investmentwatchblog--2020-07-10--Double Dip Or Prolonged Recession?

Double Dip Or Prolonged Recession?

The labor market could be in trouble .
It might be weakening which shouldn ’ t be surprising because over 1/3rd of the economy is facing an economic contraction due to COVID-19 coming back into the forefront .
Weakness is devastating when you start at double digit unemployment ; plus , the extra $ 600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits will run out on July 25th .
It ’ s unlikely this negative turn is priced into the stock market unless you think cloud and EV tech stocks should rally no matter what the news shows .
These stocks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality is there is safety in value ; high price to sales ratios normally aren ’ t good values .
Valuation depends on growth , but almost across the board , valuations levels are above their recent averages .
As you can see from the chart above , the civilian unemployment household pulse survey showed 5.6 million jobs added from the reference week in May to the reference week in June .
Remember , monthly BLS surveys don ’ t measure the whole month .
They only measure data from one week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million decline in employment in the past 2 weeks .
2 weeks from that reading is the July survey week .
Unless the data turns around , this signals there will be job losses in July .
We knew July would create fewer jobs because there are fewer people left to come back to work , but markets weren ’ t pricing in job losses when they were being bid up following the previous two labor reports .
This report could shock the market .
However , the market usually prices data in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see selloffs on weak jobless claims reports if they materialize .
Unfortunately , America has failed miserably in containing the virus if you look at its performance compared to the rest of the world .
Arguably , America has done the worst job at containing it .
About 1-2 months ago , there was a theory that the states that didn ’ t deal with severe impacts from the virus had successfully fended it off and that there would never be shutdowns again .
This was proven wrong as the virus is worse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospitalizations have been spiking for a few weeks and now deaths are starting to increase .
There were 43,004 new hospitalizations on Wednesday which was the highest since May 14th .
On July 8th , there were 61,848 new cases which was a record high .
Texas , Florida , and California , had 10,199 ; 9,989 ; and 8,561 new cases .
There were 993 deaths on Tuesday and 890 on Wednesday .
The 3 day moving average ’ s peak rose for the first time since April .
As you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the worst week over week increase in the 7 day moving average of new deaths since May 5th .
You could argue the stock market is looking forward to improvements , but the reality is this 2nd wave has mostly been ignored as the S & P 500 is near its June 8th high .
There is complacency as investors think whatever weakness there is will be temporary .
Plus , the cloud stocks are seen as beneficiaries of a shutdown or less human to human contact .
Since software ate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Wednesday , Microsoft , Apple , and Amazon alone accounted for half of the 0.79 % rally in the S & P 500 .
This was only the 2nd time the index increased at least 0.75 % in a day and fewer than 300 stocks rallied .
These big internet stocks have dramatically outperformed the market this year and in the past few years .
The concentration in the big tech names is only increasing .
As you can see from the chart below , the Nasdaq ’ s 20 day rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ S & P 500 by the most since late 2002 other than earlier this year .
This is late cycle speculative action occurring in what is potentially the beginning of an expansion .
If the economy falls back , this period will either be a double dip recession or one long recession with a short period of improvement in the middle .
The AAII sentiment indexes dramatically oppose each other .
Supposedly , retail investors are more bearish than average and advisors are very bullish .
It ’ s weird to see individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest speculative rampages by retail brokerage accounts .
Maybe these speculators are new investors that aren ’ t in the AAII poll .
Specifically , the individual investor survey showed there were 5 % more bulls than last week .
However , that only got it up to 27.2 % which is 10.8 % below average .
The share of bears fell 3.2 % to 42.7 % which is 12.2 % above average .
As you can see from the chart below , advisors are very bullish which makes sense because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 57.7 % bulls and 18.3 % bears .
That ’ s the most optimism since January .
The bull to bear spread is 39.4 % .
The Chinese stock market is in a bubble .
The Shanghai Composite index is up 8 days in a row in which it has increased 16.5 % .
The Chinese IPO QuantumCTek rose 876 % in its first day of trading which is the most an IPO ever rose in one day .
As you can see from the chart below , 72 % of CSI 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( which means overbought ) .
That ’ s the highest since 2009 which means it outpaces the 2015 stock market bubble .
The economy might lose jobs in July as it is weakening due to the massive spike in COVID-19 cases in the south and west .
Deaths are starting to increase which is a very bad sign .
The Nasdaq is outperforming the S & P 500 which is amazing because the S & P 500 has been doing well as it has been dragged higher by the major internet names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are bearish ; the advisory survey shows they are bullish which makes more sense .
The Chinese stock market is in a bubble as it has increased 8 days in a row and is extremely overbought .

by UPFINA
The labor market could be in trouble. It might be weakening which shouldn’t be surprising because over 1/3rd of the economy is facing an economic contraction due to COVID-19 coming back into the forefront. Weakness is devastating when you start at double digit unemployment; plus, the extra $600 in weekly federal unemployment benefits will run out on July 25th. It’s unlikely this negative turn is priced into the stock market unless you think cloud and EV tech stocks should rally no matter what the news shows. These stocks are being viewed as safety stocks. The reality is there is safety in value; high price to sales ratios normally aren’t good values. Valuation depends on growth, but almost across the board, valuations levels are above their recent averages.
The @uscensusbureau Household Pulse Survey, which performed admirably in anticipating the June jobs report, now shows employment has fallen by about 1.3 million cumulatively over the last 2 weeks. Some of this may be seasonality or survey error, but it merits pause nonetheless. pic.twitter.com/pESbfTGy39 — Ernie Tedeschi (@ernietedeschi) July 8, 2020
As you can see from the chart above, the civilian unemployment household pulse survey showed 5.6 million jobs added from the reference week in May to the reference week in June. Remember, monthly BLS surveys don’t measure the whole month. They only measure data from one week. The household pulse survey shows a 1.3 million decline in employment in the past 2 weeks.
2 weeks from that reading is the July survey week. Unless the data turns around, this signals there will be job losses in July. We knew July would create fewer jobs because there are fewer people left to come back to work, but markets weren’t pricing in job losses when they were being bid up following the previous two labor reports. This report could shock the market. However, the market usually prices data in ahead of time, so we might see selloffs on weak jobless claims reports if they materialize.
Growth In Deaths Turns Positive
Unfortunately, America has failed miserably in containing the virus if you look at its performance compared to the rest of the world. Arguably, America has done the worst job at containing it. About 1-2 months ago, there was a theory that the states that didn’t deal with severe impacts from the virus had successfully fended it off and that there would never be shutdowns again.
This was proven wrong as the virus is worse than ever in terms of cases. Hospitalizations have been spiking for a few weeks and now deaths are starting to increase. There were 43,004 new hospitalizations on Wednesday which was the highest since May 14th. On July 8th, there were 61,848 new cases which was a record high. Texas, Florida, and California, had 10,199; 9,989; and 8,561 new cases. There were 993 deaths on Tuesday and 890 on Wednesday. The 3 day moving average’s peak rose for the first time since April. As you can see from the chart below, this was the worst week over week increase in the 7 day moving average of new deaths since May 5th.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
After 63 consecutive days of declines, this was the first week-over-week increase in US COVID-19 deaths (7-day average) since May 5. pic.twitter.com/4W7ZxqKvNn — Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) July 9, 2020
Tech Controls The Market
You could argue the stock market is looking forward to improvements, but the reality is this 2nd wave has mostly been ignored as the S&P 500 is near its June 8th high. There is complacency as investors think whatever weakness there is will be temporary. Plus, the cloud stocks are seen as beneficiaries of a shutdown or less human to human contact. Since software ate the world, they control the market. On Wednesday, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon alone accounted for half of the 0.79% rally in the S&P 500. This was only the 2nd time the index increased at least 0.75% in a day and fewer than 300 stocks rallied. These big internet stocks have dramatically outperformed the market this year and in the past few years. The concentration in the big tech names is only increasing.
As you can see from the chart below, the Nasdaq’s 20 day rate of change has outperformed that of the S&P 500 by the most since late 2002 other than earlier this year. This is late cycle speculative action occurring in what is potentially the beginning of an expansion. If the economy falls back, this period will either be a double dip recession or one long recession with a short period of improvement in the middle.
“We feel a bit like the ‘Boy Who Cried Wolf’ when we discuss any potential vulnerability in the Nasdaq, but once again we can’t help but note some cautionary signs. .. We haven’t seen this level of outperformance with the NDX at a high since the late ‘90s.” – @jkrinskypga pic.twitter.com/TCEXfenmEZ — Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) July 8, 2020
Weird AAII Sentiment
The AAII sentiment indexes dramatically oppose each other. Supposedly, retail investors are more bearish than average and advisors are very bullish. It’s weird to see individuals bearish in the midst of one of the greatest speculative rampages by retail brokerage accounts. Maybe these speculators are new investors that aren’t in the AAII poll. Specifically, the individual investor survey showed there were 5% more bulls than last week. However, that only got it up to 27.2% which is 10.8% below average. The share of bears fell 3.2% to 42.7% which is 12.2% above average.
As you can see from the chart below, advisors are very bullish which makes sense because the market has done well. There are 57.7% bulls and 18.3% bears. That’s the most optimism since January. The bull to bear spread is 39.4%.
II #sentiment: bulls (57.7) at highest and bears (18.3) at lowest since January. Bull-bear spread is approaching 40%. pic.twitter.com/WJFMCmtuGb — Willie Delwiche, CMT, CFA (@WillieDelwiche) July 8, 2020
Chinese Bubble
The Chinese stock market is in a bubble. The Shanghai Composite index is up 8 days in a row in which it has increased 16.5%. The Chinese IPO QuantumCTek rose 876% in its first day of trading which is the most an IPO ever rose in one day. As you can see from the chart below, 72% of CSI 300 stocks have 14 day RSIs above 70 (which means overbought). That’s the highest since 2009 which means it outpaces the 2015 stock market bubble.
Technical breadth. Well over 200 of the 300 stocks on the CSI 300 are now technically "overbought", highest proportion in 12 years pic.twitter.com/JHiq3tnFDS — David Ingles (@DavidInglesTV) July 9, 2020
Conclusion
The economy might lose jobs in July as it is weakening due to the massive spike in COVID-19 cases in the south and west. Deaths are starting to increase which is a very bad sign. The Nasdaq is outperforming the S&P 500 which is amazing because the S&P 500 has been doing well as it has been dragged higher by the major internet names. The retail AAII survey shows investors are bearish; the advisory survey shows they are bullish which makes more sense. The Chinese stock market is in a bubble as it has increased 8 days in a row and is extremely overbought.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-10--Nasdaq gets the kiss of death

Nasdaq gets the kiss of death

Nasdaq gets the kiss of death t.co/HSW8Z7hDPm This rally is ALL tech .
While 76 % of NASDAQ 100 members @ @ @ @ @ , less than 40 % of S & P members are above their 200 dma @ @ @ @ @ lift up the index , other stocks are n't participating .
This has pushed the @ @ @ @ @ all-time high .
Worrisome ?
pic.twitter.com/tqMtoc4boA

Nasdaq gets the kiss of death t.co/HSW8Z7hDPm
This rally is ALL tech.
While 76% of NASDAQ 100 members are above their 200 dma, less than 40% of S&P members are above their 200 dma. Tech is trying to lift up the index, other stocks aren't participating.
This has pushed the gap in breadth to an all-time high. Worrisome? pic.twitter.com/tqMtoc4boA
— SentimenTrader (@sentimentrader) July 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Officials prepare to reopen schools in NYC

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the school chancellor of New York City have unveiled a detailed plan for the reopening @ @ @ @ @ .
One America ’ s Caitlin Sinclair has more .

Mayor Bill de Blasio and the school chancellor of New York City have unveiled a detailed plan for the reopening of schools in the fall. One America’s Caitlin Sinclair has more.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--United Medical Freedom Super PAC launches to support the elections of candidates who defend health f

United Medical Freedom Super PAC launches to support the elections of candidates who defend health freedom

( Natural News ) In an effort to push back against mandatory vaccines and Big Pharma control over legislators , a new health freedom Super PAC has launched , known as the United Medical Freedom Super PAC ( MedicalFreedomPAC.com ) .
Its mission statement is : To save our families and future generations from tyranny , restore and defend our medical and health freedoms , and support candidates , leaders , organizations and movements who believe in freedom , truth and liberty .
The Super PAC fights against censorship in the realms of health , nutrition and medicine , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert F. Kennedy , Jr. ( Children ’ s Health Defense ) , Del Bigtree ( The Highwire ) and myself ( the Health Ranger ) .
Join the new Super PAC at this membership link ( it ’ s free to join ) .
You can also donate to this organization at this link .
Funds are primarily used to make campaign contributions to political candidates who support the group ’ s principles of health freedom .
I have no ownership in this organization and receive no compensation from it .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their mission focus and communications strategy , and I believe this is a very important milestone for working on ways to fight the toxic influence of Big Pharma in modern-day politics .
This Super PAC has launched with a video channel on Brighteon This Super PAC has a Brighteon.com video channel , featuring interviews with Dr. Judy Mikovitz , Robert F. Kennedy , Jr. , Del Bigtree , Zach Vorhies and many others : See the interview with Robert F. Kennedy , Jr. here : Founded on Judeo-Christian principles of liberty , responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Super PAC describes the organization ’ s principles and reminds us of the importance of morality , ethics and liberty : United Medical Freedom Super PAC was founded on the same Judeo-Christian values and principles on which America was founded , including medical liberty and freedom of speech .
We are fighting against tyranny , to restore and protect the medical and health rights of all Americans , our families , and future generations .
We support candidates , organizations , leaders and movements who passionately believe as we do to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ systems in America .
Needless to say , this Super PAC won ’ t be supporting any candidates that promote abortion , infanticide or mandatory vaccines .
You can see the group ’ s vaccine position statement at his page : Read this “ Get Involved ” page to learn how you can leverage this new organization to educate your local candidates about medical freedom .
The founders and volunteers at the UMFSP plan to work tirelessly to educate political candidates about the importance of supporting medical freedom principles such as vaccine choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the halting of the medical kidnapping of children by cancer doctors .
Spread the word and get involved .
Start here :

by: Mike Adams
(Natural News) In an effort to push back against mandatory vaccines and Big Pharma control over legislators, a new health freedom Super PAC has launched, known as the United Medical Freedom Super PAC (MedicalFreedomPAC.com). Its mission statement is:
To save our families and future generations from tyranny, restore and defend our medical and health freedoms, and support candidates, leaders, organizations and movements who believe in freedom, truth and liberty.
The Super PAC fights against censorship in the realms of health, nutrition and medicine, and it endorses the work of people like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (Children’s Health Defense), Del Bigtree (The Highwire) and myself (the Health Ranger).
Join the new Super PAC at this membership link (it’s free to join).
You can also donate to this organization at this link.
Funds are primarily used to make campaign contributions to political candidates who support the group’s principles of health freedom. I have no ownership in this organization and receive no compensation from it. My role has been helping the founders clarify their mission focus and communications strategy, and I believe this is a very important milestone for working on ways to fight the toxic influence of Big Pharma in modern-day politics.
This Super PAC has launched with a video channel on Brighteon
This Super PAC has a Brighteon.com video channel, featuring interviews with Dr. Judy Mikovitz, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Del Bigtree, Zach Vorhies and many others:
Brighteon.com/channels/unitedmedicalfreedomsuperpac
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
See the interview with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. here:
Founded on Judeo-Christian principles of liberty, responsibility and morality
This Statement of Purpose from the Super PAC describes the organization’s principles and reminds us of the importance of morality, ethics and liberty:
United Medical Freedom Super PAC was founded on the same Judeo-Christian values and principles on which America was founded, including medical liberty and freedom of speech. We are fighting against tyranny, to restore and protect the medical and health rights of all Americans, our families, and future generations. We support candidates, organizations, leaders and movements who passionately believe as we do to work together to transform the medical and health systems in America.
Needless to say, this Super PAC won’t be supporting any candidates that promote abortion, infanticide or mandatory vaccines. You can see the group’s vaccine position statement at his page:
medicalfreedompac.com/vaccines
Read this “Get Involved” page to learn how you can leverage this new organization to educate your local candidates about medical freedom.
The founders and volunteers at the UMFSP plan to work tirelessly to educate political candidates about the importance of supporting medical freedom principles such as vaccine choice, access to alternative medicine therapies and the halting of the medical kidnapping of children by cancer doctors.
Spread the word and get involved. Start here:
MedicalFreedomPAC.com


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--CNN’s Don Lemon mocks right-wing media for claiming crime is on the rise in democrat-run cities

Good little DNC puppets .
Zucker must be so proud .
Tonight on @ CNN , @ ChrisCuomo & @ @ @ @ @ @ wing ” media for claiming that crime is rising in US cities .
But apparently @ @ @ @ @ ’ t read or watch @ CNN , @ nytimes , @ CBSNews , @ @ @ @ @ @ do & are just lying to their viewers .

by DCG
Good little DNC puppets. Zucker must be so proud.
Tonight on @CNN, @ChrisCuomo & @donlemon mocked the “right wing” media for claiming that crime is rising in US cities.
But apparently, Chris and Don don’t read or watch @CNN, @nytimes, @CBSNews, @NYDailyNews, or maybe they do & are just lying to their viewers.
CC: @brianstelter pic.twitter.com/H2EZcLqeP4
— Reagan Battalion (@ReaganBattalion) July 8, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Yes, You Can Get Covid-19 Twice. We May Be Living With This Virus…Forever

As we covered in a recent video , herd immunity is getting to look like a more elusive goal than @ @ @ @ @ , we are now seeing convincing evidence of people contracting covid-19 more than once .
@ @ @ @ @ that suggests we may never be able to reach herd immunity .
In today ’ @ @ @ @ @ with the spouse of a patient still recovering from a second case of covid-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ s harrowing experience with the virus gives a very personal proof that this virus is @ @ @ @ @ ” .
It ’ s time we start emotionally preparing for the potential that we @ @ @ @ @ : Anyone who would like to contribute to Cheri ’ s GoFundme page can do @ @ @ @ @ • Getting it twice is now ‘ a thing ’ • Don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @

by Adam Taggart
As we covered in a recent video, herd immunity is getting to look like a more elusive goal than originally hoped.
In fact, we are now seeing convincing evidence of people contracting covid-19 more than once. If indeed the case, that suggests we may never be able to reach herd immunity.
In today’s video, Chris talks with the spouse of a patient still recovering from a second case of covid-19. Hearing of this family’s harrowing experience with the virus gives a very personal proof that this virus is not “just the flu”.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
It’s time we start emotionally preparing for the potential that we may be living with covid-19…forever:
Anyone who would like to contribute to Cheri’s GoFundme page can do so by clicking here.
________________________
LINKS FROM THIS VIDEO:


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Basic arithmetic is now too offensive for the ‘cancel culture’

Are you ready for this week ’ s absurdity ?
Here ’ s our Friday roll-up of the most ridiculous stories from around the world that are threats to your liberty , risks to your prosperity… and on occasion , inspiring poetic justice .
Making its rounds on Twitter is a Tweet stating : “ Nope the idea of 2 + 2 equalling 4 is cultural , and because of western imperialism/colonization , we think of it as the only way of knowing.
” You might think this is a troll , intentionally causing controversy while remaining anonymous .
No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
But this is an actual PhD student specializing in mathematics education .
She is even listed on Rutgers ’ PhD student directory , In fact , she already has a Master ’ s Degree in architecture… but I ’ m not sure you would want to go into any buildings she has designed , just in case she thinks structural integrity is another imperialist lie .
This is how far the Bolshevik worldview has reached .
You ’ d expect this from an underwater-basket-weaving major .
After all , colleges are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is math .
And she is part of the next generation of instructors and educators .
Maybe it ’ s time to start rethinking the value of a degree .
Click here for the Twitter thread .
University hiring professors , but men need not apply Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands figured out a great way to boost its numbers of female professors .
The university simply banned all men from applying for the jobs .
The university said that for an 18 month period , it will not accept applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also offered women a €100,000 bonus which could be used towards their own research .
Over 50 people complained to the Dutch human rights council .
Shockingly , the council actually agreed that this was unacceptable sexism and ruled against the university .
But the council doesn ’ t actually have any judicial authority .
And the President of the university said , “ Our commitment to this very important cause is unchanged.
” Click here to read the full story .
British man convicted for drinking carrot juice from a beer can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ container laws in his town , so he filled a beer can with carrot juice , and walked around downtown .
As expected , he was cited by police , and given a ticket for drinking alcohol in public .
But challenging the ticket in court , the case was dismissed since he hadn ’ t actually been caught with alcohol in public .
You ’ d think it would end there .
Man hassles town , town hassles man , and we ’ re done .
But the town decided this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s decision .
After going back to court and arguing why drinking carrot juice out of a beer can should be enough for an open container ticket , the defiant man lost the case .
He will be forced to pay the fine .
This was a two year legal battle at the taxpayers ’ expense , for drinking carrot juice out of a beer can .
Clearly the man was just trying to troll the town government .
But who is more ridiculous– one guy with a bone to pick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuting a man for drinking carrot juice , just to prove who ’ s really in charge ?
Click here to read the full story .
Spain called .
They want their statues back The Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya has reached out to local , state , and federal authorities in the US .
She ’ s concerned about some statues of Spanish colonizers that have been targeted for toppling and vandalization by protesters .
For instance , the statue of a Spanish priest was torn down in Sacramento last Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the statue of Miguel Cervantes , the Spanish author of Don Quixote who was actually held as a slave himself .
González Laya said that if the US doesn ’ t want these statues , the least they could do is send them back to Spain .
Spain would even take Columbus statues , since even though he was Italian , his exploration was funded by Spain .
Click here to read the full story .

by Sovereign Man
Are you ready for this week’s absurdity? Here’s our Friday roll-up of the most ridiculous stories from around the world that are threats to your liberty, risks to your prosperity… and on occasion, inspiring poetic justice.
2 + 2 = imperialism
Making its rounds on Twitter is a Tweet stating: “Nope the idea of 2 + 2 equalling 4 is cultural, and because of western imperialism/colonization, we think of it as the only way of knowing.”
You might think this is a troll, intentionally causing controversy while remaining anonymous. No one could seriously believe this, right?
But this is an actual PhD student specializing in mathematics education. She is even listed on Rutgers’ PhD student directory,
In fact, she already has a Master’s Degree in architecture… but I’m not sure you would want to go into any buildings she has designed, just in case she thinks structural integrity is another imperialist lie.
This is how far the Bolshevik worldview has reached. You’d expect this from an underwater-basket-weaving major. After all, colleges are the bastion of the Marxists.
But this is math. And she is part of the next generation of instructors and educators.
Maybe it’s time to start rethinking the value of a degree.
Click here for the Twitter thread.
University hiring professors, but men need not apply
Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands figured out a great way to boost its numbers of female professors.
The university simply banned all men from applying for the jobs.
The university said that for an 18 month period, it will not accept applications from men seeking academic jobs.
It also offered women a €100,000 bonus which could be used towards their own research.
Over 50 people complained to the Dutch human rights council.
Shockingly, the council actually agreed that this was unacceptable sexism and ruled against the university.
But the council doesn’t actually have any judicial authority.
And the President of the university said, “Our commitment to this very important cause is unchanged.”
Click here to read the full story.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
British man convicted for drinking carrot juice from a beer can
A British man was angry about open container laws in his town, so he filled a beer can with carrot juice, and walked around downtown.
As expected, he was cited by police, and given a ticket for drinking alcohol in public.
But challenging the ticket in court, the case was dismissed since he hadn’t actually been caught with alcohol in public.
You’d think it would end there. Man hassles town, town hassles man, and we’re done.
But the town decided this case was important enough to appeal the court’s decision.
After going back to court and arguing why drinking carrot juice out of a beer can should be enough for an open container ticket, the defiant man lost the case. He will be forced to pay the fine.
This was a two year legal battle at the taxpayers’ expense, for drinking carrot juice out of a beer can.
Clearly the man was just trying to troll the town government.
But who is more ridiculous– one guy with a bone to pick, or a town that spent two years prosecuting a man for drinking carrot juice, just to prove who’s really in charge?
Click here to read the full story.
Spain called. They want their statues back
The Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya has reached out to local, state, and federal authorities in the US.
She’s concerned about some statues of Spanish colonizers that have been targeted for toppling and vandalization by protesters.
For instance, the statue of a Spanish priest was torn down in Sacramento last Saturday. And we talked about the vandalism of the statue of Miguel Cervantes, the Spanish author of Don Quixote who was actually held as a slave himself.
González Laya said that if the US doesn’t want these statues, the least they could do is send them back to Spain.
Spain would even take Columbus statues, since even though he was Italian, his exploration was funded by Spain.
Click here to read the full story.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--The Insane U.S. Budget Deficit Just Went Ballistic

In recent years , as the government has run annual deficits nearing $ 1 trillion , they ’ ve continued to hit the debt ceiling , which is supposed to keep spending in line .
But each time , Congress has voted to raise the ceiling so they could continue paying obligations .
These actions are not without controversy , and you ’ re about to read one reason why… The recent pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have added a new dimension to this year ’ s federal deficit .
Uncle Sam has had to go on a spending binge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the “ spending binges ” of the past few years .
Buckle up , because the trend for this year ’ s deficit appears to be disturbing no matter how you look at it .
Part of it is illustrated in the line graph from the Bipartisan Policy Center , which reported the growing deficit through May 2020 : The total deficit projected on the chart above is an incredible $ 3.7 trillion for fiscal year 2020 .
The entire deficit for FY2019 was $ 984 billion .
So if the projected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would represent a 276 % increase over 2019 ’ s deficit .
The chart above also reveals that even if the fiscal year were to have ended in May 2020 , the deficit would still have totaled a staggering $ 1.88 trillion .
But the U.S. still has three more months of spending to go , and June ’ s monthly budget review from the Congressional Budget Office just came out .
It doesn ’ t help paint a better picture , either .
U.S. Deficit for June Comes in Higher Than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on ZeroHedge , in June alone , “ the U.S. spent a record $ 1.105 trillion , an increase of $ 763 billion from last year.
” That would be reasonable if the U.S. also had the receipts to account for the massive increase in spending .
But sadly , that isn ’ t the case .
In the CBO ’ s latest budget review , it shows the Federal Government only took in $ 242 billion for June .
That leaves a deficit of $ 863 billion in one month .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 8 billion deficit in June 2019 .
You can see the devastating picture reflected on ZeroHedge ’ s chart below : This insane spending gets even more interesting when you factor the total budget deficit for 2018 was only $ 779 billion .
That ’ s right : Uncle Sam spent more in one month than an entire fiscal year .
The ZeroHedge article finishes with the following thought : “ At some point the market will realize that this insanity is simply unsustainable.
” While They Spend Endlessly You Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ Deficit spending is simply a scheme for the confiscation of wealth .
Gold stands in the way of this insidious process .
It stands as a protector of property rights.
” Over 50 years later , that statement rings just as true .
Are your savings protected from endless government spending ?

Photo by Defense.gov | CC BY | Photoshopped
From Birch Gold Group
In recent years, as the government has run annual deficits nearing $1 trillion, they’ve continued to hit the debt ceiling, which is supposed to keep spending in line. But each time, Congress has voted to raise the ceiling so they could continue paying obligations.
These actions are not without controversy, and you’re about to read one reason why…
The recent pandemic and the resulting lockdowns have added a new dimension to this year’s federal deficit. Uncle Sam has had to go on a spending binge to keep things afloat. But nothing like the “spending binges” of the past few years.
Buckle up, because the trend for this year’s deficit appears to be disturbing no matter how you look at it.
Part of it is illustrated in the line graph from the Bipartisan Policy Center, which reported the growing deficit through May 2020:
The total deficit projected on the chart above is an incredible $3.7 trillion for fiscal year 2020. The entire deficit for FY2019 was $984 billion. So if the projected deficit for this year becomes reality, it would represent a 276% increase over 2019’s deficit.
The chart above also reveals that even if the fiscal year were to have ended in May 2020, the deficit would still have totaled a staggering $1.88 trillion.
But the U.S. still has three more months of spending to go, and June’s monthly budget review from the Congressional Budget Office just came out.
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It doesn’t help paint a better picture, either.
U.S. Deficit for June Comes in Higher Than All of FY2018
According to an article on ZeroHedge, in June alone, “the U.S. spent a record $1.105 trillion, an increase of $763 billion from last year.”
That would be reasonable if the U.S. also had the receipts to account for the massive increase in spending. But sadly, that isn’t the case.
In the CBO’s latest budget review, it shows the Federal Government only took in $242 billion for June. That leaves a deficit of $863 billion in one month.
That’s more than 100 times larger the $8 billion deficit in June 2019. You can see the devastating picture reflected on ZeroHedge’s chart below:
This insane spending gets even more interesting when you factor the total budget deficit for 2018 was only $779 billion. That’s right: Uncle Sam spent more in one month than an entire fiscal year.
The ZeroHedge article finishes with the following thought: “At some point the market will realize that this insanity is simply unsustainable.”
While They Spend Endlessly You Should Get Prepared
In 1966, Alan Greenspan said: “Deficit spending is simply a scheme for the confiscation of wealth. Gold stands in the way of this insidious process. It stands as a protector of property rights.”
Over 50 years later, that statement rings just as true.
Are your savings protected from endless government spending?


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Mount Rushmore Blockade Organizer Facing 12 Years In Prison

Report : Man Who Organized Mt .
Rushmore “ July 4th Blockade ” Arrested…He ’ s Looking at 12 Years in Prison For That Stunt The man ’ s name is Nick Tilsen , and his goal in shutting down the road was to send the message that Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy and racial injustice in this country and that the four faces carved on that mountain are the four faces of colonizers who have committed genocide on Indigenous people .
I mean , he just described Nancy Pelosi , Chuck Schumer , Adam Schiff , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Party .
Mt .
Rushmore Protest Leader Hit with Plethora of Charges After Blocking Highway One of the leaders of the protest that shut down the highway to Mount Rushmore last Friday prior to President Donald Trump ’ s Fourth of July celebration at the monument is facing five criminal charges .
On Monday , Nick Tilsen was charged with second-degree robbery and simple assault for allegedly stealing a shield and assaulting a law enforcement officer , the Rapid City Journal reported .
The Porcupine resident and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeding a highway , unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct .

Report: Man Who Organized Mt. Rushmore “July 4th Blockade” Arrested…He’s Looking at 12 Years in Prison For That Stunt
The man’s name is Nick Tilsen, and his goal in shutting down the road was to send the message that Mount Rushmore is a symbol of white supremacy and racial injustice in this country and that the four faces carved on that mountain are the four faces of colonizers who have committed genocide on Indigenous people.
I mean, he just described Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, Adam Schiff, and Jerry Nadler and the entire Democrat Party.
www.waynedupree.com/2020/07/nick-tilsen-mt-rushmore-arrest/?utm_source=right-rail-trending
Mt. Rushmore Protest Leader Hit with Plethora of Charges After Blocking Highway
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One of the leaders of the protest that shut down the highway to Mount Rushmore last Friday prior to President Donald Trump’s Fourth of July celebration at the monument is facing five criminal charges.
On Monday, Nick Tilsen was charged with second-degree robbery and simple assault for allegedly stealing a shield and assaulting a law enforcement officer, the Rapid City Journal reported.
The Porcupine resident and member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is also charged with three misdemeanors for impeding a highway, unlawful assembly and disorderly conduct.
www.westernjournal.com/mt-rushmore-protest-leader-hit-plethora-charges-blocking-highway/
h/t CrsCrpr


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--DEAD Cat’s Register To Vote Every Year!

DEAD Cat’s Register To Vote Every Year!

Deceased cat gets voter registration application in the mail ATLANTA – It ’ s a presidential election year and there @ @ @ @ @ to get people registered to vote .
Some people are even getting flyers in the @ @ @ @ @ Atlanta family says despite what some people think , their family pet won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ .
When Ron Tims checked his mail Wednesday he found something addressed to Cody Tims @ @ @ @ @ get much mail .
Cody is a cat .
He died 12 years ago .
@ @ @ @ @ in a green container .

Deceased cat gets voter registration application in the mail
ATLANTA – It’s a presidential election year and there’s a big push to get people registered to vote.
Some people are even getting flyers in the mail to register. One Atlanta family says despite what some people think, their family pet won’t be going to the polls.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
When Ron Tims checked his mail Wednesday he found something addressed to Cody Tims. Cody doesn’t get much mail. Cody is a cat. He died 12 years ago. The family keeps his ashes in a green container.
www.fox5atlanta.com/news/deceased-cat-gets-voter-registration-application-in-the-mail


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Market Update: A Titanic Disaster Ahead? Tech Stocks Now In A Classic Blow-off Top

At this point , as go the leading Tech stocks , so go the markets .
So much capital has crammed into the tech sector this year that it boggles the mind .
Tech stocks now make up 40 % of the market cap of the S & P 500 .
And despite their huge size , they continue to race higher .
Nearly .
Every .
Single .
Day .
Here ’ s a chart of six of the biggest tech companies .
Over just the past 7 trading days , they have increased a combined total of half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s $ 500 billion , folks — in just a week !
Looking at Amazon ’ s ( AMZN ) stock price , up nearly 20 % ( ! )
since the start of July , we see a trajectory that we ’ re familiar with — a near-vertical blow-off top : This is the classic manic ending to an asset price bubble — as seen when Bitcoin hit $ 19,000 in late 2017 and when silver hit $ 49/oz in 2011 .
For further affirmation , watch this short video chapter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a way , this is comforting to see because it gives us confidence this insane , mindless , unjustified market euphoria will end soon .
We just need to be prepared for the predictable violent aftermath when it does .
As we do each week , we ’ ve once again asked the lead partners at New Harbor Financial , Peak Prosperity ’ s endorsed financial advisor , to share their latest insights on the end of Great Tech Bubble and what comes next .
We spend a fair amount of time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harbor for actionable options to protect recent gains from a potential pull-back , as well as how to position for a larger market melt-down if indeed Tech soon reverses and we experience a crash greater in magnitude than what we suffered in February : Anyone interested in scheduling a free consultation and portfolio review with Mike and John can do so by clicking here .
And if you ’ re one of the many readers brand new to Peak Prosperity over the past few months , we strongly urge you get your financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing physical coronavirus preparations .
We recommend you do so in partnership with a professional financial advisor who understands the macro risks to the market that we discuss on this website .
If you ’ ve already got one , great .
But if not , consider talking to the team at New Harbor .
We ’ ve set up this ‘ free consultation ’ relationship with them to help folks exactly like you .

by Adam Taggart
At this point, as go the leading Tech stocks, so go the markets.
So much capital has crammed into the tech sector this year that it boggles the mind. Tech stocks now make up 40% of the market cap of the S&P 500.
And despite their huge size, they continue to race higher. Nearly. Every. Single. Day.
Here’s a chart of six of the biggest tech companies. Over just the past 7 trading days, they have increased a combined total of half a trillion dollars in market cap. That’s $500 billion, folks — in just a week!
(Source)
Looking at Amazon’s (AMZN) stock price, up nearly 20%(!) since the start of July, we see a trajectory that we’re familiar with — a near-vertical blow-off top:
(Source)
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
This is the classic manic ending to an asset price bubble — as seen when Bitcoin hit $19,000 in late 2017 and when silver hit $49/oz in 2011. For further affirmation, watch this short video chapter from Crash Course on Bubbles.
In a way, this is comforting to see because it gives us confidence this insane, mindless, unjustified market euphoria will end soon. We just need to be prepared for the predictable violent aftermath when it does.
As we do each week, we’ve once again asked the lead partners at New Harbor Financial, Peak Prosperity’s endorsed financial advisor, to share their latest insights on the end of Great Tech Bubble and what comes next.
We spend a fair amount of time in this week’s video asking New Harbor for actionable options to protect recent gains from a potential pull-back, as well as how to position for a larger market melt-down if indeed Tech soon reverses and we experience a crash greater in magnitude than what we suffered in February:
Anyone interested in scheduling a free consultation and portfolio review with Mike and John can do so by clicking here.
And if you’re one of the many readers brand new to Peak Prosperity over the past few months, we strongly urge you get your financial situation in order in parallel with your ongoing physical coronavirus preparations.
We recommend you do so in partnership with a professional financial advisor who understands the macro risks to the market that we discuss on this website. If you’ve already got one, great.
But if not, consider talking to the team at New Harbor. We’ve set up this ‘free consultation’ relationship with them to help folks exactly like you.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--NEW YORK: Places Hold On Officer Retirements — Retirements Up 400%

One officer told the Post that they have had so many applications that the pension office has had to limit @ @ @ @ @ around 40 a day .
“ Apparently , the pension section is only taking a @ @ @ @ @ day and I think they are backed up till late July , early August , @ @ @ @ @ “ That ’ s why you don ’ t see like 100 a day , @ @ @ @ @ like 35 to 40 a day , by appointment.
” In a prepared statement , @ @ @ @ @ Benevolent Association blamed lawmakers for having “ completely dismantled our justice system ” and called @ @ @ @ @ “ one answer to the question on every police officer ’ s mind : How @ @ @ @ @ our job in this environment ?
” “ And now that crime is out of @ @ @ @ @ blame us for that , too , ” PBA president Pat Lynch said .

NYPD Places Limits on Retirements After ‘Troubling’ 400 Percent Surge
One officer told the Post that they have had so many applications that the pension office has had to limit the number of appointments to around 40 a day.
“Apparently, the pension section is only taking a certain amount of people per day and I think they are backed up till late July, early August,” one officer said. “That’s why you don’t see like 100 a day, because they are only doing like 35 to 40 a day, by appointment.”
In a prepared statement, the head of the Police Benevolent Association blamed lawmakers for having “completely dismantled our justice system” and called the rash of retirement applications “one answer to the question on every police officer’s mind: How are we supposed to do our job in this environment?”
“And now that crime is out of control, they want to blame us for that, too,” PBA president Pat Lynch said.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Biden on the 2nd amendment

Biden on the 2nd amendment

Was doing some opposition research today and came across this on Biden ’ s website .
This is the single @ @ @ @ @ and should be a massive redpill to anyone who is still on the fence about @ @

by Specter
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Was doing some opposition research today and came across this on Biden’s website. This is the single most important issue this election and should be a massive redpill to anyone who is still on the fence about Trump.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Remember when the CDC told us not to wear facemasks?

CDC study on the use of personal protective face masks against viral influenza transmission found no significant protection against or @ @ @ @ @ influenza among infected and uninfected individuals .
We did not find evidence that surgical-type face @ @ @ @ @ laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission , either when worn by infected persons ( source control ) or @ @ @ @ @ community to reduce their susceptibility CDC along with Fauci and numerous other “ experts ” @ @ @ @ @ facemasks .
Now they tell us to wear facemasks .
Funny how it switches like @ @

by ratioetlogicae
CDC study on the use of personal protective face masks against viral influenza transmission found no significant protection against or reduction of viral transmission of influenza among infected and uninfected individuals.
We did not find evidence that surgical-type face masks are effective in reducing laboratory-confirmed influenza transmission, either when worn by infected persons (source control) or by persons in the general community to reduce their susceptibility
wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article
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CDC along with Fauci and numerous other “experts” told us not to wear facemasks.
Now they tell us to wear facemasks.
Funny how it switches like that.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-11--Crisis actors in anti-Trump #BLM protests

They said they were Black Panthers , and they looked the part with all-black attire and black berets adorned with a cat-head patch .
Their leader was a tall , thin black woman armed with an assault rifle and a determined look .
Photos of the group popped up in local news outlets , including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , but also in the British tabloid press… .
It is easy to see why the group attracted attention .
In a moment of fury over police shootings of black people , the group was perfectly cast .
Maybe too perfect .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter sussed out that the group was comprised of models and actors from Atlanta ’ s film and entertainment industries .
A Twitter user who goes by Wolf The Red identified them from their Instagram accounts where he found the group modeling haute couture or publicizing their film credits , but “ zero prior demonstrations .
No posts with guns .
No calls to action.
” The AJC reached out to members of the group , including Whitney Oni , the striking woman who drew so much attention .
Oni , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believed it was “ important to use my voice.
” And to dress the part .
“ The outfits ?
We just pulled inspiration from ( the Black Panthers ) , ” she said .
“ It was mostly black and leather — pleather .
Some of us are vegans , vegetarians.
” And they were close .
The patch , for instance , was a Black Panther patch — just not those Black Panthers .
It was the service patch for the 66th Infantry , a U.S. Army Division during World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Atlanta movie industry but who declined to give his real name , said…he got the idea to dress as Black Panthers because he wanted to be a “ symbol of hope ” in the sea of protesters… .
Both Spiike and Oni claim the guns were real .
Spiike said his was a Springfield Saint AR15 ; Oni carried a Smith & Wesson 22LR assault rifle .
“ I ’ m trying to show a certain amount of force , but something that was appropriate for a protest , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an online independent television series called “ Justice , ” where a black vigilante hero tracks down bad cops and gets retribution for their racist violence .
A lot of the gear worn by the helmeted hero looks very much like that worn by his group in protests .

They said they were Black Panthers, and they looked the part with all-black attire and black berets adorned with a cat-head patch. Their leader was a tall, thin black woman armed with an assault rifle and a determined look. Photos of the group popped up in local news outlets, including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but also in the British tabloid press….
It is easy to see why the group attracted attention. In a moment of fury over police shootings of black people, the group was perfectly cast. Maybe too perfect.
Within a few days, an activist on Twitter sussed out that the group was comprised of models and actors from Atlanta’s film and entertainment industries. A Twitter user who goes by Wolf The Red identified them from their Instagram accounts where he found the group modeling haute couture or publicizing their film credits, but “zero prior demonstrations. No posts with guns. No calls to action.”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
The AJC reached out to members of the group, including Whitney Oni, the striking woman who drew so much attention. Oni, an Atlanta-based graphic designer and model, said…she believed it was “important to use my voice.”
And to dress the part.
“The outfits? We just pulled inspiration from (the Black Panthers),” she said. “It was mostly black and leather — pleather. Some of us are vegans, vegetarians.”
And they were close. The patch, for instance, was a Black Panther patch — just not those Black Panthers. It was the service patch for the 66th Infantry, a U.S. Army Division during World War II.
Spiike G., who works in the Atlanta movie industry but who declined to give his real name, said…he got the idea to dress as Black Panthers because he wanted to be a “symbol of hope” in the sea of protesters….
Both Spiike and Oni claim the guns were real. Spiike said his was a Springfield Saint AR15; Oni carried a Smith & Wesson 22LR assault rifle.
“I’m trying to show a certain amount of force, but something that was appropriate for a protest,” she said.
Spiike is the creator of an online independent television series called “Justice,” where a black vigilante hero tracks down bad cops and gets retribution for their racist violence. A lot of the gear worn by the helmeted hero looks very much like that worn by his group in protests.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-12--Trapping People In Their Cars And Threatening Them Is Inherently Violent And Very Dangerous:

Portland Rioters Surround Car and Driver Shoots His Way Out .
The people doing it enjoy the feeling of power it gives them over someone helpless ; but there ’ s no guarantee that the person they ’ re threatening is actually helpless .
Every night for the past six weeks in Portland , Oregon , antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters , looters and vandals have turned what used to be a nice neighborhood in downtown into a war zone .
Portlanders are sick of it .
The police commissioner/mayor and the new BLM-approved police chief have done little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association held a scathing news conference , issuing a no-confidence throwdown to City Hall and begging elected officials to stop defending antifa .
But next to nothing has been done by local Portland police .
Rioters Surround Car , Driver Shoots His Way Out Now it looks as if the people are taking the matters into their own hands .
In the early hours of July 9th , a person driving a white car in downtown Portland was surrounded by rioters .
The “ protesters ” demanded that the driver “ get off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple shots were fired in the air from the car .
No one was hit .

Portland Rioters Surround Car and Driver Shoots His Way Out. The people doing it enjoy the feeling of power it gives them over someone helpless; but there’s no guarantee that the person they’re threatening is actually helpless.
Every night for the past six weeks in Portland, Oregon, antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters, looters and vandals have turned what used to be a nice neighborhood in downtown into a war zone. Portlanders are sick of it.
The police commissioner/mayor and the new BLM-approved police chief have done little about it. The Portland Police Officers Association held a scathing news conference, issuing a no-confidence throwdown to City Hall and begging elected officials to stop defending antifa.
But next to nothing has been done by local Portland police.
Rioters Surround Car, Driver Shoots His Way Out
Now it looks as if the people are taking the matters into their own hands.
In the early hours of July 9th, a person driving a white car in downtown Portland was surrounded by rioters.
The “protesters” demanded that the driver “get off the f*cking road!”
Within seconds multiple shots were fired in the air from the car. No one was hit.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-12--American surveillance aircraft have been flooding into the airspace south of Taiwan:

American surveillance aircraft have been flooding into the airspace south of Taiwan : t.co/jb4CDujWn5

American surveillance aircraft have been flooding into the airspace south of Taiwan:t.co/jb4CDujWn5
— The War Zone (@thewarzonewire) July 10, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-12--PELOSI: I’m Going To Pass A Law That A President Can’t Pardon People Convicted For Helping Him

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump commuting Roger Stone ’ s sentence : “ I ’ m recommending that we @ @ @ @ @ can not issue a pardon if the crime that the person is in jail for @ @ @ @ @ by protecting the President , which this was “ “ I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ look at this administration , the President and his henchmen .
So many of his @ @ @ @ @ chairman , et cetera , are in jail .
And for the President to be @ @ @ @ @ on the basis of a crime that the person committed assisting the President , is @ @ @ @ @ CNN

CNN Politics
@CNNPolitics
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump commuting Roger Stone’s sentence: “I’m recommending that we pass a law that presidents cannot issue a pardon if the crime that the person is in jail for is one that is caused by protecting the President, which this was“
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Trump commuting Roger Stone’s sentence: “I’m recommending that we pass a law that presidents cannot issue a pardon if the crime that the person is in jail for is one that is caused by protecting the President, which this was” t.co/ZzhLshSw7I pic.twitter.com/WCwCM5Xvq2 — CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) July 11, 2020
Nancy Pelosi calls Trump’s decision on Stone “ridiculous”
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“I think it’s a terrible idea. Just look at this administration, the President and his henchmen. So many of his friends, advisers, campaign chairman, et cetera, are in jail. And for the President to be able to issue a pardon on the basis of a crime that the person committed assisting the President, is ridiculous,” Pelosi told CNN
www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-commutes-roger-stone-sentence/h_98c23edb95229ff9f79a9be6a322016f
h/t CrsCrpr


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-12--Seattle City Councilmember will introduce legislation to create new mental health and substance addi

Seattle City Councilmember will introduce legislation to create new mental health and substance addiction first-responder program

Last week Seattle City Council member Andrew Lewis proposed legislation to create and fully fund a new mental health and substance addiction first-responder program .
Andrew just assumed office this past January and has spent his career in the public sector .
About Andrew ’ s proposed legislation , from the City ’ s web site : “ Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis , Chair of the Council ’ s Select Committee on Homelessness Strategies and Investments , announced this morning he will introduce legislation to create and fully fund a new mental health and substance addiction first-responder program , based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crisis Assistance Helping Out On the Streets , or CAHOOTS .
CAHOOTS outreach teams are unarmed and composed of a medic and a mental health crisis worker .
They are immediately dispatched by 911 to respond to people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis and can offer counseling , conflict resolution , housing referrals , first aid , and immediate transportation to services .
“ When a building is on fire we send the fire department .
When someone has a stroke we send an ambulance .
Why do we send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health or drug-related crisis ?
By the most conservative estimates one in every four people fatally shot by a police officer has a mental illness .
This has to stop , ” said Councilmember Lewis .
CAHOOTS has been in existence since 1989 and is operated by Eugene ’ s White Bird Clinic .
On an annual basis , CAHOOTS responds to nearly 24,000 calls , representing almost 20 percent of all 911 calls .
Out of all those calls , CAHOOTS workers only requested police assistance 150 times in 2019 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients are experiencing homelessness .
This successful program has saved Eugene on average $ 8.5 million a year in policing costs and $ 14 million a year in emergency medical response costs .
“ We can not police our way out of poverty , racial inequity , homelessness and our mental health crisis .
By diverting these types of calls to CAHOOTS , Seattle has the opportunity to save money and invest in a program that adequately responds to people ’ s essential needs , ” Lewis said.
” CAHOOTs describes themselves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets.
” From the CAHOOTS web site : “ We are a funny blend of idealism and realism .
We are committed to being of service to the community and the clients we serve and we share a hope for a better world – we take pride in doing our part !
” So how is CAHOOTS making Eugene ( Lane County ) a better place ?
From October 2019 : “ Eugene has most homeless per capita in US ” From July 2018 : “ For the last 30 years , Lane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the national average.
” From July 2016 : “ The Eugene area has one of the highest rates of excessive drinking in the state – 22 % .
Oregon as a whole has a rate of 19 % .
Lane County has a fatal overdose rate of 15 per 100,000 residents , resulting in 156 deaths in 2014 .
This ranks # 12 in Oregon.
” While democrats are rushing to # defundpolice , this CAHOOTS program is being pushed in the media as an effective model for prioritizing mental health over police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city money and de-escalating some situations , I question just how effective the program has been in “ enabling people to gain control of their social , emotional , and physical well-being through direct service , education , and community.
” Saving taxpayer costs on emergency response calls may be beneficial yet how much better are the residents/taxpayers of Eugene when – overall and in the long run – homelessness , suicide and substance abuse statistics do not improve ?
I guess that depends upon your definition of “ adequately respond ” and @ @ @ @ @

by DCG
Last week Seattle City Council member Andrew Lewis proposed legislation to create and fully fund a new mental health and substance addiction first-responder program. Andrew just assumed office this past January and has spent his career in the public sector.
About Andrew’s proposed legislation, from the City’s web site:
“Councilmember Andrew J. Lewis, Chair of the Council’s Select Committee on Homelessness Strategies and Investments, announced this morning he will introduce legislation to create and fully fund a new mental health and substance addiction first-responder program, based on a Eugene, Oregon program called Crisis Assistance Helping Out On the Streets, or CAHOOTS.
CAHOOTS outreach teams are unarmed and composed of a medic and a mental health crisis worker. They are immediately dispatched by 911 to respond to people experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis and can offer counseling, conflict resolution, housing referrals, first aid, and immediate transportation to services.
“When a building is on fire we send the fire department. When someone has a stroke we send an ambulance. Why do we send armed police to help someone in a mental health or drug-related crisis? By the most conservative estimates one in every four people fatally shot by a police officer has a mental illness. This has to stop,” said Councilmember Lewis.
CAHOOTS has been in existence since 1989 and is operated by Eugene’s White Bird Clinic. On an annual basis, CAHOOTS responds to nearly 24,000 calls, representing almost 20 percent of all 911 calls. Out of all those calls, CAHOOTS workers only requested police assistance 150 times in 2019. More than 60 percent of CAHOOTS’ clients are experiencing homelessness. This successful program has saved Eugene on average $8.5 million a year in policing costs and $14 million a year in emergency medical response costs.
“We cannot police our way out of poverty, racial inequity, homelessness and our mental health crisis. By diverting these types of calls to CAHOOTS, Seattle has the opportunity to save money and invest in a program that adequately responds to people’s essential needs,” Lewis said.”
CAHOOTs describes themselves as “critical assistance helping out on the streets.”
From the CAHOOTS web site: “We are a funny blend of idealism and realism. We are committed to being of service to the community and the clients we serve and we share a hope for a better world – we take pride in doing our part!”
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
So how is CAHOOTS making Eugene (Lane County) a better place?
From October 2019: “Eugene has most homeless per capita in US”
From July 2018: “For the last 30 years, Lane County’s suicide rate has exceeded the national average.”
From July 2016: “The Eugene area has one of the highest rates of excessive drinking in the state – 22%. Oregon as a whole has a rate of 19%. Lane County has a fatal overdose rate of 15 per 100,000 residents, resulting in 156 deaths in 2014. This ranks #12 in Oregon.”
While democrats are rushing to #defundpolice, this CAHOOTS program is being pushed in the media as an effective model for prioritizing mental health over police.
While CAHOOTs may be saving the city money and de-escalating some situations, I question just how effective the program has been in “enabling people to gain control of their social, emotional, and physical well-being through direct service, education, and community.”
Saving taxpayer costs on emergency response calls may be beneficial yet how much better are the residents/taxpayers of Eugene when – overall and in the long run – homelessness, suicide and substance abuse statistics do not improve? I guess that depends upon your definition of “adequately respond” and “gain control.”
DCG


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-12--OPINION: Access to the Truth is being closed off, while fear is being openly inflated

The headline above is not news to those who are awake ( as opposed to ‘ woke ’ ) but there remains a very real need to spread the word about media complicity in an increasingly corporate fascist world .
Not surprisingly , Covid19 disinformation looms large .
Facebook has had a facelift .
It chose to launch it while the bandages were still on .
Several features now say ‘ Sorry , we didn ’ t get round to that yet ’ .
Links to one ’ s various pages are absent .
Twitter has also “ updated ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been replaced by what Twitter thinks are important trends .
The ability to look at trends in other countries has gone AWOL .
The blog software system WordPress has introduced a new ‘ block posting ’ system – which is aptly named , because it is largely in the way .
The Categories button doesn ’ t work .
The specialist symbols facility has disappeared .
Functions that formerly required a single click now require two or more .
Is this simply the online pointy-head Aspergers Syndrome we have come to know and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the desire to restrict users intentional ?
I ’ ve no idea….and no way of knowing .
So much for the virtual social circles .
Now for the laughably branded mainstream media .
Unless the Fear Factor is at Defcom 6 , most Anglo-Saxon and EU newspapers and TV stations obviously feel they are failing in their duty to scare the bejeesus out of us .
The anti-Trump brigade published some ourageously fiddled numbers about Covid19 in the US yesterday as if they were brand new ; in fact , they were from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this was the front page of La Dépêche this morning : So let ’ s examine the ‘ bad signals ’ in the headline : last week , there were 3,797 new cases recorded in France .
Total deaths : 14 This week , the cases are in three figures .
Today and yesterday , nobody died .
Not one person expired…but the paper made this its lead story .
Further down on the front page , La Dépêche asks , ‘ Can Coronavirus survive in sea-water and contaminate bathers ?
Page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newsprint and rush to age 6….only to find that one sealed packet of shrimps washed up in Ecuador tested positive for C19 .
Now then folks , do we think the CI9 came from the sea ?
Or do we think it was transmitted under low temperature conditions in a Chinese packing factory like those that caused the spike in Leicester ?
Here ’ s another equally sensible question to ask : why in the blue blazes of an eternity of madness would you test one random packet of shrimps washed up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hey , I don ’ t have a lot on today , ” thought fork-lift driver and epidemiological pro-am expert Pedro Gonzalez , “ Think I ’ ll wander off downtown and test some bicycles for Covid19 ” .
But the Page 6 piece concluded – wait for it – “ this finding strongly confirms just how contagious this virus is ” .
So now you know .
While all this disinformation nonsense is being defaecated onto the heads of the populace , today ’ s London Times gives some free PR to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , perhaps also gives the game away : Yet again , we see glaring evidence of an attempt to prepare frightened people for a new normal in which the entire human race is dependent on the output of Big Pharma .
Ms Walmsley – whom The Slog has written about previously – omits to mention that , had her industry not pushed GPs to give out antibiotics as if they might be jelly babies in the 1960s – we would not now be facing mutating viruses .
But you see clearly where her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to be better prepared for global health threats ” , but antimicrobial resistance was another such threat that “ left untackled risks taking us back to a time when a simple cut could become lethal ” .
Tune in , people : if you oppose the vaccinators , then you ’ re a natural remedy crank keen to take us back to the Dark Ages .
I do find this so offensive , it ’ s hard to express my feelings in writing – so I shall do so via a familial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molly – a dropdead sexy looking woman – had her life expectations ruined by a leg amputation caused by “ a simple cut ” in the late 1920s .
Molly ’ s cut didn ’ t turn septic because of a lack of antibiotics , but rather , because my grandmother lived in ignorance of antiseptic cleanliness and obsessive fear of medical bills….and so left it far too late before bringing in the medical “ profession ” .
Our hospitals today are not rife with unnecessary death because of some species mystery : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appalling levels of hygiene to become the norm – and went along with incontinent prescription of antibiotics for decades .
The appearance of Covid19 – and the ludicrous reaction to it – has revealed three things above all : • The pharmaceutical giants have jumped opportunistically onto a stream of untruths to scare the daylights out of the ignorant • Their bought whores in the medical research sector will sell every soul they can use in return for funding • The social media are , little by little , making it harder to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSM serve up little beyond distortion , distraction and disinformation .
What precisely will it take to make the fully-sighted blind people in our midst use that primary sense in a manner congruent with nature ’ s original intention ?
Once again , I don ’ t know .
But one of the very few things in life of which I ’ m certain is that we are – all of us – being fed a large lump of horse dung wrapped in bullshit and neatly tied up by a bow fashioned from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see it .
Others smell it .
And a frightening proportion of human beings are convinced by it .
Mind you , tasting it wouldn ’ t be a great idea….but there will always be the Emma Walmsleys of this world ready to remind you that , if it tastes awful , the medication must be doing you good .

by John Ward
The headline above is not news to those who are awake (as opposed to ‘woke’) but there remains a very real need to spread the word about media complicity in an increasingly corporate fascist world. Not surprisingly, Covid19 disinformation looms large.
Facebook has had a facelift. It chose to launch it while the bandages were still on. Several features now say ‘Sorry, we didn’t get round to that yet’. Links to one’s various pages are absent.
Twitter has also “updated” itself: The Top Ten trends have been replaced by what Twitter thinks are important trends. The ability to look at trends in other countries has gone AWOL.
The blog software system WordPress has introduced a new ‘block posting’ system – which is aptly named, because it is largely in the way. The Categories button doesn’t work. The specialist symbols facility has disappeared. Functions that formerly required a single click now require two or more.
Is this simply the online pointy-head Aspergers Syndrome we have come to know and love at work again? Or is the desire to restrict users intentional? I’ve no idea….and no way of knowing.
So much for the virtual social circles. Now for the laughably branded mainstream media.
Unless the Fear Factor is at Defcom 6, most Anglo-Saxon and EU newspapers and TV stations obviously feel they are failing in their duty to scare the bejeesus out of us. The anti-Trump brigade published some ourageously fiddled numbers about Covid19 in the US yesterday as if they were brand new; in fact, they were from early June. Here in the France, this was the front page of La Dépêche this morning:
So let’s examine the ‘bad signals’ in the headline: last week, there were 3,797 new cases recorded in France. Total deaths: 14
This week, the cases are in three figures. Today and yesterday, nobody died. Not one person expired…but the paper made this its lead story.
Further down on the front page, La Dépêche asks, ‘Can Coronavirus survive in sea-water and contaminate bathers? Page 6’. We hastily lick the newsprint and rush to age 6….only to find that one sealed packet of shrimps washed up in Ecuador tested positive for C19.
Now then folks, do we think the CI9 came from the sea? Or do we think it was transmitted under low temperature conditions in a Chinese packing factory like those that caused the spike in Leicester?
Here’s another equally sensible question to ask: why in the blue blazes of an eternity of madness would you test one random packet of shrimps washed up on an Ecuadorean beach for Coronavirus? “Hey, I don’t have a lot on today,” thought fork-lift driver and epidemiological pro-am expert Pedro Gonzalez, “Think I’ll wander off downtown and test some bicycles for Covid19”.
But the Page 6 piece concluded – wait for it – “this finding strongly confirms just how contagious this virus is”. So now you know.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
While all this disinformation nonsense is being defaecated onto the heads of the populace, today’s London Times gives some free PR to GSK boss Emma Walmsley…but in doing so, perhaps also gives the game away:
Yet again, we see glaring evidence of an attempt to prepare frightened people for a new normal in which the entire human race is dependent on the output of Big Pharma.
Ms Walmsley – whom The Slog has written about previously – omits to mention that, had her industry not pushed GPs to give out antibiotics as if they might be jelly babies in the 1960s – we would not now be facing mutating viruses.
But you see clearly where her narrative is going – “the world needs to be better prepared for global health threats”, but antimicrobial resistance was another such threat that “left untackled risks taking us back to a time when a simple cut could become lethal”.
Tune in, people: if you oppose the vaccinators, then you’re a natural remedy crank keen to take us back to the Dark Ages.
I do find this so offensive, it’s hard to express my feelings in writing – so I shall do so via a familial anecdote. My Dad’s sister Molly – a dropdead sexy looking woman – had her life expectations ruined by a leg amputation caused by “a simple cut” in the late 1920s.
Molly’s cut didn’t turn septic because of a lack of antibiotics, but rather, because my grandmother lived in ignorance of antiseptic cleanliness and obsessive fear of medical bills….and so left it far too late before bringing in the medical “profession”.
Our hospitals today are not rife with unnecessary death because of some species mystery: they are so because we have allowed appalling levels of hygiene to become the norm – and went along with incontinent prescription of antibiotics for decades.
The appearance of Covid19 – and the ludicrous reaction to it – has revealed three things above all:
The pharmaceutical giants have jumped opportunistically onto a stream of untruths to scare the daylights out of the ignorant Their bought whores in the medical research sector will sell every soul they can use in return for funding The social media are, little by little, making it harder to hear about contrarian views, while the MSM serve up little beyond distortion, distraction and disinformation.
What precisely will it take to make the fully-sighted blind people in our midst use that primary sense in a manner congruent with nature’s original intention?
Once again, I don’t know. But one of the very few things in life of which I’m certain is that we are – all of us – being fed a large lump of horse dung wrapped in bullshit and neatly tied up by a bow fashioned from scrotally infected bollocks.
Some of us see it. Others smell it. And a frightening proportion of human beings are convinced by it. Mind you, tasting it wouldn’t be a great idea….but there will always be the Emma Walmsleys of this world ready to remind you that, if it tastes awful, the medication must be doing you good.
Enjoy the weekend.


investmentwatchblog--2020-07-12--Doug Casey on the Dangers of Global Regulation

Daily Dispatch : Doug , we ’ d like to get your take on the question of “ Globalist vs. Globalism.
” Not so long ago , the right was in favor of embracing a global economy , in order to access cheaper labor and other benefits of outsourcing .
Whereas the left was against that whole idea , as they wanted to be more protectionist in their local economy .
But now , to the average man at least , that seems to have flipped .
Now the right seems to be more protectionist , and the left wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overly simplistic take on things ?
What ’ s your view ?
Doug Casey : Well , to start with , these are just labels that don ’ t really mean anything – other than deciding what variety of statism you want .
The truth is that individuals and companies should be able to trade with each other with absolutely no restrictions , interference , or comment of any type from governments .
No quotas , no duties , no incentives… nothing .
Governments bring absolutely nothing to the party .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a delusion that government acts in the interest of the country it controls .
Government ( and the people who control it ) act in their own interests and those of their cronies .
I ’ m sorry if that sounds harsh , and runs counter to what we were taught in grade school civics , or what sanctimonious Deep Staters like to repeat .
But it ’ s the case with late-stage U.S. “ capitalism.
” “ Globalists , ” “ Globalism , ” there ’ s barely any difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what products the real producers may or may not create , and what entrepreneurs can or can ’ t do .
Saying one is good and the other is bad is the wrong way to look at it .
It politicizes the question .
Daily Dispatch : Okay .
What about all the noise about NAFTA [ North American Free Trade Agreement ] , USMCA [ United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ] , and the trade deals the U.K. wants to do now that it has left the European Union ?
Doug Casey : It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeat , governments shouldn ’ t decide anything .
There shouldn ’ t be an American trade policy , a French trade policy , an Australian trade policy , or any other trade policy .
These things shouldn ’ t exist .
People in whatever country should simply produce , buy , and sell .
Whether that ’ s from their own country or from other countries .
Forget about “ national policy ” with its ridiculous distinctions and labels .
Daily Dispatch : While you mention it , one of the things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the “ Remainers ” ( those who wanted to stay in the EU ) , who seem to think that if the U.K. doesn ’ t have a trade deal with the European Union , then suddenly all trade will stop .
They don ’ t seem to understand that you don ’ t need to have a deal between countries in order to trade .
Businesses and individuals can just buy things .
I can buy something from you .
You can buy something from me .
As long as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s all you need to trade .
Doug Casey : That ’ s absolutely correct , whether we ’ re talking about the European Union or NAFTA trade deals between the U.S. , Canada , and Mexico .
It ’ s unnecessary and unproductive trying to regulate trade with documents the size of an old New York telephone book .
Few people are aware that there are 50,000 employees of the European Union in and around Brussels – not counting lawyers , lobbyists , and hangers-on .
Not one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But they get fat salaries , expense accounts , and bribes .
As Tacitus said 2,000 years ago , “ The more numerous the laws , the more corrupt the society.
” The European Union started out as a free trade organization after World War II – its purpose was to facilitate trade .
But it ’ s grown into a giant dysfunctional bureaucracy .
If the EU simply eliminated trade barriers , duties , and regulations , you wouldn ’ t need any of these people .
They ’ re basically “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the opposite of what they do .
The European Parliament constantly passes more laws , which reduce personal freedoms .
And those laws have to be enforced , which constantly increases taxes .
I ’ m all for Brexit .
The British hopefully will no longer be constrained by the ridiculous regulations that come out of Brussels telling them how to make beer , cheese , or whether shops are allowed to sell eggs by the dozen .
Switzerland isn ’ t an EU member , and it does just fine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the idea that Western governments seem to be pursuing the idea of a global tax or global wealth taxes .
You could say that the West is bullying developing nations in the area of “ tax competitiveness , ” in the same way they ’ re bullying them with trade in general .
For instance , the West doesn ’ t want developing countries to have , say , a coal industry .
It wants the developing countries to be more considerate of environmental issues .
That just doesn ’ t seem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drag themselves out of poverty while the West is forcing on them rules that will keep them in poverty .
Then , in order to satisfy their guilt , they say , “ Well , let ’ s give them billions of dollars in aid instead.
” Which we know just goes to the corrupt leaders anyway .
Right ?
Doug Casey : Yes , of course .
There ’ s this ridiculous concept of harmonizing tax policies , which devastates poor countries .
The only reason that you would want to invest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs may be lower , and the government might leave you alone .
They can only attract investment if low taxes and regulation make it worthwhile .
Meanwhile , the OECD [ Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ] , and similar clubs the governments of advanced countries belong to , are trying to get backward countries to impose the same level of taxes and regulations that they do .
Which will keep these countries as serfdoms and colonies .
And it gets worse , because the foreign aid that they give to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bottom of the economic ladder .
Foreign aid only further enriches the rich people in those countries , who are rich mostly because they ’ re politically well-connected .
In fact , foreign aid is nothing but a “ transfer of wealth ” scam from poor people in rich countries , to rich people in poor countries .
The fact that the talking heads on television , magazine writers , and politicians all take this seriously , like it ’ s the way the world should work , is highly destructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures completely undeserved credence .
People ought to point out that the king has no clothes , and his minions are idiots .
Daily Dispatch : Kenya ’ s clothing industry is a good example of this .
It was quite substantial up until the 1980s .
There are several reasons for its decline , but one of the major factors was the Western charities that convinced Westerners to donate clothing , which was then shipped to Africa and effectively dumped into the local economy .
Ever since then , whenever you see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the kids and adults are wearing European soccer shirts or NBA basketball shirts .
You know they haven ’ t paid the $ 100 or $ 200 that these things cost .
They ’ ve been donated from the West .
It ’ s an example of how these kinds of practices can destroy local industries .
Doug Casey : That ’ s exactly right .
Locally produced items , no matter what their price or quality , can ’ t compete with free goods .
And it ’ s worse than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing happens with food .
Western farmers lobby their governments to buy surplus cheese , wheat , sugar , and whatever else , and then give these things to third-world countries .
They say it ’ s charity .
But it actually destroys the local farmers in these countries .
And then when the aid stops or diminishes , there are no farmers left – they ’ ve all had to move to the city .
Now the country has a real problem on its hands .
Here ’ s the takeaway : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be abolished .
It ’ s counterproductive , at best .
It impoverishes Western taxpayers and destroys the productive capacity of the recipients .
But look , this is all a question of government intervention .
It ’ s not capitalism , in fact , technically , it ’ s fascism .
People don ’ t understand that we don ’ t have capitalist systems anywhere today .
Capitalism is a system where there is no taxation and no regulation – it ’ s a total free market .
Instead , today we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coined by Mussolini , who was philosophically a socialist who realized direct state ownership didn ’ t work as well as corporate ownership .
Fascism has little to do with jackboots and parades – those are just convenient decorations .
Fascism basically promotes a “ partnership ” between the state and corporations .
You have to remember that the U.S. government is an entity with a life of its own – as are General Motors , Google , General Electric , or whatever .
They work together for their mutual benefit .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Daily Dispatch : And yet people still blame capitalism .
Doug Casey : Yes , because the population in general , the media , and the politicians are too stupid to understand the real definition of capitalism .
Everybody repeats the same myths to each other – they did it in the Soviet Union until it collapsed .
You see this all the time , where some mainstream fool will say that capitalism is broken and we need to fix it .
But capitalism isn ’ t broken at all , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If they were truly capitalist , then the system wouldn ’ t be broken .
The system they criticize is actually the same system they helped to perpetuate .
It ’ s , as I say , a fascist system whereby governments and big corporations work together at the expense of the individual .
Look how degraded the U.S. has become .
Nearly half the country was quite ready to vote for Bernie Sanders , because he said he ’ d give them free stuff .
It ’ s perverse .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed… Daily Dispatch : Thanks for speaking with us today , Doug .

Via Casey Research
Daily Dispatch: Doug, we’d like to get your take on the question of “Globalist vs. Globalism.” Not so long ago, the right was in favor of embracing a global economy, in order to access cheaper labor and other benefits of outsourcing. Whereas the left was against that whole idea, as they wanted to be more protectionist in their local economy.
But now, to the average man at least, that seems to have flipped. Now the right seems to be more protectionist, and the left wants to be more global. Is that an overly simplistic take on things? What’s your view?
Doug Casey: Well, to start with, these are just labels that don’t really mean anything – other than deciding what variety of statism you want.
The truth is that individuals and companies should be able to trade with each other with absolutely no restrictions, interference, or comment of any type from governments. No quotas, no duties, no incentives… nothing.
Governments bring absolutely nothing to the party. It’s a sham, a myth, and a delusion that government acts in the interest of the country it controls. Government (and the people who control it) act in their own interests and those of their cronies. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh, and runs counter to what we were taught in grade school civics, or what sanctimonious Deep Staters like to repeat. But it’s the case with late-stage U.S. “capitalism.”
“Globalists,” “Globalism,” there’s barely any difference. It’s just busybodies deciding what products the real producers may or may not create, and what entrepreneurs can or can’t do. Saying one is good and the other is bad is the wrong way to look at it. It politicizes the question.
Daily Dispatch: Okay. What about all the noise about NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement], USMCA [United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement], and the trade deals the U.K. wants to do now that it has left the European Union?
Doug Casey: It’s really quite simple. To repeat, governments shouldn’t decide anything. There shouldn’t be an American trade policy, a French trade policy, an Australian trade policy, or any other trade policy. These things shouldn’t exist. People in whatever country should simply produce, buy, and sell. Whether that’s from their own country or from other countries. Forget about “national policy” with its ridiculous distinctions and labels.
Daily Dispatch: While you mention it, one of the things that has been quite amusing about Brexit are the “Remainers” (those who wanted to stay in the EU), who seem to think that if the U.K. doesn’t have a trade deal with the European Union, then suddenly all trade will stop.
They don’t seem to understand that you don’t need to have a deal between countries in order to trade. Businesses and individuals can just buy things. I can buy something from you. You can buy something from me. As long as we’re a willing buyer and seller, that’s all you need to trade.
Doug Casey: That’s absolutely correct, whether we’re talking about the European Union or NAFTA trade deals between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. It’s unnecessary and unproductive trying to regulate trade with documents the size of an old New York telephone book.
Few people are aware that there are 50,000 employees of the European Union in and around Brussels – not counting lawyers, lobbyists, and hangers-on. Not one of these people serves a useful purpose. But they get fat salaries, expense accounts, and bribes. As Tacitus said 2,000 years ago, “The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the society.”
The European Union started out as a free trade organization after World War II – its purpose was to facilitate trade. But it’s grown into a giant dysfunctional bureaucracy. If the EU simply eliminated trade barriers, duties, and regulations, you wouldn’t need any of these people. They’re basically “useless mouths.” But that’s just the opposite of what they do. The European Parliament constantly passes more laws, which reduce personal freedoms. And those laws have to be enforced, which constantly increases taxes.
I’m all for Brexit. The British hopefully will no longer be constrained by the ridiculous regulations that come out of Brussels telling them how to make beer, cheese, or whether shops are allowed to sell eggs by the dozen.
Switzerland isn’t an EU member, and it does just fine.
Daily Dispatch: Related to this issue is the idea that Western governments seem to be pursuing the idea of a global tax or global wealth taxes. You could say that the West is bullying developing nations in the area of “tax competitiveness,” in the same way they’re bullying them with trade in general.
For instance, the West doesn’t want developing countries to have, say, a coal industry. It wants the developing countries to be more considerate of environmental issues. That just doesn’t seem fair. These countries are trying to drag themselves out of poverty while the West is forcing on them rules that will keep them in poverty. Then, in order to satisfy their guilt, they say, “Well, let’s give them billions of dollars in aid instead.” Which we know just goes to the corrupt leaders anyway. Right?
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Doug Casey: Yes, of course. There’s this ridiculous concept of harmonizing tax policies, which devastates poor countries. The only reason that you would want to invest in a poor backward country is because costs may be lower, and the government might leave you alone. They can only attract investment if low taxes and regulation make it worthwhile.
Meanwhile, the OECD [Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development], and similar clubs the governments of advanced countries belong to, are trying to get backward countries to impose the same level of taxes and regulations that they do. Which will keep these countries as serfdoms and colonies. And it gets worse, because the foreign aid that they give to these countries just acts to cement them to the bottom of the economic ladder.
Foreign aid only further enriches the rich people in those countries, who are rich mostly because they’re politically well-connected. In fact, foreign aid is nothing but a “transfer of wealth” scam from poor people in rich countries, to rich people in poor countries.
The fact that the talking heads on television, magazine writers, and politicians all take this seriously, like it’s the way the world should work, is highly destructive. The average guy gives these authority figures completely undeserved credence. People ought to point out that the king has no clothes, and his minions are idiots.
Daily Dispatch: Kenya’s clothing industry is a good example of this. It was quite substantial up until the 1980s. There are several reasons for its decline, but one of the major factors was the Western charities that convinced Westerners to donate clothing, which was then shipped to Africa and effectively dumped into the local economy.
Ever since then, whenever you see footage of third-world countries, you notice that the kids and adults are wearing European soccer shirts or NBA basketball shirts. You know they haven’t paid the $100 or $200 that these things cost. They’ve been donated from the West. It’s an example of how these kinds of practices can destroy local industries.
Doug Casey: That’s exactly right. Locally produced items, no matter what their price or quality, can’t compete with free goods. And it’s worse than that, actually, because the same thing happens with food. Western farmers lobby their governments to buy surplus cheese, wheat, sugar, and whatever else, and then give these things to third-world countries. They say it’s charity. But it actually destroys the local farmers in these countries.
And then when the aid stops or diminishes, there are no farmers left – they’ve all had to move to the city. Now the country has a real problem on its hands. Here’s the takeaway: All foreign aid to backward countries should be abolished. It’s counterproductive, at best. It impoverishes Western taxpayers and destroys the productive capacity of the recipients.
But look, this is all a question of government intervention. It’s not capitalism, in fact, technically, it’s fascism. People don’t understand that we don’t have capitalist systems anywhere today. Capitalism is a system where there is no taxation and no regulation – it’s a total free market.
Instead, today we have fascism – a term that was coined by Mussolini, who was philosophically a socialist who realized direct state ownership didn’t work as well as corporate ownership. Fascism has little to do with jackboots and parades – those are just convenient decorations. Fascism basically promotes a “partnership” between the state and corporations.
You have to remember that the U.S. government is an entity with a life of its own – as are General Motors, Google, General Electric, or whatever. They work together for their mutual benefit. The general welfare of the citizens is secondary.
Daily Dispatch: And yet people still blame capitalism.
Doug Casey: Yes, because the population in general, the media, and the politicians are too stupid to understand the real definition of capitalism. Everybody repeats the same myths to each other – they did it in the Soviet Union until it collapsed.
You see this all the time, where some mainstream fool will say that capitalism is broken and we need to fix it. But capitalism isn’t broken at all, because the current economies aren’t capitalist. If they were truly capitalist, then the system wouldn’t be broken.
The system they criticize is actually the same system they helped to perpetuate. It’s, as I say, a fascist system whereby governments and big corporations work together at the expense of the individual. Look how degraded the U.S. has become. Nearly half the country was quite ready to vote for Bernie Sanders, because he said he’d give them free stuff.
It’s perverse. The Greater Depression is going to be nasty indeed…
Daily Dispatch: Thanks for speaking with us today, Doug.
Doug Casey: You’re welcome.