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Paul Murray's avatar

You know, I sit here wondering what could possibly have have happened to the Wall Street Journal... How a once respected, thoroughly reliable, "just the facts, ma'am" type of outfit, generally mired in over-analysis of the financial life of the nation, went "bad".

Perhaps it's as Bill says: when the money goes, everything goes. When Wall Street ceased to be a true generator of capital of the engine of the nation and became just a pump-and-dump playpen of special interests and the 1%, the Wall Street Journal lost its way, too, and all a result of the literal ocean-turned-tsunami of printed "money".

Still, one thing struck me today, when Bill mentioned President Trump's lawsuit against the WSJ and "it's parent company" et al. The WSJ was always Dow-Jones captive, but most, if not all, "papers" were independent and privately owned, just like businesses, banks, and other facets and pieces of America, which reflected the nature of the country herself. Now? It's just rampant corporatism and mega-government, Constitution be damned.

We are in a pickle. Maybe failure and restart is the better outcome. Best always. PM

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Cartero Atómico's avatar

Bill mentions the press digging in to the Watergate scandal. But has anyone seen any "free press" investigation into the means by which Epstein acquired his wealth and why he was maintaining incriminating evidence against the visitors to his resort?

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Paul Murray's avatar

Germano Cartero, the cynical side of me says that Republicans have always been free game and Democrats are protected by their crony network and the system which they own and control via careful and consistent manipulation and deck-stacking SINCE Watergate. It's grown beyond that, as most on both sides now are vested in the status quo, and corruption is pervasive. Epstein's "resort" would not have been conceivable in Nixon's day, much less be protected by a powerful Deep State, now firmly, and likely immovably, entrenched. And what enabled this classic slide into degradation? A case can be made that $37 trillion of "funny" money did it. Bill Bonner has been on that case since Day One. He stormed those ramparts back in the day, only to escape narrowly, bloody and beaten. He learned, and now, so have we. Best always. PM

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Frank Westmoreland's avatar

Mr. Murray, As a supporter of almost all of Pres. Trump’s policies, and a financial contributor to his three presidential campaigns, I was taken aback by the president’s childlike anger when millions of us supporters merely pointed out AG Bondi’s gross incompetence pertaining to this matter. He not only said that Ms. Bondi was doing a great job, but called us cowards, and, didn’t want our support any longer (very convenient now that he got his most important legislation through and can’t run again). But I can’t remember a POTUS behaving like a five-year-old as Pres. Trump has behaved here. And the president has still not apologized. Of course, Pres. Trump has a huge ego, and he is sensitive to criticism of Ms. Bondi after he fouled up with Rep. Gaetz’s nomination, who—ironically--was vehemently opposed by every female U.S. senator for allegedly being involved with very young women.

But to me, more troubling, has been the response from major conservative media orgs (e.g., Fox News, Breitbart, Daily Caller, Townhall, Daily Wire, NY Post, Washington Times, etc.). With the exception of the Washington Examiner, which continues running stories about it, it appears to me that major conservative media have circled the wagons here, by blasting Pam Bondi to cover themselves, but then, strangely, just wanting to move on. Of course, this is just my opinion, perusing the websites the past week. I am only a subscriber to, and steady reader of, Breitbart & Townhall. But as Bill O’Reilly used to say when he was at Fox News: news organizations, no matter their right or left leanings, are so afraid of losing access to the WH, that they will circle the wagons when their guy fouls up, even when they know they should not. And Pres. Trump or Susie Wiles has allowed conservative news orgs front row seating at WH press conferences, and one-on-one access to Pres. Trump, just like leftist POTUSs have regularly done with leftist news orgs. So the only independent news during major crises, in my opinion, comes from independent reporters on YouTube.

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Paul Murray's avatar

Thank you for this interesting summary, although I don't see how we are at odds here. I think the Epstein thing got too close to the powers that be, and the order came down from on high to move on. As you say of your statement, that is only my opinion, but I've seen enough of that kind of thing to be able to recognize it when it happens. And yes, I was non plussed, indeed almost incredulous at President Trump's petulant response to many of his supporters. I, too. am a financial supporter of his campaigns and did also vote three times, proudly I might add, as well. Still, this one screwup does not undo the good he has done, and if we have to take another bitter pill, it's not the first and won't be the last. "For, after all, he's just a man." Best always. PM

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Frank Westmoreland's avatar

Mr. Murray, I'm sorry if you thought I was odds with what you said. I certainly wasn't. Pres. Trump's pluses do far outnumber his huge minus here. But I do think he should publicly apologize for his childish, insulting, ungrateful comment about his supporters.

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Craig Whitfield's avatar

By focusing solely on Trump you miss the big picture and that's most likely the intent. The evidence of Epstein having intelligence ties is already overwhelming and growing every day. The Trump administration's 180 degree turn on Epstein was either the worst coverup of all time, or it was coerced. My bets on the latter. Looks like poor Pam Bondi was the last one to have the talk. They have a real problem on their hands because no one believes them.

“If you want to know who rules over you, just look for who you are not allowed to criticize.”

― Kevin Alfred Strom

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Dave J's avatar

Maybe Bongino going sideways on Bondi and Patel made a difference. How much of a difference remains to be seen, but they went from "case closed there's nothing to see here" to reopening the matter. The problem they have now is as Bob Seager famously wrote, ". . . what to leave in, what to leave out".

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Craig Whitfield's avatar

Would love to have been a fly on the wall when Bondi, Bongino, Patel, and Trump had/received the Talk :-) This is the walking talking definition of in your face. They might as well just say: "Hey Prole, what are you going to do about it. STFU and get back on the Hamster wheel before something bad happens to you and your family."

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Paul Murray's avatar

The order to move on came down from on high. That's my opinion. I don't think we'll ever really know the extent of all of this and many other things. I don't think we have to know the extent to know it's bad and likely beyond redemption. Best always. PM

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Mike Ware's avatar

I hope President Trump sues Bonner into oblivion for repeating and printing this trash. He would richly deserve it. Just when I thought Bonner couldn’t sink any deeper into the sewer, he prints this absurd garbage. Unbelievable.

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Cartero Atómico's avatar

Wouldn't it be easier just to release the files? If there is no "there" there why not just show it? Cash Patel said there were videos but they couldn't be released because they would harm the victims. As if the FBI doesn't have the technology to blur the victims' identity. But wouldn't you like to know which politicians have been compromised by this blackmail operation?

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Vagn J's avatar

> Wouldn't it be easier just to release the files?

Puitin has the explanation

"I have already talked with one US President, and with another, and with the third - Presidents come and go, but the policy does not change. Do you know why? Because the power of the bureaucracy is very strong. The person gets elected, he comes with some ideas, and then people come to him with briefcases, well dressed and in dark suits, like mine, but not with a red tie, but with black or dark blue, and they begin to explain what he should do - and everything changes at once. This happens from one administration to the next."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP3D1sUSuzg&t=155s

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Byron King's avatar

Bingo!! Russia has entire academic & intelligence departments devoted to studying the USA & Canada. In many respects, Russian political-military leaders & “deciders” understand America & Americans better than we know ourselves. Perhaps it’s the luxury of distance and detachment.

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Mike Ware's avatar

Absolutely. After the wall came down, I never understood why the US continued to demonize Russia. That was our opportunity of a lifetime… and we blew it. We could have been allied with them against China and there totalitarianism. Instead, we’re now fighting both of them. Not a good situation. Do you have any thoughts on that, Mr King?

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Byron King's avatar

Briefly….. By 1992, post-USSR…. USA had four generations of experience associating Soviet Communism w “Russia.” The American national psyche could not reprocess the new state of affairs. Of course, Russia was in a state of decline, run by criminal oligarchs. So the Cold War inertia of opposing all things Russian continued.

Meanwhile, NATO expansion was on the agenda…. Pushing Western arms straight up against the Russian borders. Never a good idea; eg, Napoleon, Crimean War, WWII….

Along came Putin…. And the caricatures about his KGB past…. He was a LtCol…. An O-5…. In Dresden, truly a minor outpost of the Soviet machine. But he had a vision for Russia…. And the West failed to capitalize; instead it demonized.

I guess it’s fair to say that Russians understand Americans a hell of a lot better than Americans understand Russians.

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Mike Ware's avatar

Thank you for the reply. I guess it’s because of the military industrial complex more than anything else. They have to keep their grift going. And I don’t believe any of the lies being told about Russia or Putin starting the war in Ukraine either. It was the Obama administration and whoever was running that Maiden coup. The whole fiasco is just disgusting 🤮

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Paul Murray's avatar

More of winning the war and losing the peace. Best always. PM

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Mike Ware's avatar

Thank you Paul. It’s been very disheartening. Thankfully, I trust in Christ and His ultimate plans. The King is coming!

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Dave J's avatar

Detachment is about right, detachment from the public trough in D.C.

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Paul Murray's avatar

Same reason voting produces no net change. We may have to live with this screwed up government, until it and the country collapses. Best always. PM

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Frank Westmoreland's avatar

Mr. Atomico, Right. The video tapes are what bother me the most about this matter. And I am a staunch Trump supporter. Okay, AG Bondi indicates that these tapes are all of Jeffrey Epstein abusing these girls. So the public has to take her word for it??? But what about the Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) these girls signed after they sued and were paid out undisclosed sums by the Epstein Estate? So conveniently, the Establishment can then say, well, NDAs protect these tapes. So, in other words, all the Establishment has to do is get the victims to sign NDAs (just like attorneys for sleazy Hollywood stars and sleazy pro sports stars do), and then can say the tapes can't be shown to the public, even with the victims' identity blurred out.

It just seems strange to me that the Justice Dept. can't at least ask a judge or group of judges of various political stripes, to release the tapes, then blur out the victims' identity, as you point out. This would show, as the Justice Dept. contends, that all the tapes only show Mr. Epstein abusing the girls. You would think the Establishment would dearly want to show this to the public, and put this to bed once and for all. But no. And as so many conspiracy theorists have said, the most incriminating tapes of Big Wigs have already been destroyed. Yet very few in the WH or Congress or former members from both parties have spoken out. Silence everywhere.

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Mike Ware's avatar

Yes

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Jimm Roberts's avatar

Relax, Trump is imperiousness to truth.

But that doesn't mean he isn't a walking, talking indictment of everything broken in American politics.

Remember he likes to "grab 'em by the pussy;" that Haitians immigrants are eating everyone's pets; that he'll end Putin's war with Ukraine his first day in office, and now he's demanding the Commanders change their team name back to Redskins.

And, of course, let's not forget he's exacerbating the deficit when he pledged he wouldn't.

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Mike Ware's avatar

Yes Jimm, we all know that he’s worse than the paragons of virtue demonrat party!

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Jimm Roberts's avatar

Mike, My disappointment with our current president should not be construed as an endorsement of the Democratic Party.

The Biden Administration is second after the first Trump Administration as the largest contributor to our nation’s debt

And, in the run up to the last election, its inept handling of Biden the person harmed him and the nation.

This political party has morphed into a body of “takers.”

We desperately need a political party to craft policies enabling a nation of wealth-makers

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Abe Porter's avatar

Bill: you really should not publish your innuendos without PROOF. Much of what you are saying is B.S. not provable. Why not stick to economics; it’s what most of us signed up for. I do believe two things, Epstein was murdered and there are many ‘crooked elites’ involved.

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Paul Murray's avatar

I've been around Bonner off and on since the 1990s, when my chiropractor handed me an infomercial titled "What Went Wrong in the 20th Century". Bill's two selling features have been a) I understand what's happening to us economically, and b) I can connect the dots politically. It's only been recently he has turned truly hyper-moral in his essays, which, historically, were neighborly and friendly and now are often genuine polemics. It seems to me it all turned with the Hamas terrorist foray into Israel and the resulting actions. That seemed to turn him inside out. Best always. PM

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rKf's avatar

I find myself saying “I don’t care” a lot these days. I really do care, but regularly repeating that mantra is developing a mindset that is not good for me. I’m rereading “The Difference” by Subir Chowdhury. He writes, “Think of your own mindset as the interpreter of your experience.” That’s kind of Stoic, isn’t it? If I don’t “stand porter at the door of my thought,” I’m going to drive myself nuts. It’s time to reevaluate my mindset to clear up how I interpret things.

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Don Hrehirchek's avatar

In My opinion the best way to "clear " the mind is to have a mind that sort of is neutral. Commend those that need commending and those that require a scolding, scold. A politician of the USA once said , Not quoting precisely, if You present a bill that takes away liberty and freedom , I will not vote for it. So helping all people seems to be the way to go. Not helping a select few. This requires a mind that is neutral in the sense of justice. Just My thoughts out here in hinterland.

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Xavier Narutowicz's avatar

My fear is, like everything else, Epstein is a prolonged news blurb and will be forgotten.

If you want the truth listen to the Daryl Cooper- Tucker Carlson interview.

Will Tucker have an accident?

These are unusual times, many points of views floating around, the truth and lies. Confusion reigns, extreme confusion.

We are the masters of our mindset.

Bill is out in a good precarious limb this time. The root of the trilogy: Kennedy, Nixon, Epstein is CIA and other intelligence agencies.

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Denis Mexted's avatar

In the interest of full disclosure, our name is not on ‘the list.’ We never got an invitation!"……………………………………..😂

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Clem Devine's avatar

Probably why Bill seems to have his nose out of joint lol

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Craig Whitfield's avatar

So by 2005 the Epstein cat was let out of the bag. Maybe you can rationalize giving the pre 2005 passengers on the Lolita Express as pass, but the post 2005 passengers? Socializing with a Pedophile is never a good look and when its SOP for your ruling class its an indictment :-)

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Craig Whitfield's avatar

We all know the WSJ is an AIPAC/Neocon rag. If they focus solely on Trump and ignore Epstein's intelligence ties who does that benefit :-) With the exception of JFK, the 1963 Coup was essentially a bloodless one. Getting rid of these miscreants who have held power for 60+ years will be extremely bloody. We're all delusional if we think we can vote our way out of this. Its easy to be a keyboard warrior until you find yourself on the receiving end of the talk. Just ask Bondi, Bongino, Patel, and Trump :-)

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Abe Porter's avatar

P.S. Bill, you are constantly/still spewing ‘merde’ about Trump. You bring up things that may or may not have occurred more than 25 years ago. Maybe someone should look into Bill Bonner’s history of the last 25 years or more; maybe there is some ‘merde’ there. AP

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John P Gallien's avatar

Ah, as we all gather around Bongo Bill in the hopes of getting some investment advice or some insights into today's financial situation, Bill herds us around the new outhouse he built telling us it's the next new thing and will replace indoor plumbing.

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Richard Boaman's avatar

Once again BB chooses a topic that he only relates to Trump. Let’s see:

We essentially had a pedophile as President (Clinton). And we had a COUP take over Biden’s presidency.

That’s punishable by hanging.

I’m sure if there is a “list” it will have lots of people from both sides on it.

And Thomas Sowell did an article on the 10 worst presidents of all time. His worst president- Obama.

(Although IMO Biden has significantly surpassed Obama as worst ever. That would make Biden WOAT )

You do know who Sowell is, right?

Farewell and have a great day.

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