investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--Hertz admits its stock is worthless, as it planned to sell half a billion dollars of new shares

Are you ready for this week ’ s absurdity ?
Here ’ s our roll-up of the most ridiculous stories from around the world that are threats to your liberty , risks to your prosperity… and on occasion , inspiring poetic justice .
Eight year old boy arrested for asking if he could buy candy with fake money At a parade in Switzerland , fake money was thrown around for children to collect .
The obviously fake cash is called “ spirit money.
” Featuring Chinese symbols , it is meant as an offering to the dead so they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year old Swiss boy later asked a shop clerk if he could use the play money to buy candy .
To be clear , the kid did not try to trick the shopkeeper , or pass off the money as real .
A normal person would laugh , and politely explain that only central banks are allowed to use fake money .
Instead , this shopkeeper opted to call the police .
Again , a reasonable officer could have stopped it all there .
Instead , the boy and his ten year old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Police took their mugshots , but did not charge them with a crime .
Police did however search the family ’ s home , where police found some other play money .
These cops essentially confiscated Monopoly money , as if they were busting a counterfeiting operation .
Click here to read the full story .
Police called over BB-gun in background during virtual class Due to Covid-19 lockdowns , plenty of schools have been holding virtual video classes .
In one class , someone on the call took a picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen .
It showed him in his bedroom with a BB gun in the background .
This anonymous snitch told the Principal , who compared this to bringing a weapon to school .
Yeah that makes sense– because a Boy Scout with a BB gun in his room is totally the same thing as a school shooter .
Then the school administration became involved , and alerted the police department .
Police went to the family ’ s home to search for an unsecured weapon .
If there is any silver lining to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concluded no laws had been broken , and left .
Just a reminder to be wary who you might be inviting into your child ’ s bedroom .
And if you ’ re already a member of our premium service Sovereign Man : Confidential , this might be a good time to check out our recent alert about homeschooling .
Click here to read the full story .
Hertz admits its stock is worthless , as it planned to sell half a billion dollars of new shares The rental car company Hertz is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday in an SEC filing that the company would sell an additional $ 500 million worth of new shares .
And the bankruptcy judge in the case approved !
Hertz then openly admitted that the stock would almost certainly soon be worthless .
That ’ s because as Hertz goes through bankruptcy , senior debt holders will be paid back before the common stockholders .
But that hasn ’ t stopped people from buying the worthless stock , apparently hoping to “ buy the dip ” .
But after the plan received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the SEC– Hertz decided to drop the plan .
Click here to read the full story .
US National debt increased by nearly $ 1 trillion in the last month In the past 30 days , the United States national debt has increased by nearly $ 1 trillion– screaming past $ 26.2 trillion total , or 128 % of GDP .
That means the US government is borrowing over $ 23 million per MINUTE .
But that ’ s just the last 30 days .
The US government has gone nearly $ 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That is over $ 9,000 for every man , woman , and child living in the United States .
And all you received was a $ 1200 check… Now the “ Save our Country Coalition ” has penned a letter to Congress stating that the federal budget is dangerously close to $ 10 trillion this fiscal year .
On an inflation adjusted basis , that means the government will spend more fighting Covid than it spent fighting every single 20th century war– plus the 21st century Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan– COMBINED @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , World War II , The Korean War , The Vietnam War , The Gulf War , The Iraq War , and the War in Afghanistan combined , does not add up to this fiscal year ’ s budget .
Click here to read the full story .
On another note… We think gold could DOUBLE and silver could increase by up to 5 TIMES in the next few years .

by Simon Black of Sovereign Man
Are you ready for this week’s absurdity? Here’s our roll-up of the most ridiculous stories from around the world that are threats to your liberty, risks to your prosperity… and on occasion, inspiring poetic justice.
Eight year old boy arrested for asking if he could buy candy with fake money
At a parade in Switzerland, fake money was thrown around for children to collect.
The obviously fake cash is called “spirit money.” Featuring Chinese symbols, it is meant as an offering to the dead so they can prosper in the afterlife.
An eight year old Swiss boy later asked a shop clerk if he could use the play money to buy candy. To be clear, the kid did not try to trick the shopkeeper, or pass off the money as real.
A normal person would laugh, and politely explain that only central banks are allowed to use fake money.
Instead, this shopkeeper opted to call the police.
Again, a reasonable officer could have stopped it all there.
Instead, the boy and his ten year old brother were taken to the police station. Police took their mugshots, but did not charge them with a crime.
Police did however search the family’s home, where police found some other play money.
These cops essentially confiscated Monopoly money, as if they were busting a counterfeiting operation.
Click here to read the full story.
Police called over BB-gun in background during virtual class
Due to Covid-19 lockdowns, plenty of schools have been holding virtual video classes.
In one class, someone on the call took a picture of an 11 year old boy’s screen. It showed him in his bedroom with a BB gun in the background.
This anonymous snitch told the Principal, who compared this to bringing a weapon to school.
Yeah that makes sense– because a Boy Scout with a BB gun in his room is totally the same thing as a school shooter.
Then the school administration became involved, and alerted the police department.
Police went to the family’s home to search for an unsecured weapon.
If there is any silver lining to this story it’s that police concluded no laws had been broken, and left.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Just a reminder to be wary who you might be inviting into your child’s bedroom.
And if you’re already a member of our premium service Sovereign Man: Confidential, this might be a good time to check out our recent alert about homeschooling.
Click here to read the full story.
Hertz admits its stock is worthless, as it planned to sell half a billion dollars of new shares
The rental car company Hertz is going through bankruptcy.
But Hertz announced Monday in an SEC filing that the company would sell an additional $500 million worth of new shares. And the bankruptcy judge in the case approved!
Hertz then openly admitted that the stock would almost certainly soon be worthless. That’s because as Hertz goes through bankruptcy, senior debt holders will be paid back before the common stockholders.
But that hasn’t stopped people from buying the worthless stock, apparently hoping to “buy the dip”.
But after the plan received a little too much attention– and questions from the SEC– Hertz decided to drop the plan.
Click here to read the full story.
US National debt increased by nearly $1 trillion in the last month
In the past 30 days, the United States national debt has increased by nearly $1 trillion– screaming past $26.2 trillion total, or 128% of GDP.
That means the US government is borrowing over $23 million per MINUTE.
But that’s just the last 30 days. The US government has gone nearly $3 trillion further into debt since March 1.
That is over $9,000 for every man, woman, and child living in the United States. And all you received was a $1200 check…
Now the “Save our Country Coalition” has penned a letter to Congress stating that the federal budget is dangerously close to $10 trillion this fiscal year.
On an inflation adjusted basis, that means the government will spend more fighting Covid than it spent fighting every single 20th century war– plus the 21st century Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan– COMBINED.
The cost of World War I, World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Gulf War, The Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan combined, does not add up to this fiscal year’s budget.
Click here to read the full story.
On another note… We think gold could DOUBLE and silver could increase by up to 5 TIMES in the next few years.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--The President Said Foreign Nations are Rigging Our 2020 Election, Printing Ballots ETC…

“ RIGGED 2020 ELECTION : MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES , AND OTHERS .
IT @ @ @ @ @ OUR TIMES !
” “ Because of MAIL-IN BALLOTS , 2020 will be the most @ @ @ @ @ history – unless this stupidity is ended .
We voted during World War One & @ @ @ @ @ problem , but now they are using Covid in order to cheat by using Mail-Ins @ @

“RIGGED 2020 ELECTION: MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, AND OTHERS. IT WILL BE THE SCANDAL OF OUR TIMES!”
RIGGED 2020 ELECTION: MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, AND OTHERS. IT WILL BE THE SCANDAL OF OUR TIMES! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2020
“Because of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, 2020 will be the most RIGGED Election in our nations history – unless this stupidity is ended. We voted during World War One & World War Two with no problem, but now they are using Covid in order to cheat by using Mail-Ins!”
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Because of MAIL-IN BALLOTS, 2020 will be the most RIGGED Election in our nations history – unless this stupidity is ended. We voted during World War One & World War Two with no problem, but now they are using Covid in order to cheat by using Mail-Ins! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2020
h/t SS


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--CALIFORNIA: Three Men in Thousand Oaks Arrested for Vandalizing Black Lives Matter Sign — Que Alanis

CALIFORNIA: Three Men in Thousand Oaks Arrested for Vandalizing Black Lives Matter Sign — Que Alanis Morisette

Three Men in Thousand Oaks Arrested for Vandalizing Black Lives Matter Sign — While Hundreds of Violent BLM Activists Continue to Rip Down US Statues without Consequence Three men in Thousand Oaks , California were caught on camera vandalizing a Black Lives Matter flag .
The owner put up a surveillance camera to catch the vandals of his sign .
One of the villains is a sheriff ’ s office employee .
The three men were ARRESTED for vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign !
Meanwhile — Black Lives Matter leftists continue to smash , vandalize and tear down US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign in Thousand Oaks vandalized by employees of Ventura County sheriff ’ s and DA ’ s office Detectives recognized 60-year-old Darrin Stone — an employee of the Sheriff ’ s Office since 2005 — in images the owner posted of the vandalism online .
Stone was captured on camera slashing the sign with a knife on June 13 , and he is also accused of slashing the sign a second time on June 19 , officials said .
Detectives conducted an investigation and issued Stone a misdemeanor citation for vandalism .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pending both a criminal and administrative investigation , according to the Sheriff ’ s Office .
Stone is a service technician at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura , official said .
He was off-duty at the time of both incidents .

Three Men in Thousand Oaks Arrested for Vandalizing Black Lives Matter Sign — While Hundreds of Violent BLM Activists Continue to Rip Down US Statues without Consequence
Three men in Thousand Oaks, California were caught on camera vandalizing a Black Lives Matter flag.
The owner put up a surveillance camera to catch the vandals of his sign.
One of the villains is a sheriff’s office employee.
The three men were ARRESTED for vandalizing a Black Lives Matter sign!
Meanwhile — Black Lives Matter leftists continue to smash, vandalize and tear down US statues without consequence.
www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/06/three-men-thousand-oaks-arrested-vandalizing-black-lives-matter-sign-hundreds-violent-blm-goons-continue-rip-us-statues-without-consequence/
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Black Lives Matter sign in Thousand Oaks vandalized by employees of Ventura County sheriff’s and DA’s office
Detectives recognized 60-year-old Darrin Stone — an employee of the Sheriff’s Office since 2005 — in images the owner posted of the vandalism online. Stone was captured on camera slashing the sign with a knife on June 13, and he is also accused of slashing the sign a second time on June 19, officials said.
Detectives conducted an investigation and issued Stone a misdemeanor citation for vandalism. He was also placed on paid administrative leave, pending both a criminal and administrative investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Stone is a service technician at the Pre-Trial Detention Facility in Ventura, official said. He was off-duty at the time of both incidents.
ktla.com/news/black-lives-matter-sign-in-thousand-oaks-vandalised-by-sheriffs-and-das-employees/
h/t CrsCrpr


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--“WhoColor”, a browser extension that highlights which editors make which edits on Wikipedia pages. I

“WhoColor”, a browser extension that highlights which editors make which edits on Wikipedia pages. Invaluable for tracking the biases and hidden agendas of those anonymous scoundrels!

Did you know Wikipedia is governed by just 500 active administrators , whose real identity in many cases remains unknown @ @ @ @ @ shown that 80 % of all Wikipedia content is written by just 1 % of @ @ @ @ @ again amounts to just a few hundred mostly unknown people .
Obviously , such a @ @ @ @ @ susceptible to corruption and manipulation , the notorious “ paid editors ” hired by corporations @ @ @ @ @ To add at least some degree of transparency , German researchers have developed a free @ @ @ @ @ that lets readers color code just who edited what in Wikipedia .
It relies on @ @ @ @ @ .
Once you have that installed , select “ create new script ” and under @ @ @ @ @ paste the code from here : whocolor.user.js More detailed install and usage instructions found at @ @ @ @

by clemaneuverers
Did you know Wikipedia is governed by just 500 active administrators, whose real identity in many cases remains unknown?
Moreover, studies have shown that 80% of all Wikipedia content is written by just 1% of all Wikipedia editors, which again amounts to just a few hundred mostly unknown people.
Obviously, such a non-transparent and hierarchical structure is susceptible to corruption and manipulation, the notorious “paid editors” hired by corporations being just one example.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
To add at least some degree of transparency, German researchers have developed a free web browser tool called WikiWho that lets readers color code just who edited what in Wikipedia.
It relies on the tampermonkey or greasemonkey extension. Once you have that installed, select “create new script” and under user script, copy and paste the code from here: whocolor.user.js
More detailed install and usage instructions found at the WikiWho page.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--The Money Behind BLM

The Money Behind BLM

Take a well researched , factual deep dive into the money interests that are funding BLM .
From grassroots movement @ @ @ @ @ Well worth the watch .

Take a well researched, factual deep dive into the money interests that are funding BLM. From grassroots movement to organized political machine. Well worth the watch.
Juiciest Part – www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jznWeGHj3o&feature=youtu.be&t=900
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Bob


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--Trump mentions the military industrial complex (First President since JFK)

I ’ m not claiming that Trump is not corrupt like all politicians are but everyone has to admit that @ @ @ @ @ that has not waged wars and actively chooses to push for peace .
Look at @ @ @ @ @ Iran .
NO WARS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS

I’m not claiming that Trump is not corrupt like all politicians are but everyone has to admit that he is the only president that has not waged wars and actively chooses to push for peace. Look at North Korea. Look at Iran. NO WARS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS
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h/t Soft_Bandicoot


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--Everything We are Seeing is Happening on a Global Scale

What we are all witnessing is the Mystery of Babylon in Revelation 17 .
It ’ s a world wide @ @ @ @ @ and my life mean nothing to these demonic orchastraitors .
“ Dutch police allowed # @ @ @ @ @ for 3 weeks .
Today , working class Dutch families came out to protest against @ @ @ @ @ business .
Brutally beaten down by the police # Malieveld21juni .
”

What we are all witnessing is the Mystery of Babylon in Revelation 17. It’s a world wide globalist system and your life and my life mean nothing to these demonic orchastraitors.
“Dutch police allowed #BlackLivesMatter to protest without interruption for 3 weeks. Today, working class Dutch families came out to protest against coronavirus lockdown measures impacting their business. Brutally beaten down by the police #Malieveld21juni.”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Dutch police allowed #BlackLivesMatter to protest without interruption for 3 weeks. Today, working class Dutch families came out to protest against coronavirus lockdown measures impacting their business. Brutally beaten down by the police #Malieveld21juni pic.twitter.com/gGww7spizv — BasedPoland (@BasedPoland) June 21, 2020
h/t SouthSide


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--Scientists warn: Antibodies your body makes to fight the coronavirus don’t last long

( Natural News ) Antibodies that can supposedly grant immunity from COVID-19 have been the linchpin of many strategies to fight the ongoing pandemic .
A new study , however , looks to put a damper on those plans .
Published on the journal Nature Medicine , this new study suggests that antibodies that the immune system produces against the coronavirus may last only two to three months .
Antibodies that can fight other coronaviruses , such as those that cause SARS and MERS , are thought to last for about a year .
Based on this , scientists were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( SARS-CoV-2 ) would last at least as long .
Chinese researchers looked at 37 asymptomatic people and compared them to an equal number of people who had symptoms from the Wanzhou District in central China .
Several studies have shown that people who are most visibly ill with COVID-19 develop antibodies against the disease .
This new study , however , is the first to look at the immune response of asymptomatic people .
The researchers found that the asymptomatic people did produce antibodies ; however , their immune response was weaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More importantly , the antibody levels fell to undetectable levels in 40 percent of asymptomatic people , compared to just 13 percent of those who had symptoms .
While the study shows that antibody levels dropped quickly , especially in asymptomatic people , several experts cautioned that this doesn ’ t necessarily mean that people can get infected a second time .
These experts pointed out that the researchers did not into account the protection offered by immune cells that may fight the coronavirus on their own or produce new antibodies when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shown that the coronavirus triggers a cellular immune response , that is both robust and protective .
“ Most people are generally not aware of T cell immunity , and so much of the conversation has focused on antibody levels , ” said Columbia University virologist Angela Rasmussen .
Aside from virus-killing T cells , infected people also make so-called memory B cells , which can rapidly ramp up antibody production should they detect the coronavirus again .
The results of the study cast doubt on the proposal for “ immunity passports ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , have proposed .
With “ immunity passports , ” people who have been confirmed to have immunity against the coronavirus , either through antibody testing or because they ’ ve recovered from the disease , will be allowed to return to normal life .
The idea is that this would allow businesses to return to normal and economies to recover without having to risk a second wave of the disease — everyone who ’ s up and about should theoretically already be immune .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of “ herd immunity.
” This concept relies on having a large enough portion of the general populace be immune to SARS-CoV-2 , that it ’ s unable to spread to those who don ’ t have immunity .
Based on the study , however , these ideas won ’ t work since it implies that people don ’ t retain their immunity for very long .
Other studies do show that the immune systems of people who ’ ve recovered may be able to fight off the virus through other means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to just rely on these , especially as scientists still have much to learn about the disease .
Perhaps , a more responsible approach to the ongoing pandemic would be to focus on protecting people from catching the disease in the first place , providing people with protective equipment while testing and isolating those who ’ ve already caught it .

by: Franz Walker
(Natural News) Antibodies that can supposedly grant immunity from COVID-19 have been the linchpin of many strategies to fight the ongoing pandemic. A new study, however, looks to put a damper on those plans.
Published on the journal Nature Medicine, this new study suggests that antibodies that the immune system produces against the coronavirus may last only two to three months.
Antibodies don’t last that long
Antibodies that can fight other coronaviruses, such as those that cause SARS and MERS, are thought to last for about a year. Based on this, scientists were hoping that antibodies against the Wuhan coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) would last at least as long.
Chinese researchers looked at 37 asymptomatic people and compared them to an equal number of people who had symptoms from the Wanzhou District in central China.
Several studies have shown that people who are most visibly ill with COVID-19 develop antibodies against the disease. This new study, however, is the first to look at the immune response of asymptomatic people.
The researchers found that the asymptomatic people did produce antibodies; however, their immune response was weaker than in those who developed symptoms.
More importantly, the antibody levels fell to undetectable levels in 40 percent of asymptomatic people, compared to just 13 percent of those who had symptoms.
Other experts question the study
While the study shows that antibody levels dropped quickly, especially in asymptomatic people, several experts cautioned that this doesn’t necessarily mean that people can get infected a second time.
These experts pointed out that the researchers did not into account the protection offered by immune cells that may fight the coronavirus on their own or produce new antibodies when they detect the virus.
Studies have already shown that the coronavirus triggers a cellular immune response, that is both robust and protective.
“Most people are generally not aware of T cell immunity, and so much of the conversation has focused on antibody levels,” said Columbia University virologist Angela Rasmussen.
Aside from virus-killing T cells, infected people also make so-called memory B cells, which can rapidly ramp up antibody production should they detect the coronavirus again.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Current immunity strategies may need rethinking
The results of the study cast doubt on the proposal for “immunity passports” that many experts, including those in the World Health Organization (WHO), have proposed.
With “immunity passports,” people who have been confirmed to have immunity against the coronavirus, either through antibody testing or because they’ve recovered from the disease, will be allowed to return to normal life.
The idea is that this would allow businesses to return to normal and economies to recover without having to risk a second wave of the disease — everyone who’s up and about should theoretically already be immune.
Another idea that the study shoots down is that of “herd immunity.” This concept relies on having a large enough portion of the general populace be immune to SARS-CoV-2, that it’s unable to spread to those who don’t have immunity.
Based on the study, however, these ideas won’t work since it implies that people don’t retain their immunity for very long.
Other studies do show that the immune systems of people who’ve recovered may be able to fight off the virus through other means; however, it would be reckless to just rely on these, especially as scientists still have much to learn about the disease.
Perhaps, a more responsible approach to the ongoing pandemic would be to focus on protecting people from catching the disease in the first place, providing people with protective equipment while testing and isolating those who’ve already caught it.
Sources include:
Futurism.com
NYTimes.com
ScienceDirect.com
WHO.int


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--It’s Hard To Go Broke By Underestimating The Stupidity Of The Woke:

President Trump warned in 2017 that statues of U.S .
Founding Fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson might @ @ @ @ @ years ahead of attacks on such statues this month .
Back then , “ Last @ @ @ @ @ Oliver mocked the president for his grim prediction .
WATCH : John Oliver mocked Trump @ @ @ @ @ and Jefferson statues would fall .

John Oliver mocked Trump in 2017 for predicting removal of
Washington, Jefferson statues
President Trump warned in 2017 that statues of U.S. Founding
Fathers such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson might
someday be removed — three years ahead of attacks on such
statues this month.
Back then, “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver mocked the
president for his grim prediction.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
WATCH: John Oliver mocked Trump in 2017 for suggesting Washington and Jefferson statues would fall.
2017: So-called comedian John Oliver mocks President @realDonaldTrump for suggesting statues of Washington and Jefferson would be next. Trump was right. pic.twitter.com/wV5SkslFMw — Yaakov Pollak (@Yanky_Pollak) June 21, 2020
h./t GR


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--Media Begging For A “Second Wave”

Media Begging For A “Second Wave”

The media is churning out countless alarmist stories each day about the threat of COVID-19 and the dangers of societal reopening .
“ Risk of new lockdown rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave , ” writes Reuters , as one example of the genre .
These stories generally incite , rather than inform .
They cherry-pick facts and lack context .
Only when the COVID picture is viewed in perspective are people able to make wise decisions about their actions .
It should be safe for society to continue broadly reopening while directing resources to specific at-risk populations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are more vulnerable .
The media has focused on increasing numbers of positive tests and hospitalizations in parts of the country to imply reopening is reckless .
Yet this perspective omits several essential facts .
First , testing capacity has dramatically increased .
The U.S. has tested 3.4 million people over the last week — about 40 % more than the weekly numbers one month ago .
It ’ s no surprise that positive cases have increased in some areas along with testing , especially since numerous antibody studies suggest that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought .
We are witnessing a new infectious disease , and these case count ebbs and flows are to be expected .
In a country as vast and varied as the U.S. , there will likely be COVID hotspots somewhere .
Yet focusing on these in national news gives the impression that the country , or even individual states , are in far more danger than in reality .
Even with a significant increase in testing , the number of new positive tests nationally has remained flattened as society has reopened .
Topline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearly half of COVID deaths have occurred in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities .
A sizeable portion of Arizona cases has occurred on Indian reservations .
We ’ d prefer that at-risk populations didn ’ t bear the brunt of this disease , but these vulnerable groups tell us nothing about the relative safety of reopening Main Street .
By lacking this context in their stories , the media is distorting with statistics .
Numerous news outlets are featuring rising COVID hospitalizations in some states to indicate a second wave .
Admittedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure of disease severity than positive tests .
Often left unsaid , however , is that hospitalizations are falling in most states .
Wouldn ’ t it be more helpful to cite these statistics in context ?
Even in the states with rising hospitalizations , media stories about percentage increases often exaggerate the threat when increases occur from low baseline figures .
For instance , numerous stories highlight how Arkansas ’ s COVID hospital admissions have increased by 121 % since Memorial Day .
Sounds bad , until you look at the raw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only amounts to 111 patients .
Likely for political reasons , the media has identified Florida as the leading edge of a second wave .
“ Floridians flattened the COVID curve .
Then , amid upbeat talk , the numbers began to rise , ” reads a Miami Herald headline .
Yet the data shows that new positive cases in Florida have tracked the increase in testing .
Over the last month , hospitalizations have increased by about 50 % , or just over 4,300 patients ( in a state of 22 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of daily COVID deaths in the state has fallen considerably , by about one-third from May 10 , using a seven-day rolling average .
This rise and fall in cases , hospitalizations , and deaths is precisely what one expects with a new infectious disease as we learn more and adjust .
It ’ s part of “ the dance ” that we all knew was coming after the curve was flattened .
It shouldn ’ t be used to justify pausing societal reopening , so long as appropriate precautions are encouraged and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate flattened , hospitalizations falling in most of the country , and deaths significantly reduced .
That ’ s the positive story that the media should tell .
Even if it won ’ t get as many clicks .
Thomas Price M.D .
is the former HHS Secretary and a senior healthcare fellow at the Job Creators Network .
C.L .
Gray M.D .
is the president and founder of Physicians for Reform and a partner of the Job Creators Network .

Authored by Thomas Price, M.D. & C.L. Gray, M.D. via RealClearPolitics.com,
The media is churning out countless alarmist stories each day about the threat of COVID-19 and the dangers of societal reopening. “Risk of new lockdown rises with fear of second COVID-19 wave,” writes Reuters, as one example of the genre.
These stories generally incite, rather than inform. They cherry-pick facts and lack context. Only when the COVID picture is viewed in perspective are people able to make wise decisions about their actions. It should be safe for society to continue broadly reopening while directing resources to specific at-risk populations, such as nursing homes and prisons, which are more vulnerable.
The media has focused on increasing numbers of positive tests and hospitalizations in parts of the country to imply reopening is reckless.
“Confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by double-digit percentages in 16 U.S. states that have gradually loosened restrictions since Memorial Day,” says Marketwatch.
Yet this perspective omits several essential facts.
First, testing capacity has dramatically increased. The U.S. has tested 3.4 million people over the last week — about 40% more than the weekly numbers one month ago. It’s no surprise that positive cases have increased in some areas along with testing, especially since numerous antibody studies suggest that the disease is far more widespread than initially thought. We are witnessing a new infectious disease, and these case count ebbs and flows are to be expected.
In a country as vast and varied as the U.S., there will likely be COVID hotspots somewhere. Yet focusing on these in national news gives the impression that the country, or even individual states, are in far more danger than in reality. Even with a significant increase in testing, the number of new positive tests nationally has remained flattened as society has reopened.
Topline case counts overlook where outbreaks are occurring. Nearly half of COVID deaths have occurred in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. A sizeable portion of Arizona cases has occurred on Indian reservations. We’d prefer that at-risk populations didn’t bear the brunt of this disease, but these vulnerable groups tell us nothing about the relative safety of reopening Main Street. By lacking this context in their stories, the media is distorting with statistics.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Numerous news outlets are featuring rising COVID hospitalizations in some states to indicate a second wave. Admittedly, hospital admissions are a more objective measure of disease severity than positive tests. Often left unsaid, however, is that hospitalizations are falling in most states. Wouldn’t it be more helpful to cite these statistics in context?
Even in the states with rising hospitalizations, media stories about percentage increases often exaggerate the threat when increases occur from low baseline figures. For instance, numerous stories highlight how Arkansas’s COVID hospital admissions have increased by 121% since Memorial Day. Sounds bad, until you look at the raw numbers, which reveal that this increase only amounts to 111 patients.
Likely for political reasons, the media has identified Florida as the leading edge of a second wave. “Floridians flattened the COVID curve. Then, amid upbeat talk, the numbers began to rise,” reads a Miami Herald headline. Yet the data shows that new positive cases in Florida have tracked the increase in testing. Over the last month, hospitalizations have increased by about 50%, or just over 4,300 patients (in a state of 22 million people). Yet, the number of daily COVID deaths in the state has fallen considerably, by about one-third from May 10, using a seven-day rolling average.
This rise and fall in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths is precisely what one expects with a new infectious disease as we learn more and adjust. It’s part of “the dance” that we all knew was coming after the curve was flattened. It shouldn’t be used to justify pausing societal reopening, so long as appropriate precautions are encouraged and taken.
Reopening remains a success , with the positive case rate flattened, hospitalizations falling in most of the country, and deaths significantly reduced. That’s the positive story that the media should tell. Even if it won’t get as many clicks.
* * *
Thomas Price M.D. is the former HHS Secretary and a senior healthcare fellow at the Job Creators Network. C.L. Gray M.D. is the president and founder of Physicians for Reform and a partner of the Job Creators Network.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-22--Is It 1999 or 2007? Retail Investors Flood The Market.

Is it 1999 or 2007 ?
Retail investors flood the market as speculation grows rampant with a palpable exuberance and belief of no downside risk .
What could go wrong ?
Do you remember this commercial ?
The Etrade commercial aired during Super Bowl XLI in 2007 .
The following year , the financial crisis set in , markets plunged , and investors lost 50 % , or more , of their wealth .
However , this wasn ’ t the first time it happened .
The same thing happened in late 1999 .
This commercial was aired 2-months shy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” bust as investors once again believed “ investing was as easy as 1-2-3.
” Why this trip down memory lane ?
( Other than the fact the commercials are hilarious to watch . )
Because this is typical of the exuberance seen at the peaks of bull market cycles .
So , what are the signs we are seeing today .
• Retail investors are chasing bankrupt companies like Hertz and Chesapeake Energy • Hertz , a company in bankruptcy , is issuing stock with a disclaimer the shares are likely worthless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no experience .
Investing is simple .
Just pick some letters out of a Srabble bag , buy it , and it goes up .
Its so easy a “ baby can do it.
” Or in this case , it like “ stealing from the rich to give to the poor.
” Just like we saw in 1999 and 2008 , “ day trading ” has had a resurgence from “ message boards ” on AOL to live blogs and video feeds on social media .
The irony is that Robinhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rich.
” In reality , they are “ getting rich by stealing from the poor.
” As is always the case , there is no “ free lunch , ” as Robinhood bundles orders and then “ sells ” the flows to major hedge funds for profit .
Those hedge funds then “ front run ” the “ Robinhooders ” taking advantage of their trading .
( If this wasn ’ t massively profitable for hedge funds they wouldn ’ t pay millions for the data . )
These “ newbie ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fundamentals , earnings , estimates , products or market values , but rather talking up stocks driven by pure momentum .
Robinhood makes the “ research ” even easier by posting the top holdings of its users .
They are then leveraging what cash they have through option contracts and margin debt to boost their buying power .
The problem with options is that when you are wrong , you can lose 100 % of your investment .
The problem with margin is that when you are wrong , you can lose more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , given the current belief by “ daytraders ” that there is no downside risk , then why not leverage up and “ get rich quick ?
” After all , in this “ new paradigm ” of “ no risk ” investing there are only two rules : But this is the nature of what happens in a late-stage bull market cycle .
This was a point I discussed in “ Was March A Bear Market ?
” Given the trend was never broken , valuations were never reversed , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extinguished , the “ bull market ” remains intact .
The markets quick recovery from the March lows further bolstered the “ speculative greed ” in the market which has now manifested itself in current behaviors .
The risk , however , is the economic recession which will impair the fundamentals of the markets over the next several quarters making it harder to justify current valuations .
As I noted in the chart above , the current rally could be part of a bigger “ topping ” process which may take young traders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Market To Break ?
As noted by Mish Shedlock recently , the Federal Reserve itself has noted six downside risks to the markets and the economy .
The biggest risk , is the 6th point where massive increases in debts and deficits retard long-term economic growth .
In today ’ s market the majority of investors are simply chasing performance .
Think about it this way .
If you were playing a hand of poker , and were dealt a “ pair of deuces , ” would you push all your chips to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course , not .
The reason is you intuitively understand the other factors “ at play.
” Even a cursory understanding of the game of poker suggests other players at the table are probably holding better hands which will lead to a rapid reduction of your wealth .
Investing , ultimately , is about managing the risks which will substantially reduce your ability to “ stay in the game long enough ” to “ win.
” Robert Hagstrom , CFA penned a piece discussing the differences between investing and speculation : Chasing markets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is simply a bet on prices going higher rather than determining if the price being paid for those assets are selling at a discount to fair value .
Benjamin Graham , along with David Dodd , attempted a precise definition of investing and speculation in their seminal work Security Analysis ( 1934 ) .
There is also very important passage in Graham ’ s The Intelligent Investor : Regardless of whether you believe fundamentals will ever matter again is largely irrelevant .
What is important is that periods of excess speculation always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dave Portnoy has garnered a legion of followers .
However , Dave ’ s financial future is quite secure after he sold his company to Penn National for $ 450 million .
So , when things go wrong in the market , he will be just fine financially .
However , for the host of inexperienced , over-confident , millennials who follow him , many have the financial livelihoods on the line .
I get it .
If you are one of our younger readers , who have never been through an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t believe what I am telling you either .
However , after living through the Crash of ’ 87 , managing money through 2000 and 2008 , and navigating the “ Great Crash of 2020 , ” I can tell you the signs are all there .
A real bear market will happen .
When ?
I don ’ t have a clue .
But it will be an unexpected , exogenous event that triggers the selling .
It always appears easiest at the top .
More importantly , at bottoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to buy stocks .

by Lance Roberts
Is it 1999 or 2007? Retail investors flood the market as speculation grows rampant with a palpable exuberance and belief of no downside risk. What could go wrong?
Do you remember this commercial?
The Etrade commercial aired during Super Bowl XLI in 2007. The following year, the financial crisis set in, markets plunged, and investors lost 50%, or more, of their wealth.
However, this wasn’t the first time it happened.
The same thing happened in late 1999. This commercial was aired 2-months shy of the beginning of the “Dot.com” bust as investors once again believed “investing was as easy as 1-2-3.”
Why this trip down memory lane? (Other than the fact the commercials are hilarious to watch.) Because this is typical of the exuberance seen at the peaks of bull market cycles.
So, what are the signs we are seeing today.
Retail investors are chasing bankrupt companies like Hertz and Chesapeake Energy
Hertz, a company in bankruptcy, is issuing stock with a disclaimer the shares are likely worthless.
Investors chasing companies with extremely poor fundamentals.
Investing tips coming from individuals with no experience.
$RTX comes out of the scrabble bag. Smush letters and buy it. Give it a try Ron, you might not bankrupt your clients. #DDTG pic.twitter.com/semLRi6yBF — Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 19, 2020
Investing is simple. Just pick some letters out of a Srabble bag, buy it, and it goes up.
Its so easy a “baby can do it.”
Or in this case, it like “stealing from the rich to give to the poor.”
Retail Investors Go Robinhood
As Barron’s recently noted:
“Free trading app Robinhood has added more than three million retail accounts in 2020, and now has over 13 million. The median age of its retail customer is 31. The Covid-19 lockdowns and the plunge in markets in March persuaded millions of new investors to open accounts. Some of the action appears to be from people who would otherwise be gambling or betting on sports—both of which were shut down.”
Just like we saw in 1999 and 2008, “day trading” has had a resurgence from “message boards” on AOL to live blogs and video feeds on social media.
“The new generation tends to convene on social media. Beyond TikTok, retail investors chat on forums like Reddit and Twitter, sharing internet memes and jokes about stocks, and even posting self-deprecating charts showing their worst losses. A former Goldman Sachs partner, Joseph Mauro, joked on Twitter that his son’s friends are never free anymore to play videogames during the day because they’re too busy trading stocks. “He is 10,” Mauro added.”
The irony is that Robinhood really isn’t “stealing from the rich.” In reality, they are “getting rich by stealing from the poor.” As is always the case, there is no “free lunch,” as Robinhood bundles orders and then“sells” the flows to major hedge funds for profit. Those hedge funds then “front run” the “Robinhooders” taking advantage of their trading. (If this wasn’t massively profitable for hedge funds they wouldn’t pay millions for the data.)
Retail Discovers A New “Toy”
These “newbie” retail investors are not trading based on fundamentals, earnings, estimates, products or market values, but rather talking up stocks driven by pure momentum. Robinhood makes the “research” even easier by posting the top holdings of its users.
They are then leveraging what cash they have through option contracts and margin debt to boost their buying power.
Google search trends for "call options" and "day trading" is pretty telling: pic.twitter.com/C3mjoAOEv1 — Jesse Felder (@jessefelder) June 10, 2020
The problem with options is that when you are wrong, you can lose 100% of your investment.
The problem with margin is that when you are wrong, you can lose more than 100% of your investment.
However, given the current belief by “daytraders” that there is no downside risk, then why not leverage up and “get rich quick?”
Speculative Fervor in U.S. Stocks Surges to ‘Stunning’ Levels t.co/xv9G5zdSSA pic.twitter.com/GbsLObPuWP — Jesse Felder (@jessefelder) June 9, 2020
After all, in this “new paradigm” of “no risk” investing there are only two rules:
A lot of people are asking me if Airlines and Cruises will go up tomoroew. My answer is see tenet #1 of the #DDTG playbook 1. Stocks only go up
2. When in doubt whether to buy or sell see Rule #1 — Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) June 7, 2020
But this is the nature of what happens in a late-stage bull market cycle.
Still In A Bull Market
“But we had a 35% selloff in March, how can we be in a late stage bull market?”
This was a point I discussed in “Was March A Bear Market?”
“Such brings up an interesting question. After a decade-long bull market, which stretched prices to extremes above long-term trends, is the 20% measure still valid? To answer that question, let’s clarify the premise. A bull market is when the price of the market is trending higher over a long-term period.
is when the price of the market is trending higher over a A bear market is when the previous advance breaks, and prices begin to trend lower.
This distinction is important. “Corrections” generally occur over very short time frames, do not break the prevailing trend in prices, and are quickly resolved by markets reversing to new highs.
“Bear Markets” tend to be long-term affairs where prices grind sideways or lower over several months as valuations are reverted.
Given the trend was never broken, valuations were never reversed, and “speculative greed” wasn’t extinguished, the “bull market” remains intact.
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Topping Process
The markets quick recovery from the March lows further bolstered the “speculative greed” in the market which has now manifested itself in current behaviors.
The risk, however, is the economic recession which will impair the fundamentals of the markets over the next several quarters making it harder to justify current valuations. As I noted in the chart above, the current rally could be part of a bigger “topping” process which may take young traders by surprise.
I have noted the market may be in the process of a topping pattern. The 2018 and 2020 peaks are currently forming the “left shoulder” and “head” of the topping process. Such would also suggest the “neckline” is the running bull trend from the 2009 lows. A market peak without setting a new high that violates the bull trend line would define a “bear market.”
What Could Cause The Market To Break?
As noted by Mish Shedlock recently, the Federal Reserve itself has noted six downside risks to the markets and the economy.
“In its semiannual monetary report to the Senate Finance Committee the Fed warns of six downside risks. The risks are not spread evenly. Low wage earners and small businesses are particularly vulnerable. Please consider the Fed’s Monetary Policy Report to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and to the House Committee on Financial Services. The report is 66 pages long and is full of interesting charts and comments. Let’s start with Powell’s statement on risk: ‘Despite aggressive fiscal and monetary policy actions, risks abroad are skewed to the downside.’ Six Downside Risks The future progression of the pandemic remains highly uncertain. The collapse in demand may ultimately bankrupt many businesses. Unlike past recessions, services activity has dropped more sharply than manufacturing—with restrictions on movement severely curtailing expenditures on travel, tourism, restaurants, and recreation and social-distancing requirements and attitudes may further weigh on the recovery in these sectors. Disruptions to global trade may result in a costly reconfiguration of global supply chains. Persistently weak consumer and firm demand may push medium- and longer-term inflation expectations well below central bank targets. Additional expansionary fiscal policies— possibly in response to future large-scale outbreaks of COVID-19—could significantly increase government debt and add to sovereign risk.”
The biggest risk, is the 6th point where massive increases in debts and deficits retard long-term economic growth.
“Before the “Financial Crisis,” the economy had a linear growth trend of real GDP of 3.2%. Following the 2008 recession, the growth rate dropped to the exponential growth trend of roughly 2.2%. Instead of reducing the debt problems, unproductive debt, and leverage increased.”
Retail “Investor” Or “Speculator?”
In today’s market the majority of investors are simply chasing performance.
But, this isn’t “investing,” it’s “speculation.”
Think about it this way.
If you were playing a hand of poker, and were dealt a “pair of deuces,” would you push all your chips to the center of the table?
Of course, not.
The reason is you intuitively understand the other factors “at play.” Even a cursory understanding of the game of poker suggests other players at the table are probably holding better hands which will lead to a rapid reduction of your wealth.
Investing, ultimately, is about managing the risks which will substantially reduce your ability to “stay in the game long enough” to “win.”
Robert Hagstrom, CFA penned a piece discussing the differences between investing and speculation:
“Philip Carret, who wrote The Art of Speculation (1930), believed “motive” was the test for determining the difference between investment and speculation. Carret connected the investor to the economics of the business and the speculator to price. ‘Speculation,’ wrote Carret, ‘may be defined as the purchase or sale of securities or commodities in expectation of profiting by fluctuations in their prices.’”
Chasing markets is the purest form of speculation. It is simply a bet on prices going higher rather than determining if the price being paid for those assets are selling at a discount to fair value.
Graham & Dodd
Benjamin Graham, along with David Dodd, attempted a precise definition of investing and speculation in their seminal work Security Analysis (1934).
“An investment operation is one which, upon thorough analysis, promises safety of principal and a satisfactory return. Operations not meeting these requirements are speculative.”
There is also very important passage in Graham’s The Intelligent Investor:
“The distinction between investment and speculation in common stocks has always been a useful one and its disappearance is a cause for concern. We have often said that Wall Street as an institution would be well advised to reinstate this distinction and to emphasize it in all its dealings with the public. Otherwise the stock exchanges may some day be blamed for heavy speculative losses, which those who suffered them had not been properly warned against.”
Surviving The Game
Regardless of whether you believe fundamentals will ever matter again is largely irrelevant. What is important is that periods of excess speculation always end the same way.
For now, Dave Portnoy has garnered a legion of followers. However, Dave’s financial future is quite secure after he sold his company to Penn National for $450 million. So, when things go wrong in the market, he will be just fine financially. However, for the host of inexperienced, over-confident, millennials who follow him, many have the financial livelihoods on the line.
I get it. If you are one of our younger readers, who have never been through an actual “bear market,” I wouldn’t believe what I am telling you either.
However, after living through the Crash of ’87, managing money through 2000 and 2008, and navigating the “Great Crash of 2020,” I can tell you the signs are all there.
A real bear market will happen. When? I don’t have a clue. But it will be an unexpected, exogenous event that triggers the selling.
It always appears easiest at the top.
More importantly, at bottoms, retail investors will not be wanting to buy stocks.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--Truly amazing! The #NASDAQ 100 Index is up almost 18% since the start of this year. Did cook announc

Truly amazing! The #NASDAQ 100 Index is up almost 18% since the start of this year. Did cook announce i-covid vaccine?

Truly amazing !
The # NASDAQ 100 Index is up almost 18 % since the start of this year .
@ @ @

Truly amazing! The #NASDAQ 100 Index is up almost 18% since the start of this year. #Covid19 pic.twitter.com/CzEw5H7Qaz — jeroen blokland (@jsblokland) June 23, 2020
$AAPL 371 – did cook announce i-covid vaccine? — Alastair Williamson (@StockBoardAsset) June 23, 2020
Apple is the new Bitcoin 😉#hodl — Reminiscences of an American Capitalist (@4Awesometweet) June 23, 2020
Second largest by market cap: pic.twitter.com/uKHtacODjP — Jesse Felder (@jessefelder) June 23, 2020
This is a traders market. Fundamental based investors should stay away. — Hoz (@Hoz94s) June 23, 2020
FAANGM, also known as 24% of the $SPX, looking like they want to go parabolic… pic.twitter.com/bcDbzbFfzI — Gilmo Report (@gilmoreport) June 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--CALIFORNIA REPORTS BIGGEST DAILY JUMP IN VIRUS CASES… ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF

CALIFORNIA REPORTS BIGGEST DAILY JUMP IN VIRUS CASES… ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES GLOBAL SUSPENSION OF CRUISING

US 7-Day Average Of Coronavirus Cases Surges 30 % From Week Ago – CNBC t.co/aOFwyWkV6Q Deaths follow cases with a @ @ @ @ @ rising at day 100 .
By July 4th , deaths should start climbing .
Sad @ @ @

US 7-Day Average Of Coronavirus Cases Surges 30% From Week Ago – CNBC t.co/aOFwyWkV6Q
Deaths follow cases with a 24d delay. Cases started rising at day 100. By July 4th, deaths should start climbing. Sad reality. pic.twitter.com/y4ENF41lOy
— Anil (@anilvohra69) June 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--A V-Shaped Recovery In Housing?

A V-Shaped Recovery In Housing?

The economy as a whole certainly hasn ’ t fully recovered from this recession , but some housing stats already have .
The housing market came into this recession in fantastic shape and is coming out of it right where it left off .
Housing ’ s strength supports the theory that whatever caused the previous recession is the most likely to do well in the next cycle .
This is similar to how tech has had monster returns ever since the 2007-09 recession because it catalyzed the 2001 recession .
Massive weakness leads to better practices and only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to say what will be strong after this current recession because no sector caused it .
The leisure and hospitality industry was dealt a blow , but there weren ’ t enough failures to compare it to the past 2 recessions .
The other possibility is energy .
These firms dealt with very low oil & gas prices .
The MBA housing applications index in the week of June 12th was amazing again .
Weekly growth in the composite index was 8 % which followed 9.3 % growth the prior week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing 11 % the prior week .
This is due to the exceedingly low 30 year fixed rate .
The average rate in the week of June 18th was 3.13 % which was a record low .
The fear and uncertainty which is causing investors to pile into the long treasury bond is boosting housing demand .
Refinances provide a nice decline in monthly expenses for home owners with a mortgage .
We ’ re more concerned with purchases since buying a home signals that person ’ s economic situation is strong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out loans .
Banks have a record amount of cash because of government stimulus and because of the high uncertainty .
Retail customers saved at a 33 % clip in April which was a record high .
People have had less products and services to spend money on as checking accounts with less than $ 5,000 now have 40 % more money in them than before the pandemic .
The PPP money also went to banks accounts .
Essentially , this is the opposite of a banking crisis as banks have more cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record $ 865 billion increase in deposits in April as the chart above shows ( that size of an increase never occurred in one year ) .
As you can see from the chart above , home purchase applications hit a new cycle high .
This is already more than a V-shaped recovery as the index is at an 11 year high .
The banks should lend to a qualified buyers as certainty improves .
As of May , standards were still tightening as the chart below shows .
The mortgage credit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tightening ) .
That being said , the housing demand that temporarily went away in March and April is back .
It looks like very few people who were considering buying a home before the pandemic gave up on the idea .
They just delayed the purchased .
The purchase applications index was up 4 % weekly after increasing 5 % the previous week .
Yearly growth was 8 % .
Obviously , one of the biggest problems with buying a house in a pandemic is being able to go out and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see from the chart below , real estate showings are back now that the economy is mostly reopened .
The current weekly average is above last year ’ s average .
When the economy is fully reopened and more people are comfortable , we might see showings spike even further .
Besides the banking system and the consumer , the housing market is important because of its impact on GDP growth .
The Dow Jones Homebuilders index reflects the improvement in this part of the economy .
It ’ s up 81 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May housing starts report was weak .
High demand and a small increase in supply means higher prices which eventually increases supply .
The chart below shows the drop in inventory across major metro areas .
This implies housing starts have room to increase .
There were 974,000 housing starts in May which was up from 934,000 in April and missed estimates for 1.1 million .
Housing permits were 1.22 million which was up from 1.066 million which slightly missed estimates for 1.25 million .
The initial period after the worst of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home improvement as people worked on improving their homes since they couldn ’ t go out .
Home Depot stock is now up 12 % year to date , wildly outperforming the S & P 500 ’ s 4 % loss .
Whenever something new happens , people speculate on what this means for the long term .
Optimistic stock investors , for instance , are completely looking past the economic impact of the virus .
Many have been wondering for weeks if people will leave cities .
Remember , the virus worries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work from home .
According to realtor.com , searches for houses in suburban zip codes are up 13 % which doubled the growth rate in cities .
Over half of the top 100 cities are seeing increased interest in the suburbs .
That being said , cities are more likely to have COVID-19 restrictions which would temporarily discourage people from buying houses there .
As you can see from the chart above , contracts to buy Manhattan co-ops fell 80 % and condo deals fell 83 % .
However , the lockdown outlawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Realistically , this type of decline won ’ t continue .
This data is emblematic of a market that isn ’ t working .
We ’ ll see a better picture in June as phase 2 of the reopening started Monday .
New York City is a great case study because this is the hardest hit area by COVID-19 .
If its real estate market recovers , markets in all cities will also recover .
The MBA purchase applications data suggests a full V-shaped recovery in housing .
If deposits are so strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stocks are weak .
It ’ s because rates are so low .
Default rates could increase and lending can ’ t possibly match the spike in deposits .
Despite this mostly great housing data , 30 % of Americans missed housing payments in June according to Apartment List , which is an online rental platform .
It ’ s quite amazing that amidst this great rush to buy houses due to low rates , 37 % of renters and 26 % of homeowners are at least somewhat worried they will face eviction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amazingly correlates with the euphoria in stock buying despite the decline in the fundamentals .
Finally , we have some initial data on housing , but it ’ s way to soon to say if there will be a mass exodus from cities .
According to our Twitter poll , 53 % of 75 followers said people will not move away from cities en masse because of COVID-19 ( 47 % said they would ) .

by UPFINA
The economy as a whole certainly hasn’t fully recovered from this recession, but some housing stats already have. The housing market came into this recession in fantastic shape and is coming out of it right where it left off. Housing’s strength supports the theory that whatever caused the previous recession is the most likely to do well in the next cycle. This is similar to how tech has had monster returns ever since the 2007-09 recession because it catalyzed the 2001 recession. Massive weakness leads to better practices and only the strongest firms surviving. It’s difficult to say what will be strong after this current recession because no sector caused it. The leisure and hospitality industry was dealt a blow, but there weren’t enough failures to compare it to the past 2 recessions. The other possibility is energy. These firms dealt with very low oil & gas prices.
11 Year High In Housing Purchase Applications
The MBA housing applications index in the week of June 12th was amazing again. Weekly growth in the composite index was 8% which followed 9.3% growth the prior week. Refinancing was up 10% weekly after increasing 11% the prior week. This is due to the exceedingly low 30 year fixed rate. The average rate in the week of June 18th was 3.13% which was a record low. The fear and uncertainty which is causing investors to pile into the long treasury bond is boosting housing demand. Refinances provide a nice decline in monthly expenses for home owners with a mortgage.
We’re more concerned with purchases since buying a home signals that person’s economic situation is strong and signals the lender is willing to give out loans. Banks have a record amount of cash because of government stimulus and because of the high uncertainty. Retail customers saved at a 33% clip in April which was a record high. People have had less products and services to spend money on as checking accounts with less than $5,000 now have 40% more money in them than before the pandemic. The PPP money also went to banks accounts. Essentially, this is the opposite of a banking crisis as banks have more cash than they can lend. There was a record $865 billion increase in deposits in April as the chart above shows (that size of an increase never occurred in one year).
Mortgage applications have surged to highest level since 2009, with 9 straight weeks of gains being boosted by ultra-low mortgage rates—which have dropped to low 3% range @MBAMortgage @Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/U4Oyep0ziS — Liz Ann Sonders (@LizAnnSonders) June 18, 2020
As you can see from the chart above, home purchase applications hit a new cycle high. This is already more than a V-shaped recovery as the index is at an 11 year high. The banks should lend to a qualified buyers as certainty improves. As of May, standards were still tightening as the chart below shows. The mortgage credit availability index fell 3.1% (falling is tightening). That being said, the housing demand that temporarily went away in March and April is back. It looks like very few people who were considering buying a home before the pandemic gave up on the idea. They just delayed the purchased. The purchase applications index was up 4% weekly after increasing 5% the previous week. Yearly growth was 8%.
Real Estate Showings Are Back
Obviously, one of the biggest problems with buying a house in a pandemic is being able to go out and see it in person. As you can see from the chart below, real estate showings are back now that the economy is mostly reopened. The current weekly average is above last year’s average. When the economy is fully reopened and more people are comfortable, we might see showings spike even further.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
More people are visiting homes for sale in the midst of a pandemic than they did last year. So much about the economy and human behavior right now is challenging assumptions we thought were obvious just a couple months ago. pic.twitter.com/VgvG87l1VF — Ensemble Capital (@IntrinsicInv) June 18, 2020
May Housing Starts & Permits
Besides the banking system and the consumer, the housing market is important because of its impact on GDP growth. The Dow Jones Homebuilders index reflects the improvement in this part of the economy. It’s up 81% since the March low. The May housing starts report was weak. High demand and a small increase in supply means higher prices which eventually increases supply. The chart below shows the drop in inventory across major metro areas. This implies housing starts have room to increase.
There were 974,000 housing starts in May which was up from 934,000 in April and missed estimates for 1.1 million. Housing permits were 1.22 million which was up from 1.066 million which slightly missed estimates for 1.25 million. The initial period after the worst of the COVID-19 crisis passed was a boon for home improvement as people worked on improving their homes since they couldn’t go out. Home Depot stock is now up 12% year to date, wildly outperforming the S&P 500’s 4% loss.
Leaving The City?
Whenever something new happens, people speculate on what this means for the long term. Optimistic stock investors, for instance, are completely looking past the economic impact of the virus. Many have been wondering for weeks if people will leave cities. Remember, the virus worries are combined with the increased ability to work from home. According to realtor.com, searches for houses in suburban zip codes are up 13% which doubled the growth rate in cities. Over half of the top 100 cities are seeing increased interest in the suburbs. That being said, cities are more likely to have COVID-19 restrictions which would temporarily discourage people from buying houses there.
As you can see from the chart above, contracts to buy Manhattan co-ops fell 80% and condo deals fell 83%. However, the lockdown outlawed face to face real estate showings. Realistically, this type of decline won’t continue. This data is emblematic of a market that isn’t working. We’ll see a better picture in June as phase 2 of the reopening started Monday. New York City is a great case study because this is the hardest hit area by COVID-19. If its real estate market recovers, markets in all cities will also recover.
Conclusion
The MBA purchase applications data suggests a full V-shaped recovery in housing. If deposits are so strong, you might be wondering why bank stocks are weak. It’s because rates are so low. Default rates could increase and lending can’t possibly match the spike in deposits. Despite this mostly great housing data, 30% of Americans missed housing payments in June according to Apartment List, which is an online rental platform.
It’s quite amazing that amidst this great rush to buy houses due to low rates, 37% of renters and 26% of homeowners are at least somewhat worried they will face eviction in the next 6 months. This amazingly correlates with the euphoria in stock buying despite the decline in the fundamentals. Finally, we have some initial data on housing, but it’s way to soon to say if there will be a mass exodus from cities. According to our Twitter poll, 53% of 75 followers said people will not move away from cities en masse because of COVID-19 (47% said they would).


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--American Express (AXP) First Major US Payment Processor to Operate in China

Been following AXP for a while now , and some good gains on 1/21/2021 calls when AXP went from $ @ @ @ @ @ Now AXP is back to under $ 100 .
I think if we get another @ @ @ @ @ ll be good to go in again .
Disclaimer : This information is only for @ @ @ @ @ make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own @ @ @

by yunhaila
Been following AXP for a while now, and some good gains on 1/21/2021 calls when AXP went from $100 to $114. Now AXP is back to under $100. I think if we get another red day, it’ll be good to go in again.
Positions: AXP 125c 1/21/2021
Sources:
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www.investors.com/news/amex-china-card-payments-central-bank/
pulse2.com/american-express-nyse-axp-china/
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--The Fed buying individual corporate bonds suddenly makes sense

I made a much smaller post about this in the discussion thread but wanted to ramble a little harder as I ’ ve thought more about this .
So I ’ ve been loling over the fact that KBE is a limp dick living a life of suffering in contrast to the market , when someone informed me that bank stress test results are coming out later this week .
It ’ s basically a measure intended to prevent a repeat of 2008 .
Banks are tested on their ability to survive an economic crisis , and if they fail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blow to their valuation and might have to deleverage ( which is more or less the goal , to prevent a debt crisis ) .
Rewind to like a week ago when journalists were saying that “ it makes no sense for the Fed to announce that they ’ re buying individual corporate bonds now , when the bond market is relatively flat/stable ” and acting like the move was weird and unnecessary .
In the context of an upcoming bank stress test , it makes way too much sense .
The amount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carries is a large factor in their ability to pass the stress test .
Buying corporate bonds would be a very direct way of decreasing a bank ’ s reported leverage and increasing their amount of reported cash .
It ’ s not overtly lying , but it ’ s also a bit scandalous , because it would essentially make banks temporary appear like they ’ re doing OK for the week so that they can pass the test and not have to consider deleveraging .
Even though it ’ s a terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ corporate debt in the middle of a recession , this is sort of in line with the Fed ’ s current “ kick the can down the road ” policy .
It wouldn ’ t be surprising if this is really what the Fed is doing , but it would be really interesting .
It could indicate a number of things : • The banks are heavily leveraged and not prepared to deal with a financial crisis .
• The central bank could be showing some signs of weakness in its ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its previous efforts and literal bond etf buying .
• We ’ re intentionally racking up a huge deficit simply to hide the deflationary reality of the economy .
So the economy is just sucking up whatever money the Fed gives it and needs continual monetary support as economic pressures burn it up .
It ’ s like the Fed is constantly paying hush money to the market to forget about the real economy , lol .
This one ’ s sort of been obvious all along , but it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cool if it leads to economic growth , but this ostensibly doesn ’ t .
Or I could just be overthinking it .
But this seems to make way more sense than the Fed just deciding for no reason to start buying individual corporate bonds .
Even simply the act of them announcing their plan to do this is in itself using up one of their cards , considering the bond market can rally simply off of news of these plans .
Deciding to just announce it willy nilly when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Disclaimer : This information is only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article .
Do you own due diligence .

by Unhealing
I made a much smaller post about this in the discussion thread but wanted to ramble a little harder as I’ve thought more about this. So I’ve been loling over the fact that KBE is a limp dick living a life of suffering in contrast to the market, when someone informed me that bank stress test results are coming out later this week. It’s basically a measure intended to prevent a repeat of 2008. Banks are tested on their ability to survive an economic crisis, and if they fail they’re going to take a blow to their valuation and might have to deleverage (which is more or less the goal, to prevent a debt crisis).
Rewind to like a week ago when journalists were saying that “it makes no sense for the Fed to announce that they’re buying individual corporate bonds now, when the bond market is relatively flat/stable” and acting like the move was weird and unnecessary. In the context of an upcoming bank stress test, it makes way too much sense. The amount of leverage vs. capital that a bank carries is a large factor in their ability to pass the stress test. Buying corporate bonds would be a very direct way of decreasing a bank’s reported leverage and increasing their amount of reported cash. It’s not overtly lying, but it’s also a bit scandalous, because it would essentially make banks temporary appear like they’re doing OK for the week so that they can pass the test and not have to consider deleveraging. Even though it’s a terrible economic plan to keep racking up risky corporate debt in the middle of a recession, this is sort of in line with the Fed’s current “kick the can down the road” policy.
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It wouldn’t be surprising if this is really what the Fed is doing, but it would be really interesting. It could indicate a number of things:
The banks are heavily leveraged and not prepared to deal with a financial crisis. The central bank could be showing some signs of weakness in its ability to keep banks liquid, even in spite of its previous efforts and literal bond etf buying. We’re intentionally racking up a huge deficit simply to hide the deflationary reality of the economy. So the economy is just sucking up whatever money the Fed gives it and needs continual monetary support as economic pressures burn it up. It’s like the Fed is constantly paying hush money to the market to forget about the real economy, lol. This one’s sort of been obvious all along, but it’s still the most pressing issue. Deficit’s cool if it leads to economic growth, but this ostensibly doesn’t.
Or I could just be overthinking it. But this seems to make way more sense than the Fed just deciding for no reason to start buying individual corporate bonds. Even simply the act of them announcing their plan to do this is in itself using up one of their cards, considering the bond market can rally simply off of news of these plans. Deciding to just announce it willy nilly when the bond market is stable makes no sense.
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--“This is a totalitarian political movement and someone needs to save the country from it.” —  @Tucke

“This is a totalitarian political movement and someone needs to save the country from it.” —  @TuckerCarlson

`` This is a totalitarian political movement and someone needs to save the country from it . ''
— @ @ @ @ @ @ that permits no one on left or right to escape accountability .
t.co/5hS5NHjlQR

"This is a totalitarian political movement and someone needs to save the country from it." — @TuckerCarlson with another must-watch monologue that permits no one on left or right to escape accountability. t.co/5hS5NHjlQR
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) June 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--BULLARD: NOT SEEING RISK ON SCALE OF TECH BUBBLE OR MID-2000S

Leaving this right here… BTW , shares in $ CSCO a real company with real revenues and profits collapsed in @ @ @ @ @ Disney in 1999 – which was a great company then – it would take 12 @ @ @ @ @ $ DIS another lesson — > great company does n't always equal great stock.t.co/z8IeIaBFfE pic.twitter.com/KyStvhja45

Leaving this right here… BTW, shares in $CSCO a real company with real revenues and profits collapsed in 2000-2002 pic.twitter.com/aY4b90ov60
If you bought Disney in 1999 – which was a great company then – it would take 12 years to break even. $DIS another lesson — > great company doesn't always equal great stock.t.co/z8IeIaBFfE pic.twitter.com/KyStvhja45
— Vitaliy Katsenelson (@vitaliyk) June 22, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--Investors turning bearish on the #dollar — not sure why if you look at the uncertain horizon…

Investors turning bearish on the # dollar — not sure why if you look at the uncertain horizon…

Investors turning bearish on the #dollar — not sure why if you look at the uncertain horizon…
Via @GoldmanSachs @SoberLook pic.twitter.com/y2aBA4yqUE
— Gregory Daco (@GregDaco) June 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--Coronavirus Impact On World Economy More Severe Than Previously Expected – German Council Of Economi

Coronavirus Impact On World Economy More Severe Than Previously Expected – German Council Of Economic Advisors

The Federal Reserve struck the right tone in its first pandemic-era economic outlook , suggesting years of extraordinary policy support @ @ @ @ @ slow and long slog back , according to a majority of economists in a Reuters @ @

CORONAVIRUS IMPACT ON WORLD ECONOMY MORE SEVERE THAN PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED – GERMAN COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS — *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaOne) June 23, 2020
How will consumers (and employers) respond to surging COVID cases across many of those parts of US that opened early? @ArborResHealth via @SoberLook pic.twitter.com/ik1e0X8NED — Adam Tooze (@adam_tooze) June 23, 2020
In the USofA, savings go into equities. That’s $1tln of fresh inflows from retail in 2020? t.co/ugBzGkkgMK — Guy LeBas (@lebas_janney) June 23, 2020
The Federal Reserve struck the right tone in its first pandemic-era economic outlook, suggesting years of extraordinary policy support for an economy facing a slow and long slog back, according to a majority of economists in a Reuters poll.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--Boris Johnson says England’s social distancing rule will be reduced from 2 meters to 1 meter from Ju

Boris Johnson says England’s social distancing rule will be reduced from 2 meters to 1 meter from July 4, allowing more businesses to reopen

BREAKING : Boris Johnson says England 's social distancing rule will be reduced from 2 meters to 1 meter from @ @ @ @ @ businesses to reopent.co/DLdQSHgEhw pic.twitter.com/0UwRJAqWPq

BREAKING: Boris Johnson says England's social distancing rule will be reduced from 2 meters to 1 meter from July 4, allowing more businesses to reopent.co/DLdQSHgEhw pic.twitter.com/0UwRJAqWPq
— Bloomberg Brexit (@Brexit) June 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--“Statues came down, then they renamed the street names, then changed school curriculum, then certain

“Statues came down, then they renamed the street names, then changed school curriculum, then certain tv shows and movies couldn’t be shown”

A woman from Venezuela posted this on TikTok .
She relates what ’ s going on in the US with @ @ @ @ @ socialist failure .
She said the exact things happened , the new leader basically wanted @ @ @ @ @ This seems to be the same steps that happen in most countries that end up @ @ @ @ @ , all those countries that were messed up never came back to normal .
And @ @ @ @ @ that go from crappy to being good .
You only see them go from good @ @ @ @ @ be that globalists are trying to knock down every country one by one ?
Until @ @ @ @ @ communist shithole and is so much easier to control ?

by mamaluigi007
A woman from Venezuela posted this on TikTok. She relates what’s going on in the US with what turned Venezuela into a socialist failure. She said the exact things happened, the new leader basically wanted to erase their history. This seems to be the same steps that happen in most countries that end up destabilized. If you notice, all those countries that were messed up never came back to normal. And you never see any countries that go from crappy to being good. You only see them go from good to bad. Could it be that globalists are trying to knock down every country one by one? Until the whole world is a communist shithole and is so much easier to control?
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streamable.com/18mmt9


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--‘Volunteer’ Hawaiians Turn “Paradise On Earth” Into An Island Of Snitches

Travel publications around the world have referred to the Hawaiian islands as “ paradise on earth ” .
But a much darker and more disturbing trend that was once relegated to the continental United States has taken Hawaii by storm .
Much has been written about NextDoor ’ s “ Karen ” problems of reporting on people of color , and now as AP News reports , ‘ volunteer ’ Hawaiian ’ s are turning suspected quarantine rule breakers into the police .
A former reporter named Angela Keen and her Facebook group of snitches spy on vacationer ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Her group of ‘ volunteer ’ snitches has spread across the Hawaiian islands , leading to the arrests of 35 vacationers so far .
Keen claims her group of “ sleuths ” is told not to approach potential violators and not to profile people because they look like outsiders .
Which is misleading on numerous levels .
For a place that bills itself as a vacationers paradise with hotels , restaurants , sightseeing tours and car , boat and helicopter rentals , it would be extremely easy for ‘ volunteers ’ to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a vacation and being arrested because a group of ‘ volunteers ’ sent your pictures , license plate information and whatever else they could find about you and your family to the police .
I know some of you will say this great , if people ignore the 14 day quarantine why shouldn ’ t ‘ volunteers ’ report them .
But looking at the bigger picture reveals a much more disturbing issue .
For one thing police can use Keen ’ s group of volunteers and other groups across the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do without a warrant .
( I ’ m looking at you NextDoor . )
In the continental U.S. bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen only if they agree to snitch on customers .
The Department of Homeland Security and the city of New Orleans are creating a “ new normal ” by forcing bars and restaurants to collect customers personal information .
“ We know everyone is eager to reopen .
It ’ s not going back to normal ; it ’ s what we ’ re calling ‘ the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not the date that drives not only the decision but the phased approach to reopen the City of New Orleans .
Today , we are outlining what those guidelines will be for the City , ” said Mayor Latoya Cantrell .
Law enforcement is using bars and restaurants to record detailed lists of customers private information .
And now in Hawaii , police are encouraging a volunteer group to monitor vacation rentals , record vacationers comings and goings , record their rental vehicle license plates and look into their social media accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteers ’ or private citizens are giving police all the information they have collected , providing a loophole for police so they can not be sued .
It also has an added benefit of not being discoverable , meaning police do not have to disclose how they got the information .
Combine all of this and it it becomes painfully obvious that police can use these groups to circumvent our Bill of Rights .
When a police spokeswoman attempts to justify ‘ voluntarily ’ spying on vacationers everyone should take notice .
Being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snitching on neighbors as a way to keep the community safe .
And it certainly is not a justification for doing an end run around the Constitution .
Does a pandemic automatically make it OK for police to use volunteers to surveil people of color or monitor vacationers without a warrant ?
I for one , do not want to see a group of “ Karens ” turn Hawaii into a mirror-image of mainland America .

by mapi
Travel publications around the world have referred to the Hawaiian islands as “paradise on earth”. But a much darker and more disturbing trend that was once relegated to the continental United States has taken Hawaii by storm.
Much has been written about NextDoor’s “Karen” problems of reporting on people of color, and now as AP News reports, ‘volunteer’ Hawaiian’s are turning suspected quarantine rule breakers into the police.
A former reporter named Angela Keen and her Facebook group of snitches spy on vacationer’s social media pages looking for incriminating pictures.
“When members of her Facebook group spot tourists posting about their beach trips on social media, Keen zeroes in on photos for clues like license plate numbers she can run down and distinctive furnishings she can match up with vacation rental listings.”
Her group of ‘volunteer’ snitches has spread across the Hawaiian islands, leading to the arrests of 35 vacationers so far.
“So far, volunteer sleuths with her group Hawaii Quarantine Kapu Breakers — kapu can mean rules in Hawaiian — has helped find about 13 people on Oahu and 22 people on the Big Island who were later arrested by police, Keen said. Members on other islands assisted with other cases that led to arrests, she said.” (To see a depressing 90 minute video of what Angela Keen’s group has done click here.)
Keen claims her group of “sleuths” is told not to approach potential violators and not to profile people because they look like outsiders. Which is misleading on numerous levels.
For a place that bills itself as a vacationers paradise with hotels, restaurants, sightseeing tours and car, boat and helicopter rentals, it would be extremely easy for ‘volunteers’ to identify vacationers.
Imagine going to Hawaii for a vacation and being arrested because a group of ‘volunteers’ sent your pictures, license plate information and whatever else they could find about you and your family to the police.
“The group also tracked down visitors who had rented a Mustang through a company that loans out private owners’ vehicles. When arriving at the airport, they listed the car owner’s address as where they would spend quarantine, but the group found them at a short-term vacation rental in Waikiki.”
I know some of you will say this great, if people ignore the 14 day quarantine why shouldn’t ‘volunteers’ report them. But looking at the bigger picture reveals a much more disturbing issue.
For one thing police can use Keen’s group of volunteers and other groups across the country to do things they could not normally do without a warrant. (I’m looking at you NextDoor.)
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
In the continental U.S. bars and restaurants are allowed to reopen only if they agree to snitch on customers.
The Department of Homeland Security and the city of New Orleans are creating a “new normal” by forcing bars and restaurants to collect customers personal information.
“We know everyone is eager to reopen. It’s not going back to normal; it’s what we’re calling ‘the new normal.’ It will be the data and not the date that drives not only the decision but the phased approach to reopen the City of New Orleans. Today, we are outlining what those guidelines will be for the City,” said Mayor Latoya Cantrell.
Law enforcement is using bars and restaurants to record detailed lists of customers private information. And now in Hawaii, police are encouraging a volunteer group to monitor vacation rentals, record vacationers comings and goings, record their rental vehicle license plates and look into their social media accounts.
Remember in Hawaii and elsewhere ‘volunteers’ or private citizens are giving police all the information they have collected, providing a loophole for police so they cannot be sued. It also has an added benefit of not being discoverable, meaning police do not have to disclose how they got the information.
Combine all of this and it it becomes painfully obvious that police can use these groups to circumvent our Bill of Rights.
When a police spokeswoman attempts to justify ‘voluntarily’ spying on vacationers everyone should take notice.
“As a small community here in Hawaii, it takes everybody to be able to keep everybody safe,” she said. “You know, some people say, ‘Oh, you’re snitching on people,’ but that’s not how you see it. It’s seen it as the fact that you want to keep the community safe,” Lt. Audra Sellers, a Maui police spokeswoman said.
Being an island community still does not justify snitching on neighbors as a way to keep the community safe. And it certainly is not a justification for doing an end run around the Constitution.
Does a pandemic automatically make it OK for police to use volunteers to surveil people of color or monitor vacationers without a warrant?
I for one, do not want to see a group of “Karens” turn Hawaii into a mirror-image of mainland America.


investmentwatchblog--2020-06-23--CLOWN WORLD: Cancel The 4th Of July — Because Racism

Viewers are asked to sign a pledge from the American Principles Project “ to the history which places America ’ s , ” to “ uphold America ’ s founding principles ” in the Declaration of Independence , and to promote “ equality under the law.
” The “ 1619 Project ” has been adopted in over 1,000 schools across the country , including in Washington , D.C. , according to the executive director of the American Principles Project Terry Schilling .
The American Principles Project wanted to “ take the ‘ 1619 Project ’ to its logical conclusion , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founding was not a good thing , and that it was a hypocritical lie at the outside , ” Schilling told the Daily Caller .
“ If that ’ s what you actually believe , then should we celebrate the Fourth of July ?
” The goal of the advertisement was to get politicians to answer the question of whether or not the U.S. should celebrate Independence Day , because many have supported the “ 1619 Project , ” he added .
To defend America ’ s founding date as July 4th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which places America ’ s founding in 1619 ; To uphold America ’ s founding principles as written in the Declaration of Independence : “ that all men are created equal , that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights , that among these are Life , Liberty , and the pursuit of Happiness ” ; And to promote America ’ s bedrock standard of equality under the law .

‘Cancel The Fourth’: Conservative Group Releases Ad Targeting 1619 Project
Viewers are asked to sign a pledge from the American Principles Project “to reject the revisionist history which places America’s founding in 1619 ,” to “uphold America’s founding principles” in the Declaration of Independence, and to promote “equality under the law.”
The “1619 Project” has been adopted in over 1,000 schools across the country, including in Washington, D.C., according to the executive director of the American Principles Project Terry Schilling.
The American Principles Project wanted to “take the ‘1619 Project’ to its logical conclusion,” which is that “the American founding was not a good thing, and that it was a hypocritical lie at the outside,” Schilling told the Daily Caller. “If that’s what you actually believe, then should we celebrate the Fourth of July?”
The goal of the advertisement was to get politicians to answer the question of whether or not the U.S. should celebrate Independence Day, because many have supported the “1619 Project,” he added.
dailycaller.com/2020/06/22/cancel-fourth-july-conservative-ad-targeting-1619-project/
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APP: Cancel the 4th of July?
Sign the Pledge: Defend America’s Founding
I PLEDGE:
To defend America’s founding date as July 4th, 1776;
To reject the revisionist history which places America’s founding in 1619;
To uphold America’s founding principles as written in the Declaration of Independence: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”;
And to promote America’s bedrock standard of equality under the law.
americanprinciplesproject.org/petitions/sign-the-pledge-defend-americas-founding/
h/t CrsCrpr