The Peanut Gallery

Statements, comments and forecasts that have no substance, but just might turn out to be relevant.

1.Nancy Grace: "As the defense has their champagne toast after that 'not guilty' verdict, somewhere out there the devil is dancing tonight." Her words, and even though she might be considered a dangerous virus, the peanut gallery finds it hard to argue with her.

2.Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the U.S. is within reach of defeating al Qaeda, promising a concerted campaign following the death of Osama bin Laden to eliminate the network's remaining top leadership in Pakistan, Yemen, Somalia and North Africa. The peanut gallery: What nonsense. You kill some and others pop up to take their place. In a world of  political anarchy, hunger and over-population, terrorism can be temporarily subdued but not eliminated or defeated.

3.China's National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday said that the consumer price index in June surged by 6.4% from a year earlier. That was a jump from May's 5.5% rate and close to the high hit three years ago. Another reason for gold to continue its rise.....

4.In the face of the sagging economy, Bernanke is already talking about more quantitative easing or QE3. This should come as no surprise to followers of the the peanut gallery. The stock markets took it in their stride, but gold and silver took a mighty jump upwards. PG: Gold is no longer a hedge against the US dollar. It is a hedge against dishonest manipulations by politicians and "experts" in the currency markets.

5. And now we hear that Moody's, the rating agency are putting the US credit rating on review for a possible downgrade. The world is so crazy at the moment that even a bombshell like this is regarded as par for the course. The peanut gallery: Wake up folks. This is a serious business. Once again we state that gold is the only honest currency in town!

6.A sign of the times? A home listed for a record $150 million has sold—at a steep discount. The 57,000-square-foot Los Angeles mansion built by the late television producer Aaron Spelling closed for $85 million, or 43% off its asking price.

7.Facebook yesterday launched its new mobile application, "Facebook for Every Phone", based on software developed by Israeli start-up Snaptu Ltd which Facebook acquired for $60-70 million in March. This was Facebook's first acquisition in Israel. The application provides fast and easy access to simple mobile phones (i.e. not smartphones such as iPhones and Androids) that lack advanced operating systems. Israel clearly has decided to buy into CNN's arab spring, while Informed sources in Teheran point out that this is irrevocable proof that Israel is behind the rioting.....

8.Richard Russell will be 87 years old this week. One of the planet's really great and truthfull investment advisors. "During World War II I fought with young men (hailing from all over the nation) who were ready to die for freedom and Democracy and America. Who in Congress could match these young men today?" Happy birthday Richard! 

9.Qatar has pulled out its ambassador from Syria and closed its embassy after attacks on the compound by militiamen loyal to President Bashar al-Assad, diplomats in the Syrian capital told Reuters on Monday. The PG predicts that as US influence in the region declines, the rift between Sunni's and Shiites will widen into confrontation.

10.Apparently if one leans to the left, global warming is a threat to the planet. However if one leans to the right, like Michele Bachmann, then one is supposed to claim that global warming is a myth, manufactured by a bunch of leftists. Many rightist members of the PG would vigorously disagree with this cynical political myth. Nothing political about global warming. Step out of your air conditioned office, Bachmann!

11.James Dines: "Japan understandably is turning against nuclear power, but their subsequent absence of air conditioning since the closing of 34 reactors, has led to an increase in deadly heatstrokes in addition to the reduced availability of elevators. Merkel likewise announced shuttering all of Germany’s nuclear power plants, while China is accelerating building them – and even using some atomic-power plants as 'currency' by donating them to emerging nations – thus ensnaring them as dependents into its new geopolitical order." PG: Thats right folks, its all about shortages and survival.

I always loved change, something new. Change is a challenge, an excitement - Dawn Sibley