John McAfee Hides in Cuba, Touts Cryptocurrency For Evading US Government's Sanctions (reuters.com) 305
"On the run from U.S. tax authorities, tech guru John McAfee puffs a cigar aboard his towering white yacht in a Havana harbor," reports Reuters, "and says he can help Cuba evade the U.S. government too -- by launching a cryptocurrency that defeats a U.S. trade embargo."
Long-time Slashdot reader Aighearach shared their report: McAfee in an interview touted the anonymity of the digital currency while also outlining his belief that income tax is illegal and plans to run from Cuba for the Libertarian Party nomination for U.S. president. "It would be trivial to get around the U.S. government's embargo through the use of a clever system of currency," the 73-year-old said Thursday. "So I made a formal offer to help them for free... on a private channel through Twitter." While Cuba had not responded, its Communist government said earlier this week it was studying the potential use of cryptocurrency to alleviate an economic crisis aggravated by tighter U.S. sanctions... Countries under U.S. sanctions such as Iran and Venezuela have floated the idea of using digital currency to trade although no scheme appears to have gotten off the ground.
"You can't just create a coin and expect it to fly. You have to base it on the proper blockchain, have it structured such that it meets the specific needs of a country or economic situation," said McAfee. "There are probably less than 10 people in the world who know how to do that and I'm certainly one of them...."
McAfee said he did not pay income tax for eight years for ideological reasons and was indicted... To avoid trial, he left the United States in January for the Bahamas. He arrived in Cuba a month ago after suspecting that U.S. law enforcement was trying to extradite him from the Bahamas.
"With him on the yacht are his wife, four large dogs, two security guards and seven staff for his campaign 'in exile' for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, McAfee said..."
"Thousands of volunteers wearing masks depicting his face will campaign for him back home and abroad, he said."
Long-time Slashdot reader Aighearach shared their report: McAfee in an interview touted the anonymity of the digital currency while also outlining his belief that income tax is illegal and plans to run from Cuba for the Libertarian Party nomination for U.S. president. "It would be trivial to get around the U.S. government's embargo through the use of a clever system of currency," the 73-year-old said Thursday. "So I made a formal offer to help them for free... on a private channel through Twitter." While Cuba had not responded, its Communist government said earlier this week it was studying the potential use of cryptocurrency to alleviate an economic crisis aggravated by tighter U.S. sanctions... Countries under U.S. sanctions such as Iran and Venezuela have floated the idea of using digital currency to trade although no scheme appears to have gotten off the ground.
"You can't just create a coin and expect it to fly. You have to base it on the proper blockchain, have it structured such that it meets the specific needs of a country or economic situation," said McAfee. "There are probably less than 10 people in the world who know how to do that and I'm certainly one of them...."
McAfee said he did not pay income tax for eight years for ideological reasons and was indicted... To avoid trial, he left the United States in January for the Bahamas. He arrived in Cuba a month ago after suspecting that U.S. law enforcement was trying to extradite him from the Bahamas.
"With him on the yacht are his wife, four large dogs, two security guards and seven staff for his campaign 'in exile' for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, McAfee said..."
"Thousands of volunteers wearing masks depicting his face will campaign for him back home and abroad, he said."
I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:5, Informative)
His income tax illegality theory has a bit of a problem: the 16th amendment was written specifically to allow it.
Put your hand over your heart... (Score:3)
Ah, yes. It just fills me with the spirit of God and all the angels to see John McAffee put his hand over his heart and hear him bestow us with the good word that taxation of the masses is illegal and immoral from the soapbox of his massive yacht.
Re:I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:4, Insightful)
There is a pretty good tax exemption for US citizens living and working abroad: earn less than $75K, tax is exempt. But you have to have been there for a year, so McAfee won't be eligible for some time.
The exemption is adjusted every year for inflation. [irs.gov] For 2018, it's $103,900. And the residency requirements are a bit more complicated than one year out of the country.
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Also, the exemption only applies to "earned income".
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You see, unlike the old USSR, the US does not deny its valued citizens the right to travel. The US government is smarter than that, choosing instead to allow its valued citizens to migrate to other countries, and simply imposing US taxation on them wherever they may roam, and for the rest of their lives. The onerous amounts of accounting and paperwork involved makes it impossible
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If I understand correctly, McAfee is simply trying to live his life, outside of US jurisdiction, and free from IRS harassment.
Errr, I think it's a little more complicated than that.
Your 'synopsis' is akin to saying that "The Titanic stopped for ice on the way home".
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That's true, but his point is also true. US tax laws regarding non-resident citizens is nearly unique.
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Not sure if typical Slashdot AC, or autogenerated text from Russian bot.
Or is there a difference anymore?
Re:I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:4)
McAfee is simply trying to live his life, outside of US jurisdiction, and free from IRS harassment.
I think you're misrepresenting the facts a bit. From the article: "McAfee said he did not pay income tax for eight years for ideological reasons and was indicted... To avoid trial, he left the United States in January for the Bahamas." That is, he refused to pay taxes while in the United States and clearly under US jurisdiction. He only left because he was indicted and wanted to escape punishment for the crimes he'd already committed.
simply imposing US taxation on them wherever they may roam, and for the rest of their lives.
There's an easy way anyone can get around that: give up their US citizenship. But if someone wants to keep the benefits of citizenship without paying the costs, I have limited sympathy for them.
makes it impossible or nearly impossible for US persons to conduct business in other countries or even open bank accounts.
Wait--are you claiming that no US citizens ever conduct business in other countries? That tons of US citizens don't routinely conduct business in other countries? Sorry but that's just totally wrong.
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Star Wars Galactic Empire Reversible Bucket Hat
Target: Uranus.
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No, they'd never collaborate and exchange information with tax authorities in other countries, let alone force through a change to an entire banking system in a European nation.
(Except when they do)
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm convinced the guy has some sort of cocaine induced personality disorder. Like yeah he's pretty hilarious but he's such a massive drama magnet that it sets off flags for me that the guys got squirrels running around in his brain.
And anyway the odds are good the Cubans might just grab him and deport him to Belize on that suspected murder charge. His wealth might not endear him to the Cubans as much as he seems to think it might
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Cocaine? More like bath salts: https://youtu.be/bKgf5PaBzyg?t... [youtu.be]
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Cuba have been moving away from socialism for a while now. I am sure they understand the value of cash.
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Re:I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:5, Informative)
Wait... getting taxed over $75K when you are not even in the country is "pretty good"? You know that is not normal, right? Most civilized countries have a tax agreements where you pay taxes in the country you currently inhabit..
Re:I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:5, Informative)
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And that is only for earned income; he doesn’t have much of that...
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Only on the first $100K of income or so;
Incorrect. All the foreign taxes are automatically counted towards federal taxes if you so choose it, see IRS Form 1116. There's another option - claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and then you can deduct some of the foreign tax determined by the ratio of excluded (that $103k amount) to non-excluded portion of the income.
Generally, if you live in a decent country like Sweden or Norway, the total US tax liability would be zero. Moreover, it can be less than zero - in this case you can carry it over
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Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
The concept is that they are US citizens and it is still their responsibility to support the home country.
Not to mention they do receive benefits in the form of trade route protections, safe harbor, and US consulates. The exemption and foreign tax credit are just to encourage doing foreign business.
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I want him to be exactly like he is. I want him to be President. He is the closest thing our reality has to Zaphod Beeblebrox.
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Vermin Supreme deserves it more.
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Thank you for the references (I learned something today) but I respectfully point out that your evidence does not contradict my claim. The federal income tax, as implemented today, is lawful because the 16th gave congress the authority to set it up this way. Regardless of whether some other form of income tax may have already been lawful.
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The federal income tax, as implemented today, is lawful because the 16th gave congress the authority to set it up this way.
Not really. Congress didn't consider "earnings from labor" to be "income" until WWII was on and they wanted more money.
In 1913, "income" meant what we'd call "unearned income" or "capital gains" or "business profits" today (depending on filing type).
The tax protesters say Congress can't just redefine a word and change the meaning of the Constitution in doing so.
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Not really. Congress didn't consider "earnings from labor" to be "income" until WWII was on and they wanted more money.
In 1913, "income" meant what we'd call "unearned income" or "capital gains" or "business profits" today (depending on filing type).
You (and whatever kookball source you pulled that from) are sorely and demonstrably wrong. As fun as it would be to walk though the history of the Sixteenth Amendment and the associated Supreme Court cases to explain why, for now I must cut to the case and simply point to the 1913 version of IRS Form 1040 [bradfordtaxinstitute.com].
The very first line in the "gross income" section on page 2 is: "Total amount derived from salaries, wages, or compensation for personal service of whatever kind and in whatever form paid."
The various ca
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Right -- the unsupported and hopelessly incorrect comment that says what the masses want to hear gets modded insightful, and the utterly factual and sourced rebuttal gets modded troll. Par for the course around here these days.
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Right -- the unsupported and hopelessly incorrect comment that says what the masses want to hear gets modded insightful, and the utterly factual and sourced rebuttal gets modded troll.
Slashdot's regularly logged in population has gotten low enough that troll mods are having a noticeable affect. It did get fixed though.
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Think maybe you're being a little bit pedantic with the difference?
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
The 16th doesn't change anything related to taxation. It only changes how you can spend the money after you have taxed it.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Is he still a US Citizen? The laws apply to them irrelevant of where they are. And even if he relinquished his citizenship, he would still be liability for the taxes he owned during his citizenship.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
I don't understand why a citizen loses their responsibility to their country just because they don't reside in said country. If you keep the citizenship, you are demanding to keep the benefits. The rest of us shouldn't have to deal with your burden. If you see no benefits, renounce citizenship.
And we don't exactly ask a lot from you. We only ask that you pay whatever is _left_ of what is normally due after you pay the host's taxes.
And I doubt he has given up his citizenship. He would have been arrested at
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Where and why do you think jurisdiction ends? If a country has the power to project their authority beyond their borders, then of course their jurisdiction will extend into international territories. There's nothing in the Constitution or in English common law, or any other framing of American law that protects you by simply stepping over an imaginary line.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
I guess I'm not understanding what the issue is. No one expects to be born into anarchy, nor do they really expect to be able to be able to choose what laws and jurisdictions apply to them. That's how the world has worked since we created civilization.
There are absolutely good, moral arguments to be made for anarchy. But without anarchy, you are always going to be subject to laws which you do not support.
If you don't want the protection of the United States, move to Russia or North Korea. Otherwise, the pro
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Jurisdiction only extends to where you influence does. America has no de facto jurisdiction in Russia and NK as they do in - for example - Europe or Australia.
I can claim to have jurisdiction over your taxes, but unless I can enforce such a claim, it's meaningless.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
As I said, though, the IRS claim is meaningless unless you seek the benefit and opportunity of the American-run portion of the world. Just as laws in any jurisdiction are meaningless unless you seek the protection (as you do, de facto, by going there) of the jurisdiction.
There's nothing special here about America; their de facto jurisdiction is commensurate to its power and influence, as it is for any nation.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
All of those nations rely on the U.S. for their national defense. They have chosen to cede some of their economic jurisdiction to the U.S. Just like when Germany cedes some of its economic jurisdiction to the EU. There's literally no distinction.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Europe hasn't ceded that power to the U.S. yet, so it's not relevant to anything. And what do morals have to do with anything? The world operates on realpolitik, not idealism.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
I'm not trying to justify anything. Just wondering how the American policies differ from any other nation. Why is the U.S. being singled out for doing what every nation with the power to do so already does?
Also, if the U.S. could enforce laws outside its empire, then Edward Snowden wouldn't be living in Russia.
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I live in Washington State where there is no state income tax. Instead we have a high tax on sales and services. I like this. A lot. I'd love to see Federal taxes move this direction. And I'm reminded that the 16th was passed in the first place to move the federal government's finances off of the alcohol tariffs so they could pass the equally idiotic prohibition amendment.
Nevertheless, until we change it the law is what it is. We can call it bad but we can't honestly call it illegal.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Sure. Why not tax poor people at much higher rates than the rich? Sounds like a plan for success!
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Yeah, and when we tried to send $300 to every taxpayer just once, it cost us more than $300 per taxpayer in overhead. A plan to pay out to each taxpayer each month is a complete non-starter for all sorts of logistics reasons. That law is stupid.
Re: I feel sorry for the Cubans... (Score:2)
Do you realize how ridiculous you sound? You reject the actual language of the constitution and substitute your own and you somehow believe you have delivered insight?
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The death rate was *much higher* before the revolution. Batista had gone as insane as the Shah of Iran, making criminal deals with the US Mafia and creating a privileged, almost entirely laws free class with a much larger, *much* poorer, disenfranchised underclass. This is the root of almost all successful revolutions. And while there's a lot to dislike, Cuba had a *successful* revolution. Things got a lot better for many poor, with the world's highest literacy rate and fairly good child care, and surprisin
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Cuba is smart enough not whack anyone who will cause a stir, unlike Putin who doesn't have to care.
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They'll just shoot him if things don't go well.
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Okay, I had to stand up to applaud that aged, finely crafted, multilayered joke.
hehe
Nutjob (Score:1)
More proof that you don't have to be sane to be rich.
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More proof that you don't have to be sane to be rich.
Don't worry he won't be rich much longer. Did you see the size of the "towering" yacht in the actual article? Him, his wife, two security guards, seven staff and four dogs... The boat is waaaaaay too small for all that. Knowing the average security guard, they will likely lose it first and kill all the others.
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Yeah, that's not a yacht, that's a fishing boat :)
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Glad the rest of the public are learning about it.
It was talked about in parts of tech industry for a long time now. It wasn't secret, but it's not something you publicize or it just makes you look bad.
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"Thousands of volunteers wearing masks depicting his face will campaign for him back home and abroad, he said."
This guy is even more delusional than Trump about his fan base.
Lunatic ... (Score:1)
Crazy guy (Score:5, Interesting)
Wow (Score:5, Funny)
I thought this show was cancelled a few years ago. What are we up to now? McAfee S04E01? I've always enjoyed the main characters antics, and it's funny how the supporting cast always somehow manage make themselves look even more goody than JM himself.
I hope they eventually come up with a good ending, but until then... enjoy the show folks.
Who Cares? (Score:2)
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He's discovered a rainforest drug that makes you trip so hard you think you cured diseases, and that it was the alien standing behind you that really shot your neighbor. It could be huge.
Unfortunately, there appear to be a lot of side effects.
I really doubt the Cubans are into that shit though. Probably, relations with Belize will improve slightly soon.
Irony much? (Score:5, Funny)
A libertarian "candidate" for president cozying up with the communist Cuban regime.
This guy is the poster child for the phrase "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
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This guy is the poster child for the phrase "The enemy of my enemy .... look! squirrel!!1!"
McAfee vs Trump (Score:2)
So basically what this boils down to is one pompous blowhard offering to help the Cuban government take on another. This should be an absolutely fascinating twitter war in a few weeks - with, as usual, no real outcome. McAfee can probably figure out how to bloat a cryptocurrency like a dead whale and not much else, and Trump will probably just threaten to build a war around Cuba until someone explains to him that it’s an island.
Should be fun.
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Wall, not war. Should have read the preview...
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More accurately, a Great White Wall...or War, he isn't particular and cannot tell the difference. At least now the U.S. can celebrate storming those British airfields during the Revolutionary War, they stole them years earlier I hear. The locals at the time were oohing and aahing over the rockets' red glare over Fort McHenry. It turns out the early Americans were into fireworks well before the Chinese stole that idea from the U.S.
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We could have hidden cams televising what happens. Put it on Pay Per View.
Maybe even have someone weld the lock, just in case someone finds the key.
Al Capone killed happily, the tax man took him out (Score:2)
He's in trouble now...
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Not this IRS, the Republicans have been cutting its balls off for years so they didn't have to worry about getting caught in tax cheats.
I fully trust John McAfee for his capabilities (Score:2)
Isn't he the guy who said
he could decrypt that iPhone?
Clarification (Score:2)
Stuff about crazy people? (Score:2)
I prefer news for nerds, even if the crazy person had an Antivirus company a generation ago.
Besides confirming that I was right to never touch that piece of software I don't see why it was posted here.
Just because there are a few 'Cryptocurrency' words among the crazy person's speeches?
Oh boy (Score:2)
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Uh, if you pay attention to how the U.S. government is working under Asshole, no one listens to him. He thinks issuing edicts over Twitter is governing. No one in the government is going follow his military orders if they are to result in serious kinetic actions. "Well, Mr....Whatever, we'll be looking into that, we'll need an exploratory panel that will, in the fullness of time (and hopefully after your ass has been thrown out of office) come back with some recommendations on how to investigate the serious
Why are we getting these articles? (Score:2, Insightful)
He's a burnout that sold his company, and any legitimate social clout he once had, years ago. Why do we even have to see these articles on slashdot? He's a piece of shit that only puts out videos so he can keep himself in the eye of society. Will anyone vote for him? Hell no (well maybe a couple thousand, bu
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Apparently he still has enough faculties to not have lost all his money...assuming his dough is not being managed by a bunch of "accountants" who don't want to kill and eat the pig all at once.
What could go wrong (Score:4)
"With him on the yacht are his wife, four large dogs, two security guards and seven staff for his campaign 'in exile' for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination, McAfee said..."
"Thousands of volunteers wearing masks depicting his face will campaign for him back home and abroad, he said."
How deranged do you have to be to think that John 'Meth-head' McAfee would be a sensible candidate for President of the United States?
I mean, what could possibly go wrong by electing a malignant narcissist with no experience who doesn't know anything about government to hold the highest office in the land? Hopefully he has some inadequate and equally-inexperienced children he can bring in as 'Senior Advisors' just to keep the nepotism thing going.
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I mean, what could possibly go wrong by electing a malignant narcissist with no experience who doesn't know anything about government to hold the highest office in the land? Hopefully he has some inadequate and equally-inexperienced children he can bring in as 'Senior Advisors' just to keep the nepotism thing going.
wait, are you talking about Trump or McAfee
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wait, are you talking about Trump or McAfee
Both.
Although, to be fair, McAfee is better looking and more articulate.
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Nah, smoking is at least -40 points off for attractiveness
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Nah, smoking is at least -40 points off for attractiveness
McAfee could paint himself from head to toe in rancid pig shit and he'd still be magnitudes of order more attractive than Trump.
Shit, they could both be in a pitch-black room and McAfee would still win in.
Ask yourself- who would Melania rather bang? A crazy but still fuckable John McAfee, or her repulsive, impotent husband who probably hasn't touched her in 10 years?
Things have to be paid for... (Score:3)
He benefitted mightily from living in a country with police and courts that protect him from criminals, an army that protects from invasion, schools that educated him and his employees, roads to drive on, etc. Does he think all those things come for free? We all pay taxes to run the country. Does he think that the rest of us should pay to run the country, and that he who can afford it more than almost anyone shouldn't have to?
Violates the Logan Act (Score:2)
U.S. Code, Title 18 Sec. 953
https://www.law.cornell.edu/us... [cornell.edu]:
953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.
Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to a
Re: Federal Income Tax != legal (he's right & (Score:2)
As one can clearly see, this writing style denotes the calm, rational thought of a person in complete control of their mental faculties.
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As one can clearly see, this writing style denotes the calm, rational thought of a stable genius.
FTFY
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APK and his sock puppets can reply all they want - I won’t see them unless I stumble across them by accident. I don’t see notifications of replies to
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Good to see you are still around. I was wondering where you went off too.
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This post is a prefect example of the idiots that are getting mod points. Nobody is Trolling the OP'ed. She and I had a disagreement a year back, I was wrong. We had a really nice discussion after that. I did noticed that she wasn't posting after than and I did wonder what happened to her. Nobody was trolling any one.
Re:Exactly... (Score:2)
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It would be "fewer than", not "less than". That kind of careless is one of the sources of the problem that having MacAfee installed is worse than getting the viruses it protects you from. It resides in the kernel, stopping processes without notification even if every feature is turned off.
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I'm *not* saying that he should be, but this kind of thing is exactly what makes the "USA" government (or the ones actually controlling it) go really mad... And he's trying to be elected as president? What? When did that become a thing too?
Some people who have been elected President have done worse than evade taxes. Just sayin'.
And please, let's wish for justice, but let's not wish anybody dead.
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Yeah, but at least neither of the Clinton's are running for President again this year (so far).
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He's trying real hard to lock up that key winning "deplorables" vote.
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Look at what happened when Iran tried to start a new oil trading market where oil would be traded in currencies other than the US Dollar. The US didn't like that and took steps to try and stop the market from happening (because if people could trade oil in Euros then there would be less demand for USD and the value of the US Dollar would fall)
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What you writing about? The U.S. didn't even take notice of what Iran tried to do much less respond to it. In any case, the market is controlled by Saudi Arabia with the U.S. coming up strong and Russia. Putin needs the dollar system so he can launder his gang's profits from screwing the Russian people.
Re: A big no-no (Score:2)
Well, the dollar wouldn't necessary lose value (that's not a bad thing). It would lose some stability and some security as the reserve currency. Both would be bad for the US and they would of course try to prevent it.
However, there is very little that the US can do to stop such things. The reality is that the US dollar is in its position because everyone else is just worse at it. And that determination is made more so by everyone else participating in the market than the US.
When a good enough contender c
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Please, he's no Elon.