investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--It’s time to admit that I’ve been deceived about Ukraine. I cheered on the impeachment trials, but n

It’s time to admit that I’ve been deceived about Ukraine. I cheered on the impeachment trials, but now I’m pissed about how much I was mislead.

The NYPost ‘ s slow drip of the Hunter Biden leak has pushed me down a rabbit hole I did not expect .
Yes , the timing is obviously politically motivated , yet that doesnt make the contents any less significant or any less damning to me .
The narrative that I was lead to believe was incredibly far from the whole truth.. Only sharing for anyone else like me who was believing a wildly inaccurate narrative..
Some of this was just for context , but a lot of it are things I ’ ve only recently learned .
Sorry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a lot of things I didn ’ t know .
Maybe everyone else already knows all the details , if so , I apologize for wasting your time .
It turns out , they ’ re all crooks .
Burisma is a Ukrainian natural gas company that was founded and ran by a man named Mykola Zlochevsky , who was basically the poster-child for corruption .
The SFO investigator Richard Gould claimed in the April 2014 court hearing that Zlochevsky ’ s dual position in Ukraine as both a politician and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – wilful and dishonest exploitation of a direct conflict of interest by a man holding an important public office – to an abuse of the public ’ s trust in him ” .
“ May 13 , 2014 : Burisma Group announced that Hunter Biden [ and Devon Archer ] would be joining its board .
Around that time , Burisma ’ s founder , a former government official named Mykola Zlochevsky , was under investigation for alleged money laundering by Britain ’ s Serious Fraud Office.
” Zlochevsky is still suspected of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries .
( His whereabouts are currently unknown . )
Viktor Shokin was the Prosecutor General of Ukraine in 2015-2016 .
He was leading an investigation into Zlochevsky and Burisma .
According to him , “ On several occasions President Poroshenko asked me to consider the possibility of winding down the investigative actions in respect of [ Burisma ] , but I refused to close this investigation.
” So Burisma..
The same company that sent Hunter Biden $ 83k every month to do nothing ?
“ Hunter Biden sat on the Burisma board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was already under investigation ) until April 2019.
” So we know Hunter Biden was on the Board of Directors at Burisma while they were being investigated by Viktor Shokin.. Well here ’ s where it got interesting to me.. Testimony from sworn affidavit of former Prosecutor General of Ukraine , Viktor Shokin : “ 6 .
… [ President ] Poroshenko asked me to resign due to pressure from the US Presidential administration , in particular from Joe Biden , who was the US Vice-President .
Biden was threatening to withhold USD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until I was removed from office… ” “ 7 .
The official reason put forward for my dismissal was that I had allegedly failed to secure the public ’ s trust .
Poroshenko and other state officials , including representatives of the US presidential administration , had never previously had any complaints about my work , however .
There were no grievances against me or any allegations that had I committed any corruption-related ( or , indeed any other ) criminal offenses .
Biden never stated anything of the kind either… ” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was forced out because I was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into Burisma Holdings ( “ Burisma ” ) , a natural gas firm active in Ukraine , and Joe Biden ‘ s son , Hunter Biden , was a member of the Board of Directors .
I assume Burisma…had the support of the US Vice-President Joe Biden because his son was on the Board of Directors.
” “ 9 .
On several occasions President Poroshenko asked me to have a look at the criminal case against Burisma and consider the possibility of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this company , but I refused to close this investigation .
Therefore , I was forced to leave office , under direct and intense pressure from Joe Biden and the US administration .
In my conversations with Poroshenko at the time , he was emphatic that I should cease my investigations regarding Burisma .
When I did not , he said that the US ( via Biden ) were refusing to release the USD $ 1 billion promised to Ukraine .
He said that he had no choice , therefore , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December 8 , 2019 , former Secretary of State John Kerry was asked by a reporter whether he knew of Hunter Biden ’ s activities during his tenure as secretary of state in the Obama administration “ I had no knowledge about any of that .
None .
No , ” Kerry told the reporter regarding Biden ’ s position on the Burisma board .
“ What would I know about any—no .
Why would I know about any company or any individual ?
No.
” However , Kerry ’ s former chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate Homeland Security Committee that he informed Kerry personally of Biden ’ s role at Burisma .
Wade received an email on May 13 , 2014 , from Kerry ’ s stepson , Chris Heinz , telling him that Hunter Biden and associate Devon Archer had joined Burisma .
– On 27 February 2020 , a Ukraine court forced a probe into Biden ‘ s role in firing of prosecutor Viktor Shokin .
John Kerry and Devon Archer are the ones who made me realize this isn ’ t just about Joe and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kerry is when I started to get pissed..
This wasn ’ t just your run of the mill “ pops looking out for his boy ” type of corruption..
This is definitely something bigger than just Hunter and his father.. Archer was definitely the redpill for me.. Who is Devon Archer ?
April 16 , 2014 : Devon Archer had a private meeting with Vice President Biden at the White House late into the night , according to White House records .
April 21 , 2014 : Biden , then vice president , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in a show of support for the country ’ s government amid rising tensions with Russia .
May 13 , 2014 : Burisma Group announced that Hunter Biden [ and Devon Archer ] would be joining its board .
Around that time , Burisma ’ s founder , a former government official named Mykola Zlochevsky , was under investigation for alleged money laundering by Britain ’ s Serious Fraud Office .
May 20 , 2014 : Burisma hired David Leiter , the former chief of staff to John Kerry , a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company , according to lobbying disclosures .
Dec. 8 , 2015 : Biden visited Kiev again and spoke out against bureaucratic corruption .
Biden threatened to withhold loan guarantees unless Ukraine ’ s top prosecutor , Viktor Shokin , was removed .
( Sometimes a jokes writes itself ) And then I learned about the company BHR Partners… SUPER SKETCHY !
!
“ BHR Partners…is a private investment fund founded in 2013 by Bohai Industrial Investment Fund Management Co. , Ltd. , which is controlled by BANK OF CHINA LIMITED ” “ BHR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese-registered asset managers , Bohai Industrial Investment Fund and Harvest Fund Management , and two U.S. organisations , Thornton Group LLC and Rosemont Seneca Partners.
” “ According to the Wall Street Journal , “ Bohai is China ’ s oldest private equity firm , having launched the country ’ s first yuan-denominated fund in 2006….Thornton Group is a Boston-based cross-border investment advisory firm founded by Michael Lin and James Bulger , son of former Massachusetts state Senate President William Bulger .
[ 3 ] Rosemont Seneca is a Washington , D.C.-based investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archer , Christopher Heinz , and Hunter Biden ” Mitt Romney ‘ s top adviser , Joseph Cofer Black , joined the board of Director for Burisma Mitt Romney says probe into Biden son is not a legitimate function of government “ There ’ s speculation that Joe Biden might consider Mitt Romney as secretary of state .
Nancy Pelosi ( This part seems unrelated , but they are odd coincidences.. Pelosi ’ s companies have also had several questionable land deals and gov ’ t contracts ) Coincidentally , like Hunter Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of receiving overpaid positions that he is wildly underqualified for.. and also had a cushy position at companies working in Ukrainian energy.. “ The firm InfoUSA , headed by major Clinton backer Vinod Gupta , has placed Pelosi ’ s son , Paul Pelosi Jr. , on its payroll – even though he has no experience in the company ’ s main business activities , NewsMax has learned.
” “ Just four weeks after Nancy Pelosi became speaker of the House this past January , Gupta and InfoUSA hired her son as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NewsMax InfoUsa pays him $ 180,000 a year .
Even though his job with InfoUSA is considered full-time , Paul Pelosi continues another full-time job , as a home loan officer at Countrywide Home Loans , part of Countrywide Financial , in San Mateo , a suburb of San Francisco.
” “ BOOM : Nancy Pelosi ’ s son Paul Pelosi Jr. ( who went to Ukraine in 2017 ) was a board member of Viscoil and executive at its related company NRGLab , which DID ENERGY Business in UKRAINE !
” Nancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video from 2013 Another video from NRGLab posted on the SAME DAY confirming their business dealings in Ukraine .
“ Viscoil Holdings is now suspended in California .
As of 2010 , it listed two managers : David Strawn of Escondido , California and SERGEY SOROKIN of MOSCOW , RUSSIA ” Another company co-founded by Nancy Pelosi ‘ s son charged with securities fraud Pelosi ’ s companies have also been involved in some very questionable land deals and government contracts , though I misplaced the links so I may just make a @ @ @ @ @

by DemiBot_Tcal
The NYPost‘s slow drip of the Hunter Biden leak has pushed me down a rabbit hole I did not expect.
Yes, the timing is obviously politically motivated, yet that doesnt make the contents any less significant or any less damning to me.
The narrative that I was lead to believe was incredibly far from the whole truth.. Only sharing for anyone else like me who was believing a wildly inaccurate narrative.. Some of this was just for context, but a lot of it are things I’ve only recently learned.
Sorry if its a bit scattered, there was a lot of things I didn’t know. Maybe everyone else already knows all the details, if so, I apologize for wasting your time.
It turns out, they’re all crooks.
Burisma is a Ukrainian natural gas company that was founded and ran by a man named Mykola Zlochevsky, who was basically the poster-child for corruption.
The SFO investigator Richard Gould claimed in the April 2014 court hearing that Zlochevsky’s dual position in Ukraine as both a politician and a businessman gave “rise to a clear – wilful and dishonest exploitation of a direct conflict of interest by a man holding an important public office – to an abuse of the public’s trust in him”.
“May 13, 2014: Burisma Group announced that Hunter Biden [and Devon Archer] would be joining its board. Around that time, Burisma’s founder, a former government official named Mykola Zlochevsky, was under investigation for alleged money laundering by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office.”
Zlochevsky is still suspected of bribery and other crimes by several different countries. (His whereabouts are currently unknown.)

Viktor Shokin was the Prosecutor General of Ukraine in 2015-2016. He was leading an investigation into Zlochevsky and Burisma.
According to him, “On several occasions President Poroshenko asked me to consider the possibility of winding down the investigative actions in respect of [Burisma], but I refused to close this investigation.”

So Burisma.. The same company that sent Hunter Biden $83k every month to do nothing?
“Hunter Biden sat on the Burisma board from April 2014 (while the company was already under investigation) until April 2019.”

So we know Hunter Biden was on the Board of Directors at Burisma while they were being investigated by Viktor Shokin.. Well here’s where it got interesting to me..
Testimony from sworn affidavit of former Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Viktor Shokin:
“6. …[President] Poroshenko asked me to resign due to pressure from the US Presidential administration, in particular from Joe Biden, who was the US Vice-President. Biden was threatening to withhold USD$ 1 billion in subsidies to Ukraine until I was removed from office…”
“7. The official reason put forward for my dismissal was that I had allegedly failed to secure the public’s trust. Poroshenko and other state officials, including representatives of the US presidential administration, had never previously had any complaints about my work, however. There were no grievances against me or any allegations that had I committed any corruption-related (or, indeed any other) criminal offenses. Biden never stated anything of the kind either…”
“8. The Truth is that I was forced out because I was leading a wide-ranging corruption probe into Burisma Holdings (“Burisma”), a natural gas firm active in Ukraine, and Joe Biden‘s son, Hunter Biden, was a member of the Board of Directors. I assume Burisma…had the support of the US Vice-President Joe Biden because his son was on the Board of Directors.”
“9. On several occasions President Poroshenko asked me to have a look at the criminal case against Burisma and consider the possibility of winding down the investigative actions in respect of this company, but I refused to close this investigation. Therefore, I was forced to leave office, under direct and intense pressure from Joe Biden and the US administration. In my conversations with Poroshenko at the time, he was emphatic that I should cease my investigations regarding Burisma. When I did not, he said that the US (via Biden) were refusing to release the USD$ 1 billion promised to Ukraine. He said that he had no choice, therefore, but to ask me to resign.”
cdn.factcheck.org/UploadedFiles/427618359-Shokin-Statement-1.pdf Video of Joe Biden telling that EXACT story.. www.wsj.com/video/opinion-joe-biden-forced-ukraine-to-fire-prosecutor-for-aid-money/C1C51BB8-3988-4070-869F-CAD3CA0E81D8.html

– December 8, 2019, former Secretary of State John Kerry was asked by a reporter whether he knew of Hunter Biden’s activities during his tenure as secretary of state in the Obama administration
“I had no knowledge about any of that. None. No,” Kerry told the reporter regarding Biden’s position on the Burisma board. “What would I know about any—no. Why would I know about any company or any individual? No.”
However, Kerry’s former chief of staff David Wade testified to the Senate Homeland Security Committee that he informed Kerry personally of Biden’s role at Burisma. Wade received an email on May 13, 2014, from Kerry’s stepson, Chris Heinz, telling him that Hunter Biden and associate Devon Archer had joined Burisma.
– On 27 February 2020, a Ukraine court forced a probe into Biden‘s role in firing of prosecutor Viktor Shokin.
John Kerry and Devon Archer are the ones who made me realize this isn’t just about Joe and Hunter Biden..
When I looked at John Kerry is when I started to get pissed.. This wasn’t just your run of the mill “pops looking out for his boy” type of corruption.. This is definitely something bigger than just Hunter and his father..
Archer was definitely the redpill for me..
Who is Devon Archer?
Devon Archer: John Kerry’s fund-raising superstar and close associate of Hunter Biden.
April 16, 2014: Devon Archer had a private meeting with Vice President Biden at the White House late into the night, according to White House records.
April 21, 2014: Biden, then vice president, visited Ukraine’s capital, Kiev, in a show of support for the country’s government amid rising tensions with Russia.
May 13, 2014: Burisma Group announced that Hunter Biden [and Devon Archer] would be joining its board. Around that time, Burisma’s founder, a former government official named Mykola Zlochevsky, was under investigation for alleged money laundering by Britain’s Serious Fraud Office.
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May 20, 2014: Burisma hired David Leiter, the former chief of staff to John Kerry, a week after Biden announced he was joining the company, according to lobbying disclosures.
Dec. 8, 2015: Biden visited Kiev again and spoke out against bureaucratic corruption. Biden threatened to withhold loan guarantees unless Ukraine’s top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, was removed. (Sometimes a jokes writes itself)

And then I learned about the company BHR Partners… SUPER SKETCHY!!
Founded by Devon Archer, Hunter Biden, John Kerry’s son Chris Heinz, and Whitey Bulger’s nephew James Bulger. lol
“BHR Partners…is a private investment fund founded in 2013 by Bohai Industrial Investment Fund Management Co., Ltd., which is controlled by BANK OF CHINA LIMITED”
“BHR was founded in 2013, by two Chinese-registered asset managers, Bohai Industrial Investment Fund and Harvest Fund Management, and two U.S. organisations, Thornton Group LLC and Rosemont Seneca Partners.”
“According to the Wall Street Journal, “Bohai is China’s oldest private equity firm, having launched the country’s first yuan-denominated fund in 2006….Thornton Group is a Boston-based cross-border investment advisory firm founded by Michael Lin and James Bulger, son of former Massachusetts state Senate President William Bulger.[3] Rosemont Seneca is a Washington, D.C.-based investment and advisory firm, founded by Devon Archer, Christopher Heinz, and Hunter Biden”

Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney‘s top adviser, Joseph Cofer Black, joined the board of Director for Burisma

Mitt Romney says probe into Biden son is not a legitimate function of government

“There’s speculation that Joe Biden might consider Mitt Romney as secretary of state.

Nancy Pelosi
(This part seems unrelated, but they are odd coincidences.. Pelosi’s companies have also had several questionable land deals and gov’t contracts)
Coincidentally, like Hunter Biden, Paul Pelosi Jr also has a way of receiving overpaid positions that he is wildly underqualified for.. and also had a cushy position at companies working in Ukrainian energy..

“The firm InfoUSA, headed by major Clinton backer Vinod Gupta, has placed Pelosi’s son, Paul Pelosi Jr., on its payroll – even though he has no experience in the company’s main business activities, NewsMax has learned.”
“Just four weeks after Nancy Pelosi became speaker of the House this past January, Gupta and InfoUSA hired her son as a senior vice president. He told NewsMax InfoUsa pays him $180,000 a year.
Even though his job with InfoUSA is considered full-time, Paul Pelosi continues another full-time job, as a home loan officer at Countrywide Home Loans, part of Countrywide Financial, in San Mateo, a suburb of San Francisco.”

“BOOM: Nancy Pelosi’s son Paul Pelosi Jr. (who went to Ukraine in 2017) was a board member of Viscoil and executive at its related company NRGLab, which DID ENERGY Business in UKRAINE!”
Nancy Pelosi and Paul Pelosi Jr. in NRGLab video from 2013
Another video from NRGLab posted on the SAME DAY confirming their business dealings in Ukraine.
“Viscoil Holdings is now suspended in California. As of 2010, it listed two managers: David Strawn of Escondido, California and SERGEY SOROKIN of MOSCOW, RUSSIA”

Another company co-founded by Nancy Pelosi‘s son charged with securities fraud

Pelosi’s companies have also been involved in some very questionable land deals and government contracts, though I misplaced the links so I may just make a separate post on those.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--OUCH: AMC offers private theater rentals for as little as $99.

The USA ’ s largest cinema chain AMC is making its screens available for private hire , allowing groups of @ @ @ @ @ watch a film on the big screen without having to share an auditorium with strangers @ @ @ @ @ chains Cinemark and Alamo Drafthouse , which SlashFilm reports started offering similar screenings earlier this @ @ @ @ @ a selection of new and old films to watch , with auditorium rental prices starting @ @ @ @ @ .
AMC ’ s new offering comes as its business has been hit hard by @ @ @ @ @ been forced to close , major films have been delayed , and cinemagoers have been @ @ @ @ @ new films have been released .
Last week , AMC warned investors that the situation @ @ @ @ @ of cash by the end of the year , after its second quarter revenues plunged @ @ @ @ @ the previous year , Variety reports .

The USA’s largest cinema chain AMC is making its screens available for private hire, allowing groups of up to 20 people to watch a film on the big screen without having to share an auditorium with strangers. The move joins cinema chains Cinemark and Alamo Drafthouse, which SlashFilm reports started offering similar screenings earlier this summer. AMC is offering a selection of new and old films to watch, with auditorium rental prices starting at $99 plus tax.
AMC’s new offering comes as its business has been hit hard by the pandemic. Locations have been forced to close, major films have been delayed, and cinemagoers have been wary of attending even when new films have been released. Last week, AMC warned investors that the situation means it could run out of cash by the end of the year, after its second quarter revenues plunged by 98 percent compared to the previous year, Variety reports.
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www.theverge.com/2020/10/19/21522815/amc-private-cinema-hire-coronavirus-tenet-new-mutants


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--CNBC: Joe Biden to create 62% tax rate for California and New York

Do the Hollyweirdo and IT “ woke ” know about this ?
Back in March , Joe Biden had said : “ If you elect me , your taxes are gon na be raised , not cut !
” Well , he meant it .
Robert Frank reports for CNBC , Oct. 19 , 2020 , that according to a study by the non-partisan Tax Foundation , high earners — those earning more than $ 400,000 a year — in California , New Jersey and New York , could face combined federal and state tax rates of 58 % to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden ’ s tax plan : If you include the contributions to the tax hikes by employers , which are often passed along to employees , the combined rates would rise even further — to over 65 % in California , 62.9 % in New Jersey and 64.7 % in New York City .
They could also jump higher if California and New York raise taxes on high earners , which some legislators have proposed to reduce multibillion-dollar budget gaps .
Tax Foundation ’ s Jared Walzcak said : “ These rates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades , and imposed on a broader tax base than was in place previously.
” Biden ’ s combined tax rates of more than 60 % for top earners would be the highest in more than 30 years , and well above the rates under the Obama administration .
Currently , the top U.S. statutory tax rate is 37 % ; the effective rate ( what taxpayers actually pay with help from their accountants ) for top earners is 26.8 % , according to the Tax Foundation .
Under Biden ’ s plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top 1 % would increase from 26.8 % to 39.8 % , according to the Tax Policy Center .
That means top earners in California and New York City would pay effective state and federal tax rates of around 53 % — compared with the roughly 40 % they pay in effective rates today .
• Democrats : The Godless party of gun control , nationwide lockdown and higher taxes , endorsed by China and U.S. Communist Party

by Dr. Eowyn
Do the Hollyweirdo and IT “woke” know about this?
Back in March, Joe Biden had said: “If you elect me, your taxes are gonna be raised, not cut!”
Well, he meant it.
Robert Frank reports for CNBC, Oct. 19, 2020, that according to a study by the non-partisan Tax Foundation, high earners — those earning more than $400,000 a year — in California, New Jersey and New York, could face combined federal and state tax rates of 58% to more than 62% under Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s tax plan:
62.6% for Californians
58.2% for New Jersey
60+% for New York state
62+% for New York City.
If you include the contributions to the tax hikes by employers, which are often passed along to employees, the combined rates would rise even further — to over 65% in California, 62.9% in New Jersey and 64.7% in New York City. They could also jump higher if California and New York raise taxes on high earners, which some legislators have proposed to reduce multibillion-dollar budget gaps.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Tax Foundation’s Jared Walzcak said: “These rates would be the highest in about 3½ decades, and imposed on a broader tax base than was in place previously.”
Biden’s combined tax rates of more than 60% for top earners would be the highest in more than 30 years, and well above the rates under the Obama administration.
Currently, the top U.S. statutory tax rate is 37%; the effective rate (what taxpayers actually pay with help from their accountants) for top earners is 26.8%, according to the Tax Foundation.
Under Biden’s plan, the effective tax rate for the top 1% would increase from 26.8% to 39.8%, according to the Tax Policy Center. That means top earners in California and New York City would pay effective state and federal tax rates of around 53% — compared with the roughly 40% they pay in effective rates today.
See also:
~Eowyn


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Despite being a developing story, Wikipedia has labelled Biden-Ukraine as “false” (which is also aga

Despite being a developing story, Wikipedia has labelled Biden-Ukraine as “false” (which is also against their own content policy: they can’t say something is true or false)

Wikipedia ’ s narrative-controlling left-wing admins have already said of Hunter Biden ‘ s involvement that “ He and his father have been the subjects of debunked right-wing conspiracy theories pushed by Donald Trump and his allies.
” Both the Hunter Biden and the Biden-Ukraine articles are blocked from editing until March 2021 .
It ’ s insane considering this is a developing story and they can ’ t just label ongoing events as “ false ” or “ debunked.
” Wikipedia ‘ s content is governed by three principal core content policies : neutral point of view , verifiability @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should familiarize themselves with all three , jointly interpreted : • Neutral point of view ( WP : NPOV ) – All Wikipedia articles and other encyclopedic content must be written from a neutral point of view , representing significant views fairly , proportionately and without bias .
• Verifiability ( WP : V ) – Material challenged or likely to be challenged , and all quotations , must be attributed to a reliable , published source .
In Wikipedia , verifiability means that people reading and editing the encyclopedia can check that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • No original research ( WP : NOR ) – Wikipedia does not publish original thought : all material in Wikipedia must be attributable to a reliable , published source .
Articles may not contain any new analysis or synthesis of published material that serves to advance a position not clearly advanced by the sources .
These policies determine the type and quality of material that is acceptable in Wikipedia articles .
Because they complement each other , they should not be interpreted in isolation from one another .
The principles upon which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ superseded by other policies or guidelines , or by editors ’ consensus .
These three policy pages may be edited only to improve the application and explanation of the principles .

by salaman77
Wikipedia’s narrative-controlling left-wing admins have already said of Hunter Biden‘s involvement that “He and his father have been the subjects of debunked right-wing conspiracy theories pushed by Donald Trump and his allies.” Both the Hunter Biden and the Biden-Ukraine articles are blocked from editing until March 2021. It’s insane considering this is a developing story and they can’t just label ongoing events as “false” or “debunked.”
Wikipedia content policies:
Wikipedia‘s content is governed by three principal core content policies: neutral point of view, verifiability, and no original research. Editors should familiarize themselves with all three, jointly interpreted:
Neutral point of view (WP:NPOV) – All Wikipedia articles and other encyclopedic content must be written from a neutral point of view, representing significant views fairly, proportionately and without bias. Verifiability (WP:V) – Material challenged or likely to be challenged, and all quotations, must be attributed to a reliable, published source. In Wikipedia, verifiability means that people reading and editing the encyclopedia can check that information comes from a reliable source. No original research (WP:NOR) – Wikipedia does not publish original thought: all material in Wikipedia must be attributable to a reliable, published source. Articles may not contain any new analysis or synthesis of published material that serves to advance a position not clearly advanced by the sources.
These policies determine the type and quality of material that is acceptable in Wikipedia articles. Because they complement each other, they should not be interpreted in isolation from one another. The principles upon which these policy statements are based are not superseded by other policies or guidelines, or by editors’ consensus. These three policy pages may be edited only to improve the application and explanation of the principles.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--MICHAEL WALSH: Held Captive by Pandemic Lies.

Instead , based on no meaningful “ science ” whatsoever—but rather guesswork and computer modeling of the crudest kind—most governments adopted the Chinese ant-farm approach , treating their citizens as captives , muzzling them , and charging them with crimes should the comrades step out of line .
This way is unbecoming to the free peoples of the West , an insult to personal sovereignty , a flagrant violation of both the law and the social compact , and an act of hostile aggression against the citizens of the democracies .
Having unwisely acceded to this flagrant bait and switch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the goal posts have been moved from last Easter to some indefinite future in which either a vaccine will be found against a disease that kills almost nobody , or the virus itself is eradicated—a fool ’ s errand if there ever was one .
The commissars have also decreed that it ’ s not the number of fatalities that now matters , but the number of infections— “ cases , ” to use the scare term—with the added proviso that even one “ case ” is unacceptable .
We ’ ve also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we test the closer to liberation day we move because we can now contact-trace the infections to their sources , when in fact the more people who get infected the better it is for our health as a society .
But the governments don ’ t really care about any of this .
Covid-19 is apparently the Worst Thing of All Time and must be dealt with on an immediate draconian basis as if it were World War Three .
They ’ ve thoroughly frightened the population into believing that no price to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wreck our way of life and our essential humanity , and then to thank—and pay—them for it .
In previous pandemics , the bug was allowed to burn its way through the body politic , its toll just part of the cost of being human .
So what ’ s different about this seasonal malady ?
For one thing , it ’ s occurring in an election year , at the start of which the American economy was firing on all cylinders in a way it hasn ’ t in decades .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Covid shutdown could be wielded as a wrecker ’ s ball against the American and global economies , they jumped at the chance .
For another , a society that has moved from “ pay any price , bear any burden ” to “ if it saves just one life ” is no longer capable of facing or dealing with reality .
With atheism ascendant , the extension of life ( except for that of the unborn , of course ) has become the cardinal social virtue .
In the absence of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worth dying for .
Saving just one life , however , is meaningless in the scheme of things .
Risking and perhaps sacrificing your own existence for the preservation of society and the future of others has become unthinkable .
For a third , governments now have a taste for it , and plan to extend the punishment indefinitely by deeming it the solution to another imaginary threat— “ climate change.
” Almost from the start , the Left understood that if they could make the link between consequences of the shutdown and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ —something that has little or nothing to do with the Earth ’ s natural cycles of warming and cooling—they could keep the scam going forever .

via theepochtimes:
Instead, based on no meaningful “science” whatsoever—but rather guesswork and computer modeling of the crudest kind—most governments adopted the Chinese ant-farm approach, treating their citizens as captives, muzzling them, and charging them with crimes should the comrades step out of line.
This way is unbecoming to the free peoples of the West, an insult to personal sovereignty, a flagrant violation of both the law and the social compact, and an act of hostile aggression against the citizens of the democracies.
Having unwisely acceded to this flagrant bait and switch, Americans and others now find that the goal posts have been moved from last Easter to some indefinite future in which either a vaccine will be found against a disease that kills almost nobody, or the virus itself is eradicated—a fool’s errand if there ever was one.
The commissars have also decreed that it’s not the number of fatalities that now matters, but the number of infections—“cases,” to use the scare term—with the added proviso that even one “case” is unacceptable.
We’ve also swallowed the misrepresentation that the more people we test the closer to liberation day we move because we can now contact-trace the infections to their sources, when in fact the more people who get infected the better it is for our health as a society.
But the governments don’t really care about any of this. Covid-19 is apparently the Worst Thing of All Time and must be dealt with on an immediate draconian basis as if it were World War Three. They’ve thoroughly frightened the population into believing that no price to pay is too great for us to wreck our way of life and our essential humanity, and then to thank—and pay—them for it.
What’s Different
In previous pandemics, the bug was allowed to burn its way through the body politic, its toll just part of the cost of being human. So what’s different about this seasonal malady?
For one thing, it’s occurring in an election year, at the start of which the American economy was firing on all cylinders in a way it hasn’t in decades. When President Trump’s political enemies realized the Covid shutdown could be wielded as a wrecker’s ball against the American and global economies, they jumped at the chance.
For another, a society that has moved from “pay any price, bear any burden” to “if it saves just one life” is no longer capable of facing or dealing with reality. With atheism ascendant, the extension of life (except for that of the unborn, of course) has become the cardinal social virtue.
In the absence of an afterlife, there is literally nothing worth dying for. Saving just one life, however, is meaningless in the scheme of things. Risking and perhaps sacrificing your own existence for the preservation of society and the future of others has become unthinkable.
For a third, governments now have a taste for it, and plan to extend the punishment indefinitely by deeming it the solution to another imaginary threat—“climate change.”
Almost from the start, the Left understood that if they could make the link between consequences of the shutdown and the decline in “carbon emissions”—something that has little or nothing to do with the Earth’s natural cycles of warming and cooling—they could keep the scam going forever.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Masks now required in ALL workplaces in OREGON. This is a MAJOR PROBLEM!

The Oregon Health Authority announced eight new coronavirus deaths and 266 new cases as it put in place stricter requirements for face coverings and encouraged people to choose masks over face shields .
New state requirements and recommendations for face coverings expand when and where people must wear masks , to include all workplaces , even if workers can maintain a social distance .
People must also now wear masks in outdoor markets , street fairs and both private and public universities .
The health authority is now recommending that people choose masks over face shields because shields don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or below .
See the state ’ s full face coverings guidelines here .
Monday ’ s coronavirus case count was below recent rolling averages , which have exceeded 300 new cases per day since Oct. 7 .
But the drop is unlikely to reflect a trend – case counts on Mondays are traditionally low and the Oregon Health Authority predicts ever-increasing infection numbers , at least into early November , if transmission rates don ’ t go down .
Oregon last week also recorded a high test positivity rate , at 5.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to preliminary data .

The Oregon Health Authority announced eight new coronavirus deaths and 266 new cases as it put in place stricter requirements for face coverings and encouraged people to choose masks over face shields.
New state requirements and recommendations for face coverings expand when and where people must wear masks, to include all workplaces, even if workers can maintain a social distance. People must also now wear masks in outdoor markets, street fairs and both private and public universities.
The health authority is now recommending that people choose masks over face shields because shields don’t contain air escaping from the sides or below.
See the state’s full face coverings guidelines here.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Monday’s coronavirus case count was below recent rolling averages, which have exceeded 300 new cases per day since Oct. 7. But the drop is unlikely to reflect a trend – case counts on Mondays are traditionally low and the Oregon Health Authority predicts ever-increasing infection numbers, at least into early November, if transmission rates don’t go down.
Oregon last week also recorded a high test positivity rate, at 5.8%, on 28,960 tests, according to preliminary data.
www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/10/coronavirus-in-oregon-new-state-mask-mandates-8-new-deaths-and-266-new-cases.html


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Debate Commission changes rules last minute

President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday ’ s debate while @ @ @ @ @ two-minute answer to each of the debate topics .
The 90-minute debate is divided into @ @ @ @ @ each candidate granted two minutes to deliver uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to an open debate @ @ @ @ @ of the debate will not feature a mute button , but interruptions by either candidate @ @ @ @ @ in the second and final debate Thursday .

President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden will have their microphones cut off in Thursday’s debate while their rival delivers their opening two-minute answer to each of the debate topics.
The 90-minute debate is divided into six 15-minute segments, with each candidate granted two minutes to deliver uninterrupted remarks before proceeding to an open debate. The open discussion portion of the debate will not feature a mute button, but interruptions by either candidate will count toward their time in the second and final debate Thursday.
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www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/decision-2020/presidential-debate-commission-adopts-new-rules-to-mute-mics/2677259/
h/t VG


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--FINLAND: A look into our current Covid-19 statistics. The second wave is clearly here… but where are

FINLAND: A look into our current Covid-19 statistics. The second wave is clearly here… but where are the deaths?

If you pull up a graph on the number of cases click on Finland on the leftmost panel and see the bottom right panel ) , it really looks like the second wave has reached the same magnitude as the first wave .
The graph shows a peak that ’ s approximately as big as the first one in the spring .
However , the number of infections is really a meaningless number .
First of all , testing is done on an industrial scale right now .
There are drive-in testing spots everywhere .
In the spring , testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get into .
The massive scale of testing being conducted right now is going to show more infections .
The numbers then and now can ’ t be compared .
Secondly , the number of infections is largely irrelevant .
If you ’ re infected and asymptomatic , the worst thing that can happen is that you spread the disease .
However , the findings here show that up to 76 % of those infected do not transmit the disease , not even to your spouse or children at home .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family of viruses and Covid-19 seems to be no exception .
So , that brings us to the number of deaths .
If you again pull up a graph showing the number of deaths as a function of time , you get a surprise .
In the spring , the graph of deaths clearly correlated with the graph of infections .
Now , with the number of infections growing rapidly , the number of deaths is staying very close to zero .
There is absolutely no similar correlation between infections and deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were saying that the virus is mutating into a less lethal form .
Those reports , however , died quickly in the media .
I don ’ t know if it was intentional silencing of the experts or just not “ sexy ” topic that the media chose not to report .
However , the current statistics seem to back it up .
Of course , the prevention and treatment of the disease have improved , and people are getting tested and treated earlier , which would also contribute to the fall in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some reason , the media and authorities are always reporting the rising number of infections as a big concern .
Nobody ’ s talking about the ridiculously low lethality of the disease during this second wave .

Population: 5.518 million (2019)
Total cumulative Covid-19 cases: 13,555
Total cumulative deaths attributed to Covid-19: 351
If you pull up a graph on the number of cases
gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
click on Finland on the leftmost panel and see the bottom right panel), it really looks like the second wave has reached the same magnitude as the first wave. The graph shows a peak that’s approximately as big as the first one in the spring.
However, the number of infections is really a meaningless number.
First of all, testing is done on an industrial scale right now. There are drive-in testing spots everywhere. In the spring, testing was sporadic at best and hard to get into.
The massive scale of testing being conducted right now is going to show more infections. The numbers then and now can’t be compared.
Secondly, the number of infections is largely irrelevant. If you’re infected and asymptomatic, the worst thing that can happen is that you spread the disease. However, the findings here show that up to 76% of those infected do not transmit the disease, not even to your spouse or children at home. This is a previously known peculiarity of the SARS family of viruses and Covid-19 seems to be no exception.
So, that brings us to the number of deaths.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
If you again pull up a graph showing the number of deaths as a function of time, you get a surprise.
In the spring, the graph of deaths clearly correlated with the graph of infections. Now, with the number of infections growing rapidly, the number of deaths is staying very close to zero. There is absolutely no similar correlation between infections and deaths.
Why?
Late in the summer, some experts were saying that the virus is mutating into a less lethal form. Those reports, however, died quickly in the media. I don’t know if it was intentional silencing of the experts or just not “sexy” topic that the media chose not to report. However, the current statistics seem to back it up.
Of course, the prevention and treatment of the disease have improved, and people are getting tested and treated earlier, which would also contribute to the fall in the death rate.
Yet, for some reason, the media and authorities are always reporting the rising number of infections as a big concern. Nobody’s talking about the ridiculously low lethality of the disease during this second wave.
AC


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Glenn Beck: Hunter Biden’s Email Scandal Just Got A LOT Bigger… Barr Urged To Appoint Special Counse

Glenn Beck: Hunter Biden’s Email Scandal Just Got A LOT Bigger… Barr Urged To Appoint Special Counsel To Probe Biden Revelations.

Rep. Adam Schiff can baselessly claim the newly released emails between Hunter Biden and his former business partners are part of some Russian disinformation campaign , but it ’ s a last-ditch effort to manipulate voters from the truth .
Reporters who followed Biden ’ s corruption for years now say those business partners are ready to flip on Hunter to show how corrupt the Biden family is .
According to author of “ Profiles in Corruption , ” Peter Schweizer , thousands of emails from the recently-obtained hard drive — allegedly from Hunter Biden ’ s laptop — could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one of the biggest scandals in modern American politics .
Glenn and his head researcher , Jason Buttrill , discuss the new details in the developing story .
WATCH more Glenn Beck : www.youtube.com/watch ?
v=6oRcC… Barr urged to appoint special counsel to probe Biden revelations .
Lawmakers say it is ‘ imperative ’ the allegations are investigated EXCLUSIVE : House Republicans on Monday wrote to Attorney General William Barr , urging him to appoint a special counsel to investigate alleged revelations coming from a laptop purported to have belonged to Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the elder Biden ’ s alleged participation in his son ’ s business dealings .
“ These alleged revelations raise serious questions about former Vice President Joe Biden ’ s reported participation with his son ’ s business , dealings , specifically whether the former vice president ( 1 ) received foreign monies during his tenure in the Obama administration and ( 2 ) if former Vice President Biden allowed his son to peddle access to his father with foreign business entities , ” the letter , obtained by Fox News , says @

Rep. Adam Schiff can baselessly claim the newly released emails between Hunter Biden and his former business partners are part of some Russian disinformation campaign, but it’s a last-ditch effort to manipulate voters from the truth. Reporters who followed Biden’s corruption for years now say those business partners are ready to flip on Hunter to show how corrupt the Biden family is. According to author of “Profiles in Corruption,” Peter Schweizer, thousands of emails from the recently-obtained hard drive — allegedly from Hunter Biden’s laptop — could be proof Joe Biden was a part of one of the biggest scandals in modern American politics. Glenn and his head researcher, Jason Buttrill, discuss the new details in the developing story. WATCH more Glenn Beck: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oRcC…
Barr urged to appoint special counsel to probe Biden revelations. Lawmakers say it is ‘imperative’ the allegations are investigated
Watch the latest video at foxnews.com
EXCLUSIVE: House Republicans on Monday wrote to Attorney General William Barr, urging him to appoint a special counsel to investigate alleged revelations coming from a laptop purported to have belonged to Joe Biden’s son Hunter — specifically the elder Biden’s alleged participation in his son’s business dealings.
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“These alleged revelations raise serious questions about former Vice President Joe Biden’s reported participation with his son’s business, dealings, specifically whether the former vice president (1) received foreign monies during his tenure in the Obama administration and (2) if former Vice President Biden allowed his son to peddle access to his father with foreign business entities,” the letter, obtained by Fox News, says.
www.foxnews.com/politics/house-republicans-barr-special-counsel-biden
www.theepochtimes.com/house-republicans-call-on-barr-to-appoint-special-counsel-to-probe-alleged-biden-emails_3544529.html
The Trump campaign is set to release this digital ad highlighting the New York Post's explosive reporting on Hunter Biden's overseas business dealings and how the controversy is connected to Democrat Joe Biden pic.twitter.com/9sb0KBgQiI — Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) October 20, 2020
Facts:
-no one disputes the authenticity of the emails
-Bidens were paid millions by our most dangerous enemies, Russia & China
-Joe Biden was fully aware of his family’s shady overseas deals Credible allegation:
-did the “big guy” personally benefit?pic.twitter.com/XkPOF0CHro — Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) October 20, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--BOOM! The WSJ Reports that the DOJ is Filing an Anti-Trust Suit Against Google Today!

This will be the most important antitrust suit in a generation .
As the first state attorney general in the @ @ @ @ @ investigation of @ Google , I applaud this suit as desperately needed and long overdue @ @ @ @ @ free pass is over t.co/ivniS8xHFg

This will be the most important antitrust suit in a generation. As the first state attorney general in the country to launch an antitrust investigation of @Google, I applaud this suit as desperately needed and long overdue. #BigTech’s free pass is over t.co/ivniS8xHFg
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) October 20, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Philadelphia Electrician’s Union Headquarters that ENDORSED BIDEN raided by the FBI…

PHILADELPHIA ( CBS ) — The FBI raided the Spring Garden Street headquarters of IBEW Local 98 on Friday morning @ @ @ @ @ Eyewitness News that agents were “ carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activity ” at the @ @ @ @ @ ’ union .
Federal agents carried boxes , presumably with evidence inside , from the @ @ @ @ @ Garden on Friday morning to unmarked vehicles .
The FBI was tight-lipped over its investigation @ @ @ @ @ “ carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activity ” at the buildings .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ have searched the Local 98 Union headquarters .
The first raid happened in 2016 .
@ @ @ @ @ John Dougherty , Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon and six others were indicted following a @ @ @ @

BREAKING REPORT: Philadelphia Electrician's Union Headquarters that ENDORSED BIDEN raided by the FBI… — Chuck Callesto (@ChuckCallesto) October 20, 2020
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The FBI raided the Spring Garden Street headquarters of IBEW Local 98 on Friday morning. The FBI confirmed to Eyewitness News that agents were “carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activity” at the building housing the Philadelphia electricians’ union.
Federal agents carried boxes, presumably with evidence inside, from the Local 98 headquarters in Spring Garden on Friday morning to unmarked vehicles.
The FBI was tight-lipped over its investigation but did confirm agents were “carrying out court-authorized law enforcement activity” at the buildings. It’s the second time FBI agents have searched the Local 98 Union headquarters. The first raid happened in 2016.
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Last year, union leader John Dougherty, Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon and six others were indicted following a 30-month federal probe.
philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/10/16/fbi-raids-ibew-local-98-headquarters-to-carry-out-court-authorized-law-enforcement-activity/
h/t JADR


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Will the Stock Market Be Dragged to the Guillotine?

by Charles Hugh Smith via Of Two Minds The Fed ’ s rigged-casino stock market will be dragged to the guillotine by one route or another .
The belief that the Federal Reserve and its rigged-casino stock market are permanent and forever is touchingly naive .
Never mind the existential crises just ahead ; the financial “ industry ” ( heh ) projects unending returns of 7 % per year , or is it 14 % per year ?
Never mind the details , the Fed has our back and since the Fed is forever , so too will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games in the Fed ’ s casino .
What makes this presumption so childishly naive is the tides of history are about to sweep away the era of central banks , their fiat currencies and their rigged casino markets .
That the global citizenry might realize these are all forms of financial tyranny doesn ’ t occur to to the Financial Aristocracy , which has luxuriated in the neofeudal dominance of finance–the modern-era equivalent of Monarchy and the rights of royalty .
Under the guidance of the Financial Aristocracy , so-called democratic governance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , a “ democracy ” in name only , a carefully managed simulacrum that props up a facade of “ democracy ” that is pure PR .
The Fed is busy planning a pivot to becoming “ the people ’ s source of free money forever ” to save itself from oblivion .
The pivot is called FedNow , an instant-payment system which bypasses both the traditional private banking sector and Congressional control of distributing money .
With FedNow , the Fed will be able to create trillions of dollars out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into household accounts at the Fed .
The idea here is that an economy that is no longer financially viable can be propped up indefinitely by Fed free money ; all we need to do is bypass the obsolete private banking sector ( sorry about that , buckos ) and the equally obsolete shards of totalitarian democracy ( Congress , the presidency , etc . )
and stave off the revolt with endless free money .
That endless free money stripped of the last vestiges of discipline will stoke an inflationary death spiral–well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tomorrow .
The irony here is the Fed is only accelerating the demise of central banking , fiat currency and its rigged-casino stock market with its FedNow scheme to maintain its financial tyranny .
Alas , tyranny is still tyranny , feudalism is still feudalism , and history remains unkind to totalitarian regimes–even those which have morphed into a clever totalitarian democracy .
The Fed ’ s rigged-casino stock market will be dragged to the guillotine by one route or another : either a populist reform that dismantles the neofeudal financial tyranny of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or the implosion of the entire corrupt neofeudal financial system of central banking , fiat currencies and rigged casino markets , all of which are nothing more than engines of inequality .
My new book is available !
A Hacker ’ s Teleology : Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet 20 % and 15 % discounts ( Kindle $ 7 , print $ 17 ) Read excerpts of the book for free ( PDF ) .
The Story Behind the Book and the Introduction .
AxisOfEasy Salon # 26 : Ben @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 hr ) What Could Go Wrong ?
( 43 minutes , with Gordon Long ) A Hacker ’ s Teleology : Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet ( Kindle $ 8.95 , print $ 20 , audiobook coming soon ) Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
Will You Be Richer or Poorer ?
: Profit , Power , and AI in a Traumatized World ( Kindle $ 5 , print $ 10 , audiobook ) Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
Pathfinding our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Our Democratic Republic ( $ 5 ( Kindle ) , $ 10 ( print ) , ( audiobook ) : Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher : The Disappearance of Drake $ 1.29 ( Kindle ) , $ 8.95 ( print ) ; read the first chapters for free ( PDF ) Money and Work Unchained $ 6.95 ( Kindle ) , $ 15 ( print ) Read the first section for free ( PDF ) .
If you found value in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions by becoming a $ 1/month patron of my work via patreon.com .

by Charles Hugh Smith via Of Two Minds
The Fed’s rigged-casino stock market will be dragged to the guillotine by one route or another.
The belief that the Federal Reserve and its rigged-casino stock market are permanent and forever is touchingly naive. Never mind the existential crises just ahead; the financial “industry” (heh) projects unending returns of 7% per year, or is it 14% per year? Never mind the details, the Fed has our back and since the Fed is forever, so too will be the gains for everyone playing the rigged games in the Fed’s casino.
What makes this presumption so childishly naive is the tides of history are about to sweep away the era of central banks, their fiat currencies and their rigged casino markets. That the global citizenry might realize these are all forms of financial tyranny doesn’t occur to to the Financial Aristocracy, which has luxuriated in the neofeudal dominance of finance–the modern-era equivalent of Monarchy and the rights of royalty.
Under the guidance of the Financial Aristocracy, so-called democratic governance has mutated into totalitarian democracy, that is, a “democracy” in name only, a carefully managed simulacrum that props up a facade of “democracy” that is pure PR.
The Fed is busy planning a pivot to becoming “the people’s source of free money forever” to save itself from oblivion. The pivot is called FedNow, an instant-payment system which bypasses both the traditional private banking sector and Congressional control of distributing money.
With FedNow, the Fed will be able to create trillions of dollars out of thin air and distribute the trillions directly into household accounts at the Fed. The idea here is that an economy that is no longer financially viable can be propped up indefinitely by Fed free money; all we need to do is bypass the obsolete private banking sector (sorry about that, buckos) and the equally obsolete shards of totalitarian democracy (Congress, the presidency, etc.) and stave off the revolt with endless free money.
That endless free money stripped of the last vestiges of discipline will stoke an inflationary death spiral–well, we’ll worry about that tomorrow. The irony here is the Fed is only accelerating the demise of central banking, fiat currency and its rigged-casino stock market with its FedNow scheme to maintain its financial tyranny.
Alas, tyranny is still tyranny, feudalism is still feudalism, and history remains unkind to totalitarian regimes–even those which have morphed into a clever totalitarian democracy.
The Fed’s rigged-casino stock market will be dragged to the guillotine by one route or another: either a populist reform that dismantles the neofeudal financial tyranny of central banks and their soon-to-be-worthless fiat currencies, or the implosion of the entire corrupt neofeudal financial system of central banking, fiat currencies and rigged casino markets, all of which are nothing more than engines of inequality.
My new book is available! A Hacker’s Teleology: Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet 20% and 15% discounts (Kindle $7, print $17)
Read excerpts of the book for free (PDF).
The Story Behind the Book and the Introduction.
We are primarily funded by readers. Please subscribe and donate to support us!
Recent Podcasts:
AxisOfEasy Salon #26: Ben Hunt vs The Industrially Necessary Narratives (1 hr)
FRA Roundtable: Richard and I discuss Inflation (37 min)
Obsoleted Engineered Economic Relapse (with Chuck Ochelli, 1 hr)
What Could Go Wrong? (43 minutes, with Gordon Long)
My COVID-19 Pandemic Posts
My recent books:
A Hacker’s Teleology: Sharing the Wealth of Our Shrinking Planet (Kindle $8.95, print $20, audiobook coming soon) Read the first section for free (PDF).
Will You Be Richer or Poorer?: Profit, Power, and AI in a Traumatized World
(Kindle $5, print $10, audiobook) Read the first section for free (PDF).
Pathfinding our Destiny: Preventing the Final Fall of Our Democratic Republic ($5 (Kindle), $10 (print), ( audiobook): Read the first section for free (PDF).
The Adventures of the Consulting Philosopher: The Disappearance of Drake $1.29 (Kindle), $8.95 (print); read the first chapters for free (PDF)
Money and Work Unchained $6.95 (Kindle), $15 (print) Read the first section for free (PDF).
If you found value in this content, please join me in seeking solutions by becoming a $1/month patron of my work via patreon.com.


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--FBI may have Hunter’s laptop, his psychiatrist’s, and Devin Archers

.
@ TheLastRefuge2 Three laptops and maybe blackmailing child porn issues .
Wow is right .
t.co/OYrG4L9uGO

.@TheLastRefuge2 Three laptops and maybe blackmailing child porn issues. Wow is right. t.co/OYrG4L9uGO
— David ShoelessJoe🇺🇸 (@yohiobaseball) October 18, 2020


investmentwatchblog--2020-10-20--Technically Speaking: Market Bulls Are “All-In” Again

In yesterday ’ s post on “ Moral Hazard , ” we discussed how Fed actions shifted the “ risk appetite ” of investors through “ perceived ” insurance against losses .
As we head into a potentially contentious election , market “ bulls ” are “ all in ” again as hopes remain high that more “ stimulus ” will soon come .
Since the Fed intervened in March , investor sentiment has gotten run back up to extremes despite the economy remaining amid a deep recession .
As I noted in this past weekend ’ s RIAPro Subscriber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the Technical and market positioning “ Fear/Greed ” gauges have moved back into more extreme territory following the brief September decline .
Such is the case even though “ stimulus ” remains elusive , the Fed is on the sidelines , and economic growth has begun to disappoint as noted by the Economic Surprise Index .
The technical overbought/sold gauge comprises several price indicators ( RSI , Williams % R , etc . )
, measured using “ weekly ” closing price data .
Readings above “ 80 ” are considered overbought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversold .
Given this is weekly data , its readings move slowly and align with short-term peaks and troughs of markets The “ Fear/Greed ” gauge is how individual and professional investors are “ positioning ” themselves in the market based on their equity exposure .
From a contrarian position , the higher the allocation to equities , to more likely the market is closer to a correction than not .
The gauge uses weekly closing data .
One of the sub-components of the “ Fear/Greed ” gauge is the NAAIM index of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocation to that group ’ s equities .
Currently , equity allocations of professional investors are back to full weightings .
While such doesn ’ t mean the markets are about to crash , more often than not , their “ bullishness ” has tended to be an excellent short-term “ contrarian ” indicator .
The same goes for large speculative traders in the options market .
With call option buying back to more extreme levels , the risk remains skewed to the downside .
Short-term market timers are also back into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you get the idea ; investors are “ all-in ” as we head into the election .
Despite market sentiment on the more extreme side , the market ’ s short-term dynamics remain bullish for now .
As shown below , the market remains above both the 20- and 50-dma , with the 20-dma very close to a positive cross .
Such gives the market a decent level of nearby support , which should buoy prices near term .
There is a risk of a deeper sell-off in the short-term .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election leaves the market vulnerable to a decline .
September lows , and below that , the 200-dma are viable targets for a short-term correction .
Furthermore , given the markets have been running on hopes of “ more stimulus , ” there is a growing realization that another rescue package may not be coming until well after the election .
Either of those events would most certainly lead to lower asset prices in the short-term .
On a weekly basis , the market remains in a clear bullish trend from the 2009 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not clear the market excesses in terms of valuations and price action .
Note in 2008 , chart below , the depth of the decline in the indicators .
The decline in March did not reach those more extreme levels .
As noted in that article : While the “ correction ” in March was unusually swift , it did not break the long-term bullish trend .
Such suggests the bull market that began in 2009 is still intact as long as the monthly trend line holds .
With the current deviation above @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverging RSI , the risk of a bigger correction in 2021 has grown .
The only two real questions that investors must consider : • What will be the catalyst that starts the liquidation event ; and , • Will the Federal Reserve be able to “ bailout ” the markets a third time ?
The monthly trends confirm the same .
On a longer-term basis , we remain concerned about the dichotomy of signals from the market .
RSI ’ s negative divergences also appear on a monthly basis , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200-dma and extreme monthly overbought conditions .
The previous extensions over the last decade have led to decent corrections and outright bear markets .
Could this time be different ?
Sure , anything is possible .
However , as investors , we want to remain focused on the “ probabilities.
” What it won ’ t be is the “ election.
” Market participants have already “ weighed and measured ” the various outcomes of the election from a Biden “ win ” to a “ blue wave.
” Historically speaking , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ price in ” potential policy shifts .
The market likely has not fully priced in a “ contested election ” as we saw in 2000 , which implies a 7-10 % decline in the market .
There is no clear pathway for the markets currently , which is why we are beginning to evaluate our current holdings and starting to hedge for potential risks heading into the election .
Slow At First , Then All Of A Sudden What all of this suggests is that “ risk ” is building in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slowly .
Such is why the investment community often uses the analogy of “ boiling a frog.
” Turning up the heat slowly , frogs don ’ t realize the peril until it ’ s too late .
The same is true for investors who make a series of mistakes as “ risk ” builds up slowly .
• Investors are slow to react to new information ( they anchor ) , which initially leads to under-reaction but eventually shifts to over-reaction during late-cycle stages .
• The “ herding ” effect ultimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ justifications ” to explain over-valued holdings .
In other words , buying begets more buying .
• Lastly , as the markets turn , the “ disposition ” effect takes hold , and winners are sold to protect gains , but losers are held in the hopes of better prices later .
The end effect is not a pretty one .
When the buildup of “ risk ” is finally released , the explosion happens all at once , leaving investors paralyzed , trying to figure out what just happened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are the “ frog , ” it is too late to do anything about it .
Given that markets are still hovering within striking distance of all-time highs , there is no need to take action immediately .
However , the continuing erosion of underlying fundamental and technical strength keeps the risk/reward ratio out of favor .
As such , we suggest continuing to take actions to rebalance risk .
• Tighten up stop-loss levels to current support levels for each position .
• Take profits in positions that have been big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s long-term dynamics remain unfavorable , and the liquidity-fueled rally from the March lows have only exacerbated previous overvaluations .
Could the market rise from current levels through the end of the year ?
Absolutely , and is something that we currently expect to happen .
However , we think 2021 may start the “ payback ” process as economics and fundamentals play catch up with reality .
But we will deal with that issue next year .

by Lance Roberts
In yesterday’s post on “Moral Hazard,” we discussed how Fed actions shifted the “risk appetite” of investors through “perceived” insurance against losses. As we head into a potentially contentious election, market “bulls” are “all in” again as hopes remain high that more “stimulus” will soon come.
Since the Fed intervened in March, investor sentiment has gotten run back up to extremes despite the economy remaining amid a deep recession.
As I noted in this past weekend’s RIAPro Subscriber Newsletter (30-day Risk-Free Trial), both the Technical and market positioning “Fear/Greed” gauges have moved back into more extreme territory following the brief September decline. Such is the case even though “stimulus” remains elusive, the Fed is on the sidelines, and economic growth has begun to disappoint as noted by the Economic Surprise Index.
The technical overbought/sold gauge comprises several price indicators (RSI, Williams %R, etc.), measured using “weekly” closing price data. Readings above “80” are considered overbought, and below “20” is oversold. Given this is weekly data, its readings move slowly and align with short-term peaks and troughs of markets
The “Fear/Greed” gauge is how individual and professional investors are “positioning” themselves in the market based on their equity exposure. From a contrarian position, the higher the allocation to equities, to more likely the market is closer to a correction than not. The gauge uses weekly closing data.
More Sentiment Extremes
One of the sub-components of the “Fear/Greed” gauge is the NAAIM index of professional investors, which measures the percentage allocation to that group’s equities. Currently, equity allocations of professional investors are back to full weightings. While such doesn’t mean the markets are about to crash, more often than not, their “bullishness” has tended to be an excellent short-term “contrarian” indicator.
The same goes for large speculative traders in the options market. With call option buying back to more extreme levels, the risk remains skewed to the downside.
Short-term market timers are also back into the “excessively bullish” zone.
Okay, you get the idea; investors are “all-in” as we head into the election.
Short-Term Trends Remain Bullish
Despite market sentiment on the more extreme side, the market’s short-term dynamics remain bullish for now. As shown below, the market remains above both the 20- and 50-dma, with the 20-dma very close to a positive cross. Such gives the market a decent level of nearby support, which should buoy prices near term.
There is a risk of a deeper sell-off in the short-term. As noted this past weekend, a contested election leaves the market vulnerable to a decline. September lows, and below that, the 200-dma are viable targets for a short-term correction. Furthermore, given the markets have been running on hopes of “more stimulus,” there is a growing realization that another rescue package may not be coming until well after the election.
Either of those events would most certainly lead to lower asset prices in the short-term.
Intermediate Trends More Cautious
On a weekly basis, the market remains in a clear bullish trend from the 2009 lows. The correction in March did not clear the market excesses in terms of valuations and price action. Note in 2008, chart below, the depth of the decline in the indicators. The decline in March did not reach those more extreme levels. As noted in that article:
“Corrections” generally occur over short time frames, do not break the prevailing trend in prices, and are quickly resolved by markets reversing to new highs.
“Bear Markets” tend to be long-term affairs where prices grind sideways or lower over several months as valuations are reverted. I discussed this concept in the video below.
While the “correction” in March was unusually swift, it did not break the long-term bullish trend. Such suggests the bull market that began in 2009 is still intact as long as the monthly trend line holds.
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With the current deviation above the long-term bullish trend and a negatively diverging RSI, the risk of a bigger correction in 2021 has grown. The only two real questions that investors must consider:
What will be the catalyst that starts the liquidation event; and, Will the Federal Reserve be able to “bailout” the markets a third time?
The monthly trends confirm the same.
Monthly Trends Remain Bearish
On a longer-term basis, we remain concerned about the dichotomy of signals from the market. RSI’s negative divergences also appear on a monthly basis, along with the number of stocks above their respective 200-dma and extreme monthly overbought conditions.
The previous extensions over the last decade have led to decent corrections and outright bear markets.
Hedging For Unknowns
Could this time be different? Sure, anything is possible. However, as investors, we want to remain focused on the “probabilities.”
What it won’t be is the “election.” Market participants have already “weighed and measured” the various outcomes of the election from a Biden “win” to a “blue wave.” Historically speaking, the markets quickly adapt to the next President and “price in” potential policy shifts.
The market likely has not fully priced in a “contested election” as we saw in 2000, which implies a 7-10% decline in the market.
There is no clear pathway for the markets currently, which is why we are beginning to evaluate our current holdings and starting to hedge for potential risks heading into the election.
Slow At First, Then All Of A Sudden
What all of this suggests is that “risk” is building in the markets.
However, risk builds slowly. Such is why the investment community often uses the analogy of “boiling a frog.” Turning up the heat slowly, frogs don’t realize the peril until it’s too late. The same is true for investors who make a series of mistakes as “risk” builds up slowly.
Investors are slow to react to new information (they anchor) , which initially leads to under-reaction but eventually shifts to over-reaction during late-cycle stages.
, which initially leads to under-reaction but eventually shifts to over-reaction during late-cycle stages. The “herding” effect ultimately drives investors. A rising market leads to “justifications” to explain over-valued holdings. In other words, buying begets more buying.
Lastly, as the markets turn, the “disposition” effect takes hold, and winners are sold to protect gains, but losers are held in the hopes of better prices later.
The end effect is not a pretty one.
When the buildup of “risk” is finally released, the explosion happens all at once, leaving investors paralyzed, trying to figure out what just happened. Unfortunately, by the time they realize they are the “frog,” it is too late to do anything about it.
Rules To Follow
Given that markets are still hovering within striking distance of all-time highs, there is no need to take action immediately. However, the continuing erosion of underlying fundamental and technical strength keeps the risk/reward ratio out of favor. As such, we suggest continuing to take actions to rebalance risk.
Tighten up stop-loss levels to current support levels for each position. Hedge portfolios against major market declines. Take profits in positions that have been big winners. Sell laggards and losers. Raise cash and rebalance portfolios to target weightings.
As stated, the market’s long-term dynamics remain unfavorable, and the liquidity-fueled rally from the March lows have only exacerbated previous overvaluations. Could the market rise from current levels through the end of the year? Absolutely, and is something that we currently expect to happen.
However, we think 2021 may start the “payback” process as economics and fundamentals play catch up with reality.
But we will deal with that issue next year.