OF THE
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Germany's top financial regulator said possible manipulation of currency rates and prices for precious metals is worse than the Libor-rigging scandal, which has already led to fines of about $6 billion.While this is the first time a regulator has said this, several financial writers - including Thomas Pascoe - have previously said the same thing.
The White House claims that it's a mere coincidence that President Obama has chosen the anniversary of that speech to give his speech, outlining what are expected to be merely cosmetic reforms to the NSA's surveillance efforts, still convinced that even if the programs are incredibly broad and powerful, that it's okay since he won't abuse them.In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
Comment: While we wait for the release of the rest of the Snowden files, read the following related articles:
Snowden's leaks become company assets?
Wolf in sheep's clothing? Billionaire neoliberal Pierre Omidyar
Extraordinary promise of the new Greenwald-Omidyar venture?