The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either. – Benjamin Franklin
FYI.
– NRA Endorses Trump; “A Fantastic Honor” Trump Responds, “I Will Not Let You Down”:
While hardly surprising, it is now official: the National Rifle Association has endorsed Donald Trump for president at today’s convention. Chris Cox, the executive director of the NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action, made the endorsement immediately before Trump walked on stage ABC reports.
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FYI.
– “Hillary Clinton Is A Danger To World Peace”, French Presidential Frontrunner Le Pen Warns:
“I think if she was elected she would continue this policy, a destructive policy, a policy of conflict, a policy of imprisonment of Europe in blinded Atlanticism,” Le Pen said. “I think it’s a danger for world peace.”
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– The Shift To A Cashless Society Is Snowballing:
Love it or hate it, cash is playing an increasingly less important role in society.
In some ways this is great news for consumers. The rise of mobile and electronic payments means faster, convenient, and more efficient purchases in most instances. New technologies are being built and improved to facilitate these transactions, and improving security is also a priority for many payment providers.
However, as Visual Capitalist’s Jeff Desjardins explains,there is also a darker side in the shift to a cashless society. Governments and central banks have a different rationale behind the elimination of cash transactions, and as a result, the so-called “war on cash” is on.
Courtesy of: Visual CapitalistON THE PATH TO A CASHLESS SOCIETY
The Federal Reserve estimates that there will be $616.9 billion in cashless transactions in 2016. That’s up from around $60 billion in 2010.
– Business Loan Delinquencies Spike To Lehman Moment Level:
This could not have come at a more perfect time, with the Fed once again flip-flopping about raising rates. After appearing to wipe rate hikes off the table earlier this year, the Fed put them back on the table, perhaps as soon as June, according to the Fed minutes. A coterie of Fed heads was paraded in front of the media today and yesterday to make sure everyone got that point, pending further flip-flopping. Drowned out by this hullabaloo, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve released its delinquency and charge-off data for all commercial banks in the first quarter – very sobering data.
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Source: Jim Stone:
Pictures or it did not happen. And with photoshop available, I won’t even believe debris photos anymore after they screwed the story line this badly, let me explain – This crash would have been an easy one to find if it was real, because it would have happened in a confined area a helicopter could get to easily. They are making it all look complicated by faking the search with boats. In a location like that, you don’t use boats, you use helicopters. It is ALL FAKE. If numerous helicopters were not sent out in the first hours, it is ALL FAKE. Where are the reports of rescue helicopters being sent out, only 100 miles off shore where they could go easily?
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE WERE NO RESCUE HELICOPTERS IN THE FIRST HOURS? They “knew” where this plane went down, WHY NO RESCUE HELICOPTERS SENT IMMEDIATELY? WHY NO? BECAUSE THE DAMN PLANE LANDED IN ISRAEL, THAT’S WHY.
This was the bust I held onto yesterday, to nail them when they sprung the next lie. They were talking idiotic searches on boats, when the plane went down in a known location, IN THE WATER, where there would have been a high probability of survivors well within reach of the shortest of the short range rescue helicopters from 5 different countries. This would not have even needed a long range rescue helicopter. Not sending helicopters is a dead giveaway there was no crash, because sending helicopters was the only thing that would have been done if a plane really did go down. Boats would be sent later, to pick up the big pieces.
What do you do in a real scenario with possible survivors? Send a 25 mph boat and spend 5 hours getting there and then spend 10 hours plodding along at water level looking for pieces within eyeshot at water level? NO. You send a helicopter, that can get there in 25 minutes and scan the entire area in a few more minutes. X 20 helicopters and the crash is found instantly and all survivors are pulled from the water in the FIRST HOUR. How about sending a fighter jet first, that can cover 100 miles in a few minutes to tell the helicopters right where it went down, so when they arrive 15 minutes later they go right to the crash? The story line, which only involved boats is CHILDISHLY STUPID, Giligan’s island style, thank you common core, you make my job of debunking lies easy!DEBRIS REPORTS ARE FAKE BECAUSE OF STUPID BOAT STORIES, PLANE LANDED IN ISRAEL, PERIOD.
If the plane landed anywhere else, they would not have kept quiet about it. The three people missing from the boarding log, that dropped the passenger count from 59 to 56, (for a total of 66 aboard) are probably what this is really all about. If it was possible to find out who was deleted from the boarding log, we would probably have the answer for why this plane was really taken.
Here is another knock out bash of the official story which proves Israel has the plane:
– The Stupid, It Burns: Government at Work – In One Perfect Photo:
Presidential Duties
We recently stumbled upon an image in one of the more obscure corners of the intertubes which we felt we had to share with our readers. It provides us with a nice metaphor for the meaningfulness of government activity. First, here is a look at the picture – just quietly contemplate it for while and let it work its magic on you:
Yes, these two gentlemen are actually watering a tree in the middle of a downpour…
You may have noticed that the two gentlemen with the watering cans have two living umbrella-holders at their disposal. Obviously, they must be VIPs of some sort.
The tree getting victimized in the picture is actually a young fir, and one must fear that it will drown. Small firs do of course need water if they want to become big firs, but there can be too much of a good thing, and this may well be such a case.
We thought we’d never see anyone watering plants during a rainstorm while exuding such a solemn sense of duty. Normally one would expect such people to exhibit a somewhat more maniacal demeanor. This goes to show that there’s a first time for everything.
We were of course wondering who and what exactly we were looking at, and it turns out that the two gentlemen are Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan, and Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko, in the process of planting (and evidently, right away drowning) a fir at the Alley of Honored Guests near the Palace of Independence in Minsk.
Free Advice
We want to take this opportunity to dispense some free advice to the fathers of the young fir: it is probably not necessary to water plants while it is raining, as rain is reportedly quite wet all by itself (step out from underneath the umbrella next time, and you will see what we mean).
Still, the presidents have to be commended for not shirking their planting duties in the face of inclement weather, and we want to thank them for providing us with this moving image. And of course, we wish the fir all the best.
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– Is The Army Preparing For A Major Deployment: Orders 177,000 Bulletproof Armor Plates:
Traditionally, the best way to keep track of future military deployments – absent unexpected events, of course – has been to follow key procurement contracts from the U.S. Department of Defense of mission critical offensive wartime equipment such as weapons and ammo, or, less followed, core defensive components such as kevlar, body armor and other forms of core personal protective gear. These usually take place shortly prior to major “events” involving US armed forces.
Which is why we were surprised to learn that earlier today, the US Department of Defense revealed it had placed a $93 million order for 177,000 ballistic body armor plates from the US military’s traditional supplier of protective equipment, Ceradyne which several years ago was purchased by 3M. Both production and delivery are expected to be concluded over the next several months.
Read moreIs The Army Preparing For A Major Deployment: Orders 177,000 Bulletproof Armor Plates
– China Furious After US Launches Trade War “Nuke” With 522% Duty:
Now that China’s brief infatuation with “rationalizing” excess capacity in its massively glutted (and insolvent) steel sector is over after lasting all of 2-3 months, China is back to doing what it did in late 2015 (and what it has always done) when as we reported, a surge in Chinese exports led to the first salvos in the trade war between China – the world’s biggest exporter of various steel products and is responsible for half the entire world’s steel output – and countries who are importing dumped Chinese products at the expense of their own steel and mining industries.
Nowhere has this trade tension been more obvious than in the UK, where in recent months angry, protesting steel workers have been demanding rising protectionist steps against a country they, rightfully, see as unleashing a global commodity deflation driven by out of control, and unprofitable by highly subsidized, production by Chinese steel mills.
Read moreChina Furious After US Launches Trade War “Nuke” With 522% Duty
Thousands of newly arrived migrants, the vast majority of whom are men, crowd the platforms at Vienna West Railway Station on August 15, 2015 — a common scene in the summer and fall of 2015. (Image source: Bwag/Wikimedia Commons)
– EU-Turkey Migrant Deal Unravels Turning Greece Into Massive Refugee Camp:
- “It can be expected that, as soon as Turkish citizens will obtain visa-free entry to the EU, foreign nationals will start trying to obtain Turkish passports … or use the identities of Turkish citizens, or to obtain by fraud the Turkish citizenship. This possibility may attract not only irregular migrants, but also criminals or terrorists.” — Leaked European Commission report, quoted in the Telegraph, May 17, 2016.
- According to the Telegraph, the EU report adds that as a result of the deal, the Turkish mafia, which traffics vast volumes of drugs, sex slaves, illegal firearms and refugees into Europe, may undergo “direct territorial expansion towards the EU.”
- “If they make the wrong decision, we will send the refugees.” — Burhan Kuzu, senior adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
- Erdogan is now demanding that the EU immediately hand over three billion euros ($3.4 billion) so that Turkish authorities can spend it as they see fit. The EU insists that the funds be transferred through international aid agencies in accordance with strict rules on how the aid can be spent. This prompted Erdogan to accuse the EU of “mocking the dignity” of the Turkish nation.
The EU-Turkey migrant deal, designed to halt the flow of migrants from Turkey to Greece, is falling apart just two months after it was reached. European officials are now looking for a back-up plan.
Read moreEU-Turkey Migrant Deal Unravels Turning Greece Into Massive Refugee Camp
– Tim Price: Why I’m Voting To Leave The European Union:
[Editor’s note: This letter was penned by Tim Price, London-based wealth manager and author of Price Value International.]
On 23 June 2016, this British citizen will be voting to leave the European Union.
To me it’s clear: the EU has not only become too big for its own good, it’s too big to do hardly anything good.
Back in 1975 when the UK first confirmed membership in the EU (when it was called the European Economic Community), it made sense.
Read moreTim Price: Why I’m Voting To Leave The European Union
– British General Says A Nuclear War With Russia In 2017 Is “Entirely Plausible”:
With tensions between Russia and the West at post-cold war highs, a former NATO deputy military chief is now saying that a nuclear war with Russia over the Baltic nations in 2017 is “entirely plausible” according to RT.
General Sir Richard Shirreff, from Britain, served at the second highest NATO military office in Europe between 2011 and 2014, has written a fictional book about a nuclear war with Russia in 2017 triggered by a dispute of the Baltic nations. While the story is indeed fictional, Shirreff said the story is based on an “entirely plausible” scenario.
Read moreBritish General Says A Nuclear War With Russia In 2017 Is “Entirely Plausible”
– Former London Mayor Wins Most Offensive Erdogan Poem Contest:
After Turkish President Recep Erdogan pressured Angela Merkel to cave and allow charges to be brought against German comedian Jan Böhmermann for being mean to him in a video poem, the Spectator decided to hold a contest to see who could come up with the most offensive poem against Erdogan.
It turns out that the winner of the competition is none other than former London Mayor Boris Johnson, who will be awarded £1,000 for his efforts.
Read moreFormer London Mayor Wins Most Offensive Erdogan Poem Contest
FYI.
– Trump Leads Clinton Nationally For First Time In Latest Poll:
Having recently tied her in a Rasmussen poll, Donald Trump is leading Hillary Clinton (by 3pts) for the first time in a national poll, according to FOX News. With a net honesty rating of negative 35, Hillary is losing by 9 points to Trump among white women but holds a stunning 83-point lead over Trump among blacks.
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– NATO Announces War Policy Against Russia:
Submitted by Eric Zuesse, investigative historian and author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
NATO Announces War Policy Against Russia
On May 18th, Britain’s Guardian headlined “West and Russia on course for war, says ex-Nato deputy commander” and reported that the former deputy commander of NATO, the former British general Sir Alexander Richard Shirreff (who was Supreme Allied Commander in Europe from 2011-2014), expressed outrage that Britain isn’t urgently preparing for war against Russia, and also reported that “He describes Russia as now the west’s most dangerous adversary and says Putin’s course can only be stopped if the west wakes up to the real possibility of war and takes urgent action.” … In a chilling scenario, he predicts that Russia, in order to escape what it believes to be encirclement by Nato, will seize territory in eastern Ukraine.” (That’s the Donbass region, where there has been a civil war.)
– Republicans, Democrats Agree On A Bill To Bailout Puerto Rico:
It turns out that Puerto Rico’s plan to default on its debt and beg congress for help is working out as planned.
After a slight delay, House Republicans have reached an agreement with the Obama administration to provide a path to restructure Puerto Rico’s $70 billion debt load. The bill would offer the island a legal out similar to bankruptcy and wouldn’t commit any federal money according to the WSJ.
Read moreRepublicans, Democrats Agree On A Bill To Bailout Puerto Rico
– Iceland’s Biggest Political Party Is Now The “Pirate Party”:
Iceland’s anti-establishment Pirate Party continues to lead nationwide polls as the most popular choice for the next elections. The party — whose policies include internet freedom, drug decriminalisation, and open democracy — has consistently led the polls for the last year and, as a result, has secured more funding than any of its rivals.
The 2008 financial crisis hit Iceland hard. The following year, the krona was devalued by around 50%, unemployment doubled, and capital controls were introduce. Miraculously, the country rose from the ashes to become one of Europe’s top performers in terms of growth. More recently, the political establishment has been in turmoil since three government ministers were implicated in the global Panama Papers scandal.
Read moreIceland’s Biggest Political Party Is Now The “Pirate Party”
– Insurer Sues US Government For $223 Million In Obamacare Related Back Payments:
In yet another development in the train wreck that is Obamacare, while we know that the legislation is failing individuals and businesses, the government is now failing to live up to its obligations made to the insurers who chose to participate in the healthcare exchanges. “All we’re asking is for the federal government to do what they promised” said Highmark Health CEO David Holmberg.
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– Meanwhile In The U.S. Congress: “Chaos And Shouting” After LGBT Measure Fails To Pass:
The US economy must be truly fixed and all geopolitical conflicts resolved, because as the world enjoys its global utopia on a day when yet another airplane was taken down by terrorists according to the latest news, the US House of Representatives is busy dealing with stuff like this: according to the Hill, “the house floor devolved into chaos and shouting on Thursday as a measure to ensure protections for members of the LGBT community narrowly failed to pass after Republican leaders urged their members to change their votes.”
Here’s the before and after votes on striking anti-LGBT language from NDAA. They had it til some GOPers flipped. pic.twitter.com/yokSeFsyOO
— Jennifer Bendery (@jbendery) May 19, 2016
Initially, it appeared Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney’s (D-N.Y.) amendment had enough votes to pass as “yes” votes piled up to 217 against 206 “no” votes. But it eventually failed on a 212-213 vote after a number of Republican lawmakers changed their votes from “yes” to “no.” GOP leaders held the vote open as they allegedly pressured members to change sides.
The result was total chaos.
Read moreMeanwhile In The U.S. Congress: “Chaos And Shouting” After LGBT Measure Fails To Pass
– UN Plots War on Free Speech to Stop “Extremism” Online:
The United Nations Security Council wants a global “framework” for censoring the Internet, as well as for using government propaganda to “counter” what its apparatchiks call “online propaganda,” “hateful ideologies,” and “digital terrorism.” To that end, the UN Security Council this week ordered the UN “Counter-Terrorism Committee” — yes, that is a real bureaucracy — to draw up a plan by next year. From the Obama administration to the brutal Communist Chinese regime, everybody agreed that it was time for a UN-led crackdown on freedom of speech and thought online — all under the guise of fighting the transparently bogus terror war.
The UN, ridiculed by American critics as the “dictators club,” will reportedly be partnering with some of the world’s largest Internet and technology companies in the plot. Among the firms involved in the scheme is Microsoft, which, in a speech before the Security Council on May 11, called for “public-private partnerships” between Big Business and Big Government to battle online propaganda. As this magazine has documented, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, and other top tech giants have all publicly embraced the UN and its agenda for humanity. Many of the more than 70 speakers also said it was past time to censor the Internet, with help from the “private sector.”
Read moreUN Plots War on Free Speech to Stop “Extremism” Online
– Caterpillar Retail Sales Fall For Record 41 Consecutive Months:
For Caterpillar, the great recession was bad, for about 19 months. In May 2010, after declining sharply for just under two years, CAT posted it first positive global retail sales comps and never looked back… until December 2012 when comp sales once again turned negative and have been negative ever since. For the past 41 months!
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19.04.2016
The vast majority of Americans are fed up with money corrupting politics — but how do we fix it?
We’ve got some ideas. Learn more and help make it happen at https://represent.us/action/thesoluti…
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Most critical appears to be the 2 minute interval from 3:27 to 3:29, when according to the Greek defence minister cited by the Guardian, there was a dramatic change in the plane’s attitude and direction. It was in this two minute period when the plane made a 90 degree swerve left and dropped from 37,000 feet to 15,000 feet before swerving 60 degrees right and vanishing at 10,000 feet ten to 15 miles inside Egyptian air space.
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– EgyptAir Flight From Paris To Cairo Crashes With 66 On Board:
Six months after an Airbis A321 operated by Russia’s Metrojet exploded shortly after takeoff from Egypt’s Sinai peninsula en route to St. Petersburg, killing all 224 people on board in what was an ISIS-inspired terrorist attack, overnight there has been another aircraft-related tragedy when an EgyptAir flight carrying 66 passengers and crew on a flight from Paris to Cairo disappeared from radar over the Mediterranean shortly before landing, at 2:30am local time. Officials said they believed the jet has come down in the Mediterranean sea. A search and rescue operation is currently underway and authorities have said that no scenario can be ruled out, including terrorism.
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– Monsanto about to Be Given a Taste of its Own Medicine?:
An oligopoly takes shape to corner the human food supply.
The hunter, it seems, has become the hunted. After wresting control of roughly a quarter of the global seeds market by acquiring a massive portfolio of seed companies, including Agroceres, Asgrow, Cristiani Burkard, Dekalb, Delta & Pine and the seeds division of Cargill North America, Monsanto now suddenly finds itself on the menu of two very powerful, much bigger rivals.
On Thursday, it was reported that Germany’s two chemical-industry titans Bayer and BASF, both of which have a market capitalization more than double Monsanto’s, are mulling a takeover bid.
Read moreMonsanto about to Be Given a Taste of its Own Medicine?