Category The four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Aug 31 2022

US Marines Safe from Religious Prosecutions – Coast Guard Under Attack


Armstrong Economics Blog/USA Current Events Re-Posted Aug 31, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

The US Marines were finally awarded protection against COVID-19 vaccination mandates. “Oorah!” A federal judge agreed to the class action lawsuit against Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. All Marines who were denied religious exemptions are finally receiving justice. Out of the 3,733 Marines who applied for exemptions, only 11 were granted an exemption. “Is it more likely than not — in nearly all 3,733 cases —that no reasonable accommodation was available?” the court asked.

Judge Merryday of Florida declared that the following members are safe from religious prosecutions:

“All persons on active duty or in the ready reserve (1) who serve under the command of the Marine Corps, (2) who were affirmed by a chaplain as harboring a sincere religious objection, (3) who timely submitted an initial request for a religious accommodation, (4) who were denied the initial request, (5) who timely appealed the denial of the initial request, and (6) who were denied or will be denied after appeal.”

The judge went on to explain the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) and how it applies to all Americans from the president to military recruits. “[E]ven if they don’t agree with it. The Free Exercise Clause and RFRA are the law of the land,” the judge declared.

Unfortunately, not all of our servicemembers are safe. The Coast Guard Academy ordered all unvaccinated cadets to evacuate the campus within 24 hours. This includes those who applied for religious exemptions, as fetal tissue is used to create the useless vaccine. So at a time when military recruitment is at an all-time low, the government is disenrolling candidates for no valid reason. The Coast Guard expects the candidates placed on leave to enroll in online military training! It is disgusting to see our service members disrespected by the government they have put their life on the line to protect. I expect more lawsuits to follow.

Aug 31 2022

Taiwan to Destroy Chinese Drones


Armstrong Economics Blog/War Re-Posted Aug 31, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

https://video.udn.com/news/1245480

The video above has gone viral, depicting Taiwanese soldiers throwing rocks at drones believed to be sent by China. Reports are circulating that Taiwan also allowed store-bought civilian drones to enter its airspace, which leaves many to wonder how they can compete against China’s military surveillance. Backed by the US, Taiwan is beginning to push back against China and its One China policy. The Ministry of National Defense (MND) has reported that they will begin to shoot down Chinese drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The MND said that it plans to invest in anti-drone defense systems over the next four years to the tune of $141 million. There have been 23 drone spottings in Taiwan since Pelosi’s reckless visit. It should be worth noting that Taiwan donated 800 carpet bomber drones and 860 combat drones to Ukraine to combat Russia. China is taking notes from Russia, while Taiwan is taking notes from Ukraine. Why would Taiwan offer a vast quantity of drones to Ukraine if they are in need of their own protection?

The simple answer is that support from the US has emboldened Taiwan. They do not fear an escalation of tensions when US warships are passing through its waters. Time will tell how China responds as the One China policy is under fire.

Aug 31 2022

DOJ Files Response to Trump Motion for Special Master Review, Supported by Lawfare Crew Filing Amicus Brief to Bolster DOJ Position


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 31, 2022 | Sundance

The DOJ has filed a response to the motion by President Trump for the court to appoint a special master to review the seized material from the DOJ/FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago. [Court pdf Here] Additionally, the outside government Lawfare group has filed an amicus brief supporting the DOJ-NSD position [Amici court pdf Here]

Essentially the position of the DOJ boils down to… They have already reviewed the material. Yes, there was attorney-client privilege material seized; but they swear the internal team segregated the legally confidential material and the DOJ investigators & prosecutors didn’t see it – double pinkie swear, yer honor.

Additionally, in a nice lawfare maneuver, the DOJ claims President Trump never formally evoked ‘executive privilege‘ on any material at Mar-a-Lago; therefore, despite his position as a former President, he was/is legally considered an ordinary citizen for the purpose of raiding his home to seize material the government considers vital to national security.

To compliment the created DOJ narrative for media consumption; and to assist the media effort for direct distribution of the DOJ position; Main Justice released a picture as an example of the documents seized.  The DOJ literally staged and created this photo for media to use, then released it in the court filing. Slick lawfare:

The cover sheets are essentially non sequitur as they do not necessarily describe or affirm the nature of the documented material underneath. “HCS-P/SI/TK” looks all officially looming; however, it doesn’t necessarily mean any of the information is classified as HCS (HUMINT Control System, or human intelligence), SI (special intelligence), or TK (talent keyhole), or SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information), aka the silos.

One word or paragraph could be considered ‘special intelligence’. Example “FISA” or “FISC”. You might remember our prior discussions that every document that contains the designation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, FISA or FISC, literally those words or abbreviations, is considered classified special intelligence.

Example (as above): Someone might write “the Carter Page FISA application” on a government document. That document is now considered ‘special intelligence‘. That’s how each silo inside the agencies of government keep a cloud over information.

It was not that long ago when the classification rules stated you could not ever publicly use the words “FISA Court,” without running afoul of the rules governing classified special intelligence.  Yes, that’s correct, until about three years ago it was a violation of law to even discuss what took place in the FISA court process.

As a result, take the cover letter designations with a grain of salt.  The covers are essentially useless for the purpose of understanding what material might be underneath. However, for the purpose of creating an optic, which helps drive a narrative, the oh-so super special cover values are priceless.

Moving beyond the filings, the DOJ narrative engineering is particularly noteworthy. By framing the material seized in such a manner as most people will never understand what the designations mean, Main Justice lays the foundation for the media to obfuscate, portray and define the potential of the evidence.

This is lawfare narrative engineering at its best. It is also very easy to see what comes next because this is a rodeo very familiar to those who watched the media push the DOJ and FBI manufactured stories around the Trump-Russia and Trump/Russia-obstruction cases before.

Just like the examples from 2016 (FBI leaks), 2017 (FBI/DOJ leaks), 2018 (Weissmann/Mueller leaks) and throughout the impeachment constructs (Nadler/Schiff committee leaks), this coordinated Main Justice effort is all done via public consumption of misleading articles produced by allied media working to promote the political interests of the DOJ.

As a result, screaming headlines of “Trump Held National Security Documents“,… and “Intelligence Community now Conducting Risk Assessments“…. and “ODNI Now Launching an Investigation of Classified Documents Found in Mar-a-Lago“…. etc are sure to follow.

Today the focus of media will be pushing the “Top Secret Classified Documents Detailed in DOJ Filing” aspect, hence the photograph becomes a key part of the narrative engineering value. However, within a few media cycles, the narrative will switch to The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Avril Haines, briefing congress on the documents.

DNI Avril Haines will be the next phase, triggered to assist the emphasis of Main Justice and Lawfare.  All of this is coordinated and planned in advance. None of the timing or sequencing is accidental. The best reference was the prior deployment of the same process throughout 2018 (DOJ Weissmann/Mueller) leading up to the midterm election.

Last point. As to the actual nature of the material in the photograph staged by the DOJ for media use, many of the documents you see in the picture are transcripts from the 2018 House Intelligence Committee (HPSCI) investigation and witness testimony. Again, the cover sheets are a moot point. You might remember Representative Doug Collins releasing the witness transcripts (Bruce Ohr, etc) to the public.

Even though those House Intel and House Judiciary transcripts were released to the public, the cover sheets designate how the agencies view the testimony therein. Something can be a public record and still labeled “special intelligence,” that’s just the nature of this ridiculous classification system – or what I call the silo value.

It is likely that Mary McCord is working closely with Norm Eisen (red tie), and perhaps even Barry Berk (blue tie) on these collective efforts.  It’s just how they roll.

Aug 31 2022

Suspicious Timing, AG Merrick Garland Sends Memo to DOJ and FBI Employees Reminding Them Not to Talk to Congress


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 31, 2022 | Sundance

Absent of anything else going on, this memo would seem innocuous.  However, when you consider that at least 20 FBI whistleblowers from the FBI have approached both the house and senate in the past several weeks, this memo takes on a new meaning.

According to the memo sent internally by AG Merrick Garland, he is reminding everyone in the DOJ/FBI about the restrictions against talking to congress. [SOURCE]

The internal citations take you to Justice Manual, Section 1, Title 800: “Congressional and White House Relations” [LINK]

1-8.200 “Except as provided in this chapter, no Department employee may communicate with Senators, Representatives, congressional committees, or congressional staff without advance coordination, consultation, and approval by the Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA).  All congressional inquiries and correspondence from Members, committees, and staff should be immediately directed to OLA upon receipt.” [LINK]

Make of the timing what you will; however, if you have followed the political corruption within Main Justice and the FBI, the intent of the memo seems pretty clear.  A warning to those who might consider trying to escape the clutches of a comprehensively corrupt institution.  Or as Senator Chuck Grassley recently stated:

“If these allegations are true and accurate, the Justice Department and FBI are – and have been – institutionally corrupted to their very core to the point in which the United States Congress and the American people will have no confidence in the equal application of the law. Attorney General Garland and Director Wray, simply put, based on the allegations that I’ve received from numerous whistleblowers, you have systemic and existential problems within your agencies.” (LINK)

Aug 31 2022

The Energy Economy


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 30, 2022 | Sundance

Let’s say you are an average household with an income around $100,000/yr who has an increase in electricity rates from $300 to $500 due to Joe Biden’s new national energy policy known as the Green New Deal.  That’s $200 more per month for this initial economic/energy “transition” moment.

That extra $200/month equates to $2,400 per year.

That $2,400 per year is static economic activity.  Meaning nothing additional was created, and nothing additional was generated.  The captured $2,400 is simply an increase in the price of a preexisting expense.

Take that expense and expand it to your community of 100 friends and family households.  The $2,400 now becomes $240,000 in cost that doesn’t generate anything.  $240,000 is removed from the community economy.  $240,000 is no longer available for purchasing other goods or services within this community of 100 households.

The economic purchasing power of the 100-household community is reduced by $240,000 per year.

Take that expense and expand it to your county of 10,000 households.  Now you are reducing the county economic activity by $24 million.  In this county of 10,000 households, $24 million in economic transactions have been wiped out.  Meals at restaurants, purchases of goods and services, or any other spending of the $24 million within the county of 10,000 households (approximately 25,000 residents) has been lost.

Now expand that expense to a larger county, quantified as a mid-size county, of 50,000 households.  The mid-sized county has lost $120 million in household economic activity, simply to sustain the status quo on electricity rates.  Nothing extra has been generated. $120 million is lost.  The activity within the county of 50,000 households shrinks by $120 million.

Expand that expense to a large county of 100,000 households, and the lost economic activity is $240 million.

Expand that expense to a small state of 1 million households (2.5 million residents), and the lost economic activity is $2.4 billion.

Expand that expense to a state with 5 million households (approximately 12 million residents) and the economic cost is $12 billion in lost economic activity unrelated to the expense of maintaining the status-quo on electricity use.   This state loses $12 billion in purchases of goods and services, just to retain current energy use.

These examples only touch on household expenses.  The community, county and state business expenses for offices, supermarkets, stores, etc. are in addition to the households quoted.

Meanwhile the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the community, county and state, remains static because the GDP is calculated on the total value of goods and services generated in dollar terms.  The appearance of a static GDP is artificial.  In real Main Street terms, $12 billion in economic activity is lost, but the price or increased value of electricity hides the drop created by the absence of goods and services purchased.

Fewer goods and services are purchased and consumed.  However, statistically the inflated price of electricity gives the illusion of a status quo economy.

Now expand that perspective to a national level and you can see our current economic condition.

Aug 30 2022

Does the US Want War with China?


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics Re-Posted Aug 30, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

China does not want a war with the US. The US, however, is continually provoking China by using Taiwan as its scapegoat. The US Navy announced that two warships will be traveling through the Taiwan Strait. The reasoning? The military aims to demonstrate freedom of movement through international waters. In other words, they deliberately want to anger China.

Nancy Pelosi began the subtle attack on China when she visited Taiwan and disregarded warnings from every intelligence agency. China repeatedly warned America not to interfere in its One China policy. Yet, Pelosi said she wants Taiwan to liberate Taiwan.

“We take this trip at a time when the world faces a choice between autocracy and democracy,” Pelosi said. “We cannot stand by as the CCP proceeds to threaten Taiwan — and democracy itself,” Pelosi said in a statement. “Our congressional delegation’s visit should be seen as an unequivocal statement that America stands with Taiwan, our democratic partner, as it defends itself and its freedom.”

China flexed its military power as soon as Pelosi left by performing almost a mock invasion through the skies and sea. As of this week, Taiwan reported 23 Chinese aircrafts and eight ships around Taiwan. Russia was provoked by NATO and backed into a corner before invading Ukraine. Beijing is increasingly feeling the pressure as the US is not actively abiding by its One China policy. Between the current recession, proxy war in Ukraine, and surmounting debt, the US is simply stretched too thin to enter a war with China.

Our models warn that geopolitical tensions will rise going into 2023. China is selling off US debt, which is another sign of coming geopolitical problems.

Aug 30 2022

California Begs Residents Not to Move to Texas


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics Re-Posted Aug 30, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

California’s failed policies have led residents to flock to states like Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Now, California is begging them to stay by using disturbing rhetoric. Billboards are appearing across Los Angeles and San Francisco warning against moving to Texas. The reason? The horrific Uvalde School massacre that occurred at Robb Elementary in May.

“The Texas miracle died in Uvalde,” the billboards states. It is in bad taste to use a school shooting to promote an agenda. The gunman was apprehended by a Texas resident with a gun. The police failed those children. None of this has anything to do with California’s policies; crime is not as prominent in Texas.

Between 2020 and 2021, over 25,000 fled California to Texas, according to the US Census data. Overall, over 360,000 people left California in 2021. Most cite that California has become completely unaffordable, with the median home price at about $797,470. Companies have fled California since the beginning of the pandemic to tax-friendly states. They lost huge job creators and revenue makers such as Facebook, Twitter, Dropbox, SpaceX, and Tesla, to name a few. Another less discussed reason is the intense woke rhetoric spewed by Newsom and others. Theft has basically become legal. Despite the beautiful scenery and weather, people simply do not want to live in the Golden State for a plethora of reasons.

Aug 30 2022

Greenpeace to Ditch Greta


Armstrong Economics Blog/Climate Re-Posted Aug 30, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Reports are circulating that Greenpeace may soon ditch their poster child for climate change, Greta Thunberg. The Swedish activist was pushed to fame as a child and became notorious for passionate speeches that she was likely forced to read and believe. Klaus Schwab even featured the young girl in his film, “The Forum,” to promote Agenda 2030.

Greta is now 19 years old and no longer the perfect child-like puppet with braids and innocence. I warned that her parents manipulated this girl for their own benefit. She suffers from autism and depression, and her parents publicly stated that parading her around the globe was “medicine” for her ailments.

As an adult, she is diverting from the script. Last year, she said that democracy should be prioritized over climate change in a move that angered her handlers. She accidentally shared an image of “suggested posts” that her handlers asked her to share across social media platforms. Greta even came under fire by the Indian government after being spotted with pop star Rihanna who began promoting the Indian farmer’s protest.

There are now talks that the climate change crowd plans to discard the teen. Other activists have begun publicly criticizing her, which would have never happened when she was surrounded by the likes of Al Gore and Jennifer Morgan. “Since the beginning, we have said that we want to be hierarchy-free – and yet many saw Greta as the leader,” Swiss Jann Kessler stated. Others have whined that she was not the first to protest the weather cycle.

To the adults who abused this innocent girl – how dare you!

Aug 30 2022

DeSantis Pulls Out of Lee Zeldin Fundraiser After Meeting with Billionaire Donor Who Just Gave More Than $400,000 to Kathy Hochul


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 30, 2022 | Sundance 

On Sunday evening the New York Post reported, “An unforeseen tragedy forced Governor DeSantis to reschedule his trip to New York,” Zeldin spokeswoman Katie Vincentz said, declining to elaborate. “While we’re rescheduling with Governor DeSantis for a later date, tonight’s fundraiser will proceed and is expected to raise almost a million dollars.” (link)

Monday afternoon the New York Post identified the “unforeseen tragedy“:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis backed out of a fundraiser for New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin to attend a Monday memorial service for a member of his security detail who died in the line of duty, sources told The Post.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Special Agent Jose Perez was responding to a call in an unmarked cruiser on Aug. 2 when he was struck by Javier Sandoval, 35, in Miami.  Perez was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries and died on Aug. 20. […] While unable to attend the evening event, DeSantis was in Deal, New Jersey, earlier in the day at the home of Jay Cayre, head of Midtown Equities, sources told The Post. (link)

Despite Officer Perez passing away eight days earlier, apparently, Governor DeSantis was unaware of the Monday funeral plans when he flew the governor’s jet to New Jersey to meet with billionaire real estate mogul Joseph ‘Jay’ Cayre on Sunday, forcing him to cancel the Zeldin fundraiser a few hours later in New York, or so the story is told.

However, the background looks really bad.  Billionaire Joseph Cayre of Midtown Equities just gave New York Governor Kathy Hochul “more than” $400,000 for her campaign against Lee Zeldin, right before DeSantis showed up. [LINK]

[Source Link]

Ron DeSantis flies to New Jersey/ New York on Sunday, meets with billionaire developer Joseph Cyre, who just donated $400k+ to Democrat candidate Kathy Hochul. Immediately following the meeting, DeSantis cancels the fundraiser with Hochul’s opponent, Republican Lee Zeldin, and returns to Florida.   Apply Occam’s Razor here.

The funeral was announced the 26th [CITATION].  Governor DeSantis knew the date/time for the funeral (29th) before he got on the plane (28th).

[Source Link]

So, what changed?  Horrible unforeseen circumstances, or a request from a Big Club donor?   The timing and circumstances look terrible.

The team behind DeSantis has promised to reschedule with Zeldin.

Also, in positive Florida news:

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced a leading investment in clean energy for Florida today with a $68 million award for 227 electric transit buses, and an unknown secondary distribution from the Dept of Environmental Protection for 218 electric school buses.  [Details Here]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis celebrated another step in the state’s efforts to modernize public transit and reduce air pollutants caused by diesel emissions. Through the Volkswagen settlement, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is awarding more than $68 million that will secure 227 electric transit buses in 13 counties statewide that will replace existing diesel transit buses in Alachua, Broward, Duval, Escambia, Hillsborough, Leon, Marion, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange, Palm Beach, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.

“This funding will help lower emissions while also bringing our transit bus fleets to more modern standards,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This is a win-win for air quality and advancing the state’s efforts to bolster growing electric vehicle usage.”

In addition to today’s announced electric transit bus grant awards, DEP has also awarded grants to seven school districts to purchase a total of 218 electric school buses in Broward, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. Introducing electric buses is an important and effective way to reduce harmful emissions, especially in highly populated areas where mobile sources are the largest sources of air pollution. As more and more electric vehicles are deployed, emissions of air pollutants will be reduced, which will continue to improve Florida’s air quality. (read more)

Aug 30 2022

Tucker Carlson Highlights the False Premise of the Demand Inflation Argument as Energy Becomes Scarce and Economic Collapse Looms


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on August 29, 2022 | Sundance 

During his opening monologue tonight, Tucker Carlson becomes the first mainstream pundit to point out the lies in the central bank argument.

The federal reserve and EU central banks claim they are raising interest rates to stop inflation by slowing demand.  A demand side approach.  However, it isn’t demand driving inflation; it’s the cost of energy driving inflation. That’s a supply side issue.

The central banks cannot admit what they are doing, or people would catch on.  They are intentionally reducing economic activity in order to support having scarce energy production. WATCH:

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