OlDawg

Not going to predict an election. I will point out a couple of things from my perspective to keep a watch on. The current job market is basically a ‘no hire/no fire” market. Good if you’re employed. Bad if you’re a young grad looking for a job. Young grads tend to vote Democrat, and will also be faced with student loan forced payments at a time when they’re unemployed. GDP is greatly affected by the import/export ratio. Many companies stocked up on inventory before the tariffs went into effect, so the GDP was negatively affected. The numbers now reflect a massive drop in imports vs. exports that won’t continue as existing supplies run out. So, GDP will drop. You also will probably still have the healthcare issue that Democrats will continue to make an election issue. They will do nothing to solve the problem. It would be one less thing to run on, and the Republicans are down to a 213-208 advantage I believe after the CA Reps death earlier this week. Not enough of a margin to pass anything on their own. Still…the numbers are very good. Hopefully, folks are invested in their 401k’s, or other investment vehicles.

In a move that has sent shockwaves through global financial markets, the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta drastically revised its GDPNow tracker for the fourth quarter of 2025. On January 8, 2026, the estimate for real GDP growth was effectively doubled, jumping from a projected 2.7% to a staggering 5.4%. This revision marks one of the most significant upward adjustments in the model's history, suggesting that the American economy is not merely avoiding a recession but is currently in the midst of a high-octane expansion that few analysts saw coming. [Hidden Content]

Are you sure you’re reading the chart you posted? Rate is 2.7% as of today. Been bouncing around this level consistently. Tariffs have basically had little effect. Somewhat surprising to many economists.

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In a quirky—but true—twist of fate, the street where protesters were interfering with Federal Law Enforcement and Mrs. Good was fatally shot in Minneapolis? Portland Ave.

Umm… The chart you linked shows 3% in Jan 2025.

In related news, there was a mostly peaceful shooting of TDA gang members in Portland as they attempted to run down Federal officers. Liberals are outraged and telling ICE to get out of Portland. Seems to be a common refrain, regardless of the status of the victim or their actions. Only the actions of the officers are being criticized.

TDS. According to this article, they moved to Canada when Trump was elected in 2024. Had just recently moved back. Apparently they decided the best use of their time was this stupidity. Not sure how well her mother actually knew her daughter... [Hidden Content]

Yep. Of course, she’s being called a ‘legal observer’ now. Apparently, that’s the new name for someone interfering in law enforcement operations. I do feel sorry for her 6 year old son. Apparently, his father has passed away already also.

I’m just posting the story, and trying very hard to not say what I really think—which is another liberal Karen who should have been doing something else instead of interfering in a law enforcement operation. Would she have been interfering in the same way if it was a Minneapolis police car? Probably not. I want to feel some empathy. But, I’m having a really hard time of it. Sorry.

According to the Minneapolis City Council, the deceased was out ‘caring for her neighbors’. Her mother told the Star Tribune she wasn’t participating in ICE protests. [Hidden Content]

Bloom, Yellowstone College Prep, Two Dimensions Prep, Legacy School of Sports Sciences, Bridgeway Academy, Essence Preparatory, Meadowland Charter District, Reve Prep. Says 17 schools in the last 2 years.

It doesn’t let you scroll down at all & read? If not, I’ll have to go through the article and pick them out. Will take me a minute.

It’s not pay. That’s why I got from Apple News. I don’t subscribe either, and I can read it.

Not sure where this fits. But, would definitely affect football. What year was the super QB from Legacy? [Hidden Content]

It’s a shame, and a waste of life. I don’t understand why people think ICE operations are any different than FBI operations. I seriously doubt if protestors would be blocking an FBI raid.

Dangit! I missed it. I was distracted by the model's interesting necklace.

Watching some of the news coverage on this, it seems like Maduro is the only Venezuelan criminal the lefties DON'T want in the U.S.

[Hidden Content] ion [Hidden Content] [Hidden Content]

You’re not in-country with a target on your back.

“That said, this is a bad day for Cuba, China, Russia, and Iran, which were in cahoots with Maduro and have reason to fear U.S. power. Their instrument for influence in the Western Hemisphere via Venezuela is out of power and out of luck, sitting in a U.S. jail cell.“ Excerpt From “Trump’s Audacious Maduro Raid Sends a Powerful Message” The Editors National Review [Hidden Content]

Trump needs to pipe down some. If typical, there are still assets in country who will be pursued by Maduro loyalists, and cartels. They will have their heads on a swivel. This is why I said ‘speak softly.’ @Reagan

China is all over it, and has been. They have an increasing presence, and have put a block on exports of their own rare earth minerals while trying to gain control over all others. Today’s militaries and space programs can’t function without rare earth minerals. I’ve also mentioned their military involvement. Russia is there as well. This is the closest major communist enemies/adversaries of the U.S. have been to us in our own hemisphere since the ‘80’s. [Hidden Content]

Now, if he’d only follow the speak softly part…