Submitted by Ron Paul via The Ron Paul Institute for Peace & Prosperity,

Those who advocate ending, instead of reforming, the welfare-warfare state are often accused of being “impractical.” Some of the harshest criticisms come from libertarians who claim that advocates of “purism” forgo opportunities to make real progress toward restoring liberty. These critics fail to grasp the numerous reasons why it is crucial for libertarians to consistently and vigorously advance the purist position.

Submitted by Simon Black via SovereignMan.com,

On September 4, 1993, President Bill Clinton spoke about the American Dream in a weekly radio address.

He told his audience that “in America, the idea is that if you work hard and play by the rules, you’ll be rewarded with a good life for yourself and a better chance for your children.”

That’s what America used to stand for, and indeed much of the Western world. Freedom. Truth. Hard work and fair play. Building a better life.

Grant Williams, Of Things That May You Go Hhhmm, gave the following presentation at Mines & Money in London in early December laying out why he believes the gold price is languishing despite a wealth of what would ordinarily be positive catalysts. Currently, outside those who focus on precious metals, there is an enormous amount of apathy but, we suspect, that apathy will shortly turn to enthusiasm - an enthusiasm which will expose the rift between paper prices set in NY and the structural changes undergone in the physical markets

The Ministry of Defense have announced that 6,000 Western troops led by Britain, the U.S., France, and Italy have invaded Libya after ISIS fighters hijacked a key oil port of Es Sider, thus threatening to take away control of the countries oil infrastructure currently supported by the West. However, the report also suggests that certain Nazi artefacts have been discovered in the region, which the US-UK led invasion is keen to take hold of.

The Iranian Intelligence Minister, Seyed Mahmoud Alavi, has said that Saudi Arabia’s government will soon be “toppled”, following the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.  In a message on Monday, the Minister announced, “By adopting terroristic and inhuman policies, the Al Saud regime will not achieve enhanced security; on the contrary it will face imminent downfall“. Farsnews.com reports: The Iranian intelligence minister condemned Sheikh Nimr’s execution, and extended his condolences to the Muslim Ulemmas (scholars), freedom-seeking nations and the axis of resistance.