AUGUSTA, Maine (June 21, 2015) A Maine bill that would drastically restrict the use of drones by state and local law enforcement and serve to thwart one aspect of the federal surveillance state was approved by the full legislature last week. It will now go to the Gov. LePage’s desk where he can sign it…
June is a pivotal month for Michigan and our Country. Two extremely important rulings are due in June from the Supreme Court of the United States. Michigan citizens needs to be prepared. But first a update on just what is happening with road funding since Prop 1 was demolished at the ballot box. …
"A Swiss pension fund manager calculated that he could save his clients a substantial amount of money by withdrawing cash from his fund's bank account, which was yielding a negative interest return, and depositing the cash in an insured vault. Exercising his fiduciary responsibility, he notified his bank of an impending large withdrawal of CHF. The bank rebuffed the fund manager's request: 'We are sorry, that within the time period specified, no solution corresponding to your expectations could be found.' One banking expert argues that the bank's action 'is most definitely not legal' because the pension fund holds a 'sight account,' which gives the holder the right to withdraw cash on demand." Continue reading →
"The speaker who pushed through financial monitoring provisions of the USA Patriot Act found himself ensnared in the same law. By 'structuring' his cash withdrawals to avoid reporting requirements, he aroused suspicions at his bank and gave the FBI reason to investigate. As delightful as it is to see the mighty brought low, Hastert may also be victim of a grave injustice. If the government thinks it can prove Hastert committed a sex crime, the right course would be to file charges and let a jury decide. Law enforcement now has the power to bypass courts and inflict punishment without trial. Before we relish Hastert's downfall, we should remember that any one of us could be next." Continue reading →
"Thousands of Indian citizens in the US – from IT workers, health professionals, students and everyone else under the sun – will soon be innocent victims to snooping by the Indian government. If an Indian citizen holds a bank account in the US, minute details about his/her bank account will be shared with New Delhi by Washington. Although India gets access only to bank account information of Indian citizens, the US can get access to even information of 'non-US entities' operating in India if it has even one American working for them. That means information about any Indian corporation or organisation would be provided to Washington on request, if it has an American on rolls." Continue reading →
"Russia is increasing its gold holdings because gold is a reserve asset that is free from legal and political risks, a senior central banker said on Tuesday. The comments by Dmitry Tulin, who manages monetary policy at the central bank, reflect Russian fears that the country's overseas assets could be frozen as part of a possible toughening of Western sanctions over the Ukraine crisis. 'As you know we are increasing our gold holdings, although this comes with market risks,' Tulin told lawmakers in the lower house of parliament. 'The price of it (gold) swings, but on the other hand it is a 100 percent guarantee from legal and political risks.'" Continue reading →
"Six months ago we warned that Austria was considering it, and now, as Kronen-Zeitung reports, with no rigged Swiss-like referendum required, Austrian Central Bank Governor, and the person many claim is in Mario Draghi's inner circle of trust (soon to be revised) Edwald Nowotny has committed to repatriating 110 tonnes of gold. This is part of Nowotny's new 'gold strategy' and with his position (on paper) as one of Draghi's foremost lieutenants, appears to be a big stab in the back for super money printing Mario. Austrian central bank plans to keep 50% of its gold reserves in Austria vs 17% now, Kronen-Zeitung reports, citing governor Ewald Nowotny’s unpublished new 'gold strategy.'" Continue reading →
"In two years--since government increased duty on gold to 10% to rein in a yawning current account deficit—gold smuggling has grown by 900%. That as an accepted principle seizures could be less than 10% of actual smuggling, the figures look even more ominous. Sources say gold has also begun to be smuggled in ever unique ways and from rather unexpected corners. There is a silver lining to the grim story though. There is an unexpected drop in Nepal which had seen a massive spurt in gold smuggling in the past couple of years. The reason: the kingpin of illicit yellow metal trade in the Himlayan nation died under the rubble of his house in Kathmandu during the recent quake." Continue reading →
"A bill taking a step towards gold and silver as commonly-used legal tender in Texas passed in the state Senate today by an overwhelming 29-2 vote. What the bill essentially does is create a means for transactions to occur in precious metals. It allows people to open an account and deposit their precious metals in the state depository. They could then use the electronic system to make payments to any other business or person who also holds an account. This opening of the market is considered by many insiders to be the most important first step towards bringing sound money to mainstream acceptance." Continue reading →
"McLellan is just one of thousands of Americans the IRS has seized money from, supposedly for 'structuring' funds to avoid a law requiring banks to alert the government of deposits over $10,000. The law was instituted to help the government ferret out drug dealers, terrorists or other criminals -- but the IRS occasionally flags deposits of just under $10,000 as suspicious even if there's no evident criminal wrongdoing, in turn ensnaring people who may be innocent. That's what allegedly happened in McLellan's case. His convenience store in North Carolina was raided in October by IRS agents who said he made a series of just-under-$10,000 deposits in a 24-hour period." Continue reading →