Gaza-Israel Fighting, Fiscal Cliff and Debt Ceiling to Infinity
Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com Weekly News Wrap-Up 11/23/12
A cease-fire was announced earlier this week in the Gaza-Israeli conflict. Fighting lasted longer than a week and claimed the lives of 140 Palestinians. Israel counted five dead and more than a dozen wounded. It is not the “durable outcome” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was seeking, but at least the bloodshed stopped. The only question is how long will it be before the shooting starts again. This is a cease-fire, not a peace accord. There was significant destruction on both sides as Hamas was firing hundreds rockets as far as 47 miles into Israel. The rockets are supplied by Iran and are getting more and more deadly and powerful. Likewise, the Israelis inflicted heavy damage through air strikes in Gaza. Hamas agreed to a cease-fire as Israel was getting ready to invade Gaza to stop the rocket attacks. Nothing has been settled. They just stopped shooting for a while. Egypt was instrumental in arranging the cease-fire.
The conflict has wider Middle East implications for war. Hamas is supported by Iran, and, now, Egypt is also backing Hamas. The Muslim Brotherhood took control of Egypt in the last election. Many, including the FBI, think the Muslim Brotherhood supports terrorism, although the U.S. does not list it as a terrorist group. Could Egypt now be drawn into a conflict with Israel?
We are still careening towards that so-called “fiscal cliff” of automatic tax increases and mandatory spending cuts if a deal is not reached in Congress before the end of the year. Now, Speaker of the House John Boehner says even President Obama’s health care plan should be on the table for consideration. This is the President’s signature legislation of his first term. I find it hard to believe the President, fresh off a re-election victory, is going to do much dealing on this point. Everyone thinks a deal will be reached, but who knows. The U.S. is short on cash, long on debt, and there is no real fix in sight. We might get another can kick.
Speaking of debt, this week, Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said we should raise the debt ceiling to infinity. A friend of mine texted me the news along with the phrase, “We are Doomed.” Maybe that’s why billionaire investor George Soros is, once again, buying gold.
Finally, as of last weekend, 50 banks have gone under so far this year. I find it odd that this sort of bad news is not reported in the mainstream media. Those banks didn’t go under because they were all making too much money in a good economy.
Join Greg Hunter as he gives his analysis on these stories and more in the Weekly News Wrap-Up
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About the Author
Greg Hunter
Greg is the producer and creator of USAWatchdog.com. The site’s slogan is “analyzing the news to give you a clear picture of what’s really going on.” The site will keep an eye on the government, your financial interests and cut through the media spin. USAWatchdog.com is neither Democrat nor Republican, Liberal or Conservative. Before creating and producing the site, Greg spent nearly 9 years as a network and investigative correspondent. He worked for ABC News and Good Morning America for nearly 6 years. Most recently, Greg worked for CNN for shows such as Paula Zahn Now, American Morning and various CNN business shows.
Great stuff this past month. Thanks Greg! Really appreciate your work. Please Keep it going. All the best to you and your family, and God Bless us all, we need it.
Doug
Thank you Doug for your comment and kind words.
Greg
Happy Thanksgiving Greg! Thanks for all you do. Your insight is appreciated. I look forward to all of your videos. 2013 is going to be very interesting.
Thank you Rev. Joslin. Pray for us all!!
Greg
Praying for the best, but, preparing for the worst. Very challenging days ahead. Thank you for being a beacon of truth in these crazy times.
2:27
“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading”. –Thomas Jefferson
Nathan Hale,
I’ll take peace as long as it lasts. Good quote man!!!
Greg
I heard on the radio tonight that Hamas considers their action against Isreal a victory. Victory? In what way was that action a victory for ANYONE? The only thing that came out of it was more dead and wounded people!
Sigh… it’s just never going to end over there is it?
Mark
Mark,
The Bible says it will end, but many will die in the process. Peace brother!
Greg
As to the Gaza war I believe it accomplished what it needed for Israel, that is, to find out how Iron Dome defenses will work while Israel’s air force is over Iran bombing nuclear sites. Of course, it also put out of business about 1/3 of Hamas’s missals by either hitting them on the ground or by Hamas having launched them. Frankly, Israel killed two birds with one stone, got rid of many launch sites while testing their defenses all the while posturing about an invasion. I often wonder why their leadership and generals can make such genius political and military ventures while ours always ends up in a quagmire. Maybe we should send our generals over to Israel for training, that is, if they can study without trying to have affairs with all the Jewish women while their wife’s shop at home.
Art,
You always provide an interesting perspective and analysis. Thank you.
Greg
Dear Greg,
I enjoy your guests and the concepts your program provides. As a student of the Bible for over 20 years, listening to the debates about the current conflict in Israel, there is one important conversation that is missing which surrounds the concept of Christology. As you know a large percentage of Americans (maybe 80%) consider themselves to be Christians although a big percentage is non-practicing. However, the group as a whole embraces certain concepts in Christology- specifically eschatology or the end time events based on the book of Revelations and Daniel and god’s favoritism toward the Jewish people based on the Old Testament.
Based on these concepts, the Republican Party has been exploiting this population in the past few decades or so in order to create a powerful base called the religious right. In essence, with the religious right having access to private media and houses of worship, and mediums such as the movie left behind, they influence many minds to favor one party’s ideology over another. In return the political right does the religious right’s betting by attempting to theocractiz our nation. Strange bed fellows indeed especially when you consider that the eschetological teachings coming from the religious right using the book of Revelations explicitly warns about this types of mingling:
Revelation 13:11-15
Then I saw another beast, coming out of the earth. He had two horns like a lamb, (This is interpreted to be the “false Prophet” ie., looked like a lamb (Jesus the lamb of god)) but he spoke like a dragon. He exercised all the authority of the first beast on his behalf, and made the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose fatal wound had been healed. And he performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived. He was given power to give breath to the image of the first beast, so that it could speak and cause all who refused to worship the image to be killed.
I am describing these events not to proselytize as I am an atheist. Rather, being familiar with how and why people think these things is essential in understanding why there will never be peace in Israel until the next generations divorce itself from the brain washing that has gone for too long.
The religious right, based on eschatology believes that the end of the world is marked by the establishment of a seven years peace treaty between the false prophet and Israel; in the middle of which, after three and half years, the treaty is broken, believers are raptured and me and others whom are left behind- well, we know the story.
Daniel 9:27
He will confirm a covenant with many for one `seven.’ In the middle of the `seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing [of the temple] he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.
So, here lies the problem. What happens if Israel sign a peace treaty and that peace treaty last more that three and half years? The consequences are devastating both to the Christian community and Israel. The outcome could be so negative for the church and government that it can not be allowed to happen. Imagine what would happen if people refused to be brain washed by their religious leaders. After extinction of religion, how would government control their thoughts? How would people’s perception of Israel (the first born of god) change? And so on.
I believe for as long as there are such high stakes involved, there are o incentives to administer peace in Israel and that is why MSM will continue saying whatever it takes so this sick way of “life” can continue in that region.
mahdee,
I think the Obama Administration is just trying to stop them from killing one another. Right now the Democrats are in control of the executive branch of the U.S. government, so i don’t see how your thesis holds water. I really don’t think Democrats or Republicans look to The book of Revelation or Daniel to guide their foreign policy decisions. Have a nice day and God bless you.
Greg
Geithner just said the truth. Next comes the Construction Banks to pass the money out.
The old Western Bankers have been, taken down.
From Kennedy’s assassination to now has been,one hell of a show.
The Blue bloods are dead.
Andrew Jackson must be laughing.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS GREG
The so called “fiscal cliff” is a joke. I believe we went over that precipice some time back. Oh, let me see: I think it was when Obama was elected. Oh yeah, now I remember, it was! The real problem here is not just the president…but the CONGRESS. THEY HAVE FAILED TO DO THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY FOR DECADES. All of them should be impeached.
Speaker of the House John Boehner is always spouting off about subjects where he has no intention of making changes; but it provides good 6 o’clock news sound bites. He is part of the mob that has destroyed the United States. Boehner is just another example of the Republicans and the Democrats are together fleecing the U.S. for all its worth.
With the U.S. deficit now in the trillions of dollars it can never be paid. This is just another example of the world gone mad. An almost laughable example was when Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize in 2009. How is that working for everyone? That was just another way of paying him for the work ahead. I will say this about Obama receiving the peace prize; he is better looking than Yasser Arafat who received it in 1994. Arafat and Obama are good examples of what the Nobel Peace Prize represents.
“Obamacare” is a done deal. Again, Boehner is blowing smoke to make it look like he and the House of Mis-representatives actually care. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is another good example of how the country has gone to the crooks. He didn’t pay his taxes but was appointed to the position of Treasury Secretary….WHAT?
Israel has a preordained problem that will not be solved by mankind. However, I fully support the Israeli’s defending their homes. I can’t even imagine how long I would put up with someone shelling my home, time after time. Not as long as the Israeli’s have, that’s for certain!
Greg, who knows; maybe someday you will be able to report something positive. Keep up the good work! We need to know the truth, even if 50% of Americans don’t get it!
Thank you Chuck for your comment and support!
Greg
We’ll see the same market reaction as we saw in 2011 I’m sure, Greg. If you recall, the markets were selling off into the stalemate. It wasn’t until “after” Congress agreed to raise the debt ceiling that the major indicies set the 52 week lows. The coming market collapse “shouldn’t” catch anyone by surprise simply because we saw it before. But as with the gold trade…it really doesn’t matter that we saw it before since the sheeple running the $$$ have the same views as most of the sheeple…the wrong view 🙂 “Hopefully” everyone began their dollar cost averaging program into GLD puts and VIX long positions today. Just a tad more work to do next week…but not much. It’s rare that we get an opportunity to double our $$$ on short term trades. I’d like to see one and all take advantage of it. Have a GRRREAT weekend! *-)
As “expected” the media is out reporting better than expected retail sales so we will now see a pullback in the SPX to somewhere below 1390…GLD to trade to 167.50ish I would say. I already further postioned with additional buys in VXX Dec 31 callls this morning as well as another 100 shares of UVXY. I will bank this trade as the SPX breaks below 1390. Same with GLD Dec 165 puts. I will bank there also altho I didn’t add to that position at all.
Great reporting Greg.
This year has been a good one with all the informative interviews you have posted. I know he’s a liberal but you and your site seem openminded enough to listen especially on topics where many of us agree. I am wondering if at some point, an interview with this guy might be possible?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJqM2tFOxLQ
I don’t know of anyone in our government who goes after the criminals the way alan does. I also do not hear Congress or the Media asking questions like he has on a consistent basis.. Keep up the great work and I’ll keep reading.
Jim,
I don’t agree with all Mr. Grayson’s view points, but when he is on Federal Reserve’s case he is golden!! For that reason alone, I like him very much.
Greg
Up the Fiscal Cliff, Down the Debt Ceiling and into a Greater Depression.
The great irony os Gaza would be peace for awhile, that just might put a number of religious zealots on edge.