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Operation Choke-Point Is Worse Than We Thought

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Operation Choke Point is an initiative of the DoJ that was announced in 2013 which investigates bank interactions with certain businesses believed to be at higher risk for fraud and money laundering. When first disclosed it was heavily criticised for bypassing due process with critics warning that "it's a thinly veiled ideological attack on industries the Obama administration doesn't like, such as gun sellers," and precious metals dealers. However, as Mike Maloney explains, it is far worse than that... "it violates the most fundamental principles of the rule of law and accountable, transparent government."

*  *  *

From: Staff Report, 113th Congress, December 8, 2014

"At a minimum, Operation Choke Point is little more than government-mandated de-risking.

 

FDIC, in cooperation with the Justice Department, made sure banks understood – or in their own language, “got the message” – that maintaining relationships with certain disfavored business lines would incur enormous regulatory risk.

 

The effect of this policy has been to deny countless legal and legitimate merchants access to the financial system and deprive them of their very ability to exist.

 

Accordingly, Operation Choke Point violates the most fundamental principles of the rule of law and accountable, transparent government."

*  *  *

We strongly suggest you are not holding anything sharp while you watch these clips....

Mike Maloney digs into the details... (Introduction)

 

And the follow-up "it's far worse than we thought" - Must Watch!!

 

Links: 

Oversight Committee Report: http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Staff-Report-FDIC-and-Operation-Choke-Point-12-8-2014.pdf

CPFB Compliance Bulletin: http://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201501_cfpb_compliance-bulletin_treatment-of-confidential-supervisory-information.pdf

FDIC Press Release: https://www.fdic.gov/news/news/press/2015/pr15009.html

Hawkins Guns Targeted By Operation Chokepoint: http://usconsumers.org/hawkinsguns/

Daily Caller Report, Banks Told To Not Disclose: http://dailycaller.com/2015/01/28/do-not-disclose-obama-admin-tells-banks-to-shut-up-about-its-targeting-of-consumers-gun-dealers/

Ian Murray's article: http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/operation-choke-point-consumer-protection-bureau-can-act-as-judge-jury-and-executioner-to-targeted-businesses/

Wikipeida entry for Operation Chokepoint: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Choke_Point

Operation Choke Point is an initiative of the DoJ that was announced in 2013, which is investigating banks in the United States and the business they do with payment processors, payday lenders, and other companies believed to be at higher risk for fraud and money laundering.

 

This operation, first disclosed in August 2013 Wall Street Journal story has been criticized for bypassing due process; the government is pressuring the financial industry to cut off the companies' access to banking services, without first having shown that the targeted companies are violating the law. As reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, critics believe "it's a thinly veiled ideological attack on industries the Obama administration doesn't like, such as gun sellers and coal producers."

 

The operation itself is now under investigation by two federal agencies.

*  *  *

 

 

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Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:11 | 5796743 somecallmetimmah
somecallmetimmah's picture

Generation to generation, progressive fascists don't really change that much.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:16 | 5796764 Arrowflinger
Arrowflinger's picture

Full choke in 12 guage is a great deer gun. Government doesn't need to be giving the full choke to the 2nd Amendment

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:23 | 5796806 Proofreder
Proofreder's picture

It's a Choke-Hold, as in New York City - 

Illegal, but still used a lot, by cops and banksters alike it seems.

Now what could they have in common - both are pigs ?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:28 | 5796820 max2205
max2205's picture

Choke the chicken 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:31 | 5796837 A Lunatic
A Lunatic's picture

It's time for Operation Choke a Congressman.......

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:34 | 5796847 SafelyGraze
SafelyGraze's picture

operation choke point is an anagram

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:47 | 5796896 NoDebt
NoDebt's picture

And.... here's the punchline:  the next President will support it fully, no matter which party they are from or what they claim to support during their campaign.

Absolute control's a hell of a drug.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:59 | 5796953 Payne
Payne's picture

State owned and Chartered with no FDIC regulations or guarantees (bankrupt promises).

 

http://banknd.nd.gov/about_BND/index.html

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:10 | 5796991 Stackers
Stackers's picture

Anyone want to bet Cass Sunstein was neck deep in writing this ?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:32 | 5797102 buyingsterling
buyingsterling's picture

This must be a non-story with zero impact. Republicans held power for years and never pulled this crap, but since there's no difference between the parties, this was inevitable, right? It didn't require the rancid President Pimp and is army of malevolent monkeys, it was always right around the corner regardless of party power.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:30 | 5797338 Billy the Poet
Billy the Poet's picture

 

 

"but since there's no difference between the parties, this was inevitable, right?"

Right.

 

"it was always right around the corner regardless of party power."

Wrong. The owners decided that this action was required at this time and the current manager simply did what he was told to do.

 

 

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:12 | 5797585 stacking12321
stacking12321's picture

simple solution:

use bitcoin for transactions the govt doesn't approve of.

when bitcoins are outlawed, only outlaws will use bitcoin!

 

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 03:09 | 5797705 commander gruze?
commander gruze?'s picture

Perfect way to choke the gov't.

Anyone can just as well get a .1 of bitcoin for the sake of experiment. Put them on paper wallet, make a backup copy or two, put them in a safe.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 07:08 | 5797908 freedogger
freedogger's picture

How is it a solution? Chokepoint is all about targeting any bank that deals with bitcoin. They won't touch it. Have you tried getting any money out of an exchange lately? Almost impossible.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 20:53 | 5801435 stacking12321
stacking12321's picture

bitcoin is a currency that can be used to buy things the govt doesn't approve of - gold, guns, what have you. and there is no central point of control, it does not require banks.

you're asking if i got $USD out of a bicoin exchange lately ($USD are not money as you probably know)?

yes i have, it's no problem. i have a fidelity account linked to coinbase, just sold 5BTC a few days ago, deposit just showed up in my account:

02/18/2015 DIRECT DEPOSIT COINBASE.COM8003435845 (Cash) $1,233.89        
Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:15 | 5797292 Hope Copy
Hope Copy's picture

LoL, but not for the general public.  Only been through Bismark once, as I saw it a lovely town.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:15 | 5797293 Hope Copy
Hope Copy's picture

LoL, but not for the general public.  Only been through Bismark once, as I saw it a lovely town.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:30 | 5797336 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

The same way future Presidents (of what, we don't quite know) supported the Alien and Sedition Act.

A greater drug is control conferred by those long since dead.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:17 | 5797477 PAWNMAN
PAWNMAN's picture

I can attest to this firsthand as a pawn shop owner. The list of banks that would deal with us get smaller every year.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:19 | 5796782 Beam Me Up Scotty
Beam Me Up Scotty's picture

"Generation to generation, progressive fascists don't really change that much."

Ya they do.  They get worse and worse, because in every situation, it would have worked if we had just done MOAR of it!!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:33 | 5796840 Save_America1st
Save_America1st's picture

yep, because they're regressive, not progressive, and they continue to degenerate into deeper and darker psychosis the longer we allow them to exist.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:26 | 5797073 nmewn
nmewn's picture

Now there's something I can never get across to my "progressive friends".

Progressivism is regressive.

"We need moar regulations!" No, you have known consequences for breaking them now.

"We need another law!" Because the mountain of laws we have now have worked so well?

"You're simplistic, every issue is different & complex!" No its not. You gave way too much power to the ones who screwed up complex issues the last time, because you're the simpleton.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:58 | 5797215 knukles
knukles's picture

We got the same Progressive buds!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:08 | 5797264 Greenskeeper_Carl
Greenskeeper_Carl's picture

I still like john stossels 'stossel rule' which simply states that before they can pass any new law, they first must repeal 2 old, stupid ones'. I personally think instead of 2, it should be more like 10, but it's a nice idea.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:34 | 5797351 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

Fuck that.

Any vote is, by default a Nay, if the voting party is not present. No more quorums, no more not present votes. If something is important enough, you will get your ass in the chair, and fucking vote.

This is second choice to requiring a consensus in the original meaning...unanimity.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:31 | 5797343 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

It seems to be contagious.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:57 | 5797555 TeMpTeK
TeMpTeK's picture

"Garner" the Gold

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:12 | 5796746 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

.

"it violates the most fundamental principles of the rule of law and accountable, transparent government."

As does secret evidence, secret courts, secret trials, extra-legal detention authority, asset forfeiture, NSA mass surveillence, torture....

Did I miss any?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:19 | 5796779 logicalman
logicalman's picture

You almost certainly did miss some, but you mostly got the important stuff.

Violating the most fundamental principles of the rule of law and accountable, transparent government IS THE PLAN.

We need to find the dude with the cat on his lap, who's making the plan, and off the fucker.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:33 | 5796841 A Lunatic
A Lunatic's picture

I hate cats as much as the next guy, but do you really think that is the solution...........??

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:26 | 5797071 logicalman
logicalman's picture

A reference to Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

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

It's not the cat that bothered me.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:38 | 5797133 Row Well Number 41
Row Well Number 41's picture

There is nothing more Libertarian in the world then a cat that can hunt.

 

#41

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:22 | 5796783 Global Douche
Global Douche's picture

Don't forget that gradually-dying breed of ubiquitous Red Light SCAMeras! (whereas a lack of due process per the States), The TSA with Big Sister's No-Fly-List that even Swimmer Ted Kennedy had issues with. Finally, the government militarization of local police under the 1033 program gets some needed attention, but I don't see any real reform.

Too bad "Meh!" doesn't rhyme with Word or Bird, or I'd have a killer parody written up for the masses to sing loudly with their middle fingers extended vertically, jumping like banshees.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:27 | 5797078 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Due process...

You have been duly processed, more like.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:46 | 5797174 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

It's funny how ineffective those red light camera programs get once the population figures out that they aren't enforcable.  In Rio Rancho, NM, something like 40% of those tickets are unpaid.  Albuquerque has since nixed its program, but before it had, the state ordered Abq to remove it's biggest moneymaker down because it was on a state road.  You should have heard one of the city councilors squealing about the lost revenues on the radio.  Then Redflex, the company that made the cameras, started threatening Albuquerque that it would sue over 90,000 unpaid tickets, so Abq handed the rights to sue over to Redflex, and it started threatening to sue people.  Nothing came of it last I heard.  

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:42 | 5797529 Charming Anarchist
Charming Anarchist's picture

Ineffective?   The goal is not traffic reduction. 

Methinks the goal is to have cameras installed on every street.  It looks like a success to me. 

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:20 | 5797597 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

Their goal is a bigger revenue stream.  Their goal is to fleece the public and enrich the camera company (cronies) and the public coffers.  Enough people are simply throwing the tickets in the trash and not paying them to severely reduce that revenue stream.  

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 07:44 | 5797947 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

It's the only way we can be "safe".

Don't you feel so much more secure knowing there is something or someone watching you ever moment?

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:53 | 5798846 Abaco
Abaco's picture

Pellet guns and paintballs

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:20 | 5796784 Global Douche
Global Douche's picture

.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:13 | 5796756 mvsjcl
mvsjcl's picture

Nothing surprises me anymore. I'm far beyond that.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:16 | 5796765 FreeShitter
FreeShitter's picture

Im numb to life, its better just to be numb to it all.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:18 | 5796774 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

What drugs do you recommend?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:40 | 5796873 Big Corked Boots
Big Corked Boots's picture

Lithium, Vybrid, Xanax and Prozac, in that order; wash it down with Everclear.

Works for me.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:28 | 5797083 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Now that's NUMB!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:36 | 5797357 Billy the Poet
Billy the Poet's picture

 

 

Who is Karen Ann Quinlan, Alex?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:35 | 5797354 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

Grape juice. Preferably fermented.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:10 | 5797577 OldPhart
OldPhart's picture

Blue Agave Cactus Juice, highly fermented

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:14 | 5796760 yogibear
yogibear's picture

Obama and the socialist  can shut down businesses they don't approve of. 

Just like Eric Holder's Just-Us department rewriting  the statue of limitations against his bankster buddies.

More and more rights and liberties taken away from the sheeple. 

Anyone wonder how Adolph Hitler took over Germany? We are living it. 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:37 | 5797363 A Nanny Moose
A Nanny Moose's picture

Abolition of all private property - Check

Social welfare - Check

Education System - Check

Sovereign Insolvency blamed on a myriad of Strawmen - Check

Wait a minute, this is sounding a lot like that guy with the 10 planks....fuck!!!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:38 | 5797364 Billy the Poet
Billy the Poet's picture

 

 

Kramer: Anyway, it's been two years. I mean isn't there like statue of limitations on that?

Jerry: Statute.

Kramer: What?

Jerry: Statute of limitations. It's not a statue.

Kramer: No, statue.

Jerry: Fine, it's a sculpture of limitations.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 12:01 | 5798899 clade7
clade7's picture

Good example of a bubbling idiot talking to a mouth breeder!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:16 | 5796766 BeanusCountus
BeanusCountus's picture

Gun dealers and gold dealers? Bet most of them report stuff, too many credit card transactions. How about congressmen and party stores?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:20 | 5796768 Chupacabra-322
Chupacabra-322's picture

ACTION: Contact your Senators and urge them to cosponsor S. 477, a bill that will take down Operation Choke Point once and for all.

So now, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has introduced legislation to shut the doors of Operation Choke Point -- and bar all of the possible escape routes.

Rubio's bill, S. 477, would defund Operation Choke Point -- permanently. It would insure that the FDIC didn't use "fees" to fund a program which could no longer go on with appropriated funds. And it would prohibit Holder and the FDIC from reestablishing "Choke Point" under another name.

Furthermore, Rubio is committed to not just allow his legislation to lie dormant. He understands that he may have to add the proposal as an amendment to a must-pass bill. This is exactly what we will need to overcome a potential presidential veto.

Rubio's strategy can become a template for other pro-gun legislation, in addition to putting the Second Amendment community on the offense, rather than simply playing a defensive strategy.

http://gunowners.org/alert02132015.htm

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:49 | 5796898 Chupacabra-322
Chupacabra-322's picture

GOA-backed “Constitutional Carry” Bills Introduced in Congress!
Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) have introduced concealed carry reciprocity bills that will prohibit anti-gun states like New York and California from cancelling the Second Amendment rights of Americans from other states. The bills are H.R. 923 and S. 498.

If you have a concealed carry permit -- or if you come from a freedom-loving “constitutional carry” state that doesn't require one! -- you should be able to carry anywhere in the country without fear of losing your constitutional rights because of where you are.

The Stutzman/Cornyn bills are quite different from competing bills which would require constitutional carry states like Vermont to change their pro-gun laws so that their citizens could enjoy reciprocity. The Stutzman/Cornyn bills impose NO RESTRICTIONS upon pro-gun states that recognize the right of citizens to carry without a permit.

To be clear, their bills would NOT force citizens living in constitutional carry states to get a permit to travel out-of-state -- something that competing reciprocity bills would do.

Contact your Representative and Senators and urge them to cosponsor the “constitutional carry” friendly reciprocity bills (H.R. 923 and S. 498).

http://cqrcengage.com/gunowners/app/write-a-letter?3&engagementId=80490

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:21 | 5797486 GeezerGeek
GeezerGeek's picture

I wonder what excuse the SCOTUS would come up with if someone pointed out that states like Florida voted against homosexual marriage but were forced to accept it because it was legal in certain other states, yet the same logic does not apply to 2nd amendment rights.

The time for tar and feathers draws nearer, which unfortunately is what TPTB want: an excuse for all-out repression.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 07:51 | 5797956 Oldwood
Oldwood's picture

Marriage is love...guns are hate. Its the power of government to take care of us and promote love not hate...unless its something they hate, then not so much love.

We are quickly migrating to a banana republic as we see a piling on of so many laws, it is impossible to sort them all out, which gives them even more excuse to enforce them arbitrarily.

Thu, 02/19/2015 - 04:24 | 5802446 stacking12321
stacking12321's picture

strange comments, i can't relate.

marriage can be love, or it can be for convenience, or for money. marriage is a contract, and does not necessitate love.

guns are not hate, they are inanimate objects, they are merely tools. they can be used for hunting, for self-defence, or for violence. i would certainly like to have one if someone were intent on attacking me violently - wouldn't you?

it's best not to simplify things.

and this: "Its the power of government to take care of us and promote love not hate"...the government has no power, except that which it takes from the people through intimidation or force. the government never produces anything - all that it has, was stolen from hard working people by threats. i.e., give us part of your paycheck, pay us 1% of the value of your house every year, or we will take your house by force and evict you, we will garnish your wages and sieze your bank account, and don't resist or we will shoot you. that is how they get their police battle-tanks, their napalm, their NSA eavesdropping equipment.

so, to expect those that bullied you and stole from you to "promote love" as you put it, is a bizarre expectation to have. they are not in the love-promotion business, they are in the business of siezing power.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:55 | 5798853 Abaco
Abaco's picture

They would mumble and shuffle off to resume fellating one another.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:13 | 5797586 OldPhart
OldPhart's picture

Yeah, I'll get right on that.

Dear Senators Boxer and Feinstein:

If you could put a halt to your fascist government, that would be great...

 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:59 | 5797218 buyingsterling
buyingsterling's picture

No point in taking any political action connected to the GOP, because as legions of fucktards on this site will tell you, there is no difference between the parties.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:47 | 5797392 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

... so self conscious about being right that they do nothing.

That'l work.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:51 | 5797407 Billy the Poet
Billy the Poet's picture

Some folks have more sense that to stand around pushing a button that isn't connected to anything.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:47 | 5797394 Billy the Poet
Billy the Poet's picture

There isn't apart from the furniture.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:17 | 5796769 CunnyFunt
CunnyFunt's picture

The rule of law has become so quaint.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:17 | 5796770 Cautiously Pess...
Cautiously Pessimistic's picture

Operation Chokepoint?  Does this have something to do with Reggie Love, Barry Soetoro and a set of plastic bed sheets?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:22 | 5796803 Beam Me Up Scotty
Beam Me Up Scotty's picture

No, thats Choke the Chicken.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:17 | 5796771 HedgeHammer
HedgeHammer's picture

The operation itself is now under investigation by two federal agencies.

 

So the Fed is again investigating itself. Priceless

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:26 | 5797605 mvsjcl
mvsjcl's picture

They're merely investigating to ensure that the implimentation is seemless.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:26 | 5796780 Gringo Viejo
Gringo Viejo's picture

Just purchased 4 10 ounce RCM .9999 Silver bars for under $800 paper dollars.

Like the man said in Dances With Wolves........

"Good Trade."

 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:52 | 5797409 SubjectivObject
SubjectivObject's picture

_

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:22 | 5796788 BrosephStiglitz
BrosephStiglitz's picture

Didn't they shut this down very recently?  Does someone more informed have specific information on that?

Edit:  Nevermind, watched the second vid.  Gotta love Mike Maloney, the man is on point. 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:20 | 5796791 kowalli
kowalli's picture

conspiracy theorists are not so crazy

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:40 | 5796861 CunnyFunt
CunnyFunt's picture

The conspiracy theorists who staff the MSM and those who are known as "officials" seem completely insane to me. Turn their lexicon on them.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:55 | 5796934 kowalli
kowalli's picture

SACR

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:14 | 5797590 OldPhart
OldPhart's picture

When the FBI shows up, just tell them what I did...

"I'm a crank, not a kook!"

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:21 | 5796796 vegas
vegas's picture

"WTF Sheeple, what's not to understand? We're talking about Emperor Goebbels here and his libtard Alinksy socialist robots. Rules and laws are for the little people. Fuck these guys.

 

www.traderzoo.mobi

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:47 | 5796900 Berspankme
Berspankme's picture

the day will come when true patriots will have to sacrifice if we are to have any chance of preserving the nation

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:22 | 5796801 Duc888
Duc888's picture

 

 

 

Ayup...."land of the free"

 

 

Sure.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:34 | 5797111 logicalman
logicalman's picture

Ayup, lad, there has never been a 'land of the free'.

It's a myth that has been used against people over and over.

If you have to try to convince someone they live there, you are attempting (in many cases succeeding) in bullshitting them.

The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed - Steve Biko

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:22 | 5796804 walküre
walküre's picture

First they came for the gun shop owners, I didn't say anything.

Then they came for the bullion shops, again I didn't say anything.

After that they targeted small time farmers like myself, and nobody is saying anything.

America is a fascist state run by some of the most evil corporations this planet has ever seen.

Speak up or nobody will speak for yourself when it's your turn to be investigated!

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:40 | 5797525 GeezerGeek
GeezerGeek's picture

Add Christian churches to the list of those who say nothing and will find out the folly of their silence. The Revolutionary War in America was supported vocally and actively by what was called the Black-Robed regiment, pastors who were boldly assertive on the side of independence. Today most churches are silent on many issues because they fear IRS interference, and few churches are bold enough to push back. The parishoners follow, acting more like ostriches than Christians.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:23 | 5796805 Smiley
Smiley's picture

The US government in its current state is an unmitigated clusterfuck.

Make sure you stay on good terms with friends and family living outside the states; you may find yourself doing a little fence jumping of your own soon...

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 01:16 | 5797592 OldPhart
OldPhart's picture

Is a mexican refugee camp better than a FEMA camp?

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 10:36 | 5798430 Smiley
Smiley's picture

The Mexican camps don't have warehouses of injection molded coffins waiting to get filled.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:24 | 5796810 Porous Horace
Porous Horace's picture

"it violates the most fundamental principles of the rule of law and accountable, transparent government."

Fundamental principles? Rule of law? Transparent government? What are these things you speak of?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:28 | 5796824 Goldilocks
Goldilocks's picture

Illegitimate is as illegitimate does.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:31 | 5796834 Coletrane
Coletrane's picture

anything less than complete subserviance to the state is wholly unacceptable.

 

 

lol

 

 

why bother with the pretense of the rule of law anymore ?

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:48 | 5797184 ghengis86
ghengis86's picture

Oh, we're getting closer by the day brother. Stick around a little while longer and you'll have a front row seat to the final act!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:35 | 5796850 Bemused Observer
Bemused Observer's picture

People seem to get more worked up over the guns being controlled. I am much more concerned about the gold.

Of the two, guns and gold, which of them is being targeted globally? Because in this economy, you need the "gold" to get the guns...Meaning you need money. THEIR money. That THEY control the value of, your access to...By controlling your money by forcing you to use their fiat, they can, through taxation, devaluation, and inflation, insure that you are NEVER able to accumulate enough money to afford the guns they aren't coming out and taking from you.

Watch for regulations (for our own good) that have the effect of grossly inflating prices of things like guns and ammo, while lip service gets paid to that second amendment thingy...

And of course, they don't want you to stash gold in order to get around their plans, so they go all out to control that, because it doesn't look like gun control and slips past everyone's radar.

It's MONEY control, and if they get THAT they have no need for specific laws on this or that. They will control everything we need to live in this economy THROUGH their control of the money.

Fight for your gun rights if you feel threatened, but please, mind what they're doing to your MONEY...that's the key to everything.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:47 | 5796902 Normalcy Bias
Normalcy Bias's picture

People seem to get more worked up over the guns being controlled.

Ummm... if they have guns and you don't, good luck holding on to your gold. It's pretty simple, really...

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:59 | 5797435 Billy the Poet
Billy the Poet's picture

One of the benefits of a society armed according the individual's preference is that miscreants never know who has a defensive weapon and who doesn't.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 07:16 | 5797916 Lanka
Lanka's picture

During chaos, guns trump gold.  Get your guns and ammo while you still can.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:49 | 5797189 samsara
samsara's picture

You may see a rise in "Flea Markets" and other venues for distribution...  At those "Cash"  places,  "Real Money"  will always work.    Outlawing  Au/Ag  will have about as much effect as outlawing drugs has on their availability. 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:45 | 5796888 Crazed Smoker
Crazed Smoker's picture

Stealing our pensions and savings via financial system manipulation is just low, but this is something different.  It's quite scary.  

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:55 | 5796890 seek
seek's picture

A FYI, certainly the pressure needs to be kept on to permanently prevent this shit from every happening again, but so much of Choke Point's illegality has been exposed and so much pressure brought to bear already that the FDIC issued a letter basically reversing all the choke point orders about two weeks ago. We'll what happens with the CFPB, if they keep up what the FDIC was doing, they're committing political suicide.

My bet is when the rest of the investigations wrap up there's going to be some pretty massive civil suits over this hitting the administration right around the time they're leaving. When the American Banker's Association is openly calling the FDIC out on this shit, you know what we saw was nothing compared to what was actually happening.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:44 | 5797164 samsara
samsara's picture

If you look at the trends,  there is a weakening in the force.

An uproar over Sezures by the Gov.  Now this,  It just goes to show something may be happening.  Vaccines - gov vs individual,  

things are changing in the base sway of the population.  That is the general mood change say around 177xish.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:46 | 5796891 10mm
10mm's picture

Bad guys don't care about rights.  Hence, so should defenders. 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:46 | 5796893 Proofreder
Proofreder's picture

  Violates the most fundamental principles of the Rule of Law ...

 

Well of course - we have a criminal as POTUS - what does the country expect when they elect a pot-smoking joy-rider with mostly criminal associates.  This accounts perfectly for the Us vs Them paradigm that dictates the day-to-day discourse and mind-set within 'the administration'.   Petty criminals at the core.  God help us all.

/end rant 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:49 | 5796906 A Lunatic
A Lunatic's picture

Meanwhile, nobody commits more fraud and money laundering than the U.S. Government and the TBTF financial institutions.....

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:45 | 5797389 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

Chrome dome Janet Yellen must have her Calvin Klein boxers in a knot. How dare they go after a ponzi scheme enterprise.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 21:49 | 5796907 GMacTrader
GMacTrader's picture

Well I just figured out why my accounts at Chase was closed and they wouldn't tell me why!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:02 | 5796962 Vinividivinci
Vinividivinci's picture

Who gives a cluck !
I can barely afford smokes with my part-time dishwashing job.
I won't be buying any PM's anytime soon...
Thanks Mr. Harper !

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:38 | 5797129 samsara
samsara's picture

I think you are wrong somewhat. (I've been where you are believe me),  

Save up and buy an Oz of Silver once a month.   20something bucks maybe at a coin shop.  

Just keep doing that.   Think long term. YOU have your accumulated worth with you...

(just as big as a roll of coins....  You can hide it anywhere. 

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:04 | 5796963 Global Douche
Global Douche's picture

This is disgusting, but you know what I'm thinking deep inside? Could the CFPB and Operation Choke Point be all about diverting and hiding the fact that the Treasury likely has no gold remaining and our Dear Emperor on Pennsylvania Avenue has no clothes? (except for the TV cameras and the golf course.)

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:20 | 5797019 Son of Captain Nemo
Son of Captain Nemo's picture

On that list in the first video, Mike forgot to mention gun sho...  Oh wait a minute!

Guess all the bases are covered!!!

If anybody had doubts about confiscation after watching this, we'd love to hear you say that we're just paranoid?!!!!

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 22:19 | 5797033 Cloud9.5
Cloud9.5's picture

You know as I look back over the series of abuses heaped upon the colonies I have come to realize that it was a slow fermentation that gave rise to revolution.  The act that lit the fuse in both Massachusetts and Virginia was a move against ammunition.   The men who shot the crap out of the British Army in Massachusetts were not the well-organized militia touted in the Second Amendment.  The organized militia had been blown away earlier in the day on Lexington Green. It was a swarm of several thousand lone wolves that shot the British Army to pieces. 

 

The Southern Poverty Law Center has its panties in a wad about lone wolves  for good reason.  Here is a thought for you progressive types.  An army is a fighting force of about fifty thousand men. If ATF stats are right, enough firearms have been bought every two days since the election of President Obama to outfit an army. Got that every two days?  Now if you take three percent of the gun owners in the U.S. that leaves you with a force of about 2,250,000 men. That is three percent of the gun owning public who will more than likely shoot the man that comes for their guns.  That’s two million, two hundred and fifty thousand lone wolves or thought of another way, a swarm of fifty armies.

 

You cannot disarm the American public.  Any serious effort will burn down what is left of the Republic.

 

 

Operation Choke Hold is too little too late and is but just another of the abuses heaped on the population.  As in the prerevolutionary period, we will bitch and moan and do little or nothing until some plutocrat lights the fuse. And then it is on.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:08 | 5797262 thebigunit
thebigunit's picture

We strongly suggest you are not holding anything sharp while you watch these clips....

I took this advice seriously.

But even the risk of my head exploding was enough to discourage me from watching.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:09 | 5797266 Atomizer
Atomizer's picture

Twitter v. Holder Suit to Disclose NSLs

http://cryptome.org/2015/02/twitter-nsl-001-028-034-037-042.pdf

 

No comment needed.

Tue, 02/17/2015 - 23:30 | 5797337 Atomizer
Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:01 | 5797440 dexter_morgan
dexter_morgan's picture

Ho Lee Fuk - bastards

He really like that backdoor shit don't he

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:02 | 5797444 WTF_247
WTF_247's picture

The reasons these types of programs gets more and more popular is:

  1. The govt has gotten better at creating and enforcing laws  and regulations that help it to hide illegal things legally
  2. These laws then used to start all kinds of hidden programs, off budget that cannot be inquired into
  3. The govt has figured out it has No Constitutional Bounds (Yaaay!) in these programs because the very existence is hidden, giving them full reign to do whatever they want.
  4. The govt is able to "coerce" (blackmail) corporations into going along (when needed) by making them a deal they cannnot refuse.
  5. There is NO RECOURSE to the public for getting caught - there is no way to gather enough details to prosecute anyone - its all hidden.
  6. Even if they get caught, they hide behind some bullshit "legal opinion" they have drafted up which tells them the program is ok - essentially a get out of jail free card for everyone involved (those few they may be able to identify.

The biggest issue is that any program like this, once hidden, is exceedingly hard to stop even if you find out about it.  All the documents, even the existence of the program itself, is sheilded.  You sue under Freedom of Information Act, they give you nothing, stating no such program exists.

This is a relatively low level program - hence the ability to try to stop it.  I think the really evil ones we will never find out about.

 

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 00:17 | 5797475 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Bitcoin last price $243

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 02:05 | 5797625 22winmag
22winmag's picture

Big surprise (or not)... Wikipedia is full of shit claming Chokepoint is essentially finished.

 

Better stock up on M855 before the BATFE pulls the plug on it.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 03:12 | 5797711 R19
R19's picture

#keephimonthegolfcourseasmuchaspossible

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 03:26 | 5797731 Manipuflation
Manipuflation's picture

My bank won't stop calling me about purchases and especially when I make a coin purchase as I did this morning.  We had to run through all of the purchases that I made right down to buying some gasoline the other day.  The kid on the phone from was about 23 years old or something like that.  This is the third time this has happened in the last few weeks.  No one called when I paid off ALL of my debt.  So now I have no debt and almost no seizable assets other than a life insurance policy and about 12K in vehicles.  That drives them absolutely crazy because most people my age do not do that.  It drives them nuts that I am stacking PM's.  They know I have some but they do not know how much.  They can't comprehend what I am doing so therefore I must be a terrorist.  No, I just don't want to pay interest to any banks.  Pretty simple.

 

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 04:05 | 5797767 R19
R19's picture

Buy some snapchat.  That will get them,

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 05:47 | 5797835 Manipuflation
Manipuflation's picture

You cracked me up with that one.  I had no idea what snapchat was.  I looked it up.  I don't think that it fits what I am doing but that was a good one.;-)

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 03:33 | 5797735 Jack Daniels Esq
Jack Daniels Esq's picture

USG - total failure post WWII

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 07:36 | 5797932 1stepcloser
1stepcloser's picture

looks like the Nazi party won WWII.  And captain America is a documentary.

 

-Hail Hydra

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 06:02 | 5797853 MickV
MickV's picture

You all (some, many) still don't get it. THERE IS NO "United States" or "Constitution". It was ended by the installation of an illegal executor of the laws, Hussein Obama, who was born a British subject, of a British subject father, and thus is not a natural born Citizen. There is no law when the executor of the laws is an illegal entity. The only way back to the Republic is to oust the criminal Usurper puppet, and hang the criminal co-conspirators in Congess. Until then the beatings will comtinue. There is no law for them, only for you.

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 06:17 | 5797863 Kokulakai
Kokulakai's picture

Tulving?

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 10:05 | 5798304 redman38
redman38's picture

thanks zero hedge

Wed, 02/18/2015 - 11:01 | 5798545 Shitgum Suicide
Shitgum Suicide's picture

Mike Maloney said that operation choke point was going after ponzi schemes. Well I guess that makes engaging in the social security system as well as filing a tax return ILLEGAL now doesn't it?

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