Posts Tagged ‘finance



20
Jan
13

Two-tier Legal System:


blindThe ubiquitous access to wireless, electronic information raises increasingly relevant questions and concerns to what belongs to the People’s Common-wealth specifically; does the legal defense of government sponsored, corporate profit gain supersede the People’s right’s and freedoms to access all forms of digitized knowledge categorized as intellectual property?

The duplicity and hypocrisy of the legal system in dealing with cases of fraud, theft and ethical business practice is no better illustrated then in the prosecution of  offenses under the criminal code of the land, as that pertaining to the Internet (cyber-crime) and the institutionalized, financial banking system.

Two recent cases within the media can no better highlight the existence of a TWO-TIER LEGAL SYSTEM:

Case A: Aaron Swartz paid the ultimate price in defense of his right to access, utilizing what was at the time free and legal for his doing so, professional articles licensed by  Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) via on-campus, wireless and connected technology. The charges brought against him were for essentially ‘hacking’ into the MIT system for unauthorized downloading of numerous articles. .  The Prosecution was seeking a maximum 35 years in prison however, claims, a plea-bargain for a guilty plea to the charge would reduce this to a six month term.  Though not fully understood why, the two-year long proceeding is blamed to be cause for Mr. Swartz to take his own life but many dispute this claim.To delve deeper reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Swartz.

Case B: The HSBC Bank (http://www.globalresearch.ca/sweetheart-settlement-for-hsbc-bank-on-drug-money-laundering-charges/5315486), found guilty of aiding and abetting money laundering for drug cartels; negotiating and process to sanctioned Iran and numerous other criminal activities that could have amounted to loosing license to practice in the United States were ultimately find 1.4billion dollars. An amounted reputed to be recoverable by HSBC in a matter of four weeks of banking activity. The conclusion of the prosecution in not pursuing the ultimate penalty is the claim that such would dramatically and drastically affect the financial and banking interests, both domestically and internationally, having disastrous affect on an already tenuous economic recovery. In the end no banking official at any level within the organization was criminally prosecuted and imprisoned for their involvement and promulgation of the crimes committed.  In essence HSBC is too big to indite for any present and or future criminal activity rendering them carte-blance to do as they please.

These are but two cases that should rile any law-abiding citizen to rally against the legal system of the United States and other western nations that are willing and obliging to follow suit in these matters.

04
Jan
13

Dumpster-Divers: A People’s Revolution


 

 

dump

Living in a small rural lake-side community in Southern Ontario, many who live here year round are often of modest means including myself hence, some have found interesting ways to augment their meager incomes by pursuing a practice of Dumpster-diving. Though I have heard this term referenced some time ago, I never thought that I would ever experience the practice; at least not til the other day when I was invited to join a neighbor friend to do just that.  This compelled me to write the following poem to honor this new experience and one I most certainly intend on repeating:

Dumpster-Divers: A People’s Revolution

The refuse of others is there to be had
What is consciously wasted can drive you mad
But we dumpster-divers, we’re mighty glad
Our best of hopes is for this to go beyond just a fad

From clothing to computers it’s there for the taking
The bounty of goods is the land-fills forsaking
The practice proves environmental change in the making
Even still, some societal laws we are considered breaking

A new era of impoverished peoples is overtaking the globe
The gap between have and have-not is alarmingly beginning to unfold
And like the garbage, the poor are being mercilessly left in the cold
Possibly the roots to a People’s Revolution, future generation will be told.

10
Dec
12

Happy New Year?


clcok
The prophecy burdened year of 2012 is drawing to a close
Pr-ordained as witness to the end of all humanity
A subject much portrayed through poetry and prose
A creative vehicle for curious minds to sustain a fragile sanity

I, like so many others around the globe since the start of this 21st Century millennium, have been an ardent student of the self-professed Sayers and researchers delving into the historical archaeological and astronomical record of fact, fiction or pure speculation.  The outpouring of information that at best is contradictory, conflicting if not confusing has been fodder for much of my work over the last decade or more.

From all that I have gleaned from this pervasive exercise one item seems more evident than all the rest that some may look at as ironic: the central theme to the 2012 debate is ending of the Mayan Calendar on the date of Winter Solstice; the key word being `ending’ and of course what that will translate to for many.

An equally ardent curiosity of mine is global events be they political, religious, cultural, etc; and, what I have observed increasingly reported has to do with the `ending’ or systematic demise of many institutionalize characteristics found within our society. Arguably if these events or circumstances were to occur at any other time they may not have any significance but, that they are occurring at this time does leave one suspicious.

So what specifically am I eluding to?

Stated simply: ‘The demise of Established Institution(s)!

The advent to the latest global financial collapse, arguably commencing late 2007, that continues to afflict several nations to-date and getting worse; there are several other institutionalized establishments that are or, have been, afflicted with an internal conflict that serves to undermines their foundational  stability.

Though much effort  to resolve these troubling issues; many have been unsuccessful in taking corrective measures.

The following highlights the mores significant of the many that could be discussed:

The 2012 Presidential GOP Candidacy Race: The Republican Presidential nomination process was an absolute joke. The process over several months exhibited a field of potential candidates that left everyone cringing at the prospect that anyone of them would become President of the United States;

The 2012 Presidential Electoral Race: Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is to run against President Obama. This situation serves only amplifying the breakdown in the electoral process. Neither candidate is presenting a platform substantively different from the other. This is clear by the latest polls that has both candidates neck-to-neck. The only saving grace to this dire situation is the Electoral College that will choose a winner by virtue of Swing-State weighting one over the other. Hence in effect a President of the (current) most powerful country in the world chosen by default;

Canadian Parliamentary System: On the Federal level, the current majority government is running rough-shod by imposing mass-legislative initiatives utilizing parliamentary process that would make the harshest dictator smile with glee.  The check and balances to such unruliness falls to the Opposition parties however, as they are in minority position even as a coalition, they are impotent to retard the passing of Omnibus budget bills rife with legislation privy to only they who drafted it;

Canadian Provincial Politics:Ontario is of the largest of the ten provinces and three territories that comprise Canada. In the past week the Liberal Premier of the province just decided to `throw in the towel’ after some nine years governing.  Utilizing a mechanism referred to as Proroguing government, the legislature is effectively shut-down. In effect, largest province in the nation is left with no governing body for what could be an indefinite period while it awaits the Liberal party to nominate and elect a new leader;

   – Canadian Municipal Politics: Several Mayors to major Canadian municipalities have been or are in the process of being dismissed from Office on charges of  corruption, conflict of interest and similar offenses.

The National Hockey League: Labeled Billionaire arguing with Millionaires over how to split a 3.3billion dollar revenue pie has literally shut down the game. Though negotiations are still ongoing, all indications suggest the loss of the full season. The greatest implication to the potential, long-term lock-out is for the hundreds of jobs and small business directly affected by the loss of the hockey season;

The American National and College Football Leagues: Though the strike of referees to the NFL  is now resolved, the strike had a major effect on the field and almost brought down the game forcing the league owners into a forced negotiation with the referee’s association;

Global Child-Sex Abuse: Scandals centered around the Pennsylvania State University college football franchise that rocked the US-nation and rippled around the world.  PSU long-held in awe by football fans throughout the United States and beyond are devastated by the multi-year sentence given Assistant Coach Sandusky as well, the stripping of all awards and acknowledgments affecting not just the University by massive punitive fines but too, its star team players dating back decades;

– National Boy Scouts: In both Canada and the United States the breaking news of child-sex abuse dating back decades. The crime of the organization failing to respond/react to reports by member scouts of having been abused;

  – Fall of Lance Armstrong: Seven time Tour de France champion and founder of the Live Strong Foundation stripped of all titles including the Sydney Olympics medal. This literally puts the ‘cap on the bottle’ to the demise of ethics and trust worthiness of societal institution.

Do these conditions serve as harbinger to greater things to come; the collapse of global civilized society mitigated by the growing unrest over severe austerity imposed on bankrupt member nations of European Union; the raging political-fire spreading throughout the Middle-East?

Who knows but, one thing is absolutely certain: on the eve of December 31, 2012 the world’s People will either breathe in relief that the year has quietly ended without Armageddon or cringe to the prospect that there is yet more to come in 2013.

Good luck and may you not be so afflicted!

23
Nov
12

Newest Publication


I am pleased to announce the release of my latest collection of poetry and essay:

VOICEOne Man’s Voice – But is Anyone Listening

 The topics cover a wide spectrum of subject but a common thread binds them and that being to question our human environment in the context of politics, religion and even sexuality not only on a global scale but too, on a personal level.

VOICE is expressive of one point of view but hopefully one that will not only garner a common sense of contemporary life but one that will foster debate of the issues that face all in this increasingly global-community.

To review VOICE using your Smart Phone or I-Pad scan the QR code below –

It would make a great gift or stocking stuffer

Happy Holiday Season to All

 

 

14
Nov
12

Debt


Lost to a moment of delusion
A brief fantasy’s illusion
Found to hide the intrusion
Of life problem’s confusion
To inflict painful mental contusion
Leaving want for such detraction’s infusion
But reality imposed its resolution
By its rigid rule constitution
Demanding immediate payment restitution
To the almighty governing institution
Before final absolve and absolution

11
Nov
12

remembrance 2012


 

Remembrance?

We hail courageous heroes of war; but for whom is the true enemy at bastion door; for each nation’s fallen soldier is a heart made sore; and to whom do the real gains amass, while the bereaved tally the deathly score?

___________________________________

To be of common purpose in mind; is not to be to true reasons blind; for the failings within humankind; for the atrocities inflicted upon its own kind; appeased by pageant and ceremony to remind; but in truth’s end, to repetition, it is endlessly inclined.

___________________________________

Spilling mental guts upon the literary floor; thousands pass but simply ignore, for their lack of interest to what may touch their shore; yet find the time to whisper ridicule and messenger to deplore; yielding incessant ignorance to reason, to endure.

04
Nov
12

Free(dom) the Collective


Freedom; sought from the tyranny to which life is repeatedly born,
limiting its growth by containment of the individualist mind,
white-washed into submission by contrived uniformity,
instilled by the fear of banishment from the societal-clan,
shackled and anchored to chaste of monetary position,
imposed by ghostly image of authority’s contrived rules,
impeded through admonishment of counter-thought,
gratifying willful absorption to conformity of the Collective.

Freedom; for the individual mind to which life is meant to be born,
to seek its inherent, genetic design of purpose,
as cellular contributor to the living organism that is humanity,
gratified in the acknowledgment of recognition to participate,
with unrestricted access to commonwealth of prosperity,
to preside and flourish in the structure and respect of natural laws,
unlimited without constraint as Individual contributor to Community.

03
Nov
12

New Beginnings?


`food for thought’

The only way to start this article is with a question:

Are we seeing a decline that may suggest a trend influenced by the long anticipated mythological, prophesied, events of  Winter Solstice, 2012?

It would be understandable that many by the inference to super-hyped, life-ending, earth-shattering events prophesied  to occur on December 21st, 2012  by the reputed end of the Mayan Calendar, would abruptly stop reading. However; this article is based on factual observation of global events occurring over the course of 2012 that suggest a potential, yet strange, trend. A trend that raises the curiosity the question poses.

Over the course of the last decade the volume and frequency of information connected with various Mayan and Hopi prophecy claiming the ‘end-times’ are upon us, climaxing December 21st, 2012, realizing the spectrum of disastrous manifestations, has assuredly, served to raise global consciousness on this one issue, likely more than any other.

This stated, as of the date for this article, there remains forty-seven (47) days to the Winter Solstice and fifty-seven (57) days to the end of 2012. To-date the following significant events have occurred or are in the process of unfolding, that suggest the trend alluded to (in no particular order):

1.The dethroning  of Lance Armstrong as the seven time champion of the Tour de France and other honors stripped for doping and, the implications derived as result;
2.The stalled National Hockey League (NHL) labor dispute likely to result in the loss of the entire 2012-13 season and its dire financial implications;
3. The significant loss of life, devastation and financial hardship brought by Hurricane Sandy resulting in the closing of New York City and several adjoining States and Boroughs along the eastern-seaboard;
4. The 2012 presidential election finds a polarized nation equally split: incumbent President, Democrat, Barack Obama at 48% versus Republican, Mitt Romney at 47% leaving it to a handful of States to end the deadlock and the potential aftermath, depending on who finally wins;
5. Financial global crisis and social unrest most evident in European nations however; there exists a strong potential a major global recession if not depression could be exacerbated to reality should the US presidential election fail to produce a clear winner;
6. Global weather pattern changes continue to impose massive earth and climate changes with drastic and significant social and financial effect on institutional sectors of agriculture and food production, wild-life habitat and migration, extreme rainfall leading to significant flooding and land erosion countered by extreme drought conditions elsewhere;
7. Generalized social unrest to varying degree, in almost every nation of the planet due to social, financial and economic hardship promulgated by the financial collapse experience commencing 2007 and fanned in part, by some of the events listed above; and there are more.

These few events highlight the nature of their ‘global’ impact and broadly accepted representation as ‘institutional’ component to the fabric of modern-day society however; closer examination and observation on the part of the reader to world events is likely to give several more events having occurred or, in the process of occurring, that lend them to the purported trend speculated here, by this article.

To close: as with all matters related to future events; they can only be deemed pure speculation; predicated on related and factual historical events. However, it is only with the passage of ‘real-time’ that such speculation and anxiety derived from it will come to its end. As to Mayan and Hopi prophecy and the `end-time’ they purport: here too, they are based purely on the  speculation of well publicized, self-proclaimed  authority(ies) on the topic.

In the end, all that is left to be said is: good luck and good fortune; may the future have nothing but good tidings for All as the clock strikes 12:01, January 01,2013 and beyond.

28
Oct
12

UPDATE TO ELECTION DAY 2012


UPDATE TO ORIGINAL POSTING: With the coming November 8th election, every voting American  should watch this series of news reports produced by THE REAL NEWS NETWORK; an independent Internet News Network that tells it like it is and can boast ZERO conflict of corporate interests gaining its financial support solely from its viewers/registered members:

REAL NEWS REPORT: Easy Way To Steal an Election

In recognition of elections in the United States and elsewhere on this troubled Globe, I offer up the following:

Platform in hand claiming new convention
Political pundits’ cry for attention

The electorate looks the other way
Saying `why bother’ in the end, we still pay

Each Party claims: `light at the end of the tunnel
Yet the money gets siphoned as quick as water down a funnel

With words like: Promise, Trust and, Honesty, increasingly typical
The populace has reason to grow more tired and  cynical

This vile condition breeds chronic mistrust and skepticism
And a country void of a future and dwindling optimism.

Change To Timeless Promises

Change, to timeless promises, sinks
Into the depths of mental madness;
Driven there by the energies
Expended upon reflection;
Bringing tangled weaves of
Truth to hypocrisies seen;
Weaned on the milked teat
Of societal dream’s rhetoric;
To escape to this tragedy’s
Path dis-remembered;
Each, revisited, forth year’s
First Monday’s November.

30
Sep
12

This Earthly Global Community


Image

All citizens that occupy the lands of perceived democratic freedoms have, and continue to be anesthetized by the incessant, contrived rhetoric spewed from the mouths’ of political and corporate ambition, stridently and without compunction, regurgitated by purchased journalistic entities to camouflage the truth to the worldly reality borne by those whom equally suffer the wrath of repressive, dictatorial regimes which too, collude and contrive with those whom, with their stolen economic and financial powers, through the might of blind enforcers, deny this earthly global community the benefits of its common-wealth of resource and enaliable right for and to which all humanity is meant to be borne.




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