Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Iran-China Rail Link

This is going to be interesting. Iran has another route in which to secure supplies, food, ammunition. An ocean/sea/straits can do little (none) to blockade an overland route by rail. From what I have read, it appears China has electrified the route. Electricity powered trains would be more efficient smf ;ess endangered by the US, […]

Data Centers and Water

Not sure why. They are building in Arizona. I would think Arizona would be one of the last places to build a data center as water is not abundant, There are water issues here. Surface water is drying up. It’s no secret Arizona is worrying about its water. The Colorado River is drying up, in part due […]

politics and the economy . . .

A rundown of the politics and the economy . . . April 28, 2026 Letters from an American Prof. Heather Cox Richardson There is a frenzied feeling to the news coming from the White House these days. Yesterday, the administration tried to blame Democrats and the media for the incident at the White House Correspondents’ […]

A Sign of Things to Come Before the Next Election – Virginia

This appears to be a 10 to 1 redistricting effort by Dems over Repubs (Virginia) which makes it a bit unusual . . . my opinion. It appears to be a bit much. But then it may be needed and legal for it to be accomplished. Similar although not as severe may be occurring in […]

Maybe Lower Oil Costs?

Having greater oil reserves gives the UAE leverage to strike out on its own. The UAE nation has not been supplying more oil due to imposed restrictions by Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries who act as one exporting group. Or simply stating there is more capacity than demand. And OPEC wishes to keep oil […]

Updating the long leading indicators: money and credit, plus overall review

– by New Deal democrat In the past week, I have been updating my suite of long leading indicators. First I looked at “real” consumer-focused indicators. Then I looked at housing, an important interface between consumers and producers, as well as corporate profits. Next I updated interest rate indicators. I this final installment I will […]

More on Oil

Brief review on the Oil Situation created by Trump and the US. Another week of consequential developments, including a potential new chair at the Fed and more war delivering higher prices. “Who’d a Thunk It? We’re Bogged Down In a Middle-East War,” Jared Berstein substack It has long been clear to me that Trump views […]

Teaching Iran a Lesson

I subscribe to a Dean Baker site. Typically, he is on the economic side of information. This commentary has a little bit of both economics and politics. What to do with Iran when the president is Trump. The rest of the world teeters economically for every action Trump takes. “Trump’s Ignorance Could Kill Millions” Patreon […]

Europe, Ukraine, and Iran; and Trump’s impaired emotional/cognitive relationship to negative consequences

This is a speculative post.  I don’t have any expertise in foreign policy.  I just want to clarify my own thinking, and posting is a way to force myself to do this.  So caveat lector, and let’s see what you all have to add. European leaders seem increasingly willing to criticize Trump.  Here is Bloomberg: […]