HSBC Threatens to Return to Hong Kong
HSBC is threatening to return to Hong Kong where the bank began, given the rise in regulations that is going on. Well of course it would be good, since China will be the number one economy in size and depth by the end of this cycle in 2032.95. The banks are now being prosecuted for manipulating just about everything, and the fines are not cheap.
Reception in Germany is Amazing
To my surprise, posters are appearing for THE FORECASTER on the streets around cities across Germany. The film will open in Berlin shortly. The significance of this film has been (1) illustrating that there is a business cycle and (2) that there has been something more than just isolated market manipulations.
The implications for the mere existence of a business cycle demonstrates that not only was Marx a failure in communism, but also that it is impossible for politicians to argue that they can flatten out the business cycle and create perpetual steady growth. The serious manipulations by government to sustain a failed system is what we are really facing, and the exemption the banks have had in criminal prosecutions is part of the corruption that is coming to a head.
I have stated many times that there is no change without the pain. Here in Europe, they feel the pain already, whereas Americans will not see that until after October 1st. The reception here for the film is totally different from the American perspective, simply because of reality. Many Americans look at government as some sort of God who takes care of everything, as well as their future. That confidence in government must flip in the United States, and when it does, we will see the same outreach for explanations. This is one step towards hope to bring change in the right direction when the house comes down.
ECM Observations = Always Fascinating
COMMENT:
Hi Martin,
Fantastic data and research (as always). I was kind of surprised (never made the connection) by one of the images you posted.
Your image shows the Eurozone peaking in 2004.53. There are a few circular events that also occurred around that time.
Greece was about to host the Olympics for the first time since it hosted the first modern Olympic games. Basically, the games were coming home for the first time, and the feeling in Greece was that of euphoria and of having made it. That same summer, Greece won the 2004 Euro Cup soccer tournament and as a Greek, we felt that we were on top of the world. Even the movie 300 came out, and everyone was talking about Sparta and Greece.
It’s funny how Greece peaked along with Europe at the same time (considering Ancient Greece was the foundation for modern Europe). Then, coming full cycle, Greece was the first crack in the armor of Europe, crashing low.
You always talk about things coming full circle, but because this event is important to me culturally, I can start to draw out the many connections and blow my mind in the process.
Thanks so much.
LB
ANSWER: It is fascinating how the targets are always on point. Yes, it was Greece that formed the high, moving to that extreme. It was like picking Ukraine as the hot spot for Kiev, which is where the Russians actually were and only later migrated to Moscow after the Mongol invasion. It was in the Ukraine where Russia rose to a world power, defeating the Swedish Empire, and of course, so many wars including the Black Plague that began in Crimea.
The Die Welt Interview
The fascinating aspect is the stark difference between the American and European press. The American press, in general, are too engaged in self-censorship to report the truth to the people. At least in Germany, they are willing to discuss hard issues.
France to Spy on Their Own People
The trend towards using terrorism as the excuse to shutdown money and to monitor the general public continues. Authorities are looking closely at eliminating paper money altogether, which would have the benefit of preventing bank runs. This trend is being introduced in France come September, where it will become illegal to purchase anything with more than €1000. Also, the French lower house has taken a long stride towards mass surveillance, overwhelmingly approving a bill that could give authorities their most intrusive domestic spying abilities ever, with almost no judicial oversight.
This type of surveillance in France will be to carry out the bulk collection and analysis of metadata similar to that done by the NSA in the USA, which could not stop the Boston Bombings or the recent attack upon their own facility. They will also be able to request a right to put tiny microphones in rooms or on objects, such as cars and computers. They will also be able to place antennas to capture telephone conversations or mechanisms that capture text messages. Everyone is fair game to be tapped.
The real problem is the use of these laws to track money for taxes. As I reported, a staff member went to a meeting in Luxembourg taking the train from Zurich, which passed through France. The French Finance Police go on the train to look for anyone carrying cash, even if they are not stopping in France. This has nothing to do with terrorism – it has everything to do with just stealing money to prop up a failing government in the West.