This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
This Means War: US To Target Putin's Personal $40 Billion Stash
While the White House has continually threatened further sanctions against Russia for non-de-escalation (even as it un-de-escalates itself), the specifics of the additional sanctions have been sparse. German CEO warnings over blowback from economic sanctions... the "nonsense" of replacing Russian gas with US gas... the Russian warnings of "interdependence" and "boomerangs"... all reduce the West's arsenal of financial sanctions. But, as The Times of London reports, perhaps the US has found a crucial pain point for Putin - a sanctions regime that would target Putin's personal wealth, which includes a reported $40 billion stashed in Swiss bank accounts.
The White House on Friday refused to comment on reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin's personal wealth could be targeted if the West were to move ahead with additional sanctions over Ukraine.
"I'm not going to get into foreshadowing particular individuals or entities that the United States may target," national security adviser Susan Rice told reporters at the White House. "But let me just say we've been clear that there are additional individuals, officials, close associates of senior leadership, oligarchs and those entities that they are associated with that remain very much potential targets of additional sanctions."
...
The Times of London reported Friday that the U.S. was preparing a sanctions regime that would target Putin's personal wealth, which includes a reported $40 billion stashed in Swiss bank accounts.
Putin's actual holdings are a tightly held secret, and the extent of his holdings are difficult to estimate. But a threat of trying to freeze the Russian president's personal assets could have played a role in a deal brokered Thursday by foreign ministers from the U.S., Ukraine, Russia and European Union.
Perhaps it is worth remembering Putin's response from last week's Q&A...
Putin was asked why the US can do whatever it wants and no one punishes them, while attempts are being made to punish Russia.
“The US is certainly one of the world’s leaders. At some point it seemed that it was the only leader and a uni-polar system was in place. Today it appears that is not the case. Everything in the world is interdependent and once you try to punish someone, in the end you will cut off your nose to spite your face,” he said.
Though we are sure Obama and his team have considered all the intended and unintended consequences of any such actions.
»
- 74849 reads
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -
This 'news' is barely worth responding to but here goes.
Money talks, bullshit walks. If the WH really wanted to even appear to target Vlad's money they would freeze trade in Gazprom ADR shares. Vlad purportedly owns 4.5% of Gazprom and by my seat-of-the-envelope calculation that position would throw off around a billion $US in dividend payments per year. Not that I have any idea how that would be done; just a thought.
OGZPY is doing fine. Perhaps just watching the share price of Gazprom is the finest tell available in this murk. Follow the money, yes?
Actually, Harry Reid has ordered Obama to grab Putin's dough so that he and his shyster son can save every turtle in the known universe.
actually, that is probably closer to the truth...
I don't think they realize his scale of values. The timescale of his vision. What really matters to him. 40 billion? I think the man already considered it the ante. Only a few cards dealt.
I need to get in on this politicalbiz. $40B? For just being a leader? Excellent!
>>Putin's personal wealth, which includes a reported $40 billion stashed in Swiss bank accounts.
Is ZH reporting it? Who is? The Times article is as vague and unsubstantiated too - just what is ZH, actually? I think I know.
markets open bright green...nothing to see here Ukraine is fixed
As Putin reads this drivel, he's humming "I'm alright Jack, keep your hands off my stack"...
Does anyone besides me wonder how a guy who spent his life either in intelligence/law enforcement and politics managed to amass a fortune of 40 Billion fucking dollars? Don't you have to do something PRODUCTIVE to EARN that kind of money? I know what you're thinking - Jreb - you forgot to take your meds buddy. Wake up.
Putin - what a great guy huh?
I asked my business partner of many years the other day why we weren't stinking filthy rich yet. You know what he told me? Unsolicited: "We're not crooked so that makes things more complicated." No shit.
I got into the worng industry. Should have grown weed, started a bank or brokerage and rented hoes on the side.... or maybe I should run for office. I'd be further ahead.
And you know Putin has 40 billion dollars, how? Because some publication prints an unsubstantiated claim, quite possibly started by the US. Do you really believe everything you read or hear in the media?
Your second last para is, however, sadly correct.
You're right Bazza - I don't "know" it. Seems like kind of a whopper of a big lie though don't you think?
Of course it could be a lie. Unfortunately no one seems to be able or willing to refute it though and since "trnasparrency" in governance is as big a problem in mother Russia as it is in the west I sort of doubt that any of us really has a clue... including you. That is unless you have something to offer to the contrary. In which case I'd be happy to retract my comments.
Putin if iirc, I can't find the source of the information at the moment owns something like a 70% stake in Gazprom. He is for all practical purposes Gazprom. You can figure out the repercussions to Europe.
useless talkings............Who said it is true, dumbass?
NO PROOF
better worry about your country...
It's not 1928 anymore wise guy. What happens in your part of the world seems to have a direct impact on mine and vice versa... so I will feel free to worry about it all. We are in a very real sense "connected." This also means that your dirt bags (politicians etc) are going to have as hard a time as our dirt bags do in pulling the wool over everyones eyes. Mine esspecially. The best thing all of us could do is to tell each of our corrupt and crooked leaders collectively to go fuck themselves.
Unfortunately - there are still people like you who believe what they are told by "their guys" simply because they are "your guys". The term for this in the west is "sucker".
Have a nice night.
And welcome to fight club.
Just waiting for a $40 billion order for gold on the Comex - standing for delivery, of course. Actually, all it would take is a few billion to collapse the Western central banks and big banks.
"The Times of London reported Friday that the U.S. was preparing a sanctions regime that would target Putin's personal wealth, which includes a reported $40 billion stashed in Swiss bank accounts."
i say it never happens....
:)
Will be another shot in the foot!
My God!
When these guys learn to stop playing with something serious?
:-/
Apologies for putting this here, I'm sure ZH will have something about it soon enough.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/20/world/europe/forget-the-car-in-slovaki...
Can you say "trial balloon"? Unpaid free-for-all tax-ratting for formerly paper-trail-less cash commerce. Coming to a feudal colony near you, soon enough. Because forward, bitchez.
I would not want to be his banker.
Death to the oligarchs.
How would we know if this was actually done?
The second this happens Russia does 2 things - they demand gold and rubles for their gas and they dump all us treasury bonds and force the rise in the price of gold - which will cover any losses from us treasury losses - and cripple the USA - because they will also make a sweetheart deal with China if they also dump US treasuries and ask that China demand from opec that they can pay for their oil in Yuan - bye bye petro - hello Yuan
Why is Obama allowed to touch Putins personal holdings in a Swiss bank - who and what gives him that authority? If this happens no one should ever trust a swiss bank again
Obama and the US are nothing more than puppets in the real empire administered by the owners through their Rothschild run Central Banks. Just remember who the military is in the Vatican City. They are going to be forced to choose a side soon enough. They ain't going to be able to sit on the sidelines playing middle man this time around if the center is truely threatened.
Using the US to go after the accounts is just a ruse. The Swiss make noise about neutrality, US takes the blame and no one is wiser for the wear in the public relations sphere. That is how the center of an empire rolls to insulate itself from destruction of the peripheries same with the one ring if the other central bank rings of power are also destroyed. They can always forge new rings afterwards.
Massive US Treasury dump in 3...2...1....
Maybe this is what is wanted....
break the bank, then starve the world......leaving the only out which is WAR. The Banksters make a lot of money (property and all other assets from WAR).
When will our elected officials get the money from the corrupt American Politicians, Search how the Bush , Kennedy and many other American Leaders that manipulate Laws, Policies including the FDA ect that lined their Pockets.
Why not bring Putin into the fold and Pay him to do your bidding ...............
The Spice must Flow....support for the Petro Dollar at the lives of our Young.....
When you take arms into war, (home or abroad ) know your targets....They may be behind you.
Westerners (especially those in government but apparently almost everyone else as well) do not realize that Putin simply does not have the same mindset that they do. He doesn't care about his personal net worth because he enjoys an opulent lifestyle and the rush it brings to his ego. That's how we think. By contrast, it was for power that Putin amassed these billions. They exist to provide weight to his decisions, to help him manage Russia's economy and prevent short-sighted oligarchs from running key national industries into the ground in their heedless pursuit of luxury. Putin is every bit the kind of leader which we haven't seen in the West for some time, the man who understands political economy, the man who practices economics in the literal sense of the world, i.e. running a household. He does not conceive of his wealth as belonging to him but as belonging to Russia, something sacred to be preserved and held in trust for the future. Every born king, every responsible business owner, every proud father of a family has felt the same way. It stands in stark contrast to the abstract money-idea of the dying West, which does not recognize responsibility, authority, and prudence as the only real creators and conservers of wealth. This is all too sane, to sober, too wakeful for our decadent minds to grasp. We long to be lulled yet faster asleep by empty promises of political and economic largesse. It is the weariness of a tired old civilization that can no longer justify itself or remember what life is about. Putin's attitude is from the soul of a nation that still has a future before it, and such souls arise to live and rule by the providence of Almighty God.
VV Putin was never about money
Very good goose stepping moron. You are not such a moron after all.
Edgar Cayce reading #3976-29... On Russia ( year 1944)
"In Russia there comes the hope of the world, not as that sometimes termed of the Communistic, of the bolshevistic; no. but freedom, freedom! That each man will live for his fellow man! The principle has been born. It will take years for it to be crystallized, but out of Russia comes again the hope of the world. "
I would gladly agree to give an American President $40 billion in exchange for actually representing America and Americans -rather than crooked, Internationlist banksters and Oligarchs.
Just give him a few more Reggie Love clones and he won't have time for anything else
that maggot has $40B? Hang him with the rest of the billionaire kleptocrats
Whoa. Lots of Putin lovers out tonight (as evidenced by the down arrows).
How can anyone who reads a rag like ZH get so hung up on the hero worship of some corrupt politician? Why is Putin any different than the rest of them anywhere else?
Seriously - what's wrong with you people? Are you sheep?
Show me reliable sources of his corruption. It may be true, but until I see reliable evidence -not typical Western lies, disinformation and propaganda that they feed to all of us. I KNOW 90-95% of US politicians are corrupt and owned by our own Oligarchs. I KNOW they rarely do anything in our interest. I see how they harm us and work hand in hand to corrupt us and make us debt slaves. I don't see any of such evidence concerning Putin.
Bahhhhhhhh!
You got any sheepdogs over therre, Reb? Looks like we need to fleece some blind melon chitlins...
:-) LOL
Putin is a great guy. Of course it's easier to say this when we can just rewrite history and make everything ok right?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1232766/Stalin-murdered-20millio...
Unwavering hero worship of any political figure (esspecially an ex KGB spy) combined with unbridled nationalism and the white wash of history is a pretty dangerous thing guys and gals. Proceed with caution my Russian brothers.
I mean - if what the Russian people are looking for is more death, enlsavement and destruction at the hands of their own politiicians then I guess that's their business. You seem to be headed in the right direction if this is your goal.
As for us - we in the west have our problems too. As I get older I see the possibility of a happy ending for all of us as being somewhat remote.
Oh well - what cha gonna do? Bitch about it on Zero Hedge I guess.
Putin has 40 bil.paper monney?No,he has 80 % aproval of russian people.He has 17 milion km2 land,he has 20 % of worlds water,he has biggest part of worlds oil,gas,gold,diamonds and so on.
"He has 17 milion km2 land,he has 20 % of worlds water,he has biggest part of worlds oil,gas,gold,diamonds and so on."
So what you are saying is he is just another fascist dictator with crowds of mindless zombie followers?
And he's got nukes too. Fuckin eh!
So much for the planet....
Fortunatley, Mr Telepotus, the Russians don't has the abilities to retaliates wheres it would hurts mostest: the raising of green fees.
Not true. Cost of gas goes up - costs more to run the mower. Thus up go green fees. Putin wins.
There is nothing secret about Vladimir Putin's incomr and assets.
All one has to do is go the "President of Russia" web site http://eng.news.kremlin.ru/news/3657
I found Putin's details a couple of weeks ago and he is NOT wealthy.
A quick check today turned up Medvedev's details (above link) so judge for yourself from that ... $1 = 0.028 rubles btw, e.g. $1,000,000 = 2,800 rubles
You've got that backwards. 1 ruble = 0.028 dollars.
Guess he was refering to the future value of the US$
If the intention of USG is to start an economic war with Russia to hide its own bankruptcy and criminality, this is one way to do it. Putin will likely step up his abandonment of the USD and China might follow suit.
Blowback comes to mind.
40 Billion.
Ok, let me get this straight, assuming that this is correct, why would the Swiss bankers just hand it over to the US or freeze his account?
Do Swiss bankers really want to start their own JP Morgue Suicide of the Month Club?
What's the story about sequestration of another countries assets? i read about this in that fabulous book The Crash of 79. Can't find anything on it because everything comes up about the recent sequestration crap on Congress. Didn't Roosevelt do something like this during WWII?
Would be funny if Putin started tracing the secret accounts of US Presidents (past and present), their Administration and other Western leaders in retaliation.
Wonder what happened to the stashed cash of Sadam Hussein and Gaddafi, or the missing gold from the WTC, it all must be sitting somewhere.
This cuts to the chase. If the USG is indeed going after Putin's personal wealth, he will focus the entirety of the KGB on Western corruption, including secret offshore accounts of the rich and infamous. There is much to be revealed. Many to be embarassed. Much taxes to be paid.
The conversation on ZH about Putin's personal wealth is laughable. Get real, people. No one knows, really no one should care. He certainly does not have his wealth stashed where the USG or anyone else can grab it. Guess and puff all you want, no one knows except Putin and his very close allies. Totally irrelevant conversation.
As someone indicated, the war has started. This is asymetric warfare.
1) USG is totally pissed at Putin for foiling their plan to overthrow Assad and overrun Syria. 2) Petrodollar is under attack by Putin. This is *intolerable* (TOTALLY intolerable) for USG, because, once the pertrodollar collapses, US$ and USTs will repatriate and destroy the US economy. Challenge the petrodollar and you incur the formidable wrath of the US military industial complex.
Syria failed because of Russia. So they sic Nuland on Ukraine, topple the government, install chaos on Russia's border and intend to install a bunch of ICBMs targeting Putin's bedroom. That is the plan. No interest to rescue Ukraine. CHAOS IS THE GOAL. Just like Iraq, Libya and Afghanistan. Mission accomplished.
The fact that the USG is messaging that they will target Putin personally is a bizarre act of desperation. It is a failed PR attempt to rally US public opinion against Putin, because he obviously accumulated $40B by pillaging the Russian economy. Blah blah blah. Not like the honest capitalists in Amerika.
Back to the original idea of targeting Putin's wealth -- ain't gonna happen.
1) they ain't gonna find it. There is no way Putin is naive enough to place his confidence in a corrupt and western manipulated system.
2) The whole idea of governments going after the wealth of individuals is intolerable to the financial elite. Let's pretend, all of a sudden, the .01% wealth is subject to confiscation or perhaps even disappearing wealth with a couple of NSA keystrokes. No way. Even though the NSA can likely do it. If you believe, as I do, that the US executive office are puppets for a greater puppetmaster, they cannot go there. More bluster and inaction.
Blah blah blah.
Putin to Obama: Bite me!
And Obama has no choice.
The dying Bush-Nazi-Neocon NWO is circling the drain and about to get flushed forever. Failure in Syria and laughable shitshows like this are proof enough.
the missing gold from the WTC...
Wasn't it dustificated?
Key-rist!, there's a bunch of comments here. I didn't read the article or the comments. I think it untrue that Vlad would entrust any amount of wealth to a Switz , the Swiss don't have any balls of their own, they've been skatin' along with the Vatican funded Swiss Guard, which has not been tested in... forever.
What say you, ZH?
Vlad most certainly removed his assets from Swiss Banks. After all they are also controlled by the Wall Styreet cartel.
It's an eyewash that the Swiss controls their banks.
The Swiss Banks are the earliest money known money launderers on this planet. That thinking Wall Street & the Fed does not control them is beyond stupidity.
In unrelated news, the Obamas just announced the will be vacationing 24/7/365 this year.
Nothing many of us haven't already figured out, but here it is anyway.
.
Times article on possible US sanctions against Putin absurd - Kremlin spokesperson
'Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov has dismissed as "absurd" an article related to possible personal US sanctions against Vladimir Putin, published in The Times newspaper.
Apparently, it’s a newspaper spoof of some kind, Peskov told the Echo of Moscow radio station on Sunday. "This newspaper report is seen by the Kremlin spokesman as absurd", according to the radio station press release, acquired by RIA Novosti. "Why be afraid of sanctions, especially when they are this absurd, Peskov said.
"In this case, he said, one can only get a good laugh out of it..."'
-----
BTW, title of this article should have been something like, "This Means War: US To Target Putin's Alleged Personal $40 Billion Stash". But +1 for no article from "The Diplomat" this weekend.
Perhaps we will find out just how legitimate the Obummer regime actually is. Just imagine the amount of "dirty laundry" that the opposition can pass through the cleaners of the American public consciousness - i.e. the "Nutland recordings", dirty bankster deals, too big to fail and jail discussions, bribing and turning diplomats, domestic detentions and assassinations, government agencies used as domestic punitive and political weapons, fake documents designed to gain public support, etc...
ROFL! Grab the popcorn. The Beltway bandits will claim they have immunity because all is allowed in fighting alleged "terror". Everything that makes "us" look bad is classified, if it makes "us" look good the WH already leaked it. There will be no prosecutions, because there are no laws for "Just Us". Same stuff, different day - when "Just Us" needs additional support and/or faux legitimacy - just execute another false flag or two and/or claim their are WMD's somewhere.
Vlad and mommy jeans are on the same side. Watching and reading the comments there are still those who do not understand. This is just a show. It is not about gas, the dollar or gold.
Same thought has occured to me many times over.
Better put as they are both owned by the same side.
He will just take more shit...whatever Moldova will cover that no problem.....seriously is that the only weapon in the us arsenal? We will freeze bank accounts, deny your ATM card, chill your credit cards? Ruin your credit score?
Ooh Putin is shaking in his boots....big fuckin deal...like a manager kicking a kid out of chuckie cheese and telling him his tokens are no good anymore and he can't refund any of his tickets to buy the overpriced shit that they are offering...
How will he ever manage!
Putin keeps his money in U.S. dollars?
Jim Willie has a new interview on you tube explaining a lot of this stuff .... thank you Jim ..
I gave up trying to explain this to my friends , they won't get out of mutual funds and go
into Gold and Silver rounds ... someday soon they will get beat up from the coming crash...
For god's sake Russia hurry up and have your mates detonate a 1000 pound device on some Saudi oil well.. that will stop all these games by the USA. Once consequences come back to them they will run away
Kkkk much bullshit.
If guard gold in Switzerland because:
http://www.armaria.com.br/suicos.htm
hehe :-)
The system cannot find the file specified.
The full text is below.
:-)
Why are Brnghazigate stooges like Susan Rice still alive and flapping their gums?
She ought to have a rope around her neck and be swinging from a lamp post.
Here comes $18 Silver, thank you very much...Fuckers.
Time to buy more then!
Putin has been FATCA'ed.
Oligarchs get treated like US citizens, except for the 40 billion. More like 40$ for the US middle class.
Hey Putin, welcome to Amerika!
An old joke states that Swiss German Prince Wilhelm Hohenzollern once , while visiting Switzerland , was invited to attend one of the numerous military that citizens of this country are undergoing training . At one point he asked the commander of the exercise : How many men under arms you possess ? He was told : One million . The prince , later Kaiser of Germany , then asked : What would you do if my five million soldiers crossed its border tomorrow ? When the Swiss commander replied : Each of my men would give five shots and go home !
In the debate over the right to possession and use of weapons , those favorable point to Switzerland where almost every adult male is legally permitted to possession of firearms. One of the few nations with per capita rate higher weapons than the United States, Switzerland boasts virtually no crimes with firearms . Therefore , those who argue in favor , the government gun control is not necessary .
However , those who are opposed , point to Switzerland as one of the developed nations that have tighter control over weapons . Claim that all weapons are registered and that the purchase of handguns preview and requires a license . Crimes with firearms really are nonexistent in Switzerland , therefore, conclude , it is necessary strict control over the weapons .
Who is right ? As always the anti - weapons are wrong, but that does not make the favorable group necessarily right . Gun ownership in Switzerland defies the simplifications and clichés of discussions elsewhere.
A BIT OF HISTORY
Like the United States , Switzerland gained its independence through a revolutionary war taken by armed citizens . In 1291 , some cantons started a war of national liberation against the Habsburg empire of Austria . In the legend , the revolution was precipitated by William Tell , although there are no definitive evidence of their actual existence .
Over the following century the Swiss militia liberated most of the parents of the Austrians. Citizens who formed the militia used the most powerful weapons of those times : swords and arrows . For the Swiss victory was crucial motivation of its volunteer troops .
Since the early years of independence the Swiss were forced to bear arms . After 1515, Switzerland adopted a policy of armed neutrality . By four large following centuries European empires rose and fell , bringing many weaker countries . Russia and France came to invade their territory , and the Habsburgs , and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire , were a constant threat .
But Switzerland almost always retained its independence. The Swiss policy was " preventing war through the determination to defend itself ."
During the 1st World War , both France and Germany had considered invading Swiss territory to attack the flank of the other . In WW2 , Hitler wanted the Swiss gold reserve and needed communication and free transit through the country to supply the Axis forces in the Mediterranean . However , when the military strategists saw the well-armed citizens , hilly land and civil defense fortifications , Switzerland ceased to be an attractive target for raids . While two world wars devastated cities and countries, Switzerland enjoyed a secure peace.
In Switzerland , the Swiss Confederation evolved into a weak central government leaving too much authority in the hands of the cantons or lower levels of government. The tradition of local autonomy helped to leave free of violent civil wars between Catholics and Protestants that devastated Germany, France, England and Switzerland. In 1847/48 the liberals throughout Europe revolted against aristocratic governments . They were successful only in Switzerland , controlling the entire nation after a brief conflict called the War Sonderbrund ( casualties were only 128 ) . Civil rights were firmly secured and banished all traces of feudalism.
Despite the hopes of the German reformers , the Swiss people did not send his soldiers to Germany in 1848 to support the popular revolution. After the defeat of the German revolution, the Prussian aristocratic thought to invade Switzerland , but concluded that the task was impossible . As one historian summarizes : "Switzerland was created in the midst of battles , reached its current size through conquests and thereafter maintained its existence through armed neutrality Experience of Swiss history made ??national independence and power really synonymous with citizens . armed . "
ARMY OF THE PEOPLE
Currently , the military service for Swiss men is universal . By the age of 20 , every citizen goes through 118 consecutive days of training in " Rekrutenschule . " This training can be the first meeting of a young man with his compatriots who speak different languages ??( Switzerland has four official languages: German, French , Italian and Romansh ) . Even before the conscription begin, boys and girls may have optional courses with the assault rifle Stgw . 90 ( SIG 550 ) Swiss Army . They are in possession of the gun for 3 months and get 6 sessions of 6 hours of training . 21 to 32 years old , Swiss citizen constitutes the front line of the army, " Auszug " , and spends three weeks of the year ( 8 12 years ) to continue training . From 33 to 42 years , he serves on the " Landwehr " (which is the National Guard ) ; every few years , he has for 2 weeks training. Finally , from 43 to 50, he serves on the " Landsturm " ; this period , he only spends a total of 13 days in military courses .
During a career soldier, the citizen also undergoes days of mandatory inspection equipment and practice target shooting . So in a mandatory 30-year military career , the Swiss spend just one year in direct military service. After the low of the regular army men are in reserve until the age of 50 years ( 55 for officers ) .
By the Constitution of 1847, members of the military equipment , weapons and clothing are given . After the 1st period of training recruits must store weapons , ammunition and equipment " Woh ihrem am nort " (at home ) until the end of the service .
Nowadays the listed automatic rifles Stgw.90 and the officers , guns are distributed . Each reservist are delivered 24 rounds of ammunition in sealed packages for use in emergencies . ( Unlike the claims of anti - guns , ammo is the only emergency in which the reservist is accountable ) .
GUNS OF THE PEOPLE
After military discharge , the former reservist is given a repeating rifle without registration or other obligations . Since 1994 , the government started to give automatic rifles to former reservists too. The officers also receive their pistols at the end of the service .
When the Army adopts a new infantry rifle , the old population are sold at subsidized prices . Reservists are encouraged to buy military ammo ( 7.5 and 5.6 mm - 5.56 mm in other countries - for rifles and 9mm and 7.65 mm Luger for pistols ) which is sold at cost by the government aiming to practice shooting . The non- military ammo for long guns and ammunition .22 LR are not subsidized , but have no control sales . The non-military ammunition for handguns more powerful than the .22 LR (such as .38 Spl ) are recorded at the time of sale.
The Swiss military ammo must be registered if bought in a private store, but need not record if acquired in a military stand . The 3000 official Swiss shooting ranges sell the overwhelming majority of all ammunition. Technically , ammunition bought at the booth must be consumed on the premises, but the law is little known and almost never observed .
The army regularly sells a variety of machine guns , submachine guns , antitank guns , antiaircraft guns , mortars and cannons . Purchasers of these weapons need to get a cantonal license, which is easily done, and the guns need to be registered .
In a nation of 6 million people , there are at least 2 million guns , including 600,000 fully automatic rifles , 500,000 pistols and numerous machine guns . Virtually every home there is a gun . In addition to the subsidized military weapons, the Swiss can buy other weapons easily. While long guns do not need special purchase procedures , handguns are sold only to those with a waffener werbsschein ( purchase certificate ) issued by an authority of the canton . The certificate is delivered smoothly to the larger whole applicant under 18 who is not a criminal or mentally handicapped . There are no restrictions for the transport of long guns . About half of the cantons have strict procedures for granting the possession of handguns , and the other half just does not have any regulation . There is no perceptible difference in the crime rate between the cantons as a result of different policies to bear arms . Thanks to a lawsuit filed by Swiss pro-gun groups , semi - automatic rifles do not require permission to purchase and are not registered by the government . Thus , the only registered long guns are fully automatic ( machine guns ) ( three cantons require collectors who hold more than 10 automatic weapons are registered) . Arms sales from one person to another are controlled in 5 cantons and completely free everywhere else . Retail gun dealers must keep records of their sales , but the transactions are not made ??or levied by the government . In Switzerland , sales of long guns and small-caliber rifles are not even remembered by dealers .
MOBILIZATION
If ever a nation had a well prepared militia, this country is Switzerland . The nineteenth-century economist Adam Smith thought Switzerland was the only place where all the people had been successfully trained in military tasks . Indeed , the militia is virtually synonymous with the nation. " The Swiss do not have an army : they are the army," says a publication of the government. Completely mobilized , Swiss Army has 15.2 men per square kilometer ; in contrast , the U.S. and Russia has only 0.2 soldiers per km2 . Switzerland is 76 times denser with soldiers than any other super power . Really , only Israel has more army per km2 .
Switzerland is also the only Western nation that has completely burly shelters and food supplies for a year for all its citizens in case of war . Banks and supermarkets subsidize this much storage . The bank also plans to shift their gold to the mountainous center of Switzerland in case of invasion . The nation is ready to mobilize quickly. Said a Swiss soldier : " . . If we start in the morning, we will be mobilized by late afternoon That's because the gun is at home , the ammunition is at home All youth have guns They are ready to fight . " . The citizen- soldiers , on their way to the points of mobilization can stop cars that are experiencing and ordering transport.
DEMOCRACY
Since 1291, when the assemblies gathered in circles in the squares of the villages , and only men carrying swords could vote , weapons have been the hallmark of Swiss citizenship . As a Military Department spokesman said , " is an old Swiss tradition that only an armed man has political rights." This policy is based on the understanding that only those who are obliged to keep the parents is allowed free fully enjoy the benefits of freedom. In 1977 , the motion proposed INITIATIVE Munchenstein allow citizens the choice of social work , or in hospitals as an alternative to military service . The proposition was rejected at the polls and in the 2 houses of parliament (the " Bundesversammlung 's Nationalrat " and " Ständerat " ) . There is legal provision for conscientious objectors , but this group is only 0.2 % of the squad .
RELATIONSHIP WITH NEIGHBOURS
In 1978 , the Swiss refused to ratify a decision of the Council of Europe on control of firearms . Since then , Switzerland has been pressured by the other European governments , who accuse her of being a source of weapons for terrorists. As a result , in 1982 , the central government proposed a law banning foreigners from buying guns in Switzerland they could not buy in their own countries , and also demanding that Swiss citizens obtain a license to purchase any weapon , not just for handguns .
Outraged users Swiss weapons , then formed a group called Pro Tell in honor of the national hero William Tell . In 1983 , the Federal Council (the executive cabinet) abandoned cerceadora proposal because the opposition was muitoforte , and suggested that the cantons regulate each in their own way the question . A few months earlier , the parliament of the canton of Fribourg had already approved such a law with a single vote advantage. A popular referendum overturned the law the following year , with 60 % of the votes .
CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES
Whatever the effect of weapons outside of Switzerland , they even have the little trivial crimes in any other country . Even with all the weapons , the murder rate is a mere fraction of the U.S. is also less than Canada and England ( which severely controls the gun ) , or even Japan, which virtually prohibits them . The rate of crimes with firearms is so low that there is not even statistical record .
The suicide rate , however, is nearly double the American . Guns are used in about one fifth of all suicides in Switzerland , compared to 3/5 in the U.S. and the third of Canadians suicides .
Not the Swiss cultural veneer , or their gun laws , which explain the rate of crime . Actually is the emphasis on community action ( where possession of a weapon is a plot of weight) which explains the low crime rate . In the book Cities with few Crimes ( CITIES WITH LITTLE CRIME ) , the author Marshall Clinard compares the low crime rate in Switzerland with the highest incidence in Sweden , the country where gun control is more severe . This comparison is more surprising in view of the lower population density and ethnic homogeneity of Sweden . One reason for so little crime , says Clinard , is that Swiss cities grew relatively slowly. Many families live in the same place for generations . Therefore , large, heterogeneous cities with enclaves of slums never emerged .
Proud to have the weakest central government of the west , Switzerland is mainly governed by its 3 . 095 " Einwohrnergemeinde " ( communes , sub - states of a canton ) . Few cantons still make its laws by the traditional " Labdsgemei " system , when all eligible voters meet annually outdoors.
Unlike police the rest of Europe , the Swiss police is decentralized . Judges and jurors are elected by the people . Less mobile and deeply developed community ties , it is natural that there are few crimes .
Most democratic nations impose lengthy prison terms for criminals , but not Switzerland . For all crimes except murder , the Swiss rarely gets more than a year in prison ; even serious offenders have their sentences commuted . As in Japan , the focus of the system is the reintegration of the offender into society , much more than in their punishment .
For non- Swiss offenders , said is that each is its own police . Foreign visitors are surprised to see pedestrians always waiting at traffic lights even when there is no traffic . The public transportation system runs successfully on the basis of voluntary payment .
Clinard infers that strong central governments weaken citizens' initiative and individual responsibility . Communities , or cities , wishing to avoid the crime and violence should encourage greater political decentralization through the development of small government units and the encouragement of responsibility for the people to obedience to the laws and control of delinquency .
In the book NATIONS NOT HELD BY CRIME , Fred Adler reaches the same conclusions of Clinard . It also prescribes the system of municipal government in which the laws are enacted by popular vote and residential stability.
Most Swiss still live in traditional patriarchal families . Indeed , Switzerland has the lowest percentage of working mothers in relation to any European country . While the rest of the world women were fighting for equal rights , the Swiss were still deciding whether or not women could vote ( the long delay in the approval of women's suffrage must have something to do with the issue of civil rights and military service ) .
Schools are severe and teens have less freedom than in most of Europe . Studies show that Swiss teenagers , unlike those in other countries , they feel closer to their parents than their friends . The communication between the generations is very easy .
Among the factors that contribute to harmony between generations is military service , which provides an opportunity for all male groups interact with each other . Adults and young people share many sports , such as skiing and swimming . The shooting is another important communal activity, with prizes and trophies often displayed in restaurants and taverns . Every year we celebrate the weekend " Feldschiessen " , when more than 200,000 Swiss participate in national competitions in archery and consumed about 5 million cartridges .
House , writes John Mcphee , while his father clean the rifle on the kitchen table , your child is watching him and the child thus becomes familiar with the gun . Marshall Clinard explains that , because of army weapons being stored at home. . . many associated with care in handling weapons activities , practice archery , or conversations about military activities , become common in households . All this , along with several other activities carried out in Switzerland involving different age groups , have served to inhibit the separation of generation , disposal , and burgeoning youth culture aside, what has become of increasing manner, a characteristic of many other developed countries , . Although these factors represent only a part of the Swiss way of being , they are a part of weight to the low crime rate and propensity to crime .
CONCLUSIONS
An analysis of the legislation of Swiss arms shows how fragile the argument of anti-gun that they are themselves evil ( the evil materialized ) . It also shows that the simplistic reasoning " more guns means more crime ' , as the tastes of our politicians, is not valid .
The opposite is not true . - Does the army began to sell cannons and machine guns at subsidized prices to the people there would be a decline in crime in our country ? Certainly not in the first thirty years.
Switzerland shows us only that there is no relationship between crime and the presence of guns in society . Shows that more important than the number of guns is their cultural context . In Switzerland , the weapons are an important element of cohesion of a social structure that has low crime rate. It is observed clearly that the control of individuals is more efficient and more important than state control .
To us enthusiasts armory , the Swiss system seems to be paradise . But it is necessary to observe the society as a whole . In Switzerland , having a gun at home is not a matter of individual choice . It is an obligation imposed by the government and a requirement of society . In what other country such a tax would be accepted by the citizens?
What the world can learn from Switzerland is that the best way to reduce gun misuse is to promote the use responsibly.
END
This text would make a nice post on Zero Hedge.
hehe.
Do any democrat's in setting policy consider "unintended consequences......? I don't think so.....
after reading this I can't help but point out the obvious flaw in this "strategy".
even if they are capable of doing something like this, sanctioning Vladimir Putin directly, which personally I am skeptical of but let's say for arguments sake that Washington can do that...
exactly how the hell does that help the situation in the Ukraine, how does that change anything on the ground in any way?
will the entirety of the Russian economy come under such pressure that will be on the verge of collapse? will this deal so massive an economic blow that Moscow will have no other choice but to capitulate? will the Russian military cease to function, will there tanks, artillery, fighter jets, bombers, warships, submarines and strategic missile forces be suddenly rendered combat ineffective? would such an action, in fact, degrade Moscow's ability to effect events in the eastern Ukraine in any way?
nyet. it does not.
but wait, that is what this is all about right? building a more democratic Ukraine, isn't it Washington's mission here to help this country and it's people on the path to freedom and prosperity? (side note, if you answered "yes" to these two questions then I have a really nice bridge to sell you)
one could conclude from this and other recent actions that Washington doesn't really give a particular shit what happens to the Ukraine, it's people or it's democratic processes. one could further conclude that all they really cared about was finding useful idiots in Kiev who would be more than happy to sell their souls to the devil (or the next worse thing) in order to obtain a little bit of power. all to further their true and overriding goal of regime change in Moscow, because Putin, he's a madman, an aspiring Hitler hell bent on reforming the old empire and plunging Europe into a chaotic mess with no natural gas...
anyways, you get the idea.
this wouldn't have anything to do with the petrodollar by chance would it?
one thing I would to point out, if after three years the state department can't even get Brasher Assad out of Damascus, from what delusion are they suffering that makes them believe they can uproot Putin from Moscow?
despite their repeated and monumental foreign policy failures Washington does seem very determined in this case, apparently even if they have to start WW3 to do it.which they appear well on their way to doing.
PS
if Putin happens to be in truth, mad, well then we are all fucked anyways thanks largely to those genius manhatten project types who thought after discovering how to unzip the atom, "hey let's make a weapon out of this"
assholes.
+ 40,000,000,000
ManrcusFenix??:
Probably left you so confused with so much information that you guys at NSA not assimilated.
hehe.
Every US President has to have his body count as a legacy, your not a real US president unless you can kill some rightly deserving bastards somewhere in the world.
You know what's really sad from a non US perspective? Obama and the bathouse boys are truly in a bind. They started this conflict and no-one is buying the propaganda they're using to justify it. The Media look like complete idiots, and will probably suffer for it. American allies are looking like complete idiots, by supporting the obvious lies, and will soon pay the price for it. The EU are the ones who stand to lose most in this conflict and they will certainly pay dearly for their intransigence. Stupid fucking Poland the UN and NATO what a bunch of retards.
Unfortunately, Barry being a lame duck will lose nothing. He has no shame, he has no conscience, he has no morals, and he has no fear, because there is no one in America willing to stand up for what is right. Shit, Americans think Snowden is a traitor and Assange is a rapist.
You poor fucked up bunch of losers are going to bring the world to it's knees, just because you can. What a fucking bunch of douchebags.
"You poor fucked up bunch of losers are going to bring the world to it's knees, just because you can. What a fucking bunch of douchebags."
Given the power, would your country have done any better?
You must be reading Paul C. Roberts.
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/14/washington-drives-world-war-p...
I just hope that Putin is as smart as I think he is.
You covered all the bases, where do you fit in? Poland maybe?
well said sir....including the perfectly added swearing..I commend you
Worse than complete idiots. Laughing stocks.
Since we are just hearing about plans to kype Vlad's $40B, that would mean it's been known in official backroom circles for some time now, which might explain the murders of three top european bankers in the past three weeks, alongside a dozen or so banker "suicides" since December. Two of those murdered bankers were murdered along with their families. Family massacre tends to send a solid message. My bet is Vlad keeps his $40B.
Quote "Family massacre tends to send a solid message. " That's exactly what the MAFIA does but also the CIA and other criminal organizations . It is called in Italy "Tranversal vendetta " It's good to remember that strategy in times of civil war and society disintegration . Even the families of government officials / police are possibile targets when the SHTF . It looks like there could be an acceleration of moves against the dollar as retribution for anti Putin moves ...
Here's somthing that puts an interesting light on the issue. Most of you ZH readers will make good sense of it.
:http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2014/04/14/washington-drives-world-war-p...
I just hope Putin is as smart as I think he is.
convene:
Putin is a man of Russian intelligence, we better nipe the CIA since childhood.
Do you think he would leave the financial trail in the West?
Santa Batmam ingenuity!
KIkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
convene:
Putin is a man of Russian intelligence, we better nipe the CIA since childhood.
Do you think he would leave the financial trail in the West?
Santa Batmam ingenuity!
KIkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Doesn't matter how rich Putin is or isn't. It's a distraction. US regime knows Russia and China are close to ending the petrodollar game, it's the only thing that really matters.
[Though we are sure Obama and his team have considered all the intended and unintended consequences of any such actions.]
Yeah, the Feds are effing experts on uinintended consequences. I feel very reassured. The best and the brightest, my ass.
;-D
Putin has $40 billion? Wow.
You are impressed?
Many donT yet realize that
having control over other people's wealth
is worth more
than having your own wealth.
Well if it's in a Swiss Bank account under his name it's his money now.
This makes me believe though that he can never step down from his all powerful status there because they may call him a criminal and go after it.
Swiss bank accounts have no names... That's the whole point of them.
Yup, and polite people don't talk about where he got it from... I'm sure the Russian peasants won"t miss it...
;-D
OBTW: When the acron stops spinning, it's time to head for the hills...and "consumer" is a derogatory term. Please don't use it. Tyler, can we have some sigs pleeze,,, ;-)
Release the Spetnaz
i would be very surprised if in looking at the worst case scenario, as it's obvious the russians have done, that this item was not accounted for.
what sense does it make to pre-announce what you are going to do 'u.s. targets putin's assets'?
ubs and cs stand to lose a lot in russia if they cave in on this one.
i think it's american BS.
"Everything in the world is interdependent and once you try to punish someone, in the end you will cut off your nose to spite your face,"
this statement has much larger implications than 40billion$$. we are looking at china, syria, iran, south america here. 40billion is peanuts when one knows what the game plan is/will be. no, this is just another well thought out move by the u.s. foreign policy morons. and it may mean war but not the kind of war the u.s. wants. the game is not being played by american rules anymore and only the americans do not realize that.
the assumption that russia wants UE is questionable. UE is a basket case. better that the incompetent EU pay the bills, rebuild the infrastructue, create an army(haha), deal with the fascists. it also keeps the u.s.s.a. busy. just like china, iran, syria etc are keeping the u.s. fragmented in the rest of the world. russia moving into s. america, china already there. the u.s. is running around like a one-armed wallpaper hanger.
then you've got the KKK and the bundy crowd locally. add to that that the u.s troops are killing themselves to the tune of 22/day or more (2013 data) or about 8000/yr with no signs of decreasing. the 7 point eartquakes have reached into mexico from chile. fracking is finishing off the water supply. it is only the u.s. that does not know that the world is no longer uni-polar. the u.s. and the fools in the eu.
Hey Momma, look at me
I'm on my way to the promised land
I'm on the highway to hell
(Don't stop me)
And I'm going down, all the way down
I'm on the highway to hell - AC/DC
Friday, March 18th, 2011
" The other nations from the West will provoke a reaction from Russia and China. All will end in a World War."
http://www.thewarningsecondcoming.com/earthquake-in-europe-world-war/
"Putin's actual holdings are a tightly held secret, and the extent of his holdings are difficult to estimate. But a threat of trying to freeze the Russian president's personal assets could have played a role in a deal brokered Thursday by foreign ministers from the U.S., Ukraine, Russia and European Union."
What drivel. Is this a Hollywood gossip column? It simply does not make sense. For one thing, Putin explicitly warned his associates to remove their assets from foreign banks due to the likelihood of US sanctions. It would be entirly irrational of him not to do the same for himself.
Secondly, who says he has $40Bn? That is a long-standing rumour that has absolutely no substance to it. Otherwise, please do provide proof.
Lastly, to make such a stupid statement that a threat to Putin's assets was behind the agreement reached last week is really, really, really stretching it, don't you think? Can anyone tell me the real importance of that agreement? I would wager no one can because it has no worth - it has no deadlines, no penalties. It was a worthless document, and every participant in that meeting knows that it was just published for the PR benefit derived.
War Fodder and Soft Heads
As we have learned all wars are banker wars. This article is a steamy piece of shit. It blows me away how few commenters seem to get the exact purpose of the psy-op. I give this article a 0% truth content. Purpose?
Defame Putin by implying he is one of the Oligarchs (a current worst thing to be).
He can't possibly be for "the people" with this much money
He can't be an Orthodox Christian with this much money
How easily the bait slips in your mouth.
ballerina obama wants to fuck personally with stone cold kgb killer putin....
this makes no sense. Why would Putin still have his money stashed in Switzland when he clearly knows Switzland is a US puppet state? First thing I'd do is to transfer all my $$$ back home where I hold all the nukes, military etc. I can take my sweet time to divert it to places like China, Brazil etc. my allies. Why would I want to keep it in a US puppet state so to risk loosing it all. Sounds like a scheme to me.
Considering it was only Colombian Drug Money that kept HSBC et al afloat in 2008 it seems strange to make Saudi Arabian despots feel insecure, or even Chinese CP leadership. Then again the US is on its Armageddon Program for Total Financial Destruction.
It is hard to know whether this is Jewish Millennialism or Evangelical Left Behind Doctrinairism from LaHaye and Jenkins.
The USA seems to have been captured by a Kamikaze Kult aiming to take the whole place down
cry baby, cary baby, you did not do what we say now i am going to steal your money like i do with americans
The US Bully is just itching for another illegal war headed by its chief Peace Prick holder Obomber
Racer The US Bully is just itching for another illegal war headed by its chief Peace Prick holder Obomber
---
The legallity of war is irrelevant.
Who ever can kick ass and get away with it is the winner and writes the rules,legal or not.
If Putin really has a personal fortune of USD 40 billion as the pathological liars in Washington claim, by pre-announcing that they intend to apply sanctions on him, he might be tempted to move his deposits out of Switzerland into safer places. These deposits would probably not be in his personal name, so identifying them is not easy for USG apparatchiks. But if large sums of money are seen to be moving out of Switzerland to safer places, that will help the USG to get a better idea of his personal wealth.
smacker If Putin really has a personal fortune of USD 40 billion as the pathological liars in Washington claim, by pre-announcing that they intend to apply sanctions on him, he might be tempted to move his deposits out of Switzerland into safer places.
----
You assume that networth is in cash and in bank accounts. Putin has vast holdings in stock such as Gazprom. Do you thingk Warren Buffet and Gates have there billions in cash? No, they are assets such as stock, bonds and real estate.
I didn't assume anything, but you did.
If you bothered to read the article it specifically refers to his "$40 billion of cash stashed in Swiss bank accounts". My comments referred to it probably being held in front companies and therefore difficult to identify with accuracy................until it moves.
It's not clear to me how you think he could stash stocks, bonds and real estate (none of which are "cash") in a Swiss bank account.
all this msm theater is just to cover up the 6 months of preparation for a "enclosed" middle size war in east europe
that war will for sure go enrage mode, but, thats life we all have crosses to carry.
the most interesting thing from my pov is the escalation of escalation on every weekend. nothing happens over the week and on weekend when the sheeple sit in their homes something new strange and frightening happens. orchestrated.
They won't dare a personal attack on Putin. Russia could sell (e.g. half) their $-reserves and buy physical gold and bust the CONeX/LBMA. Same is true for China and probably India. So I don't think they dare to go "there" in this game of chicken. Will be interesting to see how it'll pan out.
LOL.
The post about whether Putin is worth $40 Billion or not are hillarious. Speculation is Putin may have up to $70 billion.
That is actually on the low end of estimates. which is really irrelevant because we know Putin controls the government with an iron fist. And as we see fascist corruption in the west, there is little doubt it exist in Russia. Regardless, it is likely Putin is worth many billions. Even if it were only $2 billion and with control of the government, that is plenty.
Putin is an oligarch which is why I find it hilarious when people post that oligarchs control Putin. Putin is probably the most powerful oligarch in the world.
Need a cartoon...
Obama goes to an ATM swipes his card and Putin's laughing face pops up .
In summary, this is how it is:
Putin can call any take-out Chinese restuarant in Crimea and get free delivery.
Putin winning.
Mess with my people's money? Eh I can let that slide. Politics is politics.
Mess with MY money? Let the nukes fly.
OPEN LETTER TO VLAD PUTIN:
Hey, Vlad, Baby, If you really want to win this thing hands down in about 30 seconds, it's as easy as piling a few US bucks into the COMEX gold futures scam. You've got the cash, and you could do this today. Find a hedge fund schill to front their name on your cash (plenty of those around), pony up about $10B (should be easy for you, either from your own stash or some unwanted T-bills piled up in the Kremlin's vaults) -- and then stand for delivery. No one will notice the $10B order since JPM/HSBC et al does that everyday, whenever they're ready to smash the gold price. You'd be playing in a crooked casino but with your own marked deck. You either get your gold, or JPM/HSBC will fold and have to buy you off with a hefty payoff premium. Either way, if your PR guys (Pravda, Tass) are on the ball and leak the payoff details to that other state-owned media in NY and DC, (not RT, too obvious) the COMEX crashes, followed by the dollar, followed by the DOW, which leads to raising the ruble to global prime currency status, along with gold to about 20 grand per ounce. Front runs your upcoming recession and puts that wuss in the WH in his place. If JPM/HSBC actually finds some gold in Western Central Bank vaults for you, you could have a foto-op of yourself in the jacuzzi filled with gold bars and coins, making you an even bigger hero to all the Ukranian beauties who already love you with your shirt off. Vlad, Baby, this is a win-win for you and a lose-lose for WussBoy. Let's face it, Vlad, time is getting short here, so if you don't hurry up, your Ruskie oligarch pals are going to get the same idea, so I suggest getting a move on it.
Sincerely, Your Pal, Anon (except to the drone ops at NSA, CIA, FBI, CSI, M&M, AT&T, A&P, TG&Y).
Last week Vlad unveiled a new symbol for the Russian bank - a GOLD ruble:
www.silverdoctors.com/putin-sends-the-west-a-golden-message-central-bank-of-russia-changes-logo-to-golden-ruble/
And this site was keeping tabs on Obama's hidden money: http://tdarkcabal.blogspot.com/ Is Michella a man? http://vimeo.com/88910386 Think so.Last week Vlad unveiled a new symbol for the Russian bank - a GOLD ruble:
www.silverdoctors.com/putin-sends-the-west-a-golden-message-central-bank-of-russia-changes-logo-to-golden-ruble/
And this site was keeping tabs on Obama's hidden money: http://tdarkcabal.blogspot.com/ Is Michella a man? http://vimeo.com/88910386 Think so.