STATUS REPORT: Things Continue to Heat Up Along With Summer Temperatures

Every week we provide insight on events as they develop and transpire across America. In these unprecedented times, it’s difficult to grasp the complexity of everything that’s going on. We are not a news agency and make no claims to be experts on the topics discussed. What is absolutely certain is we are investing time to research information with a quest for truth using facts, logic, and some common sense thrown in.

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COVID-19

The spreading of COVID-19 continues with the number of cases and deaths worldwide increasing daily.

Here are the numbers as of July 30th, 2020:

Global Confirmed Cases: 17,067,754

Global Deaths: 667,935

Global Recoveries: 9,995,227

US Confirmed Cases: 4,447,648

US Deaths: 151,077

US Recoveries: 1,389,425

US Active Cases: 2,907,146

• Deaths in the U.S. from coronavirus continues upward and the country leads the globe in the number of cases and fatalities.
• Florida: After seeing 10,000 new cases a day become the norm across the state in July, many of those on the frontlines are frustrated with the apparent inability of local, state, and federal governments to coordinate an adequate response. They are equally aghast with what appears to be the reluctance or refusal of many Floridians to honor safety precautions to stop the spread of coronavirus.
• Rep. Louie Gohmert — a Texas Republican who has been walking around the Capitol without a mask — has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to multiple sources.
• Douglas Marks, 29, was arrested Tuesday on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, use of a firearm to commit a felony and discharging a firearm in public. He fired a gun in a hotel due to people not social distancing.
• Herman Cain — the maverick American business czar and Republican presidential candidate who campaigned for a sweeping tax reform plan called 9-9-9 — died Thursday morning after a monthlong battle with the coronavirus. He was 74.

Commentary: COVID-19 continues to be a force to reckon with. Despite conspiracy theories on how the virus originated and early reports of inflated lethality rates – people are dying daily from the disease. Herman Cain’s death is significant as he is likely the highest-profile victim. COVID is dangerous to millions of Americans, and not so to millions more. We will continue to see the death’s climb and as a result, the impact to our personal freedom and economic viability will be impacted. In many cases, actions taken are purely for optics and publicity rather than true effectiveness.

PROTESTING/RIOTING/CIVIL UNREST

• New York: Protests appear to be diminishing, however, in some areas they remain violent and destructive. If the spike in shootings isn’t keeping NYPD commissioner Shea up at night, the protesters must be. A group of demonstrators shined lights and blared sirens at the top cop’s W. 73rd Street home at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, according to a video posted to social media.
• Portland: Federal and Oregon state officials have developed a plan to cooperate on securing the Portland federal courthouse from rioters, however differences regarding the deployment of federal law enforcement remain. Portland has seen nightly riots since the death of George Floyd. Rioters have consistently targeted the federal courthouse in Portland, attacking federal law enforcement with various weapons including Molotov cocktails, and in some cases blinding officers with lasers.
• Minneapolis: Police say a man captured on surveillance video breaking windows at an auto parts store is a Hell’s Angels member who was bent on stirring up social unrest.
• Another night of rioting and lawlessness exploded in more than half a dozen U.S. cities Saturday night — with the mayhem including damage to federal buildings, local police precincts, and a fatal shooting in Austin, Texas.
• A growing number of Washinton Elite believe that the rioting, ad much of the protests, would disappear if Trump would resign as President.

Commentary: While the overall numbers of protesting have decreased, there are still pockets of civil unrest and violence in many areas. Liberal cities are the primary areas of concentration where frequently lawlessness is being allowed to occur. It has been mentioned in previous installments the new normal will see protests and riots flare up with little provocation.

ECONOMY

The Coronavirus pandemic continues to be directed affecting the economy. Businesses across the nation have closed….and many are still closing. Businesses of all sizes are included as manufacturing plants down to small mom & pop shops feel the effect. With the rise of cases, limits on the number of people allowed in the business, and mandated masks increase ultimately businesses suffer.

• “While the USPS is able to fund its operating expenses without additional borrowing at this time, we are pleased to have reached an agreement on the material terms and conditions of a loan, should the need arise,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in a statement.  10 billion dollars.
• The U.S. economy suffered its worst period ever in the second quarter, with GDP falling a historic 32.9%.
• The number of Americans who filed new claims for unemployment benefits last week totaled 1.434 million, the Labor Department reported Thursday, roughly in line with expectations, as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage the U.S. economy.
• Food insecurity for U.S. households last week reached its highest reported level since the Census Bureau started tracking the data in May, with almost 30 million Americans reporting that they’d not had enough to eat at some point in the seven days through July 21.

Commentary: The economy is in serious trouble. The amount of money that has been removed from the economy is massive – and much of it is permanent. The Fed has helped keep the economy going and will continue to do so. There is much talk of more stimulus going to the American people. While the Conservative, free-market person in me disagrees with the premise, I believe that is all that is keeping us from teetering over the edge. I am looking for a few years at most to prepare for the eventual crash into the abyss.

POLITICS/WORLD EVENTS

Much of the divide that is present in the nation is directly correlated to the divisive political environment currently in existence. Beyond healthy debate or even normal agenda-driven bias, the level of aggressive and purposely damaging action taken by Progressive politicians and groups is at an all-time high.

• China’s English language state-run Global Times, which often serves as an unofficial foreign policy arm of Beijing signaling the communist government’s intent and messages to the West, has issued a new article along with tweets saying the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) stands ready to ‘retaliate’ amid rumors the US could launch attacks on Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
• The Trump administration has reiterated its support for a short-term extension on federal unemployment benefits, as well as a moratorium on evictions. Unemployment benefits will lapse at the end of the month, while the federal moratorium on evictions expired on July 24.
• Gold and silver continue to climb upwards as it becomes obvious the economy is in serious, longterm trouble.
• Last week, the head of the U.S.’s newest military branch, the Space Force, cautioned publicly for the first time that Moscow had undertaken at least two concerning anti-satellite weapon tests in recent months, in a potential bid to develop on-orbit efficiency that could dangerously hinder the U.S.’s heavy dependency on space-based systems.
• President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested delaying the November election until ‘people can properly, securely and safely vote.’
• House Speaker Nancy Pelosi mandated the wearing of face masks in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Commentary: Nothing surprising here. The political division continues to grow and the pathetic display by many in Congress to push agendas rather than effective solutions.  One example is related to the COVID stimulus. Many people could be going back to work, however, they have been making more money sitting at home than working due to the $600 per week Federal stipend. It has now ended and one side wants to minimize the weekly amount while the other side wishes to maximize it – and continue to provide an incentive to NOT work.

Insanity. It will continue.

The unpredictability of these times is maddening. It’s like trying to find Waldo while on a roller coaster doing multiple loops at 90mph. It’s an effort in futility. I suspect this will continue for months and it will be months before we realize the true effect all of this will have on our daily lives – and our future.

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Stay safe.

Rourke

(HINT……..September 1st)

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