investmentwatchblog--2020-10-25--Clark County, Nevada’s Registrar unilaterally reduced the signature-matching accuracy standard to 40

( 2/2 ) Clark County , Nevada ’ s Registrar unilaterally reduced the signature-matching accuracy standard to 40 percent and @ @ @ @ @ signatures .
Democrats ’ assault on the integrity of our election continues !
pic.twitter.com/AFwrloMang

(2/2) Clark County, Nevada’s Registrar unilaterally reduced the signature-matching accuracy standard to 40 percent and no one can challenge these signatures. Democrats’ assault on the integrity of our election continues! pic.twitter.com/AFwrloMang
— Adam Paul Laxalt (@AdamLaxalt) October 24, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Next Up: Global Depression

Next Up: Global Depression

The belief that central banks printing currency can “ buy/fix ” everything that ’ s broken , lost or scarce is the ultimate in denial , fantasy and magical thinking .
Let ’ s revisit the pandemic projection chart I prepared on February 2 , 2020 , nine days after authorities publicly acknowledged the Covid virus outbreak in China .
Wave 2 shown on the chart is now underway with a vengeance and next up is Global Depression .
This projection was based on two well-known dynamics : 1 .
History offers a basic template for viral pandemics in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then re-ignites in a second larger Wave 2 in autumn and winter .
2 .
Humanity ’ s default responses to novel crises : denial , fantasy , magical thinking and manipulating data to support a simplistic , emotionally satisfying ideological position .
Each of these predictable dynamics has manifested in all their perverse glory .
A number of cognitive/logical errors are manifesting as well .
False binaries i.e .
false perceptions of the situation being either/or .
For example : you get the virus and either recover or die .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false binary conveniently ignores : A. the third category–you get the virus and become a long-hauler ( a.k.a .
Long Covid ) who is debilitated for months by exhaustion and other post-viral conditions ; ( Long COVID slide presentation ) B. the fourth category–you get the virus and recover quickly but suffer major organ damage that isn ’ t immediately visible/symptomatic ; C. the fifth category–you get the virus , recover , assume you ’ re immune forever and then contract the virus again some months later–only this time the consequences are far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The same holds true for ideological false binaries .
Those holding binary ideological positions–you are either With Me or With The Wrong Side–spend their time and energy cherry-picking and manipulating data so it supports their pre-selected ideological world view .
Those of us who simply want unmolested data so we can decide for ourselves have no recourse , as the ideologically motivated have poisoned the data ( don ’ t test don ’ t tell , under-reporting , over-reporting , ignoring lag times in reporting , suppressing data , requiring data be reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agencies , discounting good data in favor of bogus data that reaches the “ right ” conclusion , and so on ) in an endless profusion of manipulation for political purposes .
As with China ’ s Communist leadership , if data that can ’ t be gamed or manipulated enters the public domain , it ’ s immediately suppressed .
Skeptics of China ’ s permanently miraculous “ growth ” statistics discovered electrical consumption figures did not reflect the miraculous “ growth ” in the officially sanctioned statistics , and so China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so it would not longer be available .
We ’ re seeing the same politicization of data in the U.S. We ’ re now down to public-health data collection that hasn ’ t yet been suppressed or manipulated : hospital admissions and death certificates .
Authorities suppressing Covid-related deaths can report any cause of death they want , but the peak of deaths far above the statistical norm tells us an important fact despite the suppression/obfuscation .
Confusing categories , correlations , causes and conclusions .
It ’ s widely held that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elites .
Fair enough ; crises have long been the excuse given for “ temporary emergency measures ” that become permanent power-grabs .
But to accept that the pandemic is the cover for a power-grab by elites does not mean the Covid virus is a harmless chimera .
The virus can be dangerous in ways that aren ’ t measured by counting deaths and the pandemic can still be the excuse for “ emergency powers ” becoming permanent , i.e .
a power grab .
One conclusion ( a power-grab ) does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus is not dangerous to anyone under the age of 70 and therefore it ’ s no big deal ) .
The assumption that there ’ s a correlation between an ideological position and wearing a mask ( or other behavior ) is ungrounded .
An individual can reach conclusions outside rigid ideological boundaries .
Personally , I found this study of which passengers caught the virus on a bus in China useful in my own decision-making : Coronavirus can travel twice as far as official ‘ safe distance ’ and stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most consequential falsity in my view is the belief that the global economy was robust before the pandemic and it will revert to that robustness once we : get a vaccine , end the lockdowns , seek herd immunity , etc .
etc .
The global economy was teetering on the edge of recession and financial implosion long before the pandemic appeared .
Ending the pandemic can not restore an illusion of “ growth ” that masked a hollowed out , fragile , brittle global economy .
The Global Depression was baked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic did was kick out the last rotten 2X4s holding up the fading facade of “ growth.
” As the global tsunami of Wave 2 sweeps away the sandcastles of denial , fantasy and magical thinking , it ’ s worth recalling that the Covid-19 virus has four features that make it difficult to control : 1 .
It is highly contagious .
2 .
Carriers with no symptoms can infect others .
3 .
A significant percentage of older / compromised patients develop severe symptoms that require hospitalization .
4 .
Once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system can not provide care to everyone who needs it .
As a result , the death rate rises the moment the healthcare system is overwhelmed / breaks down .
We ’ ve drawn a gravely false conclusion from central bank money-printing and technology : we now assume that central banks can print up as much money as we need to buy whatever we need in whatever quantity we need .
The magic of technology essentially guarantees that there will always be a substitute , “ cure ” or “ solution ” available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ central banks can ’ t “ print ” experienced doctors or nurses .
When the front line of healthcare workers is depleted by illness and burnout , there are no substitutes or Big Tech robots-to-the-rescue .
The healthcare system we ’ ve optimized for “ creating shareholder value ” ( i.e .
unlimited greed pathologically pursued by any means available ) will break down and that will be that .
Central banks can ’ t “ print ” creditworthy borrowers , solvent companies , real-world collateral , risk-free “ investing , ” oil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , social cohesion or anything else of importance that is now scarce .
The belief that central banks printing currency can “ buy/fix ” everything that ’ s broken , lost or scarce is the ultimate in denial , fantasy and magical thinking .
All that was unsustainably fragile , corrupt and brittle is unraveling , and thinking that ending the lockdowns , approving a vaccine , etc .
will stave off causality is the supreme indulgence in denial , fantasy and magical thinking .
My new book is available !
A Hacker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Our Shrinking Planet 20 % and 15 % discounts ( Kindle $ 7 , print $ 17 ) Read excerpts of the book for free ( PDF ) .
The Story Behind the Book and the Introduction .
AxisofEasy Salon # 27 : Will the Network State be capable of acting in the public good ?
( 1 hr ) A Hacker ’ s Teleology : Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet ( Kindle $ 8.95 , print $ 20 , audiobook coming soon ) Read the first section for free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richer or Poorer ?
: Profit , Power , and AI in a Traumatized World ( Kindle $ 5 , print $ 10 , audiobook ) Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
Pathfinding our Destiny : Preventing the Final Fall of Our Democratic Republic ( $ 5 ( Kindle ) , $ 10 ( print ) , ( audiobook ) : Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher : The Disappearance of Drake $ 1.29 ( Kindle ) , $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first chapters for free ( PDF ) Money and Work Unchained $ 6.95 ( Kindle ) , $ 15 ( print ) Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
If you found value in this content , please join me in seeking solutions by becoming a $ 1/month patron of my work via patreon.com .

by Charles Hugh-Smith
The belief that central banks printing currency can “buy/fix” everything that’s broken, lost or scarce is the ultimate in denial, fantasy and magical thinking.
Let’s revisit the pandemic projection chart I prepared on February 2, 2020, nine days after authorities publicly acknowledged the Covid virus outbreak in China. Wave 2 shown on the chart is now underway with a vengeance and next up is Global Depression.
This projection was based on two well-known dynamics:
1. History offers a basic template for viral pandemics in which the initial wave dies back in summer and then re-ignites in a second larger Wave 2 in autumn and winter.
2. Humanity’s default responses to novel crises: denial, fantasy, magical thinking and manipulating data to support a simplistic, emotionally satisfying ideological position.
Each of these predictable dynamics has manifested in all their perverse glory.
A number of cognitive/logical errors are manifesting as well.
False binaries i.e. false perceptions of the situation being either/or. For example: you get the virus and either recover or die. We only count those two options. This false binary conveniently ignores:
A. the third category–you get the virus and become a long-hauler (a.k.a. Long Covid) who is debilitated for months by exhaustion and other post-viral conditions; (Long COVID slide presentation)
B. the fourth category–you get the virus and recover quickly but suffer major organ damage that isn’t immediately visible/symptomatic;
C. the fifth category–you get the virus, recover, assume you’re immune forever and then contract the virus again some months later–only this time the consequences are far more severe.
And so on. The same holds true for ideological false binaries. Those holding binary ideological positions–you are either With Me or With The Wrong Side–spend their time and energy cherry-picking and manipulating data so it supports their pre-selected ideological world view.
Those of us who simply want unmolested data so we can decide for ourselves have no recourse, as the ideologically motivated have poisoned the data (don’t test don’t tell, under-reporting, over-reporting, ignoring lag times in reporting, suppressing data, requiring data be reported to privately owned corporations rather than government agencies, discounting good data in favor of bogus data that reaches the “right” conclusion, and so on) in an endless profusion of manipulation for political purposes.
As with China’s Communist leadership, if data that can’t be gamed or manipulated enters the public domain, it’s immediately suppressed. Skeptics of China’s permanently miraculous “growth” statistics discovered electrical consumption figures did not reflect the miraculous “growth” in the officially sanctioned statistics, and so China moved to suppress this inconveniently factual data so it would not longer be available.
We’re seeing the same politicization of data in the U.S. We’re now down to public-health data collection that hasn’t yet been suppressed or manipulated: hospital admissions and death certificates. Authorities suppressing Covid-related deaths can report any cause of death they want, but the peak of deaths far above the statistical norm tells us an important fact despite the suppression/obfuscation.
Confusing categories, correlations, causes and conclusions. It’s widely held that the Covid pandemic is fundamentally a power-grab by elites. Fair enough; crises have long been the excuse given for “temporary emergency measures” that become permanent power-grabs.
But to accept that the pandemic is the cover for a power-grab by elites does not mean the Covid virus is a harmless chimera. The virus can be dangerous in ways that aren’t measured by counting deaths and the pandemic can still be the excuse for “emergency powers” becoming permanent, i.e. a power grab. One conclusion (a power-grab) does not require a second completely different conclusion (the virus is not dangerous to anyone under the age of 70 and therefore it’s no big deal).
The assumption that there’s a correlation between an ideological position and wearing a mask (or other behavior) is ungrounded. An individual can reach conclusions outside rigid ideological boundaries. Personally, I found this study of which passengers caught the virus on a bus in China useful in my own decision-making: Coronavirus can travel twice as far as official ‘safe distance’ and stay in air for 30 minutes.
The most consequential falsity in my view is the belief that the global economy was robust before the pandemic and it will revert to that robustness once we: get a vaccine, end the lockdowns, seek herd immunity, etc. etc.
The global economy was teetering on the edge of recession and financial implosion long before the pandemic appeared. Ending the pandemic cannot restore an illusion of “growth” that masked a hollowed out, fragile, brittle global economy.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The Global Depression was baked in long before the pandemic. All the pandemic did was kick out the last rotten 2X4s holding up the fading facade of “growth.”
As the global tsunami of Wave 2 sweeps away the sandcastles of denial, fantasy and magical thinking, it’s worth recalling that the Covid-19 virus has four features that make it difficult to control:
1. It is highly contagious.
2. Carriers with no symptoms can infect others.
3. A significant percentage of older / compromised patients develop severe symptoms that require hospitalization.
4. Once the healthcare system is overwhelmed, the system cannot provide care to everyone who needs it. As a result, the death rate rises the moment the healthcare system is overwhelmed / breaks down.
We’ve drawn a gravely false conclusion from central bank money-printing and technology: we now assume that central banks can print up as much money as we need to buy whatever we need in whatever quantity we need. The magic of technology essentially guarantees that there will always be a substitute, “cure” or “solution” available whenever we need one.
Unfortunately, central banks can’t “print” experienced doctors or nurses. When the front line of healthcare workers is depleted by illness and burnout, there are no substitutes or Big Tech robots-to-the-rescue. The healthcare system we’ve optimized for “creating shareholder value” (i.e. unlimited greed pathologically pursued by any means available) will break down and that will be that.
Central banks can’t “print” creditworthy borrowers, solvent companies, real-world collateral, risk-free “investing,” oil, jobs, trust in failed institutions, social cohesion or anything else of importance that is now scarce.
The belief that central banks printing currency can “buy/fix” everything that’s broken, lost or scarce is the ultimate in denial, fantasy and magical thinking. All that was unsustainably fragile, corrupt and brittle is unraveling, and thinking that ending the lockdowns, approving a vaccine, etc. will stave off causality is the supreme indulgence in denial, fantasy and magical thinking.
My new book is available! A Hacker’s Teleology: Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet 20% and 15% discounts (Kindle $7, print $17)
Read excerpts of the book for free (PDF).
The Story Behind the Book and the Introduction.
Recent Podcasts:
AxisofEasy Salon #27: Will the Network State be capable of acting in the public good? (1 hr)
My COVID-19 Pandemic Posts
My recent books:
A Hacker’s Teleology: Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet (Kindle $8.95, print $20, audiobook coming soon) Read the first section for free (PDF).
Will You Be Richer or Poorer?: Profit, Power, and AI in a Traumatized World
(Kindle $5, print $10, audiobook) Read the first section for free (PDF).
Pathfinding our Destiny: Preventing the Final Fall of Our Democratic Republic ($5 (Kindle), $10 (print), ( audiobook): Read the first section for free (PDF).
The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher: The Disappearance of Drake $1.29 (Kindle), $8.95 (print); read the first chapters for free (PDF)
Money and Work Unchained $6.95 (Kindle), $15 (print) Read the first section for free (PDF).
If you found value in this content, please join me in seeking solutions by becoming a $1/month patron of my work via patreon.com.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--177 arrested & 109 survivors rescued during largest anti-human trafficking operation in Ohio’s histo

By Jared Goffinet | October 26 , 2020 at 9:50 AM EDT – Updated October 26 at 3:17 PM COLUMBUS @ @ @ @ @ – The outcome of a statewide anti-human trafficking operation resulted in dozens of kids being @ @ @ @ @ being arrested .
A total of 45 missing children were rescued across southern Ohio by @ @ @ @ @ Service during Operation Autumn Hope , Attorney General Dave Yost announced .
In what he @ @ @ @ @ anti-human trafficking operation in Ohio , AG Yost said 177 “ Johns ” were arrested @ @ @ @ @ operation was to rescue victims , find missing and exploited kids , apprehending those seeking @ @ @ @ @ and arrest men seeking to buy sex .

JUST IN: 177 arrested & 109 survivors rescued during largest anti-human trafficking operation in Ohio’s history — SV News 🚨 (@SVNewsAlerts) October 26, 2020
45 kids rescued, hundreds arrested during anti-human trafficking operation, officials say
By Jared Goffinet | October 26, 2020 at 9:50 AM EDT – Updated October 26 at 3:17 PM
COLUMBUS, Ohio (FOX19) – The outcome of a statewide anti-human trafficking operation resulted in dozens of kids being rescued and hundreds of people being arrested.
A total of 45 missing children were rescued across southern Ohio by the U.S. Marshal’s Service during Operation Autumn Hope, Attorney General Dave Yost announced.
In what he thinks is the largest state-wide anti-human trafficking operation in Ohio, AG Yost said 177 “Johns” were arrested.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The goals of this operation was to rescue victims, find missing and exploited kids, apprehending those seeking sex with a minor, and arrest men seeking to buy sex.
Read more:
www.fox19.com/2020/10/26/results-statewide-anti-human-trafficking-operation-announced-by-ohio-ag/
h/t Inquire Within


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Bobulinski will play recordings on Hannity Tomorrow of Biden family operatives begging him…

According to a source familiar with the planning , Bobulinski will play recordings of Biden family operatives begging him to @ @ @ @ @ 's revelations will `` bury '' the reputations of everyone involved in Hunter 's overseas @ @ @ @ @ says he met with Joe Biden about China .
The media have suppressed the story @ @ @ @ @ real and it matters .
Voters have a right to know the details .
Bobulinski @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday night at 8p ET on # FoxNews

According to a source familiar with the planning, Bobulinski will play recordings of Biden family operatives begging him to stay quiet and claiming Bobulinski's revelations will "bury" the reputations of everyone involved in Hunter's overseas deals. t.co/Ve519sr5oA
Tony Bobulinski says he met with Joe Biden about China. The media have suppressed the story, but it’s real and it matters. Voters have a right to know the details. Bobulinski sits for an extended interview Tuesday night at 8p ET on #FoxNews
— Tucker Carlson (@TuckerCarlson) October 26, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Trump Doesn’t Need to Buy Votes with an Executive Stimulus

RUSH : Here is Kevin in Manalapan , New Jersey .
Great to have you on the program , sir .
Hello .
CALLER : How you doing , Rush ?
I ’ m really glad to be able to speak to you .
I just wanted to let you know that I truly believe that if the president would send out stimulus checks to everybody , all he has to do is sign an executive order , he has access to $ 800 billion from the previous stimulus packages that they did , I think it would guarantee him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want Trump to give away money ?
CALLER : I don ’ t want him to give away money .
He has access to $ 800 billion .
RUSH : Well , that ’ s what it is .
If you ’ re gon na have Trump write checks , executive order , he ’ s giving away money , $ 800 billion worth .
CALLER : Well , it ’ s only $ 300 billion , to send out the checks , is what he would be spending .
And he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need help from anybody else .
And if he would do that , it would literally drive the Democrats out of their minds .
RUSH : Well , it would because he ’ d be going around ’ em and Pelosi .
CALLER : That ’ s correct .
He doesn ’ t need them .
RUSH : Well , is that the objective , to drive the Democrats crazy ?
CALLER : Well , and give the people the relief that they need .
The people in this country need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re really hurting .
I mean , just look and see how many people really need money .
And they ’ ve been waiting six months for this .
RUSH : I know .
And it ’ s the Democrats standing in the way .
It ’ s the Democrats who do not want you to have access to the relief money .
It is Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer who do not want you to have the money .
And the reason is , they don ’ t want Donald Trump getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory here espoused by our caller Kevin in Manalapan , New Jersey .
They literally want Trump getting no credit for anything that will be a personal benefit to the American people .
Trump is trying to make that point , by the way , in the rallies .
Whether he would do an executive order on this , I haven ’ t the slightest idea .
Sorry .
RUSH : No , folks , I ’ m not sure I like the idea of such a blatant vote-buying scheme , which is @ @ @ @ @ @

via rushlimbaugh:
RUSH: Here is Kevin in Manalapan, New Jersey. Great to have you on the program, sir. Hello.
CALLER: How you doing, Rush? I’m really glad to be able to speak to you. I just wanted to let you know that I truly believe that if the president would send out stimulus checks to everybody, all he has to do is sign an executive order, he has access to $800 billion from the previous stimulus packages that they did, I think it would guarantee him being reelected.
RUSH: So you want Trump to give away money?
CALLER: I don’t want him to give away money. He has access to $800 billion.
RUSH: Well, that’s what it is. If you’re gonna have Trump write checks, executive order, he’s giving away money, $800 billion worth.
CALLER: Well, it’s only $300 billion, to send out the checks, is what he would be spending. And he has access to that money. He doesn’t need help from anybody else. And if he would do that, it would literally drive the Democrats out of their minds.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
RUSH: Well, it would because he’d be going around ’em and Pelosi.
CALLER: That’s correct. He doesn’t need them.
RUSH: Well, is that the objective, to drive the Democrats crazy?
CALLER: Well, and give the people the relief that they need. The people in this country need money. I mean, they’re really hurting. I mean, just look and see how many people really need money. And they’ve been waiting six months for this.
RUSH: I know. And it’s the Democrats standing in the way. It’s the Democrats who do not want you to have access to the relief money. It is Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer who do not want you to have the money. And the reason is, they don’t want Donald Trump getting the credit for it a la the theory here espoused by our caller Kevin in Manalapan, New Jersey. They literally want Trump getting no credit for anything that will be a personal benefit to the American people. Trump is trying to make that point, by the way, in the rallies. Whether he would do an executive order on this, I haven’t the slightest idea. Sorry.
BREAK TRANSCRIPT
RUSH: No, folks, I’m not sure I like the idea of such a blatant vote-buying scheme, which is how it would be portrayed.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--A mother accusing Hunter Biden of inappropriate contact with her child told Joe Biden she would call

A mother accusing Hunter Biden of inappropriate contact with her child told Joe Biden she would call the police if @ @ @ @ @ again .
Joe and his brother , Jim , wanted to silence her.t.co/W2eDlQWbuk pic.twitter.com/FpP5eBugYS

A mother accusing Hunter Biden of inappropriate contact with her child told Joe Biden she would call the police if Hunter came near the minor again.
Joe and his brother, Jim, wanted to silence her.t.co/W2eDlQWbuk pic.twitter.com/FpP5eBugYS
— Cassandra Scarebanks🎃 (@CassandraRules) October 26, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Clashes erupting in Italy and Spain over Covid lockdown

🇮🇹 # ITALY – Mass protest underway in # Milan against the new lockdown restrictions of the government !
Clashes @ @ @ @ @ # lockdown # COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Q6Jwil4ikf

🇮🇹 #ITALY – Mass protest underway in #Milan against the new lockdown restrictions of the government!
Clashes with the police are underway..#lockdown #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/Q6Jwil4ikf
— ISCResearch (@ISCResearch) October 26, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Before the Polls Even Close’: Anti-Trump Groups Plot to Shutdown DC and Spark National ‘Uprising’ Af

Before the Polls Even Close’: Anti-Trump Groups Plot to Shutdown DC and Spark National ‘Uprising’ After Election

Ringleaders of protesters are organizing an effort to “ make sure Trump leaves the White House ” by any means necessary after the Nov. 3 election , according to website posts from the group Shut Down DC and their allies .
The Federalist reports it found the group ’ s plans on an Oct. 13 version of their webpage .
“ We can ’ t anticipate exactly how Trump and his enablers will try to attack democracy ( although we have been gaming out a number of different scenarios ) , but we know that the stakes are too high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s why we ’ re making plans to be in the streets before the polls even close , ready to adapt and respond to whatever comes our way , ” the group had on its website with images stored on internet archive records .
The webpage claims , “ Trump has shown that he will stop at nothing to maintain his grip on power .
Trump will not leave office without mass mobilization and direct action.
” The ShutDown DC group is linked to earlier protests at the homes of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Federalist .

Ringleaders of protesters are organizing an effort to “make sure Trump leaves the White House” by any means necessary after the Nov. 3 election, according to website posts from the group Shut Down DC and their allies.
The Federalist reports it found the group’s plans on an Oct. 13 version of their webpage.
“We can’t anticipate exactly how Trump and his enablers will try to attack democracy (although we have been gaming out a number of different scenarios), but we know that the stakes are too high to sit on the sidelines and wait. That’s why we’re making plans to be in the streets before the polls even close, ready to adapt and respond to whatever comes our way,” the group had on its website with images stored on internet archive records.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The webpage claims, “Trump has shown that he will stop at nothing to maintain his grip on power. Trump will not leave office without mass mobilization and direct action.”
The ShutDown DC group is linked to earlier protests at the homes of Trump administration officials, according to The Federalist.
www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2020/october/before-the-polls-even-close-anti-trump-groups-plot-to-shutdown-dc-and-spark-national-uprising-after-election


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Its Official Amy Barrett confirmed as the New Justice on the Supreme Court.

The Senate voted to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett with 52 Republican votes and over the objections of @ @ @ @ @ was nominated too close to the election and will shift the centrist court far to @ @ @ @ @ rejoiced at Barrett ’ s confirmation , some Democrats are now threatening to expand the @ @ @ @ @ judges if they take over the majority in next week ’ s election .
The @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be back for legislative business until a post-election , lame-duck session , dashing @ @ @ @ @ Congress would pass a new round of coronavirus aid before Nov. 3 .
Barrett , @ @ @ @ @ in at the White House later Monday and will take her place in time to @ @ @ @ @ case that will decide whether Obamacare is legal without the now-eliminated individual mandate .

The Senate voted to confirm Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett with 52 Republican votes and over the objections of Democrats, who say Barrett was nominated too close to the election and will shift the centrist court far to the right.
While Republicans rejoiced at Barrett’s confirmation, some Democrats are now threatening to expand the high court with new liberal judges if they take over the majority in next week’s election.
The Senate, meanwhile, won’t be back for legislative business until a post-election, lame-duck session, dashing any last minute hope that Congress would pass a new round of coronavirus aid before Nov. 3.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Barrett, 48, will be sworn in at the White House later Monday and will take her place in time to hear a critical Supreme Court case that will decide whether Obamacare is legal without the now-eliminated individual mandate.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/congress/senate-confirms-barrett-to-supreme-court-adjourns-until-post-election-session?utm_source=breaking_push&utm_medium=app&utm_campaign=push_notifications


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Fifteen YouTube creators just filed a federal lawsuit against YouTube & Google

BREAKING – Fifteen YouTube creators filed a **federal lawsuit** against YouTube & Google for violating first amendment rights when the @ @ @ @ @ accounts .
pic.twitter.com/robIi1rGJQ

BREAKING – Fifteen YouTube creators filed a **federal lawsuit** against YouTube & Google for violating first amendment rights when the platform recently purged the affected accounts. pic.twitter.com/robIi1rGJQ
— Disclose.tv 🚨 (@disclosetv) October 26, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--After Pelosi Pushes 25th Amendment Bill To Remove President, Senator Loeffler Counters With Her Own

After Pelosi Pushes 25th Amendment Bill To Remove President, Senator Loeffler Counters With Her Own Resolution

Much has been said about Nancy Pelosi ’ s “ 25th Amendment Committee.
” We know that it takes legislation for Congress to remove a president using that amendment .
And it ’ s unlikely the Senate nor Trump would sign off .
Some think Pelosi might be trying to affect the election by saying Trump is unfit .
Others , like the president himself , believe she is doing this to remove Biden ( if elected ) and install Kamala .
Either way , one senator is fighting back with a move of her own : Sen. Kelly Loeffler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a resolution to condemn House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-Calif. ) after the Democratic lawmaker announced the creation of a “ Commission on President Capacity.
” The Republican senator ’ s resolution that she will introduce suggests Pelosi “ has failed to put forward a just cause for invoking the 25th Amendment , ” as The Hill reports .
It also accuses House Democrats of trying to “ delegitimize ” the presidency of President Donald Trump .
According to Pelosi ’ s bill , she wants to make it so Congress can decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Much has been said about Nancy Pelosi’s “25th Amendment Committee.”
We know that it takes legislation for Congress to remove a president using that amendment.
And it’s unlikely the Senate nor Trump would sign off.
Some think Pelosi might be trying to affect the election by saying Trump is unfit. Others, like the president himself, believe she is doing this to remove Biden (if elected) and install Kamala.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Either way, one senator is fighting back with a move of her own:
Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) is expected to introduce a resolution to condemn House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) after the Democratic lawmaker announced the creation of a “Commission on President Capacity.” … The Republican senator’s resolution that she will introduce suggests Pelosi “has failed to put forward a just cause for invoking the 25th Amendment,” as The Hill reports. It also accuses House Democrats of trying to “delegitimize” the presidency of President Donald Trump.
According to Pelosi’s bill, she wants to make it so Congress can decide if a president should stay in office.
politicalexaminer.today/index.php/2020/10/after-pelosi-pushes-25th-amendment-bill-to-remove-president-senator-loeffler-counters-with-her-own-resolution-2/


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Take a look at London’s financial collapse

Here is part 2 as he says in the end of that vid…
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
h/t AggregateThreat


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Are Commodities Setting Up for a 2021 Bull Market?

A week after reporting earnings , Delta Air Lines jumped more than 7 percent last Thursday after the carrier announced it would continue to block the middle seat until at least January of next year .
This increase helped its share price climb above the 200-day moving average for the first time since February , which many traders see as a bullish signal .
Delta and Alaska Airlines will be the only remaining major U.S. carriers that still block the middle seat after Southwest Airlines begins filling the seat on December 1 .
The low-cost carrier said in a tweet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after November 30 , citing a body of research that supports the notion that masks and ventilation sufficiently protect passengers from the virus .
Among the studies was the one I shared with you the week before last .
The Department of Defense ( DoD ) found that mask-wearing passengers are at very low risk of being infecting with the coronavirus , even on a packed flight .
“ It is a very safe environment with all of the air-filtering technology and wearing masks , ” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told CNBC last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” We continue to see the domestic airline industry recover off the April lows .
Yesterday , the number of people cleared to fly commercial in the U.S. was just under 1 million .
That was the second highest pandemic-era amount since Sunday , October 18 , when more than 1,032,000 passengers boarded flights .
Jet regrade—the relative strength of jet fuel prices versus diesel—looks primed for a bull market in 2021 as flight demand continues to increase , according to Goldman Sachs .
By next summer , jet fuel demand is expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per day than where it stands right now .
Among other commodities that could also surge next year , the investment bank says , are silver , copper , gold , natural gas and Brent crude oil .
In a note to clients , Goldman analysts cited a weaker dollar , inflation and additional monetary and fiscal stimulus as reasons for a potential rally in commodity prices .
A 12-month return of 30 percent is forecast for the S & P GSCI , which tracks 24 commodities from all commodity sectors .
Industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5.5 percent ; precious metals , 18 percent ; and energy , more than 42 percent .
Goldman sees the price of gold averaging $ 2,300 an ounce in 2021 , while silver is projected to average $ 30 an ounce .
Here at U.S .
Global Investors , we ’ re very bullish on commodities , particularly industrial and precious metals .
The manufacturing PMI in a number of countries shows that factories are expanding capacity on a greater number of new orders .
In August , the U.S. manufacturing PMI registered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
The PMI in China—the world ’ s biggest importer of metals and other raw materials—was 51.5 last month , well above the five-year average of 50.6 .
As I ’ ve noted before , commodities continue to look remarkably cheap relative to stocks .
Below is a chart showing the ratio between the S & P GSCI and S & P 500 .
At no other time going back to 1972 have commodities been as undervalued as they are today .
If Goldman ’ s projections turn out to be accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity .
Doctor Copper Briefly Crosses Above $ 7,000 a Tonne , Thanks in Large Part to China “ Doctor copper ” is so named because its price is seen as a good indicator of economic health .
If that ’ s the case , then the economy isn ’ t nearly as bad as we thought it was .
In intraday trading last Wednesday , copper briefly crossed above $ 7,000 a tonne , its highest level since June 2018 .
From its low in late March , the red metal has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of further government stimulus and increased demand , particularly from the renewable energy industry and China .
In July , China ’ s copper imports hit an all-time high of 762,210 tonnes as the government unleashed stimulus aimed at building bridges , roads , railroads , broadband and more .
That includes renewable energy projects such as wind and solar .
According to a report this month by the Global Wind Energy Council ( GWEC ) , China led the world in adding new offshore wind capacity in 2019 , with 2.4 gigawatts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 40 percent of total new wind power across the globe .
The market cap of China ’ s LONGi Green Energy Technology , the world ’ s largest solar power company , recently climbed higher than that of oil major China National Offshore Oil Corporation ( CNOOC ) , the country ’ s largest oil and gas producer .
This not only represents a significant shift in energy trends , but it ’ s also highly supportive of copper prices .
I expect China ’ s appetite for metals and other raw materials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulate its economy—which managed to grow , I should add , an historically low and yet impressive 4.9 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year .
We ’ ll receive third-quarter economic data for the U.S. on Thursday this week .
I hope to see a huge improvement over the second quarter , when real GDP fell at an annual rate of 31.4 percent , according to Bureau of Economic Analysis ( BEA ) .
I ’ m very excited to share with you that I ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mining Expo , featuring 10 top junior mining companies .
This virtual event is co-hosted by my friends at Streetwise Reports , and it will take place Thursday , November 12 , at 1:00 pm Eastern .
What ’ s more , it ’ s absolutely free .
To register for the event , please click here .
I hope you ’ ll join us !

by Frank Holmes, CEO, U.S. Global Investors
A week after reporting earnings, Delta Air Lines jumped more than 7 percent last Thursday after the carrier announced it would continue to block the middle seat until at least January of next year. This increase helped its share price climb above the 200-day moving average for the first time since February, which many traders see as a bullish signal.
click to enlarge
Delta and Alaska Airlines will be the only remaining major U.S. carriers that still block the middle seat after Southwest Airlines begins filling the seat on December 1. The low-cost carrier said in a tweet that it would unblock the middle seat after November 30, citing a body of research that supports the notion that masks and ventilation sufficiently protect passengers from the virus.
Among the studies was the one I shared with you the week before last. The Department of Defense (DoD) found that mask-wearing passengers are at very low risk of being infecting with the coronavirus, even on a packed flight.
“It is a very safe environment with all of the air-filtering technology and wearing masks,” Southwest CEO Gary Kelly told CNBC last week. “The science supports that.”
We continue to see the domestic airline industry recover off the April lows. Yesterday, the number of people cleared to fly commercial in the U.S. was just under 1 million. That was the second highest pandemic-era amount since Sunday, October 18, when more than 1,032,000 passengers boarded flights.
Goldman: Get Ready for a Commodities Bull Market
Jet regrade—the relative strength of jet fuel prices versus diesel—looks primed for a bull market in 2021 as flight demand continues to increase, according to Goldman Sachs. By next summer, jet fuel demand is expected to be higher by 3.9 million barrels per day than where it stands right now.
Among other commodities that could also surge next year, the investment bank says, are silver, copper, gold, natural gas and Brent crude oil.
In a note to clients, Goldman analysts cited a weaker dollar, inflation and additional monetary and fiscal stimulus as reasons for a potential rally in commodity prices. A 12-month return of 30 percent is forecast for the S&P GSCI, which tracks 24 commodities from all commodity sectors. Industrial metals, including copper, could increase 5.5 percent; precious metals, 18 percent; and energy, more than 42 percent.
Goldman sees the price of gold averaging $2,300 an ounce in 2021, while silver is projected to average $30 an ounce.
Here at U.S. Global Investors, we’re very bullish on commodities, particularly industrial and precious metals. The manufacturing PMI in a number of countries shows that factories are expanding capacity on a greater number of new orders. In August, the U.S. manufacturing PMI registered 56.0, the highest reading since November 2018. The PMI in China—the world’s biggest importer of metals and other raw materials—was 51.5 last month, well above the five-year average of 50.6.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
As I’ve noted before, commodities continue to look remarkably cheap relative to stocks. Below is a chart showing the ratio between the S&P GSCI and S&P 500. At no other time going back to 1972 have commodities been as undervalued as they are today. If Goldman’s projections turn out to be accurate, now could be a phenomenal buying opportunity.
click to enlarge
Doctor Copper Briefly Crosses Above $7,000 a Tonne, Thanks in Large Part to China
“Doctor copper” is so named because its price is seen as a good indicator of economic health. If that’s the case, then the economy isn’t nearly as bad as we thought it was.
In intraday trading last Wednesday, copper briefly crossed above $7,000 a tonne, its highest level since June 2018. From its low in late March, the red metal has risen close to 50 percent on hopes of further government stimulus and increased demand, particularly from the renewable energy industry and China.
In July, China’s copper imports hit an all-time high of 762,210 tonnes as the government unleashed stimulus aimed at building bridges, roads, railroads, broadband and more.
click to enlarge
That includes renewable energy projects such as wind and solar. According to a report this month by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), China led the world in adding new offshore wind capacity in 2019, with 2.4 gigawatts (GW) installed, representing nearly 40 percent of total new wind power across the globe.
The market cap of China’s LONGi Green Energy Technology, the world’s largest solar power company, recently climbed higher than that of oil major China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), the country’s largest oil and gas producer. This not only represents a significant shift in energy trends, but it’s also highly supportive of copper prices.
click to enlarge
I expect China’s appetite for metals and other raw materials to keep pace as it continues to stimulate its economy—which managed to grow, I should add, an historically low and yet impressive 4.9 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period last year.
We’ll receive third-quarter economic data for the U.S. on Thursday this week. I hope to see a huge improvement over the second quarter, when real GDP fell at an annual rate of 31.4 percent, according to Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Virtual Junior Mining Expo
I’m very excited to share with you that I’ll be participating in the first-ever Virtual Junior Mining Expo, featuring 10 top junior mining companies. This virtual event is co-hosted by my friends at Streetwise Reports, and it will take place Thursday, November 12, at 1:00 pm Eastern. What’s more, it’s absolutely free.
To register for the event, please click here. I hope you’ll join us!


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--Distorted Real Estate Bubble: Home Construction Boom Vs Coming Eviction Wave

by Jason Burack of Wall St For Main St “ The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to @ @ @ @ @ the mind at the same time , and still retain the ability to function.
” @ @ @ @ @ “ The Crack-Up ” ( 1936 ) How long can both of these 2 conflicting @ @ @ @ @ true ?
How long is this sustainable for ?
Perfect example of the Cantillon Effect @ @ @ @ @ it can create !
Commit to tipping us monthly for our hard work creating high @ @ @ @ @ that includes interviews with top experts , analysis and short videos about investing and the @ @

by Jason Burack of Wall St For Main St
“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Crack-Up” (1936)
How long can both of these 2 conflicting truths about real estate be true? How long is this sustainable for?
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Perfect example of the Cantillon Effect and the crazy distortions that it can create!
FULL SHOW NOTES AND LINKS HERE
Commit to tipping us monthly for our hard work creating high level, thought provoking content that includes interviews with top experts, analysis and short videos about investing and the economy www.patreon.com/wallstformainst


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--This Coming Move Will Take Your Breath Away

Gold continues to hold up surprisingly well despite $ USD strength .
The precious metal is coining tighter and tighter into a triangle formation .
When the breakout finally comes , it will be violent .
If you need signs of impressive relative strength , look at the gold mining juniors ( GDXJ ) .
During selloffs it is not uncommon to see this ETF drop 3 % of even 5 % in a single day .
It fell just a little over 1 % on Friday .
And then there is gold ’ s long-term chart , where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( green line ) an explosive move up .
This is very similar to the consolidation period we saw in late 2019 ( purple rectangle ) .
If we hold that green line the next leg up will take your breath away .
It might not be this week or next , but when it hits , it will be massive .
On that note , we just published a Special Investment Report concerning FIVE secret investments you can use to make inflation pay you as it rips through the financial system in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled Survive the Inflationary Storm .
And it explains in very simply terms how to make inflation PAY YOU .
We are making just 100 copies available to the public .
As I write this there are just 17 left .
To pick up yours , swing by :

Gold continues to hold up surprisingly well despite $USD strength.
The precious metal is coining tighter and tighter into a triangle formation. When the breakout finally comes, it will be violent.
If you need signs of impressive relative strength, look at the gold mining juniors (GDXJ). During selloffs it is not uncommon to see this ETF drop 3% of even 5% in a single day.
It fell just a little over 1% on Friday.
And then there is gold’s long-term chart, where we see the precious metal consolidating at support (green line) an explosive move up. This is very similar to the consolidation period we saw in late 2019 (purple rectangle).
If we hold that green line the next leg up will take your breath away. It might not be this week or next, but when it hits, it will be massive.
On that note, we just published a Special Investment Report concerning FIVE secret investments you can use to make inflation pay you as it rips through the financial system in the months ahead.
The report is titled Survive the Inflationary Storm. And it explains in very simply terms how to make inflation PAY YOU.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
We are making just 100 copies available to the public.
As I write this there are just 17 left.
To pick up yours, swing by:
www.phoenixcapitalmarketing.com/inflationstorm.html
Best Regards
Graham Summers
Chief Market Strategist
Phoenix Capital Research


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-27--“Rona Destroyer” sets the Halloween rules for the peons in Chicago

Remember folks : Rules for thee but not for me !

by DCG
Remember folks: Rules for thee but not for me!
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Your tax dollar$ at work, Chicago:
It’s Halloweek and the Rona Destroyers are back with some important health guidelines. Chicago, have a spooky and safe time. 👻🎃 t.co/jcZfitTkcx pic.twitter.com/ZrCWuOYHGG — Mayor Lori Lightfoot (@chicagosmayor) October 25, 2020
DCG


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Facebook censoring sending of Hunter Biden images.

As the title says Naturally , when i saw the currently circulating image of hunter Biden , malia and the Visa card and racked line , I wanted to send it to some friends .
I saved the image from Twitter , and sent it to the Facebook Messenger group chat of choice .
Everything normal , until 5 minutes later , we noticed the image was removed entirely from the chat .
( Not even a ‘ message was removed ’ or ‘ message was unsent ’ warning as you usually get when an image is removed , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got the image above .
Tried a few time , the message that popped up also changed to a couple of other things along these lines though .
None of my friends could send that photo in the chat either .
I even edited the image , writing ‘ I ’ ve found a loop hole Mr FBI man ’ over the photo .
This time , it allowed me again to send it , and for about 10 minutes we thought we ’ d beat the system , before it too just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being stupid , or are they censoring our private messages on Facebook now ?

by CryptoCurious97
As the title says Naturally, when i saw the currently circulating image of hunter Biden, malia and the Visa card and racked line, I wanted to send it to some friends. I saved the image from Twitter, and sent it to the Facebook Messenger group chat of choice. Everything normal, until 5 minutes later, we noticed the image was removed entirely from the chat. (Not even a ‘message was removed’ or ‘message was unsent’ warning as you usually get when an image is removed, just gone) I resent it, then got the image above. Tried a few time, the message that popped up also changed to a couple of other things along these lines though. None of my friends could send that photo in the chat either. I even edited the image, writing ‘I’ve found a loop hole Mr FBI man’ over the photo. This time, it allowed me again to send it, and for about 10 minutes we thought we’d beat the system, before it too just disappeared from the chat.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Am I being stupid, or are they censoring our private messages on Facebook now?


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Let’s Talk About Gaslighting

Let’s Talk About Gaslighting

They try to convince you this does not exist .
That ’ s usually right before they actually gaslight you @ @ @ @ @ this is the corrupt media ’ s most powerful weapon .

by Venus230
They try to convince you this does not exist.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
That’s usually right before they actually gaslight you.
The truth is, this is the corrupt media’s most powerful weapon.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Canada rallies against Covid-1984 tyranny!

Oct 17/18 , 2020 , over a thousand Canadian patriots gathered in Vancouver BC to oppose excessive pandemic measures that @ @ @ @ @ of all Canadians .
Speakers included David Icke , Del Bigtree , and Dr. Judy @ @

Oct 17/18, 2020, over a thousand Canadian patriots gathered in Vancouver BC to oppose excessive pandemic measures that restrict the freedoms and livelihoods of all Canadians. Speakers included David Icke, Del Bigtree, and Dr. Judy Mikovits .
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
h/t bobbypolitic


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Solar Breakthrough Could Be A Game Changer For Energy Efficiency

Until a few years ago , carbon capture was an industry darling , popping up in headlines and meeting notes across the energy sector as the new it thing for lowering carbon footprints and making the fossil fuels industry most climate friendly while still dominating the global energy mix .
Look at FutureGen , a billion-dollar poster child of a carbon capture project that was supposed to single-handedly save the United States coal industry .
That project was shelved back in 2015 , and I think we all know what happened to U.S. coal , and salvation wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the oil industry , which also used to boast some big-ticket projects , hasn ’ t fared any better .
So what happened ?
According to reporting this week from CleanTechnica , the culprit is none other than energy efficiency .
While energy efficiency is not nearly as sexy as cutting-edge technological innovation and carbon sequestration , it makes a lot of sense as a one size fits all approach to downsizing nearly any carbon footprint .
The International Energy Agency ( EIA ) even refers to energy efficiency as “ the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Some of the fixes for improving energy efficiency are amazingly simple .
In India , the incredibly simple tactic of distributing energy-saving lightbulbs has led the country to surpass their own emissions curbing goals .
“ India ’ s LED transition is estimated to save more than 40 terawatt hours ( TWh ) of electricity each year – roughly enough to power 37 million average Indian households or the whole of Denmark for one year , ” The Conversation reported earlier this month .
Another example of a deceptively simple problem is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25 % –30 % of residential heating and cooling energy use , ” the U.S. Department of Energy ( DOE ) has reported .
As the world gets warmer , the problem of overheated houses and the subsequent demand for air conditioning will continue to expand .
“ Combined , residential and commercial AC already accounted for 10 % of US electricity consumption in 2019 , ” reports CleanTechnica , “ which means that a lot of kilowatts are going to be flying out the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ’ s where energy efficiency finally gets sexy : solar windows .
Instead of being the locus of energy loss and inefficiency , a window could actually be an energy generator , creating electricity from sunlight .
The effort to produce transparent solar cells has been ramping up for a while now , and there seem to be some serious breakthroughs coming down the pike .
Just last week , the DOE ’ s National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced that they are now one step closer to developing their own game-changing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology [ … ] allows the window to change color to block glare and reduce unwanted solar heating when the glass gets warm on a hot , sunny day .
This color change also leads to the formation of a functioning solar cell that generates on-board power , ” states the National Renewable Energy Laboratory ’ s press release about the breakthrough .
“ Thermochromic photovoltaic windows can help buildings turn into energy generators , increasing their contribution to the broader energy grid ’ s needs.
” While the field of energy efficiency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several years of global improvement , however , it ’ s not all sunshine and roses for the sector .
Energy efficiency has been hit by a double whammy of anti-regulatory policy in the United States and a generally extremely un-efficient “ new normal ” thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic .
As Axios reported this week , “ The pandemic is destroying energy efficiency.
” Energy efficiency improvements around the world have already been slowing down over the last few years .
“ In 2018 , primary energy intensity – an important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the global economy – improved by just 1.2 % , the slowest rate since 2010 , reported the IEA .
This was a marked drop from 2017 ’ s 1.7 % improvement and was the third consecutive year of declining numbers .
“ It was also well below the average 3 % improvement consistent with the IEA ’ s Efficient World Strategy , first described in Energy Efficiency 2018.
” And this year is almost certainly going to be one of the worst .
As we head into the eye of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning of an economic stimulus falling into the same chaotic time frame , it ’ s essential that energy efficiency is not overlooked in the planning for a post-pandemic economic recovery .

By Haley Zaremba
Until a few years ago, carbon capture was an industry darling, popping up in headlines and meeting notes across the energy sector as the new it thing for lowering carbon footprints and making the fossil fuels industry most climate friendly while still dominating the global energy mix. Look at FutureGen, a billion-dollar poster child of a carbon capture project that was supposed to single-handedly save the United States coal industry. That project was shelved back in 2015, and I think we all know what happened to U.S. coal, and salvation wasn’t part of it. Carbon capture in the oil industry, which also used to boast some big-ticket projects, hasn’t fared any better. So what happened? According to reporting this week from CleanTechnica, the culprit is none other than energy efficiency. While energy efficiency is not nearly as sexy as cutting-edge technological innovation and carbon sequestration, it makes a lot of sense as a one size fits all approach to downsizing nearly any carbon footprint. The International Energy Agency (EIA) even refers to energy efficiency as “the first fuel of a sustainable global energy system.”
Some of the fixes for improving energy efficiency are amazingly simple. In India, the incredibly simple tactic of distributing energy-saving lightbulbs has led the country to surpass their own emissions curbing goals. “India’s LED transition is estimated to save more than 40 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity each year – roughly enough to power 37 million average Indian households or the whole of Denmark for one year,” The Conversation reported earlier this month.
Another example of a deceptively simple problem is the humble window. “Heat gain and heat loss through windows are responsible for 25%–30% of residential heating and cooling energy use,” the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has reported. As the world gets warmer, the problem of overheated houses and the subsequent demand for air conditioning will continue to expand. “Combined, residential and commercial AC already accounted for 10% of US electricity consumption in 2019,” reports CleanTechnica, “which means that a lot of kilowatts are going to be flying out the window in the coming years.”
Now here’s where energy efficiency finally gets sexy: solar windows. Instead of being the locus of energy loss and inefficiency, a window could actually be an energy generator, creating electricity from sunlight. The effort to produce transparent solar cells has been ramping up for a while now, and there seem to be some serious breakthroughs coming down the pike. Just last week, the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory announced that they are now one step closer to developing their own game-changing “thermochromic photovoltaic” window.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
“The technology […] allows the window to change color to block glare and reduce unwanted solar heating when the glass gets warm on a hot, sunny day. This color change also leads to the formation of a functioning solar cell that generates on-board power,” states the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s press release about the breakthrough. “Thermochromic photovoltaic windows can help buildings turn into energy generators, increasing their contribution to the broader energy grid’s needs.”
While the field of energy efficiency is seeing some significant breakthroughs and enjoyed several years of global improvement, however, it’s not all sunshine and roses for the sector. Energy efficiency has been hit by a double whammy of anti-regulatory policy in the United States and a generally extremely un-efficient “new normal” thanks to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As Axios reported this week, “The pandemic is destroying energy efficiency.”
Energy efficiency improvements around the world have already been slowing down over the last few years. “In 2018, primary energy intensity – an important indicator of how much energy is used by the global economy – improved by just 1.2%, the slowest rate since 2010, reported the IEA. This was a marked drop from 2017’s 1.7% improvement and was the third consecutive year of declining numbers. “It was also well below the average 3% improvement consistent with the IEA’s Efficient World Strategy, first described in Energy Efficiency 2018.” And this year is almost certainly going to be one of the worst.
As we head into the eye of the storm, with election season and the planning of an economic stimulus falling into the same chaotic time frame, it’s essential that energy efficiency is not overlooked in the planning for a post-pandemic economic recovery.
By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com


1984 here

Just like in the book 1984 Democrats routinely tell people .
They tell them to reject what they see on @

Just like in the book 1984 Democrats routinely tell people. They tell them to reject what they see on vid
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
h/t Flcherrybomb


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Washington Post Admits They No Longer Do Journalism: “We must treat the Biden leaks as if they were

Washington Post Admits They No Longer Do Journalism: “We must treat the Biden leaks as if they were a foreign intelligence operation — even if they probably aren’t.”

I ’ ve never seen anything like this .
The media is literally sacrificing itself to preserve a narrative that @ @ @ @ @ eviscerated .
When the dust settles , this entire episode will be a permanent blight @ @ @ @ @ Media and Big Tech , and that includes twitter , facebook and reddit .

Washington Post admits they no longer do journalism: pic.twitter.com/lPOqkerb9x — Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) October 25, 2020
WP source (don’t give them clicks though).
I’ve never seen anything like this. The media is literally sacrificing itself to preserve a narrative that’s already been completely eviscerated.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
When the dust settles, this entire episode will be a permanent blight on all the legacy Mockingbird Media and Big Tech, and that includes twitter, facebook and reddit.
h/t axolotl_peyotl


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--And here we go! Trickle feed disclosure. The MSM about to get ahead of the story. The Rona was alway

And here we go! Trickle feed disclosure. The MSM about to get ahead of the story. The Rona was always just flu

They count flu cases as the Rona All to control you .
It is irrational for a healthy person to @ @ @ @ @ medication , that is SHIELDED FROM LIABILITY , against a virus that is non-lethal , @ @ @ @ @ survival @ drsimonegold — # IDoNotConsent to a rushed vaccine # COVID19 # WhiteCoatSummit pic.twitter.com/planQODbNm

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-8875201/Has-Covid-killed-flu.html
They count flu cases as the Rona
They count dead PCR cultures and live
All to control you.
It is irrational for a healthy person to take an untested, unproven medication, that is SHIELDED FROM LIABILITY, against a virus that is non-lethal, with a high rate of survival@drsimonegold
—#IDoNotConsent to a rushed vaccine#COVID19 #WhiteCoatSummit pic.twitter.com/planQODbNm
— 🕊🌸⏳#FreeAssange #EndUSWars #StopFundingIsrael (@aerwaves_) October 25, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Wikipedia’s Hunter Biden articles are squeaky clean

Look at this upstanding man : Feels like the Biden campaign wrote this themselves : Not even the pretense of @ @ @ @ @ Funny how this is the first paragraph and they use terms like “ unevidenced ” @ @ @ @ @ I thought wikipedia is unbiased ?
The Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory is a series of unevidenced @ @ @ @ @ allegation that 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden engaged in corrupt activities relating to the @ @ @ @ @ Biden by the Ukrainian gas company Burisma while he was Vice President of the United @ @ @ @ @ They have primarily been spread in an attempt to damage Joe Biden ’ s presidential @ @ @ @ @

by BlueIce5
Look at this upstanding man:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Biden
Feels like the Biden campaign wrote this themselves:
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biden–Ukraine_conspiracy_theory
Not even the pretense of balance. 1984 like.
Funny how this is the first paragraph and they use terms like “unevidenced” and “damage” when I thought wikipedia is unbiased?
The Biden–Ukraine conspiracy theory is a series of unevidenced claims centered on the false allegation that 2020 Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden engaged in corrupt activities relating to the employment of his son Hunter Biden by the Ukrainian gas company Burisma while he was Vice President of the United States.[1] They have primarily been spread in an attempt to damage Joe Biden’s presidential campaign.[2]


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--I guess the Fed couldn’t fix this after all…

FALLEN ANGELS 😇 I guess the Fed couldn't fix this after all🤔 pic.twitter.com/rgdgiTuphm — Win Smart, CFA (@WinfieldSmart) October 26, 2020
Bond Defaults Deliver 99% Losses – Key trend to watch as profits dropped 33% in the 3rd Qtr for S&P 500 corps. Without stimulus & infections surging 4th Qtr headwinds are strong. @LanceRoberts @michaellebowitz @DiMartinoBooth  t.co/fxVe2MWq3l — Patrick Hill (@PatrickHill1677) October 26, 2020
A bond spreads at or near an all-time low. Recipe for trouble. Luckily the Fed will bail everybody out. — Michael Lebowitz, CFA (@michaellebowitz) October 26, 2020
Hedge Funds are nearing a record long 10Y vs. 30Y UST position. The spread in speculative positioning as a % of open interest is above 20% for the first time since Aug ‘07, & before that Oct ‘00. Worth tracking. pic.twitter.com/X2a7AaYKKj — Julien Bittel, CFA (@BittelJulien) October 26, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Diamond: From Record Breaking Snow to Century Old Record Crushing Cold = Grand Solar Minimum Much? P

Diamond: From Record Breaking Snow to Century Old Record Crushing Cold = Grand Solar Minimum Much? Prepare!

Told ya all those Californians are going to run screaming from Montana .

Told ya all those Californians are going to run screaming from Montana.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
AO


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--The Polls Were Horribly Wrong in 2016, Are They Wrong Again?

Without a doubt , we are about to head into an incredibly difficult and turbulent period in mankind ’ s history .
I am not trying to be hyperbolic , and I am not trying to scare anyone .
However , if you don ’ t see what is coming in the next couple of weeks , then quite simply , you need to take your blinders off .
The 2020 U.S. Presidential election will take place on November 3rd , which is only eleven days away at the time of writing .
The outcome of this election will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and prosperous nation in the world , and thus the entire global economy will feel the rippling effect .
Therefore , it comes as no surprise that market participants are scrambling to find any and every clue they can as to whether Joe Biden or President Trump will win .
Turning to the polls once again , people are highlighting how Joe Biden is ahead significantly , but is this accurate ?
Can the polls be trusted ?
Heading into the 2016 election night , Democratic voters were already jubilant and rejoicing wholeheartedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Hillary Clinton would win .
How could she possibly lose ?
The reason for this assumption was the non-stop cheerleading from the vast majority of the Mainstream Media , which was largely endorsing the Hillary Clinton campaign , rooting for her to win , and thus providing overwhelming positive coverage .
In addition to this , almost the entire polling industry was not only predicting that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 Presidential Election , but that she would win in a complete and utter landslide—reinforcing what many Democratic voters already believed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you looked at gave Hillary Clinton a 90 % plus chance of winning , with some even going as high as 98 % !
Boy were they wrong.Meanwhile , in a series of articles that I wrote leading up to that time period , I was ringing the alarm bell , highlighting how the sample sizes for many polls were horribly out of whack and did not make sense from a logical standpoint once you dug deeper .
These biased sample sizes , plus the fact that many Trump voters were shamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were voting for , led to the results that we got on election night : President-elect Donald Trump .
This sent a shock wave through Democratic supporters and the polling industry at large , as they had to face the hard facts that they got it so wrong .
There were indeed many eggs on many faces as the sun set on November 8th , 2016 .
The Polls Are Likely Wrong Again and Are Drastically Underestimating Trump Knowing what people know now , and how horribly out of touch the pollsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust the polling industry this time around ?
Although somewhat scared , battered and bruised , it is without a doubt that many people , in fact a large majority of people , still do .
In the Mainstream Media , you are once again hearing polling numbers quoted and taken as concrete evidence that Joe Biden will win come November 3rd .
Currently Bidden has a stunning 87 % chance to win , according to one major polling aggregate .
But will he ?
I believe that after four years of President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the political establishment has only hardened in their hatred and resolve to see Trump taken out of office .
This means that they have a hard bias and motivation to see him lose and thus a willingness to take the polls at face value once again , just as they mistakenly did in 2016 .
This is a dangerous path to be traveling down if they truly do wish to see him removed from office , as wholeheartedly trusting in the pollsters is a recipe for disaster .
The fact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters to feel motivated , they must believe that they NEED to get out , wait in those long lines , and actually vote .
They need to mail that ballot in and fill it out properly so it does not get disqualified ( a common occurrence for mail-in voting ) .
The sad reality is that many people are unmotivated or simply don ’ t care that much about politics .
Even if they state they are voting for Joe Biden , they may not carve the time out of their day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and actually cast their ballot , under the assumption that he will win anyway .
Trump Supporters Are Very Motivated , But Hidden On the other hand , you have Republican supporters who are constantly barraged by the MSM with how evil and corrupt President Trump is—which doesn ’ t line up with how they view the President and what they believe .
They have borne witness to countless “ we ’ ve got him this time ” stories over the past four years , all of which have ended in frustration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at this point is nearly meaningless , and people now just shrug and roll their eyes , regardless of how serious the claim is .
This overwhelming negative coverage has led to a general unwillingness to believe what the MSM is putting out .
Additionally , President Trump has engaged in a four year smear campaign against much of the major news networks , with the most notable being CNN , which he has outright labelled “ fake news ” .
Thanks to all this , Trump supporters are no longer willing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
There have been many stories about how people have been cancelled , ostracized , and outright fired for posting “ pro Trump ” messages on their personal social media accounts .
This is once again playing out just as it did in 2016 , and it is resulting in the appearance of a much lower support level for the President than is actually there .
Much of President Trump ’ s base feels like their opinions are not being heard and are thus suppressed , which will result in a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did last time .
If President Trump wins once again come November 3rd , I believe that this will be the end for the polling industry .
They will be shattered and broken and deemed untrustworthy by many .
The times are changing and so , too , do their methods of capturing people ’ s opinions .
We live in dynamic , fast changing times .
However , regardless of who wins , I stand by my opinion that turbulent times lay ahead , as neither side is going to willingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gold and silver bullion will move higher , first due to uncertainty , then later as the printing presses are once again revved into high gear and COVID-19 stimulus packages are passed .
Until then , stay safe and as always , keep stacking .
Specializing in the sale of bullion , bullion storage and precious metals registered investments , there ’ s a reason Sprott Money is called “ The Most Trusted Name in Precious Metals ” .
Since 2008 , our customers have trusted us to provide guidance , education , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build their holdings in precious metals—no matter the size of the portfolio .
Chairman , Eric Sprott , and President , Larisa Sprott , are proud to head up one of the most well-known and reputable precious metal firms in North America .
Learn more about Sprott Money .

Written by Nathan McDonald, Sprott Money News
Without a doubt, we are about to head into an incredibly difficult and turbulent period in mankind’s history. I am not trying to be hyperbolic, and I am not trying to scare anyone. However, if you don’t see what is coming in the next couple of weeks, then quite simply, you need to take your blinders off.
The 2020 U.S. Presidential election will take place on November 3rd, which is only eleven days away at the time of writing. The outcome of this election will have an enormous impact on the most powerful and prosperous nation in the world, and thus the entire global economy will feel the rippling effect. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that market participants are scrambling to find any and every clue they can as to whether Joe Biden or President Trump will win.
Turning to the polls once again, people are highlighting how Joe Biden is ahead significantly, but is this accurate? Can the polls be trusted?
The 2016 Elections Polls Were Horribly Wrong
Heading into the 2016 election night, Democratic voters were already jubilant and rejoicing wholeheartedly, as they knew without a doubt that Hillary Clinton would win. How could she possibly lose?
The reason for this assumption was the non-stop cheerleading from the vast majority of the Mainstream Media, which was largely endorsing the Hillary Clinton campaign, rooting for her to win, and thus providing overwhelming positive coverage.
In addition to this, almost the entire polling industry was not only predicting that Hillary Clinton would win the 2016 Presidential Election, but that she would win in a complete and utter landslide—reinforcing what many Democratic voters already believed was a foregone conclusion
Almost any poll that you looked at gave Hillary Clinton a 90% plus chance of winning, with some even going as high as 98%! Boy were they wrong.Meanwhile, in a series of articles that I wrote leading up to that time period, I was ringing the alarm bell, highlighting how the sample sizes for many polls were horribly out of whack and did not make sense from a logical standpoint once you dug deeper.
These biased sample sizes, plus the fact that many Trump voters were shamed by the MSM into not stating who they were voting for, led to the results that we got on election night: President-elect Donald Trump. This sent a shock wave through Democratic supporters and the polling industry at large, as they had to face the hard facts that they got it so wrong.
There were indeed many eggs on many faces as the sun set on November 8th, 2016.
The Polls Are Likely Wrong Again and Are Drastically Underestimating Trump
Knowing what people know now, and how horribly out of touch the pollsters were in 2016, how could anyone trust the polling industry this time around?
Although somewhat scared, battered and bruised, it is without a doubt that many people, in fact a large majority of people, still do. In the Mainstream Media, you are once again hearing polling numbers quoted and taken as concrete evidence that Joe Biden will win come November 3rd.
(Chart source, Fiverthirtyeight)
Currently Bidden has a stunning 87% chance to win, according to one major polling aggregate.
But will he?
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
I believe that after four years of President Trump in office, the MSM and much of the political establishment has only hardened in their hatred and resolve to see Trump taken out of office. This means that they have a hard bias and motivation to see him lose and thus a willingness to take the polls at face value once again, just as they mistakenly did in 2016.
This is a dangerous path to be traveling down if they truly do wish to see him removed from office, as wholeheartedly trusting in the pollsters is a recipe for disaster. The fact of the matter is that in order for voters to feel motivated, they must believe that they NEED to get out, wait in those long lines, and actually vote. They need to mail that ballot in and fill it out properly so it does not get disqualified (a common occurrence for mail-in voting).
The sad reality is that many people are unmotivated or simply don’t care that much about politics. Even if they state they are voting for Joe Biden, they may not carve the time out of their day and put in the effort to head out and actually cast their ballot, under the assumption that he will win anyway.
Why bother, right?
Trump Supporters Are Very Motivated, But Hidden
On the other hand, you have Republican supporters who are constantly barraged by the MSM with how evil and corrupt President Trump is—which doesn’t line up with how they view the President and what they believe.
They have borne witness to countless “we’ve got him this time” stories over the past four years, all of which have ended in frustration for Democratic supporters. Crying “wolf” at this point is nearly meaningless, and people now just shrug and roll their eyes, regardless of how serious the claim is.
This overwhelming negative coverage has led to a general unwillingness to believe what the MSM is putting out. Additionally, President Trump has engaged in a four year smear campaign against much of the major news networks, with the most notable being CNN, which he has outright labelled “fake news”.
Thanks to all this, Trump supporters are no longer willing to openly state who they will vote for. There have been many stories about how people have been cancelled, ostracized, and outright fired for posting “pro Trump” messages on their personal social media accounts. This is once again playing out just as it did in 2016, and it is resulting in the appearance of a much lower support level for the President than is actually there.
Much of President Trump’s base feels like their opinions are not being heard and are thus suppressed, which will result in a very strong, highly motivated voter turnout—just as it did last time.
In Conclusion
If President Trump wins once again come November 3rd, I believe that this will be the end for the polling industry. They will be shattered and broken and deemed untrustworthy by many.
The times are changing and so, too, do their methods of capturing people’s opinions. We live in dynamic, fast changing times. However, regardless of who wins, I stand by my opinion that turbulent times lay ahead, as neither side is going to willingly accept the results this time around.
Gold and silver bullion will move higher, first due to uncertainty, then later as the printing presses are once again revved into high gear and COVID-19 stimulus packages are passed.
Until then, stay safe and as always, keep stacking.
About Sprott Money
Specializing in the sale of bullion, bullion storage and precious metals registered investments, there’s a reason Sprott Money is called “The Most Trusted Name in Precious Metals”.
Since 2008, our customers have trusted us to provide guidance, education, and superior customer service as we help build their holdings in precious metals—no matter the size of the portfolio. Chairman, Eric Sprott, and President, Larisa Sprott, are proud to head up one of the most well-known and reputable precious metal firms in North America. Learn more about Sprott Money.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--UK Private Pensions are in trouble

UK Private Pensions are in trouble

I thought I would take a look at a developing situation which affects across the age spectrum but in varying ways .
We regularly note it as a consequence of other actions but it is time again to look at it directly .
Earlier this month it even got a mention in the House of Commons .
He is opening a new front there by adding the lack of dividend payments to the lost of troubles and is mostly addressing occupational schemes but will affect personal ones too.The reply from Treasury Minister John Glen opened up the topic much more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That last sentence about dividends is rather ominous as how often have we been told that something is temporary in the credit crunch era ?
Remember this from Deputy Governor Charlie Bean from a decade ago… .
A decade later we have still not arrived at the “ times in the future ” when savers will be “ doing very well ” .
It is hard not to have a wry smile at the fact that this complete failure at forecasting is now on the Committee of the Office of Budget Responsibility which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( for newer readers they are always wrong ) .Still at least his pension arrangements got a top-up in return for working half the week .
Much of this has been driven by the policy of the Bank of England so by Sir Charles and his successors.They cut interest-rates to 0.5 % in a supposedly emergency move and more recently Bank Rate has gone to 0.1 % with expectations that it will go negative .
For our purposes the next bit has been in my opinion an even stronger influence on pensions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ driven the corporate bond and sovereign bond yields mentioned in the Treasury statement earlier , lower .
This makes life very hard for pension and indeed other funds which rely on an income stream to make payments and oil the wheels .
Indeed , as regular readers will be aware , up to around the 6 year maturity UK bond or Gilt yields are in fact negative at around -0.05 % as I type this.Imagine having to explain to pensioners that you are investing their money for an expected loss !
Also that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which will only make matters worse .
This afternoon the Bank of England will do its best to make that situation even worse as it buys another £1.473 billion of short-dated UK bonds and hence tries to make yields even more negative .
It will buy other maturities tomorrow and Wednesday meaning the total will be a bit over £4.4 billion , this week .
If we look out as far as we can then even the 50 year yield is a mere 0.68 % which in nominal terms offers very little and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losses .
If we switch to dividends we see another wasteland as the numbers below from Simon French of Panmure Gordon highlight .
There are various technical reasons for this as well as the simple basic one that it has been a rough year for economies.For example we see that in many countries including the UK banks which used to be high dividend payers have restrictions on payments .
Also the troubles of the oil and gas sector have hit dividend payments there as the latest payment from BP ( for the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of last year .
As to the issue of capital gains there have been some for those who have invested in technology stocks such as the FAANGs .
But on a wider more generic level the situation was sung about by Lyndsey Buckingham .
If we look at the UK FTSE 100 equity index it is at 5840 as I type this .
So since the peak of 7877 in late May 2018 there have in back been capital losses .
More grimly if we try to look back in time to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ended the previous century at 6930 .
So equity investments have in fact lost and not made ground this century .
The usual system in the UK is to take an annuity as it offers a guaranteed income for life .
Back on the 19th of March 2015 I looked at them .
The situation is now quite a bit worse as you will get a yield of 4.79 % or it will be around 21 years before you get your money back .
This situation affects both final salary schemes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The numbers get even worse if you want inflation protection .
There is a payment needed foe that but you see due to all the QE bond purchases described above index-linked bonds are worth much more than the inflation in them .
Or if you prefer they offer bad value too .
As you can see there are a lot of challenges for pension funds .
This has been an ongoing issue as this official denial from the Bank of England in 2012 highlights .
As even by then annuities had fallen how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then the FTSE 100 has risen by at most 100 points and many investments made on a monthly basis have been at a loss .
Even they could not avoid this point .
The impact here has been like a bomb going off for those with private pensions .
For personal schemes it has been the lack of growth and for occupational it has been the way the schemes have struggled under increasing burdens leading to worsening terms and many schemes closing .
If we look ahead what future is there here for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Of course the Bank of England was right about its own pension scheme which has the equivalent of a sugar daddy as this from the Guardian in 2016 shows .
But for the rest of us we are left mulling the words of the Queen of Hearts .

by Shaun Richards
I thought I would take a look at a developing situation which affects across the age spectrum but in varying ways. We regularly note it as a consequence of other actions but it is time again to look at it directly. Earlier this month it even got a mention in the House of Commons.
“To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the effect on pension companies of the decision by some UK listed companies to cancel dividend payments to their shareholders.”
He is opening a new front there by adding the lack of dividend payments to the lost of troubles and is mostly addressing occupational schemes but will affect personal ones too.The reply from Treasury Minister John Glen opened up the topic much more widely and the emphasis is mine.
Whilst dividend income is important for pension schemes, they have long-term investment horizons and a range of other sources including fixed income from corporate and sovereign bonds, rental income and capital gains,although many of these are under strain., When market conditions recover and firms have rebuilt their balance sheets we anticipate that dividends will be restored.
That last sentence about dividends is rather ominous as how often have we been told that something is temporary in the credit crunch era? Remember this from Deputy Governor Charlie Bean from a decade ago….
“It’s very much swings and roundabouts. At the current juncture, savers might be suffering as a result of bank rate being at low levels, but there will be times in the future — as there have been times in the past — when they will be doing very well.”
A decade later we have still not arrived at the “times in the future” when savers will be “doing very well”. It is hard not to have a wry smile at the fact that this complete failure at forecasting is now on the Committee of the Office of Budget Responsibility which compiles the fiscal forecasts for the UK ( for newer readers they are always wrong).Still at least his pension arrangements got a top-up in return for working half the week.
Your fee is determined by the Treasury and paid by the OBR, and will be £5,140.55 per month, less statutory deductions as mentioned below.
The Underlying Problem
Much of this has been driven by the policy of the Bank of England so by Sir Charles and his successors.They cut interest-rates to 0.5% in a supposedly emergency move and more recently Bank Rate has gone to 0.1% with expectations that it will go negative. For our purposes the next bit has been in my opinion an even stronger influence on pensions.
The Committee voted unanimously for the Bank of England to continue with its existing programmes of UK government bond and sterling non-financial investment-grade corporate bond purchases, financed by the issuance of central bank reserves, maintaining the target for the total stock of these purchases at £745 billion.
This has been the factor that has driven the corporate bond and sovereign bond yields mentioned in the Treasury statement earlier, lower. This makes life very hard for pension and indeed other funds which rely on an income stream to make payments and oil the wheels. Indeed, as regular readers will be aware, up to around the 6 year maturity UK bond or Gilt yields are in fact negative at around -0.05% as I type this.Imagine having to explain to pensioners that you are investing their money for an expected loss! Also that such a loss will be before inflation which will only make matters worse.
This afternoon the Bank of England will do its best to make that situation even worse as it buys another £1.473 billion of short-dated UK bonds and hence tries to make yields even more negative. It will buy other maturities tomorrow and Wednesday meaning the total will be a bit over £4.4 billion, this week. If we look out as far as we can then even the 50 year yield is a mere 0.68% which in nominal terms offers very little and after inflation looks set to offer large losses.
If we switch to dividends we see another wasteland as the numbers below from Simon French of Panmure Gordon highlight.
The UK equity market has seen dividends cut by 31% in 2020, and has left the Top-10 dividend payers making up 52% of FTSE All Share dividends. Median dividend yield on UK equities now just 0.8%, having been 2.3% at the start of the year.
There are various technical reasons for this as well as the simple basic one that it has been a rough year for economies.For example we see that in many countries including the UK banks which used to be high dividend payers have restrictions on payments. Also the troubles of the oil and gas sector have hit dividend payments there as the latest payment from BP ( for the second quarter) was a bit under half that of last year.
As to the issue of capital gains there have been some for those who have invested in technology stocks such as the FAANGs. But on a wider more generic level the situation was sung about by Lyndsey Buckingham.
I think I’m in trouble,
I think I’m in trouble.
If we look at the UK FTSE 100 equity index it is at 5840 as I type this. So since the peak of 7877 in late May 2018 there have in back been capital losses. More grimly if we try to look back in time to avoid the ebb and flow we see that it ended the previous century at 6930. So equity investments have in fact lost and not made ground this century.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Taking a Pension
The usual system in the UK is to take an annuity as it offers a guaranteed income for life. Back on the 19th of March 2015 I looked at them.
If you crunch the numbers for a basic (single life no add-ons) annuity at age 65 then it takes around 17 years to get your money back. This is awkward and leads to the view that an annuity is bad value.
The situation is now quite a bit worse as you will get a yield of 4.79% or it will be around 21 years before you get your money back. This situation affects both final salary schemes and those with a personal pension.
The numbers get even worse if you want inflation protection. There is a payment needed foe that but you see due to all the QE bond purchases described above index-linked bonds are worth much more than the inflation in them. Or if you prefer they offer bad value too.
Comment
As you can see there are a lot of challenges for pension funds. This has been an ongoing issue as this official denial from the Bank of England in 2012 highlights.
Asset purchases are likely to have had a broadly neutral
impact on the value of the annuity income that could be
purchased with a personal pension pot.
As even by then annuities had fallen how did they get to this?
But the flipside of that fall in yields has been a rise in the price of both bonds and equities held in those pension pots.
Since then the FTSE 100 has risen by at most 100 points and many investments made on a monthly basis have been at a loss. Even they could not avoid this point.
By pushing down
gilt yields, QE has reduced the annuity rate
The impact here has been like a bomb going off for those with private pensions. For personal schemes it has been the lack of growth and for occupational it has been the way the schemes have struggled under increasing burdens leading to worsening terms and many schemes closing. If we look ahead what future is there here for those investing for their future right now?
Of course the Bank of England was right about its own pension scheme which has the equivalent of a sugar daddy as this from the Guardian in 2016 shows.
It has emerged that employees, led by the Bank’s governor, Mark Carney, received the equivalent of a 50%-plus salary contribution into their pensions last year, underwritten by the taxpayer. Most private employers pay 5-10% of salary into pensions, with many large companies struggling to cope with widening deficits in their schemes.
But for the rest of us we are left mulling the words of the Queen of Hearts.
My dear, here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that.
Podcast


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Terminal (Money) Velocity? The Missing Existing Home Sales Inventory And Collapsing Money Velocity

Have you ever wondered why the inventory of existing home sales have crashed since the housing bubble of the early/mid @ @ @ @ @ the median price of existing home sales with low inventory and low money velocity , @ @ @ @ @

by confoundedinterest17
Have you ever wondered why the inventory of existing home sales have crashed since the housing bubble of the early/mid 2000s?
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
If I overlay the median price of existing home sales with low inventory and low money velocity, we get surging prices.
Poor Kristy Swanson.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-26--Joe Biden has told the ‘lie of the campaign’

Sky News contributor Daisy Cousens says Joe Biden “ really damaged himself ” with three comments he made during the @ @ @ @ @ said the first one was him admitting that he will transition away from the oil @ @ @ @ @ means destroy it ” .
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said he would “ transition @ @ @ @ @ in a bid to improve the country ’ s pollution .
“ The oil industry @ @ @ @ @ to be replaced by renewable energy over time , ” Mr Biden said .
Ms @ @ @ @ @ vice-president “ made himself look a fool ” on illegal immigration because he painted it @ @ @ @ @ rosy glow that leftists tend to ” .
“ The third thing he did was @ @ @ @ @ the campaign , ” she said .
“ That he never said he was going @ @ @ @ @

Sky News contributor Daisy Cousens says Joe Biden “really damaged himself” with three comments he made during the final presidential debate.
She said the first one was him admitting that he will transition away from the oil industry “which of course means destroy it”.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said he would “transition from the oil industry” in a bid to improve the country’s pollution.
“The oil industry pollutes significantly. It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time,” Mr Biden said.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Ms Cousens also said the former vice-president “made himself look a fool” on illegal immigration because he painted it with “that kind of rosy glow that leftists tend to”.
“The third thing he did was literally tell the lie of the campaign,” she said.
“That he never said he was going to ban fracking.”