The Death of Money-a book report

(The coming collapse of the Internal Monetary System) By; James Rickards This is a disturbing book that describes all of the many issues of concern relating to fiscal sanity. The Federal Reserve has just finished printing over $3.2 trillion dollars out of thin air, which has the effect of lowering the value of each dollar in circulation. They did this to try to keep us out of deflation. In Europe the Euro has been propped up to cover the losses due to countries not adhering to their pledges to stabilize their economies. . China has over $3 trillion of investments denominated in U.S. dollars and every 10% devaluation in the dollar engineered by the Fed represents a $300 billion real wealth transfer from China to the U.S. Is it any wonder China is reducing these dollars by investing in natural resources around the world and purchasing gold? Counties like China, Russia and in the Middle East resent that the dollar is the predominate currency for world trade, He reports that India is a major importer of Iranian oil and does so by swapping for gold. If our government doesn’t start to take concrete steps to stabilize, the end draws near. With $18 Trillion in debt and climbing rapidly there can be no other outcome. He predicts that the China miracle is nearing its end and that as growth rates slow down together with anemic growth in America, Japan and Europe depression must be the result similar to the 1930’s. The stock market is poised for a crash worse than 2000 or 2008. He suggests that economic stimulus would help pull us out of the spiral we are in. With interest rates at an all-time low this would be the right time to spend on projects that would be profitable. He uses Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway system as an example of a project that was beneficial as the cost to construct and maintain reaped benefits for the private sector far exceeding cost. He compares that negatively to the Obama stimulus plan which only aided local payrolls for union employees and funding inefficient, non-productive nonscalable technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines and electric cars. This did not stand up to his test on whether the investment added to costs without benefits realized that assured the investment paid dividends. He makes the point that when Clinton allowed Glass-Steagall to be repealed; the banks were allowed to act like hedge funds which opened the door to massive hidden leverage. As a result the 2008 crash occurred. He also points out that new jobs being created are, for the most part, low paying. 50% in the first half of 2013 were part time. Good paying jobs are near non-existent. By late 2013 over 50 million citizens were on food stamps with over 26 million unemployed, underemployed or discouraged from looking for jobs. An important statement made which has been my belief for a long time is that by deliberately keeping interest rates at zero there is in effect a transfer annually from average Americans to the banks of $400 Billion. An annualized rate of just 2% would reverse the process. Part of the Fed’s design is to penalize savers and discourage them from leaving money in a bank, and to encourage them to invest in risky assets, such as stocks and real estate, to prop up collateral values in those markets. Without this, in my opinion, the stock market would not be sky high as it is today. Again, in my opinion the day of reckoning is near, keep tuned. In his concluding chapter he predicts that when the panic starts that savings in the form of bank deposits, insurance policies, annuities and retirement benefits will be largely wiped out. Gold will rise in value to $9,000/ounce. Social unrest will be dealt with by extreme measures using SWAT teams, drones, armored personnel carriers digital surveillance, tear gas, flash hang grenades and high-tech battering rams. This sounds pretty grim to me. He reminds us that the government confiscated gold from citizens in 1933 and could do so again. Seven signs to look for are; 1-A rapid rise in the value of gold. 2-Rapid purchase of gold by China. 3-IMF reforms which devalues the portion of SDRs of U.S. dollars. 4-Defeat of efforts by U.S. regulators to limit the size of big banks. 5-Rapid fluctuations of the Dow Jones Index. 6-A sustained reduction in U.S. or Japanese asset purchases, giving deflation a second wind. 7-The financial disintegration in China as a wealth-management-product Ponzi scheme collapses. His final recommendation for us is to diversify into a portfolio of 20% gold, 20% land, 10% fine art, 20% alternative funds and 30% cash. Who among you would do this? At any rate, you have now been warned. I highly recommend reading this book. It is extremely well written and researched. Jack B. Walters December 10, 2014

Common Genius-a book report

Guts, Grit & Common Sense How ordinary people create prosperous societies and how intellectuals make them collapse By Bill Greene This is another powerful book that rips apart history and re-writes from the basis of ordinary people. I came to possess it as a gift from some unknown person. It arrived in the mail from Amazon one day. I never received a bill nor was I able to learn who sent it to me. I would like to think it was from a friend who knew of my writings and wanted to share. The author explores history from long ago and points out how real progress was realized in isolated places where the people were not constrained by harsh government. The real meat is about the rise of America and the stagnant growth in Europe during the same time period. The people leaving Europe found a new land without rules or regulations restricting them from making lives for themselves. After the Revolution freeing America from England and the establishment of the Constitution and in particular the Bill of Rights for the next two hundred plus years America left the old world far behind. All sorts of new ideas generated new opportunities .There were of course difficulties to overcome such as the robber barons in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Teddy did his best to curb them. They exploited labor as much as they could while reaping great fortunes for themselves, not unlike what we are experiencing today. His main theme is that ordinary people left to their own devices can work miracles but when suppressed and controlled they atrophy. He points out how easy it is for people to come under the spell of leaders like Hitler, Stalin, Mao and others who collectively murdered over 100,000,000 people on their way to creating their empires. Eliminating peaceful religion is a necessity. A people without a moral compass are easily swayed. I am, of course, not including Islam as a peaceful religion. He stresses that the growing moral uncertainty, the blurring of right and wrong, and a loss of confidence in the principles that made America the most free and prosperous nation in the world is why we are floundering today with many factions warring with each other and no common ground. There is a vast amount of insight and information to be gained by reading. It will not be easy so be prepared. Jack B. Walters November 8, 2014

Pump- a documentary film

This is another eye opening documentary. It should be seen by all Americans or at the very least all politicians. It was shown in the main theatre of the Loft. There were five people in total who attended. I actually made a new friend with a man from Iowa. We had much in common. The following will be my recollection of what I saw. Whether the facts presented are totally true I have not attempted to verify so if you disagree then we can discuss. It begins with the dismantling of the streetcar system which was in every major city. The cars were systematically purchased and destroyed being replaced with buses. Vehicles were originally powered by alcohol. The assertion is made that prohibition legislation was not only to curb drinking but also prohibited its use in vehicles as well. All motorized vehicles changed to gasoline. I want to add here that General Motors in the 60’s produced hundreds of electric cars which were leased in California. The leases were cancelled and all the cars were crushed. The general theory is that industry has conspired against any idea that would decrease dependency on gasoline made from oil. California was making strides introducing vehicles running on methane. They were forced to modify with a mixture that was proven to include chemicals which could cause cancer and the program was stopped. They mention that Brazil years ago converted to a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. The country is completely solvent; the middle class has increased in numbers and other good things. They interviewed Mr. Tesla who was optimistic about the future of electric cars and the increasing mileage that research will provide over the next decade or so. They showed the multiple sources that could be converted to ethanol including waste, wood, and vegetation of every kind and that cars from 1993 on could be converted to 85 with a simple software change which the auto manufacturers have not seen fit to do. Should you adjust your car and use 85 they will void your warranty. Further leased stations are not allowed to add 85 by the owners. Legislation has been proposed repeatedly for over a decade and has never gotten out of committee, they claim as a direct result of enormous campaign contributions. It is not hard for me to accept that idea. There was more but I will end now. Jack B. Walters November 6, 2014

The Author of Dog Whisper Politics responded to my book report

Hi John, Ian Haney Lopez here. I'd like to ask that you resubmit your evaluation, but using quotes from the book this time to substantiate your claims. For instance, at the outset you write: "No matter what the issue is, the blame is placed squarely on the backs of everyone in America who was born white. No exceptions. Whether you are a good person or a bad person, a Democrat or Republican, a conservative or liberal, a religious person or atheist, nothing you can do can keep you from being racist." That couldn't be further from what I actually wrote. If you disagree, please provides quotes (and page numbers) to support your claims. All the best, Ian Dear Ian, You will note I address you by your first name not with your title. I want this to be between you and me on an equal basis. I will not retract my previous book report. I have re-read it and continue to believe it is what I gleaned from reading. You state that my opening comments could not be further from the truth. I am amazed that you should say this. From cover to cover you point out over and over how white people discriminate against black people. You return again and again to the past continuing to emphasis the racism of people like Wallace. In my response I agreed with you on that. You have forced me to take the time to skim thru your book. You insist I retract or prove you wrote the words that state all whites are racist. Page 36-First, it suggests that many and possibly most whites accept the connection between minorities and crime… Page 56-…Carter’s racial pandering… seemed to cement the logic of racial pandering. Your conviction is that whites as a block vote against the interests of black people. Page 71- These white Democratic defectors express a profound distaste for blacks… Page 77,78,79-“ Is your baby racist” The question blared from the cover of Newsweek Magazine- It describes the attitudes of very young children and their attitude towards people of color even when the parents do their best to reject racism. You can say these were not your words but they were presented in your book. This was where I concluded that being born white meant you were racist. Page 117- Here you state that after 9/11 whites had people who looked Arabic as their newest adversaries of color. Looking at the world today how can you close your eyes to the chaos all over the world perpetrated by those who adhere to Islam? Color has nothing to do about it. Page 136-…for the proof of white responsibility for racial oppression was everywhere in society. Again someone else’s words but printed in your book. Page 141- Today, the practice of putting forward nonwhite faces has penetrated GOP politics. Herman Caine is one example… I supported him. He could have been a great President for all Americans. You make him sound like Uncle Tom. I currently have a Ben Carson bumper sticker on my car. He would be a great President also. Page 150- Here you rage about the backlash when Obama became President. For your information I voted for him in 2008. I couldn’t stomach McCain/Palin. I didn’t in 2012 as I disagreed with the policies he was advancing which were diametrically opposed to what he said he would do four years earlier. The blacks continued voting as a block no matter what. That epitomizes racism for me. Page 152-Here you list the hatreds of those who are part of the Tea Party movement. This was a vicious unwarranted attack in my opinion. Page 167-Among minorities, 93% of blacks, 71% of Latinos and 73% of Asians voted against Romney…Sounds racist to me. Page 181- It seems that race agitates most whites at the unconscious level… Page 183- The whole page refers to an experiment done by a teacher. She divided the class according to eye color discriminating first against one group and then reversing with bad results. This proved your premise of all whites being racist from a young age. Page 187-Here you mention the removal of Japanese Americans to camps as racist. You had to be alive to understand how the attack on Pearl Harbor affected all Americans. Page 189- In its entirety you mention many issues of concern today and cast them all in racist terms. The entire premise of your book was that all whites are racist, page after page that is your message. To say that wasn’t your intent is mind boggling. Jack B. Walters October 19, 2014

Khartoum-a movie

For relaxation I was channel hopping last Friday evening and I happened to catch a very well done movie from 1966 starring Charlton Heston and Lawrence Olivier. Heston played the part of General Gordon and Olivier the Muslim Arab leader who declared he was the long sought Mahdi. In the Koran the Mahdi is to emerge in the last days and lead the Muslim people to overwhelm the Earth and establish an Islamic World Order. In order to accomplish this mission Khartoum is to be the first to fall followed by other Capitals in the Arab world and then beyond. It was just a movie but it brought to my mind that those who continue to claim that Islam is a religion of peace are just not willing to accept the fact that this has been the goal for 1,300 years and will continue to be the goal until eventually accomplished or defeated. The Ottoman Empire nearly succeeded. We have been continually deceived by our Presidents and other world leaders for decades now to where most don’t understand. In a class I attended last week the topic was Israel. At one point a classmate asked the question why we should care about Israel. In other words what was important enough that America should continue to provide aid as we have since its inception in 1948? I immediately blurted out “How could we not after six million were put to death in WWII”. As I was leaving two friends stopped me and expressed their concern about Israel continuing to build housing for Jews in Jerusalem and other places. The implication being that if they would only stop and negotiate with Hamas and give back territory won in war, that peace would finally come to this part of the world. No doubt it will be peaceful enough when the Jewish people are exterminated which surely will be the result. This was my answer. Both President G.H. and George Bush have been closely allied with Muslims. The attraction was oil. After 9/11 George went on television to declare that Islam was a peaceful religion. All airfare was grounded except for the planes required to escort the many Bin Laden family members out of our country. No one in the press seriously questioned this fact. Obama also has spoken repeatedly that Islam is peaceful as has David Cameron, the Prime Minister of England. We continually provide armaments of every kind to the Arab nations and refer to them as allies. I find this tragic. Not only have we exhausted ourselves with blood and treasure but we continually provide Aircraft Carriers and other forces to keep the Sea Lanes open without compensation or even thanks. It is expected and demanded. We meekly do their bidding. The only reason countries like Saudi Arabia are included as allies in the fight against IS is because they know that their kingdoms will collapse when IS reaches their borders. After a few sorties on the first day have any of you heard that the Saudis are continuing aircraft missions? I haven’t. As to the fanfare about the devastating strikes the first day now we learn that those buildings were deserted. IS had plenty of warning that an attack was imminent. The strikes against IS are ineffective. They haven’t slowed down IS’s advance towards Baghdad and of course the Kurds are about to lose Kobani, a major city being overwhelmed by superior weaponry and forces. Turkey “our ally” has tanks lined up on the border within sight of the fighting but refuses to get involved unless we make the major focus fighting Assad. Kurds living in Turkey have taken to the streets in protest. Over 20 have been killed so far. Turkey refuses to allow Kurds to cross the border to fight alongside others of their faith but for months now Turkey has allowed recruits from all over the world to cross the border with Syria to join with IS. What a great friend we have. Oh, in today’s Star, is an article that they have given permission for America to fly out of an airbase. I guess they think it is OK as long as Americans are taking the risk. With leaders like Obama and Cameron we can expect no real progress. They will only pretend to be serious all the while Americans are being put in harm’s way. It is so tragic. I have written many times before on this subject. We must become energy independent and stop feeding the OPEC countries who think we are a decadent society and spend those funds trying to foment hatred against us and other Western nations. I seem to be talking out of both sides. I want out of this part of the world. I want to stop proving funds to them while at the same time I can’t stand to see people slaughtered as IS is doing to all who they believe are non-believers. I also believe we must continue to support Israel, settlements or not. When Israel falls the West will not be far behind. So there you have it. What do you think? Jack B. Walters October 13, 2014

Leon Panetta's new book

He has been on numerous programs promoting his new book "Worthy Fights". I have not read nor do I think I will bother. I am offended by his assertion that the war against ISIS type enemies will continue for another 30 years. We have already been there for 12 years expending thousands of our soldiers’ lives either dead or wounded plus over a trillion dollars. This cannot continue without the ruination of our country. In a previous e-mail I sent out under the heading “Playing at War" I proposed using our military for maximum effect including carpet bombing of concentrations of ISIS fighters. The weapon of choice would be the B-52. No plane we possess can do the harm that this plane can. We must hit them hard quickly not piecemeal as we have been doing. Our efforts to date have not slowed the advance. Have you heard that plane loads of Iraqi soldiers have been sent north to fight side by side with the Kurds? I thought so, I haven't either. The Turks are just sitting there watching without becoming actively involved. Panetta wants American ground troops on the ground. Should we do that there will be many videos produced of those captured having their heads chopped off. I say no. It is bad enough to have our airmen in harm’s way but adding ground troops is insanity. Bomb ISIS without regard to civilian casualties, hit them with maximum destruction and then hope and expect the locals to clean up the mess and return that part of the world to normal living, whatever that may be and get out as fast as we can. Jack Walters October 8, 2014

Dog Whistle Politics- a book report

By; Ian Haney Lopez (How coded racial appeals have reinvented racism and wrecked the middle class) A short report If you were born white you are racist. A full report I never asked why, but this book was recommended by a friend as something I should read. I hope it wasn’t because of my writings and the e-mails I choose to forward. Whatever that answer might be I will state at the outset that I cannot ever remember reading a serious book which I disliked so intently. As I usually do after purchasing a book from Amazon I will send them a copy to be placed with others who have read and reviewed. I intend to give it a one star rating which is the lowest possible, not because of the author’s ability to communicate, but because of the content. He looks at everything from the standpoint of race. No matter what the issue is, the blame is placed squarely on the backs of everyone in America who was born white. No exceptions. Whether you are a good person or a bad person, a Democrat or Republican, a conservative or liberal, a religious person or atheist, nothing you can do can keep you from being racist. In his concluding chapter he states quite plainly that the Republican Party is racist and while in the book he also attacks the Democratic Party, particularly when Bill Clinton was President, he concludes that the Democratic Party should be the party of choice for all those who oppose racism. He states that accusing Republicans of racism should be the weapon of choice and while many people of both parties have the opinion that we have passed the era of the 60’s and before, he firmly states this is not the case. He attempts to prove his theory by reviewing tactics starting with George Wallace. There can be no doubt about that. “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever” He shows examples from many campaigns. Bush clobbered Dukakis with his Willy Horton add. Dukakis had been Governor when Horton was released from prison only to rape a white woman, because of that the polls showed an instant drop in support for Dukakis and is credited with the victory for Bush. He accuses Clinton because of legislation passed to place restrictions as being required in order to receive welfare checks. While many people of all races receive welfare checks, his theory is that white voters placed a race identity, as lazy blacks living off the backs of hard working white people, his words not mine. No doubt much of what he states has validity but to accuse an entire race for keeping black people down in today’s world, just does not compute, at least for me. You can always read the book for yourself if interested. On page 39 he tells a story about how the 13th Amendment was made useless in the South because of its wording. It banned slavery but the last sentence read “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted…” I never had any idea that the South for eighty years used this as a way to enslave blacks. It was only ended during WWII when enemy propaganda pointed out the fact and accused America of doing the same to Negros as Germany was doing to Jews. The South found them guilty of trumped up charges and then sold their labor to mines and other dangerous work places with no regard to their wellbeing. At least when they were slaves the owners had an investment to protect but whether a convict grew sick or died, it was of no concern; they could just get more as needed. To think that this continued for so long without being challenged is a blight on our history. I have done a lot of heavy thinking about the contents of this book. There can be no denying that those of the white race have held a superior position to all people of color whether black, brown, red or yellow. This country was colonized by the English, French and Dutch at the beginning. Later other peoples arrived from Germany, Italy, Ireland and later Eastern Europeans. These later groups were discriminated against as being inferior. No nation’s people were whiter than the Irish. They were treated shamefully. My point being that it was not color but more a sense of trying to maintain a superior standing over the newcomers and being threatened as they usually would agree to work for less pay. That was also true for Orientals and Mexicans. I sincerely believe this is just a fact of human nature and has nothing to do with race. We each in turn try to defend our territory and family units from any threat. The author states that concerns about illegal immigration and members of the Muslim faith are racial. I think otherwise. Illegals take jobs from citizens. Just read Kathleen Schwartzman’s book entitled “The Chicken Trail” to get a firsthand look. The owners of chicken processing plants in the South replaced blacks with illegal immigrants from Mexico by various methods. The blacks were trying to improve working conditions. The illegals did what they were told without complaining. As to the Muslims, how could this be racist? Muslims are not just Arabic. They are Persian’s from Iran and have been growing leaps and bounds with conversions of people of every color. People like me who rail against Islam, do it because of the obvious threat to world peace as militant Islam grows all over the world. This has nothing to do with race. This author is a Professor at Berkley, California. The thought of him on a daily basis teaching hatred to young minds is appalling to me. He is, of course, not the only one. Indoctrination is an ongoing process and I am sure has planted these type ideas firmly in the minds of our young people, for whom we sacrifice greatly, so they can acquire an education. By stirring the fires of hatred between races only bad results can be achieved. You cannot elevate one class of people by bringing down another class. We must, to be successful be blind to color as we were pleaded to by Martin Luther King Jr. to judge people by the content of their character not skin color. Lastly I have a message for black Americans. First quit calling yourselves African-Americans. Until we all consider ourselves American we can accomplish nothing of value. Second talk clear English. Think how much white America enjoyed watching the antics of the Huckstable family on television. A black family that sounded normal to us. Politicians like Herman Caine, Ben Carson and actors like Morgan Freeman. They are black but have learned to speak properly. I have two friends at the church I attend who are held in very high esteem. They couldn’t be blacker if they wanted to be but they speak clearly and do not act inferior. They are both strong and articulate. Those who slur their speech and use the f- word every sentence do nothing but harm relationships with other races. Siring children without being an active parent does nothing to elevate our regard. Not trying to better their lives but living off the system as so many do causes resentment. I will catch h—for saying this but we cannot move forward if we are not willing to call a spade a spade, can we? What I am saying is, there will not be resistance for those who are actively pursuing the American dream. Go for it like everyone else has to. Forget the blame game. Let’s all move forward as Americans. Jack B. Walters October 5, 2014