Bill Bergman-a former Federal Reserve (Chicago branch) economist and policy analyst, who has raised concerns about unusual currency transactions pre- 9-11----including billions in one hundred dollar bills, is the guest this week on the Robert Wenzel Show.
Bergman worked at the Chicago Federal Reserve for over 13 years as an economist and financial markets policy analyst, until he started asking questions about unusual currency movements before 9-11. On the show we talk about what happened to him, after he started his investigation.
We also talk about how the Fed's Biege Book is assembled, the trillion plus dollars sitting at the Fed as excess reserves, the LIBOR "scandal", Warren Buffet and much more
Here's the podcast version:
Sizzling and hot...like the weather. Keep the good shows coming.
ReplyDeleteMr. Bergman exudes credibility.
ReplyDeleteThere's some deep politics afoot.
I enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteA few thoughts:
1)Investigative efforts are superficial, polticized, white washed, not adequately explored(i.e. guest ref. to pg. 172 911 Commission report).
2)Good that some real world 'current conditions in our marketplace, anecdotal evidence, talking to businesses' research appears to be associated with the Federal Reserve Beige Book(ie. talking to local auto dealers, temporary help/employment placement co's, appliance mfgs., economist at a steel co., 'a great realtor'), but also sounded a bit quaint, and helter-skelter. Guest admitted it is not a large sample, a statistically perfect sample, even though he believed getting regular info. from 'people you trust' was helpful. Points out to me, even with a giant budget the Fed(or any govt. body) simply should not be making the sort of decisions they are empowered to do with very inexact data metrics. Also, the guest did not go into politics and decisions on what makes it into each edition of the Beige Book.
3)Would have liked the guest to talk more about Fed operations in terms of efficacy, relevance, need. If there was no Central Bank would the world collapse?
So maybe you need him back for a full hour, serving up some harder hitting questions he is willing to answer.
mp3?
ReplyDeleteYou can download the mp3 by saving this link: http://wenzel.podbean.com/mf/play/t85eji/BillBergmanEdited.mp3
ReplyDeletewhere can I get a transcript?
ReplyDeletethanks
WHO made unusual currency transactions?
ReplyDeleteYou can watch 9/11: Press for Truth here (that's the doc Bergman mentions in the interview). It's an old doc but anyone that has not seen it, should.
ReplyDeleteThx for providing the link, Frank. I hope people see your recommendation. That was a moving film.
DeleteNo problem. If you haven't seen, the "Architects & Engineers" presentation yet, it is worth watching as well...
DeleteShort Version: Focuses on WTC7
Full, 2-Hour Presentation