From AP, Americans signal they´ve had enough of the imperial state:
“WASHINGTON – Americans are turning away from the world, showing a tendency toward isolationism in foreign affairs that has risen to the highest level in four decades, a poll out Thursday found.
Almost half, 49 percent, told the polling organization that the United States should “mind its own business” internationally and let other countries get along the best they can on their own, the Pew Research Center survey found. That’s up from 30 percent who said that in December 2002.
Results of the survey appear to conflict with President Barack Obama‘s activist foreign policy, including a newly announced buildup of 30,000 U.S. troops in Afghanistan to fight Taliban and al-Qaida extremists.
“Isolationist Sentiment Surges to Four-Decade High,” the nonpartisan research center headlined its report on the poll about America’s role in the world.”
Ah you took down that warning post to your hacker attacker… probably a good thing, but it makes me wonder what other interesting things I’ve missed. It was the electronic sound of a coiled rattle snake poised to strike.
Also makes me wonder if you can still “pack heat” where you’re at… I’ve finished reading Ferfal’s book and much of his blog and I get the importance he stresses for “packing” although, I haven’t been packing myself, yet. Something about going to courthouses, through metal detectors, being asked to empty my pockets and begging for permission and paying for the “privilege” has caused me to delay getting a CCW. How much more un-American and so like Russia or some other Communist country can you get? (I will probably find out huh) I should just “do it” but that’s risky too.
BTW did you read this entry about life in a country near AfPak? Wow. http://ferfal.blogspot.com/2009/12/message-from-russia-survival-during.html
I’ve talked to a couple of people that favor the “Fortress America” approach, just lock down the borders. They don’t get how that is similar to The Wall in the Iron Curtain of old East Germany, nor do they get the importance of trade, nor how we rely on imports for many jobs, and they especially agree with the idea of huge punitive tariffs to support the empire and it’s need to keep spending and maintaining the current lifestyle. Forget trying to tell them about creating Dollars out of thin air, you just get a shrug, a funny look, and “I don’t get that” response. They’ve latched onto Gerald Celente’s idea pawned as someone else’s that if some big technological breakthrough comes around, that will pull the economy out of the recession. They don’t know what that next big thing is, but they’re positive it will happen and the government can tax all the money the companies “make” to pay for the empire. Never mind all the other jobs that are disappearing, everyone can work for selling/building this new technology thing, and no thought is given how anyone will pay for such.
If all that fails, we’ll just go to war and make the rest of the world pay us to maintain our lifestyle. They point out how no one is paying for us to be over in the Mideast, and “they” should be. I gave up after that, what else could one say to that?
Hi Clark..
1. Yes, took down the post because I originally wrote it to tell readers that the reason the blog went to private was because I have been thinking that public writing and speaking is perhaps not the most effective thing for someone like me..and not without its costs..
Better leave that to the celentes, brynes, rogers..who have the money and the clout to protect them from attacks
Re. the hacker..that was a reference to the 2008 hacker..
2. I must go and read all of Ferfal
3. Are you talking about Mauldin´s piece on technological change?
A lot of people have said that and hope for it to be true..
It might work..
Also, I think the internet is truly having its impact only now…the 1990s was too early..
so that might help spawn a burst of creativity
5. If you can go, you should go. It´s not that hard. The mental part is the hardest.
I was hip to gold and currencies and going off shore but then got talked out of it by well meaning family and friends. Bad idea. I´d have been rich and safe had I stood up for my own convictions..but they got me to thinking I was the one who was crazy. Well, guess what…they were wrong and I was right
6. Gold worried me..because I read back in 2004 that the prospectus of GLD was filled with loopholes and I was sure that the banks had set the whole thing up to get hold of the gold out in the market..
7. Buying physical..not sure how to do it, where to hold, whom to trust..I guess Turk, perth mint, Ash..
but then where to hold..
I admit I thought we´d see the decline in gold price this fall and that the run to 1200 when ti came would be much weaker than it was..
8. I admit I didnt see the IMF sales being a plus with the CBs stepping in but I still think that is a funny story and some kind of propaganda..not sure by who and for what end
9- Dont want to put my research on the net because it gets taken …by the wrong people
10. Did you read the horrid McLean white wash job for G Sachs? Thats how things get spun.
10. If you can, leave, it´s not that hard to do