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USA Watchdog
Remember back in early-2009, when the mainstream media (MSM) started with the ridiculous “green shoots” talking point? Even though the data was dismal and there were no signs of the economy recovering, the“green shoots” term was used by just about everyone in the MSM. I think not long after economist Nouriel Roubini said that the much talked about “green shoots” was really“yellow weeds,” the talking point changed to “recovery.” (Click here to read the complete “Yellow Weeds” article from professor Roubini.) Ever since, the MSM has described the so-called “economic recovery” in terms such as “fragile,” “jobless” and“tenuous,” to name a few. The data has repeatedly shown the “recovery” isn’t any of these terms because THERE IS NO RECOVERY. Oh sure, the stock market has gone up, but so have the number of people on food stamps, which is at a new record of 44 million. There is also no recovery for the 33 million people who are unemployed. Forget the government B.S. of 9%, the true unemployment rate has been stuck north of 22% for months according to Shadowstats.com.
The latest numbers have shown there is bad news across the board for housing, autos, manufacturing, employment and consumer confidence. Well, here we go again with the spin by the MSM. Even though many are now admitting there is a double-dip in the economy, the talking points used to describe this new downturn are things like “temporary,” “transitory” and a good old fashion “soft patch.” Here’s how the Associated Press reported the story after a nearly 300 point drop in the Dow this week. It said, “We’re definitely in a soft patch,” says Steve Blitz, senior economist for ITG Investment Research. No one knows whether the slowdown is a temporary setback or the start of a prolonged period of anemic growth. Many analysts hold out hope that the economy will rebound in the second half of 2011.” (Click here for the complete AP story.) “Soft patch, temporary,” see what I mean? Since when is holding out “hope”and investment strategy? Me and the people I have been quoting on this site have been clearly telling readers there would be another plunge in the economy. We were right and the MSM was wrong—again.
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