Patrick W. Watson
@patrickww.bsky.social
Journalist interested in economics, climate change, technology, labor. Hill Country Texan. @PatrickW at the X place but trying to escape. Once a soldier.
This trend has yet to reach the Texas Longhorns at DKR. Perhaps because we have no empty sections in which shirtless fans can assemble.
November 15, 2025 at 4:19 PM
This trend has yet to reach the Texas Longhorns at DKR. Perhaps because we have no empty sections in which shirtless fans can assemble.
If your movement needs more than 1 second to decide whether it embraces an overt racist, maybe something is wrong with your movement.
November 6, 2025 at 7:50 PM
If your movement needs more than 1 second to decide whether it embraces an overt racist, maybe something is wrong with your movement.
NYT framing of this story is terrible, completely ignoring that it is Trump's Republicans causing the increase.
The headline and image seem more designed to deflect blame onto Obama.
The headline and image seem more designed to deflect blame onto Obama.
Obamacare Prices Become Public, Highlighting Big Increases
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:18 PM
NYT framing of this story is terrible, completely ignoring that it is Trump's Republicans causing the increase.
The headline and image seem more designed to deflect blame onto Obama.
The headline and image seem more designed to deflect blame onto Obama.
The Reagan radio address on free trade which Ontario used in a TV commercial that so upset Trump is interesting for another reason: A president spoke clearly and coherently about public affairs and didn't make it all about himself.
I suspect that's what really annoyed Trump.
I suspect that's what really annoyed Trump.
October 24, 2025 at 3:02 PM
The Reagan radio address on free trade which Ontario used in a TV commercial that so upset Trump is interesting for another reason: A president spoke clearly and coherently about public affairs and didn't make it all about himself.
I suspect that's what really annoyed Trump.
I suspect that's what really annoyed Trump.
Another good reason Russians should keep their windows closed. Was it a random apartment or was someone targeted?
October 24, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Another good reason Russians should keep their windows closed. Was it a random apartment or was someone targeted?
When AI execs talk, are they describing reality or trying to please the president? No one knows. And that's a problem. www.mauldineconomics.com/connecting-t...
AI and Hot Mics
AI is changing the way business leaders talk. Investors should change the way they think.
www.mauldineconomics.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:01 PM
When AI execs talk, are they describing reality or trying to please the president? No one knows. And that's a problem. www.mauldineconomics.com/connecting-t...
It keeps backfiring because their alternative plan is "let the sick people suffer and die."
Why Republicans’ attempts to kill Obamacare keep backfiring
The White House and some Republicans are growing nervous that Democrats’ demand to boost Obamacare as part of a government funding bill has salience with voters.
wapo.st
October 12, 2025 at 8:58 PM
It keeps backfiring because their alternative plan is "let the sick people suffer and die."
I spent 2 years commanding a mixed-gender company. My observation:
Soldiers are uncannily good at knowing who they can rely on in combat, and it has almost nothing to do physical fitness or personal appearance.
Soldiers are uncannily good at knowing who they can rely on in combat, and it has almost nothing to do physical fitness or personal appearance.
Female vets fire back at Hegseth over claims of lowered military standards
Federal law already prohibits gender-based standards for specific roles.
www.axios.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I spent 2 years commanding a mixed-gender company. My observation:
Soldiers are uncannily good at knowing who they can rely on in combat, and it has almost nothing to do physical fitness or personal appearance.
Soldiers are uncannily good at knowing who they can rely on in combat, and it has almost nothing to do physical fitness or personal appearance.
Wait, I was told the US would get out of Middle East quagmires and make other countries defend themselves.
Trump has signed an “Article-5-like” security guarantee following an Israeli strike in Doha, Axios reports.
“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.”
“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.”
October 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Wait, I was told the US would get out of Middle East quagmires and make other countries defend themselves.
"Twenty-first-century authoritarianism keeps the public content with abundant calories and dazzling entertainment. Its dominant emotions aren’t euphoria and rage, but indifference and cynicism."
America’s Zombie Democracy
Its trappings remain, but authoritarianism and AI are hollowing out our humanity.
www.theatlantic.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
"Twenty-first-century authoritarianism keeps the public content with abundant calories and dazzling entertainment. Its dominant emotions aren’t euphoria and rage, but indifference and cynicism."
Reposted by Patrick W. Watson
“It's fair to say that 80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on who are afraid of death and insignificance, and they won't let go. “ - Barack Obama
—
The root of a lot of our current problems are billionaires and politicians who won at life but then refused to sail off into the sunset.
—
The root of a lot of our current problems are billionaires and politicians who won at life but then refused to sail off into the sunset.
September 26, 2025 at 10:38 AM
“It's fair to say that 80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on who are afraid of death and insignificance, and they won't let go. “ - Barack Obama
—
The root of a lot of our current problems are billionaires and politicians who won at life but then refused to sail off into the sunset.
—
The root of a lot of our current problems are billionaires and politicians who won at life but then refused to sail off into the sunset.
Wait, I was told tariff policy was stabilizing and the Fed should look through its effects.
President Trump’s latest tariffs sent shock waves throughout Asia, heaping additional turmoil on companies already grappling with uncertainty, while adding further complexity for trade officials ironing out the details of recently struck trade agreements.
Trump’s New Tariffs Shock Countries Reeling From His Chaotic Trade War
Throughout Asia, the source of about 40 percent of U.S. imports, countries have little to show for weeks of talks trying to finalize deals.
nyti.ms
September 26, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Wait, I was told tariff policy was stabilizing and the Fed should look through its effects.
It’s Sept 21. Do you remember?
Earth, Wind & Fire - September (Official Audio)
YouTube video by EarthWindandFireVEVO
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 12:35 PM
It’s Sept 21. Do you remember?
Good look to Senate Democrats, but I'm pretty sure GOP will kill the filibuster if necessary to give Trump what he wants. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09...
Trump Administration Live Updates: Shutdown Looms as Bill to Extend Funding Reaches Senate
www.nytimes.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Good look to Senate Democrats, but I'm pretty sure GOP will kill the filibuster if necessary to give Trump what he wants. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09...
Trump won't change any of his policies unless Republicans begin *openly* opposing them.
No sign of that yet, only some quiet grumbling. And it's usually hedged with things like "Harris would be been even worse."
No sign of that yet, only some quiet grumbling. And it's usually hedged with things like "Harris would be been even worse."
America is getting the economy we voted for
The beatings will continue until someone comes in and fudges the data.
www.noahpinion.blog
September 6, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Trump won't change any of his policies unless Republicans begin *openly* opposing them.
No sign of that yet, only some quiet grumbling. And it's usually hedged with things like "Harris would be been even worse."
No sign of that yet, only some quiet grumbling. And it's usually hedged with things like "Harris would be been even worse."
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Because the worst looks increasingly likely.
So What, Now What?
I think that I see what IS when it comes to the current gerrymandering efforts in Texas and in California. I’d like to ask readers
www.epsilontheory.com
September 3, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Because the worst looks increasingly likely.
👇👇👇
Personally, I think the reason why the market is complacent is because many influential people like Dudley is still talk this problem with "if"
There is no "if" anymore, just "when"
Like.. before or after Powell (and May 2025 or Jan 2028)
There is no "if" anymore, just "when"
Like.. before or after Powell (and May 2025 or Jan 2028)
Bill Dudley says "Markets are too complacent."
"If Trump gained the power to reject and select regional Fed presidents via the Board of Governors, each reserve bank’s board of directors would face the difficult political question of whom to appoint"
"If Trump gained the power to reject and select regional Fed presidents via the Board of Governors, each reserve bank’s board of directors would face the difficult political question of whom to appoint"
August 27, 2025 at 11:35 AM
👇👇👇
Here’s a question: *Why* is Trump so hell bent on making the fed cut rates?
I don’t believe for a minute he cares about balancing the budget or what people pay for mortgages. Everything we know about him says it’s probably something far more selfish.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I don’t believe for a minute he cares about balancing the budget or what people pay for mortgages. Everything we know about him says it’s probably something far more selfish.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Team Weighing Options to Extend Influence to Fed Banks
The Trump administration is reviewing options for exerting more influence over the Federal Reserve’s 12 regional banks that would potentially extend its reach beyond personnel appointments in Washingt...
www.bloomberg.com
August 26, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Here’s a question: *Why* is Trump so hell bent on making the fed cut rates?
I don’t believe for a minute he cares about balancing the budget or what people pay for mortgages. Everything we know about him says it’s probably something far more selfish.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
I don’t believe for a minute he cares about balancing the budget or what people pay for mortgages. Everything we know about him says it’s probably something far more selfish.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Patrick W. Watson
If you like inflation and high borrowing costs, you like what Trump is doing to the Fed.
Yes, the stakes here are large. Very large.
August 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
If you like inflation and high borrowing costs, you like what Trump is doing to the Fed.
If the bond market doesn’t have a major freak out tomorrow, Trump will conclude he can fire others, too.
And, then, by next spring, he will have full control of the FOMC and get those zero interest rates he wants.
And, then, by next spring, he will have full control of the FOMC and get those zero interest rates he wants.
Trump fires Fed's Cook alleging false statements on mortgage forms.
Trump fires Fed's Cook alleging false statements on mortgage forms
U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday took the unprecedented action of firing Lisa Cook, the first African-American woman to serve as a Federal Reserve governor, over claims of mortgage borrowing impropriety.
www.reuters.com
August 26, 2025 at 12:59 AM
If the bond market doesn’t have a major freak out tomorrow, Trump will conclude he can fire others, too.
And, then, by next spring, he will have full control of the FOMC and get those zero interest rates he wants.
And, then, by next spring, he will have full control of the FOMC and get those zero interest rates he wants.
Reposted by Patrick W. Watson
these aren't jokes or distractions
i dont understand why more ppl aren't more concerned about this.. he has a sec of def and now with ICE his own personal army
i dont understand why more ppl aren't more concerned about this.. he has a sec of def and now with ICE his own personal army
August 25, 2025 at 4:40 PM
these aren't jokes or distractions
i dont understand why more ppl aren't more concerned about this.. he has a sec of def and now with ICE his own personal army
i dont understand why more ppl aren't more concerned about this.. he has a sec of def and now with ICE his own personal army
Reposted by Patrick W. Watson
"I’ve learned in my military career that disagreement, when voiced respectfully and appropriately, is not disrespect. In fact, it is a deeper form of respect."
But Donald Trump is sending a different, dangerous signal: "Disagreement is not tolerated."
www.thebulwark.com/p/donald-tru...
But Donald Trump is sending a different, dangerous signal: "Disagreement is not tolerated."
www.thebulwark.com/p/donald-tru...
Donald Trump, Gen. Kruse, and the Perils of Yes Men
There are good reasons the best leaders don’t surround themselves with sycophants.
www.thebulwark.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"I’ve learned in my military career that disagreement, when voiced respectfully and appropriately, is not disrespect. In fact, it is a deeper form of respect."
But Donald Trump is sending a different, dangerous signal: "Disagreement is not tolerated."
www.thebulwark.com/p/donald-tru...
But Donald Trump is sending a different, dangerous signal: "Disagreement is not tolerated."
www.thebulwark.com/p/donald-tru...
With Trump now saying he wants more "deals" like Intel, this piece I wrote in 2020 sounds hauntingly accurate. www.mauldineconomics.com/connecting-t...
Socialism Is Coming but Not the Way You Think
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase (JPM), which just marked the most profitable year any US bank has ever had, spoke on CNBC from Davos last week.
www.mauldineconomics.com
August 25, 2025 at 1:30 PM
With Trump now saying he wants more "deals" like Intel, this piece I wrote in 2020 sounds hauntingly accurate. www.mauldineconomics.com/connecting-t...
Reposted by Patrick W. Watson
NEW: Remember the rich dilettante who ignored all warnings and took a stupidly designed sub down to see the 'Titanic,' but the sub imploded and he and his passengers instantly died?
The U.S. economy under Trump is starting to resemble that story...
www.thebulwark.com/p/oceangate-...
The U.S. economy under Trump is starting to resemble that story...
www.thebulwark.com/p/oceangate-...
OceanGate and the Trump Economy
Rich idiot breaks all the rules. Creates a death trap. And everyone hears the popping noises signaling that it’s all about to implode.
www.thebulwark.com
August 20, 2025 at 4:22 PM
NEW: Remember the rich dilettante who ignored all warnings and took a stupidly designed sub down to see the 'Titanic,' but the sub imploded and he and his passengers instantly died?
The U.S. economy under Trump is starting to resemble that story...
www.thebulwark.com/p/oceangate-...
The U.S. economy under Trump is starting to resemble that story...
www.thebulwark.com/p/oceangate-...
Reposted by Patrick W. Watson
“Trust me, I’ll guarantee your country’s security” says the man who cannot be trusted.
Word & Phrases We Could Do Without
A ‘guarantee’ from Trump?!
open.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM
“Trust me, I’ll guarantee your country’s security” says the man who cannot be trusted.