LC

Prem has worked some magic here I think.

Coming from the guy who "muted" me because he didn't like my political opinions! The irony writes itself, boys and girls!

I don't think it's a 'macro bet' per se, I just think they take a defensive risk-reward view to their portfolio. I think the price appreciation from dropping rates is what people are after. They want to make that leveraged bet, with Fairfax's operations and equity portfolio hedging their downside. Thinking about it more I agree with Fairfax's decision, it's a defensive choice that they are getting paid pretty well to maintain.

I will say my biggest criticism of Obama is how soft he was on Russia in 2014/15 or so. It kept the US out of an international conflict (looks good short term), and I think he was hoping the problem would solve itself. But the repercussions of his inaction weren't felt until after his term, in 2021. Not to conflate the two issues but it will be the same with Trump and his economic and domestic policy - looks good in the short term but makes the long term problem worse. Not even so much an attack against either - voters aren't looking long term and politicians will reflect that...we're just getting what we've paid for.

Why do a bunch of religious loonies do crazy things? Your guess is as good as mine - on both sides. These two have some holy war ideals going back generations, right down to their silly age-old storybooks. I'm sure if you ask a Palestinian (not even a Hamas member) - they would point to all the atrocities of Israeli "settlers". Why does Israel do that? Again, religious loonies. So we have idiots on both sides. The rest of the world should leave them alone (as best we can) to change or blow each other up.

These were/are the same tactics used against US troops in Afghanistan. How many non-combatants did Israel kill? As of 7 October 2025, over 70,100 people (68,172 Palestinians[4][9] and 1,983 Israelis[c]) have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the Gaza Health Ministry (GHM) and Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as 217 journalists and media workers,[46][d] 120 academics,[49] and over 224 humanitarian aid workers, a number that includes 179 employees of UNRWA.[50] Scholars have estimated 80% of Palestinians killed are civilians.[ I agree Israel needs to defend itself and sure a strong offense is the best defense, but this was borderline extermination.

Great idea - silence the people who disagree with your political opinion. Where have I seen that move before?

Did I claim these were Trump's war? I don't think so. But he is leader of the most powerful country on the globe so he can apply outsized influence - which IMO he has not done effectively. Current images of gaza and kyiv (and other ukraine cities) are evidence enough. Happy to criticize them as well, they deserve it as I'm sure you agree! But we both live in Trumpistan, so we are more familiar with the politics here at home.

Trump was so brave selling $4b in weapons to Israel to help destroy Gaza. Really standing up for peace. But I guess it was Palestinian blood well-spilled because it got Trump some nice press that his base can eat up. Chump change, literally! Major cities levelled? Check Almost a million Ukrainians dead? Check Attempt to humiliate democratically elected leader? Check Refusing to take a strong position either way? Check Sounds like once Russia is done, Putin will get Trump all lubed up and ready to take the credit for "peace". More chump change for MAGA!

Not to mention...is it a peace deal or a pieces deal? Gaza is pretty much leveled, totally in pieces. Real nice of Trump to come in after the fact, once Gaza is flattened and Netanyahu gives him the green light and the credit. https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/gaza Smells like Trump just enabling another warmongering demagogue.

Fair play to Stumpy but these two will be fighting again, religious loons are going to continue to be loony. The real war is in Ukraine and Trump has already done more damage to Ukraine given his soft actions than a ceasefire now will prevent. Two steps back, one step forward IMO.

Qataris and Kushner the crook are the happiest! America first, baby!

https://archive.is/HO86m#selection-3428.0-3442.1 China pulling ahead in manufacturing robotics

In an obvious antifa ploy that nobody should pay attention to, multiple soon-to-resign Trump-appointed federal judges confirm what everyone already knows: Twice in just the last week, federal judges ruled against Trump’s use of the military to crack down on supposed uprisings in Chicago and Portland. And both judges made it clear: whatever Trump is describing, it isn’t reality. Judge April Perry didn’t see it. She said not only was there no rebellion, but the protests were relatively small—about 200 people—and easily handled by local law enforcement. She called the Department of Homeland Security’s version of events “simply unreliable” and “lacking credibility.” In Portland, it was Trump-appointed Judge Karin Immergut who delivered the blow. Trump had claimed Portland was “war ravaged” and “almost an insurrection.” But Immergut’s ruling dismantled that claim point by point. Another Trump-nominated judge, Fernando Rodriguez Jr., ruled the same in May. Trump had blamed the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua for orchestrating an invasion. Rodriguez dismissed the argument. “The Court concludes that they do not fall within the plain, ordinary meaning of ‘invasion’ or ‘predatory incursion,’” he wrote. https://dailyboulder.com/trumps-fantasy-of-violent-blue-cities-collapses-in-court-judges-find-no-carnage-no-rebellion-no-warzone/ Edit: actually, all those judges did make a specific exception for this display of wartime heroism, deserving of a Trump Tri-ply-Platinum medal of honor. Just missing the benny hill soundtrack:

Oh, now you want evidence? You want truth?? Well you can't handle the.....US citizens videotaping you in public as is their right?

Remember, my fellow Americans: There's no need to chew your propaganda before you swallow, nobody likes teeth!

https://v.redd.it/iuy4cn6hepuf1 Trump's motto: "Crime is Legal" I'm sure Trump's SEC (salute every criminal) will do a great job investigating.

Fun fact: If you peel off the "Made in China" sticker on that Trump hammer, you can see the label underneath: "assembled on Epstein island". Woof! I wonder which soon-to-be Trump tower underage illegal cleaning lady was responsible? Don't think too hard! And don't turn that dial, next up on talk-at-you radio is our best friend Tulsi who will clear up all your confusion: But first, take a listen to this message from our sponsors in Putingrad, East America: Build that wall, flush that Tylenol!

When all you've got is a Trump-branded hammer, every problem is an Obama-inscribed nail!

Hiking history and pubs...what's not to like?? We did another mountain bike trail yesterday (north table) - woof! Skinned my knee pretty good descending a rock stairway...i need more friends with less painful hobbies For the Atomix fans - try Jungsik as well. They're my favorite korean restaurant in nyc, but that's partly nostalgia as I've been going there for 10+ years

It's like TDS, except for Obama

Thank god ICE manhandled this 15 year old girl. I heard Obama and Biden personally allowed her to smuggle fentanyl in across the Canada border. I wonder, does she start working at mar a lago immediately or do they send her to a Salvadorian prison for a week so she can decompress between illegal jobs?

I know Obama lives rent free in MAGA land, but I don't understand why they're still interested in Obama, that's old news. We haven't really heard that name in a while, I just wish him the best.

How can Trump win a peace prize when he has claimed there is a war / national security issue within the largest population centers of his own country? Show me your papers! 70 year old white ladies and Spanish speaking construction workers represent a national security threat...this is a WAR ZONE! Where's that clip of the terrorist-class of Portland...difficult to find because of their camouflage dinosaur costumes...

"Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent"