"Time and again we hope for better leaders, but all too often those hopes are dashed. The reason is that power causes people to lose the kindness and modesty that got them elected, or they never possessed those sterling qualities in the first place. In a hierarchically organised society, the Machiavellis are one step ahead. They have the ultimate secret weapon to defeat their competition. They’re shameless.”
Rutger Bregman, Humankind: A Hopeful History, 2020
"The concentration of psychopathic and sociopathic personalities in positions of power, whether it be in the workplace or in political areas, emphasizes the need for balance of power, transparency, and the rule of law.
Utopian designs for social organization that rely on perfectly rational and naturally self-governing individuals is not very practical. The fact that for some percentage of the population, from one to five percent, the lack of a conscience is a very real factor in their own behaviour, knocks down flat anarchical frameworks where reliance is placed upon some assumption of 'natural goodness' of everyone. Not everyone is just like everyone else.
There is a reason why throughout human history good people have found it necessary to organize themselves for their own protection. Not everyone is good, and laws provides for the protection of the weak, the vulnerable, and the innocent from the predators among us."
Jesse, Snakes in Suits: Predators Among Us, 26 April 2017
"We may make ourselves popular by telling our fellow citizens that they have made discoveries, conceived inventions, and made improvements. We may boast that we are the chosen people; we may even thank God that we are not like other men. But after all it will be but flattery, and the delusion, the self deceit of the Pharisees."
John Adams, Letter to John Taylor, 29 July 1814
Tonight is Daisy's monthly visit to the vet. She has allergies that require a monthly injection in addition to the pills she takes every day. She also has a heart murmur that requires some monitoring and daily medication. She is worth it.
So here are the charts as they are at this time. I will adjust any differences in the chart postings tomorrow.
I think it is pretty evident that this Administration has a keen eye on the stock markets, and frosting reality to make it appear better than it really is.
Bitcoin looks to be staging a breakout attempt for the long wedge I highlighted yesterday. If it succeeds then it may run higher a bit. And if it fails, then the wedge may continue working forward.
Gold and silver have been gaining the attention of Wall Street this week. The shorts may be using this opportunity of relaxed oversight and increased market 'tinkering' to square up those short positions.
Or they may be doubling down. And a turn of events in the geopolitical situation could crush them.
What is unsustainable will not be sustained.
The leadership of today is perishing. They do not yet realize it. But their regret and surprise when the time comes will be as monumental as their egos.
Have a pleasant evening.
