Charlie Echo

http://www.snopes.com/politics/medical/exemptions.asp confirmed in snopes..

Iraqiya is led by Ayad Allawi, a Sunni-backed Shiite. He has been locked in a power struggle with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki since an inconclusive election in March.[/b] Imagine someone in a struggle with Maliki being taken out of the struggle.... foreign politics at there best. How many under the Clinton Administration had accidents or committed sucide... 46 was it...?

I have to tell you I am NOT a currency expert. I do, however, know a trend when I see one — and right now the trend in the U.S. dollar is down against every major currency. The U.S. Dollar Index measures the greenback's change against a basket of other currencies. From its most recent peak on June 7, 2010 through October 12, the index fell 12.8 percent. Investors have many ways to play the foreign exchange markets, including futures contracts. If you're a logical thinker, you might wonder what possible advantage could there be in wanting your own currency to lose value. Financial markets aren't always logical. The key is trade. All international transactions have to be settled somehow. For instance, when you buy a Japanese car your dollars somehow must find their way back to Japan and converted into yen.This wouldn't be a problem if nations always imported and exported the same amounts. They don't. We here in the United States buy more stuff from overseas than they buy from us. This is good in some ways, but it's also a political problem. Why? The resulting domestic unemployment makes people want to vote against whoever is in power at the time. Consequently, presidents from both parties have long wanted to cheapen the dollar. Ditto for the economists those same presidents appoint to the Federal Reserve Board. The reason for this is because a cheaper dollar makes U.S. goods more affordable to foreign buyers and increases our exports, thereby creating jobs and keeping voters happy. Neither the president nor the Fed determines how much a dollar is worth. They can, however, do things that make a short-term difference. That's what is happening right now: Congress and the Obama Administration are racking up huge deficit spending, while ...Ben Bernanke's Federal Reserve is planning a second round of "quantitative easing" to create more dollars out of thin air. Both of these policies are negative for the greenback — and my guess is they aren't going to change any time soon. Meanwhile, other governments and central banks — in China, Japan, Europe and elsewhere — are doing the same things! To protect their home economies, they're trying to devalue their own currencies against the dollar. Who is most likely to get their way? For now, the U.S. is in the driver's seat. Bottom line: The greenback could have a lot farther to go on the downside. This seems to be a trend during every recessionary event that has taken place in the last 100 years, especially after a "conflict" overseas... Coincidence... I don't think so.... The dollar will need to devalue some more before the IQD can RV. This is to lessen the gap between the two monies. Why isn't the IQD decreasing in value... it's all part of the plan..... just my opinion, hope it's the right one....

Dollar plunging - Again! Anyone who hoped that the world's 187 governments attending the IMF meeting in Washington would actually DO something to support the dollar is now sorely disappointed. All the governments have accomplished was to demonstrate their impotence — their total inability to stop the massive forces now sweeping the globe. Meanwhile, even as I write these words ... Overseas investors continue to dump the U.S. dollar and scoop up gold! That's why, just this morning, the U.S. dollar plunged to ... The lowest level against the Japanese yen in 15 years ... The lowest level against the Swiss Franc in 27 years, and ... The lowest level against the Australian dollar in all history! That's also why gold soared again this morning — coming within fractions of yet ANOTHER all-time record high at nearly $1,360 an ounce. In fact, there's now so much fear of a dollar collapse, that London gold dealers report some well-healed INVESTORS ARE BUYING GOLD BY THE TON — more than $43 million — and even take physical delivery of the metal. Meanwhile, the dollar's plunge has put massive upward pressure on the price of food. Fearing inflation down the pike, investors have rushed to gobble up supplies of corn, wheat and soybeans, leading to ENORMOUS price gains — as much as 26.2 percent just in the last five trading days. Thus, THREE of the world's major asset classes — gold, commodities and currencies — are now in massive bull markets thanks to the dollar's plunge. Make no mistake about it: The U.S. dollar is now facing a full-scale forced devaluation Last Friday's horrendous U.S. employment report — showing more than 95,000 jobs lost in September — is proof positive the U.S. economy is sinking. And already, just three days later, the Federal Reserve is reported to be priming the printing press, expected to print as much as $65 billion a month in new fiat dollars, starting almost immediately — a key driver behind the dollar's plunge. The crux of the crisis: The U.S. dollar is the world's reserve currency. So Federal Reserve officials seem to think they have the privilege and power to devalue the dollar without any consequences — all in a desperate attempt to inflate the U.S. economy and engineer a de-facto default on America's massive debts to foreigners. But now the Federal Reserve is facing a new, unexpected problem: Stiff COMPETITION from other central banks who ALSO want to devalue THEIR currencies. We used to be one of the only ones saying this would happen. We warned readers of currency WARS many moons ago. But now, in separate meetings over the weekend, G-20 nations and the IMF both acknowledged that the world sits on the precipice of major currency wars. This means that, to goose up the U.S. economy and inflate away the U.S. debt, the Fed is being driven to do a lot MORE than just run its money printing presses. It's going to run the printing presses FASTER than other central banks are running theirs! For many investors, this spells fear but it also spells great opportunities in THREE asset classes that can enjoy massive, explosive bull markets when the dollar goes down — gold, currencies and commodities. When the timing is right, hedge fund veterans will be buying commodities, gold and CURRENCIES and realigning their portfolios. .

A.M. Kitco Metals Roundup: Comex Gold Rebounds Following Weak U.S. Jobs Report http://www.kitco.com/reports/KitcoNews20101008JW_am.html Comex gold prices are trading moderately higher Friday morning, rebounding from weaker price levels earlier in the day, as a weaker-than-expected U.S. employment report has pushed the yellow metal higher. December Comex gold last traded up $8.60 an ounce at $1,343.60. Spot gold was last quoted up $8.50 at $1,342.50

http://www.blanchardonline.com/blanchard_products/bullion_gold_bars.php?content=18668274312&gclid=CNaU9vyaraQCFUfX5wodSSDHag Call these people when you have the $1mil and they will be glad to help you... Gold value is usually within 20% of the 200 day moving average. It is within 7-8% today. It tracks the S&P500 200 day moving average in the same way.. Gold should be ~$2046 oz based on the current value of the dollar. Gold luck to us all... I googled both these sites and here is another site giving dimensions. http://www.taxfreegold.co.uk/goldbardimensions.html Typical Gold Bar Dimensions All dimensions are in millimetres. To convert to inches, divide by 24. Weight Length Width Depth 400 Ounce 200 80 45 1 Kilo 80 40 18 500 Grams 65 32 14 250 Grams 55 25 10 100 Grams 55 1 3 50 Grams 45 25 2.3 1 Ounce 42 24 2 20 Grams 39 22 1.3 10 Grams 31 18 1 5 Grams 23 14 0.7 1 Gram 15 8 0.4

Fox News Video on "Iraq Government Still At Stalemate"... http://video.foxnews.com/#/v/4351168/iraqi-government-still-at-stalemate/?playlist_id=87937

A potential fresh round Bank of Japan-originated yen intervention rattled overnight markets and while the US dollar initially gained on the rumor (rising to above 85 against the yen), it later sank on the index and was last seen off by 0.68% (at 79.71) near the seven o’clock hour this morning. No comments were made by officials, unlike last week, but large dollar-buying (presumably in exchange for yen) orders were noted in the markets around 1PM Tokyo time. In all, a good enough drop to spur the overnight gold trade to finally reach the much-hyped $1,300.00 mark........ http://www.kitco.com/ind/nadler/sep242010.html

by Claus Vogt When the dot com bubble burst and stocks entered a secular bear market, gold did just the opposite and began a secular bull. This bull market is doing quite well. In fact, on Monday gold broke out to a new all–time closing high of $1,278.35, thus once more confirming its uptrend. And it's no wonder! The fundamental background for a rising gold price is extremely supportive ... Ever-higher government debts in most parts of the world are accompanied by reckless bailout and stimulus policies. And equally reckless monetary policies are prevalent in Europe, Japan, and the U.S. What's more, there are absolutely no signs of rethinking these catastrophic policies. Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has again made it clear in his speech in Jackson Hole that he is willing to continue his massive money printing. He was reiterating his willingness to use "unconventional monetary measures" to fight whatever the current financial and economic crisis might bring. And I fully trust Mr. Bernanke will hold to this promise. Gold's Flashing a Technical Buy Signal Generally speaking, new all-time highs are plainly bullish. Yet reluctance to get onboard gold is the widely held attitude ... "It has risen too much already," is a common objection. "The price is too high," is another. Well, both sound like typical excuses for investors who think they've missed the train and are now afraid to jump on a bull market in a still unpopular asset class. It was the same with stocks back in the early 1980s when a secular stock bull market got going ... It took the masses more than 15 years to realize that a big bull market was starring right at them. Unfortunately, many overstayed the party and bought heavily during the beginning of the secular bear in 2000 and the years thereafter. I see the same thing happening with gold. Here we are in a 10-year old gold bull market, but only a very small minority of investors are participating! Just ask your friends and neighbors to find out how unpopular this bull market still is. I'm absolutely sure that will change during the coming years. There will be a day of recognition when the masses discover how important gold is as an asset class. Of course, prices will be much higher by then. But that's the way it is with secular bull markets and investors. GLD

HR-4646 introduced by US Rep Peter deFazio D-Oregon and US Senator Tom Harkin D-Iowa, now in committee and will probably not be brought out until after the Nov. elections. I suggest that you pass this along and also to your state senator and representative and US Congressman and Senators. One percent transaction tax is proposed President Obama's finance team is recommending a transaction tax. His plan is to sneak it in after the November election to keep it under the radar. This is a 1% tax on all transactions at any financial institution i. e. Banks, Credit Unions , etc.. Any deposit you make, or move around within your account, i. e. transfer to, will have a 1% tax charged. If your pay check or your social Security or whatever is direct deposit , 1% tax charged. If you hand carry a check in to deposit, 1% tax charged, If you take cash in to deposit, 1% tax charged. This is from the man who promised that if you make under $250,000 per year, you will not see one penny of new tax. Keep your eyes and ears open, you will be amazed at what you learn. Some will say aw it's just 1%... remember once the tax is there they can raise it at will. http://www.standard.net/node/44797

Currencies play an important role in the economic health of a country — impacting the flow of trade and capital. For instance, a weak currency can be quite good for an economy in times of recession. It stimulates demand for a country's exports, which can drive growth in manufacturing, boost employment and give overall economic performance a nice jolt. And for foreign investors, a cheap currency makes a country's investments more attractive. On the other hand, a strong currency can be a benefit too. It can give consumers access to cheaper production and higher growth assets in foreign markets, which can improve their standard of living. Moreover, a country's currency plays a huge role in the perception of its global economic stability and safety. Indeed important. But there becomes a problem when a currency is too weak or too strong ... A currency that's too weak, or one that could weaken materially in the future, can drag down an economy. It can scare foreign investors away and can cause existing foreign investments to flee. Conversely, a currency that's too strong can depress a country's exports and ultimately cause deflation. Because Switzerland and Japan maintained relatively low interest rates when the global economy was booming — before the financial crisis started — the Swiss franc and the yen were popular funding currencies for the massive carry trade. The Swiss franc has surged against the euro and pound. The unwinding of this trade, along with the fall in competitive global interest rates over recent years, has kept these currencies persistently strong, even in the face of deep recessions. Historically, countries dealing with recession tend to rely heavily on exports as a tool to return to sustainable growth — a needed bridge in order to rebuild domestic demand. But with currencies that have strengthened more than 30 percent relative to their major trading competitors, Switzerland and Japan have been at a distinct disadvantage. Consider this ... Since the middle of 2007, when the subprime problem began to rear its head, the Swiss franc has appreciated 23 percent against the euro and nearly 40 percent against the British pound. That's made exporting to these two important markets considerably less competitive. This is why Switzerland has intervened numerous times in an attempt to stem the tide of currency appreciation against the falling euro and pound. But it hasn't worked. The sovereign debt risk in the euro zone and UK has been too overwhelmingly negative on their currencies. As for Japan: Japan is a heavily export-dependent economy. And its main trade competitor in Asia is China. Given that China has kept its currency very closely aligned with the value of the U.S. dollar through the economic crisis, the yen has soared in value relative to the yuan — to the tune of 24 percent. This exchange rate disadvantage is a key reason why Japanese officials have been "on watch" for intervention to weaken the yen. But What Is a Fair Value for the Franc and the Yen? For our guide, let's take a look at the market's estimate of the current "fair value" of currencies. We'll use an economic theory known as purchasing price parity (PPP), which adjusts the exchange rate so that an identical product in two different countries has the same price when expressed in the same currency. Some of the most overvalued currencies according to the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development's (OECD) are the Swiss Franc Norwegian Krone, Danish Krone, Japanese Yen, Australlian Dollar, Swedish Krona, Canadian Dollar & New Zealand Dollar based on the PPP (purchasing price parity). According to this measure, the Swiss franc is the most overvalued currency in the world, relative to the U.S. dollar. Also sitting well in overvalued territory is the Japanese yen. Given the likelihood of another round of crisis in the euro zone, the Swiss aren't likely to see the tide of the Swiss franc change against the euro. But, if risks continue to elevate, the Swiss franc should weaken against the dollar, as it did during the first half of 2010 — giving the Swiss some relief. As for the yen, it appears that nothing short of actual intervention will change the tide of the yen, to release the pressure valve on its exporters. And this will happen, which represents an opportunity for currency investors.

Here are the officials getting away from answering any questions about what is going on over there.... Watch closely as they jump to safety, just before they get ask a question.... http://biertijd.com/mediaplayer/?itemid=22029

Great if it will continue towards completion, but the latest news from the area could be the fly in the ointment ... Did you hear the breaking news? The Iranians just announced their first unmanned attack drone — nicknamed “The Ambassador of Death.” It’s capable of delivering a crushing 450-pound laser guided bomb. Not only does that mean more trouble brewing in the Middle East... it also means this shocking prediction is that much closer to right-on-target... This could get even bigger than any Iran-inspired blowout we’ve seen before...And the surprising connection to the safety of world oil supplies could soon have you shelling out as much as $8 at the pump for a gallon of gas.

The thing we need to remember also is we won't be the first people to make a lot of money on currency trading. It has happened and hapened alot over the past 60 years. The only difference now vs then is we now have access to more information on the internet and the ability to research this information to make a decision. Once you understand that you can see where this isn't that out of reason in thinking. It is just a matter of waiting for a country that has never had to think for themself in this regard. They are use to others making decisions for them and they just follow and do what they are told. We are a country of free thinkers and doers... we have freedoms and an our country is made up of many ideas and ways of thinking. We just have to monitor our thinking process and make sure we set reasonable boundries that have been set up by a higher power that are considered middle of the thinking process and not so radical that will be intrusive or damaging to others. Life is a set of decisions and once you take that path, you have to complete your journey. Sometimes, if you look closely at what happens in your life, you created the situation yourself by the decision you made. I decided that I should take a risk on this and believe the end result will be at least beneficial to my family. I don't care about being rich, I'm rich already with my spirtual life and need no more. Life is short, eternity is ....... f o r e v e r ..... your choice.

"All in all, there are many things that have happened beneficially in Iraq, regardless of Maliki being the PM. " "They are a stubborn group of people and must be rule with an iron hand....." If we had just kept Saddam a little longer.... lol !!!

"Elections are when people find out what politicians stand for and politicians find out what people will fall for." Alfred E. Neuman, MAD Magazine

This is probably just what we need in the US to show that we have become a less effective power than France??!! Not good for our world power status when France goes out and does anything that is seen as aggressive. While Mr. O is being interviewed on "The View" to increase his "Star Power".... This is really getting to be a joke.... Don't forget to vote in Nov.

I "liked" the Bush's, but that doesn't excuse the previous administrations, congress and Senate (since the 50's) from their greedy self appointed, egotistical, self serving, unbiased, ideas (not all, but a majority) from reading the US Constitution and making sure that the limits of power be observed, obeyed and monitored for the people and by the people. Let's face it WE the people have gone through a period of servitude with the idea that all would be taken care of without watching the candy store. Just because you like someone doesn't mean you vote for that person. Vote for the individual that has the sense to take care of our coutry by the laws set forth by the US Constitution. It is not a guide line, it is a set of rules to monitor the power hungry individuals in this country who have determined that they know what is best for us instead of listening to what "The People" have to say. If we have $1 to spend, we darn well better know how it will be repaid without an increase in our tax rate. We left terany and taxation in GB 200 years ago because of over taxation. "The budget should be balanced, the Treasury Should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assiistance to the foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance." Cicero- 55 BC

Dave Ramsey is a guy who repeats himself thousands of times because he is paid $500,000 a year to say what he says. He went bankrupt 2 times that I know of and now he is a financial guru. I guess you learn from your mistakes and just happen to be in the right place at the right time...

The U.S. economy is even now falling into a rare double-dip recession ... Why this ferocious new downturn will send unemployment soaring ... crush home values again ... light the fuse on a new banking and credit crisis ... Plus, why it will pull the rug out from under Wall Street, pushing the S&P down to its March 2009 lows. The economy is quickly running out of gas: The recovery that followed the bear market was bought and paid for with $2 trillion in government stimulus and bailout money. Now, that money is running out. The economy and stock market are running on fumes. And with no new stimulus on the horizon, there’s nothing left to keep stocks from plunging. Jobs, jobs, JOBS: Despite everything Washington has tried to do, nearly one in four American workers is still struggling to get by with a reduced paycheck — or without any income at all! The inescapable conclusion? The great American job engine has broken down! 70% of the economy is shutting down: Consumers are responsible for 70% of all economic activity — and consumer confidence is cratering. Worse: Retail sales are already plunging. The housing slump has returned with a vengeance: New home sales just cratered by 33%, the biggest decline on record. Foreclosures are increasing again, creating new nightmares for our largest banks. Most U.S. states are drowning in debt; New York, California and others are going down for the third time: The 50 U.S. states now have a cumulative deficit of $127.5 billion. Plus, states have more than $1 trillion in pension obligations they can’t pay. They have to make massive spending cuts to survive — cuts that are sure to lead to even more job losses, and impact corporate earnings and stock prices from coast to coast. Sovereign debt crisis is leaving investors gun-shy: More and more investors are viewing Europe’s sovereign debt crisis as a sneak preview of our own future here in the United States. After all — our debts are far greater than Portugal’s, Greece’s or any of the other “PIIGS” countries! If they’re right, we could see interest rates soar — pure poison for an economy as strapped as ours is. BOTTOM LINE: The time to brace yourself for a massive stock decline and a double-dip recession is NOW!

His question is really ... why does he have to pay tax on his colored toilet paper? After all, if he'd have bought a TV or another consumer item off of the internet (as he probably did his IQD) there would be no tax consequences ... even if it increased in value. So why does he owe anyone anything? I 100% agree with this thought process. If we buy something that is worthless and it becomes valuable, how does the IRS determine it to be a Capital Gain.... the answer: because they can. I disagree with the way of Government is set up and the way they take all the time. Now, they want to take more on Jan 1st, 2011 and give more of what I make to someone that sits on their big fat rear and holds there hand out. It's a cycle that has to stop. My article on Charity breds poverty makes several good points concerning this. Listed under the Tax section. We are a country that will have to fight our way back to our basic founding fathers way of thinking... We need to follow the constitution, not uses it as a guideline. The Supreme courts make decisions on our welfare and in our best interest (that's their way of putting it anyway)... by making decisions for us based on their way of thinking which is not always by the letter of the law of the land or the Constitutional definition. We all need to start paying attention to what is going on. 142+ new Federal Bureacratic positions have been created by the Health Care Law and guess who gets to pay for them all.... you and me. What a way to kill the Constitution... just like in past history, all great empires lasted for approximately 200 years.... is this the end for us? It will be up to all of us to work harder to get the word out about what is going on in our government. California has a 24.6% probability of going under, bankrupt, belly up... so does IL and Ohio, Cleveland is trying to decide weather or not to pay a basketball player $1 BILLION.... what are you thinking out there... our free time, leisure time has to be paid for by someone... the free ride is just about over. Make sure you use your wealth to create not waste. jmo sby

The shoe is on the other foot and the Mexicans from the State of Sonora, Mexico doesn't like it. Can you believe the nerve of these people? It's almost funny. The State of Sonora is angry at the influx of Mexicans into Mexico . Nine state legislators from the Mexican State of Sonora traveled to Tucson to complain about Arizona 's new employer crackdown on illegals from Mexico. It seems that many Mexican illegals are returning to their hometowns and the officials in the Sonora state government are ticked off. A delegation of nine state legislators from Sonora was in Tucson on Tuesday to state that Arizona 's new Employer Sanctions Law will have a devastating effect on the Mexican state. At a news conference, the legislators said that Sonora, - Arizona's southern neighbor, - made up of mostly small towns, - cannot handle the demand for housing, jobs and schools that it will face as Mexican workers return to their hometowns from the USA without jobs or money. The Arizona law, which took effect Jan. 1, punishes Arizona employers who knowingly hire individuals without valid legal documents to work in the United States. Penalties include suspension of, or loss of, their business license. The Mexican legislators are angry because their own citizens are returning to their hometowns, placing a burden on THEIR state government. 'How can Arizona pass a law like this?' asked Mexican Rep Leticia Amparano-Gamez, who represents Nogales. 'There is not one person living in Sonora who does not have a friend or relative working in Arizona ,' she said, speaking in Spanish. 'Mexico is not prepared for this, for the tremendous problems it will face as more and more Mexicans working in Arizona and who were sending money to their families return to their home-towns in Sonora without jobs,' she said. 'We are one family, socially and economically,' she said of the people of Sonora and Arizona. Wrong! The United States is a sovereign nation, not a subsidiary of Mexico, and its taxpayers are not responsible for the welfare of Mexico's citizens. It's time for the Mexican government, and its citizens, to stop feeding parasitically off the United States and to start taking care of its/their own needs. Too bad that other states within the USA don't pass a law just like that passed by Arizona. Maybe that's the answer, since our own Congress will do nothing! New Immigration Laws: Read all the way to the bottom or you will miss the message... 1. There will be no special bilingual programs in the schools. * * * * * * * * 2. All ballots will be in this nation's language.. * * * * * * * * 3.. All government business will be conducted in our language. * * * * * * * * 4. Non-residents will NOT have the right to vote no matter how long they are here. * * * * * * * * 5. Non-citizens will NEVER be able to hold political office * * * * * * * * 6 Foreigners will not be a burden to the taxpayers. No welfare, no food stamps, no health care, or other government assistance programs. Any burden will be deported. * * * * * * * * 7. Foreigners can invest in this country, but it must be an amount at least equal to 40,000 times the daily minimum wage. * * * * * * * * 8. If foreigners come here and buy land... options will be restricted. Certain parcels including waterfront property are reserved for citizens naturally born into this country. * * * * * * * * 9. Foreigners may have no protests; no demonstrations, no waving of a foreign flag, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. These will lead to deportation. * * * * * * * * 10. If you do come to this country illegally, you will be actively hunted and when caught, sent to jail until your deportation can be arranged. All assets will be taken from you. * * * * * * * * * Too strict ? The above laws are CURRENT Immigration laws of MEXICO!

KEEP IN MIND IF SOMEONE BREAKS WIND THE WRONG WAY THERE [terryk] **** HAPPENS DON'T YOU MEAN - IF S*** HAPPENS THERE AND YOUR DOWN WIND YOU'LL KNOW IT.........

DID ANYONE READ THE ARTICLE I POSTED ABOVE?.... Global states with the highest cumulative probability of default (CPD) according to outstanding credit default swaps. IRAQ HAS A 28.72% PROBABILITY OF DEBT DEFAULT... THAT MEANS THEY BETTER GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER...