investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Minneapolis to give $2 million to help beleaguered property owners pay for exorbitant demolition and

Minneapolis to give $2 million to help beleaguered property owners pay for exorbitant demolition and cleanup costs

( Natural News ) In order to speed up the demolition , cleanup and reconstruction of 16 different properties destroyed by the engineered George Floyd riots , Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that the city will be providing $ 2 million in grants to help property owners , many of whom have to spend six figures for their property .
The program comes after many property owners reported in August how companies were charging them with exorbitant demolition and cleanup fees .
Their situation was made worse by the fact that many of their insurance policies cap demolition reimbursement at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While this helps , local news outlet Star Tribune reports that dozens of businesses are receiving bids for $ 200,000 to $ 300,000 .
In some cases , the cost of the demolition is the same as the actual value of the property , if not higher .
Contractors blamed the costs on too much red tape put on their business by the local and state governments , such as the policy requiring construction companies to treat all debris from burned-out buildings as hazardous .
“ We aren ’ t taking advantage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CEO of Rachel Contracting .
“ Some people might have sticker shock , but how do they know ?
Most of these folks have never had to wreck a building.
” The massive price tag of demolition is causing Minneapolis and Saint Paul ’ s reconstruction efforts to stall , and many parts of the Twin Cities still look the same several months after they were burned down by Antifa and Black Lives Matter .
( Related : “ Where are the police ?
” Anti-police Minneapolis City Council begs department to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting to defund and abolish the police . )
“ I think that this is price gouging , ” said Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins , vice president of the Minneapolis City Council , which is filled almost entirely with Democrats , save for one councilmember who belongs to the Green Party .
“ They should contact the attorney general .
This is a symbol of capitalism run amok.
” Members of the Democrat-controlled state House of Representatives proposed the creation of a $ 300 million fund to cover the rebuilding of uninsured properties that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this proposal stalled when the state Senate , controlled by the Republican Party , opposed putting the undue burden of rebuilding Minneapolis and Saint Paul on taxpayers .
The property owners of Minneapolis may soon breathe a sigh of relief .
Find out why by listening to this episode of the Health Ranger Report , a podcast by Mike Adams , the Health Ranger , as he talks about how rioters may soon be slapped with charges of sedition and insurrection .
Mayor Frey said that individual property owners eligible for the grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 170,000 to help them pay for demolition and cleanup costs that are not covered by their insurance policies .
These funds will come from a combination of different sources , primarily the federal Community Development Block Grant ( CDBG ) .
“ We know that the rubble we ’ ve seen in some areas leads to public health concerns , ” said Frey .
“ It leads to public safety concerns .
And it inhibits economic growth and development from ultimately happening.
” Steve Poor , director of the Development Services Division @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Economic Development agency , said that the city will be sending out notices to the 16 property owners eligible for the grant money by the end of the week .
Many property owners were surprised by the news that some of them would be receiving grants .
Many stated that the city had never contacted them before to discuss their concerns regarding rebuilding and the surging costs .
“ It didn ’ t seem like anybody cared , ” said James Tindall , Jr. , who owns a small retail store that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tindall had previously planned to just let his burned-out shop sit there , especially when he received a bid to tear down the property as well as an adjacent property for $ 250,000 .
According to Hennepin County property tax records , Tindall ’ s property is worth $ 238,500 .
Ruhel Islam , the owner of Gandhi Mahal , an Indian restaurant on East Lake Street , was delighted to hear that he qualified for assistance .
“ This is a big headache , ” he said .
“ Whatever insurance money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give to the city and let them figure it out.
” Islam said he received seven bids , ranging from $ 125,610 to $ 269,900 , and one of the low bidders told him that they were increasing their price for reasons that he could not understand .
Ade Alabi , whose property is right next to Islam ’ s , said that his insurer was keeping $ 400,000 of his money until he gets a release signed by the city stating that the debris in his property has been hauled away .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hire a contractor because the bids are too high .
“ If they give me $ 170,000 , that would help a lot .
It would be a pleasant surprise.
” Apart from the demolition and cleanup grant , the city is also planning to dole out $ 5 million for the Commercial Property Development Fund ( CPDF ) , a city loan program that supports businesses owned by people of color .
The money will be given in order to help these small business owners retain control of their properties .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that do not incur interest .
If the business owners retain control of their real estate after 40 years , the loan is forgiven .
“ These monies are to facilitate our black and indigenous communities of color , ” said Frey .
“ We can get them to be not just business owners but building owners .
This is an anti-gentrification measure.
” Frey further stated that nonprofit organizations working to benefit the residents of Minneapolis will be receiving an additional $ 4 million from JP Morgan Chase & Co .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many small business owners , many of whom come from immigrant and ethnic minority backgrounds .
Learn more about the damage to innocent lives and property being caused by the civil unrest by reading the articles at Rioting.news .

by: Arsenio Toledo
(Natural News) In order to speed up the demolition, cleanup and reconstruction of 16 different properties destroyed by the engineered George Floyd riots, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey announced that the city will be providing $2 million in grants to help property owners, many of whom have to spend six figures for their property.
The program comes after many property owners reported in August how companies were charging them with exorbitant demolition and cleanup fees. Their situation was made worse by the fact that many of their insurance policies cap demolition reimbursement at anywhere between $25,000 to $50,000. While this helps, local news outlet Star Tribune reports that dozens of businesses are receiving bids for $200,000 to $300,000. In some cases, the cost of the demolition is the same as the actual value of the property, if not higher.
Contractors blamed the costs on too much red tape put on their business by the local and state governments, such as the policy requiring construction companies to treat all debris from burned-out buildings as hazardous.
“We aren’t taking advantage of anybody,” said Don Rachel, CEO of Rachel Contracting. “Some people might have sticker shock, but how do they know? Most of these folks have never had to wreck a building.”
The massive price tag of demolition is causing Minneapolis and Saint Paul’s reconstruction efforts to stall, and many parts of the Twin Cities still look the same several months after they were burned down by Antifa and Black Lives Matter. (Related: “Where are the police?” Anti-police Minneapolis City Council begs department to stop surging crime rate three months after voting to defund and abolish the police.)
“I think that this is price gouging,” said Councilwoman Andrea Jenkins, vice president of the Minneapolis City Council, which is filled almost entirely with Democrats, save for one councilmember who belongs to the Green Party. “They should contact the attorney general. This is a symbol of capitalism run amok.”
Members of the Democrat-controlled state House of Representatives proposed the creation of a $300 million fund to cover the rebuilding of uninsured properties that were destroyed during the riots, but this proposal stalled when the state Senate, controlled by the Republican Party, opposed putting the undue burden of rebuilding Minneapolis and Saint Paul on taxpayers.
The property owners of Minneapolis may soon breathe a sigh of relief. Find out why by listening to this episode of the Health Ranger Report, a podcast by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, as he talks about how rioters may soon be slapped with charges of sedition and insurrection.
16 properties qualify for grant aid
Mayor Frey said that individual property owners eligible for the grant may receive anywhere between $100,000 to $170,000 to help them pay for demolition and cleanup costs that are not covered by their insurance policies.
These funds will come from a combination of different sources, primarily the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
“We know that the rubble we’ve seen in some areas leads to public health concerns,” said Frey. “It leads to public safety concerns. And it inhibits economic growth and development from ultimately happening.”
Steve Poor, director of the Development Services Division of the city’s Community Planning and Economic Development agency, said that the city will be sending out notices to the 16 property owners eligible for the grant money by the end of the week.
Many property owners were surprised by the news that some of them would be receiving grants. Many stated that the city had never contacted them before to discuss their concerns regarding rebuilding and the surging costs.
“It didn’t seem like anybody cared,” said James Tindall, Jr., who owns a small retail store that was burned down in the riots. Tindall had previously planned to just let his burned-out shop sit there, especially when he received a bid to tear down the property as well as an adjacent property for $250,000. According to Hennepin County property tax records, Tindall’s property is worth $238,500.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Ruhel Islam, the owner of Gandhi Mahal, an Indian restaurant on East Lake Street, was delighted to hear that he qualified for assistance. “This is a big headache,” he said. “Whatever insurance money I get, I am willing to give to the city and let them figure it out.”
Islam said he received seven bids, ranging from $125,610 to $269,900, and one of the low bidders told him that they were increasing their price for reasons that he could not understand.
Ade Alabi, whose property is right next to Islam’s, said that his insurer was keeping $400,000 of his money until he gets a release signed by the city stating that the debris in his property has been hauled away. Unfortunately, Alabi cannot afford to hire a contractor because the bids are too high.
“If they give me $170,000, that would help a lot. It would be a pleasant surprise.”
Apart from the demolition and cleanup grant, the city is also planning to dole out $5 million for the Commercial Property Development Fund (CPDF), a city loan program that supports businesses owned by people of color.
The money will be given in order to help these small business owners retain control of their properties. The loan money is structured as forgivable loans that do not incur interest. If the business owners retain control of their real estate after 40 years, the loan is forgiven.
“These monies are to facilitate our black and indigenous communities of color,” said Frey. “We can get them to be not just business owners but building owners. This is an anti-gentrification measure.”
Frey further stated that nonprofit organizations working to benefit the residents of Minneapolis will be receiving an additional $4 million from JP Morgan Chase & Co.
The engineered riots are ruining the lives of many small business owners, many of whom come from immigrant and ethnic minority backgrounds. Learn more about the damage to innocent lives and property being caused by the civil unrest by reading the articles at Rioting.news.
Sources include:
StarTribune.com
FoxBusiness.com
News.MinneapolisMN.gov
BizJournals.com


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Poll Panic at ABC News

Poll Panic at ABC News

RUSH : Grab sound bite number 2 .
I want to get this out .
There ’ s panic settling in .
Remember , folks — I ’ m the guy who told you back on September 15th — I ’ m the guy who told you , “ The events shaping the election haven ’ t happened yet.
” You pooh-poohed it .
“ Aw , come on , Rush .
It ’ s all baked in by now , ” and then we had the death of a Supreme Court justice and it just… It changed everything .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nothing the Democrats were planning on being an issue is an issue .
In addition to that , they ’ re panicking on ABC because Trump is now beginning to show leads in battleground states .
This is Robin Roberts and Cecilia Vega at ABC… ROBERTS : These debates , they ’ re vital in this presidential election because our new polling showing that the race still so close in key battleground states .
Is that the case ?
VEGA : Yeah , exactly .
We ’ ve got some new polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you now .
Uh , we ’ re talking about Arizona and Florida — VEGA : — states that Trump won back in 2016 , and right now it looks like the president has a slight edge among likely voters in both those states .
VEGA : In Florida , Biden , he ’ s got tepid support among Latinos right now , Robin , and the president , he ’ s really winning on the economy overall .
Voters overwhelmingly favor him to handle it over Joe Biden right now .
RUSH @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no !
Did you hear that ?
In polling , Trump has a slight edge among likely voters in their states .
Biden ’ s support is “ tepid among Latinos.
” Well , wait a minute .
I thought Biden was up eight , 10 , 12 , what have you .
Now in the… ?
( interruption ) I know .
Trump losing double digits here , double digits over there , single digits over here .
Now he ’ s leading in the battleground states ?
Whoa !
No kidding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t it ?

via rushlimbaugh:
RUSH: Grab sound bite number 2. I want to get this out. There’s panic settling in. Remember, folks — I’m the guy who told you back on September 15th — I’m the guy who told you, “The events shaping the election haven’t happened yet.” You pooh-poohed it.
“Aw, come on, Rush. It’s all baked in by now,” and then we had the death of a Supreme Court justice and it just… It changed everything. Now COVID’s not an issue. Nothing the Democrats were planning on being an issue is an issue. In addition to that, they’re panicking on ABC because Trump is now beginning to show leads in battleground states. This is Robin Roberts and Cecilia Vega at ABC…
ROBERTS: These debates, they’re vital in this presidential election because our new polling showing that the race still so close in key battleground states. Is that the case?
VEGA: Yeah, exactly. We’ve got some new polling in. Let me show it to you now. Uh, we’re talking about Arizona and Florida —
RUSH: Uh-oh!
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VEGA: — states that Trump won back in 2016, and right now it looks like the president has a slight edge among likely voters in both those states.
RUSH: Ohhhh-no!
VEGA: In Florida, Biden, he’s got tepid support among Latinos right now, Robin, and the president, he’s really winning on the economy overall. Voters overwhelmingly favor him to handle it over Joe Biden right now.
RUSH: Oh, no! Oh, no! Did you hear that? In polling, Trump has a slight edge among likely voters in their states. Biden’s support is “tepid among Latinos.” Well, wait a minute. I thought Biden was up eight, 10, 12, what have you. Now in the…? (interruption) I know.
Trump losing double digits here, double digits over there, single digits over here. Now he’s leading in the battleground states? Whoa! No kidding. That snuck up on everybody, didn’t it?


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Argentina is nearing economic collapse

Argentina is nearing economic collapse

Sometimes an economy can really stand out and in this instance I do not mean in a good way .
Let me give you an example where this week I have looked at the Bank of England with its official interest-rate of 0.1 % and the European Central Bank or ECB with its -0.5 % one .
This morning the Norges Bank of Norway has confirmed a 0 % rate and the Swiss National Bank one of -0.75 % .
The latter looks ever more permanent lasting as it has for over 5 years now .
But as a group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live except not everyone does .
We have looked at the problems of Argentina several times before but at this moment we simply note the interest-rate which is 38 % above what we have come to consider the norm .
They seem uncomfortable with the wider world knowing this as they have stopped producing English updates on the central bank website .
One area where they have been ahead is the size of the interest-rate cuts they have made as they have been 12 % in 2020 .
But in spite of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withan interest-rate of 38 % which would be described by Taylor Swift as a sign of .
Actually it is even worse than that according to the BCRA .
So you reactivate credit with a 45 % interest-rate do you ?
I note the reference above to the Peso and see that the BCRA is also looking to mandate or centrally control savings rates in Pesos .
I noted this being reported which is not entirely reassuring .
Actually that is not quite right as some exchanges simply do not want Pesos and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revealing in itself as @ JavierdeHaedo explains below .
This is really rather different to the official exchange rate of 75.65 to the US Dollar which itself has fallen by 33 % over the past 12 months .
So let me hand you over to the Buenos Aires Times .
Okay so we have a currency which has either fallen heavily ( the official version ) or pretty much collapsed ( the unofficial market version ) with the US Dollar the currency of choice .
Along the way we get a lesson in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described as a “ hard currency ” .
We do not hear that often and it is an arrow in the eye for those saying it role as the world ’ s reserve currency is weakening .
This is a section that can be described as you really couldn ’ t make it up .
Let me take you back to June 2017 when Reuters reported this .
So investors worth US $ 7 billion were very lucky .
Anyway yesterday the Buenos Aires Times had something which made me laugh , albeit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We see a financial system which is in almost complete disarray .
Interest-rates are very high both in absolute and relative terms with the exchange-rate either heading south quickly ( the official version ) or more realistically having pretty much collapsed .
If you were unwise enough to invest in an Argentine bond you have singed fingers .
Now let us switch to the real economy and see the impact .
That compares to Uruguay at -9 % and Brazil at -9.7 % for GDP on the second quarter.The latter provides food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be mismanaged .
Yesterday brought more bad news .
At this time we know that the international definition of unemployment has failed so the real position is likely to be much worse .
The situation was summed up back in the day by the Beatles .
Also they went onto the real economy .
Meanwhile supporters of Modern Monetary Theory or MMT have a problem because turning the monetary taps on like this has led to quite a disaster .
Although I do have some sympathy with their new view that higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different route in that they are rarely raised by enough to be material .
My sympathies go to the Argentines as I note that the Corona Virus outbreak also looks out of control as deaths peak .

by Shaun Richards
Sometimes an economy can really stand out and in this instance I do not mean in a good way. Let me give you an example where this week I have looked at the Bank of England with its official interest-rate of 0.1% and the European Central Bank or ECB with its -0.5% one. This morning the Norges Bank of Norway has confirmed a 0% rate and the Swiss National Bank one of -0.75%. The latter looks ever more permanent lasting as it has for over 5 years now. But as a group they are the world in which we live except not everyone does.
The gradual decline in the monetary policy rate continues
Thursday, March 5, 2020. Today, the BCRA’s Board of Directors ordered a new reduction in the lower limit of the LELIQ interest rate of 2 points, from 40% to 38% in annual nominal terms.
We have looked at the problems of Argentina several times before but at this moment we simply note the interest-rate which is 38% above what we have come to consider the norm. They seem uncomfortable with the wider world knowing this as they have stopped producing English updates on the central bank website. One area where they have been ahead is the size of the interest-rate cuts they have made as they have been 12% in 2020. But in spite of what are unthinkable moves elsewhere we are left withan interest-rate of 38% which would be described by Taylor Swift as a sign of.
Now I’m lyin’ on the cold hard ground
Oh, oh
Trouble, trouble, trouble
Oh, oh
Trouble, trouble, trouble
Actually it is even worse than that according to the BCRA.
With this reduction, the reference rate in effective terms stands at 45.4% per year. This keeps it in sufficient positive territory to promote saving in pesos and at the same time rebuild the credit situation of families and companies through the reactivation of credit.
So you reactivate credit with a 45% interest-rate do you?
I note the reference above to the Peso and see that the BCRA is also looking to mandate or centrally control savings rates in Pesos.
Following the policy to safeguard savings in domestic currency, the BCRA decided to raise, as from August,
the floor of interest rates that financial institutions must pay for natural persons’ time deposits in pesos for
up to $1 million, from 79% to 87% of the monetary policy rate. This way, retail depositors will have a
minimum return of 33.06% APR (38.57% EAR). In addition, the BCRA increased to 0.75 the coefficient to
determine the fixed interest rate on UVA deposits with an early-payment option, from 26.6% to 28.5%.
The Exchange Rate
I noted this being reported which is not entirely reassuring.
Today Uruguay’s famous exchange houses priced the Argentine peso exchange at $0.
Actually that is not quite right as some exchanges simply do not want Pesos and therefore offer nothing for them which is revealing in itself as @JavierdeHaedo explains below.
The BROU slate is 0.14 – 0.60 and the arbitrage 0.314 pesos per Argentine (AR $ 135 in the blue).
This is really rather different to the official exchange rate of 75.65 to the US Dollar which itself has fallen by 33% over the past 12 months. So let me hand you over to the Buenos Aires Times.
“Right now you can’t buy or sell dollars,” Banco Galicia says in a notice that appears for retail clients. “We apologise. We are adapting to the new rules.” The technical problems are another roadblock for Argentines who have been furiously converting their pesos into dollars amid speculation that the local currency is due for a crash. The government and Central Bank, seeking to hold onto hard currency, slapped a new 35 percent tax on dollar purchases, which already faced a separate 30 percent levy. They also limited the ability of people receiving government assistance to obtain greenbacks, while keeping a monthly limit of no more than US$200 in purchases.
Okay so we have a currency which has either fallen heavily ( the official version) or pretty much collapsed ( the unofficial market version) with the US Dollar the currency of choice.
Along the way we get a lesson in perspectives as we see the US Dollar described as a “hard currency”. We do not hear that often and it is an arrow in the eye for those saying it role as the world’s reserve currency is weakening.
Bonds
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This is a section that can be described as you really couldn’t make it up.
Argentina’s new dollar bonds have plunged back into distressed territory just two weeks after the nation restructured almost US$65 billion in debt. The securities fell for the fourth consecutive day Monday to an average 39 cents on the dollar. The US$16.1 billion in bonds maturing 2030 tumbled 3.1 cents to 40.3 cents, the lowest since they began trading on September 8 at about 50 cents.
Let me take you back to June 2017 when Reuters reported this.
Argentina sold $2.75 billion of a hotly demanded 100-year bond in U.S. dollars on Monday, just over a year after emerging from its latest default, according to the government. The South American country received $9.75 billion in orders for the bond, as investors eyed a yield of 7.9 percent in an otherwise low yielding fixed income market where pension funds need to lock in long-term returns.
So investors worth US $7 billion were very lucky. Anyway yesterday the Buenos Aires Times had something which made me laugh, albeit in a gallows humour type of way.
Less than a month after Argentina’s US$65-billion debt restructuring, bond prices show growing concern the government may struggle to pay its obligations.
Comment
We see a financial system which is in almost complete disarray. Interest-rates are very high both in absolute and relative terms with the exchange-rate either heading south quickly ( the official version) or more realistically having pretty much collapsed. If you were unwise enough to invest in an Argentine bond you have singed fingers.
Now let us switch to the real economy and see the impact.
Economic activity declined 16.2 percent in the second quarter compared to the first, reflecting the full impact of a nationwide Covid-19 lockdown implemented in late March. Economists had forecast a 16.6 percent quarterly decline. From a year ago, economic activity dropped 19.1 percent in the quarter, the largest drop since at least 2004. Investment fell nearly 40 percent from a year earlier. In the six-month comparison, activity fell 12.6 percent, compared to the same period in 2019, INDEC said. ( Buenos Aires Times)
That compares to Uruguay at -9% and Brazil at -9.7% for GDP on the second quarter.The latter provides food for thought for those who consider Brazil to be mismanaged. Yesterday brought more bad news.
Unemployment in Argentina rose a 16-year high to 13.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020, the INDEC national statistics bureau revealed Wednesday, pushed higher by economic turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic.
At this time we know that the international definition of unemployment has failed so the real position is likely to be much worse.
The situation was summed up back in the day by the Beatles.
You never give me your money
You only give me your funny paper
And in the middle of negotiations
You break down
Also they went onto the real economy.
Out of college, money spent
See no future, pay no rent
All the money’s gone, nowhere to go
Any jobber got the sack
Meanwhile supporters of Modern Monetary Theory or MMT have a problem because turning the monetary taps on like this has led to quite a disaster. Although I do have some sympathy with their new view that higher interest-rates can weaken a currency although by a different route in that they are rarely raised by enough to be material.
My sympathies go to the Argentines as I note that the Corona Virus outbreak also looks out of control as deaths peak.


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Shedlock: Consumer Mood Darkens On Employment Prospects

A Fed survey of expectations shows that the consumer mood darkens on employment and job prospects .
This chart shows the changes in employment status of respondents who were employed four months ago .
The Fed survey asks individuals currently employed ( excluding self-employment ) whether they are working in the same job as when they submitted their last survey .
If in the past four months they have answered that they now work for a different employer , they are classified as “ With a new employer ” , and otherwise they are “ With the same employer ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-employed four months ago are classified as “ With the same employer ” , and otherwise as “ With a new employer.
” 13.5 % of individuals said they received at least one job offer in the last four months .
That is down from 21.0 % in July 2019 .
The average expected likelihood of receiving a job offer in the next four months dropped to 18.5 % in July from 24.1 % a year earlier .
The chart shows consumer expectations of finding a job in next three months if lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ near 60 % .
They are now about 50 % .
The Survey of Consumer Expectations is a nationally representative , Internet-based survey of a rotating panel of approximately 1,300 household heads .
Respondents participate in the panel for up to twelve months , with a roughly equal number rotating in and out of the panel each month .
Unlike comparable surveys based on repeated cross-sections with a different set of respondents in each wave , our panel enables us to observe the changes in expectations and behavior of the same individuals over @ @

by Mike Shedlock
A Fed survey of expectations shows that the consumer mood darkens on employment and job prospects.
Job Transitions
This chart shows the changes in employment status of respondents who were employed four months ago. The Fed survey asks individuals currently employed (excluding self-employment) whether they are working in the same job as when they submitted their last survey.
If in the past four months they have answered that they now work for a different employer, they are classified as “With a new employer”, and otherwise they are “With the same employer”.
Workers currently self-employed who were also self-employed four months ago are classified as “With the same employer”, and otherwise as “With a new employer.”
Number of Job Offers
13.5% of individuals said they received at least one job offer in the last four months. That is down from 21.0% in July 2019.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The average expected likelihood of receiving a job offer in the next four months dropped to 18.5% in July from 24.1% a year earlier.
Job Finding Expectations
The chart shows consumer expectations of finding a job in next three months if lose their job today.
Pre-Covid expectations were near 60%. They are now about 50%.
Huge Discrepancies In The Data
About the Survey
The Survey of Consumer Expectations is a nationally representative, Internet-based survey of a rotating panel of approximately 1,300 household heads. Respondents participate in the panel for up to twelve months, with a roughly equal number rotating in and out of the panel each month. Unlike comparable surveys based on repeated cross-sections with a different set of respondents in each wave, our panel enables us to observe the changes in expectations and behavior of the same individuals over time.


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--US warns that Turkey has stopped paying an outstanding debt of $2.3bn to American pharmaceutical com

NEW — US warns that Turkey has stopped paying an outstanding debt of $ 2.3bn to American pharmaceutical companies .
@ @ @ @ @ drugs to Turkey • The debt increased from $ 250 million to $ 2.3bn in @ @ @ @ @ reduction of debt — US Amb .
Satterfield

NEW — US warns that Turkey has stopped paying an outstanding debt of $2.3bn to American pharmaceutical companies.
• They can stop selling drugs to Turkey
• The debt increased from $250 million to $2.3bn in a year
• Turkey wants reduction of debt — US Amb. Satterfield
— Ragıp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) September 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--10,000 a day contracting Covid-19 in UK says Health Minister Hancock, as he urges people to download

10,000 a day contracting Covid-19 in UK says Health Minister Hancock, as he urges people to download new tracing app

This has to be a joke right ?
?
?
Up to 10,000 people a day are contracting Covid-19 in @ @ @ @ @ Hancock has said , adding that the number is still fewer than the “ 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ the spring peak .
The statement came after recorded infections rose by 6,178 overnight , @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases since May 1 .
The government estimates that “ it is under 10,000 @ @ @ @ @ disease , ” Hancock told Sky News on Thursday .
“ That ’ s too @ @ @ @ @ much lower than in the peak , ” he added .
“ The massive testing @ @ @ @ @ helps to find where the virus is , ” the secretary noted .
He added @ @ @ @ @ do the contact tracing for everyone who has tested positive and find who they ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

This has to be a joke right???
10,000 a day…
Up to 10,000 people a day are contracting Covid-19 in Britain, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said, adding that the number is still fewer than the “100,000 per day” estimated during the spring peak.
The statement came after recorded infections rose by 6,178 overnight, the highest daily spike in coronavirus cases since May 1.
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The government estimates that “it is under 10,000 people a day getting the disease,” Hancock told Sky News on Thursday. “That’s too high but it is still much lower than in the peak,” he added.
“The massive testing capability we’ve got helps to find where the virus is,” the secretary noted. He added that the government can “do the contact tracing for everyone who has tested positive and find who they’ve been in contact with.”
www.rt.com/uk/501555-uk-contracting-tracing-app/


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Take a look at the new PODS system being installed in the Public Indoctrination Camps–on par with be

Take a look at the new PODS system being installed in the Public Indoctrination Camps–on par with being in prison folks.

I was aware of these draconian measures being implemented , but I was actually pretty shocked to see them in @ @ @ @ @ the obvious remedy , but not an option for every family unfortunately .

Less than 10 minutes.
I was aware of these draconian measures being implemented, but I was actually pretty shocked to see them in motion. Home shooling is the obvious remedy, but not an option for every family unfortunately.
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h/t UseLessRepEATER


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Used condoms being washed and resold as police raid Vietnamese factory

More than 320,000 used condoms have been confiscated after police officers discovered workers washing and reshaping them to be resold during a raid at a factory in Vietnam .
According to the VN Explorer news website , the 32-year-old woman who rents the factory told officials someone delivers thousands of used condoms to her each month .
Her alleged role in the production is to clean , dry , reshape and sort condoms under unhygienic conditions before making them look fresh again and packaging them up for new customers , media reported .
Police say they found close to 360kg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sold on the market later on .
Inspectors are also understood to have found thousands of condoms which had already been cleaned and packed ready to be sold to unsuspecting customers .
It is unclear how many recycled condoms were already sold .
All of the ones that were found were unpackaged and unlabelled , Vietnamese newspaper Tuoi Tre News reported .
Provincial Market Management director Tran Van Tung said the condoms had been confiscated to use as evidence but will be disposed of immediately after because they are considered hazardous medical waste @

More than 320,000 used condoms have been confiscated after police officers discovered workers washing and reshaping them to be resold during a raid at a factory in Vietnam.
According to the VN Explorer news website, the 32-year-old woman who rents the factory told officials someone delivers thousands of used condoms to her each month.
Her alleged role in the production is to clean, dry, reshape and sort condoms under unhygienic conditions before making them look fresh again and packaging them up for new customers, media reported.
Police say they found close to 360kg of sheaths that were destined to be sold on the market later on.
Inspectors are also understood to have found thousands of condoms which had already been cleaned and packed ready to be sold to unsuspecting customers.
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www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12367548
Police detects condom recycling facility in southern Vietnam t.co/1NbI130lfm — Vietnam Insider (@InsiderVietnam) September 22, 2020
It is unclear how many recycled condoms were already sold.
All of the ones that were found were unpackaged and unlabelled, Vietnamese newspaper Tuoi Tre News reported.
Provincial Market Management director Tran Van Tung said the condoms had been confiscated to use as evidence but will be disposed of immediately after because they are considered hazardous medical waste.
KM


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Inflation & Other Revolutionary Forces at Work in America

Alasdair Macleod with Jay Taylor on Turning Hard Times Into Good Times Alasdair Macleod with a background as a stockbroker @ @ @ @ @ that we are in an inflationary economy and why its happening is a bad thing @

Alasdair Macleod with Jay Taylor on Turning Hard Times Into Good Times
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Alasdair Macleod with a background as a stockbroker, banker and economist explains that we are in an inflationary economy and why its happening is a bad thing.


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--Prep Your Apartment or Suburban Home for Riots and Civil Unrest: How to Get Ready FAST

by Daisy Luther of The Organic Prepper When you live in an urban or suburban location and it looks like all heck is about to break loose , how can you prepare your place fast for the potential of unrest ?
As we ’ ve seen in cities across the country , a peaceful protest can turn into a violent riot in the blink of an eye .
How do you prepare when the spark is lit in your hometown ?
While our first recommendation on this website is always “ don ’ t be there ” we know there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t an option .
Therefore , this article is based on the premise that , for whatever reason , you ’ re going to need to hunker down in your home .
The reason you ’ re there doesn ’ t matter – the concept is simply that you ’ re there .
With only a couple of exceptions , we ’ re also going to use things you can commonly find in homes with no special trips to the store .
For a detailed overview of civil unrest and riots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the topic .
The first thing to consider is that speed is of the essence .
If there ’ s something going on in your hometown that could cause unrest , like the announcement of a verdict or sentencing , you will probably know about it at least a day ahead of time .
This allows you a bit more leeway in gathering supplies .
But we don ’ t always get that warning .
Sometimes the response of outrage is immediate , as we ’ ve seen in the cases of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , sometimes the outrage is warranted , and other times it ’ s not , but that part doesn ’ t matter when there are people who want to destroy , loot , and burn .
It ’ s best if you have an idea of how you ’ re going to prepare ahead of time .
If you know this , then you can have on hand the supplies that you need .
If not , you ’ ll be using what you have on hand .
As soon as you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s time to take action if you plan to stay in place .
Don ’ t just “ wait and see.
” Assume that bad things are coming your way and act accordingly .
We ’ ve talked a lot about the gray man principle in the preparedness world .
You can learn more about it in this article .
In situations of unrest , it ’ s helpful if your home is also “ gray.
” But it ’ s important to understand that gray isn ’ t always just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are adapting to the baseline of your area .
And sometimes that means adapting to it whether you agree with it or not .
How do you do that ?
Well , it depends where you are and who the potential threat is .
Many of the recent riots in the United States have been related to race and police brutality .
These two things give you some hints on what you might want at your home and also what you might not want .
An important thing to note : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be popular in our circles , but remember that we ’ re talking about survival .
Not about right vs. wrong , free speech , or your love of the United States of America .
You have to be the one to make the decision whether you place precedence on the lives of your family or on your patriotism and principles .
Sometimes , like matter , the two can not occupy the same space at the same time .
I can ’ t tell you what is right or what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that could make your home a target .
First , consider the things you may want to remove temporarily .
It ’ s a sickening fact that homes flying American flags have been targeted by arsonists .
It ’ s practically unbelievable that this is happening in the United States , but it is .
Due to this , you may want to remove anything that is obviously patriotic from the exterior of your home .
If you ’ ve got a “ Thin Blue Line ” sticker on your car , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the garage .
In these harrowing times , obvious support of law enforcement is a sure way to capture the ire of a mob that wants to see the police eradicated .
The same thing goes for flags and exterior decorations that show support of LEOs .
In Minneapolis , it was discovered that police officers were being followed home and their families and properties were targeted .
Depending on the situation in your area , you may want to add some things to make your home a less desirable target .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ says something like “ Racial Equality ” may indicate the residents are sympathetic to the cause of those rioting and could be enough to deter them from smashing your windows and setting your home on fire .
I ’ m not suggesting you have to go full-on BLM with your signage .
But consider something small and relatively innocuous to use as a type of “ camouflage.
” I don ’ t see this as very different from the quarantine tape I have stashed away to make my home look undesirable in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the neighborhood are boarding up their windows , you may not want to batten down the hatches with plywood on the exterior .
Keep reading for more information on boarding up your windows .
Aside from these things , be sure to remove anything from the front of the house that could be used to break the windows , like planters and lawn furniture .
Secure your belongings like bicycles and toys indoors or you may discover they ’ ve been taken by self-entitled rioters .
Finally , if you are home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ room .
This way you know where everybody is if things get crazy and you know that everyone is practicing proper light control .
Keep the lights off – some rioters really want a confrontation , so they ’ ll be looking for homes that look occupied .
Keep your blinds or curtains closed and make sure any light you use is dim and not very noticeable .
Before an event occurs , test things out .
Can you still see the television in the family room from the outside when the curtains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nightlight in the bathroom ?
Can you identify people walking around inside through the blinds ?
Make the appropriate adjustments before any violence erupts .
Be harder to get to The next thing to do is to harden your home .
You don ’ t want to be an easy target .
When discussing this , a lot of folks immediately think “ booby traps.
” I ’ m not recommending anything like that .
We ’ re not in a Mad Max situation right now , even though it could feel like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are illegal and you will be held both criminally and civilly liable for any injury or death that occurs from a trap you set .
As per the Geneva Convention : Explosives , sharpened items , devices that cause guns to fire , and devices that produce toxic fumes upon contact are all prohibited .
While some folks may be bitterly disappointed that they can ’ t spear their adversaries with a custom-made booby trap , you can still protect your home This happens in layers .
First things first , anything outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home itself is good .
Lots of folks have fences around the front but leave their gates unsecured .
If there is any inkling your neighborhood could be a target of unrest , lock your gate !
Do this with a padlock or with a bar secured across the inside of the gate .
In nearly every situation , I ’ d advise you not to leave pets outside to “ guard ” the home .
Pets can be seriously injured or killed .
They can also be used like a hostage by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keep your pets inside during times of unrest .
As mentioned above , remove anything from the exterior that could be used to gain access by breaking a window .
Many people board up all their windows with plywood .
If you plan to do this , get the plywood well ahead of time and pre-drill the holes so you can install it quickly .
You can store plywood between your mattress and box springs , or under your bed .
I ’ ll go into this more in a moment but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your home with plywood .
You don ’ t want to create a prison from which you have no escape .
Generally , just cover the front windows and sidelights by your doors .
Make sure alternative entrances are protected with warning devices .
I hang windchimes on windows and decorative bells on doorknobs .
Even when I travel , I carry a little windchime to hang on the doorknob of my Airbnb or hotel room to alert me to potential trouble .
When my daughter and I faced the potential of unrest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tripwire at the back gate that fired 22 caliber blanks when triggered .
Notice – I said blanks .
As I mentioned above , you don ’ t want to set up anything that might hurt someone .
22 caliber isn ’ t overly loud but it ’ s enough to alert you that something is going on , and may even scare away less hardy intruders .
If your home is breached , all is not lost .
Your next goal is to make it difficult to get to you .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be turned off .
This gives you the advantage of knowing the layout while those who broke in have no idea what they ’ re walking into .
But darkness isn ’ t your only advantage .
When I was staying with my daughter in her downtown apartment during the COVID lockdowns , we realized that our front hallway was a true weak spot .
The front door was solid glass and there were also glass sidelights .
The door frame of the old building wasn ’ t of the highest quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being breached , either by the glass being broken or by a strong person simply breaking through due to the weak frame .
As renters this is not something we could replace .
So , we got plywood cut to fit and I added spacers that allowed the blinds to be between the plywood and the glass , making it look less obvious that we had boarded things up .
However , this didn ’ t do anything to prevent someone from breaking down the door , so our next step was to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I came across this solution accidentally .
We had come home late one day and dropped our purchases on the floor right inside the door , along with a purse and a backpack .
I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and fell facefirst over a giant box of industrial trashbags .
When I tried to catch myself , my foot got tangled in the long strap of my daughter ’ s purse .
This , of course , was all gracefully executed .
But as I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee throbbing , I thought , hey , they call these things “ stumbling blocks ” for a reason .
The next day , I created my own stumbling blocks .
I took some of our carry-on luggage and weighted them down with hard cover books .
I lined these suitcases along the side of the hallway most of the time , but when unrest was nearby , I could easily roll them where I wanted and lay them down at different angles to make the hallway a bit more difficult to traverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things will make some racket and slow people down before they get to your refuge .
And that leads us to the safe zone .
You may not have time to create an entire safe room , but you can at least designate one room as a safe zone .
Make this room the furthest from the most likely point of entry .
( For us the most likely entry would have been the front door and the best option for a safe zone was a bedroom in the back part of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a door to the rest of the house and an emergency way to exit .
You want your safe zone to be comfortable enough for the whole family to hang out in – this could mean pulling an extra mattress into a bedroom or rearranging the furniture .
Plan to spend the evening together in this room .
Adults should be armed and prepared in the event that their home is breached .
If your home is breached your priority is the safety of those under your care .
If you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the safe handling of firearms , please keep your gun on your person for safety purposes .
In fact , I recommend that you keep your gun on your person at all times during these situations anyway .
You ’ re not going to be able to say to intruders , “ Oh , hold on , I forgot my Glock in the master bedroom.
” A gun is like a trauma first aid kit .
If you need it , you need it instantly , not in in five minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the door to the safe zone .
This could mean relocating a heavy piece of furniture near the entrance where you can quickly push it in front of the door if necessary .
Your goal here is to slow down and deter intruders .
While you should definitely call 911 if your home is breached to have it on record that you did call for official help , don ’ t rely on them to dispatch assistance with sirens blaring .
As a woman from Kenosha , Wisconsin recounts of her experience during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the beginning there was no help .
No police , no fire trucks no ambulances .
None.
” Don ’ t expect your situation to be any different .
If you have intruders , you may wish to issue a verbal warning letting them know you are armed and will open fire if they continue to try and breach your safe room .
For some people that will serve as enough of a deterrent .
For others , swept up in the mob mentality , it could serve to enflame them further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cute and fluffy , remember that you are probably not John Rambo .
You might be able to take out a few intruders , but if dozens of people are swarming into your home , you won ’ t be able to take out all of them .
Read this article for more information on escaping an angry mob .
You may have family members who will suffer due to your actions , so think things through ahead of time .
Don ’ t just blindly react .
If , despite your best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , there are things that you can do to manage where they go .
Most people in mobs are participating in more of a group mentality – you won ’ t see a lot of critical thinkers .
This means that you can often strategically guide them to the place where you want them .
Where you want them depends upon your goal and this is where the conversation gets tricky .
Do you want them to head to the opposite side of the house from where your safe zone is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you want them to be in an area where you can take defensive action from a protected position ?
I can not advise you on a public website to set up some kind of shooting gallery in your home .
But consider the following thoughts .
• Think about backstops .
In the event that you have no option but to defend yourself , what is behind the intruders after you funnel them into your desired location ?
Would gunfire go through to the next apartment ?
Out into the street ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concrete wall ?
• Understand the difference between cover and concealment .
Television has done us a terrible disservice when it shows someone tipping over a wooden kitchen table and taking “ cover ” behind it to survive the intruders opening fire with fully automatic weapons .
Concealment means you ’ re hidden .
Cover means you ’ re protected from most gunfire .
If you ARE planning to take aggressive defensive action , you ’ ll want to do it from a place of cover .
• Understand that there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innocent of all charges , you must prepare yourself for a lengthy and expensive court battle .
Any set up you ’ ve done in advance will likely be used against you in such a battle .
If your area is more sympathetic toward rioters than us average folks , you could be in for a barrage of negative publicity and harassment .
Consider all of these things before taking defensive actions .
And perhaps reconsider leaving if that remains a possibility it all .
Now , back to our funnel .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to where you want them to go .
Most people , especially those who are untrained , will take the path that looks most direct and easiest .
Figure out all of the options a person in your funnel might have .
Options might include open rooms , doors to closed rooms , and exits .
Once you ’ ve considered what the options are , then make the options you want them to choose EASY and the options you don ’ t want them to choose CHALLENGING .
Going back to our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s city apartment , we wanted people in our hall for as long as possible , not scattering to rooms off the hallway .
One bedroom near the door had a second door that led to the back part of the house .
We definitely didn ’ t want intruders going that way because we ’ d end up flanked in our safety zone .
I solved this issue by putting a bookcase loaded with books in front of the bedroom door that led to the hallway .
Who is going to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a hallway with 3 open doors ahead of them ?
What you ’ re really doing here is using psychology to manipulate your potential attackers to the place where you want them .
This article has a lot of excellent in-depth guidance on preparing your space for such a siege .
One of the most common weapons we ’ re seeing used in the current spate of riots is fire .
Fires are very common during incidents of civil unrest .
Generally , vehicles and commercial properties are where fires are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been burned too .
Fire is a cowardly attack that doesn ’ t require any interaction on the part of the arsonist .
It flushes out the family inside , leaving you vulnerable to physical assaults .
This is the one area in which you may need to make some advance purchases .
However , all of these fire-related items are good things to have in your home during ordinary circumstances as well .
You probably already have at least one fire extinguisher .
If that is all you have , keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Have fire extinguishers mounted throughout your home .
You can buy them in 4-packs from Amazon .
• During tense times , keep a fire extinguisher right beside your bed .
You can use it as both a way to extinguish fires and a weapon if necessary .
• Be sure to test them frequently and maintain them properly .
( Allstate has a page about fire extinguisher maintenance . )
• Have fire escape ladders that can be attached to a windowsill in all upper story rooms .
Drill with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to use them if necessary .
When I travel by vehicle , I have a fire-escape ladder in with my preps .
Hotel fires are not uncommon and I want to have options .
Fires can easily spread from one building to the next , especially if firefighters can ’ t respond safely or can ’ t get their fire truck through the mob .
Be on the watch for fires in your vicinity .
Fire can also be used as a weapon .
Here ’ s an article about dealing with firebombs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arise .
Something I see a lot are plans that keep everybody out and firmly secure every possible point of entry .
And I thought that was a fantastic idea until I took an urban survival course with Selco in Croatia and he pointed out that this can also be appropriately considered a “ trap.
” If you put bars on every door and window , you ’ ve created a prison for those inside .
What happens if your home is set on fire ?
What happens if your home is breached @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have to look obvious and can take only minimal preparation .
For example , I told a family member living in a downtown area to remove the screens from her windows .
That saves precious seconds and allows for a far more silent exit than if she were to have to remove the screens while rioters were breaching her front door .
She can easily slip through the window , close it back so that nobody immediately realizes where she exited , and head out the back with a minimum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her windows are secured with shatter-resistant film and a bar to prevent them from being raised .
That bar can be instantly removed from the inside if she needs to make her escape .
Never ever make your home so difficult to breach that you can not escape .
While your plan may be to stand your ground no matter what , being burned alive would be a terrible way to go .
How would you quickly secure your home if tensions broke out nearby ?
I ’ ve generally lived in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control over my situation , but when unrest broke out in Virginia near the home I shared with my daughter during the lockdown , I had to creatively secure the apartment using things we had on hand .
I hope that some of the ideas we ’ ve used are useful to you .
We all live in different settings and some of us are more likely than others to face the scenarios mentioned in this article .
But take a moment and imagine that “ peaceful protesters ” were bussed into your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do you have a plan ?
Does your family know the plan ?
Do you have any ideas to add to the ones above ?
Let ’ s talk about it in the comments .
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging , globe-trotting blogger .
She writes about current events , preparedness , and the pursuit of liberty on her website , The Organic Prepper .
On her new website , The Frugalite , she shares thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances .
She is widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the most important news links on her aggregate site , PreppersDailyNews.com .
Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company .
You can find her on Facebook , Pinterest , and Twitter .

by Daisy Luther of The Organic Prepper
When you live in an urban or suburban location and it looks like all heck is about to break loose, how can you prepare your place fast for the potential of unrest? As we’ve seen in cities across the country, a peaceful protest can turn into a violent riot in the blink of an eye. How do you prepare when the spark is lit in your hometown?
While our first recommendation on this website is always “don’t be there” we know there are some situations in which leaving isn’t an option.
Therefore, this article is based on the premise that, for whatever reason, you’re going to need to hunker down in your home. The reason you’re there doesn’t matter – the concept is simply that you’re there. With only a couple of exceptions, we’re also going to use things you can commonly find in homes with no special trips to the store.
For a detailed overview of civil unrest and riots, check out Selco’s on-demand webinar on the topic.
Timing is essential
The first thing to consider is that speed is of the essence. If there’s something going on in your hometown that could cause unrest, like the announcement of a verdict or sentencing, you will probably know about it at least a day ahead of time. This allows you a bit more leeway in gathering supplies.
But we don’t always get that warning. Sometimes the response of outrage is immediate, as we’ve seen in the cases of several police shootings recently. In these cases, sometimes the outrage is warranted, and other times it’s not, but that part doesn’t matter when there are people who want to destroy, loot, and burn.
It’s best if you have an idea of how you’re going to prepare ahead of time. If you know this, then you can have on hand the supplies that you need. If not, you’ll be using what you have on hand.
As soon as you feel that unrest is a possibility, it’s time to take action if you plan to stay in place. Don’t just “wait and see.” Assume that bad things are coming your way and act accordingly.
Blend in
We’ve talked a lot about the gray man principle in the preparedness world. You can learn more about it in this article. In situations of unrest, it’s helpful if your home is also “gray.” But it’s important to understand that gray isn’t always just non-descript or non-memorable. It can mean you are adapting to the baseline of your area. And sometimes that means adapting to it whether you agree with it or not.
How do you do that? Well, it depends where you are and who the potential threat is.
Many of the recent riots in the United States have been related to race and police brutality. These two things give you some hints on what you might want at your home and also what you might not want.
An important thing to note: I’m well aware this advice will not be popular in our circles, but remember that we’re talking about survival. Not about right vs. wrong, free speech, or your love of the United States of America. You have to be the one to make the decision whether you place precedence on the lives of your family or on your patriotism and principles. Sometimes, like matter, the two cannot occupy the same space at the same time. I can’t tell you what is right or what is wrong. I can simply point out things that could make your home a target.
First, consider the things you may want to remove temporarily.
It’s a sickening fact that homes flying American flags have been targeted by arsonists. It’s practically unbelievable that this is happening in the United States, but it is. Due to this, you may want to remove anything that is obviously patriotic from the exterior of your home.
If you’ve got a “Thin Blue Line” sticker on your car, you’ll want to park it in the garage. In these harrowing times, obvious support of law enforcement is a sure way to capture the ire of a mob that wants to see the police eradicated. The same thing goes for flags and exterior decorations that show support of LEOs. In Minneapolis, it was discovered that police officers were being followed home and their families and properties were targeted.
Depending on the situation in your area, you may want to add some things to make your home a less desirable target. A small sign in the window that says something like “Racial Equality” may indicate the residents are sympathetic to the cause of those rioting and could be enough to deter them from smashing your windows and setting your home on fire. I’m not suggesting you have to go full-on BLM with your signage. But consider something small and relatively innocuous to use as a type of “camouflage.” I don’t see this as very different from the quarantine tape I have stashed away to make my home look undesirable in the midst of a pandemic.
Unless others in the neighborhood are boarding up their windows, you may not want to batten down the hatches with plywood on the exterior. Keep reading for more information on boarding up your windows.
Aside from these things, be sure to remove anything from the front of the house that could be used to break the windows, like planters and lawn furniture. Secure your belongings like bicycles and toys indoors or you may discover they’ve been taken by self-entitled rioters.
Finally, if you are home during the riots, gather in one room. This way you know where everybody is if things get crazy and you know that everyone is practicing proper light control. Keep the lights off – some rioters really want a confrontation, so they’ll be looking for homes that look occupied. Keep your blinds or curtains closed and make sure any light you use is dim and not very noticeable. Before an event occurs, test things out. Can you still see the television in the family room from the outside when the curtains are closed? How bright is that nightlight in the bathroom? Can you identify people walking around inside through the blinds? Make the appropriate adjustments before any violence erupts.
Be harder to get to
The next thing to do is to harden your home. You don’t want to be an easy target. When discussing this, a lot of folks immediately think “booby traps.” I’m not recommending anything like that. We’re not in a Mad Max situation right now, even though it could feel like it in the moment. Booby traps are illegal and you will be held both criminally and civilly liable for any injury or death that occurs from a trap you set.
As per the Geneva Convention:
Without prejudice to the rules of international law applicable in armed conflict relating to treachery and perfidy, it is prohibited in all circumstances to use: a. any booby-trap in the form of an apparently harmless portable object which is specifically designed and constructed to contain explosive material and to detonate when it is disturbed or approached, or b. booby-traps which are in any way attached to or associated with: 1. internationally recognized protective emblems, signs or signals; 2. sick, wounded or dead persons; 3. burial or cremation sites or graves; 4. medical facilities, medical equipment, medical supplies or medical transportation; 5. children’s toys or other portable objects or products specially designed for the feeding, health, hygiene, clothing or education of children; 6. food or drink; 7. kitchen utensils or appliances except in military establishments, military locations or military supply depots; 8. objects clearly of a religious nature; 9. historic monuments, works of art or places or worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples; 10. animals or their carcasses. It is prohibited in all circumstances to use any booby-trap which is designed to cause superfluous injury or necessary suffering.” (source)
Explosives, sharpened items, devices that cause guns to fire, and devices that produce toxic fumes upon contact are all prohibited.
While some folks may be bitterly disappointed that they can’t spear their adversaries with a custom-made booby trap, you can still protect your home
This happens in layers.
Securing the outside
First things first, anything outside that keeps people further away from the home itself is good. Lots of folks have fences around the front but leave their gates unsecured. If there is any inkling your neighborhood could be a target of unrest, lock your gate! Do this with a padlock or with a bar secured across the inside of the gate.
In nearly every situation, I’d advise you not to leave pets outside to “guard” the home. Pets can be seriously injured or killed. They can also be used like a hostage by unsavory people to lure the homeowners out. Keep your pets inside during times of unrest.
As mentioned above, remove anything from the exterior that could be used to gain access by breaking a window.
Many people board up all their windows with plywood. If you plan to do this, get the plywood well ahead of time and pre-drill the holes so you can install it quickly. You can store plywood between your mattress and box springs, or under your bed. I’ll go into this more in a moment but do not cover every single window of your home with plywood. You don’t want to create a prison from which you have no escape. Generally, just cover the front windows and sidelights by your doors.
Make sure alternative entrances are protected with warning devices. I hang windchimes on windows and decorative bells on doorknobs. Even when I travel, I carry a little windchime to hang on the doorknob of my Airbnb or hotel room to alert me to potential trouble. When my daughter and I faced the potential of unrest in Virginia, I set up a tripwire at the back gate that fired 22 caliber blanks when triggered. Notice – I said blanks. As I mentioned above, you don’t want to set up anything that might hurt someone. 22 caliber isn’t overly loud but it’s enough to alert you that something is going on, and may even scare away less hardy intruders.
Deterring entry
If your home is breached, all is not lost. Your next goal is to make it difficult to get to you. We’ve already discussed that your lights should be turned off. This gives you the advantage of knowing the layout while those who broke in have no idea what they’re walking into.
But darkness isn’t your only advantage. When I was staying with my daughter in her downtown apartment during the COVID lockdowns, we realized that our front hallway was a true weak spot. The front door was solid glass and there were also glass sidelights. The door frame of the old building wasn’t of the highest quality and I could easily see the door being breached, either by the glass being broken or by a strong person simply breaking through due to the weak frame. As renters this is not something we could replace. So, we got plywood cut to fit and I added spacers that allowed the blinds to be between the plywood and the glass, making it look less obvious that we had boarded things up.
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However, this didn’t do anything to prevent someone from breaking down the door, so our next step was to make the hallway harder to navigate. I came across this solution accidentally. We had come home late one day and dropped our purchases on the floor right inside the door, along with a purse and a backpack. I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and fell facefirst over a giant box of industrial trashbags. When I tried to catch myself, my foot got tangled in the long strap of my daughter’s purse. This, of course, was all gracefully executed. But as I sat there on the floor with my knee throbbing, I thought, hey, they call these things “stumbling blocks” for a reason.
The next day, I created my own stumbling blocks. I took some of our carry-on luggage and weighted them down with hard cover books. I lined these suitcases along the side of the hallway most of the time, but when unrest was nearby, I could easily roll them where I wanted and lay them down at different angles to make the hallway a bit more difficult to traverse. At the very least, these things will make some racket and slow people down before they get to your refuge.
Setting up a safe zone
And that leads us to the safe zone. You may not have time to create an entire safe room, but you can at least designate one room as a safe zone. Make this room the furthest from the most likely point of entry. (For us the most likely entry would have been the front door and the best option for a safe zone was a bedroom in the back part of the house.) The room needs to have a door to the rest of the house and an emergency way to exit.
You want your safe zone to be comfortable enough for the whole family to hang out in – this could mean pulling an extra mattress into a bedroom or rearranging the furniture. Plan to spend the evening together in this room.
Adults should be armed and prepared in the event that their home is breached. If your home is breached your priority is the safety of those under your care. If you have small children or anyone who is unfamiliar with the safe handling of firearms, please keep your gun on your person for safety purposes. In fact, I recommend that you keep your gun on your person at all times during these situations anyway. You’re not going to be able to say to intruders, “Oh, hold on, I forgot my Glock in the master bedroom.” A gun is like a trauma first aid kit. If you need it, you need it instantly, not in in five minutes.
You should have a plan to barricade the door to the safe zone. This could mean relocating a heavy piece of furniture near the entrance where you can quickly push it in front of the door if necessary. Your goal here is to slow down and deter intruders.
While you should definitely call 911 if your home is breached to have it on record that you did call for official help, don’t rely on them to dispatch assistance with sirens blaring. As a woman from Kenosha, Wisconsin recounts of her experience during the riots, “It was apparent from the beginning there was no help. No police, no fire trucks no ambulances. None.” Don’t expect your situation to be any different.
If you have intruders, you may wish to issue a verbal warning letting them know you are armed and will open fire if they continue to try and breach your safe room. For some people that will serve as enough of a deterrent. For others, swept up in the mob mentality, it could serve to enflame them further.
For the love of all things cute and fluffy, remember that you are probably not John Rambo. You might be able to take out a few intruders, but if dozens of people are swarming into your home, you won’t be able to take out all of them. Read this article for more information on escaping an angry mob. You may have family members who will suffer due to your actions, so think things through ahead of time. Don’t just blindly react.
Create a funnel
If, despite your best efforts, people do get into your home, there are things that you can do to manage where they go. Most people in mobs are participating in more of a group mentality – you won’t see a lot of critical thinkers. This means that you can often strategically guide them to the place where you want them.
Where you want them depends upon your goal and this is where the conversation gets tricky. Do you want them to head to the opposite side of the house from where your safe zone is to give yourself more time to escape? Do you want them to be in an area where you can take defensive action from a protected position?
I cannot advise you on a public website to set up some kind of shooting gallery in your home. But consider the following thoughts.
Think about backstops. In the event that you have no option but to defend yourself, what is behind the intruders after you funnel them into your desired location? Would gunfire go through to the next apartment? Out into the street? Or would it be stopped by a concrete wall? Understand the difference between cover and concealment. Television has done us a terrible disservice when it shows someone tipping over a wooden kitchen table and taking “cover” behind it to survive the intruders opening fire with fully automatic weapons. Concealment means you’re hidden. Cover means you’re protected from most gunfire. If you ARE planning to take aggressive defensive action, you’ll want to do it from a place of cover. Understand that there will be legal ramifications. Even if you are innocent of all charges, you must prepare yourself for a lengthy and expensive court battle. Any set up you’ve done in advance will likely be used against you in such a battle. If your area is more sympathetic toward rioters than us average folks, you could be in for a barrage of negative publicity and harassment.
Consider all of these things before taking defensive actions. And perhaps reconsider leaving if that remains a possibility it all.
Now, back to our funnel. It’s fairly easy to guide people to where you want them to go. Most people, especially those who are untrained, will take the path that looks most direct and easiest. Figure out all of the options a person in your funnel might have. Options might include open rooms, doors to closed rooms, and exits.
Once you’ve considered what the options are, then make the options you want them to choose EASY and the options you don’t want them to choose CHALLENGING.
Going back to our long front hallway in my daughter’s city apartment, we wanted people in our hall for as long as possible, not scattering to rooms off the hallway. One bedroom near the door had a second door that led to the back part of the house. We definitely didn’t want intruders going that way because we’d end up flanked in our safety zone. I solved this issue by putting a bookcase loaded with books in front of the bedroom door that led to the hallway. Who is going to try and move a giant bookcase when there’s a hallway with 3 open doors ahead of them?
What you’re really doing here is using psychology to manipulate your potential attackers to the place where you want them. This article has a lot of excellent in-depth guidance on preparing your space for such a siege.
Be prepared for fire
One of the most common weapons we’re seeing used in the current spate of riots is fire.
Fires are very common during incidents of civil unrest. Generally, vehicles and commercial properties are where fires are set but in some incidents, homes have been burned too.
Fire is a cowardly attack that doesn’t require any interaction on the part of the arsonist. It flushes out the family inside, leaving you vulnerable to physical assaults. This is the one area in which you may need to make some advance purchases. However, all of these fire-related items are good things to have in your home during ordinary circumstances as well. You probably already have at least one fire extinguisher. If that is all you have, keep it with you in your safe zone.
Have fire extinguishers mounted throughout your home. You can buy them in 4-packs from Amazon.
During tense times, keep a fire extinguisher right beside your bed. You can use it as both a way to extinguish fires and a weapon if necessary.
Be sure to test them frequently and maintain them properly. (Allstate has a page about fire extinguisher maintenance.)
Have fire escape ladders that can be attached to a windowsill in all upper story rooms. Drill with them so that your kids know how to use them if necessary. When I travel by vehicle, I have a fire-escape ladder in with my preps. Hotel fires are not uncommon and I want to have options.
Fires can easily spread from one building to the next, especially if firefighters can’t respond safely or can’t get their fire truck through the mob. Be on the watch for fires in your vicinity.
Fire can also be used as a weapon. Here’s an article about dealing with firebombs and Molotov cocktails should such an event arise.
Don’t close off your escape routes
Something I see a lot are plans that keep everybody out and firmly secure every possible point of entry. And I thought that was a fantastic idea until I took an urban survival course with Selco in Croatia and he pointed out that this can also be appropriately considered a “trap.”
If you put bars on every door and window, you’ve created a prison for those inside. What happens if your home is set on fire? What happens if your home is breached? You need some exits. They don’t have to look obvious and can take only minimal preparation.
For example, I told a family member living in a downtown area to remove the screens from her windows. That saves precious seconds and allows for a far more silent exit than if she were to have to remove the screens while rioters were breaching her front door. She can easily slip through the window, close it back so that nobody immediately realizes where she exited, and head out the back with a minimum of noise.
At the same time, her windows are secured with shatter-resistant film and a bar to prevent them from being raised. That bar can be instantly removed from the inside if she needs to make her escape.
Never ever make your home so difficult to breach that you cannot escape. While your plan may be to stand your ground no matter what, being burned alive would be a terrible way to go.
How would you quickly secure your home if tensions broke out nearby?
I’ve generally lived in places where I had a bit more control over my situation, but when unrest broke out in Virginia near the home I shared with my daughter during the lockdown, I had to creatively secure the apartment using things we had on hand. I hope that some of the ideas we’ve used are useful to you.
We all live in different settings and some of us are more likely than others to face the scenarios mentioned in this article. But take a moment and imagine that “peaceful protesters” were bussed into your neighborhood (or were expected.) Do you have a plan? Does your family know the plan? Do you have any ideas to add to the ones above?
Let’s talk about it in the comments.
About Daisy
Daisy Luther is a coffee-swigging, globe-trotting blogger. She writes about current events, preparedness, and the pursuit of liberty on her website, The Organic Prepper. On her new website, The Frugalite, she shares thrifty tips and solutions to help people get a handle on their personal finances. She is widely republished across alternative media and she curates all the most important news links on her aggregate site, PreppersDailyNews.com. Daisy is the best-selling author of 4 books and runs a small digital publishing company. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-24--QE is not “currently” inflationary

QE is not “currently” inflationary

Lending is determined by pricing.
The intersection of supply of credit vs demand for credit. Even with rates at zero bound the risk premium extended by the Lender & born by the Borrower are too high.
Banks want to get their $ back.
That is why QE is not "currently" inflationary. — Santiago Capital (@SantiagoAuFund) September 24, 2020
"The Federal Reserve is going to have a $9 trillion balance sheet, presumably by the end of the year. This is unprecedented. So we have to understand the consequences—first, in terms of this size. Has the Fed itself become a direct market participant?"🤦♂🤪t.co/4088OcVGtU — M/I_Investments (@MI_Investments) September 24, 2020
U.S. junk bond market sees first pulled deal since July t.co/ugA8MH7MDx — Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) September 24, 2020
SOUTHWEST CEO SAYS INDUSTRY IMPROVEMENT NOT EXPECTED ANY TIME SOON, PRIOR AID HAS HELPED STEM LOSSES -CNBC INTERVIEW$LUV — *Walter Bloomberg (@DeItaOne) September 23, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-09-25--Federal Authorities Have Already Documented Two Cases In Which Votes Have Been “Discarded” In Key Sw

Federal Authorities Have Already Documented Two Cases In Which Votes Have Been “Discarded” In Key Swing States

The integrity of our elections is of paramount importance , because if our ability to choose our own leaders is compromised that undermines everything that our system of government is based upon .
So every American should be hyper-sensitive to any allegation that our votes are being tampered with , because any attack on the voting process is an attack on all of us .
This is one issue that should be able to unite Republicans and Democrats , and hopefully people across the political spectrum will report anything suspicious that they notice over the coming weeks .
And as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will share them with my readers , because the integrity of our elections is definitely one of my hot button issues .
When I heard that some military ballots in Pennsylvania had been tampered with , that immediately set off alarm bells .
Federal officials are telling us that they recently discovered that nine military ballots in Luzerne County , Pennsylvania had been “ improperly opened ” and “ discarded ” … According to a letter from U.S. Attorney Freed to the county elections director , the inquiry into Luzerne County ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found that nine military ballots had been “ improperly opened ” by elections staff and “ discarded.
” He wrote that “ the majority ” of the recovered ballots and envelopes were found in an outside dumpster — seven of the nine ballots outside their official envelopes , and two that elections staff had apparently recovered and sealed back in their envelopes .
He said investigators also found four “ apparently official ” absentee ballot envelopes that were empty .
It appears that someone wanted to get rid of those votes permanently .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t put votes in a dumpster for safekeeping .
Members of the U.S. military sacrifice so much to defend our nation , and so any tampering with their votes is especially grievous .
According to law enforcement authorities working on the case , seven of the votes “ were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump ” , and the other two votes are unknown because they had been resealed .
Since Monday , FBI personnel working together with the Pennsylvania State Police have conducted numerous interviews and recovered and reviewed certain physical evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been cooperative .
At this point we can confirm that a small number of military ballots were discarded .
Investigators have recovered nine ballots at this time .
Some of those ballots can be attributed to specific voters and some can not .
Of the nine ballots that were discarded and then recovered , 7 were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump .
Two of the discarded ballots had been resealed inside their appropriate envelopes by Luzerne elections staff prior to recovery by the FBI and the contents of those 2 ballots are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of the votes that had been “ discarded ” were for only one candidate .
Hopefully federal authorities will nail whoever was responsible for this , because throwing actual votes in the trash is a major offense .
And considering the fact that Pennsylvania is such an important swing state , those votes could actually help to determine who becomes the next president of the United States .
Speaking of swing states , discarded ballots have also been found in Wisconsin .
In fact , officials say that three trays of mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sitting in a ditch… How in the world do ballots just happen to end up in a ditch ?
This is just one of the reasons why I very much prefer the way that we used to do things .
When we require the vast majority of the population to vote in person , there is much less of a chance that votes will end up in a ditch or in a dumpster .
Unfortunately , times have changed , and in some states an extremely high percentage of voters will cast their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Wisconsin , the percentage of absentee votes used to be in the single digits , but thanks to the pandemic that we are currently experiencing things have dramatically changed… Overall , tens of millions of Americans will vote by mail in 2020 , and that makes me very nervous .
There are just so many opportunities for things to go wrong , and that would be true even if everyone was trying to do the right thing .
Sadly , there are always people that try to cheat , and four of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Texas… Those four individuals could be going away for a very long time , because collectively they are facing a total of 134 felony charges… Incidents of vote tampering and election fraud really do happen , and we should be very thankful when authorities are able to catch those that are responsible .
Those that follow my work regularly already know how deeply concerned I am about the future of our nation .
Decades of exceedingly foolish decisions are catching up with us in a major way , and yet we just continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though I am absolutely disgusted by so many of our “ politicians ” , I very much want the American people to be completely free to pick whoever they want each and every election .
Without free and fair elections , there is no way that our Republic would be able to work .
So let us be extremely diligent in guarding the integrity of our votes , because if we lose that we lose any hope of ever turning things around politically .

by Michael Snyder
The integrity of our elections is of paramount importance, because if our ability to choose our own leaders is compromised that undermines everything that our system of government is based upon. So every American should be hyper-sensitive to any allegation that our votes are being tampered with, because any attack on the voting process is an attack on all of us. This is one issue that should be able to unite Republicans and Democrats, and hopefully people across the political spectrum will report anything suspicious that they notice over the coming weeks. And as I become aware of troubling incidents, I will share them with my readers, because the integrity of our elections is definitely one of my hot button issues.
When I heard that some military ballots in Pennsylvania had been tampered with, that immediately set off alarm bells. Federal officials are telling us that they recently discovered that nine military ballots in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania had been “improperly opened” and “discarded”…
According to a letter from U.S. Attorney Freed to the county elections director, the inquiry into Luzerne County’s ballot handling began Monday, and found that nine military ballots had been “improperly opened” by elections staff and “discarded.” He wrote that “the majority” of the recovered ballots and envelopes were found in an outside dumpster — seven of the nine ballots outside their official envelopes, and two that elections staff had apparently recovered and sealed back in their envelopes. He said investigators also found four “apparently official” absentee ballot envelopes that were empty.
It appears that someone wanted to get rid of those votes permanently. After all, you certainly don’t put votes in a dumpster for safekeeping.
Members of the U.S. military sacrifice so much to defend our nation, and so any tampering with their votes is especially grievous.
According to law enforcement authorities working on the case, seven of the votes “were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump”, and the other two votes are unknown because they had been resealed.
Since Monday, FBI personnel working together with the Pennsylvania State Police have conducted numerous interviews and recovered and reviewed certain physical evidence. Election officials in Luzerne County have been cooperative. At this point we can confirm that a small number of military ballots were discarded. Investigators have recovered nine ballots at this time. Some of those ballots can be attributed to specific voters and some cannot. Of the nine ballots that were discarded and then recovered, 7 were cast for presidential candidate Donald Trump. Two of the discarded ballots had been resealed inside their appropriate envelopes by Luzerne elections staff prior to recovery by the FBI and the contents of those 2 ballots are unknown.
It is extremely suspicious that all of the votes that had been “discarded” were for only one candidate.
Hopefully federal authorities will nail whoever was responsible for this, because throwing actual votes in the trash is a major offense.
And considering the fact that Pennsylvania is such an important swing state, those votes could actually help to determine who becomes the next president of the United States.
Speaking of swing states, discarded ballots have also been found in Wisconsin.
In fact, officials say that three trays of mail that included absentee ballots were recently discovered sitting in a ditch…
The U.S. Postal Service is investigating how three trays of mail, including absentee ballots, ended up in a ditch line in Wisconsin, a swing state whose voters could prove crucial in the upcoming elections. The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office said the mail was found around 8 a.m. Monday morning near the intersection of highways 96 and CB, near the Appleton International Airport.
How in the world do ballots just happen to end up in a ditch?
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This is just one of the reasons why I very much prefer the way that we used to do things. When we require the vast majority of the population to vote in person, there is much less of a chance that votes will end up in a ditch or in a dumpster.
Unfortunately, times have changed, and in some states an extremely high percentage of voters will cast their votes by mail in this election.
In Wisconsin, the percentage of absentee votes used to be in the single digits, but thanks to the pandemic that we are currently experiencing things have dramatically changed…
Prior to the pandemic, just 6% of Wisconsin voters cast absentee ballots by mail – however during the state’s April primaries, that number jumped to 60%, when 1.1 million out of 1.55 million votes were conducted through the postal service. During the August partisan primary, Wolfe said that 82% of the 867,000 votes cast were via absentee ballot. During said primaries, thousands of voters across the state complained that they never received the absentee ballots they requested. In one case, a Milwaukee postal worker said that three bins of absentee ballots had never been delivered.
Overall, tens of millions of Americans will vote by mail in 2020, and that makes me very nervous.
There are just so many opportunities for things to go wrong, and that would be true even if everyone was trying to do the right thing.
Sadly, there are always people that try to cheat, and four of them were just arrested by authorities in Texas…
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced four arrests Thursday on dozens of felony charges in connection with an alleged vote harvesting scheme during the 2018 Democratic primary elections in Gregg County.
Those four individuals could be going away for a very long time, because collectively they are facing a total of 134 felony charges…
Gregg County Commissioner Shannon Brown, Marlena Jackson, Charlie Burns and DeWayne Ward face 134 felony charges in total, according to Paxton’s office. The allegations include election fraud, tampering with a governmental record, mail-in ballot fraud and more. “To increase the pool of ballots needed to swing the race in Brown’s favor, the group targeted young, able-bodied voters to cast ballots by mail by fraudulently claiming the voters were ‘disabled,’ in most cases without the voters’ knowledge or consent,” Paxton’s office alleged.
Incidents of vote tampering and election fraud really do happen, and we should be very thankful when authorities are able to catch those that are responsible.
Those that follow my work regularly already know how deeply concerned I am about the future of our nation. Decades of exceedingly foolish decisions are catching up with us in a major way, and yet we just continue to steamroll toward oblivion.
But even though I am absolutely disgusted by so many of our “politicians”, I very much want the American people to be completely free to pick whoever they want each and every election.
Without free and fair elections, there is no way that our Republic would be able to work. So let us be extremely diligent in guarding the integrity of our votes, because if we lose that we lose any hope of ever turning things around politically.