Globalism / Great Reset –
The EPA will announce new auto pollution limits on Wednesday, aiming for 60% of all new U.S. vehicles sold by 2030 to be all-electric. Only 6 percent of vehicles sold last year were “all-electric.”
OBSERVATION – While this is considerably within the Economic topic, its broader implications are globalist. This regulation would essentially cripple the American car industry as 7 years is insufficient for Detroit to retool and change manufacturing. Add to that the extreme shortage of essential materials for these batteries and the lack of infrastructure and electrical generation capacity to plug these suckers in to have them work.
**
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe must reduce its dependency on the U.S. and avoid getting dragged into a conflict over Taiwan, adding that European talk about support for Taiwan was not credible and would only increase tensions.
OBSERVATION – Evidence that WEF compliant France is joining some of the effort being made to decouple the US dollar as the reserve currency. At least that is how “reduce its dependency” in part is being interpreted.
Economy –
Cattle prices reached $177 per hundredweight (cwt.) last week, beating the previous record of $171 per cwt. set in November 2014.
OBSERVATION – Due in large part to shortages created by cattle herd drawdowns caused by the past couple years of drought combined with high feed and fuel costs. It will take years to rebuild herds to what they were. Until then, beef will continue to be very expensive and then some.
**
American banks experienced a historic contraction in the final two weeks of March, greater than even during the 2008 financial crisis, in the clearest indication yet that credit conditions are tightening as a result of deteriorating economic conditions.
According to Federal Reserve data dating back to 1973, commercial bank lending saw a drop of nearly $105 billion in the two weeks ending March 29th. The final week saw a decrease of over $45 billion, which can be attributed primarily to a decline in small banks’ loan offerings.
Invasion of Illegals –
More Republicans are reportedly embracing the idea of targeted bombing in Mexico to stop the fentanyl crisis in the United States.
The idea began gaining traction after former President Donald Trump started talking about sending “special forces” and using “cyberwarfare” to target cartel leaders, Politico reported Monday.
Rolling Stone reported late last month that Trump asked for “battle plans” to striking Mexico.
OBSERVATION – What the GOP is missing in this equation is that these cartels are more than capable of retaliatory strikes within the US that our law enforcement is unable to stop. Short of completely closing the border, cartels have elements already ensconced in America coordinating drug movements and associated crime. Who knows how many more operatives have made their way (single, military age men) into the country to bolster the cartels. Second - Mexico has increasingly been deploying its military against cartels, with only limited success. Our military would not fare much better under today’s woke command.
Domestic / International Terror (modified)-
Situational awareness as Ramadan continues.
POLITICAL FRONT –
This item has been brewing since last week, but ‘ol mule mouth just cant’ shut up about it. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said she wants Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas impeached and his advisers investigated after media reports identified expensive undisclosed trips Thomas took with American Enterprise Institute Director Harlan Crow.
OBSERVATION - The standard for impeachment of USSC justices has been pretty high, but today’s current democrat leftists want to see no stone unturned in their efforts to get Thomas off the court and swing it to a liberal bench compliant with their demands and agenda. Like with the Trump impeachments, the current charges are a nothing burger being jazzed up to seem as the end of the republic as we know it.
**
Texas legislators introduced SB2334 and HB4903 into the Texas Senate and House, which would require the Texas Comptroller to establish a digital currency fully backed by gold, redeemable for gold or dollars, and create a mechanism for using the digital currency for everyday transactions. (FO)
OBSERVATION – Easily could cross ref to CW2 and Globalism / Great Reset issues. States now setting up parallel govt systems just in case. Still, digital currency is a road we shouldn’t take. It is accepting the premise of digital while still allowing eventual growth into a controlling methodology.
**
The FBI and Justice Department are searching for the source of what is shaping up to be one of the most damaging intelligence breaches in decades. The documents were first posted in January to a small group online on a messaging channel that trafficked in memes, jokes and racist talk.
OBSERVATION – I’m still basing this ‘leak’ as disinformation. If it was a true leak, I’m sure this small group is wetting themselves right now given the govt power to identify the users.
China –
Reportedly China is completing its “exercise” today.
North/South Korea –
N. Korea again unresponsive to daily phone call via inter-Korean liaison line: ministry
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
Russian forces have initiated an offensive who’s declared goals are to reach and secure the Luhansk and Donetsk oblast borders — an objective that Russian Chief of General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov had also outlined on December 22, 2022. Troop and equipment build up is being noted
This offensive action is focused on several fronts –
1) the Svatove-Kreminna front,
2) Bahkmut region,
3) Donetsk region and
4) Zaporizhizhia Oblast around the town of Vuhledar.
Analysts are noting that the Russian offensive operations are winding down. Some offensive operation will continue to be attempted, however, a lot of assessment indicates they’ve lost the capability to sustain a credible offensive to try to capture the Donbas region having frittered away resources against Bahkmut.
Russia is also capable of launching cruise/ballistic missile attacks directed against Ukrainian infrastructure - primarily its power grid, but massively reduced inventories of such missiles means these barrages will be further apart.
While Russia has nuclear capability, the probability is low that any will be used in the near future.
********
Economic Impact –
Russian President Putin’s special assistant met Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani in Tehran to discuss thwarting Western sanctions through ditching the dollar in bilateral transactions in the hope that this would weaken the US currency.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures with highs now reaching the 60’s with rain/snow over continuing over most of the forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Fighting around Avdiivka and Bakhmut continues with Ukraine grudgling giving up terrain.
Ukrainian official stated that Russian Airborne (VDV) forces have appeared in Bakhmut. Russian forces likely made marginal gains in southern Bakhmut
The Svatove-Kreminna, Zaporizhizhia and Crimean fronts were relatively quiet, with mostly scattered and sporatic Russian artillery strikes.
OUTLOOK –
Expect fighting in Avdiivka and Bakhmut to continue. Once again, Ukraine faces a decision point to either withdraw forces to more defendable and resupply able areas, or commit reserves to maintain supply lines. If Ukraine is to be believed, they continue to draw the better Russian forces into the meat grinder and so far they appear to consider the loss ratios to be in their favor.
Israel –
Tensions remain high, but with the passing of Passover and Easter some of the religious trigger points have lessened. Ramadan is still ongoing and will keep things in turmoil.
Iran –
The Iranian Tasnim Agency says that an Iranian technical delegation may visit Riyadh tomorrow to make preparations for the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia –
See Iran above.
Syria -
Syrian army’s 4th armored division sends reinforcements & weapons to Israel border, according to N12News reports citing Syrian sources.
Armenia/Azerbaijan –
WAR WATCH
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev - Work on a peace treaty with Armenia is not going so smoothly, but Azerbaijan aims to normalize relations with Yerevan.
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Texas legislators introduced SB2334 and HB4903 into the Texas Senate and House, which would require the Texas Comptroller to establish a digital currency fully backed by gold, redeemable for gold or dollars, and create a mechanism for using the digital currency for everyday transactions. (FO)
OBSERVATION – Easily could cross ref to CW2 and Globalism / Great Reset issues. States now setting up parallel govt systems just in case. Still, digital currency is a road we shouldn’t take. It is accepting the premise of digital while still allowing eventual growth into a controlling methodology.
“
Both say backed by gold held in the Texas Bullion Depository:
Texas SB2334
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/SB02334I.htm
Sec. 404A.0052. GOLD HELD IN TRUST. (a) The comptroller
serving as trustee or another person appointed by the comptroller
who shall serve as trustee shall hold in trust on the behalf of the
digital currency holders all gold purchased to back the digital
currency. The trustee shall maintain enough gold to provide for the
redemption in gold of all units of the digital currency that have
been issued and are not yet redeemed for money or gold.
(b) The trustee may establish an account in the Texas
Bullion Depository to hold gold purchased to back the digital
currency and may hold the gold otherwise as convenient for the
administration of this chapter.
Texas HB4903
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/88R/billtext/html/HB04903I.htm
“
Sec. 404A.0052. GOLD HELD IN TRUST. (a) The comptroller
serving as trustee or another person appointed by the comptroller
who shall serve as trustee shall hold in trust on the behalf of the
digital currency holders all gold purchased to back the digital
currency. The trustee shall maintain enough gold to provide for the
redemption in gold of all units of the digital currency that have
been issued and are not yet redeemed for money or gold.
(b) The trustee may establish an account in the Texas
Bullion Depository to hold gold purchased to back the digital
currency and may hold the gold otherwise as convenient for the
administration of this chapter.
“
Globalism / Great Reset –
Ford Motor Company announced BlueOval City in 2021. BlueOval City is a $5.6 billion electric truck and battery production facility that is scheduled to be operational in 2025. To complete a roadway to the project, the state of Tennessee uses eminent domain to force farmers to sell land worth $200,000 per acre for only $3,750 per acre, the value before the project was announced.
OBSERVATION – Use of eminent domain to move ‘green’ projects forward was endorsed recently and was noted here a few days ago.
Wuhan virus –
Yesterday, Biden has acceded to a congressional resolution ending the national Covid emergency — “weeks before it was set to expire alongside a separate public health emergency, as the AP puts it. The AP adds that Biden signed the measure behind closed doors.
Economy –
The federal budget deficit soared to $1.1 trillion for the first half of fiscal 2023, the Congressional Budget Office estimated Monday, $430 billion more than in the same time frame the previous year. The rising deficit heralds a worsening budget picture for the federal government, especially as interest rates rise.
OBSERVATION – The rise of the deficit will impact talks on the national debt ceiling rise. This will only contribute further to the ecnomic chaos when the dominos start to fall.
Invasion of Illegals –
The Justice Department has said that ending the wuhan emergency would terminate the Title 42 migration policy that allows for the rapid deportation of people who illegally cross the US-Mexico border.
CW2/Domestic violence –
Slang words ‘red pill,’ ‘based’ labeled as ‘violent extremism’ by FBI.
OBSERVATION -This would appear silly on face value if it weren’t for all the other ‘triggers’ the alphabet law enforcement agencies have mustered against the right. Their standards have labeled over half the country as domestic terrorists by a dozen other standards. By publically calling out the used of these words, the regime is expecting a language change so those fearful of govt will use other words/phrases. Orwellian.
**
Once again a deranged leftist democrat has gone on a shooting spree. Connor Sturgeon, the 25-year-old gunman who is suspected of killed at least four people, including a police officer, and injuring eight others on Monday in a Louisville, Kentucky bank, has been revealed to to be a registered democrat and posted anti-Trump and pro-lockdown posts on Reddit.
**
Speaking of deranged leftists, Little Steven Van Zandt, E Street Band guitar player and longtime close friend of Bruce Springsteen, reportedly posted and then deleted a hate-filled rant on Twitter Sunday that called for the genocide of Republicans.
Van Zandt’s rant was screen-capped and reposted. Text: “Outrageous doesn’t begin to describe the actions of these Republican White Supremicist scumbag cowards and pussies that need guns to feel like real men. Gen Z, Gen Y, Gen X will unite and exterminate these cockroaches once and for all”
OBSERVATION – Another among many who are speaking what many of the Marxist left desire towards those on the right.
**
Window boarding are being put up across Akron, Ohio ahead of the grand jury proceedings over the police officers who shot dead a black gunman following a car chase last year.
OBSERVATION - Will likely cause some local riots, but so far national coordination of protests not seen.
Domestic / International Terror (modified)-
Situational awareness as Ramadan continues.
Strategic Activity / Deployments –
The United States and the Philippines on Tuesday launch their largest combat exercises in decades that will involve live-fire drills, including a boat-sinking rocket assault in waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait that will likely inflame China.
The annual drills by the longtime treaty allies called Balikatan — Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder — will run up to April 28 and involve more than 17,600 military personnel.
OBSERVATION - China has increasingly been bullying the Phillippines around disputed waters for a while now. They have sought out the US as a partner to help patrol these disputed areas. Exercise also works to help heal rifts that occurred when the Phillippines kicked the US military out of the nation a couple decades ago.
**
U.S. Strategic Command to hold nuclear command and control exercise tomorrow. This is an annual drill and not a sign of some impending event.
Cyber Warfare –
The FBI recently warned consumers against using free public charging stations, saying crooks have managed to hijack public chargers that can infect devices with malware, or software that can give hackers access to your phone, tablet or computer.
China –
PLA Eastern Theater Command completed patrol, military exercises around Taiwan Island. The final day’s worth of exercises yesterday reportedly were to simulate the surrounding of the Island and its blockade.
The last day saw 91 PLA aircraft and 12 vessels were detected around the nation, 54 of the detected aircraft had crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered the SW & SE ADIZ.
OBSERVATION – A blockade of Taiwan would be preferable to China in that it relies on imports for fuel and food. It could avoid major conflict – provided that the rest of the world does not challenge the blockade. The exercises have provided a unique window into China’s tactics to blockade Taiwan. Such is the double edge of such exercises - execute your plans and give your opponent the opportunity to see some of the cards you are holding.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - into the second year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Feb 24th, 2022
CURRENT ASSESSMENT
Russian forces have initiated an offensive who’s declared goals are to reach and secure the Luhansk and Donetsk oblast borders — an objective that Russian Chief of General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov had also outlined on December 22, 2022. Troop and equipment build up is being noted
This offensive action is focused on several fronts –
1) the Svatove-Kreminna front,
2) Bahkmut region,
3) Donetsk region and
4) Zaporizhizhia Oblast around the town of Vuhledar.
Analysts are noting that the Russian offensive operations are winding down. Some offensive operation will continue to be attempted, however, a lot of assessment indicates they’ve lost the capability to sustain a credible offensive to try to capture the Donbas region having frittered away resources against Bahkmut.
Russia is also capable of launching cruise/ballistic missile attacks directed against Ukrainian infrastructure - primarily its power grid, but massively reduced inventories of such missiles means these barrages will be further apart.
While Russia has nuclear capability, the probability is low that any will be used in the near future.
********
RUMINT-
Russia claiming to have hit major Ukrainian logistics centers, disrupting reported build up plans of the Ukrainian spring offensive. No confirming reports found from other sources.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Temperatures with highs now reaching the 60’s with rain/snow over continuing over most of the forecast period.
RUMINT –
There is a massive amount of disinformation floating around out there. Much of it playing down Ukraine’s capabilities to successfully conduct its planned offensive.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Fighting around Avdiivka and Bakhmut continues with Ukraine giving up terrain very grudgingly. Intensity at both areas appears to have declined over the last 24 hours.
The Svatove-Kreminna, Zaporizhizhia and Crimean fronts were relatively quiet, with mostly scattered and sporatic Russian artillery strikes.
OUTLOOK –
Expect fighting in Avdiivka and Bakhmut to continue.
A lot of Russian related propaganda on the extensive defensive lines constructed to thwart the anticipated Ukrainian offensive. This is WW2 design and technology. As with obstacles, Russia has to be able to respond to penetrations and I think that Ukraine will keep them pretty well spread out trying to defend all.
I am still evaluating the so called classified leak(s) as being largely disinformation.
Belarus -
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko requested a formal mutual defense pact with Russia on Monday during a meeting with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Lukashenko asked for guarantees that Moscow would defend his country if attacked by the West.