Market metrics

"Love him or not, Donald Trump has changed our economy. He is changing the world. Actually, he is restoring a world order which has been absent for many decades. His tariffs would have worked quite well for this country. But I guess pointy headed and liberal lower court judges knew better. SMH..."

Holy smokes! Did you see the DJIA yesterday? Over 50,000 once again. Wait - why? Are we not teetering on the edge of a recession (or worse)? Because of that silly war with Iran and having the Strait of Hormuz blocked? Maybe some countries might be on the verge, but not ours. Sure, our gas prices are temporarily through the roof. And steaks still cost an arm and a leg. But many of the other economic metrics are looking very good. What does that mean? Compared to prior days of gas shortages, this time we have a surplus. We are in good shape.

But why then, did the market go up yesterday? Hope. This time we are hoping that China keeps their word on what was promised. For example, for the home folks here in Minnesota, China promised to buy more soybeans. That would be huge, as some of NATO members are not buying much of anything we are making or growing. And by the way - a note to Canada and some northwestern Euro NATO countries - stop the pout and get back to the way things were in the past. While some NATO countries are drowning in socialism and Islamic mania, the United States is in great shape.

The question begs now to be asked - why are we being dissed by the global elites in Europe? Is it just Donald Trump? Actually, it is. Unlike Joe Biden and Obama who invited Europe to walk all over us, Donald Trump does something quite interesting. He holds people and countries accountable. He was warned Europe about unfettered immigration. They blew him off. And now some Euro nations have a big, big problem. And Trump was relentless in shaming NATO for not paying their agreed to share of their dues. For some nations, that worked. For others, they pouted.

I have said in the past and it bears repeating. Our three biggest (and by far and away, not the only) allies are Israel, Japan and Poland. I would bet the house on any of them to have our backs every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Many of the other NATO states have grown to be soft and tepid. Is it possible for our friendships to once again renew? Sure, but it is up to them. They need to get their immigration and economic house in order first.

Love him or not, Donald Trump has changed our economy. He is changing the world. Actually, he is restoring a world order which has been absent for many decades. His tariffs would have worked quite well for this country. But I guess pointy headed and liberal lower court judges knew better. SMH...

 

A man of peace; A man of war

 

"What would I like to see once we fix the Iran problem. Finish some unfinished business from Trump's first term. What is that? North Korea. This would be a major win for Donald Trump if he could fix the Hermit Kingdom. There was a relationship for a brief period of time between Trump and Kim Jong-um. I will never forget their meeting at the Korean DMZ." 

As President Trump Arrived in China yesterday, he indeed looked much more like the President of the Board of Peace than the War Hawk we have recently seen deal with Iran. Truthfully, I like this president much more. He is comfortable in his own skin when it comes to making new and exciting deals. His War Hawk image is not as smooth. Probably because it goes against his grain. He has bent over backwards trying to get Iran to accept a mutually good deal. Because of Iran's refusal to deal at the table, when this China summit is over, the War Hawk president might need to re-appear.

I watched the state dinner than President Xi put on for the US delegation this morning. It was quite the shindig. And the toasts? It was like both countries were long lost friends rather than advisories or competitors. Now to be fair, Donald Trump has said for years that he and Xi are friends. Maybe they are. And in any relationship, trust is paramount to making a good deal. And to show that trust was in the offing, Trump brought the best and brightest CEOs with him. Are they ready to be a part of any deals to be made? Absolutely!

Tomorrow, when Air Force One takes off, there will be a strong afterglow of friendship and success. But then it is back to reality. What is waiting in the wings? His two biggest obstacles to peace and tranquility. Iran, and Congressional Democrats. As much as I hate to see my brother and sisters in arms go back into harm's way, it might be time to unzip the velvet off the brick. Enough of messing around with the time wasters who reside within this IRGC. Time to unleash the dogs of war. The innocent citizens who live in Iran are still getting executed by the scoundrels who are in control of Iran. Time to fix this mess. 

What would I like to see once we fix the Iran problem. Finish some unfinished business from Trump's first term. What is that? North Korea. This would be a major win for Donald Trump if he could fix the Hermit Kingdom. There was a relationship for a brief period of time between Trump and Kim Jong-um. I will never forget their meeting at the Korean DMZ. That was historic, really historic. Time to finish that unfinished business.

Love him or not, Donald Trump has been excellent in forging new and important relationships. And yes, some old relationships (like Canada and some Euro countries), need to have a kick in the rear-end to wake them up. Nothing personal - friends just don't let friends turn socialist nor become Islamic.

"Make new friends, but keep the old, as some are silver and the others are gold." Wise words, except when some of our old friends have gone from gold to fool's gold. Too harsh? Sorry.   

    

Boring? Maybe not.

 

"I have said this for a long time now. Elon Musk, although quirky, fascinates me. I love how he thinks; how he visions. In Elon's world, in a decade or two from now, Earth, the Moon, Mars and the Asteroid Belt will look much different. Somewhere down the road, all the things which Elon is working on right now will come together."

Who in the world would name a company - any company, The Boring Company. I mean, that would take guts (or stupidity). Elon Musk did. I guess it all makes sense if you are manufacturing machines which bore holes in the Earth. Okay - hold on for a second. When all of Elon's businesses are stacked up against each other, where is the common purpose? It is as if Elon is all over the map in making stuff. Maybe, or maybe not.

A couple of years ago, I read an article about why in the world Elon would sink time and money into making machines which do nothing but drill holes in the Earth. But here is where the method in the madness starts to show itself. Elon's desire is to have the circumference of a Boring Machine match the circumference of one of a Starship. Why? To take a Boring Machine to Mars and maybe the Moon. Why? To make either place livable, some of the hubs need to be underground. Elon could see a labyrinth of tunnels connecting different hub locations on either Mars and/or the Moon.

But there is something else. Applications on Earth. Remember, Elon does not make anything just for the heck of it. He most always has a vision. Right now, his vision is to replace roads and bridges in Texas with an underground system of travel tubes. Why? Congestion for a starter. No more traffic jams. Pollution next. Much, much cleaner. And finally, speed. Being in a vacuum tube, cars and trucks (using special devices which would transport them) could travel (safely) between 100 and 200 mph. Sure - and what year would that pipedream start? It has already started.

I have said this for a long time now. Elon Musk, although quirky, fascinates me. I love how he thinks; how he visions. In Elon's world, in a decade or two from now, Earth, the Moon, Mars and the Asteroid Belt will look much different. Somewhere down the road, all the things which Elon is working on right now will come together. Make total sense. Will there be more things coming down the road? Sure will. His Giga press for example, will change the way we manufacture cars. Less parts and faster throughput. Optimus humanoid robots will be in many factories and in some houses. Worldwide internet and cellular communication will be available at a cheap price thanks to Starlink. 

Currently, Elon is on Trump's trip to China. Elon is one of many of our CEOs going on this trip. Why Elon? First off, he is a phenom. Period. China knows all about Elon Musk. Next, it there is a deal to be had on this trip, both the president and Elon Musk would be able to sniff it out. And whatever deal it is, it will be good for both China and the US. Who knows - maybe even some Boring Machines might be in the mix. 

The oil headache

"Meanwhile, the average folks in the United States are also dazed and confused about what is going on here. We know how to do 'shock and awe'. We have already crippled Iran. They have nothing to stop us. Time for the bad guys to pack it in. Time for us to get back to a normal summer." 

Last evening, there was a presentation on YouTube which explained how the price of oil is determined. We all know the constipation at the Strait of Hormuz is causing a real problem with supply getting to consumers (in some parts of the world). But here in America, we are drilling like crazy, and have more oil than anybody else in the world. In fact, only 2% of our imported oil comes through the Strait. If that is the case, why in the Sam Hill are we paying Euro type prices for our oil? The show finished, and I sat in my chair dazed and confused.

One of the things from the show last night which did stick however, was the number $50/barrel. If the price of oil (worldwide) goes below $50/barrel, many oil investors (like here for example), will not drill any new wells. Not worth it. But with the price of oil hovering around $100/barrel, the oil companies are doing what the President hoped they would do - DRILL, BABY, DRILL!

As far as energy is concerned, we now have an embarrassment of riches. If not for world market oil pricing, we would be in great shape. And we will be in great shape once the Strait of Hormuz is finally opened. But right now, with vacation season upon us, paying anywhere from $4.50/gal to $5.00/gal is becoming a sad reality. 

General Keane (whom I respect) has a strong opinion what to do now. And I agree with him. Finish the job with Iran. Accept the fact that we are being played by Iran. They are playing for time, that is it. They want to keep the enriched uranium. We say no. Israel says no. Meanwhile, hundreds of ships just sit in the Persian Gulf, doing nothing. Much of our fleet is in the area, doing nothing. Finish the job Mr. President. Our troops are rearmed and rested after this "pause". Let's do it!

Meanwhile, the average folks in the United States are also dazed and confused about what is going on here. We know how to do "shock and awe". We have already crippled Iran. They have nothing to stop us. Time for the bad guys to pack it in. Time for us to get back to a normal summer. 

 

The death of governance

 

"We have exhausted the yelling, the screaming, the swearing, the accusations, the blah, blah, blah. If those don't work to get your opponent to surrender to your views, I shudder to think what is next."

I have discussed this issue many times before. Our great country, born and reared on being a constitutional republic (NOT a democracy), ready to celebrate a 250-year birthday, is starting to come apart at the seams. Come on Bird! Enough of this drama queen stuff! A bit of discussion and debate is good for any society! Those are true words. But we have passed that intersection of calm and civil debate. Now we are in a total rumble, with anything goes. So much so, almost half on the left have decreed that violence against the other side is "acceptable".

At some point in time, our government has gone from a debate society into a blood match. The vitriol, the invective, the out and out rudeness, should make the FCC rate CSPAN either an "R" or "NC-17" to warn young viewers away. Who are the biggest offenders? I would love to say only one or two. But the number has grown from a few into legions. My most unfavorite right now is Cory Booker. When he spews hate, his eyes start to grow and glow, and his countenance becomes almost malevolent.

And the language used today, by both sides, is beyond the pale. However, when it comes to "F Bombs" or taking the Lord's name in vain, the Dems are way ahead in that footrace. Again, for this stuff to be shown on network news, un-censored, is a blot on all of us. The networks who do "bleep" out the bad words, so much is redacted that one can hardly follow the train of thought (if there ever was one).

When I look back at recent history (I will use my adulthood as measure), the coarseness of our discussions in ANY form of government has gone from okay too bad too very bad too intolerable. And not on any one subject - ALL subjects get the same vitriol. The two political sides cannot even discuss the weather outside without getting in some kind of peeing contest. How is that even possible? Somebody, please tell me.

What is the next natural step? Going back to having duels like Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton? How about an MMA type of cage match? (I would bet on us, as we have Markwayne Mullin, a former MMA stud, on our side.) We have exhausted the yelling, the screaming, the swearing, the accusations, the blah, blah, blah. If those don't work to get your opponent to surrender to your views, I shudder to think what is next.

One final word. A major medical institution in Minneapolis is about to close its doors due to years and years of mismanagement (it is run by city Democrats). The MN House and Senate cannot even agree on the correct way to rescue this needed hospital. Why not? Too obsessed with taking the mask off of ICE agents. Putting a leash on ICE so they can't do their jobs. The rest of the state's business including the rescue of this hospital? As they say on the blue team - "F**K It!"   

    

 

A day made just for mothers

 

"Serving and honoring mothers on this day is special and important. It was not until I was stationed overseas that I realized how much I missed my mom. How much she did for me. How much she supported and elevated me."

My mother had a love/hate relationship with Mother's Day. She would hate it when her birthday (early in May), would land on the same day as Mother's Day. Two of her favorite days becoming one. For mom, it was like having a birthday on December 25th. What she hated almost as much, was fishing opener. When it happened on Mother's Day. When I would sneak away on this hallowed day for fisherman and try to make it back before the sun set on Sunday, so I could wish my mom a happy Mother's Day. Let's just say she was not a fan of opener.

But most of the time, I was able to take my wife, our kids, my dad, and most importantly - my mom out for a Mother's Day brunch. That she dearly loved. My dad - always would put up kind of a tepid argument with me. "You really should not have to take out son. I can pay for my own. This is Mother's Day, and not my day." We had that same discussion every year - and every year he lost the argument. I would conclude it by saying, "This is your freebee dad, it is my pleasure to treat the family today. We will do something just for you next month on Father's Day".

When my mother was alive, Mother's Day gave me the chance to honor her and my wife on the same day. I never got tired of it. When my dad passed, it became even more important to me to honor my mom and to dote over her on that day. After my mother passed a few years later, my kids were old enough (and established enough) to take their mother out for that special day. I became what I always teased my own dad about - a freeloader on Mother's Day. The joy of being with my family on special days such as this, helped to mollify the hole in my heart from missing my folks.

Today my eldest daughter has made reservations late morning at a local venue which serves a Mother's Day brunch. I will be with my bride, my two kids and two grandies. I will be a wonderful day. Serving and honoring mothers on this day is special and important. It was not until I was stationed overseas that I realized how much I missed my mom. How much she did for me. How much she supported and elevated me. 

I was blessed my mom made it to almost 97. My wife and I were with her most every week in her final years. My mom was content and happy where she lived in her final days. She passed one evening, with an aide holding her hand.

I got the call that mom was leaving, but I got to the residence too late - too late for that final good-bye and I love you. They gave me some time with mom alone in her room. I held her hand and told her she had finished the race strong and done it well. And now - now she lives with Jesus, and I will see her again. Happy Mother's Day mom. I miss you, and I love you. 

From bulletproof to bullet ridden...

"Some of my friends have died much too young. That is when it hit me. The season of being bulletproof is ending for most of us, and the season of becoming 'bullet ridden' with different aliments has started. In other words, the 'menu' of things that go wrong with you expands each and every year."

Every generation goes through it. Now it is our turn. The "Boomers". Those of us who grew up in the sixties. Did crazy stuff. Had fun. Drove fast muscle cars. But - in spite of all that, we always had our eyes on the prize. After high school, learn a good trade. Or went to college to get four (or even more) years of advanced schooling. And to think the entire time we were doing all of that, most of us felt as if we were bulletproof. Invincible. Could do it all, and our good health was something we always took for granted.

Many of us went through life after our schooling or trade learning was complete. Many got married; most bought a house; some had kids. Just like that, we became what our parents were when we were younger. In our 30's and 40's, still bulletproof, although many of us were developing some "kinks in the armor".

Then came the 50's. I was in my late 50's when I discovered I had my first real problem. While putting my shoes on before work one morning, it felt like somebody had stuffed tissues in the toe of one of my shoes. But there was no tissue. That was the start of my first real life disease. I had peripheral neuropathy. It was a disease with no cure. As my doctor said, it would not kill me but slowly disable me. With that, my "bulletproof" demeanor went out the window.

Into my 60's, I retired. I had a good career, so I had no complaints. Since I was still in my bulletproof stage for most of my career, I had many opportunities to do exciting things. But now that I was retired, I started to notice some of my contemporaries were also getting some kind of sickness, injury or disease. Some even died - much too young. That is when it hit me. The season of being bulletproof is ending for most of us, and the season of becoming "bullet ridden" with different aliments has started. In other words, the "menu" of things that go wrong with you expands each and every year.

I remember as a youth seeing a cartoon in the paper called Family Circus. In one episode, a grandmother was giving her young grandchild some sage wisdom. "When I was young and had a pain, it was like a shooting star. It would shine for a short time and then go away. Now I have an entire galaxy of stars which always stay lit." Meaning what? As this grandmother had aged, her number of aches and pains went from one or two into many. As I start to approach 80, I fully understand what she meant.

This morning we are going to the funeral of a good friend who died at 90. From the stories he told, he too, had a youth of doing some wild and crazy things. He also went through a bulletproof season in his life. But towards the end, life became hard for him. But no longer. A man of deep, deep faith, he now lives with Jesus. And his body? He now has his new, heavenly body. One which will never wear out. How do I know? It is God's promise to us who believe.