Tag Archives: Qatar

Apr 24 2017

T-Rex: No Further Questions Needed on Russia Sanctions Being Lifted,… EVER !


Re-Posted from the Conservative Tree House on April 23, 2017 by

Funny call readout from Secretary Tillerson’s office today.  The last paragraph is extraordinarily blunt (emphasis mine):

[Dept. of State] Secretary Tillerson phoned Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko today to discuss his recent trip to Moscow and his message to the Russian leadership that, although the United States is interested in improving relations with Russia, Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine remain an obstacle. The Secretary emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s continued progress on reform and combating corruption.

The Secretary accepted condolences from President Poroshenko on the death today of a U.S. member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission (SMM). The leaders agreed that the OSCE SMM has played a vital role in its role of monitoring the Minsk agreements designed to bring peace to eastern Ukraine, and that this tragic incident makes clear the need for all sides- and particularly the Russian-led separatist forces-to implement their commitments under the Minsk Agreements immediately.

Secretary Tillerson reiterated the United States’ firm commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and confirmed that sanctions will remain in place until Russia returns control of the Crimean peninsula to Ukraine and fully implements its commitments in the Minsk agreements. (link)

Oh well, I guess that’s that then.

No need to ever wonder about those pesky sanctions ever being lifted.

Ever.

Horse = Dead.

Moving on…

 

Apr 23 2017

French Election – No Surprise – Or Is There?


Armstrong Economics Blog/France

Re-Posted Apr 23, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

2017 Election

Our computer had correctly projected that Le Pen would defeat the mainstream party Socialists. Indeed, Hollende did not even run he was so unpopular. The result of this election is really now a wildcard. For the most important aspect worth underlining in BOLD is the striking fact that this is the first time in modern French history all the mainstream centre-right or centre-left parties of government that have ruled France since the World War II will not make it to stand for the second round of a presidential election.

Macron & WifeWe can now safely count that Le Pen’s base is very solid. Those who support her will be out in sheer force to take their country back – FRANCE FIRST as they are saying. The wildcard is now Macron, who just started his party last August. All the mainstream media and mainstream politicians will be throwing their support now to Macron. Mainstream press is already estimating Macron took 24% of the vote, with Le Pen close behind with 21.8%. The question is clear that his base is nowhere near as firm as that of Le Pen.

Macron is the mirror image of Trump. Just a bureaucrat, but his wife is 24 years older than him compared to Trump who is 25 years older than his wife. Macron lacks any real experience to speak of outside of government and the joke is that since men mature slower than women, he is just a boy toy who is not ready for prime time who needs his hand held when crossing streets. The two studies bantered about are curious indeed. If a man marries and older woman, she dies sooner whereas a man who marries a younger woman increases his life expectancy by at least 11%. Guess the younger girl keeps him in better shape whereas the boy toy wears out his spouse so they say. Well we have had just about every other scenario arise in politics. Guess its time to change up.

Macron’s platform is typical for a bureaucrat – something for everybody. He claims he wants to cut costs and bureaucracy to boost hiring, while promoting investment in what he called the economy of the future. These are nice vague objectives for which has has come under fire. He then came up with six main priorities: education, work, economic modernization, security, democratic renewal and international engagement.

Mean while, the ECB has firmed up plans to help bailout French banks in the middle of pending uncertainty. May is looking more and more interesting. A Le Pen victory will actually provide a soft-landing for the EU and force it to begin to look at what it is doing so terribly wrong. A Macron victory will doom the EU to a complete collapse and a hard landing in 2018. Why? Brussels will wipe their brow and cheer the end of “populism” and that means they will continue down the same road without any reform. BREXIT should have sparked some internal review. Instead, they just blame the Brits and move on.

Apr 23 2017

50,000 Police Monitor As 47 Million French Voters Decide The Fate Of Europe


Tyler Durden's picture
by Tyler Durden
Re-Posted from ZERO HEDGE Apr 23, 2017 8:20 AM

After months of anticipatory build up, voting is underway in France on Sunday in the first round of a bitterly fought presidential election that is seen as crucial to the future of the Eurozone, and a closely-watched test of voters’ anger with the political establishment.

Local polling stations opened at 0600 GMT and will close at 1800 GMT, with about 47 million voters expected to cast their ballots in around 67,000 polling stations amid a high terror alert.

Voters, on edge after Thursday’s latest ISIS terrorist attack, will be monitored by more than 50,000 police officers backed by elite units of the French security services patrolled the streets less than three days after a suspected Islamist gunman shot dead a policeman and wounded two others on the central Champs Elysees avenue.

Related Video
Candidates vote in French election

By noon (6.00 a.m. ET), turnout amid perfect weather conditions across much of France was 28.54%, according to official figures, roughly the same as in the 2012 first round, in which almost 80% eventually took part.

 

Some polls had been predicting a much lower turnout, closer to the 70% that took the then National Front leader Jean-Marie Le Pen into the second round in 2002. Pollsters are unclear about what a low or high turnout could mean in 2017.

 

While we have previewed today‘s event extensively (most recently here), Reuters summarized it best: today “voters will decide whether to back a pro-EU centrist newcomer [and a former Rothschild banker], a scandal-ridden veteran conservative who wants to slash public spending, a far-left eurosceptic admirer of Fidel Castro or to appoint France’s first woman president who would shut borders and ditch the euro.”

The outcome of today’s election will show whether the populist tide that led to Brexit and Donald Trump’s victory is still rising, or starting to ebb.

The biggest wildcard ahead of today’s outcome is the high level of indecision among the population, with nearly a third of potential voters undecided until the last minute. Hanan Fanidi, a 33-year-old financial project manager, was still unsure as she arrived at a polling station in Paris’ 18th arrondissement.

“I don’t believe in anyone, actually. I haven’t arrived at a candidate in particular who could advance things. I’m very, very pessimistic,” she said.

Looking at the outcome of today’s vote, while the possibility of a Le Pen-Melenchon run-off is not the most likely scenario, it is the one which alarms bankers and investors.

Putting the performance of Marin Le Pen – as well as that of her father Jean-Marie – in election context:

  • Jean-Marie Le Pen, 2002: 16.8%
  • Jean-Marie Le Pen, 2007: 10.4%
  • Marine Le Pen, 2012: 17.9%

Le Pen has told supporters “the EU will die”, while Macron, 39, a former Rothschild banker wants to further beef up the euro zone. Le Pen further wants to return to the Franc, re-denominate the country’s debt stock, tax imports and reject international treaties. Melenchon also wants to radically overhaul the European Union and hold a referendum on whether to leave the bloc.

Le Pen or Melenchon would struggle, in parliamentary elections in June, to win a majority to carry out such radical moves, but their growing popularity also worries France’s EU partners.

Germany’s position on today’s election is hardly a surprise: “It is no secret that we will not be cheering madly should Sunday’s result produce a second round between Le Pen and Melenchon,” German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said. If either Macron or Fillon were victorious, each would face challenges. For Macron, a big question would be whether he could win a majority in parliament in June. Fillon, though likely to struggle less to get a majority, would likely be dogged by an embezzlement scandal, in which he denies wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, polls opened on Saturday in France’s overseas territories, allowing citizens to cast their ballots a day ahead of voters on the French mainland. According to unconfirmed twitter reports, based on preliminary offshore results, support for Melenchon is far greater than for any of his competitors.

 

 

Apr 23 2017

There Will Be Blood: Left Prepares For War After Berkeley Beat Down With “Combat Training, Better Equipment, Guns…”


 

Tyler Durden's picture
by Tyler Durden
Re-Posted from ZERO HEDGE Apr 22, 2017 9:40 PM

Authored by Mac Slavo via SHTFplan.com,

Last week Trump supporters and leftist social justice warriors met on the political field of battle in Berkeley, California. Words were exchanged, as were punches. And while an alt-right leader was punched in the face, by all accounts even the social justice warriors admit that they got a major beat-down.

This prompted a reddit discussion among the left’s tolerant resistance movement, with many asking how they can more effectively go to war against anyone who disagrees with their social, political, and economic views.

The anti-Trump protesters at the rally were ill-prepared for what they came to Berkeley to confront and now they are trying to figure out ways to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

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In short, as predicted, they are turning to militancy and mob action by mobilizing individuals and groups to attend combat training seminars, acquiring better equipment like baseball bats and helmets, and of course, if things really go bad… guns.

Yes, we seemed to have lost today. The alt-right held their ground. If we wanna take action against them, we need to be better organized and better trained. It doesn’t help that it’s only the far left opposing them, any trump supporter can be radicalized far easier than any liberal.
I hope we learn from today
A shocking number of our comrades went in there with absolute no combat training. We need to set up seminars or something of the sort.
We also need better equipment, I know the bandanna and hoodie look is our trade mark, but I saw the right wearing motorcycle helmets, and baseball helmets. A dude wearing a helmet is going to keep going if he get punched, our guys are going down.

antifa-protests1

And though they are, always have been and always will be “tolerant” and “peaceful protesters,” many are now discussing arming themselves so they can go head to head with the “fascist” and “racist” alt-right.

I honestly think we need a campaign to get more antifa armed. It seems that seems to be the biggest problem with our resistance. They’re mostly armed, why aren’t we?

Not getting disarmed is a big part of the problem, yes, but we need more than flags and bats. We need to take notes from the John Brown Gun Club and get firearms and training. I know getting firearms in states and cities we have a presence in is usually a hassle, but even handguns would help. It would certainly put a psychological element in while holding fash back. Who do you think a fascist is more afraid of? People with only flags and bats, or people with flags, bats, and guns?

antifa-protests2

Video report:

The “comrades” organizing against “fascists,” which basically means anyone and everyone who voted for President Trump, are quickly coming to the conclusion that to win this conflict they will need to be armed with more than just flags, banners, chants and pepper spray.

And all this time we thought hugging it out would be the solution…

Apparently, there is a realization among the left that whatever it is they are trying to accomplish will not come with peaceful assembly, but rather, with blood in the streets.

As we and others like Brandon Smith of Alt-Market previously warned, the Left WILL Resort To Large Scale Violence… To Stop Fascism:

I believed at that time that the social-justice cult would lose mainstream influence but that the existing minority would resort to even more insidious tactics and greater violence to get what they want; and, the so-called “moderate left” would cheer them on.  As it turns out, I have been proven right so far.

Not that extreme Leftists have been averse to violence over the past year, but I think it is safe to say that the volume on the cultural Marxist machine has been turned up a notch.

The social justice mantra is changing. At first, it was predominately about forming mobs to “shame” target political opponents into silence. Now, it is about forming mobs to do what they call “punching Nazis.” Leftists are now often seen regurgitating the claim — “This is only the beginning…”

Indeed, this is only the beginning.

Ladies and Gentlemen, if you have a Trump bumper sticker, an American flag or a Gadsden decal on your vehicle, prepare to defend yourselves.

There will be war.

Apr 23 2017

End of Socialism will Be A Tumultuous Hard Landing


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics

Re-Posted Apr 23, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

Socialism Marxism

QUESTION: Hi Martin:

I’d love to believe that the collapse of this dead-end ideology is imminent, but when one looks at just the media situation in the entire Western world, and sets aside the political landscape, it is hard to fathom. With O’Reilly’s departure from FOX, and Murdoch’s sons taking over (who are both reportedly very progressive liberals), it seems that Socialism is on the grow. Care to comment and enlighten us some more? It would be vastly appreciated, thanks.

DA

 

ANSWER: The economics of the situation is what rules. That is why Communism failed. But keep in mind that this is the civil unrest. Socialism will not simply die and move into the light. It will rage, kick, scream, and try to take down everyone in the process. You can see it in these anti-Trump demonstrations. They claim to be for peace and against Trump because he is some sort of racist etc. etc etc. etc…..

2017 Cycle of War

Yet these are historically ALWAYS the most violent people. This is the subject of the next 2017 Cycle of War Report. The system is collapsing and all the taxes and fines the dream up in their minds cannot save the system. It will go bust. That is the end of Socialism the same as it was the end for Communism. Both are against human nature.

 

atlasshruggedThey say it is wrong to discriminate for race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. But it’s OK to discriminate against anyone who disagrees with those in power or if they have material wealth above average. This type of discrimination is perfectly fine because it suits their agenda. What happens when the productive class refuses to produce? When Atlas Shrugged, it all comes crashing down.

 

Do you know that when Ayn Rand published that book, she received the worst reviews ever. The press was socialistic agreeing with FDR. Despite having the press trying to prevent people from reading it fearing the book would be against their socialistic philosophy, Atlas Shrugged has been ranked as #2 in the most influential books just behind the Bible ever written.

Here is the survey’s list of the most influential books:

1. The Bible.

2. “Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand.

3. “The Road Less Traveled,” by M. Scott Peck.

4. “To Kill a Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee.

5. “The Lord of the Rings,” by J. R. R. Tolkien

Apr 21 2017

Dear French People | French Presidential Election 2017


Apr 21 2017

Venezuela On The Brink – Images and Video…


Re-Posted from the Conservative Tree House on April 21, 2017 by

The media is downplaying, and in most cases ignoring, the extreme nature of the crisis currently going on in socialist Venezuela under the Maduro regime.  Most of the cries for help are from people begging the international media to cover their plight.

Some of the video and photography are stunning as millions of people take to the streets to protest a collapsing economy and food shortages while being met with tanks, guns and rogue militias hired by the government.

Some of the targeted citizens appear chosen at random.  Some of the citizens are also desperate and fighting back. Warning – These images are graphic and the video feeds are also alarming.  However, the media are barely reporting on any of this, and unfortunately, it looks like things are getting worse:

This woman’s cry for freedom is heartbreaking.

As this lady and her family was filming the armed official shooting in the street, he turned and shot at her in her home.

So much tear gas has been deployed people are fleeing their homes amid the confrontations.  The local district medical units appear overwhelmed, and also fearful of being targeted.

This woman was shot in her home by either militia or Venezuelan guards.

Apr 21 2017

US to Review Visa Waivers for the EU


Armstrong Economics Blog/War

Re-Posted Apr 21, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

EU Italy Passport

The United States is now reviewing the Visa Waiver Program for the European Union. The entire problem has been the porous borders of Europe created by Merkel’s unilateral decision to accept refugees which was NEVER put to a vote for all of Europe. Brussels has simply been dictated to by Merkel and then imposed her unilateral decision as mandatory upon the whole of Europe. This has resulted in more than 20 terror attacks in France alone.

European visitors to the USA have had easier access to the country for years. Now, Home Secretary John Kelly has explained that a review is absolutely necessary as foreign fighters from the Islamic state return to Europe and try to travel to the US. Donald Trump had already announced this measure several weeks ago. Nevertheless, with the EU entrenched in its refugee crisis and evidence has surfaced that Merkel’s opening of the flood gates allowed terrorists to freely enter.

If the USA wiped out the Islamic state in Iraq and Syria, this will only raise retaliation attempts against the USA. The threat of the terrorist groups worldwide using Europe to get into the USA as the mercenaries with European citizenship will cause a major diplomatic crisis. It is a concern that is equally shared behind the curtain by the European allies. A significant number of fighters have already been scheming ways to get into Europe and to make the trip to the USA under EU passports.

This entire program is now coming under review. What Markel has done is seriously disrupting all of Europe and the protecting of one’s borders has been a major issue in Britain as well as France.

Belgium, Spain, France, the UK, Austria, Italy and Germany, as well as foreign countries such as Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Chile and Japan are part of the visa exemption program. People from these countries are not exempted if they also have dual citizenship from Iraq, Iran, Syria and Sudan. Trump has already signed a decree making the issue of temporary visas more difficult for foreign professionals. There is no easy solution because the security of one nation can be undermined by one guard in another country that is bribed to allow someone to enter Europe. Unless every country undergoes its own review, security can be undermined rather easily.

The terrorists are using a compound called triacetone triperoxide, or TATP, a crystalline powder that is a nightmare to terrorists as well as authorities. It is an unstable white powder or acetone peroxide triacetone triperoxide. It is actually easy to make and very hard to detect. The nightmare is this compound is highly unstable. In fact, all it takes is a firm tap to explode this compound with the force of about 80% as strong as that of TNT. The terrorists call it “the Mother of Satan.”

The “shoe bomber” used TATP back in 2001, as did terrorists in London both in 2005 and 2006. This was also the compound used in bombs detonated at the University of Oklahoma back in 2005 and Texas City in 2006. It was also used in the terrorist attacks in Paris and the Brussels airport.

The 2015 Russian plane that blew up with just two pounds of explosives was also probably TATP. This incident raised serious new threats. The Metrojet attack introduced a key vulnerability of all airports: the risk not from passengers but from airport staff. If investigators are right and militants did use sympathetic ground staff to smuggle the bomb on board Metrojet Flight 9268, then that might not be just a Egyptian or Sharm el-Sheikh problem; it could be a global problem. The Somali bomb was  an explosive device built into a laptop computer that detonated on a Somali passenger jet which was very “sophisticated” and got past X-ray machines at the Mogadishu airport. There were concerns that that too was an inside job.

The major crisis that is brewing in travel remains that starting in 2018, the need for security may find a lot more restrictions upon travel.

Apr 21 2017

British Press Gearing Up to Destroy Britain – Fake News Epidemic


Armstrong Economics Blog/BRITAIN

Re-Posted Apr 21, 2017 by Martin Armstrong

Redwood John

John Redwood, a prominent and experienced Brexit MP, posted on his blog today (http://johnredwoodsdiary.com) about doing an interview on British Press:

The BBC wants to change the news, not report it

By JOHNREDWOOD | Published: APRIL 20, 2017

Yesterday I was phoned to be asked onto the BBC Radio 4 Today program this morning. They said they wanted me to answer questions about how the election would change the UK’s ability to negotiate a new, good relationship with the EU. I was happy to do so, and said I could make any time at their studio. It seemed like a good topic, and central to what the PM said about her reason for calling the election.

They then proceeded to ask me a series of questions all designed to get me to disagree with the UK negotiating position and Prime Minister. I explained that I supported the PM, agreed with her Brexit White Paper and stated aims, and suggested if all they wanted to do was to criticize her, they should approach the opposition parties. They continued to try to get me to disagree. They did not seem to have read the White Paper or the PM’s speech on the topic, so I had to tell them what was in them and why I agreed with them.

I explained again that their thesis that the leave supporting MPs were in disagreement with the PM and were “rebels” was simply untrue. We are not in disagreement with the PM and we have been strongly supporting the government’s statements and legislation on Brexit. She said she would get back to me about the invitation to go on, with the details.

She did not of course bother to, as it was clear I was unwilling to feed their view of what the news should be.

I then found that another Leave supporting Conservative MP had been given the same treatment, and he too had thought the BBC were trying to change the  news rather than report the position. When I came to do a live interview on some other BBC program, I was faced with the same stupid thesis and had to explain on air how wrong their idea was.

I do not know who is feeding the BBC this nonsense, but it is frustrating that they do not accept the truth from those whose views they claim to be reporting, and do not bother to get back and openly say they do not want you on because you won’t say what they want you to say.

Apr 20 2017

Terrorism Strikes The Heart of Paris, Again…


Re-Posted from the Conservative Tree House on April 20, 2017 by

Media are reporting that at least one police officer had been killed and at least two others seriously wounded by two Kalashnikov-wielding gunmen on the Champs Elysees in central Paris tonight.

French authorities have stated the incident was probably a ‘terrorist act’ and the famous venue was on lockdown by 9pm as heavily armed officers flooded the area. Another individual – believed to be the killer – was killed, according to police sources.

Reports suggest ‘at least’ two shooters were involved in the attack which took place as presidential candidates took part in a TV debate nearby before Sunday’s election.