From a constitutional standpoint, national defense is arguably the government’s most important responsibility. However, former President Eisenhower warned us that defense contractors might get too addicted to government welfare in such a way as to create a military-industrial complex, where decisions about foreign policy are made, not based on the security interests of the United States, but instead in accordance with the business interests of private defense contractors.
The Huffington Post is reporting that bipartisan members of Congress are pushing to spend $436 million on Abrams tanks that the Army does not need. Similar sums have already been spent buying unnecessary tanks over the past two years. Multiple Army officials are asking Congress to stop sending more tanks. However, lawmakers appear to be focusing on the needs of their tank-producing campaign contributors over the legitimate readiness concerns of the US military. Is the military-industrial complex putting our national security at risk?
Silver Circle is returning to The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo this year. Beginning today, the convention runs from April 26 to 28 in the West Building at McCormick Place in downtown Chicago. C2E2 celebrates the cutting edge of comics, movies, television, toys, anime, manga, video games and all things pop culture. The show floor is packed with hundreds of exhibitors, the schedule is full, and fans have an opportunity for a weekend chalked full of panels, autographs, screenings, and sneak peaks from all their favorite pop culture creators.
As we speak, the US Senate is debating the alleged merits of the misguided and destructive Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013. As it stands, online retailers are required to pay taxes in the state in which the company maintains a physical presence. Retailers typically collect sales taxes and pay them on behalf of consumers, and this system has been in place ever since the Quill Corp. v. North Dakota case set the precedent on this issue.
As a result, most online retailers have gravitated towards states and localities with lower sales taxes. This is quite rational. However, some states are beginning to worry about their sales tax revenues in light of the fact that more and more consumers are passing over brick-and-mortar retailers in favor of better and more convenient deals online. As a result, legislators crafted the “Marketplace Fairness Act” in an effort to flip the entire system on its head. Rather than having businesses pay the tax in their own state, this new bill would require businesses to pay sales taxes according to each consumer’s local rules instead, which would necessarily change from one transaction to the next between thousands of different potential combinations of state and local taxes. Is it a good idea to break our tax system and destroy online shopping just because some states are driving online businesses away with high sales taxes?
Rich Paul is New Hampshire’s most prominent 420 freedom fighter and he’s been embroiled in a nefarious plot by the FBI to lock him in a cage for the rest of his life for victimless commerce. He’s now been convicted of selling marijuana, or as he puts it “selling flowers” and now faces 81 years in jail in felony charges after refusing to wear a wire to entrap other liberty activists in Keene. The FBI offered to drop all the charges and release him if he became an undercover informant for the FBI against his fellow freedom fighters in the Free State Project.
In a nod to Mark Twain, rumors of George Soros’ death have been greatly exaggerated. Soros is an investor with near-unlimited wealth, who is best-known for investing his funds into anti-freedom advocacy groups of all kinds, ranging from pro-socialist or globalist initiatives around the world to conventional progressive think tanks in the United States. He was once accused of “breaking” the Bank of England by short-selling the pound and is routinely implicated in gold price manipulation schemes, including one allegedly connected to the recent gold price plunge.
Mashable is reporting that Reuters recently jumped the gun by publishing an obituary for George Soros, despite the fact that he is still very much alive. Some news outlets mistakenly carried the story, causing Soros’ representatives to issue a statement to the contrary. To make matters more awkward, the obituary was written in a tone critical of Soros. Let’s take a closer look.
The price of gold went a little haywire at the beginning of this month, and it turns out it wasn’t an April Fool’s joke. The price crash has caused a bit of a panic, including long lines all over the world as customers scramble to get their hands on physical metal, and ecstatic “told you so”s from court-economist, Paul Krugman who is pretending a price correction validates the suicidal economic course he advocates. But it’s not so simple as that. There’s some pretty significant disagreement among the analysts that tend to be in the know. Let’s take a look.
Recently, Silver Circle began showing at a variety of premiere events across the United States, packing theaters in cities like NYC, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington DC, and Austin, TX. Given that Silver Circle is an independent film that challenges mainstream thought on economics, sponsors have been stepping up to show their support for our local events. Hollywood studios rely on the corporate-media industrial complex to support their theater releases (in exchange for creative control and submission to their agendas), whereas Two Lanterns Media often stands on the shoulders of caring sponsors that truly understand the importance of the film and respect its valuable message.
On May 4th, Silver Circle is set for its theater debut in Boulder, CO. There will be two showings that day, one at 7 PM and the other at 9 PM. Tickets are available online at this link. This thrilling premiere event will be taking place at Boedecker Theater, located at 2590 Walnut St, Boulder, Colorado 80302. After each showtime, Ranting Andy from Miles Franklin will be taking questions from the audience. The good folks at Miles Franklin help investors stay ahead of changing times by sharing their expertise on inflation, precious metals, and sound investments, and we’re proud that the company is supporting and sponsoring our Boulder premiere. Check out our interview with Miles Franklin’s “Ranting” Andy Hoffman after the jump.
First things first, before we talk about tonight’s premiere, let’s take a moment to acknowledge the struggles facing those near Austin in Waco, TX. Last night, a horrendous blast ignited in Waco, causing so much devastation that it’s still difficult to know the number of casualties. A local media affiliate posted some info today with contact information for organizations that are leading the recovery effort, for those who can donate money or blood. The people of Waco need our help.
Tonight (April 18th), Silver Circle premieres in Austin, TX at Flix Brewhouse, located at 2200 S IH 35, Round Rock, Texas 78681, starting at 7:00 PM. Food and drinks will be available, and a social-slash-Q&A event will be taking place afterward at a location to be announced at the premiere. Tickets can be purchased at this link. Let’s talk about the impressive liberty movement that Austin, TX has cultivated over the years after the jump.
The attention of the world has turned to those suffering from the tragic bombing at this year’s Boston Marathon. However, most of the focus has been on the act of violence that took place. Whenever evil shows its face, heroism and acts of goodness flourish in response. Boston Marathon participants exemplified this in numerous ways — too many, in fact, to name comprehensively in just this entry.
There were some unique stories of heroism and resilience. The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that 78-year-old runner Bill Iffrig, depicted in the above photo, embodied unmatched perseverance when, after being knocked down by the bomb blast, he rose to his feet and continued running across the finish line. After noticing the horrific injuries suffered by victims, other runners continued their treks an additional mile and a half, crossing the finish line and running on to the hospital to donate blood. When a small number of rotten souls commit acts of evil, exponential numbers of good people rise up in response. Check out the ESPN interview with Bill Iffrig below, and let’s talk healing and heroism after the jump.
Happy Tax Cattle Day everyone! Today is that magical time of year when, with fear in my heart, I mail my income extortion papers to the human farmers who fleece us under threat of violence. Were I a braver man I would refuse, but at least I am still free enough to share some news with you about a courageous organization that is declaring their financial independence.
Fr33 Aid is willfully and publicly severing their ties with the IRS and forsaking all the banking privileges that entails entails in favor of becoming an entirely bitcoin based organization. As far as I know they are the first charitable organization to do this. I hope you can appreciate how radical this is.
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