Headlines

Democrats discover a new team player: Bernie Sanders

OPEC and allies agree to extend record oil production cut

Buffalo cops who shoved elderly man charged with assault ...

Oprah to lead town hall on racism in America, with Stacey Abrams

France says it killed al-Qaeda leader in North Africa

Coronavirus updates: Amazon workers sue the company, tennis star Djokovic chafes at US Open restrictions

Ivanka rips ‘cancel culture’ after she’s dropped as commencement speaker ...

Abraham Lincoln statue vandalized and scaled in London BLM protests

Zuckerberg says Facebook will revisit policies in wake of Trump backlash

Wall Street’s latest surge isn’t benefitting many Americans

[Tropical storm] Cristobal on its way to Gulf Coast ...

57 member Buffalo police team resigns over officers’ suspensions

Punishing China (reprise)

On April 17 of this year, this blog was first posted. Given current developments, I think it deserves a reprise!

It is now clear that the COVID-19 virus came from a level-4 virology lab near Wuhan, China ... and that Chinese authorities waged a propaganda campaign to cover this up and conspire to infect the rest of the world with this virus while limiting its spread within its own country.

This, unfortunately, is typical behavior for this autocratic regime ... and needs to be highlighted and punished. The question is how? May I suggest (pick any two to begin with):

- Insist that all Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and undergo annual published audits by non-Chinese accredited accounting firms.

- Decree that all critical  drug, defense, electronic, computer, software and telecommunications companies move their supply chains and development labs out of China and back to the US.

- Reestablish export controls on critical US technology ... like what once were in place during the last century.

- Permit companies and individuals to sue China for damages arising out of the Wuhan pandemic and patent/copyright infringements. Any judgments coming therefrom need to be paid either directly by China ... or by the US which would then default on the equivalent amount of US debt held by China.

- Thoroughly vet all Chinese students and emigres who have access to critical American know-how to insure that they have not been sent here to spy on America.

- Stop buying rare-earth minerals from China. Switch to the newly-discovered sources off Japan ... or encourage prospecting for same in America.

- Double the tariffs on all Chinese imports ... particularly if it doesn’t live up to its Phase 1 commitments.

- Start a new OPEC (Organization of Pandemic Enduring Countries) to coordinate global sanctions against China.

Punishing China

It is now clear that the COVID-19 virus came from a level-4 virology lab near Wuhan, China ... and that Chinese authorities waged a propaganda campaign to cover this up and conspire to infect the rest of the world with this virus while limiting its spread within its own country.

This, unfortunately, is typical behavior for this autocratic regime ... and needs to be highlighted and punished. The question is how? May I suggest (pick any two to begin with):

- Insist that all Chinese companies listed on US stock exchanges comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and undergo annual published audits by non-Chinese accredited accounting firms.

- Decree that all critical  drug, defense, electronic, computer, software and telecommunications companies move their supply chains and development labs out of China and back to the US.

- Reestablish export controls on critical US technology ... like what once were in place during the last century.

- Permit companies and individuals to sue China for damages arising out of the Wuhan pandemic and patent/copyright infringements. Any judgments coming therefrom need to be paid either directly by China ... or by the US which would then default on the equivalent amount of US debt held by China.

- Thoroughly vet all Chinese students and emigres who have access to critical American know-how to insure that they have not been sent here to spy on America.

- Stop buying rare-earth minerals from China. Switch to the newly-discovered sources off Japan ... or encourage prospecting for same in America.

- Double the tariffs on all Chinese imports ... particularly if it doesn’t live up to its Phase 1 commitments.

- Start a new OPEC (Organization of Pandemic Enduring Countries) to coordinate global sanctions against China.

Headlines

Mark Cuban on Trump’s economy bullishness: ‘I wish he were right, but he’s not.’

Coronavirus live update: May 1 too soon to reopen, says Johns Hopkins director, UK PM discharged

NYT: Behind Trump’s failure on COVID-19 ...

Abbott: I’ll issue executive order on safe business reopening

Gridlocked Israel nears 4th consecutive election

Fauci says earlier social distancing measures ‘obviously’ would have saved more lives

Italy extends lockdown despite business pressure ...

VA governor signs universal background checks, gun rationing bill

Dozens arrested in Brussels riots during lockdown

OPEC and allies will hold an emergency virtual meeting Sunday night to finalize cut agreement

USA gave $3.7M to Wuhan lab at center of scrutiny ...

Kentucky officials will report license plates fo Easter churcfgoers

Headlines

Health officials bearish on administration effort to open economy by May

Coronavirus live updates: NYC sees negative ICU admissions, HHS begins $30 billion in aid

Debt tops $24 trillion ...

Report: Donald Trump pressing to reopen country by May 1

Fauci: Coronavirus immunity cards for Americans are ‘being discussed’

Mexico throws OPEC’s historic oil production cut in doubt ahead of G-20 meeting

Poop study reveals virus cases undercounted ... Traces found in wastewater at high levels ...

Coronavirus crashes prices for hotels, rental cars and women’s dresses

Barr backs Trump on firing of Intel IG, calls Russian investigation baseless

Trump administration pays out $26 billion in relief funds to hospitals Friday

Antibody test in German town reveals 15% infection rate ...

WHO launches $1.5 billion global funding appeal

Headlines

European authorities shifting in face masks adds to confusion on coronavirus crisis

Coronavirus live updates: NYC mayor pleads for medical help as US cases continue to rise

Kissinger: Pandemic alters world order ...

Rasmussen poll: Voters increasingly support universal basic income for U.S. citizens

Biden tells Sanders he’s pushing ahead with VP, cabinet picks

Oil set to ‘crater’ Monday as OPEC meeting delayed, tensions flare between Saudi Arabia and Russia

NYC: Business burglaries rise 75% ...

Unemployment rate jumps to 4.4%, 701,000 jobs lost

Supreme Court postpones more arguments amid coronavirus outbreak

Cuomo says New York could hit peak in 7 days: ‘We’re not yet ready”

Fauci: Not even half-time ...

Pelosi: We want to get more money to voting by mail in next bill

Headlines

U.S. added robust 273k jobs in February before virus escalated

Coronavirus live update: Cases top 100,000, Seattle Seahawks stadium staffer tests positive

Fans banned from NCAA basketball tournament ...

Warren implies Bernie ‘responsible’ for toxic Bernie Bros

Report: Explosion near U.S. Embassy in Tunisia wounds 5 police

Oil prices plunge 8% after OPEC+ fails to agree on massive production cut

Jamie Dimon emergency heart surgery ...

China claims virus came from America!

Trump signs $8.3B emergency coronavirus package

Doctor who treated first US coronavirus patient says it’s been ‘circulating unchecked’ for weeks

Study predicts 15 million dead ...

Just 20% of Germans confident Merkel can handle coronavirus outbreak

Headlines

‘Her ambition got it wrong about Joe’: Harris faces debate backlash

The trade war hasn’t stopped investors from buying Chinese shares, says UBS

First US leader to enter NKorean territory ever: ‘Great friendship’ ...

Obama-appointed judge blocks construction of Trump’s border wall

North Koreans scuffle with Trump’s new press secretary

OPEC is sounding likely to extend oil production cuts as meeting starts in Vienna

10 people dead after plane crashes into hanger in Texas ...

U.S. oil production hits 12 million barrels a day for first time

Kudlow on Dem candidates: ‘I don’t understand what planet they’re describing’

Private survey of Chinese factory activity in June shows lowest reading since January

Russia to tow nuke power station to Arctic ...

Journalist Andy Ngo assaulted by Antifa protesters in Portland [OR]

Headlines

Trump’s ‘truly bizzare’ visit to Mt. Vernon

OPEC’s oil production plunges to four-year low in March as Saudis slash output

Bibi survives!  Historic 5th term

Bernie admits he’s a millionaire, will release tax returns Monday

Nadler holds fire on Mueller report subpoena

Mortgage refinance boom goes bust as rates shift higher

Mayor Pete attracting praise — from conservatives ...

Ilhan Omar claims  Jewish ‘Stephen Miller is a white nationalist’

Texas Tech medical school will end use of race in admissions

Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin battles with Democrats over Trump’s tax returns

Canada to reject refugees at USA border ...

Barr says he’s reviewing the conduct of FBI probe into Trump

Headlines

‘Middle-Class Joe’ rakes in millions

Desperate to get through to execs, some cyber security vendors are resorting to lies and blackmail

Beto beatsBernie, raises $6.1 million in 24 hours ...

Beto O’Rourke: Ban AR-15 sales in America

2020 Dems warm to expanding Supreme Court

Credit Suisse raises S&P 500 forecast: see 20% gain for 2019

Prosecutors scrutinize development of Boeing 737 MAX ...

Al Gore: 99,9% of scientists agree with me on climate change

Islamophobia ‘very present on both sides of the aisle,’ Tlaib says

OPEC cancels April meeting, leaving price-boosting cuts in place through June

China says it has arrested 13,000 ‘terrorists’ ...

WA Senate passes bill keepingTrump off ballot until he releases tax returns

Headlines

GOP donors: Trump campaign lacks a strategy to win in 2020

Buffet, after last week’s stock plunge, says Berkshire Hathaway ‘overpaid’ for Kraft

Are we on road to civilization collapse? Scientists fear end to mankind ...

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Democrat establishment, ‘We’re in charge’

Ex-Clinton staffers slam Sanders over private jet flights

Former Fed Chairman Paul Volker rips ‘culture of the financial system’ and its focus on profits

After Putin’s warning, Russian TV lists nuclear targets in USA ...

Harris: ‘Of course we can afford’ spending on Green New Deal

Warren shuts down donor dinners, insider access

Oil falls after Trump tells OPEC prices are too high and ‘world cannot take a price hike’

With 5G hype high, consumers risk disappointment ...

Report: Julian Assange receives Australian passport

Headlines

Trump asks South Korean president to deliver 'friendly' message to Kim Jong un

Mnuchin hopeful that Trump-Xi talks can be turned into a 'real agreement'

ISIS threatens NYC with sniper attacks ...

Mexican officials shutter migrant camps amid health concerns

'He's going through a pretty rough time': Avenati crashes and burns

Trump's description of the China trade deal doesn't match official White House version

1,40 aftershocks since Friday's Alaska quake ...

Lighthizer will run China trade talks

Spain's Socialists take election bearing as far right wins seats

Qatar quitting OPEC means that the cartel is just a 'two-member organization,' oil analyst says

Chinese scientist who claims gene-edited babies -- gone missing ...

Feds: Grand jury probing judge for helping migrant avoid ICE

Headlines

Trump says he's OK with the FBI interviewing Kavanaugh

OPEC 'powerless to prevent' oil prices jumping toward $100 a barrel this year

Brett questioned by cops after 1985 bar fight ...

Ukraine prepares military buildup to counter 'worsening Russian threat'

Roger Stone associate to plead 5th  before Senate panel

Nearly half of US voters oppose Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination after assault claims, poll says

WH expands FBI probe

DOJ sues California over state's net neutrality law

Poll: Biden leads among Iowa Democrats

Steve Bannon praises Trump's mew trade deal -- unloads on Gary Cohn

Chinese warship comes within 135 feet of USS Decatur ...

Michigan begins enforcing work requirement for food stamps

Headlines

Trump world divided on Rosenstein -- not weather to fire him, bu when

Iran's president blames US after attack on military parade

Yet another witness denies [Christine] Ford's account ...

Only 25 percent of women believe Kavanaugh accusations are creditable

Immigrants may be denied green cards if they've received benefits

OPEC, Russia rebuff Trump's call for immediate boost in oil output

[Keith] Ellison says his accuser fabricated abuse story ...

Grassley accepts Kavanaugh accuser's demand to testify Thursday

Woman denies attending party where alleged Kavanagh attack occurred

[France's] Macron's popularity falls further in September -- polls

Kaepernick is Nike's $6 billion man ...

Hawley: Missouri rally so big we had to turn away 20,000 Trump supporters

Headlines

Trump at NATO summit: 'I an fighting for a  level playing field for our farmers'

Trump administration announces list of tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods

Survey: DC, Detroit, NYC 'worst run' cities ...

Migrants turned pirates: Hostile takeover of rescue ship

Trump administration officials to meet with Mexico's president-elect

OPEC oil output jumps in June as Saudi Arabia opens the taps to tame crude prices

University [of Kansas] flies blackened American flag as art display

Elizabeth Warren: EPA Administrator must believe in Climate Change

Poll: Voters oppose abolishing ICE

Tech and media moguls swarm Sun Valley, Idaho in 'simmer camp' for billionaires

Dems doubt Warren can take on Trump ...

Lisa Page defies Congress subpoena

Headlines

Trump falsely claims he never told the House Republicans to vote for the immigration bill

Iran urges OPEC members to refrain from unilateral actions

Portland riots: ANTIFA attacks right-wing activists ...

Twitter bans cancer victim for replying rudely to a hate tweet

Senate Democrats demand Supreme Court nominee not be too influenced by U.S. Constitution

Protesters flood cities to rail against Trump immigration policies

LONDONSTAN: [Mayor] Khan called 'jihadist' by Tommy Robinson supporters

Maher: Trump will still be in the White House even if he loses 2020 election

Poll of Puerto Ricans in Florida show that Scott is better liked than Nelson

Retaliation for tariffs on Canada take place Sunday-- and focus on ketchup, whiskey and soup

9 injured in mass stabbings at Idaho apartment complex ...

[David] Brooks: No 'massive overturn of Roe v.Wade'

Headlines

All from Internet news sites. Guess which from Politico?

Aides use delays, distractions to manage Trump

Imran Awan's own wife accuses him of fraud

President calls for tax law changes for NFL

Bannon backs primary challengers for every incumbent GOP senator -- except Cruz

White House pressures Rand Paul to back tax plan

Senate committee raises new questions about the Trump dossier

No use honking. Robot at wheel can't hear you ...

Report: Renewable energy is a bigger scam than Bernie Madoff, Enron

Bannon: Corker should resign immediately

OPEC urges US to cut shale [oil] production

NKorea 'hackers steal US-South Korea war plans' ...

WH immigration priorities include cuts in chain migration, exclude repatriation

Headlines

These headlines are real ... they have all been discovered on Internet news sites. Guess which ones came from Politico?

Leftists bemoan 'Islamohobia backlash'

Trump condemns Manchester terrorists as 'evil losers'

Trumps' budget hits his own voters hardest

Polish leader: Germany created migrant crisis and Germany should pay consequences

Goldman [Sachs] warns of oil glut amid optimism over OPEC cut extensions

Michael Flynn to invoke the Fifth [Amendment]

Frustrated Republicans try to rewrite Congress' rules

3,500 suspected terrorists in UK ...

Hugo Chavez's childhood home burned by [Venezuelan] protesters ...

Trump extends legal protections for 59,000 Haitians in the U..S.

President Trump seeks $3.6 trillion in spending cuts to reshape government ...

Turkey tests Trump's patience  protesters roughed up

Buy High, Sell Low

The United States just has it backwards (again). It is now planning to sell off millions of barrels of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve just when oil prices are at rock-bottom levels ... see: Daily Caller Article. With the backing of Republican lawmakers, the Obummer administration plans to sell off 266 million barrels of oil starting in 2018 to help fund our bloated government. This is about 40% of these reserves, much of it bought at much higher prices when OPEC had turned down the spigot on this commodity and we were panicked.

Of course the signaling of this intention can do nothing but keep oil prices low ... just when this pressure on prices is savaging the oil industry in the United States. Donald Trump actually has it right on this count ... our government is stupid. Obviously we should be buying oil to put in this reserve when prices are low ... and selling it when prices are high. But no, we are doing just the opposite ... and helping to kill off a major domestic industry in the process.

Perhaps if Obummer or any of his lickspittles had just taken a course in free-market economics in college instead of  Socialism 101?