Tag Archives: Government run Ponzi Schemes

Oct 30 2017

Catalonia (Catalunya) – Legal or not Legal


Armstrong Economics Blog/SPAIN

Re-Posted Oct 30, 2017 by Martin Armstrong
There are many who write in from Spain supporting Madrid against Catalonia. The core of their argument is that the call this movement an independent “socialistic movement” and they argue it is not at all but democratic.
“There’s indeed a strong independence feel in Catalunya, they have been like this for centuries although they never really were able to achieve a country status. … But one cannot claim to be democratic if you plan to force a secession with an election attended by less than half the people who can vote. Most people agreed on the national court’s decision that the referendum was illegal and supported the court rule by no attending to vote, they were 58 percent of the registered voters, those who were against the decision were able to vote anyway.”

Catalonia is an autonomous region in north-east Spain with a distinct history dating back almost 1,000 years. It is a wealthy region that has its own language, parliament, flag and national anthem. It also has its own police force and controls some of its public services.

Maximum of Barcelona

Historically, during the 12th century, Catalonia was taken under the same royal rule as the neighboring kingdom of Aragon. Catalonia has been part of Spain since its genesis in the 15th century when King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile married and united their realms. Nevertheless, the history of Barcelonia extends back into ancient time. It was Maximum of Barcelona (409-411AD) who rose up to be independent of the collapsing Roman Empire.

This idea that Catalonia somehow belongs to Madrid in perpetuity is rather strange. Spain itself did not exist as a country until the marriage of Ferdinand & Isabella during the 15th century. There are coins issued in Barcelona which predate Spain. Back in the 11th century, the Iberian peninsula was divided into three kingdoms; (1) Caliphate of Córdoba in Taifa, (2) The kingdoms of Leon, (3) and The Kingdom of Pamplona and the County of Barcelona. Historically, Barcelona was not conquered by the Arabs who dominated most of Spain during the 11th century. From that period onward, Barcelona has always harbored a sense of independence from the rest of the Iberian peninsula.

So why such intensity against Catalonia? On October 27th, 2017, the Catalan parliament declared independence, in a 70-10 vote. That seems to be a clear majority vote. Granted, this came after an independence referendum on October 1st, 2017, in which just under 90% of Catalan voters backed independence, however, turnout was only 43%. That was, in part, because Madrid sent in troops to try to prevent the vote. Now Madrid has called for a new vote after dismissing the Parliament and thus appears to be setting the stage for a rigged election no different than Russia taking Crimea. The West sanctions Russia for such tactics but not Madrid?

The Supreme Court decision is used by Madrid to claim there is no right for Catalonia to separate. That is clearly a violation of human rights and it is the very same argument the King of Britain made against America so I suppose the United States is a totally illegal entity as well. Someone should serve notice to Trump to hand power back to London and surrender.

Oct 28 2017

CIA & FBI Still Stalling on JFK Documents – Why?


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics

Re-Posted Oct 28, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

The CIA and FBI have had 50 years to go over these documents. Nevertheless, they waited to the last day to object. That tactic was deliberate to push Trump into a corner. He gave them six months to review. Many of the documents listed as “classified” are not even legible, raising more concerns that these have been deliberately altered to protect someone or something.

At this point, no matter what they release, still 60%+ of American will just not believe them. After 50 years to go by and claiming they are still a danger to “survivors” is an absolute joke. The files released also show intense defense by both the CIA and FBI to claim they had nothing to do with anything. That simply brings to mind Shakespeare. Hamlet then turns to his mother and asks her, “Madam, how like you this play?”, to which she replies “The lady doth protest too much, methinks.” Indeed, the CIA and FBI seem to protest too much asserting their innocence in this affair.

It is also clear from documents that the CIA questioned the official storyline of the assassination in the years followed. An unnamed CIA author noted in a 1975 memo that the agency, the FBI and the Warren Commission failed to investigate key clues into assassin Lee Harvey Oswald’s ties to Cuba.

Then we have FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover who in a memo dated Nov. 24, 1963, the same day that Oswald was killed by a questionable retribution of Jack Ruby, expressed concern that Oswald’s death would result in uncertainty among U.S. citizens over his guilt.

“The thing I am concerned about, and so is [Deputy Attorney General Nicholas] Katzenbach, is having something issued so that we can convince the public that Oswald is the real assassin,”

Hoover wrote.

At this point, there have been way too many delays and the only reason for that is to protect something or someone. If it were Oswald alone, then why hide documents?

Oct 28 2017

Spain Demonstrates to the World Democracy Means Nothing


Armstrong Economics Blog/SPAIN

Re-Posted Oct 28, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

 

The Madrid government sacked Catalonia’s president and dismissed its parliament on Friday, hours after the region declared itself an independent nation in Spain’s gravest political crisis since the return of democracy four decades ago. The Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, who seems to think he has the power of Franco, called for new elections and fired the Catalan police chief. The crisis in Spain is a reflection of the crisis in the EU as a whole. This unprecedented dictatorial array of measures to seize control of the administration in Barcelona is so undemocratic, it is guaranteed to send warning signals to many other regions of the EU especially Italy.

Oct 26 2017

The Way to the Future – Cryptos Move Over


Armstrong Economics Blog/Technology

Re-Posted Oct 26, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

The Maldives has introduced what may become the next innovation. Maldives Immigration has introduced a new type of ID card that replaces your credit card, passport, drivers license and healthcare insurance card all wrapped up in one. The next step will be to put this on a biochip and insert it into your skin so a thief would have to cut your arm off to steal it. Guess we are getting closer to the Minority Report. Hm

Oct 24 2017

State Dept. Admits There’s 40,000 pages of Clinton Emails They Never Read…


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree House on October 23, 2017 by

A stunning admission today from the U.S. State Department considering all of the dismissive declarations from the Clintons, the FBI, DOJ and State Department before the 2016 election.

The State Deparment now admits there’s over 40,000 pages of Clinton emails, created on her personal server, they’ve never even read:

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced that the State Department revealed in a federal court hearing that it has yet to process 40,000 of 72,000 pages of Hillary Clinton records that the FBI recovered last year.

The revelation came during a federal court hearing in Judicial Watch Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails that were sent or received during her tenure from February 2009 to January 31, 2013 (Judicial Watch, Inc. v. U.S. Department of State (No. 1:15-cv-00687)). The case is before Judge James E. Boasberg.

The hearing focused on the State Department’s progress on processing the tens of thousands of emails Clinton failed to disclose when she served as Secretary of State, some of which were emails sent by Clinton aide Huma Abedin that were found on the laptop of her estranged husband Anthony Weiner. The State Department has processed 32,000 pages of emails so far, a small number of which have been released, but 40,000 pages remain to be processed.

Judicial Watch asked the court to require the State Department to identify any records from the seven FBI discs that it intends to withhold, and why, in a timely manner. The State Department disclosed to the Court that it was adding extra resources to its FOIA operation but would not commit to a faster production of the Clinton emails.

On October 19, Judge Boasberg ordered the State Department to “explain how its anticipated increase in resources will affect processing of records in this case and when the processing of each disk is likely to be completed.” Surprisingly, the Tillerson State Department and Sessions Justice Department previously argued to the court that there was diminished public interest in the Clinton emails.  (read more)

Oct 23 2017

NFL Week #7 – More Empty Seats Seed Doubt for Future of Commissioner…


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree House on October 22, 2017 by

The business decision of the NFL to isolate and ridicule well over half of their fan (customer) base will easily, very easily, go down in history as the most stunningly stupid decision in the history of any American business enterprise.

The vast majority of NFL fans held a middle-class, center-right, common sense, and patriotic outlook toward sports and entertainment overall.  In essence most of the NFL fan base are/were positively MAGA-minded.

It reflects the profound disconnect between the corporation and their customer base that the NFL didn’t recognize the danger in making social justice causes part of their business enterprise.  That blame lays squarely on the well paid leader of the NFL, Roger Goodell.

So, against the backdrop of increasingly empty stadiums on Sunday, it just doesn’t come as a surprise to see a report of Roger Goodell possibly not having his contract renewed yet:

(Via ESPN) The debate over NFL player protests during the national anthem has become so big within the league that it has delayed the completion of commissioner Roger Goodell’s contract extension, league sources told ESPN.

Goodell’s deal is still expected to be completed and has been papered, sources told ESPN, but the process has been slowed while the overwhelming majority of the NFL’s attention has been diverted to handling the anthem issue, which has affected TV ratings, merchandise sales and the country’s feelings about football.  […] “The anthem issue has overridden everything — and I do mean everything,” one source told ESPN. (read more)

A reasonable person would think there’s no way the owners of these billion dollar franchises would watch their entire organization collapse financially.  Yet, seemingly that’s exactly what’s happening. Social Justice Marxism is a toxic disease.

Check out these NFL stadiums, and the number of empty seats, from earlier today:

….And that’s just stadium attendance.  Imagine the loss in TV viewership, purchases of NFL gear and merchandise, and the larger impacts to the ancillary business spinoffs?   Really quite stunning.

CTH doubts it is even possible for the NFL to ever recapture themselves unless they take immediate and severe steps to reverse course.  Unfortunately, because the corrective action would require such a complete reversal; and because the NFL has gone so far past the line of no-return; it’s almost impossible to see a positive future for the league.

The NFL is deep into the financial death spiral.

Oct 23 2017

Catalonia is not Just About Spain – it is About Brussels!!


Armstrong Economics Blog/European Union

Re-Posted Oct 23, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

There are of course those in Spain who side against Catalonia. Others write who are in Catalonia yet disagree with the separatists. Let me make this very clear. It is the government of Rajoy who has acted abusively, and this is all about protecting Brussels and federalizing Europe behind everyone’s back.

Rajoy should have allowed a fair referendum and then negotiate if they won. Canada allowed two refferendums in Quebec and Britain allowed the Scottish referendum. This nonsense that the Constitution does not allow any democratic process is pure TYRANNY. That was the same argument in America by England and in France that led to revolution.

Had Rajoy NOT played the hardline tactics, allowed the referendum to take place, then many who voted for independence may have not done so.  This is about political power – not the dignity, right, or freedom of the people. This is basically stating the people mean nothing and you will obey or else.

This is a political power play that centers around the EU not just Spain.

If Texas or California want a referendum to separate from the USA, it is a human right to take such a vote. There can be no exceptions!!!!!

Oct 23 2017

Hillary, Barack and Uranium One


Americans paying attention have known about the Clinton, Russia uranium deal for quite some time. Those who get their news from the main stream media are most likely clueless. Check out Judge Jeanine Pirro as she lays out the facts surrounding the Obama administrations, and more specifically, the Clinton crime families involvement.

At long last the House Oversight committee is beginning a probe into this massive security breach. God willing the day will come when the chant “lock her up” will become a reality. Perhaps the sexual predator she’s married to can arrange an adjoining cell.
Jeff

Oct 23 2017

Trump to Release Secret Files on JFK?


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics

Re-Posted Oct 23, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

I have often been called the Forest Gump of finance. I have tended to meet so many people surrounding so many events it is often funny. I actually met President John F. Kennedy and shook his hand as a kid in Willingboro, New Jersey on Oct. 16, 1960. (I did not want to become president like Bill Clinton). Then years later, I bought a house on the beach in Loveladies, New Jersey. To the north of my beach house in Loveladies, is where Richard M. Nixon vacationed as well as Billy Joel. Nixon had rented in Loveladies a 5,000 square foot home designed by Malcolm Wells and built in 1970.  Due to its large base tapered upward to a triangular roofline, it was known simply as the Pyramid House.  It was torn down in 2009 to make room for the next generation of modern homes. To the south of me, was the house owned by none other than Senator Arlen Specter (1930–2012).

It was Arlen Specter who was a staffer (later a United States Senator from Pennsylvania), on the Warren Commission who is credited for coming up with the single bullet theory (magic bullet theory) known as “Warren Commission Exhibit 399”, that caused all the wounds to the governor and the non-fatal wounds to the president. Even his son would stop by my house. He would never admit to me personally that the theory was just an excuse.

Now US President Donald Trump wants to release the long-hidden secrets of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Trump announced his intention to disclose the more than 3000 documents on the presidential murder on Twitter. The concern deals with the assassination of November 22nd, 1963. There are some tens of thousands of other documents which have never been published. Trump wants to release them when the legal secrecy expires on October 26th, this week! The CIA is urging that Trump should not release the documents claiming they will endanger the survivors or informants of CIA and the FBI. That seems to be a real BS excuse if I ever heard one. What they may really incriminate is other people.

The official investigation came to the conclusion that JFK was shot by the (magic bullet) single-killer Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, who in turn was then killed two days later by the nightclub owner Jack Ruby. Then Ruby dies and nobody ever concludes just how was Oswald assassinated in the middle of the police station in front of policemen, security forces, FBI, CIA and journalists with TV cameras no less.

The official version of the assassination of Kennedy was repeatedly questioned around the world and it has never been believed in so many circles. The main “conspiracy theory” has been that it was an internal coup by the CIA. If there is no “conspiracy theory” then release the files once and for all. The argument to keep them hidden is what keeps these accusations alive.

Oct 22 2017

Rajoy Continues to Act in the Spirit of Franco Warning Spain Cannot be Trusted?


Armstrong Economics Blog/European Union

Re-Posted Oct 22, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

Spain is showing that it truly remains a fascist state in the spirit of Franco and Rajoy plans to just seize Catalonia. Meanwhile, the Catalan citizens’ movement, Assemblea Nacional, is calling on all Catalans to withdraw all their money as much as possible from one of the five largest Spanish banks to increase pressure on Madrid, These include Caixa Bank, Bankia, Sabadell, BBVA and Santander. Americans supporting Catalonia are also urged to withdraw all funds from Santander in the USA.

Behind closed doors, many are becoming very disturbed by the action of Madrid. They fear this is spilling over as a contagion within Europe for populist movements. The election in the Czech Republic with the overwhelming vote against the EU many fear will be repeated next year in Italy and much of the finger-pointing behind the closed doors our sources are calling Rajoy a “f**king idiot” to directly quote some political sources.