Tuesday, January 3, 2012

In the news:

Report: Al Qaeda Operating In Jerusalem

Al Qaeda claims to be operating a “Sunni Youth” terrorist cell in Jerusalem as Muslim extremism grows throughout the Middle East.

The "Sunni Youth Movement Cell in Greater Jerusalem” issued its first message Monday night, according to Debkafile,

Last month, the number of terrorist attacks against Israelis almost doubled from the previous month, rising from 44 in November to 81 in December.

The IDF has warned that terrorists will try to use the diplomatic impasse between Israel and the Palestinian Authority to execute attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers. Another impetus for terrorists is the recent release by Israel of more than 1,000 terrorists and security prisoners for the return of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

After the deal was concluded, Hamas and other terrorist groups immediately announced their aim is to kidnap more Israelis as bargaining chips for more prisoner releases and concessions.


IDF Predicts Missile Attacks On Jerusalem In Future War

The army recently updated threat scenarios for every major city in Israel – and for the first time predicted that missiles might hit Jerusalem, even in a relatively minor conflict.

According to the IDF, the capital, which is in the range of Syrian and Hezbollah missiles, could also come under fire during a smaller conflict with Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip. Both terrorist organizations are believed to possess Iranian rockets that have the ability to strike Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.


Persian Gulf Tensions Mount As U.S. Engages Israel On Iran

The Obama administration is engaged in a full-court press to persuade Israel that Iran’s nuclear threat can be contained short of war.

The U.S. lobbying has received a mixed reception from Israel, where the Netanyahu government has not ruled out a unilateral strike on Iran.

“We may be further along the road to war than most people believe,” said Michael Adler, an Iran scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Experts are divided as to the seriousness of the threat to cut off the strait and whether it will lead to war.

The resultant war also would give the U.S. a pretext to attack suspected Iranian nuclear sites, he said.

Except it didn’t apparently “take” in Jerusalem -- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued to press for a more immediate ratcheting-up of pressure on Iran, in part by hinting that Israel might take action alone.

Likening himself to Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, who declared statehood against the counsel of some allies, Netanyahu said in a speech -- just days after the strategic dialogue -- that he would “make the right decision at the right moment,” whatever allies counseled.

That was seen as a rebuke to Leon Panetta, the U.S. defense secretary, who a week earlier had warned that striking Iran could envelop the region in a conflagration.


Iran: Ahmadinejad Says Sanctions Will Be Met With 'Force'

Iran is flexing its muscles in response to Western moves to isolate it economically.

The Iranian Central Bank will respond to new sanctions imposed by the United States "with force, "Iranian president Ahmadinejad told an annual meeting of senior central bank officials on Monday, according to state media.


Iran Test Fires Second Missile In 24 Hours As Posturing Escalates

As expected yesterday, when the US went out full bore with a Japan approach of McCollum-like strategy of leaving Iran no option but to keep escalating until finally the US has enough public support grounds for a response, in under 24 hours Iran has launched a second missile, this time not a medium-range SAM to a long-range shore-to-sea missile. Needless to say, the US 5th Navy is watching these quite welcome developments with great interest.

From Reuters: "Iran said on Monday it had successfully test fired a long-range missile during its naval exercise in the Gulf, flexing its military muscle to show it could hit Israel and U.S. bases in the region if attacked.

At this point it is glaringly obvious to all but the most confused that the US is consistently pushing Iran to escalate further and further, until such time as the US ships stationed in Bahrain say enough and decide it is time to sink some boats.


Consider the prophetic implications of this next article below:

Dream Of Universal Currency Just Won't Die

This is undeniably a period of epic turmoil, and many economists will tell you that sovereign states need sovereign currencies—full stop. But this notion ignores a fundamental truth: Countries with their own currency may have monetary independence, but in reality—as gun battles in Libya, CDOs in the US, and tsunamis in Japan have taught us—we are only becoming more economically intertwined, regardless of what our coins look like.


Now we see the arguments which will be used to usher in a single, world currency:

Step back from the current crisis to consider the long view, and currency unions—or even a single global currency—have a fair share of appeal. A universal medium of exchange could eliminate currency risk and jack up trade. It would mean speculators couldn’t short an individual country’s currency. Exporters wouldn’t have to fret over the gap between a price on a contract and the value of the payment. A single currency could halt spastic swings in prices and end conversion fees, leaving more of the pie for little stuff like R&D and employee health insurance. Oh—and it could put an end to international disputes over currency manipulation. Hello? China?

The fact is, the modern economy and monetary system are too damn precarious for us not to examine every possible way to protect against future shocks—including going all in on a universal currency. It’s a bit like geoengineering: radical and outrageous at first blush but, given humanity’s current predicament, not as outrageous as dismissing it out of hand.

Perhaps the seed for that universal currency has already been planted. The International Monetary Fund uses something called Special Drawing Rights, a crossbreed of four of the world’s key currencies, to make certain kinds of settlements between IMF members. Could SDR someday morph into the One Coin to Rule Them All? If so, some lucky designer will have a field day mashing up $, ¥, £, and, yes, €.


Is A Super-Volcano In Germany About To Blow?

A sleeping super-volcano in Germany is showing worrying signs of waking up.

It's lurking just 390 miles away underneath the tranquil Laacher See lake near Bonn and is capable of ejecting billions of tons of magma.

This monster erupts every 10 to 12,000 years and last went off 12,900 years ago, so it could blow at any time.

Experts believe that if it did go off, it could lead to widespread devastation, mass evacuations and even short-term global cooling from the resulting ash cloud blocking the sun.

Volcanologists believe that the Laacher See volcano is still active as carbon dioxide is bubbling up to the lake’s surface, which indicates that the magma chamber below is 'degassing'.

11 comments:

Robin said...

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/us/texas-man-detained-at-airport-is-a-green-beret.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

I know this is a huge stretch, but I'm having trouble digesting the story of the man arrested in a Midland, TX airport for having explosives in his carry on bag.

The man IS currently a member of the Green Berets. He was traveling with his FAMILY . . .and according to all who know him, he loves his country and flies the US Flag at his home and his mother's home. They don't let just anyone become a member of Special Forces. And no one with an IQ above 55 would think they could board a plane with explosives.

For years now, we've heard stories of how our military are being trained to deal with civil unrest. There's video after video of troops being used for things such as gun confiscation in certain areas. Now, with the passage of the 2012 NDAA, military can arrest civilians, in their homes, and detain indefinitely without charges.

There's also some stories recently, of troops dissenting. Should we consider another possibility in this case?

Maybe he didn't place them in his bag to begin with? Maybe someone(s) needed to shut him (and others) up and what better way then to have him labeled a terrorist? Could there be a connection between that incident . . .and the NDAA 2012 being signed into law . . .which would use the military to indefinely detain US citizens without charge? Just a thought . . .but patriots in the military cant be to happy about it.

I could be completely off the mark on this . . .I've searched all over the web, and can't even find any speculation about this, but something just doesn't ring true with me. Anyone else think this is possible or have I been watching too many 007 movies? LOL

Anonymous said...

Robin-very interesting thought. I know nothing about the details but I do know if it doesn't settle right in your spirit, you should always go with that over every logical thing your head tells you! That "6th sense",
and no i haven't gone occult on you guys, has saved many a police officers life, and many other people from disasters and death. If it feels sketchy...it is sketchy! I wonder how we can snoop more about this. try local papers or tv maybe. Alex Jones maybe, but i rather think he is a "double agent" so to speak. Of course, you can ask God. The HS will show you some pretty interesting stuff sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Scott-did you see the massive fish kill in norway yesterday?

Caver said...

Robin, good catch! You're right, it smells to high places. Sounds more like a set up and a message being delivered to me than real.

Who knows, strange times and strange things happen....but these are serious people and way too disciplined and highly trained to do something super stupid like that.

Robin said...

Well, actually . . .there was a huge celebration at this very same airport in 2010, welcoming him home from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. He has special demolition training. That he'd attempt to blow up a flight with his wife and kids on board is just ludicrous.

I saw the 20 tons of dead fish washed up on the Norwegian beach on the news wires yesterday.

Anonymous said...

Well, here it is again >>>>

UP, BIG........at one point the hit
up near 12, 500.....closed up almost 200 !!!

It seems bulls are unstoppable...

and greedy.....

I presume that patience is required
now. the end will come, but not yet.

there is no update from ewi until
tommorrow, I will post as SOON as I have it.

Stephen >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Scott said...

ANON - No, I just got in and I haven't checked the news today - do you have a link for that?

Robin/Caver - food for thought, that's for sure.

WVBORN56 said...

Scott you found some interesting articles today! I just continue to wonder how much longer things can heat up in the ME before war finally breaks out? And will this war be Isaiah 17 and Ezekiel 38-39? It sure loks like all the players are lined up. And of course do we depart just before it all starts? These are truly amazing times in which we live. So much is occuring and we truly appreciate you keeping us informed. Most of the church is fast asleep on our soon departure.

So many similar articles like the German volcano primed to erupt just tells me God is preparing for the tribulation and is simply holding them at bay until the church is safely home.

Maranatha!

Scott said...

WV - I believe Isa 17 will occur first and ultimately trigger the coming of Ezekiel 38-39.

For a variety of reasons, I believe its possible we are here for Isa 17, but I don't believe we'll be here for Ezekiel's prophecy of Gog-Magog (Ezek 38-39).

Either way - both are drawing closer by the day.

Anonymous said...

Sing this happy song... "One day soon, we are going home, going home, oh going home. One day soon we are going home, falalalala" Maranatha my dear brothers and sisters! love you all! ally!

mary said...

Maranatha! love you too ally! mary