US Bank Gold Positions Explode By Highest Rate On Record; Short Positions Collapse

To clarify investor class labels, "speculators" as defined in the Bank Participation Report, are considered the "dumb money", while the "market makers" are the bullion banks--the so-called "smart money" who are the most-funded and best-informed players in the CME futures pits.

And while large hedge funds and institutions are normally considered "smart money", that's only relative to the retail investor class who are considered the biggest suckers.  In this context, the speculators are "dumb money" while the retail investors are "dumber money."  Don't be insulted, the game has been rigged and set up to be this way.  Don't shoot the messenger.

http://bullmarketthinking.com/us-bank-long-positions-in-gold-explode-at-highest-rate-on-record-short-positions-collapse/

Commodity Bubbles Caused by Speculators Need Intervention, UN Agency Says

The UN is now trying to regulate human nature.  If they're going to target speculators, don't leave out our central and commercial bankers.  It's open season for market manipulation.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-05/commodity-bubbles-caused-by-speculators-need-intervention-un-agency-says.html

CFTC to Probe Speculator Role in Commodity Prices

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?play=1&video=3000020494

Hawaii Average Premium Gas Hits $4.708, As Nationwide Pump Prices Jump By 30 Cents In A Month

I think Obama and his Working Group better bone up on Econ 101 before blaming "speculators" for soaring gas prices.  Instead, they should focus on Blackhawk Ben Bernanke.

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/hawaii-average-premium-gas-price-hits-4708-nationwide-pump-prices-jump-30-cents-month

Obama, Holder Declare War On Oil Traders, "Speculators"

Like clockwork, Obama decides to target the "speculators" for the surge in oil prices.  See my prediction in an earlier blog <click here>.  Let us not blame the Chinese for cutting off oil exports.  Let us not blame the middle eastern and north African (MENA) civil unrest.  Let us not blame peak oil and the fact that while we may not be running out of oil, we're running out of cheap oil.  Let us not blame US energy "policy" which bans offshore and land drilling.  And last but not least, let us not blame Ben Bernanke's inflationary monetary policies causing aforementioned social unrest.  Let's just blame the speculators.

See you at $200 a barrel crude oil. 

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/obama-holder-declare-war-oil-traders-speculators

Increase in margin requirements cause silver prices to tank

http://www.zerohedge.com/article/when-banks-dont-results-cme-just-changes-rules-full-revised-silver-margin-schedule

Of course, only margin requirements for non-member speculators were raised, while member firms' margin requirements were not. Gee, while some members are accused of rigging the game, the CME decides to punish the non-members. How's that for justice?

Euro in trouble

Notice how government officials always blame currency "speculators" for their country's woeful finances? How about trying to balance your budgets first before pointing your finger at others?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0330ba78-149f-11df-9ea1-00144feab49a.html