Tag Archives: U. S. Civil Unrest

Oct 21 2018

The End of Britain with 2nd Referendum on BREXIT?


Armstrong Economics Blog/BRITAIN

Re-Posted Oct 21, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

As many as 670,000 people protested in London to call for a second Brexit referendum. Our computer is showing that a second referendum will vote to remain but this is most likely because they will rig the vote. This is in conflict with our economic model which shows that BREXIT should still win. Keep in mind that we have crossed the Rubicon in politics here in 2018. The chances of any election actually being honest and fair is highly unlikely.

 

 

Of course, these people are just brainwashed. They are completely ignorant of the fact that remaining in the EU will be the death of Britain. They listen to the likes of Tony Blair and other politicians who get huge pensions from the EU. These protesters are really too stupid to understand what they are protesting for and they are just pawns in a game for corrupt politicians. The economic growth of Britain has steadily declined ever since joining the EU. We have provided this chart to the British press and politicians but not a single person has made this chart public. But worse still, Britain is resented in the EU because without Britain Europe would have been lost to both Hitler as well as Napoleon. Without Britain, Europe would never be free. Many resent that they owe everything to Britain.

All the history aside, any trade deal can only be subjected to a veto of 28 member states. Britain cannot reach a trade deal on its own terms with anyone for they can be stopped by the raising of just one hand. Britain will also see its financial market destroyed for Brussels wants to be able to outlaw short-selling to protect the Euro by decree when the free markets go against them. On top of that, the ECB has destroyed the European bond market and that is just starting to bubble to the surface as rates are rising in Southern Europe.

On top of that, Britain loses just about every court ruling in the European Court. And as for migrants, the number one name in Britain among newborns has been Muhammed.

 

 

The British pound had really been just a unit-of-account prior to 1489. It was literally one pound of “sterling” silver .925 fine. The first one-pound coin appeared in gold and was issued in 1489 by Henry VII. The risk that the British pound will no longer exit arrives in 2029

Oct 15 2018

Merkel’s Conservative Lose Absolute Majority in Bavaria


Armstrong Economics Blog/European Union

Re-Posted Oct 15, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

It is really mindblowing how politicians simply refuse to admit a mistake with the refugees and reverse course. Merkel has dug in her heels in over this issue and it is just not going to get better. From the outset, I warned that in an economic decline, the last thing you do is accept immigrants. This is not my opinion – it is just patterns from the past. That similar event of immigrants coming in during an economic decline led to street battles in the USA when it was just the Irish during the 1840 Great Depression and Sovereign Debt Crisis. History repeats for the same stupid decisions time and again. Merkel has set the stage for violence in Europe and political discontent that threatens to undermine the entire EU projected.

In a further erosion of Germany’s political mainstream is clearly underway. The Bavarian conservative party, the CSU, has lost its absolute majority. Meanwhile, the Greens have become the second-largest political force in southern Germany. Additionally, the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis continues to brew. European officials are back in the spotlight recently as the debt crisis in Italy has cast Europe directly in the eye of the storm. The loss of the CSU in Germany is undermining the survivability of Merkel. With her demise, we will also see the collapse of the Euro.

Oct 15 2018

Australia Turning Really Authoritative? Is this How a Dark Age Begins?


Armstrong Economics Blog/The Hunt for Taxes

Re-Posted Oct 15, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

The greed of governments in their pursuit of money is the single greatest threat to creating a Dark Age. With New Zealand imposing a $5,000 fine for just landing there and you refuse to hand over your pen and passwords to your phone for them to search, now we have Australia going really nuts to the point that they risk tech companies simply banning the sale of their products in the country. The Assistance and Access Bill 2018 in Australia will force Google, Apple, Facebook, and other technology groups to help Australian authorities decode certain forms of encrypted communications on their systems, or face fines of up to AU$10 million. The government says the legislation will help protect against terrorism, fraud and child abuse crimes, claiming it aims to ensure criminals “have no place to hide.”

The problem that arises that failure to pay taxes they also call criminal. Hence, the hunt for money is greatly aided by this type of legislation far more than any other pretend criminal activity. While the government has stopped short of demanding backdoor access to tech companies’ systems that would allow the government to tap into end-to-end encryption services such as WhatsApp, it does demand access to data at “points where it is not encrypted.”

Apple, FOR INSTANCE,  would not be made to create a backdoor for their iMessage where every user’s encryption key is different. But the government could request access to the single encryption key for its iCloud services. When you send a message to a friend, it’s encrypted as it travels between the two devices, and when it arrives, it’s decrypted for your friend to read, which is when the government should get to read it. The Australian government is cleverly demanding not a backdoor, but a “side door” to gain access to whatever people are sending.

Naturally, the cybersecurity minister claims this will only be allowed under strict guidelines, with companies subject to three levels of escalation: an interception agency requesting the company voluntarily assist; a “Technical Assistance Notice” whereby the companies are instructed to help; and a “Technical Capability Notice”, which can only be issued by the attorney-general and basically means “comply or face a fine.” However, such promises from governments are really worthless. They always go beyond their claims of restraint.

Apple has filed a complaint stating that the Australian government previously stated that they would not to weaken encryption or compel providers to build systemic weaknesses into their products for that would undermine the entire internet and bring commerce to a halt. Apple has made it clear that this legislation poses serious risks:

  • Overly broad powers that could weaken cybersecurity and encryption
  • A lack of appropriate independent judicial oversight
  • Technical requirements based only on the government’s subjective view of reasonableness and practicability
  • Unprecedented interception requirements
  • Unnecessarily stifling secrecy mandates
  • Extraterritoriality and global impact

Governments are in serious trouble and they will be raising taxes dramatically before they ever dare try to reform. In 2016, Apple fought back when the FBI attempted to compel Apple to unlock the San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone. Creating backdoors means that sophisticated hackers will discover them and exploit them faster than you can blink an eye. There is a profound risk of bringing down the entire digital e-commerce world and you are looking at the destruction of the entire world economy. Apple has come out and stated that this bill is still unfit for today’s world. Governments around the world have to realize that their greed can topple our very way of life

Sep 12 2018

Now we have IREXIT forming in Ireland


Armstrong Economics Blog/European Union

Re-Posted Sep 12, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

There is a new Irish political party emerging in the Republic of Ireland to promote leave the EU, which was inspired by the successful Brexit movement. Theresa May has really messed up the entire BREXIT movement and at the same time, this has exposed Europe for what it really is – a power and money grab that has been resentful of the British probably from inception since without Britain, Europe would be speaking French when they stopped Napoleon and the German when they stopped Germany. Without Britain, Europe might not exist as it does today. Then add the Irish who saved civilization for the barbarians burned everything in Europe creating really the Dark Ages and it was the Irish monasteries who saved the old knowledge along with the Arabs.

So now we have IREXIT Freedom party, which has launched in Dublin who want wants Ireland to “take back control” from Brussels. The party plans to run candidates in next year’s European Parliament elections and the 2021 Irish general election. Meanwhile, the European Union is in “mortal danger” warns the budget Commissioner Günther Oettinger and has stated that member states are not complying with EU budget directives. He warned Ital will suffer huge penalties if it does not comply. In reality, we are looking at the occupation of Europe by the EU which conquered the continent with an idea rather than troops and guns as was the approach of Napoleon and Hitler.

Sep 12 2018

Canada’s Conservative Split Forming a New Party


Armstrong Economics Blog/Canada

Re-Posted Sep 12, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

Maxime Bernier PC MP is a Canadian businessman, lawyer, and politician, who is currently serving as Member of Parliament for the Quebec riding of Beauce, having been elected four times with a majority of the vote. He has pointed out that it is always the ordinary taxpayers who ultimately have to pay for all these benefits promised by the government. He has argued that the Conservative Party is not doing enough and that it’s just not worth it. He has characterized that people are voting for Trudeau with “rational ignorance” that will lead the nation into disaster. The Globe and Mail reported that 17% of Canadians said they were open to voting for a new conservative party led by Maxime Bernier. Politics is fragmenting everywhere and some see Bernier as Canada’s semi-version of Trump, although he has been a longstanding politician

Sep 10 2018

Pattern Repeats – Political Imprisonment followed by Leadership


Armstrong Economics Blog/Greece

Re-Posted Sep 10, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

I really do not think people realize that they are just extras in a political film which is an endless struggle for freedom. There is a book written by Oriana Fallaci which began as an interview of Allesandro Panagoulis. Oriana was a journalist who was interviewing fourteen contemporary political leaders, which included Henry Kissinger, Meir, Arafat, Indira Gandhi, and the Shah of Iran. She sought to understand their personal attitudes and propensities that brought them to such status. She called this an Interview with History.

In the course of her investigations, she wrote A Man about Allesandro Panagoulis who stood up against the dictatorship and oppression of the Greek people. He was imprisoned and tortured for years. Most were stunned that he even survived this treatment. Like Nelson Mandella, the same pattern of imprisonment was followed by the fall of the government and a rebirth back to democracy. Panagoulis took an active role in the fight against the Regime of the Colonels (1967–1974) in Greece. He became famous for his attempt to assassinate dictator Georgios Papadopoulos on August 13th, 1968, and the subsequent endless torture. However, following the collapse of the dictatorship government, democracy was reborn. This is when Panagoulis was elected to the Greek parliament as a member of the Center Union.

Panagoulis discovered that the very people who had tortured him were then pretending to be democrats. Allesandro systematically began to investigate the corruption in the police and the political government. Just two days before all the files of the junta’s military police (the “E.A.T.-E.S.A. file”) he announced would be released, he was assassinated.  One of the methods to assassinate a leader so he is not made into a hero is to create what appears to always be an accident. On the 1st of May 1976, a car accident was staged on Vouliagmenis Avenue in Athens. A car drove extremely fast and directed its path to impact Panagoulis. Without a choice and counting on a human reflex, Panagoulis’ car and forced to divert and crash in which he was said to have been killed almost instantaneously. The files never materialized to support the collaboration of corruption of the police in league with Greek officers who worked with Nazi Germany in World War II. These men who killed Greeks served in the Security Battalions who fought for the Germans in 1943-1944. These very people were those who were the leaders of the Colonels’ Regime of 1967-1974 and were torturing Panagoulis. There are no such coincidences in these types of affairs.

Sep 10 2018

Swedish Elections Shift to the Right


Armstrong Economics Blog/Scandinavia

Re-Posted Sep 9, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

The Swedish election has shifted to the right thanks to the Refugee Crisis. The Social Democrats came in with the worst result in decades and the right-wing populists have risen to their best results since their inception. Although the Social Democrats escaped a complete disaster in the parliamentary elections, they have lost a lot to the right-wing populists. The party of Prime Minister Stefan Löfven appears to remain in place. Meanwhile, the currency still appears lower as we move forward in time.

Categories: Scandinavia
Sep 6 2018

France’s Dream of Europe without NATO


Armstrong Economic Blog/War

Re-Posted Sep 6, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION: Mr. Armstrong; The French have never been real supporters of America and NATO. They have always wanted to be seen as a world power since Charles DeGaul. What is your view on Macron’s answer to Trump’s demand that they pay their fair share of NATO to turn to Russia?

JE

ANSWER: The French President Emmanuel Macron has urged European states to work with Russia and construct new security architecture, in a bid to strengthen defense capabilities within the European Union and thus rely less on America. This is a question of power. NATO exists because of a view that Russia would invade Europe to end capitalism. Those days are gone. Nonetheless, the idea of empire still haunts us to this day. That is the idea in reality behind the European Union to take Europe and recreate the old Roman Empire of one federalized government. Putin may harbor that same view of reestablishing the Russian Empire. However, it is no longer to spread communism. It may take another 50 to 100 years before we end this idea of empire. Macron is still displaying the view that Europe should stand together against America. It has been the Frech who have blocked free trade and trade negotiations because they are the origin of communism where the idea was born and this is reflected in the poor economic performance of France as a whole

Aug 26 2018

Australian Politics – 6 Prime Ministers in 13 years


Armstrong Economics Blog/Australia & Oceania

RE-Posted Aug 26, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

QUESTION: Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I don’t know if you’ve heard the news but here down under in Australia, the Liberal party has just replaced the current Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to Scott Morrison. This is the 6th leadership change at the federal level since Kevin Rudd’s 2007 election. Each prime minister seems to only last about 2-2.5 years and never completes their full term. Do you think the invisible hand of cycles is playing a role here? It’s hard to believe this is all just a coincidence. The politics here is just insane, no one cares about the country and each party only cares about the next election. If you include the state level then we have had 66 leadership changes in 13 years!! Insane right?
Regards,
J

ANSWER: I fully understand. The Australian government is in crisis and they are only looking at themselves and how to weather the economic storm. This constant change in the leadership reminds me of Rome as it headed into the Great Monetary Crisis of the 3rd century. From the time of Maximinus I (235-238AD) when he declared all wealth belonged to the State (Him), until 268 and the final overthrow of Gallienus in (253-268AD),  there were 26 emperors in 33 years making the average reign just 1.26 years. So actually, you are beating the fall of Rome since your turnover rate is 6 political heads of state in just 11 years making it 1.83 years for an average reign. You are not there yet.

This is a reflection of the declining state of politics and government on a worldwide scale. We are preparing a special report on politics which will include the upcoming American mid-term election

Aug 20 2018

Brunson – the Alleged Pastor


Armstrong Economics Blog/Turkey

Re-Posted Aug 20, 2018 by Martin Armstrong

 

 

The Turkish court has rejected the appeal to release Andrew Brunson, who is the alleged US pastor at the center of a dispute between Ankara and Washington. While he has been there for 23 years, his new Church of the Resurrection has existed for less than a year and it had only 25 members. From the photo, it appears that the prayer room consists of about 40 seats. There is no professional pulpit, but drums and a lectern with speakers. Nobody even knows about the financing of the church.

Following the Turkey coup of July 15th, 2016, Brunson was arrested by the Turkish security authorities in October 2016. He was charged with espionage and the attempt to overthrow the Turkish government. According to the newspaper Sözcü , Brunson wrote in an e-mail to a friend five days after the coup: “The Turkish people have not taken sides as usual for the Turkish military. Everything is going badly, but in the end, we will be the winners. “ This one of the statements of Brunson that forms the charges in his indictment.

According to the indictment, Brunson also met with the head of the Gülen movement for the Aegean, Bekir Baz, on several occasions before the coup. Brunson apparently told the prosecutor that he did not know a person named Bekir Baz and had never met a member of the Gülen movement knowingly. He has also been charged with being involved with members of the PKK. Brunson also denies trying to help Syrian refugees.

The indictment against Brunson also alleged that Brunson was kicked out of the Church of the New Birth between 2008 and 2009 because it did not support terror. He then went abroad for about one and a half months. Brunson then returned to Turkey, and he opened a new church in Alsancak in Bornova Street. 

Trump demands Brunson back and Erdogan refuses. The question remains if Trump even does know the real story of Brunson and in fact does anyone? It some seem obsessive that Erdogan just does not deport him, send him back to the states, and deny him any right to return. That would end the upfront issue and then the real build-up of tension might pass and relieve Turkey as a nation.