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Frank Fahey: Market News for the Prepared Mind: 7.17-7.24.2017
July 17, 2017
“Chance favors the Prepared Mind.” – Louis Pasteur
“I don’t necessarily agree with everything that I say.” – Marshall McLuhan
“The more injuries you get, the smarter you get.” – Mikhail Baryshnikov
” Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors” – African Proverb
This weekend’s financial headlines were not encouraging – “Summer Swoon?”, “Workers squeezed as inflation outstrips wage growth,” “Dangers of a Record Dow,” and “Stocks Continue their Long and Eerie Ascent.” These alarms are raised on a quarterly basis as the markets reach new heights. Further compounding the concern is the extend period we have gone without a correction.
Successful options traders look at risk first. I have added an additional adjective – “surviving.” There is a camaraderie among market-makers who stood in the pits during the market meltdown in 1987. The survivors share the stories and, most importantly, share the lessons. I learned to always look at my dollar risk first. If I can control risk, rewards should naturally follow. Be wary.
Here is an overview of the US market behavior last week and for 2017:
Data Source: OptionVue8
The VIX close was the lowest since 1993. The July future (VXN7), which goes of the board on the market open on Wednesday, traded as high 13.00. The CBOE history for non-VIX SPX related indexes goes back until 2007-2008. The VXST, VXMT, and VXV each made all-time lows. The VIX closed at an all-time non-holiday low. Two previous lower VIX lows included multiple three day weekends. Three day weekends and holidays all have a negative impact on the VIX.
Here is an overview of last week for the VIX and related products:
Data Source: OptionVue8
All eyes will be on the housing sector. Optimism in the home has been an important factor in consumer confidence levels. Housing starts and permits have not reflected this confidence. The Housing Market Index will be released on Tuesday, while Housing Starts and Building Permits will be released on Wednesday. Both were weaker than expected in April and May. Continued weakness would require analysts to reevaluate the contribution of Housing to Q2 and Q3 GDPs.
It is earnings season! The traditional start of a quarterly earnings season is the earnings announcement by Alcoa (NYSE:AA). This announcement will take place after the market close on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. You do not have to wait until Wednesday to trade significant earnings announcements. Earnings highlights for the coming week include Charles Schwab, Blackrock, Kinder Morgan, Lockheed martin, IBM, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, UnitedHealth, Johnson&Johnson, Morgan Stanley, Qualcomm, WW Grainger, Abbott Labs, eBay, Visa, Intuitive Surgical, Sherwin Williams, Microsoft, Bank of New York Mellon, PPG, Capital one, General Electric, Honeywell, Schlumberger, and Colgate-Palmolive. Confirm the date and time of any company’s earnings announcement before trading any earnings announcement strategy. The most accurate source of this information is the company’s investor relations website.
Advice to stimulate your imagination:
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill
“Always go too far, because that’s where you’ll find the truth” – Albert Camus
“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.” – Marshall McLuhan
“I’ve met enough KGB colonels in my life.” – Garry Kasparov
Monday, July 17:
Economic: Empire State Manufacturing Survey – 8:30.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Earnings:
Tuesday, July 18:
Economic: Import and Export Prices – 8:30, Redbook – 8:55, Housing Market Index – 10:00.
International: Great Britain CPI and PPI – 4:30AM.
Other: Last day of trading for July VIX (VXN7) and associated options.
Earnings:
Wednesday, July 19:
Economic: MBA Mortgage Applications – 7:00, Housing Starts – 8:30, EIA Petroleum Status Report – 10:30.
International Economic: Japan All Industry Index – 1:30AM.
Other: July VIX settles on opening.
Earnings:
Thursday, July 20:
Economic: Weekly Jobless Claims – 8:30, Philadelphia Fed Business Outlook Survey – 8:30, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index – 9:45, Leading Indicators – 10:00, EIA Natural Gas Report – 10:30, Money Supply – 4:30.
International Economic: China Merchandise Trade Balance – 2:00AM, Germany PPI – 2:00Am, Great Britain Retail Sales – 4:30AM.
Other: European Central Bank Announcement – 7:45AM.
Earnings:
Friday, July 21:
Economic: Baker Hughes Rig Count – 1:00.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Earnings:
Monday, July 24:
Economic: PMI Composite Flash – 8:30, Existing Home Sales – 10:00.
International Economic: Germany PMI Composite Flash – 3:30AM, Eurozone Composite Flash – 4:00AM.
Other: Bank of Japan Minutes – 7:50PM.
Earnings:
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Frank Fahey: Market News for the Prepared Mind: 7.10-7.17.2017
July 10, 2017
“Chance favors the Prepared Mind.” – Louis Pasteur
“I don’t necessarily agree with everything that I say.” – Marshall McLuhan
“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.” – Aldous Huxley
“There’s nothing I hate more than nothing. Nothing keeps me up at night. I toss and turn over nothing. Nothing could cause a great big fight.” – Edie Brickell
The shortened trading week was marginally positive. The movement in equity indexes was perhaps better described as less than nothing. Intra-day volatility gave rise to the hope that maybe something would happen in the equity markets. These hopes were dashed with a return to nothing.
Korean ICBMs, stagnant wage growth, no inflation, Central bank interest increasing, great job numbers and nothing happens. Is there anybody out there?
Here is an overview of the US market behavior last week and for 2017:
Data Source: OptionVue8
The VIX continues the theme of nothing. Managed a significant gain on Thursday, yet it ended the week higher by 0.01. The disconnect for the week was a gain in the VIX futures. This disconnect is apparent when the CBOE Short-term Volatility Index (VXST) loss is compared to gains in the longer term CBOE volatility indexes (VXV and VXMT.) This disparity may be an early harbinger of a pause in the bull market. It will be interesting to see if this volatility relationship continues next week.
Here is an overview of last week for the VIX and related products:
Data Source: OptionVue8
The beginning of the week will be spent waiting for Janet Yellen’s testimony before Congress on Wednesday and Thursday. Inflation will take the lead on Friday with the release the Consumer Price Index. A lack of growth in wages and consumer spending could lead policy makers to second guess curtailing economic stimulus.
Earnings will start in earnest this week, with major financial entities reporting at the end of the week, The traditional start of a quarterly earnings season is the earnings announcement by Alcoa (NYSE:AA). This announcement will take place after the market close on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Confirm the date and time of any company’s earnings announcement before trading any earnings announcement strategy. The most accurate source of this information is the company’s investor relations website. Earnings highlights for the coming week include Helen of Troy, WD 40, YUM! Brands, AAR, Pepsico, Fastenal, Delta Air Lines. Wells Fargo, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and PNC Financial Services.
Advice to stimulate your imagination:
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill
“Always go too far, because that’s where you’ll find the truth” – Albert Camus
“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.” – Marshall McLuhan
“If you spend more than 13 minutes analyzing economic and market forecasts, you’ve wasted 10 minutes” Peter Lynch
Monday, July 10:
Economic: Labor Market Condition Index – 10:00, TD Ameritrade IMX – 12:30.
International Economic: Germany Merchandise Trade – 2:00AM.
Other: San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John C. Williams to speak about “Speed Limits and Stall Speeds: Fostering Sustainable Growth in the United States” in Sydney, New South Wales, with audience Q&A – 11:05PM.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
Tuesday, July 11:
Economic: NFIB Small Business Optimism Index – 8:00, Redbook – 8:55, JOLTS – 10:00, Wholesale Trade – 10:00.
International: Japan PPI = 7:50PM.
Other: Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainard to be the keynote speaker at the Conference on Normalizing Central Banks’ Balance Sheets in New York City – 12:30PM, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari will be speaking at a moderated Q&A at the Minnesota Women’s Economic Roundtable event in Minneapolis, with audience Q&A – 1:20PM.
Earnings:
Wednesday, July 12:
Economic: MBA Mortgage Applications – 7:00, Atlanta Fed Business Inflation Expectations – 10:00, EIA Petroleum Status Report – 10:30, Beige Book – 2:00PM.
International Economic: Japan tertiary Index – 12;30AM, Great Britain Labour Market Report – 4:30AM, Eurozone Industrial Production – 5:00AM, China Merchandise Trade Balance – 10:00PM.
Other: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen opening statement for her testimony to the House Financial Services Committee will be released in Washington – 8:30AM, Federal Reserve Chairman Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen will give her semiannual monetary policy testimony before the House Financial Services Committee – 10:00AM, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George to deliver a speech on the economic outlook and the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet in Denver, with audience Q&A – 2:15PM.
Earnings:
Thursday, July 13:
Economic: Weekly Jobless Claims – 8:30, PPI-FD – 8:30, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index – 9:45, EIA Natural Gas Report – 10:30, Money Supply – 4:30.
International Economic: Germany CPI – 2:00, China Producer and Import Price Index – 3:15AM.
Other: Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to testify before the Senate Banking Committee in Washington – 10:00AM, Chicago Federal Reserve Bank President Charles Evans will deliver the keynote address and speak about current economic conditions or monetary policy at the Ninth Annual Rocky Mountain Economic Summit in Victor, Idaho, with audience and media Q&A – 11:30AM,
Earnings:
Friday, July 14:
Economic: Consumer Price Index – 8:30, Retail Sales – 8:30, Industrial Production – 9:15, Business Inventories – 10:00, Consumer Sentiment – 10:00, Baker Hughes Rig Count – 1:00.
International Economic: Eurozone Merchandise Trade – 5:00Am,
Other: Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President Robert Kaplan to speak at a moderated Q&A session at the Conference on the Federal Reserve and monetary policy hosted by the Center for Economic Studies of the Private Sector in Mexico City, with audience and media Q&A – 9:30AM.
Earnings:
Monday, July 17:
Economic: Empire State Manufacturing Survey – 8:30AM
International Economic: No major announcements.
Earnings:
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Frank Fahey: Market News for the Prepared Mind: 7.3-7.10.2017
July 3, 2017
“Chance favors the Prepared Mind.” – Louis Pasteur
“Experienced traders control risk, inexperienced traders chase gains.” – Alan Farley
“You weren’t thinking and you weren’t paying attention, either. People who don’t pay attention often get stuck in the Doldrums.” – Norman Juster
“A free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad.” – Albert Camus
A shortened trading week and a shortened blog.
The story for the first half of the year is very simple. All major world equity markets, except for Canada, were up. For the week, stocks were down in Europe and the U.S., but mixed in Asia.
Here is an overview of the U.S. market behavior last week and for 2017:
Data Source: OptionVue8
The VIX was above 15 for a moment this past week. It reached this level while the S&P 500 flirted with 2400. The start performer for the week was the VXST which was up 18.50% for the week. Generally, the VIX and related products show weakness before a holiday shortened trading week. This past Friday was an aberration.
Here is an overview of last week for the VIX and related products:
It will be a short trading week. U.S. markets will be closed on Tuesday July 4. The abbreviated trading week brings reports on factory orders as well as the Employment Situation. The week includes the release of the minutes of the last Fed meeting. The wild card Will be the meeting G20 industrialized nations starting on Friday in Hamburg, Germany.
This one of the quietest earnings weeks of the year. The traditional start of a quarterly earnings season is the earnings announcement by Alcoa (NYSE:AA). This announcement will take place after the market close on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. Confirm the date and time of any company’s earnings announcement before trading any earnings announcement strategy. The most accurate source of this information is the company’s investor relations website. Earnings highlights for the coming week include International Speedway, Herman Miller and AZZ Inc.
Advice to stimulate your imagination:
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill
“Inflation is the crabgrass in your savings.” – Robert Orben
“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.” – Marshall McLuhan
“If you spend more than 13 minutes analyzing economic and market forecasts, you’ve wasted 10 minutes” Peter Lynch
Monday, July 3:
Economic: Motor Vehicle Sales, Gallup Consumer Spending Measure – 8:30, PMI Manufacturing Index – 9:45, ISM Manufacturing Index – 10:00, Construction Spending – 10:00.
International Economic: Germany PMI Manufacturing – 3:55AM, Eurozone PMI Manufacturing Index – 4:00AM, Eurozone Unemployment Rate – 5:00AM.
Other: St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President James Bullard to deliver the keynote address at the Applications of Behavioural Economics, and Multiple Equilibrium Models to Macroeconomic Policy Conference in London – 4:35Am.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
Tuesday, July 4:
Independence Day – All U.S. Markets Closed
International – Eurozone – PPI – 5:00AM, China – General Service PMI – 9:45.
Wednesday, July 5:
Economic: MBA Mortgage Applications – 7:00, Gallup US Job Creation Index – 8:30, Redbook – 8:55, Factory Orders – 10:00, Gallup US ECI – 2:00.
International Economic: Germany PMI Composite – 3:55AM, Eurozone PMI Composite – 3:55, Eurozone – Retail Sales – 5:00AM,
Other: FOMC Minutes – 2:00.
Earnings:
Thursday, July 6:
Economic: Chain Store Sales, Challenger Job-Cut Report – 7:30. ADP Employment Report – 8:15, International Trade – 8:30, Weekly Jobless Claims – 8:30, Gallup Good Jobs Rate – 8:30, Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index – 9:45, PMI Services Index – 9:45, ISM Non-Manufacturing Index – 10:00, EIA Petroleum Status Report – 11:00, Money Supply – 4:30.
International Economic: Germany Manufacturers’ Orders – 2:00AM. Chia CPI and PPI at 9:30PM on Sunday, July 9.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
Friday, July 7:
Economic: Employment Situation – 8:30, EIA Natural Gas Report – 10:30, Baker Hughes Rig Count – 1:00.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
Monday, July 10:
Economic: Labor Market Condition Index – 10:00, TD Ameritrade IMX – 12:30.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
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Frank Fahey: Market News for the Prepared Mind: 6.26-7.3.2017
June 26, 2017
“Chance favors the Prepared Mind.” – Louis Pasteur
“Experience traders control risk, inexperienced traders chase gains.” – Alan Farley
“You weren’t thinking and you weren’t paying attention either. People who don’t pay attention often get stuck in the Doldrums.” – Norman Juster
“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.” – Auguste Rodin
Most of the market has embraced this past Wednesday’s start of summer. The Dow Jones Industrials and the S&P 500 hovered around unchanged. The SPX was up 0.2%, while the DJIA was up only 0.05%. The tech laden NASDAQ 100 was up 2.14%. The stellar performer for the week was healthcare. This sector was up 3.7% in response to Senate and House healthcare plans that would limit regulation of the sector.
Here is an overview of the US market behavior last week and for 2017:
Data Source: OptionVue8
VIX Futures and associated Indexes were down for the week. The sole exception was the CBOE Short-term Volatility Index (VXST) which show a minuscule gain of 0.60%. CBOE VIX guru Russell Rhoads trades of the week show some traders are still looking for a pop in the VIX. Both trades involved the sale of an out-of-the-money put combined with the purchase of an out-of-the-money call vertical. The first trade was the sale of VIX Jul 26th 10.50 Puts at 0.21, the purchase of VIX Jul 26th 17.00 Calls for 0.54 and the sale of VIX Jul 26th 30.00 Calls at 0.15 which results in a net cost (without commissions) of 0.18. The second trade was The other trade sold the VIX Jul 26th 11.00 Puts at 0.45, purchased the VIX Jul 26th 15 Calls for 0.68, and selling the VIX Jul 26th 30 Calls at 0.09 which results in a cost of 0.14.
I do not know if these trades are speculative or for protection. I use a variant of the strategy to protect my index broke wing iron butterflies against a downside move. This strategy is very common in the VIX pit. The inherent assumption by most of the traders is support between 10.50 and 11.00 for the VIX at expiration settlement.
Here is an overview of last week for the VIX and related products:
Data Source: OptionVue8
The focus for the coming week will focus on economy. The releases of Durable Goods Orders on Monday, International Trade on Wednesday, and Personal Income and Outlays on Friday will help in setting expectations for second quarter GDP. Analysts are interested if the release of Pending Home Sales on Wednesday will show a rebound after two months of reported declines. On Wednesday, President Trump meets with South Korean Prime Minister, Lee Nak-Yon.
It will be an interesting week for earnings. Nike’s announcement is garnering the most interest. Confirm the date and time of any company’s earnings announcement before trading any earnings announcement strategy. The most accurate source of this information is the company’s investor relations website. Earnings highlights include HB Fuller, Factset Research, Darden Restaurants, KB Home, General Mills, Paychex, Monsanto, Nike, Micron Technology, Acuity Brands, Constellation Brands, McCormick &Co, and Conagra Brands.
Advice to stimulate your imagination:
“Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.” – Napoleon Hill
“Inflation is the crabgrass in your savings.” – Robert Orben
“A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.” – Marshall McLuhan
“If you spend more than 13 minutes analyzing economic and market forecasts, you’ve wasted 10 minutes” Peter Lynch
Monday, June 26:
Economic: Durable Goods Orders – 8:30, Chicago Fed National Activity Index – 8:30, Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey – 10:30.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Other: San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John C. Williams to speak about “Speed Limits and Stall Speeds: Fostering Sustainable Growth in the United States” at the University of Sydney in Ultimo, New South Wales, with audience Q&A – 1:10AM
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
Tuesday, June 27:
Economic: Redbook – 8:55, S&P Corelogic Case-Shiller HPI – 9:00, Consumer Confidence – 10:00, Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index – 10:00, State Street Investor Confidence – 10:00.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Other: San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John C. Williams to speak at The Economic Association of Australia, Eminent Speaker Series 2017 on “The Global Growth Slump: Causes and Consequences” in Sydney, New South Wales, with audience Q&A – 4:05AM, Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank President Patrick Harker to speak on the economic outlook and international trade at the European Economics & Financial Centre, Distinguished Speakers Seminar in London, with audience Q&A – 11:15AM, Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank President Neel Kashkari to participate in a townhall in Houghton, Michigan, with audience Q&A – 5:30PM.
Earnings:
Wednesday, June 28:
Economic: MBA Mortgage Applications – 7:00, International Trade in Goods – 8:30, Pending Homes Sales Index – 10:00, EIA Petroleum Status Report – 10:30.
International Economic: Japan Retail Sales – 7:50PM.
Other: San Francisco Federal Reserve Bank President John C. Williams to speak about The Global Growth Slump: Causes and Consequences at the The Economic Association of Australia, Eminent Speaker Series 2017 in Canberra, ACT, with audience Q&A – 3:30AM.
Earnings:
Thursday, June 29:
Economic: GDP – 8:30, Weekly Jobless Claims – 8:30, Corporate Profits – 8:30, EIA Natural Gas Report – 10:30, Money Supply – 4:30.
International Economic: Eurozone Economic Sentiment – 5:00Am, Germany – CPI – 8:00AM, Japan Household Spending, Unemployment Rate & CPI – 7:30PM, Japan Industrial Production – 7:50PM, China CFLP Manufacturing PMI – 9:00PM.
Other: President Trump meets with South Korean Prime Minister, Lee Nak-Yon.
Earnings:
Friday, June 30:
Economic: Personal Income and Outlays – 8:30, Chicago PMI – 9:45, Consumer Sentiment – 10:00, Baker Hughes Rig Count – 1:00.
International Economic: No major announcements.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
Monday, July 3:
Economic: Gallup Consumer Spending Measure – 8:30, PMI Manufacturing Index – 9:45, ISM Manufacturing Index – 10:00, Construction Spending – 10:00.
International Economic: Germany PMI Manufacturing – 3:55AM, Eurozone PMI Manufacturing Index – 4:00AM, Eurozone Unemployment Rate – 5:00AM.
Earnings: None meeting criteria.
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Kevin O’Neill: Who’s In the Mirror?
June 19, 2017
Tom and his Stocks and Jocks guests were discussing the London attacks a few weeks ago when the “why” question was asked. Is it economic circumstances, desperation, or US incursions in the Middle East… or is it something else?
It’s something else. Specifically, these attacks are committed by people who adhere to a rigid ideology and refuse to accept the legitimacy of all others. There is a mindset that goes with labeling others infidels that is well past passionate disagreement. Once one believes that infidels are lesser creatures, once one believes that the spread of Sharia Law is commandment, and once one believes that those who disagree are evil, terrorizing others into capitulation and subjugation becomes a viable tactic.
A recent Islamic State (ISIS) manifesto said, “Even if you were to stop bombing us, imprisoning us, torturing us, vilifying us, and usurping our lands, we would continue to hate you because our primary reason for hating you will not cease to exist until you embrace Islam.”
They hate us
Certainly ISIS claims other grievances, but they ultimately are tied to accepting Islam not only as faith but as law. The manifesto explains why they hate us:
- Because you are disbelievers: “We hate you, first and foremost, because you are disbelievers; you reject the oneness of Allah – whether you realize it or not – by making partners for Him in worship, you blaspheme against Him, claiming that He has a son, you fabricate lies against His prophets and messengers, and you indulge in all manner of devilish practices.”
- Because you are liberal: “We hate you because your secular, liberal societies permit the very things that Allah has prohibited while banning many of the things He has permitted, a matter that doesn’t concern you because you Christian disbelief and paganism 32 separate between religion and state, thereby granting supreme authority to your whims and desires via the legislators you vote into power.”
- Because some of you are atheist: “In the case of the atheist fringe, we hate you and wage war against you because you disbelieve in the existence of your Lord and Creator.”
- For your crimes against Islam: “We hate you for your crimes against Islam and wage war against you to punish you for your transgressions against our religion.”
- For your crimes against Muslims: “We hate you for your crimes against the Muslims; your drones and fighter jets bomb, kill, and maim our people around the world, and your puppets in the usurped lands of the Muslims oppress, torture, and wage war against anyone who calls to the truth.”
- For invading our lands: “We hate you for invading our lands and fight you to repel you and drive you out. As long as there is an inch of territory left for us to reclaim, jihad will continue to be a personal obligation on every single Muslim.”
This brings me to my point.
Are we any different?
How does tolerance for different ways of thinking in the 2017 United States of America compare to the above? Do we debate, or do we demonize?
I am not asking about the idiot fringe on both the left and the right. I’m asking about the political mainstream – politicians, television and radio pundits, and other high profile people who influence how the masses think.
Compare the following statements, and explain the difference in tolerance.
“Allah does not love the infidels. … They are the residents of Hell, and will there forever abide.” – Sheikh Abdar Razaq Afifi, deputy president of the Department of Guidance and a member of the Board of Great Ulema of Saudi Arabia.
“Republicans don’t believe in the imagination, partly because so few of them have one, but mostly because it gets in the way of their chosen work, which is to destroy the human race and the planet. Human beings, who have imaginations, can see a recipe for disaster in the making; Republicans, whose goal in life is to profit from disaster and who don’t give a hoot about human beings, either can’t or won’t. Which is why I personally think they should be exterminated before they cause any more harm.” — The Village Voice’s Michael Feingold, in a theater review of all places
“At what point do the people tell the politicians to go to hell? At what point do they get off the couch, march down to their state legislator’s house, pull him outside, and beat him to a bloody pulp for being an idiot?” – Talk show host Erick Erickson
How about some demonizing from elected officials?
Every member of Congress knows in his gut what’s in the people’s interest and what’s in K Street’s interest. If you think your real boss is some smug guy in a corner office with his Gucci loafers up on a mahogany deck and not the folks back home, those folks who voted for you, who gave you 25 or 50 hard-earned bucks, who put up yard signs and made calls for you, you deserve to lose. Shame on you, you shouldn’t just be fired, you should be tarred and feathered as the original tea partiers would have done. That’s my view and I welcome yours. – Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
“That Scott down there that’s running for governor of Florida. Instead of running for governor of Florida, they ought to have him and shoot him. Put him against the wall and shoot him. He stole billions of dollars from the United States government and he’s running for governor of Florida. He’s a millionaire and a billionaire. He’s no hero. He’s a damn crook. It’s just we don’t prosecute big crooks.” — Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-Pa
“You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables, right,” Clinton said. “The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic—you name it; and unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up.” — Former Secretary Clinton at an LGBTQI fundraiser.
Lock her up, Crooked Hillary, Lying Ted Cruz, Little Marco…
“The Republicans’ plan boils down to this: Dirtier air, dirtier water, less people with health insurance.” – Barack Obama
“As your governor, you’re going to be seeing a lot of me on the front page, saying ‘Governor LePage tells Obama to go to hell.”‘ — Maine Republican gubernatorial candidate Paul LePage
“Well, in addition to the NRA, the health insurance companies, the drug companies, the Iranians… Probably the Republicans.” Hillary Clinton, remarking on the enemies she is most proud to have made.
“If Hillary Clinton can’t satisfy her husband what makes her think she can satisfy America?” – retweeted from Donald Trump’s Twitter account (later blamed on a campaign)
It isn’t much of a leap to, as ISIS does, call for violence. I’ll bet it’s more mainstream than you think.
“A spoiled child (Bush) is telling us our Social Security isn’t safe anymore, so he is going to fix it for us. Well, here’s your answer, you ungrateful whelp: (audio sound of 4 gunshots being fired.) Just try it, you little b*stard. (audio of gun being cocked).” — A “humor bit” from the Randi Rhodes Show
“You have got to say no to this, and if they push this through, you need to riot in the streets. You need to riot in the streets. Our country was built on revolution and it’s about time we took it back. These people are dangerous. It’s about time to put an end to this leftist control of this country, and if a revolution is what it takes, damn it, then that’s what it’s going to take, because liberty will not be denied.” – Radio host Jim Quinn
“You guys see Live and Let Die, the great Bond film with Yaphet Kotto as the bad guy, Mr. Big? In the end they jam a big CO2 pellet in his face and he blew up. I have to tell you, Rush Limbaugh is looking more and more like Mr. Big, and at some point somebody’s going to jam a CO2 pellet into his head and he’s going to explode like a giant blimp. That day may come. Not yet. But we’ll be there to watch. I think he’s Mr. Big, I think Yaphet Kotto. Are you watching, Rush?” — Chris Matthews
“Violent protesters who shut down free speech? Time for another Kent State perhaps. One bullet stops a lot of thuggery,” — Marquette County MI GOP secretary Dan Adamini
“This is absolutely outrageous,” the group tweeted sarcastically, linking to the story. “House Republicans should NOT be shot! They should be guillotined.” — The Young Democratic Socialists at the University of Georgia, responding to a professor’s comment that Republicans “should be lined up and shot.”
“The vast right-wing conspiracy blame has been undermined by her [Clinton’s] evasions, by her outright lies, if I may say, by her pandering, by her race-baiting, and now we have what some are reading as a suggestion that somebody knock off Osama – Obama – well, both if we could.” — Fox News contributor Liz Trotta
“If I had my way, I would see Katherine Harris and Ken Blackwell strapped down to electric chairs and lit up like Christmas trees. The better to light the way for American Democracy and American Freedom!” — Democratic Talk Radio’s Stephen Crockett
“Go to your Congressman’s office and scream at him in the most colorful language possible. Hang him in effigy at protests. If you’re willing to do the time for the crime, have a swing at him.” Washington Examiner contributor Bob Owens
“Or pick up a baseball bat and take out every f*cking republican and independent I see. #f*cktrump, #f*cktheGOP, #f*ckstraightwhiteamerica, #f*ckyourprivilege.” — Orange is the New Black star Lea DeLaria responding to a meme about using music to deal with violence
“I think they should be allowed to build it followed by the hijacking of an Iranian plane right into that building and blow it to smithereens.” — Denver Post columnist Mike Rosen regarding the proposed Islamic community center in Manhattan
When demonizing isn’t enough
Islamist propaganda goes beyond calling infidels evil. They are dehumanized – vile animals and beasts, perverted transgressors and partners of Satan to be fought until religion is Allah’s alone. We Americans never would stoop that low, would we? Would we? Of course we would. In fact, dehumanizing political opposition is fashionable in some circles.
O&A: “Condoleezza Rice”
Charlie: “I’d love to f— that b*tch dude” (laughter). “She’s the F—in man”
O&A: “yeah”
Charlie “I’d F…that b*tch.”
O&A: “I just imagine the horror in Condoleezza Rice’s face…” (laughter) “as she realizes what’s going on as you were just holding her down and F’n her.”
Charlie: “Punch her all the F’n face, shut the F— up b*tch”
O&A: “That’s exactly what I meant” (laughter in background)
Charlie: “You know F— it …. and George Bush wife? I’d F— that b*tch to death” — “Shock Jocks” Opie & Anthony talk rape & violence with their guest “Homeless Charlie.”
Ted Nugent can make a greatest hits album of his ugly comments – He has called President Obama a “piece of shit” and a “subhuman mongrel” He called Hillary Clinton a “worthless bitch” and called for her to “ride one of these (guns) into the sunset.” He told Obama to “suck on my machine gun.”
“Violence solves nothing. I want a rhino to f*ck @SpeakerRyan to death with its horn because it’s FUNNY, not because he’s a #GOPmurderbro.” – Jos Whedon
“I went down this morning to sign up my Dog for welfare. At first the lady said, ‘Dogs are not eligible to draw welfare’. So I explained to her that my Dog is black, unemployed, lazy, can’t speak English and has no frigging clue who his Daddy is. So she looked in her policy book to see what it takes to qualify… My Dog gets his first check Friday. Is this is a great country or what? — Virginia Beach (Va.) Republican Committee Chairman David Bartholomew
“Sarah Palin needs to have her hair shaved off to a buzz cut, get headf*cked by a big veiny, ashy, black d*ck then be locked in a cupboard.” — Azealia Banks advocating rape
Once the opposition isn’t human, anything said or done is okay. That’s how ISIS members behead infidel mongrels, record the deeds, and put them online to terrorize opposition and delight followers without a second thought. The examples above follow the same dehumanization path. What’s next?
Orthodoxy
When it’s good versus evil, we’re expected to pick a side; and in such a war, there is no room for dissent. Follow orders without question. Shout down the opposition. Ridicule them. Eliminate the Republican Democrat infidel dogs.
Don’t question orthodoxy. ISIS doesn’t tolerate it. In increasing numbers, Americans don’t tolerate it either.
Consider a selection of responses from the left when liberal Rolling Stone writer Matt Taibbi dared to draw the distinction between Russian meddling and the Trump campaign’s collusion.
Here’s a way to evaluate that heuristic: Could you be “an independent voice” and “skeptical of both sides” and still publish 100% bullshit? (Taibbi’s response: Sure. But at least you would know it was my bullshit, and not some party’s talking points.)
btw I’d rather be in sync w/ Dem Party than in sync w/ Fox News talking points abt how Russia investigation is media “hysteria” (Taibbi’s response: Hey, Eric – when was the last time you had an opinion that wasn’t exactly in sync with the Democratic Party?)
Yeah, fuck the Democratic Party and all of its opinions. Let’s try this argument in 2018 and see what happens — is that okay, Matt? (Taibbi’s response: If you’d like your reporters to be mouthpieces for political parties, there are plenty of news outlets that will accommodate you.)
Charles Krauthammer wrote an article called “The Guardrails Can’t Contain Trump” and got these responses and many more like them from fellow conservatives.
What in the world are you talking about? Are you being paid off for outright lies or are just this one-sided you can’t see the truth?
I use to be a fan of yours. You cannot accept @Potus just like the dems. Why dont you give this country a break and let the man #MAGA
We once listened with respect when @krauthammer commented but that was prior to mindlessly impulsive unfair comments made towards @Potus
What exactly is wrong with you?
I find both authors to be honest brokers who, while ideologically driven, offer opinions that they can support with facts. Agree or disagree, they spout no party lines; and for that they are candidates for excommunication from their preferred political parties. Sharyl Attkisson says it well in her soon-to-be released book The Smear.
The trend to censor & silence rather than inform, listen and/or persuade is (in my opinion) damaging to what we’re supposed to be about.
Is it hopeless?
When it comes to politics, Americans should not like what they see in the mirror. Unfortunately only a few have taken a good long look.
Warren Buffett has looked. “I believe in hate the sin, love the sinner, and I also believe in praising by name and criticizing by category.” He went on to say, “I think it’s a mistake to get angry with your, with people that disagree with you. In the end we do have to work together… And it does not help when you demonize or get too violent with the people you’re talking to.”
Ted Nugent has looked, too. “At the tender age of 69, my wife has convinced me that I just can’t use those harsh terms,” he said last week. “I cannot, and I will not; and I encourage even my friends-slash-enemies on the left in the Democrat and liberal world that we have got to be civil to each other. I’m going to take a deep breath and I am going to back it down; and if it gets fiery, if it gets hateful, I’m going away. I’m not going to engage in that kind of hateful rhetoric anymore.”
For my part, I look to the words of Martin Luther King in his famous speech in Washington on August 28, 1963.
But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force.
The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. And they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.
Dr. King led a movement of people who first were enslaved and, though technically free, were oppressed for another century. No leader had more cause to demonize than he, yet he resisted the urge and exhorted his followers to do the same.
Can we heed his words in 2017?
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