Flock's surveillance cameras have already sparked outrage. WIRED reconstructed its next-generation AI system, already in use by some police, to confirm it goes much further than tracking license plates. read more
Amid his continued struggles in national polling, President Donald Trump is now saying his record-low polls are part of "demoralization operations" that seek to make Republicans less likely to vote in November's midterms.
U.S. debt hasn't been further downgraded, breakeven rates on inflation-protected bonds haven't spiked, and the cost of insuring against a federal default hasn't skyrocketed, signs that most investors still see U.S. bonds as a largely risk-free bet even if they have been demanding higher interest rates. That's the good news.
The United States cancelled a joint amphibious landing drill scheduled for next month with South Korea, Seoul's Marine Corps said on Monday ... read more
After Republicans in Congress let enhanced federal subsidies for Affordable Care Act health plans expire in January, millions of Americans including Button had to decide whether to keep insurance that often doubled or tripled in cost -- or risk going without it. ... Florida, whose large population of gig workers, entrepreneurs and small business owners relies heavily on the federal health insurance marketplace, has become one of the nation's most visible epicenters of that impact.
@#3 ... There are no expectations for the USA. We're fucking done. ...
I won't go that far yet.
But Pres Trump does actively seem to be trying to attain that end goal.
For example, recently he has been convincing Canada that they need to establish new trade relations with other Countries because their prior trade relations with the US have now become, well, ... whimsical.
Canada and China: A Call for Renewed Trade Relations Amidst Global Uncertainty
beijingpost.com
... In recent developments, discussions surrounding the strengthening of Canada-China relations have resurfaced, especially in light of the growing uncertainties related to U.S. policies. ...
So... is Pres Trump, in his current self-initiated feud with Canada, helping or hurting US trade in the long term?
Oh wait, I said, "long term."
That's a phrase that I do not think that Pres Trump understands.
Then there's things like this ...
Newtown joins list of CT towns pausing Flock cameras amid privacy concerns
www.newstimes.com
... As municipalities across Connecticut, and the country, have begun to temporarily stop the use of Flock cameras amid controversies surrounding the public's privacy, Newtown officials have joined the long, growing list. ...
The debasement trade' returns after Bessent bond maneuver. Crypto and gold are back in style
www.cnbc.com
... he debasement trade is gaining new traction on Wall Street as concern over the size and cost of the budget deficit mounts.
The conventional wisdom behind the trade is that perceived hard assets, like cryptocurrencies and precious metals, gain as investors try to hedge against a weaker U.S. dollar and Treasury debt in the face of ballooning government spending. Those fears reached a fever pitch last week before, and after, the Treasury Department's unusual step of increasing debt buybacks under Secretary Scott Bessent.
"The size of the Treasury purchases announced so far by Bessent are trivial in comparison to the size of the overall market, but the [signaling] effect was very powerful," said Stephen Coltman, head of macro at 21Shares, a crypto-focused creator of exchange-traded funds. ...
And ...
Trump Organization and Saudi developer unveil $10bn in projects (January 2026)
www.middleeasteye.net
And ...
Wyden, Garcia Investigate Kushner Raising Billions from Middle East Governments While Negotiating U.S. Foreign Policy (March 2026)
www.finance.senate.gov
Another view ...
Jared Kushner Says $1.5Bn From Qatar, UAE Came Irrespective' of Trump Win (December 2024)
www.newsweek.com
... Mike Lindell is withholding the payment required for a recount and audit of ballots cast in the Republican primary for Minnesota governor, claiming that the Secretary of State's office has proposed an unlawful recount process ...
imo, he's just trying to follow Pres Trump in saying the elections are chaotic and need the intervention of the Trump admin to make sure they produce the correct results.
According to Pres Trump former DHS Secretary...
Noem boasts of Trump administration ensuring we have the right people voting' ahead of midterms (February 2026)
thehill.com
... Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested Friday that her department has a broad role in election security, claiming she has the authority to identify "vulnerabilities" in the election system and implement "mitigation measures" to make sure local and state elections are "run correctly."
Noem argued during a press conference in Arizona, where she was pushing for passage of a national voter ID law, that elections fell within the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) mission of "maintaining critical infrastructure."
"I would say that many people believe that it may be one of the most important things that we need to make sure we trust, is reliable, and that when it gets to Election Day, that we've been proactive to make sure that we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country through the days that we have, knowing that people can trust it," she said. ...
@#1 ... ECONOMIC GROWTH HAS FALLEN BEHIND BORROWING ...
Yeah, imo, that is significant.
This graph puts that view into perspective ...
Economic growth falls behind federal borrowing
www.reuters.com
So, around 2016 or so, the Federal Debt started to grow more quickly than the economic growth.
imo, worth noting.
@#16
Are those ramblings the talking points issued to your current alias?