TL;DR: Just look at the charts and you can see the risk.  Beyond the “news noise” we look at “inside people” versus “outside people” and how to manage between.

BREAKING: Tucker Carlson on the Thomas Crooks case is here.  Nothing to see here, huh? More lying to congress…you gotta play it. Obstruction seems alive and well.

Two Charts to Study

Chart #1:  This is our current Aggregate Index view as of early pre-opening prices today.  It is an equal-dollar chart (DJI, S&P, IXIC) that I created in the wake of the 2000 market high.  It was designed to unmask total market performance when shills of that era minimized the $5-$7 trillion lost when the Internet Bubble blew up.

As you can see, the Aggregate is in danger of “falling out of bed” and the downside potential is HUGE.  For perspective, here’s a look back at when optimism last ran off the rails.

Chart #2: Shows just how huge the risk now may be.  Here’s how this market looks compared with 1929.

As you can see, America’s markets kept on rising from the Guilded Age until it all blew over in 1929.  We can’t say whether that is the case now, because we don’t offer financial advice.  If you can’t take a hint from us rolling totally debt-free, well prepped (and armed) in the woods far from anywhere, you need to spend more time in financial meditation classes!

There are usually 25-40 pages are charts and discussion in the Peoplenomics weekly assessment – which is still available for the same $40/year it has been since 2000.

GovUP, Data Flow Lags

In a “dis-interupted” world (if that’s a word, lol) I would now begin writing about PPI- final demand and Retail Sales.

However, since we have just been through the longest shutdown ever? It’s going to be a while. It’s not like flipping a switch. Federal workers begin returning within a few days, but the data pipelines take longer. Let’s think about this.

Each agency has to clear its reporting backlog—Commerce, Labor, Treasury, and the Fed all restart in stages, verifying figures that have sat useless during the shutdown. Usually, the first week sees payroll and scheduling normalizing, but it can take two to three weeks before the full rhythm of economic releases resumes. Expect revised timetables, out-of-sequence reports, and a few double-dumps of data until everything catches up.  For today? No soap.  No PPI and no Retail.

But rest assured, the “data dealer” will be along to feed our addiction to fine print and BS.

PR SWAT Teams On It

“Come out with your Brains Off!  We have you surrounded!”

My God, do they ever.  Clockwise from the top:

This is hard on tourism: Massive Russian Air Strike On Kyiv Kills At Least 4, Injures Dozens

Now a “shake” of Hormuz news: Iran seizes tanker in Strait of Hormuz, US official says, as tensions remain high in region.

Now, “spear us the details” and wag that dog!  US launches “Operation Southern Spear” against narco-terrorists.

And are they getting a tariff rebate, too??? U.S. approves 330 million dollar package tied to Taiwan’s combat fleet.

And The Beat Goes On… Little BOHICA with that? US officials brief Trump on revised options for possible Venezuela operations.  Now, que the BBC distraction: Trump targets BBC with billion-dollar lawsuit after misleading edit.

Wag me, bubba.

The News Dick

“Of all the Model-15 teletypes in the world I could read, why did it have to be this one?”

“There was something about this case that just didn’t make sense…“Epstein wrote disturbing email to himself before suicide.” Yeah, the smell…what was it sent to himself, I was wondering? Every newsroom in the modern world has an email tip mailbox, but this sick pup sends things to himself? And it’;s released by a couple of anti-Trumpers and the dems?  Who would trust old emails with no recipient – just the kind of thing that could be made up with no witnesses….yeah, it just wasn’t feeling right, know what I mean?  And look at the marketing around all the Epstein emails. Megyn Kelly Reacts to Trailer For Never-Released Steve Bannon Doc Featuring Epstein Interviews. But the real story is in the MIA parts.

More Gumshoe: ALERT: The WEF / UN Has Fully Captured Canada & Is Installing A Globalist Communist Dictatorship! Ask a Canadian trucker. they’ll tell you this is already old news.

Coffee? Starbucks Union Baristas to Walk Out in 40 Cities.  Wonder if accident rates will rise?

Chill? La Nin?a will dominate winter weather, federal forecasters say. Wait…a dom!!!???

Around the Ranch: Inside People/Outside People

“The Compact George” discussion – so you don’t run out of things to think about this weekend.

• Best analogy I have ever found to “Life” is it’s like an Amusement Ride.
• At the end of the ride, a lot of people experience a Life Review.
• Therefore, one role we all share is “World Observers.”

I keep forgetting to mention a dandy paper that his PubMed this summer on the subjects of Life Reviews:

“Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are events reported by individuals close to death. This review examines the aftereffects of NDEs based on scientific literature from 2014 to 2024. Positive NDEs often lead to increased spirituality, reduced fear of death, a deeper appreciation of life, and greater compassion. In contrast, negative NDEs, though less common, can cause confusion, emotional distress, and lasting trauma. The subjective interpretation by those who experience an NDE strongly shapes its influencing both personal growth and challenges in social or emotional integration. Health professionals should be trained to support individuals who have had NDEs, recognizing the psychological significance and potential integration difficulties. Additionally, those who have not personally experienced an NDE but are exposed to such testimonies may also gain emotional and spiritual insights. In summary, NDEs are impactful psychological events that warrant informed clinical attention and support to aid individuals in processing and integrating these profound experiences.”

Around the Ranch: Inside People/Outside People

“The Compact George” discussion – so you don’t run out of things to think about this weekend.

• Best analogy I have ever found to “Life” is it’s like an Amusement Ride.
• At the end of the ride, a lot of people experience a Life Review.
• Therefore, one role we all share is “World Observers.”

I keep forgetting to mention a dandy paper that his PubMed this summer on the subjects of Life Reviews:

Abstract
Near-death experiences (NDEs) are events reported by individuals close to death. This review examines the aftereffects of NDEs based on scientific literature from 2014 to 2024. Positive NDEs often lead to increased spirituality, reduced fear of death, a deeper appreciation of life, and greater compassion. In contrast, negative NDEs, though less common, can cause confusion, emotional distress, and lasting trauma. The subjective interpretation by those who experience an NDE strongly shapes its impact, influencing both personal growth and challenges in social or emotional integration. Health professionals should be trained to support individuals who have had NDEs, recognizing the psychological significance and potential integration difficulties. Additionally, those who have not personally experienced an NDE but are exposed to such testimonies may also gain emotional and spiritual insights. In summary, NDEs are impactful psychological events that warrant informed clinical attention and support to aid individuals in processing and integrating these profound experiences.

Short version?  Seems to be purity of intent and caring for others that matters. When you get to the “life flashed before my eyes” part. Clean hearts get a better ‘end of life’ that the pricks of life. Holding to the greatest good seems to be key.

The Role of Noise: There is a whole chapter in my latest book on Dithering – the controlled use of noise.  The paradox? Some people can study (and think) effectively with the radio on. Others need pure and utter silence.

Now the Useful Part: My “Personal Cross” for now…  It’s the inside/outside relationship each one of us thinks about.

See, when my “inner Observer” (that which listens to the voice in my head) descends deeply into “book-writing mode” that’s an “extreme adventure inside.”  When the shop, yard, studio, exercise take center-stage?  There you go with extreme outside adventures.

Slowly this is coming into focus (yeah, even coming up on 77 you can still trip over rules in Life) is that I need to spend about 4-days a week on the “deep inside” works (columns, books, research, trading).  The other 3-days a week?  Heavy-duty outside my head engaging with the “world going by the ride.”

That old B-school tripe?  About work life, family life balance?  Yeah…OK..maybe….sort of.  But when you are a “mass-indexing human (who sees how “everything connects”) then it’s more personally fixable as an inside/outside problem.

Inside? I’m real smart and I keep adding to the tool set.  Outside? Shop’s still a mess and the electronics bench is 14″ deep in projects.  Verdict: Time to focus outside for a while now.

Best news of all – ahead of arborist working skills on ShopTalk Sunday this week – is that inside/outside is nice black/white, high-def line to manage on your Observer’s behalf. Something I’m late to learn but eager to focus on.

Good Noise – Bad Noise

The bad first.  See: Overnight post from dLynn.  Please send prayers and pure intent. Thank you.

The Good?  Amazon has this years TurboTax out.

I can hear you think it from here. “OK, George, how do you figure TurboTax being out is “good noise”?”

Don’t be a cow pie.  Compared to loss, even if temporarily, of a partner’s Presence?  Even paying taxes is a psychological improvement in how the noise is running.

Ahead for the Weekend:  Two visits from the power company in a day – and George does arborist training…That’ll be on ShopTalk Sunday.  If we all don’t burn up in the atmosphere, first.

Write when you get rich,

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