Welcome to Sott.net
Mon, 08 Nov 2021
The World for People who Think

Puppet Masters
Map

Bad Guys

Challenge: What US federal legislator will dare to get arrested over the Trans Pacific Partnership?

Jon Rappoport
Activist Post
Sat, 27 Jun 2015 19:33 UTC
Image
© Anthony Freda Art
When puppets dance on the end of a string, they need to exhibit a pretense of freedom once in a while, to keep the customers interested. It's part of the show. It's part of the con.

The Congress has now granted Obama "fast-track authority." What does this actually mean?

It means that, when the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) Treaty comes up for consideration soon, this gargantuan Globalist takeover of 12 national governments cannot be amended. It cannot be filibustered. From the time the TPP is introduced, no more than 90 days can elapse before the House and Senate cast their yes or no votes.

Most people concede that the passage of fast-track ensures the passage of the TPP, but of course this isn't so.

Comment: Under Cover of Darkness, an International Corporate Coup Is Underway
With the direct participation of 600 corporations and shocking levels of secrecy, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is rushing to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Branded as a trade agreement (yawn) by its corporate proponents, TPP largely has evaded public and congressional scrutiny since negotiations were launched in 2008 by the George W. Bush administration.

But trade is the least of it. Only two of TPP's 26 chapters actually have to do with trade. The rest is about new enforceable corporate rights and privileges and constraints on government regulation. This includes new extensions of price-raising drug patent monopolies, corporate rights to attack government drug formulary pricing plans, safeguards to facilitate job offshoring and new corporate controls over natural resources.

Also included are severe limits on government regulation of financial services, zoning and land use, product and food safety, energy and other essential services, tobacco, and more. The copyright chapter poses many of the threats to Internet freedom of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which was stalled in Congress under intense public pressure.

The proposed pact is so invasive of domestic policy space that it would even limit how governments can spend tax dollars. Buy America and other Buy Local procurement preferences used to reinvest our tax dollars in the American economy would be banned and sweat-free, human rights or environmental conditions on government contracts would be subject to challenge in closed-door foreign tribunals.


      Read More...
Arrow Down

The U.S. and EU will collapse regardless of economic 'contagion'

Brandon Smith
Alt-Market.com
Wed, 24 Jun 2015 18:18 UTC
Image
In order to understand what is really going on around the globe in terms of the collapsing economy, we must set aside false mainstream versions of reality. When it comes to the EU and its current fiscal turmoil, it is very important to, in some respects, ignore Greece entirely. That's right; forget about all the supposed drama surrounding Greek debt obligations. Will they find a way to pay creditors? Will they default? Will they make a deal with Russia and the BRICS? Will there be last-minute concessions to save the system? It doesn't matter. It's all a soap opera, an elaborate Kabuki theater run by international financiers and globalists.

It is most important to remember the fundamentals. Greece will default on its debts. Period. There is no way around it. Maybe Greece makes a deal today, maybe it makes a deal tomorrow; but eventually, the country's ability to stretch out its resources in order to meet its exponential liabilities will end. It is inevitable, and no last-minute "deal" is going to change the math at the core of it all.
      Read More...
SOTT Logo Radio

The Truth Perspective: Powers, principalities and UFOs


Sott.net
Sat, 27 Jun 2015 18:00 UTC
Sott Talk Radio logo
Broadcasting from deep in the heart of the American Empire, join your hosts Harrison Koehli and Elan Martin, and fellow Sott.net editors, as they discuss everything from current events and the latest machinations and manipulations of the global elite to history, science, and religion, and how it all fits together.This week, we concluded our discussion of UFOs and aliens with the 'big picture', and the huge implications ufology has for every facet of human life.

The Truth Perspective is brought to you by the SOTT Radio Network and SOTT.net, your one-stop source for independent, unbiased, alternative news and commentary on world events.

Live every Saturday from 2-4pm EST / 11am-1pm PST / 8-10pm CET.

Running Time: 01:58:00

Download: MP3

      Read More...
Stock Down

German economic committee says consequences of anti-Russian sanctions surpass even the worst fears


Sputnik
Sat, 27 Jun 2015 16:22 UTC

The German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations called for an immediate end to the sanctions against Russia, as the latter cause serious damage to the German economy, DWN reported.

The consequences of anti-Russian sanctions for Germany surpass "even the worst fears,"DWN wrote, citing the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations.

According to the newspaper, the sanctions may lead to collapse of German exports and put 150,000 jobs in Germany at risk. Exports are expected to shrink again in the current year by more than 25 percent and halve compared with the year 2012, the Committee warned.

"The latest figures exceed even our worst fears," said Committee Chairman Eckhard Cordes on Friday in Berlin, calling on the German government to ease the sanctions' policy.

Comment: As EU leaders seem intent on destroying their economies in order to placate Washington, one has to wonder just what kind of pressure the empire of chaos has brought to bear. Might it be linked to the NSA spying on the leaders of Germany and France?

'F**k the U.S.!' EU economy facing major blowback from anti-Russia sanctions

      Read More...
Display

FCC member: 'Internet access is not a necessity or human right'

Jon Brodkin
arstechnica
Fri, 26 Jun 2015 19:54 UTC
Michael O'Rielly.
© Internet Innovation Alliance
FCC Commissioner Michael O'Rielly.
Federal Communications Commission member Michael O'Rielly yesterday argued that "Internet access is not a necessity or human right" and called this one of the most important "principles for regulators to consider as it relates to the Internet and our broadband economy."

O'Rielly, one of two Republicans on the Democratic-majority commission, outlined his views in a speech before the Internet Innovation Alliance, a coalition of businesses and nonprofits (see transcript).

O'Rielly described five "governing principles" that regulators should rely on, including his argument that Internet access should not be considered a necessity. Here's what he said:

Comment: Let's see Mr. O'Reilly try to conduct all of his affairs without internet access. Yes, the internet can be used as a tool for good or evil but for many people, at this period in history, the internet is a necessity.

Vast Majority of People Feel Internet Access is a Right

      Read More...
Arrow Up

Guatemalans initiate unprecedented wave of protests over government corruption

Lindsay Bigda
Truthout
Fri, 26 Jun 2015 13:20 UTC
guatemala anti-corruption protest

Guatemala's President Says He Won't Resign After Massive Anti-Corruption Demonstration
A massive tax fraud scheme exposed in Guatemala this April might once have been viewed as business as usual in a country that has struggled with corruption at the highest levels for decades.

Instead, Guatemalans got angry.

A protest organized via social media quickly erupted, sparking an ongoing wave of demonstrations that's drawn the participation of tens of thousands. For the first time in Guatemala's recent history, a broad cross section of society - including politicians, students from both private and public universities, the country's powerful business lobby, indigenous peoples, and members of a historically passive middle class - joined together in a unified call for the removal of corrupt officials.

Vice President Roxana Baldetti was the first to step down, handing in her resignation on May 8. Although she wasn't implicated in the initial corruption investigation, she was plunged into controversy when her private secretary, Juan Carlos Monzón Rojas, was identified as the leader of the fraud ring. Shortly after her resignation, Baldetti was also placed under investigation.

Comment: Given the history of U.S. support for corrupt regimes in Latin America, it is wishful thinking that there will be any change in policy. It's more likely that the U.S. would simply facilitate an exchange of puppets to quell the rising dissent, so as to continue conducting business as usual.

U.S. led 'regime change' in action: 35 countries where the U.S. has supported fascists, drug lords and terrorists

      Read More...
Clock

What a concept: Greece to hold national referendum on debt deal


RT
Fri, 26 Jun 2015 03:46 UTC
Alexis Tsipras
© Reuters / Yves Herman
The Greek PM has announced a national referendum on July 5 on the conditions of the debt deal with international creditors. It's up to the Greek people, Tsipras said, to make a fateful decision on the country's sovereignty, independence and future.

"These proposals, which clearly violate the European rules and the basic rights to work, equality and dignity show that the purpose of some of the partners and institutions was not a viable agreement for all parties, but possibly the humiliation of an entire people," Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in a televised address to the nation, as cited by Reuters.

The referendum will be held on July 5, a few days past the June 30 deadline, Tsipras announced.

Comment: This will prove to be interesting.

      Read More...
Snakes in Suits

Wall Street and corporations get fast track

Dave Johnson
Campaign for America's Future
Wed, 24 Jun 2015 00:00 UTC
put people first
© Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty images
People rose up in protest against the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but the corporate interests still got their way
Fast track passes. Our Congress - the supposed representatives of We the People - voted to cut themselves and us out of the process of deciding what "the rules" for doing business "in the 21st Century" will be.

How do the plutocrats and oligarchs and their giant multinational corporations get what they want when a pesky democracy is in their way? They push that pesky democracy out of their way.

Because of fast track, when the secret Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and any other secretly negotiated "trade" agreements are completed Congress must vote in a hurry with only limited debate, cannot make any amendments no matter what is in the agreement, and they can't be filibustered. Nothing else coming before our Congress gets that kind of skid-greasing, only corporate-written "trade" agreements - and it doesn't matter how far the contents go beyond actual "trade."

Comment: Maybe it was nostalgia giving hope that Congress still had some threshold of integrity. What's next? Pick your favorite economic collapse, false flag, natural disaster, etc.

Just the same, there are three things that come to mind:
  1. Congress isn't concerned about the 2016 elections.
  2. Some have been promised high positions in the corporations that will be running the country.
  3. See number 1.
See also: TTP and TTIP trade agreements

      Read More...
Eye 2

Has Washington gone berserk?

F. William Engdahl
New Eastern Outlook
Fri, 26 Jun 2015 14:47 UTC
Image

Washington D.C.: A modern day Mordor

Given a series of recent speeches by leading US officials and actions, the question must be frankly posed: Has Washington gone collectively looney tunes? Even as the governments of the EU are moving to buck US pressures and ease the sanctions, the Obama Administration seems intent on marching in the direction of a nuclear confrontation with Russia. As the ancient Greek expression puts it, "Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad..." The following recent developments fit that pattern quite nicely, thank you.

On June 5, Ashton Carter, the neo-conservative Obama Defense Secretary gave clear indications he is prepared to be far more provocative against Russia than his fired predecessor, Chuck Hagel. Carter convened a special meeting in Stuttgart, Germany of two dozen US military leaders and US Ambassadors in Europe at the headquarters of US European Command. He told them, "We have something that has taken a sad turn recently, which is Russia."

That in itself was not so notable as were the reports that the neo-con US Defense Secretary, "Ash"—that is his nickname, appropriately enough—Carter discussed at the Stuttgart meeting returning US short-range nuclear missiles to European NATO countries to target Russia.

On June 7, just two days after Carter's Stuttgart remarks, UK Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, told the press that the UK might again place American nuclear missiles on British soil because of what he termed "heightened tensions" with Russia. The Foreign Secretary said there were "worrying signs" about the increased activity of Russian forces and that the UK would "consider the pros and cons of taking US intermediate-range weapons."

Comment: Are there any voices of clear-headed reason in Washington D.C or, for that matter, in Europe to be found? If you're out there - and you have any clout whatsoever - best to speak up now!

      Read More...
Megaphone

Varoufakis criticizes Switzerland for providing safe haven for tax evaders


RT
Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:39 UTC
Image
© Reuters / Francois Lenoir
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis
Switzerland is providing only limited information about rich tax evaders who have stashed about €80 billion from cash-strapped Greece, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said in an interview with Swiss state broadcaster SRF.

"Sometimes we know that someone has taken money away from Greece. But we do not know in what city or which bank it is located in Switzerland. We know too little to be able to locate the black money,"Varoufakis told the Rundschau program on SRF on Wednesday.

It is impossible to obtain the information from Swiss authorities, he added.

Athens is working on a plan to give tax evaders the opportunity to voluntarily disclose themselves, and make them invest in Greek economy. The evaders would pay a 22 percent penalty in such a case.
      Read More...
Amazon Smile
Revolt! T-shirts