Administrivia.
Wheatie Wisdom. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone. No running with scissors. No food fights.
AI stuff posted, requires a link. Please use spoiler, for longer posts.
Wolf Speak. No obnoxious behavior towards fellow QTreeper(s). Freedom of Speech is honored here QTree. But Do Know, every poster, IS personally responsible for what they post.
If nothing follows, KK below, Night Crew, you are on your own.
KK
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Fresh Stuff, which may be worth a read, listen, watch, or scroll on.
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APMEX https://www.apmex.com Bitcoin https://www.bitcoin.com/
Prices pulled last evening. Gold $4,549.88. Silver $79.59. Bitcoin $87,345.
Bitcoin seems to be alternately trending down and doldrums, for a couple months.
More metal talk, further below.
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American Stories. (A series)
The White House Salute to America 250 Task Force has partnered with Hillsdale College to provide a history series that tells the remarkable story of American Independence.
It will highlight the stories of the crucial characters and events that resulted in a small rag-tag army defeating the mightiest empire in the world and establishing the greatest republic ever to exist.
This is the story of America. This is our shared heritage and our proud destiny that will continue to lead us to unimaginable achievements in the centuries to come.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/america250
The Story of America: The King’s Call to Arms
14:53
Speaking of America’s 25oth Birthday…
Freedom 250 to Launch America’s Semiquincentennial Celebrations with New Year’s Eve Illumination of Washington Monument
A six-night projection-mapping spectacle will transform the Washington Monument into a luminous canvas beginning on New Year’s Eve, launching the official national celebration of America’s 250th anniversary with a striking visual tribute to the nation’s story.
The commemorative event kicks off December 31, 2025, with a midnight countdown illuminating the Monument as a towering 250-foot birthday candle — symbolically marking the start of the United States’ semiquincentennial year. From December 31 through January 5, nightly displays will project a sweeping visual narrative onto the Monument, highlighting key moments in American history — from discovery and independence to unity and future innovation.
Standing over 555 feet tall, the Washington Monument will serve as a symbolic centerpiece reflecting both national heritage and future promise.
The experience is open to the public and free of charge, with viewing available across the National Mall. Projections begin at 7:00 p.m. Eastern each night, with extended hours on New Year’s Eve until 12:06 a.m.
More…
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Articles.
Slow Guy has no dog in the fight here.
Metal “Owners” have a piece of paper, that says they own gold or silver. Physical metal supposedly held by some company. Latter promises to deliver physical gold and silver on demand. (Yea, pull my finger.)
I find this crap interesting, perhaps hilarious. As Both gold AND Silver are seriously on a rocket nearly vertical.
Chiefio.
A bit on Finance & Economics
Gold & Silver have been on a bit of a rocket ride. I’ve been doing well, though a bit stressed over holding the position over the holiday market shutdowns. As a classic Short Squeeze, this WILL end badly… for someone. Hopefully not me 😉 Rumor is that several Name Banks decided to close out their short position which is why silver rapidly jumped from $60/oz to close over $72/oz. I think I bought in at about $50/oz.? as a rough average.
When will the short squeeze end? Don’t know. Several nations have shut off silver export, most notably China (who refines most of it). A few manufacturers have bought up all the physical they can (mostly solar panel makers that use a fair amount, and semiconductor makers like Samsung). COMEX has had a huge number of contracts not “roll over” but ask for physical at settlement – so the vaults are getting low. London Metals Exchange is rumored to be nearly out of metal and scrounging. We’ve used more than is mined each year for 5 years now…
Between a lot more demand by Gang Green Dreams, and inadequate supply, along with major players willing to work The Squeeze: I don’t see a quick end. There just isn’t the physical metal above ground to fill all the holes.
At some point, price will simply lock up the market. (It eventually becomes cheaper to NOT make solar panels and jewlery and electronics that will be sold at a loss due to the cost of the embedded silver…). I’m going to hold tight until mid January then evaluate again.
The USA economy is growing at over 4% (a lot of it medical care / expenses / insurance; but a lot not) while the UK & EU are shrinking and Russia is “off line” relative to The West. China is having ongoing deflation problems with continued real estate massive problems. Japan is doing OK, but with rising interest rates and a likely unwind of the Yen Carry Trade.
Overall, I continue to see the $US as “the best whore in the whore house” so not doing a lot to move into any other major currency (using Gold and Silver instead as an alternative store of value). So probably about a Break Even mix in real terms.
A Lot will hang on a few unknowns. Will Europe succeed in starting a Hot War with Russia? Will that then pull in the USA? How fast will the EU Economy collapse? (in progress now…). Will Right Wing Parties gain power in Europe? (They are leading in polls in many countries, but parliamentary maneuvers have been keeping them out of positions of authority). This will eventually change, but when?
So I’m just rigging for Rough Times and avoiding most risky things. The exception being riding the rocket ride in precious metals, and a few AI stocks. Yes, eventually it will crash, so get out on a 10%+ downturn, but don’t get off the rocket before the motor burns out 😉
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More Chiefio. (Yea. I find Chiefio interesting. ht Gail)
Blunt honesty below, is Both Refreshing AND to damn funny.
Europe & UK vs Russia & The BRICS+
The EU has decided to add more nails to their coffin. Promising to float a €90 Billion loan to Ukraine guaranteed by the EU Budget. To be repaid from non-existent “Russian Reparations” that will never exist as Russia is busy winning this war. So with no repayment possible, and with NO “maturity date” (‘when Russia loses’) just who would buy the bonds? Hmmm? WITH LUCK, nobody and the scheme will fail.
What it will do, IF any bonds are sold and money delivered: It will assure that the EU will fight tooth and nail to assure that the Ukraine War never ends in peace, since then no reparations will arrive and they will be on the hook for all the money. Perhaps that was the goal?…
The Ukraine Army continues to have Great Victories… every one closer to Kiev and with fewer soldiers left in their Army and less land under their control. /sarc;
Perhaps someday folks in the EU & UK can discover the joys of Reality Awareness and the vast improvement in the quality of decisions made when using facts based in reality rather than fantasies based in “The Narrative”…
/snark;
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Seems the second oil tanker boarded, is Chinee owned. Ship AND oil. Popcorn please.
China
The USA has decided Piracy is the way to go, so stolen a Panamanian flagged Chinese owned oil tanker full of Chinese owned oil leaving Venezuela. Watch This Space for how China retaliates. They WILL retaliate. The only question is “Will anyone notice the poison put in your drink?”… or slipped into your electronics, or your banking system…
I’ve never understood the tendency for the USA to talk openly about wanting to start a war with China over Taiwan; set up blockades; damage their economy. Just stupid to telegraph your plans and fantasies.
China has already started to require various kinds of licensing and export controls on all sorts of metals needed by The West (and thus the USA). They have already moved a huge part of their trade onto their own clearance system in Yuan / Renminbi blinding The West to that data flow, protecting it from “sanctions” and reducing demand for $US and indirectly €Euros. Way to go Western Idiots In Charge.
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WHO KNEW? Not Slow Guy.
Dan left part of his commercial empire intact. Ready to go, or so I’d guess, as he transitions from FIB into the real world in a few weeks.
Dan knew there IS life after, FIB.
Interesting times we live.
Bongino Report:
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Surely hope zero US tax dollars funneled to Israel, are used to build Israel defense industry.
Israel Announces $110 Billion Plan to Build Independent Arms Industry — ‘Reduce Dependency on Allies’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Wednesday that Israel will invest roughly $110 billion over the next decade to build an independent domestic arms industry, declaring that the Jewish state must “reduce the dependency on any party, including allies,” after repeated weapons restrictions imposed during wartime.
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for Israeli Air Force pilots, Netanyahu said he approved, together with the defense and finance ministers, a NIS 350 billion (about $110 billion) multi-year plan aimed at ensuring Israel can arm itself independently while maintaining its battlefield edge.
“We will continue to acquire essential supplies while independently arming ourselves,” Netanyahu said. “I don’t know if a country can be completely independent, but we will strive to ensure our arms are produced as much as possible in Israel.”
“Our goal,” he added, “is to build an independent arms industry for the State of Israel and reduce the dependency on any party, including allies.”
https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/2003845162305196365
More…
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Really? I’d have never guessed the below headline. Details lacking at the link.
Exclusive — Scott Jennings: It Has Been Evident ‘Since Lincoln’ That We Need Greenland
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Big “DinDuNuffin” Fani, sure to COP an attitude over this….
Truthfully, I lost count with Big Fani’s legal problems. This may be new or a rehash.
Fani Willis Hit With Explosive New Allegations Tied to MASSIVE Democrat Money Laundering Scheme
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/12/fani-willis-hit-explosive-new-allegations-tied-massive/—
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On the lighter side.
Watch: Comedian Kill Tony Roasts ‘Sh*thole’ San Francisco, Somalis; Tells His Favorite Trump Joke, Names His Biggest Political Loser of 2025
The All-In podcast hosted a wonderful Christmas season event featuring comedian Tony Hinchcliffe with the hosts and guest presenting their “Bestie” awards, and a “Kill Tony” special.
The podcast, hosted by multi-millionaire venture capitalists David Sacks, David Friedberg, and Jason Calacanis, brought on Hinchcliffe to replace Chamath Palihapitiya, who was unable to make the show that night. And Hinchcliffe came out swinging in a fantastic roast of the billionaire hosts.
Hinchcliffe first took aim at the “shithole” San Francisco after taking the stage.
“You guys live here in San Francisco?” he asked the audience. “What. A. Shithole,” he added.
He went on to joke that San Francisco is “actually worse than a shithole” because it would be good to have an actual shithole to put all the shit that is covering the streets into. He then insisted that “a shithole would be an actual upgrade.”
But it wasn’t always a shithole. He went on saying, “It used to be so beautiful here. Do you guys remember the intro to Full House? The house is still full because 23 Somalians live in it now.”
More
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Good news department…
Here Are Some New Trump Tax Breaks That Could Give Republicans an Advantage in the 2026 Midterm Elections
Several new tax breaks were signed into law this year by President Donald Trump that could help spark an economic boom, and with it, a Republican victory in the upcoming midterms.
These new rules were enacted through the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which the commander-in-chief heavily lobbied for, and will be available to people filing their taxes from 2026-2028.
First, Trump’s proposal of no tax on tips and overtime is sure to provide economic relief. The maximum deduction for tips is now $25,000, and the maximum deduction for overtime will be $12,500.
This will likely be very popular with middle-class earners. Nurses, trade workers, service industry employees, and others whose votes are crucial to Republican success will have more money in their pockets.
Another important voting bloc is seniors over 65, especially those who are in need of financial assistance. They are also set to benefit from the new deductions.
“Effective for 2025 through 2028, individuals who are age 65 and older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000,” the IRS website reads. “This new deduction is in addition to the current additional standard deduction for seniors under existing law.”
WATCH: The Trump tax cuts set to take effect next year could tip the scales for Republicans in the midterm elections.
More…
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Stumbled on this. A couple minutes in. Interesting. WILL finish watching, shortly.
Non-Gunpowder Weapons on Amazon So Deadly They Rival Real Guns in Power and Penetration
27:41.
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Toby Keith Saturday
Beer For My Horses
Should’ve Been A Cowboy
Red Solo Cup
Night crew, your nickel.
KK