Why do we insult those ...

... people and institutions alien to our various cultures?

The BBC has coverage here.  to the most recent example.

In France the editors of Charlie Hebdo are preparing to cause controversy again with a issue released tomorrow. The cover shows a Muslim man in a wheelchair pushed by an Orthodox Jew with foil cap and under the title "Untouchables 2", an imaginary sequel to a recent French film.

... a user Reviews by OttoVonB of the film "Untouchable" includes the following ...

The film's simplicity is delightfully misleading: the script is a masterpiece of comedy writing, and however good the rest of the cast is, the central duo is magical. Sy's comic timing will have you in stitches, but it is his honesty and vulnerability that make you fall in love with the character. Cluzet isn't your typical sad-sack, instead, much of the finest pleasures in the film consist in watching him use his keen mind to mess with the world around him (a sub-plot about an abstract painting really takes the biscuit, you'll know it when you see it).

This is one of the most unique, beautiful and honest friendships ever committed to film. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry... a delightful celebration of everything in life that makes it worthwhile.

The two characters parodied by Charlie Hebdo are ...

... Sy, a failed robber, going through the motions and playing the stereotypical jobless émigré. Cluzet is a romantic and melancholy mind trapped in a useless body.

 

French foreign ministry's website quotes Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault as saying "freedom of expression is one of [France's] fundamental principles", as are secularism and respect for religious convictions.

 

The statement is not at all honest, the Prime Minister of France cites "freedom of expression", yet the arm of the law in France has what is known as "unapproved rallies", I guess the fundamental principles depend upon who you are and what you wish to protest against.

I must go back to the original question, "why insult those we don't know?"

 

What is the point, except in this case to provoke a particular section of French society!

 

 

Catalan separatists and Scots ...

... and the other disparate groups in European Union, a message ...

... there is no open door.

The recent march and rally in Barcelona used the slogan ...

"Catalonia: a new European state". 

But a European Union spokesman in Brussels pointed out that, were Catalonia to secede from Spain, it would have to leave the EU and could rejoin only if it met the economic criteria and if other member states voted unanimously in favour of its membership. (The Guardian, 10 Sep 2011).

... yet another lie by the separatist agenda debunked.

So the message to Alex Salmond is "... the list of your lies grows ever longer."  No honesty for the Scots people.

Bankers offer to give up their bonus ...

... they should be relieved of their freedom.

The story can be read in full here.

Regulators in Europe, the US and Asia have said that investigations into other banks are "ongoing", those people responsible for manipulating markets should be gaoled for life, this pond life ruin the lives of the little people.

Our  Financial Services Authority are not fit for purpose, if Tracey McDermott, director of enforcement thinks that a corporate fine, that would be extracted from those very same customers the banks screwed, is sufficient she lives in a la-la land, gaol is the only outcome for all those involved.

This is another example of the rottenness that should be cut out from society.

I am looking to the USA for a lead, the UK regulaters are far too close to the problem for me to be comfortable with an ethical outcome, only in the USA do perpetrators receive an adequate punishment.

Germany calling ...

... we can't prop them all up Angela !!!!!!!!!!

UK, Wales, Scotland, NI et al ...

... there is probably only one way forward, a Federal Europe, and I'm not sure how I feel about it.  Could the alternative meltdown of European society be too costly for our grandchildren; we have trusted our politicians too much, they have no solution for the crisis that they share a venal complicity.

It might be time to make the call "no taxation without real representation".

doesn't like the rich' ...

 ... and said " he loathes financiers ", this from the man that would lead Europe's 2nd largest economy that is spending 54 cents in each Euro created by the businesses of France.

This French political messiah is reminiscent of our Denis Healey, Labour Chancellor of the Exchequer during the 1970's, who once said "tax the rich until the pips squeak", some might remember this socialist who heralded the Winter of Discontent into Britain which came to a virtual standstill by endless public sector strikes.

So with 54% public spending what does he promise, more public servants, higher wages, retire two years earlier;  all to be paid by businesses and the rich who will have their "French pips" squeezed, unless of course they hop on the Eurostar Express to London which I am sure will open its business as usual arms in a generous welcome .........

The people of France could be served better, but not by an administration that will bite the hands that feed its citizens, and the questions uppermost in my mind ........

............. who will lend Francois Hollande the money at affordable rates ?

............. how can Francois Hollande work with Madame Guillotine  Merkel ?

Will the Chancellor of Germany set aside the German economic ethics on the pyre of the Euro I wonder, what is more important to Merkel, Germany or France or the Euro ?

Has France become unbalanced, did Nicolas Sarkozy tip the citizens of France into an abyss of despair ?

Interesting days ahead, how long before Hollande discovers a note from the outgoing president ....

Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité ...

... the cupboard is bare !

UK Chancellor George Osborne ...

 ... is right to rejects Europe’s "idiotic" banking deal, a Times report shared below ...

Britain’s relationship with Brussels took another hit last night after George Osborne refused to sign up to watered-down capital requirements for banks that he said could make him “look like an idiot”.

The Chancellor’s comments came as European finance ministers attempted to reach agreement on how to implement Basel III rules that require banks to raise their core tier one capital — a measure of financial strength — to 7 per cent by 2019. Mr Osborne wants to toughen up the EU’S interpretation of the rules, which he says could include loopholes to let some banks in Europe sidestep capital buffer levels. He also wants the freedom to impose higher capital buffers without the need for European permission in order to avoid another financial crisis.

“We are not implementing the Basel agreement, as anyone who will look at this text will be able to tell you,” he said. “I am not prepared to go out there and say something that is going to make me look like an idiot five minutes later.

“People will listen to what I say . . . I represent the largest financial centre in Europe. You have got to allow me to sit down and go through the issues. You have not done that.”

The bad-tempered exchange comes months after David Cameron vetoed a European Union fiscal treaty. 

Michel Barnier, the EU commissioner in charge of financial regulation, suggested that Mr Osborne was looking for an effective opt-out with a proposal that would let Britain impose higher capital ratios than elsewhere in Europe.

Some on the Continent are worried that higher capital levels in Britain could put European institutions at a disadvantage because deposits and other business may be attracted to the UK if it was perceived by investors as being safer.

Mr Osborne rejected Mr Barnier’s theory. “I am not asking for some UK carve out. I will not be painted as somehow anti-european, demanding something especially for London,” he said.

One compromise that was offered suggested that Britain and Sweden, which also has a big financial sector relative to its overall economy, would have the option to tack on a capital buffer, but EU constraints on the decision making would remain. ........... in full £here

My preference is for a stronger banking system that is never again too big to fail and is viewed by the world as first rate, no compromises with the EU please Osborne, just look at the mess they created with the failing Euro.

A tea party, or café para todos ...

... (coffee for everyone), and a hat tip to "labour uncut", the full story here.

The story of Spanish devolution is not well known outwith Europe and those organisations that would separate its regions into countries via independence.  It's that well trodden path of small fish needing its own pond, couple it with left wing economic models, then the use of smoke and mirrors (it's very rare for a separatist movement to be anything other than left wing, could there be a principle in there somewhere);  and of course, that ancient mantra of the separatist agenda everywhere - "the grass is greener over there.........".

The origins of Spanish, and devolution throughout the world, is that "local needs" should be addressed through "local channels", on the face of it a reasonable aspiration, in reality it has been the lazy way out, an admission that centralised government can often fail those citizens that are remote from the seat of government, or who have peculiar traits that are ignored as unimportant in the grand scheme, language variation being a prime candidate.

If the time-line of the European separatist movement is examined its start date coincided with today in 1773 the British Government passed the Tea Act followed by "The Boston Tea Party", the origins of the separatist movement.  This event is remarkable in that it demonstrates to the world the only legitimate reason why separatism should be enacted, it is when government, deliberately, gives an advantage to one section of society to the detriment of another.  footnote .... the argument that the act was to counter smuggling is superficial to say the least.

So where might Spain go from here, it seems that one regional government leader is proposing a winding back of its devolved administrations to gain economies of scale by streamlined regional spending, the spokesperson of this proposal is the leader of the seat of government for Madrid region, which by coincidence is also holds the capital the Spanish capital city of Madrid.  It might be prudent to ask how many jobs would be lost to Madrid if the regions relinquished their various administrations to central government, and how many jobs would migrate to the centre of government.

The Spanish crisis is an opportunity to re-model the governance of this ancient country, an opportunity to present a level of fairness through less government, to allow the seventeen autonomous communities of Spain to determine exactly which "Café para nosotros" is appropriate.  No longer are the words "you can have anything you want, as long as I want to give it" appropriate in the 21st century, regions should be allowed to make their own mistakes, they should be allowed to fail (just make sure the other regions are not underwriting their borrowings).


The crisis could also be the catalyst for other countries throughout the world with distinct regions to create a form of devolved governance that conjoins "separate" with "together", my guess is it closer to the USA model than to the China model.  There might also be a recognition that occasionally a separatist movement might gain a critical mass of such magnitude that mutual separation is the better course of action, Belgium is a prime candidate in this 21st century Europe, Scotland has become a close candidate, as do one or two Spanish regions, China has a peculiar problem with Tibet; a common cause of dissent seems to be a perception of unfairness ........ I am sure this particular hot potato is not beyond the wit of humankind to solve.

learn Welsh? German would be a better option, or ...

... stick to English and travel Europe for a world class university education, of course you could stick with Welsh and travel to Aberystwyth at how many £thousands a year fees ?

 My advice would be to study German like there's no tomorrow, and forget the Welsh Baccalaureate, a worthless examination except in the head of Rhodri and chums ................

 Look East to Europe but be quick before the European politicians get xenophobic, or you might go West to the USA, if you do travel West take a fat wallet but expect to be treated as kings and queens, the universities want you  ....

Today's "Sunday Times" magazine has tips, trips and traps of the European options, get out and buy it ....

The law is an ass, particularly

... the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

Last week the court found – in relation to 2001 protests in London - that forcibly holding thousands of people at the one time with no access to food, water or toilets for up to seven hours is not a deprivation of liberty.

When the police arrest a member of the public the force must provide food, water to drink and toilet facilities.

... it must be the rarefied Strasbourg air that has addled the brains of the poor saps we call European judges.

Carwyn, do you think we are ...

... all so stupid that you can spin such rubbish !

He said ...

... businesses were kept afloat and thousands of jobs protected by the more than £350m of subsidies Wales receives every year through the Common Agricultural Policies.

 ... and then compounded the  fos  politics by adding ...

... the billions of pounds of EU structural funds paid to Wales made a "huge contribution", particularly during the down turn.

This money, every single penny, came originally from British taxpayers via the EU, of course the EU skimmed a little as a commission for the commissioners.

... not unlike the bankers asking for a fee upfront to arrange an unaffordable loan for the unwary, but unlike a bank loan the money belonged to each and every taxpayer;  until we gave it on loan to you politicians to make the life of everyone just that little bit better, safer, more certain.

European leaders do not trust Greece ...

... to keep their promises, insulting or a taste of reality ?

Confidence in the ability of Greek politicians to keep their promises is so low that eurozone finance ministers are likely to demand that a special protected account be set up to receive funds from the second bailout that they aim to agree today.  (as reported in today's Times).

In a sign of the lack of confidence in that leadership, some eurozone ministers will push today for all bailout funds to be safeguarded in an escrow account dedicated to paying off Greek debts. There will be many more conditions to the handout, which comes after a rescue package of €110 billion two years ago, including a team of experts stationed in Athens to monitor austerity measures.

If I were a German taxpayer I would want every transaction from the escrow account on-line with an explanation as to exactly why it was made, although it might be less of a German taxpayer burden if the politicians ate crow and let Greece float like Russia did after its default.

From the desk of Larry Edelson ...

... "It’s the hidden dangers that matter most" ...
No matter what scheme Europe’s leaders come up with this weekend, the euro is toast. It was destined to fail right from the beginning.
You see, way back in 1998, I told everyone who would listen that Europe’s attempt at a single currency would fail. I even pegged the year 2012 as the period when the euro would breathe its final breath.
The problem is simply this: The euro was ill-conceived to begin with. The European Union left all the national banks in place, like central banks. They left all the individual countries’ debts in place and failed to create any semblance of a fiscal unity.

Further, they failed to reform tax and labor laws, leaving a hodgepodge of rules and regulations in place, none of which supported any foundation for a single currency.

Perhaps worst of all, they failed to recognize the many different cultures in Europe, not to mention the 28 different official languages spoken.

In short, Europe’s leaders created a disaster, and now the world is paying the price.

The latest proposal, if enacted this weekend, will make matters worse for the euro. Germany’s Angela Merkel and France’s Nicolas Sarkozy are pushing hard to rewrite the European Union’s main treaty to give it power over the national budgets of the Union’s members.

That simply will not work. It amounts to asking countries such as Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Ireland — to give up their sovereignty and place their destinies in the hands of the stronger countries in Europe, namely Germany and France. Fat chance of that going well.

The truth of the matter is
that as ill as Europe’s currency is,
the U.S. dollar isn’t faring much better either.

For one thing, the U.S. dollar is also riddled with unpayable sovereign debts and obligations to the tune of $145 trillion. That’s 25 times worse than the combined debts of all European Union member countries.

For another, our fearless leaders in Washington know full well that our debts are patently unpayable.
That’s why Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke never hesitates when it comes to printing up more money. He knows that the only possible way out is to inflate away the debts, by devaluing the dollar and paying off the debts down the road with cheaper dollars.

It’s also why I believe President Obama and Treasury Secretary Geithner are lying to you.


I know, that’s a bold statement. But they’re not idiots. They are steeped in the history of currency devaluations. And they too know that the only chance the United States has to potentially defuse the ticking U.S. debt bomb is to shift the blame to China by accusing Beijing of maintaining policies that support an undervalued yuan.

But that’s nothing but political cover for what President Obama and Secretary Geithner really want because ...

A rise in the value of the yuan, by default,
means a decline in the value of the dollar.

I know it’s hard to believe that Washington is selling you out. I know it’s hard to believe that I’m forecasting further dollar devaluations when hardly anyone else is and when nearly all eyes are glued to Europe and its implosion.

But I’ve never let that stop me. I always tell it like I see it. And I learned long ago that it’s not the obvious that matters most when it comes to your investments — like Europe disintegrating.

Quite the contrary, it’s the unobvious that matters most. It’s the hidden dangers that can wreak the most havoc on your wealth.

Earlier this week, I showed you a chart of the U.S. Dollar Index and how miserable the dollar’s performance is. I will show it again for a third time and please, study it carefully.

Despite all the talk about the U.S. dollar benefitting from the European debt crisis, the Dollar Index remains well below important resistance on this chart. You can clearly see it.

I suggest you print it out and keep it handy. Because when the Dollar Index breaks the low point on the right side of the chart, it may be too late to fully protect your wealth.

Don’t wait until that happens. Take the necessary steps to protect and grow your wealth NOW, before it’s too late.

One of those steps should be viewing my video on the looming dollar disaster. It’s well worth your time. By watching it in its entirety (only about 35 minutes), you’ll be able to download six free profit guides that I’ve designed to help you protect your wealth.

You can view the video now by clicking here.

Best wishes,
Larry Edelson

Mr. Edelson has an agenda, he wishes to sell his services, but the message of fear ..... how much is truth ?

... new European Union referendum on the cards ...

... after a petition signed by more than 100,000 people was submitted to MPs, the Commons Backbench Business Committee will agree to grant a one-day debate on a referendum after parliament returns from its summer recess next week, the debate, thought to take place before Christmas, would be the first seeking the public’s opinion since the historic 1975 decision to join the Common Market, (source The Sunday Times 2 Oct 2011).

The single question uppermost on many minds is ....

... why should we have an open door policy to economic migration, why should the poor of Anglesey or Tyne and Wear pay taxes that are used to subsidise foreign workers.

A second question might be ...

... should we continue to be dictated to by the unelected poltroons of Europe who decide to impose social conditions upon Britain without a mandate bought at the ballot box.

An interesting debate if the politicians voice the concerns of their electorate, and there are more than the two questions I might ask.