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Libya Redux As US Escalates Syrian Showdown: Freezes Assets Of President Bashar al-Assad
Just because the US (and Sarkozy-led NATO) has done such a bang up job with Libya, the Nobel prize winner has decided to take his humanitarian intervention to Syria (unwillingly one must admit: after all Syria barely has any oil, and the risk of an escalation that will involve Israel is rather profound) where the US has just announced it is imposing sanctions and freezing the assets of president Bashar al-Assad and 6 aides, demanding that Syria "cease its brutal crackdown on protesters." And as if the sudden assassination of bin Laden was not enough, it now appears that the US administration (for right or wrong reasons) is dead set on antagonizing the entire Muslim crescent once again. Lastly we wonder, just how much of the USD jump over the past several weeks is due to the repatriation of dollars by other 3rd world 'dictators' in preparation (and avoidance) of comparable asset freezes against one and all?
From Reuters:
Targeting Assad personally with sanctions, which the United States and European Union have so far avoided, is a significant slap at Damascus and raises questions about whether Washington and the West may ultimately seek Assad's removal from power.
Syrian activists say at least 700 civilians have been killed in two months of clashes between government forces and protesters seeking an end to his 11-year rule. The protests in Syria began after demonstrations toppled authoritarian leaders in Tunisia and Egypt.
The move, announced by the Treasury Department, freezes any assets of the Syrian officials that are in the United States or otherwise fall within U.S. jurisdiction and it generally bars U.S. individuals and companies from dealing with them.
In addition to Assad, the Treasury said the sanctions would target Vice President Farouq al-Shara, Prime Minister Adel Safar, Interior Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al-Shaar, Defense Minister Ali Habib as well as Abdul Fatah Qudsiya, the head of Syrian military intelligence, and Mohammed Dib Zaitoun, director of the political security directorate.
Of course, somehow we doubt the magnificent 7 had any assets, and most certainly any gold, left under American jurisdiction. We would bes surprised to say the least:
While it was not immediately clear what practical effect the sanctions would have or whether the seven had significant assets that would be captured by the U.S. move, the symbolic gesture was profound.
Well, the gesture may have been profound but it is indeed symbolic. What happens next when the response will be far more literal, is anybody's guess. But it's a good thing the Administration has gotten the hang of the margin hike strategy: even if nuclear war were to break out in the Middle East, a 100% cash collateral in Crude should guarantee that WTI never surpasses $9.95/barrel.
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Obama: the teleprompter told me to do it.
Why leaders of these countries continue to keep assets in the West is beyond me.
No kidding. Can't freeze a private vault full of metals. Dumb leaders if they have all their money in fiat. But I doubt it, they're likely sitting on a pile of metal.
Are Mideast tinpot dictators really that foolish, or are the Western powers being fooled into a Russian-laid trap of some sort?
Moscow has sacrificed some major pieces on the global Real Politik chessboard over the last two decades, but I don't think they'll give away Syria.
http://thespiritoftruth.blogspot.com/
JMHO
It's a distinct non-zero probability that this "freeze" was in response to that exact action.
Hypothetical scenario: President Assad attempts to liquidate and remove assets from Western Banking System; USA retaliates by immediately imposing sanctions and "freezing" assets for some bullshit reason.
Why do they store assets here? Because until very, very recently, they were our allies.
These strongmen were the scabs holding down the infected pus in the MENA. so XOM, CVX and BP etc. could continue to do orderly business.
They were our friends until Hillary et al. saw they were going to get burned out of their offices; then they became our enemies.
While this interventionist policy needs to end, freezing US assets I think is reasonable.
You forget one thing, the rule of law.
How does the government legally determine someone else is a criminal, without a trial, and seize their assets, without a judgment?
The same way the gov't deems Gaddafi and others suitable for assassination.
We are so used to the abuses of government we forget why the constitution was created to begin with - to limit the power of government.
Doesn't CONgress have to vote on sanctions? I mean, with Achhhhhhhadeeeeenajjjjjjjjlalalalalalalalaladad the CONgress had to vote on that right?
Welcome to the US Dictatorship baby. It's out in the open now, but my McNuggets are cold and those fucks in the drivethrough gave me diet. I FUCKING ASKED FOR A COKE!!!!!!
Now THIS is a reasonable argument.
Well the way around this is that these are not "sanctions" per se. These are known as Contingency Unilateral Neutering Transactions. You know CUNT.
Nothing spells freedom than acronyms that hide power grabs.
That was very funny.
Freezing assets doesn't necessarily mean calling someone criminal (depending on how your view of the role of government is). If we believe they're committing "crimes" allowing them to use their assets in the United States assists with that. This is standard practice and common sense since the creation of judicial systems. Its like somebody owning a gun. Possibly shooting somebody. The police suspect a person, bring them into the judicial system, whilst taking the gun as evidence, and preventing them from using it on another crime, until charges are cleared.
Edit: Yes, so long as we have a government, and a government to protect private properties, I think our government should not allow property in the US to assist government dictators overseas. Now mind you, that should be conducted through the judicial system, and if found "innocent" all property should be returned to its rightful owner.
Now, if you want to go full blown anarchist view (which I'll support) and say nobody should be able to remove the ownership of assets of another for any reason, let alone for a judicial situation, then so be it.
you forget one very important point, we are the good guys and when you're the good guys " you don't need no stinking constitution...." right hamy?
Yep, that is exactly what they told the Soviet Union population. When in Russia, I asked folks what kept them from revolting under the Soviet Union and they said the gov't convinced them that everyone in the world hated Russians, and that father Stalin wanted them to stay safely at home. Because, of course, they were the good guys. I have seen some of the propoganda movies, look just like our Republican flag waving attack ads - have to paint the other guy as the bad guy, then even torture looks reasonable.
Thats the part that kills me.
Republicans condoning the ends justify the means. What are they fucking democrats looking to steal wealth and give it to others for "social justice"?
As long as it suits their cause they're willing to justify it with its "end results." We got OBL so therefore everything we did in order to get him, MUST be justified. Really? We didn't make any mistakes getting to that end point?
My wife's family are monolithically liberal and they were monolithically jubiliant about the U.S. gunning down OBL without a whiff of due process. So, Republicans do not hold a monopoly on "the ends justify the means". I would argue that the Democrats are at least as much a War Party these days as the GOP.
You should have pulled away from my post that Democrats overwhelmingly believe in the ends justify the means. Republicans like to claim they take the high ground on that issue, when they end up doing it too. Its very clear that democrats are on the same statist bandwagon as the major GOP individuals. Those tools are all the same.
Edit:That's why i don't see what every democrats problem was with George Bush. He increased federal powers and size in nearly every department and was a "compassionate conservative." (democrat) Once the Iraq was discovered to not have the items that the war was created on, they said that removing saddam made it right. (ends justify the means). They should immediately eat that up.
When the authorities can "seize" thousands of FRNs you happen to have on your person under suspicsion of being a Drug Dealer, the 4th Amendment is pretty much toast.
NOW PROTESTS IN SPAIN 40000 PEOPLE TAKE TO STREETS!!! ANOTHER GREECE?
http://fiatsfire.blogspot.com/2011/05/loco-wednesday-spain-in-pain-as.html
WHEN IS THIS GONNA END??? THE WHOLE EU IS GOING DOWN!!!
Large siesta......
That little earthquake in Spain (unexpected, by most, but not all of us) was a bit of a tell.
Spain will make the EU hurt. it is after all 90% Pain.
ORI
http://aadivaahan.wordpress.com
There's some (fairly) credible reports coming out of Greece that Greek police have resorted to that timeless tactic, paramilitary forces [in Greece's case, apparently supporting Neo-Nazi rioters against the anti-government protestors, however things are a bit dicey over there atm].
As soon as the black bag squads get the nod, or you're resorting to plain clothed rent-a-mobs, you've crossed from "protest" to "potential revolution".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxUBr5_tczU&feature=player_embedded
History:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Dawn_%28Greece%29
+1 to a post somewhere around that commented that the Greeks might end up with neo-Sparta; this is def. Golden Dawn's aim.
Oh, and here's a great link:
http://www.ikimap.com/map/2CYF
Shows you where all the mass protests are in Spain, and where the next ones are due.
Neo nazis? Really?
Name calling? When was the last time a neo nazi actually did any sort of crime aside from the "thought crimes?"
Guess you didn't read the Golden Dawn article, or read the news.
A Bangladeshi immigrant was stabbed to death on the 11th/12th I think, by Golden Dawn members.
But yes; replace "neo-Nazi" with "Ultra right wing nationalist party who have history of violence and strong links to police".
I've never met a neo nazi. So I'll wait to pass judgement.
especially when those frozen funds can go to keeping us operating under the debt ceiling....
whats that timmy timmy? you found more change in the sofa
100% cash collateral in Crude should guarantee that gasoline will never surpasses $9.95/gal.
There...fixed.
"How many tears
or How many broken hearts
Just how many sorrows
How much you'll take
In your life.."
I want that sunovabitch Chinaman to take back his "May you live in interesting times.." bullshit proverb. I guess the other one from the same (supposed) source, "May you come to the attention of those in authority.." is also apropos.
EDIT: word order snafu
Trillax;
You seem upset that your moral and intellectual superiors are in the process of burying you alive. Better get used to it.
I guess when you're broke you gotta steal money from wherever you can find it.
cough cough Russia
This Shi'ites Syriasly half-Assad
What do all of the Bathists here think of that ?
I hope everyone here is a Bathist at least once a day.
ORI
US also deep freezes "assets" of Dominque-Strauss Kahn, or was he framed?:
http://thesilvergoldhedge.blogspot.com/2011/05/sdk-had-dollar-banksers-a...
Doesn't he have euros sewn into his clothes (when ihe wears them) to flee.
So is this the set up for war to get the people's minds off the soon-collapse of the fiat monetary system?
Unfuckingbelievable...I guess if I was Chavez, Morales, and half the African presidents I would be taking note and getting my assets out of the US...pronto!
It's a distinct non-zero probability that this "freeze" was in response to that exact action.
Hypothetical scenario: President Assad attempts to liquidate and remove assets from Western Banking System; USA retaliates by immediately imposing sanctions and "freezing" assets for some bullshit reason.
Yeah but I thought Assad was a "friend"?
Meanwhile, slowly slowly, we're getting rid of x-ray scanners...
http://www.entendance.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=767&p=17057#p17057
Israel snaps it's fingers, and America gets involved.
Poor Isreal, surrounded by Shiate mad men, who want world domination with Shiate mad men at the helm. Of course, the jews are the only sane ones in the middle east.
Legal Eagle;
And who, we might ask, decided to put them all in the middle of the hornet's nest. This is not going to turn out well for israelites.
Irony - love it!
I have two cases of popcorn ready.
That is less than one case per needless war.
Dont forget the butter... or I should say bud ahhhh. This is going to be a long show. Egypt. Syria. Whats next? Iran? In 3D!!
Someone want to remind me again what happens when you alienate yourself from the rest of the planet?
Obama personifies the "isolanist" mentality, but the talking heads will call those who wish to trade with other countries and to rid ouselves of the bribes and bombs as isolationsits. Up is down, left is right, penis is vagina.
This must be one of those extraordinary measures timmy g. was talking about...
Certainly their leaders, and to directly address the population that wants something new. But a little creative accounting will keep the PR in tact and set up a nice account for his "abdication".
quick
take us to war [ big league war ]
before the economy collapses...
I like my wars vietnamy
pres. assad and his crew are not muslim
they are alawy.
it is more of a cult.
they are only 12 % of syria population
and 3000 of them live in Israel
True, but Syria takes its marching orders from the mad Shiates to the east, Iran.
What assets? Syria is on OFAC's blocked jurisdiction list since forever. What dumb Syrian would have been stupid enough to have money in the US?
its symbolic...you know paper tiger...
America then and now:
"Paper money has had the effect in your state that it will ever have, to ruin commerce, oppress the honest, and open the door to every species of fraud and injustice." -- George Washington, 1st US President
I think Bebe just showed O'Bomber his real birth certificate.
Eisenhower warns us of the Military Industrial Complex. http://t.co/jGoc9q9 The Military Contractor Lobby Rules America!
America since 2006 has been living under a Faux Constitution http://t.co/SHwNGh7 The Civil Rights that most believe exist are allowed by our Government, for now. Read the Law and Language for yourself, you will be un-happy to realize I am not some fruit cake making this shit up.
I guess thats one way to stop the govt. default... raid pensions and 'freeze' (i read steal) the assets of every person in charge of countries not liked... that should tide the fed over for a day or two... ;-) I agree his crackdown in Syria is hardcore as hell... But why are we getting involved?? Lets just bug out already - all them there desert troops could be raising levees ;-)
Let the Egyptians and Saudis play police man in their own dog house.
And where could one find a "madder dog house" than washington dc or for that matter the USSA?
"and the risk of an escalation that will involve Israel is rather profound..." The Great One could care less about entangling the Israelis in his master plot. In fact it will work into his "hand"...he can get rid of the pesky Israelis at the same time.
legal eagle, as you raised the topic of marching orders, I understand that Bibi's arrived at 1600 this morning and were immediately acted upon by the pet currently occupying the joint. Who's just following the last one, nothing personal.
Talk about your madmen from the East, eh?
No offense taken. Nentanyahu fought for his country, his brother died fighting, and he wants to make peace and is willing to negotiate to get there. I really do not see how people could not respect him.
We have gone through at least 5 US administrations that have wanted peace and have prompted Isreal to give up land. Isreal gives up land, Hezbollah and Hamas are ordered in by Iran. They lob more rockets at Isreal, and call the Jews the bad guys. Still, no peace.
What am I missing? Yes, the Palestinians were treated horribly by being foreced out when Isreal was created, but that was generations ago. We did the same to our native people. And, depending on how you look at history, the Jews were being paid restitution.
Anyway, they want peace, they are willing to work for peace, but the Shiates will not let it happen. Iran is the center of evil.
Iran (aka Persia) has been right where it now is for over 4,000 years.
How long has netanyahooville been there?
That all depends on who you ask. A little google and you find:
A common misperception is that the Jews were forced into the diaspora by the Romans after the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the year 70 A.D. and then, 1,800 years later, suddenly returned to Palestine demanding their country back. In reality, the Jewish people have maintained ties to their historic homeland for more than 3,700 years. A national language and a distinct civilization have been maintained.
The Twelve Tribes of Israel formed the first constitutional monarchy in Palestine about 1000 B.C. The second king, David, first made Jerusalem the nation's capital. Although eventually Palestine was split into two separate kingdoms, Jewish independence there lasted for 212 years. This is almost as long as Americans have enjoyed independence in what has become known as the United States.
In what year did the Land of Canaan 1st become Israel and in what year did the land of Israel 1st be called Palestine?
so when's the first nuke going off?
Aaron Russo, producer of "Trading Places" talks about the Council on Foreign Relations
an organization created to make THE MATRIX become reality.
I'm pretty sure that the Weinstein Brothers, who delivered the plot for that 1999 movie, are also members of the CFR.
All people of significance in American business, entertainment, banking, sports are members of the Council.
All the fake talking heads on TV, you were certainly wondering where all the good investigative journalists have gone over the years, why the TV program became so dull and bland over time.
The council is an elitist organization trying to create a prison planet made up of a ruling elite and the serfs, the sheeple, the drones.
The serfs are expected to wear chips, while the elite have all the rights, all the resources, all the priviliges, and can do whatever they want to.
That MATRIX plot was not some fiction, they want to make it become REALITY !
If you think this is made up, then I ask you:
1. Why should a man like Aaron Russo, Emmy award winner, Golden Globe award winner and Tony award winner, make something like this up ?
What would be the point ?
2. Why should he needlessly risk his credibility, his career and his hard-earned money by coming up with false claims against the Rockefellers, which would expose him to lawsuits and possible damage payments ?
Isn't the only possible explanation for this, that everything he says is in fact the truth, the truth and nothing but the truth ?
After all he produced the 1983 movie "Trading places".
He himself was a gold and silver trader in the 1970s.
He was a silver bull.
Now digest this for a minute.
If you feel the need to puke, do it.
Aaron Russo, Part 1 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbhzgZqWt8k&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 2 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDhC37ZeAX0&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 3 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaOj-rOGZFE&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 4 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cgl_N0THFs&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 5 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ef24-m3Xu4&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 6 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COAs_2xfZVg&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 7 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmC-BhWUr9g&feature=related
Aaron Russo, Part 8 of 8:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvMjtEgswlE&feature=related
How long before a Navy SEAL team assassinates Ghaddafi? Obama is going to need another victory dance in coming weeks.
Nothing got frozen.
The Lybians lawyers, business associates, family members, servants, advisors, etc. can hold these hidden assets and not a thing will be done. You never know if today's enemies may be tomorrow's friends.
Domestic politics, on the other hand, has a short memory.
Just like the Kennedys and Rockefellers have their real net worth in "blind trusts" that are not owned by them, so are the rich dictator's assets held.
I do asset protection for a living and can tell you, people who have wealth should not "own" anything. It is perfectly legal to transfer assets into a dynasty trust that can be protected from creditors, including over reaching governments, and can be handed down generation after generation without being subject to estate taxes. I set up these structures all the time.
It's comforting to know we have Legal Eagles working diligently on ensuring that oligarchies like the Rockefellers, Bush's et al will retain their "Legally" acquired gains in offshore accounts, blind trusts etc.
The mind reels think what chaos would ensue not having the Oligarchy live on and prosper even if the average joe is starving.
Given the litigous nature of our country, every broker, accountant, lawyer, doctor, engineer, entreprenuer, every person of means should have asset protection trusts. Asset protection trusts are not just for dictators anymore
any way to transfer a 401(k) to a trust?
401(k) is in a trust, and is generally asset protected under federal statutes, with certain limitations.
.
legael eagael of israehell, what are you missing you ask?
A clue is all.
Save your breath, I'll just prove you more the fool in front of all these nice folks.
This ain't Little League and that's the level of your game.
No substance, all threat. Sounds impotent to me.
Looks like the US needs some cash to make it through the week.
Hey, if nobody's retirement savings are safe in the U.S. why do foreigners think that their deposits are safe with the banksters?
Boy are they dumb. One step closer to nationalization.
Risk ON - Risk OFF - Risk ON
Syrian Sanctions ON - Syrian Sanctions OFF - Syrian Sanctions ON
There seems to be only measure by which Barry is not merely W^2. W insanely stuck by positions and staff long after they ceased serving his interests. Barry is oscillating about as quickly as he alternates reading between his teleprompters.
And just what would be the "right" reason to antagonize the entire muslim world!? Going after phantom terrorists in caves who were trained by the CIA? Note, the "good" Al Qaeda are helping the globalists in Libya. It was the "bad" Al Qaeda who puportedly took down the twin towers and got NORAD to stand down for two hours while all that terrorism went on. There is no "right" reason unless you want to start WWIII!
Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez
Just so I get this straight..... US/NATO is going to start bombing and killing Syrians because the Syrian gov't is killing some of its own citizens. Therefore I should conclude.... US/NATO use of force to kill Syrians = good ....... Syrian gov't use of force to kill = bad.
Just makin sure there are no hypocricies or double standards.
No double standards here! US/NATO activities are as pure as the driven "slush"!
Tuco Benedicto Pacifico Juan Maria Ramirez
http://www.economywatch.com/economic-statistics/Syria/Foreign_Exchange_Reserves/
http://www.economywatch.com/economic-statistics/country/Libya/
Does it matter how fast trenches are filled? You want us to go down, so we are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNT_uICTe9M&feature=related
With 60% of US paper currency abroad, much money in counterfeit FRNs
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/2005/01/21/gao-counterfeit-us-currency-abroad...
I wouldn't like to be on the receiving end of one of these bad boys
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=1988
Interesting article from some years back with links to follow on the site.
I am beginning to loose faith at times, silver price manipulation, "us v them" shite
across the whole globe, nobody has learned fuck all it would seem from previous conflicts.
So, lets have it fucking out soon and be done with it and see where the price of silver goes
to after that.
Governments through out time have found no better tool to keep the populace in line than war. In fact the U.S. government commissioned a study in the late 60's called the Iron Mountain report which was to study the effects of a lasting peace on society. It's conclusion was that peace would have undesirable effects on society. It went on to explore other ways to achieve a tolerable society without war. A threat from aliens to human kind was not deemed believable. Environmental threats were a promising alternative to war. If not Syria, it will be somewhere else until we are under the umbrella of world governance.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Report_from_Iron_Mountain
The last I read, Sarkozy is a sure thing for the next Nobel Prize Winner.
The First Mulatto President of the United Socialist States of America boldly goes forth.
Of course if they were to go freezing those who've done Uncle Sam wrong well...
What did Syria ever do to US?
On the other hand...
War on Iraq how much did that cost--and WHY?
$3 Trillion, boy what a bargain!
Our ally, who needs enemies?
lmao