We’ve seen what a sharp, sudden spike in interest rates (the availability of credit) does; businesses tighten up, employees are let go, spending goes down and GDP rates go from positive to negative.
Your second to last sentence suggests that a Democrat will get elected and in the best case will increase taxes. Your last sentence states that in the meantime everything is going to cost more. I'm trying to understand if you're suggesting that what a Democrat would do if elected is going to make life better and less expensive?
I am asserting that DJT's Administration is making life more costly for us.
For example, his tariffs + the impending oil shortage makes consumer goods --imports and fuel -- more costly.
In addition, the war will cause a Supplemental Appropriation for Defense Dept. which will automatically increase the budget deficit and potentially require a Federal income tax increase.
In sum, waging a war on behalf of another country -- a war most Americans didn't want nor one authorized by Congress --plus increasing everybody's cost of living will likely result in another Democrat taking office after DJT leaves.
And Democrats in general are not wealth makers; they are wealth takers, e. g., a Federal tax increase more not less likely
Life is a fantastic smorgasbord. Judging, picking and choosing, creates the self; we are our choices what we allow into our brains. It is our destiny, self created or infused upon us by electronic soundbites produced by men with dubious purposes.
How can you weather the storm of cacophony?
What is discernment, inspiration; is there such a thing where does it emanate?
Listen to “South Pacific,” “You have to be carefully taught.”
The thing that always pee'd me off about that part of a wonderful show was that it implies that the human being is static and that whatever he is "carefully taught" is that forever and nothing evolves. I'd be a communist if what I was carefully taught as a child became the permanent me. Still, I'm thankful I was given something with which to start. I have 5 kids. 3, the girls, are Lefty Lib, and 2, the boys, are bedrock conservative. Best always. PM
Christ said, “You have to be born again. You must lose yourself to find yourself. Knock and it will open, seek and it will be found. With faith you can move mountains into the sea.” He also gave us the parable of the talents.”
He meant you must always continue to grow in understanding, lose the stinking thinking imposed upon you and become the new man. “ You cannot put new wine in old wine skins.”
He also said “My ways are not your ways.”
The constant with man is his barbarous habit of killing, violence as a solution.
Christ was nailed to the cross. He rejected violence. He turned the other cheek.
Without Christ, the rejection of violence, man’s only destiny is nuclear annihilation.
You must not have been around in his first term when I ran him ragged over his Cabinet picks and his naivete regarding his misconception that because he was then "boss", everyone would do as he said. The cost is not "high", if there is value associated with the cost. If he's replaced by a Democrat, it's my, and the country's, tough luck. I've had a lifetime of tough luck in politics. The political "game" is not an either/or arrangement, but rather who is better by degree. Someone once told me that I, myself, would be the only candidate with whom I would agree 100%. My answer to him was that he overestimated me. Best always. PM
He was bad then, so bad he was succeeded by a Democrat. This time, he's worse, so bad he'll be impeached (again). Yet not a peep of disapprobation from thee. Perversely, he's creating history: This man unilaterally has disrupted world commence; killed untold innocents and impoverished billions of people.
Jimm, I had a classmate in high school, who became a lifelong friend. We never agreed on much, and yet, we were and still are friends and enjoy each other as such. I imagine you and I could be great friends and associates, maybe even drankin' buddies, without ever seeing eye-to-eye on anything. It works that way sometimes. Thanks for the interaction. Best always. PM
Paul, Appreciate your reply. More: I am not berating you for your views. I rejoice that we live in a country that cherishes freedom of speech. My rejoinders are simply intended to ascertain the basis of your beliefs.
For example, if you found odious Trump's policies in his first Administration, then why aren't his more onerous and destructive policies in his second also objectionable. This time they are harming billions of people worldwide!
It is certain people in the Pentagon absolutely knew but Trump and his cronies running around never listen to the experts. They think they are all knowing and knew exactly how quickly their sneak war would last. Didn't turn out that way so Trump is surprised. No - he is just an idiot. He doesn't listen to anyone it appears. What a disaster for the U.S. and us peons.
Yep - and it shows the difference between how the U.S./Israel looks at their actions and Iran's view. The U.S./Israel don't care about international law, the Geneva Convention, nor the UN. The U.S./Israel thinks they have no limits and can do whatever they want whenever they want. It is horrific and both need to be gone - The U.S. needs a regime change and Israel needs to be destroyed. The Zionists must be taught they don't get to attack and genocide anyone they choose without limits. Don't see how this ends well for us peons. No focus on American, no increasing employment, no getting the economy humming - just exalting Trump's position. Ugly.........
I agree 100%. And back of all this, the Hebrews God, Yahweh, told them, they would be masters of the world, be as numbers as the sands of the sea, and rule over Ishmaels decedents (Arabs).
Evidently, they and the Christians believe all this and are working to make it all true.
I think in My opinion You should reread the Bible a couple more times Try with an open mind. It will help. Not that I want to get into a "religious" discussion.
Trump said twice on Monday that Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait had been unexpected.
“They weren’t supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East,” he said at a White House event. “Nobody expected that. We were shocked.”
The quote “Nobody expected that. We were shocked. They fought back.” (or close variants) comes from Trump describing Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks across the Gulf, not from any statement about Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz.
No source shows him using that line in connection with a Strait closure.
Of course he didn’t say it in reference to the Strait of Hormuz. The sad thing is that some of the comments must not have a clue about what Iran is really about. Death to America is real and I am so glad that DJT had the eggs to do something. Several other Presidents stood by knowing Irans is an axis of evil regime and did nothing about it. Iran murdered at least 35,000 of their country’s people…….for protesting. Our country is so spoiled many want to defend the police and others protest and make a drug addict a millionaire and a national hero…….
The real danger is the CCP and it is to bad our children and grandchildren will have to deal with the mess we created and left them with……
Recommendation for max safety is good. Threat of Depression is a bit overwrought - at least as a result of this Iran adventure. It’s been a long road to get to where we are (since 1971, yes?), but whatever does occur, be a stoic, because nothing else will do any of us any good, regardless.
Ed, if you would throw in a heap of cynicism there you have it. The U.S. empire is coming apart. The World is turning away and financially it is fragmenting. Going to be a wild ride and given how thoroughly the media is captured, us peons will be kept in the dark the best they can and be fed bullsh!t. And, knowing how propaganda works, they'll be never-ending flavors of BS.
So, Trumps thrown down the Gauntlet. The Iranian IRGC have five days to come to the table or else our guys are going to destroy their energy facilities- most likely select power utility facilities first, leaving oil & gas extraction, transfer, storage and exporting alone. This would cause chaos in their streets and put the Hormuz in the hands of the U.S. Now, a question; how many think that they’ll see the “TACO” stand down of their predictions (bad choice) versus how many think that Iran hopes for a bluff on Trumps part (bad choice) - right before the lights go out?
I agree that debt and war, historically speaking, bring the demise of countries -or empires if you prefer...
And I have long believed that until we demand/legislate a balanced budget AND get back on the gold standard we will not be able to change the current trajectory...
Lots of us HAVE demanded those things; lots of us have advocated the gold standard, but more did not than did. What's that say about "us"? "O the times! O the customs!" Best always. PM
Well Bill, we are both the same age so we may not live long enough to see this primary trend phase out. After the disaster of Q3, 2008, I intend to keep my good fortune in gold, cash, T-Bills , and energy. I may not make much in gains but I know the world runs on "black gold" so its a good bet. As for the old relic, gold, when I pass on my family members may remember me in a good light....I hope!
A little correction to the article - US debt clock.org shows the national debt crossed the $39 trillion barrier. In the words of Ralph Kramden - "To the moon, Alice!".
Considering a good portion of tthe GDP is non productive spending in real terms we're probably way past the 130%. My favorite example is healthcare spending (1960 - 5% of GDP, 2025-18.5%) which indicates that our GDP is increasing as we become a sicker, less healthy nation. So by sitting on the couch, devouring junk food and getting diabetes you can increase our GDP!
If he had ended the quote after the word "shocked" it would have been an accurate quote. But apparently that wasn't good enough to proffer the meaning Bill wanted to convey, so he added the "They fought back" part to make it seem as though Trump was shocked that Iran would lift a finger in their own defense.
Trump's comment was in regards to Iran's retaliatory strikes against other nations in the Gulf. It had NOTHING to do with Iran fighting back against the US.
This kind of abject lying should be unacceptable for anyone, let alone a man like Bonner who often speaks about morality.
Bill has become very disappointing to many of us who have been reading his stuff for a long time.
US debt already crossed the 39 Trillion dollar threshold.
One drone just took out the fourth-largest refinery on earth. This hits your wallet.
A drone the size of a riding lawnmower took out a refinery the size of a small city.
The Ruwais plant in Abu Dhabi processes 922,000 barrels of oil every single day. That's not crude sitting in a tanker. That's gasoline. Diesel. Jet fuel. The stuff that moves your car, your flight, your food. It's dark now.
I can't stop thinking about this.
Everyone is watching the Strait of Hormuz. I get it. It's a chokepoint. It makes a good map graphic. But Iran isn't just threatening to block a waterway. Iran is burning down the factories. The refineries. The places where crude oil becomes the things we actually use. Ruwais is gone. Bahrain's Sitra refinery 405,000 barrels a day was hit too. So was Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi. That's another 346,000 barrels a day, offline. Three plants. Three countries. Nobody is connecting these dots on the evening news.
Dropped in for a quick look-see. Egads - with a very few exceptions, this "board" has gone Full Retard. Well, that's to be expected with the eternally Trump-Jealous clown still leading the circus.
Bill, it was very disingenuous of you to write the following: "After the Iranians closed the Strait of Hormuz, Trump commented that '...nobody expected that. We were shocked. They fought back.'"
First, it is not true Trump made such comments respecting the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as you clearly wanted readers to believe. He did make similar comments, but they were made in connection with Iran's attacks on its regional neighbors.
Context matters ... and you know this better than most. I have always respected your work and certainly do not agree with all things Trump. In the past so many months you seem to have succumbed to Trump Derangement Syndrome. I know your job is to editorialize, and even entertain, but we should be able to trust what you write about matters of fact. I am very disappointed.
Strait of Hormuz being closed by Iranians is the first thing we should have expected if any of them lived.
Obviously many lived. Duh…. Neither should be a surprise for a well planned attacker. Our attack included many things: revenge for their proxy killing 200+ Marines in the barracks at the Beirut airport. Reagan had big barrel Naval guns in the harbor and did nothing?
Life is a fantastic smorgasbord. Judging, picking and choosing, creates the self; we are our choices what we allow into our brains. It is our destiny, self created or infused upon us by electronic soundbites produced by men with dubious purposes.
How can you weather the storm of cacophony?
What is discernment, inspiration; is there such a thing where does it emanate?
Listen to “South Pacific,” “You have to be carefully taught.”
It is said that we are often promoted to “our highest level of incompetence “; DJT is a fine example of that✅
Why is it that works for Donald Trump but not Joe Biden or Kamala Harris or The AutoPen? Best always. PM
You have a hard time finding fault with DJT.
Is there any boundary that he must cross before you finally realize he is unsuited to manage the Executive Branch of our government?
Surely you appreciate he’s already made it highly likely he’ll be replaced by a Democrat who will at a minimum increase taxes.
And in the interim, we’ll all suffer higher costs for everything.
And how exactly will higher taxes reduce the costs for everything?
Dave, I can’t follow your reasoning. Sorry. Jimm
Your second to last sentence suggests that a Democrat will get elected and in the best case will increase taxes. Your last sentence states that in the meantime everything is going to cost more. I'm trying to understand if you're suggesting that what a Democrat would do if elected is going to make life better and less expensive?
I am asserting that DJT's Administration is making life more costly for us.
For example, his tariffs + the impending oil shortage makes consumer goods --imports and fuel -- more costly.
In addition, the war will cause a Supplemental Appropriation for Defense Dept. which will automatically increase the budget deficit and potentially require a Federal income tax increase.
In sum, waging a war on behalf of another country -- a war most Americans didn't want nor one authorized by Congress --plus increasing everybody's cost of living will likely result in another Democrat taking office after DJT leaves.
And Democrats in general are not wealth makers; they are wealth takers, e. g., a Federal tax increase more not less likely
Life is a fantastic smorgasbord. Judging, picking and choosing, creates the self; we are our choices what we allow into our brains. It is our destiny, self created or infused upon us by electronic soundbites produced by men with dubious purposes.
How can you weather the storm of cacophony?
What is discernment, inspiration; is there such a thing where does it emanate?
Listen to “South Pacific,” “You have to be carefully taught.”
Beware of your Shepherd!
The thing that always pee'd me off about that part of a wonderful show was that it implies that the human being is static and that whatever he is "carefully taught" is that forever and nothing evolves. I'd be a communist if what I was carefully taught as a child became the permanent me. Still, I'm thankful I was given something with which to start. I have 5 kids. 3, the girls, are Lefty Lib, and 2, the boys, are bedrock conservative. Best always. PM
Christ said, “You have to be born again. You must lose yourself to find yourself. Knock and it will open, seek and it will be found. With faith you can move mountains into the sea.” He also gave us the parable of the talents.”
He meant you must always continue to grow in understanding, lose the stinking thinking imposed upon you and become the new man. “ You cannot put new wine in old wine skins.”
He also said “My ways are not your ways.”
The constant with man is his barbarous habit of killing, violence as a solution.
Christ was nailed to the cross. He rejected violence. He turned the other cheek.
Without Christ, the rejection of violence, man’s only destiny is nuclear annihilation.
Thank you for your testimony. There are worse things than nuclear annihilation. The curse of Abortion is one of them. Best always. PM
You must not have been around in his first term when I ran him ragged over his Cabinet picks and his naivete regarding his misconception that because he was then "boss", everyone would do as he said. The cost is not "high", if there is value associated with the cost. If he's replaced by a Democrat, it's my, and the country's, tough luck. I've had a lifetime of tough luck in politics. The political "game" is not an either/or arrangement, but rather who is better by degree. Someone once told me that I, myself, would be the only candidate with whom I would agree 100%. My answer to him was that he overestimated me. Best always. PM
He was bad then, so bad he was succeeded by a Democrat. This time, he's worse, so bad he'll be impeached (again). Yet not a peep of disapprobation from thee. Perversely, he's creating history: This man unilaterally has disrupted world commence; killed untold innocents and impoverished billions of people.
Jimm, I had a classmate in high school, who became a lifelong friend. We never agreed on much, and yet, we were and still are friends and enjoy each other as such. I imagine you and I could be great friends and associates, maybe even drankin' buddies, without ever seeing eye-to-eye on anything. It works that way sometimes. Thanks for the interaction. Best always. PM
Paul, Appreciate your reply. More: I am not berating you for your views. I rejoice that we live in a country that cherishes freedom of speech. My rejoinders are simply intended to ascertain the basis of your beliefs.
For example, if you found odious Trump's policies in his first Administration, then why aren't his more onerous and destructive policies in his second also objectionable. This time they are harming billions of people worldwide!
FAFO
Sadly, you may be right. I hope not.
There is also no such thing as fake nuclear bombs. And Iran's would be real and headed for us.
Yes, true, but unfortunately you're wasting your "breath" here. They're on a roll; just stand aside and let them. Best always. PM
You are aware they don't have any? Well, not yet, but I suspect the current situation is going to change more than just the price of gas.
"After the Iranians closed the Strait of Hormuz, Trump commented that “...nobody expected that. We were shocked. They fought back.”
Did he really say that? Because even I recognized that risk, and I know very little about geopolitics and risk.
It is certain people in the Pentagon absolutely knew but Trump and his cronies running around never listen to the experts. They think they are all knowing and knew exactly how quickly their sneak war would last. Didn't turn out that way so Trump is surprised. No - he is just an idiot. He doesn't listen to anyone it appears. What a disaster for the U.S. and us peons.
This was not just a sneak war, it was a total surprise attack, much like Pearl Harbor.
Yep - and it shows the difference between how the U.S./Israel looks at their actions and Iran's view. The U.S./Israel don't care about international law, the Geneva Convention, nor the UN. The U.S./Israel thinks they have no limits and can do whatever they want whenever they want. It is horrific and both need to be gone - The U.S. needs a regime change and Israel needs to be destroyed. The Zionists must be taught they don't get to attack and genocide anyone they choose without limits. Don't see how this ends well for us peons. No focus on American, no increasing employment, no getting the economy humming - just exalting Trump's position. Ugly.........
I agree 100%. And back of all this, the Hebrews God, Yahweh, told them, they would be masters of the world, be as numbers as the sands of the sea, and rule over Ishmaels decedents (Arabs).
Evidently, they and the Christians believe all this and are working to make it all true.
Except they forgot to read the New Testament.......
I think in My opinion You should reread the Bible a couple more times Try with an open mind. It will help. Not that I want to get into a "religious" discussion.
For what it's worth: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202603178023
Trump said twice on Monday that Iran’s retaliatory strikes on Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait had been unexpected.
“They weren’t supposed to go after all these other countries in the Middle East,” he said at a White House event. “Nobody expected that. We were shocked.”
Thank you
The quote “Nobody expected that. We were shocked. They fought back.” (or close variants) comes from Trump describing Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks across the Gulf, not from any statement about Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz.
No source shows him using that line in connection with a Strait closure.
Of course he didn’t say it in reference to the Strait of Hormuz. The sad thing is that some of the comments must not have a clue about what Iran is really about. Death to America is real and I am so glad that DJT had the eggs to do something. Several other Presidents stood by knowing Irans is an axis of evil regime and did nothing about it. Iran murdered at least 35,000 of their country’s people…….for protesting. Our country is so spoiled many want to defend the police and others protest and make a drug addict a millionaire and a national hero…….
The real danger is the CCP and it is to bad our children and grandchildren will have to deal with the mess we created and left them with……
Recommendation for max safety is good. Threat of Depression is a bit overwrought - at least as a result of this Iran adventure. It’s been a long road to get to where we are (since 1971, yes?), but whatever does occur, be a stoic, because nothing else will do any of us any good, regardless.
Ed, if you would throw in a heap of cynicism there you have it. The U.S. empire is coming apart. The World is turning away and financially it is fragmenting. Going to be a wild ride and given how thoroughly the media is captured, us peons will be kept in the dark the best they can and be fed bullsh!t. And, knowing how propaganda works, they'll be never-ending flavors of BS.
At least it won’t be boring, eh?
👌
So, Trumps thrown down the Gauntlet. The Iranian IRGC have five days to come to the table or else our guys are going to destroy their energy facilities- most likely select power utility facilities first, leaving oil & gas extraction, transfer, storage and exporting alone. This would cause chaos in their streets and put the Hormuz in the hands of the U.S. Now, a question; how many think that they’ll see the “TACO” stand down of their predictions (bad choice) versus how many think that Iran hopes for a bluff on Trumps part (bad choice) - right before the lights go out?
I agree that debt and war, historically speaking, bring the demise of countries -or empires if you prefer...
And I have long believed that until we demand/legislate a balanced budget AND get back on the gold standard we will not be able to change the current trajectory...
Lots of us HAVE demanded those things; lots of us have advocated the gold standard, but more did not than did. What's that say about "us"? "O the times! O the customs!" Best always. PM
Well Bill, we are both the same age so we may not live long enough to see this primary trend phase out. After the disaster of Q3, 2008, I intend to keep my good fortune in gold, cash, T-Bills , and energy. I may not make much in gains but I know the world runs on "black gold" so its a good bet. As for the old relic, gold, when I pass on my family members may remember me in a good light....I hope!
Jim Marshall
Well said Jim.
A little correction to the article - US debt clock.org shows the national debt crossed the $39 trillion barrier. In the words of Ralph Kramden - "To the moon, Alice!".
And what's happened every time the debt clock clicked over? Best always. PM
Same old , same old. Until the GDP number hits 130%.
Considering a good portion of tthe GDP is non productive spending in real terms we're probably way past the 130%. My favorite example is healthcare spending (1960 - 5% of GDP, 2025-18.5%) which indicates that our GDP is increasing as we become a sicker, less healthy nation. So by sitting on the couch, devouring junk food and getting diabetes you can increase our GDP!
Yes a different way of looking at this "file". Thanks .
I used to have quite a bit of admiration for Mr. Bonner, but I'm beginning to wonder if he deserves any at all.
Bill writes: 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙢𝙥 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 “...𝙣𝙤𝙗𝙤𝙙𝙮 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩. 𝙒𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠.”
If he had ended the quote after the word "shocked" it would have been an accurate quote. But apparently that wasn't good enough to proffer the meaning Bill wanted to convey, so he added the "They fought back" part to make it seem as though Trump was shocked that Iran would lift a finger in their own defense.
Trump's comment was in regards to Iran's retaliatory strikes against other nations in the Gulf. It had NOTHING to do with Iran fighting back against the US.
This kind of abject lying should be unacceptable for anyone, let alone a man like Bonner who often speaks about morality.
Bill has become very disappointing to many of us who have been reading his stuff for a long time.
US debt already crossed the 39 Trillion dollar threshold.
One drone just took out the fourth-largest refinery on earth. This hits your wallet.
A drone the size of a riding lawnmower took out a refinery the size of a small city.
The Ruwais plant in Abu Dhabi processes 922,000 barrels of oil every single day. That's not crude sitting in a tanker. That's gasoline. Diesel. Jet fuel. The stuff that moves your car, your flight, your food. It's dark now.
I can't stop thinking about this.
Everyone is watching the Strait of Hormuz. I get it. It's a chokepoint. It makes a good map graphic. But Iran isn't just threatening to block a waterway. Iran is burning down the factories. The refineries. The places where crude oil becomes the things we actually use. Ruwais is gone. Bahrain's Sitra refinery 405,000 barrels a day was hit too. So was Kuwait's Mina Al-Ahmadi. That's another 346,000 barrels a day, offline. Three plants. Three countries. Nobody is connecting these dots on the evening news.
How do you say, we're totally screwed?
Look at the bright side … if oil is cut off … it will save us from climate change. At least that’s what the Left have been telling us for 30 years.
Dropped in for a quick look-see. Egads - with a very few exceptions, this "board" has gone Full Retard. Well, that's to be expected with the eternally Trump-Jealous clown still leading the circus.
All the best friends!
Yeah SE, just a waste of time around here.
It's gone "full retard" because too many like you have left.
Come back and make it partially retard again. 😁
"This sucker's going down." Complements of the lying, thieving, incompetent immoral actions of the State an its multitude of actors.
Bill, it was very disingenuous of you to write the following: "After the Iranians closed the Strait of Hormuz, Trump commented that '...nobody expected that. We were shocked. They fought back.'"
First, it is not true Trump made such comments respecting the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as you clearly wanted readers to believe. He did make similar comments, but they were made in connection with Iran's attacks on its regional neighbors.
Context matters ... and you know this better than most. I have always respected your work and certainly do not agree with all things Trump. In the past so many months you seem to have succumbed to Trump Derangement Syndrome. I know your job is to editorialize, and even entertain, but we should be able to trust what you write about matters of fact. I am very disappointed.
Strait of Hormuz being closed by Iranians is the first thing we should have expected if any of them lived.
Obviously many lived. Duh…. Neither should be a surprise for a well planned attacker. Our attack included many things: revenge for their proxy killing 200+ Marines in the barracks at the Beirut airport. Reagan had big barrel Naval guns in the harbor and did nothing?
https://open.spotify.com/track/047Mn2yuPArqvNWOTCA5dn?si=ovSqcDsiSaa0oecP6-hgkw
Life is a fantastic smorgasbord. Judging, picking and choosing, creates the self; we are our choices what we allow into our brains. It is our destiny, self created or infused upon us by electronic soundbites produced by men with dubious purposes.
How can you weather the storm of cacophony?
What is discernment, inspiration; is there such a thing where does it emanate?
Listen to “South Pacific,” “You have to be carefully taught.”
Beware of your Shepherd!