@richo98119.bsky.social
Cat servant, ex-engineer, and a student of history, economics, and behavior. Leans right, but not a fan of wanna-be autocrats or incompetent delusional "leaders". Go Huskies!
I don't think Xi cares much for TACOs.
The Chinese readout is more negative. And Trump initiated the call - I wonder how long he was on hold. "Your call is very important to us, and will be answered when we damn well feel like it."
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
The Chinese readout is more negative. And Trump initiated the call - I wonder how long he was on hold. "Your call is very important to us, and will be answered when we damn well feel like it."
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Trump Says He Discussed Trade, Rare Earths in Call With China’s Xi
President Trump spoke Thursday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, calling it a productive conversation with both sides agreeing to meet shortly as they seek to stabilize trade negotiations that have brok...
www.wsj.com
June 5, 2025 at 6:16 PM
I don't think Xi cares much for TACOs.
The Chinese readout is more negative. And Trump initiated the call - I wonder how long he was on hold. "Your call is very important to us, and will be answered when we damn well feel like it."
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
The Chinese readout is more negative. And Trump initiated the call - I wonder how long he was on hold. "Your call is very important to us, and will be answered when we damn well feel like it."
www.wsj.com/world/china/...
Great WSJ article about the new nature of asymmetric warfare. The Russians have found this with Ukraine, and we're finding it with the Houthis. As both are showing the superpowers, a diverse and agile force can inflict significant damage.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
How the Houthis Rattled the U.S. Navy—and Transformed Maritime War
Persistent bombardment in confined waters pushed sailors to the edge in a costly battle that ended in stalemate.
www.wsj.com
June 5, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Great WSJ article about the new nature of asymmetric warfare. The Russians have found this with Ukraine, and we're finding it with the Houthis. As both are showing the superpowers, a diverse and agile force can inflict significant damage.
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
www.wsj.com/world/middle...
Oh dear, the House GOP is regretting its association with Elon. Perhaps closely aligning yourself with a drug addled man-child was a poor decision.
Now, if they could make the same realization about a cognitive disorder addled man-child...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/u...
Now, if they could make the same realization about a cognitive disorder addled man-child...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/u...
Fearful House Republicans Scramble to Mollify Musk
www.nytimes.com
June 5, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Oh dear, the House GOP is regretting its association with Elon. Perhaps closely aligning yourself with a drug addled man-child was a poor decision.
Now, if they could make the same realization about a cognitive disorder addled man-child...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/u...
Now, if they could make the same realization about a cognitive disorder addled man-child...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/04/u...
US inflation data is using more estimates due to staffing shortages caused by Trump's hiring freeze.
As per the WSJ, 29% of the price estimates used "different-cell imputation" (estimates from different cities), 2x more than previous months.
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
As per the WSJ, 29% of the price estimates used "different-cell imputation" (estimates from different cities), 2x more than previous months.
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
Exclusive | Economists Raise Questions About Quality of U.S. Inflation Data
The Labor Department says staffing shortages reduced its ability to conduct its massive monthly survey, forcing it to turn to less precise guesses.
www.wsj.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:09 PM
US inflation data is using more estimates due to staffing shortages caused by Trump's hiring freeze.
As per the WSJ, 29% of the price estimates used "different-cell imputation" (estimates from different cities), 2x more than previous months.
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
As per the WSJ, 29% of the price estimates used "different-cell imputation" (estimates from different cities), 2x more than previous months.
www.wsj.com/economy/cpi-...
Nice WSJ story about the Ukrainian drone attack.
NATO and USAF need to pay attention to this. We store our critical planes outdoors too, and this attack shows their vunerability.
www.wsj.com/world/ukrain...
NATO and USAF need to pay attention to this. We store our critical planes outdoors too, and this attack shows their vunerability.
www.wsj.com/world/ukrain...
Inside the Ukrainian Drone Operation That Devastated Russia’s Bomber Fleet
A WSJ analysis reveals how Ukraine used homegrown tech and old-school spycraft in the attack.
www.wsj.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
Nice WSJ story about the Ukrainian drone attack.
NATO and USAF need to pay attention to this. We store our critical planes outdoors too, and this attack shows their vunerability.
www.wsj.com/world/ukrain...
NATO and USAF need to pay attention to this. We store our critical planes outdoors too, and this attack shows their vunerability.
www.wsj.com/world/ukrain...
Nice WSJ opinion piece on Ukraine winning the war.
This is the new shape of war, a war where battlefield success is based on a diverse and well educated warforce, not on sheer brute strength. This is a lesson Hegseth and co need to learn.
www.wsj.com/opinion/ukra...
This is the new shape of war, a war where battlefield success is based on a diverse and well educated warforce, not on sheer brute strength. This is a lesson Hegseth and co need to learn.
www.wsj.com/opinion/ukra...
Opinion | Drone Attack Shows Why Ukraine Will Win This War
It is Kyiv’s latest of many demonstrations of audacious brilliance.
www.wsj.com
June 3, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Nice WSJ opinion piece on Ukraine winning the war.
This is the new shape of war, a war where battlefield success is based on a diverse and well educated warforce, not on sheer brute strength. This is a lesson Hegseth and co need to learn.
www.wsj.com/opinion/ukra...
This is the new shape of war, a war where battlefield success is based on a diverse and well educated warforce, not on sheer brute strength. This is a lesson Hegseth and co need to learn.
www.wsj.com/opinion/ukra...
Happy Convicted Felon as President Day!!! One year ago.
What do you get for the man who extorts everything?
What do you get for the man who extorts everything?
May 30, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Happy Convicted Felon as President Day!!! One year ago.
What do you get for the man who extorts everything?
What do you get for the man who extorts everything?
Russia is not winning the war in Ukraine. ISW has a nice report showing that current Russian military recruits are VERY poorly trained (receiving only 3 weeks!), and suffering high casualties.
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
Institute for the Study of War
Russian recruiters continue to offer Russian recruits low-quality and ineffective military training before deploying them to Ukraine. A Russian military observer visited a Moscow Military District (MM...
understandingwar.org
May 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Russia is not winning the war in Ukraine. ISW has a nice report showing that current Russian military recruits are VERY poorly trained (receiving only 3 weeks!), and suffering high casualties.
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
understandingwar.org/backgrounder...
Tacky behavior by Kristi the Dog Killer at a peaceful library in Vermont. Why am I not surprised?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/w...
The U.S.-Canada Border Runs Through This Library. That’s Now a Problem.
www.nytimes.com
May 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Tacky behavior by Kristi the Dog Killer at a peaceful library in Vermont. Why am I not surprised?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/w...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/w...
Elon leaves Washington disillusioned, and the WH has already started the attacks.
Of course, we all knew this would happen. Who had the blow up and exile at 128 days?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/u...
Of course, we all knew this would happen. Who had the blow up and exile at 128 days?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/u...
A Disillusioned Musk, Distanced From Trump, Says He’s Exiting Washington
www.nytimes.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Elon leaves Washington disillusioned, and the WH has already started the attacks.
Of course, we all knew this would happen. Who had the blow up and exile at 128 days?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/u...
Of course, we all knew this would happen. Who had the blow up and exile at 128 days?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/u...
Here's an interesting idea: form a shadow cabinet to systematically respond to the excesses of this administration. In Parliamentary systems, this can be very effective. In our system, this should be Congress. Ha.
Thoughts?
Politico has some interesting names: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Thoughts?
Politico has some interesting names: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Opinion | 21 Unexpected Heavy Hitters for a Democratic Shadow Cabinet
Here’s who the party should tap to take on Trump and refresh the Democratic brand.
www.politico.com
May 28, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Here's an interesting idea: form a shadow cabinet to systematically respond to the excesses of this administration. In Parliamentary systems, this can be very effective. In our system, this should be Congress. Ha.
Thoughts?
Politico has some interesting names: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Thoughts?
Politico has some interesting names: www.politico.com/news/magazin...
DHS is administering polygraph tests to those suspected of talking to the media.
It could be worse. Kristi the Dog Killer has a history of taking out those who displease her.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
It could be worse. Kristi the Dog Killer has a history of taking out those who displease her.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Inside Kristi Noem’s Polygraph Operation
The information that DHS employees are accused of sharing with media often isn’t classified.
www.wsj.com
May 21, 2025 at 4:27 PM
DHS is administering polygraph tests to those suspected of talking to the media.
It could be worse. Kristi the Dog Killer has a history of taking out those who displease her.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
It could be worse. Kristi the Dog Killer has a history of taking out those who displease her.
www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
A nice review from Eater on Trump Burger.
Spoiler alert - not recommended. And not just because the food is bland.
houston.eater.com/2025/5/15/24...
Spoiler alert - not recommended. And not just because the food is bland.
houston.eater.com/2025/5/15/24...
We Tried Trump Burger in Texas So You Don’t Have To
Restaurants like Trump Burger compel diners to consider: When does a burger stop being just a burger?
houston.eater.com
May 20, 2025 at 7:03 PM
A nice review from Eater on Trump Burger.
Spoiler alert - not recommended. And not just because the food is bland.
houston.eater.com/2025/5/15/24...
Spoiler alert - not recommended. And not just because the food is bland.
houston.eater.com/2025/5/15/24...
Good WSJ analysis of how Putin is playing Trump
The issue is Putin will do nothing that threatens his personal security, and a ceasefire without achieving Putin's war aims will threaten his regime.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
The issue is Putin will do nothing that threatens his personal security, and a ceasefire without achieving Putin's war aims will threaten his regime.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
Zelensky’s Attempt to Get Trump on His Side Falls Flat
Ukraine’s leader has agreed to almost everything President Trump wants but Trump has put no pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
www.wsj.com
May 20, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Good WSJ analysis of how Putin is playing Trump
The issue is Putin will do nothing that threatens his personal security, and a ceasefire without achieving Putin's war aims will threaten his regime.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
The issue is Putin will do nothing that threatens his personal security, and a ceasefire without achieving Putin's war aims will threaten his regime.
www.wsj.com/world/europe...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Interesting view of Russia by Andrei Kolesnikov.
This describes Putin's dilemma. Ending the war will bring home 1000s of veterans into a stagnant economy, and into a society with unrealistic peacetime expectations.
Interesting view of Russia by Andrei Kolesnikov.
This describes Putin's dilemma. Ending the war will bring home 1000s of veterans into a stagnant economy, and into a society with unrealistic peacetime expectations.
Russia’s False Euphoria
Trump’s outreach to Putin has shifted Russian opinion—but failed to end the war.
www.foreignaffairs.com
May 20, 2025 at 1:05 AM
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Interesting view of Russia by Andrei Kolesnikov.
This describes Putin's dilemma. Ending the war will bring home 1000s of veterans into a stagnant economy, and into a society with unrealistic peacetime expectations.
Interesting view of Russia by Andrei Kolesnikov.
This describes Putin's dilemma. Ending the war will bring home 1000s of veterans into a stagnant economy, and into a society with unrealistic peacetime expectations.
Very interesting opinion piece on the inability of Dem leadership to acknowledge Biden's decline, despite the public's awareness.
In a sense, this was the Anti-MAGA cult, just as cultish as MAGA. No one could dare question the Leadership.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/o...
In a sense, this was the Anti-MAGA cult, just as cultish as MAGA. No one could dare question the Leadership.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/o...
Opinion | How Did So Many Elected Democrats Miss Biden’s Infirmity?
www.nytimes.com
May 16, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Very interesting opinion piece on the inability of Dem leadership to acknowledge Biden's decline, despite the public's awareness.
In a sense, this was the Anti-MAGA cult, just as cultish as MAGA. No one could dare question the Leadership.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/o...
In a sense, this was the Anti-MAGA cult, just as cultish as MAGA. No one could dare question the Leadership.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/o...
One of my newsletters highlighted what we import from China.
How will the administration spin the increased cost of children's books? I don't think the line, "Maybe they'll have to make do with fewer books" will be a winner.
How will the administration spin the increased cost of children's books? I don't think the line, "Maybe they'll have to make do with fewer books" will be a winner.
May 12, 2025 at 5:08 PM
One of my newsletters highlighted what we import from China.
How will the administration spin the increased cost of children's books? I don't think the line, "Maybe they'll have to make do with fewer books" will be a winner.
How will the administration spin the increased cost of children's books? I don't think the line, "Maybe they'll have to make do with fewer books" will be a winner.
David Souter had a prescient warning about ignorance and autocracy. Ignorance about the Constitution and the three co-equal branches leaves a void that a wanna-be strongman will try to fill.
His words apply today: "Democracy cannot survive too much ignorance."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/u...
His words apply today: "Democracy cannot survive too much ignorance."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/u...
A Warning From Justice Souter: Democracy Is in Peril
www.nytimes.com
May 12, 2025 at 4:06 PM
David Souter had a prescient warning about ignorance and autocracy. Ignorance about the Constitution and the three co-equal branches leaves a void that a wanna-be strongman will try to fill.
His words apply today: "Democracy cannot survive too much ignorance."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/u...
His words apply today: "Democracy cannot survive too much ignorance."
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/u...
Telsa continues to spiral downward. European sales drop even more.
Is the brand irredeemable?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/w...
Is the brand irredeemable?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/w...
Tesla Sales Fall in Germany and U.K. to Lowest Point in 2 Years
www.nytimes.com
May 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Telsa continues to spiral downward. European sales drop even more.
Is the brand irredeemable?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/w...
Is the brand irredeemable?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/w...
Another shining moment in the new US trade policy. Now Europeans are avoiding US products, joining Canadians.
A new slogan? Make America Poor Again?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/b...
A new slogan? Make America Poor Again?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/b...
As Backlash to Trump’s Tariffs Grows, Europe Boycotts American Brands
A shifting perception of the United States amid President Trump’s trade war is prompting Europeans to pivot decisively away from U.S. goods and services.
www.nytimes.com
May 5, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Another shining moment in the new US trade policy. Now Europeans are avoiding US products, joining Canadians.
A new slogan? Make America Poor Again?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/b...
A new slogan? Make America Poor Again?
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/b...
What's really annoying about Trump and Elon is the divisiveness they sow.
Today, I saw a Tesla driver getting a ticket, and said to myself, "Oh, happy days!"
Then I reflected that this is not how I should be, and not how America should be. I'll try to do better - I just wish they would as well.
Today, I saw a Tesla driver getting a ticket, and said to myself, "Oh, happy days!"
Then I reflected that this is not how I should be, and not how America should be. I'll try to do better - I just wish they would as well.
April 26, 2025 at 8:47 PM
What's really annoying about Trump and Elon is the divisiveness they sow.
Today, I saw a Tesla driver getting a ticket, and said to myself, "Oh, happy days!"
Then I reflected that this is not how I should be, and not how America should be. I'll try to do better - I just wish they would as well.
Today, I saw a Tesla driver getting a ticket, and said to myself, "Oh, happy days!"
Then I reflected that this is not how I should be, and not how America should be. I'll try to do better - I just wish they would as well.
Chipoltle missing revenue targets is a canary in the mine. They cite a slow down in consumer spending, driven by economic uncertainty and price increases. Same store sales declined due to a 2.3% drop in transactions.
The American public deciding that a burrito bowl is too expensive is a bad sign.
The American public deciding that a burrito bowl is too expensive is a bad sign.
April 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Chipoltle missing revenue targets is a canary in the mine. They cite a slow down in consumer spending, driven by economic uncertainty and price increases. Same store sales declined due to a 2.3% drop in transactions.
The American public deciding that a burrito bowl is too expensive is a bad sign.
The American public deciding that a burrito bowl is too expensive is a bad sign.
News flash - Trump tells the truth. Kinda.
The NYT reports, "He suggested again that the US needed to return to ... when tariffs funded the government"
The tariffs are a tax increase on the middle class to fund an income tax cut. The Trump Tax.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/u...
The NYT reports, "He suggested again that the US needed to return to ... when tariffs funded the government"
The tariffs are a tax increase on the middle class to fund an income tax cut. The Trump Tax.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/u...
Trump’s Tariffs Bump Into Reality as Economic Strategy Wavers
President Trump has said his punishing tariffs would force companies to build factories in the United States. But it is far from clear that they will have the effects he predicted.
www.nytimes.com
April 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
News flash - Trump tells the truth. Kinda.
The NYT reports, "He suggested again that the US needed to return to ... when tariffs funded the government"
The tariffs are a tax increase on the middle class to fund an income tax cut. The Trump Tax.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/u...
The NYT reports, "He suggested again that the US needed to return to ... when tariffs funded the government"
The tariffs are a tax increase on the middle class to fund an income tax cut. The Trump Tax.
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/23/u...