Peeling the onion
The big banks and the US government are fighting a desperate court battle to keep hidden the way in which they collude to permit the bank executives to freely break the law without risking any criminal penalties.
The anti-American contempt they express tends to be less because they look down on Americans for being overweight, monolingual, and untraveled, but because Americans are so blind to the fact that their government is the largest criminal enterprise on the planet despite having been warned of it in 1961 by President Eisenhower.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military–industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961
It's not as if this machinery has become less influential or less pervasive in the last 50 years, although these days we wouldn't call it the military-industrial complex, but the financial corpocracy. The EU, just so you understand, is an attempt to lay the foundation for something similar across Europe. But it's doomed to failure, because Europe is too nationalistic, too heterogeneous, and too openly corrupt.
There have always been kingdoms and empires. One elite or another has almost always ruled over Man. This is nothing new and the current rulers of the USA are far from the worst that Man has ever known. But Americans don't understand that they are ruled and therefore mistakenly believe they are free. Europeans know they are not.
The reason both the Democratic and Republican establishments are in full on panic mode about the rise of Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders is a deep seated fear that the plebs have finally woken up.One of the surprising things I learned very early after expatriating was that not only were my suspicions about the USA being one gigantic fraud all true, but that many elite Europeans knew all about it.
Democrats rail against big corporations, while Republicans rail against big government. This scheme has been used to successfully divide and conquer the public for decades while big government and big business successfully schemed to divert all wealth and power to an ever smaller minuscule segment of the population — themselves.
It took awhile, but the people are finally starting getting it and they are royally pissed off. One of the primary mechanisms for this historic elite theft has been the creation of a two-tiered justice system in which the rich, powerful and connected are never prosecuted for their criminality. Instead, the government actively protects them by pretending corporate entities commit crimes as opposed to individuals. Of course, this is impossible, but yet it’s how the government handles white collar crime. The Orwellian named “Justice Department” casually utilizes deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs), in which companies pay a little fine and the criminals themselves walk away with not just their freedom, but ill gotten monetary gains as well.
Nowhere is this most apparent than when it comes to the big banks. The individuals who work at these criminal cartels can literally do anything they want with total impunity. One of the most egregious examples of this was the $1.9 billion settlement arranged with HSBC for laundering Mexican drug cartel money and dealing with sanctioned countries. If you or I did this we’d be sitting in a concrete box eating porridge through a straw for the rest of our lives, but when “masters of the world” at big banks do it, the parent company just pays a slap on the wrist fine and life goes on. That’s how oligarch justice works.
Although the Department of Justice and HSBC thought the money laundering case was settled ancient history, a determined chemist from Pennsylvania is throwing a wrench into their plans and it could have major implications.
The anti-American contempt they express tends to be less because they look down on Americans for being overweight, monolingual, and untraveled, but because Americans are so blind to the fact that their government is the largest criminal enterprise on the planet despite having been warned of it in 1961 by President Eisenhower.
This conjunction of an immense military establishment and a large arms industry is new in the American experience. The total influence — economic, political, even spiritual — is felt in every city, every statehouse, every office of the federal government. We recognize the imperative need for this development. Yet we must not fail to comprehend its grave implications. Our toil, resources and livelihood are all involved; so is the very structure of our society. In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military–industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower, January 17, 1961
It's not as if this machinery has become less influential or less pervasive in the last 50 years, although these days we wouldn't call it the military-industrial complex, but the financial corpocracy. The EU, just so you understand, is an attempt to lay the foundation for something similar across Europe. But it's doomed to failure, because Europe is too nationalistic, too heterogeneous, and too openly corrupt.
There have always been kingdoms and empires. One elite or another has almost always ruled over Man. This is nothing new and the current rulers of the USA are far from the worst that Man has ever known. But Americans don't understand that they are ruled and therefore mistakenly believe they are free. Europeans know they are not.
Labels: banks
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1 – 200 of 205 Newer› Newest»Each side (Party) pointing at the other - a Big Government vs Big Corporations is a good diversionary tactic, until the plebes figure it out, then they have to use the Big War and all its pseudo Patriotism. Look for it soon.....
Sadly, our elected officials are mostly selected by women, who have a malleable moral base, and left of the bell curve men, who don't understand why they have a hard time competing. (thus, they vote like women)
That leaves a handful of capable, knowledgeable men to vote for the few good guys who run (unsuccessfully)
It's possible the Trumpster will do some things. He's only one man. Let's hope he stays healthy and has two good terms, and changes our direction.
(and ends suffrage)
But Mitt Romney says Donald Trump is a phony and a fraud!
Well, he hadn't said it yet. But it's been heavily trailed in the media that he will say it. Because that's how these guys roll.
And if the last Republican presidential loser doesn't convince you, I hear Bob Dole is still alive.
Take THAT, Drumpf!
This is why it takes some of us so long to "get" nationalism. So much putrid facade overlays the core that we didn't realise the beauty of the core, and how much we depend upon it for purpose and continuity.
Schools are theological seminaries inculcating an entire mythological construct whose purpose is to render a matrix of continuously ripening marks to con.
Watching the establishment roll out guys like Romney to try and carry the water is akin to spiking your own cannons.
This isn't a loss, it's a rout.
Its fascinating to me that anyone could possibly believe that Trump or Sanders could change any of this.
As I have said before... if Trump is truely sincere and they believe him to be serious... he will take the same kind of "No Your Place" bullet that Reagan took.
Hey, I know, let's try a negative interest rate on savings in banks!
Despite almost instant transfer of "electronic" funds between banks, let's just ASSUME that deposit won't count for three days, @US$35 for each subsequent "bounced" check/transaction.
Are ATM fees, per transaction, all set to grow, on the heals of a nudge toward the cashless electronic credits society?
Exactly who's office has that on/off switch for accounts?
CaptDMO
Nate - I don't think any one man can fix the system. At best, Mr Trump might negate some of the worst parts of the agenda (immigration, offshoring). Even that will be an uphill battle.
But it makes me wonder why they're so pants-cackingly terrified of Trump.
The anti-American contempt they express tends to be less because they look down on Americans for being overweight, monolingual, and untraveled, but because Americans are so blind to the fact that their government is the largest criminal enterprise on the planet.
So...jealousy.
We already knew that.
Only took 30 years or so, "but the people are finally starting getting it and they are royally pissed off."
It's always bothered me that courts have allowed so much by 'representational' fictions. How does one confront a fiction? How cen one even be accused by a fiction? They're all part and parcel of Hoodwink, Inc.
American Exceptionalism is actually the exceptional way Emmanuel Goldstein's "High" have gotten the proles to:
1. Believe they are free.
2. Believe the founding mythology of their polity.
3. Embrace fallacies that are obvious inversions of reality (superiority of democracy & all people are "equal.")
4. Believe their system is so superior to others that there's never a reason to actually examine that premise.
This system is pure brilliance. Slaves work hardest when they think theirs is the best plantation on Earth.
@10 Salt, as you know, diversion and diffusion of responsibility is a key element of preventing change (or systematic crime.) It's bureaucracy 101.
Monopoly systems are bad. That said, some are more bad than others. A monopoly system that diffuses responsibility among various layers (local, state & nation-state), across "separate" powers (executive, legislative and judicial) and between ostensibly private (corporate) and public (government) spheres produces a hydra-like parasite that can't be contained, tamed or killed.
We already knew that.
No, most Americans don't. It was, to put it mildly, startling, to have smart, highly-educated people nodding their heads in agreement rather than telling me that I was paranoid or crazy when I explained why I didn't want to live there.
Remember, this was a decade before 2008. Far more Americans are now aware of the kleptocracy that runs their country.
Denninger notes of another large fraud being potentially exposed and that is the pharmaceutical medical industrial complex. So maybe Mittens attack on Trump is brought to you by the "world's greatest medical system?"
"But it makes me wonder why they're so pants-cackingly terrified of Trump."
They aren't. That's what you guys can't seem to grasp. Guys like Trent Lott and John McCain aren't scared of Trump. Its the conservative media types that are as so worried about him.
@#6 Nate: ...the same kind of "No Your Place" bullet that Reagan took.
As they say in Kansas: "The Point of Know Return".
Steve wrote:But it makes me wonder why they're so pants-cackingly terrified of Trump.
Because they're too stupid and short-sighted to foresee what comes after a failed Trump bid, naturally. I'm really struck by how moderate and soft Trump's proposals really are. Compared to what I'd like to see, anyway. If Trump is completely unable (or unwilling) to adequately address any of these problems, the electorate will finally conclude that moderation had its shot, and now it's time to come in hotter.
Give me a king any day over a demagogue elected by my stone-stupid fellow citizens. At least when the king is a fink we all know on whose desk the buck stops.
The present Permanent Government (all employees from high military officers down to the local dog catcher) diffuses responsibility so much that there is no actual pivot point to turn Cthulhu right. A President Trump might alter one or two policies, even important ones, but nothing can change the trajectory of a system suffused with so many perverse incentives.
I only hope that the Nation to which I belong (which is a subset of the mishmash occupying North America) survives and coalesces geographically in a coming time.
Big banks and big government are both operated by a natural aristocracy - an elite political and economic class. One of the basic criticisms of the Constitution made by the Anti-Federalists centered around its potential to create a rule of natural aristocrats.
@13: I think that was a joke. Europeans are jealous that our criminal enterprise is bigger than theirs.
Read this yesterday. I will be surprised if the poor fellow survives.
As I said two or three years ago, it will be a Republican who ushers in Single Payer.
The only thing Trump will nationalize is health care. He may push to nationalize higher education as well, but I'm less confident about that. Be careful what you wish for.
Vox, I don't get your thinking here. Europeans bought into the EU and the Euro, they seem to be aiming for banning cash, they import savage religious fanatics and laud destroying the White Man at every turn.
How are they less brainwashed than the US?
And even if they are, how is that any better seeing as how the effect seems to be the same?
"Remember, this was a decade before 2008. Far more Americans are now aware of the kleptocracy that runs their country."
My grandfather remembered them stealing the gold, and I remember them stealing the silver.
@Steve wrote:But Mitt Romney says Donald Trump is a phony and a fraud!
Well, he hadn't said it yet. But it's been heavily trailed in the media that he will say it. Because that's how these guys roll.
A portrait of the men behind Romney and the owners of Cruz and Foam Boy.
How are they less brainwashed than the US?
No European believes his country is The Most Free Nation in the world or that everyone wants to be German/Italian/French/whatever. None of them believe their political system is fair and open either. It's not that the US system is any more corrupt, but the European corruption is considerably more open and honest.
Nate - Guys like Trent Lott and John McCain aren't scared of Trump. Its the conservative media types that are as so worried about him.
Then how come the Republican party is grooming poor deluded Mitt Romney to launch his presidential campaign today?
Because that's what it looks like they're doing. Teeing up Mitt in the hopes they can draft him at the convention. They know Foam Boy has fizzled and they hate Ted Cruz too much.
I've never seen a party so terrified of being led by someone who's too popular, though the hatred Mrs Thatcher elicited behind the scenes from the Tory grandees probably came close.
Gaiseric - I'm really struck by how moderate and soft Trump's proposals really are.
Yes. I'm not American and wasn't even born in the American part of Portugal, but to me, Trump looks like a pretty middle of the road early 60's Democrat or 80's Republican.
There's literally nothing radical in his policies - enforce immigration laws, renegotiate trade deals, rebuild the military (but keep out of foreign wars).
That's a plan you could easily imagine Kennedy, Nixon or Reagan signing up to.
This isn't the sort of stuff that got you kicked out of polite company until quite recently.
And even if they are, how is that any better seeing as how the effect seems to be the same?
I, personally, find it nice to be surrounded by people who are equally skeptical of government rather than constantly telling me "you're crazy, why don't you just leave then?"
So I did.
@24 kfg, ditto.
Anyone waiting for the day where the slaves wake up and cast off their chains better bring a chair. Early Christians believed the Second Coming was imminent.
It seems that expecting squares to be circled is a part of the human condition.
NR wonders at the free trade dogma not working
Everyone knew about the kleptocracy, but they still allowed the middle class its share for a while. They got too greedy.
There's literally nothing radical in his policies - enforce immigration laws, renegotiate trade deals, rebuild the military (but keep out of foreign wars).
That his ideas sound so unradical but seem radical to the party apparatchiks tells you how far the US has drifted.
I'm not American and wasn't even born in the American part of Portugal
Ha!
People weren't as pissed during Regan as they are now.
but the European corruption is considerably more open and honest.
Is it that people are more accepting of their place in the larger structure? I'm suspicious that America's constant factional jockeying for advantage better enables the graft by disguising covetousness and sanctioning mutual and continuous robbery.
Good and fair points. I prefer an honest enemy to a false friend too.
I sometimes find myself mystified that the whole world submits to evil like this as a matter of course.
It's as though we're all being savagely raped. The US citizens are surprised and screaming but the Europeans are just trying to lie back and enjoy it...
Here out west, I thought I was skeptical of government. I was going through the official position declarations at the caucus - between that and some friends attitudes, I'm almost moderate by comparison.
Then how come the Republican party is grooming poor deluded Mitt Romney to launch his presidential campaign today?
This whole thing is beginning to look less random happenstance and more contrived.
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Trump started feeling the Bern and they made a third party run together.
A friend whom worked in Washington had similar things to say about the collision between big gov and big business. I have wondered for some time why no candidate has made this a platform issue, since votes in both parties hate this.
@38. L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright
I have wondered for some time why no candidate has made this a platform issue, since votes in both parties hate this.
Because you'll get dogpiled by the establishment on both ends, and only lately has the populace woken up to vote against the establishment.
Begining in January the bank my daughter uses began requiring a driver's license with any cash deposited. The teller punches the ID number into her terminal with the deposit and said even if it's a penny she needs to see ID. I told my kid to change banks.
Any idea what this is about and has anyone else here had this happen at their bank?
Imagine the discussions at the Banksters meeting flood the system with leverage or create a crisis like 2008
The only reason this is arising is that there's no honor among thieves. The last 50 years is the largest debt-fueled, money-debased boom in recorded history, and it's obviously past apogee. Behind the scenes, the highest elites are fondling their daggers & eyeing each other's backs. It will be a free-for-all once they truly get to warring.
What we see is only the tip of the iceberg, and by definition it is but a caricature of reality. Does anyone think our ancestors reading "the news" in 1962, 1937, 1910, 1859, etc., etc. had any less clue that we do?
The anti-American contempt they express tends to be less because they look down on Americans for being overweight, monolingual, and untraveled, but because Americans are so blind to the fact that their government is the largest criminal enterprise on the planet.
Are they similarly cynical about their own governments?
@40: "Any idea what this is about . . .?"
The strength of the underground economy.
Vox, many people might leave but for family, and the lack of money to do so. As far as the corruption/ criminality- well, a nation founded by ((( bankers))), their smugglers and slavers, their gunrunners - who all moved into the government - etc. ... it is perhaps a miracle the wool never slipped from the eyes of the sheep long ago. The power of the mind to look away from that which it does not want to see, to remain invested in the system for which we want to believe is good- and just the everyday business of finding a meal, a warm place to live... at last the veil is being lifted. Part of the reason is your efforts to help folks think, see the contradictions in the narrative. Thanks for this place.
I met my first Trump supporter tonight. My taxi driver opened the conversation with how Mexicans stole his job, waxed lyrical on the merits of Trump, veered abruptly into how black players showboating has ruined sports invented by whites and then finished with a nostalgic recollection of how he was a basketball MVP early in his playing days but was then unaccountably overlooked by the high school team, ruining his life. He mused on what-might-have-beens for a solid five minutes, concluding that he would have been Steph Curry before there was Steph Curry. And then he asked if he could turn up the Alex Jones radio show (who I've never heard of but the opening lines were pretty scary).
I shit you not, there is not a word of exaggeration in that description.
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
Flo wrote:
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
I would be more terrified of visiting Chicago.
If you need a more concrete example of this, know that all welfare is essentially corporate welfare. Wal-Mart lobbies for expansions of the Food Stamp program. Nearly all programs and benefits for the poor are maintained on behalf of large corporations because it defers costs for them and allows poor people to have more disposable cash which allows them to buy more stuff.
Meanwhile, the middle class suffers because they aren't rich enough to absorb the costs of all these things while they are too rich to qualify for most welfare programs.
Our provincial and municipal governments (in my part of Canada) are quite corrupt but they (mostly) keep it on the down and low. It's all back room deals with family members or friends of the family, or buddies from college. An off the record discussion and the official paper trail and you're good. Sometimes there is cloak and dagger shit with intermediaries for deniability but in most cases that's just more work. The few nouveau politicien we elect in particular bursts of rage content themselves with abusing expense accounts and generous pensions (that they don't loose even if convicted of a crime - funny that) until they become sufficiently connected in the web. They routinely cross the floor to a different party (sometimes via being an independent, because you know, optics). They don't hold any ideology other then "gotta get me mine".
The corruption just is. It's not even that I begrudge them a bit of graff here and there as long as I'm not sheared too closely. It would be nice to wet my beak once in a while too though.
My parents generation had a trust in politicians when I was growing up, but once my generation started paying attention most of my peers didn't. My generation onward seems to be the first one that didn't vote in large numbers. Not sure what changed en mass to be honest. I went to university in the early 90s and we had a decent chance of starting out well. Not as easily as the 80s, but more so than kids today on average.
The local politicians can only aspire to the level of theft that occurs in the federal government, and that's within Canada. The level of theft in the USA they can only dream about. It's why you'll find quite a few Canadians are baffled by the life long allegiance by some people to a particular political party and so much of a person's identiy is wrapped up in being a Republican or a Democrat. They are all corrupt, self serving bastards. We have replaced monarchs with a permanent class of self interested parasites. At least we got to kill the monarchs when they really took advantage...
Flo maybe you can tell us what propaganda so influenced you to become terrified of the rural untermen?
but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
No one likes it when Aunt Flo visits
Behind the scenes, the highest elites are fondling their daggers & eyeing each other's backs.
Beware the Ides of March.
@Flo: Are you able to refute any of his points with actual evidence or do you just assume they're wrong because you don't like them? I'm just curious.
@40
My bank isn’t requiring it. I’d leave that bank.
Corruption is endemic in government. I don’t care where you go in this world, the question is not if corruption exists, just its extent.
It’s funny that Eurocrats are after Ukraine to do something about corruption, yet Russia, who they really want to sell junk to makes Ukraine look like utterly honest. Having lived in Europe myself, I laugh at them talking about US corruption.
Flo wrote:I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
If you know that saying something will make you look like an urban, provincial fool who's being deliberately ignorant and obtuse, then why would you say it?
my eyes were not truely opened to the level or evil until I tried to open a swiss bank account and they told may they did not deal with americans because of the tyrannical american government.
I was surprised and said, "Wow.. are we the USSR now?"
The Banker replied, "No. Far worse. We worked with USSR."
It is just an act we put on in small town america to keep the city folks from moving in with all their retarded big city ideas
"Corruption is endemic in government."
Government IS institutionalized corruption. The only way to limit corruption in government is to limit the size of government. The less it can do, the less it can steal.
"I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America. "
You should.
The vast majority of us are here in these small towns because we hate people like you.
If you are able to pick up on that hostility... good.
The effect is intentional.
If you want you corrupt bank, you can keep your corrupt bank.
So what did Bernie Madoff do wrong?
Oh, he scammed the big people, not the little people.
Nearly all programs and benefits for the poor are maintained on behalf of large corporations because it defers costs for them and allows poor people to have more disposable cash which allows them to buy more stuff.
Nearly?
Administering welfare (for "poorish" people or rich alike) provides employment for tens of millions of people.
Providing government-paid services provides probably 50% or more of the decent-paying jobs in America, from physicians, nurses, etc. (Medicare/Medicaid) to Education (universities, et.al.) and even grocery stores & (as you noted) WalMart (LINK, WIC, etc.) Don't forget private prisons, NGO/social service agencies that resettle the world's scum in your backyard, Green Energy boondoggles and the vast majority of Medical and Scientific research.
You want to know why the train will stay on the tracks even if the bridge ahead is out? Think of the inertia of all those jobs.
Diffuse responsibility is one side of Cthulhu. The other is widespread benefits and dependency that goes far beyond "welfare moms."
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
Small town America is not a safe space
Dienw - what's the Cliff Notes version?
Nick - I wouldn't be terribly surprised if Trump started feeling the Bern
I smell a sitcom! Or a buddy-buddy cop movie.
ONE is a crazy-haired cranky socialist miser.
THE OTHER is a streetwise lion-maned New Yorker who loves the ladies.
FRAMED for a crime they didn't commit... TOGETHER they have 48 hours to clear their names by exposing the REAL KILLER.
Starring:
Christopher Lloyd as BERNIE
Michael Douglas as THE DONALD
Kathy Bates as HILLDOG
John Belushi as TED CRUZ
@40 Because no one would much care if you put your own cash money into your own personal account, this is to catch other people putting cash money into someone else's personal account.
That's income, and income is taxed. If someone else puts more than say $10,000 into your account, that's enough for an email to go to the IRS for their computers to make sure that you've reported some gift income.
It's also a common way that drug dealers might transfer money. So a personal account that has dozens of people putting notable money into it is a pretty clear sign of a problem. Again income.
Maybe a President Trump will yield a saner policy toward invasion. But anyone who thinks he (or anyone) will radically alter the Big Government express locomotive is an idiot.
The system will reach its predictable collapse. It is impervious to any notion of thoughtful reform. Even "small government" zealots would scream when they realized their ox was getting gored.
That's income, and income is taxed.
Or a gift. Gifts under $40k/yr are NOT taxed. The bank's policy is hypercompliance with Know Your Customer, that's all. Corporate hypercompliance with regulations is endemic today.
Seriously? Europeans are concerned about American corruption? Fucking retards really need to check their own shit at the door. Fucktards. And if that's your gig, you can join them.
Doom, I find your ideas intriguing and wish to subscribe to your newsletter...
Canada, banking, and gold reserves.
It's Official: Canada Has Sold All Of Its Gold Reserves - http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-03-03/its-official-moment-canada-has-no-gold-reserves-left
I wonder how much the US actually has.
> ...but because Americans are so blind to the fact that their government is the largest criminal enterprise on the planet.
Give your readership some credit, Vox. We knew this. Most Americans may not, but we did. We also know the only reason we're the largest is that the other governments aren't as big.
> The only thing Trump will nationalize is health care.
That would be an improvement over what we have. What we have is the worst of both worlds. I'd rather go back to a market based system, but the government interference in health care has warped the market so badly I'm not sure that's possible.
Seriously? Europeans are concerned about American corruption? Fucking retards really need to check their own shit at the door. Fucktards. And if that's your gig, you can join them.
You are the reason terrorists hate us.
I smell a sitcom! Or a buddy-buddy cop movie.
The Odd Couple meets Reno 911.
The GOP Gravy Train is not fine.
@40
Credit Unions are a better bet - though the big banks know it and have their ConGressional reps working to pass through legislation to bring them to heel or start charging for things they wouldn't on their own. I haven't had a bank account (except for a brief time after getting married) for over 20 years - dealt with a Credit Union instead.
"I wonder how much the US actually has."
not nearly as much as people think. There was a story in a local KY newspaper a few years ago about the local high school football team being brought in to move the gold from one vault to another... and they were able to do in just a few hours.
Democracy is not equivalent to self-determination. Notwithstanding media and public school narratives to the contrary. While democracy provides accountability in theory, in practice it provides little or none except on a local level small enough that the people are acquainted with elected officials (and not always then). In short, democracy operates upon the premise that you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to get away with most things.
Vox,
Do European countries have civil asset forfeiture laws?
"Let's hope he stays healthy and has two good terms, and changes our direction."
According to Trump confidant Roger Stone. Trump is only in this for one term and then it's back to the lifestyle, kids and grandkids. So it will be very interesting to see who he chooses as VP.
4. dc.sunsets March 03, 2016 8:21 AM
Schools are theological seminaries inculcating an entire mythological construct whose purpose is to render a matrix of continuously ripening marks to con.
indeed.
even someone such as myself, who has viewed pub schooling as primarily political indoctrination since my middle school years, even i get shocked by some of the misrepresentations that i find as i actually go through historical documents vs how i was taught to think of them.
38. L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright March 03, 2016 9:23 AM
A friend whom worked in Washington had similar things to say about the collision between big gov and big business. I have wondered for some time why no candidate has made this a platform issue, since votes in both parties hate this.
collision or collusion? whatever, either works, kind of. either way, i think 'collision' is funnier.
candidates have made an issue of this. see Ron Paul for one. the Establishment thoroughly screwed him over in 2012, falsifying primary vote totals, misreporting state winners and illegally changing convention rules, subverting their own bylaws to do so.
i had already been boycotting the GOP before this ( McCain was the nail in that coffin ) but after the Paul debacle the Republicans would have to run the 2nd coming of Reagan ( whom the establishment ALSO hated ) before i would even consider voting for their presidential nominee again.
the GOP establishment, as personified in Boehner, Ryan and McCucknell, have definitively demonstrated that they are, at best, captive operatives of the Democratic leadership.
40. BunE22 March 03, 2016 9:28 AM
Any idea what this is about and has anyone else here had this happen at their bank?
doesn't matter what bank she goes too, this is Federal regulation.
likely in preparation for moving to eliminate cash. the better to fight "drug trafficking", don't you know. i've been hearing more about this stupidity recently. a rock DJ quoted a story from some college professor last month who was advocating the elimination of $100 bills because they are "only used in drug transactions".
uh, complete bullshit. i buy diesel in +100gal lots. most places, i get a discount if i purchase with cash. ergo, when diesel is over $4/gal, i can easily drop ~$500 in a single purchase.
and i'm supposed to carry that in twenties? otherwise i'm presumed to be dealing drugs?
the Credit Unions have to do this as well.
she should change to a CU though.
46. Flo March 03, 2016 9:39 AM
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
a - this has to be the new 'Dick Suck' alt
b - that someone from Cabrini Green could claim to be "terrified" by rural America ... sorry, not plausible.
47. Clint March 03, 2016 9:42 AM
I would be more terrified of visiting Chicago.
just don't get more than one block from the lake, you'll be fine.
two blocks over? honkies be cray cray to go there. i mean, sure, you can do that in the Loop district, but as a general rule you don't want to be more than a block from the water.
54. Quartermaster March 03, 2016 10:11 AM
My bank isn’t requiring it. I’d leave that bank.
are you quite certain of this? remember, we aren't talking about cashing a check, this is an all cash transaction and deposit only.
@Flo
Tens of millions of Middle Americans have lost almost everything in the last ten years. They're angry, and what's more, they fucking hate the casual arrogance of the urban UMC and UC that do no actual work but think they're superior to impoverished small-town America.
So it will be very interesting to see who he chooses as VP.
Going to be hilarious when he picks an establishment politician.
Begining in January the bank my daughter uses began requiring a driver's license with any cash deposited. The teller punches the ID number into her terminal with the deposit and said even if it's a penny she needs to see ID. I told my kid to change banks.
Any idea what this is about and has anyone else here had this happen at their bank?
Why doesn't she just make deposits with an atm?
Seriously? Europeans are concerned about American corruption? Fucking retards really need to check their own shit at the door. Fucktards. And if that's your gig, you can join them.
I don't think you understand how much the US interferes with the affairs of sovereign nations. It's not merely the nations it actually invades.
Give your readership some credit, Vox. We knew this. Most Americans may not, but we did.
What does my readership have to do with it? I was explaining an attitude common to Europeans who have no idea that either I or my readership exist. It was a real shock to me how 20 years ago, Europeans casually discussed the sort of things that still gets one labeled a paranoid conspiracy theorist in the USA.
Though not as often, I think, these days.
VD wrote:
How are they less brainwashed than the US?
... None of them believe their political system is fair and open either. It's not that the US system is any more corrupt, but the European corruption is considerably more open and honest.
I would agree that is the view in Italy but next door in Francostan they are convinced that they also have the most perfect political system in the whole world ever, too (along with the best language, best food, best wine, best mountains and best beer [yes, French people will argue that their fizzy cats piss is the best in the world - not because of the taste or anything just because of where it was brewed]).
While it is as corrupt as Italy they have none of the trans-alpine honesty and they like to make believe they are as honest as the Anglo-Saxons so I think they have a lot in common with the 'muricans in that self-deluding respect.
> ...doesn't matter what bank she goes too, this is Federal regulation.
It's never happened at our bank, but then they know us by sight. Not sure if that's the reason or not though.
Do European countries have civil asset forfeiture laws?
Totally depends. My favorite story is Switzerland. You have to declare cash and bearer bonds and pay a small tax. Some guy tried to sneak tens of millions of dollars in bearer bonds across the border, got caught, and the penalty is to double the tax on the spot.
So they took something like $20 million worth, gave him the rest back, and sent him on his way. Anyhow, I've never heard of anyone losing a car because there were drugs in it, and they certainly don't "arrest cash" like they do in the States.
But the EU is starting to get weird about the big bank notes, so we'll see if they crack down on it or crack up first.
> Why doesn't she just make deposits with an atm?
Our bank had to stop taking deposits via the ATM. :( They still have a drop box for dropping your deposit off though, and they can't ask for an ID via it.
> What does my readership have to do with it...
Good point.
"Going to be hilarious when he picks an establishment politician."
which... if I am not mistaken he has already announced is what he will do.
The war on drugs is the best excuse for the war on cash... but the war on cash is actually all about the IRS.
"Josh March 03, 2016 10:26 AM
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America."
I love getting lost on country roads. I've never felt hostility or danger from the locals.
Now, admittedly... I've never gone into DELIVERANCE type places.
Now if I had a GS1200...
which... if I am not mistaken he has already announced is what he will do.
He has
"No, most Americans don't. It was, to put it mildly, startling, to have smart, highly-educated people nodding their heads in agreement rather than telling me that I was paranoid or crazy when I explained why I didn't want to live there.
Remember, this was a decade before 2008"
This is interesting. The Republicans around this time were still beating the drums heavily for their next Reagan.
Outside of Pat Buchanan's isolationist policy and a little known Ron Paul (at the time). There wasn't much on the right side that I can remember who were discussing things like Military Keynesianism and it's affect on the manufacturing base in the country. This seemed to be brought up more at the time by people like Ralph Nader and Chalmers Johnson to the best of my recollection.
Were you ever influenced in your thinking at the time by a Nader or Johnson? Or was there somebody more on the right, outside of Eisenhower's proclamation, who was discussing these things that I may have missed back in the day?
>So it will be very interesting to see who he chooses as VP.
"Going to be hilarious when he picks an establishment politician."
The last time I checked Christy and Kasich were the favorites by the oddsmakers.
Clint wrote:Flo wrote:
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
I would be more terrified of visiting Chicago.
Funny, I'm living in exile here in Chicago metro and the only time I feel safe is when I leave it for small towns to the north or elsewhere. I guess maybe I've noticed news stories from say, any day for instance. Guess Flo needs to pull her nose out of Facebook and the Web for a bit.
Now, admittedly... I've never gone into DELIVERANCE type places.
And you won't in the 21st century. They don't exist. But, if you insist, you can find that kind of danger in inner cities. I can take you to parts of Atlanta that will make your hair curl - even if you have no hair.
Were you ever influenced in your thinking at the time by a Nader or Johnson? Or was there somebody more on the right, outside of Eisenhower's proclamation, who was discussing these things that I may have missed back in the day?
Not in the slightest.
VD wrote:But the EU is starting to get weird about the big bank notes,
They're calling for the end of the $100 banknote here too.
Romney has started his fishing expedition...live on Fox News
"He has"
Do you have a link? From what I have read the speculation is all over the place. And Vox's pick of Ben Carson appears to be picking up steam lately. As Roger Stone has recently met with Carson's people.
"I don't think you understand how much the US interferes with the affairs of sovereign nations. It's not merely the nations it actually invades."
How much do you think this interference has benefited the lifestyle of the average american, or has it helped mainly the financial/govt. complex.
"And you won't in the 21st century. They don't exist."
***chuckle***
Yes. They do.
Over 600 incidents reported of voter fraud in Texas now.
Roger Stone @RogerJStoneJr 19h19 hours ago
TEXAS-The Trump Ballot Security Project sent teams of lawyers & elec law experts to SIX counties /over 600 incidents- Rove at work?
Americans who live abroad have suffered through the implementation of FATCA. It is very disconcerting living in the sovereign state of Israel and filling out American IRS tax forms under threat of having your bank account closed if you refuse (a lot has changed since I moved here in 1993). And Americans living in Israel are the LUCKY ones. At least we are given the option to have an account. In many countries, banks are simply dropping your sorry butts entirely.
Josh wrote:So it will be very interesting to see who he chooses as VP.
Going to be hilarious when he picks an establishment politician.
Why would that be hilarious, when he's already pretty much telegraphed his intentions to pick someone with a political background? He'll pick someone that gives him a tactical advantage, no doubt. Throwing an olive branch to what's left of the Establishment after crushing their nominees is tactically a good move, so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.
I'd be more pleased, but also surprised, if he picked a rabble-rousing outsider that gave him a different kind of tactical advantage (someone like Allen West, for instance) but I certainly don't expect it.
Well the Cuck Romney is carrying water for the GOPe. They must have offered him the spot in 2020 or VP slot this time.
Dirty, lying, scheming, cucks. It's time to whig the republicans.
Wow. Romney really humiliated himself and showed the desperation of the establishment. They aren't hedging their bets so I don't know how they survive in a new Republican party if Trump is elected (or other than as a rump party of unelectable cucks even if he isn't).
Going to be hilarious when he picks an establishment politician.
I agree, especially if it was Sessions or Palin :-)
However, I think there is a coup in our short-term future. Something to defer the elections until they can get things under control.
dc.sunsetsMarch 03, 2016 10:30 AM
Maybe a President Trump will yield a saner policy toward invasion. But anyone who thinks he (or anyone) will radically alter the Big Government express locomotive is an idiot.
How exactly do you 'know'this? I mean you're probably not wrong but what if after a lifetime of seeing and dealing with the belly of the beast he's had enough and wants to clean out the Aegean stable? I admit it's unlikely but far from impossible. Then again I'm not psychic so...?
Do you have a link?
Of course.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/24/trump-likely-vp-choice-will-be-political-person/
dc.sunsetsMarch 03, 2016 10:30 AM
Maybe a President Trump will yield a saner policy toward invasion. But anyone who thinks he (or anyone) will radically alter the Big Government express locomotive is an idiot.
How exactly do you 'know'this? I mean you're probably not wrong but what if after a lifetime of seeing and dealing with the belly of the beast he's had enough and wants to clean out the Aegean stable? I admit it's unlikely but far from impossible. Then again I'm not psychic so...?
Another VD quotable quote: It's not that the US system is any more corrupt, but the European corruption is considerably more open and honest.
Anyone care to share the top 5 financial survival tips? All ears. Thanks.
104. Shimshon March 03, 2016 11:49 AM
It is very disconcerting living in the sovereign state of Israel ... (a lot has changed since I moved here in 1993). And Americans living in Israel
you want to know what's disconcerting? that you are a Jew living in Israel since 93 ... and you still presume to call yourself American.
we really, REALLY need to reinstate renunciation of all foreign citizenship in order to naturalize to the US.
86. James Dixon March 03, 2016 11:13 AM
It's never happened at our bank, but then they know us by sight.
there you go. they already "know you by sight".
might want to ask them what official policy actually requires.
i occasionally cash checks and CU teller doesn't ask for my license ... but that's because the specific teller knows who i am. not because corp policy or Federal law "allows" it.
"I agree, especially if it was Sessions or Palin :-)"
Sessions is to old.
I would like to see Trump pick either John Kasich or Jim Webb for VP.
@80
Yep. Just last week I made an all cash deposit. Had to produce no ID. Got cash from my credit union account and put it into my joint account. I brought in a cashier’s check awhile back and they wanted to see my DL to compare signatures on the endorsement for deposit. But cash? No.
@90
You nailed it.
There's already been a coup, long ago. It's called the Constitution.
Sure it was a very liberal (in the old sense - perhaps I should say "lassaiz faire"?) - coup, but a coup nonetheless.
It overthrew the articles of confederation and created the leviathan known as the federal government of the USA.
Everything done then leads directly to here and now.
@101 Well we had a reliable banana source for decades....I don't suppose that's too big a benefit since we also lost the Gros Michel.
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
This brings to mind comment from a liberal friend. After asking if I owned a gun and knowing my husband and I plan to move to country, she said, "I'd be too afraid to live in the country, because I'd think I needed to own a gun." Yup. Pretty sure most gun violence happens in the country.
>Of course.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/24/trump-likely-vp-choice-will-be-political-person/
I would hardly say this is evidence of Trump claiming to go establishment with his VP pick.
“The main quality that you want is somebody that could be a great president, if something happens to you, that’s got to be — don’t you think that’s got to be number one?” he asked rhetorically.
“So we’re going to probably choose somebody that is somewhat political,” he added.
Btw, I saw where Roger Stone wants your guy Rand back in the race.
Roger Stone @RogerJStoneJr 18h18 hours ago
Although I am 100% for TRUMPI really hope @SenRandPauI get's back in the race. Important to have a Libertarian voice.
@120 Iowahine, We have some gun violence in the sticks but don't worry we all have a shovel and the state has thousands of acres of empty forest land.
CNN is already describing the Romney speech as the last gasp of a corrupt and outdated institution, too unresponsive to voters to survive and in need of being burned down and rebuilt.
L. Jagi Lamplighter Wright: A friend whom worked in Washington had similar things to say about the collision between big gov and big business. I have wondered for some time why no candidate has made this a platform issue, since votes in both parties hate this.
Shouldn't this be - "A friend who worked . . . " rather than ". . . friend whom . . ." ? The friend (who) worked is the subject, not object of a prepositional phrase, which would require "whom." This always stumps me, so am asking in sincerity why you used "whom." Thanks.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
@121 That story just says he will pick a politician. Pretty broad definition of Establishment.
Banks are now also requiring ID to make credit card payments with cash.
What they will do is resurrect Osama bin Laden and have him fly his planes into Trump's residence before the Republican convention.
Then Obumbler will say, sorry, I thought I shot him, but it must have been one of his wives.
Name some of these 'Deliverance' places you know about. These days even Bugtussle and Hooterville have a WalMart with Cousin Pearl or Uncle Joe as a Greeter.
"Name some of these 'Deliverance' places you know about."
Look sugartits I've ridden dirt roads from middle Tennessee to Utah. I've been to every state but hawaii and alaska. I've been to towns that are only accessible by dirt roads.
America is a damn site bigger than you think it is. I can take you down to the river swamp not 30 minutes from my house... and you'll think Deliverance looks like Disney Land.
> I mean you're probably not wrong but what if after a lifetime of seeing and dealing with the belly of the beast he's had enough and wants to clean out the Aegean stable?
He'll find out that all river access is now controlled by the EPA, so he'll have to start with them.
> I've been to every state but hawaii and alaska.
You should do something about that, Nate. Hawaii is nice (been there once). I've never made it to Alaska either though. Maybe if I make it to retirement.
What are the plans for the Ilk get together down your way progressing?
" I've never made it to Alaska either though. Maybe if I make it to retirement."
Alaska ride is planned for this July. Not just alaska though. Prudhoe Bay.
"What are the plans for the Ilk get together down your way progressing?"
You'd have to talk to DrWho... she's the social coordinator. I turned over the planning to her.
> Alaska ride is planned for this July. Not just alaska though. Prudhoe Bay.
Have fun.
> You'd have to talk to DrWho
I'll try to do so. Vacation is still scarce on the new job, but there's a chance.
@117-You're wrong not about the Constitution being a coup, but about everything following from it. Whatever else it is the Constitution is at least a set of laws. The U.S. since 1937 at least is virtually lawless, which is different. In the meantime we had to fight a giant war to establish the dominance of the shell referred to as the U.S. government over the actual historical United States, which wasn't that great to begin with but certainly wasn't what we now know it as. For one thing, the states actually mattered.
But why stop in 1787? Couldn't you push the illegality back to the break with the Mother Country? The Articles required a war to become law, whereas all the Constitutional coup required were some votes. Yes, I realize the revolutionaries talked about asserting their rights as Englishmen. But how many, do you think, had dollar signs (or the equivalent in power) in their eyes over the prospect of running the show over here instead of leaving so much of the fun of bilking the people to those across the pond? Trading one tyrant a thousand miles away for some thousand one mile away, or however they put it.
"I've been to towns that are only accessible by dirt roads."
Plenty of those out here in Oregon. You haven't lived til you've driven the log truck roads in the Oregon mountain range.
"I can take you down to the river swamp not 30 minutes from my house"
I know a swamp down in Luuuziana that has quicksand. Back in the day many a narc disappeared in it. Often times in their automobile.
Look at Nate talking dirty. My family is from the swamps of the Free State of Jones and the other side is Coonass so I'd think your gators and snakes and Fouke monsters are Disneyland.
Flo wrote:I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
Flo probably thinks East St. Louis is small town America...
Sig. There's the rub. Though not totally isolated due to the glories of Satellite Technology and Sam Walton, people out in the sticks will disappear you if you come across their still or meth lab.
A firmer slave and one of the sanest people you will ever read, Frederick Douglass, put it this way:
"Power concedes nothing without a struggle."
The Constitution was an enormous step change in the concentration of power. All the struggles since were predictable, and many of them predicted, from that fact and the knowledge of the nature of power.
@3 Steve
But Mitt Romney says Donald Trump is a phony and a fraud!
Well, he hadn't said it yet. But it's been heavily trailed in the media that he will say it. Because that's how these guys roll.
---
Actually, he did say that in so many words. I heard him on the radio a little while ago. He also was Concern Trolling for muslims, Mexicans, etc.
His big speech was basically "Don't vote for Trump because 'That's Not Who We Are' tm ".
"Sig. There's the rub. Though not totally isolated due to the glories of Satellite Technology and Sam Walton, people out in the sticks will disappear you if you come across their still or meth lab."
Believe that.
To your comment above, nothing like skipping school with your buddies to take a morning swim with the gators and cottonmouths...
Plenty of those out here in Oregon. You haven't lived til you've driven the log truck roads in the Oregon mountain range.
Big whoop. Patrick McManus writes humorously about how every Oregon sportsman has dealt with the fun of traversing logging roads. It's nothing a million hunters and fishermen haven't done for a hundred years.
If you want a fun Oregon dirt road small town experience, drive really slowly through Sammyville. Stop in the middle of "town," get out of your vehicle, and have a nice long, leisurely look around. Get your cell phone out and start filming all the little ramshackle domiciles. Post the YouTube video here. I dare you.
130. Nate March 03, 2016 12:45 PM
America is a damn site bigger than you think it is. I can take you down to the river swamp not 30 minutes from my house.
people have no idea how rural Florida really is.
you can still go back in the swamps and find old time redneck crackers who are, like as not, willing to leave your head on a stump out in the glades if you mess with them too much.
"I'll try to do so. Vacation is still scarce on the new job, but there's a chance."
I can say this... we're thinking late october to early november.
I can say this... we're thinking late october to early november.
Roll Tide
Around the bowl and down the hole... Hoddy Toddy. 3 in a row.
@109 Escofier,
How exactly do you 'know'this? I mean you're probably not wrong but what if after a lifetime of seeing and dealing with the belly of the beast he's had enough and wants to clean out the Aegean stable? I admit it's unlikely but far from impossible. Then again I'm not psychic so...?How exactly do you 'know'this? I mean you're probably not wrong but what if after a lifetime of seeing and dealing with the belly of the beast he's had enough and wants to clean out the Aegean stable? I admit it's unlikely but far from impossible. Then again I'm not psychic so...?
I'm doing the dangerous act of reasoning out from fact (I'll aver this is risky, since reality can ignore axiom for quite some time, e.g., the USSR's experience).
It's an ignorant lie to think only inner-city parasites and other assorted Leftists vote for Big Government.
Government spending has warped supply & demand in probably 90% of industries supplying 99.9% of the support-yourself jobs in the USA. It's like addiction to Rx anti-depressants; going cold turkey is existentially dangerous but who will volunteer to be first in getting their livelihood axed?
No one.
"If you want a fun Oregon dirt road small town experience, drive really slowly through Sammyville. Stop in the middle of "town," get out of your vehicle, and have a nice long, leisurely look around. Get your cell phone out and start filming all the little ramshackle domiciles. Post the YouTube video here. I dare you."
Oh yeah I'm familiar with a couple of the small towns like that out here. No thanks.
On the logging roads, I knew I should have added at nite. Those one lane-ers are fun when you're coming up the hill at 45-50, not knowing what lies around the curve unless your windows are down. Or if you stop in the middle of a railraod trestle for a beer and a smoke to enjoy the view. Better have your flashlight handy to hit that logging truck barreling down on you.
144. Stickwick March 03, 2016 1:16 PM
If you want a fun Oregon dirt road small town experience, drive really slowly through Sammyville.
hah. i went through Elgin / Enterprise on my way to Clarkston and then Missoula.
not quite Sammyville, my roads were still paved.
"you can still go back in the swamps and find old time redneck crackers who are, like as not, willing to leave your head on a stump out in the glades if you mess with them too much."
Correct.
And it ain't just florida. People honestly don't realize that most of the country (talking area here) still doesn't have electricity.
hell hit northern arkansas... people live in those mountains... they just don't come down for months at a time. the post office would laugh in your face if you asked them about service.
@40 BunE22
Begining in January the bank my daughter uses began requiring a driver's license with any cash deposited. The teller punches the ID number into her terminal with the deposit and said even if it's a penny she needs to see ID. I told my kid to change banks.
Any idea what this is about and has anyone else here had this happen at their bank?
---
At first they were saying something like any deposit over $10K - and it was supposedly to track terrorist or drug money. Going down to 1 copper lincoln must have a reason.
``Alaska ride is planned for this July. Not just alaska though. Prudhoe Bay.''
Wave as you ride by, Nate.
152. Nate March 03, 2016 1:28 PM
People honestly don't realize that most of the country (talking area here) still doesn't have electricity.
the most rural county east of the Mississippi is Highland ... Virginia. i've been past houses on US 250 over near the WV line that have no utilities whatsoever.
there's very little out there.
@46 Flo
I'm from Chicago. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America.
---
Kiss my grits.
@79 sigbouncer
So it will be very interesting to see who he chooses as VP.
---
John Rocker to unite America
People here get distracted easily.
" i've been past houses on US 250 over near the WV line that have no utilities whatsoever."
Yep. I was looking at a map of WV at a rest stop once... and I saw this little town... one road into town. An old train line used to run through there apparently. Quite a while later I was able to ride through there on the KLX250.
I saw more people than teeth. Looked like something out of particularly disturbing X-files episode... or something Lovecraft would've written.
On the logging roads, I knew I should have added at nite. Those one lane-ers are fun when you're coming up the hill at 45-50, not knowing what lies around the curve unless your windows are down. Or if you stop in the middle of a railraod trestle for a beer and a smoke to enjoy the view. Better have your flashlight handy to hit that logging truck barreling down on you.
I'm sorry, there's just not enough wild-n-crazy in this story for me to care. Next time you tell it, embellish it a bit more with a herd of enraged bears and maybe the smokeys hot on your tail because you'd just deflowered the daughter of the local sheriff.
hah. i went through Elgin / Enterprise on my way to Clarkston and then Missoula.
bob, buddy, Elgin and Enterprise are just your average small towns in the middle of nowhere. Too bad you didn't make it to Joseph and Wallowa Lake -- they don't call it Little Switzerland for nothing.
Deliverance type places?
I've seen a few in the hills of western NC. Shit, there are some in the hills in the Berkshires, they just have a different accent.Some of them families have been out there since laying low after Shay's Rebellion.
@96 FALPhil
I can take you to parts of Atlanta that will make your hair curl - even if you have no hair.
---
Damn straight
@102 Nate:
True story: My second wife and I headed down into NC for a family reunion. As we entered the long and winding driveway, we could see smoke in the distance from in front of a barn. A group of men wearing dirty T-shirts and "wife beaters" were tending a BBQ smoker. There were a couple of guys sitting there playing guitar and banjo. She leaned over and whispered, "Oh my God! We're in Deliverance!" She was scared spitless. I laughed my butt off about it with my family and friends when we got out of the car to meet them.
@110 Josh
Do you have a link?
Of course.
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/24/trump-likely-vp-choice-will-be-political-person/
---
He's just begging to be wacked if he picks an establishment goon as vp
"I'm sorry, there's just not enough wild-n-crazy in this story for me to care. Next time you tell it, embellish it a bit more with a herd of enraged bears and maybe the smokeys hot on your tail because you'd just deflowered the daughter of the local sheriff."
Just your average trip up to the top of the Siletz, nothing fancy. One mistake on those old logging roads and you can kiss the baby.
Stickwick wrote:I'm sorry, there's just not enough wild-n-crazy in this story for me to care. Next time you tell it, embellish it a bit more with a herd of enraged bears and maybe the smokeys hot on your tail because you'd just deflowered the daughter of the local sheriff.
He can do it while
sigbouncer wrote:take a morning swim with the gators and cottonmouths...
I pretty much felt the same with your Sammyville story. Over 20 years in state now. Nothing much out here surprises anymore.
@144 Stickwick
If you want a fun Oregon dirt road small town experience, drive really slowly through Sammyville. Stop in the middle of "town," get out of your vehicle, and have a nice long, leisurely look around. Get your cell phone out and start filming all the little ramshackle domiciles. Post the YouTube video here. I dare you.
---
Craziest road I think I've been on was what used to be called the "Ghost Trail" in southern Arizona. It's probably completely life threatening now due to coyotes and smugglers, but the environment was pretty grueling on a vehicle as well.
Sigbouncer - Long time listener, first time caller here.
I'm a fan of your epic stories, so I made you a meme.
"He can do it while"
sigbouncer wrote:
take a morning swim with the gators and cottonmouths...
I know at least 50 kids from my high school who did the same. Not really a big deal unless you've lived an extremely sheltered life.
"Sigbouncer - Long time listener, first time caller here.
I'm a fan of your epic stories, so I made you a meme."
If my stories are epic, you have very low standards.
Even worse the law that forces other nations to rat out American bank accounts has been signed by most countries except America, so now America will be the place for people to hide money from their governments.
Mittens attack on Trump is brought to you by the "world's greatest medical system?"
Trump said he would let insurance companies compete across state lines,.
I have wondered for some time why no candidate has made this a platform issue, since votes in both parties hate this
The big money CUCKS of both parties are against TRUMP, it would have to be someone self funding. Also I posted a link the other day about how GOOGLE alters its news to swing elections.
I'm from Chicongo. I know I'll sound like an urban elite, but I'm always terrified when I visit small-town America
Translation: I stay away from criminal ni66ers with guns but law abiding whites with guns could sneak up on me.
Snakes are a given
America is a damn site bigger than you think it is. I can take you down to the river swamp not 30 minutes from my house... and you'll think Deliverance looks like Disney Land.
You are the Queen of Melodrama, Nate. There ain't no way in hell you have spent as much time as I have in the remote parts of America from Immokalee to Vashon Island. For one, you ain't old enough. Yeah, you can find unemployed coal miners with rotten teeth in West Virginia, but you don't find Nell any more. Most everyone but those who intentionally live off of the grid have running water, electricity, TV, and phones. Here's a clue: if they couldn't afford it, they got Obama phones and welfare.
I drove from Pittsburgh to Charlottesville one night on US 250. During the fall. A really bad idea. I'm still alive though.
I drove from Pittsburgh to Charlottesville one night on US 250. During the fall. A really bad idea. I'm still alive though.
sigbouncer, this is not your personal platform for self-promotion.
Stop talking so much about yourself, or you'll be put on a per-post comment limit.
What Charlie Brown said
160. Stickwick March 03, 2016 1:51 PM
bob, buddy, Elgin and Enterprise are just your average small towns in the middle of nowhere. Too bad you didn't make it to Joseph and Wallowa Lake
i know. but when i've got a brand new trailer on behind and no 4WD, i ain't gonna go exploring dirt roads. hell, had i known about the descent into the Grande Ronde at the OR / WA line beforehand i don't think i'd have gone that way. it looks so STRAIGHT ... when you're zoomed out on google maps.
La Grande to Enterprise is a pretty picturesque ride as it is though.
US 12 from Lewiston to Lolo is even better.
96. FALPhil March 03, 2016 11:29 AM
I can take you to parts of Atlanta that will make your hair curl - even if you have no hair.
is this a 'nappy hair' joke? i can't tell.
166. Salt March 03, 2016 2:05 PM
He can do it while
here's the thing, though; in Florida, that's what jumping into fresh water ( a pond, the St. Johns river, Lake Okeechobee, etc ) IS. unless you're in a bleached water, concrete pool, you're swimming with snakes, snappers, gar, gator and God knows what all else.
i used to spend the night on the St Johns on a cabin cruiser. you'd look out over the water and see scores of eyes reflecting back at you. gator eyes.
then you think back to how you had been skiing on that same stretch of river five hours earlier ...
the gators now are a damn sight bigger than they were in 70s. i wouldn't be comfortable doing that today. back then ( due to hunting ) 6' was a "big" gator. now you can't hardly throw a chicken leg without hitting a 12 footer. and those are big enough to rip limbs off of an adult man.
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=gator+attack+arm&t=palemoon
> I drove from Pittsburgh to Charlottesville one night on US 250. During the fall.
Not exactly. 250 goes northwest into Ohio, not Pennsylvania. But you might have caught it off exit 132 of I-79 east of Fairmont, off US route 19 in Fairmont, or off US 119 south of Morgantown.
You think it's fun in fall, try it in wintertime. :)
@Flo: Are you able to refute any of his points with actual evidence or do you just assume they're wrong because you don't like them?
(((Waves hands))) equalism
How much do you think this interference has benefited the lifestyle of the average american, or has it helped mainly the financial/govt
Helps globalists at everyone else's expense, see the Rivkin Document Snowden released.
what's disconcerting? that you are a Jew living in Israel since 93 ... and you still presume to call yourself American
Hey at least he is against jews jewing the local government.
Iowashine she said, "I'd be too afraid to live in the country, because I'd think I needed to own a gun."
Tell her even the gays have guns in areas that lack die verse city.
I can take you down to the river swamp not 30 minutes from my house... and you'll think Deliverance looks like Disney Land
What happened to the good blacks existing near NATE?
It's like addiction to Rx anti-depressants; going cold turkey is existentially dangerous but who will volunteer to be first in getting
Part of the money that places use to pay for healthcare travelers comes from govt, but getting taxfree money as part of my earnings was a wake up call to how much gets leeched.
I can take you to parts of Atlanta that will make your hair curl - even if you have no hair.
How are those Urine Detectors on MARTA working out?
Robert Coble True story: My second wife and I headed down into NC for a family reunion.
How many wives do you have & are they all related?
Maybe Trump's got terminal cancer and wants to die in a big shootout with TPTB.
Yes, the exit for Whitehouse I think. It goes through Moundsville, Cadiz, etc. I wasn't trying to give GPS directions.
"here's the thing, though; in Florida, that's what jumping into fresh water ( a pond, the St. Johns river, Lake Okeechobee, etc ) IS. unless you're in a bleached water, concrete pool, you're swimming with snakes, snappers, gar, gator and God knows what all else."
Exactly the same with the Louisiana Bayous. If you went swimming in them, which kids growing up did, you were gonna see them. It wasn't a big thing.
> Yes, the exit for Whitehouse I think. It goes through Moundsville, Cadiz, etc. I wasn't trying to give GPS directions.
Whitehall. Yeah, that's exit 132. Then you can follow 250 all the way down. It's not too bad till you get past Grafton. US route 50 is almost as bad. US route 33 is, if anything, worse.
Pretty sure most gun violence happens in the country.
It's not gun violence, it's just gun fire. In the country, people can set up a shooting range in the yard and just blast away. Nobody calls the police. Also there are varmints crawling all over the place, and they need killing. I shot two coyotes on the front lawn last year, firing the gun out the window while I stood next to the piano in the living room. I keep screens off some windows around the house just for that purpose. So if you go rural, do you need a gun? Yes, you do.
@40 Any idea what this is about and has anyone else here had this happen at their bank?
My credit union no longer has a branch in my town, but all the various credit unions in the area have shared branching, so I go to a different credit union's branch to deposit checks and such.
I tell them which CU my account is with and the account number, and they ask for my ID.
I'm presuming that it's to make sure that the name on my ID matches the name on the account so that I don't (or, more to the pint, they don't) accidentally deposit my check into some random account from which it would be impossible to recover.
Maybe I should ask next time I go in?
James Dixon wrote:You think it's fun in fall, try it in wintertime. :)
Grew up in Pittsburgh area. Rt.19 was a given to be on. Not so bad, even going as far as Morgantown. Nothing compared to the Ohio River Blvd any time of the year.
FALPhil wrote:Now, admittedly... I've never gone into DELIVERANCE type places.
And you won't in the 21st century. They don't exist. But, if you insist, you can find that kind of danger in inner cities. I can take you to parts of Atlanta that will make your hair curl - even if you have no hair.
You have obviously never visited Western PA. Specifically the counties southeast of Pittsburgh. The stories of Fayettenam are not exaggerations.
"What happened to the good blacks existing near NATE?"
child... as Richard Pryor said... down here... its the white people that scare you.
"Specifically the counties southeast of Pittsburgh"
Seconded. I made the mistake of taking some back roads to pittsburg once from WV... bad. idea.
"You are the Queen of Melodrama, Nate. There ain't no way in hell you have spent as much time as I have in the remote parts of America from Immokalee to Vashon Island."
No shit. That's why I said "been to" rather than lived. I've visited these places. I don't live in them. They are fun to go see though.
@182 Discard
Maybe Trump's got terminal cancer and wants to die in a big shootout with TPTB.
---
That would be an awesome video game
You start as Trump, with a terminal condition, and 1 year to live.
How much of the establishment can you take down in the time you have left?
i know. but when i've got a brand new trailer on behind and no 4WD, i ain't gonna go exploring dirt roads. hell, had i known about the descent into the Grande Ronde at the OR / WA line beforehand i don't think i'd have gone that way. it looks so STRAIGHT ... when you're zoomed out on google maps.
Where did you cross? Did you get to experience the fun of Cabbage Hill and Deadman's Pass?
La Grande to Enterprise is a pretty picturesque ride as it is though.
It is, very much so. I attended the university in La Grande for four years, and absolutely love that whole region.
Batty Stickwick if you want an epic Oregon story I will give you one. Time period was 10-15 years ago. I won't say anything about how I know of this. As that could be interpreted as talking about myself.
So there's this little shithole town called Crabtree. It used to have one bar in the town. The bar was taken over by a small biker gang. I'll leave their name out of it. They pretty much did whatever they wanted to in the bar. It was evidently getting way out of hand to the point that none of the old (regulars) locals would even go there.
A woman in town had a friend of hers whose husband was an retired Texas Ranger. She talked to the woman and her husband about the situation. He told her that he would take care of it.
So the old buck drives down to the bar heavily armed. Walks into the bar and sets down his shotgun and another weapon on the table. He calls out to all the bikers in the bar "Now boys we can do this the hard way, or the easy way". The bikers left and never came back.
Now there's some real life Chuck Norris shit for you. The fearless old buck died about 5-6 years ago, God rest his soul.
The bikers left and never came back.
Oregon bikers are pussies.
"Oregon bikers are pussies."
Which ones?
I rate that a 4/10 on the Tiny Tim scale.
"I rate that a 4/10 on the Tiny Tim scale."
Well Tiny Tim and his family were all elite Rambo's. Possibly even cannibals on Idi Amin's level.
194. Stickwick March 03, 2016 5:56 PM
Where did you cross?
from Enterprise up OR-3 to WA-129. those switchbacks into the Grand Ronde could give the Dragon's Tail a run for it's money.
too much scree on the road for sporting, though.
there aren't any other paved roads in that area, are there?
194. Stickwick March 03, 2016 5:56 PM
Did you get to experience the fun of Cabbage Hill and Deadman's Pass?
i would have if i had taken the 'official' routing over to Kennewick and up to Spokane. by rolling Enterprise to US-12 i cut off ~80 miles.
195. sigbouncer March 03, 2016 6:08 PM
Batty Stickwick if you want an epic Oregon story I will give you one.
gotta be Tiny.
won't be long now and i'll have to be explaining to him how to not get gypped by Walmart.
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