Whistleblower Prompts CSEC Investigation: Uncovers Misuse of Public Assets, Serious Ethics Breaches

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Whistleblower Prompts CSEC Investigation: Uncovers Misuse of Public Assets, Serious Ethics Breaches

Rise of Eurosceptics in Netherlands Prompts Serious Discussion of "Nexit"

Eurozone exit talk first started with “Grexit” (Greece exit). It progressed to “Spexit” (Spain exit), and now talk centers on “Nexit” (Netherlands exit).

Before anyone else claims the names, let me propose “Frexit” and “Fexit” (France exit) as well as “Sexit” a sexy sounding alternative for Spain Exit.

So far the “exit” scorecard remains on zero, but eventual exits are likely. No one can be assured of the timing or catalyst, but eurosceptcism is on the rise in a huge way.

Nexit?

In the Netherlands, opposition leader Geert Wilders outlines case for a Dutch ‘Nexit’ from the EU.

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party (PVV) that is leading in Dutch polls for May’s European parliament elections, presented a study on Thursday that claims the Netherlands would be better off if it left the EU and he urged voters to support his call for “Nexit”.

The study, by the consultancy Capital Economics, claims the Dutch economy would quickly emerge from its sluggishness to brisk growth, generating billions of euros – or new Dutch guilders – in fresh revenues for debt-laden households.

Mr Wilders is one of a handful of populist leaders in the EU – including Marine Le Pen in France; Nigel Farage in Britain and Alexis Tsipras in Greece – whose sharp anti-Brussels rhetoric has helped push them into either first or second place in public opinion polls ahead of May’s Europe-wide vote.

The Netherlands is one of the founding members of the EU, and has long been seen as a core supporter of a more integrated Europe. Yet public opinion polls reveal growing support across the country for a renegotiation of powers with Brussels over a number of policy areas, including access to domestic welfare for other EU citizens.

Mark Rutte, Dutch prime minister, in June presented a list of 54 competencies that should remain with national governments rather than be given to the EU, a plan many in Brussels have viewed as the Liberal premier’s attempt to fend off the challenge from Mr Wilders.

“Nexit means that we no longer have to pay billions to Brussels and weak southern European countries,” added Mr Wilders. “We can save billions by liberating ourselves from EU regulations. We can end the mass immigration and stop paying welfare checks to, for instance, Romanians and Bulgarians.”

Mark Pragnell, one of the authors of Capital Economics’ report, said the Netherlands would be significantly richer if it left the EU and the single currency, despite a short period of volatility.

Capital Economics, a London-based economic research firm, has become a leading voice for eurozone break-up, last year winning a £250,000 prize from a British think-tank for its proposal on how to end the single currency.

What’s the Point?

Financial Times columnist Gideon Rachman asks What’s the point of calling for a Nexit?

Wilders is after the protest vote, and he will get it – just like Marine Le Pen’s National Front and the UK Independence Party of Nigel Farage. All three movements have an excellent chance of topping the polls or at least upsetting the political apple cart in their respective countries.

Here lies the significance of Wilders’s call for “Nexit” – or Dutch exit from the EU. As an economic argument, it does not stand up at all: the Netherlands is so deeply integrated into the eurozone and the EU single market that Nexit makes no more sense than “Brexit” for the UK or “Grexit” for Greece.

Bias, Irony, and One Size Fits All Silliness

One can stop reading right there understanding full well the extreme bias in what Rachman wrote. Given that Rachman is a columnist and not a news reporter, bias is to be expected.

But please note the extreme irony in his statement: Nexit makes no more sense than “Brexit” for the UK.

The fact of the matter is that “Brexit” happens to make perfect sense of the UK.

There is not going to be a two-speed EU with some countries in the Eurozone and others not. One is going to be either in or out. Sitting on the fence forever won’t happen. Neither French president Francois Hollande nor the UK liberals will allow that.

The moment the UK fully commits to the eurozone, all kinds of financial stupidities are bound to happen, including financial transaction taxes that are bound to cripple London. Moreover, the UK would be subject to the “one size fits Germany” interest rate policy of the EU.

A valid (albeit clearly out of context) interpretation of Rachman’s statement is as follows:”Nexit makes sense, because Brexit makes perfect sense“.

Mike “Mish” Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com

Mike “Mish” Shedlock is a registered investment advisor representative for SitkaPacific Capital Management. Sitka Pacific is an asset management firm whose goal is strong performance and low volatility, regardless of market direction. Visit http://www.sitkapacific.com/account_management.html to learn more about wealth management and capital preservation strategies of Sitka Pacific.

Mish’s Global Economic Trend Analysis

Rise of Eurosceptics in Netherlands Prompts Serious Discussion of "Nexit"

Another “No Knock” Police Raid In Iowa Raises SERIOUS Issues – Police Justify Force Of Raid Because Resident Was “legally registered gun owner”…

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Another “No Knock” Police Raid In Iowa Raises SERIOUS Issues – Police Justify Force Of Raid Because Resident Was “legally registered gun owner”…

A Serious Warning to Activists

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A Serious Warning to Activists

Obama Weekly Address: Syria "A Serious Threat To Our National Security"

White House: In his weekly address, President Obama makes the case for limited and targeted military action to hold the Assad regime accountable for its violation of international norms prohibiting the use of chemical weapons.

Almost three weeks ago in Syria, more than 1,000 innocent people – including hundreds of children – were murdered in the worst chemical weapons attack of the 21st century. And the United States has presented a powerful case to the world that the Syrian government was responsible for this horrific attack on its own people.

This was not only a direct attack on human dignity; it is a serious threat to our national security. There’s a reason governments representing 98 percent of the world’s people have agreed to ban the use of chemical weapons. Not only because they cause death and destruction in the most indiscriminate and inhumane way possible – but because they can also fall into the hands of terrorist groups who wish to do us harm.

That’s why, last weekend, I announced that, as Commander in Chief, I decided that the United States should take military action against the Syrian regime. This is not a decision I made lightly. Deciding to use military force is the most solemn decision we can make as a nation.

As the leader of the world’s oldest Constitutional democracy, I also know that our country will be stronger if we act together, and our actions will be more effective. That’s why I asked Members of Congress to debate this issue and vote on authorizing the use of force.

What we’re talking about is not an open-ended intervention. This would not be another Iraq or Afghanistan. There would be no American boots on the ground. Any action we take would be limited, both in time and scope – designed to deter the Syrian government from gassing its own people again and degrade its ability to do so.

I know that the American people are weary after a decade of war, even as the war in Iraq has ended, and the war in Afghanistan is winding down. That’s why we’re not putting our troops in the middle of somebody else’s war.

But we are the United States of America. We cannot turn a blind eye to images like the ones we’ve seen out of Syria. Failing to respond to this outrageous attack would increase the risk that chemical weapons could be used again; that they would fall into the hands of terrorists who might use them against us, and it would send a horrible signal to other nations that there would be no consequences for their use of these weapons. All of which would pose a serious threat to our national security.

That’s why we can’t ignore chemical weapons attacks like this one – even if they happen halfway around the world. And that’s why I call on Members of Congress, from both parties, to come together and stand up for the kind of world we want to live in; the kind of world we want to leave our children and future generations.

Thank you.

RealClearPolitics Video Log

Obama Weekly Address: Syria "A Serious Threat To Our National Security"

Rep. Jeff Duncan: This Administration Has A Serious Credibility Issue

DUNCAN: “You know I can’t discuss the possibility of U.S. involvement in the Syrian civil war without also talking about Benghazi. This administration has a serious credibility issue with the American people. There are questions surrounding the Benghazi terrorist attack almost a year. When you factor in the IRS targeting of conservative groups, the AP and James Rosen issues, Fast and Furious, and NSA spying programs, the bottom line is there is a need for accountability and trust building from the administration. To paraphrase Friedrich Nietzsche, he said I’m not upset over you not telling me the truth. I’m upset because from now on, I can’t believe you. The administration has a credibility issue. In my opinion, Secretaries Kerry and Hagel, Benghazi is germane to the discussions in Syria, because as you stated Mr. Secretary, the world was and is watching for our response. But after almost a year of not bringing anyone to justice in Benghazi, they are watching our response. Mr. Kerry, your predecessor asked what difference does it make? Well now this is the difference, Mr. Secretary: These issues call into question the accountability of this administration, its commitment to the personnel on the ground and the judgment that it uses when making these determinations. The American people deserve answers before we move forward talking about military involvement in Syria. Section 4 of your testimony today said this is about accountability. Sure it is. The American people deserve answers about Benghazi before we move forward with military involvement in Syria’s civil war. This is a picture – you might not be able to see it here, but you might be able to see it on the screen – this is a picture of Tyrone Woods given to me by his father Charles Woods, a Navy SEAL. The Woods family deserves answers. He was killed in Benghazi. America deserves answers before we send another man or woman the caliber of Ty Woods into harm’s way especially in a civil war, especially when there’s no clear indication that there is an imminent threat to the United States. I don’t question that chemical weapons were used in Syria. I’ve looked at the classified briefings. I do ask that if so, where are the other signatory countries of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as the U.S. beats the drums of war against this regime in Syria? I have spoken to hundreds of constituents. This represents about 300 emails that my office has gotten and not a one, not a one member in my district in South Carolina are the emails of the people that have my contacted my office say ‘Go to Syria and fight this regime.’ To a letter, they say ‘no, do not go into Syria. Don’t get involved in their civil war.’ I spoke to eighth graders, about 150 eighth graders, yesterday. They get it. They get it that we shouldn’t be drug into somebody else’s civil war where there are no good guys. There are no good guys to get behind here and I can only envision an escalation of this current conflict. The same administration that was so quick to singly involve the U.S. in Syria now was so reluctant to use the same resources at its disposal to attempt to rescue the four brave Americans that fought for their lives at Benghazi. Mr. Kerry, you have never been one who has advocated for anything other than caution when involving U.S. forces in past conflicts. The same is true for the president and the vice president. Is the power of the executive branch so intoxicating that you would abandon past caution in favor of pulling the trigger on a military response so quickly? The reason that I say Benghazi is germane to our discussion on Syria is this: Secretary Kerry, have there been any efforts on the part of the United States directly or indirectly to provide weapons to the Syrian rebels? That would also include facilitating the transfer of weapons from Libyan rebels to Syrian rebels.

KERRY: Have there been efforts to…?

DUNCAN: Put weapons in the hands of the Syrian rebels. Also the transfer of weapons from Libya to Syria.

KERRY: Let me begin Congressman by challenging your proposition that I’ve never done anything except advocate caution, because I volunteered to fight for my country and that wasn’t a cautious thing to do when I did it.

CROSSTALK

KERRY: I’m going to finish, Congressman. I am going to finish. When I was in the United States Senate, I supported military action any number of occasions including Grenada, Panama, I can run down a list of them. I am not going to sit here and be told by you that I don’t have a sense of what the judgment is with respect to this. We’re talking about people being killed by gas and you want to go talk about Benghazi and Fast and Furious.

DUNCAN: I absolutely want to talk about Benghazi. Four Americans lost their lives. I have sympathy for the people in Syria. And I do think there should be a worldwide response. But we should act cautiously.

CROSSTALK

KERRY: We are acting cautiously. We are acting so cautiously that the president of the United States was accused of not acting because he wanted to have sufficient evidence and he wanted to build the case properly.

DUNCAN: It’s been 15 days.

KERRY: Congressman, Congressman.

CROSSTALK

KERRY: Mr. Chairman, point of privilege here, this is important. I think this is important. I think it is important whether or not we’re going into Syria in a way that the Congressman describes which I think most people in America don’t want to see. You don’t want to do that. That’s why the president has said no boots on the ground. This is not about getting into Syria’s civil war. This is about enforcing the principle that people shouldn’t be allowed to gas their citizens with impunity and if we don’t vote to do this, Assad will interpret from you that he’s free to go and do this any day he wants to. That’s what this is about, not getting involved in Syria’s civil war. So let’s draw the proper distinction here Congressman. We don’t deserve to drag this into yet another Benghazi discussion when the real issue here is whether or not the Congress is going to stand up for international norms with respect to dictators that have only been broken twice until Assad: Hitler and Saddam Hussein. And if we give license to somebody to continue that, shame on us.

RealClearPolitics Video Log

Rep. Jeff Duncan: This Administration Has A Serious Credibility Issue

Mandela remains in serious but stable condition

FILE – This photo taken July 18, 2012 shows former South African President Nelson Mandela during the celebration of his 94th birthday in Qunu, South Africa. Mandela’s condition remained serious but stable on Monday, 10.6.2013, his third day in a Pretoria hospital, the South African government said. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, File)

FILE – This photo taken July 18, 2012 shows former South African President Nelson Mandela during the celebration of his 94th birthday in Qunu, South Africa. Mandela’s condition remained serious but stable on Monday, 10.6.2013, his third day in a Pretoria hospital, the South African government said. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam, File)

A man walks past a fabric bearing a portrait of former president Nelson Mandela in Soweto, South Africa, Monday June 10, 2013. Former President Nelson Mandela’s condition remains serious but stable on Monday, his third day in a Pretoria hospital, the South African government said. “His condition is unchanged,” the office of President Jacob Zuma said in a brief statement. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A man walks near a mural, background right, which depicts former South African President Nelson Mandela and South African apartheid freedom fighter Steve Biko, right, in the city of Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, June 10, 2013. Former President Nelson Mandela’s condition remains serious but stable on Monday, his third day in a Pretoria hospital, the South African government said. “His condition is unchanged,” the office of President Jacob Zuma said in a brief statement. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

A mural depicting former South African President Nelson Mandela, left, with Table Mountain in the background in the city of Cape Town, South Africa, Monday, June 10, 2013. Former President Nelson Mandela’s condition remains serious but stable on Monday, his third day in a Pretoria hospital, the South African government said. “His condition is unchanged,” the office of President Jacob Zuma said in a brief statement. The full graffiti mural is numbers depicting history in the decades 90′s 80′s 70′s 60′s. (AP Photo/Schalk van Zuydam)

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JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Nelson Mandela was in serious but stable condition in a Pretoria hospital for the third day Monday with a recurring lung infection, and a foundation led by retired archbishop Desmond Tutu described the 94-year-old anti-apartheid hero as an “extraordinary gift” to South Africa.

As family members visited South Africa’s first black president in the hospital, the government announced — in only the second communication on Mandela since he was hospitalized on Saturday — that his condition was “unchanged.”

A statement issued for the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation described Mandela as “the beloved father of our nation” and offered prayers for a man seen by many around the world as a symbol of reconciliation because of his peacemaking role when white racist rule ended in South Africa.

Mandela “once again endures the ravages of time in hospital,” said the Cape Town-based foundation, which was founded by Tutu and his wife Leah to promote peace. “We offer our thanks to God for the extraordinary gift of Mr. Mandela, and wish his family strength.”

Tutu, 81, was also vigorous campaigner against apartheid, which ended when all-race elections were held in 1994 and Mandela president. Like Mandela, Tutu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts on behalf of his compatriots. Mandela shared his prize with F.W. de Klerk, the last president of the apartheid era.

“We send our blessings to the doctors and nurses responsible for his care,” Tutu’s foundation said.

Meanwhile, the African National Congress, South Africa’s ruling party, dismissed as false a report in Monday’s edition of The Star newspaper that Mandela’s family had barred senior party leaders and government officials from visiting the hospital.

On April 29, state television broadcast footage of a visit to Mandela’s home by President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders. Zuma said then that Mandela was in good shape, but the footage — the first public images of Mandela in nearly a year — showed him silent and unresponsive, even when Zuma tried to hold his hand.

Some South Africans said that showing images of a clearly ill Mandela was inappropriate and appeared to reflect an attempt by the ruling party to benefit politically from its association with Mandela, a former ANC head, in the run-up to national elections next year. The party denied the accusation.

In its brief statement on Mandela’s health, the presidency said Zuma “reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time,” referring to Mandela by his clan name.

Mandela has been hospitalized several times in recent months. During a hospital stay that ended April 6, doctors diagnosed him with pneumonia and drained fluid from his chest.

Mandela has been particularly vulnerable to respiratory problems since contracting tuberculosis during 27 years as the prisoner of the white racist government. The bulk of that period was spent on Robben Island, off the coast of Cape Town where Mandela and other prisoners spent part of the time toiling in a stone quarry.

He was freed in 1990, and then embarked on peacemaking efforts during the tense transition that saw the demise of the apartheid system and his own election as president in 1994.

The former leader retired from public life years ago and had received medical care at his Johannesburg home until his latest transfer to a hospital.

Associated Press

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Top Headlines

Mandela remains in serious but stable condition

Colbert Busch"s serious House run

Operatives say Colbert Busch, a Democrat, has a chance in the Republican-leaning district. | AP Photo

Elizabeth Colbert Busch has lost at least one election, against some very stiff competition: a vote among the eight Colbert siblings, including her comedian brother Stephen, to decide who’s the funniest.

Even Stephen lost, it turned out.

Continue Reading

“My sister Mary won,” she said in a 15-minute phone interview with POLITICO on Friday. “Everybody has a really great Irish sense of humor about them.”

It’s safe to say Colbert Busch hopes her nascent campaign for Congress will turn out differently.

With a fundraising hand from her faux-conservative newscaster brother, the Democrat and university administrator is running for a House seat in an upcoming South Carolina special election. The potential general election matchup could be made for comedians like her famous sibling: Colbert Busch is likely to face off against scandal-plagued former Gov. Mark Sanford.

(Also on POLITICO: :Marc Sanford’s confessional campaign)

The district leans Republican, but it’s not a lost cause for Colbert Busch, operatives on both sides say — especially if Sanford is the Republican nominee.

Stephen Colbert has made a go-to routine out of flirting with his own bids for public office — he’s joked about running for president and senator, and his 2012 super PAC raised more than $ 1 million. But Colbert Busch says her campaign to join the House of Representatives that her brother has mocked so mercilessly is serious business.

“With all due respect,” she said, “I have worked very hard in this district.”

(Also on POLITICO: Stephen Colbert to fundraise for her sister)

She said her experience in the shipping industry and as a business development head at Clemson University makes her uniquely qualified to represent the coastal-based 1st Congressional District.

“This is our time,” said Colbert Busch, who, unlike Stephen, pronounces her last name with a hard “t.”

Though Colbert Busch has never run for public office before, she said she’s long wanted to get into politics. So when former Republican Rep. Tim Scott was appointed to the Senate in December, she decided to take the plunge. She said she caught the political bug at age 6, when her father headed up Physicians for Kennedy.

The candidate and her brother have long been close, part of a large, tight-knit family that used humor to heal life’s pains. And those pains have been considerable.

In 1974, when she was 19 and a sophomore in college, her father and two of her brothers were killed in a plane crash. In 2000, one of her brothers died as a result of illness. And in Sept. 2001, Colbert Busch, then the director of sales and marketing for a shipping company, was working in an office building in lower Manhattan when, across the street, two jetliners crashed into the World Trade Center.

Colbert Busch’s first marriage — to a man who was once featured on “America’s Most Wanted” and was eventually convicted of securities fraud — ended in divorce. It left her as a single mom of three children.

The candidate has adopted a philosophical approach to life’s struggles. Her view, a friend said, “is that life is good; life is beautiful; and you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

POLITICO – TOP Stories

Colbert Busch"s serious House run