Dispatch - August 8

 It has been a couple of good weeks for Democrats, and democracy. Tim Walz, having landed a standing eight-count type blow against the would-be Evil Empire with one word, now finds himself as the VP candidate in a suddenly reanimated Democratic campaign. He seems like a good guy, and a good pick, balancing the ticket much like Kamala Harris did in 2020. #LFG

Meanwhile, TFG and his feckless VP selection are foundering to the point where he had to call a press conference at his house, beg for more debates in an effort to remain relevant,  and just generally act, well,  like this .

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi watches and smiles ever so slightly...

https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/nancy-pelosis-art-of-power

Dispatch - 7 August

While blogs have traditionally been about immediacy, I have generally been about deliberation and taking my time. Things happen, I process them and come to a conclusion.

Some things have happened over the past couple of days. The Nikkei went slightly haywire at the end of last week, sending a shudder through all the global markets. Apparently, this may have been caused by a hedge fund trade using borrowed yen to buy US securities. Leave it to the quants to blow things up.

This turn of events caused me to make sure my exit strategies were in order on Monday morning. Fidelity's stop limit trades are not great, but I got through it only slightly scathed. The markets bounced back yesterday and continue today:

Lesson learned. Still not sure about the longer term. The Fed will tell the tale next month.

I also started doing some volunteer work for the Boys & Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley - BGC-LNV in parlance - serving on a technology subcomittee. Looking forward to it.