Stolen Kisses < Stolen Elections


Posted originally on Mar 8, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

V J_kiss_times_square_2

The “V-J Day in Times Square” photo embodies the joy of American troops returning home from World War II. The image depicts a member of the Navy embracing a nurse for a celebratory kiss. Photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt captured the moment on Aug. 14, 1945, the moment the news broke that Japan had surrendered to the Allies. The picture has been celebrated throughout the years and captured in statues and other works of art. But now, the far-left feels it is offensive and must be immediately deleted from the archives of history.

Veterans Affair Official RimaAnn Nelson received bipartisan backlash after sending out an internal memo demanding for the image to be immediately removed from all Veterans Health Administration facilities, claiming “historic perspectives on historical events and their representations evolve,” or in other words, must be rewritten to fit the current narrative. Nelson claimed the picture was promoting non-consensual sexual misconduct and would not be tolerated in the current woke environment.

Republicans and Democrats alike were appalled. The far-left has become so engrossed in woke culture that few can stand behind their ideology. Secretary Denis McDonough immediately redacted Nelson’s memo after public backlash and stated that the image would not be removed. It is unclear whether McDonough initially approved of the memo. Leila Jackson, Director of the Assault and Harassment Prevention Office, was noted as the point of contact at the bottom of the letter but has not spoken out.

Now, Nelson is not some well-meaning, sensitive individual. She was in charge of the VA hospital in St. Louis, which was rated the worst in the nation out of 126 facilities under her reign. The situation at the hospital was so dire that 1,800 troops fell ill with HIV and hepatitis from unsterilized medical and dental equipment. The establishment protects its own, and Nelson was placed in another leading role in a hospital in the Philippines without repercussions. Military families were discouraged from speaking out.

RimaAnn Nelson’s leadership hurt so many US troops that even John McCain spoke out when Nelson was transferred yet again from the Phillippines to a VA hospital in Arizona. The backlash against this woman came from both sides. “Under Ms. Nelson’s tenure, the [St. Louis] hospital closed twice for unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and was ranked last in the country for patient satisfaction out of 126 VA medical centers,” Reps. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Matt Salmon (R-Ariz.) wrote to former President Obama. Nelson denied the allegations and remains in a position of authority. Her attempt to ban this symbolic picture of American patriotism is a minor blip compared to the things she has done.

The far-left is even causing rifts within the establishment, although everyone wants to rewrite history and mute the masses.

Freedom of speech has been dismantled by the few on the far-left promoting woke ideologies. It is happening across all nations adhering to the Great Reset.

The Puritans imposed their beliefs on the masses, outlawing sports, holidays such as Christmas, and authorized mass spying campaigns. Before the dawn of the internet, the government would hire authority figures to peak into people’s personal homes to ensure they were not breaking the law. It even became a felony to kiss your wife in public. Dare I say that the current ideology is even more deranged. There is no “wife” to kiss in public because “women” are not recognized as a separate sex and all terms alluding to gender is offensive. They likely found a picture depicting a war actually ending to be offensive as well.

This is yet another issue that cannot be considered a Democratic or liberal problem. The issue is a change in ideology coming from a select few ruling elite who wish to dismantle our rights to impose a new world order under a new set of values and morals. The years going into 2032 will be extremely difficult. The people will need to fight for their rights at every turn, and while the computers show that the elites WILL FAIL, the road to 2032 will be long and torturous.

Can World War III be Avoided?


Posted originally on Mar 7, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

Socrates Monitory Globe

Many people have written in asking if you can avoid World War III. In my experience with this model, the turning points are fixed in time. We cannot alter the cycle any more than someone can manipulate any market, altering it from boom to bust.

Amplitude 1

You cannot alter the cycle, but I believe that, from my observations, it may be possible to manipulate the amplitude. This would have been my concern if it had fallen into the wrong hands. I have grandkids. I would not want to leave behind another economic weapon Neocons can use to screw up the world even more. Perhaps you can make an event much worse. However, improving the situation and reducing the amplitude might also be possible.

Amplitud 2

Sweden War-Mongers Ready to Start WWIII


Posted originally on Mar 7, 2024 By Martin Armstrong

2024_03_07_18_26_06_Sweden joins Nato

COMMENT: Hello; I just wanted to comment that the arrays on Sweden have predicted the two-year wait for NATO, and it got it down to the month. I just wanted to say that all we have had here is doom and gloom, and Russia will attack any day now. The press claimed Sweden is neutral. I do not think they know our war history with Russia for several hundred years.

Thank you for Socrates. It always gets the time right.

PHM

Swedish_Krona_Spot_Array Y 5 15 22

ANSWER:  I think you are correct. For those who do not know the history of Sweden, they used to be a major power. There have been 15 wars with Russia since 1475 – about one on average every 30 years or so. The Yearly Array was a major turning point and a Double Directional Change. That indeed marked this war-mongering for the past two years. Sweden has NOT been neutral. They have been supplying weapons to Ukraine to further advance the war against Russia. Neutrality means you stay out, and they have both feet in.

2024_Sweden_war with Russia

Yes, the war-mongering has been on schedule. You have your version of Neocons as well who also just want war at all costs.

Swedish Krona M Array 3 7 24

March was the target, and we had a Directional Change in April. May is the next turning point, but we have a Panic Cycle in September, which is showing up internationally in many markets and virtually most countries. This was a dark day for Sweden. Your war-mongers cannot wait to start a war, and it looks like they may get it before the US elections.

Prague Memorial to Communism

We have such fools in all governments. They are being told to start a war and are too stupid to comprehend that there are those who want to eliminate 50% of the population to save the planet.

Powell: March Rate Cut Unlikely


Posted originally on Mar 7, 2024 By Martin Armstrong

Powell Jerome

Those who follow this blog already knew that the Federal Reserve would not drop rates in the future due to unsustainable fiscal policies paired with America’s increasing involvement in foreign wars. All of the talking heads were preaching that rates would significantly decline to pandemic levels, as if that were the historical norm. Every fiscal policy in recent years has exacerbated inflation and the Fed cannot keep up with government spending. QE FAILED. The artificially low interest rates of the recent past were completely unsustainable and relied on outdated theories.

The outdated understanding based on Keynesian Economics remains to increase the supply of money and it MUST be inflationary. The Fed raises rates to reduce consumption and lower rates to stimulate consumption. It’s a very nice theory, but when actually tested, it utterly fails. Lower rates will NEVER cause people to invest UNTIL they believe that there is an opportunity to invest. We are watching the big players withdraw from equities, let alone government debt. We are in a private wave where money is running off the grid at a rapid pace.

DowIntRates 1929

The peak in interest rates took place in 1899 at virtually 200%. Yet, 1929 was the real bubble top and it peaked with 20% interest rates in call money on the NYSE. In theory, the biggest boom should have been met with the highest interest rate. In truth, the “real interest rate” as I have defined it is when the interest rates exceed expectations. If you think the stock market will double, you will pay 25% interest.

As you can see, while interest rates hit nearly 200% in 1899, the share market did NOT crash percentage-wise anything as it did following 1929. Look, there is a lot more to this than meets the eye. Everything must be addressed on a global scale for it all depends also on the direction of capital flows. There is just a lot more to this than simply the money supply and interest rates.

CALLMONY MA

Now, Powell continues to explain to the public that VOLATILITY and economic conditions are beyond the control of the Fed. “We believe that our policy rate is likely at its peak for this tightening cycle,” Powell said. “If the economy evolves broadly as expected, it will likely be appropriate to begin dialing back policy restraint at some point this year. But the economic outlook is uncertain, and ongoing progress toward our 2% inflation objective is not assured.”

Powell Fed Got Inflation Wrong Nov 2021

All the news of inflation waning, including recent data, is inaccurate propaganda intended to calm recessionary fears. Even by the government’s data, inflation is up 3.1% compared to last year. It was an unprecedented moment when Powell broke with Washington and criticized the government for their unsustainable spending. The Fed NEVER criticizes the government, despite the two being separate.

Hence, I say to stop blaming the Fed. They are not the ones creating all the money but are working to match monetary policy with unsustainable fiscal policies. We are looking at trillions in deficits per year. There is no restraint when creating new massive spending packages. Then people blame the central bank with no concept that it’s only a fraction of “money;” the real issue is CONGRESS.

Listen, interest rates cannot decline in the face of war. The 2020 yearly array showed a turning point for a high in 2022 and a possible correction into 2024. I explain this in more detail on the Socrates private blog but buckle up for the year ahead.

Poland Farm Protests Encounter Prepared Government Response, Confrontation Turned Violent


Posted originally on the CTH on March 7, 2024 | Sundance

I visited Warsaw twice last month and can provide some ‘boots on the ground’ background context for what is taking place as the Polish farmers begin protesting against the regime of Prime Minister Donald Tusk.

The first thing to understand is that Warsaw is to Poland almost exactly as Washington DC is to the United States – which is to say, a capitol subculture of leftists and WEF minded globalists totally disconnected from the social mindset of the rest of the country.  The Warsaw of the 80’s and 90’s Solidarity Movement no longer exists, which explains the installation of Tusk in opposition to the generally lulled to complacency Polish people.  Sound familiar?

“European agriculture policies and Ukrainian cheap grain, burning tires outside of Prime Minister Tusk’s office, as up to 100 THOUSAND more protestors expected to flood streets of Warsaw.”

The protests are not about Ukraine farm products (Western narrative); they are protesting the Build Back Better (Green New Deal) climate change nonsense regulations that will put them out of business and hurt the Polish people.

The German farmers and middle class workers organized their logistics brilliantly.  The farmers approached Berlin from every angle, using all the arterial roads as points of entrance to surround the city.  The German farmers came into each artery in two columns: column A at the front and column B in the back.

Column A drove into the city; column B remained outside the city blocking the streets.  It was a smart way logistically to protest, and German officials could not respond because they were blocked.  German truckers and transportation workers assisted the protest with non-compliance highlighting their support.  The German government acquiesced to the farmers.

The French farmer protests learned from the Germans, and they too were successful in their logistical protest against the French government.  The French government acquiesced to the French farmer’s demands.

However, the Polish government saw the effective strategy as it began spreading around the EU. Tusk brought into Warsaw an advanced police group.  As the Polish farmers moved into the center of Warsaw, they encountered a heavily fortified Polish security force.  Tempers flared and physical confrontation was the outcome.

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland saw its most violent protest by farmers and supporters yet Wednesday as some participants threw stones at police and tried to push through barriers around parliament, injuring several officers, police said.

Police used tear gas and said they detained over a dozen people and prevented the protesters from getting through to the Sejm, the Polish parliament.

Farmers are angry over European Union climate policies and food imports from Ukraine that they say threaten their livelihoods. Such protests have occurred across the 27-member EU in recent weeks, but this one was decidedly angrier than earlier demonstrations in the central European nation.

Police noted on the social media platform X that its officers “are not a party to the ongoing dispute” and warned that behavior threatening their safety “cannot be taken lightly and requires a firm and decisive response.”

The deputy agriculture minister, Michał Kołodziejczak, said he didn’t believe that “real, normal farmers caused a riot in front of the Sejm today,” and that it was necessary to isolate “provocateurs and troublemakers.”

He did not say who he thought was behind the violence.

Farmers on tractors blocked highways leading into Warsaw while thousands of their supporters gathered in front of the prime minister’s office before marching to the parliament. Some trampled a European Union flag and burned a mock coffin bearing the word “farmer.”

Farmers were joined by miners, foresters, hunters and other supporters. They blew horns and set off firecrackers and smoke bombs, despite police warnings that the use of pyrotechnics was banned. Some protesters burned tires.

The protesters are demanding a withdrawal from the EU’s Green Deal, a plan meant to fight climate change and protect biodiversity, including with plans requiring farmers to reduce the excessive use of polluting chemicals to boost their crops. The protests have led politicians to water down some provisions. (read more)

The area around the U.S Embassy in Warsaw is no longer a place of well-kept landscape honoring Ronald Reagan and the Polish Solidarity Movement.  All of those pesky vestiges of freedom are in disrepair or being removed.

That said, let us hope (😉) the American resistance movement is watching the logistical success of the truckers and farmers in Germany and France.

Let the people enter the capitol for protest marches, while the support system infrastructure disrupts the arteries that encircle the core.

Berlin in January:

Warsaw last month:

California v Hate – Turning Neighbor on Neighbor


Posted originally on Mar 7, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

Silencing Free Speech

They say life and death rest on the tongue, and in the case of California, your own words and thoughts can and will be used against you. CA vs Hate is a new program brought forward by Governor Gavin Newsom that encourages neighbors to turn on one another and lose trust in their own communities. The state has invested $110 million into this thought policing policy that entices individuals to report “hate speech” to the government.

Anything anti-establish can be qualified as hate speech, as we have seen in recent weeks. I brought it up a few times in recent writings, but “mother” and “father” are now deemed offensive terms by our government officials. Citizens may visit the online portal or call the hotline to report anything that they deem hateful. Assemblyman Al Murtuschi states these services “will help individuals and communities targeted for hate including Asian Americans, Latinos, Black Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and other communities that make up California’s diversity and strength.”

The online portal notes: “There are two main kinds of hate incidents – (1) acts of hate that are not crimes but violate civil rights laws, and (2) acts of hate that may not violate the law. Both types cause significant harm to communities.”

No crime or evidence is required for reporting. Anyone, regardless of immigration status, may file a report with this agency, which by the way, is not affiliated with an actual police department. “California vs Hate is not run by the police. Your report will not be shared with law enforcement without your consent. We will only connect you with law enforcement if you request it. Our team can share information about how to report to police or local prosecutors if needed,” the website records.

They will collect files and data on everyone to use against them once social credit scores are implemented. Who do you think this bill will target? Conservatives who disagree with the current direction of this country. Upset that you’re being taxed without representation, with those funds being misdirected toward war and the migrant crisis? You are no longer permitted to share your views as the First Amendment has been abolished in California. Migrants are also encouraged to use this hotline to target American citizens. Reporting may remain anonymous, and anyone with a grudge may report someone without just cause.

Mouth of Truth

This reminds me of the Mouth of Truth (bocca della verita) in Rome, a 1,300 kg stone disc created in the 1st century with a human face, menacing eyes, and a large gaping mouth. Legend had it that anyone accused of a crime could put their hand in the stone’s mouth, and only the innocent could pull their hand back out unscathed. The Mouth of Truth did not require a check and balance against witnesses who could say anything to sway the jury and public opinion. There is no accountability, and the law will always side with the government. This form of judgement is equally as obscure as an anti-hate hotline with no requirements or backing by the actual legal system.

In fact, Newsom states that this intended “approach does not require engagement with the criminal legal system,” meaning this is a private data-collecting entity directed at people who feel they are above the law. Actual acts of hate against Conservative ideologies go unpunished. Could someone report that they were refused service for being unvaccinated due to religious reasons, for example? No. Could someone report that they were denied a job opportunity due to laws favoring the most diverse candidate over the most qualified? Do parents have the right to file a report that their child’s school sent home inappropriate homework assignments discussing sexual topics? Perhaps a family was denied the opportunity to adopt due to their unwillingness to allow a child to make an adult decision. Could they file a report? Absolutely not. This is the far left’s personal Stasi.

The intense divide in America has pinned two sides against one another, and now, these asinine tyrannical measures will pit neighbor against neighbor. No different from the Soviet era, people will become fearful to speak their truth as it could come with consequences. This is unconstitutional but the Constitution has been ignored for the past four years. This law is intended to dismantle our communities and families. Your neighbor could be plotting against you; they do not want you to trust anyone but the government.

Britain Arrested 3,300 for Comments on Social Media – Russia 400


Posted originally on Mar 6, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

Thank God we live in a Free Society – it would have been 10,000 arrested otherwise.

Schwab Did Not Invent Stakeholder Economics


Posted originally on Mar 6, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

Stakeholder Economics
Milton Friedman

Everyone knows I became friends with Milton Friedman. Back in 1970, Milton exposed how Stakeholder Economics was inefficient and stupid long before Schwab claimed he invented it. Milton stated that such a role was that of government, not corporations, whose #1 fiduciary obligation was to its shareholders. Under Schwab, I could say, “OK, I will go public; everyone sends in money. I will give you shares in return and then say — OMG, there are people starving in Africa!” So, I decided to give 50% of all the profits to them and not my investors. This is Stakeholder Economics.

NYT 9 13 70 Freedman v Stakeholder

The New York Times wrote on September 13th, 1970:

“WHEN I hear businessmen speak eloquently about the “social responsibilities of business in a free‐enterprise system,” I am reminded of the wonderful line about the Frenchman who discovered at, the age of 70 that he had been speaking prose all his life. The businessmen believe that they are defending free enterprise when they declaim that business is not concerned “merely” with profit but also with promoting desirable “social” ends; that business has a “social conscience” and takes seriously its responsibilities for providing employment, eliminating discrimination, avoiding pollution and whatever else may be the catchwords of the contemporary crop of reformers. In fact they are—or would be if they or any one else took them seriously— preaching pure and unadulterated socialism. Businessmen who talk this way are unwitting puppets of the intellectual forces that have been undermining the basis of a free society these past decades.”

Canada Moves to Ban Christianity – Changes to Bill C-367


Posted Originally on Mar 6, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

Canada News Ban

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has passed numerous pieces of legislation prohibiting free speech in Canada, yet nothing has been as restrictive as Bill C-367, an amendment to the Criminal Code that will prohibit Canadians from expressing “an opinion based on a belief in a religious text. If passed, people can be arrested for quoting the Bible on Canadian soil.

Proponents are cloaking this attack on religion under the premise that it will curtail antisemitism. Yet, months ago, Justin Trudeau stood with Zelensky and the Canadian Parliament, celebrating a known Nazi war criminal, and even giving him a standing ovation.

This is precisely what the bill would remove from the Criminal Code of Canada through Private Member’s Bill C-367: Removing Religious Protections For Antisemitic Expression:

3) No person shall be convicted of an offence under subsection (2)
(a) if he establishes that the statements communicated were true;
(b) if, in good faith, the person expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text;
(c) if the statements were relevant to any subject of public interest, the discussion of which was for the public benefit, and if on reasonable grounds he believed them to be true; or
(d) if, in good faith, he intended to point out, for the purpose of removal, matters producing or tending to produce feelings of hatred toward an identifiable group in Canada.

Defences — subsection (2.1)

(3.1) No person shall be convicted of an offence under subsection (2.1)
(a) if they establish that the statements communicated were true;
(b) if, in good faith, they expressed or attempted to establish by an argument an opinion on a religious subject or an opinion based on a belief in a religious text;
(c) if the statements were relevant to any subject of public interest, the discussion of which was for the public benefit, and if on reasonable grounds they believed them to be true; or
(d) if, in good faith, they intended to point out, for the purpose of removal, matters producing or tending to produce feelings of antisemitism toward Jews.

first they came for the communists but i was not Martin.Niemoller.Religion.FreeSpeech
Neiollmer.Martin.FreeSpeechReligion

This is an outright attack on religion. There are countless examples throughout history from every area of the globe where religious prosecution led to heinous massacres. Outright bans on religion start off small, removing a provision or two, until the government deems entire groups of people a danger to society.

I discussed the case of Pastor Artur Pawlowski who was arrested for speaking out against the Canadian government, in particular their COVID era restrictions on medical autonomy. Pawlowski was charged with criminal mischief for preaching from the Bible to the Trucker Convoy. He did not commit a violent offense nor did he say anything “hateful,” but the words from the Bible are now deemed as offensive similar to how the government is labeling words like “mother” or “father” unacceptable.

Religion demands that followers believe in a higher power greater than the almighty government. Statistics Canada reported that only 68% of Canadians identify as religious, with a notable decrease among the Christian community in particular. The same organization believes that non-Christian religious affiliation will double by 2036. An Angus Reid survey from April 2022 showed that religious tolerance in Canada is at an all-time low, with 22% of respondents saying all religion is harmful to society.

This legislation will prohibit Christians, Muslims, and others from freely expressing their opinions. They speak of banning antisemitism, but the law will also target Jews. Anyone expressing an opinion “relevant to any subject of public interest” based on a religious text will be considered a criminal, a danger to the new world order. For example, if someone says they are against MAID, child transgenderism, abortion, or anything that is not deemed acceptable by the Abrahamic religions, they will be accused of promoting hate speech and prosecuted for their religious beliefs.

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Karl Marx deemed religion the “opium of the masses” that was intended to give false hope to the impoverished who should fill their hearts with hatred and entitlement. “The abolition of religion as the illusory happiness of the people is required for their real happiness. The demand to give up the illusion about its condition is the demand to give up a condition which needs illusions,” Marx continued.

What is happening in Canada will spread throughout the Build Back Better nations under the direction of the World Economic Forum. This is happening precisely on target with our model’s forecasts.

It is rather stunning how we come to major religious events every 309.6 years. This appears to be a change in beliefs that does not necessarily suggest complete changes in religions but rather moving away from the belief in a higher power. Often, these are shifts that become more fundamentalist in their beliefs or a turn toward liberalism. There are two primary cycles. First, we can look at the cycle of change in religion, which seems to follow the 309.6-year cycle, which is, of course, the 8.6-year frequency. The second is to look at the derivative of the 8.6-year, which produces a target for a major collapse in religion, which is underway at this time, by 2033.

Categories:GREAT RESET

Cap on Credit Card Late Fees Hurt Financially Illiterate Americans


Posted originally on Mar 6, 2024 By Martin Armstrong 

CreditCardDebt.Chart_

The Biden Administration implemented a new rule that will cap credit card late fees at $8. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has praised the measure, estimating it will save Americans over $10 billion annually in late fees, or around $220 annually per person as 45 million Americans have experienced these fees within the last year, but this measure may be more harmful than helpful.

Credit card debt in America is at an all-time high of nearly $1.13 trillion and continues to rise as around 56 million Americans carry credit card debt. The typical late fee payment is around $32, but this is merely the fee for missing a payment and does not account for compounded interest. It seems like common sense, but one must realize that the average person is not financially literate. The concept of basic finance is not a mandatory requirement for the public education system, leading many people to live off debt, well beyond their means, with no chance of recuperating. America has the leading median level of credit card debt among all developed nations. There is a widespread belief that one can afford certain goods if they are approved for a line of credit, which only benefits the banks.

Debt Hole Cannor Climb Out

Now, the banks are certainly profiting on late fees, which account for about 15% of credit card profits based on the CFPB’s 2021 Consumer Credit Card Market Report. Do these fees deter reckless spending? A 2022 ABA-led survey found that 46% of respondents said they made it a priority to pay off their credit cards on time to avoid late fees. That particular study found that a fee of $10 was enough to redirect one’s attention to their financial obligations. Another study by the Harris Poll and NerdWallet found that Americans were more likely to make a payment of their cards if a $30 fee was implemented.

Again, one must understand that the average person cannot compute the cost of compounding interest. Borrowing money is not a legal right and should be done with the utmost caution. Simply forgetting or dismissing financial obligations has consequences.

The banks will find a way to profit off the people in other ways. It is the nature of banking. Rob Nichols, the president and CEO of the American Bankers Association, explained that other measures could be implemented that will hurt everyone. “The Bureau’s misguided decision to cap credit card late fees at a level far below banks’ actual costs will force card issuers to reduce credit lines, tighten standards for new accounts and raise APRs for all consumers – even those who pay on time,” Nichols said. This is yet another Biden Admin policy favoring the financially irresponsible at the expense of others.

So, what is the CFPB recommending as an alternative? CBDC. The agency is first suggesting digitizing banking so that consumers have instant access to their credit scores and spending habits. Again, these numbers are disregarded by a portion of the population. The agency is patronizing all Americans by stating we are not intelligent enough to know when to pay off our monthly debts without digital notifications and reminders.

Financial literacy is desperately needed in America. So, while the Biden Administration is breaking its arm patting itself on the back for this surface-level win for the everyday man, the ruling does nothing to combat the growing personal debt crisis.