"Often, as Bismarck used to say, when you can’t solve your own problems, you go to war. I wouldn’t rule that out, given the strength and the vitality of the military-industrial complex in this country.
We’re at a juncture now where I think what we really need is a healthy revitalization of politics, first and foremost getting money out of politics."
Robert Johnson, Ugly Money Politics, June 17, 2014
“Today we live in a society in which spurious realities are manufactured by the media, by governments, by big corporations, by religious groups, political groups. So I ask, in my writing, 'what is real?', because unceasingly we are bombarded with pseudo-realities manufactured by very sophisticated people using very sophisticated electronic mechanisms."
Philip K. Dick
"By the time Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of a military-industrial complex in his farewell address, the complex was already a reality. Ike wanted to say, 'Congressional-industrial- military complex,' but his advisors convinced him to delete any reference to the 'honorable ones,' this in spite of their penchant for both hidden and open bribery."
Charles Walters, The Primacy of New Wealth
"War against a foreign country only happens when the moneyed classes think they are going to profit from it."
George Orwell
In the overnight the stock futures were swooning, and gold and silver and other safe havens, soaring.
But during the day's trade after the New York open, the risk markets put on a happy face, and the geopolitical and economic worries were brushed aside, again.
This would almost be funny, were it not such a serious business impacting the lives of so many.
President Biden will deliver his 'State of the Union' message to a joint session of Congress this evening.
We cannot have him coming to the stage with a reassuring message, with the financial markets in turmoil, n'est-ce pas?
Further, there will be a Non-Farm Payrolls Report on Friday.
If you wish an alternative or at least a palliative to tomorrow tonight's State of the Union speech, embedded below is an informative and highly entertaining video about the revolutionary travel innovation that was The Orient Express.
Have a pleasant evening.
