Egypt

These days anyone can pass themselves off as an expert in geopolitical events.  Has the world become this predictable?  Why yes... yes it has.  I'm going to throw my hat in the ring here with the disclaimer that the only educational credential I have on commenting on this issue is that I'm a member of the human race and have watched the news for 30 years.

That being said...  Mubarek is regarded as a "friend" to the United States.  So was the Shah of Iran.  What they both have in common is that they were dictators.  Hands down.  There was and never has been a democratic government in the Middle East as far as I'm concerned, and there will most likely never be.  Hell, there's really not a democratic government here is the U.S., either... that's another debate for another day.

As I listen to a commentator on FOX News call this the beginning of "big changes" in the Middle East I cannot help myself but to think "REALLY??? - The real question is when will it STOP changing?"  There is only one concern the Western World has with Egypt... OIL.  We all know it.  Sure, Egypt will become a net importer of oil soon, but the Suez Canal is the key.

The United States' concerns about who comes to power boils down to one thing... will they play nice with us or will they not?  That's it.  That's all.  Oh... and the chances of that happening are pretty damn good considering half of our military lives in Iraq now.

As far as a power vacuum?  There will never be one as long as we are there.  Agree or disagree... I don't care.  As long as we are there, militant factions will resist us, creating the illusion that we MUST stay.  Oh, what a wicked web we weave...

Obama and the Chamber of Commerce

Ok, I try not to pay much attention to what the latest Presidential offering in the form of a speech does... and lately (meaning like... oh the last 4 Presidents) they all sound the same anyway...

"Blah blah blah... what you can do for America... blah blah blah...."   and that's EXACTLY what Obama's latest speechifying sounded like today before the Chamber of Commerce.  I am so sick and tired of the "BLAH BLAH AMERICA BLAH BLAH ALL AMERICANS BLAH BLAH BLAH" bull shit from these poor excuses for corrupt politicians (pay attention... I really do mean what I just said)... I could just, well... swallow a paperclip.  That sounds highly entertaining. 

When are we going to get our arses off the couch and vote for a REAL American?  This guy is like all the rest.  Republican, Democrat, "Independant" (which really means... "I'm both")... all the same.

Thoughts for a Saturday

Yesterday we witnessed spin. I know, I know... when don't we?? Really... creating 36,000 jobs is a BIG WIN?? The small number was weather related? Did anyone watch Jim Cramer last night? I mean sure... he's got a lot more $ than most of us so he's got to be right about something, right? Right? Hell, his cheerleading is just getting old now. How do you spin that BLS crap?

10 years ago a number like that would've pushed bond yields down all day long and stocks would've been pounded. Now, due to the Fed's distortions and our Government's willingness to participate in this fraud we get a "Now that ain't so bad" attitude.

Come on. Isn't this getting old, now?

Here's a fantastic perspective on the BLS and their Black Magic Box.

Global Unrest will be the Theme for 2011

Tunisia, Egypt, Yeman, Jordan, Syria... oh yeah, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan. I wouldn't leave out Afghanistan, either. Bernanke's speech yesterday was full of distortions and platitudes to his own policies. We are exporting inflation, and it will not go lost on the Middle East. We turned on the printing press to cover the fraud which was our banking system. We are marching down a road often travelled, by failing governments. NO... I'm not predicting our government will fail... this year or next. However... get ready for the pain.

Democracy is a great idea. Greed is a bigger temptation. In the end... greed gets it all.

That's the way it's been... forever. That's the way it will be... forever.