World Politics

[Brullnux]

Re:

....more Panama stuff....at the very least the background on the investigating journalistical group in quite informative.....

http://off-guardian.org/2016/04/04/panama-papers-revealing-details-live-in-the-gaps-between-the-lines/

Cheers

Stupid article. 'Tenous and absurd connections' is the most regressive anti-investigative way of looking at it. A journalist must look for these links, and having read the Putin one it is not 'tenous' or in fact 'absurd', rather quite plainly obvious once you look at it. Sure, no American were implicated, probably because they keep their money off-shore somewhere else or not through Mossack Fonseca. This is a paper that actually implicates these leaders and yet some newspapers, bitter they didn't find it, belittle it. It is important, we are closer to stopping this fraud now and all secret off shore accounts, a little closer, but closer anyway. No need to belittle it.

 

[del1962]

So has Putin crushed reporting on this in mother Russia and is he the world's richest man

 

[blutto]

Re:

So has Putin crushed reporting on this in mother Russia and is he the world's richest man

....nah, seems reporting is going on, though the reporting seems strangely fixated on the fact that Putin's name is nowhere in the documents and yet his photo is to be found displayed prominently in most MSM articles that deal with story...as so...

...weird eh...must be that Russian inscrutability or something...

Cheers

 

[blutto]

Re: Re:

....more Panama stuff....at the very least the background on the investigating journalistical group in quite informative.....

http://off-guardian.org/2016/04/04/panama-papers-revealing-details-live-in-the-gaps-between-the-lines/

Cheers

Stupid article. 'Tenous and absurd connections' is the most regressive anti-investigative way of looking at it. A journalist must look for these links, and having read the Putin one it is not 'tenous' or in fact 'absurd', rather quite plainly obvious once you look at it. Sure, no American were implicated, probably because they keep their money off-shore somewhere else or not through Mossack Fonseca. This is a paper that actually implicates these leaders and yet some newspapers, bitter they didn't find it, belittle it. It is important, we are closer to stopping this fraud now and all secret off shore accounts, a little closer, but closer anyway. No need to belittle it.

...we'll see....but to think that Putin would "hide" his money in a country that is little more than an American protectorate is pretty well past silly, way past...well, whatever gets you thru the night...

Cheers

 

[Cannibal72]

Re:

some quotes from the NYtimes article.

"Scanned copies of at least 200 American passports were included in the trove of documents, according to McClatchy, which said that many appeared to be retirees using offshore companies to buy real estate in Latin America."

WTF????? anyone think our man Copperhead and lady Goldman Handcuffs might be using this?

Then again the Times article also says this.

One reason there may be relatively few Americans named in the documents is that it is fairly easy to form shell companies in the United States. James Henry, an economist and senior adviser to the Tax Justice Network, told Fusion that Americans “really don’t need to go to Panama.”

“Basically, we have an onshore haven industry in the U.S. that is as secretive as anywhere,” he said.

I have read this before about the ways super rich can create companies out of the clear blue here in the USA to shield their money from the IRS.
But little ole me out in Canada for work back a few years now had to double pay them IRS jerks.

New Yorker article also points out that the USA has a relatively tight data-sharing/transparency agreement with Panama, so US citizens are likely just using another offshore law firm with which the US govt has no such agreement.

 

[blutto]

....this is more weird piled on the weird...

The documents now known as the Panama Papers were leaked to the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) who then shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). ICIJ is a non-profit but with its own problematic origins. It is funded in part by the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundation, Kellogg Foundation and the Rockefeller Family Fund. ICIJ then worked with journalists around the world including from the Guardian and the McClatchy newspaper chain. They in turn will decide what will be kept secret and what will be shared with the public. The goal of revealing secrets instead turns into a plan to keep more secrets and to tarnish certain reputations based on bias and mysterious criteria.

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/margaret-kimberley/66769/the-panama-papers-problem

Cheers

 

[blutto]

....co-ink-ee-dink or conspiracy?...who knows?... but this is noteworthy ?....

How very ironic.

Over the weekend, just hours before the Panama Papers were released, we wrote a post that took "A Look Inside Iceland's Kviabryggja Prison: The One Place Where Criminal Bankers Face Consequences."

And then, minutes later, the Panama Papers were disclosed by the ICIJ, which had a clear target: to "expose" the "circle of friends close to Putin", and of course, to reveal the dirty laundry of the Iceland Prime Minister, who resigned just two days after his shady offshore tax dealing were revealed to the world.

There was some "conspiratorial" speculation whether the explicit hit on ex-PM Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was precisely due to Iceland's crackdown on the country's criminal bankers. As a reminder, Iceland is the only nation that sent bankers found guilty of crimes resulting from the financial crisis, to prison.

It turns out there may have been something valid in said speculation, because moments ago, Iceland Monitor reported that three bankers from the defunct Iceland bank Kaupthing are to be released from jail today – after serving just one year of their 5-year sentences.

Cheers

 

[Maxiton]

Re:

....co-ink-ee-dink or conspiracy?...who knows?... but this is noteworthy ?....

How very ironic.

Over the weekend, just hours before the Panama Papers were released, we wrote a post that took "A Look Inside Iceland's Kviabryggja Prison: The One Place Where Criminal Bankers Face Consequences."

And then, minutes later, the Panama Papers were disclosed by the ICIJ, which had a clear target: to "expose" the "circle of friends close to Putin", and of course, to reveal the dirty laundry of the Iceland Prime Minister, who resigned just two days after his shady offshore tax dealing were revealed to the world.

There was some "conspiratorial" speculation whether the explicit hit on ex-PM Sigmundur David Gunnlaugsson was precisely due to Iceland's crackdown on the country's criminal bankers. As a reminder, Iceland is the only nation that sent bankers found guilty of crimes resulting from the financial crisis, to prison.

It turns out there may have been something valid in said speculation, because moments ago, Iceland Monitor reported that three bankers from the defunct Iceland bank Kaupthing are to be released from jail today – after serving just one year of their 5-year sentences.

Cheers

Yeah, this was the first thing that occurred to me. No such thing as coincidence, especially in the realm of geopolitical skullduggery.

 

[blutto]

....Pepe on the the Papers....last word, most likely not, but a most worthwhile read....

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/opinion/Dance-to-the-Panama-Papers-Limited-Hangout-Leak-20160405-0036.html

....a couple of things....to those who jumped on the ever popular Putin did it bandwagon I have a question...why on earth would an admittedly smart guy like Putin with access to a world class intelligence apparatus park his money where....

And finally there’s this fictional land named Panama – a certified U.S. vassal. Absolutely nothing of real substance happens in Panama without a green light by the United States government. Or, as an international tax lawyer told me, “you have to be an idiot to stash money in Panama. You cannot flush a toilet there without the Americans knowing about it.”

....so the guy is smart enough to outmaneuver the West in all manner of things but presto zesto he becomes an absolute moron when it comes to his money?...sure, makes absolute sense to me...


....and then there is this little bit that hasn't been addressed....the banking system can track your money to a 1000th of a penny yet somehow they managed to lose track of money equal to at the very least twice the GDP of the entire world....sure, makes absolute sense to me... ....see below for how much may be "lost" ( kinda reinforces one's faith in the ability of the banking system to take care of your money don't it ? )...

It’s never going to happen. The so-called international banking/financial system is a demented casino. It’s not only 8 percent; Hong Kong players tell me as much as 50 percent of global wealth may currently be parked, undisturbed, in untaxable offshore havens. If a fraction of these astonishing funds would be taxed, governments right and left would be paying their debts, investing in infrastructure, launching round after round of sustainable growth, and a productive spiral would be in motion

.

....the rest of the article is choked full of fun facts and fabulations....and btw the scope of this little fable makes the "journalistic" backstopping of the glorious revolution read like a kid's fairy tale....and pretty well marks the end of any hope that we have a functional journalistic system ( outside of some outliers in the alternative media ....and gawd knows what they are worth..)...

Cheers

 

[python]

^^yeah, pepe is his usual razor sharp and funny.

i didn't follow the panama 'leak' b/c i typically dont care nor comment about someone's money nor their personal life. even if they stink to havens.

but i did learn a thing or 2 from the pepe article you linked...like that the uki swine-looking prez, unlike vlad, was directly implicated. pepe's logic makes sense - a special op by the us to look genuine must throw under a bus some unimportant scum bags no matter the us friendly stance.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Re:

^^yeah, pepe is his usual razor sharp and funny.

i didn't follow the panama 'leak' b/c i typically dont care nor comment about someone's money nor their personal life. even if they stink to havens.

but i did learn a thing or 2 from the pepe article you linked...like that the uki swine-looking prez, unlike vlad, was directly implicated. pepe's logic makes sense - a special op by the us to look genuine must throw under a bus some unimportant scum bags no matter the us friendly stance.

Those fascist in the Ukraine will probably continue to love the guy.

Putin's name does not show up anywhere in the PP yet that is the focus. Typical BS media here in Merikah.

 

[blutto]

....seems like the glorious revolution just got a swift kick in the teeth....but did it?....and how is this going to ultimately play out ( read are the puppet masters gonna let this affect the ongoing spread of democracy and apple pie )....

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2016/04/06/dutch-vote-on-eu-ukraine-pact-as-skepticism-threatens-upset.html

THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS—A clear majority of people who voted Wednesday in a Dutch referendum rejected a far-reaching European Union free trade deal with Ukraine, and with all votes counted it was clear that the threshold of 30 per cent voter turnout would be met and the result would be valid.

....but...but...but...

However, Rutte said he would not be rushed into action, saying he wanted to discuss the result in his cabinet, at the European Union and in the Dutch Parliament, a process that could take “days if not weeks.”

Supporters of the deal said it is not a membership stepping stone and would boost trade and help battle corruption and improve human rights in the former Soviet republic on Europe’s restive eastern edge. They also say it is important for the EU to implement such agreements to boost stability at its borders.

...so, very very complisticated....seems that maybe it should be handled by real type adults who have a clearer understanding of the big picture ( like when Trump gets elected he'll push for a wall along the EU borders to, like, stabilize them, because as we all know borders are slippery things with holes in them and stuff...and they just gots to be solid and stable... )....and besides who would really want to give in to that evil Putin person and his proven beyond a shadow of a reasonable doubt piles of money in Panama ( I mean we've all seen the headlines and photos in the most respected news organizations in the world haven't we....so, in camera proof,case closed...to think otherwise would be just stupid wouldn't it )....

Cheers

 

[Cannibal72]

Re: Re:

^^yeah, pepe is his usual razor sharp and funny.

i didn't follow the panama 'leak' b/c i typically dont care nor comment about someone's money nor their personal life. even if they stink to havens.

but i did learn a thing or 2 from the pepe article you linked...like that the uki swine-looking prez, unlike vlad, was directly implicated. pepe's logic makes sense - a special op by the us to look genuine must throw under a bus some unimportant scum bags no matter the us friendly stance.

Those fascist in the Ukraine will probably continue to love the guy.

Putin's name does not show up anywhere in the PP yet that is the focus. Typical BS media here in Merikah.

That's because Putin's best friend, family members, cronies, and appointees all show up a huge amount in the Panama Papers. Craig Murray makes a fair point - that we already know Russia is corrupt and that the Papers really aren't much of a revelation in that respect - but the focus on Putin is not unreasonable.

 

[blutto]

Re: Re:

^^yeah, pepe is his usual razor sharp and funny.

i didn't follow the panama 'leak' b/c i typically dont care nor comment about someone's money nor their personal life. even if they stink to havens.

but i did learn a thing or 2 from the pepe article you linked...like that the uki swine-looking prez, unlike vlad, was directly implicated. pepe's logic makes sense - a special op by the us to look genuine must throw under a bus some unimportant scum bags no matter the us friendly stance.

Those fascist in the Ukraine will probably continue to love the guy.

Putin's name does not show up anywhere in the PP yet that is the focus. Typical BS media here in Merikah.

That's because Putin's best friend, family members, cronies, and appointees all show up a huge amount in the Panama Papers. Craig Murray makes a fair point - that we already know Russia is corrupt and that the Papers really aren't much of a revelation in that respect - but the focus on Putin is not unreasonable.

....memo to Cannibal....the world is corrupt, full stop...well, except for Disneyland, of course...no wait...never mind....

Cheers

 

[Cannibal72]

Re: Re:

^^yeah, pepe is his usual razor sharp and funny.

i didn't follow the panama 'leak' b/c i typically dont care nor comment about someone's money nor their personal life. even if they stink to havens.

but i did learn a thing or 2 from the pepe article you linked...like that the uki swine-looking prez, unlike vlad, was directly implicated. pepe's logic makes sense - a special op by the us to look genuine must throw under a bus some unimportant scum bags no matter the us friendly stance.

Those fascist in the Ukraine will probably continue to love the guy.

Putin's name does not show up anywhere in the PP yet that is the focus. Typical BS media here in Merikah.

That's because Putin's best friend, family members, cronies, and appointees all show up a huge amount in the Panama Papers. Craig Murray makes a fair point - that we already know Russia is corrupt and that the Papers really aren't much of a revelation in that respect - but the focus on Putin is not unreasonable.

....memo to Cannibal....the world is corrupt, full stop...well, except for Disneyland, of course...no wait...never mind....

Cheers

Capitalism is corrupt as a system, but there's degrees within that, and Russia's at the worse end of the spectrum.

 

[blutto]

Re: Re:

^^yeah, pepe is his usual razor sharp and funny.

i didn't follow the panama 'leak' b/c i typically dont care nor comment about someone's money nor their personal life. even if they stink to havens.

but i did learn a thing or 2 from the pepe article you linked...like that the uki swine-looking prez, unlike vlad, was directly implicated. pepe's logic makes sense - a special op by the us to look genuine must throw under a bus some unimportant scum bags no matter the us friendly stance.

Those fascist in the Ukraine will probably continue to love the guy.

Putin's name does not show up anywhere in the PP yet that is the focus. Typical BS media here in Merikah.

That's because Putin's best friend, family members, cronies, and appointees all show up a huge amount in the Panama Papers. Craig Murray makes a fair point - that we already know Russia is corrupt and that the Papers really aren't much of a revelation in that respect - but the focus on Putin is not unreasonable.

....memo to Cannibal....the world is corrupt, full stop...well, except for Disneyland, of course...no wait...never mind....

Cheers

Capitalism is corrupt as a system, but there's degrees within that, and Russia's at the worse end of the spectrum.

....yeah sorta like being kinda pregnant....once you get past kind, its just a matter of rank ordering the degrees...but even so this is a mugs game....

....as an example, a banking system that exists in the, uhhh, pristine part of the world vaporizes a third of the world's money, and miraculously no one goes against a wall...that same pristine part of the world routinely charges off to war to maintain its hegemony and secure resources and strategic advantage, millions die, countries are destroyed, but again no one goes against the wall....monies made off the sweat of the real wealth producers which if distributed equitably would make the world a much better place for the vast majority of the population is spirited away to tax shelters and used for absolutely obscene thingees....

...and let's not even get into the modern capitalist system that to a large extent relies on the exploitation of workers who are not slaves on only the thinnest of technicalities...

...but all that is not that corrupt, its all shiny and legal and occupies the high moral ground doesn't it?....and most certainly not like those guys over there...

...whatever gets you thru the night...

Cheers

 

[Brullnux]

Cameron has been getting completely destroyed by his fathers' tax dealings. His approval ratings are now below that of Corbyn's

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/08/david-cameron-panama-papers-offshore-fund-resignation-calls

Fun times

 

[fatandfast]

blutto, on face I agree w you that Putin saying the US is the axis of evil out of one side of his mouth and asking one of his finance weenies to stash cash in US/US friendly institutions is a little strange, but what were his other choices? What was thought to be completely safe is now in question all over the banking world. Hong Kong is dealing w US authorities, Swiss...same thing. Many uber rich used to be able to put cash into a trust in a Swiss bank and collect millions in interest without worry or question.
I am sure that Putin has some stash houses with lots of euros and dollars but dealing w islanders and Swiss doesn't look that far fetched. I am really not sure what his exit strategy would be? Where would he go to live out his life on the looted oil and gas cash? He would already have to have some "ready" money put away.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

blutto, on face I agree w you that Putin saying the US is the axis of evil out of one side of his mouth and asking one of his finance weenies to stash cash in US/US friendly institutions is a little strange, but what were his other choices? What was thought to be completely safe is now in question all over the banking world. Hong Kong is dealing w US authorities, Swiss...same thing. Many uber rich used to be able to put cash into a trust in a Swiss bank and collect millions in interest without worry or question.
I am sure that Putin has some stash houses with lots of euros and dollars but dealing w islanders and Swiss doesn't look that far fetched. I am really not sure what his exit strategy would be? Where would he go to live out his life on the looted oil and gas cash? He would already have to have some "ready" money put away.

The point is, Putin is not even in the papers, yet that's the only person the MSM seems to be focusing on. Of course he isn't an angel, but we now where the priorities are.

 

[hrotha]

"The MSM are only focusing on Putin"
*posts link to The Guardian article on Cameron*

Right.

 

[blutto]

Re:

Cameron has been getting completely destroyed by his fathers' tax dealings. His approval ratings are now below that of Corbyn's

http://www.theguardian.com/news/2016/apr/08/david-cameron-panama-papers-offshore-fund-resignation-calls

Fun times

....nah, its now more like he has a part in that destruction....the latest news is he has admitted to be party to that tax shelter....boohoo, boohoo...

Cheers

 

[blutto]

Re:

"The MSM are only focusing on Putin"
*posts link to The Guardian article on Cameron*

Right.

....sure, several days after the initial avalanche...and how does one erase that initial impression that the whole scandal was sold with....probably the standard way which would be a retraction on page 93....is that about right?...

...or lets put it another way, the problem is up to $32trillion big, that is many many trillions which if my arithmetic is correct is a huge number, a number that is going a long way to helping destroy the earth as we know it....

Some American intellectuals like Chris Hedges believe the public should/will revolt. “Hedges’ message is clear: Popular uprisings in the United States and around the world are inevitable in the face of environmental destruction and wealth polarization.” (Source: Wages of Rebellion: The Moral Imperative of Revolt, Truthdig.com).

“Inevitable in the face of environmental destruction and wealth polarization” somehow fit together like peas in a pod; maybe because both originate from the same greedy, rapacious, devouringly insatiable thirst for opulent riches, at any cost. And, it’s proving to be a badge of cowardliness.

http://www.counterpunch.org/2016/04/08/the-panama-papers-oozing-slime/

...on some level this is akin to trying to point out a problem to a cat....the problem could well be as big as a house but all the cat keeps looking at is your finger....

Cheers

 

[Maxiton]

If Putin were the authoritarian near-dictator of a completely corrupt oligarchy, as some in the west would have us believe (pot, meet kettle), what would stop him stashing his cash in his own country? Answer: nothing. Nothing would stop him.

And I agree that choosing Panama would be particularly stupid, second only to choosing the US itself.

 

[Brullnux]

Stupid or purposefully brash? Maybe Putin waned the US to see his vast wealth. He knew that when it came out, no one in Russia will actually believe the papers or be angry at him.

 

[Robert5091]

Just rememer, avoidance is legal, evasion is illegal.
"Billionaire Warren Buffet noted that he only paid a 17.7% tax rate on his $46 million of taxable income in 2006, while his own employees paid an average 32.9% tax rate. His own receptionist reportedly paid a 30% tax rate."