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Zebra 3 Report by Joe Anybody
Friday, 16 June 2006
I wrote my Congressman & The White House
Mood:
chatty
Now Playing: I WANT GUANTANAMANO PRISON SHUT DOWN - NOW!
Topic: TORTURE
DAMN I AM SO UPSET I CAN HARDLY SEE STRAIGHT
I JUST SENT OUT 5 SEPERATE EMAILS TO MY CONGRESSMEN AND EVEN THE WHITE HOUSE ON CLOSING GITMO DOWN NOW I URGE ALL ZEBRA 3 READERS TO DO THE SAME Please read my letter and write one too. ************************************************
Dear Senator Smith & Wyden, House Rep Blumenauer , President Bush & Vice President Cheney,
I write to you today in dire hope that you can help end the un-American deplorable situation at Guantanamo Bay Prison. Today I read that reporters were barred from investigating the suicides that just happened the other day. The secrecy must stop. We citizens have a right to know and have a word in how our Military behaves.
That prison is out of control, it has had abuses, torture, death, and indefinite imprisonment for humans held without any trail or justice as we cherish so much in this country of ours. I am exasperated and sickened by our tolerance of using waterboarding and stress positions, and inhumane contracted-out or secret CIA interrogations. These practices at Delta Camp lack law and order, not to mention the over all lack of oversight and control by a leadership that will respect a America Standard if not Global standard in regards to Human Rights. We are spitting on Human Rights. The out of control sadists that are ruining America’s integrity and violating UN laws, and Geneva protocol are causing hatred of our country and encourage a rage of hate for the US not to say it is ruing my trust and respect.
The conditions of this prison are so deplorable that the prisoners are trying, and some with success, to kill them selves. I watched in horror, as they were force fed by long filthy tubes into their stomachs. Now three suicides and cover-ups and still nobody gives a damn. Now in utter shame three at one time, have all killed themselves, and I ask why, could their letters containing their last words be a clue? But I suppose those may be a national security. I just read how one prisoner named David Hicks was subjected to 244 days of sensory disorientation, was left in a dark cell and denied sunlight and his only contact was a weekly visit by the military chaplain, in my words as well as other experts this is torture and wrong. This is only one small issue of hundreds if not thousands that need correcting. Sensory loss is a sick perversion and a well used tactic that should be disbanded, it causes irreversible damage and will make you go insane.
My cousin died by committing suicide in Baghdad, Iraq He was a solider for the USA Air Force He is to this day the highest ranking solider to die in Iraq Senator, HE TOOK HIS OWN LIFE TOO He was a West Point Col. and Instructor who was training the Iraq Police Special Forces. He was serving with the Multi-national Security Transition Command-Iraq His name is Ted. He died on June 5 2005. When he died from taking his own life as a proud US solider he wrote that what he was doing in Iraq was dishonorable…He said Death before Dishonor. He was sickened by the greed and corruption The little I have been able to read of his letter said: "I cannot support a msn (mission) that leads to corruption, human rights abuse and liars. I am sullied," it says. "I came to serve honorably and feel dishonored. Death before being dishonored any more." Now we have prisoners killing themselves but they are portrayed as doing it for political reasons, etc. Isn’t it ironic that a top Military officer was yelling the same thing about this war, and then taking his own life as the only way out? Could it be his letter is similar, to the three GITMO death letters? I bet it’s very close indeed. Of course …national security reasons, will prevent Ted’s letter as well, from being fully released to the public who needs to know these things Damn how many more will die, on both sides, for this illegal invasion and un-ethical incarcerations?
Please heed my request. Look up how my cousin died ……and WHY would a top ranking officials want to kill him self………why? Well he says why…It is because, what is going on is disgusting! And you Senator need to help me stop this mess. This war and those prisons need you to bring them back to the American standards that are lawful and respectful and ones we can be proud of.
Then think long and hard about this sick prison that is out of control across the whole spectrum, from leadership to policy, to outside contractors abusing and unethical practices, as in abuse, to secrecy and violations and cover-ups from the public and the media. And ask yourself “what can you do about it?”
All I can do is pray you can understand that this is all very sickening, wrong and un-American and that it needs to stop NOW. Please do all you can to get our country back into the ethics and honor we all once were proud of. You can start by demanding the closing down this Hell Hole in Guantanamo.., for good. Please hear my plea. Please listen to the voice of my dead cousin words as he pointed a gun at his own head while wearing the US Military uniform, sullied and disappointed. I wrote you a four-page letter about a month or more ago, about this and other serious topics and heard nothing back. You are my only hope.
What happened to this proud and honor filled country that had respect from around the world as hero’s and caring about Human Rights?. What happened to justice, trials, human respect, Geneva, and being proud of our military? What happened to a top Officer who seen the truth of this hideous sick war wrote a letter to the world and then took his life? The USA perspective today, seems to be, all about bringing more death ….all over the world in many forms Please Help. We got to do the right thing. Demanding the closing of Guantanamo is the first step to improving our sullied Human Rights.
Thank You I look forward to your actions and or a reply
signed Joe Anybody (my name inserted)
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 3:42 PM PDT
Updated: Sunday, 18 June 2006 12:57 AM PDT
Thursday, 15 June 2006
We Are Seriously Trying To Close Down The Gates To Hell
Mood:
on fire
Now Playing: Send an email to rummy and bushman
Topic: TORTURE
This is the LINK HERE to send your opinion to: The pres and his side kick rummy. This is an important move you can make. Let your voice be heard and please send your email of PROTEST against The Delta Camp.
You see ZEBRA 3 READERS as you are aware of I'm sure, 460 men are detained in the GITMO Hell Hole Some have been there for over five years, the vast majority without charges or trials. {How Patriotic} Due to to the over all desperate measures, and hopeless environment, the prisoners have been going on hunger strikes and thus were force fed by the Military with long filthy tubes. And as we are seeing by these recent multiple suicides and other recent attempted suicides, things are about as low in possible in this creepy low-life camp.
By sending a letter you can help raise the pressure and the level of attention that is needed to,
"SHUT THIS HELL HOLE DOWN"
Here is a post I put up here on the Z3 Report about this very subject.
We need to push this closure! And the sooner the better!
And if your saying ...."Come on Joe, these are bad guys!" And your thinking is Joe a terrorist lover???? Well noooooooo! But I also want to be clear on the fact I don't support our troops terrorizing or torturing their captured prisoners and then blatantly don't even give them a trial! WOW_ Hard to believe that the USA does this, but hey! As a reminder pinch, "please" refresh your self with this link on the infamous: Joe-Anybody Torture Page
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 1:06 AM PDT
Updated: Thursday, 15 June 2006 1:54 AM PDT
Tuesday, 13 June 2006
Ever Try Tearing A Gun From The Hands Of A Peace Loving Hippie?
Mood:
energetic
Now Playing: +++++ They Want To Take Your Guns +++++
Topic: CIVIL RIGHTS
In what is looking like a UN Gathering in NY to stop handguns I see this as another unsuccessful attempt to mess with our right to bear arms. This 4th of July, while you and your family celebrate the 230th Anniversary of the founding of our great nation, there's one party you won't be invited to... ...And that's the party that Kofi Annan is throwing at United Nations headquarters in New York and using your tax dollars! I find it obtrusive in a slightly insulting..... " Are you talking to me?" kind of way. Not only that but it is bad manners to have a discussion about taking away my gun on the 4th of JULY. In fact are they out of touch with reality? Man this is weird and worrisome, if not ludicrous. I don't want my gun right encroached or violated. I can not sit idly by without voicing my opinion as this anti-American meeting starts to commence Furthermore I will not support any type of UN restriction on my right to bear arms. Hard for me to mumble that "too loudly"...especially since I support the UN in about 90% of what they are usually trying to do. --> BUT this gun issue is not getting my support <-- I don't take this very lightly when it comes to my freedom my liberty and my right to vote and have a gun. ******* Watch This short video on this subject **** HERE ****Here is a NRA link for three letters to print and mail, the wording is a little bit "not-joe anybody's" style but my anger is as sincere NRA pre-written Letters to print-n-mail
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 10:11 PM PDT
Updated: Wednesday, 14 June 2006 12:31 AM PDT
Monday, 12 June 2006
Looks Like our Democracy Crusade is Fruitful
Mood:
vegas lucky
Now Playing: $ Afgan Drug Trade $ = Police Commandeers Getting Rich
Topic: BIG MONEY PLAYERS
Let me start this by saying the following is the disclaimer from the Christian Monitor which was at the end of their article, I thought it should be read by you all first (please read The short Article on the Drug War Corruption in Afghanistan) **************************************************** A note on how we (Christian Monitor) reported this story The Monitor used a reporting device in this story that it normally avoids: The key interviews, all taped, were with sources who did not realize they were speaking to the press. This presents a risk to fairness and privacy, in that the interviewees might speak more casually and loosely than they would if they knew they were speaking to a reporter. We decided to go forward for several reasons. The subjects in these interviews are all public officials, not private citizens, discussing what should be public business. The issue of drug trafficking, illegal in Afghanistan as nearly everywhere else, is critically important to the future of that country and others. We could find no other safe way to collect direct evidence of this official corruption. But because we could not directly confront these police chiefs without endangering the lives of reporters or interpreters, we decided to withhold their names.- The editors of The Christian Monitor Now here is the Link to the article: Christian Monitor Undercover Article which is about the CORRUPT drug trade that is flourishing and out of control. And the key or should I say the only big players are the Police. This article opens your eyes to how far out-of-control this has become. I wonder if this has any result in our "Spreading Democracy or Liberating?" In a country where illegal business generates $2.7 billion a year, which is over half the value of the country's legal economy,and as one commandeer said "It's not the responsibilities that I like the most, it's the access to the drug trade, It is a good position," he says. "I pay $1,000 and get $20,000 in profit." "Fellow Zebra 3 readers ...Welcome to Afghanistan!"
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 10:36 PM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 24 June 2006 3:42 PM PDT
3 Men's Sucide's is Just a Good PR Move according to US State Dept.
Mood:
down
Now Playing: Living in desperation right in a American-Run-Hell-Hole
Topic: TORTURE
I read this from an ABC website here below is parts from it and my opinion about US prison camps not~run in our own country and there recent dirty deeds. ******************************************** Deputy assistant secretary of state for public diplomacy, Ms Graffy, said of the three recent suicides at the prison the Military is running in Cuba, and just the other day... "Taking their own lives was not necessary but it certainly is a good PR move to draw attention," < HA ha !- listen to that PR move if I ever heard one??!! wow, talk about SPIN!>This hell-camp is known as " Guantanamo" And within it, there is 460 men who are held, almost all of them without charge, and it need to be closed down. To date, there has been only 10 detainees have been charged with crimes and face military tribunals ordered by President Bush. *It's a sick travesty 10 out of 460 wow!Amnesty International and many other Humanitarian groups have been saying that very same thing. The fact is only the International Committee of Red Cross can be allowed to go into Guantanamo. They are heading there now.., But I woorry it is not good enough, because the road to the truth behind those walls that have the words " Honor Bound" is a mad mans Prison of Living Nightmares; It is complete with secrecy science and psychology freak show of horrors, devices, and methods. It's a land of dogs, electricity and sexual perversions, chains, tears, and suicides, fake drownings, and humiliation. All leading to hunger strikes and Death and that my dear rz3 reader would be Murder or Suicide. It is a Hole that leads to Hell that America Runs. It is located in Cuba and therefore not bound by American Soil Law. Because of that very reason .....what happen here is not bound by any law and with these troops displaying OUR FLAG I am discraced. My Tax Money goes to Do Terrible things here? And I am Disgraced by this act. All being done in my countries name. These people we torture and abuse know what is happening they tell their families, their familes see first hand.....we here in the states get lied to and cheated from our true Honor Bound Intentions, Acts od discrace and Immoralality. I am Horrified at their Military policy and law that allows this, not to mention what really goes on that in these three mens case...dead mean cant ever tell their side at a fair trial. I am horrified that our Great Country has succumbed to this low life level. SHAME Tear Our Flag Down From The Gates Of The Hole to Hell!And Close that sick-ass abuse warehouse Down! Your breaking International Law in there!Hunger strikes by these prisoners last year were diverted to tubes inserted into their stomachs and force-fed. In describing one case of the hunger strikers an Attorney for on of the prisoners said: "He is normally a gentle, quiet, shy person," but he "He sat there in a subdued state that was almost inert. He was colossally depressed." { Go USA "VICTORY One man down!" } ...... what a cool place. I bet those are cool jobs to learn and bring BACK TO THE COMMUNITY in a few years? The Land of the Home and the Free and the Brave, continues in spite of World Out Crying, UN Admonishment, and hearing screams so loud across the entire Globe heard outside those walls, but none were like what came from the Tortured and abused that screamed to their God from inside those walls. I'm sure more than a few hundred would be "Why are those sick Fucking Americans doing this to me?" Ya ....lets call this just a good public relations move, that why they are trying to kill them selves.ANOTHER INFORMATIVE ARTICLE I RECOMMEND IS BELOW AND IT IS WORTH READING BY ALL YOU Fellow Z3 Readers... Check out --> The Mercury News
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 12:52 AM PDT
Updated: Monday, 12 June 2006 2:02 AM PDT
Friday, 9 June 2006
THIS IS SICK STUFF - ITS THE NEW MILITARY MANUAL
Mood:
irritated
Now Playing: MILITARY WANTS TO DEGRADE PRISONEERS
Topic: TORTURE
Think of this article over the weekend We can discuss this when I get back from my Fishing Trip BUT SOMETHING IS SERIOUS WRONG Here is the article about the Military changing their Handbook Rules to allow Humiliation and degrading treatment. Kind of BOLD of them in spite of all this TORTURE subjects.....but NOoooooo they don't give a Rats Ass They are gonna change the rules to accommodate their sick ways. ********** Read Full Story Here *********
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 5:38 PM PDT
Updated: Friday, 9 June 2006 5:39 PM PDT
I Hate to bother you --> An Inconvenient Truth is upon us all
Mood:
spacey
Now Playing: Global Warming Is Gonna Kill Us All
Topic: ENVIRONMENTAL
Global warming is real. It is caused by human activity. Mankind and its governments must begin immediate action to halt and reverse it. It is our duty to our grandchildrens, children. If we sit around and do squat this world and the civilizations on it will perish. Watch this new Movie! And Get off your Ass and ****** SAVE THIS PLANET ******
Al Gore has a new film out which is titled: "An Inconvenient Truth" A short movie trailer of it is --> HERE!
I read the following on this site of Movie Reviewer: Roger Ebert (quote) The primary man-made cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels. We are taking energy stored over hundreds of millions of years in the form of coal, gas and oil, and releasing it suddenly. This causes global warming, and there is a pass-along effect. Since glaciers and snow reflect sunlight but sea water absorbs it, the more the ice melts, the more of the sun's energy is retained by the sea. Gore says that although there is "100 percent agreement" among scientists, a database search of newspaper and magazine articles shows that 57 percent question the fact of global warming, while 43 percent support it. These figures are the result, he says, of a disinformation campaign started in the 1990s by the energy industries to "reposition global warming as a debate." It is the same strategy used for years by the defenders of tobacco. (end quote)
yet over at the website of the: WWW.fillcritic where I read that they are saying it is a (quote) "deeply scary documentary" and "The issue of global warming is clearly one that is close to Gore's heart, as he took to the road after his failed presidential bid on an international lecture circuit to raise awareness and inspire action on the near-crisis levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the havoc they are already wreaking on the planet. Essentially a filming of Gore's polished, straightforward, and compelling lecture, Truth is pretty much the slickest, best-produced classroom filmstrip you'll see at the local indie movie theater" and "Gore claims that he is not trying to scare us, but I'm not buying it, what with the profoundly disturbing truth of his statistics and images. He certainly scared the crap out of me." (end quote)
wow it didn't take this movie which I have not seen to have this issue scare the crap out of me! This has been on my worry scale for the past 10 years. While all the activist and "environmentalist" have been throwing their bodies literally in front of these Global Machines for years now. I am appalled at the lack of concern and priority that this issue commands not only from our so-called-Leaders, but by the apathy and neglect buy the common average joe anybody.
Wake Up or Die! Ya you bet it sounds scary. Lets just hope that Al's new film and some of us that "care" can change the world...... TO PROLONG LIFE AND CIVILIZATION!
Somebody needs too, since our President could care less
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 12:46 PM PDT
Updated: Friday, 9 June 2006 1:20 PM PDT
Thursday, 8 June 2006
Git out of here ...Who cares ......Your a Crook!
Mood:
lyrical
Now Playing: Tom Delay Says Goodby to the House & Democrats walk out
Topic: FAILURE by the GOVERNMENT
Today at the stinking Goodbye speech to the House by the Liar Tom DeLaya Democrat could be heard telling colleagues to walk out of the House chamber as DeLay criticized liberals who he said stand for "more government, more taxation, more control over people's lives and decisions and wallets." Then at least two dozen Democratic lawmakers rose and left. Joe Anybody likes people that stand up and will walk for justice. This man is an embarrassment to what I call Leadership. I have Ben Waiting for this for a while! In compliance with his own party's rule, DeLay stepped down as majority leader, the No. 2 job, last year after he was indicted in Texas on campaign money laundering charges. His ties to former lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who has pleaded guilty in a federal bribery investigation, have come under scrutiny. Two of DeLay's former associates, Michael Scanlon and Tony Rudy, have pleaded guilty to charges in the Abramoff case. DeLay has repeatedly denied wronging in both cases and did so again before the full House. Crybaby Delay says " I have scraped and clawed for every vote, every amendment, for every word of every bill that I believe in my heart would protect human freedom and defend human dignity,I have done so at all times honorably and honestly, Mr. Speaker, as god is my witness and history is my judge." God he is sicking to listen to. I am so glad this Creepy Cheater is Busted and heading for jail. Finally Justice squeaks its muscles! Now lets start cleaning up this mess!
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 5:54 PM PDT
Updated: Thursday, 8 June 2006 6:05 PM PDT
Wednesday, 7 June 2006
Now This is what I have Ben Waiting for
Mood:
bright
Now Playing: LT. WATADA - REFUSES TO FIGHT IN ILLEGAL WAR
Topic: WAR
Refuses Redeployment to Iraq author: Chiton e-mail: oly-imc@riseup.net TACOMA, WA - Today, June 7, 2006 (quote) Lt. Ehren Watada from the 3rd Stryker Brigade, announced his refusal to redeploy to Iraq because the war is illegal. This makes Watada the first soldier to resist his orders on these grounds. Press from all the major media outlets showed up for the press conference that happened today at noon. Watada had planned to be at his press conference during his lunch break, but was prohibited to leave Fort Lewis by his superior officers. (end quote) Lt. Ehren Watada complete article by Chiton--> http://www.indymedia.org/pt/2006/06/840676.shtml Now this is what I want to see. Hell standing up and doing what is right is what will end this war. Ehren is making a bold and righteous step towards stopping this illegal war Kind of like what an Honorable leader should do. Yes Lt.Watada is a solider! Who said "fighting in the war in Iraq would make him party to war crimes and he would not go." Ehren, also said; "The wholesale slaughter and mistreatment of the Iraqi people is not only a terrible moral injustice but a contradiction of the Army's own law of land warfare. My participation would make me party to war crimes," He is a solider for Peace! Joe Anybody appreciates a Patriot who speaks for Peace, it is what I have Ben Waiting for!
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 11:21 PM PDT
Updated: Saturday, 3 February 2007 11:24 AM PST
Tuesday, 6 June 2006
Worried About The Future?
Mood:
not sure
Now Playing: The Deppressing Deppression
Topic: ANYBODY * ANYDAY
I have recopied in its entirety from an email the following article. I thought you Z3 Readers would like to know this opinion Here is the original article from a link on the Daily Reckoning Website Link HERE
**************************************************
THE GREATER DEPRESSION by Doug Casey
It's been said that if you spend 15 minutes a year thinking about the economy, you're wasting 13 minutes. That's generally true. But as an amateur historian, I can't help myself. And I'm forced to believe that this is a time when the subject is worth some real thought.
My view is that the longest, and certainly most important, trend in history is the ascent of man. I have little doubt that it will not only continue but accelerate. But that doesn't mean there won't be nasty setbacks along the way. As I have said before, possibly the best definition of a depression is a period when most people's standard of living drops significantly. You can also define it as a period when distortions in the economy and misallocations of capital are liquidated. The distortions are almost always the result of government intervention in the economy, through things like taxes, regulation and currency inflation.
Those are the factors that caused the unpleasantness that began in 1929. Since the government is exponentially more powerful and invasive today than it was in either the 1920s or the 1970s, I expect the consequences will be much worse this time around. Things could have come unglued, and almost did, back in the 1970s. I don't see how we'll dodge the bullet this time. Although that's not really a good analogy, in that, for reasons we don't have time to explore in depth, a depression is probably inevitable this time.
The only serious question in my mind is whether it will be essentially deflationary in nature, as it was the case in the U.S. in the 1930s, or inflationary like in Germany in the 1920s. My guess is the latter because the government is so much more powerful today. Or it could actually be both at once, in different sectors of the economy.
How?
Inflation could drive interest rates to 20%. This would collapse the bond and real estate markets, wiping out trillions of dollars of purchasing power - which is deflationary. Meanwhile, that same inflation doubles the cost of food and fuel. In other words, the opposite of what we've mostly had for the last generation, when we had "good" inflation in stocks, bonds and property, but stable or dropping prices in "cost of living" items. This time the pattern could reverse, which would be a nightmare for most people.
And as people become more focused on speculation in a generally futile attempt to stay ahead of financial chaos, they inevitably divert effort from economic production. Which will decrease the general standard of living even more.
The situation isn't made easier by the possibility that we're facing Peak Oil - the start of a secular decline in world oil production. Or the fact that Americans, both individually and collectively, are deeply in debt and living on the kindness of strangers. The problem with debt is that it artificially increases our standard of living. But when we pay it off, especially with interest, it reduces our standard of living in a very real way.
Wrap this economic environment around the so-called War on Terror, which is rapidly morphing into the War on Islam, which could easily turn into World War III, and you're looking at the perfect storm. The odds of a major conflagration are very high, and it's not being adequately discounted. If Bush starts a war against Iran, or if another incident like that of 9/11 occurs, or even if the trend of the last five years accelerates, the U.S. is going to be locked down like one of its numerous new federal penitentiaries. And that will be accompanied, and compounded, by mass hysteria among Boobus americanus.
At that point, your investment portfolio will be among your lesser concerns. People forget that, in every country and time, there's a standard distribution of sociopaths and misdirected losers. In normal times, they seem like normal people. But when the time is right, they show their colors, and they love to get jobs with the government, where they can lord it over their betters.
You may be asking yourself: Is the Greater Depression really inevitable? How bad will it be? Is there another side to the argument? Can it be avoided?
I suppose it's not absolutely inevitable. Perhaps friendly aliens will land on the roof of the White House and present the government with a magic technology that can undo all the damage it's done. But we live in a world of cause and effect where actions have consequences. That being the case, I expect truly serious financial and economic trouble. And the government will make it vastly worse by trying to "do something" instead of recognizing itself as the cause and backing off. I don't see any way out.
How bad will it be? In historical terms, the last depression was relatively short and mild. The longest depression on record was the Dark Ages. Residents of the old USSR and Mao's China suffered through a depression that lasted decades. I'm not predicting it will be that bad, if only because the U.S. has basically much sounder traditions and institutions and vastly more accumulated capital. But it's hard to overestimate how serious this could be. I sometimes joke that it will likely be worse than even I think it will be.
Getting back to whether it's truly inevitable, it's a question of degree. The recession of the late 1970s and early 1980s involved a terrible stock market, 15% inflation with interest rates to match, 10% unemployment and a near war with the USSR. But the country not only hung together, it went on to a tremendous rebound. My guess is, however, that the last 20 years of good times will later be viewed as an economic Indian Summer before a harsh winter.
The good news, of course, is that no matter what the economic conditions, technology - which is the mainspring of human progress - will keep advancing. And many individuals will continue innovating, saving and improving conditions for themselves and their associates. Also, it's entirely possible to go through even the worst of times and not get hurt. Indeed to profit from them. If the price of a house you want now but can't afford falls 75% (as outrageous as that may sound at the moment) while your own investments in the high-quality gold stocks we follow in our International Speculator quadruple, you're much better off. That house now really only costs you one-sixteenth of what it did before. Of course it's a problem for the guy who has to sell his house... but I always prefer to look at the bright side of the equation. There's time now to structure your affairs so that you're on the right side of the trade.
Keep your eyes peeled for signs that indicate it's about to get ugly. One obvious indicator to watch is how the price of gold is running. Gold is the only financial asset left in the world that's either safe or cheap. It's also under owned and largely unrecognized, which is why the smart money has been moving into it.
Then there's the CPI itself - although I don't think it's very accurate, in that all the adjustments, exclusions, weightings and what-nots the government has insinuated into it over the years makes the CPI as much of a floating abstraction as the dollar itself. It's funny how the government plays with figures for fear of hurting confidence. They believe the economy rests mainly on confidence, which, ironically, in today's world, is true. Unfortunately, confidence can blow away like a pile of feathers in a windstorm - and we have a class-5 hurricane coming. If the economy were sound and people for some reason lost confidence, the currency and the banks would be unhurt, and the next day things would go back to normal. But that's not the world we live in. So, higher CPI numbers are another thing that could destroy confidence and supercharge the gold price. They're coming.
Higher interest rates, which we're already seeing, will inevitably burst the real estate bubble, which is floating on a sea of mostly adjustable-rate debt, a lot of it interest-only or even with negative amortization. Higher rates will also crush bonds and probably stocks. And they'll devastate the economy since everybody is deeply in debt. However, I feel the Fed will keep short-term rates - which are really the only ones they control - as low as possible for as long as possible. For one thing, they don't want a recession, which this time could snowball into the Greater Depression. For another, my guess is that they want to gradually depreciate the dollar against other currencies, in part to decrease the chronic, massive trade deficit. And because increasing the number of dollars makes people think they're richer than they really are, it can stimulate some additional spending...but these days that spending is mostly done on credit, so it is only illusionary.
The biggest single problem, however, is that there are trillions of U.S. dollars outside of the U.S. Unlike Americans, foreigners have no reason to hold them. And at some point very soon, perhaps when the Fed finally hits the wall on its ability to raise rates, these overseas dollars are going to start flooding back home, while the products and titles to real wealth flow out of America.
Therefore, when the trade deficit starts turning around - which most people will think is a good thing - that will be the real tip-off the game is over. Trillions coming back to the U.S. will skyrocket long-term interest rates and inflation. The dollar will go into freefall.
But although I think these are the things to watch, to my way of thinking it makes no sense to wait until the stampede starts to try to get out the door. If you haven't done so already, take advantage of the current correction in gold to begin repositioning your portfolio for what's next.
Regards, Doug Casey for The Daily Reckoning
Editor's Note: Doug Casey is the author of Crisis Investing, which was #1 on the New York Times Best-Seller list for 26 weeks. He is also editor and publisher of the International Speculator, one of the nation's most established and highly respected publications on gold, silver and other natural resource investments.
For information on the International Speculator, click here:
Posted by Joe Anybody
at 1:53 PM PDT
Updated: Tuesday, 6 June 2006 2:40 PM PDT
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