Think Rome. Think banquet. Think chestnuts. It’s just some wacky story that happened on October 30, 1501. It was called Liber Notarum, or the Banquet of Chestnuts. This one is different for sure. Just click on the link.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak Adds Color To The Spring Garden
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is a very colorful bird that stands out in the spring garden. It is the adult male that sports the black and white wings, underside white, with the bright red splash on the breast area.
All birds are precious to watch, but this version of the grosbeak is spectacular to witness, and the closer the better. These guys will feed on sunflower seeds.
If you want to get a good look at the grosbeak, put the feeder near a window. The results will be with be worth the trouble.
This isn’t a good quality image of the grosbeak, but you get the idea.
The Rose-breasted Grosbeak males will eat together and this is a treat to see. It’s not unusual to see three or four at a time.
Oh how the the soft sounds of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak cheer up the garden with its musical song!
The Battle of the Teutoberg Forest
The Teutoberg Forest, or in German Teutoberger Wald, is an area of mountains that lie within Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. The forest stretches eastward towards the Weser River and to Osnabrück. Osnabrück lies between the Wiehen Hills and the northern tip of the Teutoberg Forest.
In the fall of 9 AD, Germanic tribes won a decisive battle against the Romans, thus changing the course of European history.
East of the Rhine River, there is a place called Kalkriese Hill. It was near this hill that Hermann, or Arminius of the Cherusci tribe, fought Publius Quinctilius Varus, a Roman general under Augustus. The sight of the battle has been discovered at Kalkriese, north of modern Osnabrück. Here is a Google map of Kalkriese.
Hermann ambushed and destroyed three legions of Romans, with the alliance of various German tribes. This ambush changed history altogether. By defeating the Romans and holding them back, this clearly stopped Rome from advancing further north into Germania. This distanced the Germans from the Romans.
Some historians thought Hermann was a myth, or a legend that the German tribes had made up. But many history observers very well believe that he was definitely real, and his role along with this decisive battle, could have just lost its prominence in the pages of history books.
Tony Clunn, a retired British Army Major, discovered the sight in 1987. Tony Clunn made a series of archaeological discoveries which ultimately revealed where the advance of the Roman Empire was finally halted in 9 AD. His discovery revealed that the missing Legions were 50 miles away when they were finally massacred by the German tribes.
There is also a Museum und Park Kalkriese, where surprises can be found.
As suggested beforehand, some think that Arminius, or Hermann is a myth, or Germany’s first hero. Others smirk and plug the need for a hero.
The fall of Rome is frequently pondered among historians. The role of the Barbarians is thought to have contributed to the demise of the Romans. With brand new discoveries such as the findings of British Major Clunn, maybe some of the pages lost in our history books will materialize.
More Media:
1. The Battle Against Rome – PART 1/2 — YouTube
2. The Battle Against Rome – PART 1/2 — YouTube
Can You Get A Virus Using Linux?
Can you get a virus using Linux? Should Ubuntu users consider installing an antivirus program? It turns out that there are Linux viruses. [1]
Linux is very well protected and is safer than Windows, but it is also susceptible to malware. This is to be considered.
Linux malware includes viruses, trojans, worms and other types of malware that affect the Linux operating system. Linux, Unix and other Unix-like computer operating systems are generally regarded as very well-protected against, but not immune to, computer viruses. [2]
Many experts say that antivirus isn’t necessary with Ubuntu. One user has recommended Avira. [3]
Sources:
1. Is there a point in installing antivirus on Ubuntu? — superuser
2. Linux malware — Wikipedia
3. Simplicity meets complete online security — Avira
Lampshade Turns Into Police Scanner Antenna
If the poorly designed lamp goes bad, all it not lost my friend. Unplug the lamp first. The lampshade has plastic material that will easily peel off if you try. Try using a pair of hand pruners and maybe a pair of needle-nosed pliars. You’ll find some wire in there. Believe it or not, you have a police scanner antenna in your hands! The lampshade will serve as an antenna.
Some lampshades have an almost perfect discone shape, while others have a loop shape. Either will work fine. So you lost a cheap lamp because of a cheap switch, but now you have a scanner antenna that works fabulous. Discone or loop, we’ll take it as we get it.
This isn’t all of the good news though. The lamp that went bad will have a cord that plugged into the electric socket. Again, make sure the cord is unplugged from the socket. Then, cut that cord from the the lamp.
You now have another police scanner antenna. All you need is an adapter; more precisely the RCA Matching Transformer
So there you have it. One bad lamp makes two scanner antennas.
I now need a new lamp. Oh well.
Petrodollar Warfare
Boldly breaking down the information barrier, we journey into the relatively untouched arena of petrodollar hegemony. What is the petrodollar and why does it matter? William R. Clark, the author, has written Petrodollar Warfare: Oil, Iraq and the Future of the Dollar
The Hypothesis
The United States dollar is the de facto world currency. Accordingly, almost all oil sales throughout the world are denominated in United States dollars (USD). According to proponents of the petrodollar warfare hypothesis, because most countries rely on oil imports, they are forced to maintain large stockpiles of dollars in order to continue imports. This creates a consistent demand for USDs and ostensibly supports the USD’s value, regardless of economic conditions in the United States. This in turn allegedly allows the US government to gain revenues through seignorage and by issuing bonds at lower interest rates than supposedly they otherwise would be able to.
As a result, the U.S. government, according to this theory, can run higher budget deficits at a more sustainable level than most other countries can. The theory points out that a stronger USD also means that goods imported into the United States are relatively cheap (although the country’s exports become relatively more expensive for the rest of the world).
Another component of the hypothesis is that the price of petroleum is more stable in the U.S. than anywhere else since importers do not need to worry about exchange rate fluctuations. Since the U.S. imports a great deal of oil, its markets are heavily reliant on oil and its derivative products (jet fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline, etc.) for their energy needs. As the price of oil can be an important political factor, U.S. administrations are quite sensitive to the price of oil. [1]
Clark does a fantastic job of breaking it all down and making it clear to the average reader what petrodollar politics is all about. The American Century chapter details in 1971 how the dollar lost its gold backing. By 1975 all of OPEC adopted a petrodollar recycling system.
We must get past the illusions that are created by the propagandists to get a grip on the subject matter. Trade imbalance, high unemployment, and failed fiscal policy are themes that should be covered and are covered in order to lay the groundwork.
Clark postulates that the American economy is no longer sustainable. The U.S. economy has been propped up with the status of the dollar as the world currency, but this is the weak link in the economy, an economy that is on the verge of collapse.
Furthermore, the illusion of a strong U.S. economy has been perpetuated by brute military force. Even so, military might must be backed with economic might, and other countries must have confidence in the dollar. There are signs that trust in the dollar is waning. Countries are growing distrustful of U.S. foreign policy also. The evidence is there.
The author explains the three phases in the American Century, the recycling of petrodollars, and the petroeuro challenge.
What really caught my attention was the threat of the petroeuro against the petrodollar. Clark makes his most valid point on this assessment.
It’s vital to realize the importance of this hidden aspect of politics and economics. There’s been almost complete silence in the American press about Petrodollar Warfare. However, there are important agreements that are currently taking place in the news. Iran is front and center.
For instance: “Iran and Russia are set to finalize an agreement they have reached for broader economic and trade cooperation, Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh says.” [2] Iran teaming with Russia poses a serious threat to western hegemony. And this is why the west has imposed such harsh sanctions on Iran. It’s Petrodollar Warfare you see.
And there’s more to the big picture. March 20, 2012: “The Iranian oil bourse will no longer trade oil in the dollar but start trading oil in other currencies like the euro, yen, yuan, rupee or a basket of currencies.” [3] Not good news for the west.
“Having the world’s second largest oil reserves of 136 gigabarrels, Iran will likely extend its influence on financial markets when the IOB opens. Although under-reported by the media, this historical shift and its consequences should be watched closely.” [4] For real.
There could come a time when Russia attacks the petrodollar: “The US dollar’s position as the base currency for global energy trading gives the US a number of unfair advantages. It seems that Moscow is ready to take those advantages away.” [5]
Getting back to the core of the petrodollar threat brings us to Saddam Hussein and the need to replace him. Why? This is another mysterious piece of the puzzle that gets quite interesting.
“In the autumn of 2000, Saddam Hussein emerged from a meeting of his government and announced that Iraq would soon transition its oil-export transactions to the euro.” [6] The rationale for intervening by the U.S. was not just the control of the oil, but also a means to control the global markets. It was an attempt to keep the petrodollar alive.
Clark may have published this in 2005, but I’ll bet you never caught this on the evening news!
With acrimony, Clark presents analysis that conveys the blunders carried out by reckless neocons. The Iraq agenda was a total failure and has cast a black eye on the United States. This is what greed and poor leadership can do for you. The world is wary of America’s military aggression.
I give Petrodollar Warfare a big thumbs up. Clark has broken down the barriers and he let the cat out of the bag. He mentions the poor media coverage following this angle of the story and this should be of no surprise to anyone. Basically, the euro challenges U.S. dollar hegemony. Throw the Iranian oil bourse into the mix and you have a tense situation unfolding. [7] This historic saga is unfolding in front of our very eyes.
Once you understand what Petrodollar Warfare is about, it’s not so difficult to follow the storyline in the news. Petrodollar Warfare is very relevant to today’s politics. My only regret is not getting a copy in my hands sooner! It’s informative and presented very well.
Sources:
1. Petrodollar — Wikipedia
2. Iran, Russia to finalize trade deal soon: Iran oil minister — PressTV
3. US wants SWIFT war on Iran — Asia Times
4. Iranian Oil Bourse Opening — Oil-Price.net
5. Russia prepares to attack the petrodollar — Voice Of Russia
6. Petrodollar Warfare
7. Iranian oil bourse — Wikipedia
Aspertame: What They’re Not Telling You
Warning: Aspartame is an addictive excitoneurotoxic, carcinogenic, genetically engineered drug and adjuvant that damages the mitochondria and interacts with drugs and vaccines. (AminoSweet, NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, Canderel, E951, Benevia, etc.)
Read More:
1. WARNING FLYER ON ASPARTAME — mpwhi.com
2. Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills
The Rich Get Richer As The US Economy Grows Poorer
The Balance Of Trade
What is the balance of trade? The balance of trade is the monetary value of exports and imports of an economy over a given period of time. A country can have a trade surplus or it can have a trade deficit.
Source Of Chart: Wikipedia
If the U.S. trade deficit is not harmful to the United States, why then is the U.S. in so much debt? China and Japan exclusively own 44.80% of U.S. debt.
Note: China and Japan are the leading countries contributing to U.S. trade deficits. Is this correlation just a coincidence?
Top 10 Foreign Owners Of U.S. Debt (Jan 2009)
Debt Owner(s) / Billions Of US Dollars $$
1. China / 739.6 *
2. Japan / 634.8 *
3. OPEC / 186.3
4. Caribbean Banks / 176.6
5. Brazil / 133.5
6. United Kingdom / 124.2
7. Russia / 119.6
8. Luxembourg / 87.2
9. Taiwan / 73.3
10. Hong Kong / 71.7
Top 10 Countries U.S. Trade Deficits (Jan 2009)
Country / Millions Of US Dollars $$
1. China / - 20,569.89 *
2. Japan / - 4,302.13 *
3. Mexico / - 2,684.00
4. Canada / - 2,489.90
5. South Korea / - 1,936.51
6. Germany / – 1,664.65
7. Ireland / – 1,549.12
8. Taiwan / - 1,340.61
9. Saudia Arabia / - 1,290.57
10. Italy / - 1,248.75
Total Trade Balance Of January 2009 = deficit of $36 billion
Source: The New York Times (March 14, 2009)
BEIJING — The Chinese prime minister, Wen Jiabao, spoke in unusually blunt terms on Friday about the “safety” of China’s $1 trillion investment in American government debt, the world’s largest such holding, and urged the Obama administration to offer assurances that the securities would maintain their value.
Congress denies that trade imbalance destroys jobs, yet there is never any real data ever presented to the public. Former presidents have denied that there have been job losses as a result from trade deficit. This is very problematic.
Source: U.S. Dept. of Commerce & U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
1979 – 1995 Statistics
Imports: $212 billion – $749 billion = $1.7 trillion trade deficit
Manufacturing Jobs: 21 million – 18.4 million = 2.6 million job losses
The US trade deficit hit a record high of $817.3 billion in 2006.
US-China Trade Deficit Hit Record High In 2013
The US-China trade deficit for 2013 hit a record high, as both export and import totals increased, according to the US Department of Commerce.
Exports for the year totaled $122 billion and imports totaled $440.4 billion, up from $110.5 billion and $425.6 billion in 2012, respectively, according to the figures released on Thursday. Exports increased primarily in civilian aircraft, engines, and equipment, and imports increased primarily in cell phones and household goods.
Source: US-China trade deficit hit record high in 2013 — ChinaDaily
US Trade Deficit Hits Another High In 2014
The U.S. trade deficit climbed to the highest level in five months in February as demand for American exports fell while imports increased slightly.
The deficit increased to $42.3 billion, which was 7.7 percent above the January imbalance of $39.3 billion, the Commerce Department reported Thursday.
Source: US Trade Deficit Hits $42.3 Billion in February — ABC News
Fake Gold Bars At Fort Knox
The $600 Billion Gold Scam
It is customary for a country to pay its debts to another country with gold. For example, the United States attempted to fulfill its obligations to China in October of 2009. Gold was to be the form of payment.
The gold bars were made in the United States and stored at Fort Knox during the Clinton administration, which lasted from January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001.
“At that time 1.3 million to 1.5 million tungsten bars, weighting 400 ounces each, were produced following the order of the bankers of FRS (Federal Reserve System). 640,000 of those tungsten bars were covered with gold and sent to Fort Knox where they are kept up to date.” [1] These ‘gold bars’ are used to help pay off the national debt.
There was one problem with these ‘gold bars’. They were counterfeit. The Chinese ordered an investigation. The quality of the gold was to be evaluated. China is the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt. Statistically, the balance of trade with China has been on the negative side for the United States.
The Chinese were shocked when they found out that the fake gold bars were actually tungsten bars coated with gold on the outside. An investigation disclosed that the gold bars were traced back to the Clinton administration and the Federal Reserve, with a standard process using registration numbers.
“According to the investigation, the rest of 13 million – 15 million tungsten bars were also covered with gold and sold at the international market. Not only the gold reserves of the US received fake gold but also the global market was swindled by the bankers of the FRS. The price of ‘Clinton’s gold swindle’ is – $600 billion.”
Most of the world’s gold is exchanged and stored in depositories under the supervision of a special organization: London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). [2]
An article in the New York Post on February 2, 2004, entitled “The District Attorney is investigating the actions of a leader of the New York Mercantile Exchange,” pointed out that Clinton’s Gold Scam was brought to the attention of U.S. officials. An article written by Jennifer Anderson reported that “the highest official of the New York Mercantile Exchange is under investigation, conducted by the Manhattan district attorney. Sources close to the exchange said that last week, Stuart Smith, senior vice president of operations at the exchange, was searched by the District Attorney. Details of the investigation were not disclosed, but a spokeswoman for the stock exchange said it was not related to any exchange operations with. She declined to comment further, saying only that no charges were filed . A spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office in Manhattan, also declined to comment.” [3]
The Office of Senior Vice President of Operations of the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) is the place where you go to find reports [registration number and origin] for each gold bullion that passes through exchange operations. They are required to keep records. These precise records would show the origin of all the physical gold on the market and, therefore, would reveal how much gold appeared on the stock exchange is not of gold mining companies, simply because the amount of gold which came from the ‘smelters’ surely would exceed the amount of physically produced in American precious metal. [4]
Sources:
1. Tungsten gold for China or the global crisis of confidence – RIA Novosti
2. London bullion market – Wikipedia
3. ‘Gypsy’ Gold Fort Knox – Perevodika
4. New York Mercantile Exchange – Wikipedia
5. Fort Knox and the gold dipped tungsten bars – Michael Rivero Show
Espionnage: Supercomputing From A Basement In Paris
The National Security Agency paid millions of dollars to cover the costs of major internet companies involved in the Prism surveillance program after a court ruled that some of the agency’s activities were unconstitutional, according to top-secret material passed to the Guardian. [1]
The information provided by Edward Snowden highlights the problems that the major tech companies have created for themselves, while being in bed with the NSA. It is to be understood that there’s a financial relationship with the NSA and the tech giants. These companies mostly deny any relationship with the intelligence agency, yet the evidence seems to prove otherwise.
And you thought it was bad enough that a U.S. Postal Service program was designed to “photograph the exterior of every piece of paper mail that is processed in the United States”? [2] This is yesterday’s news.
Parlez-vous français? In light of PRISM, a mass electronic surveillance data mining program launched by the NSA [3], we would like to focus on that supercomputer in Paris, on Boulevard Mortier. The General Directorate for External Security (DGSE) is France’s version of intelligence.
Yes, France has a supercomputer in the city of Paris.
Various tasks and roles are generally appointed to the DGSE:
Intelligence gathering:
HUMINT, through formal agents and voluntary correspondents
SIGINT, through networks such as Frenchelon
Space imagery analysis
Support for HUMINT.
Special operations, with the help of the 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment. [4]
“Frenchelon is the nickname given to French signal intelligence system in reference to its Anglo-American counterpart ECHELON.” [5]
To examine the size of the NSA as compared to its French counterpart, a blogger shared the following information: “The budget of the NSA is classified, but it is estimated that it receives 10 to 15 billion per year, or 25 times the DGSE. NSA employ 40,000 people, including 32,000 for SIGINT, while the DGSE employs only 4,750, including 1,100 in its technical direction.” [6]
International spying is nothing new with the NSA. “The U.S. National Security Agency spied on and intercepted the phone calls of Princess Diana right until she died in a Paris car crash with Dodi Fayed in 1997. The NSA currently holds 1,056 pages of classified information about Princess Diana, which has been classified as top secret “because their disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.” [7]
“The DGSE collects billions of billions of units of data, which are compressed and stored on three floors in the basement of the DGSE headquarters on Boulevard Mortier in Paris.” [8]
What will they think of next? Maybe to spy on you through your TV? [9]
Sources:
1. NSA paid millions to cover Prism compliance costs for tech companies — Guardian
2. U.S. Postal Service Is Logging All Mail For Law Enforcement — Outside The Beltway
3. PRISM — Wikipedia
4. Directorate-General for External Security — Wikipedia
5. Frenchelon — Wikipedia
6. La DGSE a le « droit » d’espionner ton Wi-Fi, ton GSM et ton GPS aussi — Bug Brother
7. NSA Admits to Spying on Princess Diana — Washington Post
8. In English : Revelations on the French Big Brother — Le Monde
9. The CIA wants to spy on you through your TV: Agency director says it will ‘transform’ surveillance — Daily Mail
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