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Howdy folks! How is everyone tonight?

Whatta You Know, The Market Works

Milei’s Man-made Miracle

When he was sworn in as president in December 2023, the Argentine economy was a seemingly incurable basket case. In 2023, its gross domestic product had shrunk by 1.6 percent, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Perhaps more strikingly, per capita gross domestic product (GDP) on an inflation-adjusted basis was lower than it had been in 2007. Public finances were in disarray. The last time the government had run a surplus was in 2008. The IMF estimated total public debt at around 90 percent of GDP, but the important thing was how much of that debt—more than $40 billion—Argentina owed to the IMF, the culmination of no fewer than 22 programs.

The previous Peronist government’s reckless fiscal and monetary policies had created annualized inflation exceeding 200 percent. Indeed, wholesale price inflation in December 2023 was 54 percent month over month—technically hyperinflation, according to the widely accepted definition. To give you some idea, in 2023 the price of a latte roughly tripled from around 1,500 pesos to around 4,500. For the last three years, Cuervo Café—the coolest coffee shop in Buenos Aires—had to adjust its prices twice a month.

After less than 20 months, Milei has eliminated the fiscal deficit, cutting it from 5 percent of GDP to zero. He has reduced the number of government ministries from 18 to 8. (“Ministry of Tourism and Sports—out!” he declared in a campaign video, tearing its name off a whiteboard. “Ministry of Culture—out! Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development—out! Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity—out! Ministry of Public Works—out, even if you resist!”) With Executive Order 70, issued a few days after his inauguration, he deregulated key markets, including property rentals, commercial airlines, and road freight transport. Labor market reforms took longer but were enacted after a fight in Congress.

It truly is amazing what he's done. I wish politicians up here were paying attention.

It's What's For Dinner

Is Your “Made In the USA” Beef Actually Made In the USA?

When the average American is at the grocery store shopping for beef, you are likely to see labels that say, “MADE IN THE USA.” Sadly, and outrageously, these labels mean next to nothing:

The USDA has passed new regulations that won’t take effect until 2026, that are aimed at tightening up the rules around “Made in the USA” labeling on beef and pork. Shockingly, however, labeling the country of origin is totally voluntary! Beef and pork are almost the only food products where country of origin labeling isn’t required:

The rest of the article is an ad. But you should do what I do: Buy a ¼ or a ½ from a local rancher. No only do I know my beef is from the USA – I met the cow it came from before it went off to the slaughterhouse.

Dance Break

Taking Out The Trash

The Deep State Is in Real Trouble Now

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard just lit a fuse under the deep state—and it’s about time.

Appearing Sunday on “Sunday Morning Futures” with Maria Bartiromo, Gabbard dropped a stunning accusation: that Barack Obama personally directed a “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine Donald Trump’s presidency before it even began. And now, according to Gabbard, the floodgates are opening—whistleblowers who were sickened by what they witnessed are starting to come forward.

“The implications of this are frankly nothing short of historic,” Gabbard said. She pointed to more than 100 newly released documents that she says show how Obama, just weeks before leaving office, greenlit a coordinated effort to sabotage Trump—after he was elected. “This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. This is an issue that is so serious it should concern every single American.”

According to Gabbard, Obama and his inner circle simply refused to accept the outcome of the 2016 election. Instead of stepping aside and respecting the will of the people, they weaponized the intelligence community and pushed a phony Russia narrative to kneecap Trump before he even took office.

“They decided that they would do everything possible to try to undermine his ability to do what voters tasked President Trump to do,” she said. “So, creating this piece of manufactured intelligence that claims Russia had helped Donald Trump get elected contradicted every other assessment… that said exactly the opposite—that Russia neither had the intent nor the capability to ‘hack’ the United States election.”

I'd like to think there will be consequences, but my hard won cynicism tells me there won't be.

Leaping Lizards!

Webster officials are warning residents to be on the lookout for a potentially dangerous water monitor that is on the loose in the lakeside town. 

“There is a water monitor loose in the area of Blueberry lane off from upper gore,” Webster Animal Control wrote on its Facebook page Friday. “If you spot this reptile, please immediately contact animal control or the police department. Please DO NOT approach and let the professionals handle the animal.”

Florida man laughs.

She's The Worst

The Judicial Tyranny of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

How can you tell if the newest Supreme Court Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is an "activist" judge? She admits it. Worse, she appears to think it is her job, if not her duty, to engage in (left-wing) judicial activism.

In an interview with CBS News, Jackson explained what she hopes to accomplish in her many dissents. "I just feel that I have a wonderful opportunity to tell people in my opinions how I feel about the issues," she said, "and that's what I try to do." She added, "And I'm not afraid to use my voice." This sounds like a podcaster rather than a judge.

You might be forgiven for thinking judges are supposed to interpret the law as intended by the legislature and apply the law to resolve disputes before the court.

When even Sotomayer is disagreeing with you, you've got issues.

War Never Changes?

Kill Russian soldiers, win points: Is Ukraine's new drone scheme gamifying war?

The images come in every day. Thousands of them. Men and equipment being hunted down along Ukraine's long, contested front lines. Everything filmed, logged and counted. And now put to use too, as the Ukrainian military tries to extract every advantage it can against its much more powerful opponent. Under a scheme first trialled last year and dubbed "Army of Drones: Bonus" (also known as "e-points"), units can earn points for each Russian soldier killed or piece of equipment destroyed. And like a killstreak in Call of Duty, or a 1970s TV game show, points mean prizes. "The more strategically important and large-scale the target, the more points a unit receives," reads a statement from the team at Brave 1, which brings together experts from government and the military. "For example, destroying an enemy multiple rocket launch system earns up to 50 points; 40 points are awarded for a destroyed tank and 20 for a damaged one." Call it the gamification of war.

Call of Duty: Kiev

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posted by WeirdDave at 10:00 PM

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