"When narcissists behave in an exhibitionistic manner they are seeking the same sort of admiration as toddlers, and for the same reasons. They want attention. Some examples include inappropriate dress, talking too loudly, or gesturing in expansive and space-intruding ways.”
“Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
Mark Ettensohn
“I know now that one of the characteristics of evil is its desire to confuse.”
M. Scott Peck
“You might as well bang your head into a brick wall if you expect the narcissist to be reasonable, empathetic or human in any way. If you sense or witness any of these traits, there is an ulterior motive. When the narcissist is being nice, it’s because they have something to gain.”
Tina Swithin
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,
who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
and clever in their own sight,
Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine,
and valiant in mixing strong drink,
Who acquit the guilty for a bribe,
and deprive the innocent of justice."
Isaiah 5:20-23
Most politicians have over-sized egos, and tend to bend the rules in service to power when it is convenient. This is why so many ordinary people don't care for them in general. There are a few good ones, but mostly not, especially while they are trying to gain or hold on to power.
But lately the political class has been taking things to a whole new level., and on both sides of the aisle. Although by their words they like to assume the 'high ground' they act like moral midgets. And not to put too fine a point on it— the toddler-in-chief lies with an expansive abandon, and leads the pack with the traits of an outsized narcissistic demagogue, shockingly obvious even in an amoral cesspool like DC.
It is not an easy time for independent minds, and for those who wish to do the right things. And the temptation to submit one's will to escape the pain of thinking is great. The lesser of two evils is still evil.
The VIX futures were in contango today. That means that the nearer term months were at a higher value than the following months. Usually it is the other way around. backwardation, with the futures in the following months gradually increasing in price.
This is a signal that a nearer term and disruptive spike in risk is being expected by a number of traders, and they are seeking protection from it.
If you look at the NDX futures chart below, you can see how every day for the past three days that the futures have slumped heavily lower, recovering a bit in the afternoon while Asia and Europe are asleep, only to drop sharply again the next day, and fail to completely recover.
Stocks may turn around and rally higher from here. But the risk for equities is pronounced.
Gold and silver took a hit today, a post Non-Farm Payrolls punch in the gut. It is what they do.
The dollar was only marginally higher.
Grab something solid and hang on. And be wary of who and what it is that you serve.
Have a pleasant evening.
