Daily Archives: 30 August 2012

New York Politicians Set to Ruin Engergy Drinks

open quote New York’s attorney general is investigating whether the multibillion-dollar energy-drink industry is deceiving consumers with misstatements about the ingredients and health value of its products.

Eric T. Schneiderman issued subpoenas in July to PepsiCo Inc., PEP -0.07% maker of AMP, Monster Beverage Corp., MNST -0.92% and Living Essentials LLC, maker of 5-hour Energy drink, according to a person familiar with the matter. The subpoenas asked for information on the companies’ marketing and advertising practices. close quote (Read more)

New Navy Admiral Trying to Provoke Iran War

I wonder who was behind this idiot’s promotion.

open quote Vice Adm. Kevin J. Cosgriff had amassed an impressive rÃ©sumÃ©, rising through the ranks to command a cruiser and a warship group after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Following a customary path to three stars, he had also spent as much time in Washington as he had at sea, including stints at the Defense Intelligence Agency and as director of the Clinton White House Situation Room.

Cosgriff — backed by a powerful friend and boss, U.S. Central Command (Centcom) chief Adm. William J. “Fox” Fallon — was itching to push the Iranians, Todd and other present and former Navy officials say.

“There was a feeling that the Navy was back on its heels in dealing with Iran,” according to a Navy official prohibited from commenting in the media. “There was an intention to be far more aggressive with the Iranians, and a diminished concern about keeping Washington in the loop.”

Two people who were there said Cosgriff mused in a staff meeting one day that he’d like to steam a Navy frigate up the Shatt al Arab, the diplomatically sensitive and economically crucial waterway dividing Iraq and Iran. In another, they said, he wanted to convene a regional conference to push back Iran’s territorial claims in the waterway, a flash point for the bloody Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s. close quote (Read more)

Ron Paul Contingent Forced Gold Discussion, Court Intellectuals Launch Slander Campaign

Ever since the Ron Paul contingent forced a statement about the Gold Standard onto the party platform, the court pseudo-economists, intellectual body guards of the state have gone to work:

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Why the Gold Standard Is the World’s Worst Economic Idea, in 2 Charts “Whether it’s 1896 or 2012, it doesn’t make sense to crucify our economy on a cross of gold.” (Read more from The Atlantic)

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Republicans tease with gold standard, but idea seen full of bugs open quote U.S. Republicans have all but guaranteed the backing of the “gold vote” this November by raising an idea that even the most bullish mainstream bullion boosters believe is unrealistic – a return to the gold standard.

Gold prices would likely surge to $10,000 an ounce, the greenback’s credibility would vanish and global superpowers would risk a new trade war if Republicans were to restore the link between the U.S. dollar and gold that was severed 40 years ago.

But that isn’t stopping Republicans from considering the idea, who will call for a commission to look at restoring a fixed value for the dollar, according to a draft of the party platform to be adopted at the Republican National Convention that begins on Monday in Tampa, Florida. close quote (Read more)