“Thus, it should be understood that when pro-US figures use the term, 'rules-based international order,' they are not referring to anything analogous to the rule of law. Quite the opposite, they are using Orwellian language to describe a system in which essentially no rules can be established and/or observed, given that the dominant state has the prerogative to violate and/or rewrite “rules” at its whim.” Aaron Good, American Exception
“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be with the coming of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given away in marriage, up until the very day that Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came, and swept them all away...
And they said to him, 'Where will this happen, Lord?' And He said to them, 'Where death is, there will be a gathering of vultures.'”
Luke 17:26-27, 37
Stocks were trading sloppy today, although once again they managed to finish up in the quiet afternoon trade to finish off their lows and unchanged.
Gold and silver were a higher as the Dollar was off a bit.
Tomorrow is a stock option expiration.
Things are going to continue to become very interesting.
"People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage. Intellectual myopia, often called stupidity, is no doubt a reason. But the privileged also feel that their privileges, however egregious they may seem to others, are a solemn, basic, God-given right."
"For those who have at times struggled to understand the difference between COMEX inventory categories ‘registered gold’ and ‘eligible gold’, now your head can spin even more, since the CME’s COMEX has just introduced a new category – ‘pledged gold’.
This pledged category was first noticed on the infamous COMEX warehouse late last week by Nick Laird of fame, with the pledged gold column intriguing populated with an entry next to the New York vault of bullion bank, HSBC. What did this pledged column entry mean, we wondered, and where did it come from?
After some digging on the CME website, the answer was revealed. Pledged is a new gold inventory category representing COMEX gold warrants which have been deposited with CME Clearing as performance bond collateral, in other words margin collateral. CME as follows:
'Performance Bonds, also known as margins, are deposits held at CME Clearing to ensure that clearing members can meet their obligations to their customers and to CME Clearing.'
COMEX registered gold stocks (those which are available for delivery) are currently only about 34 tonnes, a tiny foundation underpinning for a giant inverted paper pyramid. At the same time, COMEX gold futures contracts trade the equivalent of 27 million ounces per day (equivalent to 260,000 tonnes of gold per year) – more gold than has been mined in history, and over 86 times annual gold mining supply.
While the amount of pledged gold listed on the is still relatively tiny, covering 100 oz of gold held at HSBC’s vault under the HSBC Tower at 1 West 39th Street, SC 2 Level, in Manhattan, that could well change. It will therefore be well worth watching these COMEX reports in future to see if this Pledged gold category snowballs.
And if it does snowball, [it's starting, see today's report - Jesse] it will be even more important to remember that any COMEX gold warrants which are deposited as performance bond collateral with CME Clearing will move out of the Registered gold category, since the holder 'may not use these warrants to satisfy their delivery obligations.'"
"At the end of the day, perhaps, the equity side of the U.S. external balance sheet should be understood not by thinking of the U.S. as a giant and very successful private equity fund that borrows to buy equity—but rather as one giant corporate tax dodge for U.S. based multinationals…
If you think I am exaggerating, I would encourage you to take a look at the IRS data on the location of U.S. corporate profits—and the location of the taxes that American firms pay abroad. U.S. firms are earning big profits in jurisdictions where they don’t pay tax, and small profits in jurisdictions where they do…and in the process, reducing their U.S. tax bill as well. That’s real exorbitant privilege."
I saw the pledged gold category in the clearing report last week under HSBC. Since it was only one bar I did not bother mentioning it and wanted to see what it was all about. I had out of town guests, my brother and sister in laws, that left on Sunday. They are among my favorite people, and the antics of the Comex took second place to them. We had a great time.
There are 237,554 ounces 'pledged' under HSBC on the Comex clearing report included below. The pledged gold does not show up in either the eligible or registered category totals which would be concerning. I am going to be reading up on this and any worthwhile commentary.
Right now I am trying to determine what trading strategy to follow when these markets break, because they certainly look like they are approaching some kind of crossroads. Stocks are in flag patterns along with gold.
And of course there a lot of geo-political things going on. And plenty of theatrics, misdirection, and a lot of shameless lying and self-serving corruption. I can imagine now why supposedly so few of the rich and powerful may be saved. Well, let's look to ourselves first, and try not to join in.
There will be a stock market option expiration on Friday.
“You felt secure in your wickedness.
‘No one sees what I do,’ you said.
But your ‘wisdom’ and ‘knowledge’ have led you astray,
and you think, ‘I am the only one, and no one else matters.’
Disaster will overtake you,
and you won’t be able to charm it away.
Misfortune will descend upon you,
and you won’t be able to buy your way out.
A catastrophe will strike you suddenly,
one for which you cannot prepare."
Isaiah 47:10-11
Stocks finished slightly higher today, after hitting new highs early but then giving most of them up after Trump's speech at noon.
Gold finished slightly higher along with the Dollar. Siver was of a bit.
There will be a stock market option expiration on Friday.
This rally is in its third leg short term, and is looking very tired.
Let's see if it ralies higher or sells off after Jay Powell's testimony tomorrow at 11 AM.
The Monday Night Football game between the 49ers and the Seahawks was one of the best I have seen in some time.
A large storm front came through here this afternoon, dropping temperatures about 40 degrees. We are expecting a hard freeze tonight. The areas on the Great Lakes will be enjoying some serious lake effect snow.
44th Anniversary of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
"And do not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were marked for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and harsh words, and slander be removed from you along with all malice.
Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, and forgiving of one another as God in Christ Jesus forgives you."
Ephesians 4:30-32
"If you forgive other people their failings, your Heavenly Father will likewise forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, your Father in Heaven Father will not forgive you.”
Matthew 6:14-15
Gold was hit in another attempt to shake more futures contracts loose. The Banks want to cover and cash in on their short positions. Silver was sightly higher, and the Dollar was slightly lower.
Stocks were lower most of the day, but managed to take back some of their losses in the late afternoon hours in very quiet trading.
Let us pray for those whose hearts are hardened against His grace and loving kindness by greed, fear, and pride, and the seductive illusion and crushing isolation of evil.
We pray that we all may experience the three great gifts of our Lord's suffering and triumph: repentance, forgiveness, and thankfulness. And in so doing, may we obtain abundant life, and with it the peace that surpasses all understanding.
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