22 Comments
User's avatar
Peer Pedersen's avatar

I listened to Bassman and read Marc Faber's letter. Both assume some notion of "free market captialism". Faber is more "libertarian" leaning than Bassman, from my perspective. But is that really the case?

Read Jonathan Tepper's "Myth of Capitalism", which speaks to the monopolistic, oligopolistic, misopolistic (one price take) type of structure here. He makes a very persuasive case that capitalism is a "Myth" so to speak. So the basis of the arguments appears to me to be unfounded.

Does Harley have any children in the military, such that if Article 5 is activated that child might be reduced to ashes defending, say Latvia? I doubt it. With allies like this and the rest of Europe, I think we can do without.

Would are military spending decrease if Europe actually spent some money on defense?

Well why isn't that question asked and why isn't it (spending here) reduced.

We're broke and cannot afford to defend the transoceanic space for all of our allies. Including counties like Australia and New Zealand.

Expand full comment
Melody Wright's avatar

It’s a bit surreal to watch this narrative pivot on housing in MSM. Like Mike Taylor I have this singing feeling as if something has already broken, and we are about to find out about it. As always, thank you. No matter how stressed I am when I arrive here - I always laugh a couple of times.

Expand full comment
Rudy Havenstein's avatar

Years ago I sometimes had to write long emails explaining a series of steps everyone involved needed to follow - to both technical and very non-technical people. They knew if it was from me it wasn't your typical management b.s. email - I'd only send them if necessary. I'd always sprinkle a few subtle or not so subtle jokes in (H.R. really didn't really exist, but I kept it kosher). Many people told me they always read my emails to the end because of the humor. Other emails they'd just delete without reading!

Expand full comment
Melody Wright's avatar

❤️❤️

Expand full comment
Pete W's avatar

Rudy, the reference to Gary Webb makes me want to learn more about Iran-Contra. I was in middle or high school during the Oliver North hearings and wasn’t aware of what was happening. Any book or documentary or long-form article recommendations?

Expand full comment
Rudy Havenstein's avatar

Iran-Contra is a HUGE rathole that I have never dove into other than a bit - but I believe the characters involved spread like an octopus' tentacles far beyond that scandal. I'd start with Webb's own Dark Alliance. He was likely killed over it.

Expand full comment
Jim Miller's avatar

As I’ve said for years - It is the official policy of the U.S. government to punish prudence and promote profligacy.

Incentives matter.

Expand full comment
DogEars's avatar

A doozy! This one is going to take a bit to digest.

Expand full comment
DogEars's avatar

A doozy! This one is going to take a bit to digest.

Expand full comment
Louis's avatar

Every time they start talking about the government doing away with cash, I think of the Webb story…how would they be able to sell dope on the street, and fund their foreign adventures without Benjamins? Crackheads don’t pay with credit cards or bitcoin.

Expand full comment
al m's avatar

Fantastic pos!

Expand full comment
Wildcat's avatar

Every time I read one of your eclectic dissertations I feel compelled to go out and buy more gold. When do I stop? Is 10% of net worth enough? I don't think that number is even close!

What is your number Rudy? Asking for a friend. ;-)

Expand full comment
Rudy Havenstein's avatar

I can’t tell you but 10% seems fine

Expand full comment
Todd's avatar

Beyond Nudge :) https://www.epsilontheory.com/beyond-nudge

Expand full comment
bigfatpop's avatar

I feel like I'm on a roller coaster; the beginning part, during the ascent . . . with 335 million others. This ride is much different than the traditional ones because only me and *maybe* 1% of the people on this ride understand that on the other side of the apex . . . there is no track.

Expand full comment
ESteen's avatar

Is the Dark Alliance book a good read?

Expand full comment
rhh's avatar

It is indeed.

Thanks Rudy for highlighting one of the last journalists with integrity. Dave McGowan is another journalist in the same mold who was also a wordsmith of note.

Expand full comment
John Merrill's avatar

Gary Webb's reported suicide must be the only case in history where someone shot himself twice in the head

Expand full comment
RAD's avatar

Oh there's gotta be a couple more just in the Clinton's rolodex

Expand full comment
Louis's avatar

Didn’t Vince Foster do the same? And what about that fellow down in Arkansas who hung himself, and shot himself in the chest with a shotgun?

Expand full comment
Rudy Havenstein's avatar

Mark Middleton.

You can search for posts/threads on him this way

From:rudyhavenstein middleton

check out “latest” posts.

Expand full comment