Monthly Archives: September 2010

Growing number of small boycotts aim to change Israeli policies

open quoteThe entire week was marked by boycotts. It began with a few dozen theater people boycotting the new culture center in Ariel, and continued with a group of authors and artists publishing a statement of support on behalf of those theater people. Then a group of 150 lecturers from various universities announced they would not teach at Ariel College or take part in any cultural events in the territories. Naturally, all that spurred a flurry of responses, including threats of counter-sanctions.

That was all at the local level. There’s another boycott, an international one, that’s gaining momentum – an economic boycott. Last week the Chilean parliament decided to adopt the boycott of Israeli products made in the settlements, at the behest of the Palestinian Authority, which imposed a boycott on such products several months ago.

In September 2009, Norway’s finance minister announced that a major government pension fund was selling its shares in Elbit Systems because of that company’s role in building the separation fence. In March, a major Swedish investment fund said it would eschew Elbit Systems shares on the same grounds. Last month the Norwegian pension fund announced that it was selling its holdings in Africa Israel and in its subsidiary Danya Cebus because of their involvement in constructing settlements in the occupied territories.

The sums involved are not large, but their international significance is huge. Boycotts by governments gives a boost to boycotts by non-government bodies around the world. close quote (Read more from Haaretz.com)

Big Pharma Scores Big Win: Medicinal Herbs Will Disappear in EU

open quoteBig Pharma has almost reached the finish line of its decades-long battle to wipe out all competition. As of 1 April 2011—less than eight months from now—virtually all medicinal herbs will become illegal in the European Union.close quote (Read more from gaia-health.com)

Dear socialists, please read this article carefully. It is yet another example of how abusive businesses BENEFIT from big government. Please stop suggesting that more government is the solution for everything.

Detained By The Feds For Not Answering Questions

Love it when people stick up for their rights.

open quoteI was detained last night by federal authorities at San Francisco International Airport for refusing to answer questions about why I had travelled outside the United States.

The end result is that, after waiting for about half an hour and refusing to answer further questions, I was released – because U.S. citizens who have produced proof of citizenship and a written customs declaration are not obligated to answer questions.

* * *

“Why were you in China?” asked the passport control officer, a woman with the appearance and disposition of a prison matron.

“None of your business,” I said.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

“Excuse me?” she asked.

“I’m not going to be interrogated as a pre-condition of re-entering my own country,” I said.

This did not go over well.close quote (Read more from knifetricks.blogspot.com)

Spontaneous Examples of Commodity Money in Iraq

open quoteThe bottled water brought in from the larger cities was one of the most sought-after commodities in the village, and I soon noticed villagers pricing items in not only sheep, but bottles of drinking water as well.

Then there was the standard wartime medium of exchange: cigarettes. The villagers smoked cigarettes every evening with chai tea. They were bought in the cities and brought back by the truck load. As a result they were not as valuable as sheep or bottled water; however they served as small change for the villagers.

These three moneys all circulated in the villages free of any government mandate or oversight. The exchange rate also fluctuated free of mandate. Sheep were the most stable commodity as they were held and bred in the villages.

Bottled water and cigarettes were transported in from the cities. This transport was subject to logistical difficulties, and therefore their value fluctuated. Farmers and fisherman also drank much more water in the summer months, which had a great effect on its value.close quote (Read more from mises.org)

Peter Schiff on Obama’s tax proposal

Skip to 1:40.

President Obama justifies tax cuts only for middle class help because middle class spends while upper income earner are more likely to save and invest. This may be true, but it’s bad economics. The last thing the U.S. needs is more spending. We need savings & investment.

Instead of criticizing people who invest abroad, Obama should figure out why people want to invest abroad. Sweden coorporate tax rate is 27%. The U.S.’s is 35% (and that’s just federal).