Post your comments and questions for 2013.

You must be a subscriber to make comments.

Similar Posts

173 Comments

  1. Are you familiar with Mae Brussell? In 1963 she was a housewife with 5 kids. She had serious questions about the JFK assassination, so she bought the entire Warren Commission Report when it came out. She came up with her own index, and began cross listing it with other material. She wound up having a radio show in the 70’s and 80’s. Most of the shows are on youtube. She talked quite a bit about what Richard Farrell and others and talking about now. Even back then she was talking about nazis in the government, ufo’s, Vatican politics, other assassinations, and so forth. She passed away in 1987.

    She seems to have discovered the ‘breakaway civilization’ long before anyone else. Her old shows remind me of some of your current ones. Please take a look at her material.

  2. Hi Catherine,
    I watched the documentary Moon Rising that you mentioned in one of your posts and noticed you posted some youtube material on a subject touched on in the film; space elevators. Then you posted some material on space elevators that I think needs a counter perspective. I believe Wall Thornhill and folks working on the Electric Universe Theory have addressed this topic in one of their Space News shorts that points to evidence of the presence of upper atmospheric lightning that indicates the existence of an electrical circuit between the sun and the earth. This would turn a space elevator into basically a giant lightning rod. Pretty compelling stuff.

    On the topic of upper atmospheric lightning and space elevators: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NenomdAZ11M&feature=player_embedded#t=0

    They also offer compelling alternative theories to the big bang, black holes, redshift, the sun, comets, and unexplainable cosmological phenomena. Excellent and approachable content with explanations that even a dummy like me can understand.

    http://www.youtube.com/user/ThunderboltsProject

    Their documentaries have changed the way I look at the the world, the universe, history, and science in general. It’s complementary to the work of Rupert Sheldrake, Adam Trombly, Nick Begich, Judy Wood, Cliff Carnicom, Lynn McTaggart, William Tiller and others regarding the invisible energetic relationships surrounding us. I wonder if you could have one of your alt-science experts or someone in the Solari network could take a closer look at and vet what the EU scientists are working on and maybe bring Wal Thornhill onto a future Solari report.

    Best regards

  4. September 5.
    Wondering about the meaning of this. Today MoveOn.org just sent out an official VOTE opinion poll to its members. The polling question, “Should MoveOn” support or oppose congressional authorization to use military force in Syria?

    This appears significant – that this organization, which largely helped to put the current president in office, is having this poll before casting their weight.

  6. Pondering the real estate discussion. My spouse and I, plan to downsize to No Mortgage but not just yet. I took a look at real estate tax costs to guess about inflation in the next 10 years. I learned these facts about our recent past as property owners. I compared 2005 to 2013.
    Property value increased 32%, property tax increased 20% (school tax has maintained 50-59% of our property tax in Texas), and my salary increased almost 40%. Somewhere around 2006-2008 my salary was around a living wage but inflation is erroding that.

    What does the real estate expert think the national norm will be in a few years regarding any forseen changes for property owners to pay more of the taxing district debt load payments, Texas uses a sales tax, no income tax, and districts pop up over time to tax more with less direct stakeholder input.

  7. Regarding the idea that the NSA stories might be part of a larger, deeper story…. The Snowden leaks do seem really well planned and his conversations are well thought out. It’s as if he has 3 people behind him helping him with international law, helping him write, helping him shape each day’s story that comes out in the Guardian. Maybe he’s the front man for somebody or some group that wants this stuff leaked. Or maybe he’s just brilliant on his own. So far, he has seemed one day ahead of the US media’s commentary, he seems to have little fear and he’s very nimble.

    Something I haven’t seen any commentary about is the fact that the Carlyle Group owns Booz-Allen. Doesn’t all this spying and data gathering give the Carlyle Group the ultimate insider information for whatever big deals they’re trying to do?? What do you think about this?

  8. A shout out!

    Attempting to save an important nickle, I called my telephone/internet provider, no no TV Cable here, just rabbit ears for TV, to save a few bucks. They offered a year discount on a new “verse” service that would save about $200 or more for a year. It turns out the new phone service uses Voice Over Internet Protocal. Now our call packets wiz over to the NSA I presume with no need for a conversion to digital. I presume the old audio phone had to be converted or was just not recorded. I guess after the discount period ends I’ll be paying the costs for storage by the NSA in full. Ugh!

    Loving our subscription,
    Brad

  9. Regarding your TRUTHOUT LINK entitled “Beginning Of The End”…

    Did you or your editors really think about the claim that 100 billionaire’s income could fix world poverty four times over? The link says their net income is 240B$ and there are 1B children in poverty. Assuming one poor adult for every five poor children that’s claiming that 50$/year is enough to raise someone from poverty. Seems like a stretch. Maybe TRUTHOUT is not a reliable source.

    Douglas M Dillon 2 4 0 x 3 8 3 x 6 8 4 6

  10. Just finished listening to the second water show. I am also listening to the rain on the roof. Very soothing even if my Cessna hasn’t been out of the hangar for a week. The rain is what I came here for. Looking at the drought monitor is very sobering. The whole western half of the U.S. is colored in deep brown. That means sever drought. I expect that at least half of the country will no longer be water blind. On a deeper level, we need to understand the relationship between water and the forest. No forest, no rain. The rise of civilization meant the destruction of forests. 10,000 years ago, the whole Mediterranean basin was heavily forested. A Chinese study has concluded that the value of all the services a living tree performs is worth 10 times the price of the wood. Unfortunately, the Chinese discovered this a 1,000 years too late. Pity we do not seem to be learning from their mistake. 175 years ago, the Erie Canal was opened. Most of the farmers left New England after that. The land returned to forest. I am now enjoying the benefits. Paradoxically enough, one result is very much better food here. The little local farms are separated by hundreds of miles of forest from the land of agribusiness. The result is no contamination by GMOs

    I feel a little uneasy writing about all the details of life around here. None of us want the word to get out.

  12. Hi Catherine,
    I wasn’t aware of this until I received a message from the Deputy Director for Planning and Business Management of NASA that “no IT products shall be purchased at this time.” Do a google search and you’ll be lucky to find less than a handful of references.

    ‘US Congress restricts government purchase of Chinese computer equipment, citing cyber-espionage concerns’
    http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/27/4154442/us-congress-restricts-purchase-of-chinese-computer-equipment-fearing-cyber-espionage

    I wonder how long it’ll take to either override this law or modify in some fashion, because I can’t see NASA being without the latest IT for very long. However, it appears to be more financial warfare against the Chinese.

    -Rick

  13. Water
    I am glad that you are doing a show on water; it is the reason I left Southern California. I was there for 40 years and endured drought and near drought for long periods, sometimes years at a stretch. The deep anxiety about water that permeated my subconscious finally drove me out. I am now in Western Massachusetts an area with abundant fresh water. Even last year, which was one of the driest on record, still had fresh clean water in the rivers all around me. And the rivers are all around me, running free all the time. Every day for my noon break I walk a mile south and check on the Little River. Sitting on the bank watching it for a few minutes is my therapy. I have been here almost two years now and no longer have any symptoms.

    I never cease to be amazed by the lack of interest in the people around me. I guess they do not realize how rich they are because they never had to do without. For me letting the water run while I brush my teeth is an extravagance beyond measure.

    It is raining now so maybe I will go out and walk around in it.

  14. One more thing. I consider Gregor McDonald to be the best of the energy analysts (gregor.us).

    Douglas M Dillon, 240-383-6846

  15. Here’s an “ASK Catherine”

    I listen to many voices and yours has been providing the most value recently. Your strengths are in out-of-the mainstream political analysis and finance, an area where I have need some real worldview rearranging.

    In my view, Peak-Oil based analysis provides considerable explanatory power for the current world political and economic situation. You seem to be of the view that there are energy solutions of almost magical potency that are available, but are being suppressed (interviews with zero-point energy advocates, etc.). You even go so far as to support theorists claiming recent high oil prices are due to a conspiracy to squeeze China.

    I’ve been looking at this pretty closely from a mainstream scientific perspective and I would have to say that the preponderance of evidence in the energy arena goes with the Peak Oil thinkers (e.g. Chris Martenson).

    What kind of empirical data would it take for you to change your views on the energy situation and what might the implications of such a change be on your worldview?

    Warm regards,

    Douglas M Dillon, 240-383-6846

  16. Enjoyed the Foster & Kimberly interview in the last solari report… thanks CAF !! Highlights for me: your explanation of the “modified hang-out” of how participants in the movie Thrive decided after the dissemination of the movie to dissociate themselves from the Thrive movie… I remember when the letter of dissociation was posted on the thrivemovement.com website I kept thinking, ‘what do these dissociators have to worry about? Each is presented quite respectfully, each is from a different sector of the culture, each is given a reasonable platform….And why are they objecting that they can’t control everything?” I sort of lost respect for a number of them right then….I didn’t lose total respect for them, but I lost an awful lot of respect for them…. Another highlight: when it seemed like you and Foster and Kimberly said nice things about each other (very supportive, which is how all of our lives need to be) and you said about the Gambles’ rough time with the dissociators, which must have been about a year ago for them: “yes, welcome to my world.. !! ” You guys have really been through it. Another highlight: 1 million people per month are watching Thrive. wow. Unstoppable, as maybe Jon Rappoport would say. thanks CAF and solari team… !!

  17. HERE’s AN “ASK CATHERINE” FOR THE PODCAST…

    Catherine, there are a bunch of anti-centalization voices out there originating from across the political spectrum including nearly mainstream guys like puplava, former mainstream guys like paul craig roberts and yourself, ufo guys like joseph p farrell, former news media guys like No Agenda show’s Curry and Dvorak, Greg Hunter, Russell Baker, etc…

    How do you decide which of these voices are worth being heard and, could we get some collaboration on something basic like transparency is good and we need an open internet to pool resources on? Or is everyone scrapping to keep their head above water so hard (and going under like the “Collapse” documentary guy) that there is no margin available for pooling of resources?

    Thanks much,

    Douglas M Dillon,

  18. An “Ask Catherine” post: I have heard that the bullion banks or some other entity made millions and maybe billions of dollars on the precious metals price drop April 12. Doesn’t it cost money to sell metals at a loss in a declining market? I just don’t get how this manipulation is net positive financially for those doing it. I would think that there would be a loss and that that loss would be acceptable due to the political or perceptual goal that was achieved in the action. Also, how does this forceful plunge in the spot price (as determined by paper COMEX futures prices) represent a transfer of wealth to the controllers, if the people holding physical are not selling anything at these low valuations? Thanks

  19. Suggest you post the link to the movie at http://www.siriusdisclosure.com. It just premiered in LA April 22 and is now already available on line at this website for $9.95…. Turns out it became the largest crowd-funded movie project ever. One must watch it to get it. And then watch it again and maybe a third time.

  20. Catherine is gaining quite a following here in Virginia. We’d love to get her out to here for a luncheon…. perhaps the Charlottesville/UVA area.

    Keep the great info coming!

  21. I recommend that you and Franklin have an emergency precious metals report, when you get a chance to gain your composure. I know I don’t have the mental capacity right now to provide any real-value on this subject myself. Sure seems like another case of the BANKSTERs winning because they hold all the cards.

  22. I finished reading Primal Body Primal Mind and am well into GAPS. In one way the information is devastating. Why didn’t I know this stuff 50 years ago? In another way, very empowering. The biggest frustration I have is educating other people, especially the ones who really need to take this seriously.

  24. Would you mind posting some links or helpful insights into the Bank of Cyprus taxing of depositors situation. Jim Sinclair wrote some things about it in the last day or two. Thank you!

  27. Dear Catherine,
    Could you please talk about IFRS ( International Financial Accounting Principles) and how wide spread they are already implemented. I feel that this is a sleeping giant as the repeal of Glass-Steagall was – at first. This is a serious departure from GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and in my opinion puts people’s investments and retirement at risk. This is a short interview with Canada’s leading Forensic and Investigative Accountant Al Rosen on his opinion of the US switching to IFRS.
    http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=6029#.UUJqvY7A7A4
    “New International Accounting Rules Opens Door to Fraud”

    Thanks Catherine and ignore if you have already covered this,
    Jane Talbot

  28. Hello,

    If there is interest in Chavez’s passing I may be able to tap a good resource to provide some of the backstory, context and possible outcomes.

    Please let me know if this would be helpful.

    Regards,
    Anthony Cooke

  31. Just a note that your panel in Los Angeles a week (or so) ago, “Money Magic and..Consciousness” (I think that was the title) with Kimberly Gamble (of thrivemovement.com) was really informative and helpful. One of the most interesting conversations to me was “If we remove the Fed and this economy we’re in then what will we replace it with? We need to be careful that we don’t weaken our current system so much that our country ends up being vulnerable to other forces..” (I hope I’m not misquoting you here) …. it was along these lines. We all want things to be cleaned up, but in the right way. I will re-read your Coming Clean materials from January !! Also, have been enjoying (if enjoying is the right word) the Netflix production of “House of Cards” which you recommended in Lets Go to the Movies… and I keep thinking, well, ‘if fiction is fact’ then boy does this series throw some light on some people and situations. And I wonder if our government representatives are squirming as they see themselves in these characters…. I hope so… thanks ! Catherine.

  32. CAF
    I listen carefully to your pre-interview remarks, which often exceed expectations. I suspect your active mind is not lacking for SR topics, but one area I don’t recall you including is the tight link between certain Sil Valley ( as a figurative ref. ) players and the intelligence sector ( for want of a better term ). I’ve read, and heard from insiders, enough to get the broad outlines and I think we have surely seen the impact, but the role this plays in the matrix ( whatever that is ) will remain necessarily obscure. This seems like an area where a key interview could shed much light and help subscribers to defend.
    It is the accellerating pace that really concerns me nowadays – reminds me of an Olympic-style toboggan run.

  35. Subject: Federal (Corporate) mandates v/s small community ingenuity.
    Bill Moyers: “Earlier this week, the FCC endorsed controversial plans to provide high-speed Internet to cities across America. Find out how one Louisiana town fought telecom companies to build one of the fastest networks in the nation for its residents.”

    http://billmoyers.com/2013/02/07/bringing-high-speed-internet-to-cajun-country/

    My perspective: Communities can do a better job than what is dictated to us by Federal authorities, whether its community banking instead of too-big-to-jail banking or community utilities instead of federally mandated lobbyist utilities.

  36. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/print/2013-01-18/retirement-savings-accounts-draw-u-s-consumer-bureau-attention.html

    This post on the Solari blog include stating that a section of Frank Dodd law could be interpreted to let the Consumer Protection Agency go into investment protection for the consumers. Here is Texas I am learning about how various Texas laws are misapplied and how the justice system and legislators let it happen. More lawlessness. If your state has judicial monitoring by activists, I’d like to review their web site. Please reply to this with the link.

    In cahoots with you!

    1. Nigel, has Half Past Been accurate these last couple of years. I skimmed a radio pod cast recently and it sounds like recent years…major disaster looms for the planet in the spring or summer. Does he have better accuracy on any particular topic? Entertaining but not educational so I don’t have time for his work…

  38. Catherine, I’m very glad that you focus so much on Health and Nutrition. I am a recent, returning subscriber, and I don’t see any references in your articles or interviews to Dr. William Davis, the author of Wheat Belly. The book is fascinating and right up your alley. My personal experience with Dr Davis is that I read his book the first week of September, immediately began following his diet (which is, as you might imagine, NO WHEAT!) and have lost 30 pounds since. My situation was that I regularly worked out doing high intensity exercises but could not shake the huge gut that I developed. That gut is now gone. Not reduced… gone. Flat. More importantly, I had also developed bad joint pain (knees and ankles) and within a week of giving up wheat, the pain completely disappeared. You would do your subscribers a great service if you investigated what Dr Davis is saying and introduce him to your followers.

  39. Last fall I joined the National Health Federation, the non profit health freedom federation who’s President was on a Solari report.
    Here in Texas, they are active with Natural Health practicioners as our legislature meets every other year.

    I have asked one of my practitioners to consider both joining the federation and participating in the legislative session volunteer work. I will ask another practitioner this week to consider their work and Texas legislative session opportunity.

    You can check your state here: http://www.thenhf.com/page.php?id=250

    Regards,

  40. RE: Zombie meme. Alex Jones reviews Brad Pitt’s upcoming “World War Z” and presents a compelling case that zombie-ism is being pushed by elites to desensitize us to marginalized Americans (who won’t give up their guns, take the vaccine for the bioweapons release, or support the UN), and allow the military and former Americans now under global control to kill with prejudice any such separatist, independent faction that remains. The YouTube clip has some telling pull-quotes from the 2006 book. Note that hog farmers from Tennessee will do not will in this dark future. 🙂

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCnGEc4Nh0

  41. Let me know if I’m pestering you with too many comments.

    I realize, thanks in good part to Solari, that I should be trading off some attention to my trading in favor of my health.

    Know of any good services (subscription or otherwise) that might provide the kind of regular information and coaching in the “men’s over 50 health” arena comparable to Graceland Updates for investing?

    Thanks much,

    Douglas M Dillon

  42. Hi Solari team.

    The 2012 Wrap up podcast cuts off early before a proper close. I downloaded it 4 times just to check. every time same.

    Does anyone have the same problem?

    Thanks…

  43. I am learning a lot from the Solari Report transcripts! And now that Ihave something I can listen to podcasts on (a Christmas gift!) I will launch into the podcasts. I’m wondering about ‘who is Mr. Global’ also… Naming names seems a bit dangerous, but my guess is that they’re the usual suspects.

    Meanwhile, am hoping Catherine might put forth to us what she found out at the new energy conference from (I think it was) November 2012, which was in Europe as I recall. Thanks and Happy New Year!

  44. I’m pretty interested in figuring out exactly who the “Mister Globals” are. Are guys like Jamie Dimon, Barak Obama, Herman Van Rumpoy… the top-level of the Mr. Globals or are there hidden individuals that are a layer or two higher.

    Perhaps you could imagine having interviews with Paul Craig Roberts (who I would think would be enough of an former-insider to know who these guys were 30 years ago) and perhaps Russ Baker (who went into the background on the Bush dynasty in detail) to explore the question of: “Who are these guys”?

    Been learning a whole lot from you. I’m a convert to the “slow burn” theory after having been tempted by the “they’re going to blow” outlook.

  46. Dear Solarians:

    I had a meditation teacher, Betty Bethards, who was a well-known mystic, psychic, clairaudient, writer and meditation teacher in the Calif. Bay Area for 35 years. She had a foundation, the Inner Light Foundation (www.innerlight.org) , which is now operated by her husband, Charles, as she died in 2002. I had the honor of calling her a great personal friend before she died.
    Several of her books are still available on the website.

    I wanted to write some stuff here, because I think it is wonderful, useful information and I think Solari folks might find it useful too.

    Betty died 10 years ago but it has only been now, in 2012 that I have started to understand the full extent of her teachings. Catherine and Jon Rappoport and others featured on Solari (also Dr. Steven Greer of the Disclosure Project) have opened up whole new new worlds for me!

    Anyway: Betty Bethards spent a number of several-hour sessions with Dr. William Tiller of Stanford in the 1970s, because of her psychic and mystical gifts. Catherine interviewed Dr. Tiller in Nov. 2011 for the Solari Report.

    Betty taught an extraordinarily simple meditation technique (20 minutes) that I’ve done for 23 years. She told me that it was ‘an ancient Egyptian technique, and the easiest she had ever come across.’ I’ll put it at the bottom of this posting.

    She taught that through using meditation, also through dreams, and affirmations and visualizations, we have all the tools necessary to develop all our gifts, grow, see the truth behind the veils, learn and figure out all our problems and see what is
    going on. And all these tools are free!

    She taught a whole lot about our own energy fields, or auras. We are all swimming in a field of energy and we have our own energy field. But our energy fields can get depleted with stress, fatigue, lack of food, negative thinking, giving away our power, etc.

    We need to learn to build our own energy field. Our energy is known in Asia as “chi” or in India as “kundalini” or even in more ancient times and religious contexts, was synonymous with the “Holy Spirit.” (I think the Holy Spirit means something else these days).

    Meditation every 24 hours builds our energy fields over time…Betty taught: “Our energy is our most precious commodity. Meditation will change your life because it will change YOU.”

    Anyway, Betty had quite a sense of humor. She said things like: “People search to the top of the mountains for truth and go to the depths of the oceans, but God was pretty smart. He hid the truths inside each of us. It’s all within us.”

    She said, “Jesus was the most powerful teacher that ever came to Earth. But Buddha and Mohammed, they were no slouches.”

    One of the stories she frequently told was, “My father was so prejudiced. I think when he reincarnates, he’ll come back as a Black Jew and marry an Asian Gay.”

    She taught that we are all psychic, but we need to just center ourselves, tune into ourselves and develop our psychic abilities. Psychic abilities like precognition, feeling another’s feelings–all those things–are fun and interesting. But psychic ability in itself is really just a doorway into the higher, mystical self. The mystic is where the really good stuff is. That’s where we can really start creating wonderful worlds for ourselves. It’s how we break out of old patterns and come up with new stuff!

    To get to the mystical — and we can all develop our psychic AND our mystical gifts — we need to hear ourselves, tune into ourselves, and develop our intuitive gifts and our own truths. We can reprogram old feelings of being unloved and we can reprogram our imperfect childhoods… and get our own self-love going. We all need to love ourselves for our own uniqueness !

    Betty taught that “Love is the strongest force in the universe…and ultimately all these lower-vibration organizations will fail and love will prevail.”

    She taught that we have all incarnated at a very exciting time–a time of revealing — and that the earth’s energy is shifting and so much that has been hidden is being revealed.

    So, I’ve been reading the Solari Report for several months, but just weeks ago became a subscriber, so now I’m reading the past articles and interviews.

    I am amazed to read the articles around mind control, how we are programmed by ‘the powers’ to think and churn inside about certain topics. We are programmed to get riled up by “right vs. left,” and all this other stuff. I have sensed this is true, but I couldn’t articulate it very well to myself.

    I am understanding so much more clearly how so much of this junk, fed to us by the media, is just diversions to keep us occupied and redirected so we don’t notice what is really going on.

    I think it is incumbent upon us to “see what is going on” and wake up. Meditation has for a long time helped me in a variety of ways. It finally helped me to realize that certain “truths” don’t resonate with me anymore… and I began to seek out better sources of information and wake up.

    Here’s how to meditate — simple, easy, free! Do it for 20 minutes each day and it will change your life. Also, I don’t think meditation is that different than prayer. With meditation, though, I think I have learned to listen. (I think I talk too much when I pray!).

    ————

    Here’s Betty’s 20-minute meditation technique.

    You can record a 20-minute tape or CD of your favorite, relaxing music, or play ocean waves, or just sit in silence, if you like silence. If you want to sing along to the songs, that’s great — like the heartfelt singers such as Celine Dion or B. Streisand or somebody else who makes you feel good.

    1. Sit in a comfy chair where you can keep your back straight and feet flat on the floor. You’re aligning your spine and imagining a straight line from the center of the universe, up your feet, out the top of your head, to the top of the universe.
    2. Put your hands together in a loose grasp or prayer position.
    3. Take 3 long, slow deep breaths to deeply relax yourself.
    4. For the first 10 minutes, keep your hands together, sing along to the music. Or you can imagine a beautiful ocean or lake if you aren’t playing music.
    5. After 10 minutes, turn your hands over, rest each one, separated, gently on each thigh, with each palm up. Keep listening to the music or looking at your beautiful lake. Your back is straight and feet on the floor. If you feel like rocking forward and back or side to side, do it! Let the spirit move you, in other words. These last 10 minutes you are really recharging your batteries.

    6. At the end of the 20 minutes, say to yourself some affirmations, such as “the perfect career is manifesting in my life now” or “the perfect goals are manifesting in my life now.”

    Say each affirmation 3 times and really feel it…. Just mouthing the words doesn’t do it, you want to feel it. “Perfect health is manifesting in my life now.”

    If you have a difficult situation in your life that you don’t know how to solve, then “Divine love and divine guidance is manifesting in my life now.”

    7. At the end, visualize a ball of white light around yourself, above, extending out for a mile or so –with you in the middle. Then close each of your hands into a fist, and open your eyes when ready.

    You may only be able to do 10 minutes to start out..After you master 10 minutes, move to 15, then 20 or even 25, if you need the extra few minutes of energy.

    If you meditate when you first wake up, you can visualize a smooth-running day… If you meditate when you are about to go to sleep at night, you can review your day, figure out if you handled things the best way, and go out on high energy! You may have a better dream recall if you meditate before you go to sleep. Even a 3 am meditation is fine. Whatever works for you.

    Thanks – M.E.

  47. Dear Catherine and Solari Subscribers

    Rent Vs. Buy 1st Home in the S.F. Bay Area

    My wife and I are considering the purchase of our first home in the S.F. Bay area. We hope to find one along with a mortgage payment, taxes and insurance that will not exceed 25% of our monthly gross income and still leave about 12-15% of our budget free for discretionary spending or emergencies. I work as a skilled trades person (locksmith) and do not feel very concerned about loosing my job or finding work if I do.

    I am having a challenging time trying to discern if renting would still be a better option if economy tanks and unemployment goes up in 2013 like everyone expects.

    Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

    Mark

    1. Perhaps Mark, you have already checked on what is available near work at your price range. I’ve made the mistake before of letting the realtor tell me what I can afford. My wife and I value these much: location vs work, food source, taxing districts (layering on of taxing districts has occured in our area), likeable (we really like ours) neighbors and walk-ability. Construction impacts maintenance costs and our floor plan works well for the so called temporary guest that has stayed here going on five years now.

      Home is where your heart is,
      Brad

  48. On Saturday Dec. 1, was listening to the NPR broadcast of “This American Life.,” Also titled ‘450: So Crazy It Just Might Work.”

    The subject was a documentary maker, Gabriel Rhodes who is working on his documentary “The Cure,” (see links below). His film and the NPR story is about the collaborative research between a cancer researcher (John) and his former college orchestra teacher (Anthony). It starts out with very promising cancer collaboration and then these 2 end up disagreeing, not talking, Anthony can’t afford to work on this any more, frustrations… At first the research is great! The cancer cells are being destroyed with Royal Rife’s basic methods. Then their data is scrambled, charts don’t make sense and what they saw happening in the lab with their own eyes isn’t reflected in their data or their charts. It all makes sense. Then it doesn’t. What happened?

    I think these researchers got too close to good results and they were stopped by “unknown forces,” whomever they are… The NPR broadcast doesn’t handle it with this theory, of course… NPR basically just talks about how hard cancer research is… I’m curious if any of you have run into this story and what you think…

    broadcast originally dated Nov 11, 2011 — http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/450/so-crazy-it-just-might-work
    http://www.thecuredocumentary.com/

    ============================

  49. Blue Light? – see Disney 2012 movie John Carter – complete with shape shifting evil overlords

  50. The Lynette Louise interview seemed a sharp contrast to Rappaport’s recent SR about the diagnosis of autism being too loosely defined and suggested it may be a more or less fake diagnosis. Was this just two different guest’s points of view? – Or do I need to replay these SRs for my own clarification?

  51. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUMMd6R7mOk The smooth blend of The Sons of the Pioneers on two of their classics: Cool Water & Tumbling Tumbleweeds.

    WATER Of PLACE: Gaining perspective from our home the edge of source.

    Early in the Solari Report Series, Catherine Austin Fitts urged subscribers to secure quality food and water.
    I’ve been thinking about water for our PLACE a lot since then. My perspective about water has changed quite a bit over the years.

    As a child being raised in the Southwest, I swam in our pool despite desert tumble weeds blowing just behind our fence.
    Once a week the utility would open a valve in our yard and several inches of water depth quenched thirsty grass, bushes, trees and our pomegranate tree.

    That was 45 years ago. Moving from the Southwest to a bit east of the Mississippi River is like moving to constant humidity and much rain when you are a kid. The toads are slimy, not like the horned toads of the southwest. It takes some getting used several days of rain at a time in the Southeast. I could put a long john boat in many ponds and a few reservoirs and fish all I could stand.

    Each summer while growing up, I canoed, swam and floated on an intertube or raft on a river fork in eastern Oklahoma. Those summer days in Oklahoma allowed for swimming in the “creek” unless rains muddied and swelled up the ebbs and flows into swift currents for a few days.

    During college my economics professor went to Arizona on sabbatical to study water. He said in 20 years that water would be like gasoline. Today, spring rains ensure enough canoeing water in the spring and kayaking at least into early summer. I met my wife in the rainy southeast. In fact we both lived less than a mile from and on the high side of the Mississippi river. The mighty Mississippi is amazing. With the spring floods, tug boats pushing barges, the Mississippi Queen, the Corps. of Engineers management, and movies like Huck Finn, it’s hard to imagine a lack of water.

    My wife and I moved our family to central Texas in the mid 1990’s without a thought about ground water. We were glad for lower humidity. We found ourselves living in a town where the hill country, black land prairie and grasslands of the Edwards plateau meet. After we arrived we noticed harder and shorter rains. Flash flooding is more prevalent here. Rainfall averages closer to three inches monthly than over four inches. Sometimes there is no rain for a month. Now, after seventeen years and a few droughts, future water access is a hot topic. My abundant water perspective is gone.

    I am ever digesting tidbits of information about the edges of my water sources and impacts to my place water. We have lived on well water and city water. There are plenty of access and regulatory issues to learn and keep up with both well and piped water.

    To understand the water of place, I seek to understand the forces and players affecting our water. I’ve learned a few things this year I’d like to share.

    Well water requires a knowledge about well mechanics and ground water hydrology. It’s a good idea to keep pipe, connections and a hand pump ready for a long term power or pump equipment outage. Getting to know a local aquifer board member helps. Talking with neighbors that have been in place the longest provides deeper insight. We had a very dry and hot period during the summer of 2011 with 90 days at or above 100 degrees. Drought severity limits are the norm here now. We had our toilets replaced during a utility incentive to install low flow toilets. I may take one of the permaculture courses to gain a better perspective on how to transition our land toward the newer dryer climate. I will also plan a dry water garden for where rain water rushes off our property to the lower next door neighbor. Maybe I can direct more water to sink in and support our trees.
    We live in town now so water is piped from a city water utility. They have a long term contract with the Lower Colorado River District. The water utility is supposed to have water for 50 years by contract. I don’t have full faith in contracts any more. Attending to everything that lies from our home to the water source edge is a responsibility for my family and community safety. If the utility were to flip to a private corporation, our situation could change drastically. As it is, water rates are up over 10% this year.

    Learning about the local ordinances, local water companies and districts that are stake holders of water sourcing is a must for a basic understanding. Texas has a state water board and plenty of state legislated regulation. I’m convinced that often university expertise in Texas leans toward the needs of the energy industry and water sellers.

    Knowing an expert source is perhaps a best practice and I hope to find a trustworth Texas water expert in 2013. Various regions of the United States have multiple states in their water region sourcing. It can take some study just to define the boundaries of place we want to focus on. Add uncertainty and complexity of weather and airosol spraying to the mix and it’s easy to be overwhelmed with information.The quality of water is affected by place but quality is a whole other topic to integrate as is waste water.

    I look forward to learning more about water from other subscribers.

    Nothing quenches thirst like cool clean water.

    Brad

  54. For the upcoming Solari report, “Your Taxes in 2013”, I would like to ask this question please.
    It seems there’s a window of opportunity right now, before 2013 closes, where the lifetime gift tax exclusion is quite high at $5M and also real estates values are extremely low. Should a portfolio with strong real estate holdings use this window to gift property now rather than wait until the window closes, understanding that this gift must be irrevocable. I believe this question ultimately lies in whether the differential between today’s exclusion of $5M and tomorrow’s exlusion, let’s assume that to be $1M, is subject to clawback. I’m reading differing opinions on this making it difficult to decide whether to pull the trigger or not.

    Thank you.

  55. Hey, Megan. Welcome! Delighted to have you join us and post your insights!. I am leaving Palo Alto for Tennessee tomorrow am. Back in April. Hope to see you in the Spring!

    Catherine

  56. I just became a subscriber a few days ago and this is really exciting. I have forwarded the information from Lynette Louise about autism to a friend who has an autistic child…I have been starting to read the back issues of the solari report, including the one about Dr. Tiller from Stanford, a scientist who investigates the spiritual. This is fascinating. I just read Catherine’s March 2012 solari report where she alone talked…this piece is great. Thanks, CAF! IIn this ‘solo report’ I particular enjoyed the insight that I have sometimes had, but haven’t really been able to articulate it. Sometimes following the right path is a fairly lonely path. I’m alone in realizing that I need to do the right thing, not be coerced, just because it is the right thing to do. “The reward will be in heaven” is sort of how it gets described, but you know, I think being true to oneself and being able to sleep at night is pretty powerful too. I’ll write more. Am a bit shy about posting on blogs like this… but I did want to send greetings and thank you for Catherine. I so enjoyed meeting Catherine here in Northern Calif….

  57. http://revoltingdevelopments.wordpress.com/2011/05/27/film-director-john-carpenter-markets-see-real-glasses-says-80s-they-live-movie-was-fact/

    FILM DIRECTOR JOHN CARPENTER MARKETS “SEE THEM” GLASSES: SAYS ‘THEY LIVE’ MOVIE WAS FACT

    Posted on May 27, 2011 by Palantine News Network

    A company owned by acclaimed Halloween filmmaker John Carpenter has been quietly manufacturing millions of “John Carpenter’s SEE THEM GLASSES,” which the director says he will begin shipping to retail chain stores early next month.

    Below: John Carpenter, the director of the films Halloween, The Thing and Escape From New York, visited the Revolting Developments’ offices on Monday to discuss his new consumer product.

    Carpenter declined to name the stores that will be offering his merchandise but
    claims that the glasses, as seen in his 1988 film, THEY LIVE, “will allow all the regular people to see thousands of ‘anti-capitalist space ghouls’ who have disguised themselves as the new financial and political elite, and are wrecking this country.”

    The movie, THEY LIVE, Carpenter says,”told the absolute truth, but was mistaken by audiences for a work of fiction. Since then I’ve come to realize that every regular person needs to see that these thieving ghouls exist for themselves. So next month, go to stores in your area and ask for, “John Carpenter’s SEE THEM GLASSES.”

  58. Here’s one for “Ask Catherine” or she could reply online.

    I see that you are consistently recommending documentaries as a way of spinning up on a subject. I find the documentary format to be extremely unsatisfactory. It is a reasonably accessible way of finding out what a particular viewpoint is claiming, but it is of little or no use to me regarding whether those claims are supported by the complete set of evidence. This is because:
    (a) There is never any actual empirical data. Graphs are typically flashed so quickly you can’t even read the axises or the units.
    (b) They typically depend largely on “authorities” giving their opinions in short sound bites with out the evidence that supports their opinions even being enumerated and without any reasonable evidence that the speaker is an actual authority to be listened to.
    (c) The viewpoint is always completely one side, but Solomon noted: “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.” Prov 18:17.
    (d) They don’t have footnotes that allow you to dig in a determine whether the evidence really exists and states what is claimed in context.
    (e) Music is used to set the emotional tone and clouds the rational evaluation of what is being presented.
    (f) The speed at which information is provided is slow at best with time wasted on the slow panning of the camera across still photos.

    Do you share any sympathy with my viewpoint and if so:
    (1) in what ways do you find documentaries valuable and
    (2) what do you depend upon to quickly sort the wheat from the chaff when examining extraordinary claims.

    Regards,

    Douglas M Dillon, 240-383-6846, http://www.worldofwallstreet.us

  59. Dear Catherine,

    Please could you do a solari report on the jewish /and or zionist influence in international affairs, including American politics and business. This seems to be a topic you have never broached. I don’t know enough about this subject but I begin to sense it could be as important as the ‘Control Files’ you so frequently refer to.

    Lunch with Kissenger? please tell more….

    Thanks
    Nigel

  60. Mortgages will die with QE3, but who is the beneficiary? Is this simply a bank bailout or are the banks under some obligation to forgive payments from the mortgagor?

  61. Hi Catherine,
    I left a post on your last precious metals report – though the topic was on the housing market. During your report with Sanders, you had touched on the housing market.

    Do you reply to these, if so, where?

  62. If members post their business services or their own blog web sites we could support each other better.
    I am using the Stetzer meter at my work today. I’ve been sitting at a hot spot for 10 years! Over 200.

  65. CHEMTRAILS OVER PARIS IN BOURNE IDENTITY — Was listening to an archived Solari Report where Catherine mentioned her surprise to find Chemtrails over Zurich. I first knew of chemtrails over Paris in 2002 while watching the Bourne Identity. No safe havens. Guess it’s time to create a safe-haven conspiracy for chemtrail-free zones! Blessings to all…

    http://youtu.be/44FxrHCuu9Q

  68. Jane:

    Thanks for the feedback for Sandy’s behavior subsequent to his leaving. I found the article interesting for a variety of reasons. However, you are right it is a puff piece. I am persuaded to take it down.

    Catherine

  70. The NYT article about Sandy Lewis paints him as someho w repentant and vindicated for his call that Wall Street is corrupt and heading for a fall. Sandy Lewis is a mean-spirited elitist who has done everything he could to take over Essex including but not limited to threatening and running off his neighbors, to create his enormous estate that he calls a farm on the shores of Lake Champlain. He has relentlessly refused to pay consultants and service contractors, hired lawyers to sue or at least scare everyone, and he does not deserve a kind word from anyone, including the New York Times.

    I lived in a neighboring town for nearly thirty years, know all of his neighbors, and refused to work for him. Sandy Lewis made a ton in the options market doing trades that were made illegal after they figured out what he and others at Bear Stearns were doing. Again, first hand knowledge: my late husband had a seat on the American Options Exchange and worked out of Bear Stearns. He was always a bit angry that Sandy and jerks like him made off with their wealth at the expense of all the other floor traders.

  71. Could you run this by Franklin:
    I just visited my local coin shop for the first time in over a year. I asked to buy two gold coins with cash and they asked me for ID. I explained that I thought someone could buy $5000 without any reporting requirements and they said, no its $2500. I said, “ok, may I buy one coin”. They said only if I provided ID. That kind of ended the conversation.

    So, the questions for Franklin are:
    (a) What are the limits on acquiring precious metals without the purchases being traced by the authorities. Can you increase the limits by dealing with multiple vendors? Is there a way to do these things non-local vendors (like Franklin’s). What kind of payment would be used?
    (b) What is the recommended method for acquiring significant precious metals savings over a multi-year period with as little traceability as practicable. Have things tightened up to the point where untraceable large acquisitions (say enough for a very modest retirement) are not feasible anymore?
    (c) There must be similar reporting requirements on an individual selling precious metals. Of course, the individual must report the transaction himself from an IRS standpoint if there has been a capital gain, but what about the requirements for a vendor purchaser? Will an individual be asked for ID and is the vendor required to report even single coin purchases?
    (d) Are there any requirements on the individual for reporting other than keeping records of the buy and sale dates and amounts? Do they need to keep official receipts from the counter parties of each transaction?
    (e) Is there any kind of organization that tracks the changing government requirements and keeps their membership informed. I’m thinking of something like an NRA for precious metals. If there is no convenient place like this, might yourself or Franklin provide a web page with information on this and links into federal statutes and/or the IRS web site as references?

    Of course this fits into the general theme of “no more privacy, Big Brother’s cameras / computers are watching everything you do, everyone you talk to, every place you go”. I see this trend accelerating with no signs whatsoever of any return. Google, facebook, all these Internet guys are making it harder and harder to do things without a real-name and I expect the NSA is already quite adept at matching up internet “handles” to real people anyway.

    Well, if Franklin is uncomfortable dealing with these questions could you find another expert to provide an opinion?

    Seems like something you and/or Franklin could prepare for this and it could be a major topic for the next precious metals report.

    Thanks much,

    Douglas M Dillon

  72. Maybe Franklin would comment on Prof. Joseph Farrells’ breakaway civilization comment from 9/6/12 at minute 53:

    “that gold reserves are massively obviscated” I presume a 20% increase in world reserves would be digested and recovered from within 3-6 months?

    And my question abuot 9/11 Building 7’s vault was empty…where do you send so much gold?

    Thanks,
    Brad

  74. I’m going to need to map out the complex solutions to the chem spraying.
    I hope you can provide a deeply developed matrix of issues to include.

    Hope you have time for book writing.

    Regards,
    Brad

  76. http://www.oftwominds.com/blogjuly12/theater-of-absurd7-12.html

    I noted that Charles Hugh Smith, on Bill Moyers’ show in July, included the word “revolution” in his recommendation for citizens to change our situation. With the future “see all, know all” police state that appears to be quietly here and may noisily be here in the near future, your message for us seems to be doesn’t step over the appearance of even getting near a revolution line in the sand. I totally agree. I have not read Mr. Hughs new book so I might be over stating where his line in the sand is.

    You are so gracious in your discussions. “Why don’t you just say it?” as Franklin says. I’d appreciate a discussion about Doing Decentralization and personal power withoug the negative versions of revolution.

    Team Solari, you keep me challenged to be my best,
    Brad

  77. Cynthia:

    From the accounts I read I, have always assumed that the NY gay community was probably targeted by biowarfare and that helped get it going. I agree with Jon that it has become a cover story from a much wider phenomenon.

    Catherine

  78. If California is holding back 100’s of bilions and scuccessfully till now. Imagine the kind of money even low money’ed states may be hiding!
    Pushing economic destruction with a little help from a false set of books.

    And Aurora CO.’s James Holmes black hair photo with a couple of out of place black hairs on top cause “Devil” to flash on my minds’ eye. Subliminal horns….accidental? Planned?

  79. Regarding Jon Rappaport’s lecture on the Medical Matrix… I am as ready as anyone to believe that there is a matrix in this area. However, IMHO, he did not adequately explain what DID happen to all those (primarily gay) men who died in the early 80’s. There certainly did seem to be some sort of contagion where the propensity to fall ill was passed thru sexual contact and IV needles from one person to another.
    Some guys who were exposed to guys who got sick did not get sick, but this was also true of the bubonic plague. In other words, some people have a natural immunity. I also agree that good nutrition and other parts of good health is a good idea and has kept some people healthy. But there was something there in the early 80’s … what does Mr. Rappaport say it was? Maybe you have to read his book to find out how he explains this.

    1. Jon Rappoport said this: “Yes, there is much more
      to the story about AIDS, and I simply didn’t have time to cover it all. The rest is in
      my book, Aids Inc., which is now part of my collection, The Matrix Revealed.”

  80. Michel:

    I know of Bernard LIetaer and have read one of his earlier books. I get the latest and take a look. I agree that he comes very highly recommended.

    Thanks!

    Catherine

  81. Dear Catherine,
    Many thanks for your wonderful spirits and for the depth of information of your reports.

    About our monetary system, have you ever come across the writings of Bernard Lietaer or met him?

    The recent report of the European chapter of the Club of Rome is about debt money monopoles and the crisis. It is available in English from Triarchy Press.

    The Author Claims that modern money is the missing link that fully explains, and could solve, our economic problems. I should like very much to hear your comments on this subject if you can find the time to read the full report or the executive summary (about 10 pages).
    Perhaps you might also wish to inteview B. Lietaer, another rare monetary expert who thinks “out of the box” and an outstanding communicator on the subject.

    With best regards
    Michel Ickx

  82. I have a book suggestion and a possible guest for the Solari Report, which might shed brighter light on some recurring themes and memes on the Solari website: Joseph Tainter – His seminal book is worth a second read, even if you do not share an interest in archaeology. This book is worth a second read, even if you do not share an interest in archaeology. Tainter explores the socio-economic causes of collapse in a variety of cultures, from the Harappan Civilization of the Indus Valley to the Western Roman Empire. Apparent causes – Resource Depletion, Energy Shortage, Catastrophes, Intruders, Mismanagement, Social Dysfunction, and Mystical Factors – may mask real causes of societal collapse. Mark Twain said it well, “History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

    Tainter, Joseph A (2003. First published 1988), “The Collapse of Complex Societies”, New York & Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-38673-X. I prefer the depth of this book to Jared Diamond’s well-written 2005 book, “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed”.

    1. Charles: This sounds very interesting. We will pass this suggestion on to Cathierine.

  83. Confirmation of Catherine’s suspicion that Federal Disaster Areas are really hidden quantitative easing: http://edegrootinsights.blogspot.ca/2012/07/mother-nature-doesnt-care.html

    Here’s the money quote: The government has declared one-third of the nation’s counties — 1,297 of them across 29 states — federal disaster areas as a result of the drought, which will allow farmers to apply for low-interest loans to get them through the disappointing growing season.

    1. Thanks for this insight, Doug! Catherine and I have been without power and phone service due to ugly rainstorms in Cincinnati, with trees down and electrical wires across the front lawn! This is the second time this month and there’s another on its way. I don’t recall weather conditions like this in this area in my lifetime.

      — Carolyn Betts

      1. Reading through the comments in 2014… I am from Middletown, Ohio, and we have had rainstorms like that ever since I can remember… (born in 1950). Maybe there was a lull for a period during which you were either born or moved there. I can still remember just getting my driver’s license and trying to drive through one of those storms with my younger sister and her friend in the car. Trying to dodge trees and power lines all the way home from swimming. There were many times on the farm when we had to wait until all the branches came down before we could venture out to see if the animals were all right…

        I think there is an element of weather manipulation but frankly there is also a lot of bad weather that occurs naturally across this country.

  84. Topic: Food and Health

    Just made a major change, switched from vegetarian to paleo. Get Nora’s book http://www.primalbody-primalmind.com/ It is fascinating, horrifying, enlightening. I thought I knew everything. Nice to know that I can still learn something.

  86. I just saw a wonderful film Money & Life by Katie Teague at a Whiidbey Island Institute money conference near Seattle. I would love for you to see it Catherine. It’s a very accessible film that brings what is happening to consciousness and I am hoping it will become available for everyone (for cab drivers) to see.

    http://www.moneyandlifemovie.com/

    There were also great sessions beamed in by Hazel Henderson, President of Ethical Markets Media and author of Beyond Economics and also John Fullerton of the Capital Institute.

    Mayuri

  88. Speed reading has its disadvantages, apparently. The Deep Survival author’s father was a bomber piliot who got trapped in his plane as it fell to earth.

  89. I thought you might be interested in this analysis of the rumor going around the Internet that claims the “ObamaCare” bill contains a provision to microchip the public; i.e., “The Mark of the Beast”, etc. Unless something new develops, I think that this is disinformation.

    In my opinion Katherine Albrecht, a guest on the Solari Report a while back, is surely somewhat of an authority on consumer privacy and RFID chips. She currently has a posting on the internet regarding this issue:

    “The rumor that the “Obamacare” health care bill contains a provision to microchip the public has spread far and wide. Thousands of web sites refer to it, so it’s no surprise people are getting it wrong. I’d like to set the record straight, however. The law does not require chip implants.

    The 906-page final version of the PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, otherwise known as “Obamacare,” can be found online here:

    http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/content-detail…. (legislative details)
    http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111pub… (full-text PDF)
    http://docs.house.gov/energycommerce/ppacacon.pdf (full-text PDF with amendments and consolidations through May 2010)

    You can read it cover to cover and you won’t find anything about microchip implants.

    Some commentators are mistakenly referring to an old HOUSE VERSION of the health care bill, H.R. 3200, a 2,454-page mega-bill introduced in 2009 that did not pass. That bill contained a Section 2561 where “implantable medical devices” were mentioned in a section that called for the creation of a “National Medical Device Registry.”

    That section referred to FDA-approved Class II “implantable medical devices” that are in wide use today, such as pacemakers, artificial hips, drug delivery pumps, heart stents, and others. The defunct H.R. 3200 bill would simply have created a requirement to register those implanted medical devices in order to evaluate their post-market risk and evaluate patient safety over time. It made no mention of implantable microchips.

    The FDA is charged with evaluating and approving medical devices before they can be offered for sale, but it does not currently have a way to follow up once they have been sold. The concern over the long-term safety of implantable devices is a real one, given that implanted foreign bodies have the potential to cause cancer. (See my cancer report and FAQ at http://www.antichips.com as well as animal cases at http://www.chipmenot.com for evidence.) Nevertheless, this provision did not make it into the final version of the health care legislation.

    A different bill numbered H.R. 3590 (not H.R .3200) is the version of health care legislation that President Obama actually signed into law on March 23, 2010. That bill did not contain a requirement for a “medical device registry,” made no mention of implantable medical devices, and most assuredly did not mention implantable microchips.

    In sum, as the nation’s leading opponent of RFID and implantable microchips, I can categorically state that the “Obamacare” legislation does not contain a provision for implanting microchips into people. Nor did any previous versions of health care legislation introduced in Congress contain such language.

    With all the other privacy-invading provisions in the health care legislation, I hate to see people spending their energy on something that isn’t there. Hopefully we can now lay the rumor to rest.

    In freedom and in truth,
    Katherine Albrecht, Ed.D.

    RFID and Consumer Privacy Expert, Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, and Bestselling Author
    http://www.KatherineAlbrecht.com
    http://www.AntiChips.com
    http://www.ChipMeNot.com
    http://www.Spychips.com
    US Spokesperson for Startpage.com and Ixquick.com
    The world’s most private search engines.
    http://www.Startpage.com // http://www.Ixquick.com”

  90. Allstar tribute to Curtis Mayfield, July 20, 2012, Lincoln Center Festival, Avery Fisher Hall!

  91. Hi Catherine,
    You’ve commented before on “files” for politicians. Do you think Chief Justice Roberts has one and it was used in his surprising decision? Here are a couple of articles I came across. The first, was this tweet, “Chief Justice John Roberts Was ‘Red-Eyed And Unhappy'” when he read off his decision.
    http://www.businessinsider.com/toobin-chief-justice-roberts-was-red-eyed-and-unhappy-when-he-read-the-obamacare-ruling-2012-6#ixzz1zTyex11a
    And then this: “Roberts switched views to uphold health care law”.

    Quote:

    Chief Justice John Roberts initially sided with the Supreme Court’s four conservative justices to strike down the heart of President Obama’s health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, but later changed his position and formed an alliance with liberals to uphold the bulk of the law, according to two sources with specific knowledge of the deliberations.
    …
    At least one conservative justice tried to get him to explain it, but was unsatisfied with the response, according to a source with knowledge of the conversation.
    …
    Moreover, there are passages in Roberts’ opinion that are consistent with his views that unelected judges have assumed too much power over American life, and that courts generally should take a back seat to elected officials, who are closer to the people and can be voted out of office if the people don’t like what they’re doing.

    End Quote

    “Courts have assumed too much power”? Was he feeling guilt by association for the Supreme Court overruling the 2000 election of Al Gore to the presidency and handed it to George Bush?

    -Rick

  92. Dear Catherine –

    You are amazing!

    The perspectives that I have received from you, your special reports, the Solari Report and your incredible guests are so extremely valuable. I now have a view point that is far different – deeper, well rounded and something that finally makes personal sense to me. I always somehow knew that The Matrix was a lie, but you have put the details in place in a way that I understand. It has provided me with piece of mind.

    Thank you … thank you … and … thank you!

    All the best!

    Dave Kohler

    PS Soooo glad that you’re having Jon Rappaport every month.

  93. Stacey:

    The question you are asking falls in the category of “investment advice” — something that I am not permitted to do on the Solari Report! I can comment on non-securities matters.

    Catherine

  94. Catherine:

    Thank you for all the excellent information you provide each month. Could you please give us an update on what you currently feel are the best and safest options in PM stocks. I’d really appreciate your perspective on the Sprott funds PSLV and PHYS as an option. Are CEF and GTU still good choices?

    Stacey

  95. Claire:

    EXCELLENT IDEA! Why didn’t I think of this one? Research and cogitation will begin immediately…

    Catherine

  96. Apologies if you have already covered this is a previous Solari Report, but I don’t think it has been discussed. Going back through the archives there are several references to the importance of having a family lawyer and a trusted CPA. Perhaps in the future you could do a report on how to find a good lawyer and accountant similiar to the report how to find a good local bank.

    Thanks for all the great work!

  97. I listened to part of Goldsmith/Rose again based on the Documentary discussion with Jon. http://markinthepark.net/blog/sir-james-goldsmiths-1994-warning/

    I watched Laura Tyson about half way through Goldsmith/Rose. The quality of her discussion is all false to cover the global coup. She was blown away by Sir Goldsmith who was a global business leader but for the people.

    She’s on a long list for the World Bank Chief: http://www.marketwatch.com/People/Laura_Tyson

    Here’s a comment about her work on Obama’s Economic Council:

    Laura Tyson, now a member of the Obama Economic Recovery Advisory Board, pronounces the first stimulus program a success. Accordingly, she urges that we continue with a second stimulus program until the private sector revitalizes itself after inexplicably falling into a demand torpor. The ubiquitous Paul Krugman pushes the same theme. The deficit be damned: More stimulus equals more jobs.
    Unfortunately, both eminent economists keep their heads in the clouds when they ought to plant their feet on the ground. Start with their odd definition of success.
    http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/30/economics-paul-krugman-stimulus-opionions-columnists-richard-epstein.html

    Her background and integration in business, education, media, and federal policy are significant:

    She was a Monthly Columnist for BusinessWeek from 1998 to 2005. Dr. Tyson served in the first Clinton Administration as Chairman of the President’s National Economic Council from February 1995 to December 1996 and of the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 1993 to 1995. She is a Board Director of the New America Foundation and Peter G. Peterson Institute of International Economics. She is a Member of The Trilateral Commission.

    http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=643678&ticker=CBG:US&previousCapId=100231&previousTitle=AT%26T%20INC

    They sure pay the operators well.

  99. Catherine,

    How much concern have you regarding the JPM derivatives mess and it’s potential to take “down” the banking system?

    Thank you,

  100. I wonder if you could get some nuclear experts on Solari and discuss Fukushima. Either nuclear engineer Arnie Gunderson or anti-nuclear advocate Helen Caldicott would be a good choice. The latter said she will evacuate Boston if nuclear fuel pool #4 collapses, presumably because the fallout would spread through the entire northern hemisphere. This crisis is definitely being downplayed by the mainstream media. What are your thoughts?

  101. This is a recommendation for an expert in the microbiology (as it relates to plants) area: Elaine Ingham of Soil Foodweb, Inc. I went to a one week course at her facility where we learned about compost technology, compost tea, and how to use a microscope. In the course of her explanation she explained GMO foods, particularly Roundup ready varieties in a way I haven’t seen elsewhere. She is well-spoken and accustomed to teaching.
    How does this fit in with your goals? If your subscribers want to grow their own food, an understanding of microbiology is important.
    Incidentally, she has had her own encounters with the matrix as the corporations back university research on commercial fertilizers…not so much money for compost tea.
    Cindy

  102. I just sighed up today and would want to listen to the podcast tonight. I need an email giving me the time and phone number to call in on Skype.
    Thank you.

  103. Some time ago you refered to Royal Raymond Rife and his Rife machine. I ordered
    the DVD and have thought much about it. Have you bought a Rife machine? I would
    love to know what brand you bought and why you chose it? Perhaps others would too.
    Thank you for a wonderful resource.

  104. Catherine,

    I understand your thoughts that there is no “away”. That being said, what are your thoughts on overseas investing and overseas bank accounts and such. Not looking to hide or do anything illegal, just looking to diversify a little more. To be a little more specific, someone has mentioned that Uruguay might be a good place to open an overseas bank account. Any thoughts that you could share?

    Having never travelled outside of the US, I thought it might we wise to go there and see first hand for myself. Or would I be better served going somewhere else?

  105. About solare panels…
    Hi Catherine or any other subscribers,

    I have recently visited an American friend in Ukraine who has a startup that is producing solar panels there. I learned quite bit about solar panels. Like how the prices of Polysilicon has dropped so significantly in the past 2 years that made a lot of rich countries hitting the Grid-Parity now. Right before I left them, he told me that the world bank has contacted them directly (without them reaching out). They offer to loans starting at 10 millions or up, but my friend’s company only need about 2 millions or so.

    One thing that puzzled about the currently energy development is current support in the mainstream for solar panels and wind powers. Like how come the Polysilicon drop so quickly? Is it a Trojan Horse? I wonder if you had any insight to this or had any past articles covering this topic.

    Thanks,

    Julian

  106. Richard:

    Thanks!

    I keep looking for the basic introduction – “Space Weather for Dummies” – and what it has to do with trends in the Earth’s magnetic field.

    Catherine

    1. A software expert I know answered your comment that I sent to them. They also follow helf past human.

      end of their comment….Brad

  107. Just read the link to the solar superstorm and planetary alignments. Interesting. Spacalert just put out a Code Red (http://mms.rice.edu/realtime/forecast.html) which means they’re predicting high solar magnetic activity in the coming days. This from the superstorm paper:

    “Conclusion: For April 22, 2012… Because of the trapezium (parallelogram) like configuration, the conjunctions, oppositions and the 3 Triple Line Ups… Large scale effects are possible on the Sun… One of these will happen: X flare, filament eruption or CME. But a powerful X flare combined with a big filament eruption(s) or big CME(s) is possible… This is one of the strangest Line Ups from the planets for the first half of the year….
    Will the effects be visible from Earth? That is a difficult question to answer… The Triple Line Ups with Neptune and Uranus end at the back from the Sun and are therefore not viewable from Earth… However, the positions from Venus and Mercury are on the Earth facing side of the Sun…The trapezium configuration looks perfect around April 25…”

  108. John:

    I am a great fan of the Mises Institute. Don’t agree with the idea that Mises supports the central banking warfare model we are in. There is a difference between markets and organized crime. We need markets. We don’t need the black budget harvesting the planet and destroying markets.

    Will touch on this and THRIVE in the Solari Report this week.

  109. Hi Catherine – last month in Lake County there was a public showing of Thrive followed by discussion. That may have been the 2nd or 3rd time I’ve watched Thrive and was excited to be ‘sharing’ it. One man, during the discussion, made a comment something like this: Thrive talks about the ‘right’ [re R & L in politics] and the necessity to make a smaller government; Gamble also expresses admiration for the Mises institute. Mises is the progenitor of our modern free market aka privatize wealth-socialize loss/cost and (the man concluded) he wondered if Thrive might be a “Trojan horse” letting in economic forces that wish to decimate the social safety net etc. Would appreciate your thoughts on this (and what do other subscribers think?).

    1. I see value in picking an issue and self determining what steps to take and Thrive has many issues and offers some actions. I really like Fosters’ focus on respecting private property. There is more risk in me taking no actions than in taking so many that a few wrong actions set us all back a step. If it rings true for me it may be a right action. I also like following what speaks to me, the topics or issues that draw me in.

  110. 9 year old Caine sets up an arcade in his father’s used car parts store in East L.A., using only cardboard boxes his dad had lying around and a ton of ingenuity.

    http://vimeo.com/40000072

    A great heart warming story

  111. Ferdinand:

    I can’t recommend a bank in Canada. I have not looked that them recently and generally don’t make specific recommendations except to clients whose profile I understand.

    Generally, Canada has a few big banks and some local credit unions and that is probably your potential selection.

    Here is a description of a process designed to help you find the right one:

    http://markinthepark.net/articles/bank_locally/find_local_banks/

    Good luck!

    Catherine

  112. Douglas:

    Apologies for the delay. I went to your site but could not figure out what link you were referring to. Can you send or post?

    Thanks!

  114. Jane, Cynthia and Brad:

    Thanks so much again for joining me in Austin. I really enjoyed it and have been digesting the feedback.

    Yes, something on EMP is a great idea!

    More later,

    Catherine

  115. I haven’t seen the story of Andrew Wordes on Solari, but maybe I missed it. It seems like the sort of thing which should be there.

  116. I invited the Austin luncheon crowd and those in Texas that want to correspond, to let us know. I sent an email to the Austin lunch list but I might be in your spam or junk folder….spiritcoachbrad@yahoo.com

    You can send me an email subject: Solari Austin Lunch to me if you want to gather in April by egroup or in person.

    Let’s be in Cahoots,

  117. I really enjoyed the luncheon in Austin on the 24th. It was great to meet Catherine and the other subscribers who came.

    I have been thinking about Solari Report topics. Here are some ideas: EMP – seems like a black swan to me :).

    If fluorescent lights make too much dirty electricity, how about LED’s? Are there other, non-dirty options to incandescent?

    If it is important to reduce one’s baseline expenses, what are some ways to do that?

  118. Catherine,

    My wife and I really enjoyed meeting you and other subscribers in Austin today. This is such a fantastic idea and we really appreciate you giving of your time and energy in this way.

    Hope we get to meet in person again sometime soon.

    Roger.

  119. Thank you for coming to Austin, Catherine. Your idea to bring Solari subscribers together face to face is a solid commitment to the ideas you present here… And the chance to meet you was well worth the drive “into town”. I look forward to becoming a more active member of this community.

    1. DItto from me Jane.

      http://markinthepark.net/outreach/telesem/SCAll7846.htm is an early presentation, it’s the first audio seminar on the Solari Audio Seminar link and the slides are good too. It speaks in depth to the debasement preparations. I think it’s a great foundation under all the wonderful work and discussion members are taking or seeking to take.
      I too look forward to learning more about my Austin cohorts so we can synergize. I will look forward to an Austin gathering in April of a Solari circle.

      Regards,

  120. I’m wondering if the horse community or for that matter people that have other animals that they raise, know about the GMO alfalfa. Are there any reports of fertility problems, defects, or illness? Catherine’s or Franklin’s neighbors might know. With any validating scientific information being repressed, I think the anecdotal information becomes more important.

    1. I will look into your question, Margaret. I raise both quarter horses and sheep. There is an apparent mystery in Great Britain right now with a mysterious virus (not sure how that was determined) that has killed thousands of lambs. I know that the honey bee colonies in England were some of the first decimated, now believed to be GMO related, so it is likely that the abnormalities seen in GB are in fact GMO caused. This is pure speculation, however.

      Because of our severe drought in Texas, we had to import a lot of hay from everywhere this year (we brought in some from Louisiana and as far away as Missouri). Our lamb losses were negligible. We do feed alfalfa but only to our aged or stressed ewes. I never feed alfalfa to my horses. Period.

      2. We looked into sprouted fodder as a business last year. It wasn’t a good fit for us as a commercial idea. However, if I was keeping cows or horses, I would look into it. It is barley sprouted for 7 days in a special building, kept at the right temperature and the correct amount of water, etc. There are several different manufacturers of the equipment; its even offered by Growers Supply. The nay sayers evaluate the fodder based on its dry matter content and it comes up even with hay. However, since the fodder is live food, it tends to have better results with the animals than the dry matter evaluation would indicate.

  121. The Human Project video on the blog is perhaps the smoking gun of significant population reduction? Ugh.

  122. Catherine,

    Thought you might want to know that I’ve been thinking about what you are saying. The latest post on my web site is inspired by your “follow the primary trend” thinking on gold.

    Would you like to link to it from your web site?

    http://www.worldofwallstreet.us

    Douglas M Dillon, 240-383-6846

  123. Love the report and your great interviews.
    There has been talk of the government changing the rules on IRA’s – turning them into a government annuity, limiting access, changing tax policies, even outright seizure. The tax consequences of withdrawing more than one needs are high (taxes, no longer sheltering gains, increase in income that affects Medicare fees…) but having the government take over assets is much worse. Should we be withdrawing IRA money now to protect it from whatever the government may do in the future?

  124. Catherine, you made a reference in a Solari Report to the fact that the U.S. could lengthen its empire life span by merging economically with Canada. Do you see this happening, and how would you see it coming about if that is what they decide to do, i.e. would it be obvious, or covert, and is it happening right now? I am Canadian, and I have long felt that we exist as a country in name only.

  125. Catherine, your compassion for life and liberty keeps me grounded!
    I wanted to share a poem I wrote in 1984, when at 19, i was in a very dark place. I felt that I had let not only my family but my descendants down. My dream of helping underserved communities through medicine was quickly diminishing.
    I finished rehab. but the hard part was just beginning. Re-emerging as a productive member of society.
    Today, I ask the question:
    Where does one find faithful, honest people to thrive amongst? “No man is an island…”
    My faith survives knowing that people like you exist; but it does wax and wane.

    I did see “the whistleblower” some weeks ago. It was quite traumatic but very pertinent.

    Poem:
    Give ‘em enough rope and they’ll hang ‘emselves

    “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”
    What a f*cking farce!
    Black power, panthers, and the NAACP
    We marched with Marcus, Martin and Malcolm
    And awed in admiration of martyrdom
    As we bathed in the blood of their victory graves
    Brothers, Sisters, what was it all for?

    We saw the masses, the races
    Standing in multitudes with on looking faces

    FREEDOM

    We fought for equal rights
    We fought for individuality
    We fought for the opportunity to regain our integrity
    But on that day of emancipation
    I exchanged my shackled chains for rope
    100% nylon rope

    I denied myself peace
    I denied myself opportunity
    I denied myself human dignity

    “How,” you might ask…

    By letting go of my dreams
    And following in the footsteps of one who would divulge to me
    The essence of life and the writs of hell

    I ran away from freedom and into the arms of bondage
    Engulfing body and mind with toxic elixirs

    Oh, ecstasy

    Belligerent in speech, paralyzed in thought
    Falling into my hole of degradation

    They released the chains from my ankles
    But with each motion I formed a tight knot
    Around the loop of my rope
    Yes, they were right…
    I would in time hang myself
    And the oppressors stood
    Triumphant, blameless

    Today, I continue to take that leap of faith. Namaste.

  126. Hello Catherine,
    I’m wondering why we have to have flash to access the archives. All I need to do is download the report on my iPhone to take it along. That way I can access and listen to your reports on the road as I always have. Otherwise I can only access them at home on my computer. I’m very behind and need to download to catc up. The only way I have time to listen to them is while driving and to do that I need to download them on my phone. Would you please restore the links to work without flash. It doesn’t look like any of the formatting on the page has changes so why the restriction to flash enabled browsers? It won’t let me download now. For however long that has been in pale is ow behind I am. I love your reports!

    Best wishes,
    Suzanne

    1. Suzanne is this the old style downloads Subscirber Resources you miss? : http://markinthepark.net/blog/solari-report-archives/

      It is now titled: Access the Archive and is just below the top choice on the Subscriber Resources page. They keep it up to day. I am very auditory so I use driving time, between times, etc. to get the nuggets I need from each report. I use the blog version, on screen listening?, to listen if I’m at work too early or something like that.

  127. Radioactive fallout:

    I have been following Catherine since Mike Ruppert introduced her to the KPFK dissidents. I have also been aware of the importance of trace minerals ever since I listened to an inspired marketing tape. Its title was “Dead doctors don’t lie”, and it was part of an MLM scam. Still the information was fascinating. Currently I include generous amounts of seaweed in my diet to cover all bets. Check out this link for a solution to radioactive fallout as well as many other problems. http://remineralize.org//blog/magazine/from-chernobyl-to-japan-treating-radiation-sickness-with-rock-dust

  129. The new Solari Report included mention of the general blog. I had not tried that particular link, just the comments section for each report.
    Cool!
    Brad

  130. Hi Catherine, Solari team, and members.

    Catherine, my husband and I have been members for a couple years and have also had the great and beneficial opportunity to consult with you personally last year. We are continually researching and inquiring on methods and tools for preserving and building wealth and after coming across the concept on Infinite Banking, are currently reading BANK ON YOURSELF by Pamela Yellen, and have the book THE BANKING EFFECT arriving any day. Because I’m such an avid listener of the Solari Report and have such great respect for you and your take on any and all matters, I’m wondering if you might share your opinion (if any) on the use of these particular insurance policies as a financial/financing vehicle, as well as part of a tax strategy. Regardless of whether or not you comment, thank you very much for all your invaluable work.

    Janet, New Mexico

  132. Hi Catherine,

    Just listend to your solari report on Precious Metal for the first time. I have NOT invested in Gold or Silver before. I remember hearing from another podcast from you to recommend not buying a gold certificate, because they don’t really have to gold holding for that. How would you recommend I buy gold and silver? Thanks.

    Julian

    1. Julian:

      I have two words for you…. Franklin Sanders

      http://www.the-moneychanger.com/

      I was in the same boat two years ago. After listing to Frank here and reading his daily commentary I decided to buy from him. He beats my local dealers in price every time.

      Hope this helps.

      Mark

      1. Thanks Mark. Too bad I didn’t read this. The forum didn’t really notify me of your reply to me. I already bought from Gold Money. I hope they are just as good. It seems that Catherine has mentioned or recommended them in the past. I’ll look in to Franklin Sanders thought. How does he compare to Gold Money? I really like him on the interview with Catherine though.

  133. The OP is on, as Rappoport would say. Its called “THE RETIREMENT AGENDA: Lifetime income options”. I sit on my company’s 401 k retirement plan committee. I provide input and reactions to new policies being considered. Just this week, I received the following notice from my Plan Provider, a private company which is paid to manage our funds using the T Rowe Price Retirment workplace vehicle (see excerpt below): Our plan provider introduced this quarter a new financial ‘widget’ they are branding as:

    The Retirement Agenda: “Lifetime income options”.

    CATHERINE: IT WOULD BE MOST HELPFUL IF YOU COULD ASSIST IN FRAMING A RESPONSE AND POST AS TO WHY THIS IS A VERY VERY VERY BAD IDEA. I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT SUCH A RESPONSE TO MY RETIREMENT PLAN COMMITTEE. READ BELOW TO SEE HOW SLICK THIS NEW OP IS………

    REGARDS, A. BINGHAM
    Currently living and working Kisumu, Kenya.

    Action on the retirement agenda in 2012
    • Fee disclosure

    1. DOL to finalize interim final regulations under ERISA §408(b)(2) requiring disclosure of fees, services,
    and related information to plan sponsors by covered service providers.

    2. Guidance (Q&As) to address outstanding issues related to final participant fee disclosure regulations.
    • Lifetime income option initiatives
    Guidance may address:
    1. Interaction of qualification rules with use of annuity investment and distribution options.
    2. Plan sponsor fiduciary concerns regarding selecting annuity providers.
    3. Showing annuity equivalents on benefit statements.
    • Target-date Investments
    1. Guidance would provide fiduciary considerations for plan sponsors in selecting target-date investments.
    2. Final amendments to qualified default investment alternative (QDIA) regulations and participant fee
    disclosure regulations would require enhanced participant disclosures for target-date investment options.
    3. Final SEC rule intended to help clarify the meaning of a date in a target-date investment’s name and to
    otherwise enhance information provided to those investing in target-date investments.
    PROPOSED TIMELINE FOR FEE DISCLOSURE INITIATIVES
    • 408(b)(2) – Disclosure from service providers to plan sponsors
    Early 2012: Final regulations under ERISA §408(b)(2) requiring disclosure of fees, services
    and related information to plan sponsors by covered service providers are expected.
    Our review of the interim final rule suggests the new requirements under the interim
    final rule are largely consistent with our current fee disclosure practices. However, in
    order to meet the more technical requirements of the rule and to enhance the information
    provided to plan fiduciaries, T. Rowe Price is in the process of developing a new summary
    document. We continue to monitor the DOL’s progress and will incorporate any required
    changes made by the final regulations into our report, which will be provided to plan
    fiduciaries in advance of the new April 1, 2012, compliance deadline.

    1. THE RETIREMENT AGENDA: a bit long. I educate participants about their Defined Benefit plan. I am no expert, just a member services representative for a non profit agency. Links did not carry over:

      http://www.nirsonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=69&Itemid=48
      http://plansponsor.com/MagazineArticle.aspx?id=6442484795&magazine=6442484884
      http://www.nirsonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=69&Itemid=48

      The quantity of Defined Benefit plans has been declining for decades. These pensions had been the primary employee retirement savings plan for larger companies. 401(k)s have become the retirement vehicle for many employees.

      The book Retirement Heist: How Companies Plunder and Profit from the Nest Eggs of American Workers provides some examples of the switch over and level of benefit. Defined Benefit plans of government employers such as teachers and state employees have also been changing over to 401(k)s.

      There is an OP to shift DB’s to DC (including to 401(k) DC) plans.

      The new annuity option to be integrated within the 401(k) plan administration appears at an opportune time. Retirement readiness is believed to be at a crisis level for lower income and middle class citizens. A purchase of an annuity contract by an individual taking a lump sum from their IRA, savings, government pension, SEP, 401 (k), etc. is not new. Placing this option within the benefit administration of employers is a effective way to normalize and set an expectation that an annuity is prudent for participants.

      The risk of changing the option to a requirement is disturbing.

      Significant risks not recognized by providers include economic warfare affecting long term investment return expectations, lack of regulation and enforcement of existing law. Annuity calculation and inflation risk are complex for a participant and their spouse to understand. Employee educational needs may require a variety of issues be coordinated before and during the retirement process. I have not provided any historical reference to annuity defaults.

      A few considerations for a participant include their expectation for inflation, whether they expect a spouse or disabled adult child to need a benefit, life expectancy of the spouse, the flexibility to leave a legacy to multiple beneficiaries, whether other assets are available to access during old age for significant purchases or care. Government regulator change and means testing changes.

      In the government employee benefits arena, the DB provides an annuity like benefit payment for life. Typically this is administered by the state agency. The cost of and the benefit derived, are administered with broad state legislature oversight and some meddling. Some state constitutions prevent a reduction of an already earned benefit for government plan participants. Liability for

      Many states provide a Defined Benefit (DB) plan for teachers, state employees, etc. A typical scenario that allows a state legislature cover to start a new plan for new employees has been experienced with the economic hit states have been experiencing. A state under funds their plan as a budgetary decision during a tight year and/or the state might also experience a negative or low market return year. The unfunded liability goes up and required funding goes up. The unfunded liability can be amortized over ten or twenty years and not discussed in Public Relations attack.Some plans don’t require amortizing the unfunded liability over a certain period of years in the future.

      The complexity of a plan makes for an easy target to oversimplify and mislead the public. State legislatures have been shifting out of DB’s and into Defined Contribution plans across the nation over recent years. In Texas, the legislature is bi-

      Mercer, the global Human Resources consultant and servers, report covered in Plan Sponsor article suggests U.S. could require an income stream.

      Considering these reports, it appears to be an OP because the savings to states is not bearing out.

      A key disadvantage of a 401(k) is that the participant can’t participate in a risk pool for longevity. Annuities may create reduced longevity risk but the costs and risks may be higher than the Defined Benefit plans would provide.

      The above comments can be used without atributing them to me. Nothing new there but written from my view point.

      -Brad Eddins

      1. The National Institute on Retirement Security publishes their reports and the DB over 401(k) style DC plan study is on the first page of reports and briefed below:

      September 29, 2011, Washington, D.C. – A new study of the retirement plan choice in the public sector finds that defined benefit (DB) pensions are strongly preferred over 401(k)-type defined contribution (DC) individual accounts. The study analyzes seven state retirement systems that offer a choice between DB and DC plans to find that the DB uptake rate ranges from 98 to 75 percent. The percentage of new employees choosing DC plans ranges from 2 to 25 percent for the plans studied.

      In recent years, a few states have offered public employees a choice between primary DB and DC plans. The new study, Decisions, Decisions: Retirement Plan Choices for Public Employees and Employers, analyzes the choices made by employees and finds that:

      When given the choice between a primary DB or DC plan, public employees overwhelmingly choose the DB pension plan.
      DB pensions are more cost efficient than DC accounts due to higher investment returns and longevity risk pooling.
      DC accounts lack supplemental benefits such as death and disability protection. These can still be provided, but require extra contributions outside the DC plan which are therefore not deposited into the members’ accounts.
      When states look at shifting from a DB pension to DC accounts, such a shift does not close funding shortfalls and can increase retirement costs.
      A “hybrid” plan for new employees in Utah provides a unique case study in that it has capped the pension funding risk to the employer and shifted risk to employees.
      The seven plans offering DB and DC choice that were analyzed for the study include Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association, Florida Retirement System, Montana Public Employee Retirement Administration, North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, and South Carolina Retirement Systems. The new hire elections for these plans are summarized below:

      “Beyond the seven states analyzed that offer DB-DC choice, the experiences of Nebraska and West Virginia offer additional insight,” said report co-author Mark Olleman, consulting actuary and principal with Milliman, Inc. “Both states chose to put new hires in a DC plan, and then later changed to DB. Nebraska offered some employees hired between 1964 and 2003 only a DC plan, but also maintained a DB plan for other employees. Over 20 years, the average investment return in the DB plan was 11 percent, and the average return in the DC plans was between 6 and 7 percent.”

      Olleman continued, “West Virginia closed their Teachers’ DB plan to new hires in 1991 in response to funding problems and put all new hires in a DC plan. Unfortunately this did not solve the funding problem, and many teachers found it difficult to retire when relying only on the DC plan. West Virginia performed a study, found a given level of benefits could be funded for a lower cost through a DB plan, and put all teachers hired after July 1, 2005, in the DB plan as a cost-saving measure. So both Nebraska and West Virginia found a DC plan did not achieve their goals and changed from DC to DB.”

      Ilana Boivie, report co-author and economist with the National Institute on Retirement Security, said, “The research is clear that public employees highly value their pension benefits and will choose this retirement plan over an individual DC account. These findings are not surprising and are consistent with NIRS’ recent opinion polling earlier that found 83 percent of Americans believe those with pensions are more likely to have a secure retirement.”

      Boivie added, “Moreover, employers understand that pensions remain the most cost-effective way to fund a retirement benefit, and that switching from pensions to individual accounts can drive up costs for taxpayers. These economic facts coupled with strong employee preferences for pensions suggests that public employers are unlikely to mimic the trend away from pensions that has occurred in the private sector.”

      The full study is available at http://www.nirsonline.org. A webinar is scheduled for September 29, 2011 at 3 PM ET with report authors to present findings. Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/820200634. Participant Dial In: (215) 383-1016, Participant Access Code: 477-048-092.

      About NIRS

      The National Institute on Retirement Security is a not-for-profit, non-partisan organization established to contribute to informed policymaking by fostering a deep understanding of the value of retirement security to employees, employers, and the economy through national research and education programs. Located in Washington, D.C., NIRS has a diverse membership of organizations interested in retirement security including financial services firms, retirement plan sponsors and service providers, and trade associations among others. More information is available http://www.nirsonline.org.

      About Milliman

      Milliman is among the world’s largest independent actuarial and consulting firms. Founded in 1947 as Milliman & Robertson, the company currently has 53 offices in key locations worldwide. Milliman employs more than 2,500 people. The firm has consulting practices in healthcare, employee benefits, property & casualty insurance, life insurance and financial services. Milliman serves the full spectrum of business,

      financial, government, union, education and nonprofit organizations. For further information, visit milliman.com.

      The full report and supplemental materials here, and the report in PDF here.

      2. OCTOBER 20, 2011, Washington, D.C. – A report issued today finds that New York City’s defined benefit pension plans can deliver the same retirement income at nearly 40% lower cost than a defined contribution 401(k)-type individual account. The report, A Better Bang for New York City’s Buck, finds that defined benefit savings come from three sources:
      Superior investment returns. The pooled nature of assets in a defined benefit plan result in higher investment returns, partly based on the lower fees that stem from economies of scale, but also because the assets are professionally-not individually-managed. The City plans’ enhanced investment returns save from 21 percent to 22 percent, according to the report.
      Better management of longevity risk. Because pensions pool the longevity risks of a large number of individuals and can determine and plan for mortality on an actuarial basis, New York City’s defined benefit plans save between 10 percent and 13 percent compared to a typical defined contribution plan.
      Portfolio diversification. Unlike defined contribution plans, pension assets can be invested for optimal returns. Individuals using 401(k)s, by comparison, are advised to re-balance their investments, downshifting into less risky and lower-returning assets as they age. This ability to maintain portfolio diversity in the City’s defined benefit plans saves from 4 percent to 5 percent.
      Download the full report here.

      The study was conducted by the National Institute on Retirement Security and Pension Trustee Advisors on behalf of the Office of New York City Comptroller John C. Liu. It is based on a similar national report conducted by NIRS, and uses current data from the five New York City retirement systems. The study found that costs associated with traditional pensions range from 36 percent to 38 percent less than 401(k)-type individual accounts.

      “These findings are consistent with our national study on the cost efficiencies embedded in pension plans,” said Diane Oakley, NIRS executive director. “The analysis clearly indicates that the qualities inherent in DB plans – particularly the superior investment returns and pooling of risks and assets – fuel their fiscal efficiency. The report provides important insight for policymakers, employers and employees, who are struggling to ensure adequate retirement income with the fewest dollars possible,” Oakley added.

      “Our model makes an ‘apples to apples’ calculation of the actual dollar contributions required for a DB and DC plan to achieve the same target retirement benefit,” said William Fornia, report author and president of Pension Trustee Advisors. “The efficiencies of DB plans already are well documented. This report quantifies the magnitude of those efficiencies in New York City.”

      “Calls to replace pension plans with 401(k) plans understandably increase when markets have returned poorly over sustained periods,” said Comptroller John C. Liu. “However, as this and other studies show, the defined pension is the most cost efficient vehicle to deliver retirement income security.”

      Pension Trustee Advisors conducted the analysis under the direction of founder and president, William B. Fornia, an actuary with 30 years of experience. Fornia also co-authored the earlier national research for NIRS. The model for the research was based on a group of 1,000 newly-hired employees, from each of the five New York City pension plans, including teachers, civil service workers, sanitation workers, police, and fire personnel.

      About the National Institute on Retirement Security

      The National Institute on Retirement Security, based in Washington, D.C., is a not-for-profit organization established to contribute to informed policymaking by fostering a deep understanding of the value of retirement security to employees, employers, and the economy through national research and education programs. NIRS seeks to encourage the development of public policies that enhance retirement security in America.

      About Pension Trustee Advisors

      Pension Trustee Advisors provide expertise, education, and customized solutions to trustees, pension fund staff, government entities, attorneys, labor and other pension decision makers. It was founded by William Fornia, a retirement consultant and actuary with more than 30 years of industry experience. Prior to forming PTA, Fornia held senior positions with leading actuarial firms, and also served as corporate actuary for The Boeing Company. More information is available at www. pensiontrusteeadvisors.com.

      About the New York City Pension Funds

      The New York City Pension Funds include: the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, the Teachers’ Retirement System, the New York City Police Pension Fund, the New York City Fire Department Pension Fund, and the Board of Education Retirement System. This report marks the fourth in a series produced by Comptroller Liu’s Retirement Security NYC initiative. Previous reports: Municipal Employee Compensation in New York City, The $8 Billion Question, and Sustainable or Not? NYC Pension Cost Projections through 2060, are available at http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/rsnyc/

    2. Allison, the IRS is proving more info…

      Larry Isaacs and Carol Zimmerman, actuaries with Tax Exempt and Government Entities, will discuss guidance issued earlier this year in response to the Administration’s initiative to encourage lifetime annuity options for retirees. The presentation will include the following topics:
      • Revenue Ruling 2012-3, clarifying rules for defined contribution plans that offer lifetime income options,
      • Revenue Ruling 2012-4, clarifying rules that apply to rollovers into defined benefit plans to purchase additional annuity benefits,
      • Proposed regulations under section 401(a)(9) of the Code, dealing with qualified longevity annuity contracts (“QLACs”), and
      • Proposed regulations under section 417(e)(3) of the Code, making it easier to split a benefit between a lifetime annuity and lump sum or other form of benefit subject to section 417(e)(3).
      Register at http://ems.intellor.com/?p=204378&do=register&t=71. Upon completion of the registration form, participants will receive detailed access instructions via email.
      Date: August 28, 2012
      Time:
      Eastern Central Mountain Pacific
      2:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. 12:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m.

      Brad

  134. Allison:

    Thanks so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I am delighted that Jon’s interview was so valuable! The transcript is up if you want to review again….

    Catherine

  135. Dear Catherine,

    I’ve been a listener for approximately three years. I wait with baited breath each week for your talks.On a personal note, I found last week’s interview with Jon Rappoport to be one of your most pertinent. As always, I thank you.

    Allison

  136. Dear Catherine:

    What happened to MF Global customers has made many people in the financial world change their position on investing in precious metals through bullion banks and storage vaults. Do you still believe investing in physical metal through Gold Money is an extremely safe option for the long term?

    Thanks,
    Stacey

  137. Now for a comment or opinion on this very interesting Q&A with Webster Tarpley on Ron Paul. Definitely worth a listen.

    http://tarpley.net/2011/12/28/critique-of-ron-pauls-austerity-plan/

    Thoughts?

    Hello Janet and all, I listened to this interview and it found it very troubling as I had thought that Ron Paul was the “least bad” candidate running, primarily because of his anti-war policies. Some snips from the interview:

    “I think it is fair to say that Ron Paul’s economic policy is an immediate deflationary crash. And the more severe the better. Everything should crash down and then in this orgy of creative destruction – then there will be a recovery. And of course, the problem with that is what if you starve to death in the meantime. To fight a depression for the Austrian School is a contradiction in terms – you can’t do that, you have to let the depression wash over you, play itself out and then there will be a recovery.

    “If you ask where are the empirical examples historically of letting a depression burn itself out, they can’t give you any.”

    I think this is a dangerous policy that will cause much human suffering and death. Our privately owned interest-debt based money system is inherently deflationary as all money is created as debt, and as the principal on that debt is repaid, the money is destroyed. Every day money is destroyed and unless new money, through new debt is created, the money supply will contract. If the money supply contracts, many will be unable to repay their debt.

    We can deduce two fundamental axioms of the system; first, there will always be more debt than money since interest is charged but not created in the debt process. Second, the debt cannot be fully repaid as a mathematical certainty since P+I > P (where P=Principal and I=Interest). It seems that Ron Paul would allow the defaults to take place in order to “reset” the economy. Yes, this will probably work, but will Dr. Paul’s prescription kill the patient?

    If massive defaults are allowed to take place through contraction, the pledged collateral will be available at a penny on the dollar to those lucky enough to survive financially. In this respect, a deflationary crash may be desirable for some. Today, the government is acting as the borrower of last resort in taking up the slack in the reduction of private sector borrowing. If government greatly reduces borrowing, as Ron Paul suggests, the economy will contract and a severe depression will occur.

    “I would suggest that we take a look now at the most detailed policy paper that he has put out for this election cycle, which is his “Restore America Program”… He starts off with a plan to cut-off $1 trillion out of the U.S. Federal Budget in one year and I stress one year…think of $1 trillion dollars, that’s one thousand billion… and bring the budget into balance within four years. That is the most radical austerity plan of any candidate with a 27% reduction in spending.”

    Where do these spending cuts occur?

    – 15% reduction in the Pentagon, so the Pentagon is asked to give up about half of what the federal budget as a whole is being asked to give up.

    – Child nutrition, programs like Wick for infants and children… Ron Paul would cut 1/3 of that program, 33%.

    – S-Chip, the state run child health insurance program… 44% cut.

    – Medicaid (health care run by the states for poor people)… 35% cut. The other thing that Medicaid does is it protects the property of the middle class in the age of Alzheimer. (if one contracts Alzheimers, the care is very expensive and many are wiped out financially but their families are protected as they continue to receive care through Medicaid. Without such a program, would sons and daughters also be wiped out in trying to help their parents with the expensive care that they need.

    – Food Stamps; 50 million Americans live on food stamps… 63% cut.

    My personal opinion is that the defense budget must be slashed, black budgets eliminated and the Pentagon theft must be stopped if we are to have any hope of preventing a financial collapse.

    The other problem that I have with Ron Paul, and Austrian economists in general, is that they oppose government regulations even though they are badly needed. In the last few decades, regulations on the biggest banks have been systematically eliminated, unleashing them to prey on the people and the commercial banking community. For example, in 1999, the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 was repealed. Glass-Steagall effectively separated the activities of commercial and investment banking. The results have been terrible.

    Larry Larkin

  139. Suppose David Wilcock is correct, that there are Millions of tons of mined gold on Earth, and it is not a rare commodity after all? If he’s right about this, and what actually happened in the last century, that would have Huge financial implications to us and to precious metals.

    Catherine, you have so much experience and are so astute and intuitive, would you please give your take on Wilcock’s allegations? I am also interested in what you think about the source documents and lawsuit he cites. Anyone else is welcome to kindly weigh in as well.

    Admittedly, Wilcock has a dramatic style but after having read, so far, half of his “Source Field Investigations” book, I find him brilliant 95% of the time, and thorough in his research. And this story is about finances and it affects all of us. A case involving 134 billion dollars in US bonds seized at the Italian border in 2009 didn’t just go away, and its only a small part of a much larger picture. Wilcock cites legal documents and presents a compelling case that “a lawsuit has been filed in the Southern District Court of New York, naming the United Nations, World Economic Forum, the Italian Republic and the Italian Financial Police as defendants — among others. This lawsuit is one visible manifestation of an international, 122-nation campaign that is actively bringing down the “Old World Order.” and the financing of the tapeworm..

    CONFIRMED: The Trillion-Dollar Lawsuit That Could End Financial Tyranny :
    <a href=http://www.divinecosmos.com/start-here/davids-blog/995-lawsuit-end-tyranny

    Immediately after receiving deaths on Dec 14, he was tearful on Project Camelot, and gives a 20-minute historical synopsis of what he knew at that time, starting about 10 minutes in, here:

    <a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Wcy0X5w3KwU .

    Thank you in advance,
    Susan

  140. Hello All-

    I’ve come across a couple of items that have caused me to perk up my spidey senses and I’m folks on this forum are willing to weigh in.

    In a WebBotForum.com interview, Thrive Producers Foster and Kimberly Gamble said they’ve been in contact with portions of the Elite who are interested in changing the system paradigm. While I don’t recall the exact quote, Kimberly said she’s interested in filming interviews with these people and posting them on YouTube.

    In a CMN.tv piece posted today, a kind of spokesperson for the Elite discusses an upcoming plan for a new global currency that will give the “little people” more power. I’m unfamiliar with the spokesperson, James Martinez, but a Google on him says he’s a radio host with a financial / spiritual bent.

    Here’s the link: http://www.cmn.tv/news/new-world-currency/

    Who was the banker or politician who used the term “little people”…a few years ago?

    The “Mr. X offers a bailout to the British Parliament” clip from the Solari site a few months back also comes to mind.

    Catherine or anyone else care to weigh in?

    1. CMN also released a subscription interview with Martinez where he discusses imminent use of cold fusion.

  141. I’m trying hard to understand the implications of the fractional reserve banking system and whether it is inherently doomed to collapse. Perhaps you could take a peek at my web site and comment on whether a collapse is inevitable because debt grows faster than the money supply as claimed by Michael Maloney. Here’s the link:

    http://www.worldofwallstreet.us/2011/12/2056-money-vs-currency.html

    Douglas M Dillon, 240-383-6846

    1. Doug, I’m very interested in that as well. Please let me know if you found out anything.

      look {at} itree {dot} org

      Julian

  143. I haven’t figured out how to watch Catherine’s Mill Valley talk. I thought subscribers could watch it for free?

    1. Directions Mill Valley Talk: On this comments page, ensure your browser is open wide. Select the Subscriber Resources above which is Welcome, Your Name. On the new page scroll down to the section below Wrap Ups. The section you want is tittled Special Reports.
      At this time the second special report is the Changing times information. The link it titled Investment Stategies for Changing Times.
      The are two images. The smaller one is the earth and two hands in front of a blue background. There is nothing active on this image.
      The second image is hands wrapped under the earth. Ensure your web browser is open wide. You don’t need to click on the Right directed arrow, but you will see it and this indicates the whole image is active. Click on the image ensuring you are not blocking pop ups. A new window has the link in a box that has DVD on it. Click that image and the video starts playing on that same page. It does not take you to another service. You may need to reorrient the video image to see the control bar at the bottom of it.
      Enjoy! It’s quite a shift from the old Modern portfolio theory.

  144. What happened to Water, The Great Mystery? It disappeared from your website AND for the WEB.
    Will

  145. RE-HYPOTHECATION AND HYPER RE-HYPOTHECATION CLEARLY MAKES MANY OF US VULNERABLE TO MF GLOBAL-LIKE DISASTERS. HOW CAN WE DETERMINE WHETHER OUR BROKERS ENGAGE IN RE-HYPOTHECATION?

  147. If QE3 starts in January what will that mean for the stock market and precious metals?
    What is the probability of stocks rising/falling in 2012?

  148. We just watched Thrive last night!!! It was so well done. My husband was actually able to sit through it and understand what I’ve been trying to tell him over the last 5 years since I met CAF.

    We have a screening at our friends house next Monday and Thursday ( Dec 12th & 15th) – FINALLY I get to talk to people about all I have been studying. A wonderful piece of work!

    The one item I would like to hear more of is the topic of governance and what it takes to actively govern in a way that keeps human rights in tact. Ron Paul is the only politician that understands his job is to protect our freedoms, not limit them. I have been reading the Law of Nations and am wondering how this fits in with the freedom movement, Thrive movement or whatever we will call it.

  149. RE: Aug 18, 2011 Adam Trombly on Entrainment, Subliminal Programming… (Note: I just jointed in Dec)

    I’ve lost count of how many times a clerk at a grocery store has told me that everyone (that day) was coming in to buy “X”. In addition, back when the government was offering rebate coupons towards the purchase of digital TV converter boxes, I ran across many people that thought this was a wonderful program. At the time, I felt this gov’t “program” was really a planned agenda to keep the populace “entertained” so they wouldn’t start marching in the streets. It obviously goes much deeper—thanks for the interview.
    Lisa

Comments are closed.