investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--How the Covid Response Has DESTROYED the Personal Finances of Americans

Back when the virus that would soon be known as Covid-19 was just a blip on the radar , Selco wrote an article called , It ’ s Not the Virus You Need to Worry About .
It ’ s the System .
And like much of what Selco writes , it was prophetic .
Here we are , coming up on a year after the virus first began making itself apparent and the world is dramatically different .
Not only are there the inevitable arguments about masks , lockdowns , vaccines , and hypocritical politicians using the whole thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are very real effects on everyday families all over the world .
In the United States , our personal finances have taken blow after blow .
Eight million more Americans than last year are now living in poverty as millions of jobs have disappeared , never to return .
Data from the review site Yelp shows that 60 % of the businesses that shut down due to Covid have permanently closed .
People who were formerly struggling are sinking , and many of those who were comfortably middle class are desperately trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much the virus that has caused our financial woes – it ’ s the response to the virus .
Federal , state , and local governments have deemed what businesses are allowed to operate and how they must do so .
This has resulted in the loss of businesses themselves , loss of sales , and loss of jobs .
Nearly every family is feeling the effects to some degree .
Please check out our new frugality website for practical solutions if you are dealing with financial issues .
Here are some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financially due to the response to the virus .
More people are living paycheck to paycheck .
Back in February of this year , a report was released that showed 40 % of American workers were living paycheck to paycheck .
That early 2020 , pre-lockdown report looks like a glimpse of nostalgia from the good old days .
A more recent report has found , due to the Covid response , that now almost two-thirds of Americans are living the paycheck to paycheck life .
Anyone who has ever lived through this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dance and it only takes one small thing to go wrong to cause your house of cards to come tumbling down .
NSF fees , late fees , reconnection fees , extra deposits , overdraft interest , and payday loans can all destroy the financially fragile , leaving them in a downward spiral designed to keep them trapped .
There ’ s a reason that broke people tend to stay broke , and it ’ s not because they ’ re simply lazy and irresponsible .
It ’ s because the system is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earns more money by charging poor people extra .
Hardly anyone has an emergency fund left .
Back in 2019 , Bankrate released a survey that said only 40 % of Americans would be able to pay for an emergency costing a thousand dollars out of their savings .
Yet again , those were the good old days .
A more recent survey said that an astounding EIGHTY TWO PERCENT of Americans could no longer handle an emergency costing $ 500 .
Zero Hedge reports : An emergency fund is the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people report making up the difference between their income and output with credit cards and other forms of personal debt .
Unfortunately , with our somber economic forecast , this is just delaying the inevitable implosion of their personal finances .
An October jobs report showed that millions of the positions lost back in March have not returned , and that millions of people have now reached the classification of “ long-term unemployment.
” The New York Times reported : In September and October , many large corporations made the decision to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools has kept many parents from returning to work or caused financial hardship .
It isn ’ t just the unavailability of jobs that has made things difficult .
The erratic 2020 school year has also caused financial hardship and in many cases , made it impossible for parents to return to work .
Now , I know a lot of homeschool parents will say that people shouldn ’ t be using public school as a free babysitter .
But the fact remains that many families require two incomes to survive .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the school year allowed me to make a living .
During the summer , my children had wonderful vacations with both sets of grandparents , mercifully , because paying for full-time childcare for both of them would have taken almost every dime I was earning , leaving nothing for housing , food , and other costs .
If you aren ’ t familiar with current childcare costs , a person quoted in the article cited below reported that she and her husband were spending an eye-watering $ 5300 per month for their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford to “ get creative , ” lower income and many single parents have far fewer options , said Caitlyn Collins , a professor of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis who studies women and families .
Some are leaning on family members or just doing the best they can on their own .
Others have been laid off , or have had to quit their jobs to take care of their kids… …The United States has been an outlier on child care long before the coronavirus , Collins said , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-income countries .
The average cost of child care for a child under 4 is $ 9,589 per year , according to New America ’ s Care Report — more than the average cost of in-state college tuition .
It ’ s much more expensive in big cities : In Washington , D.C. , the average cost of care for an infant is more than $ 24,000 .
Rising child care costs are particularly “ terrifying ” for U.S. families , Collins said , because child care already accounts for an enormous part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a family ’ s rent or mortgage .
( source ) Financially speaking , women are suffering the most with regard to pandemic related job losses .
Hundreds of thousands of women left the workforce in September – approximately 849,000 – in comparison to 216,000 men .
Betsey Stevenson , a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan , explained in an interview why women have been unevenly affected .
I have more than one friend who has been attempting to oversee “ distance learning ” while keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are through the roof .
If you can ’ t afford a nanny or you don ’ t have a family member willing to take on the task , quite simply , someone is going to have to stop working at a time when we can least afford to have our incomes drop any further .
The price of food has increased dramatically .
Food prices increased for the fifth month in a row , according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization .
People around the world are seeing a 6.5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as cereals , dairy , vegetable oil , meat , and sugar .
But your trip to the local grocery store may look like a much greater increase than six and a half percent .
There ’ s a variety of reasons that prices have gone up .
Everything from supply chain shortages to production issues has caused costs to increase .
There are other Covid-related reasons that explain why you may be experiencing sticker shock : There are also fewer sales : While the statistics only note a few percentage points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different .
Don ’ t look for food prices to decrease any time soon .
Our supply chain is still broken and getting worse .
Another lockdown means that store owners will be trying to get the most money possible from customers in order to keep afloat for as long as possible .
The current price increases could be permanent .
The eviction moratorium runs out soon .
And finally , to make matters even more difficult for struggling families , a federal moratorium on evictions will be running out on December 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people at risk of being homeless as 2021 begins .
A few states will continue eviction bans but most will follow the federal guidelines .
It ’ s important to note that people who were not paying rent based on the moratorium will now have to catch up immediately or risk being evicted .
It ’ s projected that 6.7 million households could be affected by the end of the moratorium .
This is , of course , a double-edged sword .
Not all rental property owners are massive corporate entities with teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This has been a tremendous hit for Mom and Pop landlords , many of whom invested in real estate to have a bit of income during their retirement .
They have been unable to evict tenants who aren ’ t paying their rent but still had to maintain the property in a manner according to the local bylaws , pay their mortgage payments , and make timely property tax payments .
2021 isn ’ t going to be a magical solution .
A lot of folks have just written off 2020 as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that the moment this year is over , the curse will be lifted and we ’ ll all be able to go on with our lives having survived it and gotten through it .
Unfortunately , the changes that I ’ ve written about aren ’ t going to disappear when you put that new calendar on the wall .
Businesses that hung on through Christmas to try and sell their remaining inventory could be closing right after the holiday , leaving even more jobs in the dust .
Lockdowns could very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inauguration , which would keep all the same problems going .
It ’ s time to redouble your preparedness efforts and really examine your situation .
This has been more than a pandemic .
It ’ s been a major economic catastrophe , just as predicted , and we ’ re in it for the long haul .
How has the pandemic response affected you and those close to you ?
Share your stories in the comments .

by Daisy Luther
Back when the virus that would soon be known as Covid-19 was just a blip on the radar, Selco wrote an article called, It’s Not the Virus You Need to Worry About. It’s the System. And like much of what Selco writes, it was prophetic.
Here we are, coming up on a year after the virus first began making itself apparent and the world is dramatically different. Not only are there the inevitable arguments about masks, lockdowns, vaccines, and hypocritical politicians using the whole thing as a power grab, but there are very real effects on everyday families all over the world.
In the United States, our personal finances have taken blow after blow. Eight million more Americans than last year are now living in poverty as millions of jobs have disappeared, never to return. Data from the review site Yelp shows that 60% of the businesses that shut down due to Covid have permanently closed. People who were formerly struggling are sinking, and many of those who were comfortably middle class are desperately trying to stay afloat.
It isn’t so much the virus that has caused our financial woes – it’s the response to the virus. Federal, state, and local governments have deemed what businesses are allowed to operate and how they must do so. This has resulted in the loss of businesses themselves, loss of sales, and loss of jobs. Nearly every family is feeling the effects to some degree. Please check out our new frugality website for practical solutions if you are dealing with financial issues.
Here are some of the ways American families are suffering financially due to the response to the virus.
More people are living paycheck to paycheck.
Back in February of this year, a report was released that showed 40% of American workers were living paycheck to paycheck.
Willis Towers Watson’s Global Benefits Attitudes Survey discovered that although 58 percent of workers think their finances are heading in the right direction, 38 percent of employees are living paycheck to paycheck… …Almost one-fifth of those making more than $100,000 are living paycheck to paycheck, and about one-third say their financial problems negatively affect their lives. The survey polled 8,000 American workers. (source)
That early 2020, pre-lockdown report looks like a glimpse of nostalgia from the good old days. A more recent report has found, due to the Covid response, that now almost two-thirds of Americans are living the paycheck to paycheck life.
With government shutdowns forcing countless businesses to close and then lay off workers, one in four respondents now feel their income is not stable. Nearly two in three (63%) say they’re going paycheck-to-paycheck since March 2020. Millennials seem to be the hardest hit, with 64 percent saying they’re living off their paychecks. “After the unemployment rate spiked to more than 14% in April, Americans continue to be wary about their job security and income,” writes Highland President Jon Berbaum in a media release. (source)
Anyone who has ever lived through this situation knows that paycheck-to-paycheck is a delicate dance and it only takes one small thing to go wrong to cause your house of cards to come tumbling down.
NSF fees, late fees, reconnection fees, extra deposits, overdraft interest, and payday loans can all destroy the financially fragile, leaving them in a downward spiral designed to keep them trapped. There’s a reason that broke people tend to stay broke, and it’s not because they’re simply lazy and irresponsible. It’s because the system is set up in a way that it earns more money by charging poor people extra.
Hardly anyone has an emergency fund left.
Back in 2019, Bankrate released a survey that said only 40% of Americans would be able to pay for an emergency costing a thousand dollars out of their savings. Yet again, those were the good old days.
A more recent survey said that an astounding EIGHTY TWO PERCENT of Americans could no longer handle an emergency costing $500. Zero Hedge reports:
But perhaps the most alarming number from the entire survey: a whopping 82% of respondents said they wouldn’t be able to cover an emergency $500 expense without borrowing money. For context, prior to the pandemic, surveys showed that roughly half of Americans couldn’t afford a $500 emergency expense, which means the number of people who say they couldn’t cover a small emergency has risen by 60%. (source)
An emergency fund is the most important financial prep you can make.
When your finances are tight, sometimes your first impulse is to spend every dime. Many people focus on things like paying off debts, stocking up on food and supplies, or paying more than the minimum payments on bills. However, that may not be your best bet. Don’t get me wrong – paying off debt is absolutely vital, but most experts recommend establishing an emergency fund as the first step back to financial security. (source)
Many people report making up the difference between their income and output with credit cards and other forms of personal debt. Unfortunately, with our somber economic forecast, this is just delaying the inevitable implosion of their personal finances.
People are unable to find work.
An October jobs report showed that millions of the positions lost back in March have not returned, and that millions of people have now reached the classification of “long-term unemployment.” The New York Times reported:
The Labor Department said on Friday that 2.4 million people had been out of work for 27 weeks or more, the threshold it uses to define long-term joblessness. An even bigger surge is on the way: Nearly five million people are approaching long-term joblessness over the next two months. The same report showed that even as temporary layoffs were on the decline, permanent job losses were rising sharply. Those two problems — rising long-term unemployment and permanent job losses — are separate but intertwined and, together, could foreshadow a period of prolonged economic damage and financial pain for American families. Companies that are limping along below capacity this far into the crisis may be increasingly unlikely to ever recall their employees. History also suggests the longer that people are out of work, the harder it is for them to get back into a job. (source)
In September and October, many large corporations made the decision to end even more jobs.
Disney announced this past week that it would lay off 28,000 U.S. employees as its theme parks struggle. Layoff notices filed with state authorities show that hospitality and service companies across the country, from P.F. Chang’s restaurant branches to Gap stores, are making thousands of long-term staff reductions. Airport bookstores in Pennsylvania and Tennessee are cutting jobs as travel dwindles. So are wineries and upscale sports clubs in California. Airline job cuts run to the tens of thousands. American Airlines started to send furlough notices to 19,000 workers and United Airlines to 13,000 after a federal moratorium expired on Thursday. Those are on top of reductions at other carriers, and existing firings across the industry.
Altogether, nearly 3.8 million people had lost their jobs permanently in September, according to the Labor Department’s latest monthly survey, almost twice as many as at the height of the pandemic job losses, in April. ( source
And then, things had just begun to look up just a little bit for those in service industries when the second round of lockdowns hit crushing the hopes of many of those who were just beginning to get back to work.
The closure of schools has kept many parents from returning to work or caused financial hardship.
It isn’t just the unavailability of jobs that has made things difficult. The erratic 2020 school year has also caused financial hardship and in many cases, made it impossible for parents to return to work.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Now, I know a lot of homeschool parents will say that people shouldn’t be using public school as a free babysitter. But the fact remains that many families require two incomes to survive. In my case, as a single mom, the school year allowed me to make a living. During the summer, my children had wonderful vacations with both sets of grandparents, mercifully, because paying for full-time childcare for both of them would have taken almost every dime I was earning, leaving nothing for housing, food, and other costs.
If you aren’t familiar with current childcare costs, a person quoted in the article cited below reported that she and her husband were spending an eye-watering $5300 per month for their three children.
While wealthier parents can afford to “get creative,” lower income and many single parents have far fewer options, said Caitlyn Collins, a professor of sociology at Washington University in St. Louis who studies women and families. Some are leaning on family members or just doing the best they can on their own. Others have been laid off, or have had to quit their jobs to take care of their kids… …The United States has been an outlier on child care long before the coronavirus, Collins said, with price tags far exceeding those in other high-income countries. The average cost of child care for a child under 4 is $9,589 per year, according to New America’s Care Report — more than the average cost of in-state college tuition. It’s much more expensive in big cities: In Washington, D.C., the average cost of care for an infant is more than $24,000. Rising child care costs are particularly “terrifying” for U.S. families, Collins said, because child care already accounts for an enormous part of their budget, often second only to a family’s rent or mortgage. (source)
Financially speaking, women are suffering the most with regard to pandemic related job losses. Hundreds of thousands of women left the workforce in September – approximately 849,000 – in comparison to 216,000 men. Betsey Stevenson, a professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, explained in an interview why women have been unevenly affected.
…the age group that had the biggest decline was thirty-five to forty-four. And it’s not at all surprising to me, in the sense that the people who are really struggling are people with young kids and multiple kids at home. It’s the parents who have a four-year-old, a six-year-old, and a nine-year-old, and those kids are at home, and they’re trying to do Zoom school. It’s really difficult. Even if both parents had the opportunity to work from home, that’s a really hard thing to manage. I want to make sure that I emphasize that that’s one kind of hardship, and then there’s another kind of hardship, which is parents or single moms who had an in-person job and no child care. (source)
I have more than one friend who has been attempting to oversee “distance learning” while keeping her job remotely and the stress levels are through the roof. If you can’t afford a nanny or you don’t have a family member willing to take on the task, quite simply, someone is going to have to stop working at a time when we can least afford to have our incomes drop any further.
The price of food has increased dramatically.
Food prices increased for the fifth month in a row, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. People around the world are seeing a 6.5% increase in their costs of commodities such as cereals, dairy, vegetable oil, meat, and sugar.
But your trip to the local grocery store may look like a much greater increase than six and a half percent. There’s a variety of reasons that prices have gone up. Everything from supply chain shortages to production issues has caused costs to increase. There are other Covid-related reasons that explain why you may be experiencing sticker shock:
Shift to eating at home: In a matter of two months, approximately $23 billion in consumer spending away from home was redirected toward grocery stores as restaurants were forced to close due to COVID-19, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association. Loss of foodservice demand: When restaurants closed, farmers and ranchers lost a key channel for their product. With fewer buyers, it is costly or impractical to harvest, preserve or store some food and beverage products.Increasing production and processing costs: During COVID-19, companies have made investments and adjustments to safeguard their products and employees. This means costs for food production are higher. Some manufacturers have been able to innovate and find new markets for their products, but these changes often entail added costs. Increasing operating costs for grocery stores: Compared to 2019, supermarket operating costs were up 7.9% in April 2020 and 6.7% in May 2020, according to USDA Economic Research Service. Grocery stores have remained open during the pandemic and have had to quickly adjust to new regulations, safety and sanitation practices and enhanced customer education – all requiring resources. In addition, some areas of the grocery store, including salad bars and hot bars, have had to shut down, meaning a loss of revenue. (source)
There are also fewer sales:
Usually, 31.4% of grocery store items are purchased on some sort of sale, but at the end of September the share was 26%, according to market research firm Nielsen. The biggest impact was in the household care department, where just 15% of items were sold on promotion, half the usual amount. Heightened consumer demand and strained supply are giving stores little reason to mark down prices, Nielsen said. (source)
While the statistics only note a few percentage points, the real picture looks a lot different.
Eva Rosol was stunned during the summer when a rotisserie chicken that she could normally find on sale for $6 suddenly set her back $15… ….Ariel Neal, owner of Leira Knows Cocktails and Events, has been opting for more potatoes and starches and fewer fruits and vegetables…She didn’t qualify for unemployment benefits or small business relief, and has been subsisting on her savings and the government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as food stamps. “Before, $20 would have gotten me at least two to three meals,” said Neal, 42, who lives in Calumet City. “Twenty dollars doesn’t do that anymore.” …Yvernia Wilson, who is on a fixed income and vigilant about grocery prices, was taken aback early in the summer when a large package of hamburger meat she’d normally pay $8.99 for was listed at $14 at the Jewel-Osco she shops at on Chicago’s South Side. A nice-sized pot roast for Sunday dinner was almost $20, $6 more than she’d usually spend. Even a package of chicken wings cost $3 more… …Wilson restricts herself to two meats and for some items has resorted to buying cheaper brands she doesn’t necessarily like. She bypasses the organic aisle and sometimes forgoes fruit altogether if it isn’t on sale. (source)
Don’t look for food prices to decrease any time soon. Our supply chain is still broken and getting worse. Another lockdown means that store owners will be trying to get the most money possible from customers in order to keep afloat for as long as possible. The current price increases could be permanent.
The eviction moratorium runs out soon.
And finally, to make matters even more difficult for struggling families, a federal moratorium on evictions will be running out on December 31, leaving as many as 19 million people at risk of being homeless as 2021 begins. A few states will continue eviction bans but most will follow the federal guidelines.
It’s important to note that people who were not paying rent based on the moratorium will now have to catch up immediately or risk being evicted.
The federal mandate doesn’t prohibit late fees (although ), nor does it let tenants off the hook for any back rent they owe. It also doesn’t establish any kind of financial assistance fund to help renters get caught up, a safeguard some say is critical to preventing a massive wave of evictions when the ban eventually lifts…be aware that you may still be held responsible for any back rent you currently owe as well as any rent that accrues between now and the end of your lease (if you have one), whether or not you vacate. (source)
It’s projected that 6.7 million households could be affected by the end of the moratorium.
This is, of course, a double-edged sword. Not all rental property owners are massive corporate entities with teams of lawyers diligently searching for loopholes. This has been a tremendous hit for Mom and Pop landlords, many of whom invested in real estate to have a bit of income during their retirement. They have been unable to evict tenants who aren’t paying their rent but still had to maintain the property in a manner according to the local bylaws, pay their mortgage payments, and make timely property tax payments.
2021 isn’t going to be a magical solution.
A lot of folks have just written off 2020 as “a bad year” and seem to believe that the moment this year is over, the curse will be lifted and we’ll all be able to go on with our lives having survived it and gotten through it.
Unfortunately, the changes that I’ve written about aren’t going to disappear when you put that new calendar on the wall. Businesses that hung on through Christmas to try and sell their remaining inventory could be closing right after the holiday, leaving even more jobs in the dust. Lockdowns could very well become even more stringent after the inauguration, which would keep all the same problems going. It’s time to redouble your preparedness efforts and really examine your situation.
This has been more than a pandemic. It’s been a major economic catastrophe, just as predicted, and we’re in it for the long haul.
How has the pandemic response affected you and those close to you? Share your stories in the comments.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Lin Wood: “Every Lie Will Be Revealed”

Lin Wood: “Every Lie Will Be Revealed”

Sidney Powell : .. “ The democrats used every manner and means of voter fraud you can imagine .
They @ @ @ @ @ funded .
They now have 25 lawyers lined up against our little rag time team @ @

Lin Wood is the real life Saul Goodman. He will definitely help Trump will the election.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--L.A. County DA George Gascon has issued a directive to prosecutors that the following misdemeanors w

NEW : L.A. County DA George Gascon has issued a directive to prosecutors that the following misdemeanors will be declined @ @ @ @ @ .
-Trespassing -Disturbing the peace -Driving without license -Prostitution -Resisting arrest Details/exemptions below @ FOXLA @

NEW: L.A. County DA George Gascon has issued a directive to prosecutors that the following misdemeanors will be declined for prosecution, with exemptions.
-Trespassing
-Disturbing the peace
-Driving without license
-Prostitution
-Resisting arrest
Details/exemptions below @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/uVsIC4Dg43
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Ilhan Omar’s husband received $634K in coronavirus relief

Public records show that E Street Group , co-owned by Omar ’ s husband , Tim Mynett , received nearly @ @ @ @ @ Program ( PPP ) loans and $ 500,000 in Economic Injury Disaster loans .
Ilhan @ @ @ @ @ s Firm Raked In Over $ 500,000 in COVID Bailout Money After Getting Millions From @ @

Public records show that E Street Group, co-owned by Omar’s husband, Tim Mynett, received nearly $135,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and $500,000 in Economic Injury Disaster loans.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Ilhan Omar’s Husband’s Firm Raked In Over $500,000 in COVID Bailout Money After Getting Millions From Her Campaign


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Seven states have now joined Texas lawsuit, arguing that the Equal Protection Clause has been violat

Seven states have now joined Texas lawsuit, arguing that the Equal Protection Clause has been violated in this election from state-to-state.

SEVEN states have now joined Texas lawsuit , arguing that the Equal Protection Clause has been violated in this election @ @ @ @ @ , Arkansas , Alabama , Florida , Kentucky , Mississippi , South Carolina , South @ @ @ @ @ # FightForTrump

SEVEN states have now joined Texas lawsuit, arguing that the Equal Protection Clause has been violated in this election from state-to-state. @Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota. #StopTheSteal • #FightForTrump
— Ali 🟧 #StopTheSteal (@ali) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--CodeMonkey shares list of CCP assets in the US

Wonder how much has changed since last year .
Since Kemp was on the tough/hardliner list I wonder who else @ @ @ @

Wonder how much has changed since last year. Since Kemp was on the tough/hardliner list I wonder who else has been bought.. pic.twitter.com/CZeKTMLB2I
— Cindita ☆ (@cindita_26) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Shanghai airport: “There was a COVID case? We’re all going to be stuck here in the airport for TWO W

Shanghai airport: “There was a COVID case? We’re all going to be stuck here in the airport for TWO WEEKS? Aw hell naw!”

Shanghai ’ s airport was plunged into chaos today after a worker tested positive for COVID-19 which forced immediate quarantine @ @ @ @ @ medics in bio-hazard suits pushing angry crowds into a car park for mass testing .

Shanghai’s airport was plunged into chaos today after a worker tested positive for COVID-19 which forced immediate quarantine of thousands of people with medics in bio-hazard suits pushing angry crowds into a car park for mass testing.
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investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Worst fake crying on TV. Cringe

Worst fake crying on TV. Cringe

This Is Going To Be The Worst Winter For The U.S. Economy In Modern Times

LEAKED VIDEO: Health Secretary Matt Hancock in @GMB studio preparing to give interview on the launch of the new Covid vaccine pic.twitter.com/RLBjuweP13
— Minitrue⁺ (@banthebbc) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--GOODER AND HARDER: New Yorkers May Have to Pay Package Delivery Surcharge to Help Fund MTA.

With the Metropolitan Transportation Authority facing a budget crisis , New Yorkers may have to dig into their pockets to @ @ @ @ @ new proposed bill , New York City residents would be required to pay a $ @ @ @ @ @ ordered online , with the exception for medicine and food .
Assemblyman Robert Carroll , @ @ @ @ @ says the online shopping fee would raise more than $ 1 billion a year “ @ @ @ @ @ of buses and subways in the city of New York .
”

via nbcnewyork:
With the Metropolitan Transportation Authority facing a budget crisis, New Yorkers may have to dig into their pockets to help out.
Under a new proposed bill, New York City residents would be required to pay a $3 surcharge on packages they ordered online, with the exception for medicine and food.
Assemblyman Robert Carroll, who proposed the bill, says the online shopping fee would raise more than $1 billion a year “to fund the operating costs of buses and subways in the city of New York.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--What’s with all this sudden financing?

What’s with all this sudden financing?

In over 25 public companies from GSX Techedu and Tesla to MicroStrategy , there is a sudden wave of companies @ @ @ @ @ structures and new stock issuance .
Why now , why so many at once ?
@ @ @ @ @ of them raking in the last bit of juice from these euphoric capital markets before @ @ @ @ @ milking of capital markets , yet no value produced .
Pretty soon a lot more @ @ @ @ @ be using only their stock as collateral for loans , employee salary and whatnot .
@ @ @ @ @ 1999-2000 .
“ MicroStrategy to Raise $ 400 Million to Buy Even More Bitcoin ” @ @ @ @ @ only for educational purposes .
Do not make any investment decisions based on the information @ @ @ @ @ you own due diligence or consult your financial professional before making any investment decision .

by GammaRisk
In over 25 public companies from GSX Techedu and Tesla to MicroStrategy, there is a sudden wave of companies raising capital through convertible bond structures and new stock issuance. Why now, why so many at once?
Could this be a way of them raking in the last bit of juice from these euphoric capital markets before the sun sets? Absolute milking of capital markets, yet no value produced. Pretty soon a lot more of these tech companies will be using only their stock as collateral for loans, employee salary and whatnot. This is incredibly reminiscent of 1999-2000.
“GSX Announces Private Placement Financing of US$ 870 Million”
finance.yahoo.com/news/gsx-announces-private-placement-financing-080000439.html
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“Tesla’s $5B stock offering taps skyrocketing value”
finance.yahoo.com/news/teslas-5b-stock-offering-taps-130948237.html
“MicroStrategy to Raise $400 Million to Buy Even More Bitcoin”
finance.yahoo.com/news/microstrategy-raise-400-million-buy-220017861.html
Disclaimer: This information is only for educational purposes. Do not make any investment decisions based on the information in this article. Do you own due diligence or consult your financial professional before making any investment decision.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--My Kuroda! Bank Of Japan Is Now The Biggest Owner Of Japanese Stocks (Still Feasting On Negative-yie

My Kuroda! Bank Of Japan Is Now The Biggest Owner Of Japanese Stocks (Still Feasting On Negative-yield Government Bonds)

The Bank of Japan ( BOJ ) has taken over as the biggest owner of the nation ’ s stocks @ @ @ @ @ of its holdings climbing above a record 45.1 trillion yen .
BOJ has also gorged @ @ @ @ @ never-ending expansion of their balance sheet .
Government securities ( bonds ) are still their @ @ @ @ @ has been feasting on negative-yield bonds at 10 years and lower maturities .
Good bankers @ @ @ @ @ he does .

by confoundedinterest17
My Kuroda!
The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has taken over as the biggest owner of the nation’s stocks, with the total value of its holdings climbing above a record 45.1 trillion yen.
BOJ has also gorged on corporate bonds in their never-ending expansion of their balance sheet.
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Government securities (bonds) are still their largest holdings.
The BOJ has been feasting on negative-yield bonds at 10 years and lower maturities.
Good bankers don’t, but he does.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--This is 100% proof to me that Trump has a plan. He will not let this stand. Most shocking vid I have

This is 100% proof to me that Trump has a plan. He will not let this stand. Most shocking vid I have seen today.

Tucker Carlson segment on a video deleted from Chinese social media of a professor saying that China `` has people @ @ @ @ @ 's core inner circle of power & influence . ''
pic.twitter.com/h3Ygy6UlHk

Tucker Carlson segment on a video deleted from Chinese social media of a professor saying that China "has people at the top of America's core inner circle of power & influence." pic.twitter.com/h3Ygy6UlHk
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Demoncrats propose tying $1500 Stimulus check to Covid jab!

With Democrats and Republicans still stuck at an impasse on stimulus negotiations , one Maryland Congressman and erstwhile presidential candidate named John Delaney has engineered a novel strategy for killing two birds with one stone : dispersing another round of stimulus funds , while ensuring that enough Americans consent to receiving the vaccine that the US can quickly top the roughly 70 % immunity threshold at which point scientists believe the vaccine will stop propagating .
And that plan is : Offering Americans a $ 1,500 “ incentive payment ” to acquiesce to receiving both doses of the vaccine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ all Americans , even those who still refuse , because it might help the country crush the virus more quickly .
To be sure , Delaney ’ s plan has virtually zero chance of becoming law .
Republicans and Democrats can ’ t even seem to agree on basic things like the size of the package ( $ 600BN or $ 900BN ) and whether businesses deserve a liability shield to stop them from being sued by people claiming to have been infected in their establishment ( GOP leader Mitch McConnell sees this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently promised Americans that the vaccine wouldn ’ t be mandatory .
Delaney initially conceived of the scheme as a workaround for the widespread public skepticism about the vaccine .
While recent opinion polls show that the number of Americans planning to get the vaccine as soon as it ’ s available has been on the upswing , more than 40 % of the population either has already been infected , doesn ’ t see any urgent need for a vaccine , or simply doesn ’ t trust the data .

With Democrats and Republicans still stuck at an impasse on stimulus negotiations, one Maryland Congressman and erstwhile presidential candidate named John Delaney has engineered a novel strategy for killing two birds with one stone: dispersing another round of stimulus funds, while ensuring that enough Americans consent to receiving the vaccine that the US can quickly top the roughly 70% immunity threshold at which point scientists believe the vaccine will stop propagating.
And that plan is: Offering Americans a $1,500 “incentive payment” to acquiesce to receiving both doses of the vaccine. Delaney argued that the plan would benefit all Americans, even those who still refuse, because it might help the country crush the virus more quickly.
“The faster we get 75% of this country vaccinated, the faster we end Covid and the sooner everything returns to normal,” Delaney said in an interview with CNBC.com.
To be sure, Delaney’s plan has virtually zero chance of becoming law. Republicans and Democrats can’t even seem to agree on basic things like the size of the package ($600BN or $900BN) and whether businesses deserve a liability shield to stop them from being sued by people claiming to have been infected in their establishment (GOP leader Mitch McConnell sees this as a must). President Trump recently promised Americans that the vaccine wouldn’t be mandatory.
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Delaney initially conceived of the scheme as a workaround for the widespread public skepticism about the vaccine. While recent opinion polls show that the number of Americans planning to get the vaccine as soon as it’s available has been on the upswing, more than 40% of the population either has already been infected, doesn’t see any urgent need for a vaccine, or simply doesn’t trust the data.
www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/democrat-proposes-tying-15bn-stimulus-checks-covid-vaccinations


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--If Mark Zuckerberg can “donate” $350 million through an activist shell company to “give grants” to s

If Mark Zuckerberg can “ donate ” $ 350 million through an activist shell company to “ give grants ” @ @ @ @ @ officials , then our republic is finished .
Since when do state and local governments @ @ @ @ @ private companies ?
And the answer is : never .

If Mark Zuckerberg can “donate” $350 million through an activist shell company to “give grants” to state and county election officials, then our republic is finished.
Since when do state and local governments “need” donations from private companies?
And the answer is: never.
— Emerald Robinson ✝ (@EmeraldRobinson) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--The Pennsylvania “Situation” Explained: The PA Legislature and Supreme Court were supposed to amend

The Pennsylvania “Situation” Explained: The PA Legislature and Supreme Court were supposed to amend their Constitution to change election rules. They didn’t. The PA Electors would violate their State *and* the US Federal Constitutions.

This analysis is really informative…I think the most interesting thing is the timing of PA allowing the mail-in voting in @ @ @ @ @ COVID hoax and the election coup are inextricably intertwined…I didn ’ t fully grasp this @ @ @ @ @

PA’s response to SCOTUS filing [pdf]
This analysis is really informative…I think the most interesting thing is the timing of PA allowing the mail-in voting in October, 2019.
The COVID hoax and the election coup are inextricably intertwined…I didn’t fully grasp this until after the fact.
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Part two
Part three
h/t axolotl_peyotl


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Tom Fitton — Texas Supreme Court lawsuit: Odds of Biden beating @RealDonaldTrump in four key battleg

Tom Fitton — Texas Supreme Court lawsuit: Odds of Biden beating @RealDonaldTrump in four key battleground states: “less than one in quadrillion to the fourth power…”

Texas Supreme Court lawsuit : Odds of Biden beating @ RealDonaldTrump in four key battleground states : `` less than @ @ @ @ @ fourth power… '' In the general election , @ GaSecofState broke his promise to issue @ @ @ @ @ observe absentee ballot signature verification .
After the election , he refused repeated calls by @ @ @ @ @ audit the signature matches .
Today @ GaRepublicans sued him .

Texas Supreme Court lawsuit: Odds of Biden beating @RealDonaldTrump in four key battleground states: "less than one in quadrillion to the fourth power…"
In the general election, @GaSecofState broke his promise to issue a bulletin allowing us to observe absentee ballot signature verification. After the election, he refused repeated calls by @BrianKempGA and others to audit the signature matches. Today @GaRepublicans sued him.
— David Shafer (@DavidShafer) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-09--Video: Wow so in Georgia they were told counting was done, yet the counting continued with no observ

Video: Wow so in Georgia they were told counting was done, yet the counting continued with no observers during the rediculous vote spikes. All those debunkers arguments are wrong. Rebunked!

BREAKING : Must Watch : ⚠ FULTON COUNTY DEBUNKED | Video clip proves observers were told counting was done for @ @ @ @ @ officials restarted counting when coast was clear with NO OBSERVERS , ZERO SUPERVISION @ SidneyPowell1 @ @ @ @ @ GabrielSterling pic.twitter.com/Jj6eLc4TwF

BREAKING: Must Watch: ⚠ FULTON COUNTY DEBUNKED | Video clip proves observers were told counting was done for the night, then County officials restarted counting when coast was clear with NO OBSERVERS, ZERO SUPERVISION @SidneyPowell1 @JennaEllisEsq @RudyGiuliani @GabrielSterling pic.twitter.com/Jj6eLc4TwF
— Story still developing… (@ppv_tahoe) December 7, 2020


Some all-time highs

Incredible year for $ PENN .
Now up over 2000 % from the March low t.co/24PQWiCAag pic.twitter.com/oaE34y7PId

Incredible year for $PENN. Now up over 2000% from the March low t.co/24PQWiCAag pic.twitter.com/oaE34y7PId
— Joe Weisenthal (@TheStalwart) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--When Goldman Sachs raised $TSLA price target it was a sell signal. They knew ATM offering was coming

When Goldman Sachs raised $TSLA price target it was a sell signal. They knew ATM offering was coming. In 2001 Goldman was raising Enron PT’s at the top.

I 've never seen so many really-extreme sentiment readings .
I realize price/momentum/breadth are very , very positive , but @ @ @ @ @ thing ever goes down we 're going to look back at the sentiment stuff and @ @ @ @ @ it was obvious . ''
The market is a cruel mistress ...

When Goldman Sachs raised $TSLA price target it was a sell signal. They knew ATM offering was coming. In 2001 Goldman was raising Enron PT's at the top. #Tesla pic.twitter.com/arNR4vQueW
Elon is going to screw the S&P committee for daring to pass on him the first time around, and he ain’t hiding his intentions… t.co/BKLumDriTQ
— TC (@TESLAcharts) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--Smart Money still on side lines. Another jaw for the history book

Smart Money still on side lines .
Another jaw for the history book @ Analyst_G @ AlessioUrban pic.twitter.com/KDFFGIp5Ft

Smart Money still on side lines. Another jaw for the history book @Analyst_G @AlessioUrban pic.twitter.com/KDFFGIp5Ft — Gianluca De Stefano (@Theimmigrant84) December 8, 2020
Where were the signs? pic.twitter.com/lXpJuo9421 — Thomas Thornton (@TommyThornton) December 8, 2020
Small option traders continue to set records … number of net bullish small trades (orange) still dominating number of large trades (blue) @biancoresearch @OptionsClearing @sentimentrader @Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/RsG19OpaNw — Liz Ann Sonders (@LizAnnSonders) December 8, 2020
FANG getting weaker pic.twitter.com/k08UnYYxXv — Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) December 8, 2020
Weak Consumer Confidence pic.twitter.com/q4uCk8qLqp — Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--NFIB Small Business Survey: Another rolling over indicator?

Lots of financial market trends quietly reversing .
Will be addressing that in the weeks ahead .

Lots of financial market trends quietly reversing. Will be addressing that in the weeks ahead.
— Jeffrey Gundlach (@TruthGundlach) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--This Chris Wallace Moment on FOX was the Last Straw for So Many Conservative Viewers

Collin Rugg from Trending Politics reports , During an interview with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Sunday @ @ @ @ @ Wallace seemed visibly triggered after Azar referred to former Vice President Joe Biden as “ @ @ @ @ @ of “ president-elect .
”

Collin Rugg from Trending Politics reports, During an interview with Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Sunday, Fox News anchor Chris Wallace seemed visibly triggered after Azar referred to former Vice President Joe Biden as “the vice president” instead of “president-elect.”
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Read More/Source/Credit/FairUse:
trendingpolitics.com/watch-ch…


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--President Biden’s Corruption Already Pervades His Administration

That didn ’ t take long .
He ’ s not even in office , and he has already surrounded himself , as the incoming President , with individuals who derive their wealth from ( and will be serving ) America ’ s top defense contractors and Wall Street .
The likelihood that these Government officials will be biting the hands that feed them is approximately zero .
Great investigative journalists have already exposed how corrupt they are .
For that to be the case so early ( even before taking office ) is remarkable , and only a summary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with links to them , all of which reports are themselves linking to the incriminating evidence , so that everything can easily be tracked back to the documentation by the reader here , even before there are any ‘ Special Prosecutors ’ ( as if those were serving anyone other than the opposite Party ’ s political campaigns , and , ultimately , the opposite Party ’ s billionaires ) .
What little organized left political infrastructure exists in Washington is largely valorizing or publicly defending swamp creatures who at minimum deserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being done by a small handful of under-resourced groups to mount a real opposition is getting trampled by a culture of obsequiousness .
This culture of acquiescence gives swamp creatures a free pass.
” It ’ s all some sort of mega-corporate propaganda — 100 % billionaire-supported on the conservative side , 100 % billionaire-supported also on the liberal side , and 0 % billionaire-supported for anything that is authentically progressive ( not dependent , at all , upon the aristocracy ) .
Liberal ( that ’ s to say Democratic Party ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians , and conservative ( that ’ s to say Republican Party ) U.S. media hide the corruptness of Republican politicians ; and , so , the public today are getting corrupt leaders whichever side they vote for .
No mainstream ‘ news ’ media report what independent investigative journalists such as Sirota and Perez report .
Authentically good journalists use as sources — and link to in their articles — neither Democratic nor Republican allegations , but instead are on the margins , outside of the major media , and so rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not on people who are somebody ’ s paid PR flacks , individuals who are being paid to deceive .
As Sirota and Perez state : “ .
” It ’ s all some sort of mega-corporate propaganda — 100 % billionaire-supported on the conservative side , 100 % billionaire-supported also on the liberal side , and 0 % billionaire-supported for anything that is authentically progressive ( not dependent , at all , upon the aristocracy ) .
That independent reporting team focused on Biden ’ s having chosen an economic team which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional Republicans an initial Democratic Party negotiating position that accepts Republicans ’ basic proposals to cut middle class Social Security and health care benefits in order for the Government to be able to continue expanding the military budgets and purchases from the billionaire-controlled firms , such as Northrop Grumman — firms whose entire sales ( or close to it ) are to the U.S. Government and to the governments ( U.S. ‘ allies ’ ) that constitute these firms ’ secondary markets .
( In other words : those budget-cuts aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two Parties and used by Biden ’ s team as a bargaining chip to moderate the Republicans ’ position that favors more for ‘ defense ’ and less for the poor , but are actually accepted by both Parties , even before the new Administration will take office . )
Obviously , anything that both sides to a negotiation accept at the very start of a negotiation will be included in the final product from that negotiation ; and this means that during a Biden Presidency there will be reductions in middle-class Social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to continue , at the present level — if not to increase yet further — Government spending on the products and services of such firms as Lockheed Martin and the Rand Corporation ( firms that control their market by controlling their Government , which is their main or entire market ) .
Sirota and Perez focus especially upon one example : Neera Tanden , whom Biden chose on November 30th to be the White House Budget Director , and who therefore will set the priorities which determine how much federal money the President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to allocate to what recipients : presumes the given ‘ expert ’ to be not only authentically expert but also honest and trustworthy , authentically representing the public ’ s interest and no special interests whatsoever — not at all corrupt — which is certainly a false allegation in her own case . )
She had urged the 2003 invasion of Iraq , and had participated in planning and overseeing both the war against Syria , and the coup that destroyed Ukraine ( and none of those countries had ever invaded , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States ) ; and , so , for her to brag about her “ delivering results ” is not merely hypocritical , it is downright evil , because she is obviously proud , there , of her vicious , outright voracious , record .
On 20 November 2020 , POGO headlined “ Should Michèle Flournoy Be Secretary of Defense ?
” and their terrific investigative team of Winslow Wheeler and Pierre Sprey delivered a scorching portrayal of Flournoy as irredeemably corrupt — it ought to be read by everybody .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the evidence are to the very best sources .
So , I won ’ t summarize it , because all Americans need to know what it reports , and to be able to verify , on their own ( by clicking onto any link in it that interests them ) , any allegation that the given reader has any question about .
However , I shall point out here the sheer hypocrisy of the following which that article quotes Flournoy as asserting : “ It will be imperative for the next secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who meet the following criteria : deep expertise and competence in their areas of responsibility ; proven leadership in empowering teams , listening to diverse views , making tough decisions , and delivering results.
” ( Of course , that assertionthe given ‘ expert ’ to be not only authentically expert but also honest and trustworthy , authentically representing the public ’ s interest and no special interests whatsoever — not at all corrupt — which is certainly a false allegation in her own case . )
She had urged the 2003 invasion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning and overseeing both the war against Syria , and the coup that destroyed Ukraine ( and none of those countries had ever invaded , or even threatened to invade , the United States ) ; and , so , for her toabout her “ delivering results ” is not merely hypocritical , it is downright evil , because she is obviously proud , there , of her vicious , outright voracious , record .
“ a President Biden would be in the business of confronting Mr. Putin for his aggressions , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but strengthening its deterrence , investing in new capabilities to deal with challenges in cyberspace , in outer space , under the sea , A.I.
, electronic warfare , and give robust security assistance to countries like Ukraine , Georgia , the Western Balkans.
” What would Americans think if Russia were to have retained its Warsaw Pact , and “ a President Putin would be in the business of confronting Mr. Biden for his aggressions ( in Syria , or elsewhere ) , not embracing them .
Not trashing the Warsaw Pact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in new capabilities to deal with challenges in cyberspace , in outer space , under the sea , A.I.
, electronic warfare , and give robust security assistance to countries like Canada , Mexico , and other nations that are near the U.S. ” ?
Guyer pointedly noted that “ The [ CBS News ] podcast was sponsored by a major weapons maker .
‘ At Lockheed Martin , your mission is ours , ’ read an announcer.
” Tony Blinken ’ s mission is theirs .
These people get the money both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the “ revolving door.
” Today ’ s American Government is for sale to the highest bidders , on any policy , domestic or foreign .
‘ Government service ’ is just a sabbatical to boost their value to the firms that will be paying them the vast majority of their lifetime ‘ earnings ’ .
This is the reality that mainstream U.S.-and-allied ‘ news ’ media refuse to publish ( or , especially , to make clear ) .
Only an electorate which is ignorant of this reality can accept such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closes by making passing reference to a CBS ‘ news ’ puff-piece for Blinken .
In that CBS puff-piece , Blinken says , .
” What would Americans think if Russia were to have retained its Warsaw Pact , and.
” ?
Guyer pointedly noted that “ The [ CBS News ] podcast was sponsored by a major weapons maker .
‘ At Lockheed Martin , your mission is ours , ’ read an announcer.
” Tony Blinken ’ s mission is theirs .
These people get the money both coming and going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Today ’ s American Government is for sale to the highest bidders , on any policy , domestic or foreign .
‘ Government service ’ is just a sabbatical to boost their value to the firms that will be paying them the vast majority of their lifetime ‘ earnings ’ .
This is the reality that mainstream U.S.-and-allied ‘ news ’ mediato publish ( or , , to make clear ) .
Only an electorate which is ignorant of this reality can accept such a government .
Biden — like Trump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before him — doesn ’ t represent the American people .
He represents his mega-donors .
And he is staffing his Administration accordingly .
He repays favors : he delivers the services that they buy from him .
This is today ’ s America .
And that is the way it functions .

Eric Zuesse, originally posted at Strategic Culture
That didn’t take long. He’s not even in office, and he has already surrounded himself, as the incoming President, with individuals who derive their wealth from (and will be serving) America’s top defense contractors and Wall Street. The likelihood that these Government officials will be biting the hands that feed them is approximately zero. Great investigative journalists have already exposed how corrupt they are. For that to be the case so early (even before taking office) is remarkable, and only a summary of those reports will be provided here, with links to them, all of which reports are themselves linking to the incriminating evidence, so that everything can easily be tracked back to the documentation by the reader here, even before there are any ‘Special Prosecutors’ (as if those were serving anyone other than the opposite Party’s political campaigns, and, ultimately, the opposite Party’s billionaires).
“A month after the election, Biden’s nominations make clear that the president-elect is most focused on trying to fulfill his promise to donors that nothing fundamentally changes. And yet, that tacit admission may have stunned those who keep hearing from liberal and progressive groups in Washington that, in fact, the left has been notching monumental victories in Biden’s cabinet appointments.” First up, is the independent investigative team of David Sirota and Andrew Perez. On December 4th, they bannered “The Beltway Left Is Normalizing Corruption And Corporatism” , and reported that.”
What little organized left political infrastructure exists in Washington is largely valorizing or publicly defending swamp creatures who at minimum deserve a loyal opposition. The good work being done by a small handful of under-resourced groups to mount a real opposition is getting trampled by a culture of obsequiousness. This culture of acquiescence gives swamp creatures a free pass.” It’s all some sort of mega-corporate propaganda — 100% billionaire-supported on the conservative side, 100% billionaire-supported also on the liberal side, and 0% billionaire-supported for anything that is authentically progressive (not dependent, at all, upon the aristocracy). Liberal (that’s to say Democratic Party) U.S. media hide the corruptness of Democratic politicians, and conservative (that’s to say Republican Party) U.S. media hide the corruptness of Republican politicians; and, so, the public today are getting corrupt leaders whichever side they vote for. No mainstream ‘news’ media report what independent investigative journalists such as Sirota and Perez report. Authentically good journalists use as sources — and link to in their articles — neither Democratic nor Republican allegations, but instead are on the margins, outside of the major media, and so rely on whistleblowers and other trustworthy outsiders, not on people who are somebody’s paid PR flacks, individuals who are being paid to deceive. As Sirota and Perez state: “.” It’s all some sort of mega-corporate propaganda — 100% billionaire-supported on the conservative side, 100% billionaire-supported also on the liberal side, and 0% billionaire-supported for anything that is authentically progressive (not dependent, at all, upon the aristocracy).
That independent reporting team focused on Biden’s having chosen an economic team which will start his Administration already offering to congressional Republicans an initial Democratic Party negotiating position that accepts Republicans’ basic proposals to cut middle class Social Security and health care benefits in order for the Government to be able to continue expanding the military budgets and purchases from the billionaire-controlled firms, such as Northrop Grumman — firms whose entire sales (or close to it) are to the U.S. Government and to the governments (U.S. ‘allies’) that constitute these firms’ secondary markets. (In other words: those budget-cuts aren’t going to be an issue between the two Parties and used by Biden’s team as a bargaining chip to moderate the Republicans’ position that favors more for ‘defense’ and less for the poor, but are actually accepted by both Parties, even before the new Administration will take office.) Obviously, anything that both sides to a negotiation accept at the very start of a negotiation will be included in the final product from that negotiation; and this means that during a Biden Presidency there will be reductions in middle-class Social security and health care benefits in order to continue, at the present level — if not to increase yet further — Government spending on the products and services of such firms as Lockheed Martin and the Rand Corporation (firms that control their market by controlling their Government, which is their main or entire market).
Sirota and Perez focus especially upon one example: Neera Tanden, whom Biden chose on November 30th to be the White House Budget Director, and who therefore will set the priorities which determine how much federal money the President will be trying to get the Congress to allocate to what recipients:
exception to that general rule. Next up: One of the rare honest non-profits in the field of journalism is the Project on Government Oversight, POGO, which refuses to accept donations from “anyone who stands to benefit financially from our work,” and which states in its unique “Donation Acceptance Policy” that, “POGO reviews all contributions exceeding $100 in order to maintain this standard.” In other words: they refuse to be corrupt. Virtually all public-policy or think-tank nonprofits are profoundly corrupt, but POGO is the most determinedto that general rule.
presumes the given ‘expert’ to be not only authentically expert but also honest and trustworthy, authentically representing the public’s interest and no special interests whatsoever — not at all corrupt — which is certainly a false allegation in her own case.) She had urged the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and had participated in planning and overseeing both the war against Syria, and the coup that destroyed Ukraine (and none of those countries had ever invaded, or even threatened to invade, the United States); and, so, for her to brag about her “delivering results” is not merely hypocritical, it is downright evil, because she is obviously proud, there, of her vicious, outright voracious, record. On 20 November 2020, POGO headlined “Should Michèle Flournoy Be Secretary of Defense?” and their terrific investigative team of Winslow Wheeler and Pierre Sprey delivered a scorching portrayal of Flournoy as irredeemably corrupt — it ought to be read by everybody. It’s essential reading throughout, and its links to the evidence are to the very best sources. So, I won’t summarize it, because all Americans need to know what it reports, and to be able to verify, on their own (by clicking onto any link in it that interests them), any allegation that the given reader has any question about. However, I shall point out here the sheer hypocrisy of the following which that article quotes Flournoy as asserting: “It will be imperative for the next secretary to appoint a team of senior officials who meet the following criteria: deep expertise and competence in their areas of responsibility; proven leadership in empowering teams, listening to diverse views, making tough decisions, and delivering results.” (Of course, that assertionthe given ‘expert’ to be not only authentically expert but also honest and trustworthy, authentically representing the public’s interest and no special interests whatsoever — not at all corrupt — which is certainly a false allegation in her own case.) She had urged the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and had participated in planning and overseeing both the war against Syria, and the coup that destroyed Ukraine (and none of those countries had ever invaded, or even threatened to invade, the United States); and, so, for her toabout her “delivering results” is not merely hypocritical, it is downright evil, because she is obviously proud, there, of her vicious, outright voracious, record.
American Prospect magazine has had, Jonathan Guyer, headlined on November 23rd, expect to see for a business partner of Flournoy’s. Her business-partner, Tony Blinken, has already received Biden’s approval to become his Secretary of State, and the first really good investigative journalist thatmagazine has had, Jonathan Guyer, headlined on November 23rd, “What You Need to Know About Tony Blinken” , and what Guyer reports is just what any well informed reader wouldto see for a business partner of Flournoy’s.
“a President Biden would be in the business of confronting Mr. Putin for his aggressions, not embracing him. Not trashing NATO, but strengthening its deterrence, investing in new capabilities to deal with challenges in cyberspace, in outer space, under the sea, A.I., electronic warfare, and give robust security assistance to countries like Ukraine, Georgia, the Western Balkans.” What would Americans think if Russia were to have retained its Warsaw Pact, and “a President Putin would be in the business of confronting Mr. Biden for his aggressions (in Syria, or elsewhere), not embracing them. Not trashing the Warsaw Pact, but strengthening its deterrence, investing in new capabilities to deal with challenges in cyberspace, in outer space, under the sea, A.I., electronic warfare, and give robust security assistance to countries like Canada, Mexico, and other nations that are near the U.S.”? Guyer pointedly noted that “The [CBS News] podcast was sponsored by a major weapons maker. ‘At Lockheed Martin, your mission is ours,’ read an announcer.” Tony Blinken’s mission is theirs. These people get the money both coming and going — on both sides of the “revolving door.” Today’s American Government is for sale to the highest bidders, on any policy, domestic or foreign. ‘Government service’ is just a sabbatical to boost their value to the firms that will be paying them the vast majority of their lifetime ‘earnings’. This is the reality that mainstream U.S.-and-allied ‘news’ media refuse to publish (or, especially, to make clear). Only an electorate which is ignorant of this reality can accept such a government. Guyer’s report closes by making passing reference to a CBS ‘news’ puff-piece for Blinken. In that CBS puff-piece , Blinken says,.” What would Americans think if Russia were to have retained its Warsaw Pact, and.”? Guyer pointedly noted that “The [CBS News] podcast was sponsored by a major weapons maker. ‘At Lockheed Martin, your mission is ours,’ read an announcer.” Tony Blinken’s mission is theirs. These people get the money both coming and going — onsides of the “revolving door.” Today’s American Government is for sale to the highest bidders, on any policy, domestic or foreign. ‘Government service’ is just a sabbatical to boost their value to the firms that will be paying them the vast majority of their lifetime ‘earnings’. This is the reality that mainstream U.S.-and-allied ‘news’ mediato publish (or,, to make clear). Only an electorate which is ignorant of this reality can accept such a government.
New York Times, Washington Post, PBS, and NPR) will start reporting the fact of Biden’s corruptness. Where billionaires control all of the mainstream media, there is no democracy — it’s not even possible, in such a country. Back on 26 January 2020, I had headlined “Joe Biden Is as Corrupt as They Come” and documented the reality of this, but America’s mainstream media were hiding that fact so as to decrease the likelihood that the only Democratic Party Presidential candidate whom no billionaire supported , Bernie Sanders, might win the nomination. Perhaps now that it’s too late, even those ‘news’ organizations (such as CNN, Fox, CBS, NBC, ABC,, PBS, and NPR) will start reporting the fact of Biden’s corruptness. Where billionaires control all of the mainstream media, there is no democracy — it’s not even, in such a country.
Bernard Schwartz, a former Vice Chairman and top investor in Lockheed Martin (which is by far the largest seller to the U.S. Government, and also the largest seller to most of America’s allied Governments), is one of Joe Biden’s top donors. CNN headlined, on October 24th, “Biden allies intensify push for super PAC after lackluster fundraising quarter”, and reported that, “Bernard Schwartz, a private investor and donor to the former vice president’s campaign, said he spoke with Biden within the last two weeks and encouraged him to do just that.” It’s not for nothing that throughout Biden’s long Senate career, he has voted in favor of every U.S. invasion that has been placed before the U.S. Senate.
regardless of which Party’s nominee would head it. Near the end of the Democratic Party’s primaries, on 16 March 2020, CNBC headlined “Megadonors pull plug on plan for anti-Sanders super PAC as Biden racks up wins” , and reported that Bernard Schwartz had become persuaded by other billionaires that, by this time, “Biden could handle Sanders on his own.” They had done their job; they would therefore control the U.S. Governmentof which Party’s nominee would head it.
Biden — like Trump, and like Obama and Bush and Clinton before him — doesn’t represent the American people. He represents his mega-donors. And he is staffing his Administration accordingly. He repays favors: he delivers the services that they buy from him. This is today’s America. And that is the way it functions.
——
——
—————


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--2 Florida truckers kidnapped, tortured and executed…  Horror in Miami

Police want to know who kidnapped , tortured and fatally shot two truckers execution-style before dumping their bodies on a @ @ @ @ @ weekend .
The Miami Herald reported that a third man survived the ordeal and flagged @ @ @ @ @ police .
That man , whose name has not been released , was in critical @ @ @ @ @ to a hospital on Saturday night .
Police told the newspaper that masked men kidnapped @ @ @ @ @ hands and tortured them for hours in the back of a moving-type truck before shooting @ @ @ @ @ leaving them in a yard in Opa-locka , which is near Miami .

Police want to know who kidnapped, tortured and fatally shot two truckers execution-style before dumping their bodies on a South Florida street over the weekend.
The Miami Herald reported that a third man survived the ordeal and flagged down a passerby who called police. That man, whose name has not been released, was in critical condition when he was taken to a hospital on Saturday night.
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Police told the newspaper that masked men kidnapped the men, tied their hands and tortured them for hours in the back of a moving-type truck before shooting them in the head and leaving them in a yard in Opa-locka, which is near Miami.
www.fox5ny.com/news/police-2-florida-truckers-kidnapped-tortured-and-executed-by-masked-men


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--Shoppers stampede WALMART in hunt for PS5s — that aren’t there…  Waited 7 hours in frigid temperatur

Shoppers stampede WALMART in hunt for PS5s — that aren’t there…  Waited 7 hours in frigid temperatures

It was like a stampede Monday morning when the doors opened at Walmart in suburban Troy , Mich. About 100 @ @ @ @ @ to get their hands on the hottest thing going right now — a Sony PlayStation @ @ @ @ @ The PS5 retails for $ 399 digital edition and $ 499 for the disc edition @ @ @ @ @ selling for more than double that on the resale market .

It was like a stampede Monday morning when the doors opened at Walmart in suburban Troy, Mich. About 100 shoppers making a mad dash to get their hands on the hottest thing going right now — a Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5).
The PS5 retails for $399 digital edition and $499 for the disc edition, but they’re selling for more than double that on the resale market.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
www.radio.com/wwjnewsradio/news/local/shoppers-stampede-into-walmart-in-search-of-ps5


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--BREAKING: Louisiana is filing a lawsuit against the 5 battleground states today in addition to the s

BREAKING: Louisiana is filing a lawsuit against the 5 battleground states today in addition to the state of Texas

“ Only the U.S. Supreme Court can ultimately decide cases of real controversy among the states under our Constitution .
@ @ @ @ @ should hear and decide the case which we have joined… ” Louisiana throws down with @ @ @ @

BREAKING NEWS !!!!!
💥💥💥 According to the Attorney General Louisiana is filing a law suit against the 5 battleground states today in addition to the state of Texas. Louisiana is JOINING THE LAWSUIT
COME ON #FLORIDA — Nigella (@nigella_i5e) December 8, 2020
SOURCE!
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“Only the U.S. Supreme Court can ultimately decide cases of real controversy among the states under our Constitution. That is why the Justices should hear and decide the case which we have joined…” Louisiana throws down with Texas to SCOTUS.
SUPREME COURT.⚖🚨 Texas's lawsuit against Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin & Georgia arguing that their state elections are unconstitutional & invalid has now been *DOCKETED* & will be decided at the SUPREME COURT. God bless Texas. God bless the United States of America. — Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) December 8, 2020
If the Supreme Court follows THE LAW (no guarantee thanks to Chief Justice Roberts & liberal wing), then the Texas lawsuit vs. Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin & Georgia is game, set, match for this sham election. There is *NO* pandemic clause in the U.S. Constitution. — Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) December 8, 2020
BREAKING – U.S. Supreme Court will hear Texas' lawsuit against Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin over potential voter fraud. The case was added to the Supreme Court docket today. pic.twitter.com/BzSsct1Pq9 — Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) December 8, 2020
h/t axolotl_peyotl


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--BREAKING: Supreme court REJECTS bid to nullify Biden’s PENNSYLVANIA win

* U.S. SUPREME COURT REJECTS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGE TO BIDEN 'S ELECTION VICTORY IN PENNSYLVANIA @ Reuters

SUPREME COURT REJECTS BID TO NULLIFY BIDEN'S PENNSYLVANIA WIN #SCOTUS
* U.S. SUPREME COURT REJECTS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGE TO BIDEN'S ELECTION VICTORY IN PENNSYLVANIA@Reuters
— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) December 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--BOOM: Million-Dollar Homebuying Soars With Rich on Shopping Binge…  BUST: 1 in 3 workers have pay cu

BOOM: Million-Dollar Homebuying Soars With Rich on Shopping Binge…  BUST: 1 in 3 workers have pay cut

( Bloomberg ) — Wealthy Americans , largely untouched by the recession and eager for more living space , have been on a homebuying binge .
Demand for million-dollar homes is growing faster than any other price tier in the pandemic-driven U.S. housing boom .
In October , applications for mortgages larger than $ 766,000 jumped 59 % , the biggest gain for all segments measured by the Mortgage Bankers Association .
By comparison , the increase for mortgages from $ 150,000 to $ 300,000 was 13 % .
Investors are concerned it might not last .
Shares of luxury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a month Tuesday after the company crushed estimates with a 68 % jump in home orders for the three months through October .
Roughly 1 in 3 full-time workers have experienced a pay cut due to the coronavirus pandemic this year , according to a recent MagnifyMoney survey of 984 professionals surveyed Nov. 6 to 11 .
The economic upheaval of the pandemic starting in March caused many U.S. employers to institute temporary pay cuts in the spring .
In the months since , about half of respondents said their pay has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women experienced pandemic pay cuts at nearly equal rates , men , at 52 % , were more likely than women , 44 % , to say their pay has been restored .

BOOM: Million-Dollar Homebuying Soars With Rich on Shopping Binge…
(Bloomberg) — Wealthy Americans, largely untouched by the recession and eager for more living space, have been on a homebuying binge.
Demand for million-dollar homes is growing faster than any other price tier in the pandemic-driven U.S. housing boom. In October, applications for mortgages larger than $766,000 jumped 59%, the biggest gain for all segments measured by the Mortgage Bankers Association. By comparison, the increase for mortgages from $150,000 to $300,000 was 13%.
Investors are concerned it might not last. Shares of luxury builder Toll Brothers Inc. fell the most in a month Tuesday after the company crushed estimates with a 68% jump in home orders for the three months through October.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
BUST: 1 in 3 workers have pay cut
Roughly 1 in 3 full-time workers have experienced a pay cut due to the coronavirus pandemic this year, according to a recent MagnifyMoney survey of 984 professionals surveyed Nov. 6 to 11.
The economic upheaval of the pandemic starting in March caused many U.S. employers to institute temporary pay cuts in the spring. In the months since, about half of respondents said their pay has been restored.
However, while men and women experienced pandemic pay cuts at nearly equal rates, men, at 52%, were more likely than women, 44%, to say their pay has been restored.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--Army Secretary to fire, suspend large number of officers and soldiers at Ft. Hood…  Unprecedented ac

Army Secretary to fire, suspend large number of officers and soldiers at Ft. Hood…  Unprecedented action to address pattern of sex assault, harassment, suicides, murder… Developing

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Tuesday announced 14 firings and suspensions among commanders and lower-level leaders as a result of an investigation into a pattern of sexual assault , harassment , suicides and murder at the Fort Hood Army post in Killeen , Texas .
The investigation followed the death of Specialist Vanessa Guillén , who was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood earlier this year .
In addition to the disciplinary actions , McCarthy released findings from an independent review he commissioned in July to assess problems at Fort Hood , with a focus on claims of discrimination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilians to be part of the review of the command climate and culture at the base and in the surrounding military community around Fort Hood .
“ I have determined the issues at Fort Hood are directly related to leadership failures , ” McCarthy said in announcing the firings at a Pentagon press conference .
The Army said Tuesday that those relieved of duty include Major General Scott L. Efflandt , Colonel Ralph Overland and Command Sergeant Major Bradley Knapp .
The Army suspended Major General Jeffrey Broadwater and Command Sergeant Major Thomas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new investigation into the 1st Cavalry Division ’ s command climate and program for preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault .
McCarthy said Guillén ’ s murder “ shocked our conscience and brought attention to deeper problems ” at Fort Hood and across the Army more widely .
He said it “ forced us to take a critical look at our systems , our policies , and ourselves .
”

Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy on Tuesday announced 14 firings and suspensions among commanders and lower-level leaders as a result of an investigation into a pattern of sexual assault, harassment, suicides and murder at the Fort Hood Army post in Killeen, Texas.
The investigation followed the death of Specialist Vanessa Guillén, who was bludgeoned to death at Fort Hood earlier this year. In addition to the disciplinary actions, McCarthy released findings from an independent review he commissioned in July to assess problems at Fort Hood, with a focus on claims of discrimination, harassment and assault. McCarthy named five civilians to be part of the review of the command climate and culture at the base and in the surrounding military community around Fort Hood.
“I have determined the issues at Fort Hood are directly related to leadership failures,” McCarthy said in announcing the firings at a Pentagon press conference.
The Army said Tuesday that those relieved of duty include Major General Scott L. Efflandt, Colonel Ralph Overland and Command Sergeant Major Bradley Knapp. The Army suspended Major General Jeffrey Broadwater and Command Sergeant Major Thomas C. Kenny, pending the outcome of a new investigation into the 1st Cavalry Division’s command climate and program for preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault.
McCarthy said Guillén’s murder “shocked our conscience and brought attention to deeper problems” at Fort Hood and across the Army more widely. He said it “forced us to take a critical look at our systems, our policies, and ourselves.”


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--And they were told they could not fly without them

This is what this PsyOp gets you .
Dr. Fauxci needs to cover these tracks quicker .
Israel ’ s @ @ @ @ @ report on the deaths , explaining that when vaccines are administered to at-risk populations “ @ @ @ @ @ .
One should not infer from this about the safety of the vaccine but welcome @ @ @ @ @ pharma companies in the drug approval process.
” The association noted that in large trials @ @ @ @ @ people , death can occur without any connection to the trial , but that companies @ @ @ @ @ report those deaths .

This is what this PsyOp gets you. Dr. Fauxci needs to cover these tracks quicker.
FDA announces deaths of two Pfizer vaccine trial participants
Israel’s Midaat Association responded to the report on the deaths, explaining that when vaccines are administered to at-risk populations “there may be unfortunate cases. One should not infer from this about the safety of the vaccine but welcome the transparency required from the pharma companies in the drug approval process.”
The association noted that in large trials of tens of thousands of people, death can occur without any connection to the trial, but that companies like Pfizer are required to report those deaths.


investmentwatchblog--2020-12-08--Invasion of the Body Snatchers: Psychological Warfare Disguised as a Pandemic Threat

It ’ s like Invasion of the Body Snatchers all over again .
The nation is being overtaken by an alien threat that invades bodies , alters minds , and transforms freedom-loving people into a mindless , compliant , conforming mob intolerant of anyone who dares to be different , let alone think for themselves .
However , while Body Snatchers—the chilling 1956 film directed by Don Siegel—blames its woes on seed pods from outerspace , the seismic societal shift taking place in America owes less to biological warfare reliant on the COVID-19 virus than it does to psychological warfare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is how you persuade a populace to voluntarily march in lockstep with a police state and police themselves ( and each other ) : by ratcheting up the fear-factor , meted out one carefully calibrated crisis at a time , and teaching them to distrust any who diverge from the norm .
This is not a new experiment in mind control .
The powers-that-be have been pushing our buttons and herding us along like so much cattle since World War II , at least , starting with the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into World War II but also unified the American people in their opposition to a common enemy .
That fear of attack by foreign threats , conveniently torqued by the growing military industrial complex , in turn gave rise to the Cold War era ’ s “ Red Scare.
” Promulgated through government propaganda , paranoia and manipulation , anti-Communist sentiments boiled over into a mass hysteria that viewed anyone and everyone as suspect : your friends , the next-door neighbor , even your family members could be a Communist subversive .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Un-American Activities Committee , where hundreds of Americans were called before Congress to testify about their so-called Communist affiliations and intimidated into making false confessions , also paved the way for the rise of an all-knowing , all-seeing governmental surveillance state .
The 9/11 attacks followed a similar script : a foreign invasion mounts an attack on an unsuspecting nation , the people unite in solidarity against a common foe , and the government gains greater war-time powers ( read : surveillance powers ) that , conveniently enough , become permanent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s scripted response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been predictably consistent : once again , in order to fight this so-called “ foreign ” foe , the government insists it needs even greater surveillance powers .
As we ’ ve seen since 9/11 and more recently with the COVID lockdowns , those in power have always had a penchant for enacting extreme measures to combat perceived threats .
However , unlike the modern America police state , the American government circa the 1950s did not have at its disposal the arsenal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intrinsic part of our modern surveillance state .
Today , we are watched and tracked 24/7 ; data is collected on us at an alarming rate by governmental and corporate entities ; and with the help of powerful computer programs , American domestic intelligence agencies sweep our websites , listen in on our telephone calls and read our text messages at will .
Now with the COVID pandemic and its offshoots such as contact tracing and immunity passports , the governmental landscape is even more invasive .
Yet no matter the threat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can we hold onto our basic freedoms and avoid succumbing to the soul-sucking dredge of conformity that threatens our very humanity ?
This conundrum is at the heart of the 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers , which was based on a 1954 science fiction novel by Jack Finney ( and later remade into an equally chilling 1978 film by Philip Kaufman ) .
Body Snatchers not only captured the ideology and politics of its post-war era but remains timely and relevant as it relates to the worries that plague us today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rehearsal and 23 days of actual shooting , Body Snatchers is considered one of the great science fiction classics .
Body Snatchers is set in a small California town which has been infiltrated by mysterious pods from outer space that replicate and take the place of humans who then become conforming non-individuals .
Miles Bennell , the main character , is a local doctor who resists the invaders and their attempts to erase humanity from the face of the earth .
At the very least , the film conveys a double meaning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular moment in history and a compass pointing to a growing societal illness .
Following World War II with the emerging military empire , the atomic bomb and the Korean War , Americans were confused and neurotically preoccupied with domestic threats , the polio pandemic and international political events , not much different from today ’ s populace preoccupied with domestic and international political drama , terrorism and the COVID-19 pandemic .
Yet Siegel ’ s film delves beneath the surface to confront an even more sinister threat : the dehumanization of individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become infused as part of the societal machine .
Central to the film is one key speech delivered by Bennell while hiding from the aliens : As Siegel makes clear , it is not Communists or terrorists or even viral pandemics that threaten our well-being .
The real enemy is invasive governmental measures—something we now see happening across the country—and , thus , totalitarian conformity .
And resistance must be against all government measures that threaten our civil liberties and against all kinds of conformity , no matter the shape , size or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When all is said and done , however , the real threat to freedom ( in the fictional world of Body Snatchers and in our present-day America ) is posed by an establishment—be it governmental , corporate or societal—that is hostile to individuality and those who dare to challenge the status quo .
The mob hysteria , sense of paranoia , fascist police and the witch hunt atmosphere of the film mirror the ills of a 1950s America that is frighteningly applicable to present American society .
Acknowledging that Body Snatchers portrayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mindless authority , Siegel stated , “ I think the world is populated by pods and I wanted to show them.
” He explained : All of the threats to freedom documented in my book Battlefield America : The War on the American People came about because “ we the people ” stopped thinking for ourselves and relinquished control over our lives and our country to government operatives who care only for money and power .
While the specific game plan for turning things around is complicated by a police state that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the solution is relatively simple : Don ’ t be a pod person .
Pay attention .
Question everything .
Dare to be different .
Don ’ t follow the mob .
Don ’ t let yourself become numb to the world around you .
Be compassionate .
Be humane .
Most of all , think for yourself .

by John W. Whitehead
“Look! You fools! You’re in danger! Can’t you see? They’re after you! They’re after all of us! Our wives…our children…they’re here already! You’re next!”—Dr. Miles Bennell, Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
It’s like Invasion of the Body Snatchers all over again.
The nation is being overtaken by an alien threat that invades bodies, alters minds, and transforms freedom-loving people into a mindless, compliant, conforming mob intolerant of anyone who dares to be different, let alone think for themselves.
However, while Body Snatchers—the chilling 1956 film directed by Don Siegel—blames its woes on seed pods from outerspace, the seismic societal shift taking place in America owes less to biological warfare reliant on the COVID-19 virus than it does to psychological warfare disguised as a pandemic threat.
As science writer David Robson explains:
Fears of contagion lead us to become more conformist and tribalistic, and less accepting of eccentricity. Our moral judgements become harsher and our social attitudes more conservative when considering issues such as immigration or sexual freedom and equality. Daily reminders of disease may even sway our political affiliations… Various experiments have shown that we become more conformist and respectful of convention when we feel the threat of a disease… the evocative images of a pandemic led [participants in an experiment] to value conformity and obedience over eccentricity or rebellion.
This is how you persuade a populace to voluntarily march in lockstep with a police state and police themselves (and each other): by ratcheting up the fear-factor, meted out one carefully calibrated crisis at a time, and teaching them to distrust any who diverge from the norm.
This is not a new experiment in mind control.
The powers-that-be have been pushing our buttons and herding us along like so much cattle since World War II, at least, starting with the Japanese attacks on Pearl Harbor, which not only propelled the U.S. into World War II but also unified the American people in their opposition to a common enemy.
That fear of attack by foreign threats, conveniently torqued by the growing military industrial complex, in turn gave rise to the Cold War era’s “Red Scare.” Promulgated through government propaganda, paranoia and manipulation, anti-Communist sentiments boiled over into a mass hysteria that viewed anyone and everyone as suspect: your friends, the next-door neighbor, even your family members could be a Communist subversive.
This hysteria, which culminated in hearings before the House Un-American Activities Committee, where hundreds of Americans were called before Congress to testify about their so-called Communist affiliations and intimidated into making false confessions, also paved the way for the rise of an all-knowing, all-seeing governmental surveillance state.
The 9/11 attacks followed a similar script: a foreign invasion mounts an attack on an unsuspecting nation, the people unite in solidarity against a common foe, and the government gains greater war-time powers (read: surveillance powers) that, conveniently enough, become permanent once the threat has passed.
The government’s scripted response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been predictably consistent: once again, in order to fight this so-called “foreign” foe, the government insists it needs even greater surveillance powers.
As we’ve seen since 9/11 and more recently with the COVID lockdowns, those in power have always had a penchant for enacting extreme measures to combat perceived threats. However, unlike the modern America police state, the American government circa the 1950s did not have at its disposal the arsenal of invasive technologies that are such an intrinsic part of our modern surveillance state.
Today, we are watched and tracked 24/7; data is collected on us at an alarming rate by governmental and corporate entities; and with the help of powerful computer programs, American domestic intelligence agencies sweep our websites, listen in on our telephone calls and read our text messages at will.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Now with the COVID pandemic and its offshoots such as contact tracing and immunity passports, the governmental landscape is even more invasive.
Yet no matter the threat, the underlying principle remains the same: can we hold onto our basic freedoms and avoid succumbing to the soul-sucking dredge of conformity that threatens our very humanity?
This conundrum is at the heart of the 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which was based on a 1954 science fiction novel by Jack Finney (and later remade into an equally chilling 1978 film by Philip Kaufman).
Body Snatchers not only captured the ideology and politics of its post-war era but remains timely and relevant as it relates to the worries that plague us today. Filmed with only seven days of rehearsal and 23 days of actual shooting, Body Snatchers is considered one of the great science fiction classics.
Body Snatchers is set in a small California town which has been infiltrated by mysterious pods from outer space that replicate and take the place of humans who then become conforming non-individuals. Miles Bennell, the main character, is a local doctor who resists the invaders and their attempts to erase humanity from the face of the earth.
At the very least, the film conveys a double meaning, serving as both a mirror of a particular moment in history and a compass pointing to a growing societal illness. Following World War II with the emerging military empire, the atomic bomb and the Korean War, Americans were confused and neurotically preoccupied with domestic threats, the polio pandemic and international political events, not much different from today’s populace preoccupied with domestic and international political drama, terrorism and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yet Siegel’s film delves beneath the surface to confront an even more sinister threat: the dehumanization of individuals and the horrifying possibility that humanity could become infused as part of the societal machine.
Central to the film is one key speech delivered by Bennell while hiding from the aliens:
In my practice, I see how people have allowed their humanity to drain away…only it happens slowly instead of all at once. They didn’t seem to mind…. All of us, a little bit. We harden our hearts…grow callous…only when we have to fight to stay human do we realize how precious it is.
As Siegel makes clear, it is not Communists or terrorists or even viral pandemics that threaten our well-being. The real enemy is invasive governmental measures—something we now see happening across the country—and, thus, totalitarian conformity. And resistance must be against all government measures that threaten our civil liberties and against all kinds of conformity, no matter the shape, size or color of the package it comes in.
When all is said and done, however, the real threat to freedom (in the fictional world of Body Snatchers and in our present-day America) is posed by an establishment—be it governmental, corporate or societal—that is hostile to individuality and those who dare to challenge the status quo.
The mob hysteria, sense of paranoia, fascist police and the witch hunt atmosphere of the film mirror the ills of a 1950s America that is frighteningly applicable to present American society.
Acknowledging that Body Snatchers portrayed the conflict between individuals and varied forms of mindless authority, Siegel stated, “I think the world is populated by pods and I wanted to show them.” He explained:
People are pods. Many of my associates are certainly pods. They have no feelings. They exist, breathe, sleep. To be a pod means that you have no passion, no anger, the spark has left you…of course, there’s a very strong case for being a pod. These pods, who get rid of pain, ill-health and mental disturbances are, in a sense, doing good. It happens to leave you in a very dull world but that, by the way, is the world that most of us live in. It’s the same as people who welcome going into the army or prison. There’s regimentation, a lack of having to make up your mind, face decisions…. People are becoming vegetables. I don’t know what the answer is except an awareness of it.
All of the threats to freedom documented in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People came about because “we the people” stopped thinking for ourselves and relinquished control over our lives and our country to government operatives who care only for money and power.
While the specific game plan for turning things around is complicated by a police state that wants to keep us at a disadvantage, the solution is relatively simple: Don’t be a pod person. Pay attention. Question everything. Dare to be different. Don’t follow the mob. Don’t let yourself become numb to the world around you. Be compassionate. Be humane. Most of all, think for yourself.