It’s also missing the creepy whispering, the game could use a major update.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

quote:

Let the market decide. My only problem with EVs is that they are subsidized by government.
Every family should be free to decide what is best for them.

Good, I am all for that. Just don't cry about where we find ourselves. Sure, go out and buy what our next great enemy (prc, if you can't get the sand out of your eyes to see this) is going to force the free market to buy. Go for it.

The PRC can't force me to do anything. I have 5 gasoline ICE vehicles... and I have no desire at this time for an EV.
However, I support an all-of-the above energy policy. Let the market decide. No subsidies.
Why should I have to subsidize someone else's purchase? I don't care what you drive, it's your decision, but don't use government power to make me share your cost.

Wasn't quite sure where to put this, but this seemed as good a place as any.

Some things to think about. Doom and gloom? Running in circles with your hair on fire? Make of it what you will.

https://internationalman.com/a...inflation-lockdowns/

International Man: Recently, we’ve seen people riot over rising prices—especially food prices—in Sri Lanka, Peru, and other countries.

What is going on here?

Doug Casey: Commodity prices have generally gone up close to 100% in the last year. Soybeans ($17), wheat ($11), and corn ($8) are all at or near all-time highs—and they’re not coming down. Why not? Mainly because of the trillions of currency units printed by central banks in the last year or so. Their prices are now at a new equilibrium level. But there are other reasons besides money printing.

Wheat, soybeans, and corn are basic for feeding people and animals around the world—certainly in the Western world. They’ve become much more expensive to produce. In today’s era of industrial agriculture, fertilizer is of critical importance. All of the main fertilizers—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compounds—have tripled or more.

It’s unlikely that they’re going to come down anytime soon because Russia and the Ukraine are two of the world’s largest fertilizer producers. Even if the Ukraine war ends soon, there will still be import/export restrictions on Russia. Availability from Ukraine will be limited because of war-related difficulties producing and shipping fertilizer abroad—on top of the fact actual grain production has collapsed. The world seems to have forgotten that from the 20s to the 80s, there was consistent and widespread hunger in Ukraine and Russia. Since then, they’ve transformed into two of the world’s biggest exporters—but that can change overnight.

And it’s not just fertilizer, planting, and transport. Fuel is critical for running tractors and processing everything. Oil is over $100 a barrel right now—also about double recent levels. I think it’s going to stay there and probably go higher because of the Green mania gripping the world. Large oil companies like Shell and BP, run by PC suits, intend to get out of the oil business. Their boards have been infiltrated with ESG types, and their hiring practices bow to diversity and inclusion. We’re looking at a situation where actual oil production is headed down at the same time that costs have gone up.

When the price of food and fuel go up radically, the planet’s poor are disproportionately affected. They’re going to riot. They don’t know who’s at fault. But since they’ve been taught their governments are cornucopias, they’ll blame the rich.

We’ll soon see financial chaos, which will lead to economic chaos, political chaos, and social chaos. What we’re hearing about in Sri Lanka and Peru is just the beginning. The US won’t be immune. Americans who drive everywhere in giant SUVs and pickups will also feel the pinch, especially with their food bills up 30%.

International Man: How has the response to the ongoing Covid hysteria affected the situation?

Doug Casey: I’ve said many times in the past that COVID should have been considered as no more than a bad flu season. People forget that the annual seasonal flu typically kills 30,000-50,000 Americans. The media, the “health” establishment, and governments turned COVID into a hysteria, verging on mass psychosis. The facts are that no one other than the obese, the sick, and the elderly were in any real danger. Those people should have used precautions. Instead, the whole world was locked down like a prison.

The hysteria surrounding COVID shut down a good part of the world’s production, made transportation nationally and internationally much slower and more expensive—the cost of shipping a container from China to the West Coast went from $3000 to $25,000. The public was encouraged to run around as if their hair was on fire. It wasn’t COVID itself but the insanity surrounding it that greatly compounded the situation.

What I’m afraid of is that there’s going to be a COVID 2.0, and then COVID 3.0, and then something else. That augurs poorly for price stability and social stability in the future. Before it’s over, I don’t doubt that the hoi polloi will clamor for a “Great Reset” like that the World Economic Forum is promising them.

International Man: The food riots seem to be occurring in Third World countries.

Could they spread to North America and Europe? What do you think that would look like?

Doug Casey: Yes, they could. In the case of Americans, it’s said that half of the country has no savings at all. Instead, they have loads of mortgage, credit card, auto, and student loan debt. So, if they need to lay their hands on even an extra $500 or $1,000, half of the people in the country couldn’t do it.

Americans are basically living paycheck to paycheck, and worse than that, they’re maintaining their standard of living with second mortgages and their credit cards. With interest rates headed up from today’s all-time lows, they’re going to be squeezed. The low-interest rates of the last decade have disguised the fall in the standard of living by making it possible to borrow more.

The same people who can’t buy a car without seven-year financing or afford the $6 gas it takes to run it are generally the ones who don’t own but rent a place to live. Rents have gone up 30% in the last year or two as well. It’s not just Third Worlders—our natives are going to get restless too.

International Man: Thanks to the Covid madness, governments have normalized the use of lockdowns. It’s a new tool in their toolbox. For example, there have been whispers about governments implementing lockdowns to address so-called climate change.

Could we see governments impose “inflation lockdowns” as prices soar?

Doug Casey: It’s critical to remember that the prime directive of all living things, whether we’re talking about an amoeba, an individual, a corporation, or a government, is to survive. That’s rule number one.

Let’s look at governments, which actually produce nothing and serve little useful purpose. Their main gifts to humanity are wars, pogroms, persecutions, proscriptions, inflation, taxes, and regulations. It’s as if the whole planet suffers from Stockholm Syndrome. I promise you governments will do whatever they think necessary to survive. Their citizens—subjects is a more honest word—are really just means to their ends. Governments believe they should manage their populations, viewing them as cattle in a feedlot. Of course, they’d prefer the cattle to be healthy and even happy. But that’s not the prime directive. It’s that the government itself survives.

A perfect example of this is what’s going on in Shanghai now. It’s actually unbelievable—but true—that the Chinese government has a city of 25 million people locked in their apartments. They can’t even leave to get food. Rotten vegetables are dispensed to them like prisoners or captive animals. Hundreds of thousands more have been placed in gruesome facilities, packed in like cattle if they’re suspected of having COVID. In many cases, people’s pets are being slaughtered. It’s criminally insane.

But what’s even more insane is that 25 million people are accepting this just because they’re told to. Why don’t the Shanghaiese grab meat cleavers, swarm out into the streets, and take care of business, pursuing the chain of command as far as it will go? The answer is that they know the CCP would send in the Red Army. I suppose it’s understandable that they’d rather cringe on their knees like slaves because that offers at least a chance of survival, no matter how degraded. Americans would likely bow to their government the same way.

So, yes, I think we’re going to see lots more of that type of thing in the world.

International Man: What are the personal freedom and investment implications of all this?

Doug Casey: I hate to use the hackneyed phrase “a perfect storm.”

For the rest of this decade, we’re looking at a perfect storm because of all the things we’ve talked about so far. It’s important to remember that Americans in 2020 elected the most economically, politically, and socially radical regime in all our history—by a long margin. Some say the election was stolen. I wouldn’t doubt it. But Americans also elected and re-elected Obama—and the country has gone a lot further left since then.

The Bidenistas are going to be in office for at least the next three years. They’ll do everything in their power to cement themselves in office. Every idea they have is intended to change the very character of the US. Their roots and basic philosophy are identical to those of the Jacobins in France in 1789 or the Bolsheviks in Russia in 1917.

As a result, during this decade, the US is likely to have the most serious set of crises since the country’s founding. Hold onto your hat.

quote:

The Bidenistas are going to be in office for at least the next three years. They’ll do everything in their power to cement themselves in office. Every idea they have is intended to change the very character of the US. Their roots and basic philosophy are identical to those of the Jacobins in France in 1789 or the Bolsheviks in Russia in 1917.

As a result, during this decade, the US is likely to have the most serious set of crises since the country’s founding. Hold onto your hat.

You're not wrong...

My hope is that the "Great Reset" doesn't go according to the plans of the "elites" at the WEF.

We do NEED a "Great Reset". Socialism has to fail spectacularly in order to revive free enterprise. IMO, socialism fails every time it's tried... but these evil "elites" keep pushing it on us. Why? Because power and control are a powerful drug and motivation for some.

Biden Administration Quietly Raised Amount of Ethanol Required in Gasoline from Ten Percent to Fifteen, Three Predictable Problems Will Surface Soon

Last Friday the Biden administration raised the mandatory amount of biofuel, specifically ethanol, that must be blended within the U.S. gasoline supply. The previous amount of 10% was raised to 15% by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is likely to lead to two sets of bigger issues, less food and higher gas prices.

♦ First issue. – The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a government mandate, passed in 2005 and expanded in 2007, that requires growing volumes of biofuels to be blended into U.S. transportation fuels like gasoline and diesel every year. Approximately 40 percent of corn grown in the U.S. is used for ethanol. Raising the amount of ethanol required in gasoline will result in the need for more biofuel (corn). With farming costs and outputs already under pressure this could be problematic.

♦ Second issue – The EPA enforces the biofuel standard by requiring refineries to submit purchase credits (known as Renewable Identification Numbers, or RINs) to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proving the purchases. This enforcement requirement sets up a system where the RIN credits are bought and sold by small refineries who do not have the infrastructure to do the blending process. They purchase second-hand RIN credits from parties that blended or imported biofuels directly. This sets up a secondary income stream, a trading market for the larger oil companies, refineries and importers.

The RIN credit trading platform is similar to what we might expect to see if the ‘Carbon Trading’ scheme was ever put into place. However, now that the biofuel requirements for blended gasoline have gone from 10% to 15%, the price of the RIN credits will likely jump. This will cost refineries billions in additional expenses,…. which will mean the cost of the gasoline from the refineries will increase,….. which will mean the cost of the gasoline at the pump will go higher.

The EPA theory is that RIN credits should be expensive thereby forcing all oil refineries to invest in infrastructure that makes the blended fuel. All of the infrastructure from the refinery to the gas station would need to be modified to facilitate the new 15% RFS standard. Again, higher prices at the pumps as a result of oil companies and refineries needing to spend billions on upgrades. Which brings us to issue number three.

♦ Third Issue – “Ethanol is a valuable source of octane in finished gasoline, but it is chemically different than petroleum gasoline and cannot be used in concentrations above 10 percent in small engines — like outboard boat motors, motorcycles, lawnmowers, generators or chain saws — or in any cars made before 2001. Complicating matters further, most cars on the road today still aren’t warrantied to run on gasoline with more than 10 percent ethanol. Retail stations also must have compatible infrastructure in order to sell gasoline with higher ethanol blends.” This issue is known within the industry as “The Blend Wall.”

The net result of Joe Biden’s EPA raising the mandatory amount of biofuel that must be present in the U.S. gas supply is this:
(1) Less food as more corn is needed for ethanol.
(2) Higher prices for finished and blended gasoline.
(3) Vehicle engines breaking down at a much higher rate.

The predictable Biden outcome is the absolute worst scenario for the middle-class.

ABC Article on the EPA change HERE.

AFPM Background Information HERE.

WASHINGTON – “The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers group, which represents refineries, called the 2022 figure “bewildering and contrary to the administration’s claims to be doing everything in their power to provide relief to consumers.” The group said unachievable mandates will increase fuel production costs and keep consumer prices high.” (more)

https://theconservativetreehou...ce-soon/#more-233882

Don't forget lower MPG's


Fuckin morons

The automakers are already struggling to hit MPG marks mandated buy the govt

Don’t know who the bigger scumbag is anymore, the Old Man or Hunter. Dad taught son well in the art of scumbaggery:


Drugged Up Hunter Biden Points Illegally Obtained .38 Caliber Gun As He’s Caught Fooling Around With Prostitute In Newly Leaked Tape


And that’s not a .38, these “journalists ALWAYS screw up the whole .380/.38 thing

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

And that’s not a .38, these “journalists ALWAYS screw up the whole .380/.38 thing

The linked article states "Five days before Hunter recorded the gun-toting sex tape, we can reveal he purchased a .38-caliber revolver in Delaware after lying to staff at the location where he purchased the weapon."

If it was, in fact, a revolver, then .38 is likely to be correct.

And a second year goes by without “President” Brandon mentioning a word of remembrance of D-Day. January 6 is a more important date to him than June 6. He’s a total POS.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:

Last Friday the Biden administration raised the mandatory amount of biofuel, specifically ethanol, that must be blended within the U.S. gasoline supply. The previous amount of 10% was raised to 15% by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is likely to lead to two sets of bigger issues, less food and higher gas prices.

There is a shortage of commercial farming fertilizers which will be leading to reduced crop yields and fewer acres planted, which will be a significant issue in 2023. (Apparently it is not impacting crops dramatically today. All the food price inflation and shortages are due to other problems right now.)

So as more corn must be grown to be burned in vehicles, it will require a greater share of the scarce fertilizers, which will make foods we eat scarcer and more expensive.

Basically, the E15 requirement will make food prices and shortages even worse than they already would have been. Once more government is proving itself the enemy of the citizens.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

And that’s not a .38, these “journalists ALWAYS screw up the whole .380/.38 thing

The linked article states "Five days before Hunter recorded the gun-toting sex tape, we can reveal he purchased a .38-caliber revolver in Delaware after lying to staff at the location where he purchased the weapon."

If it was, in fact, a revolver, then .38 is likely to be correct.

Right up Hunter's alley - ya don't wanna spend too much when you may need to yeet, and lighter yeets quicker.
http://taurusfirearmsusa.com/t...r-cosmetic-blemishes

quote:

Originally posted by BMR:
And a second year goes by without “President” Brandon mentioning a word of remembrance of D-Day. January 6 is a more important date to him than June 6. He’s a total POS.

His handlers FINALLY sent out a commemoration tweet tonight

At 8:45 pm ET

Like 2 hours after President Potato had his jello and got tucked into bed.

A prostitute who bought crack for and had orgies with Hunter Biden got a $20,000 federal PPP stimulus for her "female owned sole propietorship" after Joe was elected.

It is listed as in the industry of "independent artists, writers, and performers."

https://www.dailywire.com/news...-sole-proprietorship

Good Ol Bare Shelves Biden



The Dems are SO GONNA drop this guy like a hot potato after the midterm election beatdown. I predict they’ll hide him away for the final two years then he’ll announce he’s not running again and they’ll appoint a new contender for 2024: Newsom, Bootygig or Michelle Obama are my guesses

quote:

they’ll appoint a new contender for 2024: Newsom, Bootygig or Michelle Obama are my guesses

Michelle Obama probably.

Haven't seen anyone post this yet:

https://nypost.com/2022/06/06/...ct-for-solar-panels/
President Biden drew criticism Monday after invoking the Defense Production Act to potentially expedite the production of solar panels — with journalists and Republicans questioning the rationale for using special wartime powers.

Renewable energy advocates, meanwhile, cheered the White House announcement that Biden would invoke the act “to accelerate domestic production of clean energy technologies, including solar panel parts.”

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) tweeted, “Biden’s irresponsible & arguably constitutionally corrupt misuse of the Defense Production Act should concern every American. The DPA isn’t a get out of jail free card to cover for lazy & inept governance, which is exactly how this administration uses it.”

Rep. Chris Stewart (R-Utah) questioned Biden’s priorities, tweeting, “Can’t find baby formula for your newborn? Can’t afford to fill up your gas tank? Don’t worry, @POTUS will have new solar panels ready in no time…”

It’s unclear if the declaration will have any near-term effect and it also was unclear if the timing had anything to do with record-high gas and diesel prices. The White House release did not mention surging prices at the pump.

The Energy Department and the White House will gather “key stakeholders” to discuss future steps to “maximize the impact of the DPA tools,” the release said.

Fox Business reporter Edward Lawrence asked White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre about the rationale for invoking the DPA.

“What’s the real emergency in the solar industry for the Defense Production Act?” Lawrence asked at Jean-Pierre’s regular briefing.

“The president, when he takes the Defense Production Act, it’s to make sure that he’s delivering for the American people,” Jean-Pierre replied. “It is an important tool that he has used a couple of times and has been incredibly effective.”

Jean-Pierre added, “He is invoking the Defense Production Act to rapidly expand domestic production of solar panel parts, building insulation, heat pumps and more.”

She said Biden separately “is putting the full force of the federal government’s purchasing power behind supporting American clean energy manufacturers, and he is providing US solar employers the short term stability they need to build clean energy projects and deliver more affordable energy.”

In response to another reporter’s question, Jean-Pierre said that the DPA invocation would not benefit imported solar panels from China.

“These actions do not apply to any materials imported from China. Import duties will remain in place on solar cells and panels from China or Taiwan,” she said.

The Biden administration did not specify a national-defense reason for using the act to boost solar panels.

When Biden was vice president, the Obama administration aggressively pushed for solar energy production — sparking the Solyndra scandal when a politically-connected firm went bankrupt after getting $535 million in federal loan guarantees.

The Defense Production Act notably was used by the Trump administration to coerce businesses to make ventilators and test swabs early in the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently was invoked by Biden to possibly speed production of baby formula to ease shortages.

Many Democrats expressed approval for Biden’s latest action, which can influence corporate behavior merely through the threat of action.

“Three cheers to Biden for using the DPA to expand domestic manufacturing of solar panels,” tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who wrote the action could improve “American energy independence” while boosting US companies and workers.

“Great to see [Biden] invoke the DPA on behalf of clean energy today,” tweeted billionaire investor Tom Steyer, a renewable-energy promoter who ran against Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. “This plan will jumpstart American manufacturing, accelerate solar innovation, and create good jobs. An important step forward.”

Defense production act, intended for wartime production, used to payoff political contributors and cronies in "green energy". We are not at war. The energy problems we are having are of the government's creation.

"Has been incredibly effective". I truly believe that the main qualification for Press Secretary is the ability to lie convincingly.

It’s just back door Build Back Dumber. The Left never gives up. It never stops moving toward its goals. Didn’t get it through congress? Move it through the administrative State. Can’t get gun registration? Impose universal background checks and store the data.

The White House is reeking of desperation these days, no traction on Roe, no astroturf groundswell for gun grabbing, here comes the prime time Jan 6 clusterfuck calculated to induce yawns and indifference. Joey laments not getting credit where credit is due, splody heads in the offing. Good times...