Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13

The Push to Kill Cash - Next Up is Australia
Sep 2nd, 2019
CommentaryGRAHAM SMITH/ACTIVIST POST
Categories: Contemporary Issues

The supposed coordination of governments and tech companies to create a one-world, cashless society is often viewed as little more than fodder for silly YouTube conspiracy videos. After all, cash is still king in daily life, even in extremely high-tech, innovative societies like Japan.

Upon closer examination, though, current realities like Australia's proposed cash transaction ban for 2020, the continuing removal of higher denomination bills from several world economies, and the creation of centralized, state cryptocurrencies by governments worldwide cannot be ignored.

These trends signal a global push to kill paper money in the name of safety, security, and financial inclusion.

You Can Pay, But It Better Be Our Way

Australia's "Black Economy Taskforce" wants to put people accepting over 10,000 AUD (~$6,750) in cash in the slammer for up to two years, or fine them up to 25,000 (~$16,890), in an ostensible bid to fight black market economies. The Currency (Restrictions on the Use of Cash) Bill 2019 states:

Transactions equal to, or in excess of this amount would need to be made using the electronic payment system or by cheque. The Black Economy Taskforce recommended this action to tackle tax evasion and other criminal activities.

Note the similarity here with talking points of other governments. India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, when announcing the devastating surprise removal of 86% of the country's circulating paper cash in 2016, proclaimed:

Black money and corruption are the biggest obstacles in eradicating poverty.

Not surprisingly, Modi's shock move put the dominantly cash-based society in a panic, forcing people to take their now worthless 1,000 and 500 rupee notes to banks within 50 days of the announcement, to exchange them for smaller denominations. Now The Royal Bank of India is moving to ban all cryptocurrencies but one, the state-approved, digital rupee.

The removal of large cash bills is a worldwide, ongoing reality, with the European Central Bank (ECB) stopping production of the 500 euro note earlier this year. The note, dubbed by the media as "the Bin Laden," was said to be used disproportionately in financing terrorism. 

The U.S. used to have banknotes worth $500 and higher as well, some which were known as gold certificates, entitling the bearer to physical gold upon redemption. As fractional reserve banking took over, however, and national debt increased, these systems were progressively abandoned. The trend continues today in the form of Negative Interest Rate Policy (NIRP), and the resultant push for digitization of money.

Stop Holding Cash and Take Our Debt

"If everyone is holding cash, negative interest rates become useless." These are the words of former People's Bank of China (PBOC) governor Zhou Xiaochuan after the Chinese government had just completed a trial run of their new national cryptocurrency back in 2017. Now the country's sovereign digital currency is "almost ready." Zhou has also officially stated:

At the current stage, the central bank's major goal of issuing digital currency is to replace the physical cash.

Earlier in the same interview, he maintained that "The cost for cash transaction will gradually increase in the later stage. 

For instance, banks do not charge any fee for counting a large amount of coins now, but in the future they may charge their clients for such services." Zhou's remarks about negative interest rates are arguably the biggest giveaway as to what is going on here. If people are holding cash outside of banks, reckless, Keynesian NIRP policies won't have the desired effect of coercing spending in the populace.

New Zealand Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr agrees with Zhou:

Let's tax cash holdings, simple as that: we're back to monetary policy as usual; people are disincentivised to be holding large lumps of physical cash; they are having to think harder about putting money to work.

While draconian government monetary policy is alarming, the lack of support for actual financial sovereignty in the crypto and tech space is indicative of another problem. 

Government's designs on eliminating paper money and fighting permissionless, decentralized crypto exchange -- both moves to control money supply and populations of individuals -- are obvious, and to be expected. But even big tech companies and exchanges like Facebook and Binance are jumping on the propaganda bandwagon, dragging many well-meaning enthusiasts into the fight against financial freedom (even if unintentionally) right along with them.

"We believe that we all have a responsibility to help advance financial inclusion, support ethical actors, and continuously uphold the integrity of the ecosystem." - Libra whitepaper

"This is why we believe in and are committed to a collaborative process with regulators, central banks, and lawmakers..." - Facebook's David Marcus

"Binance is looking to create new alliances and partnerships with governments, corporations, technology companies, and other cryptocurrency companies and projects involved in the larger blockchain ecosystem, to empower developed and developing countries to spur new currencies." - Binance's 'Venus' announcement

The common theme here is eager compliance with Keynesian value destroyers. And these examples are illustrative of the true financial epidemic.

Forced 'Perfection'

Digital currencies really are extremely convenient. Everybody in the world really should have a chance at financial inclusion. Holding wads of paper cash and coins really can be a bother, as well as a safety hazard, where crime is concerned. 

In Finland, passengers on state railways won't be able to purchase tickets with cash for long-distance trips, starting in September. Much easier than messing with the paper stuff. ATMs are becoming less common worldwide, even in countries like China, the U.S., and cash-obsessed Japan. Settlements and payments can be made effortlessly, though, with just a quick scan or entering a PIN, so it's no big deal.

But this is not a perfect world. Governments are corrupt. Artificial monopolies and seas of red tape exist, keeping the life-threateningly impoverished and entrepreneurial from accessing crypto and banking services via strict KYC and AML policy, and by mandating, like Modi in India, that their hard-earned and hard-saved money is worthless. People already have the opportunity for extreme financial inclusion. 

A $40 smartphone and an internet connection enables anyone, anywhere in the world, to make or receive money with Bitcoin. In the name of regulation, safety, and financial inclusion, however, the state makes the situation more chaotic, less safe, and extremely exclusive where real human need is concerned.

Some of us crazy people still like paper cash, and prefer to pay that way. Some annoying, behind-the-times Luddites still put money in their mattresses, where global financial policy turns more and more toward negative rates, continued inflation, and devaluation of money sitting in banks. 

Some entrepreneurs and tech-savvy fans of crypto simply think it's nobody else's business, preferring paper wallets, coin shuffling, and VPNs, in a world where everyone but those in power are presumed guilty until proven innocent. 

Some of us "conspiracy nuts" just like crypto for crypto, and paper cash is still closer to that clean and private model than any slimy, centralized digital state currency could ever hope to be.

Man in Christ
Sep 2nd, 2019
Morning MeditationF. B. Meyer
Categories: Meditation;Inspirational;Book Study

CHRIST is the ideal man. Once, in the course of the ages, the plant of human nature seemed to bear a perfect flower of stainless purity and ineffable loveliness. The black touch of the world's sin could not befoul it. The storms that swept over it might strike it for a moment down to the black soil out of which it sprang, but could not bemire it. It reared itself in peerless beauty, and grows to-day fair and strong in the universe of God.

The man Christ Jesus was before the first man Adam, so far as the thought and purpose of God are concerned. When the great Potter took in hand the red clay to make a man, He made it in his own image, and after his likeness. And what could these be but the nature and lineaments of that blessed Son of his love who was his fellow--Himself? The Incarnation and Ascension were only possible on these conditions. How could the Son of God have become incarnate unless the nature He was to assume had already been made after the model of Himself? And how could our human nature be taken into the ineffable glory of the Throne, unless, in a sense, it had belonged there before the worlds were made?

But Adam fell from his original type. He shared morally in that aptness to deteriorate which runs through nature. And in his fall we all fell. All who are one with him by the bonds of natural relationship shared in that sad act of disobedience and its results. How great that fall was may be judged when we consider the wizened babes, the wretched women, the blear-eyed, soddened victims of drink and sin which abound amid the most civilized and refined cities of the world, and compare them with the Man of Nazareth, that holy thing which was born of the virgin-mother.

But Jesus is more than type. He is the second Man, the life-giving spirit; and therefore capable of repeating Himself in myriads of souls--not in his Divine essence, but in his human beauty. This is the singular power of life, possessed in common by plant and animal--the marvellous gift of reproduction. Adam begat a son in his own likeness, after his image. And the second Man possesses the same glorious power, by which He is able to fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby He is able even to subject all things unto Himself.

Let the Headlines Speak
Sep 2nd, 2019
Daily NewsFrom the Internet
Categories: Today's Headlines

IDF fires artillery shells towards Shebaa farms in Lebanon – report 
Israel fired artillery shells towards the contested Shebaa farms along the border with Lebanon on Sunday… According to the report, several shells were fired causing fires on the Lebanese side but no injuries. Israel’s Northern Command has been on high alert since last week expecting a limited strike against military targets and on Saturday a convoy of artillery was seen being moved north.

Iran unveils another new drone as part of growing arsenal 
Iran publicly unveiled yet another new drone on Sunday, part of its growing arsenal of locally produced drones and munitions. Iran has been on a surge recently in terms of showing off new military technology. It showed off a new missile defense system on August 22 and a new radar on August 10. The new drone is called Kian and is supposed to be able to carry out precision strikes against “distant targets.”

Russia says U.S. strikes in Syria’s Idlib put ceasefire at risk – reports 
The Russian military said the United States carried out air strikes in Syria’s Idlib de-escalation zone in breach of previous agreements, inflicting numerous casualties and endangering a ceasefire, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday. TASS news agency, citing the Russian defense ministry, said the United States had forewarned neither Russia nor Turkey about the strikes.

Iran to implement ‘cyber identity document’ for internet users 
The Supreme Council of Cyberspace of Iran recently adopted a document allowing for the identification of internet users… The document, entitled “Authentic Identity System in Cyberspace,” is meant to…allow for “free, healthy, dynamic, responsible and beneficial interactions with respect for individual and collective rights in social, economic and political relationships between all kinds of entities in cyberspace,”…

Hong Kong: Police violently tackle suspected protesters on metro
Riot police have clashed with suspected protesters in Hong Kong’s metro system after thousands marched in defiance of a ban. Protesters lit fires, threw petrol bombs and attacked the parliament building. In response, police used tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse crowds, and fired live warning shots as they tried to clear the streets.

Trade war: US hits China with new wave of tariffs
The US has imposed fresh tariffs on $112bn (£92bn) of Chinese imported goods such as shoes, nappies and food. The new tariffs are a sharp escalation in the bruising trade war, and could cost households $800 a year. The move is the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s latest plan to place 15% duties on $300bn of Chinese imports by the end of the year.

Netanyahu repeats pledge to annex Israeli settlements in occupied West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to annex all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, he said on Sunday, reiterating an election promise made five months ago but again giving no timeframe. Settlements are one of the most heated issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Palestinians have voiced fears Netanyahu could…move ahead with annexation with possible backing from U.S. President Donald Trump…

Hezbollah says commanders ready to respond to ‘Israeli attack’
Hezbollah’s leader has reiterated Israel would face repercussions for an alleged drone attack and said its field commanders were ready to respond. “The need for a response is decided,” Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech on Saturday, adding that Israel “must pay a price.” Nasrallah addressed supporters as tensions between the Lebanon-based movement and the Israeli government threatened to escalate further.

Earth enters a stream of fast-moving solar wind, G2 – Moderate Geomagnetic Storm Watch in effect
Our planet has entered a stream of fast-moving solar wind flowing from a large positive polarity coronal hole. A G1 – Minor Geomagnetic Storm Watch is in effect for August 31 and G2 – Moderate for September 1.

Muslims in Europe on edge as Czech government encourages their citizens to arm themselves and be prepared to shoot Islamic terrorists
The Czech government has proposed a bill stating that ordinary citizens with a weapons permit can engage and shoot to kill terrorists, reports NTB.

Pope Francis shockingly says that Christians murdered by Muslims are a testament to God’s plan for peaceful coexistence between the two religions
“The lives of 19 religious men and women martyred during the Algerian civil war are a testament to God’s plan of love and peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims, Pope Francis said.”

Colorado public school forces girls to follow Islamic dress code on a school field trip to a mosque 
A school district in Colorado is coming under the wrath of the community for telling school girls that they may have to submit to sharia-compliant rules regarding covering their heads and ankles on a field trip to a Muslim mosque.

‘Very graphic’ evidence, including satanic elements, in Ohio child porn case, police say
Police believe there are more victims and possibly more suspects involved after an investigation into two men who have been accused of raping and taking pornographic pictures of children.

Colorado teen suspended from school after target practice with mom
A Colorado teen has been told he cannot return to school until authorities hold a “threat assessment hearing” after he went target shooting with his mother. Nate Evans, a junior at Loveland High School in Loveland, Colorado actually got a visit from police after he posted video of his plinking with his mom Justine according to the Colorado 2nd Amendment group Rally For Our Rights.

Walmart’s Creepy Robots Are Here
Walmart is unleashing their creepy robots throughout 350 stores this year – most of which will roam the aisles and look for items that are either out of stock or out of place, after which a human will be alerted to remedy the issue, according to Fast Company.

Clemson’s Dabo Swinney Uses Very First Press Conference of the Season to Glorify God
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney has a long history of putting his faith in the spotlight, often making sure to give God the glory before anything else.

MARK OF THE BEAST: Workers in Wisconsin Wear ‘I Got Chipped’ T-Shirts Celebrating New Implants
Employees at the Three Square Market in Rivers Falls, WI actually celebrated by wearing “I Got Chipped” t-shirts after they were implanted with microchips by their bosses.

What Every American Should Know About Siri and ‘Ring’
What Every American Should Know About Siri and ‘Ring’. They are spying on you. Virtually all of your big tech gadgets are spying on you. Google knows when I go to the movies and which movie I saw and whether I had popcorn.

US strikes al-Qaeda jihadists in Syria, 40 reported killed
US forces attacked jihadist leaders in Syria on Saturday, the Pentagon said, in what a battlefield monitor called a missile strike that left at least 40 dead.

Clinton, Omar, the Squad and Democrats Are Ushering In a United Nations Occupation of the United States
…we did a landmark interview on the resurgence of FEMA camps that had taken place near the end of the Obama administration. The obvious presumption was that Hillary would be elected and she would carry out her pre-designed reign of terror. In fact, Hillary even joked about carrying out the FEMA camp objective in the 2016 campaign. When she was being assailed for her criminal behavior, she replied “..people need to relax and go to a fun camp..”

Cameroonian Bible Translator Brutally Murdered, Wife’s Arm Chopped Off in Machete Attack
A Bible translator in Cameroon has been killed in a brutal machete attack. Angus Abraham Fung was among seven people who were murdered when Islamic Fulani herdsmen stormed the Northern Province town of Wum.

Man found dead at Burning Man, sheriff’s office says cause ‘remains suspicious’
A man was found dead in the Black Rock Desert in northwestern Nevada during the annual Burning Man festival on Thursday, according to the Pershing County Sheriff’s office.

Germany: Muslims complain about pig breeding, city bans it for fear of offending them
The principle is always and everywhere the same: in Muslim countries, one should conform one’s behavior to Islamic sensibilities. And in non-Muslim countries, one should conform one’s behavior to Islamic sensibilities.