked.

Corrupted!: 5 Shocking Examples Of Government Corruption That Will Blow Your Mind At times it really is breathtaking how corrupted the U.S. government has become. Government corruption has become so endemic in our society that most people have just kind of accepted it as “normal”.

Drudgereport: BUCHANAN: Obama blows up the bridge...
Tiny Tim (geithner): YOU WILL GIVE ME MORE MONEY
OBAMA CALLS NEW TAXES 'SPENDING REDUCTIONS IN TAX CODE'...
RYAN: 'Dramatically inaccurate,' 'hopelessly inadequate'...
CANTOR: Raising taxes 'is not the answer'...
Obama's Support Among Poor Drops to All-time Low...
Left's angst grows over president's 'shift to center'...
Pentagon Warns Obama Against Deeper Defense Cuts ... (And where is it going to come from ... I've said before, and it's still true today, that we've already had in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, war crimes nation america a defacto coup d'etat) ...
GOOGLE: IT'S A MISS
BANKS FACE $3,600,000,000,000 IN DEBT (and then there's the trillions in worthless, paper, toxic assets / securities that are being carried 'new FASB rule change defacto bankrupt american style)...
RISE OF NEW WORLD POWER[WITHOUT USA]...
SHOCK: CBO Says Budget Deal Will Cut Spending by Only $352 Million...
Libya Rebels in 'hopeless disarray'...
Seek $2 Billion Loan...
NATO short of planes...
Senate panel slams Goldman in scathing crisis report... (...Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled Congress … referring this matter to the Justice Department and to the SEC … )
NBC: Rev. Jesse Jackson Subject of Gay Harassment Complaint...
Duke lacrosse rape accuser faces more charges...
Man Mangum accused of stabbing dies...
JOBLESS CLAIMS RISE; INFLATION PRESSURE GROWS...
Suicide Rates Rise...
Consumers Hardest Hit by Oil Shock...
NEW WORLD POWERS PUSH FOR END OF DOLLAR DOMINANCE...
New York, San Diego no longer have white majorities...

'Embarrassing' Sarkozy biopic to debut at Cannes.. A biopic of Nicolas Sarkozy that charts his rise to power and break-up of his marriage has been selected for the Cannes Film Festival, threatening to turn the unpopular French president into an international laughing stock ... The premiere spells potential embarrassment for Mr Sarkozy and could dent his bid for a second presidential term at a time when his disapproval rating amongst the French electorate stands at 74 per cent'

BUCHANAN: Obama blows up the bridge... "Rather than building bridges, he's poisoning wells," said Rep. Paul Ryan, after listening to Barack Obama's scathing attack on his deficit-reduction plan as a shredding of America's social contract with the elderly and poor.

Ryan is right. Yet, with Obama's partisan savagery, virtually calling the GOP plan immoral, we have clarity.

There will be no grand bipartisan bargain on taxes and spending.

The two parties on Capitol Hill and the president will not be coming together to solve the gravest financial and fiscal crisis America has faced since the Great Depression. Between them today is a high wall and a deep ditch.

The heart of the Ryan plan is to turn Medicaid into block grants to the states, so each can decide for itself how best to use the funds, and to convert Medicare into a program where the U.S. government would provide citizens with the funds and freedom to chose whatever health insurance they wished to buy.

Obama denounced both.

But if the Republican Medicare and Medicaid proposals are dead on arrival in Harry Reid's Senate and Obama's White House, Obama's plan to raise taxes is equally lifeless.

Who's getting richer under the Obama regime? Find out in "Obamanomics: How Barack Obama Is Bankrupting You and Enriching His Wall Street Friends, Corporate Lobbyists, and Union Bosses"

On MSNBC's "Morning Joe," this writer asked Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform exactly how many GOP members of the House had taken his pledge not to raise taxes.

His response: "The commitment that 235 Republican members of the House and 40 Republicans in the Senate have signed is the Taxpayer Protection Pledge – it says no raising taxes. So, taxes are off the table."

Seems clear. But if virtually every GOP member of the House and 40 GOP senators have signed a pledge not to raise taxes, how can they dishonor that pledge?

How could they agree to raise the top U.S. income tax rate back up to the 40 percent of the Bill Clinton era, as Obama demands, then go home and tell voters they had no choice, that to get a deal with Reid and Obama they had to let the government take a larger share of the income of American citizens?

They cannot.

Put bluntly, a vote by a Republican House to raise taxes as part of a big budget deal would be an act of collective suicide by the party of Speaker John Boehner.

And the Democrats?

With the exception of the civil rights acts of the 1960s, no programs are more hallowed in party mythology than Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

Are Democrats, after the "shellacking" of 2010, going to go home and tell their constituents they voted to cut Medicaid benefits?

Are they going to tell the old folks of the Greatest Generation and the Silent Generation and the retiring baby boomers that Medicare in the future will not be as generous as it has been in the past, that we are going to have to start rationing their health care?

The new Republican governors – Scott Walker in Wisconsin, John Kasich in Ohio, Chris Christie in New Jersey, Tom Corbett in Pennsylvania – all have resisted raising taxes, as has Andrew Cuomo, Democrat of New York, who enjoys remarkably high poll numbers for the times we live in.

The praise these governors are receiving, even when embattled, has also steeled the spine of congressional Republicans against any tax increase.

But if Democrats are not going to do even minor surgery on Medicare and Medicaid and Republicans are not going to raise taxes, there is no hope of big budget deal to cut a deficit now running at 11 percent of gross domestic product.

And that raises another question.

How long can the Federal Reserve continue financing these deficits?

China, choking on U.S. debt, is reportedly beginning to divest itself of U.S. bonds. Japan will need to sell U.S. bonds to get hard currency to repair the damage from the earthquake and tsunami. And the Fed is about to end its QE2 monthly purchases of $100 billion in U.S. bonds.

Where is the Fed going to borrow the $125 billion a month to finance this year's deficit of $1.65 trillion, and another of comparable size in 2012?

Bill Gross' Pimco, the world's largest bond fund, has sold all his U.S. bonds and begun to short U.S. debt. Pimco is betting that the value of U.S. Treasury bonds will begin to fall.

We may be about to enter a maelstrom.

No big budget deal is brokered. The deficit endures, and another looms in 2012. To finance them, the Fed borrows at the rate of $30 billion a week wherever it can.

But as countries begin to choke on U.S. debt, the market starts to dry up. To attract investors, the Fed must raise interest rates, which sends bond prices sinking and forces interest rates up across the economy.

With interest rates rising, gas prices rising and inflation rising, the squeeze is on, and there is talk of a double-dip recession.

And if that happens, Obama is toast. But, then, so are we.'

Consumers spend more, but on gas (Washington Post) [ Retail Sales Miss ExpectationsWall St. Cheat Sheet  On Wednesday April 13, 2011, 9:40 am EDT 'The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $389.3 billion, an increase of 0.4 percent from the previous month, and 7.1 percent above March 2010. Analysts were expecting a rise of 0.5 percent...'

Where? The mall? If they can find one with stores … Drudgereport: Malls hit highest vacancy in 11 years... This is the grim economic reality http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . A Trading System That Challenges the Efficient Market Hypothesis [ ...What parallel universe is McCurdy operating in? Even in the heyday of that so-called hypothesis, close examination of the data indicated that if you weren't timing the market you were, in a somewhat 'Charlie Sheenish' manner of speaking, duh! … losing! (my MBA Thesis, 1977, NYU GBA, Finance – which required study / mastery of such math intensive theory) Said 'hypothesis' wasn't true then and certainly isn't true today where complex computer-programming can and does artificially produce the various criteria / buy / sell / signals alluded to in the article (they're widely known / followed) creating the rigged / fraudulent trading game geared to maximized the 'churn-and-earn' commission profits (net negative in economic terms) and enabling the passing of 'those hot potatoes'/paper shares in a manner that resembles a game of musical chairs with those not in the loop winding up holding the bag (including pension funds, etc.); all the while funding those lavish lifesyles / over-compensation of the frauds on wall street along with the direct / indirect bribes inuring them from stigma and as well, insulating them from proper scrutiny and prosecution. Fundamentals, fundamental rational analysis has become virtually irrelevant to these now fraud-prone markets like never before in history facilitating frauds of magnitudes that have made the rationalization 'too big to fail' a byword... The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! ]

Former fund manager charged (Washington Post) [ Joseph F. Skowron III accused of insider trading. Drudgereport: Senate panel slams Goldman in scathing crisis report... (Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled Congress … referring this matter to the Justice Department and to the SEC)

Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years, equity valuations are the 2nd largest bubble in U.S. history... the cause and the potential ramifications of this are astounding.

Exhibit one: The cyclically-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, or CAPE.

This is not a “fad” valuation metric. CAPE dates back to 1871, offering 140 years worth of data, during which time, the mean price-to-earnings ratio is 16.

According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

… bubbles turn a believable story/trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble...Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s ... In the 1920s, a bubble … A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s ...

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average

... the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

... growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured...

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining... same overvaluation situation as a few years ago … nothing fixed ...'

Obama seeks spending cuts, taxes on wealthy (Washington Post) [ Too little, too late for 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) ! After all, though contraindicated, he previously extended the war criminal, moron bush tax cuts to what is now realistically perceived as 'their base' (that top 1 percent). Wobama has no credibility whatsoever, wars and all. He's just plain done! Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (Washington Post) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees.

U.S. Deficit to Rise to Largest Among Major Economies, IMF Says The U.S. is set to have the largest budget deficit of major developed economies this year and should narrow it now rather than face tough adjustments in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said.

Inflation, fueled by gas and food prices, adds to worry

White House warns of debt ‘Armageddon’

Drudgereport: Obama to Call for Higher Taxes...
DEFICIT ROCKETS 16% IN FIRST HALF OF YEAR...
Inflation Actually 'Near 10%'...
IMF: US 'lacks credibility' on debt...
'Stringent Austerity Measures' Needed...
BUDGET TRICKS, SLEIGHTS OF HAND IN BUDGET DEAL...
Conservatives' criticism growing...
Budget deal axes 'czars' -- who are already gone...] The president faces a rebellion on the left, with key groups concerned that he has let the GOP message of reducing government trump that of creating jobs.

GE Not Repaying Tax Refund; AP Duped by Phony Press Release

] In a stinging rebuke to Republican budget-cutters, Obama acknowledged that the debt must be tackled faster than he has previously proposed but rejected GOP calls to make fundamental changes to Medicare and Medicaid.

AT&T, T-Mobile file merger application (Washington Post) [ I believe the simplest test to be best here; viz., 'if att wants it, it's got to be anti-competitive'. Why? Because even the simplest tasks, ie., land / long lines, etc., are beyond the capability and competence of this 'can't do' , mob-infested jersey / bushland texas regressive company; hence, their need, their hankering for monopoly power. Of course, monopoly is ingrained in the history of att and telecommunications thrived and advanced on their breakup. Quite simply, att can't compete on a level playing field … it's their story! Merger a disconnect for consumers (Washington Post) [ Yeah! True enough! I had to drop my land line (att/sbc – jersey/bushland) which I kept for the public listing and which became disfunctional / unusable to the point where it was impacting my DSL line; both of which I dropped in favor of MagicJack (I recommend it) and Time Warner Cable / Internet (also better). Deal to combine AT&T, T-Mobile raises questions (AP) [Questions? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending. AP - AT&T's surprise announcement that it plans to acquire T-Mobile USA will force federal regulators to confront a difficult antitrust question: Can American consumers get good wireless service at a ... ] OPINION | Your choice for wireless service would get smaller should AT&T carry out its plan to buy T-Mobile USA. ] Firm confident it will win over regulators to its bid to buy T-Mobile USA, even as critics continue to bash the deal. Here's that other story of what's 'unsaid' being very costly to the nation : On NBC, the missing story about GE (Washington Post) [ Ya think! … Seriously though, this is as important a story as can be since these scenarios have been a significant problem for the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. for quite some time... (0 taxes paid)'

] A call by lawmakers for a careful review of AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile is really more code language for something else, analysts say. ]

French, British leaders meet about Libya (Washington Post) [ Wow! Talk about sounding like a plan ... and all this time we thought they already had done that. After all, they must conserve their resources; you know, that war-prone nato alliance comprised of members almost to a nation defacto bankrupt, striving to emulate 'lead war nation' america's defacto bankrupt status. ] The countries struggled Wednesday to come up with new tactics to topple Moammar Gaddafi without resorting to further Western military intervention.

Libya: Increased Airstrikes, Ground Troops, Contractors, Civilians Killed, Deadly DU Munitions – Can We Call This A War Yet? The globalist coalition refers to it as ‘kinetic military action’, yet as more civilians are killed in NATO bombings, and with experts adamant that deadly Depleted Uranium weapons are being used by Western forces, the conflict in Libya looks a hell of a lot like the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq all over again.

‘Depleted uranium’s toxic legacy to poison Libya for 40 years’ Military experts are accusing coalition forces in Libya of using depleted uranium in their air strikes. The deadly substance can cause cancer and physical mutations in those who come into close contact with it.

63 percent of people killed in Iraq war were civilians: report Xinhua | U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been causing huge civilian casualties.

West vs. China: A New Cold War Begins On Libyan Soil Patrick Henningsen | The question as to why US-led NATO forces are determined to engineer a regime change in Libya is now becoming clear.

United Nations Installs IMF Stooge in Ivory Coast Kurt Nimmo

White House threats on Wayne Madsen must be taken seriously Wayne Madsen Report | A source, connected to the White House, gave a warning stark in its directness: “They want to kill you.”

Roberts: Pentagon budget is the result of corruption Half a century ago, president Dwight Eisenhower issued a warning to the American nation about growing military industrial complexes being a threat to democracy, and now it seems as though Eisenhower’s warning has become reality. US is the modern world’s biggest military spender. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, a former Reagan administration official and a columnist, shares his opinion.

Japan Gov’t says radiation is escaping from containment vessels that are not “totally” destroyed ”Even though some amount of radiation keeps leaking from reactors and their containment vessels, they are not totally destroyed and are functioning,” [Hidehiko Nishiyama, spokesman for Japan's nuclear agency]

Radioactive Seaweed Detected In Puget Sound Radiation leaked from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex in Japan has been detected in seaweed in Puget Sound, but researchers say there’s no need for alarm.

Retail Sales Miss ExpectationsWall St. Cheat Sheet  On Wednesday April 13, 2011, 9:40 am EDT 'The U.S. Census Bureau announced today that advance estimates of U.S. retail and food services sales for March, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $389.3 billion, an increase of 0.4 percent from the previous month, and 7.1 percent above March 2010. Analysts were expecting a rise of 0.5 percent.

Total sales for the January through March 2011 period were up 8.1 percent from the same period a year ago.  The January to February 2011 percent change was revised from +1.0 percent to +1.1 percent.

Retail trade sales were up 0.3 percent from February 2011, and 7.3 percent above last year. Gasoline stations sales were up 16.7 percent from March 2010 and nonstore retailers sales were up 12.4 percent from last year.

Obviously, inflating Oil (NYSE:USO) prices are adding to gross revenues for gasoline sales. So, although retail sales are up for the ninth month in a row, drilling down to the details shows a weakening trend. If we strip out gas station sales, retail sales were up a very small 0.1%.

Motor vehicles sales dropped 1.7%. Nevertheless, Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) is up 1.3%, Ford Motor Company (NYSE:F) is up 0.4%, General Motors (NYSE:GM) is up 0.3%, and Honda Motor Company (NYSE:HMC) is up over 3%.'

chart http://wallstcheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/March-Retail-Sales.png

Chain stores post increased sales (Washington Post) [ The mall? If they can find one with stores … Drudgereport: Malls hit highest vacancy in 11 years... Reality paints a different picture ... You're going to see some very large bankruptcies / foreclosures soon … This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . A Trading System That Challenges the Efficient Market Hypothesis [ I haven't included the body of this article because it's not worth your time. What parallel universe is McCurdy operating in? Even in the heyday of that so-called hypothesis, close examination of the data indicated that if you weren't timing the market you were, in a somewhat 'Charlie Sheenish' manner of speaking, duh! … losing! (my MBA Thesis, 1977, NYU GBA, Finance – which required study / mastery of such math intensive theory which wasn't for the faint of heart.) Said 'hypothesis' wasn't true then and certainly isn't true today where complex computer-programming can and does artificially produce the various criteria / buy / sell / signals alluded to in the article (they're widely known / followed) creating the rigged / fraudulent trading game geared to maximized the 'churn-and-earn' commission profits (net negative in economic terms) and enabling the passing of 'those hot potatoes'/paper shares in a manner that resembles a game of musical chairs with those not in the loop winding up holding the bag (including pension funds, etc.); all the while funding those lavish lifesyles / over-compensation of the frauds on wall street along with the direct / indirect bribes inuring them from stigma and as well, insulating them from proper scrutiny and prosecution. Fundamentals, fundamental rational analysis has become virtually irrelevant to these now fraud-prone markets like never before in history facilitating frauds of magnitudes that have made the rationalization 'too big to fail' a byword of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american failed finance; which frauds continue unabated, unprosecuted even as you read these words. In retrospect, one might say of such theory, in reality, that famed snoopy(ish - the dog) aphorism, 'baffling them with b*** s*** '. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! ]

Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (Washington Post) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees.

U.S. Deficit to Rise to Largest Among Major Economies, IMF Says The U.S. is set to have the largest budget deficit of major developed economies this year and should narrow it now rather than face tough adjustments in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said.

Inflation, fueled by gas and food prices, adds to worry

White House warns of debt ‘Armageddon’

Drudgereport: Obama to Call for Higher Taxes...
DEFICIT ROCKETS 16% IN FIRST HALF OF YEAR...
Inflation Actually 'Near 10%'...
IMF: US 'lacks credibility' on debt...
'Stringent Austerity Measures' Needed...
BUDGET TRICKS, SLEIGHTS OF HAND IN BUDGET DEAL...
Conservatives' criticism growing...
Budget deal axes 'czars' -- who are already gone...] The president faces a rebellion on the left, with key groups concerned that he has let the GOP message of reducing government trump that of creating jobs.

GE Not Repaying Tax Refund; AP Duped by Phony Press Release

CIA’s post-9/11 brain drain (Washington Post) [ Wow! Talk about the most positive 'take' (figuratively and literally) on what's become a typical pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american modus operandi in sucking on the bureaucratic teet till dry (yes, drying up at break-speed). The unfortunate incorrect presumption by inference is that brain-drain implies some of value leaving the ranks of the CIA to bring their 'uplifting talents' / value to the ranks of non-government, private sector, etc.. Important as this flow of so-called seasoned personnel may be (I especially liked the Washington Post's exposé on the ubiquity of top-level security clearances in the Washington Metro area), still ultimately a cost borne by taxpayers, I reasonably question their 'value' and the word 'brain' implying intelligent. From Iraq, to more current nation-bankrupting debacles, ie., Afghanistan, etc., to strategies concerning China (the transfers), one may reasonably lump them in the latter category according to that axiom, 'those who can, do' … ‘those who can't, work for the u.s. government or are contractors for the u.s. government’. So, I must say, the drains of so-called brains in the cia are, at the least, grossly exaggerated and I'd say, no loss at all. After all, look at the nation, domestically / internationally, including 9/11.

Pakistan Tells U.S. to Halt Drones 6 year old girl groped then drug tested by TSA You Tube War crime? U.S. Troops Fire on Iraqi Detainees (Video) Aaron Dykes IRS to increase “pre-crime” enforcement Sovereign Man Libya: Increased Airstrikes, Ground Troops, Contractors, Civilians Killed, Deadly DU Munitions – Can We Call This A War Yet? ] Private firms have hired scores of top officers, partly to gain access to intelligence contracting.

Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar [ Give this man a cigar ... he gets it right! ] Originally Posted on GoldShark.com 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years (both in terms of the markets and the general economy), equity valuations are now approaching the second largest bubble in United States history, surpassed only by the technology bubble.

Both the cause and the potential ramifications of this development are astounding.

Exhibit one: The cyclically-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, or CAPE.

This is not a “fad” valuation metric. CAPE dates back to 1871, offering 140 years worth of data, during which time, the mean price-to-earnings ratio is 16.

According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%. In United States History, only the tech bubble was bigger than what we are experiencing today.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

Historically, bubbles turn a believable story and a trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble, the mania driving the bubble was the seemingly endless wealth and prosperity of the New World. Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s as America became connected from the east coast to the west coast. In the 1920s, a bubble formed on belief in the newly formed League of Nations (world peace), and more importantly, the society-changing impact of the automobile.

A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s as the prospect of a virtual marketplace would forever globalize commerce. Every bubble has a story, whether it be tulips or inventions or some other craze.

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average. (Two notes: a. the chart from Bloomberg fails to insert the word ‘projected’; Robert Shiller references this chart in this Bloomberg article. b. the 10-year average is the cyclically adjusted price to earnings ratio).

Considering the power of mean reversion, the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

Another question. Could the growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured?

To quote Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “Let me count the ways.”

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining, and non-market driven. Brilliant. Again, I am left wondering how it is possible to find ourselves in the same overvaluation situation as a few years ago especially considering nothing has been resolved to actually fix the world’s economic system.

A parting thought: according to research conducted by the Duke University Medical Center, it would seem that even monkeys are capable of learning from their mistakes. Why can’t we?'

World financial leaders meet (Washington Post) [ Haven't they done enough damage? The Negative Volatility Regime: The Market's Disconnect From Global Turmoil The Hard Trade ( A very interesting and important read / perspective; but I believe he is far too kind, gentle, empathetic, and overly eager to euphemistically explain the criminal fraud that continues even as I write. Indeed, his explanation may fit for the more 'passive' market participants as they watch these frauds unfold in the face of dire, contraindicated facts and circumstances. Yet he ignores the reality in that we are talking about literally the criminally insane on wall street. Forget not that huge amounts of money, in the trillions, have been scammed through fraudulent means, ignoring reality, and with wink and nod embracing the convenient, glaringly inaposite non-truth. His explanation is analogous to trying posit some rationale to the serial killer as such confronts a new victim. Moreover, I also believe he ignores the role of modern-day technology, viz., complex computer programming in facilitating these frauds, high-frequency churn-and-earn trading (of no economic benefit in net real terms), the ease of which accomplished is too tempting for these predisposed criminals to resist. I truly believe that with the 'profit' / fraudulent gains taken out of the 'equation' through, ie., prosecution, fines, jail, disgorgement, etc., you'd be less likely (though not completely, given the nature of criminal insanity) to see such disconnect from those 'inconvenient truths' others of us know as reality. That said, as elsewhere set forth on this website, the psychological factor is among the factors considered when analyzing securities, others of which include the economy, growth of earnings, quality of earnings, etc.. But, make no mistake, they are greedy, criminally insane, and do it for the money ( in contravention of the rights of others as in, ie., anti-social personality disorder, among other psychological afflictions ). ] ' For months I have been frustrated and surprised by the action of the markets in the face of continued turmoil. In different contexts, I’ve used terms such as "disconnected" or "bifurcated" where there seems to be a total discontinuity between the facts and the market actions... he starts with behavioral finance and defines the normalcy bias:

Normalcy Bias and Crisis: A quirk of the human condition is for the mind to desire normalcy so intensely as to consciously or subconsciously disregard knowledge that is disruptive to a pre-conditioned reality. This phenomenon is an important part of crisis management and market psychology. The consequence of a normalcy bias is that warning signs of a potential crisis go unnoticed or are interpreted optimistically...'

When a crisis occurs people are so overwhelmed by events inconsistent with a desired reality they lose their ability to make decisions. Researchers believe when the mind encounters an entirely new experience or event it attempts to match that reality to relevant experiences from the past. If there are no matching experiences the mind enters into a kind of feedback loop resulting in passivity. This lack of action as a response to risk is called negative panic1 and it culminates in a dangerous inability to act assertively in crisis. In essence, the psyche struggles to come to terms with what is really happening. Paralysis follows. ( Interestingly, I believe this to be a more apt description of the Japanese reaction in this earthquake / tsunami induced nuclear crisis. )

He then goes on to discuss how the normalcy bias can lead investors to ignore looming threats, which in turn can lead to "a cancellation of short-term volatility risk premium that should otherwise exist." This new Negative Volatility Regime is defined by:

1. Large declines in spot volatility: The past nine months have shown an unusually high number of large declines in spot volatility (realized and implied) that are of a much higher magnitude and length than what has been observed historically. As a result of these large declines, the VIX index and short-term realized volatility are below historic averages;

2. Abnormally steep volatility curve: The manifestation of an abnormally steep volatility curve (as a % of spot volatility) with a linear shape that more closely resembles a glacial cliff as opposed to the more traditional desert plateau (see chart);

3. Underperformance of Variance Hedges: Low volatility-of-volatility on the back of the variance term-structure results in the underperformance of out-of-the-money options and variance as a hedge against market declines;

4. High Volatility Skew: High levels of volatility skew for far out-of-the-money options showing increased likelihood of large declines in equity prices.

The article has a detailed discussion and great graphs representing the shape of the volatility structure. The full report can be accessed at: Artemis Q1 2011_Is Volatility Broken. (It is posted with permission.)'

Cottarelli: U.S. needs ‘fiscal adjustment’ (Washington Post) I'd call this an understatement … pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america needs far more than a 'fiscal adjustment' … How 'bout 'complete makeover' ... Gas prices fuel worries about recovery (Washington Post) More money spent at the pump means less to spend elsewhere.

[ If only gas prices were the only reasons for concern regarding the so-called recovery:

Weisenthal On Tuesday April 12, 2011, 1:02 pm EDT

‘Dear investors.You’ve had an amazing run since March 2009. 

Maybe it’s time to get a little nervous. In addition to all kinds of dicey headlines — Japan (NYSE:EWJ), the Mideast, etc. –the economic data is starting to add up, and look like a slowdown.

You can see it in business confidence, headline GDP, and certain aspects of employment. Some previously hot industries are clearly starting to fade.

Case Shiller Is Showing The Housing Double Dip Getting Worse

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da46540cadcbbef19250000-547/case-shiller-is-showing-the-housing-double-dip-getting-worse.jpg

Small Business Confidence Is Suddenly Turning Lower

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da438d1cadcbb5f4d310000-547/small-business-confidence-is-suddenly-turning-lower.jpg

Image: NFIB

Q1 GDP estimates have been getting slashed

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4d908f02cadcbb445b370000-400-300/q1-gdp-estimates-have-been-getting-slashed.jpg

Image: Wikimedia Commons

After starting off at 4%, estimates for GDP are now in some cases below 4%.

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4da4649249e2ae0274070000-547/durable-goods-have-been-weak.jpg

Durable goods have been weak Las Vegas gaming revenue has suddenly turned south again.

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d557dc1ccd1d5c947100000-400-300/las-vegas-gaming-revenue-has-suddenly-turned-south-again.jpg

Image: WilWheaton on flickr

Oil prices have pushed the economy to the breaking point

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4da46482ccd1d5f5101b0000-547/oil-prices-have-pushed-the-economy-to-the-breaking-point.jpg

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da466804bd7c84422020000-547/markets-are-stalling-out.jpg
Markets are stalling out The age of cheap money is going away

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4d9364d0cadcbbd639150000-400-300/the-age-of-cheap-money-is-going-away.jpg

With inflation on the rise, basically everything things QE2 is toast.

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4d8df4bd49e2aea407000000-400-300/austerity-warnings-from-the-uk.jpg

Austerity warnings from the UK

Image: Twitpic

In London, where fiscal tightening is further along than here, it’s having a clear effect on consumer spending. That’s coming to the US, too.’

U.S. trade deficit narrows in Feb. (Washington Post) [ This is truly hard to believe … maybe they're counting american products made in China with ie., Chinese, etc., components and shipped back here for a name slapped on the package before resale … see Dell, infra ... More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). ] A drop in U.S. imports from China and elsewhere helped narrow the trade deficit in January.

Yield Curve Appears to Be Flattening. Is Recession on the Way? The Hard Trade 'Slowly and quietly, spreads of the 2-10 year Treasuries decided not to blow out and instead have started coming back. What does it mean that in a world of increasing rates, we’re getting a flattening yield curve?

Here’s the 10 year yield (click to enlarge):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/3/30/saupload_10yryld.png

Edging up slightly recently, and certainly not contracting. On the flip side, look at the 2-10 spread (click to enlarge):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/3/30/saupload_2_10_yr.png

A few short months ago, hyper-inflationists were warning that this spread, which hit high after high, would blow out as inflation took hold, became rampant, and we’d be back to the middle ages. I was never in that camp, and while we see some inflationary pressures building, I think the main risk remains deflation as real estate, unemployment, etc. will drag down the consumer.

Regardless, the 2-10 spread has come back from the brink and the curve is now flattening. I don’t know which way we go from here, but my analysis is still that rates are headed higher on an absolute level and the flattening yield curve supports my view that a recession or worse could be on the way. It’s a bad combination to have higher rates, deflation of stores of wealth, and a government with no ability to provide future fiscal and monetary stimulus.'

Evacuees struggle to leave shelters Toshiba proposes to scrap 4 nuke reactors at Fukushima plant [ Am I missing something here … some failed attempt at (Japanese) humor … Wow! … remind me not to buy a Toshiba computer [ I’ve also just eliminated dell and apple’s just not worth it (way over-priced)( I previously eliminated SONY Vaio – In 2000 it was probably more of a windows millennium problem but owing to SONY ‘proprietary’ I wasn’t even able to install new operating system ) And, on top of the viral barrage and typical windows problems, I had some problems with the dell, and when I opened the 'case', though not displayed on the outside, this 'dell' computer as displayed in the inside was 'made in china'. With few exceptions, so were the components. So much for the 'american' company … I think the same to be true of apple, etc.. Then quite some time ago, a compaq (now owned by hp) and more recently a hewlett packard, respectively were eliminated – computers didn’t even work – how pathetic. ]. The only explanation is that the radiation must be eating at their brains. Was this proposal ever in doubt … even necessary? I’m at a loss for words! I really am! ] TOKYO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Toshiba Corp. submitted a proposal to Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to decommission four troubled reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post

Bernanke: Middle Class Murderer Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert, report on the murderer of the middle class and how the wealth effect equals the poverty effect.

Sideways Action Boots S&P 500 Below 50 Day Moving Average

Survey: Big Money Managers Preparing For Inflation, Rise In Oil

March Retail Sales Show a Slight Decline in Real Terms

Why is the Federal Reserve giving $220 million in bailout money to two wives of Morgan Stanley bigwigs? Matt Taibbi | America has two national budgets, one official, one unofficial.

Big banks are government-backed: Fed’s Hoenig Reuters | Big banks like BoA and Citigroup should be reclassified as government-sponsored entities and have their activities restricted.

Ken Salazar: GOP has ‘amnesia’ about oil spill Politico | Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said Tuesday that Republicans have a “sense of amnesia” about last year’s Gulf of Mexico spill.

GE Says Report on Returning $3.2 Billion to Treasury a Hoax General Electric Co. (GE) refuted a statement claiming the company would return a “$3.2 billion tax refund” for 2010, following criticism of its tax rates and policies.

Amid global meltdowns, what is the half life of the U.S. government’s fiscal solvency? Thanks to the recent (and laughable) “largest annual spending cut in history” announced by Obama and Boehner, it is now abundantly evident that the U.S. government is headed toward a complete economic meltdown that will make Fukushima look chilly by comparison.

National / World

63 percent of people killed in Iraq war were civilians: report Xinhua | U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been causing huge civilian casualties.

Busted: TSA lied about promise to not pat-down children Aaron Dykes | TSA has defended the groping of 6 year-old girl, saying it followed policy. Yet in Nov. 2010, TSA vowed no ‘enhanced’ pat-downs for children.

West vs. China: A New Cold War Begins On Libyan Soil Patrick Henningsen | The question as to why US-led NATO forces are determined to engineer a regime change in Libya is now becoming clear.

Parents Threatened by TSA Before 6 Year Old was Groped, Girl then Broke Down in Tears Steve Watson | The parents of a six year old girl who was subjected to an enhanced pat-down at the hands of the TSA appeared confused and disturbed.

United Nations Installs IMF Stooge in Ivory Coast Kurt Nimmo | Globalist control returns to the former French colony.

White House threats on Wayne Madsen must be taken seriously Wayne Madsen Report | A source, connected to the White House, gave a warning stark in its directness: “They want to kill you.”

Roberts: Pentagon budget is the result of corruption Half a century ago, president Dwight Eisenhower issued a warning to the American nation about growing military industrial complexes being a threat to democracy, and now it seems as though Eisenhower’s warning has become reality. US is the modern world’s biggest military spender. Dr. Paul Craig Roberts, a former Reagan administration official and a columnist, shares his opinion on RT.

‘Depleted uranium’s toxic legacy to poison Libya for 40 years’ Military experts are accusing coalition forces in Libya of using depleted uranium in their air strikes. The deadly substance can cause cancer and physical mutations in those who come into close contact with it.

Japan Gov’t says radiation is escaping from containment vessels that are not “totally” destroyed ”Even though some amount of radiation keeps leaking from reactors and their containment vessels, they are not totally destroyed and are functioning,” [Hidehiko Nishiyama, a spokesman for Japan's nuclear agency] said. …

Radioactive Seaweed Detected In Puget Sound Radiation leaked from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power complex in Japan has been detected in seaweed in Puget Sound, but researchers say there’s no need for alarm.

Congress once again trying to push unconstitutional internet sales taxes Republican Sen. Michael Enzi of Wyoming first tried it and failed in 2007, and now he and Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin from Illinois are together trying it again.

Brave New World the third most censored book in America Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel Brave New World placed third in the American Library Association’s (ALA) Top Ten List of the Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010.

Drudgereport: Tiny Tim (geithner): YOU WILL GIVE ME MORE MONEY
OBAMA CALLS NEW TAXES 'SPENDING REDUCTIONS IN TAX CODE'...
RYAN: 'Dramatically inaccurate,' 'hopelessly inadequate'...
CANTOR: Raising taxes 'is not the answer'...
Obama's Support Among Poor Drops to All-time Low...
Left's angst grows over president's 'shift to center'...
Pentagon Warns Obama Against Deeper Defense Cuts ... (And where is it going to come from ... I've said before, and it's still true today, that we've already had in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, war crimes nation america a defacto coup d'etat) ...
RISE OF NEW WORLD POWER[WITHOUT USA]...
SHOCK: CBO Says Budget Deal Will Cut Spending by Only $352 Million...
Senate panel slams Goldman in scathing crisis report... (...Goldman clearly misled their clients and they misled Congress … referring this matter to the Justice Department and to the SEC … )

CHICAGOLAND: Blago Calls Out Rahm... ..."If the government has their way, my lawyers cannot ask questions about the last conversation I had less than 10 hours before I was arrested, with my deputy governor, when I told him my chief of staff told me, that Rahm Emanuel said that pending Barack Obama's approval, he agreed to be the go-between between me and [Illinois House Speaker] Mike Madigan [and] I would appoint Madigan's daughter the senator in exchange for passing a public works bill that would put thousands of people to work, healthcare expansion for working families so they can afford the high cost of seeing a doctor, and a written promise -- a guarantee in writing -- not to raise income taxes on the people of Illinois."He held a similar press event about a year ago, just prior to the start of his first trial."I'm here today to issue a challenge," a visibly upset Blagojevich said last April 20. "I challenge Mr. Fitzgerald. Why don't you show up in court tomorrow and explain to everybody. Explain to the whole world. Why you don't want those tapes that you made played in court. I'll be in court tomorrow. I hope you're man enough to be in court too."Blagojevich has kept a low profile in recent months, making the timing of his statement curious. Recall that a little more than a year ago, he went on Bill O'Reilly's Fox program and danced around a question as to whether Obama or Rahm Emanuel had any involvement in the case to sell a U.S. Senate seat. Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/blagojevich-press-conference-119785689.html?12#ixzz1JSctCUNQ'

Liberals worry Obama has given up ground (Washington Post) [ Worried? Given up ground? Are they kidding? Is this some parallel universe they're operating in? Come on! Wake up! Wobama's done! Finito! He's been and is an abject failure as president; both by what he's done as not promised and not done as promised, viz., perpetual wars and overspending, etc., and no prosecutions of the frauds on wall street, etc., respectively. He is a total failure and an embarrassment to the presidency as was his predecessor. He's totally incompetent with an innate predilection to 'zig when he should zag' … 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) is pathetic! Quite simply, for wobama, it's too late! … Drudgereport: RASMUSSEN: President hits new low Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees.

Stiglitz, Soros, Summers try to remake global economy RT | George Soros brought together the economic elite to take apart and remake world finance.

Iceland rejects hostile takeover attempt in national referendum John Stratton | Iceland is the only country where the people have been allowed to have a say in the matter.

U.S. Deficit to Rise to Largest Among Major Economies, IMF Says The U.S. is set to have the largest budget deficit of major developed economies this year and should narrow it now rather than face tough adjustments in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said.

Inflation, fueled by gas and food prices, adds to worry

White House warns of debt ‘Armageddon’

Drudgereport: Obama to Call for Higher Taxes...
DEFICIT ROCKETS 16% IN FIRST HALF OF YEAR...
Inflation Actually 'Near 10%'...
IMF: US 'lacks credibility' on debt...
'Stringent Austerity Measures' Needed...
BUDGET TRICKS, SLEIGHTS OF HAND IN BUDGET DEAL...
Conservatives' criticism growing...
Budget deal axes 'czars' -- who are already gone...] The president faces a rebellion on the left, with key groups concerned that he has let the GOP message of reducing government trump that of creating jobs.

CIA’s post-9/11 brain drain (Washington Post) [ Wow! Talk about the most positive 'take' (figuratively and literally) on what's become a typical pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american modus operandi in sucking on the bureaucratic teet till dry (yes, drying up at break-speed). The unfortunate incorrect presumption by inference is that brain-drain implies some of value leaving the ranks of the CIA to bring their 'uplifting talents' / value to the ranks of non-government, private sector, etc.. Important as this flow of so-called seasoned personnel may be (I especially liked the Washington Post's expose on the ubiquity of top-level security clearances in the Washington Metro area), still ultimately a cost borne by taxpayers, I reasonably question their 'value' and the word 'brain' implying intelligent. From Iraq, to more current nation-bankrupting debacles, ie., Afghanistan, etc., to strategies concerning China (the transfers), one may reasonably lump them in the latter category according to that axiom, 'those who can, do' … those who can't, work for the u.s. government or are contractors for the u.s. government. So, I must say, the drains of so-called brains in the cia are, at the least, grossly exaggerated and I'd say, no loss at all. After all, look at the nation, domestically / internationally, including 9/11.

Pakistan Tells U.S. to Halt Drones Pakistan has privately demanded the Central Intelligence Agency suspend drone strikes against militants on its territory, one of the U.S.’s most effective weapons against al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, officials said.

6 year old girl groped then drug tested by TSA You Tube | Disturbing video shows the TSA groping a very young girl.

War crime? U.S. Troops Fire on Iraqi Detainees (Video) Aaron Dykes | Shocking video has surfaced from 2005 of U.S. troops firing on captive Iraqi detainees after a riot.

IRS to increase “pre-crime” enforcement Sovereign Man | Did you ever see Minority Report?

Libya: Increased Airstrikes, Ground Troops, Contractors, Civilians Killed, Deadly DU Munitions – Can We Call This A War Yet? The globalist coalition refers to it as ‘kinetic military action’, yet as more civilians are killed in NATO bombings, and with experts adamant that deadly Depleted Uranium weapons are being used by Western forces, the conflict in Libya looks a hell of a lot like the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq all over again. ] Private firms have hired scores of top officers, partly to gain access to intelligence contracting.

Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar [ Give this man a cigar ... he gets it right! ] Originally Posted on GoldShark.com 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years (both in terms of the markets and the general economy), equity valuations are now approaching the second largest bubble in United States history, surpassed only by the technology bubble.

Both the cause and the potential ramifications of this development are astounding.

Exhibit one: The cyclically-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, or CAPE.

This is not a “fad” valuation metric. CAPE dates back to 1871, offering 140 years worth of data, during which time, the mean price-to-earnings ratio is 16.

According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%. In United States History, only the tech bubble was bigger than what we are experiencing today.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

Historically, bubbles turn a believable story and a trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble, the mania driving the bubble was the seemingly endless wealth and prosperity of the New World. Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s as America became connected from the east coast to the west coast. In the 1920s, a bubble formed on belief in the newly formed League of Nations (world peace), and more importantly, the society-changing impact of the automobile.

A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s as the prospect of a virtual marketplace would forever globalize commerce. Every bubble has a story, whether it be tulips or inventions or some other craze.

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average. (Two notes: a. the chart from Bloomberg fails to insert the word ‘projected’; Robert Shiller references this chart in this Bloomberg article. b. the 10-year average is the cyclically adjusted price to earnings ratio).

Considering the power of mean reversion, the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

Another question. Could the growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured?

To quote Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “Let me count the ways.”

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining, and non-market driven. Brilliant. Again, I am left wondering how it is possible to find ourselves in the same overvaluation situation as a few years ago especially considering nothing has been resolved to actually fix the world’s economic system.

A parting thought: according to research conducted by the Duke University Medical Center, it would seem that even monkeys are capable of learning from their mistakes. Why can’t we?'

World financial leaders meet (Washington Post) [ Haven't they done enough damage? The Negative Volatility Regime: The Market's Disconnect From Global Turmoil The Hard Trade ( A very interesting and important read / perspective; but I believe he is far too kind, gentle, empathetic, and overly eager to euphemistically explain the criminal fraud that continues even as I write. Indeed, his explanation may fit for the more 'passive' market participants as they watch these frauds unfold in the face of dire, contraindicated facts and circumstances. Yet he ignores the reality in that we are talking about literally the criminally insane on wall street. Forget not that huge amounts of money, in the trillions, have been scammed through fraudulent means, ignoring reality, and with wink and nod embracing the convenient, glaringly inaposite non-truth. His explanation is analogous to trying posit some rationale to the serial killer as such confronts a new victim. Moreover, I also believe he ignores the role of modern-day technology, viz., complex computer programming in facilitating these frauds, high-frequency churn-and-earn trading (of no economic benefit in net real terms), the ease of which accomplished is too tempting for these predisposed criminals to resist. I truly believe that with the 'profit' / fraudulent gains taken out of the 'equation' through, ie., prosecution, fines, jail, disgorgement, etc., you'd be less likely (though not completely, given the nature of criminal insanity) to see such disconnect from those 'inconvenient truths' others of us know as reality. That said, as elsewhere set forth on this website, the psychological factor is among the factors considered when analyzing securities, others of which include the economy, growth of earnings, quality of earnings, etc.. But, make no mistake, they are greedy, criminally insane, and do it for the money ( in contravention of the rights of others as in, ie., anti-social personality disorder, among other psychological afflictions ). ] ' For months I have been frustrated and surprised by the action of the markets in the face of continued turmoil. In different contexts, I’ve used terms such as "disconnected" or "bifurcated" where there seems to be a total discontinuity between the facts and the market actions... he starts with behavioral finance and defines the normalcy bias:

Normalcy Bias and Crisis: A quirk of the human condition is for the mind to desire normalcy so intensely as to consciously or subconsciously disregard knowledge that is disruptive to a pre-conditioned reality. This phenomenon is an important part of crisis management and market psychology. The consequence of a normalcy bias is that warning signs of a potential crisis go unnoticed or are interpreted optimistically...'

When a crisis occurs people are so overwhelmed by events inconsistent with a desired reality they lose their ability to make decisions. Researchers believe when the mind encounters an entirely new experience or event it attempts to match that reality to relevant experiences from the past. If there are no matching experiences the mind enters into a kind of feedback loop resulting in passivity. This lack of action as a response to risk is called negative panic1 and it culminates in a dangerous inability to act assertively in crisis. In essence, the psyche struggles to come to terms with what is really happening. Paralysis follows. ( Interestingly, I believe this to be a more apt description of the Japanese reaction in this earthquake / tsunami induced nuclear crisis. )

He then goes on to discuss how the normalcy bias can lead investors to ignore looming threats, which in turn can lead to "a cancellation of short-term volatility risk premium that should otherwise exist." This new Negative Volatility Regime is defined by:

1. Large declines in spot volatility: The past nine months have shown an unusually high number of large declines in spot volatility (realized and implied) that are of a much higher magnitude and length than what has been observed historically. As a result of these large declines, the VIX index and short-term realized volatility are below historic averages;

2. Abnormally steep volatility curve: The manifestation of an abnormally steep volatility curve (as a % of spot volatility) with a linear shape that more closely resembles a glacial cliff as opposed to the more traditional desert plateau (see chart);

3. Underperformance of Variance Hedges: Low volatility-of-volatility on the back of the variance term-structure results in the underperformance of out-of-the-money options and variance as a hedge against market declines;

4. High Volatility Skew: High levels of volatility skew for far out-of-the-money options showing increased likelihood of large declines in equity prices.

The article has a detailed discussion and great graphs representing the shape of the volatility structure. The full report can be accessed at: Artemis Q1 2011_Is Volatility Broken. (It is posted with permission.)'

Cottarelli: U.S. needs ‘fiscal adjustment’ (Washington Post) I'd call this an understatement … pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america needs far more than a 'fiscal adjustment' … How 'bout 'complete makeover' ... Gas prices fuel worries about recovery (Washington Post) More money spent at the pump means less to spend elsewhere.

[ If only gas prices were the only reasons for concern regarding the so-called recovery:

Weisenthal On Tuesday April 12, 2011, 1:02 pm EDT

‘Dear investors.You’ve had an amazing run since March 2009. 

Maybe it’s time to get a little nervous. In addition to all kinds of dicey headlines — Japan (NYSE:EWJ), the Mideast, etc. –the economic data is starting to add up, and look like a slowdown.

You can see it in business confidence, headline GDP, and certain aspects of employment. Some previously hot industries are clearly starting to fade.

Case Shiller Is Showing The Housing Double Dip Getting Worse

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da46540cadcbbef19250000-547/case-shiller-is-showing-the-housing-double-dip-getting-worse.jpg

Small Business Confidence Is Suddenly Turning Lower

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da438d1cadcbb5f4d310000-547/small-business-confidence-is-suddenly-turning-lower.jpg

Image: NFIB

Q1 GDP estimates have been getting slashed

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4d908f02cadcbb445b370000-400-300/q1-gdp-estimates-have-been-getting-slashed.jpg

Image: Wikimedia Commons

After starting off at 4%, estimates for GDP are now in some cases below 4%.

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4da4649249e2ae0274070000-547/durable-goods-have-been-weak.jpg

Durable goods have been weak Las Vegas gaming revenue has suddenly turned south again.

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d557dc1ccd1d5c947100000-400-300/las-vegas-gaming-revenue-has-suddenly-turned-south-again.jpg

Image: WilWheaton on flickr

Oil prices have pushed the economy to the breaking point

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4da46482ccd1d5f5101b0000-547/oil-prices-have-pushed-the-economy-to-the-breaking-point.jpg

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da466804bd7c84422020000-547/markets-are-stalling-out.jpg
Markets are stalling out The age of cheap money is going away

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4d9364d0cadcbbd639150000-400-300/the-age-of-cheap-money-is-going-away.jpg

With inflation on the rise, basically everything things QE2 is toast.

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4d8df4bd49e2aea407000000-400-300/austerity-warnings-from-the-uk.jpg

Austerity warnings from the UK

Image: Twitpic

In London, where fiscal tightening is further along than here, it’s having a clear effect on consumer spending. That’s coming to the US, too.’

U.S. trade deficit narrows in Feb. (Washington Post) [ This is truly hard to believe … maybe they're counting american products made in China with ie., Chinese, etc., components and shipped back here for a name slapped on the package before resale … see Dell, infra ... More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). ] A drop in U.S. imports from China and elsewhere helped narrow the trade deficit in January.

Yield Curve Appears to Be Flattening. Is Recession on the Way? The Hard Trade 'Slowly and quietly, spreads of the 2-10 year Treasuries decided not to blow out and instead have started coming back. What does it mean that in a world of increasing rates, we’re getting a flattening yield curve?

Here’s the 10 year yield (click to enlarge):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/3/30/saupload_10yryld.png

Edging up slightly recently, and certainly not contracting. On the flip side, look at the 2-10 spread (click to enlarge):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/3/30/saupload_2_10_yr.png

A few short months ago, hyper-inflationists were warning that this spread, which hit high after high, would blow out as inflation took hold, became rampant, and we’d be back to the middle ages. I was never in that camp, and while we see some inflationary pressures building, I think the main risk remains deflation as real estate, unemployment, etc. will drag down the consumer.

Regardless, the 2-10 spread has come back from the brink and the curve is now flattening. I don’t know which way we go from here, but my analysis is still that rates are headed higher on an absolute level and the flattening yield curve supports my view that a recession or worse could be on the way. It’s a bad combination to have higher rates, deflation of stores of wealth, and a government with no ability to provide future fiscal and monetary stimulus.'

Evacuees struggle to leave shelters Toshiba proposes to scrap 4 nuke reactors at Fukushima plant [ Am I missing something here … some failed attempt at (Japanese) humor … Wow! … remind me not to buy a Toshiba computer [ I’ve also just eliminated dell and apple’s just not worth it (way over-priced)( I previously eliminated SONY Vaio – In 2000 it was probably more of a windows millennium problem but owing to SONY ‘proprietary’ I wasn’t even able to install new operating system ) And, on top of the viral barrage and typical windows problems, I had some problems with the dell, and when I opened the 'case', though not displayed on the outside, this 'dell' computer as displayed in the inside was 'made in china'. With few exceptions, so were the components. So much for the 'american' company … I think the same to be true of apple, etc.. Then quite some time ago, a compaq (now owned by hp) and more recently a hewlett packard, respectively were eliminated – computers didn’t even work – how pathetic. ]. The only explanation is that the radiation must be eating at their brains. Was this proposal ever in doubt … even necessary? I’m at a loss for words! I really am! ] TOKYO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Toshiba Corp. submitted a proposal to Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to decommission four troubled reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees.

Equity Valuations Are Forming the Second Biggest Bubble in U.S. History Kaspar [ Give this man a cigar ... he gets it right! ] Originally Posted on GoldShark.com 'Despite the terrible economic performance of the past ten years (both in terms of the markets and the general economy), equity valuations are now approaching the second largest bubble in United States history, surpassed only by the technology bubble.

Both the cause and the potential ramifications of this development are astounding.

Exhibit one: The cyclically-adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, or CAPE.

This is not a “fad” valuation metric. CAPE dates back to 1871, offering 140 years worth of data, during which time, the mean price-to-earnings ratio is 16.

According to Yale University’s Dr. Robert Shiller, the market is now 41% overvalued according to this valuation metric. The only time the markets have been more overvalued was a few brief months in 1929 and the tech bubble.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_cape_thumb1.png ]

Exhibit 2: The Q ratio, which measures total market value compared to its replacement cost.

The Q-ratio data in the chart below dates back to 1900. According to the data, the markets have now surpassed the 1929 peak valuation by over 8%. In United States History, only the tech bubble was bigger than what we are experiencing today.

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_q_ratio_thumb1.png ]

Historically, bubbles turn a believable story and a trend into an overvaluation. In the 1700s during the South Sea Bubble, the mania driving the bubble was the seemingly endless wealth and prosperity of the New World. Railroading prospects induced a bubble in the late 1800s as America became connected from the east coast to the west coast. In the 1920s, a bubble formed on belief in the newly formed League of Nations (world peace), and more importantly, the society-changing impact of the automobile.

A similar life-changing invention – the Internet – swept the attention of investors in the 1990s as the prospect of a virtual marketplace would forever globalize commerce. Every bubble has a story, whether it be tulips or inventions or some other craze.

What is the story today? The prospect of inflation? High unemployment?

Exhibit 3: The gap between projected 12-month earnings against the 10-year average. (Two notes: a. the chart from Bloomberg fails to insert the word ‘projected’; Robert Shiller references this chart in this Bloomberg article. b. the 10-year average is the cyclically adjusted price to earnings ratio).

Considering the power of mean reversion, the market is stretching this reversion greater than 2000 and 2007!

[chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/12/saupload_gap_between_12_month_average_thumb1.png ]

Another question. Could the growth in earnings have been artificially manufactured?

To quote Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “Let me count the ways.”

· The change in accounting rules for the financial sector by FASB has generated massive “false” account profits beginning in 2009.

· The extended (and then further extended) unemployment benefits have kept an artificially higher demand for consumer consumption. As a result, the US government has artificially subsidized corporate profits.

· The billions saved through “free loading” by homeowners who have defaulted on their mortgages yet maintained their residence, thus living without a mortgage payment.

· The artificially suppressed interest rates.

So, not only do we have a valuation bubble, but the earnings on which the projections are based are non-sustaining, and non-market driven. Brilliant. Again, I am left wondering how it is possible to find ourselves in the same overvaluation situation as a few years ago especially considering nothing has been resolved to actually fix the world’s economic system.

A parting thought: according to research conducted by the Duke University Medical Center, it would seem that even monkeys are capable of learning from their mistakes. Why can’t we?'

The Negative Volatility Regime: The Market's Disconnect From Global Turmoil The Hard Trade [ A very interesting and important read / perspective; but I believe he is far too kind, gentle, empathetic, and overly eager to euphemistically explain the criminal fraud that continues even as I write. Indeed, his explanation may fit for the more 'passive' market participants as they watch these frauds unfold in the face of dire, contraindicated facts and circumstances. Yet he ignores the reality in that we are talking about literally the criminally insane on wall street. Forget not that huge amounts of money, in the trillions, have been scammed through fraudulent means, ignoring reality, and with wink and nod embracing the convenient, glaringly inaposite non-truth. His explanation is analogous to trying posit some rationale to the serial killer as such confronts a new victim. Moreover, I also believe he ignores the role of modern-day technology, viz., complex computer programming in facilitating these frauds, high-frequency churn-and-earn trading (of no economic benefit in net real terms), the ease of which accomplished is too tempting for these predisposed criminals to resist. I truly believe that with the 'profit' / fraudulent gains taken out of the 'equation' through, ie., prosecution, fines, jail, disgorgement, etc., you'd be less likely (though not completely, given the nature of criminal insanity) to see such disconnect from those 'inconvenient truths' others of us know as reality. That said, as elsewhere set forth on this website, the psychological factor is among the factors considered when analyzing securities, others of which include the economy, growth of earnings, quality of earnings, etc.. But, make no mistake, they are greedy, criminally insane, and do it for the money ( in contravention of the rights of others as in, ie., anti-social personality disorder, among other psychological afflictions ). ] ' For months I have been frustrated and surprised by the action of the markets in the face of continued turmoil. In different contexts, I’ve used terms such as "disconnected" or "bifurcated" where there seems to be a total discontinuity between the facts and the market actions. I now have a new term: The Negative Volatility Regime. In a new report from Artemis Capital, Christopher Cole outlines the current environment by focusing on volatility. After my own heart, he starts with behavioral finance and defines the normalcy bias:

Normalcy Bias and Crisis: A quirk of the human condition is for the mind to desire normalcy so intensely as to consciously or subconsciously disregard knowledge that is disruptive to a pre-conditioned reality. This phenomenon is an important part of crisis management and market psychology. The consequence of a normalcy bias is that warning signs of a potential crisis go unnoticed or are interpreted optimistically. When a crisis occurs people are so overwhelmed by events inconsistent with a desired reality they lose their ability to make decisions. Researchers believe when the mind encounters an entirely new experience or event it attempts to match that reality to relevant experiences from the past. If there are no matching experiences the mind enters into a kind of feedback loop resulting in passivity. This lack of action as a response to risk is called negative panic1 and it culminates in a dangerous inability to act assertively in crisis. In essence, the psyche struggles to come to terms with what is really happening. Paralysis follows. ( Interestingly, I believe this to be a more apt description of the Japanese reaction in this earthquake / tsunami induced nuclear crisis. )

He then goes on to discuss how the normalcy bias can lead investors to ignore looming threats, which in turn can lead to "a cancellation of short-term volatility risk premium that should otherwise exist." This new Negative Volatility Regime is defined by:

1. Large declines in spot volatility: The past nine months have shown an unusually high number of large declines in spot volatility (realized and implied) that are of a much higher magnitude and length than what has been observed historically. As a result of these large declines, the VIX index and short-term realized volatility are below historic averages;

2. Abnormally steep volatility curve: The manifestation of an abnormally steep volatility curve (as a % of spot volatility) with a linear shape that more closely resembles a glacial cliff as opposed to the more traditional desert plateau (see chart);

3. Underperformance of Variance Hedges: Low volatility-of-volatility on the back of the variance term-structure results in the underperformance of out-of-the-money options and variance as a hedge against market declines;

4. High Volatility Skew: High levels of volatility skew for far out-of-the-money options showing increased likelihood of large declines in equity prices.

The article has a detailed discussion and great graphs representing the shape of the volatility structure. The full report can be accessed at: Artemis Q1 2011_Is Volatility Broken. (It is posted with permission.)'

Weisenthal On Tuesday April 12, 2011, 1:02 pm EDT

‘Dear investors.You’ve had an amazing run since March 2009. 

Maybe it’s time to get a little nervous. In addition to all kinds of dicey headlines — Japan (NYSE:EWJ), the Mideast, etc. –the economic data is starting to add up, and look like a slowdown.

You can see it in business confidence, headline GDP, and certain aspects of employment. Some previously hot industries are clearly starting to fade.

Case Shiller Is Showing The Housing Double Dip Getting Worse

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da46540cadcbbef19250000-547/case-shiller-is-showing-the-housing-double-dip-getting-worse.jpg

Small Business Confidence Is Suddenly Turning Lower

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da438d1cadcbb5f4d310000-547/small-business-confidence-is-suddenly-turning-lower.jpg

Image: NFIB

Q1 GDP estimates have been getting slashed

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4d908f02cadcbb445b370000-400-300/q1-gdp-estimates-have-been-getting-slashed.jpg

Image: Wikimedia Commons

After starting off at 4%, estimates for GDP are now in some cases below 4%.

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4da4649249e2ae0274070000-547/durable-goods-have-been-weak.jpg

Durable goods have been weak Las Vegas gaming revenue has suddenly turned south again.

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d557dc1ccd1d5c947100000-400-300/las-vegas-gaming-revenue-has-suddenly-turned-south-again.jpg

Image: WilWheaton on flickr

Oil prices have pushed the economy to the breaking point

http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4da46482ccd1d5f5101b0000-547/oil-prices-have-pushed-the-economy-to-the-breaking-point.jpg

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4da466804bd7c84422020000-547/markets-are-stalling-out.jpg
Markets are stalling out The age of cheap money is going away

http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4d9364d0cadcbbd639150000-400-300/the-age-of-cheap-money-is-going-away.jpg

With inflation on the rise, basically everything things QE2 is toast.

http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4d8df4bd49e2aea407000000-400-300/austerity-warnings-from-the-uk.jpg

Austerity warnings from the UK

Image: Twitpic

In London, where fiscal tightening is further along than here, it’s having a clear effect on consumer spending. That’s coming to the US, too.’

Yield Curve Appears to Be Flattening. Is Recession on the Way? The Hard Trade 'Slowly and quietly, spreads of the 2-10 year Treasuries decided not to blow out and instead have started coming back. What does it mean that in a world of increasing rates, we’re getting a flattening yield curve?

Here’s the 10 year yield (click to enlarge):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/3/30/saupload_10yryld.png

Edging up slightly recently, and certainly not contracting. On the flip side, look at the 2-10 spread (click to enlarge):

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/3/30/saupload_2_10_yr.png

A few short months ago, hyper-inflationists were warning that this spread, which hit high after high, would blow out as inflation took hold, became rampant, and we’d be back to the middle ages. I was never in that camp, and while we see some inflationary pressures building, I think the main risk remains deflation as real estate, unemployment, etc. will drag down the consumer.

Regardless, the 2-10 spread has come back from the brink and the curve is now flattening. I don’t know which way we go from here, but my analysis is still that rates are headed higher on an absolute level and the flattening yield curve supports my view that a recession or worse could be on the way. It’s a bad combination to have higher rates, deflation of stores of wealth, and a government with no ability to provide future fiscal and monetary stimulus.'

Taxpayers foot $850M bill for Wall St.’s pension fees NY Post | New York City taxpayers are helping to pay $850 million in Wall Street investment fees.

Stiglitz, Soros, Summers try to remake global economy RT | George Soros brought together the economic elite to take apart and remake world finance.

Iceland rejects hostile takeover attempt in national referendum John Stratton | Iceland is the only country where the people have been allowed to have a say in the matter.

U.S. Deficit to Rise to Largest Among Major Economies, IMF Says The U.S. is set to have the largest budget deficit of major developed economies this year and should narrow it now rather than face tough adjustments in the next two years, the International Monetary Fund said.

Inflation, fueled by gas and food prices, adds to worry

White House warns of debt ‘Armageddon’ The White House warned Republicans on Monday that failing to raise the $14.29 trillion US debt limit would spark “Armageddon-like” consequences for the slowly recovering US economy.

Bernanke: Middle Class Murderer Max Keiser and co-host, Stacy Herbert, report on the murderer of the middle class and how the wealth effect equals the poverty effect.

National / World

Top Scientist: Fukushima Meltdown Could Trigger Atomic Explosion Kurt Nimmo | Missing isotope readings will reveal if explosions were hydrogen or nuclear.

Alex Covers Government Secrecy on Coast to Coast AM Alex Jones | Alex joined Coast to Coast AM to talk about government secrecy.

Libya: Can We Call This A War Yet? Steve Watson | British and French foreign ministers criticize NATO and call for other alliance countries to intensify military operations.

The Nanny State Can’t Last Ron Paul | Despite the fear-mongering, a government shutdown would not have been as bad as claimed.

6 year old girl groped then drug tested by TSA You Tube | Disturbing video shows the TSA groping a very young girl.

War crime? U.S. Troops Fire on Iraqi Detainees (Video) Aaron Dykes | Shocking video has surfaced from 2005 of U.S. troops firing on captive Iraqi detainees after a riot.

IRS to increase “pre-crime” enforcement Sovereign Man | Did you ever see Minority Report?

Libya: Increased Airstrikes, Ground Troops, Contractors, Civilians Killed, Deadly DU Munitions – Can We Call This A War Yet? The globalist coalition refers to it as ‘kinetic military action’, yet as more civilians are killed in NATO bombings, and with experts adamant that deadly Depleted Uranium weapons are being used by Western forces, the conflict in Libya looks a hell of a lot like the occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq all over again.

Top Scientist: Fukushima Meltdown Could Trigger Atomic Explosion A British professor and expert on the health effects of ionizing radiation told Alex Jones today evidence points toward a nuclear explosion occurring at the Fukushima Daiichi complex. Two explosions at the plant in March were described as hydrogen gas explosions by Japanese officials and the corporate media.

Fukushima Introduces Deadly Strontium Into Environment Japan has admitted the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster is on par with the one at Chernobyl. At the same time, Japan’s science and technology ministry reports strontium, a heavy radioactive metal that is a catalyst for leukemia, has been detected around the crippled reactors. In addition to leukemia, strontium causes cancers of the bone, nose, lung, and skin.

Thermal cameras look inside homes to monitor energy efficiency The city of Boston has been taken to task by the ACLU over concerns about a roll-out of thermal imaging cameras being used to monitor energy efficiency inside homes. A pilot program to take aerial and street-level photos of heat loss in Boston was part of a scheme to encourage participation in home energy improvement programs, as well as to drive consumers towards green companies.

Alex Jones’ Audio Blog April 12, 2011 Alex often wakes up at night wanting to take down the thoughts running through his head, so he adopted his audio blog format to try to capture that state of mind. It is admittedly an experiment– he is still a bit dazed, for instance, during the beginning of the blog. Yet in many ways, Alex is more calm and focused at home and in peace, allowing for greater reflection on humanity’s bigger picture.

Cornel West Calls Obama a Black Mascot of Wall Street Oligarchs The outspoken Princeton professor has not-so-kind words for Al Sharpton and President Obama.

Stiglitz, Soros, Summers try to remake global economy The original Bretton Woods conference of world leaders created the global economic framework still in place today.The one that took place over the weekend put on by the Institute for New Economic Thinking — a think tank bankrolled by billionaire investor George Soros – brought together some of the economic elite to take it apart and talk about how to make a new one. So where is the global economy, and specifically the United States headed now?

Fukushima radiation taints US milk supplies at levels 300% higher than EPA maximums The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to release new data showing that various milk and water supply samples from across the US are testing increasingly high for radioactive elements such as Iodine-131, Cesium-134, and Cesium-137, all of which are being emitted from the ongoing Fukushima Daiichia nuclear fallout.

Pakistan Tells U.S. to Halt Drones Pakistan has privately demanded the Central Intelligence Agency suspend drone strikes against militants on its territory, one of the U.S.’s most effective weapons against al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, officials said.

Drudgereport: JAPAN NOW ADMITS: IT'S CHERNOBYL...
Tries to Explain Delays in Reporting Radiation...
Obama to Call for Higher Taxes...
DEFICIT ROCKETS 16% IN FIRST HALF OF YEAR...
Inflation Actually 'Near 10%'...
IMF: US 'lacks credibility' on debt...
'Stringent Austerity Measures' Needed...
BUDGET TRICKS, SLEIGHTS OF HAND IN BUDGET DEAL...
Conservatives' criticism growing...
Budget deal axes 'czars' -- who are already gone...
Proposal $773B Higher Than 2008 Budget...
$5 GAS BY MEMORIAL DAY
Thermal Cameras On Boston Streets Can Show Activity Inside Homes...
Pump prices less than 10% below record high...
San Fran highest at $4.13...
OBAMA MAN: TRUMP HAS 'ZERO CHANCE' [ Hard to believe, or maybe because this particular factual reality is so easy to believe because it's so obviously true, but wobama finally got something right, not that it changes anything for him! ]
Despite Vote, We're Keeping FCC Internet Rules! [ Pelosi finally gets something right! ] [ wobama, pelosi finally uncharacteristically correct, albeit once each in their lifetime ... must be the japanese radiation ... ]
9th Body Found In NY Serial Killer Probe, Possibly A 10th...
Obama regrets HIS vote against raising debt limit...
RASMUSSEN: President hits new low 'strongly approve' – 19%...
UPDATE: Egyptians turn anger on army in Cairo protest...
New Clashes in Tahrir Square...
Gaza-Israel violence rages...
'West wants war'...
'Mideast Without Israel and America Now Possible'...
Despite Vote, We're Keeping FCC Internet Rules! [ Pelosi finally gets something right! ]
US Debt Jumped $54 Billion in Week Preceding Deal to Cut $38 Billion...
11TH HOUR: LET'S MAKE A DEAL
Obama: 'Americans of different beliefs came together'...
Takes credit for 'biggest annual spending cut in history'...
'LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS'...
FLASHBACK: Deficit Forecast Nears $1.5 Trillion...
SURPRISE: Government shutdown averted...
Spending cuts total nearly $40 billion...
$78 billion below Obama request...
Deal bans DC from spending funds for abortion, continues school voucher program...
BOEHNER: 'As good a deal as we could get'...
REPORT: Oprah won't endorse Obama for re-election...
Poll: Obama Struggling With Whites...
Even black voters slip...
OIL JUMPS 2% -- IN A DAY...
Fever for Gold, Silver Grips Investors...
Biden daughter trashes Trump...
Bill Cosby slams: 'He's full of it!'...
Trump Takes On NYT, Gail Collins...
Admires her for surviving 'so long with so little talent'...
NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Lawrence O'Donnell insists parent company NBC consider firing Donald Trump Daily Caller ... Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE... PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

65 Ways That Everything That You Think That You Own Is Being Systematically Taken Away From You

The Economic Collapse April 12, 2011 'Everything that you own is slowly being taken away from you.  It is being done purposely and it is being done by design.  Many Americans like to think of themselves as “well off”, but as will be demonstrated below, we don’t “own” nearly as much as we think that we do.  The truth is that most of us have to frantically run around accumulating wealth as rapidly as we can so that we can somehow stay ahead of the rate that wealth is being taken away from us.  The entire system is designed to take what you have away from you.  There are many ways that this is accomplished – taxation, inflation, debt, interest, fines, fees, tickets, government seizures and good old-fashioned corporate greed.  If you tried to just sit back and do nothing but hold on to the wealth that you already have you would find out that it would disappear rather quickly.  When you take the time to really analyze our system the conclusion is undeniable – everything that you think that you own is being systematically taken away from you.

There is a reason why the wealthiest one percent of all Americans control 40 percent of all the wealth in the United States.  The system is designed to funnel all of the wealth to them and to the government.  Average Americans are experiencing a declining standard of living and it is not by accident.

Just check out some of the ways that our wealth is being taken from us….

#1 Do you think that you own your house?  You might want to think again.  Most Americans that “own a home” are paying a mortgage.  If you stop paying that mortgage you will lose that home.  Over a million American families were kicked out of their homes last year.  This year a million more American families will get the boot.

But when those families get booted out onto the street they don’t get their down payments back.  They don’t get all the mortgage payments that they have made back.  The banks get to keep all of the money and all of the houses.

Perhaps you don’t have a mortgage.  Does that mean that you “own your home”?

No, not really.  Just refuse to pay your property taxes and watch what happens.  At best you can say that you have the right to rent your home from the government.

In any event, the reality is that the banks now own more of “our homes” than we do.  During the most recent recession, the total amount of U.S. home equity owned by the banks surpassed the total amount of U.S. home equity owned by the rest of us for the first time ever.

Things used to be far different in this country.  Once upon a time American families owned most of the houses and most of the land in this nation.

But now the banks own most of it.  Sadly, most American families that believe that they “own homes” are actually enslaved to 20 or 30 year debt contracts.

#2 Do you think that you own your car?  You don’t own it if you are still making payments on it.  If you stop making payments you will rapidly lose that car.

But even if your car is paid off, you can only operate that car if you do the following….

*You must pay the license fee

*You must pay the car registration fee

*You must pay the emissions inspection fee

*You must pay the property taxes on that car (if that applies in your area)

*You must pay the tire taxes

*You must pay the gas taxes

If you have paid all of those taxes, then you are permitted to drive only where the government allows you to drive and only under the rules that the government sets for you.

But at least you “own” your car, right?

#3 What about your possessions?  Do you own them?

Well, yes, you probably own some possessions.

But that doesn’t mean that they are not enslaving you.

After all, did you use a credit card to pay for any of them?

If so, you could end up paying much more for your possessions than you originally thought that they cost.

For example, if you only make the minimum payment on your credit card each month, a $6,000 credit card bill could end up costing you over $30,000 (depending on the interest rate).

#4 Do you own your education?  Well, it is undeniable that nobody can ever take it away from you.  But if you took out student loans that debt may end up enslaving you for decades.

The borrower is the servant of the lender and student loan debt is more of a financial drain on Americans than ever before.  Americans now owe more on student loans than they do on credit cards.  As hard as that is to believe, that is actually true.  Americans now owe more than $903 billion on student loans, which is a new all-time record.

#5 Will you protect your wealth if you put your money in the bank?

No, in fact your wealth will be systematically destroyed in the bank.

Inflation is a hidden tax on every single dollar that you own.  It destroys the value of all dollars in existence.  There are some Americans that have been saving money for decades, but those savings are being taxed into oblivion by inflation.  Many experts are now projecting that the average price of a gallon of gasoline will hit $5 by the end of the year.  So the next time you go to the gas pump just take a moment to think about how your wealth is being drained away by inflation.

#6 Insurance costs continue to soar.  After insuring everything in our lives many of us barely have any money left over to actually live our lives with.  In particular, health insurance premiums have become completely and totally ridiculous.  According to the Los Angeles Times, Blue Shield of California plans to raise rates an average of 30% to 35%, and some individual policy holders could see their health insurance premiums rise by a whopping 59 percent this year alone.  So how are American families supposed to survive if they keep on handing over bigger and bigger chunks of their income to thehealth care industry?

#7 State and local governments all over the nation have turned to ticket writing as a primary revenue source.  In fact, in some areas of the country traffic citations are soaring at a crazy rate.  For example, 110,000 more traffic citations were written in Los Angeles County last fiscal year than were written in the fiscal year immediately prior to the last recession.

The truth is that the police even realize what is going on.  Just consider the following quote from from Police Chief Michael Reaves of Utica, Michigan….

“When I first started in this job 30 years ago, police work was never about revenue enhancement, but if you’re a chief now, you have to look at whether your department produces revenues.”

#8 Some states have decided to simply confiscate wealth even if nothing has been done wrong.  For example, the state of California is aggressively seizing “unclaimed” safe deposit boxes.  If you have a safe deposit box that you have not checked on in a while you might want to make sure that it is still there.

#9 You might end up losing your valuables when you cross the border.  It is being reported that U.S. border agents are now regularly seizing laptops and other electronic devices as people cross the border.  In many cases those items are never returned.

#10 If you don’t pay your property taxes, you will lose your house and it will likely be a big Wall Street bank that will be taking it from you.  As I have written about previously, the big Wall Street banks are buying up thousands upon thousands of tax liens and are making a killing by socking distressed homeowners with predatory interest, outrageous penalties and almost unbelievable legal fees.

#11 Of course the biggest way that our wealth is being drained is through federal income taxes.  The reason that the Federal Reserve and the IRS were established back in 1913 was to redistribute wealth.  Wealth is transferred from the American people to the U.S. government and then ultimately to the elite and to the causes that the elite favor.

But federal taxes are only one of the taxes that we pay.  The truth is that the average American pays dozens of different taxes each year.  Just check out a few examples of the different taxes that drain our wealth….

#12 Accounts Receivable Taxes

#13 Building Permit Taxes

#14 Capital Gains Taxes

#15 CDL License Taxes

#16 Cigarette Taxes

#17 Corporate Income Taxes

#18 Court Fines (indirect taxes)

#19 Dog License Taxes

#20 Federal Unemployment Taxes (FUTA)

#21 Fishing License Taxes

#22 Food License Taxes

#23 Gasoline Taxes

#24 Gift Taxes

#25 Hunting License Taxes

#26 Inheritance Taxes

#27 Inventory Taxes

#28 IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)

#29 IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

#30 Liquor Taxes

#31 Local Income Taxes

#32 Luxury Taxes

#33 Marriage License Taxes

#34 Medicare Taxes

#35 Payroll Taxes

#36 Property Taxes

#37 Real Estate Taxes

#38 Recreational Vehicle Taxes

#39 Road Toll Booth Taxes

#40 Road Usage Taxes (Truckers)

#41 Sales Taxes

#42 Self-Employment Taxes

#43 School Taxes

#44 Septic Permit Taxes

#45 Service Charge Taxes

#46 Social Security Taxes

#47 State Income Taxes

#48 State Unemployment Taxes (SUTA)

#49 Telephone federal excise taxes

#50 Telephone federal universal service fee taxes

#51 Telephone federal, state and local surcharge taxes

#52 Telephone minimum usage surcharge taxes

#53 Telephone recurring and non-recurring taxes

#54 Telephone state and local taxes

#55 Telephone usage charge taxes

#56 Toll Bridge Taxes

#57 Toll Tunnel Taxes

#58 Traffic Fines (indirect taxation)

#59 Trailer Registration Taxes

#60 Utility Taxes

#61 Vehicle License Registration Taxes

#62 Vehicle Sales Taxes

#63 Watercraft Registration Taxes

#64 Well Permit Taxes

#65 Workers Compensation Taxes

Even the future is being taken away from us.  The future is literally being stolen from our children and our grandchildren.  They will be inheriting the 14 trillion dollar (and still rising) national debt that we have accumulated.  What we have done to future generations is unthinkable, and yet we continue to endlessly borrow more money.  The Congressional Research Service estimates that the U.S. government will need to borrow $738 billion between April 1st and September 30th.  Faith in U.S. Treasuries is falling so rapidly that now the biggest bond fund in the world, PIMCO, is actually shorting U.S. Treasuries.

When you base an entire economy on debt, eventually you end up withmoney problems that never seem to end.  As a nation we are now enslaved to a vicious spiral of debt that is going to destroy everything that our forefathers worked so hard to build.

As the debt loads of our federal, state and local governments become even more burdensome, they are going to want even more money from us.  For decades we gave in to new tax after new tax thinking that it would finally satisfy them.  But it never seems to be enough.  They always want more.

It is the same thing with the banksters.  They are never satisfied either.  They always want more assets and they always want more Americans to be enslaved to debt.

Unfortunately, most Americans are so caught up in the “rat race” that they never take much time to think about who designed the race or why they are running it.

Hopefully more Americans will wake up and will realize that our entire economy and our entire financial system need to be reformed.  Our current system is inherently flawed and it will eventually impoverish the vast majority of us if we allow it to.'

Cuts will affect vast spectrum of priorities (Washington Post) [ Drudge was reporting that the new focus will be trillions, not as just passed, the billions in cuts, which I did not include / highlight because that's not news! Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . ] More than half of the $38 billion in spending cuts that lawmakers agreed to last week in the 2011 budget compromise that averted a government shutdown would hit education, labor and health programs. [The Return of the Carry Trade? [ Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org 'What Does Currency Carry Trade Mean? A strategy in which an investor sells a certain currency with a relatively low interest rate and uses the funds to purchase a different currency yielding a higher interest rate. A trader using this strategy attempts to capture the difference between the rates, which can often be substantial, depending on the amount of leverage used. - The carry of an asset is the return obtained from holding it (if positive), or the cost of holding it (if negative) (see also Cost of carry).For instance, commodities are usually negative carry assets, as they incur storage costs or may suffer from depreciation, but in some circumstances, appropriately hedged commodities can be positive carry assets if the forward/futures market is willing to pay sufficient premium for future delivery. This can also refer to a trade with more than one leg, where you earn the spread between borrowing a low carry asset and lending a high carry one; such as gold during financial crisis, due to its safe haven quality. Carry trades are not arbitrages: pure arbitrages make money no matter what; carry trades make money only if nothing changes against the carry's favor. ]

ETF News Update: Theater of the Absurd Nyaradi 'This week’s soap opera in Washington, D.C. was truly the “theater of the absurd” as Congress and the President wrangled over an “historic” $39 billion budget cut that pales sadly in comparison to the $189 billion deficit that the Federal Government ran up in March alone.We’ll discuss this in greater detail in a moment, but for today, we are content with our positions in gold, oil and inverse exchange traded funds and we remain in the defensive mode, anticipating stronger headwinds ahead. On My Radar

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/11/saupload_spxpf040911.png …’ ]

China shows small trade deficit (Washington Post) [ Result leads some to suggest more “balance” in the economy. Japan to raise nuclear crisis alert level to 7, equal to Chernobyl event Japan media reports move from level 5 to level 7, the highest, at tsunami-stricken nuclear plant. Japan quake may lead to more seismic trouble Evacuees struggle to leave shelters Toshiba proposes to scrap 4 nuke reactors at Fukushima plant [ Am I missing something here … some failed attempt at (Japanese) humor … Wow! … remind me not to buy a Toshiba computer [ I’ve also just eliminated dell and apple’s just not worth it (way over-priced)( I previously eliminated SONY Vaio – In 2000 it was probably more of a windows millennium problem but owing to SONY ‘proprietary’ I wasn’t even able to install new operating system ) And, on top of the viral barrage and typical windows problems, I had some problems with the dell, and when I opened the 'case', though not displayed on the outside, this 'dell' computer as displayed in the inside was 'made in china'. With few exceptions, so were the components. So much for the 'american' company … I think the same to be true of apple, etc.. Then quite some time ago, a compaq (now owned by hp) and more recently a hewlett packard, respectively were eliminated – computers didn’t even work – how pathetic. ]. The only explanation is that the radiation must be eating at their brains. Was this proposal ever in doubt … even necessary? I’m at a loss for words! I really am! ] TOKYO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Toshiba Corp. submitted a proposal to Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to decommission four troubled reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, ...Previous: City withers in shadow of reactors (Washington Post) Japan dumps radioactive water into ocean [ Japan will never be viewed nor be quite the same again; somewhat hapless, if not hopeless, they have indeed become. Drudgereport: JAPAN TRIES 'SHREDDED NEWSPAPER' TO STOP NUKE LEAK (Well, there you go … a nostalgic throwback to yesteryear … paper maché … who woulda' thunk it … or remembered it … riiiiight … sounds like a plan!) 4 of 6 Daiichi reactors can’t be fixed (WP) [ I continue to believe this to be a far more serious catastrophe with further reaching consequences, economically, financially, and otherwise than are being sloughed off by markets, pols, and media. It truly is sad to even think about what seem likely to be 'suicide jobs' but I must say I was incredulous regarding the $5,000 / day offer of recruitment for such workers (short-term? … for as long as they live?... Wow! … I immediately thought of skid row, the bowery, and admit to being somewhat ashamed for having done so.) Fukushima Nuke Plant Now in Full Meltdown Kurt Nimmo | Smoke was reported at a second nuclear power plant in Japan today. Japan’s Nuclear Rescuers: ‘Inevitable Some of Them May Die Within Weeks’ Workers at the disaster-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan say they expect to die from radiation sickness as a result of their efforts to bring the reactors under control, the mother of one of the men tells Fox News.Smoke Rises from DIFFERENT Nuclear Complex … 7 Miles from the Leaking Reactors The same nuclear power plant operator that runs the Daiichi complex – Tepco – runs a separate nuclear complex 7 miles away, called Fukushima Daini. There are 4 reactors located at the Daini complex.Japan Considers Entombing Nuclear Plant as Workers Fight to Stop Radiation Bloomberg | Japan will consider entombing its crippled atomic plant in concrete. Reactors now leaking plutonium into soil New York Post | “The situation is very grave,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said today. ]Workers continue to endure soaring radiation levels as they work to stave off a full-scale meltdown. ] In area that survived quake and tsunami largely intact, nuclear fears have created a ghost town.

The shrinking alliance (Washington Post) [ I think in the final analysis, the inverse relationship between the size of the hu / hah, gung ho, nato alliance / participation in these military adventures abroad and the size of the respective members' deficits will become 'clear as an unmuddied lake'. Globalists Coming Full Circle Tony Cartalucci | Long before the verified lies of Qaddafi’s “door-to-door” genocide, Libya was already marked for destabilization and regime change. From Ivory Coast to Libya And Beyond: The Conquest of Africa Rick Rozoff | Two of only five African nations not partnered with the Pentagon through AFRICOM are the targets of violent uprisings aimed at toppling their governments. Leahy: Obama Needs Congressional Approval to Put Troops in Libya CNS News | Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy said President Obama needs congressional approval to send U.S. troops into Libya. Permanent Occupation: Gates Admits US Troops To Remain In Iraq Beyond 2011 The world’s media reacted with a collective shrug of the shoulders today as Defense Secretary Robert Gates admitted that US troops are likely to stay in Iraq beyond 2011, making another scheduled withdrawal date nothing more than an empty meaningless promise. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . ] Blink, and you might miss NATO’s disappearance.

Gerson: Obama’s tap dance on a tightrope (Washington Post) [ What an understatement … wobama the b (for b*** s***)Yeah! An appropriate word picture straight out one of the old Roach ' Our Gang' comedies … and I'm not going say which characters are which, according to wobama we must share the sacrifice, which means you because we all know how the wobamas sacrifice, ie., $500 sneakers, lavishly expensive vacations, etc., which means we have a buck, we eat! Obama turns to deficit panel (WP) The president plans this week to call for “balance” and shared sacrifice in tackling the rocketing national debt. { Obama vs. Trump: A Circus Sideshow on the Road to Feudalism [ Even if you don't buy the 'feudalism' characterization of pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america, there is no question but that america is in an intractable and regressive state of decline. Nimmo |

Roche 'The worst part of it ...Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( what do holder and wobama have in common … wall street money? … a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ?...all/some of the above … or is it something else ... a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ' Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud WP | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown.

Obama’s Dismal Approval Numbers

Drudgereport: OBAMA MAN: TRUMP HAS 'ZERO CHANCE' [ Hard to believe, or maybe because this particular factual reality is so easy to believe because it's so obviously true, but wobama finally got something right, not that it changes anything for him! http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ]
Despite Vote, We're Keeping FCC Internet Rules! [ Pelosi finally gets something right! ] [ wobama, pelosi finally uncharacteristically correct, albeit once each in their lifetime ... ]
RASMUSSEN: President hits new low 'strongly approve' – 19%... } ]

IMF chief says work remains on economy How well do you know the world’s currencies? (Washington Post) [ Duh! Ya think? Another crisis? How 'bout the other crisis that never ended … got 'obfuscated' with those over-active printing presses and worthless currencies ala the 'no-recession fed'. Soros: Dollar ‘no longer’ reserve currency Aaron Dykes | Soros says the Dollar has fallen, the U.S. ‘Could Absorb More Debt’ and that China is the ‘big winner’ of the financial crisis. Un-reserve Dollar? US thinkers up for world order reshape RT | “Bretton Woods II” convenes to debate the future of the global economy. The Return of the Carry Trade? [ Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org 'What Does Currency Carry Trade Mean? A strategy in which an investor sells a certain currency with a relatively low interest rate and uses the funds to purchase a different currency yielding a higher interest rate. A trader using this strategy attempts to capture the difference between the rates, which can often be substantial, depending on the amount of leverage used. - The carry of an asset is the return obtained from holding it (if positive), or the cost of holding it (if negative) (see also Cost of carry).For instance, commodities are usually negative carry assets, as they incur storage costs or may suffer from depreciation, but in some circumstances, appropriately hedged commodities can be positive carry assets if the forward/futures market is willing to pay sufficient premium for future delivery. This can also refer to a trade with more than one leg, where you earn the spread between borrowing a low carry asset and lending a high carry one; such as gold during financial crisis, due to its safe haven quality. Carry trades are not arbitrages: pure arbitrages make money no matter what; carry trades make money only if nothing changes against the carry's favor.

IMF Will Work on Portugal Bailout Plan With European Union Bloomberg | Portugal has requested IMF assistance, according to Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

A Militarized Economy Cannot Balance the Budget John Perkins | We can’t afford our bloated military budget and still have democracy.

US to delay China currency report AFP

Peter Schiff: Government Counterfeiting and Economic Terrorism

A Crack in the Great Wall-mart: Watch Out for Rising Prices from China

Oil prices hit highest level since 2008

Debt Jumped $54.1 Billion in 8 Days Preceding Obama-Boehner Deal to Cut $38.5 Billion for Rest of Year

Economists Shocked, Shocked: We Really Are Losing Jobs to China! Fletcher

Soros and friends reorder global finance at new Bretton Woods

IMF Will Work on Portugal Bailout Plan With European Union Bloomberg ] As economic recovery continues, Dominique Strauss-Kahn says more aggressive oversight is still needed to lower the risk of another crisis.

Markets fall on earnings caution, energy selloff (Reuters) - Reuters - Stocks mostly fell on Monday as energy shares sold off on lower oil prices and the onset of earnings season was clouded by concern company outlooks may fall short of expectations.

China Goes American, Registers First Trade Deficit Since '04 Rapoza 'The Chinese economy registered a trade deficit in the first quarter of 2011, it’s first negative trade balance since 2004. A growing middle class and a stronger local currency has more Chinese businesses buying abroad.  Higher priced commodities — especially soy from the Americas and iron ore from Brazil — didn’t help the trade figures either.

The General Administration of Accounting (GAC) said in their report this weekend that, a “strong and rapidly growing domestic economy, plus international markets and the sharp rise in commodity prices and the Spring Festival holiday this year all led to a cumulative deficit of $1.02 billion in the first quarter.” According to the GAC, China imports in the first three months of the year reached $400.66 billion, up 32.6%, while exports totaled $399.64 billion, an increase of 29.5%.

China’s economy is in fifth gear, with the Asian Development Bank in Manila forecasting growth of at least 8.2% in 2011, higher than the official growth estimate of 7%.

Last year, China trade registered the kind of surplus the US only dreams about, a modest $13.9 billion, according to the GAC. By comparison, the U.S. trade deficit in January was around $46 billion.

For March, China’s total trade value rose 31.4% to $304.3 billion compared with March 2010. Export values for the month totaled $152.2 billion, while import values were $152.06 billion. March’s monthly import data was yet another record, beating January 2011’s historical import record of $144.3 billion, the GAC said.

In bilateral trade, China and the European Union trade rose 22% to $123.7 billion.  China-US trade totaled around $97 billion, up 25%. In third place, Chinese-Japanese trade hit $80.78 billion in the first, up 27.1%.

Multinationals accounted for nearly half of China’s import and export value in the first quarter with a total of $415.4 out of around $800.3 billion in trade. The multinationals saw an increase of 24.9% in trade out of China so far this year.  Of the total, the MNCs exported $217.5 from China, 24.6% more than the first quarter of 2010, and imported $197.8 billion worth of goods and services, an increase of 25.2%, according to the GAC.

China’s state owned enterprises, or SEOs, exported $172.95 billion in the first quarter, an increase of 27.8%. Of the total, exports were around $57.58 billion, up 16.4%, and imports were $115.38 billion, up 34.5%.

What Was Exported
China’s leading exports were electromechanical products, accounting for $232.03 billion, up 22.8% from the same period in 2010 and accounting forr 58.1% of first quarter exports. Exports of electrical and electronic products was $6.9 billion, an increase of 27.8%. Machinery and equipment exports rose 15.5% to $74.6 billion. Traditional Chinese exports like apparel exports rose 18.4% to $28.5 billion; textiles jumped 32.7% to $20.2 billion; footwear up 22% to $8.8 billion and furniture sales rose 19.3% to $8.4 billion.

What Was Imported
China imported 180 million tons of iron ore in the first quarter, an increase of 14.4%. Average iron ore prices were $156.5 per ton, up 59.5%; soybean imports declined marginally by 0.7% to 10.96 million tons, but the cost of importing soy from the US and South America rose by an average of 25.7% to $573.90 per ton. In addition, imports of machinery and electronic products rose 25.6% to $172.92 billion.

Guangdong continues to lead China as the nation’s trade hub, accounting for $201.2 billion in foreign trade (export + import value). Jiangsu, Shanghai and Beijing came in third with $121 billion, $98 billion and $91 billion in trade values, respectively.

Martin Schulz, Managing Director of International Equity at PNC Capital Advisors was in China last month and said one of the things that surprised him most was that Chinese clothing manufacturing was starting to move to countries like Vietnam. “Chinese clothes are starting to be made in southeast Asia because the wage rates are growing so fast that a lot of manufacturers are simply moving into the rural areas in the interior of China, or across borders,” he says.

China’s growing domestic demand could make the country an inflationary force in the global economy, Shulz said. “The growth there has been a deflationary force in the world for some time, but now it is going to be an inflationary one.”

Want to make money trading with China? Honestly, become a soy farmer or work in agribusiness, at Boeing, or in the organic chemicals space. Because pretty much everything we sell to China, they sell to us. And apparently at cheaper prices. Whether its electrical machinery, power generation equipment, medical devices, or iron and steel, the US registered a trade deficit on them all with the big C.

US-China Trade Statistics

2009 Top US Exports to China

1. Electrical machinery & equipment: $9.5 billion
2. Oil seeds & other oleaginous fruits: $9.3 billion
3. Power generation equipment: $8.4 billion
4. Air and spacecraft: $5.3 billion
5. Plastics: $4.4 billion
6. Optics and medical devices: $4 billion
7. Iron and steel: $3.5 billion
8. Pulp and cardboard: $2.5 billion
9. Organic chemicals: $2.4 billion
10. Vehicles, excl. railway: $1.9 billion

2009 Top US Imports From China

1. Electrical machinery and equipment: $72.9 billion
2. Power generation equipment: $62.4 billion
3. Apparel: $24.3 billion
4. Toys: $23.2 billion
5. Furniture: $16 billion
6. Iron and steel: $8 billion
7. Footwear: $13.3 billion
8. Plastics: $8 billion
9. Leather and travel bags: $6 billion
10: Optics and medical devices: $5.6 billion

Source: US International Trade Commission. '

The Return of the Carry Trade? [ Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org 'What Does Currency Carry Trade Mean? A strategy in which an investor sells a certain currency with a relatively low interest rate and uses the funds to purchase a different currency yielding a higher interest rate. A trader using this strategy attempts to capture the difference between the rates, which can often be substantial, depending on the amount of leverage used. - The carry of an asset is the return obtained from holding it (if positive), or the cost of holding it (if negative) (see also Cost of carry).For instance, commodities are usually negative carry assets, as they incur storage costs or may suffer from depreciation, but in some circumstances, appropriately hedged commodities can be positive carry assets if the forward/futures market is willing to pay sufficient premium for future delivery. This can also refer to a trade with more than one leg, where you earn the spread between borrowing a low carry asset and lending a high carry one; such as gold during financial crisis, due to its safe haven quality. Carry trades are not arbitrages: pure arbitrages make money no matter what; carry trades make money only if nothing changes against the carry's favor. ]

ETF News Update: Theater of the Absurd Nyaradi 'This week’s soap opera in Washington, D.C. was truly the “theater of the absurd” as Congress and the President wrangled over an “historic” $39 billion budget cut that pales sadly in comparison to the $189 billion deficit that the Federal Government ran up in March alone.We’ll discuss this in greater detail in a moment, but for today, we are content with our positions in gold, oil and inverse exchange traded funds and we remain in the defensive mode, anticipating stronger headwinds ahead.

On My Radar

http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/11/saupload_spxpf040911.png

Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com, click to enlarge.

In the chart above we can see that the S&P500 remains in a bearish signal mode with a price objective of 1160. Strong overhead resistance is at 1330 which held this week and support lies at the 1250 level.We have been in this range for the last 25 trading days but, as always, this sideways action will be broken one way or the other. Based on current fundamental and technical elements, we expect this break to be on the downwards side of the range.

The View From 35,000 Feet

The big news this week was the 11th hour “resolution” of the bill to keep the government open which resulted in an “historic” cut of $39 Billion. As mentioned at the outset, this is truly the theater of the absurd because the deficit in March alone was $189 Billion, and so far for this fiscal year, we have racked up a budget deficit of $830 Billion according to the Congressional Budget Office, up $113 Billion compared to the same period last year. Of course what went largely unsaid is that this fiscal year is already half way over and the discussion of the 2012 budget is about to get underway along with the horse trading that is about to ensue over raising the Federal debt ceiling of $14.3 Trillion that is set to be exceeded in mid May. So it should be good entertainment as the second and third installments of the “theater of the absurd” get underway...

In geopolitical news, Palestinians and Israelis continued their hostilities in the Gaza Strip, protesters in Syria and Egypt persisted with their demonstrations, and the war in Libya has reached what everyone is now recognizing to be a stalemate with a fire doing unknown damage to that country’s Sarir oil field.

All of this unrest resulted in West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil hitting a 2 1/2 year high of $113/bbl and Brent Crude hitting $126/bbl, its highest level since July, 2008.

In Europe, the ECB raised interest rates, an action that is sure to put more pressure on the already struggling peripheral nations and Portugal is being squeezed for more cuts as they are now a ward of the European Central Bank. Greece is in recession and everyone wonders if Spain, often thought of as too big to save and too big to fail, is next on the chopping block.

U.S. Treasuries and the U.S. Dollar continued their slide while gold set a new nominal record of $1476/oz and silver hit a 30 year high of $40/0z.

Finally another earthquake hit Japan on Thursday and the Japanese government said that Japan’s economy was in “severe condition.”

What It All Means

We continue to live in historic times fraught with challenges, danger and uncertainty. Rising oil prices are never good for Western economies and the looming fight over raising the debt ceiling and the 2012 budget proposal put forth by U.S. Representative Paul Ryan will set the economic tone for the rest of this year and next. Dr. Bernanke and his colleagues at the Federal Reserve say that inflation is “transitory,” however, the precious metals and oil markets seem to be literally screaming otherwise.

The Week Ahead

1. Major Issues/Themes: This week brings significant economic reports and the kickoff on Monday of earnings season with Alcoa (AA) reporting after the bell.

Important reports to watch are Alcoa on Monday, JP Morgan (JPM) and March Retail Sales on Wednesday, Google (GOOG) earnings on Thursday and manufacturing and industrial production reports on Friday.

· Monday: Alcoa Earnings Report

· Wednesday: JP Morgan earnings, MBA Mortgage Index, March Retail Sales, February Business Inventories, April Fed Beige Book

· Thursday: Initial Unemployment Claims, Continuing Claims, March Consumer Price Index, Fairchild Semiconductor and Google earnings reports

· Friday: March Consumer Price Index, April Empire Manufacturing, March Industrial Production, April Michigan Consumer Sentiment

Sector Spotlight

1. Leaders: (NYSEArca: SLV) iShares Silver (NYSEArca: EPOL) iShares Poland

2. Laggards: (NYSEArca: EWJ) iShares Japan Index (NYSEArca: IYT) iShares Transportation

This week I was in Germany where it was unseasonably warm in Frankfurt with lovely spring days and warm evenings by the Main River. The restaurants and bars were full as soccer played on the televisions and I couldn’t help but wonder how much longer the Germans will be willing to carry their weaker neighbors in the European Community...'

IMF Will Work on Portugal Bailout Plan With European Union Bloomberg | Portugal has requested IMF assistance, according to Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

A Militarized Economy Cannot Balance the Budget John Perkins | We can’t afford our bloated military budget and still have democracy.

US to delay China currency report AFP | The US Treasury said it would delay a report labeling China a currency manipulator until at least May.

Peter Schiff: Government Counterfeiting and Economic Terrorism Financial guru and Austrian economics sage Peter Schiff discusses how the federal government has no place labeling private citizens who make gold and silver coins economic terrorists.

IMF Will Work on Portugal Bailout Plan With European Union The International Monetary Fund has received a financial aid assistance request from Portugal and will work on a bailout plan with European Union authorities, Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn said.

A Crack in the Great Wall-mart: Watch Out for Rising Prices from China While America’s labor force struggles to regain employment and reclaim real wages, the prices of necessary products are preparing to surge, creating the uncomfortable prospect of stagflation, that dour economic phenomenon of rising prices and falling wages last seriously confronted three decades ago.

Oil prices hit highest level since 2008 World oil prices jumped on Friday to their highest levels in more than two years as the market was driven by simmering political tensions in the Arab world and concerns over elections in Nigeria.

Debt Jumped $54.1 Billion in 8 Days Preceding Obama-Boehner Deal to Cut $38.5 Billion for Rest of Year The federal debt increased $54.1 billion in the eight days preceding the deal made by President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D.-Nev.) and House Speaker John Boehner (R.-Ohio) to cut $38.5 billion in federal spending for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, which runs through September.

Economists Shocked, Shocked: We Really Are Losing Jobs to China! Ian Fletcher | There’s a nice new academic paper with hard data to back up everyone’s suspicion that the U.S. is losing jobs to China.

Soros and friends reorder global finance at new Bretton Woods Washington Examiner | It’s no accident they’re meeting on the very same site as Bretton Woods– formally UN Monetary and Financial Conference.

IMF Will Work on Portugal Bailout Plan With European Union Bloomberg | Portugal has requested IMF assistance, according to Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Ex-PBOC Official Wakes Up From The Acid Trip: “U.S. Treasury Market Is A Giant Ponzi Scheme” After years of being the primary supplier of funding to the US credit-money shell game, one more ex-PBoC member wakes up from the “great normalization” acid trip, and in a Caixin editorial says what virtually everyone now understands all too well: the Treasury market is one “giant Ponzi scheme.”

Gold hits record on euro, silver jumps to 31-year top Gold jumped to a record high for a fifth straight trading day on Monday as the prospect of more declines in the U.S. dollar drove investors into the precious metal, with record exchange traded fund holdings helping silver to its highest in more than three decades.

Pentagon Budget Cuts are Possible Americans can begin to hope that the current recession, coupled with the politics of debt reduction in Washington, may yet result in cuts in that runaway Pentagon budget, The Nation magazine says in its April 11th issue.

Britain sues Iceland for £3.5billion for refusing to pay back bailout cash Iceland is to be sued by Britain and the Netherlands to recover £3.5billion lost when its banking system collapsed.

Goldman Sachs: “The Margins Are Not What They Seem” And for today’s exercise in surreality, in your best Agent Cooper voice repeat after us: “The margins are not what they seem.”Durden Zero Hedge April 10, 2011 'Here is how Goldman resolutely refuses to change its margin forecast for 2011-2012 despite crude now 30% higher than where it was when this chart was first conceived. To be honest, we haven’t flipped to the risk factors but we assume the first one would read: “Goldman may and will, in addition to trading against its clients, make the assumption that said clients are all bloody idiots.”And in some news actually based on a Euclidean reality, here is something that is oddly enough factual: the Earnings Calendar as earnings month is now upon us.

[chart http://www.zerohedge.com/sites/default/files/images/user5/imageroot/bernanke/margins.jpg ]

[chart http://www.prisonplanet.com/goldman-sachs-the-margins-are-not-what-they-seem.html ] …'

Iceland rejects hostile takeover attempt in national referendum John Stratton | Iceland is the only country where the people have been allowed to have a say in the matter.

Five Things You Didn't Know About Ben Bernanke Breslin 'You know Ben Bernanke as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, but how much do you really know about the guy? The "most powerful nerd on the planet” became a household name during the Great Recession, and yet the real man behind that bearded, calm exterior remains something of a mystery.

Born in Augusta, Georgia, and raised in Dillon, South Carolina, Bernanke was the son of a pharmacy owner and a schoolteacher. He went on to become an economics professor and chaired the Department of Economics at Princeton. In 2002, he landed at the Federal Reserve as a governor, and in 2006, President Bush appointed him chairman. He’s been criticized for failing to foresee the nation’s financial crisis and for bailing out Wall Street. What you might not know: The 57-year-old used to be a theme-park waiter.

May I Take Your Order, Please?
If you’ve ever crossed the border between North Carolina and South Carolina along Interstate 95 and seen a giant Sombrero Tower, you’ve spotted where Young Bernanke worked as a waiter. During the summers between semesters at Harvard, the Fed-in-Chief returned to his hometown and slaved at “tourist mecca” South of the Border to pay his way through college. At the Mexican-themed roadside attraction, which features an amusement park and a mascot named Pedro, Bernanke served diners at the Sombrero Restaurant and wore a poncho. In a 60 Minutes interview, Bernanke revealed that his summer jobs taught him that “work is hard.”

A Man of Many Nicknames
“Helicopter Ben” is Bernanke’s most popular nickname. He earned the title after a 2002 speech, “Deflation: Making Sure ‘It’ Doesn’t Happen Here,” in which he referenced Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman’s “helicopter drop” theory that says deflation is best combated by a direct infusion of cash to the people. For this, Bernanke was rewarded with artistic renderings of himself dropping money over the country from a helicopter. Subsequently, he was crowned “Bearnanke” by the Wall Street Journal : “By harping on his worries about inflation and tight labor markets, Bernanke has implied there will be no cut in interest rates any time soon, and bond investors […] risk losing money as they come to grips with that.” Most recently, he has been rechristened “Bernie Mac,"  “Banana Ben,”  "the Ben Bernank," and “He Who Sees No Bubbles.”

Foreclosure Crisis Hits Home
In 2009, Bernanke’s ranch-style childhood home in economically hard-hit Dillon was sold at a foreclosure sale to Travis Jackson, a 27-year-old loan officer. Bernanke declined to comment on the record specifically about his foreclosed-upon boyhood residence (the Bernanke family had sold the property over a decade prior), but he stated, “We believe that getting the credit markets going, getting banks lending again, increasing the demand for all products—including those made in Dillon—are part of economic recovery. […] That's what the Fed's trying to do."

Richard Schafer, who owns South of the Border, says post-recession revenue at the park is down 10% and he wishes he’d kept a photo of Bernanke as a serape-wearing server: “I'd probably get some economic-bailout money if I did.”

A Private Faith
Bernanke, almost didn’t go to Harvard because his family was concerned that he would “lose his Jewish identity.” At the time, Harvard grad student and former fellow Dillon resident Kenneth Manning, who is African-American and now an M.I.T. professor, reassured the Bernanke family “there were Jews in Boston.”  When it comes to religion, says a friend, Bernanke “keeps his feelings and beliefs private … but it’s really embedded in who he is.” Bernanke learned Hebrew from his maternal grandfather, Harold Friedman, a professional hazzan and Hebrew teacher.

Upon his arrival in Washington, Bernanke’s leadership experience as chair of the economics department at Princeton was so limited that “he liked to joke that his major decisions involved what type of bagels to order for faculty meetings.”

Nice Beard
“Has Ben Bernanke's beard gotten significantly whiter since he started as Fed Chairman or is it just me?” tweeted @The Analyst of Bailout Ben. In terms of facial hair, Bernanke’s now-snowy iconic beard is the yang to Giants’ pitcher Brian Wilson’s yin. In fact, Mr. Chairman’s beard even has its own Facebook page. “I hate everything Ben Bernanke stands for,” the Info page reads, “but his beard is an epic win.”...'

National / World

Soros: Dollar ‘no longer’ reserve currency Aaron Dykes | Soros says the Dollar has fallen, the U.S. ‘Could Absorb More Debt’ and that China is the ‘big winner’ of the financial crisis.

Un-reserve Dollar? US thinkers up for world order reshape RT | “Bretton Woods II” convenes to debate the future of the global economy.

Radiation Detected In Drinking Water In 13 More US Cities, Cesium-137 In Vermont Milk Jeff McMahon | Radiation from Japan has been detected in drinking water in 13 more American cities.

Iceland Rejects Bankster Shakedown Kurt Nimmo | Icelanders serve as inspiration for other people attempting to get out from under the criminal banksters.

Another Earthquake, Tsunami Hit Japan ABC News | A 6.6-magnitude aftershock rattled Japan today on the one-month anniversary of the twin disasters.

Industry’s war on nature: ‘What are the bees telling us?’ Rady Ananda | A sure way to collapse an ecosystem is to decimate a keystone species.

No end in sight for Fukushima disaster as bureaucrats battle the laws of physics Mike Adams | Readings coming out of Fukushima are admittedly “immeasurable.”

Fukushima Gov. Slams TEPCO, Govt for ‘Betrayal’ Yomiuri Shimbun | “We feel we were betrayed [by the central government and TEPCO,” Sato said during an interview.

Exposing the International Arbiters Tony Cartalucci | The corporate funded exploitation of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

Regime Change Libya: Privatization of their Central Bank and the Theft of their Nationalized Oil Profits Scott Creighton | Obama’s intervention was not designed to protect the people but to ensure that they too are enslaved just as we are enslaved.

Last-minute budget deal narrowly avoids the Big Government shutdown Mike Adams | Drop in the bucket cuts won’t aid America’s desperate need to balance its budget.

Debt Jumped $54.1 Billion in 8 Days Preceding Obama-Boehner Deal to Cut $38.5 Billion for Rest of Year Terence P. Jeffrey | The debt was $14.2101 trillion as of March 30.

Globalists Coming Full Circle Tony Cartalucci | Long before the verified lies of Qaddafi’s “door-to-door” genocide, Libya was already marked for destabilization and regime change.

From Ivory Coast to Libya And Beyond: The Conquest of Africa Rick Rozoff | Two of only five African nations not partnered with the Pentagon through AFRICOM are the targets of violent uprisings aimed at toppling their governments.

Leahy: Obama Needs Congressional Approval to Put Troops in Libya

CNS News | Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy said President Obama needs congressional approval to send U.S. troops into Libya.

Permanent Occupation: Gates Admits US Troops To Remain In Iraq Beyond 2011 The world’s media reacted with a collective shrug of the shoulders today as Defense Secretary Robert Gates admitted that US troops are likely to stay in Iraq beyond 2011, making another scheduled withdrawal date nothing more than an empty meaningless promise.

$5 Gas by Memorial Day CBS | At one time, $5 per gallon gas seemed like a farfetched idea.

Obama vs. Trump: A Circus Sideshow on the Road to Feudalism [ Even if you don't buy the 'feudalism' characterization of pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america, there is no question but that america is in an intractable and regressive state of decline. ] Kurt Nimmo | Obama’s wranglers know the American spectator does not elect presidents.

Obama’s Dismal Approval Numbers Rasmussen Reports | There has been a sharp decline in enthusiasm among liberal voters.

Drudgereport: $5 GAS BY MEMORIAL DAY
Thermal Cameras On Boston Streets Can Show Activity Inside Homes...
Pump prices less than 10% below record high...
San Fran highest at $4.13...
OBAMA MAN: TRUMP HAS 'ZERO CHANCE' [ Hard to believe, or maybe because this particular factual reality is so easy to believe because it's so obviously true, but wobama finally got something right, not that it changes anything for him! ]
Despite Vote, We're Keeping FCC Internet Rules! [ Pelosi finally gets something right! ] [ wobama, pelosi finally uncharacteristically correct, albeit once each in their lifetime ... must be the japanese radiation ... ]
9th Body Found In NY Serial Killer Probe, Possibly A 10th...
Obama regrets HIS vote against raising debt limit...
RASMUSSEN: President hits new low 'strongly approve' – 19%...
UPDATE: Egyptians turn anger on army in Cairo protest...
New Clashes in Tahrir Square...
Gaza-Israel violence rages...
'West wants war'...
'Mideast Without Israel and America Now Possible'...
Despite Vote, We're Keeping FCC Internet Rules! [ Pelosi finally gets something right! ]
US Debt Jumped $54 Billion in Week Preceding Deal to Cut $38 Billion...
11TH HOUR: LET'S MAKE A DEAL
Obama: 'Americans of different beliefs came together'...
Takes credit for 'biggest annual spending cut in history'...
'LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS'...
FLASHBACK: Deficit Forecast Nears $1.5 Trillion...
SURPRISE: Government shutdown averted...
Spending cuts total nearly $40 billion...
$78 billion below Obama request...
Deal bans DC from spending funds for abortion, continues school voucher program...
BOEHNER: 'As good a deal as we could get'...
REPORT: Oprah won't endorse Obama for re-election...
Poll: Obama Struggling With Whites...
Even black voters slip...
OIL JUMPS 2% -- IN A DAY...
Fever for Gold, Silver Grips Investors...
Biden daughter trashes Trump...
Bill Cosby slams: 'He's full of it!'...
Trump Takes On NYT, Gail Collins...
Admires her for surviving 'so long with so little talent'...
NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Lawrence O'Donnell insists parent company NBC consider firing Donald Trump Daily Caller ... Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE... PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

Deal will cut $37.8 billion from federal budget (Washington Post) [ US Lawmakers Reach Budget Agreement Voice of America/ Drudgereport: 11TH HOUR: LET'S MAKE A DEAL [ Hopes of the people dashed with last-minute budget deal avoiding shutdown – This may seem 20/20 hindsightish but I always thought the probabilities were against a shut-down, if only because of the additional 'paperwork' that would be engendered thereby, and the relatively small, insignificant budgetary amounts involved in separating the two parties. Some are totally skeptical and correctly so: Hoyer: “No Budget Deal Yet But 70% Agreement” Means Soap Opera Almost Over Zero Hedge Government Shutdown “Equivalent of Bombing Innocent Civilians” Kurt Nimmo | Democrats have worked themselves into a lather over the absurd circus sideshow billed as a government shutdown. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . Previous: White House talks fail to produce budget deal (WP) [ Hope is still alive say the people who hope they're prayers for a government shutdown are answered ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... then, they're plenty to spare … More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). Defacto bankrupt america the new marxian dream … eh, comrade ? Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (WP) The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (WP) ] To keep the government running through Friday, lawmakers approve a short-term spending measure and say the final agreement will be approved next week. If that happens, the measure will cut $37.8 billion from the federal budget through the end of September.

Sinking together in hostile embrace (Washington Post) [ This, of course, is the correct headline for what has now literally become a 'Titanic' (you may recall the oft heard quips analogizing the washington process to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic; and the scenario has only gotten much worse, not better, in that intervening time) of a nation. 'Washington is still broken' … duh! … ya think? And, that the ultimate understatement. Smart people are hearing none of that self-serving rhetoric, propaganda in noting the insurmountability of this debt debacle. 'Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . Moreover, the amounts here don't even cover interest on the debt, and soon borrowing to pay just the interest will take on a life and end of its own. It might very well be that they've actually thrown in the towel on what their approach has made and now is recognized as unsolvable by them if they are to maintain their own stipends. How tragic and pathetic at once! ] THE TAKE | This should have been the easy battle. Instead, it turned from confrontation to stalemate.

SEC to study private trading rules (Washington Post) [ Now tell me … how does the SEC shirk their responsibility, mission, purpose when dealing with a security and fraud together? What is a security? … hornbook law and the first thing you learn in Securities Law. That they along with the DOJ shirked their responsibilities, mission, and purpose in the last and continuing financial crisis / debacle in favor of the biggest, too big to fail perpetrators, there is no question. There are loads of worthless paper qualifying as securities being churned and foisted off every day which this one, big cottage (cheesey) industry (including enforcement) tends to indulge rather than prosecute, fine, jail and seek digorgement from (they would really help the budget scenario by doing the opposite; as per their responsibilities, mission, and purpose). Overvalued paper at best, fraudulent securities at worst: Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding [ { April Is a Good Time to Sell ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Adler , see infra, immediately after Harding } 'It’s that time of year again when I always remind you of the market’s seasonality, its proven tendency to make most of its gains between November and May, and experience most of its losses in the opposite period.

I get a kick out of people who dismiss it as an interesting theory that doesn’t always work. It’s not theory. It’s proven fact. In spite of the few years when it has not worked, investing over the long-term based on the market’s seasonality significantly outperforms the market, and with much less risk.

Don’t take my word for it. Academic studies provide clear evidence...' ] As investors seek shares in shadow markets, agency seeks reduced regulatory burden on small business.

Shutdown theatrics (Washington Post) [ Well, here I am again, somewhat implausibly (we're so … opposite) agreeing with at least the tenor of Mr. Milbank's article; and at the least, the trillions part. More show than substance … sure … but that's just unfortunately the devolution of american politics in the most negative sense, regardless of party. Politics of decline? … Absolutely. New? … Not at all … the history books are replete with the carcasses of such failed nations as pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america. [ US Lawmakers Reach Budget Agreement Voice of America/ Drudgereport: 11TH HOUR: LET'S MAKE A DEAL [ Hopes of the people dashed with last-minute budget deal avoiding shutdown – This may seem 20/20 hindsightish but I always thought the probabilities were against a shut-down, if only because of the additional 'paperwork' that would be engendered thereby, and the relatively small, insignificant budgetary amounts involved in separating the two parties. Some are totally skeptical and correctly so: Hoyer: “No Budget Deal Yet But 70% Agreement” Means Soap Opera Almost Over Zero Hedge Government Shutdown “Equivalent of Bombing Innocent Civilians” Kurt Nimmo | Democrats have worked themselves into a lather over the absurd circus sideshow billed as a government shutdown. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . Previous: White House talks fail to produce budget deal (WP) [ Hope is still alive say the people who hope they're prayers for a government shutdown are answered ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... then, they're plenty to spare … More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). Defacto bankrupt america the new marxian dream … eh, comrade ? ] It was an absurd dispute over crumbs.

NATO regrets deadly strike on Libya rebels (Washington Post) [ Regrets? Not really. After all, just yesterday they were talking 'no apologies!' 'Nuff said … or, in new american lingo, 'snuff's said'. Yet, all this as the NATO members sink deeper and deeper into debt, if not as america, defacto bankruptcy. Regrets, they've had a few … Now how does that song go … what is it 'Their Way' …
And now, the end is here
And so they face the final curtain
Their friend, they'll say it clear
they'll state their case, of which they're certain
they've lived a life that's full
they traveled each and ev'ry highway
And more, much more than this, they did it their way

Regrets, they've had a few
But then again, too few to mention
they did what they had to do and saw it through without exemption
they planned each uncharted course, each reckless step along the byway
And more, much more than this, they did it their way …

Well, you know the real song … sung distinctively by the great singers, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra … But people should be reminded, they're both dead …

Congress Delivered Articles of Impeachment for tyrant Obama Bruce Fein | A prominent libertarian constitutional lawyer and civil libertarian has drafted an article of impeachment against President Obama. Article II, Section IV of the United States Constitution provides: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Libya rebels unlikely to oust Kadhafi: US general Western allies have stepped up “non-lethal” aid to Libyan rebels hours after a rebel armoured unit was hit by apparent NATO ‘friendly fire’, sources said.

Obama Successfully Demobilized the Anti-war Movement

Why Is NATO Really In Libya?


A test of Obama’s leadership style (Washington Post) [ Leadership style? Are you kiddin'? What leadership? 'Wobama's been a failed president since his first broken campaign promise; and there've been plenty more since then. The man's a total fraud!
Obama says shutdown would be ‘inexcusable’ (WP) [ What is totally inexcusable is 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) continuing in the office of the Presidency. He is an abject failure and a total fraud. He should be impeached and removed from office. Time for clichéd, stereotypical, 'mr. for a nickel he will' to go! GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill...

Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level 10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush AP 4-5-11 ] NATO officials grudgingly express regret for mistakenly bombing rebel forces in Libya and killing at least five people the previous day.

Selling In May Is Very Good Advice This Year Harding [ { April Is a Good Time to Sell ( I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ) Adler , see infra, immediately after Harding } 'It’s that time of year again when I always remind you of the market’s seasonality, its proven tendency to make most of its gains between November and May, and experience most of its losses in the opposite period.

I get a kick out of people who dismiss it as an interesting theory that doesn’t always work. It’s not theory. It’s proven fact. In spite of the few years when it has not worked, investing over the long-term based on the market’s seasonality significantly outperforms the market, and with much less risk.

Don’t take my word for it. Academic studies provide clear evidence.

For instance, a 27-page study published in the prestigious American Economic Review in 2002 concludes, “We found that this inherited wisdom of Sell in May to be true in 36 of 37 developed and emerging markets” It went on to say that, “A trading strategy based on this anomaly would be highly profitable in many countries. The annual risk-adjusted outperformance ranges between 1.5% and 8.9% annually depending on the country being considered. The effect is robust over time, economically significant, unlikely to be caused by data-mining, and not related to taking excess risk.”

Another study in 2008 at the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Study, which focused solely on the U.S. stock market, concluded that “All U.S. stock market sectors, and 48 out of 49 U.S. industry sectors performed better during the winter months than summer months in our sampling from 1926-2006.”

Let’s put the fact that it doesn’t work every year in context.

To begin with, no strategy, particularly buy and hold, works every year. And that is also true of seasonality. For instance, it underperformed in 2003 and 2009. In those years the market made gains in the winter months, and then, fueled by massive government stimulus programs, continued still higher during the summer months when a seasonal investor would have been invested in something other than stocks.

But the seasonal investor did not lose money by being out of the market in the unfavorable season in those years. He or she merely missed further gains. But when an investor is in the market in unfavorable seasons in which the market experiences the serious declines that most often take place in unfavorable seasons, that investor actually loses money. Those losses can be substantial, with investors giving back much, if not all of the gains made in the previous favorable season. For instance, from May 1^st to its low during the summer months, the S&P 500 lost 22% of its value in 2001, 24% in 2002, 38% in 2008, and even 16% in the early summer correction in the positive year last year. Those are the experiences that created the ‘lost decade’ that buy and hold investors experienced but which seasonal investors avoided.

Why might seasonality be even more important this year than in other years?

Negatives are piled up against the economy and market to a degree not seen in a number of years. They include rising inflation; global central banks raising interest rates to ward off inflation, which is also likely to slow their economic growth; signs of the U.S. economy slowing again (sharp declines in home sales, durable goods orders, and consumer confidence); the coming end of the Federal Reserve’s QE2 stimulus efforts in June; and the austerity measures Congress will be forcing on the country in efforts to bring the record budget deficit under control.

Then there is the high level of investor bullishness usually seen near market tops. For instance, the Investors Intelligence Sentiment survey shows bullishness has jumped up to 57%, while bearishness has fallen to just 15.7%. That spread of 41.6% is considered to be in a danger zone. The last time it reached 40% was in October, 2007, as the market topped out into the 2007-2009 bear market.

So, fair warning. Seasonality is liable to be even more important this year than in most years.

The traditional seasonality maxim, ‘Sell in May and Go Away’, calls for buying November 1 and selling on May 1 of the following year. Those dates were the basis for the academic studies mentioned earlier.

But obviously a positive market move does not begin and end on the same day each year. So in my 1999 book Riding the Bear – How to Prosper in the Coming Bear Market, I introduced my Seasonal Timing Strategy. It uses a technical indicator that tracks market momentum reversals to better identify the entries and exits. Over the last 40 years, its exit signals have been as early as April 20, and as late as June 20.

The modification significantly improved the already impressive performance of the basic ‘Sell in May and Go Away’ seasonal strategy. In a recent article on MarketWatch, Mark Hulbert wrote that the Hulbert Financial Digest has only been tracking the performance since mid-2002, and since then “Harding’s modification of the Sell In May and Go Away indicator produced an 8.2% annualized return . . . with 37% less risk.” That significantly beat the performance of the S&P 500.' April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ] Adler 'Both banks and foreign central banks [FCB] have normal buying cycles, and last week’s evidence suggests that both are just past the peak of those cycles. In addition, because of Japan’s predicament, FCB buying is for the foreseeable future, likely to be well below the necessary levels to keep levitating stocks. Add to that, the loss of the 2 month long, $25 billion weekly stipend from the Treasury on March 24, and we have the conditions for a rough patch.

With less help from the Treasury, the banks, and FCBs, the Fed would have its hands full keeping all its balls in the air. Some would be likely to hit the ground, but not this month. That’s because of the light Treasury supply that I covered in the Treasury update. That makes the job much easier this month, even without the banks and the FCBs.This week is one of those easy weeks, with lots of Fed pumping and no new Treasury supply ...

The evidence shows that banks are again out of the Treasury buying game. It also shows that they lost money in the first quarter, which is insane considering that their cost of funds is zero. It’s an indication of just how dire the circumstances are. Banks continue to accumulate cash at a frantic rate in their accounts at the Fed. The last time reserves rose this fast was in the midst of the crisis in 2008.
...These elements essentially neutralize the Fed’s pumping. ..

In the meantime I would not wait to "sell in May and go away." April looks like a good time to scale out of all equity longs, including in particular broad based ETFs, like SPY (SPY), DIA (DIA), QQQ (QQQ), and IWM (IWM). Aggressive traders and hedgers can use strength to establish short positions probably around mid-month and after ...' ]

FLASHBACK: MM Gameplan Recap: 3/11/11 - Mad Money HomegamerMar 11, 2011... Cramer said it's recently been hit by higher oil prices. ... Cramer is interested for its comments on whether $100+ oil has ... Cramer: I'm Not a Bull at $110 Oil … Cramer's 'Mad Money' Recap: Oil Key to Game Plan (Final) – TheStreet [ Wall Street shock jock and perma bull cramer eats his words … somewhat … since being not as bullish is a far cry different from being 'not a bull' … but words are cheap, in pervasively corupt, defacto bankrupt america generally and wall street particularly. 'They' must have given him a 'talkin' to' for not being a fraud team player.]

Apr 8, 2011 ... NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- 'With the price of oil breaching the $110 a ... time oil surged this high, and they're likely to hit the brakes yet again. ... NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- With the price of oil breaching the $110 a barrel level, Jim Cramer told the viewers of his "Mad Money" TV show Friday that we've officially "entered the danger zone" where the price of oil will matter more than corporate earnings. Cramer said he simply cannot be as bullish on the markets as he once was, and advised investors to begin using strength to raise cash. "Take a lesson from 2008," Cramer told viewers as he outlined his game plan for next week's trading. He said the markets faltered the last time oil surged this high, and they're likely to hit the brakes yet again. "I'm going to become more bearish as oil continues to climb," Cramer told viewers frankly. ...'

Keep it Simple - Here's What's Really Driving Stock Prices

Toshiba proposes to scrap 4 nuke reactors at Fukushima plant [ Am I missing something here … some failed attempt at (Japanese) humor … Wow! … remind me not to buy a Toshiba computer (I’ve also just eliminated dell and apple’s just not worth it). The only explanation is that the radiation must be eating at their brains. Was this proposal ever in doubt … even necessary? I’m at a loss for words! I really am! ] TOKYO, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Toshiba Corp. submitted a proposal to Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) to decommission four troubled reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, ...

Stocks End Lower Friday, Mixed for Week Midnight Trader 4:24 PM, Apr 8, 2011 --

2. NYSE down 5.39 (-0.1%) to 8,483.94

3. DJIA down 29.44 (-0.2%) to 12,380

4. S&P 500 down 5.34 (-0.4%) to 1,328

5. Nasdaq down 15.73 (-0.6%) to 2,780

GLOBAL SENTIMENT

· Hang Seng up 0.47%

· Nikkei up 1.85%

· FTSE down 0.81%

US Lawmakers Reach Budget Agreement Voice of America Drudgereport: 11TH HOUR: LET'S MAKE A DEAL [ Hopes of the people dashed with last-minute budget deal avoiding shutdown – This may seem 20/20 hindsightish but I always thought the probabilities were against a shut-down, if only because of the additional 'paperwork' that would be engendered thereby, and the relatively small, insignificant budgetary amounts involved in separating the two parties. ] Hoyer: “No Budget Deal Yet But 70% Agreement” Means Soap Opera Almost Over Zero Hedge | Supposedly 30% disagreement on a binary issue is good news. White House talks fail to produce budget deal (Washington Post) [ Hope is still alive say the people who hope they're prayers for a government shutdown are answered ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... then, they're plenty to spare … More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). Defacto bankrupt america the new marxian dream … eh, comrade ? ... Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (WP) The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (WP) Proposal represents GOP’s most comprehensive philosophical statement since midterm wins.(and then there's all that funny money)}. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . With deadline near, spending accord is elusive (WP) [ If only their spending was as elusive as accords. Oh, there's no question but that they really know how to spend your money at the further expense of children … yet, elusive in this context is a good thing as hope still remains … House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal (WP) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms- (WP) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... ] After back-to-back meetings at White House and on the Hill, Obama and congressional leaders remain billions of dollars apart as the first federal government shutdown in more than 15 years draws closer. ] President Obama and congressional leaders met again Thursday night to try to negotiate a deal on a spending bill that would avert a looming federal government shutdown. ”Differences have been narrowed,” Obama said.

Congress Delivered Articles of Impeachment for tyrant Obama Bruce Fein | A prominent libertarian constitutional lawyer and civil libertarian has drafted an article of impeachment against President Obama.

A test of Obama’s leadership style (Washington Post) [ Leadership style? Are you kiddin'? What leadership? 'Wobama's been a failed president since his first broken campaign promise; and there've been plenty more since then. The man's a total fraud!
Obama says shutdown would be ‘inexcusable’ (WP) [ What is totally inexcusable is 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) continuing in the office of the Presidency. He is an abject failure and a total fraud. He should be impeached and removed from office. Time for clichéd, stereotypical, 'mr. for a nickel he will' to go! GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill... Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level 10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush AP 4-5-11 George W. Bush was clearly a mentally-challenged puppet of the military/banking/oil elite.  The policies put it in place at breakneck speed after 9/11 were provably predetermined by think tanks well in advance... but there was a noticeable in-your-face quickening of corporate-government tyranny under Bush.

These policies like wars of aggression, illegal surveillance of Americans, torture of detainees indefinitely held without formal charges, unfair “free trade” agreements, and bank bailouts ... these policies accelerated under Obama, even more of the draconian playbook is unfolding.

After 8 years of Bush’s reign that ended with a record low presidential approval rating in the low 20s, Obama’s promise of hope and change ...Although policies being implemented under Obama’s leadership exhibit the continuation of Bush’s tyrannical agenda, his stunning betrayal of populist and Constitutional principles in support of these actions makes him the ultimate hypocrite...

There have been many articles written about Obama’s unkept promises and outright lies, but here are 10 actions that prove Obama is just as bad if not worse than Bush:

1) Bank/Corporate Bailouts...

2) Betrayal of the Poor...

3) Expansion of Free Trade: Obama excoriated NAFTA, GATT and other so-called “Free Trade” agreements that were put in place under Clinton and Bush (with CAFTA)...These free trade agreements are designed to only help the multinational corporations who wrote them, and who Obama now works for. … the government moves forward with many new similar agreements.

4) Escalating Wars of Aggression...

5)Internet Rights Eroding...

6) Finally, the DHS has been arbitrarily seizing domain names, which is clearly unconstitutional … Obama is completely in bed with Google and others in the corporate information cartel...

7) Free Speech Restrictions...
8) Illegal Domestic Surveillance...

9) Rule of Law is Dead...
10) Obamacare Fascism... ]

From Egypt to Libya and now the budget, the questions on leadership style have followed a consistent pattern.

A Crack in the Great Wall-mart: Watch Out for Rising Prices from China Jason Kaspar | If inflation is to hit home in the heartland of America, it will certainly begin at Wal-Mart.

Portugal defaults, America on the waiting list? RT | Prime Minister of Portugal asked the European Union for a bailout.

Two George Soros Events Aim to Remake Financial Order and Media Dan Gainor | His flunkies want to “Change the world. Change the media.”

The Dollar Is Getting Crushed As Oil Hits $111, Gold Hits $1470, Silver Hits $40, And Euro Hits $1.44 It’s not too surprising, since we’re seeing one of these classically “risk on” type of days that have defined this whole rally, but the dollar is getting killed against everything.

Wild And Crazy 2011: 10 History-Shattering Events That Have Shaken The Financial World To The Core 2011 has already had more history-shattering events than almost any other year since World War 2.

ECONOMIC CRISIS ARCHIVE

National / World

Lyndon LaRouche Exposes the Face of Evil Infowars | Alex Jones interviews political activist and former presidential candidate Lyndon LaRouche.

Congress Delivered Articles of Impeachment for tyrant Obama Bruce Fein | A prominent libertarian constitutional lawyer and civil libertarian has drafted an article of impeachment against President Obama. Article II, Section IV of the United States Constitution provides: “The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”

Socialist Leader Calls for Revolution (video) Naked Emperor News | American Socialist Leader Calling For Revolution Says ‘We Are Not Pacifists, Violence Sometimes is Necessary’

Government Shutdown “Equivalent of Bombing Innocent Civilians” Kurt Nimmo | Democrats have worked themselves into a lather over the absurd circus sideshow billed as a government shutdown.

The Future Expansion of Unmanned Drones Over The U.S. Michael Edwards | The goal is 24-hour eye-in-the-sky surveillance by predator drones within civilian airspace from coast to coast.

Libya rebels unlikely to oust Kadhafi: US general Western allies have stepped up “non-lethal” aid to Libyan rebels hours after a rebel armoured unit was hit by apparent NATO ‘friendly fire’, sources said.

Obama Successfully Demobilized the Anti-war Movement It is more evidence the antiwar movement is largely a left-vs-right distraction. A new studyby U-M’s Michael Heaney and colleague Fabio Rojas of Indiana University shows that the antiwar movement in the United States demobilized as Democrats took over Congress and the White House.

Why Is NATO Really In Libya? Is NATO failing with its attempts in Libya? Former Regan Administration official Paul Craig Roberts thinks the situation with Gaddafi is much different than the other recent protests in the Arab world. “Why is NATO there?” has become to real question, says Roberts, who fears that risky involvement stemming from American influence could lead to catastrophic breaking point.

Drudgereport: 11TH HOUR: LET'S MAKE A DEAL
Obama: 'Americans of different beliefs came together'...
Takes credit for 'biggest annual spending cut in history'...
'LIVE WITHIN OUR MEANS'...
FLASHBACK: Deficit Forecast Nears $1.5 Trillion...
SURPRISE: Government shutdown averted...
Spending cuts total nearly $40 billion...
$78 billion below Obama request...
Deal bans DC from spending funds for abortion, continues school voucher program...
BOEHNER: 'As good a deal as we could get'...
REPORT: Oprah won't endorse Obama for re-election...
Poll: Obama Struggling With Whites...
Even black voters slip...
OIL JUMPS 2% -- IN A DAY...
Fever for Gold, Silver Grips Investors...
Biden daughter trashes Trump...
Bill Cosby slams: 'He's full of it!'...
Trump Takes On NYT, Gail Collins...
Admires her for surviving 'so long with so little talent'...
NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Lawrence O'Donnell insists parent company NBC consider firing Donald Trump Daily Caller ... Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

White House talks fail to produce budget deal (Washington Post) [ Hope is still alive say the people who hope they're prayers for a government shutdown are answered ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... then, they're plenty to spare … More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). Defacto bankrupt america the new marxian dream … eh, comrade ? ... Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (WP) The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (WP) Proposal represents GOP’s most comprehensive philosophical statement since midterm wins.(and then there's all that funny money)}. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . With deadline near, spending accord is elusive (WP) [ If only their spending was as elusive as accords. Oh, there's no question but that they really know how to spend your money at the further expense of children … yet, elusive in this context is a good thing as hope still remains … House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal (WP) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms- (WP) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... ] After back-to-back meetings at White House and on the Hill, Obama and congressional leaders remain billions of dollars apart as the first federal government shutdown in more than 15 years draws closer. ] President Obama and congressional leaders met again Thursday night to try to negotiate a deal on a spending bill that would avert a looming federal government shutdown. ”Differences have been narrowed,” Obama said.

A test of Obama’s leadership style (Washington Post) [ Leadership style? Are you kiddin'? What leadership? 'Wobama's been a failed president since his first broken campaign promise; and there've been plenty more since then. The man's a total fraud!
Obama says shutdown would be ‘inexcusable’ (WP) [ What is totally inexcusable is 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) continuing in the office of the Presidency. He is an abject failure and a total fraud. He should be impeached and removed from office. Time for clichéd, stereotypical, 'mr. for a nickel he will' to go! GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill...

Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level 10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush AP 4-5-11 George W. Bush was clearly a mentally-challenged puppet of the military/banking/oil elite.  The policies put it in place at breakneck speed after 9/11 were provably predetermined by think tanks well in advance... but there was a noticeable in-your-face quickening of corporate-government tyranny under Bush.

These policies like wars of aggression, illegal surveillance of Americans, torture of detainees indefinitely held without formal charges, unfair “free trade” agreements, and bank bailouts ... these policies accelerated under Obama, even more of the draconian playbook is unfolding.

After 8 years of Bush’s reign that ended with a record low presidential approval rating in the low 20s, Obama’s promise of hope and change ...Although policies being implemented under Obama’s leadership exhibit the continuation of Bush’s tyrannical agenda, his stunning betrayal of populist and Constitutional principles in support of these actions makes him the ultimate hypocrite...

There have been many articles written about Obama’s unkept promises and outright lies, but here are 10 actions that prove Obama is just as bad if not worse than Bush:

1) Bank/Corporate Bailouts...

2) Betrayal of the Poor...

3) Expansion of Free Trade: Obama excoriated NAFTA, GATT and other so-called “Free Trade” agreements that were put in place under Clinton and Bush (with CAFTA)...These free trade agreements are designed to only help the multinational corporations who wrote them, and who Obama now works for. … the government moves forward with many new similar agreements.

4) Escalating Wars of Aggression...

5)Internet Rights Eroding...

6) Finally, the DHS has been arbitrarily seizing domain names, which is clearly unconstitutional … Obama is completely in bed with Google and others in the corporate information cartel...

7) Free Speech Restrictions...
8) Illegal Domestic Surveillance...

9) Rule of Law is Dead...
10) Obamacare Fascism... ]

From Egypt to Libya and now the budget, the questions on leadership style have followed a consistent pattern.

Would Trump pass a budget? (Washington Post) [ You have to be pretty low on the 'evolutionary food chain' to be taken in by a fraud like trump. Yet, total b*** s*** and fraud that he is, as the flip side of the same coin as fraud and failed president wobama the b (for b*** s***) it would represent the ultimate match-up in the 'new' failed and fallen america. Gaming is an economic win (WP)“Gold farmers” and other online workers in Asia are benefitting, according to a World Bank report. [ Well, I don't know about online, but offline certainly has been a big win for Wynn, Steve Wynn, who was 'chased' from mob infested jersey by mental case mobster trump et als. Drudgereport: NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC (WP) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail 

http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ]

Chain stores post increased sales (Washington Post) [ The mall? If they can find one with stores … Drudgereport: Malls hit highest vacancy in 11 years... Reality paints a different picture ... You're going to see some very large bankruptcies / foreclosures soon … This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . A Trading System That Challenges the Efficient Market Hypothesis [ I haven't included the body of this article because it's not worth your time. What parallel universe is McCurdy operating in? Even in the heyday of that so-called hypothesis, close examination of the data indicated that if you weren't timing the market you were, in a somewhat 'Charlie Sheenish' manner of speaking, duh! … losing! (my MBA Thesis, 1977, NYU GBA, Finance – which required study / mastery of such math intensive theory which wasn't for the faint of heart.) Said 'hypothesis' wasn't true then and certainly isn't true today where complex computer-programming can and does artificially produce the various criteria / buy / sell / signals alluded to in the article (they're widely known / followed) creating the rigged / fraudulent trading game geared to maximized the 'churn-and-earn' commission profits (net negative in economic terms) and enabling the passing of 'those hot potatoes'/paper shares in a manner that resembles a game of musical chairs with those not in the loop winding up holding the bag (including pension funds, etc.); all the while funding those lavish lifesyles / over-compensation of the frauds on wall street along with the direct / indirect bribes inuring them from stigma and as well, insulating them from proper scrutiny and prosecution. Fundamentals, fundamental rational analysis has become virtually irrelevant to these now fraud-prone markets like never before in history facilitating frauds of magnitudes that have made the rationalization 'too big to fail' a byword of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american failed finance; which frauds continue unabated, unprosecuted even as you read these words. In retrospect, one might say of such theory, in reality, that famed snoopy(ish - the dog) aphorism, 'baffling them with b*** s*** '. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! ]

Zeroing in on giant insider trading ring (Washington Post) [ Just don't bring the case in new york (or the 2^nd or 3^rd circuits for that matter); the bribes have already been paid, one way or another. Bonds show little concern about U.S. fiscal health  WP/Bloomberg (they call that the 'dumb money', you know, your money; while the smart money, ie., PIMCO, sold their entire portfolio of u.s. bonds. April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' Adler ]

Twilight Zone Investing

Whistling Past the Expanding Graveyard as Spain Goes 'On the Clock 'Inflation Trader 'For some time now, the markets have been ‘whistling past the graveyard,’ impressively ignoring and/or shrugging off a fair pile of news that ought definitely to be negative for equities and probably somewhat negative for bonds as well. I’ve detailed these things previously and they don’t really need much repeating.

But it’s one thing to go whistling past the local church graveyard, something else entirely to keep whistling when the graveyard stretches on for miles. Yesterday, Portugal formally asked the EU for a bailout. “I tried everything but we came to a moment that not taking this decision would bring risks we can’t afford,” said Prime Minister Jose Socrates. A day or two ago, there had been talk that Portugal wanted a short-term loan to float it past a big slug of bond redemptions that is approaching; the EU said ‘it doesn’t work that way,’ so Portugal was forced to throw itself on the mercy of the Union.

Well, this is something less than a total surprise, and indeed Portuguese bond yields rallied 17bps, along with Ireland’s 32bp rally and Spain’s 6bp rally. I don’t know how Portugal seeking aid improves the lot of Ireland, but there it is. Now, I don’t really care about a one-day rally but the significance of Portugal succumbing is that the market’s crosshairs will now be trained on Spain, Italy, or Belgium. Judging from market yields, it would appear Spain is likely to be the next one ‘on the clock.’ And that’s really the main event, because Spain’s economy is much larger than Portugal’s, Greece’s, or Ireland’s.

The graveyard stretches onward. How long can markets keep whistling?

U.S. 10y note yields reached 1-month highs at 3.55%, and I will not be at all surprised to see them keep going higher. .. ] The SEC says Matthew Kluger passed tips on corporate deals to a middleman, who then talked to a Wall Street trader, for 17 years.

A Trading System That Challenges the Efficient Market Hypothesis [ I haven't included the body of this article because it's not worth your time. What parallel universe is McCurdy operating in? Even in the heyday of that so-called hypothesis, close examination of the data indicated that if you weren't timing the market you were, in a somewhat 'Charlie Sheenish' manner of speaking, duh! … losing! (my MBA Thesis, 1977, NYU GBA, Finance – which required study / mastery of such math intensive theory which wasn't for the faint of heart.) Said 'hypothesis' wasn't true then and certainly isn't true today where complex computer-programming can and does artificially produce the various criteria / buy / sell / signals alluded to in the article (they're widely known / followed) creating the rigged / fraudulent trading game geared to maximized the 'churn-and-earn' commission profits (net negative in economic terms) and enabling the passing of 'those hot potatoes'/paper shares in a manner that resembles a game of musical chairs with those not in the loop winding up holding the bag (including pension funds, etc.); all the while funding those lavish lifesyles / over-compensation of the frauds on wall street along with the direct / indirect bribes inuring them from stigma and as well, insulating them from proper scrutiny and prosecution. Fundamentals, fundamental rational analysis has become virtually irrelevant to these now fraud-prone markets like never before in history facilitating frauds of magnitudes that have made the rationalization 'too big to fail' a byword of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american failed finance; which frauds continue unabated, unprosecuted even as you read these words. In retrospect, one might say of such theory, in reality, that famed snoopy(ish - the dog) aphorism, 'baffling them with b*** s*** '. (Which as it stands today particularly, remains an american financial / economic strategy, albeit a now widely known failed strategy.) - Lawyer charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ Come on! Just enough for a few headlines so people think they're actually doing something. They could (but don't) bring a case as this or other wall street crime against a different wall street liar (sic lawyer) / fraud in that corrupt sinkhole new york (metro, ie., jersey, conn., etc.) every single day and bearly touch the tip of the iceberg. Is anybody foolish enough to think what goes on there is legitimate? Remember, still no pros for the huge debacle / fraud precipitating the last and continuing economic / financial crisis. Chemist charged with insider trading (WP) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). SEC: Wachovia cheated investors (WP) I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting (formerly 20%), and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story (apple), and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' Adler ]

Twilight Zone Investing

Whistling Past the Expanding Graveyard as Spain Goes 'On the Clock 'Inflation Trader 'For some time now, the markets have been ‘whistling past the graveyard,’ impressively ignoring and/or shrugging off a fair pile of news that ought definitely to be negative for equities and probably somewhat negative for bonds as well. I’ve detailed these things previously and they don’t really need much repeating.

But it’s one thing to go whistling past the local church graveyard, something else entirely to keep whistling when the graveyard stretches on for miles. Yesterday, Portugal formally asked the EU for a bailout. “I tried everything but we came to a moment that not taking this decision would bring risks we can’t afford,” said Prime Minister Jose Socrates. A day or two ago, there had been talk that Portugal wanted a short-term loan to float it past a big slug of bond redemptions that is approaching; the EU said ‘it doesn’t work that way,’ so Portugal was forced to throw itself on the mercy of the Union.

Well, this is something less than a total surprise, and indeed Portuguese bond yields rallied 17bps, along with Ireland’s 32bp rally and Spain’s 6bp rally. I don’t know how Portugal seeking aid improves the lot of Ireland, but there it is. Now, I don’t really care about a one-day rally but the significance of Portugal succumbing is that the market’s crosshairs will now be trained on Spain, Italy, or Belgium. Judging from market yields, it would appear Spain is likely to be the next one ‘on the clock.’ And that’s really the main event, because Spain’s economy is much larger than Portugal’s, Greece’s, or Ireland’s.

The graveyard stretches onward. How long can markets keep whistling?

U.S. 10y note yields reached 1-month highs at 3.55%, and I will not be at all surprised to see them keep going higher. I believe the economic data is going to be flattening out a bit here, but not quickly enough to get investors champing at the bit to take up the slack once the Fed stops buying in a couple of months. Real yields are back to 0.96% on the 10y – still too expensive for my tastes but it is easy to say that; harder it is to find good alternatives. Even OSM, which I wrote about a year ago when it was trading at 16, only sports a yield of CPI+4.8% or so. After accounting for the credit risk of the issuer, that’s not particularly cheap (although probably better than many alternatives – I am not selling mine yet).

Energy markets continue to ooze slowly higher. The impacts of the Japanese disaster are continuing to spread and be felt. The financial impacts won’t be measured by Geiger counter readings, but by guidance from companies whose supply chains have been disrupted by the crisis. That guidance and those calls will start to happen when earnings announcement season gets kicked off on Monday (although the companies affected probably aren’t those that report next week but in the week or two thereafter).

And the money spigot the Fed has turned on will be turning off in only a few months.

Some people would say that this is all part of the “market climbing a wall of worry.” But that’s not right. A “wall of worry” is when investors are timid because of the possibility that things might go wrong, and they’re worrying about what might go wrong. That’s not the situation here. These things are not possibilities; they are things that are actually going wrong, right now. It’s whistling past the graveyard (frankly I picture it more like Michael Jackson’s Thriller, with lots of ghouls and ghastly things reaching out to clutch at the passersby).

Today, there are two main events on schedule. The first is the announcement by the ECB of the results of the monetary policy meeting. There is total unanimity among economists (at least, the 57 polled by Bloomberg) that the ECB will hike rates by 25bps even as Portugal, Greece, and Ireland are foundering on high rates. I think that will be a colossal error, although if they stop after one tightening or indicate that there will be a pause of some length to let the policymakers evaluate the effect of the move then it may not be as big of an error. But tightening policy now, given what is happening in MENA, given what is happening in Japan, and given what is happening with oil (which price rise is already contractionary), is a mind-boggling decision. And, as I have said before, it clearly points out that the EU doesn’t care much about the periphery countries and that policy is being run for the core. That’s fine, unless you’re a periphery country! We will see, I suppose, how willing the consumers of Europe are to take slower growth or a return to recession in order to restrain inflation.

This was always going to be the battle. Inflation, given the scale of central bank response to crisis, was always doomed to turn higher long before the “economic slack” (which is to say, jobs for the people) had evaporated. In the U.S., I have long assumed that the Fed would be very slow to hike rates for this reason and because the institution – despite its apparent independence – isn’t insulated from public rancor or from the brickbats of Congressional blowhards.

The other report is the weekly Initial Claims data (Consensus: 385k from 388k), which is unlikely to have a major impact unless it spikes well above 400k. A 410k print would get people wondering whether Claims are turning higher again, but a better-than-expected number has a high hurdle because the presumption is that Claims are in a downtrend.

For my money, I’m watching the ECB, listening to the press conference afterwards, and wearing a garlic necklace.'

Obama says shutdown would be ‘inexcusable’ (Washington Post) [ What is totally inexcusable is 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) continuing in the office of the Presidency. He is an abject failure and a total fraud. He should be impeached and removed from office. Time for clichéd, stereotypical, 'mr. for a nickel he will' to go! Drudgereport: Obama: 'I Remember What It Was Like To Pump Gas'...
Get used to high prices...
GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill...

Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level 10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush Activist Post April 5, 2011 George W. Bush was clearly a mentally-challenged puppet of the military/banking/oil elite.  The policies put it in place at breakneck speed after 9/11 were provably predetermined by think tanks well in advance... but there was a noticeable in-your-face quickening of corporate-government tyranny under Bush.

These policies like wars of aggression, illegal surveillance of Americans, torture of detainees indefinitely held without formal charges, unfair “free trade” agreements, and bank bailouts ... these policies accelerated under Obama, even more of the draconian playbook is unfolding.

After 8 years of Bush’s reign that ended with a record low presidential approval rating in the low 20s, Obama’s promise of hope and change ...Although policies being implemented under Obama’s leadership exhibit the continuation of Bush’s tyrannical agenda, his stunning betrayal of populist and Constitutional principles in support of these actions makes him the ultimate hypocrite...

There have been many articles written about Obama’s unkept promises and outright lies, but here are 10 actions that prove Obama is just as bad if not worse than Bush:

1) Bank/Corporate Bailouts...

2) Betrayal of the Poor...

3) Expansion of Free Trade: Obama excoriated NAFTA, GATT and other so-called “Free Trade” agreements that were put in place under Clinton and Bush (with CAFTA)...These free trade agreements are designed to only help the multinational corporations who wrote them, and who Obama now works for.  In contrast to being “opposed” to such agreements, the government moves forward with many new similar agreements.

4) Escalating Wars of Aggression...

5)Internet Rights Eroding...

6) Finally, the DHS has been arbitrarily seizing domain names, which is clearly unconstitutional.  Given that Obama is completely in bed with Google and others in the corporate information cartel, you can bet he will show his support for these endeavors even if only by remaining silent as they are debated then implemented.

7) Free Speech Restrictions...
8) Illegal Domestic Surveillance...

9) Rule of Law is Dead...
10) Obamacare Fascism... ] After an evening meeting with congressional leaders at the White House, the president said the two sides are divided over “relatively narrow numbers.”

Damage would increase with duration (Washington Post) [ But think of the longterm benefits for the nation and the world. Indeed, if only because 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) was against the shutdown is reason enough to do exactly that, so failed a president and fatally flawed man and total fraud he is (although there are innumerable reasons for the shutdown). Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (Washington Post) [ The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (Washington Post) Proposal represents GOP’s most comprehensive philosophical statement since midterm wins.(and then there's all that funny money)}. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . With deadline near, spending accord is elusive (Washington Post) [ If only their spending was as elusive as accords. Oh, there's no question but that they really know how to spend your money at the further expense of children … yet, elusive in this context is a good thing as hope still remains … House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal (Washington Post) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) ] ] After back-to-back meetings at White House and on the Hill, Obama and congressional leaders remain billions of dollars apart as the first federal government shutdown in more than 15 years draws closer. ] The economic effects of a government shutdown could be significant in the Washington region and nationally if the impasse continues for several weeks, some economists said.

A Crack in the Great Wall-mart: Watch Out for Rising Prices from China Jason Kaspar | If inflation is to hit home in the heartland of America, it will certainly begin at Wal-Mart.

Portugal defaults, America on the waiting list? RT | Prime Minister of Portugal asked the European Union for a bailout.

Two George Soros Events Aim to Remake Financial Order and Media Dan Gainor | His flunkies want to “Change the world. Change the media.”

The Financial System Designed To Self Destruct As each day passes the US dollar loses prestige and its status as a world reserve currency. Washington and Wall Street pay little attention to its slide and the changes a lower dollar and loss of reserve status will bring.

Markets Fall On Second Major Earthquake Near Fukushima Following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake off the coast of northeastern Japan today, the major stock market indexes fell after rising all morning.

“We Don’t Need A Bailout… We Don’t Need A Bailout…Uh, We Need A Bailout”: Portugal Admits To Needing EU Rescue In the biggest shocker to come out just hours before the ECB’s announcement tomorrow, which many see is a guaranteed rate hike, Journal de Negocios has just announced that according to the Portuguese Finance Minister, the country needs a bailout, after weeks and weeks of Greece-style denials. And yes, nobody could have foreseen this, and all that jazz.

Bank of England Holds Rates Despite High Inflation The Bank of England held interest rates at a record-low 0.5 percent on Thursday despite a surge in inflation, ceding the limelight to the European Central Bank, which was expected to raise borrowing costs less than an hour later.

US Going Same Route as Greece, Portugal: Economist The US is going down a similar road as that taken by Greece and Portugal with regard to its budget decisions, John E. Silvia, chief economist at Wells Fargo, said on Wednesday.

National / World

Our Immune System: Nature’s Perfect Machine Ben Fuchs | Suppression of the immune system is serious business.

U.S. General: Ground Troops to Invade Libya Kurt Nimmo | Troops to be sent despite assurances by Obama and Def. Sec. Gates to the contrary.

Onagawa Nuclear Plant Loses Power After Earthquake Kurt Nimmo | Japanese power companies have a less than sterling record in reporting nuclear accidents.

New Earthquake Off Japanese Coast Accompanied By Strange Blue Light Show Infowars.com | Onagawa nuclear power plant lost power.

Markets Fall On Second Major Earthquake Near Fukushima Kurt Nimmo | Major stock market indexes fell after rising all morning.

Obama vows to veto short-term bill The White House has vowed to veto the short-term spending bill House Republicans will vote on this afternoon, taking away the safety net that could have given both sides another week to avert an immediate government shutdown.

Obama props up corporate media with tax payer money The Daily Caller is reporting that two crown jewels in the CIA’s long-standing corporate media propaganda effort – the Washington Post and CBS – are receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars each from hoodwinked taxpayers in order to twist coverage of Obamacare.

Obama Remembers Pumping Gas During an appearance before Al Sharpton’s shake down organization, the National Action Network, the comedian Obama said he was a gas station attendant before he decided to serve his country as a teleprompter reader. Barry Obama was a regular Joe with student loans to pay off and other hardships suffered daily by the boobeoisie.

Jesse Ventura: Enough Government Cover-ups! It’s time for a Revolution! On the heels of the release of his latest book, 63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You Know, former governor of Minnesota, talk show host and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura talks with RT’s Anastasia Churkina to discuss his latest effort. In this sit-down, Ventura shares his thoughts on the recent decision to bring alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military tribunal and how Democrats and Republicans have “sold their soul to rock and roll.”

‘CIA involved in Yemen repressions’ Al-Qaeda in Yemen has not been held responsible for the death of even one American for the past five years, yet the US continues to play the al-Qaeda card and provide the country’s regime with military aid.

Sudan Accuses Israel Of Long-Range Attack Sudan has accused Israel of carrying out a long-range assassination mission from the air that has killed two people.

Drudgereport: Obama: 'I Remember What It Was Like To Pump Gas'...
Get used to high prices...
GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill...
FAA sets 'no-fly zone' over Williamsburg...
'Long-planned family trip'...
'Rest and relaxation'...
Malls hit highest vacancy in 11 years...
General: U.S. may consider ground troops in Libya...
DEM: WH 'dramatically underestimating' cost of war...
NATO Fears War without End...
NATO Airstrike Kills Libyan Rebels -- again...
OIL SPIKES PAST $110...
Traders prepare for oil at $175...
Ryan: Debt On Track To Hit 800% Of GDP...
Oklahoma sees driest 4 months since Dust Bowl...
'CBO Can't Conceive of Any Way' Economy Can Continue Past 2037...[that's awfully optimistically close to if not beyond the 'decades at best scenario']...
REPORT: Saudis 'So Unhappy' With White House They Sent Emissaries to China, Russia Seeking Enhanced Ties...
Cash-Strapped NYC To Close 20 Fire Companies...
NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Lawrence O'Donnell insists parent company NBC consider firing Donald Trump Daily Caller ... Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

Obama says shutdown would be ‘inexcusable’ (Washington Post) [ What is totally inexcusable is 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) continuing in the office of the Presidency. He is an abject failure and a total fraud. He should be impeached and removed from office. Time for clichéd, stereotypical, 'mr. for a nickel he will' to go! Drudgereport: Obama: 'I Remember What It Was Like To Pump Gas'...
Get used to high prices...
GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill...

Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level 10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush Activist Post April 5, 2011 George W. Bush was clearly a mentally-challenged puppet of the military/banking/oil elite.  The policies put it in place at breakneck speed after 9/11 were provably predetermined by think tanks well in advance... but there was a noticeable in-your-face quickening of corporate-government tyranny under Bush.

These policies like wars of aggression, illegal surveillance of Americans, torture of detainees indefinitely held without formal charges, unfair “free trade” agreements, and bank bailouts ... these policies accelerated under Obama, even more of the draconian playbook is unfolding.

After 8 years of Bush’s reign that ended with a record low presidential approval rating in the low 20s, Obama’s promise of hope and change ...Although policies being implemented under Obama’s leadership exhibit the continuation of Bush’s tyrannical agenda, his stunning betrayal of populist and Constitutional principles in support of these actions makes him the ultimate hypocrite...

There have been many articles written about Obama’s unkept promises and outright lies, but here are 10 actions that prove Obama is just as bad if not worse than Bush:

1) Bank/Corporate Bailouts...

2) Betrayal of the Poor...

3) Expansion of Free Trade: Obama excoriated NAFTA, GATT and other so-called “Free Trade” agreements that were put in place under Clinton and Bush (with CAFTA)...These free trade agreements are designed to only help the multinational corporations who wrote them, and who Obama now works for.  In contrast to being “opposed” to such agreements, the government moves forward with many new similar agreements.

4) Escalating Wars of Aggression...

5)Internet Rights Eroding...

6) Finally, the DHS has been arbitrarily seizing domain names, which is clearly unconstitutional.  Given that Obama is completely in bed with Google and others in the corporate information cartel, you can bet he will show his support for these endeavors even if only by remaining silent as they are debated then implemented.

7) Free Speech Restrictions...
8) Illegal Domestic Surveillance...

9) Rule of Law is Dead...
10) Obamacare Fascism...

]

After an evening meeting with congressional leaders at the White House, the president said the two sides are divided over “relatively narrow numbers.”

Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level Paul Craig Roberts | Gadhafi is being demonized while Bush/Cheney/Obama are sitting on their high horse draped in cloaks of morality. Reuters: Obama Signs Secret Order Authorizing Covert CIA Support For Libyan Rebels Obama has signed secret order authorizing covert US govt support for rebel forces in Libya, officials tell Reuters. Poll: Obama’s approval hits new low President Barack Obama’s approval rating and prospects for reelection have plunged to all-time lows in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Americans worried about Libya conflict: poll A new poll published on Wednesday found nearly half of Americans were opposed to US military involvement in Libya, ]

Damage would increase with duration (Washington Post) [ But think of the longterm benefits for the nation and the world. Indeed, if only because 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***) was against the shutdown is reason enough to do exactly that, so failed a president and fatally flawed man and total fraud he is (although there are innumerable reasons for the shutdown). Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (Washington Post) [ The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (Washington Post) Proposal represents GOP’s most comprehensive philosophical statement since midterm wins.(and then there's all that funny money)}. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . With deadline near, spending accord is elusive (Washington Post) [ If only their spending was as elusive as accords. Oh, there's no question but that they really know how to spend your money at the further expense of children … yet, elusive in this context is a good thing as hope still remains … House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal (Washington Post) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) ] ] After back-to-back meetings at White House and on the Hill, Obama and congressional leaders remain billions of dollars apart as the first federal government shutdown in more than 15 years draws closer. ] The economic effects of a government shutdown could be significant in the Washington region and nationally if the impasse continues for several weeks, some economists said.

Lawyer charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ Come on! Just enough for a few headlines so people think they're actually doing something. They could (but don't) bring a case as this or other wall street crime against a different wall street liar (sic lawyer) / fraud in that corrupt sinkhole new york (metro, ie., jersey, conn., etc.) every single day and bearly touch the tip of the iceberg. Is anybody foolish enough to think what goes on there is legitimate? Remember, still no pros for the huge debacle / fraud precipitatin the last and continuing economic / financial crisis. Chemist charged with insider trading (WP) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money-- … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). SEC: Wachovia cheated investors (WP) [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' Adler ]

Gaming is an economic win (Washington Post)“Gold farmers” and other online workers in Asia are benefitting, according to a World Bank report. [ Well, I don't know about online, but offline certainly has been a big win for Wynn, Steve Wynn, who was 'chased' from mob infested jersey by mental case mobster trump et als. Drudgereport: [1] NBCWSJ POLL SHOCK: TRUMP #2 GOP [ NBC where t_rump has his Jerry Springer derivative shock-jock show and sinkhole new york's fraud street journal … poll? … Don't make me laugh … Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC (WP) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions (ie., new york, jersey, etc.) of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] He also with his corrupt mob ilk 'chased' Steve Wynn out of jersey – Steve Wynn's doing extremely well in Macau and Vegas.) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ] ]

U.S. pledges money to jump-start peace program in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Well, there you go … peace in our time … now where's neville chamberlain's hologram when you need it … just make sure those hundred dollar bills to be flown in are untraceable and delivered directly to the 'peace profiteers' … seems we've heard this one before (Iraq-that 360 tons of missing $100 bills … didn't come close to ending that conflict but made a lot of 'peace profiteers' very wealthy at the taxpayers' / treasury's / nation's expense.) ... boy, that peace is comin' cheap … new war and all … the smart thing to do … that $50 mil will go far … riiiiight! … The Peace Program or stated another way, a piecw of the action program… Drudgereport: Obama: 'I Remember What It Was Like To Pump Gas'...
Get used to high prices...
GOP lawyer circulating wobama impeachment article on Hill...
Ryan: Debt On Track To Hit 800% Of GDP...
Oklahoma sees driest 4 months since Dust Bowl...
'CBO Can't Conceive of Any Way' Economy Can Continue Past 2037...[that's awfully optimistically close to if not beyond the 'decades at best scenario']...
REPORT: Saudis 'So Unhappy' With White House They Sent Emissaries to China, Russia Seeking Enhanced Ties...
Cash-Strapped NYC To Close 20 Fire Companies... ] A program to lure Taliban fighters from the battlefield is set to get $50 million.

Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ .

Fed sees recovery on track (Washington Post) [ Yeah … that's indeed what THEY saw, as the blind no-recession fed took their hammer and saw ... or, by the new reality of things, their hammer and sickle … and, that increased asset inflation plan of theirs seems to be making headway (grains, meat, metals, oil, commodities, etc.) and when your loaf of bread's a cool $100, they'll claim victory. Of course, as planned, inflated stock prices are not immune from their 'plan' since all along was the plan within a 'plan' which is great for the churn-and-earn frauds on wall street though margins will begin to suffer even with the 'plan within the plan' which, of course, is not a plan at all but another scam, at best, and at worst, this 'no-recession' fed hasn't the slightest idea what (damage) they're doing. Wages not keeping pace with prices (WP) [ Yes , there is a substantial cost to 'no-recession, helicopter ben' b. s. bernanke's attempt at new age alchemy in trying to spin worthless currency / paper securities / toxic assets into gold for the sake of fraudulent wall street only; which of course, not only does not work, but invariably ends quite badly. The more recent your trip to the grocery store, gas station, etc., the more pronounced the evidence. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! Chemist charged with insider trading (WP) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… Come on! What total b*** s***! … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Fed to hold regular news conferences (WP) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed - more spoon-fed b*** s*** . This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (Washington Post) [ The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (Washington Post) Proposal represents GOP’s most comprehensive philosophical statement since midterm wins.(and then there's all that funny money)}. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . SEC: Wachovia cheated investors (Washington Post) [ Excuse me for sounding a bit sarcastic but is that not SOP, viz., standard operating procedure on fraudulent and certainly ubiquitous through the last crash and even now? This latest nasdaq stunt takes the cake: Top 3 Reasons were Flat While Gold Set Another Record [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ] Adler 'Both banks and foreign central banks [FCB] have normal buying cycles, and last week’s evidence suggests that both are just past the peak of those cycles. In addition, because of Japan’s predicament, FCB buying is for the foreseeable future, likely to be well below the necessary levels to keep levitating stocks. Add to that, the loss of the 2 month long, $25 billion weekly stipend from the Treasury on March 24, and we have the conditions for a rough patch.

With less help from the Treasury, the banks, and FCBs, the Fed would have its hands full keeping all its balls in the air. Some would be likely to hit the ground, but not this month. That’s because of the light Treasury supply that I covered in the Treasury update. That makes the job much easier this month, even without the banks and the FCBs.This week is one of those easy weeks, with lots of Fed pumping and no new Treasury supply ...

The evidence shows that banks are again out of the Treasury buying game. It also shows that they lost money in the first quarter, which is insane considering that their cost of funds is zero. It’s an indication of just how dire the circumstances are. Banks continue to accumulate cash at a frantic rate in their accounts at the Fed. The last time reserves rose this fast was in the midst of the crisis in 2008.
...These elements essentially neutralize the Fed’s pumping. ..

In the meantime I would not wait to "sell in May and go away." April looks like a good time to scale out of all equity longs, including in particular broad based ETFs, like SPY (SPY), DIA (DIA), QQQ (QQQ), and IWM (IWM). Aggressive traders and hedgers can use strength to establish short positions probably around mid-month and after ...' ]

Bad News for Cisco is Good: Dave's Daily 'This is the Alice in Wonderland world we live in. Cisco CEO John Chambers admits that all is not well ("we suck!") and investors bid the stock up 5%. Maybe the thinking is his confession will force his ouster. Maybe investors will think a government shutdown is a good thing since that's one way to cut spending. Across the pond, Portugal is bust (another bad news item) but the euro and stocks rally. Elsewhere Fed Governor Lockhart stated he didn't see any reason to abandon "QE2" early or raise interest rates before the end of the year. Was that bad or good news? The best news item of the day came from part one of a David Stockman op-ed calling out "Crony Capitalism" as our major problem. It's a great read and the conclusions within will ring true for many people...'

Slowing Global Economy With Downside Risk Roche 'Danske Bank, which has been very bullish in recent years, is joining the chorus of banks becoming increasingly concerned about a global slowdown. In a recent note they discussed their macro outlook and where they see the risks to the downside:

Summary and outlook

Global leading indicators are showing signs of weakening, but they are still at comfortable levels. US ISM declined modestly from a very high level in March. Likewise, European PMIs still look good, but survey expectations point towards a slowdown in growth. In China the slowdown seems to have taken hold.

We expect the majority of the leading indicators to decline to less expansive levels in the coming months, but to remain at decent levels. However, several factors could temporarily speed up the decline. Rising oil prices, caused by the Middle East turmoil, lead to rising production costs and reduced purchasing power. The disaster in Japan hampers Japanese production and could also disrupt global supply chains. Finally, the recent slowdown in China reduces demand growth from Asia.

Details

Global PMI new orders have dropped to 55 from the peak last month at 60. This is the first drop since September 2010, confirming the expected slowdown in growth.

In the US, ISM declined moderately from 61.4 to 61.2, but the new orders index took a dive indicating further corrections in the coming months. Hence we expect ISM to continue to decline.

In Euroland PMIs generally sent a positive signal, with Germany being the driving force. However, here as well, we expect to see adjustments in the coming months. Scandi leading indicators are somewhat less positive, but generally point to decent growth rates, yet Denmark is still trailing the rest of the region.

Asia has been sending less upbeat signals lately. Chinese manufacturing PMI dropped also in March, indicating slowing growth. Other Asian PMIs are starting to point in the same direction. CEE PMIs have started to show some signs of moderation as well, but we continue to believe in healthy growth rates over the coming months. Similarly in Brazil PMI has lost its recent momentum.

click to enlarge http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/6/saupload_danske.png '

U.S. Equities Stall: Short Exposure Is Best Karnik [ I have a few difficulties with 'Karnak' here since he correctly sets forth reasons for lower equities; yet he's long SPY (though in his article he seems to distinguish already ultra short S & P plays which might bounce to cover). ]

Short-Term, High-Probability Mean-Reversion Strategy: ETFs Hit a Short-Term Extreme Crowder 'After marching higher for most of the day, the major market indices came back near the closing bell to close Tuesday basically flat.

We have seen several days of range bound trading, and I expect to see a violent move outside of the range when it inevitably occurs.

Given the extreme short-term overbought state in most of the ETFs I follow for my ETF/Options strategy, I expect to see a short-term reprieve over the coming days.

Because of the extreme overbought nature of the ETFs, I still have both of my positions on. I will take them both off once we get back to neutral territory.

Until then, I will sit back and patiently wait for the trade. This type of price action has happened before and it will happen again. However, if we look at the history of the strategy each time this has occurred we have seen profitable days ahead. I expect that history will repeat itself once again. Of course, as we all know, there are no guarantees in trading so always consider risk management mostly through position-sizing with each and every trade. This is a must for every trader and one that will make you a successful trader over the long-term. Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint.

Short-Term High-Probability, Mean-Reversion Indicator – as of close 4/04/11

click to enlarge http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/6/saupload_4_5_11_hpmr.png

Disclosure: I am short IWM, SPY.'

Ryan: Debt on Track to Hit 800 Percent of GDP CNSNews.com | Ryan said House Republicans’ FY2012 budget would save Medicare and help the United States avoid a debt crisis.

Gold hits new record Gold hit a record high on Wednesday while oil and corn were just off peaks struck this week as commodity prices fuel rising inflation that governments worldwide are struggling to contain.

VIDEO: Ron Paul Speaks On The Budget Congressman Paul discusses budget issues with Dylan Ratigan.

Libya war costs $4 million a day: US Air Force The war in Libya is costing the US Air Force $4 million a day but the cost likely will drop now that American fighter jets pulled out of the operation, the air force secretary said Tuesday.

Analysts Backing Gold All the Way to $1,500 Market watchers are calling for gold prices to hit $1,500 an ounce in the next three months, as the precious metal continues chugging ahead on a two-and-a-half-year run that has coincided with the beginning of the financial crisis.

Banksters Raped A Blindfolded America All societies have social and moral deviants, but in healthy ones they are not in control of the government and large financial banks as they are in America, Canada, England, and other Western countries.

National / World

Alex Jones: Revolt Against the NWO Banksters Expanding Worldwide RT | Max Keiser talks to Alex Jones about food stamps and financial terror.

Lindsey Williams: Arab Monarchies To Be Overthrown Infowars | Alex talks with Lindsey Williams about rising oil prices and the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East.

Congressman Ron Paul: One Worlders Will Fall Steve Watson | Paul sends a stark message to ruling elite “internationalists” attempting to expand globalism.

Glenn Beck Makes It Official: He Will Depart Fox News Kurt Nimmo | Fox and Beck have released a statement announcing the departure.

Spread the Truth with the New Infowars Widget Infowars.com | You can now easily spread the truth by embedding a player of the Alex Jones Show on your blog and website.

Ron Paul: ‘New World Order’ Using Financial Crisis, Wars To Enhance Globalism Congressman Ron Paul, icon to liberty lovers the world over, sent a stark message to ruling elite “internationalists” attempting to expand globalism via the Western military industrial complex this week – you will fail.

Alex Jones: Revolt Against the NWO Banksters Expanding Worldwide Max Keiser talks to Alex Jones about food stamps and financial terror on the Keiser Report.

Glenn Beck Makes It Official: He Will Depart Fox News Glenn Beck has finally put an end to the rumor that his popular television show will cease to be broadcast on the Fox News Network. Beck and Fox jointly announced his departure in a statement today, according to the New York Times.

Ron Paul to Announce Presidential Bid Next Month Appearing on the Alex Jones Show today, Texas Rep. Ron Paul said he will make a final decision within a month on whether he will run for president in the 2012 election.

Ron Paul: The ‘Big Event’ Has Started Skyrocketing gold, silver, oil and other commodity prices, a brazen attempt by the Federal Reserve to monetize a staggering and deleterious debt, a precipitously falling dollar, creeping inflation – these are elements of a “big event,” Ron Paul told Alex Jones on Tuesday.

Washington Post and CBS receiving money from Obamacare slush fund Two mainstream news organizations are receiving hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars from Obamacare’s Early Retiree Reinsurance Program.

Gaddafi asks Obama to end air war Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has sent a message to U.S. President Barack Obama “following the withdrawal of America from the crusader colonial alliance against Libya,” Libya’s official news agency JANA said on Wednesday.

U.S. Sees Array of New Threats at Japan’s Nuclear Plant United States government engineers sent to help with the crisis in Japan are warning that the troubled nuclear plant there is facing a wide array of fresh threats that could persist indefinitely.

NRC says not clear that Japan reactor has melted vessel A top official from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission said on Wednesday it was not clear that Japan’s Fukushima No. 2 nuclear reactor has melted through thereactor pressure vessel.

US Senate defeats bill hitting Obama on Libya The US Senate on Tuesday easily swept aside a symbolic but politically potent measure declaring that President Barack Obama’s decision to intervene militarily in Libya violated the US Constitution.

Defense Secretary Gates arrives in Saudi Arabia for meeting with King Abdullah RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for a meeting with King Abdullah, opening his third trip to the tumultuous region in the past month.

K Street’s favorite dictators Popular revolutions swept away autocratic leaders in Tunisia and Egypt. The US and NATO launched airstrikes in Libya under a “responsibility to protect” civilians. But for decades the same dictators clung to power with US support.

TEPCO to inject nitrogen into No. 1 reactor to prevent explosion

America and EU Agree: Raise Radiation Levels for Food No congressional approval is legally needed to makes such changes, because the EPA is a regulatory agency that sets “policy” and, although these types of agencies can be directed by congress or the president, they often form their own policies.

Media is wrong on the dangers of radiation Radiation is now being detected in Russia, imagine what it must be like for the poor Japanese who live within 500 miles. Japan is not that big of a place, though it is a land of big people who have made some huge mistakes. Almost all supporters of the nuclear industry have run for cover but today we see one being sneaked out or savagely used.

Talks to avert shutdown make no headway (Washington Post) [ The people are sayin' there's still hope as no way as in no headway is the right way. After all, the Dems are playin' political pretend here given the magnitude of defacto bankrupt america's insurmountable debt {GOP’s plan for 2012 budget comes in at $6.2 trillion less than Obama’s (Washington Post) Proposal represents GOP’s most comprehensive philosophical statement since midterm wins.

(and then there's all that funny money)}. Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ . With deadline near, spending accord is elusive (Washington Post) [ If only their spending was as elusive as accords. Oh, there's no question but that they really know how to spend your money at the further expense of children … yet, elusive in this context is a good thing as hope still remains … House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal (Washington Post) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) ] ] After back-to-back meetings at White House and on the Hill, Obama and congressional leaders remain billions of dollars apart as the first federal government shutdown in more than 15 years draws closer.

Hoping for one state, preparing for two (Washington Post) [ Well, there's a plan that comports with the worst suspicions; that this new-found west / nato / american debacle was all about oil after all … the oil half of the nation, and the non-oil half of the nation (they can keep that non-oil half) … riiiiight! … that non-transparent transparency has been lifted. Libyan rebels gain backing (Washington Post) [ Well there you go … it's all over but the shoutin'! … Riiiiight!Libya is a Continuation of Neocon War to Remake Middle East [ Come on! They're muddling along, debt ridden, incompetent, declining, failing, almost to a nation, individually and collectively. Trying to still appear relevant, more important are the nations absent from their war crimes folly (excepting israel for which these treasury depleting fiascos in the name of zionism continue down this path of self-defeat / self-destruction) ] Secret Illegal War Of Aggression Has Been Raging In Libya For Weeks Watson | US and British spies have been coordinating war for oil for some time. Rebels in ‘tactical’ retreat as leaders meet (WP) [ Tactical … riiiiight! Well, that sounds like a plan … right out of the manuals on trench warfare from WWI … works every time … you know, those manual tactics … meanwhile, back at the other american induced wartime disasters ... ] Italy became the third country to recognize the opposition as the legitimate government...

Drudgereport: Libyan Rebels: 'NATO Is Now Our Problem'...
...asset freeze on Gaddafi regime 'hurting opposition'
Europe feels strain as US alters Libya policy...
Air Force spending $4 million a day on war...
NATO running short on of jets... ]. As progress on the battlefield stalls, the rebel-held area of eastern Libya is settling into its status as a de facto separate state.

Fed sees recovery on track (Washington Post) [ Yeah … that's indeed what THEY saw, as the blind no-recession fed took their hammer and saw ... or, by the new reality of things, their hammer and sickle … and, that increased asset inflation plan of theirs seems to be making headway (grains, meat, metals, oil, commodities, etc.) and when your loaf of bread's a cool $100, they'll claim victory. Of course, as planned, inflated stock prices are not immune from their 'plan' since all along was the plan within a 'plan' which is great for the churn-and-earn frauds on wall street though margins will begin to suffer even with the 'plan within the plan' which, of course, is not a plan at all but another scam, at best, and at worst, this 'no-recession' fed hasn't the slightest idea what (damage) they're doing. Wages not keeping pace with prices (WP) [ Yes , there is a substantial cost to 'no-recession, helicopter ben' b. s. bernanke's attempt at new age alchemy in trying to spin worthless currency / paper securities / toxic assets into gold for the sake of fraudulent wall street only; which of course, not only does not work, but invariably ends quite badly. The more recent your trip to the grocery store, gas station, etc., the more pronounced the evidence. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! Chemist charged with insider trading (WP) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… Come on! What total b*** s***! … an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Fed to hold regular news conferences (WP) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed - more spoon-fed b*** s*** . This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows ]

SEC: Wachovia cheated investors (Washington Post) [ Excuse me for sounding a bit sarcastic but is that not SOP, viz., standard operating procedure on fraudulent and certainly ubiquitous through the last crash and even now? This latest nasdaq stunt takes the cake: Top 3 Reasons were Flat While Gold Set Another Record [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ] Adler 'Both banks and foreign central banks [FCB] have normal buying cycles, and last week’s evidence suggests that both are just past the peak of those cycles. In addition, because of Japan’s predicament, FCB buying is for the foreseeable future, likely to be well below the necessary levels to keep levitating stocks. Add to that, the loss of the 2 month long, $25 billion weekly stipend from the Treasury on March 24, and we have the conditions for a rough patch.

With less help from the Treasury, the banks, and FCBs, the Fed would have its hands full keeping all its balls in the air. Some would be likely to hit the ground, but not this month. That’s because of the light Treasury supply that I covered in the Treasury update. That makes the job much easier this month, even without the banks and the FCBs.

This week is one of those easy weeks, with lots of Fed pumping and no new Treasury supply ...

The evidence shows that banks are again out of the Treasury buying game. It also shows that they lost money in the first quarter, which is insane considering that their cost of funds is zero. It’s an indication of just how dire the circumstances are. Banks continue to accumulate cash at a frantic rate in their accounts at the Fed. The last time reserves rose this fast was in the midst of the crisis in 2008.
...

These elements essentially neutralize the Fed’s pumping. ..

In the meantime I would not wait to "sell in May and go away." April looks like a good time to scale out of all equity longs, including in particular broad based ETFs, like SPY (SPY), DIA (DIA), QQQ (QQQ), and IWM (IWM). Aggressive traders and hedgers can use strength to establish short positions probably around mid-month and after ...' ] Wachovia Capital Markets charged inflated markups on securities tied to home mortgages, regulators say.

Flood of phishing may follow breach (Washington Post) [ Well, I don't know about the breach, but going fishing in May sounds like a good idea … even April ...

April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ] Adler 'Both banks and foreign central banks [FCB] have normal buying cycles, and last week’s evidence suggests that both are just past the peak of those cycles. In addition, because of Japan’s predicament, FCB buying is for the foreseeable future, likely to be well below the necessary levels to keep levitating stocks. Add to that, the loss of the 2 month long, $25 billion weekly stipend from the Treasury on March 24, and we have the conditions for a rough patch.

With less help from the Treasury, the banks, and FCBs, the Fed would have its hands full keeping all its balls in the air. Some would be likely to hit the ground, but not this month. That’s because of the light Treasury supply that I covered in the Treasury update. That makes the job much easier this month, even without the banks and the FCBs.

This week is one of those easy weeks, with lots of Fed pumping and no new Treasury supply. That should be relentlessly bullish, but you sure wouldn’t know that from Monday’s action. There’s tremendous drag behind the scenes that is preventing the Fed’s pumping from having as much effect is it would otherwise.

The evidence shows that banks are again out of the Treasury buying game. It also shows that they lost money in the first quarter, which is insane considering that their cost of funds is zero. It’s an indication of just how dire the circumstances are. Banks continue to accumulate cash at a frantic rate in their accounts at the Fed. The last time reserves rose this fast was in the midst of the crisis in 2008.

Although the banks did buy some Treasuries in mid-March, they have again stopped buying, and have reduced their holdings, opting to hold cash at the Fed instead. The banks are pulling cash out of the system and depositing it in their reserve accounts even faster than the Fed is printing it, lately 60% faster. We have to wonder what has them so spooked.

At the same time, FCB purchases of Treasuries are also backsliding, and are well below the threshold where they need to be to keep the markets stable.

These elements essentially neutralize the Fed’s pumping ...

In the meantime I would not wait to "sell in May and go away." April looks like a good time to scale out of all equity longs, including in particular broad based ETFs, like SPY (SPY), DIA (DIA), QQQ (QQQ), and IWM (IWM). Aggressive traders and hedgers can use strength to establish short positions probably around mid-month and after ...'

Top 3 Reasons were Flat While Gold Set Another Record [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! ] Wall Street Cheat Sheet 'On Tuesday April 5, 2011, Markets closed flat on Wall Street: DJI -0.05% SP500 -0.02% Nasdaq +0.07% Gold +1.37% Oil -0.45% . Markets went nowhere today … again. Today’s story was Gold (NYSE:GLD) setting new record highs. (See “Gold Bugs, Unite!“)

Today’s markets were flat because:

1) The US Services sector continues to expand. Although the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index came in below Wall Street expectation, 16 out of 17 sectors expanded. Check Out: Chart of the Day: US Services Sector Breathes, But Still Expanding.

2) The Nasdaq 100 (NASDAQ:QQQ) is rebalancing. It was bad news for Nasdaq OMX Group’s (NASDAQ:NDAQ) former love Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple currently comprises 20.49% of the index, but will drop to 12.33%. However, other tech heavy-weights are cheering the move.  Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is increases its weighting to 8.3% from 3.41%,  Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) increases to 4.2% from 1.75%, Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) increases to 6.68% from 3.38%, and  Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) increases to 5.8%. That’s some nice wind on the back of new CEO Larry Page.

3) Bonus: Chipotle (NYSE:CMG) sets a new 52-week high. We recommended Chipotle to our Wall St. Cheat Sheet Investment Newsletter subscribers when it was trading at $140. Today it hit $280....'

April Is a Good Time to Sell [ I quite agree … overvalued to the hilt in this new manipulated bubble … at the least a 'sell in May and go away', but 'don't be mentally ill, sell in April!' ] Adler 'Both banks and foreign central banks [FCB] have normal buying cycles, and last week’s evidence suggests that both are just past the peak of those cycles. In addition, because of Japan’s predicament, FCB buying is for the foreseeable future, likely to be well below the necessary levels to keep levitating stocks. Add to that, the loss of the 2 month long, $25 billion weekly stipend from the Treasury on March 24, and we have the conditions for a rough patch.

With less help from the Treasury, the banks, and FCBs, the Fed would have its hands full keeping all its balls in the air. Some would be likely to hit the ground, but not this month. That’s because of the light Treasury supply that I covered in the Treasury update. That makes the job much easier this month, even without the banks and the FCBs.

This week is one of those easy weeks, with lots of Fed pumping and no new Treasury supply. That should be relentlessly bullish, but you sure wouldn’t know that from Monday’s action. There’s tremendous drag behind the scenes that is preventing the Fed’s pumping from having as much effect is it would otherwise.

The evidence shows that banks are again out of the Treasury buying game. It also shows that they lost money in the first quarter, which is insane considering that their cost of funds is zero. It’s an indication of just how dire the circumstances are. Banks continue to accumulate cash at a frantic rate in their accounts at the Fed. The last time reserves rose this fast was in the midst of the crisis in 2008.

Although the banks did buy some Treasuries in mid-March, they have again stopped buying, and have reduced their holdings, opting to hold cash at the Fed instead. The banks are pulling cash out of the system and depositing it in their reserve accounts even faster than the Fed is printing it, lately 60% faster. We have to wonder what has them so spooked.

At the same time, FCB purchases of Treasuries are also backsliding, and are well below the threshold where they need to be to keep the markets stable.

These elements essentially neutralize the Fed’s pumping. It may not be enough to send the markets lower, and in the absence of new Treasury supply, Fed buying should be enough to keep the field tilted in favor of higher prices. April’s bias should be to the upside, but the background drag will be there. Things will get tougher in May when Treasury supply increases, and really tough this summer when the Fed presumably will stop pumping. The question at that point is to what extent the banks and FCBs will be on the upside of their buying cycle, and will that alone be enough to prevent a selloff.

In the meantime I would not wait to "sell in May and go away." April looks like a good time to scale out of all equity longs, including in particular broad based ETFs, like SPY (SPY), DIA (DIA), QQQ (QQQ), and IWM (IWM). Aggressive traders and hedgers can use strength to establish short positions probably around mid-month and after ...'

Top 3 Reasons were Flat While Gold Set Another Record [ I truly can see decreasing the apple weighting, and increasing the oracle (open office, etc.), google (ubiquitous) weighting, but increasing dyingosaur microsoft weighting … I don't think so … something's gone awry here that smacks of desperation and an attempt to circumvent the visual effects on the nasdaq of a post-jobs apple, viz., over-priced apple sauce. Isn't that just like the frauds on wall street … to pad the nasdaq bubble based on a 1-stock story, and manipulate when that 1-stock story falls to earth! ] Wall Street Cheat Sheet 'On Tuesday April 5, 2011, Markets closed flat on Wall Street: DJI -0.05% SP500 -0.02% Nasdaq +0.07% Gold +1.37% Oil -0.45% . Markets went nowhere today … again. Today’s story was Gold (NYSE:GLD) setting new record highs. (See “Gold Bugs, Unite!“)

Today’s markets were flat because:

1) The US Services sector continues to expand. Although the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index came in below Wall Street expectation, 16 out of 17 sectors expanded. Check Out: Chart of the Day: US Services Sector Breathes, But Still Expanding.

2) The Nasdaq 100 (NASDAQ:QQQ) is rebalancing. It was bad news for Nasdaq OMX Group’s (NASDAQ:NDAQ) former love Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL). Apple currently comprises 20.49% of the index, but will drop to 12.33%. However, other tech heavy-weights are cheering the move.  Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is increases its weighting to 8.3% from 3.41%,  Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) increases to 4.2% from 1.75%, Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL) increases to 6.68% from 3.38%, and  Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) increases to 5.8%. That’s some nice wind on the back of new CEO Larry Page.

3) Bonus: Chipotle (NYSE:CMG) sets a new 52-week high. We recommended Chipotle to our Wall St. Cheat Sheet Investment Newsletter subscribers when it was trading at $140. Today it hit $280....'

[video] Weisberg: Market Priced for Earnings Perfection [ I'd say far more than perfection as in contrived, fraudulent overbought bubble! ]

Monetary and Fiscal Policy Uncertainty: Dave's Daily ' Fed minutes revealed what most thought despite recent signs of improvement in the US economy; it didn't need to change its plan to boost the economy by buying $600 billion worth of bonds. In fact some thought QE2 should continue past the scheduled June expiration. Therefore POMO continues and Wednesday the Fed bought another $7.5 billion from their pals on Wall Street.

Separately, a government shutdown looms, which troubles some but not me particularly. There's more politics and posturing than leadership in Washington, that's for sure.

There was more fun when Michael Steinhardt of trading fame and now chairman of Wisdom Tree went off the reservation blasting Buffett and phony inflation data. The CNBC panel was flummoxed.

Stocks did little overall despite the long delayed reweighting of the NASDAQ affecting Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT) and Cisco (CSCO). Given the Fed's unwillingness to deal with obvious inflation in commodity markets, precious metals once again were higher being the featured sector Wednesday.

Volume remains anemic while breadth per the WSJ was flat...'

Retail, ISM, Fed Reports Lead Tuesday's Economic Calendar [ Watch for the fake data / reports as their desperation grows! ]

A Weak SOX Can Trump a Dow Theory Buy Signal Suttmeier 'We are now operating under a Dow Theory Buy Signal as the Dow Industrial Average closed at 12,400.03 on Monday above its February 18 high at 12,391.29. Be aware that the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) is a drag in the opposite direction being down 9.5% from its February high. The Dow Industrials is up 0.1%, Dow Transports is up 1.4%, as is the Russell 2000 versus February highs. The SOX thus questions the sustainability of the Dow Theory Buy.

Stocks Remain Overvalued Fundamentally – We are operating under a ValuEngine Valuation Watch with more than 60% of all stocks overvalued. At Friday’s close 61.1% of all stocks were overvalued. In addition all 16 sectors are overvalued with eight by double-digit percentages. A ValuEngine Valuation Warning occurs when more than 65% of all stocks are overvalued. This last occurred at the mid-February highs.

10-Year Note – (3.431) The 10-Year yield is back below its 50-day simple moving average at 3.466, which favors the flight to quality scenario. Daily, annual and quarterly value levels are 3.537, 3.796 and 4.016 with weekly and monthly risky levels at 3.275 and 3.181...'

Wages not keeping pace with prices (Washington Post) [ Yes , there is a substantial cost to 'no-recession, helicopter ben' b. s. bernanke's attempt at new age alchemy in trying to spin worthless currency / paper securities / toxic assets into gold for the sake of fraudulent wall street only; which of course, not only does not work, but invariably ends quite badly. The more recent your trip to the grocery store, gas station, etc., the more pronounced the evidence. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! Chemist charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! Not just corruption, but bad time /resource management. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). Drop in home prices raises fear of double dip (Washington Post) [ Fear of double dip? We're in a continuing dip that never really ended with obfuscations of reality including more insurmountable debt and fed-based manipulations (Dave explains infra) Case-Shiller Chairman: Here’s Why the Housing Market Recession is Not Over Wall St Cheat Sheet 'Welcome to 2003! The  S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index 10-City Composite was down 2% and the 20-City Composite fell 3.1% in January on a year-over-year basis. On a monthly basis, the 10-City Composite was down 0.9% and the 20-City Composite fell 1.0% in January versus December 2010.San Diego and Washington D.C. were the only two markets to record positive year-over-year changes. However, San Diego was up a scant 0.1%, while Washington DC posted a healthier +3.6% annual growth rate. The same 11 cities that had posted recent index level lows in December 2010, posted new lows in January.

David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s commented:

“Keeping with the trends set in late 2010, January brings us weakening home prices with no real hope in sight for the near future. With this month’s data, we find the same 11 MSAs posting new recent index lows. The 10-City and 20-City Composites continue to decline month-over-month and have posted monthly declines for six consecutive months now.These data confirm what we have seen with recent housing starts and sales reports. The housing market recession is not yet over, and none of the statistics are indicating any form of sustained recovery . At most, we have seen all statistics bounce along their troughs; at worst, the feared double-dip recession may be materializing. ..., but both series have moved closer to a confirmed double-dip for six consecutive months. At this point we are not too far off, and that is what many analysts are seeing with sales, starts and inventory data too...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] False / fake data / reports galore … High oil price rally! Come on! What total b*** s***! Previous rally sparked by upward revision of GDP by the scandal-scarred commerce department? You can’t believe anything these desperate self-servers say! This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally on more bad/worse than expected news (consumer confidence down) provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive. States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows ]

Gold Settles at Record High Above $1,452 Reuters | Gold prices rose to settle at a record high above $1,452 ounce Tuesday.

The foreclosure mess isn’t going away Zachary Roth | Compelling video of a grandmother being evicted from her home by a SWAT team.

Oil prices hit all-time high in Britain Mail Online | Increases the mounting pressure on Bank of England interest rate-setters.

Larry Kramer CHART OF THE DAY: Verizon iPhone Owners Don't Have As Many Dropped Calls As AT&T iPhone Owners http://t.co/tj40Ku8 via @businessinsider

Larry KramerApple makes bid to become gatekeeper for newspapers and magazines - Be Careful! San Jose Mercury News http://t.co/j6OYNDh [ Very bad idea … for you … great for apple's over-priced offerings of all kinds; viz., hardware, software, content, etc.. … Let's just hope the air you breathe is not garnered through apple / itunes, etc.. ]

Gold in record territory, pushes past $1,443 Gold futures shook off early weakness to trade in record territory Tuesday, supported by conflict in the Middle East and North Africa, fears of a potential U.S. government shutdown and a drop for a key service-sector gauge.

US to reach debt limit by May 16: Treasury The United States is likely to hit its $14.29 trillion debt limit sooner than thought, the Treasury Department said Monday, pressuring lawmakers to raise the ceiling or face a possible government default.

Debt Management: Is There Any Hope For America’s Debt Problem? Wouldn’t it be nice if our politicians in Washington D.C. simply decided that we are not going to spend more money then we bring in? That would just seem to be common sense. After all, what do most of those big time debt management seminars teach?

Reaping What Bretton Woods Has Sown The seeds of today’s monetary problems were laid at Bretton Woods, NH in 1944, as a combination of socialists, communists and fascists laid the groundwork for the IMF, the World Bank and the eventual elimination of gold from the monetary world. The Federal Reserve’s role was to bring that about from behind the scenes.

National / World

10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush George W. Bush was clearly a mentally-challenged puppet of the military/banking/oil elite. The policies put it in place at breakneck speed after 9/11 were provably predetermined by think tanks well in advance. Not that other presidents were any less controlled by this hidden agenda, but there was a noticeable in-your-face quickening of corporate-government tyranny under Bush. [ Clearly, there is no denying the verity of this article. As such, this and the 10 reasons are set forth infra, following some prominent links from the Drudgereport. ]

Typical jersey – I recall back when, essex county sheriff d'allessio got indicted for innumerable bribes mob-infested jersey style … Christie says Essex County executive is wrong to collect pension, full salary TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie said today that Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. is wrong to collect a pension and a salary for the same position simultaneously. Christie, in his strongest words yet on the issue, said he called DiVincenzo to express his displeasure. "I made this really … California's got their Bell's rizzo, etc., et als

Libyan rebels gain backing (Washington Post) [ Well there you go … it's all over but the shoutin'! … Riiiiight!Libya is a Continuation of Neocon War to Remake Middle East [ Come on! They're muddling along, debt ridden, incompetent, declining, failing, almost to a nation, individually and collectively. Trying to still appear relevant, more important are the nations absent from their war crimes folly (excepting israel for which these treasury depleting fiascos in the name of zionism continue down this path of self-defeat / self-destruction) ] Secret Illegal War Of Aggression Has Been Raging In Libya For Weeks Watson | US and British spies have been coordinating war for oil for some time. Rebels in ‘tactical’ retreat as leaders meet (WP) [ Tactical … riiiiight! Well, that sounds like a plan … right out of the manuals on trench warfare from WWI … works every time … you know, those manual tactics … meanwhile, back at the other american induced wartime disasters ... ] Italy became the third country to recognize the opposition as the legitimate government...

City withers in shadow of reactors (Washington Post) Japan dumps radioactive water into ocean [ Japan will never be viewed nor be quite the same again; somewhat hapless, if not hopeless, they have indeed become. Drudgereport: JAPAN TRIES 'SHREDDED NEWSPAPER' TO STOP NUKE LEAK (Well, there you go … a nostalgic throwback to yesteryear … paper maché … who woulda' thunk it … or remembered it … riiiiight … sounds like a plan!) 4 of 6 Daiichi reactors can’t be fixed (Washington Post) [ I continue to believe this to be a far more serious catastrophe with further reaching consequences, economically, financially, and otherwise than are being sloughed off by markets, pols, and media. It truly is sad to even think about what seem likely to be 'suicide jobs' but I must say I was incredulous regarding the $5,000 / day offer of recruitment for such workers (short-term? … for as long as they live?... Wow! … I immediately thought of skid row, the bowery, and admit to being somewhat ashamed for having done so.) Fukushima Nuke Plant Now in Full Meltdown Kurt Nimmo | Smoke was reported at a second nuclear power plant in Japan today. Japan’s Nuclear Rescuers: ‘Inevitable Some of Them May Die Within Weeks’ Workers at the disaster-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan say they expect to die from radiation sickness as a result of their efforts to bring the reactors under control, the mother of one of the men tells Fox News.Smoke Rises from DIFFERENT Nuclear Complex … 7 Miles from the Leaking Reactors The same nuclear power plant operator that runs the Daiichi complex – Tepco – runs a separate nuclear complex 7 miles away, called Fukushima Daini. There are 4 reactors located at the Daini complex.Japan Considers Entombing Nuclear Plant as Workers Fight to Stop Radiation Bloomberg | Japan will consider entombing its crippled atomic plant in concrete. Reactors now leaking plutonium into soil New York Post | “The situation is very grave,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said today. ]Workers continue to endure soaring radiation levels as they work to stave off a full-scale meltdown. ] In area that survived quake and tsunami largely intact, nuclear fears have created a ghost town.

Wages not keeping pace with prices (Washington Post) [ Yes , there is a substantial cost to 'no-recession, helicopter ben' b. s. bernanke's attempt at new age alchemy in trying to spin worthless currency / paper securities / toxic assets into gold for the sake of fraudulent wall street only; which of course, not only does not work, but invariably ends quite badly. The more recent your trip to the grocery store, gas station, etc., the more pronounced the evidence. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you / ' ...The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis... Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law … ’ 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans don't understand what the Fed Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems...most of them still blame either the Democrats or Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt. ] ] Inflation is back, with higher prices for food and fuel, and what hurts is paychecks are falling behind.

With deadline near, spending accord is elusive (Washington Post) [ If only their spending was as elusive as accords. Oh, there's no question but that they really know how to spend your money at the further expense of children … yet, elusive in this context is a good thing as hope still remains … House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal (Washington Post) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) ]

Paul B. Farrell: Super-Rich CEOs are killing your retirement SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — 'Headlines race across the web: “Jamie Dimon Worries That Financial Regulation Will Doom Banks, Forever.” Doom? Forever? Settle down Dimon, this sounds like an over-the-top B-movie promo for “Vampire Chronicles.” ...

Mark Whitehouse explains how while low interest rates have meant big profits for banks, they are hurting small investors, including seniors who are seeing their cash earn minimal interest... 1-10 … 11. Nations ignore obvious till too late, then collapse rapidly

Yes, the end will be swift. Why? Few can take the warnings of geniuses like evolutionary anthropologist Jared Diamond. In “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed,” Diamond warns that societies fail because they’re unprepared, in denial till it’s too late: “Civilizations share a sharp curve of decline. Indeed, a society’s demise may begin only a decade or two after it reaches its peak population, wealth and power.” Just two decades. America hit its peak in 2000, with Bush’s election. Our two-decade reprieve will soon be up.

...

And again, the warnings are everywhere. Again ignored. Tragic figures like Dimon, Bernanke, Geithner as well as Bachus, Bachman, Palin, Trump, Koch Brothers and even Obama have that blind spot. They simply cannot hear any warnings … won’t till it’s too late. '

] After weeks of negotiating over money, time is now the biggest concern. There is general agreement the sides must work out a deal by Tuesday night.

Milbank: Robots in Congress? Yes, we replicant! (Washington Post) [ Wow! Mr. Milbank was apparently in quite an artsy mood when writing this article, so replete with latent meaning. Yet, when I think of replicants, I tend to think of the greater brilliance and beauty, viz., ie., Rutger Hauer and Sean Young / Darryl Hannah respectively in the spectacular classic, 'Blade Runner' by Ridley Scott; and hence, Mr. Milbank slights their memory unfairly. Moreover, when I think of henry waxman, I can't help but picture some hapless creature of the woodlands, ie., hedgehog, groundhog, etc., who gets plenty of face-time (big mistake ... doesn't he look like such a creature, personified?) but few results ($360 tons of hundreds flown into Iraq, etc.). He could have said biden's short-circuited (that previous lobotomy), harry's (milk-)toast, boxer (the california disaster), schumer a mob-friendly zionist (that FBI Agent Taus Affidavit), and pelosi correctly described as obsolete, disfunctional, incompetent, but beloved? … I don't think so, and I'm constrained to take issue with that. McConnel? I really seldom watch/listen to them but I guess he's good for Barney Fife or one of the original Hatfields / McCoys. Yes, they are all that … bad, and worse. It's good to see Mr. Milbank giving them a well-deserved shot across their bow … but he should keep in mind that robots with human flesh would be considered cyborgs … please don't insult the robots, they would say. The robots indeed take umbrage! ]

Ron Paul to Announce Presidential Bid Next Month Kurt Nimmo | The Texas Congressman will participate in a debate of presidential contenders in May.

Jesse Ventura Exposes 9/11 Stand Down Order Steve Watson | New book, 63 Documents The Government Doesn’t Want You To Read, blows the lid off top secret black ops.

The Fed Undermines Foreign Policy Ron Paul | The Fed lent huge sums of our money to foreign banks.

Alex Jones Interviews Jesse Ventura Infowars.com | The former governor of Minnesota talks about the TSA, a presidential run with Ron Paul, and his television show.

Jesse Ventura Exposes 9/11 Stand Down Order In a stunning new book, 63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You To Read, former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura presents a broad range of previously classified official government documents, each one telling its own story about the lengths the government goes to to cover up its secretive, controversial and at times downright criminal actions.

Plant radiation monitor says levels immeasurable A radiation monitor at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says workers there are exposed to immeasurable levels of radiation.

Japan Seawater Radioactivity Soars To 7.5 MILLION Times Legal Limit Japan just announced a huge surge in ocean contamination, as radioactive iodine-131 at 7.5 million times the legal limit was found near the plant, according to Japan Times.

EPA to raise limits for radiation exposure while Canada turns off fallout detectors The mass radioactive contamination of our planet is now under way thanks to the astonishing actions taking place at the Fukushima nuclear facility in Japan. As of last night, TEPCO announced it is releasing 10,000 tons of radioactive water directly into the Pacific Ocean. That 2.4 million gallons of planetary poison being dumped directly into the ocean.

Govt holding radiation data back / IAEA gets info, but public doesn’t The Meteorological Agency has been withholding forecasts on dispersal of radioactive substances from the Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant despite making the forecasts every day, it was learned Monday.

High radiation outside indoor advisory zone Radiation measurements have exceeded levels at which people are advised to stay indoors in a town outside the 30-kilometer radius of the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant.

Japan says dumping radioactive water in ocean doesn’t violate law The Japanese government on Tuesday defended its dumping of massive low-level radioactive water from the crisis-hit Fukushima nuclear plant, saying the action does not violate international laws, and pledged to fully inform the international community of Tokyo’s steps to tackle the ongoing emergency.

Drudgereport: PAPER: NEW THREATS AT NUKE PLANT
Libyan Rebels: 'NATO Is Now Our Problem'...
...asset freeze on Gaddafi regime 'hurting opposition'
Europe feels strain as US alters Libya policy...
Air Force spending $4 million a day on war...
NATO running short on of jets...
NUCLEAR SUSHI...
India bans Japan food imports...
Radiation monitor says levels 'immeasurable'...
FACEBOOK FRIENDS OBAMA RE-ELECTION!
ZUCKERBERG LIKES...
FLASHBACK: Gibbs seeks million-dollar job at company...
LIBYA: GADDAFI MUST STAY BUT COUNTRY READY TO DISCUSS 'REFORM'...
READY TO HOLD ELECTIONS... MORE...
DEFIANT: Gaddafi salutes supporters at compound...
US pulls out warplanes...
GOP BUDGET: CUT $5.8 TRILLION
FEDS SPEND 8X REVENUE...
White House moving forward with govt shutdown plans...
858 SOLDIERS KILLED IN AFGHAN WAR UNDER OBAMA...
NATO FORCES ACCIDENTALLY KILL 13 REBELS
CRACK FOUND IN NUKE REACTOR PIT...
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10 Reasons Obama is Just As Bad or Worse Than Bush Activist Post April 5, 2011 George W. Bush was clearly a mentally-challenged puppet of the military/banking/oil elite.  The policies put it in place at breakneck speed after 9/11 were provably predetermined by think tanks well in advance. Not that other presidents were any less controlled by this hidden agenda, but there was a noticeable in-your-face quickening of corporate-government tyranny under Bush.

These policies like wars of aggression, illegal surveillance of Americans, torture of detainees indefinitely held without formal charges, unfair “free trade” agreements, and bank bailouts rightfully enraged many progressives during the Bush years.  Yet, not only have these policies accelerated under Obama, even more of the draconian playbook is unfolding.

After 8 years of Bush’s reign that ended with a record low presidential approval rating in the low 20s, Obama’s promise of hope and change inspired many beyond mainline progressives.  His campaign speeches were so powerful that they landed him the Nobel Peace Prize without having done anything for world peace except to offer the idea in order to get elected.  As a Constitutional law professor and attorney, Obama appeared to have a greater understanding of rights and the balance of power than did flunky Bush.

Although policies being implemented under Obama’s leadership exhibit the continuation of Bush’s tyrannical agenda, his stunning betrayal of populist and Constitutional principles in support of these actions makes him the ultimate hypocrite.  Additionally, because Obama is a much more influential orator than Bush, his service to the puppet masters is far more dangerous to the American people he’s supposed to serve.

There have been many articles written about Obama’s unkept promises and outright lies, but here are 10 actions that prove Obama is just as bad if not worse than Bush:

1) Bank/Corporate Bailouts: Although the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), otherwise known as the bankster bailout, occurred on Bush’s watch, Obama fully supported it as necessary.  Obama then followed up this massive wealth grab with a gargantuan stimulus bill which has basically been absorbed by the financial crisis as well.  All said, Bloomberg and others reported the taxpayer guarantees for Wall Street are upwards of $23 trillion. Additionally, the best part of Obama’s cabinet and appointed czars are directly connected to big banks like JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs. Furthermore, Obama and Democratic leaders gave the Federal Reserve even more regulatory power over the economy. The Administration hails the Financial Reform bill as a big political accomplishment, but the bill never addressed the three major problems:  doesn’t break up or reduce the size of too-big-to-fail banks, doesn’t remove the massive government guarantees to the giant banks, and it won’t even increase liquidity requirements to prevent future meltdowns.  The inmates are too clearly running Obama’s asylum.

2) Betrayal of the Poor: Bush never pretended to give a damn about the poor and the systematic mechanisms that keep them poor; openly calling the “haves and have mores” his “base.” But Obama has been portrayed as different, mainly because the Democratic party is viewed as more empathetic to the poor.  Obama promised affordable healthcare, to create new jobs, and to increase access to a college education.  However, the mandated healthcare bill has proven to actually hurt the poor, the “jobs” bill HIRE was nothing but a smokescreen to pass capital controls, and college loans are increasingly worse than useless since record numbers of students can’t find work to pay them off.  So far he only seems to be helping the poor by extending food stamps to a record number of needy Americans — which is currently on the spending cut chopping block by the way.  Obama also extended Bush’s tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans while the poor suffer the dramatic effects of inflation and the approaching austerity cuts demanded to prevent a government shutdown.

3) Expansion of Free Trade: Obama excoriated NAFTA, GATT and other so-called “Free Trade” agreements that were put in place under Clinton and Bush (with CAFTA). One of Obama’s campaign mailers to Ohioans read “one million jobs have been lost because of NAFTA, including nearly 50,000 jobs here in Ohio.”  And Obama told unions that “he has always opposed NAFTA, and said the trade deal should be amended and renegotiated.”  It is abundantly clear that free trade agreements have not done well for American manufacturing and its workers (just like Obama told us during his campaign).  These free trade agreements are designed to only help the multinational corporations who wrote them, and who Obama now works for.  In contrast to being “opposed” to such agreements, the government moves forward with many new similar agreements.

4) Escalating Wars of Aggression: Whoever thought it couldn’t get worse than Bush in regards to wars of aggression — especially by a Nobel Peace Prize recipient — have been proven dead wrong. Obama has now unilaterally attacked more countries than Bush, notably bombing inside Pakistan, Yemen and now Libya without Congressional approval. Obama is worse than war-mongering Neocons because he moved the war bar from requiring a real or manufactured threat to justify American military intervention, to vague humanitarian justifications. In other words, if a secular dictator is stamping out a handful of jihadists that threaten his regime, we will now bomb the dictator and support the jihadists when it serves corporate interests. By all counts Obama is serving the same military/oil masters no matter what labels or excuses are given.  It is truly a hideous display to watch progressives support Obama’s wars as if they’re more righteous than Bush’s.

5)Internet Rights Eroding: The open and free Internet is under full assault under Obama’s leadership.  It has become obvious that there has never been much in the way of Internet privacy, especially since the Patriot Act went into full effect. But now, free access to information via the Internet is the target of legislation such as The Protecting Cybersecurity as a National Asset Act, aka the “Internet Kill Switch” bill, and the Combating Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act (COICA), aka the domain “Blacklist” bill.  The free Internet is also being threatened by market-based “net neutrality” agreements, civil lawsuits, technical censorship via search engines, and yes, blogging taxes too.

6) Finally, the DHS has been arbitrarily seizing domain names, which is clearly unconstitutional.  Given that Obama is completely in bed with Google and others in the corporate information cartel, you can bet he will show his support for these endeavors even if only by remaining silent as they are debated then implemented.

7) Free Speech Restrictions: Bush mainly used fear, intimidation, access and fake reporters to control the establishment message.  He and the media cartel acted in concert to sell gigantic lies to the public.  Now, as more people replace their television service with the Internet, “news” has been more difficult for the establishment to control.  As the global awakening takes place, the crackdown on free speech intensifies under Obama.  The crackdown has been most obvious on the Internet (see next section) and on peaceful protesters.  In a comically hypocritical moment that exemplifies how tyrannical this administration has become, Hillary Clinton was giving a speech about supporting the right of peaceful protesters while her security thugs violently removed a “veteran for peace” from the audience for standing in silent protest.  Additionally, there was an absolute police state put in place during the 2009 G20 meeting in Pittsburgh to shut down peaceful protests.  Finally, we know what direction the current Administration is headed in terms of free speech, given the recent White Papers revealing their desire to “outlaw” or “tax” conspiracy theories, and to make it a felony offense to share copyrighted information even when no money is involved. Torture and Sport Killing: Bush accepted some blame for the Abu Ghraib torture debacle. Rightly so, as it was his Administration that set forth more enhanced interrogation permissions down the chain of command that ultimately resulted in such disgusting behavior.  Obama used the notion of closing Guantanamo prison to score political points and to appear as “anti-torture.”  Not only does Guantanamo remain open two years into his presidency, the detainees have less rights than they did under Bush.  Additionally, Obama has allowed the torture of American soldier Bradley Manning simply for being a suspected whistleblower.  If he allows this type of treatment to an American citizen, we can only imagine the tactics that are still being used against enemy detainees.  If it’s fair to blame Bush for Abu Ghraib, then it seems fair to blame Obama for allowing an environment where the U.S. military is engaged in sport killing of innocent civilians — which also seems to negate his calls for humanitarian purity in other nations.
8) Illegal Domestic Surveillance: It seems the monster surveillance-industrial complex that was kicked off under Bush remains in full swing under Obama.  Obama voted for the Bush/Cheney FISA-telecom immunity after vowing to support a filibuster of it while he was a Senator.  Glenn Greenwald reported: “So candidate Obama unambiguously vowed to his supporters that he would work to ensure ‘full accountability’ for ‘past offenses’ in surveillance lawbreaking.  President Obama, however, has now become the prime impediment to precisely that accountability, repeatedly engaging in extraordinary legal maneuvers to ensure that ‘past offenses’ — both in the surveillance and torture/rendition realm — remain secret and forever immunized from judicial review.” And Carol Rose added, “The link between secrecy and surveillance is critical: in effect, our government is increasing its power to watch its citizens, while diminishing the power of citizens to watch their government – the very antithesis of democracy.”  It’s telling how out of control illegal surveillance has become when private foreign companies are hired to spy on American environmental activists. This is in addition to the TSA’s roll-out of naked body scanners and intrusive pat-downs selectively enforced at airports and fiercely defended by Obama’s DHS.

9) Rule of Law is Dead: The Rule of Law is an ancient concept that means a society is governed by rational, objective written laws, as opposed to the personal whim or arbitrariness of some king. Under this pretext, no one is above the law, not even kings.  Yet, we have seen this concept steadily erode from reality over many decades, but not so blatant as under George W. Bush whose team permanently subverted the rules in favor of the elite. Under Bush and now Obama, the corporate elite clearly get away with massive crimes against humanity and overwhelming fraud, while the little people are still routinely punished for all minor offenses.  With not even a hint of punishment, banks can openly loot and defraud the public, the government can spy on Americans, the TSA can grope our private parts, while large corporations continue to poison us and the environment with impunity.  The Feds, under Obama, have even raided legal medical marijuana dispensaries and private organic cooperatives.  In addition, Obama signed an Executive Order to indefinitely detain “terror” suspects even after acquittal — while other lawmakers seek to remove Miranda Rights.  Who is prosecuting these crimes and injustices?  When the criminal corporations with their government partners continue to run the system, there will be no rule of law, or justice.
10) Obamacare Fascism: Even many progressives view Obamacare as a purely fascist policy. When a progressive tries to defend Obamacare these days, the best argument they can give is “at least Obama tried to fix the problem.” It’s their way of subtly deflecting blame to Bush for ignoring it because he was too busy “smokin’ turrurists outta their holes”.  Healthcare reform was meant to increase competition and affordable coverage for all Americans. Yet, the private insurance monopolies remain and citizens are mandated to buy from them under penalty of jail, while 1000 of the most connected corporations are exempt from the law.  Furthermore, the FDA remains under the full control of Big Pharma/Chemical giants and the giveaways to the drug companies have only increased.  Finally, when there are huge profits involved in deciding if people live or die, and budgetary rationing of services, you will always have “death panels.”  So, yes, the corporate government healthcare merger is complete with for-profit “death panels.” Folks, if you want to know what the modern-day definition of fascism is, you just read it.

We can sense the hate mail is coming from die-hard “team blue” fans here, but America doesn’t stand a chance without an honest assessment of what she represents and where she is heading under the policies outlined above.  The Bush-Obama evolution is as blatant as it gets that the current two-party system has morphed into one that would more properly be labeled The Corporatist Party.  We might do better to look beyond the two teams that so many root for, and realize that there is one central clubhouse from which they both operate.'

Paul B. Farrell: Super-Rich CEOs are killing your retirement Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — 'Headlines race across the web: “Jamie Dimon Worries That Financial Regulation Will Doom Banks, Forever.” Doom? Forever? Settle down Dimon, this sounds like an over-the-top B-movie promo for “Vampire Chronicles.”

Suddenly the boss of $2 trillion J. P. Morgan Chase is our newest “Dr. Doom.” Last week he was preaching his mantra to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce choir, warning that financial reforms would be a “nail in the coffin for big American banks.” Small investors hurt by low rates

Mark Whitehouse explains how while low interest rates have meant big profits for banks, they are hurting small investors, including seniors who are seeing their cash earn minimal interest.

Nail in the coffin? Yes, and that’s exactly what the American public wants. Stuff Wall Street’s Vampire Squids back in their coffins, nail the lids shut, bury them forever.

Seriously, nationalize our incompetent Super-Rich Banks. We made a historic mistake not doing it in 2008. Should have let the vampires go bankrupt, reinstated Glass-Steagall. Instead we sat passively letting our double-dealing Treasury Secretary, former Goldman boss Hank Paulson, protect his Wall Street cronies as he conned Congress and taxpayers into making the worst economic blunder in American history, bailing out Wall Street’s “too-greedy-to-fail” banks.

Warning: Soon our Super-Rich Vampires will sink the economy deeper than 2008. Worse, they even believe we’ll bail them out again. We blinked in 2008, so they’ll try sucking out more bail-out blood next time.

The scene’s pathetic: Here’s one of America’s Super-Rich CEOs, a guy worth $260 million, coming across like a crybaby, whining because a tough-as-nails gal like Harvard law professor Elizabeth Warren and her Consumer Financial Agency just might take away his toys for being a bad boy … might try to limit his ability to rip off cardholders … might limit his high-risk gambling with depositors’ cash, limit him playing in the $700 trillion global derivatives casino … might force his bank to put up more reserves to prevent the next meltdown … might even awaken his lost moral consciousness and get him to think about the public welfare instead of the tens of millions he makes squeezing the public.

Wall Street’s Super-Rich CEOs killing financial reforms

But will Wall Street have an epiphany? Change? Never. No, won’t happen. Why? America’s Super-Rich Vampire CEOs are already doomed, forever. Our too-greedy-to-fail banks are back to their old pre-2008 tricks, bankrolling a billion dollar “kill reform” drive. J. P. Morgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley have invested megabucks in lobbyists and politicians to water down, defund and effectively kill Warren’s CFA, the SEC, Dodd-Frank and every other attempt to protect the public.

These guys love running the Fed and Treasury as their own little piggy banks. As Spencer Bachus, the GOP chairman of the House Financial Services committee put it, government regulators “exist to serve banks.”

So, unfortunately, for a while you will have to listen to Dimon’s incessant whining as he keeps replaying his overly dramatic Dr. Doom story. Until Wall Street pounds all their nails in the coffin of financial reform, while resurrecting their self-destructive Reaganomics vampire that sank its fangs and triggered the 2008 meltdown.

But watch out Wall Street: Next time, American taxpayers won’t support bailouts and trillions more debt. We will sink into the Great Depression 2 and a new American Revolution next time. No bailout, we’ll just nationalize all banks.

Then, poor little Jamie and his Super-Rich buddies will lose their jobs, having destroyed American capitalism. Unfortunately, the great irony is that these insatiable greedy, incompetent CEOs will personally survive well after the collapse, living off the millions they’ve stashed away while sabotaging America with their bankrupt Reaganomics ideas.

Dimon becomes our newest Dr. Doom

Dimon really loves his new role as a Dr. Doom. Plays a tragic drama queen very well. That “nail in the coffin” speech fits perfectly with the Chamber’s kill-reform strategies.

Some may say Wall Street’s short-term thinking CEOs are too myopic to be on the same stage as our long-term thinking Dr. Dooms. But you decide: Here’s a criteria from Barron’s, offered by legendary money manager Jeremy Grantham, referring to the 2008 crash: “Why is it that several dozen people saw this crisis coming for years.” Several dozen Over four years. But “the bosses of Merrill Lynch and Citi and even Treasury Secretary Paulson and Fed Chairman Bernanke, none of them seemed to see it coming.”

Why? Grantham’s answer is simple: Wall Street and Washington’s leaders are “management types who focus on what they are doing this quarter or this annual budget.” Their myopia “guarantees that every time we get an outlying, obscure event that has never happened before in history, they are always going to miss it.”

Yes, and they’ll miss the next crash. Guaranteed. Here’s what other long-term thinking Dr. Dooms predict:

1. This time is never, never different with insatiable greed

In “This Time Is Different: Eight Centuries of Financial Folly” economists Carmen Reinhart and Kenneth Rogoff warn that as economies “improve there will always be a temptation to stretch the limits. … A financial system can collapse under the pressure of greed, politics and profits ... Technology has changed ... but the ability of governments and investors to delude themselves … seems to have remained a constant.”

2. Fed’s new easy money is fueling new bubble, new meltdown

In the 400-year history of the stock market “there has been a long succession of financial bubbles,” says financial historian Niall Ferguson. The culprit? The Fed: “Without easy credit creation a true bubble cannot occur. That is why so many bubbles have their origins in the sins of omission and commission of central banks.” And with the rate near zero, Bernanke is becoming the biggest bubble-blower in American history.

3. American ‘Empire’ has peaked, is on a rapid downward spiral

Savvy Hong Kong economist Marc Faber says “the average life span of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years … Once a society becomes successful it becomes arrogant, righteous, overconfident, corrupt, and decadent ... overspends ... costly wars ... wealth inequity and social tensions increase; and society enters a secular decline.”

4. Wall Street has created a very ‘short respite’ before new crash

Nobel economist Joseph Stiglitz warned that unless Wall Street’s incentive system is drastically reformed, “the financial sector will only try to circumvent whatever new regulations we put in place. We will simply have a short respite before the next crisis.”

5. First dot-coms, then subprimes; ‘third episode’ dead ahead

Remember a decade ago in “Irrational Exuberance” Yale’s Robert Shiller predicted the dot-com crash. More recently he warned: “Bubbles are primarily a social phenomena. Until we understand and address the psychology that fuels them, they’re going to keep forming. We recently lived through two epidemics of excessive financial optimism, we are close to a third episode.” And everything since 2008 guaranteed the “third episode.”

6. America’s ‘running out of time’ before the Great Depression 2

Former IMF chief economist Simon Johnson waned: “We’re running out of time … to prevent a true depression … the financial industry has effectively captured our government” and is “blocking essential reform,” and unless we break Wall Street’s “stranglehold” we will be unable prevent another Great Depression. Failure to reform Wall Street guarantees a depression. Unfortunately, Dimon just doesn’t get it.

7. Fed’s haunted by ghost of Greenspan’s failed Reaganomics

When Obama reappointed Bernanke, “Black Swan’s” Nicholas Taleb warned that Bernanke was an economist who “doesn’t even know he doesn’t understand how things work.” Now the Fed’s Greenspan clone is feeding the GOP’s self-destructive Reaganomics ideology, blindly focused on saving a dying banking system by flooding the world with inflated dollars guaranteed to trigger another meltdown.

8. Hedgers made billions shorting dumb politicians, dumber bankers

Hedge funds make fortunes betting on the utter stupidity of Washington politicians and Wall Street CEOs gambling with the Fed’s self-destructive cheap-money policies. In fact, AR Magazine just reported that the top hedge fund manager made $4.9 billion shorting our clueless leaders, after making $3.4 billion in 2008, the year of the crash.

9. Dollar’s dead as reserve currency, killing our retirement system

In George Soros’s “New Paradigm:” America’s 25-year “superboom … led to massive deregulation ... blindly chasing free markets ... unleashed excessive greed ... created the dot-com and credit meltdowns” and a “shadow banking system” of derivatives. “The system is broken … the end of an era of credit expansion based on the dollar as the international reserve currency.” Warns Soros: “We’re now in a period of wealth destruction.”

10. Sell everything, hide in the hills with seed, fertilizer, drugs, guns

Barton Biggs 2008 bestseller, “Wealth, War and Wisdom” warns us to prepare for a “breakdown of civilization … Your safe haven must be self-sufficient and capable of growing some kind of food ... well-stocked with seed, fertilizer, canned food, wine, medicine, clothes, etc. … a few rounds over the approaching brigands’ heads would probably be a compelling persuader that there are easier farms to pillage.” Biggs is no anarchist militiaman; he’s a former Morgan Stanley research guru, now a top hedge fund manager.

11. Nations ignore obvious till too late, then collapse rapidly

Yes, the end will be swift. Why? Few can take the warnings of geniuses like evolutionary anthropologist Jared Diamond. In “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed,” Diamond warns that societies fail because they’re unprepared, in denial till it’s too late: “Civilizations share a sharp curve of decline. Indeed, a society’s demise may begin only a decade or two after it reaches its peak population, wealth and power.” Just two decades. America hit its peak in 2000, with Bush’s election. Our two-decade reprieve will soon be up.

Obvious warnings were everywhere long before the 2008 meltdown. But a tragic Reaganomics dogma created a blind spot in Greenspan, Bernanke and Paulson. Today that blind spot is even stronger with a new crop of Reaganomics ideologues.

And again, the warnings are everywhere. Again ignored. Tragic figures like Dimon, Bernanke, Geithner as well as Bachus, Bachman, Palin, Trump, Koch Brothers and even Obama have that blind spot. They simply cannot hear any warnings … won’t till it’s too late. '

A Stark Peak Profits Warning from Capital & Crisis's Chris Mayer Cooper 'Rising star of the US financial newsletter world, Chris Mayer, has a stark warning for readers in his latest issue of Capital & Crisis (click here). Profit margins in the US have reached unprecedented levels and can now only fall as commodity price inflation hits home.

One of the vulnerabilities in today’s market is that profit margins are near peaks’, he says. ‘Investors tend to like companies with fat profit margins, but high profit margins are like honey pots that attract competitors. They are rarely sustainable for long.

Top ten crisis

If you take a list of the top 10 technology stocks in the US Nasdaq market, the average net profit margin is around 25 per cent, and similar high profit margins are also seen across the S&P 500 stocks. The boost to profit margins has come from cost cutting in the downturn, mainly in the form of job cuts that do nothing to boost domestic consumer demand.

Today, though, I doubt many of these firms have much more to cut,’ suggests Mayer. ‘Instead, the focus is now growing sales and taking business from competitors or defending an existing business. The focus, too, is how to deal with rising raw material costs. All of these put enormous pressure on margins. We should expect to see them fall.

That of course is the contrarian view. It is not what the bulls of Wall Street are saying. They see a recovery in the US economy that is raising all boats.

If the Wall Street consensus is again wrong, then the reverse will be true and all boats will sink. Mr Meyer is stock picking to locate the boats that will stay afloat, so at least he is thinking in the right direction. But the tendency always is for the good to get cast down with the bad, particularly if the numbers are overwhelming.

Naturally, this situation is most dangerous when company profits have recovered sharply and the domestic economy is still in the dumps. And what do US auto and house sales figures quite clearly show us? (click here). The domestic US economy is still in a depression with activity well down on the boom years.

Domestic depression

Now if domestic demand is not rising, and indeed consumer personal disposable income is falling (click here), then what prospects are there for pushing up company revenues to keep profits surging ahead? You have to look to exports and repatriation of multinational income.

Yes but does the world not have a few worries of its own right now? To briefly summize: Japan just had its worst earthquake in history and nuclear reactors are leaking plutonium; the UK is facing three years of austerity; the eurozone has a massive debt crisis and the Middle East and North Africa are in a state of revolution, civil war and protest that have pushed oil prices to a two-year high.

Will Asian sales hold up under these circumstances? Or will stocks sell off and the dollar rally, making US exports uncompetitive again? This peak profits warning is very well timed.'

Irwin Kellner: Don’t believe everything you hear Kellner, MarketWatch PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. (MarketWatch) — 'Don’t believe everything you hear — especially when politics is involved.

These days, it amazes me how many canards pass for the truth. I can only assume that the purveyors of these misleading bits of information must figure that if something is repeated often enough, people will take it as correct. ..

While there no doubt are many examples, I give you five that are particularly egregious. I will list them below in no particular order, and then tell you why each of these is incorrect:

— the longer the government pays jobless benefits, the higher unemployment will be;

— rising prices are no problem because “core” inflation is low;

— cutting government spending creates jobs;

— entitlements are fair game for budget cutters;

— Social Security is a key reason for Washington’s budget deficit.

A close look will reveal just how absurd these statements really are. And by the way, neither political party has a lock on this craziness; this kind of convoluted thinking can be found among Democrats as well as Republicans.

The first item assumes that people are lazy; they would rather be on the dole than work. This is ridiculous for two reasons. First, these days there are more than five applicants for every job. Second, the median weekly jobless benefit is $300 — barely above the poverty level for one person and far below the median weekly pay of $740, which, itself, won’t buy much in most parts of the country.

Next is the belief that excluding food and energy is the best way to measure inflation. This is misleading since (a) we all consume food and energy every day; (b) because of this, these items have a major influence on our attitudes towards inflation and (c) in the case of energy, many firms are tacking on surcharges to the goods they make and/or deliver, so higher energy prices are showing up elsewhere as well.

Meet the Most Tax Efficient Man in America

Doug Stives earns less than 75 percent of his former salary but takes home almost 90 percent as much. How? He claims every tax deduction he can. Kelsey Hubbard talks with the CPA turned professor about using the tax code to get more with less.

The third item could literally be ripped from today’s headlines. It is Herbert Hoover economics reincarnated — the notion that fiscal probity is the key to economic happiness. By tightening its belt and reducing its deficit, the story goes, the government will help the economy grow and create jobs by boosting business confidence. No mention is made of the decline in buying power and rise in joblessness that will occur first, which makes me wonder why this would prompt a rise in hiring by the private sector.

Those who subscribe to the fourth item forget the definition of the word “entitlement.” Webster’s Dictionary says that an entitlement is “a right granted by law or contract, especially to financial benefits from the government.” To some people, however, an entitlement is a derisive term, a promise to be broken. But breaking this particular promise would also break the law. The FICA Act of 1935 states specifically that revenues raised under that act can be used only to pay Social Security benefits. Over the years the provisions of this act have been reinforced a number of times.

Why all the interest in Social Security? Because it is a cash cow, with assets totaling well over $2 trillion — more than three times the amount needed to cover this year’s payments to beneficiaries. In plain English, the System has a surfeit of funds and is in no way responsible for today’s budget deficits. To put it another way, Social Security has been around for over 75 years, whereas today’s slug of red ink is only a few years old. Washington’s humongous deficits are clearly the result of too much spending (two wars, massive bailouts and the huge stimulus package) combined with insufficient revenues (tax cuts and the Great Recession).

So the next time you hear a politician tell you something that does not sound quite right — chances are it isn’t.

Irwin Kellner is MarketWatch's chief economist. '

Putting a Damper on the Big March Job Report Celebration Baker 'Okay, this celebration around the jobs report is really getting out of hand. Both the Post and Times had front page pieces touting the good news. The Post gets the award for being the more breathless of the two:

The jobs numbers come amid other promising signs that the recovery is building momentum. The stock market wrapped up the first quarter this week with a 6.4 percent gain in the Dow Jones industrial average and continued to tack upward Friday, adding another 0.5 percent. Investors were pleased that the job growth was continuing — but not so fast that the Federal Reserve might want to apply the brakes by raising interest rates anytime soon.

Also contributing to the buoyant markets were reports from automakers Friday showing that auto sales rose in March. Sales of new vehicles were up 11 percent over a year before at General Motors, 16 percent at Ford and 23 percent at Honda.

A separate report Friday also showed continued strong growth in the manufacturing sector, with the Institute for Supply Management’s index of activity at the nation’s factories edging down to 61.2 from 61.4. Numbers above 50 indicate expansion.

First off, no one should include the stock market as indicator of the economy's well-being. Rich people are happy -- that's nice -- it has little to do with the economy. The car buying is positive, but with so many of the cars now imported or largely comprised of imported parts the impact of this surge in sales is much less than would have been the case 30 years ago. The drop in the Institute for Supply Management's index suggests that manufacturing is likely to make a marginally smaller contribution to growth in the months ahead, not good news. (The Bureau of Labor Statistics employment diffusion index for manufacturing, a measure of the percent of sectors that expect to add workers, fell from 66.0 in February to 63.0 in January, it had been 73.5 in January.)

As noted above, 216,000 jobs is not especially impressive, especially given the depth of the hole that our economic policymakers put us in. In only 15 of the 52 months from February 1996 to May of 2000 did the economy create fewer than 216,000 jobs. In most cases the weakness was caused by bad weather. And this was at a time when the working age population was more than 10 percent less than today.

It is also striking that neither paper seems to have mentioned the Commerce Department's report on construction in February, which showed a 1.4 percent decline in February, following even larger declines in December and January. (The big news in this report was the 2.6 percent downward revision to the data originally reported for January.) Much of the story here is in non-residential construction as the building boom that resulted from the bubble in that sector is leading to a bust. The largest declines are in manufacturing construction where bio-fuel subsidies had led to a boom in ethanol plants in 2009-2010.

Anyhow, construction is certain to be a big drag on growth in the first quarter. It should knock at least a percentage point off GDP growth for the quarter. I am forecasting many surprised economists and reporters.

I have one more point skunk to toss over at the celebrators. Here is the path of the employment to population ratio (EPOP) over the downturn. Note that we have only risen slightly from the low hit in December of 2009 and the EPOP is actually a hair lower today than it was a year ago. The drop in the unemployment rate over this period was entirely due to people leaving the labor force. Now is that good news or what?(chart)...'

Markets Treading Water: Dave's Daily 'Bulls had a barely perceptible pulse Monday. Volume was incredibly light as traders were unmoved to do much of anything other than keep things stable. Tech underperformed weighed down by Apple(AAPL_) and Semis most of the day. But, as this is written, breaking news indicates Texas Instruments(TXN_) will buy National Semiconductor(NSM_) for $6.5 billion so corporations armed with liquidity can keep markets alive with M&A activity. Away from the late headline regarding TXN/NSM, little changed in markets overall. Again, volume was light and breadth overall per the WSJ was moderately positive adding to short-term overbought conditions...'

Weekly Indicators: Economy Slowing Due to Choke Collar of High Oil Prices Stewart 'Last week's headline numbers were the 216,000 jobs added in March and the continued decline in the unemployment rate to 8.8%. As usual, I'll have more to say in the coming week, including at least one finding that contradicts the conventional wisdom. For now, we can just note that it was a good number - just not good enough for all the ground we have to make up.

Other monthly numbers continued to show an economy that is slowing due to the choke collar of high Oil prices. The manufacturing workweek declined (-.1), as did new factory orders. There are two more of the 10 leading indicators that have turned down. Residential and non-residential spending also declined. New cars sold in March also declined slightly from February, although at 13.1 million vehicles, this is still the second best showing in over two years. On the plus side, manufacturing as measured by the Chicago PMI and the ISM continued on a tear. BUT the leading components of that index - new orders and vendor deliveries - declined. Vendor deliveries declined sharply - the third of the 10 leading indicators to show a decline this week.

Did I mention that Oil was like a choke collar constricting economic growth?

Turning now to the high-frequency weekly indicators:

The BLS reported that Initial jobless claims last week were 388,000. The 4 week average is 394,250. This is the sixth week in a row that this number has been initially reported below 400,000. On the other hand, this series has not made a new low in the last month. Will the downward momentum continue or has it stalled?

On the other hand, Oil was trading at about $107.94 a barrel Friday, the fourth full week it has been above $100. It remains at a level above 4% of GDP. I believe we have started to see the economic damage from that shock. Gas at the pump increased to $3.60 a gallon. Gasoline usage at 8866 M gallons was 2% lower than last year. As I expected, this YoY comparison is deteriorating and has now turned negative.

Railfax was up 3.5% YoY. Baseline traffic for the second week is no higher than last year's levels, and both cyclical and intermodal traffic are only slightly higher. Waste materials continued below last year's levels (this may be fallout from municipal funding cuts for recycling). Shipments of motor vehicles remained the bright spot, continuing to improve YoY. With the exception of motor vehicles, rail freight is now also signalling a significant slowdown (but not an outright reversal).

The Mortgage Bankers' Association reported a decrease of 1.7% in seasonally adjusted mortgage applications last week. This series has meandered generally in a flat range since last June. Refinancing decreased 10.1%, and remains near its lows since last July. The silver lining is that neither series has hit a new low in almost 9 months.

The American Staffing Association Index remained at 91 for yet another week. This series has stalled at the 90-91 level for 7 weeks. It is signalling stagnation, not growth, and is stalled relative to its pre-recession peak.

The ICSC reported that same store sales for the week of March 26 rose 2.6% YoY, and increased 0.2% week over week. Shoppertrak reported a 4.3% YoY gain for the week ending March 19, and a WoW gain of 0.5%. Unlike almost every other series, these two series' YoY comparisons have been remaining steady or improving over the last month.

Weekly BAA commercial bond rates increased.02% to 6.00%. This compares with a 09% increase in the yields of 10 year Treasuries to 3.38%. Both series are down from recent highs.

Adjusting +1.07% due to the recent tax compromise, the Daily Treasury Statement showed that for all of March 2011, $163.8 B was collected vs. $164.9 B a year ago, for a loss of -1.1 B YoY. This is the first month with an outright YoY decline compared with last year. For the last 20 days, $136.6 B was collected vs. $128,4 B a year ago, for a gain of $8.2B, or +6.4%. I suggest using this series with extra caution, because the adjustment for the withholding tax compromise is only a best guess, and may be significantly incorrect.

M1 was up 1.3% w/w, down -0.4% M/M, and up a strong 9.9% YoY, so Real M1 is up 7.7%. M2 was unchanged w/w, up 0.2% M/M and up 4.3% YoY, so Real M2 is up 2.1%. Although Real M1 is still strongly in the "green zone" where it has been since before the end of the "great recession," Real M2 has been fading back into the "yellow zone" below 2.5%. Additionally, the weak +0.2% M/M reading means that, depending on inflation, it could become yet another of the 10 components of the LEI to go negative in March.

Last week I noted that the LEI may have a negative month in March. Consumer confidence, durable goods, and (Feb.) housing permits were all down strongly. This week ISM vendor supplies, the manufacturing workweek, and new factory orders also turned down. As noted just above, M2 could also be a negative. Only the bond spread yield, the stock market, and initial unemployment claims look like positives. In sum, that's 6 components down, 1 neutral (possibly negative), and only 3 positive. (OTOH, ECRI's growth indicator continues to be positive).

Did I mention that OIl was like a choke collar constricting economic growth?'

Barack Obama: Losing $84 billion big success Washington Times | Barack Obama has some ‘splaining to do about taxpayers’ profitable “investment” in General Motors.

Bill Gross: Congress Is Like That Bastard In Your Life Always Promising He’ll Change Even Though He NEVER DOES

Fed’s Rules Let Brokers Turn Junk Into Cash at Height of Financial Crisis At the height of the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve allowed the world’s largest banks to turn more than $118 billion in junk bonds, defaulted debt, securities of unknown ratings and stocks into cash.

Ron Paul: People Need Currency Choices – Kitco News Congressman Ron Paul talks w/ Kitco News about a bill that aims at establishing competing currency in the U.S. Also discussed is his previous Federal Reserve audit bill, as well as the possibility of running as a Presidential candidate.

Good Economic Numbers? Don’t Be Fooled By The Financial Sugar High The U.S. financial system is like a junkie that needs continually increasing amounts of “junk” to get the same “buzz”. So what is the U.S. financial system addicted to? It is addicted to money and debt.

Americans Just Took a Pay Cut As Inflation Outpaces Wages You may not have noticed it when you opened up your paycheck last month, but you just took a pay cut

Bob Chapman: The Road of Inflation Will Only End in Tears Cycles and booms and busts just don’t happen. They are planned that way. In the late 1990s Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan commented on irrational exuberance and said he hoped the market would cool down.

IMF Says US Must Raise All Taxes, Cut All Entitlements By 35% To Contain Future Budget In what is either a delayed April Fool’s report, or its latest exercise in rhetoric the IMF asks the humorous question: “An Analysis of U.S. Fiscal and Generational Imbalances: Who Will Pay and How?”

Rep. Paul Plans Hearings on Fed Loans The chairman of the House subcommittee that oversees the Federal Reserve said he plans to hold hearings in May on disclosures that the Fed made billions — perhaps trillions — in secret emergency loans to almost every major bank in the U.S. and overseas during the financial crisis.

The Fed Is on ‘Different Monetary Planet’: Economist The Federal Reserve is on a different monetary planet from the rest of the world, according to Credit Suisse UK Economist Robert Barrie.

How a big US bank laundered billions from Mexico’s murderous drug gangs As the violence spread, billions of dollars of cartel cash began to seep into the global financial system. But a special investigation by the Observer reveals how the increasingly frantic warnings of one London whistleblower were ignored.

National / World

Al Qaeda: Pawns of CIA Insurrection from Libya to Yemen Webster Tarpley | In the current phase, al Qaeda has resumed its original status as CIA guerrillas.

Jesse Ventura: Big Sis Discriminates Against Common Americans Kurt Nimmo | Members of Congress and other officials avoid pat-downs and naked body scanners.

Jesse Ventura Challenges Ron Paul to Leave Republican Party Steve Watson | Paul/Ventura 2012? Former Governor offers himself up as vice president nominee.

Pentagon sock puppet trolls attack alt media RT | Max talks to Alex Jones about food stamps and financial terror.

Fukushima Workers Try to Plug Radiation Leaks With Old Newspapers Steve Watson | Mayor, Governor slam government as tons of radioactive water is poured into Pacific.

Ventura Urges Ron Paul To Run For President As Independent Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura has an important message for Libertarian Congressman Ron Paul – ditch the Republican Party and run for President as an independent.

Jesse Ventura: Big Sis Discriminates Against Common Americans Appearing today on the Alex Jones Show today, the former governor of Minnesota, Jesse Ventura, told Alex Jones the TSA discriminates against common Americans by allowing the elite and select politicians to avoid naked body scanners and sexual molestation gropes at the nation’s airports.

UNBELIEVABLE: Fukushima Workers Trying To Plug Radiation Leaks With Bits Of Newspaper, Garbage Bags, Diaper Like Material The impact of the radioactive material on sea life could be catastrophic as over 11, 500 tons of contaminated water is now being intentionally released into the Pacific ocean by workers at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in a last ditch desperate effort to clean out the area.

Oil Rises On Market Speculation Over Globalist War in Libya Oil has spiked to a 30-month high on market speculation related to demand and the globalist war against the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi.

No Fly Zone Succeeds: Libyan Rebels To Sell First Oil Cargo And so the real goal of the Libyan “No Fly Zone” succeeds: Reuters reports that the Libyan rebel alliance, which already has its own central bank and supposedly fiat printing machines, is about to sell its first oil cargo in the coming week.”

Al Qaeda: Pawns of CIA Insurrection from Libya to Yemen US, British, French, and Dutch commandos have taken leadership of the rebel forces, and are arming them with modern weapons in flagrant violation of the arms embargo specified in UN Security Council resolution 1973.

Former CIA officer blows lid off libya fraud live on CNN Every once in a while, establishment control of the mainstream media cracks for a moment. In an effort to achieve higher ratings, mainstream news programs will invite guests on that promise to be “interesting”, but then they will say something that is not part of the script and the entire system will go into a state of chaos for a moment.

US agrees to continue Libya airstrikes The United States has agreed to a NATO’s request for a 48-hour extension of American participation in the Western coalition’s airstrikes on Libya.

Lindsey Graham Advocates Killing First Amendment Kurt Nimmo | Freedom of speech should not be tolerated during an undeclared forever war.

How a big US bank laundered billions from Mexico’s murderous drug gangs London Observer | A special investigation reveals how the increasingly frantic warnings of one London whistleblower were ignored.

NY Times contributor confirms California rainwater 181 times above drinking water standards for radioactive iodine-131 ENE News | Federal officials have still not published any official data on nuclear fallout from Japan disaster.

‘War for Libyan oil planned long ago, no one cares about people’ RT | Susan Lindauer, journalist and author, has never believed the allied forces intervened in Libya out of humanitarian reasons.

UN-backed Ivory Coast Leader Accused in Massacres BBC | Ban Ki-moon insists Alassane Ouattara and his followers are not involved.

Exposed: The US-Saudi Libya deal You invade Bahrain. We take out Muammar Gaddafi in Libya. This, in short, is the essence of a deal struck between the Barack Obama administration and the House of Saud.

“Protecting” Civilians And Aiding Rebels By Killing Them: 13 Dead From NATO Airstrike NATO voiced concern on Saturday about reports of civilian deaths in a coalition air strike near Brega as rebels claimed victory in the battle for the key Libyan oil town.

Here Come “The Boots On The Ground”: EU Approves “Possible” Military Operation For Libya While it has been made very clear that no US “boots” would be on the ground in Libya, except for those beloning to CIA operatives of course, no such stigma applies to Europe.

Gaddafi rejects rebel truce offer Moamar Gaddafi’s regime has rejected a conditional ceasefire offer made by Libyan rebels, saying government forces would not withdraw from towns they control.

Regulator Says Radioactive Water Leaking Into Ocean From Japanese Nuclear Plant Highly radioactive water is leaking directly into the sea from a damaged pit near a crippled reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, safety officials said Saturday.

GREENPEACE Measures EXTREME RADIATION 40KM From Fukushima – Why No Evacuation? Regardless of what anyone thinks about GreenPeace and their stance on fraudulent man made warning, this video clearly shows that levels at least 40km from the plant are EXTREMELY high!

Flashing Blue Light Seen Above Exploded Nuclear Reactor The characteristic blue glow of nuclear reactors is due to Cherenkov radiation.

Reactor Core Was Severely Damaged, U.S. Official Says Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Friday that roughly 70 percent of the core of one reactor at the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan had suffered severe damage.

Radiation Found In San Francisco, CA Tap Water – 18,100% Above Drinking Water Limit Alexander Higgins | The federal drinking water limit for Iodine-131 is 3 Picocuries per liter.

Drudgereport: LIBYA: GADDAFI MUST STAY BUT COUNTRY READY TO DISCUSS 'REFORM'...
READY TO HOLD ELECTIONS... MORE...
DEFIANT: Gaddafi salutes supporters at compound...
US pulls out warplanes...
GOP BUDGET: CUT $5.8 TRILLION
FEDS SPEND 8X REVENUE...
White House moving forward with govt shutdown plans...
858 SOLDIERS KILLED IN AFGHAN WAR UNDER OBAMA...
NATO FORCES ACCIDENTALLY KILL 13 REBELS
CRACK FOUND IN NUKE REACTOR PIT...
Leaking directly into Pacific Ocean...
Struggle is on to seal it...
Japanese nuke crew faces '100-year battle'...
Petraeus Warns Quran Burning Endangers War Effort...
Protests Rage In Afghanistan...
JAPAN TRIES 'SHREDDED NEWSPAPER' TO STOP NUKE LEAK (Well, there you go … a nostalgic throwback to yesteryear … paper maché … who woulda' thunk it … or remembered it … riiiiight … sounds like a plan!)
HORROR: Remains From 3 More Victims In NY Serial Killer Case...
Duke lacrosse accuser arrested in boyfriend's stabbing...
Ahmadinejad Predicts Embarrassing End for Obama...

Radioactive water in Japan plant leaks into sea (Washington Post) [ I gotta say, and I’m not happy to say it; but the way they’re puttin’ out the info is starting to sound like a page out of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s propaganda playbook. I’m not much of a fisheater, but even if I was, I would be taking no chances with this. Too much money changin’ hands both ways to trust what they say, based upon the kind / quality of reporting / updating thus far. Fukushima Plant Operators Again Ordered To “Review” Radiation Readings Steve Watson | Findings have raised fears that underground waterways and drinking water supplies could become contaminated.

‘US orders media silence over Bahrain’ Press TV | President of Bahrain’s Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab says the US media have been ordered not to cover news on the government’s brutal crackdown on Bahraini people.

Cover Up: Fukushima Plant Operators Again Ordered To “Review” “Suspiciously High” Radiation Readings The operators of the crippled nuclear power plant at Fukushima have once again been ordered to “review” and retract their radiation findings where appropriate because Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says they are too high.] Authorities discover radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant flowing into the sea from a crack in the No. 2 reactor, adding to mounting problems facing emergency repair workers.

Stalemate foreseen for Libya (Washington Post) [ Well, there we go … Now that sounds like the unplan plan we've come to know and love in defacto bankrupt america. After all, at this point, what's a little more bankrupt if you're already defacto bankrupt … too redundant to even think about ... Al Qaeda’s Dark Secret Exposed TheAlexJonesChannel | Evidence proves al Qaeda is Western manufactured.

Canadian officials ‘secretive’ on North American perimeter security agreement Aaron Dykes | Unifying the once sovereign nations of North America under treaty law moves forward in stealth.

Coalition Air Strikes: Body Bags Begin Piling Up Patrick Henningsen | The use of DU has been a major feature in US-led Coalition and Israeli war efforts since 2001.

Government Bureaucrats Steal Basketball Hoops Kurt Nimmo | As the founders knew, without property rights we are slaves.

Neocons and Democrats Work in Congress to Support Obama’s Libyan War As the mad bombers at NATO engage in a public relations stunt in response to the fallout from the slaughter of innocent Libyan civilians, here in the United States a few dignified members of Congress are attempting to put a halt to the illegal war.

The New Colonialism: Washington’s Pursuit of World Hegemony [Oh come on! They only wish! The nation's defacto bankrupt … understand all that that entails! ]What we are observing in Libya is the rebirth of colonialism. Only this time it is not individual European governments competing for empires and resources.

Target China Far from the Founding Father’s ideal representative republic, China has garnered a reputation as one of the most repressive regimes on earth. While some of this is well earned, much of it is due to the unsavory legacy left by Mao’s “Great Leap Forward” which to this day is still being carefully and systematically dismantled.

Gaddafi regime admits attempts to talk to west The regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has initiated a concerted effort to open lines of communication with western governments in an attempt to bring the conflict in the country to an end.

Libyan opposition offers ceasefire A Libyan opposition leader has said the rebels will accept a UN-demanded ceasefire if Muammar Gaddafi pulls his forces from all cities and allows peaceful protests.

Rand Paul: Fox can’t decide ‘what they love more, bombing the Middle East or bashing the president’ Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joked Wednesday night that the Fox News Channel can’t seem to reconcile their dislike for President Barack Obama with their support for his military intervention in Libya.

Libya is a Continuation of Neocon War to Remake Middle East [ Come on! They're muddling along, debt ridden, incompetent, declining, failing, almost to a nation, individually and collectively. Trying to still appear relevant, more important are the nations absent from their war crimes folly (excepting israel for which these treasury depleting fiascos in the name of zionism continue down this path of self-defeat / self-destruction) ]Statement on Libya – Defining U.S. National Security Interests, Before the Foreign Affairs Committee, US House of Representatives, 31 March 2011 ] While it could keep civilians safe, deadlock could also extend commitments by the United States.

Facing shutdown, Boehner keeps cool (Washington Post) [ Cool as in 1) cool as a cucumber 2) moderately cold 3) not friendly 4) impudent 5) overly protected from the heat 6) very good 7) unflappable 8) composed 9) collected … ? All of the above? … none of the above? Meanwhile, back at the capital hill rancho, Federal workers anxious about unknown , as indeed they should be. After all, the ranks of the government-employed have swollen to beyond the dreams of the failed communist regimes of yesteryear … More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million). Defacto bankrupt america the new marxian dream … eh, comrade ?... House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal(Washington Post) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) ]Unable to find consensus within their own ranks, House Republican leaders have begun courting moderate Democrats on a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown next week.

Employers continue adding jobs in March(Washington Post) [ Jobs report better than expected … April fools … you got to be to believe anything they say, desperate as they are [ Drudgereport: GALLUP: Unemployment at 10.0%; underemployment 19.3%... Who do you believe? ] … particularly that huge fudge factor; viz., that ubiquitous 'stopped looking' category … granted there are some 'window-dressing' jobs created at huge uneconomic cost with the reality going something like this: government give contract to company that will cover the costs of the domestic jobs created using funds they don't really have (borrowed, one way or another, and piled on to the already insurmountable debt of a nation that is already defacto bankrupt), to produce goods which could be produced better and cheaper elsewhere (there isn't anything that can't be produced outside this country better, more efficiently, and cheaper). This is doubly inflationary since, first, the goods are uneconomically more costly, and second, whether borrowed or printed, the increased paper and lesser real value thereof is also inflationary. That said, I don't even believe their headline number and the unemployment rate they give is irrelevant and wholly inaccurate (that 'stopped looking fudge factor', etc.). Then there is the b*** s*** concerning treasury turning a profit on the (ongoing fed / pomo / wall street) bailouts that taxpayers have and will continue to pay for in higher prices from oil to grains to other commodities to fewer jobs, now and in the future. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! Light Volume Rally Continues: Dave's Daily ' ...The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis... Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law … ADP data has misled before but Wall Street is awash with cash from on high and finds little other place to invest beyond stocks...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you’ … 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans don't understand what the Fed Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems.

More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million).

What’s your take on U.S.’s employment situation? (Washington Post) [ I don't believe a word they say; nor does Denninger ... More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined

Employment Report: Clear Trend Change Absence Denninger 'From the Bureau Of Lies And Scams (BLS): '...

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1415

(Chart)

How about the workweek and salaries?

In March, average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 34.3 hours in March. The manufacturing workweek for all employees edged down by 0.1 hour to 40.5 hours, while factory overtime was unchanged at 3.3 hours. .. average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls were unchanged at $22.87. ..

No help here. No increase in hours worked and no hourly earnings improvement either. For production and non-supervisory workers (those where price increases really hurt) they saw a bit of a decline. This is quite-bad news; note that the average annual wage for these workers is $38,600 pre-tax. That's materially under the average worker's income used in the BLS CPI tables, and it is those who have incomes under the median that experience the worst of income allocation shifts into non-discretionary purchases such as food, energy and medical..(bad).. given the price inflation that is clearly-evident in the PPI since August. These price increases are now going to start showing up on the store shelf over the next couple of months. We should also see the impact of these PPI changes being emitted from the rear end of the economy (that is, the business end that hurts you, the consumer) in the 1st quarter earnings reports beginning in earnest on the 11th.

Let's go look at our numbers and see if there's a "there" there.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1417

(Chart)

That's small improvement. I guess you can say it's not another turn-down.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1416

(Chart)

The number of employed ticked up a bit. That's positive. But it did last year too, only to flag off as we got into the summer.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1419

(Chart)

"Not in labor force", annualized, isn't any good. Yes, the monthly number looks good, but there are seasonal effects. .. - we're losing participation. Permanently.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1418

(Chart)

..

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1420

(Chart)

..Positive change? Where? This is the root of the problem - participation, as a percentage of the workforce, continues to decline. This in turn means that the budgetary pressures will not come off. ..

What this all boils down to is that job growth is insufficient to support the economy on its own. Yet the ability to keep writing hot checks to the tune of $1.7 trillion a year or more to support a fake "recovery" is not infinite...

Jobs report better than expected … April fools … you got to be to believe anything they say, desperate as they are [ Drudgereport: GALLUP: Unemployment at 10.0%; underemployment 19.3%... Who do you believe? ] … particularly that huge fudge factor; viz., that ubiquitous 'stopped looking' category … granted there are some 'window-dressing' jobs created at huge uneconomic cost with the reality going something like this: government give contract to company that will cover the costs of the domestic jobs created using funds they don't really have (borrowed, one way or another, and piled on to the already insurmountable debt of a nation that is already defacto bankrupt), to produce goods which could be produced better and cheaper elsewhere (there isn't anything that can't be produced outside this country better, more efficiently, and cheaper). This is doubly inflationary since, first, the goods are uneconomically more costly, and second, whether borrowed or printed, the increased paper and lesser real value thereof is also inflationary. That said, I don't even believe their headline number and the unemployment rate they give is irrelevant and wholly inaccurate (that 'stopped looking fudge factor', etc.). Then there is the b*** s*** concerning treasury turning a profit on the (ongoing fed / pomo / wall street) bailouts that taxpayers have and will continue to pay for in higher prices from oil to grains to other commodities to fewer jobs, now and in the future. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! Light Volume Rally Continues: Dave's Daily ' ...The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis... Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law … ADP data has misled before but Wall Street is awash with cash from on high and finds little other place to invest beyond stocks...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you’ … 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans don't understand what the Fed Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems. When Americans get into discussions about the economy, most of them still blame either the Democrats or Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt. The Economic Collapse]

More Americans work for the government than in manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining and utilities combined Today in America there are nearly twice as many people working for the government (22.5 million) than in all of manufacturing (11.5 million).

Employment Report: Clear Trend Change Absence Denninger 'From the Bureau Of Lies And Scams (BLS):

Nonfarm payroll employment increased by 216,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Job gains occurred in professional and business services, health care, leisure and hospitality, and mining. Employment in manufacturing continued to trend up.

Yeah, ok.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1415

(Click to enlarge)

How about the workweek and salaries?

In March, average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls was unchanged at 34.3 hours in March. The manufacturing workweek for all employees edged down by 0.1 hour to 40.5 hours, while factory overtime was unchanged at 3.3 hours. The average workweek for production and nonsupervisory employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased by 0.1 hour to 33.6 hours. (See tables B-2 and B-7.) The average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls were unchanged at $22.87. Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 1.7 percent. Average hourly earnings of private-sector production and nonsupervisory employees edged down by 2 cents over the month to $19.30. (See tables B-3 and B-8.)

No help here. No increase in hours worked and no hourly earnings improvement either. For production and non-supervisory workers (those where price increases really hurt) they saw a bit of a decline. This is quite-bad news; note that the average annual wage for these workers is $38,600 pre-tax. That's materially under the average worker's income used in the BLS CPI tables, and it is those who have incomes under the median that experience the worst of income allocation shifts into non-discretionary purchases such as food, energy and medical.

This just plain sucks given the price inflation that is clearly-evident in the PPI since August. These price increases are now going to start showing up on the store shelf over the next couple of months. We should also see the impact of these PPI changes being emitted from the rear end of the economy (that is, the business end that hurts you, the consumer) in the 1st quarter earnings reports beginning in earnest on the 11th.

Let's go look at our numbers and see if there's a "there" there.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1417

(Click to enlarge)

That's small improvement. I guess you can say it's not another turn-down.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1416

(Click to enlarge)

The number of employed ticked up a bit. That's positive. But it did last year too, only to flag off as we got into the summer.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1419

(Click to enlarge)

"Not in labor force", annualized, isn't any good. Yes, the monthly number looks good, but there are seasonal effects. On an annualized basis we're still above the zero line - then again, we have been like ... well ... forever. This is a problem and to a material degree reflects the underlying problem we have with labor in this country - we're losing participation. Permanently.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1418

(Click to enlarge)

Here's the grand-daddy number. It's following the seasonal pattern; let's see if it peaks in May. More-importantly, let's see if it puts in a lower high to go with the lower low.

That would be bad, and until the pattern changes, it's what you have to expect.

http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?get_gallerynr=1420

(Click to enlarge)

Nowhere is this more-evident than in this chart. Positive change? Where? This is the root of the problem - participation, as a percentage of the workforce, continues to decline. This in turn means that the budgetary pressures will not come off. And that, in turn, is very bad from an intermediate and longer-term stability perspective.

What this all boils down to is that job growth is insufficient to support the economy on its own. Yet the ability to keep writing hot checks to the tune of $1.7 trillion a year or more to support a fake "recovery" is not infinite.

The wall is clearly visible through the fog at this point. Why do we still have our monetary and fiscal foot mashed on the accelerator?'

Higher Oil Slows Stock Rally: Dave's Daily 'No matter the market data, how can I let April Fool's Day pass without some humorous image? But, more somberly, today marks the second anniversary of ETF Digest pal Greg Newton's (Naked Shorts Blog) sudden death. So, I'm not going to complain about the 10" of snow. Markets were sharply higher after a mildly better than expected employment report. Many feel the economy has definitely turned the corner and that bodes well for stocks. The dollar rallied sharply early but then fell hard later in the day perhaps coinciding with Fed Governor's Dudley's remarks that QE will remain on track. (The Fed just can't find the "off" switch and behave like they're addicted to crack.) But, as Friday wore on, it became clear that oil prices would not be contained. Two reasons dominated: first, DUD-ley's comments and second, events in Libya aren't moving the coalition's way. As to the latter, what does this mean? Failure? Or, an enhanced presence?  It sure presented an inconvenient speed bump for bulls Friday despite gains. How will consumers react to higher gas and energy prices? Not well one would think, but that's just too logical. Short-term equity markets have become rapidly overbought. DUD-ley's comments allow bulls to believe more, not less, liquidity is coming their way. As markets hit previous highs, along with oil, sellers entered markets to take profits. Volume is still ultra-light but breadth per the WSJ remains positive. '

Short-Term, High-Probability Mean-Reversion: Several ETFs Hit Short-Term Extremes Crowder 'Several of the ETFs I follow in the High-Probability, Mean Reversion strategy have hit a short-term “very overbought” extreme. Typically, when this type of event occurs a short-term reprieve (1-3 days) is right around the corner.Unemployment numbers are out before the bell today so I expect to see a pop at the open. If the market opens higher today I expect to make a trade in the strategy, so subscribers stay tuned.I currently have a trade on, so of course, a move lower at the open would not upset me either. I expect today will be a very interesting day. Short-Term High-Probability, Mean-Reversion Indicator – as of close 3/31/11

[overbought chart http://static.seekingalpha.com/uploads/2011/4/1/saupload_3_31_11_hpmr.png ]

Disclosure: I am short SPY.'

For Soda Aficionados Minyanville http://www.albertpeia.com/regionalsodas.htm

The Treasury Auction Shell Game Peter Schiff | Very few people have the patience to sift through Treasury Department bond auctions data.

GE to Try to Avoid Liability in Japan Nuke Crisis Reuters | The Japan’s nuke crisis has created a PR headache for General Electric, but the company so far has escaped any legal fallout.

Foreign Banks Tapped Fed’s Lifeline Most as Bernanke Kept Borrowers Secret Bloomberg | The biggest borrowers from the 97-year-old discount window as the program reached its crisis-era peak were foreign banks.

ECONOMIC CRISIS ARCHIVE

Japan Rebuilds While The Fed Tears Down In Japan’s quest to reconstruct the region affected demand for commodities will increase putting added upward pressure on commodity markets.

Ron Paul On The Fed’s Secret Bailout Documents Congressman Paul discusses the documents the Fed released by court order.

Foreign Banks Tapped Fed’s Secret Lifeline Most at Crisis Peak U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke’s two-year fight to shield crisis-squeezed banks from the stigma of revealing their public loans protected a lender to local governments in Belgium, a Japanese fishing-cooperative financier and a company part-owned by the Central Bank of Libya.

The Fed Bailed Out A Libya-Owned Bank No matter how many Nobel peace prizes are trampled in the process, it may come as a surprise to some that a bank majority owned by the Libya Central Bank, was the direct recipient of US taxpayer largesse in the form of discount window borrowing.

National / World

Al Qaeda’s Dark Secret Exposed TheAlexJonesChannel | Evidence proves al Qaeda is Western manufactured.

Canadian officials ‘secretive’ on North American perimeter security agreement Aaron Dykes | Unifying the once sovereign nations of North America under treaty law moves forward in stealth.

Coalition Air Strikes: Body Bags Begin Piling Up Patrick Henningsen | The use of DU has been a major feature in US-led Coalition and Israeli war efforts since 2001.

Government Bureaucrats Steal Basketball Hoops Kurt Nimmo | As the founders knew, without property rights we are slaves.

Fukushima Plant Operators Again Ordered To “Review” Radiation Readings Steve Watson | Findings have raised fears that underground waterways and drinking water supplies could become contaminated.

‘US orders media silence over Bahrain’ Press TV | President of Bahrain’s Center for Human Rights Nabeel Rajab says the US media have been ordered not to cover news on the government’s brutal crackdown on Bahraini people.

Cover Up: Fukushima Plant Operators Again Ordered To “Review” “Suspiciously High” Radiation Readings The operators of the crippled nuclear power plant at Fukushima have once again been ordered to “review” and retract their radiation findings where appropriate because Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency says they are too high.

Neocons and Democrats Work in Congress to Support Obama’s Libyan War As the mad bombers at NATO engage in a public relations stunt in response to the fallout from the slaughter of innocent Libyan civilians, here in the United States a few dignified members of Congress are attempting to put a halt to the illegal war.

The New Colonialism: Washington’s Pursuit of World Hegemony [Oh come on! They only wish! The nation's defacto bankrupt … understand all that that entails! ]What we are observing in Libya is the rebirth of colonialism. Only this time it is not individual European governments competing for empires and resources.

Target China Far from the Founding Father’s ideal representative republic, China has garnered a reputation as one of the most repressive regimes on earth. While some of this is well earned, much of it is due to the unsavory legacy left by Mao’s “Great Leap Forward” which to this day is still being carefully and systematically dismantled.

Gaddafi regime admits attempts to talk to west The regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has initiated a concerted effort to open lines of communication with western governments in an attempt to bring the conflict in the country to an end.

Libyan opposition offers ceasefire A Libyan opposition leader has said the rebels will accept a UN-demanded ceasefire if Muammar Gaddafi pulls his forces from all cities and allows peaceful protests.

Rand Paul: Fox can’t decide ‘what they love more, bombing the Middle East or bashing the president’ Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) joked Wednesday night that the Fox News Channel can’t seem to reconcile their dislike for President Barack Obama with their support for his military intervention in Libya.

Libya is a Continuation of Neocon War to Remake Middle East [ Come on! They're muddling along, debt ridden, incompetent, declining, failing, almost to a nation, individually and collectively. Trying to still appear relevant, more important are the nations absent from their war crimes folly (excepting israel for which these treasury depleting fiascos in the name of zionism continue down this path of self-defeat / self-destruction) ]Statement on Libya – Defining U.S. National Security Interests, Before the Foreign Affairs Committee, US House of Representatives, 31 March 2011

Drudgereport: GALLUP: Unemployment at 10.0%; underemployment 19.3%...
WSJ: More Americans work for gov't than manufacturing, farming, fishing, forestry, mining, utilities -- combined...
OIL SOARS...
Highest March price on record...
OBAMA'S LIMO EXEMPT FROM NEW 'GREEN' POLICY
Government losses in GM far higher than claimed...
Bosses at bailed-out FANNIE, FREDDIE were paid millions...
Probes Find 'Unprecedented' Political Review of FOIA Requests by Big Sis...
Issa: 'Nixonian'...
Federal Agents Told to Reduce Border Arrests, AZ Sheriff Says...
1st Grade Teacher Suspended for Facebook Rant About Students...
...Felt Like 'Warden' Supervising Future Criminals [ That's because that's what they are … and inherently so … just because they look like wobama, holder, michelle/wobama's belle, etc., doesn't change reality she has a right to discuss in First Amendment Terms, particularly. Paterson Teacher Suspended After Allegedly Calling Students 'Future Criminals ... Some comments:

I went to public school. Fortunately we had no blacks at all. They're just disgusting animals. People are tired of making up excuses for them. Look at sub-saharan africa, or any inner city. Always the same story with them. In evolutionary terms, 'they're the ones that got left behind'. (see, ie., http://albertpeia.com/anthroindex1.htm ).

Al Peia

Babba Booey

It’s a pretty funny story until you realize that the teacher is not only being honest but sadly correct as well.
The New generation of savages to come

April 1, 2011 at 10:48 pm | Reply | Report comment

cochino

After all, three generations of imbeciles are enough!

April 1, 2011 at 10:04 pm | Reply | Report comment

ANSWER

Teachers in that environment have classrooms consisting of 25 to 30 children. These children come to school with little to no sleep, poor nutrition, poor hygiene and zero guidance at home. In addition they don’t act like 6 and 7 year olds. They demonstrate very poor focus and attention to take direction. It is almost impossible to teach with these issues. Day after day teachers in most of these inner city school districts try. But in most cases the teacher can’t break this viscous cycle of ignorance. Mandatory birth control is the only answer. Parents need to be held accountable. Teachers in these environments all deserve to be paid at the highest scale! They deserve it.

April 1, 2011 at 9:47 pm | Reply | Report comment

Word of Wisdom

There is no such thing as a bad student….only bad teachers.

April 1, 2011 at 9:41 pm | Reply | Report comment

Wisdom (lol)

How about bad parents????

April 1, 2011 at 9:49 pm | Reply | Report comment

princeton1991

You’re an idiot and a likley dropout. Go back to school! — and I hate teachers more than you know so don’t blame me on you’re idiocy.

April 1, 2011 at 10:00 pm | Reply | Report comment

Mike

Leave the children of slackers in the public school system. Listen to this. My niece was doing her student teaching in Beachwood Ohio Public schools with 9th graders. After lunch the princes and princesses came back to class yelling and “fing” everyone and everything in sight. So she made them go back to the hall and come back quietly and ready to learn.
Her reward for this was 1 hour of counseling, not for the class but for her!
This junior high has 4 full time shrinks on site to help manage the teachers and kids. All that public school administrators want to to be sure no one makes any waves. What a joke.
Not wanting any part of the public school system, she got her Phd and has been teaching at a private college in Savana

April 1, 2011 at 9:36 pm | Reply | Report comment

Dewey

My niece teaches HS in Queens NY and says mainly the students
show up to meet each other ,not to study ,
Many of these kids will never be in the standard work ethics we
older folks grew up with ,they won’t work as they expect to start
at the top. Sad but this teacher’s comments are not far from what
my niece feels.

April 1, 2011 at 9:34 pm | Reply | Report comment

1608

She did her job.

Now the students know to judge a book by it’s cover.

April 1, 2011 at 9:28 pm | Reply | Report comment

Sick of whining

It’s her business what she posts on Facebook – maybe she should have marked it private and kept the comments amongst a select few. I can understand what she is saying – go to the mall and watch how kids act around their parents – heck, watch how the parents act. Instead of the parents crying about it they need to step up and parent instead of having the state/county raise their children. And yeah, some of those kids will grow up and be criminals. We have no EXPECTATIONS of proper behavior – we ACCEPT antisocial behavior everyday from children. Then when we can’t control the kids we dope ‘em up on ritalin and other drugs then sit ‘em in front of MTV, and Jerry Springer for their role models. Then we sit wondering what went wrong.

April 1, 2011 at 8:43 pm | Reply | Report comment

Sick of whining

Did anyone bother to ask why she felt that way?

April 1, 2011 at 8:48 pm | Reply | Report comment

loombergisafascist

people in this country despise the truth. i will bet dollars to donuts that everything she has said about her so called students are true. if she is seeeing this behaviour now in 1st grade can you imagine what these kids will be like in 10 years. its like the kid in staten island who was harrassing the muslim kid. he was a terror and nobody does anything. he was already running around with scissors and cut some other poor girls hair. these teachers spend 6 hours a day with these kids and i believe everything she says. to bad the parents dont take heed instead of just critizing her and acting all insulted.

April 1, 2011 at 8:09 pm | Reply | Report comment

mell

She and all academic teachers in America should walk out and set up their own small private schools. Capitalism and Freedom !!!!!!!! No more social promotion and grade fixing for lazy Americans!

April 1, 2011 at 8:03 pm | Reply | Report comment

Richard Allen

What is wrong with everyone….she knows what the truth is…she was warning everyone before it got bad

We need to praise this teacher and give her a PAY RAISE…..

April 1, 2011 at 8:00 pm | Reply | Report comment

Joe

The teacher called it as she saw it!!!

April 1, 2011 at 6:54 pm | Reply | Report comment

joey gallows

boohoo someones feelings were hurt
next thing is a lawsuit
the kids say worse things to each other every day

April 1, 2011 at 6:14 pm | Reply | Report comment

UJU

A school teacher can only do so much! Parents should rise up to their duties

April 1, 2011 at 5:45 pm | Reply | Report comment

Robert

Seek the truth, but don’t speak the truth ! The teacher can tell by the character of her students how they will be in later life! Paterson is a ghetto city and thats all one needs to know.

April 1, 2011 at 5:40 pm | Reply | Report comment

kds

When I was growing up I had nothing but respect for any and all adults specially teachers. Nowadays, my 9 year old neighbor is so disrespectful I wonder what she’ll become as a young adult. The worse part is her parents excuse her behavior with “she’s only nine”. I bet she behaves the same way in school by what I hear from other adults in the complex where we live.

April 1, 2011 at 5:18 pm | Reply | Report comment

2luv

why is it that people NEED to POST EVERYTHING IN FACEBOOK!!!

April 1, 2011 at 5:33 pm | Reply | Report comment

noodlesnoodlemann

Not too bright.

April 1, 2011 at 5:02 pm | Reply | Report comment

Michael Allen Powers

Mr. Johnson wonders why people are offended by the “truth”. (Fox’s definition of the word, obviously). I think he’s cranky because the kids won’t stay off his lawn.

I have teaching credentials, but I don’t teach. Why? Because I suck at it. (I have nothing but respect for those who can.) I learned this early on, and, to keep from doing a disservice to any prospective students, chose another path, just as this teacher should have done.

April 1, 2011 at 5:01 pm | Reply | Report comment

mike felter

i was thinking at first she can speak her mind she’s free but after some more thinking i agree rise the bar ,, i grow up in newark. was going the wrong way and some good people helped me,, and my great wife,,she stayed by me.. send the teacher back to school

April 1, 2011 at 5:00 pm | Reply | Report comment

story

There are expectations of educators to educate and not only academics but also morals and ethics. Her statement takes away from these children the chance they deserve to excel they are only 6 and 7 years old and will gravitate towards attitudes taught to them. This teacher is not prepared and should not be allowed to enter the class room again it is not the place for her she does not have the love or tolerance to deal with children of that age. Children of that age are curious and yes some of them are coming from homes where seeing is believing the thing that happen there and if that is the case let school be the heaven where they learn to be better people, gain knowledge and in the process get a little love.

April 1, 2011 at 4:57 pm | Reply | Report comment

Paterson

Teachers in that environment have classrooms consisting of 25 to 30 children. These children come to school with little to no sleep, poor nutrition, poor hygiene and zero guidance at home. In addition they don’t act like 6 and 7 year olds. They demonstrate very poor focus and attention to take direction. It is almost impossible to teach with these issues. Day after day teachers in most of these inner city school districts try. But in most cases the teacher can’t break this viscous cycle of ignorance. Mandatory birth control is the only answer.

April 1, 2011 at 9:29 pm | Reply | Report comment

Kar

Everyone is entitled to thier opinions, truth be told or not. As an educator, you should know better then to ever post work related stuff. And never ever be facebook friends with parents & students! Lesson be learned!

April 1, 2011 at 4:53 pm | Reply | Report comment

Daniel Barbier

Please! And then if the kid does become a criminal then the educational system gets “blamed” for not intervening while again the parents receieve no responsibility in the outcome of their child’s behavior

April 1, 2011 at 4:39 pm | Reply | Report comment

Shelli Lipton

Teachers who think they are there as police need to be in a different profession. It’s good that this teacher was fired.

April 1, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Reply | Report comment

James W Johnson

So why are people so offended by the truth and facts?

April 1, 2011 at 4:33 pm | Reply | Report comment

James W Johnson

Why does the truth offend so many people?

April 1, 2011 at 4:32 pm | Reply | Report comment

Mari

i would say the teacher should be suspended more for her stupidity in posting to facebook than anything else. And she obviously was ill-prepared for the reality of the challenging job of teaching. I have no doubt she found her students unruly and undisciplined – they do live in an area where parenting skills seem to me at a minimium, but is also a challenge for those who DO try to be attentive to their children. She is to blame for thoughtlessness less than for her thoughts, but the education system, including hers at teacher’s college, are also partly responsible.

April 1, 2011 at 4:23 pm | Reply | Report comment

Paterson

Teachers in that environment have classrooms consisting of 25 to 30 children. These children come to school with little to no sleep, poor nutrition, poor hygiene and zero guidance at home. In addition they don’t act like 6 and 7 year olds. They demonstrate very poor focus and attention to take direction. It is almost impossible to teach with these issues. Day after day teachers in most of these inner city school districts try. But in most cases the teacher can’t break this viscous cycle of ignorance. Mandatory birth control is the only answer. Have some compassion for the teacher.

April 1, 2011 at 9:33 pm | Reply | Report comment

J

Bulls_it! Obviously there’s a reason why she said it. Paterson NJ, is a gang infested slum with low function parents who are too busy smoking weed to help their children with their homework. Some, are future criminals. Look at their parents. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.

April 1, 2011 at 4:01 pm | Reply | Report comment

J

You ignorant bigot, I grew up in Paterson NJ…. I graduated with honors from Penn State, I am getting my M.A at an international program…. after working as a political adviser.. and well be surely making a lot more money then you will ever be…..

April 1, 2011 at 4:31 pm | Reply | Report comment

James W Johnson

Democratis advisor no doubt.He made your point and you can’t even see that!

April 1, 2011 at 4:35 pm

Cisco

“.. and well be surely making a lot more money then you will ever be…”

Return to Penn State and ask for a refund. English composition isn’t your best game.

April 1, 2011 at 4:43 pm

Penn State Genius read this...

Teachers in that environment have classrooms consisting of 25 to 30 children. These children come to school with little to no sleep, poor nutrition, poor hygiene and zero guidance at home. In addition they don’t act like 6 and 7 year olds. They demonstrate very poor focus and attention to take direction. It is almost impossible to teach with these issues. Day after day teachers in most of these inner city school districts try. But in most cases the teacher can’t break this viscous cycle of ignorance. Mandatory birth control is the only answer. I hope this educates the Penn State ignoramus ignoramus..

April 1, 2011 at 9:38 pm

teacher

i know as an educator the children will rise to your expectations. I set the bar very high and they do very well and i see other teachers with this teachers mentality of how they are no good and thats what they get. When will society realize that we need to raise the bar and make them responsible and they will rise to the occasion. Try it! It works!

April 1, 2011 at 3:54 pm | Reply | Report comment

joe k

And I thought the truth would make you free.

April 1, 2011 at 3:43 pm | Reply | Report comment

anna

i thought its Arbeit macht frei (work would make you free)

April 1, 2011 at 4:39 pm | Reply | Report comment

War blurs humanitarian focus in Libya (Washington Post) [ Wow! Call me naïve, but it's getting difficult … blurs? … as in fact from fiction … truth versus falsity … propaganda as opposed to reality … and then there's the no small task of keeping up with gates' positions.

Obama Sends Murder Incorporated to Libya Nimmo | The CIA specializes in overthrowing governments and orchestrating mass murder.

Secret Illegal War Of Aggression Has Been Raging In Libya For Weeks Watson | UN Resolution or no UN resolution, US and British spies have been coordinating war for oil for some time.

Al-Qaeda 100% Pentagon Run Infowars.com | [UPDATED].

Tarpley on Libya Rebels: A CIA Secret Army of al-Qaeda Terrorists RT | Libyan Rebels in Full, Chaotic Retreat New Yorker |

US set to give arms to Libyans SMH |

Are US Soldiers Using Rape, Murder, And Bombing Of Children As War Strategy? Mary Lynn Cramer Countercurrents.org 3-30-11 ...

With the reports of rape of women by US troops in Iraq (not to mention the alarmingly high rate of rape of women soldiers within the US military); the bombing of civilian wedding parties, children at play, and innocent villagers in their homes in Pakistan and Afghanistan, why is it that Amy has not headlined that “Murder And Rape Are Being Used By Obama And US Soldiers As Weapons of War”? (And who arrested those accused Libyan soldiers in Tripoli so quickly? It takes forever to get charges brought against American troops and contractors accused of rape, torture and murder in US occupied countries; and even then they most often go free.) ..

This is a video of several testimonies repeating the same lie about Iraqi soldiers killing babies in incubators as they fled Kuwait in 1990.

” A key event in generating momentum for the first U.S. War on Iraq, “Operation Desert Storm” was a fraudulent report of the murder of Kuwaiti babies by Iraqi soldiers...The girl relayed a shocking story while sobbing:

'… I saw the Iraqi soldiers come into the hospital with guns, and go into the room where . . . babies were in incubators. They took the babies out of the incubators, took the incubators, and left the babies on the cold floor to die.

The massacre never occurred. The girl was actually the daughter of a Kuwaiti emir, and had been coached by the public relations firm Hill and Knowlton to give persuasive false testimony.” ( How PR Sold the War in the Persian Gulf , by Stauber and Rampton) http://911review.com/precedent/decade/incubators.html ...'

At least 40 civilians dead in Tripoli strikes: Vatican official Reuters

Obama in Libya for long haul

Rangel: Obama Did Not Have Constitutional Authority to Act Unilaterally in Libya Without Congress’ Approval

Obama On Energy Sec Chu: “He Actually Deserved His Nobel Prize” Obama jokes about the fact that deep down he is a warmonger

The false choice (Washington Post) [ This truly is well said and needed sayin'. That Ms. Marcus said it in so kindly a way is forgivable if only because of the expected cordiality of the forum. The truth is, I believe it's no longer just the false choices. I further believe the american electorate is snookered virtually all of the time, and has been so for quite some time with pronounced recognition of same with the last two failed presidents particularly. Thus, I conclude that the american political system has become so fatally flawed that it must be deemed broken and unfixable. After all, america is ever more widely known to be pervasively corrupt and as well, defacto bankrupt. This sad state of affairs precludes that somewhat amorphous conclusion attendant to an unknowing shrug of the shoulders and nonsequitur; viz., they must be doing something right … No they are not! / Then there is the b*** s*** concerning treasury turning a profit on the (ongoing fed / pomo / wall street) bailouts that taxpayers have and will continue to pay for in higher prices from oil to grains to other commodities to fewer jobs, now and in the future. There is no modern day alchemy that 'spins more paper into gold'. That value has to come from some place; viz., you! M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you / ' ...The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis... Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law … ’ 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans don't understand what the Fed Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems...most of them still blame either the Democrats or Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt. ]

Europe financial problems deepen (Washington Post) [ Yet you'd think, and that they expected you to think, with all the 'bread and circuses', schemin', and perpetual war as here in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america that everything was just 'hunky-dory'. That the eu's financial problems were solved was touted to the tune of about a 1,000 points on the DOW over the course of just days. We Are Looking at Trillion-Dollar Plus Annual Interest Payments on U.S. Debt Owens Krugman: We’re Going To Have To Default On Our Debt One Way Or Another Some dour commentary from Paul Krugman this morning on the implications of our monster debt. Harry Dent Warns Major Crash Is Coming! Harry Dent, Jr.  Economy will be in a Depression by 2011
The worst of this next depression is likely to hit between mid-2010 and mid-2013, especially around early 2011...
Dow will Fall to 3,800 – 4,500 by 2012
Nasdaq will Fall Below 1,100, its 2002 low, by late 2010 or mid-2012 at the latest.
Inflation will Increase until mid- 2010 and then turn to Deflation
Interest Rates will Increase
U.S. Dollar will Decline
Housing will Decline by 40 – 60% from Today’s Levels
Greatest Economic and Banking Crisis since the 1930s will Occur Between 2010 and 2012).

J. P. Morgan Wants $5 ATM Charge CNBC.com |

Poll: Obama’s approval hits new low Politico | Half of the registered voters surveyed for the poll think that the president does not deserve a second term in office.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad)

European Central Bank Set to Raise Interest Rates Before Fed Reuters |

OPEC Could Reap $1 Trillion This Year National Journal |

Fragile Budget Talks Resume as Parties Trade ‘Extreme’ Label Fox |

The Fed Releases Thousands Of Secret Bailout Docs In The Least Transparent Way Possible The Federal Reserve on Thursday released the names of banks that borrowed from its main emergency lending facility during the financial crisis after having run out of legal appeals to block publication.

A List Of 28 Things That Will Make You Realise That There Is Something Seriously Wrong With This Country

China economist blasts dollar dominance on eve of G20 Dollar dominance is sowing the seeds of financial turmoil, and the solution is to promote new reserve currencies, a Chinese government economist said in a paper published on the eve of a G20 meeting about how to reform the global monetary system. ]

Portugal discloses new and larger budget deficits for last year, and Ireland says its banks need tens of billions of dollars in additional capital. The fresh round of bad news is likely to further shake confidence in Europe’s ability to resolve its lingering financial problems anytime soon.

Jeff Immelt faces major PR crises (Washington Post) [ Well, here's my experience in this suburb to new york, GE's home-state of connecticut which they dominate: RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

· A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..

· Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.

· The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]

Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ] … GE chief executive is under heat as he addresses tax issue, nuclear technology.

Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als

Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings

Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic!

On NBC, the missing story about GE (Washington Post) [ Ya think! … Seriously though, this is as important a story as can be since these scenarios have been a significant problem for the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. for quite some time. After all, there are no Washington Posts in the Northeast to cover their denizens quite like the Washington Post fearlessly covers theirs (ie., that not too long ago story of the ubiquity of top level clearances, 'cia ops / covers' (real estate / businesses), in the Washington metropolitan area, literally putting their lives on the line so to speak. In the northeast, sinkholes new york (they even did a book 'The Wall Street Gang' and movies, ie., 'Gangs of New York', fact-based 'Goodfellas', etc.) / mob infested jersey (I've not been to chicago, but count them in here) particularly, it's what is not said that invariably stands out to the substantial detriment of the rest of the nation. The day in, day out continued churn and earn wall street fraud at a total cost yet to be fully realized by the rest of the nation to support those lavish / overly high-cost lifestyles will not make for front-page reading in the wall street journal, new york times, etc., nor the lead story if at all on the 6 / 11 o'clock news. Therein lies the rub, and the need for alternate media sources so castigated and belittled by the main-stream news media, particularly in those regions which have a lot to hide (and not talk about). Sadly, the internet is increasingly targeted toward the end of silencing those who brave to tell the truth. One might hope that The Washington Post might enter the televised news sphere with waivers based on national need.] “NBC Nightly News” didn’t report on the fact that its parent company paid no federal taxes last year.

Documents shed light on Fed lending (Washington Post) [ Au contraire … far from shedding light, the fed remains a significant part of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america's problems and should be abolished, including their ability to print fiat currency facilitating their fraudulent, destructive machinations in favor of the frauds on wall street and to the detriment of the nation. Light Volume Rally Continues: Dave's Daily ' ...The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis... Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law … ADP data has misled before but Wall Street is awash with cash from on high and finds little other place to invest beyond stocks...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you’ … 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans don't understand what the Fed Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems. When Americans get into discussions about the economy, most of them still blame either the Democrats or Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt. The Economic Collapse ] The Fed lent vast sums of money to banks during the financial crisis, documents show.

Harry Dent Warns Major Crash Is Coming!

We Are Looking at Trillion-Dollar Plus Annual Interest Payments on U.S. Debt Owens Krugman: We’re Going To Have To Default On Our Debt One Way Or Another Some dour commentary from Paul Krugman this morning on the implications of our monster debt. Economists Herald New Great Depression The world is currently experiencing the modern day equivalent of the Great Depression, according to a prominent economist who has added his voice to scores of others now forecasting ongoing economic doom on a scale not seen since the 1930s.) , and my position and that of demographer Dent ( Prechter and many others are also in this camp although I believe he does not factor in sufficiently the debasement of the u.s. currency / dollar in arriving at his numbers which do however, at 1,000 on the DOW reflect real, as opposed to inflated values of 3-4,000 owing to the ever more worthless Weimar dollars which provides ‘spin material’ for the wall street frauds but is really quite ominous going forward, and very detrimental in real economic terms.) [This is a global depression. This is a secular bear market in a global depression. The past up move was a manipulated bull (s***) cycle in a secular bear market. This has been a typically manipulated bubble as has preceded the prior crashes with great regularity that the wall street frauds and insiders commission and sell into. This is a typical wall street churn and earn pass the hot potato scam / fraud as in prior crashes’. This national decline, economic and otherwise, will not end until justice is served and the wall street frauds et als are criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed.] [ The reason for the necessity of prosecution is founded in the circumstances surrounding and the mindset of what one would deem ‘antisocial personalities’ (disorders) ( I prefer the prior descriptor of such as psychopathic; the euphemistic ‘sociopathic’ was ‘far too understanding’ in my view of the social / environmental factors allegedly giving rise to such negative / destructive behaviors. I don’t buy it.) Specifically, accepted studies / findings have concluded that the essential defect in those with antisocial (psychopathic) personality disorders is an inability to respond normally to fear-inducing stimuli, leading in turn to an inability to inhibit responses that should, but, as with wall street, have not resulted in punishment. Thus, while I think most on wall street have proven themselves criminally insane (for the money, ie., Stewart, ‘Den of Thieves’ / ‘Liar’s Poker’, the most recent financial debacle / crisis, which continues to this day); at the least, owing to a lack of fear of prosecution / punishment, they have become defacto sociopathic / psychopathic. ] Krugman: It's All Downhill From Here Cullen Roche Love him or hate him Paul Krugman has been awfully right with regards to the macro picture in the last few years. He’s one of the rare economists who had the foresight to see the housing bubble and the likelihood of economic downturn that would result from it. Krugman recently caused a stir when he said the US economy was headed for the third depression. Here Are 13 Signs That We’re Actually In A Depression Right Now Gregory White | David Rosenberg has outlined, in his latest letter, the 13 reasons with this so-called recovery is actually a depression… David Rosenberg has outlined, in his latest letter, the 13 reasons with this so-called recovery is actually a depression.Rosenberg sums it up like this:

This is what a depression is all about — an economy that 33 months after a recession begins, with zero policy rates, a stuffed central bank sheet, and a 10% deficit-to-GDP ratio, is still in need of government help for its sustenance.

Harry Dent, Jr.  Economy will be in a Depression by 2011
The worst of this next depression is likely to hit between mid-2010 and mid-2013, especially around early 2011, but if the banking system continues to implode a deep downturn or depression could begin sometime in 2009 instead of 2010.
Dow will Fall to 3,800 – 4,500 by 2012
Nasdaq will Fall Below 1,100, its 2002 low, by late 2010 or mid-2012 at the latest.
Inflation will Increase until mid- 2010 and then turn to Deflation
Interest Rates will Increase
U.S. Dollar will Decline
Housing will Decline by 40 – 60% from Today’s Levels
Greatest Economic and Banking Crisis since the 1930s will Occur Between 2010 and 2012). ]

Are US Soldiers Using Rape, Murder, And Bombing Of Children As War Strategy? Mary Lynn Cramer | She was also seen pulling a battered and empty incubator behind her, yelling that Gaddafi forces had broken into the hospital maternity ward. Mary Lynn Cramer Countercurrents.org March 30, 2011 Amy Goodman’s Take on One Reported Rape Case in Tripoli, Libya: “Pro-Gaddafi Forces Accused of Using Rape as War Strategy”

“Some doctors in Libya have accused pro-Gaddafi fighters of using rape as a weapon of war. On Sunday, five men were arrested for raping and torturing a Libyan woman. The international press learned of the incident when the woman, Eman al-Obeidi, burst into a hotel full of foreign journalists in Tripoli. She was quickly detained by Libyan security officers. (http://www.democracynow.org/2011/3/28/headlines )

She was also seen pulling a battered and empty incubator behind her, yelling that Gaddafi forces had broken into the hospital maternity ward, pulled babies out of the incubators and thrown them on the ground, and stamped them to death…oh, sorry, that was another dramatized lie told to the US Congress to justify another grossly destructive invasion and slaughter of thousands by US air power in the Middle East.*

The doctors commenting on this single incident in Tripoli were no doubt the same romantic, pure and idealistic, pro-democracy “rebels” adored by DemocracyNow in their overtly sympathetic interviews with these courageous, US armed, financed, and supported fighters with radical Islamist, Al Qaeda, and CIA operative backgrounds….but why should we care who they are or where they come from or how they are armed? And Democracy Now will the the very last to do any serious questioning of this issue.)

With the reports of rape of women by US troops in Iraq (not to mention the alarmingly high rate of rape of women soldiers within the US military); the bombing of civilian wedding parties, children at play, and innocent villagers in their homes in Pakistan and Afghanistan, why is it that Amy has not headlined that “Murder And Rape Are Being Used By Obama And US Soldiers As Weapons of War”? (And who arrested those accused Libyan soldiers in Tripoli so quickly? It takes forever to get charges brought against American troops and contractors accused of rape, torture and murder in US occupied countries; and even then they most often go free.)

If you find my commentary more offensive than Democracy Now’s lack of responsible, investigative journalism and Amy’s blatantly biased propaganda regarding Libya, that may be indicative of just of how little integrity is left in the so-called American Left.

This is a video of several testimonies repeating the same lie about Iraqi soldiers killing babies in incubators as they fled Kuwait in 1990.

” A key event in generating momentum for the first U.S. War on Iraq, “Operation Desert Storm” was a fraudulent report of the murder of Kuwaiti babies by Iraqi soldiers. On October 10, 1990, the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Caucus held a hearing on the subject of Iraqi human rights violations. The centerpiece of the event was the emotional testimony of a 15-year-old Kuwaiti girl, known only by her first name, Nayirah. Her full name was supposedly being kept secret to protect her from Iraqi reprisals. The girl relayed a shocking story while sobbing:

I volunteered at the al-Addan hospital. While I was there, I saw the Iraqi soldiers come into the hospital with guns, and go into the room where . . . babies were in incubators. They took the babies out of the incubators, took the incubators, and left the babies on the cold floor to die.

The massacre never occurred. The girl was actually the daughter of a Kuwaiti emir, and had been coached by the public relations firm Hill and Knowlton to give persuasive false testimony.” ( How PR Sold the War in the Persian Gulf , by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton) http://911review.com/precedent/decade/incubators.html ...'

In Washington, what’s not said can be a powerful (Washington Post) [ One can only hope that what's not said is not what's not smart ...

AT&T’s lobbyists well positioned (Washington Post) [ The ultimate regression. You'd think that with all the negative fallout / consequences from unbridled k street lobbying, that such a scenario as this could not be … yet in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, 'it is!' … AT&T, T-Mobile USA merger deal questioned (Washington Post) [ Questioned? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending.] A day after AT&T announced it would buy T-Mobile USA to create the biggest wireless carrier in the country, consumer advocates and some members of Congress blast the deal.

Merger a disconnect for consumers (Washington Post) [ Yeah! True enough! I had to drop my land line (att/sbc – jersey/bushland) which I kept for the public listing and which became disfunctional / unusable to the point where it was impacting my DSL line; both of which I dropped in favor of MagicJack (I recommend it) and Time Warner Cable / Internet (also better). Deal to combine AT&T, T-Mobile raises questions (AP) [Questions? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending. AP - AT&T's surprise announcement that it plans to acquire T-Mobile USA will force federal regulators to confront a difficult antitrust question: Can American consumers get good wireless service at a ... ] OPINION | Your choice for wireless service would get smaller should AT&T carry out its plan to buy T-Mobile USA. ] Firm confident it will win over regulators to its bid to buy T-Mobile USA, even as critics continue to bash the deal. Here's that other story of what's 'unsaid' being very costly to the nation : On NBC, the missing story about GE (Washington Post) [ Ya think! … Seriously though, this is as important a story as can be since these scenarios have been a significant problem for the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. for quite some time... (0 taxes paid)'

] A call by lawmakers for a careful review of AT&T’s proposed acquisition of T-Mobile is really more code language for something else, analysts say.

CIA operatives in Libya to gather intel on rebels (Washington Post) [ Well, that's a plan … albeit after the fact … but, as that old saying goes … 'better late than never' … but it's still the 'what' that obscurely remains somewhat of a mystery ... Al-Qaeda 100% Pentagon Run Infowars.com | There is plenty of evidence al-Qaeda works for the Pentagon and the CIA. Former Libyan Al Qaeda Leader Says There Are 1000 jihadists Amongst Rebels Steve Watson | US, UK still want to supply them with weapons. Constitutional Problems with the Libyan War Ron Paul | The costs of this terrible mistake cannot be ignored. Obama Raises American Hypocrisy To A Higher Level Paul Craig Roberts | Gadhafi is being demonized while Bush/Cheney/Obama are sitting on their high horse draped in cloaks of morality. Reuters: Obama Signs Secret Order Authorizing Covert CIA Support For Libyan Rebels Obama has signed secret order authorizing covert US govt support for rebel forces in Libya, officials tell Reuters. Poll: Obama’s approval hits new low President Barack Obama’s approval rating and prospects for reelection have plunged to all-time lows in a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday. Americans worried about Libya conflict: poll A new poll published on Wednesday found nearly half of Americans were opposed to US military involvement in Libya, reflecting tricky political ground being navigated by President Barack Obama. ] The Obama administration has sent teams to gather intelligence on the identity, goals and progress of rebel forces, according to U.S. officials.

Twice a victim of retail violence (Washington Post) [ True americana … highest crime rates in the world by far, even not counting major crimes as on wall street with impunity sounding in corrupt immunity. Though having but 5% of the world’s population, america can boast 76% of the world’s serial killers, http://www.albertpeia.com/realifeamericaserialkillers.mpg . Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on military spending than all the nations of the world combined... federal employees / contractors, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘.. I highly recommend it to anyone... It will certainly infuriate you...excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( what do holder and wobama have in common … wall street money? … a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ?...all/some of the above … or is it something else ... a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ' Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown.

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv

China’s criticism of Fed may get little traction at G-20 meeting (Washington Post) [ Yeah … China's a bit too rational to be given much of an ear by the corrupt, warring, defacto bankrupt euro-american luNATOns who are also too busy manufacturing 'paper' (fiat currency / 'securities') … Yet, others have taken notice … This Fed Governor ADMITS the Federal Reserve is Anti-Capitalistic [ No surprise here … the fed has literally destroyed the american free enterpise, capitalist system in favor of the frauds on wall street to the detriment of this and many other nations. ] WSCS 3-30-11

'There is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: the bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen… the bad economist pursues a small present good that will be followed by a great evil to come, while the good economist pursues a great good to come, at the risk of a small present evil.

–Frederic Bastiat Light Volume Rally Continues: Dave's Daily ' ...The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis... Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law … ADP data has misled before but Wall Street is awash with cash from on high and finds little other place to invest beyond stocks...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you’ … 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans don't understand what the Fed Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems. When Americans get into discussions about the economy, most of them still blame either the Democrats or Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt. The Economic Collapse]

Light Volume Rally Continues: Dave's Daily ' It may be it's the stupid person that fights this trend reversal. The Fed has injected $500 billion (another $7B in POMO Wednesday) to the financial system since January 2011 and that wave of liquidity is overwhelming most thoughtful analysis. So, give it up to the beard! Sure it's the end of the quarter and a jam-job to close things out puts a smile on investors' faces and bonuses in portfolio managers' pockets. Painting the tape and window dressing is against the law but show me someone who's been caught. ADP data indicated job growth for Thursday's Jobless Claims data and Friday's all important Unemployment report. ADP data has misled before but Wall Street is awash with cash from on high and finds little other place to invest beyond stocks. Bull's are betting on a good report to close out the week, and if not, they're just April Fools. Only a hardy few are pumping this market higher as volume remains ultra-light. Of course, volume data isn't on your monthly brokerage statement since that would only confuse you, right? No, TPTB just wants you to see higher prices to boost your confidence...' Chemist charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds! Not just corruption, but bad time /resource management. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). Drop in home prices raises fear of double dip (Washington Post) [ Fear of double dip? We're in a continuing dip that never really ended with obfuscations of reality including more insurmountable debt and fed-based manipulations (Dave explains infra) Case-Shiller Chairman: Here’s Why the Housing Market Recession is Not Over Wall St Cheat Sheet 'Welcome to 2003! The  S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index 10-City Composite was down 2% and the 20-City Composite fell 3.1% in January on a year-over-year basis. On a monthly basis, the 10-City Composite was down 0.9% and the 20-City Composite fell 1.0% in January versus December 2010.San Diego and Washington D.C. were the only two markets to record positive year-over-year changes. However, San Diego was up a scant 0.1%, while Washington DC posted a healthier +3.6% annual growth rate. The same 11 cities that had posted recent index level lows in December 2010, posted new lows in January.

David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s commented:

“Keeping with the trends set in late 2010, January brings us weakening home prices with no real hope in sight for the near future. With this month’s data, we find the same 11 MSAs posting new recent index lows. The 10-City and 20-City Composites continue to decline month-over-month and have posted monthly declines for six consecutive months now.These data confirm what we have seen with recent housing starts and sales reports. The housing market recession is not yet over, and none of the statistics are indicating any form of sustained recovery . At most, we have seen all statistics bounce along their troughs; at worst, the feared double-dip recession may be materializing. ..., but both series have moved closer to a confirmed double-dip for six consecutive months. At this point we are not too far off, and that is what many analysts are seeing with sales, starts and inventory data too...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] False / fake data / reports galore … High oil price rally! Come on! What total b*** s***! Previous rally sparked by upward revision of GDP by the scandal-scarred commerce department? You can’t believe anything these desperate self-servers say! This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally on more bad/worse than expected news (consumer confidence down) provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive. States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows ] The government charged a chemist at the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday with insider trading.

This Fed Governor ADMITS the Federal Reserve is Anti-Capitalistic [ No surprise here … the fed has literally destroyed the american free enterpise, capitalist system in favor of the frauds on wall street to the detriment of this and many other nations. ] Wall St Cheat Sheet On Wednesday March 30, 2011, 12:23 pm EDT

'There is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: the bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen… the bad economist pursues a small present good that will be followed by a great evil to come, while the good economist pursues a great good to come, at the risk of a small present evil.

–Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850)

Nothing defined Alan Greenspan’s tenure as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank more than his wholehearted embrace of capitalism .  With early roots in his 30-year association with the novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand , that faith grew into an unconstrained confidence in the free market and deregulation to steer the economy and ward off crises.

According to a current Fed governor, however, both Greenspan’s Fed and the Fed today have not been the stalwarts of capitalism that the Maestro believed them to be.

On March 7th, I had the great pleasure of listening to Thomas Hoenig speak at the Colorado CFA Society forecast dinner.  Hoenig, the only member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors who I respect, is the board’s lone rational dissenting voice.

After his speech, a lengthy Q&A, and a short conversation with him, I left the event even more impressed with him.

Hoeing was equally critical of both the Fed’s zero-interest rate policy and of QE2 .  He said these policies encourage speculation and don’t allow for price discovery, and consequently they lead to imbalances, unintended consequences, and misallocation of resources.

He said it is important to judge QE2’s success over the right time frame, one long enough to encompass not just its stimulative benefits but also its consequences.  (In other words, there is a good reason why we don’t judge steroids solely based on what they do for an athlete’s performance during the race, ignoring the strokes and other health problems they often cause after the race).

Throughout his speech, Hoenig warned that there are no shortcuts to greatness in monetary policy. The Fed’s intervention in the economy will have unintended consequences, and it is impossible to know where they’ll show up.  For example, Hoenig recalled that the Fed lowered the interest rate to 1% in 2003 and, though the economy was improving, kept rates low levels for over a year in order to bring unemployment below 6.5%.  The asset bubble that deflated in the financial crisis (NYSE:XLF) resulted, and today unemployment is 10%.

Hoenig’s comments are extremely important. I too believe that the Fed’s actions in 2003 played a very large role in the subsequent real estate bubble (NYSE:IYR), financial crisis, and today’s high unemployment, but this was the first time I’ve heard such an admission come directly from a Fed governor.  To the contrary, Greenspan has been outspoken in denying the role he and the Fed played in the crisis.

Hoeing said he questions whether quantitative easing , which failed in Japan (NYSE:EWJ), will work in the US (NYSE:SPY).  He bluntly stated that too-big-to-fail financial institutions like Citigroup (NYSE:C), Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC), JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM), and others should be broken up.  (I argued that point in this article.) Commercial banks are in charge of our domestic and international payments system, but their access to FDIC insurance and the Fed’s discount window (use of which swelled from $900 million to $3 trillion over the last two years), constitutes “an enormous protection” to the financial sector, encouraging risk-taking through an implicit guarantee in the event of a crisis or failure.

Smaller institutions that don’t have access to the Fed’s fund window have to compete in that space, and they start behaving and taking risks as if they have access to the window.  The walls between commercial and investment banks have been demolished, Hoenig argued, and the two functions within banks (NYSE:XLF) are now joined at the hip.  In the wake of this crisis, Hoeing said we did the same things we did after previous crises: added supervision and regulation and raised capital requirements. But history suggests that as time goes by we’ll forget about the crisis and history will repeat itself, he said – unless we break up too-big-to-fail institutions.

It is a fundamental tenant of American capitalism that central planning of economies doesn’t work in the long term, whether in Soviet Union historically or in China (NYSE:FXI) today. But I often wonder: How is the Fed’s Board of Governors – the proverbial 12 guys in a room – any different than the 24 guys in a room who make up the Chinese politburo? The non-democratic Chinese may have a few more levers to push – an ability to force banks to lend, for example – but short of that, how is the Fed’s micromanagement of interest rates any different from China’s? After Hoenig came off the stage, I posed the question to Hoenig, and I asked him point-blank whether the Federal Reserve is an anti-capitalistic entity.

To my shock, Hoenig agreed with me:  The Fed is anti-capitalistic.

I went further. In the midst of the 2008 financial crisis, to prevent the freezing up of the US financial system and possible bank runs, the Fed put in place QE1 – it purchased over a trillion dollars of mortgage and agency debt.  Like J.P. Morgan (NYSE:JPM) in the pre-Fed era, the Fed was the lender of last resort.  But QE2 is drastically different from QE1, because the banking system is far from choking, and now the Fed’s goal is to lower unemployment and grow the economy at a higher rate (here is my article on QE2).

I asked Hoenig if he thinks the Fed should stick to its mission as lender of last resort, as it was during QE1, letting the free market set interest rates.  He looked at me with an expression that implied he couldn’t have said it better himself and agreed.

I am very familiar with confirmation bias, our desire to seek out people with whom we agree.  But Hoenig is not your usual person; he is member of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors , and he disagrees with almost everything that institution does.

Hoeing’s courage and principled vision elevate him to the status of a “good economist,” as defined by Frederic Bastiat over 150 years ago.  Let’s hope that his voice, in a room full of bad economists, does not fall entirely on deaf ears.

Vitaliy N. Katsenelson, CFA, is a portfolio manager/director of research at Investment Management Associates in Denver, Colo. He is the author of The Little Book of Sideways Markets. You can read more at his blog Contrarian Edge.

Don’t Miss: Exclusive Interview: How to Succeed in Sideways Markets – with Vitaliy Katsenelson.'
Caught On Tape: Fed Admits It is Private Knox Harrington | The Federal Reserve banking cartel is in fact a PRIVATE entity, and NOT Federal at all. 19 Reasons Why The Federal Reserve Is At The Heart Of Our Economic Problems Most Americans do not understand what the Federal Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems. When Americans get into discussions about the economy, most of them still blame either the Democrats or the Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt. The Economic Collapse
March 30, 2011

Most Americans do not understand what the Federal Reserve is or why it is at the heart of our economic problems.  When Americans get into discussions about the economy, most of them still blame either the Democrats or the Republicans for inflation, for the housing crash, for our rampant unemployment and for the national debt.  But the truth is that the institution with the most power over our economic system is the Federal Reserve.  So exactly what is the Federal Reserve?  Most people would say that it is an agency of the federal government.  But that is absolutely not true.  In fact, the Federal Reserve itself has argued in court that it is not an agency of the federal government.  Rather, the Federal Reserve is a privately-owned banking cartel that has been given a perpetual monopoly over our monetary system by the U.S. Congress.  This privately-owned central bank has been destroying the value of the U.S. dollar for decades, it has run our economy into the ground and it has driven the U.S. government to the brink of bankruptcy.  The Federal Reserve operates in great secrecy, it has never been subjected to a comprehensive audit and it is not accountable to the American people.  Yet the decisions that the Federal Reserve makes have a dramatic impact on the lives of every single American citizen.

If you really want to understand what is causing our economic problems, it is absolutely crucial that you understand exactly what the Federal Reserve system is and how it is systematically destroying our economy.  Once you understand the truth about the Federal Reserve, you will view economic issues a whole lot differently.

The following are 19 reasons why the Federal Reserve is at the very heart of our economic problems….

#1 The Federal Reserve system is a debt-based financial system.

The way our system is designed, normally no money comes into existence without more debt being created.

But this creates a huge problem, because when a new dollar is created, the interest owed to the banking system on that dollar is not also created at the same time.

Therefore, the amount money that is created is not equal to the larger amount of debt that is also created.

This is a Ponzi scheme that is designed to drain wealth from the American people and transfer it to the banking system.

Today, the amount of debt in our economic system is far, far, far greater than the total amount of money.

The only way to keep the game going is to create even more money which creates even more debt.

#2 The Federal Reserve and the bankers have a monopoly on the creation of this debt-based money.

In the United States today, the only people that can create money are the bankers.

You cannot create money.

You would go to jail if you tried.

Even the U.S. government cannot create money.

Although the U.S. Constitution specifically gives Congress the power to create money, the U.S. Congress has given that power to the Federal Reserve and to the banking system.

This gives them an enormous amount of power.

So how does money creation actually work?

Most Americans don’t understand this.

As I have written about previously, the way our system is designed is that all money is supposed to originally come into existence as government debt….

When the government wants more money, the U.S. government swaps U.S. Treasury bonds for “Federal Reserve notes”, thus creating more government debt.  Usually the money isn’t even printed up – most of the time it is just electronically credited to the government.  The Federal Reserve creates these “Federal Reserve notes” out of thin air.  These Federal Reserve notes are backed by nothing and have no intrinsic value of their own.

The Federal Reserve then sells these U.S. Treasury bonds to investors, other nations (such as China) or sometimes they “sell” them back to themselves.  In fact, the Federal Reserve has been gobbling up a whole lot of U.S. Treasuries lately.  Some refer to this as “monetizing the debt”, but that is not quite an accurate statement.

When the Federal Reserve creates money this way, it does not also create the money to pay the interest on the debt that has been created.  Eventually this puts pressure on the U.S. government to borrow even more money to keep the game going.  So what this creates is a spiral where the U.S. government must keep borrowing increasingly larger amounts of money, where the money supply is endlessly expanding and where the value of the U.S. dollar is destined to continue going down forever.

Once “Federal Reserve Notes” are in circulation, there is another way that money is created.

It is called “fractional reserve lending”.

Once you or I deposit money into a bank, the bank is only required to keep a very small amount of it actually in the bank.  The rest of it the bank can loan out to others (at interest of course).  This process can be repeated over and over and over, creating more money and an even larger amount of debt.

But the important part to take away from all this is that normally money is only created when debt is created, and the amount of debt to be paid back is always larger than the amount of money created.

This entire system is designed to drain our wealth and to put it into the hands of the bankers.

#3 The power of money creation and debt creation is in the hands of private individuals – not the government.

The Federal Reserve claims that it is an “entity within the government, having both public purposes and private aspects.”

That sounds so reasonable, but the truth is that the Federal Reserve is a legalized banking cartel that is privately-owned.

In fact, the Federal Reserve is about as “federal” as Federal Express is.

In defending itself against a Bloomberg request for information under the Freedom of Information Act, the Federal Reserve objected by declaring that it was “not an agency” of the U.S. government and therefore it was not subject to the Freedom of Information Act.  It is kind of funny how Fed officials are always talking about how important their “independence” is, but whenever anyone starts criticizing them for being private they start stressing their ties with the government.

So who owns the Federal Reserve?

As the Federal Reserve’s own website describes, it is the member banks that own it….

The twelve regional Federal Reserve Banks, which were established by Congress as the operating arms of the nation’s central banking system, are organized much like private corporations–possibly leading to some confusion about “ownership.” For example, the Reserve Banks issue shares of stock to member banks. However, owning Reserve Bank stock is quite different from owning stock in a private company. The Reserve Banks are not operated for profit, and ownership of a certain amount of stock is, by law, a condition of membership in the System. The stock may not be sold, traded, or pledged as security for a loan; dividends are, by law, 6 percent per year.

In particular, as we will see below, the banks of the New York Federal Reserve have the most influence over the system.

So who owns the member banks?

Well, when you trace the ownership of the member banks to the very top you find that the international banking elite are very strongly represented.

#4 The Federal Reserve itself is not much of a profit-making institution.  Rather, it is a tool that enables others to make obscene amounts of money.

There are many that think of the Federal Reserve as an evil profit-making machine.  But the truth is that the Fed doesn’t make that much money.  Rather, the system was set up so that others could make an obscene amount of money from U.S. government debt.

Many of those opposed to the Federal Reserve point to the record $80.9 billion in profits that the Federal Reserve made last year as evidence that they are robbing the American people blind.  But then those defending the Federal Reserve will point out that the Fed returned $78.4 billion to the U.S. Treasury.

In the end, those numbers are not nearly as important as the hundreds of billions of dollars in interest that are made off of U.S. government debt each year.

If the U.S. government had been issuing debt-free money all this time, the U.S. government would likely not be spending one penny on interest payments.  Instead, the U.S. government spent over 413 billion dollars on interest on the national debt during fiscal 2010.  This is money that belonged to U.S. taxpayers that was transferred to the U.S. government which in turn was transferred to wealthy international bankers and other foreign governments.

This is where the magic of the Federal Reserve system is.  It is in getting the U.S. government enslaved to debt and using that debt to transfer hundreds of billions of dollars of our wealth into the hands of others.

As interest rates go up, this phenomenon is going to become even more brutal.  Right now it is being projected that the U.S. government will be paying900 billion dollars just in interest on the national debt by the year 2019.

As you fill out your tax return this year, just keep in mind that vast quantities of our money is going to pay interest on debt that the U.S. government never needed to become enslaved to.

There are some very happy people out there that are becoming fabulously wealthy at our expense.

What a system, eh?

#5 The Federal Reserve is a perpetual debt machine.

As mentioned above, the U.S. government is enslaved to debt.

So how did it get enslaved?

Well, instead of printing up and spending the money that it needs, the U.S. government borrows it through the Federal Reserve system at interest.

In fact, as noted above, the U.S. government cannot create a single new dollar without borrowing it.

But each new dollar that the U.S. government borrows creates more than a dollar of new debt.

As a result, the government eventually has to collect more in taxes than what it has borrowed.

This phenomenon creates an endless debt spiral.

And is that not what we have in the United States today?  In fact, you see this in almost every nation on earth where a similar central banking system has been established.

Did you know that the U.S. national debt is more than 5,000 times larger than it was 100 years ago?

That’s right – back in 1910, prior to the passage of the Federal Reserve Act, the national debt was only about $2.6 billion.

The only way that the U.S. government can inject more money into the economy is by going into more debt.  But when new government debt is created, the amount of money to pay the interest on that debt is not also created.  In this way, it was intended by the international bankers that U.S. government debt would expand indefinitely and the U.S. money supply would also expand indefinitely.  In the process, the international bankers would become insanely wealthy by lending money to the U.S. government.

However, things did not have to turn out this way.

If the Federal Reserve had never been created, and the U.S. government had been issuing debt-free currency all this time, it is entirely conceivable that we would have absolutely no federal government debt at this point.

Unfortunately, we are now trapped in a debt-based system.

The U.S. national debt simply cannot ever be paid off.  U.S. government debt has been mathematically designed to expand forever.  It is a trap from which there is no escape.

Sadly, we have now gotten to a terminal phase of the debt spiral.  The Congressional Budget Office is projecting that U.S. government debt held by the public will reach a staggering 716 percent of GDP by the year 2080.  Remember when I used the term “debt spiral” earlier?  This is what a debt spiral looks like….

[chart]

#6 The Federal Reserve system is designed to cause inflation.

As U.S. government debt expands at an exponential pace, it inevitably causes inflation.

Most Americans believe that inflation is a fact of life, but the truth is that the United States has only had a major, ongoing problem with inflation since the Federal Reserve was created back in 1913.

Sadly, the U.S. dollar has lost well over 95 percent of its value since the Federal Reserve was created.

If the Federal Reserve did not exist, it is theoretically conceivable that we could have an economy with little to no inflation.  Of course that would greatly depend on the discipline of our government officials (which is not very great at this point), but the sad truth is that our current system is always going to produce inflation.  In fact, the Federal Reserve system was originally designed to be inflationary.  Just check out the inflation chart posted below.  The U.S. never had massive problems with inflation before the Fed was created, but now it is just wildly out of control….

#7 The Federal Reserve has decided to play bizarre games with our money supply.

In a desperate attempt to revive the dying U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve has resorted to chucking gigantic quantities of cash into the financial system.

[chart]

Remember how earlier I explained that normally whenever new money is created that more debt is created?

Well, lately the Fed has been resorting to a trick called “quantitative easing”.  What “quantitative easing” means is that the Federal Reserve zaps massive amounts of money into existence out of thin air and starts spending it on anything that it wants to buy.  Lately, this has primarily been done to buy up U.S. government debt.

But isn’t that “monetizing the debt”?

Of course it is, and it is a blatant Ponzi scheme.

However, what is even more alarming is what this is doing to our money supply.

Just look at what has happened to our monetary base since about mid-2008….

[chart]

Does anyone in their right mind believe that this is not going to cause horrible inflation?

Right now most of the new cash is tied up in the financial system, but once it gets out into the regular economy watch out!

#8 The Federal Reserve is undemocratic.

In a previous article, I asked the following question:

“So what makes the central economic planning that the Federal Reserve does different from the central economic planning that communist China does?”

In both cases, a bunch of unelected elitists run the economy and make important economic decisions for the rest of us.

So what really is the difference?

#9 The Federal Reserve runs the U.S. economy.

Most Americans want to blame Obama or Bush or the U.S. Congress for the state of the economy.

But the truth is that it is the Federal Reserve that sets interest rates, it is the Federal Reserve that determines the money supply, it is the Federal Reserve that sets the “target rate” of inflation, it is the Federal Reserve that determines if unemployment is too high or too low and it is the Federal Reserve that watches over all of our banks.

Yes, Obama, Bush and the U.S. Congress all have things to answer for as well.

But none of them have the direct power over the economy that the Federal Reserve does.

#10 The Federal Reserve favors the big banks.

Not all financial institutions are treated equally by the Fed.

The truth is that the big banks (particularly those on Wall Street) are treated with great favor by the Federal Reserve.

If the Federal Reserve did not exist, the big Wall Street banks would not have such an overwhelming advantage.  Most Americans simply have no idea that over the last several years the Federal Reserve has been giving gigantic piles of nearly interest-free money to the big Wall Street banks which they turned right around and started lending to the federal government at a much higher rate of return.  I don’t know about you, but if I was allowed to do that I could make a whole bunch of money very quickly.  In fact, it has come out that the Federal Reserve made over $9 trillion in overnight loans to major banks, large financial institutions and other “friends” during the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009.

Wouldn’t you like to be able to zap trillions of dollars into existence and loan it out to your friends at very favorable terms?

Sadly, most of the “help” from the Federal Reserve always seems to go to the big boys.

When “small enough to fail” banks need assistance, they are usually told to go sell themselves to one of the big banks.

#11 The worse the debt problems caused by the Federal Reserve become, the more money the IRS needs to collect from the rest of us.

If the U.S. government could issue debt-free money, it is conceivable that we would not even need the IRS.  You doubt this?  Well, the truth is that the United States did just fine for well over a hundred years without a national income tax.  But about the same time the Federal Reserve was created a national income tax was instituted as well.  The whole idea was that the wealth of the American people would be transferred to the U.S. government by force and then transferred into the hands of the ultra-wealthy in the form of interest payments.

If the Federal Reserve was shut down, it is entirely possible that we would be able to shut down the IRS as well.

But the only way that the current system works is if massive amounts of wealth continue to be drained from the American people.

#12 The Federal Reserve creates artificial financial bubbles.

When you look back over the last several decades, you will find financial bubble after financial bubble.

So who created all of those bubbles?

It was the Federal Reserve.

The ridiculous policies of Greenspan and Bernanke have wrought disaster after disaster and yet most of our politicians still will not even consider major changes to the Federal Reserve.

#13 The Federal Reserve is anti-free market.

In a true free market system, the marketplace would determine what interest rates are.

In a true free market system, the marketplace would determine which financial institutions survive.

In a true free market system, artificial financial bubbles would be far less likely.

But we don’t have a true free market system.

#14 The Federal Reserve tells the rest of the our banks what to do.

Most Americans don’t understand just how much power the Federal Reserve actually has over our local banks.

For example, just last year Federal Reserve officials walked into one bank in Oklahoma and demanded that they take down all the Bible verses and all the Christmas buttons that the bank had been displaying.

#15 The people currently running the Federal Reserve pretty much have no idea what they are doing.

In case anyone has not noticed, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke hasa very long track record of incompetence.  Nearly every major judgment that he has made since taking over that position has been dead wrong.

If one of us could go down the street and appoint the manager of the local Dairy Queen as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, it is very doubtful that person would do a worse job than Bernanke has done.

#16 Even though the Federal Reserve has such extraordinary power over the financial system, the American people are not permitted to examine their books.

The Federal Reserve claims that they are regularly audited, but when some members of Congress attempted to push through a true comprehensive audit of the Fed last year Federal Reserve officials threw a hissy fit.

The truth is that the Federal Reserve has never undergone a true comprehensive audit since it was created back in 1913.

Whenever the subject of an audit comes up, Bernanke and others at the Fed keep repeating the mantra of how important “the independence of the Federal Reserve” is.

Sadly, Ron Paul’s proposal to audit the Federal Reserve last year, which had previously been co-sponsored by 320 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, ultimately failed by a vote of 229-198.

Instead, a very, very limited examination of Fed transactions that occurred during the recent financial crisis was approved.

So what did that limited examination reveal?

Well, the Federal Reserve was forced to reveal the details of 21,000 transactions stretching from December 2007 to July 2010 that combined were worth trillions of dollars.  It turns out that the Federal Reserve was just handing out gigantic piles of nearly interest-free cash to their friends at the largest banks, financial institutions and corporations all over the globe.

Many members of Congress were absolutely stunned by these revelations.

So what would a more comprehensive audit reveal?

#17 The Federal Reserve has way too much power.

If the Federal Reserve did not exist, we would not have an unelected, unaccountable “fourth branch of government” running around that has gotten completely and totally out of control.  Even some members of Congress are now openly complaining about how much power the Fed has.  For example, Ron Paul told MSNBC last year that he believes that the Federal Reserve is now more powerful than Congress…..

“The regulations should be on the Federal Reserve. We should have transparency of the Federal Reserve. They can create trillions of dollars to bail out their friends, and we don’t even have any transparency of this. They’re more powerful than the Congress.”

#18 The Federal Reserve is dominated by Wall Street and the New York banks.

The New York representative is the only permanent member of the Federal Open Market Committee, while other regional banks rotate in 2 and 3 year intervals.  The former head of the New York Fed, Timothy Geithner, is now U.S. Treasury Secretary.  The truth is that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has always been the most important of the regional Fed banks by far, and in turn the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has always been dominated by Wall Street and the major New York banks.

The cold, hard reality of the matter is that the Federal Reserve is just another one of the tools that the Wall Street banking elite use to dominate all the rest of us.

#19 The Federal Reserve has brought us to the brink of economic collapse.

If the Federal Reserve had never been created, the American people would not be so enslaved to debt.  At the very core of our economic problems is debt.  American consumers are swamped with debt, state and local governments are facing horrific debt problems from coast to coast and the federal government has piled up the biggest mountain of debt in the history of the world.

We are living in an absolutely massive debt bubble, and when it bursts the world is going to experience financial chaos like it has never seen before.

Things did not have to turn out this way.  We did not have to adopt a debt-based financial system.  We did not have to allow the bankers to enslave us with debt.

But that is what happened.

Sadly, most Americans and the vast majority of our politicians are still clueless about these issues.

In 1922, Henry Ford wrote the following….

“The people must be helped to think naturally about money. They must be told what it is, and what makes it money, and what are the possible tricks of the present system which put nations and peoples under control of the few.”

Hopefully this article will help people understand our debt-based financial system a little bit better.

Until we fundamentally change our system, many of the economic and financial problems we are currently experiencing will never go away.

Thankfully, it does appear that some Americans are waking up.

According to a recent Bloomberg National Poll, the number of Americans that would like to see the Federal Reserve held more accountable or even completely abolished is increasing….

Asked if the central bank should be more accountable to Congress, left independent or abolished entirely, 39 percent said it should be held more accountable and 16 percent that it should be abolished. Only 37 percent favor the status quo.

Those are very exciting numbers.

Hopefully we can awaken many more Americans to the dangers of a debt-based economy.

In the book of Proverbs, it tells us the following….

The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Well, by allowing ourselves to become enslaved to debt, we have become the servants of the international banking system.

Not only that, we have also sold our children and our grandchildren into perpetual debt slavery.

Thomas Jefferson tried to warn us about this.

He believed that when the government borrows money in one generation which must be paid back by future generations it is equivalent to stealing….

And I sincerely believe, with you, that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies; and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.

In fact, Thomas Jefferson said that if he could add one more amendment to the U.S. Constitution it would be a ban on all government borrowing….

I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government to the genuine principles of its Constitution; I mean an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.

Where would we be today if we had listened to Thomas Jefferson?

The amount of government debt that we have racked up is a great evil.  We have stolen the future away from our children and our grandchildren.  We have put them in a position where they will spend the rest of their lives paying off our debts to the bankers.

We owe it to future generations to fix the problems that we have created.

That is why so many of us believe that it is time for the U.S. Congress to shut down the Federal Reserve.  Our current financial system is a complete and utter failure and we need to start over.'

Broke And Getting Broker: 22 Jaw Dropping Statistics About The Financial Condition Of American Families Most American families are really struggling in this economy and they see most of the families around them really struggling, but they don’t have any hard numbers to back up the feelings of economic despair that they are experiencing.

The American Dream March 30, 2011 'Most American families are really struggling in this economy and they see most of the families around them really struggling, but they don’t have any hard numbers to back up the feelings of economic despair that they are experiencing.  Well, below you will find 22 statistics that prove that American families are broke and getting broker.  Today, the financial condition of most middle class families is rapidly deteriorating.  The number of good jobs is declining, incomes are down, debt loads are up and bankruptcies and foreclosures just continue to increase.  If you step back and really examine the statistics, it becomes really hard to deny that American families are getting poorer.  Well, the wealthiest 5 percent are still thriving, but everyone else is really having a tough time.  The truth is that a large percentage of the U.S. middle class is slowly but surely going broke.  Unfortunately, this is being caused by long-term economic trends that simply are not going to be fixed overnight.

Most Americans had just assumed that the United States would always have a dominant, prosperous economy.  But in the world we live in today there are no guarantees.

The era when almost anyone could find a good job is over.  Millions of good jobs have already left the United States, and vast numbers of legal and illegal workers have been shipped in to the country to compete for the jobs that are still here.

There are millions of Americans that would give just about anything for a good job right about now.  But the good jobs are very few and far between at this point.

Every day there is more depressing news.  For example, a recent job fair in Massachusetts was shut down because of a lack of jobs.

In fact, with jobs so scarce these days, more Americans than ever are willing to work for free.

This is not just a “recession” or an “economic downturn”.  The U.S. economy is fundamentally changing for the worse.  Millions of American families are already experiencing economic despair and millions more will be experiencing it very soon.

The following are 22 jaw dropping statistics about the financial condition of American families….

#1 In 2010, one out of every eight American families had at least one family member that was unemployed.  In fact, the figure for 2010 was the highest it has been since the U.S. Labor Department began keeping track of this statistic back in 1994.

#2 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 8 million Americansare working part-time jobs because they can’t get full-time jobs.

#3 There are now more than 6 million Americans that the government sayshave given up looking for work completely.

#4 After accounting for inflation, the average income for an American family has fallen 5 percent since the year 2000.

#5 According to the New York Times, as of 2009 the wealthiest 5 percent of all Americans had 63.5 percent of all the wealth in America.  Meanwhile, the bottom 80 percent had just 12.8 percent of all the wealth.

#6 During this most recent economic downturn, employee compensation in the United States has been the lowest that it has been relative to gross domestic product in over 50 years.

#7 According to the Federal Reserve, between 2007 and 2009 median household net worth in the United States fell by 23 percent.

#8 The Federal Reserve also says that median household debt in the United States has risen to $75,600.

#9 Total U.S. credit card debt is more than 8 times larger than it was just 30 years ago.

#10 Today, 46% of all Americans carry a credit card balance from month to month.

#11 Of U.S. households that have credit card debt, the average amount owed on credit cards is $15,788.

#12 Americans now owe more than $887 billion on student loans, which is even more than they owe on credit cards.

#13 A staggering 25 percent of all American adults now have a credit score below 599.

#14 When you adjust wages for inflation, middle class workers in the United States make less money today than they did back in 1971.

#15 American workers that are unemployed are nearly twice as likely to have been told by a doctor or a nurse that they suffer from depression.

#16 In 2010, for the first time ever more than a million U.S. families lost their homes to foreclosure, and that number is expected to go even higher in 2011.

#17 According to RealtyTrac, one out of every 45 U.S. households was hit with a foreclosure filing in 2010.

#18 U.S. home values have fallen an astounding 6.3 trillion dollars since the peak of the real estate market.  Most of that pain has been felt by ordinary American families.

#19 Approximately half of all American workers make $25,000 a year or less.

#20 According to a survey released very close to the end of 2010, 55 percentof all Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.

#21 1.5 million Americans filed for bankruptcy in 2010.  That represented the fourth yearly increase in bankruptcy filings in a row.

#22 As 2007 began, only about 26 million Americans were on food stamps, but today over 44 million Americans are on food stamps which is an all-time record high.'

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100,000X NORMAL...
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British Minister Warns of Another Lockerbie...
'Black Swan' double claims Portman did only 5% of dance shots...'The ballerina who served as a dancing double for Natalie Portman’s Oscar-winnning role in Black Swan tells EW she has been the victim of a “cover-up” to mislead the public about how much dancing Portman actually did in the film. “Of the full body shots, I would say 5 percent are Natalie,” says Sarah Lane, 27, an American Ballet Theatre soloist who performed many of the film’s complicated dance sequences, allowing Portman’s face to be digitally grafted onto her body. “All the other shots are me.”

Lane’s claim follows a March 23 L.A. Times article in which Portman’s fiancé and Black Swan choreographer Benjamin Millepied said Lane’s work in the film was far less significant. “There are articles now talking about her dance double [American Ballet Theatre dancer Sarah Lane] that are making it sound like [Lane] did a lot of the work, but really, she just did the footwork, and the fouettés, and one diagonal [phrase] in the studio,” he said. “Honestly, 85 percent of that movie is Natalie.”

Lane disagrees. “The shots that are just her face with arms, those shots are definitely Natalie,” she says. “But that doesn’t show the actual dancing.” Lane admits that she was never promised a particular title for her six weeks of work on the film, though she was disappointed to see that she is credited only as as “Hand Model,” “Stunt Double,” and “Lady in the Lane” (a brief walk-on role).

Lane also says that Black Swan producer Ari Handel specifically told her not to talk about her work to the press, even though she claims there was no such stipulation in her contract. “They wanted to create this idea in people’s minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar,” says Lane. “It is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. I’ve been doing this for 22 years…. Can you become a concert pianist in a year and a half, even if you’re a movie star?”...'

House GOP leaders turn to Dems for deal(Washington Post) [ Of Dees, Dems, Does, and Gops … Sounds like a plan … Not! … The people are still hoping, praying … will their dream come true? … Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) ]Unable to find consensus within their own ranks, House Republican leaders have begun courting moderate Democrats on a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown next week.

On NBC, the missing story about GE (Washington Post) [ Ya think! … Seriously though, this is as important a story as can be since these scenarios have been a significant problem for the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. for quite some time. After all, there are no Washington Posts in the Northeast to cover their denizens quite like the Washington Post fearlessly covers theirs (ie., that not too long ago story of the ubiquity of top level clearances, 'cia ops / covers' (real estate / businesses), in the Washington metropolitan area, literally putting their lives on the line so to speak. In the northeast, sinkholes new york (they even did a book 'The Wall Street Gang' and movies, ie., 'Gangs of New York', fact-based 'Goodfellas', etc.) / mob infested jersey (I've not been to chicago, but count them in here) particularly, it's what is not said that invariably stands out to the substantial detriment of the rest of the nation. The day in, day out continued churn and earn wall street fraud at a total cost yet to be fully realized by the rest of the nation to support those lavish / overly high-cost lifestyles will not make for front-page reading in the wall street journal, new york times, etc., nor the lead story if at all on the 6 / 11 o'clock news. Therein lies the rub, and the need for alternate media sources so castigated and belittled by the main-stream news media, particularly in those regions which have a lot to hide (and not talk about). Sadly, the internet is increasingly targeted toward the end of silencing those who brave to tell the truth. One might hope that The Washington Post might enter the televised news sphere with waivers based on national need.] “NBC Nightly News” didn’t report on the fact that its parent company paid no federal taxes last year.

Drop in home prices raises fear of double dip (Washington Post) [ Fear of double dip? We're in a continuing dip that never really ended with obfuscations of reality including more insurmountable debt and fed-based manipulations (Dave explains infra) Case-Shiller Chairman: Here’s Why the Housing Market Recession is Not Over Wall St Cheat Sheet 'Welcome to 2003! The  S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Index 10-City Composite was down 2% and the 20-City Composite fell 3.1% in January on a year-over-year basis. On a monthly basis, the 10-City Composite was down 0.9% and the 20-City Composite fell 1.0% in January versus December 2010.

San Diego and Washington D.C. were the only two markets to record positive year-over-year changes. However, San Diego was up a scant 0.1%, while Washington DC posted a healthier +3.6% annual growth rate. The same 11 cities that had posted recent index level lows in December 2010, posted new lows in January.

David M. Blitzer, Chairman of the Index Committee at Standard & Poor’s commented:

“Keeping with the trends set in late 2010, January brings us weakening home prices with no real hope in sight for the near future. With this month’s data, we find the same 11 MSAs posting new recent index lows. The 10-City and 20-City Composites continue to decline month-over-month and have posted monthly declines for six consecutive months now.

These data confirm what we have seen with recent housing starts and sales reports. The housing market recession is not yet over, and none of the statistics are indicating any form of sustained recovery . At most, we have seen all statistics bounce along their troughs; at worst, the feared double-dip recession may be materializing. ..., but both series have moved closer to a confirmed double-dip for six consecutive months. At this point we are not too far off, and that is what many analysts are seeing with sales, starts and inventory data too...' M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ]

Chemist charged with insider trading (Washington Post) [ This remains incredulous to me. Everyone but the big boys / frauds!Not just corruption, but bad time /resource management.The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario).

High oil price rally! Come on! What total b*** s***! Previous rally sparked by upward revision of GDP by the scandal-scarred commerce department? You can’t believe anything these desperate self-servers say! This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally on more bad/worse than expected news (consumer confidence down) provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive. States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows ] The government charged a chemist at the Food and Drug Administration Tuesday with insider trading.

High oil price rally! Come on! What total b*** s***! Previous rally sparked by upward revision of GDP by the scandal-scarred commerce department? You can’t believe anything these desperate self-servers say! This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally on more bad/worse than expected news (consumer confidence down) provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. What do you expect these incompetent, fraudulent criminals / accomplices to say? That they haven't the slightest clue what they're doing and the damage they've already done? Come on! The more they speak, the less you really know; and, to borrow from that old saying / cliché … how do you know they're lying?... answer: 'their lips are moving'... They lie all the time … sometimes even when they don't have to. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive. States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan … from h**l … after all, beyond the rhetoric, propaganda, fake data / reports, etc., the only real manufacturing going on in pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america is ever more worthless fiat paper currency, new fangled wall street paper / securities / toxic asset bubble-frauds, etc.. Unemployment numbers from the labored labor department? The ‘expiration / stopped looking, everyone’, at best. How can anyone believe anything the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. government says. Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? … wise to lighten up some into strength ... BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ] ] Michigan moves to cut its unemployment program despite troubling jobless rates.

Eye on entertainment (Washington Post) [ I don't ordinarily 'do entertainment' but I'm compelled to comment that I was taken in on the following (I was somewhat amazed by what I falsely presumed to be Portman's 'quick study' ballet performance … not! … eh ... what can you expect from someone born in israel.), but not taken in as so many in the latter concerning that highly publicized 'threat to society'; the infamous Lindsey Lohan. 'Black Swan' double claims Portman did only 5% of dance shots...'The ballerina who served as a dancing double for Natalie Portman’s Oscar-winnning role in Black Swan tells EW she has been the victim of a “cover-up” to mislead the public about how much dancing Portman actually did in the film. “Of the full body shots, I would say 5 percent are Natalie,” says Sarah Lane, 27, an American Ballet Theatre soloist who performed many of the film’s complicated dance sequences, allowing Portman’s face to be digitally grafted onto her body. “All the other shots are me.”

...

Lane disagrees. “The shots that are just her face with arms, those shots are definitely Natalie,”..But that doesn’t show the actual dancing.” ..

Lane also says that Black Swan producer Ari Handel specifically told her not to talk about her work to the press, even though she claims there was no such stipulation in her contract. “They wanted to create this idea in people’s minds that Natalie was some kind of prodigy or so gifted in dance and really worked so hard to make herself a ballerina in a year and a half for the movie, basically because of the Oscar,” says Lane. “It is demeaning to the profession and not just to me. I’ve been doing this for 22 years…. Can you become a concert pianist in a year and a half, even if you’re a movie star?”' ]

Lohan rejects judge's plea offer in theft case (AP) [ It is common practice in the entertainment industry for 'loaners' far more expensive than the subject 'costume piece' here, to garner the benefit of the 'show and tell', particularly for this little hole in the wall in Venice. I mean, come on; this was hardly a surprise taking in a bustling store overrun by customers. Then there are the 'evidentiary' problems attendant to the venal motives of the store itself and monies received. In all, one must conclude that these invariably corrupt judges / prosecutors as corrupt steve the cooley (check out those land deals) like to bully the girls, ie., Lindsay Lohan, Winona Ryder, etc.. I'm not going to mention the guys of late who got a pass. Blatant misogyny? What else can you call it; particularly since they're letting scores of far more serious criminals out of jail, and we all know the numbers of serious violent criminals walkin' the streets with impunity in so-cal. Paris Hilton prosecutor arrested for buying cocaine (Reuters) ]

The Obama doctrine (Washington Post) [ The 'wobama doctrine'? Also known as 'b*** s***' or 'bush s***'. Distinctions without a significant difference, one thing is certain. Mr. Milbank's article is nauseating.]Where Bush was all bright lines, Obama is subtle and situational.

Obama vigorously defends Libya intervention (Washington Post) [ I have nothing but disrespect for anyone who even listened to 'wobama the b' for b*** s***. After all, his teleprompter (in whatever form) was working overtime. Not that I'm enamored by that mental case Gadaffy (who forgot to duck) who was taken into that war criminal american fold (war criminal bush / now wobama) fairly recently as a 'partner in the war on terror' … riiiiight! … There is nothing failed presidents like wobama, bush, et als can say that's worth hearing. One word could have explained all … 'oil'. Criminal american values … what, despotic saudi arabia, war crimes nation israel, etc.? Apparently, unless their criminal, they're not american values. Drudgereport: MAG: NEW 'KILL TEAM' PHOTOS RELEASED...
REPORT: U.S. soldiers hacked off part of dead man's skull?
HORROR: Cut off 15-year-old boy's finger and kept as trophy...[We all knew the u.s. Military was recruiting / is now composed of felons, war criminals, etc.; but clearly, these are the blatant signs of serial killers – then that 360 tons of $100 bills still missing in Iraq, etc., serial thieves, particularly at the top down.)...
VIDEO: Two on motorcycle gunned down...***WARNING: GRAPHIC***
PHOTOS...
500,000 MARCH IN LONDON TO PROTEST BUDGET CUTS...
Turns violent; Anarchists blitz the Ritz...
ANARCHY IN THE UK
NOT DAYS, NOT WEEKS -- LIBYA OP TO LAST MONTHS...
NATO likely to expand mission... No UN mandate to attack Gaddafi forces: Russia Russia said on Monday attacks on forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi amounted to intervention in a civil war and were not backed by the U.N. resolution authorising no-fly zones.

‘Death Squad’: Full horror emerges of how rogue U.S. brigade murdered and mutilated innocent Afghan civilians – and kept their body parts as trophies Shocking new details emerged today of how American troops formed a ‘death squad’ to randomly murder Afghan civilians and mutilate their corpses.

Defense Secretary: Libya Did Not Pose Threat to U.S., Was Not ‘Vital National Interest’ to Intervene Gates said that Libya did not pose a threat to the United States before the U.S. began its military campaign.

Gingrich admits to a double flip-flop on Libya intervention Newt Gingrich can’t make up his mind.

] The president delivers an expansive rationale for intervention in civil conflicts, arguing the mission was undertaken with the US’ closest allies.

Tech firms hiring White House staffers (Washington Post) [ Those who can, do. Those who can't, work for the u.s. government, then u.s. companies for access to the government (contracts, protection from prosecution (wall street / goldman, etc.), etc.). This incestuous relationship has not been successful for the nation, but has been lucrative for the criminal few involved. Indeed, I can personally attest with enough knowledge and experience that american technology is horrendous and typifies that old GM failed strategy of 'planned obsolescence'. Moreover, at best, america merely assembles foreign made components for the moniker 'made in the usa'; but, not because they want to, but because at best that's all they can do, and not so good at that. What america is good at is pervasive corruption in virtually anything you can think of. Criminal america's defacto bankruptcy is testament to that. / Black Swans Everywhere Nyaradi 'Black swans seem everywhere as we have a nuclear accident in Japan, war and revolutions in the Middle East, demonstrations in Britain, and a looming U.S. Government shut down on April 8th. At Wall Street Sector Selector, we remain in the defensive mode, as black swans fly across the globe...' / Weekly Indicators: Accumulating Signs of a Slowdown Stewart 'In the rear-view mirror department, 4th quarter 2010 GDP was revised back up to 3.1%. Monthly data reported this past week, however, was depressing. New home sales were recorded at an all-time low, although balanced against December's big uptick, the last three months are still better than the three months previous to them. More ominous, however, was the big decline in consumer confidence, and in particular expectations about the future. These are the worst in 2 years, and are a leading indicator. Durable goods also came in very weak...' / Bank Failure Friday Slows Despite Increased Problem Banks Suttmeier 'The FDIC List of Problem Banks rose by 24 in the fourth quarter to 884 from 860, which is 11.5% of the 7,657 FDIC-insured financial institutions, yet the FDIC has slowed the pace of closing problem banks on Bank Failure Friday...' / The Stock Market Is In A State Of Denial- infowars.com Those of you who watch financial TV or read the financial media have probably heard the current market referred to as the “nothing matters” market since it is supposedly ignoring a spate of negative news.

] The revolving door between the federal government and U.S. tech companies isn’t new.

GOP has plan for Fannie, Freddie (Washington Post) [ They have a plan ... sounds like a plan ... By george, they think they have a plan ... Yes, it is 'Alice in Wonderland' time in america ... they're late, they're late, for a very important date ...] Government shutdown looms-Paul Kane (Washington Post) [ Shutdown? ... One can only hope, and pray ... after all, they can't muck up what they're not in session to f*** up ... Government shutdown looms Paul Kane (Washington Post) [

Europe wrestles with debt crisis (Washington Post) [ Yet they're doing these wars like they have money to burn. And, at the rate they're printing these fiat currencies, burning will be about all the worthless paper will be good for.

350 British special forces already deep inside Libya… and more are ready to be deployed Hundreds of British troops have been deployed deep inside Libya targeting Colonel Gaddafi’s forces – and more are on standby.

Drudgereport: MOODY'S THREATENS TO DOWNGRADE BRITAIN'S DEBT...
STUDY: US Finances Rank Near Worst in World...
Libya Mission 'clouded by confusion'...
White House: Days, not weeks...
France: Weeks, not days...
Dem Rep: Obama told me US would be 'in and out'...

How Can America Create Wealth If Our Industrial Base Is Destroyed? Any economy that constantly consumes far more wealth than it produces is eventually going to be in for a very hard fall. Many point to relatively stable GDP numbers as evidence that the U.S. economy is doing okay, but the truth is that we have had to borrow increasingly massive amounts of money to keep GDP numbers up at that level.

Beware the Fed Driven Market Parnell ' A review of the headlines heading into trading on March 23, 2011 was notable:

* Portugal braces for government collapse over austerity vote

* Ireland’s 10-year bond yield hits record at over 10%

* Bombing in Israel bus station

* Yemen’s pro-U.S. leader in talks on exit

* U.S. new home sales lowest on record, prices fall to December 2003 levels

* Federal Reserve rejects Bank of America dividend raise

Investment markets do not like uncertainty. And on any normal trading day, simply one of these headlines alone might provide justification for stock investors to take pause and reevaluate risk exposures...'

Censored TV Ad Banned from Airwaves [ This presentation is really quite good; indeed, so good, I archived it on my website out of fear of censorship / blacklist / ban. Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video on the economic / financial collapse from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts)

Fears grow about reactor leak (Washington Post) [ Not to be alarmist for the sake of fear-mongering; but clearly, as indeed they should. This is a very big deal. Drudgereport: Fears rise that Japan could sell off U.S. Debt ... [ Not only selling ... they won't be buying! ]...
Dangerous breach suspected at Japan nuke plant...
WATER RADIATION 10,000X NORMAL...
Japan Quietly Evacuates Wider Radius From Reactors...
Toll rises to 27,000 dead, missing...

Japanese Authorities Admit Deadly MOX Plutonium Reactor Is Leaking Paul Joseph Watson | Has cover-up of leakage been ongoing since massive March 14 explosion?

Radiation: Nothing to See Here? Administration spokespeople continuously claim “no threat” from the radiation reaching the US from Japan, just as they did with oil hemorrhaging into the Gulf. Perhaps we should all whistle “Don’t worry, be happy” in unison. A thorough review of the science, however, begs a second opinion.

As TEPCO Reports Increased Possible Radiation Release, Japan Expands Voluntary Evacuation Radius To 30 km The latest news from Fukushima continue progressing from bad to worse. Which of course means that the (physical) silver lining around the mushroom cloud will be that much more potent: after all, the greater the destruction, the higher the Russell 2000. Just ask the Keynesians.

Japanese Authorities Admit Deadly MOX Plutonium Reactor Is Leaking While the mass media has all but dropped its interest in the Fukushima crisis to focus on Libya and meaningless side-issues like the death of Elizabeth Taylor, the nuclear nightmare only worsens, as Japanese authorities admit that reactor number 3, which is the only reactor to contain MOX plutonium, is now leaking.

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Fell More Than Forecast in March Bloomberg

Household wealth down 23% in 2 years – Fed A rare survey of U.S. households, first performed in 2007 but repeated in 2009 in order to gauge the effects of the recession, reveals the median net worth of households fell from $125,000 in 2007 to $96,000 in 2009.

The Stock Market Is In A State Of Denial Those of you who watch financial TV or read the financial media have probably heard the current market referred to as the “nothing matters” market since it is supposedly ignoring a spate of negative news.

As Adjusted Monetary Base Rises By Half A Trillion In 2011, Treasury Runs Out Of Debt Ceiling Delay Measures

Gold And Silver Are Thriving While The U.S. Dollar Is Dying Have you heard the news? Gold hit another new record high on Thursday. It reached $1447.40 before settling back a bit. Most people responded to that news with a yawn.

Reexamining human nature [ Reexamining? Just don't look too closely; else there goes your book. 'Dark side of human nature', a cliche. 'Man's inhumanity to man', a recurring theme bandied about for so long it's now a proverb. Emotion / reason, character / IQ; such mental masturbation ignores stark realities, the most prominent of which is that in evolutionary terms vis-a-vis the species, though I hate to be the spoiler, 'time has run out'. After all, in the last analysis, what can you really expect from a species derived from apes, notochordates, and initially single celled organisms. One might even say in light of such humble beginnings, 'hey, not bad!' I would not be one of them. ( Neanderthals, Humans Interbred, DNA Proves

You're a Neanderthal: Genes say yes — a little bit (AP) Neanderthals and people interbred, fossil analysis finds  For more info on man’s humble beginnings, see here     http://www.albertpeia.com/anthroindex1.htm     [ I’m adding this here, having seen while flipping channels an anthropologist talking up somewhat speciously the brain size of Neanderthals. The important but missed point here was potential ‘brain-power’ unrealized. Think of it this way: In the life-threateningly cold climes they inhabited, pre-occupation with warmth, fire, wood for fire, food, mere survival usurped all their waking moments. Have you ever tried to study, learn, think clearly (and new thoughts / neurogenesis thereby) under such harsh and perilous conditions; successfully? Neither could they. ]

FOUND: MISSING LINK BETWEEN APES AND MAN.... These stories, and the many like it, are old news and I subscribe to the more studied view that there is no “missing link” per se and in my view they are distinctions without significant differences.

   10-5-09 Postscript: Professor *****,
I felt compelled to thank you again for the add; not to curry your favor but indeed to express profound thanks inasmuch as this is probably the last formal course at a formal educational institution I'll ever take; and among the most important. While I had bought at discount a library-discarded 1993 Anthropology by Embers text, though meaning to read same never quite got to it. I am astounded by the substantial amount of time involved in the evolutionary process, not that I ever stopped to think about it, and one must come away with the sense of 'and all that...for this?'. This course should be required curriculum along with psychology, sociology, etc., but probably won't be owing to what is, as it should be, a very humbling educational experience for any member of the human race.
             Regards,
                                  Al Peia ). ] In “The Social Animal,” David Brooks reveals what it means when emotion clashes with reason and character is at war with IQ.

How much does war really cost? (Washington Post) [ This is a question much like that poignant, famed response of J. P. Morgan to a question of a similar vein (whether the inquirer could afford buying a boat); the answer being if you have to ask you most assuredly can't (afford it). The nation is defacto bankrupt, after all. These wars have not been worth doing at all except for those few war profiteers, military industrial complex, israel, zionists, neocons, etc.. Yeah, it's actually worse here in terms of insurmountable magnitude.(Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ). That wobama is a failed president, there is no question. Yet, the gop's 'never saw a war / conflict they didn't like' for the sake of the military industrial complex, war profiteers, israel, war criminals, the few, etc., despite the defacto bankruptcy of the nation is quite beyond the pale. ‘US is broke, dollar down, yet policy is to divide & conquer’ RT | America is getting involved in another long-term war, which will ruin its economy. US Approaching Insolvency, Fix To Be ‘Painful’: Fisher CNBC | The United States is on a fiscal path towards insolvency and policymakers are at a “tipping point,”. Kucinich: War is a swamp, Obama Libya action unconstitutional Drudgereport: FED: US Approaching Insolvency... ]

Household wealth down 23% in 2 years – Fed A rare survey of U.S. households, first performed in 2007 but repeated in 2009 in order to gauge the effects of the recession, reveals the median net worth of households fell from $125,000 in 2007 to $96,000 in 2009.

The Stock Market Is In A State Of Denial ... ignoring a spate of negative news.

As Adjusted Monetary Base Rises By Half A Trillion In 2011, Treasury Runs Out Of Debt Ceiling Delay Measures

OPINION | If a war is not worth a tax, or spending cuts, then perhaps it is not worth doing at all.

How Can America Create Wealth If Our Industrial Base Is Destroyed? Any economy that constantly consumes far more wealth than it produces is eventually going to be in for a very hard fall. Many point to relatively stable GDP numbers as evidence that the U.S. economy is doing okay, but the truth is that we have had to borrow increasingly massive amounts of money to keep GDP numbers up at that level.

Come on! Upward revision of GDP by the scandal-scarred commerce department? You can’t believe anything these desperate self-servers say! This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally on more badworse than expected news provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. What do you expect these incompetent, fraudulent criminals / accomplices to say? That they haven't the slightest clue what they're doing and the damage they've already done? Come on! The more they speak, the less you really know; and, to borrow from that old saying / cliché … how do you know they're lying?... answer: 'their lips are moving'... They lie all the time … sometimes even when they don't have to. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive. States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan … from h**l … after all, beyond the rhetoric, propaganda, fake data / reports, etc., the only real manufacturing going on in pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america is ever more worthless fiat paper currency, new fangled wall street paper / securities / toxic asset bubble-frauds, etc.. Unemployment numbers from the labored labor department? The ‘expiration / stopped looking, everyone’, at best. How can anyone believe anything the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. government says. Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? … wise to lighten up some into strength ... BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ] ] Michigan moves to cut its unemployment program despite troubling jobless rates.

Come on! Upward revision of GDP by the scandal-scarred commerce department? You can’t believe anything these desperate self-servers say! This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally on more badworse than expected news provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. What do you expect these incompetent, fraudulent criminals / accomplices to say? That they haven't the slightest clue what they're doing and the damage they've already done? Come on! The more they speak, the less you really know; and, to borrow from that old saying / cliché … how do you know they're lying?... answer: 'their lips are moving'... They lie all the time … sometimes even when they don't have to. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive. States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan … from h**l … after all, beyond the rhetoric, propaganda, fake data / reports, etc., the only real manufacturing going on in pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america is ever more worthless fiat paper currency, new fangled wall street paper / securities / toxic asset bubble-frauds, etc.. Unemployment numbers from the labored labor department? The ‘expiration / stopped looking, everyone’, at best. How can anyone believe anything the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. government says. Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? … wise to lighten up some into strength ... BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ] ] Michigan moves to cut its unemployment program despite troubling jobless rates.

Censored TV Ad Banned from Airwaves [ This presentation is really quite good; indeed, so good, I archived it on my website out of fear of censorship / blacklist / ban. Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video on the economic / financial collapse from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ] Infowars.com | A television ad that features Alex Jones’ narration has been banned from broadcast.

Money Trouble Ahead: 15 Indications That Bad Times Are About To Hit The U.S. Economy 2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now. The American Dream
March 23, 2011

2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now.  The price of oil is soaring, the U.S. housing market is experiencing huge problems, the cost of living in America recently hit a new record high and each week the globe seems to become even more unstable.  How much pounding can our fragile economic system take before it completely collapses?  As the price of oil goes even higher, it is going to cause economic growth to slow down and it is going to cause the prices of the things that we all buy at the stores to go up at the same time.  It is very likely that we are entering a period of “stagflation” similar to what we experienced in the 1970s.  This is going to cause a huge amount of money trouble for millions of American families.  Already there are vast numbers of American families that are barely making it every month.  Tens of millions of Americans are already receiving government assistance.  So what is going to happen when the next financial crash happens and we experience yet another major economic downturn?

The truth is that the financial system was never “fixed” after the crash of 2008.  If anything, it is more vulnerable today than it was back then.  Even as you read this, major imbalances are building up in the global financial system, and at some point a “tipping point” will be reached.

Once that tipping point is reached, it will not be too long before the U.S. economy experiences the next wave of economic problems.  Perhaps we will be fortunate and it will not be as bad as the 2008 crash.  Perhaps this next wave will be even worse than 2008 was.  Only time will tell.

But all of the warning signs are there.  The following are 15 indications that bad times are about to hit the U.S. economy….

#1 The price of gasoline is about to cross the psychologically-important $4 a gallon threshold in some areas of the United States.  For example, the average price of gasoline is now $3.977 in San Diego County and it is $3.955 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

#2 The price of oil moved up close to the $105 mark by the end of the day today, and that means that more gasoline price increases are likely on the horizon for American consumers.

#3 In February, food prices in the United States rose at the fastest rate in 36 years.

#4 According to the U.S. Labor Department, the cost of living in the United States hit a brand new all-time record high in the month of February.

#5 According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of previously existing homes in the United States dropped a stunning 9.6 percent in February.  The National Association of Realtors also has announced that the median home price is the lowest it has been in 9 years.

#6 The U.S. is already in the midst of a real estate crash that never seems to end, but many are warning that it is about to get even worse.  For example, prominent housing analyst Gary Shilling is warning that U.S. housing prices are likely to drop another 20 percent.

#7 According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, at least 8 million Americans are at least one month behind on their mortgage payments at this point.

#8 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of new building permits declined 20.5 percent in February on a year over year basis.  According to John Carney of CNBC, a huge decline in building permits is usually an indication that a recession is coming….

All nine recessions since 1959 have seen a year over year decline in building permits. In eight of the last nine the annual rate of change hit negative 20 percent or lower, and the economy went into a recession.

#9 31 percent of the homeowners that responded to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey indicated that they are “underwater” on their mortgages.

#10 Millions of American families are drowning in debt and debt collectors are becoming increasingly aggressive.  According to a new Federal Trade Commission report, consumer complaints about debt collectors rose by 17 percent last year.

#11 Meredith Whitney is warning that even though it may take longer than she originally projected, we are still going to see a wave of municipal bond defaultsworth hundreds of billions of dollars.

#12 The war in Libya is putting upward pressure on the price of oil, it is yet another drain on U.S. government finances, and it is raising tensions across the globe.  Vladimir Putin has called the NATO operation in Libya a “crusade” and China is calling for an immediate cease-fire.  Financial markets do not like instability of this nature.

#13 The rest of the Middle East is melting down as well.  More than 40 demonstrators have been killed in Yemen and the president of that country has declared a state of emergency.  Government buildings are still being set on fire in Egypt.  Ivory Coast is in the midst of a full-blown revolution, and there are ongoing protests in about a dozen other nations across North Africa and the Middle East.  This is really bad for global economic stability.

#14 The damage from the tsunami in Japan continues to affect more American Workers.  GM has just announced that they are going to temporarily lay off workers at a Buffalo engine plant due to a shortage of parts from Japan.  When supply chains are going to get fully back to normal is anyone’s guess.  GM has also temporarily shut down a facility in Shreveport, Louisiana due to supply problems.

#15 There continue to be indications that the amount of radiation being released by the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants is much higher than we have been led to believe.  The following is an excerpt from a recent report by NHK World….

“Japan’s science ministry says radiation exceeding 400 times the normal level was detected in soil about 40 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The ministry surveyed radioactive substances in soil about 5 centimeters below the surface at roadsides on Monday. The ministry found 43,000 becquerels of radioactive iodine-131 per kilogram of soil, and 4,700 becquerels of radioactive cesium-137 per kilogram about 40 kilometers west-northwest of the plant. Gunma University Professor Keigo Endo says radiation released by the iodine is 430 times the level normally detected in soil in Japan and that released by the cesium is 47 times the norm.”

400 times the normal level amount of radiation 40 kilometers from the plant?

That is something that should be taken very seriously.

Sadly, radiation levels continue to rise throughout northern and central Japan.  If a significant amount of people have to be evacuated from Tokyo at some point that is going to be absolutely devastating for the global economy.

So what should Americans be doing?  How can middle class families weather the storm that is coming?

Well, one thing that can be done is to start saving money and not spending it on frivolous things like new cars and international vacations.  Many Americans did not learn the lessons of 2008 and they are running around blowing money as if the good times will never come to an end.

Also, now is a good time to get out of debt.  Millions of American families are literally drowning in debt, and when the next financial crash comes it is the families that are overextended that will be the most financially vulnerable.

When you see a storm coming, the prudent thing to do is to make preparations.  Most people believe what they want to believe, but anyone that cannot see the economic storm clouds on the horizon at this point has got to be pretty clueless.

Our entire economic system is slowly failing.  Hopefully the folks running things will be able to hold the economy together for a while longer, but when you stop and think about who we have in charge, there are not many reasons to be optimistic.

Lohan rejects judge's plea offer in theft case (AP) [ It is common practice in the entertainment industry for 'loaners' far more expensive than the subject 'costume piece' here, to garner the benefit of the 'show and tell', particularly for this little hole in the wall in Venice. I mean, come on; this was hardly a surprise taking in a bustling store overrun by customers. Then there are the 'evidentiary' problems attendant to the venal motives of the store itself and monies received. In all, one must conclude that these invariably corrupt judges / prosecutors as corrupt steve the cooley (check out those land deals) like to bully the girls, ie., Lindsay Lohan, Winona Ryder, etc.. I'm not going to mention the guys of late who got a pass. Blatant misogyny? What else can you call it; particulary since they're letting scores of far more serious criminals out of jail, and we all know the numbers of serious violent criminals walkin' the streets with impunity in so-cal. Paris Hilton prosecutor arrested for buying cocaine (Reuters) ]

Fed to hold regular news conferences (Washington Post) [ Wow! Just what everyone needed … more spoon-fed b*** s*** / jawboning by the flawed, flatulent, faultful fed … for the sake of fraudulent wall street … you do remember those 'no-recession' jawbone sessions that sent the prior bubble expanding faster than 'the big bang' itself … until every got and continues to get banged from the last bubble-fraud crash. What do you expect these incompetent, fraudulent criminals / accomplices to say? That they haven't the slightest clue what they're doing and the damage they've already done? Come on! The more they speak, the less you really know; and, to borrow from that old saying / cliché … how do you know they're lying?... answer: 'their lips are moving'... They lie all the time … sometimes even when they don't have to. M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ ] Chairman Bernanke’s move is part of efforts by the central bank to make the institution appear less secretive.

Japan fears for food, water supplies (Washington Post) [ Well, if Japan doesn't, who will? Certainly not america, in america, where fears are never concerns till they've become realities in their rears. ] As the number of deaths from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami officially exceeded 10,000, the struggle to prevent more radiation from escaping continued. Chernobyl-Style Yellow Rain Causes Panic In Japan Paul Joseph Watson | Authorities assure alarmed citizens yellow powder is pollen, but victims of Chernobyl radiation were told the same thing. Fukushima Radiation Spreading To More U.S. States Steve Watson | EPA says some air monitors might not be working properly. Apple Rejects iPhone 4 Radiation Metering App Matt Ryan | Radiation metering app demonstrates iPhone releases increased amount of radiation when struggling to find signal. Chernobyl-Style Yellow Rain Causes Panic In Japan Radioactive yellow rain that fell in Tokyo and surrounding areas last night caused panic amongst Japanese citizens and prompted a flood of phone calls to Japan’s Meteorological Agency this morning, with people concerned that they were being fed the same lies as victims of Chernobyl, who were told that yellow rain which fell over Russia and surrounding countries after the 1986 disaster was merely pollen, the same explanation now being offered by Japanese authorities. Fukushima Radiation Spreading To More U.S. States Radiation from the ongoing disaster in Japan is spreading throughout the United States, and while the EPA says the levels are not dangerous, it also admits that some of its radiation-tracking air monitors may not even be working. Radioactive Iodine In Fukushima Seawater Highest Ever, Reactors 5 And 6 Now Leaking Too And while futures rise as the market anticipates the latest central bank intervention to paper over the global financial insolvency, the radioactive fallout from Fukushima continues to worsen as Iodine 131 levels in the seawater hits the highest since the start of the crisis. Fukushima Radiation Release Rivals Chernobyl The radiation released by the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant already rivals and in one sense exceeds the Chernobyl catastrophe according to Austria’s Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics, even as media spin downplays the severity of the crisis despite the fact that the problems at the plant show no signs of abating.

For loyalists, a state of perpetual revolution (Washington Post) [ And, for defacto bankrupt america / americans, a state of perpetual war … and, on how many fronts? … eh … what the heck … who's countin' … certainly not capital hill et als; you know, all that money the nation doesn't even really have but keep spending. How will this all end … not well … not well at all! ] Six days into the allied bombardment of Libyan military targets, it is clear that Moammar Gaddafi can count on the fierce loyalties of at least a significant segment of the population. School Shooting Exercise Portrays Student as Anti-Illegal Immigration Terrorist Kurt Nimmo | Scenario depicts racist student with access to a cache of guns and IEDs shooting Latino student. Globalist Coalition Claims “Precision” Bombs Do Not Kill Libyan Civilians Kurt Nimmo | CNN and the corporate media are trying their darnedest to put the best face on Obama’s illegal attack.White House: Libya fight is not war, it’s ‘kinetic military action’ Byron York | “Military steps — and they can be kinetic and non-kinetic.” Camp Lejeune Marines To Libya To Strike At Qadhafi Forces WCTI | We’ve seen Camp Lejuene Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan and now they are joining the fight against Libya.‘Libya war could last 30 years’ Mail Online | Ministers admitted they have no idea how long military operation against Gaddafi could take.Globalist Coalition Claims “Precision” Bombs Do Not Kill Libyan Civilians CNN and the corporate media are trying their darnedest to put the best face on Obama’s illegal attack against the people of Libya under the auspices of the United Nations and its bankster overlords.Critics: Iowa terror drill portrays immigration foes as killers Foes of illegal immigration are up in arms over plans for a weekend disaster exercise in western Iowa with a fictitious scenario in which white supremacists shoot dozens of people amid rising tensions involving racial minorities and illegal immigrants.Orwell Rolls In His Grave: White House: Libya fight is not war, it’s ‘kinetic military action’ In the last few days, Obama administration officials have frequently faced the question: Is the fighting in Libya a war? From military officers to White House spokesmen up to the president himself, the answer is no. But that leaves the question: What is it?Gas to Hit $5 Per Gallon Before Summer Oil industry experts warn that the price for a gallon of gas will reach $5 before summer. They blame the unfolding conflict in Libya and across the oil-producing Middle East for exploding prices.

States target jobless benefits (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan … from h**l … after all, beyond the rhetoric, propaganda, fake data / reports, etc., the only real manufacturing going on in pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america is ever more worthless fiat paper currency, new fangled wall street paper / securities / toxic asset bubble-frauds, etc.. Unemployment numbers from the labored labor department? The ‘expiration / stopped looking, everyone’, at best. How can anyone believe anything the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. government says. Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? … wise to lighten up some into strength ... BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ] ] Michigan moves to cut its unemployment program despite troubling jobless rates.

World finds less solace in dollar (Washington Post) [ No mystery here … Not even a long time coming in light of america's very real defacto bankruptcy; particularly as the same old / same old plunder of this and other nations by, you guessed it, the same old / same old. Money Trouble Ahead: 15 Indications That Bad Times Are About To Hit The U.S. Economy 2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead...just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now. The American DreamMarch 23, 20112011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now.  The price of oil is soaring, the U.S. housing market is experiencing huge problems, the cost of living in America recently hit a new record high and each week the globe seems to become even more unstable.  How much pounding can our fragile economic system take before it completely collapses?  As the price of oil goes even higher, it is going to cause economic growth to slow down and it is going to cause the prices of the things that we all buy at the stores to go up at the same time.  It is very likely that we are entering a period of “stagflation” similar to what we experienced in the 1970s.  This is going to cause a huge amount of money trouble for millions of American families.  Already there are vast numbers of American families that are barely making it every month.  Tens of millions of Americans are already receiving government assistance.  So what is going to happen when the next financial crash happens and we experience yet another major economic downturn?The truth is that the financial system was never “fixed” after the crash of 2008.  If anything, it is more vulnerable today than it was back then.  Even as you read this, major imbalances are building up in the global financial system, and at some point a “tipping point” will be reached.Once that tipping point is reached, it will not be too long before the U.S. economy experiences the next wave of economic problems.... as the 2008 crash... Perhaps this next wave will be even worse than 2008 ...But all of the warning signs are there.  The following are 15 indications that bad times are about to hit the U.S. Economy...'] Usually considered a safe haven in times of turmoil, the dollar is down against a basket of other currencies

Unemployment numbers from the labored labor department? The ‘expiration / stopped looking, everyone’, at best. How can anyone believe anything the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. government says. Durable goods (leading indicator) 200% worse than expected, stocks rally. ‘ February Durable Goods Orders Disappoint NEW YORK (TheStreet) Bharatwaj …’ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed (this would also help significantly the hapless, hopeless budget scenario). M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ]

Lohan rejects judge's plea offer in theft case (AP) [ It is common practice in the entertainment industry for 'loaners' far more expensive than the subject 'costume piece' here, to garner the benefit of the 'show and tell', particularly for this little hole in the wall in Venice. I mean, come on; this was hardly a surprise taking in a bustling store overrun by customers. Then there are the 'evidentiary' problems attendant to the venal motives of the store itself and monies received. In all, one must conclude that these invariably corrupt judges / prosecutors as corrupt steve the cooley (check out those land deals) like to bully the girls, ie., Lindsay Lohan, Winona Ryder, etc.. I'm not going to mention the guys of late who got a pass. Blatant misogyny? What else can you call it; particulary since they're letting scores of far more serious criminals out of jail, and we all know the numbers of serious violent criminals walkin' the streets with impunity in so-cal. Paris Hilton prosecutor arrested for buying cocaine (Reuters) ]

Drudgereport: MOODY'S THREATENS TO DOWNGRADE BRITAIN'S DEBT...
STUDY: US Finances Rank Near Worst in World...
Libya Mission 'clouded by confusion'...
White House: Days, not weeks...
France: Weeks, not days...
Dem Rep: Obama told me US would be 'in and out'...
Pentagon: Likely to continue combat...
2,200 ground troops headed to region...
Quake toll rises to 27,000 dead, missing...

[I have been under constant barrage / hack / intrusions which has my antivirus working overtime and flashing saves from a multitude of threats. I think this particular thrust by what I reasonably suspect to be paranoid american / israeli criminals / lunatics was probably affected particularly by that blazing full ‘supermoon’, but continues when for now just limited moments I’m logged into windows xp, literally a virus magnet/so-called op system. I thereupon downloaded and installed linux / unbuntu 10.10 (most recent) which also makes available an ‘installer’ (separate download, both free from their official website - http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download ) that facilitates essentially a dual boot (you may choose your operating system for the session – windows or linux/ubuntu). Works like a charm and I strongly recommend it. Microsoft’s a dyingosaur american monopoly company which is an american tale and story of america as a pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, dying / declining nation.]

Fears grow of humanitarian crisis in Libya (Washington Post) [ Ya think? Based on … that familiar template we now know as Iraq, Afghanistan, etc., and let's not leave out the beneficiary of all such 'preoccupation'; viz., pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america … Money Trouble Ahead: 15 Indications That Bad Times Are About To Hit The U.S. Economy 2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now. The American Dream
March 23, 2011 2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now.  The price of oil is soaring, the U.S. housing market is experiencing huge problems, the cost of living in America recently hit a new record high and each week the globe seems to become even more unstable.  How much pounding can our fragile economic system take before it completely collapses?  As the price of oil goes even higher, it is going to cause economic growth to slow down and it is going to cause the prices of the things that we all buy at the stores to go up at the same time.  It is very likely that we are entering a period of “stagflation” similar to what we experienced in the 1970s.  This is going to cause a huge amount of money trouble for millions of American families.  Already there are vast numbers of American families that are barely making it every month.  Tens of millions of Americans are already receiving government assistance.  So what is going to happen when the next financial crash happens and we experience yet another major economic downturn?

The truth is that the financial system was never “fixed” after the crash of 2008.  If anything, it is more vulnerable today than it was back then.  Even as you read this, major imbalances are building up in the global financial system, and at some point a “tipping point” will be reached...'] Aid organizations scramble to prepare for large-scale relief operations, as fears grew of a potential humanitarian crisis in a key city besieged by government forces.

New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ] 'As you must know, many major indices are price weighted and the DJIA takes the lead in this regard. Six of the highest priced stocks Wednesday (IBM, BA, CAT, DVX, MMM & UTX) provided most of the gains. Stocks were lower most of the morning, but volume seemed light, offering an opportunity for buyers to push prices higher. The theme for bulls was reconstruction in Japan even though EWJ (iShares Japan ETF) finished the day slightly lower. ETFs like XLB (SPDR Materials Sector ETF), SLX (Van Eck Steel ETF) and XME (SPDR Metals & Miners) have the "stuff" needed for reconstruction. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd ("I want me some more me!") Blankfein was on the witness stand today. He confirmed director Rajat Gupta violated "confidentiality" by tipping off hedge fund trader Raj Rajaratnam regarding Buffett's investment in his company. Also in the financial sector, the Fed announced it would not permit BAC to payout a dividend post the recent ("covered-up") bank stress tests. This rightly drove shares of many financial companies lower. Further, it should drive taxpayer's nuts that a Fed "gag order" restricting disclosure of stress test results exists. This is taxpayer money after all. Meanwhile, speaking of the Fed we had two days of POMO resulting in $15 billion in fire power for trading desks of Primary Dealers including GS. The poor ADBE outlook lingered over tech but traders always seem to find a way to discard bad news and shift focus elsewhere. Of course, this can only be done so long. Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! Energy markets were higher despite higher inventories. OPEC spokesmen stated Tuesday they're comfortable at $120. How about you? Gold and silver hit fresh highs, while the euro dropped on Portugal, base metals rallied and bonds were slightly lower. Volume was once again light while breadth per the WSJ was unremarkable...' ]

Sec. Gates reassures Egypt over war in Libya (Washington Post) [ Well, there you go. If Gates says it; well, it must be true … riiiiight! Gates’s message (Washington Post) [ Which one? And I don't mean which gates. I mean which message? It's hard to keep up, especially if you have a good memory and remember what the meaning of the word 'is', is. Candor? CIA man gates? Are you just funnin' with us? Come on! Wake up! Oh wait … here's an incisive statement you can take to the bank … Uncertain outlook for Middle East: Gates [Sounds like a plan!] (Reuters) Overseas official trips amidst crises (Washington Post) [ It’s really quite incredible indeed. It was the espn basketball brackets that got me … so stereotypical … I mean what are they thinking, or not. Riiiight! Not! Well, gates is gone and as a cia man, what he says means absolutely nothing … they kind of pride themselves on that … On the receiving end you gotta think they’re already checking air force one’s return trip schedule hoping to ‘hold out’ and escape potential invasion themselves … After all, what nation in the world can or does trust desperate, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america … oh yeah, maybe fellow war crimes nation israel and orwellian, me-too old-biddy britain.… Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ]As war clouds gathered over Libya on Friday, the U.S. commander in chief and his defense secretary were each preparing to leave Washington to visit places far removed from any military operations. ] The defense secretary is a voice of candor on the Mideast.

Germans pull forces out of NATO as Libyan coalition falls apart Mail Online

‘Libya war could last 30 years’ Mail Online | Ministers admitted they have no idea how long military operation against Gaddafi could take.

You Tube Admits To Freezing View Count On Biden Impeachment Video

National Guard Called Up for Libyan Intervention

New homes are bad deals in some areas (Washington Post) [ If it only was just the new homes being bad deals in some areas … and if it only was just real estate and not, ie., grossly over-valued u.s. stocks, which rallied on the much worse than expected news, etc.. Post 'The rise (in stocks) came in spite of record low new-home sales data and continued worry about the European debt crisis.' Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ]

Portugal’s government collapses (Washington Post) [ Here we go again … that so-called dominoe effect we thought we left behind in Vietnam; yet, truth be told, we have near 50 such dominoes here in the pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt disunited states of america. Yeah, it's actually worse here in terms of insurmountable magnitude.(Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ). That wobama is a failed president, there is no question. Yet, the gop's 'never saw a war / conflict they didn't like' for the sake of the military industrial complex, war profiteers, israel, war criminals, the few, etc., despite the defacto bankruptcy of the nation is quite beyond the pale. ‘US is broke, dollar down, yet policy is to divide & conquer’ RT | America is getting involved in another long-term war, which will ruin its economy. US Approaching Insolvency, Fix To Be ‘Painful’: Fisher CNBC | The United States is on a fiscal path towards insolvency and policymakers are at a “tipping point,”. Kucinich: War is a swamp, Obama Libya action unconstitutional Amid the ongoing coalitional bombardment of Libya it turns out President Obama may have had no constitutional authority for ordering US military involvement. Drudgereport: FED: US Approaching Insolvency... DEM LAWMAKER: IMPEACH OBAMA.. ]

Portugal’s parliament rejects an austerity plan, pushing the country closer to an international bailout and triggering another test of Europe’s ability to deal with an ongoing debt crisis.

Related: Graphic: Europe's financial contagion

3 Reasons to Exit the Market Now Martchev 'NEW YORK (TheStreet) - A S&P 500 futures trader once told me: "After a sharp sell-off, the bounce leading to a first kiss of a 20-day moving average from below is a short sale." But, I had to ask, "Why?" "That's how it is," he said with a typical New York City assertiveness and did not elaborate...'

U.S. cracks down on bribery abroad (Washington Post) [ But keep up the bribery back home since they (the injustice department et als) all have their hands out one way or another, directly or indirectly, sooner or later, for a piece of that ever more elusive, depreciating, if not vanishing american pie. Justice Department, SEC charge companies such as IBM, GE, Alcatel-Lucent, Halliburton, Tyson Foods, etc., for offenses abroad. See … if only these companies could move worthless paper like fraudulent wall street …!

Obama Laments He’s Not President Of Communist China [ Time to relieve wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) of his burden by impeaching / removing him from office without delay! He may not have been the first black president (Clinton is generally considered the first black president by blacks and whites alike, a moniker Clinton accepted and wore proudly – that 18% vote), but he is certainly the last! Drudgereport: City Lowers Police Testing Standards Because Not Enough Blacks Passed... Under pressure from Obama administration... Illinois mayor says Obama still owes city $55,457... Obama to party with Washington reporters... Golf in the afternoon... ] Weekly Standard | “Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China.” Dave’s Daily: ‘…Where is the president? This has been a universal question raised by both right and left. Obama appeared on ESPN to go over his NCAA basketball bracket, is hosting a $30K a plate fund raiser in Harlem and heads this weekend to Rio. The president's disconnect is beyond belief and his ears have turned to tin…’ Obama Plays While Japan Begs for Help [ ‘Wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) is a typical ‘***************’ … Go ahead, fill it in … whatever comes to mind … don’t feel guilty, he’s already a failed president who should be impeached / removed from office without delay and a total incompetent and fraud. ] Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones | With the world on fire, the President goes AWOL again … ’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. …’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] Former general counsel inherited part of a Bernard Madoff account.

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and I thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas ( 3-4-11 Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench (The Daily Beast) ) , but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

· A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..

· Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.

· The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]

· Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]

· Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.

· Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video on the economic / financial collapse from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ]


(Washington Post) [Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States. Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker, along with the dems. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’

World's richest are almost $1 trillion richer [ And the other 95% trillions poorer. ]

Washington Post: Let us know what you think

Weigh in on the redesign, and share or recommend the new washingtonpost.com.

You got to know I like the Post; and, it is your paper; and, it hasn't been particularly good for my posting; and, you know I still like The Washington Post; and, it is your paper; but, let me euphemistically say, you did not help yourself with the changes (except as I surmise as a possible means by which you conserve server / disk space).

There is nothing positive for me to add, unfortunately. Again ... Your paper, your choice.

Al Peia

[I have been under constant barrage / hack / intrusions which has my antivirus working overtime and flashing saves from a multitude of threats. I think this particular thrust by what I reasonably suspect to be paranoid american / israeli criminals / lunatics was probably affected particularly by that blazing full ‘supermoon’, but continues when for now just limited moments I’m logged into windows xp, literally a virus magnet/so-called op system. I thereupon downloaded and installed linux / unbuntu 10.10 (most recent) which also makes available an ‘installer’ (separate download, both free from their official website - http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download ) that facilitates essentially a dual boot (you may choose your operating system for the session – windows or linux/ubuntu). Works like a charm and I strongly recommend it. Microsoft’s a dyingosaur american monopoly company which is an american tale and story of america as a pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, dying / declining nation.]

Select Stocks Boost Markets: Dave's Daily [ Dave: '...Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! ...' ] 'As you must know, many major indices are price weighted and the DJIA takes the lead in this regard. Six of the highest priced stocks Wednesday (IBM, BA, CAT, DVX, MMM & UTX) provided most of the gains. Stocks were lower most of the morning, but volume seemed light, offering an opportunity for buyers to push prices higher. The theme for bulls was reconstruction in Japan even though EWJ (iShares Japan ETF) finished the day slightly lower. ETFs like XLB (SPDR Materials Sector ETF), SLX (Van Eck Steel ETF) and XME (SPDR Metals & Miners) have the "stuff" needed for reconstruction. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd ("I want me some more me!") Blankfein was on the witness stand today. He confirmed director Rajat Gupta violated "confidentiality" by tipping off hedge fund trader Raj Rajaratnam regarding Buffett's investment in his company. Also in the financial sector, the Fed announced it would not permit BAC to payout a dividend post the recent ("covered-up") bank stress tests. This rightly drove shares of many financial companies lower. Further, it should drive taxpayer's nuts that a Fed "gag order" restricting disclosure of stress test results exists. This is taxpayer money after all. Meanwhile, speaking of the Fed we had two days of POMO resulting in $15 billion in fire power for trading desks of Primary Dealers including GS. The poor ADBE outlook lingered over tech but traders always seem to find a way to discard bad news and shift focus elsewhere. Of course, this can only be done so long. Economic data focused on New Home Sales which were down nearly 17% causing the Homebuilder ETF (XHB) to rally. I kid you not! Energy markets were higher despite higher inventories. OPEC spokesmen stated Tuesday they're comfortable at $120. How about you? Gold and silver hit fresh highs, while the euro dropped on Portugal, base metals rallied and bonds were slightly lower. Volume was once again light while breadth per the WSJ was unremarkable...'

3 Reasons to Exit the Market Now Martchev 'NEW YORK (TheStreet) - A S&P 500 futures trader once told me: "After a sharp sell-off, the bounce leading to a first kiss of a 20-day moving average from below is a short sale." But, I had to ask, "Why?" "That's how it is," he said with a typical New York City assertiveness and did not elaborate. That very well may be "how it is" for the unwritten trading rule to look to sell the S&P 500 Index near the 20-day moving average after a sharp sell-off, but I still personally need to know the "why." Technical trading has value, but simply looking at charts is not enough for me. So, I decided to come up with some reasons behind why you should sell this particular rally.

No. 1: Oil Prices are Surging

Oil is above $100 per barrel as the bombardment of Libya has started. A missile already hit the Gaddafi residential compound -- "even though he is not a specific target" -- which, if successful, would have likely shortened the operation and brought a quicker resolution to the situation. (Click here for a related InvestorPlace.com article on investing in 3 dangerous places.) While Gaddafi has halted his attack on Benghazi after jet fighters attacked his troops directly, there is still plenty of fighting elsewhere. It looks to me that the rebels will use the situation to regroup and mount an offensive. In this situation, no foreign oil workers will return to the country anytime soon, causing Libya to further cut oil production. In addition, the situation in Yemen and Bahrain, both of which border Saudi Arabia, is rapidly deteriorating. In this scenario, I recommend taking a look at the U.S. Oil Fund(USO_) (NYSE: USO). This ETF has pulled back along with the front-month futures it tracks. Oil is likely headed higher in the short term, as all the factors that caused it to go to $107 have deteriorated notably while the price is below that level as of the time of this writing. There are liquid April, May and June options on the USO that offer numerous strategies to play the upside. Naked calls are the most risky, while any relevant option spreads will limit your risk and your rewards. (Smart traders try to minimize risk; greedy ones try to maximize the reward.)'

Money Trouble Ahead: 15 Indications That Bad Times Are About To Hit The U.S. Economy 2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now. The American Dream
March 23, 2011

2011 is shaping up to be a really bad year for the U.S. economy. There are all kinds of indications that big trouble is ahead. So far financial markets are weathering all of the chaos around the world fairly well, but just as there were huge flashing warning signs before the 2008 financial crisis there are also huge flashing warning signs now.  The price of oil is soaring, the U.S. housing market is experiencing huge problems, the cost of living in America recently hit a new record high and each week the globe seems to become even more unstable.  How much pounding can our fragile economic system take before it completely collapses?  As the price of oil goes even higher, it is going to cause economic growth to slow down and it is going to cause the prices of the things that we all buy at the stores to go up at the same time.  It is very likely that we are entering a period of “stagflation” similar to what we experienced in the 1970s.  This is going to cause a huge amount of money trouble for millions of American families.  Already there are vast numbers of American families that are barely making it every month.  Tens of millions of Americans are already receiving government assistance.  So what is going to happen when the next financial crash happens and we experience yet another major economic downturn?

The truth is that the financial system was never “fixed” after the crash of 2008.  If anything, it is more vulnerable today than it was back then.  Even as you read this, major imbalances are building up in the global financial system, and at some point a “tipping point” will be reached.

Once that tipping point is reached, it will not be too long before the U.S. economy experiences the next wave of economic problems.  Perhaps we will be fortunate and it will not be as bad as the 2008 crash.  Perhaps this next wave will be even worse than 2008 was.  Only time will tell.

But all of the warning signs are there.  The following are 15 indications that bad times are about to hit the U.S. economy….

#1 The price of gasoline is about to cross the psychologically-important $4 a gallon threshold in some areas of the United States.  For example, the average price of gasoline is now $3.977 in San Diego County and it is $3.955 in Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

#2 The price of oil moved up close to the $105 mark by the end of the day today, and that means that more gasoline price increases are likely on the horizon for American consumers.

#3 In February, food prices in the United States rose at the fastest rate in 36 years.

#4 According to the U.S. Labor Department, the cost of living in the United States hit a brand new all-time record high in the month of February.

#5 According to the National Association of Realtors, sales of previously existing homes in the United States dropped a stunning 9.6 percent in February.  The National Association of Realtors also has announced that the median home price is the lowest it has been in 9 years.

#6 The U.S. is already in the midst of a real estate crash that never seems to end, but many are warning that it is about to get even worse.  For example, prominent housing analyst Gary Shilling is warning that U.S. housing prices are likely to drop another 20 percent.

#7 According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, at least 8 million Americans are at least one month behind on their mortgage payments at this point.

#8 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of new building permits declined 20.5 percent in February on a year over year basis.  According to John Carney of CNBC, a huge decline in building permits is usually an indication that a recession is coming….

All nine recessions since 1959 have seen a year over year decline in building permits. In eight of the last nine the annual rate of change hit negative 20 percent or lower, and the economy went into a recession.

#9 31 percent of the homeowners that responded to a recent Rasmussen Reports survey indicated that they are “underwater” on their mortgages.

#10 Millions of American families are drowning in debt and debt collectors are becoming increasingly aggressive.  According to a new Federal Trade Commission report, consumer complaints about debt collectors rose by 17 percent last year.

#11 Meredith Whitney is warning that even though it may take longer than she originally projected, we are still going to see a wave of municipal bond defaultsworth hundreds of billions of dollars.

#12 The war in Libya is putting upward pressure on the price of oil, it is yet another drain on U.S. government finances, and it is raising tensions across the globe.  Vladimir Putin has called the NATO operation in Libya a “crusade” and China is calling for an immediate cease-fire.  Financial markets do not like instability of this nature.

#13 The rest of the Middle East is melting down as well.  More than 40 demonstrators have been killed in Yemen and the president of that country has declared a state of emergency.  Government buildings are still being set on fire in Egypt.  Ivory Coast is in the midst of a full-blown revolution, and there are ongoing protests in about a dozen other nations across North Africa and the Middle East.  This is really bad for global economic stability.

#14 The damage from the tsunami in Japan continues to affect more American Workers.  GM has just announced that they are going to temporarily lay off workers at a Buffalo engine plant due to a shortage of parts from Japan.  When supply chains are going to get fully back to normal is anyone’s guess.  GM has also temporarily shut down a facility in Shreveport, Louisiana due to supply problems.

#15 There continue to be indications that the amount of radiation being released by the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plants is much higher than we have been led to believe.  The following is an excerpt from a recent report by NHK World….

“Japan’s science ministry says radiation exceeding 400 times the normal level was detected in soil about 40 kilometers from the troubled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The ministry surveyed radioactive substances in soil about 5 centimeters below the surface at roadsides on Monday. The ministry found 43,000 becquerels of radioactive iodine-131 per kilogram of soil, and 4,700 becquerels of radioactive cesium-137 per kilogram about 40 kilometers west-northwest of the plant. Gunma University Professor Keigo Endo says radiation released by the iodine is 430 times the level normally detected in soil in Japan and that released by the cesium is 47 times the norm.”

400 times the normal level amount of radiation 40 kilometers from the plant?

That is something that should be taken very seriously.

Sadly, radiation levels continue to rise throughout northern and central Japan.  If a significant amount of people have to be evacuated from Tokyo at some point that is going to be absolutely devastating for the global economy.

So what should Americans be doing?  How can middle class families weather the storm that is coming?

Well, one thing that can be done is to start saving money and not spending it on frivolous things like new cars and international vacations.  Many Americans did not learn the lessons of 2008 and they are running around blowing money as if the good times will never come to an end.

Also, now is a good time to get out of debt.  Millions of American families are literally drowning in debt, and when the next financial crash comes it is the families that are overextended that will be the most financially vulnerable.

When you see a storm coming, the prudent thing to do is to make preparations.  Most people believe what they want to believe, but anyone that cannot see the economic storm clouds on the horizon at this point has got to be pretty clueless.

Our entire economic system is slowly failing.  Hopefully the folks running things will be able to hold the economy together for a while longer, but when you stop and think about who we have in charge, there are not many reasons to be optimistic.

Their pet goat (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! How can Mr. Milbank defend the indefensible; viz., 'wobama the b' (for b*** s***). Not that the gop is particularly credible … I mean aren't they the wimps on their so-called 'budget plan' (Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ). That wobama is a failed president, there is no question. Yet, the gop's 'never saw a war / conflict they didn't like' for the sake of the military industrial complex, war profiteers, israel, war criminals, the few, etc., despite the defacto bankruptcy of the nation is quite beyond the pale. ‘US is broke, dollar down, yet policy is to divide & conquer’ RT | America is getting involved in another long-term war, which will ruin its economy. US Approaching Insolvency, Fix To Be ‘Painful’: Fisher CNBC | The United States is on a fiscal path towards insolvency and policymakers are at a “tipping point,”. Kucinich: War is a swamp, Obama Libya action unconstitutional Amid the ongoing coalitional bombardment of Libya it turns out President Obama may have had no constitutional authority for ordering US military involvement. Drudgereport: FED: US Approaching Insolvency... DEM LAWMAKER: IMPEACH OBAMA.. ] The GOP takes Obama from tyrant to wimp in one quick trip.

Cost Of Libya War: $100 Million Dollars A Day With U.N. coalition forces bombarding Libyan leader Muammar el-Qaddafi from the sea and air, the United States’ part in the operation could ultimately hit several billion dollars — and require the Pentagon to request emergency funding from Congress to pay for it.

‘US is broke, dollar down, yet policy is war’

Fox News Contrives “Human Shield” Hoax To Sell Libya War Just as Bill Clinton’s bombardment of Serbia was launched on the back of a humanitarian hoax about fake concentration camps, establishment media outlets are already busy contriving phony stories about Gaddafi using “human shields” to convince the American people that the $100 million dollar a day attack on Libya is virtuous and noble.

Economic problems could cross Pacific (Washington Post) [ Could? Is this one of those trick / 'understatement' statements / questions? You know … like … do bears s*** in the woods?... is the Pope catholic? … etc.. Japanese Meltdown Will Inhibit U.S. Recovery Hansen '…Immediately following an economic disaster, there is dislocation. Modern supply chains are disrupted. Transport is problematic. Like a tsunami, the inter-linkage of modern supply chains ripple through all products. Japan is an exporting nation. There are products made only in Japan, or disruption of production of a product where Japan is a significant producer, or the need for Japan to import a product normally not traded internationally. In other words, a ripple will go through availability and prices - both positive and negative.The global supply chains will adapt and improvise. What will go on inside Japan will be different.Japan will have lost forever six nuclear power plants units. A loss of six nukes leaves a huge hole in a nation's ability to produce energy. It will take many years to replace permanently - and the short term solution is building conventional fossil power plants. Manufacturing needs energy. But I fear energy may be a small component of the fallout for this event. In the short term, this is a true black swan event for investors. ...' Fears over Japan impact grow (Washington Post) [ As indeed they must, in keeping with some semblance of reality. ] Some analysts predict the tragedy could dramatically disrupt the fragile global economic recovery. [ You can bet that some bets already placed regarding Japan’s prospective action in the markets; ie., buying or rolling over government securities of such as the u.s., particularly, now fall under that foreboding platitude, ‘all bets are off’. This is an economically / financially staggering event and found the stock market rise of the last two days incomprehensible until I realized as set forth immediately hereafter: ...' ] The earthquake in Japan has led to some supply shortages in the automotive and electronics industries, and analysts say the effect could be widespread.

What They’re Covering Up at Fukushima Hirose Takashi | You get 3,500,000 the normal dose. You call that safe?

Radionuclide Blankets United States; Authorities Insist Levels Are Harmless Paul Joseph Watson | Radioactive Xenon 133 from stricken Fukushima nuclear plant will cover most of the planet.

AT&T’s lobbyists well positioned (Washington Post) [ The ultimate regression. You'd think that with all the negative fallout / consequences from unbridled k street lobbying, that such a scenario as this could not be … yet in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, 'it is!' … AT&T, T-Mobile USA merger deal questioned (Washington Post) [ Questioned? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending.] A day after AT&T announced it would buy T-Mobile USA to create the biggest wireless carrier in the country, consumer advocates and some members of Congress blast the deal.

Merger a disconnect for consumers (Washington Post) [ Yeah! True enough! I had to drop my land line (att/sbc – jersey/bushland) which I kept for the public listing and which became disfunctional / unusable to the point where it was impacting my DSL line; both of which I dropped in favor of MagicJack (I recommend it) and Time Warner Cable / Internet (also better). Deal to combine AT&T, T-Mobile raises questions (AP) [Questions? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending. AP - AT&T's surprise announcement that it plans to acquire T-Mobile USA will force federal regulators to confront a difficult antitrust question: Can American consumers get good wireless service at a ... ] OPINION | Your choice for wireless service would get smaller should AT&T carry out its plan to buy T-Mobile USA. ] Firm confident it will win over regulators to its bid to buy T-Mobile USA, even as critics continue to bash the deal.

U.S. appears closer to turning over command(Washington Post) [ I can't precisely pinpoint exactly when, but at some point, if not for the real tragedy and horrific consequences, national / world events and particularly pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america's lead role in them became a comedy of errors, at best. Working to maintain Arab support (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! … Riiiiight! … I just had to say this here … Doesn't gaddaffy (who forgot to duck) bear a striking resemblance (now, not when he was younger) to David Patterson, former governor of new york (no slight to David Patterson … you've got to be at least a little blind to take an oath upholding law in corrupt, fraudulent, sinkholes new york / mob infested jersey, and america, generally. Mob's man cuomo? What's up with that (as per SNL's Thompson's bit)? Or is it just SNL's Fred Armisen's impression of both that leads me to such a conclusion. But this should help: US Army ‘kill team’ in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civilians infowars.com Commanders in Afghanistan are bracing themselves for possible riots and public fury triggered by the publication of “trophy” photographs of US soldiers posing with the dead bodies of defenseless Afghan civilians they killed … Russia “Regrets Armed Action” Killing 48 in Libya Kurt Nimmo | In a statement issued today, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said 64 civilians were reported to have been killed and 150 wounded in air strikes on Libya. Lukashevich called on Britain, France and the United States Sunday to stop air strikes on non-military targets.

Western Air Strikes Kill 64 in Libya

[I have been under constant barrage / hack / intrusions which has my antivirus working overtime and flashing savesfrom a multitude of threats. I think this particular thrust by what I reasonably suspect to be paranoid american / israeli criminals / lunatics was probably affected particularly by that blazing full ‘supermoon’, but continues when for now just limited moments I’m logged into windows xp, literally a virus magnet/so-called op system. I thereupon downloaded and installed linux / unbuntu 10.10 (most recent) which also makes available an ‘installer’ (separate download, both free from their official website-I will provide the link I used next session http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download ) that facilitates essentially a dual boot (you may choose your operating system for the session – windows or linux/ubuntu). Works like a charm and I strongly recommend it. Microsoft’s a dyingosaur american monopoly company which is an american tale and story of america as a pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, dying / declining nation.]

Gates’s message (Washington Post) [ Which one? And I don't mean which gates. I mean which message? It's hard to keep up, especially if you have a good memory and remember what the meaning of the word 'is', is. Candor? CIA man gates? Are you just funnin' with us? Come on! Wake up! Oh wait … here's an incisive statement you can take to the bank … Uncertain outlook for Middle East: Gates [Sounds like a plan!] (Reuters) Overseas official trips amidst crises (Washington Post) [ It’s really quite incredible indeed. It was the espn basketball brackets that got me … so stereotypical … I mean what are they thinking, or not. Riiiight! Not! Well, gates is gone and as a cia man, what he says means absolutely nothing … they kind of pride themselves on that … On the receiving end you gotta think they’re already checking air force one’s return trip schedule hoping to ‘hold out’ and escape potential invasion themselves … After all, what nation in the world can or does trust desperate, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america … oh yeah, maybe fellow war crimes nation israel and orwellian, me-too old-biddy britain.… Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ]As war clouds gathered over Libya on Friday, the U.S. commander in chief and his defense secretary were each preparing to leave Washington to visit places far removed from any military operations. ] The defense secretary is a voice of candor on the Mideast.

[I have been under constant barrage / hack / intrusions which has my antivirus working overtime and flashing savesfrom a multitude of threats. I think this particular thrust by what I reasonably suspect to be paranoid american / israeli criminals / lunatics was probably affected particularly by that blazing full ‘supermoon’, but continues when for now just limited moments I’m logged into windows xp, literally a virus magnet/so-called op system. I thereupon downloaded and installed linux / unbuntu 10.10 (most recent) which also makes available an ‘installer’ (separate download, both free from their official website-I will provide the link I used next session) that facilitates essentially a dual boot (you may choose your operating system for the session – windows or linux/ubuntu). Works like a charm and I strongly recommend it. Microsoft’s a dyingosaur american monopoly company which is an american tale and story of america as a pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, dying / declining nation.]

I was somewhat nonplussed by the suckers’ market bounce those few days but there was also that ‘shock and awe’ Libyan thing; and then, ‘Eureka!’ … there it was, staring down for all to see … a blazing full moon. Yes, they have such affects on lunatics as in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america et als; but particularly on wall street, and it certainly doesn’t take much to push the frauds on wall street over the edge and into their predisposed fraudulent madness. In fact, you could say, ‘it’s in their genes’. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows

Global Meltdown? [ Looks like … feels like … seems like … Yes, it is! A global meltdown! ] Nyaradi ‘Global meltdown. Scary words, indeed. However, as we look around our world, it certainly does appear that a global meltdown is in progress…’

4 Phases of a Bear Market Meshkati NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- 'Almost exactly one month ago, I described the 4 phases of a bull market cycle. My reason for writing the article was to warn market participants of the impending disaster that tends to strike right around the time a certain class of investor (termed "phase 4" investors) becomes involved in the financial markets...'

Deal to combine AT&T, T-Mobile raises questions (AP) [Questions? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending. AP - AT&T's surprise announcement that it plans to acquire T-Mobile USA will force federal regulators to confront a difficult antitrust question: Can American consumers get good wireless service at a ...

M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds. POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you...'

Japanese Meltdown Will Inhibit U.S. Recovery Hansen

Working to maintain Arab support (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! … Riiiiight! … I just had to say this here … Doesn't gaddaffy (who forgot to duck) bear a striking resemblance (now, not when he was younger) to David Patterson, former governor of new york (no slight to David Patterson … you've got to be at least a little blind to take an oath upholding law in corrupt, fraudulent, sinkholes new york / mob infested jersey, and america, generally. Mob's man cuomo? What's up with that?)? Or is it just SNL's Fred Armistan's impression of both that leads me to such a conclusion. But this should help: US Army ‘kill team’ in Afghanistan posed for photos of murdered civilians infowars.com Commanders in Afghanistan are bracing themselves for possible riots and public fury triggered by the publication of “trophy” photographs of US soldiers posing with the dead bodies of defenseless Afghan civilians they killed … Russia “Regrets Armed Action” Killing 48 in Libya Kurt Nimmo | In a statement issued today, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said 64 civilians were reported to have been killed and 150 wounded in air strikes on Libya. Lukashevich called on Britain, France and the United States Sunday to stop air strikes on non-military targets. 64 civilians reported killed, 150 wounded in the attacks.

[I have been under constant barrage / hack / intrusions which has my antivirus working overtime and flashing saves from a multitude of threats. I think this particular thrust by what I reasonably suspect to be paranoid american / israeli criminals / lunatics is probably affected particularly by this blazing full ‘supermoon’. I thereupon downloaded and installed linux / ubuntu 10.10 (most recent) which also makes available an ‘installer’ (separate download) that facilitates essentially a dual boot (you may choose your operating system for the session – windows or linux/ubuntu – linux/ubuntu comes loaded with very functional software; ie., open office suite, firefox web browser, etc.). Works like a charm and I strongly recommend it. Microsoft’s a dyingosaur american monopoly company which is an american tale and story of america as a pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, dying / declining nation.]

Fed to name banks that took out emergency loans (Washington Post) [Note the skullduggery by the fed which taxpayers are and will further be paying for as pointed out by Dave: M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures... It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows ] The Federal Reserve loses a court battle to keep the information private.

AT&T, T-Mobile USA merger deal questioned (Washington Post) [ Questioned? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending.] A day after AT&T announced it would buy T-Mobile USA to create the biggest wireless carrier in the country, consumer advocates and some members of Congress blast the deal.

Merger a disconnect for consumers (Washington Post) [ Yeah! True enough! I had to drop my land line (att/sbc – jersey/bushland) which I kept for the public listing and which became disfunctional / unusable to the point where it was impacting my DSL line; both of which I dropped in favor of MagicJack (I recommend it) and Time Warner Cable / Internet (also better). Deal to combine AT&T, T-Mobile raises questions (AP) [Questions? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending. AP - AT&T's surprise announcement that it plans to acquire T-Mobile USA will force federal regulators to confront a difficult antitrust question: Can American consumers get good wireless service at a ... ] OPINION | Your choice for wireless service would get smaller should AT&T carry out its plan to buy T-Mobile USA.

In Libya, rifts open in NATO coalition (Washington Post) [ Rift? Murky? New rifts? Sounds more like profound disappointment that a feeding frenzy analogous to those BP oil eating bacteria in the gulf is not imminent . After all, the so-called nato coalition, almost to a nation, is both defacto bankrupt and oil-starved. ] Three days of heavy airstrikes highlight the murky nature of the coalition involved in the effort.

Libya, Hypocrisy and Betrayal by the United Nations: US-NATO’s New War in North Africa of Death and Destruction Infowars.comThe bombing of Libya will begin on or nearly to the day, of the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the destruction of Iraq, 19th March, in Europe.

A People Betrayed: West Launches New War for Oil in Libyainfowars.com And so now, another war. Led by the United States and the religious extremists in Saudi Arabia, the UN Security Council voted to intervene on behalf of one side in the Libyan civil war. Having already armed and trained Moamar Gadafy’s armies and security forces, the Western war-profiteers have now decided to do the same for his opponents.

[I have been under constant barrage / hack / intrusions which has my antivirus working overtime and flashing saves from a multitude of threats. I think this particular thrust by what I reasonably suspect to be paranoid american / israeli criminals / lunatics is probably affected particularly by this blazing full ‘supermoon’. I thereupon downloaded and installed linux / ubuntu 10.10 (most recent) which also makes available an ‘installer’ (separate download) that facilitates essentially a dual boot (you may choose your operating system for the session – windows or linux/ubuntu – linux/ubuntu comes loaded with very functional software; ie., open office suite, firefox web browser, etc.). Works like a charm and I strongly recommend it. Microsoft’s a dyingosaur american monopoly company which is an american tale and story of america as a pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, dying / declining nation.]

I was somewhat nonplussed by the suckers’ market bounce these past two (now three) days, and then, ‘Eureka!’ … there it was, staring down for all to see … a blazing full moon. Yes, they have such affects on lunatics as on wall street and it certainly doesn’t take much to push the frauds on wall street over the edge and into their predisposed fraudulent madness. In fact, you could say, ‘it’s in their genes’. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! M&A, Ben Resuscitate Bulls: Dave's Daily 'If you can keep interest rates this low this long, its inevitable cheap financing can allow companies to start cobbling each other up. Further Ben's policies allow companies like IBM to sell bonds at 1% and buy back shares with the proceeds (total paper bubble-scam). POMO is occurring almost daily and Primary Dealers can buy back their shares and pay dividends with what essentially is taxpayer money--nifty trick eh? With all the geopolitical and nuclear events going on little noticed was Fed "stress tests" of financial institutions to see if they were healthy enough to buy back shares and pay dividends. Making the matter sinister and less transparent is their gag order on the entire process. The Fed also has some toxic waste they'd like to sell you… (see infra)’ Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows

Global Meltdown? [ Looks like … feels like … seems like … Yes, it is! A global meltdown! ] Nyaradi ‘Global meltdown. Scary words, indeed. However, as we look around our world, it certainly does appear that a global meltdown is in progress.At Wall Street Sector Selector, we are nearly fully positioned on the “short” side of global markets and so were fortunate to have had a pleasant day, unlike so many investors and citizens of our small world. I sincerely hope and pray that many pleasant days lie ahead for the people of Japan, Bahrain and Libya.Of course, the big news is in Japan, where the struggle to contain the potential of nuclear meltdown goes on after the tsunami and earthquake. I can’t add much to this discussion other than to say that from a human standpoint, we need to do what we can to help our allies in their time of need.I travel often to Japan and this is a modern Western country now without power and water and basic essentials for many days, and to fully understand this unthinkable tragedy, just try to imagine a 30 foot wall of water coming through your neighborhood, entire neighborhoods and towns disappearing, followed by the threat of nuclear catastrophe and no water and power for days on end during these cold early spring nights.Aside from the human catastrophe, the economic toll of this event will be felt for years. Some analysts estimate that Japan will have to import an additional 200,000 barrels of oil per day to make up for the lost output of the damaged nuclear plants, while insurance and GDP losses are only guestimates at this early hour but will be surely significant. Across the globe, unrest continues in the Middle East as Bahrain is under martial law, the Libyan government continues to quell the revolution (while the United Nations dithers) and Portugal’s credit rating is downgraded and totters again on the edge of financial collapse. At home, Congress continues putting band aids on our national budget deficit while home sales plunge to new lows…’

4 Phases of a Bear Market Meshkati NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- 'Almost exactly one month ago, I described the 4 phases of a bull market cycle. My reason for writing the article was to warn market participants of the impending disaster that tends to strike right around the time a certain class of investor (termed "phase 4" investors) becomes involved in the financial markets...'

Deal to combine AT&T, T-Mobile raises questions (AP) [Questions? Is that all? att / sbc is a horribly managed company that can't even do the simplest things well; ie., land lines and dsl thereby, my direct experience. We've seen this all before. When they can't do, they go monopoly bigger with disasterous results. This is an old story with a familiar ending. AP - AT&T's surprise announcement that it plans to acquire T-Mobile USA will force federal regulators to confront a difficult antitrust question: Can American consumers get good wireless service at a ...

Overseas official trips amidst crises (Washington Post) [ It’s really quite incredible indeed. It was the espn basketball brackets that got me … so stereotypical … I mean what are they thinking, or not. Riiiight! Not! Well, gates is gone and as a cia man, what he says means absolutely nothing … they kind of pride themselves on that … On the receiving end you gotta think they’re already checking air force one’s return trip schedule hoping to ‘hold out’ and escape potential invasion themselves … After all, what nation in the world can or does trust desperate, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america … oh yeah, maybe fellow war crimes nation israel and orwellian, me-too old-biddy britain. ] As war clouds gathered over Libya on Friday, the U.S. commander in chief and his defense secretary were each preparing to leave Washington to visit places far removed from any military operations.

Gaddafi’s forces enter Benghazi as U.S., allies plan military action (Washington Post) [ Ron Paul: Libya Airstrikes Unconstitutional – Only Congress Can Declare War Infowars / Libya, Hypocrisy and Betrayal by the United Nations: US-NATO’s New War in North Africa of Death and Destruction The bombing of Libya will begin on or nearly to the day, of the eighth anniversary of the beginning of the destruction of Iraq, 19th March, in Europe. A People Betrayed: West Launches New War for Oil in Libya And so now, another war. Led by the United States and the religious extremists in Saudi Arabia, the UN Security Council voted to intervene on behalf of one side in the Libyan civil war. Having already armed and trained Moamar Gadafy’s armies and security forces, the Western war-profiteers have now decided to do the same for his opponents. Another Illegal War Of Slaughter Couched In “Humanitarian” Doublespeak Those who were asking what the “international community” planned to do in response to the escalating global crisis surrounding the nuclear plant in Fukushima now have their answer – bomb Libya. As if the world wasn’t experiencing enough turmoil and devastation, another illegal war of aggression has been launched in a volatile region, couched in the retching Orwellian doublespeak of ‘no fly zones’ and ‘humanitarian’ rhetoric. ] Obama warns that Libyan leader faces imminent military action unless troops withdraw from disputed cities, but assaults on rebel-held towns continue.

Pressure on nuclear regulators heats up in U.S. (Washington Post) [ You can bet that g.e. will be feeling some heat … and the courts in Japan, unlike those in the pervasively corrupt u.s. where g.e. would probably have their way regardless of merits, will be very unsympathetic.] The Union of Concerned Scientists released a study citing 14 “near-misses” at domestic plants last year.

Senators call on Obama to join deficit reduction talks (Washington Post) [ I truly believe they have totally lost touch with reality (Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). Furthermore, I think they substantially underestimate the ‘geese and gander’ effect (ie., Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’). Fears over Japan impact grow (Washington Post) [ As indeed they must, in keeping with some semblance of reality. ] Some analysts predict the tragedy could dramatically disrupt the fragile global economic recovery. [ You can bet that some bets already placed regarding Japan’s prospective action in the markets; ie., buying or rolling over government securities of such as the u.s., particularly, now fall under that foreboding platitude, ‘all bets are off’. This is an economically / financially staggering event and found the stock market rise of the last two days incomprehensible until I realized as set forth immediately hereafter: I was somewhat nonplussed by the suckers’ market bounce these past two days, and then, ‘Eureka!’ … there it was, staring down for all to see … a blazing full moon. Yes, they have such affects on lunatics as on wall street and it certainly doesn’t take much to push the frauds on wall street over the edge and into their predisposed fraudulent madness. In fact, you could say, ‘it’s in their genes’. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! ] The act is a powerful sign of bipartisan willingness to abandon long-held positions on entitlement spending and taxes.

Fears over Japan impact grow (Washington Post) [ As indeed they must, in keeping with some semblance of reality. ] Some analysts predict the tragedy could dramatically disrupt the fragile global economic recovery. [ You can bet that some bets already placed regarding Japan’s prospective action in the markets; ie., buying or rolling over government securities of such as the u.s., particularly, now fall under that foreboding platitude, ‘all bets are off’. This is an economically / financially staggering event and found the stock market rise of the last two days incomprehensible until I realized as set forth immediately hereafter:

I was somewhat nonplussed by the suckers’ market bounce these past two days, and then, ‘Eureka!’ … there it was, staring down for all to see … a blazing full moon. Yes, they have such affects on lunatics as on wall street and it certainly doesn’t take much to push the frauds on wall street over the edge and into their predisposed fraudulent madness. In fact, you could say, ‘it’s in their genes’. This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows

Fmr. Dean of White House Press Corps Still Talking About 'the Jews'…[Come on! It’s true of course … quite amazingly since it’s been self-destructive and self-defeating for presidencies and the nation generally … look at the mideast policies, no-pros on the wall street frauds with those ‘goldman’ boys ‘sniffin’ around, etc. ]...

Helen Thomas to Playboy: Jews 'own the White House'

Helen Thomas is not sorry, nor were the comments that ended her career accidental.

“I knew exactly what I was doing – I was going for broke,” she told Playboy in the magazine’s April interview. “I had reached the point of no return. You finally get fed up … I finally wanted to speak the truth.”

Thomas, of course, left her perch as the dean of the White House press corps last year after telling a rabbi and blogger that Jews should “get the hell out of Palestine” and “go home” to “Poland, Germany and America and everywhere else.” Her family is Lebanese and she grew up in the Detroit area, home to one of the country’s densest populations of Arab Americans.

She spoke to Playboy at length about the situation in Palestine, her feelings on American support of Israel, and her take on Jews.

But her most controversial comments echoed ones she’s made before about the influence of Jews in American life, which have contributed to her name being stripped from journalism awards.

"[The Jews are] using their power, and they have power in every direction,” she told Playboy. “Power over the White House, power over Congress … Everybody is in the pocket of the Israeli lobbies, which are funded by wealthy supporters, including those from Hollywood. Same thing with the financial markets. There's total control … It isn't the 2 percent. It's real power when you own the White House, when you own these other places in terms of your political persuasion. Of course they have power. [To the interviewer] You don't deny that. You're Jewish, aren't you?"

She also had some controversial views about memorializing the Holocaust.

"There's nothing wrong with remembering it, but why do we have to constantly remember?" she said. "We're not at fault. I mean, if they're going to put a Holocaust museum in every city in Germany, that's fine with me. But we didn't do this to the Jews. Why do we have to keep paying the price and why do they keep oppressing the Palestinians? Do the Jews ever look at themselves? Why are they always right? Because they have been oppressed throughout history, I know. And they have this persecution. That's true, but they shouldn't use that to dominate."

New York Times to charge for access (Washington Post) [ They’re dreamin’. Who’d be dumb enough to pay for regurgitated, filtered news? ] Some users soon have to pay for Web and mobile access.

G-7 to intervene in currency markets (Washington Post) [ Well there you go … nothing to worry about … now that the G7 is intervening … riiiiight! After all, their track record has been surperlative in precipitating this global meltdown (see infra). ] Major industrialized nations will combine in a rare coordinated currency intervention to keep the Japanese yen from rising too sharply in value in the wake of the country’s recent natural disaster.

This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows

Nuclear emergency could last for weeks, U.S. official warns (Washington Post) [ I must say, and it brings me no joy to say it, but for those looking for some silver lining in all this as the ‘glass-half-full’ perma-bulls have been intimating as the markets rose; well, they’re just dreaming. Japan’s economy, though better than that of defacto bankrupt america’s, was already in the tank, particularly looking forward. Indeed, you could cut current level stock prices in half and still be over-valued inasmuch as this is far more serious in terms of prospective impacts than is being peddled by the pundits. Poor g.e. … like Lucy, they got a ‘lotta splainin’ to do. ] As Japan sprays stricken reactor with tons of water from helicopters and water cannons, the U.S. warns of a long crisis. | Rick Maese and Rob Stein, 9:47 p.m.

Fantasy? You should be on wall street! U.S. stocks rise (Washington Post) (on b*** s*** alone) [ This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength – Harding ] Investors speculate

U.N. approves ‘all necessary measures,’ including no-fly zone, to protect Libyans (Washington Post) [ The u.n. has spoken … just not to israel lately … Hamas says Israeli fighter jets bomb facility in Gaza, killing 2 Palestinians [ War crimes nation israel keeping america looking bad in the Mideast, when defacto bankrupt america can least afford it. ] Washington Post - GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli fighter jets pummeled a Hamas security facility in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing two Palestinian civilians / freedom fighters and wounding four, officials in the Palesinian coastal ... Two killed in Israeli air strike on Hamas compound in Gaza Jerusalem Post Palestinians: Three killed in Israel air strike on Gaza Ha'aretz ] The resolution, passed 10 to 0 with 5 abstentions, opens the door to air and naval attacks against the forces of leader Moammar Gaddafi as he vowed to level the city of Benghazi, the last major rebel stronghold.

Neo-Libs Rejoice As UN Declares War On Libya Neo-libs everywhere are rejoicing. Remember – war is evil unless it’s sprinkled with the magic pixie dust of UN endorsement and “humanitarian” rhetoric, in which case the dead bodies, the terror, and the screaming children are all worth it. The fact that Libya is the richest oil nation on the entire African continent is a mere coincidence. Go back to sleep – basketball is on the TV. Soon you’ll be able to crack open a 6 pack and enjoy the air strikes like you would a Dwyane Wade slam dunk.

VIDEO: EU Naval Forces Fight Piracy off Somali Coast [ Yeah! With all their nation-bankrupting, self-defeating, wasteful, adventuring, warring for no good reason in Afghanistan, etc., I have been at a loss to understand why they are not blasting the skinnies out of the water, along with bombing the skinny-places of refuge! ]

This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and today’s short-covering / suckers’ rally provides an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you still can since there's much worse to come! Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows

Global Meltdown? [ Looks like … feels like … seems like … Yes, it is! A global meltdown! ] Nyaradi ‘Global meltdown.Scary words, indeed. However, as we look around our world, it certainly does appear that a global meltdown is in progress.At Wall Street Sector Selector, we are nearly fully positioned on the “short” side of global markets and so were fortunate to have had a pleasant day, unlike so many investors and citizens of our small world. I sincerely hope and pray that many pleasant days lie ahead for the people of Japan, Bahrain and Libya.Of course, the big news is in Japan, where the struggle to contain the potential of nuclear meltdown goes on after the tsunami and earthquake. I can’t add much to this discussion other than to say that from a human standpoint, we need to do what we can to help our allies in their time of need.I travel often to Japan and this is a modern Western country now without power and water and basic essentials for many days, and to fully understand this unthinkable tragedy, just try to imagine a 30 foot wall of water coming through your neighborhood, entire neighborhoods and towns disappearing, followed by the threat of nuclear catastrophe and no water and power for days on end during these cold early spring nights.Aside from the human catastrophe, the economic toll of this event will be felt for years. Some analysts estimate that Japan will have to import an additional 200,000 barrels of oil per day to make up for the lost output of the damaged nuclear plants, while insurance and GDP losses are only guestimates at this early hour but will be surely significant.Across the globe, unrest continues in the Middle East as Bahrain is under martial law, the Libyan government continues to quell the revolution (while the United Nations dithers) and Portugal’s credit rating is downgraded and totters again on the edge of financial collapse. At home, Congress continues putting band aids on our national budget deficit while home sales plunge to new lows…’

[video] Market Rallies on Oil [ Yeah … riiiiight … that’s bullish … keep the inflation comin’ … talk about inmates running the asylum! ]

27 Signs That The Nuclear Crisis In Japan Is Much Worse Than Either The Mainstream Media Or The Japanese Government Have Been Telling Us How much of a threat is the nuclear crisis in Japan? That question is on the minds of millions of people around the globe tonight. The Economic Collapse March 16, 2011

How much of a threat is the nuclear crisis in Japan? That question is on the minds of millions of people around the globe tonight. Unfortunately, the Japanese government and the mainstream media have both been doing their best to downplay this crisis. Even though there have been massive explosions at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear facility, authorities in Japan have still been very stingy with information and they keep insisting that the situation is under control. But the situation is not under control. In fact, it just seems to get worse with each passing day. Radiation levels are now incredibly high at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex and the radiation cloud is starting to spread. Radiation levels in Tokyo are already 10 times above normal levels, and there are reports in the international media that some people have begun to flee the city. It is imperative that the Japanese government tell the truth about what is going on because this could potentially affect the health of millions of people. There are over 12 million people in the city of Tokyo alone. If this nuclear crisis continues to get worse it could potentially end up killing more Japanese than the tsunami just did.

Yes, things really are that serious.

We are not just talking about a repeat of Chernobyl.

We are possibly talking about “many Chernobyls”.

It is somewhat understandable that the Japanese government and the mainstream media do not want to panic the public, but the reality is that people need the truth about what is going on.

Unfortunately, it is not likely that the Japanese government or the mainstream media are going to “change their stripes” overnight, so in order to try to get an idea of what is really going on we need to look at the clues.

Sometimes it is much more important to watch what people are doing rather than what they are saying.

For example, a significant number of foreign governments are now evacuating personnel from Tokyo.

Why would they be evacuating if there was no threat?

Posted below are 27 signs that the nuclear crisis in Japan is much worse than either the mainstream media or the Japanese government have been telling us. When you take all of these clues and you put them together it really does paint a frightening picture….

#1 Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan is urging all people living within 30 kilometers of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear facility to stay indoors.

#2 Andre-Claude Lacoste, the head of France’s Nuclear Safety Authority, says that the containment vessel surrounding the No. 2 reactor at Japan’s Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex is “no longer sealed“.

#3 Radiation levels in Tokyo are already 10 times above normal levels.

#4 Reuters is reporting that some residents of Tokyo are already starting to flee the city.

#5 Radiation levels in one city north of Tokyo, Utsunomiya, were recently reported to be 33 times above normal levels.

#6 Radiation levels in the city of Saitama have been reported to be 40 timesabove normal levels.

#7 According to Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan, the “possibility of further radioactive leakage is heightening.”

#8 The Japanese government is admitting that radiation levels near the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex are very harmful to human health.

#9 According to the World Nuclear Association, exposure to over 100 millisieverts of radiation a year can lead to cancer. At this point the level of radiation being measured right outside the number 4 reactor at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex is 400 millisieverts per hour.

#10 A U.S. Navy crew that was assisting in relief efforts was exposed to a month’s worth of nuclear radiation in just a single hour.

#11 According to the U.S. Navy, low levels of radiation have been detectedat their bases in Yokosuka and Atsugi.

#12 The USS Ronald Reagan recently detected significant levels of radiation 100 miles off the Japanese coast.

#13 The operator of the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex has pulled out 750 of the 800 workers that were working at the facility.

#14 The French embassy in Tokyo is advising French citizens to leave the city.

#15 The German embassy in Tokyo is advising all German citizens to leave the country entirely.

#16 German technology company SAP is evacuating their offices in Tokyo.

#17 Austria has announced that it is moving its embassy from Tokyo to Osaka due to fears about the radiation.

#18 Finland is urging all of their citizens to leave Tokyo.

#19 The Czech military is sending planes to Japan specifically to evacuate the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.

#20 Air China is canceling many flights to Tokyo.

#21 The Chinese Embassy has announced that it will be evacuating all Chinese citizens from the Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Iwate prefectures.

#22 Russia is making preparations to evacuate civilians and military unitsfrom the Kuril Islands.

#23 Physicist Frank von Hippel recently told the New York Times the following about this disaster: “It’s way past Three Mile Island already”.

#24 The president of France’s nuclear safety authority says that this crisis is now almost as bad as Chernobyl was….

“It’s clear we are at Level 6, that’s to say we’re at a level in between what happened at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.”

#25 There have been reports of extremely high radiation at another nuclear facility in Japan. It has been reported that at the Onagawa nuclear plant radiation that is 700 times the normal level was detected at one point.

#26 One anonymous senior nuclear industry executive told The Times Of India that Japanese power industry managers are “basically in a full-scale panic” and that “they don’t know what to do”.

#27 It is also being reported that there were over 600,000 spent fuel rodsstored at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex. Most of these rods were apparently stored near the top of the 6 reactor buildings. There have already been major explosions at three of those buildings. It is now feared that there is now nothing to prevent many of these spent fuel rods from releasing radiation into the atmosphere. That is really, really bad news.

So is there a threat that nuclear radiation from Japan could reach the United States?

Well, actually everyone agrees that radiation could reach the United States. The controversy is whether or not it will be enough to be harmful to human health.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is admitting that it is “quite possible” that nuclear fallout from this disaster could reach the United States. In fact, Nuclear Regulatory Commission spokesman David McIntyre says that there could already be radiation from Japan over America….

Right now it’s quite possible that there could be some radiation floating over the United States.

But most government officials in the U.S. are insisting that there is “no threat” to the health of American citizens from this crisis at this point.

So how would nuclear radiation from Japan get transported to the United States?

Well, if radiation released by a damaged nuclear reactor got up into the jet stream, the first major land mass that it would encounter would be North America. In fact, the jet stream commonly takes air from over Japan directly over the west coast of the United States. The following video demonstrates this fact beautifully….

So is there any reason for those of us living in the United States to be concerned?

According to the Japanese government, the U.S. government and the mainstream media there is not.

But do you believe them?

The truth is that they seem much more concerned with keeping the public calm rather than telling the public the truth.

Radiation levels are increasing all over northern and central Japan. People are starting to leave Tokyo and other major cities in the region. Foreign governments are evacuating personnel. Fires continue to erupt at the Fukushima Dai-ichi complex. The authorities in Japan seem to have no idea how to solve this crisis.

If even one of those damaged nuclear reactors fully melts down it is going to be a complete and total nightmare. If you live in an area that could potentially be affected by nuclear radiation from Japan you might want to start figuring out how you and your family are going to handle this crisis’

Hamas says Israeli fighter jets bomb facility in Gaza, killing 2 Palestinians [ War crimes nation israel keeping america looking bad in the Mideast, when defacto bankrupt america can least afford it. ] Washington Post - GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli fighter jets pummeled a Hamas security facility in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, killing two Palestinian civilians / freedom fighters and wounding four, officials in the Palesinian coastal ... Two killed in Israeli air strike on Hamas compound in Gaza Jerusalem Post Palestinians: Three killed in Israel air strike on Gaza Ha'aretz

VIDEO: EU Naval Forces Fight Piracy off Somali Coast [ Yeah! With all their nation-bankrupting, self-defeating, wasteful, adventuring, warring for no good reason in Afghanistan, etc., I have been at a loss to understand why they are not blasting the skinnies out of the water, along with bombing the skinny-places of refuge! ]

Drudgereport: UN AUTHORIZES MILITARY STRIKES ON LIBYA...
HILLARY'S WAR
Strikes Could Come Within Hours...
'ALL NECESSARY MEASURES'...
THE BOOT: Sorties from Italy...
Canada on the march...
GADDAFI: 'WE ARE COMING TONIGHT'...
'THERE WON'T BE ANY MERCY'...
Japan's increasingly frantic efforts at nuke plant...
'Like suicide fighters in a war'...
Mayor of town near nuke: 'They're leaving us to die'...
DESPAIR TURNING TO ANGER...
'We're Very Close Now to the Point of No Return'...
U.S. Officials Alarmed By Japanese Handling of Crisis...
Life Among the Ruins...
AP... BBC... KYODO... NHK... REUTERS...
US, JAPAN SPLIT ON NUKE DANGER
Debt Jumps $72B Same Day House Votes to Cut Spending $6B...
Tiny tim geithner to Congress: More Debt, Please...
OBAMA SETS WEEKEND IN RIO!
Family will take in the sights...
SPRING BREAK: Obama the invisible; Anti-leadership amid world crises … [ wobama’s presidency is over, he should be impeached / removed from office ! ] ...
VIDEO: T_rump Says He'll Spend $600 Million on Prez Run… dreamin’, schemin’, to no avail … even this mobster’s bribes couldn’t put him over the top … he’s a joke, a lightweight, and a loser! And, from the nation’s foremost drains / sinkholes, corrupt / mob infested new york / new jersey (he and his corrupt sister judge maryanne should be in jail – Jerry Springer would make a more serious candidate, and that also would be a joke; but at least Springer pioneered that mindless entertainment genre and is intelligent.)...
RACE TO SAVE CORE...

(Washington Post) [ Comments COMMENTS ARE CLOSED WHILE WE UPGRADE OUR SYSTEMS ]

Dana Milbank In state legislatures, Tea Partyers take democracy to absurd lengths. (Washington Post) [ I love to pick on Mr. Milbank … we’re so … ‘opposite’. ‘Louis Brandeis’? As they say on Saturday Night Live, ‘What’s up with that, what’s up with that’. I concede he was a brilliant jurist (my personal favorite was Holmes, especially Holmes’ discussion of the law as providing foreseeability of consequences to actions, ie., threatening to do what one legally can do which enables the other party to avoid such consequences, etc.. – Boy, did he get that wrong with pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt ‘modern america’ where meaningfully lawlessness reigns supreme (see, ie., RICO case [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ] ). Yet Brandeis’ powers of foresight were sorely lacking [ Upon completion of his first semester exams he was packing his bags to leave (I think harvard) certain he had failed out. In fact, he ‘aced’ them all. (I can empathize with that feeling which unlike anytime after a test I felt after the 3 day bar exam. I felt drained and ‘certain’ I had failed. In fact, I scored so high on the multi-state that my ‘jersey part’ of the exam became irrelevant (how prescient a circumstance). ] Laboratory?... I don’t think so … unless you’re talking of that of Dr. Frankenstein himself.

2chambers: McConnell, McCain draw the line (Washington Post) [ mccain recently said that if he had been elected president, defacto bankrupt america would be fighting 3 wars. Talk about a race to the ‘bottom’. Earth to mccain … that’s why you weren’t elected (mccain’s a loser, from wrestler, to downed pilot, to songbird pow, to keating 5 man who should have gone to jail, etc.; although wobama the b (for b*** s***), despite promises to the contrary, has been no better; viz., maybe 2 and a half wars despite the nation’s defacto bankruptcy. Never trust a *********** Go ahead, fill it in … whatever comes to mind … don’t feel guilty, his presidency’s done! Obama Laments He’s Not President Of Communist China [ Time to relieve wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) of his burden by impeaching / removing him from office without delay! He may not have been the first black president (Clinton is generally considered the first black president by blacks and whites alike, a moniker Clinton accepted and wore proudly – that 18% vote), but he is certainly the last! Drudgereport: City Lowers Police Testing Standards Because Not Enough Blacks Passed... Under pressure from Obama administration... Illinois mayor says Obama still owes city $55,457... Obama to party with Washington reporters... Golf in the afternoon... ] Weekly Standard | “Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China.” Dave’s Daily: ‘…Where is the president? This has been a universal question raised by both right and left. Obama appeared on ESPN to go over his NCAA basketball bracket, is hosting a $30K a plate fund raiser in Harlem and heads this weekend to Rio. The president's disconnect is beyond belief and his ears have turned to tin…’ Obama Plays While Japan Begs for Help [ ‘Wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) is a typical ‘***************’ … Go ahead, fill it in … whatever comes to mind … don’t feel guilty, he’s already a failed president who should be impeached / removed from office without delay and a total incompetent and fraud. ] Watson/Jones | With the world on fire, the President goes AWOL again … ’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. ]

Is the Bear Market Back? [ The bear market never left … This has been a manipulated bubble-bull cycle in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and hence, is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! ] Michaud ‘Financial Markets at Critical Junctures’ (see infra)

U.S. Stocks in Red, Though Markets Cut Early Losses Amid Fed Optimism [ Fed optimism? You mean ‘fed b*** s*** ‘! Yes, we’re spoon fed ‘fed b*** s*** ‘. The same ‘no-recession’ b*** s*** that wall street frauds are made of and thrive on. What do you expect them to say? After all, it’s the fed’s incompetence, complicity and wall street’s greed, fraud! ] Midnight Trader (see infra)

The sad, hypocritical retirement of Evan Bayh Klein (Washington Post) [ What’s so sad about it? Maybe only that the entire congress hasn’t stepped down with him, along with ‘wobama the b’ and the rest of his executive branch except law enforcement, and that other so-called judicial branch of plushly accoutered lifetime appointees. After all, someone must bear responsibility for the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt state of the nation. If not them, then who. In the figurative (and I mean figurative not literal) sense, we should all burst out with that familiar refrain from ‘Another one bites the dust’.]

Obama Laments He’s Not President Of Communist China [ Time to relieve wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) of his burden by impeaching / removing him from office without delay! He may not have been the first black president (Clinton is generally considered the first black president by blacks and whites alike, a moniker Clinton accepted and wore proudly – that 18% vote), but he is certainly the last! Drudgereport: City Lowers Police Testing Standards Because Not Enough Blacks Passed... Under pressure from Obama administration... Illinois mayor says Obama still owes city $55,457... Obama to party with Washington reporters... Golf in the afternoon... ] Weekly Standard | “Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China.” Dave’s Daily: ‘…Where is the president? This has been a universal question raised by both right and left. Obama appeared on ESPN to go over his NCAA basketball bracket, is hosting a $30K a plate fund raiser in Harlem and heads this weekend to Rio. The president's disconnect is beyond belief and his ears have turned to tin…’ Obama Plays While Japan Begs for Help [ ‘Wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) is a typical ‘***************’ … Go ahead, fill it in … whatever comes to mind … don’t feel guilty, he’s already a failed president who should be impeached / removed from office without delay and a total incompetent and fraud. ] Paul Joseph Watson & Alex Jones | With the world on fire, the President goes AWOL again … ’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. …’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] Former general counsel inherited part of a Bernard Madoff account.

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and I thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas ( 3-4-11 Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench (The Daily Beast) ) , but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

1. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
2. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
3. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
4. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
5. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
6. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video on the economic / financial collapse from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ]

(Washington Post) [Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States. Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker, along with the dems. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’

World's richest are almost $1 trillion richer [ And the other 95% trillions poorer. ]

Lessons from the long tail of improbable disaster (Washington Post) [ No! I disagree with the implication of the article! Modern life advantages? What, new fangled frauds? That was the bottomline to the real estate debacle; that is, the ‘pretend’ was creating an ongoing plethora of profits derived from literally worthless paper. If not for financial incentive (from fraud), and certainty of prosecution for the fraud (to date such has not occurred), this still extant debacle in the trillions would not have occurred. Moreover, and this is not 20/20 hindsight, I had no idea of the prevalence of earthquakes in Japan (but was aware of their nuclear energy commitment) and clearly, conscious decisions for the sake of extra profits were made regardless of risk. Some (ie., earthquake-prone) nations just have to suck it up and make do without nuclear (and pay more for fossil fuels, etc., which would affect margins). The BP disaster was the consequence of a known flaw, even warned against by personnel close to the debacle (the solution possibly affecting executive bonuses, yacht, plane, exotic vacation home, etc.). New Orleans? … well, who’d want to live there anyway outside of the Mardi Gras celebration…just kidding. All the attention in the world does not change the ‘facts of life’. No, not those facts of life, but reality. ] The lesson of disasters such as the one in Japan is that more attention must be paid to extra risks that come with all the advantages of modern life

Hidden workforce hinders recovery (Washington Post) [ Come on! Get real! They’ll never give up that ‘fudge factor’ that gives them cover for their prevarication and continued wall street churn and earn bubble fraud. ] The biggest challenge to the nation’s economic recovery is Americans who have stopped looking for new jobs.

This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come!

(Washington Post) [ Comments COMMENTS ARE CLOSED WHILE WE UPGRADE OUR SYSTEMS ]

Lessons from the long tail of improbable disaster (Washington Post) [ No! I disagree with the implication of the article! Modern life advantages? What, new fangled frauds? That was the bottomline to the real estate debacle; that is, the ‘pretend’ was creating an ongoing plethora of profits derived from literally worthless paper. If not for financial incentive (from fraud), and certainty of prosecution for the fraud (to date such has not occurred), this still extant debacle in the trillions would not have occurred. Moreover, and this is not 20/20 hindsight, I had no idea of the prevalence of earthquakes in Japan (but was aware of their nuclear energy commitment) and clearly, conscious decisions for the sake of extra profits were made regardless of risk. Some (ie., earthquake-prone) nations just have to suck it up and make do without nuclear (and pay more for fossil fuels, etc., which would affect margins). The BP disaster was the consequence of a known flaw, even warned against by personnel close to the debacle (the solution possibly affecting executive bonuses, yacht, plane, exotic vacation home, etc.). New Orleans? … well, who’d want to live there anyway outside of the Mardi Gras celebration…just kidding. All the attention in the world does not change the ‘facts of life’. No, not those facts of life, but reality. ] The lesson of disasters such as the one in Japan is that more attention must be paid to extra risks that come with all the advantages of modern life

Marc Faber On The Japanese Disaster, On A 20% Market Correction And On QE18 Marc Faber appeared earlier on CNBC in response to a plunging market, and gave his latest updated outlook on QE3… and 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (not to mention 18). Tyler Durden Zero Hedge March 15, 2011 ‘Marc Faber appeared earlier on CNBC in response to a plunging market, and gave his latest updated outlook on QE3… and 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 (not to mention 18). “We may drop 10 to 15 percent. Then QE 2 will come, (then) QE 4, QE 5, QE 6, QE 7—whatever you want. The money printer will continue to print, that I’m sure. .. I meant to say QE 18.” …

Is the Bear Market Back? [ The bear market never left … This has been a manipulated bubble-bull cycle in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and hence, is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! ] Michaud ‘Financial Markets at Critical Junctures’ (see infra)

U.S. Stocks in Red, Though Markets Cut Early Losses Amid Fed Optimism [ Fed optimism? You mean ‘fed b*** s*** ‘! Yes, we’re spoon fed ‘fed b*** s*** ‘. The same ‘no-recession’ b*** s*** that wall street frauds are made of and thrive on. What do you expect them to say? After all, it’s the fed’s incompetence, complicity and wall street’s greed, fraud! ] Midnight Trader (see infra)

The sad, hypocritical retirement of Evan Bayh Klein (Washington Post) [ What’s so sad about it? Maybe only that the entire congress hasn’t stepped down with him, along with ‘wobama the b’ and the rest of his executive branch except law enforcement, and that other so-called judicial branch of plushly accoutered lifetime appointees. After all, someone must bear responsibility for the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt state of the nation. If not them, then who. In the figurative (and I mean figurative not literal) sense, we should all burst out with that familiar refrain from ‘Another one bites the dust’.]

Obama Laments He’s Not President Of Communist China [ Time to relieve wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) of his burden by impeaching / removing him from office without delay! He may not have been the first black president (Clinton is generally considered the first black president by blacks and whites alike, a moniker Clinton accepted and wore proudly – that 18% vote), but he is certainly the last! Drudgereport: City Lowers Police Testing Standards Because Not Enough Blacks Passed... Under pressure from Obama administration... Illinois mayor says Obama still owes city $55,457... Obama to party with Washington reporters... Golf in the afternoon... ] Weekly Standard | “Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China.”

Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’

World's richest are almost $1 trillion richer [ And the other 95% trillions poorer. ]

Lessons from the long tail of improbable disaster (Washington Post) [ No! I disagree with the implication of the article! Modern life advantages? What, new fangled frauds? That was the bottomline to the real estate debacle; that is, the ‘pretend’ was creating an ongoing plethora of profits derived from literally worthless paper. If not for financial incentive (from fraud), and certainty of prosecution for the fraud (to date such has not occurred), this still extant debacle in the trillions would not have occurred. Moreover, and this is not 20/20 hindsight, I had no idea of the prevalence of earthquakes in Japan (but was aware of their nuclear energy commitment) and clearly, conscious decisions for the sake of extra profits were made regardless of risk. Some (ie., earthquake-prone) nations just have to suck it up and make do without nuclear (and pay more for fossil fuels, etc., which would affect margins). The BP disaster was the consequence of a known flaw, even warned against by personnel close to the debacle (the solution possibly affecting executive bonuses, yacht, plane, exotic vacation home, etc.). New Orleans? … well, who’d want to live there anyway outside of the Mardi Gras celebration…just kidding. All the attention in the world does not change the ‘facts of life’. No, not those facts of life, but reality. ] The lesson of disasters such as the one in Japan is that more attention must be paid to extra risks that come with all the advantages of modern life

Hidden workforce hinders recovery (Washington Post) [ Come on! Get real! They’ll never give up that ‘fudge factor’ that gives them cover for their prevarication and continued wall street churn and earn bubble fraud. ] The biggest challenge to the nation’s economic recovery is Americans who have stopped looking for new jobs.

This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come!

Poll: Support for Afghan war waning (Washington Post) [ Waning? When have these nation-bankrupting, perpetual war policies been other than ‘waning’, except among the zionists, neocons, war criminals, military industrial complex, war profiteers, etc.. It was opposition to these perpetual war policies that got ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) elected, only to be revealed for the blatant liar / fraud that he truly is. ]

This is the grim economic reality http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come!

Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’

World's richest are almost $1 trillion richer [ And the other 95% trillions poorer. ]

Saudi troops intervene in Bahrain (Washington Post) [ This most assuredly is exactly that; viz., a ‘declaration of war’. And, as importantly, the militant / transgressor is hardly a righteous player but rather a self-interested, totalitarian, family plutocracy whose actions cannot be supported by any criteria heretofore promulgated precluding same. Saudi police open fire at protest (Washington Post) [ Time to revoke the saudi pass to do whatever please owing to their preposterous claim to all the oil wealth of the entire Saudi nation. 16 miles away, Saudi Arabia's watchful eye looms over Bahrain unrest (Washington Post) [ I’m sure they are… with a microscope at that. Saudis Worried Protests Will Hit Home - saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so For the sake of the saudi Arabian people, more than just protests should come to fruition! ] AFP | Saudi royal warns Arab world uprisings could cause harm unless they reform. Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America ‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK'] Opposition calls move to shore up monarchy and quell protests a “declaration of war.”

Store shelves empty even outside disaster zone as panic buying grips Japan (Washington Post) [ I think the term ‘panic-buying’ with its connotation of ‘overreaction’ is a misnomer and misapplied to this unprecedented catastrophe. I further believe that the magnitude of the fallout, literally and figuratively, economically and otherwise, cannot be overstated in being far more dire in negatively impacting already dour global economic prospects. ] TOKYO - Canned goods, batteries, bread and bottled water have vanished from store shelves and long lines of cars circle gas stations, as Japan grapples with a new risk set off by last week's earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis: panic-buying.

Controversey Over Bonuses (Washington Post) : I think an appropriate bonus for anyone on capital hill is an all-expenses-paid trip to ………… JAIL! Fed meets as risks widen; policymakers aim to guard against inflation while fostering growth (Washington Post) [ Come on! Let’s not kid each other! The fed’s failed on both counts, continuing the policies of failure ushered in by the senile greenspun… This is the grim economic reality http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm . This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! … Who, Besides Ben Bernanke, Wants to Buy (u.s.) Bonds? Well, PIMCO just voted with their feet (they’re out of them) … Japansunami will preclude same (note: despite the dire implications for defacto bankrupt america owing to their costly reconstruction preoccupation … market suckers’ rally into the close and off the lows to keep investors suckered … you can do such things, especially into the close, with those computerized high frequency trade programs which are great for generating commissions from the old ‘in-out, in-out’, and then some … these days like last crash / crisis are made for such frauds.) … don’t go looking to china to take more baths, especially with that recent trade deficit of theirs. The answer is no-one! And, one can begin to see the fed’s reluctance to alow proper scrutiny of their books ( technically ‘insolvent’ but printing ever more worthless paper); beyond their complicity in the massive wall street frauds cashed out with their help, there’s the worthless ‘paper on paper’ debacle just around the corner. ] WASHINGTON - The Federal Reserve meets Tuesday at a time of widening economic risks: higher oil and food prices; unemployment near 9 percent; crises in the Middle East and Japan.

Operators struggle to stabilize nuclear plants Attempts to cool Fukushima Daiichi reactors have failed (Washington Post) [ ‘China Syndrome’ … now being third after China, economically speaking, is the least of Japan’s worries. While never really giving it much thought, though seemingly 20/20 hindsightish (it’s really not), I always assumed now admittedly unrealistically, that nuclear plants were built in nonearthquake-prone-zones. Clearly, that’s not the case in Japan and I all but wonder where else. ] Some 170,000 evacuated, 160 possibly exposed; other facility declares state of emergency.

Who, Besides Ben Bernanke, Wants to Buy (u.s.) Bonds? [ Well, PIMCO just voted with their feet (they’re out of them) … Japansunami will preclude same (note: despite the dire implications for defacto bankrupt america owing to their costly reconstruction preoccupation … market suckers’ rally into the close and off the lows to keep investors suckered … you can do such things, especially into the close, with those computerized high frequency trade programs which are great for generating commissions from the old ‘in-out, in-out’, and then some … these days like last crash / crisis are made for such frauds.) … don’t go looking to china to take more baths, especially with that recent trade deficit of theirs. The answer is no-one! And, one can begin to see the fed’s reluctance to alow proper scrutiny of their books ( technically ‘insolvent’ but printing ever more worthless paper); beyond their complicity in the massive wall street frauds cashed out with their help, there’s the worthless ‘paper on paper’ debacle just around the corner.]

Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’

BOB PRECHTER: We're Still In A Massive Bear Market And Stocks Will Crash To New Lows Blodget ‘Investors have gotten wildly bullish of late, as the bull market that started in early 2009 keeps driving stocks to new highs. But the pigs are about to get slaughtered, says Bob Prechter, president of Elliott Wave International and editor of the Elliott Wave Theorist. Prechter still thinks the new bull market is just a cyclical "retracement" of some of the bear market losses that we've had since the market crashed in 2008.  Prechter expected this retracement to drive stocks 50% above the market lows, but stocks have since soared 30% higher than than he expected.  So when the day of reckoning comes, Prechter thinks, it will be even more startling.  And Prechter still thinks that stocks will eventually crash to new bear-market lows (read: below 6,800 on the DOW). What makes Prechter think this day of reckoning may come sooner rather than later? Sentiment indicators and other technical analysis. Investor bullishness has now gotten so extreme, Prechter says, that it has exceeded the levels in 2008 before the market crashed.  Investors could still get even more bullish, of course, but eventually they'll pay for this optimism. And Prechter's not just bearish on stocks: He thinks oil, silver, and other commodities are absurdly overvalued, too.  The only thing he's bullish on is the dollar. And lest he be dismissed as a perma-bear, Bob Prechter is quick to add that he hopes there will come a day when he can come on the show and tell everyone that stocks are finally so crushed and hated that it's a historic opportunity to buy them.  When will that be? Stay tuned...’ The Case for a Bear Market for Stocks Suttmeier ‘In making a bearish call on the U.S. stock market, I base it on both fundamental and technical factors. The fundamentals show that stocks are overvalued and we have had three ValuEngine Valuation Warnings so far this year. The January warning was ignored by the market but so far stocks peaked with the warning issued on February 18 and re-iterated on March 3. During this period we have seen many days where all 16 sectors have been overvalued, with eight to 11 by double-digit percentages. Today 63.8% of all stocks are overvalued, and all 16 sectors are overvalued, 11 by double-digit percentages…’

Utilities Are Warning the Correction Is Here Gayed ‘The utilities sector (IDU) may not be the most fascinating sector of the market to watch, but in many ways can be one of the most important. Legendary technical analyst Edson Gould, known for being one of the best market timers of all time, believed that the performance of utilities was an early indicator for broad market movements. He noted often times that when utilities performed exceptionally well, within a short period of time, markets would experience a period of volatility and declining prices…’

Is the Bear Market Back? [ The bear market never left … This has been a manipulated bubble-bull cycle in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone and hence, is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! ] Michaud ‘Financial Markets at Critical Junctures

Milbank: King's red scare (Washington Post) [ It truly is difficult for me to imagine being on the same page as Mr. Milbank on virtually any topic at all; and, yet here I am, on the same page agreeing with him with what has already occurred to me in thinking about the mccarthyish way of political opportunist for his zionist district politics, neocon peter king. It is important to distinguish the ‘anti-communist’ tenor of mccarthy’s day, communism being in my view a very real threat in light of my own staunch opposition to communism, the ultimate ‘b*** s***’ political doctrine / social organization whereby everybody is purportedly equal, yet some bureaucrats / party members were far more equal in every way than others. Yet, pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america (Batista’s cuba is an example on smaller scale) has become a poster-child for the failure of capitalism (though capitalism is but a fading memory for america in favor of the corrupt bureaucratic morass it’s become) with totalitarian communist china the greatest beneficiary though it’s capitalism that has garnered china enormous success. The irony of it all. While the communist threat was all too real, from the beginning (upon the long overdue fall of communism), there was a void sought to be filled by the military industrial complex, neocons, zionists, war profiteers, etc., literally ‘militants without a cause’. A sad reality that’s all too real. ]

NATO endorses plan for Afghan forces to take over several areas (Washington Post) [ Yeah! Sounds like a plan … if the several areas encompass the entire nation; and, nato quits their foolishness in wasting money they don’t have for the sake of the military industrial complex, war profiteers, thieves, and (nato) heroin dealers. ]

Major changes ahead for U.S. mortgage system (Washington Post) [ Duh! Ya think? … How ‘bout major changes to the entire pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt u.s. (illegal) system, long overdue … SEC chief: Becker should not have worked on Madoff fallout (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! Everyone now knows here and abroad that capital hill is just an incestuous, nepotic morass of venal, greedy, corrupt incompetents who do or don’t do whatever is necessary to further their personal financial interests, including bribes both direct and indirect, now or later. Between goldman’s / citi’s rubin, and paulsen, and etc., etc., they’ve pillaged the treasury and aided / abetted / covered up a still extant fraud. Now those who can, do; those who can’t, work for the u.s. government. Who’s the head of enforcement? A goldman man of course. Madoff? House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. …’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] Former general counsel inherited part of a Bernard Madoff account.

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and I thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas ( 3-4-11 Throw Clarence Thomas Off the Bench (The Daily Beast) ) , but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

7. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
8. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
9. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
10. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
11. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
12. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ]

] Higher down payments could be demanded by lenders, and the availability of long-term mortgages with fixed interest rates could be curtailed.

Disaster in Japan threatens recession recovery (Washington Post) [ Recovery? … Dreamin’ … and, we’re way past the ‘straw broke the camel’s back’ … we’re really talkin’ about final nails in the coffin … This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! What Can the Great Depression Teach Us About Our Great Recession? Chartprophet ‘Is the massive market rally of the past two years just a temporary recovery that has tricked many investors to jump back into stocks right before the next plunge? And how can the Great Depression reveal what may happen to the markets this year, almost 80 years later?As we enter the third year of what has been a very impressive "bull" market, many are left wondering whether this incredible run of as much as 100 percent on the S&P 500 can continue - and for how long. Yet while the economy seems to have rebounded very strongly off of its early 2009 lows, accompanied by improving fundamentals, increased company earnings, and a more optimistic consumer, many investors fail to at least consider the thought that this entire "recovery" could, in fact, be just an extreme overreaction to the 2008 market crash. In other words, the huge rally we have seen in the global stock markets since early 2009 could be just a temporary recovery and pause before the next - and possibly worse - market decline.

It was less than a year ago that the fear of an economic "double dip" - a plunge back down to recession - intensely gripped the markets. The "flash crash", BP oil spill, European troubles, high unemployment, and potential derailment of the economy all posed a severe threat to the viability of our recovery. Yet while many parts of the economy seem to have been improving, there are still so many issues surfacing daily that most of the world is basically ignoring. I am not saying that all these issues are guaranteed to pull us back into recession, but with such a huge rebound in stocks accompanied by so many potential derailers, it may not be so far-fetched to at least consider the possibilities of the tremendous upcoming turmoil.

The issues now: huge government debt, credit crisis, European troubles, high insider selling, Middle East turmoil, surging oil prices that threaten to hurt the economy, soaring commodity prices, surfacing inflation, uncertainty about the Fed's QE2 and QE3, billions of dollars of toxic assets on the balance sheets of many banks, emerging market weakness since the end of 2010, real estate bubbles from China to Singapore, rationalization of fundamentals and a strong complacency that things will continue to be just as positive as they have been, a very slowly-improving unemployment picture, and perhaps one of the most telling points - the average investor is finally getting back in, and maybe right at the end of the rally.

So why should investors at least consider the possibility of a "double dip"? What are the potential scenarios if this tremendous market rally was, in fact, a "fool's rally"? And what can the Great Depression teach us about our current situation?

First, we must understand what a "fool's rally" is:

Otherwise known as a "Dead Dog Bounce," the fool's rally is a corrective bounce or temporary rebound that follows a severe decline in an individual stock or broader market. Following a severe decline, stocks and markets can sometimes see sharp bounces off of the lows as a rapid overreaction to the downside is followed by an overreactive bounce to the upside. In other words, a market crashes quickly and sharply but rebounds temporarily as much of the bad news takes some time to fully sink in.

This phenomenon is has been termed the "Dead Dog Bounce," based on the statement that "even a dead dog will bounce" if dropped from high enough. Here's an image of what this looks like:
[picture]
The Dead Dog Bounce is just a temporary recovery, however. The scenario is as follows: 1) the market drops sharply; 2) after an extreme downturn, the market recovers as some investors buy up what they consider to be "value"; 3) the market cannot make it all the way back up to where it started its down move, however, because the economy is nowhere near as healthy as it was; 4) the investors who have pulled their money out of the stock market or who have missed the recovery now jump back in, thinking the market is going back up; 5) since this has been a dead dog bounce, and therefore just a corrective rebound before the dead dog falls back down, many investors were tricked into thinking the recovery was underway - but the market enters the next phase of decline or recession. A double dip takes place.

Think of a tennis ball dropped from the top of a building: as it drops, it gains momentum, hits the ground, and bounces up - but the bounce can not be as high as its original point. And following that bounce, it will ultimately be pulled back down by gravity. So too the Dead Dog Bounce - the market drops from above, falls sharply, hits the "ground," bounces back up (but not as high), and ultimately falls back down.

[picture]

I bring the Great Depression up because it is one of the best examples of a Dead Dog Bounce. We often think of the Crash of 1929 as the biggest event of the Great Depression, and perhaps also consider it to be the biggest drop in the market. But that actually wasn't the case.

Here's how the Dead Dog Bounce played out in the Great Depression:

click to enlarge
[chart]
Following 17 years of sideways movement beginning, the market finally embarked on an uptrend from 1921 to the ultimate peak of 1929.

Compare the above chart to what we have recently seen in our market:
[chart]
Like the Dow from 1904 to 1921, the Dow of 1960 to 1983 was also stuck in a long sideways trend. It eventually broke out above the 1,000 level in 1983 and began one of the greatest bull markets we have ever seen. Like the 1929 top before the Great Depression, the 2007 peak marked the top before the Great Recession we find ourselves in. The two charts above look eerily similar, and make dismissing the relationship between the Great Depression and Great Recession almost a fool's move.

Now take a look at the 1929 stock market crash:
[chart]
After reaching a peak of 380+, the Dow tumbled to under 200 as the Crash of 1929 sent markets into a free-fall. Following the Crash, a Dead Dog Bounce took place - raising the market approximately 50 percent.

Compare the 1929-1930 Crash-Dead Dog Bounce scenario with what we have just seen:
[chart]
After a bull market from 2003 to the end of 2007, the Dow reached a peak of over 14,000. As the housing market collapsed, so did the stock market - sending the Dow below 6,500. As in the Dow of 1929-1930, a potential Dead Dog Bounce has followed since 2009 and continues until today.

The question remains - what followed the Dead Dog Bounce of 1929-1930, and will our market follow the same course?

Here's how it played out in 1930:
[chart]
The Crash of 1929 was almost negligible in comparison to the Great Depression that followed. The Crash sent the Dow tumbling from 380 to 200, and was followed by a Dead Dog Bounce which recovered over 50 percent of the Crash; but the real damage was done beginning in April 1930 and lasting until late 1932 - where the Dow toppled from nearly 300 to less than 50 - a loss of over 83 percent.

The Dead Dog Bounce in 1929 and 1930 was just a corrective overreaction to the steep plunge that the Crash of 1929 brought to the market. But as we can see, the Crash and the ensuing bounce were nothing compared to the huge drop that followed and carried through until the end of the Great Depression.

We now find ourselves in perhaps a similar situation - a market that saw a very impressive bull run for years, and reached a lofty top followed by a severe downturn in 2008 and early 2009. It has since shown signs of improving, and many investors and economists are optimistic for the future - thinking the worst is behind us. But with so many negative and potentially devastating issues constantly surfacing, are we just in the middle of a Dead Dog Bounce before reality sets in and the market plunges back down into recession? I do not yet know the answer to that question. But with the very strong similarities between our market and that of the Great Depression, it would be very wise to at least pay attention.

[picture]

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.’

] The earthquake and tsunami in Japan struck an area that accounts for only a small fraction of the country's economic activity, but damage could still run into the tens of billions of dollars.

Japan reeling after quake (Washington Post) [ Japan reeling, wall street rallying? … What’s wrong that picture? … Hello! … earth to wall street, reality calling … Can’t be good for oil prices, or the debt market (for u.s.) for starters … Who, Besides Ben Bernanke, Wants to Buy (u.s.) Bonds? [ Well, PIMCO just voted with their feet (they’re out of them) … Japansunami will preclude same (note: despite the dire implications for defacto bankrupt america owing to their costly reconstruction preoccupation … market suckers’ rally anyway to keep investors suckered and from getting any rational selling ideas over the weakend … you can do such things, especially into the close, with those computerized high frequency trade programs which are great for generating commissions from the old ‘in-out, in-out’, and then some … these days like last crash / crisis are made for such frauds.) … don’t go looking to china to take more baths, especially with that recent trade deficit of theirs. The answer is no-one! And, one can begin to see the fed’s reluctance to alow proper scrutiny of their books; beyond their complicity in the massive wall street frauds, cashed out with their help, there’s the worthless ‘paper on paper’ debacle just around the corner. ] A bulldozing tsunami leaves the country bracing for an epic humanitarian disaster.

Saudi police open fire at protest (Washington Post) [ Time to revoke the saudi pass to do whatever please owing to their preposterous claim to all the oil wealth of the entire Saudi nation. 16 miles away, Saudi Arabia's watchful eye looms over Bahrain unrest (Washington Post) [ I’m sure they are… with a microscope at that. Saudis Worried Protests Will Hit Home - saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so For the sake of the saudi Arabian people, more than just protests should come to fruition! ] AFP | Saudi royal warns Arab world uprisings could cause harm unless they reform. Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America ‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK'

NATO troops kill Karzai's cousin in botched raid, Afghans say (Washington Post) [ ‘All the right moves’. Right, right, right! Righto!…Riiiiight! Winning those hearts and minds; or as Charlie Sheen would say … duh … winning! Whew! U.N. alarmed by surge in civilian casualties in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ No, gates has already addressed that … minor setbacks, says he … Turmoil jars U.S. counter-terror efforts (Washington Post) [ Now how does this come as a surprise to anyone? Beyond america’s propaganda machine, orwellian england, etc., just how do think the war crimes, invasions, pillaging and plundering, and killing of innocent children, women, and men by pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america et als for the sake of the u.s. military military complex are viewed by the rest of the world, and particularly the subject region. Euphemistically but realistically speaking, ‘not good’! … Gates says killing of Afghan boys a "setback" (Reuters) [Ah, yes, riiiiight! … that’s what it is, alright…just a setback…I see. ] Gates: US military to stay in Afghanistan US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is on a surprise visit to Afghanistan, says the American military should stay in the conflict-riddled country despite the rising human costs. Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything bombing blooming or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces. ]

Krauthammer: What Social Security trust fund? (Washington Post) [ Fraud? Most assuredly! But breathtaking, shocking? Come on! Let’s get real here … paper iou’s (the ‘trust fund’) from pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, perpetual warster america? I mean, REALLY (as they say on SNL-a joke)...This is the grim economic reality ( http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ). In Senate's debt debate, talk isn't cheap (Washington Post) [ Oh, but it is cheap! Very cheap relative to the magnitude of the insurmountable debt … here’s an initial and astute vote of ‘no confidence’ … Drudgereport: World's biggest bond fund dumps all U.S. debt... Senate still wrangling over spending bill (Washington Post) [ Few signs of compromise on budget details (Washington Post) [ Come on … wake up! The cuts they’re quibbling over don’t even cover interest on the national debt! Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ] Senate leaders delayed until Wednesday consideration of a bill to fund the government through Sept. .…. Top Economists: Trust is Necessary for a Stable Economy … But Trust Won’t Be Restored Until We Prosecute Wall Street Fraud Most policy makers still don’t understand the urgent need to restore trust in our financial system, or the need to prosecute Wall Street executives for fraud and other criminal wrongdoing ….. 'Gang of 6' takes deficit fight to public (Washington Post) [ Riiiight! I like that term, gang, as applied to capital hill. Indeed, without exaggeration or sarcasm I posit the realistic existence of government mob, relative to other mob designations as ie., mafia, irish mob, jewish mob, etc., based not on what they say they do but on what they actually do. That now corrupted supreme court of old’s test for obscenity; viz., ‘you know it when you see it’. And, haven’t we been seeing it for quite some time now; the corruption, the corruptibility, the lobbyists, the military industrial complex, the look the other way for the massive frauds on wall street, the bribes in one form or another before or after the fact? The ‘gangs’ should be shouldering the burden first, then come asking those who foolishly trusted them. Why Social Security is welfare (Washington Post) [ What does it matter what you call it? Part of america’s defacto bankruptcy? Most assuredly (I haven’t even looked at the Bloomberg propaganda piece which by its very title is an insult to intelligence; after all, we all know they can continue to print evermore worthless fiat currency which in reality does not change the ultimate reality of america’s defacto bankruptcy but merely exacerbates while forestalling a realistic assessment of the magnitude of the crisis. The fact is that there are others, culpable in creating this crisis who should be shouldering the burden first; ie., frauds on wall street via prosecution, fines, disgorgement; Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’ ; SEC on the hot seat (Washington Post) [ Oooooh! The capital hill hot seat … shilling for no more than a grilling. House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. …’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

Stocks sink amid new economic concerns (Washington Post) [New economic concerns? I don’t think so! The economic concerns certainly aren’t new: This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come!But that money/prosperity’s truly down the crapper and into the hands of the ‘perps and friends’ … World's richest are almost $1 trillion richer ( And the other 95% trillions poorer.) … There’s never been a mystery here … just a massive fraud that despite the rhetoric has been purposefully overlooked and unprosecuted … : “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. …’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] Official opens an investigation into allegations that the agency mishandled potential conflicts of interest in its response to Madoff's Ponzi scheme.

]

Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’

U.N. confirms probe into allegations of torture by Gaddafi's forces (Washington Post) [ Well we all know how effective the u.n. has been in enforcing the mandate against torture / war crimes in light of their stern rebuke / sanctions / action against the u.s. / israel … riiiiight! http://albertpeia.com/evilonthetarmac.htm ]

Dispute threatens trade agenda (Washington Post) [ Agenda? What agenda? Come on! A cursory look at the consistent and persistent trade numbers and one must conclude that they’d safe some face and be thought of just a wee bit better than worse than bad if they stated they have no agenda. My computer is under constant hack-attack and truth be told, I’ll be going linux / non-windows with my next ‘non-american’ made computer (this dell just can’t hack the hacks / barrage). Let’s not kid ourselves, there is nothing ‘made in america’ (even most components of ‘domestic’ products are made overseas) that can’t be made elsewhere better and cheaper except for the ubiquitous fraud for which pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america has no peer…

Taxpayers caught in middle of Fannie lawsuit (Washington Post) What could be worse than taxpayers paying more than $100 million to defend a shareholder-owned company and its former executives in a private lawsuit? [ What could be worse? Not prosecuting the massive wall street frauds in the trillions with jail, fines, and disgorgement the goal.…. Top Economists: Trust is Necessary for a Stable Economy … But Trust Won’t Be Restored Until We Prosecute Wall Street Fraud Most policy makers still don’t understand the urgent need to restore trust in our financial system, or the need to prosecute Wall Street executives for fraud and other criminal wrongdoing ….. 'Gang of 6' takes deficit fight to public (Washington Post) [ Riiiight! I like that term, gang, as applied to capital hill. Indeed, without exaggeration or sarcasm I posit the realistic existence of government mob, relative to other mob designations as ie., mafia, irish mob, jewish mob, etc., based not on what they say they do but on what they actually do. That now corrupted supreme court of old’s test for obscenity; viz., ‘you know it when you see it’. And, haven’t we been seeing it for quite some time now; the corruption, the corruptibility, the lobbyists, the military industrial complex, the look the other way for the massive frauds on wall street, the bribes in one form or another before or after the fact? The ‘gangs’ should be shouldering the burden first, then come asking those who foolishly trusted them. Why Social Security is welfare (Washington Post) [ What does it matter what you call it? Part of america’s defacto bankruptcy? Most assuredly (I haven’t even looked at the Bloomberg propaganda piece which by its very title is an insult to intelligence; after all, we all know they can continue to print evermore worthless fiat currency which in reality does not change the ultimate reality of america’s defacto bankruptcy but merely exacerbates while forestalling a realistic assessment of the magnitude of the crisis. The fact is that there are others, culpable in creating this crisis who should be shouldering the burden first; ie., frauds on wall street via prosecution, fines, disgorgement; Ellen Bente Oliver ‘Salary of House/Senate...$174,000. Salary of Speaker of House...$223,500. Salary of Majority/Minority Leaders...$193,400. Average US Salary...$33,000 to $77,000. Maybe our elected officials should make an average salary too...It's a time of sacrifice after all...Pass along, post on your own page if you agree…’ ; SEC on the hot seat (Washington Post) [ Oooooh! The capital hill hot seat … shilling for no more than a grilling. House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’ Financialization and Our Increasingly Unstable Economy Roche ‘I finally got around to seeing the movie Inside Job, the story behind the credit crisis and winner of the Academy Award for best documentary. It’s very good and I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it. It will certainly infuriate you. The movie doesn’t place nearly enough blame on homeowners, but all in all it does an excellent job of showing how Wall Street and government have become overrun by deregulation and sheer greed. A combination of flawed economic theory and greed have combined to create the beast that we now call a “functioning” economy. The worst part of it all is that President Obama, who vowed change, has done almost nothing to fix any of it and in fact continues most of the policies that helped get us here in the first place. …’ ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] Official opens an investigation into allegations that the agency mishandled potential conflicts of interest in its response to Madoff's Ponzi scheme.

] Here is how I define a welfare program.

] While Washington bickers noisily over cutting a small slice of the federal budget, Sens. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, and Saxby Chambliss, a Georgia Republican, launch a campaign to convince the public that merely cutting spending will do little to tame the $14 trillion national debt.

]

] A battle over a proposed free-trade agreement with Colombia is undercutting U.S.'s pact with South Korea

In Senate's debt debate, talk isn't cheap (Washington Post) [ Oh, but it is cheap! Very cheap relative to the magnitude of the insurmountable debt … here’s an initial and astute vote of ‘no confidence’ … Drudgereport: World's biggest bond fund dumps all U.S. debt... Senate still wrangling over spending bill (Washington Post) [ Few signs of compromise on budget details (Washington Post) [ Come on … wake up! The cuts they’re quibbling over don’t even cover interest on the national debt! Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ] Senate leaders delayed until Wednesday consideration of a bill to fund the government through Sept.

Wis. Senate strips workers' bargaining rights Vote by Republicans bypasses chamber's missing Democrats (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: Drudge is reporting, and I think Charlie Sheen would agree, that in Wisconsin, the GOP is … duh … winning … and conversely, the dems / unions are … duh … losers, trolls, etc… just kidding …

Drudgereport: World's biggest bond fund dumps all U.S. debt...

UNIONS LOSE IN WI

WI GOP pushes through union bill...
'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH'...
Gov. Walker applauds...
DEMS SCRAMBLE BACK...

SHOCK: 82% of US schools 'failing'...
Gasoline cost to jump $700 for avg household...
Libya Tanks Move In To Crush Rebel Stronghold...
Carnage in Rebel City...
FOOTAGE: Libyan war plane shot down...
Obama, Cameron discuss plan of action...
Hoyer: No Balanced Budget for 15-20 Years 'We've Dug Such a Deep Hole'...
FLASHBACK: Larger Than Entire 2007 Deficit...
Treasury Draws Down Cash Balance...
FEBRUARY DEFICIT: $223 BILLION
FRESHMAN DEM. SENATOR: OBAMA HAS 'FAILED TO LEAD'...
Mayors to Unions: 'Dire fiscal straits' without 'dramatic' changes...
Anger Brews Over Government Workers' Benefits...
UNREST IN THE MIDWEST: Now Michigan...
WELFARE NATION: ONE-THIRD OF ALL WAGES ARE HANDOUTS...
ROMNEY: Obama Misery Index hits record high...
OPEC VOWS NEW PUMPING...
OIL HOLDS NEAR $105...
Roubini: Will Hit $150...
Sheen: 'I'm really starting to lose my mind'... ‘In what appears to be a 180 degree turn around from his daily proclamations of having “tiger’s blood” and “Adonis DNA,” Charlie Sheen admitted “I’m really starting to lose my mind” in the new issue of “Life & Style.” The recently fired “Two and a Half Men” star also reveals his desperation to regain custody of his two young twin sons, Bob and Max.

ARTICLE: Charlie Sheen Attacks Jon Cryer.

“She can’t keep them from me,” Sheen says of his estranged wife, Brooke Mueller. “I won’t let her—I’ll do anything to get them back.”Sheen, 45, who has made four disturbing live web broadcasts from his compound in Sherman Oaks, CA, admits that even his lawyer, Marty Singer, has expressed concern about him.

PHOTOS: Charlie Sheen's Long List of Lady Friends.

“My lawyer wants to come over to my house and take the bullets out of my gun," he told the magazine.A party pal of Charlie’s tells the magazine, "It's crazy over here at the house—Charlie's losing it. He's really mad about the show, and dealing with the kids and Brooke is getting to be too much. Charlie is a ticking time bomb, and we all fear he could do something drastic like committing suicide or falling back on hard drugs."

ARTICLE: 'Tiger Blood' Drink Goes On Sale.

Sheen, who appeared on a Beverly Hills rooftop Monday, brandishing a machete, realizes that his bizarre behavior has many concerned."I'm really trying to contain myself right now," he said.

ARTICLE: 'Men' Co-Star Is Sheen's Lone Defender.

If that's true, he's not doing a good a job of it, because Sheen widened his list of targets to include his former "Two and a Half Men" co-star, Jon Cryer, on Tuesday.Cryer had managed to stay out of the fray during Sheen's fall from grace at CBS, but his luck ran out.

ARTICLE: Can 'Two and a Half Men' Survive? Just Ask 'Three's Company.'

"Jon has not called me. He's a turncoat, a traitor, a troll. Clearly he's a troll," Sheen told E! News. "He issued a statement. Is it gonna take me calling him a 'traitor, juvenile and scared' for him to get it?"Cryer has actually not issued an official statement since Sheen was fired from the hit CBS sitcom “Two-And-A-Half Men” on Monday. But he may want to issue one now, because Sheen has not stopped ranting about his enemies since his dismissal, and once you are on his crosshairs, it seems you never escape.

ARTICLE: Sheen's Kids Could Be Next on Reality Show.

Tuesday night was the latest case in point, as Sheen blasted his list of hated CBS executives one by one with yet another nonsensical, barely decipherable scripted screed on Ustream. "A high treason has occurred. The scales of justice are in a state of radical disarray. Together we must right this infantile wrong… What happened yesterday was completely and entirely illegal, unconscionable and to quote my lawyer 'really shi**y shi**y suck suck'," Sheen, the self-proclaimed “Malibu Messiah,” said before launching into a strange diatribe in his fourth "Sheen's Korner" webcast, in which he saved his most savage attacks for producer Chuck Lorre – calling him everything from a “silly clown,” to “little worm” and “loser.”

Read more: http://entertainment.blogs.foxnews.com/2011/03/09/charlie-sheen-tells-magazine-im-really-starting-to-lose-my-mind/#ixzz1GA8oolSk ‘

Gaddafi forces engage in fierce battle Regime loyalists in Libya mount assaults to reclaim ground (Washington Post) [ 41 years in power … Hey, when interviewed by Charlie Sheen on SNL he seemed rather spry …

Sheen's-Korner, Ustream.TV You're either in Sheen's-Korner or you're with the trolls... [and the big question is which trolls … the pat_trolls, the con_trolls, the troll_eys, the troll_ups, etc.? ] http://www.ustream.tv/charliesheen Archived Web Site File: http://www.albertpeia.com/Sheen's-Korner,Ustream.TVYou'reeitherinSheen's-Korneroryou'rewiththetrolls.flv (448mb) (for whatever reason, this file did not open properly in my somewhat older player and I didn’t have time to download another to determine if the problem is with the viewer or the file, but will, and will indicate the result here. )

Here’s SNL’s take on the Sheen webcast [ This was the first time I’d seen Miley Cyrus in anything and I must say she is truly a star, albeit a very precocious one; this SNL was absolutely hilarious across the board! ]

http://www.saturday-night-live.com

Part of the webcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIx4_t26AAs

With neither side able to muster overwhelming force, the result appeared to be a bloody stalemate, with the death tolls rising in both east and west.Intense international deliberations come as troops loyal to Gaddafi continue to besiege the rebel-held city of Zawiyah, 27 miles west of Tripoli.] The vote comes after a maneuver by GOP members that split the proposal to curtail union rights from legislation requiring a quorum.

This is the grim economic reality [ http://albertpeia.com/grimreality.htm ]. This manipulated bubble in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come!

Gaddafi forces engage in fierce battle Regime loyalists in Libya mount assaults to reclaim ground (Washington Post) [ 41 years in power … Hey, when interviewed by Charlie Sheen on SNL he seemed rather spry …

Sheen's-Korner, Ustream.TV You're either in Sheen's-Korner or you're with the trolls... [and the big question is which trolls … the pat_trolls, the con_trolls, the troll_eys, the troll_ups, etc.? ] http://www.ustream.tv/charliesheen Archived Web Site File: http://www.albertpeia.com/Sheen's-Korner,Ustream.TVYou'reeitherinSheen's-Korneroryou'rewiththetrolls.flv (448mb) (for whatever reason, this file did not open properly in my somewhat older player and I didn’t have time to download another to determine if the problem is with the viewer or the file, but will, and will indicate the result here. )

Here’s SNL’s take on the Sheen webcast [ This was the first time I’d seen Miley Cyrus in anything and I must say she is truly a star, albeit a very precocious one; this SNL was absolutely hilarious across the board! ]

http://www.saturday-night-live.com

Part of the webcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIx4_t26AAs

] With neither side able to muster overwhelming force, the result appeared to be a bloody stalemate, with the death tolls rising in both east and west.

Obama creates indefinite detention system for prisoners at Guantanamo Bay (Washington Post) [ Sounds more like fellow failed president/war criminal dumbya bush every day. Meanwhile, back at the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american credit farm (totalitarian communist china): New restrictions on foreign journalists Under rules announced after foreign journalists were physically harassed by security officers, foreign journalists must have government permission to interview anyone in a public area.]

Gates successor a quandary for Obama(Washington Post) [ Quandary? For ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***)? I don’t think so! Like wobama, he or she must speak out of both sides of his/her mouth, be particularly adept at lying (cia-speak), and believe in absolutely nothing (no core values/beliefs). Gates says killing of Afghan boys a "setback" (Reuters) [Ah, yes, riiiiight! … that’s what it is, alright…just a setback…I see. ] Gates: US military to stay in Afghanistan US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is on a surprise visit to Afghanistan, says the American military should stay in the conflict-riddled country despite the rising human costs. Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything bombing blooming or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces. ]

Fed Has Convinced Consumers to Re-Leverage [ Sounds like a plan! … albeit a failed plan ala greenspan … this encore courtesy of ‘’no-recession helicopter ben shalom bernanke’ … anything for that irrationally exuberant feeling on wall street …. Bubbles, bubbles, everywhere, but not a bloke to blink. ] Roche ‘Despite lopsided balance sheets and near record levels of household debt the Fed appears to have succeeded in convincing American households that it is wise to begin re-leveraging. The Fed’s latest consumer credit report showed broad improvement in consumer credit trends (via Econoday):

"Consumer credit outstanding in December rose $6.1 billion showing, for the first time in the recovery, gains for both revolving and non-revolving credit. Revolving credit, up $2.3 billion, rose for the first time in 27 months. Non-revolving credit, reflecting strength in vehicle sales, extended its run of strength with a gain of $3.8 billion. Looking ahead to January’s number, there may be some modest help from motor vehicle sales which edged up 0.6 percent for the month but the amount boosting consumer credit will depend in part on the share split of sales to consumers and to businesses."

[chart]

(Click to enlarge)

As I’ve previously mentioned, this is great news for the near-term economic outlook. A re-leveraging consumer means more spending, higher corporate revenues, etc. My hope was that a 10% deficit would result in consumers continuing to de-leverage, however, that looks like wishful thinking. Instead, the combination of easy money and no loser capitalism appears to be setting the foundation for another debt binge. At a level of 115% of debt:income, this trend is clearly unsustainable, however, the American public appears intent on sustaining its fiscal imprudence. In short, enjoy the growth, however, once the deficit shrinks or another asset bubble pops the air is going to come out of the debt bubble once again and the upside down U.S. consumer will again be exposed as the imprudent consumer that he/she is...’

Sheen's-Korner, Ustream.TV You're either in Sheen's-Korner or you're with the trolls... [and the big question is which trolls … the pat_trolls, the con_trolls, the troll_eys, the troll_ups, etc.? ] http://www.ustream.tv/charliesheen Archived Web Site File: http://www.albertpeia.com/Sheen's-Korner,Ustream.TVYou'reeitherinSheen's-Korneroryou'rewiththetrolls.flv (448mb) (for whatever reason, this file did not open properly in my somewhat older player and I didn’t have time to download another to determine if the problem is with the viewer or the file, but will, and will indicate the result here. )

Here’s SNL’s take on the Sheen webcast [ This was the first time I’d seen Miley Cyrus in anything and I must say she is truly a star, albeit a very precocious one; this SNL was absolutely hilarious across the board! ]

http://www.saturday-night-live.com

Part of the webcast: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIx4_t26AAs

Peter King, IRA supporter and enthusiastic counter-terrorism advocate (Washington Post) [ A neocon; a zionist with a large jewish constituency; an IRA terrorist supporter; looks a lot like, bears a striking resemblance to, corrupt dodo dodd former Conn. Senator; in sum, that can’t be good. Maybe he suffers from a multiple personality disorder. I mean … wow! Whew! ]

Milbank: The subpar lender crisis (Washington Post) [ It truly is difficult for me to imagine Mr. Milbank as a business reporter; although, … wall street journal … could fit. I had occasion to know a successful wall street executive, chairman, institutional brokerage / investment banking firm, who referred to the wall street journal as ‘total b*** s***’. I don’t think Mr. Milbank needs to refer to an ad hoc experience which we know and can reasonably infer to be ubiquitous in kind and that they’re all a bunch of typical american crooks (he wasn’t … but he was an old school risk seeker long since out of the game). Academy Award winner Ferguson is way ahead: ‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

]

Private hiring spurs drop in jobless rate (Washington Post) [ This is a tab yet to be paid (taxpayer / treasury / public) and the costs in money the nation doen’t have for the political obfuscation will far outway the benefits. (Gallup Reports Underemployment Surges To 19.9%, February “Jobs Situation Deteriorates”: As Bad As 2010 On one hand we have the Department of Truth about to tell tomorrow that NFP based on various seasonal and birth death adjustments increased by 250,000… Santelli: 'Good' Jobs Report Has Dark Side... … Denninger ‘ … Summary: The report did not show any material amount of acceleration; it is, for all intents and purposes, flat. The Household Survey showed some people going back to work, but in terms of percentage of the working-age population the needle did not move to any material degree. The problem continues to be people we don't count as unemployed but in fact are, and as such the statistical gerrymandering of the results will give both the left and right something to spin, but in point of fact there's no evidence of an economy that is recovering it's ability to generate both private income and tax revenues.’ … ‘ Mason’…Over the past four weeks, the Treasury’s General Account has dropped by almost $70 billion. Thus, between this account and the Treasury’s Supplementary Financing Account the Fed has injected almost $170 billion reserves into the banking system in February …’ Gerald Celente: “There is no recovery — it’s a coverup!” Sic Semper Tyrannis | Celente argues the oil prices have been going up before the recent chaos in the Middle East. ‘…One other point brought out by Gerald Celente is the fact that the current puppet regime in the White House is “cooking the books” on the unemployment numbers and current inflation rates. They are making their own rules on how to determine inflation rates by leaving out essential information such as food and fuel prices. The same is being done with White House unemployment numbers by simply leaving out those who have given up looking for jobs, as well as other deceptive “carnie” tricks (in reference to White House spokesperson Carnie) in which he compares the administration to a traveling carnival act.

In closing, Celente states:

“… There is no recovery, it’s a coverup. It’s only being boosted by these low interest rates, which again, when inflation skyrockets- they’re gonna have to raise them …‘

]

Delusional for 2012Will: Huckabee and Gingrich are diminishing the GOP. (Washington Post) [ That’s only if you take them seriously; and, you can’t take neocons seriously. You know the type … the pro-zionist bush me-toos … and don’t forget … what could be more diminishing than having failed president ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) as their putative head. Perma war types all, the pervasively corrupt america is defacto bankrupt. Drudgereport: Delaware voters say no to Lobotomy Joe ….. Biden (the self-proclaimed zionist) -- for name of school...
'Wobama’s Where's Waldo?' Presidency...
All Former U.S. Presidents To Get Together For TV Special Honoring George H.W. Bush…(How totally pathetic they are! How embarrassing for NBC!) ... [ Wake up! http://albertpeia.com/bushcrimes.htm ]
Gingrich to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' [ Neo-con Dreamin’! I mean, come on … are memories so short they don’t recall him being a total hypocrite, zionist shill, and part of the problem though to his credit, he’s not a mobster and complete joke as is trump! ]
CHICAGOLAND: Lawmaker Suggests BOEING'S Contract Win A Result Of Dirty Politics... [ The contract’s with money the nation doen’t really have anyway; and, the value of the money paid will be worth substantially less by completion; and, no surprise … Chicago hasn’t changed much from the days of capone and is rivaled in terms of corruption by such states as jersey, new york, etc.. ] ‘…“I’m disappointed but not surprised,” Republican Sen. Richard Shelby said. “Only Chicago politics could tip the scales in favor of Boeing’s inferior plane. EADS clearly offers the more capable aircraft.”…’
Rep. Rangel Causes Stir In Courtroom; Reprimanded By Judge...NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Congressman Charles Rangel caused a stir in court Friday while trying to lend his support for bail of Afrika Owes.Owes, 17, had been a student at the prestigious Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. Prosecutors say she was also a member of a drug gang that terrorized 137th Street in Harlem.Owes was one of fourteen suspected  “137th Street Crew” gang members arrested last month. Prosecutors said the gang used shootings, beatings and robberies to protect their turf and gain street status on a stretch of West 137th Street. The gang allegedly openly dealt crack in apartment lobbies, near Harlem Hospital and near the Abyssinian Baptist Church. Congressman Charles Rangel argues for Owes getting bail to Juliet Papa of 1010 WINS

Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything bombing blooming or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces. ]

The TV Column: Charlie Sheen keeps talking; CBS gets in on the conversation (Washington Post) [Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States. Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker, along with the dems. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Cohen: Time for Arabs to reject anti-semitism (Washington Post) [ Reality check … time for israelis / jews to reject zionism and all that is entailed therein, including an alternate reality that defies credulity, rationality, and facts; such as, a self-rationalizing greed, anti-arab / anti-Christian predisposition and the ‘Oedipal Effect’ (blowback) engendered thereby. No, Johnny Carson was not anti-semitic (Fred Silverman), same for Charlie Sheen (Chuck Lorre), etc. (the list is endless inasmuch as when facts are not on their side, such specious inflammatory arguments as ‘anti-semitism’, prejudice, are a convenient subterfuge distracting from their weak position; ie., illegal nukes, war crimes, ignoring u.n. resolutions, ie., 242, 338, etc., ignoring international law. At best, no … God did not give them this land … at worst, God took the land back when they with roman muscle crucified Christ. Balfour was an arbitrary, incompetent, british joke.). ] ] Article | Tuesday will be known as the day we heard from The Receiving End of Charlie Sheen's Scorched Earth Media Tour.

Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ]

Bernanke: Fed will respond if oil prices trigger inflation (Washington Post) [ If? Come on … don’t make me laugh! … Inflation Is Here – Just Open Up Your Eyes And Look At These 5 Financial Charts! (see infra) Despite what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says, rampant inflation is officially here. The federal government is constantly monkeying with the numbers to keep the “official” rate of inflation below 2 percent, but it is becoming very difficult to deny that the cost of almost everything is really going up these days. … Merk ‘…While we believe food inflation will be with us for quite some time and may contribute to an unstable world possibly for years to come, the Federal Reserve appears to be firmly in the camp of heavily discounting food inflation. The European Central Bank (ECB), in contrast, has historically taken commodity inflation more seriously than the Fed – ECB President Trichet talks about his concern over "second round effects," i.e., commodity inflation stirring inflation throughout the value chain.

The relevance of all this is that in the U.S. it’s business as usual as far as monetary policy is concerned. According to Fed Chair Bernanke, the U.S. economy must grow at a rate of at least 2.5% per annum just to keep unemployment stable, however, he has made it clear that he will pursue policies to boost growth above that level. With oil prices soaring, he is facing yet another headwind. Rather than mopping up the liquidity that, in our assessment, has contributed to global commodity inflation, he may be tempted to keep the printing press in high gear to promote economic growth.

It doesn’t really matter whether we think there is a crisis. What matters is that the Fed doesn’t think its policies are contributing to global instability and continues on its expansionary path…’

Jim Rogers: “Saudi Arabia Is Lying About Being Able To Increase Its Oil Production” Jim Rogers joins Zero Hedge in being highly skeptical about just how credible Saudi’s call for a 1MM + boost in its oil supply is: “Saudi Arabia has been lying about the reserves for decades. Saudi Arabia the last two times said they are going to increase production and they couldn’t increase production. Don’t fall for that. ] Federal Reserve chairman says he does not expect a major impact on consumer prices.

House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’

‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] House Republicans ramp up pressure on SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro.

FADE: OSCAR RATINGS DOWN 10% ...
Injury Added to Insult... [ In terms of production value (rich in content in every way), I believe this to be as good and in my view better than ever as award ceremonies can be without the inimitable Bob Hope. I believe any falloff can be directly attributable to last year the academy’s egregious misstep in over-looking ‘Avatar’ / Cameron presaging a similar fate concerning my clear choice of ‘Inception’ / Nolan ( Truth be told, I’ve yet to see ‘The King’s Speech’ failing to muster any enthusiasm for seeing a film centered around a ‘so-called royal’ trying to over-come a speech impediment, albeit a minor one, regardless of circumstances; viz., stuttering, though I would concede that it was probably well done. We all know of the problems attendant to english royal inbreeding…ho hum… I did find ‘The Black Swan’ superb but attribute same to my own bias and fascination with viewing female ballet dancing). Bob Hope: Academy Awards, ‘passover’ … very funny! ]
CIVIL WAR WEEKEND
Armed pro-Gaddafi gangs roll in Tripoli...
...Shooting from ambulances...
GRAFFITI AND BARRICADES...
Gaddafi vows to crush protesters...
Egypt protesters dispersed by force...
Al Qaeda calls for revolt against Arab rulers...
Obama to Gaddafi: Leave now...
UN Security Council passes votes to sanction...
Gas prices surge 17 cents in a week...
Motorist Calls Police Over Rising Prices...
OBAMA: CAN WE DRILL NOW?
LONDON DRIVERS PAYING $9 A GALLON...
Spain reduces motorway speed limit to save oil...
WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days'
WEST MOVES MILITARY ASSETS AROUND LIBYA
CharlieSheen Publicist Runs For Hills...
Actor set to sue CBS for $320M, 'mental anguish'...
The Legal Letter...
THE 'TODAY' INTERVIEW...
NY MAG: Madoff on Madoff: The Jailhouse Tapes...
Government a Ponzi scheme...
CIVIL WAR WEEKEND...
Anti-Gaddafi forces widen control...
Take town 30 miles from Tripoli...
Security forces defect...
Armed pro-gangs roll in capital...
...shooting from ambulances
STUDY: World's sixth 'mass extinction' may be underway…[Much, much too optimistic relative to reality] ...
ISRAELI'S YOUTUBE SPOOF OF GADHAFI CATCHES ON IN ARAB WORLD...
Police station, state office burning in Oman town...
Tunisia prime minister resigns...
Gingrich to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' [ Neo-con Dreamin’! I mean, come on … are memories so short they don’t recall him being a total hypocrite, zionist shill, and part of the problem though to his credit, he’s not a mobster and complete joke as is trump! ]
CHICAGOLAND: Lawmaker Suggests BOEING'S Contract Win A Result Of Dirty Politics... [ The contract’s with money the nation doen’t really have anyway; and, the value of the money paid will be worth substantially less by completion; and, no surprise … Chicago hasn’t changed much from the days of capone and is rivaled in terms of corruption by such states as jersey, new york, etc.. ] ‘…“I’m disappointed but not surprised,” Republican Sen. Richard Shelby said. “Only Chicago politics could tip the scales in favor of Boeing’s inferior plane. EADS clearly offers the more capable aircraft.”…’
Rep. Rangel Causes Stir In Courtroom; Reprimanded By Judge...NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Congressman Charles Rangel caused a stir in court Friday while trying to lend his support for bail of Afrika Owes.Owes, 17, had been a student at the prestigious Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. Prosecutors say she was also a member of a drug gang that terrorized 137th Street in Harlem.Owes was one of fourteen suspected  “137th Street Crew” gang members arrested last month. Prosecutors said the gang used shootings, beatings and robberies to protect their turf and gain street status on a stretch of West 137th Street. The gang allegedly openly dealt crack in apartment lobbies, near Harlem Hospital and near the Abyssinian Baptist Church. Congressman Charles Rangel argues for Owes getting bail to Juliet Papa of 1010 WINS

Stocks rally(Washington Post) [ Come on! You can’t believe anything these desperate desparados say! What news, bad or good, don’t the frauds on wall street rejoice at (you can do that with manipulated cumputerized trading) Drudgereport: Layoffs At Pre-Recession Level; Job Openings Down 30%...
GALLUP: Unemployment Hits 10.3% in February...
UPDATE: More inconsistencies found in stimulus job creation claims...
UN: Food prices hit record high...
Announced Job Cuts 'Rose 20% From Year Ago'...

This manipulated bubble rally in this secular bear market based on b*** s*** alone is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come!

Looking Like A Good Time To Sell Into Strength - Harding ‘Many important global stock markets, including China, Brazil, India and Hong Kong, have been in fairly significant corrections since November, down between 12% and 17%. Their major concerns have been rising inflation and the resulting monetary tightening by their central banks to combat the inflationary pressures...So was this week’s stumble the beginning of a more serious correction? The events and reports this week did provide more evidence that the stock market may be ahead of reality regarding prospects for the economy, and therefore corporate earnings, going forward, which should at least limit the market’s upside potential. Limited upside potential equals more downside risk? It might be wise to lighten up some into strength that may develop over the next few days during the ‘monthly strength period.’ ] Wall Street rejoices in an unexpected drop in jobless claims.

Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything bombing blooming or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces.

Public pension shortfalls could reach $1.5T (Washington Post) [ First, I think this is a low-ball estimate since it may assume some of the wildeyed assumptions beyond those being discounted in this figure. Then there’s social (in)security. Next, there’s the private pension shortfalls, particularly in the defined benefit plans. Most importantly is the defacto bankruptcy of the nation and the insurmountable debt / debt service attendant thereto. In sum, without exaggeration it really is quite a bad picture here beyond the paper fraud / froth frenzy on fraudulent wall street which of course has and still remains a significant part of the problem. Prosecution, fines, disgorgement, well deserved of the frauds on wall street could significantly help lessen the shortfalls. ] The pension funds for state and local workers are understating the amount they will owe workers by $1.5T or more, according to some economists who have studied the issue, meaning that the benefits are much costlier than many governments thought.

Krauthammer: Converts to the Bush Doctrine (Washington Post) [ ‘bush doctrine’? What’s that? Moronics(http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm) , imbecility, war crimes (http://albertpeia.com/evilonthetarmac.htm ), etc.? Dumbya bush has been nothing less than a one-man wrecking crew, domestically and internationally and ‘wobama the b’(for b*** s***) has followed suit. Where do they get the likes of krauthammer on the right, Milbank on the left, etc.. Wake up! ]

U.S. prepares for possible rise of new Islamist regimes Revolutions may bring a more religious cast to Mideast politics (Washington Post) [ Oh riiiiight! Pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, the ‘johnny on the spot’ when it comes to being ahead of the events / curve … and they’re so interested in democratization … as in Saudi Arabia, etc… Egypt, Serbia, Georgia… The History of US Sponsored “Democratization” There is a Russian proverb: only a fool learns from his own mistakes. As Georgia’s foreign minister visits his Egyptian counterpart, there are lessons for Egypt in similar revolutions in eastern Europe and the ex-Soviet Union. ] Recent developments have alarmed some who fear that the governments taking shape will inevitably undercut democratic reforms.

The TV Column: Charlie Sheen keeps talking; CBS gets in on the conversation (Washington Post) [Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States. Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker, along with the dems. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Cohen: Time for Arabs to reject anti-semitism (Washington Post) [ Reality check … time for israelis / jews to reject zionism and all that is entailed therein, including an alternate reality that defies credulity, rationality, and facts; such as, a self-rationalizing greed, anti-arab / anti-Christian predisposition and the ‘Oedipal Effect’ (blowback) engendered thereby. No, Johnny Carson was not anti-semitic (Fred Silverman), same for Charlie Sheen (Chuck Lorre), etc. (the list is endless inasmuch as when facts are not on their side, such specious inflammatory arguments as ‘anti-semitism’, prejudice, are a convenient subterfuge distracting from their weak position; ie., illegal nukes, war crimes, ignoring u.n. resolutions, ie., 242, 338, etc., ignoring international law. At best, no … God did not give them this land … at worst, God took the land back when they with roman muscle crucified Christ. Balfour was an arbitrary, incompetent, british joke.). ] ] Article | Tuesday will be known as the day we heard from The Receiving End of Charlie Sheen's Scorched Earth Media Tour.

Bernanke: Fed will respond if oil prices trigger inflation (Washington Post) [ If? Come on … don’t make me laugh! … Inflation Is Here – Just Open Up Your Eyes And Look At These 5 Financial Charts! (see infra) Despite what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says, rampant inflation is officially here. The federal government is constantly monkeying with the numbers to keep the “official” rate of inflation below 2 percent, but it is becoming very difficult to deny that the cost of almost everything is really going up these days. … Merk ‘…While we believe food inflation will be with us for quite some time and may contribute to an unstable world possibly for years to come, the Federal Reserve appears to be firmly in the camp of heavily discounting food inflation. The European Central Bank (ECB), in contrast, has historically taken commodity inflation more seriously than the Fed – ECB President Trichet talks about his concern over "second round effects," i.e., commodity inflation stirring inflation throughout the value chain.

The relevance of all this is that in the U.S. it’s business as usual as far as monetary policy is concerned. According to Fed Chair Bernanke, the U.S. economy must grow at a rate of at least 2.5% per annum just to keep unemployment stable, however, he has made it clear that he will pursue policies to boost growth above that level. With oil prices soaring, he is facing yet another headwind. Rather than mopping up the liquidity that, in our assessment, has contributed to global commodity inflation, he may be tempted to keep the printing press in high gear to promote economic growth.

It doesn’t really matter whether we think there is a crisis. What matters is that the Fed doesn’t think its policies are contributing to global instability and continues on its expansionary path…’

Gerald Celente: “There is no recovery — it’s a coverup!” Sic Semper Tyrannis | Celente argues the oil prices have been going up before the recent chaos in the Middle East. ‘…One other point brought out by Gerald Celente is the fact that the current puppet regime in the White House is “cooking the books” on the unemployment numbers and current inflation rates. They are making their own rules on how to determine inflation rates by leaving out essential information such as food and fuel prices. The same is being done with White House unemployment numbers by simply leaving out those who have given up looking for jobs, as well as other deceptive “carnie” tricks (in reference to White House spokesperson Carnie) in which he compares the administration to a traveling carnival act.

In closing, Celente states:

“… There is no recovery, it’s a coverup. It’s only being boosted by these low interest rates, which again, when inflation skyrockets- they’re gonna have to raise them …‘

House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’

‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] House Republicans ramp up pressure on SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro.

Christian minorities minister assassinated (Washington Post) [ Christians, Christianity lumped together with war criminals, zionists, invaders, plunderers, murderers, etc.. No surprise here. Winning hearts and minds? I don’t think so … Blowback? Most assuredly: 2 U.S. airmen killed, 2 hurt in shooting near Frankfurt airport (Post, March 2, 2011); Most U.S. aid to Pakistan hasn't gotten there yet (Post, March 2, 2011); Clinton: U.S. losing global public-relations battle - to 'Baywatch' and wrestling (Post, March 2, 2011 Well, I don’t know about baywatch and wrestling, but reality beyond false propaganda will do it every time) ] Shahbaz Bhatti is gunned down in the second killing this year of a liberal, senior government official who had spoken out against the nation's stringent blasphemy laws.Karzai condemns deadly NATO airstrike (Washington Post) [ Well, for pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, it’s just another of many war crimes. They just role out the propaganda machine that no one is buying anymore. Yet, can you believe your eyes and ears here: Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] A NATO airstrike that Afghan officials said killed nine children collecting firewood in eastern Afghanistan beccomes the latest irritant in the tense relationship between President Hamid Karzai and the international force in the country.

Government cracks down on employment scams (Washington Post) [ Yet leave the biggest, most deleterious scam / fraud unprosecuted. What total b*** s***! House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’

‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] House Republicans ramp up pressure on SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro.

] FTC says companies promised to help people find work but instead took their money.

Oil soars to more than $100 a barrel on Libyan unrest (Washington Post) [ When you factor in reality, the worst is yet to come … Gerald Celente: “There is no recovery — it’s a coverup!” Sic Semper Tyrannis | Celente argues the oil prices have been going up before the recent chaos in the Middle East. ‘…One other point brought out by Gerald Celente is the fact that the current puppet regime in the White House is “cooking the books” on the unemployment numbers and current inflation rates. They are making their own rules on how to determine inflation rates by leaving out essential information such as food and fuel prices. The same is being done with White House unemployment numbers by simply leaving out those who have given up looking for jobs, as well as other deceptive “carnie” tricks (in reference to White House spokesperson Carnie) in which he compares the administration to a traveling carnival act.

In closing, Celente states:

“… There is no recovery, it’s a coverup. It’s only being boosted by these low interest rates, which again, when inflation skyrockets- they’re gonna have to raise them …‘

The TV Column: Charlie Sheen keeps talking; CBS gets in on the conversation (Washington Post) [Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States. Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker, along with the dems. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Cohen: Time for Arabs to reject anti-semitism (Washington Post) [ Reality check … time for israelis / jews to reject zionism and all that is entailed therein, including an alternate reality that defies credulity, rationality, and facts; such as, a self-rationalizing greed, anti-arab / anti-Christian predisposition and the ‘Oedipal Effect’ (blowback) engendered thereby. No, Johnny Carson was not anti-semitic (Fred Silverman), same for Charlie Sheen (Chuck Lorre), etc. (the list is endless inasmuch as when facts are not on their side, such specious inflammatory arguments as ‘anti-semitism’, prejudice, are a convenient subterfuge distracting from their weak position; ie., illegal nukes, war crimes, ignoring u.n. resolutions, ie., 242, 338, etc., ignoring international law. At best, no … God did not give them this land … at worst, God took the land back when they with roman muscle crucified Christ. Balfour was an arbitrary, incompetent, british joke.). ] ] Article | Tuesday will be known as the day we heard from The Receiving End of Charlie Sheen's Scorched Earth Media Tour.

Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ]

Locked in standoff, Gaddafi foes debate foreign airstrikes Opposition leaders consider requesting foreign intervention (Washington Post) [ Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times ( Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! )

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN? WHERE’S YOGI WHEN YOU NEED HIM TO EXPLAIN THIS INSANITY:
Chavez: U.S. distorting situation in Libya ‘to justify an invasion’ CNN | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claims U.S. criticism of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has a clear aim: military invasion.

US tightens military grip on Gaddafi The Guardian | The west is edging towards a possible military confrontation with Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

Obama Encircles US War Machine Around Libya Paul Joseph Watson | Administration readies to exploit humanitarian crisis to control Africa’s largest oil producer.

Most Americans Strongly Oppose U.S. Military Action in Libya According to Rasmussen, a large majority of Americans agree with the common sense of George Washington. During his farewell address, the first president of the United States said the nation should beware of foreign entanglements. ] Issue takes on increasing urgency amid realization that rebels cannot continue to match the weaponry and firepower of forces loyal to Gaddafi.

[ (2-26-11 et seq.) Let me state for the record here that my computer has been under constant viral, hack attack, paralleling prior such foolish, paranoid actions and let me reiterate: They will be sorry and I won’t forget it! ]

Bernanke Cautious on Economic Growth as Oil Prices Rise [ In pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america it’s come to be known all too familiarly as ‘defending the indefensible’. ] New York Times | Fed chief again defended the Fed’s large and unprecedented stimulus program.

Pentagon Tries to Blame Financial Crisis on Foreign Financial Terrorists [ You just can’t believe the magnitude of the b*** s*** they try to foist off … financial terrorists who are u.s. citizens and are collectively called wall street; oh, right, they fly a big american flag outside the exchange which garners them carte blanche to…rape, pillage, and plunder with impunity … even as the pentagon’s become singularly talented at raping, pillaging, and plundering … the 360 tons of $100 bills gone missing in Iraq is a small example of their talent, and a general previously attested to the reality that on any given day there’s 2-3 billion floatin’ around the pentagon. Pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, war criminal america is pathetic! ] The Pentagon is paying contractors to claim that it was foreign financial terrorists – instead of fraud by American financial executives – which caused the 2008 financial crisis.

Libya’s Bankers Exposed: Goldman, JP Morgan And Citi Ten days ago, when we first looked at the Libyan investment authority (its sovereign wealth fund), we asked “Which US Banks Are Managing Billions For The $32 Billion Libyan Sovereign Wealth Fund?”

“The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’

‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States.

Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and I thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas, but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

13. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
14. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
15. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
16. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
17. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
18. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ]

The TV Column: Charlie Sheen keeps talking; CBS gets in on the conversation (Washington Post) [Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. Drudgereport: UPDATE: Huckabee claims Obama grew up in Kenya... The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi Rezko was corrupt, and supported Obama in many campaigns as well as in Obama buying his home -- and therefore, according to Corsi, Obama is corrupt by ...www.ontheissues.org/Obama_Nation.htm ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States. Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Cohen: Time for Arabs to reject anti-semitism (Washington Post) [ Reality check … time for israelis / jews to reject zionism and all that is entailed therein, including an alternate reality that defies credulity, rationality, and facts; such as, a self-rationalizing greed, anti-arab / anti-Christian predisposition and the ‘Oedipal Effect’ (blowback) engendered thereby. No, Johnny Carson was not anti-semitic (Fred Silverman), same for Charlie Sheen (Chuck Lorre), etc. (the list is endless inasmuch as when facts are not on their side, such specious inflammatory arguments as ‘anti-semitism’, prejudice, are a convenient subterfuge distracting from their weak position; ie., illegal nukes, war crimes, ignoring u.n. resolutions, ie., 242, 338, etc., ignoring international law. At best, no … God did not give them this land … at worst, God took the land back when they with roman muscle crucified Christ. Balfour was an arbitrary, incompetent, british joke.). ] ] Article | Tuesday will be known as the day we heard from The Receiving End of Charlie Sheen's Scorched Earth Media Tour.

Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ]

Bernanke: Fed will respond if oil prices trigger inflation (Washington Post) [ If? Come on … don’t make me laugh! … Merk ‘…While we believe food inflation will be with us for quite some time and may contribute to an unstable world possibly for years to come, the Federal Reserve appears to be firmly in the camp of heavily discounting food inflation. The European Central Bank (ECB), in contrast, has historically taken commodity inflation more seriously than the Fed – ECB President Trichet talks about his concern over "second round effects," i.e., commodity inflation stirring inflation throughout the value chain.

The relevance of all this is that in the U.S. it’s business as usual as far as monetary policy is concerned. According to Fed Chair Bernanke, the U.S. economy must grow at a rate of at least 2.5% per annum just to keep unemployment stable, however, he has made it clear that he will pursue policies to boost growth above that level. With oil prices soaring, he is facing yet another headwind. Rather than mopping up the liquidity that, in our assessment, has contributed to global commodity inflation, he may be tempted to keep the printing press in high gear to promote economic growth.

It doesn’t really matter whether we think there is a crisis. What matters is that the Fed doesn’t think its policies are contributing to global instability and continues on its expansionary path. After all, the banks continue to sit on their money and as such, the economy is certainly not in overdrive. With the exception of social instability spreading globally, the Fed may be very much on course:

• Bernanke may want a weaker dollar. Unlike his predecessor, Bernanke embraces the U.S. dollar as a monetary policy tool to boost economic growth.
• Bernanke wants higher inflation. Having explicitly called for higher inflation since last August, he has since praised the progress the market has made in pricing higher than inflation expectations. The challenge with raising inflation expectations is not only that it may be difficult to lower those expectations later but that it is difficult to control where that inflation appears. Bernanke, in our assessment, needs to get home price to rise and is willing to put up with rising prices in other areas.
• We often focus on housing as a reason the Fed wants to boost growth, but we can also focus on WalMart (WMT): in the 13 weeks that ended 1/29/2010, WalMart’s sales declined 1.2%. Keep in mind that unlike government statistics, WalMart’s sales are not inflation adjusted. Also keep in mind that WalMart has been expanding its produce section in recent years; the section very much exposed to food inflation. As a result, on a real basis, sales have had rather substantial declines. Given that WalMart’s sales comprise more than 10% of total U.S. retail sales, we don’t believe there is such a thing as "company specific" problems; WalMart’s problems are those of the U.S. economy.

In contrast, the rest of the world is taking steps to stem inflationary pressures. Russia is the latest country to raise interest rates, following countries ranging from Sweden to Norway, Canada to Australia and Korea to China. In the Eurozone, the pairing down of some emergency facilities (leading to a draining of liquidity; a form of monetary tightening) and recent hawkish talk suggest interest rates may be raised later this year.

This discussion should clarify that it is perfectly possible for the world to be in turmoil without the U.S. dollar being a beneficiary. The focus of this analysis was the perceived status of the U.S. dollar as a safe haven, as well as implications of food inflation; a small, but important sliver affecting the U.S. dollar.’

House Republicans press SEC on official's ties to Madoff (Washington Post) [ The ultimate subterfuge. Mr. small potatoes madoff the focus of so much influence … yet he’s in jail … and the only one … Boy, did mary shapiro become total b*** s*** fast … the current shibboleth of capital hill / all 3 branches of pervasively corrupt u.s. government … joining the others: “The Financial Industry Has Become So Politically Powerful That It Is Able To Inhibit the Normal Process of Justice And Law Enforcement” The economy cannot stabilize unless fraud is prosecuted. But the folks in D.C. seem determined to turn a blind eye to Wall Street shenanigans, and is now moving to defund the enforcement agencies like the SEC and CFTC. Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — ‘Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich…’

‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

] House Republicans ramp up pressure on SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro.

Locked in standoff, Gaddafi foes debate foreign airstrikes Opposition leaders consider requesting foreign intervention (Washington Post) [ Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times ( Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! )

DÉJÀ VU ALL OVER AGAIN? WHERE’S YOGI WHEN YOU NEED HIM TO EXPLAIN THIS INSANITY:
Chavez: U.S. distorting situation in Libya ‘to justify an invasion’ CNN | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez claims U.S. criticism of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi has a clear aim: military invasion.

US tightens military grip on Gaddafi The Guardian | The west is edging towards a possible military confrontation with Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

Obama Encircles US War Machine Around Libya Paul Joseph Watson | Administration readies to exploit humanitarian crisis to control Africa’s largest oil producer.

Most Americans Strongly Oppose U.S. Military Action in Libya According to Rasmussen, a large majority of Americans agree with the common sense of George Washington. During his farewell address, the first president of the United States said the nation should beware of foreign entanglements. ] Issue takes on increasing urgency amid realization that rebels cannot continue to match the weaponry and firepower of forces loyal to Gaddafi.

[ (2-26-11) Let me state for the record here that my computer has been under constant viral, hack attack, paralleling prior such foolish, paranoid actions and let me reiterate: They will be sorry and I won’t forget it! ]

Will ‘Chindia’ Rule the World in 2050, or America After All? [ I include this only because it’s by Evans-Pritchard in light of his prior forthrightness in reporting what he saw (clinton years, financial crisis pre-blowout, etc.). But Citigroup and HSBC? Hardly the pictures of Nostradamus gone corporate given their track records. Even Evans-Pritchard is out of his league here since 2050 is so optimistically close to the end (remember, decades at best), that such really matters very little. Disclosure: I haven’t and don’t need to read the article. ] Ambrose Evans-Pritchard | Citigroup and HSBC have come up with radically different pictures of what the world will look like in 2050.

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and I thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas, but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

19. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
20. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
21. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
22. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
23. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
24. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ]

Ohio, Wisconsin shine spotlight on new union battle (Washington Post) [ The importance of this article cannot be over-stated in at least its an attempt to highlight, if not distinguish between the roles of unions in the private sector versus the public sector, namely government. While in law school evenings, and working at a law firm during the day, I invariably taught one or two courses per semester (spring, fall, summer) at a local college in predominantly finance, management, insurance, and real estate. I used the Drucker text, case book, materials for management which enabled me to pay close attention to his quite brilliant thoughts, positions as they continued to evolve (as an undergrad we used Drucker, who also was consultant to many major corporations). He was a defender of unions in the private sector, if only to provide an all encompassing, cohesive, unified group with which management could deal. He also talked about the need to apply management principles to and manage non-profit organizations, institutions as, ie., hospitals, schools, etc., and hence by inference, though he didn’t seem to get to it, governments. They specifically needed to be managed for performance, which of course, in his approach required substantial thought in defining mission, goals, objectives, steps in achieving objectives, and measuring achievement or not of objectives, etc.. Moreover, raises, compensation, benefits, pensions were never to be automatic, but rather based upon clearly defined performance, merit, as can be measured. The problem in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america particulary is that more, regardless of performance had, has become an oftimes integrally political thing determinant of election results. Congress (as well as judiciary, executive branch-excepting law enforcement) has been among the worst offenders from not only the perspective of their own ever increasing pay / benefit / compensation packages despite the nation’s sinking sensation, but as well, their role in keeping in check the abuses, frauds, crimes in the private sector (ie., wall street, ceo excessive comp., etc.) which duty they have egregiously shirked. The bottomline is exactly that; viz., the bottomline. The money’s not there. The nation, state, local governments in america have not been managed for performance and are defacto bankrupt in general therefore. States can’t pay what they don’t have, but there are a lot of those, ie., frauds on wall street, etc., who should be paying first, whatever it takes! ] The divide between government worker unions and their opponents highlights a critical aspect of the evolving labor movement.

Cohen: Time for Arabs to reject anti-semitism (Washington Post) [ Reality check … time for israelis / jews to reject zionism and all that is entailed therein, including an alternate reality that defies credulity, rationality, and facts; such as, a self-rationalizing greed, anti-arab / anti-Christian predisposition and the ‘Oedipal Effect’ (blowback) engendered thereby. No, Johnny Carson was not anti-semitic (Fred Silverman), same for Charlie Sheen (Chuck Lorre), etc. (the list is endless inasmuch as when facts are not on their side, such specious inflammatory arguments as ‘anti-semitism’, prejudice, are a convenient subterfuge distracting from their weak position; ie., illegal nukes, war crimes, ignoring u.n. resolutions, ie., 242, 338, etc., ignoring international law. At best, no … God did not give them this land … at worst, God took the land back when they with roman muscle crucified Christ. Balfour was an arbitrary, incompetent, british joke.). ]

U.S. freezes $30 billion in Libya government assets (Washington Post) [ The lesson for the Libyan people based upon pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt war crimes nation america’s desperation is … you better watch that Libyan money closely; after all, look what’s happened to american money in american hands … totally plundered by the opportunist few! ] Action taken by executive order is largest blocking under any U.S. sanctions program ever; Clinton announces efforts to stem humanitarian crisis.

[ (2-26-11) Let me state for the record here that my computer has been under constant viral, hack attack, paralleling prior such foolish, paranoid actions and let me reiterate: They will be sorry and I won’t forget it! ]

Report: GOP spending plan would cost 700,000 jobs (Washington Post) [ If everyone was so concerned with the reality that pervasively corrupt america is defacto bankrupt, they could could begin with disgorgement of the hundreds of billions in fraudulent gains gotten in their massive fraud by the frauds on wall street by prosecuting same as falsely promised by ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) and holder as set forth in Oscar Winner Ferguson’s Documentary, ‘INSIDE JOB’, see immediately hereafter. After all, the nation is bankrupt! Don't cut here (Washington Post) [ If not there … then where? I think people are totally out-of-touch with the reality of america’s dire circumstances and impending collapse on as many levels as a nation could face disaster. Denial? If it were only that simple … Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR ( The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which not only do I believe to be correct, but are supported by the unequivocal documented facts. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend! The complete url ( 146 mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) : http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ) ] Topic A: Advocates make the case for funding their favorite federal programs. [ With what? The nation’s bankrupt: Senate Democrats draft cuts in domestic agency budgets (Washington Post) [ Do these ‘too little, too late’ so-called cuts purport to make the nation ‘less bankrupt’? There’s no such thing … absolutely preposterous! And, Kotlikoff thinks so as well, see immediately hereafter… ] The plan will involve accelerating some of the $33 billion in program terminations and reductions included in Obama's proposed budget for next year. When Pretending Fails to Hide Bankruptcy: Laurence Kotlikoff ( Today in the WashingtonPost.Com ) Laurence Kotlikoff Feb 22, 2011 Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Our country is bankrupt. It’s not bankrupt in 30 years or five years. It’s bankrupt today…’ ] The report offers fresh ammunition to Democrats seeking block the plan, which would slash federal appropriations by $61 billion.

‘INSIDE JOB’ Ferguson wins Oscar for Documentary on the unprosecuted massive extant fraud in the (many) TRILLIONS by the frauds on wall street ( and declares with oscar in hand that not one high level wall street exec has been prosecuted … despite ‘earning’ billiions from the fraud ), the commentator / experts recommend getting rid of the corrupt eric holder ( now what do holder and wobama have in common … is it wall street money ………… is it a proclivity for jive-talking / b*** s*** ………all of the above, some of the above ……….. or is it something else …… here’s a hint - UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ) (see this film, I strongly recommend the complete documentary – the following is a preview/summary) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffHFjlqIzKE&feature=related


[Here’s an archived version

’Inside Job’ New Documentary Exposes Wall Street Fraud And How Banksters Continue To Steal Our Money

Web site Link / Path to archived file: http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.flv [45mb ]

http://www.albertpeia.com/insidejob.mp4 [ 65mb ] ]

Wobama says daffy gaddafi’s time is up, got to go. The same can be said of wobama et als and his fraudulently failed presidency. Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama (Some might reflexively, defensively allege drugs (prescription or otherwise) or any number of the varied personality disorders so prevalent in america … ‘fuzzy, California laid back thinking’, ‘whatever’… Who knows? ) But, that said, wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to even hold the office of president in question. ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” A Government Shut-down Imperils the Power of Congress Paul Craig Roberts | Congress could try to protect its loss of the power of the purse by impeaching Obama. Drudgereport: WOBAMA 'IMPEACHMENT' WARNING... ...to announce exploratory committee 'in 10 days' Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States.

Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and I thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas, but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

25. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
26. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
27. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
28. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
29. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
30. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which I believe to be correct. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend!
The complete url: http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ( 146mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.mp4 ( 374mb ) Written text of presentation (without pictures / charts) http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrypresentation.htm ]

‘The Chicago PMI for February climbed to a 20-year high of 71.2. It had only ben expected to come in at 67.5 after a 68.8 reading in January’. [ Come on! Does anyone take anything coming out chicago capone-land seriously…maybe is the answer if you’re a fool. ]

Market Crash 2011: It Will Hit by Christmas Farrell, MarketWatch SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (MarketWatch) — Politicians lie. Bankers lie. Yes, they’re liars. But they’re not bad, it’s in their genes, inherited. Their brains are wired that way, warn scientists. Like addicts, they can’t help themselves. They want to sell stuff, get rich.

We want to believe they’re telling us the truth. Silly, huh? Both trapped in this eternal “dance of death” controlled by programs hidden deep in our brains, telling us what to do, telling us to ignore facts to the contrary — till it’s too late, till a new crisis crushes all of us.

Dow ends at 2 1/2-year high

Joe Bel Bruno explains why stocks climbed to 21/2-year highs and extended their winning streak to a third consecutive week.

Psychology offers us a powerful lesson: Our collective brain is destined to trigger a crash before Christmas 2011. Why? We’re gullible, keep searching for a truth-teller in a world of liars. And they’re so clever, we let them manipulate us into acting against our best interests.

In fact, behavioral science tells us that bankers and politicians are lying to us 93% of the time. It’s 13 times more likely Wall Street is telling you a lie than the truth. That’s why they win. Why we lose. Because our brains are preprogrammed to cooperate in their con game. Yes, we believe most of their lies.

One of America’s leading behavioral finance gurus, University of Chicago Prof. Richard Thaler, explains: “Think of the human brain as a personal computer with a very slow processor and a memory system that is small and unreliable.” Thaler even admits: “The PC I carry between my ears has more disk failures than I care to think about.” Easy to manipulate.

Eternal love story: Your brain’s in love with Wall Street’s brain

Thaler’s a quant, speaks mostly in cryptic algorithmics. So if you really want to know how Wall Street’s con game works on you, Barry Ritholtz, the financial genius behind “Bailout Nation,” recently summarized it in the Washington Post: “Humans make all the same mistakes, over and over again. It’s how we are wired, the net result of evolution. That flight-or-fight response might have helped your ancestors deal with hungry saber-toothed tigers and territorial Cro Magnons, but it drives investors to make costly emotional decisions.”

Humans have something “akin to brain damage,” says Ritholtz. “To neurophysiologists, who research cognitive functions, the emotionally driven appear to suffer from cognitive deficits that mimic certain types of brain injuries. … Anyone with an intense emotional interest in a subject loses the ability to observe it objectively: You selectively perceive events. You ignore data and facts that disagree with your main philosophy. Even your memory works to fool you, as you selectively retain what you believe in, and subtly mask any memories that might conflict.”

Worse, there’s no cure.

Your brain needs to believe lies; Wall Street loves telling lies

Examples: USA Today headline: “Average Bull is 3.8 years: We’re not at 2 yet.” More upside. Wall Street loves it. The Wall Street Journal: “Stock recovery in high gear … S&P500 now speeding toward its next landmark,” double its March 2009 bottom.

Other lies: Inflation and rate rises won’t push China and America over the edge into a new bear recession. That one’s real popular in Wall Street’s echo chamber. Wall Street also cheers every time cable pundits and journalists repeat their favorite statistic: That stocks rally in the third year of a presidency, often more than 20%. Yes, Wall Street loves those 93% lies.

Biggest lie? Wharton’s perennial bull, Jeremy Siegel, of “Stocks for the Long Run” fame, recently told a TD Ameritrade Institutional Conference, “There’s nothing but upside to come …the next several years are going to be good for stocks.”

Yes, one of Wall Street’s favorite co-conspirators is hypnotizing thousands of our best money managers and advisers into believing the lie that this bull market will roar indefinitely. Worse, they’ll use that message to sell naive investors on buying whatever junk Wall Street is selling.

Get the picture? A little conspiracy begins in your head, a conspiracy between your gullible brain and Wall Street’s con men selling hype, hoopla and happy-talk. Listen and you’ll lose. Warning: This little conspiracy is a retirement killer. Remember: It’s odds-on you’re being lied to. So for a few moments, listen to some highly respected contrarians. They’re short-selling this conspiracy, betting that 2011 will hit headwinds before Christmas, turn a cyclical bull rally into a cyclical bear market.

Our brains never learned 2008’s lessons, will fail again in 2011

Remember, we can’t help it. Our brains are defective, biased, manipulated by unseen forces 93% of the time. So blame all the lies, lying and liars on our brain wiring. A perfect excuse. Sure, political dogma and insatiable greed factor into our bizarre mental equations. But your brain is as susceptible to the “great con” as Ben Bernanke, Henry Paulson, Bernie Madoff.

Go back a few years: The subprime credit meltdown was widely predicted years in advance. For example, back in 2007, the IMF’s Chief Economist, Raghuram Rajan, “delivered a stark warning to the world’s top bankers: Financial markets were headed for doom. They laughed it off,” said the Toronto Star. Both Alan Greenspan and Larry Summers were there.

In April 2007, Jeremy Grantham, whose firm manages $107 billion, also warned investors: “The First Truly Global Bubble: From Indian antiquities to modern Chinese art; from land in Panama to Mayfair; from forestry, infrastructure, and the junkiest bonds to mundane blue chips; it’s bubble time. … Everyone, everywhere is reinforcing one another. … Bursting of the bubble will be across all countries and all assets … no similar global event has occurred before.”

We knew a crash was coming, Wall Street laughed.

Call it denial, or lying, or just a brain defect, late that summer as the meltdown spread like wildfire, shutting down the economy, our manipulative Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, a former Goldman Sachs CEO, told Fortune “this is far and away the strongest global economy I’ve seen in my business lifetime.” And Fed boss Bernanke was telling us the subprime crisis was “contained.” Alan Greenspan agreed. He was on tour, making millions hustling his new book of excuses, delusions and lies, “The Age of Turbulence.”

Today, just three years later, the market’s just a shade above its 2000 peak. Adjusted for inflation, Wall Street stocks have lost roughly 20% of your retirement money the past decade. Get it? Wall Street’s a big loser the past decade. And they’ll lose another 20% by 2020. Why? Because 93% of what comes from Wall Street is suspect, can’t be trusted.

Warning: Cyclical bull ends in 2011, new cyclical bear roars back

At the beginning of 2011 USA Today reported a contrarian forecast. Ned Davis Research says the S&P 500 will make a run at the 2007 high of 1,565, but hit a “midyear peak.” Then it will crash as interest rates rise. Davis concludes: “The midyear peak could mark the end of the cyclical bull market that began in March 2009 and the start of a new cyclical bear market.”

Warning, even though your brain doesn’t want to hear it, there is a high probability a new cyclical bear market will begin this summer … and overshadow the 2012 elections.

The Journal’s also warning: “Inflation jitters spread through emerging markets, prompting China’s central bank to raise interest rate for the third time in four months amid worries that a drought threatening the country’s wheat crop will put further pressure on global food prices.”

Wake up America: With commodity prices rising rapidly, all the bizarre rationalizations Wall Street uses to keep Bernanke’s interest rates low are rapidly vaporizing. Yes, Ned Davis’ prediction of a bear will soon be a painful reality.

S&P 500 inflated, worth just 910, get out before it tops 1,500

Grantham also sees inflation and rising interest rates killing the lies, popping the bubble and ending the rally: “As a simple rule, the market will tend to rise as long as short rates are kept low. This seems likely to be the case for eight more months and, therefore, we have to be prepared for the market to rise and to have a risky bias.”

With $107 billion at stake Grantham better be concerned. He predicted the 2008 meltdown, now sees a repeat dead ahead: “Be prepared for a strong market and continued outperformance of everything risky, but be aware that you are living on borrowed time as a bull.”

Yes, the bubble will pop this year says Grantham: “If the S&P rises to 1,500, it would officially be the latest in the series of true bubbles. All of the famous bubbles broke, but only after short rates had started to rise.”

So keep a close watch on those two tipping points in your planning, interest rates breaking to the upside and the S&P closing near 1,500. When inflation pushes interest rates up they’ll choke off this bull market. If you’re active, better stop chasing higher returns, especially emerging markets.

Bottom line: In what sounds like a direct shot at super-bull Jeremy Siegel, Grantham says that GMO’s research warns that “the market is worth about 910 on the S&P 500, substantially less than current levels” just above 1,300.

Then Grantham throws his fast ball right down the middle: “The speed with which you should pull back from the market as it advances into dangerously overpriced territory this year is more of an art than a science, but by October 1 you should probably be thinking much more conservatively.”

Translation: Get the heck out of Wall Street’s stock market casino soon, maybe as early as July 4th, and definitely get out by Christmas, because soon all the lies, lying and liars will stop working. ‘

Congress on course to avert shutdown (Washington Post) [ And just when we thought there was hope … for the nation … the world … How ‘bout a massive furlough program for congress, the judiciary, and the executive branch (except law enforcement). After all, if all of the foregoing along with the likes of pseudo gov’t / connected fraudulent wall street, etc., are not to blame for the debacle we now call america, then who is? They are, period, exclamation point. Massive firings would also do quite satisfactorily! ]

Chinese authorities block Web site, terms (Washington Post) [ It is bad enough that China is essentially a totalitarian communist nation, disingenuously relying upon capitalism for its stellar growth. In light of such and China’s preoccupation with censorship, it is also clear that it’s not so much China’s rise as it is pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america’s demise. In other words, they’re ‘limited’ (by such). But make no mistake, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america goes to great lengths in suppressing information, truth in favor of what’s spewed out by their propaganda machine which is nonpareil; and then there’s the perpetual illegal wars. ] Chinese authorities continued to tighten controls on Internet use Friday in the face of murky calls for "jasmine rallies" to emulate the anti-government protests convulsing the Middle East and North Africa.

Midwest, Middle East events threaten U.S. (Washington Post) [ Come on! It’s just not there! ‘Seemed’ is the best they can muster and that’s what they’re shooting for … to fool all of the american people/taxpayers (other than insiders) all of the time … see here: Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR ( The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which not only do I believe to be correct, but are supported by the unequivocal documented facts. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend! The complete url ( 146 mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) : http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ) ] Just when the economic recovery seemed to gain momentum, two new threats have emerged that could undermine it.

Don't cut here (Washington Post) [ If not there … then where? I think people are totally out-of-touch with the reality of america’s dire circumstances and impending collapse on as many levels as a nation could face disaster. Denial? If it were only that simple … Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR ( The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which not only do I believe to be correct, but are supported by the unequivocal documented facts. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend! The complete url ( 146 mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) : http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ) ] Topic A: Advocates make the case for funding their favorite federal programs. [ With what? The nation’s bankrupt: Senate Democrats draft cuts in domestic agency budgets (Washington Post) [ Do these ‘too little, too late’ so-called cuts purport to make the nation ‘less bankrupt’? There’s no such thing … absolutely preposterous! And, Kotlikoff thinks so as well, see immediately hereafter… ] The plan will involve accelerating some of the $33 billion in program terminations and reductions included in Obama's proposed budget for next year.

When Pretending Fails to Hide Bankruptcy: Laurence Kotlikoff ( Today in the WashingtonPost.Com ) Laurence Kotlikoff Feb 22, 2011

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Our country is bankrupt. It’s not bankrupt in 30 years or five years. It’s bankrupt today.

Want proof? Look at President Barack Obama’s 2010 budget. It showed a massive fiscal gap over the next 75 years, the closure of which requires immediate tax increases, spending cuts, or some combination totaling 8 percent of gross domestic product. To put 8 percent of GDP in perspective, this year’s employee and employer payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare will amount to just 5 percent of GDP.

Actually, the picture is much worse. Nothing in economics says we should look out just 75 years when considering the present-value difference between future spending and future taxes. Over the full long-term, we need an extra 12 percent, not 8 percent, of GDP annually.

Seventy-five years seems like a long enough time to plan. It’s not. Had the Greenspan Commission, which “fixed” Social Security back in 1983, focused on the true long term we wouldn’t be sitting here now with Social Security 26 percent underfunded. The Social Security trustees, at least, have learned a lesson. The 26 percent figure is based on their infinite horizon fiscal- gap calculation.

But the real reason we can’t look out just 75 years is that the government’s cash flows (the difference between its annual taxes and non-interest spending) over any period of time, including the next 75 years, aren’t well defined. This reflects economics’ labeling problem. If you use different words to describe the receipts taken in and paid out each year by the government, you produce entirely different cash flows and an entirely different fiscal gap measured over any finite horizon.

Matter of Language

It’s only the value of the infinite horizon fiscal gap that is unaffected by the choice of labels of language. Take this year’s payroll tax contributions. Let’s call these transfers from workers to Uncle Sam “borrowing” by the government, rather than “payroll taxes,” since the money will be paid back as future benefits. If the future payback isn’t in full (equal to principal plus interest), we can call the difference a “retirement tax.” Presto! With this change of words, our 2011 deficit of about 10 percent of GDP is boosted another five points to 15 percent.

With one set of words, taxes are higher now and lower latter. With the other set of words, the opposite is true. But neither set of labels makes more economic sense than the other or changes what the government takes, on balance, from any person or business in any given year.

This is no surprise. The math of economics rules out an absolute measure of the deficit, just like the math of physics rules out an absolute measure of time.

Bottom Line

The bottom line, then, is that we need to look at the infinite-horizon fiscal gap not just for Social Security, but for the entire federal government. That analysis, based on the Congressional Budget Office’s long-term alternative fiscal scenario, shows an unfathomable fiscal gap of $202 trillion. And covering this gap requires coming up with the aforementioned 12 percent of GDP, forever.

If this gives you the willies, there’s a ready narcotic -- the president’s 2012 budget, which shows that most of our long- term fiscal problem has miraculously disappeared; the fiscal gap isn’t 12 percent of annual GDP. Nor is it 8 percent. It’s now 1.8 percent.

This fantastic improvement in our finances is due, we’re told, primarily to the Independent Payment Advisory Board. This board, to be established in 2014 (after the next election, of course) is charged with recommending cuts to Medicare and Medicaid providers when their costs grow too fast.

Repealing Cuts

We’ve had laws mandating such cuts for years, and they are routinely repealed. Indeed, President Obama signed the latest such repeal last June. But rather than laugh out loud at this cost-control mechanism, the Medicare trustees, three-quarters of whom were appointed by the president, assume in their 2010 report that these cuts will be made -- to the dollar. And the 2012 budget cites the report’s fictional forecast as its authoritative source.

No one takes the 2010 Medicare trustee report’s long-run projections seriously, least of all Richard Foster, Medicare’s chief actuary. Foster added this statement to the end of the report: “The financial projections shown in this report for Medicare do not represent a reasonable expectation…in either the short range…or the long range.”

This isn’t the first administration to conceal our long- term fiscal problem. Back in 1993, Alice Rivlin, then deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, asked me and economists Alan Auerbach and Jagadeesh Gokhale to prepare a long-term fiscal gap/generational accounting for inclusion in President Bill Clinton’s 1994 budget.

Politics Triumphs

We worked for months on the analysis, but two days before the budget’s release, the study was excised from the budget. We were shocked, but, in retrospect, the politics are clear. The Clinton administration wanted to claim it was fiscally prudent and the study, which showed unofficial debt growing at enormous rates, showed the opposite.

The fiscal gap’s next near appearance in a president’s budget was in 2003. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill commissioned Gokhale and Kent Smetters to do the study. It showed a massive $45 trillion fiscal gap -- not a great basis for pushing tax cuts or introducing the prescription-drug benefit for seniors, known as Medicare Part D. O’Neill was ousted on Dec. 6, 2002, and a couple of days later the fiscal-gap study was discarded.

I’m not sure whether censoring the fiscal gap is more dishonorable than fudging it. What I do know is that we can’t assume our problems away and that I expected far better of this president when I voted for him.

--Editors: James Greiff, Steven Gittelson’

]

Libyan ruler clings to power as violence escalates (Washington Post) [ Clings? … As in a tight sweater … or maybe a straight jacket. Wow! Talk about delusional. ] Regime opens fire on protesters; Gaddafi calls supporters to arms (Washington Post) [ Pressure mounts on Gaddafi (Washington Post) [ That he was always a caricature of sorts, there is no question. That he’s totally burned out, there’s also no doubt; though they might argue in his defense that so was failed president dumbya bush … a point well taken … but look at the consequential pathetic state of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america … with the unlit torch passed to failed president wobama the b (for b*** s***) who pretends, or maybe in his alternate and fake reality just believes it’s lit. That he’s done, also fait accomplis, after 41 years … who cares. That he’s insane … now that’s quite another thing with greater worldwide implications, so, daffy… gadaffy… duck! Gaddafi vows to maintain hold on power Libyan strongman says he'll fight 'until the last drop of my blood' (Washington Post) [ His latter wish is the world’s command. ‘Something there is that doesn’t love a dictator, that wants them down’ … (Excuse me … I was thinking of walls and ‘Mending Wall’, Robert Frost http://albertpeia.com/RobertFrost.htm ). Libya Internet Shut Down Amid Protests, Per Multiple Reports [ Once again, as in Egypt, this, the internet, inherently global in nature is the lynchpin, tampering with or stifling same marking the end of any regime. Let this be a warning; viz., you cannot put the genie back in the bottle! 41 years? Gadaffy duck should duck ‘cause he’s done. I mean, look at him, he’s the singular equivalent of the multiple bushes. He’s totally burnt out (as much or more so than dumbya bush or mubarack) and quite done! ] Reports have emerged late Friday that Libya appears to have shut down its Internet due to widespread protests, less than a month after Egypt did the same. ] With rebels apparently controlling much of the eastern half of the country, the violence engulfing Libya is already the worst in more than a month of unrest that has toppled other regimes. ] He remains defiant even as high-level defections continue to weaken his government and rebels reportedly seize control of key swaths of nation. American evacuees describe 'long ordeal' on ferry (Washington Post) [ I’ve included this headline here, not for the article’s content but rather for the statement of one of said evacuees on network television news that he was told by the u.s. embassy that they’d have to fend for themselves and that they’re on their own. That is an important aspect of the fact-filled video presentation by Stansberry and Associates, infra, except that that will be the almost unimaginable position of the u.s. government when the almost unimaginable but inevitable happens here in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america. Don’t forget, they and their’s have plundered this nation, its treasury, people and have use each branch of this government to do so. I’ve experienced this first-hand in having to ‘fend for myself’ in what should have been a simple RICO case owing to the venality of those self-interested in the process (bribes, cover-up of crimes, etc. http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ….. Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which not only do I believe to be correct, but are supported by the unequivocal documented facts. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend! The complete url ( 146 mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) : http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ]

Why your local Hospital could soon shut down (Ad) http://www.stansberryresearch.com/pro/1011PSIENDVD/LPSILC43/PR [ The instant video from Stansberry and Associates is so well researched and succinctly presented that I’ve archived same on my website; also, because the facts and views presented comport with the facts and views I’ve presented on my site which not only do I believe to be correct, but are supported by the unequivocal documented facts. This is a must-view, must-see that I strongly recommend! The complete url ( 146 mb – approx. 1 hr. 17 min. ) : http://www.albertpeia.com/stansberrysinvestmentadvisory.flv ]

21 Signs That The Once Great U.S. Economy Is Being Gutted, Neutered, Defanged, Declawed And Deindustrialized Once upon a time… The Economic Collapse Feb 12, 2011 ‘Once upon a time, the United States was the greatest industrial powerhouse that the world has ever seen.  Our immense economic machinery was the envy of the rest of the globe and it provided the foundation for the largest and most vibrant middle class in the history of the world.  But now the once great U.S. economic machine is being dismantled piece by piece.  The U.S. economy is being gutted, neutered, defanged, declawed and deindustrialized and very few of our leaders even seem to care.  It was the United States that once showed the rest of the world how to mass produce televisions and automobiles and airplanes and computers, but now our industrial base is being ripped to shreds.  Tens of thousands of our factories and millions of our jobs have been shipped overseas.  Many of our proudest manufacturing cities have been transformed into “post-industrial” hellholes that nobody wants to live in anymore.

Meanwhile, wave after wave of shiny new factories is going up in nations such as China, India and Brazil.  This is great for those countries, but for the millions of American workers that desperately needed the jobs that have been sent overseas it is not so great.

This is the legacy of globalism.  Multinational corporations now have the choice whether to hire U.S. workers or to hire workers in countries where it is legal to pay slave labor wages.  The “great sucking sound” that Ross Perot warned us about so long ago is actually happening, and it has left tens of millions of Americans without good jobs.

So what is to become of a nation that consumes more than it ever has and yet continues to produce less and less?

Well, the greatest debt binge in the history of the world has enabled us to maintain (and even increase) our standard of living for several decades, but all of that debt is starting to really catch up with us.

The American people seem to be very confused about what is happening to us because most of them thought that the party was going to last forever.  In fact, most of them still seem convinced that our brightest economic days are still ahead.

After all, every time we have had a “recession” in the past things have always turned around and we have gone on to even greater things, right?

Well, what most Americans simply fail to understand is that we are like a car that is having its insides ripped right out.  Our industrial base is being gutted right in front of our eyes.

Most Americans don’t think much about our “trade deficit”, but it is absolutely central to what is happening to our economy.  Every year, we buy far, far more from the rest of the world than they buy from us.

In 2010, the U.S. trade deficit was just a whisker under $500 billion.  This is money that we could have all spent inside the United States that would have supported thousands of American factories and millions of American jobs.

Instead, we sent all of those hundreds of billions of dollars overseas in exchange for a big pile of stuff that we greedily consumed.  Most of that stuff we probably didn’t need anyway.

Since we spent almost $500 billion more with the rest of the world than they spent with us, at the end of the year the rest of the world was $500 billion wealthier and the American people were collectively $500 billion poorer.

That means that the collective “economic pie” that we are all dividing up is now $500 billion smaller.

Are you starting to understand why times suddenly seem so “hard” in the United States?

Meanwhile, jobs and businesses continue to fly out of the United States at a blinding pace.

This is a national crisis.

We simply cannot expect to continue to have a “great economy” if we allow our economy to be deindustrialized.

A nation that consumes far more than it produces is not going to be wealthy for long.

The following are 21 signs that the once great U.S. economy is being gutted,  neutered, defanged, declawed and deindustrialized….

#1 The U.S. trade deficit with the rest of the world rose to 497.8 billion dollars in 2010.  That represented a 32.8% increase from 2009.

#2 The U.S. trade deficit with China rose to an all-time record of 273.1 billion dollars in 2010.  This is the largest trade deficit that one nation has had with another nation in the history of the world.

#3 The U.S. trade deficit with China in 2010 was 27 times larger than it was back in 1990.

#4 In the years since 1975, the United States had run a total trade deficit of 7.5 trillion dollars with the rest of the world.

#5 The United States spends more than 4 dollars on goods and services from China for every one dollar that China spends on goods and services from the United States.

#6 In 1959, manufacturing represented 28 percent of all U.S. economic output.  In 2008, it represented only 11.5 percent and it continues to fall.

#7 The number of net jobs gained by the U.S. economy during this past decade was smaller than during any other decade since World War 2.

#8 The Bureau of Labor Statistics originally predicted that the U.S. economy would create approximately 22 million jobs during the decade of the 2000s, but it turns out that the U.S. economy only produced about 7 million jobsduring that time period.

#9 Japan now manufactures about 5 million more automobiles than the United States does.

#10 China has now become the world’s largest exporter of high technology products.

#11 Manufacturing employment in the U.S. computer industry is actually lower in 2010 than it was in 1975.

#12 The United States now has 10 percent fewer “middle class jobs” than it did just ten years ago.

#13 According to Tax Notes, between 1999 and 2008 employment at the foreign affiliates of U.S. parent companies increased an astounding 30 percent to 10.1 million. During that exact same time period, U.S. employment at American multinational corporations declined 8 percent to 21.1 million.

#14 Back in 1970, 25 percent of all jobs in the United States were manufacturing jobs. Today, only 9 percent of the jobs in the United States are manufacturing jobs.

#15 Back in 1998, the United States had 25 percent of the world’s high-tech export market and China had just 10 percent. Ten years later, the United States had less than 15 percent and China’s share had soared to 20 percent.

#16 The number of Americans that have become so discouraged that they have given up searching for work completely now stands at an all-time high.

#17 Half of all American workers now earn $505 or less per week.

#18 The United States has lost a staggering 32 percent of its manufacturing jobs since the year 2000.

#19 Since 2001, over 42,000 U.S. factories have closed down for good.

#20 In 2008, 1.2 billion cellphones were sold worldwide.  So how many of them were manufactured inside the United States?  Zero.

#21 Ten years ago, the “employment rate” in the United States was about 64%.  Since then it has been constantly declining and now the “employment rate” in the United States is only about 58%.  So where did all of those jobs go?

The world is changing.

We are bleeding national wealth at a pace that is almost unimaginable.

We are literally being drained dry.

Did you know that China now has the world’s fastest train and the world’s largest high-speed rail network?

They were able to afford those things with all of the money that we have been sending them.

How do you think all of those oil barons in the Middle East became so wealthy and could build such opulent palaces?

They got rich off of all the money that we have been sending them.

Meanwhile, once great U.S. cities such as Detroit, Michigan now look like war zones.

Back in 1985, the U.S. trade deficit with China was about 6 million dollars for the entire year.

As mentioned above, the U.S. trade deficit with China for 2010 was over 273billion dollars.

What a difference 25 years can make, eh?

What do you find when you go into a Wal-Mart, a Target or a dollar store today?

You find row after row after row of stuff made in China and in other far away countries.

It can be more than a bit difficult to find things that are actually made inside the United States anymore.  In fact, there are quite a few industries that have completely and totally left the United States.  For certain product categories it is now literally impossible to buy something made in America.

So what are we going to do with our tens of millions of blue collar workers?

Should we just tell them that their jobs are not ever coming back so they better learn phrases such as “Welcome to Wal-Mart” and “Would you like fries with that”?

For quite a few years, the gigantic debt bubble that we were living in kind of insulated us from feeling the effects of the deindustrialization of America.

But now the pain is starting to kick in.

It has now become soul-crushingly difficult to find a job in America today.

According to Gallup, the U.S. unemployment rate is currently 10.1% and when you throw in “underemployed” workers that figure rises to 19.6%.

Competition for jobs has become incredibly fierce and it is going to stay that way.

The great U.S. economic machine is being ripped apart and dismantled right in full view of us all.

This is not a “conservative” issue or a “liberal” issue.  This is an American issue.

The United States is rapidly being turned into a “post-industrial” wasteland.

It is time to wake up America.’

This is that unmentionable reality as I alluded to earlier on close scrutiny of the data, ‘that stock prices have been manipulated to the upside beyond any and all rational basis‘ and as I previously wrote: Perception vs. Reality: Four Reasons to Remain Cautious on U.S. Equities [ Hey, Abbott … That’s Lou Costello calling him from the other side … Wake up! … Just kidding … but I’m not kidding when I say that contrary to Abbott’s view, infra, if you’re not a successful market timer you should rethink your position as an equity investor. Moreover, in contradistinction to Mr. Abbott’s implication, if you’re not a successful speculator (there are very few), you should rethink your position as a short seller: reason…, you could be wiped out, lose more than your principal, forced to cover (that’s why the same is considered a contrary market indicator, particularly in these manipulated, contrived markets). When I did my MBA thesis (1977, NYU, GBA, Eve.Prog., Finance), a review of the data revealed even then (and much more so now with computer programmed market manipulation) that the market remained biased / propped up (artificially, especially now with computerized manipulation) to the upside for far longer periods of time than for the downside which meant that dollar-cost averaging (through regular, periodic investment, for example), meant you were accumulating shares at higher prices generally for longer periods of time skewing the average cost to the upside (dollar-cost-averaging in declining markets was ok if analysis / forecast saw resurgence based on fundamentals - now absent – which is timing, as even senile wall street / gov’t shill Buffet would attest, that ‘greedy when others are fearful thing’). Abbott discusses perception which is the psychological factor involved in security evaluation / analysis; but investors need not and should become nuts themselves, particularly when as now, the inmates are running the asylum. ] Abbott ‘Perception determines short-term market movements. The difference between perception and reality determines the direction of major market trends. Though I generally try to avoid making macro prognostications, I believe bottom-up analysis can be informative about the current level of stock prices. I want to share what my recent work tells me about where stocks are (and where they might be headed). I will outline some various nuggets of collective wisdom that are taken for granted right now by stock bulls, and I will attempt to demonstrate how reality is likely to differ from these perceptions.

First, a disclaimer. This is not a market timing call. At all times, I stay away from market timing predictions. I think that's a loser's game in the long run. Even if I'm correct about the discrepancies between the following perceptions and realities, there's no saying when people will change their minds or shift their focuses. That said, let's dive in.

Perception vs. Reality #1
Perception: Low Interest Rates, Questionable Bond Outlook Means Stocks are Attractive
Reality: Interest Rates Are Being Artificially and Deliberately Manipulated

It's no secret that the Federal Reserve's low interest rate policy and quantitative easing efforts have held interest rates very low for very long. However, when people talk about stock market implications of bond yields, they rarely mention the fact that bond yields are artificially low. In an unmanipulated market, bond prices and stock valuations should be related, but I regard that connection as highly dubious right now. Investors who say that stocks deserve higher multiples (lower earnings yields) because bond yields are so low may well be setting themselves up for disappointing returns/frustrating losses when bond prices normalize. Again, this isn't a market timing call, and yields may remain low for quite some time. But, eventually this discrepancy will correct itself, and stock performance is likely to suffer at that time.

Perception vs. Reality #2
Perception: Earnings Growth Has Been Strong and Will Remain That Way
Reality: Top-Line Growth Will Have to Pick Up; Cost-Cutting has Run Its Course

Earnings growth has certainly been robust, but much of the strength has come from companies running lean cost structures and wringing as much efficiency as possible out of their employees and their assets. Though the recession has ended, the economy is not yet healthy enough to fuel strong sales growth. Companies can only boost profits by cutting costs and increasing productivity for so long. Therefore, top-line growth will have to play a larger role going forward than it has over the past 4-6 quarters. Whether or not economic growth is strong enough to drive revenue increases is unsure, but the current level of stock prices undoubtedly assumes it is. Any stagnation of the recovery and concomitant sluggish sales will likely hit stock prices.

Perception vs. Reality #3
Perception: European Debt Crisis Drives Short-Term Volatility, but It's Not a Long-Term Concern
Reality: Crisis May Be a Harbinger of What's to Come in the U.S. if States, the Feds Don't Improve Balance Sheets

So far, turmoil in Greece and Ireland has served only as a temporary headwind to U.S. stocks. In keeping with the investment world's increasingly short-term focus, people seem more concerned with what fiscal crises in Europe mean for U.S. stocks over the coming days and months than with what they might mean down the road. I believe that this interpretation misses the mark. Since the U.S. fiscal situtation is generally considered to be stronger than that in many European countries, U.S. federal and municipal debt issuance has been relatively smooth, and interest rates have only risen modestly. If the U.S. doesn't get serious about its fiscal woes, eventually the crisis will arrive on American shores. There's no way of telling when this might happen, but the current level of stock prices seems to imply that it never will.

Here's the problem with that. To fix the federal balance sheet and/or to improve state and municipal balance sheets, legislators will have to raise taxes and/or cut spending. Tax hikes and spending cuts both reduce consumer spending. This hurts growth. There's no way around this. Stocks can certainly continue to rise for some time, but austerity will be bearish if/when it comes. If it doesn't come, we're in for a much bigger crisis some time down the road.

Perception vs. Reality #4
Perception: Everywhere You Look, You See Good Companies at Cheap Prices
Reality: It's Hard to Find Genuine Bargains, but There are Intriguing Short Prospects Everywhere

There is no shortage of stock market commentators who claim that they see bargains everywhere they look. Perhaps I'm not looking in the right places, but I've been having a difficult and increasingly impossible time finding good companies at reasonable prices. I use similar criteria to assess long and short investments, and I find intriguing shorts in lots of sectors right now. This tells me that valuations are stretched. Certainly they can become more so before we get a selloff, but every day that stocks rally, they get more expensive.

I've written on Seeking Alpha about a number of stocks which I regard as expensive (CRM, OPEN, GMCR), and take my word for it: there are plenty more than these whose shares I do not want to own at present levels. A few weeks ago, I also mused about the Facebook-Goldman deal and argued that this valuation is indicative of excessive investor enthusiasm. Bargains are hard to find, and as valuations go up, so does positive sentiment. While this is not a prediction of an impending correction or bear market, it is a message of caution for people who think stocks are cheap right now.

All that said, I always try to consider both sides of any investment issue, and there are some reasons for optimism. Job growth has shown signs of improvement, and some economic data have been increasingly (though not uniformly) positive. The Federal Reserve remains accommodative, and I'm skeptical about whether or not there is political will for austerity. For these reasons, stocks could continue onward and upward. That said, I see too many reasons for caution, and investors are turning a blind eye to these concerns as their complacency rises.’

12 Economic Collapse Scenarios That We Could Potentially See In 2011 What could cause an economic collapse in 2011? Well, unfortunately there are quite a few “nightmare scenarios” that could plunge the entire globe into another massive financial crisis.
The Economic Collapse Jan 20, 2011 ‘What could cause an economic collapse in 2011? Well, unfortunately there are quite a few “nightmare scenarios” that could plunge the entire globe into another massive financial crisis.  The United States, Japan and most of the nations in Europe are absolutely drowning in debt.  The Federal Reserve continues to play reckless games with the U.S. dollar.  The price of oil is skyrocketing and the global price of food just hit a new record high.  Food riots are already breaking out all over the world.  Meanwhile, the rampant fraud and corruption going on in world financial markets is starting to be exposed and the whole house of cards could come crashing down at any time.  Most Americans have no idea that a horrific economic collapse could happen at literally any time.  There is no way that all of this debt and all of this financial corruption is sustainable.  At some point we are going to reach a moment of “total system failure”.

So will it be soon?  Let’s hope not.  Let’s certainly hope that it does not happen in 2011.  Many of us need more time to prepare.  Most of our families and friends need more time to prepare.  Once this thing implodes there isn’t going to be an opportunity to have a “do over”.  We simply will not be able to put the toothpaste back into the tube again.

So we had all better be getting prepared for hard times.  The following are 12 economic collapse scenarios that we could potentially see in 2011….

#1 U.S. debt could become a massive crisis at any moment.  China is saying all of the right things at the moment, but many analysts are openly worried about what could happen if China suddenly decides to start dumping all of the U.S. debt that they have accumulated.  Right now about the only thing keeping U.S. government finances going is the ability to borrow gigantic amounts of money at extremely low interest rates.  If anything upsets that paradigm, it could potentially have enormous consequences for the entire world financial system.

#2 Speaking of threats to the global financial system, it turns out that “quantitative easing 2″ has had the exact opposite effect that Ben Bernanke planned for it to have.  Bernanke insisted that the main goal of QE2 was to lower interest rates, but instead all it has done is cause interest rates to go up substantially.  If Bernanke this incompetent or is he trying to mess everything up on purpose?

#3 The debt bubble that the entire global economy is based on could burst at any time and throw the whole planet into chaos.  According to a new report from the World Economic Forum, the total amount of credit in the world increased from $57 trillion in 2000 to $109 trillion in 2009.  The WEF says that now the world is going to need another $100 trillion in credit to support projected “economic growth” over the next decade.  So is this how the new “global economy” works?  We just keep doubling the total amount of debt every decade?

#4 As the U.S. government and the Federal Reserve continue to pump massive amounts of new dollars into the system, the floor could fall out from underneath the U.S. dollar at any time.  The truth is that we are already starting to see inflation really accelerate and everyone pretty much acknowledges that official U.S. governments figures for inflation are an absolute joke.  According to one new study, the cost of college tuition has risen 286% over the last 20 years, and the cost of “hospital, nursing-home and adult-day-care services” rose 269% during those same two decades.  All of this happened during a period of supposedly “low” inflation.  So what are price increases going to look like when we actually have “high” inflation?

#5 One of the primary drivers of global inflation during 2011 could be the price of oil.  A large number of economists are now projecting that the price of oil could surge well past $100 dollars a barrel in 2011.  If that happens, it is going to put significant pressure on the price of almost everything else in the entire global economy.  In fact, as I have explained previously, the higher the price of oil goes, the faster the U.S. economy will decline.

#6 Food inflation is already so bad in some areas of the globe that it is setting off massive food riots in nations such as Tunisia and Algeria.  In fact, there have been reports of people setting themselves on fire all over the Middle East as a way to draw attention to how desperate they are.  So what is going to happen if global food prices go up another 10 or 20 percent and food riots spread literally all over the globe during 2011?

#7 There are persistent rumors that simply will not go away of massive physical gold and silver shortages.  Demand for precious metals has never been higher.  So what is going to happen when many investors begin to absolutely insist on physical delivery of their precious metals?  What is going to happen when the fact that far, far, far more “paper gold” and “paper silver” has been sold than has ever actually physically existed in the history of the planet starts to come out?  What would that do to the price of gold and silver?

#8 The U.S. housing industry could plunge the U.S. economy into another recession at any time.  The real estate market is absolutely flooded with homes and virtually nobody is buying.  This massive oversupply of homes means that the construction of new homes has fallen off a cliff.  In 2010, only 703,000 single family, multi-family and manufactured homes were completed.  This was a new record low, and it was down 17% from the previous all-time record which had just been set in 2009.

#9 A combination of extreme weather and disease could make this an absolutely brutal year for U.S. farmers.  This winter we have already seen thousands of new cold weather and snowfall records set across the United States.  Now there is some very disturbing news emerging out of Florida of an “incurable bacteria” that is ravaging citrus crops all over Florida.  Is there a reason why so many bad things are happening all of a sudden?

#10 The municipal bond crisis could go “supernova” at any time.  Already, investors are bailing out of bonds at a frightening pace.  State and local government debt is now sitting at an all-time high of 22 percent of U.S. GDP.  According to Meredith Whitney, the municipal bond crisis that we are facing is a gigantic threat to our financial system….

“It has tentacles as wide as anything I’ve seen. I think next to housing this is the single most important issue in the United States and certainly the largest threat to the U.S. economy.”

Former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan is convinced that things are so bad that literally 90% of our states and cities could go bankrupt over the next five years….

#11 Of course on top of everything else, the quadrillion dollar derivatives bubble could burst at any time.  Right now we are watching the greatest financial casino in the history of the globe spin around and around and around and everyone is hoping that at some point it doesn’t stop.  Today, most money on Wall Street is not made by investing in good business ideas.  Rather, most money on Wall Street is now made by making the best bets.  Unfortunately, at some point the casino is going to come crashing down and the game will be over.

#12 The biggest wildcard of all is war.  The Korean peninsula came closer to war in 2010 than it had in decades.  The Middle East could literally explode at any time.  We live in a world where a single weapon can take out an entire city in an instant.  All it would take is a mid-size war or a couple of weapons of mass destruction to throw the entire global economy into absolute turmoil.

Once again, let us hope that none of these economic collapse scenarios happens in 2011.

However, we have got to realize that we can’t keep dodging these bullets forever.

As bad as 2010 was, the truth is that it went about as good as any of us could have hoped.  Things are still pretty stable and times are still pretty good right now.

But instead of using these times to “party”, we should be using them to prepare.

A really, really vicious economic storm is coming and it is going to be a complete and total nightmare.  Get ready, hold on tight, and say your prayers.’

Poor Recovery: The Problem Is Institutional [ Well it’s true that the problem is institutional as in pervasively corrupt, incompetent, nonproductive in real terms relative to their cost / damage (still no pros on the wall street fraud which is ongoing in terms of the last crisis, the worthless paper marked to anything, and the current bubble fraud that’s high-frequency computerized churn-and-earn high-frequency commissioned / sold into, 360 tons of $100 bills disappear in Iraq, etc.. What do they get paid for?) ( Peter Schiff: Washington a parasite to economy ‘US foreclosures hit record highs in 2010, but that may not be the worst of it. 2011 may be even worse. Meanwhile, JP Morgan Chase exceeded market expectations, announcing a 47% rise in quarterly profits and released details on a $28.1 billion pay and bonus pool. Peter Schiff, the President of Euro Pacific Capital said Washington and Wall Street are becoming one force and are sucking the underlying American dry like a parasite’.); but the problem is structural, as in transfer of jobs, industries, etc. (among the sources of the huge over-compensation to wall street, company executives), never to return in any meaningful sense; and as in the defacto bankruptcy of the nation with insurmountable record debt / deficits or stated another way, broke. Unlike in the past, once beyond the propaganda, rhetoric, and smoke and mirrors / obfuscation, there is no prospective way for america to grow its way out, nor are there funds in real money with which to do it. Quite simply, america’s broke / bankrupt in every which way. ] Loundsbury ‘Harold Meyerson, Op Ed Columnist at The Washington Post, has hit the nail right on the head, in the opinion of GEI. Meyerson says the debate about whether the recession and poor recovery is a cyclical problem or a structural problem is misguided. He says the problem is institutional - - - and is he ever right!

In a column last week, Myerson points out that the devastation of The Great Recession has fallen disproportionately on the blue collar population, those without a college degree. And he traces the rolling over of median family income in this century, not just in the downturn, but since the turn of the century. Even at the peak, in 2007, median family income was less than in 2000.

What Meyerson doesn't point out is that average incomes have faired better in the 21st century and in all of the past 50 years. In fact, average family income has risen more than 2.5 times as much and median income over the last 30 years. Why is this important? Because the more there is a fat tail of ever higher incomes for a few, the greater the difference between average and median income becomes.

Myerson says:

The great sociologist William Julius Wilson has long argued that the key to the unraveling of the lives of the African American poor was the decline in the number of "marriageable males" as work disappeared from the inner city. Much the same could now be said of working-class whites in neighborhoods that may not look like the ghettos of Cleveland or Detroit but in which productive economic activity is increasingly hard to find.

This grim new reality has yet to inform our debate over how to come back from this mega-recession. Those who believe our downturn is cyclical argue that job-creating public spending can restore us to prosperity, while those who believe it's structural - that we have too many carpenters, say, and not enough nurses - believe that we should leave things be while American workers acquire new skills and enter different lines of work. But there's a third way to look at the recession: that it's institutional, that it's the consequence of the decisions by leading banks and corporations to stop investing in the job-creating enterprises that were the key to broadly shared prosperity.

Since Meyerson has chosen income disparity as a cornerstone of his argument, let's look at how incomes have grown over the last 50 years. These are shown in the following graph, not adjusted for inflation.

click to enlarge images [chart]

Real median income and average income seem to grow similarly in the 1950s and 1960s, the growth of average income starts to pull away in the mid-1960s and appears to continue to gain gound for the the next 40+ years. The more average income deviates from median income the more money is found in the high income tail on the distribution curve. This is often called a "fat tail", which is very appropriate in this discussion because that is where the fat cats are. The fat tail has not gotten so because ten times as many people equaled the incomes of the former fat cats, but more because a few fat cats have received 10 times the income. This is exemplified by the often quoted statistic that average CEO salaries were 40x average worker pay 50 years ago and today are more like 400x.

The change income distribution that seems to be appearing in the above graph becomes more apparent in the following graph where real income gains are shown for the last six decades starting with the ten years from 1949 - 1959 (the 1950s) and ending with 1999 - 2009 (the 2000s). [chart]

The 1950s and 60s were real boom years. Starting with the 1970s a lower level of income growth was established, but even that lower level could not be maintained in the 2000s.

After the 1950s every decade has seen average real income grow more than the median. The fat tail has gotten fatter over the past half century in every decade, without exception. Yes the average did decline in the 2000s, but the median declined 76% more!

The most dramatic pattern of change is evident when the data is divided into two halves: 1949 to 1979 and 1979 - 2009. This is done in the following graph: [chart]

For thirty years after World War II the wealth of the country increased in a balanced manner. The average income containing the greater contribution from the top earners of the day, grew at a rate very similar to the income growth of the broader population, represented by the median.

Yes there were "fat cats" and they had significantly larger incomes than the bulk of the population. And these top incomes grew over those three decades, but at almost the same rate as the majority of the populace.

Then something happened. From 1979-2009 it appears that the American pie suddenly got smaller. In the later three decades the real median income growth was less than 10% of the rate seen from 1949 to 1979. And as the pie got smaller, the fat cats took a much larger share. The average income grew at a rate 254% that of the median income. You might say that, as the cow gave less milk, the top of the economic ladder skimmed more and more cream off the top.

Meyerson identifies the force majuere to be corporate America:

Our multinational companies still invest, of course - just not at home. A study by the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Council Foundation found that the share of the profits of U.S.-based multinationals that came from their foreign affiliates had increased from 17 percent in 1977 and 27 percent in 1994 to 48.6 percent in 2006. As the companies' revenue from abroad has increased, their dependence on American consumers has diminished. The equilibrium among production, wages and purchasing power - the equilibrium that Henry Ford famously recognized when he upped his workers' pay to an unheard-of $5 a day in 1913 so they could afford to buy the cars they made, the equilibrium that became the model for 20th-century American capitalism - has been shattered. Making and selling their goods abroad, U.S. multinationals can slash their workforces and reduce their wages at home while retaining their revenue and increasing their profits. And that's exactly what they've done.

Meyerson doesn't get into some of the other areas that might be brought to bear on the current condition of the American economy:

• He doesn't address the fact that the U.S. ranks below some third world countries in education.
• He doesn't discuss the increasing burden of health care, both because costs have been running out of control and because an ever increasing portion of the population is kept from making the contribution they might have otherwise because of poor health.
• He doesn't discuss the capture of much potential domestic capital by financial engineers who find it much easier to get rich in a rigged casino than to make money the old fashioned way.

Part of the problem is that Americans have fallen into the way of the easiest path, where, either by credit card or by making quick trades, the desires of the moment are satisfied with no seemingly current cost.

It seems that few want to think about the needs of tomorrow. This is true starting with the masses who kiss off the idea of working hard in school to prepare for what they will need 20 years down the road. This is also true of the "capitalist" who finds that skimming a few percent off each of many deals a year to get quick, large quarterly returns is much easier than investing and building something that will will make much larger returns extending over decades and producing things of real economic utility.

There are a number of things that Meyerson does not address, but if you want to hit one nail at a time, I think he has picked the baddest nail in the plank. He finishes his column thusly:

Our economic woes, then, are not simply cyclical or structural. They are also - chiefly - institutional, the consequence of U.S. corporate behavior that has plunged us into a downward cycle of underinvestment, underemployment and under-consumption. Our solutions must be similarly institutional, requiring, for starters, the seating of public and worker representatives on corporate boards. Short of that, there will be no real prospects for reversing America's downward mobility.

If we were to address all the other issues I mentioned previously and did not address the institutional problem Meterson has identified, we would not ultimately solve our economic puzzle.’

20 Shocking New Economic Records That Were Set In 2010 2010 was quite a year, wasn’t it? 2010 will be remembered for a lot of things, but for those living in the United States, one of the main things that last year will be remembered for is economic decline…The Economic Collapse Jan 14, 2011 ‘2010 was quite a year, wasn’t it?  2010 will be remembered for a lot of things, but for those living in the United States, one of the main things that last year will be remembered for is economic decline.  The number of foreclosure filings set a new record, the number of home repossessions set a new record, the number of bankruptcies went up again, the number of Americans that became so discouraged that they simply quit looking for work reached a new all-time high and the number of Americans on food stamps kept setting a brand new record every single month.  Meanwhile, U.S. government debt reached record highs, state government debt reached record highs and local government debt reached record highs.  What a mess!  In fact, even many of the “good” economic records that were set during 2010 were indications of underlying economic weakness.  For example, the price of gold set an all-time record during 2010, but one of the primary reasons for the increase in the price of gold was that the U.S. dollar was rapidly losing value.  Most Americans had been hoping that 2010 would be the beginning of better times, but unfortunately economic conditions just kept getting worse.

So will things improve in 2011?  That would be nice, but at this point there are not a whole lot of reasons to be optimistic about the economy.  The truth is that we are trapped in a period of long-term economic decline and we are now paying the price for decades of horrible decisions.

Amazingly, many of our politicians and many in the mainstream media have declared that “the recession is over” and that the U.S. economy is steadily improving now.

Well, if anyone tries to tell you that the economy got better in 2010, just show them the statistics below.  That should shut them up for a while.

The following are 20 new economic records that were set during 2010….

#1 An all-time record of 2.87 million U.S. households received a foreclosure filing in 2010.

#2 The number of homes that were actually repossessed reached the 1 million mark for the first time ever during 2010.

#3 The price of gold moved above $1400 an ounce for the first time ever during 2010.

#4 According to the American Bankruptcy Institute, approximately 1.53 million consumer bankruptcy petitions were filed in 2010, which was up 9 percent from 1.41 million in 2009.  This was the highest number of personal bankruptcies we have seen since the U.S. Congress substantially tightened U.S. bankruptcy law several years ago.

#5 At one point during 2010, the average time needed to find a job in the United States had risen to an all-time record of 35.2 weeks.

#6 Back in 1970, 25 percent of all jobs in the United States were manufacturing jobs. Today, only 9 percent of the jobs in the United States are manufacturing jobs, which is believed to be a new record low.

#7 The number of Americans working part-time jobs “for economic reasons” was the highest it has been in at least five decades during 2010.

#8 The number of American workers that are so discouraged that they have given up searching for work reached an all-time high near the end of 2010.

#9 Government spending continues to set new all-time records.  In fact, at the moment the U.S. government is spending approximately 6.85 million dollars every single minute.

#10 The number of Americans on food stamps surpassed 43 million by the end of 2010.  This was a new all-time record, and government officials fully expect the number of Americans enrolled in the program to continue to increase throughout 2011.

#11 The number of Americans on Medicaid surpassed 50 million for the first time ever in 2010.

#12 The U.S. Census Bureau originally announced that 43.6 million Americans are now living in poverty and according to them that was the highest number of Americans living in poverty that they had ever recorded in 51 years of record-keeping.  But now the Census Bureau says that they miscalculated and that the real number of poor Americans is actually 47.8 million.

#13 According to the FDIC, 157 banks failed during 2010.  That was the highest number of bank failures that the United States has experienced in any single year during the past decade.

#14 The Federal Reserve brought in a record $80.9 billion in profits during 2010.  They returned $78.4 billion of that to the U.S. Treasury, but the real story is that thanks to the Federal Reserve’s continual debasement of our currency, the U.S. dollar was worth less in 2010 than it ever had been before.

#15 It is projected that the major financial firms on Wall Street will pay out an all-time record of $144 billion in compensation for 2010.

#16 Americans now owe more than $881 billion on student loans, which is a new all-time record.

#17 In July, sales of new homes in the United States declined to the lowest level ever recorded.

#18 According to Zillow, U.S. housing prices have now declined a whopping 26 percent since their peak in June 2006.  Amazingly, this is even farther than house prices fell during the Great Depression.  From 1928 to 1933, U.S. housing prices only fell 25.9 percent.

#19 State and local government debt reached at an all-time record of 22 percent of U.S. GDP during 2010.

#20 The U.S. national debt has surpassed the 14 trillion dollar mark for the first time ever and it is being projected that it will soar well past 15 trillion during 2011.

There are some people that have a hard time really grasping what statistics actually mean.  For people like that, often pictures and charts are much more effective.  Well, that is one reason I like to include pictures and graphs in many of my articles, and below I have posted my favorite chart from this past year.  It shows the growth of the U.S. national debt from 1940 until today.  I honestly don’t know how anyone can look at this chart and still be convinced that our nation is not headed for a complete financial meltdown….[chart]

14 Eye Opening Statistics Which Reveal Just How Dramatically The U.S. Economy Has Collapsed Since 2007 Most Americans have become so accustomed to the “new normal” of continual economic decline that they don’t even remember how good things were just a few short years ago. ‘The Economic Collapse Jan 10, 2011

’Most Americans have become so accustomed to the “new normal” of continual economic decline that they don’t even remember how good things were just a few short years ago.  Back in 2007, unemployment was very low, good jobs were much easier to get, far fewer Americans were living in poverty or enrolled in welfare programs and government finances were in much better shape.  Of course most of this prosperity was fueled by massive amounts of debt, but at least times were better.  Unfortunately, things have really deteriorated over the last several years.  Since 2007, unemployment has skyrocketed, foreclosures have set new all-time records, personal bankruptcies have soared and U.S. government debt has gotten completely and totally out of control.  Poll after poll has shown that Americans are now far less optimistic about the future than they were in 2007.  It is almost as if the past few years have literally sucked the hope out of millions upon millions of Americans.

Sadly, our economic situation is continually getting worse.  Every month the United States loses more factories.  Every month the United States loses more jobs.  Every month the collective wealth of U.S. citizens continues to decline.  Every month the federal government goes into even more debt.  Every month state and local governments go into even more debt.

Unfortunately, things are going to get even worse in the years ahead.  Right now we look back on 2005, 2006 and 2007 as “good times”, but in a few years we will look back on 2010 and 2011 as “good times”.

We are in the midst of a long-term economic decline, and the very bad economic choices that we have been making as a nation for decades are now starting to really catch up with us.

So as horrible as you may think that things are now, just keep in mind that things are going to continue to deteriorate in the years ahead.

But for the moment, let us remember how far we have fallen over the past few years.  The following are 14 eye opening statistics which reveal just how dramatically the U.S. economy has collapsed since 2007….

#1 In November 2007, the official U.S. unemployment rate was just 4.7 percent.  Today, the official U.S. unemployment rate is 9.4 percent.

#2 In November 2007, 18.8% of unemployed Americans had been out of work for 27 weeks or longer.  Today that percentage is up to 41.9%.

#3 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#4 Nearly 10 million Americans now receive unemployment insurance, whichis almost four times as many as were receiving it back in 2007.

#5 More than half of the U.S. labor force (55 percent) has “suffered a spell of unemployment, a cut in pay, a reduction in hours or have become involuntary part-time workers” since the “recession” began in December 2007.

#6 According to one analysis, the United States has lost a total of approximately 10.5 million jobs since 2007.

#7 As 2007 began, only 26 million Americans were on food stamps.  Today, an all-time record of 43.2 million Americans are enrolled in the food stamp program.

#8 In 2007, the U.S. government held a total of $725 billion in mortgage debt.  As of the middle of 2010, the U.S. government held a total of $5.148 trillion in mortgage debt.

#9 In the year prior to the “official” beginning of the most recent recession in 2007, the IRS filed just 684,000 tax liens against U.S. taxpayers.  During 2010, the IRS filed over a million tax liens against U.S. taxpayers.

#10 From the year 2000 through the year 2007, there were 27 bank failures in the United States.  From 2008 through 2010, there were 314 bank failures in the United States.

#11 According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of U.S. families with children living in homeless sheltersincreased from 131,000 to 170,000 between 2007 and 2009.

#12 In 2007, one poll found that 43 percent of Americans were living “paycheck to paycheck”.  Sadly, according to a survey released very close to the end of 2010, approximately 55 percent of all Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.

#13 In 2007, the “official” federal budget deficit was just 161 billion dollars.  In 2010, the “official” federal budget deficit was approximately 1.3 trillion dollars.

#14 As 2007 began, the U.S. national debt was just under 8.7 trillion dollars.  Today, the U.S. national debt has just surpassed 14 trillion dollars and it continues to soar into the stratosphere.

So is there any hope that we can turn all of this around?

Unfortunately, the massive amount of debt that we have piled up as a society over the last several decades has made that impossible.

If you add up all forms of debt (government debt, business debt, individual debt), it comes to approximately 360 percent of GDP.  It is the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world.

If the federal government and our state governments stop borrowing and spending so much money, our economy would collapse.  But if they keep borrowing and spending so much money they will continually make the eventual economic collapse even worse.

We are in the terminal stages of the most horrific debt spiral the world has ever seen, and when the debt spiral gets stopped the house of cards is going to finally come down for good.

So enjoy these times while you still have them.  Yes, today is not nearly as prosperous as 2007 was, but today is most definitely a whole lot better than 2015 or 2020 is going to be.

Sadly, we could have avoided this financial disaster completely if only we had listened more carefully to those that founded this nation.  Once upon a time, Thomas Jefferson said the following….

I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government to the genuine principles of its Constitution; I mean an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.’

Tipping Point: 25 Signs That The Coming Financial Collapse Is Now Closer Then Ever The financial collapse that so many of us have been anticipating is seemingly closer then ever. Over the past several weeks, there have been a host of ominous signs for the U.S. economy.

The Economic Collapse
Dec 17, 2010

The financial collapse that so many of us have been anticipating is seemingly closer then ever.  Over the past several weeks, there have been a host of ominous signs for the U.S. economy.  Yields on U.S. Treasuries have moved up rapidly and Moody’s is publicly warning that it may have to cut the rating on U.S. government debt soon.  Mortgage rates are also moving up aggressively.  The euro and the U.S. dollar both look incredibly shaky.  Jobs continue to be shipped out of the United States at a blistering pace as our politicians stand by and do nothing.  Confidence in U.S. government debt around the globe continues to decline.  State and local governments that are drowning in debt across the United States are savagely cutting back on even essential social services and are coming up with increasingly “creative” ways of getting more money out of all of us.  Meanwhile, tremor after tremor continues to strike the world financial system.  So does this mean that we have almost reached a tipping point?  Is the world on the verge of a major financial collapse?

Let’s hope not, but with each passing week the financial news just seems to get eve worse.  Not only is U.S. government debt spinning wildly toward a breaking point, but many U.S. states (such as California) are in such horrific financial condition that they are beginning to resemble banana republics.

But it is not just the United States that is in trouble.  Nightmarish debt problems in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and several other European nations threaten to crash the euro at any time.  In fact, many economists are now openly debating which will collapse first – the euro or the U.S. dollar.

Sadly, this is the inevitable result of constructing a global financial system on debt.  All debt bubbles eventually collapse.  Currently we are living in the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world, and when this one bursts it is going to be a disaster of truly historic proportions.

So will we reach a tipping point soon?  Well, the following are 25 signs that the financial collapse is rapidly getting closer….

#1 The official U.S. unemployment rate has not been beneath 9 percent since April 2009.

#2 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently 6.3 million vacant homes in the United States that are either for sale or for rent.

#3 It is being projected that the U.S. trade deficit with China could hit 270 billion dollars for the entire year of 2010.

#4 Back in 2000, 7.2 percent of blue collar workers were either unemployed or underemployed.  Today that figure is up to 19.5 percent.

#5 The Chinese government has accumulated approximately $2.65 trillion in total foreign exchange reserves.  They have drained this wealth from the economies of other nations (such as the United States) and instead of reinvesting all of it they are just sitting on much of it.  This is creating tremendous imbalances in the global economy.

#6 Since the year 2000, we have lost 10% of our middle class jobs.  In the year 2000 there were approximately 72 million middle class jobs in the United States but today there are only about 65 million middle class jobs.

#7 The United States now employs about the same number of people in manufacturing as it did back in 1940.  Considering the fact that we had 132 million people living in this country in 1940 and that we have well over 300 million people living in this country today, that is a very sobering statistic.

#8 According to CoreLogic, U.S. housing prices have now declined for three months in a row.

#9 The average rate on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage soared 11 basis points just this past week.  As mortgage rates continue to push higher it is going to make it even more difficult for American families to afford homes.

#10 22.5 percent of all residential mortgages in the United States were in negative equity as of the end of the third quarter of 2010.

#11 The U.S. monetary base has more than doubled since the beginning of the most recent recession.

#12 U.S. Treasury yields have been rising steadily during the 4th quarter of 2010 and recently hit a six-month high.

#13 Incoming governor Jerry Brown is scrambling to find $29 billion more to cut from the California state budget.  The following quote from Brown about the desperate condition of California state finances is not going to do much to inspire confidence in California’s financial situation around the globe….

“We’ve been living in fantasy land. It is much worse than I thought. I’m shocked.”

#14 24.3 percent of the residents of El Centro, California are currently unemployed.

#15 The average home in Merced, California has declined in value by 63 percent over the past four years.

#16 Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has come up with a new way to save money.  He wants to cut 20 percent of Detroit off from essential social services such as road repairs, police patrols, functioning street lights and garbage collection.

#17 The second most dangerous city in the United States – Camden, New Jersey – is about to lay off about half its police in a desperate attempt to save money.

#18 In 2010, 55 percent of Americans between the ages of 60 and 64 were in the labor market.  Ten years ago, that number was just 47 percent.  More older Americans than ever find that they have to keep working just to survive.

#19 Back in 1998, the United States had 25 percent of the world’s high-tech export market and China had just 10 percent. Ten years later, the United States had less than 15 percent and China’s share had soared to 20 percent.

#20 The U.S. government budget deficit increased to a whopping $150.4 billion last month, which represented the biggest November budget deficit on record.

#21 The U.S. government is somehow going to have to roll over existing debt and finance new debt that is equivalent to 27.8 percent of GDP in 2011.

#22 The United States had been the leading consumer of energy on the globe for about 100 years, but this past summer China took over the number one spot.

#23 According to an absolutely stunning new poll, 40 percent of all U.S. doctors plan to bail out of the profession over the next three years.

#24 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#25 All over the United States, local governments have begun instituting “police response fees”.  For example, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has come up with a plan under which a fee of $365 would be charged if police are called to respond to an automobile accident where no injuries are involved.  If there are injuries as a result of the crash that is going to cost extra.

16 Nightmarish Economic Trends To Watch Carefully In 2011 The American Dream Dec 15, 2010 ‘If you only watch the “economic pundits” on television, it can be very confusing to figure out exactly what is happening with the U.S. economy.  One pundit will pull out a couple statistics that got a little bit better over the past month and claim that we have entered a time of solid recovery.  Another pundit will pull out a couple statistics that got a little worse over the past month and claim that we are headed for trouble.  So what is the truth?  Well, if you really want to get a clear idea of what is really going on you have to look at the long-term trends.  There are some economic trends which just keep getting worse year after year after year, and it is those trends that tell the real story of the decline of our economic system.

As you examine the long-term trends, you quickly come to realize that the U.S. is trapped in an endless spiral of debt, the middle class is being wiped out, the U.S. dollar is being destroyed and America is rapidly becoming a post-industrial wasteland.

Posted below are 16 nightmarish economic trends to watch carefully in 2011.  It is becoming exceedingly apparent that unless something is done rapidly we are heading for an economic collapse of unprecedented magnitude….

#1 Do you want to see something scary?  Just check out the chart below.  Since the beginning of the economic downturn, the U.S. monetary base has more than doubled.  But don’t worry – Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has promised us that this could never cause inflation.  In fact, Bernanke says that we need to inject even more dollars into the economy.  So if you are alarmed by the chart below, you are just being irrational according to Bernanke….

[chart]

#2 Thousands of our factories, millions of our jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars of our national wealth continue to be shipped overseas.  In 1985, the U.S. trade deficit with China was 6 million dollars for the entire year.  In the month of August alone, the U.S. trade deficit with China was over 28 billion dollars.  Nobel economist Robert W. Fogel of the University of Chicago is projecting that the Chinese economy will be three times larger than the U.S. economy by the year 2040 if current trends continue.

#3 The United States is rapidly becoming a post-industrial wasteland.  Back in 1959, manufacturing represented 28 percent of all U.S. economic output.  In 2008, it represented only 11.5 percent and it continues to fall.  Sadly, the truth is that America is being deindustrialized.  As of the end of 2009, less than 12 million Americans worked in manufacturing.  The last time that less than 12 million Americans were employed in manufacturing was in 1941.

#4 The number of Americans that have been out of work for an extended period of time has absolutely exploded over the last few years.  As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#5 The middle class continues to be squeezed out of existence.  According to a poll taken in 2009, 61 percent of Americans ”always or usually” live paycheck to paycheck.  That was up substantially from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007.

#6 The number of Americans living in poverty is absolutely skyrocketing.  42.9 million Americans are now on food stamps, and one out of every six Americans is now enrolled in at least one anti-poverty program run by the federal government.  Unfortunately, many of those that have been hardest hit by this economic downturn have been children.  According to one new study, approximately 21 percent of all children in the United States are living below the poverty line in 2010 - the highest rate in 20 years.

#7 Many American families have been pushed beyond the breaking point during this economic downturn.  Over 1.4 million Americans filed for personal bankruptcy in 2009, which represented a 32 percent increase over 2008.  The final number for 2010 is expected to be even higher.

#8 The U.S. real estate market continues to stagnate.  During the third quarter of 2010, 67 percent of mortgages in Nevada were “underwater”, 49 percent of mortgages in Arizona were “underwater” and 46 percent of mortgages in Florida were “underwater”.  So what happens if home prices go down even more?

#9 More elderly Americans than ever are being forced to put off retirement and continue working.  In 2010, 55 percent of Americans between the ages of 60 and 64 were in the labor market.  Ten years ago, that number was just 47 percent.  Unfortunately, it looks like this problem will only get worse in the years ahead.  In America today, approximately half of all workers have less than $2000 saved up for retirement.

#10 In the United States today, there are simply far too many retirees and not nearly enough workers to support them.  Back in 1950 each retiree’s Social Security benefit was paid for by 16 workers.  Today, each retiree’s Social Security benefit is paid for by approximately 3.3 workers.  By 2025 it is projected that there will be approximately two workers for each retiree.

#11 Financial assets continue to become concentrated in fewer and fewer hands.  For example, the “big four” U.S. banks (Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Wells Fargo) had approximately 22 percent of all deposits in FDIC-insured institutions back in 2000.  As of the middle of 2009 that figure was up to 39 percent.

#12 The Federal Reserve has been destroying the value of the U.S. dollar for decades.  Since the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, the U.S. dollar has lost over 95 percent of its purchasing power.  An item that cost $20.00 in 1970 would cost you $112.35 today.  An item that cost $20.00 in 1913 would cost you $440.33 today.

#13 Commodity prices continue to soar into the stratosphere.  Ten years ago, the price of a barrel of oil hovered around 20 to 30 dollars most of the time.  Today, the price of oil is rapidly closing in on 100 dollars a barrel and there are now fears that it could soon go much higher than that.

#14 Federal government spending is completely and totally out of control.  The U.S. government budget deficit increased to a whopping $150.4 billion last month, which represented the biggest November deficit on record.  But our politicians can’t seem to break their addiction to debt.  In fact, Democrats are trying to ram through a 1,924 page, 1.1 trillion dollar spending bill in the final days of the lame-duck session of Congress before the Republicans take control of the House of Representatives next year.

#15 The U.S. national debt is rapidly closing in on 14 trillion dollars.  It is more than 13 times larger than it was just 30 short years ago.  According to an official U.S. Treasury Department report to Congress, the U.S. national debt is projected to climb to an estimated $19.6 trillion by 2015.

#16 Unfortunately, the official government numbers grossly understate the horrific nature of the crisis we are facing.  John Williams of Shadow Government Statistics has calculated that if the federal government would have used GAAP accounting standards to measure the federal budget deficit for 2009, it would have been approximately 8.8 trillion dollars.  Not only that, but John Williams now says that U.S. government debt is so wildly out of control that it is mathematically impossible for us to “grow” our way out of it….

The government’s finances not only are out of control, but the actual deficit is not containable.  Put into perspective, if the government were to raise taxes so as to seize 100% of all wages, salaries and corporate profits, it still would be showing an annual deficit using GAAP accounting on a consistent basis.  In like manner, given current revenues, if it stopped spending every penny (including defense and homeland security) other than for Social Security and Medicare obligations, the government still would be showing an annual deficit. Further, the U.S. has no potential way to grow out of this shortfall.

The more one examines the U.S. economic situation, the more depressing it becomes.  The U.S. financial system is trapped inside a horrific debt spiral  and we are headed straight for economic oblivion.

If our leaders attempt to interrupt the debt spiral it will plunge our economy into a depression.  If our leaders attempt to keep the debt spiral going for several more years it will just make the eventual crash even worse.  Either way, we are headed for a financial implosion that will be truly historic.

The debt-fueled good times that we have been enjoying for the last several decades are rapidly coming to an end.  Unfortunately for the tens of millions of Americans that are already suffering, our economic problems are only going to get worse in the years ahead.’

Jobless Recovery?: 25 Unemployment Statistics That Are Almost Too Depressing To Read ‘… Unemployment is up again! That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher. So are you enjoying the jobless recovery? Economic Collapse Blog Dec 4, 2010 ‘Guess what?  Unemployment is up again!  That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher ... Times are really, really tough and unfortunately the long-term outlook is very bleak.  We should have compassion on those who are out of work right now, because soon many of us may join them.

The following are 25 unemployment statistics that are almost too depressing to read….

#1 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate for November was 9.8 percent.  This was up from 9.6 percent in October, and it continues a trend of depressingly high unemployment rates.  The official unemployment number has been at 9.5 percent or higher for well over a year at this point.

#2 In November 2006, the “official” U.S. unemployment rate was just 4.5 percent.

#3 Most economists had been expecting the U.S. economy to add about 150,000 jobs in November.  Instead, it only added 39,000.

#4 In the United States today, there are over 15 million people who are “officially” considered to be unemployed for statistical purposes.  But everyone knows that the “real” number is even much larger than that.

#5 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#6 The number of “persons not in the labor force” in the United States recently set another new all-time record.

#7 It now takes the average unemployed American over 33 weeks to find a job.

#8 When you throw in “discouraged workers” and “underemployed workers”, the “real” unemployment rate in the state of California is actually about 22 percent.

#9 In America today there are not nearly enough jobs for everyone.  In fact, there are now approximately 5 unemployed Americans for every single job opening.

#10 According to The New York Times, Americans that have been unemployed for five weeks or less are three times more likely to find a new job in the coming month than Americans that have been unemployed for over a year.

#11 The U.S. economy would need to create 235,120 new jobs a month to get the unemployment rate down to pre-recession levels by 2016.  Does anyone think that there is even a prayer that is going to happen?

#12 There are 9 million Americans that are working part-time for “economic reasons”.  In other words, those Americans would gladly take full-time jobs if they could get them, but all they have been able to find is part-time work.

#13 In 2009, total wages, median wages, and average wages all declined in the United States.

#14 As of the end of 2009, less than 12 million Americans worked in manufacturing.  The last time that less than 12 million Americans were employed in manufacturing was in 1941.

#15 The United States has lost at least 7.5 million jobs since the recession began.

#16 Today, only about 40 percent of Ford Motor Company’s 178,000 workers are employed in North America, and a big percentage of those jobs are in Canada and Mexico.

#17 In 1959, manufacturing represented 28 percent of U.S. economic output.  In 2008, it represented 11.5 percent.

#18 Earlier this year, one poll found that 28% of all American households had at least one member that was looking for a full-time job.

#19 In the United States today, over 18,000 parking lot attendants have college degrees.

#20 The United States has lost a staggering 32 percent of its manufacturing jobs since the year 2000.

#21 As the employment situation continues to stagnate, millions of American families have decided to cut back on things such as insurance coverage.  For example, the percentage of American households that have life insurance coverage is at its lowest level in 50 years.

#22 Unless Congress acts, and there is no indication that is going to happen, approximately 2 million Americans will stop receiving unemployment checks over the next couple of months.

#23 A poll that was released by the Pew Research Center back in June discovered that an astounding 55 percent of the U.S. labor force has experienced either unemployment, a pay decrease, a reduction in hours or an involuntary move to part-time work since the economic downturn began.

#24 According to Richard McCormack, the United States has lost over 42,000 factories (and counting) since 2001.

#25 In the United States today, 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees.

But this is what we get for creating the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world.  For decades we have been digging a deeper hole for ourselves by going into increasingly larger amounts of debt.  In America today, our entire economy is based on debt.  Even our money is debt.  We were fools if we ever thought this could go on forever. Just think about it.  Have you ever gone out and run up a bunch of debt?  It can be a lot of fun sitting behind the wheel of a new car, running your credit cards up to the limit and buying a beautiful big house that you cannot afford. But in the end what happens? It always catches up with you. Well, our collective debt is starting to catch up with us.  There is a sea of red ink on every level of American society.  It is only a matter of time before it destroys our economy. IF YOU THINK THAT THINGS ARE BAD NOW, JUST WAIT.  THINGS ARE GOING TO GET A WHOLE LOT WORSE.  A HORRIFIC ECONOMIC COLLAPSE IS COMING, AND IT IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY PAINFUL.’

Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’

17 Things Worrying Investors Lloyd's Wall of Worry

Worry Count: 17


CHINA: 1,330,044,605 people can’t be wrong.

The PIIGS: Fasten your seatbelts. It’s gonna be a long, bumpy, expensive, weird, (insert your own adjective here) freak show of a ride.

CALIFORNIA AND THE OTHER 49 STATES: Not yet as dire as “The PIIGS”. Might I suggest the classier moniker of “The Prosciuttos” for the American basket-case states?

QE II: Gobble?

U.S. ECONOMY: The “Punky Brewster” of the global economic landscape.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Only thing worse than losing your job, losing your unemployment check. At least there’s the holiday season to cheer everyone up (read: heavy sarcasm).

TAXES: Praying to the Financial Market Gods that we don’t have another TARP-like vote fiasco.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PART II: Still two years before the Pres. election and the peanut gallery is already pleading for a Hail Mary Pass to get them back in the game.

HFT: Instead of beating up these liquidity supplying traders, let’s honor them with their very own stock exchange. But wait -- with no retail saps to pick-off they will never get that Day 1 opening bell tick. Perfect.

XMAS 2010: As my professor friend Nick says, “Nowadays Americans are dining off of two menus – The Million Dollar and the $0.99 Cent.” And both are pissed about it.

CURRENCIES: Poor Mr. Greenback. Does someone need a hug?

HOUSING CRISIS: Price Stabilization – Are we there yet? Just a little bit more. Are we there yet? Just a little bit more. Are we there yet? Just a little bit more….

INFLATION/DEFLATION: Fed Chief Ben B. comes out swinging from his heels in defense of inflation promotion. Don’t punch yourself out as this one is likely to go the distance.

COMMODITIES: Corrected but still sky high; fortunately these prices are only affecting core, basic, life-sustaining necessities and sparing our electronic gadgets and plus-sized SUVs. Whew!

INSIDER TRADING: Another black eye for Hedge Funds. I estimate that makes black eye number 6,597.

INTEREST RATES: South Korea and China slowly turning up the dial to “11”. On the other hand the U.S. has removed the dial altogether. This never ends well….

NORTH KOREA: Here we go again. (and now Egypt, etc.)

Consumer confidence down, LiveLeak.com - Loonie closes above U.S. dollar … dollar for first time closes below parity on Canadian loonie … hey, hey, hey … 'Huge' stock decline — but not yet MarketWatch  - Brimelow ‘Commentary: Adens … ‘mega trend’ looks grim … The Adens expect a hyperinflationary collapse … ‘ Oh come on! Manipulated dollar decline with inflated earnings, stock prices thereby, etc., … we’ve seen this all before … the last few crashes … Jobless rate jumps to 9.8% as hiring slows (Washington Post) [ The reality is not a mystery! The nation’s been thrown under the bus for the greater good (wealth) of the very few (frauds on wall street, etc.); wall street giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION: Come on! This is gettin’ even more downright ridiculous (if that’s even possible)! Pending home foreclosure / distress sales up, oil prices (and oil stocks) up, debased dollar down, plus a little familiar ‘better than expected’ thrown in along with prospects of a ‘no-recession bernanke’ market-frothing bull session on 60 minutes and, voila, suckers’ rally into the close to keep the suckers suckered! What’s good for the frauds on wall street is bad for just about everyone else which includes the vast majority of people and businesses, domestically and globally, as current dollar manipulation / debasement ultimately results in higher costs and loss of purchasing power (ie., oil, etc.). Clearly, this is one of those fraudulent wealth transfers to the frauds on wall street et als which will ultimately be paid for by those who least are in a position to afford it, courtesy of the ever more worthless Weimar dollar, etc., inflating earnings, eps, lowering p/e multiples, etc., see infra. This is an especially great time to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! Previous: Rosy numbers on consumer sentiment, unemployment (far better than private forecasts) from the government prior to the holiday so-called ‘shop till you drop’? How can anyone believe anything they say? Najerian interviewed by Motek chimes in with the reason for good retail cheer; viz., people have stopped paying their mortgages and are using the funds to purchase retail goods; while Davidowitz adds that with record numbers of americans on food stamps, real unemployment at 17+, and wall street giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION … the high end stores / jewelers will do well … daaaaah! And, with insiders and wall street frauds selling into the bubble as preceded last crash, this is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits! Suckers’ rally on light volume, full moon, and government complicity (false data / reports) to keep suckers suckered (easy for the wall street frauds to do with just a mouse click / push of the button – and, they know all those technical trade lines that are easy to program in this current phase of the scam/fraud with the debased dollar). Keep in mind, the totally mindless blather from the ‘cottage industries’ of and fraudulent wall street itself in talking up lower P/E multiples when the same is a direct result of the debasement of the dollar and the consequent manipulation / translation (not real, see Davis, infra) which preceded the financial crisis / last crash. Unemployment, trade, deficit, etc., numbers continue decidedly worse than expected along with other negative data (and in the ‘wrong direction’, that spin accorded ‘down but not as bad as before’ b*** s*** ) yet the market has rallied like no tomorrow with used home foreclosure / distressed sales, though abated owing to ‘foreclosuregate’, the other ‘heralded’ good news. Moreover, the dumbo lemmings of Europe have jumped on the fraudulent defacto bankrupt american crazy train propelled to the precipice also as if no tomorrow. This is about keeping the suckers sucked in with the help of a market-frothing pre-election debased dollar for favorable currency translation and paper (but not real when measured in, ie., gold, etc.) profits which preceded the last crisis, inflating a bubble as in the last crisis to facilitate the churn-and-earn, particularly with computerized (and high frequency) trades and which commissions they’ll get again on the way down. There is nothing to support these overbought stock prices, fundamentally or otherwise. These are desperate criminals ‘at work’. Even wall street shill, the senile Buffett is saying we’re still in a recession (depression) [ Davis: ‘… all profits are inflated by 10% (from falling, debased dollar) and that 10% is the E that gets divided from the P and gives us a much better price/multiple to hang our hats on and that gets investors to BUYBUYBUY …’ The bull market that never was / were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold     ] This is a great opportunity to sell / take profits (these lower dollar, hyperinflationary currency manipulations / translations to froth paper stocks will end quite badly as in last crash)! This is a global depression. This is a secular bear market in a global depression. The past up moves were manipulated bull (s***) cycles (at best) in a secular bear market. This has been a typically manipulated bubble as has preceded the prior crashes with great regularity that the wall street frauds and insiders commission and sell into. This is a typical wall street ‘programmed computerized high-frequency churn and earn pass the hot potato scam / fraud as in prior crashes ( widely reported, high-frequency trading routinely accounts for more than 50% of daily U.S. equity trading volume and regularly approaches 70%. )’. This national decline, economic and otherwise, will not end until justice is served and the wall street frauds et als are criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed.The Stock Market's Long Decline Has Begun Smith ]

Bush nixes Denver visit, citing invite to Assange [ The best thing that’s happened to Denver for quite some time; after all, it’s doubtful that war criminals have suddenly become fashionable, particularly dumb, burnt out morons as dumbya bush. ](AP)

Sheen On Obama: “A Coward In a Cheap Suit” [ I think Sheen to be too gentle in his criticism of wobama. Wobama’s far worse than just a ‘coward in a cheap suit’. Indeed, Wobama’s a total fraud having been elected under false pretenses; viz., his total, unequivocal, and unfulfilled b*** s*** (those campaign promises) ! Moreover, there has been some persuasive documentation questioning wobama’s citizenship / birthplace placing his eligibility to hold the office of president in question. ] Amidst the controversy of his wild interview on the Alex Jones Show yesterday, actor Charlie Sheen wasted little time in confronting President Barack Obama on his failure to answer Sheen’s twenty questions concerning 9/11, calling Obama, “a coward in a cheap suit.” Globalist Shill Barack Obama Asks Business Leaders For Job Creation Ideas Even As He Ships More Of Our Jobs Overseas As Part Of The New One World Economy The other day, Barack Obama summoned a group of business and labor leaders to the White House and “challenged” them to come up with some great ideas for creating more jobs inside the United States.

U.S. Warship Tracking Yacht Hijacked by Somali Pirates... [ I realize there are ‘laws of the sea’ / codified bodies of law within that broad yet very specific category called ‘maritime law’, none of which I know nor care to know (I’ll content myself to knowing and seeing to the enforcement of american law as pertains to me; viz., RICO http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm . I do know that these somali pirates need killin’ and I further believe that open season on them including using their boats in the water for target practice makes sense and certainly is morally justified. I’m tired of hearing about those little weasels … you know, ‘the skinnies’. ]

Some now question U.S. deal that brought Gaddafi back into diplomatic fold (Washington Post) [ Oh, come on! At this point in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline, naivity becomes no one! …Money, oil, arms change hands and no one’s the wiser … and those few are again substantially richer … it’s the fatally tragic ‘american tale’… Arms deals still made amid Middle East crackdowns (Washington Post) You bet your bippy … a raison d’etre, so to speak. ]ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - As Libya's Moammar Gaddafi ordered attacks on his own people this week, thousands of arms sellers from the United States and other countries hawked their aircraft, riot gear and rifles to Middle Eastern buyers at the Persian Gulf's preeminent arms show.

Julian Assange must be extradited to Sweden (Washington Post) [ Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden Infowars.com [ No surprise here. As I’ve previously written, I’m against the censorship since one always, in the final analysis, must discern truth from falsehood, information from disinformation, reality from propaganda. In truth, I found it somewhat shocking and more than surprising that of all places ‘to escape to’, Assange chose Orwellian england, puppet to the u.s. and guarantor of servility to u.s./zionist interests, such is their own desperate circumstances. What was he thinking? ] WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. Assange will appeal, his legal team confirmed. If this is unsuccessful, he will be extradited to Sweden in 10 days. ] LONDON - Britain will honor Sweden's request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face sex-crime allegations, a British judge ruled Thursday.

Oil prices on the rise (Washington Post) [ And except when and for fraudulent / false / manipulated data, everything else down, dirty, and dismal: AP Business Highlights: February 24, 2011, ‘New-home sales in January drop 12.6 pct WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sales of new homes fell significantly in January, a dismal sign after the worst year for that sector in nearly a half-century.New-home sales dropped to a seasonally adjusted rate of 284,000 homes last month, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That's down from 325,000 in December and less than half the 600,000-a-year pace that economists view as healthy…’ (Washington Post) New-home sales fell more than forecast / FHFA: Home prices fell in fourth quarter Pro-government forces, rebels engage in battles for territory (Washington Post) [ The big story here, lost on mainstream media, was the manipulated stock / oil price fraud based upon false rumor of daffy gaddafi not ducking and having been shot. Remember: there’s no place for reality in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america and on fraudulent wall street particularly. STOCKS MAKE HUGE TURNAROUND ON STUNNING COLLAPSE IN OIL: BASED SOLELY ON NOW KNOWN TO BE FALSE TWITTER RUMOR! [ Don’t be surprised if the frauds on wall street initiated the rumors; their fraudulent manipulations have included far worse … put them in jail where they belong, with fines, disgorgement! ( ‘…an apparently Twitter-borne rumor started making the rounds that Qaddafi had been shot! There was no basis for it, but oil simply collapsed…’ ) ] Weisenthal, On Thursday February 24, 2011 Thank Twitter-borne rumors of Qaddafi's death for the fact that markets totally didn't get crushed today…’ ] Militiamen, mercenaries hit cities near capital while protesters seized air force base; U.S., other Western powers consider responses to situation. Gaddafi loyalists launch counterattacks ] Crude prices broke through the $100-a-barrel threshold as violence in Libya continued to shake markets.

Senate Democrats draft cuts in domestic agency budgets (Washington Post) [ Do these ‘too little, too late’ so-called cuts purport to make the nation ‘less bankrupt’? There’s no such thing … absolutely preposterous! And, Kotlikoff thinks so as well, see immediately hereafter… ] The plan will involve accelerating some of the $33 billion in program terminations and reductions included in Obama's proposed budget for next year.

When Pretending Fails to Hide Bankruptcy: Laurence Kotlikoff ( Today in the WashingtonPost.Com ) Laurence Kotlikoff Feb 22, 2011

Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- Our country is bankrupt. It’s not bankrupt in 30 years or five years. It’s bankrupt today.

Want proof? Look at President Barack Obama’s 2010 budget. It showed a massive fiscal gap over the next 75 years, the closure of which requires immediate tax increases, spending cuts, or some combination totaling 8 percent of gross domestic product. To put 8 percent of GDP in perspective, this year’s employee and employer payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare will amount to just 5 percent of GDP.

Actually, the picture is much worse. Nothing in economics says we should look out just 75 years when considering the present-value difference between future spending and future taxes. Over the full long-term, we need an extra 12 percent, not 8 percent, of GDP annually.

Seventy-five years seems like a long enough time to plan. It’s not. Had the Greenspan Commission, which “fixed” Social Security back in 1983, focused on the true long term we wouldn’t be sitting here now with Social Security 26 percent underfunded. The Social Security trustees, at least, have learned a lesson. The 26 percent figure is based on their infinite horizon fiscal- gap calculation.

But the real reason we can’t look out just 75 years is that the government’s cash flows (the difference between its annual taxes and non-interest spending) over any period of time, including the next 75 years, aren’t well defined. This reflects economics’ labeling problem. If you use different words to describe the receipts taken in and paid out each year by the government, you produce entirely different cash flows and an entirely different fiscal gap measured over any finite horizon.

Matter of Language

It’s only the value of the infinite horizon fiscal gap that is unaffected by the choice of labels of language. Take this year’s payroll tax contributions. Let’s call these transfers from workers to Uncle Sam “borrowing” by the government, rather than “payroll taxes,” since the money will be paid back as future benefits. If the future payback isn’t in full (equal to principal plus interest), we can call the difference a “retirement tax.” Presto! With this change of words, our 2011 deficit of about 10 percent of GDP is boosted another five points to 15 percent.

With one set of words, taxes are higher now and lower latter. With the other set of words, the opposite is true. But neither set of labels makes more economic sense than the other or changes what the government takes, on balance, from any person or business in any given year.

This is no surprise. The math of economics rules out an absolute measure of the deficit, just like the math of physics rules out an absolute measure of time.

Bottom Line

The bottom line, then, is that we need to look at the infinite-horizon fiscal gap not just for Social Security, but for the entire federal government. That analysis, based on the Congressional Budget Office’s long-term alternative fiscal scenario, shows an unfathomable fiscal gap of $202 trillion. And covering this gap requires coming up with the aforementioned 12 percent of GDP, forever.

If this gives you the willies, there’s a ready narcotic -- the president’s 2012 budget, which shows that most of our long- term fiscal problem has miraculously disappeared; the fiscal gap isn’t 12 percent of annual GDP. Nor is it 8 percent. It’s now 1.8 percent.

This fantastic improvement in our finances is due, we’re told, primarily to the Independent Payment Advisory Board. This board, to be established in 2014 (after the next election, of course) is charged with recommending cuts to Medicare and Medicaid providers when their costs grow too fast.

Repealing Cuts

We’ve had laws mandating such cuts for years, and they are routinely repealed. Indeed, President Obama signed the latest such repeal last June. But rather than laugh out loud at this cost-control mechanism, the Medicare trustees, three-quarters of whom were appointed by the president, assume in their 2010 report that these cuts will be made -- to the dollar. And the 2012 budget cites the report’s fictional forecast as its authoritative source.

No one takes the 2010 Medicare trustee report’s long-run projections seriously, least of all Richard Foster, Medicare’s chief actuary. Foster added this statement to the end of the report: “The financial projections shown in this report for Medicare do not represent a reasonable expectation…in either the short range…or the long range.”

This isn’t the first administration to conceal our long- term fiscal problem. Back in 1993, Alice Rivlin, then deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, asked me and economists Alan Auerbach and Jagadeesh Gokhale to prepare a long-term fiscal gap/generational accounting for inclusion in President Bill Clinton’s 1994 budget.

Politics Triumphs

We worked for months on the analysis, but two days before the budget’s release, the study was excised from the budget. We were shocked, but, in retrospect, the politics are clear. The Clinton administration wanted to claim it was fiscally prudent and the study, which showed unofficial debt growing at enormous rates, showed the opposite.

The fiscal gap’s next near appearance in a president’s budget was in 2003. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill commissioned Gokhale and Kent Smetters to do the study. It showed a massive $45 trillion fiscal gap -- not a great basis for pushing tax cuts or introducing the prescription-drug benefit for seniors, known as Medicare Part D. O’Neill was ousted on Dec. 6, 2002, and a couple of days later the fiscal-gap study was discarded.

I’m not sure whether censoring the fiscal gap is more dishonorable than fudging it. What I do know is that we can’t assume our problems away and that I expected far better of this president when I voted for him.

--Editors: James Greiff, Steven Gittelson

Pro-government forces, rebels engage in battles for territory (Washington Post) [ The big story here, lost on mainstream media, was the manipulated stock / oil price fraud based upon false rumor of daffy gaddafi not ducking and having been shot. Remember: there’s no place for reality in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america and on fraudulent wall street particularly. STOCKS MAKE HUGE TURNAROUND ON STUNNING COLLAPSE IN OIL: BASED SOLELY ON NOW KNOWN TO BE FALSE TWITTER RUMOR! [ Don’t be surprised if the frauds on wall street initiated the rumors; their fraudulent manipulations have included far worse … put them in jail where they belong, with fines, disgorgement! ( ‘…an apparently Twitter-borne rumor started making the rounds that Qaddafi had been shot! There was no basis for it, but oil simply collapsed…’ ) ] Weisenthal, On Thursday February 24, 2011 Thank Twitter-borne rumors of Qaddafi's death for the fact that markets totally didn't get crushed today…’ ] Militiamen, mercenaries hit cities near capital while protesters seized air force base; U.S., other Western powers consider responses to situation. Gaddafi loyalists launch counterattacks ] Crude prices broke through the $100-a-barrel threshold as violence in Libya continued to shake markets.

STOCKS MAKE HUGE TURNAROUND ON STUNNING COLLAPSE IN OIL: BASED SOLELY ON NOW KNOWN TO BE FALSE TWITTER RUMOR! [ Don’t be surprised if the frauds on wall street initiated the rumors; their fraudulent manipulations have included far worse … put them in jail where they belong, with fines, disgorgement! ( ‘…an apparently Twitter-borne rumor started making the rounds that Qaddafi had been shot! There was no basis for it, but oil simply collapsed…’ ) ] Weisenthal, On Thursday February 24, 2011

February 22, 2011: Mohamed A. El-Erian, CEO PIMCO predicts a period of, at best, stagflation; which of course is bad for stocks (and worse).

That House You Bought 10 Years Ago Is Worth Exactly The Same Now As It Was Then Depew ‘The chart below shows the median price for existing homes, which is down 3.7 percent year-over-year to $158,000. Some interesting things to note about this:

1) While existing home sales increased 2.7 percent, the percent of home sales which were distressed rose to 37 percent, an incredible amount if you stop to think about it.
2) Also, 32 percent of the existing home sales transactions were for cash.
3) Oh, and if you were thinking that the housing bubble collapse has exterminated all speculative activity in the housing market, consider that 23 percent of all sales went to buyers classified as "investors."
4) Finally, while the inventory of existing homes available declined to a little less than 8 months' worth at the current pace of sales, if you factor in the high percentage of distressed sales along with the fact that the National Realtors' Survey doesn't account for inventory listed by banks and private agents... well, you can see where this is headed. [chart]’

The U.S. Dollar Is No Longer a Safe Haven

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas, but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … : October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

31. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
32. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
33. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
34. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
35. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
36. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

] Group of law professors' appeal comes after controversies involving travel and appearances at political events by several justices.

16 miles away, Saudi Arabia's watchful eye looms over Bahrain unrest (Washington Post) [ I’m sure they are… with a microscope at that. Saudis Worried Protests Will Hit Home - saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so For the sake of the saudi Arabian people, more than just protests should come to fruition! ] AFP | Saudi royal warns Arab world uprisings could cause harm unless they reform. Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America ‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK' [ Sounds like they’re hearing footsteps…Previous: Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) -  ]

]

A steep challenge for Arab world (Washington Post) [ I’m sure the rest of the defacto bankrupt world would love to have the lagging problem of the Arab nations of rich real assets as opposed to the fake fraudulent worthless paper assets the so-called ‘rest of the world’ is ‘sporting’. Economist: United States Worse Off than Greece Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff is an economics professor at Boston University. He says the Treasury and the government are fudging the national debt numbers. Kotlikoff says the United States is bankrupt and we don’t even know it. Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’ Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘
] Despite the rich resources in the region, Arab nations lag behind rest of world economically.

Economic forecast (Washington Post) [ And you can take that to your local insolvent bank…or not even your local insolvent bank; but rather, your non-local insolvent bank that’s still carrying the toxic assets/paper/securities now marked to anything by way of FASB rule change, professional criminal courtesy via congress, as the the wall street frauds cash out for hard fiat currency. What do you expect them to say? This wasn’t even a recession to be, as per forecast. They haven’t the slightest clue what they’re doing other than the ‘narcotic effects’ of the non-stop printing press fiat currency ‘feels good’ and buys time, politically. ] White House policymaker predicts that the recovery should continue despite oil prices, European crisis.

Pressure mounts on Gaddafi (Washington Post) [ That he was always a caricature of sorts, there is no question. That he’s totally burned out, there’s also no doubt; though they might argue in his defense that so was dumbya bush … a point well taken … but look at the consequential pathetic state of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america … with the unlit torch passed to wobama the b (for b*** s***) who pretends, or maybe in his alternate and fake reality just believes it’s lit. That he’s done, also fait accomplis, after 41 years … who cares. That he’s insane … now that’s quite another thing with greater worldwide implications, so, daffy… gadaffy… duck! Gaddafi vows to maintain hold on power Libyan strongman says he'll fight 'until the last drop of my blood' (Washington Post) [ His latter wish is the world’s command. ‘Something there is that doesn’t love a dictator, that wants them down’ … (Excuse me … I was thinking of walls and ‘Mending Wall’, Robert Frost). Libya Internet Shut Down Amid Protests, Per Multiple Reports [ Once again, as in Egypt, this, the internet, inherently global in nature is the lynchpin, tampering with or stifling same marking the end of any regime. Let this be a warning; viz., you cannot put the genie back in the bottle! 41 years? Gadaffy duck should duck ‘cause he’s done. I mean, look at him, he’s the singular equivalent of the multiple bushes. He’s totally burnt out (as much or more so than dumbya bush or mubarack) and quite done! ] Reports have emerged late Friday that Libya appears to have shut down its Internet due to widespread protests, less than a month after Egypt did the same. ] With rebels apparently controlling much of the eastern half of the country, the violence engulfing Libya is already the worst in more than a month of unrest that has toppled other regimes. ]

Milbank: Rush Limbaugh's unfair food fight (Washington Post) [ I’m no fan of limbaugh’s which can easily be discerned from my web site and posts thereon. But, truth be told, I’ve become even less a fan of the wobamas who have revealed themselves as so typically jive-talking b*** s*** that to most rational, civilized people, they’d be embarrassed. But not the wobamas the b (for b*** s***, their middle name). As I’ve said before, like water off a duck’s back is the effect of deserved criticism on wobamas and their ilk. They have become part of the problem, not the solution. Almost any criticism, by almost anybody is criticism deserved and welcomed (I previously excepted the BP scenario which was in my view undeserved criticism of wobama. But that’s it! I’m with Limbaugh on most any criticism of the wobamas. Drudgereport: Michelle Obama, Daughters Hit the Slopes on Ski Vacation ...
Vail...
Bidens vacation on Fla Keys...
FLASHBACK: Obama on tough economy: 'You might put off a vacation'...
'Everyone must sacrifice'...
RASMUSSEN: OBAMA APPROVAL SLIPS BACK TO 44%...
Gov't shutdown threat looms over budget fight... DEBT NOW EQUALS ENTIRE ECONOMY
OBAMA AGENDA IS OVER Obama refers to himself as 'The Gipper'… [ Riiiight! …anything you say wobmama the b for b*** s***… or maybe the bipper, the chipper, or the yankee clipper (the new joltin’ joe) …sounds like he’s losing it! ] ... ]

Deaths of four Americans reflect increasing violence of Somali piracy (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: U.S. Warship Tracking Yacht Hijacked by Somali Pirates... [ I realize there are ‘laws of the sea’ / codified bodies of law within that broad yet very specific category called ‘maritime law’, none of which I know nor care to know (I’ll content myself to knowing and seeing to the enforcement of american law as pertains to me; viz., RICO http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm . I do know that these somali pirates need killin’ and I further believe that open season on them including using their boats in the water for target practice makes sense and certainly is morally justified. I’m tired of hearing about those little weasels … you know, ‘the skinnies’. ]

On Obama's jobs tour, unemployed have little voice (Washington Post) [ This of course is so true. That wobama’s done there’s no question. Indeed, despite the rhetoric, separate terms, hasn’t he proven to be, and isn’t wobama just a continuation of the NWO / NAFTAite regimes that landed the nation here in this foul, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt position. How different are america’s entrenched corrupt bureaucracies / ‘leaders’ from the dictators and their corrupt bureaucracies being deposed today. If only wobama wasn’t the typical, jive-talikin’ wobama the b (for b*** s***) he is and did what he ran and was elected on, the outcome for fallen america would have been substantially better, though still dire, than that which lies ahead.

Obama’s 2012 Budget: Tool Of Class War Paul Craig Roberts | Continues Wall Street’s war against poor & middle classes. ] White House officials were unable to give a single example of him interacting, even in private, with a person who had recently lost a job.

State budget woes draw more protests (Washington Post) [ Obama joins Wisconsin budget battle Democratic lawmakers flee state in attempt to block anti-union bill (Washington Post) [ Looks like capital hill can pick up a few pointers from ‘dem dems … fleeing the state, that is … except in their case it’ll be fleeing the nation-state, or what’s left of same. Drudgereport: Michelle Obama, Daughters Hit the Slopes on Ski Vacation ...
Vail...
Bidens vacation on Fla Keys...
FLASHBACK: Obama on tough economy: 'You might put off a vacation'...
'Everyone must sacrifice'...
RASMUSSEN: OBAMA APPROVAL SLIPS BACK TO 44%...
Gov't shutdown threat looms over budget fight... DEBT NOW EQUALS ENTIRE ECONOMY
OBAMA AGENDA IS OVER Obama refers to himself as 'The Gipper'… [ Riiiight! …anything you say wobmama the b for b*** s***… or maybe the bipper, the chipper, or the yankee clipper (the new joltin’ joe) …sounds like he’s losing it! ] ...Debunking the 'Debunking Myths of U.S. Collapse' Post Ridder [ Stated another way, the collapse of the (dis)united states is at hand. Now, let me state, that doesn’t mean america will disappear from the face of the earth, but the reality truly is ‘death from a thousand cuts’. It’s not just China’s rise, but america’s decline and fall with the concomitant relative rise of other nations, regions. Quite simply, and historically factual reality has proven, nation-states cannot and have not survived the multitude of negative, destructive, and self-destructive things america has done and prosper as a leading nation. From perpetual war, to pervasive corruption, fraud, criminality across all stratum including institutions, government of american society, to what I believe as well to be an evolved genetic bias of inherent criminality/mental illness which is ill-adapted to the strictures of a more enlightened 21st Century by way of near instantaneously available information, with truth and factual reality being america’s greatest enemy. In support of the foregoing I will reiterate reasons, infra.] Debt relief for states proposed (Washington Post) [ I’ve heard of the ‘blind leading the blind’, but the ‘bankrupt borrowing from the bankrupt’ seems to be a nouveau american phenomenon destined for ‘clichedom’. Previous: Governors plan painful cuts amid budget crises (Washington Post) [ This truly is a disaster in the making, with consequences even more dire than the grim outlook set forth by Meridith Whitney, if that could even be fathomed. It’s really going to be all that bad…see infra, The Economic Collapse, ‘#10 The municipal bond crisis could go “supernova” at any time.  Already, investors are bailing out of bonds at a frightening pace.  State and local government debt is now sitting at an all-time high of 22 percent of U.S. GDP.  According to Meredith Whitney, the municipal bond crisis that we are facing is a gigantic threat to our financial system….“It has tentacles as wide as anything I’ve seen. I think next to housing this is the single most important issue in the United States and certainly the largest threat to the U.S. economy.” Economist: United States Worse Off than Greece Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff is an economics professor at Boston University. He says the Treasury and the government are fudging the national debt numbers. Kotlikoff says the United States is bankrupt and we don’t even know it.

Obama: US needs better math, science education (AP) [Well, one thing we absolutely know as true is that there’s at least one person in america in need of better math skills and his name is’ wobama the b’ (for b*** s*** - despite campaign promises to the contrary he actually ramped up war spending also despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation – bush, if only it was just his math skills, ramped of war spending while cutting taxes … to his base, a wobama’s on the same page – how totally pathetic both of them are / were) … but let’s not kid ourselves, from capital hill to wall street, etc., math skills are indeed lacking. ]

Alan Greenspan Takes Credit For The Financial Crisis Levin “The morning after we learned of the news,” Greenspan said of the Dow Jones plunging 6.98 percent that day in September 2008, “I was able to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘Hey, not bad.’” Sure, if he’d tried just a little harder he could’ve done better– 10 percent would’ve been a dream– but really, all things considering, not bad! Solid B+ work. [NYU via BI]

Internet tool shows French web surfers 'Jewish-curious' (AFP) - AFP - An Internet tool that flags up popular search words has spontaneously revealed a deeper trend: French web surfers' exceeding curiosity about whether their politicians are Jewish. [ To their credit, at least in France it might matter … to america’s discredit and self-destruction, it doesn’t even matter … as Buchanan aptly put it ‘capital hill is occupied israeli territory and just proved it again with the foolhardy veto of the un resolution condemning illegal israeli settlements. ]

] The standoff in Wisconsin over budget cuts spread to other states on Tuesday as union leaders began to organize protests in other capitols and Democrats in a second state, Indiana, effectively staged a walkout.

Gaddafi vows to maintain hold on power Libyan strongman says he'll fight 'until the last drop of my blood' (Washington Post) [ His latter wish is the world’s command. ‘Something there is that doesn’t love a dictator, that wants them down’ … (Excuse me … I was thinking of walls and ‘Mending Wall’, Robert Frost). Libya Internet Shut Down Amid Protests, Per Multiple Reports [ Once again, as in Egypt, this, the internet, inherently global in nature is the lynchpin, tampering with or stifling same marking the end of any regime. Let this be a warning; viz., you cannot put the genie back in the bottle! 41 years? Gadaffy duck should duck ‘cause he’s done. I mean, look at him, he’s the singular equivalent of the multiple bushes. He’s totally burnt out (as much or more so than dumbya bush or mubarack) and quite done! ] Reports have emerged late Friday that Libya appears to have shut down its Internet due to widespread protests, less than a month after Egypt did the same. ] With rebels apparently controlling much of the eastern half of the country, the violence engulfing Libya is already the worst in more than a month of unrest that has toppled other regimes.

I knew there was something especially (but typically) not right in Friday’s (and Thursday’s) trade; and, sure enough, it was a full moon Friday as per lunar calendar (a must in today’s markets owing to the prevalence of lunatics / criminally insane on wall street).

U.S. vetoes Security Council resolution denouncing Israeli settlements (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: Hillary Clinton: Israeli Settlements 'Illegitimate'… [We know that hill … We’ve known that for quite some time along with their illegal nukes, war crimes, etc…The whole world knows that hill… so don’t just talk about it … DO SOMETHING! ] ... Yes! … in pervasively corrupt, defacto america’s self-defeating, self-destructive way they are doing something … U.S. vetoes Security Council resolution denouncing Israeli settlements … Sounds like a plan! … right! ]

SEC names Sean McKessy to head new whistleblower office (Washington Post) The appointment sets off alarm bells among whistleblower advocates. [ Indeed it should, regardless of ‘who’. In pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america there is always that pre-calculation: juice / no juice, payer (bribes/contributions) / non-payer, potential after gov’t job opportunity / no job opportunity, etc.. Video: Why Isn’t Wall St. in Jail? [ This truly will prove to be the story of the century (albeit an abbreviated one and a turning point toward america’s intractable decline) owing to what will ultimately be the lynch-pin of global economic / financial collapse ushering in an era of great scarcity in more ways than can be imagined. The pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american nation / government has literally underwritten this massive fraud at the expense of the vast majorities directly and indirectly, precluded prosecution while obfuscating the substantial crimes, literally becoming accomplices thereby. There is absolutely no excuse for what is essentially a defalcation and abrogation of duty. I was watching a somewhat obscure film recently which (though elsewhere on this page and site I’ve set forth alarming crime statistics clearing showing america as number 1 in all categories by wide margins) which set forth the statistic that america has 85% of the world’s serial killers (and I’d go further in saying it is likely that america has a similar lead in war crimes, etc.) ] MSNBC | Cenk Uygur talks to Matt Taibbi about his latest Rolling Stone article. …… I mean, give me a frickin’ break! Let’s get real here … probably the most egregiously dangerous years for whistleblowers were the clinton years when even potential whistleblowers were targeted; ie., Mary Mahoney, former clinton security team members, etc., see http://albertpeia.com/bodycount.htm ie., Mary C. Mahoney: 25, murdered at the Georgetown Starbuck's coffee bar over the 4th of July '97 weekend. She was a former White House intern who worked with John Huang. Apparently she knew Monica Lewinsky and her sexual encounters with Bill Clinton. Although not verified, it has been said that Lewinsky told Linda Tripp that she did not want to end up like Mahoney…Steve Willis, Robert Williams, Todd McKeahan & Conway LeBleu:   Died Feburary 28, 1993 by gunfire at Waco. All four were examined by a pathologist and died from identical wounds to the left temple. All four had been body guards for Bill Clinton, three while campaigning for President and when he was Governor of Arkansas.They also were the ONLY 4 BATF agents killed at Waco…, etc. but the bushies / cia / wall street are comparable and as well in some different, more subtle ways; ie., discrediting, false charges, etc.. ] The appointment sets off alarm bells among whistleblower advocates.

A frayed alliance: Obama and unions Wis. budget impasse deepens (Washington Post) [ Frayed? How ‘bout flayed, fillet, and souffled … Or, screwed, nude, and double chewed … Drudgereport: OBAMA BACKS UNION UPROAR
PELOSI BACKS PROTESTERS: 'I STAND IN SOLIDARITY'...

DEBT NOW EQUALS ENTIRE ECONOMY
OBAMA AGENDA IS OVER
Obama refers to himself as 'The Gipper'… [ Riiiight! …anything you say wobmama the b for b*** s***… or maybe the bipper, the chipper, or the yankee clipper (the new joltin’ joe) …sounds like he’s losing it! ] ...
BUDGET WOES FORCE STATES TO CONSIDER ABOLISHING '12 PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES...
STATE BUDGETS ON THE BRINK: CA, TX, IL, NY, NJ...
WISC GOV: 'NOT GOING TO BE BULLIED, INTIMIDATED'...
Orders state troopers to bring Dems to Capitol...
'There Is Fear For Scott Walker's Safety'...
Dem Sen: We'll stay away for weeks...
WALKOUT: Milwaukee Schools closed; teachers call in 'sick'...
REPORT: Average city teacher compensation tops $100,000...
PAPER: GET BACK TO WORK!
DNC playing role in protests...
Jesse to the Rescue: Jackson rallies protesters...
'A real Martin Luther King moment'...
Union Fight Heats Up...
Republicans vow to cut spending in state capitols...
Protests Spread to Ohio...
Michigan...
'Coming To Minnesota'...
Idaho offical target of threats over education reform plan...
Egypt in America?
'Day of Rage' Hits Wisconsin over state unions...
Madison schools closed; 1,100 teachers call in 'sick'...
Obama: 'Assault on Unions'...
Obama-founded OFA spearheading effort to defeat bill...
Boehner: 'Suspend these tactics'...
DEMS FLEE STATE HOUSE
SENATE DEMOCRATS FOUND -- AT A RESORT IN ILLINOIS!
Gov. Walker calls on Dems to return, vote...
Protesters, supporters clash in Ohio over union bill...
Activists swarm Boehner's Capitol Hill home; Chant 'don't tread on DC'..
Carney: Stimulus 'Goals Have Been Met'...
GALLUP: Unemployment hits 10%...
Feds Borrow Additional $29,660/Household Since Obama Signed Stimulus...
Ratings Downgrades Loom for Cash-Strapped States...
Hillary Clinton: Israeli Settlements 'Illegitimate'… [We know that hill … We’ve known that for quite some time along with their illegal nukes, war crimes, etc…The whole world knows that hill… so don’t just talk about it … DO SOMETHING! ] ...

Offended Mubarak refuses calls from Obama...
Ahmadinejad: Obama can't spell his own name (True … it’s ‘w o b a m a’ with ‘the b for b*** s***’ his surname … he’s so pathetic and a total caricature / joke!) ...
Egypt's protests flare despite military warning...
Libya set for 'day of anger'...
Thousands of police confront protesters in Yemen...
Riot police storm Bahrain camp; 2 reported dead...
ABCNEWS Correspondent Beaten...
100 Egyptians reach Italy amid Arab exodus...
CARTER: Muslim 'hood nothing 'to be afraid of'...
PAPER: Senate hearing turns into farce as American ignorance on Egypt revealed...
USA TO REBUKE ISRAEL AT UN
Poll: Majority of Republicans Doubt Obama's Birthplace...
Agents Shot in Mexico...
WORRIES OBAMA OFFICIALS...
ICE IN VICE...
GAO: Feds have 'operational control' of 44% of border; just 15% 'air tight'...
DAY 3: 'Watson' the computer creams human 'JEOPARDY!' champs...
REPORT: Steve Jobs receiving treatment at cancer center... PAPER: 'Reportedly sicker than previously admitted'...
ISSA MAKES A MOVE: New subpoena seeks records on sweetheart loans...
U.S. Government Shuts Down 84,000 Websites, ‘By Mistake’

'Kill Switch' Internet bill alarms privacy experts...
GOP BLASTS FCC NET RULES...

TSA agents busted at JFK for stealing $160,000 from bags...

Hillary Clinton donors indicted...
Man mugs 96-year-old -- for $5...
France Wants New Global Finance System; End of Dollar Dominance...
Fannie, Freddie bailout: $153 billion and counting...
GALLUP: Unemployment at 10.3%...
Muslim Bros plan political party...
Present Two Faces...
Pakistan Islamists warn of protests if US prisoner freed...
SECSTATE JR: Sen Kerry arrives in Pakistan, expresses 'regret', 'sorrow'...
GADDAFI TELLS PALESTINIANS: REVOLT AGAINST ISRAEL
World Bank: Food prices at 'dangerous levels'...
Gov't Motors to pay out $189 million in bonuses; some workers to get 50% payoffs..
Deficit Expected to Jump to $1.65 Trillion...
...'slow train wreck coming'
BUDGET BLOWOUT: How big is $3.73 trillion? $12,000 from each American...
ANALYSIS: $1.5 trillion tax hike over 10 years...
AIRLINES: New fees would be $2 billion tax increase on flyers...
Sessions: Obama failed on budget...
Long Spending Fight...
Produce prices to skyrocket with freeze in Mexico, Southwest...
Clothing Prices to Rise 10% Starting in Spring...
China Replaced Japan in 2010 as Number 2 Economy...
China plans Colombian rail link to challenge Panama canal...
The March On Berlusconi...
Berlusconi indicted in prostitution probe...

Malware 'Aimed at Iran Hit Five Sites'...

Mubarak 'falls into coma after final speech'...
Egyptian military orders last protesters out of 'Liberation Square'...
Consolidates power...
Delivers ultimatum...
Boy wrestler forfeits match to female opponent... [ What a homo! Wow! I feel sorry for those guys she actually beat (20 of them – her record was 20 and 13) … they’ll probably never get over it … nor should they … I have to rethink my regard for Iowa, Iowa state wrestling now presuming such stalwart championship teams to be the products of out-of-state imports … as for the guy who forfeited, he could have easily and gently taken her down (you can easily do that with a lesser opponent), got her in a double grapevine and grind her in a certain way into the mat, and when she was in the throws of convulsive orgasm, she’d unwittingly arch her back, thereby pressing her own shoulder blades to the mat, thereby pinning herself, thus enabling the homo to say in a manner of speaking that he was making heterosexual love not war with her ……… how pathetic and preposterous this was … and, let me remind the homo that God doesn’t care that you wrestle a girl who wants to wrestle! ]

]

House approves dramatic cuts in federal spending Vote sets up showdown with Dems; threat of shutdown looms (Washington Post) [ As they say on SNL, ‘What’s up with that?’. Come on! Wake up! That doesn’t even cover the interest on a $14 trillion debt. And, how disingenuous of the author to write, ‘largest cut of its kind since WWII’… Not in percentage terms by a long shot! … Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ] After all-night debate, House votes 235-189 to approve plan to cut $60 billion in federal funding in what'd be the largest cut of its kind since WWII.

Stock Melt-Up Continues to Ignore Warnings [ While I generally warn against short-selling as an investment strategy for all but the most successful speculators (there are very, very few), if there ever was a time to try your luck at same, that time is now! We’re now beyond the absurd in these overbought, overvalued, contrived, manipulated markets. See also, Dave infra, ‘…Further, the Philly Fed (riiiiight … that global hub of manufacturing activity) came in much higher than expected although inside the numbers the prices paid vs prices received disparity was the greatest since 1979. That wasn't a great time for corporate profits. Even though there's some "discussion" within the Fed over the effectiveness of QE operations another heavy dose of POMO was released to trading desks again Thursday. …’ Why Isn’t Wall Street in Jail? Matt Taibbi | Financial crooks brought down the world’s economy — but the feds are doing more to protect them than to prosecute them. This is a not too big to fail, but a too willing to pay bribes to jail - reality. (This really is beyond the pale, particularly when they trumpet prosecution of $225 million in medicare frauds while wall street’s continuing fraud in the trillions remains unprosecuted – there is no excuse whatsoever – pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america is done!). ] Minyanville ‘Suttmeier, chief market strategist at ValuEngine.com: The stock melt-up has the major equity averages above this week’s pivots putting the focus on the Nasdaq and its quarterly risky level at 2853. The Dow Transports broke above the potential double-top. Stocks are ignoring the ValuEngine Valuation Warning and extreme overbought technical market indicators. The 10-Year yield failed at my weekly risky level at 3.568 after holding my annual value level at 3.791 last week. Comex gold is above my annual pivot at $1356.5 and closed above its 50-day simple moving average at $1372.2. Nymex crude oil remains below my semiannual pivot at $87.52, but is now oversold. The euro is above its 50-day simple moving average at 1.3377 with this week’s risky level at 1.3636.

Jobless Recovery?: 25 Unemployment Statistics That Are Almost Too Depressing To Read ‘… Unemployment is up again! That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher. So are you enjoying the jobless recovery? Economic Collapse Blog Dec 4, 2010 ‘Guess what?  Unemployment is up again!  That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher ... Times are really, really tough and unfortunately the long-term outlook is very bleak.  We should have compassion on those who are out of work right now, because soon many of us may join them.

The following are 25 unemployment statistics that are almost too depressing to read….

#1 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate for November was 9.8 percent.  This was up from 9.6 percent in October, and it continues a trend of depressingly high unemployment rates.  The official unemployment number has been at 9.5 percent or higher for well over a year at this point.

#2 In November 2006, the “official” U.S. unemployment rate was just 4.5 percent.

#3 Most economists had been expecting the U.S. economy to add about 150,000 jobs in November.  Instead, it only added 39,000.

#4 In the United States today, there are over 15 million people who are “officially” considered to be unemployed for statistical purposes.  But everyone knows that the “real” number is even much larger than that.

#5 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#6 The number of “persons not in the labor force” in the United States recently set another new all-time record.

#7 It now takes the average unemployed American over 33 weeks to find a job.

#8 When you throw in “discouraged workers” and “underemployed workers”, the “real” unemployment rate in the state of California is actually about 22 percent.

#9 In America today there are not nearly enough jobs for everyone.  In fact, there are now approximately 5 unemployed Americans for every single job opening.

#10 According to The New York Times, Americans that have been unemployed for five weeks or less are three times more likely to find a new job in the coming month than Americans that have been unemployed for over a year.

#11 The U.S. economy would need to create 235,120 new jobs a month to get the unemployment rate down to pre-recession levels by 2016.  Does anyone think that there is even a prayer that is going to happen?

#12 There are 9 million Americans that are working part-time for “economic reasons”.  In other words, those Americans would gladly take full-time jobs if they could get them, but all they have been able to find is part-time work.

#13 In 2009, total wages, median wages, and average wages all declined in the United States.

#14 As of the end of 2009, less than 12 million Americans worked in manufacturing.  The last time that less than 12 million Americans were employed in manufacturing was in 1941.

#15 The United States has lost at least 7.5 million jobs since the recession began.

#16 Today, only about 40 percent of Ford Motor Company’s 178,000 workers are employed in North America, and a big percentage of those jobs are in Canada and Mexico.

#17 In 1959, manufacturing represented 28 percent of U.S. economic output.  In 2008, it represented 11.5 percent.

#18 Earlier this year, one poll found that 28% of all American households had at least one member that was looking for a full-time job.

#19 In the United States today, over 18,000 parking lot attendants have college degrees.

#20 The United States has lost a staggering 32 percent of its manufacturing jobs since the year 2000.

#21 As the employment situation continues to stagnate, millions of American families have decided to cut back on things such as insurance coverage.  For example, the percentage of American households that have life insurance coverage is at its lowest level in 50 years.

#22 Unless Congress acts, and there is no indication that is going to happen, approximately 2 million Americans will stop receiving unemployment checks over the next couple of months.

#23 A poll that was released by the Pew Research Center back in June discovered that an astounding 55 percent of the U.S. labor force has experienced either unemployment, a pay decrease, a reduction in hours or an involuntary move to part-time work since the economic downturn began.

#24 According to Richard McCormack, the United States has lost over 42,000 factories (and counting) since 2001.

#25 In the United States today, 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees.

But this is what we get for creating the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world.  For decades we have been digging a deeper hole for ourselves by going into increasingly larger amounts of debt.  In America today, our entire economy is based on debt.  Even our money is debt.  We were fools if we ever thought this could go on forever. Just think about it.  Have you ever gone out and run up a bunch of debt?  It can be a lot of fun sitting behind the wheel of a new car, running your credit cards up to the limit and buying a beautiful big house that you cannot afford. But in the end what happens? It always catches up with you. Well, our collective debt is starting to catch up with us.  There is a sea of red ink on every level of American society.  It is only a matter of time before it destroys our economy. IF YOU THINK THAT THINGS ARE BAD NOW, JUST WAIT.  THINGS ARE GOING TO GET A WHOLE LOT WORSE.  A HORRIFIC ECONOMIC COLLAPSE IS COMING, AND IT IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY PAINFUL.’

17 Things Worrying Investors Lloyd's Wall of Worry

Worry Count: 17


CHINA: 1,330,044,605 people can’t be wrong.

The PIIGS: Fasten your seatbelts. It’s gonna be a long, bumpy, expensive, weird, (insert your own adjective here) freak show of a ride.

CALIFORNIA AND THE OTHER 49 STATES: Not yet as dire as “The PIIGS”. Might I suggest the classier moniker of “The Prosciuttos” for the American basket-case states?

QE II: Gobble?

U.S. ECONOMY: The “Punky Brewster” of the global economic landscape.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Only thing worse than losing your job, losing your unemployment check. At least there’s the holiday season to cheer everyone up (read: heavy sarcasm).

TAXES: Praying to the Financial Market Gods that we don’t have another TARP-like vote fiasco.

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PART II: Still two years before the Pres. election and the peanut gallery is already pleading for a Hail Mary Pass to get them back in the game.

HFT: Instead of beating up these liquidity supplying traders, let’s honor them with their very own stock exchange. But wait -- with no retail saps to pick-off they will never get that Day 1 opening bell tick. Perfect.

XMAS 2010: As my professor friend Nick says, “Nowadays Americans are dining off of two menus – The Million Dollar and the $0.99 Cent.” And both are pissed about it.

CURRENCIES: Poor Mr. Greenback. Does someone need a hug?

HOUSING CRISIS: Price Stabilization – Are we there yet? Just a little bit more. Are we there yet? Just a little bit more. Are we there yet? Just a little bit more….

INFLATION/DEFLATION: Fed Chief Ben B. comes out swinging from his heels in defense of inflation promotion. Don’t punch yourself out as this one is likely to go the distance.

COMMODITIES: Corrected but still sky high; fortunately these prices are only affecting core, basic, life-sustaining necessities and sparing our electronic gadgets and plus-sized SUVs. Whew!

INSIDER TRADING: Another black eye for Hedge Funds. I estimate that makes black eye number 6,597.

INTEREST RATES: South Korea and China slowly turning up the dial to “11”. On the other hand the U.S. has removed the dial altogether. This never ends well….

NORTH KOREA: Here we go again. (and now Egypt, etc.)

Consumer confidence down, LiveLeak.com - Loonie closes above U.S. dollar … dollar for first time closes below parity on Canadian loonie … hey, hey, hey … 'Huge' stock decline — but not yet MarketWatch  - Brimelow ‘Commentary: Adens … ‘mega trend’ looks grim … The Adens expect a hyperinflationary collapse … ‘ Oh come on! Manipulated dollar decline with inflated earnings, stock prices thereby, etc., … we’ve seen this all before … the last few crashes … Jobless rate jumps to 9.8% as hiring slows (Washington Post) [ The reality is not a mystery! The nation’s been thrown under the bus for the greater good (wealth) of the very few (frauds on wall street, etc.); wall street giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION: Come on! This is gettin’ even more downright ridiculous (if that’s even possible)! Pending home foreclosure / distress sales up, oil prices (and oil stocks) up, debased dollar down, plus a little familiar ‘better than expected’ thrown in along with prospects of a ‘no-recession bernanke’ market-frothing bull session on 60 minutes and, voila, suckers’ rally into the close to keep the suckers suckered! What’s good for the frauds on wall street is bad for just about everyone else which includes the vast majority of people and businesses, domestically and globally, as current dollar manipulation / debasement ultimately results in higher costs and loss of purchasing power (ie., oil, etc.). Clearly, this is one of those fraudulent wealth transfers to the frauds on wall street et als which will ultimately be paid for by those who least are in a position to afford it, courtesy of the ever more worthless Weimar dollar, etc., inflating earnings, eps, lowering p/e multiples, etc., see infra. This is an especially great time to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! Previous: Rosy numbers on consumer sentiment, unemployment (far better than private forecasts) from the government prior to the holiday so-called ‘shop till you drop’? How can anyone believe anything they say? Najerian interviewed by Motek chimes in with the reason for good retail cheer; viz., people have stopped paying their mortgages and are using the funds to purchase retail goods; while Davidowitz adds that with record numbers of americans on food stamps, real unemployment at 17+, and wall street giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION … the high end stores / jewelers will do well … daaaaah! And, with insiders and wall street frauds selling into the bubble as preceded last crash, this is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits! Suckers’ rally on light volume, full moon, and government complicity (false data / reports) to keep suckers suckered (easy for the wall street frauds to do with just a mouse click / push of the button – and, they know all those technical trade lines that are easy to program in this current phase of the scam/fraud with the debased dollar). Keep in mind, the totally mindless blather from the ‘cottage industries’ of and fraudulent wall street itself in talking up lower P/E multiples when the same is a direct result of the debasement of the dollar and the consequent manipulation / translation (not real, see Davis, infra) which preceded the financial crisis / last crash. Unemployment, trade, deficit, etc., numbers continue decidedly worse than expected along with other negative data (and in the ‘wrong direction’, that spin accorded ‘down but not as bad as before’ b*** s*** ) yet the market has rallied like no tomorrow with used home foreclosure / distressed sales, though abated owing to ‘foreclosuregate’, the other ‘heralded’ good news. Moreover, the dumbo lemmings of Europe have jumped on the fraudulent defacto bankrupt american crazy train propelled to the precipice also as if no tomorrow. This is about keeping the suckers sucked in with the help of a market-frothing pre-election debased dollar for favorable currency translation and paper (but not real when measured in, ie., gold, etc.) profits which preceded the last crisis, inflating a bubble as in the last crisis to facilitate the churn-and-earn, particularly with computerized (and high frequency) trades and which commissions they’ll get again on the way down. There is nothing to support these overbought stock prices, fundamentally or otherwise. These are desperate criminals ‘at work’. Even wall street shill, the senile Buffett is saying we’re still in a recession (depression) [ Davis: ‘… all profits are inflated by 10% (from falling, debased dollar) and that 10% is the E that gets divided from the P and gives us a much better price/multiple to hang our hats on and that gets investors to BUYBUYBUY …’ The bull market that never was / were  beyond wall street b.s. when measured in gold     ] This is a great opportunity to sell / take profits (these lower dollar, hyperinflationary currency manipulations / translations to froth paper stocks will end quite badly as in last crash)! This is a global depression. This is a secular bear market in a global depression. The past up moves were manipulated bull (s***) cycles (at best) in a secular bear market. This has been a typically manipulated bubble as has preceded the prior crashes with great regularity that the wall street frauds and insiders commission and sell into. This is a typical wall street ‘programmed computerized high-frequency churn and earn pass the hot potato scam / fraud as in prior crashes ( widely reported, high-frequency trading routinely accounts for more than 50% of daily U.S. equity trading volume and regularly approaches 70%. )’. This national decline, economic and otherwise, will not end until justice is served and the wall street frauds et als are criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed.The Stock Market's Long Decline Has Begun Smith ]

Analyst: Oil Will Hit $300 in a Decade, Regardless of Egypt Read more: Analyst: Oil Will Hit $300 in a Decade, Regardless of Egypt Weeden & Co. oil analyst Charles Maxwell says oil prices are bound to move steadily higher during the next decade, eventually hitting $300 a barrel, regardless of whatever happens in Egypt.

47 Statistics That Indicate That Economic Stress Points In 2011 Could Be Setting The Stage For A Global Economic Meltdown In 2012 Is the world approaching a devastating global economic meltdown? Right now there are a large number of factors that are creating economic stress points all over the globe.‘The American Dream Feb 16, 2011 Is the world approaching a devastating global economic meltdown?  Right now there are a large number of factors that are creating economic stress points all over the globe.  All of the crazy money printing that the Federal Reserve and other central banks have been doing is putting inflationary pressure on agricultural commodities, oil and precious metals.  Massive floods, horrific droughts and extreme weather patterns all over the globe are ruining crops and creating food shortages.  Some nations are now actually hoarding food, and in other nations rising prices have sparked food riots.  The price of oil has been moving back towards $100 a barrel, and if it stays at a high level for an extended period of time that is going to have very serious consequences for the global economy.  In addition, the growing sovereign debt crisis could erupt again at any time.  Half a dozen nations in Europe are on the verge of insolvency, Japan’s national debt is now well over 200 percent of GDP, and the global financial system is growing increasingly concerned about the exploding national debt of the United States.  The truth is that the entire world financial system is a house of cards balanced on a razor’s edge and it could come down at any time.

Sadly, very little has changed since the world financial system experienced almost a complete meltdown back in 2008.  Global financial markets are still a whirlpool of debt and speculation.  One really bad week could put us right back where we were prior to the infamous Wall Street bailouts.  Very little in our world is truly stable anymore.  As we have seen recently in Egypt, the globe can literally change almost overnight.  All it would take is for one really bad event to happen and world financial markets would instantly start imploding.

So when will the coming economic collapse happen?  Nobody knows for sure, but the fact that the global economy is increasingly becoming less stable as we approach the year 2012 is making a lot of people very nervous.

The following are 47 statistics that indicate that economic stress points in 2011 could be setting the stage for a global economic meltdown in 2012….

#1 According to the United Nations, global food prices set a new all-time record during the month of January.

#2 In early February the worst freeze in 60 years wiped out entire crops all across the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.  Already, it has been reported that some U.S. supermarkets have doubled or even tripled prices for certain produce items.

#3 It is being reported that due to the recent horrible freeze in Mexico cases of tomatoes that would usually cost shop owners between 12 and 15 dollars are now going for up to $40.

#4 One of China’s key agricultural provinces is facing its worst drought in 200 years.

#5 The Food and Agriculture Organization says that up to two-thirds of China’s wheat crop could be at risk of failing due to weather conditions.

#6 Officials in Mexico are estimating that four million tons of corn have been lost because of the recent freeze.  That represents a full 16 percent of Mexico’s annual corn harvest.

#7 The price of corn has doubled over the last six months and it recently hit a new all-time high.

#8 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that corn supplies are the tightest that they have been in 15 years.

#9 It appears that Chinese imports of corn will be about 9 times larger than the U.S. Department of Agriculture originally projected them to be for 2011.

#10 The price of wheat has more than doubled over the past year and it hit a 30-month high on Monday.

#11 In the event of a global catastrophe, current global stockpiles of wheat would only be able to feed the world for 82 days.

#12 According to Forbes, the price of soybeans is up about 50% since last June.

#13 The price of cotton has more than doubled over the past year.

#14 The commodity price of orange juice has doubled since 2009.

#15 The price of sugar is the highest it has been in 30 years.

#16 The United Nations is projecting that the global price of food will increase by another 30 percent by the end of 2011.

#17 In the U.K., the official rate of inflation is now twice as high as the target rate of inflation.

#18 Inflation in China is starting to get out of control.  For example, food prices in China rose 10.3 percent during the month of January.

#19 Almost 14 percent of all credit card accounts in the United States are currently 90 days or more delinquent.

#20 New home sales in the state of California were at the lowest level ever recorded in the month of January.

#21 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings in the United States declined for a second straight month during December.

#22 Average household debt in the United States has now reached a level of 136% of average household income.

#23 It is estimated that there are about 5 million homeowners in the United States that are at least two months behind on their mortgages, and it is being projected that over a million American families will be booted out of their homes this year alone.

#24 Today, 46% of all Americans carry a credit card balance from month to month.

#25 700,000 Americans have signed up for a credit card that has interest rates that go as high as 59.9%.

#26 Americans now owe more than $889 billion on student loans, which is even more than they owe on credit cards.

#27 The FDIC is “insuring” U.S. bank deposits that total 5.4 trillion dollars with a deposit insurance fund that is currently sitting at approximately negative 8 billion dollars.

#28 The Social Security trust fund will run a deficit of 56 billion dollars this year.  Just a couple of years ago government planners were promising that we would not have any Social Security deficits until at least 2016 or 2017.

#29 When you adjust wages for inflation, middle class workers in the United States make less money today than they did back in 1971.

#30 4.2 million Americans have been unemployed for one year or longer at this point.

#31 The number of Americans that have become so discouraged that they have given up searching for work completely now stands at an all-time high.

#32 According to a recent Gallup poll, 35 percent of Americans believe that unemployment is currently the most important problem in the United States.  Another 29 percent believe that the economy is currently our biggest problem.

#33 Gallup also says that 19.6 percent of the workforce in America is currently either unemployed or underemployed.

#34 The U.S. government says that 504,000 Americans “dropped out of the labor force” in January.

#35 The Obama administration is projecting that the federal budget deficit will be 1.65 trillion dollars for fiscal 2011.

#36 It is estimated that the total U.S. national debt will be greater than 100 percent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year.

#37 The U.S. government relies on foreign nations such as China and Japan to finance 40 percent of all new government debt.

#38 State and local government debt is now sitting at an all-time high of 22 percent of U.S. GDP.

#39 The Chinese are now hoarding gold like there is no tomorrow.  In fact, Chinese demand for gold has now risen to approximately 25% of total global production.

#40 According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum, the world is going to need another $100 trillion in credit to support projected “economic growth” over the next decade.

#41 According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, visits to soup kitchens are up 24 percent over the past year.

#42 One out of every seven Americans is now on food stamps.

#43 One out of every six elderly Americans now lives below the federal poverty line.

#44 During the last school year, almost half of all school children in the state of Illinois came from families that were considered to be “low-income”.

#45 According to a survey released very close to the end of 2010, 55 percentof all Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.  A major economic downturn could quickly wipe out millions of families.

#46 Gasoline prices in the United States are now the highest that they have ever been in the middle of February.

#47 Faith in our economic system continues to decline.  According to one new report, only 26 percent of Americans now trust the U.S. financial system.’

World Bank President Zoellick Says Surging Food Prices Have Pushed 44 Million People Into Extreme Poverty Countries in Latin America and Africa, including Bolivia and Mozambique, are most at risk of food riots as prices advance, the United Nations reported.

Ongoing Dollar Devastation Sends Silver Above $31, Only $18.45 From Hunt Brother High It is good to see that things are back to normal. The now irrelevant, and very soon to be former reserve currency is getting pummeled as stocks go up on 410,000 initial jobless claims nearly 2 years after the end of the recession.

Replace the Federal Reserve Altogether A Good Idea Rather than have designation to what the Fed is doing we believe to a great extent the term quantitative easing will fade from the major media and Fed announcements, probably to be replaced by a term such as accommodation.

Video: Why Isn’t Wall St. in Jail? [ This truly will prove to be the story of the century (albeit an abbreviated one and a turning point toward america’s intractable decline) owing to what will ultimately be the lynch-pin of global economic / financial collapse ushering in an era of great scarcity in more ways than can be imagined. The pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american nation / government has literally underwritten this massive fraud at the expense of the vast majorities directly and indirectly, precluded prosecution while obfuscating the substantial crimes, literally becoming accomplices thereby. There is absolutely no excuse for what is essentially a defalcation and abrogation of duty. I was watching a somewhat obscure film recently which (though elsewhere on this page and site I’ve set forth alarming crime statistics clearing showing america as number 1 in all categories by wide margins) which set forth the statistic that america has 85% of the world’s serial killers (and I’d go further in saying it is likely that america has a similar lead in war crimes, etc.) ] MSNBC | Cenk Uygur talks to Matt Taibbi about his latest Rolling Stone article.

Is China Hoarding Gold In Anticipation Of A Global Financial Implosion? 10 Facts About Gold Fever In China That May Surprise You China officially has gold fever. Chinese demand for gold in 2011 is being called “explosive” and “voracious”. China imported five times as much gold in 2010 as it did in 2009, and this year gold sales in China are projected to easily set another new all-time record.

.

Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America

‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK' [ Sounds like they’re hearing footsteps…Previous: Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) -  ]

Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld booed at GOP convention in D.C. New York Daily News | Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were booed on Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ron Paul At CPAC: ‘Government is in the process of failing’ Is he running for US Senate? Is he signaling his bid for US president? Or is he hinting at something deeper within the US political climate? Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] ) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3^rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

‘Cheney Stand Down Order’ #1 on Google Trends Infowars | Search term about Dick Cheney’s 9/11 actions reaches top of Google.

WeAreChange Confronts Dick Cheney on 9/11 Standdown Order Aaron Dykes | Activist group confronts former vice president Dick Cheney about inconsistencies in 9/11 testimony and actions in PEOC bunker. ‘Infowars.comFebruary 15, 2010The testimony of Norman Mineta before the 9/11 Commission leaves compelling questions about former Vice President Dick Cheney’s actions on the day of 9/11. Then Transportation Secretary Mineta witnessed Cheney refuse to contradict an apparent standdown order as an aide warned of something incoming at the Pentagon. Cheney has given conflicting reports about what time he entered the PEOC bunker. Mineta later confirmed his suppressed 9/11 Commission testimony and refuted Cheney’s account of arriving later.During the CPAC conference, WeAreChange.org confronted Cheney about these questions, which he refused to address.“Hey Mr. Cheney, what did you do in the underground bunker on 9/11? Dick Cheney we know what you did on 9/11 with the standdown order. Norman Mineta testified against you on the 9/11 Commission report. What happened on 9/11?”When he was being forced out, WeAreChange.org founder Luke Rudkowski calmly asked security not to push him; security backed off after asking him, ‘Are you being polite?’
Luke Rudkowski and James Lane of We Are Change confront Dick Cheney in Washington D.C. at CPAC 2/10/2011.
WeAreChangeOklahoma – Newt Gingrich and Dick Cheney (CPAC 2011)
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 3610.01A issued June 1, 2001 on “Aircraft Piracy (Hijacking) and Destruction of Derelict Airborne Objects (Click each document for a larger image)

Cheney dodged the continuing questions by exiting with his entourage into an elevator. As a woman started repeating “Thank you Mr. Cheney for all you’ve done,” Rudkowski interjected that he was a ‘terrorist.’ Certainly, the use of admittedly elevated terror alerts throughout the Bush administration to stoke the fear card and score political dominion alone is reason to justify this label. The implications of what really happened on 9/11, and in relation to Cheney’s apparent standdown order, is even more compelling. Notably, a change in the standard operating procedure for the chain of command during the event of a hijacked aircraft was changed in June 2001, including subjecting NORAD’s response to DoD approval (SEE BELOW).
The former Vice President’s re-entry into the public limelight, after years of dealing with heart issues, is what appears to be an attempt to re-brand the Bush Administration in time to retain neo-con power in the coming GOP presidential primary field, where tea party politics and candidates like Ron Paul have obviously taken root with conservative voters in the years of the Obama administration. This confrontation occurred during the same CPAC convention where Ron Paul won the presidential straw poll and Dick Cheney was heckled and called a “war-monger” during a pep rally where Donald Rumsfeld was given the “Defender of the Constitution Award.”

From Norman Mineta’s testimony:

“During the time that the airplane was coming into the Pentagon, there was a young man who would come in and say to the Vice President…the plane is 50 miles out…the plane is 30 miles out….and when it got down to the plane is 10 miles out, the young man also said to the vice president “do the orders still stand?” And the Vice President turned and whipped his neck around and said “Of course the orders still stand, have you heard anything to the contrary!?’

Bank regulators update Senate (Washington Post) [ Update, riiiiight! … sounds like a plan! … for the spectator sport called the u.s. senate … what an over-rated, over-compensated, over-stayed bunch of incompetent boobs. Time for shorter terms and term limits for these failed, flawed, and venal politicians; along with the paycuts they richly deserve. Their solution to most problems … leave it to the perps as they bilk the nation but contribute mightily to their campaign funds. ] Lawmakers hope to set nationwide requirements for foreclosures.

Boehner draws line on spending bill (Washington Post) [ Lines … riiiiight! … republicans are great ones for drawing lines … Poppy bush’s line in sand ( everyone who really knows the real story knows that bush’s cia station chief, april glaspie gave sadam hussein the green light to invade Kuwait over their dispute concerning Kuwait’s slant-drilling of Iraqi oil reserves … to contrive the conflict. ), lines of war-criminal dumbya bush of with us or aggin’ us, etc., but we can thank both parties in terms of their bi-partisan contribution to ever-growing unemployment LINES. Yes, unemployment numbers were quite bad this day, but the frauds on wall street with fed help you’ll ultimately pay for rallied anyway. Jobless Recovery?: 25 Unemployment Statistics That Are Almost Too Depressing To Read ‘… Unemployment is up again! That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher. So are you enjoying the jobless recovery? Economic Collapse Blog ‘Guess what?  Unemployment is up again!  That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher ... Times are really, really tough and unfortunately the long-term outlook is very bleak.  We should have compassion on those who are out of work right now, because soon many of us may join them.The following are 25 unemployment statistics that are almost too depressing to read…. See infra for list Stock Melt-Up Continues to Ignore Warnings [ While I generally warn against short-selling as an investment strategy for all but the most successful speculators (there are very, very few), if there ever was a time to try your luck at same, that time is now! We’re now beyond the absurd in these overbought, overvalued, contrived, manipulated markets. See also, Dave infra, ‘…Further, the Philly Fed (riiiiight … that global hub of manufacturing activity) came in much higher than expected although inside the numbers the prices paid vs prices received disparity was the greatest since 1979. That wasn't a great time for corporate profits. Even though there's some "discussion" within the Fed over the effectiveness of QE operations another heavy dose of POMO was released to trading desks again Thursday. …’ Why Isn’t Wall Street in Jail? Matt Taibbi | Financial crooks brought down the world’s economy — but the feds are doing more to protect them than to prosecute them. ( This is not a too big to fail, but a too willing to pay bribes to jail - reality. This really is beyond the pale, particularly when they trumpet prosecution of $225 million in medicare frauds while wall street’s continuing fraud in the trillions remains unprosecuted – there is no excuse whatsoever – pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america is done!). ] Minyanville ‘Suttmeier, chief market strategist at ValuEngine.com: The stock melt-up has the major equity averages above this week’s pivots putting the focus on the Nasdaq and its quarterly risky level at 2853. The Dow Transports broke above the potential double-top. Stocks are ignoring the ValuEngine Valuation Warning and extreme overbought technical market indicators. The 10-Year yield failed at my weekly risky level at 3.568 after holding my annual value level at 3.791 last week. Comex gold is above my annual pivot at $1356.5 and closed above its 50-day simple moving average at $1372.2. Nymex crude oil remains below my semiannual pivot at $87.52, but is now oversold. The euro is above its 50-day simple moving average at 1.3377 with this week’s risky level at 1.3636.

Imams wage political battle against U.S. (Washington Post) [ Yeah! Are not these native Afghans freedom fighters in the highest, truest, and most noble sense of the term. I mean, pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america’s destructive and corrupting influence is unequivocal (including the resurgent heroin trade that had all been eradicated by the Taliban). This unlawful incursion is a lose, lose scenario for all parties; and, america’s / israel’s / nato’s zionist aspirations in the region are among the most self-destructive, self-defeating policies in world history. ] For the U.S. government, and for the 100,000 American troops fighting in Afghanistan, the messages delivered last Friday could hardly have been worse.

Clock is ticking (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! Don’t be a spoil-sport realist; after all, these are, unlike mubarak, young pro-saudi-american dictators and still have a bright future of repression / oppression / suppression ahead of them for the greater good of … status quo? … nobody really thinks so. Tick-Tock! ] Editorial: In Bahrain, America should press the government to cease its repression [ Don’t hold your breath. ]. Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America

‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK' [ Sounds like they’re hearing footsteps…Previous: Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) -  ]

Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld booed at GOP convention in D.C. New York Daily News | Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were booed on Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ron Paul At CPAC: ‘Government is in the process of failing’ Is he running for US Senate? Is he signaling his bid for US president? Or is he hinting at something deeper within the US political climate? Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] ) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3^rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

Fed upgrades economic outlook (Washington Post) [ Wow! Like the ‘no-recession / great recession / depression’ , what do expect these incompetent, and complicit wall street favored frauds to say. This is truly an existential moment of desperation for them and as before, they are disposed to anything that buys them time … I say: they’re out of time! 47 Statistics That Indicate That Economic Stress Points In 2011 Could Be Setting The Stage For A Global Economic Meltdown In 2012 Is the world approaching a devastating global economic meltdown? Right now there are a large number of factors that are creating economic stress points all over the globe.‘The American Dream Feb 16, 2011 Is the world approaching a devastating global economic meltdown?  Right now there are a large number of factors that are creating economic stress points all over the globe.  All of the crazy money printing that the Federal Reserve and other central banks have been doing is putting inflationary pressure on agricultural commodities, oil and precious metals.  Massive floods, horrific droughts and extreme weather patterns all over the globe are ruining crops and creating food shortages.  Some nations are now actually hoarding food, and in other nations rising prices have sparked food riots.  The price of oil has been moving back towards $100 a barrel, and if it stays at a high level for an extended period of time that is going to have very serious consequences for the global economy.  In addition, the growing sovereign debt crisis could erupt again at any time.  Half a dozen nations in Europe are on the verge of insolvency, Japan’s national debt is now well over 200 percent of GDP, and the global financial system is growing increasingly concerned about the exploding national debt of the United States.  The truth is that the entire world financial system is a house of cards balanced on a razor’s edge and it could come down at any time.

Sadly, very little has changed since the world financial system experienced almost a complete meltdown back in 2008.  Global financial markets are still a whirlpool of debt and speculation.  One really bad week could put us right back where we were prior to the infamous Wall Street bailouts.  Very little in our world is truly stable anymore.  As we have seen recently in Egypt, the globe can literally change almost overnight.  All it would take is for one really bad event to happen and world financial markets would instantly start imploding.

So when will the coming economic collapse happen?  Nobody knows for sure, but the fact that the global economy is increasingly becoming less stable as we approach the year 2012 is making a lot of people very nervous.

The following are 47 statistics that indicate that economic stress points in 2011 could be setting the stage for a global economic meltdown in 2012….

#1 According to the United Nations, global food prices set a new all-time record during the month of January.

#2 In early February the worst freeze in 60 years wiped out entire crops all across the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico.  Already, it has been reported that some U.S. supermarkets have doubled or even tripled prices for certain produce items.

#3 It is being reported that due to the recent horrible freeze in Mexico cases of tomatoes that would usually cost shop owners between 12 and 15 dollars are now going for up to $40.

#4 One of China’s key agricultural provinces is facing its worst drought in 200 years.

#5 The Food and Agriculture Organization says that up to two-thirds of China’s wheat crop could be at risk of failing due to weather conditions.

#6 Officials in Mexico are estimating that four million tons of corn have been lost because of the recent freeze.  That represents a full 16 percent of Mexico’s annual corn harvest.

#7 The price of corn has doubled over the last six months and it recently hit a new all-time high.

#8 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that corn supplies are the tightest that they have been in 15 years.

#9 It appears that Chinese imports of corn will be about 9 times larger than the U.S. Department of Agriculture originally projected them to be for 2011.

#10 The price of wheat has more than doubled over the past year and it hit a 30-month high on Monday.

#11 In the event of a global catastrophe, current global stockpiles of wheat would only be able to feed the world for 82 days.

#12 According to Forbes, the price of soybeans is up about 50% since last June.

#13 The price of cotton has more than doubled over the past year.

#14 The commodity price of orange juice has doubled since 2009.

#15 The price of sugar is the highest it has been in 30 years.

#16 The United Nations is projecting that the global price of food will increase by another 30 percent by the end of 2011.

#17 In the U.K., the official rate of inflation is now twice as high as the target rate of inflation.

#18 Inflation in China is starting to get out of control.  For example, food prices in China rose 10.3 percent during the month of January.

#19 Almost 14 percent of all credit card accounts in the United States are currently 90 days or more delinquent.

#20 New home sales in the state of California were at the lowest level ever recorded in the month of January.

#21 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings in the United States declined for a second straight month during December.

#22 Average household debt in the United States has now reached a level of 136% of average household income.

#23 It is estimated that there are about 5 million homeowners in the United States that are at least two months behind on their mortgages, and it is being projected that over a million American families will be booted out of their homes this year alone.

#24 Today, 46% of all Americans carry a credit card balance from month to month.

#25 700,000 Americans have signed up for a credit card that has interest rates that go as high as 59.9%.

#26 Americans now owe more than $889 billion on student loans, which is even more than they owe on credit cards.

#27 The FDIC is “insuring” U.S. bank deposits that total 5.4 trillion dollars with a deposit insurance fund that is currently sitting at approximately negative 8 billion dollars.

#28 The Social Security trust fund will run a deficit of 56 billion dollars this year.  Just a couple of years ago government planners were promising that we would not have any Social Security deficits until at least 2016 or 2017.

#29 When you adjust wages for inflation, middle class workers in the United States make less money today than they did back in 1971.

#30 4.2 million Americans have been unemployed for one year or longer at this point.

#31 The number of Americans that have become so discouraged that they have given up searching for work completely now stands at an all-time high.

#32 According to a recent Gallup poll, 35 percent of Americans believe that unemployment is currently the most important problem in the United States.  Another 29 percent believe that the economy is currently our biggest problem.

#33 Gallup also says that 19.6 percent of the workforce in America is currently either unemployed or underemployed.

#34 The U.S. government says that 504,000 Americans “dropped out of the labor force” in January.

#35 The Obama administration is projecting that the federal budget deficit will be 1.65 trillion dollars for fiscal 2011.

#36 It is estimated that the total U.S. national debt will be greater than 100 percent of GDP by the end of this fiscal year.

#37 The U.S. government relies on foreign nations such as China and Japan to finance 40 percent of all new government debt.

#38 State and local government debt is now sitting at an all-time high of 22 percent of U.S. GDP.

#39 The Chinese are now hoarding gold like there is no tomorrow.  In fact, Chinese demand for gold has now risen to approximately 25% of total global production.

#40 According to a recent report from the World Economic Forum, the world is going to need another $100 trillion in credit to support projected “economic growth” over the next decade.

#41 According to the U.S. Conference of Mayors, visits to soup kitchens are up 24 percent over the past year.

#42 One out of every seven Americans is now on food stamps.

#43 One out of every six elderly Americans now lives below the federal poverty line.

#44 During the last school year, almost half of all school children in the state of Illinois came from families that were considered to be “low-income”.

#45 According to a survey released very close to the end of 2010, 55 percentof all Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.  A major economic downturn could quickly wipe out millions of families.

#46 Gasoline prices in the United States are now the highest that they have ever been in the middle of February.

#47 Faith in our economic system continues to decline.  According to one new report, only 26 percent of Americans now trust the U.S. financial system.’

Deception at the Fed Dr. Ron Paul | The Federal Reserve has been given a dual mandate: keeping prices stable and maximizing employment. This policy relies in part on numerical chicanery. Obama proposes $3.7 trillion budget (Washington Post) [ What the heck! It’s only ‘helicopter ben’ monopoly money anyway; that paper stuff (Globalists Push SDRs as World Reserve Currency As investor Marc Faber noted last year, this funny money intervention by the Federal Reserve is going to create a final crisis that will destroy the U.S. financial system. The Fed “will print and print and print until the final crisis wipes out the whole system,” Faber warned. IMF calls for dollar alternative The International Monetary Fund issued a report Thursday on a possible replacement for the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The IMF said Special Drawing Rights, or SDRs, could help stabilize the global financial system. ). Speaking of Monopoly / atlantic city, n.j., maryanne trump barry and sam alito, et als have done all right for themselves as the corrupt judiciary usually does, one way or another. Indeed, judicial retirement funds for these plushly accoutered lifetime appointees is up 25.9% and the general operating fund up 6.6% (source, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/federal-budget-2012/index.html … the trumps are getting it up front and on the back end, which is typical in a pervasivly corrupt system as defacto bankrupt america … abolish the courts . Connecticut, California join probe of Ally (Washington Post) [ I’d be much more impressed if they initiated a probe of more readily discernible criminal offenses in violation of the RICO Act (Other newark / new jersey and new york, n.y. metro, viz., ie., connecticut, and of course, d.c., d.c. metro, viz., ie., virginia experience … corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz (california), hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken (AP) Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ] http://albertpeia.com Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan, etc., Fraudulent Liars (sic-lawyers) and the Fraudulent u.s. System They're a Part of Are Unheard Of/Non-existent. List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic! http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ] Justice: FBI improperly opened probes (Washington Post) [ I just hope they’re as zealous (in probing readily discernible crime) with regard to my RICO matters and the corruption in the (judicial / legal) process since, in the final analysis, it will have been the corruption within that will have brought the nation down irrevocably and totally.]

] Policymakers think the recovery is on "firmer footing." But they also expect high unemployment to persist at least through the end of 2013.

Panetta outlines plan for bin Laden (Washington Post) [ Yeah, and if panetta’s grandmother had wheels she’d be a trolley car. I mean, how much more irrelevant can the cia become, beyond their drug deals, arms deals, among other self-interested / perpetuating ops / commotions / promotions. In case they haven’t looked recently, pervasively corrupt america is defacto bankrupt; and in large part owing to their flawed, self-perpetuating strategies (oh, how they loved and miss the cold war). Who cares (about Osama bin Laden or his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri). Indeed, one way or another, it makes no difference. Moreover, take a look at the ‘stand-down’ order as discussed infra regarding ‘that pearl harbor event / neo-con wet dream’. They are so pathetic! A parallel universe? They only wish! ] CIA Director Leon Panetta told Congress on Wednesday that if Osama bin Laden or his deputy Ayman al-Zawahiri is captured they will be held by the military and probably will be sent to Guantanamo Bay. (Reuters)

On national debt, interest is the monster (Washington Post) [ No! That’s not correct! This is a two-headed monster and the gargantuan principal amount the other head. Bondholders will never be paid (paper turned over for paper till the biggest ponzi scheme in world history comes tumblin’ down. Moreover, assumptions are wildly optimistic and totally unrealistic). Pervasively corrupt america is defacto bankrupt! That’s reality! Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz …Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them." Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘
] Starting in 2014, net interest payments will surpass the amount spent on education, transportation, energy and all other discretionary programs outside defense. In 2018, they will outstrip Medicare spending

House brainstorms for budget trims (Washington Post) [ Brainstorms? The mere mention of the word brain juxtaposed with the denizens of capital hill and one can’t help but conjure up images of multiple scarecrows scurry about that yellow brick road en route to see the wizard while singing in unison ‘if they only had a brain’. ]

In Bahrain, authorities move against protesters Police use tear gas, clubs and rubber bullets to disperse crowd (Washington Post) [ Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America

‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK' [ Sounds like they’re hearing footsteps…Previous: Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) -  ]

Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld booed at GOP convention in D.C. New York Daily News | Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were booed on Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ron Paul At CPAC: ‘Government is in the process of failing’ Is he running for US Senate? Is he signaling his bid for US president? Or is he hinting at something deeper within the US political climate? Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] ) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3^rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

] At least two are killed, while those involved in the protests say others are critically injured. There is no official word on deaths or injuries.

Obama careful in crackdown (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a page out of the former american-installed shah of Iran’s play-book … The important difference here is the life and death continued struggle of Iran against the Zionist israeli / american regimes (look at what the latter regimes do, not what they say) … Indeed, the great american/israeli hope for Iran, ‘son of shah’ … pshaw! I have a special affinity for Egypt, a land of great wisdom with the richest of histories and culture and wisdom of the ages in wisely, at one time, holding Cats in their highest regard and esteem! ] President Obama cautiously criticized the Iranian government Tuesday for carrying out a deadly crackdown on street demonstrations, as hard-line legislators in Tehran called for the execution of several prominent opposition leaders. (Afp/getty Images)

Americans climb out of debt, save more (Washington Post) [ There is what is known in basic economics as the so-called “paradox of thrift’ and the negative portends for the economy the natural concomitant. There is no getting away from that age-old economic equation Gross Domestic Product is the sum of all spending on goods and services in a nation's economy in a year. The formula for GDP is: GDP = C + I + G + (Ex - Im), where “C” equals spending by consumers, “I” equals investment by businesses, “G” equals government spending and “(Ex - Im)” equals net exports, that is, the value of exports minus imports. Net exports may be negative. Of late, the C component has risen to near 71%, fueled by unsustainable credit. Private investment owing to a structural shift has lagged for want of real (profitable domestic) investment opportunities (the wall street computer-programmed high frequency churn-and-earn is NOT a component here but rather a net negative owing to the lesser propensity to consume of the frauds on wall street), and we all know the direction of government spending. Read more: GDP and the Players Three: All Together Now: C + I + G — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/cig/economics/consumption-investment-government.html#ixzz1E79N4H4B . That said, this (saving) is still good for americans generally since the government has long since all but stopped concerning themselves with the dire predicament of the vast majority of the nation and citizens. ] The recession that just rocked the U.S. economy happened in part because Americans were borrowing and spending more than they could afford. Now, three years after the downturn began, families are moving faster than many analysts had expected to put their finances in order by paying down debt and boosting their savings.

Jump in global food prices pushes millions into poverty (Washington Post) [ There’s no mystery here … the inevitable consequence of the world’s adoption of america’s funny-money new age alchemy of spinning paper into fools’ gold … Indeed, the prognostications have been hot and heavy, from hyperinflationary depression to … as investor Marc Faber noted last year, this funny money intervention by the Federal Reserve is going to create a final crisis that will destroy the U.S. financial system. The Fed “will print and print and print until the final crisis wipes out the whole system,” Faber warned. Now this fraudulent bubble that the frauds on wall street commission and sell into is great for the frauds on wall street but bad for everyone else since that value has to be made up somewhere, by some one … guess (the obvious)… and if you can’t (guess), you haven’t been paying attention! ] Data released by the IMF show the cost of grain and other staples is near its historic high.

So be it? Milbank: Boehner and his party's proposal for budget cuts would reverse the economic recovery. (Washington Post) [ Come on! Wake up! Think of it this way, in simple terms. Already bankrupt, you further bankrupt yourself by spending money you don’t really have which gives that ‘warm and fuzzy feeling’ (albeit to the next election) and obfuscates the cold, hard reality. That a structural shift has occurred in economic / financial terms (that ‘sucking sound’) there is no question. At some point, if there are glass half-full people in the bunch (I am not one of them and believe this structural shift is ‘forever’ and defacto bankrupt america’s decline is irrevocable owing to pervasive corruption, fraud, criminal complicity, etc.. Kind of like madoff’s ponzi scheme (at some point they always unravel / can’t cover and in the current news madoff the fraud said the banks knew and you can take that to the bank since madoff said it) … But isn’t it also true that we all know and that america’s jig is up! Should the hole continue to be dug so irretrievably deep that digging the way out is absolutely impossible ( I and others already believe that point’s been surpassed, and these cuts so small as to be almost insignificant … Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ) Obama proposes $3.7 trillion budget (Washington Post) [ What the heck! It’s only ‘helicopter ben’ monopoly money anyway; that paper stuff (Globalists Push SDRs as World Reserve Currency As investor Marc Faber noted last year, this funny money intervention by the Federal Reserve is going to create a final crisis that will destroy the U.S. financial system. The Fed “will print and print and print until the final crisis wipes out the whole system,” Faber warned. IMF calls for dollar alternative The International Monetary Fund issued a report Thursday on a possible replacement for the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. Budget makes deep cuts, cautious trades (Washington Post) [ I still have great difficulty wrapping my mind around the cut in the (relatively minuscule) heating oil program for the poor (after all, that’s potentially lethal to such disenfranchised groups) … Drudgereport:White House to Slash Heating Program for Poor…but still no pros of massive frauds on wall street which fines and disgorgement of would yield huge amounts to cover spending... [ Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’ Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? ]
] Fed chairman offers dire warnings about the damage Congress could wreak if it refrains from raising the government's debt limit this spring. ] The $3.7 trillion plan proposes to trim or terminate more than 200 federal programs to make room for increases aimed at boosting the economy. Speaking of Monopoly / atlantic city, n.j., maryanne trump barry and sam alito, et als have done all right for themselves as the corrupt judiciary usually does, one way or another. Indeed, judicial retirement funds for these plushly accoutered lifetime appointees is up 25.9% and the general operating fund up 6.6% (source, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/federal-budget-2012/index.html … the trumps are getting it up front and on the back end, which is typical in a pervasivly corrupt system as defacto bankrupt america … abolish the courts . Connecticut, California join probe of Ally (Washington Post) [ I’d be much more impressed if they initiated a probe of more readily discernible criminal offenses in violation of the RICO Act (Other newark / new jersey and new york, n.y. metro, viz., ie., connecticut, and of course, d.c., d.c. metro, viz., ie., virginia experience … corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz (california), hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken (AP) Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ] http://albertpeia.com Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan, etc., Fraudulent Liars (sic-lawyers) and the Fraudulent u.s. System They're a Part of Are Unheard Of/Non-existent. List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic! http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ] Justice: FBI improperly opened probes (Washington Post) [ I just hope they’re as zealous (in probing readily discernible crime) with regard to my RICO matters and the corruption in the (judicial / legal) process since, in the final analysis, it will have been the corruption within that will have brought the nation down irrevocably and totally.]

Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld booed at GOP convention in D.C. New York Daily News | Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were booed on Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ron Paul At CPAC: ‘Government is in the process of failing’ Is he running for US Senate? Is he signaling his bid for US president? Or is he hinting at something deeper within the US political climate? Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] ) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3^rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

Drudgereport: DEBT NOW EQUALS ENTIRE ECONOMY
OBAMA AGENDA IS OVER
Obama refers to himself as 'The Gipper'… [ Riiiight! …anything you say wobmama the b for b*** s***… or maybe the bipper, the chipper, or the yankee clipper (the new joltin’ joe) …sounds like he’s losing it! ] ...
France Wants New Global Finance System; End of Dollar Dominance...
Fannie, Freddie bailout: $153 billion and counting...
GALLUP: Unemployment at 10.3%...
Muslim Bros plan political party...
Present Two Faces...
Pakistan Islamists warn of protests if US prisoner freed...
SECSTATE JR: Sen Kerry arrives in Pakistan, expresses 'regret', 'sorrow'...
GADDAFI TELLS PALESTINIANS: REVOLT AGAINST ISRAEL
World Bank: Food prices at 'dangerous levels'...
Gov't Motors to pay out $189 million in bonuses; some workers to get 50% payoffs..
Deficit Expected to Jump to $1.65 Trillion...
...'slow train wreck coming'
BUDGET BLOWOUT: How big is $3.73 trillion? $12,000 from each American...
ANALYSIS: $1.5 trillion tax hike over 10 years...
AIRLINES: New fees would be $2 billion tax increase on flyers...
Sessions: Obama failed on budget...
Long Spending Fight...
Produce prices to skyrocket with freeze in Mexico, Southwest...
Clothing Prices to Rise 10% Starting in Spring...
China Replaced Japan in 2010 as Number 2 Economy...
China plans Colombian rail link to challenge Panama canal...
The March On Berlusconi...
Berlusconi indicted in prostitution probe...

Malware 'Aimed at Iran Hit Five Sites'...

Mubarak 'falls into coma after final speech'...
Egyptian military orders last protesters out of 'Liberation Square'...
Consolidates power...
Delivers ultimatum...

Obama proposes $3.7 trillion budget (Washington Post) [ What the heck! It’s only ‘helicopter ben’ monopoly money anyway; that paper stuff (Globalists Push SDRs as World Reserve Currency As investor Marc Faber noted last year, this funny money intervention by the Federal Reserve is going to create a final crisis that will destroy the U.S. financial system. The Fed “will print and print and print until the final crisis wipes out the whole system,” Faber warned. IMF calls for dollar alternative The International Monetary Fund issued a report Thursday on a possible replacement for the dollar as the world’s reserve currency. The IMF said Special Drawing Rights, or SDRs, could help stabilize the global financial system. ). Speaking of Monopoly / atlantic city, n.j., maryanne trump barry and sam alito, et als have done all right for themselves as the corrupt judiciary usually does, one way or another. Indeed, judicial retirement funds for these plushly accoutered lifetime appointees is up 25.9% and the general operating fund up 6.6% (source, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/politics/federal-budget-2012/index.html … the trumps are getting it up front and on the back end, which is typical in a pervasivly corrupt system as defacto bankrupt america … abolish the courts . Connecticut, California join probe of Ally (Washington Post) [ I’d be much more impressed if they initiated a probe of more readily discernible criminal offenses in violation of the RICO Act (Other newark / new jersey and new york, n.y. metro, viz., ie., connecticut, and of course, d.c., d.c. metro, viz., ie., virginia experience … corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz (california), hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken (AP) Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ] http://albertpeia.com Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan, etc., Fraudulent Liars (sic-lawyers) and the Fraudulent u.s. System They're a Part of Are Unheard Of/Non-existent. List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic! http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ] Justice: FBI improperly opened probes (Washington Post) [ I just hope they’re as zealous (in probing readily discernible crime) with regard to my RICO matters and the corruption in the (judicial / legal) process since, in the final analysis, it will have been the corruption within that will have brought the nation down irrevocably and totally.]

Concerns over European defense cuts (Washington Post) [ At some point, rationality must overcome irrationality; if only necessity being the mother of this new-found invention (rationality). Interestingly, there was a blip on television news from a NATO rep talking up the technological / military superiority of NATO relative to Russia (without whose technological prowess that space station and crew would literally be lost in space). So take that, literally … and make the cuts (rational). ] European policymakers say the cuts are necessary given their financial straits, and that training, not sheer numbers, is what matters in a post-Cold War world.

Budget makes deep cuts, cautious trades (Washington Post) [ I still have great difficulty wrapping my mind around the cut in the (relatively minuscule) heating oil program for the poor (after all, that’s potentially lethal to such disenfranchised groups) … Drudgereport:White House to Slash Heating Program for Poor…but still no pros of massive frauds on wall street which fines and disgorgement of would yield huge amounts to cover spending... [ Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’ Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ]
] Fed chairman offers dire warnings about the damage Congress could wreak if it refrains from raising the government's debt limit this spring. ] The $3.7 trillion plan proposes to trim or terminate more than 200 federal programs to make room for increases aimed at boosting the economy.

Robinson: Do conservatives love freedom? (Washington Post) [ Truth be told, I’ve oft referred to myself as conservative. I also embrace freedom; which, of course, is the antithesis of ‘such conservatives’ as ie., mobsters as trump et als, Maryanne trump barry, sam alito, mafia, neo-cons cheney, dumbya bush, rumsfeld, mental cases as john bolton, trump, dummy palin, limbaugh, hannity, etc., who in their near facist way always want control; ie., your thoughts, actions, inclinations, etc.. The left, totalitarian communism, wobamanoids in the dhs, etc., are little different. I personally am constrained to disassociate myself with the likes of the foregoing and as discussed infra:

Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld booed at GOP convention in D.C. New York Daily News | Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney were booed on Thursday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ron Paul At CPAC: ‘Government is in the process of failing’ Is he running for US Senate? Is he signaling his bid for US president? Or is he hinting at something deeper within the US political climate? Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ Trump’s a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions of the country (every fallen nation has such); of that there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance (including the ‘pre-packaged bankrupcies’ crammed down the throats of objecting creditors – jersey general ] ) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! …trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3^rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ." TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.). [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

Symbolic reductions (Washington Post) Gerson: Why would the GOP cut funding for bed nets in Africa? [ Well, given the perilous state of a nation-state in peril; viz., defacto bankrupt america and the imperiled citizenry therein, one might ask how such was funded in the first instance… Drudgereport: DEBT NOW EQUALS ENTIRE ECONOMY
OBAMA AGENDA IS OVER
Obama refers to himself as 'The Gipper'… [ Riiiight! …anything you say wobmama the b for b*** s***… or maybe the bipper, the chipper, or the yankee clipper (the new joltin’ joe) …sounds like he’s losing it! ] ...
France Wants New Global Finance System; End of Dollar Dominance...
Fannie, Freddie bailout: $153 billion and counting...
GALLUP: Unemployment at 10.3%...
GADDAFI TELLS PALESTINIANS: REVOLT AGAINST ISRAEL
Gov't Motors to pay out $189 million in bonuses; some workers to get 50% payoffs..
Deficit Expected to Jump to $1.65 Trillion...
...'slow train wreck coming'
BUDGET BLOWOUT: How big is $3.73 trillion? $12,000 from each American...
ANALYSIS: $1.5 trillion tax hike over 10 years...
AIRLINES: New fees would be $2 billion tax increase on flyers...
Sessions: Obama failed on budget...
Long Spending Fight...
Produce prices to skyrocket with freeze in Mexico, Southwest...
Clothing Prices to Rise 10% Starting in Spring...
China Replaced Japan in 2010 as Number 2 Economy...
China plans Colombian rail link to challenge Panama canal...
The March On Berlusconi...

Malware 'Aimed at Iran Hit Five Sites'...

Mubarak 'falls into coma after final speech'...
Egyptian military orders last protesters out of 'Liberation Square'...
Consolidates power...
Delivers ultimatum...

]

Could the Dow Hit 4,500? [ Short answer: YES! Prechter et als say even far lower (which I would agree with in real terms, but not in debased dollar terms.) ] Norfolk ‘October 20, 1999: I am at a breakfast briefing run by a British investment house. Scarfing my bacon bap and croissant, washed down with the treacly and malodorous coffee that only hotels can provide, I feel quite the patronised lower-order businessman as I listen to the market overview.

Suddenly, I become uneasy. It's not the stomach registering the high fat food - nothing like it for dealing with last night's alcohol, I find - it's the strange disconnection between what the fund reps are telling me and what they want me to do. They are feeding me dead pig so I will recommend equity investment to my clients - but they're telling me (with relaxed smiles) "the American stock market could be as much as 50% too high, and a correction is overdue", as I reported in a letter to a client the next day.

We sure get bought cheaply, don't we?

It was around the same time that I attended a monthly broker network meeting in Worcester, where another fund house recruiting sergeant told us IFA doughboys how (in 1999) the tech boom was only in its first phase, and a sort of super-boom was coming next.

That's when I decided (1) to start reminding my people that most of their pensions and investments had an option to switch to cash within the wrapper - with the caveat that I had no crystal ball, and (2) to change my own business and earnings model to survival mode.

The next year, when one of our colleagues at the monthly get-together revealed that the best asset class for the last 12 months had been cash and asked hands up who'd seen that coming, I kept my hand down. I didn't want to disappear in a hail of slightly stale bread rolls.

Today I read in "The Spectator" magazine an article by Merryn Somerset Webb, editor-in-chief of "Moneyweek". She points out the inflationary boom in the East and suggests a contrarian play - invest West (counting Japan as part of the West) - but warns of overvaluation here, too:

"I refer you to two valuation measures that seek to tell us where markets will go over ten to 20 years, the cyclically adjusted price-earnings ratio and the Q ratio of market value to underlying asset value. According to their biggest fan, the strategist Andrew Smithers, they now tell us that the US market is around 70 per cent overvalued."

I fear that Smithers is an optimist; or rather, when he says a market is overvalued, I assume he's using a theoretical fair value as his point of reference, and ignoring the overshoot effect. 70% overvaluation implies a 40% (ish) drop; but for a long time I've been watching for a 70% drop.

Back in October 2008, J. Kyle Bass of Hayman Advisors (.pdf here) was saying "We think we will see 10-12% unemployment, a 4-5% decline in GDP, and the equity markets could drop at least 70% from peak to trough." (I love that reassuringly conservative "at least", don't you? As Wavy Gravy said at Woodstock, "There is always a little bit of heaven in a disaster area." Maybe we will all be feeding each other again, man.)

So I had a go at drawing a picture... in December 2008, I took the Dow at close at the start of each calendar month from late October 1928 to 80 years later, and divided it by inflation (CPI-U) as announced for the end of the preceding month (I figured that even official figures for consumer prices aren't as manipulated as the gold market). Here's what I got: [chart]
Re-done today to the end of January, here's the same story updated:
[chart]
Read this way, the real peak was at the end of 1999, then the market halved until monetary inflation from 2003 blew up real estate, then it halved again until the wonders of QE, and sometime soon the Fed's lungs are going to give out once more.

Allowing for inflation, a drop of 70% from December 1999 would mean the Dow's low should be just under 4,500 today. That red dot really doesn't look so freakishly out of whack in context - not half so much as the Twin Peaks before it.

Of course, inflation is the joker in the pack. I'm talking about a deflation of the Dow in real terms; one way that could happen is a phoney boom discounted by high inflation - like 1973 - 1982, for instance:
[chart]

It took until April 1992 for the real Dow to get back to what it had been worth in December 1972; but at least it got back. The dollar lost 70% of its consumer purchasing power over the same period.

Like I said in my last SA article (This Liquidity Will Soak Us All ), it may be that we're going to wet, no matter what tree we stand under.

Meantime, I'm buying my own sandwiches.’

Ahmadinejad speaks on Egypt (Washington Post) [ ‘Ahmadinejad says Egypt, Tunisia were inspired by Iran's anti-Western protests’ … Yeah … this is really the truth … buttressed by factual reality … I mean, though suffering the economic pain of american / israeli / nato destructive mis-adventures in the mid-east, the american public is relatively insulated from the realities of same, from war crimes to destruction of innocent lives and property, by way of propaganda and inured by their own zombification. The realities of the west’s inflicted horrors have finally come home to roost. There are and will be consequences! This world is not a vacuum. ]

GOP's plan for spending cuts sets Capitol Hill showdown (Washington Post) [ Showdown? How ‘bout hoedown! I mean, give me a break … who’s kidding whom … but the ‘show’ part fits! Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions … "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."] Some Republicans express concerns about the steep cuts, but some cheer the trims as an important political objective -- meeting a campaign pledge they made last fall to grass-roots activists.

Milbank: Donald trumps CPAC | Gibbs gone (Washington Post) [ That trump is a loser, dressed up and propped up by and to shill for a declining, fallen nation in the most corrupt regions of the country (every fallen nation has such), there is no question …"Over the years I've participated in many battles and have really almost come out very, very victorious every single time," the Donald said. (Except for the bankruptc[ies], that is. [ trump’s never won a battle that wasn’t fixed in advance – jersey general ] ) "I've beaten many people and companies, and I've won many wars," he added. (Though he didn't serve in the military.) "I have fairly [according to mobster rules; ie., bribery, money laundering, etc.] but intelligently [ as any other mob boss … trump is total b*** s***, a fraud, and lightweight … and, despite the façade, quite insecure … trump’s a total mental case … He truly is the ‘poster-boy’ of american decline and part of the problem, not the solution! NEWS FLASH: Direct from Lost Angeles Learning Annex – Presenting mobster t_rump of new yoke, new joyzey, and now caleefornia mob fame with his continuing message for the past several years: buy real estate (and watch the values go down…..riiiiight!).
Bank sues Trump over Chicago tower loan...
Trump casino to miss interest payment...
trump’s fired (from ‘his own company’)

Gunfire Erupts Inside trump Taj Mahal Casino, 1 Dead - Second Such Incident In A Year At N.J. Mainstay Ends With Employee Killed – What else would you you expect from a mobster’s casino in mob-infested jersey!

Trump luxury resort folds, leaving buyers defrauded…litigation has commenced…send for sister maryanne, the corrupt federal judge to preside, coverup, etc., she’s in n.y./n.j./pa 3^rd circuit ct appeals, understands drug money laundering/fraud and handles her own motions to recuse her and like mobster trump should be in jail  ... (see RICO Case)

] earned many billions of dollars [ at whose expense ], which in a sense was both a scorecard and acknowledgment of my abilities [ to fool most of the people, all of the time. ] ."

Egypt's popular uprising triumphs In 18 days, a revolution topples 30-year regime Hosni Mubarak becomes the second Arab leader in a month to succumb to his people's potent thirst for freedom. (Washington Post) [ That 82 year old, 30 year Egyptian potentate, Pharhosni Mubarak was done was never in question. What comes next is another matter entirely:

Drudgereport: IMF CALLS FOR ALTERNATIVE TO $$ AS WORLD'S RESERVE
MILITARY TAKES COMMAND
'Egypt is Free,' crowds chant...
WIRE: Military coup was behind Mubarak's exit...
Military calls for normal business activity to resume...
DAY 18: Mubarak and family flee Cairo for Sharm el-Sheikh...
Swiss freeze assets...
Obama learns of resignation watching TV...
Crisis Puts White House in Disarray...
Director of National Intelligence: Muslim Brotherhood 'Largely Secular,' 'Has Eschewed Violence'...
'Weakness' in USA...
Ahmadinejad: Egyptian protests herald new Mideast...
AL-JAZEERA LIVE FEED...
FRANCE 24 LIVE FEED...
Mubarak Hangs Tough...
VP Urges Protestors to Ignore Media, and Go Home...
AL-JAZEERA LIVE FEED...
CIA Panetta Confused: Said Strong likelihood Mubarak would 'step down tonight'...
March to palace being organized...
REUTERS LIVE...
ElBaradei warns Egypt will 'explode'....
Egypt's govt on the brink..
FLASH CRASH: APPLE stock loses $10 billion in four minutes...
Jobs' Health Rumor?
Global Stock Exchanges Headed for Major Consolidation...
Kyl becomes fifth senator to step aside...
Fed Governor Resigns; Bernanke Adviser Questioned Stimulus...
NBC: Intelligence officials 'scrambling to try to determine exactly what this all means'...
TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' ]

Mubarak Steps Down as President, Army Takes Over ABC News | Egypt’s embattled President Hosni Mubarak abruptly stepped down as president, ending his 30-year America’s Strategic Repression of the ‘Arab Awakening’ A popular backlash against American-supported dictatorships and repressive regimes has been anticipated for a number of years, with arch-hawk geopolitical strategist Zbigniew Brzezinski articulating a broad conception of a ‘Global Political Awakening’ taking place, in which the masses of the world (predominantly the educated, exploited and impoverished youth of the ‘Third World’) have become acutely aware of their subjugation, inequality, exploitation and oppression.

One-Way Market Action: Dave's Daily ‘"To the moon"(Alice) might be a better description of this nonstop bullish action. All week markets were worrying about Egypt. When things were bad there, markets rallied. When things seemed better, markets rallied. When Cisco and Credit Suisse posted lousy reports, markets rallied. When China raised interest rates, markets rallied. Every dip has been bought and every dip has been buying. All this was taking place while many emerging markets were breaking down creating some divergence from previously high inter-market correlations. Things are going so well most reliable technical indicators are getting steamrolled by what those few trading must believe is a rosy future. Market rallies have been steady but not spectacularly higher with daily .50% type moves. But, those add up. Does all this frustrate us? Partially, since active portfolios exited a couple of weeks ago but Lazy Portfolios are doing better. Making sense of Mr. Market has never been an easy proposition. I'm back from attending the annual Inside ETFs conference in Florida where I moderated a panel on technical analysis. Most panelists were bullish but couldn't pin-point why other than "price" analysis. Friday Mubarak gave up probably needing the extra time to round-up the loot before he left town for a Club Med in Dubai or some such place. Markets opened lower on Mubarak's initial determination but then rallied some on his change of heart Friday…’

T_rump: Ron Paul Has “Zero Chance” Of Beating Obama Paul Joseph Watson | { Drudgereport: TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE... PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapses. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?' }

In reality, the Texas Congressman has a better chance than Republican darling Sarah Palin.

Wael Ghonim of Google plays an integral part in ElBaradei’s bid to seize power Tony Cartalucci | Perhaps Ghonim doesn’t know who ElBaradei really works for and that he consorts with the very men making the US policy he feigns to deplore.

NBC: Intelligence officials 'scrambling to try to determine exactly what this all means'...
TRUMP DRAWS CHEERS, BOOS AT CONSERVATIVE CONFERENCE...
PONDERING PRESIDENTIAL RUN... [Don’t make me laugh! … Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ trump also said america’s become the laughingstock of the world … true enough … and trump the biggest joke … Indeed, that trump even posits the possibility of a run when he should be in jail is a testament to just how big a laughingstock pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s become! [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.” ]
CHENEY HECKLED... 'DRAFTDOGER!' 'WHERE'S BIN LADEN?'

Kevin Warsh to leave Federal Reserve Board (Washington Post) [ How ‘bout gettin’ them all to leave … now that would sound like a … sound plan! Is Ben Bernanke A Liar, A Lunatic Or Is He Just Completely And Totally Incompetent? Infowars.com Did you see Ben Bernanke’s testimony before the House Budget Committee on Wednesday? It was quite a show. Bernanke seems to believe that if he just keeps on repeating the same mantras over and over that somehow they will become true. ] The departure leaves the governing board almost entirely in the hands of Obama appointees.

Mubarak's defiance puts U.S. on the defensive (Washington Post) [ Kissinger on Egypt unrest (2-01-11) – “This is only the first scene of the first act of a drama that is to be played out” - And what scene of what act are we in now sweet hank, pray tell. Indeed, after kissinger’s ingratiating comments of the wobama administration’s ‘proper’ handling of the crisis thus far (drummin’ up potential new ‘business’ for doin’ who knows what if anything at all) … his ‘consulting business’ must be … off … considerably! ]

House Republicans divided on spending cuts (Washington Post) [ Holy smokes! … $100 billion … Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ]
] ] An already wobbly week for House Republicans turns chaotic as their unruly new majority flatly rejects a spending plan crafted by House leaders, saying its cuts fell far short of fulfilling a campaign pledge to slice $100 billion from federal programs.

Mubarak's iron rule Robinson: Crumbling but not gently (Washington Post) [ True enough … that crumbling but not gently thing … sounds very ‘americana’ … Spreading unrest raises pressure on Mubarak (Washington Post) An array of new developments turned against President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday as Egypt moved closer to a full rupture between its autocratic government and a growing popular rebellion. [ Do not talk about ruptures in the presence of Pharhosni Mubarak he chides the Washington Post! After all, at 82 years old and 30 years in power, hernias are known to quite easily happen… Previous: Free elections still distant prospect for Egypt Activists express doubts about feasibility of September ballot (Washington Post) ["I'm shocked by what the Americans say - that Mubarak must stay as president so we can prepare for new elections,'' said Negad El Borai, a human rights advocate and lawyer in Cairo. "Mubarak must leave, and then we can talk." … Truth be told, I’m not shocked. Indeed, though this is only marginally what america / israel wanted, this will stick to america / israel like glue; that proverbial albatross; that lose, lose scenario for america in the region. Previous: Egypt protests continue as Mubarak's government offers concessions (Washington Post) [ Come on! Let not all of us join america’s / israel’s, et als, and mubarak’s delusions. After all, here’s an 82 year old tyrant, in power for 30 years, yet in some parallel universe appears to think he’s calling the shots. Other than literal and quite foolish shots against protesters, even journalists, see infra, there are few indeed that would trust his mindset, such as it is, much less his judgment, so flawed as he has now shown it to be. What is obvious is that this long overdue ‘people’s election’ cannot be thwarted by platitudes and small talk, but resisting the inevitable will turn an american quasi-ally into an anti-american breeding ground because there’s just no reconciling a pro-mubarak, however slight, position with american / israeli, et als war crimes in the region. Restless Cairo protesters hoping for U.S. support (Washington Post) [ The sad reality here is, much like wobama’s Afghanistan fiasco, that america has ‘bought it’. This is truly yet another ‘loss, loss’ scenario as is true of america’s mideast policy generally. Defacto bankrupt america’s initiatives in the region particularly, though generally true of all american policy, is the ‘square pegs in round holes’ approach to almost everything they do, which certainly is not lost on the rest of the world. Coddling and caving in to israeli / neocon / zionist paranoia despite the war mongering intransigence of the former is devastating to a nation as pervasively corrupt america which is facing insurmountable domestic problems of its own, economically, financially, politically, and geo-politically. This should bring to mind the missteps of a former fading empire in this same region desperately trying to remain relevant. Indeed, from Balfour’s Despoliation to arbitrary boundaries, etc., Orwellian britain’s demise (decline) as a real player globally was, as america’s currently, significantly and irrevocably hastened. Quite simply, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america will increasingly be viewed as a bunch of ‘muck-ups’ who can’t handle their own substantial problems much less those of other nations; and in fact, invariably exacerbate existing conditions / problems, particularly when pandering to israel’s self-interested concerns. ] While the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak remains the most pressing concern for protesters, the role of U.S. is far from absent in the dialogue. { Previous: Amid Arab protests, U.S. influence has waned (Washington Post) [ And that’s just the way israel likes it … and to america’s detriment, of course … which is not lost on even George Soros … Drudgereport: Soros: 'The main stumbling block is Israel'... ….. Egyptian protesters plan new push Government detains foreigners, says it's willing to open talks (Washington Post) [ Open talks? ‘bout what? Building a pyramid in mubarak’s honor before stepping down? He’s done … finito … burnt as an over-micro-waved burrito! The following from the Post is indeed the straw that broke the riders with whips he sent on camels’ and horses’ backs! ‘Wants to die in Egypt? How touching, or the reality, he’s just plain touched as in totally ‘out of it’. ‘…In what the U.S. State Department called a "concerted campaign to intimidate," several dozen journalists were rounded up by security forces and detained for hours, along with foreigners working as teachers, engineers and human rights researchers. Across the city, angry bands of supporters of President Hosni Mubarak also beat journalists; several reporters said that they were threatened with death…’ ] Cairo seeks to shift blame for clashes by rounding up journalists; U.S. worries renewed protests could spark more violence from Mubarak supporters. Demonstrations in Egypt take bloody turn In Cairo square, Mubarak backers confront anti-government crowds (Washington Post) [ Not too difficult for desperate and done mubarak to contrive: Mubarak Says Egyptians Have to Choose Between “Chaos” and Him … Then Sends In His Thugs to Stir Up Chaos (Infowars.com) In order to justify staying in power until elections are held in September, President Mubarak said on tv that the people had to choose between him and “chaos”. ] The coordinated nature of day's events suggested that Mubarak's supporters were determined to show, as he had warned, that the country faced a "choice between chaos and stability." [ Previous: Mubarak's pledge seen as not enough Egyptian president plans to stay in office to transfer power (Washington Post) [ Let me put it another way: Mubarak is as done as an over-cooked tamale … He seems to be stalling for time and even in his age impaired mind certainly knows his position is untenable, unsustainable, and even more irrational as each second passes. There is a possibility that he’s using same to move money / treasure for himself and others, literally as well, buying time. See infra … Previous: Mubarak seeks dialogue, shows no sign of relenting Demonstrators call for massive protest but lack leadership (Washington Post) [ He relented when he resorted to media / internet blackout. Indeed, this lack of sign thing is a testament to how far from reality 30 years has taken him, not to mention the other 52 years that have taken their toll on his cognitive processes. Whether it is plaques ‘on the brain’ or outright senility, that he is so disengaged from the events unfolding around him, one may only wonder how he lasted this long. Nor did his choice of cia standin / shill, new VP Suleiman enhance his now untenable position which leaves him as ‘done as a burnt enchilada’. Kissinger on Egypt unrest – “This is only the first scene of the first act of a drama that is to be played out” [ The import of this so-called interview, and it is here that I part company with alex jones, et als (who by the way, censored me for this very thesis, which puts him and his at the top of my hypocrite list), is that the so-called elite have orchestrated these events and ‘are in control’. First, there are no elites in this world; you can’t derive elites from apes, notochordates, and initially single celled organisms. Second, almost by definition and certainly by history, there are no elites in america even if you were to accept the first proposition (though true) as untrue. What you do have, in this world and america particularly (with few exceptions as I’ve discussed elsewhere / comments / my website), are inherent criminals and mentally ill people of varying degrees of unscrupulousness and insanity who do commit crimes, both small and large, to further their interests or fortunes (sociopaths / psychopaths). The ’so-called alpha-dogs’ of the human species at most, but still incompetent vegetables who, if you look at anything they touch (to use a term term of such incompetent vegetables as historically pertains to their role in the mideast – and generally the state of the world) it invariably goes ‘pear shaped’ (english term). What hasn’t zionist kissinger not messed up as appointee or ‘consultant’ – what does he get paid for? No! The fact is, they have absolutely no idea how this unfolds and as with most of their lives, they will predictably choose the most sordid, despicable, and diabolical course at every turn because … that is their inherently criminal, mentally ill / unstable nature to do so. ]

] Fragile steps to end crisis seen as plans take shape for a transition process that would allow Mubarak to remain as a figure head until new elections. ] After decades of repression, democracy advocates say it could take many months -- if not years -- to lay groundwork for open and credible elections. ]

Mubarak cedes some authority but refuses to quit In latest bid to quell protests, president transfers powers to VP (Washington Post) [Wow! ‘Earlier Thursday, CIA Director Leon Panetta told Congress that "there is a strong likelihood that Mubarak may step down this evening."…’ Talk about being out of the loop and stuck with ‘foot-in-mouth’ … not that you’d expect more from the CIA … CIA's dilemma in Egypt (Washington Post) [ Come on! How does anyone take these ‘muck-ups’ seriously … As a purported journalist, Mr. Ignatius should know better. What distracts the agency is self-interest and greed … yes, greed for themselves, theirs, and a raison d’etre that assures their continued funding (oh how they miss the cold war, hot ones will have to do) on top of their private so-called ‘black ops’. They’re wrong or absent without leave (awol) on major events purportedly within their bailiwick; ie., mideast, israel, ‘wmd’s in Iraq’, 9-11, Egypt, etc.; and, as well, are fallacious in their policy direction, directives, etc.. I mean, beyond their nefarious undertakings, they look more and more like Maxwell Smarts (‘Get Smart’) minus ‘99’ every day. Expanded Free Trade: Exporting Jobs [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived without them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. At CIA, mistakes by officers are often overlooked (Washington Post) [ Duuuh! I want to know of even one thing that’s not overlooked concerning those incompetent mental cases at the cia; from assassinations, to illegal drug dealing, to illegal arms sales, to corruption, to disinformation, etc., to america’s and the world’s (ie., those WMD’s in Iraq, etc.) substantial detriment. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

] ] Ignatius: Its fight against al-Qaeda has distracted the agency.

] Egyptian leader's defiance stuns and angers hundreds of thousands in Cairo who respond with chants of "revolution, revolution."

Cisco Slump, Mubarak Saga Keep Lid On Stocks [ But guess what? The fraudulent wall street rally point … ‘news that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would step down’ … never happened! ] ‘Disappointing earnings projections from Cisco and PepsiCo pressured Wall Street Friday morning, but news that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would step down buoyed markets by midday and the major indexes essentially flat by the closing bell.The Nasdaq actually ticked positive to gain 1 point to 2,790, despite Wednesday’s troubling report from Cisco that included a decline in gross margins along with its better than expected earnings and revenue. (See “Cisco: Prelude To Profits, Or Layoffs.”)Cisco’s shares slumped 14.2%, but the rest of the tech sector as fairly resilient. Apple was also in the news, after a sudden plunge in the 1 p.m. hour on little news before recovering to finish with a 1% decline. (See “Did Someone Have A Fat Finger On Apple Today?”)Egypt jumped back into the headlines shortly after the open, with speculation that President Hosni Mubarak would resign. In a speech that began just before the U.S. markets closed, Mubarak stopped short of confirming his departure, but did say he would transfer some of his presidential powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman until a September election.It was a tough day for companies who rang the closing bells at NYSE and Nasdaq, since all eyes were on Mubarak’s speech that ran past the end of trading. The S&P 500 added 1 point to 1,322, while the Dow Jones industrial average broke its eight-day winning streak with an 11-point decline to 12,229.Aside from Cisco, a weaker-than-anticipated forecast from PepsiCo also pressured stocks, overshadowing any enthusiasm for the latest snapshot of the job market. New jobless claims fell to their lowest level since July 2008 last week, according to the Labor Department, dropping to 383,000. The four-week moving average was down to 415,500.’

Initial Jobless Claims Drop to 383,000 [ Come on! Who believes anything they say / report! ]

Minimum 5% Correction Begins Cooper ‘Minyanville Editor's Note: The following is a free edition of Jeff Cooper's Daily Market Report…..Is it getting better?Or do you feel the same?One (U2)

“Synchronicity is no more baffling or mysterious than the discontinuities of physics. It is only the ingrained belief in the sovereign power of causality that creates intellectual difficulties and makes it appear unthinkable that causeless events exist or could ever exist. But if they do, then we must regard them as creative acts, as the continuous creation of a pattern that exists from all eternity, repeats itself sporadically, and is not derivable from any known antecedents. Continuous creation is to be thought of not only as a series of successive acts of creation, but also as the eternal presence of the ONE creative act.” -- Carl Jung

[ Wow! … Note to myself: Never bother reading the verbose, circumlocution-prone jung. And, truth be told, while I believe it to be true there’s a substantial correction in the offing, and it’s also true that the business cycles shouldn’t be ignored (though computerization has lessened the impact of ‘inventory recessions’), and that the market is significantly overvalued; the following is a bit much and included as a matter of curiosity (those modern day alchemists thing … ie., helicopter ben spinning more fake money from paper, fraudulent wall street’s worthless assets from paper and spin, etc..) and correct for the wrong or questionable reasons but is somewhat of a ‘hoot’; and so, you may borrow and don Mickey’s sorcerer’s (apprentice) hat and hang on for the ride. Whew! … that Jungian verbosity thing must be catching! Happy halloweeny! ]

Cisco Slump, Mubarak Saga Keep Lid On Stocks [ But guess what? The fraudulent wall street rally point … ‘news that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would step down’ … never happened! ] ‘Disappointing earnings projections from Cisco and PepsiCo pressured Wall Street Friday morning, but news that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak would step down buoyed markets by midday and the major indexes essentially flat by the closing bell.The Nasdaq actually ticked positive to gain 1 point to 2,790, despite Wednesday’s troubling report from Cisco that included a decline in gross margins along with its better than expected earnings and revenue. (See “Cisco: Prelude To Profits, Or Layoffs.”)Cisco’s shares slumped 14.2%, but the rest of the tech sector as fairly resilient. Apple was also in the news, after a sudden plunge in the 1 p.m. hour on little news before recovering to finish with a 1% decline. (See “Did Someone Have A Fat Finger On Apple Today?”)Egypt jumped back into the headlines shortly after the open, with speculation that President Hosni Mubarak would resign. In a speech that began just before the U.S. markets closed, Mubarak stopped short of confirming his departure, but did say he would transfer some of his presidential powers to Vice President Omar Suleiman until a September election.It was a tough day for companies who rang the closing bells at NYSE and Nasdaq, since all eyes were on Mubarak’s speech that ran past the end of trading. The S&P 500 added 1 point to 1,322, while the Dow Jones industrial average broke its eight-day winning streak with an 11-point decline to 12,229.Aside from Cisco, a weaker-than-anticipated forecast from PepsiCo also pressured stocks, overshadowing any enthusiasm for the latest snapshot of the job market. New jobless claims fell to their lowest level since July 2008 last week, according to the Labor Department, dropping to 383,000. The four-week moving average was down to 415,500.’

Initial Jobless Claims Drop to 383,000 [ Come on! Who believes anything they say / report! ]

Donald T_rump Would Impose 25% Tax on China Imports if President [ If he was mobster in chief, mobster and scoundrel trump wraps himself in populist american flag and offers up an (too little too late – typical lightweight) implausible solution to keep ‘the juice’ flowing though he’d already be in jail in a rational, non-declining nation with meaningful laws. All China has to do is dump (and not prospectively buy) their ever more and declining in value day-by-day (from dollar debasement policies) u.s. paper / bonds and overnight and the u.s. economy consequently thereby collapse. [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived with them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense … The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

]] “I would announce, without equivocation, a 25% tax increase on anything purchased from China.”

Sallai Meridor: Israel's fear (Washington Post) [ Come on! Wake up! Illegal nuke totin’, war crimes nation israel’s fears … p l e a s e, spare me the pro-israeli b*** s*** ! What israel fears is a projection of their own ill-founded motives and actions for which all norms, rules, laws governing civilized behavior are suspended for expedience at the least, and blood-thirst that some posit as a remnant of their historic role as Christ-killers (with roman ‘juice’). Isn’t it time, in these desperate times for america, to put america’s, not israel’s interests, first. Who cares what israel fears … In 1948, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, an opponent of the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, warned that, even though failure to go along with the Zionists might cost President Truman the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California, it was about time that somebody should pay some consideration to whether we might not lose the United States….. Mr. Forrestal was absolutely correct! Isn’t that exactly what’s happened to defacto bankrupt america in intractable decline.  TIME TO REVOKE AND NULLIFY THE BALFOUR DECLARATION AND ABROGATE THE CREATION OF THE NATION STATE OF ISRAEL IN THE INTERESTS OF FAIRNESS, JUSTICE, PEACE AND PROSPECTIVE PROSPERITY FOR THIS WORLD! Israel wary of transition in Egypt, concerned about regional stability (Washington Post) [ Who cares what the paranoid, war criminal, illegal nuke totin’, war criminal israelis are wary of. This country has gone down the tubes cow-towing to the paranoid, self-interested concerns of the psycho / sociopathic zionist israelis who are forever projecting their own pathological motives to every turn of history while ignoring their own culpability in producing the very outcomes they purportedly seek to avoid. War, conflict, greed, bloodshed is the historically based israeli way. ] A resurgent Syria alarms u.s., israel (Washington Post) [ Tell me! What doesn’t alarm these two paranoid, zionist neo-nazi regimes of oppression, suppression, aggression, and regression. If they were individuals, they’d undoubtedly be diagnosed as psychopaths, sociopaths totally ignorant of the rights of others, laws, civilized behavior as israel pads her illegal nuke arsenals with american supplied weaponry / support while expecting all other nations to ‘role over and die’. Bipolar / manic / depressive, the ups and downs are increasingly difficult for even americans to follow. Obssessive / compulsive thy names are zionist israel / america. Projection / displacement regarding their own illegal acts, war crimes, etc.; what they distinguished from what they do … dissociative identity disorder, dissociative fugue? Yes … the u.s. and israel are the world’s lunatics, sorely in need of therapy! ] Syria's fresh interference in Lebanon and its increasingly sophisticated weapons shipments to Hezbollah have alarm officials and prompt Israel's military to consider striking a Syrian weapons depot.

Spreading unrest raises pressure on Mubarak (Washington Post) An array of new developments turned against President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday as Egypt moved closer to a full rupture between its autocratic government and a growing popular rebellion. [ Do not talk about ruptures in the presence of Pharhosni Mubarak he chides the Washington Post! After all, at 82 years old and 30 years in power, hernias are known to quite easily happen… Previous: Free elections still distant prospect for Egypt Activists express doubts about feasibility of September ballot (Washington Post) ["I'm shocked by what the Americans say - that Mubarak must stay as president so we can prepare for new elections,'' said Negad El Borai, a human rights advocate and lawyer in Cairo. "Mubarak must leave, and then we can talk." … Truth be told, I’m not shocked. Indeed, though this is only marginally what america / israel wanted, this will stick to america / israel like glue; that proverbial albatross; that lose, lose scenario for america in the region. Previous: Egypt protests continue as Mubarak's government offers concessions (Washington Post) [ Come on! Let not all of us join america’s / israel’s, et als, and mubarak’s delusions. After all, here’s an 82 year old tyrant, in power for 30 years, yet in some parallel universe appears to think he’s calling the shots. Other than literal and quite foolish shots against protesters, even journalists, see infra, there are few indeed that would trust his mindset, such as it is, much less his judgment, so flawed as he has now shown it to be. What is obvious is that this long overdue ‘people’s election’ cannot be thwarted by platitudes and small talk, but resisting the inevitable will turn an american quasi-ally into an anti-american breeding ground because there’s just no reconciling a pro-mubarak, however slight, position with american / israeli, et als war crimes in the region. Restless Cairo protesters hoping for U.S. support (Washington Post) [ The sad reality here is, much like wobama’s Afghanistan fiasco, that america has ‘bought it’. This is truly yet another ‘loss, loss’ scenario as is true of america’s mideast policy generally. Defacto bankrupt america’s initiatives in the region particularly, though generally true of all american policy, is the ‘square pegs in round holes’ approach to almost everything they do, which certainly is not lost on the rest of the world. Coddling and caving in to israeli / neocon / zionist paranoia despite the war mongering intransigence of the former is devastating to a nation as pervasively corrupt america which is facing insurmountable domestic problems of its own, economically, financially, politically, and geo-politically. This should bring to mind the missteps of a former fading empire in this same region desperately trying to remain relevant. Indeed, from Balfour’s Despoliation to arbitrary boundaries, etc., Orwellian britain’s demise (decline) as a real player globally was, as america’s currently, significantly and irrevocably hastened. Quite simply, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america will increasingly be viewed as a bunch of ‘muck-ups’ who can’t handle their own substantial problems much less those of other nations; and in fact, invariably exacerbate existing conditions / problems, particularly when pandering to israel’s self-interested concerns. ] While the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak remains the most pressing concern for protesters, the role of U.S. is far from absent in the dialogue. { Previous: Amid Arab protests, U.S. influence has waned (Washington Post) [ And that’s just the way israel likes it … and to america’s detriment, of course … which is not lost on even George Soros … Drudgereport: Soros: 'The main stumbling block is Israel'...

Egyptian protesters plan new push Government detains foreigners, says it's willing to open talks (Washington Post) [ Open talks? ‘bout what? Building a pyramid in mubarak’s honor before stepping down? He’s done … finito … burnt as an over-micro-waved burrito! The following from the Post is indeed the straw that broke the riders with whips he sent on camels’ and horses’ backs! ‘Wants to die in Egypt? How touching, or the reality, he’s just plain touched as in totally ‘out of it’. ‘…In what the U.S. State Department called a "concerted campaign to intimidate," several dozen journalists were rounded up by security forces and detained for hours, along with foreigners working as teachers, engineers and human rights researchers. Across the city, angry bands of supporters of President Hosni Mubarak also beat journalists; several reporters said that they were threatened with death…’ ] Cairo seeks to shift blame for clashes by rounding up journalists; U.S. worries renewed protests could spark more violence from Mubarak supporters. Demonstrations in Egypt take bloody turn In Cairo square, Mubarak backers confront anti-government crowds (Washington Post) [ Not too difficult for desperate and done mubarak to contrive: Mubarak Says Egyptians Have to Choose Between “Chaos” and Him … Then Sends In His Thugs to Stir Up Chaos (Infowars.com) In order to justify staying in power until elections are held in September, President Mubarak said on tv that the people had to choose between him and “chaos”. ] The coordinated nature of day's events suggested that Mubarak's supporters were determined to show, as he had warned, that the country faced a "choice between chaos and stability." [ Previous: Mubarak's pledge seen as not enough Egyptian president plans to stay in office to transfer power (Washington Post) [ Let me put it another way: Mubarak is as done as an over-cooked tamale … He seems to be stalling for time and even in his age impaired mind certainly knows his position is untenable, unsustainable, and even more irrational as each second passes. There is a possibility that he’s using same to move money / treasure for himself and others, literally as well, buying time. See infra … Previous: Mubarak seeks dialogue, shows no sign of relenting Demonstrators call for massive protest but lack leadership (Washington Post) [ He relented when he resorted to media / internet blackout. Indeed, this lack of sign thing is a testament to how far from reality 30 years has taken him, not to mention the other 52 years that have taken their toll on his cognitive processes. Whether it is plaques ‘on the brain’ or outright senility, that he is so disengaged from the events unfolding around him, one may only wonder how he lasted this long. Nor did his choice of cia standin / shill, new VP Suleiman enhance his now untenable position which leaves him as ‘done as a burnt enchilada’. Kissinger on Egypt unrest – “This is only the first scene of the first act of a drama that is to be played out” [ The import of this so-called interview, and it is here that I part company with alex jones, et als (who by the way, censored me for this very thesis, which puts him and his at the top of my hypocrite list), is that the so-called elite have orchestrated these events and ‘are in control’. First, there are no elites in this world; you can’t derive elites from apes, notochordates, and initially single celled organisms. Second, almost by definition and certainly by history, there are no elites in america even if you were to accept the first proposition (though true) as untrue. What you do have, in this world and america particularly (with few exceptions as I’ve discussed elsewhere / comments / my website), are inherent criminals and mentally ill people of varying degrees of unscrupulousness and insanity who do commit crimes, both small and large, to further their interests or fortunes (sociopaths / psychopaths). The ’so-called alpha-dogs’ of the human species at most, but still incompetent vegetables who, if you look at anything they touch (to use a term term of such incompetent vegetables as historically pertains to their role in the mideast – and generally the state of the world) it invariably goes ‘pear shaped’ (english term). What hasn’t zionist kissinger not messed up as appointee or ‘consultant’ – what does he get paid for? No! The fact is, they have absolutely no idea how this unfolds and as with most of their lives, they will predictably choose the most sordid, despicable, and diabolical course at every turn because … that is their inherently criminal, mentally ill / unstable nature to do so. ]

] Fragile steps to end crisis seen as plans take shape for a transition process that would allow Mubarak to remain as a figure head until new elections.

} ]

] After decades of repression, democracy advocates say it could take many months -- if not years -- to lay groundwork for open and credible elections.

]

Congress must raise debt ceiling, Bernanke warns (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight, bunglo ben … this from the same ben who forecasted ‘no-recession’. The fact is, ‘helicopter ben shalom bernanke’ hasn’t the slightest idea what he’s doing and is the ‘poster boy’, epitome of that incompetent ivy league vegetable who’s long on rhetoric and cv but quite short on real results. The only thing that has been true as per his stated intentions, is an inflated new wall street bubble to and for the benefit of the wall street frauds. ‘Have printing press, will travel’ … that soldier of his and their fortune is a man called ‘Palawallstreet’ aka ben shalom bernanke … which temporary obfuscation with money that’s not really there in real terms means that beyond the temporary look good/feel good, disaster straight ahead. Bernanke's Worst Nightmare Is This Man's Boxes: Caroline Baum BusinessWeek  Feb. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Ben Bernanke arrived at his office a week ago and came face to face with his worst nightmare. Staring out at the Federal Reserve chairman from page C1 of the Feb. 3 edition of the Wall Street Journal was a photo ... The Associated Press Video:  Republicans Grill Bernanke Over Inflation, Debt Paul calls Fed's Bernanke "cocky" in House hearing Reuters [ Yeah … Come on! … The incompetent ‘no-recession helicopter ben’ has nothing whatsoever to be cocky about; he’s clueless as to what to do; satisfied to be helping the frauds on wall street; but in the end, this will end … quite badly! ] Drudgereport:White House to Slash Heating Program for Poor…but still no pros of massive frauds on wall street which fines and disgorgement of would yield huge amounts to cover spending... [ Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’ Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ]
] Fed chairman offers dire warnings about the damage Congress could wreak if it refrains from raising the government's debt limit this spring.

Rep. Lee (R-N.Y.) resigns after Craigslist incident (Washington Post) [ I am truly astounded; and, I say that without even a tinge of sarcasm. Where is the corpus dilicti here. That he is a fool and somewhat a dummy, if such is the standard for resignation, then all of capital hill should be tendering their resignations en masse. After all, aside from the inherent conflict, and particularly in light of a financial / fiscal / economic disaster in large part of their own making and compounding by failing to prosecute the perps and instead accommodate their crimes, ie., FASB rule change, etc., does not the consistent though undeserved raises they give themselves constitute of sorts a defalcation of duty, responsibility, and trust. Unlike congress, indeed all the pervasively corrupt and incompetent branches of u.s. government in their day-to-day activities / course of business, though tasteless, sleazy, etc., this so-called incident is without a corpus dilicti. It kind of reminds me of that scene in ‘Road to Perdition’ when mob kingpin Newman responds (in a somewhat incredulous, come on, who you kidding way) to former footsoldier Hanks by reminding him that they’re all murderers (in the room-including Hanks).] Move came after a Web site reported that the married congressman had e-mailed a shirtless image of himself to a woman he met online.

CIA's dilemma in Egypt (Washington Post) [ Come on! How does anyone take these ‘muck-ups’ seriously … As a purported journalist, Mr. Ignatius should know better. What distracts the agency is self-interest and greed … yes, greed for themselves, theirs, and a raison d’etre that assures their continued funding (oh how they miss the cold war, hot ones will have to do) on top of their private so-called ‘black ops’. They’re wrong or absent without leave (awol) on major events purportedly within their bailiwick; ie., mideast, israel, ‘wmd’s in Iraq’, 9-11, Egypt, etc.; and, as well, are fallacious in their policy direction, directives, etc.. I mean, beyond their nefarious undertakings, they look more and more like Maxwell Smarts (‘Get Smart’) minus ‘99’ every day. Expanded Free Trade: Exporting Jobs [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived without them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. At CIA, mistakes by officers are often overlooked (Washington Post) [ Duuuh! I want to know of even one thing that’s not overlooked concerning those incompetent mental cases at the cia; from assassinations, to illegal drug dealing, to illegal arms sales, to corruption, to disinformation, etc., to america’s and the world’s (ie., those WMD’s in Iraq, etc.) substantial detriment. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

] ] Ignatius: Its fight against al-Qaeda has distracted the agency.

Expanded Free Trade: Exporting Jobs [ When you come right down to it, this has been america’s most significant export. Indeed, this irrevocable structural shift, hailed by cia men hw bush and clinton (clinton couldn’t have survived without them) by way of NAFTA as the greatest thing since sliced bread was indeed in no uncertain terms condemned and warned against by Perot, a man of honor who, unlike his opponents, could not be bought, which is the reason, in pervasively corrupt america, he could never have been elected. Interestingly, you may have noticed the good (but not great, other than the spotlight on pervasive bribery including judges, police, politicians, etc., being far too light) the film ‘The Untouchables’ getting a wide re-airing of late, purporting to be a significant part of american folklore / history / culture. However, the reality is that in america, and certainly today, the real story with impact is that of ‘The Touchables’. The reality is that Elliot Ness died a broken man; bankrupt, unable to even win election to the mayoralty of his then current hometown. He was incorruptible; and hence, in the real america, unelectable at the least if not also all but unemployable (he and his are among those few genetic anomalies in america as I’ve previously alluded to. How far america has fallen from even false perception! Pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless america can’t even fake it anymore. See, for example, http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

] Lounsbury ‘In January Steven Hansen observed that, through November, the trade deficit for manufactured goods was the equivalent of 1.3 million workers earning the median manufacturing wage in the U.S. Well, the trade deficit has been with us in a major way for nearly two decades. I am reminded of the 1992 presidential campaign where one of the three candidates, Ross Perot, argued against the adoption of NAFTA, The North American Free Trade Agreement. The other two candidates supported NAFTA.Perot is famous for his statement that a free trade agreement that was not a two way street would create a “giant sucking sound” of jobs going south to the cheap labor markets of Mexico. Both of Perot’s opponents (George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton) argued that NAFTA would create jobs in the U.S. because of business expansion.However, the goods balance of trade for the U.S. with Mexico has been negative and steadily growing over the years. In 2010 it amounted to $61.6 billion, which was 9.5% of the total goods trade deficit last year.

So Perot has been vindicated in his opinion; expanded free trade has not been accompanied by an increase in jobs in the U.S. relative to the vast numbers of jobs created in the rest of the world as NAFTA became just a stepping stone on the pathway to global commerce.

Veronique de Rugy has produced a graph which shows how manufacturing output and manufacturing employment have varied over the years 1975 – 2010.

click to enlarge images

[chart]

The giant sucking sound actually started in 1980 as manufacturing employment peaked in 1979. The decline in employment in 1980-83 can be associated with the double recessions of that time period, which was also evidenced in the drop in manufacturing output. But when the recovery took hold, manufacturing resumed strong growth but employment gradually declined from 1984 to 2000, after which the decline accelerated.

Now, to be fair, not all the employment decline was due to increased employment overseas. Trade deficits remained fairly benign by 21^st century standards. Employment declined significantly because of productivity improvements as more and more automation replaced manual labor. However, some of the decline was undoubtedly due to increased importation of goods to the U.S.

The rapid growth in the trade deficit for goods began in the early 1990s and we will start our detailed examination of the data with 1992, in deference to Mr. Perot.

Growth of the Trade Deficit for Goods

The first two tables show pertinent annual data. The table on the left shows the trade balance for goods. The table on the right shows the value of U.S. manufactured goods and manufacturing payroll employment.

[chart]

The sources for the data used in these tables are:

• Trade Balance: Goods, Balance of Payments Basis (BOPGTB)
• MANEMP Non-Farms Payrolls Manufacturing
• Total Value of Manufactured Products Federal Reserve Statistical Release G.17, Industrial Production and Capacity Utilization: Table 9

Productivity Improvement

In 19 years the value of U.S. manufacturing output has risen by 58% while manufacturing employment has declined by 31%. It only took 2.5 manufacturing employees in 2010 to produce what 5.8 employees produced in 1992. The dramatic improvement in labor productivity (and loss of jobs) is emphasized by the following graph.

[chart]

Jobs Equivalent to Manufactured Goods Trade Deficit

One cannot say that there is a U.S. jobs loss exactly equal to the trade deficit for manufactured goods. Here are some reasons:

• The goods trade deficit may have led to a more favorable balance of exchange in other areas, for example in export of services. This would have produced more U.S. service jobs.
• The trade balance deficit may have produced foreign investment in the U.S. that would not have otherwise occurred, creating domestic jobs.
• The trade deficit may have actually increase demand for exports of goods still manufactured in the U.S.
• Foreign employment may have been created for U.S. citizens that would not otherwise have occurred.
• If the manufacturing had remained in the U.S. productivity gains might have been even greater than have been experienced.

However, it is not unreasonable to make the assumption that a significant portion of the manufacturing jobs equivalent to the trade deficit would have been created in the U.S.

The U.S. manufacturing jobs equivalence of the goods trade deficit is shown for each of the years starting with 1992 in the following table, along with the cumulative total. Hereafter we refer to the jobs equivalence as “jobs exported”.

[chart]

The jobs exported each year are shown in the following graph.

[chart]

The following graph shows that there have been a cumulative total of almost 29 million jobs exported over the past 19 years.

[chart]

Unemployment Today and the Counterfactual Labor Shortage

The total number of people employed today according to the latest BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) data is 139.3 million. If just half of the exported jobs were retained in the U.S., there would be about 153 million employed. The current civilian labor force is only 153 million so there would be no slack in the labor force at all. However, the labor participation rate has fallen from 67% in 2000-01 to 64.2% today. If the participation rate returned to 67% the civilian labor force would be 160 million. With 153 million employed the unemployment rate would be 4.4% and we would be complaining of labor shortages.

The Sweet Spot

If only some, even less than half, of the manufacturing that has been outsourced had been retained in the U.S., it is likely that there would still be an emerging market boom, but there would not be the severe structural unemployment problem that exists today in the U.S. It seems, looking at these numbers, that where we are is not the result of doing a fundamentally bad thing. It could be argued that it is actually the result of taking a good thing too far. It seems we missed the sweet spot and simply botched a beautiful shot.

Free Trade is a very good thing, but free trade taken too far is destructive. Hard data shows why.

Related Article

USA Trade Deficit Exports 1.3 million Jobs by Steven Hansen’

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House GOP Targets Dozens of Gov't Programs...
CUT, CUT, CUT...
White House to Slash Heating Program for Poor…but still no pros of massive frauds on wall street which fines and disgorgement of would yield huge amounts to cover spending... [ Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’ Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ ]
UNDERDOG: CNN POLL: 51% SEE NO SECOND TERM FOR OBAMA...
71% OF ALL VEGAS HOMEOWNERS UNDER WATER...
'New normal' in housing bust...
STRESS...
Job openings fall for second straight month...
HOUSE VOTES NEXT WEEK TO BLOCK OBAMACARE FUNDS
WE'RE ON 'ROAD TO RUIN'

UPDATE: Egypt sees largest demos since start of revolt...
NEW WORLD TRADES...
Global Stock Exchanges Headed for Major Consolidation...
D Börse, NYSE in advanced talks...
London takes Canada...
Exchange chiefs seek new global powerhouses...

SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK' [ Sounds like they’re hearing footsteps…Previous: Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) - AP - In its effort to silence protesters, Egypt took a step that's rare even among authoritarian governments: It cut off the Internet across the entire country.       Mubarak fires Cabinet, defends army’s efforts   Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:20:58 GMT  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak dismisses his Cabinet, calls on the army to help put down rising potests...     Egypt's Mubarak sends in army, resists demands to quit (Reuters) - 1 hour agoReuters - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused on Saturday to bow to demands that he resign after ordering troops and tanks into cities in an attempt to quell an explosion of street protests again...        ]      Embattled leader's move falls far short of demands that he give up his 30-year authoritarian rule, leave the country and permit fresh elections. ]

Debt relief for states proposed (Washington Post) [ I’ve heard of the ‘blind leading the blind’, but the ‘bankrupt borrowing from the bankrupt’ seems to be a nouveau american phenomenon destined for ‘clichedom’. Previous: Governors plan painful cuts amid budget crises (Washington Post) [ This truly is a disaster in the making, with consequences even more dire than the grim outlook set forth by Meridith Whitney, if that could even be fathomed. It’s really going to be all that bad…see infra, The Economic Collapse, ‘#10 The municipal bond crisis could go “supernova” at any time.  Already, investors are bailing out of bonds at a frightening pace.  State and local government debt is now sitting at an all-time high of 22 percent of U.S. GDP.  According to Meredith Whitney, the municipal bond crisis that we are facing is a gigantic threat to our financial system….

“It has tentacles as wide as anything I’ve seen. I think next to housing this is the single most important issue in the United States and certainly the largest threat to the U.S. economy.”

Former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan is convinced that things are so bad that literally 90% of our states and cities could go bankrupt over the next five years…. ‘ ] Governors across the ideological spectrum are embracing the politics of austerity in a desperate effort to balance the books. ] Proposal would ease financial burden on many state governments in the wake of the recession.

At CIA, mistakes by officers are often overlooked (Washington Post) [ Duuuh! I want to know of even one thing that’s not overlooked concerning those incompetent mental cases at the cia; from assassinations, to illegal drug dealing, to illegal arms sales, to corruption, to disinformation, etc., to america’s and the world’s (ie., those WMD’s in Iraq, etc.) substantial detriment. See also, ie., http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg , and of course, corrupt legal / judicial processes, etc., Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

]

Four charged in 'brazen coverup' of insider trading (Washington Post) [ 'The alleged conspirators "lacked a mobster's better-honed instinct for conversational discretion," said Janice K. Fedarcyk, head of the FBI's New York field office.'... Isn't that the truth; not like the big mobsters at goldman sachs, et als, who were well connected with plenty of juice and whose hard drives, conversations, etc., seemed never to make it to the crosshairs of real scrutiny, though any such prosecution of even the small fries like these wall street frauds should be welcomed, but with a sense of bewilderment as to how the aforesaid biggest frauds have yet to be prosecuted for the largest fraud in the history of this world with the consequences of their fraud 'now marked to anything' as they cashed out(that legislated FASB rule change / accommodation /complicity). ] Hedge fund manager allegedly tells colleague: Go to the office and shred "as much as you can."

Humility on the Nile Will: Maybe America's finally realizing the limits of its influence abroad. (Washington Post) [ I believe the power of Mr. Will’s article is twofold: First, that humility thing for america and the concomitant limits of american influence abroad. Like no other time in america’s short-lived history, america has a lot to be humble about. Afterall, america is defacto bankrupt, pervasively corrupt across all institutions whether they be governmental / judicial / private, and literally crime-ridden with crime rates exceeding by large margins those of other so-called civilized / tier one nations. Moreover, much like america’s commander(s) in chief, wobama the b (for b*** s*** - and war criminal bush), words are belied by actions / misdeeds. Indeed, the propping up of corrupt / criminal / oppressive regimes and the war crimes accompanying destruction and taking of innocent lives are facts lost on no one in this age like never before of ubiquitously available information which renders america’s once formidable propaganda machine now impotent in relative terms.Truth / reality works against america in every way. Second, and as important is that former global dichotomy that Mr. Will references; viz., the cold war and communism versus non-communism. No such simple lines now exist, nor can they be drawn owing to america’s failure, corruption, and meaningful lawlessness on so many levels and with such negative consequences. ]

Is the Market Headed for a Sell-Off? Zaky [ Yes … I agree, except that fundamentally the longer term prospects are even worse than his bearish outlook suggests (don’t forget the debasement of the dollar, manipulation, and spending / printing money the nation doesn’t have in real terms behind this manipulated uptick) and summarized as follows: ‘I suspect that this rally is on its very last legs. We should see a very healthy 10% or so correction within the next 1-2 week period ... This market is headed for a sell-off. ]

2011 Update: Another Lost Decade for Stocks - Are You Prepared? [ I agree that this is but a (manipulated) bull cycle in a secular bear market with substantially worse to come! ]Kopas ‘In February 2010, we published an article on Seeking Alpha entitled “Another Lost Decade for Stocks - Are You Prepared?,” wherein we argued that the year 2000 marked a secular (long-term) peak for U.S. stocks. A secular bear market is formed when a series of business cycles are linked together, establishing an extended period of stock market under-performance. Our objective here is to bring you up-to-date on the progress of this secular bear market and help you prepare for the next ten years.

The first benchmark we monitor is U.S. stock prices adjusted for inflation. In this chart below, we compare the U.S. stock market to the Shiller 10-year Price/Earnings ratio. This P/E ratio is an indication of investor confidence; a lack of that signals extreme valuation levels. Our conclusion is that investor psychology is still too optimistic and has a long way to go before reaching an undervalued stock market level.

[chart] click to enlarge

Updating our duration and valuation benchmarks, again we find progress, but not yet achieving the truly undervalued levels we expect to see toward the end of a secular bear market. Based upon previous cycles, it appears we are only slightly past the half way mark in terms of years, number of recessions, and valuations. A look at our chart and table comparing this to earlier secular bear markets illustrates our conclusion. We expect that a major bottom for inflation adjusted stock prices is still years away before stocks finally gravitate toward the target area outlined below.

[chart]

New Benchmark: Tobin Q Ratio

In this update we introduce another relative valuation benchmark created by Yale economics professor and Nobel laureate James Tobin, hence the name Tobin’s Q Ratio. The Q ratio is calculated as the total value of the stock market divided by the replacement cost of all its companies. Values greater than 1 indicate stock prices sell above their replacement cost and are therefore “expensive.” A reading below 1 indicates stocks can be bought below replacement cost and therefore indicates that it is cheaper to buy a company than to build one.

A long-term view of the Q ratio gives investors a good understanding of value, information about current risk levels and a method to assess probable returns for the long term. Secular bear markets historically bottom when the Q ratio declines to a bargain level less than .4, meaning stock prices sell for just 40% of replacement value. Today’s reading of 1.03 is above the average reading of .75 and considerably higher than the average secular low reading of .33. Investors beware; stocks have considerable more downside potential before the Q ratio truly reflects a great valuation. Buy and Hold tactics will continue to frustrate investors, just as they have in the past decade.

[chart]

In conclusion, none of the benchmarks we evaluate indicate we are anywhere close to a secular stock market bottom yet. In the meantime, a prudent and profitable investment strategy should be flexible enough to actively adjust portfolio asset allocation, depending on where we are in the business cycle and the direction of the secular trend.’

Shiller Ratio Points to U.S. Equities Being Significantly Overvalued [ Yes they are indeed; so take this especially great opportunity to sell, take profits since there’s much, much worse to come! That computer-programmed spike into the close to keep suckers suckered does not change the aforesaid. This is particularly evident in their attempt to cash in on that superstitious scam known as the ‘January effect’ by way of these manipulated bubble-making buy programs; you know, loosen / soften the suckers up for the coming year’s new fraud / scam. ] The 'January Effect' Is More Market Myth Than Sound Analysis ... Kumar ‘…January of 1929, for example, was off to a brisk start as the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed to 317 from 307. But investors would be slammed later in the year by a historic stock market crash that heralded the start of the Great Depression. January of 1987, too, began nicely. The Dow climbed to 2160 at the end of the month after starting out at 1927. But Black Monday would hit investors in October of that year, leading to the sharpest historical stock market decline in percentage terms. More recently, January 2001 had a strong showing when the Dow Jones finished the month at 10,887 after starting at 10,646. Those reading it as an auspicious beginning would be hit first by the further fallout from collapse of the dot-com bubble and then the massive decline following the September 11 terrorist attacks. See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/cyaPDT ‘… Then, more recently there’s ‘The stock market scored a strong gain and locked in its first positive finish for January since 2007 (we all know what happened after that! Crash!) with help from the energy sector, which climbed sharply in response to a spike in oil prices.(Yahoo/Briefing.com) … Higher oil prices … riiiiight! … that sounds bull(s***)ish … on fraudulent wall street. ]

Governors plan painful cuts amid budget crises (Washington Post) [ This truly is a disaster in the making, with consequences even more dire than the grim outlook set forth by Meridith Whitney, if that could even be fathomed. It’s really going to be all that bad…see infra, The Economic Collapse, ‘#10 The municipal bond crisis could go “supernova” at any time.  Already, investors are bailing out of bonds at a frightening pace.  State and local government debt is now sitting at an all-time high of 22 percent of U.S. GDP.  According to Meredith Whitney, the municipal bond crisis that we are facing is a gigantic threat to our financial system….

“It has tentacles as wide as anything I’ve seen. I think next to housing this is the single most important issue in the United States and certainly the largest threat to the U.S. economy.”

Former Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan is convinced that things are so bad that literally 90% of our states and cities could go bankrupt over the next five years…. ‘ ] Governors across the ideological spectrum are embracing the politics of austerity in a desperate effort to balance the books.

Egypt protests continue as Mubarak's government offers concessions (Washington Post) [ Come on! Let not all of us join america’s / israel’s, et als, and mubarak’s delusions. After all, here’s an 82 year old tyrant, in power for 30 years, yet in some parallel universe appears to think he’s calling the shots. Other than literal and quite foolish shots against protesters, even journalists, see infra, there are few indeed that would trust his mindset, such as it is, much less his judgment, so flawed as he has now shown it to be. What is obvious is that this long overdue ‘people’s election’ cannot be thwarted by platitudes and small talk, but resisting the inevitable will turn an american quasi-ally into an anti-american breeding ground because there’s just no reconciling a pro-mubarak, however slight, position with american / israeli, et als war crimes in the region. Restless Cairo protesters hoping for U.S. support (Washington Post) [ The sad reality here is, much like wobama’s Afghanistan fiasco, that america has ‘bought it’. This is truly yet another ‘loss, loss’ scenario as is true of america’s mideast policy generally. Defacto bankrupt america’s initiatives in the region particularly, though generally true of all american policy, is the ‘square pegs in round holes’ approach to almost everything they do, which certainly is not lost on the rest of the world. Coddling and caving in to israeli / neocon / zionist paranoia despite the war mongering intransigence of the former is devastating to a nation as pervasively corrupt america which is facing insurmountable domestic problems of its own, economically, financially, politically, and geo-politically. This should bring to mind the missteps of a former fading empire in this same region desperately trying to remain relevant. Indeed, from Balfour’s Despoliation to arbitrary boundaries, etc., Orwellian britain’s demise (decline) as a real player globally was, as america’s currently, significantly and irrevocably hastened. Quite simply, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america will increasingly be viewed as a bunch of ‘muck-ups’ who can’t handle their own substantial problems much less those of other nations; and in fact, invariably exacerbate existing conditions / problems, particularly when pandering to israel’s self-interested concerns. ] While the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak remains the most pressing concern for protesters, the role of U.S. is far from absent in the dialogue. { Previous: Amid Arab protests, U.S. influence has waned (Washington Post) [ And that’s just the way israel likes it … and to america’s detriment, of course … which is not lost on even George Soros … Drudgereport: Soros: 'The main stumbling block is Israel'...

Egyptian protesters plan new push Government detains foreigners, says it's willing to open talks (Washington Post) [ Open talks? ‘bout what? Building a pyramid in mubarak’s honor before stepping down? He’s done … finito … burnt as an over-micro-waved burrito! The following from the Post is indeed the straw that broke the riders with whips he sent on camels’ and horses’ backs! ‘Wants to die in Egypt? How touching, or the reality, he’s just plain touched as in totally ‘out of it’. ‘…In what the U.S. State Department called a "concerted campaign to intimidate," several dozen journalists were rounded up by security forces and detained for hours, along with foreigners working as teachers, engineers and human rights researchers. Across the city, angry bands of supporters of President Hosni Mubarak also beat journalists; several reporters said that they were threatened with death…’ ] Cairo seeks to shift blame for clashes by rounding up journalists; U.S. worries renewed protests could spark more violence from Mubarak supporters. Demonstrations in Egypt take bloody turn In Cairo square, Mubarak backers confront anti-government crowds (Washington Post) [ Not too difficult for desperate and done mubarak to contrive: Mubarak Says Egyptians Have to Choose Between “Chaos” and Him … Then Sends In His Thugs to Stir Up Chaos (Infowars.com) In order to justify staying in power until elections are held in September, President Mubarak said on tv that the people had to choose between him and “chaos”. ] The coordinated nature of day's events suggested that Mubarak's supporters were determined to show, as he had warned, that the country faced a "choice between chaos and stability." [ Previous: Mubarak's pledge seen as not enough Egyptian president plans to stay in office to transfer power (Washington Post) [ Let me put it another way: Mubarak is as done as an over-cooked tamale … He seems to be stalling for time and even in his age impaired mind certainly knows his position is untenable, unsustainable, and even more irrational as each second passes. There is a possibility that he’s using same to move money / treasure for himself and others, literally as well, buying time. See infra … Previous: Mubarak seeks dialogue, shows no sign of relenting Demonstrators call for massive protest but lack leadership (Washington Post) [ He relented when he resorted to media / internet blackout. Indeed, this lack of sign thing is a testament to how far from reality 30 years has taken him, not to mention the other 52 years that have taken their toll on his cognitive processes. Whether it is plaques ‘on the brain’ or outright senility, that he is so disengaged from the events unfolding around him, one may only wonder how he lasted this long. Nor did his choice of cia standin / shill, new VP Suleiman enhance his now untenable position which leaves him as ‘done as a burnt enchilada’. Kissinger on Egypt unrest – “This is only the first scene of the first act of a drama that is to be played out” [ The import of this so-called interview, and it is here that I part company with alex jones, et als (who by the way, censored me for this very thesis, which puts him and his at the top of my hypocrite list), is that the so-called elite have orchestrated these events and ‘are in control’. First, there are no elites in this world; you can’t derive elites from apes, notochordates, and initially single celled organisms. Second, almost by definition and certainly by history, there are no elites in america even if you were to accept the first proposition (though true) as untrue. What you do have, in this world and america particularly (with few exceptions as I’ve discussed elsewhere / comments / my website), are inherent criminals and mentally ill people of varying degrees of unscrupulousness and insanity who do commit crimes, both small and large, to further their interests or fortunes (sociopaths / psychopaths). The ’so-called alpha-dogs’ of the human species at most, but still incompetent vegetables who, if you look at anything they touch (to use a term term of such incompetent vegetables as historically pertains to their role in the mideast – and generally the state of the world) it invariably goes ‘pear shaped’ (english term). What hasn’t zionist kissinger not messed up as appointee or ‘consultant’ – what does he get paid for? No! The fact is, they have absolutely no idea how this unfolds and as with most of their lives, they will predictably choose the most sordid, despicable, and diabolical course at every turn because … that is their inherently criminal, mentally ill / unstable nature to do so. ]

] Fragile steps to end crisis seen as plans take shape for a transition process that would allow Mubarak to remain as a figure head until new elections.

} ]

Obama prods U.S. firms to help economy (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Riiiiight! Unfortunately wobama, unlike capital hill, and with bean-counters / number-crunchers / financial analysts paid to look beyond your next election cycle, there are few if any rational investment projects that comport with your politicking goals, particularly in light of your perpetual wars and the defacto bankruptcy of the nation … The Gipper's true heirs (Washington Post) [ ‘Wobama the b’ (for b*** s***), quite remarkably, seems to imply he is one. Yet, his ‘ask what you can do for your country’ entreaty to the ‘corporate execs’ (wake up wobama, they’ve already done it, shifting production / jobs irrevocably overseas, etc., while engaging in the largest fraud by way of wall street in the history of the world, with apparent impunity I might add as per professional criminal courtesy via you and your department of injustice) sounds awfully John F. Kennedyish; yet never the twain should meet (in fact, Reagan and his friend, William Holden reportedly lifted a glass and cheered Kennedy’s assassination – not totally ill-intended since they bought into that ‘Kennedy treason’ propaganda being pushed by the cia et als. Actually, Reagan’s greatest (and most unlikely going in) achievement was the peaceful transition from communism he helped initiate and facilitate with Russia’s rational and astute Mikhail Gorbachev which made way for substantial peace dividend for both nations.) Yes, wobama seems to be suffering from a form of multiple personality disorder which has invariably been interposed in defense of missteps and ‘bad behavior’, but as is true now, without success. ] Robinson: Republicans claim the Reagan mantle, but Democrats act almost like Reaganites.

Budget freeze hampers oversight, SEC chair says (Washington Post) [ Well, now we know the real reason behind the spending freeze. It always was a bit of a stretch to say that was because of their seriousness regarding deficit-reduction which is a catch-phrase but myth at best. That said, in light of wobama’s et als’ failure to live up to campaign promises regarding prosecution of the blatant frauds on wall street, it seems that the absence of the $200 million will be interposed as an excuse for planned failure. After all, at every turn, the frauds on wall street were given every opportunity to cover their tracks and keep their booty. The attorney general’s office, u.s. attorneys and wobama the b are the worst offenders concerning the foregoing. ] Mary L. Schapiro says the freeze is compromising the agency's ability to police the financial markets. Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

]

Iran's Khamenei says uprisings represent 'defeat' for U.S. (Washington Post) [ No matter how you slice it, dice it, or euphemise about it, these are indeed substantial, irrevocable losses for the u.s.; but importantly, of america’s own making; self-defeat if you will, compounded by a slew of bad choices. Sadly, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is quite correct when he states: "The Israelis and the U.S. are more concerned about what would happen to their interests in a post-Mubarak regime." … and further, ‘He also accused the United States of propping up corrupt leaders in the region to protect its interests and those of its ally israel.’ Unfortunately, as has become crystal clear from america’s perpetual war in the region, the people have invariably figured last in america/israel’s unbalanced equations. ]

Mixed signals about health of labor market (Washington Post) [ Signals? In universal speak, flatline still means ‘dead, deceased, etc.’. I think we should go with a gallup: Gallup Finds U.S. Unemployment Up Slightly in January to 9.9% Unemployment, as measured by Gallup without seasonal adjustment, increased to 9.9% at the end of January — up from 9.6% at the end of December, but down from 10.9% a year ago. Drudgereport: GALLUP: Unemployment actually at 9.9%...
'Under-employment' at 19.2%...
Labor Force Participation Plunges To Fresh 26 Year Low...

] Drop in jobless rate from 9.4 percent to 9 percent offers little comfort because a separate survey of employers shows that job growth was anemic in January, with employers adding only 36,000 jobs.

Milbank: Rumsfeld offers no apology on Iraq (Washington Post) [ Well, journalistically speaking, you know Mr. Milbank’s hit the bottom of the barrel when he leads his article with a quote seemingly as a purported standard from war criminal dumbya bush who probably didn’t even understand the words he was regurgitating (see , ie., bushisms from bush the brain-damaged moron http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm - sadly, wobama probably understands the words but forgets his prior words contradicting same, campaign promises particularly, and hence, failed presidents both). Who cares about what would be meaningless apologies from these incompetent psychopaths. (2-3-11) Rumsfeld Finally Confesses He Was Wrong About WMD In New Autobiography [ Nice to know … a nation’s bankruptcy (america) and another nation’s destruction (Iraq) later. ] Former Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has finally confessed he was wrong to claim America knew where Saddam Hussein had stockpiled weapons of mass destruction in the first days after the Iraq invasion. Previous: Words are cheap, in america particularly … I don’t believe anything they say and then, as I said, words are cheap. ANALYSIS | Palin's 'blood libel' comment backfires Washington Post) [ God knows I’m no fan of sarah palin’s although I am constrained to admit that as a fan of Saturday Night Live, I do appreciate her contribution to comedic content in the show. That said, this new ‘tempest in a teapot’ of her own making is a bit overdone. After all, it should be common knowledge by now, to put it mildly, that she is quite dumb; and, like that burnt out, dumb, war criminal and moron, dumbya bush (see , ie., bushisms from bush the brain-damaged moron http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm), she also has trouble with words; more specifically, the meanings of words. But it is also true that wobama and his ilk have trouble with words and their meaning, particularly when those spoken words are measured against what he does, his ilk never seeming to discern the glaring difference … wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s***. Lamentably (by her) and unexpectedly for palin was her failure to fully understand ‘that jewish thing’ attached to the phrase and the tender sensibilities of those who previously have been among the ranks of what seems more and more to be a somewhat offbeat fanclub of sorts. Yeah, that ‘never here the end of it’ jewish stereotype of paranoid sensibilities to religious / ethnic prejudice / slur behind some word, phrase, or even a sneeze (spielberg’s childhood memories) can wind up turning around and biting you’re a** ! Previously: Krauthammer: Beyond Ariz., a reckless charge (Washington Post) [ If it were only that simple; viz., a palin ( I’ve previously said I’m more concerned with her level of stupidity, dumb enough in an infantile way to prove she had gonads by pressing the button – never goin’ to happen, her being in that position), a beck, a bush, a wobama (Drudgereport: OBAMA FLASHBACK: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'... ), etc., there’d be hope for pervasively corrupt defacto bankrupt america. The fact is, the problem is inherent to america / americans themselves as I previously wrote here and reiterate: Will: Half-baked explanations for tragedy (Washington Post) [ Half-baked? Charlatans? The foregoing are in no short supply in defacto bankrupt, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt, fraud prevalent america. See, for example, RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm . Moreover, Mr. Will as an oftimes apologist for war criminal, pervasively fraud-prone, defacto bankrupt, etc., america, with crime rates exceeding by far those of any other so-called civilized nations, might indeed find himself among those he’s so categorized. Among the last separate page sections to my website will be a somewhat detailed psychoanalytic evolutionary profile of the u.s. (one might ask who am I to do so which is fair comment to which I would reply, read it, or not, your choice). However, for the nonce, let me say that the it is no small coincidence that the 20^th century has been dubbed ‘the american century’. That the 20^th century has been considered the bloodiest is at once the natural concomitant of the foregoing reality. Keeping in mind the so-called ‘selective’ processes in both insurance (adverse) and evolutionary (Darwinian) terms, and as well, the psychology of it all from a behavioral perspective, america has indeed evolved. From the genocide of indigenous populations, to outlandish propaganda in support of same (ie., that ‘manifest destiny’ balderdash with overtones of religiosity spoonfed since elementary school, etc.), to contrived conflict / war, such, euphemistically bad behavior has been reinforced, some of which conditioning not always purposeful, ie., the ever greater frauds perpetrated on wall street for which there have been in large part no real punitive consequences to the perpetrators; but, to the contrary, great financial rewards though substantially detrimental to the majority. Despite the surface appeal, that oft asserted ‘blue-blood’ distinction doesn’t pass muster. Aside from the few seeking seeking religious freedom (ie., Puritans among some others), most then new americans were such disaffected rejects of their former homelands that desperation at best was motivation for travel to the wilds of the ‘so-called new world’ as opposed to intelligent, rational choice; criminals, mentally ill, the not-so-bright but ruthless populating the new nation in disparate numbers toward the ends consistent with greed and common criminality, corruption, and venality. As of the age of the dinosaurs, the american century has passed into the annals of a history replete with self-generating terrorism within and without (that blowback thing). DRUDGEREPORT: NATION SHOCKED: CONGRESSWOMAN SHOT IN TUCSON ]

White House mulls Egypt options as protests persist Pro-democracy demonstrators stage 'Day of Departure' rallies (Washington Post) [ It truly is difficult to even imagine such a scenario as ‘a transition process that would allow Mubarak to remain as a figure head until new elections’, though the same probably comports with america’s own pervasively corrupt style of politics as usual (wobama a glaring current example of actions belying words, war criminal dumbya bush, et als) which has spelled intractable decline for america domestically and internationally (probably also comports with israel’s aims at the expense and to the detriment of Egypt and Egypt’s citizens – also gives the cia time to do their deals which could be whatever nefarious money-making / power brokering scheme comes to mind). In corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, facades count more than reality. Egyptian protesters plan new push Government detains foreigners, says it's willing to open talks (Washington Post) [ Open talks? ‘bout what? Building a pyramid in mubarak’s honor before stepping down? He’s done … finito … burnt as an over-micro-waved burrito! The following from the Post is indeed the straw that broke the riders with whips he sent on camels’ and horses’ backs! ‘Wants to die in Egypt? How touching, or the reality, he’s just plain touched as in totally ‘out of it’. ‘…In what the U.S. State Department called a "concerted campaign to intimidate," several dozen journalists were rounded up by security forces and detained for hours, along with foreigners working as teachers, engineers and human rights researchers. Across the city, angry bands of supporters of President Hosni Mubarak also beat journalists; several reporters said that they were threatened with death…’ ] Cairo seeks to shift blame for clashes by rounding up journalists; U.S. worries renewed protests could spark more violence from Mubarak supporters.

Ignored but Important - What Omitted Jobs Data means for Stocks [ What it means is that when there are no jobs, and everyone has stopped looking, there will be full employment which of course, is rally time for stocks … riiiiight! ] Maierhofer, see entire article infra: ‘…The headline unemployment rate (U-3) reported by the BLS fell to 9%, the lowest level since April 2009. How can the unemployment rate drop 0.4% if only 36,000 jobs were added? (Much worse than the 140,000 expected – stocks still rallied) 36,000 aren't even enough to provide jobs for a quarter of graduates…’ Riiiiight! … that fudge factor/fraud; viz., discouraged / stopped looking … What total b*** s***! How desperate they are! Previous: Initial Claims Drop More Than Expected [ Come on! Who believes anything they say and at what cost with money not really there in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, with manipulated programmed suckers’ rally into the close. …‘In the U.S. market, Slothower concludes: “This is a hard one to gauge, given the QE2 manipulations verses skyrocketing food and energy prices, which have now reached prices levels that have choked off growth in the past and caused recessions, as we saw in 2008 when oil prices hit $100 a barrel (in March of that year).” “It is like walking in a mine field. You move very carefully now with your eyes wide open and on every move, knowing that any day something out of the blue could blow thing up, given these extreme risks.” But he’s now only 70% in cash. The balance is split equally between: iPath Dow Jones-AIG Grains Total Return Sub-Index …’ Minyanville's T3 Weekly Recap: Growing Disconnect Between Market and Economy/World ‘Bernanke said in his comments yesterday that he is responsible for higher stock prices, but not necessarily for sky-rocketing global food prices. Well, you can't have it both ways, Ben. By propping up asset prices when economic data doesn't match the ferocity of the stock market rally, the Fed is potentially creating another bubble of sorts.Just look at today's non-farm payrolls number: There was a gain of only 36,000 jobs when 140,000 were expected. Also, unemployment fell to 9.0% -- a positive sign for the layman, but an ominous sign for the more keen eye. Nine-hundred thousand discouraged job-hunters left the labor force this month, after 500,000 left in the previous month. It's hard to see optimism in the stock market continue unabated while so many Americans remain jobless…’ ‘Kung Hei Fat Choy!: Dave's Daily …Speaking of the man with printers ink stains up to his neck, Bernanke spoke Thursday to the Press Club stating, among other things, "inflation remains quite low". He continued saying, "Since August, when we announced our policy of reinvesting maturing securities and signaled we were considering more purchases, equity prices have risen significantly...") I believe that sums things up from an investing view. Silly people like me are standing by watching those that can like GS and JPM take this easy money and route it directly to the S&P futures pits, among other similar places, taking on risk the Fed expects. Oh, and speaking of JPM, the Madoff Trustees have sued the bank for complicity in helping steer client funds to Madoff despite complaints from within that his results were "too good to be true"…’  Monthly Market Valuation: Investors Are Too Bullish, Valuations Are Too High The conclusion of the following detailed, documented analysis: ‘Wolinsky :In conclusion, the market is over-valued based on the above data. Tobin's Q, Shiller P/E and AAII data are all indicating that investors are too bullish and valuations are too high.’ ]
Simon Maierhofer, On Friday February 4, 2011, ‘The monthly employment report has become one of the most anticipated and talked about, but least analyzed ritual on Wall Street.As far as the media is concerned, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) might as well just publish the headline number, because that's about the only thing anyone talks about.Not only does the core message of the 40+ page report go largely un-deciphered, the correlation between the employment reports is also somewhat deceptive.This article will extract some uncommonly reported information and point towards what is likely to move the marketThe only other Wall Street ritual that tops monthly unemployment reports is earnings season. Like any other ritual, it comes with many myths and fables attached. The most common one is that unemployment directly affects stock prices.

THE HEADLINE NUMBER ... WAIT, THERE IS MORE

The headline unemployment rate (U-3) reported by the BLS fell to 9%, the lowest level since April 2009. How can the unemployment rate drop 0.4% if only 36,000 jobs were added? 36,000 aren't even enough to provide jobs for a quarter of graduates.According to BLS data, the number of unemployed workers (not seasonally adjusted) rose from 14.83 million to 14.94 million. The work force shrunk from 153.89 million to 152.54 million. The workforce didn't actually decline, but statistically more workers are considered discouraged and are no longer considered unemployed.One of the most remarkable BLS data points on the BLS site is the average number of weeks workers are now unemployed. The jobless are unemployed for an average of 36.9 weeks, an all-time high (see chart below).[chart]

House Republicans propose $32B in budget cuts (Washington Post) [ Well, there you go … all over but the shoutin’ … $14+ trillion debt problem solved … riiiiight! … Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘] The figure represents an unprecedented rollback that would force some agencies to cut spending by as much as 20 percent, analysts say.

]

Home buyers may get less government support (Washington Post) [ Uut, oh! Less help from the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt government? Well, on the bright side, a percentage of near zero is still near zero … I guess that non-wall street addresses just don’t rate! ] Administration officials are looking at scaling back the aid provided during the mortgage crisis to help the ailing real estate market. The move could make home loans in high-priced areas such as the Washington region more expensive.

Fed dismisses inflation concerns (Washington Post) [ If you’re not used to Dave of Dave’s Daily, see infra, ‘he talks with tongue in cheek’; meaning, inflation’s here, including the inflated stock bubble that the frauds on wall street commission and sell into, just as bernanke planned and admitted, with hyperinflation around the corner, and the typical ‘bust’. Initial Claims Drop More Than Expected [ Come on! Who believes anything they say and at what cost with money not really there in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, with manipulated programmed suckers’ rally into the close. …‘In the U.S. market, Slothower concludes: “This is a hard one to gauge, given the QE2 manipulations verses skyrocketing food and energy prices, which have now reached prices levels that have choked off growth in the past and caused recessions, as we saw in 2008 when oil prices hit $100 a barrel (in March of that year).” “It is like walking in a mine field. You move very carefully now with your eyes wide open and on every move, knowing that any day something out of the blue could blow thing up, given these extreme risks.” But he’s now only 70% in cash. The balance is split equally between: iPath Dow Jones-AIG Grains Total Return Sub-Index …’ ‘Kung Hei Fat Choy!: Dave's Daily …Speaking of the man with printers ink stains up to his neck, Bernanke spoke Thursday to the Press Club stating, among other things, "inflation remains quite low". He continued saying, "Since August, when we announced our policy of reinvesting maturing securities and signaled we were considering more purchases, equity prices have risen significantly...") I believe that sums things up from an investing view. Silly people like me are standing by watching those that can like GS and JPM take this easy money and route it directly to the S&P futures pits, among other similar places, taking on risk the Fed expects. Oh, and speaking of JPM, the Madoff Trustees have sued the bank for complicity in helping steer client funds to Madoff despite complaints from within that his results were "too good to be true"…’  Monthly Market Valuation: Investors Are Too Bullish, Valuations Are Too High The conclusion of the following detailed, documented analysis: ‘Wolinsky :In conclusion, the market is over-valued based on the above data. Tobin's Q, Shiller P/E and AAII data are all indicating that investors are too bullish and valuations are too high.’ ]

] Bernanke gives a mixed assessment of the nation's economic prospects.

Kung Hei Fat Choy!: Dave's Daily ‘ The above tribute to the "metal rabbit" was not the cheer from Tahrir Square Thursday. But, U.S. investors are ignoring that in favor of making money with some dip buying abetted by focusing on good news (retail results) and ignoring any negative news from Egypt or even MRK's results. The Fed tossed in another round of POMO to the tune of nearly $9 billion which encouraged buying from trading desks. Speaking of the man with printers ink stains up to his neck, Bernanke spoke Thursday to the Press Club stating, among other things, "inflation remains quite low". He continued saying, "Since August, when we announced our policy of reinvesting maturing securities and signaled we were considering more purchases, equity prices have risen significantly...") I believe that sums things up from an investing view. Silly people like me are standing by watching those that can like GS and JPM take this easy money and route it directly to the S&P futures pits, among other similar places, taking on risk the Fed expects. Oh, and speaking of JPM, the Madoff Trustees have sued the bank for complicity in helping steer client funds to Madoff despite complaints from within that his results were "too good to be true".   Again dip buying was dominant with an "Egypt be damned" attitude although it looked like some bought gold perhaps as insurance. Rumors of bank runs throughout North Africa are present. Volume was just average with most coming early and late. Breadth per the WSJ was mixed to positive. (You'll note the Nasdaq share volume data means investors buying the bigger names.) … ‘ See also re: bernanke’s folly-If You're Going to Do Economics, Don't Do Macro [ Truth be told, I find Mr. Falkenstein’s article a bit too subtle and somewhat shy about getting to the point, but have included same here solely for the reprint of William Buckley’s famous quote which comports with my own view of the ivy league vegetable gardens which turn out as you would expect, vegetables; viz., ‘he would prefer the first 100 names in the Boston phonebook to the Harvard faculty‘. The reality is that ‘harvard professor’, ‘no-recession bernanke’ has given an obfuscating, ephemeral feel good but lucrative to the few gift to the frauds on wall street with ultimately devastatingly great cost / pain to come. ]

Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) - AP - In its effort to silence protesters, Egypt took a step that's rare even among authoritarian governments: It cut off the Internet across the entire country.       Mubarak fires Cabinet, defends army’s efforts   Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:20:58 GMT  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak dismisses his Cabinet, calls on the army to help put down rising potests...     Egypt's Mubarak sends in army, resists demands to quit (Reuters) - 1 hour agoReuters - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused on Saturday to bow to demands that he resign after ordering troops and tanks into cities in an attempt to quell an explosion of street protests again...        ]      Embattled leader's move falls far short of demands that he give up his 30-year authoritarian rule, leave the country and permit fresh elections.

Israel watches Arab turmoil closely, but comments cautiously Washington Post) [ Illegal nuke-totin’ war crimes nation israel, watch this closely since the same was a long time coming … GOP senator favors cutting US aid to Israel (AP)  ( Now this is a great and long overdue idea that might also lead to enhanced peace efforts for the region; b e c a u s e , israel will have less money to waste on provocative and costly (particularly to america financially and geopolitically) war games. ) AP - Tea party-backed Republican Sen. Rand Paul favors cutting U.S. aid to Israel as part of a deficit-driven effort to slash government spending by $500 billion this year, drawing criticism from Dems (and capital hill generally as Buchanan once described as israeli occupied territory, to america’s detriment) ...  Rand Paul: End Aid to Israel Pressed on CNN’s Situation Room about details on his budget cut plans, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says end all foreign aid–and when pressed further says that includes to Israel. ]

Economic growth strengthened (Washington Post) [  Wow! Mr. Irwin’s back to his glass very much half full ways. The question is, is Mr. Irwin trying to convince himself, or disingenuously trying to convince his readers. After all, in reality, they’re really hasn’t been sufficient  ‘bang for the buck’ (Fed Continues Failed Monetary Policy Suttmeier, chief market strategist at ValuEngine.com

‘Fed Is Continuing a Failed Monetary Policy (And, amazingly, their rationale is the same failed rationale that preceded the last bubble, as now, crash, as will, that was spun by senile greenspan that wall street frauds / insiders sold into; you know, that so called wealth effect which in reality is theirs not yours; viz., their gain, your pain.)

• Information received since the Federal Open Market Committee met in December confirms that the economic recovery is continuing, though at a rate that has been insufficient to bring about a significant improvement in labor market conditions.
• Growth in household spending picked up late last year, but remains constrained by high unemployment, modest income growth, lower housing wealth, and tight credit.
• Business spending on equipment and software is rising, while investment in nonresidential structures is still weak.

Employers remain reluctant to add to payrolls. The housing sector continues to be depressed. Although commodity prices have risen, longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable, and measures of underlying inflation have been trending downward. ) Moreover, and most importantly, those are more than just in short supply; they’re not really there! ( Economist: United States Worse Off than Greece Dr. Laurence Kotlikoff is an economics professor at Boston University. He says the Treasury and the government are fudging the national debt numbers. Kotlikoff says the United States is bankrupt and we don’t even know it.   BRACE YOURSELF: Moody’s Basically Just Threatened To Downgrade The US A day after S&P downgraded Japan’s debt, the attention turns to the US.  )]   Data show that the recovery is becoming deeper and broader.

U.S. stocks drop sharply as protests intensify in Egypt (Washington Post) [Egypt riots knock Wall St to biggest drop in 6 months (Reuters) – [ No! That’s not correct! They probably would like you to think that … some unforeseeable problem from out of nowhere deflating their contrived fraudulent bubble that they always manage to sell into. But the fact is the market’s overvalued to a point again beyond the pale … another inflated point that the wall street frauds always seem to find some reason other than the reality of a fraudulently manipulated overvalued bubble to sell into. ] Reuters - Stocks suffered their biggest one-day loss in nearly six months on Friday as anti-government rioting in Egypt prompted investors to flee to less risky assets to ride out the turmoil.  ] U.S. stocks decline as violent clashes in Egypt inject a jolt of anxiety into global financial markets

In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) - AP - In its effort to silence protesters, Egypt took a step that's rare even among authoritarian governments: It cut off the Internet across the entire country.       Mubarak fires Cabinet, defends army’s efforts   Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:20:58 GMT  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak dismisses his Cabinet, calls on the army to help put down rising potests...     Egypt's Mubarak sends in army, resists demands to quit (Reuters) - 1 hour agoReuters - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused on Saturday to bow to demands that he resign after ordering troops and tanks into cities in an attempt to quell an explosion of street protests again...       ]

Unrest in Egypt has been ongoing all week, but the Internet only seemed to take notice when it affected the Internet. The chilling aspect of an Internet clampdown is the assumption that lies behind it: If you will not let your people tweet, what else will you not let them do?

Regulators shut banks (11 so far in 2011) in Colo, NM, Okla, Wis

The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations). ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) - AP - In its effort to silence protesters, Egypt took a step that's rare even among authoritarian governments: It cut off the Internet across the entire country. Mubarak fires Cabinet, defends army’s efforts Sat, 29 Jan 2011 00:20:58 GMT Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak dismisses his Cabinet, calls on the army to help put down rising potests... Egypt's Mubarak sends in army, resists demands to quit (Reuters) - 1 hour agoReuters - Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak refused on Saturday to bow to demands that he resign after ordering troops and tanks into cities in an attempt to quell an explosion of street protests again...

Egypt riots knock Wall St to biggest drop in 6 months (Reuters) – [ No! That’s not correct! They probably would like you to think that … some unforeseeable problem from out of nowhere deflating their contrived fraudulent bubble that they always manage to sell into. But the fact is the market’s overvalued to a point again beyond the pale … another inflated point that the wall street frauds always seem to find some reason other than the reality of a fraudulently manipulated overvalued bubble to sell into. ] Reuters - Stocks suffered their biggest one-day loss in nearly six months on Friday as anti-government rioting in Egypt prompted investors to flee to less risky assets to ride out the turmoil.

GOP senator favors cutting US aid to Israel (AP) [ Now this is a great and long overdue idea that might also lead to enhanced peace efforts for the region; b e c a u s e , israel will have less money to waste on provocative and costly (particularly to america financially and geopolitically) war games. ] AP - Tea party-backed Republican Sen. Rand Paul favors cutting U.S. aid to Israel as part of a deficit-driven effort to slash government spending by $500 billion this year, drawing criticism from Dems (and capital hill generally as Buchanan once described as israeli occupied territory, to america’s detriment) ... Rand Paul: End Aid to Israel Pressed on CNN’s Situation Room about details on his budget cut plans, Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) says end all foreign aid–and when pressed further says that includes to Israel.

Paulson's $5 billion payout shocks, raises questions (Reuters) [ Shock? Come on … everyone knows that crime in america pays … and pays well! ]

NY mob task force spends 6 MONTHS probing 50-cent sausage heist... As with cuomo, you won’t see new york / mob infested new jersey trying too hard if at all to hurt themselves by prosecuting mob which is so integrally a part of both states… ‘On the mobbed-up docks of Bayonne, the six-month probe was known as Operation Missing Link.Its target: A suspect who swiped a $2 bottle of iced tea and used it to wash down a stolen 50-cent piece of sausage - the lost link that left a bad taste in everybody's mouth, sources told the Daily News.An investigation of the penny-ante heist was ordered by the Waterfront Commission, the agency charged with policing the docks for mob corruption, drug smuggling and other major crimes, the sources said.The investigation included scores of interviews over countless hours dating to last August, sources said - even though the victim was reluctant to press charges."It's like Capt. Queeg and the strawberries," said New Jersey state Sen. Raymond Lesniak, a harsh critic of the bistate commission."It's a $2.50 ongoing investigation."One of the sources was more blunt: "The whole investigation is bull----. It's a waste of manpower, money and resources."Waterfront Commission General Counsel Phoebe Soriel, while declining to address specifics, said the case was more complex than it appeared."While the commission does not comment on pending investigations, it takes any theft in the port seriously - especially theft involving extortion," she said without going into detail.The reported value of the stolen goods - a handful of change - is a microfraction of the $200 billion that moves annually through the ports of New York and New Jersey.The overkill began when the commission received an anonymous tip that someone filched the drink and the sausage from a food truck catering to dock workers.According to two sources, the case was quickly wrapped up: The thief confessed to the crime, and the victim said an arrest was unnecessary.The victim "didn't want to see him behind bars...just wanted him to stop," one source said.But top commission officials, convinced its investigators mishandled the case, ordered a second probe with every possible witness reinterviewed, the sources said.Investigators from the 58-year-old agency returned to the docks and conducted about 80 second interviews, all the while cranking out piles of paperwork, the sources said.The commission was blasted in August 2009 - one year before the sausage investigation was launched - as home to corrupt execs barely better than the waterfront's notorious mobsters.Officials were accused in a damning 60-page report of misusing Homeland Security money, keeping a convicted crook in business and surfing the Internet for porn.The iced-tea-and-sausage probe - which has yet to wrap up - is considered an embarrassment among investigators and dock workers."They snicker about it," one of the sources said.’

The FBI’s the only serious anti-mob game in town: FBI 'largest' Mafia takedown...
Flowchart...
'Vinny Carwash', 'The Fang', 'Tony Bagels', 'Johnny Pizza', 'Baby Shacks', 'Jack the Wack', 'Junior Lollipops', 'Bobby Glasses'...

The Mafia family tree: FBI flowchart reveals
127 'mobsters' arrested in biggest ever blitz on New York's crime empires [ This is a very big deal! http://albertpeia.com/mafiafamilytreeflowchartFBIarrests.htm ]

Car bomb kills dozens (Washington Post) [ Ah, yes! Signs of american style democratization in the middle east popping out all over. The other turmoil is testament to the fact that other mideast nations have complacently sat back as zionist israel / american ‘adventurism / war / war crimes / war profiteering have taken their toll on the region, their people, and their aspirations which like all such action outside a vacuum, have reactions. ] At least 48 were killed and 121 wounded when a booby-trapped car exploded outside a funeral tent in a Shiite neighborhood of northern Baghdad, escalating an upsurge of violence across the country.

New research points to earlier human migration out of Africa (Washington Post) [ This is hardly breakthrough news inasmuch as the same has been reported with authority in as far back as 2005 4^th edition Michael Alan Park text; viz., ‘…fossils (of) the first fully modern Homo Sapiens are found in Africa and Southwest Asia beginning around 160,000 years ago.’ Truth be told, I find such fine lines in this truly sad tale of the history of man to be relatively unimportant. Interestingly, coincidentally, the Drudgereport this day includes this headline: DNA: Humans 97% same as orangutans … 98% same as chimps ... ] For decades, the consensus scientific opinion has held that anatomically modern humans first migrated out of Africa some 60,000 years ago, heading north into the eastern Mediterranean region and then on to Europe and Asia.

Anthropologists adopt a more favorable view of Neanderthals (Washington Post) [ Well, I’m a bit surprised and somewhat disappointed that with a little more effort, rather than rely upon inference, they could have taken a trip to the new york / new jersey / connecticut metropolitan area (etc.) and observed directly these lower italian modern-day archaic humans! Then there are the other modern day archaics / ape-like creatures that warrant greater scrutiny. ]

"What this means is that Neanderthals are not totally extinct. In some of us, they live on," Paabo … With regard to that extinction thing, I’d say they’re still working on it (ultimately, decades, extinction, the distinction, without a difference).  Actually, prior to studying the compelling subject of Biological Anthropology (Michael Park text), I too had some misconceptions about the group known as Neandertals (recent spelling drops the ‘h’) and actually mis-referenced same by the stereotypical image of members of said clade even as the debate continues as to whether they are within the species homo sapiens or a separate species. I believe these to be distinctions without important differences, so humble the origins and evolution of man truly are. Parenthetically, I wonder what that anthropological scientist Heidi Klum thinks on the subject.

Neanderthals, Humans Interbred, DNA Proves

Signs of Neanderthals Mating With Humans - Neanderthals mated with some modern humans after all and left their imprint in the human genome.  Genome hints humans, Neanderthals rolled in prehistoric hay You're a Neanderthal: Genes say yes — a little bit (AP) Neanderthals and people interbred, fossil analysis finds  For more info on man’s humble beginnings, see here     http://www.albertpeia.com/anthroindex1.htm     [ I’m adding this here, having seen while flipping channels an anthropologist talking up somewhat speciously the brain size of Neanderthals. The important but missed point here was potential ‘brain-power’ unrealized. Think of it this way: In the life-threateningly cold climes they inhabited, pre-occupation with warmth, fire, wood for fire, food, mere survival usurped all their waking moments. Have you ever tried to study, learn, think clearly (and new thoughts / neurogenesis thereby) under such harsh and perilous conditions; successfully? Neither could they. ]

Previously I wrote:

FOUND: MISSING LINK BETWEEN APES AND MAN.... These stories, and the many like it, are old news and I subscribe to the more studied view that there is no “missing link” per se and in my view they are distinctions without significant differences. I previously wrote:

To Learn More About From Whence Man Came, This Link's For You

  [To the Professor at the beginning of the course]    

   10-5-09 Postscript: Professor *****,
I felt compelled to thank you again for the add; not to curry your favor but indeed to express profound thanks inasmuch as this is probably the last formal course at a formal educational institution I'll ever take; and among the most important. While I had bought at discount a library-discarded 1993 Anthropology by Embers text, though meaning to read same never quite got to it. I am astounded by the substantial amount of time involved in the evolutionary process, not that I ever stopped to think about it, and one must come away with the sense of 'and all that...for this?'. This course should be required curriculum along with psychology, sociology, etc., but probably won't be owing to what is, as it should be, a very humbling educational experience for any member of the human race.
             Regards,
                                  Al Peia

[Interestingly, my intuitive (but unstudied) thoughts prior to closer examination of the compelling subject of Biological Anthropology remain what I believe to be the correct scenario. Specifically, very simply stated, for the most part, the more “enlightened” (but not by much; by mutation, accident, luck, intervention, etc.) left the unvarying confines of their Sub-Saharan origins, experienced diverse new environs, challenges, etc., experienced what has been described (by neuroscientists, psychologists, etc.) as neurogenesis in varying degrees and forms thereby over time, which trait was selected for and is consistent with the purported multi-regional evolutionary model which does not overtly contradict ultimately, initial African origins. Races, sub-species, missing links, etc., are subsumed in this very humbling and sorrowful tale of the “dawn of man”.]

U.S. must cut deficit, IMF warns (Washington Post) [ Duuuuuh! Ya’ think? CBO: This year's budget deficit to hit $1.5T Washington Post (Why the CBO may not believe all its own deficit projections Christian Science Monitor CBO: Social Security to run permanent deficits (AP) No stemming red ink: Federal deficit to hit $1.5T (AP) Deficit Outlook Darkens Wall Street Journal - WASHINGTON—The federal budget deficit will reach a record of nearly $1.5 trillion in 2011 due to the weak economy, higher spending and fresh tax cuts, congressional budget analysts said, ... Social Security now seen to run permanent deficits The Associated Press ) The nonpartisan budget agency predicts the deficit will drop to $1.1 trillion next year. ] The IMF warning comes as federal officials grapple with a congressional projection this week that the annual deficit will reach a historic $1.5 trillion this year. This is the latest report to raise concerns about how massive government debts in developed countries could undermine the global economic recovery.

Report points to U.S. regulators and big banks for economic crisis (Washington Post) [ Come on! Wake up! … ‘failed to restrict their risky activities’ , ‘pivotal failure to stem the flow of toxic mortgages’, etc.,… Of course not! Why? Because this was intentional and an integral part (the bubble) of the largest fraud in the history of this world (still ongoing with those toxic assets / paper / securities now marked to anything as per legislated FASB rule change, cashed out by the perps, and as yet, despite promises by wobama et als, still unprosecuted). Though among the greediest but hardly the brightest bulbs on the planet, the wall street frauds certainly were savy enough to understand all aspects and mechanics of this fraud in real time. Quite simply, they did it for the money, big money. This was a huge orchestrated securities fraud that made huge profits / gains for the perpetrators at great expense / damage to this among other nations. ]

Krauthammer: The old Obama in new clothing (Washington Post) [ The truly sad thing is that journalists / commentators as Mr. Krauthammer even waste their time pointing out the obvious; viz., that wobama is an egregiously flawed man, failed president, and a global embarrassment. Previous: Obama, unbending Gerson: The president's tone has changed, but he has not. (Washington Post) [ Come on! How can anyone discuss ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) as a serious ideologue when the reality is that he’s just utter and total b*** s*** … by what he does, not what he says … he stands for nothing! Previous: Grading the SOTU / Robinson (Washington Post) [ I say this sincerely and without even a tinge of sarcasm that anyone who even watched / listened to wobama’s ‘speech’ should be embarrassed / ashamed of themselves (not that I listened to dumbya bush’s either). The grade is ‘f’ as in failure as is his failed presidency, as in ‘f’ himself. Wobama is but a pathetic b*** s*** artist and a total embarrassment! Previous: Gerson: Obama, more deficit hawk than GOP? (Washington Post) [ Come on! Where do they get this stuff? Wobama not only continued war criminal dumbya bush’s perpetual war, fraudulent wall street protectorate, etc., free-spending ways, but added to the deficit in his own profligate ways; and, as I’ve said before, democrats / republicans are but distinctions without significant differences. Moreover, there’s the literal rearrangement of the congressional deck-chair seating in the u.s.s. titanic halls for the non-event state of the union (wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s***, more empty words belied by actions / non-action) … Previous: Topic A: What should be in State of the Union? (Washington Post) [ Well, at the very least, it should be noted that the states of the union are crumbling (see bankruptcy headlines infra), ergo, the state of the union is crumbling and precarious indeed. The problem with and for wobama is that he’s been there, done that, and his words don’t match his actions, as is so regarding his not easily forgotten campaign promises (from perpetual wars, to no pros the frauds on wall street, to new ‘bubble building’ as in last precursor to crash supplanting sound economics. Blame it on the teleprompter … sounds like a plan! All we really know for certain is what definitely will not be in the state of the union; viz., a solution to pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline. ] ]

DNA: Humans 97% same as orangutans … 98% same as chimps ...

HE'S BACK: Rahm ruled eligible for mayoral run... [ No surprise here … lots of juice / cash to go around … Hollywood, Jobs, Trump help Rahm haul in $10.6M … [ No surprise here, mobster trump (how was trump missed in the recent big mafia bust since he too is a corrupt bribe paying/receiving, drug money laundering among other crimes, mobster), hollywood flakes like magic mushroom eater sorkin, LSD aficionado jobs (I now realize what that premium priced disfunctional though fanciful pizzazz of apple products that I would refuse to pay extra for stems from-jobs says he owes it all to his LSD use-don’t forget, apple’s protected source code, kernel, and consequent stability existed pre-jobs and I believe, particularly after actually using an iphone, that the same is a way to extract money from an ever increasingly dumbed down / dumb (and I think at the least, eccentric if not obsessively pathological if you witnessed the near compulsive use of these extraneous-rich, in a trivially frivolous way, devices) american public by pandering to their desire for superfluous functionality which requires additional purchases through apple-I do give them credit for the more elaborate interface / touchscreen and the ipad, all of which is currently being duplicated ex-apple and presenting greater values/utility/functionality for the money-so also credit for pioneering), zionists including spielberg, etc.; no small wonder that chicago and the nation are down the tubes. ] ... ]

CBO: This year's budget deficit to hit $1.5T (Washington Post) [Why the CBO may not believe all its own deficit projections Christian Science Monitor CBO: Social Security to run permanent deficits (AP)

No stemming red ink: Federal deficit to hit $1.5T (AP)

Deficit Outlook Darkens Wall Street Journal - WASHINGTON—The federal budget deficit will reach a record of nearly $1.5 trillion in 2011 due to the weak economy, higher spending and fresh tax cuts, congressional budget analysts said, ... Social Security now seen to run permanent deficits The Associated Press

] The nonpartisan budget agency predicts the deficit will drop to $1.1 trillion next year.

U.S. seeks balanced approach to Mideast turmoil (Washington Post) [ Wow! Talkin’ about balance. The response might be, ‘better late than never’, yet it won’t take long for all to figure out that balance means heavily weighted to zionist israel / american interests which of course, ultimately at this rate they will have none of. Indeed, america’s pro-israel stance in the region is now as good as it gets; which ain’t too good and fading fast based on … reality. It’s what they do, not what they say. Then there’s turmoil, and unforgotten turmoil brought to the region courtesy of israel / american / nato ‘adventurism’ / manipulation / conflict / war which animus will linger long after this more parochial turmoil has subsided. For america to believe the old ways will pull through is a dream that will become a nightmare for american aspirations in the region. ]

Federal Reserve stays course with bond-buying plan (Washington Post) [ Plan? Did someone say Plan? Plan for whom? If you answered fraudulent wall you’d be correct. Anyone else, not so much!

Fed Can’t Prop Up Stock Market Forever USA Watchdog | From the very beginning of QE2, it was no secret the Federal Reserve wanted the stock market to rise.

“The Fed No Longer Even Denies that the Purpose of Its Latest Blast of Bond Purchases … Is To Drive Up Wall Street infowars.com Of course, rather than admit that the Fed is failing at driving down rates, rising rates are now being heralded as a sign of success.

TrimTabs: “No Amount Of QE Will Be Able To Keep The Current Stock Market Bubble From Bursting” Zero Hedge | If the money to boost stock prices by almost $9 trillion from the March 2009 lows did not come from the traditional players, it had to have come from somewhere else. We believe that place is the Fed. ] Economic expansion is continuing, a Fed committee said in a statement, but not quickly enough.

Obama, unbending Gerson: The president's tone has changed, but he has not. (Washington Post) [ Come on! How can anyone discuss ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***) as a serious ideologue when the reality is that he’s just utter and total b*** s*** … by what he does, not what he says … he stands for nothing! Previous: Grading the SOTU / Robinson (Washington Post) [ I say this sincerely and without even a tinge of sarcasm that anyone who even watched / listened to wobama’s ‘speech’ should be embarrassed / ashamed of themselves (not that I listened to dumbya bush’s either). The grade is ‘f’ as in failure as is his failed presidency, as in ‘f’ himself. Wobama is but a pathetic b*** s*** artist and a total embarrassment! Previous: Gerson: Obama, more deficit hawk than GOP? (Washington Post) [ Come on! Where do they get this stuff? Wobama not only continued war criminal dumbya bush’s perpetual war, fraudulent wall street protectorate, etc., free-spending ways, but added to the deficit in his own profligate ways; and, as I’ve said before, democrats / republicans are but distinctions without significant differences. Moreover, there’s the literal rearrangement of the congressional deck-chair seating in the u.s.s. titanic halls for the non-event state of the union (wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s***, more empty words belied by actions / non-action) … Previous: Topic A: What should be in State of the Union? (Washington Post) [ Well, at the very least, it should be noted that the states of the union are crumbling (see bankruptcy headlines infra), ergo, the state of the union is crumbling and precarious indeed. The problem with and for wobama is that he’s been there, done that, and his words don’t match his actions, as is so regarding his not easily forgotten campaign promises (from perpetual wars, to no pros the frauds on wall street, to new ‘bubble building’ as in last precursor to crash supplanting sound economics. Blame it on the teleprompter … sounds like a plan! All we really know for certain is what definitely will not be in the state of the union; viz., a solution to pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline. ]

Samuelson: Deficit dodgeball (Washington Post) [ In past posts I’ve disagreed with the tenor if not substance of Mr. Samuelson’s articles, even so far, if my memory on this unimportant point serves me, alluding to his need to bone up on basic economics by way of that once ubiquitous Samuelson economics text (is there a familial relation?), gently implying him to be a soft-touch / lightweight with regard to all things economic / business; but, this really takes the cake and I find his article, euphemistically speaking, sorely lacking. Even his dodgeball reference, though I might be accused of nit-picking, is misplaced. This is no game. The literal life or death of the nation is at stake. The insurmountable debt is unsustainable. Yet, nowhere in his article is there even a mention of the perpetual, needless wars abroad which I would argue have worsened the nation’s security position (blowback, ill will, geopolitical antipathy, etc.). Indeed, this huge expenditure on these needless wars is literally frittered away and even stolen (360 tons of $100 bills flown into Iraq disappear, etc.), abroad denying the economic benefits of such if spent domestically. His lip service in two words, ‘(b) downsizing other programs, including defense’ ( and no mention of the fraudulent wall street computerized high-frequency programmed churn-and-earn / a negative in real economic terms) , falls short and his article is sophomoric at best.

On public investment, Republicans again show they aren't serious (Washington Post) [ I realize that Mr. Pearlstein means well and as a journalist / columnist / reporter he must write something; but, I take umbrage at any purported distinctions between the two parties when measured against what they do in broader strokes ( perpetual war, over-spending, protection for wall street frauds, etc.) and their dissembling which I find nauseating and beyond the pale. ] When talking about the federal government and its budget deficit, Republican politicians love to score points by noting that "you'd never run your household or your business that way." Then again, you'd never run your household or your business by ignoring investment.

IED casualties in Afghanistan spike (Washington Post) [ Yeah! That progress thing’s a b**ch! What do you expect them ( Petraeus optimistic on war ) to say? That the money spent / diverted to these lucrative for the few war profiteers (360 tons of $100 bills flown into Iraq disappear, etc.) has been worth the defacto bankruptcy of the nation. The new military brass as with gates’ cia are without honor, from illegal drugs, to illegal arms, to war crimes, etc.. ]

Home prices fall, heightening fears of double dip (Washington Post) [ How ‘bout just one big, continuing dip except for the protected frauds on wall street who precipitated the decline! The debt levels are now insurmountable, the nation’s defacto bankrupt, and the ‘no recession fed’s’ exacerbating all with there new bubble for wall street’s sake that insiders and the frauds on wall street will sell into. ] Only four areas posted year-over-year gains in November, including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and the Washington region.

Meyerson: On doing business (Washington Post) [ Come on! Wake up! There isn’t one industry except entertainment (film particularly, and of course, hands on health care) that can’t be done substantially cheaper (if not better, and some would even argue better) in China. That’s the fact, jack! That’s reality! That’s the structural shift that’s been the source of all that wall street cash including huge, disproportionately ridiculous executive pay packages (along with with wall streets protected frauds) … you know, that great sucking sound that Ross Perot alluded to!

Grading the SOTU / Roboinson (Washington Post) [ I say this sincerely and without even a tinge of sarcasm that anyone who even watched / listened to wobama’s ‘speech’ should be embarrassed / ashamed of themselves (not that I listened to dumbya bush’s either). The grade is ‘f’ as in failure as is his failed presidency, as in ‘f’ himself. Wobama is but a pathetic b*** s*** artist and a total embarrassment! Previous: Gerson: Obama, more deficit hawk than GOP? (Washington Post) [ Come on! Where do they get this stuff? Wobama not only continued war criminal dumbya bush’s perpetual war, fraudulent wall street protectorate, etc., free-spending ways, but added to the deficit in his own profligate ways; and, as I’ve said before, democrats / republicans are but distinctions without significant differences. Moreover, there’s the literal rearrangement of the congressional deck-chair seating in the u.s.s. titanic halls for the non-event state of the union (wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s***, more empty words belied by actions / non-action) … Previous: Topic A: What should be in State of the Union? (Washington Post) [ Well, at the very least, it should be noted that the states of the union are crumbling (see bankruptcy headlines infra), ergo, the state of the union is crumbling and precarious indeed. The problem with and for wobama is that he’s been there, done that, and his words don’t match his actions, as is so regarding his not easily forgotten campaign promises (from perpetual wars, to no pros the frauds on wall street, to new ‘bubble building’ as in last precursor to crash supplanting sound economics. Blame it on the teleprompter … sounds like a plan! All we really know for certain is what definitely will not be in the state of the union; viz., a solution to pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline. ]

Drudgereport: BANKRUPTCY FOR STATES STUDIED
CA DECLARES EMERGENCY
Facing $1.6B shortfall, San Fran pays employees $170 million in bonuses...

What Happened to 15 Million Jobs?
Wall Street's 'Bernanke' rally runs into headwinds...
Home sales hit 13-year low...
UPDATE: Hawaii governor says Obama's birth record 'exists' but can't produce it...

Obama daughter practices Chinese with Hu...
Chinese Tiger ate US Dove for lunch...

FBI 'largest' Mafia takedown...
Flowchart...
'Vinny Carwash', 'The Fang', 'Tony Bagels', 'Johnny Pizza', 'Baby Shacks', 'Jack the Wack', 'Junior Lollipops', 'Bobby Glasses'...

MTV PORN: Parents Television Council Calls for Fed Investigation Into 'SKINS'...
VIACOM PRESENTS: SEX AT 15!
Young Star Defends Show's Racy Content: 'It's What Teens Are Doing'...
TACO BELL Pulls Ads...
Teacher Suspended After 2nd Graders 'Sex Acts In Class'...
Joan Rivers calls Michelle Obama 'Blackie O'... [ ‘Blackie O’ … Very funny! … I like that … but don’t look for joan on ‘The View’ anytime soon, or invites from the whitehouse either … but of course, and ‘Blackie O’ might retort that joan will be too busy anyway, reprising the role of ‘The Joker’ in the next Batman film by the gifted director, Christopher Nolan, with AH new Catwoman … meow! ]

]

Robinson: It's hard to argue with that speech.

Shiller Ratio Points to U.S. Equities Being Significantly Overvalued [ Yes they are indeed; so take this especially great opportunity to sell, take profits since there’s much, much worse to come! That computer-programmed spike into the close to keep suckers suckered does not change the aforesaid. ]

22 Facts About California That Make You Wonder Why Anyone Would Still Want To Live In That Hellhole Of A State Why in the world would anyone still want to live in the state of California at this point? The American Dream Saturday, January 22, 2011

Why in the world would anyone still want to live in the state of California at this point?  Residents of California have been forced to endure a brutally oppressive level of taxation for many years, and yet the state of California has still managed to find itself on the verge of bankruptcy.  California Governor Jerry Brown declared a “fiscal emergency” in his state on Thursday, but nobody is even pretending that such a declaration is actually going to help matters.  Brown wants to cut even deeper into the state budget (even after tens of billions have already been slashed out of it in recent years) and he wants to explore ways to raise even more revenue.

Meanwhile, the standard of living in California is going right into the toilet.  Housing values are plummeting.  Unemployment has risen above 20 percent in many areas of the state.  Crime and gang activity is on the rise even as police budgets are being hacked to the bone.  The health care system is an absolute disaster.  At this point California has the fewest emergency rooms per million people out of all 50 states.

While all of this has been going on, the state legislature in Sacramento has been very busy passing hundreds of new laws that are mostly about promoting one radical agenda or another.  The state government has become so radically anti-business that it is a wonder that any businesses have remained in the state.  It seems like the moving vans never stop as an endless parade of businesses and families leave California as quickly as they can.

One of the only things keeping the population of California relatively stable at this point are the massive hordes of illegal immigrants that are constantly pouring into California cities.  There are certain areas of major California cities that you simply do not ever want to go into anymore.  In fact, there are rumors that the police will not even venture into certain areas anymore.

Traffic in California is a bigger nightmare than it ever has been before and the state cannot even keep up with repairing the roads and infrastructure that it already has.  There are a few areas of California where you can still see the promise of greatness and the amazing natural beauty that once attracted tens of millions of Americans to the state, but they are few and far between now.  At this point, most of the state is turning into one gigantic hellhole.

Perhaps the state could have some hope of turning things around if they had some solid leadership, but at this point the vast majority of the politicians in the state are pushing agendas that are so “radical” (not in a good way) and so “anti-American” that it is absolutely frightening.

Of course on top of everything else there is the constant threat of wildfires, mudslides and earthquakes.  One day a really “big earthquake” is going to hit, and once that happens many people believe that the geography of the state of California could be permanently altered forever.

But what most people are focused on right now is the horrific financial condition that the state of California currently is in.  Governor Brown recently summarized his analysis of California’s financial condition with the following statement: “We’ve been living in fantasy land. It is much worse than I thought. I’m shocked.”

Yes, things really are that bad in California.

The following are 22 facts about California that make you wonder why anyone would still want to live in that hellhole of a state….

#1 The California state government is facing a potential state budget deficit of 19 billion dollars this year, and California debt is rapidly approaching junk status.  One way or another the taxpayers of California are going to have to pay for this mess somehow.

#2 California Governor Jerry Brown recently unveiled a “draconian” budget plan for 2011 that includes 12 billion dollars more in spending cuts and that maintains 12 billion dollars in recent tax increases.

#3 The state of California currently has the third highest state income tax in the nation: a 9.55% tax bracket at $47,055 and a 10.55% bracket at $1,000,000.

#4 California has the highest state sales tax rate in the nation by far at 8.25%.  Indiana has the next highest at 7%.

#5 Residents of California pay the highest gasoline taxes (over 67 cents per gallon) in the United States.

#6 California had more foreclosure filings that any other U.S. state in 2010.  The 546,669 total foreclosure filings during the year means that over 4 percent of all the housing units in the state of California received a foreclosure filing at some point during 2010.

#7 Home prices in some areas of California have completely fallen off a cliff.  For example, the average home in Merced, California has declined in value by 63 percent over the past four years.

#8 725 new laws (most of them either completely pointless or completely stupid) went into effect in the state of California on January 1st.

#9 20 percent of the residents of Los Angeles County are now receiving public aid of one kind or another.

#10 The number of people unemployed in the state of California is approximately equal to the populations of Nevada, New Hampshire and Vermont combined.

#11 In some areas of California, the level of unemployment is absolutely nightmarish.  For example, 24.3 percent of the residents of El Centro, California are now unemployed.

#12 Residents of California pay some of the highest electricity prices in the entire nation.

#13 The state of California ranks dead last out of all 50 states in the number of emergency rooms per million people.

#14 According to one survey, approximately 1 out of every 4 Californians under the age of 65 has absolutely no health insurance.

#15 At one point last year it was reported that in the area around Sacramento, California there was one closed business for every six that were still open.

#16 In the late 70s, California was number one in per-pupil spending on education, but now the state has fallen to 48th place.

#17 In one school district in California, children as young as five years old are being forced to watch propaganda films that tout the benefits of “alternative lifestyles”, and parents are being told that no “opting out” will be permitted.

#18 The crime rate in the San Diego school system is escalating out of control. The following is what San Diego School Police Chief Don Braun recently told the press about the current situation….

“Violent crime in schools has risen 31 percent. Property crime has risen 12 percent. Weapons violations (have gone up) almost 8 percent.”

#19 Oakland, California Police Chief Anthony Batts announced last year that due to severe budget cuts there are a number of crimes that his department will simply not be able to respond to any longer.  The crimes that the Oakland police will no longer be responding to include grand theft, burglary, car wrecks, identity theft and vandalism.

#20 Things have gotten so bad in Stockton, California that the police union put up a billboard with the following message: “Welcome to the 2nd most dangerous city in California. Stop laying off cops.”

#21 During one recent 23 year period, the state of California built 23 prisons but just one university.

#22 The farther you look into the future, the worse California’s financial problems become. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, California’s unfunded pension liability is estimated to be somewhere between $120 billion and $500 billion at this point.

So could the state of California actually go bankrupt?

In Washington D.C., some lawmakers are now working very hard behind the scenes to come up with a way to allow individual U.S. states to declare bankruptcy.

If something like that is worked out in Washington, then certainly the state of California would potentially be one of the first states to take advantage of it.

Unfortunately, the truth is that the state of California is a complete and total mess at this point, and not even bankruptcy is going to fix much.

The state has become a rotting, festering hellhole that is getting worse by the day.  Yes, some really good people still live there, but there are some really, really good reasons why so many people are leaving the state in droves.

But perhaps you disagree.  Does anyone want to state the case in favor of the state of California?  Please feel free to express your opinion below….’

Economy News Nightmare: 20 Things That You Should Not Read If You Do Not Want To Become Very Angry The Economic Collapse | Today America is very, very frustrated.
#1 Today, millions of American families are digging deep into their savings and investments in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. Over the past two years, U.S. consumers have withdrawn $311 billion more from savings and investment accounts than they have put into them.
#2 15 billion dollars: the total amount of compensation that Goldman Sachs paid out to its employees for 2010.
#3 The number of American families that were booted out of their homes and into the streets set a new all-time record in 2010.
#4 Dozens of packages that we buy in the supermarket have been reduced in size by up to 20%.  For example, there are now 2 less slices of cheese in a typical package of Kraft American cheese, and there is now 9 percent less toilet paper in a typical package of Scott toilet paper.  So now, you may think that you are paying the same amount for these items that you always have, but the truth is that you have been hit with a large price increase.
#5 One Canadian company is making a ton of money shipping “millions and millions of dollars” worth of manufacturing equipment from factories that are being shut down in the United States over to new factories that are being set up in China.
#6 In America today, the wealthiest 20% own a whopping 93% of all the “financial assets” in the United States.
#7 Only 35 percent of Americans now have enough “emergency savings” to be able to cover three months of living expenses.
#8 47 percent of all Americans now believe that China is the number one economic power in the world.
#9 If the U.S. banking system is healthy, then why does the number of “problem banks” continue to keep increasing?  This past week the number of U.S. banks on the unofficial list of problem banks reached 937.
#10 According to former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich, the wealthiest 0.1% of all Americans make as much money as the poorest 120 million.

#11 U.S. housing prices have now fallen further during this economic downturn than they did during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

#12 According to some very disturbing new research, 45 percent of U.S. college students exhibit “no significant gains in learning” after two years in college.

#13 Americans now owe more than $884 billion on student loans, which is a new all-time record.

#14 The United Nations says that the global price of food hit an all-time record high in December, and the price of oil is surging towards $100 a barrel, but the U.S. government continues to insist that we barely have any inflation at all.

#15 The more Americans that are on food stamps the more profits that JP Morgan makes.  Today, an all-time record of 43.2 million Americans are on food stamps, and JP Morgan is making a lot of money processing millions of those benefit payments.

#16 Back in 1970, 25 percent of all jobs in the United States were manufacturing jobs. Today, only 9 percent of the jobs in the United States are manufacturing jobs.

#17 Dozens of U.S. states are either implementing tax increases in 2011 or are considering proposals to raise taxes.

#18 The United States has had a negative trade deficit every single year since 1976.

#19 The U.S. national debt has crossed the $14 trillion mark for the first time, and at some point during 2011 it will cross the $15 trillion mark.
#20 What the U.S. economy really needs is for the government to get off all of our backs, but instead they continue to tighten their grip on us.  In fact, the Obama administration is proposing a “universal Internet ID” that would watch, track, monitor and potentially control everything that you do on the Internet’

Eisenhower’s Worst Fears Have Been Realized Washington’s Blog | All in all it appears that Eisenhower’s worst fears have been realized and his remarkable and unique warnings given for naught.

Wikileaks Is The “Cognitive Infiltration” Operation Demanded by Cass Sunstein [ The following is a very important read. That said, I’m still against the censorship since one always, in the final analysis, must discern truth from falsehood, information from disinformation, reality from propaganda. In truth, I found it somewhat shocking and more than surprising that of all places ‘to escape to’, Assange chose Orwellian england, puppet to the u.s. and guarantor of servility to u.s./zionist interests, such is there own desperate circumstances. ] Webster G. Tarpley | Awareness is growing around the world that the Wikileaks’ theater of the absurd is radically inauthentic — a psyop…’ Tarpley.net

January 22, 2011 Awareness is growing around the world that the Wikileaks-Julian Assange theater of the absurd is radically inauthentic – a psyop. Wikileaks and its impaired boss represent a classic form of limited hangout or self-exposure, a kind of lurid striptease in which the front organization releases doctored and pre-selected materials provided by the intelligence agency with the intent of harming, not the CIA, nor the UK, nor the Israelis, but rather such classic CIA enemies’ list figures as Putin, Berlusconi, Karzai, Qaddafi, Rodriguez de Kirchner, etc. In Tunisia, derogatory material about ex-President Ben Ali leaked by Wikileaks has already brought a windfall for Langley in the form of the rare ouster of an entrenched Arab government.

Obama White House NSC Russia Director Michael McFaul Deploying IMF Shock Therapist Boris Nemtsov as Wheelhorse of Feeble “Stop Putin in 2012″ Bid.

At Foggy Bottom and Langley, a manic fit has been building since the flight of Ben Ali. US imperialist planners now believe they can re-launch their shopworn model of the color revolution, CIA people-power coup, or postmodern putsch against a whole series of countries in the Arab world and far beyond, including Italy. The color revolutions had been looking tarnished lately, as a result of the failure of the Twitter Revolution in Iran back in June 2009. Previously, the Cedars Revolution of 2005 had failed in Lebanon. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine had been rolled back with the ouster of NATO-IMF kleptocrats Yushchenko and Timoshenko. In Georgia, the Roses Revolution was increasingly discredited by the repressive and warmongering regime of fascist madman Saakashvili.

US Seeks to Mobilize a New Generation of Young Nihilists Across the Globe

But now, NSC, State, and CIA believe that the color revolution has a new lease on life, thanks to their estimate that the United States, because of Wikileaks and Assange, has captured the imagination of a new generation of young nihilists across the globe who are described as the post-9/11 generation, estranged from governments and opposition parties, and thus ready to follow Langley’s peroxide Pied Piper.

Assange started his intensive deployment phase this year with video of a Class A US war crime in Iraq, which was very graphic but which dealt with an incident which was already widely known. The second document dump focused on Iraq, but now the targeting had shifted to Prime Minister Maliki, and the Iranian asset whom the US by some strange coincidence was trying to oust as leader of Iraq in favor of the US puppet Allawi. With the third document dump, this time involving State Department cables, we found out much derogatory gossip about such classic CIA targets as Russian prime minister Putin, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, the Russian-Italian strategic alliance, President Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina, and President Karzai of Afghanistan, along with jabs at supposed US allies who need to be kept off-balance and dependent, including the Saudi Arabian royal family, French President Sarkozy, and others. Wikileaks thus directs the vast majority of its fire against figures who are part of the CIA’s enemies list.

No Equal Time for CIA Covert Operations

Assange also provides a splendid pretext for draconian censorship and limitations on the freedom of the internet. The totalitarian liberal Senator Feinstein wants to bring back Woodrow Wilson’s infamous Espionage Act of 1917 in honor of Assange. Assange must be seen not as an activist, not as a journalist, and not as an entertainer, but rather as a spook. John Young of Cryptome, according to some reports, has denounced Wikileaks, to which he formerly belonged, as a CIA front. In a December 29 RT interview, Young described the internet as “a very large-scale spying machine.”1 The internet is indeed a vast battlefield, where the intelligence agencies of the US-UK, China, Israel, Russia, and many others clash every hour of the day, with commercial spies, hackers, anarchists, cultists, mercenary trolls, and psychotics all getting into the act as well. Intelligence agencies deliberately feed real and doctored material to various websites, sometimes using their own disgruntled employees as cutouts, conduits, and go-betweens. This means among other things that Bradley Manning cannot be taken at face value, although it is also clear that he like anyone else should not be tortured.

Assange is now famous, it might be argued. But the Wall Street controlled media can make anyone famous, from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber to Snooki, and this is what they have done with Assange. It is wrong to capitulate to the demagogic power of these media by making it appear that there might be some legitimate value to Assange. Up to now, the CIA has been organizing color revolutions using Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and so forth as vehicles. Now they think they have a cult figure whom they can sell to the youth bulge in the Arab world and other developing countries, where most of the population is under 30. This is an operation which must be exposed.

Most recently, Wikileaks has played a role in the CIA’s new “Jasmine Revolution” in Tunisia by publishing some State Department cables about the sybaritic luxury and lavish lifestyle of the Ben Ali clan, leading to the downfall of that regime. The CIA is now gloating that with the help of Wikileaks it can now topple all the Arab regimes at will, from Mubarak to Qaddafi to Bouteflika, and replace them with new and more pliable puppets eager to clash with Iran, Russia, and China

If Assange ever launches his much-touted doomsday machine against the Bank of America or some other financial institutions, we will be justified in asking that the Securities and Exchange Commission make public the extent of short interest in those stocks by certain hedge funds, especially those controlled by George Soros. And as far as Assange’s attacks on the Vatican are concerned, they fit neatly into four centuries of British intelligence warfare against the Holy See, going back to Guy Fawkes and Lord Robert Cecil’s Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and beyond. Not much new or radical here.

Wikileaks: No Serious Derogatory Information about US, UK, Israel

It is illuminating that none of Assange’s document dumps have revealed any notable scandals involving Great Britain or Israel. No US public figures have had to resign because of anything Wikileaks has done. No major ongoing covert operation or highly placed agent of influence has been blown. After all these months, there are still no US indictments against Assange, even though we know that a US grand jury will readily indict a ham sandwich if the US Attorney demands it. If the CIA had wanted to silence Assange, they could have subjected him to the classic kidnapping aka rendition, meaning that he would have been beaten, drugged, and carted off to wake up in a black site prison in Egypt, Poland, or Guantanamo Bay. Otherwise, the CIA could have had recourse to the usual extralegal wetwork. We must also assume that the new US Cybercommand with its vast resources would have little trouble shutting down the Wikileaks mirror sites, no matter how numerous they might be. The same goes for Anonymous and other flanking organizations of Wikileaks. But these considerations are purely fantastic. Assange emerges today as the pampered darling and golden boy of The New York Times, Der Spiegel. The Guardian, El Pais — in short, of the entire Anglo-American official media Wurlitzer. He reclines today in baronial splendor in the country house of a well-connected retired British officer who should be quizzed by the media about his ties to British intelligence. The radical-chic world, from Bianca Jagger to Michael Moore, is at Assange’s feet.

Cass Sunstein Present at the Creation of Wikileaks

Wikileaks was apparently founded in 2006. Originally, the group was programmed to attack China, and its board was heavily larded with fishy Chinese dissidents and “democracy” activists from the orbit of the Soros foundations. Interestingly, the first big publicity breakthrough for Wikileaks in the mainstream US media was provided by an infamous totalitarian liberal today ensconced in the Obama White House – none other than Cass Sunstein. In Sunstein’s op-ed published in the Washington Post of February 24, 2007 under the title “Brave new Wikiworld,” we read: “Wikileaks.org, founded by dissidents in China and other nations, plans to post secret government documents and to protect them from censorship with coded software.” How interesting that Sunstein was present at the creation of the new Wikileaks psywar operation!

This is the same Sunstein who today heads Obama’s White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In his January 2008 Harvard Law School Working Paper entitled “Conspiracy Theories,” Sunstein infamously demanded that the United States government deploy groups of covert operatives and pseudo-independent agents of influence for the “cognitively infiltration of extremist groups” – meaning organizations, activists and Internet websites who espouse beliefs which Sunstein chooses to classify as “false conspiracy theories.”

Wikileaks = Cass Sunstein’s Program for Cognitive Infiltration In Action

It should be clear that Assange and Wikileaks are precisely the practical realization of Sunstein’s program for “cognitive infiltration” shock troops to counteract and overwhelm any real mass understanding of oligarchical domination in the modern world, and any discussion of what kind of economic policies are needed to secure a recovery from the present world depression.

In line with Sunstein’s recipe, Assange is a self-declared enemy of 9/11 truth. As Assange told Belfast Telegraph reporter Matthew Bell last July, “I’m constantly annoyed that people are distracted by false conspiracies such as 9/11, when all around we provide evidence of real conspiracies, for war or mass financial fraud.” In other words, Assange argues that the truth about 9/11 truth is not nearly as radical as the various scandals which Wikileaks claims to expose. But the scandals Assange is offering target mostly the adversaries of the CIA.

Assange must also be seen as a deeply troubled individual and a possible psychopath. He has the ravaged emotional complexion that we might expect from an alumnus of one of the many MK-Ultra operations. He reportedly spent several years in the menticidal Anne Hamilton-Byrne cult (also known as The Family and Santiniketan) near Melbourne, Australia. Here little children were separated from their parents and made to ingest LSD, Anatensol, Diazepam, Haloperidol, Largactil, Mogadon, Serepax, Stelazine, Tegretol, Tofranil, and other potent psychopharmaca. Dozens of children were told that Hamilton-Byrne was their real mother, and had their hair dyed blond. Anne Hamilton-Byrne reportedly regarded blond hair as a sign of racial superiority. Careful observers will have noted that Assange’s hair is sometimes blond, sometimes more brownish, raising the question of whether his grooming practices are a residue of his time with Hamilton-Byrne, whom he says he does not remember. When other kids were getting cookies and milk, was Assange being lobotomized by LSD and other potent psychopharmaca dished up by Hamilton-Byrne? There is evidence pointing in that direction.

With Assange, we thus have the tragic spectacle of the emotionally mutilated product of a CIA (or MI-6) covert operation of 40 years ago, who has now been given a prominent role in a key counter-insurgency ploy of the present time. Will the youth of the world, already burned by their recent fatuous obsession with Obama, be duped again by such an impaired individual?

The Precedent: Pentagon Papers Whitewashed CIA, Blamed Army, Demonized Kennedy

Assange’s revelations mainly involve communications labeled Confidential or Secret, and which in reality would be over-classified if marked Official Use Only. In other words, Assange is in reality a purveyor of low level cable traffic, not of earth-shattering secrets. This reminds us of an earlier CIA limited hangout operation, the one known as the Pentagon Papers. This was a carefully screened selection of historical documents, supplemented by outright forgeries, relating to the Vietnam War and compiled by Morton Halperin and Leslie Gelb, both of whom have gone on to glittering careers in the imperialist foreign policy establishment – Gelb became president of the Council on Foreign Relations, while Halperin serves today as chief political officer of the Soros wolfpack of foundations. The papers were leaked by former RAND Corporation official Daniel Ellsberg, who had been a very bellicose hawk in Vietnam before a suspicious Damascus Road conversion to pacifism, and then published in the US establishment press – similarly to Assange today. There was nothing in the Pentagon papers which a casual reader of LeMonde or Corriere della Sera did not already know. But, as Mort Sahl later said, left liberals have generally had very few heroes, so they battened on to Ellsberg and lionized him – led by Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and some others. (This is a syndrome which we see again today: at the moment when Obama’s treacherous sellout on the Bush tax cuts was providing a final disillusionment for many gullible left libs, Assange arrived on the scene as their new Savior. Not by chance, Ellsberg has now designated Assange as his own reincarnation, and thus surely the new Messiah.)

The Pentagon papers had been carefully selected by the CIA itself to cover up CIA war crimes in Vietnam, blaming these on the US Army wherever possible, while also obscuring the CIA’s massive program of drug production and narcotics smuggling. The Pentagon Papers systematically hid the salient political fact of the entire Vietnam era, which is that President John F. Kennedy before he was assassinated was preparing to end the de facto US combat role in that country. Instead, Kennedy was systematically demonized and smeared, emerging as the villain of the piece. Needless to say, the Pentagon papers throw no light whatsoever on the CIA role in the Kennedy assassination – in the same way that Assange’s various document dumps tell us nothing of importance about 9/11, the Rabin assassination, Iran-contra, the 1999 bombing of Serbia, the Kursk incident, the various CIA color revolutions, or many of the other truly big covert operations of the past decades.

The limited hangout is not new; it was described in a secret memorandum by Venetian intelligence chief Paolo Sarpi to the Venetian Senate in 1620 as the art of “saying something good about somebody while pretending to be saying something bad.” That is the common denominator of the CIA’s limited hangout operations from Ellsberg to Philip Agee to Assange, with so many other “former” CIA operatives turned “whistleblowers” along the way. ‘

Drudgereport: CUT! WHAT?!
GOOGLE Comes Under Fire for 'Secret' Relationship with NSA...
IMF: Instability Threatens Recovery...
OH NO: Price Drop Points to Likely Double Dip in Housing Market...
Jobless Rise in 20 States as Workers Still Laid Off...
UK Economy May Be Heading for Double Dip...
Obama will 'have to produce birth certificate' to run again...
NYT: Former Spy With Agenda Operates Own Private CIA... [ Quite serious a problem … Remember … these people really are quite stupid but self-interested if not greedy; and, if the money’s right, they wrap themselves in the flag and find a reason … remember ollie north who’s an absolute dope … and there are many, many more worse than him. Then there’s their war mongering which of course is the precursor to their war profiteering, etc.. ]
UPDATE: Hawaii governor says Obama's birth record 'exists' but can't produce it...
BACKTRACK: Now Hawaii won't release birth info...
Hollywood, Jobs, Trump help Rahm haul in $10.6M … [ No surprise here, mobster trump (how was trump missed in the recent big mafia bust since he too is a corrupt bribe paying/receiving, drug money laundering among other crimes, mobster), hollywood flakes like magic mushroom eater sorkin, LSD aficionado jobs (I now realize what that premium priced disfunctional though fanciful pizzazz of apple products that I would refuse to pay extra for stems from-jobs says he owes it all to his LSD use-don’t forget, apple’s protected source code, kernel, and consequent stability existed pre-jobs and I believe, particularly after actually using an iphone, that the same is a way to extract money from an ever increasingly dumbed down / dumb (and I think at the least, eccentric if not obsessively pathological if you witnessed the near compulsive use of these extraneous-rich, in a trivially frivolous way, devices) american public by pandering to their desire for superfluous functionality which requires additional purchases through apple-I do give them credit for the more elaborate interface / touchscreen and the ipad, all of which is currently being duplicated ex-apple and presenting greater values/utility/functionality for the money-so also credit for pioneering), zionists including spielberg, etc.; no small wonder that chicago and the nation are down the tubes. ] ...
COURT: Candidate 'must have actually resided' in city for 1 year before election...
Plans appeal to Illinois Supreme Court...
CHICAGOLAND SHOCK: RAHM BOOTED OFF BALLOT
China 'on Collision Course' with USA...
Bank Moves to Buy U.S. Branches...
Stealth fighter 'based on crashed American plane'...
Chinese Pianist Played Anti-American Propaganda Tune at White House?

Emanuel vows to fight ballot ruling (Washington Post) [ Ill. court rules on Emanuel … OPINION: Rahm got robbed (of his and of those of his prospective booty) Drudgereport: Hollywood, Jobs, Trump help Rahm haul in $10.6M … [ No surprise here, mobster trump (how was trump missed in the recent big mafia bust since he too is a corrupt bribe paying/receiving, drug money laundering among other crimes, mobster), hollywood flakes like magic mushroom eater sorkin, LSD aficionado jobs (I now realize what that premium priced disfunctional though fanciful pizzazz of apple products that I would refuse to pay extra for stems from-jobs says he owes it all to his LSD use-don’t forget, apple’s protected source code, kernel, and consequent stability existed pre-jobs and I believe, particularly after actually using an iphone, that the same is a way to extract money from an ever increasingly dumbed down / dumb (and I think at the least, eccentric if not obsessively pathological if you witnessed the near compulsive use of these extraneous-rich, in a trivially frivolous way, devices) american public by pandering to their desire for superfluous functionality which requires additional purchases through apple-I do give them credit for the more elaborate interface / touchscreen and the ipad, all of which is currently being duplicated ex-apple and presenting greater value/utility/functionality for the money-so also credit for pioneering), zionists including spielberg, etc.; no small wonder that chicago and the nation are down the tubes. ] ...
COURT: Candidate 'must have actually resided' in city for 1 year before election...
Plans appeal to Illinois Supreme Court...
CHICAGOLAND SHOCK: RAHM BOOTED OFF BALLOT
China 'on Collision Course' with USA...
Bank Moves to Buy U.S. Branches...
Stealth fighter 'based on crashed American plane'...
Chinese Pianist Played Anti-American Propaganda Tune at White House?
NYT: Former Spy With Agenda Operates Own Private CIA... [ Quite serious a problem … Remember … these people really are quite stupid but self-interested if not greedy; and, if the money’s right, they wrap themselves in the flag and find a reason … remember ollie north who’s an absolute dope … and there are many, many more worse than him. Then there’s their war mongering which of course is the precursor to their war profiteering, etc.. ]
UPDATE: Hawaii governor says Obama's birth record 'exists' but can't produce it...
BACKTRACK: Now Hawaii won't release birth info...

The Mafia family tree: FBI flowchart reveals
127 'mobsters' arrested in biggest ever blitz on New York's crime empires ( This is a very big deal! http://albertpeia.com/mafiafamilytreeflowchartFBIarrests.htm ) ]

Hezbollah-backed candidate has votes to become prime minister (Washington Post) [ Now who could possibly deny the rationality of the Lebanese wisdom of a leader that puts not war crimes nations israel / u.s. and nato allies interests, but rather the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese people first beyond words and propaganda based on what they do; ie., most recent of many in the region: US-led airstrikes kill Afghan civilians 1-24-11Two separate airstrikes by US-led foreign forces have killed at least five civilians and wounded several others in various parts of Afghanistan. ] BEIRUT - The Shiite armed movement Hezbollah on Monday had the support needed for its candidate to become Lebanon's prime minister, effectively ending the Western-backed rule of U.S. allies who came to power more than five years ago.

Obama won't endorse Social Security cuts (Washington Post) [ Is that written in stone? Does that mean veto? Is this failed presidency pre-election year desperation? Where will the cuts come from for ‘deficit reduction’? What does the teleprompter say? For some, social security is all they have, many corporate pensions underfunded, defunct from bankruptcies, non-existent, etc.. Now there is a very rich pension fund that the citizens have paid for and does have a lot of fat for cutting; viz., Wikipedia: ‘Congressional pension is a pension made available to members of the United States Congress. Members who participated in the congressional pension system are vested after five (5) years of service. A full pension is available to Members 62 years of age with 5 years of service; 50 years or older with 20 years of service; or 25 years of service at any age. A reduced pension is available depending upon which of several different age/service options is chosen. If Members leave Congress before reaching retirement age, they may leave their contributions behind and receive a deferred pension later.^[1]’ … official site: ‘Members of Congress are eligible for a pension at age 62 if they have completed at least five years of service. They are eligible for a pension at age 50 if they have completed 20 years of service, or at any age after completing 25 years of service. The amount of the pension depends on years of service and the average of the highest three years of salary. By law, the starting amount of a member’s retirement annuity may not exceed 80 percent of his or her final salary. As of October 1, 2000, the average annual pension for members of Congress who have retired under CSRS is $52,464, and $46,932 for retirees under FERS-only or both FERS/CSRS. ‘ ]

Economic policy stuck in reverse (Washington Post) Jeff Sessions | Opinion We have seen no real plan, no strong leadership, no apparent willingness to confront the growing danger on the horizon. [ Mr. Sessions is right on target and for me to comment further would only take away time from the ‘must read’ substantive article by Mr. Sessions! ]

Gerson: Obama, more deficit hawk than GOP? (Washington Post) [ Come on! Where do they get this stuff? Wobama not only continued war criminal dumbya bush’s perpetual war, fraudulent wall street protectorate, etc., free-spending ways, but added to the deficit in his own profligate ways; and, as I’ve said before, democrats / republicans are but distinctions without significant differences. Moreover, there’s the literal rearrangement of the congressional deck-chair seating in the u.s.s. titanic halls for the non-event state of the union (wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s***, more empty words belied by actions / non-action) … Previous: Topic A: What should be in State of the Union? (Washington Post) [ Well, at the very least, it should be noted that the states of the union are crumbling (see bankruptcy headlines infra), ergo, the state of the union is crumbling and precarious indeed. The problem with and for wobama is that he’s been there, done that, and his words don’t match his actions, as is so regarding his not easily forgotten campaign promises (from perpetual wars, to no pros the frauds on wall street, to new ‘bubble building’ as in last precursor to crash supplanting sound economics. Blame it on the teleprompter … sounds like a plan! All we really know for certain is what definitely will not be in the state of the union; viz., a solution to pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline. ]

Economy News Nightmare: 20 Things That You Should Not Read If You Do Not Want To Become Very Angry The Economic Collapse | Today America is very, very frustrated.
#1 Today, millions of American families are digging deep into their savings and investments in a desperate attempt to stay afloat. Over the past two years, U.S. consumers have withdrawn $311 billion more from savings and investment accounts than they have put into them.
#2 15 billion dollars: the total amount of compensation that Goldman Sachs paid out to its employees for 2010.
#3 The number of American families that were booted out of their homes and into the streets set a new all-time record in 2010.
#4 Dozens of packages that we buy in the supermarket have been reduced in size by up to 20%.  For example, there are now 2 less slices of cheese in a typical package of Kraft American cheese, and there is now 9 percent less toilet paper in a typical package of Scott toilet paper.  So now, you may think that you are paying the same amount for these items that you always have, but the truth is that you have been hit with a large price increase.
#5 One Canadian company is making a ton of money shipping “millions and millions of dollars” worth of manufacturing equipment from factories that are being shut down in the United States over to new factories that are being set up in China.
#6 In America today, the wealthiest 20% own a whopping 93% of all the “financial assets” in the United States.
#7 Only 35 percent of Americans now have enough “emergency savings” to be able to cover three months of living expenses.
#8 47 percent of all Americans now believe that China is the number one economic power in the world.
#9 If the U.S. banking system is healthy, then why does the number of “problem banks” continue to keep increasing?  This past week the number of U.S. banks on the unofficial list of problem banks reached 937.
#10 According to former U.S. Labor Secretary Robert Reich, the wealthiest 0.1% of all Americans make as much money as the poorest 120 million.

#11 U.S. housing prices have now fallen further during this economic downturn than they did during the Great Depression of the 1930s.

#12 According to some very disturbing new research, 45 percent of U.S. college students exhibit “no significant gains in learning” after two years in college.

#13 Americans now owe more than $884 billion on student loans, which is a new all-time record.

#14 The United Nations says that the global price of food hit an all-time record high in December, and the price of oil is surging towards $100 a barrel, but the U.S. government continues to insist that we barely have any inflation at all.

#15 The more Americans that are on food stamps the more profits that JP Morgan makes.  Today, an all-time record of 43.2 million Americans are on food stamps, and JP Morgan is making a lot of money processing millions of those benefit payments.

#16 Back in 1970, 25 percent of all jobs in the United States were manufacturing jobs. Today, only 9 percent of the jobs in the United States are manufacturing jobs.

#17 Dozens of U.S. states are either implementing tax increases in 2011 or are considering proposals to raise taxes.

#18 The United States has had a negative trade deficit every single year since 1976.

#19 The U.S. national debt has crossed the $14 trillion mark for the first time, and at some point during 2011 it will cross the $15 trillion mark.
#20 What the U.S. economy really needs is for the government to get off all of our backs, but instead they continue to tighten their grip on us.  In fact, the Obama administration is proposing a “universal Internet ID” that would watch, track, monitor and potentially control everything that you do on the Internet’

Wikileaks Is The “Cognitive Infiltration” Operation Demanded by Cass Sunstein [ The following is a very important read. That said, I’m still against the censorship since one always, in the final analysis, must discern truth from falsehood, information from disinformation, reality from propaganda. In truth, I found it somewhat shocking and more than surprising that of all places ‘to escape to’, Assange chose Orwellian england, puppet to the u.s. and guarantor of servility to u.s./zionist interests, such is there own desperate circumstances. ] Webster G. Tarpley | Awareness is growing around the world that the Wikileaks’ theater of the absurd is radically inauthentic — a psyop…’ Tarpley.net

January 22, 2011 Awareness is growing around the world that the Wikileaks-Julian Assange theater of the absurd is radically inauthentic – a psyop. Wikileaks and its impaired boss represent a classic form of limited hangout or self-exposure, a kind of lurid striptease in which the front organization releases doctored and pre-selected materials provided by the intelligence agency with the intent of harming, not the CIA, nor the UK, nor the Israelis, but rather such classic CIA enemies’ list figures as Putin, Berlusconi, Karzai, Qaddafi, Rodriguez de Kirchner, etc. In Tunisia, derogatory material about ex-President Ben Ali leaked by Wikileaks has already brought a windfall for Langley in the form of the rare ouster of an entrenched Arab government.

Obama White House NSC Russia Director Michael McFaul Deploying IMF Shock Therapist Boris Nemtsov as Wheelhorse of Feeble “Stop Putin in 2012″ Bid.

At Foggy Bottom and Langley, a manic fit has been building since the flight of Ben Ali. US imperialist planners now believe they can re-launch their shopworn model of the color revolution, CIA people-power coup, or postmodern putsch against a whole series of countries in the Arab world and far beyond, including Italy. The color revolutions had been looking tarnished lately, as a result of the failure of the Twitter Revolution in Iran back in June 2009. Previously, the Cedars Revolution of 2005 had failed in Lebanon. The Orange Revolution in Ukraine had been rolled back with the ouster of NATO-IMF kleptocrats Yushchenko and Timoshenko. In Georgia, the Roses Revolution was increasingly discredited by the repressive and warmongering regime of fascist madman Saakashvili.

US Seeks to Mobilize a New Generation of Young Nihilists Across the Globe

But now, NSC, State, and CIA believe that the color revolution has a new lease on life, thanks to their estimate that the United States, because of Wikileaks and Assange, has captured the imagination of a new generation of young nihilists across the globe who are described as the post-9/11 generation, estranged from governments and opposition parties, and thus ready to follow Langley’s peroxide Pied Piper.

Assange started his intensive deployment phase this year with video of a Class A US war crime in Iraq, which was very graphic but which dealt with an incident which was already widely known. The second document dump focused on Iraq, but now the targeting had shifted to Prime Minister Maliki, and the Iranian asset whom the US by some strange coincidence was trying to oust as leader of Iraq in favor of the US puppet Allawi. With the third document dump, this time involving State Department cables, we found out much derogatory gossip about such classic CIA targets as Russian prime minister Putin, Italian Prime Minister Berlusconi, the Russian-Italian strategic alliance, President Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina, and President Karzai of Afghanistan, along with jabs at supposed US allies who need to be kept off-balance and dependent, including the Saudi Arabian royal family, French President Sarkozy, and others. Wikileaks thus directs the vast majority of its fire against figures who are part of the CIA’s enemies list.

No Equal Time for CIA Covert Operations

Assange also provides a splendid pretext for draconian censorship and limitations on the freedom of the internet. The totalitarian liberal Senator Feinstein wants to bring back Woodrow Wilson’s infamous Espionage Act of 1917 in honor of Assange. Assange must be seen not as an activist, not as a journalist, and not as an entertainer, but rather as a spook. John Young of Cryptome, according to some reports, has denounced Wikileaks, to which he formerly belonged, as a CIA front. In a December 29 RT interview, Young described the internet as “a very large-scale spying machine.”1 The internet is indeed a vast battlefield, where the intelligence agencies of the US-UK, China, Israel, Russia, and many others clash every hour of the day, with commercial spies, hackers, anarchists, cultists, mercenary trolls, and psychotics all getting into the act as well. Intelligence agencies deliberately feed real and doctored material to various websites, sometimes using their own disgruntled employees as cutouts, conduits, and go-betweens. This means among other things that Bradley Manning cannot be taken at face value, although it is also clear that he like anyone else should not be tortured.

Assange is now famous, it might be argued. But the Wall Street controlled media can make anyone famous, from Lady Gaga to Justin Bieber to Snooki, and this is what they have done with Assange. It is wrong to capitulate to the demagogic power of these media by making it appear that there might be some legitimate value to Assange. Up to now, the CIA has been organizing color revolutions using Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, and so forth as vehicles. Now they think they have a cult figure whom they can sell to the youth bulge in the Arab world and other developing countries, where most of the population is under 30. This is an operation which must be exposed.

Most recently, Wikileaks has played a role in the CIA’s new “Jasmine Revolution” in Tunisia by publishing some State Department cables about the sybaritic luxury and lavish lifestyle of the Ben Ali clan, leading to the downfall of that regime. The CIA is now gloating that with the help of Wikileaks it can now topple all the Arab regimes at will, from Mubarak to Qaddafi to Bouteflika, and replace them with new and more pliable puppets eager to clash with Iran, Russia, and China

If Assange ever launches his much-touted doomsday machine against the Bank of America or some other financial institutions, we will be justified in asking that the Securities and Exchange Commission make public the extent of short interest in those stocks by certain hedge funds, especially those controlled by George Soros. And as far as Assange’s attacks on the Vatican are concerned, they fit neatly into four centuries of British intelligence warfare against the Holy See, going back to Guy Fawkes and Lord Robert Cecil’s Gunpowder Plot of 1605 and beyond. Not much new or radical here.

Wikileaks: No Serious Derogatory Information about US, UK, Israel

It is illuminating that none of Assange’s document dumps have revealed any notable scandals involving Great Britain or Israel. No US public figures have had to resign because of anything Wikileaks has done. No major ongoing covert operation or highly placed agent of influence has been blown. After all these months, there are still no US indictments against Assange, even though we know that a US grand jury will readily indict a ham sandwich if the US Attorney demands it. If the CIA had wanted to silence Assange, they could have subjected him to the classic kidnapping aka rendition, meaning that he would have been beaten, drugged, and carted off to wake up in a black site prison in Egypt, Poland, or Guantanamo Bay. Otherwise, the CIA could have had recourse to the usual extralegal wetwork. We must also assume that the new US Cybercommand with its vast resources would have little trouble shutting down the Wikileaks mirror sites, no matter how numerous they might be. The same goes for Anonymous and other flanking organizations of Wikileaks. But these considerations are purely fantastic. Assange emerges today as the pampered darling and golden boy of The New York Times, Der Spiegel. The Guardian, El Pais — in short, of the entire Anglo-American official media Wurlitzer. He reclines today in baronial splendor in the country house of a well-connected retired British officer who should be quizzed by the media about his ties to British intelligence. The radical-chic world, from Bianca Jagger to Michael Moore, is at Assange’s feet.

Cass Sunstein Present at the Creation of Wikileaks

Wikileaks was apparently founded in 2006. Originally, the group was programmed to attack China, and its board was heavily larded with fishy Chinese dissidents and “democracy” activists from the orbit of the Soros foundations. Interestingly, the first big publicity breakthrough for Wikileaks in the mainstream US media was provided by an infamous totalitarian liberal today ensconced in the Obama White House – none other than Cass Sunstein. In Sunstein’s op-ed published in the Washington Post of February 24, 2007 under the title “Brave new Wikiworld,” we read: “Wikileaks.org, founded by dissidents in China and other nations, plans to post secret government documents and to protect them from censorship with coded software.” How interesting that Sunstein was present at the creation of the new Wikileaks psywar operation!

This is the same Sunstein who today heads Obama’s White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In his January 2008 Harvard Law School Working Paper entitled “Conspiracy Theories,” Sunstein infamously demanded that the United States government deploy groups of covert operatives and pseudo-independent agents of influence for the “cognitively infiltration of extremist groups” – meaning organizations, activists and Internet websites who espouse beliefs which Sunstein chooses to classify as “false conspiracy theories.”

Wikileaks = Cass Sunstein’s Program for Cognitive Infiltration In Action

It should be clear that Assange and Wikileaks are precisely the practical realization of Sunstein’s program for “cognitive infiltration” shock troops to counteract and overwhelm any real mass understanding of oligarchical domination in the modern world, and any discussion of what kind of economic policies are needed to secure a recovery from the present world depression.

In line with Sunstein’s recipe, Assange is a self-declared enemy of 9/11 truth. As Assange told Belfast Telegraph reporter Matthew Bell last July, “I’m constantly annoyed that people are distracted by false conspiracies such as 9/11, when all around we provide evidence of real conspiracies, for war or mass financial fraud.” In other words, Assange argues that the truth about 9/11 truth is not nearly as radical as the various scandals which Wikileaks claims to expose. But the scandals Assange is offering target mostly the adversaries of the CIA.

Assange must also be seen as a deeply troubled individual and a possible psychopath. He has the ravaged emotional complexion that we might expect from an alumnus of one of the many MK-Ultra operations. He reportedly spent several years in the menticidal Anne Hamilton-Byrne cult (also known as The Family and Santiniketan) near Melbourne, Australia. Here little children were separated from their parents and made to ingest LSD, Anatensol, Diazepam, Haloperidol, Largactil, Mogadon, Serepax, Stelazine, Tegretol, Tofranil, and other potent psychopharmaca. Dozens of children were told that Hamilton-Byrne was their real mother, and had their hair dyed blond. Anne Hamilton-Byrne reportedly regarded blond hair as a sign of racial superiority. Careful observers will have noted that Assange’s hair is sometimes blond, sometimes more brownish, raising the question of whether his grooming practices are a residue of his time with Hamilton-Byrne, whom he says he does not remember. When other kids were getting cookies and milk, was Assange being lobotomized by LSD and other potent psychopharmaca dished up by Hamilton-Byrne? There is evidence pointing in that direction.

With Assange, we thus have the tragic spectacle of the emotionally mutilated product of a CIA (or MI-6) covert operation of 40 years ago, who has now been given a prominent role in a key counter-insurgency ploy of the present time. Will the youth of the world, already burned by their recent fatuous obsession with Obama, be duped again by such an impaired individual?

The Precedent: Pentagon Papers Whitewashed CIA, Blamed Army, Demonized Kennedy

Assange’s revelations mainly involve communications labeled Confidential or Secret, and which in reality would be over-classified if marked Official Use Only. In other words, Assange is in reality a purveyor of low level cable traffic, not of earth-shattering secrets. This reminds us of an earlier CIA limited hangout operation, the one known as the Pentagon Papers. This was a carefully screened selection of historical documents, supplemented by outright forgeries, relating to the Vietnam War and compiled by Morton Halperin and Leslie Gelb, both of whom have gone on to glittering careers in the imperialist foreign policy establishment – Gelb became president of the Council on Foreign Relations, while Halperin serves today as chief political officer of the Soros wolfpack of foundations. The papers were leaked by former RAND Corporation official Daniel Ellsberg, who had been a very bellicose hawk in Vietnam before a suspicious Damascus Road conversion to pacifism, and then published in the US establishment press – similarly to Assange today. There was nothing in the Pentagon papers which a casual reader of LeMonde or Corriere della Sera did not already know. But, as Mort Sahl later said, left liberals have generally had very few heroes, so they battened on to Ellsberg and lionized him – led by Noam Chomsky, Howard Zinn, and some others. (This is a syndrome which we see again today: at the moment when Obama’s treacherous sellout on the Bush tax cuts was providing a final disillusionment for many gullible left libs, Assange arrived on the scene as their new Savior. Not by chance, Ellsberg has now designated Assange as his own reincarnation, and thus surely the new Messiah.)

The Pentagon papers had been carefully selected by the CIA itself to cover up CIA war crimes in Vietnam, blaming these on the US Army wherever possible, while also obscuring the CIA’s massive program of drug production and narcotics smuggling. The Pentagon Papers systematically hid the salient political fact of the entire Vietnam era, which is that President John F. Kennedy before he was assassinated was preparing to end the de facto US combat role in that country. Instead, Kennedy was systematically demonized and smeared, emerging as the villain of the piece. Needless to say, the Pentagon papers throw no light whatsoever on the CIA role in the Kennedy assassination – in the same way that Assange’s various document dumps tell us nothing of importance about 9/11, the Rabin assassination, Iran-contra, the 1999 bombing of Serbia, the Kursk incident, the various CIA color revolutions, or many of the other truly big covert operations of the past decades.

The limited hangout is not new; it was described in a secret memorandum by Venetian intelligence chief Paolo Sarpi to the Venetian Senate in 1620 as the art of “saying something good about somebody while pretending to be saying something bad.” That is the common denominator of the CIA’s limited hangout operations from Ellsberg to Philip Agee to Assange, with so many other “former” CIA operatives turned “whistleblowers” along the way. ‘

Former FBI Agent Coleen Rowley Calls For Congress To Begin “Church Committee”-type Hearings Saman Mohammadi | The time to begin thinking about justice is never too late.

Perpetual War is Expensive! We’ve been militarily involved in the Persian Gulf region now for 20 years. Experts have predicted that the cost of this continuous and expanding war will reach 6 trillion dollars.

China's new stealth fighter may use US technology (AP)

The Pathology of Facebook and Twitter The way in which people frantically communicate online via Twitter, Facebook and instant messaging can be seen as a form of modern madness, according to a leading American sociologist.

Drudgereport: NYT: Former Spy With Agenda Operates Own Private CIA... [ Quite serious a problem … Remember … these people really are quite stupid but self-interested if not greedy; and, if the money’s right, they wrap themselves in the flag and find a reason … remember ollie north who’s an absolute dope … and there are many, many more worse than him. Then there’s their war mongering which of course is the precursor to their war profiteering, etc.. ]
UPDATE: Hawaii governor says Obama's birth record 'exists' but can't produce it...
BACKTRACK: Now Hawaii won't release birth info...
Hollywood, Jobs, Trump help Rahm haul in $10.6M … [ No surprise here, mobster trump (how was trump missed in the recent big mafia bust since he too is a corrupt bribe paying/receiving, drug money laundering among other crimes, mobster), hollywood flakes like magic mushroom eater sorkin, LSD aficionado jobs (I now realize what that premium priced disfunctional though fanciful pizzazz of apple products that I would refuse to pay extra for stems from-jobs says he owes it all to his LSD use-don’t forget, apple’s protected source code, kernel, and consequent stability existed pre-jobs and I believe, particularly after actually using an iphone, that the same is a way to extract money from an ever increasingly dumbed down / dumb (and I think at the least, eccentric if not obsessively pathological if you witnessed the near compulsive use of these extraneous-rich, in a trivially frivolous way, devices) american public by pandering to their desire for superfluous functionality which requires additional purchases through apple-I do give them credit for the more elaborate interface / touchscreen and the ipad, all of which is currently being duplicated ex-apple and presenting greater values/utility/functionality for the money-so also credit for pioneering), zionists including spielberg, etc.; no small wonder that chicago and the nation are down the tubes. ] ...
COURT: Candidate 'must have actually resided' in city for 1 year before election...
Plans appeal to Illinois Supreme Court...
CHICAGOLAND SHOCK: RAHM BOOTED OFF BALLOT
China 'on Collision Course' with USA...
Bank Moves to Buy U.S. Branches...
Stealth fighter 'based on crashed American plane'...
Chinese Pianist Played Anti-American Propaganda Tune at White House?

Topic A: What should be in State of the Union? (Washington Post) [ Well, at the very least, it should be noted that the states of the union are crumbling (see bankruptcy headlines infra), ergo, the state of the union is crumbling and precarious indeed. The problem with and for wobama is that he’s been there, done that, and his words don’t match his actions, as is so regarding his not easily forgotten campaign promises (from perpetual wars, to no pros the frauds on wall street, to new ‘bubble building’ as in last precursor to crash supplanting sound economics. Blame it on the teleprompter … sounds like a plan! All we really know for certain is what definitely will not be in the state of the union; viz., a solution to pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline. ]

Drudgereport: BANKRUPTCY FOR STATES STUDIED
CA DECLARES EMERGENCY
Facing $1.6B shortfall, San Fran pays employees $170 million in bonuses...

What Happened to 15 Million Jobs?
Wall Street's 'Bernanke' rally runs into headwinds...
Home sales hit 13-year low...
UPDATE: Hawaii governor says Obama's birth record 'exists' but can't produce it...

Obama daughter practices Chinese with Hu...
Chinese Tiger ate US Dove for lunch...

FBI 'largest' Mafia takedown...
Flowchart...
'Vinny Carwash', 'The Fang', 'Tony Bagels', 'Johnny Pizza', 'Baby Shacks', 'Jack the Wack', 'Junior Lollipops', 'Bobby Glasses'...

MTV PORN: Parents Television Council Calls for Fed Investigation Into 'SKINS'...
VIACOM PRESENTS: SEX AT 15!
Young Star Defends Show's Racy Content: 'It's What Teens Are Doing'...
TACO BELL Pulls Ads...
Teacher Suspended After 2nd Graders 'Sex Acts In Class'...
Joan Rivers calls Michelle Obama 'Blackie O'... [ ‘Blackie O’ … Very funny! … I like that … but don’t look for joan on ‘The View’ anytime soon, or invites from the whitehouse either … but of course, and ‘Blackie O’ might retort that joan will be too busy anyway, reprising the role of ‘The Joker’ in the next Batman film by the gifted director, Christopher Nolan, with AH new Catwoman … meow! ]

The Mafia family tree: FBI flowchart reveals
127 'mobsters' arrested in biggest ever blitz on New York's crime empires [ This is a very big deal! http://albertpeia.com/mafiafamilytreeflowchartFBIarrests.htm ]

“All In All It Appears That Eisenhower’s Worst Fears Have Been Realized And His Remarkable And Unique Warnings Given For Naught” [ I personally believe, and the factual, historical realities support that President General Eisenhower is without question the most under-rated president in america’s short-lived history. Is there anyone who foolishly would believe this man of honor, the quintessential General / Commander in Chief would be sacrificing lives (american among many others) and treasury for the sake of war profiteers, greed, fraud, etc., as now? ] President Eisenhower’s warned us about the growing threat from the powerful military-industrial complex – and it’s threat to our prosperity – 50 years ago.

A new culture war Milbank: Are GOP spending cuts about the deficit or settling old scores? (Washington Post) [ What does it matter at this point. Who cares about motives at this too little, too late juncture. Come on! Wake up! Culture wars? Who cares. That should be the least of the wars and worries.The nation is defacto bankrupt. The states are also defacto bankrupt. They’re talking about bankruptcy enabling legislation for the states. There are many cities and municipalities in the states are defacto bankrupt (they can declare bankruptcy as the law currently stands). NYT Reports States Looking For Ways To File Bankruptcy, Muni Bondholders To Be GMed A few days ago we reported that Newt Gingrich was pushing for legislation to allow states to file for bankruptcy, “allowing Them To Renege On Pension And Benefit Obligations.” Path Is Sought for States to Escape Debt Burdens Policy makers are working behind the scenes to come up with a way to let states declare bankruptcy and get out from under crushing debts. Drudgereport: BANKRUPTCY FOR STATES STUDIED
CA DECLARES EMERGENCY
Facing $1.6B shortfall, San Fran pays employees $170 million in bonuses... …From tonight’s NYT: Beyond their short-term budget gaps, some states have deep structural problems, like insolvent pension funds, that are diverting money from essential public services like education and health care. Some members of Congress fear that it is just a matter of time before a state seeks a bailout, say bankruptcy lawyers who have been consulted by Congressional aides…’ ]

Hezbollah gets support of Druze leader (Washington Post) [ Is this a direct outcome and consequence of israeli belligerence, war crimes, and america’s alliance with and hence, apparent endorsement of such by america which also has bloodstained hands from numerous civilian deaths in the region. Yes! After all, no one would reasonably deny Hezbollah’s a**-kicking of israel in their fairly recent ‘encounter’. ] The armed Shiite movement received a major boost in its efforts to form a new government in Lebanon when a potential kingmaker swung his support behind the group and its allies.

A dim view of America's ability to compete in global economy (Washington Post) [ Yeah … and I’d say, realistically speaking, that ‘slightly more than a third’ are wrong. It’s a bit late in the game to be lamenting irrevocable choices, decisions made, mostly for money to the interested few and the frauds on wall street who cheered. This and worse coming is what it is and more importantly, the way it is. Fait accomplis, not for better or for worse, but realistically unlike never before in america’s short history, for much worse. ] Barely more than a third of all Americans rate the country's ability to compete economically in positive terms, according to a new Washington Post poll.

Bank of America posts $1.2B loss for fourth quarter of 2010 (Washington Post) [ Today (after the wall street close) : Four U.S. bank failures bring year's total to 7 Could it be … BofA ‘hearing footsteps’? … Naaah … they’re too big to fail. ] The toll from the housing crisis could continue to drain billions of dollars from nation's largest bank.

Four U.S. bank failures bring year's total to 7

Do You Believe in the Bernanke Put? [ Yes! I agree with the dire assessment infra except that it will be more than tears as in that, ‘There Will Be Blood (film name)’ … and not just in the streets. ] Hui ‘Earlier this week Gluskin Sheff Chief Economist David Rosenberg wrote an article in the Globe and Mail entitled Why this rally will end in tears.
Last week, Rosenberg called the current state of the financial market a Wile E. Coyote market, or a market that seemingly ignores the major macro-economic risks that could blow up the global economy.

We have an incredible bear market rally on our hands. History shows that these spasms can go further than anyone thinks. But after the U.S. market staged a monstrous 80-per-cent-plus rally from its March, 2009, lows (the most pronounced bounce in such a short time since 1955), it has become seriously overextended. Meanwhile, practically every pundit is extrapolating the recent trend into the future because that is the easy thing to do.

Most investors see only the recent returns; they do not see the nearly invisible risks. But the risks are there. I recall all too well the 2003-07 bear market rally – yes, that is what it was. It was no long-term bull run such as 1949-1966 or 1982-2000. It was a classic bear market rally, and it ended in tears because what drove the market upward was phony wealth generated by a non-productive asset called housing alongside widespread financial engineering, which triggered a wave of artificial paper profits. [picture]

He went on to detail his concerns about the future (which I paraphrase):

• Rising oil prices may derail the fragile US economic recovery
• US housing fundamentals are poor and deteriorating
• US unemployment is skyrocketing and remains a social and economic problem
• US State and local government cutbacks will be a drag on the American economy
• US debt ceiling and possible default
• Excessive debt in the global economy, with the European periphery a special concern
• Food inflation in the emerging market economies, especially in China, which could lead to the Chinese authorities taking steps to cool down its overheated economy – leading to a global recession.

When will it be time for QE3?
While I would tend to agree with many of Rosenberg’s concerns about the macro-economic risks to this upturn, most of the risks in his outline are economic in nature and could be addressed by central bank action. In such a case, the question for investors has to be: Were any of these negative outcomes were to occur, would the Bernanke Fed respond with another round of quantitative easing? In other words, is there a Bernanke Put in the market?

I believe that the future trajectory of the global economy and asset prices are highly policy dependent. While I have my opinion, I am not confident enough in them to be a basis for investment decisions. That’s why I depend on the discipline of the Inflation-Deflation Timer Model, as the underlying philosophy is to allow market prices to tell us the likely direction of policy and price trends, which in turn, allows us to be more tactical and able to capitalize on the intermediate swings in the markets’

Market Outlook: 10 Reasons to Expect a Correction Seeking Delta ‘The S&P 500 is down a little more than 1% in the last two days despite largely positive economic data. As Cullen Roche so eloquently stated earlier this month:

But the market isn’t the economy. Main Street isn’t Wall Street. And the market is a heartless beast that desires one thing and one thing only- PROFITS!

What follows are the ten reasons (in no particular order) why I am cautious here, as I see the 1% dip over the last two days to be the beginning of a larger correction.

1. Another Earnings Season Sell-Off?

During some point in the past four earnings seasons the S&P 500 has sold off significantly. The trend has been to rally into earning, then to sell the news. Chart, via WSJ.

click to enlarge

[chart]

2. Investor Sentiment

Both individual and professional sentiment remains high, as measured by AAII and NAAIM, respectively. Both readings are currently higher than one standard deviation above historical average bullish readings. Contrary indicator: historically returns are less favorable when sentiment readings are high.

3. Too Far Too Fast?

The current 22 month rally from the March 2009 lows has been 90.1% (click on chart to enlarge). The average 24 month rally to start bull markets is 56.1% with the next closest rally being 65.7% starting in October 1974. Have we come too far too fast? Chart and data via The Big Picture. [chart]

4. Low and Declining Put/Call Ratio

Since late 2003, when the 20 day rolling average put/call ratio has fallen below .55 (roughly 1 standard deviation from average) the average 30 day returns are -2.2% (-0.7% median) versus a series average of 0.2% (0.8% median). The current 20 day average put/call ratio is .52. The last time the ratio dropped below .55 (April ’10) the market sold-off roughly 14% over the next month-and-a-half. Chart here.

5. Equities Running Out of Breadth?

The ratio of the number of stocks gaining versus the number declining is struggling to regain 2010 levels. Data Diary suggests:

that the market has been gaining ground on the backs of fewer and fewer stocks. We could interpret this as more and more stocks are bumping up against valuation constraints – or put another way, valuation multiples can only move so far ahead of earnings growth.

6. Short Selling of Securities in the S&P 500 at 1 Year Low

Per Data Explorers. Potentially a contrary indicator – have the shorts thrown in the towel?

7. Tom DeMark Says U.S. Stocks Near Significant Decline.

Mr. DeMark, the creator of a set of Market-timing indicator, is calling for a decline of “at least 11%.” The last time his indicators gave a sell signal was mid-2007. Needless to say, the last quarter of '07 and '08 were not a good time to be in equities.

8. Consensus of 11 Strategists Surveyed by Bloomberg Says S&P 500 to Rise by 11% in 2011.

Contrary indicator?

9. QE Ending in June, Maybe earlier?

There is some pressure, as the economy recovers, that QE is no longer needed. I would be surprised if QE2 ends in June, as scheduled, let alone early. But if it does, watch out.

10. Low Volume Rally

Volume has consistently trended down since the beginning of the March 2009 rally (click to enlarge).

[chart] ‘

Freaky Friday - Alpha 2 Says 'Cliff Ahead'

The Mafia family tree: FBI flowchart reveals
127 'mobsters' arrested in biggest ever blitz on New York's crime empires [ This is a very big deal! ]

Largest-ever Mafia sweep makes nearly 120 arrests (Washington Post) [ Geeh! Who woulda’ thunk it … still mafia in new york ( jersey )? Why, with all the prosecutions by gov. elect cuomo as n.y. attorney general (aught, naught, nil, nought, none, nada, null, zilch) one might have thought there was almost no such thing of mafia in new york (/ new jersey – same no pros scenario) anymore. Then again, former n.y. gov. mario cuomo’s primary sole law practice client(s), cement and concrete … well, if only the name was vito corleone and as with 1 client tom hagen of ‘godfather’ fame … well, you get the picture. Drudgereport: FBI Rounds Up 127 Mobsters in Biggest Mafia Bust in New York History…( This is great news and music to my ears! I really hate the mob … I really do! Hats off to the FBI! ) ...
MOB Bust So BIG they're being held at ARMY Fort...] Federal and state agents arrested nearly 130 reputed mafia members from seven East Coast organized crime families on Thursday, the largest coordinated arrest in the FBI's quarter-century crackdown on the mafia, the Justice Department said.

Karzai delays parliament's inauguration as court investigates electoral fraud (Washington Post) [ Pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american-style democracies and heroin production breakin’ out all over the american mideast war zone. ]

Fed sees mixed picture (Washington Post) [ ‘Mixed picture’ … there you go … kind of covers all bases … not like their absolute ‘no recession’ prognostication (which great recession / depression continues in real terms when you take out, look through the worthless paper (currency, assets, securities, etc.), obfuscation and b*** s***. Unnerving? Well, the grim reality does bite; but, I’m not so sure they even see it, or more likely, they choose not to look. Nerve? Yes, I’d say they’ve got nerve … as in gall, audacity, chutzpah, etc., for foisting off on america (and the world) this ultimately disasterous wall street welfare program. ] As the Fed gears up for its first meeting of 2011, policymakers are trying to make sense of an economic picture that is encouraging yet unnerving.

First lady, Wal-Mart partner on healthy foods program (Washington Post) [ Of wal-mart’s (and wall street’s) rise, and main street’s (and america’s) demise; the story goes something like this. As China’s american based seminal sales agent / distributor of Chinese goods (cheered by fraudulent wall street), wal-mart is well positioned to assist in american dietary matters; as, for example, the less to no food diet, as in increasingly impoverished, defacto bankrupt america eating less because they no longer can afford more (on bushes, clintons, wobamas, etc.). ] As the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart is in a unique position to influence the practices of suppliers.

Hu offers assurances to U.S. business leaders (Washington Post) [‘Chinese leader presses Congress to do more to lift U.S. controls on exports to China’. Yeah! Sounds like a plan! After all, they’ve gotten everything else, including some of that top-level-security stuff (remember that missile guidance tech, etc.), and not surreptitiously. All out in the spankin’ wide open as america (n execs, political and corporate) ‘took the dive for that short-end money (but lots) and a one-way ticket to palooka-ville’! ] In a speech, Chinese leader presses Congress to do more to lift U.S. controls on exports to China.

Israeli human rights groups sound alarm (Washington Post) [ As indeed they should! As a war crimes nation along with pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, israel has much to lose by exposure of their pervasive crimes though the entire world is aware of same including illegal nukes! … Ie., Accountability is unclear in israeli probe of flotilla raid (Washington Post) Oh, come on! An israeli probe of an israeli massacre of civilians. Time for israel to pay; for illegal nukes, for violations of international law, for continued violations of u.n. resolutions, for provocations as pretexts to sabotage peace talks, and on and on ad nauseum. Why does america among other nations feel compelled to sacrifice themselves for the sake of a global criminal nation with an insatiable greed and blood-thirst as israel? ] An initiative in the Israeli parliament this month to investigate the funding of local human rights organizations has intensified debate here about the role of the groups, which critics have accused of harming Israel.

Business leaders meet with Hu, Obama to address trade issue (Washington Post) [ Oooooh! … Sounds like a plan! … For Chinese regression … I don’t think so … Trade With China?: 25 Facts That Prove That China Is Kicking Our Rear Ends Do you believe that trade with China is a good thing? Well, you might not be so sure after you read the 25 facts listed below. The truth is that China is kicking our rear ends all over the planet … Drudgereport: GE CEO: China one day will be world's biggest economy… daaaaah! ...
Obama: 'We Welcome China's Rise'...
Careful to avoid criticism... ] The show of corporate might reflects the intense focus on the economic relationship between both nations.

Goldman Sachs's profit drops by 52% in Q4 (Washington Post) [ Before everyone starts shedding tears, let’s realize that those bonuses and compensation packages come off the top… Bank giant Goldman rewards staff with €11.4bn Independent.ie | Wall Street banking giant Goldman Sachs revealed today that staff earned a total of $15.4bn (€11.4bn) in pay and bonuses last year. ] The decline in Goldman's bottom line is all the more striking because it contrasts with huge gains at other financial firms. As the financial sector continues to climb out of a historic hole, the numbers reflect a divide between Wall Street and Main Street. [Previous: … Jobless rate jumps as hiring slows (Washington Post) [ The reality is not a mystery! The nation’s been thrown under the bus for the greater good (wealth) of the very few (frauds on wall street, etc.); wall street giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION: Come on! This is gettin’ even more downright ridiculous (if that’s even possible)! Pending home foreclosure / distress sales up, oil prices (and oil stocks) up, debased dollar down, plus a little familiar ‘better than expected’ thrown in along with prospects of a ‘no-recession bernanke’ market-frothing bull session on 60 minutes and, voila, suckers’ rally into the close to keep the suckers suckered! What’s good for the frauds on wall street is bad for just about everyone else which includes the vast majority of people and businesses, domestically and globally, as current dollar manipulation / debasement ultimately results in higher costs and loss of purchasing power (ie., oil, etc.). Clearly, this is one of those fraudulent wealth transfers to the frauds on wall street et als which will ultimately be paid for by those who least are in a position to afford it, courtesy of the ever more worthless Weimar dollar, etc., inflating earnings, eps, lowering p/e multiples, etc., see infra. This is an especially great time to sell / take profits while you can since there's much worse to come! Previous: Rosy numbers on consumer sentiment, unemployment (far better than private forecasts) from the government prior to the holiday so-called ‘shop till you drop’? How can anyone believe anything they say? Najerian interviewed by Motek chimes in with the reason for good retail cheer; viz., people have stopped paying their mortgages and are using the funds to purchase retail goods; while Davidowitz adds that with record numbers of americans on food stamps, real unemployment at 17+, and wall street giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION … the high end stores / jewelers will do well … daaaaah! And, with insiders and wall street frauds selling into the bubble as preceded last crash, this is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits! ]

Obama presses (as in pressing Mr. Hu’s pants) Chinese leader on rights At summit, Hu admits his nation needs to make more progress (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight! … Mr. Hu says with utmost sarcasm to continued perpetual war president, in the mold of dumbya bush though national u.s. defacto bankruptcy, viz., ‘wobama the b (for b*** s***)’. White House more hard-nosed about Chinese government / Hu to face a tougher Obama administration (Washington Post) [ Please … don’t make me laugh … and, are you sure you didn’t mean more ‘brown-nosed’ about the Chinese government. This is starting to sound like seed material for the Weekend Update SNL skit segment, ‘REALLY’. I mean, really. Does anybody believe this? Come on … I don’t think so! ] Analysts say President Hu Jintao is eager to burnish his legacy, but he will find a White House that views his government with misgivings.] [Drudgereport: Currency system 'product of the past'...
HU QUESTIONS FUTURE OF DOLLAR
RISING DRAGON: China on equal footing with USA as Hu visits Washington...
GE CEO: China one day will be world's biggest economy… daaaaah! ...
Obama: 'We Welcome China's Rise'...
Careful to avoid criticism... ] President urges counterpart to allow more freedom and open a real dialogue with the Dalai Lama, and raises the case of imprisoned Nobel winner.

[ It should be noted that the paranoid american criminals have once again, this time by way of hack via microsoft (willing accomplice as was att of jersey / dumbya bushland – deleted / I caught the problem and have also installed opensource.org which I strongly recommend (at least a look – won’t disappoint – I used same for the archived PDF post files) is free and a breeze to use and though compatible with word and a multitude of other formats, for now on these specific web site documents (I have image folders already linked which would require at least a look) it’s easier and faster for the time-being for me to add to the existing documents with word; but as is so of america, microsoft’s a dinosaur) gave me a few problems, serious enough to require a redo, which I have corrected / overcome; but believe me, I won’t forget it! They will be sorry! ]

Afghan drug war stumbles (Washington Post) [ Stumbles? As in ‘accidently on purpose’? Or, alternatively, among the few american wars that never was. After all, the Taliban had all but eradicated the heroin trade. Moreover, post-invasion, bush’s order to destroy the poppy fields was countermanded by the pentagon and of course, not by chance, the heroin production / trade in Afghanistan has been reinvigorated, resurgent, and never been greater (the substantial raison d’etre for u.s. war / occupation there – that ‘benefiting the few’ thang – as in Vietnam where body bags of dead u.s. soldiers were used by u.s. ops, cia, etc., to smuggle the heroin out). The tenor of this article is an insult to intelligence everywhere. ]

Rendition: Where the War on Terror Meets the War on Drugs Patrick Henningsen | It’s time to ditch the policies we have come to tolerate for decades before they consume what is left of our moral core. I’ve experienced the corrupt inter-relationship of the government (all 3 corrupt branches) and the illegal drug trade / obstruction of justice / bribery first hand, particularly the courts / u.s. attorneys offices (ie., alito – now u.s. supreme court justice – quid pro quo for his complicity / cover-up), feds; see immediately after article excerpt for links / summary.

…“Evidence points to aircraft – familiarly known as “torture taxis” – used by the CIA to move captives seized in its kidnapping or “extraordinary rendition” operations through Gatwick and other airports in the EU being simultaneously used for drug distribution in the Western hemisphere. A Gulfstream II jet aircraft N9875A identified by the British Government and the European Parliament as being involved in this traffic crashed in Mexico…” In 2004, another torture taxi crashed in a field in Nicaragua with a ton of cocaine aboard… Mexican soldiers found ..132 bags containing 3.3 metric tons of cocaine. The origination of the Gulfstream’s flight is unknown but it was destined for Cancun when it crash landed. Again, here is the important point: that same Gulf Stream II was one of the very same planes chartered to the CIA for the rendition of suspected terrorists prisoners. Gulf Stream II crashed in Mexico with 3 tons of cocaine on board ..it should not be surprising that this illegal practice of rendition has in some part, been used as a well-run smokescreen for another borderless illegal operation- an extremely lucrative international transfer and delivery of cash and narcotics.,,These flights are not subject to regular customs checks, inspections or normal regulations as they move seamlessly between destinations in the US, Britain, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Cuba and possibly through US bases in Turkey, Greece and Morocco…

Corrupt u.s. courts / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation.

NSA beats warrantless wiretap rap A Federal judge has dismissed a complaint against the National Security Agency’s (NSA)

Corrupt u.s. courts / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and corrupt costly bureaucracies.

There must be such things as parallel universes (I don’t really believe that, because there isn’t) or how else do you explain the disconnect between reality, current and prospective, and the wet dreams posited to keep the war funding / corporate welfare programs alive in collectively what has already become a trillion dollar boondoggle (not counting prospective medical costs, etc.) and promises to go much higher. Even israel apologist Cohen of The Washington Post alludes to the Vietnam analogy. However, even if there were real goals beyond the poppy / heroin trade which the Taliban had all but eradicated (there isn’t); even if america wasn’t defacto bankrupt (america is); even if america wasn’t killing innocent civilians in large numbers (war criminal nation america is); even if america’s allies haven’t similarly helped to bankrupt themselves by way of this war (they have); even if I hadn’t told you so (I did) ….. this war still was, is, and remains a very bad idea!

Afghan war overtakes Vietnam to become the longest conflict in U.S. history Mail Online | The war entered its 104th month yesterday, with 30,000 American troops being deployed in the first half of this year alone.

Consumer spending rises, but less than expected (Washington Post) [ Almost all the economic news has been worse than expected yet the stock market has continued its rationality/gravity-defying ascent. That ominous disconnect between wall street and main street among other current and prospective victims of the current bubble / fraud which the frauds on wall street and insiders commission, churn-and-earn at lightning computerized high-frequency trading speed and ultimately sell into. It’s the now familiar story on fraudulent but apparently immune from prosecution wall street. Moreover, all that pomo / fiat paper currency printing has just begun to take its toll (see infra)] . Giving retailers the gift of sales growth for the sixth consecutive month, consumers flex their spending power in December. Nations seek to keep lid on food prices (Washington Post) [ It’s not just food prices and one thing is certain; there’s much worse to come and resisting the insurmountable record deficit ridden, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american propaganda is a first step to understanding how bad, as in unprecedented. Drudgereport: $100 OIL: DEAL WITH IT
Rising Gasoline Prices Put Consumers in Sour Mood...
UK WARNING: OIL PRICES MAY KILL ECONOMY AND THE COALITION... [ No! It’s the debased, over-printed u.s. et als fiat currency which is killing the economies though masked by the fraudulent wall street feel good, for them, bubble and which lends credence to the calls for a new world reserve currency, ie., juan, etc. ]
EYES ON OPEC...[ Beyond the propaganda, the eyes should be on the complicit, fraudulent fed and the ‘printing presses’ of and for the debased currencies. This is not OPEC’s doing but rather an economic axiom which requires that a precious commodity increase in price when the debased paper currency in which it is measured decreases in value (as now with over-printing, over-creating for ultimately the exclusive benefit of the frauds on wall street). ]
Feds threaten to sue states over union laws … [ but hands off the frauds on wall street they say ] ...
Comprehensive List of Tax Hikes in Obamacare...
FT: What chance a US default? ] Faced with rising international food prices, governments around the world are cooking up measures to protect domestic supplies and keep prices from rising at home. Related News

• Video: Economist says food prices may keep rising
• Spike in prices contributes to Tunisian violence

The Teflon Market Is Here [ Just ask the ‘Teflon Don’ … oh, right … he’s dead …The pervasively corrupt frauds on wall street, the fed, and the u.s. government are desperate to evade their unequivocal responsibility and overdue punishment (prosecution, fines, jail, disgorgement) for the last and ongoing (toxic, worthless paper assets now marked to anything) fraud diverting attention from their own culpability for the prior bubble/crash and on-going financial / economic crisis, america’s worst economy and prospects in america’s relatively short history with this contrived bubble exceeding that precursor to the last crash; “this has never happened before, in 82 years of history”, and a crash is what’s a-coming. This is nothing short of pathetic desperation that typifies the last gasp of the dead and dying, figuratively of course. ] Roche ‘Calling this a “bullish” run might be a bit of an understatement. There has been an unprecedented bid under the market since August 2010. The Bernanke Put is well entrenched in everyone’s minds. This week ’s spike in jobless claims was not enough to cause risk appetite to temper as it likely just reminds investors that rising claims are what led to QE2 to begin with. Indeed, this is a Federal Reserve that will not allow equity prices to falter to any substantial degree. Nominal wealth creation has become the rally cry of a group of economic thinkers who truly have no idea how to create sustainable economic growth.

The stats behind this bull market are even more remarkable than the rally itself appears. As I noted in December the market literally could not decline. But the data since then shows an even more untouchable market (via ZeroHedge):

“As a point of reference the S&P has been above the 10 day average for 30 days straight, and above the 50 day average for 92 days straight. What is remarkable are some statistical findings that pertain to the average’s movement with respect to the SMAs. Sentiment Trader points out that while as part of the recent surge in the S&P, the market has gone for “92 days without closing below its 50-day average, which has been matched only 17 other times since 1928.” Where it gets scary, is that as pointed out, during this time the market has not closed below the 10 DMA once during the past 30 days. And as Sentiment Trader notes, “this has never happened before, in 82 years of history.”

Not much else needs to be said. The teflon market is here.

Update: Some additional thoughts from Jeff Saut:

Herb Stein once remarked, “If something can’t go on forever, it won’t!” And, the current “buying stampede” is now 90 sessions long, making it the longest one ever recorded in my notes of more than 40 years. Combine that with many other “finger to wallet” indicators suggesting caution and I am currently just sitting. Indeed, sometimes me sits and thinks and sometimes me just sits. As the astute Lowry’s organization opines, “Our last short term sell-signal for aggressive traders was triggered on December 30th, when the 14-day Stochastic indicator dropped from overbought levels and crossed below its moving average. A conventional short term sell-signal, for culling selective stocks [from portfolios], was registered as of today’s market close (last Friday), when our Short Term Index dropped a total of more than 6 points from its recent high of 104.” ‘

Lawmakers consider slowing Virginia foreclosure process (Washington Post) [ Yeah, and you really have to take them seriously when they say that because in alphabet soup kitchen (ie., cia, nsa, dod, doj, etc.) country (which I’ve directly experienced along with the corrupt process in at least 4 other states, see infra, the law is as malleable and arbitrarily enforced or not as they want it to be as in any defacto bankrupt banana republic as pervasively corrupt america certainly is today …Previous: Judges rule without title, lenders can't foreclose (Washington Post) [ Rules of law? I didn’t think they cared. That’s certainly the direct experience I’ve had with the pervasively corrupt american legal / judicial system (along with the other two branches of the u.s. government and defact bankrupt america generally). Court decisions could call into doubt the ownership of mortgages, raising urgent challenges for both the real estate market, wider financial system. Connecticut, California join probe of Ally (Washington Post) [I’d be much more impressed if they initiated a probe of more readily discernible criminal offenses in violation of the RICO Act (Other newark / new jersey and new york, n.y. metro, viz., ie., connecticut, and of course, d.c., d.c. metro, viz., ie., virginia experience … corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz (california), hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken (AP) Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ] http://albertpeia.com Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan, etc., Fraudulent Liars (sic-lawyers) and the Fraudulent u.s. System They're a Part of Are Unheard Of/Non-existent. List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic! http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ] Justice: FBI improperly opened probes (Washington Post) [ I just hope they’re as zealous (in probing readily discernible crime) with regard to my RICO matters and the corruption in the (judicial / legal) process since, in the final analysis, it will have been the corruption within that will have brought the nation down irrevocably and totally.] Homeowners, who now face one of the fastest foreclosure processes in the country, would be given more time to defend themselves under one proposal.

UK WARNING: OIL PRICES MAY KILL ECONOMY AND THE COALITION... [ No! It’s the debased, over-printed u.s. et als fiat currency which is killing the economies though masked by the fraudulent wall street feel good, for them, bubble and which lends credence to the calls for a new world reserve currency, ie., juan, etc. ]
EYES ON OPEC...[ Beyond the propaganda, the eyes should be on the complicit, fraudulent fed and the ‘printing presses’ of and for the debased currencies. This is not OPEC’s doing but rather an economic axiom which requires that a precious commodity increase in price when the debased paper currency in which it is measured decreases in value (as now with over-printing, over-creating for ultimately the exclusive benefit of the frauds on wall street). ]
Feds threaten to sue states over union laws … [ but hands off the frauds on wall street they say ] ...
Comprehensive List of Tax Hikes in Obamacare...
FT: What chance a US default?

Downwardly mobile in D.C. area (Washington Post) [ Well said, I love this … except, not so limited to the d.c. area, but rather applicable to 21st century america in general … the ‘downwardly mobile thang’ … except as to the relatively few as to whom no laws nor rules of civilized behavior apply in any meaningful way … you know, the ones who’ve plundered this nation, this nation’s treasury, this nation’s people, and all the while plundering other peoples in other nations to facilitate the schemes used in plundering the people of this nation (wall street, the 3 strikes branches of government, war profiteers, etc.). ] For millions of Americans, the recession has knocked them down the socioeconomic ladder. ANALYSIS | Palin's 'blood libel' comment backfires Washington Post) [ God knows I’m no fan of sarah palin’s although I am constrained to admit that as a fan of Saturday Night Live, I do appreciate her contribution to comedic content in the show. That said, this new ‘tempest in a teapot’ of her own making is a bit overdone. After all, it should be common knowledge by now, to put it mildly, that she is quite dumb; and, like that burnt out, dumb, war criminal and moron, dumbya bush (see , ie., bushisms from bush the brain-damaged moron http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm), she also has trouble with words; more specifically, the meanings of words. But it is also true that wobama and his ilk have trouble with words and their meaning, particularly when those spoken words are measured against what he does, his ilk never seeming to discern the glaring difference … wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s***. Lamentably (by her) and unexpectedly for palin was her failure to fully understand ‘that jewish thing’ attached to the phrase and the tender sensibilities of those who previously have been among the ranks of what seems more and more to be a somewhat offbeat fanclub of sorts. Yeah, that ‘never hear the end of it’ jewish stereotype of paranoid sensibilities to religious / ethnic prejudice / slur behind some word, phrase, or even a sneeze (spielberg’s childhood memories) can wind up turning around and biting you in you’re a** ! Previously: Krauthammer: Beyond Ariz., a reckless charge (Washington Post) [ If it were only that simple; viz., a palin ( I’ve previously said I’m more concerned with her level of stupidity, dumb enough in an infantile way to prove she had gonads by pressing the button – never goin’ to happen, her being in that position), a beck, a bush, a wobama (Drudgereport: OBAMA FLASHBACK: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'... ), etc., there’d be hope for pervasively corrupt defacto bankrupt america. The fact is, the problem is inherent to america / americans themselves as I previously wrote here and reiterate: Will: Half-baked explanations for tragedy (Washington Post) [ Half-baked? Charlatans? The foregoing are in no short supply in defacto bankrupt, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt, fraud prevalent america. See, for example, RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm . Moreover, Mr. Will as an oftimes apologist for war criminal, pervasively fraud-prone, defacto bankrupt, etc., america, with crime rates exceeding by far those of any other so-called civilized nations, might indeed find himself among those he’s so categorized. Among the last separate page sections to my website will be a somewhat detailed psychoanalytic evolutionary profile of the u.s. (one might ask who am I to do so which is fair comment to which I would reply, read it, or not, your choice). However, for the nonce, let me say that the it is no small coincidence that the 20^th century has been dubbed ‘the american century’. That the 20^th century has been considered the bloodiest is at once the natural concomitant of the foregoing reality. Keeping in mind the so-called ‘selective’ processes in both insurance (adverse) and evolutionary (Darwinian) terms, and as well, the psychology of it all from a behavioral perspective, america has indeed evolved. From the genocide of indigenous populations, to outlandish propaganda in support of same (ie., that ‘manifest destiny’ balderdash with overtones of religiosity spoonfed since elementary school, etc.), to contrived conflict / war, such, euphemistically bad behavior has been reinforced, some of which conditioning not always purposeful, ie., the ever greater frauds perpetrated on wall street for which there have been in large part no real punitive consequences to the perpetrators; but, to the contrary, great financial rewards though substantially detrimental to the majority. Despite the surface appeal, that oft asserted ‘blue-blood’ distinction doesn’t pass muster. Aside from the few seeking seeking religious freedom (ie., Puritans among some others), most then new americans were such disaffected rejects of their former homelands that desperation at best was motivation for travel to the wilds of the ‘so-called new world’ as opposed to intelligent, rational choice; criminals, mentally ill, the not-so-bright but ruthless populating the new nation in disparate numbers toward the ends consistent with greed and common criminality, corruption, and venality. As of the age of the dinosaurs, the american century has passed into the annals of a history replete with self-generating terrorism within and without (that blowback thing). DRUDGEREPORT: NATION SHOCKED: CONGRESSWOMAN SHOT IN TUCSON
]

Clinton pushes for economic and political reforms in tour of Middle East (Post, January 13, 2011) Clinton expresses solidarity with Arabs on Mideast tour (Post, January 13, 2011; 4:05 PM) Diehl: Mideast threats that can't be ignored (Washington Post) [ Amazing what not running for prospective office can do for balanced thinking, but still not quite. After all, who doesn’t know outside of america / israel that the biggest Mideast threats are … america / israel and those nato allies that are but lapdogs of the former. Moreover, some real scrutiny of and self-analysis by the aforesaid is in order before purporting to be advisors to any nation at all. ]

Tax cuts hinder Obama's plans (Washington Post) [ Plans? What plans? Wobama’s become the proverbial gumball machine; viz., put a nickel in, get a gumball of your choosing. Even his teleprompter has more integrity / credibility than he. Campaign promises, words, plans based on both, are nowhere to be found in the failed presidency of wobama in wobamaland. ] Without deeper budget cuts or fresh revenue, officials will have a tough time meeting the president's targets for tax-code overhaul and deficit reduction.

U.S. urges China to open market, heed intellectual property laws (Washington Post) [ Pretty please,with a cherry on top, and lots of sugar … that’ll work … riiiiight! After all, based upon realities, economic, financial, geo-political (– that perpetual war thing and america’s pervasive corruption / fraud from wall street to all three brances of the u.s. government and ops, see, for example, RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) who should be giving whom advice. ] Commerce secretary says Beijing's policies of protecting domestic industries will no longer suffice.

Henry Kissinger: Our challenge with China (Washington Post) [ Boy … talk about playing both sides of the fence … H.A.K. as in hack … as in a blood-sucking leach of a political hack! To the point, kissinger is a self-interested, greedy zionist whose professional advice to war crimes nation israel has included cordoning off illegal israeli occupied Palestinian territories and massacreing indiscriminantly and completely the people, innocent men, woman, and children, therein. That China’s rising and pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s in ineluctable decline is a foregone conclusion; and, even more to the point, in no small part owing to kissinger’s efforts / policies on his patrons’ (that economic shift to China cheered enthusiastically by ceos and wall street alike) and particularly his own behalf. Little late to the party, mr. hak … after all, what precisely did he do … that kissinger associates thing … for the money … worse than those ‘run-of-the-mill’ lobbyists in d.c. (among the other alphabet soup kitchens, cia, nsa, et als, think stink tanks, etc.). That america will try to stop China’s rise is almost the natural concomitant to perpetual war / pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america’s intractable decline is also a foregone conclusion. That either nation would be dumb enough to embark upon a collision course of self-immolation is not (although america’s self-destructive, in addition to destructive tendencies is a reality lost on no one). ]

Contours of a large and lasting American presence in Iraq starting to take shape (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like a plan … though hardly embraced by all; viz; the vast majorities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and defacto bankrupt america are against this with dire prospective consequences to follow. U.S. Promises to be in Afghanistan Beyond 2014 [ Defacto bankrupt america can afford it! Riiiiight! Sounds like a plan … for enhanced heroin production, war profiteering, etc., benefiting the few to the detriment of the many. ]New York Times | Biden met with Karzai and promised a lasting American commitment to the country well beyond 2014, when NATO forces are scheduled to turn over security of the nation to Afghan forces. ]

Treasury secretary urges China to accelerate currency reform (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight! Well that sounds like something the Chinese will buy into, coming from defacto bankrupt america … sounds like a plan … for fantasyland! ] Beijing’s policy is hampering U.S. competitiveness and harming the Chinese economy, Geithner says.

Economic recovery is on track (Washington Post) [ What? That (as per fed) no-recession recession (depression) thing’s over. Certainly for the frauds on wall street who caused the thing in the first place that’s true with the new bubble and at what now insurmountable cost (record $14 trillion plus debt – Faber: US will be using 30% of total tax revenues just to pay interest on the national debt within a few years … see, infra … )Fed's beige book reports gains in manufacturing and retail sectors. Housing industry remains weak.

E.U. seeks to expand bailout fund to calm markets (Washington Post) [Nyaradi The Sick Man Tries to Save the Terminally Ill ( I can’t recall the specific phrase, but applied here it goes something like this, ‘Japan with a debt to GDP ratio of 200% is going to save Europe, but who’s going to save Japan’. Let’s get real here as the u.s. house-building with decks, as in Titanics and reshuffled / rearranged deck chairs, of cards, as in ‘houses of cards’, becomes insanely ubiquitous worldwide and will systemically (now globally) end quite badly. This is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits since there is much, much worse to come. ) Nyaradi ‘It was a quiet day yesterday for ETFs and stocks in world markets as most exchange traded funds recovered recent losses amid reduced tensions in Europe.Incredibly, Japan’s intent to buy European bonds was the catalyst for the more positive atmosphere in Europe, and as the title of this article suggests, this is truly the sick man trying to save the terminally ill…see infra… ’ ] Nations expand the scope of the euro-zone bailout fund, saying more support is necessary as investors worry about the prospects of Portugal and Spain.

The Sick Man Tries to Save the Terminally Ill [ I can’t recall the specific phrase, but applied here it goes something like this, ‘Japan with a debt to GDP ratio of 200% is going to save Europe, but who’s going to save Japan’. Let’s get real here as the u.s. house-building with decks, as in Titanics and reshuffled / rearranged deck chairs, of cards, as in ‘houses of cards’, becomes insanely ubiquitous worldwide and will systemically (now globally) end quite badly. This is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits since there is much, much worse to come. ] Nyaradi ‘It was a quiet day yesterday for ETFs and stocks in world markets as most exchange traded funds recovered recent losses amid reduced tensions in Europe.

Incredibly, Japan’s intent to buy European bonds was the catalyst for the more positive atmosphere in Europe, and as the title of this article suggests, this is truly the sick man trying to save the terminally ill.

The soap opera in Europe, like every soap opera, is getting boring. It starts with rising interest rates and credit default swap rates which is met by the concerned government proclaiming that they’re totally solvent and will never need a bailout which ends up to be exactly what happens.

Portugal will be selling 10 year notes today, Wednesday, and its ten year debt has stood largely above 7% in recent days. When rates in Greece and Ireland hit these levels, bailouts came within days in both cases. Italy and Spain go to the bond trough this week, as well, and so it will be an active few days in Europe.

Bottom line; get ready for an ECB bailout of Portugal coming soon, possibly this week.

At home, we move into earnings season, Illinois is moving towards an income tax increase to deal with its budget deficit while Governor Brown in California begins to sell his austerity plans.

Daily Moves for Major ETFs:

Dow Jones Industrials: (NYSEArca: DIA) +0.30%

Russell 2000: (NYSEArca: IWM) -0.47%

NASDAQ 100: (NasdaqGM: QQQQ) +0.41%

S&P 500 Index: (NYSEArca: SPY) +0.37%

MSCI Emerging Markets:(NYSEArca: EEM) +1.06%

MSCI China (NYSEArca: FXI) +1.13%

Gold (NYSEArca: GLD) +0.59%

7-10 Year Treasuries: (NYSEArca: IEF) -0.39%

20+ Year Treasuries: (NYSEArca: TLT) -0.56%

VIX -3.71%

U.S. Dollar (NYSE:Arca: (NYSE:Arca: UUP) -0.08%

The major indexes remain overvalued and overbought on a technical and fundamental basis and so Wall Street Sector Selector remains in “Yellow Flag” status, expecting choppy to lower prices ahead.’

Assange claims 'insurance' files on Rupert Murdoch; Says China Top Threat to WIKILEAKS... ‘In this week's New Statesman, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange talks to John Pilger about Bradley Manning, his "insurance" files on Rupert Murdoch and Newscorp - and which country is the real enemy of WikiLeaks. To read the entire feature, pick up a copy of this week's New Statesman available on newsstands from tomorrow. Some highlights of the piece are below: The "technological enemy" of WikiLeaks is not the US - but China, according to Assange. "China is the worst offender," when it comes to censorship, says the controversial whistleblower. "China has aggressive and sophisticated interception technology that places itself between every reader inside China and every information source outside China. We've been fighting a running battle to make sure we can get information through, and there are now all sorts of ways Chinese readers can get on to our site." On Bradley Manning - the US soldier accused of leaking the diplomatic cables to WikiLeaks - Assange says: "I'd never heard his name before it was published in the press." He argues that the US is trying to use Manning - currently stuck in solitary confinement in the US - to build a case against the WikiLeaks founder: "Cracking Bradley Manning is the first step," says the Australian hacker. "The aim clearly is to break him and force a confession that he somehow conspired with me to harm the national security of the United States." Such conspiracy would be impossible, according to Assange. "WikiLeaks technology was designed from the very beginning to make sure that we never knew the identities or names of people sub¬mitting material. We are as untraceable as we are uncensorable. That's the only way to assure sources they are protected." Yesterday, Assange's lawyers warned that if he is extradited to America, he could face the death penalty - for embarrassing the leaders of the US government. "They don't want the public to know these things and scapegoats must be found," says Assange. And despite the pressure the website has been under, reports of trouble at WikiLeaks are greatly exaggerated, claims Assange. "There is no 'fall'. We have never published as much as we are now. WikiLeaks is now mirrored on more than 2,000 websites. I can't keep track of the spin-off sites - those who are doing their own WikiLeaks... If something happens to me or to WikiLeaks, 'insurance' files will be released." The contents of these files are unknown, but, according to Assange, "[t]hey speak more of the same truth to power." It is not just government that should be worried about the content of these files, however. "There are 504 US embassy cables on one broadcasting organisation and there are cables on Murdoch and News Corp," says Assange. The attempts by the US to indict Assange should worrying the mainstream press, he adds. "I think what's emerging in the mainstream media is the awareness that if I can be indicted, other journalists can, too," says Assange. "Even the New York Times is worried. This used not to be the case. If a whistleblower was prosecuted, publishers and reporters were protected by the First Amendment, which journalists took for granted. That's being lost."

Goldman Sachs self-eval calls for disclosure of operations (Washington Post) [ Self-evaluation? Goldman-sachs? Don’t make me laugh! … Oh, right … they don’t cheat, they just steal / defraud! ] Goldman is trying to turn the page on a bad year (as in huge bonuses … that bad … riiiight!) .

Chinese military tests fighter jet ahead of Hu's meeting with Gates (Washington Post) [ China tests stealth aircraft before Gates, Hu meet (Post, January 11, 2011; 6:12 PM) Chinese general to visit U.S. base in small sign of thawing military ties (Post, January 12, 2011; 1:21 AM) Small sign of thawing? Yeah, maybe … so small you’d need a electron microscope to see it … as gates melted at the prospect of China’s latest new addition to their defensive arsenal, which they can afford, as defacto bankrupt america drowns in perpetual, contrived / self-created / self-destructive wars. ]

China's exchange reserves hit record level (Washington Post) [ Relations, relationship, reserves. I’d say proportional … as in terms of, ie., rationality … as in, ie., relative abundance; viz., China having substantially greater reserves and rationality than irrationally, pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, perpetual war despite defacto bankrupt america. ] The thorniest problem in economic relations between the United States and China is getting worse, just as the world's two biggest economies prepare for a summit next week in Washington.

Meyerson: Culture of paranoia (Washington Post) [ That ‘for us or again’ us’ dichotomy that flourished with unbridled enthusiasm and encouragement by lesser brains typified by burnt out war criminal and moron dumbya bush & co certainly gained traction with the bushlander failed regimes; but, truth be told, to the surprise of many, the same mindless approach to all things domestic and international has under wobama’s failed regime proved to be the coup de grace, the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back, etc.. Indeed, the continuation of the perpetual war policy despite the defacto bankruptcy of the nation has made wobama’s failed presidency merely icing on what has become the american upside down cake. From no pros of the frauds on wall street to increased war spending and runaway deficits, wobama the ‘b’ for b*** s*** has proven the more america ‘changes’ the more america stays the same … in rate of decline, that is. Talk radio … all b*** s*** with a few convenient facts interspersed for relevance. I’d say liberal talk radio is worse in that if they’re not comin’ down hard on wobama (I presume they’re not), then all their rhetoric in the bush years was hot air. And hot air is what they are which is the reason d’etre for that little on/off switch which is all the censorship that’s needed. That’s what I use for the blowhards … and it works extremely well! ]

Four Financial Farces That Will End in Disaster Summers ‘At this point the news out of the financial world is more insane than … well, just about anything.

Farce #1: Japan Can Bail Out Anything.

First off, Japan, which has a debt to GDP ratio of 200%, is bailing out Europe, which has a smaller but equally disturbing debt problem. Yes, one broke country (Japan) is now trying to bail out an entire economic union, despite the fact that it hasn't succeeded in managing its own finances or economy in over 20 years.Indeed, the idea that Japan could bail out anyone when it’s failed to create any substantial economic growth despite spending trillions of yen should give you an idea of just how out of control the entire financial system has become. We are literally in the end game now. Unless Martians come down and start bailing out Earth, the Great Sovereign Default will be in full effect within the next six months.

Farce #2: Inflation Is at 1%.

Meanwhile, Ben Bernanke claims that inflation in the U.S. is at 1%. President Obama has to maintain that this is a fact with a straight face next week when he meets with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is witnessing food riots in Algeria due to soaring food prices.The Fed has claimed inflation is under control for months now, proving that its members must not eat food, drive cars, or know how to read. Indeed, in order to ignore rising prices in the U.S., you would literally have to not shop for groceries, not pump gas into your car, not read the newspaper, and not have access to the Internet or any financial news outlet.I sincerely hope that the Fed is not run by folks who fit this description, but after reading the next two farces, I’m not so sure.

Farce #3: QE Is Working.

Various Fed officials have stepped forward to claim that its Quantitative Easing program has worked. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought the whole purpose of QE was to lower interest rates.How then do you explain the following? [chart]As you can see, interest rates have soared since the Fed implemented QE 2. It’s not like QE has helped the U.S. economy either; food stamp usage has hit new records since it began.And yet the Fed claims that QE is not only working, but we need more of it. However, even that farce pales compared to the next and final financial farce of today’s essay.

Farce #4: The Folks Managing the Fed’s QE Efforts Have No Investing Experience.

Then, of course, there’s the recent revelation that the Fed’s monetary policies involving the purchasing of trillions of U.S. Treasuries are in the hands of folks aged 26, 29, and 34, none of whom have any investing experience whatsoever.And they’re in charge of buying up trillions in U.S. debt.If, at this point, it’s not clear that the entire financial system is not a disaster waiting to happen, then I don’t know what else to say. Indeed, our entire system is built on fraud and managed by folks who don’t know what they’re doing. And if you think they’ll steer us to safety, consider that around the globe we’re already beginning to see signs of systemic collapse.Indeed, I believe we are in fact on the verge of another round of deflation which will take prices down across the board as the U.S. dollar rallies. However, this period will be short-lived as it will be followed by a U.S. dollar collapse soon after.At that point, the next stage is the paper currency collapse, the stage at which inflation accelerates as the U.S. dollar collapses, destroying purchasing power while inflation hedges explode higher.Some, like the most popular picks (gold and silver bullion), will record strong gains. However, others (the ones that 99.9% of the investment world are currently clueless about), will go absolutely parabolic.’

Merger would create largest U.S. utility (Washington Post) [ Well, sounds like a plan. That trend to ‘bigger the better’ / too big to fail thing. Down only a penny in today’s trading. I’d call that a vote of confidence by fraudulent wall street. Why, you can almost hear the wall street frauds cheering to the tune of that familiar cheer, ‘We must, we must … increase the nation’s potential economic bust … the bigger the better, the lesser the vetter … the better the government boys will like us.! ] Duke Energy announces a $13.7 billion merger deal with Raleigh, N.C.-based Progress Energy.

Watchdog over Afghan reconstruction resigns (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like he really meant business … which also meant, congress ‘hearing footsteps’ so to speak, that he had to go. After all, applying a stringent standard that promises to do something about fraud and corruption is a standard that would threaten the entire u.s. government … all three branches. ] Arnold Fields, the head of the office charged with investigating corruption in the multibillion-dollar effort to rebuild Afghanistan has resigned, the White House said, following congressional demands that he be replaced.

Government contractor ATS shifts gears (Washington Post) [ Now granted … this is northern virginia, alphabet soup kitchen territory (part of the Washington d.c. governement mob)… rivaled in corruption only by such other pervasively mob infested states as jersey (multi-ethnic mob), new york (Italian, jewish, irish, wall street), Connecticut (whatever new york and d.c. says, mob), California (multi-ethnic mob, young gangs movin’ up, local government / bureaucracies mob), and of course the corrupt courts in all 5, but there’s somethin’ strange in the neighborhood here. I mean, 1 weak or I mean 1 week tenure and probably want to just give him some money. "We need to do something to get those shareholders replaced by other shareholders - whether it be one big shareholder or several smaller ones," said Bersoff, ‘who was the company's previous chief executive.’ This is the first statement of its kind I’ve ever encountered in modern day finance, such as it is. Then there’s that ‘government contractor thing’. Could it be that the michael corleones of the cia want to ‘legitimize’ their enterprises which have included illicit drugs, arms, etc.? All we really know is that Sidney … Fuchs. ] CEO Sidney E. Fuchs resigns as the company announces its intention to pursue strategic alternatives, including a possible sale.

China as Europe's white knight? (Washington Post) [ White knight? I don’t think so. Yellow night and day, I think yes. Not to impugn their motives, but the Book of Ecclesiastes said it well: "What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; and there is nothing new under the sun"

· Heartland Diary of Betty B.: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

Jun 18, 2007 ... John Perkins' career as an economic hit man (EHM) has taken him all over the globe. He details his activities as an EHM in his best-seller ...
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· Confessions of an Economic Hit Man - Cobb

Mar 23, 2007 ... Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins is an exclamation point riddled history of a few financial manipulations of the Cold War ...
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· Daily Kos: NPR: Confessions of an Economic Hit Man

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· Cinema Libre Acquires 'Economic Hit Man' | TheWrap.com

Jul 13, 2010 ... In 2008, Greek writer/director Stelios Koul made a documentary about Perkins entitled “Diary of an Economic Hit Man.” ...
www.thewrap.com/.../cinema-libre-acquires-economic-hit-man-19179 - Cached

] Traders are speculating that cash-rich China may step in and buy hard-hit European bonds.

Will: Half-baked explanations for tragedy (Washington Post) [ Half-baked? Charlatans? The foregoing are in no short supply in defacto bankrupt, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt, fraud prevalent america. See, for example, RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm . Moreover, Mr. Will as an oftimes apologist for war criminal, pervasively fraud-prone, defacto bankrupt, etc., america, with crime rates exceeding by far those of any other so-called civilized nations, might indeed find himself among those he’s so categorized. Among the last separate page sections to my website will be a somewhat detailed psychoanalytic evolutionary profile of the u.s. (one might ask who am I to do so which is fair comment to which I would reply, read it, or not, your choice). However, for the nonce, let me say that the it is no small coincidence that the 20^th century has been dubbed ‘the american century’. That the 20^th century has been considered the bloodiest is at once the natural concomitant of the foregoing reality. Keeping in mind the so-called ‘selective’ processes in both insurance (adverse) and evolutionary (Darwinian) terms, and as well, the psychology of it all from a behavioral perspective, america has indeed evolved. From the genocide of indigenous populations, to outlandish propaganda in support of same (ie., that ‘manifest destiny’ balderdash with overtones of religiosity spoonfed since elementary school, etc.), to contrived conflict / war, such, euphemistically bad behavior has been reinforced, some of which conditioning not always purposeful, ie., the ever greater frauds perpetrated on wall street for which there have been in large part no real punitive consequences to the perpetrators; but, to the contrary, great financial rewards though substantially detrimental to the majority. Despite the surface appeal, that oft asserted ‘blue-blood’ distinction doesn’t pass muster. Aside from the few seeking seeking religious freedom (ie., Puritans among some others), most then new americans were such disaffected rejects of their former homelands that desperation at best was motivation for travel to the wilds of the ‘so-called new world’ as opposed to intelligent, rational choice; criminals, mentally ill, the not-so-bright but ruthless populating the new nation in disparate numbers toward the ends consistent with greed and common criminality, corruption, and venality. As of the age of the dinosaurs, the american century has passed into the annals of a history replete with self-generating terrorism within and without (that blowback thing). DRUDGEREPORT: NATION SHOCKED: CONGRESSWOMAN SHOT IN TUCSON
SCARY FREAK!
THE DEVIL MADE HIM DO IT: TUCSON SHOOTER'S TWISTED SKULL SHRINE...
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Was registered independent; Didn't vote in Nov. '10 election...
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...'use language or symbols that could be perceived as inciting violence'
OBAMA FLASHBACK: 'If They Bring a Knife to the Fight, We Bring a Gun'...
SAFEWAY MASSACRE... UPDATE...
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WIRE...
Suspect scrawled: 'I planned ahead'...
Obsessed With Mind Control...
Described by Classmate as 'Left-Wing Pothead'...
Trade war looming, warns Brazil...
Tensions rise in currency wars...
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Economists foretell of U.S. decline, China's ascension...
SAFEWAY MASSACRE...
VIDEO...
6 Dead, 12 injured...
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Federal Judge Killed...
WIRE...
CAPITOL POLICE URGES CONGRESS TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS...
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New data collected from sensors left on moon in 1971 [ Riiiiight! … and if you’ve seen the beginning of 2001:Space Odyssey (the monolith), you’ve already seen it! ] ...
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14 Eye Opening Statistics Which Reveal Just How Dramatically The U.S. Economy Has Collapsed Since 2007 Most Americans have become so accustomed to the “new normal” of continual economic decline that they don’t even remember how good things were just a few short years ago. ‘The Economic Collapse Jan 10, 2011

’Most Americans have become so accustomed to the “new normal” of continual economic decline that they don’t even remember how good things were just a few short years ago.  Back in 2007, unemployment was very low, good jobs were much easier to get, far fewer Americans were living in poverty or enrolled in welfare programs and government finances were in much better shape.  Of course most of this prosperity was fueled by massive amounts of debt, but at least times were better.  Unfortunately, things have really deteriorated over the last several years.  Since 2007, unemployment has skyrocketed, foreclosures have set new all-time records, personal bankruptcies have soared and U.S. government debt has gotten completely and totally out of control.  Poll after poll has shown that Americans are now far less optimistic about the future than they were in 2007.  It is almost as if the past few years have literally sucked the hope out of millions upon millions of Americans.

Sadly, our economic situation is continually getting worse.  Every month the United States loses more factories.  Every month the United States loses more jobs.  Every month the collective wealth of U.S. citizens continues to decline.  Every month the federal government goes into even more debt.  Every month state and local governments go into even more debt.

Unfortunately, things are going to get even worse in the years ahead.  Right now we look back on 2005, 2006 and 2007 as “good times”, but in a few years we will look back on 2010 and 2011 as “good times”.

We are in the midst of a long-term economic decline, and the very bad economic choices that we have been making as a nation for decades are now starting to really catch up with us.

So as horrible as you may think that things are now, just keep in mind that things are going to continue to deteriorate in the years ahead.

But for the moment, let us remember how far we have fallen over the past few years.  The following are 14 eye opening statistics which reveal just how dramatically the U.S. economy has collapsed since 2007….

#1 In November 2007, the official U.S. unemployment rate was just 4.7 percent.  Today, the official U.S. unemployment rate is 9.4 percent.

#2 In November 2007, 18.8% of unemployed Americans had been out of work for 27 weeks or longer.  Today that percentage is up to 41.9%.

#3 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#4 Nearly 10 million Americans now receive unemployment insurance, whichis almost four times as many as were receiving it back in 2007.

#5 More than half of the U.S. labor force (55 percent) has “suffered a spell of unemployment, a cut in pay, a reduction in hours or have become involuntary part-time workers” since the “recession” began in December 2007.

#6 According to one analysis, the United States has lost a total of approximately 10.5 million jobs since 2007.

#7 As 2007 began, only 26 million Americans were on food stamps.  Today, an all-time record of 43.2 million Americans are enrolled in the food stamp program.

#8 In 2007, the U.S. government held a total of $725 billion in mortgage debt.  As of the middle of 2010, the U.S. government held a total of $5.148 trillion in mortgage debt.

#9 In the year prior to the “official” beginning of the most recent recession in 2007, the IRS filed just 684,000 tax liens against U.S. taxpayers.  During 2010, the IRS filed over a million tax liens against U.S. taxpayers.

#10 From the year 2000 through the year 2007, there were 27 bank failures in the United States.  From 2008 through 2010, there were 314 bank failures in the United States.

#11 According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of U.S. families with children living in homeless sheltersincreased from 131,000 to 170,000 between 2007 and 2009.

#12 In 2007, one poll found that 43 percent of Americans were living “paycheck to paycheck”.  Sadly, according to a survey released very close to the end of 2010, approximately 55 percent of all Americans are now living paycheck to paycheck.

#13 In 2007, the “official” federal budget deficit was just 161 billion dollars.  In 2010, the “official” federal budget deficit was approximately 1.3 trillion dollars.

#14 As 2007 began, the U.S. national debt was just under 8.7 trillion dollars.  Today, the U.S. national debt has just surpassed 14 trillion dollars and it continues to soar into the stratosphere.

So is there any hope that we can turn all of this around?

Unfortunately, the massive amount of debt that we have piled up as a society over the last several decades has made that impossible.

If you add up all forms of debt (government debt, business debt, individual debt), it comes to approximately 360 percent of GDP.  It is the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world.

If the federal government and our state governments stop borrowing and spending so much money, our economy would collapse.  But if they keep borrowing and spending so much money they will continually make the eventual economic collapse even worse.

We are in the terminal stages of the most horrific debt spiral the world has ever seen, and when the debt spiral gets stopped the house of cards is going to finally come down for good.

So enjoy these times while you still have them.  Yes, today is not nearly as prosperous as 2007 was, but today is most definitely a whole lot better than 2015 or 2020 is going to be.

Sadly, we could have avoided this financial disaster completely if only we had listened more carefully to those that founded this nation.  Once upon a time, Thomas Jefferson said the following….

I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government to the genuine principles of its Constitution; I mean an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing.’

Options Data Suggests Topping Action - Maierhofer ‘What the market's rally lacks in charisma, it has made up in persistence. The stair-step, creeping type of an up grind is lulling investors to sleep as we speak. Steady and seemingly risk-free gains have rekindled optimism and created a state of euphoria not seen in years ... since late 2007 to be exact.The irony of this article is that few investors will feel compelled to read anything that resembles a warning or contains a bearish message. The few that read this piece will probably scoff at it. That's how bear market rallies work and that's why they are effective.The soothing rhythm of the VIX (NYSEArca: VXX - News) has lulled investors into a state of complacency. If you had to describe investor's alertness in sleep lingo, a state of REM sleep would probably be the closest comparison.History tells us that the (bear) market only strikes when least expected.Based on analyst polls by Bloomberg, Barron's, USA Today and a variety of sentiment measures, a stock market (NYSEArca: VTI - News) decline is as remote today as it was in 2000 or 2007.

Hedging Activity Drops

Investors and traders are content to hold on to massive long positions without hedge. One of the easiest ways to hedge your stock portfolio is via put options. Last week the CBOE Equity Put/Call Ratio dropped to 0.4, the lowest reading since April 15, 2010.The lack of hedging is dangerous for prices because the market is without a safety net. The only option for spooked investors without hedge is to sell. Selling causes prices to drop.On April 16, 2010, the ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter warned of the consequences of a low put/call ratio: 'Selling results in more selling. This negative feedback loop usually results in rapidly falling prices. The pieces are in place for a major decline. We are simply waiting for the proverbial first domino to fall over and set off a chain reaction.'The first domino dropped just a few days later, setting off the May 6 'Flash Crash' and ultimately resulted in a swift 15% correction for the Dow (DJI: ^DJI), 17% correction for the S&P (SNP: ^GSPC), 19% for the Nasdaq (Nasdaq: ^IXIC), and 21% for the Russell 2000 (NYSEArca: IWM - News).A different measure of complacency is the premium traders willingness to pay for call options (bullish bets). Based on a three-month average, the price for put options (bearish bets) is near a 10-year low. The only other time that rivals current readings was in 2007.

This Time is Different

The spirit of 'this time is different' is one of the most fascinating phenomenons known to Wall Street. Investors' sentiment follows the ebb and flow of stock prices. When prices are up, the future is expected to be bright. When prices are down, the future is supposedly bleak (just think of the 2007 peak and 2009 bottom).This approach of linear extrapolations feeds the herding mentality, which contrarians use as effective indicators. This approach is not foolproof but, nevertheless, is one of the most accurate, if not the most accurate timing tool known to underground Wall Street aficionadosThe chart below (taken from the January 2011 ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter) illustrates the four most prominent occurrences of extreme optimism, or the 'this time is different' effect. The green line connects the price of the S&P with the timeline and various sentiment gauges. [chart] Investors thought 'this time is different' at the 2007 peak, in May 2008, in January 2010, and again in April 2010. The only thing different at all four times was the velocity of the descent, but each period of euphoria was greeted by despair.

Optimism and Bad News

If you had a chance to watch CNBC's 60 Minutes over the past two weeks, you are aware of some possible 'Black Swan' events.Scott Pelley's introduction to Ben Bernanke's interview couldn't have been more sobering: 'That is the worst recovery we've ever seen. Ben Bernanke is concerned. Chairmen of the Fed rarely do interviews, but this week Bernanke feels he has to speak out because he believes his critics may not understand how much trouble the economy is in.'The financial media, however, ignored Ben Bernanke's sobering assessment of the economy and focused on the silver lining: A bad economy may lead to QE3 and its cousins QE4 and QE5. What's better, an improving economy or more QE? Apparently QE is just as good as more jobs.Another 60 Minutes focused on the next big thing; Municipal and state defaults. In the two years since the 'Great Recession,' states have collectively spent nearly half a trillion dollars more than they collected. There's a trillion dollar hole in their public pension fund and according to New Jersey's Governor, the day of reckoning is near.Meredith Whitney, one of the few analysts who foresaw the bubble building in banks (NYSEArca: KBE - News) and financials (NYSEArca: XLF - News) believes at least part of the three trillion municipal bond market will unravel within the next year.For much of 2010 municipal bonds were brewing their own little bubble. As it is common with bubbles, they are rarely foreseen by the public eye. In the case of muni bonds, yield hungry investors ignored the red flags.On August 26, the ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter warned that it is time to get out of muni bonds, corporate bonds and Treasuries. Muni-bonds topped on August 26 and have since given up more than two years worth of gains.

History Rhymes

Yes, history doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes. In 2007, Merrill Lynch's Global Economics Report foresaw a bright future: 'The Merrill Lynch global economics team believes that the economy will continue to grow in 2007 - with no sign of a significant cyclical slowdown.'According to J.P. Morgan, Barclays Capital and Goldman Sachs (Merrill Lynch failed to foresee its own demise in 2007 and is no more), the S&P will gain between 15 - 20% in 2011 and the 'economy will continue to grow in 2011.'Perhaps this time will be different, but based on history, now is the time to at least be cautious and protect your investments. An ounce of protection is worth more than a pound of cure. Based on long-term valuation metrics the stock market is priced to deliver pain, not gain (see November 2011 ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter for a detailed analysis).Based on sentiment, the market is overheated and due for a correction at the very least, and how often have we seen a correction turn into something more? Timing a top is tricky, but based on support and resistance levels and seasonal patterns it is possible to narrow down when the market is ready to roll over.The ETF Profit Strategy Newsletter includes the next resistance likely to mark the end of this rally and important structural support. A close below this important support level will probably break the bulls' spirit and the market's streak.’

Can the Unshortable Market Be Shorted? [ I do not consider short-selling an investment strategy, but rather a speculation that is only for the extremely few, lucky and hence successful speculators who are also capable and prepared to lose more than their investment principal.]

New Ponzi Scheme: Blame Bernie [ Which one? Which ‘weak end at bernie’s’? Bernie bernanke or madoff? As usual, where’s the DOJ? ‘The SEC seeks an injunction, DISGORGEMENT and civil penalties’. Now note that that disgorgement thing has yet to be applied to the gargantuan frauds on wall street. Indeed, now flush with cash from legislative (mark to anything change in FASB rules) and fed (new bubble) help, the frauds on wall street are cashing out bonuses exceeding $144 billion. For those who think there’s no economic damage attendant to such frauds as those perpetrated by the frauds on wall street which the computer-programmed high-frequencey churn-and-earn continuing as we speak, take further note of this disaster called the defacto bankrupt u.s. economy that the slicker, though less blatant than the fraud that follows which pales in comparison to that bailed out by the u.s. taxpayers at great long-term cost to the nation. ] Singer ‘Frankly, it’s becoming a bit of a broken record. According to a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Complaint filed on January 6, 2010, a number of Defendants perpetrated a Ponzi scheme – yet another such allegation against another group of alleged fraudsters.  Securities and Exchange Commission, Plaintiff, vs. Raymond P. Morris, E & R Holdings, LLC, Wise Financial Holdings, LLC, Momentum Leasing, LLC, James L. Haley, Cornerstone Capital Fund, LLC, Vantage Point Capital, LLC, Jay J. Linford Freedom Group, LLC, and Luc D. Nguyen, Defendants (11CV00021, Utah District Court, January 6, 20100) NOTE: The SEC Complaint contains only allegations. The Defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the Defendants’ guilt at trial.

Health-care repeal vote looms (Washington Post) [ Starting with real / unspun data / facts is the wisest course, and such should be conveyed to the taxpayers who ultimately pay, including the bloated salaries of the corrupt, incompetent ‘washingtonians, federal employees, bushies, obamanoids, etc., CBO Says Repeal Would Reduce Spending by $540 Billion...’The Congressional Budget Office, in an email to Capitol Hill staffers obtained by the Spectator, has said that repealing the national health care law would reduce net spending by $540 billion in the ten year period from 2012 through 2021. That number represents the cost of the new provisions, minus Medicare cuts. Repealing the bill would also eliminate $770 billion in taxes. It's the tax hikes in the health care law (along with the Medicare cuts) which accounts for the $230 billion in deficit reduction…’ ] … Right to undo? Panel | How much should Republican House leaders focus on undoing past initiatives versus creating their own new ones? | Weigh in

Twain needs no fixin' (Washington Post) [ I quite agree with Ms. Parker, particularly in this digital age which facilitates such censorship which can be accomplished with such ease and an environment as in the self-created paranoid u.s. replete with pervasive corruption, incompetence, and criminality where perpetrators / criminals therein cry out for more cover-up / censorship all in the self-destructive name of ‘war on terror’, jingoistic patriotism, etc.. I’m against almost all censorship (subject to very limited exceptions, ie., ‘yelling fire in a crowded theater, kiddy porn, etc., except that the u.s. courts are so corrupt and venal that they can no longer be trusted to responsibly apply those limited exceptions to narrowly defined exceptional circumstances. See, for example, RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) . DRUDGEREPORT: NYT SATURDAY: NUMBER OF COMBAT INJURIES IN AFGHANISTAN APPROACHES IRAQ-WAR LEVELS... DEVELOPING...
'WE'RE DIGGING OUT OF A HOLE' [ Example of sentiment: some comments - ‘…Barack Obama is a cooked goose. He is absolutely the most incompetent president of the U.S. ever, so he continues to spin the numbers in such a manner that might make him look good. News for him: NOTHING will make you look good. Pretty is skin deep, incompetence goes clear to the bone. "Let his days be few; and let another take his office." Psalms 109:8- RightStuff, Texas, USA, 7/1/2011 19:45

You know what happens when you keep digging a hole - you reach China and that is what is going to finish the americans and Obamarama...- Olrik, Canada, 7/1/2011 19:41

'We're digging ourselves out of a hole' - Barack Hussein Obama To get out of a hole you've dug so deep, is to STOP DIGGING, fill it up with soil so you can climb OUT OF THE HOLE. STOP SPENDING OBAMA! STOP PRINTING MONEY! The US dollar is weakening against YUAN of China. Republicans better start cutting all spending, defund/repeal Obamacare, America is flat BROKE! If Republicans can't rein all spending created by Pelosi and her peons, their DEBT would be BIGGER than their economy.- Observer, over here, over there, 7/1/2011 19:33

Well the ammo index is still down, I guess having 3,000 rounds is enough- NVBob, Richland WA USA, 7/1/2011 19:31

Fill in the hole, with Obama in it, at the bottom!- Stan, St Louis, Missouri, USA, 7/1/2011 19:30

As one would expect of a socialist, clueless to the mechanics of a capitalist system, he seeks to extricate himself from a hole by further digging.- jnsesq, minimaxi, 7/1/2011 19:29 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345047/Glimmer-hope-U-S-economy-jobless-rate-falls-lowest-level-19-months.html#ixzz1APmJZga7’ ]

Jobs report an 'utter mess'... ‘…However, some economists were less optimistic. 'It's a bit of a mixed bag,' said Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody's Analytics. Many analysts hoped to see larger job gains, and the drop in the unemployment rate is unlikely to be sustained, he said. 'The labour market ended last year with a bit of a thud,' he said…’
China plans $1.3 billion 'seven-star hotel'...
China Backs Europe, Euro for Investing Reserves...
REPORT: Too much fluoride in US water...
] Parker: Why 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' should not be censored.

January 7, 2011: Market Summary

December Jobs Miss Expectations

Unemployment Down To 9.4%, But Jobs Report Disappoints

DRUDGEREPORT: NYT SATURDAY: NUMBER OF COMBAT INJURIES IN AFGHANISTAN APPROACHES IRAQ-WAR LEVELS... DEVELOPING...
'WE'RE DIGGING OUT OF A HOLE' [ Example of sentiment: some comments - ‘…Barack Obama is a cooked goose. He is absolutely the most incompetent president of the U.S. ever, so he continues to spin the numbers in such a manner that might make him look good. News for him: NOTHING will make you look good. Pretty is skin deep, incompetence goes clear to the bone. "Let his days be few; and let another take his office." Psalms 109:8- RightStuff, Texas, USA, 7/1/2011 19:45

You know what happens when you keep digging a hole - you reach China and that is what is going to finish the americans and Obamarama...- Olrik, Canada, 7/1/2011 19:41

'We're digging ourselves out of a hole' - Barack Hussein Obama To get out of a hole you've dug so deep, is to STOP DIGGING, fill it up with soil so you can climb OUT OF THE HOLE. STOP SPENDING OBAMA! STOP PRINTING MONEY! The US dollar is weakening against YUAN of China. Republicans better start cutting all spending, defund/repeal Obamacare, America is flat BROKE! If Republicans can't rein all spending created by Pelosi and her peons, their DEBT would be BIGGER than their economy.- Observer, over here, over there, 7/1/2011 19:33

Well the ammo index is still down, I guess having 3,000 rounds is enough- NVBob, Richland WA USA, 7/1/2011 19:31

Fill in the hole, with Obama in it, at the bottom!- Stan, St Louis, Missouri, USA, 7/1/2011 19:30

As one would expect of a socialist, clueless to the mechanics of a capitalist system, he seeks to extricate himself from a hole by further digging.- jnsesq, minimaxi, 7/1/2011 19:29 Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345047/Glimmer-hope-U-S-economy-jobless-rate-falls-lowest-level-19-months.html#ixzz1APmJZga7’ ]

Jobs report an 'utter mess'... ‘…However, some economists were less optimistic. 'It's a bit of a mixed bag,' said Ryan Sweet, an economist at Moody's Analytics. Many analysts hoped to see larger job gains, and the drop in the unemployment rate is unlikely to be sustained, he said. 'The labour market ended last year with a bit of a thud,' he said…’
China plans $1.3 billion 'seven-star hotel'...
China Backs Europe, Euro for Investing Reserves...
REPORT: Too much fluoride in US water...
CBO Says Repeal Would Reduce Spending by $540 Billion...’The Congressional Budget Office, in an email to Capitol Hill staffers obtained by the Spectator, has said that repealing the national health care law would reduce net spending by $540 billion in the ten year period from 2012 through 2021. That number represents the cost of the new provisions, minus Medicare cuts. Repealing the bill would also eliminate $770 billion in taxes. It's the tax hikes in the health care law (along with the Medicare cuts) which accounts for the $230 billion in deficit reduction…’

Republicans reject cost estimate on health repeal (Washington Post) [ One thing’s certain … they’ll agree to disagree … $14 plus trillion and counting and wobama the b for b*** s*** and co are worried about a couple hundred billion … tax cuts to the rich … (Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!) ‘Then again, look at the war spending : Drudgereport: Congresswoman calls Afghanistan 'national embarrassment'... 'Epic failure'... Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) talks about the "disastrous" war that is Afghanistan. "This war represents an epic failure, a national embarrassment and a moral blight," Rep. Woolsey said. [ True enough! Though broke, they’re still voting for more war across the board. But even more than that, this war is a blowback-creating, self-perpetuating, self-destructive, self-defeating, colossally expensive debacle benefiting only the war profiteers / lobbies and attendant frauds while diverting attention from the more ’mundane’ tasks of governance of a failing, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt nation, viz., america. ]
PENTAGON BUDGET SLASH [ Riiiiight! … What’s $80 billion on a trillion dollar tab especially with those off-budget special items whenever they so choose. ]: OBAMA TO CUT TROOPS ON ACTIVE DUTY
FEDS BREAK GROUND ON SUPER SPY CENTER (Riiiiight! More spending on those ultra-efficient super-spies, ie., Iraq on a lie, illegal drug ops, 9-11 NORAD ordered to stand down, etc., though u.s. defacto bankrupt)...
New Miami Police peeping drone may be first in country; ACLU approves...
Man Arrested for Having 'Suspicious' Bagel on Plane...
Ex-CIA officer charged with leak to NYT reporter...
Packages Cause 'Flash Explosions' At 2 State Gov't Buildings in MD...
One addressed to Gov...
US Treasury asks Congress to lift debt ceiling...
Obama calls Gibbs $174,000 salary 'relatively modest' ( Come on! In pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, government jobs for the otherwise unemployable at those levels are over-priced and over-valued, as are other so-called executive jobs, ie., fraudulent wall street, etc.. Look at their results! )... ] Boehner dismisses CBO forecast that rescinding law would raise deficit by about $230 billion and leave 32 million more Americans uninsured.

Apprehension ahead of Moqtada al-Sadr speech (Washington Post) [ What is he expected to say?: Thank you america for bombing, invading, and destroying his nation based on a lie? Thank you america for killing, maiming innocent children, women, and men? Thank you america for all the depleted uranium you’ve left behind? Thank you america for removing your america-supported mad-dog tyrant sadam hussein who foolishly played into his cia handlers’ trap regarding that green light for Kuwait invasion over the slant-drilling by the latter from April Glasspie. I don’t think so, and I don’t think the rest of the world nor his fellow Iraqis think so. ] Lawmakers across Iraq's political and ethnic spectrums wait for word from anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, saying his first address after returning from nearly four years of self-imposed exile in Iran would likely say a lot about his approach to Iraq's government.

Insurer claims it was misled by Goldman Sachs on investment (Washington Post) [ Talk about understatements. After all, who hasn’t been misled by goldmen sachs and fraudulent wall street generally, on investments. Don’t forget, the worthless toxic paper commissioned and cashed out by wall street is still out there in the trillions now marked to anything. ] One of Goldman's clients says it has sued the bank seeking $120 million in damages.

Milbank: Getting creative with the Constitution (Washington Post) [ Constitution? Versions? Meaningful laws? Why, this is almost analogous or akin to the late idi amin reading the Ugandan constitution (1995) from his grave, certainly in terms of folly! ]Constitutionalism (WP) [ Come on! Constitution … meaningful american law … Don’t make me laugh! Wake up from the deep american sleep! Going through the motions, flag pins, etc., ad nauseum, like a bunch of zombies! ] Krauthammer: It's a promising step to a conservative future. Wash Post Staffer: Constitution Impossible to Understand Because It’s Over 100 Years Old [ In a meaningfully lawless society as pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, constitution / laws have become irrelevant in application and effect. After all, even zimbabwe has a constitution / laws, but I dare say no one would suggest they have any practical effect in reality, as is also so in america. I therefore believe Mr. Klein is correct but for reasons other than age and malleability. Indeed, anyone who has written a legal brief and researched law in support thereof, ultimately realizes that almost invariably one can find some case / law in support of almost any position. In america today, it’s the bribe, one way or another, that carries the day and makes the difference. Ask sam alito et als. That’s just the way it is in a declining, fallen society as america, zimbawe, etc.. That’s certainly my direct, sworn experience with these corrupt courts constituting (in large part along with the other 3 branches) pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s illegal system. Senate convicts Clinton-appointed judge... [ Come on! One way or another they’re almost all getting bribed; including the initial lifetime appointment as alito, trump-barry, etc.. Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) End those lifetime licenses to steal. ] In earlier hearings, two attorneys who once worked with Porteous had testified that they gave him thousands of dollars in cash, including about $2,000 stuffed in an envelope in 1999, just before Porteous decided a major civil case in their client's favor. ] Breitbart | On word that the House will open its next session with a first-ever reading of the U.S. Constitution, blogger Ezra Klein suggests that the Constitution is irrelevant due to its age and politically-malleable language. ]Eight key economic decisions of the Obama presidency all point in one direction.

Oh come on! Watch for the fake jobs report from the ever more desperate, pervasively corrupt, incompetent, failed, defacto bankrupt u.s. government (all 3 branches)! Who can believe anything they say? … Drudgereport: WObama the b for b*** s*** calls Gibbs $174,000 salary 'relatively modest' ( Come on! In pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, government jobs for the otherwise unemployable at those levels are over-priced and over-valued, as are other so-called executive jobs, ie., fraudulent wall street, etc.. Look at their results! )... …[video] ADP Data Still Fighting For Credibility [ Come on! Pervasively mob infested, corrupt jersey based ADP? There’s nothin’ left in desperation for those b.s. / b.e.(bad economics/finance) talking points and action to froth the market for the frauds on wall street. This is an especially great opportunity to sell / take profits because there’s nothin’ there, beyond the smoke and mirrors. This market’s way over-bought and way over-valued! ] NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Alan Valdes of DME Securities says the market focused on the job revision data as ADP is still viewed with skepticism.

1 in 6 Americans Live in Poverty Tradermark ‘One of the biggest mega trends happening in America is the bifurcation of society between the haves and the have nots. Many of the jobs the 'underclass' once did are gone forever, while others spent freely when times were good, and when the tide turned, have little buffer. [Dec 8, 2007: Do the Bottom 80% of Americans Stand a Chance?] After all, saving for a rainy day is what boring people do. Others really never got off the ground, as the K-12 education system has degraded dramatically the past few decades.Frankly the underlying trend - as bad as it is on the surface - has been hidden by multiple bubbles, and most recently, there has been a level of government assistance never seen before. [Nov 5, 2010: USA Today - Anti-Poverty Programs Surpass Cost of Medicare] In terms of government spending. This brings up a host of issues as any changes to the social safety net are going to send millions past GO and directly to impoverished status (and yes there are people gaming the system, but not tens of millions). There are myriad societal effects of the transformation of America from a relative egalitarian society in the 1960s to a 2 or 3 class system - but those are topics for other posts we have done.The official U.S. government tally of who is living in poverty is a joke. We last looked at it about 16 months ago [Sep 19, 2009: US Poverty Rises to 11 Year High - But Still Vastly Understated] For example, if you make $23,000 for a family of 4 - you are not in poverty. If you are single and make $14,000 you are not in poverty. I'm not sure in what counties except for rural Mississippi you can accomplish that cost of living, but apparently the government believes a middle class lifestyle is available at $25K for a family of 4 in all of America. Or at least it would be inconvenient to admit otherwise. And yes once more let me put the caveat that being "poor" in America is different than being poor in Malawi, but in theory we should be comparing ourselves to other first world countries.The AP has an interesting report of a new measure of poverty in the U.S., based on the census. It has a different band of parameters and shows an increase over the government's incredibly generous definition of poverty. What is striking is the large increase in those in the over 65+ camp who fall into poverty. Due to our consumption culture (encouraged by the government at every turn, since we've transformed our economy from good producing to services and consumption) many are entering the golden years with little to nothing.Where once many had their mortgage paid off by the time they retired and hence could live on a much lower income as their largest expense was eliminated, now after a generation of serial refinancing and cash out to finance buying 'what we deserve', many still have the mortgage to worry about even at age 70+. There are many other factors we've discussed often - i.e. the move from pensions to do it yourself savings in a country where saving is a sin and spending is worshiped, the disaster that is the 401k system, etc. Unlike the mortgage crisis which is playing out in a relative short period of time (6-8 years), this grand economic experiment of running an economy on consumption & services (you do my nails, I'll cut your hair, you serve me a beer, I'll cut your lawn, you build a house, I'll default on it) is taking decades to play out. But we're starting to see the first wave of results the past 5-10 years, and it's not pretty.Bigger picture, there are enormous stresses being formed at the bottom end of the society, and more and more are being caught in the net. Anyone who truly believes there will be any serious spending cuts at the federal level does not realize the (increasing) dependency that has been created by the a multitude of poor decisions over the past few decades. Indeed we fast approach the time when 1 in every 5 dollars of "income" are government transfers. [May 25, 2010: 1 in 5.5 Dollars of American Income Now Via Government; All time High] At this point, the genie is out of the bottle and with a dysfunctional government whose only solution is layer on more debt to kick the can down the road, our modern day plutonomy only grows in power. [Sep 7, 2009: Citigroup - America; A Modern Day Plutonomy] However, there appears nothing to be worried about since we've been well trained to parrot the fact that as long as the S&P 500 only goes up, everything in America is fine. Nothing to see here, move along (buy stocks as you are moving of course).
Via AP

• The number of poor people in the U.S. is millions higher than previously known, with 1 in 6 Americans -- many of them 65 and older -- struggling in poverty due to rising medical care and other costs, according to preliminary census figures released Wednesday.
• At the same time, government aid programs such as tax credits and food stamps kept many people out of poverty, helping to ensure the poverty rate did not balloon even higher during the recession in 2009, President Barack Obama's first year in office.
• Under a new revised census formula, overall poverty in 2009 stood at 15.7 percent, or 47.8 million people. That's compared to the official 2009 rate of 14.3 percent, or 43.6 million, that was reported by the Census Bureau last September.
• Across all demographic groups, Americans 65 and older sustained the largest increases in poverty under the revised formula -- nearly doubling to 16.1 percent. As a whole, working-age adults 18-64 also saw increases in poverty, as well as whites and Hispanics. Children, blacks and unmarried couples were less likely to be considered poor under the new measure.
• The new measure will not replace the official poverty rate but will be published alongside the traditional figure this fall as a "supplement" for federal agencies and state governments to determine anti-poverty policies. Economists have long criticized the official poverty measure as inadequate because it only includes pretax cash income and does not account for medical, transportation and work expenses. (much like inflation, as long as you don't eat, use energy, pay for healthcare, or have kids in college - you are fine. For poverty as long as you don't go to the doctor, need to drive to work, need daycare, or wear clothes at work - your income is sufficient)
• "Under the new measure, we can clearly see the effects of our government policies," said Kathleen Short, a Census Bureau research economist who calculated the revised poverty numbers. "When you're accounting for in-kind benefits and tax credits, you're bringing many people in extreme poverty off the very bottom."
• The official measure is based on a 1955 cost of an emergency food diet and does not factor in other living costs. (that is perverse) Nor does it consider non-cash government aid when calculating income, which surged higher in 2009 during the recession.
• The effect was seen most notably among older Americans. Under the official poverty rate, about 8.9 percent lived in poverty, mostly because they benefit from Social Security cash payments. But when taking into account out-of-pocket medical expenses and other factors, that number rises to 16.1 percent.
• Among the findings:
  --Without the earned income tax credit, the poverty rate under the revised formula would jump from 15.7 percent to 17.7 percent.
• --The absence of food stamps separately would increase the poverty rate to 17.2 percent.
  --Taking into account millions of uninsured people in the U.S. had little effect in increasing poverty, mostly because those without insurance tend to forgo medical care rather than find ways to pay for it.

[Feb 20, 2009: NYT - Newly Poor Swell Lines @ Food Banks Nationwide]

[Oct 22, 2010: Reuters - The Haves, the Have Nots, and the Dreamless Dead]

[Sep 3, 2010: FT.com - The Crisis in Middle America]
[July 26, 2010: [Video] DatelineNBC - America's Increasing Ranks of Poor]

original article’

Unemployment Claims Are Not What They Appear Adler ‘First-time unemployment claims rose by 52,038 to 577,279 in the week that ended January 1. The Wall Street captive media is, as usual, fudging the reports by reporting that claims were at 409,000, based on the seasonal hocus pocus. They report an uptick of 18,000 instead of 52,000. Both Dow Jones and Bloomberg are emphasizing that the 4 week moving average dropped sharply. Again, this is based on seasonally adjusted fudge packing.The truth is that while this year's end of year rise in claims is better than the past two years, the numbers are still a lot worse than during good economic times. This week’s jump of 52k compares with a rise of 88,929 in the week that ended 1/2/10. The chart below shows that the normal seasonal uptrend is at a lower trend level than the past two years, but well above 2006-2008. The insured unemployment rate remains well above the 2004-2008 period. However, even that number may be misleading because it uses a base number comprised of a 6 month average from the period that ended in June. Because fewer people are now eligible, the actual rate should be higher.[chart]Because new claims are limited to those eligible, part of the downtrend in new claims is due to the millions of persons losing eligibility. To account for that, the next chart shows new claims as a percentage of those eligible. Here the improving trend shows evidence of leveling off. The normal seasonal spike at the beginning of January needs to hold around .053% to keep the downtrend from the peaks of the past 2 years intact. The green line connects the most recent week with the same week in prior years. Next week’s data should be the seasonal peak.[chart]The Department of Labor calculates the total number of covered employees quarterly, using a 6 month average. The current figure is based on data from the first half of 2010, which is not very useful now. However, it does imply that much of the drop in continuing claims has come from those losing eligibility.[chart]The following chart shows Continued Claims on an inverse scale, overlaid with stock prices and Fed securities holdings. The inverse Continued Claims graph is a directional proxy for total employment. The downtick at this time of year is normal. The trend remains strong which suggests that the seasonally adjusted payrolls data tomorrow should be positive. The consensus calls for a gain of 140,000. As I reported in the Wall Street Examiner Professional Edition Treasury update to subscribers this week, wage tax withholding in December ran 15% ahead of November, but that probably reflects withholding from year end bonuses rather than a significant increase in employment levels. The year to year gain was more muted.[chart]It’s pretty clear from this chart that the Fed is the driver of these trends, but that other forces are at work causing diminishing returns.Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.’

Expecting Employment Surprise: Dave's Daily ‘There are a lot of wild estimates making the rounds for employment data Friday. Consensus estimates for new jobs added range from 150-200K, but some whisper numbers are as high as 500K and that would shock many sectors. Meanwhile stocks were hurt early by poorly received December same store sales (despite bullish headlines to the contrary) and rebound higher in Jobless Claims. Nevertheless, the dollar continued to rise as commodity markets were still selling-off. The buzz remains inflation is heating up particularly in food and energy so investors fear tightening even as the Fed is engaged in QE. Now that's interesting!! Bond prices remained rather stable. The Fed tossed in more POMO activity Thursday. As that was announced stocks immediately rallied if only briefly. What a coincidence! In advance of the all-important employment report volume remained light and breadth negative.’

Are Investors Concerned About Rising Gas Prices? Rotblut ‘Bullish sentiment extended its streak of above-average readings to 18 consecutive weeks in the latest AAII Sentiment Survey. This is the longest such streak since 2004. The percentage of individual investors expecting stock prices to rise over the next six months rose 4.3 percentage points to 55.9%. The historical average is 39%.Neutral sentiment, expectations that stock prices will stay essentially flat over the next six months, fell 2.5 percentage points to 25.9%. Neutral sentiment has been below its historical average of 31% for 22 consecutive weeks.Bearish sentiment, expectations that stocks prices will fall over the next six months, slipped 1.8 percentage points to 18.3%. Bearish sentiment has been below its historical average of 30% for 15 out of the last 17 weeks.Bullish sentiment remains at historically high levels. One example of this is the eight-week moving average of bullish sentiment, which is above 51% for the third consecutive week. (It is at 51.4%.) This measure has not been higher since January 2005. Other measures also suggest sentiment is running hot, including the spread between bullish and bearish sentiment (37.6 percentage points) and the standard deviation (bullish sentiment is more than one standard deviation above the historical mean). High bullish readings have been correlated with market pullbacks, but other indicators should be analyzed before predicting where stocks prices are headed.Individual investors are continuing to feel optimistic about stock prices due to, in part, the sustained rally and additional signs that the economy is recovering. News of upbeat 2011 forecasts from several market strategists is also playing a role.This week’s special question asked AAII members whether they are concerned about the potential impact rising gasoline prices will have the economic recovery.About half of respondents described themselves as being somewhat worried about rising prices at the pump. Many did think the economy will grow, though the pace of the recovery might be slowed. Several members added the caveat that their concerns are dependent on how high prices actually rise. A small number thought higher prices would be good for their energy holdings or would increase demand for fuel-efficient vehicles and other green initiatives. Here is a sampling of the responses:

• “I believe gasoline must approach $4 per gallon before having a sizable impact on other parts of the economy.”
• “Higher inflation equals a real tax on investors. It could be a drag on the economy, but the economy will still grow.”
• “I’m worried, but I think the recovery can still proceed, especially if Congress provides some direction for job growth.”
• “I’m not too worried. Higher gas prices will be a slight drag, but not sufficient to significantly slow down the economy.”
• I’m somewhat worried; higher fuel prices may slow the economy some, but they may also help the environment.”

This week’s sentiment survey results:

• Bullish: 55.9%, up 4.3 percentage points
• Neutral: 25.9%, down 2.5 percentage points
• Bearish: 18.3%, down 1.8 percentage points

Historical Averages:

• Bullish: 39%
• Neutral: 31%
• Bearish: 30%

The AAII Sentiment Survey has been conducted weekly since July 1987 and asks AAII members whether they think stock prices will rise, remain essentially flat, or fall over the next six months. The survey period runs from Thursday (12:01 a.m.) to Wednesday (11:59 p.m.). The survey and its results are available online.’

Less Than 35% of All Stocks Are Undervalued Suttmeier ‘ValuEngine now shows that only 34.6% of more than 5,000 stocks are undervalued with 65.4% overvalued. A reading below 35% may persist for a while, but typically the stock market tops out when less than 35% of all stocks are undervalued. Fifteen of 16 sectors are overvalued by 8.6% for Consumer Discretionary to 33.1% for Basic Industries. Medical is the undervalued sector, but only by 1.4%. The major equity averages are extremely overbought on both daily and weekly charts. The missing ingredient for a top is the lack of nearby risky levels for the major averages. The major equity averages straddle quarterly value levels, pivots and risky levels favoring a reversal-oriented first quarter – 11,395 Dow, 1162.5 SPX, 2853 NASDAQ, 4671 Transports and 765.50 Russell 2000. The rise in the 30-year yield above 4.5% is a major drag on equity valuations. With stock market complacency as high as it is, Comex gold closed below its 50-day simple moving average at 1380.6 for the first time since August 11. Nymex crude oil is above this week’s pivot at $88.50. The euro is between its 200-day at 1.3080 and its 50-day at 1.3422, approaching a test of the 200-day. The Dow is well above my annual pivot at 11,491 without a nearby risky level as the MOJO run continues. Valuations are stretched with only 16.1% of all stocks undervalued by at least 20%, whereas 33.0% of all stocks are overvalued by more than 20%.[chart](Click to enlarge)

It is difficult to find stocks to add to the ValuTrader Model Portfolio as only 76 stocks are rated STRONG BUY or BUY with a market cap of at least five billion and average daily trading volume of 500,000 shares or more, and projected to gain at least 7.5% over the next twelve months. There are twelve stocks in the model portfolio.

Key Levels From My Proprietary Analytics

10-year Note – (3.483) Weekly, annual and semiannual value levels are 3.714, 3.791 and 4.268 with a daily risky level at 3.371. Annual, semiannual and monthly risky levels are 2.690, 2.441, 2.322 and 2.150.

Comex Gold – ($1373.7) Annual, semiannual and annual value levels are $1356.5, $1300.6 and $1187.2 with a weekly pivot at $1380.0. Daily, monthly, quarterly and semiannual risky levels are $1412.74, $1439.0, $1441.7 and $1452.6.

Nymex Crude Oil – ($90.30) Semiannual and monthly value levels are $87.52 and $75.74 with a weekly pivot at $88.50. Annual, semiannual and quarterly risky levels are $99.91, $101.92, $107.14 and $110.87.

The euro – (1.3149) Monthly and weekly value levels are 1.2805 and 1.2703 with quarterly and daily pivots at 1.3227 and 1.3358, and semiannual and annual risky levels at 1.4624, 1.4989, 1.6367 and 1.7312.

Daily Dow: (11,723) Annual, quarterly, weekly, semiannual, monthly and semiannual value levels are 11,491, 11,395, 11,334, 10,959, 10,427 and 9,449 with a daily pivot at 11,687, and annual risky level at 13,890.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.’

Retailers hold down stocks ahead of jobs data (Reuters) - Stocks slipped on Thursday as soft retail sales and a sharp rise in the dollar left investors edgy a day before December's U.S. employment report.

Doug Casey: Prepare for Social Upheaval LewRockwell.com | The big question is not, “Can it happen here?” but, “Will it?” Or maybe, simply, “When?”

Fed May Keep Easing at ‘Full Throttle’ Until Decline in Unemployment Rate Bloomberg | Federal Reserve officials signaled they’ll probably push ahead with unprecedented stimulus until the recovery strengthens and many of the 15 million unemployed Americans find work.

Why Are Taxpayers Subsidizing Facebook, and the Next Bubble? The New York Times | Is another bubble being formed by ‘too big to fail’ Goldman-Sach’s valuation of FaceBook?

Record high food prices stoke fears for economy Reuters | Record high food prices are moving to the top of policymaker agendas, driven by fears they could stoke inflation, protectionism and unrest and dent consumer demand in key emerging economies.

Alex Jones: DEA uses drug war to spy worldwide [ Well, I don’t know about the spying, but the DEA certainly isn’t serious about putting a real dent the illegal drug trade inasmuch as they’re hands off the connected u.s. government connected illegal drug ops, ie., cia, etc., (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) http://albertpeia.com/FBIAgentAffidavit11.jpg http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg ] Russia Today | The United States government allegedly infused drugs into our inner cities in order to keep minorities down and destabilize world governments.

Drudgereport: Congresswoman calls Afghanistan 'national embarrassment'...
'Epic failure'... Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) talks about the "disastrous" war that is Afghanistan. "This war represents an epic failure, a national embarrassment and a moral blight," Rep. Woolsey said. [ But more than that, this war is a blowback-creating, self-perpetuating, self-destructive, self-defeating, colossally expensive debacle benefiting only the war profiteers / lobbies and attendant frauds while diverting attention from the more ’mundane’ tasks of governance of a failing, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt nation, viz., america. ]
PENTAGON BUDGET SLASH [ Riiiiight! … What’s $80 billion on a trillion dollar tab especially with those off-budget special items whenever they so choose. ]: OBAMA TO CUT TROOPS ON ACTIVE DUTY
FEDS BREAK GROUND ON SUPER SPY CENTER (Riiiiight! More spending on those ultra-efficient super-spies, ie., Iraq on a lie, illegal drug ops, 9-11 NORAD ordered to stand down, etc., though u.s. defacto bankrupt)...
New Miami Police peeping drone may be first in country; ACLU approves...
Man Arrested for Having 'Suspicious' Bagel on Plane...
Ex-CIA officer charged with leak to NYT reporter...
Packages Cause 'Flash Explosions' At 2 State Gov't Buildings in MD...
One addressed to Gov...
US Treasury asks Congress to lift debt ceiling...
Obama calls Gibbs $174,000 salary 'relatively modest' ( Come on! In pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, government jobs for the otherwise unemployable at those levels are over-priced and over-valued, as are other so-called executive jobs, ie., fraudulent wall street, etc.. Look at their results! )...

As euro zone expands, tension remains between weak, strong (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a scenario analogous to that in the USSAD, united soviet states of american disunity. After all, how can you justify fraudulent (ie., wall street, etc.) national sinkholes as mob corrupted new york, mob-infested, pervasively corrupt jersey, etc..] German deficit hawks gained an ally Saturday when Estonia became the 17th member of the euro zone.

U.N. group warns of possible food crisis (Washington Post) [ Possible? How ‘bout it’s already begun and hence, inevitable particularly since worldwide with few exceptions in looking to the u.s. as analogous to the self-destructive compulsion of an addict or drunk they’ve jumped on the american crazy train, from perpetual wars, to profligate spending, to over-printing of fiat paper currencies, to mark to anything burial and cover-up and no-pros of fraudulent paper schemes of the fraudulent wall street ilk / variety, etc. ] The Food and Agricultural Organization said Wednesday that the world faces a "food price shock" after the agency's benchmark index of farm commodities prices shot up last month.

IRS ombudsman: Heavy hand isn't working (Washington Post) [ Heavy hand, indeed; but in reality, a weak one at that BECAUSE, you can’t pay what you don’t have … then again, many people are wondering just what they’re paying for in these admittedly hard times; viz., perpetual and protracted wars, bailouts for the opulent frauds on wall street, profligate spending, rich plushly accoutered federal jobs for slugs of different stripes and failed performance, etc.. ] By making it harder for taxpayers to get back on their feet, the IRS might actually reduce long-term tax collections, an in-house report says.

Fed will be in watch mode (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight! … That eternally vigilant friend only of fraudulent wall street fed … ‘watch’ … as in boob tube? How the (‘no recession’ as per fed) recession (ongoing and great as in depression) imploded states' finances see infra) After a tumultuous 2010, what's on tap for Ben S. Bernanke and the Federal Reserve in 2011?

Fed's bond-buying strategy looks likely to run its course (Washington Post) [ Neither rain, nor sleet, but only depletion of trees for current and prospective fiat paper currency printing can keep the no-recession-fed from their wall street obsessive market-frothing rounds (which will end quite badly … as such always has … and always will). ] Federal Reserve officials appear unlikely to stop their controversial strategy of buying Treasury bonds.

Agency extends Afghan food-supply contract for firm that hired former director (Washington Post) [ Almost, but not quite as bad as what I experienced with the pervasively corrupt american illegal system:

• Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
• Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

37. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
38. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
39. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
40. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
41. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
42. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

----------

*The foregoing and as indicated therein was previously send 9-14-10 but delivery confirmation was flawed as set forth below and my inquiries to the u.s. postal service rebuffed (I believe tampered with inasmuch as your office could not locate same). This cover letter (9-13-10) is on the 3 disks with navigable hyperlinks to the subject files for ease of reference, including the files in the RICO action as indicated. (10-15-10) I spoke with Rose, FBI, ADIC Secretary, who indicates once again that your office has not received the aforesaid and which can reasonably be presumed to have been tampered with, and hence, a violation of the federal statute concerning same. ]

Protection bureau to hire general's wife (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like a plan! Talk about insiders and concentrations of power. After all, would you argue with anything sweet Holly Polly Petraeus proffered with the full weight of the military behind her. Somehow, though I’m not goin’ to talk ‘bout smell tests here (you know, that ‘weight of the military thing’), there seems to be something amiss, not quite right here, ‘cause what and why Hollywood do this or that …’ ] Holly Petraeus will lead Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's Office for Service Member Affairs.

Regional unemployment edges down in November (Washington Post) [ No surprise there with the layer upon layer of bureaucracy, including the alphabet soup kitchens, viz., cia, nsa, dod, doj, etc., whose ranks can include loads of temps, gophers, waiters, ‘runners’, (you know, make-shift / make-work jobs, etc., to froth numbers, despite the nation’s defacto bankruptcy and reality beyond the bubble.

Jobless Recovery?: 25 Unemployment Statistics That Are Almost Too Depressing To Read ‘… Unemployment is up again! That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher. So are you enjoying the jobless recovery? Economic Collapse Blog Dec 4, 2010 ‘Guess what?  Unemployment is up again!  That’s right – even though Wall Street is swimming in cash and the Obama administration is declaring that “the recession is over”, the U.S. unemployment rate has gone even higher ... Times are really, really tough and unfortunately the long-term outlook is very bleak.  We should have compassion on those who are out of work right now, because soon many of us may join them.

The following are 25 unemployment statistics that are almost too depressing to read….

#1 According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. unemployment rate for November was 9.8 percent.  This was up from 9.6 percent in October, and it continues a trend of depressingly high unemployment rates.  The official unemployment number has been at 9.5 percent or higher for well over a year at this point.

#2 In November 2006, the “official” U.S. unemployment rate was just 4.5 percent.

#3 Most economists had been expecting the U.S. economy to add about 150,000 jobs in November.  Instead, it only added 39,000.

#4 In the United States today, there are over 15 million people who are “officially” considered to be unemployed for statistical purposes.  But everyone knows that the “real” number is even much larger than that.

#5 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#6 The number of “persons not in the labor force” in the United States recently set another new all-time record.

#7 It now takes the average unemployed American over 33 weeks to find a job.

#8 When you throw in “discouraged workers” and “underemployed workers”, the “real” unemployment rate in the state of California is actually about 22 percent.

#9 In America today there are not nearly enough jobs for everyone.  In fact, there are now approximately 5 unemployed Americans for every single job opening.

#10 According to The New York Times, Americans that have been unemployed for five weeks or less are three times more likely to find a new job in the coming month than Americans that have been unemployed for over a year.

#11 The U.S. economy would need to create 235,120 new jobs a month to get the unemployment rate down to pre-recession levels by 2016.  Does anyone think that there is even a prayer that is going to happen?

#12 There are 9 million Americans that are working part-time for “economic reasons”.  In other words, those Americans would gladly take full-time jobs if they could get them, but all they have been able to find is part-time work.

#13 In 2009, total wages, median wages, and average wages all declined in the United States.

#14 As of the end of 2009, less than 12 million Americans worked in manufacturing.  The last time that less than 12 million Americans were employed in manufacturing was in 1941.

#15 The United States has lost at least 7.5 million jobs since the recession began.

#16 Today, only about 40 percent of Ford Motor Company’s 178,000 workers are employed in North America, and a big percentage of those jobs are in Canada and Mexico.

#17 In 1959, manufacturing represented 28 percent of U.S. economic output.  In 2008, it represented 11.5 percent.

#18 Earlier this year, one poll found that 28% of all American households had at least one member that was looking for a full-time job.

#19 In the United States today, over 18,000 parking lot attendants have college degrees.

#20 The United States has lost a staggering 32 percent of its manufacturing jobs since the year 2000.

#21 As the employment situation continues to stagnate, millions of American families have decided to cut back on things such as insurance coverage.  For example, the percentage of American households that have life insurance coverage is at its lowest level in 50 years.

#22 Unless Congress acts, and there is no indication that is going to happen, approximately 2 million Americans will stop receiving unemployment checks over the next couple of months.

#23 A poll that was released by the Pew Research Center back in June discovered that an astounding 55 percent of the U.S. labor force has experienced either unemployment, a pay decrease, a reduction in hours or an involuntary move to part-time work since the economic downturn began.

#24 According to Richard McCormack, the United States has lost over 42,000 factories (and counting) since 2001.

#25 In the United States today, 317,000 waiters and waitresses have college degrees.

But this is what we get for creating the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world.  For decades we have been digging a deeper hole for ourselves by going into increasingly larger amounts of debt.  In America today, our entire economy is based on debt.  Even our money is debt.  We were fools if we ever thought this could go on forever. Just think about it.  Have you ever gone out and run up a bunch of debt?  It can be a lot of fun sitting behind the wheel of a new car, running your credit cards up to the limit and buying a beautiful big house that you cannot afford. But in the end what happens? It always catches up with you. Well, our collective debt is starting to catch up with us.  There is a sea of red ink on every level of American society.  It is only a matter of time before it destroys our economy. IF YOU THINK THAT THINGS ARE BAD NOW, JUST WAIT.  THINGS ARE GOING TO GET A WHOLE LOT WORSE.  A HORRIFIC ECONOMIC COLLAPSE IS COMING, AND IT IS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY PAINFUL.’

Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’

Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘

] The Washington region's unemployment rate dipped only slightly in November from a year ago.

New Congress, old style (Washington Post) [ Come on! It’s articles like this, particularly lately by Mr. Milbank, that’ve been hurting my eyes and ears. One party / administration more corrupt than another in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america? You’d need a micrometer to discern the difference. Those dogs don’t hunt no more. It’s not so long ago that one can’t remember (Reagan / bush) Iran Contra (which was just another excuse for operatives / cia / etc., to enrich themselves via illegal drug trade / arms which they’d do anyway but wrap themselves in the flag as so-called patriots for legal protection, ie., that so-called purported ‘technicality’ (bribe) that threw out knucklehead accomplice ollie north’s felony, etc., dumbya bush’s war crimes, war on a lie, wall street’s rampant and protected fraud, war profiteering, the clinton scandalous, etc., years. All three branches of the u.s. government are hopelessly and pervasively corrupt. (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) . But, let us also grudgingly admit that any accusation of corruption in american government is at least on its face, true; because, it really is true despite the concomitant reality of the ‘pot calling the kettle black’ scenario. ] Milbank: The new GOP majority and its leader, Eric Cantor, are acting a lot like the Dems they beat.

Short-Term, High-Probability Mean-Reversion Indicator: Overbought Readings Continue to Increase Crowder ‘It was the best start to a year in over seven years, but I am not sure how long Monday’s gain will last, at least over the short-term.According to my High-Probability, Mean-Reversion overbought/oversold indicator, most of the ETFs I follow have pushed into a short-term “overbought” to “very overbought” state. As I have stated ad nauseum, when this many ETFs hit a short-term extreme the market typically takes a short-term reprieve (1-3 days).The XLB position that is currently held in the High-Probability, Mean-Reversion strategy moved in the red Monday although it was only a slight move. The position, in my opinion, still looks rather well-positioned given the short-term extreme overbought state of the market and XLB.Since I placed the trade there have been some incredibly large positions taken in XLB. Someone sure thinks the Materials sector (XLB) is headed south. Check it out here.The year ended with some nice gains as the High-Probability, Mean-Reversion strategy made 9.7% gains for the month to follow up the 3.7% in November. Not bad for the first two months of the strategy. Hopefully 2011 will bring allow for more gains in the strategy.As I stated last week, going back over the last seven years, if you purchased QQQQ on the 8th trading day of January and held until the end of the month, you would have had returns of -2.3%, -3.1%, -2.3%, -2.7%, -4.1%, -1.6% and -7.7%. The median maximum gain during those trades was +0.7% compared to a median draw down of -5.3%.

Short-Term High-Probability, Mean-Reversion Indicator – as of close 1/03/10

Benchmark ETFs

* S&P 500 (SPY) – 86.5 (very overbought) / RSI (2) – 96.5
* Dow Jones (DIA) –79.5 (overbought)
* Russell 2000 (IWM) – 71.4 (overbought)
* NASDAQ 100 (QQQQ) – 74.5 (overbought)

Sector ETFs

* Biotech (IBB) – 62.5 (neutral)
* Consumer Discretionary (XLY) – 70.5 (overbought)
* Health Care (XLV) – 72.5 (overbought)
* Financial (XLF) – 84.2 (very overbought)
* Energy (XLE) – 89.5 (very overbought) / RSI (2) – 98.8
* Gold Miners (GDX) – 48.5 (neutral)
* Industrial (XLI) – 80.1 (very overbought)
* Materials (XLB) – 91.4 (very overbought) / RSI (2) – 95.7
* Real Estate (IYR) – 85.8 (very overbought) / RSI (2) – 96.0
* Retail (RTH) – 76.2 (overbought)
* Semiconductor (SMH) – 61.8 (neutral)
* United States Oil Fund (USO) – 64.1 (neutral)
* Utilities (XLU) – 68.3 (neutral)

International ETFs

* Brazil (EWZ) – 82.0 (very overbought) / RSI (2) – 98.7
* China 25 (FXI) – 72.2 (overbought)
* EAFE (EFA) – 77.4 (overbought)
* South Korea (EWY) – 91.9 (very overbought) / RSI (2) – 99.1

Commodity ETFs

* Gold (GLD) – 64.9 (neutral)

Ultra Extremes

* Small Cap Bear 3x (TZA) – 24.6 (oversold)
* Small-Cap Bull 3x (TNA) – 74.1 (overbought)
* UltraLong QQQQ (QLD) – 75.4 (overbought)
* Ultra Long S&P 500 (SSO) – 90.2 (very overbought)
* Ultra Short S&P 500 (SDS) – 10.7 (very oversold)
* UltraShort 20+ Treasury (TBT) – 43.5 (neutral)

Disclosure: I am short XLB.’

China Stocks’ Best Forecaster Predicts Further Slump in 2011

What it took to get the defense spending bill passed (Washington Post) [ Given the defacto bankrupt status of the nation, I’d say, like the unprecedented and insurmountably great national debt, unprecedented and insurmountably great stupidity. Drudgereport: NATIONAL DEBT TOPS $14 TRILL

Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’

Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘
]

Israeli troops kill Palestinian man at checkpoint in West Bank (Washington Post) [ Could you imagine if it was a jew who was killed. Beyond the stereotype which is easily envisioned, you’d never hear the end of it. But israel sees no need to adhere to laws governing the civilized throughout the world, from illegal nukes, to u.n resolutions (ie., 343, 338, etc), international law, etc., and hence, the strife we see in the region and throughout the world. ]

U.S.-built infrastructure is deteriorating (Washington Post) [ At first glance, I thought this article was miscategorized as a national story in the World section. Indeed, there’s no denying the truth of the title as america generally, domestically. Yet, the tragedy is that the tainted, destructive, self-defeating wars for america have been a boon for war profiteers, frauds of all stripes, when this defacto bankrupt america is sorely in need of repair, replacement of its own shoddy, aging infrastructure suffering from the domestic equivalent of similar scams, kickbacks, shoddy workmanship and all. After all, it got to the point that they didn’t even go through the motions / façade and actually flew $12 billion in hundred dollar bills into Iraq which to this day is unaccounted for / unprosecuted … like the wall street frauds, since the worthless toxic paper cashed out by wall street is still out there in the trillions now marked to anything. ] Roads, canals and schools built in Afghanistan as part of a special U.S. military program are crumbling under Afghan stewardship, despite new steps imposed over the past year to ensure reconstruction money is not being wasted, according to government reports.

Bank of America settles loan dispute with Fannie, Freddie (Washington Post) [ Guess they’re just looking for some year end bonus money (maybe not, depending on the controls, if any, if enforced – they weren’t last year). After all, though I believe the wall street frauds have been cashing out, albeit somewhat surreptitiously by way of QEs 1,2, etc., and for ever more worthless over-printed fiat dollars, that ‘toxic’ worthless paper is still out there in the many trillions marked to anything. Indeed, Davidowitz adds that with record numbers of americans on food stamps, real unemployment at 17+, wall street is giving out record bonuses from their accomplished fraud (with no-recession b.s. bernanke help) of $144 BILLION …] Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have accepted $2.8 billion from Bank of America to largely put to rest claims that the bank sold them faulty loans.

Incoming House GOP chairmen have a long list of issues to investigate (Washington Post) [ Yeah … Sounds like a plan! … One that requires backtracking at least to dumbya bush days and war based on a lie with wobama taking up where dumbya bush left off; viz, that perpetual war thing though the nation’s defacto bankrupt. Then there’s the still no pros for the largest and most massive securities fraud in the history of the world with consequences still extant to the tune of trillions in toxic / worthless paper now marked to anything they so choose as per legislative mandate via FASB rule change (bush’s and surprising to some wobama’s base) . A full plate, there is no doubt. But, butt, just posturing, politicking, don’t look for anything of consequence though there’s plenty there. Then there’s zionist peter king of the national sinkhole new york ( / new jersey- Bankrupt Government Has Plans For Your Unused Gift Cards. [Mob invested, (and like america, generally) pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless and defacto bankrupt toxic, disgusting jersey is just doing what they’ve done for at least decades … no surprise here. (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ] Jason Douglass ‘…Saving up this years gift cards to make a large purchase? You better use them up fast because state governments like New Jersey think they have a better use for that money. In an attempt to save themselves from obvious mismanagement, state authorities have begun steps to confiscate the balance left on your unused gift cards. Arguably, gift cards are one of the biggest scams going. Most consumers have been exposed to gift card’s eccentricities and know how impossible it is to use all the money on the card. Then, once the transaction is complete, it is twice as difficult to get the remainder of the balance left on the card in cash. Now our public officials want to get in on the scam.Large amounts of unused cash are locked away in these effective little marketing devices and New Jersey thinks they have a right to seize that money from you. In fact, they’ve already taken the steps to do just that…’ ]

Is This a Major Market Top? [ Truth be told, there was a time when I read Barron’s with great regularity (no more). I never missed Alan Abelson’s incisively sharp wit and the market laboratory, the latter being supplanted by readily accessible numerical data on the web. I also don’t recall Alan Abelson ever being wrong and I don’t think he’s wrong here, particularly when you consider the costs, fraud, and insanity underlying this manipulated and inflated stock market which bubble is at best a (contrived) bull cycle in a secular bear market. ] Roche ‘With economic recovery still in doubt and sentiment readings at their highest levels since the S&P 500 topped in 2007, some market prognosticators find the latest surge in stocks to have been irrational. There is now a near universal belief that stocks have but one direction to go and that has some investors feeling uneasy. This weekend’s Barron's showed the diametrically opposing views as two of their leading columnists (Alan Abelson and Mike Santoli) discussed why they believe this is a major market top (or not).

Abelson refers to a certain veteran market technician (whom he doesn’t identify):

And he shares our concern about the epidemic of optimism that has gripped the Street, manifest in any number of wildly bullish forecasts for the market in 2011. It is the kind of explosive optimism that is usually witnessed, he says more in wonder than rue, at market tops, either temporary or something worse.

He doesn’t buy the argument that the huge stash of cash supposedly sitting on the sidelines is a guarantee of a steady source of fuel for the equity rally. Rather, he calls that hefty pile of cash, which is being augmented by a fresh infusion from fixed-income investors now that bonds are getting clocked, “scared money.” It belongs, he elaborates, to folks who all this time have been leery of committing their dough to stocks but, thanks to December’s quantum leap in share prices, have grown increasingly fearful of missing the next leg up, and are itching to put all that scratch to work.

That such nervous-newbie equity buyers will stay the course and step up their buying after the initial, inevitable correction is hardly a given. Our bet is that they would jackrabbit out at the first hint of trouble.

The peerless technician is also bothered by the leadership of the end-of-the-year rally. More specifically, the shares of commodity-related companies are in the vanguard of the advance at a time when China, the big global buyer of virtually every commodity known to man, is striving to rein in inflation. It is no accident, he suggests, that Chinese stock markets have been lagging, and he feels they may prove a pretty good precursor for our own dear market.

In sum, he sees stocks making at least a temporary top early in the new year. It’s hard to say, he readily admits, just how bad or enduring a setback equities will suffer. But obviously, he’s talking something more substantial than a flickering decline or a tiny crack.

Santoli’s case against a major market top has been more commonly discussed:

The reasons the bulls are bullish are also pretty universally agreed upon. The industrial economy has gathered some momentum, the emerging markets are surging, companies are flush, profits look set to rise decently again, the Federal Reserve is seeking new ways to penalize risk aversion, taxes won’t go up and the market tends to do well in the year after a midterm election.

And we can add to the list the likelihood that another financial-engineering cycle is just getting into gear, so expect lots of equity-friendly refinancings by stretched companies, re-leveraging by cash-rich ones and buyouts hither and yon.

The thing is, it’s all pretty much true. And because of that, and given that stock valuations are not excessive, it’s tough to think a likely pullback or worse would signal some major top.

Indeed, the happy feeling and the recent climb in margin borrowing and drop in short interest, by one way of looking at them, simply show that what has been a bull market for the better part of two years is finally being viewed as one. The last time we had such a run of investor optimism, indeed, was late 2004, before a calm but not terribly exuberant year.

The risk, then, is more about the near term, about expectations of ease meeting some unforeseen complication early this year, and that what’s likely to be a firm fundamental and technical case for riskier financial assets in 2011 has, to a fair degree, been priced in by the market lift of late 2010.

Interestingly, both appear to agree that the major risk is in the near-term. Santoli, however, clearly believes any sell-off will prove to be a buying opportunity. Abelson tends to still be in the bear market camp. Major market top or a prelude to a continuation of the bull market? Only time will tell.

Source: Barron's’

Gerald Celente: What’s in store for 2011 RT | “Were going to see more and more cyber attacks, just like we saw with WikiLeaks,” explained Celente.‘What’s in store for the world in 2011? Trends forecaster Gerald Celente of the Trends Research Institute provided his insights on the year ahead. Will the people of the world wake up to a dire economic reality? Will the US dollar or the value of gold prevail? Will hardship-driven crimes be committed across the socioeconomic spectrum by legions of the on-the-edge desperate? Will the “War on Terror” morph into the “War on Crime,” where all Americans are suspects until proven innocent? Will governments try to eliminate free access to the web and literally shut down computers and websites they consider a threat to national security? Will the seeds of revolution be sown?Celente argued that all of the above will take place in some shape or form. There will be a wakeup call on the economy, a crack down on the people and a loss of liberty, and also an increase in Journalism 2.0, alternative energy and a growth in cyber war tactics. “Look what’s happening now. You name the city,” he said.“The people are getting hit on at every level.” The banks and governments are robbing the people and will continue to do so, he argued. “What they are going to do, is they are going to make up the slack by going after the little people at every level; licensing fees, parking fees, you name it, they’re going to squeeze every dollar out of the people,” Celente commented.“If you go five miles over the speed limit there’s a cop waiting for you.” Gold will run high in 2010, as the federal resave continues to dump US currency into the system gold will rise much higher, possibly even double in value over the next year. In the name of terror the government will clamp down on the people, crime will rise as dissatisfaction with the economy and government policies rise. “Big Brother will be watching!” Celente said. “We even have Wal-Marts as a rat for the homeland security division to call them up and let them know if anything is untore that they should know about and they are talking now about expanding homeland terrorist security in hotels and shopping malls.” The US government will be watching every move every person makes. “They are going to clamp down more and more as people continue to complain more and more about the injustices that are happening, particularly on the economic front,” he explained. “When people lose everything, and they have nothing left to lose, they lose it! As people keep losing it, the government will crack down even tighter.” Looking forward, cyber warfare will grow further, becoming a new type of warfare for the 21st century. Those in cyber industry have a strong future, he added.“Were going to see more and more cyber attacks, just like we saw with WikiLeaks,” explained Celente. “We’re going to see worldwide cyber crime. In the end, the world will end in 2011,” said Celente, but what that means exactly he wouldn’t say.’

Bankrupt Government Has Plans For Your Unused Gift Cards. [Mob invested, (and like america, generally) pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless and defacto bankrupt toxic, disgusting jersey is just doing what they’ve done for at least decades … no surprise here. (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ] Jason Douglass ‘…Saving up this years gift cards to make a large purchase? You better use them up fast because state governments like New Jersey think they have a better use for that money. In an attempt to save themselves from obvious mismanagement, state authorities have begun steps to confiscate the balance left on your unused gift cards. Arguably, gift cards are one of the biggest scams going. Most consumers have been exposed to gift card’s eccentricities and know how impossible it is to use all the money on the card. Then, once the transaction is complete, it is twice as difficult to get the remainder of the balance left on the card in cash. Now our public officials want to get in on the scam.Large amounts of unused cash are locked away in these effective little marketing devices and New Jersey thinks they have a right to seize that money from you. In fact, they’ve already taken the steps to do just that…’

Tipping Point: 25 Signs That The Coming Financial Collapse Is Now Closer Then Ever The financial collapse that so many of us have been anticipating is seemingly closer then ever. Over the past several weeks, there have been a host of ominous signs for the U.S. economy… ] Decision could make it easier for the bailed-out lender to launch an IPO and repay its government debt.

Pakistan's top general vexes U.S. plans (Washington Post) [ Geeh! How dare that PAKISTAN General not jump on the war criminal american crazy train by putting the interests of his nation ahead of u.s. contrived interests and preventing Pakistan from being turned into a toxic wasteland, killing fields, etc., as in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc.. ] Despite intense efforts, officials fail to persuade Gen. Ashfaq Kayani to undertake the administration's strategy of eliminating Taliban havens inside Pakistan.

Economic forecasters see growth in 2011 (Washington Post) [ Kind of like that prescient economic forecast of ‘no recession’ preceding this continuing financial / economic debacle of a magnitude exceeding that of the great depression from our ‘economist in chief’ helicopter ben … riiiiight! … And you can take that the insolvent bank! Stock markets weather a challenging 2010 (Washington Post) [ ‘Weather’, ‘forecasts’ … somehow those words taken together do not engender confidence. Yet, like today, there’s no shortage of that exuberance thing just as in 2007 preceding the last crash, or preceding the dot.com crash, etc., and this time will be no different and probably worse. Pay Attention to New Year Market Indicators [ The problem with these anecdotal, mechanized (and sophomoric) technical guidelines is that the frauds on wall street are well aware of them and with the current computer technology can easily program to meet them with the fraudulent hope they’ll become self-fulfilling. I disagree with the ‘everything coming up roses, green shoots and all’ scenarios being painted in typical self-interested fashion and hardly objective. Even near perma-bull John Augustine (speaking with Motek) looks for at a minimum, if things go well for the economy (not at all likely and no can do with real numbers / data) a 3-5% pullback / correction near term. Keep in mind all stock prices have been inflated by amounts exceeding the gains, viz., 13-17% by the debased dollar which of course is reflected in huge price increases for commodities across the board which will impact margins or consumption or both going forward. ] Plessis ‘If Santa has not yet made his way to your investment portfolio, don’t despair. According to Jeffrey Hirsch (Stock Trader’s Almanac), the “Santa Claus Rally” normally occurs during the last five trading days of a year and the ensuing first two trading sessions of the new year. During this seven-day period stocks historically tend to advance (by 1.5% on average since 1950), but when recording a loss, they frequently trade much lower in the new year.With four of the seven sessions behind us there has been little in it, with the S&P 500 Index marginally up by 0.09% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.03%.Another old stock market saw tells us the first five trading days of January sets the course for January (known as the “First Five Days Early Warning System”), and if the month of January is higher, there is a good chance the year will end higher, i.e. the so-called “January Barometer”. Every down January since 1950 has been followed by a new or continuing bear market or a flat year. “As January goes, so goes the year,” said Hirsch.Lastly, according to Hirsch, the “December Low Indicator" says that should the Dow Jones Industrial Index close below its December low anytime during the first quarter, it is frequently an excellent warning sign of lower levels ahead. The numbers to watch are those recorded on December 1: 1,206.07 for the S&P 500 Index and 11,255.78 for the Dow Industrial Average.The American benchmark indices will have to crash today in order to make 2010 a down year. Early indications therefore point to the January Barometer (with January having been a down month) this year failing investors. Looking ahead to 2011, time will tell whether the year-end/new-year indicators play out according to the historical pattern. Meanwhile, we’ll have some fun tracking how it pans out.’ ] In a year of political upheaval, fiscal crisis in Europe and the threat of a double-dip recession in the United States, the stock market weathered all challenges, plodding upward. Economic forecasters see growth in 2011

Private markets make up the core of Obamanomics (Washington Post) [ I doubt there is a core at all … nothin’ there … spend more than you take in … just smoke and mirrors … more bush*t … you know, froth the markets, fraud be damned but welcomed / protected … and, as before, this will end quite badly! But regarding the now ‘Klein Controversy’, the following: Wash Post Staffer: Constitution Impossible to Understand Because It’s Over 100 Years Old [ In a meaningfully lawless society as pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, constitution / laws have become irrelevant in application and effect. After all, even zimbabwe has a constitution / laws, but I dare say no one would suggest they have any practical effect in reality, as is also so in america. I therefore believe Mr. Klein is correct but for reasons other than age and malleability. Indeed, anyone who has written a legal brief and researched law in support thereof, ultimately realizes that almost invariably one can find some case / law in support of almost any position. In america today, it’s the bribe, one way or another, that carries the day and makes the difference. Ask sam alito et als. That’s just the way it is in a declining, fallen society as america, zimbawe, etc.. That’s certainly my direct, sworn experience with these corrupt courts constituting (in large part along with the other 3 branches) pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s illegal system. Senate convicts Clinton-appointed judge... [ Come on! One way or another they’re almost all getting bribed; including the initial lifetime appointment as alito, trump-barry, etc.. Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) End those lifetime licenses to steal. ] In earlier hearings, two attorneys who once worked with Porteous had testified that they gave him thousands of dollars in cash, including about $2,000 stuffed in an envelope in 1999, just before Porteous decided a major civil case in their client's favor. ] Breitbart | On word that the House will open its next session with a first-ever reading of the U.S. Constitution, blogger Ezra Klein suggests that the Constitution is irrelevant due to its age and politically-malleable language. ]Eight key economic decisions of the Obama presidency all point in one direction.

Pay Attention to New Year Market Indicators [ The problem with these anecdotal, mechanized (and sophomoric) technical guidelines is that the frauds on wall street are well aware of them and with the current computer technology can easily program to meet them with the fraudulent hope they’ll become self-fulfilling. I disagree with the ‘everything coming up roses, green shoots and all’ scenarios being painted in typical self-interested fashion and hardly objective. Even near perma-bull John Augustine (speaking with Motek) looks for at a minimum, if things go well for the economy (not at all likely and no can do with real numbers / data) a 3-5% pullback / correction near term. Keep in mind all stock prices have been inflated by amounts exceeding the gains, viz., 13-17% by the debased dollar which of course is reflected in huge price increases for commodities across the board which will impact margins or consumption or both going forward. ] Plessis ‘If Santa has not yet made his way to your investment portfolio, don’t despair. According to Jeffrey Hirsch (Stock Trader’s Almanac), the “Santa Claus Rally” normally occurs during the last five trading days of a year and the ensuing first two trading sessions of the new year. During this seven-day period stocks historically tend to advance (by 1.5% on average since 1950), but when recording a loss, they frequently trade much lower in the new year.With four of the seven sessions behind us there has been little in it, with the S&P 500 Index marginally up by 0.09% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average losing 0.03%.Another old stock market saw tells us the first five trading days of January sets the course for January (known as the “First Five Days Early Warning System”), and if the month of January is higher, there is a good chance the year will end higher, i.e. the so-called “January Barometer”. Every down January since 1950 has been followed by a new or continuing bear market or a flat year. “As January goes, so goes the year,” said Hirsch.Lastly, according to Hirsch, the “December Low Indicator" says that should the Dow Jones Industrial Index close below its December low anytime during the first quarter, it is frequently an excellent warning sign of lower levels ahead. The numbers to watch are those recorded on December 1: 1,206.07 for the S&P 500 Index and 11,255.78 for the Dow Industrial Average.The American benchmark indices will have to crash today in order to make 2010 a down year. Early indications therefore point to the January Barometer (with January having been a down month) this year failing investors. Looking ahead to 2011, time will tell whether the year-end/new-year indicators play out according to the historical pattern. Meanwhile, we’ll have some fun tracking how it pans out.’

Happy New Year! Here Are The Final Numbers For 2010 White, On Friday December 31, 2010

‘Indices mixed today, but not for the year. Stocks weren't the real winner, however, with commodity prices booming.

First, today's scoreboard:

• DOW up 0.08%
• S&P 500 down flat
• NASDAQ down 0.38%

Now, the final scoreboard for 2010:

Equities:

• 2010 DOW up 10.94%
• 2010 S&P 500 up 12.72%
• 2010 NASDAQ up 16.9%

Check out the best and worst performing global equity indices in 2010 >

Commodities:

• 2010 Gold up 30%
• 2010 Copper up 33%
• 2010 Oil up 15%

Check out Societe Generale's guide to commodities in 2011 >

Bonds:

Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Global Broad Market Index rose 4.7% this year.

• 2010 Year end 5-year treasury yield 2.00%
• 2010 Year end 10-year treasury yield 3.28%
• 2010 Year end 30-year treasury yield 4.33% …’

Drudgereport: Medicare Bound to Bust 'by 2017' as First Boomers Hit 65...
POLL: Only 21% Want FCC to Regulate Internet...
Fear of Political Agenda...
Next Year's Wars: 16 brewing conflicts to watch...
VIDEO: Oil Could Push to $110...
Berlin sees most snow in December since 1900s...
White House Plans to Push 'Global Warming' Policy, GOP Vows Fight...
FLASHBACK: Gore Reports Snow and Ice Across World Vanishing Quickly...
Top China blogger forced to shut down magazine...
Non-US banks gain from Fed crisis fund; Half of emergency credit facility cash went to foreign institutions...
Backlash...
THE MAN WHO TOOK ON BIG SIS... Pilot angered TSA with video... ‘…News10 established a relationship with the Liu family last July after their rental home in Sacramento's Oak Park was destroyed by an arsonist. Four firefighters were injured when the house exploded…’
Oil rises near $92...
Ex-SHELL president sees $5 gas in year...
MATTHEWS: Why Doesn't Obama Just Release The Birth Certificate?
NYT: Bundle Up, It's Global Warming...
Obama Reading List: Book on Reagan... [ Reagan would absolutely detest, hate (yes, Reagan could hate ) wobama and did detest, hate people like failed president like no other in history, wobama]
Duma Disses Obama, delays START vote...
Assange fears death in a US jail...
OPEC Members 'Target $100'...
China, following pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt american example, bars political dissident access to lawyers...
Indefinite detention possible for suspects at Guantanamo Bay...
DARK SIDE OF SIS: AGENTS RAID HOME OF PILOT CRITICAL OF TSA...
Posted Video Exposing Airport Security Flaws...
PUNISHED...
DEFICIT HITS RECORD...
MINORITY REPORT: Spielberg advising on rebranding Dems... [ Come on! You can’t unring the bell on the damage they’ve done by particularly doing the opposite of what they said, from perpetual war, to no prosecutions of the wall street frauds now marked to anything as per criminal courtesy via FASB rule change, etc.. They b*** s*** like their mascot, ‘wobama the b’ (for b*** s***); not that the republicans are substantially different … they’re incompetent, corrupt, etc... They’ve embraced the ‘history of decline and fall of nation-states’. ]
TODAY: Obama pledges 'singular focus' on economy...
ONE YEAR AGO: 'Obama to focus hard on economy'...
TWO YEARS AGO: Obama to put 'renewed focus' on economy...
US press should fear being targeted: Assange...
BLOWOUT: Government liabilities rose $2 trillion for year...
PEOPLE: 308,745,538
DEBT: $13,868,461,000,000
STATE OF THE NATION: Census shows slowing US growth...
GOP-leaning states pick up seats in Congress...
NY, OH, IL, MA, NJ and PA lose seats...
FCC Gives Government Power to Regulate Web...
Agency splits along party lines...
DeMint vows to reverse 'Internet takeover'...
AP: TOP 10 STORIES OF 2010...
MOODY'S May Cut US Rating on Tax Package...
New spending bill totals $1.1 TRILLION!
Congress Job Approval Rating Worst in GALLUP History...
FLASHBACK: Obama Promised 5-Day, Public Review of Bills Before Signing; Signs Tax Bill Within Hours of House Vote...
13 million get unexpected tax bill from 'tax credit'?
Pelosi skips vote on tax bill, then shuns signing ceremony...
House votes to extend gov't funding -- through Tuesday...
OBAMA FALLS TO 40% APPROVE IN FOXNEWS POLL...
The FCC's Threat to Internet Freedom...
Dems play politics with 'net neutrality' vote...
'Sweeping new rules'...
REGULATE...
SHUT: Music Web Sites Dispute Legality of Their Closing...
UK ministers threaten: Censor web, or we will legislate 'to protect children'...
Plan to block all online porn...
Hugo Chavez defends plan for web regulations...
Venezuela tightens Internet regulation...

THEY'RE COMING FOR THE INTERNET!
JULIUS SEIZURE

$2 trillion debt crisis threatens to bring down 100 US cities...
States face $140 billion in budget shortfalls...
32 states borrow billions from feds to cover unemployment benefits...
Friedman: America the Stupid...

French AAA Grade at Risk as Downgrades Sweep Europe...

Oil Heads Toward $100...
Chavez defends plan for Internet regulations...
UK ministers threaten: Censor web, or we will legislate 'to protect children'...
The FCC's Threat to Internet Freedom...
Dems play politics with 'net neutrality' vote...
'Sweeping new rules for the Internet'...
SKorea detains Chinese fishermen...
Security Council meets on tensions...
North Threatens More Attacks...
... says war would go nuclear
China warns of escalating arms race...

'Don't ask' repeal moves toward law...
DREAM OVER: Senate Blocks Bill for Illegal Immigrants...
Budget Brawl Looms in Congress...

Michelle wears $2,500 purchased dress to Christmas concert...
Senate Plans Weekend Votes on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' Amnesty Bill...
Senator: Gay ban tied to Russia treaty...
UN PLANS INTERNET REGULATION [ Those who can’t do … work at the u.n., in the u.s.; after all, for the first time in human history, the internet has for the most part enabled an unfettered look at the truth and truthful reasons for the unequivocally sad state of the world. That a supposed world body should support and potentially facilitate the encroachment upon such global communication is reason enough to dismantle such an already discredited body which arbitrarily seeks enforcement of some ‘resolutions’ as to some but not others ( ie., israel, u.n. resolutions 242, 338, etc., israeli and american war crimes, etc..) Raison d’tre … I don’t think so! Quite the contrary! ]
Regulators close banks in GA, FL, AR, MN... [ Regulators shutter 3 small banks in Ga., 1 each in Fla., Ark., Minn.; 157 banks closed in 2010 ]
Payrolls Drop in 28 States, Joblessness Rises in 21...
Nevada rate to 14.3%...
Rhode Island City Nears Bankruptcy...
Ireland Debt Downgrade...
IMF chief worried about Europe domino effect...
Senate clerks preparing to read 1,924-page spending bill on floor -- for 50 hours!...
Senator: 'There's No Way' To Read Entire Bill Before Vote...
KERRY: 'Why Would We Have To Read Something?'
McConnell offers 1-page resolution in place of 1,924-page spending bill...
SHOWDOWN: Gingrich Urges Fillibuster...
Biden To GOP Opposition: 'Get Out Of The Way'...
Reid: Earmarks are 'what we're supposed to do'...
Ban on Gitmo transfers vanishes...
Omnibus bill loaded with goodies for abortion industry...
PRIORITIES: House approves bill to make hybrids louder...
23% Say USA Heading in Right Direction, Lowest Since Obama Took Office...
POLL: Just 29% think Obama will be re-elected...
Is America the sick man of the globe?
BUCHANAN: Is this our America anymore?
UK Red Cross Bans Christmas to Avoid Offending Muslims...
SALVATION ARMY bell ringer caught stealing from kettle...
Deputies suspended after getting into brawl at party...
2 women charged with robbing 74-year-old...
Hundreds of gifts for kids stolen from 'Toys for Tots'...
Thousands of dollars in donated toys ruined after skunk attack...
Grocery prices grow by 1.5 times inflation rate...

Socialist president plays host to capitalism...
REPORT: Obama told lawmakers not passing tax deal could end presidency...
A $48 billion earmark...
PAPER: Year of bullying, bluff and bailouts leaves euro fighting for its life...
Reeling from riots, Italy faces uncertainty...
Greek anti-austerity strike turns violent...
VIDEO...
MORE UNREST: 2011...
$575 million PER PAGE...
6,488 earmarks...
McConnell fumes: 'No one has seen it'...
Reid threatens to keep Congress into next year...
Intelligence Reports Offer Dim Views of Afghan War...
HOLBROOKE LAST WORDS: STOP THIS WAR!

UPDATE: RUSSIA TO USE CHINA CURRENCY IN TRADES...
UK GRANTS ASSANGE BAIL; SWEDEN APPEALS...
Release delayed...
Lawyer: Secret Grand Jury Meeting Outside Washington on Leak...
CHRISTMAS CRIMES: Drive-By Purse Snatcher Terrorizing Women In NJ...
2 women charged with robbing 74-year-old...
Hundreds of gifts for kids stolen from 'Toys for Tots'...
Thousands of dollars in donated toys ruined after skunk attack...
Copper thieves burn down city's Christmas tree...
Burglar steals family's gifts -- and its dog!
Grave robbers steal 400 urns from cemetery...
'Grinch' Steals Packages Off Doorsteps, Signs For Deliveries...
Home Invaders Tie Up 12-Year-Old Boy, Take Video Games...
90-Year-Old Man Put In Choke-Hold, Robbed Of $370...
'Tea Party' anger simmers over backroom deal; Ramps up efforts...
2 Bank Failures Bring Year's Tally To 151...
COPS: Madoff's son hangs himself with dog collar in SoHo apartment...
...gave mechanic $400 tip day before suicide
Madoff Trustee Launches $19.6 Billion Lawsuit; 60 accused of participating in 'illegal scheme'...
Pump prices close in on average $3 a gallon...
FLASHBACK: $1.81 when Obama took office...
BLOW TO O: JUDGE RULES GOV'T CAN'T MANDATE CITIZENS BUY HEALTH CARE...
Cantor: Direct Appeal to Supremes...
POLL: Support For Obamacare Hits New Low...
Pelosi: 'Are You Serious?'
Obama: 'I'm itching for a fight'...
U N C O N S T I T U T I O N A L
Barbara Walters: 'This Guy (wobama) Has an Emotional Problem' [ Yes, it’s true, babawawa … wobama has substantial mental problems which along with inherent criminality are pervasive in america which also includes boner, and where were you in discussing such, babawawa regarding psychopaths bush, clinton, etc., or even former beau, senile greenspun ]...
DEFICIT HITS RECORD...
Putin Slams West for Assange Arrest...
US cable: Cuba to be insolvent within 2-3 years...
Assange Lawyers Prepare for U.S. Spying Indictment...
Teen Arrested in Hack Attacks...
Donations to WIKILEAKS are Tax Deductible -- in Germany...
Anonymous cyberwarriors stun experts...
Media outlets may be probed over WikiLeaks stories, joe ‘zelig zionist incompetent and corrupt‘ lieberman in Campaign To Trample The First Amendment claims Can the US government prosecute media outlets that reported on the WikiLeaks cables? According to joe ‘zelig zionist incompetent and corrupt‘ lieberman in his Campaign To Trample The First Amendment, the answer is maybe.
Home Values May Drop by $1.7 Trillion This Year...
UNEMPLOYMENT WEEK: DOWN TO 421,000; REVISED UP LAST WEEK 438,000...
POLL: Most Americans Say They’re Worse Off Under Obama...
F O [Related: Olbermann:  Obama Is ‘God Damned Wrong’ ]
REVENGE OF THE WIKIS!
Army of hackers targets the Swedish government...
Take down MASTERCARD site...
...VISA
PAYPAL...
AMAZON braces for hactivist attack...
Palin under cyber attack...
Assange's 'poison pill' file impossible to stop...
MOSCOW: Give Assange Nobel Peace Prize...
SENATE REJECTS REPEAL OF DON'T ASK DON'T TELL...
House Dems push through massive budget bill...
Final House Race Decided; GOP Net Gain: 63 Seats...
Ron Paul, Author of 'End the Fed,' to Lead Fed Oversight Panel...
Student protesters in London turn violent over tuition hikes...
Thousands try to break through police barricades at Houses of Parliament...
...attack car containing Prince Charles, Camilla...
Rolls Royce hit with paint; rear window smashed...
US Treasuries hit by biggest sell-off since LEHMAN...
Prices Plunge for 2nd Day on Deficit Fears...
Rattles investors...
Oil tipped to bubble over $100 barrel...
Food Stamp Rolls Continue to Rise...
SHOCK POLL: Americans Believe China Has Surpassed USA in Economic Strength...
'U.S. fiscal health worse than Europe's'...
Sorkin: Palin TV show is 'snuff movie'... [ Yeah … ‘she’s really all that’ and worse … I have great difficulty getting past the fact that she’s so incredibly dumb … not just ‘nonintellectual’ … butt really dumb! ] ‘… Sorkin, writer of the recent Facebook movie The Social Network, also accused the Fox News contributor of making a "snuff film" after the latest episode of Sarah's Palin's Alaska featured the politician going hunting with her father and shooting a caribou. He described Palin as "deranged", a "witless bully" and a "phony pioneer girl". He also said The Learning Channel, the US cable network, "should be ashamed of itself" for broadcasting her "truly awful reality show"…’
Senate convicts Clinton-appointed judge... [ Come on! One way or another they’re almost all getting bribed; including the initial lifetime appointment as alito, trump-barry, etc.. Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) End those lifetime licenses to steel. ] In earlier hearings, two attorneys who once worked with Porteous had testified that they gave him thousands of dollars in cash, including about $2,000 stuffed in an envelope in 1999, just before Porteous decided a major civil case in their client's favor.
Assange could face espionage trial in USA...
Palin under cyber attack...
1st Amendment issues...
Assange's 'poison pill' file impossible to stop...
WIKILEAKS: Stop Us? You'll Have to Shut Down Web...
Berkeley 'resolution' honoring leaker...
Scientologists outraged over spoof Christmas play... [ Hubbard was such a total fraud! Scientologists are delusional! ]St. Petersburg, Florida – ‘A controversial holiday musical production is set to open at American Stage Theatre in St. Petersburg. Photos: Pictures of A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant "A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant" is a musical play designed for the holiday season, but this play will not focus on Jesus Christ, but instead the story is about L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the church Of Scientology…’ 
NO BAIL...
Assange 'sabotaged condom' during one night stand...
Refused to wear one during another...
Stockholm police: Both women are victims...
INTERPOL WARRANT FOR NOT WEARING PROTECTION?
ASSANGE UNDER ARREST:
'HE DIDN'T WEAR A CONDOM'
Under arrest, will Assange dump the Doomsday Files?
Assange: Don't shoot messenger for revealing uncomfortable truths...
FLASHBACK: HILLARY COMPLAINS GOVERNMENTS BLOCK FREE FLOW OF INFO ON INTERNET...
WIKILEAKS: LIVE UPDATES...
FCC push to regulate news draws fire...
Lieberman: NYT may have committed crime by printing WIKILEAKS docs...
US to Host World Press Freedom Day in 2011 … [ What a total travesty! The u.s. as host … What a cruel joke! ] ...
OBAMA RACES TO CUT TAXES BEFORE REPUBLICANS: 6.2% Social Security tax would drop to 4.2% for workers for one year... MORE
THE NEW OBAMA!
SURPRISE TAX CUT MOVE [ As with defacto bankrupt america generally, more defacto bankrupt social security system, etc., are distinctions without significant differences. ]
OIL HITS $89...
Pump prices hit 2-year high...
Schwarzenegger Declares Fiscal Emergency, Proposes $9.9 Billion In Cuts...
Top Democrats defect, join unified GOP...
WIKILEAKS' Assange Will Release Encrypted Files If Arrested...
Cables Reveal How US Manipulated Climate Accord...
Cable: China Leaders Ordered Hacking on GOOGLE...
Meddling by Neighbors Adds to Iraq's Woes...
Government Workers Ordered Not to Read Cables...
Gingrich: Leaks Show Admin 'Shallow,' 'Amateurish'...
McConnell: Assange a 'High-Tech Terrorist'...
List of facilities 'vital to US security' leaked...
Mirror Sites Appear by the Hundreds...
Assange Speaks...
Hillary Jokes...
US forced to shake up embassies around world...
THE DOOMSDAY FILES
PAPER: Wave goodbye to Internet freedom...
[ I’m absolutely astounded that the world is not profoundly grateful to Assange et als for providing insight into the machinations and insanity of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, et als who wreaked havoc on the world as they pillage, plunder, and destroy (lives, nations, etc.). ]
+39,000 JOBS IN NOVEMBER...
BOEHNER: Dem Leaders Should Stop Wasting Time on Tax Hike Votes...
HALPERIN: Dems 'In Midst of Nervous Breakdown'...
Obama Makes Surprise Trip to Afghanistan...
Flies 7,000 miles -- talks to Karzai for 15 minutes on phone!
Forgets the Coast Guard...
Leaves Biden behind to handle 'disappointing' jobs report...
Reid, funded by casinos, pushes online gambling...
ABCNEWS accused of breaking embargo...
2010 death toll of US troops nears that of 2001-2008 combined...
OBAMA SPEECHWRITER JOKES ABOUT TSA GROPING: Allows 'defrocked priests to give back to society'...
US Deficit-Cutting Plan Falls Short of Needed Votes...
UNEMPLOYMENT UP TO 9.8%
HILLARY: Secretary of State will be 'my last public position'... ... PITCHE$ $IGNED DVD ON HOME $HOPPING NETWORK..
US TO BAILOUT EU [ Riiiiight! Sounds like a plan! After all, in defacto bankrupt america money does grow on trees … derivatively (pun intended) that is … you know … that ever more worthless fiat paper currency … and ultimately, existentially, philosophically, doesn’t paper come from trees … sure it does …so, no problemo since money grows on trees. ]
BOMBSHELL: European banks took big slice of Fed aid...
Hundreds of billions of dollars...
Fed reveals global extent of its backing... ]Funds went to stalwarts of American industry including GE and Caterpillar and household-name companies such as Verizon, new data show.
GEORGIA: HUNDREDS LINE UP IN COLD FOR HEAT HELP...
Assistance Funds Quickly Depleted...
'Almost like being in soup line during great depression'...
VIDEO...
DELAYING TAX VOTE COULD 'CRASH STOCK MARKET' STARTING 12/15 [ Come on! There’s no way to justify the tax cut to the top 1% including the frauds on wall street … their threats don’t hunt no more … the nation’s defacto bankrupt … see Davis, supra! ]
Chase Bank orders branch to remove Christmas tree...
Cyber attack forces WIKILEAKS to change web address...
Respected media outlets collaborate with organization... [ Said outlets and other disseminators and of course Wikileaks deserve accolades for the advancement of first amendment liberties in the name of an informed global body politick for all.]
UPDATE: Latest developments...
Foreign contractors hired Afghan 'dancing boys'...
Embassy cables portray Karzai as corrupt, erratic...
CIA drew up UN spying wishlist...
Assange speaks...
UPDATE: Latest WIKILEAKS developments...
Foreign contractors hired Afghan 'dancing boys'...
Embassy cables portray Karzai as corrupt, erratic...
CIA drew up UN spying wishlist...
SANTA CLAUSE: FED AID WENT TO COMPANIES, BANKS, OFFSHORE...
SECRETLY BAILED OUT GE -- GE NEWS OUTLETS FAILED TO REVEAL IN FED COVERAGE...
SANTA CLAUSE: FORD, BMW, TOYOTA Took Secret Government Money......
Fed Created Conflicts in Improvising Financial System Rescue...
Tax Breaks for Bailout Recipients Spark Debate...
MORE SECRETS: Fed Withholds Data for $885 Billion in Loans...
RUSSIA TO HOST '18 WORLD CUP FINALS...
Qatar selected '22 host over USA, others...
'AMERICAN PSYCHO' musical in works... [ I recommend the derivative films, American Psycho and American Psycho 2, for insight! ]
National Board of Review: SOCIAL NETWORK named best film... [ National board of what? ‘Inception’ is by far and away the ‘Best Film’ across the board, in all categories, and on the list! ] LIST...
BANK OF AMERICA Becoming 'Bank of Asia' as Revenue Increases 30% ...
RESET: PUTIN CRITICIZES USA OVER WIKILEAKS … [ Putin deserves the greatest deference in matters of global concern in light of his greater rationality; america’s self-serving accusations are merely envy and projection / displacement (in psychoanalytic terms) of america’s pervasively corrupt, criminal, broken system which is a far cry in reality from defacto bankrupt america’s propaganda.]...
REWARD: [ The payoff. Bribe complete! Next bribe scenario … ] CITI to Hire Obama's Ex-Budget Chief Orszag...
FLASHBACK: Rubin and friends ride NY-DC shuttle...
ZUCKERMAN: Watching America's Decline and Fall [the moral authority of the West has dramatically declined in the face of the financial crisis. It has revealed deep fault lines within Western economies that have spread to the global economy. The majority of Western governments are running fiscal deficits of 10 percent or more relative to GDP, but it is increasingly clear that there will be no quick fixes, that big government and fiscal deficits will not bring us back to the status quo ante. Indeed, the tidal wave of red ink has meant that the leverage-led or debt-led growth model is dead. Developed countries will be forced to deal with their debt on every level, from the personal to the corporate to the sovereign. Being able to borrow may have made people feel richer, but having to repay the debt is certainly making them feel poorer, particularly since the unfunded liabilities that many governments face from aging populations will have to be paid for by a shrinking band of workers. (Ecoutez, mes amis!) Demography is destiny. As a result, there is a burgeoning consensus that we are witnessing an inevitable rise of the East and a decline of the West…( Harry Dent, Jr.  Economy will be in a Depression by 2011
The worst of this next depression is likely to hit between mid-2010 and mid-2013, especially around early 2011, but if the banking system continues to implode a deep downturn or depression could begin sometime in 2009 instead of 2010.
Dow will Fall to 3,800 – 4,500 by 2012
Nasdaq will Fall Below 1,100, its 2002 low, by late 2010 or mid-2012 at the latest.
Inflation will Increase until mid- 2010 and then turn to Deflation
Interest Rates will Increase
U.S. Dollar will Decline
Housing will Decline by 40 – 60% from Today’s Levels
Greatest Economic and Banking Crisis since the 1930s will Occur Between 2010 and 2012). ) ]...
Interpol issues wanted notice for Julian Assange [ They just can’t take the truth! ] ...
US cuts access to files [ Think about it. Really think about it. Their policies are in the tank, along with the nation and the rest of this world as a consequence. Don’t those so detrimentally affected (everyone) have a right to know? I think in light of the global frauds, contrived perpetual wars though defacto bankruptcy of this and other nations, pervasive corruption and crime, failed policies domestically and geo-politically while serving the very parochial interests of the self-interested few, the answer is an unequivocal, YES! I believe that world history will write Mr. Assange as a hero in the truest sense. He should be given a medal; and, certainly, since mr. b*** s*** wobama undeservingly got a ‘nobel peace prize’ (what he does, not what he says, ie., Afghanistan, etc.), who more than Julian Assange is deserving of that and more? Cover-up / propaganda … thy name is fallen america.]...
WIKILECTURE: 'HILLARY SHOULD RESIGN' ‘…Hillary Clinton, Julian Assange said, "should resign." Speaking over Skype from an undisclosed location on Tuesday, the WikiLeaks founder was replying to a question by TIME managing editor Richard Stengel over the diplomatic-cable dump that Assange's organization loosed on the world this past weekend. Stengel had said the U.S. Secretary of State was looking like "the fall guy" in the ensuing controversy, and had asked whether her firing or resignation was an outcome that Assange wanted. "I don't think it would make much of a difference either way," Assange said. "But she should resign if it can be shown that she was responsible for ordering U.S. diplomatic figures to engage in espionage in the United Nations, in violation of the international covenants to which the U.S. has signed up. Yes, she should resign over that."…’
CITY ON EDGE: Cash-Strapped Newark, new jersey Forced To Lay Off 14% Of Police Force... [ From decades old (1978-1985) direct personal experience with newark, n.j., the police are the absolute last cuts that can be afforded to be made. Indeed, while walking through Military Park (a sliver of a “park” - more a pedestrian thoroughfare/cement walks) in newark, new jersey on the way to the bank during lunch hour, I heard the clearly audible screams/cries of what turned out to be an old lady on the ground with blood streaming from her mouth. I ran toward the sound of the cries, the source of which I could not see because there were so many people in and about this thoroughfare so as to block any vision of the source of the cries. When I came to the woman, on the ground, blood streaming from her mouth, I asked what happened, to which she responded she had been hit in the mouth and knocked to the ground, her purse stolen/put inside her shopping bag, and she pointed out the criminal casually now walking across the main street. Nobody stopped to help her, many having passed her by. I slammed the thug to the ground so hard that, in light of all the blood and confusion (limbic system / adrenalin flow) I thought I had been stabbed (the blood was from his elbows hitting the pavement so hard - no one helped / a crowd gathered / an undercover cop happened along). When I testified at the Grand Jury Proceeding I made sure his threat on my life was set forth in prima facie fashion so as to maximize the DA’s position with both felonies ( he went to prison – pled out ). The other case I wrote about here ( This was included on my website in the Psychology forum discussion of ‘bystander effect’ / diffusion of responsibility. ) - Having had occasion to have run down a mugger in newark, n.j. who apparently had followed a girl from the bank on her way to the bursar to pay tuition, though in pretty good shape, I was astounded by how totally exhausting such a pursuit was, how much like rubber my arms were when I traded punches with the perpetrator, and truth be told, if I had a flashlight on my belt, I have little doubt that I would have probably used it to subdue the perp. The girl was not that seriously injured, did get her pocketbook and tuition back, and the criminal went to jail. The other thing about such a pursuit that amazed me was that no one else assisted the girl or me despite being in a position to do so). (Other newark / new jersey and new york, n.y. metro, viz., ie., connecticut, and of course, d.c., d.c. metro, viz., ie., virginia experience … corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz (california), hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken (AP) Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ]
Nation's '2nd Most Dangerous City' (camden, new jersey) To Lay Off Nearly Half Of Police Force...
Chicagoland: Vandals torch Christmas charity van...

Businessman gets harsh prison term (Washington Post) [ Come on! Quality of justice concerns by pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america (I’ve seen this first hand and have sworn under penalty of perjury to the readily discernible corruption in the ‘so-called judicial process’ / american illegal system; and Orwellian britain / european illegal systems little better as toadies to the criminal americans)? Don’t make me laugh? The u.s. illegal system is a cruel joke! What parallel universe / fantasy land are they living in? ] A Moscow judge's decision to impose the harshest possible penalty on Russian oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky signaled that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin intends to keep a firm grip on power and is unwilling to bend to American and European concerns about the quality of Russian justice.

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

43. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
44. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
45. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
46. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
47. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
48. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

----------

*The foregoing and as indicated therein was previously send 9-14-10 but delivery confirmation was flawed as set forth below and my inquiries to the u.s. postal service rebuffed (I believe tampered with inasmuch as your office could not locate same). This cover letter (9-13-10) is on the 3 disks with navigable hyperlinks to the subject files for ease of reference, including the files in the RICO action as indicated. (10-15-10) I spoke with Rose, FBI, ADIC Secretary, who indicates once again that your office has not received the aforesaid and which can reasonably be presumed to have been tampered with, and hence, a violation of the federal statute concerning same. ]

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Former president convicted of rape (Washington Post) [ Between the orgies, war crimes, assassinations, etc., what a bunch of sick perverts, criminals the israeli operatives / powers that be and their friends are; see, ie., Victor Ostrovsky Mossad ebook download in PDF format September: Victor Ostrovsky, a former Mossad trainee, publishes his book By Way of Deception ... Israel's Mossad has regularly faked Australian passports for its. spies, … 1 http://khup.com/keyword/victor-ostrovsky-mossad-by-way-of-deception.html 2 http://khup.com/keyword/page-2/victor-ostrovsky-mossad-by-way-of-deception.html 3 http://khup.com/keyword/page-3/victor-ostrovsky-mossad-by-way-of-deception.html ] An Israeli court finds former president Moshe Katsav guilty of rape, indecent assault and sexual harassment of female subordinates, the most serious conviction of a former top official in Israel's history

A villain in foreclosure crisis (Washington Post) [ Villain … as in singular … as opposed to plural in a very big way … I don’t think so … We can hear new words ringing and put to that once popular theme, formerly of love but now of fraud, ‘Where do we begin, to tell the story of how great and massive frauds can be, that great fraud story that spreads from sea to sea, in defacto bankrupt america and the futures taken from we … Yes, ‘Fraud Story’ … the forever american story… It’s really that bad and worse than could be imagined at this immutably intractable juncture. I mean, what isn’t fraudulent in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america today, from courts, to government, to policy, etc., ie., inter alia see infra, Senate convicts Clinton-appointed judge... [ Come on! One way or another they’re almost all getting bribed; including the initial lifetime appointment as alito, trump-barry, etc.. Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts (see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) End those lifetime licenses to steel. ] In earlier hearings, two attorneys who once worked with Porteous had testified that they gave him thousands of dollars in cash, including about $2,000 stuffed in an envelope in 1999, just before Porteous decided a major civil case in their client's favor. ] A registry with 67M mortgages on file shoulders much of blame in the uproar over the paperwork mess.

Economic forecasters see growth in 2011 (Washington Post) [ Growth indeed … in the deficits that is … and in insurmountable fashion at that … which masks / obfuscates in the short-term the weakness and structural shift in the worst economic terms imaginable while benefiting the self-interested few (ie., frauds on wall street, war profiteers, the ‘already campaigning for the next election’ pols, etc.. The trade-off is far from commensurate.

Tipping Point: 25 Signs That The Coming Financial Collapse Is Now Closer Then Ever The financial collapse that so many of us have been anticipating is seemingly closer then ever. Over the past several weeks, there have been a host of ominous signs for the U.S. economy.

The Economic Collapse
Dec 17, 2010

The financial collapse that so many of us have been anticipating is seemingly closer then ever.  Over the past several weeks, there have been a host of ominous signs for the U.S. economy.  Yields on U.S. Treasuries have moved up rapidly and Moody’s is publicly warning that it may have to cut the rating on U.S. government debt soon.  Mortgage rates are also moving up aggressively.  The euro and the U.S. dollar both look incredibly shaky.  Jobs continue to be shipped out of the United States at a blistering pace as our politicians stand by and do nothing.  Confidence in U.S. government debt around the globe continues to decline.  State and local governments that are drowning in debt across the United States are savagely cutting back on even essential social services and are coming up with increasingly “creative” ways of getting more money out of all of us.  Meanwhile, tremor after tremor continues to strike the world financial system.  So does this mean that we have almost reached a tipping point?  Is the world on the verge of a major financial collapse?

Let’s hope not, but with each passing week the financial news just seems to get eve worse.  Not only is U.S. government debt spinning wildly toward a breaking point, but many U.S. states (such as California) are in such horrific financial condition that they are beginning to resemble banana republics.

But it is not just the United States that is in trouble.  Nightmarish debt problems in Greece, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and several other European nations threaten to crash the euro at any time.  In fact, many economists are now openly debating which will collapse first – the euro or the U.S. dollar.

Sadly, this is the inevitable result of constructing a global financial system on debt.  All debt bubbles eventually collapse.  Currently we are living in the biggest debt bubble in the history of the world, and when this one bursts it is going to be a disaster of truly historic proportions.

So will we reach a tipping point soon?  Well, the following are 25 signs that the financial collapse is rapidly getting closer….

#1 The official U.S. unemployment rate has not been beneath 9 percent since April 2009.

#2 According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are currently 6.3 million vacant homes in the United States that are either for sale or for rent.

#3 It is being projected that the U.S. trade deficit with China could hit 270 billion dollars for the entire year of 2010.

#4 Back in 2000, 7.2 percent of blue collar workers were either unemployed or underemployed.  Today that figure is up to 19.5 percent.

#5 The Chinese government has accumulated approximately $2.65 trillion in total foreign exchange reserves.  They have drained this wealth from the economies of other nations (such as the United States) and instead of reinvesting all of it they are just sitting on much of it.  This is creating tremendous imbalances in the global economy.

#6 Since the year 2000, we have lost 10% of our middle class jobs.  In the year 2000 there were approximately 72 million middle class jobs in the United States but today there are only about 65 million middle class jobs.

#7 The United States now employs about the same number of people in manufacturing as it did back in 1940.  Considering the fact that we had 132 million people living in this country in 1940 and that we have well over 300 million people living in this country today, that is a very sobering statistic.

#8 According to CoreLogic, U.S. housing prices have now declined for three months in a row.

#9 The average rate on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage soared 11 basis points just this past week.  As mortgage rates continue to push higher it is going to make it even more difficult for American families to afford homes.

#10 22.5 percent of all residential mortgages in the United States were in negative equity as of the end of the third quarter of 2010.

#11 The U.S. monetary base has more than doubled since the beginning of the most recent recession.

#12 U.S. Treasury yields have been rising steadily during the 4th quarter of 2010 and recently hit a six-month high.

#13 Incoming governor Jerry Brown is scrambling to find $29 billion more to cut from the California state budget.  The following quote from Brown about the desperate condition of California state finances is not going to do much to inspire confidence in California’s financial situation around the globe….

“We’ve been living in fantasy land. It is much worse than I thought. I’m shocked.”

#14 24.3 percent of the residents of El Centro, California are currently unemployed.

#15 The average home in Merced, California has declined in value by 63 percent over the past four years.

#16 Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has come up with a new way to save money.  He wants to cut 20 percent of Detroit off from essential social services such as road repairs, police patrols, functioning street lights and garbage collection.

#17 The second most dangerous city in the United States – Camden, New Jersey – is about to lay off about half its police in a desperate attempt to save money.

#18 In 2010, 55 percent of Americans between the ages of 60 and 64 were in the labor market.  Ten years ago, that number was just 47 percent.  More older Americans than ever find that they have to keep working just to survive.

#19 Back in 1998, the United States had 25 percent of the world’s high-tech export market and China had just 10 percent. Ten years later, the United States had less than 15 percent and China’s share had soared to 20 percent.

#20 The U.S. government budget deficit increased to a whopping $150.4 billion last month, which represented the biggest November budget deficit on record.

#21 The U.S. government is somehow going to have to roll over existing debt and finance new debt that is equivalent to 27.8 percent of GDP in 2011.

#22 The United States had been the leading consumer of energy on the globe for about 100 years, but this past summer China took over the number one spot.

#23 According to an absolutely stunning new poll, 40 percent of all U.S. doctors plan to bail out of the profession over the next three years.

#24 As 2007 began, there were just over 1 million Americans that had been unemployed for half a year or longer.  Today, there are over 6 million Americans that have been unemployed for half a year or longer.

#25 All over the United States, local governments have begun instituting “police response fees”.  For example, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has come up with a plan under which a fee of $365 would be charged if police are called to respond to an automobile accident where no injuries are involved.  If there are injuries as a result of the crash that is going to cost extra.

Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’

Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘

] As 2011 begins, the U.S. is poised for its strongest year of economic growth since the recession began three years ago. Plenty of risks that could undermine the recovery remain, and it could take years of solid growth to get the nation out of its deep economic hole.

Krauthammer: How to impose a liberal agenda (Washington Post) [ I am not being sarcastic here when I say, and I believe with good reason, that liberal / conservative, republican / democrat labels, agendas, distinctions are complete fictions today in favor of the reality of total incompetence, pervasive corruption, and self-interested expedience. Indeed, with dumbya bush bush being the easiest of presidential acts to follow, wobama’s abject failure can be tied to his label-defying continuation of contraindicated self-sustaining / self-defeating war policies, profligate spending on less revenue, etc.. Even the Reagan days are besmirched by the reality of the substantial growth, not shrinkage of the government bureaucracy. The 2 bush incompetents / war criminals were blazing bureaucrats by any standard which was what made poppy bush a ‘required’ presence on the Reagan ticket (cia, government mob, etc.). The clintons no different, and of course, ‘wobama the b’ for b*** s*** at best no different and probably worse which of course, consistent with their spend more on less revenues, particularly to favor the few (ie., frauds on wall street, war profiteers, government employees and contractors, etc., is reflected in the insurmountable budget deficits and ultimately failed policies across the board. ]

Come on! Do you really believe those employment numbers? Given their desperation, at best there was a collusive one day spike of one-day duration temp hires on the last day of the month!

5 More Themes for 2011 Suttmeir ‘5 themes for 2011 (6 more are on their way):

1. Home prices will resume a decline that began in mid-2006. We had the home buyer tax credits expire in mid-2010, and government sponsored mortgage modifications provided limited help. In 2011 we face continued foreclosure issues including questionable documentation, and banks have a record high Other Real Estate Owned (OREO). OREO is up to $53.2 billion at the end of the third quarter, up 338.2% since the end of 2007. Depressed home sales are being sold at a 30% to 35% discount, which reduces property appraisals at the county level. Home builders will have to compete with these lower prices and we need a mortgage modification program for all Americans, not just those at risk of losing their homes. QE2 is not working and US Treasury yields are higher causing mortgage rates to rise. “The Great Credit Crunch” began with housing, and that foundation needs repair before Main Street can recover with sustainable job creation.

2. Community banks still have $1.43 trillion in commercial real estate loans that require resolution. The FDIC’s List of Problem Banks rose to 860 in the third quarter of 2010, which is 11.1% of all insured institutions. My analysis shows 2,485 or 32% of all banks overexposed to commercial real estate loans, and 3,938 or 50.7% of all banks with real estate loan pipelines that are 80% to 100% funded. This stress needs to be addressed before jobs can be created on Main Street USA as housing and construction drive local economies. “The Great Credit Crunch” will not end without a program to remove toxic real estate loans from the books of community banks around the country.

3. The banking system is supposed to de-lever risk, but it has not. When I look at the Notional Amount of Derivative Contracts I cringe at the fact that since the end of 2007 this risk category has grown $71.6 trillion since the end of 2007, that’s an increase of 43.5% to $236.4 trillion at the end of the third quarter in an environment where banks should be de-leveraging not adding to this risk where financial time bombs are ticking.

4. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will continue to drain taxpayer money as the Treasury provides unlimited lines of credit through 2012. The cost currently is about $150 billion, by far the largest of any government bailouts. We need to unwind the activities of these GSEs, and beef up Ginnie Mae as the go to government agency that backs new mortgage issuance.

5. Because of the housing market depression and stress in the banking system the unemployment rate will stay above 9% for all of 2011.

Tracking the US Capital Markets – US stocks are overvalued fundamentally and overbought technically on both daily and weekly charts. The snow storm causes stocks to drift lower and higher.

• The major equity averages are below this week’s risky levels as the year draws to a close at: 11,629 Dow, 1269.4 SPX, 2682 NASDAQ, 5215 Dow Transports and 808.57 Russell 2000.
• Fifteen of sixteen sectors are overvalued according to ValuEngine with only 37.9% of all stocks undervalued. At 35% the stock market tends to find a top. Only 17.4% of all stocks are undervalued by 20% or more.

Here are my remaining themes for 2011 – Six through Eleven (a continuation of 1-5)

6. QE2, the $600 billion program where the Federal Reserve buys long dated US Treasury Securities has been a failure so far. The yield on the 10-Year was 2.334 when Fed Chief Bernanke touted QE2 in October only to see the yield nearly 125 basis points higher in December. The primary intent of QE2 was to lower longer-dated US Treasury yields. Yields held this week’s value level at 3.494 again on Wednesday. There is risk to 3.75 to 4.25 in 2011, but with or without this weakness, the 10-Year yield will decline to 2.75 to 2.50 during 2011.

7. Comex Gold has gone parabolic, and therefore you cannot predict how high gold prices can climb. I do know that corrections will be fierce and painful for those that buy strength instead of weakness. The 2011 neutral zone is between $1350 and $1450.

8. Nymex Crude Oil is headed back above $100 per barrel according to most experts. I cannot rule that out for 2011, but the downside is more significant given weekly closes below the $87 per barrel area. If gasoline stays above $3.00 per gallon demand on Main Street will slow down and will be a drag on economic growth and job creation.

9. Problems among the PIIGS nations denominated in euros will trump problems at the state level in the USA. This will keep the euro versus the dollar in a trading range. We will begin 2011 with a quarterly pivot around 1.3150.

10. US stocks show strong technical characteristics. The S&P 500 is above the 61.8% Fibonacci Retracement of the decline from October 2007 to the low of March 2009 at 1228.74. Dow Theory had a Buy Signal in early November and another confirmation in December. The Dow Industrial Average – I project downside to 9,375 in the first half with a rebound to 11,500 in the second half. Strength above 11,500 will return to 11,500, and the 2011 close will be at or below 11,500.

11.ValuEngine.com indicates that equity fundamental are not cheap. Fifteen of sixteen sectors will begin 2011 overvalued according to ValuEngine. The normal range for the percent undervalued or overvalued stocks is 35% to 65%. We will begin 2011 close to the low end of the range for undervalued stocks and towards the high end for overvalued stocks. Because of the battle between the technicals and fundamentals, stocks will be reversal-oriented in 2011 and be little changed year over year.

Tracking the US Capital Markets – US stocks are overvalued fundamentally and overbought technically on both daily and weekly charts.

• The major equity averages remain below this week’s risky levels as the year draws to a close at: 11,629 Dow, 1269.4 SPX, 2682 NASDAQ, 5215 Dow Transports and 808.57 Russell 2000.
• Fifteen of sixteen sectors are overvalued according to ValuEngine with only 37.7% of all stocks undervalued. At 35% the stock market tends to find a top. Only 17.5% of all stocks are undervalued by 20% or more.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.’

Struggling to the Finish Line: Dave's Daily ‘Most economic news today (Jobless Claims, Chicago PMI and Home Sales) was, ahem, "better than expected"; still, that didn't spark any determined buying. Maybe without any POMO Thursday trading desks were running on empty. 2010 was an interesting year with lots of erratic behavior but a Fed "stick save" in the end. Flash Crashes, elections, tax issues, spending, unemployment, POMO and home prices were all center stage. Now you're probably expecting some sort of forecast from your humble pundit, but alas, all I can offer are three basic tenets to follow:

"The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew."

-- Robert Burns

Or, if you prefer: "The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry"

-- John Steinbeck

"If you must forecast, forecast often."

--Economist Edgar Fiedler (ETF Digest Sacred Cow IX)

"Things change"

-- ETF Digest Sacred Cow X

You were expecting Dow 20,000?!?

Volume Thursday did improve a tad and breadth was flat… ‘

Baby Boomers Start To Turn 65: 16 Statistics About The Coming Retirement Crisis That Will Drop Your Jaw The American Dream | The moment when the first Baby Boomers reach retirement age has arrived. ‘ … The following are 16 statistics about the coming retirement crisis that will drop your jaw…..

#1 Beginning January 1st, 2011 every single day more than 10,000 Baby Boomers will reach the age of 65.  That is going to keep happening every single day for the next 19 years.

#2 According to one recent survey, 36 percent of Americans say that they don’t contribute anything at all to retirement savings.

#3 Most Baby Boomers do not have a traditional pension plan because they have been going out of style over the past 30 years.  Just consider the following quote from Time Magazine: The traditional pension plan is disappearing. In 1980, some 39 percent of private-sector workers had a pension that guaranteed a steady payout during retirement. Today that number stands closer to 15 percent, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute in Washington, D.C.

#4 Over 30 percent of U.S. investors currently in their sixties have more than 80 percent of their 401k invested in equities.  So what happens if the stock market crashes again?

#5 35% of Americans already over the age of 65 rely almost entirely on Social Security payments alone.

#6 According to another recent survey, 24% of U.S. workers admit that they have postponed their planned retirement age at least once during the past year.

#7 Approximately 3 out of 4 Americans start claiming Social Security benefits the moment they are eligible at age 62.  Most are doing this out of necessity.  However, by claiming Social Security early they get locked in at a much lower amount than if they would have waited.

#8 Pension consultant Girard Miller recently told California’s Little Hoover Commission that state and local government bodies in the state of California have $325 billion in combined unfunded pension liabilities.  When you break that down, it comes to $22,000 for every single working adult in California.

#9 According to a recent report from Stanford University, California’s three biggest pension funds are as much as $500 billion short of meeting future retiree benefit obligations.

#10 It has been reported that the $33.7 billion Illinois Teachers Retirement System is 61% underfunded and is on the verge of complete collapse.

#11 Robert Novy-Marx of the University of Chicago and Joshua D. Rauh of Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management recently calculated the combined pension liability for all 50 U.S. states.  What they found was that the 50 states are collectively facing $5.17 trillion in pension obligations, but they only have $1.94 trillion set aside in state pension funds.  That is a difference of 3.2 trillion dollars.  So where in the world is all of that extra money going to come from?  Most of the states are already completely broke and on the verge of bankruptcy.

#12 According to the Congressional Budget Office, the Social Security system will pay out more in benefits than it receives in payroll taxes in 2010.  That was not supposed to happen until at least 2016.  Sadly, in the years ahead these “Social Security deficits” are scheduled to become absolutely horrific as hordes of Baby Boomers start to retire.

#13 In 1950, each retiree’s Social Security benefit was paid for by 16 U.S. workers.  In 2010, each retiree’s Social Security benefit is paid for by approximately 3.3 U.S. workers.  By 2025, it is projected that there will be approximately two U.S. workers for each retiree.  How in the world can the system possibly continue to function properly with numbers like that?

#14 According to a recent U.S. government report, soaring interest costs on the U.S. national debt plus rapidly escalating spending on entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare will absorb approximately 92 cents of every single dollar of federal revenue by the year 2019.  That is before a single dollar is spent on anything else.

#15 After analyzing Congressional Budget Office data, Boston University economics professor Laurence J. Kotlikoff concluded that the U.S. government is facing a “fiscal gap” of $202 trillion dollars.  A big chunk of that is made up of future obligations to Social Security and Medicare recipients.

#16 According to a recent AARP survey of Baby Boomers, 40 percent of them plan to work “until they drop”.

Companies all over America have been dropping their pension plans in anticipation of the time when the Baby Boomers would retire.  401k programs were supposed to be part of the answer, but if the stock market crashes again, it is absolutely going to devastate the Baby Boomers.

State and local governments are scrambling to find ways to pay out all the benefits that they have been promising.  Many state and local governments will be forced into some very hard choices by the hordes of Baby Boomers that will now be retiring.

Of course whenever a big financial crisis comes along these days everyone looks to the federal government to fix the problem.  But the truth is that after fixing crisis after crisis the federal government is flat broke …’

Underneath the Happy Talk, Is This As Bad as the Great Depression? Washington’s Blog | Even though the government’s spending on the economic crisis dwarfs the amount spent on the New Deal, our economy is still stuck in the mud.

America Has Gone Away Anyone who doesn’t believe that the US is an incipient fascist state needs only to consult the latest assault on civil liberty by Fox News. Instead of informing citizens, Fox News informs on citizens. Jason Ditz reports that Fox News “no longer content to simply shill for a growing police state,” turned in a grandmother to the Department of Homeland Security for making “anti-American comments.”

Jumping ship for private sector (Washington Post) [ Nothing new here! After all, given the state of the u.s. government (pervasively corrupt, mired in failure, nation’s defacto bankupt, totally incompetent, etc.), what possible value could such experience be other than peddling influence based upon professional criminal courtesy to, ie., other criminals of course, viz., frauds on wall street, war profiteers, pay-to-play lobbyists, etc.. It’s truly the backstory to america’s decline across the board, private sector and public sector. ] Regulators, prosecutors and financial policymakers look to cash in on their government experience.

Constitution's new starring role in House (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight!…Whew! That was a close one…we can all rest easy now…and to think we were thinkin’ they were goin’ in the wrong direction and sinkin’…for those skeptics who hail this as yet another desperate and redundant gimmick … have no fear, the new congress is here. ] ‘…They will read the Constitution aloud…’

Iraqi police commander killed in triple suicide attack (Washington Post) [ Well, at least al-Maliki understands the ‘physics of the situation’… you know, that ‘cause and effect thing’ … Iraq Wants the U.S. Out Infowars.com Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki ruled out the presence of any U.S. troops in Iraq after the end of 2011, saying his new government and the country’s security forces were capable of confronting any remaining threats to Iraq’s security, sovereignty and unity. ]

SUVs lead U.S. auto sales growth (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan … ahead … for when $5 plus gas turns these eventual valued antiques into ‘luxury mobiles’ … for that Sunday spin (expensive at that) down Main Street much like the early 20^th century motorcars themselves. Oil Prices Are About To Wake Up To Peak-Production Realities? Infowars.com ] If U.S. consumers are in the midst of a green revolution, the news hasn't reached car buyers.

Bank failures hit record in 2010 (Washington Post) [ As night follows the day:

ROBERT SHILLER: If House Prices Keep Falling This Fast, The Economy Is Screwed He also says that if house prices keep falling this fast, the economy will face “serious reasons to worry” (which, for Professor Shiller, is an apocalyptic statement).

Roubini: ‘Housing Prices Can Only Move Down’ According to economist Nouriel Roubini, the housing market is in a double dip. And negative Case-Shiller Home Price numbers out today only confirm that unpleasant truth.

Underneath the Happy Talk, Is This As Bad as the Great Depression? To find out, we’ll look at a couple comparisons to get an idea of what is going on in the rest of the economy. And then we’ll compare the government’s efforts in the 1930s to today.

Video of Bernanke and Geithner Trying to Get the Economy Unstuck Bernanke and Geithner are driving the tow truck. The bulldozer which the tow truck is so persistently trying to yank free is Wall Street, and the white SUV being repeatedly rammed without any concern whatsoever is the little guy on Main Street. ] More banks failed in the U.S. this year than in any year since 1992, and there are more on the horizon.

Housing market forecast (Washington Post) Ezra Klein | ‘Expert says "house prices probably have another 20% to fall." And that may be a "conservative estimate.’

Disgraced ex-Israeli president convicted of rape (AP)

Israel's ex-president Katsav guilty of rape (Reuters)

The 10 Most Important Tax Tips Of 2010 Posted by Investopedia It’s the end of the year, and while holiday baking may be top of mind, that niggling little task of getting the year-end tax tasks done is still there, bothering you over the scent of the fruitcake in the oven. The following tips will give you some specifics so you can take care of taxes, and then get back to your fun holiday activities.

IN PICTURES: Top 10 Solutions For A Big Tax Bill

1. Defer Income Until 2011
   With lower payroll taxes starting in January 2011, if you have income you can defer and report in the new year’s taxes, do so. Hold your last batch of invoices and send them out in early 2011; save that bit of money by paying the 2011 tax rate.
2. Contribute To A Retirement Plan
   Whether you choose to convert your traditional IRA to a Roth IRA or not, make sure you contribute the maximum amount you can before the year’s over. It’s one of the easiest ways to save money on your taxes.
3. Use Your Flexible Spending Account
   If you have a flexible spending account (also known as a health savings account or medical/health care spending account), use up what’s left in your account for 2010. And if you haven’t opened one yet, check into what your company offers. Be sure to specify the amount of your 2011 wages that you want to have placed in your flexible spending account. (Learn more in Benefits Of A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account.)
4. Invest In Your Business
   If you need to make investments in your business – new equipment, upgraded machinery or real estate improvements – then invest before the year’s end for the write-off on your 2010 taxes.
5. Save Energy
   Energy-efficient improvements in your residence before year’s end can get you a tax credit of up to $1,500. Though installing a new metal or asphalt roof may be out of the question between now and January 1, you can purchase energy-efficient windows, doors and appliances. And if you’re just itching for another home improvement project to tackle over the holidays, install a solar water heater or solar panels for another credit of up to 30% of the cost.

IN PICTURES: 6 Tax Credits That Anyone Can Claim

1. Itemize, Itemize, Itemize
   Keep track of your business expenses and put them into your itemized deductions; don’t forget home office purchases, supplies, fees for memberships in professional organizations, technological costs (web hosting, website design, internet costs). Be sure all your itemized costs are for the business and you have the receipts.
2. Donate
   Make charitable donations before the year’s end for the write-off, but don’t make the mistake of sending out checks dated on or before December 31 and thinking they will qualify. The IRS specifies that checks mailed out must be postmarked by the last day of the year. You can also make donations through major credit cards, as long as the charges are authorized by the end of the year. (Generosity may be its own reward, but some charitable giving also provides personal tax benefits. Learn more in Deducting Your Donations.)
3. Contribute To A College Savings Plan
   Save for your kids and save on your taxes - up to $13,000 in 2010 for a college savings plan. The magic $13,000 limit keeps you under the federal gift tax.
4. Pay Your Next Health Insurance Premium
   If you’re self-employed, you can deduct 100% of the cost of health insurance premiums (up to the total of the net earnings of your business). That can be a rather hefty deduction, since it includes costs for your spouse and dependents as well. You can pay ahead – cover your first premium of the new year in 2010, and you can claim it on your 2010 taxes. (Find out where you can take a tax deduction on the contributions you make; see Traditional IRA Deductibility Limits For 2010.)
5. Pay Into A Specialized Account
   Some employers offer the opportunity to contribute into specialized accounts, including dependent and commuter accounts. A dependent account covers the cost of child care, and a commuter account covers the cost of commuting expenses. Both have limits, but both can help you save on your taxes while paying for stuff you have to pay for anyway.

The Bottom Line
With taxes, you don’t know until you ask. You may be able to save much more than you think you can just by making a few simple changes, or by paying for expenses in December instead of January, February or March. It’s a little bit of forethought that can make the tax bill much more bearable.

For the latest financial news, see Water Cooler Finance: FBI Insider-Trading Bust.’

Fed Can’t Prop Up Stock Market Forever USA Watchdog | From the very beginning of QE2, it was no secret the Federal Reserve wanted the stock market to rise.

BofA/Countrywide Lied About Virtually Everything When Selling Mortgages Zero Hedge | A few days ago, news broke that MBIA was allowed to use statistical sampling in its ongoing Bank of America fraud lawsuit.

Hollywood and the war machine [ I disagree. Yes, there’s plenty of propaganda to go around in Hollywood, as everywhere else; but, on balance, I believe more modern film particularly tends to paint war in the more realistically negative light. This is especially so inasmuch as there hasn’t been what anyone could call a so-called ‘good war’ to justify america’s war criminal behavior for quite some time. Of course, there’s no denying the jewish elements so stereotypical of Hollywood which does lend credence to the criticism; but such ‘pro-zionist revelatory filmmaking’ as that regurgitated by, ie., spielberg, etc., has become so predictably boring and devoid of reality that such films now pale in comparison and popularity to the anti-war films including offhand, ie., ‘Platoon’, ‘Apocalypse Now’, and more recently, ‘Hurt Locker’. It is true that in the past the military strong-armed even the likes of Frank Capra to their propaganda campaigns; and, it is also true that today’s attacks on first amendment protected speech are unprecedented in scope as a consequence of the perceived threat of truth (of america’s pervasive corruption, war crimes, fraud, etc.) leaking out all over … the internet (mainstream media is concededly totally controlled – I don’t include, ie., The Washington Post in the category of controlled media, but other papers, tv, etc., certainly should be). Yet, I think the criticism better directed at the source; viz., the criminal and corrupt elements of the american government et als, which is almost all. ( I admit to being somewhat biased and ‘I previously wrote on my site, ‘I happen to like and respect film as a rich medium which presents large amounts of audio, visual, and thematic information which can be processed in relatively small amounts of time, etc..’). ] Al Jazeera | War is hell, but for Hollywood it has been a Godsend, providing the perfect dramatic setting against which courageous heroes win the hearts and minds of the movie going public. Russia rebuffs Western criticism of oil tycoon's trial (Washington Post) [ As right they should! After all, is anyone foolish enough to believe that america’s illegal system is anything but a farce and a means to legitimize blatantly illegal activity domestically and internationally, while arbitrarily enforcing as to some and retaliating against others … does anybody really believe Assange would get a fair trial in america, or Orwellian britain, etc.. Pervasively corrupt america’s illegal system is a travesty and their propaganda dogs don’t hunt no more!

Army edits its history of deadly battle of Wanat (Washington Post) [ Come on! Does anyone really think they ever get a true story from the u.s. gov’t et als about anything at all? ] Draft put majority of blame on top commanders, but final version's focuses on lower-level leaders sparks anger among families of those killed.

A subtler tack to fight Afghan corruption? (Washington Post) [ How about a not so subtler tack to fight corruption starting right here in the u.s. of a. where corruption and crime are pervasive and in fact, at the root of the Afghanistan problems, from american reinvigorated heroin trade to bribery attendant thereto to killing civilians, etc.. Defacto Bankrupt, Meaningfully Lawless, War Criminal Nation america, the leader of nations … in crime:

Though having but 5% of the world’s population, america can boast 76% of the world’s serial killers, followed by Europe with England/UK then Germany leading the way for the eu [excerpt, 6 minute video, Serial Killers: Real Life Hannibal Lechters http://www.albertpeia.com/realifeamericaserialkillers.mpg (as is consistent with crime generally, see infra)]. Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… ]

WikiLeaks founder could be charged by Feds (Washington Post) [ He deserves a medal! I think they should start prosecuting american war criminals, frauds on wall street, $12 billion $100 bills flown into and missing in Iraq, RICO litigation http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm .

Wall Street Is Laundering Drug Money And Getting Away With It Zach Carter, … etc. … Drudgereport: CLASSIFIED NO MORE: USA RACES TO LIMIT WIKILEAKS DAMAGE [Publishing the Wikileaks is the right thing to do; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly] ...
WIKILEAKS: We've been hit with 'mass distributed denial of service attack'...
MOST EMBARRASSING, DAMAGING DISCLOSURE IN DECADES...
SENATORS: PROSECUTE THE LEAKERS!
NYT EXPLAINS: THE DECISION TO PUBLISH … [The NYT clearly did the right thing to publish; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly]...
SKorea says sound of artillery heard on island...
US, SKorea start major naval drills...
China issues warning...

TO THE BRINK

DHS SEIZES DOMAIN NAMES...
EU Debt Crisis Escalates...
6 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan...

Next Debt Crisis 'May Start in Washington'...
WIKILEAKS TURNS ON OBAMA! … [ Like who hasn’t, and for good reason! Publishing the Wikileaks is the right thing to do; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly] ]
] Authorities are investigating whether Julian Assange violated criminal laws, including possible charges under the Espionage Act, sources say. Afghanistan:  Gates: Progress has 'exceeded my expectations' (Post, December 8, 2010; 5:53 PM)
U.S. hurting peace chances by giving up on israeli settlement freeze, analysts say (Post, December 8, 2010; 11:00 PM)
In South Korea, Joint Chiefs chairman scolds China for its 'tacit approval' of North's aggression (Post, December 8, 2010; 11:01 PM)
Iran talks end with little sign of progress (Post, December 8, 2010; 1:04 AM)
Rice, on 'The View,' defends Obama on WikiLeaks (Post, December 8, 2010; 1:00 AM) (Washington Post) [ The problems in all these regions are inextricably tied to the nation with insurmountable problems of its own and own making. That nation quite obviously is pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america (along with such comparable enablers / allies as zionist israel, nato, etc.. How can anyone believe anything they say, least of all gates who hails from C(ottage)I(ndustries of)A(merica) based on lies, chaos, and conflict.]

Americans Oppose Government Efforts To Take Over Internet According to a recent Rasmussen’s poll, most Americans understand the FCC’s internet regulations will be used by the government to push a political agenda.

Looking back at 2010 (Washington Post) [ I think Mr. Sloan should run for office or be appointed ‘Head of the Fed’ or u.s. attorney general, though his lack of ‘liar’ credentials might exclude the latter! ] I have performed a painful annual ritual ever since I began writing a column about 20 years ago: re-reading my work for the year and telling you about the things I got wrong and the things I wish I'd done differently.

Russia rebuffs Western criticism of oil tycoon's trial (Washington Post) [ As right they should! After all, is anyone foolish enough to believe that america’s illegal system is anything but a farce and a means to legitimize blatantly illegal activity domestically and internationally, while arbitrarily enforcing as to some and retaliating against others … does anybody really believe Assange would get a fair trial in america, or Orwellian britain, etc.. Pervasively corrupt america’s illegal system is a travesty and their propaganda dogs don’t hunt no more!

Army edits its history of deadly battle of Wanat (Washington Post) [ Come on! Does anyone really think they ever get a true story from the u.s. gov’t et als about anything at all? ] Draft put majority of blame on top commanders, but final version's focuses on lower-level leaders sparks anger among families of those killed.

A subtler tack to fight Afghan corruption? (Washington Post) [ How about a not so subtler tack to fight corruption starting right here in the u.s. of a. where corruption and crime are pervasive and in fact, at the root of the Afghanistan problems, from american reinvigorated heroin trade to bribery attendant thereto to killing civilians, etc.. Defacto Bankrupt, Meaningfully Lawless, War Criminal Nation america, the leader of nations … in crime:

Though having but 5% of the world’s population, america can boast 76% of the world’s serial killers, followed by Europe with England/UK then Germany leading the way for the eu [excerpt, 6 minute video, Serial Killers: Real Life Hannibal Lechters http://www.albertpeia.com/realifeamericaserialkillers.mpg (as is consistent with crime generally, see infra)]. Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… ]

WikiLeaks founder could be charged by Feds (Washington Post) [ He deserves a medal! I think they should start prosecuting american war criminals, frauds on wall street, $12 billion $100 bills flown into and missing in Iraq, RICO litigation http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm .

Wall Street Is Laundering Drug Money And Getting Away With It Zach Carter, … etc. … Drudgereport: CLASSIFIED NO MORE: USA RACES TO LIMIT WIKILEAKS DAMAGE [Publishing the Wikileaks is the right thing to do; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly] ...
WIKILEAKS: We've been hit with 'mass distributed denial of service attack'...
MOST EMBARRASSING, DAMAGING DISCLOSURE IN DECADES...
SENATORS: PROSECUTE THE LEAKERS!
NYT EXPLAINS: THE DECISION TO PUBLISH … [The NYT clearly did the right thing to publish; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly]...
SKorea says sound of artillery heard on island...
US, SKorea start major naval drills...
China issues warning...

TO THE BRINK

DHS SEIZES DOMAIN NAMES...
EU Debt Crisis Escalates...
6 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan...

Next Debt Crisis 'May Start in Washington'...
WIKILEAKS TURNS ON OBAMA! … [ Like who hasn’t, and for good reason! Publishing the Wikileaks is the right thing to do; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly] ]
] Authorities are investigating whether Julian Assange violated criminal laws, including possible charges under the Espionage Act, sources say. Afghanistan:  Gates: Progress has 'exceeded my expectations' (Post, December 8, 2010; 5:53 PM)
U.S. hurting peace chances by giving up on israeli settlement freeze, analysts say (Post, December 8, 2010; 11:00 PM)
In South Korea, Joint Chiefs chairman scolds China for its 'tacit approval' of North's aggression (Post, December 8, 2010; 11:01 PM)
Iran talks end with little sign of progress (Post, December 8, 2010; 1:04 AM)
Rice, on 'The View,' defends Obama on WikiLeaks (Post, December 8, 2010; 1:00 AM) (Washington Post) [ The problems in all these regions are inextricably tied to the nation with insurmountable problems of its own and own making. That nation quite obviously is pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america (along with such comparable enablers / allies as zionist israel, nato, etc.. How can anyone believe anything they say, least of all gates who hails from C(ottage)I(ndustries of)A(merica) based on lies, chaos, and conflict.]

U.S. home prices drop 1.3% (Washington Post) [ Oooooh! Ouch … but no say the frauds on wall street … that’s a good thing … you know … that ‘affordability thing’ … yes, they say … sounds like a plan! ] Six regions hit new lows, and they're not expected to rebound anytime

Budget proposal to be delayed (Washington Post) [ At this point, who’s still counting … and does it count? I mean, near $14 trillion and counting, the question is ‘can they count’ … then there’s the real debt … Timid Tuesday: Is it Safe? Davis ‘… This is how we pay off our current debts and I think bondholders are simply happy to get anything out of a country that admits it owes $15Tn (1/4 of global GDP) but probably owes closer to $60Tn (entire global GDP) in the form of unfunded liabilities. The funniest thing about this (and you have to laugh) is to see Conservative pundits get on TV and talk about how we need to cut $100Bn worth of discretionary spending to "fix" this (while continuing to spend $1Tn on the military and $1Tn on tax cuts for the top 1% each year). There is no fixing this and even a Republican said you can’t fool all of the people all of the time. THIS HOUSE OF CARDS IS TEETERING FOLKS – PLEASE BE CAREFUL OUT THERE! ‘ … Howard Davidowitz on the Economy: "Here Are the Numbers ... WE'RE BROKE!" 11-25-10 ‘The U.S. economy "is a complete disaster," Howard Davidowitz declared here in July, the most recent in a string of dire predictions from Tech Ticker's most entertaining guest.On the eve of Thanksgiving, I asked Davidowitz if he had any regrets, or was ready to throw in the towel given recent signs of economic revival. Are you kidding me? "Here are the numbers...we're broke," Davidowitz declares, noting the U.S. government goes $5 billion deeper into debt every day and is facing $1 trillion-plus annual deficits for the next decade. "In other words, we're bankrupt."As with the economy, Davidowitz is unwaveringly consistent in his views on President Obama, calling him "deranged, dysfunctional and discredited."Results of the midterm election show "the people of this country think we are in a catastrophe," he says. "I'm with them."Check the accompanying video for more of Howard's unfettered opinions and stay tuned for additional clips from this interview. And...Happy Thanksgiving! Aaron Task is the host of Tech Ticker. You can follow him on Twitter at @atask or email him at [email protected]’ ] President Obama expects to release his fiscal 2012 budget a week later than the timetable set out under the Budget Act of 1974.

2010 worst year for bank failures since 1992 (Washington Post) [ And you can safely say the worst is not over and there’s more to come …’ Suttmeier ‘5 Economic Themes for 2011 (6 more are on their way): … 3.The banking system is supposed to de-lever risk, but it has not. When I look at the Notional Amount of Derivative Contracts I cringe at the fact that since the end of 2007 this risk category has grown $71.6 trillion since the end of 2007, that’s an increase of 43.5% to $236.4 trillion at the end of the third quarter in an environment where banks should be de-leveraging not adding to this risk where financial time bombs are ticking…’ ‘Deadbeat’ TARP banks on rise (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Viz., when worthless paper / securities / toxic assets are being carried in the trillions now marked to anything (as per legislated mark to anything FASB rule change), the reality is that there’s no real surplus from which to pay dividends, etc.. ] Obama administration steps up monitoring of banks that miss required payments. ] The nation is closing out the year with 157 bank failures, up from 140 in 2009.

5 Economic Themes for 2011 Suttmeier ‘5 themes for 2011 (6 more are on their way):

1. Home prices will resume a decline that began in mid-2006. We had the home buyer tax credits expire in mid-2010, and government sponsored mortgage modifications provided limited help. In 2011 we face continued foreclosure issues including questionable documentation, and banks have a record high Other Real Estate Owned (OREO). OREO is up to $53.2 billion at the end of the third quarter, up 338.2% since the end of 2007. Depressed home sales are being sold at a 30% to 35% discount, which reduces property appraisals at the county level. Home builders will have to compete with these lower prices and we need a mortgage modification program for all Americans, not just those at risk of losing their homes. QE2 is not working and US Treasury yields are higher causing mortgage rates to rise. “The Great Credit Crunch” began with housing, and that foundation needs repair before Main Street can recover with sustainable job creation.

2. Community banks still have $1.43 trillion in commercial real estate loans that require resolution. The FDIC’s List of Problem Banks rose to 860 in the third quarter of 2010, which is 11.1% of all insured institutions. My analysis shows 2,485 or 32% of all banks overexposed to commercial real estate loans, and 3,938 or 50.7% of all banks with real estate loan pipelines that are 80% to 100% funded. This stress needs to be addressed before jobs can be created on Main Street USA as housing and construction drive local economies. “The Great Credit Crunch” will not end without a program to remove toxic real estate loans from the books of community banks around the country.

3. The banking system is supposed to de-lever risk, but it has not. When I look at the Notional Amount of Derivative Contracts I cringe at the fact that since the end of 2007 this risk category has grown $71.6 trillion since the end of 2007, that’s an increase of 43.5% to $236.4 trillion at the end of the third quarter in an environment where banks should be de-leveraging not adding to this risk where financial time bombs are ticking.

4. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will continue to drain taxpayer money as the Treasury provides unlimited lines of credit through 2012. The cost currently is about $150 billion, by far the largest of any government bailouts. We need to unwind the activities of these GSEs, and beef up Ginnie Mae as the go to government agency that backs new mortgage issuance.

5. Because of the housing market depression and stress in the banking system the unemployment rate will stay above 9% for all of 2011.

Tracking the US Capital Markets – US stocks are overvalued fundamentally and overbought technically on both daily and weekly charts. The snow storm causes stocks to drift lower and higher.

• The major equity averages are below this week’s risky levels as the year draws to a close at: 11,629 Dow, 1269.4 SPX, 2682 NASDAQ, 5215 Dow Transports and 808.57 Russell 2000.
• Fifteen of sixteen sectors are overvalued according to ValuEngine with only 37.9% of all stocks undervalued. At 35% the stock market tends to find a top. Only 17.4% of all stocks are undervalued by 20% or more.

The Yield on the 10-Year Note (3.345) – Tested this week’s value level at 3.494 with today’s risky level at 3.306.

Comex Gold ($1384.2) – The 50-day at $1372.1 held at the low on Monday with this week’s risky level at $1401.2.

Nymex Crude Oil ($90.79) – Reached a new high for the year at $91.88, shy of this week’s risky level at $93.28. Support is the 21-day simple moving average at $88.24.

The Euro (1.3163) – My weekly value level is 1.2906 with 200-day simple moving average at 1.3087 and quarterly pivot at 1.3318, which goes away at the end of the year.

The Dow Industrial Average (11,555) – Remains extremely overbought on both daily and weekly charts. The 21-day simple moving average is 11,384 with a daily pivot at 11,569 and this week’s risky level at 11,629.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.

Market Crash on 12/31/10? Technical indicators suggest market collapse may begin by December 31st Why Stocks Could Collapse...Beginning as Soon as December 31, 2010! The Fed has propped up the equity markets for months ... but that could soon come to a disastrous end! Dennis Slothower is one of the world’s leading technical analysts. He’s one of the few advisors whose readers completely avoided ALL losses during the disaster that was 2008. And now he’s issuing another dire warning. His technical indicators suggest that the market manipulation we’ve seen over the last several months is about to come to an end…and that means thousands of investors are about to get clobbered. This correction could begin as soon as December 31st– so it’s important that you take action now to prepare yourself. Click on the link below for immediate access to Dennis Slothower’s latest report, which will explain – in plain English – just how Dennis saw the collapse of 2008 coming…and how he’ll help you avoid disaster in the weeks ahead. http://www.stealthstocksonline.com/reports/FreeReport4StealthStocks.pdf

Don't Be Fooled By Investment Disinformation [ While this is axiomatically true, it is also true that one must go beneath the numbers to find the reality underlying particularly manipulated moves which, as one might expect from a forbes contributor with an indirect bobblehead nod to the u.s. market based upon, ie., ignoring such things as the debased dollar, insurmountable debt, fraud, etc.. The u.s. numbers are a joke to keep ‘fools rushin’ in’, to keep them sucked in, etc.. ]

What's Coming in 2011? More Gloom, But Not Necessarily Doom Krasting ‘Oh boy, is 2011 going to be an exciting year! Some things that I think might happen:

• Volatility is going up across the board. If you have the stomach for the swings that are coming across all markets, there is a ton of money to be made; balls and timing are all that are necessary. The markets will create dozens of opportunities to make and lose.
• There will be 50 days with a swing in the S&P greater than 1 percent. There will be 10 days where gold swings $50. There will be two days with a drop greater than 100 bucks. Most of the big moves will be down moves. Bonds will not be spared the volatility.
• Gold will be higher a year from now, but off its peak. At some time in the fall, gold will be near $1,800 and The New York Times will do a front-page story that gold is on its way to $2,000. That will be the high point of the year.
• Copper will continue to rise. This metal will benefit as the poor man’s gold. Why buy an ounce of something for $1,600 when you can have a whole pound of something else for only $5? The logic is compelling only because there is no logic. Increasingly, it will become understood that money does not hold value. Copper will do a better job of storing value then a Treasury Bond.
• The U.S. bond market is in for a heck of a year. The 30-year will trade at both 3% and 5 percent. Higher rates will come early in the year, then the deflation trade will come back into vogue.
• Spain will be the next sovereign debtor that falls prey to the market. This will happen before the end of the 1st Q. The package to bail them out will exceed $500b, which will exhaust EU resources. There will be very high expectations that contagion will then move to Italy; that will not happen in 2011 (but might in 2012?). The European Central Bank (ECB) will step up to the table (finally) and support the market for Italy. Sometime between March and June, Italian bonds will be a great buy.
• The IMF will contribute $125b to the Spanish bailout. The U.S. portion of this will be $25b. Republican Senators and Congressmen go nuts. The American people will side with them. "How can we help Spain but not California?" will be the mantra. In the end, the IMF commitment will stand. But that will be the last time the U.S. contributes to a sovereign bailout. This will prove to be very destabilizing at some point after 2011.
• The ECB will be forced to issue bonds that are joint and several debt of the EU members. This development will stabilize the EU temporarily, but it will be hated in Germany. The amount of the new issuance of these bonds will be small. The program will be terminated in 2012.
• The dollar versus the euro will be all over the lot. The low for EURUSD will be ~1.17. The really big surprise is that toward the end of the year, the euro will be pushing 1.50.
• The franc will be like copper. It will attract investors as there is no good alternative. Before June EURCHF will trade below 90.
• The market will finally wake up to the fact that the yen is not a good store of wealth. The continuing argument will be, “Yeah, the yen stinks, but everything else is worse so it should be okay." Wrong. The yen is a short. The best currency trade of the year will be long sterling/short yen. There will be better levels to put this trade on than exist today; be patient.
• The U.S. will have a full year deficit of $1.4 trillion. This depressing reality will hang on the U.S. economy/markets. Congress will talk about the problem endlessly, but little will be accomplished. By the end of the year, the problem will be so acute that belt-tightening is put in place for 2013-15 ... but it will be too late by then.
• QE2 will be the last QE we see. The program will end (on schedule) on June 30. Perversely, long-term interest rates will rise as long as QE continues. When the program is finished, rates will begin a rapid decline. This will not go unnoticed by academia. The result will be that QE will be a disgraced policy that will not be used again for at least five years.
• The high for the S&P will occur before June. The S&P will fall short of 1,500. The low will be 1,100.
• Oil will rise to $130 in the next six months. It will be above $100 at the end of the year.
• China’s inflation rate will continue to rise. Food will be the primary driver. The central government will respond with monetary tightening and an acceleration of the yuan appreciation. It will not work. Inflation will push 7 percent. The domestic economy will continue to grow, but at a much smaller pace. 5% GDP growth will be only 5% for the year. The trade surplus will fall by a third.
• Brazil will continue to shine as a resource-rich country that runs a trade surplus and has low budget deficits. The surprise of the year will be Argentina. Food will be the reason. Argentina’s fortunes will improve with rising wheat and soy prices.
• The U.S. will wind down its presence in Iraq. With each step we take out the door, domestic violence will rise. Iran will assume a larger role in the south, especially in Basra. This will not go over well with the U.S. Much of the year will be spent debating what should be done. U.S. warships will be off the Iranian coast waiting for a phone call, but no shots will be fired. Russia and Germany will not go along with strong sanctions against Iran. The problem will fester toward a resolution in 2012.
• Kim Jong-il will die. His son, Kim Jong-un, will take over. The heir is a nut; there will be more military exercises that result in shells landing on South Korean soil. China will make public statements that it is trying to bring order; behind the scenes, it will be applauding the chaos.
• Obama’s popularity will continue to fall. The legislative “successes” at the end of 2010 will convert to a series of failures. There will be no new stimulus. Portions of the health care legislation will be dialed back. The mandatory participation feature will be found unconstitutional. Without this feature the legislation makes no economic sense, and a great debate will be initiated as to what to do about it. Nothing will be accomplished. Reason? There are no “answers” to this problem.
• Obama will propose a means test for Social Security in his State of the Union address. Retirees who are living the high life (Warren Buffett types) are going to have their Social Security checks cut to the bone. Any senior with income of $200k will be impacted. The great socialization of Social Security will have begun. The popularity of this program will fall off a cliff.
• The 2% reduction on worker contributions to Social Security will be extended and expanded to 3% for 2012. Rates will not go up in future years. Social Security will have to be gutted as a result. This will not happen in 2011. But the seeds will be sown for this to occur in 2014.
• 2011 will be a stock pickers' market. Index investing will see a bad year. Some of the darlings of 2011, like Apple (AAPL) and Netflix (NFLX) will not fare so well. While I don’t see big declines in these stocks, there are much better places to put money to work. M&A will be a dominant theme; that is where the action will be.
• There will be at least three more "flash crashes." The SEC will launch another investigation into how this could happen. The conclusion will be that ETFs and how dealers manage them are responsible for the liquidity problems in individual stock names. There is no solution to this problem. The market will be on edge looking for the next mini-crash. A stock will fall prey to this and drop 20% in seconds. Unlike prior examples, there will be no recovery in the stock. Holders will protest the losses. There will no restitution. Market confidence will fall as a result.
• Meredith Whitney will be proven wrong in her forecast that 50-100 munis go Chapter 9 this year. The process to insolvency takes much longer than she has anticipated. Only 11 munis will make a chapter filing; the rest will be pushed to the brink in 2012.
• The center of attention will move away from California as the most bankrupt state. In his State of the State address in January, New York’s new governor, Andrew Cuomo, will fess up to the fact that for the past year of so New York has been burying its problems. Substantial cutbacks in spending will be the result. New York State long -term GOs will trade at 6% at some point in the year.
• Unemployment will not go down. The average for the year will be above 10 percent. The number of workers who leave the system will rise to 20mm. These workers will find part-time jobs that pay cash. The new day-workers will compete will illegals for employment. Social tensions will be the result.
• The Chevy Volt will not sell well. Boeing (BA) will be unable to complete a single Dreamliner. GM (GM) will trade below $30; Boeing will hit the low $50s.
• The Singapore dollar will be the strongest currency on the globe in 2011.
• Apple will not come up with a new product this coming year. The rest of the consumer tech manufacturers will gain some market share. The problems with dropped calls with the iPhone will be an issue. Apple will respond with alliances with a number of other providers. AT&T's (T) stock will suffer as a result.
• Headline inflation will rise a bit, and will push through 2 percent. Those numbers are meaningless. The price of a pair of jeans will be 50% higher. Food will cost us 15% more. Gas will be at $4. Bernanke’s QE will be blamed for the inflation.
• Much to my chagrin and surprise, Tim Geithner will not be replaced as Treasury Secretary. He will continue to do a very mediocre job for us. He will be replaced in January of 2012.
• Comcast (CMCSA) will complete its acquisition of NBC/CNBC. One of its first acts will be to fire Mark Haines. Nothing will help. The ratings will continue to fall. Becky Quick will move to Fox Business. Diana Olick will get her own show. She is being groomed to be the next Suzie Orman. Simon Hobbs will return to London.
• Fannie (FNMA.OB) and Freddie (FMCC.OB) will be merged. Out of the ashes will come a good bank and a bad bank. The bad bank will hold $2.5 trillion in questionable mortgages. The U.S. will end the year exactly where it started on this critical issue. The federal government will be responsible for more than 95% of all new mortgages issued.
• Washington's other mortgage lender, the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), will run into troubles. Its minimum reserve level set by Congress will be breached. A bailout will be required. The true cost is buried. The bailout will be less than $20b. As this is a problem for the Senate, the legislation will be passed quickly.
• There will not be a "failure of a government" bond auction. But the coverage for each issuance will grow smaller. China, Russia and Brazil will reduce their holdings of U.S. reserves. The mysterious "household" sector will show a huge increase in Treasury holdings. This will be confusing, as it will not match up with other data. U.K. reserve holdings will show a decline. These are actually holdings of China that were not included in official reserves. This will bring uncertainty.
• "Mortgage-gate" will die as a headline story. In fact, it will go the other way during the year. Increasingly, the problems in real estate will be focused on the fact that there have been too few foreclosures. The fact that too many people had been living in a home without paying a dime becomes a cost that all have to bear. As a result, there will be a much higher level of foreclosures throughout the year. Contrary to expectation, residential real estate for average-priced homes will not decline much further. However, prices for high-end homes will continue to fall. Anything with a price tag of greater than $1mm will be worth 20% less by the end of the year.
• The narco violence in Mexico will expand to many more cities; tourism will be hurt as a result. Some of the violence will pass over our border. Anti-immigration attitudes will expand. Because the low-end economy will remain in the dumpster, the actual number of illegal aliens will decline by more than 1mm. This will add to the RE woes in some U.S. areas. It will stress the countries that they originated from as dollar remittances decline.
• Interest rates will be higher throughout the year for corporate bonds and munis. This will bring a reversal of the mania to buy dividend stocks. Those who thought that this investment strategy would work for them will be disappointed. The number of hucksters pushing the dividend story will grow in number while the popularity of the strategy declines.
• Jon Hilsenrath will write an article for The Wall Street Journal that is actually critical of the Fed. The unpopularity of the Fed will rise to such a level that Jon will have no choice but to follow suit.
• The Fed will come under attack from all sides. It is truly in a no-win situation. Unemployment will continue to rise while inflation rises and the dollar declines. One side will shout that the Fed did too little (Krugman), others that it did too much (the rest of the world). Everyone will hate the Fed as a result. Bernanke will not lose his job, but his term as boss at the Fed will be forever tainted.
• ZIRP will be with us for yet another year. Bernanke will not let go of this loser policy. Inflationary expectations will respond at some point. By the end of the year, a Fed funds rate increase will be seen as imminent even though the economy will be soft.
• Social unrest will become visible in America in 2011. There will be demonstrations in many major cities. Some will turn violent. Economics will be at the heart of the anger. The frustration that was evident in France in recent years will come to the U.S.

Have a great year!’

Artificial intelligence to transform web: Russian tycoon (AFP)

J.P Morgan, the ultimate *ankers of 2010 Economic Assassin | The contracts that Bear Stearns once held on silver have now been taken over by J.P Morgan, allowing them complete control on the paper price on silver.

GAO Sees Problems in Government’s Financial Management Accounting Today | Government Accountability Office Can’t Hold Government Accountable.

War Would End the Recession? Steven Horwitz | Krugman says destruction creates wealth.

9 Signs That The Price Of Oil In 2011 Will Soar Well Beyond 100 Dollars A Barrel

Will we see the price of oil rise significantly in 2011? Unfortunately, that appears to be precisely where we are headed. Despite stubbornly high unemployment and a very sluggish economy in the United States, the price of oil continues to creep upward. Ex-Shell president sees $5 gas in 2012 The former president of Shell Oil, John Hofmeister, says Americans could be paying $5 for a gallon of gasoline by 2012.

Nearly 100 bailed-out banks may collapse all the same: analysis The $700-billion bank bailout, launched in the final months of the Bush administration, was meant to save US financial institutions from a systemic collapse.

Andy Xie: Either America Or China Will Crash In 2011 The most likely candidates to trigger the next global crisis are the U.S.’s sovereign debt or China’s inflation. When one goes down first, the other can prolong its economic cycle.

Non-US Banks Gained from Fed Crisis Fund Some of the world’s strongest banks have profited from an emergency credit facility set up by the US Federal Reserve to shore up confidence in the global financial system, according to a Financial Times analysis of data released by the Fed.

Midas Resources: QE2 Explained Midas Resources explains how QE2 works and why it is killing the dollar and our future.

National / World

Chris Matthews Wants Obama to Produce Birth Certificate Kurt Nimmo | MSNBC is worried that the “birther issue” has grown legs and is about to swamp the Barry Obama administration.

Alex Jones’ Audio Blog: War on Common Sense – Losing Our Cultural Instincts Under the NWO THElNFOWARRlOR | Recorded during his break on Christmas Eve, Alex discusses how we are deep into a long-term agenda to conform humanity to the globalists’ system.

Social Security is not “Insurance” Ron Paul | Social Security does not represent an old age pension, an “insurance” program, or even a forced savings program.

Amerika Has Caught Up With 1984 Paul Craig Roberts | America’s future is the world of Winston Smith.

10 New Year’s Re-Solutions For Non-violent Rebellion Activist Post | The only reason the system is maintained is because the majority still acquiesce to it.

Alex Jones’ Audio Blog: War on Common Sense – Losing Our Cultural Instincts Under the NWO Recorded during his break on Christmas Eve, Alex discusses how we are deep into a long-term agenda to conform humanity to the globalists’ system. Under modern day mind control, individuals willingly defend their road to servitude while learning to shed their family, culture, values and instinctual defenses against domination by the ruling predator class.

Chris Matthews: Why Doesn’t Obama Just Release The Birth Certificate? On Monday night’s edition of “Hardball,” host Chris Matthews talked about putting the birth certificate controversy surrounding President Obama to rest.

The Secret Of Queen Elizabeth Exposed Alex Jones and Aaron Dykes discuss the British Royal Family and the Groom of the Stool.

Gold Surges To Two Week High As $1,400 Level Exposes Many To Pin Risk To be sure, we assumed that this merely opens the way for yet another year end rally to all time highs, in line with the prediction by John Embry from two days earlier.

Pilot Who Took On Big Sis Goes Public The airline pilot who lost his federally-issued gun and badge for posting video on YouTube critical of airport security has chosen to go public with his identity.

2011: “Dissent Is What Rescues Democracy” The year 2011 will bring Americans a larger and more intrusive police state, more unemployment and home foreclosures, no economic recovery, more disregard by the US government of US law, international law, the Constitution, and truth, more suspicion and distrust from allies, more hostility from the rest of the world, and new heights of media sycophancy.

With food safety bill, U.S. government will spend nearly $1 million per person to prevent food-borne illness deaths The recently-passed Food Safety Modernization Act, which was passed in order to prevent food-borne illness deaths in the USA, will cost $1.4 billion over the first five years. But nobody thinks about the economics of the issue. How many people are we going to save by spending this $1.4 billion, even assuming it works?

US declined to investigate suspected Mossad assassination, cable shows The US government lied about a request from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to probe the death of a Hamas military leader, according to a recently released US State Department cable from secrets outlet WikiLeaks.

High-risk insurance pools attracting few (Washington Post) [ As if we didn’t already know we can’t believe anything thet say! ] Early feature of the new health-care law isn't attracting as many customers as expected.

Iraq:  2 suicide bombings kill 19, wound 45 (Washington Post) [ Progress breakin’ out all over …
Britain charges 9 of 12 arrested in terror plot (Post, December 27, 2010; 4:07 PM) …blowback’s a bitc*h! …
Conflicting accounts of deadly raid in Kabul (Post, December 27, 2010; 6:32 PM) WikiLeaks papers detail Iraq torture, US killings Al-Jazeera on Friday released what it called “startling new information” from US documents obtained by WikiLeaks, alleging state-sanctioned Iraqi torture and the killing of hundreds of civilians at US military checkpoints. Julian Assange to RT: WikiLeaks gives ‘most accurate picture of war’ The shocking WikiLeaks release, which has revealed thousands of unreported civilian casualties in Iraq, is the most accurate picture of war ever made, and it is food for thought, says the website’s editor-in-chief. The report, condemned by the Pentagon, claims that US commanders in Iraq ignored evidence of torture and the murder of civilians. Spiegel: WikiLeaks logs may reveal war crimes In its early analysis of the Iraq war logs released by whistleblower site WikiLeaks on Friday, the German paper Der Spiegel pointed to several accounts of what it calls “dubious attacks” by US Apache helicopters that may have amounted to war crimes.Secret Iraq war records reveal grim new details (Washington Post) Logs released by WikiLeaks offer chilling insights about conflict's death toll and the tactics of Iraqi leaders who have taken over as U.S. troops exit. [ Now why did I think the u.s. military’s numbers were all wet? Poll: Does WikiLeaks put soldiers in danger? I haven’t looked at this poll, but my inner poll says needless wars in other people’s lands put soldiers at risk, particularly when your nation is defacto bankrupt. ] Previous: 77,000 Iraqis killed from 2004 to August 2008, U.S. military says (Washington Post) [ And you can take that to the fraudulent american bank … riiiiight! … Come on … americans lie about everything and certainly this … A conservative estimate from AP through only 2007: Study: 151,000 Iraqis died in conflict’s violence Surveyors face danger to count casualties from 2003 to 2006 The Associated Press - updated 1/9/2008 7:15:50 PM ET 2008-01-10T00:15:50 About 151,000 Iraqis died from violence in the first three years after the United States invaded, concludes the best effort yet to count deaths — one that still may not settle the fierce debate over the war's true toll on civilians and others … americans are just lying war criminal american scum. Obama’s Finest Hour: Killing Innocent People For “Made-Up Crap” Floyd Empire Burlesque Oct 22, 2010 If ever I am tempted by the siren songs of my tribal past as a deep-fried, yellow-dawg Democrat, and begin to feel any faint, atavistic stirrings of sympathy for the old gang, I simply think of things like the scenario below, sketched last week by Johann Hari, and those wispy ghosts of partisanship past go howling back to the depths: … Unauthorized US strike kills 4 Pakistanis A non-UN-sanctioned US strike on a house in Pakistan’s tribal region of North Waziristan has killed four civilians and injured two others.]

Rise in mergers may spell trouble for jobs (Washington Post) [ Lifelines for a few, obfuscation of impending disaster for most, fraudulent wall street just loves those fees, and though contraindicated, the potential talking points thereby. ] Some corporate mergers this year have been shadowed by fears of layoffs.

Toasting the bad economy (Washington Post) [ As indeed the Russians should since they have much to celebrate. Russian tiger team hails success yahoo Moscow's unprecedented military deal (Washington Post) ( France should be praised inasmuch as a strong Russia, and conversely, a weak perpetual war, war mongering, war crimes, pervasively corrupt nation, america is optimal for world peace! ) Russia is last in series of major powers to seal valuable deals with India (Washington Post) ( Bravo for India … a deal with Russia is a deal with a future! ) ] Their country still endures the sting of economic crisis, but Russians plan to drink up this holiday season. Applebaum: The 'decline of the West' (Washington Post) [ It really is true … and, no leftist sympathizer with his book of the same name, none other than Buchanan says as much. The reason of course is based on reality. From Orwellian Britain, to failed nation-state the pervasively corrupt and defacto bankrupt wobama-bushland america, to perpetual war ‘me-toos’ (ie., nato allies, war crimes nations israel, u.s., etc.), their frauds (wall street, etc.) protected, laws meaningless(see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) , their ruthless suppression subtle, hidden, but odious as never before in their respective histories, the west at best has become that ‘distinction without significant difference’ and heading to worse than can be imagined. Of course they’ll lay blame to something other than the huge frauds / wealth transfers that have plundered the nation. Indeed, one could even cogently argue that said plundering gave rise to the flawed, failed communism lie in the first instance. Yet, Russia, a great nation with a rich history is not a communist nation, did not violently suppress the people as they shirked that communist yoke / albatross, is not as defacto bankrupt, meaningfully lawless, pervasively corrupt america engaging in perpetual wars of destruction to persons and property, and with a great leader of historical dimension in Putin is a far more rational choice than the bankrupt west on all levels. As for communist china, it has truly been a self-defeating, self-destructive creation of the west out of greed which is in no short supply in the west. PREVIOUS:

Wikileaks founder freed on bail (Washington Post) [ ‘… Moore (correctly) asserts that Assange is under attack solely because he had the courage to expose American war crimes. Moore writes:

We were taken to war in Iraq on a lie. Hundreds of thousands are now dead. Just imagine if the men who planned this war crime back in 2002 had had a WikiLeaks to deal with. They might not have been able to pull it off. The only reason they thought they could get away with it was because they had a guaranteed cloak of secrecy....

So why is WikiLeaks, after performing such an important public service, under such vicious attack? Because they have outed and embarrassed those who have covered up the truth…’

Though Assange’s arrest was on far more tenuous grounds owing to a CIA-linked girl, Roman Polanski was similarly targeted:

BBC News - Roman Polanski triumphs at European Film Awards Dec 5, 2010 ... Roman Polanski's thriller The Ghost Writer wins six prizes at the European ... Polanski was working on the film at the time of his arrest in ...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11921048 {I strongly recommend this, of course, masterfully done film which deals with exactly that topic and the sordid, unscrupulous machinations of the cia / u.s. (no wonder the u.s. opted out of coverage by world treaty / The Hague thereby) to avoid detection of, and to further such activities as the war crimes referenced.}

Don’t forget: america has their own untouchables in the illegal sense, ie., wall street, etc., and In interview, Bush defends Iraq war and waterboarding (Washington Post) [ Defending the indefensible … what choice does he have … then there’s the lies … ] Bush breaks silence, writes next chapter (Washington Post) [ As a failed president and war criminal himself, moron dumbya bush is among the few in the world that makes failed president wobama look plausibly good in comparison … wobama merely continued the failed policies of dumbya (perpetual war, no pros the frauds on wallstreet, etc.) that got pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america to this point of decline and failure. ] Anne E. Kornblut Your take: His most memorable moment? [ Like regrets in that old song (his way) he’s had a few – http://albertpeia.com/evilonthetarmac.htm here’s a few: bushisms from bush the brain-damaged moron http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm :

Clinton Speaks: He Did It Because He Could - There Are Serial Killers On Death Row Who Have Killed Fewer People Than Unconflicted, Pathological Liar/Perjurer, Rapist, and Murderer, Psychopath criminal american clinton

· clinton Flashed ("Dropped his Drawers") Paula Jones and Implored Her To "Kiss It" (his p***s, which owing to distinctive "marking/disfigurement" she was able to describe)

· clinton "Cops a Cheap Feel/Grope" From Kathleen Willey In Attempting Prey Upon Her Perceived Vulnerability

· clintonites Threaten Dolly Kyle Browning In Attempting To Intimidate Her Into Giving False Testimony

· clinton Brutally Rapes Juanita Broaddrick

· clinton Was Asked To Leave Oxford Owing To Sexual Assault Of A Fellow Student

He Does It Because He Can

On March 11, 1999, Investor’s Business Daily reported that at least nine (9) women have now charged that Clinton "personally assaulted them or, through his ‘agents’ or ‘people,’ threatened to do them or their families physical harm." The list includes Dolly Kyle Browning, Gennifer Flowers, Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Corbin Jones, Kathleen Willey, Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp, Sally Perdue, and Elizabeth Ward Gracen. "And all of them say they’re afraid for their safety so long as he remains in power."

CLINTON BODY COUNT

By: Ether Zone Staff

Here is the latest body count that we have. All of these people have been connected with the Clintons in some form or another. We have not included any deaths that could not be verified or connected to the Clinton scandals. All deaths are listed chronologically by date. This list is current and accurate to the best of our knowledge as of January 13, 1999 August 1, 2000. (see complete list http://albertpeia.com/bodycount.htm ) …’ ]

Robinson: On track to nowhere in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ I agree with Mr. Robinson and we should be thankful that he’s watching closely and, unlike so many others, he has courage enough to say so :

Obama's glaring ego (Washington Post) [ Come on! Now known for what he really is; viz., an insecure, dysfunctional, jive-talking b*** s*** artist, he’s just once again, but typically wrong, and is nothing to have an ego about. Robinson: White House is eerily silent on taxes (Washington Post) [ Eerily? I think not! Expectantly? I think so! That is, once you get beyond the wobama b*** s*** ! And, truth be told party distinctions are merely distinctions without significant differences (no prosecution of the wall street frauds, wars raging in Afghanistan / Middle East, etc.. But alas, as to the ‘wobama whitehouse’ this was predictable early on as by David Icke : Barack Obama: The Naked Emperor Shocking but true revelations from David Icke (a must read) | ‘Vast numbers of people across the world, including many who should know better, have been duped by the mind-game called Operation Obama... (excerpts) Obama has been the chosen one for a long time, a fact known only to a few in the deep inner circle, and his relationship with Brzezinski almost certainly goes back to the start of the 1980s when he attended the Ivy League, and big-time Illuminati, Columbia University where Brzezinski was head of the Institute for Communist Affairs. Obama simply will not talk in any detail about this period. He has been covertly funded and supported ever since by the Trilateral Commission and its network of foundations connecting into the Ford Foundation, for whom Obama's mother worked. And a question: Does anyone really believe that someone, a 'man of the people', would simply appear from apparently nowhere to run the slickest and best-funded presidential campaign in American history? He was chosen long ago by those who wish to enslave the very people that Obama says he wants to 'set free'. The sources of Obama funding read like a Wall Street Who's Who - Goldman Sachs, UBS, Citigroup, Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and so on. No wonder he went back on his pledge to accept the limitations of public funding for his campaign and instead took the no-limit option of 'private funding. Then there is the Jewish financier, George Soros, the multi-billionaire associate of Brzezinski and closely involved with the funding and marketing of Obama. Soros is a former board member of the Illuminati's Council on Foreign Relations and funds the European Council on Foreign Relations. In short, he is a major insider' You can certainly see the Soros/Brzezinski techniques in the Obama 'revolution' in the United States. It was the complex and secretive network of Soros foundations and organisations, connected to the intelligence agencies of the US and Israel, that trained and funded students in the Ukraine, Georgia and elsewhere in the art of mass protest and overthrowing governments. These manufactured protests were sold to the world as peoples' revolutions, but it just so happened that when they were over and the old regime was removed the new leaders were those waiting in the wings all along - the puppets of Soros, Brzezinski and their associated networks. Obama is just more of the same, a big smile with strings attached, and controlled completely by the Illuminati networks that chose him, trained him, sold him and provided his record funding. It was they who kept his many skeletons under wraps, like the gay sex and crack cocaine allegations of Larry Sinclair (from affidavit: 1. Who is Ron Allen that claims to be with your Presidential camp, who is alleged to claim that someone claiming to represent me called asking for $100,000, to keep me from coming forward about our (Obama and I) November 1999 encounter of sex and cocaine use?), and they will continue to do so as long as he jumps to their bidding. Obama is just another Banksters' moll prostituting himself for fame and power, and that's why he supported the grotesque bail-out of the banking system and why he will always put their interests before the people. His financial advisors are straight from the Wall Street 'A' list, including Paul Adolph Volker (Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations, Bilderberg Group), the head of the Federal Reserve from 1979 to 1987 and Illuminati to his fingertips. Obama has made him head of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board, which is dominated by insiders, including its staff director and chief economist, Austan Goolsbee, a close Obama associate from the University of Chicago. Goolsbee is an initiate of the infamous Illuminati Skull and Bones Society at Yale University, which also includes Boy and Father Bush. It was Goolsbee who told the Canadian government not to worry about Obama's attacks on the economic effects of free trade agreements because his words were just to win votes in the election campaign. Another Wall Street insider, the Zionist Timothy Geithner (Bilderberg Group, Trilateral Commission, Council on Foreign Relations), was appointed by Obama to be his Treasury Secretary. Geithner was the President of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, the most powerful in the private Federal Reserve cartel that masquerades as America's central bank, and he is a former employee of both the Council on Foreign Relations and the appalling Kissinger Associates. Obama's Treasury team locks into the inner circle around the Zionist Robert Rubin, the Director and Senior Counselor of Citigroup, co-chairman of the Council on Foreign Relations, and economic advisor to Obama. Rubin, a member of the Illuminati Bilderberg Group, was the man behind Citigroup's strategy of expanding its risk in debt markets which forced it to be rescued by taxpayers' money. The very people who caused the financial crisis are being appointed by Obama to decide how to respond to it (more taxpayers' money for them and their friends) ‘
The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257# [ youtube is often down – website archived version is available as follows: http://www.albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv http://www.albertpeia.com/esotericagendalinktoarchive.htm ]

-------------------

In interview, Bush defends Iraq war and waterboarding (Washington Post) [ Defending the indefensible … what choice does he have … then there’s the lies … ] Bush breaks silence, writes next chapter (Washington Post) [ As a failed president and war criminal himself, moron dumbya bush is among the few in the world that makes failed president wobama look plausibly good in comparison … wobama merely continued the failed policies of dumbya (perpetual war, no pros the frauds on wallstreet, etc.) that got pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america to this point of decline and failure. ] Anne E. Kornblut Your take: His most memorable moment? [ Like regrets in that old song (his way) he’s had a few – http://albertpeia.com/evilonthetarmac.htm here’s a few: bushisms from bush the brain-damaged moron http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm :

Clinton Speaks: He Did It Because He Could - There Are Serial Killers On Death Row Who Have Killed Fewer People Than Unconflicted, Pathological Liar/Perjurer, Rapist, and Murderer, Psychopath criminal american clinton

· clinton Flashed ("Dropped his Drawers") Paula Jones and Implored Her To "Kiss It" (his p***s, which owing to distinctive "marking/disfigurement" she was able to describe)

· clinton "Cops a Cheap Feel/Grope" From Kathleen Willey In Attempting Prey Upon Her Perceived Vulnerability

· clintonites Threaten Dolly Kyle Browning In Attempting To Intimidate Her Into Giving False Testimony

· clinton Brutally Rapes Juanita Broaddrick

· clinton Was Asked To Leave Oxford Owing To Sexual Assault Of A Fellow Student

He Does It Because He Can

On March 11, 1999, Investor’s Business Daily reported that at least nine (9) women have now charged that Clinton "personally assaulted them or, through his ‘agents’ or ‘people,’ threatened to do them or their families physical harm." The list includes Dolly Kyle Browning, Gennifer Flowers, Juanita Broaddrick, Paula Corbin Jones, Kathleen Willey, Monica Lewinsky, Linda Tripp, Sally Perdue, and Elizabeth Ward Gracen. "And all of them say they’re afraid for their safety so long as he remains in power."

CLINTON BODY COUNT

By: Ether Zone Staff

Here is the latest body count that we have. All of these people have been connected with the Clintons in some form or another. We have not included any deaths that could not be verified or connected to the Clinton scandals. All deaths are listed chronologically by date. This list is current and accurate to the best of our knowledge as of January 13, 1999 August 1, 2000. (see complete list http://albertpeia.com/bodycount.htm )

Susan Coleman: Rumors were circulating in Arkansas of an affair with Bill Clinton. She was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head at 7 1/2 months pregnant. Death was an apparent suicide.


Kevin Ives & Don Henry: Initial cause of death was reported to be the result of falling asleep on a railroad track in Arkansas on August 23, 1987. This ruling was reported by the State medical examiner Fahmy Malak. Later it was determined that Kevin died from a crushed skull prior to being placed on the tracks. Don had been stabbed in the back. Rumors indicate that they might have stumbled upon a Mena drug operation.


Paul Olson: A Federal witness in investigations to drug money corruption in Chicago politics, Paul had just finished 2 days of FBI interviews when his plane ride home crashed, killing Paul and 130 others on Sept 8 1994. The Sept. 15, 1994 Tempe Tribune newspaper reported that the FBI suspected that a bomb had brought down the airplane.

Calvin Walraven: 24 year on Walraven was a key witness against Jocelyn Elder's son's drug case. Walraven was found dead in his apartment with a gunshot wound to the head. Tim Hover, a Little Rock police spokesman says no foul play is suspected.

Alan G. Whicher: Oversaw Clinton's Secret Service detail. In October 1994 Whicher was transferred to the Secret Service field office in the Murrah Building in Oklahoma City. Whatever warning was given to the BATF agents in that building did not reach Alan Whicher, who died in the bomb blast of April 19th 1995.


Ron Brown:. The Commerce Secretary died on  April 3, 1996, in an Air Force jet carrying Brown and 34 others, including 14 business executives on a trade mission to Croatia, crashed into a mountainside. The Air Force, in a 22-volume report issued in June of 1996, confirmed its initial judgment that the crash resulted from pilot errors and faulty navigation equipment At the time of Brown's death, Independent Counsel Daniel Pearson was seeking to determine whether Brown had engaged in several sham financial transactions with longtime business partner Nolanda Hill shortly before he became secretary of commerce.

Charles Meissner: died: UNK - Following Ron Brown's death, John Huang was placed on a Commerce Department contract that allowed him to retain his security clearance by Charles Meissner. Shortly thereafter, Meissner died in the crash of a small plane.   He was an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for International Economic Policy.




Barbara Wise: Wise a 14-year Commerce Department employee found dead and partially naked in her office following a long weekend. She worked in the same section as John Huang. Officially, she is said to have died of natural causes.


Mary C. Mahoney: 25, murdered at the Georgetown Starbuck's coffee bar over the 4th of July '97 weekend. She was a former White House intern who worked with John Huang. Apparently she knew Monica Lewinsky and her sexual encounters with Bill Clinton. Although not verified, it has been said that Lewinsky told Linda Tripp that she did not want to end up like Mahoney.

---------------------------------------------------------

Background http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg

For Those Who Wonder About the bush-clinton-bush Stranglehold on the Nation, Realize That Their Criminal Cooperation Began With Their Lucrative Relationship Vis-a-vis What Was Known as the Mena, Arkansas Drug (cocaine from Central/South America) Run As Set Forth In This CIA Agent's Affidavit/Declaration Under Penalty of Perjury.

The Vietnam war was a painful time for America. Many young Americans were drafted and died thousands of miles from their loved ones. Young men of priviledge had a clear advantage - few of them went to Vietnam, securing positions in the National Guards of their respective states. George W. Bush was one of these men, securing a place in the Texas Air National Guard in spite of a waiting list of several hundred. However, he claims that he did not receive special consideration, which is clearly a lie.

Most of the young men lucky enough to get into the Guard fulfilled their obligations. George W. Bush did not. He was absent without leave, AWOL, for over a year. Not surprisingly, this got little attention from the corporate media...

… After the hostages' release, the arms shipments to Iran continued. Profits were funneled to another pet cause of the right wing - the Nicuaraguan terrorists known as "freedom fighters" or "Contras". Another Contra source of income was trafficking in narcotics, running cocaine into the United States, with the full knowledge and cooperation of Administration officials. In the 80's there was a huge increase in the flow of cheap crack cocaine into the inner cities of America and countless lives were destroyed.

A series of investigations led to the convictions of Oliver North and Vice Admiral John C. Poindexter, head of the National Security Council, on charges of obstructing Congress and unlawfully destroying documents, but both their convictions were later reversed. In 1992 President George H.W. Bush pardoned many of the top government officials who had been charged or convicted in the scheme. The main perpetrators of Iran/Contra and associated events remain free today, and many of them work in George W. Bush's Administration.

…

Of the three generations of Bush men mentioned on this site, the most evil and most dangerous by far is George Bush, Sr.

The Bush family came by their wealth on the backs of 11 million dead. Prescott Bush, along with partner E. Ronald Harriman, supplied financial aid and raw materials to Hitler's Third Reich.

In 1942, Bush/Harriman companies were seized under the Trading with the Enemy Act: the Union Banking Corporation, the Holland-American Trading Corporation, the Seamless Steel Equipment Corporation and Silesian-American Corporation.

After the war, the CIA recruited many former Nazis to work for them, escaping prosecution for war crimes. Klaus Barbie, infamous for ordering the murder of French children, was among them. He was, however, eventually caught and returned to France to stand trial.

… Shortly before the 9/11 attacks, John Ashcroft stopped flying commercial and started flying on government-chartered planes. Why?

In fact, the George W. Bush received many warnings that he disregarded. Bush knew, and he did nothing. Why?

Oil, that's why. And a free rein to rape the Constitution.

…- David Blomstrom ]

] Gerson: He could have taken quiet credit for the bipartisan tax deal; he chose otherwise. ]

‘Deadbeat’ TARP banks on rise (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Viz., when worthless paper / securities / toxic assets are being carried in the trillions now marked to anything (as per legislated mark to anything FASB rule change), the reality is that there’s no real surplus from which to pay dividends, etc.. ]Obama administration steps up monitoring of banks that miss required payments.

(12-26-10) I’m constrained to eat crow here, inasmuch as I’ve previously had negative things to say regarding Time Warner Cable. But, so as not to be one of those do as I say, but not as I do hypocrites, I must state for the record here that Time Warner Cable internet is far superior to the att-based DSL, and that att can’t-do-thing means I’ll be canceling my (jersey / now dumbya bushie land) att land line (done 12-27-10, along with DSL) which wasn’t fully functional anyway but had kept same for the listing, and for internet connection which ultimately required DSL and failed at that.

(12-23-10) MY INTERNET CONNECTION IS DOWN AGAIN AND OF COURSE, I WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE PERVASIVELY CORRUPT, DEFACTO BANKRUPT AMERICAN SCUMBAGS SHORTLY! They will be sorry they did this … I won’t forget it!

(12-22-10) MY INTERNET CONNECTION IS DOWN SO I’M USING A LOCAL WORKSTATION COMPUTER AND WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE PERVASIVELY CORRUPT, DEFACTO BANKRUPT AMERICAN SCUMBAGS SHORTLY! They will be sorry they did this … I won’t forget!

10 Good Reasons To Be Worried About The Stock Market In 2011 Joe Weisenthal, On Sunday December 26, 2010, ‘This is one of David Rosenberg's best pieces in awhile. In his latest daily note, the Gluskin-Sheff economist presents 10 reasons bulls should be worried about the stock market in 2011. And it's not just that there are all kinds of negative headlines that are being ignored, or that some economic datapoints aren't so hot, or that there is still deflation. He makes a great argument that many factors, like the level of bullishness, the relative valuation of stocks to bonds, and the unanimity in thinking are worrisome.  If anything, the list isn't taking into account everything we see right now.

1. STRATEGISTS ARE UNANIMOUSLY BULLISH "In Barron’s look-ahead piece, not one strategist sees the prospect for a market decline.  This is called group-think.  Moreover, the percentage of brokerage house analysts and economists to raise their 2011 GDP forecasts has risen substantially.  Out of 49 economists surveyed, 35 say the U.S. economy will outperform the already upwardly revised GDP forecasts, only 14 say we will underperform.  This is capitulation of historical proportions. "Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#strategists-are-unanimously-bullish-1#ixzz19FzSp3Sd

2. INVESTORS ARE GOING GAGA FOR STOCKS"The weekly fund flow data from the ICI showed not only massive outflows, but in aggregate, retail investors withdrew a RECORD net $8.6 billion from bond funds during the week ended December 15 (on top of the $1.7 billion of outflows in the prior week).  Maybe now all the bond bears will shut their traps over this “bond-bubble” nonsense."  Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#investors-are-going-gaga-for-stocks-2#ixzz19G02eyCU

3. "Investors Intelligence now shows the bull share heading up to 58.8% from 55.8% a week ago, and the bear share is up to 20.6% from 20.5%.  So bullish sentiment has now reached a new high for the year and is now the highest since 2007 ― just ahead of the market slide."Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#-3#ixzz19G0EYLuH

4. "It may pay to have a look at Dow 1929-1949 analog lined up with January 2000. We are getting very close to the May 1940 sell-off when Germany invaded France.  As a loyal reader and trusted friend notified us yesterday, “fighting” war may be similar to the sovereign debt war raging in Europe today. (Have a look at the jarring article on page 20 of today’s FT — Germany is not immune to the contagion gripping Europe.) "Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#-4#ixzz19G0MEGXy

5. STOCK DIVIDEND YIELDS ARE NOT SO HOT "What about the S&P 500 dividend yield, and this comes courtesy of an old pal from Merrill Lynch who is currently an investment advisor.  Over the course of 2010, numerous analysts were saying that people must own stocks because the dividend yields will be more than that of the 10-year Treasury.  But alas, here we are today with the S&P 500 dividend yield at 2% and the 10-year T-note yield at 3.3%.From a historical standpoint, the yield on the S&P 500 is very low ― too low, in fact.  This smacks of a market top and underscores the point that the market is too optimistic in the sense that investors are willing to forgo yield because they assume that they will get the return via the capital gain.  In essence, dividend yields are supposed to be higher than the risk free yield in a fairly valued market because the higher yield is “supposed to” compensate the investor for taking on extra risk.  The last time S&P yields were around this level was in the summer of 2000, and we know what happened shortly after that.  When the S&P yield gets to its long-term average of 4.35%, maybe even a little higher, then stocks will likely be a long-term buy. "Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#stock-dividend-yields-are-not-so-hot-5#ixzz19G0ow2m9

6. THE DOW PRICED IN GOLD HAS MORE TO FALL Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#the-dow-priced-in-gold-has-more-to-fall-6#ixzz19G2x0gFe"The equity market in gold terms has been plummeting for about a decade and will continue to do so.  When measured in Federal Reserve Notes, the Dow has done great.  But there has been no market recovery when benchmarked against the most reliable currency in the world.  Back in 2000, it took over 40oz of gold to buy the Dow; now it takes a little more than 8oz.  This is typical of secular bear markets and this ends when the Dow can be bought with less than 2oz of gold.  Even then, an undershoot could very well take the ratio to 1:1."Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#the-dow-priced-in-gold-has-more-to-fall-6#ixzz19G17NoeR
   
   

7. BREADTH IS DETERIORATING "As Bob Farrell is clearly indicating in his work, momentum and market breadth have been lacking.  The number of stocks in the S&P 500 that are making  52-week highs is declining even though the index continues to make new 52-week highs. "Source: Gluskin-Sheff Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#breadth-is-deteriorating-7#ixzz19G1KZX2Q

8. VALUATIONS ARE GETTING RICH "Stocks are overvalued at the present levels.  For December, the Shiller P/E ratio says stocks are now trading at a whopping 22.7 times earnings!  In normal economic periods, the Shiller P/E is between 14 and 16 times earnings.  Coming out of the bursting of a credit bubble, the P/E ratio historically is 12.  Coming out of a credit bubble of the magnitude we just had, the P/E should be at single digits." Source: Gluskin-Sheff Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#valuations-are-getting-rich-8#ixzz19G23tGaQ

9. HOUSING IS STILL A HUGE THREAT "The potential for a significant down-leg in home prices is being underestimated.  The unsold existing inventory is still 80% above the historical norm, at 3.7 million.  And that does not include the ‘shadow’ foreclosed inventory.  According to some superb research conducted by the Dallas Fed, completing the mean-reversion process would entail a further 23% decline in real home prices from here.  In a near zero percent inflation environment, that is one massive decline in nominal terms.  Prices may not hit their ultimate bottom until some point in 2015. "Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#housing-is-still-a-huge-threat-9#ixzz19G2O6qNU

10. FISCAL STRAINS POSE A MAJOR THREAT "Arguably the most understated, yet significant, issue facing both U.S. economy and U.S. markets is the escalating fiscal strains at the state and local government levels, particularly those jurisdictions with uncomfortably high pension liabilities.  Have a look at Alabama town shows the cost of neglecting a pension fund on the front page of the NYT as well as Chapter 9 weighed in pension woes on page C1 on WSJ."   In the absence of Chapter 9 declarations or dramatic federal aid, fixing the fiscal problems at lower levels of government is very likely going to require some radical restraint, perhaps even breaking up existing contracts for current retirees and tapping tax payers for additional revenues.  The story has some how become lost in all the excitement over the New Tax Deal cobbled together between the White House and the lame duck Congress just a few weeks ago." Source: Gluskin-Sheff Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/10-reasons-to-be-worried-about-the-stock-market-in-2011-2010-12#fiscal-strains-pose-a-major-threat-10#ixzz19G2gqTZP

THE STOCK MARKET IS A BUBBLE Corson ‘The stock market is not bubbled up, you say? Well then, let's take a serious macro macro look at the situation and raise the matter as a question.How is it that from about 1950 (or 1965 at least) up to about 1985, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stayed mostly in the range from about 250 to 1200, when America was growing and doing pretty well on average, and then, from about 1985 to the year 2000 or so -- a mere fifteen years -- the Dow shot up to over 10,000, when middle class America realized almost no income gains in real terms and the economy basically cycled from one boom and bust cycle to the next?I argue we face one of the biggest bubbles of all time. Let me explain and lets address the problem by focusing on the DJIA. Here is what the DJIA has done since 1965. click to enlarge images

[chart]

What we observe is the DJIA has gone up about ten fold from 1965 to the year 2000 or so. But what has industrial production in the US done during that time frame?

[chart]

Industrial production has increased to be sure, but only by a factor of three or so. It certainly has not increased anything like the DJIA. But there is slippage, you say. To be sure, we now generate more services, the time series data have been smoothed and more importantly changed, etc., etc. But these explanations simply don't bridge the gap.
Here is another one that doesn't either.

Back in the early-to-mid 1980s macro economists noted that the risk premium being paid on equities over bonds was far higher than was warranted by standard measures of individuals’ attitudes towards risk. In short, the risk premium agents were being paid more than compensated them for the risk. This was particularly surprising since over the long run, the risk on equities was no different than that on bonds. As a result, there appeared to be an arbitrage opportunity by shifting one’s portfolio from bonds to stocks and holding the equities for a long time.

Do you believe that? We simply had a financial epiphany and corrected. More importantly, do you want to believe that or anything except we are bubbled up?As we know, Japan had this problem with its stock market and here is what happened. But that can't happen here you say. I ask, why not?

[chart]

Even GDP and profits have not caught up with this market. They too have only increased three and a half fold at best.

[chart]

(The data in these charts are smoothed to conceal recessions and ease presentation.)Why is it that we don't have a serious bubble in our stock market now? Were our valuations all wrong for years on end earlier, or do we have it wrong now? I think we have a problem and our heads are in the sand… http://www.seekingalpha.com/article/243573-is-the-dow-showing-a-major-stock-market-bubble?source=yahoo ’

Market Snapshot: U.S. stocks face pullback predictions

U.S. stocks face pullback predictions Sat, 25 Dec 2010 17:00:05 GMT After stocks rise to two-year highs in the latest week, market analysts say a retreat could be in he...

Connecticut, California join probe of Ally (Washington Post) [I’d be much more impressed if they initiated a probe of more readily discernible criminal offenses in violation of the RICO Act http://albertpeia.com Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan, etc., Fraudulent Liars (sic-lawyers) and the Fraudulent u.s. System They're a Part of Are Unheard Of/Non-existent. List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic! http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ] Justice: FBI improperly opened probes (Washington Post) [ I just hope they’re as zealous (in probing readily discernible crime) with regard to my RICO matters and the corruption in the (judicial / legal) process since, in the final analysis, it will have been the corruption within that will have brought the nation down irrevocably and totally ] .

9-13-10

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include a copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’)…

The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ( http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ) ].

The correspondence I received from Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

1. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
2. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
3. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
4. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
5. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
6. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) ******** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

Part 2: Woodward's 'Obama's Wars' Don't get 'locked into Vietnam,' Biden warns (Washington Post) [ Yeah, when you have a lobotomized VP you tend not to trust their opinion; but, I think they just cover their bases … you know, that Kerryish both sides of all issues thing. In any event, wobama bought this continued debacle and bears fault with the other Zionist war mongers. Previously (on Iraq and Afghanistan, infra): Obama: 'It is time to turn the page' on Iraq war (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! How patronizing to have wobama spew his b*** s*** which b.s. has become synonomous with wobama; ‘to give Iraqis the chance to shape their future’… Iraq’s been destroyed, covered in cancer-causing depleted uranium, america’s defacto bankrupt, etc. If only teleprompters had a brain of their own. ] He says the U.S. "has paid a huge price" to give Iraqis the chance to shape their future -- a price that now includes more than 4,400 U.S. dead. ]On Thanksgiving weekend in 2009, Vice President Biden counsels President Obama about sending more troops to Afghanistan.

• Full coverage: 'Obama's Wars'

• Audio: Obama on length of the war

• Audio: Obama on attack possibility

• Audio: Obama on terrorism tactics

A subtler tack to fight Afghan corruption? (Washington Post) [ How about a not so subtler tack to fight corruption starting right here in the u.s. of a. where corruption and crime are pervasive and in fact, at the root of the Afghanistan problems, from american reinvigorated heroin trade to bribery attendant thereto to killing civilians, etc.. Defacto Bankrupt, Meaningfully Lawless, War Criminal Nation america, the leader of nations … in crime:

Though having but 5% of the world’s population, america can boast 76% of the world’s serial killers, followed by Europe with England/UK then Germany leading the way for the eu [excerpt, 6 minute video, Serial Killers: Real Life Hannibal Lechters http://www.albertpeia.com/realifeamericaserialkillers.mpg (as is consistent with crime generally, see infra)]. Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… ]

White House offers israel a carrot for peace talks (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! This dog and pony show is getting old fast while america’s dying and america could in a day precipitate a peace consistent with international law, prior u.n. resolutions (i.e., 242, 338, etc.), (Oslo) accords, civilized behavior, etc., despite and in contravention of israel’s militant intransigence, to stem the hemorrhaging of american blood and treasure for israel’s sake. ]

]

Airstrike probe finds poor coordination between Pakistan, U.S. (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight! That coordination thing underlying those unfriendly-fire incidents and civilian deaths wherever american storm troopers happen to be … Eureka! And all this while everyone was thinking that the same was just typical americana! ]

U.S. funds go to Taliban, warlords, report finds (Washington Post) [ Well, defacto bankrupt america can afford it; after all, how much more defacto bankrupt can the nation get? Well, then again, despite the headline, a lot of those hundreds of billions are finding their way back into american hands, albeit dirty ones, like, for example the 360 tons of hundred dollar bills flown into Iraq and still unaccounted for, etc.. ]Military has minimal knowledge of and virtually no control over thousands of Afghans it pays to guard operating bases, bipartisan report finds.

We Are Looking at Trillion-Dollar Plus Annual Interest Payments on U.S. Debt Owens Krugman: We’re Going To Have To Default On Our Debt One Way Or Another Some dour commentary from Paul Krugman this morning on the implications of our monster debt. Economists Herald New Great Depression The world is currently experiencing the modern day equivalent of the Great Depression, according to a prominent economist who has added his voice to scores of others now forecasting ongoing economic doom on a scale not seen since the 1930s.) , and my position and that of demographer Dent ( Prechter and many others are also in this camp although I believe he does not factor in sufficiently the debasement of the u.s. currency / dollar in arriving at his numbers which do however, at 1,000 on the DOW reflect real, as opposed to inflated values of 3-4,000 owing to the ever more worthless Weimar dollars which provides ‘spin material’ for the wall street frauds but is really quite ominous going forward, and very detrimental in real economic terms.) [This is a global depression. This is a secular bear market in a global depression. The past up move was a manipulated bull (s***) cycle in a secular bear market. This has been a typically manipulated bubble as has preceded the prior crashes with great regularity that the wall street frauds and insiders commission and sell into. This is a typical wall street churn and earn pass the hot potato scam / fraud as in prior crashes’. This national decline, economic and otherwise, will not end until justice is served and the wall street frauds et als are criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed.] [ The reason for the necessity of prosecution is founded in the circumstances surrounding and the mindset of what one would deem ‘antisocial personalities’ (disorders) ( I prefer the prior descriptor of such as psychopathic; the euphemistic ‘sociopathic’ was ‘far too understanding’ in my view of the social / environmental factors allegedly giving rise to such negative / destructive behaviors. I don’t buy it.) Specifically, accepted studies / findings have concluded that the essential defect in those with antisocial (psychopathic) personality disorders is an inability to respond normally to fear-inducing stimuli, leading in turn to an inability to inhibit responses that should, but, as with wall street, have not resulted in punishment. Thus, while I think most on wall street have proven themselves criminally insane (for the money, ie., Stewart, ‘Den of Thieves’ / ‘Liar’s Poker’, the most recent financial debacle / crisis, which continues to this day); at the least, owing to a lack of fear of prosecution / punishment, they have become defacto sociopathic / psychopathic. ] Krugman: It's All Downhill From Here Cullen Roche Love him or hate him Paul Krugman has been awfully right with regards to the macro picture in the last few years. He’s one of the rare economists who had the foresight to see the housing bubble and the likelihood of economic downturn that would result from it. Krugman recently caused a stir when he said the US economy was headed for the third depression. Here Are 13 Signs That We’re Actually In A Depression Right Now Gregory White | David Rosenberg has outlined, in his latest letter, the 13 reasons with this so-called recovery is actually a depression… David Rosenberg has outlined, in his latest letter, the 13 reasons with this so-called recovery is actually a depression.Rosenberg sums it up like this:

This is what a depression is all about — an economy that 33 months after a recession begins, with zero policy rates, a stuffed central bank sheet, and a 10% deficit-to-GDP ratio, is still in need of government help for its sustenance.

Harry Dent, Jr.  Economy will be in a Depression by 2011
The worst of this next depression is likely to hit between mid-2010 and mid-2013, especially around early 2011, but if the banking system continues to implode a deep downturn or depression could begin sometime in 2009 instead of 2010.
Dow will Fall to 3,800 – 4,500 by 2012
Nasdaq will Fall Below 1,100, its 2002 low, by late 2010 or mid-2012 at the latest.
Inflation will Increase until mid- 2010 and then turn to Deflation
Interest Rates will Increase
U.S. Dollar will Decline
Housing will Decline by 40 – 60% from Today’s Levels
Greatest Economic and Banking Crisis since the 1930s will Occur Between 2010 and 2012). ]

Three Horrifying Facts About the US Debt “Situation” Phoenix Capital Research | The US Fed is now the second largest owner of US Treasuries.

Dollar Tumbles as Fed Prepares to Print More Money Reuters | The Fed may lead the way into more aggressive quantitative easing, which is seen knocking the dollar lower.

Dollar set for sharp decline, Goldman forecasts The dollar will embark on a sharp decline over the next 12 months, Goldman Sachs forecast on Wednesday, as policy makers in Washington look poised to press the trigger on another round of printing money.

Sunnis' walkout mars political talks in Iraq (Washington Post) [ ‘It’s … be…ginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere pervasively corrupt ‘little israel’ defacto bankrupt war criminal nation america goes (to that Christmas tune) … Nothing like creating the anti-Christian sentiment through failed policy to keep the war machine greased with money defacto bankrupt america doesn’t really have (and aren’t the jews / israelis by definition ‘anti-Christ and hence anti-Christian’) ] One chaotic parliamentary session reflects challenges facing U.S. efforts to leave behind a stable Iraq with a representative government. Attack on Karachi police building kills 18 (Washington Post) About six militants open fire on a criminal investigations office in the "red zone," a highly secured area within Pakistan's largest city that houses the provincial minister's residence and the U.S. Consulate. [Visiting U.S. senators praise Afghan progress, say drawdown date is unrealistic (Washington Post) [ I’ll tell you what’s unrealistic: having compromised senators ( ie., non-war-heroe senile mccain, closet homosexual graham, incompetent zelig zionist lieberman, new york sinkhole slug Kirsten Gillibrand chided As 'Schumer's (zionist) Little Girl' ) stay the course with already failed pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american policy … Paul Craig Roberts: Government Abandoned Vietnam POWs  Kurt Nimmo | John McCain worked overtime to make sure Vietnam POWs never came home. I think the even bigger story vis-à-vis mccain is:  http://www.albertpeia.com/heroenot.htm  ‘Did you know that that so-called "american heroe" john mccain was referred to by his fellow pows in Vietnam as something akin to the "songbird" inasmuch as he was constantly "singing" to his Viet-Cong captors to curry favor and better treatment? This has been documented with authority by Colonel David Hackworth. The same violates military code/protocol (other soldiers have been court-martialed for far less) click Here, Here.  [ http://www.albertpeia.com/hackworth.htm ]  But, you see, this covered up scenario, compromizing the false facade of far less than a heroe, is exactly what a criminal (lie of a) nation as america loves and encourages (get everyone's hands dirty so no-one dares to rectify same, ie., bush, sr., clinton, bush, jr.). That is, "toe the (corrupt, propagandized) line", become a criminal, or be exposed, prosecuted, and/or ruined; and, hasn't anyone asked how "wall street" has been "spared the spotlight" (and even was accorded protective legislation from their criminal culpability) and focus of inquiry, attention, and prosecution despite being the primary beneficiaries financial and otherwise of these scams (you know the wall street motto, "churn and earn"; huge conflicts of interest if not outright fraud)…’…Oh and they so can afford it Deficit panel proposes huge cuts (Washington Post) [ Cuts? I heard the corrupt, incompetent lawmakers were giving themselves a raise. They actually deserve at least a 10% paycut and abolition of those lifetime appointments / permanent corrupt bureaucracies. Nothing succeeds like failure and crime in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america! ] Lawmakers propose curbs on Social Security, cuts in spending and tax hikes if long-term goals aren't met. ]

Afghans march in Kabul to denounce NATO strikes that killed civilians:  Demonstrators shout anti-American slogans, denounce NATO strikes (Washington Post ) Sounds like a plan! Almost surreal was the appearance of gates on failed network ‘news’ show to shill the non-strategy of draw down (of troops) linked to success. What success? Just being there and every day they’re there is unequivocally abject failure. Celebritology Weekend: Angelina Jolie biography arrives(Washington Post ) I usually don’t weigh in on entertainment news, but this headline concerning what appears to be a disparaging, and quite selectively so, purported biography of Angelina Jolie is very disheartening when you consider the numerous instances of failed leadership at nearly all very high levels of government having so detrimental an impact on the world, that morton deems his time appropriate to an actress who has actually tried to do good things (U.N., etc.) without having to. Indeed, even her latest film ‘Salt’ (spectacular by any standard as is her performance – there are at least 2 winning sequels there with 4 the max and stretching it owing to age – she puts all, and I mean all the ‘Bonds’ to shame) had an important message in terms of the damage to this nation by a seemingly endless, nation-bankrupting, anti-american (war criminal israelis already, and quite correctly, globally hated) sentiment producing war strategy that is neither strategy nor reasonably consistent with any positive american goal / objective; but rather is such a debacle and folly that the same could very well be one that only an enemy of defacto bankrupt america could hatch and for the reasoning set forth in the well-written / directed film. She astutely observed and talked about the synchronicity of the film as juxtaposed to recent events revealing that she is wiser than most in Washington.

Afghanistan:  U.S. and Afghans at odds over Kabul Bank reform (Washington Post) [ Wow! Given defacto bankrupt america’s continued and covered-up financial debacle, any Afghan resistance to the american model / modus operandi is tantamount to ‘proof of life (rationality)’. ]

Memoir: Bush debated dropping Cheney (Washington Post) [ More unequivocal proof that moron dumbya bush couldn’t, like wobama and recent predecessors, make the right decision even if their presidencies and the nation’s survival depended on it. Heck uv a job brownie, bushie, cheney, wobamie, etc…. Keep up those nation bankrupting, attention-diverting wars you knucklehead war criminals, you. ]

U.S. operations in Kandahar push out Taliban (Washington Post) [ Break out the bubbly, victory at last! Riiiiight! Reality … defacto bankrupt american forces moved in, Taliban moved out. ]

Global impact of U.S. elections Foreign Policy: A Plan B for Obama (Washington Post) [ Plan B? Come on! … Either he’s on plan z or has no plan at all! ] World capitals brace for a new political order in Washington, as policymakers and analysts tried to assess the impact on foreign policy of a new Republican-led U.S. House. Foreign Policy: The China election [ China election? Don’t make me laugh! Almost as big a joke as american elections! (I realize the article wasn’t about an ‘election’ (hmm … riiiiight) in China per se, but wanted to make the albeit indirect point.)]

Pentagon's Cyber Command seeks authority to expand its battlefield (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a backdoor censorship plan to me. After all, based on actual events and history that belies their words, isn’t expanding battlefields and perpetual war what they’ve become all about? The nation’s defacto bankrupt. Afghanistan, as warned here, an abject failure. Kind of reminds me of that war film (I don’t recall the name) where at the close of WW2 you see some nazi officers huddled around with one asking what to do now, with a stern, unequivocal response, ‘prepare for the next war’. Ridiculous! ]

Russia's Ryabkov on U.S.-Russia relations: 'We can offer tangible results, and we will do more in the future' (Washington Post) [ Well, I don’t know about diplomatic relations (one can only hope), but if it’s sexual relations, what’s not to like … about Russian girls … They’re total babes! Back to the diplomatic front, I’ve grown a bit partial to the rationality of the Russian leadership based not solely on what they say (defacto bankrupt america talks about peace, but directly and through proxies, ie., israel, etc., is war mongering, war facilitating, war profiteering on multiple fronts and killing many innocent children, women, and men; and of course my own experience with american meaningfully lawlessness, infra, etc., ), but what they do (Russia’s engaged in no wars, made the transition from communism to present without violence, finds time to preserve ‘The Siberian Tiger’, etc., and is not a hypocrite regarding professing to be a nation of meaningful laws as america disingenuously purpots to be, etc.) previous:

Wall Street firm targets District-based energy practice (Washington Post) [ From one corrupt sinkhole (d.c. / no. virginia) to another, perhaps the largest ( wall street/new york/jersey/ct. metro); ho, hum. The pervasively corrupt american illegal system … corrupt u.s. courts / (lawyers) / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation. ] It's part of a push by law firms to expand their D.C. footprint in an era of increased regulatory scrutiny.)

A united goal: Saving the tiger (Washington Post) [ Clearly the wisdom of an historically great leader for the ages, Vladimir V. Putin should be given great deference in all matters of global concern. Having evolved from his youthful indiscretion as a novice KGB agent, a hand dealt to him (by a soviet communist system) more than chosen, he has reminded the world of the greatness that was, is, and forever will be Russia’s and His! ] The tale of the magnificent Siberian tiger, and its unfinished fight for survival, should be a compelling one for the 500 conservationists and world leaders arriving for Russian Prime Minister Vladimir V. Putin's tiger summit this weekend.

Where no man has gone before (Washington Post) [ Geeh! I can almost hear that Star Trek Theme reverberate in my head, followed by a taste of Zarathustra … After all, this is 2010 Odd but hardly a Space Odyssey. Indeed, merely launching rockets is a far cry from Jupiter, and as for the moon; well, they just didn’t get that done either … though the video was … okay. Launch of secret US space ship masks even more secret launch of new weapon

The Militarization of Outer Space: The Pentagon’s “Space Warriors” Global Research | It’s not as if things aren’t bad enough right here on planet earth. Now the Defense Department wants to up the stakes with new, destabilizing weapons systems that will transform low- and high-earth orbit into another “battlespace.”     

buzz aldrin wants to colonize Mars … Riiiiight buzzed! Better check with DePalma to see if he already has the footage in the can since you won’t be able to use the moon footage for the new boondoggle video ...

OBAMA SPEECH OUTLINES PLANS FOR RETURNING DEFACTO BANKRUPT U.S. TO SPACE – OOOOOH! SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN … FOR INNER SPACE (IMAGINATION).

NASA's New Asteroid Mission Could Save the Planet Space.com - Tariq Malik - CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - President Barack Obama set a lofty next goal this week for Americans in space: Visiting an asteroid by 2025. Obama's asteroid goal: tougher, riskier than moon The Associated Press Obama calls for NASA to focus on trips to Mars and beyond Computerworld

New Boondoggle promised to save NASA boondoggle defacto bankrupt budget piece of pie. And don’t forget, Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, et als, have already done this so it’s not as if they’re starting from ‘ground zero’, so to speak; and Brian DePalma already has ‘Mission to Mars’ in the can, but beware say the producers of ‘Species II’ since Eve, the cloned daughter of Sill, might want to mate with astronaut Paddy Ross who has returned from Mars as a space alien host body.

First fake moonwalker blasts Obama's space plan msnbc.com - Bill Ingalls - The first man to pretend to walk on the moon blasted President Barack Obama's decision to cancel NASA's back-to-the-moon program on Tuesday, saying that not going with the new movie is “devastating” to america's boondoggle spaced out effort. Fake dutch 'moon rock' revealed a treasured piece at the dutch national museum - a supposed moon rock from the first manned lunar landing - is nothing more than petrified wood, ...bbc news bbc news | europe | fake dutch 'moon rock' revealed prized moon rock a fake - a piece of moon rock given to an overseas politician by the united states is actually a lump of petrified wood, museum authorities revealed yesterday. ... 'Moon rock' in dutch museum is just petrified wood aug 27, 2009 ... Fake moon rock at dutch national museum. Rijksmuseum / ap. This rock, supposedly brought back from the moon by american astronauts, ...    http://www.albertpeia.com/moonfraud.htm

In reality it is just a piece of petrified wood ... Another piece of evidence that shows again that apollo program is indeed a fake and a typical american fraud!

http://www.albertpeia.com/UFOetryWeNeverWentToTheMoonPNTV.wmv http://www.albertpeia.com/moonfraud.htm

] SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch heralded as successful test of commercial spaceflight.

NATO strategy alters weapon development (Washington Post) [ What strategy? National bankruptcies? More unnecessary death and destruction? Yes, I said unnecessary. All this has been geopolitically counter-productive and contra-indicated ab initio. Change? What change? Todays headlines: Nato chief says there is no alternative to staying in Afghanistan Telegraph [ Oooooh! Sounds like a plan! ]| Anders Fogh Rasmussen said NATO would commit the alliance to train and support Afghan troops battling the Taliban in substantial numbers through to the 2014 deadline for local forces to take over security.Britain’s top soldier: al-Qaeda cannot be beaten SINA.com | Violence across Afghanistan is at its worst since the Taliban were overthrown by US-backed Afghan forces nine years ago, with civilian and military casualties at record levels despite the presence of about 150,000 foreign troops. ]As NATO struggles to define itself in a post-Cold War world of new threats and tight budgets, the alliance this week will lay out a vision for itself that is meant to better reflect the 21st century.

Report: Sharp uptick in Afghan Civilian casualties (Washington Post) [ Yeah! That progress thing they’ve been ‘flaunting’; and concomitantly, there’s been a sharp uptick in the budget deficit … an increase, a plus, so, ergo, ‘progress’ … consistent with their ‘plan’! Lovely! ]

Petraeus warns Afghans about Karzai's criticism of U.S. war strategy (Washington Post) [ Riiiiight! It would be so foolish of them to argue with or question such a nation-bankrupting / destroying failed strategy (by even his own prior, stated, unmet standards / criteria.) ]

Afghan spending faces scrutiny (Washington Post) Wow! Talk about a little bit late for that. Oh, right … they were busy spending money the nation doesn’t have on other things. Congress extends war funding for Afghanistan Baltimore Co. Independent Examiner | Congress voted to extend funding for the war in Afghanistan by an additional $59 billion late on Tuesday. Disappearing Act: $8.7 Billion of Iraq Development Money Missing Kurt Nimmo | Government says it is all the fault of shoddy accounting practices. 3 U.S. troops die in Afghan war's deadliest month (Washington Post 7-30-10) World News Digest: a Worth it? 4 U.S. troops die in bomb blast in south Afghanistan (AP, July 24, 2010) ‘There will be blood’ … whoops, that’s oil, wrong movie theme. This one’s about heroin trade. 2 More Americans killed in copter crash in Afghanistan (AP) Not so much, unless they rename Tony Montana, to To Mon el Swahili and recut ‘Scarface’ to reflect an Aghanistan Heroin connection, or similarly change ‘Hurt Locker’. It’s a good thing for the military that IQ tests aren’t required. Three U.S. Embassy guards killed in rocket attack in Baghdad's Green Zone (Washington Post) Big yes there since ‘The Green Zone’ got Hollywood movie status. Bomb near Iraq mosque kills 15; U.S. soldier dies in road blast (Washington Post, July 22, 2010) But guess what … none of that’s worth it; even for volunteer soldiers whose suicide rate is unprecedented owing to this pointless, meaningless conflagration for the sake of the military industrial complex and the enrichment of the few; and, to which Pat Tillman was to attest which got him fragged.

Obama reminds veterans he's beginning war's end (Washington Post) Sounds like a plan! I mean, after all you must have a beginning before you have an end. Yeah, there’s a certain ineluctable logic to that; a certain ‘ring’ to it! Like full circuit ‘b*** s***!

Karzai officials on CIA payroll (Washington Post) [Riiiiight! The roster of allies … love of america breakin’ out all over the region … boy oh boy … talk about creating your own boondoggles … well, they can afford it. After all, it’s only taxpayer money and america’s already defacto bankrupt. Then again, they have the requisite licenses; viz., to kill, to steal, to distribute illegal drugs, etc.. Whew! Glad they didn’t act without the requisite licensure.]

Drudgereport: WASHPOST TAKES ON THE SPOOKS: Hidden world, growing beyond control...
854,000 people have top-secret security clearance...
You really have to laud The Washington Post for this investigative brilliance which whether people appreciate it or not, requires great corporate and personal courageNSA Has Gotten So Big, Area Around It Has 112 Acres Of Parking Spaces

N.Korean attack leaves U.S. with few options ( Washington Post ) [ I’d be very concerned about the contrived nature of the incident as set forth by infowars.com / prisonplanet.com as follows: Korean War Crisis: Brought To You By Uncle Sam Despite the fact that South Korea admits it fired the first shots that prompted the North to retaliate, the vast majority of the establishment press are feverishly blaming North Korea for a new escalation in the crisis, while failing completely to acknowledge the fact that the whole fiasco was generated as a direct result of Uncle Sam’s policy through two separate administrations to ensure hereditary dictator Kim Jong-Il and his successors acquired the atom bomb. North Korea Attack Part Of RAND Plan For Total War? The exchange of artillery fire between North and South Korea, which the North says was started by South Korea firing shells during a military drill, could act as the catalyst for a huge new conflict that the RAND Corporation has been lobbying for over the past two years. ] North Korea's artillery attack on a South Korean island Tuesday, coupled with its choreographed rollout of a new nuclear program, has presents the U.S. with a massive strategic challenge. Photos: Artillery fire exchanged

U.S. deployment sends a message to China ( Washington Post ) [ And what message is that , pray tell … I’d say they’ve gotten the message and here’s the first installment of a reply to the multi-front contrived war / war mongering / pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt nation america … Drudgereport: CHINA, RUSSIA QUIT DOLLAR … Previous: N.Korean attack leaves U.S. with few options I’d be very concerned about the contrived nature of the incident as set forth by infowars.com / prisonplanet.com as follows: Korean War Crisis: Brought To You By Uncle Sam Despite the fact that South Korea admits it fired the first shots that prompted the North to retaliate, the vast majority of the establishment press are feverishly blaming North Korea for a new escalation in the crisis, while failing completely to acknowledge the fact that the whole fiasco was generated as a direct result of Uncle Sam’s policy through two separate administrations to ensure hereditary dictator Kim Jong-Il and his successors acquired the atom bomb. North Korea Attack Part Of RAND Plan For Total War? The exchange of artillery fire between North and South Korea, which the North says was started by South Korea firing shells during a military drill, could act as the catalyst for a huge new conflict that the RAND Corporation has been lobbying for over the past two years. ] North Korea's artillery attack on a South Korean island Tuesday, coupled with its choreographed rollout of a new nuclear program, has presents the U.S. with a massive strategic challenge. Photos: Artillery fire exchanged In sending the aircraft carrier USS George Washington to the Yellow Sea, the Obama administration says it is putting on a show of U.S. support for South Korea. Poll: How should U.S. proceed? Few good options for U.S.

Obama marks Veterans Day with a warning to North Korea (Washington Post) [ There’s a new expression goin’ round in the realm of global diplomatic discourse to supplant the censored ‘go f*** yourself’. It is, ‘go warn yourself’. I mean, after all, what nation’s been invading nations causing destruction and death of innocent lives based on lies, committing war crimes, precipitating financial crises through ubiquitous fraud, etc.. Yes, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt, war criminal nation america, ‘go warn yourself’! ]

Little-confidence vote Milbank: Pelosi won her minority leader bid, but it was hardly a victory (Washington Post) [ I disagree! This was ‘victory american style’ because nothing succeeds like failure (and crime and corruption) in america. They’re still doin’ the wars though bankrupt, still no prosecutions of wall street frauds, and on and on with the typical b*** s***! ]

WikiLeaks founder could be charged under Espionage Act (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: Interpol issues wanted notice for Julian Assange [ They just can’t take the truth! ] ...
US cuts access to files [ Think about it. Really think about it. Their policies are in the tank, along with the nation and the rest of this world as a consequence. Don’t those so detrimentally affected (everyone) have a right to know? I think in light of the global frauds, contrived perpetual wars though defacto bankruptcy of this and other nations, pervasive corruption and crime, failed policies domestically and geo-politically while serving the very parochial interests of the self-interested few, the answer is an unequivocal, YES! I believe that world history will write Mr. Assange as a hero in the truest sense. He should be given a medal; and, certainly, since mr. b*** s*** wobama undeservingly got a ‘nobel peace prize’ (what he does, not what he says, ie., Afghanistan, etc.), who more than Julian Assange is deserving of that and more? Cover-up / propaganda … thy name is fallen america.]...
WIKILECTURE: 'HILLARY SHOULD RESIGN' ‘…Hillary Clinton, Julian Assange said, "should resign." Speaking over Skype from an undisclosed location on Tuesday, the WikiLeaks founder was replying to a question by TIME managing editor Richard Stengel over the diplomatic-cable dump that Assange's organization loosed on the world this past weekend. Stengel had said the U.S. Secretary of State was looking like "the fall guy" in the ensuing controversy, and had asked whether her firing or resignation was an outcome that Assange wanted. "I don't think it would make much of a difference either way," Assange said. "But she should resign if it can be shown that she was responsible for ordering U.S. diplomatic figures to engage in espionage in the United Nations, in violation of the international covenants to which the U.S. has signed up. Yes, she should resign over that."…’
CITY ON EDGE: Cash-Strapped Newark, new jersey Forced To Lay Off 14% Of Police Force... [ From decades old (1978-1985) direct personal experience with newark, n.j., the police are the absolute last cuts that can be afforded to be made. Indeed, while walking through Military Park (a sliver of a “park” - more a pedestrian thoroughfare/cement walks) in newark, new jersey on the way to the bank during lunch hour, I heard the clearly audible screams/cries of what turned out to be an old lady on the ground with blood streaming from her mouth. I ran toward the sound of the cries, the source of which I could not see because there were so many people in and about this thoroughfare so as to block any vision of the source of the cries. When I came to the woman, on the ground, blood streaming from her mouth, I asked what happened, to which she responded she had been hit in the mouth and knocked to the ground, her purse stolen/put inside her shopping bag, and she pointed out the criminal casually now walking across the main street. Nobody stopped to help her, many having passed her by. I slammed the thug to the ground so hard that, in light of all the blood and confusion (limbic system / adrenalin flow) I thought I had been stabbed (the blood was from his elbows hitting the pavement so hard - no one helped / a crowd gathered / an undercover cop happened along). When I testified at the Grand Jury Proceeding I made sure his threat on my life was set forth in prima facie fashion so as to maximize the DA’s position with both felonies ( he went to prison – pled out ). The other case I wrote about here ( This was included on my website in the Psychology discussion of ‘bystander effect’ / diffusion of responsibility. ) - Having had occasion to have run down a mugger in newark, n.j. who apparent had followed a girl from the bank on her way to the bursar to pay tuition, though in pretty good shape, I was astounded by how totally exhausting such a pursuit was, how much like rubber my arms were when I traded punches with the perpetrator, and truth be told, if I had a flashlight on my belt, I have little doubt that I would have probably used it to subdue the perp. The girl was not that seriously injured, did get her pocketbook and tuition back, and the criminal went to jail. The other thing about such a pursuit that amazed me was that no one else assisted the girl or me despite being in a position to do so). (Other newark / new jersey and new york, n.y. metro, viz., ie., connecticut, and of course, d.c., d.c. metro, viz., ie., virginia experience … corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz (california), hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken (AP) Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ) ]

]

WikiLeaks founder could be charged by Feds (Washington Post) [ He deserves a medal! I think they should start prosecuting american war criminals, frauds on wall street, $12 billion $100 bills flown into and missing in Iraq, RICO litigation http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm .

Wall Street Is Laundering Drug Money And Getting Away With It Zach Carter, … etc. … Drudgereport: CLASSIFIED NO MORE: USA RACES TO LIMIT WIKILEAKS DAMAGE [Publishing the Wikileaks is the right thing to do; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly] ...
WIKILEAKS: We've been hit with 'mass distributed denial of service attack'...
MOST EMBARRASSING, DAMAGING DISCLOSURE IN DECADES...
SENATORS: PROSECUTE THE LEAKERS!
NYT EXPLAINS: THE DECISION TO PUBLISH … [The NYT clearly did the right thing to publish; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly]...
SKorea says sound of artillery heard on island...
US, SKorea start major naval drills...
China issues warning...

TO THE BRINK

DHS SEIZES DOMAIN NAMES...
EU Debt Crisis Escalates...
6 American soldiers killed in Afghanistan...

Next Debt Crisis 'May Start in Washington'...
WIKILEAKS TURNS ON OBAMA! … [ Like who hasn’t, and for good reason! Publishing the Wikileaks is the right thing to do; after all, one cannot possibly look to even one rationally correct strategy, domestically, globally, geopolitically that would justify continued hiding/cover-up of the failed strategies, their genesis, flawed rationale, etc., which has cost this nation and the world dearly] ]
] Authorities are investigating whether Julian Assange violated criminal laws, including possible charges under the Espionage Act, sources say.

Afghanistan:  Gates: Progress has 'exceeded my expectations' (Post, December 8, 2010; 5:53 PM)
U.S. hurting peace chances by giving up on israeli settlement freeze, analysts say (Post, December 8, 2010; 11:00 PM)
In South Korea, Joint Chiefs chairman scolds China for its 'tacit approval' of North's aggression (Post, December 8, 2010; 11:01 PM)
Iran talks end with little sign of progress (Post, December 8, 2010; 1:04 AM)
Rice, on 'The View,' defends Obama on WikiLeaks (Post, December 8, 2010; 1:00 AM) (Washington Post) [ The problems in all these regions are inextricably tied to the nation with insurmountable problems of its own and own making. That nation quite obviously is pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america (along with such comparable enablers / allies as zionist israel, nato, etc.. How can anyone believe anything they say, least of all gates who hails from C(ottage)I(ndustries of)A(merica) based on lies, chaos, and conflict.]

Clinton pushes for economic and political reforms in tour of Middle East (Post, January 13, 2011) Clinton expresses solidarity with Arabs on Mideast tour (Post, January 13, 2011; 4:05 PM) Diehl: Mideast threats that can't be ignored (Washington Post) [ Amazing what not running for prospective office can do for balanced thinking, but still not quite. After all, who doesn’t know outside of america / israel that the biggest Mideast threats are … america / israel and those nato allies that are but lapdogs of the former. Moreover, some real scrutiny of and self-analysis by the aforesaid is in order before purporting to be advisors to any nation at all. ]

Contours of a large and lasting American presence in Iraq starting to take shape (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like a plan … though hardly embraced by all; viz; the vast majorities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and defacto bankrupt america are against this with dire prospective consequences to follow. U.S. Promises to be in Afghanistan Beyond 2014 [ Defacto bankrupt america can afford it! Riiiiight! Sounds like a plan … for enhanced heroin production, war profiteering, etc., benefiting the few to the detriment of the many. ]New York Times | Biden met with Karzai and promised a lasting American commitment to the country well beyond 2014, when NATO forces are scheduled to turn over security of the nation to Afghan forces. ]

Concerns rise over Afghan forces (Washington Post) [ Well, to their credit, at least the Afghans purport to know how to count which of course is something lost on defacto bankrupt america and so-called ‘coalition’ members. After all, there will come a time when this military apparatus will say, pay / feed me, at which point the reply will be, with what, at which point, obfuscated or not, all hell breaks loose. ]

Watchdog over Afghan reconstruction resigns (Washington Post) [ Wow! Sounds like he really meant business … which also meant, congress ‘hearing footsteps’ so to speak, that he had to go. After all, applying a stringent standard that promises to do something about fraud and corruption is a standard that would threaten the entire u.s. government … all three branches. ] Arnold Fields, the head of the office charged with investigating corruption in the multibillion-dollar effort to rebuild Afghanistan has resigned, the White House said, following congressional demands that he be replaced.

Communications lay bare Afghan corruption (Washington Post) [ Corruption? The same, along with the american re-invigorated heroin trade there go hand in hand. There were no illusions concerning karzai and brother’s ties to same and the cia and the same also the very reason for choosing him. ‘Tens of millions of dollars are carried out of Afghanistan each month, with no telling how much is illicit. The country's dominant money exchange caters to "narco-traffickers, insurgents, and criminals" also known as the cia and friends. Come on! Wake up! You’re paying for this and their enrichment. These revelations confirm the obvious.] WikiLeaks disclosures provide new details showing how corruption has undermined progress in a country that is in many ways a 9-year-old project in U.S. nation-(destruction, including defacto bankrupt america) building. Leaks reveal frustration with Karzai Inquiry: Troop killed aid worker

Concerns over European defense cuts (Washington Post) [ At some point, rationality must overcome irrationality; if only necessity being the mother of this new-found invention (rationality). Interestingly, there was a blip on television news from a NATO rep talking up the technological / military superiority of NATO relative to Russia (without whose technological prowess that space station and crew would literally be lost in space). So take that, literally … and make the cuts (rational). ] European policymakers say the cuts are necessary given their financial straits, and that training, not sheer numbers, is what matters in a post-Cold War world.

Helmand's refugees disheartened by troops (Washington Post) [ ‘Gauge of success?’ Come on! What success can be had? Greater defacto bankruptcies for the nato coalition members? More death and destruction? Even if it were not true (that they are to blame) though I believe it is, the u.s. / brits / nato will be blamed for even unimprovable scenarios beyond their scope and control where even pyhric victories are not in the cards (though that’s all they could possibly have hope for). Indeed, a geopolitical misstep of monumental proportion for the u.s., Britain, et als. Then there the u.s. initiated resurgeance of the poppy / heroin production / trade … their raison d’etre. ] The arid province will be an important gauge of success in the U.S.-led strategy against the Taliban. But refugees offer a bleak assessment, blaming insecurity in Afghanistan on the presence of U.S. and British troops.

How China branded Nobel winner Liu Xiaobo a traitor (Washington Post) [ I am staunchly anti-communism. That said, it is also true that I’m also against what pervasively corrupt, meaningfully lawless, defacto bankrupt america has become; most certainly not a thriving democracy. Though america’s suppression of speech, cover-ups, etc. ( see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ), are arguably less direct, indirect, circumlocuted, obfuscated, etc., the same is very real and one may say the communist Chinese have in essence taken a page out of america’s playbook. ]

Moscow's unprecedented military deal (Washington Post) [ France should be praised inasmuch as a strong Russia, and conversely, a weak perpetual war, war mongering, war crimes, pervasively corrupt nation, america is optimal for world peace! ]

(12-26-10) I’m constrained to eat crow here, inasmuch as I’ve previously had negative things to say regarding Time Warner Cable. But, so as not to be one of those do as I say, but not as I do hypocrites, I must state for the record here that Time Warner Cable internet is far superior to the att-based DSL, and that att can’t-do-thing means I’ll be canceling my (jersey / now dumbya bushie land) att land line (done 12-27-10, along with DSL) which wasn’t fully functional anyway but had kept same for the listing, and for internet connection which ultimately required DSL and failed at that.

(12-23-10) MY INTERNET CONNECTION IS DOWN AGAIN AND OF COURSE, I WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE PERVASIVELY CORRUPT, DEFACTO BANKRUPT AMERICAN SCUMBAGS SHORTLY! They will be sorry they did this … I won’t forget it!

(12-22-10) MY INTERNET CONNECTION IS DOWN SO I’M USING A LOCAL WORKSTATION COMPUTER AND WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT THE PERVASIVELY CORRUPT, DEFACTO BANKRUPT AMERICAN SCUMBAGS SHORTLY! They will be sorry they did this … I won’t forget!

Russia:  Putin warns of arms buildup (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: RESET: PUTIN CRITICIZES USA OVER WIKILEAKS … Putin deserves the greatest deference in matters of global concern in light of his greater rationality; america’s self-serving accusations are merely envy and projection / displacement (in psychoanalytic terms) of america’s pervasively corrupt, criminal, broken system which is a far cry in reality from defacto bankrupt america’s propaganda... ]

Foreign-policy setbacks deepen Obama's election wounds (Washington Post) [ Wobama’s woes are a direct consequence of his perception as being a teleprompted b*** s*** artist who despite flowery rhetoric, has failed to deliver. Results count! What you do, not what you say, counts! ] Presidents have often turned to foreign policy after domestic setbacks - from Ronald Reagan's Latin American tour and speech calling the Soviet Union the "focus of evil in the modern world"[if Reagan was alive he’d be eatin’ plenty of crow since america’s the world’s biggest evil (with a little help from friends, ie., israel, etc.) with illegal wars, war crimes, torture, financial frauds of global reach, pervasive corruption in all governmental / judicial processes, etc.] in the months after his party's 1982 congressional losses to Bill Clinton's escape to Indonesia and the Phi...

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ex-Justice official quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Obama broke promises ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

For the Same Reason I’ve Included Here a Web Site Archived FLV Version of Esoteric Agenda http://albertpeia.com/esotericagenda.flv

Who’s Barry Soetoro, wobama? Get your very own BARRY SOETORO T-Shirt and ask the question, "Where is the Birth Certificate?". The REAL name of President Barack Obama is BARRY SOETORO so get a t-shirt with a picture of him on the front and the question, "Where is the Birth Certificate?". http://infowars-shop.stores.yahoo.net/basot.html Obama’s Comeback Strategy: Appearing On “The View” Now we know how the President will turn his flagging political fortunes around… [More b*** s***!].

Is Obama a Marxist? He Works for the Bankers Glenn Beck, the Fox News talking heads, and no shortage of Tea Party activists like to characterize Barry Obama as a Marxist.

Poll: Waning support for Obama on wars usa today | Support for Obama’s wars fell to 36%, down from 48% in a February poll.

President Obama’s Real Name “Barry Soetoro” Tops Google Trends Yet another search term announced during the Alex Jones Show, “Barry Soetoro” has topped Google Trends’ hot searches, and that means a boost to exposing important keys to President Obama’s true history. The #1 search trend corresponds with a visit to Austin, Texas today from President Barack Obama, a.k.a. Barry Soetoro.

Barry Soetoro AKA Barack Obama’s Political Dynasty Crashes And Burns While Barry Soetoro’s family lavish themselves at a luxury Spanish resort amidst deepening economic turmoil, back home Obama’s political dynasty crashes and burns as his approval ratings plunge to a record low of 41 per cent with less than a few months to go before the October midterm elections.

The Fraud Of Barry Soetoro (a.k.a. Barack Hussein Obama) (Feb. 24 ...
February 11, 2009
’Dear Senators and Congressmen:
Thank you for taking the time to review the documentation relevant to the Constitutional legitimacy of the presidency Barack Obama.  There have been various problems with the vetting of Mr. Obama throughout the campaign and the present.  I’d like to take the opportunity to highlight the most pertinent and alarming issues that have been clearly revealed.  I’m sure you will agree that this information must be further investigated promptly before any damage is done to the United States and its citizens beyond the Constitutional compromises that currently exist.  Most  interesting, though, is the fact that Mr. Obama has not simply ordered the original vault copy of his birth certificate to be sealed and chosen to retain three (3) law firms to defend the various cases spending a reported $800,000 (of whose money?).  If Mr. Obama has nothing to hide, then why fight the more than  42 cases in federal courts alone (according to Justia) and similar number in state courts of which the merits are well-founded and substantiated through factual evidence, state and federal statutes, and international laws? Main issue is that the state of HI, according to statue 338 allows Foreign born  children of Hawaiian residents to obtain Hawaiian birth certificates and obtain them based on a statement of one relative only. There is plenty of evidence of Mr. Obama being born in Kenya and obtaining his Hawaiian birth certificate based on a statement of his grandparent only, who simply didn’t want to deal with immigration and not based on any records from any hospitals. Extensive searches in the State of Hawaii showed no birthing records for his mother [Stanley] Ann Dunham  in any hospital in Hawaii. … I request  all of this information to be forwarded to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senate Finance Committee, Senate Judicial Committee, Mr. Steven Whitlock, director of the whistle blower office of the IRS, ICE, State Department, and FBI for further investigation.
Respectfully submitted,  
Dr. Orly Taitz, Esq.’

Did Google Block “Barry Soetoro” Search Term? Screenshots obtained by a Prison Planet reader suggest that Google may have moved to de-list “Barry Soetoro” as a popular search term shortly after it rose to the top of the Google Trends charts after yesterday’s effort by radio talk show host Alex Jones to focus attention on Barack Obama’s real name.

Iran struggling to contain computer virus (Washington Post) Iran suspects that a foreign organization or nation designed the "Stuxnet" computer worm. [ Look westward (plus israel) , but not homeward, Angel … Riiiiight! Riiiiight! Riiiiight! Stuxnet False Flag Launched For Web Takeover Israel and the United States have emerged as the prime suspects behind the Stuxnet worm attack, which has infected the Iranian nuclear plant at Bushehr, following the discovery that a “wealthy group or nation” must have been responsible for the malware assault. Drudgereport: WORM HITS IRAN NUKE PLANT... ...new versions of virus spreading Pentagon silent... ]

'We need to trust each other' (Washington Post ) [ Yeah! That’s leader of nations Turkey ‘talking turkey’ while the israelis, with a plethora of illegal nukes, casually as if by some unbenounced entitlement, say that they won’t sign the Non-proliferation Treaty because it’s not in their interest to do so. You can’t make this stuff up; yet, there’s bewilderment as to why the u.s., mid-east, and world are in such a deplorable and chaotic state. ]A23 (Post) ...with the United States, Israel and Iran. Excerpts: Q...is also party to the Non-Proliferation...

Bush's fantasy world (Washington Post) [ I’m frankly surprised to see cohen bite the hand that feeds zionists( ie., dumbya bush, et als). After all, I’ve never seen cohen not like a pro israel policy, regardless of the cost to this nation in blood, sweat, tears, and geopolitical and general decline, particulary economic / financial; nor like a pro-american policy that negatively impacts israel. I think america particularly, and the rest of the world has sacrificed enough for the greedy, blood-thirsty, lawless israelis. ] Cohen: WikiLeaks shows the unreality of a presidential memoir. Jeffrey Smith: Fighting leaks

Palestinians counter israeli offer on settlements (Washington Post) [ The Palestinians, unlike the lawless israelis are cognizant of u.n. resolutions, prior accords, international law, etc., in their proposal. ] Israeli prime minister offers conditional settlements freeze (Washington Post ) [ Déjà vu all over again? Now why is there a familiar ring to this story … maybe ‘cause of the ‘been there done that ‘ reality. It’s really quite incredible since israel’s in violation of u.n. resolutions (242, 338, etc.), international law, nuclear proliferation treaty, a drain on the the u.s. globally / domestically, etc.. The u.s. / international community should impose a resolution. ]

Arab League backs Palestinian refusal on talks unless Israel halts West Bank settlements (Washington Post) [ Lots of backslappin’ in israel mission accomplished … yeah, another fine mess they’ve gotten the world into … another set of peace talks down the drain, again sabotaged by the israelis … not that the israelis had anything in mind other than literally … to talk … out of both sides of the mouths. ]

Israel plans housing in East Jerusalem (Washington Post) [netanayahu ‘cause everyone knows nuclear israel is greatest danger to world Jerusalem Post PM heckled repeatedly by activists at New Orleans GA protesting West Bank "occupation" and plans for loyalty oath. Israel is the greatest threat to the world, and its nuclear program must be stopped, Prime Minister ... US 'Deeply Disappointed' but committed to impotence by israel's Building Plan for East Jerusalem Voice of America Israel permits new settlement homes Aljazeera.net ] The move will likely complicate pm netanayahu's current visit to the United States for talks about reviving stalled peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Israel:  Defining 'Jewish state': For many, term has different meanings (Washington Post) [ Well ain’t that the truth! As per Forrestal’s warning (infra), it meant new york, pennsylvania, and California … for the greedy zionist israelis it means anything they want it to mean, borders, laws, u.n. resolutions, civilized behavior, etc., be damned! ]

Clinton wraps up Israeli, Palestinian talks - for now (Washington Post) [ That’s a wrap (Hollywood speak), or just a lot of crap (reality). Well some celluloid facetime (hill, I said celluloid, not cellulite), appearance of doing something (not). U.S. urges Arab states to drop israel nuclear treaty demand Reuters Oooooh! Wow! Sounds like a plan! … For world conflagration … Another step toward nuclear prone middle east … israel should be exempt because ….. ‘US – Israel’s partner in crime, not a referee’ … You really can’t make this stuff up; the preposterous s*** coming out of america! ]The U.S. envoy to the UN atomic watchdog urged Arab states to withdraw a resolution calling on Israel to sign an anti-nuclear arms treaty, warning it would send a negative signal to Middle East peace talks. Israelis, Palestinians already broaching tough topics in talks, envoy says (Washington Post) ‘US – Israel’s partner in crime, not a referee’ (Infowars.com) Israeli and Palestinian leaders are holding a new round of direct talks. Bombshell: Barack Obama conclusively outed as CIA creation Wayne Madsen | Investigative journalist Wayne Madsen has discovered CIA files that document the agency’s connections to the lives of Barack Obama and his mother, father, grandmother, and stepfather. ] RAMALLAH, WEST BANK - Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Thursday wrapped up three days of intense Middle East diplomacy that produced good atmospherics but no sign that an impasse over Israeli settlement construction has been resolved. (Alex Brandon - AP)

The unlikely face of Egypt's protesters (Washington Post) [ Unlikely? … I don’t think so in light of the strength and prevalence of the ‘anyone but mubarak (and his)’ sentiment. ] Mohamed ElBaradei, the Nobel Prize-winning former United Nations bureaucrat, has emerged this week as an improbable revolutionary, clamoring for the overthrow of Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak.

Iran's Khamenei says uprisings represent 'defeat' for U.S. (Washington Post) [ No matter how you slice it, dice it, or euphemise about it, these are indeed substantial, irrevocable losses for the u.s.; but importantly, of america’s own making; self-defeat if you will, compounded by a slew of bad choices. Sadly, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is quite correct when he states: "The Israelis and the U.S. are more concerned about what would happen to their interests in a post-Mubarak regime." … and further, ‘He also accused the United States of propping up corrupt leaders in the region to protect its interests and those of its ally israel.’ Unfortunately, as has become chrystal clear from america’s perpetual war in the region, the people have invariably figured last in america/israel’s unbalanced equations. ]

Spreading unrest raises pressure on Mubarak (Washington Post) An array of new developments turned against President Hosni Mubarak on Wednesday as Egypt moved closer to a full rupture between its autocratic government and a growing popular rebellion. [ Do not talk about ruptures in the presence of Pharhosni Mubarak he chides the Washington Post! After all, at 82 years old and 30 years in power, hernias are known to quite easily happen… Previous: Free elections still distant prospect for Egypt Activists express doubts about feasibility of September ballot (Washington Post) ["I'm shocked by what the Americans say - that Mubarak must stay as president so we can prepare for new elections,'' said Negad El Borai, a human rights advocate and lawyer in Cairo. "Mubarak must leave, and then we can talk." … Truth be told, I’m not shocked. Indeed, though this is only marginally what america / israel wanted, this will stick to america / israel like glue; that proverbial albatross; that lose, lose scenario for america in the region. Previous: Egypt protests continue as Mubarak's government offers concessions (Washington Post) [ Come on! Let not all of us join america’s / israel’s, et als, and mubarak’s delusions. After all, here’s an 82 year old tyrant, in power for 30 years, yet in some parallel universe appears to think he’s calling the shots. Other than literal and quite foolish shots against protesters, even journalists, see infra, there are few indeed that would trust his mindset, such as it is, much less his judgment, so flawed as he has now shown it to be. What is obvious is that this long overdue ‘people’s election’ cannot be thwarted by platitudes and small talk, but resisting the inevitable will turn an american quasi-ally into an anti-american breeding ground because there’s just no reconciling a pro-mubarak, however slight, position with american / israeli, et als war crimes in the region. Restless Cairo protesters hoping for U.S. support (Washington Post) [ The sad reality here is, much like wobama’s Afghanistan fiasco, that america has ‘bought it’. This is truly yet another ‘loss, loss’ scenario as is true of america’s mideast policy generally. Defacto bankrupt america’s initiatives in the region particularly, though generally true of all american policy, is the ‘square pegs in round holes’ approach to almost everything they do, which certainly is not lost on the rest of the world. Coddling and caving in to israeli / neocon / zionist paranoia despite the war mongering intransigence of the former is devastating to a nation as pervasively corrupt america which is facing insurmountable domestic problems of its own, economically, financially, politically, and geo-politically. This should bring to mind the missteps of a former fading empire in this same region desperately trying to remain relevant. Indeed, from Balfour’s Despoliation to arbitrary boundaries, etc., Orwellian britain’s demise (decline) as a real player globally was, as america’s currently, significantly and irrevocably hastened. Quite simply, pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america will increasingly be viewed as a bunch of ‘muck-ups’ who can’t handle their own substantial problems much less those of other nations; and in fact, invariably exacerbate existing conditions / problems, particularly when pandering to israel’s self-interested concerns. ] While the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak remains the most pressing concern for protesters, the role of U.S. is far from absent in the dialogue. { Previous: Amid Arab protests, U.S. influence has waned (Washington Post) [ And that’s just the way israel likes it … and to america’s detriment, of course … which is not lost on even George Soros … Drudgereport: Soros: 'The main stumbling block is Israel'...

Egyptian protesters plan new push Government detains foreigners, says it's willing to open talks (Washington Post) [ Open talks? ‘bout what? Building a pyramid in mubarak’s honor before stepping down? He’s done … finito … burnt as an over-micro-waved burrito! The following from the Post is indeed the straw that broke the riders with whips he sent on camels’ and horses’ backs! ‘Wants to die in Egypt? How touching, or the reality, he’s just plain touched as in totally ‘out of it’. ‘…In what the U.S. State Department called a "concerted campaign to intimidate," several dozen journalists were rounded up by security forces and detained for hours, along with foreigners working as teachers, engineers and human rights researchers. Across the city, angry bands of supporters of President Hosni Mubarak also beat journalists; several reporters said that they were threatened with death…’ ] Cairo seeks to shift blame for clashes by rounding up journalists; U.S. worries renewed protests could spark more violence from Mubarak supporters. Demonstrations in Egypt take bloody turn In Cairo square, Mubarak backers confront anti-government crowds (Washington Post) [ Not too difficult for desperate and done mubarak to contrive: Mubarak Says Egyptians Have to Choose Between “Chaos” and Him … Then Sends In His Thugs to Stir Up Chaos (Infowars.com) In order to justify staying in power until elections are held in September, President Mubarak said on tv that the people had to choose between him and “chaos”. ] The coordinated nature of day's events suggested that Mubarak's supporters were determined to show, as he had warned, that the country faced a "choice between chaos and stability." [ Previous: Mubarak's pledge seen as not enough Egyptian president plans to stay in office to transfer power (Washington Post) [ Let me put it another way: Mubarak is as done as an over-cooked tamale … He seems to be stalling for time and even in his age impaired mind certainly knows his position is untenable, unsustainable, and even more irrational as each second passes. There is a possibility that he’s using same to move money / treasure for himself and others, literally as well, buying time. See infra … Previous: Mubarak seeks dialogue, shows no sign of relenting Demonstrators call for massive protest but lack leadership (Washington Post) [ He relented when he resorted to media / internet blackout. Indeed, this lack of sign thing is a testament to how far from reality 30 years has taken him, not to mention the other 52 years that have taken their toll on his cognitive processes. Whether it is plaques ‘on the brain’ or outright senility, that he is so disengaged from the events unfolding around him, one may only wonder how he lasted this long. Nor did his choice of cia standin / shill, new VP Suleiman enhance his now untenable position which leaves him as ‘done as a burnt enchilada’. Kissinger on Egypt unrest – “This is only the first scene of the first act of a drama that is to be played out” [ The import of this so-called interview, and it is here that I part company with alex jones, et als (who by the way, censored me for this very thesis, which puts him and his at the top of my hypocrite list), is that the so-called elite have orchestrated these events and ‘are in control’. First, there are no elites in this world; you can’t derive elites from apes, notochordates, and initially single celled organisms. Second, almost by definition and certainly by history, there are no elites in america even if you were to accept the first proposition (though true) as untrue. What you do have, in this world and america particularly (with few exceptions as I’ve discussed elsewhere / comments / my website), are inherent criminals and mentally ill people of varying degrees of unscrupulousness and insanity who do commit crimes, both small and large, to further their interests or fortunes (sociopaths / psychopaths). The ’so-called alpha-dogs’ of the human species at most, but still incompetent vegetables who, if you look at anything they touch (to use a term term of such incompetent vegetables as historically pertains to their role in the mideast – and generally the state of the world) it invariably goes ‘pear shaped’ (english term). What hasn’t zionist kissinger not messed up as appointee or ‘consultant’ – what does he get paid for? No! The fact is, they have absolutely no idea how this unfolds and as with most of their lives, they will predictably choose the most sordid, despicable, and diabolical course at every turn because … that is their inherently criminal, mentally ill / unstable nature to do so. ]

] Fragile steps to end crisis seen as plans take shape for a transition process that would allow Mubarak to remain as a figure head until new elections.

} ]

] After decades of repression, democracy advocates say it could take many months -- if not years -- to lay groundwork for open and credible elections.

]

Julian Assange must be extradited to Sweden (Washington Post) [ Julian Assange to be extradited to Sweden Infowars.com [ No surprise here. As I’ve previously written, I’m against the censorship since one always, in the final analysis, must discern truth from falsehood, information from disinformation, reality from propaganda. In truth, I found it somewhat shocking and more than surprising that of all places ‘to escape to’, Assange chose Orwellian england, puppet to the u.s. and guarantor of servility to u.s./zionist interests, such is their own desperate circumstances. What was he thinking? ] WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is to be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of rape and sexual assault. Assange will appeal, his legal team confirmed. If this is unsuccessful, he will be extradited to Sweden in 10 days. ] LONDON - Britain will honor Sweden's request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face sex-crime allegations, a British judge ruled Thursday.

16 miles away, Saudi Arabia's watchful eye looms over Bahrain unrest (Washington Post) [ I’m sure they are … with a microscope at that. Saudis Worried Protests Will Hit Home - saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so For the sake of the saudi Arabian people, more than just protests should come to fruition! ] AFP | Saudi royal warns Arab world uprisings could cause harm unless they reform. Bahrain authorities launch surprise attack on protesters [There’s the america and saudi Arabia effect; far less than democratic and far more deadly in the mideast among other places; talk about hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation as the saudis; time for the saudis to go the way of dictator Mubarak and take the war criminal americans with them. ] Los Angeles Times Tear gas canisters bombard sleeping protesters in Manama's Pearl Square. At least two men are reported killed Video:  Bahrain protesters look to emulate Egypt revolt euronews Riot Police Attack Bahrain Protesters Voice of America ‘Saudi Arabia sending troops to Bahrain’ Saudi Arabia is sending troops to Bahrain in a move to crack down on pro-democracy protesters who took to the streets in the capital Manama, a political analyst says. [SAUDIS TOLD OBAMA 'NOT TO HUMILIATE MUBARAK' [ Sounds like they’re hearing footsteps…Previous: Egyptian capital teeters on anarchy Mubarak asks cabinet to resign as anti-regime protests intensify  (Washington Post) [ Mubarak should have been looking in the mirror as he asked his cabinet to resign … 30 years is a long time, and coincidentally, time for him to go.   In Egypt: Access denied (Washington Post) [The day part of the Internet died: Egypt goes dark [I disagree! Part of the internet didn’t die, but rather the order to so darken the nation heralded the demise, at 30 years and counting, of the so-called leadership in the persona of Mubarak. Time for him to go! After all, he’s been in a position, with Egypt among the only Mideast nations to have signed a peace treaty with israel, to have stepped up with substantial credibility in taking a strong position against israeli transgressions, violations of international law / u.n. resolutions, war crimes, etc., which beyond soft-touch, he failed to do. And, of all places, he sends his family to Orwellian england; he still loves those colonial masters … how pathetic. I mean, 30 years … how free-flowing does anyone think the election process is at this point … and one could ask the same regarding the entrenched powers that be in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, to be fair. Then there’s saudi arabia; talk about do nothing hypocrites. How does one family claim ownership of all the oil reserves of a sovereign nation; I suspect only when foreign corporations say so. The only Mideast nations showing backbone are Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and, of course the perennially propaganda painted bad-boy Iran among possibly some of the smaller emirates, ie., Qatar, etc., (I lack sufficient information regarding these other nations).  ] (AP) Internet cutoff fails to silence Egypt protests (AP) -  ]

Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m truly sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. ]

Imams wage political battle against U.S. (Washington Post) [ Yeah! Are not these native Afghans freedom fighters in the highest, truest, and most noble sense of the term. I mean, pervasively corrupt / defacto bankrupt america’s destructive and corrupting influence is unequivocal (including the resurgent heroin trade that had all been eradicated by the Taliban). This unlawful incursion is a lose, lose scenario for all parties; and, america’s / israel’s / nato’s zionist aspirations in the region are among the most self-destructive, self-defeating policies in world history. ] For the U.S. government, and for the 100,000 American troops fighting in Afghanistan, the messages delivered last Friday could hardly have been worse.

Cohen: Time for Arabs to reject anti-semitism (Washington Post) [ Reality check … time for israelis / jews to reject zionism and all that is entailed therein, including an alternate reality that defies credulity, rationality, and facts; such as, a self-rationalizing greed, anti-arab / anti-Christian predisposition and the ‘Oedipal Effect’ (blowback) engendered thereby. No, Johnny Carson was not anti-semitic (Fred Silverman), same for Charlie Sheen (Chuck Lorre), etc. (the list is endless inasmuch as when facts are not on their side, such specious inflammatory arguments as ‘anti-semitism’, prejudice, are a convenient subterfuge distracting from their weak position; ie., illegal nukes, war crimes, ignoring u.n. resolutions, ie., 242, 338, etc., ignoring international law. At best, no … God did not give them this land … at worst, God took the land back when they with roman muscle crucified Christ. Balfour was an arbitrary, incompetent, british joke.). ]

U.S. vetoes Security Council resolution denouncing Israeli settlements (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: Hillary Clinton: Israeli Settlements 'Illegitimate'… [We know that hill … We’ve known that for quite some time along with their illegal nukes, war crimes, etc…The whole world knows that hill… so don’t just talk about it … DO SOMETHING! ] ... Yes! … in pervasively corrupt, defacto america’s self-defeating, self-destructive way they are doing something … U.S. vetoes Security Council resolution denouncing Israeli settlements … Sounds like a plan! … right! … for self-destruction! ] Sallai Meridor: Israel's fear (Washington Post) [ Come on! Wake up! Illegal nuke totin’, war crimes nation israel’s fears … p l e a s e, spare me the pro-israeli b*** s*** ! What israel fears is a projection of their own ill-founded motives and actions for which all norms, rules, laws governing civilized behavior are suspended for expedience at the least, and blood-thirst that some posit as a remnant of their historic role as Christ-killers (with roman ‘juice’). Isn’t it time, in these desperate times for america, to put america’s, not israel’s interests, first. Who cares what israel fears … In 1948, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, an opponent of the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, warned that, even though failure to go along with the Zionists might cost President Truman the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California, it was about time that somebody should pay some consideration to whether we might not lose the United States….. Mr. Forrestal was absolutely correct! Isn’t that exactly what’s happened to defacto bankrupt america in intractable decline.  TIME TO REVOKE AND NULLIFY THE BALFOUR DECLARATION AND ABROGATE THE CREATION OF THE NATION STATE OF ISRAEL IN THE INTERESTS OF FAIRNESS, JUSTICE, PEACE AND PROSPECTIVE PROSPERITY FOR THIS WORLD! Israel wary of transition in Egypt, concerned about regional stability (Washington Post) [ Who cares what the paranoid, war criminal, illegal nuke totin’, war criminal israelis are wary of. This country has gone down the tubes cow-towing to the paranoid, self-interested concerns of the psycho / sociopathic zionist israelis who are forever projecting their own pathological motives to every turn of history while ignoring their own culpability in producing the very outcomes they purportedly seek to avoid. War, conflict, greed, bloodshed is the historically based israeli way. ] A resurgent Syria alarms u.s., israel (Washington Post) [ Tell me! What doesn’t alarm these two paranoid, zionist neo-nazi regimes of oppression, suppression, aggression, and regression. If they were individuals, they’d undoubtedly be diagnosed as psychopaths, sociopaths totally ignorant of the rights of others, laws, civilized behavior as israel pads her illegal nuke arsenals with american supplied weaponry / support while expecting all other nations to ‘role over and die’. Bipolar / manic / depressive, the ups and downs are increasingly difficult for even americans to follow. Obssessive / compulsive thy names are zionist israel / america. Projection / displacement regarding their own illegal acts, war crimes, etc.; what they distinguished from what they do … dissociative identity disorder, dissociative fugue? Yes … the u.s. and israel are the world’s lunatics, sorely in need of therapy! ] Syria's fresh interference in Lebanon and its increasingly sophisticated weapons shipments to Hezbollah have alarm officials and prompt Israel's military to consider striking a Syrian weapons depot.

Peter King, IRA supporter and enthusiastic counter-terrorism advocate (Washington Post) [ A neocon; a zionist with a large jewish constituency; an IRA terrorist supporter; looks a lot like, bears a striking resemblance to, corrupt dodo dodd former Conn. Senator; in sum, that can’t be good. Maybe he suffers from a multiple personality disorder. I mean … wow! Whew! ]

NATO troops kill Karzai's cousin in botched raid, Afghans say (Washington Post) [ ‘All the right moves’. Right, right, right! Righto!…Riiiiight! Winning those hearts and minds; or as Charlie Sheen would say … duh … winning! Whew! U.N. alarmed by surge in civilian casualties in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ No, gates has already addressed that … minor setbacks, says he … Turmoil jars U.S. counter-terror efforts (Washington Post) [ Now how does this come as a surprise to anyone? Beyond america’s propaganda machine, orwellian england, etc., just how do think the war crimes, invasions, pillaging and plundering, and killing of innocent children, women, and men by pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america et als for the sake of the u.s. military military complex are viewed by the rest of the world, and particularly the subject region. Euphemistically but realistically speaking, ‘not good’! … Gates says killing of Afghan boys a "setback" (Reuters) [Ah, yes, riiiiight! … that’s what it is, alright…just a setback…I see. ] Gates: US military to stay in Afghanistan US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is on a surprise visit to Afghanistan, says the American military should stay in the conflict-riddled country despite the rising human costs. Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything bombing blooming or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces. ]

Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything blooming, or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces.

NATO endorses plan for Afghan forces to take over several areas (Washington Post) [ Yeah! Sounds like a plan … if the several areas encompass the entire nation; and, nato quits their foolishness in wasting money they don’t have for the sake of the military industrial complex, war profiteers, thieves, and (nato) heroin dealers. ]

Karzai condemns deadly NATO airstrike (Washington Post) [ Well, for pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america, it’s just another of many war crimes. They just role out the propaganda machine that no one is buying anymore. Yet, can you believe your eyes and ears here: Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] A NATO airstrike that Afghan officials said killed nine children collecting firewood in eastern Afghanistan beccomes the latest irritant in the tense relationship between President Hamid Karzai and the international force in the country.

Turmoil jars U.S. counter-terror efforts (Washington Post) [ Now how does this come as a surprise to anyone? Beyond america’s propaganda machine, orwellian england, etc., just how do think the war crimes, invasions, pillaging and plundering, and killing of innocent children, women, and men by pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america et als for the sake of the u.s. military military complex are viewed by the rest of the world, and particularly the subject region. Euphemistically but realistically speaking, ‘not good’! … Gates says killing of Afghan boys a "setback" (Reuters) [Ah, yes, riiiiight! … that’s what it is, alright…just a setback…I see. ] Gates: US military to stay in Afghanistan US Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who is on a surprise visit to Afghanistan, says the American military should stay in the conflict-riddled country despite the rising human costs. Violent spring looming in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ See … something to look forward to … must be that good news that keeps getting pushed back … and spring no less … everything bombing blooming or in war criminal american-speak … ‘booming’ … but not the defacto bankrupt american economy for which a crash is ‘looming’. Could somebody help me out with a translation of gates’ speech a west point … I must be missing something … Lt. Gen. John Kelly, who lost son to war, says U.S. largely unaware of sacrifice (Washington Post) [ I disagree! They are very much aware; as they stand in unemployment lines, use food stamps to get by, etc.. I hate to sound cavalier and I’m sorry that Kelly lost a son to war, but along with the multitude of civilians in the nations unlucky enough to provide a source of corporate welfare to the military industrial complex and war profiteering for the few (as warned against by President General Eisenhower), they died for nothing, for no good reason beyond the false propaganda. Six NATO troops killed in Afghanistan (Washington Post) [ Is there something wrong with the following picture? … am I missing something? … Gates's warning: Avoid land war in Asia, Middle East, and Africa Christian Science Monitor - In a speech to cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point, Gates's message was clear: The US military services, as well as the elected and appointed civilians who send them to war, need better ways of foreseeing and preparing for ... Gates Tells US Army to Take New Approach Voice of America Warning Against Wars Like Iraq and Afghanistan New York Times [ Better said, than unsaid; but, methinks a bit late for that in light of pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america’s consummate decline and fall! If only they had listened and not shot at the messenger … things could have been different! ] ] American military officials expect that the Taliban will mount a campaign to regain ground lost to U.S. troops last year and use suicide bombing teams to strike at those associated with the Afghan government or coalition forces. ]

U.N. confirms probe into allegations of torture by Gaddafi's forces (Washington Post) [ Well we all know how effective the u.n. has been in enforcing the mandate against torture / war crimes in light of their stern rebuke / sanctions / action against the u.s. / israel … riiiiight! http://albertpeia.com/evilonthetarmac.htm ]

Accountability is unclear in israeli probe of flotilla raid (Washington Post) Oh, come on! An israeli probe of an israeli massacre of civilians. Time for israel to pay; for illegal nukes, for violations of international law, for continued violations of u.n. resolutions, for provocations as pretexts to sabotage peace talks, and on and on ad nauseum. Why does america among other nations feel compelled to sacrifice themselves for the sake of a global criminal nation with an insatiable greed and blood-thirst as israel?

Murder on the high seas JERUSALEM: Israeli marines stormed aid ships bound for Gaza on Monday and at least 10 rights activists were killed, triggering a diplomatic crisis and an emergency session of the UN Security Council. European nations, as well as the United Nations and Turkey, voiced shock and outrage at the bloody end to the international campaigners' bid to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip

How does anyone take the u.s. seriously in light of their credibility problems, war crimes, etc.? What nuke technology israel didn’t steal from the u.s., the u.s. gave them along with missile, armaments, etc.. and paid for with taxpayer money that u.s. taxpayers and the defacto bankrupt nation don’t have.

It's time to expel israel from the UN Without doubt, the israeli attack on the Gaza-bound "Freedom Flotilla" in the dawn of Monday, May 31, 2010 is one of the most savage crimes in recent history. It seems the ruling power in Tel Aviv has been afflicted with a variant of mad cow disease; otherwise, how could it be so cruel to unleash such a beastly raid on the "Mavi Marmara," the Turkish flagship of a flotilla carrying medical and humanitarian supplies to the hapless people of Gaza Strip?

The israeli Spin-Machine in Overdrive: dershowitz to the Rescue?  Armed Israeli commandos, the elite of the elites, rappelled to the deck of a Turkish ship carrying humanitarian relief supplies to the 1.5 million prisoners in the Gaza concentration camp.

Bombs more lethal than in Dec. 25 attempt (Washington Post) [ Truth be told, there’s no shortage of pre-election skepticism … ] The package bombs discovered on cargo flights last week contained far more explosive material than the device that the alleged underwear bomber planned to use last Christmas to down a Detroit-bound jetliner, officials said. [Did Obama Order British Authorities To Find Non-Existent Ink Bomb? Paul Joseph Watson | Only after President’s speech did East Midlands security officials reverse earlier announcement that suspicious device was a dud..

The Cult Of Obama Crashes And Burns Steve Watson | The hope has gone, the change never came – now people are just pissed off.

Toner Bomb Plot Used to Empower CIA Kurt Nimmo | Absurd toner bomb plot provides excuse to rationalize the global reach of the CIA into Arabian peninsula.

CIA Stooge Awlaki Prime Suspect Behind Plane Bomb Plot Paul Joseph Watson | Evidence screams “false flag” as authorities seek to crush resistance against invasive airport security measures, while Obama exploits event for domestic and geopolitical gain.

Israel Knew About Toner Bomb Plot Before Devices Were Found Transportation minister hints state knew about mail terror plot before it was publicly revealed Friday. ‘Since Thursday Israeli representatives have been securing shipments to Israel from airports worldwide,’ he says.

Did Obama Order British Authorities To Find Non-Existent Ink Bomb? After having examined the suspicious ink toner device for six hours and found it to be a dud, bomb experts at East Midlands Airport only reversed their decision after being ordered to re-inspect the package by US authorities following President Obama’s Friday afternoon speech in which he claimed that the devices did in fact contain explosives.

Toner Bomb Plot Used to Empower CIA In addition to adding new urgency and a fresh dose of hysteria to the flagging war on manufactured terror, the toner bomb plot has provided an excuse to rationalize the global reach of the CIA.

No U.S. Commercial or Private Plane left Yemen to the U.S. over last 48 hours; Yemeni Official A Yemeni official told Yemen Post that no U.S. cargo aircraft of any American company flew out of Yemen over the last 48 hours.

Yemen Insists No Packages Sent 48 Hours Prior to Toner Bomb Hysteria Kurt Nimmo | As usual, the government has not done a very good job of making the latest al-CIA-duh plot credible.

Obama ‘Fake Terror’ Alert Story Hits #1 on Google Efforts to warn the population that the Obama Administration, like the Bush Administration before it, has engaged in issuing fake terror alerts has gone viral, with the search term “fake terror” reaching #1 on Google Trends. It is yet another success in the Infowar, initiated on the Alex Jones Show.

Obama Issues Fake Terror Alert On Eve Of Elections As we predicted on four separate occasions would happen, the Obama White House has deliberately contrived a fake terror scare on the eve of the mid-term elections in an effort to subdue the rampaging political appetite for anti-big government candidates that threatens to sweep aside establishment incumbents next week. ]

Obama: Suspicious packages are a 'credible terrorist threat' (Washington Post) [October surprise anyone … still October … trick or treat … there are skeptics … then there are some who’ll say … just jewish synagogues, no big deal … nothing of strategic value … healthy dose of skepticism … Obama ‘Fake Terror’ Alert Story Hits #1 on Google Aaron Dykes Infowars.com October 29, 2010 Efforts to warn the population that the Obama Administration, like the Bush Administration before it, has engaged in issuing fake terror alerts has gone viral, with the search term “fake terror” reaching #1 on Google Trends. It is yet another success in the Infowar, initiated on the Alex Jones Show. As we are just days out from the 2010 midterm elections, voters must realize that the establishment has willfully engaged in hyping up false alerts to scare the public into believing that we are under siege by potential terrorist acts at all moments. Various “officials” have been warning that an attack is likely to occur for weeks now, and it is no surprise to see the Obama Administration trying to use the fear to its advantage. Recall that Obama advisor and former top Clinton official, Robert Shapiro, alluded to the idea that only a terror attack could save Obama’s presidency earlier in the year.

“The bottom line here is that Americans don’t believe in President Obama’s leadership,” said Shapiro, adding, “He has to find some way between now and November of demonstrating that he is a leader who can command confidence and, short of a 9/11 event or an Oklahoma City bombing, I can’t think of how he could do that.”

Read the original story by Paul Joseph Watson here, as it has been updated.

The general scare of the fake terror alert is all the more alarming, as President Obama has gone on to contradict announcements from his own administration, claiming that the suspicious package “did apparently contain explosive material” in a press conference. This, after it was already admitted the suspicious package, which originated from the UK, was harmless and contained no explosives Obama Issues Fake Terror Alert On Eve Of Elections Paul Joseph Watson | Establishment media fearmongers about “mail bomb plot” despite no bombs being found. Corporate Media On High Alert Over “Manipulated” Toner Cartridge On UK Plane Kurt Nimmo | Officialdom and authorities jack up the scary pre-election rhetoric ]

GOP's Palin paradox (Washington Post) Parker: She's too powerful to ignore, and too (fill-in-the-blank) to take seriously. [ Say it! … Dumb! … Everybody knows it! … Cher even said it! … I believe that this further evinces the leadership vacuum in america and is a testament to how unequivocally far america has fallen. Powerful? I don’t think so! ]

Sarah Palin: The Next Teleprompter Reader in the White House [ Not gonna’ happen … she’s just too embarrassingly dumb … and all that fake macho / zionist b*** s*** … unless her gal o’donnel casts a spell … which is a whole new ball game … witches … really … how ‘bout dumb *******s …. she’s really dumb enough to press the button. ] ? Kurt Nimmo | In 2008, Tea Party Sarah trekked to New York to kiss Henry Kissinger’s ring.

Sarah Palin: The Next Teleprompter Reader in the White House? [ Not gonna’ happen … she’s just too embarrassingly dumb … unless her gal o’donnel casts a spell … which is a whole new ball game … witches … really … how ‘bout dumb *******s ... and all that fake macho / zionist b*** s*** ... she’s really dumb enough to press the button. ] It looks like the establishment is grooming Tea Party Sarah for a run. She says as much in the Newsmax interview below.

Palin calls reporters 'impotent' and 'limp' (Washington Post) [ I must reiterate, she, palin’s so embarrassingly dumb! She truly is the joke that keeps on giving! I really mean it! I mean, what next? ] The former Alaska governor weighed in herself: "Those who are impotent and limp and gutless and they go on their anonymous -- sources that are anonymous -- and impotent, limp and gutless reporters take anonymous sources and cite them as being factual references," she told Sean Hannity. "It just slays me ( this could be a somewhat Freudian slip as she contemplates the uselessness of sexually non-interested reporters while she meant lays and I think her supposed / purported attractiveness / desirability is vastly overstated; but, this makes for great SNL skits; you know, those reporters not man enough to service her ) because it's so absolutely clear what the state of yellow journalism is today that they would take these anonymous sources as fact."

The power of Palin's touch (Washington Post) [Wow! Talk about stupid. Murphy could have eliminated the middle-man (person) and appeared on SNL himself; maybe reprising a familiar (Eddie) Murphy role as Gumby 2, Son of Gumby. The only thing funnier is palin herself. She’s so embarrassingly dumb!] .Endorsement lifts little-known candidate in Md., giving the struggling campaign a "megaphone."

Comment on: 5 Myths about Sarah Palin at 10/14/2010 9:39 PM EDT

Test yourself to find out how much you know about Sarah Palin. Take the quiz and after, check out The Washington Post's 'Five Myths about Palin.' (Washington Post) [ Geeh! I scoured the quiz / 5 myths and nowhere did I see the obvious myth; viz., that she really has a brain. Maybe gal pal pol protégé o’donnell can help her out … a few mysterious words, a slimy newt (gingrich) in a caldron of b*** s*** , and voila … a new reality which is what o’donnell herself is sorely in need of … O'Donnell, evolved Milbank: She didn't mention mice with human brains in Wednesday's debate. But she said silly things. Stromberg: O'Donnell is... wow The CNN host, moderating the long awaited Delaware senatorial debate Wednesday night, was trying to get the Republican nominee to talk about her 1998 statement on the Bill Maher show that "evolution is a myth."
"Do you believe evolution is a myth?" Blitzer asked.
"I believe that the local ... " O'Donnell began, then started anew. "I was talking about what a local school taught, and that should be taught, that should be decided on the local community."
"Do you believe evolution is a myth?" the moderator repeated.
"Local schools should make that decision."
"What do you believe?"
"What I believe is irrelevant."
"Why is it irrelevant? Voters want to know."
"What I will support in Washington, D.C. is the ability of the local school system to decide what is taught in their classrooms," O'Donnell repeated.
The answer, though, was obvious: Of course she believes in evolution; she is a product of evolution herself. She has evolved from a very odd woman who spoke about the evils of masturbation and of mice with fully functioning human brains and of her experience in sorcery (but she didn't join a coven!). …

Obama creates indefinite detention system for prisoners at Guantanamo Bay (Washington Post) [ Sounds more like fellow failed president/war criminal dumbya bush every day. Meanwhile, back at the pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american credit farm (totalitarian communist china): New restrictions on foreign journalists Under rules announced after foreign journalists were physically harassed by security officers, foreign journalists must have government permission to interview anyone in a public area.]

In interview, Bush defends Iraq war and waterboarding (Washington Post) [ Defending the indefensible … what choice does he have … then there’s the lies … ] Bush breaks silence, writes next chapter (Washington Post) [ As a failed president and war criminal himself, moron dumbya bush is among the few in the world that makes failed president wobama look plausibly good in comparison … wobama merely continued the failed policies of dumbya (perpetual war, no pros the frauds on wallstreet, etc.) that got pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america to this point of decline and failure. ] Anne E. Kornblut Your take: His most memorable moment? [ Like regrets in that old song (his way) he’s had a few – http://albertpeia.com/evilonthetarmac.htm here’s a few: bushisms from bush the brain-damaged moron http://albertpeia.com/bushisms.htm :

"After standing on the stage, after the debates, I made it very plain, we will not have an all-volunteer army. And yet, this week—we will have an all-volunteer army. Let me restate that."—Daytona Beach, Fla., Oct. 16, 2004

"The CIA laid out several scenarios and said life could be lousy, life could be OK, life could be better, and they were just guessing as to what the conditions might be like."—New York, Sept. 21, 2004

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against these hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 17, 2004 (Thanks to David Stanford.)

"That's why I went to the Congress last September and proposed fundamental—supplemental funding, which is money for armor and body parts and ammunition and fuel."—Erie, Pa., Sept. 4, 2004

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYN's aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."—Sept. 6, 2004, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

"They've seen me make decisions, they've seen me under trying times, they've seen me weep, they've seen me laugh, they've seen me hug. And they know who I am, and I believe they're comfortable with the fact that they know I'm not going to shift principles or shift positions based upon polls and focus groups." —Interview with USA Today, Aug. 27, 2004

"I didn't join the International Criminal Court because I don't want to put our troops in the hands of prosecutors from other nations. Look, if somebody has done some wrong in our military, we'll take care of it. We got plenty of capability of dealing with justice."—Niceville, Fla., Aug. 10, 2004

"So community colleges are accessible, they're available, they're affordable, and their curriculums don't get stuck. In other words, if there's a need for a certain kind of worker, I presume your curriculums evolved over time."—Niceville, Fla., Aug. 10, 2004

"Tribal sovereignty means that, it's sovereign. You're a—you've been given sovereignty, and you're viewed as a sovereign entity. And, therefore, the relationship between the federal government and tribes is one between sovereign entities."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 6, 2004

"Secondly, the tactics of our—as you know, we don't have relationships with Iran. I mean, that's—ever since the late '70s, we have no contacts with them, and we've totally sanctioned them. In other words, there's no sanctions—you can't—we're out of sanctions."—Annandale, Va., Aug. 9, 2004

"I mean, if you've ever been a governor of a state, you understand the vast potential of broadband technology, you understand how hard it is to make sure that physics, for example, is taught in every classroom in the state. It's difficult to do. It's, like, cost-prohibitive."—Washington, D.C., June 24, 2004 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004 (Thanks to Alicia Butler.)

"And I am an optimistic person. I guess if you want to try to find something to be pessimistic about, you can find it, no matter how hard you look, you know?"—Washington, D.C., June 15, 2004 (Thanks to Robert Irwin.)

"[A] free Iraq is essential to our respective securities."—Washington, D.C., June 1, 2004

"I want to thank my friend, Sen. Bill Frist, for joining us today. … He married a Texas girl, I want you to know. (Laughter.) Karyn is with us. A West Texas girl, just like me."—Nashville, Tenn., May 27, 2004

"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."—Washington, D.C., May 25, 2004

"This has been tough weeks in that country."—Washington, D.C., April 13, 2004 (Thanks to David Huddleston.)

"[B]y the way, we rank 10^th amongst the industrialized world in broadband technology and its availability. That's not good enough for America. Tenth is 10 spots too low as far as I'm concerned."—Minneapolis, Minn., April 26, 2004

"My job is to, like, think beyond the immediate."—Washington, D.C., April 21, 2004

"This is historic times."—New York, N.Y., April 20, 2004

"Obviously, I pray every day there's less casualty."—Fort Hood, Texas, April 11, 2004 (Thanks to Pat Gallagher.)

"Recession means that people's incomes, at the employer level, are going down, basically, relative to costs, people are getting laid off."—Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2004 (Thanks to Garry Trudeau.)

"God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear."—Los Angeles, Calif., March 3, 2004 (Thanks to Tanny Bear.)

"The march to war affected the people's confidence. It's hard to make investment. See, if you're a small business owner or a large business owner and you're thinking about investing, you've got to be optimistic when you invest. Except when you're marching to war, it's not a very optimistic thought, is it? In other words, it's the opposite of optimistic when you're thinking you're going to war." —Springfield, Mo., Feb. 9, 2004 (Thanks to Garry Trudeau.)

"See, one of the interesting things in the Oval Office—I love to bring people into the Oval Office—right around the corner from here—and say, this is where I office, but I want you to know the office is always bigger than the person."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"More Muslims have died at the hands of killers than—I say more Muslims—a lot of Muslims have died—I don't know the exact count—at Istanbul. Look at these different places around the world where there's been tremendous death and destruction because killers kill."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"In an economic recession, I'd rather that in order to get out of this recession, that the people be spending their money, not the government trying to figure out how to spend the people's money."—Tampa, Fla., Feb. 16, 2004

"King Abdullah of Jordan, the King of Morocco, I mean, there's a series of places—Qatar, Oman—I mean, places that are developing—Bahrain—they're all developing the habits of free societies."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004

"But the true strength of America is found in the hearts and souls of people like Travis, people who are willing to love their neighbor, just like they would like to love themselves."—Springfield, Mo., Feb. 9, 2004 (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"My views are one that speaks to freedom."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2004

"In my judgment, when the United States says there will be serious consequences, and if there isn't serious consequences, it creates adverse consequences."

"There is no such thing necessarily in a dictatorial regime of iron-clad absolutely solid evidence. The evidence I had was the best possible evidence that he had a weapon."

"The recession started upon my arrival. t could have been—some say February, some say March, some speculate maybe earlier it started—but nevertheless, it happened as we showed up here. The attacks on our country affected our economy. Corporate scandals affected the confidence of people and therefore affected the economy. My decision on Iraq, this kind of march to war, affected the economy."—Meet the Press, Feb. 8, 2004

"I was a prisoner too, but for bad reasons."—To Argentine President Nestor Kirchner, on being told that all but one of the Argentine delegates to a summit meeting were imprisoned during the military dictatorship, Monterrey, Mexico, Jan. 13, 2004

"[T]he illiteracy level of our children are appalling."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 23, 2004 (Thanks to Lewell Gunter.)

"Just remember it's the birds that's supposed to suffer, not the hunter."—Advising quail hunter and New Mexico Sen. Pete Domenici, Roswell, N.M., Jan. 22, 2004

"One of the most meaningful things that's happened to me since I've been the governor—the president—governor—president. Oops. Ex-governor. I went to Bethesda Naval Hospital to give a fellow a Purple Heart, and at the same moment I watched him—get a Purple Heart for action in Iraq—and at that same—right after I gave him the Purple Heart, he was sworn in as a citizen of the United States—a Mexican citizen, now a United States citizen."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 9, 2004

"I want to thank the astronauts who are with us, the courageous spacial entrepreneurs who set such a wonderful example for the young of our country."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2004

"And if you're interested in the quality of education and you're paying attention to what you hear at Laclede, why don't you volunteer? Why don't you mentor a child how to read?"—St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 5, 2004

"So thank you for reminding me about the importance of being a good mom and a great volunteer as well."—St. Louis, Jan. 5, 2004

"I want to remind you all that in order to fight and win the war, it requires an expenditure of money that is commiserate with keeping a promise to our troops to make sure that they're well-paid, well-trained, well-equipped."

"See, without the tax relief package, there would have been a deficit, but there wouldn't have been the commiserate—not 'commiserate'—the kick to our economy that occurred as a result of the tax relief."

"[T]he best way to find these terrorists who hide in holes is to get people coming forth to describe the location of the hole, is to give clues and data."

"Justice was being delivered to a man who defied that gift from the Almighty to the people of Iraq."—Washington, D.C., Dec. 15, 2003

"[A]s you know, these are open forums, you're able to come and listen to what I have to say."—Washington, D.C., Oct. 28, 2003

"The ambassador and the general were briefing me on the—the vast majority of Iraqis want to live in a peaceful, free world. And we will find these people and we will bring them to justice."—Washington, D.C., Oct. 27, 2003 (Thanks to Robert Hack.)

"[W]hether they be Christian, Jew, or Muslim, or Hindu, people have heard the universal call to love a neighbor just like they'd like to be called themselves."—Washington, Oct. 8, 2003 (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction."—Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 3, 2003

"[W]e've had leaks out of the administrative branch, had leaks out of the legislative branch, and out of the executive branch and the legislative branch, and I've spoken out consistently against them, and I want to know who the leakers are."—Chicago, Sept. 30, 2003

"Washington is a town where there's all kinds of allegations. You've heard much of the allegations. And if people have got solid information, please come forward with it. And that would be people inside the information who are the so-called anonymous sources, or people outside the information—outside the administration."—Chicago, Sept. 30, 2003 (Thanks to Andy Bowers.)

"[T]hat's just the nature of democracy. Sometimes pure politics enters into the rhetoric."—Crawford, Texas, Aug. 8, 2003 (Thanks to Inigo Thomas.)

"I glance at the headlines just to kind of get a flavor for what's moving. I rarely read the stories, and get briefed by people who are probably read the news themselves."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2003

"I'm so pleased to be able to say hello to Bill Scranton. He's one of the  great Pennsylvania political families."—Drexel Hill, Penn., Sept. 15, 2003 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"We had a good Cabinet meeting, talked about a lot of issues. Secretary of State and Defense brought us up to date about our desires to spread freedom and peace around the world."—Washington, D.C., Aug. 1, 2003 (Thanks to Tanny Bear.)

"Security is the essential roadblock to achieving the road map to peace."—Washington, D.C., July 25, 2003

"Our country puts $1 billion a year up to help feed the hungry. And we're by far the most generous nation in the world when it comes to that, and I'm proud to report that. This isn't a contest of who's the most generous. I'm just telling you as an aside. We're generous. We shouldn't be bragging about it. But we are. We're very generous."—Washington, D.C., July 16, 2003

"It's very interesting when you think about it, the slaves who left here to go to America, because of their steadfast and their religion and their belief in freedom, helped change America."—Dakar, Senegal, July 8, 2003 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"My answer is bring them on."—On Iraqi militants attacking U.S. forces, Washington, D.C., July 3, 2003

"You've also got to measure in order to begin to effect change that's just more—when there's more than talk, there's just actual—a paradigm shift."—Washington, D.C., July 1, 2003 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"I urge the leaders in Europe and around the world to take swift, decisive action against terror groups such as Hamas, to cut off their funding, and to support—cut funding and support, as the United States has done."—Washington, D.C., June 25, 2003

"Iran would be dangerous if they have a nuclear weapon."—Washington, D.C., June 18, 2003

"Now, there are some who would like to rewrite history—revisionist historians is what I like to call them."—Elizabeth, N.J., June 16, 2003

"I am determined to keep the process on the road to peace."—Washington, D.C., June 10, 2003 (Thanks to Tanny Bear.)

"The true strength of America happens when a neighbor loves a neighbor just like they'd like to be loved themselves."—Elizabeth, N.J., June 16, 2003

"We are making steadfast progress."—Washington, D.C., June 9, 2003 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"I'm the master of low expectations."—Aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003

"I'm also not very analytical. You know I don't spend a lot of time thinking about myself, about why I do things."—Aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003

"I recently met with the finance minister of the Palestinian Authority, was very impressed by his grasp of finances."—Washington, D.C., May 29, 2003

"Oftentimes, we live in a processed world—you know, people focus on the process and not results."—Washington, D.C., May 29, 2003

"I've got very good relations with President Mubarak and Crown Prince Abdallah and the King of Jordan, Gulf Coast countries."—Washington, D.C., May 29, 2003

"All up and down the different aspects of our society, we had meaningful discussions. Not only in the Cabinet Room, but prior to this and after this day, our secretaries, respective secretaries, will continue to interact to create the conditions necessary for prosperity to reign."—Washington, D.C., May 19, 2003

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill."—Washington, D.C., May 19, 2003

"We ended the rule of one of history's worst tyrants, and in so doing, we not only freed the American people, we made our own people more secure."—Crawford, Texas, May 3, 2003 (Thanks to Tony Marciniec.)

"We've had a great weekend here in the Land of the Enchanted."—Albuquerque, N.M., May 12, 2003 (New Mexico's state nickname is "Land of Enchantment.")

"We've got hundreds of sites to exploit, looking for the chemical and biological weapons that we know Saddam Hussein had prior to our entrance into Iraq."—Santa Clara, Calif., May 2, 2003 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"I think war is a dangerous place."—Washington, D.C., May 7, 2003

"I don't bring God into my life to—to, you know, kind of be a political person."—Interview with Tom Brokaw aboard Air Force One, April 24, 2003

"You're free. And freedom is beautiful. And, you know, it'll take time to restore chaos and order—order out of chaos. But we will."—Washington, D.C., April 13, 2003

"Perhaps one way will be, if we use military force, in the post-Saddam Iraq the U.N. will definitely need to have a role. And that way it can begin to get its legs, legs of responsibility back."—the Azores, Portugal, March 16, 2003

"I know there's a lot of young ladies who are growing up wondering whether or not they can be champs. And they see the championship teams from USC and University of Portland here, girls who worked hard to get to where they are, and they're wondering about the example they're setting. What is life choices about?"—Washington, D.C., Feb. 24, 2003

"Now, we talked to Joan Hanover. She and her husband, George, were visiting with us. They are near retirement—retiring—in the process of retiring, meaning they're very smart, active, capable people who are retirement age and are retiring."—Alexandria, Va., Feb. 12, 2003 (Thanks to Dennis Doubleday.)

"Columbia carried in its payroll classroom experiments from some of our students in America."—Bethesda, Md., Feb. 3, 2003

"And, most importantly, Alma Powell, secretary of Colin Powell, is with us."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 30, 2003

"The war on terror involves Saddam Hussein because of the nature of Saddam Hussein, the history of Saddam Hussein, and his willingness to terrorize himself."—Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 29, 2003

"When Iraq is liberated, you will be treated, tried, and persecuted as a war criminal."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 22, 2003 (Thanks to Chad Conwell.)

"Many of the punditry—of course, not you (laughter)—but other punditry were quick to say, no one is going to follow the United States of America."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2003

"One year ago today, the time for excuse-making has come to an end."—Washington, D.C., Jan. 8, 2003

"I think the American people—I hope the American–I don't think, let me—I hope the American people trust me."—Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2002

"The goals for this country are peace in the world. And the goals for this country are a compassionate American for every single citizen. That compassion is found in the hearts and souls of the American citizens."—Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2002 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"There's only one person who hugs the mothers and the widows, the wives and the kids upon the death of their loved one. Others hug but having committed the troops, I've got an additional responsibility to hug and that's me and I know what it's like."—Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2002

"In other words, I don't think people ought to be compelled to make the decision which they think is best for their family."—Washington, D.C., Dec. 11, 2002 (Thanks to Stephanie Nichols.)

"Sometimes, Washington is one of these towns where the person—people who think they've got the sharp elbow is the most effective person." —New Orleans, Dec. 3, 2002 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"The law I sign today directs new funds and new focus to the task of collecting vital intelligence on terrorist threats and on weapons of mass production."—Washington, D.C., Nov. 27, 2002

"These people don't have tanks. They don't have ships. They hide in caves. They send suiciders out."—Speaking about terrorists, Portsmouth, N.H., Nov. 1, 2002

"I know something about being a government. And you've got a good one."—Stumping for Gov. Mike Huckabee, Bentonville, Ark., Nov. 4, 2002

"I need to be able to move the right people to the right place at the right time to protect you, and I'm not going to accept a lousy bill out of the United Nations Senate."—South Bend, Ind., Oct. 31, 2002

 "John Thune has got a common-sense vision for good forest policy. I look forward to working with him in the United Nations Senate to preserve these national heritages."

"Any time we've got any kind of inkling that somebody is thinking about doing something to an American and something to our homeland, you've just got to know we're moving on it, to protect the United Nations Constitution, and at the same time, we're protecting you."—Aberdeen, S.D., same day (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"Let me tell you my thoughts about tax relief. When your economy is kind of ooching along, it's important to let people have more of their own money."—Boston, Oct. 4, 2002

"I was proud the other day when both Republicans and Democrats stood with me in the Rose Garden to announce their support for a clear statement of purpose: you disarm, or we will."—Speaking about Saddam Hussein, Manchester, N.H., Oct. 5, 2002 (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"You see, the Senate wants to take away some of the powers of the administrative branch."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002

"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption."—Trenton, N.J., Sept. 23, 2002

"People say, how can I help on this war against terror? How can I fight evil? You can do so by mentoring a child; by going into a shut-in's house and say I love you."—Washington, D.C., Sept. 19, 2002

"I'm plowed of the leadership of Chuck Grassley and Greg Ganske and Jim Leach."—Davenport, Iowa, Sept. 16, 2002

"There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, fool me once, shame on—shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again."—Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 17, 2002

"There's no doubt in my mind that we should allow the world worst leaders to hold America hostage, to threaten our peace, to threaten our friends and allies with the world's worst weapons."—South Bend, Ind., Sept. 5, 2002

"If you don't have any ambitions, the minimum-wage job isn't going to get you to where you want to get, for example. In other words, what is your ambitions? And oh, by the way, if that is your ambition, here's what it's going to take to achieve it."—Speech to students in Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 29, 2002 (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"See, we love—we love freedom. That's what they didn't understand. They hate things; we love things. They act out of hatred; we don't seek revenge, we seek justice out of love."—Oklahoma City, Aug. 29, 2002

"There's no cave deep enough for America, or dark enough to hide."—Oklahoma City, Aug. 29, 2002 (Thanks to Michael Shively.)

"President Musharraf, he's still tight with us on the war against terror, and that's what I appreciate. He's a—he understands that we've got to keep al-Qaida on the run, and that by keeping him on the run, it's more likely we will bring him to justice."—Ruch, Ore., Aug. 22, 2002 (Thanks to Scott Miller.)

"I'm a patient man. And when I say I'm a patient man, I mean I'm a patient man."

"Nothing he [Saddam Hussein] has done has convinced me—I'm confident the Secretary of Defense—that he is the kind of fellow that is willing to forgo weapons of mass destruction, is willing to be a peaceful neighbor, that is—will honor the people—the Iraqi people of all stripes, will—values human life. He hasn't convinced me, nor has he convinced my administration."—Crawford, Texas, Aug. 21, 2002

"I'm thrilled to be here in the bread basket of America because it gives me a chance to remind our fellow citizens that we have an advantage here in America—we can feed ourselves."—Stockton, Calif., Aug. 23, 2002 (Thanks to Christopher Baird.)

"There's no bigger task than protecting the homeland of our country."

"The federal government and the state government must not fear programs who change lives, but must welcome those faith-based programs for the embetterment of mankind."—Stockton, Calif., Aug. 23, 2002 (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"I love the idea of a school in which people come to get educated and stay in the state in which they're educated."

"There may be some tough times here in America. But this country has gone through tough times before, and we're going to do it again."

"I promise you I will listen to what has been said here, even though I wasn't here."

"I can assure you that, even though I won't be sitting through every single moment of the seminars, nor will the vice president, we will look at the summaries."

"Tommy [Thompson, Health and Human Services secretary,] is a good listener, and he's a pretty good actor, too."

"The trial lawyers are very politically powerful. … But here in Texas we took them on and got some good medical—medical malpractice.""I firmly believe the death tax is good for people from all walks of life all throughout our society."

—Waco, Texas, Aug. 13, 2002

"There was no malfeance involved. This was an honest disagreement about accounting procedures. ... There was no malfeance, no attempt to hide anything."—White House press conference, Washington, D.C., July 8, 2002

"I also understand how tender the free enterprise system can be."—White House press conference, Washington, D.C., July 9, 2002

"Over 75 percent of white Americans own their home, and less than 50 percent of Hispanos and African Americans don't own their home. And that's a gap, that's a homeownership gap. And we've got to do something about it."—Cleveland, Ohio, July 1, 2002

"Whether you're here by birth, or whether you're in America by choice, you contribute to the vitality of our life. And for that, we are grateful."—Washington, D.C., May 17, 2002

"I'd rather have them sacrificing on behalf of our nation than, you know, endless hours of testimony on congressional hill."—National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Maryland, June 4, 2002

"We're working with Chancellor Schröder on what's called 10-plus-10-over-10: $10 billion from the U.S.,$10 billion from other members of the G7 over a 10-year period, to help Russia securitize the dismantling—the dismantled nuclear warheads."—Berlin, Germany, May 23, 2002

"Do you have blacks, too?"—To Brazilian President Fernando Cardoso, Washington, D.C., Nov. 8, 2001

"This is a nation that loves our freedom, loves our country."—Washington, D.C, May 17, 2002

"The public education system in America is one of the most important foundations of our democracy. After all, it is where children from all over America learn to be responsible citizens, and learn to have the skills necessary to take advantage of our fantastic opportunistic society."—Santa Clara, Calif., May 1, 2002

"After all, a week ago, there were—Yasser Arafat was boarded up in his building in Ramallah, a building full of, evidently, German peace protestors and all kinds of people. They're now out. He's now free to show leadership, to lead the world."—Washington, D.C., May 2, 2002 (Thanks to M. Bateman.)

"This foreign policy stuff is a little frustrating."—as quoted by the New York Daily News, April 23, 2002

"I want to thank the dozens of welfare to work stories, the actual examples of people who made the firm and solemn commitment to work hard to embetter themselves."—Washington, D.C., April 18, 2002 (Thanks to George Dupper.)

"And so, in my State of the—my State of the Union—or state—my speech to the nation, whatever you want to call it, speech to the nation—I asked Americans to give 4,000 years—4,000 hours over the next—the rest of your life—of service to America. That's what I asked—4,000 hours." —Bridgeport, Conn., April 9, 2002 …(there are many more)

]

51 Iraqi worshipers, 7 troops killed in church siege (Washington Post) [ Yes, and even more sounds of silence … which of course smells like napalm in the morning … you know … that victory thing. ] Suicide bomber in Iraq kills at least 26 people, many of them police (Washington Post) [ Ah, yes … those sounds of silence … the birthing of a new american-style democracy … like napalm in the morning … smells like victory … (lucky for them bush / bushies / neo-cons lied about those wmd’s) … and all for the sake of israel and the military industrial complex. ]

Election outcome may complicate Obama's foreign policy (Washington Post) [ Wow! That’s all this country needs … a more self-destructive zionist-leaning foreign policy which, as obvious to the rest of the world, ignores israel’s transgressions (ie., violations of international law, u.n. resolutions, nuclear non-proliferation treaty, etc.) while focusing on geopolitically detrimental or otherwise, non-events. I see an already zionist-leaning foreign policy with wobama and co. which begs the question … What foreign policy? James Forrestal made the point infra: ]

Obama cites Indonesia as model for Muslims (Washington Post)[ Drudgereport: Obama slams israel from Jakarta … [ Wow! Who woulda’ thunk it … Wobama growing gonads in Indonesia … He is quite correct, albeit in one of those sparingly infrequent moments … But, alas … he’ll be returning to ‘little israel’ soon (usa) and I’m sure his rhetoric will return to typical pro-israeli (anti-american interest) actions and words (b*** s***)! ]...
netanayahu takes Flight Back...
Confronts Anti-israel Reality/Truth Movement in USA...
China Ratings Agency Downgrades America... ] In city he once lived in as a boy, Obama heralds nation's "spirit of tolerance" that allows mosques, churches and temples to co-exist in a democracy.

Deaths of four Americans reflect increasing violence of Somali piracy (Washington Post) [ Drudgereport: U.S. Warship Tracking Yacht Hijacked by Somali Pirates... [ I realize there are ‘laws of the sea’ / codified bodies of law within that broad yet very specific category called ‘maritime law’, none of which I know nor care to know (I’ll content myself to knowing and seeing to the enforcement of american law as pertains to me; viz., RICO http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm . I do know that these somali pirates need killin’ and I further believe that open season on them including using their boats in the water for target practice makes sense and certainly is morally justified. I’m tired of hearing about those little weasels … you know, ‘the skinnies’. ]

Progress in Afghan war called 'uneven' ( Washington Post ) [ Uneven? Riiiiight! The real question consonant with reality: Is there EVEN progress at all … just a little bit … un petit peux … teeny weeny, itsy bitsy, one iota of progress … A resounding NO! … unless you’re counting the magnitude of america’s defacto bankruptcy, anti-american sentiment, etc.. ]

Visiting U.S. senators praise Afghan progress, say drawdown date is unrealistic (Washington Post) [ I’ll tell you what’s unrealistic: having compromised senators ( ie., non-war-heroe senile mccain, closet homosexual graham, incompetent zelig zionist lieberman, new york sinkhole slug Kirsten Gillibrand chided As 'Schumer's (zionist) Little Girl' ) stay the course with already failed pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt american policy … Paul Craig Roberts: Government Abandoned Vietnam POWs  Kurt Nimmo | John McCain worked overtime to make sure Vietnam POWs never came home. I think the even bigger story vis-à-vis mccain is:  http://www.albertpeia.com/heroenot.htm  ‘Did you know that that so-called "american heroe" john mccain was referred to by his fellow pows in Vietnam as something akin to the "songbird" inasmuch as he was constantly "singing" to his Viet-Cong captors to curry favor and better treatment? This has been documented with authority by Colonel David Hackworth. The same violates military code/protocol (other soldiers have been court-martialed for far less) click Here, Here.  [ http://www.albertpeia.com/hackworth.htm ]  But, you see, this covered up scenario, compromizing the false facade of far less than a heroe, is exactly what a criminal (lie of a) nation as america loves and encourages (get everyone's hands dirty so no-one dares to rectify same, ie., bush, sr., clinton, bush, jr.). That is, "toe the (corrupt, propagandized) line", become a criminal, or be exposed, prosecuted, and/or ruined; and, hasn't anyone asked how "wall street" has been "spared the spotlight" (and even was accorded protective legislation from their criminal culpability) and focus of inquiry, attention, and prosecution despite being the primary beneficiaries financial and otherwise of these scams (you know the wall street motto, "churn and earn"; huge conflicts of interest if not outright fraud)…’…Oh and they so can afford it Deficit panel proposes huge cuts (Washington Post) [ Cuts? I heard the corrupt, incompetent lawmakers were giving themselves a raise. They actually deserve at least a 10% paycut and abolition of those lifetime appointments / permanent corrupt bureaucracies. Nothing succeeds like failure and crime in pervasively corrupt, defacto bankrupt america! ] Lawmakers propose curbs on Social Security, cuts in spending and tax hikes if long-term goals aren't met.

In 1948, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, an opponent of the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, warned that, even though failure to go along with the Zionists might cost President Truman the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California, it was about time that somebody should pay some consideration to whether we might not lose the United States. Mr. Forrestal was absolutely correct! Isn’t that exactly what’s happened to defacto bankrupt america in intractable decline. 

TIME TO REVOKE AND NULLIFY THE BALFOUR DECLARATION AND ABROGATE THE CREATION OF THE NATION STATE OF ISRAEL IN THE INTERESTS OF FAIRNESS, JUSTICE, PEACE AND PROSPECTIVE PROSPERITY FOR THIS WORLD!

Families remember USS Cole 10 years later (Washington Post) [ If only Americans remembered the uss liberty, they’d understand the israeli albatross strangling and bleeding the life out of america as they have since that fateful day.] In the Middle East, it's still 1947 (Washington Post) [ Indeed it should be! Among the few times the cia was correct, and they’ve been trying to put square pegs in round holes ever since, to america’s substantial detriment. I wonder what what those american sailors of the US Liberty killed by the israelis would say? USS Liberty Survivor Threatened by Unknown Israeli This is what happened to Phillip F. Tourney, decorated war hero and survivor of Israel’s premeditated attack on the USS Liberty 43 years ago. On the evening of Aug. 6, Tourney was verbally threatened by a foreign national claiming to work for the government of israel. As for the purported disdain shown for war mongerer netanayahu, if only wobama’s actions matched his words, the same would represent a major plus for him and the nation of america, so sorely in need of pluses whether the same be budgetary or economic or geopolitical. In fact, for America to abrogate 1948 would guarantee America’s survival, prosperity, and global hegemony in the most positive sense. ]

The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines.

In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Censorship Alert: Obama Deception Illegally Removed from You Tube Made to look like a hack, Thought Police Block Mega-Viral Anti-Establishment Documentary After More than a Year of Dominating Viewcounts, Ranking #1 in Search Engines and Waking Up Millions to the False Left-Right Paradigm Perpetuated by Obama.

Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post). Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’: Public confidence in Obama reaches new low (Washington Post) Six in 10 Americans lack faith in Obama and hold lower esteem for members of Congress, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Such stats as this tend to typify scenarios as this where you break every significant campaign promise that got you elected, from endless war (ie., Afghanistan, etc.) to not prosecuting the frauds on wall street, and the growing realization of ‘typical’:

But still it’s ‘hands off fraudulent wall street’ to theirs, the nation’s, and the world’s detriment. Firms subpoenaed in attempt to regain Fannie, Freddie losses (Washington Post). But there’s a reason:

The following youtube video is well worth the look and explains how and why the frauds on wall street have gotten away with their devastating fraud thus far. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed. ( UPDATE: MORE CLAIMS OF RACE BIAS AT JUSTICE... CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL TO PURSUE FED PROBE IN BLACK PANTHER CASE... ‘In emotional and personal testimony, an ex-Justice official who quit over the handling of a voter intimidation case against the New Black Panther Party accused his former employer of instructing attorneys in the civil rights division to ignore cases that involve black defendants and white victims ...’  US v. AZ... Cases against Wall Street lag despite Holder’s vows to target financial fraud Washington Post | Obama has promised to hold Wall Street accountable for the meltdown. ):

‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 – well worth a look. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

While boner and barton are indeed jokes / vegetables that bespeak the single-digit approval rate for congress, obama’s failure to deliver on promises with as well, endless war spending despite defacto bankruptcy of the nation and a watered down nothing financial regulation bill for talking points but little substance, make him as big a joker. This well researched / produced video tells the real story : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw&feature=PlayList&p=2EFAB57B44063742&playnext_from=PL&index=0&playnext=1 ‘THE OBAMA DECEPTION’ – well worth the view. [ The Obama Deception Number 1 on U.S. Google Trends ]

‘The Obama Deception’ Censored A viral You Tube upload of one of Alex Jones’ most popular feature films ‘The Obama Deception’ has been censored following a spur of the moment campaign to elevate the movie’s title to the top of the major internet search engines. In light of this development, I provide an archived site version which appears to be complete (but will be compared with earlier version and replaced with same if incomplete) http://albertpeia.com/obamadeceptionhighqualityversion.flv

Then there is the well researched, produced, and informative ‘ESOTERIC AGENDA’ which explains how we’ve gotten to this forlorn point: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7052400717834950257#

Ethics code urged for Supreme Court (Washington Post) [ Sounds like a plan! Come on! Wake up! After all, what can you expect from two guidos from ‘jersey (alito and scalia, colloquial – note that I have refrained from using what some might consider disparaging terms as w*p*, gui***s, or da***s … and let me state for the record that I truly loved and respected my grandmother who was 100% Italian/Bari,Italy and as well my grandfather/Lake Como,northern Italy with greek ancestral roots and thereby claim standing/right to posit the criticism in light of my direct experience. ). How ‘bout starting with enforcing laws as to judges, liars, etc., within the very corrupted american illegal system; and, particularly bribes which in one form or another are rampant . I don’t know about Thomas, but I do know about alito and ‘jersey … :

October 15, 2010 (*see infra)

Steven M. Martinez, Assistant Director In Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation, USDOJ
11000 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1700

Los Angeles, CA 90024

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith 3 copies of the within DVD rom autorun disk (which will open in your computer’s browser) as per your office’s request as made this day (the disk and contents have been scanned by Avast, McAfee, and Norton which I’ve installed on my computer to prevent viral attacks / infection and are without threat). I also include 1 copy of the DVD as filed with the subject court as referenced therein (which files are also included on the aforesaid 3 disks in a separate folder named ‘112208opocoan’). The (civil) RICO action (as you’re aware, the RICO Act is a criminal statute which provides a civil remedy, including treble damages and attorney fees, as an incentive for private prosecution of said claims probably owing to the fact that the USDOJ seems somewhat overwhelmed and in need of such assistance given the seriousness and prevalence of said violations of law which have a corrupting influence on the process, and which corruption is pervasive). A grievance complaint against Coan was also filed concurrently with the subject action and held in abeyance pending resolution of the action which was illegally dismissed without any supporting law and in contravention of the Order of The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District Connecticut. The files below the horizontal rule are the referenced documents as filed. (Owing to the damage to the financial interests of both the U.S. and the District of Congresswoman Roybal-Allard, viz., Los Angeles, the Qui Tam provisions of the Federal False Claims Act probably would apply and I would absent resolution seek to refer the within to a firm with expertise in that area of the law with which I am not familiar).

The document in 5 pages under penalty of perjury I was asked to forward to the FBI office in New Haven is probably the best and most concise summary of the case RICO Summary to FBI Under Penalty of Perjury at Their Request (5 pages) [ ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://albertpeia.com/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf ].

The correspondence I received from the Congresswoman by way of email attachment (apparent but typical problem with my mail) along with my response thereto is included on the 3 disks as fbicorrespondencereyes.htm . With regard to the calls to the FBI’s LA and New Haven, CT offices: There was one call to the LA office and I was referred to the Long Beach, CA office where I personally met with FBI Agent Jeff Hayes to whom I gave probative evidentiary documents of the money laundering which he confirmed as indicative of same (he was transferred from said office within approximately a month of said meeting and his location was not disclosed to me upon inquiry). The matter was assigned to FBI Agent Ron Barndollar and we remained in touch for in excess of a decade until he abruptly retired (our last conversation prior to his retirement related to the case and parenthetically, Rudy Giuliani whose father I stated had been an enforcer for the mob to which he registered disbelief and requested I prove it, which I did – he served 12 years in prison, aggravated assault/manslaughter? – and no, there is no Chinese wall of separation – Andrew Maloney’s the one that prosecuted gotti).

In contradistinction to the statement in said correspondence, there is a plethora of information including evidence supporting the claims set forth in the RICO VERIFIED COMPLAINT (see infra). Such includes and as set forth in the case, inter alia,

1. A judgment had been entered in my favor in the case, United States District Court Case #3:93cv02065(AWT)(USDCJ Alvin Thompson), worth approximately now in excess of $300,000 remains unaccounted for and which could be used for payment to creditors, Los Angeles, etc..
2. Counsel Robert Sullivan on my behalf documented by way of certification upon investigation that Alan Shiff, USBCJ, had falsely stated a dismissal upon which false statement he predicated a retaliatory and spurious contempt proceeding against me causing substantial damage, and for which he sought Judicial Notice of those and related proceedings as did I in some of my filings.
3. The Order of Dismissal With Prejudice by Alan Shiff, USBCJ, owing to Defendant Coan’s failure to file anything whatsoever by the court’s deadline causing creditors and me substantial damages: [ Shiff Order of Dismissal With Prejudice on Coan’s Failure to File Page 1 Page 2 ]
4. Defendant Coan had filed an action against me to prevent me from suing him which necessitated me to fly to Connecticut for a hearing before The Honorable Robert N. Chatigny, Chief Judge, USDC, District of Connecticut, who denied Coan’s requested relief as to Coan but precluded my action against Shiff (although there is no immunity, judicial or otherwise, for criminal acts, ie., fraud connected with a case under Title 11, USC, etc.) . [ transcript in pertinent part - crossexamofcoanbypeia.pdf ]
5. Newly appointed judge, Maryanne Trump Barry, Donald Trump’s sister, was assigned the RICO case despite the conflict of interest in light of hundreds of thousands of dollars of illegal (drug) money being laundered through the Trump casinos by the RICO defendants, and despite my motion to recuse her which motion she heard herself and denied, and U.S. Trustee Hugh Leonard with whom I met personally refused to join or file a separate motion to recuse and not long thereafter left said office for private practice at Cole, Shotz, et als on retainer with the RICO defendants as his primary client.
6. Probative and evidentiary documents, affidavits, exhibits, including those turned over to FBI Agent Jeff Hayes in Long Beach, CA, had been given to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Lacey with whom I met personally at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark, N.J., at which time Samuel Alito was U.S. Attorney, and went over said documents and their probative value with him. Within approximately a month thereafter upon inquiry I was told that Jonathon Lacey was no longer with the office, that the file/documents could not be located, and that there was no further information available concerning contacting him or his location. I thereupon delivered by hand, copies of said documents to the office of then U.S. Attorney Alito, addressed to him, with assurance they would go directly to him. In addition to being inept [ I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt Alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches. As much as I hate the mob, it truly was funny, if not so tragic.], Alito is also corrupt (and maybe corrupt because he is inept). After a reasonable (but still rather short) time I called to determine the status and was told that Alito was no longer with the Office of the U.S. Attorney, that he was (appointed) a federal judge, and that neither the documents nor any file or record of same could be located. Alito did parley the same / cover-up into quid pro quo direct lifetime appointment to the Court of Appeals, 3^rd circuit, despite the absence of judicial experience or successful tenure as U.S. Attorney (Maryanne Trump Barry as well). This is the same Sam Alito that now sits on the purported highest court in the land. The real application of the illegal rule ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’.

There is applicable insurance / surety coverage and neither LA, nor creditors, nor I should continue to have been damaged by this brazened corrupt and illegal scenario, which should be resolved in accordance with the meaningful rules of law apposite thereto.

Sincerely,

Albert L. Peia

611 E. 5^th Street, #404

Los Angeles, CA 90013

(213) 219-**** (cell phone)

(213) 622-3745 (listed land line but there are unresolved problems with the line, computer connection may be the reason but I hesitate to chance greater non-performance / worsening by their ‘fix’ so cell phone best for contact).

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*The foregoing and as indicated therein was previously send 9-14-10 but delivery confirmation was flawed as set forth below and my inquiries to the u.s. postal service rebuffed (I believe tampered with inasmuch as your office could not locate same). This cover letter (9-13-10) is on the 3 disks with navigable hyperlinks to the subject files for ease of reference, including the files in the RICO action as indicated. (10-15-10) I spoke with Rose, FBI, ADIC Secretary, who indicates once again that your office has not received the aforesaid and which can reasonably be presumed to have been tampered with, and hence, a violation of the federal statute concerning same. ]

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*The foregoing and as indicated therein was previously send 9-14-10 but delivery confirmation was flawed as set forth below and my inquiries to the u.s. postal service rebuffed (I believe tampered with inasmuch as your office could not locate same). This cover letter (9-13-10) is on the 3 disks with navigable hyperlinks to the subject files for ease of reference, including the files in the RICO action as indicated.

-----

Label/Receipt Number: 0310 1230 0000 0862 8183

Expected Delivery Date: September 15, 2010

Class: Priority Mail®

Service(s): Delivery Confirmation™

Status: Delivered

Your item was delivered at 10:14 am on September 15, 2010 in LOS ANGELES, CA 90024.

Track and Confirm

Enter Label/Receipt Number.

Enter Label / Receipt Number.

Detailed Results:

Bullet Delivered, September 15, 2010, 10:14 am, LOS ANGELES, CA 90024

Bullet Arrival at Post Office, September 15, 2010, 4:12 am, LOS ANGELES, CA 90024

Bullet Processed through Sort Facility, September 14, 2010, 8:29 pm, LOS ANGELES, CA 90052

Bullet Acceptance, September 14, 2010, 4:04 pm, LOS ANGELES, CA 90017

----

Sent Postage Prepaid: United States Mail - VIA Priority Mail, Delivery Confirmation and VIA Certified Mail this 5th day of October, 2010.

Signed: ___________________________________

Albert L. Peia

Judges rule without title, lenders can't foreclose (Washington Post) [ Rules of law? I didn’t think they cared. That’s certainly the direct experience I’ve had with the pervasively corrupt american legal / judicial system (along with the other two branches of the u.s. government and defact bankrupt america generally). Court decisions could call into doubt the ownership of mortgages, raising urgent challenges for both the real estate market, wider financial system. Connecticut, California join probe of Ally (Washington Post) [I’d be much more impressed if they initiated a probe of more readily discernible criminal offenses in violation of the RICO Act http://albertpeia.com Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers)Covering Up for Other Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). In Productive Societies as China, Japan, etc., Fraudulent Liars (sic-lawyers) and the Fraudulent u.s. System They're a Part of Are Unheard Of/Non-existent. List of Files Regarding Filed Attorney Grievance Against Fraud coan et als Or Here For A Clearer View Of Filed Grievance Complaint, Response, Exhibits, and Related RICO Filings Note the Committee of Frauds/Liars (sic-lawyers). Included are DOJ Rep., State Court Rep., State Atty. General Office Rep., and even a Vegetable Garden yale law prof who probably never practiced law in his life. How Pathetic! http://albertpeia.com/fbiofficela91310 ] Justice: FBI improperly opened probes (Washington Post) [ I just hope they’re as zealous (in probing readily discernible crime) with regard to my RICO matters and the corruption in the (judicial / legal) process since, in the final analysis, it will have been the corruption within that will have brought the nation down irrevocably and totally.

Part 2: Woodward's 'Obama's Wars' Don't get 'locked into Vietnam,' Biden warns (Washington Post) [ Yeah, when you have a lobotomized VP you tend not to trust their opinion; but, I think they just cover their bases … you know, that Kerryish both sides of all issues thing. In any event, wobama bought this continued debacle and bears fault with the other zionist war mongers. Previously (on Iraq and Afghanistan, infra): Obama: 'It is time to turn the page' on Iraq war (Washington Post) [ Oh come on! How patronizing to have wobama spew his b*** s*** which b.s. has become synonomous with wobama; ‘to give Iraqis the chance to shape their future’… Iraq’s been destroyed, covered in cancer-causing depleted uranium, america’s defacto bankrupt, etc. If only teleprompters had a brain of their own. ] He says the U.S. "has paid a huge price" to give Iraqis the chance to shape their future -- a price that now includes more than 4,400 U.S. dead. ) On Thanksgiving weekend in 2009, Vice President Biden counsels President Obama about sending more troops to Afghanistan.

• Full coverage: 'Obama's Wars'

• Audio: Obama on length of the war

• Audio: Obama on attack possibility

• Audio: Obama on terrorism tactics

A subtler tack to fight Afghan corruption? (Washington Post) [ How about a not so subtler tack to fight corruption starting right here in the u.s. of a. where corruption and crime are pervasive and in fact, at the root of the Afghanistan problems, from american reinvigorated heroin trade to bribery attendant thereto to killing civilians, etc.. Defacto Bankrupt, Meaningfully Lawless, War Criminal Nation america, the leader of nations … in crime:

Though having but 5% of the world’s population, america can boast 76% of the world’s serial killers, followed by Europe with England/UK then Germany leading the way for the eu [excerpt, 6 minute video, Serial Killers: Real Life Hannibal Lechters http://www.albertpeia.com/realifeamericaserialkillers.mpg (as is consistent with crime generally, see infra)]. Defacto bankrupt, fraudulent america also spends more on offensive (defensive a misnomer / propaganda) military spending than all the nations of the world combined, and by a large margin at that. Do you see a pattern emerging here [ I unfortunately only belatedly did, and the feds, fed employees, cia, all 3 branches of the u.s. government, etc., are included in this evolved american trait of inherent criminality in the most nefarious sense ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      )   ]:

CRIME STATISTICS > TOTAL CRIMES (MOST RECENT) BY COUNTRY SHOWING LATEST AVAILABLE DATA (america’s No. 1).

Rank	Countries	Amount
# 1	United States:	11,877,218
# 2	United Kingdom:	6,523,706
# 3	Germany:	6,507,394

… ]

Goldman agrees to pay $550M (Washington Post) My own skepticism based on the disparate numbers (the size of the frauds compared to the relatively small fine) and as set forth in the initial reactions / headlines that immediately follow has been allayed somewhat by an interview on NBR with former SEC head Ruder who explained the very narrow scope of the settlement which in no way shelters goldman from the huge frauds they have perpetrated. So long as this is true in fact as well as law and in application, the SEC deserves praise as has been so under the auspices of ‘Mother Mary’ who appears to have the gonads lacking in prior SEC heads. The frauds on wall street et als should be criminally prosecuted, jailed, fined, and disgorgement imposed.

Iran connects U.S./israel to deadly blasts I believe Iran!

‘West, israel linked to SE Iran blasts’ A ranking official with the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has implicated “the us, israel and some european countries” in the deadly blasts in the southeastern Iranian city of Zahedan.

De-classified Vietnam-era Transcripts Show Senators Knew Gulf Of Tonkin Was A Staged False Flag Event Over 1,100 pages of previously classified Vietnam-era transcripts released this week by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee highlight the fact that several Senators knew that the White House and the Pentagon had deceived the American people over the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Wall Street Is Laundering Drug Money And Getting Away With It Zach Carter | Wachovia was moving money behind literally tons of cocaine from violent drug cartels. It wasn’t an accident.

Vegetable zionist Zelig joe lieberman’s Model For America: Purging The Internet of Dissent When political Zelig joe lieberman attempted to justify draconian legislation that would provide President Obama with a figurative kill switch to shut down parts of the Internet, he cited the Chinese system of Internet policing as model which america should move towards

Stepped-up efforts fail to stem drug money (Washington Post) [ Come on! Wake up! That’s american, yes american big business. The stuff that the war in Afghanistan is made of; viz., ie., heroin, etc.. ]Stashing cash in spare tires, engine transmissions and truckloads of baby diapers, couriers for Mexican drug cartels are moving tens of billions of dollars in profits south across the border each year, a river of dirty money that has overwhelmed U.S. and Mexican customs agents.

Carlyle-owned toy supplier files for bankruptcy (Washington Post) [ What is a bush-involved company of paper (leveraged instruments, etc.) pushers doing with any company doing business in the u.s. or elsewhere for that matter. The bushes are vegetables who really can’t do anything well, except maybe, war, war crimes, fraud, illegal drug deals (Iran contra, etc., http://albertpeia.com/CIAAgentAffidavit1.jpg ) ]

State Dept. faces skyrocketing costs as it prepares to expand role in Iraq:  Waning resources could endanger security gains, lawmakers are told (Washington Post) [ The ‘new never ending story’! america’s defacto bankrupt! Dat’s the story, jerry! What gains? Iraq’s destroyed. Iraq’s ‘covered’ in depleted uranium. The people are devastated. america’s defacto bankrupt. Come on! We’re getting close to biblical stuff here! There’s just no excuse for this compounding of war crimes committed by the u.s. and ‘friends’.]

Mideast Digest:  Iran's Ahmadinejad calls for regional solution to Afghan crisis (Washington Post) And appropriately so, as leader of a nation in the region as opposed to invading nations from outside the region (particularly as one targeted by assassins the likely assigns of those outside the region).

One of those … Daaaaah! Moments … Panetta says Afghan progress slower than expected Los Angeles Times -  Days after President Obama installed a new US military commander in Afghanistan, CIA Director Leon E. Panetta conceded Sunday that progress in the war has been "harder" and "slower than I think ...     Panetta says Afghan insurgents show no real interest in reconciliation talks Washington Post CIA Retains Controversial Security Firm in Afghanistan Wall Street Journal CIA: AFGHAN PROGRESS 'SLOWER' THAN ANTICIPATED… Daaaaah! ...

GOP chairman: Afghan 'war of Obama's choosing' (AP)  - Republican chairman Michael Steele drew criticism from within his own party Friday, including calls to resign, after saying the 9-year-old commitment of U.S. troops to Afghanistan was a mistaken ... [Steele is quite right and wobama and war facilitators deserve criticism; not Steele.]      

Judge: 'Don't ask, don't tell' is unconstitutional (Washington Post) [ Well, we all know that judge walker is alledgedly a homo, so the question here is whether judge phillips is a lesbian… just kidding! Not to slight homosexuals but to emphasize judicial bias / corruption which is pervasive in america and I’ve observed, experienced, and have been substantially damaged by pervasive and systemic corruption in the american judicial process which has become more blatant and which justifies the abolition of these costly, corrupt lifetime appointment / bureaucracies. The fact is that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is the policy throughout the pervasively corrupt federal system which is indeed as illegal as it is unconstitutional! ( http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ). ]

Ex-Justice official: CIA may have exceeded limits (Washington Post) Wee doggies! This sounds like the stuff that SNL Weekend Update ‘Really’ skits are made of; also fitting into that list of queries as, ‘Is the Pope Catholic?’, ‘Do bears **** in the woods?’, etc.. Come on! Wake up! This is the kind of complicit cover-up / corruption found betwixt and between all three branches of the u.s. government leading ineluctably to america’s current decline and to which I’ve attested under penalty of perjury in the context of the RICO litigation  [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ].

Wall Street Is Laundering Drug Money And Getting Away With It Zach Carter | Wachovia was moving money behind literally tons of cocaine from violent drug cartels. It wasn’t an accident.

There is really no way to rationalize or attempt to justify what america is / has become since they have with open eyes chosen this contra-indicated course of ineluctable decline, from illegal wars, to war crimes, to backing war criminal nations as israel, to huge frauds, to war profiteering, to illicit drug trafficking and money laundering, and this list goes on and on …:

(Previously) I’d say this alito vs. wobama is a tempest in a teapot inasmuch as alito is more than just a lightweight, hack, liar, fraud etc., as set forth in the comments. alito is a criminal who should have served / should be serving time in prison for obstruction of justice, bribery, among other RICO violations. To alito, drug money is as green as corporate money and worth his vote as well. In addition to being an inept [I looked in on the one mob case he had brought, bungled, lost (accidently on purpose?) since I was suing some mob-connected under RICO and the court (I had known / previously met outside of court the judge Ackerman through a client) was absolute bedlam and a total joke since incompetent corrupt alito brought in all 20 mob defendants (rather than prosecute one or a few to flip them first) who feigning illness had beds/cots in the courtroom along with their moans during testimony and had the jury in stitches)] and corrupt (see below and particularly the summary provided to the FBI under penalty of perjury  [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm ] )  u.s. attorney.

You’re naïve to think that the so-called supreme court is any different from the rest of the meaningfully lawless and pervasively corrupt american ‘system’. I knew well an accomplished trial lawyer, fellow american college of trial lawyers / and a bar examiner, who pondered from time to time becoming a judge “so he’d never have to work again” – his words.

Some comments on alito…all appropriate:

Probably the worst appointment in one hundred years.

Posted by: mnjam

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Really? That's a pretty sweeping statement to make about someone who's only been on the court a short few years.

And I thought that liberals were in universal agreement that Clarence Thomas was the worst appointment in all of history?

Posted by: blert | January 28, 2010 2:11 AM | Report abuse
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Yes. Really. Alito is a total lightweight and hack. He makes Thomas look like John Marshall or Oliver Wendell Holmes. I KNOW ALITO.
Posted by: mnjam | January 28, 2010 2:24 AM |

the loser here is alito.lost his composure not good for a judge especially afederal or supreme justice .loser big time this will live with guy for a very time.roberts and the other justices will have a talk with him that is a given.this relly larger than o one day news cycle.
Posted by: donaldtucker | January 28, 2010 1:12 AM |

Should Alito resign or be impeached?
Posted by: jdmca | January 28, 2010 1:05 AM |

Manchurian Candidates: Supreme Court allows China and others unlimited spending in US elections Greg Palast | Our future elections may come down to a three-way battle between China, Saudi Arabia and Goldman Sachs.       Call For Immediate Arrest of 5 Supreme Court Justices for Treason Gordon Duff | The bloated corpse we are creating in Washington is emitting a stench we can no longer abide.     The aforesaid would be shocking to anyone without a modicum of knowledge of the reality of pervasive corruption within the u.s. courts themselves and america generally, including all three branches of the u.s. government.

Ron Paul: After ‘CIA coup,’ agency ‘runs military’  US House Rep. Ron Paul says the CIA has has in effect carried out a “coup” against the US government, and the intelligence agency needs to be “taken out.”  I also personally believe there has been a defacto coup d’etat which has manifested in various substantial, blatant, brazened frauds, ie., wall street, missing 360 tons of $100 bills in Iraq, war profiteering, etc., without any fear of prosecution, and of course concomitant decline for u.s. as the treasury is looted. But I also believe its scope is beyond just the CIA with many complicit within the corrupted 3 branches of u.s. government (fed judges, us attorneys, illegal system, etc.) plus the military and private big money, ie., Goldman Sachs / wall street men, etc., among other organized crime. america is defacto bankrupt in every way!

Rendition: Where the War on Terror Meets the War on Drugs Patrick Henningsen | It’s time to ditch the policies we have come to tolerate for decades before they consume what is left of our moral core. I’ve experienced the corrupt inter-relationship of the government (all 3 corrupt branches) and the illegal drug trade / obstruction of justice / bribery first hand, particularly the courts / u.s. attorneys offices (ie., alito – now u.s. supreme court justice – quid pro quo for his complicity / cover-up), feds; see immediately after article excerpt for links / summary.

…“Evidence points to aircraft – familiarly known as “torture taxis” – used by the CIA to move captives seized in its kidnapping or “extraordinary rendition” operations through Gatwick and other airports in the EU being simultaneously used for drug distribution in the Western hemisphere. A Gulfstream II jet aircraft N9875A identified by the British Government and the European Parliament as being involved in this traffic crashed in Mexico…” In 2004, another torture taxi crashed in a field in Nicaragua with a ton of cocaine aboard… Mexican soldiers found ..132 bags containing 3.3 metric tons of cocaine. The origination of the Gulfstream’s flight is unknown but it was destined for Cancun when it crash landed. Again, here is the important point: that same Gulf Stream II was one of the very same planes chartered to the CIA for the rendition of suspected terrorists prisoners. Gulf Stream II crashed in Mexico with 3 tons of cocaine on board ..it should not be surprising that this illegal practice of rendition has in some part, been used as a well-run smokescreen for another borderless illegal operation- an extremely lucrative international transfer and delivery of cash and narcotics.,,These flights are not subject to regular customs checks, inspections or normal regulations as they move seamlessly between destinations in the US, Britain, Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, Cuba and possibly through US bases in Turkey, Greece and Morocco…

Corrupt u.s. courts / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and costly bureaucracies. Rules of law mean nothing to these typically corrupt americans. Most, including sam alito of the u.s. supreme court, concerning  drug money laundering and obstruction of justice in the 3^rd circuit ( also maryanne trump barry who covered-up drug money laundering through her brother’s casinos in a civil RICO case) should have gone to or belong in jail. Contrary to popular belief, they do it for the money, personal money, big, cash, untraceable money. The fog of war is great for such things (360 tons $100 bills flown into Iraq and missing, etc.).

 [ http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm  ]. america’s just a fraudulent and failed defacto bankrupt nation.

NSA beats warrantless wiretap rap A Federal judge has dismissed a complaint against the National Security Agency’s (NSA)

Corrupt u.s. courts / judges: Their lifetime plush appointments should be abolished, which corrupt entities are unheard of in productive societies as China, Japan, etc.. Time to abolish these drags on society and eliminate their lifetime stipends and corrupt costly bureaucracies.

There must be such things as parallel universes (I don’t really believe that, because there isn’t) or how else do you explain the disconnect between reality, current and prospective, and the wet dreams posited to keep the war funding / corporate welfare programs alive in collectively what has already become a trillion dollar boondoggle (not counting prospective medical costs, etc.) and promises to go much higher. Even israel apologist Cohen of The Washington Post alludes to the Vietnam analogy. However, even if there were real goals beyond the poppy / heroin trade which the Taliban had all but eradicated (there isn’t); even if america wasn’t defacto bankrupt (america is); even if america wasn’t killing innocent civilians in large numbers (war criminal nation america is); even if america’s allies haven’t similarly helped to bankrupt themselves by way of this war (they have); even if I hadn’t told you so (I did) ….. this war still was, is, and remains a very bad idea!

Afghan war overtakes Vietnam to become the longest conflict in U.S. history Mail Online | The war entered its 104th month yesterday, with 30,000 American troops being deployed in the first half of this year alone.

How does anyone take the u.s. seriously in light of their credibility problems, war crimes, etc.? What nuke technology israel didn’t steal from the u.s., the u.s. gave them along with missile, armaments, etc.. and paid for with taxpayer money that u.s. taxpayers and the defacto bankrupt nation don’t have.

It's time to expel israel from the UN Without doubt, the israeli attack on the Gaza-bound "Freedom Flotilla" in the dawn of Monday, May 31, 2010 is one of the most savage crimes in recent history. It seems the ruling power in Tel Aviv has been afflicted with a variant of mad cow disease; otherwise, how could it be so cruel to unleash such a beastly raid on the "Mavi Marmara," the Turkish flagship of a flotilla carrying medical and humanitarian supplies to the hapless people of Gaza Strip?

The israeli Spin-Machine in Overdrive: dershowitz to the Rescue?  Armed Israeli commandos, the elite of the elites, rappelled to the deck of a Turkish ship carrying humanitarian relief supplies to the 1.5 million prisoners in the Gaza concentration camp.

You think Iraq was bad? Invading Iran ‘would be lunacy’ Ivan Eland, Director of the Center on Peace and Liberty at the Independent Institute in Washington DC, gives his opinion on new sanctions imposed on Iran.

I include the first two comments to the foregoing headline:

Billo Says:

June 11th, 2010 at 6:15 am

Lunacy? Keep in mind that this country is run and controlled by lunatics. Our press government and military seem to take their orders from Israel. Isarel wants to be known as a pack of “mad dogs. Do we want “mad dogs” controlling us?

Here we see a bunch of phony accusations against Iran just like we did in the run up to the bogus wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Pakistan. The boy has cried wold ten thousand times. It’s time to identify the “lunatics” and kindly take away the car keys. If you won’t let your friends drive drunk, why do we let a bunch of “lunatic” enemies run this place.

Glen Reply:

June 11th, 2010 at 6:47 am

Lunacy it would be.

But it is also to their great credit that the Iranians have not made their own threats.

Everyone knows there are 3 WMD threats, Nuclear Biological and chemical. The scariest of which is Biological.

Any attack done under the threat of immediate biological retaliation would deter only the insane.

Watch out america home of the insane, home of the leaders who want an 80% population reduction.

General McChrystal’s Burning Contempt for the Puppet Obama The farce that is the war in Afghanistan is coming apart at the seams. General Stanley McChrystal’s sharp comments about Obama, Biden, and the administration published by Rolling Stone are not so much about disrespect, as the script-reading corporate media talking heads would have it, but rather about a policy in disarray in Afghanistan.

Gaza blockade illegal, must be lifted — UN rights official Israeli blockade of Gaza unsustainable: White House US Jewish opinion and the ‘Beinart moment’ The controversial book, The Israel Lobby, in which the political scientists, John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt, argued that US foreign policy has been hijacked by organized Zionism went strangely unnoticed by the leading journal of American intellectual opinion, the New York Review of Books.      Doubts Grow Over Israel’s Value as U.S. Ally Jim Lobe | The notion is that Israel and its actions have since the Cold War increasingly become a “strategic liability” to U.S. interests in the region.

In 1948, U.S. Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, an opponent of the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine, warned that, even though failure to go along with the Zionists might cost President Truman the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and California, it was about time that somebody should pay some consideration to whether we might not lose the United States. Mr. Forrestal was absolutely correct! Isn’t that exactly what’s happened to defacto bankrupt america in intractable decline. 

TIME TO REVOKE AND NULLIFY THE BALFOUR DECLARATION AND ABROGATE THE CREATION OF THE NATION STATE OF ISRAEL IN THE INTERESTS OF FAIRNESS, JUSTICE, PEACE AND PROSPECTIVE PROSPERITY FOR THIS WORLD!

OOOOH! ISRAEL NOW IN FAVOR OF NUKES IN THE MIDDLE EAST IN SUDDEN SHIFT IN POLICY TO FAVOR IRAN IN A VERY BIG WAY! ISRAEL SEES THE LIGHT AND SIDES WITH IRAN ON NUCLEAR ISSUE; ESSENTIALLY SAYS TO THE WORLD AND IRAN ‘TO PRESS ON WITH NUCLEAR AMBITIONS’.

Paul Craig Roberts: Government Abandoned Vietnam POWs  Kurt Nimmo | John McCain worked overtime to make sure Vietnam POWs never came home. I think the even bigger story vis-à-vis mccain is:  http://www.albertpeia.com/heroenot.htm  ‘Did you know that that so-called "american heroe" john mccain was referred to by his fellow pows in Vietnam as something akin to the "songbird" inasmuch as he was constantly "singing" to his Viet-Cong captors to curry favor and better treatment? This has been documented with authority by Colonel David Hackworth. The same violates military code/protocol (other soldiers have been court-martialed for far less) click Here, Here.  [ http://www.albertpeia.com/hackworth.htm ]  But, you see, this covered up scenario, compromizing the false facade of far less than a heroe, is exactly what a criminal (lie of a) nation as america loves and encourages (get everyone's hands dirty so no-one dares to rectify same, ie., bush, sr., clinton, bush, jr.). That is, "toe the (corrupt, propagandized) line", become a criminal, or be exposed, prosecuted, and/or ruined; and, hasn't anyone asked how "wall street" has been "spared the spotlight" (and even was accorded protective legislation from their criminal culpability) and focus of inquiry, attention, and prosecution despite being the primary beneficiaries financial and otherwise of these scams (you know the wall street motto, "churn and earn"; huge conflicts of interest if not outright fraud)…’

Coalition wants UK space lift-off [ Don’t make me laugh! ]

Israel’s Nukes Out of the Shadows  Israel faces unprecedented pressure to abandon its official policy of “ambiguity” on its possession of nuclear weapons as the international community meets at the United Nations in New York this week to consider banning such arsenals from the Middle East.

NASA wants mission to bring Martian rocks to Earth (AP) Why? They already have that and more:

Launch of secret US space ship masks even more secret launch of new weapon

The Militarization of Outer Space: The Pentagon’s “Space Warriors” Global Research | It’s not as if things aren’t bad enough right here on planet earth. Now the Defense Department wants to up the stakes with new, destabilizing weapons systems that will transform low- and high-earth orbit into another “battlespace.”     

buzz aldrin wants to colonize Mars … Riiiiight buzzed! Better check with DePalma to see if he already has the footage in the can since you won’t be able to use the moon footage for the new boondoggle video ...

OBAMA SPEECH OUTLINES PLANS FOR RETURNING DEFACTO BANKRUPT U.S. TO SPACE – OOOOOH! SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN … FOR INNER SPACE (IMAGINATION).

NASA's New Asteroid Mission Could Save the Planet Space.com - Tariq Malik - CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - President Barack Obama set a lofty next goal this week for Americans in space: Visiting an asteroid by 2025. Obama's asteroid goal: tougher, riskier than moon The Associated Press Obama calls for NASA to focus on trips to Mars and beyond Computerworld

New Boondoggle promised to save NASA boondoggle defacto bankrupt budget piece of pie. And don’t forget, Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck, et als, have already done this so it’s not as if they’re starting from ‘ground zero’, so to speak; and Brian DePalma already has ‘Mission to Mars’ in the can, but beware say the producers of ‘Species II’ since Eve, the cloned daughter of Sill, might want to mate with astronaut Paddy Ross who has returned from Mars as a space alien host body.

First fake moonwalker blasts Obama's space plan msnbc.com - Bill Ingalls - The first man to pretend to walk on the moon blasted President Barack Obama's decision to cancel NASA's back-to-the-moon program on Tuesday, saying that not going with the new movie is “devastating” to america's boondoggle spaced out effort. Fake dutch 'moon rock' revealed a treasured piece at the dutch national museum - a supposed moon rock from the first manned lunar landing - is nothing more than petrified wood, ...bbc news bbc news | europe | fake dutch 'moon rock' revealed prized moon rock a fake - a piece of moon rock given to an overseas politician by the united states is actually a lump of petrified wood, museum authorities revealed yesterday. ... 'Moon rock' in dutch museum is just petrified wood aug 27, 2009 ... Fake moon rock at dutch national museum. Rijksmuseum / ap. This rock, supposedly brought back from the moon by american astronauts, ...    http://www.albertpeia.com/moonfraud.htm

In reality it is just a piece of petrified wood ... Another piece of evidence that shows again that apollo program is indeed a fake and a typical american fraud!

http://www.albertpeia.com/UFOetryWeNeverWentToTheMoonPNTV.wmv

Editorial: US in quagmire Seeing the warm welcome extended to the Afghan president on his US trip, it is hard to believe that only weeks ago Washington was seething with anger and frustration at Hamid Karzai’s behavior and there were even dark mutterings by US officials that he might be mad.

War in Afghanistan and Iraq costs America $1trillion From the Old | On May 30th at 10:06 the United States reached the point where they have spent $1trillion on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.        Sinking of the Cheonan: A Classic False Flag Operation Russia Today | Sinking of the warship was really intended to convince Japan not to move US forces off Okinawa as well as divert the attention of Americans from the dire economic situation at home.     .      Israel: IDF Troops Who Murdered Unarmed Innocent People Are ‘Brave Heroes’  The government of israel, aided by many quarters of the international media, is attempting to spin today’s deadly IDF assault on a humanitarian aid ship carrying supplies to Gaza as the fault of the murdered activists on board the vessel, ludicrously characterizing machine-gun carrying Israeli troops who killed over a dozen innocent people as the victims of the incident.

Murder on the high seas JERUSALEM: Israeli marines stormed aid ships bound for Gaza on Monday and at least 10 rights activists were killed, triggering a diplomatic crisis and an emergency session of the UN Security Council. European nations, as well as the United Nations and Turkey, voiced shock and outrage at the bloody end to the international campaigners' bid to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip

Israeli American Microbiologist Linked to Deadly Fungus Kurt Nimmo | A report links labs in the United States and Israel to the Cryptococcus gatti fungus that has killed several people in the United States.

Iraqi doctors demand cancer probe Al Jazeera | Iraqi doctors believe depleted uranium from US military equipment used in the 2003 invasion is spreading cancer through the population. [This is all too true and real; and I’m surprised this hasn’t gotten more attention, coverage … well, maybe not that surprised ].

Anthropologists adopt a more favorable view of Neanderthals (Washington Post) [ Well, I’m a bit surprised and somewhat disappointed that with a little more effort, rather than rely upon inference, they could have taken a trip to the new york / new jersey / connecticut metropolitan area (etc.) and observed directly these lower italian modern-day archaic humans! Then there are the other modern day archaics / ape-like creatures that warrant greater scrutiny. ]

"What this means is that Neanderthals are not totally extinct. In some of us, they live on," Paabo … With regard to that extinction thing, I’d say they’re still working on it (ultimately, decades, extinction, the distinction, without a difference).  Actually, prior to studying the compelling subject of Biological Anthropology (Michael Park text), I too had some misconceptions about the group known as Neandertals (recent spelling drops the ‘h’) and actually mis-referenced same by the stereotypical image of members of said clade even as the debate continues as to whether they are within the species homo sapiens or a separate species. I believe these to be distinctions without important differences, so humble the origins and evolution of man truly are. Parenthetically, I wonder what that anthropological scientist Heidi Klum thinks on the subject.

Neanderthals, Humans Interbred, DNA Proves

Signs of Neanderthals Mating With Humans - Neanderthals mated with some modern humans after all and left their imprint in the human genome.  Genome hints humans, Neanderthals rolled in prehistoric hay You're a Neanderthal: Genes say yes — a little bit (AP) Neanderthals and people interbred, fossil analysis finds  For more info on man’s humble beginnings, see here     http://www.albertpeia.com/anthroindex1.htm     [ I’m adding this here, having seen while flipping channels an anthropologist talking up somewhat speciously the brain size of Neanderthals. The important but missed point here was potential ‘brain-power’ unrealized. Think of it this way: In the life-threateningly cold climes they inhabited, pre-occupation with warmth, fire, wood for fire, food, mere survival usurped all their waking moments. Have you ever tried to study, learn, think clearly (and new thoughts / neurogenesis thereby) under such harsh and perilous conditions; successfully? Neither could they. ]

Previously I wrote:

FOUND: MISSING LINK BETWEEN APES AND MAN.... These stories, and the many like it, are old news and I subscribe to the more studied view that there is no “missing link” per se and in my view they are distinctions without significant differences. I previously wrote:

To Learn More About From Whence Man Came, This Link's For You

  [To the Professor at the beginning of the course]    

   10-5-09 Postscript: Professor *****,
I felt compelled to thank you again for the add; not to curry your favor but indeed to express profound thanks inasmuch as this is probably the last formal course at a formal educational institution I'll ever take; and among the most important. While I had bought at discount a library-discarded 1993 Anthropology by Embers text, though meaning to read same never quite got to it. I am astounded by the substantial amount of time involved in the evolutionary process, not that I ever stopped to think about it, and one must come away with the sense of 'and all that...for this?'. This course should be required curriculum along with psychology, sociology, etc., but probably won't be owing to what is, as it should be, a very humbling educational experience for any member of the human race.
             Regards,
                                  Al Peia

[Interestingly, my intuitive (but unstudied) thoughts prior to closer examination of the compelling subject of Biological Anthropology remain what I believe to be the correct scenario. Specifically, very simply stated, for the most part, the more “enlightened” (but not by much; by mutation, accident, luck, intervention, etc.) left the unvarying confines of their Sub-Saharan origins, experienced diverse new environs, challenges, etc., experienced what has been described (by neuroscientists, psychologists, etc.) as neurogenesis in varying degrees and forms thereby over time, which trait was selected for and is consistent with the purported multi-regional evolutionary model which does not overtly contradict ultimately, initial African origins. Races, sub-species, missing links, etc., are subsumed in this very humbling and sorrowful tale of the “dawn of man”.]

[Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case [  http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      ]    

Don’t Tread On Me: A Refresher Course on the Constitution

Roman Polanski freed after Swiss reject U.S. extradition request (Washington Post, July 13, 2010) Without diminishing in any way the seriousness of the crime, this result is the direct consequence of the growing global recognition of the pervasiveness of corruption in american courts, state and federal, and america generally; so much so, that said corrupt american courts cannot be relied on anywhere, anytime. Indeed, my own sampling, though hardly random to be candid, is 5 for 5 (new jersey, new york, connecticut, virginia, california) pervasively and egregiously corrupt to the point where these costly, corrupt bureaucracies should be abolished and supplanted with alternatives as I’ve previously set forth in prior comments. / Though Assange’s arrest was on far more tenuous grounds owing to a CIA-linked girl, Roman Polanski was similarly targeted:BBC News - Roman Polanski triumphs at European Film Awards Dec 5, 2010 ... Roman Polanski's thriller The Ghost Writer wins six prizes at the European ... Polanski was working on the film at the time of his arrest in ... www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11921048 {I strongly recommend this, of course, masterfully done film which deals with exactly that topic and the sordid, unscrupulous machinations of the cia / u.s. (no wonder the u.s. opted out of coverage by world treaty / The Hague thereby) to avoid detection of, and to further such activities as the war crimes referenced.}

BUDGET CRISIS PUTS LOS ANGELES COURT SYSTEM AT RISK ...  [Judge sends Lohan to jail for probation violation (AP) – They got her! That globe-trotting danger / threat to society, the infamous public enemy Lindsey Lohan. Guess she couldn’t cough up that direct or indirect bribe. How pathetic these corrupt, kangaroo courts are! If only she was a drug dealer, armed robber, etc., she would have had the pre-paid connections to avoid this preposterous (known substantial criminals walk about freely, without fear) outcome. This, even as they are releasing substantial felons owing to budgetary considerations. ]  ABOLISH THE CORRUPT, ECONOMICALLY WASTEFUL SO-CALLED SYSTEM, FROM MY DIRECT OBSERVATION AND EXPERIENCE .     (PREVIOUSLY ARCHIVED) HOWEVER, THIS LATEST "CALIFORNIA/LA DISTRACTION" REQUIRES ELUCIDATION AS FOLLOWS:

· Response to App. Div. OSC

· STATE OF CALIFORNIA ethics complaint

· Response to Sup.Ct. OSC

· designation of record on appeal

· The so-called "order" appealed from.
How embarrassing for the superior court of the state of california!

· Typical corrupt banana republic america/california court

Dirty money digitally laundered … a wall street, atlantic city, and american story … a very bad one and  [also see RICO case http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      ]     Fraud: It’s Much Bigger Than Goldman Sachs Regulatory reform debate obscures key fact: Everybody’s getting money bribes from Wall Street

Blagojevich calls feds 'cowards and liars'…[Yes. This is a rare moment for one to say that a sleazy hypocrite like blago, who is on corrupt federale-connected mobster trump’s celebrity apprentice, happens to be correct based upon facts / reality and my own direct observation and experience and the law – Don’t forget to include corrupt federal judges as maryanne trump barry, sam alito, shiff, matz, hall, underhill, dorsey, etc.. Defacto bankrupt america’s so-called system is pervasively corrupt and broken] (AP) [Abolish the corrupt, costly, economically wasteful lifetime extravagantly appointed federal courts - see RICO case [  http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/ricosummarytoFBIunderpenaltyofperjury.pdf http://www.albertpeia.com/112208opocoan/PeiavCoanetals.htm      ]    

Go to following pages for above links:
http://www.albertpeia.com/currentopics2ndqtr10108.htm
http://www.albertpeia.com
http://www.albertpeia.com/alresume.htm

http://www.albertpeia.com/wallstreetlunacy2ndqtr10108.htm

http://www.scribd.com/alpeia

You may post a comment on my blog on any topic: http://alpeiablog.blogspot.com

Drudgereport: JUNE UNEMPLOYMENT 9.5%... 125,000 JOBS LOST...
Rate dips as 652,000 give up search...
Depressing... [That’s why they’re called depressions (just kidding … but no laughing matter) …  At this rate, with all those lost jobs and jobseekers no longer seeking those lost jobs that aren’t there, by their calculations (9.5% the bright spot … riiiiight!) we should be at full employment very soon … you can’t make this stuff up … really!].
New jobless claims rise [again]...
'Surprise'...
Pending home sales plunge record 30%...
Weak economic data suggest 'recovery' fizzling...
Fears mount over slowing global demand...
UN committee calls for dumping US dollar...
Six Months to Go Until the Largest Tax Hikes in History...
KRUGMAN: 'We are now, I fear, in the early stages of a third depression'...
STOCKS HIT LOWEST OF YEAR...
DEBT SOARS TO HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE WWII...
PRIVATE SECTOR SEES WEAKER JUNE JOBS...
Sputtering...
Bilderberg 2010: Between the sword and the wall...
Protesters 'being detained, searched, questioned'...
Final List of Participants...
Stephen Hawking: Aliens exist but don't talk to them -- it's too dangerous … might not like us… Oh pshaw! … Human nature, man’s inhumanity to man? … Such humble beginnings and evolutionary history  … What’s not to like? … Besides, not to worry.  With their advanced technologies that defy human understanding, the aliens already know you’re here … to stay. So, not to worry. After all, as we know from that documentary of that same name, ‘Earth Girls Are Easy’ … and then there’s photosynthesis on earth in a very big way also going for it! ...
Seeing Aliens Will Likely Take Centuries. Centuries? Not goin’ to happen; at best, decades.

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