Greetings from Tyler,
Nobody knows quite what to make of the situation in Russia. You know the stories, but it appears that Putin has had to negotiate with Prigozhin through Lukashenko of Belarus to get the column to turn aroun , and the backstory may be more complicated than we’ll ever know. The Wagner Group is apparently a for profit paramilitary organization that has fought for Russia all over the Middle East. But it reportedly operates independently from the Russian military. The Wagner Group figured heavily in the war in Ukraine, but is being disbanded. Apparently that’s part of the agreement that was reached to call off the march to Moscow, where the Wagner Group says it was well received by the Russian public along the way. Strange as it may sound to us, the Group gets hardware and vehicles from the Russian military, but is otherwise not directed. The claim is that Ukraine is viewing the fracas with near glee, believing that Putin is getting what he deserves for having invaded Ukraine in the first place.
Prigozhin was apparently angry that his men were being shelled in Ukraine. He reportedly goes on publicly criticizing the Russian military (particularly the Minister of Defense, who he says has never held a gun) and Putin himself. It comes as news that you can publicly criticize Putin and live to tell about it. There’s all kinds of speculation that Prigozhin might not. Putin has a long memory, and those who’ve crossed him in the past have not fared well.
We’re getting drowned in evidence of probable bribery, along with some suspicious decisions that have been made along the way. The shell companies and complicated transfers only bamboozle people who aren’t looking. If it gets tracked down, it could be bad. The grifters had to know that, and accepted the risk anyway. Glenn Beck couched it as our birthright being sold, and likened it to the Old Testament story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob. According to him, we’re worth about 33 cents per person.
When everything is based on “fairness and equity,” and the idiots in charge are going to abuse us for the planet’s sake, all bets are off. Some are beginning to speculate that the big guy will have to resign soon. So much has entered the public’s bloodstream, the mainstream may not be able to keep a lid on it. But the insurance policy is intact, not that it would make much difference.
The deep state is willing to pursue Trump to the ends of the earth. They’ve got more charges, and they’re very serious. It looks like death by a thousand cuts. New and interesting legal theories are being hatched. They’ve just got to get rid of this guy. We’d hate to see his lawyer fees. They’re coming from all directions, alleging all manner of misbehavior. They tell you what he’s done, and then play some leaked tape to prove it. But it doesn’t. Who approved the leaking of evidence in the first place? They can’t believe that he has a “cult” following. Anyone who wants to save and make great this dastardly place must be eliminated! But the road behind is littered with the remains of those who have tried to bring Trump down. Maybe this time… Nah.
They can’t give Bud Light away. What did they think was going to happen? Makes you wonder if anybody who knew of plans for the Dylan Mulvaney advertising campaign was betting the stock would plummet. Who knew that beer drinkers would react this way upon seeing the “influencer”? It influenced a lot of people to buy some other beer.
We’ve been overwhelmed with all the “pride” nonsense. Who gets to decide to what cause a month is dedicated? It’s just noise, and we refuse to acknowledge it. Dylan Muvaney, skipping around and acting like a little girl didn’t amuse the beer-buying public. But they had to know this was going to happen, didn’t they? Did nobody on the inside buy puts on the futures market? If they did, they’re rich.
Some companies are so dedicated to whatever cause, that they don’t mind losing money. But they better not tell the stockholders. Maybe it’s ESG scores, maybe it’s insanity, but here it comes. Some are doubling down, saying they’d do whatever cost them business again. The very definition of insanity. As for us, we’d just as soon not get burned up with all the weirdos.
Mark
