It may sound odd for what is nominally an economics website to mention Monday morning news in terms of three novels.  However, these are odd times, and anything goes. Novel #1 involves the present Trump trip. As yourself the following question:  What you really know:  If Robert Mueller were to convince a grand jury that president … Read More

I know what’s wrong with America now:  We don’t make useful notes. A short story to illustrate the point. As promised, I baked bread Saturday.  While it was on the wire rack cooling, Elaine and I stepped into the “180-room.”  That’s our room, made out of mostly recycled windows, where we can see at least … Read More

This morning we go through a review of what has gone wrong in Hollywood.  Long list.  And, as our contribution to “public service” we also offer some free consulting advice on how to fix what ails the silver screen crowd. Except, in mid-report a mystery pops up and it leads to the underworld… After charts … Read More

In the event you’re wondering why the whole market was being painted (again) Thursday, the answer is simple:  There was a new fed boss (Jerome “Jay” Powell) being named.  It’s typical for markets to put on a good showing when the Street wants suck-points down the road. The alert reader will note that we hinted at … Read More

Being old is entertaining as hell.  As you slide, however unwillingly, toward The Big Sleep, the folly of humans comes every more clearly into focus. Take this stuff we have convinced ourselves is “Progress,” for instance.  There was a time when people physically did things themselves.  However, in order to “make-up an economy” we had … Read More

Sorry you missed out Peoplenomics.com report Wednesday (if you did) because in it, my “deflationist pal” Jas Jain made a very interesting point. Earnings are essentially unchanged from where they were three years ago, yet prices are up 40 percent.  A damn fine observation and one that speaks volumes about the HS&J (hype, shuck, and … Read More

My late father started baking bread when he was in his 60’s, so it’s now time for me to again get serious about taking up a family tradition.  Something that fits with fall. I’m going to make another $215 dollar loaf of bread this weekend. I know….how can you spend $215 on a single loaf … Read More

Some years back I developed “The Substitution Method of Learning” or SML for short. The idea is that you can generalize the form of knowledge by simply replacing terms to come up with new, and often very useful, approach to problems.  Today, we focus on electronics which, as it turns out, provides an excellent tool … Read More

The scariest thing today is not Halloween.  It’s the larger-context truth-leak that lobbying firms run America, not we the people.  Let’s walk through it, shall we? Start with the story in the NY Times this morning about how why a rock star among lobbyist has resigned:  “Under Mueller Scrutiny, Democratic Donor Tony Podesta Resigns From Lobbying … Read More

It happens tonight, so be ready for it. Here in the Outback of East Texas we have never had even a single trick-or-treater come by and that’s just fine with us. There are some special aspects of the day that we should review, a day that might have been proclaimed by the corn syrup refining industry … Read More

While the “talking heads” – the mainstream media – are trying to fill up their channels with the latest and most salacious details about the criminal charges expected today in Washington, for the folks not so drawn to distraction, the week has plenty of Halloween-like events to consider.  I mean besides Paul Manafort being told … Read More

As you should know, I don’t have a lot of friends.  But the ones I have seem to stick around a long time.  Take Gaye at StrategicLivingBlog.com.  We’ve been pals for 40-some-years. It’s been an even-longer friendship with my buddy the major up in Gig Harbor, WA.  We measure longer in decades. We were introduced by our parents … Read More

We don’t normally interrupt our Sundays here at the ranch to put out a comment.  But there is a story over on BuzzFeed  (FBI Probe Of Paul Manafort Focuses On 13 “Suspicious” Wire Transfers) that should have both the Secret Service and the FBI up in arms.  Oh?  Where did the number of transfers come from?  … Read More