lorne, in a general way I will comment about the Martin Armstrong affair.
Just to jump ahead abit, I still hope the GATA organization will be able to obtain this man and prevent his information from being snuffed out thru either (1) slip on bar of soap (2) plea agreement with government thugs that results in others(not in the gov't "in" crowd) being targeted, while others "in" identified not be called to face the music because the information will be court sealed and accountability left to the thugs to protect their "own" kind.
I'll use a phrase I really detest because when used towards me the hair on the back of my neck stands up. But based on what I just said I think that are getting a clue on where I view the situation.
phrase I hate = "... get my drift ?"
So let me drift into your comments, and I will add my own not as answers but another possible view or guess or speculation.
<<...assume that Armstrong is part of the manipulation gang>>
From what he has written to GATA I see this man like Hutch on this thread, a good and honest person that uses a corrupt and bad and evil system "as is" to accomplish their job/profession in a manner that reflects their superior ability to raise to the top.
Ayn Rand's novel The Fountainhead had such a character, a person from the wrong side of the tracks, aware of his potential, aware of the smoke and mirrors and dark side of everyday life, realized than he could obtain his goals using "the system", this rather than the other path that does not "feed" off incorrectness because that path has many things to stop and hurt an honest approach, things in "the system" are easy to deal with and defeat if one enters the "way things are and done" verses being "at their mercy". So the honest path only has a 50/50 chance for success, the "join the way things are system" has an 90+% chance for success, and upon further investigation, if one "agrees" to use the corrupt system, while NOT even becoming a MEMBER, then success is not only guaranteed 100% but the level of success actually will be greater. This man in the novel created a "trash" newspaper, stuff that people will buy always, eventho it has no value, eventho they do NOT realize that it DOES take away value from their lives.
But back to your comment,
<<Armstrong is part of the manipulation gang..>>
I say he is not a "member" of the crowd/group/net that GATA points to, but uses that system or environment to do his work.
<<...he has inside information on the workings of this cartel.>>
From above, he knows the inners of it, but is not an insider.
<<And lets assume that the Fed or Government is somehow involved with this manipulation cartel.>>
A really good reply to explain the nature of this is for someone on this thread to post the full page article Ayn Rand ran in one of the big New York newspapers many years ago at the time President of USA Nixon "quit" because of the Watergate scandle. It explains how many many good and honest people can carry out the wishes of a system that is based on bad and corruption and criminal ideas as its foundation, with the end result being that no one can be identified as the source or ring leader. <<is somehow involved>> Yes, deeply, but you would go in circles looking for the start or source. The best GATA can do is identify the damage done and being done, and then put a stop to it and hopefully put into place a means to prevent another misuse of paper money etc....
<<If the Fed or Gov. or both are involved... ...why would they risk exposing ...by putting someone on trial who can name names, supply dates, and expose how this so called cartel operates.>>
My "drift" is that Martin Armstrong is not an insider, but has insider info, and the only reason he was identified and targeted was the simple events of all corruption and criminal active that rot and corrosion are the end results that can not be denied no matter what measures are taken by those who try and keep the "game" going. So, as things go out of control, things come untied, the stink and garbage and crap appear out in the open, then all those "associated" with using this stuff will do what is needed to help and protect themselves from damage or lost. My speculation is that Martin Armstrong was doing things the "system" did not like. Also, very possible the "system" in a desire to keep itself going longer was doing things against Martin Armstrong that he did not like. A big mess.
<<Why not do as they did with LTCM. and bail him out... ... why they would risk exposing any wrongdoing they may be involved in. ??>>
That article Ayn Rand ran in the newspaper about Watergate, no one is really in charge or running the whole show. At the point that the "corrupt system" breaks down, its that classical "everyone for themselfs", "do it to them before they do it to you". Or another way I undestand the why <<risk exposing...> is the following expression, "In an incorrect situation, incorrectness happens."
<<...he would be the fall guy. Loyalty has its rewards.>>
For Martin Armstrong its a lose/lose situation, his degree of lost will be determined first if he agrees to help the thugs, if not, he is toast, if he does, then it depends how much value he is to protect the bad ones.
But if he joins GATA, and GATA can put a Political Squeeze on a certain party, then Martin Armstrong can not lose. But if he takes that route, and GATA cannot use his knowledge, then Martin Armstrong is guaranteed to be extra well done toast.
doug |