Clapper's Misguided Leftist Subjectivism

Today James Clapper, our Director of National Intelligence called the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood a largely "secular" organization.

I am outraged and appalled. The DNI of the USA does not know the definition of the world "secular", nor does he understand the threat of Theocracies to Freedom.

Here are several definitions of "secular" state or organization:

-neutral in matters of religion, supporting neither religion nor irreligion
-treats all of its citizens equally regardless of religion
-does not have or support the implementation of a state reliogion

Here are a few definitions of a Theocracy:

-a belief in government by divine guidance
-a form of government in which a god or deity is recognized as the state's supreme civil ruler, or in a higher sense, a form of government in which a state is governed by immediate divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided
-a form of government which refers not to civil development of law, but to an interpretation of the will of God as set out in religious scripture and authorities.
-Rule by religion. A government, such as Iran's, that is based on theistic beliefs.

Theocracies, by definition, are anti-freedom. They seek to control populations and impose a religious ideology upon them by force.

Now, about the Muslim Brotherhood (from Wikipedia - yes, I have fact checked it):

The Society of the Muslim Brothers is an Islamist traditional movement founded in 1928 (in Egypt). The Brotherhood's slogan: "Islam is the solution". The Brotherhood's stated goal is to instill the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for...ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community...and state." Though the Brotherhood officially renounces violence, its members have used violence repeatedly to achieve the organizations' aims.

The Brotherhood believes Islamic governments must be based on a "perfect" way of life and social and political organization that God has set out for man. Eventually, all Islamic governments must be "unified" in to a Caliphate. Brother founder Hassan al-Banna stated the goal of the Brotherhood was to reclaim Islam's manifest destiny, an empire, stretching from Spain to Indonesia.

It says Islam enjoins man to strive for social justice, the eradication of poverty and corruption, and political freedom TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF ISLAM!

Hamas (Gaza) and the Islamic Action Front (Jordan) are political offshoots of the Brotherhood.

Active members of the group drafted a document called, "General Strategic Goal for the Group in North America". Its main objective is clear, "The process of settlement is a 'Civilization-Jihadist Process' with all the word means. The Ikhwan (Brotherhood) must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand Jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and "sabotaging" its miserable house by their hands and the hands of all believers so that it is eliminated and God's religion is made victorious over all religions."
http://www.jpost.com/Headlines/Article.aspx?id=206130
There is much more, but I think that makes my point.

Now, will the Brotherhood govern Egypt going forward? No one knows. Should we intervene? No, we can't afford to, nor would it be morally justifiable.

However, we must be clear about the potential for Egypt to descend into the grips of an oppressive, Iranian style Theocracy which tramples Human rights.

The time for moral subjectivism is not now. Freedom and Democracy based on the rights of human beings to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happines and freedom of religion protected by a secular state is BETTER than Theocratic rule, even if that Theocratic rule is desired by the majority.

Do I think we should meddle in the Middle-East? No, I think our support of immoral dictatorships in the region has only undermined our credability and fueled Islamism. We have to get off oil. We should not be at war with Islam. You can't be at war with an ideology. However, you can express your opinion about any ideology's effect on human beings and their well being. I think Freedom and Capitalism are better for people than Theocracies. Period.

We can only retaliate if we are attacked militarily. We need to sit back, get our house in order, and get strong, just like Reagan did during the Cold War.

Reagan never went to war with the USSR. He didn't have to. He was, however, clear about his rejection of Communist ideology. He was also clear about his belief in the superiority of American values, as opposed to those of the Soviet Union's dictatorship.

And Clapper, you better get ready to resign, I am sure the calls for it won't be far off.

Wall Street Sexism

http://www.cnbc.com/id/41469440

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-02-06/whitney-whips-up-wall-street-as-bear-in-heels-alice-schroeder.html

There is nothing, I suppose, perma bulls hate more than a beautiful genius married to a pro wrestler (not one of them) who notices the emperors (of Wall Street) are wearing no clothes.

Remember, Whitney faced death threats for her calls that Citigroup, was facing a disaster in the mortgage backed securities market.

Well, she was right then, and she is still alive, thank God.

It always amazes me how men are willing to embrace and welcome a beautilful woman into their world, as long as she isn't as smart as them. If they notice she is actually smarter than them, they begin to quake in their boots and go on the attack.

Here is an interview where she demonstrates not just her intellect, but her ability to reason and her integrity:



Meredith Whitney is not just a pretty face who is willing to sacrifice her intelligence and integrity to be accepted on Wall Street. She is the real deal.

I think she is fabulous, and she happens to be right.

Dow Soaring?

Please be careful, I realize you are feeling like you are missing the party, and no one likes to be left out. Please keep perspective...
I have pointed out before that we are in the midst of forming the greatest "head and shoulders top" in known history.
http://econmom.blogspot.com/2010/04/right-shoulder.html

Obviously, I was wrong about the peak of the right shoulder and how long it would take to form. However, the fundamentals HAVE NOT CHANGED!

Only very experienced traders should be long this market. Buy and hold is dead.

If you feel like you are being left behind, however, by all means, jump in! Just realize you are swimming with sharks.