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The Cass Freight Index


The following chart shows the annual average of the index (to remove seasonal variations).


Click to enlarge.

Looks like we've got zero chance of making it back to 2006 levels. Oh, well.

The following chart shows the year over year percentage change.


Click to enlarge.

Look at that strong and robust recovery! Ignore the part where the growth is stagnant or negative (the last 2 years or so).


Oops. Somebody moved the "s" and added a comma. D'oh!

Source Data:
St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #1
St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #2

barnone11970 wants you to take his survey on Obamacare:




Some great videos to add to the mystique of the "freeman on the land:"

SOLVE THE RIDDLE:

What do Chicago and the CME have in common?

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Washington Post reports a 59-year-old Alexandria woman has died after a double shooting at her home Thursday morning, and police continue to search for the gunman, described as an older balding man with gray hair and a full beard.


Police identified the woman as Ruthanne Lodato, a popular music teacher. Another woman, who worked in the home as a caregiver, was wounded and remained hospitalized, police said.

Alexandria Police Chief Earl Cook said they have not identified a motive in the shooting, and have no indication that the women knew the gunman, who came to the door of the Ridge Road Drive home about 11:30 a.m.

“The suspect knocked on the door and shot the victims when they answered,” Cook said.

More here

by: Les Carpenter
Rational Nation USA
Purveyor of Truth

"Five years into Obama's presidency, only a third of the public believes that Obama and the Democrats are primarily responsible for the country's current economic problems.

More Americans continue to blame former President Bush and the Republicans. But the number who say the GOP is more responsible - now at 44% - has dipped below the 50% mark for the first time since Bush left the White House. Fourteen percent blame both parties equally."

As the above excerpt from a recent CNN/CRC International Survey indicates Americans after five years of the Obama administration are still placing more blame on ex president GBW than the current sitting president.

While confidence in the economy remains low, sixty-four percent say the economy is still in bad shape, it is going to be interesting watching the 2014 mid term race unfold. Given that sixty-six percent of the public believe the republican party and GWB are primarily responsible for the economic recession and current anemic economic growth it is likely a stretch to think the party they hold most responsible will gain strength in either the house or the senate.

Of course this is only one poll, admittedly from a left leaning news outlet, it certainly has some credibility. If conservatives and libertarians are going to turn the tide of negative perception they MUST develop a plan that 1) makes sense to the electorate and 2) that a MAJORITY of independents and conservatives have confidence in. It will be a long hard slog methinks.

Read the full article below the fold.

Via: Memorandum

WashingtonTimes reports chances for a broad immigration bill to pass this year took a major hit Thursday when House Speaker John A. Boehner ruled out any action until President Obama proves to Republicans’ satisfaction that he is serious about enforcing the laws and no longer will try to work around Congress.

Just a week after Mr. Boehner appeared to jump-start chances for immigration by releasing House Republican principles for a bill, his comments erased most of that momentum.

---

“Listen, there’s widespread doubt about whether this administration can be trusted to enforce our laws. And it’s going to be difficult to move any immigration legislation until that changes,” the Ohio Republican said at his weekly press conference.

Immigrant rights groups were stunned at the reversal and warned of drastic electoral consequences among Hispanic voters if Republicans refuse to act.

CNN released a poll Thursday that suggests voters care more about granting citizenship to illegal immigrants than they do about boosting border security.

More here

Right now everything is fine in America while the sheep flock to the NFL Super Bowl game and the NON-PROFIT NFL organization and great military police operations along with mainstream media and related sports and entertainment industry funds and massages the well to do people keeping them all safe, secure and entertained. 

The game will change however when something happens here in America if the haves suddenly find themselves losing their FEDERAL RESERVE FUNDS and they will ultimately lose it.  I guess Gerald Celente is somewhat correct when he says, "When people begin to lose everything they lose it." 

Watch your six!

CBS Sportsreports Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner died at his home in California on Thursday. He died peacefully from natural causes with his family at his side. He was 91.

"With the passing of Ralph Kiner, the baseball world has lost one of its greatest ambassadors and the Hall of Fame has lost a wonderful friend," said Jane Forbes Clark, chairman of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. "Ralph spent eight decades as a player, executive and broadcaster. He was a man who truly loved our National Pastime and made it better in every way. His legacy will live forever in Cooperstown."

"Ralph Kiner was one of the most beloved people in Mets history -- an original Met and extraordinary gentleman," Mets owner and CEO Fred Wilpon said in a statement. "After a Hall of Fame playing career, Ralph became a treasured broadcasting icon for more than half a century. His knowledge of the game, wit, and charm entertained generations of Mets fans. Like his stories, he was one of a kind. We send our deepest condolences to Ralph's five children and twelve grandchildren. Our sport and society today lost one of the all-time greats."

Kiner played 10 seasons in the big leagues from 1946-55, suiting up for the Pirates, Cubs and Indians. He retired as a .279/.398/.548 (149 OPS+) career hitter with 369 career home runs. Kiner led the league in homers in each of his first seven seasons and led MLB in homers six times.

More here

 Women Ralph Kiner dated.  Very impressive list. 

There are real people and there are phonies.  Beware of INFOWARS and any other subject that I study here called "NEWS" or "ALTERNATIVE NEWS."  When you look at things here on The News UNIT it's up to you to discern who's who:





Some of us are real but the truth about us is seldom told:
http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/us-postal-service-makes-giant.html

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The idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of men's hands.
They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not;
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.
They that make them are like unto them: so is every one that trusteth in them.
--PSALM 135.15-18

Hey Steve Quayle and Alex Jones!  I know you (and many others) read The News UNIT:   What do you think about that verse above?

Here's what I think about it in the scripture below.  And yes this is exactly where my thoughts and cogitations go regarding this matter:

Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
--PSALM 62.10

Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.
--PROVERBS 23.5

Isn't it interesting that they are making gods now with silver?  This is going to be a big hit for the world.  The world will love this.  It will probably drive the price of silver very much higher.

One thing I notice now is there are may things with LIMITED MINTAGE now which is creating sort of a quasi-numismatic market for bullion.  It's rather unique actually and creating quite a market for these products.  Make no mistake about it; the game may be changing soon with gold and silver.  There indeed is a growing demand for these items.  

The Perth Mint does make some beautiful coins but I don't want the gods.  Although I realize these coins won't send me to hell because an idol is nothing.  So keep stackin'! :-)