Freedom of Speech

What separates the so-called liberals of today and the liberals of the 1960s is the issue of freedom of speech.  The 1960s liberals were unqualified supporters of that freedom.  But today’s liberal wants to suppress any and all “hate speech” — that is, whatever speech he happens to disagree with

Today’s liberal doesn’t realize that suppressing what he considers to be disagreeable opens the door to suppressing any speech, so that today the liberal suppresses what he considers to be hate speech, but tomorrow it is his speech that gets suppressed as out of sync with the times.

You either have complete freedom of speech or you don’t have any is the point.

Cheat By Mail

Israel, West Bank, Gaza — the Art of the Deal

Clearly the politics of the West Bank are very different from the politics of Gaza. It looks like the Israelis may be able to come to a real and lasting agreement with the West Bank. If so, that would give them more leverage in dealing with Gaza since Gaza would then be more isolated.

Would be interesting to know Kushner’s role in all this. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Kushner was deeply involved. People in the real estate business are constantly making deals. Negotiation is the heart of their business. Witness Trump’s book Art of the Deal. That title wasn’t an accident. It’s all about wheeling and dealing in the real estate business. (And it’s not at all a bad skill for a president, either.)

The deal that’s being proposed for the West Bank has a lot in it for the Palestinians — recognized territory in the West Bank, a recognized capital in their section of Jerusalem, and significant financial aid.  An offer they can’t refuse?  Could be.  We’ll see.

Financial Chicanery?

Financial Chicanery?

Will this chicanery of the Federal Reserve end badly? They are doing what they used to tell banana republics not to do — trying to dig yourself out of a financial hole by printing money. It worked 10 years ago, but will it work this time, on a much bigger scale? If the markets ever begin to doubt it, then all hell breaks loose. It’s a credibility game. Belief can crumble quickly — virtually overnight.  One day you have total faith in them, the next none.

Worse Case Scenario

Stock Market Collapse?

Stock Market Collapse?

Keep an eye on the 10 year Treasury. If that goes down to zero interest or below, then a stock market collapse is imminent. I think it may happen when all the enthusiasm about going back to work backfires as investors realize that it ain’t going to be like it was before, and the economy going forward is going to be weak and subpar. That’s when the shit hits the fan.

Right now, speculators are basking in all the Federal Reserve money printing. The stock market is highly speculative and often not very realistic, but the bond market is always very tough minded and shrewd. The bond market will realize first that going back to work ain’t working out very well.  That’s when everyone will pile into Treasuries and out of stocks, and we could see another October 29th.

If the 10 year Treasury goes to zero interest, you will have been warned.

No More Recessions