Sure!:
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In fact, it was worse: “Shoppers spent an average $159.55 online, down 10.2% from $177.67 last year.”
But the propaganda piece de resistance is without doubt the following:
“A highly competitive environment, early promotions and the ability to shop 24/7 online all contributed to the shift witnessed this weekend,” Mr. Shay said.
So to summarize: holiday sales plunged, and Americans refused to shop because the economy is “stronger than ever” and because Americans have the option of shopping whenever, which is why they didn’t shop in the first place. That, and of course plunging gasoline prices leading to… plunging retail sales, just as all the economists “correctly” predicted.
Goebbels approves.
Hmmh …:
– Swiss Gold Referendum Fails: 78% Vote Against “Protecting The Country’s Wealth” (ZeroHedge):
Whether as a result of an unprecedented scare campaign by the Swiss National Bank (most recently reinforced by Citigroup), or due to confidence that Swiss gold is as safe abroad as it is at home, or simply due to good old-fashioned “hanging chads”, today’s most awaited event has come and gone and the result – according to early projections by Swiss television SRF – is that the Swiss population overwhelmingly rejected a referendum to force the Swiss National Bank to hold some 20% of its reserves in gold in a landslide vote, with about 78% voting against what AP politely termed “protecting the country’s wealth by investing in gold.”
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– Cops Caught Setting Fires In Ferguson (Video)
– Guess What Happened The Last Time The Price Of Oil Crashed Like This?… (Economic Collapse):
There has only been one other time in history when the price of oil has crashed by more than 40 dollars in less than 6 months. The last time this happened was during the second half of 2008, and the beginning of that oil price crash preceded the great financial collapse that happened later that year by several months. Well, now it is happening again, but this time the stakes are even higher. When the price of oil falls dramatically, that is a sign that economic activity is slowing down. It can also have a tremendously destabilizing affect on financial markets. As you will read about below, energy companies now account for approximately 20 percent of the junk bond market. And a junk bond implosion is usually a signal that a major stock market crash is on the way. So if you are looking for a “canary in the coal mine”, keep your eye on the performance of energy junk bonds. If they begin to collapse, that is a sign that all hell is about to break loose on Wall Street.
It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the shale oil boom to the U.S. economy. Thanks to this boom, the United States has become the largest oil producer on the entire planet.
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– Crude Carnage Goes Contagious As Brevan Howard Liquidates Underperforming Commodity Fund (ZeroHedge):
The entire commodity complex is seeing major contagion-like price declines in early trading. WTI Crude is back below $65 for the first time since May 2010 – now down 16% since the initial leaks of OPEC’s decision last Wednesday. Gold and Silver are getting whacked and copper has plunged below 300 – back at its lowest since June 2010. The news over the weekend that Brevan Howard is liquidating its $630 million commodity hedge fund following recent poor performance is also likely not helping as what looked like late-Friday margin call liquidations are extending notably this evening.
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– Woman Killed Following Black Friday Shooting In Downtown Chicago Nordstrom (ZeroHedge):
For most people “a deal to die for” is just a saying, but tragically for a 22-year-old woman who was working in a Chicago Nordstroms off North Michigan Avenue it became all too real when she shot during Black Friday shopping and died a day later, in what according to initial reports was a domestic-related incident leading to a panicked stampede out of the store by holiday shoppers who were convinced they were caught in the latest Chicago consumerism-gone-wild crossfire.
– Bird Bomb? Afghan Police Kill Bird Bearing Antenna, Explosives (NBC News):
KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan police said they are investigating how a wild bird came to bear an antenna, electronic devices and explosives. Police came across the strange sight around 8 a.m. in the northern Faryab province, a volatile region ravaged by Taliban violence. When police spotted the white bird — which isn’t native to the area and appeared larger than an eagle — walking along a highway, they noticed it had an antenna and decided to shoot it, provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Abdul Nabi Ilham told NBC News on Saturday. The bird then exploded, he said, and “suspicious metal stuff” scattered around.
“We are gathering all the stuff, but found parts of what looks to be GPS and a small camera,” Ilham said. He added that this was the first time police have made such an encounter. Police added that it is possible the bird had been “deployed” on a surveillance mission. Using animals in warfare or for suicide missions is unusual but not unheard of. Hamas militants reportedly put explosives on a donkey and pushed it in the direction of Israeli soldiers as fighting intensified this summer in Gaza.
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– California government elites use 500% more water than citizens (Natural News):
At at time when water conservation should be a high priority in drought-plagued California, it would appear that something else has been deemed a high priority: an elitist mind set whereby people self-appoint themselves as an exception to the rule.
In the drying up state, this disturbing way of thinking is taking place at the Los Angeles mayoral mansion, Getty House, where it’s been reported that approximately 2,100 gallons of water are used per day.
You read correctly.
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– Dmitry Orlov: Russia’s Patience Is Wearing Thin (PeakProsperity):
Having lived in the former USSR before immigrating to the US, Dmitry Orlov has an invaluable perspective on both the US and Russian perspectives, as well as Ukraine.
With the western propaganda flying thick and heavy, it’s more important than ever to cut through the chaff and learn what we can about the most important geopolitical realignment (and renewed tensions) in recent memory.
Click the play button below to listen to Chris’ interview with Dmitry Orlov (51m:10s):
– “Panic Selling” Saudi Stocks Crash Into Bear Market Following OPEC Decision (ZeroHedge):
It’s not just Shale oil stocks in the US that are hurting. Following the OPEC decision to not cut production and squeeze US producers, Saudi Arabia’s major stock market index has tumbled into a bear market, giving up all the year’s gains. As one analyst noted, “investors are afraid if oil stays where it is, it will negatively impact the government revenues, thus creating potential headwinds on government spending.” Dubai stocks – our long-time favorite bubble index – has also been hammered, down over 7% intraday at its worst…
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– Jeb Bush’s Four Mysterious Companies Share The Same Address And Have Never Done Any Known Business (Think Progress):
Jeb Bush and his capital investment company have set up several companies that, despite being registered to his office and being approved for “any and all lawful business,” have seemingly not yet done anything. A ThinkProgress review of corporate registration records with the Florida Department of State revealed several companies registered in Bush’s name but little additional information.
In addition to his lengthy and troubled history as a business consultant and corporate board member, in recent years former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R) has ventured into a new territory: capital investment. Since 2008, he and his partners have registered a lengthy array of secretive companies with the state of Florida.
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– Water temperature of the Great Lakes is over 6 degrees colder than normal – threatening an even earlier and COLDER winter in Midwest (Daily Mail):
- Michigan residents may see winter arrive sooner this year, possibly due to lower temperatures in the Great Lakes
- Both Lake Superior and Lake Michigan saw their average surface temperatures drop 6.1 degrees last week
- Residents may need to bundle up sooner to brace both November and December chilly weather as a result of cooler lakes
- Lakes may also ice up sooner because of the extra chilly water temperatures
- On Friday, the Coast Guard cautioned boaters against the lower Lake Michigan temperatures
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– 35 Years Of Unprecedented Melting Has Left More Sea Ice On Earth Than 35 Years Ago (Real Science):
The area of sea ice on Earth is higher now than it was on this date 35 years ago. This is the exact opposite of what 97% of climate experts predicted. It is also the exact opposite of what 97% of climate experts report is happening.
arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/timeseries.global.anom.1979-2008
– Hong Kong police pepper spray protesters as hundreds try to surround govt office (RT)
FYI: #TIMEPOY: Ferguson protesters lead TIME’s Person of the Year poll (RT):
With just over a week before TIME names its person of the year, the Ferguson protesters have surged ahead to first place in the magazine’s symbolic annual reader’s poll.
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– Brown bears, other wildlife back in radiation-exposed Chernobyl zone (RT):
Brown bears and other critters have returned to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone for the first time since they were recorded there 100 years ago. The researchers hope this can help to find a link between field radiation exposure and radiation effects.
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– Putin confirms support for Palestinian statehood (PressTV):
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged continued support for Palestinians’ legitimate right to establish an independent state.
“Russia has consistently advocated in favor of the earliest execution of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians for establishment of an independent, contiguous and viable state,” Putin said in a letter sent to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the occasion of the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on Saturday.
“We believe that Palestine’s acquisition of national sovereignty on the common international legal base will be an important factor in ensuring comprehensive, just settlement in the Middle East,” he added.
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– Portugal supports Palestinian rights (Middle East Monitor):
The Portuguese parliament has confirmed its support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinians, including the right for self-determination. According to Quds.net, which reported the news, a parliamentary statement called on Israel to comply with international law for a solution based on two states and relevant UN resolutions.
In its statement issued on the occasion of the global day of solidarity with the Palestinian people, the Portuguese parliament said that it supported the peace process in the Middle East, leading to the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders and reaching just solutions for all final status issues.
The parliament welcomed the announcement by the UN that 2014 is the year of solidarity with the Palestinians. Its members stressed the importance of implementing international law and General Assembly resolutions regarding Palestine.
Like Sarkozy, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Cameron & Merkel …. Hollande is just another elite puppet.
– French President: I’m a US Poodle – Commits Political Suicide (Russia Insider):
- What a pathetic wimp of a man…
- De Gaulle must be spinning in his grave
France has lost it’s sovereignty, as Hollande has made a decision that will be the nail in his own political coffin. Unfortunately Hollande’s coffin will also be the demise of many working class French citizens, who will lose their livelihood from the imminent dismantling of France’s military industry.
Instead of building their own weapons, France can now buy US made weapons. The US military industrial complex has also removed a competitor in the weapons space.
I guess Ukraine is much more important to French President Hollande than French jobs and industry.
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– Mother of German MH17 crash victim sues Ukraine in EU court (RT):
The mother of a victim killed in the Malaysian plane crash in eastern Ukraine has started legal proceedings to sue the Ukrainian authorities in the European Court of Human Rights, demanding about $1 million for pain and suffering.
The mother of “Olga L.”, a German citizen, submitted her case against Ukraine to the European Court of Human Rights last week. She is demanding €800,000 (roughly $1 million) for negligent homicide, reports the German newspaper Bild am Sonntag.
The woman insists that Ukrainian authorities should have shut the country’s airspace to civilian flights due to the heavy fighting between Kiev troops and militias in the country’s east.
She argues the Kiev government failed to do this because they didn’t want to lose out on overflight fees. According to Bild, around the time of the disaster about 700 flights were crossing Ukrainian territory daily, accruing several millions of euros in revenue a month.
The victim’s mother is being represented in court by Elmar Giemulla, a professor of aviation law. Giemulla is also acting for other German families of MH17 victims, who announced in September that they are also planning to sue Kiev in court.
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The New World Order RAP:
Nov 29, 2014
Description:
The New World Order: They control the world’s governments; THEY rule over all of us from the top of the pyramid. And WE are the victims. Right? Today we blow open the truth about the NWO in order to shed light on this widespread conspiracy which has frequently been invoked to explain the state of our world. Join intrepid host Robert Foster as he takes control of the lever of critical inquiry, alongside special guests Russell Brand, conspiracy guru Terrence Moonseed, and NWO representative William De Berg, in order to ask: who is the New World Order? And how can we stop it?
– Malaysia Becomes Angry About Exclusion from MH17 Investigation (RINF):
Now nearly five months after the Malaysian Airlines MH17 passenger plane got shot down in Ukraine (killing all 298 onboard), Malaysians are going public with their anger about having been excluded from the investigation-team that is to write the official report on the disaster (or possibly mass-murder).
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How to let people know you love them, Zoot Zoot! Zooties! by Amanda Gore
Why woman are different from men and vice versa By Amanda Gore
The crash in oil prices, regardless the strong supply sends Saudi markets into a bear market, tells me again it is a global decision to squeeze the US even more……the US has become the foremost oil producer on the planet. Now, well so what? It will hurt the Saudis, but not a lot, same with UAE, and Russia. Russia has far more natural resources than oil, and it might hurt the people, but they are used to suffering, and they are behind Putin. Russia will do fine. The Arabs will be okay, they are floating in cash. The one nation that will hurt, that has been depending on oil revenue is the US……..this is more of the global movement to isolate and break the US.
It is working.
Moody’s, the same bastards that exported Enron accounting to the world has just downgraded Japan’s credit standing. Since Japan is being destroyed before our eyes, that is no surprise……….
Small oil companies are over leveraged now…….according to Bloomberg, and they will have a problem with falling oil prices……..
Everything is over leveraged, that is the key problem with the US economy.
The world players know it, and they are going directly at them in this ongoing economic war the US is losing.