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For modern shoppers, cashless payment methods may seem like a convenient and secure option.

But if you want to avoid common risks like credit card fraud and digital systems that are vulnerable to cyberattacks, cash will always be king.(h/t to SHTFPlan.com)

In the U.S. and other economies that have legal tender laws, only cash is recognized as money. While others think that the balance of their bank accounts is money too, that is not quite the case. After all, your bank balance is one step removed from legal money.

All banks must maintain minimum balances of reserves in cash held either in their vaults, which makes up only a very small amount, or in their “reserve accounts” with their local Federal Reserve Bank branch.

These reserve account balances maythen be converted to real money, or cash, at your bank’s discretion. But the total cash in the U.S. economy also includes cash held outside the banking system, such as the money in your wallet or an emergency money cache hidden at home.

The total of bank reserves and the cash held outside the banking system is called the monetary base, but it is different fromthe money supply.

Most of the money supply is made up of bank credit not backed by reserves. When banks make loans, they credit your account, which becomes bank credit money. This money was created by the bank “out of thin air.”

Keep in mind that the banks did not create reserves, only credit money, which is not the same thing.

As of July 2023, the monetary base in the U.S. was $5.5 trillion, while M3 (the total bank credit money) was $20.9 trillion.

This means that if everyone demanded real money or cash, the banks would only be able to honor around one-fourth of all requests. This highlights the fact that the possibility of your bank failing is real, especially since more than 9,000 U.S. banks failed during the Great Depression of the 1930s. What are the risks of electronic payments?

Cash is important because being ableto hold real cash, not just bank balances accessible by check or electronic means, protects you from the potential infrastructure problems linked to an electronic system but also from the sudden seizure of all or some of your money.

As a prepper, cash is also preferable because “real” cash isanonymous and your bank account is not. When disaster strikes, you can still purchase essential goods or services as long as you still have money in your wallet or an emergency cache.

If that cash has been eliminated by some legal means and if you have angered the powers that be for whatever reason, such as opposing them and asking others to oppose them too, all banks can freeze your bank account or eliminate it.

In February 2022,the government of Canada froze the bank accounts of everyone who participated in the Canadian truckers’ general strike, along with those who helped them.

This year,British politician Nigel Farage had his accounts closed for political reasons. He also revealed that no other British bank would serve him. Without the means to use money, Farage said he came very close to emigrating.

Imagine if that had happened to you, especially if you weren’t a prepper. You wouldn’t be able to pay for gas for your car. Without cash, you wouldn’t be able to buy groceries or supplies for your emergency stockpile.

Soon after, theBBCformallyapologized to Farage over a story it ran on the closure of his accounts at NatWest’s private bank Coutts, which the former Brexit Party leader correctly said was due to his political views.

The BBC previously reported that the reason for the closure wasFarage allegedly fell below the financial threshold required to be a customer at Coutts.

The Coutts website advises that its clients should be able to borrow or invest at least one million pounds ($1.28 million) with the bank or hold at least three million pounds in savings.

However,an internal review of the bank account obtained by Farage revealed that the private bank’s wealth reputational risk committee had said his values did not align with the bank’s own.

“We acknowledge that the information we reported – that Coutts’ decision on Mr. Farage’s account did not involve considerations about his political views – turned out not to be accurate and have apologized to Mr. Farage,” said the BBC in the corrections and clarifications section of its website. What are the risks of central bank digital currency?

All of the world’s major central banks are currently devising plans to institute central bank digital currencies (CBDC) that they will control. This is very dangerous for the civil liberties of all citizens across the globe.(Related:British activist threatened with arrest for using CASH in cashless Aldi grocery.)

If this becomes a reality,the government would no longer need to seek the cooperation of the banks to freeze your accounts or “debank” you entirely, as the British banking system did to Farage.

With the push of a button, you could loseaccess to your financial accounts and you wouldn’t be able to buy food or supplies.

No government should beallowed to hold such power, which could easily become a life-and-death issue for a bank holder. Yet despite these serious risks,digital currencies are being promoted as efficient and modern.

Don’t be fooled. This is a civil liberties issue and it must be stopped now if you want to retainyour freedom and privacy.

Watch the video below to learn more about the dangers of a cashless society and central bank digital currency.

This video is from theCommunicate channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories:

Digital prepping: How to protect yourself against cyberattacks.

CASHLESS DOWN UNDER: Australia gears up for CBDC rollout, with major banks banning OTC cash withdrawals.

CASHLESS TYRANNY: EU launches testing of biometric payments from digital wallets.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

Edition.CNN.com

TheGuardian.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
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British Airways pulls Louis Theroux podcast funding over Bob Vylan interview

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British Airways pulls Louis Theroux podcast funding over Bob Vylan interview

British Airways (BA) has paused its sponsorship of The Louis Theroux Podcast following an interview with Bob Vylan’s frontman.

Pascal Robinson-Foster, one half of the controversial punk duo, told Theroux in an episode which aired earlier this week that he was “not regretful” of chanting “death, death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces]” at this year’s Glastonbury.

He added that he would “do it again tomorrow, twice on Sundays”.

British Airways said on Saturday that the content “breaches” its sponsorship policy and has since paused its advertising on the podcast, the Jewish News first reported.

An airline spokesperson said: “Our sponsorship of the series has now been paused and the advert has been removed.

“We’re grateful that this was brought to our attention, as the content clearly breaches our sponsorship policy in relation to politically sensitive or controversial subject matters.

“We and our third-party media agency have processes in place to ensure these issues don’t occur and we’re investigating how this happened.”

More on Louis Theroux

Bobby Vylan crowd surfs during his performance at Glastonbury Festival. Pic: PA
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Bobby Vylan crowd surfs during his performance at Glastonbury Festival. Pic: PA

Following Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, the band were dropped by a number of festivals and performances including Radar festival, a show at a German music venue and their US tour after their visas were revoked.

The comments were condemned by the US as a “hateful tirade” and “appalling hate speech” by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit has since found the broadcast of Bob Vylan’s set breached editorial standards related to harm and offence.

The band have also had to reschedule dates of its upcoming We Won’t Go Quietly UK tour in Manchester and Leeds after Jewish leaders and politicians called for the show to be postponed.

Theroux has not commented on BA pausing its sponsorship of his podcast. Pic: AP
Image:
Theroux has not commented on BA pausing its sponsorship of his podcast. Pic: AP

In a statement on Facebook, the group said: “Due to political pressure from the likes of Bridget Phillipson and groups in the Northwest of England we have had to reschedule our Leeds and Manchester shows.

“All tickets remain valid and all other shows are continuing as planned.”

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Calls for Bob Vylan concert to be cancelled

When asked by Theroux, Vylan said he was taken aback by the uproar the chant has caused, saying: “It wasn’t like we came off stage, and everybody was like [gasps]. It’s just normal.”

He added that he wanted an end to “the oppression that Palestinian people are facing”.

Read more: Who are Bob Vylan?

Despite the criticism, the group have seen support from fans, with their album Humble As The Sun re-entering the charts and climbing to number one in the UK Hip Hop and R&B album category.

A spokesperson at Mindhouse Productions – which was founded by Theroux and produces The Louis Theroux Podcast – has not commented on the BA sponsorship, but told Sky News: “Louis is a journalist with a long history of speaking to controversial figures who may divide opinion.

“We would suggest people watch or listen to the interview in its entirety to get the full context of the conversation.”

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No. 7 Georgia Tech down 3 starters vs. Syracuse

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No. 7 Georgia Tech down 3 starters vs. Syracuse

No. 7 Georgia Tech will be without three starters — wide receiver Malik Rutherford, center Harrison Moore and nickelback Jy Gilmore — against Syracuse on Saturday.

All three were ruled out on the ACC availability report after suffering injuries during last week’s win over Duke.

Rutherford is tied for the Yellow Jackets’ lead with 23 receptions and two receiving touchdowns this season and ranks third on the team with 202 receiving yards.

With cornerback Ahmari Harvey out for the second straight week, Georgia Tech will be down two key secondary members against an Orange passing game that is averaging 294.3 yards per game (15th in the NCAA).

The Yellow Jackets are 7-0 for the first time since 1966, while their No. 7 ranking is the school’s highest since 2009.

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Utah QB Dampier now probable to face Colorado

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Utah QB Dampier now probable to face Colorado

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has been upgraded to probable for the Utes’ game against Colorado, according to the updated Big 12 availability report released Friday night.

The junior quarterback has dealt with a lower leg injury this season, and coach Kyle Whittingham said Dampier “got beat up in this game pretty good” after the Utes’ 24-21 loss to rival BYU last weekend.

Dampier was initially listed as questionable Wednesday but progressed throughout the week and took reps in practice, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

The 5-foot-11, 210-pound junior, a transfer out of New Mexico, has started every game despite the injury and ranks sixth in the Big 12 in total offense with 1,375 passing yards, 442 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns.

True freshman backup Byrd Ficklin played four snaps against BYU and would be in line to start if Dampier is unavailable Saturday against the Buffaloes (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Utah wide receiver Tobias Merriweather and defensive tackle Dallas Vakalahi were downgraded from doubtful to out against Colorado. Merriweather ranks second among Utes wideouts with 130 receiving yards on eight receptions this season.

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