I’ve taken a bit of a mental health day, and unfortunately it appears there’s a fair amount of interest “out there”. This brief transcript of Alexander Mercouris answering two questions from a person who listened to the Nordstream segment with Jeffrey Sachs may be of interest to readers. The two questions and answers that I’ve transcribed have nothing to do with Nordstream, but they do address concerns for America’s future coming out of the economic front of the war on Russia—the effects of De-Dollarization, which by now appears to be an inevitable process:
I recently read Peter Zeihan's book, "The End of the World is Just the Beginning. (Harper Collins, 2022). He is predicting the end of Globalization--too many of the industrial (and even semi-industrial) countries are not maintaining their population, and will be unable to maintain the manufacturing levels they have had in recent years. This hit the Japanese already--that's why Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru and others are building cars in the US; they no longer have enough people to build them all in Japan. And while US birthrates have declined recently during the Covid mess, we are not as bad off as a lot of countries. We also have the ability to be self-sufficient in food--a lot of countries are not. We are going to have to bring some industrial production back here. But other countries will be worse off.
There may be some rough stretches coming. But our resources and our internal transport networks--including our major internal rivers--will help us to get by in the long-term.
It was actually a bit nice to read some positivity, however slight. Our oceans do protect us from foreign invasion, notwithstanding the ongoing Reconquista. On a side note - let us hope they stop at Arizona, Cali and New Mexico.
Having said that, if we can weather the financial/economic disaster headed our way maybe, just maybe there are enough people who can right the cultural ship. Small pockets of "real Americans" who remember or were taught enough about the founding era that some semblance of liberty and freedom will grow. "Green shoots" or something akin to that. I think I remember that term being used before, somewhere. The fact is that there are no more open spaces. We have to carve out a place for America again. Lots of pain - economic, cultural, financial and otherwise - between now and then though. Let's pray it can be done.
Several points of interest here. Concerning political stability and its role in bringing America back from the abyss, I think you have to define what we mean by "stability". If it means the same old uniparty and a knight in shining armour trying to storm DC against a tide of election fraud, then this kind of "stability" is worthless. I personally see a political solution coming out of political instability: some kind of secession movement or completely new political force. Furthermore, as mentioned in the article, culture shapes the political landscape - and our Western culture is rotten to the core. So are there enough decent people left who, despite the current depraved culture, retain a remnant of our traditional values willing and able to restore some sanity? I'm much more confident - for America at least - that there are enough such people, but highly doubt that their efforts will be rewarded via the current political system.
The only political stability I would see is a shock so severe that it necessitates a large-scale erosion of the federal bloat and something of a return to the federative republic that was unambiguously intended by our Founders and Constitution. America's history of growth was largely people and resources flowing freely to the productive sectors and geographies of our nation, where local laws were conducive to success. Perhaps some economic competition like that could restore actual growth.
As to retained values, I believe that the folks who will be most needed and valued in a post-hegemonic economy--the entrepreneurs and others who can actually produce sh!t--will have them in spades.
Did anyone catch Tucker's report about what turned into a perpetual prayer meeting at Asbury University in Wilmore KY? Aired last night, had been ongoing for 8 days at the time. Apparently went viral online. People are dropping by from across the country & world to pray w/the students! They had to open up satellite locations because they couldn't fit everyone in the original bldg. Very moving. Especially that not all of our young people lack a spiritual compass but rather, sincerely appreciate one? ❤
While the pain is coming, it is my fervent hope that Powell (with the NY-bank crowd's backing) can work rates surgically enough to clip the offshore dollar without crippling the US economy. Saw in the WSJ yesterday that chief Obama economic advisor and WEF poster boy, Austan Goolsbee, is being pushed for Fed Vice Chair, so, it looks like they're calling in the cavalry to undermine ol' Jay. I do share some optimism, by virtue of our geography, people and federalist framework (on paper, at least), in America's ability to right the ship after the coming collapse.
US reserve currency status is a bit like the empire eventually became for the Brits - a burden whose cons began to outweigh the pros. As for those "difficult" military spending choices, they would only be so for Lockheed Martin et al. Most Americans I'm sure wouldn't lose much sleep over canning F35s and woke indoctrination programmes.
Strong men aren't born; they are made. In a terrible crisis, many of the limp beta men will go under, but a significant number will man up and do what needs to be done. But it's going to be a steep learning curve.
In a parallel and likely interconnected way, the American Culture War is akin to the Financial War vs. Kinetic war with Russia (via Ukraine).
This country's founding was based on a Culture of Morals and Rights beyond Gov't. I think a large part of this battle to undermine and defeat the USA's International independence is specifically targeting our institutions [particularly @ children/youth], MSM, corruptible politicians and etc.. I'll not claim a Chinese/Russian/WEF-DAVOS conspiracy is in place, but operating with nodding-approval at one-another's methods and successes. I'll add there seems to be a hugely successful aim to alter the structure of our internal Gov't workings, such as you describe as a change to a 'Security State', deep-state run mess we see expressed in current 'news'.
I'll take the Hope expressed with a grain of salt but confess while not a strategy, it is something I hang tightly onto. In God I trust, I hope for Godly leadership to somehow rise up and return our country on a path back towards our Founding Constitutional design. Best Regards, (WRH)
I like your quote, Thomas Merton, quoting the Dalai Llama saying something like, "It's now every man for himself." So assume we maintain political stability, and the Uniparty by hook or by crook looks likely to do that. Assume furtherthere enough decent people left who, despite the current depraved culture, retain a remnant of our traditional values. Will they restore some sanity? Yes, on an individual level, but America is unlikely to remain a very wealthy country and a great power. Political stability will be achieved by disenfranchising the deplorables. Is there still hope for America, or is it time to leave? No place to go. Make the best of it. Have a good life.
There's an obvious and perfectly reasonable alternative. Gold. No one controls it. No one can issue more gold and force everyone else to deal with their chosen inflation.
It's not a cure all. But it's a better alternative than any one nation being able to casually force everyone else to absorb its inflation.
Besides which, the US and UK really weren't on gold standards in the 20's. No one could convert a dollar into gold at a bank like they could before that. It was all monetary master pretend.
That's what I wrote to a school director when he didn't want me in his school because I said that a transgender teacher shouldn't be counseling young kids. The school had every kind of diversity except for the only one that really mattered: diversity of ideas and opinions.
What Putin did to rescue Russia is a sign that nations can come back from the brink. I just wonder whether Gen Z and its obsessions with grievances and sexual perversion is up to the challenge.
I think Mercouris would agree with you. If America is likely to remain wealthy and powerful--after a difficult transition period when we return to making stuff for ourselves--the dollar will remain a strong currency. Just not the hegemonic world reserve currency that the petro-dollar was. Powell has pretty much said that he envisions several reserve currencies.
I recently read Peter Zeihan's book, "The End of the World is Just the Beginning. (Harper Collins, 2022). He is predicting the end of Globalization--too many of the industrial (and even semi-industrial) countries are not maintaining their population, and will be unable to maintain the manufacturing levels they have had in recent years. This hit the Japanese already--that's why Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Subaru and others are building cars in the US; they no longer have enough people to build them all in Japan. And while US birthrates have declined recently during the Covid mess, we are not as bad off as a lot of countries. We also have the ability to be self-sufficient in food--a lot of countries are not. We are going to have to bring some industrial production back here. But other countries will be worse off.
There may be some rough stretches coming. But our resources and our internal transport networks--including our major internal rivers--will help us to get by in the long-term.
It was actually a bit nice to read some positivity, however slight. Our oceans do protect us from foreign invasion, notwithstanding the ongoing Reconquista. On a side note - let us hope they stop at Arizona, Cali and New Mexico.
Having said that, if we can weather the financial/economic disaster headed our way maybe, just maybe there are enough people who can right the cultural ship. Small pockets of "real Americans" who remember or were taught enough about the founding era that some semblance of liberty and freedom will grow. "Green shoots" or something akin to that. I think I remember that term being used before, somewhere. The fact is that there are no more open spaces. We have to carve out a place for America again. Lots of pain - economic, cultural, financial and otherwise - between now and then though. Let's pray it can be done.
Several points of interest here. Concerning political stability and its role in bringing America back from the abyss, I think you have to define what we mean by "stability". If it means the same old uniparty and a knight in shining armour trying to storm DC against a tide of election fraud, then this kind of "stability" is worthless. I personally see a political solution coming out of political instability: some kind of secession movement or completely new political force. Furthermore, as mentioned in the article, culture shapes the political landscape - and our Western culture is rotten to the core. So are there enough decent people left who, despite the current depraved culture, retain a remnant of our traditional values willing and able to restore some sanity? I'm much more confident - for America at least - that there are enough such people, but highly doubt that their efforts will be rewarded via the current political system.
The only political stability I would see is a shock so severe that it necessitates a large-scale erosion of the federal bloat and something of a return to the federative republic that was unambiguously intended by our Founders and Constitution. America's history of growth was largely people and resources flowing freely to the productive sectors and geographies of our nation, where local laws were conducive to success. Perhaps some economic competition like that could restore actual growth.
As to retained values, I believe that the folks who will be most needed and valued in a post-hegemonic economy--the entrepreneurs and others who can actually produce sh!t--will have them in spades.
This is the simplest and most cogent explanation of the country’s financial state I’ve seen yet.
I greatly respect the Two Alexes. They do first class research and have the humility to admit when they are wrong or when they simply don't know.
Did anyone catch Tucker's report about what turned into a perpetual prayer meeting at Asbury University in Wilmore KY? Aired last night, had been ongoing for 8 days at the time. Apparently went viral online. People are dropping by from across the country & world to pray w/the students! They had to open up satellite locations because they couldn't fit everyone in the original bldg. Very moving. Especially that not all of our young people lack a spiritual compass but rather, sincerely appreciate one? ❤
Thanks for the heads up. Very encouraging.
My signal is poor, but what I was able to see of this report seemed to be a pretty good overview by Glen Beck - https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eLfEvHOIcp8&feature=youtu.be
While the pain is coming, it is my fervent hope that Powell (with the NY-bank crowd's backing) can work rates surgically enough to clip the offshore dollar without crippling the US economy. Saw in the WSJ yesterday that chief Obama economic advisor and WEF poster boy, Austan Goolsbee, is being pushed for Fed Vice Chair, so, it looks like they're calling in the cavalry to undermine ol' Jay. I do share some optimism, by virtue of our geography, people and federalist framework (on paper, at least), in America's ability to right the ship after the coming collapse.
US reserve currency status is a bit like the empire eventually became for the Brits - a burden whose cons began to outweigh the pros. As for those "difficult" military spending choices, they would only be so for Lockheed Martin et al. Most Americans I'm sure wouldn't lose much sleep over canning F35s and woke indoctrination programmes.
I think it will be more like a generation. We need strong men. That will come out of hard times.
Limp men need not apply for this generational project?
Well, they could enlist in the USMC. If they survive, they would be strong. Ha!
Strong men aren't born; they are made. In a terrible crisis, many of the limp beta men will go under, but a significant number will man up and do what needs to be done. But it's going to be a steep learning curve.
Enjoy your day, Mark!
In a parallel and likely interconnected way, the American Culture War is akin to the Financial War vs. Kinetic war with Russia (via Ukraine).
This country's founding was based on a Culture of Morals and Rights beyond Gov't. I think a large part of this battle to undermine and defeat the USA's International independence is specifically targeting our institutions [particularly @ children/youth], MSM, corruptible politicians and etc.. I'll not claim a Chinese/Russian/WEF-DAVOS conspiracy is in place, but operating with nodding-approval at one-another's methods and successes. I'll add there seems to be a hugely successful aim to alter the structure of our internal Gov't workings, such as you describe as a change to a 'Security State', deep-state run mess we see expressed in current 'news'.
I'll take the Hope expressed with a grain of salt but confess while not a strategy, it is something I hang tightly onto. In God I trust, I hope for Godly leadership to somehow rise up and return our country on a path back towards our Founding Constitutional design. Best Regards, (WRH)
Thomas Merton "Grace comes from the wound".
I like your quote, Thomas Merton, quoting the Dalai Llama saying something like, "It's now every man for himself." So assume we maintain political stability, and the Uniparty by hook or by crook looks likely to do that. Assume furtherthere enough decent people left who, despite the current depraved culture, retain a remnant of our traditional values. Will they restore some sanity? Yes, on an individual level, but America is unlikely to remain a very wealthy country and a great power. Political stability will be achieved by disenfranchising the deplorables. Is there still hope for America, or is it time to leave? No place to go. Make the best of it. Have a good life.
No alternative?
There's an obvious and perfectly reasonable alternative. Gold. No one controls it. No one can issue more gold and force everyone else to deal with their chosen inflation.
More paper gold is issued all the time. This article mentioned the ratio may be as high as 100 to 1.
https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2021/02/17/gold-market-manipulation-2021-1-002226
Another article with similar analysis:
https://www.moneymetals.com/news/2021/02/17/gold-market-manipulation-2021-1-002226
Tom Luongo has also mentioned this issue.
Swag - some how Russia and China are going to blow up this financialization / price fixing of gold.
The Fed printed oceans of money in the 1920's and then slammed on the brakes in 1929. Please explain how that was the fault of gold.
It's not a cure all. But it's a better alternative than any one nation being able to casually force everyone else to absorb its inflation.
Besides which, the US and UK really weren't on gold standards in the 20's. No one could convert a dollar into gold at a bank like they could before that. It was all monetary master pretend.
We'll see some more of the diversity that our left wing friends so love, but this time it will be reserve currency diversity. Bring it!
And perhaps intellectual diversity at all levels of academe and government? Is that too much to wish for?
That's what I wrote to a school director when he didn't want me in his school because I said that a transgender teacher shouldn't be counseling young kids. The school had every kind of diversity except for the only one that really mattered: diversity of ideas and opinions.
What Putin did to rescue Russia is a sign that nations can come back from the brink. I just wonder whether Gen Z and its obsessions with grievances and sexual perversion is up to the challenge.
I think Mercouris would agree with you. If America is likely to remain wealthy and powerful--after a difficult transition period when we return to making stuff for ourselves--the dollar will remain a strong currency. Just not the hegemonic world reserve currency that the petro-dollar was. Powell has pretty much said that he envisions several reserve currencies.