1 Timothy 6:9-10
"The American-Israeli attack on Iran was more than a bad idea; it has turned into a watershed in the decline of the American empire. Some might prefer the word hegemony to describe the world order the United States leads, since its flag does not generally fly over the lands it protects or exploits. But the rules are the same: Imperial systems, whatever you call them, last only as long as their means are adequate to their ends. And with the Iran war, President Trump has overextended the empire dangerously.
The assumption in Washington over the past decade has been that the world is engaged in a game of geostrategic musical chairs and the music is about to stop.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel urged this war on Mr. Trump because he, too, recognized the musical-chairs logic of the moment. Once the music stops, the United States may lack the firepower to protect Israel from its neighbors in the traditional manner and will probably lack the inclination. Ironically, the war’s catastrophic outcome shows Mr. Netanyahu’s basic understanding to have been sound: Israel’s prospects for enlisting the United States in such anachronistic adventures were dwindling. Mr. Trump’s gullibility provided Mr. Netanyahu with a last chance."
“Unfettered capitalism is a revolutionary force that consumes greater and greater numbers of human lives — until it finally consumes itself.”
Chris Hedges, The Death of the Liberal Class, 2010
“Four sorrows are certain to be visited on the United States:
- First, there will be a state of perpetual war.
- Second is a loss of democracy and Constitutional rights as the presidency eclipses Congress and is itself transformed from a co-equal ‘executive branch’ of government into a military junta.
- Third is the replacement of truth by propaganda, disinformation, and the glorification of war, power, and the military legions.
- Lastly, there is bankruptcy, as the United States pours its economic resources into ever more grandiose military projects and shortchanges the education, health, and safety of its citizens.”
Chalmers Johnson, The Sorrows of Empire, 2005
Stocks are just going through the motions of a late stage valuation bubble.
The customary PR falsehoods spread on Sunday evening failed to gain traction, probably because they were so patently false.
VIX jumped back up a little.
The Dollar moved higher.
Bitcoin is making its move for a breakout a little more strongly. It needs to keep going or it is going to fall back down to the bottom of the channel. It's short term Ponzi trendline is obvious.
Gold and silver were smacked around pretty hard.
I think the Administration is buying into the notion that they are tools of the BRICS. I would imagine Bessent is the spokesmodel for the Wall Street Banks on that one.
The conflict in Iran is center stage. The damage being done to the global economy is real. Its impact is just starting to be felt.
This is going to leave a mark.
Have a pleasant evening.
