Tag Archives: The Promise Program

Aug 10 2019

17 More Goldman Sachs’ People Indicted


Armstrong Economics Blog/Banking Crisis

Re-Posted Aug 10, 2019 by Martin Armstrong

Malaysia filed criminal charges on Friday against 17 current and former directors at subsidiaries of Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) following an investigation into a multi-billion-dollar corruption scandal that led to the demise of state fund 1MDB. Those charged include Richard Gnodde, chief executive of Goldman Sachs International, Michael Evans, president of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd (BABA.N) and a former director at Goldman Sachs (Asia) LLC, and Michael Sherwood, former vice chairman of Goldman Sachs Group. Each charge carries a maximum jail term of 10 years and a penalty of at least 1 million ringgit ($239,000).

An Alibaba spokeswoman said the company was aware of the charges against Evans and would continue to monitor the situation. UAE filed suit against Goldman Sachs where they announced: “This action seeks redress for a massive global conspiracy on the part of the defendants to defraud and injure plaintiffs,” said the lawsuit, which also named former executives from IPIC and its subsidiary Aabar Investments.

The U.S. bank has been under scrutiny for its role in helping to raise $6.5 billion through bond offerings for 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the subject of corruption and money laundering investigations in at least six countries. It has been alleged that $2.7 billion of the proceeds were diverted and the offering statements filed with the regulators contained statements that were false, misleading or involved material omissions.

The SEC previously charged Goldman Sachs with fraud back in 2007, but of course, did nothing criminal because Goldman Sachs controls the SEC. Now the top adviser in the SEC is Alan Cohen who was head of Global Compliance and would have signed off on the Malaysian deal.

The rumor mill has been hot concerning Malaysia and Goldman Sachs for the past two years. As it was turning into a criminal investigation Lyod Blankfein coincidently decided to step down last year at age 63. That was announced last March when he said he would step down by the end of the year. Then in July 2018, Blankfein said his goodbyes. The London Financial News claimed it was an emotional departure.

Was it really a coincidence that Blankfein stepped down which appeared to be running for the exit door and then within three months the news breaks that he was deeply involved in the corruption scandal in Malaysia. As Bloomberg wrote: “Years before Goldman Sachs Group Inc. arranged bond deals now at the heart of globe-spanning corruption probes, the firm’s then-CEO Lloyd Blankfein personally helped forge ties with Malaysia and its new sovereign wealth fund, according to people with knowledge of the matter.”

Blankfein’s replacement did at least apologize for the conduct but continued to defend the firm.

The US Department of Justice charged the former Goldman bankers Tim Leissner and Roger Ng, as well as Malaysian financier Jho Low in this matter. Malaysia’s new charges were brought under a section of the Malaysian Capital Markets and Services Act that holds certain senior executives responsible for offenses that may have been committed by the firm. What everyone is waiting for is the indictment of Alan Cohen, the former head of Global Compliance since it is normally the compliance officer who does down for the firm. This time, Alan Cohen is at the top of the food chain in the SEC which will result in a major scandal for the Trump Administration.

“The first thing you need to know about Goldman Sachs is that it’s everywhere. The world’s most powerful investment bank is a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money.” Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi wrote back in July 2009. He is correct, the truth about Goldman Sachs “is that it’s everywhere.” Taibbi’s now-famous phrasing captured Goldman Sachs Group Inc.’s (GS) ubiquity which is very hard to deny.

Normally, if a banking firm is charged criminally, it loses its license. That is not the case for Goldman Sachs which many call “Government Sachs” on the street. They have walked on water in the United States and have been also known as the “untouchables” in finance.

Goldman Sachs said the Malaysian charges were misdirected. “We believe the charges announced today, along with those against three Goldman Sachs entities announced in December last year, are misdirected and will be vigorously defended,” a Goldman Sachs spokesman in Hong Kong said.

Goldman Sachs tried to pretend that they were afforded no opportunity to dispute the charges in advance. “Under the Malaysian legal process, the firm and the individual entity directors were not afforded an opportunity to be heard prior to the filing of these charges, which do not affect our ability to conduct our current business globally,” they said. But in the United States, a grand jury is also secret and the target does not get a notice to dispute the charges either.

Goldman Sachs has been charged for omitting material facts in the bond offerings, among them that Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho was the operator and key intermediary for 1MDB. Low has been described by Malaysian and U.S. authorities as to the central player in the 1MDB scandal. He has denied wrongdoing and his whereabouts are unknown.

The fees that Goldman received were far above the norm. Dealers were not allowed to compete in bidding for the conversions of currencies.

Categories: Banking Crisis, Corrup
Aug 10 2019

Candidate Elizabeth Warren Claims Ferguson Police Officer “Murdered” Mike Brown…


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree House on August 9, 2019 by 

Democrat presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren sent the following tweet today recognizing the five-year anniversary of Officer Darren Wilson shooting Michael Brown in self defense.   Everything about this “murder” claim is factually false.

CTH researched and covered every aspect this shooting in real time. [451 Articles here]  CTH even discovered evidence that investigators used in grand jury presentations and witness interviews.  [DOJ Report Here]

Michael Brown attacked Police Officer Darren Wilson while the officer was seated in his vehicle.  Brown attempted to get Wilson’s gun from his holster.  The firearm discharged twice wounding Brown’s forearm, while a second bullet traveled to lodge under an apartment window. During the struggle Brown’s friend Dorian Johnson lost his bracelet.  Brown and Johnson both fled.  Officer Wilson pursued Brown.  Brown stopped, turned around and charged Wilson.  While retreating Wilson fired seven shots, six hit Brown.

Ultimately the Eric Holder DOJ came to the same conclusion. Attorney General Eric Holder stated as a result of their investigation the DOJ found there was nothing even remotely accurate about how the shooting was originally reported in the media. [LINK]

Aug 9 2019

Al Sharpton the race baiter


For decades Al Sharpton has masqueraded as a civil rights leader when in actuality he’s a race baiter who exploits the African-American community for personal gain. He and fellow race profiteer Jesse Jackson have helped build a culture of grievance that encourages and promotes victimization in those they claim to be helping. When there’s misery to exploit and money to be made we know these corporate shakedown artists are anxious to assist. Thankfully shysters like these two don’t always succeed. Jussie Smollett lied about being attacked by two white Trump supporters and he did it for personal gain. He was exposed as a fake victim. Dr. Christine Blasey Ford lied about being sexually assaulted by then Supreme Court nominee Bret Kavanaugh 35 years ago. Rule of law prevailed and Kavanaugh is the newest Justice on the Supreme Court. Ford, too, was exposed as a fake victim. And we can’t forget the ultimate manipulator of victimhood, Colin Kaepernick. His disrespect for the American flag had nothing to do with his claim of police brutality towards black men. He did it for the money. Reports indicate he has received tens of millions of dollars for his anti-American behavior. Not bad for a mediocre quarterback.

The party of victimhood, the Democrat Party, takes the African-American vote for granted and have done nothing to improve the lives of these constituents for fifty years. Now the party is expanding its search for new victims to exploit. This is a party that has also abandoned the middle class. They require an ever-growing underclass of voters who are unable or unwilling to provide for themselves. Open borders and free healthcare for illegal aliens are policies designed to attract those who will instantly become dependent on government. These new victims are future voters for the party of “free stuff.” Of course, nothing is free – the middle class would be picking up this tab. Don’t believe for a moment that Democrats care about the wellbeing of those flooding across our border because they couldn’t care less.  Power is all they care about and they will gladly compromise the security and freedom of the American people to ensure it.

The left relies on a compliant and corrupt main stream media to advance this culture of victimhood.  Democrats have another powerful ally helping to bolster this charade and that’s academia. Many of today’s universities have sold out to progressivism at the expense of academic achievement. There now exists a campus culture of victimhood that is encouraged and promoted by some very unimpressive educators and administrators. Students lacking in self-respect are being convinced that it’s easier to become a victim than to rely on personal responsibility. Rather than reaching their full potential, many of these students will embrace groups identified by grievance and in some cases, [Antifa], violence. Many of these students are the same thugs that shut down conservative voices on campuses across the nation. This behavior is a display of weakness. Those attempting to shut down debate are losing the debate or attempting to hide something. These fake victims are in training to become members of the Democrat Party.

Is 2020 an important election for the future of our Republic? – you bet! Freedom or Socialism.

Jeff Longo

Aug 9 2019

Tom Homan Responds to Mississippi Illegal Alien Employment Enforcement…


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree House on August 8, 2019 by 

Retired ICE Director Tom Homan appears on Fox News to discuss the latest illegal immigrant enforcement action in Mississippi.

(Reuters) – U.S. immigration authorities arrested nearly 700 people at seven agricultural processing plants across Mississippi on Wednesday in what federal officials said could be the largest worksite enforcement operation in a single state. (read more)

Aug 9 2019

Wow, AFL-CIO Union Comes Out in Support of Illegal Alien Workers Taking U.S. Jobs…


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree house on August 8, 2019 by 

In a remarkable admission today on Twitter AFL-CIO Labor Union President Richard Trumka supports the principle of illegal alien workers taking the jobs of American workers.  This is quite a bucket of sunlight upon a previously hidden agenda.

It is quite remarkable to see a large U.S. labor union now standing in support of illegal workers in the U.S.  There was a time, throughout the history of labor unions, when some of the strongest immigration voices were against American worker displacement.  Apparently that time is passed.

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) union was recently impacted by a federal immigration authority raid in Mississippi; which resulted in almost 700 illegal alien workers being identified and removed. In addition to the unlawful border entry, most of the illegal workers used fake documents, fake identifications and stolen social security numbers to falsify employment eligibility.

In the past several years there has been a considerable disconnect between labor union leadership and the best interest of the workers they represent.  As the Democrat party has moved to direct support of open-borders, apparently the labor union leadership is following.

In 2007 labor unions aligned strongly with candidate Obama over the promise of removing the liability of healthcare from their finances, in exchange for union support.  The union need for Obamacare was big part of the back-room discussions between labor and the Obama team. Ultimately it was Obama’s promises to the SEIU, AFSCME, AFL-CIO and UFCW that sealed his nomination over Hillary Clinton.

As a result, SEIU President Andy Stern was the number one visitor to the White House following Obama’s successful election win in 2008.   Andy Stern’s job was to get healthcare removed from the union ledgers by any means necessary.  This was the cornerstone of what became known as Obamacare.

Fast foward to 2019 and perhaps this radically shifted labor union outlook toward illegal aliens is a repeat of 2007.  Another backroom deal would explain why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are now pushing for a $15/hr federal minimum wage.

Most labor union wage contracts are pegged to the federal minimum wage rate.  If the minimum wage jumps $8/hr, the union worker earning $45/hr would see a corresponding jump to $53/hr.

In essence the Democrats would be paying-off the labor union leadership for open-border immigration support by promising a much higher wage increase for union workers. In exchange for the promise of a higher wage rate, the labor unions will activate again in 2020 to the scale they did in 2008 (ballot harvesting etc); and simultaneously start supporting illegal alien workers.

History repeats.

Another deal between two devils….

Aug 7 2019

Tucker vs Antifa supporter: Are you really a professor?


Published on Sep 15, 2017

SUBSCRIBED 3.3M

Tucker takes on a pro-Antifa professor over free speech and violence of the Left and whether political violence is justified #Tucker
Aug 7 2019

Ukraine & 911


Armstrong Economics Blog/Politics

Re-Posted Aug 7, 2019 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION: I have the deepest and highest respect for your work and your sources.If it was not the CIA orchestrating the Ukraine events who could all the Billions Obama and Nuland spent there have been going to and being used for??Nuland stating USA behind regime change on camera. Chevron Oil sign indicative?

UD

ANSWER: The Ukraine Revolution and 911 have a common thread. In both cases, they were instigated by non-CIA type parties. Yanukovich himself inspired the revolution when he passed a billin parliament with a quick show of hands by his communist loyal MPs contrary to the usual system of electronic voting.

Yanukovich outlawed unauthorized tents in public areas as well as erecting stages or amplifiers in public places. Those who violate the law now face a hefty fine or detention. In addition, he outlawed more than five vehicles in “Automaidan” motorcades which prompted people displays signs I and the 5th car – do not follow.

He then outlawed free speech making it a criminal act to slander any government official, including himself. The penalty was one year of hard labor in prison.

This is what caused the uprising. The Western powers could not have pulled that off. Then Yanukovich brought in Russians for his police from the East and that resulted in the Western Ukrainian police supporting the people.

The US THREATENED the people who were NOT satisfied over the politicians who then stepped up to seize power for they were still part of the same system who claimed to see the light. Without those punitive actions by Yanukovich, the people would not have risen up in such mass. The CIA was not capable of getting Yanukovich to act so irrationally.

In the case of 911, the first World Trade Center bombers drew the twin towers with planes flying into them on the wall of their cell in Manhattan’s MCC.

In both cases, the government did not instigate the events, but they stepped in a used them for political advantage. I really do not care what they may think they did, I was actually advising the people in Ukraine, not the government politicians.

Aug 7 2019

Representative Joaquin Castro “Redflags” Trump Supporters for Immediate Targeting….


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree Hose on August 6, 2019 by 

Democrat Congressman Joaquin Castro, represents a district that encompasses San Antonio, Texas.

Using his twitter account today, Representative Castro posted a list of local donors to the Donald Trump campaign directing his followers to target those ordinary citizens.  [Tweet here]

Pay close attention to this current method of political targeting; and overlay the law of unintended consequences to the current gun control discussion surrounding “redflag” laws.

Ultimately what far-left Joaquin Castro is doing is exactly what will happen when arbitrary rules of defining people for targeting are pushed into law.  History is full of examples where this exact process was used.  None of those examples ended well for those who were defined.

Posting a list on the public square; of ordinary citizens who just hold a different political outlook; and targeting them for confrontation, is just fueling ANTIFA toward violence against those on the list.   This is what cultural progressives mean when they say: “by any means necessary.”

Joaquin Castro’s twin brother, Julian Castro, is one of the Democrat candidates for president, and was previously President Obama’s HUD secretary.  Together Joaquin and Julian personify an ideology that supports political targeting, by any means necessary – including violence, of their political opposition.

Political targeting is exactly what President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder were doing when the DOJ requested the donor contribution lists, “schedule B’s”, from the IRS (Lois Lerner) so they could generate their ‘secret research project‘ targeting list.  These actions are directly, openly, publicly and specifically, the weaponization of government.

This is the long-standing ideology of the of the political left.  It is a short walk from starting a secret research project; creating files through surveillance, generating lists of citizens and posting them in the public square; to eventually making people wear armbands.   The purposes are EXACTLY the same.

This is both the historic and modern Democrat party.

If you don’t think this is already happening, think again.

*David Plouffe was President Obama’s campaign manager.

[*Note the date]

Aug 7 2019

Former FBI Agent Peter Strzok Files Lawsuit Against DOJ and FBI…


Re-Posted from The Conservative Tree House on August 6, 2019 by 

Former FBI Agent Peter Strzok has filed a lawsuit in DC federal court seeking reinstatement and back pay as a result of his firing in 2018.

According to the lawsuit (full pdf below) Strzok is claiming his first amendment right to free speech was violated and his fifth amendment right to due process was violated.

Upon initial review, this lawsuit looks like a stunt; motive undetermined, but perhaps related to the pending release of the IG report on FISA abuse where Strzok was a key participant.

A federal civil lawsuit using the DC circuit and the U.S. Constitution as a primary protective assertion does not follow the path of a serious claim for wrongful firing or termination of employment.

Traditionally, and with a genuine claim, wrongful termination actions would go through a formal complaint and review process within the U.S. Department of Labor.  Hiring a lawyer and filing a federal civil lawsuit claiming disingenuous constitutional rights violations reeks of an ulterior motive for publicity; ie. purposeful political value in alignment with Strzock’s allies in Lawfare.   This is a political stunt… 100%

Peter Strzoks lawyers are: Aitan D. Goelman, from Zuckerman Spaeder LLP;  Richard A. Salzman and Julia T. Quinn from Heller, Huron, Chertkof & Salzman PLLC.

Here’s the Lawsuit (Cloudfare pdf here and embed pdf below):

.

It would seem that Peter Strzok has been advised by his Lawfare allies to get out ahead of any potential legal risk associated with his involvement in the Trump campaign 2016 spying and surveillance operation(s), by filing a legal action purposeful to claim retaliation in advance of any consequences from the IG report on FISA abuse.

This lawsuit is frivolous on its face.  However, it can be purposeful as a political tool to frame a narrative against action by the DOJ inspector general; or any criminal referrals therein. [Conspiracy to commit fraud upon FISA court; conspiracy to commit sedition etc]

Financially I would doubt strongly that Strzok is paying for the lawyers; they are likely being compensated by the Lawfare group participants, and a network of political affiliates, who hold a vested interest in protecting themselves from the downstream consequences of sunlight upon their operation.

Additionally, we have long noted the absence of any media engaging with any of the “small group” participants despite the Mueller report and background relevance to stories.  There are no journalist chasing down the former officials for comments…. there are no media satellite trucks in front of their houses… there is no effort to get statements from any of the participants…. Nothing. Zippo. Zilch.

Therefore, a pending lawsuit can also be used as a shield from having to answer questions; if the IG report substance is of a scale that media cannot continue avoiding.

Peter Strzok, James Baker, Andrew McCabe and Lisa Page

Aug 6 2019

Did the CIA Orchestrate the Ukrainian Revolution?


Armstrong Economics Blog/Eastern Europe

Re-Posted Aug 6, 2019 by Martin Armstrong

The attribution to the CIA orchestrating the Ukrainian Revolution against Yanukovich is total BS!!!!!!!!! I had personal friends on the barricades at Maidan when the protests began on the 21st of November 2013. I was advising the people I knew that they had to get the police to switch sides. A personal friend had the guts to go up to a Russian soldier when they entered Eastern Ukraine before the news. She went up to him and asked if she could take a photo since they were there to protect them. He allowed her to take the photo. I posted it but cut her image out for obvious reasons. I posted her photo on May 22, 2014.

I had firsthand knowledge of how this event unfolded and it was NOT organized by the CIA. We even had two staff members there in Ukraine. When they would visit the USA and saw any policeman, they would panic and try to avoid them because the police pre-revolution would abuse the people and even rape women. I explained that for the revolution to win, they had to get the police to switch sides.

Yes, the CIA gained influence and picked who would take charge but they did not get the people to rise up — they did that on their own. They threatened the people and warned that if they overthrew the new hand-picked leaders that they would be on their own. You MUST draw a line between what the people did and what the West did afterward. These people who attribute everything to an all-powerful CIA plot have NO personal knowledge of anything and spin their opinion as if it were fact. The whole “Fuck the EU!” comment by Victoria Nuland phoning with Geoffrey Pyatt was reported February 7th, 2014 and it only illustrates that there were efforts to gain control of the situation in Ukraine, but it does not demonstrate that the CIA organized the revolution from the start. Yanukovych fled Ukraine on February 22, 2014, just about 3 months from the beginning of the protests.

Yanukovych was an oligarch and his police were shaking down businesses and forcing them to pay his two sons. He was running Ukraine the same way oligarchs ran Russia. You obey their commands or you die. If you had a business that was really doing well, Yanukovych and his sons would confiscate it. That is what caused the people to rise up, it was nothing the CIA managed to do. I had personal friends on the barricades. I was deeply concerned for their safety and was in regular contact offering my advice.