Octopus Overlords

GreenGoo wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 3:02 pm

stessier wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 2:55 pm Auto tariffs just paused for one month. I'm sure more pauses will be forthcoming.

Both drumpf and the economy loves fear and the unknown. Winning combination. But seriously, drumpf loves this. "Will I? Won't I?" "Feel my powah!"

As Stessier points out, there are going to be some tariffs paused, some reinstated, some lowered, some raised, with no factual or economic science behind it. It's all drumpf's whim and he loves it. I wouldn't let this guy manage the budget at a volunteer potluck.

Infuriating, but not surprising.

The GOP Administration loves the power. President Musk and Thrall Master Thiel (and the cast of world citizen oligarchs) love manipulating markets and government to increase their market share of the US economy. FedSoc, Heritage Foundation, and the ChristoFascists love dismantling the federal government. Everyone wins.

It’s uniquely suited to feed Trump’s ego and insecurity, and made for grift. The orbit of lackeys can claim to be doing something at Trump’s whim. The churn serves to drown out opposition and confuse resistance.

I love how Trudeau asked what we can do to remove the tariffs and he still says it's drugs and migration.

In a social media post after the call, Trump said he told Trudeau that Canada's work to tamp down on fentanyl was "not good enough."

The U.S. government's own data shows Canada is not a significant source of illegal fentantyl with less than 20 kilograms of the drug seized at the northern border last year. A $1.3-billion border plan launched last year has led to steep declines so far this year.

Canadian border officials actually captured more drugs coming in from the U.S. than what their American counterparts caught going south, according to data from both countries.

Leavitt added that Canada has made the U.S. a "dumping ground not just for illegal aliens but fentanyl" even though U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows far more fentanyl — about 315 kilograms — came into U.S. coastal ports compared to what was seized at the 49th parallel last year.

From what I've heard, the amount of fentanyl seized dropped 97% from Dec 2024 and Jan 2025 and illegal immigrants by 90% (though there are reports of a lot of immigrants coming into Canada from the US)

That's rhetorical Greengoo...I know it's just his bullshit reason so he doesn't have to go through congress

IceBear wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 3:21 pm That's rhetorical Greengoo...I know it's just his bullshit reason so he doesn't have to go through congress

Yes, my apologies Icebear. I'm having a hard time as well.

Rumpy wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 2:31 pm

IceBear wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:40 pm So this is going to get ugly. He's going to increase the tariffs to match our tariffs. What does he expect us to do? Lie there and take it? We're not Vance in your bedroom Trump

It's my opinion that the economy probably has to get worse before it gets better. If it takes economic pain for Americans to wake up to the reality of what they're facing, then I'll happily take some economic pain of our own. If we make them feel the pinch, it won't last indefinitely. The ironic thing in all this is that it didn't need to happen, but thanks to Trump, he's burning economic bridges.

We're nearing the point of no return tho. Per the Financial Times (archive link)

Investors are starting to imagine a financial system without the US at its centre, handing Europe an opportunity that it simply must not miss.
This exercise in thinking the unthinkable comes despite a cacophony of noise in markets. Mansoor Mohi-uddin, chief economist at Bank of Singapore, recently travelled to clients in Dubai and London. To his surprise, not one of them asked him about short-term issues like tech stocks or tweaks to interest rates. Instead, he says, “people were saying, ‘What’s going on?’ The free trade, free markets, globalisation era is over, and nobody knows what’s going to replace it.”
They refer, of course, to the new US administration. Within a month of retaking his seat at the White House, Donald Trump & co had all but trashed the transatlantic alliance, and ridden roughshod over the key checks, balances and institutions on which true US exceptionalism is built.
“It’s such a momentous change going on. If it continues like this, capital allocators will wonder: ‘Do I want to stay allocated to the US?’” Mohi-uddin says.

China certainly is trying to take advantage...

China aims to recruit top US scientists as Trump tries to kill the CHIPS Act

Pyperkub wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 3:52 pm

Rumpy wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 2:31 pm

IceBear wrote: Tue Mar 04, 2025 4:40 pm So this is going to get ugly. He's going to increase the tariffs to match our tariffs. What does he expect us to do? Lie there and take it? We're not Vance in your bedroom Trump

It's my opinion that the economy probably has to get worse before it gets better. If it takes economic pain for Americans to wake up to the reality of what they're facing, then I'll happily take some economic pain of our own. If we make them feel the pinch, it won't last indefinitely. The ironic thing in all this is that it didn't need to happen, but thanks to Trump, he's burning economic bridges.

We're nearing the point of no return tho. Per the Financial Times (archive link)

Maybe. I think there will be a tipping point in terms of what the market will be able to bear though.

I think this goes here (?) - it's not tariffs but crypto:

Missed this yesterday.

19 Democrats (including Chuck Schumer.....) joined Republicans in voting to repeal a Biden rule requiring cryptocurrency brokers to adhere to the same tax reporting rules as stock brokers.


A yes vote is a pro-fraud, pro-tax-evasion vote here.

Can anyone explain why a single Democrat voted for this?

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:19 pm Can anyone explain why a single Democrat voted for this?

Pussies? Grifters? Inside Traders?

Because they are invested in crypto?

Would he interesting to see who in the inner circle bought FOMOCO options at 52 week lows yesterday before rip on tariff relief today.

But we'll never know.

GreenGoo wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 3:02 pm

stessier wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 2:55 pm Auto tariffs just paused for one month. I'm sure more pauses will be forthcoming.

Both drumpf and the economy loves fear and the unknown. Winning combination. But seriously, drumpf loves this. "Will I? Won't I?" "Feel my powah!"

As Stessier points out, there are going to be some tariffs paused, some reinstated, some lowered, some raised, with no factual or economic science behind it. It's all drumpf's whim and he loves it. I wouldn't let this guy manage the budget at a volunteer potluck.

Infuriating, but not surprising.

Businesses, however, hate uncertainty even more than tariffs. They simply can't plan investments, suppliers, or even inventory levels when the rules keep changing from week to week.

Yeah, businesses don't want to play limbo. And who could blame them.

stimpy wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:25 pm

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:19 pm Can anyone explain why a single Democrat voted for this?

Pussies? Grifters? Inside Traders?

AOC already laid out how friggin’ corrupt many of her colleagues on both sides of the aisle are. I’m beginning to believe her.

Kraken wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:25 pm
Businesses, however, hate uncertainty even more than tariffs. They simply can't plan investments, suppliers, or even inventory levels when the rules keep changing from week to week.

Yes, I meant that as sarcasm re: economy. I admit it was unclear, as it was sarcastic about the economy, but not drumpf.

Kraken wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 8:25 pm Businesses, however, hate uncertainty even more than tariffs. They simply can't plan investments, suppliers, or even inventory levels when the rules keep changing from week to week.

I work in supply chain management and can confirm. If there is a brightside its that I haven't been bored at work this year.

And for the daily reminder. The S&P is now into the territory of being down (over 6% off its high) from the four months since the GOP won complete control of the federal government while they wheel and deal with and divert taxes to the private equity oligarchs who bought them control. Oh, and before the tariffs and effects of cuts are even beginning to take hold at 3% inflation, we're already higher than we were in 2024 and considerably higher than we were in November of 2024.

Blame Biden!!

Reporter: your foreign affairs minister called the tariffs a psychodrama how would you characterize it?

Trudeau: Thursday

Smoove_B wrote: Wed Mar 05, 2025 5:19 pm I think this goes here (?) - it's not tariffs but crypto:

Missed this yesterday.

19 Democrats (including Chuck Schumer.....) joined Republicans in voting to repeal a Biden rule requiring cryptocurrency brokers to adhere to the same tax reporting rules as stock brokers.


A yes vote is a pro-fraud, pro-tax-evasion vote here.

Can anyone explain why a single Democrat voted for this?

I've explained it a hundred times. The Democrats and GOP are on the same side. Team money and corporations. Paid by the same people!

And you’ve been wrong all those times. If you can’t see the difference between the parties, you’re stupid, foolish or out of your mind.

I mean it is true to an extent. There is a division between the wealthy and the not-wealthy, and there are definitely Democrats who side with wealth over ideology. You and I aren't going to be rubbing elbows with the Chuck Schumers and Nancy Pelosis of the world.

A saying I heard the other day was "the left wing and the right wing are part of the same bird."

But obviously there are MAJOR differences between the parties in terms of their goals.

YellowKing wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:10 pm I mean it is true to an extent. There is a division between the wealthy and the not-wealthy, and there are definitely Democrats who side with wealth over ideology. You and I aren't going to be rubbing elbows with the Chuck Schumers and Nancy Pelosis of the world.

A saying I heard the other day was "the left wing and the right wing are part of the same bird."

But obviously there are MAJOR differences between the parties in terms of their goals.

I no longer believe 80% of the people on this board are debating in good faith. The gaslighting and dismissiveness is fuckin outstanding.

People like Zarathud. The polite well heeled professionals who repeatedly dismiss the flashing red warning signs. Trumps here destroying everything for everyone because the professionals and the Democrats thought that the widening gyre between them and everone else is acceptable.

Drazzil wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:42 pm I no longer believe 80% of the people on this board are debating in good faith. The gaslighting and dismissiveness is fuckin outstanding.

Lol.

YellowKing wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:10 pm But obviously there are MAJOR differences between the parties in terms of their goals.

I am 100% with you on this. I didn't want to believe it was true, but I can't ignore what's been happening the last ~5 years at a national level. The Democrats largely support and are pushing social advancement. However, there definitely seems to be a significant number of them that are either (1) totally clueless or isolated from the daily struggles of the average American or (2) want to improve society but won't vote against their own personal ($) interest when push comes to shove. I completely believe there are politicians enriching themselves based on knowledge, information and contacts that they have - on both sides of the isle.

Someone could totally be for paid parental leave as a national policy but still enjoy the personal financial benefits that come with knowing things as a Congressman or Senator and somehow see nothing wrong with it - that it's just a "perk" of being in that position.

If anything, I've seen this board unite together in the fight. The difference is that we all have different ideologies in getting there. Beyond that, I haven't seen any divisiveness. And these are unprecedented times and we're all in this together in one way or another. The last thing we need is someone to start pointing fingers.

We needed to have a vinyl fence replaced on one side of the house and were looking at moving a larger gate and section of fence from the front to the back of the house on the other side.

I've had two guys give me estimates, and both of them said I should act quickly because they're expecting materials prices to jump 25-30% in the next 30 days.

And now Trump will hold off on most tariffs on Mexico for another month.
https://apnews.com/live/trump-presidenc ... s-3-6-2025

I guess in a month we'll be at war with Eurasia again or Oceania.

$iljanus wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:34 pm And now Trump will hold off on most tariffs on Mexico for another month.
https://apnews.com/live/trump-presidenc ... s-3-6-2025

I guess in a month we'll be at war with Eurasia again or Oceania.

How many more times do we have to go through this? Oprah one day then psych the next.

Skinypupy wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:28 pm We needed to have a vinyl fence replaced on one side of the house and were looking at moving a larger gate and section of fence from the front to the back of the house on the other side.

I've had two guys give me estimates, and both of them said I should act quickly because they're expecting materials prices to jump 25-30% in the next 30 days.

I need a new roof and I can't (or shouldn't) begin to work on it until my foundation gets stabilized. That won't be happening until June. The foundation requires a new front step and I can't even get talk contractors to me about that this far advance. It's going to be very expensive year for a house that will forever be worth nothing as there is no way to get rid of all of the slumlords that bought in around here. Still, I need to live here, mortgage paid off, for some time to come.

"On the bright side" my June foundation work is locked in at $20,000. (I get nauseated just typing that)

This kind of unpredictable shit works I suppose in the high value real estate world or on reality television but I think most industries would prefer a coherent serious economic policy versus one based on whimsy.

And Zarthaud being some gaslighting agent provocateur is just one of the strangest things I’ve read today…unless he’s fooled me as well that fucker!

I like how he keeps saying Trudeau is using this to stay in power and hold off on elections. He's literally done this weekend and I'm sure he's counting the hours to get away from this mess. He was even asked if he was going to stick around in a "caretaker" role and with a smile on his face, he said "No, it's the next leader's issue"

IceBear wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:46 pm I like how he keeps saying Trudeau is using this to stay in power and hold off on elections.

See, that signals something he himself would absolutely do. He's pointing fingers at someone and expressing desires. We see right through him.

I don't think he realizes how Canadian politics work either. It's normal to have a grace period.

$iljanus wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:40 pm And Zarthaud being some gaslighting agent provocateur is just one of the strangest things I’ve read today…unless he’s fooled me as well that fucker!

Doubly so, considering the source.

GreenGoo wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:08 pm

Drazzil wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:42 pm I no longer believe 80% of the people on this board are debating in good faith. The gaslighting and dismissiveness is fuckin outstanding.

Lol.

:high_five:

Well, he's pausing on Mexico for a month out of respect. Don't think Canada will be as lucky

IceBear wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:33 pm Well, he's pausing on Mexico for a month out of respect. Don't think Canada will be as lucky

Well it’s their fault for exporting all that fentanyl.

In fiscal 2024, 43 pounds of fentanyl were seized at the northern border, according to Customs and Border Protection data.

https://www.usnews.com/news/national-ne ... tification

GreenGoo wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:08 pm

Drazzil wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:42 pm I no longer believe 80% of the people on this board are debating in good faith. The gaslighting and dismissiveness is fuckin outstanding.

Lol.

Yeah that was a wide brush. I just don't know what to say at this point, how just about everyone not only won't agree on the issues, but refuse to see the problem. Sorry for that outburst or most of it at leaast.

Ouch.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ ... -1.7476515

Ontario will charge 25 per cent more for electricity shipped to 1.5 million Americans starting Monday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, Premier Doug Ford said Thursday.

Ontario provides electricity to Minnesota, New York and Michigan. Earlier this week, Ford warned the governors of those states about the coming changes.

Drazzil wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 2:46 pm

GreenGoo wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 1:08 pm

Drazzil wrote: Thu Mar 06, 2025 12:42 pm I no longer believe 80% of the people on this board are debating in good faith. The gaslighting and dismissiveness is fuckin outstanding.

Lol.

Yeah that was a wide brush. I just don't know what to say at this point, how just about everyone not only won't agree on the issues, but refuse to see the problem. Sorry for that outburst or most of it at leaast.

Then get good. Don't complain that people won't debate you, when you really mean that you aren't able to make your point and no one agrees with what you lay out.

You have this interesting way of getting some things right, and then you color everything in and it all goes south.

You seem to end a lot of the 'debates' with "Oh, I hadn't thought of that." or "Dang." (or something to that effect) when someone takes the time to get you back on the road.