Daily Archives: June 24, 2015

06/24/15

USA Sovereignty Ends?

By: Sher Zieve
Gulag Bound

Bill Ayers & Bernardine Dohrn back in the day

Bill Ayers & Bernardine Dohrn back in the day

In 2008, we warned you about Obama. Over and over again, we presented material documents showing that Obama had worked with and still worked with the enemies—many like Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn who did so with extreme violence—of the USA, its people…and, ultimately, every area where liberty lived. However, not willing to bother with any and/or all facts but, preferring the super-charged emotion of the dictator-to-be moment, too many Americans voted for him anyway. Besides, many US citizens had to prove they weren’t racist—so they voted for a Democrat-advertised half-black man who had only recently begun a career in politics. But, he had a winning way about him, a great smile and could give a rousing speech. Hmmm. Seems there was at least one other leader in the 1930s who fit that description. But…I digress.

By 2012, the ObamaGov had already shown many of its stripes. Only a few of its attacks against Americans include the following. It passed ObamaCare—which was designed to destroy the US Healthcare System and has been affecting a terrific job in doing
so–behind closed doors by Democrats alone and without the American people and their Republican “leaders” knowing what was in it.

Obama encouraging the statist, Hispanic-racist group La Raza, AFP photo via CNN

Obama encouraging the statist, Hispanic-racist group La Raza, AFP photo via CNN

He also began bringing illegals—many of them Islamist terrorist-”sympathizers”–into the country during his first 4-year reign. Obama began his wide-open Southern border policy during the first four years…an extension of his “let all Muslims in without questioning them” policy that followed the ultimate course of replacing US citizens with illegal voters. These were and remain tyrannical acts against America and its people (Article III the Constitution states: “Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.”). Obama, also. began his amnesty for illegals programs in his attempt to speed up the replacement of current US voters with his—and Democrats’—voters. But, still Americans voted him in for a second time…this time with the help of between 3-4 million conservative voters who stayed home because they wouldn’t vote for Romney.

After Obama was elected for the second time, the die was cast. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, in 2013 Obama brought in 300,000 Muslims, in 2014 at least 70,000 and in that year he ordered the US State Department to “ease” (translation: ”ignore”) immigration rules for Muslim illegals. He also commanded “his” Border patrol to run away from illegals (see below link) and to allow them into the country. We have no more Southern border. Obama commanded all medical staff at the border and at US holding facilities for illegals that they will face arrest if they talk about (translation…”tell the truth”) illegals entering the country. As I have written for years and Joseph R. John (National Security, Policy News…see link below) writes with concurrence Obama is overloading the immigration system, as Jihadis enter the USA. This is Tyranny.

TPP

Now, the Left-Wing of the Republican Party—think McConnell, Boehner, Ryan and their minions—have joined Obama in his quest to destroy the USA and its people while sharing in the spoils. The Marxist leader of the House—John Boehner—and the new Senate “leader” (aka Obama’s NEW Harry Reid…McConnell) have joined forces and issued commandments that their underlings vote for Obama’s TPA, TPP and whatever other “Ts” are forthcoming.

The passage of any and/or all of these programs will ensure the ultimate end of US sovereignty, as authority to make deals with other countries, and other pieces of the TPP that are not being released to the public will likely destroy it. Remember Pelosi’s “we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it”? The TPP is the deal that will give additional controls to international law supplanting US law, will give other countries the right to sue US companies—and the USA itself–for any reason. This is a huge chunk of US sovereignty that will be given away with this corrosive and destructive deal. We already know what Obama has done thus far. Giving him free reign to negotiate any deal with anyone else will mean disaster to us all…disaster that we’re already facing with another Obama anti-US citizens program Jade Helm.

From BillMoyers.com; some things even he gets sort of right

From BillMoyers.com; some things even he gets sort of right

RINOs have now fully joined the Democrat groups telling their constituents “We’re no longer listening to you, so don’t bother calling or writing. If you’re destroyed by our greed and perversion, so be it. We’ve joined our Marxist Democrat brothers and sisters in our plan to take over your country and end your problematical Constitution and its Bill of Rights. This is our world and we plan to remake in our own image.” This is the ultimate Tyranny.

Hope for the best but, by all means, prepare for the worst. They are surrounding us and there are few men and women of courage left. Pray fiercely, now, keep your loved ones close your weapons clean and your powder very dry.

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. …
John 15:18-20

Obama Administration Easing Immigration Rule For Would-Be Asylum Seekers
at huffingtonpost.com

Obama Tells USBPO to Run Away from Illegals
at frontpagemag.com

Barack Obama Bringing Disease to America?
at thenewamerican.com

Medical Staff Warned to keep their mouths shut about illegal immigrants or face arrest
at foxnews.com

Obama Intentionally Overloading Immigration System, Creating Back Door for Jihadis
at drrichswier.com

06/24/15

Ted Cruz SCHOOLS Tavis Smiley on gun-control

The Right Scoop:

In an interview today, Tavis Smiley tried to guilt Ted Cruz over a joke he made about gun-control in the aftermath of Charleston.

Cruz joked the other day that in Texas they define gun-control as ‘hitting what you aim at’, as he was making the case for the defense of the second amendment.

Of course Smiley tried to make it all about Charleston, suggesting the joke was offensive. But Cruz defended himself on his response to the Charleston incident, and then proceeded to school Smiley on gun-control in just under a minute. It was awesome.

06/24/15

Expect A Wave Of Consolidation In The Oil Industry

As stated previously, asset monetization by small E&P operators will start in earnest in the second half of this year out of cash flow necessity. Most, if not all, smaller market capitalization companies, public or private, are still free cash flow negative (operating cash flow less capital expenditure) and only a few of the larger ones are now, or will be, based on guidance. The point is, with volumes languishing (and probably poised to decline) tied to a flat oil futures price curve and with economics marginal at $60 per barrel, many E&P operators find themselves running through hedges in 2015 and still in need to finance their already reduced capital spending.

With Wall Street unwilling to lend anymore and prospects of fall credit line redeterminations looming, further reducing liquidity, it is likely small E&P operators will turn to either mature producing asset sales or, more likely, to undeveloped assets which require more capital spending. We are seeing this being factored into stock prices as we speak, as small cap E&P valuations have collapsed to 4-6 times the Enterprise Value/Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EV/EBITDA) from 6-8X EV/EBITDA. This not only reflects solvency risk but also the natural course of bringing assets to a price more in line with their underlying sale value.

Wall Street is famous for getting public prices at levels that magically make deals happen and, with better funded E&P companies trading at substantial premiums vs. the leveraged ones, this is what is occurring. Take the collapse of Goodrich Petroleum (GDP) as a prime example as to what is now taking place and what will continue through the latter half of this year. Here is a company with $100million in liquidity but who continues to be free cash flow negative on current strip pricing in 2015 & 2016. However, it has a capital spending budget of $100 million for 2015 and 2016 and a free cash deficit of $60 million-$80 million in each of 2015 and 2016 depending on asset price assumptions. To plug the hole it hopes to sell its Eagle Ford assets this year.

This isn’t intended to make a case on GDP but to demonstrate the quantifiable ongoing stupidity of perpetuating models that aren’t self-funded which were being fueled by easy money from the Federal Reserve. This also demonstrates how the OPEC strategy of maintaining an oil price ceiling is affecting U.S. E&P companies, forcing a consolidation which I believe will be unprecedented in size and scope. This will eventually improve the industry cash flow break even points, based on improved cost and scale and, as a result, cast doubt over the long term viability of the OPEC strategy. It appears the Saudis, despite being educated here in the US, have neglected their capital market & economic classes as we are witnessing the E&P model self-correcting itself. State run oil companies don’t do this very well and usually fail to adjust to price movements while free market capital-based societies do.

The revival of the US oil industry will occur after the upcoming consolidation and will reduce the number of cost inefficient players as well as the short selling in group while ultimately, self-healing the industry by improving cash flows, given the likelihood of oil remaining below $100. I fully expect valuations to expand in 2016, once the wave of asset sales starts in the months ahead. These operators with plenty of cash will be the biggest beneficiaries.

On a final note, listening to the Federal Reserve yesterday it was clear that the pressure on the dollar rise is being lifted as they now realize that, despite attempts to fudge economic statistics, the US economy is in recession and rate hikes are a farce based on hope and little else. Expect the dollar to weaken considerably, breaching the 2015 lows thus supporting oil prices now and into 2016. This reality is not baked into expectations and the 1-2 percent dollar correction which took many by surprise is only the beginning.

Source: http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Expect-A-Wave-Of-Consolidation-In-The-Oil-Industry.html

By Leonard Brecken of Oilprice.com

06/24/15

Obama has Synchronized Iran’s Nuclear Program

By: Denise Simon
FoundersCode.org

Consider the stated position of the Supreme leader of Iran:

Reuters and AFP – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has stated his country’s red lines for a nuclear deal with six world powers.

“Freezing Iran’s research and development for a long time like 10 or 12 years is not acceptable,” Khamenei said in a speech broadcast live on June 23.

Khamenei, who has the final say for Iran on any deal, added that all financial and economic sanctions “should be lifted immediately” if an agreement is signed.

Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia, and the United States want Tehran to commit to a verifiable halt of at least 10 years on sensitive nuclear development work as part of a deal they aim to reach by a June 30 deadline. In exchange, they are offering relief from economic sanctions.

Khamenei reiterated that Iran would not give international inspectors access to its military sites and accused the United States of wanting to destroy Iran’s nuclear industry.

The six powers want limits on Tehran’s programs that could have a military use.

Tehran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons.

***

When the NYT finally prints an explosive fantasy piece on what the White House and John Kerry at the State Department are doing with Iran, one needs to take notice. The New York Times calls this Iran agreement a ‘fatal flaw’.

The Iran Deal’s Fatal Flaw

PRESIDENT OBAMA’S main pitch for the pending nuclear deal with Iran is that it would extend the “breakout time” necessary for Iran to produce enough enriched uranium for a nuclear weapon. In a recent interview with NPR, he said that the current breakout time is “about two to three months by our intelligence estimates.” By contrast, he claimed, the pending deal would shrink Iran’s nuclear program, so that if Iran later “decided to break the deal, kick out all the inspectors, break the seals and go for a bomb, we’d have over a year to respond.”

Unfortunately, that claim is false, as can be demonstrated with basic science and math.  Most important, in the event of an overt attempt by Iran to build a bomb, Mr. Obama’s argument assumes that Iran would employ only the 5,060 centrifuges that the deal would allow for uranium enrichment, not the roughly 14,000 additional centrifuges that Iran would be permitted to keep mainly for spare parts. Such an assumption is laughable. In a real-world breakout, Iran would race, not crawl, to the bomb.  Iran stands to gain enormously. The deal would lift nuclear-related sanctions, thereby infusing Iran’s economy with billions of dollars annually. In addition, the deal could release frozen Iranian assets, reportedly giving Tehran a $30 billion to $50 billion “signing bonus.”

Showering Iran with rewards for making illusory concessions poses grave risks. It would entrench the ruling mullahs, who could claim credit for Iran’s economic resurgence. The extra resources would also enable Iran to amplify the havoc it is fostering in neighboring countries like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

Worst of all, lifting sanctions would facilitate a huge expansion of Iran’s nuclear program. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, says that he wants 190,000 centrifuges eventually, or 10 times the current amount, as would appear to be permissible under the deal after just 10 years. Such enormous enrichment capacity would shrink the breakout time to mere days, so that Iran could produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a bomb before we even knew it was trying — thus eliminating any hope of our taking preventive action.

Nothing in the pending deal is worth such risks. Read the full article in context here.

*** But is getting worse as new documents demonstrate.

Reported by Fox News via Associated Press:

The United States and its allies are willing to offer Iran state-of-the-art nuclear equipment if Tehran agrees to pare down its atomic weapons program as part of a final nuclear agreement, a draft document has revealed.

The confidential paper, obtained by the Associated Press, has dozens of bracketed text where disagreements remain. Technical cooperation is the least controversial issue at the talks, and the number of brackets suggest the sides have a ways to go, not only on that topic but also more contentious disputes, with less than a week until the June 30 deadline for a deal.

However, the scope of the help now being offered in the draft may displease U.S. congressional critics who already argue that Washington has offered too many concessions at the negotiations.

The draft, titled “Civil Nuclear Cooperation,” promises to supply Iran with light-water nuclear reactors instead of its nearly completed heavy-water facility at Arak, which would produce enough plutonium for several bombs a year if completed as planned. The full details are here.

Civil Nuclear Cooperation platform is not new.

Chilling are the following facts:

Russia and Saudi Arabia have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement. The U.S. has done the same with Korea. Then comes Pakistan learning from U.S. and India where pacts could lead to even more proliferation globally.

For a more detailed summary of the Nuclear Cooperation agreements, take a look at a surface review on equipment, supply and banks in the matter of Korea.

06/24/15

10 years later, here’s what happened to the land seized and sold to developers in a controversial Supreme Court case

By: Benjamin Weingarten
TheBlaze

As eminent legal scholar and takings expert Richard Epstein notes at National Review, June 23, 2015 marks the 10 year anniversary of one of the Supreme Court’s most controversial cases relating to private property, in Kelo v. City of New London.

For those unfamiliar with the case, in a five-to-four decision the Supreme Court ruled in Kelo that New London, Connecticut could use the power of eminent domain to seize private property from its owners and sell it to developers as part of a broader economic development plan.

The property seized from Susette Kelo as of May 2014. (Image Source: Ilya Somin)

Specifically, the Court ruled that the development of the property would qualify as a “public purpose,” constituting a “public use,” thereby representing a Constitutional taking pursuant to the Fifth Amendment, given the public benefits to be gained through the developer’s use of the seized land.

While government has a right to take private property for public use if it provides just compensation, the case proved highly controversial because the government was taking private property — specifically homes — from several parties, and not using it for say a public school or public transportation, but rather selling it to another private party that claimed it could generate greater economic activity from the property.

In particular, the homes seized by New London in a neighborhood known as Fort Trumbull were razed to make way for a development project that included among other things a $300 million research center for the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, along with a hotel, residential and office space.

Ilya Somin, Professor Law at George Mason University School of Law, adjunct scholar of the Cato Institute, and blogger at the essential Volokh Conspiracy has recently published the literal book on the Kelo case titled “The Grasping Hand: “Kelo v. City of New London” and the Limits of Eminent Domain.”

On this tenth anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling, it bears noting what has happened to the property seized by the City of New London. Somin writes in his book:

As of early 2015, almost ten years after the Supreme Court upheld the Kelo condemnations, the properties that were the focus of an epic legal battle remain empty and undeveloped. Several plans to redevelop these lots have fallen through. The only creatures making regular use of them in the intervening years have been a colony of feral cats.

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Author: Ilya Somin
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These failures were not simply caused by adverse publicity resulting from the public backlash against the Supreme Court ruling or by the recession and financial crisis that began in 2008. As a 2005 New York Times article noted, the failure was a result of “contract disputes and financial uncertainty” and the unwillingness of investors to commit to a flawed project. As early as 2002, Pfizer had begun to lose interest in utilizing the new facilities expected to be built in the development area. In 2009, the firm announced plans to close down its New London facility and began to transfer the employees working there elsewhere. With Pfizer’s departure, the city lost 1,400 jobs that state officials had attracted to the area by committing to redevelop Fort Trumbull in a way that suited the firms’s needs.

The city has managed to successfully redevelop the portion of the Fort Trumbull land that was previously part of the Naval Undersea Warfare Center closed in 1995. It is now a leased research and development center. But that property already belonged to the city after the center had closed, and there was no need to use eminent domain to redevelop it.

Eventually, the condemned land will almost certainly be used for some productive purpose or other. In the meantime, however, it will have stood empty for a decade or even longer, depriving the community of economic benefits of a productive use of the land and the city of potential property tax revenue. Even from the standpoint of economic development, without reference to the constitutional considerations or the intrinsic value of property rights, the Fort Trumbull condemnations have done a lot more harm than good. Governor Rowland was right to predict that Pfizer’s move would “change the landscape of this community,” even if it is not yet clear whether he was also right to predict that the effects will really last “for the next 100 years.” So far, at least, the effects have been very different from those supporters of the project had hoped for.

For the definitive account of Kelo and its aftermath, be sure to check out Somin’s new book.

Note: The link to the book in this post will give you an option to elect to donate a percentage of the proceeds from the sale to a charity of your choice. Mercury One, the charity founded by TheBlaze’s Glenn Beck, is one of the options. Donations to Mercury One go towards efforts such as disaster relief, support for education, support for Israel and support for veterans and our military. You can read more about Amazon Smile and Mercury One here.