What really happened

By: James Burge
September 30th, 2008

Ok so I had to post this because it made a point very eloquantly..

(taken from www.whatreallyhappened.com)

Private Plunder

By: James Burge
September 30th, 2008

Looks like the Federal Reserve didn’t care to wait until the recently defeated $700 Billion bailout plan to pass before proceeding to lend billions to banks in a sort of under the table bailout, who needs congress anyway, when good ol’Gdub is the decider.  The Federal Reserve has been lending nearly $188 Billion a day nearly quadrupling the record of almost $50 Billion set last week (makes me wonder what the record was before that).

 “This looks like the balance sheet of a central bank that is keeping the financial system on life support,” said Michael Feroli, U.S. economist with JPMorgan in New York.

Borrowings by primary dealers via the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, and through another facility created on Sunday for Goldman Sachs (GS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), Morgan Stanley (MS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Merrill Lynch (MER.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and their London-based subsidiaries, totaled $105.66 billion as of Wednesday, the Fed said.

 The term Federal Reserve is quite dubious and very deceiving, seeing as it is neither federal, nor is it responsible for any significant financial reserves.  It is a private financial institution that is printing money out of thin air, in order to save Wall Street from itself while sticking it to anyone with $US in the bank. This practice has lead other countries into times of hyperinflation due to the severe devaluing of the dollar, which seems to be paving the way for the Amero, a proposed common North American Currency, modeled after the Euro in order to farther blur the lines between Canada, the US and Mexico.  The point of this and the North American Union in general, is to exploit Canada’s Natural Resources (ie. Oil Sands) and Mexican Labour (already a large part of the US workforce, even though it is illegal) but I digress…

 

In what can only be described as a colossal conflict of interest, Vice President Dick Chaney’s investment profile seems to be betting on the devaluation of the dollar.

So, while working class Americans are loosing ground to inflation and rising energy costs, Darth Cheney will be enhancing his wealth in “Old Europe”. As Blackburn sagely notes, “Not all bad news’ is bad for everybody.”

This should put to rest once and for all the foolish notion that the “Bush Economic Plan” is anything more than a scam aimed at looting the public till. The whole deal is intended to shift the nation’s wealth from one class to another. It’s also clear that Bush-Cheney couldn’t have carried this off without the tacit approval of the thieves at the Federal Reserve who engineered the low-interest rate boondoggle to put the American people to sleep while they picked their pockets.

I’ve never been so glad not to be an American taxpayer because otherwise I would be mad, not just flabbergasted by the greed and ease at which these people operate.  This will likely turn out to be the greatest theft in the history of American Taxation. Not only are the taxpayers paying interest on loans that are valueless, and footing the bill for this rejected (but someone forgot to tell the fed) bailout plan (don’t forget the war on terror/Iraq/Afghanistan/Iran?), they are also paying the inflation tax as their dollar is farther devalued by the second.  And the only comfort they have is knowing that Dick Chaney’s portfolio will remain virtually unaffected.

Not much of a silver lining, eh…. (Hey, speaking of silver…)

 

Why, then, is the public not furious about this stealth bailout, now taking place at the blistering pace of nearly $1 trillion a week, and all to the taxpayer’s detriment? The obvious answer is that the media is not whipping the public into a frenzy about it, instead focusing its attention on a $700 billion program and allowing the public to feel like they scored a blow against Wall Street when the program gets rejected. If so, it’s time the public got wise to how the system is really being run by and for the benefit of private bankers and at the expense of the average taxpayer. Otherwise, the fleecing of the public will continue unabated even as the public thinks they’ve won the battle.

1.) the U.S. fiscal year ENDS on Sept. 30th and a NEW one starts on Oct. 1st. and
2.) The Basel-II deadline for U.S. banks to be “Basel-II compliant,” originally Sept. 1st, must surely come due on Oct. 1st, 2008.

Basel-II compliant banks in Europe and elsewhere will be forbidden to do business with non-compliant banks in the U.S., effectively bringing the non-compliant banks down.

Tina Fey IS Sarah Palin

By: James Burge
September 29th, 2008

So if you missied the first skit with Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton check it out.

But first, SNL spoof of the Couric interview (with Poehler as Couric).

Classic..

Credit Crisis Crooks

By: James Burge
September 24th, 2008

Well it’s looking fairly grim south of the border, here’s hoping Canada’s Politicians won’t get away with anything similar.

What is going on in the US right now, the so-called ‘Bailout’ is nothing more than Corporate America stealing from the taxpayers, aided and abetted by the Executive Branch, with little to no resistance in Congress. But who would blame them when more then 50 members of Congress would personally benefit from the bailout plan.

Pelosi, in her most recent financial disclosure form, reported that her husband owned between $250,000 and $500,000 of stock in AIG, which ceded majority control to the U.S. government this week in exchange for $85 billion of loans.

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, disclosed that his wife, Teresa Heinz Kerry, had more than $2 million of AIG stock at the end of 2007, when shares were worth $58.30. AIG has fallen 85 percent this week to close yesterday at $2.69. The lawmakers’ aides didn’t respond to calls seeking comment.

Altogether, 56 senators and representatives had stakes in AIG, Lehman, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bear Stearns Cos. or IndyMac Bancorp Inc. — some of the biggest casualties of the market bloodbath

Basically what you have here is a last ditch effort to once and for all destroy/bankrupt the middle class taxpayers in order to ‘save’ the rich elite from their own predatory lending practices, which were designed (by none other then GW himself) to loan money to people who couldn’t afford it, only to group these risky mortgages, give them flashy names, and sell them to people who didn’t know or care what they were really getting because (as with the savings and loan crisis, and the ‘tech bubble‘) they figured if it got bad enough the government would step in, and ‘save the day’ using the same taxpayers money that were given predatory loans they can’t afford and most have already lost houses. But I’m sure they can afford to pay so the banks and most publicly traded companies get the money. It’s a steal from the poor, give to the rich sorta thing.  And don’t forget that the companies that own the Media will benefit so expect them to parrot how great an idea….(a bit of a rant I know).

Another thing worth mentioning is the recent US Defense Authorization Act which seemed to nullify part of the Posse Comitatus Act (passed in 1878) which prohibits the federal government from using the Army against it’s own citizens.

The President may employ the armed forces to restore public order in any State of the United States the President determines hinders the execution of laws or deprives people of a right, privilege, immunity, or protection named in the Constitution and secured by law or opposes or obstructs the execution of the laws of the United States or impedes the course of justice under those laws.

Although these changes were repealed, Bush issued a signing statement basically saying he doesn’t have to listen if he doesn’t want to.

Basically, if enough people take to the streets to protest this greedy bailout plan, coupled with economic collapse, Bush has the power to declare Martial Law, and it seems to be happening already as mentioned here (Brigade homeland tours start Oct. 1).

[The Army] may be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control or to deal with potentially horrific scenarios such as massive poisoning and chaos in response to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive, or CBRNE, attack. [1]

Again, fear is used to confuse the issue, and the issue here is the President unilaterally using the Army against anyone who protests.  More and more often Agent Provacateurs have been used to incite violence at peaceful protests. The intent of this is two fold, firstly it is important to paint a picture where protestors are violent and completely unreasonable, making them out to be a menace. Secondly, so that a ‘show of force’ in the form of heavily armed guards (or soldiers) would be seen as welcome when their presence prior to a disaster is unlawful under Posse Comitatus. At the democratic national convention, police began arresting accredited journalists (injuring a few) for trying to do their job and cover the heavy handed tactics used by Police, ultimately providing them with all the proof they needed.

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I write this as a warning to the world

By: James Burge
September 22nd, 2008

Just came across an article linked on whatreallyhappened.com regarding the Hiroshima attack which is really worth a read.

 

I especially like the part where one of the first reporters to arrive in Hiroshima, Wilfred Burchett, described the radiation poisoning.

 

 “In the immediate aftermath of the bomb, the allied occupation authorities banned all mention of radiation poisoning […] For telling [the] truth, his press accreditation was withdrawn; he was pilloried and smeared […]”

 

His article, aptly named “I write this as a warning to the world,” should serve as warning still; a warning that when it comes to truth, the government isn’t interested. There was/is an obvious disconnect between the will of the American people and the way in which their leaders inflict ‘foreign policy’ on the rest of the world.  While most citizens would see interventionist foreign policy such as sanctions and war acceptable only as a reaction to threat or violence the reality is, it seems, that the US has wanted nothing more then to bait countries into war, or diminish its own atrocities, (as in the case of Hiroshima) under the guise that a greater evil exists.  The truth, however, remains that no other country in recorded history has ever used atomic weapons on civilians other then the US (who also seem to be the ones who are quickest to remind the world they still have the bomb, kinda like a game of chicken).

Neo-laziness

By: James Burge
September 22nd, 2008

I never really understood the laziness when it comes to escalators, I get that people are lazy and don’t want to walk up stairs, but my bewilderment grows when it comes to down escalators.  The only reason I can see for not walking down an escalator would be if I was holding something or accompanying a child or someone with reduced mobility.  So it amazes me in the rush-rush world we live in that people will still stand (usually with a somewhat vacant stare) and wait for an escalator to deliver them to the floor below.

 

So the other day when I was coming back from grabbing lunch and I was in a bit of a hurry to get back (to be honest I always walk fairly fast paced), out of courtesy, I allowed a guy decked out in spandex, looking ready for a marathon to go in front of me.  To my amazement, he stopped and waited on the escalator (which was empty, except for the one person at the bottom about to step off). A guy who was obviously on his way for a walk/run at lunch couldn’t be bothered to walk the 8-12 steps it usually takes to traverse a typical escalator.

 

Are we so caught up in our daily lives that even walking from place to place becomes habitual (hence the vacant stare) or are we so used to the assistance we receive in the form  automation that we can’t be bothered to do things for ourselves???

 

Another great example is automatic doors. It never ceases to amaze me how long people will wait for an automatic door to open.  I’ve even seen situations where there is a bit of a lineup waiting for the automatic door.  This is most notable at C-train stations, when everyone gets to the doors at the end of the platform and stops, waiting for the one of five doors that opens by itself. You can usually find me pushing (somewhat unceremoniously) to the front to open a door for myself (and hold it for those behind who couldn’t be bothered).   

Technology, Entertainment, Design.

By: James Burge
September 21st, 2008

A site with a bunch of interesting vidz with experts discussing their leading edge field. Totally worth exploring, below are some of the recent additions.

“N.”

By: James Burge
September 21st, 2008

Liberal Solution: Tax it…

By: James Burge
September 18th, 2008

So after hearing that the Liberals are rolling out their “Liberal Green Shift” program as a response to voters climate change concerns I was a bit hesitant (to say the least) to embrace what is virtually the US carbon tax idea with a bit of a Canadian sugar coating.  Stephane Dion said that the average Canadian should expect to see a reduction in their taxes not an increase, I’m just not sure I get it.

 

First off I have to say that the carbon tax idea is, in my opinion, the exact opposite of an expectable approach to addressing the problems associated with climate change. It seems to try and profit of a genuine concern for our environment. What it does is tax us for energy that we already use today, mostly because of the available energy infrastructure, (most Canadians would happily choose green power, but would they pay twice as much for it??) while promising tax relief for everyone in order to cover their carbon costs.  This is by no means a hand out, nor will it offer the right type of incentive. 

 

Obviously the greatest carbon producer is the energy industry which we all rely on for most of the energy we use every day.  Anyone who thinks that industry will absorb the cost of the carbon tax is kidding themselves. Any increase in energy production costs to industry can be seen as a direct increase in cost to the consumer, and maybe not just once.  Keep in mind the high cost of oil has impacted the cost of food as well; another way I think the average family can expect to see their cost increase under this plan. 

 

So really what we are looking at is a tax break for everyone, coupled with increased ‘cost of doing business’ which will affect those that use the most energy (don’t worry Parents, because you have kids you are allowed (expected?) to use more energy and will therefore receive a “child tax credit worth $350 per year per child, on top of all other existing child benefits.” gotta keep those parents happy). The idea of a monetary penalty for polluting is nothing new; this is likely what has gotten us in this mess.  Industry shifts the regulatory cost of emissions on to the consumer, as any business model would in order to protect the bottom line. I just don’t see the incentive to change to green energy.

 

Let me take this moment to relay something that may shock you.

 

In my opinion, climate change has yet to be conclusively attributed to humans.

 

‘Proof’ exists on both sides of the argument, one example being the temperature increase of other planets in our solar system, suggesting the sun’s output plays a roll.  Also, evidence exists showing that this has occurred many times throughout Earth’s history and could very well be a part of a natural cycle. 

 

Whether you feel we are to blame or not, is irrelevant!

 

Regardless of where the blame lies, the fact that our climate is changing is not being disputed and therefore will require a shift in thinking.  We must first stop fighting over the cause and start trying to look to the future. Either we embrace the changes and be willing to accept that the climate we have come to enjoy may not last, or we begin to find new and innovative ways to adapt and/or effect the climate in order to combat climate change.

 

What innovation and voluntary adaptation of new technology needs is incentive, not burden through increased taxation (even the production of solar cells will produce carbon dioxide, should solar cell manufacturers be charged the same tax as oil companies, I don’t think so).  All this does is further inflate the cost of adapting green technology. What we need is an increase in tax incentives for both business and residential adaptation (or production) of ‘green’ technology.  Make environmentally friendly technologies more lucrative and more easily accessible by the greater public and you will see a change.  If nothing else, it allows a business to cover cost for homeowners to convert to green energy.

 

Green Tax Incentives are, in my opinion, the best way to ensure that you get peoples attention without adding more financial burden on energy. For those individuals that ‘going green’ is important, tax incentives and government (or private) subsidies bring currently available green technologies to the average Canadian today while still offering incentives for new technology. The only thing it will require is a comprehensive plan to audit these incentives to ensure that the right people are getting them (keep in mind that the Liberal plan is to give the tax break to everyone). The added benefit is that businesses that use green technology will hopefully be able to pass some of the cost savings on to the consumers making it possible to undercut less-green businesses farther fueling the incentive to ‘go green.’

Privacy vs. Secrecy

By: James Burge
September 18th, 2008

So I just read the story about how some hacker got into the US Republican Vice-Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin’s personal email (although apparently used for government purposes as well, which seems kinda shady since I thought they are supposed to keep track of all communication regarding government issues).  I couldn’t help but see this as just desserts. The US government has recently decided that it is above the law and does not require probably cause (used to get a warrant) in order to snoop on its citizens (no, not China, not Russia, the USA). What has occurred to Sara Palin is what is continuously happening to countless Americans, the worst part is it’s happening without their knowledge and without reason; otherwise, the warrant should be easily obtained. If it is no big deal, as is the case the government has tried make regarding this unconstitutional domestic spying program, then why can’t we see their email? 

 

What makes government secrecy more important than personal privacy?

 

This program was introduced under the guise of National Security and the ‘War on Terror,’ playing off the fear created on September 11^th 2001 in order to introduce policy that would never have passed in the Pre-9/11 world (for more on this read The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein).  In a democracy, the government is said to work for ‘(we) the people,’ this in theory makes us their boss, which by the same logic should allow us to oversee all aspects of government, especially interventionist foreign policy.  However, the current state of affairs is much different, instead they have the ability to read our e-mails, listen in on our phone calls, and  obtain record on what websites we view, what books we check out of the library (seriously!!!) and of course financial records.

 

To me, the direction of information flow seems counter-intuitive, given the formal theory behind democracy. But nothing affects public opinion quite like fear. In this case, the fear that extremists are training here at home to hijack the American democracy because they hate freedom. Actually that is one of the few statement with which I agree, just not how you would think.  Most would assume that I am talking about Muslim extremists planning terrorist attacks, nothing could be farther from the truth. In my opinion, it is the politicians who are the extremists, and if allowed to continue their interventionist domestic policy, the America of the future will be unrecognizable to the America that was founded some 232 years ago (thanks wiki answers) in direct response to the oppression felt by the Founding Fathers from the ruling class in Britain, they’ve just traded one oppressor for another.

 

Now some would say, ‘if you aren’t doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about.’ That is complete and utter bullshit, and an argument that is best summed up in ‘I’ve Got Nothing to Hide’ and Other Misunderstandings of Privacy by Daniel Solove. This basically says the argument is flawed because it treats privacy as the protection of something unlawful, which it is not.

 

 

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