Analysis Topic: Politics & Social Trends
The analysis published under this topic are as follows.
Monday, November 07, 2011
Democracy Isn't Dead Yet, Just the Euro as Greece Debt Crisis Epicentre Shifting to Italy / Politics / Global Debt Crisis
By: Ashvin_Pandurangi
"Canned laughter" is frequently used on TV shows to create the illusion of soothing, comedic value in the minds of the show’s viewers. Anyone who has watched a show with "canned laughter" is familiar with the logic. One of the characters says something or another that isn’t very interesting or funny, the laugh-track comes on and then we find ourselves forcing a smile or snicker as an almost "unconscious" reaction. Almost, but not quite, because many times we are still forced to face our participation in this contrived reality after the fact.Read full article... Read full article...
Sunday, November 06, 2011
G20 Cannes And The End Of Money / Politics / Credit Crisis 2011
By: Andrew_McKillop
On Friday 4 November French state television channels and state radio stations were instructed to give blanket coverage to the coming "fireside chat" between US president Obama and French president Sarkozy. This was screened on one private TV channel, TF1 owned by the billionaire friend of Sarkozy, Martin Bouygues, and on one state TV channel, FR2, Friday evening.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
REAL Capitalists Move Our Money from Big Banks to Credit Unions / Politics / Credit Crisis 2011
By: Washingtons_Blog
Believe in Free Market Capitalism? Then Move Your Money!
Conservative free market entrepreneurial capitalist Karl Denninger notes:
Read full article... Read full article...If you have an account at a BANK, go move it to a CREDIT UNION.
Sunday, November 06, 2011
A Zombie War Is a Perfect War, Goal to Transfer Wealth / Politics / US Politics
By: Bill_Bonner
In a perverse way, a zombie war is a perfect war. A lot of money changes hands. And relatively few people are killed, compared to a real war.
The British medical journal, The Lancet, estimates the total death toll from the Iraq war at nearly 700,000. When the war began, Pentagon experts estimated the cost of the war at about $60 billion. They underestimated by 8,000%. But if the war were to stop tomorrow…and if Joseph Stiglitz’s estimates of total cost were close to correct…each Iraqi killed (let’s hallucinate that he was an “enemy combatant”) would cost about $8 million.
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Sunday, November 06, 2011
Too Many Eurozone Summits, The New World Order Is in Big Trouble / Politics / Global Debt Crisis
By: Gary_North
The New World Order is in big trouble. The European subdivision is visibly coming apart at the seams.
You can always tell when an important NWO arrangement is in crisis mode. The representatives of the mainstream media keep asking high-level spokesmen, "Does this threaten your program?" They answer, "No, this is just a temporary aberration." They say this over and over. Meanwhile, the events that led to the question keep getting more threatening.
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Friday, November 04, 2011
The Problem With People Seeing Government as God / Politics / Government Intervention
By: David_Galland
David Galland, The Casey Report writes: While I haven't made a scientific study of the topic, I suspect the leading genre for popular entertainment – and for popular delusions of crowds, for that matter – revolves around magical worlds. As illustration, the Harry Potter series will serve.
Friday, November 04, 2011
PIMCO's El-Erian on European Debt Crisis Assessment / Politics / Global Debt Crisis
By: Bloomberg
Mohamed El-Erian, CEO of PIMCO, spoke with Bloomberg Television's Betty Liu and Michael McKee this morning about the situation in Europe and the global economy.
El-Erian said that it's "striking" that German Chancellor Angela Merkel can't agree on the "easy part" and that "unfortunately it's a mess" in Europe
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Friday, November 04, 2011
Albania to Become Europe's Trashcan / Politics / Environmental Issues
By: Pravda
Albania will soon adopt a law that will turn this country into a major European trashcan. The country that for centuries has been a black hole of Europe is not just planning to gather trash from the neighboring countries, but also make profit on its processing, counting on generous investment from the neighbors. Meanwhile, Europe has to pick up Albanian trash.
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Friday, November 04, 2011
Disorderly Greece Debt Default and Exit from Eurozone? / Politics / Euro-Zone
By: DK_Matai
1. The possibility of a disorderly Greek default is now rising;
2. It is worth watching the Greek military which was on the verge of causing a coup earlier in the week;
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Friday, November 04, 2011
Japan Fukushima Nuclear Cover-Up Exposed by New International Report / Politics / Nuclear Power
By: OilPrice_Com
Japan's six reactor Fukushima Daichi nuclear complex has inadvertently become the world's bell-weather poster child for the inherent risks of nuclear power ever since the 11 March Tohoku offshore earthquake, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, triggered a devastating tsunami that effectively destroyed the complex.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Next Stage of the European Debt Crisis; Towards Global Financial Collapse? / Politics / Global Debt Crisis
By: Bob_Chapman
Those who believe the European crisis is over are mistaken. The dislocation will continue as their economies slow and political, social and economic events converge into further crisis. The most glaring problem is the banks only taking a 50% loss on Greek bonds. The loss should have been 75% or even 80%. There is absolutely no way Greece can overcome that burden in a slowing European economy and an enraged population. They are still striking and demonstrating and they will continue even under a new government.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Greek Democracy Could Be Costly / Politics / Euro-Zone
By: John_Browne
When the news broke earlier this week that Greek prime minister George Papandreou would seek a popular referendum on the bailout deal that had been so torturously negotiated over the previous months, financial panic quickly emerged. A "no" vote by the Greek people would likely lead to a partial dissolution of the Eurozone and could be the beginning of the end of the euro currency itself.
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Thursday, November 03, 2011
Spain's Infrastructure Spending: A Flight to Nowhere / Politics / Government Spending
By: Peter_Schiff
Andrew Schiff writes: Recently there's been much talk about how infrastructure spending can be a viable solution to our country's current economic woes. President Obama's proposed $447 billion dollar jobs bill contains, among other things, investment in infrastructure projects like road construction. Many progressive economists have called for much more, with some even saying that the utility of such programs is secondary to the short term economic stimulation that would result from hiring unemployed workers. In other words, it doesn't matter what is built, as long as the government creates jobs. But even if the projects are widely regarded as needed, will the benefits justify the costs? Oftentimes the answer is no, as the actions of the Spanish government over the last two decades suggest.
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Thursday, November 03, 2011
Everybody Hates Capitalism, The General Theory of Zombieism / Politics / Credit Crisis Bailouts
By: Bill_Bonner
We begin another look at Zombieland with this editorial from Martin Wolf in The Financial Times:
Read full article... Read full article...Why did it take so long? It is over four years since the financial crisis began. Yet only now are anti-capitalist protests emerging, including at St Paul’s Cathedral. So is this the beginning of a resurgent leftwing politics? I doubt it. Are the protesters raising some big questions? Yes, they are.
Thursday, November 03, 2011
Fait Accompli by George Papendrou Regarding the Greek Referendum / Politics / Euro-Zone
By: Bob_Kirtley
Can you just visualize the look on the face of Nicolas Sarkozy when George Papendrou explains his actions as a fait accompli. The Greek Prime Minister can not back down now that he has made an announcement to hold a referendum, as it would look as though he was weak and capitulated under the pressure from his European masters.
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Thursday, November 03, 2011
Eurocrats in Action, Ripping Off Taxpayers and Running Into Walls to Avoid the Cameras / Politics / Euro-Zone
By: Mike_Shedlock
The following must see video shows Eurocrats in action, ripping off taxpayers and inadvertently running into walls to escape the lights of the camera. The video is in German but has English subtitles. A second video follows with French Subtitles.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
U.S. Millennial Generation Battles Against Wall Street Modeled on Egypt and Tunisia Protests / Politics / US Politics
By: James_Quinn
BAD MOON RISING
I see the bad moon arising.
I see trouble on the way.
I see earthquakes and lightnin'.
I see bad times today.
Creedence Clearwater Revival – Bad Moon Rising
“Human history seems logical in afterthought but a mystery in forethought.” - The Fourth Turning – Strauss & Howe
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Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Eurocrats Terrified of Democracy; In Praise of Papandreou's Greece Referendum Decision / Politics / Euro-Zone
By: Mike_Shedlock
I do not know what motivated Greek Prime minister George Papandreou to call for a voter referendum on the Greek bailouts (and no one else does either) with the exception of Papandreou himself.
However, there are some rather interesting possibilities (as well as a simple explanation).
The Slog outlines a scenario that Papandreou’s bailout referendum bombshell was inspired by Merkel in order to trigger major losses in French banks, causing France to lose its AAA rating, culminating in a total Merkel victory and German revenge over France.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
China Leverages Electrolytic Manganese Metal Stockpile Monopoly / Politics / Metals & Mining
By: Anthony_David
metal over 30 years ago, but so far, the country has not been able to produce any electrolytic manganese (EMM), a critical alloying element. And like rare earths, the US has been sourcing its electrolytic manganese largely from China and small amounts from South Africa. In 2009, China’s production accounted for 95% of the global electrolytic manganese production.
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Tuesday, November 01, 2011
Auf Wiedersehen, Au Revoir, Greece! / Politics / Global Debt Crisis
By: Axel_Merk
Greek Prime Minister Papandreou is throwing in the towel: by calling for a popular vote on austerity measures now, we believe he is almost assured a no vote. This allows Papandreou to say that he tried everything he could to avoid a default, but the people have spoken. Having said that, as we write this analysis, Papandreou appears to be changing his mind and may cancel the idea of a referendum as quickly as it came about. Still, the message is clear: a default is coming.
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