Underground Stories 072314

The following stories are harvested from around North America and the World. Stories which current Government entities and Main Stream Media would rather you not know about.If you wish to respond to this information or supply further links,please Email VOCR2012@Gmail.com Tune into our weekly Internet Radio show for full details at  VOCR RADIO

China’s terrifying debt ratios poised to breeze past US levels 

The China-US sorpasso is looming. I do not mean the much-exaggerated moment when China’s GDP will overtake America's GDP – which may not happen in the lifetime of anybody reading this blog post – as China slows to more pedestrian growth rates (an objective of premier Li Keqiang.)
The sorpasso may instead be the ominous moment when China’s debt ratios overtake the arch-debtor itself.
I had presumed that this inflection point was still a very long way off, but a new report from Stephen Green at Standard Chartered argues that China’s aggregate debt level has reached 251 per cent of GDP, as of June.
This is up 20 percentage points of GDP since late 2013. The total is much higher than normal estimates, though it tallies with what I have heard privately from officials at the IMF and the BIS.
Mr Green – a highly-respected China veteran – includes total social financing (TSF), offshore cross-border bank borrowing (a story that we are going to hear a lot about), bond issuance, shadow banking of various kinds, and government debt.
The ratio has risen by 100 percentage points of GDP over the last five years. As Fitch has argued out in the past, this is more than double the rise seen in Japan over the five years before the Nikkei bubble burst in 1990, or in the US before subprime blew up in 2007, or in Korea before the Asian financial crisis.
It is the speed of the rise that worries credit rating agencies and regulators – including many at the Chinese central bank – as much as the volume itself. Though China is scary on both fronts. It has pushed debt to $26 trillion, more than the entire commercial banking systems of the US and Japan combined. The scale obviously has global ramifications.
The FT’s Jamil Anderlini points out here that the figure is very high for an emerging economy.
Mature economies can handle a higher debt ratio for all kinds of reasons, not least because they have large assets to offset their liabilities. British figures of household debt look much more threatening than they really are because the debt is mostly for mortgages, and is balanced by high levels of equity and wealth.

Ukraine rebel commander acknowledges fighters had BUK missile

DONETSK Ukraine (Reuters) - A powerful Ukrainian rebel leader has confirmed that pro-Russian separatists had an anti-aircraft missile of the type Washington says was used to shoot down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 and it could have originated in Russia.

In an interview with Reuters, Alexander Khodakovsky, commander of the Vostok Battalion, acknowledged for the first time since the airliner was brought down in eastern Ukraine on Thursday that the rebels did possess the BUK missile system and said it could have been sent back subsequently to remove proof of its presence.

Before the Malaysian plane was shot down, rebels had boasted of obtaining the BUK missiles, which can shoot down airliners at cruising height. But since the disaster the separatists' main group, the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, has repeatedly denied ever having possessed such weapons.

Since the airliner crashed with the loss of all 298 on board, the most contentious issue has been who fired the missile that brought the jet down in an area where government forces are fighting pro-Russian rebels.

Khodakovsky blamed the Kiev authorities for provoking what may have been the missile strike that destroyed the doomed airliner, saying Kiev had deliberately launched air strikes in the area, knowing the missiles were in place.

Hillary Clinton Attacks Israel, Says They’re Conquerors Who “Deny Dignity”

When it comes to foreign policy, it seems that neither Barack Obama nor Hillary Clinton have a clue what they’re talking about.
The former Secretary of State has been in the hot seat for her involvement in the Benghazi scandal for almost a year now, and one would think with that situation coming to a head, wisdom would guide her to think carefully before she speaks, as idiotic statements could damage her chances at the presidency in 2016.

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It seems that Clinton has ignored that common sense bit of wisdom, by slamming the nation of Israel in her latest memoir, Hard Choices where she calls the Jewish nation an “occupying force in Palestine.”
Clinton recounts her time visiting the Middle East and being shocked at witnessing “life under occupation for Palestinians.” This seems to indicate that Clinton, a supposed raging liberal who  lives, eat,s and breathes racial equality, has a bit of a bias against Israel.
According to Free Beacon, the former First Lady writes, “When we left the city and visited Jericho, in the West Bank, I got my first glimpse of life under occupation for Palestinians, who were denied the dignity and self-determination that Americans take for granted.”
It seems that Hillary Clinton shares President Obama’s anti-colonialist ideology, which sees Israel as “evil” since they’re an “occupying force,” making Hamas a group of rebels fighting for the noble cause of freedom.

A senior aid for a Republican senator stated that these comments should serve as a warning to Americans, that if elected, Clinton will continue the failed foreign policy of Barack Obama, one that favors terrorists and hates Israel, in an effort to gain the full support of the left.

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It should be obvious, but Hillary Clinton is dead wrong on this one. Israel is not an occupying force. They are attempting to live peacefully, and have endured hundreds of rockets being launched into the most heavily populated areas of their country without taking military action.
There comes a time when enough is enough. That time has arrived for Israel, and they are doing what’s necessary to survive.
Clinton has proven that she only cares about furthering her career, so she’ll take whatever stance the liberal left champions in order to set herself up in good position to win the 2016 election. This is why conservatives must continue to oppose her and choose a candidate that can shut her down in the polls, preventing her from ending up in the White House.

Israel uncovers Hamas tunnel filled with maps, weapons, and IDF uniforms 

Hamas gunmen shoot at IDF from hospital, prompting return fire; IDF says hospital used as command center by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

"The hospital was used for activating war rooms and command and control centers by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad," the army said.

The IDF Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories has issued repeated and direct warnings to the hospital's manager, and to other Palestinians involved in running the hospital, the army said.

"Firing on our soldiers has grown in recent hours and endangered forces. As a result, the IDF has decided to strike terrorists operating in the hospital complex," it added.

Meanwhile, the 401st Armored Brigade and units under its command have attacked over 150 targets since the start of the offensive against Hamas, and killed over 20 terrorists.

UN Sec General Flew to Israel on Plane Financed by Hamas Backer

Daniel Greenfield, a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the Freedom Center, is a New York writer focusing on radical Islam. He is completing a book on the international challenges America faces in the 21st century.

Rule 1 of flying to a war zone to urge peace. Don’t fly on a plane belonging to a state sponsor of terror. It raises questions about your agenda.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon flew to Cairo on a Qatari-chartered plane, Newsweek reported Monday.
Accepting the flight from Qatar, which sponsors the terrorist organization Hamas, puts Ban in a compromised position. Newsweek notes that when he condemned the Israeli efforts to defend itself from Hamas rockets on Sunday, it marked “the first time in two weeks that Ban did not mention rocket or other attacks against Israelis.”
Aside from coloring Ban’s statements, his coziness with Qatar also threatens his ability to arrange a long-term ceasefire that would effectively restrain Hamas.
Ban’s choice of Qatar as the first Middle East capital on his trip has raised eyebrows in the region. Egypt, in particular, has bitterly criticized what Cairo’s foreign minister, Sameh Shukri, has called Qatar’s “conspiring” — along with Hamas and

its other regional ally, Turkey — against Egyptian attempts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
This whole thing is pretty strange.
Qatar’s funding of terrorists has made it the primary address for appeasers looking to broker a deal, from Obama to Moon, but it’s attracting too much attention these days, and while flying Moon in on a private jet gives Qatar more bragging rights, all it’s really doing is announcing that he’s there as a PR stunt by Qatar to sabotage negotiations.

A New Book Makes a Bold Claim About Hillary Clinton's Marijuana Usage

The news: A new book claims that potential presidential candidate Hillary Clinton was an "enthusiastic pot user," according to a quote from a former law school classmate.

Clinton recently denied ever having tried weed in an interview while promoting her book, claiming, "I didn't do it when I was young. I'm not going to start now."

However, after being against decriminalization during her 2008 presidential bid and calling for more research into its medical benefits, this time around, Clinton has recently said, "I think for people who are in extreme medical conditions and who have anecdotal evidence that it works, there should be availability under appropriate circumstances."

It's a somewhat noncommittal kind of support, but it is worlds away from her previous opposition to decriminalizing.

With the status quo. If Clinton was an "enthusiastic pot user" in college, she's not much different from nearly half of the population. According to a 2013 Pew Research poll, 48% of Americans have tried cannabis at some point. Clinton's political views on the topic are also shifting with the national trend, with a majority of the country in favor of legalization. Her statements signal favorable leadership for the pro-legalization majority.

Insult turned to favor. The book making the claim, Clinton, Inc.: The Audacious Rebuilding of a Political Machine, is essentially a takedown of both Bill and Hillary Clinton's political careers. Its timing suggests that it hopes to detract from Clinton's anticipated 2016 presidential run. However, considering popular public support for marijuana legalization, accusations of pot use may simply make her seem more relatable. All in all, it could mean a higher IQ rating for Clinton and a better chance that we might have a cannabis-supportive president come 2016. 

Putin Warns Against Attempts to Destabilize Russia From Within

MOSCOW, July 22 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that attempts were underway to make the country collapse from within, adding this wouldn’t work with Russians.
“Naturally, such methods are futile in Russia,” the Russian leader said at a meeting of the Russian Security Council.
“Our people, citizens of Russia, will never let it happen and will never accept it,” he stressed, alluding to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The February coup in Kiev and the general turmoil across Ukraine are largely blamed on outsider forces trying to drive a wedge between the two ex- Soviet allies.
The Russian president also cautioned the United States and European Union against the “language of sanctions,” which the West believes to be an adequate response to Moscow’s alleged role in the Ukrainian crisis.
“We hope that our legitimate national interests will be respected and the disputed issues that occur all the time, will be solved diplomatically, through negotiations and nobody will interfere in our affairs,” Putin stressed in a statement on the country’s territorial integrity.
He pointed to the ongoing campaign against countries that refuse to fall in line with the majority opinion, which is as often as not inspired by a handful of nations.
“Countries conducting independent politics, or those who get in the way of someone’s interests, are destabilized,” the Russian leader said adding that the so-called “color revolutions” are used toward this end.
On Tuesday, President Putin chaired a Security Council meeting on issues of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity where he addressed risks of internal distability in Russia.

Feds Fight to Keep White House E-Mails Secret in Breitbart-Sherrod Libel Suit - See more at: http://www.teaparty.org/feds-fight-keep-white-house-e-mails-secret-breitbart-sherrod-libel-suit-48753/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=social#sthash.66semUpI.dpuf

Now ISIS cracks down on MANNEQUINS: Shopkeepers told by Muslim extremists to cover faces of window models with veils

• Extremists handed out ultimatum after seizing city of Mosul last month
• Faces of both male and female mannequins are being covered  
• Interpretation of Shariah Law forbids artwork or statues of human form 
• Militants have already imposed strict rules on Christians in the city 

ISIS have told shopkeepers in Iraq to put veils over the faces of their mannequins. The jihadists handed out the ultimatum after seizing the country's second largest city, Mosul, during their latest offensive.

The move is in line with strict interpretations of Shariah law forbidding artwork or statues depicting human form. 

Both male and female mannequins in window displays have been covered up as a result.  

The militant group has imposed other restrictions in the city, the home to some of the most ancient Christian communities in the region.  

They have ordered Christians to convert to Islam, pay a tax or face death. Many from the ancient community have fled to the neighbouring autonomous region of Kurdistan as a result.

Mosul residents estimated the city's Christian population before last month's militant takeover at around 5,000, now only 200 are left. 

ISIS, which declared an Islamic State or 'caliph' spanning parts of Iraq and Syria earlier this month, seized control of Mosul in June as part of its campaign against the Baghdad government. 

Human Rights Watch have already said the Islamic State 'seems intent on wiping out all traces of minority groups from areas it now controls in Iraq.'

Tale of the Tapes: IRS head confirms investigators have found backup tapes in Lerner probe

The head of the IRS confirmed Wednesday that investigators looking into missing emails from ex-agency official Lois Lerner have found and are reviewing "backup tapes" -- despite earlier IRS claims that the tapes had been recycled. 
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, testifying before a House oversight subcommittee, stressed that he does not know "how they found them" or "whether there's anything on them or not." But he said the inspector general's office advised him the investigators are reviewing tapes to see if they contain any "recoverable" material. 

The revelation is significant because the IRS claimed, when the agency first told Congress about the missing emails, that backup tapes "no longer exist because they have been recycled." 
It is unclear whether the tapes in IG custody contain any Lerner emails, but Koskinen said investigators are now checking. 
Republicans on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee first raised questions about the backup tapes on Monday, releasing a partial transcript from an interview with IRS official Thomas Kane. In it, Kane said "there is an issue" as to whether all the backup tapes were destroyed. Asked if they might still exist, he said he didn't know but "it's an issue that's being looked at." 
Investigators in Congress and with the inspector general's office want to see those backup tapes because of the possibility they might contain emails that otherwise were lost in Lerner's apparent hard drive crash in 2011. Lerner is the former IRS official at the center of the controversy over agency targeting of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status -- the agency's acknowledgement last month that years' worth of emails were lost has infuriated GOP investigators. 
The so-called backup tapes are considered a last resort option for recovering any missing emails. Though certain federal employees are supposed to store certain communications, the backup tape system was used at the IRS to store such data for a six-month period. 
"There are still many unanswered questions," Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said Wednesday. 
Several other questions have been raised in recent days over how Lerner's emails disappeared and when the agency learned about it. 
The House Ways and Means Committee claimed Tuesday that Lerner's hard drive was only "scratched," but not necessarily damaged beyond repair. Asked about that claim on Wednesday, Koskinen claimed not to know much about that allegation.
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Feds Fight to Keep White House E-Mails Secret in Breitbart-Sherrod Libel Suit


(Politico) – The Obama administration is fighting to keep secret hundreds of pages of emails detailing White House involvement in the 2010 firing and attempted rehiring of Agriculture Department employee Shirley Sherrod after the late conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart published a blog post and video clips suggesting Sherrod was a racist.
Lawyers for Breitbart’s business partner, Larry O’Connor, filed the White House and USDA documents in federal court in Washington in May in connection with a libel suit Sherrod filed over the blog post, which appeared on Breitbart’s BigGovernment.com website. However, last week, Justice Department lawyers urged U.S. District Court Judge Richard Leon to keep the documents from the public by maintaing them under seal.
Court filings are normally public, but the Justice Department said the emails from the accounts of nine White House staffers and an additional number of Agriculture Department officials should be kept under wraps in part because the public already has enough information through official statements about Sherrod’s forced resignation and the ensuing events.
“The parties to this case have no need for ‘public access to the documents at issue’ because they can litigate under seal any issue to which those documents are relevant. Neither does the public at large have any need for access to those documents. As the United States has acknowledged in this case, plaintiff’s resignation from USDA ‘implicate[d] sensitive issues and significant public interest,” DOJ lawyers Charles Glass and Arthur Goldberg wrote. “Those matters have already been addressed, however, by the statements about plaintiff made by Secretary of Agriculture Thomas J. Vilsack and by then-White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at or about the time of plaintiff’s resignation. Those matters have also been addressed by the thousands of pages of documents dealing with plaintiff that USDA has produced to the public pursuant to [the Freedom of Information Act].”
In the July 13 motion (posted here), the Justice Department lawyers also invoke a deference to “Presidential confidentiality” as a basis for keeping the contents of the emails secret.
“The Office of the President occupies a ‘unique position in the constitutional scheme’ and ‘the public interest requires that a coequal branch of Government afford Presidential confidentiality the greatest protection consistent with the fair administration of justice,’” Glass and Goldberg wrote, quoting the 2004 Supreme Court case granting such deference to Vice President Dick Cheney in connection with records relating to the Energy Task Force he headed.
The U.S. government is not a party to Sherrod’s lawsuit, which seeks damages from O’Connor and Breitbart. Breitbart died unexpectedly in 2012.  His wife, Susannah, has been substituted as a defendant in the suit.
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Feds Fight to Keep White House E-Mails Secret in Breitbart-Sherrod Libel Suit - See more at: http://www.teaparty.org/feds-fight-keep-white-house-e-mails-secret-breitbart-sherrod-libel-suit-48753/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=social#sthash.66semUpI.dpuf