Although it had been a feature of elections in some parts of the United States for years, the phenomenon of mail-ballot voting exploded in the 2020 election. In the midst of the COVID pandemic, jurisdictions around the country expanded use of mail voting, sometimes sending ballots to every registered voter. Steps were taken to facilitate… Continue reading Mail Voting and Election Legitimacy
Peace Be with You – Fr. Narciso Irala
Feelings Feeling is a force God gives you for willing and working with greater energy and constancy. But, like steam in a locomotive, it is a chaotic force. If well channeled by reason (with its safety valves and opportune expansion and release), it will be exceedingly useful to you. General Control Do Not Let Feelings… Continue reading Peace Be with You – Fr. Narciso Irala
The First Rocket Launch from Mars Will Start in Midair
Within a decade, a small rover on Mars will pick up samples of rock left by a previous mission. It will then load them into a rocket secured within a small platform on a flat patch of the planet’s surface. Once the rocket’s hatch has closed, the platform will toss it upward on its side,… Continue reading The First Rocket Launch from Mars Will Start in Midair
EU Hits Belarus With New Sanctions As Pentagon Says “No Indication” Its Troops In Ukraine
On Wednesday the European Union approved fresh sanctions on Belarus for its role in facilitating the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which started last Thursday. While from the start there have been conflicting reports over the extent to which Belarus actually has forces or military assets on the ground inside Ukraine, it’s clear that Minsk allowed… Continue reading EU Hits Belarus With New Sanctions As Pentagon Says “No Indication” Its Troops In Ukraine
Market Overview for Week of March 21, 2022
It was another eventful week in markets with the Fed dipping their toes into hawkish water for the first time since 2018, Russia and Ukraine still failing to reach a peace deal or compromise, and insane price action in the Chinese stock market. Before we go over what happened this week and what will happen… Continue reading Market Overview for Week of March 21, 2022
Problems in U.S. Schools, Conflict with Russia, Opioid Trafficking: RAND Weekly Recap
This week, we discuss school district leaders’ concerns about mental health and political polarization; how to bring stability to Russia’s backyard; what satellite images reveal about China’s treatment of the Uyghur people; the final report from the Commission on Combating Synthetic Opioid Trafficking; what the U.S. military can do to prevent civilian casualties; and how… Continue reading Problems in U.S. Schools, Conflict with Russia, Opioid Trafficking: RAND Weekly Recap
His Father Loved Him: A Reflection on the Prodigal Son
This Sunday, the son sees the Father – He had no idea that his father loved him. The awful moment came: The Prodigal Son went and told his father that he had decided to leave. The reason that he wanted to leave his father’s household, and his father’s arms, was to fill the hole in… Continue reading His Father Loved Him: A Reflection on the Prodigal Son
Scientists Watch a Memory Form in a Living Brain
Imagine that while you are enjoying your morning bowl of Cheerios, a spider drops from the ceiling and plops into the milk. Years later, you still can’t get near a bowl of cereal without feeling overcome with disgust. Researchers have now directly observed what happens inside a brain learning that kind of emotionally charged response.… Continue reading Scientists Watch a Memory Form in a Living Brain
McElligott: “Equities Are Exhausting, I Hate To Even Write About Them Now”
After yesterday’s epic rollercoaster in rates, where we first a dual VaR shock, first in the front-end of the curve as eurodollar exploded higher sending rate hike expectations plunging, and then moved to the long end with coupon bond yields crashing, especially in Germany, where the 10Y bund saw the biggest one day drop in… Continue reading McElligott: “Equities Are Exhausting, I Hate To Even Write About Them Now”
The Nickel Short Squeeze: What Happened?
The Russia and Ukraine crisis have created countless second and third-order effects in markets that it’s dizzying. Last week, we saw the nickel market come to a complete halt and shut its doors for over a week in response to a violent short squeeze. In short, Russia is the world’s third largest nickel producer and… Continue reading The Nickel Short Squeeze: What Happened?