Thursday, October 16, 2025

What Does New High in US Stock Market Margin Debt Portend?

Looking at the significance, or not, of a record high in stock market margin debt.

Links 10/16/2025

Trump Plans to Use Men With Guns as Part of IRS Campaign Against “Left-Leaning” Groups

Trump, in particular his key deputy Steve Miller, is gearing up to launch his war against political enemies, above all Soros’ Open Society

Winning with Misinformation: New Research Identifies Link Between Endorsing Easily Disproven Claims and Prioritizing Symbolic Strength

A new study probes attitudes that are correlated with receptivity to more extreme misinformation claims.

Drug Price Wars: What Can Really Tame Big Pharma?

What’s really driving Big Pharma’s price gouging — and why have Federal efforts to rein it in made so little progress?

Coffee Break: Russell Vought, Stephen Miller, and Eric Trump Trio of the Week

A Trump Trio stood out in news coverage of the administration this week: Russell Vought, Stephen Miller, and Eric Trump.

Financial Institution Leaders Issue More Warnings of Equity Market Froth, Dodgy Debt Bombs

Financial firm heads are making admissions against interest. Further discussion of apparent and potential risks.

Links 10/15/2025

Trump 2.0’s Eurasian Balancing Act Has Failed

Yet more case examples of Trump arrogance and aggression producing failure.

As Trump Sells Peace in West Asia, His ‘Route for International Peace and Prosperity’ in the Caucasus Fails to Live Up to Its Name

As US Zionist plans progress in the Levant, what’s happening at another point in the Iran pressure campaign in the Caucasus? 

Israel, the US, and the New Aerial Imperialism

Israel has used the US, or vice versa, to subdue the neighborhood via aggressive air campaigns. But is that sustainable?

Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Rare Earth Elements

The U.S. military relies on rare earth elements across missiles, radars, jet engines, submarine propulsion, and advanced magnets, yet the supply chain is fragile and concentrated abroad. This article explains why REEs matter, their role in a trade war with China, and the cost of substituting domestic production or rare earths and other strategic materials.

The Huge US Bond Market and the US Dollar Blow Off the “Debasement Trade”

Why the dollar and Treasuries have rallied despite the Liberation Day swoon and “debasement trade” patter.

Links 10/14/2025

War in Venezuela Could Be Another Vietnam, Warns Mexican Analyst Fernando Buen Abad

“The breakout of war in Venezuela could be a horror show for the entire continent. “