investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Knock, Knock. We’re from the Government, and We Want Your Family’s Blood

Talk about creepy .
The Georgia Department of Public Health has announced that it , the United Sates Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , and county health boards are together sending teams of government agents to randomly selected homes in two Georgia counties .
These teams of government agents are charged with asking questions , including about household members ’ health , and extracting blood from all the people living in the homes .
The reason given for the home visits is — you may have guessed it — coronavirus .
J. Scott Trubey writes at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are seeking the blood to test for “ antibodies to the novel coronavirus to pinpoint who might have had COVID-19 and estimate how widely the virus has traveled.
” People who live at the 420 randomly selected homes are free , Trubey writes , to refuse the questioning and blood drawing by the government inquisition and phlebotomy teams that show up at their front doors .
But , in reality , people often find it hard to muster the courage to say “ no ” to government agents who accost them in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ People are intimidated .
They think that even if they say “ no ” the requested action will still be taken anyway plus they will suffer additional consequences for resisting .
That aids police efforts both to get people to say incriminating things and to obtain “ permission ” to search people and property , even from people who know evidence of a crime is likely to be found .
A CNN report by Dakin Andone shows that the government teams knocking on doors are employing some of the look of cops in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Uniforms , government badges , official letters are all part of the process , just like when cops show up for a home search holding a warrant .
Andone writes : “ Health workers conducting the survey have CDC vests and badges , the news release said , and are carrying a letter from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health.
” Plus , the goal of the people running the program is that the maximum number of people comply .
Andone quotes Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We encourage everyone who is visited by the teams to participate in this very important survey that can help public health officials assess how widespread Covid-19 is in certain areas.
” In a Tuesday Washington Times editorial , Cheryl Chumley discusses in detail the disturbing nature of the knock-and-draw-blood program .
And she points out that a government that really was seeking volunteers , instead of seeking to pressure people to comply , would act differently .
Chumley writes : Government officials could just as easily put out a notification in the mailbox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media , or over the television and radio airwaves , asking for citizen volunteers to come down to the local health department clinics and donate blood for the purposes of tracking COVID-19 — for the purposes of helping the “ investigation ” into the spread of the virus .
Seeking volunteers through those methods puts the control in the hands of the citizens ; those ways make clear the blood offerings are completely voluntary .
This looks like a program that could expand countrywide .
In fact , it fits in well with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ digital certificates ” next phase of the coronavirus crackdown .
Doing a test run in Georgia makes sense because the CDC headquarters is there .
So what ’ s your plan for when government agents come for your and your family ’ s blood ?
The government inquisition and phlebotomy teams are acting much like cops , seeking to pressure people into providing private information and even their blood .
A generally sound course of action with cops is not to talk to them and not to give them permission to do anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be employed when confronted by these new door-to-door blood suckers .

by adam dick
Talk about creepy. The Georgia Department of Public Health has announced that it, the United Sates Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and county health boards are together sending teams of government agents to randomly selected homes in two Georgia counties. These teams of government agents are charged with asking questions, including about household members’ health, and extracting blood from all the people living in the homes. The reason given for the home visits is — you may have guessed it — coronavirus.
J. Scott Trubey writes at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the government agencies are seeking the blood to test for “antibodies to the novel coronavirus to pinpoint who might have had COVID-19 and estimate how widely the virus has traveled.”
People who live at the 420 randomly selected homes are free, Trubey writes, to refuse the questioning and blood drawing by the government inquisition and phlebotomy teams that show up at their front doors. But, in reality, people often find it hard to muster the courage to say “no” to government agents who accost them in person “asking” them to comply. People are intimidated. They think that even if they say “no” the requested action will still be taken anyway plus they will suffer additional consequences for resisting. That aids police efforts both to get people to say incriminating things and to obtain “permission” to search people and property, even from people who know evidence of a crime is likely to be found.
A CNN report by Dakin Andone shows that the government teams knocking on doors are employing some of the look of cops in their effort to obtain maximum voluntary compliance. Uniforms, government badges, official letters are all part of the process, just like when cops show up for a home search holding a warrant. Andone writes: “Health workers conducting the survey have CDC vests and badges, the news release said, and are carrying a letter from the CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health.” Plus, the goal of the people running the program is that the maximum number of people comply. Andone quotes Georgia Department of Public Health Commissioner Kathleen Toomey putting it this way: “We encourage everyone who is visited by the teams to participate in this very important survey that can help public health officials assess how widespread Covid-19 is in certain areas.”
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In a Tuesday Washington Times editorial, Cheryl Chumley discusses in detail the disturbing nature of the knock-and-draw-blood program. And she points out that a government that really was seeking volunteers, instead of seeking to pressure people to comply, would act differently. Chumley writes:
Government officials could just as easily put out a notification in the mailbox, or online, or via social media, or over the television and radio airwaves, asking for citizen volunteers to come down to the local health department clinics and donate blood for the purposes of tracking COVID-19 — for the purposes of helping the “investigation” into the spread of the virus.
Seeking volunteers through those methods puts the control in the hands of the citizens; those ways make clear the blood offerings are completely voluntary.
This looks like a program that could expand countrywide. In fact, it fits in well with moving into a forced vaccinations and “digital certificates” next phase of the coronavirus crackdown. Doing a test run in Georgia makes sense because the CDC headquarters is there.
So what’s your plan for when government agents come for your and your family’s blood? The government inquisition and phlebotomy teams are acting much like cops, seeking to pressure people into providing private information and even their blood. A generally sound course of action with cops is not to talk to them and not to give them permission to do anything. The same course of action can be employed when confronted by these new door-to-door blood suckers.
Please donate to the Ron Paul Institute Copyright © 2020 by RonPaul Institute. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit and a live link are given.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--GOLD IS MONEY. ALL ELSE IS CREDIT

GOLD IS MONEY. ALL ELSE IS CREDIT

Those who says gold is irrelevant and fiat money serves a social purpose should receive their salary in dinars or @ @ @ @ @ Rising Demand for Gold as an Insurance Policy ’ in a Global Crisis Garrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ ve taken quantitative easing to another level , and of course that puts pressure on @ @ @ @ @ measure that with the price of gold , ” Bristol noted .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ across the world .

Those who says gold is irrelevant and fiat money serves a social purpose should receive their salary in dinars or pesos.
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GOLD IS MONEY. ALL ELSE IS CREDIT Those who says gold is irrelevant and fiat money serves a social purpose should receive their salary in dinars or pesos. pic.twitter.com/g5VNQqPkgj — Daniel Lacalle (@dlacalle_IA) May 6, 2020
#Gold on course to fresh highs? Global holdings in bullion-backed ETFs have just hit a record >3,000 tons in a sign of continued allocations by investors in time money printing. pic.twitter.com/uDR34tZvpf — Holger Zschaepitz (@Schuldensuehner) May 6, 2020
Garrick’s CEO: We’ve taken quantitative easing to another level, and of course that puts pressure on paper money, and you measure that with the price of gold,” Bristol noted. “We’ve seen prices go up across the world.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--On this day in history, 75 years ago: With a ceasefire in place and German troops having surrendered

On this day in history, 75 years ago: With a ceasefire in place and German troops having surrendered, World War 2 is in its final stages…

On this day in history , 75 years ago : With a ceasefire in place and German troops having surrendered @ @ @ @ @ in its final stages with three days until Victory in Europe is announced

On this day in history, 75 years ago: With a ceasefire in place and German troops having surrendered, World War 2 is in its final stages with three days until Victory in Europe is announced
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
On this day in history, 75 years ago: With a ceasefire in place and German troops having surrendered, World War 2 is in its final stages with three days until Victory in Europe is announced. This week we commemorate and thank those who gave so much for our freedom. #VEDay75 pic.twitter.com/rKqlCn4EdU — Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) May 5, 2020
h/t Builder


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--COVID19 ACCOUNTABILITY: Bonkers virus modeller resigns following illicit bonk

Neil Ferguson – the man of a thousand double standards – yesterday quit his post as Lockdown adviser to the Government , after breaking his own rules by inviting a married mistress round for a shag .
Untrustworthy , incompetent and vaccine dependent , the man who invented lockdown has left the stage .
But his departure – after what he called “ an error of judgement ” – brings into a sharper focus the issue of creeping unelected and unaccountable power at the rotten core of Contrick19 Britain .
A few days ago here I wrote this about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its Mickey Mouse euro : ‘ The spin will be , “ the economic emergency changes everything , as does the now obviously aggressive expansionism of Beijing .
We would be far better off under the shelter of a large trading entity enjoying the protection of NATO.
” Last Monday , the Murdoch press ran some puffery about China ’ s ‘ stealth bomber development being speeded up , and it could be ready to fly five years early ’ .
Yesterday , Geordie Grieg ’ s Daily MI6ail went further , insisting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stealth bomber could be ready later this year .
The feared Xian H-20 puts Australia and Japan within range.
’ Are you fearful of the Xian H-20 ?
And if not , why not ?
All in good time , fellas : We ’ re still busy round these parts bein ’ a-feared of Covid19 .
Meanwhile , the spin for ending lockdown is equally braindead , but contains this gigantic Trojan Horse [ my emphases ] as set out in yesterday ’ s Times : ‘ Everyone in Britain will be told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and get the country back to work .
Ministers plan a nationwide campaign to persuade most of the country to use a track-and-trace smartphone app….the public will be told that it is their duty to download the app to protect their health and that of their family and friends .
Officials say that the more people who use it , the more lockdown rules can be eased because the technology will allow Britain to “ get ahead of the epidemic ” by identifying and testing people with the virus before they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and carrot approach , as people used to say in more sensible times : ‘ you will be told , it is your duty – but if you acquiesce , lockdown can be eased ’ .
Even calling this a ‘ rationale ’ is risible .
I need someone to explain to me ( minus any woffle ) what use track and trace is going to be while there is a shortage of testing kits – and huge doubts about the veracity of Matt Hancock ’ s ‘ 100,000 tests carried out ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ download the app ( the DoH ’ s target ) that ’ s roughly 45 million giving feedback….about what ?
The new TCO target is 200,000 a day , so it ’ ll take 9 days to process….what exactly ?
And how long to get the testing kit to a tracked person….about whom they know precisely what ?
Say another 3 days – that means 13 days in all , by which time the ‘ suspect ’ might well be symptomatic , and have been to see a medical centre of some description @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I fail to see why knowing where 45 million adults are is going to do anything but complicate matters , and result in analysis way in excess of what ’ s required .
This is not , for instance , what Germany did : Berlin simply ordered millions of kits , and then traced every case contact manually….with spectacular results .
What we see here is action on control masquerading as the Common Good.The whole idea seems to me an attempt to ( a ) look as if a major technical leap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what ? )
and ( b ) arrive at what the point was in the first place : to have 45 million citizens telling the Surveillance State exactly where they ’ ve been and what they ’ re doing now .
Somehow , I can ’ t imagine many UK-based Jihadists are going to download the app….can you ?
As the things we ’ re asked to do get sillier and sillier , confusion between relevance and poppycock becomes total .
This has , in my view , been exacerbated by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unaccountable advisers with at best dubious motives , and a staggering ability to be wrong about everything .
But at heart , there is a now such a powerful unfluence leading back to our security services in “ policy ” , you have to believe that at least part of the knowledge-anarchy is intentional .
The following at the moment are unclear in Britain : the percentage herd immunity , reliability of diagnoses , success or otherwise of lockdown , likelihood of a vaccine before 2022 , number of testing kits available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the precise way out of lockdown , standard of care-home anti-infection security and how much potential gdp has been blown away by Covidophobia hype .
This is allowing the anti-Boris Leftlib axis to have a field-day on social media…and they have grasped it with the same two hands incapable of finding their arses in the dark .
Yesterday was yet another “ Where ’ s Boris ?
” fest on Twitter , in which raw numbers were used to spread complete lies about the UK ’ s place in the league tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Twitter , it goes without saying , did nothing to stop this torrent of what must surely ( for once ) add up to Fake News .
But of course , most informed thinkers know perfectly well who the Zuckerbergs and Twatterati serve ; thus , their job is to censor Truth , and amplify the Unelected State narrative .
Military Intelligence , GCHQ and the media are all in the business : they are professional information collectors , leak pluggers and – where necessary – bare-faced liars .
This from today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 72 million .
Population of Italy , 60 million .
Britain ’ s death rate per million is 12 % lower than Italy ’ s….and neither of these two are the death rate leaders : that honour belongs to Spain , whose death rate is 20 % higher than that of the UK .
The story is completely untrue on the silplest Janet & John basis , but the Murdoch organ of onanism goes further , by adding ‘ The UK death toll is higher whether measured using only those who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or deaths registered with the virus mentioned on the death certificate ’ .
But , um , not if you spot that Britain is by far the most overcrowded country in the European Top Ten for gdp .
The final iniquity from the Times is a piece of utter piffle using modelling ( Really ?
Again ?
Haven ’ t we had enough of it yet ? )
to say that the “ real ” death tally in Britain is 55,700 – based on ‘ Times modelling of ONS data over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hard to know where to start on this rubbish , but the ONS data doesn ’ t support any such conclusion , and the assumption that all excess numbers are Covid related is beyond help .
I posted last week to the effect that Whitehall is coaching its tame media contacts day in day out .
I was told by a solid source last night with some authority that the ‘ model ’ was given to News International by Civil Service sources .
There is an alliance against the Johnson Administration in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leftlibs , the technocrats and suppliant media owners .
Both Sir Mark Sedwill and Rupert Murdoch want BoJo out – for their own reasons , presented previously at this site on several occasions….but notably here .
The United Kingdom needs rigorous accountability to be applied to all those at the heart of Government – by their foibles treasonous , corrupt or sexual .
That ’ s what today ’ s Slogpost is about .
Tomorrow , I ’ ll be taking a closer look some of Sir Mark Sedwill ’ s lesser known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this dangerously powerful man .

by John Ward
FERGUSON’S LATEST ERROR
Neil Ferguson – the man of a thousand double standards – yesterday quit his post as Lockdown adviser to the Government, after breaking his own rules by inviting a married mistress round for a shag.
Untrustworthy, incompetent and vaccine dependent, the man who invented lockdown has left the stage. But his departure – after what he called “an error of judgement” – brings into a sharper focus the issue of creeping unelected and unaccountable power at the rotten core of Contrick19 Britain.
A few days ago here I wrote this about the Technocratic route back into the EU and its Mickey Mouse euro:
‘The spin will be, “the economic emergency changes everything, as does the now obviously aggressive expansionism of Beijing. We would be far better off under the shelter of a large trading entity enjoying the protection of NATO.”
Last Monday, the Murdoch press ran some puffery about China’s ‘stealth bomber development being speeded up, and it could be ready to fly five years early’. Yesterday, Geordie Grieg’s Daily MI6ail went further, insisting that ‘China’s new supersonic stealth bomber could be ready later this year. The feared Xian H-20 puts Australia and Japan within range.’
Are you fearful of the Xian H-20? And if not, why not?
All in good time, fellas: We’re still busy round these parts bein’ a-feared of Covid19. Meanwhile, the spin for ending lockdown is equally braindead, but contains this gigantic Trojan Horse [my emphases] as set out in yesterday’s Times:
‘Everyone in Britain will be told to download an NHS app to save lives and get the country back to work. Ministers plan a nationwide campaign to persuade most of the country to use a track-and-trace smartphone app….the public will be told that it is their duty to download the app to protect their health and that of their family and friends. Officials say that the more people who use it, the more lockdown rules can be eased because the technology will allow Britain to “get ahead of the epidemic” by identifying and testing people with the virus before they are even symptomatic.’
The stick, guilt and carrot approach, as people used to say in more sensible times: ‘you will be told, it is your duty – but if you acquiesce, lockdown can be eased’.
Even calling this a ‘rationale’ is risible. I need someone to explain to me (minus any woffle) what use track and trace is going to be while there is a shortage of testing kits – and huge doubts about the veracity of Matt Hancock’s ‘100,000 tests carried out’. If 80% of adults do download the app (the DoH’s target) that’s roughly 45 million giving feedback….about what? The new TCO target is 200,000 a day, so it’ll take 9 days to process….what exactly? And how long to get the testing kit to a tracked person….about whom they know precisely what? Say another 3 days – that means 13 days in all, by which time the ‘suspect’ might well be symptomatic, and have been to see a medical centre of some description.
I must be missing something, but I fail to see why knowing where 45 million adults are is going to do anything but complicate matters, and result in analysis way in excess of what’s required. This is not, for instance, what Germany did: Berlin simply ordered millions of kits, and then traced every case contact manually….with spectacular results.
What we see here is action on control masquerading as the Common Good.The whole idea seems to me an attempt to (a) look as if a major technical leap is putting us ‘ahead’ (of what?) and (b) arrive at what the point was in the first place: to have 45 million citizens telling the Surveillance State exactly where they’ve been and what they’re doing now.
Somehow, I can’t imagine many UK-based Jihadists are going to download the app….can you?
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
As the things we’re asked to do get sillier and sillier, confusion between relevance and poppycock becomes total. This has, in my view, been exacerbated by the now near-universal usage by the Government classes of unaccountable advisers with at best dubious motives, and a staggering ability to be wrong about everything. But at heart, there is a now such a powerful unfluence leading back to our security services in “policy”, you have to believe that at least part of the knowledge-anarchy is intentional.
The following at the moment are unclear in Britain: the percentage herd immunity, reliability of diagnoses, success or otherwise of lockdown, likelihood of a vaccine before 2022, number of testing kits available, how they’ll be distributed, the precise way out of lockdown, standard of care-home anti-infection security and how much potential gdp has been blown away by Covidophobia hype.
This is allowing the anti-Boris Leftlib axis to have a field-day on social media…and they have grasped it with the same two hands incapable of finding their arses in the dark. Yesterday was yet another “Where’s Boris?” fest on Twitter, in which raw numbers were used to spread complete lies about the UK’s place in the league tables of C19 cases and so-called death tolls. Twitter, it goes without saying, did nothing to stop this torrent of what must surely (for once) add up to Fake News.
But of course, most informed thinkers know perfectly well who the Zuckerbergs and Twatterati serve; thus, their job is to censor Truth, and amplify the Unelected State narrative. Military Intelligence, GCHQ and the media are all in the business: they are professional information collectors, leak pluggers and – where necessary – bare-faced liars. This from today’s Times:
Population of Britain, 72 million. Population of Italy, 60 million. Britain’s death rate per million is 12% lower than Italy’s….and neither of these two are the death rate leaders: that honour belongs to Spain, whose death rate is 20% higher than that of the UK.
The story is completely untrue on the silplest Janet & John basis, but the Murdoch organ of onanism goes further, by adding ‘The UK death toll is higher whether measured using only those who have died following a positive test for coronavirus, or deaths registered with the virus mentioned on the death certificate’. But, um, not if you spot that Britain is by far the most overcrowded country in the European Top Ten for gdp.
The final iniquity from the Times is a piece of utter piffle using modelling (Really? Again? Haven’t we had enough of it yet?) to say that the “real” death tally in Britain is 55,700 – based on ‘Times modelling of ONS data over a five year average’. It’s hard to know where to start on this rubbish, but the ONS data doesn’t support any such conclusion, and the assumption that all excess numbers are Covid related is beyond help.
I posted last week to the effect that Whitehall is coaching its tame media contacts day in day out. I was told by a solid source last night with some authority that the ‘model’ was given to News International by Civil Service sources.
There is an alliance against the Johnson Administration in Britain, and it consists of the Leftlibs, the technocrats and suppliant media owners.
Both Sir Mark Sedwill and Rupert Murdoch want BoJo out – for their own reasons, presented previously at this site on several occasions….but notably here.
The United Kingdom needs rigorous accountability to be applied to all those at the heart of Government – by their foibles treasonous, corrupt or sexual. That’s what today’s Slogpost is about.
Tomorrow, I’ll be taking a closer look some of Sir Mark Sedwill’s lesser known networking. And asking some uncomfortable questions of this dangerously powerful man.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--CNN’s Don Lemon thinks Trump is jealous of Obama because Michelle is better looking than Melania

THE DELUSION IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE .
Addressing President Trump , CNN reporter Don Lemon insinuates that Trump is a racist for disliking Obama and that Trump resents Obama because Obama ’ s wife is “ better looking ” than Trump ’ s wife , Melania .
With a smug look on his face , Lemon rhetorically asks : “ What is it about President Obama that really gets under your skin ?
Is it because he ’ s smarter than you , better educated , made it on his own — didn ’ t need daddy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , better looking ?
I don ’ t know ?
What is it about it ?
That he ’ s a black man and is accomplished and became president , and he punked you on the whole birth certificate thing .
What is it about him ?
Just wonderin ’ .
” Hey , Lemon , if you think “ Big Mike ” Michelle is better looking than First Lady Melania , then you ’ re delusional .
But then , this is the same Don Lemon who , last August in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shorts , “ vigorously ” rubbed his penis , then shoved his penis-smelling fingers under a bartender ’ s nose .
Actually , since Lemon is openly homosexual , we can hardly expect him to find any woman attractive .
In saying that “ Big Mike ” Michelle is “ better looking ” than Melania , Lemon was merely recognizing a fellow LGBT , as in transvestite .
See “ Michelle Obama is a man : See the junk moving in his pants ”

by Dr. Eowyn
THE DELUSION IS STRONG WITH THIS ONE.
Addressing President Trump, CNN reporter Don Lemon insinuates that Trump is a racist for disliking Obama and that Trump resents Obama because Obama’s wife is “better looking” than Trump’s wife, Melania.
With a smug look on his face, Lemon rhetorically asks:
“What is it about President Obama that really gets under your skin? Is it because he’s smarter than you, better educated, made it on his own — didn’t need daddy’s help — his wife is more accomplished, better looking? I don’t know? What is it about it? That he’s a black man and is accomplished and became president, and he punked you on the whole birth certificate thing. What is it about him? Just wonderin’.”
Don Lemon decided to blast First Lady Melania’s looks and accomplishments on CNN pic.twitter.com/bVh55qkQnX — Jack Posobiec (@JackPosobiec) May 4, 2020
Hey, Lemon, if you think “Big Mike” Michelle is better looking than First Lady Melania, then you’re delusional.
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But then, this is the same Don Lemon who, last August in the Hamptons, stuck his hand down his shorts, “vigorously” rubbed his penis, then shoved his penis-smelling fingers under a bartender’s nose.
Actually, since Lemon is openly homosexual, we can hardly expect him to find any woman attractive. In saying that “Big Mike” Michelle is “better looking” than Melania, Lemon was merely recognizing a fellow LGBT, as in transvestite.
See “Michelle Obama is a man: See the junk moving in his pants”
~Eowyn


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--How Governments Broke the Oil Market

How Governments Broke the Oil Market

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries ( OPEC ) and its partners have been cutting production since September 2016 .
Between September and November 2016 they cut production by more than 1.7 million barrels a day , a historical cut that was wrongly prolonged throughout the expansionary phase of the global economy .
In December 2018 they cut production again .
OPEC ’ s was trying to artificially inflate the price of oil .
But no oil-producing country lost money at the 2016 price ; the only thing they could not afford was to pay huge subsidies , civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OPEC members finance with export earnings .
This strategic error led to two negative effects for producing countries : On the one hand , supply diversification and technological substitution accelerated ; customers responded .
On the other hand , the market share of OPEC fell to almost a decade low .
The subsequent fiscal and monetary effects turned a strategic error into a disaster .
The vast majority of these countries entered into significant fiscal and trade deficits ( twin deficits ) and , in the absence of local and international demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased their US dollar–denominated debt .
With falling exports and dollar revenues , now they face a massive dollar shortage in the middle of a demand collapse .
Those production cuts , moreover , worked as an unintended subsidy to United States producers .
The short-term rise in the price of oil due to the supply cuts meant an unprecedented capital injection for the North American oil industry , which was going through very dire financial times .
OPEC bailed out shale and lost market share .
This led to the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saudi Arabia and Russia in daily production .
Additionally , between 2015 and 2019 we witnessed an expansion of credit and historical levels of the global money supply .
From China to the European Union , credit expansion was encouraged in such a way that investments of dubious profitability were financed at historically low rates , excess capacity and questionable oil investments were kept zombified , and the companies that should have gone bust were kept alive through constant refinancing and issuing high-risk debt at increasingly lower yields .
A tsunami of idle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production cuts .
New debt issued by the oil sector to finance investments and operations reached $ 200 billion a year according to the Wall Street Journal .
And with very low yields .
The oil industry became one of the main areas of malinvestment in the years of massive liquidity and low yields .
This perpetuated excess capacity and kept inefficient companies unnecessarily alive .
OPEC cuts added another layer of support that ultimately came back to bite producer nations .
Before COVID-19 , there were dangerous signs of a slowdown in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency ( IEA ) had already lowered demand growth estimates in 2019 and warned of the pace of weakening .
In June 2019 , the Oil Market Report lowered demand growth expectations to 1.2 million barrels a day , a cut in estimates that it had also made in May and April of the same year .
Global oil inventories were comfortably at the average of the previous five years and oil stored on the sea was beginning to rise worryingly for a world that was apparently growing steadily .
America ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the COVID-19 crisis .
The United States has a historic problem with the storage and evacuation of oil .
Storage issues had surfaced already in 2007 .
Back in 2007 , a price crash on West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) occurred when a Valero refinery in Texas was temporarily closed .
Storage filled up quickly and the reference price of crude oil collapsed .
The United States has 91 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity in Oklahoma , but most refineries are a long distance away or in other states , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not solved when some major pipeline projects were halted by government and judicial decisions .
The oil market was showing a small backwardation curve in mid-2019 , reflecting a reasonably positive environment for the sector , yet idle capacity and weakening demand growth were already evident .
Then , COVID-19 arrived , and with it the forced closure of the economy .
All of these factors have been key to the perfect storm , which was generated in April 2020 , when the May WTI crude oil contract price came to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slumping demand , which in March and April fell in the United States to the lowest levels seen since 1995 .
According to Bloomberg , oil demand in the United States would drop more than 9 million barrels a day in April 2020 , erasing all the consumption growth of the decade .
The collapse of the price of crude oil led to monster “ margin calls ” and an urgent fire sale when nobody wanted to buy and those who could execute the contract had no place to store crude .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the situation is similar but not as dramatic .
The price has plummeted more than 70 percent in 2020 .
Crude oil stored in tanks has soared in 2020 to 3.2 billion barrels , and to this must be added hundreds of ships floating in the world ’ s seas laden with crude oil—at least 160 million barrels in ports from Singapore to Suffolk .
Worldwide , there is an idle capacity of around 1.4 billion barrels for the storage of crude oil .
This is not much considering the speed at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point has been reached where many producers have to continue delivering barrels because shutting down production is more expensive than maintaining it and others need to generate any possible cash .
Demand , according to the IEA , may drop by 9.3 million barrels a day in all of 2020 , with a slump of 29 million barrels a day in April .
In 2020 , supply will likely be cut by about 12 million barrels a day , but it is not enough to mitigate the destruction of demand or the lack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are wrong when they think that bankruptcies in the oil sector will balance the market and limit supply .
When a company goes bankrupt , the assets are absorbed by another more efficient and debt-free business .
Governments all over the world are going to bail out their so-called strategic sectors , and the energy complex stands at the forefront of these actions .
Betting on creative destruction to curb overcapacity will be a mistake .
Governments and central banks will bail out the entire malinvestment binge of the past decade and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through massive stimuli , liquidity injections , and negative rates .
The oil market was already weak in 2019 .
Now it faces a cataclysm .
Producers will have to adapt , as always , by adjusting costs .
Cutting production only disguises the problem in the short term and creates more problems later , as we explain in The Energy World Is Flat ( Wiley ) .
The reason why the oil market is broken is that it was not a free market .
It benefited from direct and indirect subsidies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a consequence of the excess in monetary and fiscal policies .
The energy sector has become the clearest example of a “ too-big-to-fail ” mistake .
Unfortunately , malinvestment will—again—be rewarded , and the oil market is likely to remain as inefficient and bloated as the coal and aluminum ones .
There will be volatility .
But the long-term value destruction of the sector , both from state-owned and private entities , will remain .

by Daniel Lacalle via Mises
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its partners have been cutting production since September 2016. Between September and November 2016 they cut production by more than 1.7 million barrels a day, a historical cut that was wrongly prolonged throughout the expansionary phase of the global economy. In December 2018 they cut production again.
OPEC’s was trying to artificially inflate the price of oil. But no oil-producing country lost money at the 2016 price; the only thing they could not afford was to pay huge subsidies, civil servants, and non-oil expenses that many OPEC members finance with export earnings.
This strategic error led to two negative effects for producing countries: On the one hand, supply diversification and technological substitution accelerated; customers responded. On the other hand, the market share of OPEC fell to almost a decade low. The subsequent fiscal and monetary effects turned a strategic error into a disaster. The vast majority of these countries entered into significant fiscal and trade deficits (twin deficits) and, in the absence of local and international demand for their domestic currency, the vast majority increased their US dollar–denominated debt. With falling exports and dollar revenues, now they face a massive dollar shortage in the middle of a demand collapse.
Those production cuts, moreover, worked as an unintended subsidy to United States producers. The short-term rise in the price of oil due to the supply cuts meant an unprecedented capital injection for the North American oil industry, which was going through very dire financial times. OPEC bailed out shale and lost market share. This led to the United States reaching an all-time production record, beating Saudi Arabia and Russia in daily production.
Additionally, between 2015 and 2019 we witnessed an expansion of credit and historical levels of the global money supply. From China to the European Union, credit expansion was encouraged in such a way that investments of dubious profitability were financed at historically low rates, excess capacity and questionable oil investments were kept zombified, and the companies that should have gone bust were kept alive through constant refinancing and issuing high-risk debt at increasingly lower yields. A tsunami of idle capacity was brewing despite the previously mentioned production cuts. New debt issued by the oil sector to finance investments and operations reached $200 billion a year according to the Wall Street Journal. And with very low yields.
The oil industry became one of the main areas of malinvestment in the years of massive liquidity and low yields. This perpetuated excess capacity and kept inefficient companies unnecessarily alive. OPEC cuts added another layer of support that ultimately came back to bite producer nations.
Before COVID-19, there were dangerous signs of a slowdown in the energy world. The International Energy Agency (IEA) had already lowered demand growth estimates in 2019 and warned of the pace of weakening. In June 2019, the Oil Market Report lowered demand growth expectations to 1.2 million barrels a day, a cut in estimates that it had also made in May and April of the same year. Global oil inventories were comfortably at the average of the previous five years and oil stored on the sea was beginning to rise worryingly for a world that was apparently growing steadily.
America’s storage problems were already evident years before the COVID-19 crisis. The United States has a historic problem with the storage and evacuation of oil. Storage issues had surfaced already in 2007. Back in 2007, a price crash on West Texas Intermediate (WTI) occurred when a Valero refinery in Texas was temporarily closed. Storage filled up quickly and the reference price of crude oil collapsed. The United States has 91 million barrels of crude oil storage capacity in Oklahoma, but most refineries are a long distance away or in other states, and there is an evacuation problem that was not solved when some major pipeline projects were halted by government and judicial decisions.
The oil market was showing a small backwardation curve in mid-2019, reflecting a reasonably positive environment for the sector, yet idle capacity and weakening demand growth were already evident. Then, COVID-19 arrived, and with it the forced closure of the economy.
All of these factors have been key to the perfect storm, which was generated in April 2020, when the May WTI crude oil contract price came to a negative price. Storage capacity collapsed with slumping demand, which in March and April fell in the United States to the lowest levels seen since 1995. According to Bloomberg, oil demand in the United States would drop more than 9 million barrels a day in April 2020, erasing all the consumption growth of the decade. The collapse of the price of crude oil led to monster “margin calls” and an urgent fire sale when nobody wanted to buy and those who could execute the contract had no place to store crude.
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In Brent, the most international benchmark crude, the situation is similar but not as dramatic. The price has plummeted more than 70 percent in 2020.
Crude oil stored in tanks has soared in 2020 to 3.2 billion barrels, and to this must be added hundreds of ships floating in the world’s seas laden with crude oil—at least 160 million barrels in ports from Singapore to Suffolk.
Worldwide, there is an idle capacity of around 1.4 billion barrels for the storage of crude oil. This is not much considering the speed at which demand is destroyed, and a point has been reached where many producers have to continue delivering barrels because shutting down production is more expensive than maintaining it and others need to generate any possible cash. Demand, according to the IEA, may drop by 9.3 million barrels a day in all of 2020, with a slump of 29 million barrels a day in April.
In 2020, supply will likely be cut by about 12 million barrels a day, but it is not enough to mitigate the destruction of demand or the lack of storage capacity.
Many market participants are wrong when they think that bankruptcies in the oil sector will balance the market and limit supply. When a company goes bankrupt, the assets are absorbed by another more efficient and debt-free business.
Governments all over the world are going to bail out their so-called strategic sectors, and the energy complex stands at the forefront of these actions. Betting on creative destruction to curb overcapacity will be a mistake. Governments and central banks will bail out the entire malinvestment binge of the past decade and, more importantly, incentivize even more overcapacity through massive stimuli, liquidity injections, and negative rates.
The oil market was already weak in 2019. Now it faces a cataclysm. Producers will have to adapt, as always, by adjusting costs. Cutting production only disguises the problem in the short term and creates more problems later, as we explain in The Energy World Is Flat (Wiley).
The reason why the oil market is broken is that it was not a free market. It benefited from direct and indirect subsidies to create overcapacity and excess supply and has become a consequence of the excess in monetary and fiscal policies. The energy sector has become the clearest example of a “too-big-to-fail” mistake. Unfortunately, malinvestment will—again—be rewarded, and the oil market is likely to remain as inefficient and bloated as the coal and aluminum ones.
There will be volatility. But the long-term value destruction of the sector, both from state-owned and private entities, will remain.
Originally published at dlacalle.com


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Get Ready For The Post-coronavirus, Digital Yuan Game Changer…Will It Be Backed By Gold?

A new , radical paradigm shift is in progress .
The U.S. economy may shrink as much as 40 % in the first semester of 2020 .
China , already the world ’ s largest economy by PPP for a few years now , may soon become the world ’ s largest economy even in exchange rate terms .
The post-Planet Lockdown world – still a hazy mirage – may well need a post-Planet Lockdown currency .
And that ’ s where a serious candidate steps into the fray : the fiat digital yuan .
Last month , the People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) confirmed that a group of top banks started trials in electronic payment in four different Chinese regions using the new digital yuan .
Yet there ’ s no timetable yet for the official launch of what is called the Digital Currency Electronic Payment ( DCEP ) .
The man with the plan is PBOC governor Yi Gang .
He has confirmed that apart from the trials in Suzhou , Xiong ’ an , Chengdu and Shenzhen , the PBOC is also testing hypothetical scenarios for the 2022 Winter Olympics .
While DCEP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made very good progress , ” he insists the PBOC will be “ cautious in terms of risk control , especially to study anti money-laundering and ‘ know your customer ’ requirements to incorporate in the design and system of DCEP.
” DCEP should be interpreted as the road map for China leading to an eventual , even more groundbreaking replacement of the U.S. dollar as the world ’ s reserve currency .
China is already ahead in the digital currency sweepstakes : the sooner DCEP is launched the better to convince the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tag along .
The PBOC is developing the system with four top state-owned banks as well as payment behemoths Tencent and Ant Financial .
A mobile app developed by the Agricultural Bank of China ( ABC ) is already circulating on WeChat .
This is in effect an interface linked to DCEP .
Moreover , 19 restaurants and retail establishments including Starbucks , McDonald ’ s and Subway are part of the pilot testing .
China is advancing fast on the whole digital spectrum .
A Blockchain Service Network ( BSN ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also for global trade purposes .
A large committee is supervising BSN , including executives from the PBOC , Baidu and Tencent , according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology ( MIIT ) .
So what does this all mean ?
Well connected banking sources in Hong Kong have told me Beijing is not interested for the yuan to replace the U.S. dollar – for all the interest across the Global South in bypassing it , especially now that the petrodollar is in a coma .
The official Beijing position is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an IMF-approved Special Drawing Rights ( SDR ) basket of currencies ( dollar , euro , yuan , yen ) .
That would eliminate the heavy burden of the yuan as the sole reserve currency .
But that may be just a diversionist tactic in an environment of all-out information war .
A basket of currencies under the IMF still implies U.S. control – not exactly what China wants .
The meat of the matter is that a digital , sovereign yuan may be backed by gold .
That ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a direct back up ; to back bonds ; or just lay there as collateral .
What ’ s certain is that once Beijing announces a digital currency backed by gold , it will be like the U.S. dollar being struck by lightning .
Under this new framework , nations won ’ t need to export more to China than they import so they have enough yuan to trade .
And Beijing won ’ t have to keep printing yuan electronically – and artificially , as in the case of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The digital yuan will be effectively backed up by the massive amount of Made in China goods and services – and not by a transoceanic Empire of 800 Bases .
And the value of the digital yuan will be decided by the market – as it happens with bitcoin .
This whole process has been years in the making , part of serious discussions started already in the late 2000s inside BRICS summit meetings , especially by Russia and China – the core strategic partnership inside the BRICS .
Considering multiple strategies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with bilateral trade in their own currencies , Russia and China , for instance , set up a Russia-Chian RMB Cooperation Fund three years ago .
Beijing ’ s strategy is carefully calibrated , like playing go long-term .
Apart from methodically stockpiling gold in massive quantities ( just like Russia ) for seven years now , Beijing has been campaigning for a wider use of SDR while making sure to not position the yuan as a strategic competitor .
But now the post-Planet Lockdown environment is shaping up as ideal for Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the onset of the Covid-19 crisis the predominant feeling among the leadership was that China is under a full spectrum attack by the United States government .
Hybrid War already reaching fever pitch implies bilateral relations will only get worse , not better .
So when we have China as the world ’ s largest economy by both PPP and exchange rate ; still the strongest growing major economy , barring the first semester of 2020 ; productive , innovative , efficient and on track to reach a higher technological level with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capable of winning the “ people ’ s war ” against Covid-19 in record time , all the necessary elements seem to be in place .
But then , there ’ s soft power .
Beijing needs to have the Global South on its side .
The United States government knows it very well ; no wonder the current hysteria is all about demonizing China as “ guilty ” on all – unproved – counts of fostering and lying about Covid-19 .
A key advantage of a sovereign digital yuan is that Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yuan – which by the way is being sidelined all across China itself , as virtually everyone is switching to electronic payment .
The digital yuan , using blockchain technology , will automatically float – thus bypassing the U.S.-controlled global financialized casino .
The amount of sovereign digital currency is fixed .
That in itself eliminates a plague : quantitative easing ( QE ) , as in helicopter money .
And that leaves the sovereign digital currency as the preferred medium for trade , with currency transfers unimpeded by geography and , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charging outrageous fees as intermediaries .
Of course there will be pushback .
As in non-stop demonization of neo-Orwellian China for straying away from the whole purpose of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies – which is to have freedom from a centralized structure via decentralized ownership .
There will be howls of horror at the PBOC potentially capable of seizing anyone ’ s digital funds or turning off a wallet if the owner displeases the CCP .
China is on it , but the U.S. , UK , Russia and India are also on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For obvious reasons , the Bank of International Settlements ( BIS ) , the Central Bank of Central Banks , is very much aware that the future is now .
Their research with over 50 Central Banks is unmistakable : we are facing an “ impeding arrival ” .
But who will take the Biggest Prize ?

by Pepe Escobar via Strategic Culture Foundation
A new, radical paradigm shift is in progress. The U.S. economy may shrink as much as 40% in the first semester of 2020. China, already the world’s largest economy by PPP for a few years now, may soon become the world’s largest economy even in exchange rate terms.
The post-Planet Lockdown world – still a hazy mirage – may well need a post-Planet Lockdown currency. And that’s where a serious candidate steps into the fray: the fiat digital yuan.
Last month, the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) confirmed that a group of top banks started trials in electronic payment in four different Chinese regions using the new digital yuan. Yet there’s no timetable yet for the official launch of what is called the Digital Currency Electronic Payment (DCEP).
The man with the plan is PBOC governor Yi Gang. He has confirmed that apart from the trials in Suzhou, Xiong’an, Chengdu and Shenzhen, the PBOC is also testing hypothetical scenarios for the 2022 Winter Olympics.
While DCEP, according to Yi, “has made very good progress,” he insists the PBOC will be “cautious in terms of risk control, especially to study anti money-laundering and ‘know your customer’ requirements to incorporate in the design and system of DCEP.”
DCEP should be interpreted as the road map for China leading to an eventual, even more groundbreaking replacement of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency. China is already ahead in the digital currency sweepstakes: the sooner DCEP is launched the better to convince the world, especially the Global South, to tag along.
The PBOC is developing the system with four top state-owned banks as well as payment behemoths Tencent and Ant Financial.
A mobile app developed by the Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) is already circulating on WeChat. This is in effect an interface linked to DCEP. Moreover, 19 restaurants and retail establishments including Starbucks, McDonald’s and Subway are part of the pilot testing.
China is advancing fast on the whole digital spectrum. A Blockchain Service Network (BSN) was launched not only for domestic but also for global trade purposes. A large committee is supervising BSN, including executives from the PBOC, Baidu and Tencent, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
Backed by gold
So what does this all mean?
Well connected banking sources in Hong Kong have told me Beijing is not interested for the yuan to replace the U.S. dollar – for all the interest across the Global South in bypassing it, especially now that the petrodollar is in a coma.
The official Beijing position is that the U.S. dollar should be replaced by an IMF-approved Special Drawing Rights (SDR) basket of currencies (dollar, euro, yuan, yen). That would eliminate the heavy burden of the yuan as the sole reserve currency.
But that may be just a diversionist tactic in an environment of all-out information war. A basket of currencies under the IMF still implies U.S. control – not exactly what China wants.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The meat of the matter is that a digital, sovereign yuan may be backed by gold. That’s not confirmed – yet. Gold could serve as a direct back up; to back bonds; or just lay there as collateral. What’s certain is that once Beijing announces a digital currency backed by gold, it will be like the U.S. dollar being struck by lightning.
Under this new framework, nations won’t need to export more to China than they import so they have enough yuan to trade. And Beijing won’t have to keep printing yuan electronically – and artificially, as in the case of the U.S. dollar – to meet trade demands.
The digital yuan will be effectively backed up by the massive amount of Made in China goods and services – and not by a transoceanic Empire of 800 Bases. And the value of the digital yuan will be decided by the market – as it happens with bitcoin.
This whole process has been years in the making, part of serious discussions started already in the late 2000s inside BRICS summit meetings, especially by Russia and China – the core strategic partnership inside the BRICS.
Considering multiple strategies to progressively bypass the U.S. dollar, starting with bilateral trade in their own currencies, Russia and China, for instance, set up a Russia-Chian RMB Cooperation Fund three years ago.
Beijing’s strategy is carefully calibrated, like playing go long-term. Apart from methodically stockpiling gold in massive quantities (just like Russia) for seven years now, Beijing has been campaigning for a wider use of SDR while making sure to not position the yuan as a strategic competitor.
But now the post-Planet Lockdown environment is shaping up as ideal for Beijing to make a move. Even before the onset of the Covid-19 crisis the predominant feeling among the leadership was that China is under a full spectrum attack by the United States government. Hybrid War already reaching fever pitch implies bilateral relations will only get worse, not better.
So when we have China as the world’s largest economy by both PPP and exchange rate; still the strongest growing major economy, barring the first semester of 2020; productive, innovative, efficient and on track to reach a higher technological level with the Made in China 2025 program; and capable of winning the “people’s war” against Covid-19 in record time, all the necessary elements seem to be in place.
But then, there’s soft power. Beijing needs to have the Global South on its side. The United States government knows it very well; no wonder the current hysteria is all about demonizing China as “guilty” on all – unproved – counts of fostering and lying about Covid-19.
An “impeding arrival”
A key advantage of a sovereign digital yuan is that Beijing does not need to float a paper yuan – which by the way is being sidelined all across China itself, as virtually everyone is switching to electronic payment.
The digital yuan, using blockchain technology, will automatically float – thus bypassing the U.S.-controlled global financialized casino.
The amount of sovereign digital currency is fixed. That in itself eliminates a plague: quantitative easing (QE), as in helicopter money. And that leaves the sovereign digital currency as the preferred medium for trade, with currency transfers unimpeded by geography and, the icing on the cake, without banks charging outrageous fees as intermediaries.
Of course there will be pushback. As in non-stop demonization of neo-Orwellian China for straying away from the whole purpose of bitcoin and cryptocurrencies – which is to have freedom from a centralized structure via decentralized ownership. There will be howls of horror at the PBOC potentially capable of seizing anyone’s digital funds or turning off a wallet if the owner displeases the CCP.
China is on it, but the U.S., UK, Russia and India are also on their way to launch their own crypto-currencies. For obvious reasons, the Bank of International Settlements (BIS), the Central Bank of Central Banks, is very much aware that the future is now. Their research with over 50 Central Banks is unmistakable: we are facing an “impeding arrival”. But who will take the Biggest Prize?


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--He’s just putting in words what every democrat is thinking:

Politico Co-Founder Martin Tolchin : ‘ I Don ’ t Want an Investigation ’ Into Tara Reade Allegation , ‘ I Want a Coronation of Joe Biden.
’ Martin Tolchin , a veteran journalist who worked for the New York Times before departing to help found The Hill and Politico , rejected an investigation into Tara Reade ’ s sexual assault allegation against 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden , Monday , in case it results in Biden being found guilty and losing the election .
In a letter to the New York Times , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ board article titled , “ Investigate Tara Reade ’ s Allegations , ” Tolchin wrote , “ I totally disagree with this editorial.
” “ I don ’ t want an investigation .
I want a coronation of Joe Biden , ” he declared .
“ Would he make a great president ?
Unlikely .
Would he make a good president ?
Good enough .
Would he make a better president than the present occupant ?
Absolutely.
” “ I don ’ t want justice , whatever that may be .
I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump from office , and Mr. Biden is our best chance , ” Tolchin added , concluding , “ Suppose an investigation reveals damaging information concerning his relationship with Tara Reade or something else , and Mr. Biden loses the nomination to Senator Bernie Sanders or someone else with a minimal chance of defeating Mr. Trump .
Should we really risk the possibility ?
”

Politico Co-Founder Martin Tolchin: ‘I Don’t Want an Investigation’ Into Tara Reade Allegation, ‘I Want a Coronation of Joe Biden.’
Martin Tolchin, a veteran journalist who worked for the New York Times before departing to help found The Hill and Politico, rejected an investigation into Tara Reade’s sexual assault allegation against 2020 Democratic presidential nominee and former Vice President Joe Biden, Monday, in case it results in Biden being found guilty and losing the election.
In a letter to the New York Times, which was written in response to an editorial board article titled, “Investigate Tara Reade’s Allegations,” Tolchin wrote, “I totally disagree with this editorial.”
“I don’t want an investigation. I want a coronation of Joe Biden,” he declared. “Would he make a great president? Unlikely. Would he make a good president? Good enough. Would he make a better president than the present occupant? Absolutely.”
“I don’t want justice, whatever that may be. I want a win, the removal of Donald Trump from office, and Mr. Biden is our best chance,” Tolchin added, concluding, “Suppose an investigation reveals damaging information concerning his relationship with Tara Reade or something else, and Mr. Biden loses the nomination to Senator Bernie Sanders or someone else with a minimal chance of defeating Mr. Trump. Should we really risk the possibility?”


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Salon owner chooses 7 days in jail and $7,000 fine instead of apologizing and shutting down her busi

Salon owner chooses 7 days in jail and $7,000 fine instead of apologizing and shutting down her business.

Isn ’ t it amazing that the Judge is still working and still drawing a paycheck while he doles out @ @ @ @ @ to do the same thing .

Isn’t it amazing that the Judge is still working and still drawing a paycheck while he doles out punishment for those that seek to do the same thing.
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Over $92,000 Raised for Brave Texas Salon Owner Shelley Luther After She Is Given 7 Days in Jail and Fined $7,000 for Opening Business – t.co/OhbuLr9hLm by @gatewaypundit — badluck jones (@badluck_jones) May 6, 2020
PP


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Trump: ‘Most of the money raised by the RINO losers of the so-called “Lincoln Project”, goes into th

Trump: ‘Most of the money raised by the RINO losers of the so-called “Lincoln Project”, goes into their own pockets.’

Trump is the ‘ gorilla ’ in the twatter universe .
Should be interesting to see if other politicians can @ @ @ @ @ as effectively as Trump has .
Trump ‘ talks to his base ’ without the @ @ @ @ @ .

Most of the money raised by the RINO losers of the so-called “Lincoln Project”, goes into their own pockets. With what I’ve done on Judges, Taxes, Regulations, Healthcare, the Military, Vets (Choice!) & protecting our great 2A, they should love Trump. Problem is, I BEAT THEM ALL! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2020
Trump is the ‘gorilla’ in the twatter universe.
Should be interesting to see if other politicians can use the platform anywhere near as effectively as Trump has.
Trump ‘talks to his base’ without the media filtering with their spin.
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Drives/has driven them crazy.
h/t glasseye


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Trump: Well run States should not be bailing out poorly run States, using CoronaVirus as the excuse!

Trump: Well run States should not be bailing out poorly run States, using CoronaVirus as the excuse! The elimination of Sanctuary Cities, Payroll Taxes, and perhaps Capital Gains Taxes, must be put on the table….

Well run States should not be bailing out poorly run States , using CoronaVirus as the excuse !
The elimination @ @ @ @ @ Taxes , and perhaps Capital Gains Taxes , must be put on the table .
@ @ @ @ @ deductions for restaurants & ent .

Well run States should not be bailing out poorly run States, using CoronaVirus as the excuse! The elimination of Sanctuary Cities, Payroll Taxes, and perhaps Capital Gains Taxes, must be put on the table. Also lawsuit indemnification & business deductions for restaurants & ent.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Virginia Admits to Counting Same Person Three Times if They Received Three Different Tests

“ We realized for Virginia that that change in methodology made a clear sense because we want to make sure @ @ @ @ @ ’ re reporting since so many folks are focusing on that as we move into @ @ @ @ @ of the important indicators , ” said Dr. Carey .

“We realized for Virginia that that change in methodology made a clear sense because we want to make sure that other number that we’re reporting since so many folks are focusing on that as we move into the phases so as one of the important indicators,” said Dr. Carey.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Tanzania Secretly Test Fruit — Lab Says It’s Positive For COVID

According to President Magufuli , people who tested positive for the virus may not be sick .
He cast doubt on the credibility of laboratory equipment and technicians .
President John Magufuli of Tanzania has stated that a pawpaw , a goat and a quail tested positive for coronavirus in the country .
He said this was after he secretly had a variety of animals , fruits and vehicle oil tested at the national laboratory .
President of Tanzania John Magufuli has outsmarted everybody .
He allowed coronavirus testing kits to be imported into his country .
He then instructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials .
They tested non-human samples , including a goat and a pawpaw ( fruit ) .
The test were given human names and ages as they were sent off for results .
They tested positive .
A fruit .
A goat .
President Magufuli said , “ Something is happening.
” DAR ES SALAAM ( Reuters ) – Tanzania has suspended the head of its national health laboratory in charge of testing for the coronavirus and ordered an investigation , a day after President John Magufuli questioned the tests ’ accuracy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kits were faulty as they had returned positive results on a goat and a pawpaw — among several non-human samples submitted for testing , with technicians left deliberately unaware of their origins .

COVID-19: Pawpaw and goat test positive for virus – President Magufuli
According to President Magufuli, people who tested positive for the virus may not be sick. He cast doubt on the credibility of laboratory equipment and technicians.
President John Magufuli of Tanzania has stated that a pawpaw, a goat and a quail tested positive for coronavirus in the country.
He said this was after he secretly had a variety of animals, fruits and vehicle oil tested at the national laboratory.
www.msn.com/en-za/news/africa/covid-19-pawpaw-and-goat-test-positive-for-virus-president-magufuli/ar-BB13AJWO?li=BBqfP3n
President of Tanzania John Magufuli has outsmarted everybody. He allowed coronavirus testing kits to be imported into his country. He then instructed that they be checked by Tanzanian security officials. They tested non-human samples, including a goat and a pawpaw (fruit). The test were given human names and ages as they were sent off for results. They tested positive. A fruit. A goat. President Magufuli said, “Something is happening.”
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cdn.qmap.pub/images/1d35611beae1f56be1cd21fcf05248886c124198554e35d8b61f47310c21c47a.jpg
Tanzania suspends laboratory head after president questions coronavirus tests
DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) – Tanzania has suspended the head of its national health laboratory in charge of testing for the coronavirus and ordered an investigation, a day after President John Magufuli questioned the tests’ accuracy.
Magufuli said on Sunday the imported test kits were faulty as they had returned positive results on a goat and a pawpaw — among several non-human samples submitted for testing, with technicians left deliberately unaware of their origins.
www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-tanzania/tanzania-suspends-laboratory-head-after-president-questions-coronavirus-tests-idUSKBN22G295
h/t CrsCrpr


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Dan Bongino: We Have the Evidence, The Coverup Continues, Interview with arrested businessman

In this episode I address the disturbing effects of the continued economic lockdowns and I interview a business owner who @ @ @ @ @ business in handcuffs for trying to work .
I also discuss explosive developments in the @ @ @ @ @ Finally , I address the controversy brewing over the origins of the Wuhan Virus .

In this episode I address the disturbing effects of the continued economic lockdowns and I interview a business owner who was pulled out of his business in handcuffs for trying to work. I also discuss explosive developments in the General Mike Flynn case. Finally, I address the controversy brewing over the origins of the Wuhan Virus.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
AO


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Crazy Cold Weather this Coming Weekend

Crazy Cold Weather this Coming Weekend

The big weather story for the first half of May will be the return of the polar vortex .
Typically , the polar vortex this time of year is in the North Pole .
A piece of the vortex is migrating south into the lower 48 .
The blast of cold air could bring record-breaking low temperatures .
Even some snow will be possible on Saturday and Sunday .
The cold blast will arrive on Friday and last until the middle of next week .
Temperatures for much of the country will be 15 to 25 degrees below normal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ warmth on the West Coast which causes a big cool down east of Minneapolis .
Any sensitive plants you be covered each night when temps drop close to or below freezing .
This is from Central WI .
I remember sitting in school in may as a kid in the late 60 ’ s and sweating my behind off in central WI .
My legs would stick to the chair in grade school .
We wore dresses back then and school didn ’ t have air conditioning back then .
But May was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ d make paper fans and fan ourselves .
Now we have below zero in May !
This is going to be a crop killer !
A fruit killer !
Not going to get plants now until next week .
Diamond : Arctic Blast Set To Punish Northeast with Cold & May Snow – Power Outages in Tennessee – Comet Swan

The big weather story for the first half of May will be the return of the polar vortex. Typically, the polar vortex this time of year is in the North Pole. A piece of the vortex is migrating south into the lower 48. The blast of cold air could bring record-breaking low temperatures. Even some snow will be possible on Saturday and Sunday.
The cold blast will arrive on Friday and last until the middle of next week. Temperatures for much of the country will be 15 to 25 degrees below normal. The pattern is being caused by exceptional warmth on the West Coast which causes a big cool down east of Minneapolis. Any sensitive plants you be covered each night when temps drop close to or below freezing.
www.wsaw.com/content/news/First-Alert-Weather-Record-breaking-low-temperatures-possible-this-weekend-570214021.html
This is from Central WI.
I remember sitting in school in may as a kid in the late 60’s and sweating my behind off in central WI. My legs would stick to the chair in grade school. We wore dresses back then and school didn’t have air conditioning back then. But May was that hot, to be sweaty. We’d make paper fans and fan ourselves.
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Now we have below zero in May! This is going to be a crop killer! A fruit killer! Not going to get plants now until next week.
Ice age is coming.
Diamond: Arctic Blast Set To Punish Northeast with Cold & May Snow – Power Outages in Tennessee – Comet Swan
AO


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Stocks Retreat… Is It Time to Buy… or Time to Sell?

Stocks rallied hard yesterday , but failed to break above resistance ( red line in the chart below ) .
This suggests that the rally is tired and due for consolidation .
We have had two similar phases since the markets bottomed on March 31st-April 6th , and April 20th-April 27th ( red boxes in the chart below ) .
The big question for investors is if this is a buying opportunity or the start of a major drop .
Credit suggests it ’ s a buying opportunity .
As long as high yield credit spreads remain above support ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the financial system remains in “ risk on ” mode .
Outside of stocks , it is clear the elites are planing on introducing extraordinary measures to seize wealth and assets from the middle class .
The U.S. government intends to issue $ 3 TRILLION in debt between April and June .
Meanwhile , taxes are collapsing as the economy grinds to a halt… and millions of Americans lose their jobs ( ADP reports companies laid off 20 MILLION people in April alone ) .
So where is the money going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insanity ?
The IMF is calling for nations around the world to introduce a wealth tax of 10 % on NET WEALTH as soon as possible ?
If you think that ’ s bad , consider that the Fed plans to both seize and STEAL savings during the next crisis/ recession .

Stocks rallied hard yesterday, but failed to break above resistance (red line in the chart below).
This suggests that the rally is tired and due for consolidation. We have had two similar phases since the markets bottomed on March 31st-April 6th, and April 20th-April 27th (red boxes in the chart below).
The big question for investors is if this is a buying opportunity or the start of a major drop.
Credit suggests it’s a buying opportunity. As long as high yield credit spreads remain above support (blue line in the chart below), the financial system remains in “risk on” mode.
Outside of stocks, it is clear the elites are planing on introducing extraordinary measures to seize wealth and assets from the middle class.
Consider the following…
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The U.S. government intends to issue $3 TRILLION in debt between April and June.
Meanwhile, taxes are collapsing as the economy grinds to a halt… and millions of Americans lose their jobs (ADP reports companies laid off 20 MILLION people in April alone).
So where is the money going to come from to finance all of this insanity?
The IMF is calling for nations around the world to introduce a wealth tax of 10% on NET WEALTH as soon as possible?
If you think that’s bad, consider that the Fed plans to both seize and STEAL savings during the next crisis/ recession.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--TEX GOV. ADMITS RE-OPEN DANGER

TEX GOV. ADMITS RE-OPEN DANGER

During a private call on Friday , Texas Gov .
Greg Abbott admitted that “ every scientific and medical report shows ” state reopenings “ ipso facto ” lead to an increase in novel coronavirus cases , even as he publicly announced plans that same week to end an executive stay-at-home order in the state .
“ How do we know reopening businesses won ’ t result in faster spread of more cases of COVID-19 ?
” Abbott asked during a Friday afternoon phone call with members of the state legislature and Congress .
“ Listen , the fact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and medical report shows that whenever you have a reopening—whether you want to call it a reopening of businesses or of just a reopening of society—in the aftermath of something like this , it actually will lead to an increase and spread .
It ’ s almost ipso facto.
” “ The more that you have people out there , the greater the possibility is for transmission , ” Abbott said on the call , which a spokesperson confirmed was authentic on Tuesday .
“ The goal never has been to get transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded by somebody on the call , and a clip of it was sent to The Daily Beast on Tuesday .
It was first reported by state political site Quorum Report , which noted that Abbott ’ s public statements so far have largely only mentioned that Texas may see an increase in the numbers due to increased testing capacity , rather than increased contact .
Though Abbott has repeatedly said in public interviews that reopening “ can ” or “ could ” cause a spike in cases , the audio recording from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show a more direct and certain understanding of the risks .

During a private call on Friday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott admitted that “every scientific and medical report shows” state reopenings “ipso facto” lead to an increase in novel coronavirus cases, even as he publicly announced plans that same week to end an executive stay-at-home order in the state.
“How do we know reopening businesses won’t result in faster spread of more cases of COVID-19?” Abbott asked during a Friday afternoon phone call with members of the state legislature and Congress. “Listen, the fact of the matter is pretty much every scientific and medical report shows that whenever you have a reopening—whether you want to call it a reopening of businesses or of just a reopening of society—in the aftermath of something like this, it actually will lead to an increase and spread. It’s almost ipso facto.”
“The more that you have people out there, the greater the possibility is for transmission,” Abbott said on the call, which a spokesperson confirmed was authentic on Tuesday. “The goal never has been to get transmission down to zero.”
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The audio was recorded by somebody on the call, and a clip of it was sent to The Daily Beast on Tuesday. It was first reported by state political site Quorum Report, which noted that Abbott’s public statements so far have largely only mentioned that Texas may see an increase in the numbers due to increased testing capacity, rather than increased contact. Though Abbott has repeatedly said in public interviews that reopening “can” or “could” cause a spike in cases, the audio recording from last Friday’s call appeared to show a more direct and certain understanding of the risks.
www.thedailybeast.com/texas-governor-greg-abbott-admits-dangers-of-reopening-state-on-private-call-with-lawmakers?ref=home


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Home Prices RISING?  Consumer debt hits new record: $14.3 trillion

Why Home Prices Are Rising During the Pandemic While buyer demand has softened and sales fell 8.5 % in March @ @ @ @ @ on the market is contracting even faster The economy is shrinking , businesses are closing @ @ @ @ @ to the coronavirus pandemic .
But in the housing market , prices keep chugging higher @ @ @ @ @ the last recession after a housing crash caused millions of families to lose their homes @ @ @ @ @ to erode again , especially when mortgage forbearances end , some economists warn .

Why Home Prices Are Rising During the Pandemic
While buyer demand has softened and sales fell 8.5% in March, the supply of homes on the market is contracting even faster
The economy is shrinking, businesses are closing and jobs are disappearing due to the coronavirus pandemic. But in the housing market, prices keep chugging higher.
Home prices plunged during the last recession after a housing crash caused millions of families to lose their homes. Home values could start to erode again, especially when mortgage forbearances end, some economists warn.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Marine recruits train in San Diego after quarantine; Navy resumes SEAL training…  To protect ‘no-fai

Marine recruits train in San Diego after quarantine; Navy resumes SEAL training…  To protect ‘no-fail’ mission, unit moves into mountain bunker

A company of Marine recruits took their places among the storied yellow footprints at San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Monday to begin their training , after more than two weeks of quarantine at a local hotel .
This step marks a milestone in the Corps ’ efforts to continue training in an altered COVID-19 environment , officials said .
The Marines started sending new companies of recruits into quarantine with the arrival of Echo Company to San Diego on April 13 , after the coronavirus began spreading among the previous company to arrive — Bravo Company — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recruits of the 237-man Bravo Company surged , the Marines are seeing far fewer cases among the recruits of Echo .
The Marines , following a Pentagon order , are not disclosing actual numbers of infections among its recruits , but a depot spokesman said about a handful from Echo Company tested positive Friday .
None has symptoms .
“ They tested positive on Friday and were moved into isolation on MCRD , ” said Capt .
Martin Harris , a depot spokesman .
Because the recruits of Echo Company were quarantined in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dozen will potentially be held back from beginning training whether they tested positive or had a roommate who did .
Harris said 254 recruits made the transition from quarantine to the depot Monday .

San Diego Marine recruits, SEALs resume training
A company of Marine recruits took their places among the storied yellow footprints at San Diego Marine Corps Recruit Depot on Monday to begin their training, after more than two weeks of quarantine at a local hotel.
This step marks a milestone in the Corps’ efforts to continue training in an altered COVID-19 environment, officials said.
The Marines started sending new companies of recruits into quarantine with the arrival of Echo Company to San Diego on April 13, after the coronavirus began spreading among the previous company to arrive — Bravo Company — the week before.
While cases among the recruits of the 237-man Bravo Company surged, the Marines are seeing far fewer cases among the recruits of Echo. The Marines, following a Pentagon order, are not disclosing actual numbers of infections among its recruits, but a depot spokesman said about a handful from Echo Company tested positive Friday. None has symptoms.
“They tested positive on Friday and were moved into isolation on MCRD,” said Capt. Martin Harris, a depot spokesman.
Because the recruits of Echo Company were quarantined in hotel rooms in pairs, fewer than a dozen will potentially be held back from beginning training whether they tested positive or had a roommate who did. Harris said 254 recruits made the transition from quarantine to the depot Monday.


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Large power outage currently ongoing in Venezuela. Most of Caracas is currently without power.

The Invasion of Venezuela , Brought To You By Silvercorp USA The video begins with Jordan Goudreau posing confidently , flanked by a man wearing an armour plate and a Venezuela flag wrapped around his shoulder .
The man introduces Goudreau in a stern tone .
Goudreau begins to speak with the terseness of a battle-hardened warrior as he confirms that an amphibious operation into Venezuela is underway .
Goudreau begins by saying : At 1700 hours , a daring amphibious raid was launched from the border of Colombia deep into the heart of Caracas .
Our men are continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been activated in the south , east and west of Venezuela .
Commander Nieto is with me—is co-located—and commander Sequea is on the ground now , fighting .
It is the afternoon of Sunday , May 3 , 2020 , and Goudreau is confirming that a botched attempt to infiltrate Venezuela with a team of expatriate soldiers ( and later , two U.S. citizens ) on a hopeless mission to topple the government of President Nicolas Maduro is his doing .
By the time the video was first shared on Twitter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead and two others captured as the boat they were on was intercepted at sea by the Venezuelan authorities .
A second boat , soon on its way to Venezuela , would also be intercepted at sea the following day , resulting in the capture of eight of Goudreau ’ s men , including two American citizens .
Over a period of 48 hours starting on the morning of May 3 , Goudreau ’ s Silvercorp USA would-be mercenary force would make headlines across the world as the spectacular failure of the operation @ @ @ @

Confirmed: A power outage has knocked out internet connectivity in multiple states of #Venezuela from 3:40 p.m. local time; real-time network data show significant impact with national connectivity down to ~60% of ordinary levels; incident ongoing #5May #Apagón #SinLuz 🔌 pic.twitter.com/B5mUjyB4Lh — NetBlocks.org (@netblocks) May 5, 2020
Third time’s the charm?
The Invasion of Venezuela, Brought To You By Silvercorp USA
www.bellingcat.com/news/2020/05/05/the-invasion-of-venezuela-brought-to-you-by-silvercorp-usa/
EXCERPT:
The video begins with Jordan Goudreau posing confidently, flanked by a man wearing an armour plate and a Venezuela flag wrapped around his shoulder. The man introduces Goudreau in a stern tone. Goudreau begins to speak with the terseness of a battle-hardened warrior as he confirms that an amphibious operation into Venezuela is underway. Goudreau begins by saying:
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At 1700 hours, a daring amphibious raid was launched from the border of Colombia deep into the heart of Caracas. Our men are continuing to fight right now. Our units have been activated in the south, east and west of Venezuela. Commander Nieto is with me—is co-located—and commander Sequea is on the ground now, fighting.
It is the afternoon of Sunday, May 3, 2020, and Goudreau is confirming that a botched attempt to infiltrate Venezuela with a team of expatriate soldiers (and later, two U.S. citizens) on a hopeless mission to topple the government of President Nicolas Maduro is his doing. By the time the video was first shared on Twitter, eight of Goudreau’s men were dead and two others captured as the boat they were on was intercepted at sea by the Venezuelan authorities. A second boat, soon on its way to Venezuela, would also be intercepted at sea the following day, resulting in the capture of eight of Goudreau’s men, including two American citizens.
Over a period of 48 hours starting on the morning of May 3, Goudreau’s Silvercorp USA would-be mercenary force would make headlines across the world as the spectacular failure of the operation came to light.
———————-
h/t Builder


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--Pakistani military spox: Situation on LoC very serious

# Encounter has started at # Sharshali Khrew area of # Awantipora .
Police and security forces are on the @ @ @ @ @ follow .
@ JmuKmrPolice Situation on LoC very serious : DG ISPR Maj Gen Babar @ @ @ @ @ at home , Pakistan is our home , Armed forces providing all-out support to government @ @ @ @ @ disciplined force , quickly adapted to social distancing , Our communication strategy better than India @ @ @ @ @ The situation of minorities in Pakistan is opposite to India , My children and I @ @ @ @ @ , This is the new normal till a vaccine is developed

#Encounter has started at #Sharshali Khrew area of #Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.
@JmuKmrPolice
#Encounter has started at #Sharshali Khrew area of #Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow. @JmuKmrPolice — Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 5, 2020
Situation on LoC very serious: DG ISPR
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Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar says we are working at home, Pakistan is our home, Armed forces providing all-out support to government, Military, being a disciplined force, quickly adapted to social distancing, Our communication strategy better than India, won global accolades, The situation of minorities in Pakistan is opposite to India, My children and I are offering Taraveeh at home, This is the new normal till a vaccine is developed
nation.com.pk/05-May-2020/situation-on-loc-very-serious-dg-ispr
h/t Builder


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--First ‘Socially-Distanced’ Concert to Take Place in Arkansas Next Week

It looks like Missouri isn ’ t the only state ready to reopen its concert business .
Neighboring Arkansas will @ @ @ @ @ allowing live music to resume .
On Monday , Gov .
Asa Hutchinson announced that @ @ @ @ @ on May 18 .
Travis McCready , the singer of the country-rock band Bishop Gunn @ @ @ @ @ ’ s billed as an “ intimate acoustic set ” in Fort Smith at the @ @ @ @ @ — but with social distancing measures in place .
The show will take place on @ @ @ @ @ before the scheduled reopening .
According to Billboard , assigned seats for the show will @ @ @ @ @ apart per grouping in what Ticketmaster is calling “ fan pods.
” As fans enter @ @ @ @ @ ll be required to wear face masks ( including the venue ’ s employees ) @ @ @ @ @ at the door and capacity for the 1,100 person venue will be capped at 229 @

It looks like Missouri isn’t the only state ready to reopen its concert business.
Neighboring Arkansas will join the Show-Me State in allowing live music to resume. On Monday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced that live music venues could reopen on May 18.
Travis McCready, the singer of the country-rock band Bishop Gunn, will be performing what’s billed as an “intimate acoustic set” in Fort Smith at the city’s TempleLive venue — but with social distancing measures in place. The show will take place on May 15, three days before the scheduled reopening.
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According to Billboard, assigned seats for the show will be at least six feet apart per grouping in what Ticketmaster is calling “fan pods.” As fans enter the venue, they’ll be required to wear face masks (including the venue’s employees), have their temperatures taken at the door and capacity for the 1,100 person venue will be capped at 229.
www.spin.com/2020/05/travis-mccready-to-play-first-socially-distanced-concert-in-arkansas/


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-06--If Trump Wins A Second Term, The Investigations That Go All The Way Up To Hillary Clinton And Obama

If Trump Wins A Second Term, The Investigations That Go All The Way Up To Hillary Clinton And Obama Will Begin

Kevin Shipp Former CIA Officer and counter-terrorism expert does not think the virus debacle that crippled the U.S. economy will hurt Trump ’ s chances for a second term .
Democrats don ’ t have much of a message or much of a presidential candidate in Biden .
So , the hapless Dems will have to cheat , and even that probably is not going to be enough to deny Trump a second term .
Shipp says , “ Vote by mail is cheat by mail .
We know how easy it is to fake a mail-in ballot , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in previous elections .
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That is the easiest way to do voter fraud that there is .
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The Democrats are terrified .
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They are terrified that Trump is going to win because it ’ s pretty obvious he will .
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They will stop at nothing to try to overturn Trump and retain their power .
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If Trump gets elected a second time , the investigations will begin , and this will go all the way up to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party , Barak Obama , Hillary Clinton , their lawyers and their corrupt connections to the Soros organization in Ukraine .
That , among other things , will all come out.
” Join Greg Hunter as he goes One-on-One with whistleblower and former CIA Officer Kevin Shipp .

Kevin Shipp interviewed on USA Watchdog by Greg Hunter
Kevin Shipp Former CIA Officer and counter-terrorism expert does not think the virus debacle that crippled the U.S. economy will hurt Trump’s chances for a second term. Democrats don’t have much of a message or much of a presidential candidate in Biden. So, the hapless Dems will have to cheat, and even that probably is not going to be enough to deny Trump a second term. Shipp says, “Vote by mail is cheat by mail. We know how easy it is to fake a mail-in ballot, especially absentee ballots. Those have been abused in previous elections. . . . That is the easiest way to do voter fraud that there is. . . . The Democrats are terrified. . . . They are terrified that Trump is going to win because it’s pretty obvious he will. . . . They will stop at nothing to try to overturn Trump and retain their power. . . . If Trump gets elected a second time, the investigations will begin, and this will go all the way up to the Ukraine, the activities of the Democrat Party, Barak Obama, Hillary Clinton, their lawyers and their corrupt connections to the Soros organization in Ukraine. That, among other things, will all come out.”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Join Greg Hunter as he goes One-on-One with whistleblower and former CIA Officer Kevin Shipp.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-05-07--Next round of funding for PPP..nothing about EIDL from Democrats..including allowing half of PPP to

Next round of funding for PPP..nothing about EIDL from Democrats..including allowing half of PPP to be used for operating expenses

So I certainly hope this doesnt apply to any company that has been fully funded by both EIDL and PPP @ @ @ @ @ as a single member LLC..remodeling , all we use are subs…didnt allow me to retain @ @ @ @ @ out..
I certainly would have if I would have known I could get 1 % @ @ @ @ @ years .
There are literally millions waiting on EIDL loans @ 3.75 % Shouldnt EIDL @ @ @ @ @ of a 2 yr loan at 1 % ……not with a 150k cap ?
Some @ @ @ @ @ 2 million bucks …and if this passes would then get to use a million on @ @ @ @ @ apply only 150k at 3.75 % PPP has no collateral or personal guarentee and there @ @ @ @ @ EIDL… I ’ ve also read some republicans have joined in to support this change..

by Alabamlass123
So I certainly hope this doesnt apply to any company that has been fully funded by both EIDL and PPP
I didnt apply for PPP as a single member LLC..remodeling, all we use are subs…didnt allow me to retain my guys or help them out..
I certainly would have if I would have known I could get 1% operating expense loan for 2 years.
There are literally millions waiting on EIDL loans @3.75 %
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Shouldnt EIDL applicants also get the option of a 2 yr loan at 1% ……not with a 150k cap?
Some companies literally could have gotten 2 million bucks …and if this passes would then get to use a million on operating expenses…and anyone who didnt apply only 150k at 3.75%
PPP has no collateral or personal guarentee and there is no minimum credit score…unlike EIDL…
I’ve also read some republicans have joined in to support this change..
.www.rollcall.com/2020/05/05/details-start-to-emerge-about-house-democrats-coronavirus-relief-bill/


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-07--Eurozone: Italy, Spain, portugal  sovereign bond yield spreads widen despite massive ECB repurchases

Eurozone: Italy, Spain, portugal  sovereign bond yield spreads widen despite massive ECB repurchases. We’re now measuring “worst-slump” statistics in centuries.

Very far away from 2011 levels , though .
pic.twitter.com/ccGZ3mP3rg We 're now measuring `` worst-slump '' statistics in centuries @ @ @ @ @ be like this from now… OUCH !
German Industrial Production had historic plunge in March @ @ @ @ @ comprised of output in manufacturing , energy and construction – crashed 9.2 % in March @ @ @ @ @ 11.6 % YoY .
pic.twitter.com/8D0ApYmP1p That is why it needs supply-side measures urgently .
pic.twitter.com/i9tFRS4DAU @ @ @ @ @ it recover .
UK slump could be the worst in recent history .
The Nordics @ @ @ @ @ is not spreading fast , if people are just outside ( pretty evident since the @ @ @ @ @ all four countries ) .
In Denmark , parks are de facto fitness centers and @ @ @ @

Very far away from 2011 levels, though. pic.twitter.com/ccGZ3mP3rg
We're now measuring "worst-slump" statistics in centuries. t.co/pHpZcOtVgf
every data will be like this from now…
OUCH! German Industrial Production had historic plunge in March. Total industrial output – comprised of output in manufacturing, energy and construction – crashed 9.2% in March from Feb. Industrial output fell 11.6% YoY. pic.twitter.com/8D0ApYmP1p
That is why it needs supply-side measures urgently. pic.twitter.com/i9tFRS4DAU
The key is how will it recover.
UK slump could be the worst in recent history.
Time spent in parks across countries.
The Nordics have figured out the virus is not spreading fast, if people are just outside (pretty evident since the spread i decently contained in all four countries).
In Denmark, parks are de facto fitness centers and pubs currently. pic.twitter.com/X4lXUU19kH
— AndreasStenoLarsen (@AndreasSteno) May 7, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-07--No intercourse is always a problem

No intercourse is always a problem

No intercourse is always a problem 😂 t.co/7gtob3BB7J
— 🔴 I. Vodenitcharov CFA CMT (@iv_technicals) May 7, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-05-07--Stop creating incentives for American businesses to take on debt.

Homer Simpson once proposed a toast “ with alcohol , cause and solution to all the problems of life ” .
For global companies that have drunk a lot , his line captures an unpleasant irony .
The pandemic poses particularly significant economic risks for companies with heavily indebted balance sheets , a group that now includes much of the corporate world .
However , the only viable short-term solution is to borrow more , to survive until the end of the crisis .
As a result , companies will hit the next crisis with even more precarious debt piles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the United States , non-financial corporate debt was around $ 10 billion at the start of the crisis .
With 47 % of gross domestic product , it has never been higher .
Under normal conditions , this would not be a problem , because record interest rates made debt easier .
Business leaders , by mobilizing , only followed the incentives presented to them .
Debt is cheap and tax deductible , so using more of it increases income .
But in the event of a crisis , whatever its price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income drops , interest payments are important .
Debt maturities become deadly threats .
The risk of contagious defects increases and the system creaks .

Homer Simpson once proposed a toast “with alcohol, cause and solution to all the problems of life”. For global companies that have drunk a lot, his line captures an unpleasant irony. The pandemic poses particularly significant economic risks for companies with heavily indebted balance sheets, a group that now includes much of the corporate world. However, the only viable short-term solution is to borrow more, to survive until the end of the crisis. As a result, companies will hit the next crisis with even more precarious debt piles. The cycle must be broken.
In the United States, non-financial corporate debt was around $ 10 billion at the start of the crisis. With 47% of gross domestic product, it has never been higher. Under normal conditions, this would not be a problem, because record interest rates made debt easier. Business leaders, by mobilizing, only followed the incentives presented to them. Debt is cheap and tax deductible, so using more of it increases income.
But in the event of a crisis, whatever its price, the debt becomes radioactive. As income drops, interest payments are important. Debt maturities become deadly threats. The risk of contagious defects increases and the system creaks.