AMERICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE
PO. Box 601, Valatie, NY, 12184
ami@taconic.net
A foundation dedicated to the study of monetary history, theory and reform.
Stephen Zarlenga, Director.
AMERICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE MEDIA AWARDS
January 2,000 Mr. Charlie Rose, of PBS's CHARLIE ROSE SHOW receives AMI's citation of merit
In early January 2,000, Charlie Rose interviewed U.S. Ambassador (to France) Felix Rohatyn. Although the interview didn't concentrate on monetary matters, Mr.Rose managed to bring up a few of the tough, and appropriate monetary questions; including how unrestricted capital transfers for speculative purposes were undermining the international monetary order and wrecking some monetary systems. Ambassador Rohatyn as former head of Lazard Frere's investment banking firm, was the right person to ask, and Mr. Rose did so with an implied moral edge, so often lacking in such discussions.
May 1999 Mr. Rene Balcer, Executive Producer of Wolf Films and NBC's LAW AND ORDER receives AMI's citation of merit
On May 26, 1999, the Law And Order series aired a two hour episode entitled "REFUGE" written by Mr. Balcer. The drama began by focusing on the bloody and horriffic activities of the Russian Mob and then traced their dependence on the help of a "reputable" banking establishment which laundered the money generated by the mobs activities in exchange for large commissions. The story accurately portrayed the mechanics of money laundering, including the vast daily air shipments of cash to Russia. It graphically demonstrated that it was impossibile for the Bank's management not to be aware of what was going on.
Rene Balcer even brought the plot to the doorstep of the Federal Reserve System, with a portrayal of a Fed functionary admitting that the Fed also received a "commission" on the cash transactions in the form of a small fee for the freshly printed currency. The more serious charge of not providing sufficient oversight of the Bank's activities was also made. The story presented money laundering not as some technical financial dealing but in the light of the murder and mayhem which it supported and made possible. It also demonstrated the attempt of banking officials at all levels to ignore the immoral results of their activities.
While it's important never to confuse fictional presentations with real monetary research (for example the faulty manner in which Ayn Rand fans attribute real life status to the unchallenged and false monetary exhortations presented in her novels) when the medium is used accurately, as in Balcer's work cited above, it can have a powerful beneficial effect, not easy to achieve in a theoretical scholarly format.
May 1998 Mr. Bill Maher, of ABC's POLITICALLY INCORRECT receives AMI's citation of merit
In early May 1998, Bill Maher did a comedy sketch entitled "ONLYBANK" in response to a major banking merger which took place at that time. The sketch underscored the privileged position of the Banks, and the trend toward greater concentration of power in fewer and fewer banks. Maher used comedy to demonstrate the negative effect of that concentration on the average bank customer.
APRIL 1998 Mr. Hugh Downs, of 20/20 receives AMI's citation of merit
In late April 1998, Hugh Downs did a lengthy ABC radio presentation on aspects of the Greenback/Populist movements of 1865-1895. Mr Downs accurately pointed out that it was well understood at that time, that adding new money into the monetary system was good for the middle class, and working people in general; and that keeping the money supply too low enriched the bondholders and the bankers. This important theme has received no attention in the corporate controlled media in recent decades; even while Alan Greenspan's Fed continues to restrict the real money supply (M1) to the detriment of the average American, and to the great benefit of the financiers. Click below to read the transcript of Mr. Hugh Downs presentation.
Obviously, AMI cannot monitor much of the radio, TV and Print media. Therefore readers are encouraged to bring outstanding examples of public service in the monetary area to our attention; in effect to nominate persons to receive the AMI media Award. Please include information on the performance, including dates so we can obtain a transcript.
THE AMERICAN MONETARY INSTITUTE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
There exists a well documented pattern of suppression of monetary history and sensible monetary ideas for several centuries, especially in the English speaking world (see THE LOST SCIENCE OF MONEY by S. Zarlenga, described on AMI's home page). This has led to a lack of acknowledgement and ignoring of the lives and work of persons doing valuable work in the monetary area, and to the unfortunate promotion of those whose work supports or is not threatening to the corrupt banking practices which rule the American markets and exchanges.
In some small way we will begin to remedy that situation by bringing attention to the work of deserving individuals we are aware of. Click below to view Mr. De Fremery's background and achievements.
Robert de Fremery