The day Trump returns to office can’t come soon enough. I hope he cracks down as severely as possible on illegal immigration, and shows kindness to folks like my wife, who is jumping through the many hoops of the legal immigration process. She is a professional accountant with a graduate degree and speaks English fairly well. She is also a devout christian. It is infuriating see the videos and statistics about illegals from all over the world entering, who aren’t all that interested in assimilation or are affiliated with cultures that are hostile or incompatible with western culture. While I have citizenship, I cannot live away from my family, so we are waiting in Brazil.
Well, it looks like dozens of drones are zipping across the night sky over NJ, parts of Oregon , NY, etc.
The FEDS insist that there is nothing to worry about even though they claim they do not know who ordered the drones, where they came from and what their purpose is.
But hey, “the border is secure – Mayorkas” insists all is just fine. Nothing to worry about.
One must have their nether parts way up their intestinal canal to believe the US Govt (e.g., the military) does not know what’s going on.
If you watch any videos released by the Ukrainian or Israeli military , you can see their drones aimed with amazing precision and destroying a military target.
So why can’t a swarm of drones be aimed to go directly thru the window of the White House’s Oval Office?? Or directed to the upcoming inauguration proceedings venue? Or to the Capitol Bldg during a state of the union address??
I can only assume that our military has considered this.
Then again, perhaps they are too busy implementing DEI policies and anti-white-privilege policies to be bothered.
Economic Development: From the Roof, or from the Foundations?
President Trump just had a news conference – over an hour. It was refreshing and interesting. He answered most of the points and deferred to January 20th for answers to other points.
One question dealt with military and political strategy about the Middle East. Trump actually told the “journalist” that the question was stupid since you never publicly tell your opponents the strategy before hand. Why is that so hard for those people to understand?
so clarissa ward, who has gotten some special scoops like the isis k leader she interviewed two weeks before abbey gate, was punked by a supposed former
syrian prisoner who it turns out was a regime torturer, locked up for failure to pay debts nothing political
Logan, I also believe the day Trump assumes office cannot come soon enough. My son, x-boy, attended Delft University, a leading engineering school. Several of his classmates upon finishing their studies wished to immigrate to the US but were denied permission. Nuts – most qualified refused but many of the most depraved admitted. Makes no sense. Hopefully Trump will correct. Best luck to you and yours.
our learning curve seems to be negative on such things,
Trudeau is struggling to hang on to his Prime Minstership. If Pierre Poilievre becomes Prime Minister of Canada, Trump’s second term could be an renaissance of liberty and free enterprise for the western hemisphere. Melei in Argentina, Bukele in El Salvador…
Western European progressives still have a strong hold on political leadership, but a strong, cohesive front on reducing the size and scope of government from Argentina, Canada, El Salvador and the U.S. could create an economic tsunami that helps populist movements in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium… Unfortunately England is in a tough spot, politically, and progressives seem more entrenched there.
Liz, I agree that President Trump’s press conference was interesting and refreshing. I am concerned, though, about his view of the economic/financial system. He still points to a rising stock market as proof of a strong economy, and asserts that the economy during his first term was the best ever. Both claims are nonsense.
Moreover, Trump’s economy-related staff picks all seem to be big money/Wall Street insider types. And he loves an activist Federal Reserve with its low, low interest rates and money printing. And then he blames inflation on Biden.
Am I reading this correctly?
AWOL Civilization,
Yes, you are correctly “reading” Trump’s tried and true tactic of using hyperbole to bolster optimism. It’s not an unusual strategy for a leader.
George Washington to his troops on August 30th, 1776:
“We lost New York. England is the most powerful empire on Earth. Our adversary is better equipped and financed than us, their soldiers are more professional, their leaders are better educated. We have almost no chance of winning and many of you will die if we continue this fool’s errand. If we lose we will all likely be killed as traitors. Now, let’s go and win!”
@Rufus:George Washington to his troops on August 30th, 1776
Is that a paraphrase? It doesn’t sound like an 18th-century quote. I searched for a speech given on that occasion and didn’t find one, would appreciate the link if you have one.
Closest I could find was General Orders August 23 1776:
The Enemy have now landed on Long Island, and the hour is fast approaching, on which the Honor and Success of this army, and the safety of our bleeding Country depend. Remember officers and Soldiers, that you are Freemen, fighting for the blessings of Liberty—that slavery will be your portion, and that of your posterity, if you do not acquit yourselves like men: Remember how your Courage and Spirit have been dispised, and traduced by your cruel invaders; though they have found by dear experience at Boston, Charlestown and other places, what a few brave men contending in their own land, and in the best of causes can do, against base hirelings and mercenaries—Be cool, but determined; do not fire at a distance, but wait for orders from your officers—It is the General’s express orders that if any man attempt to skulk, lay down, or retreat without Orders he be instantly shot down as an example, he hopes no such Scoundrel will be found in this army; but on the contrary, every one for himself resolving to conquer, or die, and trusting to the smiles of heaven upon so just a cause, will behave with Bravery and Resolution: Those who are distinguished for their Gallantry, and good Conduct, may depend upon being honorably noticed, and suitably rewarded: And if this Army will but emulate, and imitate their brave Countrymen, in other parts of America, he has no doubt they will, by a glorious Victory, save their Country, and acquire to themselves immortal Honor.
Niketas,
It was sarcasm. Of course George Washington never spoke like that to his troops. No winning general ever has. Nor winning athletic coach. Nor successful political leader. It’s precisely why Reagan could take the same circumstances as Carter and motivate the American public to strive for and achieve great things.
I am astounded at how many seemingly intelligent people still do not understand Trump’s tactics after his being in politics for about 10 years, a reality television performer for 14 years and after he literally wrote down the exact same approach over 40 years ago in his best seller, “The Art of the Deal.”
Trump is always negotiating. He uses hyperbole to set parameters and expectations then maneuvers to get the best outcome possible. It’s just that simple. How can people not understand this by now?
@Rufus:How can people not understand this by now?
Some don’t want to understand, some are too old to catch up, and some pretend not to understand because there is a paycheck tied to that pretense, that’s what I figure anyway.
Sometimes the /sarc \sarc is implied. Sometimes authors forget to wink 😉
Rufus,
Trump’s policies in his first term were inflationary. He pressured the Fed to lower interest rates. Big-money insiders appointed to key positions. The national debt continued its meteoric rise on his watch. The stock market continued its upward march while the real economy was falling apart. Now, we’re hearing the same noises and seeing the same things take shape, so I’m worried that we are going to see the same result.
If this is the art of the deal, to get the best outcome possible, I must ask the question: Best outcome for whom?
AWOL Civilization, I’m not sure where you’re getting your inflation information, but inflation was low during Trump’s first term.
The effective Fed funds rate was 0.66% when Trump took office Jan 20, 2017.
The Fed began raising rates at that point to an effective rate of 2.4% by July, 2019.
At the same time the FED began their quantitative tightening during Trump’s first term. According to some economists, this had the effect of adding about 0.5-0.75% to interest rates as they sold almost $1 trillion of assets. The economy did soften in 2019 and rates were lowered and another round of quantitative easing began.
As to the debt, Trump’s administration added $2.47 Trillion in 2018-2019. It’s disingenuous to fault the debt added in 2020 as we were responding to an unknown virus. Yes Trump is not an economic conservative, but not exactly meteoric territory.
Compare those two years to the same place in Obama’s second term during 2014-2015 where his administration added $1.75 Trillion.
Brian,
I am basing my inflation statement on (a) lived experience; and (b) measurements of inflation that do not rely on phony government statistics like the CPI. For instance, John Williams’s “Shadowstats,” which shows an average of about 6 percent during Trump’s first term. Not disastrous, but definitely inflationary.
You wrote, “The economy did soften in 2019 and rates were lowered and another round of quantitative easing began.” I believe 2019 was during Trump’s term in office. Quantitative easing = money printing = inflation.
“As to the debt, Trump’s administration added $2.47 Trillion in 2018-2019. It’s disingenuous to fault the debt added in 2020 as we were responding to an unknown virus.” Regarding the $2.47 trillion: I’m reminded of the old saying, a trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. Two and a half trillion bucks doesn’t bother you?
And why can’t I fault the debt added in 2020? This kicked off what may be the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of the world. Catastrophic consequences with no end in sight.
The Quantitative Easing in 2019 was minimal compared to post The Great Recession and The Great China Flu. They bought about $400 B of assets.
As to why it’s not informative of Trump’s economic policies in his first term– the obvious one is a president doesn’t control the purse, Congress does.
But more importantly, if COVID hadn’t happened, do you think the deficit in 2020 would have been $4 trillion?
As to inflation, you need to fault every president since Ronald Reagan, if you’re going to use shadowstats methodology. And once again, it’s the Fed’s mandate to control inflation, and while Presidents and Congress can browbeat the Fed to bend policy, the Fed is independent. As bad as the Fed’s policies are to benefit Wall St. rather than Main St., heaven help us if Congress took back control of monetary policy.
Yes, some of his picks are concerning, but Trump’s managerial style is to listen to different points of view– but he still makes the decisions. His use of tariffs to benefit Main St. is real and I don’t think he’ll be talked out of using them effectively.
When you realize that you are the Self,
Supreme Source of Light, Supreme
Source of Love, you Transcend the Duality
of Life and enter into the Unitive State.
The Mundaka Upanishad (3)
The Unibody Automobile, it has no frame (of reference) .
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The day Trump returns to office can’t come soon enough. I hope he cracks down as severely as possible on illegal immigration, and shows kindness to folks like my wife, who is jumping through the many hoops of the legal immigration process. She is a professional accountant with a graduate degree and speaks English fairly well. She is also a devout christian. It is infuriating see the videos and statistics about illegals from all over the world entering, who aren’t all that interested in assimilation or are affiliated with cultures that are hostile or incompatible with western culture. While I have citizenship, I cannot live away from my family, so we are waiting in Brazil.
Well, it looks like dozens of drones are zipping across the night sky over NJ, parts of Oregon , NY, etc.
The FEDS insist that there is nothing to worry about even though they claim they do not know who ordered the drones, where they came from and what their purpose is.
But hey, “the border is secure – Mayorkas” insists all is just fine. Nothing to worry about.
One must have their nether parts way up their intestinal canal to believe the US Govt (e.g., the military) does not know what’s going on.
If you watch any videos released by the Ukrainian or Israeli military , you can see their drones aimed with amazing precision and destroying a military target.
So why can’t a swarm of drones be aimed to go directly thru the window of the White House’s Oval Office?? Or directed to the upcoming inauguration proceedings venue? Or to the Capitol Bldg during a state of the union address??
I can only assume that our military has considered this.
Then again, perhaps they are too busy implementing DEI policies and anti-white-privilege policies to be bothered.
Economic Development: From the Roof, or from the Foundations?
https://chicagoboyz.net/archives/72624.html
President Trump just had a news conference – over an hour. It was refreshing and interesting. He answered most of the points and deferred to January 20th for answers to other points.
One question dealt with military and political strategy about the Middle East. Trump actually told the “journalist” that the question was stupid since you never publicly tell your opponents the strategy before hand. Why is that so hard for those people to understand?
fascinating
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14196889/silver-amulet-Germany-Christianity.html
so clarissa ward, who has gotten some special scoops like the isis k leader she interviewed two weeks before abbey gate, was punked by a supposed former
syrian prisoner who it turns out was a regime torturer, locked up for failure to pay debts nothing political
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/12/15/syria-jail-man-rescued-filmed-false-identity-cnn-fact-check/
Peggy Lee and Andy Williams.
==
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmjSp4yl0Vo
Logan, I also believe the day Trump assumes office cannot come soon enough. My son, x-boy, attended Delft University, a leading engineering school. Several of his classmates upon finishing their studies wished to immigrate to the US but were denied permission. Nuts – most qualified refused but many of the most depraved admitted. Makes no sense. Hopefully Trump will correct. Best luck to you and yours.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/trudeau-considering-his-options-as-leader-after-freeland-quits-cabinet-sources-say-1.7146952
curious no
https://x.com/TPASarah/status/1868288980845769071
our learning curve seems to be negative on such things,
Trudeau is struggling to hang on to his Prime Minstership. If Pierre Poilievre becomes Prime Minister of Canada, Trump’s second term could be an renaissance of liberty and free enterprise for the western hemisphere. Melei in Argentina, Bukele in El Salvador…
Western European progressives still have a strong hold on political leadership, but a strong, cohesive front on reducing the size and scope of government from Argentina, Canada, El Salvador and the U.S. could create an economic tsunami that helps populist movements in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium… Unfortunately England is in a tough spot, politically, and progressives seem more entrenched there.
some people never learn
https://x.com/Heminator/status/1868769412540776890
Liz, I agree that President Trump’s press conference was interesting and refreshing. I am concerned, though, about his view of the economic/financial system. He still points to a rising stock market as proof of a strong economy, and asserts that the economy during his first term was the best ever. Both claims are nonsense.
Moreover, Trump’s economy-related staff picks all seem to be big money/Wall Street insider types. And he loves an activist Federal Reserve with its low, low interest rates and money printing. And then he blames inflation on Biden.
Am I reading this correctly?
AWOL Civilization,
Yes, you are correctly “reading” Trump’s tried and true tactic of using hyperbole to bolster optimism. It’s not an unusual strategy for a leader.
George Washington to his troops on August 30th, 1776:
“We lost New York. England is the most powerful empire on Earth. Our adversary is better equipped and financed than us, their soldiers are more professional, their leaders are better educated. We have almost no chance of winning and many of you will die if we continue this fool’s errand. If we lose we will all likely be killed as traitors. Now, let’s go and win!”
@Rufus:George Washington to his troops on August 30th, 1776
Is that a paraphrase? It doesn’t sound like an 18th-century quote. I searched for a speech given on that occasion and didn’t find one, would appreciate the link if you have one.
Closest I could find was General Orders August 23 1776:
Niketas,
It was sarcasm. Of course George Washington never spoke like that to his troops. No winning general ever has. Nor winning athletic coach. Nor successful political leader. It’s precisely why Reagan could take the same circumstances as Carter and motivate the American public to strive for and achieve great things.
I am astounded at how many seemingly intelligent people still do not understand Trump’s tactics after his being in politics for about 10 years, a reality television performer for 14 years and after he literally wrote down the exact same approach over 40 years ago in his best seller, “The Art of the Deal.”
Trump is always negotiating. He uses hyperbole to set parameters and expectations then maneuvers to get the best outcome possible. It’s just that simple. How can people not understand this by now?
@Rufus:How can people not understand this by now?
Some don’t want to understand, some are too old to catch up, and some pretend not to understand because there is a paycheck tied to that pretense, that’s what I figure anyway.
Sometimes the /sarc \sarc is implied. Sometimes authors forget to wink 😉
Rufus,
Trump’s policies in his first term were inflationary. He pressured the Fed to lower interest rates. Big-money insiders appointed to key positions. The national debt continued its meteoric rise on his watch. The stock market continued its upward march while the real economy was falling apart. Now, we’re hearing the same noises and seeing the same things take shape, so I’m worried that we are going to see the same result.
If this is the art of the deal, to get the best outcome possible, I must ask the question: Best outcome for whom?
AWOL Civilization, I’m not sure where you’re getting your inflation information, but inflation was low during Trump’s first term.
The effective Fed funds rate was 0.66% when Trump took office Jan 20, 2017.
The Fed began raising rates at that point to an effective rate of 2.4% by July, 2019.
At the same time the FED began their quantitative tightening during Trump’s first term. According to some economists, this had the effect of adding about 0.5-0.75% to interest rates as they sold almost $1 trillion of assets. The economy did soften in 2019 and rates were lowered and another round of quantitative easing began.
As to the debt, Trump’s administration added $2.47 Trillion in 2018-2019. It’s disingenuous to fault the debt added in 2020 as we were responding to an unknown virus. Yes Trump is not an economic conservative, but not exactly meteoric territory.
Compare those two years to the same place in Obama’s second term during 2014-2015 where his administration added $1.75 Trillion.
https://www.stlouisfed.org/open-vault/2019/july/what-is-quantitative-tightening
Brian,
I am basing my inflation statement on (a) lived experience; and (b) measurements of inflation that do not rely on phony government statistics like the CPI. For instance, John Williams’s “Shadowstats,” which shows an average of about 6 percent during Trump’s first term. Not disastrous, but definitely inflationary.
You wrote, “The economy did soften in 2019 and rates were lowered and another round of quantitative easing began.” I believe 2019 was during Trump’s term in office. Quantitative easing = money printing = inflation.
“As to the debt, Trump’s administration added $2.47 Trillion in 2018-2019. It’s disingenuous to fault the debt added in 2020 as we were responding to an unknown virus.” Regarding the $2.47 trillion: I’m reminded of the old saying, a trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money. Two and a half trillion bucks doesn’t bother you?
And why can’t I fault the debt added in 2020? This kicked off what may be the greatest transfer of wealth in the history of the world. Catastrophic consequences with no end in sight.
The Quantitative Easing in 2019 was minimal compared to post The Great Recession and The Great China Flu. They bought about $400 B of assets.
As to why it’s not informative of Trump’s economic policies in his first term– the obvious one is a president doesn’t control the purse, Congress does.
But more importantly, if COVID hadn’t happened, do you think the deficit in 2020 would have been $4 trillion?
As to inflation, you need to fault every president since Ronald Reagan, if you’re going to use shadowstats methodology. And once again, it’s the Fed’s mandate to control inflation, and while Presidents and Congress can browbeat the Fed to bend policy, the Fed is independent. As bad as the Fed’s policies are to benefit Wall St. rather than Main St., heaven help us if Congress took back control of monetary policy.
Yes, some of his picks are concerning, but Trump’s managerial style is to listen to different points of view– but he still makes the decisions. His use of tariffs to benefit Main St. is real and I don’t think he’ll be talked out of using them effectively.
Spirit-Flesh as One: the Unitive State
The Unibody Automobile, it has no frame (of reference) .