Friday, July 31, 2009

THE GREATER DEPRESSION PT. 1

Ref: "Street Fighting Man" 321gold.com ,Doug Casey 07/29/09


There is no use in asking a person who has lost their job and cannot find another, whether this is a 'recession' or a 'depression'-they don't care about the semantics, just how they

are going to survive without a job. How will they make house payments, car payments, other payments and buy food?


This is not the same as the depression of the 30's. There were no credit cards, consumer debt, student loans etc. Few people had any debt to speak of and no one was concerned with the value of the dollar because you could go (before the Roosevelt decreed 'bank holiday') to the bank and exchange it directly for gold. A run on the banks is not likely today, but a mass funds withdrawal is still possible and a crashing dollar is likely.


In 1932 we were still basically a rural based society. Specialization had not yet taken hold and the population was largely self-sufficient. Most of us were thought to be virtuous, honest and prudent .To save for one's old age and care for our family were norms before the government sponsored Social Security. There were few "safety nets" such as unemployment insurance, medicare , medicaid and welfare payments. Counties at that time provided some assistance called the "dole" to indigent people.


First, President Hoover then President Roosevelt came up with the alphabet soup of federal agencies such as the WPA CCC etc., but the depression continued for another 9 or 10

years.


As this economic upheaval deepens and "change" and "stimulus packages" are not able to reflate the business climate;

what are we to expect, what should we plan for and how can we prepare for things we in this country have never experienced or believed would be possible in America? This author believes the let's pretend of the green shoots seers is purposely deceptive and dissuades reasonable people from preparing for what probably lies ahead for themselves and their families.


Mr. Casey in his referenced article looks ahead to several categories of possible

occurrences from civil unrest to sociopaths and gives us some suggestions for dealing or coping with these conditions.


Civil Unrest

Who will take to the streets and when? Not you. Not me, at least the writer believes not him, but who knows how he will react if he and his family had no food, no water no funds?


According to Casey " In prosperous times, people don't usually feel like overthrowing the government or transforming the basis of society.

Not so at economic troughs. People believe they have little to lose, they're eager to hang those they believe responsible for their problems, and they'll listen to radical or violent proposals. We're now just entering what will likely be the worst economic trough since the Industrial Revolution.

But why do humans tend to riot when the going gets rough? How can they think that solves anything? Do they believe it's going to make their jobs or money reappear? . . .

I suspect, the average American. People, throughout history, have always been prone to violence when times get tough. Is there any reason that should change now?

Recently, there have been -- really for the first time in this downturn -- reports of large, angry demonstrations all over the world. The UK, France, Eastern Europe, now China. If a place like Iceland, as placid and homogeneous as any in the world, can blow up, then any place can. And probably will.

A rioter is typically an angry person looking for vengeance because he blames someone else for his problem. So far, rioters seem to be directing their attention at governments. Correct target, of course, but they don't have the rationale quite right. They're not angry because governments inflated the currency, promoted fractional reserve banking, and nurtured all the cockamamie socialist programs that caused this crisis. Not at all; they rather liked all that. They're angry only because their governments haven't adequately protected them from the consequences of what they did. So as conditions worsen, we can expect governments worldwide to pull out absolutely all the stops to show they're "doing something." And round up scapegoats to satisfy the mob and divert anger from themselves"

Those in densely populated cities are more likely to be subject to riots ,pillages and burnings than those in suburbia, yet no one is immune; but how to prepare?


Thursday, July 30, 2009

STARVATION OR MASS HYSTERIA?

REF:http://standeyo.com/NEWS/09_Food_Water/090621.global.starvation.com.htm


Things are not looking good on this planet called earth. But how bad are they really? There are plenty of reports out there exclaiming the coming danger of failed crops due to flooding , drought, and

disease.


A particularly troubling story is about ug99( that's the name no kidding) a wheat rust [fungus] which wipes out a wheat crop. Started in Africa, spread on the wind to the Middle East and now is threatening more of Asia. then there is drought on China, and parts of the U.S.


Texas, the second largest agricultural producing state is in a multi-year drought affecting cattle and cotton, corn etc. The San Joquin valley in California is half parched. Have you noticed that tomatoes are over $2.00 per pound?


The alarmists say stock up on food now! The Hatman says:

"No one laughs at a man carrying an umbrella when it is raining."


It is entirely possible that our food supplies are in deficit territory and any natural disasters could be devastating ; yet coming from a wheat producing state we learned that a farmer loses his wheat crop at lest three times before he harvests. So it is good to be prepared, but don't panic yet.


Food Story


They say a Louisiana Cajun can look at a field of rice and tell you how much gravy it will take to eat it.

Well, Texans know beans!

There is a lot said about 'Texmex' and Bar-b-que, but Texans really know how to fix pinto beans.


Had lunch yesterday at The Pub on the River. in San Marcos, Texas where they serve among other fun things: Charro beans.

Here is a recipe--sorry no picture today:


•1 pound pinto beans

•1/2 pound lean bacon chopped small

•1 chopped red ripe tomato

•1 med onion small chop

•1 small green pepper chopped

•1 serrono pepper fine chop

•3 cloves garlic chopped

•1 Tablespoon good chile powder

•1 Tablespoon Cumin

•Salt to taste

•Pepper to Taste

•1 bunch Clintro chopped fine


Use chile to taste if you dont want it hot. Also remove the chile seeds. This will lessen the chile hottness.


Directions

1.Wash beans. Make sure there are no rock or rotten beans

2.Soak in water over night, then rinse

4.Add all ingredients exept for beans and seasoning and tomatoes in a bean pot. stir for about 5 miinutes

6.Add beans, seasonings and tomatoes.

7.Cover all with water, bring to a boil, turn down to a slow simmer until beans are done.

8.Add Clintro


With Love and Kindness,


THE HATMAN


Wednesday, July 29, 2009

BY JAMES HOWARD KUNSTLER

Some people can really turn a phrase. James Howard Kunstler is one of those people. Whether you agree or not with what he says, you have to admire the way he says it. The following is extracted from an article by him recently appearing in worldnewstrust.com:

The American victory over manifest evil in World War Two was so total that there was no one else left on earth to compete with in making and selling useful articles, at least for a while. And it produced a middle class so well-paid that it could express itself in a vast spewage of plastic and leisure across the land. .... For at least twenty years, though, this way of life has been running on fumes, inertia, and promissory notes. The amazing thing is that these life-extension strategies worked, especially the past ten years when there was really nothing left besides a Ponzi structure of interlocked swindles and rackets.

. . when we became a something-for-nothing society -- and, incidentally, it was also the take-off point for legalized gambling all over America (an "industry" based on the worship of unearned riches). And that was, coincidentally, the moment when we became a nation of dupes, grifters, marks, and suckers.

Over the last ten days, somebody shot the "Green Shoots" narrative in the head. There is no way the American economy can re-expand. This is a debt deflation like unto nothing the world has ever seen before. We've entered the really painful zone of the "work-out" where insolvency can no longer be denied. Things will be heard crashing every day -- enterprises, households, assets, institutions, prospects, deals. No amount of simulus, first, second, or beyond, will avail to stop this process.

It's also vitally important to commence public hearings and official investigations of those who committed real crimes and malfeasances. Bernie Madoff has been salted away for two and a half lifetimes, but Henry Paulson is still at large after overseeing the creation of the biggest heap of fraudulent securities the world has ever known -- and then betting against them in the swaps market, in effect shorting his own swindle -- not to mention his misdeeds at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Why are those other Wall Street smoothies still enjoying their Hamptons villas while the foreclosed set up tents in the Sacramento Delta? Why are the government officials who failed so miserably at regulation still enjoying their salaries, perqs, and pensions while those not employed by a bloated government struggle to stay alive another week.

Thanks, Mr. Kunstler for telling it so we can understand.

With Love and Kindness,

THE HATMAN

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

MRS. HATMAN MAKES BREADSTICKS






1 cp water
1 T butter
1T sugar
1t salt
3 cps bread flour
3 T non fat dry milk
1 1/2 t yeast

This recipe is for a bread machine from the Bread Machine Cookbook by Donna Rathmell German. "Far better than the ones you buy at the store. Bake enough to keep on hand. Each of the different toppings changes the flavor of the sticks--try them all."

"Cut dough into small pieces and roll them into ropes. Cover and let rose 20 minutes. Brush
each one with a mixture of 1 egg white and 1 tablespoon of water. sprinkle on course salt, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, anise or other desired topping. Bake at 400 deg. for 15 minutes or
until golden brown.
the shorter the baking time, the softer they are;the longer, the crunchier. " ( Put cornmeal on baking sheet to keep the stick from sticking)

The Hatman says "These are wonderful fresh out of the oven slathered with butter. Try dipping them in olive oil mixed with garlic (add basil if desired). DELICIOUS!"

Limerick
There was an Old Man of Vienna,
Who lived upon Tincture of Senna;
When that did not agree,
He took Camomile Tea,
That nasty Old Man of Vienna.

With Love and Kindness,

THE HATMAN

Monday, July 27, 2009

BRAINWASHING


Are you being brainwashed-- by the media you watch or read. or by your family, friends co- workers, boss, parents or family?

The source of the following is an article by Jill Gordon, appearing on the OnlineCourses.org:

B
rainwashing, intentional or unintentional have common characteristics:

Repeated confrontation: The repeated confrontation method supposedly serves to "break down a person’s resistance, expose poor habits, and allow the person to start over with correct methods and new goals," according to VisionandPsychosis.net.

Brainwashing has nothing to do with self-discipline: Even in situations involving obsessive compulsive behavior or corrupted thought processes, any new idea or practice brought about through self-discipline is not considered brainwashing. Brainwashing exclusively refers to manipulating a person’s sensibilities and thought processes against their will.

The use of chemicals, drugs or physical tools isn’t brainwashing: If someone is using chemicals, drugs, weapons or other physical devices to get desired results from a person, he or she is not brainwashing them. Brainwashing is mind control without the use of outside resources.

Education and re-education: Before the term brainwashing was introduced, the same techniques and effects were referred to as "re-education," in the U.S. in the Soviet Union especially.

Brainwashing is generally considered a form of torture: Because manipulators may use torture methods to achieve brainwashing their victims, brainwashing itself is referred to as torture in some dictionaries.

Brainwashing is especially effective during times of transition: During times of major social, political or personal transition, the brain is most vulnerable to brainwashing.

Guilt, confession and shaming techniques: Making victims feel guilty or shameful for putting faith in their original convictions, lifestyle, or family and friends is an effective technique for forcing them to accept new ideas.

Confinement and isolation: Keeping victims confined and away from the people and environments that are familiar to them breaks down resistance and is a technique often used to brainwash individuals.

Knowledge is power. Remember, Jesus said: " Be careful what you listen to".

With Love and Kindness,

THE HATMAN


Saturday, July 25, 2009

SATURDAY MORNING

FRIENDS, A POEM BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS


Now must I these three praise
Three women that have wrought
What joy is in my days:
One because no thought,
Nor those unpassing cares,
No, not in these fifteen
Many-times-troubled years,
Could ever come between
Mind and delighted mind;
And one because her hand
Had strength that could unbind
What none can understand,
What none can have and thrive,
Youth's dreamy load, till she
So changed me that I live
Labouring in ecstasy.
And what of her that took
All till my youth was gone
With scarce a pitying look?
How could I praise that one?
When day begins to break
I count my good and bad,
Being wakeful for her sake,
Remembering what she had,
What eagle look still shows,
While up from my heart's root
So great a sweetness flows
I shake from head to foot.

With Love and Kindness,


THE HATMAN

Friday, July 24, 2009

SORRY GOLDFINGER, IT'S ALL GONE


Over the past decade, private bankers have emptied national treasuries of gold bullion, selling this bullion on the open market in order to keep the price of gold low in order to mask the increasing vulnerability of their paper-based assets.

The US claims the US Treasury still holds approximately 7,000-8,000 tons of gold but has not allowed a public audit of its reserves since 1954; and since 1999 the UK and Swiss have seen their gold reserves decimated as bankers freely sold their gold in order to cap the rise in the price of gold to keep the banker’s paper money scheme intact.

From Butler Research ( Theodore Butler)

". ..no one can legitimately explain why one or two US banks should be allowed to hold a uniquely large concentrated short position in silver equal to 25% of world production. When a circumstance can’t be legitimately explained or defended, it is time to change the circumstance to make it legitimate. Lower the limits and throw out the phony exemptions.

Be sure, that the COMEX and CME Group will scream bloody murder at any attempt to revoke their authority to set and enforce position limits. Well, not scream publicly, but they will be pulling out all lobbying stops to prevent the CFTC from doing the right thing and assuming the authority to control position limits. Privately, the COMEX will claim it will drive business overseas and other selfish sob stories. Nonsense. It may drive illegitimate business overseas, but who cares? Besides, the CFTC can instantly close any attempted end run around position limits in the OTC market by adopting universal position limits for those trading entities domiciled or doing any business in the US.. . ."

"Be sure, that the COMEX and CME Group will scream bloody murder at any attempt to revoke their authority to set and enforce position limits. Well, not scream publicly, but they will be pulling out all lobbying stops to prevent the CFTC from doing the right thing and assuming the authority to control position limits. Privately, the COMEX will claim it will drive business overseas and other selfish sob stories. Nonsense. It may drive illegitimate business overseas, but who cares? Besides, the CFTC can instantly close any attempted end run around position limits in the OTC market by adopting universal position limits for those trading entities domiciled or doing any business in the US."


Are the Wall Street bankers holding the price of gold down to persuade people that gold is a 'relic' and will never take the place of flexible fiat money? Or is the Pope Catholic?

As the dollar begins to be inflated and lose it's value, people will begin to reach for gold as real value. How long can the big bankers get away with this fraudulent

price suppression scheme?


With Love and Kindness,


THE HATMAN


Thursday, July 23, 2009

AMERICANS GET STUFFED

America is the land of stuff. Stuff in the house, stuff in closets, stuff in the cars and trucks, stuff in the rental storage units, stuff in the stuffed garages.


Where didi it all come from--when did we get it all-do we need to get rid of some of it-can't we get along without it- what if we might need it?


Look around, most of it came from Asia probably a little was made here in the USA. Most of this stuff is paid for, but some is still appearing on our credit card balances. American consumers reportedly account for 70% of our GNP, but our stuff is not consumed--it is in the garage.


Americans pay $15,000 to $50,000 for an automobile and park in the driveway while the garage is crammed full of just stuff. How about those garage sales? A good place to get more stuff!

All the neighbors come and pick over your stuff, so they can add it to their stuff until they have a garage sale, so you wind up trading each other's stuff.


China, Japan , Taiwan, Sri Lanka don't care how much stuff we have and probably don't need; they just want us to buy more and will loan us the money to buy the stuff with.


How long can this stuff accumulating go on? Indefinitely according to some economists, who encourage more 'consumption' and debt for us.


With Love and Kindness,



THE HATMAN



Wednesday, July 22, 2009

THE DEMOCRACY PROBLEM



One easily can control a democracy election by providing money or favor to politicians running for office. The candidates receiving the funds and/or perks readily sell out the people who elected them, not the ones who financed their election. This is true for most Democrats,

Republicans and /or Independents.


The voters are pleased with the results of the election if their candidate is elected, not aware that their man or woman is not beholden to them, but to well-healed individuals or groups.


The two party system requires the voter to choose between two candidates who were put on the ballot not by democratic means, but by the power of special interest groups.


With mass communication comes the way of using money to influence outcomes. Truth be known, powerful interests provide money to both liberal and conservative sides, so that no matter who is elected, the interest group wins and is favored with legislation or lack thereof.


They win--you lose.


As this process matures, it becomes increasingly difficult to tell the difference between Republicans and Democrats, or liberals and conservatives.


Couple this with a controlled media, that skillfully plays to the emotions of the electorate and massages or omits information, and the corruption of the process is complete.



With Love and Kindness,



THE HATMAN

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

THE STAIRCASE


The chapel at Sisters of Loretto in Santa Fe, NM is a must see attraction. The above picture and following text is taken from StanDeyo.com



ORIGINAL CAPTION: Two mysteries surround the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel: the identity of its builder and the physics of its construction.


At the end of the Old Santa Fe Trail stands the Loretto Chapel. Inside the Gothic structure is the staircase referred to as miraculous, inexplicable, marvelous and is sometimes called St. Joseph’s Staircase. The stairway confounds architects, engineers and master craftsmen. It makes over two complete 360º turns, stands 20’ tall and has no center support. It rests solely on its base and against the choir loft. The two railings form a double helix. Risers for the 33 steps are all of the same height. Made of an apparently extinct wood species, it was constructed with only square wooden pegs, without glue or nails. It is reported that the mysterious carpenter used only a T square, his hammer and a saw.


Its History:


It began over 125 years ago. The Sisters of Loretto, brought to Santa Fe by Bishop Lamy to teach the people, needed a school and a chapel. Mexican carpenters completed the school and then plans were made to build a chapel.


Because Bishop Lamy was from France, he wanted the Sisters to have a chapel designed in the same style as the Sainte Chapelle in Paris.


French and Italians masons went to work on the chapel, and although there were some financial worries, the chapel progressed without difficulty and with the aid of prayers by the Sisters to Joseph, the carpenter saint.


It wasn't until the very last stage, that the terrible design error was revealed. There was no way to get from the chapel to the choir loft, which was exceptionally high, and there was no room for ordinary stairs to be built.


Legend says that to find a solution to the seating problem, the Sisters of the Chapel made a novena to St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. On the ninth and final day of prayer, a man appeared at the Chapel with a donkey and a toolbox looking for work. Months later, the elegant circular staircase was completed, and the carpenter disappeared without pay or thanks. After searching for the man (an ad even ran in the local newspaper) and finding no trace of him, some concluded that he was St. Joseph himself, having come in answer to the sisters' prayers.


The stairway's carpenter, whoever he was, built a magnificent structure. The design was innovative for the time and some of the design considerations still perplex experts today.


For those not fond of open heights, imagine the staircase as it was originally built – and used – without the posts or railing – just the stairs. In the film, the stairs look to be about 5' wide, but in reality they are less than three. It would be a test of faith just for the choir to mount them...

Monday, July 20, 2009

THE DUMBING DOWN OF OUR DOCTORS


There are no more diagnosticians. There only remains lab report, 'Ct Scan or Magnetic Resonance film readers.


Today's medical procedure is test, test, test.


The tests are necessary-- sometimes. but shouldn't they be used to verify a diagnosis when there is doubt or confusing and contradictory symptoms. Not a substitute for informed diagnosis.


Who are we as mere simpletons to question the gods in the white smocks? Just shut up and do as you are told, when you are told.


Today's 'physician-scientist' is all knowing and unapproachable. He reads and speaks a language indecipherable to most of us. Is there a need for this?


Before Medicare and/or health insurance, doctors made house calls They stopped doing this excused by the more efficient use of their valuable time, so we could wait in a germ transfer place called a doctor's waiting room, clinic or hospital.


These modern day charlatans would be lost without the germ theory. How better to indiscriminately push their favorite pill :the antibiotic. If you as an individual should object to the prescribing of these sometimes toxic chemicals, you would be ridiculed and dismissed as a nuisance, while the doctors proceed to prescribe these heavy meds for a sneeze , runny nose and what not. If a bacteria or "germ" is exposed to an antibiotic on a continual basis, the bacteria 'learns' to be immune to the drug. Do the doctors know

this ? You bet they do!


But aren't germs dangerous, to be feared and killed if possible? We have largely ignored the miracle of our own immune system, and through the miracle of modern drugs , food processing and environmentally dangerous practices damaged our natural resistance to pathogens.


Cipro ,Levaquin, Avelox and Floxin , known as the flouroquinolones the latest "wonder drugs" that are now linked to debilitating side effects. These drugs contain fluoride a known toxin that those responsible for our health determined it should be placed in our water supply. And what abut the largely useless chemotherapy chemicals? And detrimental use of radiation for cancer treatment?


Who is supposed to be responsible? Answer: That un-transparent federal behemoth called the FDA, who protects us from ourselves. This agency was created to protect us all from unsafe food and drugs, which in the beginning they did very well, but have since been corrupted by the by big pharma's money, and their own self patronzing empire- building character.


Our doctors all march in lock step. To get out of the protocol is to be ostracized .


Since the dumbing down of the profession, no doctor is supposed to know it all, so we have specialists--those who know a lot about something, but little about all things. Since each doctor relies upon referrals from others, it is not thought wise to alienate other doctors and speak out against abuses and non-scientifically proven practices.


Unfortunately, they are all linked with the AMA, an association that demands compliance with the latest agreed upon medical dictums, whether or not that have been scientifically proven.


Our point: Health care reform should begin at the bottom, not with how we finance a broken and fraudulent system.


With Love and Kindness,



THE HATMAN


Saturday, July 18, 2009

MUSINGS

Man has to communicate. It is built into him. He has to speak, write or sign-- sometimes just to beckon, nod or wink. Solitude for any length of time will drive him nuts. On the other hand his silence or somnambulistic moods will drive his partner nuts.

It has been said to be silent is to be thought stupid, but to speak is to remove all doubt.

John Lawton said: "The irony of the Information Age is that it has given new respectability to uninformed opinion".

The current drive for education has produced several generations of over- educated idiots, who believe because of their degrees, they have a superior intellect and can proclaim to and direct others.

Then what is to be said of the communicators ? Maybe, speak now or forever hold your peace?

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,

Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!

Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng.

Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea,
Mermaids are chaunting the wild lorelie;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.

Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,

Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

"Beautiful Dreamer' A POEM BY STEPHEN FOSTER



Friday, July 17, 2009

800 POUND GORILLA


Where does an 800 pound gorilla sleep? Answer: where ever he wants to.

Not including the bases in Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. spends in excess of $100 billion per year
on World wide military bases. Maintaining over 800 such installations is becoming more expensive.

As the financial condition of the U.S becomes more dire, doesn't the notion of closing some of these bases make more sense? What about just 10% or 20% ? Would we be any less safe?

Wouldn't California or New York use this money saved to a good advantage?

In this case a little austerity with overseas spending might be a good idea .

Come on congressional dorks, it's time to wake up from your slumber.


Life is like peeling an onion:
It comes to us one layer at a time,
and sometimes it makes you cry.


THE HATMAN





Thursday, July 16, 2009

WHY ARE ARE ARMED FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN? Pt 2

The following is taken verbatim from the article: " Ankara Moscow and Washington in the Eurasian Pipeline Calculus" by F. William Engdahl,
June 17, 2009 emphasis added

Turkey is the key link in this complex game of geopolitical balance of power between Washington and Moscow. If Turkey decides to collaborate with Russia Georgia’s position becomes insecure and Azerbaijan’s possible pipeline route to Europe is blocked. If Turkey decides to cooperate with Washington and at the same time reaches a stable agreement with Armenia under US nudging, Russia’s entire position in the Caucasus is weakened and an alternative route for natural gas to Europe becomes available, reducing Russian leverage with Western Europe.


Today the future of competing gas pipelines is at the heart of the Eurasian economic calculus. Here Turkey is in a position to play a central role given its geographic and historical role as a bridge between East and West, North and South—Europe and Eurasia.

One key link through Turkey has been the oil and gas pipeline from Azerbaijan to the port of Ceyhan via Georgia. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum gas pipeline are cited as part of Turkey's foreign policy strategy to become an energy conduit. BTC has also been a high priority US foreign policy goal to weaken Russian influence over Caspian energy corridors. By itself BTC has limited strategic effect on the regional geopolitical balance. Were it to be coupled with a second project, the much-discussed Nabucco project, the impact would definitely be a direct challenge to Russia’s energy role. The EU knows this well, which is why several member states have been less than eager to invest serious sums in Nabucco.

Recent developments in discovery and development of new natural gas reserves in both Azerbaijan and most recently in Turkmenistan in South Yolotan-Osman and Yashlar gas fields, located in the eastern part of the Amudarya River basin, add significant new energy resources to the energy calculus of the emerging Eurasian economic space.

Russian’s aim is clearly to use its economic resources to counter what it sees as a growing NATO encirclement, made dramatic by the Washington decision to place missile and radar bases in Poland and the Czech Republic, as they see it, aimed at Moscow. To date the Obama Administration has indicated it will continue the Bush ‘missile defense’ policy. Washington also just agreed to place US Patriot missiles in Poland, clearly not aimed at Germany.


If Ankara moves towards closer collaboration with Russia, Georgia's position is precarious and Azerbaijan's natural gas pipeline route to Europe, the Nabucco Pipeline, is blocked. If it cooperates with the United States and manages to reach a stable treaty with Armenia under US auspices, the Russian position in the Caucasus is weakened.

The catastrophic US military experience in Iraq and also in Pakistan and Afghanistan since 2001 has led to much rethinking across Eurasia.

The fact that the new Obama Administration to date, while making rhetorical gestures of a change, has done little of substance to shift US fundamental economic and military policy, suggests that the real options for maintaining the American Century are few at this point. That is clear from the fact that the key players in Obama economic policy were the same persons responsible for creating the conditions of the financial disaster in the first place. The military policies in the new Administration are represented by the same persons responsible for past military misadventures. They are representing an outmoded paradigm that is in fatal decline.

It is very initial, but an important framework to economically weave the nations of China, Russia and Central Asia into closer cooperation. From the perspective of geopolitics, the SCO is a natural economic convergence of mutual interests of the republics of Central Asia. SCO founding members include Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Mongolia, India, Pakistan and Iran are observers. They just concluded an annual meeting in Yekaterinburg, Russia where they discussed deeper economic, security and social cooperation. The background of the present deepening dollar crisis shaped the talks. As well the governments of Brazil and India joined after with Russia and China, to discuss mutual economic interests, including energy cooperation.

With Love and Kindness,


THE HATMAN




Wednesday, July 15, 2009

WHY ARE ARE ARMED FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN? Pt 1

To eradicate the Taliban?


To assure a supply of poppy/heroin to the Wall Street profiteers?


To assure the Petrocorps a safe pipeline route?


Perhaps because of all of the above. Perhaps none of the above.


Initially,our sole interest supposedly was to get Osama bin Laden. Yet instead of sending in a few special force troops to accomplish this, we began to bomb the daylights out of the country and population. Recently Obama has ordered 10,000 to 30,000 more troops there to vanquish the "oppressors".



According to Charley Reece,". . The northern warlords seized Kabul after the Russians left. Their looting and brutality caused many Afghans to look with favor on the young men of the Taliban. The Taliban whipped the warlords and began to rule the country with their iron-fisted version of Islam. It's no mystery why they extended a welcome to bin Laden. He had played a prominent part in the fight against the Soviets. He was a wealthy young man and could easily have spent his time in the world's best resorts. But he picked up a rifle and his checkbook and fought against the Russians. So when the Bush administration demanded that they hand over bin Laden, the Taliban refused. It was in part a matter of hospitality. But we failed with our military might to capture Bin Laden.( some say he is alive and well living in the White House basement. They let him out occasionally to make recorded TV spots.)

Afghanistan has bern invaded numerous times over the centuries, but never conquered.Even the great Ghengis Khan was unable to win there despite the tireless efforts of his viscious army.

The Afghans are a people who rather enjoy fighting. It's been said that if they run out of foreigners to fight, they will fight each other. It would take more troops than we have to occupy Afghanistan, which is about the size of Texas. It is run by the warlords and is a major producer of opium. Corruption is rampant."

In 1904 a British professor of geography, Sir Halford Mackinder, delivered a lecture in which he proposed :


" Who rules East Europe commands the Heartland;Who rules the Heartland commands the World-Island: Who commands the World Island commands the world." Tanslation: East Europe =Germany to Poland, Austria and France. The Heartland = Eurasia including Russia. Eurasia = all of the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Asia and Russia. How nice for the ears of the British Empire.


America emerged from WWII as the replacement for the British Empire.

Our strategists began where Mackinder left off. Quoting Zbigniew Brezinski "Eurasia is home to most of the world's politically assertive and dynamic states...The world's most populous aspirants to regional hegemony, China and India, are in Eurasia, as are all the potential political or economic challengers to American primacy. After the United States, the next six largest economies and military spenders are there… Eurasia accounts for 75 percent of the world's population; 60 percent of its GNP, and 75 percent of its energy resources. Collectively, Eurasia's potential power overshadows even America's.

Eurasia is the world's axial super-continent. A power that dominated Eurasia would exercise decisive influence over two of the world's three most economically productive regions, Western Europe and East Asia. A glance at the map also suggests that a country dominant in Eurasia would almost automatically control the Middle East and Africa. With Eurasia now serving as the decisive geopolitical chessboard…the distribution of power on the Eurasian landmass will be of decisive importance to America's global primacy.


Thus, you have the grand strategy of America's foreign policy A history student will see the playing out of this strategy since 1945, including the cold war years.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

MORE ANGER AND DISGUST







DEMONSTRATION IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO JULY 4, 2009

Monday, July 13, 2009

ROBERT MCNAMARA GOOD OR EVIL?

Robert McNamara died in his sleep last week. He was 92.


There is no doubt he was instrumental in changing the world during his time--for good or bad.


As a pencil pusher, bean counter he was a "whiz kid"; but what about his humanity? Was something left out of his make- up , as so often is the case with genius personalities.


As a civilian aide to General Curtis LeMay in W.W II , he advised the carpet firebombing of Tokyo; the resulting inferno, although resulting in a horrible loss of life, did little to shorten the war.


His role, mostly behind the scenes in the Vietnam war left an indelible mark, particularly on those who fought and died in this effort on both sides. Lyndon Johnson gave him a carte blanche for facilitating the slaughter. A horrible time in our nation's history, when we were treated nightly with "body count" numbers.


His tour with Ford Motor Company was touted as such a success. Actually, He almost caused their downfall from which they are still reeling. Remember the Edsel? His creation.


After the Defense Department fiasco he was named president of the World Bank , where he increased the money giveaway more than twelve fold. Somehow the totalitarian regimes always seemed first in line for this largesse.


A question comes to mind about these 'wondermen' that suddenly appear on the world stage. Are they placed in positions of power by hidden hands? Or are they incredible mistakes by those we trust?


He is gone now from the living; praised by the Washington Post and the New York Times as a great administer of foreign aid and humanitarian.


Some will miss him.


With Love and Kindness,


THE HATMAN

Sunday, July 12, 2009

COWBOY RULES


Thank you Senor elVejo for the following:


Cowboy rules for:
Arizona, Texas , Colorado , Oklahoma , New Mexico , Wyoming , Montana , Utah , Idaho, Nevada
and the rest of the Wild West are as follows:


1. Pull your pants up.. You look like an idiot.

2. Turn your cap right, your head ain't crooked.

3. Let's get this straight: it's called a 'gravel road.' I drive a pickup truck because I want to. No matter how slow you drive, you're gonna get dust on your Lexus. Drive it or get out of the way.


4. They are cattle. That's why they smell like cattle. They smell like money to us. Get over it. Don't like it? I-10, I-40, I-70 and I-80 go east and west, I-17, I-15, I-25 and I-35 goes north and south. Pick one and go.


5. So you have a $60,000 car. We're impressed. We have $250,000 Combines that are driven only 3 weeks a year.


6. Every person in the Wild West waves. It's called being friendly. Try to understand the concept...

7. If that cell phone rings while a bunch of
geese/pheasants/ducks/doves are comin' in during the hunts, we WILL shoot it outa your hand. You better hope you don't have it up to your ear at the tim e.

8. Yeah. We eat trout, salmon, deer and elk. You really want sushi and caviar? It's available at the corner bait shop.

9. The 'Opener' refers to the first day of deer season. It's a religious holiday held the closest Saturday to the first of November.

10. We open doors for women. That's applied to all women, regardless of age.

11. No, there's no 'vegetarian special' on the menu. Order steak, or you can order the Chef's Salad and pick off the 2 pounds of ham and turkey.

12. When we fill out a table, there are three main dishes: meats, vegetables, and breads. We use three spices: salt, pepper, and ketchup! Oh, yeah . . We don't care what you folks in Cincinnati call that stuff you eat IT AIN'T REAL CHILI!!

13. You bring 'Coke' into my house, it better be brown, wet and served over ice. You bring 'Mary Jane' into my house, she better be cute, know how to shoot, drive a truck, and have long hair.

14. College and High School Football is as important here as the Giants, the Yankees, the Mets, the Lakers and the Knicks, and a dang site more fun to watch.

15. Yeah, we have golf courses. But don't hit the water hazards - it spooks the fish.

16. Turn down that blasted car stereo! That thumpity-thump crap ain't music, anyway. We don't want to hear it anymore than we want to see your boxers! Refer back to #1!

A true Westerner will send this to at least 10 others and a few new friends that probably won't get it, but we're friendly so we share in hopes you can begin to understand what a real life is all about!!!
With Love and Kindness,

THE HATMAN