Saturday Open Thread - 4/5/25: Odds and Ends
Good morning, good people!
I want to add an aspect to the democracy thread of yesterday. This is info from a few weeks ago, and once seen, never forgotten.
From 2019 to 2024, wealth of some elected officials:
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez $15k to $23.6 million
- Ilhan Omar $62k to $26. 6 million
- Rashida Tlaib $62k to $17. 2 million
- Ayanna Pressley $3k to $41.3 million
Now, that is democracy with a capital D!
Democracy really works (for some.)!
If they would tell me which stocks to buy ahead of a government contract, I, like them, would buy just the same stocks as they did. I would promise I would donate/vote for them if they did! (pinky swear)
Some of you may be experiencing tornadoes and floods and all kinds of weather disasters. We will have rains. Heavy rains. Maybe high winds.
Some Texas tornadoes:
The tariffs will impact clothes and shoes. I may buy some house flip flops tomorrow while I can.
The economy is going down, as is the American Empire. I need some shoes to sit around and comfortably watch the fire.
I don't know, friends. Shit is hitting the fan. Seems the fans are in all directions, and we can't dodge the shit.
Will all of this crash and burn lead to the salvation (of the 1%) by CBDCs?
Well, this is an open thread, open to all things of interest to you, and all things you wish to share with your friends here.
Comments
Good morning, good friends!
Hunker down if your weather is scary!
I look forward to hearing from all of you. Lot of crazy round the world, ain't there?
Anyways, your turn.
Let 'er rip!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Very interesting
Does it say where the money came from? With that kind of money no wonder we recede in the rear view mirror at such a speedy rate. Actually more like a moonshot looking back at earth. Can't say they're one of us anymore, really.
Good morning, Snode!
Members of Congress turn in financial reports that are supposed to show said members are not in any conflicts of interest. Pelosi exemplifies what a weak shield this is, as she has been caught doing insider trading for decades.
I read a headline this morning that Congress is moving ahead with Trump's tax breaks and entitlement cuts through legislation.
Bipartisan.
They sadistically enjoy starving the 99%ers.
Enjoy your weekend, Snode!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
For clarification,
everyone in Congress, other than Thomas Massey, practices insider trading, "blind trusts" with their spouses, etc... It is legal.
We know, then, how they will vote and why before their vote is cast.
Our democracy is in open view to show how our treasure is distributed.
Now, let's vote, and vote harder.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
The regional Federal Reserve Bank boards are a similar swamp
Robert Kaplan’s insider trading (“like a hedge fund kingpin” while president of the Dallas Fed) was exposed as exposed could be, and NOTHING HAPPENED.
https://wallstreetonparade.com/2023/10/after-two-years-theres-still-no-l...
On the contrary, in the end Kaplan was rewarded, returning to a vice-chairmanship at, where else, Goldman Sachs.
https://wallstreetonparade.com/2024/05/goldman-sachs-shines-up-its-swamp...
Good morning, LotLiz!
So, Kaplan really is a "bankster"?
Man, rules for thee, but not for me writ large.
What mental defect causes men like Kaplan to be so psychotically greedy?
Thanks for the articles, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Stock market, OTC?
Isn't that kinda tricky? You know, getting caught up in potentially looking bad?
Wouldn't it be better to being "elected" to the chairperson of an NGO? Perhaps called: Fund to Benefit Downtrodden Female Bartenders with a Hypenated Name? Then you can "hire" the other members of the squad to be on the board. And in return you could be on their board. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
Long ago when I was but a teen I listened to the raunchy Redd Foxx. I remember the gist of one of his nightclub bits, not the literal: "Here's the head of my church, Father Tim. He works hard to save fallen women... he'll save you a blond for $5.
Oh well, enough of that... much crying and gnashing of teeth the last few days over the tariffs. Owner of a collection of auto dealers in the area here. All kinds of brands. He's been on the local snooze lamenting his plight. Has me in tears. He's the one who semi-extorted me to continue buying from him. Turns out my fairly new car was put on the recall list. Oh, how terrible... couldn't sell it because of state rules, couldn't trade it in, etc. Worst of call, couldn't put a plate on it this year.
Of course the necessary part was on backorder from across the sea. But he could help me out if I bought this super, duper top of the line auto. I'd only have to eat about $9000 in "convenience" fee as well as the increased cost. Watta guy!
Long ago I had bought that brand because I thought it was better. BS. Had serious electrical issues and scuttlebutt was for mostly garaged drivers to avoid it like the cootie scamdemic. Add in the blocked repairs and... I went with a different brand that I believed to be more repair capable. Now all we need are some right to repair laws and there will be jobs. Local... Here!
And now for some shadenfeuda (sp?) I heard the Land Rover is cutting back on deliveries here. Don't know how accurate this report is... I can imagine the owner above when one of the "special" people finds out that their order will be $15k more than budgeted. Who bites the loss?
On a personal note my week ended wonderfully. Managed to solve my insulin extortion problem. Everything looking up. I'm leaning toward a move out of this state around July.
Be well all, please. O-O
Good morning, exindy!
happy to hear your insulin supply is suddenly affordable. However, I have read that the tariffs on China will cause medicines to increase in price, both prescription and otc meds. And clothing, shoes, tablets, autos, home appliances, home construction, and so on.
I do not know anyone who has not been scammed by a used car dealer. I was scammed by Ford. Two new fancy 3/4 ton trucks. One was a custom truck, the other was the mighty King Ranch. Within 7 years, both of them developed electrical problems that caused them to just go dead. No dealership, no high end auto repair shop, could determine the problem or replace the defective parts. They could not ascertain which parts were defective. I traded them in for almost nothing, and figure they were shipped to Mexico. Mexicans seem to be able to figure out the problems.
As for the stock market, absolutely everyone I know lost money playing the stock market. I put $ into an investment firm, dodn't lose anything, but they switched stocks, bought and sold constantly, charged me fees, so I spent all return on investment paying them to buy and sell my stocks.
The last few years I have had clients move to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Years ago the destination was Alaska. When I was young, Idaho appealed to me. Now that I am old and decrepit, I will just stay put in Texas. I can bug out in hot August to a cooler clime, enjoy a few weeks vacation.
Where are you considering as your destination? We would all enjoy learning something appealing about some damn where, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Thanks so much for the response
I think so many of us are struggling these days. It seems like our society has lost so much and we are all falling into desperation mode.
The medical system here is just like the alternate media portrays just about every function that people need to rely on for their basic needs. There was a time when the people could choose their doctors and have a say in their treatment. In this area not any more. The care is determined by the monopoly providers and the primary physician (PCP) is the gatekeeper, no option.
Last year I had a medical issue and before could be seen, the PCP required a cootie test and a shot... then we could talk about my condition. I refused and rode it out. Then my insulin script ran out, as did a couple of other scripts. No refill until I complied. So I went to the ER and I'm covered into the summer. I know I bring on many of these situations because I'm so dam stubborn but I don't like being pushed.
I mentioned that I grew up in appalachia in a deep mining town and then moved into the rust belt. I lived the offshoring, outsourcing death of our industrial base, OH, PA, WV. I was a lucky one, one of the traditional Sigmas. My, what MsIndy puts up with. My dream is to own a dozen acres with a meadow.
Thanks so much for letting me vent, OTC.
I live on 12 acres
atop the highest portion, easily overlooking a meadow. The new room we added has huge windows on 3 walls specifically for the purpose of having an unobstructed view.
Well, my Medicare supplemental coverage allows me to choose my own drs. Well, if they are all diagnosing via AIChat GPT, and getting kick backs from Big Pharma, that may not matter that much. Fuck a jab! What does that have to do with, say, high blood sugar, acid reflux, upset stomach, chronic headaches, strep throat, and so forth?
2 drs. mis-diagnosed my secretary's strep, and she finally got treatment at an urgent care center. Another client got a botched back surgery, a botched second surgery for repair, left the hospital in a wheelchair with no rehab, and she taught herself to walk with a cane. Another client was rendered wheelchair bound permanently after her botched back surgery. Another client died of multiple massive strokes a few months after the jab. Another client died of brain cancer a few months after it. Another client died from throat cancer. Another client's son died from heart failure at age 8.
My hometown is pop. 800, county of primary practice is 21,000. Most of the dead worked in jobs that mandated the jab. Schools require all kids to have all vaxxes on the chart to enroll.
When you or anyone vents, the rest of us learn something about life experiences that just may come our way. I actually welcome them, appreciate you sharing your problems and outcomes, and you wouldn't be human if you weren't hugely pissed off.
Reminder: No. 1 cause of death in the US is heart issues; No 2 is cancer; No. 3 is medical errors. I have lost count of how many drs. and dentists who have treated me have completely fucked me up. I have correctly diagnosed myself twice, kept the drs. from killing me with the wrong treatment.
We should always get a second opinion.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
insulin info for those having supply problems
An option when other sources not available. Original commercial insulin sourced from beef or pork have never required a prescription. Walmart has their own brand behind pharmacy counter. The genetic engineered insulins have required a doctors order (script) since introduced in the 1980's. Most of the information in the articles below are accurate. Both mention older insulins are more unreliable is not something I have personally seen. Variability has a greater relation to where the shot was given on the body. A very, very small number of persons would do better on pork, beef or human (from bacteria) insulin and required to stay with one brand.
If mixing two types (Regular and NPH) insulin in a syringe always pull the clear one first and the suspension second as not to contaminate the clear bottle with a delaying agent.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Insulin: What You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know About Walmart Insulin
It is not a bad idea for anyone taking insulin to have their doctor provide instructions on how to use the two most common insulin formulations (Regular and NPH) just in case in an emergency they are the only products available or in your emergency supplies.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
I only have a few friends
who are on insulin, but will get this info to them.
much appreciated, soe!
Enjoy your weekend, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning...
Had a pleasant Trade Day. Weather was nice. I found a buy on some old silver dimes to add to my stack. They should hold their value and be good barter pieces if the economy crashes and burns.
I'm no economist, but I listen to them and investors. I've heard both sides of the tariff argument, and have decided to wait and see what happens.
I know I'm unhappy at the relentless bombing of Yemen, Gaza, Syria, etc. Whatta mistake! We can't learn. Time and time again.
Well, better get on with my chores. Have a good day and thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning, LO!
Today is a heavy rain day. No excuse, I do 4 loads of laundry today. Exciting, amirite?
Analysts are taking opposite sides on the tariff issue. Brilliant strategy, total disaster, absolutely nothing in between. The lack of nuance leads me to believe their forecasts are more politically motivated than they should be. Trump good, Trump bad, is not appropriate starting point in economic policy assessment.
The new room is needing the walls and ceiling painted, then it will be done. The wood floor was laid and stained Friday, but before we moved my table and chair back in, we made a quick trip to Walmart to get a throw rug. We got the cheapest 5' x 7' on the shelf. $30. Well, it turned out to be beautiful, so now we will use a wall paint color to match it. What a pleasant surprise!
Another surprise: crows love doughnuts. A client brought me a dozen, 9 of them got thrown over the yard fence. I was curious as to which critter would eat them.
Out of concern for price hikes, I want to buy a small a/c window unit soon. The afternoon sun will be brutal.
I hope things are going great in the Holler, friend. Enjoy your weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hola, otc et. y'all. So, when does your week start.
Most calendars that show the full week select Sunday or Monday. Many just show weekdays. Some people opt for "starts the day after my Sabbath", and some for "the first workday". One grows up with some one of these habits learned from parents and peers. I'm working om some activity and planning templates, and, naturally, started on Monday, but today I realized that to be bullshit. Today is Farmers' market, we buy veggies and such for the following week and it seemed to me to be a pretty natural beginning for the week. However, tomorrow we trade off cooking duties, so my week to cook starts, or doesn't, on Sunday. Zo, for now, I'm going with Sunday, I guess.
That out of the way, that wealth chart is amazing with regard to the rate of growth of the cowrie pile. I can't but wonder how much of it has been taxed, and how much of their total actual wealth is included in those figures. Ah well
Ah well, tempus is fugiting and My task list is ever lengthening, so I'd best get to it.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good afternoon, el!
In honor of Hump Day and TGIF, Monday starts the week for us.
Chores and slated tasks are never ending, friend. And auto repairs and maintenance! New tires on the truck last week, new spark plug coils on the SUV this week, and new brake pads and battery wire on the Z car asap. Not bitching, since the truck has never had to be repaired, this is the first repair on the 2008 Z car, and spark plug replacements on the SUV are routine and expected. My experience with Nissan, Toyota, and Hyundai has been excellent.
Are you allowed a little cook cheat? Like, taking your wife out for a surprise dinner?
Might be tempting.
Have a great weekend-ish, my friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Trump is trying to force companies back home
.
Here’s why it won’t work.
Trump’s spox admitted that companies have been offshoring their jobs and factories for decades, but no one has admitted that it was our government who made it happen. They even got tax incentives when they offshored their businesses.
The guy who writes the right wing site has been singing Trumps praises and so the people who read him do it too. Every time I say something against the grain I get called a libtard or a troll. No argument against what I say. This is cult behavior just like the dem cult. It’s not dems fault for their failings, it’s the base for not voting for them and giving them a big enough majority. Even though dems have held all branches of government more than 3 times since Clinton.
“Rising odds that the asteroid that briefly threatened Earth will hit moon”
Is it too late to knock it back on course?
I'm not a tariff fan
Not now anyway, it's too late to fix the hollowing out of the US economy that made the billionaire oligarchs what they are today.
Many things the administration says about how it is just reacting to tariffs placed on the US are simply inaccurate or complete misrepresentations. I think the Trump tendency is to be overly simplistic, and poor on analysis and details. Either that, or to deliberately mislead because of some childish impulse that leads them to believe they are smarter than their trade counterparts overseas. That's a dubious assumption considering our current circumstances.
On the other hand, I'm not sympathetic to Apple. They have had huge profit margins outsourcing their production, and shipping "components" here and there in a tax avoidance scheme. They also try to arbitrage labor costs and avoid regulations as much as possible to max out their profits with their so called "overseas supply chain." The reality is their Iphones were inexpensive to make and way overpriced for years. They can just suffer as far as I care.
語必忠信 行必正直
Poor Apple.
Boo hoo. Artificial tears for the tax cheat, labor union busting bastard!
Where will air polluting factories be welcomed here in the US?
This is not the 40s and 50s, I must reiterate!
Enjoy your weekend, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I could care less if American companies are hurt
by the tariffs. They decided to abandon their workers just so they could keep more of their money. They helped decimate the rust belt and other parts of the country and they couldn’t care less about how many Americans slipped into poverty.
Plus they constantly tell congress that they are paying too much in taxes. So yeah. F them.
“Rising odds that the asteroid that briefly threatened Earth will hit moon”
Is it too late to knock it back on course?
I liked the Rossi video
...Snoopy, thanks for posting it. I know someone very much like him, who has similar views.
Arnaud should pick a less politically loaded example to make his case. People treat Apple like it's the US flagship company or something. Apple could care less.
語必忠信 行必正直
Yep
Lots of Americans have exceptional thinking and think that no matter what America is the cat’s meow.
America has become a FIRE economy.
Financial
Insurance
Rentier
Economic?
Plus businesses have to offer and pay for healthcare. Dunno why they haven’t ever insisted that the government pays for it.
And our educational system has been rotted out and no one has the skills or knowledge to make things. These are the things our government and our parasite class has decided what’s best for them and not we the people.
I wish people were taught the video points in school. I wish they were taught something worthwhile….
Oh yeah and good luck to us in warring with China. We have to buy almost everything for the military from them.
“Rising odds that the asteroid that briefly threatened Earth will hit moon”
Is it too late to knock it back on course?
Great video, snoopy!
The guy is obviously a conservative, but he has intimate knowledge of the manufacturing process that lends credence to his opinions. The goal of turning the US back into a manufacturing economy is going to take a long time, face economic competition that didn't exist in the 40s and 50s.
Which rw site are you tangling in, getting called libtard? Lol!
We are having a bad storm blow in, and I am hoping the lights stay on.
Enjoy your weekend making my client happy, chica!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It’s that site I sent you
Just a bunch of mindless parrots who parrot whatever Jeff tells them. Or Trump. As Greenwald points out they were for free speech and no wars during Biden, but now they are cheering that Trump is taking orders from Netanyahu on free speech and targeting the Houthis who are the only ones trying to stop the genocide.
“They’re shouting at our ships.” No you idiots they weren’t.
“Rising odds that the asteroid that briefly threatened Earth will hit moon”
Is it too late to knock it back on course?
The description of this video was about the Cartel
in the view of Col. Macgregor in this video with Cambone.
The topics ranged from tariffs from a historical and military viewpoint, conflicts in the ME and Europe, with immigration and the cartels coming in the last 3 minutes.
Immigration raises lots of blood pressure with charges of racism. Few know about how the cartels work. Because I have seen the court cases, had autopsy photos and reports fellow defense attorneys were willing to show me if I had any interest in examining, closing the border has a much higher imperative to me, hits much closer to home, and has nothing to do with race, everything to do with murder, the drug trade, and rampant human trafficking and property theft.
36 minutes.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Is Trump feeling lucky?
This is where Ritter shows how misinformed he is. He thinks that if Trump attacks Iran it will be destroyed. Nope. Iran isn’t just going to sit there and not fight back.
Ritter needs to get off his high horse and see what reality is.
BTW I’m not the only one who thinks Ritter is past his sell date. I’m seeing lots of people asking the judge to quit having him on his show. Larry absolutely destroyed Ritter on the Nima show.
“Rising odds that the asteroid that briefly threatened Earth will hit moon”
Is it too late to knock it back on course?
Also too
Does America know what Russia has given Iran to boost their defense?
So are you feeling lucky Donald? Well are you?
“Rising odds that the asteroid that briefly threatened Earth will hit moon”
Is it too late to knock it back on course?
WTF with Ritter?
He was this, then after he was swarmed, passport taken, he is that...
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
For a gorgeous and peaceful couple of minutes,
let Duane and Dickey rest your souls.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Ahh
That tune never gets old
Thanks!
Thought is the wind, knowledge the sail, and mankind the vessel.
-- August Hare
I listen to it
on nights when my days are stressful, and on nights when my days were worth living.
RIP Duane and Dickey. I won't forget you.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981