Heikki Taimio

Eläkeläinen. PT:n tutkija ja T&Y-lehden toimittaja 2001-2021. Ykkösarvoni on oikeamielisyys ja mottoni ”facts have a well-known liberal bias” (Paul Krugman).

[Branko Milanovic @BrankoMilan]

You cannot say it better than Adam Smith:
"In the courts of princes, in the drawing-rooms of the great, where success depends not upon merit but upon favour, truth is seldom heard. This disposition to admire, and almost to worship, the rich and the powerful… is the great and most universal cause of the corruption of our moral sentiments."
https://t.co/cDpaVeHXO6

[Philipp Heimberger @heimbergecon]

Link to the paper: https://t.co/x9v56D9Z0A

Free-access version: https://t.co/jeZ7Y7jism

[Dean Baker @DeanBaker13]

When the Democrats lose an election, they debate endlessly how they can appeal to more voters. When Republicans lose an election, they think of ways to keep more people from voting.

[Philipp Heimberger @heimbergecon]

Source (Chapter 3): https://t.co/x4VPKlcG5D

[Philipp Heimberger @heimbergecon]

IMF: "only about half of fiscal consolidations achieve their fiscal targets, including debt reduction. A broad range of econometric methods, based on well-established methods in the empirical literature, confirm that fiscal consolidations do not reduce debt ratios, on average."

[Protect Kamala Harris ✊ @DisavowTrump20]

The silence of the generals, by Robert B. Hubbell

The most remarkable aspect of Trump’s speech to the assembled generals and admirals of the US military was the silence.

The generals sat in silence.

They sat in silence as Trump slurred and rambled through a ��speech” that insulted the intelligence, professionalism, and loyalty of the generals.

They sat in silence as Trump attacked their former commander-in-chief, Joe Biden.

They sat in silence as Trump claimed that the military would use U.S. cities as “training grounds” for waging war against American civilians.

They sat in silence as Trump said he would ask the military to fight “the enemy from within.”

They sat in silence as Hegseth said the generals were free to ignore the law of war and international treaties that separate the US military from barbarians and war criminals.

They sat in silence as Trump said that the Navy should “consider the concept of battleship.”

They sat in silence as Trump wondered aloud why the generals sat in silence.

They sat in silence even after Trump pandered for their applause.

Their silence spoke volumes.

In their silence, the generals affirmed their oaths to defend the Constitution.

In their silence, the generals demonstrated their professionalism, discipline, and judgment.

It could have been otherwise. Trump and Hegseth expected it to be so. In their adolescent fantasies, Trump and Hegseth believed the generals would fête them with standing ovations, chanting, “USA! USA! USA!”

Instead, Trump and Hegseth were humiliated as their unhinged, delusional words slapped sharply against the bare walls and fell to the ground, their lunacy heightened by the silence of the generals.

Without the crutch and cover of cheering crowds, Trump’s mental deterioration was laid bare for all to see. Trump told the generals that the city of Portland “looks like a war zone. . . . unless they’re playing false tapes, this looked like World War II.”

Every general who heard Trump say that Portland “looks like a war zone” knew it was a lie and understood that their Commander-in-Chief is so feeble that he is unable to distinguish between reality and “false tapes” replayed on Fox News.

Every general who watched Pete Hegseth’s peurile speech immediately recognized him as one of the posers and video-game warriors that the generals identify as misfits to be counseled out of the military at the first opportunity.

The generals were not impressed by Trump or Hegseth. The generals are sophisticated, successful professionals who have risen to the top (in part) because of their ability to judge people—the good, the bad, and the flakes. They left the meeting understanding exactly who Trump and Hegseth are.

All Americans should take confidence and comfort from the silence of the generals. Their silence was an act of protest—because their silence exhibited loyalty to the Constitution and respect for the Office of the President, rather than for Donald Trump.

Prior to Trump’s meeting with the generals, dozens of readers forwarded Substack and social media posts claiming that Trump would use the occasion to declare martial law. Other readers sent posts claiming that Trump would administer a loyalty oath requiring fealty to Trump. Still others predicted on-the-spot mass firings and public humiliation of generals perceived to be disloyal.

In his final insult, Trump told the generals they looked like they came out of “central casting.” In doing so, he trivialized and demeaned their accomplishments and professionalism, telling them they were nothing more than props for infantile speeches by men who hold the military in contempt.

And so, the generals sat in silence, depriving Trump of the thing he values most--obsequious adulation.

The silence of the generals spoke volumes.

[Adam Cochran (adamscochran.eth) @adamscochran]

It's now been almost 7 days since Trump's last public appearance where he spoke to the press.

That's so long that if he did have a minor vascular event, the bulk of his outward facing symptoms could have recovered.

The fact the press has utterly failed to push on his absence is an absolute failure of the 4th estate at a time when America *NEEDS* transparency.

[Matti Luonuansuu @MLuonuansuu]

Pieni kertaus Suomen luottoluokituksista.

2014 AAA->AA+ Katainen/Stubb
2014 AA+-> Aa1 Stubb
2015 AAA -> AA+ Sipilä
2019 AA+-> AA+ Marin
2025 AA+ -> Aa1 Orpo

Että sellasta. Oikeiston vahtivuorolla aina laskee luottoluokitus.
#velkajarru

[Ukrainian Ministry of Accidental Russian Fires @EPICGOPFAIL]

Who did this?🤣

[Frances 'Cassandra' Coppola @Frances_Coppola]

Everyone should read this.

[Jürgen Nauditt 🇩🇪🇺🇦 @jurgen_nauditt]

Footage of putin's parade in Moscow, which was not shown in the official broadcast.

[Olivier Blanchard @ojblanchard1]

The two brakes to the Trump administration policies: Judges and markets. Markets may have the advantage. They are anonymous. Judges have names and can be attacked.

[Philipp Heimberger @heimbergecon]

Increased public investment raises output, both in the short term and in the long term, crowds in private investment, and reduces unemployment.. When there's economic slack and monetary accommodation, demand effects are stronger, the public-debt-to-GDP ratio may actually decline"

[jarmo friman @JarmoFriman]

Maahasi hyökätään. Sinua syytetään sodan aloittamisesta. Kiitä siitä.

Maasi yli neuvotellaan aggressorin kanssa. Kiitä.

Sinua vastaan äänestetään käsi kädessä roistovaltioiden kanssa YK:ssa. Kiitä.

Sinua nimitellään diktaattoriksi ja keskinkertaisksi näyttelijäksi. Kiitä.

Jopa asuasi arvostellaan. Kiitä ja kumarra.

Legitimiteettisi kyseenalaistetaan, vaikka vaalien järjestäminen keskellä sotaa on mahdotonta. Kiitä!

Isäntäsi haluaa aggressorin G7:ään. Kiitä.

Maastasi halutaan jakaa paloja aggressorille. Kiitä.

Puolustat suoraselkäisesti maatasi opportunistikyynikkojen hyökätessä kimppuusi.
Oi kiitä!

[Mikko Laakso @mikkolaakso]

Elon Muskin hehkuttama X:n tekoäly Grok 3 pitää Donald Trumpia alustan suurimpana valehtelijana. Kakkosena tulee perässä Musk itse.

[Manisha Sinha @ProfMSinha]

Mathematics Professor here this is just so brilliant!

[Dean Baker @DeanBaker13]

Musk is pretty open, he will do everything he can with his money to help Donald Trump. In exchange, Trump will give him protection for Tesla (both from competition and from being accountable for accidents), contracts for SpaceX, and really big tax cuts.

[Sen. Bernie Sanders @SenSanders]

Welcome to the world of oligarchy.