Mad Statists

The Global Status Quo Strategy: Do More of What Has Failed Spectacularly

"The only metrics that count are debt and the ability to service that debt. Households have this tiny little problem known as declining income that makes it impossible to service more debt unless interest rates fall to near-zero. Presto-magico, real interest rates (adjusted for inflation) are near-zero, and can't fall any lower. That means the Fed has run out of room to lower rates. From here on, households will only be able to service more debt if their income rises. Alas, with full-time employment back to 1980 levels, that is not even a remote possibility." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Global Status Quo Strategy: Do More of What Has Failed Spectacularly

EU chief: Brits fighting alongside Syrian rebels pose ‘serious threat’ upon return

"Hundreds of young men from across Europe are fighting with rebel forces in Syria, the European Union’s security chief has warned. Britain has promised to step up its support for the rebels, hinting that it could be ready to send arms. But intelligence agencies have stepped up operations after a rise in the number of Europeans, notably from Britain, France and Ireland, joining fighters. Security bodies are tracking Brits and Belgians while the Netherlands has raised its terror threat to ‘substantial’ in part because of fears about citizens being radicalised in Syria. Mr de Kerchove, the EU’s counter-terrorism coordinator, said: ‘We are concerned, of course.’" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEU chief: Brits fighting alongside Syrian rebels pose ‘serious threat’ upon return

When Homeland Security Theater goes Off-Script

"The FBI, whose chief occupation since 2002 has been the manufacture of ersatz terrorism plots, induced Tounisi into an act described as providing 'material aid' to a foreign terrorist group. If he is convicted, he will be found guilty of carrying out the Obama administration's official policy without official permission. He is not the only American presently facing the prospect of imprisonment on this charge. The administration has filed felony charges against a US Army Veteran from Arizona named Eric Harroun, who traveled to Syria to join the fight against Assad." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhen Homeland Security Theater goes Off-Script

EU governments get cold feet on financial transactions tax

"Prospects of an EU tax on financial transactions have been put into question by confusion on how it would work and a legal challenge by the UK. A six-page-long memo drafted by civil servants in the EU Council last week - seen by EUobserver - indicates cooling enthusiasm among the 11 EU countries which supported the introduction of a financial transactions tax (FTT). The officials say the FTT, which includes a 0.1 percent levy on bonds and shares and 0.01 percent on derivative products, would hit repurchase agreements on sovereign bonds, forcing up the cost of financing government debt." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingEU governments get cold feet on financial transactions tax

Michael Scheuer: U.S. leaders’ fingerprints are on the detonators

"While the Tsarnaev brothers apparently conducted the Marathon bombings in Boston, the detonators of those bombs also have the fingerprints of most Democratic and Republican politicians all over them, and those men and women are in a measure responsible for each and every one of the Boston casualties. Why? Because once again it is blatantly obvious from the evidence the authorities have presented to date that the attackers were motivated by what the U.S. government does in the Muslim world and not because of our freedoms, liberties, and gender equality." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingMichael Scheuer: U.S. leaders’ fingerprints are on the detonators

Christian Bishops Kidnapped by US-Allied Syria Insurgents

"Today, Syriac Orthodox and Greek Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Yohanna Ibrahim and Paul Yazigi, were kidnapped by US-allied Islamic insurgents in the village of Kfar Dael as they were 'carrying out humanitarian work'. The two high-ranking Christian bishops were outspoken in warning about the threats to the religious balance in Syria posed by the Islamist extremists who have received the weapons provided by Saudi Arabia and Qatar with US transport support via Croatia. The US-backed rebels regularly violate the sanctuaries of Christian churches in their pursuit of a Syria ruled by Sharia law." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingChristian Bishops Kidnapped by US-Allied Syria Insurgents

New York lawmaker: I would torture an American citizen

"New York state Sen. Greg Ball (R) on Monday night reiterated his belief that Boston bombing suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev should be tortured even though he is a U.S. citizen. 'I’m telling you as Greg Ball, if personally put in a room with anybody from the most current scumbags to Osama bin Laden I’m telling you what I would do. As far as policy of the United States, you’ve got to take it up with your man Obama,' Ball explained. He later said he was 'firmly' in support of torture if it could help save American lives." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew York lawmaker: I would torture an American citizen

People Love Being Dehumanized by the Security Apparatus

"Or so the police state's house organ, WaPo, alleges. 'Expect to see more people in uniform, a greater display of law enforcement firepower, added security in places where it had been relaxed and increased efforts to poke into backpacks and purses,' claims the dying paper paper. All this failed in Boston, of course, but it is comforting, we are told." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPeople Love Being Dehumanized by the Security Apparatus

Supreme Court strikes down warrantless blood tests in DUI cases

"Police following up on drunk driving investigations will no longer be able to draw their suspect’s blood without a court order authorizing the search, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday. In a 5-4 decision, with Justices Sonya Sotomayor, Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Anthony Kennedy and Elena Kagan making up the majority, the court ruled that the natural expiration of alcohol in the bloodstream does not constitute 'destruction of evidence,' which would otherwise give officers cause for a warrantless search." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingSupreme Court strikes down warrantless blood tests in DUI cases

Hunt for Dollars Sends Argentines Into the ‘Cave’

"As the government restricts access to foreign currencies, Argentines seeking hard-to-get dollars have been pushed into cuevas, or caves—clandestine operations where customers pay dearly to exchange pesos for greenbacks. Buying dollars for savings is banned, and authorities make only small amounts of foreign currency available for travel abroad. Travelers must submit an online request to the national tax authority just days before leaving. Businesses need government approval to import equipment and materials at the cheap official exchange rate. Dollar-sniffing dogs are posted at border crossings to catch those traveling with undeclared currency." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHunt for Dollars Sends Argentines Into the ‘Cave’