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Guest Post: Russia Bans Grain Exports as the End Game Trade Begins

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Russia Bans Grain Exports as the End Game Trade Begins

Submitted by Michael Krieger

Come you masters of war
You that build all the guns
You that build the death planes
You that build all the bombs
You that hide behind walls
You that hide behind desks
I just want you to know
I can see through your masks…

You fasten all the triggers
For the others to fire
Then you sit back and watch
When the death count gets higher
You hide in your mansion'
As young people's blood
Flows out of their bodies
And is buried in the mud.

-  Bob Dylan, Masters of War

Think of the press as a great keyboard on which the government can play.
- Joseph Goebbels

 

Has the Decoupling Already Started?

Two weeks back I wrote that we were at some major inflection point with oil being at $80/b and the market having had a significant bounce from the lows.  At the time I pondered whether we might start to see a break down in the “risk on/risk off” mindset that has led to commodities and equities trading almost in perfect conjunction with one another since mid 2008.  I said that I thought no one was positioned for a powerful move higher in commodity prices coupled with a flat to down market and that I saw evidence there was a good chance this was about to happen.  I mentioned that agriculture, oil and precious metals would likely be the leadership to the upside in the commodities space should this occur. 

Looking simply at the S&P500 and the oil price since that day we see that the oil price is up 3.4% and the market is up 3.1% so they have essentially moved together to the upside.  However, the Asia Tapis oil price benchmark has seen a much more parabolic move in that same time frame up 8.8%.  Meanwhile, wheat is up 32% and rice is up 12%.  It’s a very good thing that food and energy are not included in the core CPI because if people around the world actually had to eat and consume energy there might be a problem.

Russia Bans Grain Exports as the End Game Trade Begins

I am now more convinced than I was two weeks ago that we are once again in the “end game trade.”  Just like in the late 2007 to mid 2008 timeframe no one seems to notice or care.  Back then the parabolic rise in commodities was attributed to phenomenal ROW growth that had decoupled from the U.S. and so no one really worried about the moves until it was too late.  This time people don’t even seem to notice!  I don’t even hear a make believe storyline that attempts to explain away what is happening in a bullish context….yet.  The news this morning that Russian Prime Minister Putin has banned the export of grain and related farm products as a result of the drought is extraordinarily important.  While the ideological nitwits at the Federal Reserve who pray to a false economic religion and Obama’s economic dream team of Neo-Keynesian psychopaths will completely fail to grasp what is happening due their never having worked a job in the real world in their lives instead having spent their entire existence being fawned on by their fellow academics and bureaucrats, the Chinese and others know exactly what is happening… 

Before you rush out this morning and sell things across the board take a step back and think about the world from the perspective of government leaders.  At a time like this when every government understands they will collapse overnight if they can’t feed their people don’t you think leaders are going to scramble like mad to get a hold of whatever food they can?  What about oil?  Do you think that countries like China might want to build up stockpiles as much as possible at such a juncture?  Perhaps this is why oil prices in Asia are up so much more than here at home.  Let’s also not forget that oil is rising as the economy has slowed.  It is at $87/b in Asia and this is as China has tightened and cooled things off.  What if they push on the accelerator again?  Then there are precious metals.  Anyone that doesn’t understand the comex is a manipulated illusion isn’t paying attention.  More and more investors around the world are coming to understand this, which is why there is a movement into the physical.  Real gold versus paper gold.  Which do you own?  The article in the FT the other day that seemed to uncover the mystery of the BIS gold swap is required reading (http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3e659ed0-9b39-11df-baaf-00144feab49a.html).  Here is one excerpt:

The gold used in the swaps came mainly from investors’ deposit accounts at the European commercial banks. Some investors prefer to deposit their gold in so-called “allocated accounts”, which restrict the custodian banks’ ability to use the gold in their market operations by assigning them specific bullion bars. But other investors prefer cheaper “unallocated accounts”, which give banks access to their bullion for their day-to-day operations.

The banks identified in the swaps were HSBC, Societe Generale, and BNP Paribas.  First of all I think it’s insane for anyone to have gold within a bank.  The entire purpose of gold is to escape the banking system once it becomes so big, complex and fraudulent that there is no place to go but collapse upon its ponzi scheme structure.  I smell a rat in this BIS deal.  People are not going to be happy when they try to redeem their paper gold.  I can’t tell you how many people I know that are selling GLD (HSBC is the custodian!!) and buying physical.  Of great significance is also the fact that on every orchestrated comex plunge physical buying accelerates.  As an example, the U.S. Mint reported selling only 85,000 coins in the first twenty one days of July but then sold 57,000 in the last seven days of the month.    This sort of behavior is what will limit the downside.  There are enough smart people with lots of money that see the current system for the fraud that it is and are getting out while physical gold is still available.

Massive Social and Geopolitical Change is Coming

What is happening at the moment on the world stage is that essentially the governments of all major countries on planet earth are on the verge of collapse one way or the other.  While there are certainly many differences between the governments of China, Russia and the United States for example, there is one huge similarity.  They are all highly bureaucratic centrally planned economies.  What is so interesting about the present time is that we are witnessing the end of the current monetary and financial system that has dominated the world since 1971.  This will also invariably mean that we are about to witness dramatic political and social change in virtually every country on earth.  The very elite in the United States know this which is why they are using their puppets in D.C. to pass laws that will put the citizens into a neo-feudalistic debt slavery so that they will not revolt once it becomes clear to all that the politicians are a bunch of crooks and scoundrels that have sold them out entirely.  On a positive note, I think a critical mass has already been achieved in the U.S. and I think D.C. will collapse under its own weight.  As I wrote to a small group of friends earlier this week as relates to the fact that a sheriff there stated “Our Own Government Has Become Our Enemy.":

It doesn’t matter what you think about the AZ law.  It is merely a microcosm for a bigger battle being waged between states rights and the gulag federal government.  The second American revolution HAS begun and it started in Arizona (I thought it might be Texas).  Either way, what I expect to happen in the months ahead is more and more people are going to STOP obeying federal laws and ultimately states will also simply not obey.  This is not necessarily what I am endorsing I am just telling you where I think this is headed.  This will put the Federal government into a corner where they will need to respond.  The stock market is being used as a government weapon to make people think things are ok when there is a massive tempest brewing that will wipe away the entire structure.  Either way, the revolution will not be televised.  Commerce will increasingly move to a black market model (l have heard big discounts are being offered in Greece if you pay in cash and that will be here too).

This all fits into the whole “Dangers of a Failed Presidency” concept that I wrote about around a month ago.  Washington D.C. has now officially lost the mandate of the people it governs and this is a very dangerous scenario.  If history repeats itself the government will look for a way to vilify another country or a group of people within the country.  As such, I implore everyone that reads this to be as vigilant as possible in the months and years ahead.  Do not accept war (don’t we have enough wars) and do not allow the government or media to demonize a particular subset of the American people.  This is the oldest trick in the book, it’s the divide and conquer or export chaos strategy.  Right now we need to identify who sold us out and how they did it.  Therefore when things crumble we know who the culprits are and we don’t let them change the story and divert anger and confusion elsewhere.     

My Interview with Max Keiser

Last week I did another interview with Max Keiser and I have attached the link.  I want to address something I said that has gotten many comment and that needs clarification.  When discussing a new political party in the U.S. I said the word Progressive.  This was totally misunderstood by many people and I can see why.  I am not a politician and I don’t want to be one.  The word brings to mind concepts and an ideology to which I do not adhere.  That should be clear from everything I have written for years but to some apparently it wasn’t.  I believe in the U.S. Constitution as the law of the land and I think it has been trampled on by both political parties for far too long.  I believe that financial oligarchs, and the multi-national military/industrial complex have hijacked the U.S. via the Federal government and the Federal Reserve and are implementing immoral and unconstitutional policies extraordinarily detrimental to the American people.  I just wanted to clear all this up and hopefully will never have to address it again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piXQGmJTt_g

A MUST WATCH Video with Yuri Bezmenov

Please take the time to watch this video interview from 1985.  Yuri is an ex-KGB agent and he discusses the process of brainwashing a nation and describes how this is being done in the United States.  It is 25 years later.  Mission accomplished.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeMZGGQ0ERk&feature=related

Mike

 

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Thu, 08/05/2010 - 12:50 | 504799 Cow
Cow's picture

"the ideological nitwits at the Federal Reserve who pray to a false economic religion and Obama’s economic dream team of Neo-Keynesian psychopaths will completely fail to grasp what is happening due their never having worked a job in the real world in their lives instead having spent their entire existence being fawned on by their fellow academics and bureaucrats"

I feel the love.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:09 | 504860 Let them all fail
Let them all fail's picture

Someone might want to explain that you have to repay debt, with interest...imagine what this country could accomplish with a good non-corporate-owned government

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:00 | 504945 IBelieveInMagic
IBelieveInMagic's picture

Until the rest of the world says "Enough" to the USD denominated trading system, I feel that this game can continue. Not quite sure if Russia is dropping out of this game -- they appear to be banning exports because of failed crop -- that has happened in the past too. If their intent was to reset the trading system, wouldn't they ban of oil exports in USD?

Agreed, the oil and commodity market appears to be adjusting upwards for flood of USD that is being created out of thin air.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:09 | 505284 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

they got oil to spare, so why would they. Food is something else.

Lets also not forget that European crops are also down 35 to 45% because of the drought and strangely... nobody talks about that...

 

Like I always say: Eat 1 beefstake a day because you never know what's at bay ;)

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:55 | 505453 MrSteve
MrSteve's picture

This picture from space shows the intensity and length of the drought.

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=44743

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:46 | 505628 Cathartes Aura
Cathartes Aura's picture

Weather Modification Operations, working as intended.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 21:57 | 506274 Bringin It
Bringin It's picture

CA - re. weather modification - Do you know about this?

9-12-09 "Witnesses said the show seemed to be computer-generated, but there was no explanation. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute was flooded with telephone calls after the light storm."

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/dpgo-Norway-Spiral-UFO-Seen-Night-S...

Any MSM on this says 'unofficial Russian sources' say missle gone wild w/o explaning how a missle could generate the observed/recorded effect.  Russian Military says there was no missle.

Do you know about HAARP?   HAARP heats the Ionosphere, exposing the inner atmosphere to the cold void of space.  There is a HAARP array at Ramfjordmoen facility near Tromsø, Norway called EISCAT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ze5hwDGvc0

Images of cloud effects.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1DhXGU08jw&feature=iv&annotation_id=anno...

What does this mean?  It means the inmates are running the assylum and they are armed beyond what could have recently passed for imagination.

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 22:50 | 506373 Cathartes Aura
Cathartes Aura's picture

heyas Bringing It ~

yes, sadly I do know of those links, and of the massive programs of sky-painting, particularly of this past 2 years - I know because I not only see it above me, up to 7 jets in the sky simultaneously, I also hear of people's health affects, locally, as well as my own, despite taking measures to limit exposures. . .

are you familiar with Clifford Carnicom's over ten years of research?  he's put together an good "beginners guide" video, link:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2815320198655156407#

his website is: http://www.carnicom.com/

because he's been at it so long, and draws in many who are doing research, or have been experiencing effects, he's ahead of the curve, and is currently compiling information on morgellons - which is pretty "out there" for most people, but if you're not afraid of the "world gov't agenda" stuffs, you might find it of interest. . .

I know various congress critters & state reps have been trying to get "weather modification" bills passed for years - K.Bailey Hutchison, Olympia Snowe, David Rockefeller, Mark Udall I'm looking at YOU - and I know they've changed the wordage for those who have been trying to track these bills. . .

HAARP and the experiments with ELF, tones, weather effects, etc. - sometimes I just want to back away, enough already, y'know?  but, moth to flame. . . again, when you start to get this far away from the group-agreed-upon-"reality" - well, bring some trusted friends along to preserve your "sanity". . .

thanks for sharing your links, and other posts around here. . . best to you!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:46 | 504976 QQQBall
QQQBall's picture

"Someone might want to explain that you have to repay debt, with interest..."

 

Since when? Signed, Uncle Sam

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:45 | 504978 QQQBall
QQQBall's picture

"Someone might want to explain that you have to repay debt, with interest..."


Since when? Signed, Uncle Sam

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:05 | 506394 maddy10
maddy10's picture

So does that mean I shud max my credit cards and get as much credit as I can from everyone & go on a shopping spree on canned food,water

Yeah , Right!!!!!!!

CNBC can spin it as the revival of retail boom , ha!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 12:55 | 504819 Tarheel
Tarheel's picture

this complies with my theory that wheat corn etc will be the final great investment in the instead of gold since everyone has to eat!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:19 | 504893 Shameful
Shameful's picture

There is a reason that many gold bugs have 1+ year(s) worth of food stocked up.  The only problem with food is the storage issue.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:27 | 504916 Jason T
Jason T's picture

Grew tomatos this year..tomato sauce bitchez.. gearing up to brew home beer.  Next year planning on monster garden and raising chickens.  Easy.

Seriously, it's next to impossible to maintain standard of living without being creative.

 

Get Creative!!!  We're the only species that can create fire ...we have creative capacity and need to use it now.

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:35 | 505139 chistletoe
chistletoe's picture

yesterday morning, I hit a young deer on my way out of town.

 

yesterday evening, my (mexican) neighbor treated me to a taste of venison bologna.

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:44 | 505432 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

what a bunch of Wapiti bologna, you are chistl toes.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:05 | 505267 israhole
israhole's picture

And don't forget the goats and moonshine, bitchez!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:59 | 505046 breezer1
breezer1's picture

lots of survival sites with great ideas. my wife is cheap and german blood. she is a shopping nazi i guess. if its on sale she gets it all. we have about 5 years worth of toilet paper.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:39 | 505162 RaymondKHessel
RaymondKHessel's picture

Please list a few!! Off the grid.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:32 | 505354 Raymond K Hessel
Raymond K Hessel's picture

DUDE!! WTF?!

 

I think Robert Paulsen is still available.

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 08:07 | 506741 Bringin It
Bringin It's picture

Dude - WTF! you and the previous poster have almost the same name!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:45 | 505186 bugfixx
bugfixx's picture

Then you are as ready as you can be for when TSHTF.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 18:15 | 505862 mistah zero
mistah zero's picture

from Swabia?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:26 | 504914 Hansel
Hansel's picture

"Investment"?  Are you going to buy a farm, cultivate the land, plant and grow the crops, then harvest the final physical product?  Or are you just looking to shell out some FRNs now in exchange for a digital certificate of some kind with the expectation of getting more FRNs later?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:34 | 504931 Tarheel
Tarheel's picture

LOL Yes, purchasing seeds, fertilizer, and land if you dont already have it is an investment. not to mention the time it takes to farm it. I will sell all my paper investment products to you long before i sell you my food products :-)

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:41 | 504963 Hansel
Hansel's picture

Hmmm, is your paper 2-ply?  That's the only paper I'm in the market for.  :P

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:57 | 505029 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

I remember back in H.S. my buddy had his own place and when I noticed he was almost out of TP I grabbed some from where I was working.  When I handed it to him, he looked at it and then me and said with his raspy lisp, "I only uthe two ply."  Two days later I noticed it next to the toilet!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:41 | 505170 breezer1
breezer1's picture

some thoughts from demitri on hard times ...

http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 21:49 | 506258 Snidley Whipsnae
Snidley Whipsnae's picture

During the collapse of the Western Roman Empire taxes on farms became so ornerous that the farmers gave away their farms and moved into Rome...where they joined the others enjoying free bread and circus.

Farmers first tried leaving most of their land fallow but the flocking emporers taxed the farmers on what 'they could have grown'... Total bs.

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 08:09 | 506305 Bringin It
Bringin It's picture

.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:56 | 505030 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture

The definition of irony: a group of middle-aged out-of shape guys (in all likelihood) sitting around extolling the virtues of living in a bunker and hoarding gold, guns, and SPAM on a website created by former and current Wall Street traders. And using computers manufactured by the same greedy and evil corporations run by other middle-aged out of shape guys who they profess to hate to do it. 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:11 | 505072 Hansel
Hansel's picture

a group of middle-aged out-of shape guys

You aren't talking about me, then.  Made the rest of your spiel pointless and very un-ironic.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:58 | 505460 TreadwCare
TreadwCare's picture

Rule #1: Cardio.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:03 | 505483 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture

There's six people left in the world and one of them is Bill Murray!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:12 | 505082 Max Hunter
Max Hunter's picture

I'm in great shape!  I have silver, no gold.. LMAO

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:15 | 505093 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture

Haha... There you go Max. I appreciate the levity. Keep that sense of humor. If/ when doomsday does come it will keep you sane while the rest of the world burns and perishes. 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:35 | 505394 robobbob
robobbob's picture

people like you keep forgetting that most those manly Rambo veteran types out there eventually turn into "middle-aged out-of shape guys. And should the unfortunate need arise, be more than willing to dust off old skills. As for the comps and techno gizmos, there is no shame in turning your opponents gear against them.

I am, at a moments notice, ready to pass the APFT, well, for my age group that is.  :) 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:04 | 505455 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture

Bob, my apologies. I didn't mean to come off as an ageist. What I will say however is I am baffled by people who think that they can completely avoid the aftermath and repercussions of the catastrophic events that they're foretelling of. Yes shortages lead to famine. Famine leads to upheaval. Upheaval to war, and war to ultimate destruction. But there are interim steps involved. If you go out and buy farmland hoping to become completely self reliant, in the event of food shortages what's the stop the Federal Government by way of Presidential mandate from requisitioning your land to help counteract it? There is such a thing as eminent domain. Then what? And as for gold? I am a gold bug myself, but within reason. It's not unrealistic to think that if gold does become the standard currency among nations that the US government won't place a ban on private ownership. I am not saying that any of this will happen, but to think that it's not a possibility is complete naivety.   

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:27 | 505569 Iam_Silverman
Iam_Silverman's picture

"but to think that it's not a possibility is complete naivety.   "

I agree with you on this point.  I plan to "Just Say NO!"

I am prepared to die for my land that I have bought and paid for.  And yes, thanks to six years active duty (plus two years reserve), I have the skillset and mindset to back up the bravado.  I may be 48 years old, but since I work in a blue-collar job, I have maintained my ability to walk and work in adverse climes.  I have a family that can all qualify at least as pistol/rifle marksman.  We regularly spend range time, and reloading ammo can be a great family past time. We raise our own beef and have a "Victory Garden" and fruit trees.  I grew up destitute - I can walk the talk.

I don't think that any government would be prepared for the pushback they would see if it came down to them trying to requisition land and homesteads.  As pointed out in the article, I would like to think that is the point where Texas would stop enforcing Federal laws.  We are pretty independent-minded here in rural Central Texas.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:42 | 505614 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture

In times of major crises I wouldn't put anything past the government. I agree with you that there would be a major push back, but remember 99% of the US population is unprepared for what may come. In the end they'll opt for whatever they think "the greatest good" is. I know you are prepared to fight to the death for your land, and I don't blame you, but come hell or high water you can't scathe off the whims of the government. 

And I appreciate your service to this country by the way. 

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:52 | 505649 Iam_Silverman
Iam_Silverman's picture

"And I appreciate your service to this country by the way."

And on behalf of my father, my step-father, my brother and me - you're welcome.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:57 | 505664 WaterWings
WaterWings's picture

+1

Someone needs to tell Rick that we already know about the "what ifs" and that is why we have firearms, a food supply, and other barter materials.

Dicks like him think we should all sit around, gnawing our knuckles. BOOM!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lztc048mYU8

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 17:52 | 505794 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture

 

Ah, what was I thinking? 

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 17:50 | 505809 RicktheDick
RicktheDick's picture


Ah, what was I thinking? Of course you've thought about the "what ifs." Question though, you plan on taking on the entire US army if the government comes knocking and you refuse to go? Good luck. I am sorry for trying to point out the absurdity of it. What was I thinking? You're delusional buddy... And FYI the Constitution that you love so much, the same one that affords you the right to bear arms, comes with the caveat that it can be changed by our elected government officials. Which means in essence that that they can repeal the second amendment if they deem it necessary. And so long as guys like you have guns, I am hoping that they at least consider it. 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 22:28 | 506333 Bringin It
Bringin It's picture

Rick ... you are a dick.  You keep coming up with these what-ifs.  I think you should just crawl under your bed and hide-out til the end comes.

Here's some things for you to consider;

-The entire US Army is made up of fellow citizens.

-The cows that are easiest to tip get tipped over first.

-Your legalistic mind has not been paying attention.  They don't bother to change the Constitution any more.  They just ignore it.

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 10:35 | 507166 WaterWings
WaterWings's picture

Since you like playing what if I will see and raise you: "What if Mars collides with Earfff!!!1!??"

change = alter or abolish

Which is the duty of the People when elected officials are openly bribed by multinational corporations. It's easy to find people like you that think they are smarter than the Founding Fathers.

"The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves;... that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed and that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of press." -- Thomas Jefferson

  • Letter to Major John Cartwright (June 5 1824).
Fri, 08/06/2010 - 02:57 | 506599 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

If you go out and buy farmland hoping to become completely self reliant, in the event of food shortages what's the stop the Federal Government by way of Presidential mandate from requisitioning your land to help counteract it? There is such a thing as eminent domain. Then what?

Good point.  You can get by with much less land than you think.  Check out "Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew.  Applying his methods in three 16-square-foot garden boxes will yield all of the vegetables one person needs for two meals per day--for each day of the growing season.

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:45 | 505434 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

a group of middle-aged out-of shape guys....

 

I  grow old . . .I grow old . . .
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled.

Shall I part my hair behind? Do I dare to eat a peach?
I shall wear white flannel trousers, and walk upon the beach.
I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.

I do not think that they will sing to me.

I have seen them riding seaward on the waves
Combing the white hair of the waves blown back
When the wind blows the water white and black.

We have lingered in the chambers of the sea
By sea-girls wreathed with seaweed red and brown
Till human voices wake us, and we drown.

 

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~wldciv/world_civ_reader/world_civ_reader_2/elio...

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:35 | 504934 DarkMath
DarkMath's picture

It sounds like you've been listening to David Ramsey too much. David Ramsey thinks Gold is a terrible investment for exactly this reason. He gives the example of Hurricane Katrina where bottled water was more valuable than Gold.

The problem with this thinking is that in a Financial collapse the system will break down over months and years. I can't store 2 years of Food, Water and Gasoline in my basement. I can however store 2 years worth of Gold very efficiently in my basement. If I was wise and bought Gold Eagles from the US Mint I can just pluck one of those out every month and convert it into Food, Water and Gasoline at ever improving exchange rates.

Fortunately this is why David Ramsey will starve if the economy collapses. His 2 week supply of Food will quickly run out. His only source of income will be lampooning himself for Gold in front of all the people he told not to buy the "barbaric relic". He could start a national show where he tars and feathers himself or have people from the audience come up and give him a wedgy, that kind of thing. He's going to have to get creative.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:46 | 505190 Barry Freed
Barry Freed's picture

You must have a mighty small basement if you can't store a couple years worth of food and water in it.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:18 | 505320 DarkMath
DarkMath's picture

You obviously don't have children.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:28 | 505576 Iam_Silverman
Iam_Silverman's picture

What's a basement?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:52 | 505213 ToNYC
ToNYC's picture

You won't be needing to buy much gasoline, since you'll be home 24/7 guarding the gold they see you using.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:15 | 505311 DarkMath
DarkMath's picture

Did I forget to mention a safe and shotgun ammunition?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:48 | 505631 jtmo3
jtmo3's picture

Dave Ramsey is a moron when it comes to investments. He should have stuck to reducing debt.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:43 | 504966 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

tarheel what kind of car is your avatar, can't tell just curious.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:22 | 505105 Commander Cody
Commander Cody's picture

Looks like about a '59 vintage Porsche Speedster to me.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:51 | 505448 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

soft top?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:43 | 506439 sbenard
sbenard's picture

And don't forget to store SEEDS, too! If we have tobein grow our own food, they'll be a necessity. They may also end up being a good cash/barter item!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 12:58 | 504825 Turd Ferguson
Turd Ferguson's picture

Wow. Enough said. I concur 100%.

We are at the end of the Great Keynesian Experiment. Now we just await the proverbial "final straw". Will it be food shortages/riots? Perhaps, but it doesn't really matter. Protect yourself and your family. Alert your friends. 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:08 | 504857 Turd Ferguson
Turd Ferguson's picture

Sorry but I have to ask...what about this is "junk". Am I spamming? Is this a totally inaccurate point of view? What?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:15 | 504878 kridkrid
kridkrid's picture

Spamming a post like yours is the same as someone calling you a conspiracy theorist.  It gives them a box into which they can place your POV that allows them to not have to consider something that they don't like (or don't understand or scares them). 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:21 | 504900 Gully Foyle
Gully Foyle's picture

Turd Ferguson

Ignore the junk. Just some asshole who can't write insults on bathroom walls.

Meaningless except to the person beating off to their personal perceived victory.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:42 | 504962 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

I prefer poetry on bathroom walls to trolls pissing on Turd's shoes.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:52 | 505007 Carl Marks
Carl Marks's picture

Here I sit broken hearted,

Tried to shit but only farted?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:51 | 505449 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

In days of old

When knights were bold

And toilets weren't invented

I left my load

Upon the road

And walked away contended.

 

PS How the hell do you turn off the double spacing?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:56 | 505456 Turd Ferguson
Turd Ferguson's picture

Here I sit

Grinnin and groanin

Giving birth

To an Oklahoman.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:17 | 506412 RockyRacoon
RockyRacoon's picture

People who write on shithouse walls

Roll their shit into little balls.

People who read those words of wit

Like to eat those balls of shit.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:41 | 505605 Jake Green
Jake Green's picture

PS ~~~
"Disable rich-text" will do it

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 17:37 | 505782 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

Thank you.
Hey, it works!
I'm single spacin'.
But does that mean I can't italicize or bold anymore?
And hey, no spell check.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:36 | 504940 Tarheel
Tarheel's picture

dont fret over the spamming. this site seems to be over run with active clickers lately. Not sure why they came out of the woodwork right now. maybe they work for the giant squid or something.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:48 | 504983 -1Delta
-1Delta's picture

Yes, first off we have too much dam wheat to begin with...

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:42 | 505177 breezer1
breezer1's picture

the hat...

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:51 | 505210 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

TF, you were spot on. Which can be a problem.

Plus, until junking remains anonymous, it is meaningless.

ORI

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:46 | 505623 Jake Green
Jake Green's picture

@ ORI

Why did you remove your site's link? Forget the porn avatar dude from yesterday.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 21:39 | 506241 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

Funny you should ask Jake. 

I was jut a little taken aback at the degree of vitriol.

All good though! :-)

 

ORI

http://aadivaahan.wordpress.com

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:06 | 505062 bigkahuna
bigkahuna's picture

This is no experiment, this is just a huge amount of theft. I cannot find words for how big the theft is. Theft goes on all the time, but this has to be an all world all time record. Hundreds of millions  of people will be severely impacted.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:45 | 504838 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

O/T

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:02 | 504840 Ancona
Ancona's picture

Take a look around. There are crop failures everywhere this year. Western Australia is in trouble, as are the farmers in our corn and potato regions who are battling the emerging locust swarms. Couple this with floods, late frost, blistering heat, drought etc. etc., and you have the perfect recipe for the 10 dollar loaf of bread.

 

Wait for it folks, 'cause it's a comin!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:35 | 504935 Flyingtrader
Flyingtrader's picture

Put down the bong...

Crop losses everywhere? No, this is not the case. We are on track to produce a monster soybean crop this year here in the U.S. and the weather has been pretty damn good for the largest corn producing areas here in the midwest.  While the 9 million acres along the east coast isn't looking so hot, and the delta regions have been affected by drought, keep your eyes on IA, IL, IN.  We are going to have plenty of corn; enough to export even in spite of our ridiculous obsession with ethanol. 

Western Australia's wheat issues will be offset by Eastern Australia's surpluses.  The U.S. has enormous wheat stocks, and I haven't the foggiest notion where you got the "locust swarms" idea.

Late frost would be beneficial to crops, not damaging as you suggest. Floods, where?

Lie down, take a deep breath. It's going to be ok.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:55 | 505023 ColonelCooper
ColonelCooper's picture

+1 acre of 45 bushel beans.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:00 | 505045 tmosley
tmosley's picture

What's your source on the soybean crop?

If it's the USDA, I'm going to snicker.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:47 | 505149 Flyingtrader
Flyingtrader's picture

I draw from several private advisory services as well as friendships with farmers around the region.  Informa Economics released their estimates this morning.

Yield:  43.5 bpa vs 43.4 bpa last month

Prod:  3.389 vs 3.385 last month

for reference:

2009 harvested acres were 76,372,000

2009 avg yield was 44 bpa

2009 production was 3,361 TMT

2010 planted acres were 78,868,000

The weather has been near perfect for soybeans.  Despite some issues with late planting, it has been warm and wet all across key growing areas.  Soybeans grow like a weed, you can practically starve them all season and still get a record crop if the weather in Aug. / Sep. is good. 

The real story is the fight for acreage we are going to have next year.  High wheat prices will draw planted acres away from corn and soybeans (mostly corn), so you can expect a pretty brisk trade in the intercrop spreads. Soybeans will have to rally along with corn and wheat for awhile so as not to lose too many acres next year.  Cash prices consequently will be weak going into harvest resulting in steep carrying charges (contango).  I would caution everyone against buying the "spot" month as a long term investment.  The carrying charges will eat you alive.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:01 | 505249 ColonelCooper
ColonelCooper's picture

I was just gonna say, "Look at a damn bean field."  But since a lot of people don't live where they can, or would know one if they were standing in the middle of it, take my word for it.  Beans and corn are doing just fine this year.   

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:40 | 505412 superman07
superman07's picture

I have about 4 acres, surrounded by soybeans and corn. It is growing like nobodys bussiness in Ohio.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:02 | 505484 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

you spelled business wrong. unless you mean bussi=ness in

O H Iiiiiiiiiii  O.

i grew up in OH, summer corn every night but i couldn't eat it in H.S. cause i had braces. corn sucks with braces. you might know too.

you know what my dad use to make us kids do after school on thursdays. go pick fu*cking
W A T E R   C R E S T from the creeks on our farm land and than bundle it and go into this gourmet grocery store down the street from our house and

S E L L   it. no friends could come along either. i am sure he had a plan like most men do. it was very humiliating to say the least‡

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:45 | 505621 Bagbalm
Bagbalm's picture

Humiliating? My aren't you just too dainty to soil your little hands...

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 17:45 | 505800 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

no it wasn't that, i soil my hands all the time. i am a potter and threw on a wheel and let me tell you that is some messy M U D.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:21 | 506416 RockyRacoon
RockyRacoon's picture

It's one word:  WATERCRESS


Sat, 08/07/2010 - 11:53 | 508830 akak
akak's picture

.

 

It's also one other word:

NASTY!

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 20:58 | 506754 Bringin It
Bringin It's picture

.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:40 | 505169 defender
defender's picture

I think that all we can hope for this year is an average crop.  NE, IA, and most of the other soybean states have had something like 10% of the crop affected by flooding.  USDA didn't even change their forcast after all the water came down, so I am very skeptical.  Also, Canada got huge amounts of flooding this year.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:56 | 505228 Flyingtrader
Flyingtrader's picture

It is my understanding that Canadian weather affected mostly the wheat and rapeseed areas.  Not sure about soybean acres.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:08 | 505281 hound dog vigilante
hound dog vigilante's picture

Agreed.  Food production is perhaps the one/only strength the USA has in its favor as we move into the emerging high-friction economic paradigm.

Not that short-term crises/shortages will not occur - they will. But in the long run, we (the US) are flush with arable land and farming expertise. However, higher energy costs will force a transition (reversion, actually) to smaller-scale/less mechanized farming. The family farm is making a big comeback (google "CSA"). My advice to students & twenty-somethings... start farming and start saving to buy good land. Localized food production & processing is the growth industry (here in the US) for the 21st century.

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:37 | 505594 VWbug
VWbug's picture

argentina also having a massive soy crop this year (after a drought not long ago)

the income is so huge it is supporting the peso which should really be devaluing  dramatically due to 20 to 25% inflation

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 21:27 | 506214 Cathartes Aura
Cathartes Aura's picture

just curious Flyingtrader, would you happen to know what percentage of the "monster" soybean crop, and corn as well, is GMO seed stock?  as in, feed lot stocks, and the base for high fructose syrups, and various packaged "foodstuffs"?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 22:43 | 506353 Flyingtrader
Flyingtrader's picture

Sorry for the late reply.  I will have to look up exact numbers, but can tell you the vast majority of corn and soybeans in the U.S. is GM.  Conventional seed just doesn't yield as much and requires much more fertilizer, pesticides and fungicides per acre than Roundup Ready beans or Triple stack corn seed; for a farmerthe economics are a no-brainer, especially on marginal soils.  The USDA does not distinguish between GMO/non-GMO in their production numbers but the data IS available.  This link will likely be a good start:

http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/Organic/#national

check table 6 for starters.

also:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/organicstats.shtml

http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml#resources

Hope this helps.

If you need more I can find it for you with time.  Let me know.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 22:57 | 506382 Cathartes Aura
Cathartes Aura's picture

thanks sir - and no worries re: timing - I move in and out of here over the hours, hehe. . .

and, with respect, I was trying to make a point as to the basic crops being grown are also more large scale "commercial" product, and used in food production, or feedlots. . . and are GMO without labeling. . .it's just that not everyone knows this. (and yes, not everyone cares)

but I appreciate your time, and wish you and yours all the best, sincerely.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:03 | 504844 Tense INDIAN
Tense INDIAN's picture

can anyone make it clear to me what exactly is this END GAME trade ....how was it played out last time.........

 

i knew it was all manipulated the last time OIL prices went to 147 dollars ,.but how was it helpful to THEM in constructing this crisis???

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:18 | 504874 Gully Foyle
Gully Foyle's picture

Tense INDIAN

Dude relax.

There was a a gate at the Great Wall. An invading horde set up camp. Every day the horde would attack. Everyday the gate would close. Half way to the gate the horde would return to camp.

Eventually the gatekeepers stopped closing the gate. The horde would attack then turn around half way.

One day the horde didn't turn around half way. The gate could not be closed because the hinges rusted.

The empire fell.

Now do you understand?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:33 | 505386 Oracle of Kypseli
Oracle of Kypseli's picture

I think ZH has been infiltrated by boneheads. Whose IQ as low as plant life to Junk this. 

That's Confucious type explanation. similar to:

"Support bacteria -- it's the only culture some people have." and "Man who lives in glass house should change clothes in basement."

 

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:58 | 505465 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

How long is a chinaman.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:01 | 505480 Oracle of Kypseli
Oracle of Kypseli's picture

Eight characters

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:26 | 505562 Oracle of Kypseli
Oracle of Kypseli's picture

Oh! Wait a minute. I just got word. The WH is afraid of Glen Beck and ZH exposing their high crimes and misdemeanors, so they have operatives surfing the blogs especially ZH to troll and junk.

To no avail.

 

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:35 | 505589 Iam_Silverman
Iam_Silverman's picture

"The gate could not be closed because the hinges rusted.  The empire fell.

Now do you understand?"

Was this tied in to the price of oil?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:22 | 504907 Turd Ferguson
Turd Ferguson's picture

My guess (with two years of hindsight). By artificially running oil to $147 and, consequently, running gasoline to $4.00 and up, the oil companies were able to set the new "normal".

Once you've paid $4.00/gallon for a while, $2.90 (the new normal) seems pretty cheap. 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:26 | 504915 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

I'm with Turd.  $3 per and no one flinches now.  Amazing.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:33 | 504927 Mad Max
Mad Max's picture

Ditto.  Prices that were "unthinkable" a few years ago are now 100% normal and accepted.

How's that middle class working for ya?  Not hard enough?  Oh, well, just beat them some more.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:39 | 504930 Turd Ferguson
Turd Ferguson's picture

Thanks, Jimi.

Btw, have you noticed that despite all the panic pussiness of last week, gold remains in its "box"? 1160-1240 thru Labor Day. I was on vacation last week. Didn't comment but read ZH every day. The utter bullshit capitulation crap I read on Tuesday was pathetic. Bull markets correct 10% all the fucking time and nobody says a word except "buy more". Gold goes down 8% and suddenly everyone from Jim Sinclair to Harvey Organ to Eric Sprott is deemed a charlatan and a snake-oil salesman. Fucking pathetic.

Gold IS headed to 1350 then on to 1500 and 1650. Be patient.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:47 | 504984 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

Patience is my middle name. 

No doubt about it, the MSM had to turn on the bull horn for this one.  Did they mention that traders were most likely liquadating in the face of a "double dip"?  No.  Did they mention Paulson?  Maybe.  Did they mention the BIS playing musical gold?  For sure not.

All of this cordination was necisarry for QE one.point.whatever.  They got lucky with fund managers being douches and having to liquidate the little gold reserves they had, but Paulson and BIS was a set up. 

And note, PLATINUM.  Not touched by the hands of manipulation.  Ain't she sweet.  Afterall, they need something to leverage!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:06 | 505496 PhattyBuoy
PhattyBuoy's picture

My take is gold liquidated to cover ugly short squeeze on Euro play !

Euro went from 1.19 to 1.31 in weeks, and Gold sold off !

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:44 | 504974 Tense INDIAN
Tense INDIAN's picture

so it was all about "CONDITIONING"  the masses

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:44 | 504975 Tense INDIAN
Tense INDIAN's picture

so it was all about "CONDITIONING"  the masses

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:41 | 505174 oklaboy
oklaboy's picture

wit ya Turd

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:30 | 504923 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

Ok, here is a piece of info that is pertinent to all things economic (especially food prices):  peak oil.  So here is what happened last time.  Prices started to rise due to production costs and the Dinosaur Kings looked around and said, "Here it is boys!  Hubbert's peak!"  Then they gunned the market as high and fast as they could before bringing it down.  This did two fold; it lined their pocket books on the way up, and it destroyed oil producing companies that went for broke, this due to overcapacity for the last two years.  Now we sit on the door step of the backside of oil production.  Maybe they gun the investments and raise prices again, but in the END there is no way out EROEI makes sure of that!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:57 | 505035 Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson's picture

Tense INDIAN,

The so called END GAME trade is the END GAME trade.... it wasn't played before... is the END being the operative word...

The END GAME trade is a "MadMax" (watch the movie if you haven't) way of saying ... "The collapse of the Keynesian economic system (end of paper money) and the rise of gold (physical) as currency".

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:37 | 505592 Oracle of Kypseli
Oracle of Kypseli's picture

In that case you should also watch "The man who fell to earth" and what he does with gold, starting by selling cheaply a gold ring for $20 and builts an empire.

here is part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxhK08kZPSA

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 23:46 | 506443 RockyRacoon
RockyRacoon's picture

Fabulous movie and the book is even better.  I watch it at least once a year.  Finally got a DVD version and retired the old VHS.  Candy Clark was hot.  Thanks for reminding me to watch it again.

Fri, 08/06/2010 - 05:18 | 506638 Trichy
Trichy's picture

The End Game trade started long ago. The Chinese have been hoarding everything the last two years to be prepared for the break down.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:06 | 504850 Gully Foyle
Gully Foyle's picture

https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Ragnar%C3%B6k

In Norse mythology, Ragnarök (pronounced UK: /?ræ?n?r??k/,[2] US: /?ræ?n?r?k/ or /?ræ?n?r?k/;[3] Old Norse [r??n?røk] "final destiny of the gods"[4]) is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, Heimdall, and the jötunn Loki), the occurrence of various natural disasters, and the subsequent submersion of the world in water. Afterward, the world will resurface anew and fertile, the surviving and reborn gods will meet, and the world will be repopulated by two human survivors. Ragnarök is an important event in the Norse canon, and has been the subject of scholarly discourse and theory.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:39 | 504950 rapunzel
rapunzel's picture

O H   G U L L Y  loved that link. thank you. fascinating story. these links you all put up to wikipedia are just great for someone like me. tons of pictures of art work. this particular, Ragnarök the best art work of the story. see if you can't pronounce the words or know the meaning of the words it is hard to get through the story, so the pictures are perfect.

English: P O E M

It sates itself on the life-blood
of fated men,
paints red the powers' homes
with crimson gore.
Black become the sun's beams
in the summers that follow,
weathers all treacherous.

Do you still seek to know? And what?

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:20 | 505100 Gully Foyle
Gully Foyle's picture

rapunzel

I like world myths.

http://www.mindworkshop.com/pagan3.html

Nice piece of shareware. If you set it as a screen saver it will have daily pagan celebrations

and other information.

I try to follow the planting harvest cycles. Interesting stuff.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:32 | 505357 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 

.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:32 | 505384 Mr Lennon Hendrix
Mr Lennon Hendrix's picture

Damn man you must have been excited!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:41 | 505414 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

Must've spilled ouzo in the keyboard again

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:31 | 505359 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:32 | 505360 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:33 | 505361 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 ..........sigh............

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:34 | 505362 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:34 | 505364 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 

.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:35 | 505365 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:36 | 505366 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:37 | 505368 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 ............wtf............

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:37 | 505369 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:37 | 505370 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:37 | 505371 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 .

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:38 | 505372 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 ....assplodin' post dupe gremlins again.....

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:33 | 505565 PhattyBuoy
PhattyBuoy's picture

GW is that you??

George W. Bush: "There's an old saying in Tennessee. I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee, that says: Fool me once... "
George W. Bush: [pause]
George W. Bush: "... shame on... ".
George W. Bush: [pause]
George W. Bush: "Shame on you... "
George W. Bush: [pause]
George W. Bush: "If fooled, you can't get fooled again."

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 21:33 | 506225 Cathartes Aura
Cathartes Aura's picture

"Cocaine's a helluva drug."

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:30 | 505373 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

 

One could also consider as starting points (both of course totally different) Graves' The White Goddess and Frazer's The Golden Bough; between the two you'd have a nice cross section or stratum of the buried European belief system...and you could wonder about its translation to the United States in various regions and local manifestations.  What harvest celebrations are happening in your county?  Herding being a different calendar than farming in some respects...changes in altitude and climate, etc. etc.  And then there's the human condition, but maybe then William Blake comes in

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_White_Goddess

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Golden_Bough

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:09 | 505509 Gully Foyle
Gully Foyle's picture

Jim in MN

Green man dude, the Sufi's called him Hizir.

 

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:12 | 505515 CrockettAlmanac.com
CrockettAlmanac.com's picture

Frazer's The Golden Bough; ...and you could wonder about its translation to the United States in various regions and local manifestations.

 

One of the sympathetic magic rituals Frazer notes actually made in down to my grandmother's time. When she was little her mother (a German immigrant) would toss my grandmother's baby teeth behind the stove or into the yard so that a mouse might chew on them. The idea was that mice have strong teeth and if one chewed on a child's tooth  then the child would acquire strong teeth.

 

Of course it's silly, but it is an example of one of the oldest traditions known and it's very cool that it lasted down to the time of someone I actually knew.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 14:58 | 505233 Oh regional Indian
Oh regional Indian's picture

Awesome stuff Gully, this and the very pithy rusty hinge story.

But especially this. Pertinent mythology. Fantasy meets reality!

ORI

http://aadivaahan.wordpress.com

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:01 | 505254 Gully Foyle
Gully Foyle's picture

Oh regional Indian

Pertinent Mythology, read some Ian McDonald.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:01 | 505252 Young
Young's picture

Someone's in a junking mood... Norse mythology is so much cooler than christianity - I want it back. Going to Valhalla now to fight, drink and eat. If I get killed I'll just get reborn and do it all over again! Kinda like taking on a lot of debt, with the difference that there is an end to the amount... eventually.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 15:12 | 505298 israhole
israhole's picture

Interesting!

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:06 | 504852 Lazarus Long
Lazarus Long's picture

here is a link to texas statement to the federal gov't and EPA

http://www.globalwarming.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/epa-texas-letter.pdf

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 13:29 | 504921 Turd Ferguson
Turd Ferguson's picture

Thanks, Laz. 

That's fantastic and exactly what Mike was describing.

Thu, 08/05/2010 - 16:16 | 505529 Lord Welligton
Lord Welligton's picture

Fantastic stuff Lazarus.

A perfect example of how Federal Government is subverting the constitutional position of the States republic that form the Federation.

They do it through Federal bureaucracy supported by Federal Courts.

It is not a left vs right.

It is the Federation vs the Republics (States republic) that comprise the Federation.

Some State needs to (threaten?) to secede.

And then challange Texas v. White.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_v._White

 

If the States republic do not stop this creeping federalisation they will not exist in 20 years.

The United States of America is not a Republic it is a federation of Republics.

 

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!