I got a comment from Dan Berstein about the "$6 Gas" piece I posted.
The start of your meme on $6 gas is a fallacy - oil is not plentiful as new discoveries are being made, and those discoveries that are being made cost significantly more to pull out of hte ground than earlier discoveries, so even with new discoveries, prices would continue to rise. And new nat gas findings has nothing to do with car gasoline. Different carbs. Kills me when *experts* don't get this right.
Most of you know I don't like cats, this cracks me up.
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Here is a good video from Future Money Trends. I really like the first part where they show all the talking heads saying that the gold run was over 8 weeks ago. I'm not sure why anyone listens to them anymore.
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Krieger told me about the comedian Bill Hicks. I watched some of his standup and TPTB would not think he is funny. He and George Carlin get it. I wonder why they are both dead. ;)
Krieger also posted his weekly letter. He has a quote at the beginning of it. I found the video of his quote from Bill Hicks.
The Playbook
It was always going to be a scary thing when the American Empire decided to turn its sights inward. Americans like to look at “shock and awe” and cheer. They think murder is fun and games. They think we are winning when we lose a little bit more with every new bomb we hurl. They think we are killing “the enemy” when in reality we are killing ourselves. The truth is that all the shadow government in the U.S. (you know the unelected guys that never leave and tell the elected guys what to do) has been doing is what corrupt elites have been doing since the beginning of time. Protecting their commercial interests. While many here in the United States have been lulled back into another complete coma state by the garbage that spews from the television set and a stock market that marches higher every day with no volatility, the shadow government is using this time wisely. They are passing laws such as the NDAA, which as we know allows for the indefinite detention of American citizens without trial. In case you haven’t seen some of the commentary by several Senators on the matter take a quick look for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xytHJRmY0PI. Joseph Lieberman is one of the most despicable and downright evil Americans to have ever “served” this country.
Beyond the NDAA, TPTB are rushing to silence the thing they fear the most. The internet. As I have said for years now, the internet is the game changer and the reason I believe TPTB cannot win this fight using the same strategies that have been used by immoral control freak elites since the dawn of human civilization. This is because the “playbook” has been exposed. There are many plays in this book, and over the years I have outlined many of them, but the two that they like the most and the ones we need to be most aware of are. 1) Divide and conquer. 2) Problem, reaction, solution.
First to divide and conquer. This is employed mostly within the U.S. on geographic lines. These are represented by the “coasts” and the “heartland.” These different segments of the population are then divided into different political parties, the Republicans (red team) and the Democrats (blue team). As I have demonstrated time and time again, and as is readily apparent if you are paying any attention whatsoever, these particles are identical on all of the major issues although they talk a big game during the election season. As of late, people have started to realize that on the big issues they are the same so here is where the all important “social issues” come into play. TPTB could not be happier than Santorum is doing well in the Republican primaries. Why? He is a big government Republican just like that last thug we had in the White House before the current banker puppet. Santorum is extremely divisive. They LOVE that. He gets people riled up on social issues which then shoves the people reluctantly back into their respective teams like good little proles. Think about it. Santorum’s big issue is birth control. I mean really? Anyone that falls for this game gets what they deserve I suppose, but my role is to show you the game. Remember, it is Ron Paul that doesn’t fit into any mold. Ron Paul is someone that unites rather than divides. He reminds America that we are one culture based on one Constitution (remember Justice Ginsberg publicly stated her disdain for it recently http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/talking-sense/2012/feb/10/justice-ginsberg-publicly-denigrates-constitution-/). This is why they hate him. This is all very intentional. Speaking of which, here is a great summary of politics in America today http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOaCemmsnNk. It is no surprise that shortly after he aired this segment his show was canceled. 1.2 million views already though. Not too shabby.
So now onto Problem, Reaction, Solution. This was employed in the U.S. in 2008 to consolidate power at the top by bailing out the elites and bankrupting the rest of us. People instinctively know this, hence the emergence of the Tea Party movement and then OWS this summer (notice how they used divide and conquer tactics on the population as soon as each of these movements came onto the scene). So as we know back in 2008 the “problem” was financial crisis, the “reaction” was plunging financial markets and total fear on behalf of the population, while the “solution” was bankster bailouts and the a further consolidation at the top. The Federal Reserve now has more power and the Too Big To Fail banks are a bigger part of the financial system than they were before. How’s that for a solution!
In any event, they are not done with this playbook by any means. We need to look to Europe now to see what TPTB have in store for us. This is the consummate problem, reaction, solution game being played for all the marbles. First, you get the problem “spiking interest rates for the peripheral countries.” Then the “reaction,” financial panic and fear. Finally the “solution.” The placement of unelected technocrats as the leaders of Greece and Italy with ties to all the power structure’s institution such as the Trilateral Commission, the Bilderberg group and of course Goldman Sachs. It is like a coup that takes the shadow government from the shadows and puts them in your face. The reason that this is so key is because we are next. They don’t want to roll up everything at once. If they can get Europe safely consolidated then they will move here. That is when interest rates in the U.S. will spike (problem), and we get panic (reaction) and then the solution (bankster technocratic committees in charge and the IMF to the rescue, ie loss of sovereignty). This is the plan and I see it as clear as day.
The Internet
So back to the internet. Just because what I outlined above is the plan it doesn’t mean it will succeed. Although many will disagree, I am 100% convinced that TPTB are way behind schedule and experiencing considerably more problems than they thought in implementing their agenda. I also think the internet is the main reason for their issues. The internet is the printing press on steroids. In fact, it may be the most significant event to have ever happened in the evolution of humanity as a species in the last 5,000 years. What has been done since the days of Babylon is tiny groups of elites have been able to control populations and dominate them via the “playbook.” The other thing they use is advanced technology that they do not share with the public, but that is another topic entirely. In any event, the internet allows us to connect like never before and expose their tactics and criminality in a way that was unimaginable in prior eras. Humanity is using it to connect with one another and we are saying to each other: “hey, my government tells me you are my enemy and I should hate you but you are just like me. You have fears and dreams and all you want is to be happy and live a good life. Maybe my government and your government are actually the problem. We shouldn’t hate each other. We should get rid of the bastards manipulating us.”
That is why they want to censor the internet, but it is too late. The cat is out of the bag and they have lost. However, they will keep trying until they kill themselves because they are not used to losing. Did you catch the recent article from the Wall Street Journal about how the UN is trying take over monitoring the internet. Yep, it’s all right here. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204792404577229074023195322.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop
Coming to America: 30,000 Drones
Did you know that a bill passed two weeks ago that allocates $63 billion to the FAA to increase the existence of drones operating in U.S. airspace to 30,000 by the end of the decade. Here is an article on it http://digitaljournal.com/article/319564#ixzz1nD1SasR3. To all those that say things are “getting better” I say watch what they do not what they say. What the shadow government is doing is scrambling like little rodents to get the police state fully in place for the inevitable unraveling of this sick world they have created and to protect the fruits of the theft they have committed. Watch what they do not what they say. Watch closely.
Quick Market Commentary
I actually can’t believe the nonsense I am hearing lately from people in the financial markets lately. People that know better. People are definitely drinking the kool-aid again in this business. Now I am not saying that means a stock market crash is imminent since they can create all the counterfeit fiat money they want and goose things further. What it does tell me is that something is coming. Could be a bond event. Could be a precious metals explosion. Could be a false flag terror attack followed by war with Iran. I don’t know, but something is coming that will wake people up violently and suddenly. Liquidity always makes people lose their heads because at the end of the day we are herd creatures. Take all of this how you want but I have noticed this change. Go back to sleep America.
31 inches in the last seven days up here in the mountains. I’ll be riding powder tomorrow.
Peace and wisdom,
Mike
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If you don't think it's important to own gold, read this. If you think the price is too high to buy more, read this. It's very entertaining and informational.
By Jeff Clark, Casey Research
Have you ever had any doubts about gold? Does it sometimes feel like it should be performing better? Are you concerned about its volatility? Do you worry about how it might perform in the future? Have you ever wondered about its true purchasing power? Maybe you're nervous about a big drop in price again? I decided to go directly to the source to address these concerns: Gold himself. He put his arm around me and asked me to tell you a few things…
I hear that you've had some worries about me. I understand. Your world is a very uncertain place right now. And when it comes to money, it looks as though your leaders don't understand some basic monetary principles, making things even more unsettling.
But I want you to know that the problems you're experiencing are actually nothing new. I've seen these monetary, fiscal, and economic difficulties many times before. And I can tell you this: you're safe with me. That's a bold proclamation, but I've provided monetary protection numerous times throughout history – too many to count, in fact. I've served all kinds of people over the centuries, from kings and counts to serfs and servants.
To put your mind at ease, let's review my core characteristics, along with some history, to show how I can protect you against the monetary danger that's likely to worsen in your near future. We'll also take a look at your peculiar set of circumstances to see how I can be of service. By the time we're done, I think you'll feel much better about my ability to help your portfolio withstand whatever is thrown its way.
Enduring Characteristics
Let's start with the basics. I have some characteristics that no other matter on Earth has…
I cannot be:
Printed (ask a miner how long it takes to find me and dig me up)
Counterfeited (you can try, but a scale will catch it every time)
Inflated (I can't be reproduced)
I cannot be destroyed by;
Fire (it takes heat at least 1945.4° F. to melt me)
Water (I don't rust or tarnish)
Time (my coins remain recognizable after a thousand years)
I don't need:
Feeding (like cattle)
Fertilizer (like corn)
Maintenance (like printing presses)
I have no:
Time limit (most metal is still in existence)
Counterparty risk (remember MF Global?)
Shelf life (I never expire)
As a metal, I am uniquely:
Malleable (I spread without cracking)
Ductile (I stretch without breaking)
Beautiful (just ask an Indian bride)
As money, I am:
Liquid (easily convertible to cash)
Portable (you can conveniently hold $50,000 in one hand)
Divisible (you can use me in tiny fractions)
Consistent (I am the same in any quantity, at any place)
Private (no one has to know you own me)
I am internationally accepted, last for thousands of years, and probably most important, you can't make any more of me.
"Gold Is Money"
You've heard that statement before – but do you know what it really means? Money is a medium of exchange and a store of value. Almost anything can be used as money, but obviously some things work better than others. It's hard to exchange things people don't want and other things don't store value well. Over thousands of years, I have emerged as the best form of money (along with silver).
The paper dollars in your wallet are technically a currency, not real money. In other words, they are a government substitute for money. The man you call Aristotle best defined the primary reasons why I'm considered money: a good form of money must be durable, divisible, consistent, convenient, and have value in and of itself.
It must be durable because you can't have your money disintegrating in your pocket or bank. That's why you don't use wheat; it can rot or be eaten by insects.
It must be divisible, which is why you don't use diamonds or artwork; they can't be split into pieces without destroying the value of the whole.
The lack of consistency is why you can't use real estate. One piece is always different from another piece.
It must be convenient, which is why you don't use other metals like lead. The coins would have to be too big to handle easily to be of sufficient value.
It must have value in and of itself. This is why you shouldn't use paper as money.
And one more thing: I can't be created out of thin air. Not even the kings and emperors who clipped and diluted gold coins used paper as money. Aristotle didn't include this in his list, but it's vital.
So you see, there's no superstition here. It's simply common sense. I am particularly good for use as money, just as aluminum is good for making aircraft, steel is good for the structures of buildings, uranium is good for fueling nuclear power plants, and paper is good for making books. If you try to make airplanes out of lead or money out of paper, you're in for a crash.
And by the way, don't fret about those who say I'm not as good an asset as an income-producing vehicle. They misunderstand my role. I'm not trying to be a stock, for example. My function is as money and a store of value, so the proper comparison is to your dollars, or what you call Treasury Bills (of similar nominal value). And here is where I excel and serve my purpose: since 1913, the US dollar has lost 96% of its purchasing power. I have lost none.
Remember, I am the only financial asset that is not simultaneously someone else's liability. I don't require the backing of any bank or government.
The History Lesson
Because I am eons old, I've observed something throughout history that you may not be aware of: government fiat currencies are a relatively new invention, and none has endured. Eventually, they have all failed. Me? I've never been defaulted on or worth zero. Remember this the next time you have any doubts about my long-term worth.
Another of my roles is to protect your purchasing power. Here are a few examples of how my purchasing power has endured:
During the time of Christ, an ounce of me purchased a Roman citizen his toga (suit), a leather belt, and a pair of sandals. Today, one ounce will still buy a good suit, a leather belt, and a pair of shoes.
In 400 BC, during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, some scholars reported that an ounce of me bought 350 loaves of bread. Today, an ounce still buys about 350 loaves ($1,700 divided by 350 = $4.85/loaf).
In 1979, my average price was $306.68. This bought an average-priced full-size bed. Thirty-three years later, $1,700 would still buy you a nice full-size bed (and then some).
You can rest assured that over time, I will hold my value. And when you near the end of your life, you can pass me on to your loved ones, knowing full well they will have something that cannot be devalued, debased, or destroyed.
What Color Is Your Money?
Like you, I'm concerned about the current state of fiscal and monetary affairs. It seems your government leaders have boxed themselves into a corner. They've incurred too much debt and are spending too much money. It's important that you understand some lessons from history about this kind of behavior so that you're certain of what I can do for you.
The common denominators that lead to the downfall of every fiat currency are the two big Ds: debts and deficits. With that in mind, consider the following:
Morgan Stanley reported that there is "no historical precedent" for an economy that exceeds a 250% debt-to-GDP ratio without experiencing some sort of financial crisis or high inflation. US total debt currently exceeds GDP by roughly 400%.
Detailed studies of government debt levels over the past 100 years show that debts have never been repaid (in original currency units) when they exceed 80% of GDP. US government debt will exceed 100% of GDP this year.
Investment legend Marc Faber reports that once a country's payments on debt exceed 30% of tax revenue, the currency is "done for." By some estimates, the US will hit that ratio this year.
Peter Bernholz, a leading expert on hyperinflation, states unequivocally that "hyperinflation is caused by government budget deficits." Next year's US budget deficit is projected to be $1.3 trillion.
The solution many of your leaders are pursuing is to create more currency units. Here's an updated picture of the increase in the US monetary base vs. my rise in price since 2008, when your problems starting surfacing.
(Click on image to enlarge)
The monetary base has grown 205.8%, while my price is up 65.8%. This alone implies that my price in dollars is likely to climb much higher.
This is also the reason why I'm not in a bubble, as some have tried to claim. It is your central banks and bond markets that are in a bubble. The fact that my price is rising is a warning that what your leaders are doing is unsustainable and potentially dangerous to your currency.
Think about this: the US has debt backed by debt, based on debt, dependent on debt, and leveraged with debt. You can, for example, buy a bond (i.e., lend money) on margin (i.e., with borrowed money). This is not a sound way to run financial markets.
Meanwhile, the warning bells continue to sound regarding Europe's debt crisis. In just the past 30 days:
Moody's cautioned that it may cut the triple-A status of France, Austria, and the UK; and it downgraded six other European nations including Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
Standard & Poor's cut the triple-A status of France and Austria, while Italy, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia were downgraded.
Fitch downgraded Belgium, Cyprus, Italy, Slovenia, and Spain, and stated there was a 50% chance of further cuts in the next two years.
Standard & Poor's downgraded 34 of Italy's 37 banks.
Moody's warned just last week that it may cut the credit ratings of 17 global financial institutions and 114 European ones.
The European crisis is far from over; and the path of least resistance for politicians is to create more currency units. This action can and will have clear and direct consequences: currencies will devalue, and inflation – perhaps hyperinflation – will result.
Once again, I encourage you to use me to protect some of your wealth.
How Much Is Enough?
Given the state of your monetary system, you should accumulate me (and silver) on a regular basis. Just buy some every month and put it in a safe place. After what I've witnessed throughout history, and based on the current path your government leaders insist on pursuing, I suggest using me as your savings vehicle instead of putting dollars in a bank.
If you don't own enough of me when these fiscal troubles really accelerate, I fear you will regret it. I've warned many in the past about the dilution of nations' currencies, and those who didn't heed my warnings experienced severe financial pain. Excuses won't pay the mortgage nor feed the family when the effects of currency debasement hit your home and pocketbook.
Make sure you own enough of me to make a difference to your portfolio. This means having more than a couple coins or a few shares of GLD, the latter of which is only a proxy for my price.
How do you know if you own enough? Ask yourself:
• If inflation returns, or even hyperinflation hits…
• If the economy is flat…
• If uncertainty and fear continue around the globe…
• If stock markets languish…
• If the amount of spending from the world's governments proves futile…
• If government interference in the economy continues to increase…
• If the value of the US dollar takes a major fall…
• If the world enters a recession or depression…
• If you wonder if you have enough "safe" money…
… would you feel that you own enough of me?
Buy a sufficient amount so that as your currency continues to lose value, your portfolio won't. If you do your part, I promise I'll do mine.
Your monetary friend,
Gold
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I bet most of you would think the Apple is starting to take over the OS business from Microsoft. They have a long row to hoe.
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I'm not a big fan of the Oscars, and apparently neither is Sacha Baron Cohen. He's one of the funniest people on the planet. What a bunch of crotchety of buggers.
SACHA BARON COHEN BANNED FROM OSCARS
2ND UPDATE 3:45 PM: This afternoon on The Dictator movie’s spoof website for the fictional Middle Eastern country of ‘The Republic Of Wadiya’, an explosive notice was posted. (Obviously by Sacha Baron Cohen as his title character in The Dictator.):
“Admiral General Aladeen will deliver a formal response tomorrow morning [Friday] to being banned from The Oscars by the Academy Of Motion Pictures Arts And Zionists.”
The Dictator is a spoof about the “heroic story of a Middle Eastern dictator who risks his life to ensure that democracy never comes to the country he so lovingly oppressed”. Whether the fact that the 84th Academy Awards will be beamed into 200 countries had anything to do with Baron Cohen being banned from the Oscars was unclear. But it now looks like the Jewish comedian is taking on the normally verboten subject of Hollywood and Jews and Muslims. Oy vey!
UPDATE 3:15 PM… EXCLUSIVE: Stung by bad publicity, the Academy Of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences is trying to find a way out of its Oscars standoff with popular comedian Sacha Baron Cohen. Yesterday I reported exclusively that the Academy had pulled his tickets to the 84th Academy Awards show for this Sunday simply because he intended to walk the Red Carpet as the title character of his upcoming Paramount comedy The Dictator. Insiders tell me that all morning and afternoon the Academy has been internally debating whether to allow Baron Cohen on the Red Carpet in full uniform as a fictional Middle Eastern General Alladeen and then allow him to change into a tuxedo to attend the show which was his plan all along. Baron Cohen not only is an Academy member, but he’s also one of the stars of Paramount’s 11-nominated film Hugo which is a Best Picture contender. “There’s a debate inside the Academy of how to respond,” an insider tells me. “Certainly the perception is that they lack a sense of humor which got a strong reaction. They are debating what to do. But so far they have not changed their official position.”
I’ve confirmed with both Paramount and Baron Cohen’s publicist that the comic is still banned. However, Academy President Tom Sherak this morning told the TV morning show Good Day LA that Baron Cohen will be at the Oscars. To which the Baron Cohen camp responded to me that is untrue.
“Unless they’re assured that nothing entertaining is going to happen on the Red Carpet, the Academy is not admitting Sacha Baron Cohen to the show,” Paramount told me yesterday. The reason is that a proposal reached the Academy earlier this week for Baron Cohen to strut the Red Carpet in full costume as his title character. In response, on Wednesday morning, the Academy’s Managing Director Of Membership Kimberly Rouch phoned Paramont’s awards staff to say Baron Cohen’s tickets had been pulled unless he gives the Academy assurances ahead of time promising not to show up on the Red Carpet in costume and not to promote the movie on the Red Carpet. The Academy made it clear that, without those assurances, it would not issue him the tickets. So he’s banned.
Of course, the next best thing to that publicity stunt is all the media coverage which this ban is going to generate for Baron Cohen’s film. So the Academy has decided to act like dictators about the actor playing The Dictator. Ugh.
Loosen up, people. Frankly, the Academy looks like uptight wankers with this treatment of one of the globe’s funniest comedians. The Academy merely had to say no when that proposal was presented to it. Everyone involved in the ceremony was adamantly against it on the grounds that it makes a mockery of what Hollywood considers its most prestigious event. Instead, the Academy clearly wants another overly long, ridiculously reverential show about movies no one bothered to see where the best thing about the telecast will be the comeback of popular host Billy Crystal at age 63.
It is highly unusual for the Academy to pull a member’s tickets. An Oscars spokesperson acknowledged to Deadline Tuesday: ”We would hope that every studio knows that this is a bad idea. The Red Carpet is not about stunting.” Oh really? Then why did Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park crossdress down the Red Carpet as J-Lo and Gwyneth Paltrow in evening gowns in 2000? Or Ben Stiller appear as an Oscar presenter in full blue Avatar makeup and hair in 2010?
Baron Cohen wasn’t scheduled to present an award, but he was arriving at Kodak Theatre as part of the Paramount contingent. Now he can’t do even that. Paramount has a Best Picture nominee in the Martin Scorsese-directed Hugo in which Baron Cohen plays the train station inspector of the movie about an orphan in 1930s Paris.
At the 2007 Oscars, Baron Cohen was asked to be a presenter and said he would do it only if he could be in character as Borat. And Oscars’ Powers That Be said, “No way.” He didn’t attend. But this is the first time he has been officially banned from the show.
Purists feel that the Oscars is no place for such in your face promotion. The Academy hasn’t even allowed movies to be advertised during the Oscarcast, until this year. Then again, these Oscars have very little suspense because it’s a forgone conclusion that many of the winners of the marquee categories are already known and The Artist will win Best Picture. The prospect of Baron Cohen’s Red Carpet walk was the closest thing to drama.
This would not have been Baron Cohen’s first time upstaging an awards show. To promote Bruno, he flew through the air at the MTV Movie Awards and landed with his crotch in the face of Eminem, who later admitted the stunt was rehearsed. And a trailer for The Dictator certainly was one of the raciest ever allowed by the MPAA during the Super Bowl, where Baron Cohen’s character was hilariously depicted running a competitive race while and leg-shooting rivals with a starter pistol as they got close to him.
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I've recently gotten hooked on The Walking Dead. It's a fantastic show about the end of the world. I usually don't watch shows about zombies and the like, but this one is legit. This picture I received made me think about the show. If you've seen TWD, you'll know what I mean.
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Two Economist and a Bird
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