The Peanut Gallery

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

1.Scott Stewart (Stratfor): As long as smugglers are able to make huge quantities of money hauling drugs and people north and guns and bulk cash south, they will be impossible to stop. Barriers may redirect the flow, but the powerful law of supply and demand will ensure that no matter what barriers are put into place, creative smugglers will find ways to circumvent them. Besides shifting the flow to areas that are not fenced, smugglers have also simply cut holes in the fence to pass through in sectors where there are barriers. They also use ladders and vehicle ramps to scale the fence, dig tunnels to pass under it and employ a variety of means — as complex as ultralight aircraft and catapults and as simple as tossing items by hand — to pass or launch contraband over the fence. COMMENT: The border is 3200km long...and what about the sea? The amount of BS coming out of this US election is incredible.

2.George Friedman: In an interview with Bloomberg, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi addressed the various crises currently facing the European Union, saying, “The EU is like the orchestra playing on the Titanic.” I don’t think anything captures the reality in Europe better than that quote, save for one thing. The orchestra on the Titanic knew that the ship was sinking and that they were going to die. They played in defiance of their fate. COMMENT: The Europeans appear to be in denial. Its a matter of time until they separate into two groups....the six founders of the EU and the rest.

3.Does anyone remember our Israeli hero Haran? If not, pls read http://inctruth.blogspot.ca/2011/12/miracle-continues-israeli-hero.html To cut a long story short, Haran is now embarking on another adventure in his bid to change the world. I have checked this out with education buffs and it appears that this product is simple and essential. Pls read http://www.olliesblocks.com COMMENT: Keep it simple parents!

4.The price of gold is on an upwards charge. The global economy appears to be gripped by fear. The Central Bank shenanigans of the past decade have run out of gas. Focus on the banking systems. Italy is at the forefront, but those with exposure to energy debt must also be preparing for a shake-up. One would think that transport companies would be relishing the fall in oil prices. On the contrary, what are they going to do with cheap oil if the economy is slowing and sales have fallen through the floor? The cargo shipping industry is almost dormant.  COMMENT: In this kind of situation protection of capital as opposed to profits is a priority! 

5.Russia is moving its state of the art air force airpower (SU-35's) and anti-aircraft systems (Pantsyr-S2's) into Syria. Turkey and Saudi Arabia have been making noises about a ground incursion into Syria. Now the silence is shattering. The Syrians and Russians are on the attack and Assad's forces are taking back large swathes of territory. COMMENT: Putin is giving Obama a lesson on how to back an ally. Look out for a cease fire call once Assad and co have been secured.

6.One does not have to wonder why the South African economy is in a shambles when listening to the president of the ANC and of South Africa, Jacob Zuma: “When you vote for the ANC, you are also choosing to go to heaven. When you don’t vote for the ANC you should know that you are choosing that man who carries a fork… who cooks people. When you are carrying an ANC membership card, you are blessed. When you get up there, there are different cards used but when you have an ANC card, you will be let through to go to heaven.” COMMENT: I'm speechless...and if you know me that in itself is an achievement.

7.Rumour has it that Hamas and the Palestinian Authority have decided to form a unity Government. That in itself is nothing new. One of the conditions is for the PA to place its units at the Rafah crossing to Egypt. This would allow for Egypt to allow the crossing to open. Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has announced that he would resign and support a national unity government if Hamas and Fatah successfully reached an  agreement. Even more interesting is that at the same time Israel and Turkey have moved forward towards a renewal of diplomatic ties. COMMENT: Hamas must be in a bad way if they agree to this.

There is much to be said for failure. It is more interesting than success - Max Beerbohm

Don't believe the world owes you a living; the world owes you nothing - it was here first - Robert Jones Burdette