"It's not just America. The whole world has sort of turned muddy. By and large, the world is increasingly run by ignoramuses, wackos and psychotics. This was long before Donald Trump. But we've got more crazy people running the world now than ever."
Seymour Hersh
"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means. When anyone hears the good news and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no firm roots, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.
The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the temptations of riches choke the word, making it wither away. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces good fruit, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.’
Matthew 13:18-23
"Let all mankind recognize My unfathomable mercy. It is a sign for the end times. Bring to me all devout and faithful souls, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. He who refuses to pass through the door of My mercy must pass through the door of My justice. "
Maria Faustyna Kowalska
Next week will see an FOMC, in which the Fed is widely expected to cut its benchmark rate by 25 basis points.
I do think that ordinarily the market would sell the news.
But the scenario is complicated a bit by the Non-Farm Payrolls report on Friday.
So the market may hold off a bit, waiting to see how that number comes in.
It is a kind of Jekyll-Hyde market, and economy.
On one hand, things are fantastic, and the economy is booming like never before. We just need to keep doing what we are doing, with these great tax cuts and continuing deregulation. No problems to be seen, except maybe too many poor people.
On the other hand, the Fed needs to cut rates which it only recently increased, because they are 'stifling' economic growth and holding us back from even more exceptional achievements.
Personally I think just about everyone in the Beltway and Manhattan is full of it. And they don't care.
Well, putting that aside, let's see how this avalanche of economic news, and a dictate from the Fed, plays out next week.
Today is the feast day of Joachim and Anna, who were the parents of Mary, and thereby the grandparents of Jesus. Grandparents can be a wonderful gift. I pray for mine every day.
They had been forged in terrible poverty in the Depression, and were very good and down to earth. I had to live with them when I was very little. My earliest memories are of my angel grandmother, as I sat in her lap while she told me stories from the old World, mostly about the struggle between good and evil.
The Dollar strengthened today as Larry Kudlow, CNBC/Wall Street spokesmodel and now presidential economic advisor, said that 'Dollar invtervention' is off the table, meaning that they would take no action on Trumpolini's desire for a weaker Dollar.
There is no scenario whatsoever under which the US does not intervene in most if not all of the markets, and on an almost daily basis these days.
I doubt that things will become better on their own, since reform and justice are almost friendless among the powerful.
What then are we to do?
What everyone has had to do, throughout the history of the world.
Stand firm, and remain standing with the light, not on your own strength alone, but trusting in the word of the Lord.
Have a pleasant weekend.
Well, there you are. Seems like a good day for corporal works of mercy and prayer.
