AO Weekly News Round Up 2-28-09
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The A-O Report
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Weekly News Round Up
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For
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Week Ending 2-28-09
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Key Iranian Leader Offers USA Deal
The former Iranian President and candidate once again for the Presidency, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani issued an offer to President Obama during Friday prayers in Tehran. The presidential hopeful, who is the closest advisor to the Supreme Ayatollah Khaemeini told Iranians that the Tehran's nuclear program was not of a military nature.
Rafsanjani stated: "In the Friday prayer sermon, we don't make false promises. Therefore I declare that Iran's nuclear plan is not to build weapons ... and we are ready to prove it in negotiations." His comments were broadcast on Iran's state radio station and as such carries the weight of his superior, the Supreme Ayatollah. His remarks were intended to signal to the White House, Iran's interest in speeding up negotiations with the United States over not only its nuclear program but also other issues concerning the Middle East.
The former President also had words for Israel when he stated: "You are planting a false notion in public minds, unthoughtful words of the main enemies of the Islamic revolution in the past two days after the virtual launch of the Bushehr plant."
Rafsanjani also warned the Russians concerning the completion of the Bushehr nuclear power plant: "The Russians and others should know that ... even if they don't deal with the project, we can complete it on our own. But they must fulfill their promise."
The remarks by Rafsanjani on Friday carried some insider signals that could shake up America's foreign policy directions in the Midde East. The A-O Intelligence Digest edition for March 1 provides additional analysis of Rafsanjani's remarks and the Obama Administration's negotiating strategies with Iran and what Iran is wanting in return. We can only say here, that, these developments do not bode well for Israel.
For confirming details on the Iranian leader's remarks, .
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Iran To Install Upgrade
Nuke Centrifuge System
Iran has announced that it is set to install a new generation of advanced centrifuges for enriching uranium at its Natanz nuclear facility.
According to Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization chief Gholamreza Aqazadeh, a “new generation of centrifuges which are technologically more advanced than the previous generation will soon be installed at Natanz nuclear facility." His announcment came at a joint news conference with his Russian counterpart concerning the new Bushehr nuclear power plant coming online in the next few months.
The Iranian nuclear chief noted that Iran already has 6,000 centrifuges in operation at Natanz and their numbers will also be increased next year.
This new development of advanced centrifuges in a different system will allow Iran to greatly increase and speed up its development of enriched uranium. The current centrifuge system enriches uranium to a low-grade level for commercial use but not for weapons-grade bombs. The Iranian system would have required the current centrifuge system be altered and adjusted for highly enriched uranium of bomb-grade capacity. The switchover would take several months to engineer and then several months to process into weapons-grade enrichment levels. With an apparently new, separate advanced centrifuge system able to produce high-grade enrichment, Iran can shave the time necessary for building powerful nuclear warheads.
Ths current issue of the A-O Intelligence Digest has more details on the Iranian nuclear weapons situation and the expected negotiations with the United States. For details on Iran's latest announcment, LINK HERE directly to The Tehran Times newspaper website.
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Syria May Start Border Troubles
Debkafiles reports that Syria may instigate a border flare up with Israel in the near future. Why?
An International Tribunal is set to begin prosecutions for the death of the Late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. The proceedings are slated to begin, Sunday, March 1 into Hariri's assassination. Syrian President Assad has done his best to prevent the Tribunal from ever starting because of evidence pointing to complicity of Syrian officials including himself.
Israel's armed forces are on high alert for potential trouble. Also on high alert are 4 Syrian army divisions, as well as Hezbollah forces and the United Nations peacekeeping force. All anticipate some sort of trouble in the coming days.
The high alert comes even as the Obama Administration attempts to thaw US relations with Syria.
According to one UN official involved in the investigation into the Hariri assassination, Syrian leadership was involved in the plot including President Assad's brother-in-law. Experts beleive that the brother-in-law would not have acted to carry out the assassination without the approval of the Syrian President. Thus Assad's own life could be on the line with this Tribunal. Assad will not simply give up but rather fight.
Meanwhile, apparently Washington reportedly has given Assad an ultimatum to repent of his old ways, turn over a new leaf and cut his ties with Tehran. There is no indication that Assad will acede to Washington's demands, no matter what.
For Debka's full story on this situation, LINK HERE.
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Netanyahu & Livni Talk More
Still No Unity Gov't Deal
Likud Party leader, Benjamin Netanyahu met again with Kadima Party leader, Tzipi Livni but the two leaders failed to come to terms on forming a broad "unity" government. Livni is still sticking to her guns for more liberal diplomacy and conditions for peace talks with the Palestinians. More details, LINK HERE.
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More Rockets Hit S. Israel This Weekend
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EU & Euro, Doomed?
There are reports and speculations developing in Europe (and elsewhere) that the European Union and its money, "The Euro" are doomed to collapse. Some have the view that "there's not stopping what is now a downward spiral." One investment firm (Hayman Advisors LP) that saw the USA's subprime mortgage crisis coming and bet against it, raking in a half billion dollars in the process, now believes that the EU is doomed.
The company's a managing director for global markets, Richard Howard recently stated that he believes Germany may choose to fix up its own economy rather than using its money to help bail out fellow EU members like Austria, Italy and Spain. The theory continues that if any of these countries begin to default on their debt, which is a distinct possibility without aid, that Germany might decide to "renounce the euro." The likelihood of it focusing on itself rather than fellow union members is made even more likely by the fact that this is an election year in Germany. Howard went on to add “There’s no stopping what is now a downward spiral.”
The cost to insure against European defaults, has soared six-fold since last summer. Credit-default swaps on Ireland have risen to 395.8 basis points from a below 50 basis points as recently as September. Austrian swaps are now at 265 basis points, versus below 25 half a year ago. Many like Howard believe that given the depth of the current recession and the likelihood that things will get worse before they get better that the stronger EU members like Germany and France may be hesitant to bail out weaker countries like Spain and Italy.
Hayman joins a growing number of investors seeing the possibility of a breakup of the $12 trillion euro bloc, conceived more than 10 years ago to cut unemployment, tame inflation and create a rival to the dollar. Societe Generale SA said this week Germany may refuse a bailout in an election year. ABN Amro Holding NV said Feb. 17 the crisis is “Europe’s subprime.”
One prominent name that is also sounding off on the possible demise of the EU is the president of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick who recently stated: "It's been twenty years since Europe was united. What a tragedy if [it] should be split again." according to the Washington Post which has also chimed in with an article on the potential demise of the EU and a great depression in Europe.
What would this mean for Biblical Prophecy? It would mean that those who "speculated" and "theorized" that the EU was the fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic vision of 10 toes of a resurrected Roman Empire were wrong. The idea that the EU was such a fulfillment was nothing more than an interpretive, theoretical speculation, not a fact waiting to happen.
The notion that the EU was the 10 toes of Daniel's vision should have been dashed when the EU spiraled to more than 20 members overall. It really becomes a matter of doing the math. There is also the assumption that the 10 toes would be a revived Roman Empire made up of geographical lands that once made up the old Roman Empire. That idea is a nice theory, BUT, it is only, repeat - ONLY a THEORY - not a fact.
Too many prophecy watchers out there think they have Biblical Prophecy all figured out. The real fact is - NO ONE has likely figured out ALL of the Biblical Prophecies, particularly when it comes to timing. It amazes me at times as to the arrogance of some prophecy watchers, especially those who are armchair prophecy experts, who write nasty emails to websites like mine, chastising me and others for views that do not fit their little paradigm of understanding. They're right, and that's all there is to it - or so they think. To make matters worse, neither you nor I nor even God can tell them otherwise.
So it is, now with the EU situation. IF, the EU goes down - and I'm not predicting that the EU will go down, but should it go down, it will be but one more false theory going down in flames, due to proponents not paying close attention to details - but instead making bold assumptions on false criteria.
For more on speculation about the EU's future, LINK HERE. Another article, LINK HERE. Also a LINK HERE to the Washington Post article. Also note that the Bloomberg article is getting widespread media coverage around the EU and Russia.
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US Economy Shrinks Double The Expected
The US economy shrank twices as much as was estimated for the 4th quarter of 2008, according to new government statistics released on Friday, 2/27. The economic recession appears to be deepening at an increasing rate and not slowing down. More details, LINK HERE.
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US Troops In Iraq Til 2011 At Least
President Obama has decided that 50,000 US troops will remain in Iraq through the year 2011. The bulk of the current 142,000 U.S. service members in Iraq will leave Iraq by Aug. 31, 2010, leaving 35,000 to 50,000 in place until the end of 2011. Details, LINK HERE.
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Financial Crisis Sparks Unrest in Europe
Reuter's newswire provides an overview of the situation in various European nations like: Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Russia, and the Ukraine. LINK HERE.
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70 Russian Banks Under Watch
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Russia's PM Putin Says:
Financial Crisis "Far From Over"
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned on Friday the financial crisis was 'far from over' and said the government must act to stem attempts by 'mercenary' political forces to organize protests on the back of the crisis. 'We are dependent on the global economy and must note that the crisis is far from over - it has not yet even reached its peak,' Putin was quoted by news agency Interfax as saying.
There are signs that the Kremlin is worried of unrest growing as production stalls in about 500 industrial towns that are heavily dependent on single employers, a remnant of the Soviet-era industrialization drive. More details, LINK HERE.
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Russia's Putin Warns Against Protests
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin warned opposition critics on Friday not to use the economic crisis as an excuse to challenge his government and told them to abide by the law.
Unrest across Russia over economic upheaval has been muted, with the biggest protests so far taking place in the Far East port of Vladivostok where hundreds were arrested in January demonstrations over car tax.
Speaking at a meeting with leaders of Russia's dominant political party, United Russia, ahead of regional elections this weekend, Putin said that criticism of the Russian government during a crisis was allowed, but only within the laws
Russia has tight controls that restrict opposition groups from holding rallies or marches without official sanction. Applications from groups like chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov's 'Other Russia' movement are frequently rejected.
Putin and other senior Russian officials have criticised "people's revolutions" in ex-Soviet Georgia and Ukraine which propelled pro-Western leaders to power through street protests.
"We won't allow events to happen like in some other countries, to which I will not point a finger now. At the same time, we won't limit lawful forms of protest," Putin said.
Read more about protests and the coming regional elections as Russia teeters on the brink. LINK HERE.
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Mass Rallies for Civil Liberties in UK
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Street Protests In Germany
Against Global Government
Anger rises in Germany as the economy falls. Trade unions and globalization-critical protesters are planning demonstrations in Berlin and Frankfurt under the banner: "We're not paying for your crisis."
The German Magazine "Spiegel" interviews one protest organizer who is an "anti-globalization" activist. 31 year-old Alexis Passadakis tells Spiegel what's behind his anti-globalization campaign and his plans for a mass protest on March 28, just before the Global Finance Sumit in London. For details, LINK HERE.
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Protestors Torch Expensive Cars in Germany
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Former Clinton Advisor:
Obama Spreading Panic
To Enact Sweeping Reforms
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GOP Leader Warns:
Obama Spending Barrage
Is Just Starting
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Acute Water Shortages in Mideast
Mideast Well Water - Radioactive !
Israel and other Middle Eastern countries face possible exposure to high levels of radioactivity of ancient underground water sources in Jordan, researchers said last Wednesday. Ancient wells in water-deprived Jordan have 20 times more radiation than is considered safe for drinking, researchers said, raising concern about water safety across the Middle East. Iraq, Egypt, Libya and Saudi Arabia are also in danger of exposure because these countries tap similar sources for drinking water and agriculture, researchers said. More details, LINK HERE.
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Israeli Def Minister:
Time Running Out on Stopping Iran Nukes
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak warned this past week that time is running out for any attempt to stop Iran from building nuclear weapons. Barak also said that all options are open for halting Iran's nuclear weapons program. His statement came as Iran declared that 6,000 centrifuges are now processing uranium enrichment. Russian and Iranian engineers have begun Pre Start-up procedures to bring online the Bushehr nuclear power plant. The electrical generating facility is expected to begin full operations in mid-summer of this year under Russian supervision. More details on Barak's comments, LINK HERE.
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Hamas Rockets Hit Israel
Israel Retaliates with Bombs
It's becoming a routine, tit-for-tat situation now between Israel and Hamas terrorists in Gaza. Rockets are launched from Gaza into southern Israel and Israel responds with air strikes. Such was the case this past week. See LINK HERE.
Once the Netanyahu government is formed and in place, we may see the new Israeli government resume the Gaza War to permanently halt the rocket attacks. IF Israel renews the war, it could prompt a widening war that encompasses Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria then prompting Iranian involvement. it is a scenario that worries some Pentagon planners in Washington. More details, LINK HERE.
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Demo Senator Warns Obama
The longest serving Democrat Senator, Robert Byrd of West Virginia has sent a letter to President Obama, advising the new president that his creation of White House "czars" to oversee federal policy is unconstitutional and a power grab by the executive branch.
Byrd notes in his scathing letter that such appointments, made without Senate confirmation avoid the Constitution's system of checks and balances. Byrd's letter is somewhat of a surprise in that he is criticizing a president who is a member of his own party, who's still in his first days of holding office.
Byrd is also concerned about Obama's White House wanting to claim executive priviledge and wants Obama to limit such claims in the future, especially concerning such 'czars' who have never been confirmed by the Senate yet hold authority over Cabinet officers who have been confirmed by the Senate. For more on this story about Byrd's letter, his concerns and warnings, see this article - LINK HERE.
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Iran Denies Nuke Slowdown
Nuke Program Speeding Up
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Iran Nuke Power Plant
"Pilot Stage" Start Up
Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant is beginning preliminary start-up preparations under the direction of Russian nuclear engineers. The power plant was built under Russian supervision with a series of delays setting the project back by 10 years or so. For more details, LINK HERE. Israel sees power plant start up as 'bad news' for Israel.- Details - LINK HERE. Debka analysis of Iran power plant start up -- LINK HERE.
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Israel Can Take Out S-300 Air Defenses
Russia's new S-300 anti-air, anti-missile defense system has been proclaimed by some experts to be the most sophisticated air defense system on the planet and invulnerable to attack. The S-300 can track up to 100 targets at a time with a mobile radar station that is immune to jamming techniques. That assessment may be about to change.
According to Debkafile, Israel has a new "killer drone" capable of taking out the Russian S-300 defense system. This is important because Iran is negotiating with Russia to purchase the S-300 systems to protect Iran's nuclear facilities from an Israeli or American air strike or strikes.
Israel's new counter to the S-300 is called the Harop, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which packs a 23-kilo warhead which can strike a target when activated while on a loitering pattern following a 1,000 km patrol. It can loiter over a potential target area for several hours if needed and is expendable. It can track weapons systems in an inert mode, weapons on the move and radar installations that are switched off to avoid detection. It could be the perfect counter-weapon to the Russian S-300 system.
According to Debka's sources, once the drone penetrates Iranian airspace, it can silence any surface-to-air batteries and thus open up the airspace to an aerial and or missile strike from Israeli warplanes or missiles. For more on this story, see Debka's coverage - LINK HERE.
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Iran Prez Visits Africa
To Set Up Iranian Footprint
In Africa
Iran's President Ahmadinejad toured eastern Africa this week, establishing and or expanding new relationships on that continent, including arrangements for Iranian special (clandestine) military operations. The Iranian leader toured 3 African nations.
For more details on the trip LINK HERE. - Additional LINK HERE.
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Huge Protests Shut Down Greece
Protestors Upset Over Economy
Airporsts and many public transportation services were shut down on Wednesday by Greek citizens, angrily protesting against a deteriorating economic situation in Greece.
Public schools and tax offices were shut down as well as other government agencies as hundreds of workers marched on tthe Greek Parliament. It was part of labor union strike protests. More details, LINK HERE.
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Plunging Economy
The old Soviet Bloc Nations Collapsing
Citizens Taking To Streets
Russia On Edge of Collapse
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Russian Army Angry At Putin
Vladimir Putin is facing an unprecedented military challenge to his authority as discontent over medieval conditions and personnel cuts mounts within the Russian armed forces.
A growing number of disgruntled servicemen, including senior officers, are making contact with Russian opposition groups for the first time since he came to power in 2000.
The prospect of losing the unwavering support of the 1.2 million-strong armed forces is causing alarm in the Kremlin at a time when the Russian prime minister is already looking vulnerable.
Simmering public anger over the government's handling of Russia's stalling economy has triggered the first ever protests demanding Mr Putin's resignation.
Revelations of significant unrest in a constituency as symbolically important as the armed forces could give additional impetus to growing popular discontent in Russia.
Military disquiet could become significant in a behind-the-scenes power struggle at the Kremlin, where factional infighting has grown and there is a widening rift between Mr Putin and his one-time protégé, President Dmitry Medvedev.
Resentment within the armed forces is brewing among the oversized commissioned ranks, after the government unveiled plans to trim their numbers by sacking 200,000 officers, including more than 200 generals and 15,000 colonels.
Worryingly for Mr Putin, the officer ranks have powerful supporters in a Kremlin faction dominated by ex-military and intelligence officials.
Fearing a backlash, Mr Putin appears to be seeking to pin the blame for the military reforms on his defence minister, Anatoly Serdyukov. But there are signs that the tactic is not working.
"The days when Putin could escape blame for everything that goes wrong are ending," one army colonel said. "People are angry with Serdyukov, but they are angry with Putin too."
But Mr Putin now faces the prospect of 200,000 embittered ex-officers on the street, who could form a powerful kernel of opposition against him.
Opposition parties say that a number of senior military figures have approached them with tacit messages of support. The feeling of discontent is even deeper in the non-commissioned ranks, who complain of appalling conditions in their barracks.
Doctors were summoned to one unheated navy base earlier this month. Of 1,000 sailors housed in the barracks, 123 were diagnosed with hypothermia, pneumonia and other serious respiratory diseases. At least one died. Such stories are common.
The anger is palpable in the port of Vladivostok, headquarters of Russia's Pacific Fleet – a city of peeling classical buildings built into low-slung hills that wallows in the nostalgia of its once great naval traditions.
Alexander Golts, a leading military analyst, said: "Morale in the navy is very low, particularly in the Pacific fleet. The hazing and acts of cruelty are so unbelievable that a year as a conscript is effectively a year in Hell." More details, LINK HERE.
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US Military Practices For
Economic Riots & Urban Warfare
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US Senate Halts Fairness Doctrine
The US Senate has blocked the FCC from reinstating the controversial "Fairness Doctrine" that was abandoned 20 years ago on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.
The Senate approved an ammendment, this past Thursday that would outlaw the "Fairness Doctrin" and that put an end to calls by some Liberal Democrats to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine.
More details on this story, LINK HERE.
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Rupert Murdoch Warns:
NATIONS WILL BE REDEFINED,
FUTURES ALTERED
From Drudge Report
Media baron Rupert Murdoch issued an urgent internal communication late Monday, warning his staff: "We are in the midst of a phase of history in which nations will be redefined and their futures fundamentally altered."
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The dramatic call comes as markets continue their plunge and the future of the media becomes increasingly muddled.
"Many people will be under extreme pressure and many companies mortally wounded," Murdoch declares.
"Our competitors will be sorely tempted to take the easy beat, to reduce quality in the search for immediate dividends."
He continued: "Let me be very clear about our company: where others might step back from their commitment to their viewers, their users, readers and customers – we will renew ours.
"The direction of the business now and over the next few years will define the character of our company for decades."
Developing... No link, temporary story from Drudge.
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Maitreya Awaits Star Sign
Ready To Emerge As A "Messiah"
Benjamin Creme's Share International Organization claims again that his "master" - "Lord Maitreya" awaits a star-like sign
in the heavens as a signal to go public, presenting himself as Messiah to the world.
A Press Release from Creme's organization notes that a recent sighting of a new star may well be the sign Maitreya seeks.
Do not be deceived. Maitreya is not the Messiah, but he may well be either the Antichrist or the False Prophet or he could be nothing more than an elaborate hoaxer and one of the many false messiahs which Jesus predicted would appear before His own Return.
If you want to catch this latest piece of propaganda - LINK HERE.
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California Declares Drought Emergency
Water Rationing?
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Australia Shuts Schools Due To
Drought & Fires
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Oz Wildfires Could Flare Again
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Texas Drought Continues
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Tea Parties Protest Taxes & Spending
It seems to have come from out of nowhere but tax revolts and tea parties are organizing not only in the United States, but around the world. LINK HERE. More details, LINK HERE.
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Tax Evasion & Tax Revolt?
America is certainly headed for very difficult times and from investors to employers to employees and retirees, people of all political stripes are beginning to react to an overbearing federal government that is behaving more like a heavy handed left-wing dictatorship than a representative republic. Full story, LINK HERE.
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