1
Hope Hicks Left the White House. Now She Must Decide Whether to Talk to Congress.
Like few others, Ms. Hicks was witness to some of the president’s angriest
moments and most pointed directives about the investigations into his
campaign.
To a large enough effort there are no secrets.
2
‘Frightening’: Charges Against Julian Assange Alarm Press Advocates
A new indictment against the WikiLeaks leader was denounced as a dangerous
precedent that could lead to future prosecutions of journalists.sange
Julian Assange is an Austrailian working in Europe.
He is not in the U.S. jurisdiction.
3
On Politics With Lisa Lerer: Post-Traumatic Election Disorder
If it seems as if Democrats are choosing a candidate in 2020 based on the
lessons of 2016, a new study suggests you may be right.
Some will drop out early. Some will not be appealing.
I will vote for Elizabeth Warren if I can.
4
Trump Officials Prepare to Bypass Congress to Sell Weapons to Gulf Nations
The move would infuriate Democrats and Republicans in Congress, who are
seeking to limit American military support for Saudi Arabia and the United
Arab Emirates.
Those sales can be tied up in court for years.
5
"Mortgage Rates Drop Quickly as Market Panic Sets In"
We could see a 3 handle for mortgage rates tomorrow.
From Matthew Graham at Mortgage News Daily: Lowest Mortgage Rates in More
Than a Month
Mortgage rates dropped quickly today as global financial markets underwent
a volatile shift. When money is flowing out of stocks and into bonds (as it
was today) rates move lower. There are several underlying reasons for the
move and it's impossible to assign a value to each of them with perfect
precision.
…
The net effect for mortgage rates hasn't been fully realized yet. Mortgage
lenders set rates at the beginning of the day and they don't te... more »
The lenders are worried.
6
Assange Indicted Under Espionage Act, Raising First Amendment Issues
The WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange faces 17 counts in a superseding
indictment over his role in obtaining and publishing classified documents
in 2010.
Teasing the C.I.A. is not safe.
7
2020 Democrats Join McDonald’s Workers Striking Over Wages and Harassment
As McDonald’s held its annual shareholder meeting on Thursday, several
presidential candidates joined striking workers demanding a $15 minimum
wage.
"Find a mob and get infront of it"
8
The Imperial Presidency And Eterna-War
Constitutionally, only Congress can declare war. Congress has given up that
power, and continue to affirm that they have given up their war powers. The
Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday rejected a Democratic
proposal to require congressional approval before the U.S. can take
military action against Iran. Machiavelli has a dictum, “good laws cannot
[…]
Ian Welsh wins another point.
9
Trump Gives Farmers $16 Billion in Aid Amid Prolonged China Trade War
The Trump administration announced an aid package for farmers on Thursday
to mollify an important political constituency hurt by a trade clash with
China.
The farmers are hurting.
10
Trump and Pelosi Trade Barbs, Both Questioning the Other’s Fitness
President Trump and Speaker Nancy Pelosi traded accusations that the other
was unfit for office, as a war of words between the party leaders
accelerated.
If Pelosi is correct Trump is wrong.
Trump demands that he is never wrong.
Trump can waste his time fighting with a fact.
That is better than undoing the progress since 1860.
11
Senate Passes Long-Deferred Disaster Relief Package
Lawmakers reached agreement on a long-delayed disaster relief package,
overcoming President Trump’s opposition to Puerto Rico aid and setting
aside his border demands.
Puerto Rico deserves the funds.
Now stop subsidizing American flag carriers.
Sooner is better. As soon as you can is best.
12
Trump Considering Sending More Troops to Middle East to Protect U.S. Forces There
The acting defense secretary, who briefed White House officials on the
military options, gave no indication of how many troops were under
consideration.
Trump would do well to rconsider.
The U.S. is not going to kill them all.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garrison
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnam_War
"American military advisors began arriving in what was then French Indochina in 1950 to support the French in the First Indochina War against the communist-led Viet Minh.[66][A 4] Most of the funding for the French war effort was provided by the U.S.[67] After the French quit Indochina in 1954, the US assumed financial and military responsibility for the South Vietnamese state. "
Twenty three years of involvement.
How do you tell a mother that her child was the last to die for a mistake.
The Republican party does not learn.
13
Sanders’s Education Plan Renews Debate Over Charter Schools and Segregation
With a bold critique of charter schools, Mr. Sanders entered a highly
charged debate within the Democratic Party.
Opinions differ on charter schools.
Public money must not support religion.
14
A few Comments on April New Home Sales
New home sales for April were reported at 673,000 on a seasonally adjusted
annual rate basis (SAAR). Sales for March were revised up to 723,000, a new
high for this cycle. Sales in January and February were also revised up.
My view has been that we'd see further growth in New Home sales. Last
month I wrote: "My guess is we haven't seen the peak of this cycle yet."
Didn't take long!
Earlier: New Home Sales decreased to 673,000 Annual Rate in April, March
Revised up to New Cycle High.
[image: New Home Sales 2017 2018]*Click on graph for larger image.*
This graph shows new home s... more »
Happy talk.
15
Banker Accused of Arranging $16 Million in Loans to Manafort to Gain High-Level Trump Post
Stephen M. Calk, the chairman of a Chicago bank, sought positions including
secretary of the Treasury, prosecutors said.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simony
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatch_Act_of_1939
16
Kansas City Fed: "Growth in Tenth District Manufacturing Activity Continued at a Modest Pace"
From the Kansas City Fed: Growth in Tenth District Manufacturing Activity
Continued at a Modest Pace
The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released the May Manufacturing
Survey today. According to Chad Wilkerson, vice president and economist at
the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the survey revealed that growth in
Tenth District manufacturing activity continued at a modest pace, and
expectations for future activity remained generally solid.
“*Regional factory growth was sluggish again in May*,” said Wilkerson. “*Several
firms noted that new tariffs were disrupting activity*.”... more »
Keeping up appearences.
17
New Home Sales decreased to 673,000 Annual Rate in April, March Revised up to New Cycle High
The Census Bureau reports New Home Sales in April were at a seasonally
adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of 692 thousand.
The previous three months were revised up.
*"Sales of new single‐family houses in April 2019 were at a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of 673,000, according to estimates released jointly
today by the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban
Development. This is 6.9 percent below the revised March rate of 723,000,
but is 7.0 percent above the April 2018 estimate of 629,000."*
emphasis added
[image: New Home Sales]*Click on graph for larger image.*
Th... more »
Probably noise.
18
Trump Gives Farmers $16 Billion in Aid Amid Prolonged China Trade War
The Trump administration announced an aid package for farmers on Thursday
to mollify an important political constituency hurt by a trade clash with
China.
The act is delayed.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/24/opinion/after-draghi-wonkish.html
19
Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims Decrease to 211,000
The DOL reported:
In the week ending May 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted
initial claims was 211,000, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's
unrevised level of 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 220,250, a
decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 225,000.
emphasis added
The previous week was unrevised.
The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since
1971.
*Click on graph for larger image.*
The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week
average of weekly unemployment claims decrea... more »
20
What Reparations for Slavery Might Look Like in 2019
The idea of economic amends for past injustices and persistent disparities is getting renewed attention. Here are some formulas for achieving the aim.
Some had large families. Others didnot.
The problem is insoluable.
Let the claim stand. It will not become less.
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