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Will We Have to Wait for a 21st Century Peasants’ Revolt Before Seeing Any Real Change?
While everyone from Tony Blair to Nouriel Roubini is debating whether or not bankers should be hung, the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg provide some fascinating historical context.
The journal's Jason Zweig reports:
Financial criminals throughout history have been beaten, tortured and even put to death, with little evidence that severe punishments have consistently deterred people from misconduct that could make them rich.
The history of drastic punishment for financial crimes may be nearly as old as wealth itself.
The Code of Hammurabi, more than 3,700 years ago, stipulated that any Mesopotamian who violated the terms of a financial contract – including the futures contracts that were commonly used in commodities trading in Babylon – “shall be put to death as a thief.” The severe penalty doesn’t seem to have eradicated such cheating, however.
In medieval Catalonia, a banker who went bust wasn’t merely humiliated by town criers who declaimed his failure in public squares throughout the land; he had to live on nothing but bread and water until he paid off his depositors in full. If, after a year, he was unable to repay, he would be executed – as in the case of banker Francesch Castello, who was beheaded in 1360. Bankers who lied about their books could also be subject to the death penalty.
In Florence during the Renaissance, the Arte del Cambio – the guild of mercantile money-changers who facilitated the city’s international trade – made the cheating of clients punishable by torture. Rule 70 of the guild’s statutes stipulated that any member caught in unethical conduct could be disciplined on the rack “or other corrective instruments” at the headquarters of the guild.
But financial crimes weren’t merely punished; they were stigmatized. Dante’s Inferno is populated largely with financial sinners, each category with its own distinctive punishment: misers who roll giant weights pointlessly back and forth with their chests, thieves festooned with snakes and lizards, usurers draped with purses they can’t reach, even forecasters whose heads are wrenched around backward to symbolize their inability to see what is in front of them.
Counterfeiting and forgery, as the historian Marvin Becker noted in 1976, “were much less prevalent in Florence during the second half of the fourteenth century than in Tuscany during the twentieth century” and “the bankruptcy rate stood at approximately one-half [the modern rate].”
In England, counterfeiting was punishable by death starting in the 14th century, and altering the coinage was declared a form of high treason by 1562.
In the 17th century, the British state cracked down ferociously on counterfeiters and “coin-clippers” (who snipped shards of metal off coins, yielding scraps they could later melt down or resell). The offenders were thrown into London’s notorious Newgate prison. The lucky ones, after being dragged on planks through sewage-filled streets, were hanged. Others were smeared with tar from head to toe, tied or shackled to a stake, and then burned to death.
The British government was so determined to stamp out these financial crimes that it put Sir Isaac Newton on the case. Appointed as warden of the Royal Mint in 1696, Newton promptly began uncovering those who violated the financial laws of the nation with the same passion he brought to discovering the physical laws of the universe.
The great scientist was tireless and merciless. Newton went undercover, donning disguises to prowl through prisons, taverns and other dens of iniquity in search of financial fraud. He had suspects brought to the Mint, often by force, and interrogated them himself. In a year and a half, says historian Carl Wennerlind, Newton grilled 200 suspects, “employing means that sometimes bordered on torture.”
When one counterfeiter begged Newton to save him from the gallows – “O dear Sr no body can save me but you O God my God I shall be murderd unless you save me O I hope God will move your heart with mercy and pitty to do this thing for me” – Newton coldly refused.
The counterfeiter was hanged two weeks later.
Until at least the early 19th century, it remained commonplace for counterfeiters and forgers to be put to death; between 1792 and 1829, for example, notes Wennerlind, 618 people were convicted of counterfeiting British paper currency, and most of them were hanged. Many were women.
Bloomberg provides details of one "peasant revolt" stemming from a Libor-like currency manipulation scheme:
During the “Good Parliament” of 1376, public discontent over [manipulation of currency exchange rates similar to the current Libor scandal] came to a head. The Commons, represented by the speaker, Peter de la Mare, accused leading members of the royal court of abusing their position to profit from public funds.
A particular target was the London financier Richard Lyons ....
Initially the government bowed to public pressure. Lyons was imprisoned in the Tower of London and his properties and wealth were confiscated. Other leading courtiers implicated in these abuses, such as Latimer and the king’s mistress, Alice Perrers, were banished from court.
Once parliament had dissolved and the public outcry had died down, however, the king’s eldest son, John of Gaunt, acted to reverse the verdicts of the Good Parliament. Latimer and Perrers soon reappeared at the king’s side and Lyons was released from the Tower and recovered his wealth, while the “whistleblower” de la Mare was thrown in jail. The government also sought to appease the wealthy knights and merchants that dominated parliament by imposing a new, regressive form of taxation, a poll tax paid by everyone rather than a tax levied on goods. This effectively passed the burden of royal finance down to the peasantry.
It seemed as though everything had returned to business as normal and Lyons appeared to have gotten away with it. In 1381, however, simmering discontent over continuing suspicions of government corruption and the poll tax contributed to a massive popular uprising, the Peasants’ Revolt, during which leading government ministers, including Simon of Sudbury (the chancellor and archbishop of Canterbury) and Robert Hales (the treasurer) were executed by the rebels. This time, Lyons did not escape; he was singled out, dragged from his house and beheaded in the street.
If the King had followed the rule of law - and kept Lyons and the boys in jail - everything would have calmed down. The monarchy - just like the present-day government - chose to ignore the rule of law, and protect the thieves and punish the whistleblowers.
We have argued for years that the best way to avoid violence is to reinstate the rule of law.
The Bloomberg article - written by a professor of the history of finance and a professor of finance at the ICMA Centre, Henley Business School, University of Reading - ends on a similar note:
The question now is whether public outrage at the Libor scandal and other financial misdeeds will lead to fundamental reforms of the financial sector -- such as the separation of retail and investment banking or legislation to regulate the “bonus culture” -- or just more cosmetic changes that fail to address the structural issues.
Will we have to wait for a 21st century peasants’ revolt before seeing any real change?
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Speaking of oil..
City of Cushing, Oklahoma being evacuated due to grassfires.
Fires and oil tanks...very bad.
I think there are a few more rackets that our western banker overlords control that result in our blessed status quo, but yea oil is a major part of it.
You saw what they did to Saddam and the world knows what they did to Osama. The mighty empire is a farce to be reconned with.
Our democracy has been overthrown and without the rule of law, revolution is the only alternative.
The criminals are coming for us so form up your local defense unit and bring the criminals to justice.
Inform your corrupt Congress members that if there is a revolution, they will be considered the enemy and stand a good chance that they will be hung for Treason.
That sounds like a recipe for a midnight abduction in a black SUV, and a one-way ticket to Gitmo.
In reply to torak:
Better die fighting as a free man than spend one day as a slave. It is the coward that dies more than once.
We vastly outnumber the evil Fascist; it is only fear that keeps cowards in check.
Show no fear and we will win! The Fascist is the faceless cowards! We are the honorable men in defense of Liberty for our families!
I hate to say this chum, but the fascists (or, more to the point, their benighted supporters) vastly outnumber freedom-loving people who want the rule of law re-asserted in the financial world.
You could kill every corrupt collectivist politico and financier in power in the US today, and tomorrow the Sheep would eagerly elect another identical batch in their stead.
Violence at this point is not only useless and suicidal, but counterproductive, as it makes the sheep even more frightened and needful of their masters' protections.
Educating the masses is the only way we're going to change things.
Yes.
Also inform your children that when they grow up, if they choose to be a cop or in the military, they might be considerd the enemy and hung for treason too
THIS IS WAR
PROTECT THE DECLARATION OF INDEPEDANCE, THE CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS
CHOOSE SIDES CAREFULLY
I will add that U.S. military officers are sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution, so the military may well end up on the right side.
They'd better hurry up, upholding what's left.
The depopulation is well underway.
You're neglecting today's fiat component....... in every citation you made, the government enforced the rules but today's "bankers" (and the insurance companies) have the bad sheriff in thier pocket......... Any peasants revolt in todays terms will have to contend with shock troops, re-education camps, and confuscation of assets of those who fight the fiat. The revolt, if waged, will have to be a simple refusal to participate in the system. No more insurance policies, no more deposits in banks, no more loans. Sound difficult? Try wielding a pitchfork against a Blackhawk.
Well, given the makeup of the armed forces Im not sure you are correct (they are most certainly not drawn equally from all parts of the country since the draft ended) but I do agree that the most effective tactic may well be to do nothing.
As there seem to be few peoples on Earth better at just hanging out and amusing themselves than Americans these days, it could actually work as a strategy and to some extent I think it is. There are an awful lot of people who just don't give a damn.
Death by universal ennui might be a first in the history of governments. It would certainly make for some amusing slogans.
"Join the Revolution-stay on your couch!"
"Ask not what your country can do for you, but how little you can do for your country!"
Ask not what your country can do to you (because currently it can do almost whatever it wants), but rather how you can prevent your country (and the banks and the insurance companies) from doing unto you. The article invokes (incites?) a "peasant revolution"....... incitement from a Russia Today fan (not every contributor to ZH is from Patrick Henry's ilk). I won't be on my couch, but I won't be joining George and his Occupy peasants in thier rock throwing, either.
Let's see what a Jew York State helicopter can do against a Texas Air National Guard F-16.
New JYork city only please. The rest of the state wants the corruption and criminality gone too.
The anti-semetism makes your comment a complete bunch of bull. Lumping people together on any category other than their actions is bullshit. Fuck off. I'm not Jewish, but I'd defend my Jewish neighbor, Muslim neighbor, anyone, with the same vigor and determination as my friends.
Check your bullshit at the door and focus on who the real enemies are.
Will you support your criminal Zionist dual citizenship government employee?
http://www.iamthewitness.com/DarylBradfordSmith_Rothschild.htm
If he's implying that New York State, citizen's wishes be dammed, is a vassal of the State of Israel, then yeah, an objective look, based on policy and actions taken would yield that result. Sorry. Break your chains shaft-toe. Open both eyes.
Plus, lighten up. It was kind of funny. Is interstate rivalry verbotten? People say Californicators. Do you take a stand against that too?
I'm not attacking your Jewish or your Muslim neighbor.
Jesus, a Jew, said 'Love thy neighbor.'
I've always been critical of the Israel lobby, which is mostly been supported by Christian fundamentalists. I dont discount those forces. However, in times like these, the few or weak WILL be targeted. It is essential that all advocates of freedom be eternally vigilant to defend them. We must maintain a united front. Don't let any gaps occur to be exploited by the political class.
Sarge please - tell me you don't believe this.
the Israel lobby ... which is mostly been supported by Christian fundamentalists.
Do you have any way, say like a source to support this illusion?
I'd say the Israeli lobby, the Zionist lobby is mostly supported by bought off politicians. Wouldn't you?
Most "Christians" of any stripe support Israel no matter what. Why not support Alabama or Arkansas or West Virginia? They have people there who are hungry right now. How about any other state in the US? All efforts at home until we clear our hunger and shelter problem, too much to ask? After we feed our hungry then you go help other countries make war.
Most "Christians" of any stripe support Israel
How would you know? Why do you make this up? Most Christians are opposed to war and killing or by definition, they are not Christians.
Honestly, show me you're not just making bs up.
Back up your claim.
Most "Christians" of any stripe support Israel - What a joke.
Is this your fondest dream? Or more cynically, is this considered a good line to lead with?
"Christian supporters of Israel marching as if to war ... as if
Man, you might be the one that I encounter that will not jump through flaming hoops for Israel. I have spoke to many people who claim to be "Christian" and none of them have ever rejected the notion that we should go to war for Israel. The UNIFORM response is that "those are God's people and the US needs to stand by them" or something to that effect. I am truly sorry, but I am not making this up. Go and ask around for yourself if you do not believe me.
I attempt to use the point I made above, that we have people (some of them Christian) in the US who are in dire need of the help and resources we waste around the world, including in Israel - and they uniformly go blank, no argument, the "it just does not compute" look.
Very frustrating indeed.
Most "Christians" of any stripe support Israel
How would you know? Why do you make this up?
Good question. Unless you were to conduct a proper poll researching this, you can't claim definitively that 'most Christians' support Israel.
However... read around. Look at statements made by by Christian 'leaders' and televangelists and comments on religious blogs.
From what I've observed, most Christians believe the Jews are/were God's original Chosen People; that Israel is the country of 'The Jews'; and that therefore God is, broadly, on their side... and thus 'we' should be, too.
Is this analysis of Israel ridiculous? Yup. Is it prevalent? Well, it certainly looks that way to me.
That guy needs a mouthfull of bloody Chicklets.
Gee I guess we have a long way to go. Our solution for financial criminals is to shower them with money.
And tax breaks, not to mention us peasants now have to refer to them as "job creators".
These psyco paths are very smart in that they can get the lower class psycho paths to defend them and offer up scapegoats readily.
Personally I blame the liberal media.
"Personally I blame the liberal media". "Personally I blame the jewish controlled media". Fixed it.
Do your research.
Corporate owned news media.
With their interlocking board of directorates mostly controlled by banksters:
From a 1987 Multinational Monitor article here:
The Media Brokers Concentration and Ownership of the PressIndeed.
Made me chuckle a bit when the last part of the article above referred to 'public outrage' ... when already since long ago, the public is outraged over what the media tells them to be outraged about ...
That fiction there is a 'public outrage' which the media is only observing ... when the media machine mostly creates and channels outrage, away from the ruling elite ...
It becomes different when people are finally hit personally ... this is happening somewhat now in Greece, Italy and Spain, as people start to blame the banksters for unemployment and their economic condition ...
It seems harder for Americans, even despite huge unemployment (US 'real' unemployment 15% to 22% according to ShadowStats) ... Americans are the hardest hit with media propaganda, and tend to blame an impersonal 'economy', or foreigners like Chinese or Mexicans, rather than their rulers and banksters
Americans finally seem to 'get it' when they are arrested or physically assaulted by cops or TSA airline security or railroaded by the corrupt US legal system ... but, otherwise, even poor broke Americans rarely are angry at their real masters
It is the inability to extend government debt via soft money that is finally bringing the Europeans out into the streets. There is no great discontent in America at present, even with generations of poor living off their elders Social Security checks under one roof, or families of 7 living off welfare and disability (somehow all the children end up disabled as well and getting checks). There will be great discontent when those checks stop or when hyperinflation ensues. Until that day, the cauldron will simmer and bubble; the ground will shake; but there will be no eruption.
It is interesting that you differentiate the bullshit the msm feeds you that you buy from the portion you discard. If they lie about some things, what makes you think any of it real? Certainly the real public outrage is blacked out, and what is reported about the savage bits they can't ignore is distorted beyond recognition.
the goal of MKULTRA was mass population control. The conclusion was that the most efficient way to control a population is to create doubt. MOCKINGBIRD is designed to deliver this control. Don't get all bitchy about the USA, your kleptocrats use the same playbook.
Fear is an effective mind control device. All the MSM uses it to extreme excess. And now here it comes to ZH, with *'s blogging dittoheads in tow, trying to find that ADD g-spot. Fear and contrived consenus, thrown at us too quickly to be critically checked, a bunch of talking heads programming you not how to think, but how to feel, driving the images straight past your analytic faculty, with a repetitive meter that resonates with your body, like breathing, or listening to your heartbeat. Study the musical mantra of FOX and the rest of the 'news'. Even the Weather Channel uses the same techniques.
I highly recommend the mushrooms. All forms of math are the best defense against mind control, but laughter works faster, directly negates the emotional attack vector, and accompanies courage. Your enemies don't want you to have courage.
The core of ZH articles & combatants have exceptional mathematical context, the bs sticks out. Evolve or die.Sadly, and with much regret regarding the citizenry of this nation, your remarks are undeniably accurate. Much today is a fiction...and the public insatiably and willingly embrace it.
After thoroughly studying Good and Evil for several decades, I have made one insightful observation. Generally speaking (notice that I prefaced this) the closer a man is to the "Good" end of the spectrum, the more you will likely find that his clothes are cheap, filth dirty and carry a slight perspirant odor. The closer a man is to the Evil end of the spectrum, the more you will likely find that his clothes are extremely expensive, imacculately clean and smell like the finest roses. Using this criteria in general can be very helpful at times
Yes, the parasitic genome is metrosexual. The wigs, the robes, the thilly hats, thilly lthps & thilly walks...
An honest day's work for an honest day's pay - without someone skimming off the top.
Yeah, the good ol' days.
I have always suggested a study of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom bureaucratic system of around 2000BC as a model for modern bureaucrats to try to emulate, if they want to keep a country going for several thousand years.
There is a lot that can be learned from ancient history - the humans in those times were indistinguishable from us, and had similar pressures, social and legal restrictions, and desires to be wealthy. If you do not learn from history....
The Egyptian Middle Kingdom lasted for just 237 years (exectly the same length as the American Experiment!) - and was marked, in the middle, by the assassination of one dynasty and usurpation of the throne by "Abraham" (the pharaoh Amenemhat, a priest who initiated monotheism in Egypt...and whose line died out through inbreeding).
Coincidentally, the Middle Kingdom ended with the invasion of Egypt by the Khazarians (known as the Hyksos, riding in from the north on horse-drawn chariots)!!!!!
You need to do just a little more reading of history before preaching of its lessons.
...assassinations, usurpations, inbreedin, oh my!
nothin new under the khazarian sun....the Bronfman klans's still number one!
the klan has all the old recipes, to bake the cake without mistake! And thanks to the phony pharoah, they get to have that cake n eat it too!
Agreed that nothing is ever learned (well, only for about a human lifespan anyhow until things must be learned in blood and fire again). Humanity has always collectively suffered from what I have seen referred to as "temporal provincialism" (though I can't recall where I first saw it)- the belief that they themselves living in the time they do are somehow better and more enlightened than everyone before, and as such do not really need to pay attention to what occured in a benighted world before it was graced with their individual presence because people are now somehow better and smarter despite all evidence to the contrary around them.
a great many people do not familiarize themselves with government
.
or feel deserving of better
"Will We Have to Wait for a 21st Century Peasants’ Revolt Before Seeing Any Real Change?"
Really Georgie? Seriously. What makes you think this generation or any in last 50 years is any better or different than EVERY OTHER CULTURE/NATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD?
It's called original sin sport. And it's a bitch.
Good luck living your 99%er delusions.
Envisioning a 'peasant's revolt' against a government/system that feeds them, houses them, bandaids their booboos, gives them pocket money every month....
Yeah, good luck with that.
By your reasoning the FSU would never have fallen.
And, since you seem poorly educated in world history, Rome was essentially a socialist state - though without the military restraints modern socialist states currently operate under [though that will change as things go south].
The socialist state requires a positive demographic trend. Once there's an inversion, thank you feminism and abortion, the system collapses with the rollercoaster drop in demographics.
What does Florida State have to do with anything?
It's the lack of a consistent kicking game.
Tried that last summer, no joy.
Newton lost 20000 pounds during the 1720 South sea bubble, worth
$5 million in today's money
Newton also set a 'standard' value ratio for gold:silver, and then was surprised to see the undervalued metal (silver) drain from the British economy. Oops! Central planning strikes again!
If even a genius like Newton couldn't get that right, what chance have our modern central planners of setting interest rates optimally?
(yes, I know they're only appearing to set them for the good of the economy... this was a rhetorical question for the statists)
Newton was also a diehard religionist who frittered away literally decades of his life in the scribbling of arcane commentaries on the New Testament, as well as wasting vast amounts of time in alchemical research for the Philosopher's Stone which predictably went nowhere.
The more I learn about Newton, the more I realize that he was an eccentric and obsessive kook who happened to have one valuable insight --- the vast majority of the rest of his life was more or less a complete and unproductive waste of time.