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The future of the U.S. dollar, global warming, gold, energy

ker
March 17, 2012

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This week was particularly fun for me.  I enjoyed all the interviews and truly learned from each one.

In this show Al discusses:

  • Segment 1 – Thanks to a listener’s question Axel Merk opines on the future of the U.S. dollar.
  • Segment 2 – We introduce new sponsor Northern Gold and Big Al formally announces he will be purchasing shares next Wednesday in this company.
  • Segment 3 – Brent Cook discusses global warming. You might not like all of what he has to say, but it might just make sense.
  • Segment 4 – Simon Mikhailovich gives some very compelling reasons to own and hold gold long term.
  • Segment 5 – Big Al and Mickey Fulp discuss energy.
  • Segment 6 – After a visit with Bahman Yamini, the President of Canasil Resources, Trader Rog discusses the company.
  • Segment 7 – Ellen Brown says some things that, this time, I think most of you will agree with!
  • Segment 8 – Marshal Berol of the Encompass Fund and Trader Rog wrap up the show with Big Al.

Click here to learn more about Global Warming.



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Discussion
232 Comments
    Mar 17, 2012 17:41 AM

    What does “global warming’ and nationalized healthcare have in common.
    This is deep thought kinds stuff….but do not dismiss the connection.
    The government’s authority to require health care coverage and/or to tax your carbon footprint are both taxes on life. If you breath you must pay this premium. Pay for this coverage….. we will tell you what your care is later. As far as “global warming” your inhalation is free except your exhale is CO2 and therefore a taxable event. In both instances it places the yoke of taxation on an individual simply because he/she can fog a mirror. A wise man once said “collectivism is slavery”. “Global warming” (now retreating in the face of reality to a more humble climate change) and nationalized health care are a Madison Avenue-esque way of enslaving us while making most of us slaves make the mistake thinking we are still free.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:11 AM

      A WISE MAN ONCE SAID……
      THE “GOLD” IN FT. KNOX IS LIKE OBAMA’S BIRTH.CERTIFICATE….IT AIN’T THERE….

        Mar 17, 2012 17:26 AM

        Morning In the Box,

        That is certainly possible.

        Big Al

        Mar 17, 2012 17:36 PM

        Jerry, That is hilarious!!!
        Thank you!

      Mar 17, 2012 17:20 AM

      Good morning Dennis,
      I totally agree. You can find arguments on both sides as to the validity of Global warming. I for one think it is a hoax for exactly the reasons you stated. In a nutshell-contol and taxing of the masses.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:27 AM

        As I said to Dennis, Karen I agree with both of you. Again, Brent was simply saying that his study concludes that it exists. I didn’t hear him say that the govt should be involved.

        Big Al

          Mar 17, 2012 17:15 PM

          Hi Al, This is a subject that gets me stirred a little. As far as I know, there is no scientific study that definitively shows, indicates, or suggests that there is ‘global’ warming that is caused by mankind(AGW). (Climate change, yes, which is happening every second of every day, all over the world, but no surprise here.) Nor has it been proven that there is a causative link regarding increased CO2 emissions and global warming. (BTW, CO2 is plant food. It’s what grass, trees, bushes, flowers, and all plant life use for fuel and food. And as they consume CO2, they very graciously give back off into the atmosphere, that very essential ingredient that we all need to live, which is oxygen. Amazing, what our Creator had designed for our symbiosis!!!!) Back to my rant: In fact scientific studies, using the classic scientific method, are glaringly lacking with respect to AGW. The fact that there is ‘consensus’, among only a few hundred scientists, that man is the cause of GW, should be a major warning flag. Science is supposed to develop hypotheses and theories strickly from the data, and applying that data within very specific and exact guidlines, and NOT from subjective scientific bonding, ie ‘consensus’. This consensus among some(a minority) of scientists, should really suggest that their objectives are highly suspect. BTW, there are many more scientist(over 2000) that firmly reject the ‘notion’ of AGW, specifically because there are no studies proving any correlation between CO2 and AGW. AGW is a tool of the globalist’s, designed to gradually take down the American economy. Their strategy is to break down our industrial, technological and scientific dominance in the world and to bleed off our wealth; corporate, and individual, so that we can more easily be controlled and brought into the NWO on the level of a 2nd or 3rd world country.
          Nationalized health care is designed to gain greater and greater control over our lives and over our wallets, again to bleed off our individual wealth, to take our standard of living and life style down to a manageable level for induction into the NWO. It all fits together and is part of the plan to break America’s National Sovereignty, so we can all become part of the ”global community of nations”, now ain’t that nice, boys and girls? I’ll stop for now, and no, I’m not nuts, crazy maybe, but not nuts, and no I don’t see black helicopters flying over my house, and con-trails are just that, condensation from supercooled jet exhaust. Best

            Mar 18, 2012 18:43 AM

            Morning Mr. C,

            I must admit that I am the least scientifically inclined person within this forum. I am a political hack and a business guy.

            Your argument makes sense to me.

            You all should be aware by now that I am a small government guy. I can see absolutely no need for government intrusion to any extent in our lives.

            I believe in taking care of oneself, one’s family and one’s friends. No more and no less.

            The little blond lady and I have done that for the entire almost 38 years that we have been together.

            Big government does scare me because I can see absolutely no need for it.

            I continue to appreciate all of your well thought out comments.

            Big Al

            Mar 18, 2012 18:20 PM

            Hi Big Al,
            I have no doubt about your small government stance, and I’m absolutely assured that you believe in making your own way and your own money from your own hard work. My position on the AGW issue comes out of quite a few years of my own personal study(i’m just a layman) on the issue. From the beginning of this issue coming to the fore, I’ve leaned strongly in the direction of ‘let me see the facts, just the facts’. Everything I have read, listened to, and seen, convinces me that the AGW believers are pushing a political agenda with powerfully destructive economic consequences. With the recent revelations, regarding the AGW ‘science’, horribly flawed BTW, that came out of the IPCC, the mask was off these marxists, and their real objectives were brought into the light. The science is clearly on the side of the AGW deniers, and NOT the IPCC folks. But, I know you rub shoulders with and are friends with many people from all sides of these issues, and I’m sure you walk that line very graciously and non-offensively, which is admirable. My comments were not intended in any way to be directed at you personally. i was just venting my frustration with what often appears to be a disengenuous posture with the AGW crowd. Thanks for letting me vent.
            As always, you and your program are very much appreciated!
            Best,,, and I like the studio dog getting in on the conversation. He sounds rather impassioned. I like that. ha ha.

          Mar 19, 2012 19:09 PM

          I agree Al. I think Brent was simply saying there is evidence that there is an increase in the type of CO2 (there is more than one type) created by the burning of greenhouse gases. The type used by plants is part of a divine plan, unfortunately that is not the type our fossil fuel consumption is creating.

          Also, while I am a limited government fan, and think the government should quit meddling in most areas of our life; there still needs to be some role of regulation (without it choking industry). Also, think about how regulations in auto emmissions benefit industries like Platinum, Palladium, Rhodium, and if people go the electric car route – then Lithium & Graphite will benefit due to battery technology. Also electricity without fossil fuels means more of a focus for Uranium, which both Brent Cook and Micky Fulp mentioned.

          I personally think we’d have a whole lot less drama and war if we were less oil dependent and more focused on Uranium for nuclear and Lithium & Graphite for batteries. The middle east doesn’t have a stranglehold on those commidities. All the focus on emmissions still helps the commidity space – just not oil.

          Also, I get sick of people giving Al Gore so much credit on creating the Global warming discussion. It has been around for centuries, and I had heard the discussion decades before he made his movie (and by people much wiser).

          See this quick blurb on how the greenhouse gas discussion has been going on a long time and isn’t just a modern day project to tax the air.

          http://www.aip.org/history/climate/co2.htm

          The Carbon Dioxide Greenhouse Effect

          “In the 19th century, scientists realized that gases in the atmosphere cause a “greenhouse effect” which affects the planet’s temperature. These scientists were interested chiefly in the possibility that a lower level of carbon dioxide gas might explain the ice ages of the distant past. At the turn of the century, Svante Arrhenius calculated that emissions from human industry might someday bring a global warming. Other scientists dismissed his idea as faulty. In 1938, G.S. Callendar argued that the level of carbon dioxide was climbing and raising global temperature, but most scientists found his arguments implausible. It was almost by chance that a few researchers in the 1950s discovered that global warming truly was possible. In the early 1960s, C.D. Keeling measured the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere: it was rising fast. Researchers began to take an interest, struggling to understand how the level of carbon dioxide had changed in the past, and how the level was influenced by chemical and biological forces. They found that the gas plays a crucial role in climate change, so that the rising level could gravely affect our future.”

          The website goes on from there to unpack the history of research behind the changes in greenhouse gas composition and it was all long before Al Gore or the current administration or scientists working on the theory today.

          It is at least worth considering that with the advent of the industrial age there has been an inpact on the gases we release into the atmosphere. To think it has no impact is to ignore the issue and ignoring is where ignorance stems from.

          I agree people get a bit crazy on the greenie side but a rational person will at least review the information and then come to some conclusion. Why are the glaciers receeding past any known records in geology. Even asian mountains that have always had snow caps are now snowless. There is definitely a change in climate and weathering patterns. How much of that is due to humans is still a matter of debate. I am not a fan of either its the gospel truth or its a hoax. It is likely somewhere between the two. Lastly, I see that with every issue in the commodity space, a new commidity will rise to take its place. I invest in Oil & Gas Stocks and think we should exploit our own US & Canadian resources rather than rely on the middle east. However, I am more bullish longterm on Uranium, Lithium, Graphite, Rare Earth elements in the 5-10 range for commidities. That is just my humble opinion.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:27 PM

        GLOBAL WARMING DOES EXIST………….THE CAUSE…………..ALL THE HOT AIR COMING FROM THE POLITICIANS.

          Mar 18, 2012 18:50 AM

          Mr. Irish,

          I notice that your comment came in at 5:27 p.m. my time on St Patrick’s Day.

          We had a really great day!

          Trader Rog was the designated driver. (Thank God!)

          We started the day by going to a parade that Carter (one of the “guys”) was in playing the pipes.

          From there, to lunch (only one beer!).

          After lunch we went to a beer store that Trader Rog wanted to check out.

          After that a wine shop where I had a really great glass of red and the little blond lady had what she said was a great pinot gris.

          Headed back to our place and drank a glass of wine watching the deer in our yard.

          Got hungry so the little blond lady, I and Trader Rog went up to the clubhouse where I had a diet plate of calamari a final couple of glasses of and we just enjoyed the companionship.

          Yep, St. Patrick was truly a saint!

          Big Al

            Mar 18, 2012 18:23 AM

            AL Great to hear you all had a great day………& Thank you.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:12 PM

            Hi Big Al,
            Sounds like a really nice and relaxing day. Glad you can enjoy yourself from time to time, between taping shows.
            Best to you.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:25 AM

      Morning Dennis M,

      I do agree with you completely.

      I think that what Brent is saying is that global warming is real. He is not saying that the govt needs to be involved.

      At least that is my understanding.

      Big Al

        Mar 17, 2012 17:35 AM

        Karen is on the ball! The driving objective behind climate change fear mongering is control and taxation. Brent Cook is wrong and has swallowed a bunch of junk science.
        The debate about global warming was decalred over before one occurred. Consensus has no place in science. Are not scientist supposed to look at empirical data. Climate change is one of the biggest frauds of our day.
        Collectivist like trains and mass transportation so much because they can decided
        where the track is laid, where the stops and depots are placed. It becomes the planners planning right done to a hefty license for the newspaper stand and coffee vendor. The freedom afforded to by an automobile steering wheel dilutes the control freaks ability to corral you.
        If the myth of carbon causing the sea level to rise is true why did Al Gore buy a multi-million dollar beach front home?
        What was Al Gore doing simultaneous to the release of “An Inconvenient Truth” which was in fact was in an laced Orwellian lies? Al Gore was also working hard to establish a carbon emission exchange in Chicago.
        https://www.theice.com/ccx.jhtml
        http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2007/3413carbon_swindle.html
        There is a lot of money in endangered Polar Bears.
        One sales technique I learned at a Fortune 500 company was you have to make the patient sick before you can make them better.
        Cap and trade, carbon emission regimes and exchanges are simply taxation schemes created to solve a non-existent problem.
        If we commoditize carbon emissions….if we begin to monitor cow flatulence……the cost to fire a cinder block…..all will become taxes, costs and impediments that will increase prices and destroy more American jobs. Then we will ship our
        cinder blocks from afar making the cinder blocks footprint all the more.
        But what if the commoditization of carbon emission becomes so pervasive that it provides the commodity backing for the dollar.
        It would be like “Soylent Green” the currency being backed by a license to all the things we need to live including the ability to exhale .

        Mar 17, 2012 17:40 AM

        Brent Cook might believe wet sidewalks cause rain.

      Ken
      Mar 17, 2012 17:29 AM

      Dennis, you absolutely correct.

      You can see truth and are not swallowing the propaganda whole like the majority of Americans. You are one of the few who is not a scared sheep who will be panicked into doing exactly what the powers that be want.

      It’s tragic that the majority can’t see this. The results will be catastrophic.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:43 AM

        Yep Ken,

        The majority certainly don’t agree with much of what we discuss. Oh well, thank God for free speech!

        Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:08 AM

    Best presentation on “climate change”
    Presented by Professor Bob Carter an Australian climatologist 9/11/2007.
    Excellent data…his accent makes him sound ever samrter than he is and he entertains as he teaches….an awesome informatve lecture.
    Well worth the time investment.

    An Analysis of the facts of climate change in a balanced context

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOLkze-9GcI

    P1 of 4 follow you tube links for p 3 – p4

      Mar 17, 2012 17:28 AM

      Thanks Dennis M.

      Big Al

      Mar 17, 2012 17:20 PM

      Hi Dennis,
      I’m going to watch the videos now. Thanks for the link.
      Best

      Mar 17, 2012 17:03 PM

      Hello Dennis M.
      Just got back from watching your link. I had never heard of Prof. Bob Carter, but found his presentation to be the best I have seen on AGW. Thanks very much. It was a delightful experience, and much to my surprise and happiness, it fully corroborates what I said above. Whew. I was actually a little nervous when i went to watch it, wondering if he was going to make me look like a fool. Thankfully not. Best to you.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:19 PM

        Castanheiro,
        Al said he wanted sources.
        Here is another link well worth the time investment.
        You may notice I have a bias toward British accents and information delivered with
        a sense of humor. it is possible to be entertained while you learn.
        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0aFPXr4n4&feature=related

        Mar 18, 2012 18:22 PM

        You wrote “I was actually a little nervous when i went to watch it, wondering if he was going to make me look like a fool.”

        I reply:
        This emotion is a good thing. You were prepared to defend your views while at the same time you were open to having them challenged.

        Your open mindedness and the ability to entertain competing views is awesome and what is great about Al show. When examining political correctness you find double speak everywhere. What hold itself out as tolerant of competing views is anything but.
        Get that Nativity display off the Courthouse lawn or the world is going to end attitude
        is the problem with our world. But they must live in it because simply put truth destroys the lie…..light destroys the dark and each of the later have no defense but to ban the former.
        I commend you for an open mind, because an open mind is the most fertile ground for learning. Let the closed minds settle for indoctrination. In the end you will find truth and light and they will be lucky to have a flashlight.

          Mar 18, 2012 18:27 PM

          Thank you Dennis,
          Beautifully put, and I do appreciate your generous comments. With respect to light and truth, I like what the wisest man who ever lived wrote in the Proverbs, “THY Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.
          Best to you.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:35 PM

            Without intent to turn a economic resource board into something else…it is widely known that many if not most Central and Southern American mines have shrines at their ingress/egress to which the miners present offerings for protections and prosperity. Unfortunately many local miners pray to one ‘God’ while mining and another while above ground on Sunday. In short their shrines are dark.
            To that I say and pray the following ….whether high, medium or base low the following….may what the following means to me mean the same for you:
            “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

            Mar 19, 2012 19:12 AM

            Hi Dennis,
            To your post onJn 8:12.
            Absolutely! Completely agree!
            Best

    Mar 17, 2012 17:14 AM

    Hey, what do you know? There is also a new executive order out today for “National Defense Resources Preparedness”:

    http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-na

      Mar 17, 2012 17:42 AM

      Maybe the Waltons on Walton Mountain should start up their sawmill again.

      Happy St. Patrick’s Day Irish!!!!
      And since I am oddly referencing a sawmill:

      Today and forever…..as you slide down the banisters of life may the splinters never point the wrong way.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:46 AM

        ……..”OUCH”……..

          Mar 17, 2012 17:22 AM

          is this how you become a member of a” splinter group”

            Mar 17, 2012 17:31 PM

            JERRY now that did make me laugh………..you nutter.

            Mar 17, 2012 17:07 PM

            Now Jerry, that was indeed funny. That’s twice you got me today, and good to see Irishtony is not taking his ‘ale’- ments to seriously.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:29 AM

        Hey Dennis M,

        HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY TO ALL OF YOU GREAT PEOPLE!

        Big Al

        Mar 17, 2012 17:00 AM

        Alright. You’re a Red Green fan, aren’t you?

      Mar 17, 2012 17:28 AM

      Good morning irishtony,
      Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Will you be drinking green guinness??

        Mar 17, 2012 17:46 AM

        green, blue, red….the color does not matter to the” mad hatter”

          Mar 17, 2012 17:46 AM

          Just who are you referring to In the Box?

          Big “not mad” Al

        Mar 17, 2012 17:34 PM

        HI KAREN……….I dont care what colour it is, i will drink it .

      Mar 17, 2012 17:44 AM

      Be interesting to see the motive behind this.

      Big Al

      Mar 17, 2012 17:38 PM

      Hi Irishtony, I chicked on to your link & got page 404 page not found

        Mar 17, 2012 17:37 PM

        HELLO MR BROPHY………..EXPLAIN…BY THE WAY GREAT IRISH NAME.

          Mar 17, 2012 17:22 PM

          Hi Irishtony, it just goes to the White House then say page not found – article is unavailable. My father`s step-father was a retired sergeant of detectives of the Chicago Police Department, that where my last name comes from.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:52 AM

        HI MR BROPHY…………Go back & type in search box………..EXECUTIVE ORDER..NATIONAL DEFENCE RESOURCES PREPAREDNESS

          Mar 18, 2012 18:54 AM

          HI Mr. Irish,

          Yes, we were talking about the executive order at our “dinner” last night.

          I was very proud to say that I already knew about it courtesy of my friend, Mr. Irish!

          Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:58 AM

    Good Morning People,
    Martin Armstong in this latest interview made the following statements:
    All investigations never found anyone with huge short positions that forced gold down
    it takes tremendous amount of courage to short this gold market
    gold will not go down dramatically, better to have a base this year will take off 2015 high 2017
    debt premature, there is lots of cash available now leaving bonds towards stocks
    debt crisis comes when government sells bonds and there are no buyers like happened in Europe
    this event has not happened to USA yet crisis will happen in 2017 But are people not buying USA bonds now.
    Martin Armstrong: The Debt Crisis Will Rotate from Europe to Japan to the… Concerning the lowering of PM did i miss something was there 780,000 jobs created. Is this lie the reason for the lower value. Concerning PEM is this not a case of buying low. The only reason the stock is low is because it is not loved and people are scared. Are you expecting to buy a stock low when it is love. Come on guys this is an opportunity how much lower can it go. If it goes lower buy again. They will work this out

      Mar 17, 2012 17:35 AM

      Joseph, I think dilution may also be a factor here.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:48 AM

      Hi Joseph,

      I have a gut level feeling that you are correct.

      Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:00 AM

    Martin Armstrong: The Debt Crisis Will Rotate from Europe to Japan to the…

      Mar 17, 2012 17:29 AM

      While Martin Armstrong is definitely a knowledgeable man and knows his economics, no one can make future predictions as to exactly “when” something will happen. I have been reading all sorts of professional newsletter writers and visiting their sites for several years now and I can tell you this: They are wrong more often than right when it comes to price projections, market activity, and time frames as to “when” IT will all come to fruition. A great example of this is back in 2006, I subscribed to three PM newsletters who ALL SAID; “the mania phase is JUST AROUND THE CORNER and that the new year, 2007, will be the year for gold bug vindication!” Well, as charts and PM stocks have proven, that never happened. Sadly, I kept two of those newsletters up until mid-2011, and sure enough, as gold and silver began to rocket to new highs, the very same things were repeated again; “The mania phase is just beginning, so NOW IS THE TIME to be backing up the truck on these beaten down PM stocks!!” As the market is never wrong, sure enough, the PM stocks got the living snot kicked out of them and most of them STILL have not recovered, at least when it comes to junior explorers. I think this we can all agree on.

      What I have learned the hard way, is this: Read all you can, take everything you read with a grain of salt, research the “professional” opinions, check their track records, don’t just use fundamentals because fundamentals don’t always play out, learn tech analysis of some kind (don’t make it complex), research and CALL the business you are considering investing in, and finally: make YOUR OWN DECISIONS.

      I got tired of blaming all my losses on someone else when in reality, IT WAS ALWAYS MY FAULT. I failed to really research and objectively look at both sides of an opinion before I got involved in an investment. There is a certain website out there who likes to bring out the so-called “LONDON TRADER” – (you know, the “secret inside trader from the LME who seems to know everything in advance and what’s really going on”) whenever the PMs start getting really high, or at near break out points. The LAST THREE TIMES HE HAS BEEN INTERVIEWED the metals took some of the most severe beatings they have ever taken, instead of “going much higher because the ASIANS are buying WITH BOTH HANDS!!!”

      Sorry to say, but although a very interesting interview and I agree with some of what he says, anybody who starts making time projections, I take with a VERY large grain of salt.

      Have a great weekend

        Mar 17, 2012 17:53 AM

        Mark,,good points…”make YOUR OWN DECISIONS”…
        “check their track records….”

        Mar 17, 2012 17:03 AM

        Exactly, that is why DOLLAR COST averaging in is a nice way to go. You don”t really know the time frame of anything let alone this volatile asset investing class. This has served me very well…even with the mining shares. The juniors, I do follow a pro that I personally met and was very impressed with. Why? Because I am simply there to profit from the “SWEET SPOTS” of the junior mining exploration “life cycles”. Ending in production or M and A.
        Marc

          Mar 17, 2012 17:12 AM

          Exactly! Quality select companies! One can make some SERIOUS money in the resource sector, no doubt about it! But select companies, not a shotgun approach simply because they are cheap and they have to deal with the PMs. I know too many people on blogs who buy a mining junior simply because it is cheap. They all say the same thing; “Gosh! Only 0.05$ a share?! What do I have to lose? It can’t go down much further!” So they pile in with 100,000 or 500,000 shares and the company drops to 3 cents, then 1 cent, then goes bankrupt.

            Mar 17, 2012 17:53 AM

            Yep, Mr. Alan,

            I too have seen that way too often.

            Big Al

            Mar 17, 2012 17:40 PM

            I know what you’re saying, and agree totally with your point, but when I say that a stock is cheap, I’m not referring to the price by itself. I’m referring to the price relative to what I believe the value is. A 5 cent stock could easily be very expensive, just as a $40 stock could be cheap. The thing to remember is that price is what you pay for the value you get. The investor should compare the value of the assets to the company’s market cap. The speculator should compare the potential of the prospective assets to the market cap. Of course, in the mining business, we often have to do a little of both for the same company. There’s just no way to assess value based on the share price alone. As an example, let’s compare two silver miners. Aurcana is trading at .91, while Scorpio is at 1.63. Aurcana has the higher market cap but a much lower share price. Based only on the current book value of .27 per share, it is much more expensive than Scorpio, which has a per share book value of 71 cents. I don’t know either company very well, but the market may be happy to assign a premium to Aurcana because of a greater perceived potential for growth or discovery. Maybe the market is wrong. Our task, as investors, is to decide which it is. The better deal on paper is not always the better deal. Some companies command a premium and truly deserve it. Sorting out the details is never easy!

          Mar 17, 2012 17:52 AM

          Hi Marc,

          Well, the Dawgs did okay and the Aztecs not so okay. I will say that it would appear that the level of competition is a bit higher in the NCAA than the NIT.

          Oh well, it will be interesting to see if the Dawgs stay motivated.

          Best,

          Big Al

            Mar 17, 2012 17:23 AM

            Yeah, like I mentioned on the “Cope” section…..the “tecs were dominated by a beastly group of guys that shoved the ball down our throats in the paint.
            Marc
            All the best in the NIT…I think they will stay motivated. They are kids playing a game…if that doesnt motivate them – nothing will.
            Marc

            Mar 19, 2012 19:16 AM

            Hi Mattew,
            Good to hear from you again. This statement you made is the summation of what value is, and you are absolutely right, “I’m referring to the price relative to what I believe the value is”. It could not be said better or more succinctly. Thanks.
            Best

          Mar 17, 2012 17:04 PM

          ditto…on the dollar cost averaging..

        Mar 17, 2012 17:50 AM

        Morning Mark,

        That is why I personally find this forum to be so damn valuable.

        Sharing opinions among knowledgeable people is a great way to lower investment risk.

        Thanks for your great comment!

        Big Al

        Ken
        Mar 17, 2012 17:02 AM

        I have been reading all sorts of professional newsletter writers and visiting their sites for several years now and I can tell you this: They are wrong more often than right when it comes to price projections, market activity, and time frames as to “when” IT will all come to fruition.

        You are absolutely right. If they could time the market with any degree of certainty they would not need to sell us newsletters to make a living.

          Mar 17, 2012 17:52 PM

          KEN………..HEAR HEAR.

            Ken
            Mar 17, 2012 17:12 PM

            The best of St. Patrick’s days to you, Mr. Tony.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:43 PM

        HELLO MARK I agree i could not have put it better. Always remember, be your own boss. You take care.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:49 PM

        HELLO MARK I HAVE TO AGREE WITH YOU , REMEMBER……….ALWAYS BE YOUR OWN BOSS. You take care.

          Mar 17, 2012 17:41 PM

          I WILL! thanks for your words! Have a great weekend!

        Mar 17, 2012 17:13 PM

        Marc,
        Absolutely correct. If it’s my money being invested, no one has a greater interest in the outcome than me, so it’s incumbent upon me to make sure i know as much as I can about the company i’m going to invest in, and the blame for my decision is all mine. i have to take full responsibility for my actions and my decisions, you’re exactly right! Thank you

      Mar 17, 2012 17:48 AM

      Thanks for the link, Joseph.

      Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:33 AM

    I personally would love to hear Armstrong and Sinclair debate the gold issue.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:37 AM

    @Mark Alan

    I agree with you completely. To take “experts'” time projections with a VERY large grain of salt. I feel as though I have wasted the last three years on putting too much trust in newsletter writers, and certainly not enough trust in myself. I’ve paid the price. Not just for the expensive newsletters, but for the MASSIVE losses I have incurred as a result of relying on their advice. A hard lesson learned, indeed.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:16 AM

      Thank you, Michael! Sorry to know that there are others out there like me, but what I said is the truth. I would gladly challenge a lot of these “gurus” and their future calls or projections. I will ONLY listen to those “gurus” who admit they are wrong and not afraid to change their opinion or stance. I am SICK of excuses and “reasons” for explaining why they wrong. They all seem to blame it on some other “factor”, which they didn’t see coming.

      Not trying to make any recommendations but I really regard Peter Grandich’s opinion. When he is right he is humble about it; when he is wrong, he says so.

      have a great weekend.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:55 AM

        Yep, Mr. Alan,

        Pete is a good guy.

        Big Al

      Mar 17, 2012 17:55 AM

      I will repeat Michael, that is why I personally find this site SO VALUABLE!

      Keep trusting yourself assuming that you have the knowledge to invest wisely.

      Big Al

      Mar 17, 2012 17:56 PM

      HI MICHAEL……….SOME OF WHAT YOUR SOLD……..IS NOT WORTH BUYING. OLD TONY PROVERB.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:05 AM

        “OLD TONY PROVERB”……DRINK, LAUGH, BE MERRY, FOR TOMARROW YOU…D..,
        no not “die”,,,have to” DEAL” with.. AL,

          Mar 18, 2012 18:58 AM

          Could be much worse, In the Box!

          Big Al

            Mar 19, 2012 19:18 AM

            Yes indeed Big Al, Irish, and Jerry,
            It sure beats dealing with the IRS!

    Mar 17, 2012 17:39 AM

    Al: Thanks for having Alex Merk on and discuss currencies. Al, you kind of loaded him with conspiracy theories which a stupid blogger like myself posed, but that is business.

    As per the US dollar, I do agree with how Alex explained. Very few people actually want the dollar to go to zero anytime soon, even those of us who say we do. There are very few people ready for the dollar to die, not only in the US but around the world. I believe this is the main reason it continues and like Alex said “We are just better at printing”. Better way of putting it is, the people in the world depending on the dollar want the US to continue printing, because the alternative would be a world wide deflationary depression.

    Alternatives to a world currency are not easy to create, if for no other reason than people don’t like major changes. Tough for governments, business, planners, families and future dreams. But at same time the printing and debasement of a world currency even though it is desired by the world majority, has negative consequences. Take capital controls in Brazil, Argentina, Italy and even the US for example, or Jim Rickards book “Currency Wars”, these are destabilizing to geopolitical processes and to world economics in general. When an investor becomes afraid to invest in a company doing business in a country that gives hints of nationalization, South Africa, Argentina, and the list is growing, this becomes the consequence of money printing in the US.

    Alex is so absolutely correct on what people must do for themselves and family. Be responsible even if everyone else is not. Be prudent, careful and yes, be your own banker which both gold and silver enable. I have difficult time enough sleeping at night, old age probably, but one thing that helps is Gold and Silver. These things are insurance against most things outside of my control, and not assets based on other peoples liability. People talk about the foolishness of owning gold and silver, Warren Buffet for example. Warren might be smart, but his dad would not think him wise. If gold and silver did not exist in the periodic chart of natural elements, people would still find something else to embody the need for an asset that is not some other persons liability. That is the reason gold and silver have been money for thousands of years, not tradition, not for jewelry, not for greed, but because they fit the role everyone wants even Warren himself, the comfort of having something that insures value through and after times of chaos.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:57 AM

      Hi Clay,

      Didn’t try to load him with conspiracy theory questions!

      By the way, you are FAR from being a stupid blogger.

      I would not put anyone on this forum in that category.

      Best,

      Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:00 AM

    Be careful of Brent Cook.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:11 AM

      Because of PM analysis or Global Warming? Without being specific or harsh can you expound on that comment?

        Mar 17, 2012 17:45 AM

        Marc: Brent mentions the models of Atmospheric warming as being complex, but the fact is it is more complex than having some theory prove out to its prediction. Just because a predictive theory appears to come true even if it is many of them, does not mean it will continue to be true.

        Government politicians and bureaucrats are not expected to understand the science behind a predictive scientific model. But they often use or take active enforcement based on these models for considerations outside of scientific reason. For example nuclear power and weapons. Just because a scientist comes up with a theory they can prove, does not mean it will be used for beneficial purposes.

        The Earth is a very complex thing, its atmosphere interacts with space, the oceans, land, icecaps and the crust through groundwater. Likewise through complex interactions even the crust interacts with space to some degree, or the core directly with space through the magnetosphere, but when politicians take initiatives to do something then they have no understand about while depending on “experts” to guide them, this is a dangerous situation. Brent might say that equally doing nothing when the evidence is convincing is perhaps more dangerous, that is when people must be careful. A bad thing can be made worse even if the intentions were to make it better. First and above all else, do no harm.

          Mar 17, 2012 17:52 AM

          Clay,
          Thank you.

          Mar 17, 2012 17:59 AM

          Really good commentary, Clay.

          Big Al

          Mar 17, 2012 17:48 PM

          Clay, I always strive to take a micro view, as well as a macro ‘view from 30,000 feet’. You also seem to take the view from 30,000 miles. Good for you.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:16 AM

            Thanks John: You are a gentleman.

            And yet I fear 30,000 feet perspective is missing the boat totally because even when all the above is said the one thing left out is the Sun. Funny how we humans tend to explain things upon our immediate horizon and yet ignoring the one thing that actually creates 100% of the earths surface all day long, the sun. If it were not for the Sun, it would make no difference how much CO2 was injected into the Atmosphere because it would be frozen solid.

            By the way, I have been doing some thinking about the Bond issue and something about the bottoming process of rates and the spread across yield curve occupies my thoughts when I wake up at night, sometimes 3 AM. We know most of this debt is in short term parking and the Fed is trying to move these cars into long term parking when the interest rate speed is accelerating as the cars approach long term garage. This with risks of economic road hazards between garages, as private sector continues parking in the short term garage, PIMCO etc.. This interest rate differential increase between short and long, appears to be occurring at same time as bottom of cycle in interest rates. Smart money will likely continue to put upward pressure on long term rates as the fed attempts to twist. In other words steepening of the curve is the result of attempts to leverage up the economy, hence improvement of the leading economic indicators. But such steepening in curve will eventually begin to pull short term rates up under static circumstances.

            Therefore there are only two ways to stop rising rates and that will be massive QE or rapid deflation. And here we are right back to the same old problem as several years ago, only this time the Debt is approaching 16 trillion and the underlying economic conditions of the US are much worse. This cat and mouse game will not continue, because it is increasingly stoking unrest in the nation which will in time burn the house down killing both the cat and the mouse.

            If bond investors, a.k.a vigilantes, smell the beginning of an increase in medium to long term rates that is sustainable for years, they will attack the curve with a vengeance like sharks in a feeding frenzy. I think this is what Bill Gross is smelling which is why he is not investing in long bonds and more likely moving more and more into shorter term. There used to be an old saying, “Never fight the Fed”, but this time the Federal Government and States are fighting the Fed in a full out credit war.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:25 AM

            The Fight between the Fed and our Government put us the people between a rock and a hard place and we don’t know which way to wiggle. Frankly I think We the People should do what Zeus did, get rid of the Titans.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:01 AM

            You know John W,

            The view from 30K feet or 30K miles, does definitely put things into a proper perspective.

            I learned that lesson very effectively the first time I was ever in an airplane.

            In fact, that is one of the most valuable lessons that I have ever learned.

            Interesting huh!

            Big Al

            Mar 18, 2012 18:12 PM

            Clay,

            When Gross and El Erian play their bonds, people should watch. I had mentioned before Christmas the Mohammed liked gold, and he still does. Plus bonds “7 years and within”, exactly as you describe Clay.

            Read this. (Feb 7, 2012)
            http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/07/us-pimco-bonds-idUSTRE8161AE20120207

            Mar 18, 2012 18:15 PM

            John: I believe just recently Gross mentioned that his company is now only buy 3 year and less and the way he said sounded like the 3 year was limited to smaller amounts. El Erian has mentioned several times he likes gold, perhaps gold is PIMCO’s long bond instead of the 5, 7 and 10 year T bills.

            I wish I understood bonds better, but I had one wise old man explain them to me in a nut shell one day. He told me that traditionally interest rates are determined by the market on cusip’s issued in the past and not on recent issued notes and bonds. 1 year notes and Bills are different for other reasons, but 2 year and longer are traded every day in the bond market which set rates. If demand for after market bonds drops, rates rise because the rate on each cusip is set at auction. If an owner wants out of the bond for what ever reason they must sell the bond at market price. If buyers think rates might rise on the next new auction, they will demand lower price for the offered older bond, hence on payout the bond price drops in order for the buyer to purchase the bond at a higher rate than cusip.

            Because the Treasury has sold many trillions of bonds in past 4 years mostly, any of these longer term notes that come up for resell must sell at market. In recent prior months Rates at auction have been at historic lows, so how much lower can they go is the question every bond buyer asks. Not much lower at all and more likely to begin rising. When buyers of bonds see bottom, they are going to demand lower prices on any proffered older bonds forcing rate demands up on new bonds. But the spread on the curve works different on longer term bonds than on shorter end of the curve. This is what causes the steepening and hence interpretation of a recovery in the economy or perceived increase in money velocity, inflation. So if the BLS and Fed tells us that inflation is tame and not rising while the bond market with steepening yield curve tells us inflation is likely to pick up, the Fed and BLS are going to lose hands down unless the Fed does something to flatten out the curve. So this is what the boys and girls at PIMCO are seeing, which is why El Elrian like Gold and Bill is not interested in long term treasuries.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:11 AM

    Hi Al
    Great show. You are correct I did agree with Ellen Brown and actually enjoyed the segment.
    The intent of The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is for an emergency. While Obama uses it for political reasons to temporarily and artificially bring gas prices down, it still needs to be replaced. Probably at higher prices.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:17 AM

    Simon Mikhailovich, Pitched a no hitter and hit a home run every time at bat. Most valuable player today. Great guest Al,

      Mar 17, 2012 17:02 AM

      Thanks Clay,

      Simon is a really good guy in my book!

      Big Al

    ker
    Mar 17, 2012 17:45 AM

    Brent Cook’s findings from 2007 review of Global Warming.

    This link regarding contrails is interesting as it shows man can and does indeed affect the climate:
    http://facstaff.uww.edu/travisd/pdf/jetcontrailsrecentresearch.pdf

    Here is a one stop site for research:
    http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2007/05/start-here/

    And this one from the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions is quite good.
    http://www.c2es.org/global-warming-basics/faq_s/glance_faq_science.cfm

    And this link discussing the national security issues of climate change:
    http://www.c2es.org/publications/degrees-risk-defining-risk-management-framework-climate-security

    Finally worth considering is the fact that the Pentagon, all the armed services, all the major global reinsurance companies, and many, many corporate leaders who don’t happen to be in the fossil fuel business accept and are planning for the effects of climate change.

    I hope this helps some.

    Finally, one of the best books I have read on science and politicals behind it is “Merchants of Doubt” by Naomi Oreskes”

      Ken
      Mar 17, 2012 17:20 AM

      “Finally worth considering is the fact that the Pentagon, all the armed services, all the major global reinsurance companies, and many, many corporate leaders who don’t happen to be in the fossil fuel business accept and are planning for the effects of climate change. ”

      What hokum. They are planning to scare you to death so you will do exactly what they want, namely hand over more control of your life and more of your money to them. And you are swallowing it hook, line and sinker.

      You drank the cool aid and this is indeed a sad day for KER and its listeners.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:06 AM

        Oh no Ken,

        Not a sad day for anyone. We did not drink the kool-aid. We are just looking at both sides of this issue.

        That is what we do here.

        Best,

        Big Al

          Ken
          Mar 17, 2012 17:16 AM

          So where is the other side?

          Sorry, I must have missed your interview with the opposing side and links to their material.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:00 AM

            Morning Ken,

            Seems to be we have been on the opposite side for some time now. Go back in the archives.

            Looking at both sides is very important to me.

            But, you know what I will do a counter-point on the next Weekend Show.

            Best,

            Big Al

            Ken
            Mar 18, 2012 18:47 AM

            OK, I appreciate that and look forward to it.

            In my opinion if you follow the money you will find the truth.

            Off of Global Warming Al Gore and his carbon credits trading firm along with firms like Goldman Suchs will make tens of billions of dollars trading carbon credits.

            And of course governments stand to make trillions off of carbon taxes. That’s money politicians and bureaucrats will use to increase their power over us.

            The politicians and bureaucrats will mandate how much and what kind of power we will be allowed to use through this taxation, and they will determine what we will be allowed to use that power for.

            And of course the cost for our energy will sky rocket and that will lower our standard of living.

            And they will mandate that consumers and industry buy products and services from well connected companies like GE in order to comply with needless and draconian regulations.

            This is an enormous money and power grab. And it’s we little people who are going to pay dearly monetarily and with our freedom.

            We little people are going to get jammed good and hard by this. I am very sorry that Brent Cook can’t comprehend that.

            This entire Global Warming fraud is based on money and control over the masses and is not about science at all.

      Ken
      Mar 17, 2012 17:50 AM

      If you truly believe all this I invite you to move to California.

      California is implementing a cap and trade scam which Global Warming supporters pushed through and it will drive energy costs through the roof. It is the only state in the country doing this.

      But it will supposedly decrease carbon emissions which appears to be what you want. So please, dont’ just talkt the talk. Walk the walk and move your busines to California if you truly believe what Global Warming hucksters are telling must be done to save the planet.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:07 AM

        Sorry Ken,

        We thought about moving to the Desert, but California taxes are definitely not for me!

        Best,

        Big Al

          Mar 17, 2012 17:43 PM

          Hi Al, I think you are smart in not moving to California this state sucks on just about everything, but good weather. I`m thinking about moving futher north too, perhaps northern CA or out of the state entirely. I`ll find more ore and bring X numbers of tons with me where ever I go. I`ve noticed that the futher north I go the richer the material seems to be.

            Mar 17, 2012 17:51 PM

            I’m sure you know already, but Redding is a pretty nice compromise…still within a drive to the beach, or Shasta, no smog, and the people are really friendly. Almost Canadian actually.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:45 AM

            Hi John W., I was born & raised in Redding, CA; I`m thinking about Igo or Old Shasta. Property pretty cheap too. I found some pretty good hard rock mining up there too, before I had moved south.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:27 AM

            D. Brophy: State of Jefferson. A phoenix awakening.

            Ken
            Mar 18, 2012 18:50 AM

            Dennis, you ever heard of a town called Orland?

            Mar 18, 2012 18:16 PM

            D,

            After reading your comments, I can hardly say I’m surprised. I’ve love to live there. I run a small biz which isn’t congruent with living in NoCal, but I’m trying to find a way to make it work!

            BTW, Clay is in South Oregon, very beautiful. Knowing you’re from Redding, I’m sure you have a good idea of what you find as you go I-5 North. Lots of nice choices.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:59 AM

      I can summarize all the above links:

      Brent Cook believes wet sidewalks cause rain.

        Mar 17, 2012 17:07 AM

        Hi Dennis M.

        Don’t they?

        Big Al

        Mar 18, 2012 18:14 AM

        IRISH,,,said….”wet sidewalks”, are from irish mist…or leaving the pub to soon…

          Mar 18, 2012 18:02 AM

          And if you don’t leave the pub in time, you may wet the sidewalk!

          Big Al

      Ken
      Mar 17, 2012 17:19 AM

      Brent Cook’s findings from 2007 review of Global Warming.

      2007? That is rather dated. Much has happened in the last five years including Climategate.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:03 AM

        As I said earlier Ken,

        We will put together a counterpoint with updated information on the upcoming Weekend Show.

        Best,

        Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:54 AM

    Big Al and all,
    Simon M. in segment 4 pretty much laid out basically what we are all about in terms of hard asset investing. An absolute fantastic analysis and presentation. If you are new to this site, a hardy welcome. A close second, please listen, learn and study or (wash, rinse, repeat 🙂 ) AND do it again if you have to. Basically, Simon told us that we are lobsters in the boiling pot of an eroding financial system and the heat is being turned up very slowly to a pitch boil. Suddenly, we are dead (financially) Hard asset investing keeps the water a cool 68 degrees…..until the pot is firmly off the heat plate. Now, when will that be? Who knows – but, taking action NOW is all you can do to mitigate disaster.
    All the best,
    Marc

      Mar 18, 2012 18:36 PM

      I have my hot tub set at 104 F.

        Mar 19, 2012 19:41 PM

        No need, just step outside into the swimming pool or the nearest puddle. It will get there in time!

    Ken
    Mar 17, 2012 17:14 AM

    Big Al:

    With all due respect, Brent Cook has no idea what he is talking about. On this topic he is ignorant. He is way off base. There is evidence the globe is actually cooling and we could be going into a new ice age. Why do you think the people pushing this fraud are now calling it Climate Change instead of Global Warming?

    Al, just use some common sense. Today scientosts can’t even tell us with any certainty what the weather will be like a month from now. How on earth can these scientists say with any degree of certainty that not only is the planet warming, it will continue to warm indefintely and humans are causing all this? Brent Cook is wrong about the models and the accuracy of their predictions. And he is wrong that Global Warming is indisputable.

    The Global Warming fraud is all about the government gaining more control over our lives and enriching special interests like GE. I am very disappointed in you, Big Al, for swallowing this load of hokum.

    Please check out this blog http://wattsupwiththat.com Please interview Anthony Watts and give your listeners the other side of this story. After such wild statements from Brent Cook you owe it to your listeners.

    Ken

      Mar 17, 2012 17:07 PM

      KEN…GLOBAL WARMING = MORE TAX FOR THEM = MORE CONTROL OVER US………JUST MY DUMB …OWN OPINION.

        Ken
        Mar 17, 2012 17:15 PM

        You are absolutely correct, Mr. Tony.

        And this has already begun in the state of Colliefornia (as Ahnode Schwarzenegger calls it).

        The state has already had to change its seal to this:

        http://www.calwhine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/scream-seal-240.jpg

          Mar 18, 2012 18:29 PM

          Funny Ken.

            Ken
            Mar 18, 2012 18:32 PM

            That’s Jerry Brown reviewing the Colliefornia budget! 🙁

          Mar 19, 2012 19:54 AM

          KEN,,,,,,,,THAT IS AL….AFTER HE READS SOME OF THE COMMENTS…..

            Ken
            Mar 19, 2012 19:20 PM

            Oh my, I hope I don’t make Al look like that! 🙂

        Mar 19, 2012 19:37 PM

        I agree Irish Tony! However, I wouldn’t discount Brent Cook’s comments completely. He had an interesting interview on Jay Taylor’s show last week and Bob Hoye the ultimate global warming sceptic was on another segment! Hoye lectured Jay Taylor about the un-merits of climate change. It was really quite amusing.

        I wish the wonderful late great physicist Richard Feynman was alive to comment on it. I am fairly sure that he would have called it “CULT SCIENCE.” The politicians have whipped up as much hysteria as possible to achieve their ends of control and make big bucks for crony companies. Follow the money indeed.

        A few point to ponder:

        1. If we are at peak oil and near peak coal, we have probably used half the fossil fuels already and have already had half of the global warming that we can have. So what’s to worry about?
        2. These very long term historical climate measurements are a bit one-dimensional and it is difficult to square them with the very ‘noisy’ short term data that we have now with so many measurments being made everywhere at the present time. None of the people involved ever talk about the quality of the data and that in itself is very suspicious.
        3. It would seem to be very difficult to calculate an average global termperature given the huge varations in seasons and latitude and changes in orbital dynamics over the long term. So does it mean anything anyway?
        4. The hockey stick global warming graph has been discredited, hasn’t it? Ignoring the medieval wam period and other phenomena to create the results required for the political agenda of the time.
        5. It seems like a scientific minefield, too complex to be conculsive. The onus is on the global warming fans who want us to spend all this money on their pet projects to PROVE IT beyond reasonable doubt before we let them spend a penny of our money.

          Mar 20, 2012 20:18 PM

          You make great points.
          There are two general types of judges.
          One carefully examines the evidence presented, applies the law and writes a scholarly opinion. The other decides the case prematurely favors evidence supporting his position and hacks together a tortured legal opinion to arrive at a biased result.
          The same is with scientist.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:04 AM

      One last time, Ken

      I have never claimed to be a scientist.

      You folks are simply going to force me into studying this stuff.

      Big Al

        Mar 18, 2012 18:48 PM

        Good!
        Al there is a connection between precious metals, welfare state programs and alarmist environmental fear mongering. For the last few weeks your blog has laid out just about them all. It is a battle between Statism and Liberty.
        Precious Metals are evil because they prevent overspending in perpetuity.
        Welfare programs are candy given to the child to lure them into statist perversion.
        Environmentalism is a stealth way to steal away more liberty and levy tax all while duping the masses to think they are saving something from themselves.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:26 AM

    There is one issue that I would like to talk about but it may ignite a firestorm. Let me say that I was born close to the US border and I have always had a feeling of camaraderie with our American neighbors and my relatives that live there. However I would like to see a lot less use of their military or the use of force by any nation anywhere on the globe.

    I love listening to The American National Anthem but I can’t help but think that the use of statements like “The Rockets Red Glare, The Bombs Burst Into Air, has the effect of glorifying The American Military Machine and should not be included in anyone’s anthem, think about the effect that these words have on it’s citizens particularly the younger ones. I think it would be better if they stressed more the love their country and their families. I hope this isn’t received in a negative light because it isn’t meant that way.

      Ken
      Mar 17, 2012 17:33 AM

      Here’s the reality for you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDkhzHQO7jY

        Mar 17, 2012 17:39 PM

        Awesome Tony who could not learn from him…..
        Plus his take on environmental fear mongering……..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB0aFPXr4n4&feature=related
        A little humor while you learn is important.

        The ability of the Earth to heal itself are greatly underestimated.

          Ken
          Mar 17, 2012 17:19 PM

          That is so true.

            Mar 17, 2012 17:34 PM

            The ability of the Earth to heal itself is greatly underestimated.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:17 AM

        Ken,

        I personally have always thought that Carlin was an absolute genius.

        Best,

        Big Al

      Mar 17, 2012 17:07 PM

      Hi Shawn, it shows to me you are a Ron Paul supporter like me. Too many wars weary many people. Though anywhere hate dwells the state of war exists. Like the war of words. People say words can`t hurt you but their wrong being misunderstood is what leads to wars. And the people south of the border, are people just like us. Racism is outspoken hate an excuse for our country or our lives being what they are. The blame game is widespread even I get caught in it myseft at times. This country is made of so many people from so many other countries that this is why this country has been so great.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:18 AM

        Amen Dennis!

        Big Al

      Mar 17, 2012 17:01 PM

      Shawn,

      You know, I had to move here to understand things as a Canuck in AZ. The Star Spangled Banner, as you may know, is a fairly old ditty about the Revolution and what it meant to be free of Britain. Imagine listening to it’s words in the 1940’s, or 1900 or even 1776. I don’t agree with several foreign policy decisions of the past several decades (though I’m not a complete isolationist either…that didn’t work too well in 1939, but that’s about the last example of true isolationism too). So the only way to do what you suggest, is to ask Americans to change the lyrics so you don’t think it sounds so ‘military’, or to change your interpretation! Don’t mean disrespect either, but I better appreciate the manner of US independance (and it’s Constitution) since learning more about it, and reflecting on much of the good the country has done with its own created values, even if recent ones are now poisoning the country inside-out.

      PS Out of interest, read the translated lyrics to any number of national anthems. They’re not singing Kumbaya either.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:19 AM

        Morning John W,

        They’re not?

        Big Al

        Mar 18, 2012 18:09 PM

        The Star-Spangled Banner’s lyrics are derived from a poem “Defence of Fort McHenry”by Francis Scott Key. Written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Navy ships in the Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. I call it the Second Revolution.
        It is my take the War of 1812 was about Congress not renewing the Charter to our first Central Bank. The Bank would have a twenty year charter running from 1791 to 1811, after which time it would be up to the Congress to renew or deny renewal. They denied renewal. Months later the British found cause to fight. The war ended when the second national bank was charterd. It helps to follow the money instead of believing the reasons for a war are the reasons given for a war. It is funny how England gets mad every time Americans want to control their own monetary system. This may also explain why the owners of the Fed are not made public.

          Mar 18, 2012 18:33 PM

          And my learning continues…thanks Dennis. Quite interesting.

          Mar 19, 2012 19:17 AM

          AN ADDED NOTE…..Andrew Jackson…1812…won the Battle of New Orleans…and
          in 1836-7 as President…also, has an episod with the” Bank”….again not renewing
          the charter. I bring this point out , because this was the start of the “two headed
          snake” political machine….which we are still under today….controlled by the
          BANK….

      Mar 18, 2012 18:06 AM

      Morning Shawn,

      With the way things are going right now considering our involvement in the Middle East I definitely agree with you.

      Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:52 PM

    Anytime anyone who purports to understand science says that some conclusion is “indisputable” or — another favorite — “the science is settled,” you should run far away. The strongest statement a real scientist can make is this: “so far, my observations have not disproven my theory.” “Indisputable” and “settled” are words that political hacks — who might also happen to have scientific degrees — use to get more grant money from governments. What passes for a “study” these days is: 1) start with a conclusion that you want, 2) write a computer simulation that accounts for a few of the myriad inputs in the real world, 3) tweak the inputs until you get your conclusion. And don’t forget the last paragraph in your “study” describing how much more study needs to be done. That greases the skids for the next government grant! In 100 years, this whole movement will be judged for what it is: religion for some, money scam for others, science for no one.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:23 PM

      Robert,
      I like it. Well said!

        Mar 18, 2012 18:20 AM

        Me too Robert,

        Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:52 PM

    Karen is on the ball! The driving objective behind climate change fear mongering is control and taxation.
    Collectivist like trains and mass transportation so much because they can decided
    where the track is laid, where the stops and depots are placed. It becomes the planners planning right down to a hefty license for the newspaper stand and coffee vendor. The freedom afforded to by an automobile steering wheel dilutes the control freaks ability to corral you.
    If the myth of carbon causing the sea level to rise is true why did Al Gore buy a multi-million dollar beach front home?
    What was Al Gore doing simultaneous to the release of “An Inconvenient Truth” which was in fact an Orwellian laced with lie? Al Gore was also working hard to establish a carbon emission exchange in Chicago.

    One sales technique I learned at a Fortune 500 company was you have to make the customer sick before you can make them better.
    Cap and trade, carbon emission regimes and exchanges are simply feel goodery taxation schemes created to solve a non-existent problem.
    If we commoditize carbon emissions….if we begin to monitor cow flatulence……the cost to fire a cinder block…..all amount to taxes, costs and impediments that will increase prices and destroy jobs.

    But what if the commoditization of carbon emission becomes so pervasive that it provides the commodity backing for a currency now we have something there.
    We will tax everything they need to live and they will thank us for it because they think they are saving “Mother Nature”. Do you remember the ad form the 70’s:

    “It is not nice to fool Mother Nature.”

    Fear mongering climate disaster with Michael Mann Climategate hide the decline fraud is akin to an exploration company over reporting core sample results, artificially extending strike length width

    and hyping up possible recovery rates.

    Fiat currencies are in trouble. Special Drawing Rights would be just another level of paper….so if we have to back our monetary system with something and you do not want it to be Gold….then

    tax their very breath.
    It would be like the currency being backed by a license to all the things we need to do to live including the ability to exhale.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:17 PM

      DENNIS I have to agree…….look at my above words……….Who do “THEY” think they are fooling.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:52 PM

      I think the KER post was from some of Al’s talent in the web ops department (!). The problem with trying to prove global warming is multiple:

      * They are still just words, perhaps no better or worse than mine, written by someone with an objective in mind.

      * The actions of Corporations or of governments, like Australia most recently, doesn’t impress me. My experience working with politicians, when they come to tour the skunkworks where the real is work, is that they have no idea what they are seeing or hearing. You could tell them you’re working on a manned space program to Pluto, and they’d believe it. Of course they will make policy on what they’re told.

      * The science-based conclusions are changing. East Anglia used to be mentioned prominently, and are now the butt of jokes, due to the very unobjective attitudes revealed publicly about their scientists. Many there have grown much more cautious in their conclusions too. Here’s an example:

      Though global warming has been talked about for years, the real scare started less than 10 years ago, when temperature sensors (thermometers!) “around the world” recorded that in only 10 years, average temperatures went up by 1 degree C. Projected outwards, this alarming trend meant that in 100 years, the world could heat up by 6 to 10 C or more! As it would turn out, 1/4 of those sensors (thermometers) were located in the US. Where in the US? In urban and sub-urban areas. Not in parks and desert plains, but cities. Right about the time of building more homes, paving new asphalt, etc. which retain solar heat during the day. It’s incredible, but no one reading these temperatures seemed to seriously question why so many measurement stations were in the US, nor why they were predominantly located in fast-developing, urban cities.

      What about the other 3/4 of sensors (thermometers) not in the US? Around half of their readings were ‘discarded for scientific reasons’. Others again, were located in cities in various continents, suffering the reading bias as in the US. Those readings are still a matter of record today. When all, truly world-wide temperatures are added and not omitted or their data masssaged, the net result is the world slightly cooled down in the studied 10 year period.

      Arctic ice IS melting. I think there has to be some element of natural change, but whether it’s global, and whether it’s man-made versus a recurring natural cycle that occurs 640,000 years, seems difficult to accept. The Hockey Stick curve used to be the smoking gun, now it’s another relic once sacrosanct. The problem, noted by Karen and others so well, is how believers are delighted with staggering taxes, and huge enormous trading credits. The money we’re talking about is in the trillions. Most average believers I’ve met feel someone else is paying for it, not themselves. They will see, in 20 years when looking back, who’s paying for it. Just hope global temperatures haven’t declined by 5 C. As Clay once said to me on the phone, we may need to start burning coal in bonfires to just create greenhouse gases to warm the planet, if we’re at the inflection point of that 600,000 year cycle (we are, by the way…there’s so many articles, just pick one). Sun spots and volcanic activity are seem much more demonstrable to warming in the past, and believers note this too. I think the most damning single point for myself, however, is how politicized the argument has become. It’s unfortunate, because there are many scientists right and left of center, and you can seek out their opinions, both. But one side seems inseparable from Il Manifesto and Gore.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:59 AM

        Hi John W., very interesting and intriguing comment I`ve copied it for more ammunition against the wild-eyed liberal.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:23 AM

        Hi John W,

        I actually asked Sarah to post the links because they represent Brent’s sources.

        Notice there was no comment about belief or disbelief.

        Best,

        Big Al

          Mar 18, 2012 18:38 PM

          Oh, no problem, Al. Just trying to lighten the moment.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:55 PM

        Excellent post! Very informative.
        I myself am tired of these University Scientist traveling the world on tax dollars with what seems to be the schools entire Audio Visual Department in tow to document their new discovery…. that they now have to find to protect their nihilist pride.
        It is tax payers excursions into absurdity like this that give us the likes of Piltdown Man.
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piltdown_Man

        It is like the documentaries you watch where the mountain climber is so proud of himself for being the first to scale some precipice better left unscaled.
        Myself I am more impressed with the cameraman who actually arrived first to film the egotist accent to the summit and besides he carried a camera the whole way.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:18 PM

    Hi Al, could you give me Brent Cook`s contact number, email if you can please. As you have found out from times before that all numbers/statistics are not all what they seem, like unemployment numbers or anything that you see, hear are what they proport to be. I have quite alot of info that I have found on the internet that flatly would cast great doubts upon his(Brent`s) science. So I know that this site usually into the financial aspests and not to much into that much science(this is a general term) like physics is a general term like what physics: like atomic, nuclear, astrophysics, kinetics, plasma physics, etc., . Like about the Heartland Institute climate change spin these folks` numbers are what everyboby quoted as gospel and it came out that they were false and I`m talking about the IPCC, the experts they trusted and quoted in the past have been caught red – handed plotting to conceal data, hide temperature trends tha contradict their predictions, and keep critics from appearingin peer-reviewed journals http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2012/02/15/breaking-news-a-look-behinhttp://joannenova.com.au/2012/02/logic-gate-the-smog-blog-exposes-irration-rage-innu.. < in this are monies given to the EPA crowd by big business and gov`t in the billions on $ and of course I think most people would sell out just about anything or anybody for the right price. http://www.politicallyincorrect.me.uk/globalwarming.htm < in this crowd there`s about 31,000 scientists( 9000 of them with PhD`s) that reject man made global warming theory. Then there is Dr. Roy W. Spencer received his PhD in meteorology at University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1981…he was senior scientist for Climate Studies at NASA`s Marshall Space Flight Center, and on, and on http://www.drroyspencer.com/about/ and he say`s Global Warming is not man made. So who is right. Its like people argue about the existence of God, is there any facts for certain whether there is or not a God. http://forum.prisonplanet.com/index.php?topic=195296.0 <This is about the atmosphere of Mars is over 95% CO2, yet Mars has no greenhouse, unless the Mars crowd have all been using so many coal-fired power plants to cool down their houses.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:11 PM

    Hi Al, I`m been collecting more data too about Global Warming deal from when I came around talking about Warren Buffett`s is and has been buying coal mines like crazy all over the country his holdings in MidAmerican buys Constellation. He`s into building nuclear power plants processing coal for making fuels, hence the use of the railroad for shipping the coal from A to B. Now for one to be into solar and be a greenee doesn`t it seem to be rather a streach for one so green to be into so heavily fossil fuel and the production thereof? Like I found this about a merger chit-chat about Buffett made a surprise visit with his billionaire bridge buddy Bill Gates to a mine in Wyoming owned by Arch Coal. Following the visit, Buffett described the trip as “fascinating“– which many eager investors interpreted as code for `Berkshire wants to buy a coal company.` But he owns lots of coal mines. Well he into making money isn`t he. And that`s what we want to do too. I just find it amazing how one can say Global Warming is bad and then invest in it(Global Warming) all at the same time. Like it`s bad for that group to be into that mining, but for the group is OK because he`s giving us money but the other`s are not.

    Mar 17, 2012 17:21 PM

    Hi Al, just noticed Brent`s Pdf and copied it for study. It will take some time to take it in to research it, but its doable. Like I like Brent Cook`s mining talk, his observations, as to where`s he been and all that, but I have to weigh out his other comments and take them as a grain of salt for now. Not to affirm or deny yet. Like my chemistry on my ore geologists would do a fire assay on it an then say that it has some values in it. But all kinds of tests will come up with different amounts of values as well. Like me saying my ore has 2.33oz of Au and .66oz of Pd per pound of ore in it, will see that that`s impossible for the average mining guy to believe, yet money talks and BS walks. And gold is where you find it.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:25 AM

      Here is an invitation Dennis,

      When you come to your conclusions, come on our Show. I would welcome that!

      Big Al

    Mar 17, 2012 17:30 PM

    WATCH OUT FOLKS, SOON “THEY” WILL SEND OUT INSPECTORS,TO OUR HOMES TO CHECK HOW MUCH DUST WE HAVE……………..TO MUCH & WE WILL BE TAXED ON IT….IF YOUR GRANNY DIES …………YOU WILL BE TAXED ON HER ………….IF YOUR CAT HAS KITTENS YOU WILL BE TAXED ON ANY OVER ONE…………..WHERE THE HELL DOE’S THIS END.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:51 PM

      LOL!! Sorry, IrishTony! Your idea of “cat has kittens” is ALREADY IN EFFECT. Yes, that is what I wrote. Someone else had thought of this and it has been a law in this small town and several others through out the state. If you don’t have your animal neutered or spayed, and they end up having a litter, an “excessive animal tax” is added to your city water bill…on a MONTHLY basis if you so chose to KEEP any of the litter. No joke.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:30 AM

        …….WHAT!!!!!!!!!

        Mar 18, 2012 18:27 AM

        Common man, you gotta be kidding!

        Big Al

          Mar 18, 2012 18:36 AM

          No. I am NOT kidding! It’s in the city’s codes and by-laws. Although not enforced much at the moment, it has been in the past and is STRONGLY supported by most of the citizens because most don’t have pets.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:26 AM

      You talking about inheritance tax, Mr. Irish?

      Big Al

        Mar 18, 2012 18:26 PM

        The “inheritace tax” is somewhat of a misnomer.
        We currently are live under a Uniform Gift and Estate Tax.
        Our individual unified exemptions as I type are $5 million with an annual gift exclusion of $13,000.
        But beware on 1/01/13 the sunset of the existing law has your exemption reset at $1 million and any FMV exceeding this combinrd lifetime gift and etate tax is levied a 55% wammy. Be prepared to talk to your lawyer about irrevocable trusts, second to die life insurance, familly limited partnerships especially if Obama is re-elected.

          Mar 19, 2012 19:57 AM

          THIS IS HOW THEY ARE GOING TO BALANCE THE BUDGET…

            Mar 20, 2012 20:25 PM

            The third plank of the Communist Manifesto:
            3. Abolition of all rights of inheritance

    Mar 17, 2012 17:21 PM

    Re: global warming. Must be some truth in it, take a drive up to Columbia Icefields and they have a sign post showing where the glacier ended, about every 10 or 20 years. Its been receding for 100 years. Wether it is Co2 I have no clue, but we sure as heck don’t need any more taxes. Besided there’s an awful lot of solar energy painting the surface of the earth anyways, there must be a rate of temp gain regardless of human presence.

      Mar 17, 2012 17:24 PM

      Barry,

      I went to the zoo today.

      Just because when you go to a zoo and official looking sign says “this Baboon is endangered due to the greed of man” does not make that proposition true.

      It may have more to do with the successful collection of “Save the Baboon” funds collected without much subtlety nearby.

      I am am going back with a sign tomorrow…..mine says…..”FREE THE BABOON!!!!!”

        Mar 18, 2012 18:17 AM

        IRISH…..YOU WILL BE” FREE.”…FINALLY….

          Mar 18, 2012 18:48 AM

          JERRY………I don’t want to be free’d…..i love it here…free accommodation…free food…free health care…free things to play with …lots of pretty ladies to look at & make rude gestures at without getting arrested…no mortgage noose around my neck … no tax to pay…& i wont be sent to another country to have my ass blown off… i could go on for hours about the benefits of staying here……..SO WITH ALL DUE RESPECTS MR O’ NEIL…..SOD OFF & MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS….haha

            Mar 18, 2012 18:09 AM

            OK, OK Jerry and Irish…..
            Settle down….this just in from KWN and MSN and MSM……due to unceasing hostilities between you guys – the USA has decided to give Florida (back)? to the Queen and her royal subjects…Furthermore, it has been decided that both of you will have to repatriate your G and S to Marc in CA….so I can get this State back to even and we can then spend more money on useless things…so I won’t have to get my a___ taxed off and can kick it on the beautiful beaches, next to all the ladies that Irish ticked off over the pond……No, I dont care if they are gold diggers! Or silver diggers!?
            Tough luck and here’s to you…..and your Florida gators and Irish whiskey.
            Marc

            Mar 18, 2012 18:18 AM

            I mailed” BAR ROCK…AND MATCH-HELL”….THEY SAID, THEY WANTED THE PAD NEXT
            TO YOURS…

            Mar 18, 2012 18:23 AM

            MARC….DO THEY WANT THE” GOLDEN FINGER” ALSO….,
            the new book…that irish and me, stole from john w.
            ….of course it has royality.s

            Mar 18, 2012 18:26 AM

            hey….I am an INDIANA HOOSIER AT HEART….BOBBY KNIGHT FOR PRESIDENT…

            Mar 18, 2012 18:46 PM

            I have no intention of freeing IRISH baboons….I will teach them to drink and call it a Zoo Pub. Watch silly baboons drink, throw darts and talk politics.

            Mar 19, 2012 19:21 AM

            “ZOO PUB”……IS THAT LATIN FOR ….”PUB”LIC ZOO

            Mar 19, 2012 19:01 AM

            Liquor in front….poker in the rear.

            Mar 19, 2012 19:44 AM

            POKER…..”PEOPLE” ,against,” OBAMA”..on the” KER” report..

    Mar 18, 2012 18:55 AM

    Did anyone else see this yesterday!
    March 16, 2012, at 12:16 pm
    by Jim Sinclair in the category In The News | Print This Post | Email This Post
    Dear CIGAs,

    At 11:30am this morning the Whistle Blower comment reported yesterday was deleted from the CFTC web page.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:03 AM

      Bobby could you be more specific, also another good blog is: http://wethesheeplez.blogspot.com/ it has articles from everybody on it.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:27 PM

        Mr Brophy, you whould have to have been following the NYTimes editoral as well as the open letter to the CFTC. One was a former GS employee and the other currently working at that firm.
        Serious stuff, now shunned by the “conseverative press (CNBC)”

    Tex
    Mar 18, 2012 18:56 AM

    AL,

    Your session on health care in last week’s show and the session on global warming in this week’s show deviated radically from the Korelin Economic Report’s strengths of discussing economics with particular emphasis on commodities. At the risk of ‘exposing myself’, I am a published (‘peer-reviewed’), nationally funded physician scientist and as such can categorically state that both sessions were incredibly simplistic and left a lot to be desired. The sessions were on the level of the ‘mass media’ that I no longer heed. I suggest you return to your strengths.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:13 AM

      Good morning Tex,
      I for one think that you have to be informed in all areas to make good investment decisions. Unlike the mass media, this show presents factual information and honest ideas. The comments also present a great learning experience for all the listeners. If you don’t see the value in this program perhaps you need to be more open minded and actually read the comments which add value to a great show.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:21 AM

        I agree with Tex in once sense…Al’s guest referenced barely scraped the surface of their respective topics…for good reason…in is self defeating to discuss in detail an abomination and/or an Obamanation. However, in strong defense of Al in each instance he went out of his way to open up a discussion. Al never implied on radio that this was the last word although his guest may have implied such. What made for bad listening was good for Al’s blog. I do believe if you are listening to Al you all already in the critical thinker camp. What it has shown to me is that two otherwise intelligent people can dedicate themselves and lend credence to collectivist propaganda. It is like Reagan said “It is not that my liberal friends are ignorant, or is that they know so much that is not so.” Next time some propagandist is interviewed on TV with the B-Roll shots of the interviewee walking impressive halls in a white authoritative lab coat get ready to press pause. As they interview the subject in front of the obligatory bookshelf which we are to believe were read cover to cover by the subject…….press pause. Turn you head sideways and read some of the titles the interviewee prides himself/herself with reding. You will be amazed. Sometimes people read prolifically but they choose misdirected poisonous reads and fail to pull from the shelf the antidote. This is what makes most college campuses the most dangerous place on Earth. I am all for reading whatever you fancy…sunlight is the best disinfectant. However, all do not allow such broad based learning opportunity to be readily available to a hungry populace. It takes us back to the sad days of it being illegal to teach a slave to read. It was obvious to slave owners a literate slave possessed the keys to many chains…… if he read just a few well selected books. It is helpful to study just whose books the Nazi’s piled and burned and why they select those libraries. Al’s two guests referenced libraries would go unmolested in such a setting. Since I fear our country is headed in a dangerous direction….I think it would be wise to read the books that hold a key.

          Mar 18, 2012 18:50 AM

          I agree with both, Tex and Dennis M. O’neil, though am not put-off by these deviations from financial topics. We can always skip the segments that we do not wish to deal with here.

          Mar 18, 2012 18:34 AM

          Morning Dennis M,

          Thanks and I do agree.

          Big Al

            Mar 18, 2012 18:25 PM

            Any morning which follows St. Patrick’s Day is a good morning even though they always are not.
            This evening I am sticking to white wine.

        Mar 18, 2012 18:32 AM

        The comments from all of you are what make this program/forum really great!

        I again thank you all,

        Big Al

          Mar 18, 2012 18:39 AM

          What makes this forum great is not just the participants but the VERY KIND AND INSIGHTFUL GENTLEMAN who had the idea to put this all together for many of us like-minded people.

          I will tip my mug and raise a toast to Mr. Alexander Korelin and his “little blonde Lady” for providing such a service and for all the sacrifice of time they put into it! I hope that ALL on this site will join me in the toast! HERE!!! HERE!!

            Mar 18, 2012 18:48 AM

            Mark,
            Ditto, here here too.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:43 PM

            HEE, HERE, HEAR…..BUT, I AM NOT BUYING THE NEXT ROUND…

            Mar 18, 2012 18:58 PM

            MARK …I TOTALLY AGREE…AL…LITTLE BLOND LADY…ROGER………THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH…………Your most humble & loyal fan………tony.

            Mar 18, 2012 18:05 PM

            sláinte mhaith , Big Al

            Mar 18, 2012 18:57 PM

            Cheers to Al!!!! Here, Here…..and beware of the curse of the Irish…..
            Girl Scout Cookies being delivered on St. Patrick’s Day!

            Mar 19, 2012 19:52 PM

            Many, many thanks Mark Alan!

            Big Al and The Little Blond Lady

        Tex
        Mar 18, 2012 18:11 PM

        The contentions raised last week that one can “eat less and exercise more” and have a significant impact on US healthcare outlays was simplistic drivel. The society has been very successful in extending lifespan (which now exceeds 78 years at birth in the US) through improved health care and living conditions. If one defines the Geriatric Population as being those over age 65, at present 13% of the U.S. population is ‘geriatric’ and that proportion will be over 20% of the U.S. population in 2020. The Geriatric population makes 25% of all visits to physicians. Geriatric patients consume 33% of all prescription and OTC (over the counter) drugs. In ambulatory geriatric patients, 90% have at least one chronic medical condition and take at least one medication chronically. In long-term care facilities, 66% of geriatric patients have three or more chronic medical conditions and receive three or more medications chronically. Current USA health expenditures are $1.3 trillion per year. Future lifetime health-related costs for the “average” geriatric patient exceed $150,000. The cost is greater for frail geriatric patients despite shorter survival. While it is true that longevity is determined to a large extent on time of onset of age-related diseases, a miniscule minority of patients will “eat less and exercise more’ no matter what they are told. This means that such approaches will have no significant impact on the increasing cost of health care in the US. The geriatric population will continue to increase in the US with a consequent increase in the costs. The only way to reduce the cost to the US government is to limit medical care given to patients who rely on the US government to pay for their healthcare (i.e., Medicaid and Medicare). This initially will be accomplished by ‘means testing’ for Medicare patients followed by limitations in therapies that will be reimbursed. Such an approach has been introduced in the last decade within the VA system and will be applied to all government run systems eventually. In the long run, aged patients will not be treated by geriatricians, but by palliative care physicians and nurses (mainly nurse practitioners because they cost less. The government will be driven to this approach because it is cheaper to give opiates than to figure out what is wrong and try to correct it in the geriatric aged patients. ICU admissions will be limited for geriatrics patients because of the tremendous expenses incurred and the low probability of an outcome without significant morbidity (with additional costs of course). SO…even though the 90 year old values their life as much as the 9 year old, the 90 year old who depends on Medicare is eventually going to be limited to ‘the ice floe treatment’ unless they can pay for it on their own. Now of course the probability that the 90 year old will be cognitively impaired is about 39 to 60%, so they may not realize that they are being palliation at best….but that is another issue.

        Closed minded? No; one does not get to be NIH/NIA/NHLBI/AHA/VA funded by being ‘closed minded” or by being ignorant.

        Now back to cleaning my Garand……

          Mar 18, 2012 18:03 PM

          Hi Tex,
          I never said you were ignorant. I was referring to being open minded with respect to Al’s quest selection and seeing the value they might have to some of his listeners. I am sorry if I insulted you, that was not my intent. I certainly hope you accept Al’s offer to appear on the show.

          Mar 19, 2012 19:50 PM

          HI Tex,

          Many thanks for your comments.

          Sorry I am late responding, but I took most of yesterday (Sunday) off.

          Best to you,

          Big Al

      Mar 18, 2012 18:31 AM

      Morning Tex,

      I would welcome your presence on our Show.

      What do you think?

      Big Al

        Tex
        Mar 19, 2012 19:33 PM

        The person you should get is
        John Feussner, MD, MPH
        Executive Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs, Medical University of South Carolina

        His area of expertise is “The Future of Health Care”

          Mar 19, 2012 19:46 PM

          Many thanks, Tex.

          Big Al

    Mar 18, 2012 18:04 AM

    In 2009, Delegates from 193 countries went to Copenhagen to discuss how to fund global greenhouse gas emission, which means tax. Their first problem was to figure out how to get there through the freezing weather and blizzard. In Dec. 2010 as the United Nations opened its conference on global warming in Cancun, snowstorms and freezing temperatures disrupted travel all across Europe and brought record low temps to Cancun. Now they call it climate change. More proof that it is a hoax. More importantly, God does have a sense of humor.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:02 AM

      GREAT QUOTE KAREN……”GOD does have a sense of humor”

      Mar 18, 2012 18:35 AM

      Yes He does have a sense of humor!

      Big Al

    Mar 18, 2012 18:57 AM

    Banking isn’t risk free. There is a risk of not making as much free money if people default on loans you make with money that didn’t exist before it was “lent”. In other words, bankers risk nothing. They are pure parasites. Their business is committing fraud as a matter of course on a daily basis. Why do they get away with this? Because you are in a communist country/world.

      Mar 18, 2012 18:48 AM

      The actions of a society and it’s government is a DIRECT reflection of the inner moral beliefs they hold. When a MAJORITY of the people vote to tell how the MINORITY of the people should act….ALL FREEDOM IS LOST at the expense for having a single moment of self gratification. When freedom is lost…so too is the intellect, the desire for justice, the courage to act…ALL of which are necessary for a moral compass.

        Mar 19, 2012 19:45 PM

        I would guess that the key word in your argument is “act”. Of course that is a loss of freedom on their part. Interestingly enough, I never really thought about that. Thanks for the mention.

        I also agree with your concluding statements.

        Big Al

    Mar 18, 2012 18:36 AM

    Wow, Philo – Them’s pretty strong words!

    Big Al

    Mar 18, 2012 18:45 AM

    Your comment made me think of the below links.
    First it made me think of the explanition of check book money by Larry Parks.
    I found it compelling in his explanation that the money borrowed on a mortgage did not in fact exist prior to the borrower signing the the debt instrument.
    Another way to look at it is the lender gives the lendee nothing in exchange for the lendee commiting to pay then lender back something plus interest.
    To magnify this the bank calls the once nothing newly created debt instrument an asset to which it can now add to it’s reserve and leverage up against.
    It is no wonder bank buildings dominate most skylines.
    Below is a link to a Ron Paul hearing at which Mr. Parks testified.
    Also a highly recommended link to a series of historical monetary quotes Mr. Parks collected evidencing the monetary problems we now experience are far from histoically unique.

    follow link press HERE for webcast

    http://financialservices.house.gov/Calendar/EventSingle.aspx?EventID=258253

    http://www.fame.org/NotableQuotes.asp

      Mar 19, 2012 19:43 PM

      Thanks Dennis.

      When you get a moment, please give me a call.

      Thanks,

      Big Al

    Mar 18, 2012 18:46 AM

    Al, your final comments in the last comments in section 8 reflects my passionete belief that the media is missing all of the reaslly pertinent stories that utimately determine the results and final outcomes for citizens around the world. Ignorance is not a defense in our legal system and is certainly not benefit for a democaracy in an ininformed electorate.

      Mar 19, 2012 19:02 AM

      SHEEPLE CONTROL…..MSN….,” tell them what they want to hear, and do what you want”…Franklin D. Roosevelt…..1933

        Mar 19, 2012 19:37 PM

        Amen, In the Box.

        Big Al

      Mar 19, 2012 19:42 PM

      I agree with you, Larry.

      Big Al

    Mar 19, 2012 19:27 AM

    Quote of the day….ONE WAY TO TELL THAT GOLD IS NOT IN A BUBBLE…..
    “RON PAUL….ELECTORIAL VOTE TOTAL 34″……. ootb 2012

    Mar 19, 2012 19:36 AM

    I remember in my country when plastic packets were free ( The ones used for shopping) then we got told that plastic was causing problems for the environment and that we would be charged for using them. Well today people still use the same amount of packets and the money is going to the government. It’s just another form of taxing the people and that’s what this global warming is all about, whether we pay a tax on it isn’t going to make a difference since as we not going to start breathing out oxygen when we do.lol

    Mar 19, 2012 19:23 AM

    Yes, the Columbia Icefields are melting in the Canadian Rockies but if you take a look at Mt Logan in NW British Columbia it is forming a huge glacier. Re: July/Aug Canadian Geographic magazine; a liberal magazine. The 70k long (40 mile) glacier advanced almost 2k LAST year.

    All will be revealed when (if) Antartica unfreezes. Maybe that is where our new gardens will be. There and the NW Territories and Siberia.

    Dan

    Mar 19, 2012 19:40 AM

    Look up the Lowell Glacier off of Mt. Kennedy. The pictures in the above mentioned magazine are beautiful. Iqaluit, Nunavut, south end of Baffin Island and across from Greenland and same latitude as Iceland, is a balmy -27C and has been there almost all winter season.

    Dan

      Mar 19, 2012 19:04 AM

      One of the Western Bakken stocks referenced by Mickey Fulp is up nicely today.
      PETEF OR PIE.V – DYODD I own it!
      361K gross acres (net 304K acres) plus nice JV for exploration with OXY.
      I wonder if this is the stock Mickey Fulp was talking about with Al?
      It had to be them or one of it’s neighbors.

        Mar 19, 2012 19:27 PM

        I will check with Mickey, Dennis. I believe he was referring to Blue Sky Petroleum.

        Big Al

      Mar 19, 2012 19:35 PM

      HI Dan,

      I would have to agree with you.

      Big Al

    Mar 19, 2012 19:59 AM

    Al I believe you kept new gold shares when sqi was taken over…..Pierre Lassonde just bought 300 k at 9.30 and also had this interview on kingsworld…very intereting

    http://www.kingworldnews.com/kingworldnews/Broadcast/Entries/2012/3/17_Pierre_Lassonde.html

    11:35 AM EST – New Gold Inc. (NGD): Pierre Lassonde purchased 300,000 shares at $9.30 on 03-19-12 — bringing his total stake in the company to 4,250,000 shares

    Mar 19, 2012 19:25 PM

    Thanks Chris,

    I did not hear that.

    All the best,

    Big Al

    Mar 20, 2012 20:22 PM

    Hi Al,

    For anyone who wants a different perspective than the “mainstream accepted version” of global warming I am providing 2 excellent links on this topic that dispute the global warming claim.

    The first is an exceptional presentation from Lord Christopher Moncton (a must listen/see in my opinion) where he systemically dismantles and the assertions and conclusions made by Al Gore in his Inconvenient Truth documentary – the mantra for the acceptance of global warming and the whole global warming movement in general. In it he shows the shortcomings of how temperatures were being measured and how the data were skewed and manipulated to show desired outcomes. He also highlights how Arctic glaciers actually INCREASED 24% between 2004 and 2007, along with the thickness of the glacier shield in Greenland and that Antarctic sea ice had been rising for the last 30 years to a peak in 2007…ALL NOT BROADCAST BY MAINSTREAM MEDIA.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stij8sUybx0

    The second is an interview with Ian Plimer who is an Australian geologist, author and professor of mining geology at the University of Adelaide in Australia (maybe Brent knows of him?). He mentions within the interview that for scientists to successfully obtain government grant funding (their main source of funding) you have to be on the side of supporting the global warming (or climate change) science. It is an interesting interview on this topic also.
    http://www.netcastdaily.com/broadcast/fsn2009-1024-2.mp3

    This is a politically driven issue (maybe even a fascist one dare I say between government and big business on the carbon trading aspect). I believe this is an agenda and a faulty science perpetrated for both a financial and overall control agenda. What do they say…To get to the truth follow the money…Where was this money for carbon taxes as a “result” of man-made global warming going to end up – In the hands of Goldman Sachs, the likes of Al Gore and other carbon-trading companies and The World Bank. I don’t want to turn this into a conspiratorial thing, but it has to make you think long and hard on these facts.

    I hope this can add something of some value to the overall discussion on this topic.

    Sean

    Mar 23, 2012 23:30 AM

    A link to a movie called “Cool it”.
    Although the main character agrees with Brent Cook from a cost benefit analysis he concludes Global Warming is hyped fear mongering.
    At the outset of the movie you also see that Global Warming is more politics than it is science as his mildly crictical book is not wll received by the watermelon fear mongerers.
    You will need netflix to follow the link or look it up alternatively.
    If you liked this thread this adds context, to wit:

    http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70150999&trkid=4415499