RUSSIAN ANALYST PREDICTS DECLINE AND BREAKUP OF USA

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashrur.htm

A rather dire prediction from abroad.

A leading Russian political analyst has said the economic turmoil inthe United States has confirmed his long-held view that the country is heading for collapse, and will divide into separate parts.

Professor Igor Panarin said in an interview with the respected daily IZVESTIA published on Monday: "The dollar is not secured by anything. The country's foreign debt has grown like an avalanche, even though in the early 1980s there was no debt. By 1998, when I first made my prediction, it hadexceeded $2 trillion. Now it is more than 11 trillion. This is a pyramid that can only collapse."

The paper said Panarin's dire predictions for the U.S. economy, initially made at an international conference in Australia 10 years ago at a time whenthe economy appeared strong, have been given more credence by this year's events.

When asked when the U.S. economy would collapse, Panarin said: "It is already collapsing. Due to the financial crisis, three of the largest and oldest five banks on Wall Street have already ceased to exist, and two are barely surviving. Their losses are the biggest in history. Now what we will see is a change in the regulatory system on a global financial scale: America will no longer be the world's financial regulator."

When asked who would replace the U.S. in regulating world markets, he said: "Two countries could assume this role: China, with its vast reserves, and Russia, which could play the role of a regulator in Eurasia."

Asked why he expected the U.S. to break up into separate parts, he said: "A whole range of reasons. Firstly, the financial problems in the U.S. will get worse. Millions of citizens there have lost their savings. Prices and unemployment are on the rise. General Motors and Ford are on the verge of collapse, and this means that whole cities will be left without work. Governors are already insistently demanding money from the federal center.Dissatisfaction is growing, and at the moment it is only being held back by the elections and the hope that Obama can work miracles. But by spring, it will be clear that there are no miracles."

He also cited the "vulnerable political setup", "lack of unified nation allaws", and "divisions among the elite, which have become clear in these crisis conditions." He predicted that the U.S. will break up into six parts - the Pacific coast,with its growing Chinese population; the South, with its Hispanics; Texas,where independence movements are on the rise; the Atlantic coast, with its distinct and separate mentality; five of the poorer central states with their large Native American populations; and the northern states, where theinfluence from Canada is strong.

He even suggested that "we could claim Alaska - it was only granted on lease, after all." Panarin, 60, is a professor at the Diplomatic Academy ofthe Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has authored several books on information warfare.


What is your response to this? Please click comments & let readers know.

Bailey the Unknown Reindeer

This is such a happy, fun short video.span>
http://www.dogwork.com/dogsnow/
It will make you LAUGH!

We are house sitting and taking care of the pets for my sister & husband while they are in Australia. I say "we" but Alan is the real pet sitter, and he's good at it.

Pets include: 3 cockatiels, 1 dove, 2 cats. These are the indoor pets.

Outside there are more pets to feed, including: a few hundred doves, several dozen hummingbirds (8 feeders need refilling daily), various squirrels, and at least 1 cottontail which Alan spotted this morning.

Alan views most of these animals as good target practice, but left his 22 at home in Boise, Idaho. We don't feed the coyotes which visit occasionally, at least not directly. I suppose fattening the other animals here ultimately leads to good coyote feedings. There are no dogs at their house, but I suspect it is a temporary condition, since there have been dogs, the best pets in my opinion, in the past.

I went to www.dogwork.com, the website that created the above video, and it is a great page to peruse. If you like dogs, you will like it. They have the following comment:

Going to work with your dog should be allowed in most companies.
If every dog has its day, that day may be now for thousands of dogs around the country, and all they're missing is a paycheck. Many companies have begun allowing employees to bring their pets -- specifically dogs -- to the workplace.
If you would like to convince your employer to adopt a more friendly policy towards workplace dogs, here are just a few helpful discussion points:

• Dogs in the workplace increase staff morale and productivity.
• Dogs also tend to increase camaraderie among employees.
• Dogs make employees happier, resulting in enhanced job performance.
• Dogs can also serve as an effective criminal deterrent.

This website also has some more funny dog videos and some good tips if you have a dog, or (like my daughter Robin & kids, along with my son David's kids) are hoping/thinking about getting that doggie in the window for a Christmas present.

Things Mom Would Never Say

1. "How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?"
2. "Yeah, I used to skip school a lot, too"
3. "Just leave all the lights on ... it makes the house look more cheery"
4. "Let me smell that shirt -- Yeah, it's good for another week"
5. "Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I'll be glad to feed and walk him every day"
6. "Well, if Timmy's mom says it's OK, that's good enough for me."
7. "The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It's not like I'm running a prison around here."
8. "I don't have a tissue with me ... just use your sleeve"
9. "Don't bother wearing a jacket - the wind-chill is bound to improve"

Bossy Sisters

Here is a great new blog by my daughters, the bossy sisters, that you ought to check out. It is very funny. It will become famous.

Leave a comment. Ask a question--they have all the answers:
http://thebossyblog.blogspot.com/

"Flunked"

Two months ago Alan and I attended a screening of "Flunked," a well done, informative, and uplifting documentary focusing on the crisis we are facing in education today.

"Most people are well aware of the declining test scores and competitiveness of the average American student, as well as myriad other problems facing education today. Complaining about the problem, while easy to do, produces little productive results." Instead, this film focuses on many of "today's schools nationwide that are 'getting it right'---attaining great results in terms of college preparation, high test scores, and graduating competent workers for tomorrow's economy."

"FLUNKED---A story of failure. A formula for hope."


"Something is definitely wrong in American education. That's why
"Flunked"
went out and found educators who are doing something about it."

website: http://flunkedthemovie.com/new/index.php

This week in politics

McCain and Obama AGREE on $700 BILLION bailout: Congress PASSES bailout:
President George W. Bush signs into LAW an unprecedented $700 billion plan:

The American voters respond:

The question is, will we REALLY be any better off with this:
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And of course, there was the Vice President Candidates' DEBATE last Night.......
What has happened in America that the media can be so callous and powerful??

Campaign Fun! I'm in the movie--look for me! (near the end)

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

When You Vote, Remember Who Did This

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the Federal government to 'Put Away' -- you may be interested in the following:
SOCIAL SECURITY
Franklin Delano
Roosevelt 32nd. President,
Democrat Terms of Office March 4, 1933, to April 12, 1945
Franklin Delano Roosevelt a Democrat, introduced the Social Security (FICA) Program. He promised:
1.) That participation in the Program would be Completely voluntary;
2.) That the participants would only have to pay 1% of the first $1,400 of their Annual Incomes into the Program;
3.) That the money the participants elected to put Into the Program would be deductible from their income for tax purposes each year;
4.) That the money the participants put into the Independent 'Trust Fund' rather than into the General operating fund, and therefore, would only be used to fund the Social Security Retirement Program, and no other government program; and
5.) That the annuity payments to the retirees would *never* be taxed as income.
ALL IS GOOD TO HERE..... ...................THEN-->
Dwight David Eisenhower
34th. President, Republican,
Term Of Office: January 20, 1953 to January 20, 1961
1958 is the first year that Congress voted to remove funds from Social Security and put it into the General Fund for Congress to spend. It was a Democratically Controlled Congress. Congress' logic at that time was that there was so much money in Social Security Fund that it would never run out or be used up for the purpose it was intended and set aside for.
------------------
Lyndon Baines Johnson
36th. President, Democrat
Term Of Office: November 22, 1963 to January 20, 1969
Question: Which Political Party took Social Security from the Independent 'Trust Fund' and put it into the General Fund so that Congress could spend it?
Answer: It was Lyndon B. Johnson and the Democrat Controlled House and Senate. Question: Which Political Party eliminated the income tax Deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholding?
Answer: The Democrat Party.
----------------
William Jefferson Clinton (Bill Clinton)
42nd. President Democrat
Term of Office: January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001
Question: Which Political Party started taxing Social Security annuities?
Answer: The Democrat Party, with Albert Arnold Gore, Jr. (Al Gore) [Vice President Term of Office: January 20, 1993 to January 20, 2001] casting the 'tie-breaking' deciding vote as President of the Senate, while he was Vice President of the US .
------------------
THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK:
James Earl Carter, Jr (Jimmy Carter)
39th. President, Democrat
Term of Office: January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981
Question: Which Political Party decided to start giving Annuity payments to immigrants? Answer: That's right! James Earl Carter, Jr. (Jimmy Carter) and the Democrat Party. Immigrants moved into this country, and at age 65, began to receive Social Security payments! The Democrat Party gave these payments to them, even though the immigrants never paid a dime into it! Then, after violating the original contract (FICA), the Democrats turn around and tell you that the Republicans want to take your Social Security away!
And the worst part about it is uninformed citizens believe it!

If enough people read this, maybe a seed of awareness will be planted and maybe changes will evolve. Maybe not, some Democrats are awfully sure of what isn't so. But it's worth a try. How many people can YOU send a copy of this to? Actions speak louder than bumper stickers.
AND REMEMBER.... CONGRESS GIVES THEMSELVES 100% RETIREMENT FOR ONLY SERVING ONE TERM!!!
---------------------------------------------
Thomas Jefferson
3rd. President, Democrat
Term of Office: January 20, 1777 to January 20, 1781
Jefferson said, "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."

Fly the Flag campaign

My daughter received this as an email & posted it on her blog. I am following suit because I, too, like this idea and encourage you to participate.

Please join us in this FLY THE FLAG campaign.We have less than 3 weeks until 9/11. We are counting on you to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America .If you copy & email this to least 11 people and each of those people do the same ... you get the idea.

THE PROGRAM: On Thursday, September 11th, 2008, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this seventh anniversary of one our country's worst tragedies. We do this honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared.
Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kindsAction Plan.

So, here's what we need you to do ...
(1) Copy & forward this as an email to everyone you know (at least 11 people). Please don't be the one to break this chain. Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.
(2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year -round, but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

Thank you for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America !

Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach 'Change'

That’s the title of a recently-posted YouTube video. It is a representation of a letter to the editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch written July 7, 2008 by Manuel Alvarez Jr. of Sandy Hook, Va. Manuel is a young man who escaped Communist Cuba in 1968.
Take a look at it and pass it on.


Obama's rhetoric is nothing new. I am old enough to remember how Castro came to power over 50 years ago. Americans thought he would save the Cubans and offered him much support.

I like this comment by blake78266, "I sincerely hope my dad is right. He said, 'there may be a lot of people who may THINK they are going to vote for Obama, but when they get in the booth, the hand is going to start to shake.' " I, too, hope is dad is right.

If this post bothers you, please read Alma Chapter 51 and Helaman 5:2. The similarity to our day is sobering.