Debt Default Could Spark Food Stamp Riots

Food stamps, unemployment benefits and social security payments could be delayed for days if the US suffers a debt default, an alarming prospect given that an EBT card outage which lasted for just hours on Saturday caused mini-riots and looting at several Walmart stores.


Image: You Loot, We Shoot.

Should the US enter a post-debt ceiling economy on Friday, “payments to Medicare and Medicaid providers, unemployment benefits, Social Security checks and tax refunds would be postponed for one to four days,” reports the Washington Post, citing a Bipartisan Policy Center report.

This means that food stamps set to be distributed on October 25 would be delayed until at least October 30, and nearly $60 billion in Social Security checks could be delayed by two weeks.

Judging by the reaction to Saturday’s EBT card glitch, which prompted “mini-riots” and looting after just hours, a food stamp freeze lasting for days would threaten even more widespread unrest.

Food stamp-style debit cards stopped functioning on Saturday after a routine check by vendor Xerox Corp. resulted in a system failure. Although the problem was fixed by the evening, the temporary outage caused a “mini-riot” at a Walmart in Philadelphia, Mississippi, prompting managers to close the store.

Walmart spokeswoman Kayla Whaling said the financial impact of the “mini-riot” was still being assessed and that the company was working with police to identify the culprits. Customers staged the disturbance before walking out “with groceries that hadn’t been paid for,” reports the Clarion Ledger.

EBT card holders in Louisiana also ransacked local Walmart stores in an attempt to exploit temporarily unlimited credit balances.

“Shelves in Walmart stores in Springhill and Mansfield, LA were reportedly cleared Saturday night, when the stores allowed purchases on EBT cards even though they were not showing limits,” reports KSLA. “The chaos that followed ultimately required intervention from local police, and left behind numerous carts filled to overflowing, apparently abandoned when the glitch-spurred shopping frenzy ended.”

One woman attempted to steal $700 dollars worth of groceries despite the fact that she had a balance of just $0.49 on her EBT card.

“As this small EBT card glitch clearly demonstrates, if given half a chance, many EBT card holders will immediately engage in the mass looting of food and supplies as long as they can get away with it,” writes Mike Adams. “This was not one or two isolated people; this involved masses of people who spontaneously transformed into a rampaging mob of looting maniacs that ransacked a private business and caused huge losses in stolen goods and displaced inventory.”

If a relatively minor EBT card glitch that lasted just hours caused looting and “mini-riots” at several Walmart stores, what will the consequences be of a five day hold on food stamps?

If lawmakers and the White House fail to strike a deal that will temporarily raise the debt ceiling before the end of this week, we’re about to find out.

Credit to Infowars

Which "Doomsday Clock" Strikes First - Nuclear Armageddon Or Debt Ceiling Breach?

November 14th – not October 17th – is the key date for Doomsday watchers to circle on their calendars. For 66 years, Goldman Sachs notes, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has published a Doomsday Clock showing how close the world is to global catastrophe. First set in 1947 at 7 minutes until midnight, the clock has ranged from as short as 2 minutes (1950s) to as long as 17 minutes (early 1990s). It now stands at 5 minutes before midnight. On November 14th the committee will vote again whether to adjust the minute hand on the proverbial clock face.




However, Goldman confirms, most market participants characterize October 17th as the fiscal Doomsday when the federal government hits its debt ceiling.

Surprisingly, Goldman Sachs points out that not one client meeting during the past two weeks has focused on the stalemate in Washington, DC. Mutual funds, hedge funds, and even sovereign wealth funds that have traveled to our offices have expressly wanted to look beyond the partial government shutdown and the rapidly approaching debt ceiling.

Simply put, the roadblock on Pennsylvania Avenue was completely ignored. Goldman adds, perhaps more concerningly in the case of the DC Debacle, that everyone assumes a deal will be reached to avert disaster just as nuclear Armageddon has been avoided since 1947... and US equity market action, until this evening's futures open, was/is consistent with the view of most investors.

Source: Goldman Sachs

So the question is - with the "global Catastrophe" Doomsday clock at 5 minutes to midnight, where is the "global financial chaos" clock? And which of these two "disasters" would wreak the most damage (and to whom)?

Credit to Zero Hedge

Warning of Financial Apocalypse by Design

Are These The Ones That Won't Cooperate With Impending Martial Law?

On October 12, 2013, ABC’s Dianne Sawyer brought us a video of a 9th, yes 9th, General fired from the military this week. It’s even reaching some of the more liberal stations and begging them to ask the question, “What is going on?” It seems President Obama is preparing what he calls “my military” for his version of the final solution. With all the documentation we have, it looks as though he is purging the military for the next step.

We have now seen this official President Obama temper-tantrum in action this week. But is it a temper-tantrum or is there a method to his madness?

We have been warned by a Pentagon Official to expect radical changes. You heard of our dire warnings of Chinese Economists planning to foreclose and forming the TPP Treaty that could set a global economy in motion. We have the very real possibility of 16 U.S. States being shutdown and handed over due to debt in this mess. We even have a CIA whistle blower warning us that President Obama wants to radically take over power. People are crying out, where is our military in this mess?

Well, there seems to be some very credible evidence that since last year and through this year that there has been a “litmus test” given to American Military Officers. The Main point of that test, “Would you fire on an American Citizen?” If you say no, then as Donald Trump would say, “Your fired!” Since the beginning of the year these retired officer’s have came forward with ““President Obama is preparing for war against the U.S.”.  We even know Dr. Garrow and others confirmed this litmus test. Then we have heard President Obama himself talk about “My Military”.

And this isn’t all. This strange chain of firings from the Military is so bizarre and so unheard of that even Dianne Sawyer of ABC news reached out to cover it when the 9th, yes 9th, Military Commanding Officer was relieved of duty in less than a year. This doesn’t include the long list last year, this is just the nine individuals this year alone.

General Carter Hamm, United States Army-Served as head of the United States African Command. Was in charge of the US African command during the fateful night of September 11, 2012 when the lives of four American citizens was taken in the Embassy in Benghazi. Hamm was extremely critical  of our Commander and Chief and stated he lied about not having reinforcements in the area on that night. Hamm “resigned and retired” on April of 2013.

Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette/United States Navy-Commander of Carrier Strike Group Three. His most recent activity served as Deputy Commander of the US Naval Forces, US Central Command. He was in charge of Air Craft Carriers in the Mediterranean Sea the night of September 11, 2012. He testified before the hearing committee and said that there may not have been time to get the flight crews there but left the door open on if told when the events took place if that he could have had the aircraft launched upon cross-examination by Rep. Tray Gowdey. Recently fired from the Administrative post and relieved of Duty by the Obama Administration for “utterance of a racial slur”.

Major General Ralph Baker, United States Army- Major General Baker served as the Commander of the Joint Task Force-Horn at Camp Lamar, Djibouti, Africa. Was also involved in some aspect with the incident September 11, 2012, being under the African Command. Had said he believed attack helicopters could have made it in time. Relieved of command and fired for groping a civilian (no assault charges or sexual misconduct charges filed with JAG)

 Brigadier General Bryan Roberts, United States Army-General Roberts took command of  Fort Jackson in 2011. Was considered a rising star in his field. He served in Iraq during his service as the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and was the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Recruiting Command, Fort Knox, KY. Relieved of Duty and Fired for Adultery. While this is still on the books in the United States Code of Military Justice, it has rarely been used since President Bill Clinton’s indiscretions.

Major General Gregg A. Sturdevant, United States Marine Corps-Director of Strategic Planning and Policy of  for the United States Pacific Command and Commander of the aviation wing at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. Highly decorated soldier with two Naval and Marine Commendations and two Naval and Marine Good Conduct medals. He also has an Air Medal with a gold star. He served honorably and distinctively. He had asked about supplies to his command. He was one of two commanding officers suddenly relieved of command and fired from the military for failure of proper force protection.

Major General Charles M.M. Gurganus, United States Marine Corps- Regional Commander in the Southwest and I Marine Expeditionary Force (a forward or frontal division) in Afghanistan. Also Highly decorated with a Defense Superior Service Medal, two Legion of Merritt w/Valor, and three Meritorious Service Commendations. Major General C.M.M.Gurganus had questioned the use of Afghanistan patrols along side American patrols after two officers were executed at their desk and a platoon was lead into an ambush on the front lines. Was the other commander relieved of duty for failure of proper force protection.

Lieutenant General David Holmes Huntoon Jr, United States Army-Served as the 58th Superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY.   He had graduated from the same academy in 1973 and had served in Senior Planning and Education Services through the majority of his career. He was “censored” for “an investigation” into an “improper relationship” according to The Department of Defense.  Nothing was released to the nature of the improper relationship. Nothing was even mentioned if an actual investigation even took place.

Vice Admiral Tim Giardina, United States Navy-Deputy Commander of the United States Strategic Command. Commander of the Submarine Group Trident, Submarine Group 9 and Submarine Group 10, where every single one of the 18 Nuclear Submarines with Nuclear Trident Missiles of those three groups were in his command. This commander earned six Legions of Merit, Two Meritorious Service Medals, two Joint Service Commendation Medals, and several other medals, ribbons and decorations in his illustrious career. He was removed from service and fired from the military for the charge of using counterfeit poker chips (not making that up).

Last on the list, Major General Michael Carry, United States Air Force-Commander 20th Air Force in charge of 9,600 people and 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) at three operational wings and served in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was Fired October 11, 2013, for “Personal Misbehavior” is what was told to ABC News. He and Giardina were both the two top Commanders over the United States Nuclear Arsenal before their dismissal within 48 hours of each other.

As ABC News reports, this is an extremely alarming rate and one of the biggest and fastest purges of military personnel ever recorded.  It apparently is such a shock at the rate even for a long time veteran of reporting the news as Dianne Sawyer, because at one point she gets heated saying two Commanders of the Nuclear Command.

You don’t put people who are not very intelligent and without a squeaky clean record over that area of the Military.  It is enough to make the hardest and staunchest of supporters as the ABC news crew to pause and ask themselves, “what step is he planning?”.

You can watch the ABC interview here:

Credit to The free Patriot

CHINA CALLS FOR 'DE-AMERICANIZED' WORLD

The looming prospect of a US default on debt prompted China to call for the world to “de-Americanise”, amid warnings of a new global recession.

In China, Xinhua, the official government news agency, said that as American politicians continued to flounder over a deal to break the impasse, “it is perhaps a good time for the befuddled world to start considering building a de-Americanised world”.

The jibe came as Christine Lagarde, the International Monetary Fund chief, raised the spectre of a repeat of the 2008 financial crash as hopes dwindled for a resolution of the crisis over the debt ceiling and partial government shutdown.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/china-calls-for-de-americanized-world/#T4bRKkGimFSdrc26.99

Ten Jews detained for praying on Temple Mount

Ten Jewish men were detained by police after they were accused of praying and bowing inside the Temple Mount enclosure on Monday morning.

The group reportedly said prayers, sang “Hatikva,” the Israeli national anthem, unfurled an Israeli flag and began dancing.

The men were removed and police closed the site to visitors. The sensitive Temple Mount area, holy to both Muslims and Jews, is controlled by the Muslim Waqf, but security is overseen by Israel. Non-Muslims are allowed to visit, but all non-Muslim religious ritual is banned.

Under current laws, Jews are allowed to ascend the mount and pray at the site, which is revered as the location of both ancient Jewish temples. However, police have the right to veto any visits and in practice prevent both prayer and high-profile Jewish visits.

Israeli police and Waqf guards keep close tabs on visitors identifiable as religious Jews. If any are seen moving their lips in prayer, or prostrating themselves on the smooth stones of the shrine, they are expelled and sometimes detained.

Last month there were several clashes between police and Palestinian youths on the mount and security forces used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the crowds.

Tensions were raised by an influx of Jewish visitors to the site during the Sukkot holiday. As a result, at the end of September, Jerusalem police closed the Temple Mount to non-Muslim visitors, citing security concerns — a surprise announcement that caused many holiday pilgrims and tourists to be turned away at the site.

Jewish prayer and visits at the Temple Mount enclosure are seen as a provocation by many Arab worshipers but the practice has support among Knesset members, notably Likud MKs Miri Regev and Moshe Feiglin, the latter of whom has made prayer visits to the site.

In May, Deputy Transportation Minister Tzipi Hotovely marked her last day as an unmarried woman with a visit to the Temple Mount and earlier that month Regev chaired a Knesset committee meeting to review Jewish prayer on the mount.

Regev has spearheaded a campaign to uphold Jewish prayer on the controversial site, despite the explosive security and political implications.

Credit to times of Israel

World top bankers warn of dire consequences if U.S. defaults

Three of the world's most powerful bankers warned of terrible consequences if the United States defaults on its debt, with Deutsche Bank chief executive Anshu Jain claiming default would be "utterly catastrophic."

"This would be a very rapidly spreading, fatal disease," Jain said on Saturday at a conference hosted by the Institute of International Finance in Washington.

"I have no recommendations for this audience...about putting band aids on a gaping wound," he said.

Jain, JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon and Baudouin Prot, chairman of BNP Paribas, said a default would have dramatic consequences on the value of U.S. debt and the dollar, and likely would plunge the world into another recession.

The U.S. Treasury Department has said it expects to max out its borrowing authority next week and won't be able to prioritize payments on U.S. debt over obligations like Social Security.

Lawmakers have seemed at an impasse over raising the debt limit. Democrats want to re-open federal agencies, which have been partially closed since funding ran out on October 1, and Republicans insist any debt ceiling deal includes plans to cut government spending.

Dimon and other top executives from major U.S. financial firms met with President Barack Obamaand with lawmakers last week to urge them to deal with both issues.

On Saturday, Dimon said banks are already spending "huge amounts" of money preparing for the possibility of a default, which he said would threaten the global recovery after the 2007-2009 financial crisis.

"We need global growth," he said. "We are on the verge of getting it. Please let's not shoot ourselves in the foot."

Dimon also defended JPMorgan against critics who say the bank has become too big to manage. It has come under scrutiny from numerous regulators and on Friday reported its first quarterly loss since Dimon took over, due to more than $7 billion in legal expenses.
Credit to Reuters