A brief discussion on some of this week’s events as well as some of the news from today. A general discussion of market performance, the first White House press briefing in a year, a follow up to the initial jobless claims figures, and some thoughts on global protests. Enjoy the weekend! Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Economy #Bailouts #Debt #Recession #USA #Oil #Gold #Depression #Protests
So as this audience knows, from time to time I’ll send a letter to my elected officials. Well during the impeachment trial, I sent a letter to one of my Senators, voicing my views and simply asking that the whole truth of the matter be known – which would entail further witness testimony and the release of documents. And let the chips fall where they may. If guilty, then convict and remove. If exculpatory evidence came to light, then acquit. Let the truth be known and may justice be served. I think that was a reasonable request. Well we all know what transpired. Nonetheless, my Senator (his office) did respond to my note and so during this podcast, I read his reply and breakdown his argument(s) and statements. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. @SenToomey #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #Congress #Republic #Constitution #USA #Economy #Politics
The President was acquitted today in the US Senate on both Articles of Impeachment. It was almost entirely along party lines, with the exception of Senator Mitt Romney of Utah voting “guilty” on the first charge of an Abuse of Power. Nevertheless the President has been acquitted and will now feel entirely vindicated and emboldened to do as he pleases. After all, he has stated that Article II of the US Constitution gives him the power to do whatever he wants – Article II does NOT grant the President this type of authority. In fact, the Constitution was drafted to protect the people from someone having such powers. So, what next? Time will tell, but we’re about to enter the 2020 Presidential campaign in full-swing. The President is supposed to make a formal statement on his acquittal tomorrow at 12pm EST. We hope it’s a solemn message and one that attempts to unite the country – but we’re not holding our breath. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #Economy #Politics #Congress #Constitution #Republic #Recession
The World Health Organization (WHO), formally calls the coronavirus a global emergency. Yet also states that it’s ok to travel, trade, and conduct business. Meanwhile, airline after airline is restricting and/or cancelling their flights to and from China. Also, the US State Department has issued a warning to US citizens to not travel to China. So which is it? Is it under control and safe to travel or is it a global emergency? We do not trust the information coming out of China and imagine the numbers are much worse than what has been reported. Truth is always the first casualty.
The Q&A session in the impeachment trial has concluded. Tomorrow the US Senate will likely vote on whether they will call for new witnesses and/or documents. There are a few Republicans in question who may cross party-lines to vote to hear new witnesses. However, it will be a close vote in all likelihood. Even if more witnesses come forward to testify, there would need to be a 2/3 majority vote to convict and remove the President. So, by the numbers, it is highly likely that the President will be acquitted. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Republic #Congress #Constitution #USA #Economy #Politics #Recession #Peace
Day III of the impeachment trial of President Trump concluded today with the House Managers concluding their opening arguments. The floor will now be turned over to the Counsel of the President. It is highly likely that their “defense” will be based off of attack, deny, and repeat. There will be little defense if any of the President’s actions themselves. Why? Because there is little to defend if anything and they know it. This is why they are likely to attack and distract. It remains unknown as to how many days and hours they will use, but we do know that the President via twitter claims that arguing on Saturday is bad for TV ratings. Of course, let us not focus on the facts of the case and seek the truth. No, no. Let us simply worry about TV ratings. Should we be surprised?
The House Managers did a thorough job over the last few days making their argument. Given the evidence of the case as of today – the President is guilty as charged on both counts: an abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. However, since so many documents have yet to be released by the Executive Branch, there remains room for questions. However, if this information is not released, then the President is showing his guilt once again on the charge of obstruction of Congress. If acquitted with the facts and evidence we have thus far, a dangerous precedent will have been established. And this President and those to come will be able to go unchecked by Congress. This in itself is a travesty. At the very least, the Senate must vote for further witnesses and documents. The whole truth must be known. Justice deserves it and so do the American people. May the truth be known and justice served. Impeachment is not simply about conviction and removal or acquittal. It’s also about prevention. Will the President engage in this type of action again, is a serious question to ask oneself. We will soon find if the Senate places the truth, justice, their oaths, our country, and our Constitution above party and politics. If they do not, then the Republic and the Senate has failed. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #War #Congress #Constitution #USA #Republic #Economy #Politics
The House Managers presented their opening argument today in front of the US Senate. They will have three 8-hours days to present their opening arguments if they so choose to use all of that time. Then following their arguments, the defense counsel for the President will likewise have three 8-hour days to make their arguments. Following this, it is expected that the Senators will have time to ask questions of the managers – not orally, but rather in writing. These questions will go through the Chief Justice, whom is presiding. There still remains several unknowns and the most important perhaps, pertains to the question of witnesses and documents, especially new witnesses and new documents. We would hope that the Senate takes this seriously and allows and demands a fair, open, and transparent trial. This would entail witnesses and documents. For months the Republicans have been arguing about process and how the Democrats have not brought forth “first-hand” fact witnesses. Now in the Senate, with the ability to call and subpoena new first-hand fact witnesses, thus far, they are not doing so. One cannot complain about not having first-hand witnesses and then turnaround and be an advocate for not calling first-hand witnesses to testify when one has the opportunity to do so. If there’s nothing to hide, then release the documents (White House, State, DoD, etc.) and have the first-hand witnesses come forth. If this information further shows the President abused his powers and obstructed Congress, then so be it – remove. And if the information shows that it exonerates the President of wrongdoing, then so be it – acquit. Let the truth be known, and may justice be served. This is all we are after and we are asking for the whole truth.
Another day, another Davos. Today the statement is that the “business-cycle,” is dead. This was made by Bob Prince, Co-CIO of Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund, co-managed by founder, Ray Dalio. Recall, Dalio stated, that “cash is trash.” We do not believe that the business-cycle is dead. It has most definitely been manipulated with massive amounts of fiscal and monetary stimulus. And yet despite all of this stimulus and money-printing, the global economy is barely growing. Hmmmm…can’t imagine why? (Major eye-roll). The business-cycle remains in tact and the “bust” phase of this cycle, not if, but when, it strikes, will likely be global in its reach and be as bad, if not worse than the Great Depression. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Recession #Congress #Constitution #Republic #Economy #Politics #BusinessCycle #Debt War #Oil #EndTheFed #USA
Busy day on the global headline news front. In the US Senate the early phase of the trial of President Donald Trump commenced. Today was primarily procedural and arguing for or against various amendments. However, both sides had the ability to start discussing their case. There is no question, that the House Managers came well-prepared and equipped to make their arguments. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the President’s legal team. They appeared ill-prepared and agitated. Virtually only arguing the same talking points that the President has been shouting for months. Mainly, their argument was about process, and at times, arguing about things that were not even relevant to the case, which was embarrassing and laughable. Furthermore, most of the defense team’s arguments were easily countered by the House Managers citing facts in evidence. If this is the best the President can do – then we must say that things are not looking good. The only thing they may be relying on, is the fact that Republicans hold the majority in the Senate. However, the more the facts, documents, and witnesses become known, (assuming this becomes a fair and open trial with documents and witnesses), then the public may begin to see what has really been going on within this Administration. Thus, perhaps, placing more political pressure on some Republican Senators to rethink voting down party lines. Alternatively, perhaps if documents are released and witnesses come forward, they may show and prove that the President is in the clear. However, we will not know all of this unless further documents are released and witnesses testify. Let the truth be known, and may justice be served.
On the international front, the coronavirus is making headlines as there are cases now recorded in several countries other than China, with one even in the US. The World Health Organization will be making a determination as to whether this can turn into something more serious or if it can and will be shortly contained. Please keep yourself updated on these events as the virus can be deadly.
On the financial and economic front, the world’s “elite” gather in Davos, Switzerland to attend their annual world economic forum where they discuss the prior year and what’s in store for 2020. The theme thus far – central banks are causing bubbles! Wow!? Really?! They’re just figuring this out now? Where have they been for the past decade? We also have Ray Dalio, who we cite here on occasion, as stating that “cash is trash.” Perhaps he is concerned with inflation picking up and/or the value of the US dollar dropping. On some occasions, he has even stated that the US dollar may soon lose its “reserve” status. With nearly $24 trillion in debt and no end in sight, it is quite possible that the world will move away from the US dollar. The question is, to what degree and when? Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Justice #Truth #Peace #Economy #Politics #Congress #Republic #Recession #Constitution #War #Oil #Davos
The weeks that lie ahead are ones of historic importance for the United States. The impeachment trial of President Donald J Trump is set to commence on Tuesday, 21 January 2020. Many of the rules that are to guide the process in the US Senate are still yet to be determined. It is imperative that the Senate places the US Constitution above partisan politics. It is their duty. It is their solemn obligation to uphold and defend the Constitution. Let the truth be know and may justice be served. This is what the American people deserve and it is what the Constitution requires. This then means that the process must be open, transparent, and fair. And that relevant fact witnesses and documents need to testify and be entered into the record. If not, then the US Senate has failed and with it – the health of the Republic remains in the balance.
On a global front, worldwide protests continue with violence escalating in Lebanon. So many people around the world are at the “end of their ropes,” and have nothing left to lose – so they’re protesting. We’ve been saying two things for quite awhile regarding these protesters – they are the only leaders in the world and these protests are not transitory, but rather history in the making. This is a global sea change and the people of the world are tired of the abuse, fraud, nepotism, and corruption that has for too long reigned in their respective governments. This will get much worse before it gets better. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Impeachment #Truth #Justice #Peace #Economy #Politics #Recession #EndTheFed
Phase 1 signing ceremony. Articles of Impeachment sent from the House to the Senate. And an exclusive TV interview from Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani, who has been charged by the US Attorney from the Southern District of New York. What a day! On the US-China trade front – this is a terrible deal and one that basically takes us back to where we were two years ago before this whole thing started. Most of the goods and services that may be purchased by the Chinese are to take place in 2021 not 2020. Most of the goods that China may purchase are goods that they need anyway – pork, soybeans, and energy. The Chinese can remove their tariffs on US goods at their leisure – not on an agreed upon timetable. Some US tariffs will remain in place on Chinese goods and services. Thus keeping prices artificially high and continues the trend of uncertainty. There is an escape clause that basically states that if one party believes that the other is acting in bad faith, that the agreement can be severed. China also stated that they will make their determination to purchase goods and services based on market forces – i.e. prices, not because of a trade deal. In short, this is a pathetic deal – if we can even call it a deal. And don’t forget the numerous amount of farmers who have filed for bankruptcy during this process. And don’t forget the tens of billions of US dollars, from the taxpayers that went to bail-out farmers, especially large corporate farms.
An historic day for the United States of America as the Articles of Impeachment have been formally sent from the House to the Senate. The trial is expected to start next week and will likely last for at least a couple of weeks. We imagine, if it is an open, fair, and transparent trial that it will last longer. Time will tell. All we want is the truth to be known and for justice to be served. Regardless of who is implicated and charged. Put the politics aside.
Lastly, Lev Parnas gave an exclusive interview to Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, part 1 aired this evening and part 2 is scheduled for tomorrow evening. Much of what was stated raises more questions than it does provides answers. However, some of the answers appeared credible and can be corroborated with documentation. Some answers can be reasonably presumed to be correct, however, further evidence is needed. Further, some answers were speculative in nature and they also require further investigation and corroboration – either documentation and/or personal testimony of other individuals. One of the key themes as outlined by Parnas is contradicting the President and stating that Donald Trump was fully aware as to what Parnas, Giuliani, and others were doing in Ukraine. Recall that Parnas has also submitted documents to the House and those documents will now be a part of the official record with respect to the impeachment inquiry. Also, do consider the motive of Parnas when it comes to his statements – remain skeptical and ask tough questions and demand the truth and further investigations. This is far from over and there are many questions that need to be asked and answered. And many of them need to be asked of and answered by the President’s Men. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Truth #Justice #Impeachment #Economy #Politics #Peace #USA #China #Trade #War
With so much breaking news taking place on the economic and geopolitical front, a reasonable question to ask is, “what’s the end game?” The Federal Reserve, along with many other global central banks are priming the presses and added billions of dollars of liquidity on a daily basis. The “temporary” repo market intervention appears to be anything but, as we make our way into the 4th month of Fed intervention. Just today, the Fed added nearly $77B into the market – the result? US markets starting out the day in the red and ending in the green. There is no market. There is no price discovery. This is a completely manipulated market. Meanwhile, we continue to see further economic numbers showing a continued stalling and decline. A look at the Services PMI out of Japan is now in contraction as well with a reading of 49.2.
On the geopolitical front, which still has major implications on the global economy, were the first shots of WWIII fired just last week when the US assassinated an Iranian general and other officials? Many analysts are saying yes. This is not a good day in world history. Yes, the Iranian general was not a good man, but how many other bad men are out there? Did another just take his place? When will this end? Which leads us to our question of this podcast – what is the end game? What kind of retaliation will there be from Iran? Or will this major gamble from President Trump pay-off? Let us pray for peace. But if history is any guide, and it’s usually one of the best, then this escalation is just getting started. Stay diversified, stay vigilant, and stay with The Kapital News. #Peace #War #Economy #Politics #Truth #Justice #EndTheFed #USA #Iran #Iaq
