Monday, May 03, 2010

China May "Crash" in Next 9-12 Months, Faber Says; US Taxpayer on Hook for Liability; Halliburton in Spotlight in Gulf Spill Probe

From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
China May `Crash' in Next 9 to 12 Months, Faber Says
North Korea's Kim appears to have entered China: report
Iran Offers Help in Cleaning Gulf of Oil Spill
Tax on Oil May Help Pay for Cleanup
"Under the law that established the reserve, called the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, the operators of the offshore rig face no more than $75 million in liability for the damages that might be claimed by individuals, companies or the government, although they are responsible for the cost of containing and cleaning up the spill."

Well then; better let it cause damage than clean it up, no?

"The fund was set up by Congress in 1986 but not financed until after the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Alaska in 1989."

Moral: After the malfeasance, reward the malefactor (or, in Bushspeak, the "evildoer.")
Halliburton in Spotlight in Gulf Spill Probe
Papantonio: Thank Dick Cheney and His Meetings With Oil Industry Execs for Lack of Safeguard on Oil Rig
Papantonio laid the blame squarely in Dick Cheney's lap and said this was one of the deregulations of the energy industry that was negotiated during his secret meetings with oil industry and other energy executives during George Bush's first term in office and called this the biggest under-reported aspect of this disaster.
Whistleblower: BP Risks More Massive Catastrophes in Gulf - from Vantage Point
How Bad Is the Oil Spill?
"Conceivably - if the oil spill continued for years - the greater thickness or "viscosity" of the oil in comparison to ocean water, or the different ability of oil and seawater to hold warmth (called "specific heat"), could interfere with the normal temperature and salinity processes which drive the ocean currents, and thus shut down the ocean currents and change the world's climate.
However, while this is an interesting theory (and could make for a good novel or movie), it simply will not happen.

Why not?

Because there simply is not enough oil in the leaking oil pocket to interfere with global ocean currents. And even if this turns out to be a much bigger oil pocket than geologists predict, some smart engineer will figure out how to cap the leak well before any doomsday scenario could possibly happen."
The Dominos Are Lining Up for a Sovereign Debt Crisis! - from Rice Farmer

World
US Gives Abbas Private Assurances Over Israeli Settlements
UN Elects Iran to Commission on Women's Rights
Taiwan says will not seek U.S. help to fight wars
Africa's oil wealth boosts arms sales - from Rice Farmer
7 journalists killed in Honduras in space of 2 months

Economy
Greece braces for "violent modernization"
Confessions of a Wall Street Nihilist: Forget About Goldman Sachs; The Whole Economy Is Built on Fraud
Social Security a Ponzi Scheme
Americans Resume Spending More Than They Can Afford
Continental and United Announce $3 Billion Merger
Where would we be without offshore oil? - from Rice Farmer
The Homeless at College - from Rice Farmer
"For-profit schools are tapping shelters and halfway houses for new students, loading them with debt and leaving taxpayers on the hook."

Terror/Intelligence
PA Tax Amnesty TV ad: "We Know Who You Are"
Nuclear subs went to sea with defect
British vessels Turbulent and Tireless left port with safety valves sealed off, risking catastrophic explosion, leaked MoD memo reveals .
Q and A with Richard Clarke - from Jon Noel
What scenarios would lead another country to unleash a major cyber attack?

"You have to imagine a political-military circumstance in which a nation-state had decided to go to war. [If, for example, Western nations imposed a full-scale naval embargo on Iran,] do you think they’re going to take that? No. They’re going to retaliate with terrorism. But what if they have a cyber command, too? According to the CIA, between 20 and 30 countries have one [presumably including Iran]. … The next thing you know, the Western power grid is down. And in a cascading failure, several of the big generators actually blew up, so they can’t be replaced easily. And several of the high tension wires melted. So it’s not just a matter of rebooting. It’s going to take months to get the power grid back to normal. That could happen today."
Oil spills, crime waves and the increasing militarization of American life - from Rice Farmer
"We'll Blame It On The Muslims, Naturally"
1996 Film scene concerning terrorist attack killing 4000 people

Environment/Science
Stephen Hawking: How to Build a Time Machine
Valium prescriptions soar during recession
Disease threatens to fell Britain's historic oak trees
Twisted Physics: 7 Recent Mind-Blowing Findings
Some History of Environmental Cleanups:
Radiation Leak at Delhi University
Chernobyl Pictures/Memoir
Japan's PM Attends Service for Those Who Died of Industrial Pollution
Could Be Costly to Clean 123 Year Old Campus

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Anyone else monitoring events in the Mallaca Strait?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/170431/singapore-says-terror-attacks-planned-on-oil-tankers

Unknown said...

Taiwan's current president is quite analogous to the new president in Ukraine, who is basically giving his country to Russia. In both cases, an independence administration lost out on economic grounds, and was replaced by a government much more receptive to the dishonorable intentions of the larger neighbor.

It's created quite a flap here, among the half of the population enthusiastically opposed to union with China. Of course, a Beijing-friendly government would not ask the United States to defend it -- it would open its doors and make war unnecessary. The article Jenna linked to gave a subsequent comment by the government, "Oh, what the president meant ..." but this occured after the flap.

Of course, all this comes several weeks after US Naval Intelligence reported that a new Chinese missile can destroy aircraft carriers and destroyers from 3000 miles out, with pinpoint precision. So maybe the argument is moot. With the US considering base removal from Okinawa, I'm sure many Japanese are similarly worried about their traditional umbrella, in any future downpour.

Anonymous said...

Wow... I haven't posted here in forever and I posted the wrong link to the Malacca Straits story. Sorry about that.

Here's the correct link reporting that a tanker just exploded (today) in the Straits. Location is between the border of Bengkalis in Riau Province and Tanjung Balai Asahan, North Sumatra. Nothing is showing up yet on any of the news wires or any of the regional online news sources in that area:

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1272904517/oil-tanker-reported-exploded-in-malacca-strait

gamedog said...

Televisions across town catch fire after power surge caused by theft

Couple Arrested For Asking For Directions

Five minutes of nature a day keeps the blues at bay: study

"Researchers from the University of Essex found that as little as five minutes of a "green activity" such as walking, gardening, cycling or farming can boost mood and self esteem."

Elmo said...

Confessions Of A Wall Street Nihilist



Sounds like Thanksgiving dinner at Mom's house! :-)

"e Brutto" said...

Tanker explosion only a rumour - allegedly

http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1272912509/tanker-explosion-only-a-rumour

Anonymous said...

Hmmm... It looks as though ANTARA News is retracting it's initial story about an explosion in the Straits:

"Pekanbaru (ANTARA News) - Reports about the tanker explosion in the Malacca Strait was found to be a false rumour, a marine police officer said.

"We have checked for two hours in the sea and found no ship on fire. It was just a rumour," team head of a marine police unit of Bengkalis, first adjunct inspector Martin said to ANTARA in Dumai Monday night."

http://www.antara.co.id/en/news/1272912509/tanker-explosion-only-a-rumour

Unknown said...

Elmo,

I want to engage you at the level of your core beliefs, not to win, not to wrestle you into my point of view, but to mutually come to some useful truth.

I used 'The Great Work' consciously, and have always felt free to redefine concepts as necessary. To some, The Great Work is taking mankind off planet, to colonize the galaxy. To some, it is creating an oppressive New World Order to empower themselves and piss on everyone else. To me, it is saving the biosphere and coming out with a human race we can identify with shamelessly, even proudly.

Obviously, there's a lot of ground to cover between here and there. If we don't make it -- and I agree time is very short, and the odds are poor -- then we putrify in our own, well-earned indignity and that's the answer about humanity. But if all your loved ones are in a burning building and they tell you "Don't go in there, you haven't got a chance," is it possible you'll just stand out on the pavement and watch them bake? Considering that you're actually not on the pavement, but inside the building, it makes a whole lotta sense to man the pumps, do whatever, and not give in to the perfectly reasonable objective notion that we're fucked.

I have been through so many personal cataclysms, which I believed at the time really were The End. And I have come out the other side -- damaged, upset, having lost something, but also having gained something and strengthened myself. So I just will not cave in to the concept of doom.

"Life as We Know It" has been passing away generation after generation. As you note, this generation completely ignores what was learned in the last one, which is convenient because so much was lost in that round. If you were an American Indian with some residual pride, on a hill in 1880, looking over the railroad and the church and the paddocks and the overdressed people walking stiffly around, LAWKI was over right then, never to return.

Somehow, people have lived lives since then, that they felt had value, and which produced not only pollution and aggrivating noise, but some goodness, too. Though it may be distatsteful to contemplate a chaotic world full of carcinogens and radiation, people may adapt and deal with it, and suffer without completely losing the thread of human Life, leaving open the possibility of something decent occurring in the future.

The only other possibility is shameful self-annihilation. I'm just leaning as far over on the boat as I can to keep it from capsizing, and I note that there are a lot of others doing likewise. Surely, the bulk of humanity is clueless, but welcome to what I consider "The Great Work".

Elmo said...

Eyeballs,

I wish I could share in your optimism, I really do. But I've just seen too many deeds done. Too many wheels in motion. Too many years gone by, with nobody having been able to stop them.

We've been running from one captivity after the next, for God only knows how long. When does it stop? All I see is our masters becoming more and more powerful; our world more and more devastated. How do you just walk away from it? How do you convince people to care?

Unknown said...

Gamedog, great links.

Now we know how to get rid of all those freaking TVs and microwaves. Just don't make a wrong turn in the substation.

Elmo, Elmo, Elmo...

Your perception is remarkably close to my own, but our reactions are different. Yes, we've lost so much. Yes, the grotty powers that be have got more and more technology and money to crush us with. But the notion that what they really need to do is crush us maybe needs tweaking.

SOME of them hate blacks, want to kill hippies, would like to put everyone in industrial prisons. But I think that this is more on the mid-levels than at the top. You have some experience with people who THINK they're in charge, and they can kick ass in their own bailywick so they look omnipotent. But if you think like one of the truly empowered, you don't want to waste any time oppressing Elmo, you just want him no to interfere with your game, which is keeping this illusion of power going. That is, if Elmo stands up and tells TPTB what to do with their New World Order, and does it in a scary enough way, sure, they can crush you.

But if Elmo gardens and networks and learns and teaches, and stays out of the way, THEM doesn't have to mess with him, and will accumulate its own karma, which Elmo will not have to share. I know, it sounds trite, and the word "meek" has got to be a deliberate mistranslation, but let's say "The mellow shall inherit the Earth."

(Comes with a large amount of cleanup - this is a fixer-upper...)

"How do you convince people to care?"

What, ALL the people? Why bother? Yes, it's sad. Pull yourself together and just do your best. If you concentrate on the sadness, you can live in hell and just wallow around there. If you keep your eyes open and take in the tragedy, but also reach into the well of your own beauty, it's not hopeless, even if the ignorant masses make it look that way.

gamedog said...

Elmo, re "How do you just walk away from it? How do you convince people to care?"

I don't think you will convince people to care, it's something they must learn for themselves. As MCR says, why waste time on those who don't get it. They might never get it until it's too late.

How do you walk away? I think at this point in time, if you haven't got your own project going, your own "lifeboat" as it were, it's time to join someone else's. Since joining the permaculture scene I have realised there are literally hundreds of projects out there, screaming out for like minded people to help, to join in their communities. I am in the same boat, more than enough land, great plan, and not enough people of like mind.
If I did not have the potential here, I would for sure up sticks and move into a like minded community toot sweet. Why not visit some potential sites and see what's going on, you might be surprised.

v said...

Europe's Web of Debt
Nice poster for above your bed


Secret Erik Prince/Blackwater Tape Exposed

GrTz,

V

pete81 said...

The April issue of the West Point CTC Sentinal has a pretty good write re: Malacca Strait
http://www.ctc.usma.edu/sentinel/default.asp
Found while possible, the risk is low based on motivations and capabilities of regional affiliates as well as the technical issues involved in blowing up or scuttling a tanker.JI and Abu Sayyaf appear incapable of mounting something like this anymore. A USS Cole scenario is possible though..
Although the report says it would take more than a single event to wreak the economic havoc al Qaeda planned on the West, it was written pre- massive gulf spill. Certainly there could then be the potential for a compounding effect then... if it was so desired...

Elmo said...

@gamedog, eyeballs, and anyone else who gives a shit...

"If I did not have the potential here, I would for sure up sticks and move into a like minded community toot sweet."

Well, I can't exactly do that, unless I intend to abandon the people I care about. My girlfriend is physically disabled with rheumatoid arthritis, and can't walk 10 feet, or even get out of bed in the morning without swallowing a whole fistful of pharmaceuticals. My ex-wife lives across town, with her own little commune of Facebook fanatics and video game aficionados. Should I drag them all out of Sodom, kicking and screaming? And where do I drag them to?

"Why not visit some potential sites and see what's going on, you might be surprised."

I've visited literally hundreds of sites; and the only thing that surprises me is the level of naivete of those promoting the projects!

Many live under the delusion that the technology that wrought all of this mess is suddenly going to do a 180 and become their savior. They seem oblivious to what this (and every other) species went through to develop our technology, or the amount of resource necessary to maintain it.

The best examples of well-intentioned naivete that I can think of right off the top of my head are The Venus Project and The Plantagon. These Grand and Glorious ideas remind me of the old Popular Science quote: "And in the future there will be flying cars!". Most of their so-called "science" is nothing more than wishful thinking. I'm still looking for the ones who have actually done the math!

There are people who I admire for their ability to see through all the bullshit... those who have pointed out that "agriculture is the most destructive practice we have yet to engage in", or that "we can't have infinite growth on a finite planet". They know who they are. But just like me, most of these people are still on the grid; and as far as I can tell, have every intention of remaining there.

This site, itself, is just another example of what I'm talking about. It looks to be nothing more than "a support group for future Armageddon survivors" (a delusion in it's own rite). But, once the money goes, who's going to be there to provide Internet access? This Isn't a ham radio, for Christ sake (not that ham radio would be much more useful in that situation)! So, I find all of these 'save the world' sites --including this one-- to be quite laughable.

When I'm flat-broke, my electricity is off, and my cupboards are empty, what good will the Internet do me? An when the Internet goes off, and the Wal-Marts are closed, and all of the semi-illiterate video-gamers and text-messengers are running scared, what good will my gardens do me? I have nowhere to run from that predicament. Nowhere!

So, this site is no "lifeboat" for people like me. Dreams of alternative energy, improved health-care, vertical farming are not lifeboats. They're all just so many flying cars! I need something I can actually use!

Unknown said...

Hi there Elmo!

You have mentioned your girlfriend before. Certainly, physical incapacity is a detriment in chaotic times. If your relationship with her is vital to you, however, then it is determinitve. It will show you your way. After all, love is a great teacher and a great path.

There will be others who cannot get out of harm's way because of one or another disability. Encouraging people to show ability, in spite of disability, is a fine service and a good reason to keep you around. I highly recommend this youtube.

Crippled folk can run a sprout kitchen, keep an eye on youngsters, teach, sing, and many more useful things. What we need, in the times ahead, is people doing useful things. And you being committed to your loved ones definitely qualifies.

The notion that hungry people will be carving each other up for dinner seems, to me, exaggerated. I mean, this is what happens in cities anyway, and maybe it would get worse. But has violent crime really picked up that much in Detroit lately? Nobody is saying so. Yes, someone might steal from your garden, but if you zealously replant and show neighbors how to do it, and offer them seeds and show them how to make green fertilizer, etc. -- they are gonna love ya, Elmo. They may not say so, but they won't let you tank, because you're too damn useful.

There will be farmland, seeds, various things useful for fertilizer, lots of labor and bits of stored food, even in a fast crash. Sure, we may look like Cubans on a bad day in 1991, but they pulled through and probably we would too. Check out these cheap wood oven plans. Though it seems impossible sometimes, people may actually cobble together an aggrivatingly ass-backwards but ultimately usable pro-tem society till we can adjust as a people to the losses that you and I are already expecting to face.

Not all refuges are out in the country, with dogs and guns and acres of wheat. Doing the right thing wherever you are is the right thing to do, and though there's definitely a danger of early extinction, for individuals and for humanity, there's always a good chance that another day will come and go -- and so much could come of that day, really.

gamedog said...

Jeeze Elmo, when I said visit some sites I did NOT mean websites! I mean visit some transition towns, community projects, permaculture projects, real places where real stuff is getting done.

If you're absolutely sure you couldn't move (I'm not because I know disabled people who've done it on their own, a blind guy, and a paraplegic girl) then start a transition initiative where you are right now. The first UK transition town was started by two blokes chatting in a pub! There really is no excuse mate.

Are you going to sit there moaning about how hard it is, putting up your own barriers, or get off your arse and do something?

You're obviously an intelligent guy, why is this so hard to get? No-one is going to hand you a ready made personal solution on a plate, it's really up to YOU!

No-one claims this site is a lifeboat, it's just a blog mate, a place were we can come for up-to-date info on collapse, a place for signposts, to better understand the timing of collapse, to help us stay one step ahead.

"I need something I can actually use!"

here you go...

The Transition Handbook

Local Food: How to Make it Happen in Your Community

I hope I didn't sound too harsh, but get real man, you sound like you need a kick up the arse, I hope this was it :)

Elmo said...

Listen, I've heard all the analogies: "Sinking of the Titanic"; "Burning Building"; "Starship Earth", etc... But these are all dead things! I don't care much if a boat sinks, or a building burns, or a spaceship blows up. These things are all survivable, in one way or another.

What we are (for want of an analogy) are bacteria in the gut of a larger organism. We (like any other living creature) can choose to be either flora or a pathogen. Right now we're behaving as the latter. And, like any other organism, the earth has it's immune system. If we keep pushing our luck, we just might find out how it works!

Elmo said...

I've read all about transition towns, permaculture, etc... And what I'm saying is that, before any of that will work, we have to cure the pathogen! So I could just as easily say that you are also in need of a good kick up the arse! :)

Unknown said...

Hey, Elmo!

My late father said, if you want to catch a duck, put salt on its tail.

Eh?

(Okay, I was a tot, and fell for it.)

Cure the human race? And THEN we can start having fun? Oi.

The cure starts with me, then my immediate chums, then my neighborhood, and ... well, shit that's doing pretty well already, and hard enough, considering some neighbors I've had.

You yourself are not big enough to cure everyone, but you can be good fun and a sensible guy in your own area, and if you reach out there may be other sensible people, possibly confused, maybe disheartened, nearby. If you can hook up, get something going, you'll feel better, you'll shine an example to others and Life will take on that fun, almost meaningful excitement that is the very cure you're looking for.

One great thing about this blog is that most of us are pretty lonely in our day-to-day surroundings, in the sense of being the looney who's always talking collapse and lifeboats and the importance of growing veggies. But some of us are in Britain, some in Canada, LA, Oregon. I'm in Taiwan and Rice Farmer's in Japan. Each of us reaches out to a few others in our communities and teaches, cajoles, entertains, feeds somebody. And the small bright spots illumine larger patches, and more people start to get it.

Doesn't have to be just you, in your own room, waiting for the world to tank already or else suddenly be cured. It's a mighty wave we're on, man. Surf de bugga!

juanito68 said...

I've been doing lot of research to find a piece of land and start acting. I finally found a land in a nice and quiet area, far enough but not too much, with plenty of pure ground water, forest... and even an old dam that could probably be put in fonction again and give energy for a few houses.

And also, cheap enough so i don't need to lock myself on a mortgage. Now...
Anyone has any contacts, info or web site regarding Permaculture in Northeastern America (State of Québec- i check many sites but it's totally a different climat then here)?

Also, anyone has any good and reliable knowledge to share regarding dam ("Simple way to do it yourself" will be great!)

Thanks

gamedog said...

...before any of that will work...

Sounds like another excuse, because it's already working mate, in lots of places!

Why isn't it working where you are? Is it because everyone like you (who get it but are afraid to act or afraid to fail or otherwise stuck in the headlights) are still holed up searching for that elusive one hit wonder pathogen killer?

Maybe TT & PC are that pathogen killer, maybe not, but certainly have more potential than anything else I've seen, and I've been looking a long time!

We all have our barriers mate, mine would make your hair curl [lol] your situation is not so dissimilar to mine was back in 02 when I made the move, tho I don't have an ex wife, I do have a disabled dependant parent living with us (MND/ALS), my wife still thinks I'm mad concerning collapse stuff, I didn't drag her kicking and screaming, but it was close :)

I see your kick up the arse and raise you... broken back, check - in two places, a constant cervicogenic headache with tunnel vision, check, broken ribs too, it did not stop me planting legumes today! what's your excuse again?

I guess I'm a reluctant farmer too, having given up that nice cushy income, I'd rather live like this now tho - not earning enough to pay tax and contributing to the problem, but not wanting for much either. I guess I'd rather try to be ready for collapse AND look for that one hit wonder, rather than know I could have but didn't, especially when one day it may mean ...I'm flat-broke, my electricity is off, and my cupboards are empty if I don't ;)

Go for it mate! Ride the wave! :)

Peddler on the Hoof said...

Should take at least a year for China to devolve financially/ commercially.

Anisha said...

Hi Mike.

Its been a while. I just re-read your book, crossing the Rubicon and I have to say it is one of the most extraordinary journalism. You are one of the greats Mike! You and I may disagree with peak oil and global warming, but the rest we are dove tailing.

I believe it is because of your report on the 'assassination' of Senator Wellstone, that woke up a hell of a lot of people based on your facts. I have posted your book many times on dailypaul.com

I have read so many times your dream of our country returning to the rule of law - Our Constitution/Bill of Rights.

Are you aware of the Articles of Freedom - the works of the Continental Congress 2009 that was held Nov 11-22 2009?!!!

This was spearheaded by Bob Schulz of We The People Foundation. 116 delegates were elected in a 'free' election by those who got involved. They represented 48 States in the union. Some of those delegates are the finest Constitutional scholars this country produced. They deliberated 14 egregious violations to the Constitution over 10 days and the resolutions are now called, 'Articles of Freedom'.

This is probably the final non-violent due process of Constitutional Law. It calls for withholding income taxation provided we get 15 million signatures to pledge support for the document and civic actions until our country is returned to rule of law.

On this past April 19th, ceremonies were held on every step of the 50 states simultaneously, re-dedicating our Constitution and consecrating the works of the Articles of Freedom. Each elected official was served this document by the delegates and state coordinators 'instructing' them to cease and desist anything they are doing that is 'unconstitutional'.

In order to begin the civic actions we need critical mass of at least 10-15 million Americans. We have done all this on a shoestring budget so we rely on word of mouth. Please look into this Mike. Its a 65 page document that I believe you will love this with all your heart. Despite being threatened they continued on. There was a faction that attempted to sabotage the congress but they were escorted out or they left. Some of them wanted 'God' deleted from any wording. It has manifested because there are people in this country, whats left of the freedom fighters, who truly love what our documents are all about. They are not a bunch of yahoos, these people are intelligent, creative and passionate folks who said enough was enough after 14 friggin years of petitioning the govt for redress of 14 violations and decided on a Continental Congress 2009, held in St. Charles, Illinois. Please consider including a widget to your FTW website.

Here is the website for the archives of CC2009: www.CC2009.us

Here are the Articles of Freedom Mike. Read it and weep with joy! I know I did. I am the MN State Coordinator for Articles of Freedom and proud of it.

www.articlesoffreedom.us

Thought I'd share the videos of the MN State Capitol ceremony:


Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAcv_qEy2SA

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3u7OezG_U

Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYA-eD2CQ3g

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IW7A4c3zfU

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PFx1W4SMTk

Part 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8k55Vu-3nw

Part 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ze3SEpBHwA

Part 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKh1pM2pIYs

Anisha said...

Hi Mike.

Its been a while. I just re-read your book, crossing the Rubicon and I have to say it is one of the most extraordinary journalism. You are one of the greats Mike! You and I may disagree with peak oil and global warming, but the rest we are dove tailing.

I believe it is because of your report on the 'assassination' of Senator Wellstone, that woke up a hell of a lot of people based on your facts. I have posted your book many times on dailypaul.com

I have read so many times your dream of our country returning to the rule of law - Our Constitution/Bill of Rights.

Are you aware of the Articles of Freedom - the works of the Continental Congress 2009 that was held Nov 11-22 2009?!!!

This was spearheaded by Bob Schulz of We The People Foundation. 116 delegates were elected in a 'free' election by those who got involved. They represented 48 States in the union. Some of those delegates are the finest Constitutional scholars this country produced. They deliberated 14 egregious violations to the Constitution over 10 days and the resolutions are now called, 'Articles of Freedom'.

This is probably the final non-violent due process of Constitutional Law. It calls for withholding income taxation provided we get 15 million signatures to pledge support for the document and civic actions until our country is returned to rule of law.

On this past April 19th, ceremonies were held on every step of the 50 states simultaneously, re-dedicating our Constitution and consecrating the works of the Articles of Freedom. Each elected official was served this document by the delegates and state coordinators 'instructing' them to cease and desist anything they are doing that is 'unconstitutional'.

In order to begin the civic actions we need critical mass of at least 10-15 million Americans. We have done all this on a shoestring budget so we rely on word of mouth. Please look into this Mike. Its a 65 page document that I believe you will love this with all your heart. Despite being threatened they continued on. There was a faction that attempted to sabotage the congress but they were escorted out or they left. Some of them wanted 'God' deleted from any wording. It has manifested because there are people in this country, whats left of the freedom fighters, who truly love what our documents are all about. They are not a bunch of yahoos, these people are intelligent, creative and passionate folks who said enough was enough after 14 friggin years of petitioning the govt for redress of 14 violations and decided on a Continental Congress 2009, held in St. Charles, Illinois. Please consider including a widget to your FTW website.

Here is the website for the archives of CC2009: www.CC2009.us

Here are the Articles of Freedom Mike. Read it and weep with joy! I know I did. I am the MN State Coordinator for Articles of Freedom and proud of it.

www.articlesoffreedom.us

Thought I'd share the videos of the MN State Capitol ceremony:


Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAcv_qEy2SA

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3u7OezG_U

Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYA-eD2CQ3g

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IW7A4c3zfU

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PFx1W4SMTk

Part 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8k55Vu-3nw

Part 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ze3SEpBHwA

Part 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKh1pM2pIYs

Anisha said...

Hi Mike.

Its been a while. I just re-read your book, crossing the Rubicon and I have to say it is one of the most extraordinary journalism. You are one of the greats Mike! You and I may disagree with peak oil and global warming, but the rest we are dove tailing.

I believe it is because of your report on the 'assassination' of Senator Wellstone, that woke up a hell of a lot of people based on your facts. I have posted your book many times on dailypaul.com

I have read so many times your dream of our country returning to the rule of law - Our Constitution/Bill of Rights.

Are you aware of the Articles of Freedom - the works of the Continental Congress 2009 that was held Nov 11-22 2009?!!!

This was spearheaded by Bob Schulz of We The People Foundation. 116 delegates were elected in a 'free' election by those who got involved. They represented 48 States in the union. Some of those delegates are the finest Constitutional scholars this country produced. They deliberated 14 egregious violations to the Constitution over 10 days and the resolutions are now called, 'Articles of Freedom'.

This is probably the final non-violent due process of Constitutional Law. It calls for withholding income taxation provided we get 15 million signatures to pledge support for the document and civic actions until our country is returned to rule of law.

On this past April 19th, ceremonies were held on every step of the 50 states simultaneously, re-dedicating our Constitution and consecrating the works of the Articles of Freedom. Each elected official was served this document by the delegates and state coordinators 'instructing' them to cease and desist anything they are doing that is 'unconstitutional'.

In order to begin the civic actions we need critical mass of at least 10-15 million Americans. We have done all this on a shoestring budget so we rely on word of mouth. Please look into this Mike. Its a 65 page document that I believe you will love this with all your heart. Despite being threatened they continued on. There was a faction that attempted to sabotage the congress but they were escorted out or they left. Some of them wanted 'God' deleted from any wording. It has manifested because there are people in this country, whats left of the freedom fighters, who truly love what our documents are all about. They are not a bunch of yahoos, these people are intelligent, creative and passionate folks who said enough was enough after 14 friggin years of petitioning the govt for redress of 14 violations and decided on a Continental Congress 2009, held in St. Charles, Illinois. Please consider including a widget to your FTW website.

Here is the website for the archives of CC2009: www.CC2009.us

Here are the Articles of Freedom Mike. Read it and weep with joy! I know I did. I am the MN State Coordinator for Articles of Freedom and proud of it.

www.articlesoffreedom.us

Thought I'd share the videos of the MN State Capitol ceremony:


Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAcv_qEy2SA

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQ3u7OezG_U

Part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYA-eD2CQ3g

Part 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IW7A4c3zfU

Part 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PFx1W4SMTk

Part 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8k55Vu-3nw

Part 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ze3SEpBHwA

Part 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKh1pM2pIYs