news archive – november 2011

The North American Idea: A Vision of a Continental Future                                                                                                          Book Review by Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs (Council on Foreign Relations), Nov.-Dec. 2011 – Public opinion polls suggest that the citizens of Canada, Mexico, and the United States are ready for greater regional cooperation. To deflect “sovereignty-zealots” and other myopic opponents of broader integration, Pastor calls on leaders to articulate a hopeful vision of integration while making practical progress on immediate problems. His book constitutes a brave master plan…

From Pacific power to partner – ChinaDaily, Nov. 30, 2011 – The engine of Asian growth is the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area (CAFTA) members, or ASEAN+1….It is inevitable that CAFTA will evolve into a major regional trading block (and even be joined by Japan and South Korea in a proposed “East Asian Free Trade Area”) along the lines of the European Union and speak with an increasing voice in international economic forums.

Georgia tells EU to ‘open its eyes’ on Russia – EurActiv, Nov. 30. 2011 – Western politicians need to open their eyes to what is going on around Russia, where Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is building a modernised Soviet Union through his ‘Eurasian Union’ plan, says Giorgi Baramidze, Georgia’s vice prime minister.

Asean Member Countries To Implement New Common Tariff Codes From Next Year – Bernama (Malaysian News Agency), Nov. 30, 2011 – It marks an important step towards the realisation of the Asean Economic Community by 2015.

Overview: A regional market starts to take shape – Financial Times (London), Nov. 29, 2011 (Google Link) – Next year, the EAC [East African Community] even plans to create a monetary union and, in 2015 political federation. Consultants like to say the bloc is trying to do in 10 years what the European Union achieved in 48.

Ron Paul Slams Gingrich – YouTube Video, Nov. 30, 2011

The New National Defense Authorization Act Is Ridiculously Scary – Business Insider, Nov. 30, 2011 – This provision is not a mistake or error; it has vocal backing from some of the most powerful Senators in Washington, including Sen. John McCain and Sen. Carl Levin.

Software on Android phones ‘tracking every key stroke’ – London Telegraph, Nov. 30, 2011 – Software installed on millions of Android phones is thought to be secretly tracking every key stroke, Google search, and text message by their users, it has been claimed.

How Paulson Gave Hedge Funds Advance Word of Fannie Rescue – BusinessWeek, Nov. 29, 2011 – Around the conference room table were a dozen or so hedge- fund managers and other Wall Street executives — at least five of them alumni of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., of which [then-Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson] was chief executive officer and chairman from 1999 to 2006.

Judge Andrew Napolitano, Freedom Watch – What If? YouTube Video, Nov. 24, 2011

Senate Rejects Amendment to ‘Indefinite Detention’ Bill – PrisonPlanet, Nov. 29, 2011 – Senator Rand Paul has introduced a separate amendment that strikes Section 1031 from the bill altogether, but seeing as the Senate firmly rejected Udall’s watered down version, it’s unlikely Paul’s will be met sympathetically.

Rand Paul Aims to Kill “Indefinite Detention” Provision of Controversial Bill – PrisonPlanet, Nov. 29, 2011 – Head of Japanese American Citizens League warns that bill has echoes of World War II-style internment without charge

Joe Scarborough Destroys Newt Gingrich’s ‘Conservative Principles’ – Mediaite.com, Nov. 28, 2011 – Scarborough went on to list Gingrich’s support for the unfunded $7 trillion Medicare D program, “amnesty for illegals,” and mandatory health insurance (with an assist from Mark Halperin). He ticked off Gingrich’s ties to Freddie Mac, hisanti-global warming commercialwith Nancy Pelosi, and finished with a two-fer, saying that Gingrich “flip-flops more than Mitt Romney.” Video – Scarborough: Newt is ‘unmoored ideologically’

Syria Says Sanctions Are ‘Economic War’ as UN Reports Abuses – Bloomberg, Nov. 29, 2011 – The Arab League measures, which follow U.S. and European sanctions, will also halt dealings with the Syrian central bank, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jasim Bin Jaber Al Thani told reporters Nov. 27 in Cairo. The Arab League banned financial transactions and trade with the Syrian government, excluding basic commodities, he said.

Violent Video Games Alter The Brain – Medical News Today, Nov. 29, 2011 – The annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) was presented with a study made of the brain of young men, using fMRI scans (functional magnetic resonance imaging). In as little as one week, regions of the brain associated with cognitive function and emotional control had noticeable changes.

ASEAN, China to start talks on conduct in South China Sea – BusinessWorld, Nov. 28, 2011 – “Despite China wanting bilateral approach, ASEAN claimant states want to push through with the multilateral approach,” [Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda F. Basilio] said. The situation has prompted the United State to reinforce its presence in Asia-Pacific…

Senate Bill to OK Indefinite Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Charge, Trial – The New American, Nov. 28, 2011 – In what may be a tale too bizarre to be believed by millions of Americans, the U.S. Senate appears ready to pass a bill that will designate the entire earth, including the United States and its territories, one all-encompassing “battlefield” in the global “war on terror” and authorize the detention of Americans suspected of terrorist ties indefinitely and without trial or even charges being filed that would necessitate a trial.

BBC sought advice from global warming scientists on economy, drama, music… and even game shows – Daily Mail (London), Nov. 27, 2011 – Britain’s leading green activist research centre spent £15,000 on seminars for top BBC executives in an apparent bid to block climate change sceptics from the airwaves, a vast new cache of leaked ‘Climategate’ emails has revealed.

Germany told to act to save Europe – Financial Times (London), Nov. 27, 2011 (Google Link) – “I demand of Germany that, for your own sake and for ours, you help it survive and prosper….You know full well that nobody else can do it. I will probably be the first Polish foreign minister in history to say so…” Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski

Germany, France plan quick new Stability Pact: report – Reuters, Nov. 27, 2011 – In Brussels on Friday, euro zone officials said a push by euro zone countries toward very close fiscal integration could give the ECB the necessary room for maneuver to scale up euro zone bond purchases and stabilize markets.

Morocco’s Arab Spring election won by Islamists – ABC News|Associated Press, Nov. 27, 2011 – Across the Middle East, parties referencing Islam have made great strides, offering an alternative to corrupt, long serving dictators, who have often ruled with close Western support.

Presidents meet to push for EA single currency – Sunday Nation (Kenya), Nov. 27, 2011 – Presidents from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi will be holding their 13th Ordinary Summit for the EAC [East African Community]….On the fast-tracked integration calendar, the region is to move to single currency by next year and a political federation by 2015.

Uganda, Kony in spotlight again – The East African (Kenya), Nov. 27, 2011 – Mid last month, US President Obama ordered the deployment of 100 armed military advisers to hunt down the LRA [Lord’s Resistance Army], a decision that raises the risk of putting US military personnel in “harm’s way” in another region….Congolese mistrust hampers current operations, and an African Union initiative has been slow to start.

Bankers Have Seized Europe: Goldman Sachs Has Taken Over – Paul Craig Roberts, PrisonPlanet, Nov.26, 2011 Dr. Paul Craig Roberts is the father of Reaganomics and the former head of policy at the Department of Treasury. He is a columnist and was previously an editor for the Wall Street Journal. Nigel Farage- Unelected puppets of a German-dominated EU (Cavuto, Fox News) – YouTube Video, Nov. 25, 2011 Neil Cavuto interviews Nigel Farage, MEP, UKIP, Co-President of the EFD Group in the European Parliament.

Climategate scientists DID collude with government officials to hide research that didn’t fit their apocalyptic global warming Daily Mail (UK), Nov. 25, 2011 – Experts were under orders from US and UK officials to come up with a ‘strong message’

Bank of the South could be effective in 20 days – Buenos Aires Herald, Nov. 26, 2011 – The necessary endorsement of member countries to begin the creation process of the Bank of the South could take place before December 15th,…Economy Minister Amado Boudou and Unasur’s Secretary General María Emma Mejía announced.

Venezuela receives first gold shipment from Europe – San Antonio Express|Associated Press, Nov. 25, 2011 – President Hugo Chavez’s government began repatriating Venezuela’s gold reserves from European banks Friday as the first shipment arrived on a flight from Paris.

Arab League prepares for Syria sanctions – Reuters, Nov. 25. 2011 – Arab officials will prepare plans for sanctions against Syria on Saturday over its failure to let Arab League monitors oversee an initiative aimed at ending a violent crackdown on protests against President Bashar al-Assad.

Africa Rising: Could a shared currency in East Africa avoid the euro’s woes? – Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 15, 2011 – As Europe deals with a debt crisis exacerbated by its shared currency, the East African Community is forging ahead with discussions on a monetary union – and how to avoid Europe’s mistakes.

ECOWAS close to forming common customs union – Ghana Business News, Nov. 15, 2011 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is in the process of finalising the ECOWAS common external tariff which will lead to the establishment of a common customs union as part of the efforts towards the realisation of financial and monetary integration.

Armenia can not join EU if it joins Eurasian Union: German political scientist – Arka News Agency (Armenia), Nov. 25, 2011 – Last Friday, in Moscow Presidents of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, signed a roadmap for the integration process, whose ultimate aim is the establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union.

ECB’s Paramo Urges ‘Bold’ Step Toward Fiscal Union to End Crisis – Bloomberg, Nov. 24, 2011 – European Central Bank Executive Board member Jose Manuel Gonzalez-Paramo….said there is a need for “more economic and financial integration for the euro area, with a significant transfer of sovereignty to the EMU level over fiscal, structural and financial policies.”

African force makes strides inside Somalia – MercuryNews.com|New York Times, Nov. 24, 2011 – Analysts say the African Union has done a better job of pacifying Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital and a hornet’s nest of Islamists, clan warlords, factional armies and countless glassy-eyed freelance gunmen, than any other outside force, including 25,000 U.S. troops in the 1990s.

Report: Russia Sent Syria Super-Advanced S-300 Missiles – Arutz Sheva, IsraelNationalNews, Nov. 24, 2011 – Moscow sees a Western attack on Syria as a “red line” that it will not tolerate.

GOP’s Ron Paul: None of Our Business if Israel Attacks Iran – Arutz Sheva, Nov, 23, 2011 – He pointed to Egypt as an example of unnecessary and wasteful interference in local affairs, arguing that the billions of dollars of aid to Cairo have not discouraged blatant anti-American views.

‘Green’ debacle: Tens of thousands of abandoned wind turbines now litter American landscape – NaturalNews, Nov. 24, 2011 – High maintenance costs, high rates of failure, and fluctuating weather conditions that affect energy production render wind turbines expensive and inefficient, which is why more than 14,000 of them have since been abandoned.

Expert says Eurasian Union an attempt to resuscitate Soviet Union – PanARMENIAN.Net, Nov. 24, 2011
Expert: ruble will be Eurasia’s common currency by 2016 – PanARMENIAN.Net, Nov. 24, 2011

Gingrich could draw GOP ire on immigration – Atlanta Journal Constitution|Associated Press, Nov. 24, 2011 – The Gingrich team countered by pointing to comments Romney made on NBC’s “Meet the Press” in 2007, during which he called proposals similar to the one Gingrich was backing “reasonable.”

Expert: “Eurasian Union will claim not only economical but also political changes” – Times (Armenia), Nov. 23, 2011 – Belarusian President has already underlined that the common currency would be very proper and he was “for” it.

GCC Defense Ministers say armed forces integration key to protecting member states – Kuwait News Agency, Nov. 22, 2011 – Defense ministers in the six GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries underlined Tuesday that building a joint defense system, via full integration among armed forces, was the most “active practical” option to defending the Arab Gulf countries’ security, stability, sovereignty and resources.

DNC wields Newt Gingrich immigration answer against Mitt Romney – Politco, Nov, 23, 2011 – The Democratic National Committee has produced a post-debate video suggesting Newt Gingrich, and not Mitt Romney, is being “honest” on immigration.

African Union declares Uganda’s LRA a terror group – Reuters, Nov. 22, 2011 – The African Union on Tuesday formally designated as a terrorist group Uganda’s Lord’s Resistance Army….The designation was the bloc’s first and follows U.S. President Barack Obama’s decision to send 100 military advisers to the region to support central African allies pursuing group leader Joseph Kony and other rebel commanders last month.

South China Sea Tensions Overshadow New US Military Engagement – Voice of America, Nov. 22, 2011 – China claims the entire South China Sea and says any dispute should be handled on a bilateral basis only….Thayer sees a connection between the increased U.S. military engagement and ASEAN’s growing unity on how to resolve territorial disputes in the region.

Brussels plans to bring eurozone to heel – Financial Times (London), Nov. 22, 2011 (Google Link) – Brussels will on Wednesday propose measures giving it more authority over the national budgets of eurozone states, including a requirement to submit tax and spending plans to European Union authorities before their national parliaments.

Uh oh, global warming loons: here comes Climategate II! – London Telegraph, Nov. 22, 2011 – All your favourite Climategate characters are here, once again caught red-handed in a series of emails exaggerating the extent of Anthropogenic Global Warming, while privately admitting to one another that the evidence is nowhere near as a strong as they’d like it to be.

MF Global trustee says $1.2 billion missing from company – Raw Story|Reuters, Nov. 22, 2011 – Regulators are investigating what happened to the money and whether MF Global may have improperly mixed customer money with its own — a major violation of industry rules. No charges have been filed.

Prospect of online sales tax grows – Los Angeles Times, 11/23/11 The momentum is building nearly two decades after the U.S. Supreme Court barred states from requiring out-of-state companies to collect in-state taxes on sales. But the court left the door open for Congress to allow such collection through legislation.

Addu Summit — A turning point for Saarc? – The International News, Nov. 22, 2011 – The Saarc Summit held at Addu, Maldives on 11th of this month, witnessed a different aura all together….This was a big change from the previous ones that every time offered diplomatic opportunities to both India and Pakistan to talk out their grievance but for huge trust deficit, they never really took off.

So the ‘Super Committee’ Failed. How Will That Affect You? – U.S. News and World Report, Nov. 21, 2011 – Debt panel’s failure could hit millions of Americans in the pocketbook, but picture won’t be clear until 2013.

Lukashenko: Eurasian Union could be formed before end of 2013 – Kyiv Post (Ukraine), Nov. 21, 2011 – The goal of forming a Eurasian Union could be attained before the end of 2013, said Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.

Euro Strains Could Prompt Either More Union Or Total Break-Up-Credit Suisse – Wall Street Journal, Nov. 21, 2011 – The bank said that investors would only be reassured by credible signs that fiscal and political union in the 17-nation currency would be forged….Meanwhile, closer European integration has become increasingly unpopular among the Continent’s citizens.

GCC central banks chiefs review monetary council issues – Kuwait News, Agency, Nov. 21, 2011 – Governor of Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency and Chairman of the Board of the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] Monetary Council Al-Jaser had stressed…the keenness to continue the pursuit of a joint GCC currency, despite the global debt crisis, but gave no timetable.

Egypt state security feelers still active – Financial Times (London), Nov. 21, 2011 (Google Link) – “We know state security still exists….We know they’re doing the same bad things they used to do.” Under the auspices of the Ministry of Interior, the 100,000-strong state security service has been renamed homeland security and personnel moved around.

Despite EU Ban, UK Makes Radiation-Firing Body Scanners Compulsory – PrisonPlanet, Nov. 21, 2011 – Backscatter machines remain in use. No “opt out” option. ‘No scan, no fly’ policy intact.

Asean Studying Economic Integration And Single FTA, Says Mustapa – Malaysian National News Agency, Nov. 20, 2011 – Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and its dialogue partners are considering enlarging the Asean-East Asia economic integration and the possibility of having a single free trade agreement (FTA) between the region and its trading partners in East Asia.

 North America: NAFTA is a production bloc, not a trading blocTroy Media, Nov. 2011 – What we have here is a single economy shared by two countries, Canada and the U.S.A (and increasingly a third, Mexico). So NAFTA is not (despite its name) about trade, it is about production. Brian Lee Crowley, Managing Director, Macdonald-Laurier Institute, to the Council of State Governments Meeting in Seattle on Oct. 15, 2011

Occupy epidemic! Brace yourself for United States of Chaos – WND, Nov. 19, 2011 – The Occupy movement is set to launch nationwide chaos today as part of a new, revolutionary phase of the anti-capitalist campaign.

Poland, eyeing euro crisis, launches austerity drive – Reuters, Nov. 18, 2011 – Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk vowed on Friday to raise the retirement age and slash tax and pension privileges to reduce debt and shield the European Union’s largest eastern economy from the euro zone crisis.

Post-9/11 tradeoff: Security vs. civil liberties – Associated Press, Nov. 19, 2011

Supercommittee failure could trigger US credit downgrade, economists warn – London Guardian, Nov. 18, 2011 – HSBC’s chief economist, Kevin Logan, said a “procrastination” solution was now the most likely outcome, with an agreement that specifies targets for spending cuts and revenue increases but leaves the details to congressional committees.

Ron Paul Warns GOP Not To “Capitulate” On Taxes, Won’t Rule Out Indy Bid – Real Clear Politics, Nov. 18, 2011

GERMANS TRY TO KILL OFF POUND – London Express, Nov. 19, 2011 – In a chilling threat to UK sovereignty, German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble predicted that all Europe would one day use the single currency. “It will happen perhaps faster than some in the British Isles currently believe,” he said.

Official: Syria agrees ‘in principle’ to observers – Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nov. 18, 2011 – Syria has agreed “in principle” to allow an Arab League observer mission into the country, but Damascus was still studying the details, a senior Syrian official said Friday.

UKIP Nigel Farage – How dare you tell the Italian and Greek people what to do ! YouTube Video, European Parliament, Strasbourg, Nov. 16, 2011
UK Independece Party leader Nigel Farage MEP disgusted at the puppet governments the EU has now implemented in Italy and Greece

Bilderberg Leader Mario Monti Takes Over Italy in “Coup” – The New American, Nov. 16, 2011 – Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Monti, who rose to power in what critics called a “coup d’etat,” …. is a leader in at least two of the most influential cabals in existence today: the secretive Bilderberg Group and David Rockefeller’s Trilateral Commission. Nicknamed “Super Mario,” Monti is also an “international advisor” to the infamous Goldman Sachs, one of the most powerful financial firms in the world.

Occupy protesters march nationwide; 300 arrested – Houston Chronicle, Nov. 17, 2011
The Police State Vs. Occupy Wall Street: This Is Not Going To End Well For Any Of Us – The Economic Collapse, Nov. 17, 2011 – If things keep getting escalated to “the next level”, eventually we will see martial law imposed in some of our largest cities. Don’t think that it can’t happen.

Union Leader publisher Joe McQuaid writes off Herman Cain – Politico, Nov. 18, 2011 – The Union Leader proves this morning why it’s dangerous for candidates to offend the influential conservative newspaper….McQuaid said he was not concerned about Cain not showing up. “It’s politics and campaigns. I don’t think he’s going anywhere from here at this point, anyway,” he said.

[Comment: Let’s see: Cain’s concerned about China developing Nukes that they’ve had since 1964; can’t get talking points straight on Libya; thinks Cubans speak “Cuban.” Maybe McQuaid is right.

ASEAN gambles on Myanmar’s regional leadership – Reuters, Nov. 17, 2011 – Countries across Southeast Asia welcomed the chairmanship as a critical milestone after years frustration over Myanmar’s isolation as the region approaches a European Union-style Asian community in 2015.

Gingrich Defends Freddie Mac Payments as He Gets More Scrutiny – BusinessWeek|Bloomberg, Nov. 17, 2011 – Gingrich made between $1.6 million and $1.8 million in consulting fees from two contracts with the agency that he has scolded on the campaign trail. He has blamed Freddie Mac of helping cause the mortgage crisis in the U.S. housing market. Abramoff accuses Newt Gingrich of ‘corruption.’ Politico, Nov, 17, 2011 – Abramoff replied, “This is exactly what I’m talking about. People who come to Washington who have public service and they cash in on it. And they use their public service and their access to make money, and unfortunatley Newt Gingrich is one of them who have done it. Newt Gingrich: The “Anti-Romney” or the “Other Romney”? – The New American, Nov. 1, 2011 – Despite Gingrich’s masterful performance of conservative rhetoric during presidential debates, Tea Party supporters may find Gingrich’s record surprisingly liberal and comparable to Romney’s record.

China’s Shandong Gold offers $1 billion for Brazil’s Jaguar Mining – Reuters, Nov. 16, 2011 – China’s Shandong Gold Group, the parent of Shandong Gold Mining Co Ltd and a big gold producer, has made a $1 billion offer to acquire Brazil’s Jaguar Mining Inc, two sources close to the deal told Reuters on Wednesday.

ASEAN sees new common market urgency amid EU woes – AsiaOne|AFP, Nov. 16, 2011 – The depth of the eurozone crisis and the risk of export markets evaporating is pushing Southeast Asia to speed up creating its potentially huge common market, officials said Wednesday.

Arab League meeting to enforce Syria suspension – CBS News, Nov. 16, 2011 – The suspension decision has enraged Syria, which considers itself a bastion of Arab nationalism.

Toward a continental AU government? – Joyonline (Ghana), Nov. 15, 2011 – The idea is to establish an “African Union Authority” that would replace the existing AU Commission….It would have a President and Vice President while present Commissioners of the AU Commission served as secretaries with portfolios structured along nine areas of shared competence. These include free movement of persons, goods and services; international trade negotiations; peace and security matters, and foreign affairs.

Rick Perry, Herman Cain try to move forward past blunders – Los Angeles Times, Nov. 16, 2011
YouTube Video: Herman Cain Does A Rick Perry Talking About Libya

Supercommittee on the brink – Politico, Nov. 16, 2011 – Rank-and-file conservatives have always been suspicious of the supercommittee, and they’ve started to go public with their complaints, warning against the tax revenue proposals coming from their own party.

The Arab League awakening – The Globe and Mail (Canada), Nov. 15, 2011 – The other fascinating new development is the rebirth and reassertion of Arab sovereignty and influence within the Arab world, after decades during which the incompetent and politically derelict Arab states largely surrendered their regional security and ideological functions to foreign powers, especially Israel, Turkey, Iran and the United States.

Frequent gamers have brain differences, study finds – Los Angeles Times, Nov. 15, 2011 – “If the striatal differences observed in the current study are indeed an effect of gaming, video gaming might post an interesting option to explore structural changes in addiction in future studies…”

Israel and Iran: Covert Warfare Raises Risks of Retaliation, and Conflagration – Time Magazine, Nov. 14, 2011 – Israel’s closest European allies on Iran, Germany and France, have come out strongly against Israel initiating hostilities. But if the Iranians started a war — or were perceived to be starting a war — that calculus could change. Two years ago, Aluf Benn, now the editor of the Israeli daily Haaretz, suggested that an act of provocation might be Israel’s route to a military strike on Iran:

Romney Two-Way Race Now Four-Way Republican Dead Heat in Iowa – Bloomberg.com, Nov. 14, 2011 – A Bloomberg News poll shows Cain at 20 percent, Paul at 19 percent, Romney at 18 percent and Gingrich at 17 percent among the likely attendees with the caucuses that start the nominating contests seven weeks away.

From Franklin Coverup to Penn State
– Fellowship of the Minds, Nov. 13, 2011 – The Franklin case involved pimping out children and teens to satisfy the twisted perversions of the rich and powerful in Nebraska and around the country. [Comment: The irony that Nebraska was the football team to play at Penn State after the Sandusky scandal broke is not lost on those familiar with the Franklin Coverup story. Of course, those young men from both teams who were on the field are not impugned by noting this irony. They gave an inspired, uplifting example of character and sportsmanship in the face of adversity, as the next article below describes.]
A reason for being, and for playing – Omaha World Herald, Nov. 12, 2011 – STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – They played a football game here on Saturday. There was a winner and a loser and some thrills at the end. But nobody here will ever remember it. And nobody here will ever forget it. Sports met humanity on Saturday, and the man in the middle was a fellow named Ron Brown.

Merkel-Euro zone states must hand more power to EU – Reuters, Nov. 13, 2011 – “We must recreate the currency and economic union created by the founders of the euro. We must perfect this, turn this into a fiscal union and then a political union. The crisis has taught us this, it will take a lot of effort.”

Panetta: Deep defense cuts mean fewer troops – Boston Globe|Associated Press, Nov. 15, 2011 – The Pentagon chief on Monday offered a litany of drastic steps triggered by the automatic, across-the-board cuts if Congress’ supercommittee fails to come up with a $1.2 trillion deficit-cutting plan by Nov. 23.

Police arrest 70 Wall Street protesters – Houston Chronicle|Associated Press, Nov. 15, 2011 – Police arrested 70 protesters at New York’s Zuccotti Park early Tuesday

The EU’s architects never meant it to be a democracyLondon Telegraph, Nov. 14, 2011 – The idea first conceived back in the 1920s by two senior officials of the League of Nations – Jean Monnet and Arthur Salter, a British civil servant – was a United States of Europe, ruled by a government of unelected technocrats like themselves.

EU, ASEAN and the prospect of regionalism – Jakarta Post, Nov. 14, 2011 – For many years, especially in the aftermath of the Cold War, the European Union (EU) was a source of inspiration. It inspired other countries around the world to embrace regionalism….Taking the EU as an example, other regional institutions such as ASEAN, NAFTA, MERCOSUR [UNASUR] and the African Union have become better organized and more legally binding over time.

Court case seeking to overturn Canadian laws against euthanasia begins today – LifeSite News, Nov. 14, 2011

Banker Coup: Goldman Sachs Takes Over Europe – PrisonPlanet.com, Nov. 14, 2011 – [Italian Prime Minister] Berlusconi’s replacement is the ultimate globalist stooge, former EU Commissioner Mario Monti, an international advisor for Goldman Sachs, the European Chairman of David Rockefeller’s Trilateral Commission and also a leading member of the Bilderberg Group.

Regime Change in Europe: Do Greece and Italy Amount to a Bankers’ Coup? – Time Magazine, Nov. 11, 2011 – Both countries have been tasked by the EU to attempt to restore confidence through deep cuts, sharp tax hikes and painful restructurings of the economy. The two technocrats have been tapped to lead because no politicians wants to face the electorate after doing what the markets have decreed needs to be done.

Banks Quietly Ramping Up Costs to Consumers – NY Times, Nov, 13, 2011

The muzzling of Ron Paul and the GOP debate – Washington Times, Nov. 13, 2011 – Paul has yet to poll much above ten-percent among Republicans, but he’s polled that consistently, doing better than Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, and Michele Bachmann on a regular basis and better than Rick Perry since Perry’s flameout….and has received the least air time of any candidate who’s participated in the entire series of debates.

CBS To Ron Paul: Explain In 258 Words Why You Want To Be President – PrisonPlanet.com, Nov. 14, 2011 – Ron Paul was afforded just 1 question and 1 follow up. If CBS’ logic was that the lesser candidates, according to the polls, should be given less questions, then why was Paul asked the least questions when he has polled in the top three or four consistently?

Gadhafi’s Gold-money Plan Would Have Devastated Dollar – The New American, Nov. 12, 2011 – It remains unclear exactly why or how the Gadhafi regime went from “a model” [Condoleezza Rice] and an “important ally” to the next target for regime change….According to more than a few observers, Gadhafi’s plan to quit selling Libyan oil in U.S. dollars…was the real cause.

Analysis: Brussels takes heavy hand in euro crisis – Boston Globe | Associated Press, Nov. 12, 2011 – The normally fiercely independent-minded people of Greece and Italy – both countries in dire trouble over their sovereign debts – seem willing to accept as their new prime ministers technocrats who are veterans of pan-European institutions with reputations for meddling in national affairs.

Euro states must give EU more power: German finance minister – Reuters, Nov. 12, 2011 Unite or risk fragmentation, Barroso tells EU – Reuters, Nov. 12, 2011 – European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said the crisis had shown that the euro area needed deeper integration of policies and governance. “This is the only way to secure the sustainability of the euro,” he said.

Libyan mercenaries arrive in Gaza with Grad multiple rocket launchers – DEBKAfile, Nov. 11, 2011

U.S. Plans Bomb Sales in Gulf to Counter Iran – Wall Street Journal, Nov. 11, 2011 – The Obama administration is trying to build up the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC], which comprises Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, U.A.E. and Kuwait, as a unified counterweight to Iran.

Italy Senate OKs economic reform bill – Associated Press, Nov. 11, 2011 – Italy’s Senate has approved economic reforms demanded by the European Union…

SAARC is common vehicle for peace and prosperity in SA: Ex Nepal PM TelegraphNepal, Nov. 10, 2011 “SAARC is all about regional integration — economically, culturally, and socially….It is about eventually an economic union, with a common market and common currency.” Madhav Kumar Nepal, Former Prime Minister of Nepal, Nov. 7, 2011

Latin America UNASUR Bloc Defense Ministers Meet In Peru TodayBernama.com|Malaysian National News Agency, Nov. 10, 2011 – The South American Defense Council (SADC) was established on Dec 16, 2008 by the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) to promote military cooperation among the nations in the region, integrate the defense industrial base and reduce conflict and mistrust among member countries.

European debt crisis spiralling out of control – London Guardian, Nov, 9, 2011 – Angela Merkel said the situation had become “unpleasant”, and called for euro-members to accelerate plans for closer political integration. “It is time for a breakthrough to a new Europe,” she said. “….That will mean more Europe, not less Europe.”

India minister says ties with Pakistan improving – AFP, Nov. 9, 2011 – “The trust deficit with Pakistan is shrinking,” S.M. Krishna said on board his flight to the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in the Maldives.

ASEAN integration proceeds despite Euro experience – Jakarta Post, Nov, 9, 2011

How A Eurasian Union Could Control The World’s Energy – San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 3, 2011

U.S. says Assad will fall, Arab states offer safe haven – Reuters, Nov. 9, 2011 – Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s departure was “inevitable,” a senior U.S. official said on Wednesday.

Rogers: “100% Chance Of Crisis Worse Than 2008,” Italy Implodes – PrisonPlanet, Nov. 9, 2011 – The world has been spending staggering amounts of money that it doesn’t have for a few decades now, and it’s all coming home to roost,” Rogers, CEO and chairman Rogers Holdings told CNBC.

Remains of war dead dumped in landfill – Washington Post, Nov. 9, 2011

Analysis: Debt crisis fells governments, legitimacy in question – Reuters, Nov. 9, 2011 – As governments around the euro zone are felled by a widening sovereign debt crisis, a perceived loss of sovereignty to the IMF and the European Union is raising prickly questions of democratic legitimacy.

Obama Calls Off ‘Christmas Tree Tax’ – ABC News, Nov. 9, 2011

Poll: Third-party bids by Ron Paul, Bloomberg could garner sizable support – The Hill, Nov. 8, 2011

Author of tough Arizona immigration law loses recall election – CNN, Nov. 9, 2011

‘Let them cut off aid:’ African countries revolt against UK threat to cut aid over homosexuality – LifeSite News, Nov. 8, 2011

Nearly 29% of mortgaged homes underwater, report finds – msnbc.com, Nov. 8, 2011

Italian debt on ropes before crunch vote – Reuters, Nov, 8, 2011 – Italian government bond yields approached unsustainable levels on Tuesday before a parliamentary vote on public finances that could bring down the government of the euro zone’s third biggest economy.

Concern Over Public Anxiety Causes Feds To Shorten EAS Alert – PrisonPlanet.com, Nov. 7, 2011 – The test will take place at 1pm CST on Wednesday, breaking into all conventional television and radio broadcasts, who for the very first time have no control over whether to allow the government to override their broadcasting platforms.

Report: Sarkozy calls Netanyahu ‘liar’ – Ynet News, Nov. 7, 2011 – Microphones accidently left on after G20 meeting pick up private conversation between US, French presidents. Sarkozy admits he ‘can’t stand’ Israeli premier. Obama: You’re fed up with him? I have to deal with him every day!

Italy accepts IMF monitoring, EU looks for support – Reuters, Nov. 4, 2011 – Italy, under fierce pressure from financial markets and European peers, has agreed to have the IMF and the EU monitor its progress with long delayed reforms of pensions, labor markets and privatization, senior EU sources said on Friday.

Herman Cain incorrectly suggests China doesn’t have nuclear capability – CBS News, Nov. 2, 2011 – In an interview Monday, Cain said part of China’s threat to the United States stems from its attempts to develop nuclear weapons — even though China tested its first nuclear weapon in 1964.

Anonymous abandons plan to expose Mexican drug cartel collaborators – London Guardian, Nov. 4, 2011 – A US activist backed away from publishing the names after an alleged counter-threat of mass retaliatory killings.

Greek PM ready to go, dump referendum, for euro deal – Reuters, Nov. 3, 2011 – Intense European pressure forced debt-stricken Greece to seek political consensus on a new bailout plan instead of holding a referendum after EU leaders raised the prospect of a Greek exit from the euro to preserve the single currency.

Pakistan grants India Most Favoured Nation trade status – Reuters, Nov. 2, 2011 – Pakistan’s cabinet unanimously decided Wednesday to grant India Most Favoured Nation (MFN) trade status, a major breakthrough that could bolster efforts to improve relations between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Obama to G-20 summit: Yes we Cannes – The Hill, Nov. 3, 2011 – Bernanke said the Fed will monitor domestic financial institutions for potential exposure, and do its part to boost the economy overall. On the EU crisis, he said the Fed stands “ready as necessary to provide broader support.”

Greek government teeters over bailout referendum – Houston Chronicle|Associated Press, Nov. 3, 2011 – “Greece’s position within the euro area is a historic conquest of the country that cannot be put in doubt,” [Finance Minister Evangelos] Venizelos said in a statement.

Man avoids jail by faking illegal immigrant status – Associated Press, Nov, 3, 2011 – A Utah man hatched a creative scheme to avoid going to prison on a drug charge: He lied to authorities and said he was an illegal immigrant so he could get deported to Mexico and evade time behind bars.

Short Sainthood for Steve Jobs – New York Times, Nov, 2, 2011 (Google News Link) – On Twitter, while Apple cultists wrote 140-character homages, nonbelievers passed along snipes about Steve the Tyrant, Steve the Evil Boss, Steve the Micromanaging Perfectionist. As for the mainstream press, it cleared its throat, straightened its tie and dived into the fray with the rest of them.

Archbishop backs ‘Robin Hood tax’ calls – Financial Times (London), Nov. 2, 2011 (Google News Link) – The archbishop [of Canterbury] says the Church has a proper interest in ethics in the financial world and aligns himself with proposals from the Vatican for measures to increase taxation on banks and to reduce the threat they pose to the world economy. [Reference: Vatican calls for global authority on economy, ‘Central World Bank’ – Reuters, October 24, 2011 – “Of course, this transformation will be made at the cost of a gradual, balanced transfer of a part of each nation’s powers to a world authority and to regional authorities,…]

Schäuble calls for EU lead on Tobin tax – Financial Times, Nov. 1, 2011 (Google News Link) – Arguing that further financial regulation was an essential part of tackling the global crisis, [Schäuble, Germany’s finance minister] said: “I am convinced that if we introduce a financial transaction tax in the EU, then the chances of getting a global agreement will increase enormously.

Is Mexican cartel the next ‘Anonymous’ target? – CNN, November 1, 2011 – A video purportedly from the international hacker ring Anonymous threatens the Zetas, warning that the names, photographs and addresses of cartel supporters can be published “if necessary.” Video

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