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Guest Post: The "It Can't Happen Here" Syndrome
Submitted by Patrice Lewis of WND.com,
Here is a short quiz for you. Ready?
- What’s the current situation with Lindsay Lohan’s rehab?
- Who won the latest “Dancing With the Stars”?
- Name five celebrities with “baby bumps.”
- Explain how the Cypriot banking crisis could impact the European economy.
If you answered the first three questions but are clueless on the fourth, you’re in good company. Estimates are that up to half the population in America is ignorant about the situation in Cyprus. Oh sure, they hear snippets on the evening news, but since it’s far away and happening to other people, they don’t worry about it.
These people are suffering from a Normalcy Bias.
Just what is a Normalcy Bias? Wikipedia defines it as a mental state that “causes people to underestimate both the possibility of a disaster occurring and its possible effects.” It’s sometimes called the “It can’t happen here” syndrome. The assumption is that since a particular disaster has never occurred before, it never will. Any disturbing indications that something bad may happen are dismissed or trivialized.
Originally, the Normalcy Bias referred solely to natural disasters. The scale of devastation and societal disruption from Hurricane Katrina can be attributed in part to a Normalcy Bias – the refusal of the people of New Orleans to believe their beloved city could ever receive a direct hit from a major hurricane, despite its physical vulnerabilities. I distinctly remember seeing a live news report from New Orleans on the evening of Aug. 28, 2005, that showed people partying in the street with a (then) Category 4 hurricane hours away from landfall. Disaster? Nah. It can’t happen here. Gimme another beer.
But the Normalcy Bias has been extended to include political and social disasters as well. The most extreme example is Jews (and to an extent, some Germans) during the reign of the Nazis. Despite all the warning signs, many people remained in denial. Concentration camps? Genocide? Nah. Too crazy. It can’t happen here.
When we hear the mainstream media assuring us in soothing, condescending tones that we’re in an economic “recovery” – despite all evidence to the contrary – we want desperately to believe them. We don’t want anything to disrupt our ordinary, comfortable lives. We genuinely believe that if we cling to our normal way of life and habitual methods of doing things – despite overwhelming proof that something dangerous is looming – then everything will be OK. It can’t happen here.
But the situation in Cyprus is potentially international in scope. North Korea is doing some serious saber-rattling. America’s debt is so out of control that an economic crash is a statistical certainty. Sweeping anti-gun legislation is being enacted in various states even as we speak. As Ayn Rand so memorably put it, “You can ignore reality, but you can’t ignore the consequences of ignoring reality.”
Right now life is still pretty good in America. Grocery stores are well-stocked, restaurants are busy, movie theaters are full. Some people know that perhaps they should think about putting some of their retirement savings into tangibles or buying up some ammo, but what’s the hurry? The government won’t seize our assets or take away the Second Amendment. It can’t happen here.
But underneath our feet there is a low-grade ominous rumbling, something perceptive people detected many years ago. All is NOT right in America and in many other places in the world. Something bad IS heading our way. People need to prepare – physically, financially and spiritually.
Canada Free Press (which is not afraid to print in-your-face stuff about America) published a fascinating article on how the U.S. government has an agenda to kill the dollar. “The ultimate objective is to implement an international currency in tandem with a system of global governance,” writes Doug Hagmann. “The problem is that most people are not thinking large enough, nor do they understand the magnitude of the lie. They are not seeing the larger picture as their focus is diverted elsewhere. For example, they focus on various tentacles of the octopus such as the gun confiscation initiative, the DHS armament acquisitions and economic woes as independent and unrelated events. They are not. … Many will die from what is coming. The level of evil behind this plan is incomprehensible to the normal human mind.”
See? Normalcy Bias. People continue to cling to the notion that our leaders are working for us, not for themselves. So people sit on their butts watching “American Idol” or reading about celebrity baby bumps. Can the U.S. economy crash? Nah. It can’t happen here.
There are many people who just can’t “see” anything wrong with our country. Any restrictions to our constitutional freedoms and liberties are justified as “necessary” to ensure domestic tranquility. When the TSA performs atrocities on children, the elderly, or the disabled, they are excused as simply being overzealous for our security. When the federal government buys billions of rounds of hollow-point ammunition or mandates another offensive policy for kindergartners or places drones in American skies, we close our eyes and pretend it’s all for the common good. And for those who claim deep dark conspiracy theories? Take off your tin foil hats. It could never happen here. Everything’s fine.
And when something big and bad does happen, these people will be surprised. What will they say if savings accounts or pensions are confiscated (Hungary, Argentina, Cyprus)? If door-to-door gun seizures occur (England, Australia)? If dissident camps aren’t rumors after all (Cambodia, China, Russia)? Where did this come from?
“Denial is an integral part of atrocity,” wrote the late Iris Chang, “and it’s a natural part after a society has committed genocide. First you kill, and then the memory of killing is killed.”
The fact is, very little happens that doesn’t give some sort of advanced warning. All it takes is vigilance and a determination not to depend wholly on the mainstream media, which tends to filter world and national events to support their agenda.
So what can be done about all these dire things? Well, the first thing to do is strip away your Normalcy Bias and acknowledge that the smoke on the horizon means a fire is coming. Awareness, as they say, is half the battle.
And then prepare yourself physically, financially and spiritually. Learn how to safeguard your home and family; learn how to safeguard your money; and learn how to safeguard your soul.
But most of you won’t. You’ll have endless excuses why it’s not necessary, at least not yet. You’ll remain in denial. You won’t do anything.
Shrug. I tried.
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It can happen here... it will. Timing is everything!
Zappa says it can:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svdrAHn_LGo
USA, Baaaaaaaaaah, USA, Baaaaaaaaaah, USA, Baaaaaaaaaah
<----- I can answer #4
<----- I can answer #1-3
“Yet the individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst. It rejects even the assumption that human creatures could espouse a philosophy which must ultimately destroy all that is good and decent.” (FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, The Elks Magazine, August 1956.)
I first heard of normalcy bias here...
Great Read...
The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your LifeBy Ben Sherwood
http://www.amazon.com/The-Survivors-Club-Secrets-Science/dp/B004TE6O2G
i love only knowing the answer to the fourth question, an ugly answer, but at least i know it
I only have "some" knowledge about #4
Wouldn't have it any other way!
I think I'm in good company here ;)
True, true, but the guy with the dead dancer avatar has to say that Dancing With the Stars is WAY better than American Idol
Then seven years later Hoover helped the conspiracy that murdered President Kennedy.
Yes, but there's a simpler formula:
Is the system being run for the benefit of all, or for the benefit of those who run it?
This one's pretty easy, no?
“Yet the individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst. It rejects even the assumption that human creatures could espouse a philosophy which must ultimately destroy all that is good and decent.” (FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, The Elks Magazine, August 1956.)
Hoover's famous 'monstrous conspiracy' quote in context:
http://metabunk.org/threads/330-Debunked-quot-A-conspiracy-so-monstrous-he-cannot-believe-it-exists-quot-(Hoover)
Seriuosly, I cant answer #1-3 (no TV, no MSM news, no shit (no shit))
I have no clue what the first 3 are referring.
Does that make me a bad American?
Terrorist
Please report to your nearest FEMA camp for re-education
lol
Sadly, I'm a nerd. I could NOT answer the first three but could only answer the fourth. *sigh* I'm so out of touch with other Americans.
Friends and family in Southern Cal can only answer 1-3...and I'm the crazy one for leaving California.
Leaving California will almost certainly save your life.
I can only answer number 4. I have no clue on 1-3 and don't care about those either. What matters is what is really important and happening in the world. The distraction stuff is such B.S. and I am amazed that people really care about that sh**!
Nope, cannot answer those first 3. I do think Kim 'my ass is 2 axe-handles wide' Kardashian is pregnant though.
As an aside, I get physically sick when I hear people discussing things like they have a 70 IQ or are talking to children when they purportedly are talking to functioning adults.
Shit like:
"Baby bump." I get an immediate urge to throat punch anyone who says that.
"Veggies." What the fuck are you, a fucking retard? The word is vegetables.
"The bad guys." This isn't a cop show; articulate who you are talking about. Use the word criminals, terrorists, bankers - but not the 'bad guys.' Fuck.
Ingsoc.
can someone explain why the Kardasian is a celebrity.
Was she in a movie?
had to search it.
apparently she is an attention whore who got turned onto the professional opportunities of such a lifestyle by being associated with paris hilton.
also, her father defended OJ.. which is weird.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeping_Up_with_the_Kardashians
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+is+kim+kardashian+a+celebrity
so basically everything that's wrong with america got a tv show.
yes she starred in a sex tape you can find clips of it all over the internet.
I have absolutely no freakin' clue. I am only peripherally aware of who Lohan is.
I've never watched an episode, which is not odd considering I don't watch TV.
Heh. I'm lucky if I can name five celebrities...clueless as to who is pregnant, or why we should know or care.
This is easy. The Cypriot banking crisis is eroding confidence in the Euro in general and in banks in particular, has robbed from the relatively poor to give to the rich, reckless gamblers they call bankers, and has doomed the European economy for decades to come. They should have followed the Iceland plan. It's too late now.
Conclusion: It can happen here. It will happen here. Do the math, people.
Math? What mean "math"?
The fourth one makes almost a daily appearance here, so that's a no brainer. But the others are fiendishly difficult. I can answer one fifth of the third: I heard that one of the Cardassians (from Star Trek?) married to someone with an improbable name of 'Can of Waste' is getting nasty tweets about her pregnancy fat and people are rallying around in support. How nice.
...and in the news:
Gold drifts higher with Herbalife halt news.
Hey, it makes as much sense as anything else going on lately.
THANK GOD SLOVENIA IS SAVED!!
Just imagine that shit to spill over...
AND YOU WANNE HEAR SOMETHING REALLY FUNNY???!!!
FITCH LOWERED THE RATING OF CHINA!!!
WHOEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
NOT US!!!
BUT CHINA!!!! I BET IT'S BECAUSE THEY HOLD DOLLARS!!!
WHOEHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
What do you mean can ?
It most certainly is happening.We have our very own Pol Pot esconced
in 1600 Pensylvania Ave.
In the past I had liberal friends who I disagreed with. Today I refuse to even speak with them. There is nothing even remotely "disagreeable" about the direction the pig in chief is taking this country and I refuse to even acknowledge him. I have gone Galt, all cash transactions, not participating in their little game. There is a way out and doesn't necessarily mean violence. A massive civil disobedience, refusing to participate would do the trick and expose the illegitimacy of the regime. But nobody wants to sacrifice. I'll bet many on here still play the game, cable TV, going out to the restaurants, and buying new cars and keeping the Obama dream alive.
The citizens disgust me as much as the regime
"A massive civil disobedience, refusing to participate would do the trick and expose the illegitimacy of the regime. But nobody wants to sacrifice. "
You know this makes you a liberal occupier don't you?
Wow
You have, nearly perfectly, recreated the anti-W posts from way back when! You're going galt instead of going expat, and the cash only, anti-cable TV wasn't there, but the sentiment and the rest is all there.
The king is dead, long live the king!
Azz: Since you still use federal reserve notes you are still in the game.
>>>>In the past I had liberal friends who I disagreed with. Today I refuse to even speak to them.
So does that mean their ignorance/denial is not worthy of your friendship/love? I wholly understand where you're coming from. From the few I've been able to get thru to, it's been by planting a seed. e.g. docu's---end of marika, hot coffee, marika-freedom to fascism. They just happened to be playing when they came over. As long as they think it's their opinion/awakening, it's amazing how they start to awaken from their slumber. I still have plenty that think I'm batshit crazy, adore Krugman, Bush, Clinton, Obummer. That's ok. The conversation is only permitted on less serious subjects.
It's important to have a vague reference point for questions 1-3. In doing so, you may be able to gain the CONfidence of the sheeple resulting a small takeaway relative to question 4. People always want to think that you agree with them and calling them out about not knowing question 4 is only creating a barrier. It's not like the sheeple are stable.
Fuck, I regress.....
Ah Lindsay...
America's New National Icon
From Donald Duck to Dover's Deck
In one generation
HERBALIFE?!!! TYLERZ what's the deal? Who's about to lose their ass, Ichan or Ackman?
It's funny. Just 30 minutes ago in a meeting here at the office where we were discussing a bank (Citi) that was giving us issues accessing our money, I commented "what the hell do they think this is, Cyprus?" and of the 8 other people in the room, all of whom are supposed to be financially literate, only ONE understood the line. The rest looks at me like "WTF are you talking about?"
If those supposedly educated people didn't know, imagine how lost the average American iPhone-humping Kardashian-assdrooling idiot is.
In fairness, my iPhone has an app for humping Kim which is pretty cool.
LOL, that was fucking funny
Is there a condom app available as well? That's the only way I'd hit that through an iPhone.
Can you put a condom over your eyes?
It can't happen here the IMF says so, so there :p
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/economics/9981600/Billions-of-pounds-of-QE-unlikely-to-cause-inflation-IMF.html
'Central banks can unleash billions of pounds more quantitative easing with little threat of stoking inflation, according to analysis by the International Monetary Fund'
I thought Lindsay Lohan got put in rehab because she tried dancing with the stars while sporting a baby bumb? No?
Normalcy Bias - Why people die in crisis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quos1dxW7gI
what are baby bumps?
Punished.....with a baby? That's so unfair!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jszkPtsFH-k
Those are those things in the road you drive over that are intended to slow you down but they really don't slow you down because they are too small
Which raises the question: Why are celebrities collecting bot dots? That's just weird...
THOSE FUCKING THINGS ARE TRASHING MY BUMPER EVERY MORNING!!!
I LIVE IN A PLACE CLOSE TO NOWHERE!!
THE COUNTRYSIDE SO TO SPEAK!!!
AND THERE IS ONE AT THE END OF MY STREET FOR GOD KNOWS WHY!!
AND ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEXT ROAD FOR GOD KNOWS WHY!!
THEY FUCKING SAY THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DRIVE 25 KM A HOUR OVER IT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM!!!!
FUCK THAT!!!!
I DRIVE 5 KM A HOUR, SIDEWAYS AND STILL I HEAR THAT KKKKKRrrrrRRRKKKKRRRRRrrrr !!!!!
NEW BUMPER => 3200 EURO
BEING ABLE TO KILL THE GUY WHO INVENTED THAT CRAP => PRICELESS!!!
You need to find the right speed that doesn't catch the shock absorber contraction (meaning you want your shocks expanding and moving the chassis up and away from the bump). Slower is not necessarily better.
I already had to replace a rcs valve sensor thing that goes onto carbon emission shit crap thing because of going to fast over that bump thing
1500 EURO!!!
I BET THOSE FUCKING CAR INDUSTRY LOBBYISTS FUCKERS MADE THEM PLACE THAT CRAP OVER IN MY STREET!!!
CAN'T SELL CARS?!
LET'S JUST FUCKING TRASH THE CARS THAT ARE SOLD!!
FUCKING DICK ASSHOLES!!!
WHOEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAARRRRRHHHHHH!!!
Better take that money and bribe some local paramedics with it. They must claim, that they're unable to get over the bumpers with their ambulance fast enough, and the bumpers should disappear. Proven to work under EU-law.
so...
all I have to do...
IS HIT MY NEIGHBOUR WITH A BASEBALL BAT?!!! AND CALL THE PARAMEDICS AND TELL THEM I'M TIMING THEIR ASSES?!!
IS IT REALLY THAT EASY?!!!
You got it. Personally, I think that you should bribe the paramedics, than hurting anyone isn't necessary. But if you plan on saving a little money, it should work your way, too.
it's not like I'm greedy or so... sure I like to spend money on it...
BUT MY WAY IS JUST SO MUCH MORE FUN!!!
AND I HAVE PLENTY MORE NEIGHBOURS AFTER THAT!!!
The paramedics can make that bumpers disappear, it doesn't really matter if you bribe them or simply blackmail 'em ...
http://www.dewalt.be/nl/powertools/productoverview/hierarchy/1196/
What the hell is Lindsay Lohan? Can her baby bumps be reated with a cream, or does she have to take something orally for them?
I think that has something to do with being knocked up.
If she took 'something orally', she wouldn't have the baby bump in the first place.
LOL.. Thanks for the laugh...
What's wrong with me, I could ONLY answer the fourth question?!
DavidC
weird cause the Cypriot bankers only got the first three...
They still have bankers in Cyprus?
I work with college graduates. More than have woudn't be able to tell who's their US senator. Or how many there are per each state, or how many states.
Cyprus is in Asia; so who cares /sarc.
+1000
It should come as no surprise why, despite the millions seeking jobs in this country, those over 50 are having the easiest time finding work and companies are screaming for more H1B visas. Finding creative, clear thinking talent, particularly in high tech, is a real pain in the ass.
These days I know within 60 seconds of starting an interview if someone is worth the my time. Even most of the gomers with Ivy League pigskins under their arms are a joke.
"F" that. We are more than happy to hire from abroad and to pay them well.
Dem liberal chickens be comin home to roost.
I was with you until, "Dem liberal chickens be comin home to roost." Like it was liberal chickens that shipped our manufacturing base overseas. And it was liberal chickens that participated in U.S. wage destruction. And liberal chickens instigated the patriot act.
This shit happens under both administrations liberal and conservative. Why is it the so educated ignore history. The banksters in a kleptocracy care not whether you are liberal or conservative because they know the one truth, YOU ARE FOR SALE!
If you look at the liberals who run the US schools it would be explain many things. The few conservative teachers who exist basically shut up to avoid losing their job.
if one doesn't desire a "liberal" schooling for their kids, why on earth send them there?
people don't think past their anger. . .
These days I know within 60 seconds of starting an interview if someone is worth the my time. Even most of the gomers with Ivy League pigskins under their arms are a joke.
"F" that. We are more than happy to hire from abroad and to pay them well.
There are plenty of Americans that can do the job and if you're not seeing them show up for your interviews, then your compensation plainly sux balls. Why dont you offer more benefits, or better yet, instead of raising the financial compensation, off to let them work from home with biweekly staff meetings, loading up software to report work on, and you will fine tons of well qualified people seeking interviews. Most software engineers I know would take between a 10% to 20% cut in pay if they could work from home 9 out of 10 days in a two week period.
As to hiring foreigners, what makes you think Westerners are any more pop-headed stupid asses than Indians or Chinese? Are you a racist or just looking for an excuse to hire cheap H1-B indentured servants? My bet is on the latter, but who knows?
"Are you a racist or just looking for an excuse to hire cheap H1-B indentured servants? My bet is on the latter, but who knows?"
Replace the word racist with slaver and my bet would be both.
Funny how all them folk don't want immigration less they can profit from it. Despite the fact that in most cases they do.
The author really shouldn't use big "college-level" (in the US) words like Normalcy Bias,it is distracting and incorrect, when the underlying causes can be identified with much more intellect-appropriate (simpler) words-
UNEDUCATED SELF-ABSORBED IRRESPONSIBLE GREEDY BOOT-LICKING DUMB-ASS IGNORANT RETARDS
I remember as an undergraduate, I met a russian student and over a short period realized she knew world geography down to an amazing detail. She said it was basic standard stuff. That started me thinking why we would literally remove it from primary education. Over time, it's become painfully clear.
That's what happens when you reward workers more for having a piece of paper (college degree) rather than merit.
A college degree is important - but not everything!
It isn't in the "national interest" to have an educated popluation.
it's in the national interest to ignore the national interest
It's in the interest of the population to have an educated population. Education has fuck all to do with the national interest.
it's in the national Oligarch's interest to ignore the national interest
There; fixed that for you.
I can't answer the first 3 questions.
I can answer the third, at length, but nobody outside of ZH is interested. most don't even know Cyprus exists or where it is.
Sadly so true. But then as much as I hate mass media even I was surpised at the lip serve given Cyprus with little discussion as to it's more far reaching ramifications. Agree with ZH'ers or not they are prob most informed group in America. I often refer friends to the site with an admonition to read the comments for a wide array of opinions. But then that entails reading. Which goes to say I rarely have conversations about what did you think of that article on Zero Hedge. I hear some who even say, "I don't get how can Banks be allowed to break the law?"
Really people operate in the streets and get a real education as to why this country is so fucked up.
Isn't a Cyprus a type of tree? I saw some when I was on Monterey.
I guess Cyprus is a TV celebrity. What a panicy article, who cares... North Korea is at the other side of the globe...I can still buy gold tomorrow. All is good in lala land!
please.
the subjects of all of the "questions" get mentioned, discussed, lol'd at every day at ZH, on numerous threads.
I haven't watched TeeVee in over a decade, and even I know who these questions reference, as do you, and pretty much everyone here.
but yeah, on you go lads. . .
I thought this morning was like any other but after that last dump...
sometimes it's even better than sex
No wonder your so angry all the time
HEY!!!
I DON'T MIND IF POLITICIANS SAY THAT ACCOUNTHOLDERS SHOULD TAKE A BATH TO WHEN THE BANKS TOPS OVER!!
BUT BUT BUT BUT!!!!!
1. WHERE IS THE POLITICAL OVERSIGHT THEY SAID WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER 2009?!!
2. GLASS STEAGALL NOW!!!
3. BASEL III
AND IF YOU THINK THAT ARE 3 TV SERIES, YOU SHOULD BE SHOT!!
All political oversight was rehypothecated by Jon Corzine, Eric Holder, B. Hussein Obama, etc.
FUCK THAT!!
IT'S LIKE AFTER WORLD WAR NUMERO UNO WHEN THEY SAID "NEVER AGAIN!!"
AND WE ALL KNOW WHY THEY CALLED IT WORLD WAR NUMERO UNO!!
Who is Honey Boo Boo? If you know, then your not going to answer the last question.
Is #4 the latest PS3 release? Sounds kinda boring.
/sarc
It is happeing here right now. Using crack cocaine to explain the crisis in Cyprus, Europe and the USA. A simple explanation of what is going wrong for non-economists http://tinyurl.com/cntzebc
"Don't forget this fact, you can't it get back" - J J Cale (as made popular by Eric Clapton)
"The Road to Escondido". Excellent CD.
I know nothing of the first 3.
I know more than I want to about the 4th.
With all of Kim Jong Un's nuke rattling, the China-Japanese island dispute is fading from memory even though it is still ongoing.
Both of those are masking Japans financial assault.
I think it is safe to assume that most ZH readers can answer #4 and could care less about 1-3.
A retired enfineer friend put the bulk of his retirement savings with a major money manager (K. Fisher) that has all of his clients thinking that the FEDs actions won't create any meaningful inflation and that they can withdraw the QE and thereby end any threat of major inflation. Normalcy bias!
The problem with this quiz is that non ZH readers, i..e hundreds of millions of witless sheeple, won't ever read it -- let alone be able to answer the fourth question.
If Lindsey Lohan rushed Putin topless, then maybe people might learn a little bit more.
Baby steps....
What is the best ETF for safeguarding my soul?
Best comment I've ever seen.
GOD
See Cheney's fund manager
cheney has a soul?
he did, but he removed it- for safekeeping.
He keeps it at an undisclosed location that has been removed from google maps
I found it. It's called "Site R".
That's funny, I could have sworn he sold his soul at an auction. I only have vague memories of the auction since it was years ago, but I believe Jamie Dimon sold some ethics and a bunch of paper with GLD and SLV written on it, and I'm pretty sure Bernanke was there bidding on treasuries. In fact, the auction house was delighted to get a big pile of Bennie Bux for those treasuries. I only remember this because I bid on a big pile of maple leaf coins and the auction house was happy to take my fiat in trade and the whole time, I was thinking, "Suckers!"
"You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down." Matthew 24.2
That about sums it up ...
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (“privately” or “secretly”) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words (Lit., “well-turned words” – i.e., “spin”) MAKE MERCHANDISE OF YOU; whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (II Peter 2:1-3)
I...wasn't ready. But I can name five central banks with vermin infestations.
That's not really difficult, though. All you have to do is open an atlas and point to the first five nations you see.
Monster Boxes - only $15,680 while supplies last! Because it CAN happen here.
the modern boom box
Too funny. I had a brief conversation with a guy at work yesterday regarding Cyprus. The guy is generally much more well informed than the typical American idiot. He knew very few accurate details concerning what happened, he did understand though that individuals suffered a theft of funds. He was violently adamant however that such an act "would never happen in America". I tried to explain to him that in fact such an act is a near certainty but he flat out refused to accept this. His final response was "You're wrong about this. If they tried to steal our money, we would see an instant revolution".
I just shook my head and walked away.
Amen! That shit won't happen to me. Until it does. I won't let them take my shit. Until you do. Cause you already are daily. Without KY or a kiss
like 911, you back them into a factual, logical, evidentiary corner and all they say is it could never happen here
I love the "here" part
I love how we read history about all the bad guys in far away lands
no one ever stops to think we're far away from a lot of folks
I tried to explain to him that in fact such an act is a near certainty but he flat out refused to accept this. His final response was "You're wrong about this. If they tried to steal our money, we would see an instant revolution".
Most Americans wont do anything at all, especially up North where people have been conditioned to believe that everything belongs to the government anyway and we just get to use it till we die, sort of. For example, the tax on your land; if the land truly belongs to you, then how can they confiscate your land for not paying taxes? ISnt that a lack of proportionality? But yet people just accept it as though it is right because they think resistance is hopeless and they are consumed by despair.
But your friends is saying what many do think, though not a majority; "there is only so far they can push us then all bets are off." He isnt protesting about it already because maybe he is too busy, or maybe he has already been conditioned to remain silent when things piss him off. The silence miisleads the Oligarchs into thinking the entire population is complacent, but it is not ALL complacent. And the 20% who will never be complacent past a certain point are more than enough for corrective measures. The herd of sheep the Oligarches have bred themselves will be utterly useless to them when they need them the most.
The herd is still pretty comfortable. I'm waiting to see what happens when they become UN-comfortable. Thats when we find out how docile they actually are.
O and hey, what IS the answer to #4?
Ahhhhh, I see....trick question.
Don't worry. We'll kill ourselves or the planet first.
Good article.
And those who do understand and can see what's happening are awarded - by those in denial - the title of being "paranoid" or "scare-monger" or "plain whacko".
Wear that title with honor.
When things do fold up, those in denial will remember as they are placing dinner in front of you and asking if you want your drink refreshed.
As long as people can still talk about the first 3 questions, there is the allusion of normalcy. When the majority can't anymore
it is already over with, and learning about the 4th question from within their government re-education camp at that point
will gain them nothing.
I got nothing on the first 3, and I can't tell you what will happen in Europe over Cyprus either.
That's why I am still reading here.
Being able to read clearly is an enormous advantage ....
Is it possible to physically get ill reading CNBC? They keep waving the QE withdrawl wand like this is going to somehow add a touch of austerity to the debt Gorzilla the Feds created.
The answers to all four questions are fed to us by the MSM.
And the answer to the fourth question that is fed to us by the MSM is downplayed and distorted.
Thank goodness for ZH.
i must be a misfit, i answered pass for 1st 3, and something intelligent for 4.
Stock returns vs unemployment
http://instagram.com/p/X4poDNsDN4/
So basically, we're never getting to 6.5% or lower UE again.
The average citizen doesn't suffer from a normalcy bias. The average citizen is merely ignorant and apathetic about political and economic affairs. That's how we got our affirmative action president elected and reelected, despite his proven track record of destroying whatever he touches.
I worked with people who were registered Republicans that thought I was a "radical" for hanging quotes from Jefferson and Washington in my office regarding how large our gub'ment has become.
I advocate for the right to openly bear arms AND a womans right to choose.
Love creating cognitive dissonance.
RE:
I do as well - which is probably why we are in the FBI's shit list.
You want cognitive dissonance? Try this little experiment...ask the average democrat if they support abortion and the death penalty. The answers will be "yes, of course" and "hell, no!" Ask the average repub if they support abortion and the death penalty. The answers will be "my God, of course not!" and "yes, of course". Neither side realizes they are advocating on one hand that all life is sacred, while on the other hand they are claiming that some lives should not continue.
I don't like cognitive dissonance. This is why I am pro-choice and advocate the death penalty. ;)
It's all in the timing.
That's why I'm against abortion and the death penalty. I just can't have my own arguments used against me.
Of course, when the shit hits the fan and the rule of law is no longer I may need to institute the death penalty if someone comes between me and mine. I suppose I'll need to reevaluate at that point.
People are way more brainwashed in Canada.
``Guns are bad, we must ban them all, so crazy people don't kill children``... Yeah let's all forget governments killed 100 million + in the 20 century alone... Answer : it can't happen here!
What got me was when they published the Canadian law on self defense. Something to the effect "You can defend yourself as long as you do not resort to lethal force". Now, you cannot have pepper spray or tasers, which means you realistically (when confronted with potential lethal force) are reduced to issuing a stern rebuke. A similar issue in Vancouver where pedestrians were being hit at night, they wanted to put in more cameras. NOT better lighting, mind you, cameras. Place blame instead of making dimly lit crosswalks safer.
Fact is, dead civilians are useful to governments. The media plays up the situation, which scares the stupid, which leads to calls for more laws which do nothing except hurt the law-abiding, which leads to studies and more bureaucratic growth.
They prefer the illusion of fixing the problem, rather than doing anything that might actually fix the problem.
Every country with a higher murder rate than the USA has had the citizen's guns confiscated.. Australia which had its guns taken is now facing predatory laws aimed at retirement and bank accounts. Hammers are used to kill more people each year than "assault rifles" (source: FBI data). When half the people are getting a free ride why would you expect them to be informed or care. They are the sheeple willing to sell freedom for a cell phone and food stamps and obamacare. When Obowelmovement gets a second term with a 0 growth ecomony and our money becoming worthless once China finishes setting up trade partnerships using the Yuan and its gold stock (do we really have any gold or do we have tungsten coated gold.... ask Germany when they will get their gold) and the buck is no longer the world reserve currency.. then inflation and chaos ensues. Whcih was Obowelmovements objective in the first place. With ethanol rules burning our food, green energy waste and cronyism, no pipeline, royal vacations while the rest eat cake.. Maybe half realize what is going on and of that 1/2 maybe 10% of them will take any action. When war veterans are labeled as "potential terrorists" instead of heroes, when people of faith are labeled "potential terrorists", when anyone who opposes an icompetent, corrupt regime is labeled a "potential terrorist", when 1.6 billion rounds per year of hollow point ammo is purchased, when 2700 mrap's are pruchased for domestic use and new uniforms, silhouette targets with women and children are being used by DHS and other agencies, when the army indoctrinatin centers are brainwashing and indoctrinating troops to understand it may be necesary to use force against civilians,when FEMA has 10 regional concentration camps "in case there is a mass run across the border from mexico", when troops are runnnng practice drills in cities across the country, when an undercover FBI agent tells us that Bill Ayers felt that "of necessity 25 million Americans will have to be reeducated in special camps (up the stack) .... and if people dont notice then ....we are truly sheep being taken to the slaughter.
dont try and confuse us with facts
"Australia which had its guns taken is now facing predatory laws aimed at retirement and bank accounts."
Thats a leap of logic isn't it. We still have guns and the fed, banks, SEC, wallstreet, and governemnt is ripping us off daily.
Obama and democrats know there is not a chance in hell gun control is going to pass. It doesn't have to when you have federal agencies buying up all the ammo. It's all smoke a mirrors and you are falling for it.
They may want to to register guns so they can come and take them, but gun owners (and I am one) who keep them to protect themselves against the government blew that chance long ago.
Obama is following the Bush/Cheny agenda re oppression of libertries. Many states, such a Florida, don't even need the federal governments lead. They have steadily been wacking away at rights for years under republican administration.
Obama is surrounded by wall streeters. His Department of Justice has insured we "ARE NOT EQUAL UNDER THE LAW". That bankers, who care not what party you belong to are above the law.
Thus the trap so many fall into here re liberal versus conservative. That is the fight they want you to have because divided we fall and divided we are.
Remember, the most conservative judge on the supreme court Justice Scalia argues that the constitutionn does NOT gaurantee the right to bear arms to individuals. But then Scalia and Thomas are do boys for the Koch bros.
Wake up people because you letting your confirmation bias over run your normalcy bias and will fucking lose by hating those who would stand beside you were you to get your bigotry out of the way!
A thought for Mr. Limbaugh and the rest of you who simply refuse to even listen to any word that might be considered a conspiracy; I would remind you that it is a sentiment that served Julius Caeser quite poorly, quite poorly indeed.
When SHTF I would rather be in the USA than many other parts of the world.
I think I would rather be in a place that the police state has little access to technology.