THE SOOTHESAYER INTERNET

September 2008

 War and Peace:

 Last month’s invasion of Georgia by Russia was a short-term response to Georgia’s invasion of a province that wanted to remain part of Russia in the first place, back when the Soviet Union fell apart.  There is sectarian conflict throughout Eastern Europe as illustrated by the war between Serbia and Kosovo in the 1990’s.  Many small, economically depressed, and often ignored ethnic states are protesting being dominated by larger countries.  The region’s primary importance lies in the major oil and gas pipelines connecting the Caspian Sea to the Mediterranean (surrounded by Europe, Africa and Asia).  For several years now, Pres. Bush has been building military installations in the area and just signed an agreement with Poland allowing these installations within this sovereign nation.  Russia’s economy is basically dependant upon its oil and gas deposits.  For centuries, this nation has fought invasions of its borders.  Do we need to read Tolstoy to understand Pres. Vladamir Putin’s response to all of this?

This month’s transits of Mercury, Venus and Mars in the sign of Libra will emphasize peace agreements in Iraq, between the Israelis and the Palestinians, and even in Georgia.  However, this is temporary as Venus and Mars will transit Scorpio in October and November with Mars moving into a potentially painful square with Neptune on Election Day.  The ultimate danger is a series of oil wars wherever there are pipelines and deposits throughout the world.  When will we get it?  Will we choose dependence on diminishing supplies of fossil fuel accompanied by devastating climate change, or sustainable non-polluting energy.  Will it be war or peace?

The Economy – On Life Supports!

 Fed Chairman Bernanke came out of the Woods Hole Conference declaring the seriousness of the economic meltdown and admitting two things; the end is not in sight and it could get worse.  His system of life supports for Freddie Mack and Fannie Mae are like putting a band aid on a severed artery.  The amount of money in exotic derivatives trade (including securitized debts) is currently running into sums that the human brain simply cannot comprehend, like $1000 Trillion or thereabouts.  I have a theory that the Obama campaign’s reluctance to highlight these crises is because they are afraid if they spoke the truth, the entire system would collapse in a massive run on the banks.    McCain understands what happened and is ignoring this discussion because it all happened under Republican watch.  Corporate financialized America has kept the facts out of the mainstream media.  The public at large understands what happened as well as they comprehend subatomic physics.  Former Fed Chief Paul Volker (remember the “responsible one”?) says he has never seen anything like this.

 I correctly predicted that in July and August the Cabal would push down gold and oil, and strengthen the dollar.  They will likely start to lose control this month, especially when Mercury goes retrograde on the 24^th (through October 15^th).  The real crises will explode between October and November with the failure of a major bank (or two), more crises in the Middle East (possibly in Iran), oil and gold will rise again, the dollar will lose strength, and panic and confusion will abound.  September’s balancing act in Libra will not last for very long.

Politics:

 The race has tightened and will soon be less civilized.  I am of the opinion that neither Sen. Obama nor Sen. McCain really enjoy slinging mud and getting nasty, but, unfortunately, many people vote for candidates whose lies are the most vicious.  This is a fact well known by their advisors.  Things get better for Obama this month, but will improve for McCain next month.  Obama needs to get tough about the economy since this may be the worst collapse in our history and it happened under the “deregulation” watch of the Republicans.  McCain’s strong point is that he is experienced and tough.  My question for him is:  what is he experienced in that is really important, since he seems to be clueless with regard to the whole economic meltdown.   The Iraq war will simply be a less important issue this month with the peace agreements being signed.  Oil and the economy rule.     

 With a collection of planets in Libra, some important cases may be coming up before the Supreme Court this month and these decisions will be important for years to come. Recent decisions over the past few years include rulings such as “eminent domain” giving the right of corporations with the help of local government to take over private property, bankruptcy reform which eliminated most reasons to declare it, overturning “Brown Vs. Board of Education” and reversing the decisions on the law suits against big tobacco companies, all illustrate the importance of who should get elected president and have the power to nominate justices. 

 I also think there may be several high profile lawsuits involving financial institutions, the role the government may have played, and who, at the top were responsible.

Weather and Travel:

Watch the week of September 7^th since Mercury, Venus and Mars all square Jupiter, pointing to extremely stormy weather and troubles with air travel.   

Final Thoughts:

 Now is the time to confront ourselves as a nation, as this important election looms on the horizon and brings up so many ancient issues we thought we had confronted many times before.  Are we still racist?  Do we still vote for a face rather than taking the trouble to look at what legislation someone wrote or voted for?  Do we ignore the issues at our own peril?  Are we doomed to be manipulated by wealthy and powerful persons who have used this economy as their private game of roulette? 

 Democracy requires a public that is informed, interested, engaged.  Our founders themselves argued over the ideal of a government by and for “the people” rather than ruling elites, but were passionate and committed to the ongoing effort to make it happen.

 I hear, all too frequently, people who feel they have no power or control over the big picture, our collective destiny, even their own fate.  This is a choice people make and that choice could bring about the demise of our republic, just as it did in Greece and Rome as they moved from republics to military empires.  We are a military empire and trillions of dollars have been made from weapons, wars, and the taking of human lives.  Is this us?  Will the real America please stand up?

Linda

Linda Schurman