Category U. S. Cancel culture

Feb 17 2022

Veritas Exposes FDA


Armstrong Economics Blog/Corruption Re-Posted Feb 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

We have to end the corruption of private organizations donating ANY money to the FDA, NIH, or CDC. We cannot trust ANYTHING these people now approve as long as they are taking money from the very companies that benefit from these approvals. Write to Senators & Congressman demanding an end to this corruption. FDA takes money from Gates as well. This amounts to bribery of federal officials which is an outright crime. The very fact that the FDA asked for 75 years before releasing COVID test data is clearly hiding something. Under emergency status, the standard is they can claim if 6 people out of 10 were OK without side-effects, then that is OK. They can literally kill 40% of the population under this emergency standard. When will the government STOP assisting the World Economic Forum in this desperate takeover of the world economy to force Schwab’s economics theory using COVID?

Feb 17 2022

CDC Announce Prior COVID Test Nasal Swabs Used for Genomic Sequencing


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on February 17, 2022 | Sundance | 77 Comments

Oh dear, it would certainly have been better if the CDC stated the “genomic sequencing” was for the virus.

Alas, in their Twitter announcement the CDC left the possibility of genomic tracing for the individual person tested open to interpretation.

Feb 17 2022

Los Angeles County Defers Enforcement of Vaccination Suspension Until They Hire Enough Staff to Begin Suspensions


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on February 16, 2022 | Sundance | 89 Comments

This is one of the goofiest notification letters for noncompliance with the ridiculous COVID vaccination mandate.  LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva shared via Twitter.  Read this letter from the original baseline that vaccine mandates were about health:

Presumably the entire reason for the Fire Department vaccination mandate was about health.  If you are not vaccinated, something about your health or other people’s health is an issue.  However, if you are an LAFD worker and you do not get the vaccine, you can still work but you must get tested.

If you are non-compliant with the vaccine/testing rule you must get a suspension for five days as punishment for not getting the vaccine or missing a test.  However, the County cannot suspend the firefighter because they don’t have staff.  So, the vaccine/testing suspension is delayed until they get enough staff to suspend you…..  And somewhere, in some bureaucratic office of some knucklehead, this all makes sense.

COVID-19 appears to have created a dissociative condition called cognitive COVID madness.  Fewer people are injured by covid related respiratory damage than are injured by covid related brain damage.

Feb 17 2022

Canadian Prime Minister Blocks Domestic Travel in Effort to Stop Protests Against His Government – Compliance Minister Declares Federal Restriction Zones Where Travel Is Verboten


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on February 16, 2022 | Sundance | 492 Comments

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has triggered domestic travel restrictions against Canadian citizens in an effort to stop protests against his authoritarian government.

In a handout today, by Ottawa officials, it is noted that any travel deemed destined for “any regulated specified area” is now under federal control.  Specifically, anyone coming into Ottawa to protest against the government is now “breaking the law.”

At the same time, Justin Trudeau’s Covid Compliance Minister, Marco Mendicino, said today that any Canadians joining convoy protests in Ottawa or traveling to the area for support of the ongoing protests, risk being defined as domestic extremists connected to “dangerous criminal activity.”

According to the ministers carrying out the Emergency War Measures Act, any Canadian citizen who travels into a restricted zone, as defined by the Canadian government, will face a fine of up to $500 on summary conviction, or imprisonment for six months for their noncompliance. An indictment against a dissident subversive comes with a $5,000 fine and up to five years in jail.

Additionally, the Canadian federal government has announced they will seize the children of any citizen who travels with a minor child for the purposes of entering one of the federally defined no-go zones.  Reunification will be dependent on re-education at one of the jails, compounds or institutions of incarceration.

According to Canadian State Media:“To those who may be thinking to come to Ottawa this weekend — don’t,” said Mendicino. “At best, the residents of the city have made it clear that this is not the time. And at worst, you may be tying yourself to dangerous criminal activity.”

The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa put out a statement Wednesday urging parents at the demonstration to make alternate care arrangements “should they become unable to care for their children following potential police action.”

“CASO has a mandate to protect a child when their parent becomes unavailable to exercise their custodial rights over the child and the parent has not made adequate provision for the child’s care and custody,” said the statement.

“If parents and children are separated following police efforts in ending the demonstration in the downtown core, CASO will work to reunite families as soon as possible.”

The new measures came into effect Monday and prohibited public assemblies that disrupt the movement of people, goods and trade, or that support the “threat or use of acts of serious violence against persons or property.”

The temporary measures also include:

  • Fines amounting to thousands of dollars or jail time for those bringing children under the age of 18 to participate in an unlawful assembly.
  • The same penalties for anyone who participates in the blockades or brings aid — such as food or fuel — to people involved.
  • A ban on foreign nationals entering Canada to participate in or facilitate an illegal assembly.
  • Authorization for the RCMP to enforce municipal and provincial laws.
  • Authorization for banks and insurance companies to freeze participants’ accounts and cancel their vehicle insurance.

Those in violation could face a fine of up to $500 on summary conviction, or imprisonment for six months. An indictment comes with a $5,000 fine or up to five years in jail.

The measures define the protected areas where protesters cannot go as Parliament Hill and the parliamentary precinct, hospitals, airports, trade corridors, bridges and the area around infrastructure for water, gas, sanitation and telecommunication utilities. (LINK)

The Canadian Truckers responded swiftly to the new threats:

Feb 17 2022

Russia Asks Joe Biden for Next Ukraine Invasion Dates So They Can Coordinate Vacation Plans for Moscow Officials


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on February 16, 2022 | Sundance | 214 Comments

The Russians are having a little fun at Joe Biden’s expense, now that the deadline for invasion has expired without invasion.

Yesterday, the Russians reminded the Ukraine government to set their alarm clocks so they did not miss the invasion.  Today the Russian government asks the Biden administration for the invasion dates, they plan to use this year, so that Moscow can coordinate the vacation plans of key military and government officials.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova asked for the invasion schedule on Telegram: “I’d like to request US and British disinformation: Bloomberg, The New York Times and The Sun media outlets to publish the schedule for our upcoming invasions for the year. I’d like to plan my vacation,” the Russian diplomat said on her Telegram channel Wednesday.

However, on a serious note, the U.S. drumbeat over the invasion of Ukraine has seriously hurt their economy.  The Russian State News Agency, TASS reports:

[…] “This steady disinformation blitz by the Western media has already resulted in a sharp deterioration of Kiev’s economic situation, with investments and businesses fleeing Ukraine, while the energy prices in Europe are growing. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov castigated these statements as an “empty and groundless” escalation of tensions, emphasizing that Russia posed no threat to anyone.”

It’s almost as if the U.S. government wants to hurt the Ukraine economy so that the U.S. has stronger influence and can manipulate the internal politics of Ukraine… with 10% for the ‘big guy‘ of course.

Comrade Suspicious Cat remains, well, suspicious.

Feb 17 2022

Kraft-Heinz Announce Price Increases for Next Wave of Wholesale Grocery Inflation, Rates in Low Teens


Posted originally on the conservative tree house on February 16, 2022 | Sundance | 239 Comments

Kraft-Heinz has announced the next wave of anticipated inflationary prices for their products.  The announcement, and the timeline they provide for the price increases, is exactly in line with our prior estimations.

Prior CTH outlines on the path of inflation for this specific company are HERE (Dec) and HERE (Jan).  Keep in mind, depending on the size of the buyer or wholesaler, and depending on the terms of the contracts for purchase, generally speaking, terms are net payment in 30, 60 or 90 days based on 180 day contracted price agreements which include rebates to retailers.

(Reuters) […] “The company expects inflation to be in the low-teens percentage range for 2022, with higher levels in the first half than in the second, said Chief Financial Officer Paulo Basilio.” (link)

Both Proctor & Gamble and Kraft-Heinz provide the best data points to predict future retail grocery inflation.  Based on their previous notifications, we can now see that Kraft is anticipating the March – July rates of increase to remain approximately where they have been (20 to 30%) and then stabilize in the last half of the year bringing the yearly average into the “low teens.”  This timeline is what we predicted back in October.

The prices we will see at the grocery stores will rise again in the spring (this is the backside of the inflationary cycle), continue through mid-summer, and then price increases should likely level off at the end of summer this year.  Between the price today and the price at the point of leveling is approximately a 20% increase.

Each segment is different. However, on average a $5 item now will cost around $6 mid-summer, then settle.  Average food basket prices going into the July 4th holiday will be approximately 20% higher than current, and 40% higher than July 2021.   Some items will be 50 to 60% higher July 4, 2022, versus July 4, 2021.

Dairy products into manufacturing and processing went up 4.5% last month alone.  Those price increases will continue accumulating into the products as ingredients.  Expect another +25% on dairy goods at retail.  Plastic packaging (jugs etc) is part of that product price.

Household chemicals, cleaning products, laundry detergents, paper goods as well as health and beauty care products like soaps, shampoos, dental and cosmetics, will see much higher price increases than food products because the raw materials (bases and chemicals) are off the charts higher in price.  Cleaning products at wholesale jumped 3.8% in January alone.  Expect to see anything containing chemicals on the extreme high end of price increases this year.

Another serious issue are paper and cardboard prices which are likely going to jump another 30 to 50% before they stop (if they do).  Everything above comes shipped in boxes, so the cost of products carries the increased cost of the shipping cardboard.

Keep in mind a few points:

(1) The outlined price increases noted are against current price terms and contracts.  Meaning, these are price increases from right now to the next fulfillment.  These are not inflation price increases which are compared to a year ago.  These are 5% to 20% increases from the current price right now.

(2) The price increases are not the final price increase.  This is the price of a contract today from the field to the distribution center.  The retailer also has additional price increases (transportation, energy, labor, etc) which they need to add to the wholesale price before you see the final price at retail (grocery store).

The final field to fork price is not yet known but will be higher than noted above.  We are only seeing the notifications from field, through processing (Kraft and P&G) and into warehousing and distribution.

Additionally, the more an item needs to be processed, the higher the price increase will be.  Food items that require multiple raw materials, ingredients and bases for processing (ex. condiments), when combined with increased packaging costs (oil, energy), will be much higher than foods with less processing, handling and packaging.

This has always been the nature of this specific supply chain.

Example: Many products, food, drinks and even cleaning products, contain citrus bases, additives, flavorings and distillation.  Those products will be much higher in price due to the price increases in raw materials, combined with higher energy and petroleum costs.  It is an issue of cumulative price increases in the production of the product from beginning to end.

Unfortunately, pet foods, specifically wet pet foods, will also be on the higher end of the price increases.   Pet foods are subject to the higher end of price increases due to manufacturing and processing.  Many high-end wet pet foods are also imported, so the transportation costs are higher.

CTH has recommended preparing for these massive increases in 2022 prices by thinking about the base products you use to make meals at home and holding an extra supply of shelf stable products, so you won’t hit the grocery store and face those massive increases.  Another example will be coffee. Keep in mind Kraft Foods is Maxwell House, and coffee requires roasting (another energy cost).

The $200 food basket in early 2021 is now around $275.  That same food basket will likely reach $325 this summer.  I wish there were a better way to put it, because at the end of these price jumps is a lot of hardship for many working families.

Believe me, I feel that pain. I know what it looks like to see a grocery bill at checkout that suddenly makes the monthly car, rent or mortgage payment more challenging. That’s why we have been trying to support everyone with fact-based expectations since last fall, so we could help readers prepare ourselves to support our families, kids and grandkids who might be seeing these issues for the first time in their lives.

On the durable goods side of the equation, other than energy-price-impacted goods (tires, oils, rubber components etc), we can expect to see price increases of durable goods (electronics etc) settle down much faster this year, likely before spring.  Unfortunately, the reason is obvious as demand is continuing to drop.

We must get the Democrat Communists out of office and stop the assault on the energy industry before it’s too late.  If we do not get rid of them, we will lose the middle class.

Let’s Go Brandon!

Feb 16 2022

Trudeau Will Freeze the Bank Accounts of All Protestors


Armstrong Economics Blog/Canada Re-Posted Feb 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

Desperate and unwilling to speak directly to the truckers, Justin Trudeau is now vowing to freeze the personal and business bank accounts of those involved in the Freedom Convoy. Trudeau is drunk with power and passed the emergency order despite the premiers of Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta stating it is an unnecessary move. Only Ontario’s Doug Ford supports the extreme measure. Quebec Premier Francois Legault believes the emergency order will “throw oil on the fire.”

This is the first time that a Canadian prime minister invoked the 1988 Emergencies Act, which is intended for an “urgent and critical situation” that “seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians.” Deeming a peaceful protest an act of terrorism is an act of free speech oppression. Trudeau believes he deserves praise for refraining from deploying troops to end the protest through violence. “We are not suspending fundamental rights or overriding the Charter of Rights and Freedom. We’re not limiting people’s freedom of speech. We are not limiting freedom of peaceful assembly. We are not preventing people from exercising their right to protest legally,” Trudeau said while speaking at Parliament Hill on Monday.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney told reporters, “We would prefer that the emergency act not be invoked. But if it is, we would very much prefer that it not be applied to Alberta. It’s not needed. It could make the situation even more complicated.” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe stated that the police already have the tools required to remove illegal blockades, therefore, “Saskatchewan does not support the Trudeau government invoking the Emergencies Act.” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh supports Trudeau’s decision but said it points to a larger problem with the Trudeau Administration. “The fact that the Prime Minister is resorting to this measure is proof of a failure of leadership. The reason why we got to this point is because the Prime Minister let the siege of Ottawa go on for weeks and weeks without actually doing anything about it,” Singh told the press. “He allowed the convoy to shutdown borders without responding appropriately and in doing so, has allowed the convoy to dig in and get entrenched.”

Chrystia Freeland, the deputy prime minister and finance minister, said that credit card companies will be required to report any activity that could be intended to help the protestors to Canada’s anti-money laundering agency. All vehicles involved will have their insurance suspended. Fundraising sites are not allowed to raise money to support the cause. Anyone can be accused of conspiring with the protestors and their funds will be frozen.

Hundreds of protestors remain in Ottawa. Tamara Lich, who began one of the first fundraisers for the convoy, said that the protestors will not leave until all COVID mandates are repealed. “There are no threats that will frighten us. We will hold the line,” Lich boldly stated.

Feb 16 2022

City of Boston Doxes Unvaccinated Employees


Armstrong Economics Blog/Corruption Re-Posted Feb 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

After being declared a “pandemic of the unvaccinated,” countless people harbor hate toward those who have not taken the vaccine. Rhetoric promoted by the media and governments states that the pandemic, and therefore restrictions, could have ended long ago if everyone agreed to take the jab. This is simply not true as time has proven. Still, hatred toward “the unvaccinated” remains prominent among those who look at others as the reason for all their woes.

The City of Boston made it easier for people to unleash their unfounded hatred after they “accidentally” released the names and email addresses of all unvaccinated employees. This mistake exposed the personal health choices of around 100 employees. The initial email sent on January 18 was allegedly intended to tell employees that they must receive the vaccine to continue working for the city. “Unintentionally and accidentally, we messed up,” the city responded in a follow-up letter. “The communication was intended to be sent as a BCC so as to respect employees’ privacy. The wrong button got pushed and so the email was sent showing all email addresses.”

Could an employee have simply pushed the wrong button on an email containing sensitive personal information? The Boston Public Library’s union is now stating that someone must be held accountable for the privacy breach. Others may soon follow.

The Biden Administration must tremble when Peter Doocy enters the press room. Below is a video from January 2022 of Doocy questioning Press Secretary Jen Psaki on why the Biden Administration continues to call this “a pandemic of the unvaccinated:”

https://rumble.com/embed/vppmf9/?pub=4#?secret=JvFg65hbop
Feb 16 2022

Ancient Fake News Still Dominates the Classroom


Armstrong Economics Blog/Ancient History Re-Posted Feb 16, 2022 by Martin Armstrong

COMMENT: Hi Martin,

Things have gotten so bad in governments around the world that I am starting to sympatise with Caligula who appointed his horse as a minister and staff member. A horse can not possibly be dumber than what we see operating as world rulers at this time.

Cheers,
L>

REPLY: You may not be so far off the mark. The story may not be true, but there was a tension where indeed Caligula (37-41AD) most likely felt his horse could do a better job than the contemptuous senators. Caligula is an interesting character who we are also told participated in incest with his three sisters. The problem with history is that the author is typically the victor. Nevertheless, there were still people who dreamed of restoring the Republic during his reign. The conspirators who murdered Caligula did not champion a replacement for Emperor. There were senators who were so unanimously determined to restore the Republic that the Consuls summoned the first assembly to the Capitol building rather than the Senate, which was named as the Julian Building after Julius Caesar. Many wanted all memory of the Caesars obliterated, and their temples destroyed.

We must actually put that story in its true context. Caligula’s comments concerning Proculus reveal this tension between those who still championed the Republic behind Caligula’s back. Thus, Incitatus, who was the horse of Emperor Caligula, was his favorite. We are told that Caligula loved him so much that he wanted to make him a consul (lawmaker) or at least a senator. The comment comes from the historian Suetonius (c. 69–122 AD) who wrote of Caligula:

To prevent Incitatus, his favorite horse, from being disturbed he always picketed the neighborhood with troops on the day before the races, ordering them to enforce absolute silence. Incitatus owned a marble stable, an ivory stall, purple blankets, and a jeweled collar; also a house, a team of slaves, and furniture – to provide suitable entertainment for guests whom Gaius invited in its name. It is said that he even planned to award Incitatus a consulship.

Later writers were keen to demonize Caligula, and he was hardly the most ‘balanced’ of emperors, so it is difficult to know whether he really meant it. Suetonius wrote, “The Lives of the Caesars” in 121 AD, some 80 years after Caligula was assassinated at age 28. On the contrary, there are earlier chroniclers who actually lived under Caligula, namely Seneca and Philo. Neither made any mention of this type of behavior despite their harsh criticism of the emperor. Even the historian Tacitus, during a lengthy diatribe against Caligula’s sister Agrippina, who became the wife of Emperor Claudius and mother of Nero, talks of her incest with her son but makes no mention of incest with Caligula.

So you see, fake news has been around for a very long time. Suetonius wrote “The Twelves Caesars” in 121 AD and dedicated it to his friend Gaius Septicius Clarus, who was a prefect of the Praetorian Guard in 119 AD. Curiously, perhaps he was inspired by the restoration of the coinage of the Twelve Caesars undertaken by Emperor Trajan.

This has always left a question in my mind given some of the slanderous comments in Suetonius’ text that he was perhaps trying to disparage the Twelve Caesars who were celebrated on the coinage by Emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). Was this his real motive?

Feb 16 2022

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Refuses to Bring Emergency War Measures Act to Parliament for Authorization Vote


Posted Originally on the Conservative tree house on February 15, 2022 | Sundance | 216 Comments

Earlier today Conservative Party opposition leader Candice Bergen asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he planned to bring his declaration of the Emergency Act before parliament for authorization.  The Canadian Prime Minister refused to answer the question.  WATCH:

Consider this prior position from Justin Trudeau circa 2012:  “When a government starts trying to cancel dissent or avoid dissent, is when it’s rapidly losing its moral authority to govern,” most Canadians would agree.

(LINK – To Put Him on Blast)