Political Posts

[TwoCitiesCapital]

1 hour ago, lnofeisone said:

Bad headline. xAi is acquiring X. xAi investors are now hosed by elon's X purchase. I'm guessing elon is experiencing some financial stresses and we are probably months away from seeing him step away from govt or tesla. Let's see what he chooses (thisbis rhetorical).

 

Diluting an AI play with a faltering social network that is down in users, down in engagement, and down in revenues. 

 

If I were an xAI shareholder, I'd be looking to sue the board. If I were one of the new investors who purchased $900 million in X at a $44 billion valuation last month, I'd be suing the board. An immediate 30% haircut to implied value of the capital raise   But then again, nobody who cares about governance and conflicts of interest is involved here anyways so....

 

This is Musk bailing out SolarCity all over again - with promised synergies that will never happen nor justify any purchase price. 

Edited March 29, 2025 by TwoCitiesCapital

[dwy000]

11 minutes ago, TwoCitiesCapital said:

 

Diluting an AI play with a faltering social network that is down in users, down in engagement, and down in revenues. 

 

If I were an xAI shareholder, I'd be looking to sue the board. If I were one of the new investors who purchased $900 million in X at a $44 billion valuation last month, I'd be suing the board. An immediate 30% haircut to implied value of the capital raise   But then again, nobody who cares about governance and conflicts of interest is involved here anyways so....

 

This is Musk bailing out SolarCity all over again - with promised synergies that will never happen nor justify any purchase price. 

Apparently in order for X to make the interest payments in 4Q, xAI paid X $400m for what can only be assumed to be data access.  

[Spekulatius]

5 hours ago, Gregmal said:

Not to mention also coming off a 4 year span where fake jobs numbers and crime statistics were met with raucous…silence from todays concerned citizens. 

Fake job numbers? 

[Spekulatius]

Very well written article on why MAGA hates Europe.I mentioned  this before  - Trump particularly hates the EU:

https://www.wsj.com/politics/what-does-maga-have-against-europe-96416042?mod=hp_lead_pos5

[Grenville]

I guess it wasn't social security that was the Ponzi scheme after all...

[John Hjorth]

Global News [March 28^th 2025] : Vance tells Greenland US has "no other option" as China, Russia pose risk to Arctic security | FULL.

 

Well, no rotten eggs and tomatoes in the air at Pituffik Space Base, in stead a solid lunch at arrival, likely pizza, burgers and fries, to get enough KJoules to stay warm.

 

Here, at least Joe Biden isen't blamed, the Danes are blamed, all while also USA has been cashing in the peace dividend. What US VP is saying here is really nonsense, because what he wants, he already has.

 

Instagram - Lars Løkke Rasmussen [March 28^th 2025] : Message to the americans,

 

DR - dr.dk - Abroad [March 29^th 2025] : Here are the details of the defense agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the US that JD Vance has not read.

 

In short, it's all political deranged spin and *BS*, caused alone by POTUS' personal imperial aspirations : 'We need it, and I think we will get it, ... one way or another', - combined with ring kissing.

Edited March 29, 2025 by John Hjorth

[Gregmal]

9 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

Fake job numbers? 

You don’t recall when they overstated the employment number by 800k+?

[Castanza]

16 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

You don’t recall when they overstated the employment number by 800k+?

I still laugh about this. Previous admin took “being allowed to go back to work” and spun it as “jobs we created.” 
 

Probably one of the best PR spins of all time for a President who’s primary focus was his fathers driving ability, ice cream, and photo ops with children. 

[Spekulatius]

1 hour ago, Gregmal said:

You don’t recall when they overstated the employment number by 800k+?

And revised them down afterwards. The employment data is based on surveys that later get corrected. Surveys are inherently imprecise. 

[Spekulatius]

1 hour ago, Castanza said:

Probably one of the best PR spins of all time for a President who’s primary focus was his fathers driving ability, ice cream, and photo ops with children. 

Just my guess, but I think we will wish that Trump concentrates on the same things way before his presidency is over.

[Cigarbutt]

...

The idea is to undermine the trust in institutions that need to be constantly 'revised' but not exterminated.

Unrevised data also suggests a strong correlation between beliefs in malignant institutional intent and most conspiracy theories.

[dealraker]

6 hours ago, John Hjorth said:

Global News [March 28^th 2025] : Vance tells Greenland US has "no other option" as China, Russia pose risk to Arctic security | FULL.

 

Well, no rotten eggs and tomatoes in the air at Pituffik Space Base, in stead a solid lunch at arrival, likely pizza, burgers and fries, to get enough KJoules to stay warm.

 

Here, at least Joe Biden isen't blamed, the Danes are blamed, all while also USA has been cashing in the peace dividend. What US VP is saying here is really nonsense, because what he want's, he already has.

 

Instagram - Lars Løkke Rasmussen [March 28^th 2025] : Message to the americans,

 

DR - dr.dk - Abroad [March 29^th 2025] : Here are the details of the defense agreement between Greenland, Denmark and the US that JD Vance has not read.

 

In short, it's all political deranged spin and *BS*, caused alone by POTUS' personal imperial aspirations : 'We need it, and I think we will get it, ... one way or another', - combined with ring kissing.

John, while I no longer read most posts and a few posters I do follow your output as it is an uplifting for me - being so genuine.  The point I'll debate with you here is POTUS aspirations. My thoughts aren't related to any current direction as to what is happening, it's more of a half century plus of mildly intermittent grasping for clarity observations (too many words back there...but I'm trying my best to state something).

 

My view is more that someone wakes each day with both significant anxiety even panic attacks--- and envy/ revenge obsessions -- and the day proceeds from there.  Plan?  There is none.  A lifetime of business failure coupled with successful mostly fraud and illegal survival schemes?  Add to that a skill for bullying the weaker and more ignorant? 

 

The game played is the one that's worked for 60 years.  But big plan?

 

The US will be a financial wreck when he's expired.  But his finances will...as usual...survive.

Edited March 29, 2025 by dealraker

[73 Reds]

14 minutes ago, dealraker said:

John, while I no longer read most posts and a few posters I do follow your output as it is an uplifting for me - being so genuine.  The point I'll debate with you here is POTUS aspirations. My thoughts aren't related to any current direction as to what is happening, it's more of a half century plus of mildly intermittent grasping for clarity observations (too many words back there...but I'm trying my best to state something).

 

My view is more that someone wakes each day with both significant anxiety even panic attacks--- and envy/ revenge obsessions -- and the day proceeds from there.  Plan?  There is none.  A lifetime of business failure coupled with successful mostly fraud and illegal survival schemes?  Add to that a skill for bullying the weaker and more ignorant? 

 

The game played is the one that's worked for 60 years.  But big plan?

 

The US will be a financial wreck when he's expired.  But his finances will...as usual...survive.

@Dealraker You seem to have far too much confidence in the power of one individual who rents space for 4 years and no confidence whatsoever in a thriving experiment that has prospered for nearly 250 years and counting.   Respectfully, if and when one such individual dominates one's mindset, perhaps it is time to reassess.  

[DooDiligence]

13 minutes ago, 73 Reds said:

@Dealraker You seem to have far too much confidence in the power of one individual who rents space for 4 years and no confidence whatsoever in a thriving experiment that has prospered for nearly 250 years and counting.   Respectfully, if and when one such individual dominates one's mindset, perhaps it is time to reassess.  

 

You should go on Fox and say that.

Edited March 29, 2025 by DooDiligence

[73 Reds]

1 minute ago, DooDiligence said:

 

You should go on Fox and say that.

Fox would probably not appreciate the views of a politically non affiliated libertarian with a conscience.

[dealraker]

1 minute ago, 73 Reds said:

@Dealraker You seem to have far too much confidence in the power of one individual who rents space for 4 years and no confidence whatsoever in a thriving experiment that has prospered for nearly 250 years and counting.   Respectfully, if and when one such individual dominates one's mindset, perhaps it is time to reassess.  

Reds as is the norm, you being a lawyer maybe you "seem" to miss the obvious of how much others may enjoy their investigations.  I graduated from the UNC system tith a BA in business, BS in accounting, MS masters of management, but wildly more importantly and enjoyably later in life a masters in counseling-   the degree that has been most rewarding.

 

You "seem to have" a view I do not share as to POTUS.

[dealraker]

3 minutes ago, dealraker said:

Reds as is the norm, you being a lawyer maybe you "seem" to miss the obvious of how much others may enjoy their investigations.  I graduated from the UNC system tith a BA in business, BS in accounting, MS masters of management, but wildly more importantly and enjoyably later in life a masters in counseling-   the degree that has been most rewarding.

 

You "seem to have" a view I do not share as to POTUS.

But I do enjoy your posts Reds.

Edited March 29, 2025 by dealraker

[whiskybravo]

11 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

Very well written article on why MAGA hates Europe.I mentioned  this before  - Trump particularly hates the EU:

https://www.wsj.com/politics/what-does-maga-have-against-europe-96416042?mod=hp_lead_pos5

“Hate bailing out Europe again” “loath European free loading”

Nobody said anything about hating Europe.  They are frustrated with the feckless EU ruling political class.  Political differences don’t equate to hate.  I guess these days for many it increasingly does.

 

[73 Reds]

3 minutes ago, dealraker said:

Reds as is the norm, you being a lawyer maybe you "seem" to miss the obvious of how much others may enjoy their investigations.  I graduated from the UNC system tith a BA in business, BS in accounting, MS masters of management, but wildly more importantly and enjoyably later in life a masters in counseling-   the degree that has been most rewarding.

 

You "seem to have" a view I do not share as to POTUS.

Respectfully (again), your lifetime master's in counseling may have missed the mark.  In any event, I look at, and vote for policies, not people/tenants.  Few would argue we had poor choices last POTUS election and several prior to that.  Nonetheless, policy, direction, and moral values are what withstand elections and those are what matter most.  

[73 Reds]

4 minutes ago, dealraker said:

But I do enjoy your posts Reds.

And me yours!

[cubsfan]

11 hours ago, Spekulatius said:

Very well written article on why MAGA hates Europe.I mentioned  this before  - Trump particularly hates the EU:

https://www.wsj.com/politics/what-does-maga-have-against-europe-96416042?mod=hp_lead_pos5

 

Kids always hate their dad when he kicks them out of the house and tells them to get a job.

[cubsfan]

No acknowledge of the epic failure of the last administration, which Americans roundly rejected.

 

Like Thomas Sowell said:    "Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face"

 

It took America a few years to figure it out, but thank god they did.

[73 Reds]

4 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

No acknowledge of the epic failure of the last administration, which Americans roundly rejected.

 

Like Thomas Sowell said:    "Liberalism is totalitarianism with a human face"

 

It took America a few years to figure it out, but thank god they did.

Yes, voters rejected some of the extremist policies of the last administration.  Ironically, voters were also perhaps more informed about the views and future actions of both candidates in the last election than any other election in my lifetime.  Which is why I remain so surprised at the alarmist reactions of many today.

[Castanza]

1 hour ago, Cigarbutt said:

...

The idea is to undermine the trust in institutions that need to be constantly 'revised' but not exterminated.

Unrevised data also suggests a strong correlation between beliefs in malignant institutional intent and most conspiracy theories.

Idea of who? People haven’t trusted American institutions for decades here in the US. The news is full of conspiracy theories. Our media is constantly pumping out new films (Civil War, White House Down, Red Dawn, etc etc) for decades. Same for the music industry. Bad for society imo. Americans more than anywhere else are “brainwashed” to be skeptical of every institution. Perhaps it’s gone too far? 
 

@Spekulatius could absolutely be right in the jobs comment. 
 

 

[Spooky]

Thanks for sharing, I've been hearing Pettis' name a lot lately. Seems like a controversial figure. What is his rationale against comparative advantage? It's been a long time since I read Ricardo but I'm pretty sure that comparative advantage in trade is a proven concept - both parties that trade benefit. The key issue in my mind is really the US' imbalances vis a vis China. Since a) Chinese citizens do not have robust employment laws / rights, unions, etc. and b) the Chinese government massively subsidizes certain key industries, it is nearly impossible for the US to compete directly in those industries.

 

Also, I'm not sure why everyone only talks about the trade deficits in goods only - a better way to look at it would be to include services as well. The US is an advanced economy that provides a significant amount of services exports. The focus on manufacturing alone doesn't make sense - the share of manufacturing as part of the overall economy has been decreasing in all developed nations.