Monday, March 31, 2014

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article38098.htm

The top 25 hedge fund managers made last year over $24 billion. This is enough to pay the salaries of more than 425,000 public schoolteachers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQOCfweYLrE

OBAMA’S IRAQI FAIRY TALE

http://fff.org/explore-freedom/article/tgif-obamas-iraq-fairy-tale/

I promised myself that I would no longer comment on what Barack Obama has to say, because it’s just not worth the time and effort. Obama’s public remarks are comprehensible only if you keep one thing in mind: he, like other politicians, thinks most people are morons.

I am so appalled by what Obama said in Europe the other day, however, that I must break my promise.

The Infantile Diplomacy Behind Demonising Russia

http://www.spiked-online.com/newsite/article/the-infantile-diplomacy-behind-demonising-russia/14824#.UzoUmfldWSo

Are Western diplomats and media outlets being serious when they accuse the Russian government of launching a new Cold War? Do they really believe their own rhetoric when they say Putin has expansionary ambitions and wants to rebuild the Soviet Empire? Did Hillary Clinton, the former US secretary of state, mean it when she said Russia’s actions in Crimea are similar to ‘what Hitler did back in the 1930s’? Other anti-Russian observers have also claimed that Russia’s incorporation of Crimea is analogous to the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Do all these people sincerely believe this interpretation of current geopolitical events?

How Vladimir Putin became evil

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/28/why-putin-crimea-strategy-west-villain

The US and UK condemn him for Crimea but supported him over the war in Chechnya. Why? Because now he refuses to play ball

Jim Rogers: No sanctions will hurt Russia more than people imposing them

http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_03_27/No-sanctions-will-hurt-Russia-more-than-people-imposing-them-financial-analyst-2389/

There is no reason for Russia to worry about the western sanctions it is facing now over the Ukrainian issue since Moscow has too many other trade partners to work with, Jim Rogers, financial analyst and co-founder of the Quantum Fund, said in an interview with the VoR.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_03_27/No-sanctions-will-hurt-Russia-more-than-people-imposing-them-financial-analyst-2389/

Bitcoin is legally property, says US IRS. Does that kill it as a currency?

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/mar/31/bitcoin-legally-property-irs-currency?CMP=ema_565

Moving abroad? The expat's life isn't all beach bars and bungalows

http://www.theguardian.com/money/us-money-blog/2014/mar/30/moving-abroad-ready-expat-life-problems?CMP=ema_565&commentpage=1

As more Americans move to destinations farther flung than Florida, they may find unexpected trouble in paradise

Sunday, March 30, 2014

MARTIN ARMSTRONG'S LATEST BLOG POSTS

The Age of Civil Unrest

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

All governments had better open their eyes for we are on the brink of a major convergence between both the Cycle of Civil Unrest, Civil War & Revolution and International War. Both of these models converge and as I pointed out at the Cycles of War Conference, this is the first time we have seen this convergence since the 1700s.

This is no plain modern event with civil unrest erupting because of an interconnected world. These are grassroots uprisings cross-fertilized perhaps from a world contagion yet they often have similarities – corrupt governments. Turkey, Ukraine, Thailand, Venezuela and Bosnia-Herzegovina are all middle-income democracies with elected leaders besieged by people angry at misgovernment, corruption and economic sclerosis. These days it is no longer just dictators who have something to fear from the crowd. This is the promise of Marxism that centralized planning and false promises are coming home and governments are too corrupt and incompetent to deliver what they have claimed for decades.

Communism is dead. The socialistic agendas that have lined the pockets of government and filled the coffers of banks is over. The national debts are on average composed of 70% interest payments not programs to help the poor as marketed. The debts that keep growing with no intent upon paying anyone back are draining the national productivity and turning the people into economic slaves. The standard of living has declined and it now takes two incomes to survive where one use to be just fine. Women won the right to work and lost the right to stay home.

The promises that you save for the future have collapsed into dust as interest rates have been driven lower making savings utterly worthless. There is no such thing as saving and living off your fixed income. The elderly are being driven back into the work force and the whole ideas that a generation believed in are vanishing before their eyes.

So it is no longer communists and dictators that are the targets. All governments are now the targets and when the economy turns down after 2015.75, the threat of civilization will be pulled apart by the self-interest of politicians clinging to power to the detriment of the people.

Thailand on Brink of Civil War on the 41 Year Cycle

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

The Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra faces impeachment within a matter of weeks. However, her supporters are reported planning to challenge any move to dismiss her by arming militias. This is right on schedule with the 41 year cycle in Revolution for Thailand. The democratic process seems to be declining. The last Thai Revolution was October 14, 1973. The popular uprising of known as the “October 14 Event”; or “Day of Great Sorrow”, was a watershed event in Thailand’s history. The uprising resulted in the end of the ruling military dictatorship and altered the Thai political system. Notably, it highlighted the growing influence of Thai university students in politics.

Previously, there was the Siamese Revolution of 1932 that was really a Siamese Coup d’état. The Revolution of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century that was nearly bloodless transition on June 24, 1932. The political system of government in Siam was changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy similar to Britain. The revolution was brought about by a comparatively small group of military and civilians, who formed Siam’s first political party known as the Khana Ratsadon (Peoples’ Party). The revolution ended 150 years of absolutism under the Chakri Dynasty and almost 700 years of absolute rule of Kings over Thai history. The Revolution was a product of global historical change as well as social and political changes domestically. The revolution also resulted in the people of Siam being granted their first Constitution.

Putin Exposes West’s Hypocrisy

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

The stupid argument that Crimea has no right to split from Ukraine to justify sanctions against Russia are really brain-dead. Putin has shown the West’s bombing in Yugoslavia in 1999 to demonstrate that nations split and by force when it serves the purpose of the US and Europe. On this score, he is absolutely correct. Putin has waged a media war against the West on Russian TV and he has exposed the lies and hypocrisy of the Obama Administration. This is a no wining argument for the West and their policies of austerity on Ukraine are equally brain-dead as well. They are more-likely-than-not going to send Ukraine into a massive Great Depression and when the US economy turns down after 2015.75, Russia will walk in and save the day.

The IMF should be stripped of these crazy ideas and power and Ukraine should default on all prior debt just as Europe did after the War and the USA after the American Revolution. The French defaulted on all royal debt prior to its revolution as did Germany after World War I. Ukraine deserves a chance and the USA & IMF are oppressing the people and not allowing them to even raise their head to see the light.

Even Cuba Abandons Communism – When will We?

Posted on March 30, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

Marxism fails because central planning fails. You need the people to respond out of their own self-interest rather than government trying to control everything. Cuba has now voted to open to foreign investment proving that communism collapses. But this raises an interesting question. Just why are we all still enemies? As China has articulated best – it needs the USA and the USA needs it. If we could only shake up the stale minds in Washington, perhaps we could move that real one giant step for mankind as Neil Armstrong said when he set foot on the Moon. When will we abandon Marxism and open the door to economic liberty for they have slammed it shut so far in search for taxes. The only people who can open businesses overseas are the big multinationals. Small business is presumed to be just hiding money. Obama’s dream – raise taxes back to where they were before Reagan – 70%. That is the word behind the curtain and he may use war to accomplish that.

Ukraine: the US' hypocritical transference – Prof. Edward Herman

http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_03_29/Ukraine-the-US-hypocritical-transference-Prof-Edward-Herman-3796/

Ukraine is a perfect example of how the US uses the worst elements of a society to do their dirty work in other countries and how the US/NATO has a problem finding honest quislings. Since the US favors the nazi coup in Ukraine they talk about sovereignty and the right to self-determination of the Crimean people is made into some outrageous business for which Russia is demonized. John McCain, the chief chicken hawk and key "moral support" figure for the US’ insurrectionists and nazis in Ukraine, urged dissidents in Russia to rise and through that the effect of Ukrainian "freedom" would spread into Russia. McCain and the rest are engaged in subversive incitement, and once again their complete lack of intelligence and knowledge has left them looking like fools to the world. Professor Edward Herman spoke to the Voice of Russia regarding these issues and more.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_03_29/Ukraine-the-US-hypocritical-transference-Prof-Edward-Herman-3796/

Russia’s secret weapon: crashing US economy by collapsing petrodollar

http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_28/Russia-s-secret-weapon-crashing-US-economy-by-collapsing-petrodollar-5071/

Russia can collapse the United States, prominent US trader Jim Sinclair believes. The economist, famous for his forecasts, explains that the strength of the dollar is based on the US agreement with Saudi Arabia that all contracts for fuel deliveries be in the US dollars. Now, Moscow can collapse the petrodollar in one moment. The slapping of sanctions on Russia is tantamount to a shot in the foot. The expert explains that the only true value in the world today is the petrodollar. But Russia can collapse it by demanding Euros or Yuan for its oil.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_03_28/Russia-s-secret-weapon-crashing-US-economy-by-collapsing-petrodollar-5071/

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Regime Change in Ukraine and the IMF’s Bitter “Economic Medicine”

http://www.globalresearch.ca/regime-change-in-ukraine-and-the-imfs-bitter-economic-medicine/5374877

In practice, the IMF does not wield “sound economic governance” nor does it protect the vulnerable. It impoverishes entire populations, while providing “prosperity” to a small corrupt and subservient political and economic elite.

IMF “economic medicine” while contributing to the enrichment of a social minority, invariably triggers economic instability and mass poverty, while providing a “social safety net” to the external creditors. To sell its reform package, the IMF relies on media propaganda as well as persistent statements by “economic experts” and financial analysts which provide authority to the IMF’s macroeconomic reforms.

The unspoken objective behind IMF interventionism is to destabilize sovereign governments and literally break up entire national economies. This is achieved through the manipulation of key macroeconomic policy instruments as well as the outright rigging of financial markets, including the foreign exchange market.

Paul Craig Roberts: Western Looting Of Ukraine Has Begun

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/29/western-looting-ukraine-begun-paul-craig-roberts/

It is now apparent that the “Maiden protests” in Kiev were in actuality a Washington organized coup against the elected democratic government. The purpose of the coup is to put NATO military bases on Ukraine’s border with Russia and to impose an IMF austerity program that serves as cover for Western financial interests to loot the country. The sincere idealistic protesters who took to the streets without being paid were the gullible dupes of the plot to destroy their country.

Friday, March 28, 2014

The Economic Scam of the Century

http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/03/26/the-economic-scam-of-the-century/

Paul Craig Roberts: Pushing Toward The Final War

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/03/28/pushing-toward-final-war-paul-craig-roberts/

MARTIN ARMSTRONG'S LATEST BLOG POST

Global Market Watch for March 28th, 2014

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

The Global Market Watch has been posted for the close of March 28th, 2014.

Global Market Watch

Gold Tax Increase in Japan

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

As of April 1st, Japan is raising a consumption tax from 5% to 8% on gold. Japan imposes a retail consumption tax on gold unlike most other countries. Indeed, the tax increased caused an early jump in gold sales in Japan during March. However, taxes are effecting gold in many ways. Because silver is taxes but gold is not in Europe, silver bars have been moved painted gold to avoid the taxes. This has distorted the numbers and led many to assume there was a higher demand for gold than there really was.

The weekly closing today below 1308 was bearish and support now lies at 1280 and 1240. As we warned at our conference, new lows are still likely to be seen in gold. Resistance should now start at the 1309-1311 area.

Christine Lagarde’s Home Raided on Corruption Probe

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

The home of IMF chief Christine Lagarde was raided by anti-corruption policeinvestigating her near $400 million pay-off of a prominent Nicolas Sarkozy supporter when she was French finance minister. Simply put, you cannot rise that high up in France without a corruption scandal.

Putin’s Popularity Soars As he Addressed the Nation on TV

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

President Vladimir Putin addressed his nation on Friday describing Russia’s takeover of Crimea as demonstrating Russia is back and the Russian flag is now flying over all military sites on the Black Sea peninsula. Putin addressed the nation saying … “The recent events in Crimea were a serious test…” and that the Russian military“demonstrated both the completely new capabilities of our Armed Forces and the high morale of the personnel.”

Putin has reserved the right to send troops into Ukraine, which is home to a large population of Russian-speakers in the east to protect Russians. He also praised the Russian troops for “avoiding bloodshed” in Crimea.

Putin has received permission from the Russian parliament to send the armed forces into Ukraine if necessary, raising concerns he could cite alleged threats to Russian-speakers in eastern regions as grounds for intervention there.

The US has been dangerously trying to surround Russia with nukes for the last decade. That violated the promises made back in 1991 that NATO would not attempt to move in. This has in many ways provoked Putin and has set the stage for his rising popularity. This is the same type of response the American people had for Reagan and the British displayed toward Margaret Thatcher with the Falklands War. When a nation has suffered a decline in power and respect, this is the standard response that can be expected. The West has not understood what it is doing and nobody seems to be even capable to articulating precisely WHY Russia is even an enemy when communism has collapsed. This is not 1945.

The Cycles of War Conference is Available for viewing

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

Friday – March 21st – 1-5 PM EST

We have recorded the full 4 hour Cycles of War Conference that is available for viewing on a video streaming. We covered the Cycles of War that will be coming out as a book given the demand for this subject has been so massive on a global scale. This was our first attempt at a live broadcast worldwide.

http://princetoneconomicsintl.com/live-feed-cycles-of-war/

The Rising Star of Russia & Central Asia

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

Putin’s swift annexation of Crimea has been extremely popular in Russia and is akin to restoring the national pride within Russia as was the case of Ronald Reagan following the heals of Jimmy Carter and the whole Iran Hostage debacle.

Putin has lost Ukraine for now, but the economic conditions within the EU and the insane policies at the IMF inspired by the bankers mixed with internal corruption at the IMF that has been legendary, Putin’s dream of restoring the Soviet Empire are not gone. There will be a serious risk that Ukraine is driven into the arms of Russia by the IMF and the bankers who are more akin to the carpetbaggers that plagued the US South following the Civil War. Their polices are not designed to help the people of Ukraine, but to fill the pockets of the bankers. This is what they did to Greece as well.

Putin has lost Ukraine temporarily, and he is still building his former empire turning to Central Asia.Kazakhstan was one of two ex-Soviet countries, along with Belarus, that joined Russia’s customs union. Putin is moving forward with this plan and they will sign documents this year to form the Eurasian Economic Union. This is a trading bloc all within the former Soviet borders intended to economically compete against the EU.

The other four former Soviet republics in Central Asia are more-likely-than-not to join with Russia as Putin seeks to restore the influence of Russia in the Central Asia region. This will be a region in size that is equal to Western Europe stretching from the Caspian Sea all the way to China. None of these former Soviet republics have criticized Russia over Ukraine.

Western-style politics remains distrusted in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan where the rulers maintain very tight lids on any civil unrest. Only Kyrgyzstan is moving toward a parliamentary style republic. Kazakhstan has the greatest population of ethnic Russians.

Nevertheless, the actual Eurasian Economic Union is by no means a movement to simply hand political power to Moscow. Ironically, this the very design that President Bush, Sr. was promoting – a sort of United States of Russia keeping it intact for fear of nuclear weapons running amok.

Therefore, it appears that maintaining political independence within these former Soviet Republics is their self-interest within the political ruling class. Kazakhstan will by no mean cede its sovereignty to anyone. There is a fierce religious independence that in turn would prevent that sort of take-over by Moscow. Kazakhstan is predominantly a Muslim nation that declared its independence from Russia 22 years ago and they view the events in Ukraine as a direct threat to their nation given they are Christian. Kazakhstan produces oil and natural gas and is holding accession talks with the World Trade Organisation. Its economy correlates closely with Russia.

Putin’s March 1st announcement that he views it to be Russia’s right/obligation to invade its neighbors to protect ethnic Russians have raised alarm in Estonia, Latvia and even Poland. However, in Central Asia there does not seem to be the same degree of alarm. Kazakhstan back in 1991 had a population mix of about Kazakhs accounting for only about 40% of the population that was matched by ethnic Russians. Today, Russians account for only about 22% of the population and Kazakhs are now about 65%. There were occasional outbursts of ethnic tension that appeared back in 1990s and are likely to reemerge in 2017.

There are extreme nationalists in Russia who are demanding Russia take over northern Kazakhstan. This is a rising nationalistic trend that will get worse after 2015.75. Since the great collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, we face the first major conjunction in politics come 26 years later or 2017.

IMF Demands Austerity for Ukraine

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Martin Armstrong

The IMF (International Monetary Fund) announced on Thursday that a $14 to $18 billion “bailout” for Ukraine is contingent on Kiev’s imposition of stringent austerity measures. It is amazing that not even Obama would comply with such austerity. These people have no clue as to how to run a nation and their theories are more-likely-than-not going to hurt a lot of people. All Putin has to do is stand on the sidelines and wait for the IMF will destroy the economy of Ukraine as they did in Cyprus and Greece. Lagarde should impose her own austerity on France – but that will never happen. It seems there is one policy for the world, and another for the main players. The IMF in my OPINION is so corrupt internally and is being lobbied by the bankers to ensure they get paid at the risk of sending the people back into a massive economic depression.

Ukraine should default. They do not need a bailout to pay the bankers. This is a new government and no new government has ever paid the debts of the previous and that includes the USA that defaulted on the Continental Congress debts. Just go to Ebay and you can buy bonds of many countries and their currency that they all defaulted on.

What happened to the Marshall Plan? Ukraine’s debt should be written off NOW! Let the bankers reap what they sowed. Do NOT listen to the IMF and their corrupt agenda. They should have been dissolved when the gold standard collapsed back in 1971. The sovereignty of a nation resides within the PEOPLE, not the politicians the bankers lent to. Legally, this is no different than lending money to your maid and then demanding you cover he debts.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Sunday, March 30, 2014

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Friday, March 28, 2014

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