SEC Eyes Goldman Sachs' Good Fortune
As the world watches the once almighty U.S. dollar implode, it can be somehow reassuring to read the few people who understand and are willing to divulge what's really going on.
The author of the article above, John Crudele, has FOIA'ed the President's Working Group on Financial Assets - mentioned in the article and known to its would-be intimates as the Plunge Protection Team - with tragicomic results that have provided fodder for an ongoing saga. This group of masters of the universe is the financial equivalent of the National Energy Policy and Development Group, the equally elusive and powerful enclave whose meeting minutes the Sierra Club, among others, sought in vain to obtain.
Why Kuwait Wants to Shift to Heavy Oil
One guess.
OPEC May Launch Currency Basket
Clearcutting the Climate Conference
Thanks, Global Warming!
Written without irony in a usually astute and subtle publication. But the prospect of profit makes demons of the best of us.
White House May Stop Distribution of Anti-Radiation Pills
They're such a downer, after all.
Global Warming Could Kill Half of All Plant and Animal Species
California Plans Global Warming Suit Against EPA
London Review of Books on True Motives of Iraq Invasion
U.S. Disclosure Cited as Proof of Gold Cartel's Price Capping Efforts
With the arrival of Peak Oil, the curtain has closed on Act 1 of the drama Petroleum Man. What will happen in Act 2? Chekhov said, "If there's a gun on the wall at the beginning of the play, by the end it must go off." In the world's nuclear arsenal are many guns on the wall. If life copies art, will there be an Act 3 in which the players, having learned their lesson the hard way, live sustainably? To explore these and other questions... FTW's Act 2 Blog. Read, comment, take heart! Orkin
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23 comments:
Rupert Murdoch with his knickers down . . .
From Kim B in Australia. Just publicly castigated Rupert Murdoch & David Fagan (editor of Queensland's "Courier Mail"), re their failure to report on a historic Reuters news article re the petro-dollar of 27th Oct 2007 (check out my "cc" list to see what I mean about "publicly"). And when I spoke to David Fagan's assistant this morning about my email of yesterday, she knew exactly what I was talking about straight away - and was quite hostile to me. Everything is here:-
http://www.kimspages.org/faganandmurdoch.htm
Foreclosures jump 30 percent in 3rd quarter Congress, White House debate solutions to help people keep their homes
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21551909/
Foreclosure actions were reported on more than 446,000 properties the three months ended Sept. 30, up 30 percent from the second quarter and double last year’s third quarter. That brings the overall foreclosure rate to one in every 196 U.S. households.
“Given the number of loans due to reset through the middle of 2008, and the continuing weakness in home sales, we would expect foreclosure activity to remain high and even increase over the next year in many markets,” said James J. Saccacio, chief executive officer of RealtyTrac
China, Others in Asia Raise Gasoline Prices as Crude Prices Soar
Here in Japan, the price of regular in the Tokyo area rose to over 150 yen per liter ($4.95/gallon). Kerosene, which a lot of people (including me) use for heating in the winter is also up about 10%, of course.
In China they have been rationing diesel fuel causing long lines of trucks at stations.
Prices of bread and pasta are set to rise due to wheat costs, and cooking oil cost is impacting other prepared foods.
No surprises to anyone on this blog, but it is interesting to see how it all unfolds.
Consumer prices of petroleum products just took a huge leap here in Japan, so the media are full of stories on this topic. Interestingly, people who have been driving to work but actually live within walking distance of their workplaces are suddenly discovering they have legs. Imagine that!
In other news, the Great Fall-Apart
http://ricefarmer.blogspot.com/2007/08/great-fall-apart-has-begun.html
http://ricefarmer.blogspot.com/2007/09/great-fall-apart-continues.html
is spreading to Japan, as there have recently been reports of bridges past their prime, and some have even restricted traffic keep heavy trucks off. One has to wonder how soon weeds will be growing from the cracks.
Today's paper also had news about the gasoline shortages in China. Suppliers are obliged to provide fuel at fixed prices which are kept artificially low. That creates too much demand, so gas stations are now just shutting down their pumps. In effect, there is now a de facto rationing system in certain places, mainly the southeast coastal region.
And Rupert Murdoch's knickers continue to flap around his ankles. I just got a personal reply from the Courier Mail editor - so I've just circulated this . . .
Courier Mail STILL blatantly refusing to . . .
. . . . report on KEY financial news (despite their Britney Spears
obsession), about a potentially historic shift in the way Global oil is traded (Reuters, 27th Oct 2007). Editor David Fagan replies to mum & nurse Kim Bax (Friday 2nd November 2007), and Kim Bax sends a pithy reply (and she'd STILL like an answer from David as to why he's ALSO failing to report on Iran's new oil trading arrangments - and she'll circulate a reminder to him in a couple of weeks in the absence of a response).
Record of the latest correspondence here:-
http://www.kimspages.org/faganandmurdoch.htm
cc - Courier Mail journalists
cc - Federal politicians (Qld)
cc - State politians (Qld)
cc - Local councillors (Qld)
cc - Local newspapers (Qld)
cc - Chambers of commerce (Qld)
cc - Trade Unions (Qld)
cc - "Media Lens" (UK)
cc - Many and varied friends, contacts, email lists, organisations and
media contacts (please forward on)
Bush is pushing hard for Michael Mukasey as attorney general. Anyone know his connections? Why is the motive behind this?
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/01/bush.speech/index.html
Two questions that have been bugging me lately:
1. Has anyone seen the movie Zeitgeist? It seems like one of those movies that is peppered with truth.
2. What role does "illegal immigration" play into all of this? I am a big supporter of amnesty and a path to citizenship; how does the rest of the FTW crowd feel?
Thanks!
Wow... I found quite a bit on him... now I know why...
here is a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByeRwou-nUA
Murdoch media blanks CRUCIAL Aussie climate info (27 Oct 2007). . . but not without embarrassing exposure. Just circulated this:-
Courier Mail blanks CRUCIAL climate story . . .
To David Fagan & Rupert Murdoch (owner & editor of Queensland's
Courier Mail) & cc list below, from Mrs. Kim Bax (mum & nurse,
Beaudesert Shire, Qld)
Hi there again David and Rupert,
As you know, I was entirely unimpressed by your failure to report on a historic Reuters story (27th Oct 2007), in relation to potentially seismic shifts in the way oil is traded (globally) - and then I had to pick myself off the floor in the wake of your limp explanation. And I'm still waiting for an account as to why you've never reported on the new Iranian oil bourse, but I'll circulate a reminder in a couple
of weeks if I haven't heard.
It now seems further crucial news of the 27th October 2007 has been
blanked by your news organisation, this time on your very own doorstep
(the Sunshine Coast, Queensland). I refer to Guy Pearse's damning
speech on John Howard and Climate Change, at the 12th Annual Sunshine Coast Environment Awards.
Guy Pearse is (or was), a very senior Liberal Party insider, and his speech was a lucid and damning indictment of current and planned
Australian Government policy. The core facts he presented were
startling, head-line grabbing (or should have been) and shone a
powerful beam in some very dark corners.
And noting to-day's "Head lines" on your web page (and thus what your publication considers "News"), re actor Bill Nighy's glasses, model Kirsty Hinze flying into Melbourne and Tom Cruise's film premier, I
can't help but think monopoly corporate control of our news sources has turned them into nothing more than sick jokes. It wouldn't be so bad if you were doing that stuff AND reporting on what people need (and have a right), to hear. But you're not.
So David and Rupert, WHEN (if ever), will you be reporting on Guy Pearce's entirely news worthy comments? That's a reasonable and
legitimate question, and it deserves a reasonable and legitimate answer. I'll circulate a reminder in a couple of weeks if I haven't heard back. And further, it should be to your great shame that a tiny local Sunshine Coast newspaper, "The Kin Kin Voice," had the guts and the integrity to publish Guy Pearse's speech in its entirety. Maybe Fiona, the editor, should be doing your job?
So, following in Fiona's footsteps, I'm publishing Guy Pearse's speech in full too - for your benefit, and the benefit of everyone receiving this email (either directly, or forwarded on):-
(above email, with Guy Pearse's ground breaking speech, published in full here):-
http://www.kimspages.org/faganandmurdoch.htm#highanddry
cc - Courier mail journalists
cc - Federal politicians (Qld)
cc - State politicians (Qld)
cc - Local councillors (Qld)
cc - Chambers of Commerce (Qld)
cc - Trade Unions (Qld)
cc - Local newspapers (Qld)
cc - Many and varied contacts, media contacts, friends and email lists (please forward widely)
I heard something interesting on the radio news this morning. Apparently Japan gets a lot of its oil under long-term contracts with its Middle Eastern suppliers, primarily SA. The prices it's paying are about $10/b below the prices we are hearing in the news. Of course those prices change, but they are still much cheaper, and in fact this morning they said that SA light (the good stuff) finally made it above $80, while SA medium is now about $73. What came to mind after hearing this was that if consumer prices for petroleum products are this high now, what happens when those contract prices catch up to current market levels? Time to split some more firewood!
My bun fight with Murdoch's Courier Mail (Queensland, Australia), continues to-day (5 Nov 2007), with personal replies to me from the Editor, David Fagan. So I circulated this:-
Subject: Courier Mail with its Knickers down 5th November 2007 - David Fagan (editor of Murdoch's "Courier Mail"),
personally replies to mum & nurse Kim Bax (Beaudesert Shire, Qld), as to why he's NOT covering crucial World (and local), stories on our oil supply, Global finance and Climate. Expecting a reasoned response? Kim was too - but it looks like arrogance trumps responsibility at to-day's Courier Mail. You judge.
http://www.kimspages.org/Novembe52007fagan.htm
And also linked from this page (in red, top right hand corner):-
http://www.kimspages.org/faganandmurdoch.htm
cc - Courier mail journalists
cc - Federal politicians (Qld)
cc - State politicians (Qld)
cc - Local councillors (Qld)
cc - Chambers of Commerce (Qld)
cc - Trade Unions (Qld)
cc - Local newspapers (Qld)
cc - Many and varied contacts, media contacts, friends and email lists (please forward widely)
I'm a HUGE fan of the British comedy "Absolute Power":-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_Power_(comedy)
. . . which stars Stephen Fry and John Bird (they're hilarious). So check out this video skit on "How the Markets Really Work" starring John Bird, great stuff:-
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/187.html
Senate panel approves Bush's attorney general nominee
Just another player in Bush's back pocket....
Johnt - yes, I've seen Zeitgeist. A grain of truth mixed with confusion.
While I agree with some of what they are trying to say, their "facts" leave a lot to be desired. It seems the first section on religion (I'm an atheist and would agree that religion is a tool of control) seems to have been borrowed from books by Acharya who is a brilliant lady, but rather sloppy in her documentation. The thesis that all religions tell the same story just isn't accurate.
And the third segment is full of holes as well. I do think there are conspiracies (of course! we all conspire!) but not one big one. Rather, many competing ones on many different levels.
Overall, though I have emotional leanings toward liking the idea of the movie, I'd say the film, sadly, misleads more than helps.
That's my 2 yen.
As for immigration - that is a rather complex issue and I don't think I can cover my opinion in a comment. Let me just say, people come across the US southern border because of economic conditions which the USA helps to maintain and profits from.
Good on you Kim.
The video was fantastic, as well as your efforts with the local rag.
I had a try on the Fairfax YouTube Election site:
http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=O76L4rHX-IA
http://au.youtube.com/
watch?v=asE3Qusc6qQ
(I snapped the links, but you can paste 'em together)
I was hoping to go to Cannes to receive the Palme D'Or, but Marlene sez all I'll get is the Dunny Door.
Cheers mate
Chris
the comment below is being published with the caveat that ftw emphatically does NOT endorse 'loose change' which is a classic 'poison pill,' combining good information with disinformation in an ultimately lethal mix.
*********************
jwfearman has left a new comment on your post "SEC Eyes Goldman Sachs' Good Fortune As the world ...":
This is probably old news, but has everyone seen "loose change". Quite powerful video. Easier to get people to watch an 1:39 min movie than trying to get someone to read "crossing the Rubicon" as an inital starting point. CTR is, of course, far mor detailed but the little video was full of information and pictures for those with shiny object syndrome.
what was it that you don't agree with on loose change? Rather than just coin it a "poison pill" whatever that means, why not discuss with me what you felt was inaccurate. It seems this blog tends to lean towards people who a elite conspiracy thorists... sorry I haven't been "in the know" that long. nm... delete the post if it bothers you.
"what was it that you don't agree with on loose change?"
answ: mostly, the 'no plane at the pentagon' theory
I found the argument compelling. The debris and the size of the hole did not jive with an airliner breaching the building. The one video they did release is obscured. Regardless of if a plane hit it or not, they are withholding information (i.e. surveillance tapes) that would easily prove the “official” view. But as Mike himself said it has become like the JFK assassination. You can argue the points all day long and people will ultimately believe what is comfortable and convenient for them. My initiation into doubting the government was America: Freedom to fascism. Since then I have been studying what others think. I think many are unsubstantiated in their beliefs and some have good and bad points. Mike is right on target though. My point, I don’t know, based on the evidence presented, whether a plane hit the Pentagon. But, the whole incident smelled of cover-up. I didn’t mean to snap at you there. I just get to a point where I get tired of people withholding information. Call me a newbie but it almost seems sometimes there is a “if you don’t know I can’t tell you” vibe going on. I want the truth. This, on the surface sounds simple but, in application, becomes one straw man after another. You have to connect dots between lies and that makes it hard to know who to trust and who to believe. So again I apologize. You have a great thing going on here and I looked forward to when you post.
see oilempire.us on 'no plane at the pentagon' as well as on other disinfo. mike and ftw have dealt with the shortcomings of physical evidence
The physical-evidence approach is a double-edged sword. It is admittedly a good tool to get people interested in considering possibilities other than the government's explanation. But from there on it's perilous. If independent investigators and observers had been allowed to examine the physical evidence, it might be a different story. But access was restricted and everything was cleaned up in record time. You can draw your own conclusions as to why, but the fact is that we have very little to work with. So arguing from the physical evidence is a very weak position that debunkers find easy to counter. We are reduced to "dueling simulations" and other such absurdities.
On the other hand, Rubicon amasses known and verifiable facts, makes connections, and builds a solid case without setting foot in the quicksand of the physical-evidence argument.
Debates with debunkers have taught me that they love to argue about what brought the towers down. But they avoid arguing about the evidence presented in Rubicon. They don't want to talk about the money trail or the war games, for instance. I got into a debate with Alexander Cockburn once. I did my best to engage him in debate about the evidence presented in Rubicon, but he dismissed it out of hand and talked only about the physical evidence. Debunkers know that Rubicon's approach spells the end of their argument, and that's why they consistently drag their opponents into the quicksand of the physical evidence. Our best weapon against them is to stop trying to make our case using "Loose Change."
great point Rice Farmer...
and thank you Jenna for the link.
I read everything there and I see your point. I guess my compulsion to find out what really happened that day is a lost cause because they don't want us to know. Its my nature to find the minute facts about things. Now I see the trap that we fall into when we do that.
Not seeing the forest through all the trees... That is exactly what they want.
It's a chess game where we can't see all the pieces we play against outright. I will have to Read crossing the Rubicon again to get a better handle on the underlying evidence.
this is why the dollor is falling chek this webb site out http://www.worldreports.org/
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