Blast From The Past

On This Day in 1933

"You were considered a hoarder and a slacker if you still resisted turning over your gold to the government. Roosevelt had only been in office for 101 days and while there was broad bipartisan support for inflationary policies in Congress, it’s safe to say that most of those who voted for FDR never expected him to confiscate private holdings of gold coins, bullion, and certificates. Roosevelt called the measure a temporary one (it wasn’t), and he followed it up by invalidating gold clauses in private contracts that obligated payment in gold dollars, which had the effect of devaluing the assets of bond and contract holders." Continue reading →

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Chechnya: “We Will Make You Feel What We Feel”

"When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Chechen demanded independence like the Soviet republics. Instead, Boris Yeltsin’s government invaded Chechnya, killing some 100,000 Chechen civilians through massive carpet bombing and shelling. FSB chief Vladimir Putin was catapulted into power by anti-Chechen hysteria caused by mysterious bombings in 1999. Powerful Russian forces invaded and crushed the life out of Chechen resistance. All moderate Chechen leaders were assassinated, the last in Qatar in 2004, leaving mostly militant Islamists." Continue reading →

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Community Charge (UK) – 1990 Opposition

"As the amount of the Community Charge began to rise and the inefficiency of local councils in collection of the tax became apparent, large numbers of people refused to pay. Local councils tried to respond with enforcement measures, but these were largely ineffective against such huge numbers of non-payers - up to 30% of former ratepayers in some areas refused to pay. In November 1990, South Yorkshire police said they were planning to refuse to arrest Community Charge defaulters even when instructed to by the courts because it would be 'physically impossible for the police because of the large number of defaulters.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCommunity Charge (UK) – 1990 Opposition

New Poll Finds 86 Percent Of Americans Don’t Want To Have A Country Anymore [2006]

"Among the 86 percent of poll respondents who were in favor of discontinuing the nation, the most frequently cited reasons were a lack of significant results from the current democratic process (36 percent), dissatisfaction with customer service (28 percent), and exhaustion (22 percent). Of those who were against maintaining an American nation, 77 percent said they believe that having a country is 'counter to the best interests of Americans.' Twelve percent said 'the time and effort citizens spend on the country could be better spent elsewhere,' and 8 percent said they just didn't care." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Poll Finds 86 Percent Of Americans Don’t Want To Have A Country Anymore [2006]

US issues health warning over mercury fillings [2008]

"Amalgam dental fillings – which contain the highly toxic metal mercury – pose a health risk, the world's top medical regulatory agency has conceded. After years of insisting the fillings are safe, the US government's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a health warning about them. It represents a landmark victory for campaigners, who say the fillings are responsible for a range of ailments, including heart conditions and Alzheimer's disease. The FDA is now reviewing its rules and may end up restricting or banning the use of the metal." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS issues health warning over mercury fillings [2008]

Harry Browne: The Coming Devaluation (Sept. 3, 1970)

"Taped Sept 3, 1970, this insightful economic conversation remains relevant today. Note Mr. Browne predicts that, 'as an act of economic desperation,' our government will have to 'renege on their promise to foreign governments to pay one ounce of gold for every $35 turned in at the Treasury.' On August 15, 1971, the Nixon Administration did so." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHarry Browne: The Coming Devaluation (Sept. 3, 1970)

New York Cops Arrest Artist Who Posted Embarrassing ‘NYPD Drone’ Posters [2012]

"Back in mid-September, the NYPD (and the city of NY) was embarrassed by the work of an artist who managed to install 100 posters in pay phone kiosks that appeared to show the city was using armed drones to control crime. Last week, police finally arrested Essam Attia, the man they believe was at the center of the campaign. Mr. Attia has been charged with 56 counts of possession of a forged instrument — a fairly serious crime for someone who put up some posters that he claims were meant to spark a conversation about the troubling use of drones both domestically and abroad." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York Cops Arrest Artist Who Posted Embarrassing ‘NYPD Drone’ Posters [2012]

Soviet-era bonds: Paper chase [2000]

"Should kidnap victims pay their debts? That, roughly, is the question facing Estonia, which issued £700,000 ($3.4m) and $4m in 40-year bonds in 1927, but was then annexed by the Soviet Union in 1940. Most investors swallowed their losses. But not William Hardison, a Florida-based businessman, who holds around $90,000-worth of the septuagenarian paper. Estonia's booming, debt-free economy is one of the most successful in the ex-communist world. But the situation with Estonia's kidnapper is rather different. Russia took on the Soviet Union's assets and liabilities in 1991, and has since bargained hard to get out of paying the latter." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSoviet-era bonds: Paper chase [2000]