Odds and Ends: November 2024

- Things do not change; things are made to happen.

- John F. Kennedy (we always remember 22cd. Nov. 1963). 

Market...

...is a go since election day. The three indexes pushed new highs. In addition, the seasonal Santa Clause rally gets underway on Black Friday. The metals and oil both bounced from lows, and yet, King $Dollar is at highs. This is disharmony. Our indicators are indecisive. The only indication of caution in the charts shows all three indexes have gaps. If they get filled, the market drops. 

Geo-political...

...is all bad. Kim Jong, who can't spell thermonuclear, but says, "The US is pushing us in that direction." It gets worse as North Korea has sent weapons and troops to its Communist alley, Russia in the war in Ukraine. We said in our last piece that Europe had better start spending on defense. We do not like being right on such topics, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. We also read this:

China's 4 Red Lines:

In a mesage to Trump, Xi plays his cards on the table. It is the same hand that he displayed to the last three presidents-Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China's path for success and to allow a nation to seek its own development. Later, he added that the global community should return to free trade.

We say, we have addressed Taiwan in an earlier piece. The truth behind the demand for the island lays in the point that those who opposed communism escaped to it. The communists want to complete their victory of 1949. Their party does not allow any other considerations, whether right or wrong. We can see this point front and center in Hong Kong. Another headline reads, "Hong Kong Jails 45 Pro-Democracy Activists." If the communists way is the best, then why can't the party allow other voices? We pray for Jimmy Lai. Trump says that he will get him out of jail. We can only hope. 

China's path for success gets the clarification with the additional message of free trade. There is no such thing as free trade and China is the worst violator in global trading. They use laws, currency manipulation and lending practices to ensure companies can meet export targets. The last point is appease a new alley to the BRICS, Iran. The nation like North Korea seeks to develop weapons of mass destruction. These points are tension forming. The US will never accept them. Then, Xi rolls out intimidation while claiming to seek peace. The Dongfeng or east wind missile is pointed at America. 

World Court

at the Hague issued a warrant for the arrest of Prime Minister, Netanyahu for committing a new weapon to war, starvation. He plays the black card, anti-semitism. Just like the communist party, everyone else is wrong and I'm right! In the same week, the US disgraced itself by vetoing a cease-fire call in the Middle East at the UN.

Thanksgiving Day

It will be hard to count blessings at the table on this great holiday, but remember, He is above politics and nations. Peace.