This Time it IS the Oil, Media!

Some report that the war in Iraq is now 8 years old but we have not heard any news about recent battles or squirmishes there. In fact by all reports it has been fairly stable and although our troops are still on the ground, a transition is and has been taking place since 2007. Most data I can find about the war ends at about 2007. So, where is the oil? It the war was fought for oil, it certainly has been poorly fought because the US has not received 1 drop. So I guess the war in Iraq was not a success for those that wished you to believe it was over oil and not freedom from a tyrant.

Let skip forward to Libya. News reports are mainly focused on freedom fighter and rebels against a tyrant we've know for a long time to be, Qaddafi or Gaddafi or any of the 1000 ways of spelling his name; makes him no less evil. Oh, but that term was, as I recall, taboo in 1985 when Reagan used it. But let's not digress. Kadaffi has been known to be a tyrant, a supporter of terrorists, and factually linked to attacks in Europe against countries, which included the USA via the Pan American Airline crash over Lockerbie Scottland. So far, no real difference between the two tyrants, Saddam Hussein and Kadaffi. Both repressed, killed and tortured their own people they purported to love, and both plotted, assisted in attacks on the free world. Yet one war is sanctioned and the other was not by the population of the free world, and one war was accused to be over oil while the other about supporting and freeing the people.

So, why the difference? Could it have anything to do with the media reporting and the political affiliation of the person holding the highest office? Could it have anything to do with the need for oil supply in Europe, or is it as noble as it seems or, ahem, is being reported.

Just a brief glimpse inside both those premises, we find that the media is quiet about any thought of greed for oil. Also that the thought of our military being part of yet another war, is chirp chirp, quiet & still. Even the war protesters are still protesting over Iraq. Any news of war protesters about our involvement in Libya? Again, quiet.

I hear plenty about the action and who is shooting down whom and how many civilians, rebels or government forces are being killed, but it's not the same tone in reporting. No outrageous cries of crimes committed by allied troops against the poor population.

So let's look at Libya and it's oil production.. who get's what. First Libya doesn't even appear on the list of top oil producers in the world on the U.S. Energy, Information Administration site but it's #18 by rank and they only list the top 15. Libya is a member of OPEC and it has the largest proven oil reserves in Africa and yet it's still reported to be largely unexplored. Libya also has the light sweet crude that most covet.

Additionally, most of the oil exported from Libya is imported directly into Europe (72%). It's close proximity is ideal. Largest importers are Italy, France, Spain, Greece, U.K. Only 3% comes to the USA. Without Libyan oil, Europe's economy could easily crash which as it is already on the brink of doing anyway. Additionally, with the current loss of Egypt as an ally, the top single most important oil producer and now a teetering ally is Saudi Arabia. Oh yes, the possible problems posed by the current instability in the Middle East is alarming to many Western Nations and mostly to Europe.

Granted that the USA is in need of much Middle Eastern oil, but it is the third top producer in the world and has plenty of reserves hindered only by the unwillingness to drill. But Europe's reserves are meager in comparison and are much less available for exploration or cultivation due to it's densely developed land. Russia, has been much aware of Europe's need of oil for many decades and would like nothing more than to have a monopoly for it's control. With the Libyan upheaval, and increasing Shiite rebellion and protests throughout the Middle East, Iran's and Russia's monopoly could be realized making Libya even a more important pawn on this chessboard.

Control of Iraq and Libya is and was important for terrorist activities around the world. Yet one was excused (sanctioned) for many more years than the other. Saddam threatened to undermine the stability of the Middle East and systematically killed their own even using weapons of mass destruction. (yes, they did) Their high oil production was important for Europe as well but it was the threatening disruption of OPEC balance which was probably most disturbing and why it was that Saudi Arabia sanctioned and requested our involvement.

So, could the Libyan war be over oil? This time, I bet it is. Could this high office holder be excused and held to be a hero instead of the villain? Yes, he could, all due the difference in media coverage: people not oil.


Thanks for Reading
Anni


©DayTrading with Anni 2011 All Rights Reserved

A Christmas Wish to Honor

If there is one recurring message in all posts that I read, consciously or unconsciously intended, is that rules need to be honored. In this society that we have created the past decades, rules and laws have been pushed to the absolutes with definitions defying the most logician. No wonder we need teams of lawyers, or shall I say one attorney with a team of interpreters, to decipher any law. They are looking for infinite number of interpretations to fool anyone willing to forget that rules are rules, laws are laws and societies actually thrive better in environments where they are honored.

Like with children, set up an environment where boundaries are not marked and held, and you have chaos in the family but what is worse is that the child then goes and creates chaos outside the family in schools and any structured activity as long as those places too will allow the dishonoring of rules. On the other hand, a child raised with clear boundaries and taught to honor laws of the past and present, will most likely grow up to be a contributor to society adding value and not chaos into lives they touch. Not to mention the family unity is a happier one.

Although the argument that part of growth is the kicking out and testing boundaries, it is also true that taking it too can destroy more than it creates. These are generally known as unintended consequences, although lately I'd argue about the intention. Conscious or unconscious deliberate complication it is known to create, therefore even if the "what" is unknown, the intention is to create the chaos intentional complications introduce.  So what are intentional complications?

Any bill introduced by Congress more than 10 pages long, in my humble opinion will define it well.  The new rules that follow 2000 pages of new legislature are not real rules. They are intended chaos to cover up rules that are not honored, like the dishonoring of our Constitution of the USA.

So, my Christmas Wish this year is to honor, the rules and laws that are simple and have always been true. The 10 Commandments of the Bible, the 10 amendments known as the  Bill of Rights, and  lives yet to be born.

In addition, simple courtesies such as a "Hello", "Goodbye",  "Please" and "Thank You" convey honor about the person toward another and are infinitely more effective than the expletive terms used by so many in  public, on media, and even amongst friends and families.

I would venture a guess that if everyone of us read and then used such simplicity, our society would actually thrive once more without the cry for more regulations and rules to regulate the new regulations and rules.

In honor of you, my friends and family, known and unknown readers, I thank you and wish you a
Very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Thanks for Reading
Anni
 

The End As We Know It

Yesterdays reversal of the on again off again recession is not amusing anymore. In fact I think it deliberately planned to confuse. There is nothing good coming out of a government that act stupidly but knows exactly what it's doing. Yes, that statement is intentional.

While we're trying to figure out what the heck they're doing and why, they are cunningly undermining all arms of the free market. Signs are everywhere, but so many seemingly disconnected for confusion, so the straight line is difficult to draw.

Eroded have been: property rights (Eminent Domain, Supreme Court), water rights, agriculture, health care rights, just to name the more recent ones. But if that is not enough, what is coming next, is what should worry you more.

I believe all pieces are in place and this government is confident in it's victory to dis assemble the American Constitution finally and ultimately. No one appoints so many cabinet "czars" with powers above Congress unless their intent is doing exactly what I said. I'd like to believe that no Congress no matter how stupid would actually pass laws they know little or nothing about without coercion. If they did, then they signed their own ineffective futures. I've said as much in previous posts, but now it all is coming together is a package I think we'd rather not receive.

While we're worried about tax cuts and housing starts, they are making sure that our dollar is worth less so we will end up on a more equal plane with the rest of the world. Remember that the master currency manipulator, Soros, is very much involved with this government in many areas.

Initially quietly in it's background funding the organizations like MoveOn.org for the purpose of causing mistrust, and unrest under the Bush administration then later to infiltrate is help dis organize organizations by spreading fear and mistrust. Soros now is funding many different organizations all to assist the current government.  But the most dangerous besides the currency manipulation is his education foundation of which I have known since the  early 1990's.

Through this foundation children will be taught to be good and obedient followers of the totalitarian government being put into place. Subtle to it's core, most parents will not have a clue until the food or garbage police will come knocking because the children reported the bad behavior of their parents. Then, you will know fear like the rest of the world has known but it will be Americans turn to realize at that moment what they have voted away, given up, which they utterly thought ridiculous when warned about.

I no longer care to label it because it's a waste of time. I don't think this election will matter. Remember that Congress is no longer effective or important, except for keeping a face on until it's not needed. Otherwise the administration would be far more concerned about the outcome.

What should worry you is that I don't even think there will be a another presidential election except for show.

Thanks for reading
Anni


  The Daily Pick -      ©DayTrading with Anni 2010 All Rights Reserved

Technology and Logic

How far have we come in our evolution is really stunning when looking at technicals and their ability to assist us in connecting not only across the globe but farther into the Universe than ever before. It is truly magnificent when one contemplates it, but it's also truly very humbling when one realizes how little we really know.

Each advance seems to give us more yet it in my opinion it takes a lot more away. We, instead of growing and expanding ourselves with more knowledge, now rely on knowledge being fed to us without study. We believe a lot more advertisings without question, and what is more, we tend to rely and demand that others protect us from our lack of knowing and our lack of logic.

Take for example, the recent decision by Toyota to add engine noise to the Prius for the reason that many pedestrians are surprised that there is a car approaching as they step off the curb. (kind of like adding noise pollution when we achieved reducing it) Logical? I don't know about your neck o'woods but in mine even with engine noise, most pedestrians sorely lack the art of looking prior to stepping off the curb. It is not a new phenomenon, it has been the norm for quite a long time in fact. Mostly due to the drummed in knowledge that pedestrians have the "right of way". Of course, it makes no logical sense that they not look; yet still they mostly do not. Add to it the wonderful world of cell phones to the ear and even better, the ability to text while they walk, and viola, engine noise or not, they walk off the curb expecting the car to be able to stop at their presence.

The media, with serious "logic" then announce on the evening news, after a pedestrian is hit,  that drivers need to be more careful when pedestrians are present and never mention that perhaps pedestrians need to practice the age old logic of stopping, looking both ways, before stepping off the curb. Of course it's too late for the poor pedestrian who was injured or worse, and the unfortunate driver at fault or not. The lawyers will battle out the fault logical or not.

Well, I could go on, but I think many will get the point that technology does not make us smarter, but only more vulnerable to traps of comfort. One day we may wake up from our stupor realizing that we now happily accept being told what to do, what we can have, how we should eat, how we should dress, where we can throw our garbage, how much water we should consume, what size living space we can have, how much fat, where we can go, what we can drive....

Oh, I just realized, we are already there.

Thanks for reading
Anni

Laborers as Capitalists

Which laborer scenario would you choose as a worker? One that will allow you to excel given your input and talent or one that will allow you to be like everyone else and get paid for what you and they do, as you go?

Behind the labor movement, I think that is the most encompassing question. I have no doubt that mankind, who are not allowed to excel, will not reach their potential and I have no doubt that there are those who do not care, but maybe because they don't truly understand what labor is.

Truth is we are all laborers: be it those who work for ourselves or those who work for others. Labor is at the core of making any business viable. A business cannot survive without the output of hard work and I can bet you that every mom and pop or large corporation, looking far enough back to it's beginnings will have at the core, hard working laborers. The trouble is, that the media, be it in books, or documentary form, tend to concentrate on their big success and not the steps it took to achieve it. They tend to gloss over the hard days, the days that it takes every ounce of will to continue the labor and the quest for success.

Labor produces; be it on a farm, in a factory or at a desk. I labor every day doing what I do and I bet everyone does who puts in a minute of time into what they earn money with. Even the homeless who stand at freeway on ramps and exits with their sign do labor. But labor does not equate to money and those that have told you it does or should, have done a great disfavor to most.

The truth is that labor earns, but it does not always earn money. It can earn food for a farmer/gardener, it can earn the product for a inventor/fixer, it can earn audience for an entertainer, but does that mean they will be able to go to the bank with it? NO. Does it mean that all labor is rewarded by riches? NO. Does it mean that all who labor should be paid? NO.

That last one will probably raise shackles with many, but perhaps they miss the point. Labor is done for itself or better put, for the laborer, because there are two things we all earn in doing our labor: survival and satisfaction. Two very powerful motivators. A mother and teacher labors for their children. The entrepreneur labors over developing an idea.  People all over the world labor daily for the food they eat if they are lucky. Some labor to sell their goods for return of money, but the labor is not paid in that case, it's the product that the labor produces which is what earns the money. All done for survival and satisfaction.

This is where most Unions and Socialists miss the mark. They tell you equal pay for equal work, which at the base is impossible, but even if it were true, human beings compete at every level of existence, and what they offer is a homogenized version of self, where pocketbook may be satisfied but not the soul. Is it not why workers measure everything by their earnings rather than their achievements? Do people go to work with them to earn money or to earn satisfaction?

And therein lies again the reason why all laborers are at the core, capitalists. We all, every one of us, after all that hard labor wish to get the most for what we produce, and rather than pitting one against the other, laborer vs owner, it's time to realize we are all doing the same thing and wishing to achieve the same goal: Success at the level of satisfaction which only our own labor of love can receive.

Thanks for Reading
Anni

Capitalism as Virtue

Wall Street has been a long time target for those who wish the world to think that they are full of the rich who only want to get richer at the cost of the poor. Since Enron however, it has escalated new heights with call to oust the "greedy" & the "rich"; and there has been a "witch" hunt akin to a Stalinist purge led by Eliot Spitzer as New York State's Attorney General,  in his early years, but who listened to me?

Certainly Madoff did not help in the matter, but truth be known and really examined in any business, the good  outnumber the bad.  Truth also be known, all businesses are capitalist; in other words, they are doing it to make money for themselves. The other truth is, that so are the workers and it is the truth that many wish not to admit, but the recognition of this is very important if we are to survive the biggest onslaught of anti-capitalism since Marxism first raised it's ugly head.

The fact that all humans are capitalists at the core, and the recognition of it by the forefathers of this nation,  is the reason this country became the fastest growing and the strongest one since the Republic was established.  The opportunity to make the best and be the best at anything one chooses is the motivator and it is also the multiplier of more opportunity. There is no denying that out of innovation, inspiration grows and opportunity becomes evident, leaving only one missing ingredient: daring.  Daring to succeed.  In sum you have the recipe that makes the dough rise, pun intended.

This recipe is the truth for worker or business owner alike, and at once the best rose to the top regardless of stature. Workers became recognized for their mastery of a craft just as much as business owners flourished when they produced the best.  No better place than to look to Hollywood or sport teams for this example, but also look to Wall Street.

Unlike in Hollywood or on the sports field, more workers are able to partake in capitalism on Wall Street than anywhere else. They can benefit in the riches of many businesses through investments just as much as business owners can. They are the most basic capitalist system by being mutually invested in the success of a company. It is this truth however, which is hated the most by Marxists who have been  vigorously publicizing the opposite with much success.

Pitting one against the other by making one good the other evil in definition has divided many societies in history resulting in unfortunate and deadly consequences. The rich vs. poor, fortunate vs. unfortunate, farmer vs.worker, manager vs labor, CEO vs investor, where it succeeded, has been the main ingredient for taking control and suppressing  freedom. Unfortunately it has also succeeded here in the USA with the greatest speed during the past decade, culminating in the fastest, most powerful changes to freedoms enacted by the politicians currently ruling this country.

You see, while you were busy hating your partner in success,  this administration grabbed your freedom and started controlling your life.  Proving yet again that there are no bigger greedy capitalists than the likes of those who wish to suppress your freedoms and control your choices: Communists, Socialists, Progressives, Marxists, Dictators all fit this definition, although they may masquerade as Democrats and Republicans. The battle that you may have had to fight for better wages under a capitalist free market system in this Republic, are nowhere near as difficult, hard or deadly, as the battle you will have to fight for the freedoms, choices or your life; but to recognize that, you will first have to admit that you, like all humans, are capitalists at heart.

Then, and only then, will you be able to defeat the social capitalists in the Capital and purge their power grabbing, entitlement rich arrogance out of the system and hold the Constitution as the law of the land once again.

When you become willing to fight for the best you can be, and be willing to defend your right to fight, will you be able to receive the best fortune. With capitalism there are no guarantees that you will succeed, there is only the guarantee that you may try.

Thanks for Reading
Anni

See No Evil

I'd like to think that we, a species that has become more visual than intellectual, would see more clearly when presented with evidence in pictures. Alas, that is not the case and it cannot be. Why? It's because pictures lie.

Even before today's digital image creators and alternators, pictures could tell a lie. It was used by many, painter and photographer, to alter story or to create an illusion whether innocent or deliberate. But I submit that lying through pictures deliberate or not, can be evil, and evil promoting. Like it or not.

Erasing live electrical wires from a scenery to make it look more pretty is still a lie but, depending on the message, we can forgive the creator for the omission. Erasing historical fact, on the other hand, in order to drive the delusion of a reality which did or did not happen is an evil lie, because it denies people their existence. It was and is "free speech" they will tell you, it's their right to show what they see, so what they "see" they can express anyway they want to because it's "their truth" they say, so lump it. But by swallowing that bit of lump you are in part conspiring in the story, and are part of the evil which spreads the lie.

To say that you don't believe that there were and are murderous dictators despite the historical and photographic evidence, is one thing. To erase, alter or destroy those photographs and rewrite history because it does not show what you want, is denying the existence of people who lived and suffered and had a story of their own. In other words, it's a denial of their free speech. The picture of death is truth. To deny that death and violence was caused by a person or a group of people, by destroying, altering or by not publishing the evidence is an evil lie.

The strength of a totalitarian government is made possible especially by the willing collusion of the media, which perpetuates the evil lie. I present to you that we have come to the point where NO media is trustworthy of showing the truth. You have to check all facts and you have to investigate every visual effect you see, and search for ones which are not shown, to get the total picture of what is happening.

We are already bearing witness to the lies when the media refuses to tell or present evidence of truth from both sides.  Leaders of the media are especially to blame as they are the primary drivers of what is published and certainly have an agenda of evil if they don't present both sides. "Free speech" allows for expression of things as we see them, but it does not excuse willing biased presentation. I am sure there are plenty of journalists available and eager to present another view but are denied their "free speech" by the very same media which allows the lie to continue therefore encouraging ... Speak No Evil

Thanks for reading
Anni