Mad Statists

Chinese revolt over government plan to ban BBQ in order to fight epic smog problem

"China web-users were furious Thursday over plans to tackle pollution with a ban on barbecues, wryly asking if Beijing would stamp out fried food and normal bodily functions in its war on smog. The controversial measure is being explored as Beijing aims to confront the heavy pollution which has choked large swathes of the country in recent weeks. State media said Wednesday that the country’s environmental watchdog had issued draft guidelines advising major cities to adopt legislation banning 'barbecue-related activities'. Barbequed food is a favourite dish in China, particularly lamb skewers, a speciality of the north-western region of Xinjiang." Continue reading →

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Revolutionary Japan is suddenly the centre of world affairs

"We all watch with disbelief as China and Japan rattle sabres over the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands, so like the seemingly minor events that drew Europe's alliance systems into conflict from 1911 onwards. Both graduated to fighter jets last week: Japan sending in F-15s; China deploying J-10s, and mobilising the East China Sea fleet for live ammo drills. China's purpose is clear. It is testing the US security umbrella, and Washington's willingness to risk conflict to back Asian allies." Continue reading →

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Paul Craig Roberts: Obama’s Expanding Kill List

"If the Obama regime is on the side of the government, as in Algeria, it will kill the rebels opposing the government. If the Obama regime is on the side of the rebels, as in Libya, it will kill the government’s leaders. Whether Washington sends a drone to murder Putin and the president of China remains to be seen. The elasticity of the Kill List and its easy expansion makes it certain that Washington will be involved in extra-judicial executions of those 'associated with terrorism' over much of the world. Americans themselves should be alarmed, because the term 'association with terrorism' is very elastic." Continue reading →

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West Virginia Bill Would Drug Test Teens for Driver Licenses

"A bill introduced Tuesday in the West Virginia House of Delegates would require prospective teen drivers to pass three separate drug tests before receiving a full drivers' license. It's only the latest drug testing proposal to emerge at the statehouse in Charleston this year. Introduced by Del. Joe Ellington (R-Mercer), House Bill 2528 would require teens to 'pass a drug test designed to detect illegal consumption of controlled substances' before getting a learner's permit, before getting an intermediate license, and before getting a full license." Continue reading →

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Bernanke’s Plan…If He Identifies Bubbles

"So what's Bernanke's plan, should one of these bubbles occur? Throw some bureaucrats at it first! Surely he means some new goofy laws, but can Bernanke also mean price controls? He has said that: 'The achievement of price stability must not and will not be jeopardized…I am also confident that, when the time comes, the Fed will act to ensure that inflation remains firmly under control.' The next step that governments usually take to give the illusion that 'inflation remains firmly under control' is to enact price controls. Will TSA agents be sent into out of the airports and into the streets to make sure that the price of tomatoes aren't 'too high'?" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingBernanke’s Plan…If He Identifies Bubbles

Detlev Schlichter: Bubble trouble: Is there an end to endless quantitative easing?

"Any pretence of the ‘independence’ of central bankers has been unceremoniously dumped in Japan. Ministers take part in central bank meetings and give joint statements with central bank governors afterwards. New Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made it very clear what he wants the central bank to do (print more money faster, devalue the Yen, create inflation) and to that end he is looking for a new central bank governor. Of course, only accredited ‘doves’ need apply. A few days ago, Mr. Abe also spelled out what skill-set he is really looking for: good marketing skills. Salesmanship." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingDetlev Schlichter: Bubble trouble: Is there an end to endless quantitative easing?

India bans gold jewellery from Thailand

"In a fresh clampdown, India has officially banned the import of gold jewellery from Thailand. The authorities suspect that Indian importers are misusing the duty free pact with Thailand to import bullion from the South East Asian nation. The commerce ministry has recommended suspension of gold jewellery imports from Thailand in view of the increasing imports from the country. For some time now, the government has been looking to bring down imports of the precious metal into the country and has added several stages of import duties." Continue reading →

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Fed, uneasy over ‘QE,’ plans bond-buy debate

"Minutes of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting released Wednesday reveal that many Fed officials are worried about the costs and risks arising from the $85 billion–per–month asset-purchase program. And they all seem to have their own ideas on how to proceed. Several Fed officials said the central bank should be prepared to vary the pace of the asset-purchase plan depending on the outlook or how the program was working. One wanted to vary it on a meeting-by-meeting basis." Continue reading →

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Columbine Gunshot Survivor To Obama On Gun Control: ‘WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?’

"'It was during this time that I personally witnessed two fellow students murder twelve of my classmates and one teacher,' he writes. 'The assault weapons ban did not deter these two murderers, nor did the other thirty-something laws that they broke.' Of particular note in the letter is the survivor’s insistence that Obama’s proposed regulations impede the rights of Americans and endanger them by capping magazine sizes and restricting the types of guns that are available to law-abiding citizens. 'Why would you prefer criminals to have the ability to out-gun law-abiding citizens?,' he asks the president in the text. 'Whose side are you on?'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingColumbine Gunshot Survivor To Obama On Gun Control: ‘WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?’