OK, one of the blogs I follow,Miyazaki Ministries, because it plays to my better nature, asks the question "Is There Justification For War." Now you have to understand that this site, while announcing itself to be Buddhist (good point) is more atheist than theist (bad point). So when I read all the reasons why war can not be justified, I had to ask myself - are these people conflicted or what? They seem to be at war with themself.
On the one hand you have people who wish to live in a dream land of peace - hey, don't we all? Yet on the otherhand believe in a universe ruled by "natural law". Now, the nature that I am familiar with is not peaceful.Yes, if you are looking at a planet that is orbiting a larger mass then you have a peaceful equalibrium and all is right with the universe - if you don't mention the occassional meteor strike or galaxy collision.
On the other hand, you can watch our local four legged friends who are quite peaceful - when asleep. At other times when looking for food, marking territory or looking for dates they are not inclined towards peaceful "civil" relationships. So where is it in natural law that we can find an example for all those idealic relationships my friends at Miyazaki Ministries put forth as the proper way to live?
They say we have been at war with each other - essentially since the first proto human picked up a stick and waved it at another. Well then wouldn't that give us a hint that war and agressive competition is a basic human nature? Peaceful nationa and peaceful rabbits have a tendency to get eaten. Strong nations have peace just as strong lions tend to have peace as they kill their weaker rivals.
So, what is the motivating justification for peace and "renouncing greed and unjust desires"? It is not true that "All religions teach people not to kill ..." though the Bible does speak about turning the other cheek. Most major religions however DO teach respect for human life but that teaching is not based on natural law but on the foundation of a belief in and instruction from a higher spiritual power.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
Vox Americana: US Best Days Yet to Come
Vox Americana: US Best Days Yet to Come: Much nonsense has been written in recent years about the prospects of American decline and the inevitable rise of China. But it was not a de...
Sunday, November 27, 2011
"You could have heard a pin drop"
JFK'S Secretary of State, Dean Rusk, was in France in the early 60's when
De Gaulle decided to pull out of NATO. De Gaulle said he wanted all US
military out of France as soon as possible.
Rusk responded,
"Does that include those who are buried here?"
De Gaulle did not respond.
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When in England , at a fairly large conference,
Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury
if our plans for Iraq were just an example of 'empire building' by George
Bush.
He answered by saying,
"Over the years, the United States has sent many of
its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom
beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for
in return is enough to bury those that did not return."
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a conference in France
where a number of international engineers
were taking part, including French and American. During a break,
one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, "Have you
heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft
carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he
intend to do, bomb them?"
A Boeing engineer
stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three
hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are
nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to
shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to
feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a
dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships;
how many does France have?"
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A U.S. Navy Admiral
was attending a naval conference that included
Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries.
Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a
French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that
we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.
"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."
The American said,
"The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."
"Impossible..
Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !"
The American senior
gave the Frenchman a long hard look.
Then he quietly explained,
''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country,
I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."
You could have heard a pin drop.
De Gaulle decided to pull out of NATO. De Gaulle said he wanted all US
military out of France as soon as possible.
Rusk responded,
"Does that include those who are buried here?"
De Gaulle did not respond.
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When in England , at a fairly large conference,
Colin Powell was asked by the Archbishop of Canterbury
if our plans for Iraq were just an example of 'empire building' by George
Bush.
He answered by saying,
"Over the years, the United States has sent many of
its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom
beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for
in return is enough to bury those that did not return."
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There was a conference in France
where a number of international engineers
were taking part, including French and American. During a break,
one of the French engineers came back into the room saying, "Have you
heard the latest dumb stunt Bush has done? He has sent an aircraft
carrier to Indonesia to help the tsunami victims. What does he
intend to do, bomb them?"
A Boeing engineer
stood up and replied quietly: "Our carriers have three
hospitals on board that can treat several hundred people; they are
nuclear powered and can supply emergency electrical power to
shore facilities; they have three cafeterias with the capacity to
feed 3,000 people three meals a day, they can produce several thousand gallons of fresh water from sea water each day, and they carry half a
dozen helicopters for use in transporting victims and injured to and from their flight deck. We have eleven such ships;
how many does France have?"
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A U.S. Navy Admiral
was attending a naval conference that included
Admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian and French Navies At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of officers that included personnel from most of those countries.
Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a
French admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked, "Why is it that
we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?"
Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brit's, Canadians, Aussie's and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German."
You could have heard a pin drop.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Robert Whiting, an elderly gentleman of 83, arrived in Paris by plane.
At French Customs, he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry on.
"You have been to France before, monsieur?" the customs officer asked sarcastically.
Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.
"Then you should know enough to have your passport ready."
The American said,
"The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it."
"Impossible..
Americans always have to show their passports on arrival in France !"
The American senior
gave the Frenchman a long hard look.
Then he quietly explained,
''Well, when I came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate this country,
I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to."
You could have heard a pin drop.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
The Meaning of Life
Meaning is derived from purpose. If I create a watch I give it meaning based on its purpose. If you believe creation is random - essentially a multitude of random chances falling into place, then there is random meaning - ie: no meaning. If you believe in a Creator, then meaning comes from the creator. Thus, to understand the meaning of life, you need to understand the purpose for which it was created. If there is no purpose, then it follows that there is no meaning.
To say that "the meaning of life is to live life" has no meaning. Is life self determinant?Is life a state of existance or is it something more? If it is existance, then we are no different than any other form of existance. We just exist. If there is more, like happiness, or bliss or avoiding suffering, then what defines those qualities? Do I define my own happiness? If my happiness intrudes on your happiness what then? Is there a higher standard of happiness? Where did it come from? If there is no creator then that question of there being a higher standard is foolish.
To say that "the meaning of life is to live life" has no meaning. Is life self determinant?Is life a state of existance or is it something more? If it is existance, then we are no different than any other form of existance. We just exist. If there is more, like happiness, or bliss or avoiding suffering, then what defines those qualities? Do I define my own happiness? If my happiness intrudes on your happiness what then? Is there a higher standard of happiness? Where did it come from? If there is no creator then that question of there being a higher standard is foolish.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Do you support "Occupy Wall Street"?
If you do, then do the following:
1. Take your money out of the big five banks and put it in small local banks
2. Take your investments out of the big investment companies and invest locally.
3. Get loans from your local bank or credit union - not the big banks.
4. Do not vote for representatives who receive money from outside your district - if they do, then they won't represent you - they will represent those who gave them money.
5. Only buy "Made in America" that supports jobs like nothing else.
6. Buy from your local shops before you buy from chain stores. That keeps your money in the community.
7. Keep your community clean, drug free and support neighborhood watch - look out for each other. That will bring your police and medical costs down.
1. Take your money out of the big five banks and put it in small local banks
2. Take your investments out of the big investment companies and invest locally.
3. Get loans from your local bank or credit union - not the big banks.
4. Do not vote for representatives who receive money from outside your district - if they do, then they won't represent you - they will represent those who gave them money.
5. Only buy "Made in America" that supports jobs like nothing else.
6. Buy from your local shops before you buy from chain stores. That keeps your money in the community.
7. Keep your community clean, drug free and support neighborhood watch - look out for each other. That will bring your police and medical costs down.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
What is atheism?
It depends on where you come from. Fundamentally it is the rejection of the existence of a deity.
On the surface, this sounds innocuous. While many might find it unpalatable and others a crazy idea, a very large number of people in the world are atheist.
Now here is the rub: It is not the belief that human life ends at the last breathe. It is not the belief that human spirit ends its existence after the physical body “dies.” Atheism is NOT the belief that science is the only proof of existence. It is simply the rejection of a creator.
So, why did I say “It depends on where you come from”?
In the western (American) culture, heavily influenced by materialism, atheism goes hand in hand and indistinguishable from the concept that human life ends with the death of the material human body, AND that nothing exists beyond the eventual ability of science to prove. Personally I find this to be an incredibly arrogant and closed minded approach to existence.
Then there is the Eastern metaphysical view of atheism exemplified by Buddhism. Buddhism is an “Atheistic” religion in that it does not hold that there is a “creator” God; but, it DOES teach that human life is more than the confines of the physical body.
Buddhism does acknowledge an ever evolving human spirit that continues to grow after the death of our present physical body through ever higher levels of existence and inter-action with the universe. Buddhism does not expound a creator God but does extort humans to become “god-like” through a journey of self-discovery encompassing ever broader universal ideals.
Even if I held to this belief, I would still have to ask, “with a universe as vast as ours, is there not room for life other than – and perhaps even much greater than, human?”
On the surface, this sounds innocuous. While many might find it unpalatable and others a crazy idea, a very large number of people in the world are atheist.
Now here is the rub: It is not the belief that human life ends at the last breathe. It is not the belief that human spirit ends its existence after the physical body “dies.” Atheism is NOT the belief that science is the only proof of existence. It is simply the rejection of a creator.
So, why did I say “It depends on where you come from”?
In the western (American) culture, heavily influenced by materialism, atheism goes hand in hand and indistinguishable from the concept that human life ends with the death of the material human body, AND that nothing exists beyond the eventual ability of science to prove. Personally I find this to be an incredibly arrogant and closed minded approach to existence.
Then there is the Eastern metaphysical view of atheism exemplified by Buddhism. Buddhism is an “Atheistic” religion in that it does not hold that there is a “creator” God; but, it DOES teach that human life is more than the confines of the physical body.
Buddhism does acknowledge an ever evolving human spirit that continues to grow after the death of our present physical body through ever higher levels of existence and inter-action with the universe. Buddhism does not expound a creator God but does extort humans to become “god-like” through a journey of self-discovery encompassing ever broader universal ideals.
Even if I held to this belief, I would still have to ask, “with a universe as vast as ours, is there not room for life other than – and perhaps even much greater than, human?”
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Did Treasury Just Strategically (Intentionally) Default?
The Market Ticker ® - Commentary on The Capital Markets
Posted 2011-07-01 18:54
by Karl Denninger
in Federal Government
Ignore this thread
Did Treasury Just Strategically (Intentionally) Default?
It sure looks like they did.
Yesterday.
Here's the DTS (daily cash statement) for Treasury.
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=189249
And here's the problem with it:
Note that the pink line did not move much. In fact, it went down.
It should have gone up - a lot - because the "Trust Funds" (you know, Social Security and Medicare?) that you folks on the left keep bleating about being "money good" and "actual debt" had a coupon payment from Treasury due yesterday.
IT WAS NOT MADE.
IF IT HAD BEEN, IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN THE DEBT LIMIT.
That's a default, and it instantaneously destroys both the claim that such activity is not "selective" or, if you prefer, "strategic" and it also destroys the argument that Medicare and Social Security Trust fund "debt" - not just public debt - is subject to the 14th Amendment and thus is "protected" against the Treasury choosing to blow it off.
By the way if you're curious about how much this should amount to (~$90 billion, more or less) have a look at the June 30th, 2010 DTS statement.
Oh, and as for Geithner? He said that any default on any obligation would trigger an immediate market panic. Well, this did - straight up on the S&P and DOW. So much for Timmy's lies.
Have a nice day.
Hattip Publius on the forum who caught it before I did.
Posted 2011-07-01 18:54
by Karl Denninger
in Federal Government
Ignore this thread
Did Treasury Just Strategically (Intentionally) Default?
It sure looks like they did.
Yesterday.
Here's the DTS (daily cash statement) for Treasury.
http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?post=189249
And here's the problem with it:
Note that the pink line did not move much. In fact, it went down.
It should have gone up - a lot - because the "Trust Funds" (you know, Social Security and Medicare?) that you folks on the left keep bleating about being "money good" and "actual debt" had a coupon payment from Treasury due yesterday.
IT WAS NOT MADE.
IF IT HAD BEEN, IT WOULD HAVE BLOWN THE DEBT LIMIT.
That's a default, and it instantaneously destroys both the claim that such activity is not "selective" or, if you prefer, "strategic" and it also destroys the argument that Medicare and Social Security Trust fund "debt" - not just public debt - is subject to the 14th Amendment and thus is "protected" against the Treasury choosing to blow it off.
By the way if you're curious about how much this should amount to (~$90 billion, more or less) have a look at the June 30th, 2010 DTS statement.
Oh, and as for Geithner? He said that any default on any obligation would trigger an immediate market panic. Well, this did - straight up on the S&P and DOW. So much for Timmy's lies.
Have a nice day.
Hattip Publius on the forum who caught it before I did.
A free and independent press? Yeah, right ...
by Arthur Noren on Saturday, July 2, 2011
"There is no such thing, at this date of the world's history, in America as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did you know beforehand that it would never appear in print.
"I am paid $150 a week for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for things, and if any of you would be so foolish as to write honest opinions, would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before 24 hours, my occupation would be gone.
"The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press. We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes.
"We are Jumping-Jacks -- they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes!" -- John Swinton, 1914, former Editor New York Times, (Un-biased Media?? and much worse since then!!)
Keep that in mind as you explore these News Page Links!!
Idaho Travel News
Montana Travel News
Coeur d'Alene Press
Spokane Spokesman-Review
Montana Standard
Missoulian
The Idaho Observer
LewRockwell.com
FOX News
NewsMax
World Net Daily
Electronic Telegraph
Drudge Report
Wall Street Journal
U.S.A. Today
Washington Post
And on the bottom of the list
ABC
CNN
"Mr. Swinton made the statement in 1914 in his speech at the New York Press Club during his retirement party from the New York Times.
"Swinton had been managing editor of the New York Sun until he started his own journal - John Swinton's Paper in 1883. It became one of the most influential and interesting journals in the country. It played a significant role in the upheaval of the American working class in the mid 1880's. Swinton was active in the free-state movement in Kansas and later worked for the New York Times.
"As a side note, John Swinton (1828 - 1921) was the author of the book, "STRIKING FOR LIFE, Labor's Side of the Labor
Question. The Right of the Workingman to a Fair Living (1894)", as the result of some experience, reflection and observation. This book contains a discussion of the rights of labor by some of their most important spokesmen.
The New York Times owns the Boston Globe. Look at who owns both:
Cede & Co., c/o The Depository Trust Co. (the FederalReserve)
United States Trust Company of New York
Wells Fargo Institutional Trust Company
Bank of New York
Bank One Ohio Trust Company
Bankers Trust Company
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Mellon Bank, N.A.
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.
Northern Trust Co.
Smith Barney, Inc.
"What do you think the chances are that you're ever going to hear a single story that the Federal Reserve Banking Cartel doesn't approve?
"And which other media sources are owned by the Federal Reserve Banking Cartel established in 1913-1914?? All of them???
"The bureaucratic objective is this: If you cannot suppress the news or control it, then for heaven's sake convert it into a meaningless mass of gobbledegook." (Roger Tarterian, Editor, United Press
International, March, 8, 1967)
""You cannot hope to bribe or twist, thank God,
an American journalist - But seeing what the man will do, unbribed, there's no
occasion to." (Humbert Wolfe)
""This is, in theory still a free country, but
our politically correct, censorious times are such that many of us tremble to give vent to perfectly acceptable views for fear of condemnation. Freedom of speech is thereby imperiled, big questions go undebated, and great lies become accepted, unequivocally, as great truths." (Simon Heffer, Daily Mail, June 7th, 2000)
"There is no such thing, at this date of the world's history, in America as an independent press. You know it and I know it. There is not one of you who dares to write your honest opinions, and if you did you know beforehand that it would never appear in print.
"I am paid $150 a week for keeping my honest opinion out of the paper I am connected with. Others of you are paid similar salaries for things, and if any of you would be so foolish as to write honest opinions, would be out on the streets looking for another job. If I allowed my honest opinions to appear in one issue of my paper, before 24 hours, my occupation would be gone.
"The business of the journalists is to destroy the truth; to lie outright; to pervert; to vilify; to fawn at the feet of Mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread. You know it and I know it and what folly is this toasting an independent press. We are the tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes.
"We are Jumping-Jacks -- they pull the strings and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes!" -- John Swinton, 1914, former Editor New York Times, (Un-biased Media?? and much worse since then!!)
Keep that in mind as you explore these News Page Links!!
Idaho Travel News
Montana Travel News
Coeur d'Alene Press
Spokane Spokesman-Review
Montana Standard
Missoulian
The Idaho Observer
LewRockwell.com
FOX News
NewsMax
World Net Daily
Electronic Telegraph
Drudge Report
Wall Street Journal
U.S.A. Today
Washington Post
And on the bottom of the list
ABC
CNN
"Mr. Swinton made the statement in 1914 in his speech at the New York Press Club during his retirement party from the New York Times.
"Swinton had been managing editor of the New York Sun until he started his own journal - John Swinton's Paper in 1883. It became one of the most influential and interesting journals in the country. It played a significant role in the upheaval of the American working class in the mid 1880's. Swinton was active in the free-state movement in Kansas and later worked for the New York Times.
"As a side note, John Swinton (1828 - 1921) was the author of the book, "STRIKING FOR LIFE, Labor's Side of the Labor
Question. The Right of the Workingman to a Fair Living (1894)", as the result of some experience, reflection and observation. This book contains a discussion of the rights of labor by some of their most important spokesmen.
The New York Times owns the Boston Globe. Look at who owns both:
Cede & Co., c/o The Depository Trust Co. (the FederalReserve)
United States Trust Company of New York
Wells Fargo Institutional Trust Company
Bank of New York
Bank One Ohio Trust Company
Bankers Trust Company
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.
The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
Boston Safe Deposit & Trust Co.
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Mellon Bank, N.A.
Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith
Morgan Guaranty Trust Co.
Northern Trust Co.
Smith Barney, Inc.
"What do you think the chances are that you're ever going to hear a single story that the Federal Reserve Banking Cartel doesn't approve?
"And which other media sources are owned by the Federal Reserve Banking Cartel established in 1913-1914?? All of them???
"The bureaucratic objective is this: If you cannot suppress the news or control it, then for heaven's sake convert it into a meaningless mass of gobbledegook." (Roger Tarterian, Editor, United Press
International, March, 8, 1967)
""You cannot hope to bribe or twist, thank God,
an American journalist - But seeing what the man will do, unbribed, there's no
occasion to." (Humbert Wolfe)
""This is, in theory still a free country, but
our politically correct, censorious times are such that many of us tremble to give vent to perfectly acceptable views for fear of condemnation. Freedom of speech is thereby imperiled, big questions go undebated, and great lies become accepted, unequivocally, as great truths." (Simon Heffer, Daily Mail, June 7th, 2000)
Monday, April 25, 2011
IMF bombshell: Age of America nears end
Commentary: China’s economy will surpass the U.S. in 2016By Brett Arends, MarketWatch
BOSTON (MarketWatch) — The International Monetary Fund has just dropped a bombshell, and nobody noticed.
For the first time, the international organization has set a date for the moment when the “Age of America” will end and the U.S. economy will be overtaken by that of China.
The Obama deficit tour:
The Wall Street Journal’s Steve Moore critiques the president's speeches attacking Republican budget plans.
And it’s a lot closer than you may think.
According to the latest IMF official forecasts, China’s economy will surpass that of America in real terms in 2016 — just five years from now.
Put that in your calendar.
It provides a painful context for the budget wrangling taking place in Washington, D.C., right now. It raises enormous questions about what the international security system is going to look like in just a handful of years. And it casts a deepening cloud over both the U.S. dollar and the giant Treasury market, which have been propped up for decades by their privileged status as the liabilities of the world’s hegemonic power.
According to the IMF forecast, whoever is elected U.S. president next year — Obama? Mitt Romney? Donald Trump? — will be the last to preside over the world’s largest economy.
Most people aren’t prepared for this. They aren’t even aware it’s that close. Listen to experts of various stripes and they will tell you this moment is decades away. The most bearish will put the figure in the mid-2020s.
But they’re miscounting. They’re only comparing the gross domestic products of the two countries using current exchange rates.
That’s a largely meaningless comparison in real terms. Exchange rates change quickly. And China’s exchange rates are phony. China artificially undervalues its currency, the renminbi, through massive intervention in the markets. ... Read More
Monday, April 18, 2011
An American Family Portrait.
Awe, now isn't that the cutest Darwinian family portrait. So tell the young one to go out and play with his little friends, Geithner and Bernanke and steal some more bananas.
Oh, and watch out, you know those little guys like to piss on others guys ... and throw their shit around. Pretty much what they are doing today in everyone else's backyards.
Just keep this in mind the next time this chimp promises to take care of you:
"A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.” Pres. Gerald Ford
Friday, April 1, 2011
Takashi Uesugi: The Interview
http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/feature/2776/Takashi-Uesugi-The-Interview
Time Out meets the journalist who TEPCO love to hate
Posted: Fri Apr 01 2011
In the immediate aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese media stayed remarkably calm. While overseas news outlets fretted about nuclear meltdown and terrified expats stranded in a 'City of Ghosts', their Japanese counterparts generally hewed closer to the official line: stay calm, go about your business as usual. And, yes, you can still drink the tap water.
But that was only part of the picture. While the mainstream media presented a reasonably united front, a group of freelance and internet journalists were openly dissatisfied with the explanations being given at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s seemingly endless stream of press conferences. Why wasn't the company mentioning levels of plutonium around the stricken Fukushima Daiichi power plant? What had happened to TEPCO's president, Masataka Shimizu – last seen on March 13?
One of the most influential members of this group of dissenters is Takashi Uesugi, a former New York Times journalist and, in an earlier incarnation, aide to Liberal Democratic Party bigwig Kunio Hatoyama. The author of books including The Collapse of Journalism, Uesugi is a vociferous critic of Japan's 'Kisha Club' system – a network of exclusive press clubs that, he says, nurtures excessively close relationships between reporters and the organisations they are supposed to cover.
Gadfly to some, hero to others, Uesugi is a much-sought commentator. He makes weekly appearances on Tokyo FM and Asahi Newstar, and is a regular contributor to the Diamond Weekly business website, along with various weekly tabloids. However, he's most prolific on his own website and via Twitter, where he commands a following of 177,000 and counting. One place place he won't be appearing any more is TBS Radio, who booted Uesugi from his regular weekly guest slot this month (more on that later).
Time Out caught up with Uesugi last Monday, during a brief lull between press conferences at the TEPCO head office in Shimbashi. We'd gone expecting to have a nice chat about tweets and microsieverts, but smalltalk apparently wasn't an option. What followed was a eye-opening, if occasionally paranoid tirade against TEPCO, the government and the mass media, delivered in rapid-fire Japanese.
Obviously a lot has happened over the past couple of weeks, but what are the main things you've learned?
Basically, something that I knew from the beginning, but has become more blatant yesterday and today [March 27-28], is this terrible situation where the government and TEPCO are suppressing information. To be more specific, I thought it was strange that there was nothing written about plutonium when the data about reactor 3 was given out at the TEPCO press conference on the 27th, so I asked them if it was true that no plutonium had been detected in reactor 3, and for how long it had not been detected. TEPCO answered: 'Plutonium hasn’t been detected.' To confirm what they were saying I asked if perhaps it wasn't that none had been detected, but that they hadn't actually taken any measurements. They were alarmed, and it turned out that it wasn't even that they hadn't taken any measurements, but that they didn't have the instruments to do so in the first place.
That's one example. Another is the question of where exactly has the TEPCO company president gone? There was a rumour doing the rounds a while ago that he had been hospitalised, when actually he had been away because of fatigue. This time they're using the pretence of hospitalisation for the same situation. All of it's lies. It's emblematic, isn’t it? [Note: TEPCO president Masataka Shimizu was hospitalised on March 29, and subsequently resigned.]
Two weeks ago I told someone in the government that TEPCO was lying. I called a friend from back when I was a governmental aide directly on their mobile phone and said that the government was being deceived, but I didn't get any response at all. On top of that, even though I was able to attend the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s press conferences before the earthquake, after the quake, all the freelance journalists, foreign media and Internet reporters were kicked out. So I took on the role of representative for those media outlets, and tried to negotiate by constantly badgering the official residence – like a stalker – saying, ‘If you don’t let in the foreign media too, there won’t be any way for information to be conveyed abroad, will there?’
Ever since the [nuclear] trouble started, I’ve been saying again and again via the different media and radio programs that I appear on that TEPCO are concealing things about the accident, that they're lying, and that the government is being fooled. I’ve been saying that TEPCO is a client of the media and the press clubs, being one of their biggest advertisers – so the press won’t be able to say certain things, and will be holding back, won't they? But then, at the end of one of the programs, the producer came to me and asked me to stop doing the show at the end of the month, and I was dropped. When I criticized TEPCO on a different program, they also wanted to get rid of me. But the producer of that particular program is a strong person, and actually went ahead and did it without a sponsor.
TEPCO are such an important advertiser that the television and newspapers are completely silent. Even now, they're running TEPCO commercials on the television, aren’t they? This week, there are also full-page advertisements in the newspaper. Despite the fact that they've caused such a scandal, TEPCO are still putting ads in the newspaper. If they have such enormous sums of money, they should send it to the areas hit by the disaster.
It's like the false announcements made by the Imperial General Headquarters 70 years ago [during World War II] are happening all over again. I’m shocked that something I've seen in history textbooks, and had thought was completely implausible, is happening right before my eyes. I never thought that I'd become a party to anything like this. [Laughs]
Have you been following reports in the foreign media, then?
Yes, all the time.
Would you say that they've been overdoing it?
No, I wouldn’t, because the foreign media was just reporting what was possible. I think the correct way to report about the events at the nuclear power plant is to assume the worst case and write about it, and then also add what the current situation is in relation to that. Newspapers and television shouldn't say, 'Don't worry, it's safe. You don't need to run away,' like Japan's have. There's absolutely no problem with the way the foreign media has covered this news. It's not fanning people's fears if we report by saying it's possible for things to reach such and such a point, but at the moment the situation is like this, so you don't need to worry. There's also nothing wrong with the foreign media referring to the examples of Chernobyl and Three Mile Island. After clarifying the source, I have also talked about those kinds of things in my email newsletter and in my regular reports for websites, as well as on radio shows and satellite TV programs where I'm a regular guest. Except recently, the more I talk about those topics, the more complaints I get after the program has finished – in incredible numbers. People say things like, 'Don't lie!' or 'It's safe!' But they've got no grounds to say that. Japanese people want to believe that it's safe, don't they? They just don't want to look at how things really are. It's like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.
We've read a lot of opinions from scientists recently, and the majority of them seem to fall in line with what the government's saying: that this isn't another Chernobyl, and Tokyo isn't at risk from radiation…
That’s because at the moment, any scientists who say that the current situation is dangerous are being removed from the mass media. Ultimately, the most dangerous situation is one where the only information available is what suits the government and TEPCO. From the outset, the mass media haven’t been using the people who are reporting that the worst possible outcome could happen. And yet the evacuation area was changed from 2km to 3km, and then to 10km, and to 20km, and finally to 30km. America has specified a 50 mile (80km) evacuation zone, but Japanese people still say that things are OK as they are...
Then the next week I said [to Chief Cabinet Secretary Edano], ‘You were wrong, weren’t you? Radioactive material has been found in the area outside the 30km line, and even though you said radioactive material would never reach Tokyo, it has, hasn’t it? The government is responsible for the consequences of what it says so you should make a proper apology. Correct your mistakes.’ He replied, ‘That is not the case.’ When I said that, far from being within the 30km radius, radioactive material was found 40km away, and that he should correct the mistake, he told me to ‘Submit that properly in writing.’ I asked a question in the middle of a press conference, and he actually told me to put it on paper. [Laughs] At that point I just couldn’t believe it any more. It’s the first time that has ever happened to me – to be asked to submit a question in writing in the middle of actually asking it. Basically, it’s hopeless, isn’t it? Something in the minds of the government has burst.
When The New Yorker interviewed you recently, you talked about how the Japanese public were 'brainwashed' by the media. Can you tell us a bit more about that?
From a young age Japanese people become convinced that newspapers and the television are correct, and that magazines and the Internet are full of lies. But the information in the newspapers and on the television is just what the government is giving out through the press clubs. Even if it's different from the information and data that reporters have gathered themselves, they just accept what the government announces. So the people here who think that the newspapers and television are right always believe the information given to them, and it’s why the same kind of brainwashing is happening now too. But one thing that's a little different from how things have been up until now is that people, mostly the younger generation, are starting to realise what's going on, and using the Internet to say, ‘Hang on, there’s something that’s not right, isn’t there?’ Even my Twitter timeline has been incredible since this morning, with messages like, ‘What the newspapers and television are saying is not the truth!’ It’s just like Egypt and Tunisia. That’s where we can clearly see changes happening.
Interview by James Hadfield
Translated by Virginia Okno
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Insecure UN
GOP axes funds to secure the U.N. in NYC - Can we help them pack their bags? I hear the rent is better in Serbia.
Monday, February 7, 2011
America's Hope
As you can imagine, as the name of this blog implies, it is my view that regardless of the reckless actions, deep financial issues, staggeringly wishy washy Beta President and multitude of resentful enemies within and without created everyday, this nation can be saved through the intervention of God and the Holy Spirit.
America and those within who love themselves to excess, would do well to remember:
"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
America and those within who love themselves to excess, would do well to remember:
"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Friday, January 21, 2011
Friday, December 31, 2010
The 2013 People's Action to Recover Stolen Assets
(The story is just an outline and draft. It has not been researched for details as yet, thus organizations and legal terms are not as they should be.)
Part I:
This story begins on March 31st, 2012 with the announcement that the US government will miss the next payment on its debt for the first time in 100 years bringing stories of immanent financial collapse and bankruptcy. The Treasury sharply scolded its critics for fear mongering.
1st of April 2013: April Fool's Day in America, many thought the Bank of China was on a fool's quest when it went before the World Court today to seek redress. It asked the Court to declare the US in involuntary bankruptcy and to allow the Bank to begin foreclosure proceedings.
Yesterday, the US Treasury missed its third payment on foreign debt and it was warning domestic bond holders that payment on all government bonds would be delayed "for the foreseeable future".
At the same time, with China holding nearly all America's foreign federal debt - through its corporations it also holds a good chunk of US domestic bonds. You will recall that the Bank of China bought all the US debt held by a seriously economically depressed Japan at an excellent rate. Many say a "charity" gift to keep the Japanese from slipping into abject poverty - caused ironically enough by the firm grip Chinese manufacturers have on the American market. It seemed like a terrible investment to most at the time and recent news merely confirms it.
"China bought and paid for the 'SS America' and is going down with it!" declared the Times. Most news reporters and financial analysts scoffed and accused the Chinese of grandstanding and gloating as even if the US went belly up there was very little that could be done by any country and with China holding the bag, it would be the one to suffer by far the most. The Times reporter asked the Bank attorney, "what are you going to do, put a 'auction' sign on the White House?"
The Treasury chided the Bank of China and in a statement saying that due to the Chinese hold on the American market it would always make a profit, so it should just write off the debt and start with a fresh slate.
When asked about this in Beijing, the Bank spokesman made clear that the Bank bought and held securities based on trust and that if the US took such a cavalier attitude toward debt, why didn't if forgive African and Latin American debt so easily?
1st of June 2013: Attorneys for the Bank of China made their final argument before the Court and asked the Court to rule giving the Bank authority to foreclose and seize assets.
The US did not represent itself in front of the Court and refused to recognize the authority of the Court in internal domestic matters. The Court announced that it would rule in seven to ten days.
On the 3rd of June, at a meeting of the General Assembly in New York, the Chinese delegate brought a surprise motion before the body asking the members to support a foreclosure action against the assets held by the American government. China was seeking amicus support to bring before the Court. The vote was nearly unanimous in favor, with Great Britain and Japan abstaining. The US representative voted against the measure of course.
Immediately after winning the support of the UN, the Bank warned that it would seek arrest warrants against US government officials and detention of all those outside of the United States. This left open the possibility that all Americans traveling abroad could be held if the Court rules in the Bank's favor in the coming weeks.
The 7Th of June 2013: China is launching an ambitious 3-satellite rocket into orbit tomorrow. With its new found economic dominance after the unprecedented worldwide recession caused by American bank and stock fraud foisted upon an unsuspecting and trusting world, Chinese factories are humming once again and Chinese flagged super cargo ships are sailing to ports across the Pacific.
In business news the Chinese government announced that due to the ever increasing and overwhelming debt the US owes China, it will continue to give deep discounts to its good friends, the American people, for as long as necessary.
Even though American businesses complain that they cannot compete at what they say are artificially low prices, ever since China bought GM, nearly all autos in America as well as most modern appliances have been manufactured in China and sold at prices no consumer could resist; they also own dozens of major corporations and thousands of hectors of private property. The American congress is in no position to complain.
Also in the news there were some concerns voiced by the Pentagon that there has been an unprecedented amount of activity around the coast of Taiwan lately by Chinese Coast Guard vessels. Taiwan TV seems to be unable to cover this event due to a cut in its main underwater transmission cables possibly due to unusual seismic disturbances. The US Geological Service doesn't think its caused by earthquakes but from something of an explosive nature, perhaps volcanic. The Chinese Coast Guard said it was checking reports and making enquiries in the area.
The evening 9th of June 2013: Peking announced that in the first stage of a repossession of assets, the successful launch of a rocket carrying three nuclear satellites intended to detonate over predetermined points above the United States. While not designed to do any real damage, as such, or cause direct casualties, they were intended to emit EM pulses which shut down all electrically charged devices. This initial police action was successful. A spokesman for the Bank of China said that this was the equivalent of marshals breaking down the door to evict squatters.
At the same time in the afternoon of the 9th of June 2013: The Governor of the Bank of China received a positive ruling and submitted foreclosure papers demanding immediate search and seizure action to the World Court in the Hague. The Chinese Bank Governor complained that the US was long in default on payments and the Bank had asked the People's Army to act as "marshal" in a foreclosure action. The Bank's Governor lamented, "We even charged them less than market value over several years to give them the opportunity to save and repay debts in a timely manner. But did they? No. You would think that as a government that expounds such high moral values to others they would cut back and be more prudent in their ways. They just spent and borrowed more and more. What can you do with people like that? You’d think they were addicts the way they stole our money and spent it. We just HAD to put a stop to it!" The Bank's Governor, who came in person to receive the ruling, justified the 5:00AM (Washington time) raid that cut the lights and public services to its American properties.
He was expecting to win the case before the Court but was pleasantly surprised that the overwhelming majority of the Court was supportive.
Later at the court, the court ordered the arrest and detention of the parties responsible for the uncontrolled waste of the world's assets through printing and spending money they did not actually have assets to cover.
American leaders and representatives were ordered to submit to World Court authorities within 24 hours and all gun carrying residents of the assets, including but not limited to, security guards, police and military were ordered to surrender the assets in their possession to the court appointed marshals at the nearest collection point to their location. For American's located in the territories of other nations or on the high seas, such nations or the nearest nation had the right to seize the assets and debtors as partial payment of arrears owed them.
Meanwhile, nuclear aircraft carrier battle groups in the Pacific were reported subdued by long range tactical missiles.
The Russian government indicated that, while taking a neutral position in the Chinese "foreclosure" action against the US for non payment of its huge arrears, it does hope the People's Republic remembers that the US is in debt to many countries and when possession is taken, an equal distribution of assets should be made. At the same time, the UN in Geneva praised the Marshal of the People's Army for his minimum use of force against innocent parties.
The 13th of June: San Francisco and San Pedro. A number of Chinese cargo ships have arrived in port off loading Chinese peace keepers and asset surveyors from the newly created "People's Ministry of External Asset Management".
The Assistant Governor of the Bank of China expressed his regret that so many innocent foreign nationals are suffering due to the shutdown of the transport and electrical services but said, "when you stay in the home of criminals who don't pay their bills, you do have to expect the lights to go off."
Russian and European reporters accompanying the foreclosure team asked the governor what will happen to the Americans. He said, that while it was unfortunate in the short term that, as criminals, they would have to work off their debt in various labor areas, in the end everyone would be much better off when the debt is paid.
The French reporter asked how long they expected the Americans to be in debt, the Governor said he wasn't really sure because, while the seized physical assets would go a long way, there was a lot of clean up to do as well as the necessary expenses of maintaining the debtors everyday life. "Perhaps a hundred or so years, we'll have to see," the Governor stated. "The estimate is about $75,000 per person of debt owed the Bank of China. This is, of course not including foreclosure and legal expenses. In addition, it is based on a 400 million population figure, but as you can see, real figures expected to work off the debt are very much smaller."
The 17th of June: Representatives of the World Court and World Bank flew into Washington DC this afternoon to arrest the president and government leaders. They are charged with malfeasance and massive fraud.
There are reams of paper being seized by World Bank auditors under the supervision of marshals as evidence in the largest ponzi scheme ever imagined in the history of intergovernmental relations.
The Chinese government bitterly complained that there was no possible way the US assets seized could cover its debts. "If we had allowed this massive swindle of the world's trust to continue, how could we ever have a world market free of corruption. Americans should be put at hard labor for ten generations to cover this debt and the suffering they have caused the people of the world!" the Bank Governor exclaimed before the assembled reporters.
All holders of American passports and birth certificates were ordered arrested and held for trial as co-conspirators and accessories to the crime.
(the story continues) (My wife says I need a love story - any suggestions?)
-- (fast forward)
America on the Auction Block
The territory of the former government of the United States has been divided into 50 biddable lots. Each lot corresponds to a former state. Each territory will, henceforth, be referred to by its lot number. For example, California is now Lot 23a (northern) and Lot 23b (southern). This lot was divided due to Mexico's claim that in the foreclosure process much of its territory and citizens were damaged or inconvenienced and its application for compensation is before the Court for review. It is expected to be approved.
In addition to Mexico, Canada claimed compensation as well; being so closely neighbored to the initial police action, substantial damage was inflicted on the people and territory. In compensation, Canada was awarded Lot 1 (Alaska).
It is expected that bids will be accepted between April and December 1 of 2016. This will give interested parties time to inspect the properties. Each party should be aware that Lots are “as is”. They will be completely cleared of the former occupants prior to possession. This is the primary reason for the delay.
Do you want to avoid this senerio? Watch this: "The Wizard of Oz"
Part I:
This story begins on March 31st, 2012 with the announcement that the US government will miss the next payment on its debt for the first time in 100 years bringing stories of immanent financial collapse and bankruptcy. The Treasury sharply scolded its critics for fear mongering.
1st of April 2013: April Fool's Day in America, many thought the Bank of China was on a fool's quest when it went before the World Court today to seek redress. It asked the Court to declare the US in involuntary bankruptcy and to allow the Bank to begin foreclosure proceedings.
Yesterday, the US Treasury missed its third payment on foreign debt and it was warning domestic bond holders that payment on all government bonds would be delayed "for the foreseeable future".
At the same time, with China holding nearly all America's foreign federal debt - through its corporations it also holds a good chunk of US domestic bonds. You will recall that the Bank of China bought all the US debt held by a seriously economically depressed Japan at an excellent rate. Many say a "charity" gift to keep the Japanese from slipping into abject poverty - caused ironically enough by the firm grip Chinese manufacturers have on the American market. It seemed like a terrible investment to most at the time and recent news merely confirms it.
"China bought and paid for the 'SS America' and is going down with it!" declared the Times. Most news reporters and financial analysts scoffed and accused the Chinese of grandstanding and gloating as even if the US went belly up there was very little that could be done by any country and with China holding the bag, it would be the one to suffer by far the most. The Times reporter asked the Bank attorney, "what are you going to do, put a 'auction' sign on the White House?"
The Treasury chided the Bank of China and in a statement saying that due to the Chinese hold on the American market it would always make a profit, so it should just write off the debt and start with a fresh slate.
When asked about this in Beijing, the Bank spokesman made clear that the Bank bought and held securities based on trust and that if the US took such a cavalier attitude toward debt, why didn't if forgive African and Latin American debt so easily?
1st of June 2013: Attorneys for the Bank of China made their final argument before the Court and asked the Court to rule giving the Bank authority to foreclose and seize assets.
The US did not represent itself in front of the Court and refused to recognize the authority of the Court in internal domestic matters. The Court announced that it would rule in seven to ten days.
On the 3rd of June, at a meeting of the General Assembly in New York, the Chinese delegate brought a surprise motion before the body asking the members to support a foreclosure action against the assets held by the American government. China was seeking amicus support to bring before the Court. The vote was nearly unanimous in favor, with Great Britain and Japan abstaining. The US representative voted against the measure of course.
Immediately after winning the support of the UN, the Bank warned that it would seek arrest warrants against US government officials and detention of all those outside of the United States. This left open the possibility that all Americans traveling abroad could be held if the Court rules in the Bank's favor in the coming weeks.
The 7Th of June 2013: China is launching an ambitious 3-satellite rocket into orbit tomorrow. With its new found economic dominance after the unprecedented worldwide recession caused by American bank and stock fraud foisted upon an unsuspecting and trusting world, Chinese factories are humming once again and Chinese flagged super cargo ships are sailing to ports across the Pacific.
In business news the Chinese government announced that due to the ever increasing and overwhelming debt the US owes China, it will continue to give deep discounts to its good friends, the American people, for as long as necessary.
Even though American businesses complain that they cannot compete at what they say are artificially low prices, ever since China bought GM, nearly all autos in America as well as most modern appliances have been manufactured in China and sold at prices no consumer could resist; they also own dozens of major corporations and thousands of hectors of private property. The American congress is in no position to complain.
Also in the news there were some concerns voiced by the Pentagon that there has been an unprecedented amount of activity around the coast of Taiwan lately by Chinese Coast Guard vessels. Taiwan TV seems to be unable to cover this event due to a cut in its main underwater transmission cables possibly due to unusual seismic disturbances. The US Geological Service doesn't think its caused by earthquakes but from something of an explosive nature, perhaps volcanic. The Chinese Coast Guard said it was checking reports and making enquiries in the area.
The evening 9th of June 2013: Peking announced that in the first stage of a repossession of assets, the successful launch of a rocket carrying three nuclear satellites intended to detonate over predetermined points above the United States. While not designed to do any real damage, as such, or cause direct casualties, they were intended to emit EM pulses which shut down all electrically charged devices. This initial police action was successful. A spokesman for the Bank of China said that this was the equivalent of marshals breaking down the door to evict squatters.
At the same time in the afternoon of the 9th of June 2013: The Governor of the Bank of China received a positive ruling and submitted foreclosure papers demanding immediate search and seizure action to the World Court in the Hague. The Chinese Bank Governor complained that the US was long in default on payments and the Bank had asked the People's Army to act as "marshal" in a foreclosure action. The Bank's Governor lamented, "We even charged them less than market value over several years to give them the opportunity to save and repay debts in a timely manner. But did they? No. You would think that as a government that expounds such high moral values to others they would cut back and be more prudent in their ways. They just spent and borrowed more and more. What can you do with people like that? You’d think they were addicts the way they stole our money and spent it. We just HAD to put a stop to it!" The Bank's Governor, who came in person to receive the ruling, justified the 5:00AM (Washington time) raid that cut the lights and public services to its American properties.
He was expecting to win the case before the Court but was pleasantly surprised that the overwhelming majority of the Court was supportive.
Later at the court, the court ordered the arrest and detention of the parties responsible for the uncontrolled waste of the world's assets through printing and spending money they did not actually have assets to cover.
American leaders and representatives were ordered to submit to World Court authorities within 24 hours and all gun carrying residents of the assets, including but not limited to, security guards, police and military were ordered to surrender the assets in their possession to the court appointed marshals at the nearest collection point to their location. For American's located in the territories of other nations or on the high seas, such nations or the nearest nation had the right to seize the assets and debtors as partial payment of arrears owed them.
Meanwhile, nuclear aircraft carrier battle groups in the Pacific were reported subdued by long range tactical missiles.
The Russian government indicated that, while taking a neutral position in the Chinese "foreclosure" action against the US for non payment of its huge arrears, it does hope the People's Republic remembers that the US is in debt to many countries and when possession is taken, an equal distribution of assets should be made. At the same time, the UN in Geneva praised the Marshal of the People's Army for his minimum use of force against innocent parties.
The 13th of June: San Francisco and San Pedro. A number of Chinese cargo ships have arrived in port off loading Chinese peace keepers and asset surveyors from the newly created "People's Ministry of External Asset Management".
The Assistant Governor of the Bank of China expressed his regret that so many innocent foreign nationals are suffering due to the shutdown of the transport and electrical services but said, "when you stay in the home of criminals who don't pay their bills, you do have to expect the lights to go off."
Russian and European reporters accompanying the foreclosure team asked the governor what will happen to the Americans. He said, that while it was unfortunate in the short term that, as criminals, they would have to work off their debt in various labor areas, in the end everyone would be much better off when the debt is paid.
The French reporter asked how long they expected the Americans to be in debt, the Governor said he wasn't really sure because, while the seized physical assets would go a long way, there was a lot of clean up to do as well as the necessary expenses of maintaining the debtors everyday life. "Perhaps a hundred or so years, we'll have to see," the Governor stated. "The estimate is about $75,000 per person of debt owed the Bank of China. This is, of course not including foreclosure and legal expenses. In addition, it is based on a 400 million population figure, but as you can see, real figures expected to work off the debt are very much smaller."
The 17th of June: Representatives of the World Court and World Bank flew into Washington DC this afternoon to arrest the president and government leaders. They are charged with malfeasance and massive fraud.
There are reams of paper being seized by World Bank auditors under the supervision of marshals as evidence in the largest ponzi scheme ever imagined in the history of intergovernmental relations.
The Chinese government bitterly complained that there was no possible way the US assets seized could cover its debts. "If we had allowed this massive swindle of the world's trust to continue, how could we ever have a world market free of corruption. Americans should be put at hard labor for ten generations to cover this debt and the suffering they have caused the people of the world!" the Bank Governor exclaimed before the assembled reporters.
All holders of American passports and birth certificates were ordered arrested and held for trial as co-conspirators and accessories to the crime.
(the story continues) (My wife says I need a love story - any suggestions?)
-- (fast forward)
America on the Auction Block
The territory of the former government of the United States has been divided into 50 biddable lots. Each lot corresponds to a former state. Each territory will, henceforth, be referred to by its lot number. For example, California is now Lot 23a (northern) and Lot 23b (southern). This lot was divided due to Mexico's claim that in the foreclosure process much of its territory and citizens were damaged or inconvenienced and its application for compensation is before the Court for review. It is expected to be approved.
In addition to Mexico, Canada claimed compensation as well; being so closely neighbored to the initial police action, substantial damage was inflicted on the people and territory. In compensation, Canada was awarded Lot 1 (Alaska).
It is expected that bids will be accepted between April and December 1 of 2016. This will give interested parties time to inspect the properties. Each party should be aware that Lots are “as is”. They will be completely cleared of the former occupants prior to possession. This is the primary reason for the delay.
Do you want to avoid this senerio? Watch this: "The Wizard of Oz"
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Isn't political humor wonderful (as long as you're not the 'cRAT')?
Where's the one with donkey ears? Hee Haw!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Nobel Prize with Respect
Ma Zhaoxu, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a news
briefing: "By giving a convicted person the Nobel Peace Prize, they show no respect for China's judicial system."
...Let's see: Nazi Germany: Carl von Ossietzky, South Africa: Albert Lutuli and Nelson Mandela, Myanmar: Suu Kyi, Soviet Union: Sakharov, Communist Poland: Lech Walesa, Iran: Shirin Ebadi. Argentina Militay Gov: Adolfo Esquivel
Well, should we respect China's legal system?
Read More
briefing: "By giving a convicted person the Nobel Peace Prize, they show no respect for China's judicial system."
...Let's see: Nazi Germany: Carl von Ossietzky, South Africa: Albert Lutuli and Nelson Mandela, Myanmar: Suu Kyi, Soviet Union: Sakharov, Communist Poland: Lech Walesa, Iran: Shirin Ebadi. Argentina Militay Gov: Adolfo Esquivel
Well, should we respect China's legal system?
Read More
Monday, October 11, 2010
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