Lada Ray's Blog, page 101

2012 Predictions. Year of Elections: Russia, France – USA next!

Okay, time to brag…

So, the Russian and French Presidential Elections are over in the exact way I predicted.

I said back on 1/12/2012 (and reiterated on 3/3) that Vladimir Putin would win another term with low-to-mid 60% of votes because the majority of Russians want stability, which Putin represents, and due to the fact that he and the ruling United Russia party would make all the right moves in the run-up to the elections on March 4. I also said that the allegations of fraud and protests would continue, no matter what.

That’s exactly what happened. United Russia made all the right moves before the elections, allegations of irregularities (most of the time unproven or outright fabrication) and protests are ongoing… and Putin won with 63.6% of votes.

It should be mentioned that the analysts projected him to take the votes in the high fifties. 63.6%, higher than expected, seemed to have surprised and overwhelmed President elect himself and analysts alike.

Putin’s next presidency will be very different from his 2 previous terms in this turbulent decade and in this ever-changing world of ours. I hope to cover the future of Russia, Eurasia, the BRICS and its influence on the direction of the world in one of my subsequent posts.

French Presidential Elections (4/22-5/6/2012) just ended. In my posts of 1/12, 3/3 and 4/28/2012 I predicted that Nicolas Sarkozy would lose the election due to the crisis in the Eurozone, failure of his neocon policies and general dislike the French electorate feels towards him. I also said that in a bizarre twist, socialist Hollande would take part of the far right Marine Le Pen‘s votes, because that would be the only way Hollande could win.

I also said that there would be certain changes to the French domestic and foreign policy, as the country will stop playing the “French Poodle” to the U.S. and will slowly re-aqcuire its more independent stance.

Everything happened in the exact way I predicted. Marine Le Pen, courted by Sarkozy for votes, refused to endorse him. Hollande won narrowly, but convincingly, due to some of her votes. Changes in France’s internal and especially external policies are widely expected, although, as I said, don’t expect too much all at once. It will be gradual and slow and real changes will happen later. Hollande already stated that he wouldn’t be a problem for the fellow left-winger (arguably) Obama – at least in the election year. Heads will likely start rolling in 2013.

Some of the changes in the French policies will affect Eurozone, the BRICS and USA very directly, and I hope to discuss all that in my future predictions, where I’ll also cover German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s chances of winning the German elections in 2013.

To refresh your memory of my previous posts, where I cover all this in more detail, please read them here:

1/12/2012:  YEAR 2012 PREDICTIONS

3/3/2012:   2012 Predictions Update: Russian Elections

4/28/2012: 2012 Predictions Update: French Elections and Eurozone

In conclusion:

So what can we expect from  the upcoming U.S. Presidential Elections on 11/6/2012? I predicted on 1/12/2012 that the Republicans would pick Mitt Romney and that Barack Obama would beat him NARROWLY in November. By narrowly I mean no more than 5%. Most likely 3% or less. For more about that, read my earlier predictions above. I am planning a couple of updates later this year, one is entitled, “Ron Paul‘s Big Mistake” and another will be posted closer to November. In it, I’ll also discuss the USA and the world after the elections.

I am still hoping to release my BOOK OF PREDICTIONS – AFTER 2012 later in the year, time permitting. I will also try to cover some of my other predictions for this very stormy and unpredictable decade here, on my blog. But, since I have too many predictions, too little time, we’ll see how it goes.

Stay tuned!

As a reminder to my readers, I do not belong to any political party and consider myself a political atheist. My analysis is based on observation, logic, intuition and the Ancient Chinese System of Long Cycles (CSLC).

Copyright 2012 Lada Ray. All rights reserved.

GOLD TRAIN GIVEAWAY: Winners

This Giveaway is for 2 GOLD TRAIN ebooks. And the winners are… David C. Cassidy and Pranjal Borthakur. Congratulations David and Pranjal! Each winner will receive a Smashwords coupon for 1 FREE download.

Here is the link to the GOLD TRAIN page on Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/115344

My Beautiful Nature Walk

This post features original photography by author Lada Ray. 

First, a few quick announcements: Today, May 6, is the last day of the GOLD TRAIN  BLOG TOUR, and I want to thank all my gracious blog hosts and readers for a truly wonderful experience! I enjoyed all the interviews, reviews and new friendships very, very much!

Today is also the end of the GOLD TRAIN Giveaway on Lada Ray Blog. Giving away 2 Gold Train ebooks. This is the last chance to participate! Please check it out here! Two lucky winners will be announced at 8 p.m. tonight on this blog and on Twitter. I’ll also send both winners Twitter DMs with further instructions.

Finally, today is the last day to download GOLD TRAIN ebook on Amazon for $0.99 or the European equivalents. Tomorrow, the price will be $2.99 (reg. $3.99) – Mothers Day Sale. Buy ebook here.

GOLD TRAIN paperback is now on sale for only $9.99 till May 13 as Mothers Day Promotion. Regular price is $14.95. Buy GOLD TRAIN paperback here.

Happy reading and see you on pages of my books!

Now, without further ado, today’s post:

Sunday. Today, I was supposed to post my new piece, FACT AND FICTION IN GOLD TRAIN… but something in me rebelled against that. So I decided that I would do this very important article on May 12, as a follow up to the GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour. Also, another follow up, THE COOL, THE ORIGINAL AND THE CONTROVERSIAL, will appear on this blog on 5/9.  See the GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour Schedule.

But today… the sun is shining brightly, the air smells like honey and freshly cut grass. So, my husband and I decided to get our camera and embark on a lovely nature adventure instead. We are surrounded by some wonderful nature here, in the Western Catskills. And it’s actively awakening now. Spring comes late to the northern NY State, but finally it’s here! My goal is to capture on camera its joyful awakening!

In keeping with the GOLD TRAIN theme, we decided to take the Rail Trail, a defunct rail road turned walking nature trail, which connects many towns in our area.

I am inviting you to share our today’s nature walk! Enjoy the images I’ve captured along the way, including the giant fields of sunny dandelions, the beautiful horses, graceful geese, local farms and colorful chickens, and of course, the mountains.

This is just a primer. I will be doing a bigger post: Spring in the Catskills, and a YouTube video later. Stay tuned!

My Beautiful Nature Walk & Photography

This post features original photography by author Lada Ray. 

First, a few quick announcements: Today, May 6 is the last day of the GOLD TRAIN  BLOG TOUR and I want to thank all my gracious blog hosts and readers for a truly wonderful experience! I enjoyed all the interviews, reviews and new friendships very, very much!

Today is also the end of the GOLD TRAIN Giveaway on Lada Ray Blog. Giving away 2 Gold Train ebooks. This is the last chance to participate! Please check it out here! Two lucky winners will be announced at 8 p.m. tonight on this blog and on Twitter. I’ll also send both winners Twitter DMs with further instructions.

Finally, today is the last day to download GOLD TRAIN ebook on Amazon for $0.99 or the European equivalents. Tomorrow, the price will be $2.99 (reg. $3.99) – Mothers Day Sale. Buy ebook here.

GOLD TRAIN paperback is now on sale for only $9.99 till May 13 as Mothers Day Promotion. Regular price is $14.95. Buy GOLD TRAIN paperback here.

Happy reading and see you on pages of my books!

Now, without further ado, today’s post:

Sunday. Today, I was supposed to post my new piece, FACT AND FICTION IN GOLD TRAIN… but something in me rebelled against that. So I decided that I would do this very important article on May 12, as a follow up to the GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour. Also, another follow up, THE COOL, THE ORIGINAL AND THE CONTROVERSIAL, will appear on this blog on 5/9.  See the modified GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour Schedule.

But today… the sun is shining brightly, the air smells like honey and freshly cut grass. So, my husband and I decided to get our camera and embark on a lovely nature adventure instead. We are surrounded by some wonderful nature here, in the Western Catskills. And it’s actively awakening now. Spring comes late to the northern NY State, but finally it’s here! My goal is to capture on camera its joyful awakening!

In keeping with the GOLD TRAIN theme, we decided to take the Rail Trail, a defunct rail road turned walking nature trail, which connects many towns in our area.

I am inviting you to share our today’s nature walk! Enjoy the images I’ve captured along the way, including the giant fields of sunny dandelions, the beautiful horses, graceful geese, local farms and colorful chickens, and of course, the mountains.

This is just a primer. I will be doing a bigger post: Spring in the Catskills, and a YouTube video later. Stay tuned!

Spring, Beautiful Nature, Gold Train

First, a few quick announcements: Today, May 6 is the last day of the GOLD TRAIN BLOG TOUR and I want to thank all my gracious blog hosts and readers for a truly wonderful experience! I enjoyed all the interviews, reviews and new friendships very, very much!

Today is also the end of the GOLD TRAIN Giveaway on Lada Ray Blog. Giving away 2 Gold Train ebooks. This is the last chance to participate! Please check it out here! Two lucky winners will be announced at 8 p.m. tonight on this blog and on Twitter. I’ll also send both winners Twitter DMs with further instructions.

Finally, today is the last day to download GOLD TRAIN ebook on Amazon for $0.99 or the European equivalents. Tomorrow, the price will be $2.99 (reg. $3.99) – Mothers Day Sale. Buy ebook here.

GOLD TRAIN paperback is now on sale for only $9.99 till May 13 as Mothers Day Promotion. Regular price is $14.95. Buy GOLD TRAIN paperback here.

Happy reading and see you on pages of my books!

Now, without further ado, today’s post:

Sunday. Today, I was supposed to post my new piece, FACT AND FICTION IN GOLD TRAIN… but something in me rebelled against that. So I decided that I would do this very important article on May 12, as a follow up to the GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour. Also, another follow up, THE COOL, THE ORIGINAL AND THE CONTROVERSIAL, will appear on this blog on 5/9.  See the modified GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour Schedule.

But today… the sun is shining brightly, the air smells like honey and freshly cut grass. So, my husband and I decided to get our camera and embark on a lovely nature adventure instead. We are surrounded by some wonderful nature here, in the Western Catskills. And it’s actively awakening now. Spring comes late to the northern NY State, but finally it’s here! My goal is to capture on camera its joyful awakening!

In keeping with the GOLD TRAIN theme, we decided to take the Rail Trail, a defunct rail road turned walking nature trail, which connects many towns in our area.

I am inviting you to share our today’s nature walk! Enjoy the images I’ve captured along the way, including the giant fields of sunny dandelions, the beautiful horses, graceful geese, local farms and colorful chickens, and of course, the mountains.

This is just a primer. I will be doing a bigger post: Spring in the Catskills, and a YouTube video later. Stay tuned!

A Feast of Gold Train, Photography & Feng Shui

This post features original photography by author Lada Ray

As The GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour continues, I decided to do a somewhat unusual post.

GOLD TRAIN GIVEAWAY: Please leave a comment to be entered to win a GOLD TRAIN ebook on 5/6! More  here !

Hurray! I just received first shipment of the GOLD TRAIN paperbacks. Check it out on Amazon!

I unpacked the box with trembling hands of a novice, hardly able to contain the excitement of a newly-budding novelist. No, just kidding. In fact, I resolutely reached for my sharp knife and forcefully slashed through the rough and dusty tape… No, not like that either. Well, you get the point. Got to be the writer even as I do something as mundane as opening a box containing my precious book

Anyway, I got the books out and decided to celebrate by creating various photo designs with anything that came to mind. The Gold Train cover came out quite lush and yummy. Hmmm… what might go with it? Ahh, yes. Let’s serve Gold Train with all the things I love, namely my feng shui symbols and Oriental art I collect, as well as great coffee, authentic green tea… and wine (I don’t really drink, but thought it appropriate to add an element of celebration here).

By the way, don’t forget to check out other awesome blog stops, Gold Train reviews and giveaways here!

And now, feast your eye on my photo designs, which I captured with my new hi-res camera!

A Feast of Gold Train, Photography, Feng Shui… and Humor

As The GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour continues, I decided to do a somewhat unusual post.

GOLD TRAIN GIVEAWAY: Please leave a comment to be entered to win a GOLD TRAIN ebook on 5/6, including the *required info! What is the required info? See  here !

Hurray! I just received first shipment of the GOLD TRAIN paperbacks. Check it out on Amazon!

I unpacked the box with trembling hands of a novice, hardly able to contain the excitement of a newly-budding novelist. No, just kidding. In fact, I resolutely reached for my sharp knife and forcefully slashed through the rough and dusty tape… No, not like that either. Well, you get the point. Got to be the writer even as I do something as mundane as opening a box containing my precious book

Anyway, I got the books out and decided to celebrate by creating various photo designs with anything that came to mind. The Gold Train cover came out quite lush and yummy. Hmmm… what might go with it? Ahh, yes. Let’s serve Gold Train with all the things I love, namely my feng shui symbols and Oriental art I collect, as well as great coffee, authentic green tea… and wine (I don’t really drink, but thought it appropriate to add an element of celebration here).

By the way, don’t forget to check out other awesome blog stops, Gold Train reviews and giveaways here!

And now, feast your eye on my photo designs, which I captured with my new hi-res camera!

A Feast of Gold Train, Photography and Feng Shui

As The GOLD TRAIN Blog Tour continues, I decided to do a somewhat unusual post.

GOLD TRAIN GIVEAWAY: Please leave a comment to be entered to win a GOLD TRAIN ebook on 5/6, including the *required info! What is the required info? See  here !

Hurray! I just received the first shipment of the GOLD TRAIN paperbacks. Check it out on Amazon!

I unpacked the box with trembling hands of a novice, hardly able to contain the excitement of a newly-budding novelist. No, just kidding. In fact, I resolutely reached for my sharp knife and forcefully slashed through the rough and dusty tape… No, not like that either. Well, you get the point. Got to be the writer even as I do something as mundane as opening a box containing my precious book

Anyway, I got the books out and decided to celebrate by creating various photo designs with anything that came to mind. The Gold Train cover came out quite lush and yummy. Hmmm… what might go with it? Ahh, yes. Let’s serve Gold Train with all the things I love, namely my feng shui symbols and Oriental statues I collect, as well as great coffee, authentic green tea… and wine (I don’t really drink, but thought it appropriate to add an element of celebration here).

By the way, don’t forget to check out other awesome blog stops, Gold Train reviews and giveaways here!

And now, feast your eye on my photo designs, which I captured with my new hi-res camera!

RUSSIAN TREASURES

Welcome to today’s stop along the GOLD TRAIN BLOG TOUR - not your usual blog tour! Check out other awesome stops here.

My new mystery thriller set in Russia, GOLD TRAIN, is about a missing treasure: the entire Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, which vanished during the 1918 Civil War. But it’s about to resurface… and it’s about to be used to shift the global balance of power.

Race for the gold is set against the magnificent backdrop of historic Moscow and Saint Petersburg, where our heroine, Jade Snow, travels to reconnect with the country of her ancestors and to investigate tantalizing mystery of the Gold Train.

However, Jade gets much more than she bargained for, and amongst palaces and golden domes of Russia she finds not only the non-stop thrill ride, intrigue and betrayal, but also her fair share of the world’s most important treasures.

In this post I wanted to share the treasures of Russia, the country I love. Its riches are many. And I am not just talking about its gold reserve and Imperial jewels, although granted, these are quite impressive. Through its long and turbulent history the country produced lots of other equally magnificent treasures, be it in the area of art, science, literature, sport or architecture. I realize that today I can only scratch the surface of what is Russian culture and heritage. But even if I just succeed in giving you the flavor of Russia’s Treasures, I’ve already accomplished a lot.

Today, I’ll share a compilation of beautiful photos representing various facets of the Russian culture.

Without further ado,

RUSSIAN TREASURES

Enjoy the ride!

The Great Russian Imperial Crown

The Minor Russian Imperial Crown

The Russian Imperial Orb

Moscow: Bolshoi Theatre at night

Above and below: legendary Bolshoi Ballet

Monument to the Russian writer, Alexander Pushkin, Tverskaya Street, Moscow

Red Square (In Russian “red” means both the color and “beautiful”)

Another view of Red Square

Manezhnaya Square, Moscow

Above and below: The golden domed Kremlin cathedrals

Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin Wall

Russian Tsars’ crowns, hats and scepters. With precious jewels, gold and furs. The Kremlin exhibit.

The Savior Cathedral, Moscow. Seat of the Russian Patriarch.

Above and below: Magnificent Novodevichy Convent, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Above and below: images of the sumptuous Moscow Metro

Above and below: Famous bronze sculptures, Moscow Metro

Above: Porcelain exhibit in Moscow Metro

Moscow University, main building. One of the famous Stalin’s Seven Sisters – seven buildings constructed at strategic points throughout the city, and forming a ring around the Kremlin

Winter Palace, former residence of the Russian Tsars. Now The Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg

The Throne Room, The Hermitage

Beautiful Saint Petersburg

Neva Embankment, Saint Petersburg

“The Bronze Horseman,” Monument to Peter the Great, founder of Saint Petersburg

Magnificent Gold Singing Fountains of Peterhof

Above and below: The Amber Room, Catherine Palace, Pushkin, Saint Petersburg. Considered by some the Eighth Wonder of the World

In conclusion:

Enjoy the post I wrote for World Adventurers Blog by author M.G. Edwards with lots of beautiful photos of Moscow and Saint Petersburg. I am inviting you to explore it, as well! See original post here.

RUSSIA and I

Guest post by Lada Ray

The Ancient Greeks would have you believe that one cannot step into the same river twice. Me — I dedicated my whole life to proving this dusty philosophical maxim.

When I was leaving Russia — very reluctantly — in 1991, the country was still called the Soviet Union, and if anyone at that time told me that the USSR’s days were numbered, I would’ve laughed in his face.

Above: St. Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin. The entire Kremlin/Red Square complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Below: Victory Day Parade, May 9, Red Square.

By the end of 1991, the Soviet Union broke up, quietly and amicably. I watched in disbelief from afar as, for the second time in a single century, Russia went through a revolution; thankfully, this time peacefully.

Next time I visited Russia during the turbulent 1990s, it was a completely different country, where safety nets and societal structures so solidly built and proudly maintained during Soviet times crumbled and ceased to exist. The new world emerged in birthing pains, while those who couldn’t adjust were mercilessly swept along the wayside. Crime was rampant and fortunes were built overnight, many by openly illegal means. A new class of Russian oligarchs emerged, while the needs of simple people were neglected.

It was an eye-opening and very sad visit. The country I remembered, the country where I spent some of the happiest days of my life, and the one so many took for granted, was gone. And I was hardly the only one who felt this way.

Above: Novodevichy Convent, Moscow. A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Although people in the West (due to biased media coverage and stereotypes they grew up with) would probably never understand this, many of us have fond memories growing up in the Soviet Union. Since the space in this post is limited, I won’t go into details (well, may be some other time). Suffice it to say that fond memories don’t happen out of the blue. They usually happen for a good reason, especially if such memories are shared by entire generations.

Food for thought…

But the situation in Russia started changing dramatically once Vladimir Putin came to power in the year 2000. The Russian economy, which was almost obliterated during the 1990s, came back strongly and has been growing by leaps and bounds for the past decade. The ongoing economic, financial, political, legal, military, police and social reforms completely changed Russia’s landscape.

Above: Fireworks on Red Square, Moscow.

A couple years back, I stumbled upon a documentary about the Gold Reserve of the Russian Empire, which vanished during the 1918 Russian Civil War. I immediately knew it was my book to write. But it took me two years to actually sit down and put the story on paper. I started writing GOLD TRAIN in July 2011. By August, I had a desperate urge to go and visit Russia.

So off I went. I spent three glorious weeks in Russia, stepping again into a completely different country and proving once more that the Ancient Greeks knew their philosophy.

Russia has changed, but at the same time managed to preserve its heritage. The new and the old learned to co-exist and complemented each other. Starbucks and McDonalds, Gucci and Armani, Mercedes and BMWs shared streets with the long-standing Russian tradition.

The new Russia clearly emerged, molded out of past suffering and lessons learned. And although there is still plenty that needs to be done, one definitely gets the feeling that there is stability, that the country is on the right track and looking forward to its future.

I was so inspired by my trip that the story of GOLD TRAIN and Jade Snow’s Russian Adventure materialized on my computer as if by magic. I hope that I was able to convey in my book the complex feelings and impressions about Russia’s past, present…and future.

GOLD TRAIN was released as an eBook on December 19, 2011. The print version is scheduled for release on April 25, 2012. This year I will also release my new fantasy thriller, THE EARTH SHIFTER, which takes place in Moscow and Siberia.

During my research trip, I concentrated on Russia’s two capitals, Moscow and Saint Petersburg, which are part of GOLD TRAIN‘s spectacular setting.

Below are some of the images and impressions from my trip.

Moscow:

Above: The Friendship Fountain at the All Russia Exhibit, Moscow. This is a huge and rather picturesque park with pavilions housing various exhibits, which I loved to visit as a child (during Soviet times called VDNKh).

Above: The famed Bolshoi Theatre just re-opened after a massive renovation.

Above: The iconic St. Basil’s Cathedral, one of the most photographed buildings in the world. Lenin’s Mausoleum (right) on Red Square — featured in GOLD TRAIN.

Above: Arbat, Moscow’s historic pedestrian artist district — featured in GOLD TRAIN (notice the Starbucks on the corner).

Above: Alexander Gardens, named after the Russian Emperor Alexander I.

Above: Dancing in Alexander Gardens by the Kremlin Wall.

Above: Art on display on Arbat.

Above: On Moscow Street.

Above: Modern Moscow echoing the look and feel of the Kremlin and historic Russian architecture.

Above: Moskva City (Moscow City) under construction.

Above: The giant main building of The Moscow University. One of the so-called Seven Sisters, seven similar buildings, form a ring around the Kremlin and were built during Stalin’s time. It will be featured in THE EARTH SHIFTER.

Above and below: Some of the stations of the spectacular Moscow Metro resembling underground palaces. The Moscow Metro is the second busiest in the world after Tokyo’s. And it carries 7-8 million passengers a day in grand style.

Below: One Moscow’s historic metro stations: Komsomolskaya Station.

Above: The Kremlin Guards.

Above: A golden-domed Kremlin cathedral.

Above: High-speed train Sapsan between Moscow and Saint Petersburg — featured in GOLD TRAIN.

Saint Petersburg:

Above: Bank Bridge, one of Saint Petersburg’s spectacular pedestrian bridges.

Above: The Hermitage and the Neva River — featured in GOLD TRAIN. The entire historic center of Saint Petersburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Above: The Hermitage, Grand Stairs.

Above: Peterhof, Peter the Great’s summer residence with its famous golden singing fountains. One of the most spectacular sights in Saint Petersburg, UNESCO World Heritage Site…and my personal favorite.

Above: Anichkov Bridge on Nevsky Prospekt with its famous horse tamers’ statues.

Above: Catherine Palace, summer residence of Catherine the Great — UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Above: The gorgeous Amber Room (Yantarnaya Komnata), Catherine Palace. Considered by some to be the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World,’ it was stolen by the Nazis during World War II. Starting in the 1970s, it was painstakingly recreated from the original drawings and reopened to the public several years ago.

Above: One of the famous Imperial Faberge eggs at Catherine Palace.

Above: Monument to the Russian writer, Alexander Pushkin (little birdies like him).

Saint Pete Metro is the fifth busiest underground transportation system in the world, carrying 3.5 million passengers a day, and the world’s deepest. Above: one of the many palatial Saint Pete Metro stations, rivaling the beautiful Moscow Metro.

Above: Saint Pete Metro. Sportivnaya Station with its Ancient Greek Olympics theme — featured in GOLD TRAIN.

Above: Forward-looking Saint Petersburg. The new giant Gazprom Tower project, conceptual design.

For more about Moscow, Saint Petersburg and the beautiful Russian Metro, read my posts:

GOLD TRAIN Magical Setting: Moscow, Russia
Tsars, Oligarchs and Imperial Treasure: ST.PETERSBURG, RUSSIA
GOLD TRAIN: Amazing Russian Metro
The World of Russian Trains and My Childhood Memories

Born in Russia, Lada Ray is a writer, internationally certified feng shui master practitioner, world traveler, linguist, investor, nature/animal lover and spirituality and metaphysics researcher.

She is the author of the Jade Snow International Adventure Series, includingGOLD TRAIN, a mystery thriller, set in Russia and based on true historic events; Stepford USA, a psychological mystery thriller; Green Desert, a Jade Snow novella. The upcoming books include Dragon Gate, the next Jade Snow adventure, set in Asia, and The Earth Shifter, exciting YA fantasy thriller.

Visit Lada’s website:  http://www.LadaRay.com

Blog:  http://LadaRay.wordpress.com

Bookstore:  http://www.ladaray.com/book-store.html

Copyright 2012 Lada Ray. All rights reserved.

2012 Predictions Update: French Elections and Eurozone

I am interrupting my GOLD TRAIN BLOG TOUR today for an update on my predictions for the French Presidential Elections, April 22 – May 6, 2012.

On January 12, 2012 I posted YEAR 2012 PREDICTIONS on this blog. Included were the “big three” elections for the so called Year of Elections, namely Russia, France and USA.

Read the original post: Year 2012 Predictions

The Russian Presidential Elections have already taken place on March 4. Vladimir Putin won the elections in the exact way and with the exact percentage of votes I predicted. But I’ll brag about that on another occasion

After all, this post is all about French Elections.

As a reminder to my readers, I do not belong to any political party and consider myself a political atheist. My analysis is based on observation, logic, intuition and the Ancient Chinese System of Long Cycles (CSLC).

Nicolas Sarkozy

So, here’s what I said on January 12, 2012 regarding the incumbent French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his chances to win another term:

“France, Presidential Elections, April 22-May 6, 2012: French President Nicolas Sarkozy, together with Angela Merkel of Germany (whose re-election is not until 2013, and I’ll talk about her chances on another occasion) will do everything in their power to reassure the Europeans and the markets in 2012, and will pull a rabbit out of the hat, if necessary. Watch for various announcements from the Eurozone, directed at flooding the system with cheap money, more bailouts, etc.

However, the Eurozone crisis will deepen, with more countries teetering on the brink of collapse, and French elections will happen at the most inopportune time for Sarkozy.

Openly right wing and considered the only neo-con able to win the election, he’s deeply disliked in his country, and will lose.

Again, in case anyone’s wondering, Sarkozy’s Chinese Zodiac sign is the HORSE. Maybe, that’s why the long face. 

Just kidding, all you, fabulous Horses, out there! The Horse is a very cool and fortunate sign!”

I have also posted an update on March 3, the day before the Russian Elections, in which I updated my outlook for Putin’s chances, as well as Sarkozy’s outlook.

Here is what I said:

“French elections, April 22 – May 6, 2012 – Nicolas Sarkozy.

U.S. State Department code name: Emperor Without Clothes.

At this time, no change in my prediction. He’ll still lose the election – more emphatically so!”

Read the 3/3/12 update: 2012 Predictions Update: Russian Elections

So what’s happening in the French Presidential Elections? So far, it’s playing out exactly as I predicted. Nicolas Sarkozy only received 26.5 percent of votes in the first round and finished a humiliating second for an incumbent. Socialist Francois Hollande received over 27.5 percent, and far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen, the rising star of French politics, finished third with a surprise 18 percent!

Francois Hollande

In the second round Sarkozy and Hollande will be vying for the votes of the third and fourth finish candidates.

My updated prediction:

In a very funny twist, I am predicting that in the second round socialist Hollande (left) will take some of Marine Le Pen’s (far right) votes, along with the fourth place finisher votes (far left).

Seemingly, it doesn’t make any sense. But: The vote for Hollande is a vote against Sarkozy. This is a protest vote, pure and simple. Because, as I said in my January 2012 prediction: “[Sarkozy is] deeply disliked in his country and [that's why he] will lose.” The French simply don’t want another five years with him.

In addition to Sarkozy’s ineffectual domestic policies and his foreign policy that is both too America-centered and too bellicose for the liking of the French electorate, there is also another reason. As mentioned before, the crisis in the EU continues to deepen and that spells disaster for the incumbent Euro leaders. So far, 9 governments have been ousted due to the European crisis, including Greek, Italian and Dutch. There are more to come. For Sarkozy, this spells the perfect storm.

CONCLUSION:

On May 6, Nicolas Sarkozy will lose the election (which, based on his reaction after the first round has been a surprise only to him, but no one else). The next President of France, breaking with the long standing French tradition of allowing a president 2 terms in the office, will be… Francois Hollande.

Most importantly, with the new man at the helm, the direction of French politics will undergo a certain change. There will be SOME change in the French attitude towards the EU and Eurozone. However, I wouldn’t expect TOO MUCH of a change at this time. Real change will come later, but predictions about that – in another post.

Some change to the emigration policy from the poor countries, which is a big problem in many European countries, as well as in Russia. The European countries will attempt to coordinate their emigration policies and certain border controls will be introduced very soon. But the emigration mess will take a very long time to sort out.

Perhaps most notably, with the new president France will change some of its foreign policy. For one, France will stop playing, forgive the expression, “The French poodle” to the US foreign policy, the role it’s been playing during Sarkozy’s neocon tenure. France will re-acquire its more independent stance on foreign affairs, which it used to enjoy under various other presidents since Charles De Gaulle. And hopefully, France’s policy will acquire a more peaceful flavor, as support for invasions and bombings of other countries wanes.

General Charles De Gaulle

In conclusion, I also want to mention that if Francois Hollande fails to fulfill these deep seated hopes of his electorate, the French people will likely vote him out of the office five years from now.

Marine Le Pen

In that case, Marine Le Pen, the rising star of the French politics, emphisizing pride in France, its roots and culture; anti-emigration and inti-war policies, is likely to win the following elections in 2017.

The next 2012 Predictions update is coming in May, after the French elections.

Stay tuned!

Lada Ray

Copyright 2012 Lada Ray