Author: Mark Gilmore

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The Smell of Our Money

I first met Jim Johnson in the early 1990’s. I was a great admirer of his predecessor at Fannie Mae, David Maxwell. David had recruited Jim from Lehman Brothers to serve as Vice-Chairman at Fannie Mae…

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Alcohol Can Be a Gas

I just saw a fascinating presentation. David Blume explained ethanol and its economics in the context of reviving communities at the Sonnenschien Festival in Hohenwald, Tennessee. Here are links for h…

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A Must Read

The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination
Harvard University Commencement Address
By J.K. Rowling – Harvard University Gazette Online (Jun 2008)

View a live video recording or…

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Money Supply (MZM)

Money Supply at 5 Jun 2008
St. Louis Federal Reserve Report

~ Previous blog posts on MZM: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)




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Adjusted Monetary Base

Adjusted Monetary Base
St. Louis Federal Reserve Report








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Money & Markets – Week of 6.09.08

Central Bank Body Warns of Great Depression
By Gill Montia – Banking Times (9 Jun 2008)

Germans Begin Rejecting Euros From Latin Bloc
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (13 Jun 2008)

Chin…

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Money & Markets – Week of 6.09.08

Central Bank Body Warns of Great Depression
By Gill Montia – Banking Times (9 Jun 2008)

Germans Begin Rejecting Euros From Latin Bloc
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (13 Jun 2008)

Chin…

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Precious Metals – Week of 6.09.08

Iran Says it Will Sell Euro Instruments for Gold and Stocks
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (10 Jun 2008)

U.S. Silver Eagles Illegally Rationed
By Chris Powell – GATA (4 Jun 2008)

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Food & Health – Week of 6.09.08

Listening to Cellphone Warnings
By Tyler Hamilton – thestar.com (31 May 2008)

More Evidence of Dangerous Insanity
By Dr. Tom O’Connell – doctortom.org (7 Jun 208)

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Food & Health – Week of 6.09.08

Listening to Cellphone Warnings
By Tyler Hamilton – thestar.com (31 May 2008)

More Evidence of Dangerous Insanity
By Dr. Tom O’Connell – doctortom.org (7 Jun 208)

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Geopolitical – Week of 6.09.08

BP Statistical Review – 2007
British Petroleum’s review of world energy trends

Rating Countries for the Happiness Factor
By Marina Kamenev – BusinessWeek.com (11 Oct 2006)

The Revolution Will Not Be…

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Life – Week of 6.09.08

Transparent Butterfly

What Doctors Don’t Tell You ~ Dental Fillings: They Are Toxic
WDDTY e-news (12 Jun 2008)

Brazil Reveals Uncontacted Amazon Tribe Associated Press (30 May 2008)



Welc…

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Water In The Stock Market

Water Crisis to be Biggest World Risk
By Ambrose Evans-Pritchard – London Telegraph (6 Jun 2008)





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In Memorium

Let’s take a moment and give thanks for the life and work of one excellent man.

Utah Phillips passed away on May 23rd. Described as the “Golden Voice of the Great Southwest,” you can learn more about…

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American Wisdom

Just 17% Say Federal Government Represents Will of the People
Rasmussen Reports (3 Jun 2008)

Just 17% of voters say that the federal government represents the will of the American people. A Rasmussen…

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Quote du Jour

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Let’s Help the New President

I have been asked to start a list of things that the President could do to improve the economy. I thought I would start this list and invite you into the invention room to add. Remember, we are in bra…

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Let's Help the New President

I have been asked to start a list of things that the President could do to improve the economy. I thought I would start this list and invite you into the invention room to add. Remember, we are in bra…

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Most Americans Agree

Neither Honest Nor Trustworthy: The 10 Worst Corporations of 2007
By Russell Mokhiber & Robert Weissman – Multinational Monitor.org (Nov/Dec 2007)

“A November 2007 Harris poll found that less tha…

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Comment on Bishop Jake’s Blog

Bishop:

Thank you so much for your words on this topic Negative Press Distracts Church from Mission and for offering us the opportunity to access your leadership and inspiration through your blog.

I…

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Comment on Bishop Jake's Blog

Bishop:

Thank you so much for your words on this topic Negative Press Distracts Church from Mission and for offering us the opportunity to access your leadership and inspiration through your blog.

I…

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Two New Morsels from GiftHub.org

From Phil Cubeta – At GiftHub.org:

Getting Your Philanthropy Advice from a Loan Shark?
(31 May 2008)

Mr. Repo Man as Philanthropic Advisor
(31 May 2008)

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FRED Graph

Total Borrowings of Depository Institutions from the Fed – 1910 to present:

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Advice to a University Student

Miss Catherine,

It is a pleasure to be introduced to you. I have been on Solari.com and read many of your papers. Your Narco Dollars series was particularly interesting/upsetting. I never realized ho…

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Money & Markets – Week of 6.02.08

Economist Challenges Government Data
By Sam Zuckerman – SFGate.com (25 May 2008)

A Lawyer’s Open Letter to a CFTC Commissioner
By Chris Powell – GATA (7 Jun 2008)

Crisis Trade Talks in Paris as Prot…

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Money & Markets – Week of 6.02.08

Economist Challenges Government Data
By Sam Zuckerman – SFGate.com (25 May 2008)

A Lawyer’s Open Letter to a CFTC Commissioner
By Chris Powell – GATA (7 Jun 2008)

Crisis Trade Talks in Paris as Prot…

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Precious Metals – Week of 6.02.08

Reg Howe: Gold Derivatives Are Moving Up Again
By Chris Powell – GATA (30 May 2008)

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Geopolitical – Week of 6.02.08

Gates Ousts Air Force Leaders in Historic Shake-up
By Robert Burns – Associated Pres (5 Jun 2008)

Weather Warfare
By Michel Chossudovsky – EcologistOnline.org (22 May 2008)

Negative Press Distracts …

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Food & Health – Week of 6.02.08

How To Avoid Genetically Modified Food
At WikiHow

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Food & Health – Week of 6.02.08

How To Avoid Genetically Modified Food
At WikiHow

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Kirby's Letter to WSJ

Rob Kirby wrote to the Wall Street Journal earlier this week:

Kate Kelly:

Congratulations on your article, “Fear, Rumors Touched Off Fatal Run on Bear Stearns.

Quite a story you’ve written there….

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Return on Reputation: Mission Aligned Investing

The proprietor of GiftHub.org has his next comment for us:

Read the full article here.

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Community Business – Banking Locally

Tonight, Dennis Bernstein and I are going to be back on Flashpoints helping Dennis switch from his existing bank, Wells Fargo, to a local credit union.

Here are some links that we will be using durin…

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Mortgage Market Madness

Oh, my.

Terrorizing honest government regulators and their contractors in life threatening ways, seizing and stealing their software tools and databases providing public access to transparency regard…

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The Auction Rate Securities Mess

If you are curious to know more about the headlines regarding losses on auction rate securities, here is a new lawsuit filed against UBS that outlines some of the background and issues.





-…

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Quote Du Jour

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Money & Markets – Week of 5.26.08

Mad Finance Must Not Rule Us
By Jacques Delors, et al – Truthout.org (21 May 2008)

The Pentagon’s $1 Trillion Problem
By Scot Paltrow – Portfolio.com (May 2008 Issue)

Asian Countries Begin to Burst …

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Money & Markets – Week of 5.26.08

Mad Finance Must Not Rule Us
By Jacques Delors, et al – Truthout.org (21 May 2008)

The Pentagon’s $1 Trillion Problem
By Scot Paltrow – Portfolio.com (May 2008 Issue)

Asian Countries Begin to Burst …

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Precious Metals – Week of 5.26.08

Weimar Inflation in America
By James Turk – Kitco (26 May 2008)

The Next Attack on Gold Has Begun
By Gary North – LewRockwell.com (28 May 2008)

As If You Can’t ‘Mingle With Criminals’ At a Bank . . …

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Mortgage Markets – Week of 5.26.08

With Builder in Bankruptcy, Buyers Are Left Out
By David Streitfeld – New York Times (3 Jan 2008)

Foreclosures in Military Towns Surge at Four Times U.S. Rate
By Kathleen M. Howley – Bloomberg.com (2…

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Geopolitical – Week of 5.26.08

Segway – Ultra Efficient Mobility
At PeakOilDebunked Blog (27 May 2008)

Future Scenarios – Mapping the Cultural Implications of Peak Oil and Climate Change

Bush Claims More Powers Than King George I…

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Life – Week of 5.26.08

Teenager’s Science Fair Project May Deliver Us Form Plastic
By Casey Miner – MotherJones.com (23 May 2008)

Energy Fears Looming, New Survivalists Prepare
By Samantha Gross – Associated Press (24 May …

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Opening This Weekend

John Cusack’s latest . . .

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Your Tax Dollars At Work

Good news! The Bureau of Labor Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor has announced the April Producer Price Index. You will be delighted to hear their finding that gasoline prices decreased 4.6 p…

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The Next Shoe to Drop

Rob Kirby of Financial Sense discusses his conversation with Catherine about the demise of Bear Stearns and related events.

The Next Shoe to Drop
By Rob Kirby – Financial Sense WrapUp (19 May 2008)…

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Money & Markets – Week of 5.19.08

World Bank ‘Destroyed Basic Grains’ in Hondouras
By Alison Fitzgerald, et al – Bloomberg.com (22 May 2008)

House Passes Bill to Sue OPEC Over Oil Prices
By Tom Doggett – Reuters (20 May 2008)

Oil’s …

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Money & Markets – Week of 5.19.08

World Bank ‘Destroyed Basic Grains’ in Hondouras
By Alison Fitzgerald, et al – Bloomberg.com (22 May 2008)

House Passes Bill to Sue OPEC Over Oil Prices
By Tom Doggett – Reuters (20 May 2008)

Oil’s …

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Food & Health – Week of 5.19.08

What the Farm Bill Means for Organic
By Samuel Fromartz – Natural Foods Merchandiser (19 May 2008)

Bush Aid Package Includes GM
By Vicky Uhland – Natural Foods Merchandiser (20 May 2008)

A Family Fa…

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Food & Health – Week of 5.19.08

What the Farm Bill Means for Organic
By Samuel Fromartz – Natural Foods Merchandiser (19 May 2008)

Bush Aid Package Includes GM
By Vicky Uhland – Natural Foods Merchandiser (20 May 2008)

A Family Fa…

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Life – Week of 5.19.08

TALKS – Jill Bolte Taylor: My Stroke of Insight
A Video at TED – Ideas Worth Spreading (Posted Mar 2008)
Read about Dr. Taylor at Wikipedia

New Zealand Pilots Land on a Wing and a Prayer
By Sanjeev M…

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Dmitry Orlov’s “Reinventing Collapse”

Dmitry Orlov’s book “Reinventing Collapse” is an excellent introduction to the de-industrialization that numerous areas of the world have experienced, written for Americans interested in preparing for…

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Dmitry Orlov's "Reinventing Collapse"

Dmitry Orlov’s book “Reinventing Collapse” is an excellent introduction to the de-industrialization that numerous areas of the world have experienced, written for Americans interested in preparing for…

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A New Version of "Survivor"

And You Thought It Could Never Happen
By Sharon Astyk – Casaubon’s Book Blog (14 May 2008)

On Television, the new version of “Survivor” takes over with a new theme – participants must create a fu…

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Futures Market 101

One of the signs watched to determine risks of inflation or deflation is the relationship of current commodities prices to those expressed in future contracts. Here are two words we are going to be se…

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Pricing Ethics

Does Being Ethical Pay?
By Remi Trudel & June Cotte – Wall Street Journal (12 May 2008)

<ul>”After reading about the company and its coffee, the people told us the price they were willing t…

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Freddie Mac Conference

“Now previously we have said that we expect housing prices to fall at least 15% nationally, and today they [have fallen] about 9% through the measure we use which is relative to our market. We want …

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Geopolitical – Week of 5.19.08

Lawmaker Questions Google Over Privacy Practices
By Diane Bartz – Reuters.UK (21 May 2008)

America’s Best Days
The Rasmussen Report (20 May 2008)

China’s All-Seeing Eye
By Naomi Klein – RollingStone…

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Precious Metals – Week of 5.19.08

GATA Appeals Fed’s Denial of Access to Gold Records
By Chris Powell – GATA (22 May 2008)

Gold Bugs’ Grit Pays Off
By Peter Brimelow – MarketWatch.com (18 May 2008)

Yes, Gold Dehedging Will End, But …

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Man From Plains

I am a great admirer of patience and fearlessness combined in a persistent person. I got a chance to see Man from Plains which chronicles President Jimmy Carter’s book tour across America to publicize…

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Kaufman Launches Growthology

The Kaufman Foundation has an excellent mission. I always want to know what Bob Litan is thinking about, so I have high hopes for Growthology, a new blog from the Kaufman Foundation. I wonder what the…

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Oldie (2002) But Goodie

Investors’ New Worry: “Auditor Risk”
By Robert Barker – Barker.Online (25 Jan 2002)

“Thank heaven for Arthur Andersen.

You may think I’m nuts, given the hellfire now licking at the once-venerable Ch…

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You Can’t Take It With You

I just saw an excellent presentation by Kathryn W. Mirree, J.D, called The Top Ten Charitable Planning Ideas for 2008. The seminar was presented by the Planned Giving Council of Greater Memphis and Co…

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You Can't Take It With You

I just saw an excellent presentation by Kathryn W. Mirree, J.D, called The Top Ten Charitable Planning Ideas for 2008. The seminar was presented by the Planned Giving Council of Greater Memphis and Co…

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Money & Markets – Week of 5.12.08

Non-Borrowed Reserves of Depository Institutions
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

All of Inflation’s Little Parts
A Chart – New York Times (3 May 2008)

Derivaties Monster Morgan to Enter Oil Mark…

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Money & Markets – Week of 5.12.08

Non-Borrowed Reserves of Depository Institutions
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

All of Inflation’s Little Parts
A Chart – New York Times (3 May 2008)

Derivaties Monster Morgan to Enter Oil Mark…

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UBS Issues Shareholder Report on Write-downs

Investor Releases
Zurich / Basel, April 21, 2008, 07:00 AM
UBS announced today that it has issued a Shareholder Report detailing the key facts relating to the firm’s positions and losses in the U.S. s…

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Earthquake in Chengdu

China is Hit by 7.8-Magnitude Earthquake Near Chengdu
By Aaron Sheldrick & Eugene Tang – Bloomberg.com (12 May 2008)
China Earthquake Information – USGS
From Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org…

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Volcano in Chile

Chilean Volcano Erupts ~ View all photos in the series

Chile Volcano Forces Evacuations
BBC News (2 Jan 2008)

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Geopolitical – Week of 5.12.08

A New Role for the Exchange Stabilization Fund
Cleveland Fed | 01 August 2019

Legal Defense Fund Moves to Stop Animal ID Program; Files Intent to Sue Letter
Press Release – Farm-to-Consumer Legal D…

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Food & Health – Week of 5.12.08

Experts: Twisters Getting Larger, Deadlier
By Ashley Phillips – ABC News (12 May 2008)

Best Places to Live in Rural America
Progressive Farmer

Urban Farmers’ Crops Go From Vacant Lot to Market
B…

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Food & Health – Week of 5.12.08

Experts: Twisters Getting Larger, Deadlier
By Ashley Phillips – ABC News (12 May 2008)

Best Places to Live in Rural America
Progressive Farmer

Urban Farmers’ Crops Go From Vacant Lot to Market
B…

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Life – Week of 5.12.08

National Geographic Channel Strikes Again . . . Mind Blowing!
Time Paas website

Ostracism Without Natural Selection By Piattelli-Palmarini
By Suzan Mazur- Scoop Independent News (9 May 2008)

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Mortgage Markets

Mr. Mortgage on April Foreclosures in California
By Mr. Mortgage – Implode-o-Meter.com (13 May 2008)

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Precious Metals

Last Chance to Board Gold Train at Under US$1,000
By Chris Powell – GATA (15 May 2008)

New Study Finds Silver Futures Market is Functioning Properly
Press Release: U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Co…

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What’s Up in Alabama?

Update:

Men’s Health ranks Birmingham as one of the four most impotent cities in the country. Could this help explain the problems in Alabama?
Impotence Hits You Where You Live
Men’s Health.com
~ Vie…

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What's Up in Alabama?

Update:

Men’s Health ranks Birmingham as one of the four most impotent cities in the country. Could this help explain the problems in Alabama?
Impotence Hits You Where You Live
Men’s Health.com
~ Vie…

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Unclear

The chances of the Clear Channel $20 billion buyout closing look even more uncertain as the parties prepare to go to trial.

“Law and Order” Court Preps for Clear Channel Trial
By Leslie Gevirtz – R…

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It Is That Simple

I just listened to a wonderful David Icke interview in which he says that solutions are simple. Right now, everyone pretty much acts by asking and answering “What’s right for me?” If we all just start…

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Correction

For some reason (groan) a very old article is circulating on the internet. It includes an estimate of presidential campaign contributions from the largest states that is too high. I calculated it with…

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Section 6041 of the Internal Revenue Code (Prior to Health Care Act Changes)

§6041. Information at Source

a. Payments of $600 or more.?? All persons engaged in a trade or business and making payment in the course of such trade or business to another person, of rent, sal…

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Quote du Jour

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The Silence of the Pension Funds

Now that the year-end figures are in, the silence of the pension funds on their mortgage and financial institution losses is eerie. This includes the NY pension funds:

Unanswered Questions About NY P…

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Meditations on Mission Investing – Stanley Sporkin

Jay Taylor just sent out a letter to his subscribers describing a meeting at the Committee for Monetary Research Education, Inc. and his fellow speaker, Stanley Sporkin, as “known for his uncompromis…

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Zimbabwe Monetary Policy

The inflation in Zimbabwe is a current example of how monetary bailouts send the price of food and other essentials into the stratosphere.

[Click image to view full report.]

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Money & Markets

The Corporate Curse – How Business Culture Dragged America Down With It
By Sam Smith – Progressive Review (May 2008)

Vallejo Votes for Bankruptcy
NBC11.com (8 May 2008)

Nameless Central Banker…

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Money & Markets

The Corporate Curse – How Business Culture Dragged America Down With It
By Sam Smith – Progressive Review (May 2008)

Vallejo Votes for Bankruptcy
NBC11.com (8 May 2008)

Nameless Central Bankers…

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Geopolitical

Trilateral Commission: Global Elite Gather in D.C.
By James P. Tucker, Jr. – GlobalResearch.ca (6 May 2008)

Things We Forgot to Remember: BBC Recording About Man-Made Famine in Bengal During World …

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Precious Metals

AngloGold to Reduce Hedge Book By 45%
By Jon A Nones – Resource Investor (6 May 2008)

Is IMF Trying to Recover Its Gold by Pretending to Sell It?
By Chris Powell – GATA (7 May 2008)
Why is Canada’…

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Life

Scientists to Examine the World’s Weirdest Whale
Media Release – Te Papa Museum, New Zealand (6 May 2008)
The Transformation of the God-Image
By Paul Levy – awakeinthedream.com (May 2008)
Stuart …

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Food & Health

This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health
A Video at Mercola.com (May 2008)
China Farms the World to Feed a Ravenous Economy
By Denis D. Gray – Associated Press (4 May 2008)

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Food & Health

This Company May Be the Biggest Threat to Your Future Health
A Video at Mercola.com (May 2008)
China Farms the World to Feed a Ravenous Economy
By Denis D. Gray – Associated Press (4 May 2008)

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Posts on Mission Investing

Human Flourishing in a Constitutional Republic
By Phil Cubeta – Gift Hub (4 May 2008)

Two Gems From Gift Hub
Catherine Austin Fitts Blog Post – Solari (2 Aug 2007)

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Gift Hub Blogs Back on Mission Economy

The Role of Philanthropy in a Security State
By Phil Cubeta – Gift Hub (2 May 2008)

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More Slow Burn . . .

Special Thanks to Rob Kirby of Kirby Analytics and LeMetropole Café.

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A Question on Philanthropy

The Buddha says, “Those who are awake live in a state of constant amazement.”

In the blink of an eye, Bear Stearns goes from $70 a share to being picked up for a few dollars a share by JP Morgan Chas…

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The Tapeworm Revealed

Those of you who wonder what I mean by “the Tapeworm” will better understand the concept after reading the following article:

The Real Matrix: The Pentagon Invades Your Life

When something is so per…

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Money & Markets

Don Cox on Business News Network ~ Food Inflation
Business News Network (30 Apr 2008)

James Turk: A Four-Month Review
GATA (1 May 2008)

Numbers Racket – Why The Economy is Worse Than We Know
B…

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Money & Markets

Don Cox on Business News Network ~ Food Inflation
Business News Network (30 Apr 2008)

James Turk: A Four-Month Review
GATA (1 May 2008)

Numbers Racket – Why The Economy is Worse Than We Know
B…

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Precious Metals

The Gold Cartel vs. South African Mines
By Peter George – GATA (30 Apr 2008)
Al Korelin Interviews Speakers at GATA’s Washington Conference
By Chris Powell – GATA (28 Apr 2008)

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Geopolitical

Break-ins Plague Targets of US Attorneys
By Larisa Alexandrovna, et al – TheRawstory.com (1 May 2008)
DC Madame Found Hanged
By Phil Cubeta – Gift Hub (1 May 2008)
How To Avoid Cons That Can Lead …