Russ Kampfe

Horns, Chiefs and the truth...

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@SullyCNBC Thank you Brian!

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

Mike’s a hell of a wise man

[The Real Mike Rowe @mikeroweworks]

Not the way I planned on spending my afternoon, but 7,600 comments should not be ignored! Bots, trolls and personal attacks notwithstanding, the critics of yesterday’s post were dominated by a large and vocal contingent who rushed to remind me that there’s “a difference between socialism and communism,” an obvious indication that they didn’t actually read the post.

Shelley Armour writes… “Mike! You know there is a difference between democratic socialism and communism, right?”

Hi, Shelley. Yes, I know there’s a difference, and I understand what the difference is. The larger point, and the fundamental flaw with your comment, is that you seem to believe the candidates within the Democratic Socialist Party are both “democratic and socialist" simply because that’s the name of their club. Well, maybe some of them are. I really couldn’t say. What I can tell you for sure is that more than a few have called for the complete dismantling of capitalism, free markets, representative government, property rights, borders, police, prisons, and the Constitution in general. My post referred to them, as well as a number of elected Democrats who have agreed to campaign on their behalf – including Gavin Newsom, who said, "The Democratic Party must accept the DSA in order to take back the Congress.” His words, not mine.

Tracey Steele writes…“Wow! I cannot believe Mike Rowe said this. He has a huge reach, and he is actually spouting the word “communism” like it’s the 1950s! Wow Wow Wow!”

Wow indeed, Tracey, and thanks for noticing the size of my reach! (Contrary to popular belief, size does matter!) To say it again, I am not the one “spouting” communism or conflating socialists and communists. The word is being “spouted” by members of the DSA who are using it to describe themselves. I am not accusing them; I am quoting them.

John Engles… Hey Rowe, what’s the difference between the Communists who want to run the country and the Nazi/fascist who currently is?

Several differences, John, but the only one relevant to this conversation is the fact that the communists currently running for office have clearly identified themselves as such. They do not dispute or reject the label. They embrace it. It is who they are, who they claim to be, and who they want to be. The president, on the other hand, has never claimed to be a Nazi or a fascist. That doesn’t mean he isn't, but it is worth noting he has rejected the accusation outright. Obviously, you are entitled to that opinion and the right to share it publicly, thanks to our Constitution. Unlike in a fascist, Nazi, or communist regime. (Also worth noting, Nazis and fascists are not the same thing.)

Chris Tomaloff writes… “Kinda like how the political right didn’t shout down the extreme rhetoric coming from their candidates?”

No, Chris, not like that at all. In the video I shared, we saw examples of prominent Democrats saying things like, “We need to elect more communists!” (Cea Weaver, Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office.) Mamdani himself literally tweeted, "Each according to their need, each according to their ability." That’s a direct quote from the Communist Manifesto.

But what exactly is the corollary from the right? Are prominent Republicans tweeting, “We need to elect more Nazis! We need to elect more fascists! Eat the poor!” I don’t think so. John Engles may think Trump is fascist and a Nazi, but Trump disagrees, and so do a majority of voters. Communists, on the other hand, say it loud and say it proud. I’m inclined to take them at their word.

Beto Ojeda… “Mike has always leaned to the Trumpian view of things but never states it, so as not to alienate anyone, but we know how to read between the lines. This “communist” talk is McCarthyism 2.0.”

I wasn’t around in the 1950s, Beto, but from what I’ve read, it was indeed a very difficult time to be a communist in this country. Lots of private citizens were dragged before Congress, made to take “loyalty oaths," and blacklisted in their places of work. I can’t justify it or condone it, but I can explain it. We had just fought a hot war against fascism and Nazism and just begun a Cold War against a communist regime. The existence of an organized Communist Party in this country at such a time strained the limits of tolerance. But do you really think we’re less tolerant today than we were seventy-five years ago? Do you really believe my comments about communists who claim to be communists are synonymous with another Red Scare? If you haven’t noticed, Chris, no one in the DSA, including the communists, is being dragged before Congress and made to swear a loyalty oath to the Constitution. Today, a communist in America can run for office…with the endorsement of the governor of California! And the tacit approval of a major political party! Seems to me we’re about as far from McCarthyism as we can get.

As for my desire not to alienate anyone, I suppose I am guilty of that. I run a foundation that is open to people of all political beliefs, and we’ve assisted lots of Americans who lean to the left. I also know for a fact that many Democrats have supported mikeroweWORKS historically, and I have no desire to run them off. But do you really have to “read between the lines” to understand where I’m coming from?

True, I’ve never endorsed a candidate or publicly encouraged people to vote. But I’ve been very transparent about the fact that I’m a registered Independent who favors policies and programs that often align with conservative principles. Obviously, I would not characterize those conservative principles as “Trumpian,” because a) they were around long before him, b) Trump is not a conservative, and c) I do not agree with or support everything the President says and does. So, is it possible, Beto, that your accusation is rooted in the fact that I have never publicly denounced the president to your satisfaction? Is it possible you think I'm a Trumper, simply because I've never called him a fascist, or a Nazi, or a liar, or a conman, or a traitor, or whatever else you believe him to be?

Gretchen Seipp… Mike, the fact that you still act as though you’re not political after all this time is a bit ridiculous. I still support your work and foundation because I believe in it, but the folksy act has worn thin.

Aw, shucks, Gretchen. Folksy? Lil' ole me?
Honestly, how am I acting as if I am “not political?” This entire conversation is the very definition of “political.”

Christopher Pugh… I would have voted for Mike Rowe and Freddie a few years ago before he went full-on MAGA, and I’m all in favor of his project, but it’s pretty clear the political direction that he’s moved in and the money trail that has influenced it.

It’s Freddy, not Freddie. (I don’t much care, but he’s a terrier and particular about such things.) As for the “full-on MAGA” moniker, is there something I did specifically to earn that designation? Is there some kind of general definition you can share? Or, are you coming from the same place as Beto? Is calling me “Full-On MAGA" your way of saying that I’ve failed to condemn Trump to your satisfaction?

For the record, MRW is supported by liberals and conservatives alike. I have no idea what “money trail” you are referring to. Also, regarding my personal politics, think about the implications of what I wrote. I said that the Democrats have been given a gift – an opportunity to appear reasonable by speaking the truth to their own party, just as Bill Maher has done. All they have to do is distance themselves from candidates who have called for the complete dismantlement of our Constitution. All they have to do is say, “Hold on, comrade. Our tent is not that big. We respect your right to hate America, but we don’t want you in our party, and we will not support your candidacy.”

If they say that, I think a lot of Independents would see them as they see John Fetterman, who has, in the eyes of many voters, become the most “rational” Democrat currently in office. If they don’t – if they actually welcome communist candidates into their party – then I’m afraid the Democrats, by default, will offer the American people a very simple choice in November – a party that disavows communism vs. a party that doesn’t. I think such a choice would be very positive for Republicans because I don’t think most Americans want to align themselves with a Democratic Party that welcomes communists. The question for you, Chris, is why would a “Full-On MAGA” like me encourage Democrats to act in a way that would disadvantage the Republican Party? And the answer is simple – it’s because I support the existence of a Democratic Party that believes America is still a fundamentally good place.

I think there’s a lot of room for improvement in our country, and I believe the best way to realize those improvements is for Democrats and Republicans to have continuous, robust and public debate about all the issues. But if one of those parties is affirmatively determined to transform our democratic republic into a communist state, then we’re no longer debating the various ways to make our country better; we’re debating the merits of destroying it. And really, what’s the point of tolerating that?

America is already a big tent, filled with hundreds of millions of people with wildly differing views and lots of political parties that represent those views. We’ve got the Green Party, the American Freedom Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the Constitution Party, and of course, the Communist Party USA, as well as the Democratic Socialist Party. America’s tent is so big, we can even tolerate fringe parties like the KKK, the Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, and so forth. Why then, does Gavin Newsom want to make room in the Democratic tent for socialists and communists? There’s only one reason, and he’s already spelled it out for us – he believes the Democrats need them to win back the Congress. I think it’s a bad bet for the Democrats and for America. And if a prominent Republican reached out to the KKK with the same “big tent” offer, you’d better believe my vote would be in play.

Michael Tillman… When are you going to throw your hat into the ring, Mr. Rowe?

Ha! When it no longer fits my head!

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@CliffordAsness Bloomberg has been the Politico of financial news for quite a while - surprised you hadn’t noticed until now…

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@acrossthecurve And Obama and Nixon and Biden…

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@acrossthecurve And then he did exactly what Trump is doing with the oil companies today!

[Alex Berenson @AlexBerenson]

This was the truth about mRNA vaccine failure on August 14, 2021. It is the truth today. The fact that 60 percent of the country has been brainwashed not to believe doesn't make it less true:

Throughout July and August, vaccine advocates have tried to blame these trends on fact that the United States has not hit the vaccine benchmarks they hoped. They have incorrectly called this current outbreak a pandemic of the unvaccinated.

That argument has one problem. Israel and Britain - which have essentially reached the vaccination levels that advocates promised were necessary for herd immunity - are having even worse outbreaks this summer.

In Israel, 60 percent of the entire population and 80 percent of adults are fully vaccinated. In Britain, almost 90 percent of adults have received at least one dose and 76 percent have received both.

Yet positive tests and serious hospitalizations in Israel have risen 20-fold since early July. Hospitalized patients and patients on ventilators in Britain have risen sevenfold since early June and are far higher than this time last year.

It is still not entirely clear whether the vaccines are failing because of the decrease over time in the antibodies they generate, because the Delta variant is able to elude those antibodies, or some other reason.

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

And notice that they never take into account an annual federal fiscal deficit that requires an expansion in money supply!

[Jim Bianco @biancoresearch]

NY Fed President John Williams today:

"My forecast personally is for inflation to come down in ⁠the second half of this year and come down further next year."

This is also Wall Street's inflation forecast.

As this chart shows, Wall Street has had this exact inflation forecast for 64 straight months, and it has been wrong for 64 straight months.

Question for Williams: why is this forecast suddenly going to go right now? What is about to change that is going to make this 0 for 64 forecast now correct?
---
Explaining the chart

The black line is the year-over-year change in core PCE.

The colored lines are median results from roughly 70 Wall Street economists. Each color grouping is a different calendar year. This survey was conducted by Bloomberg.

These economists forecast inflation for the next six quarters.

Prior to COVID in 2020 (the shaded recession area), almost every forecast is ABOVE the black line, meaning every forecast was that in 18 months the inflation rate would be back at 2%. It never did.

Since COVID (now six years ago), every inflation forecast has been BELOW the black line. Every forecast is that in 18 months the inflation rate will decline to 2%. For 64 months now (and counting), it has not come close to 2%, and now Core PCE has been trending higher for the last year and a half.

Isn't this just another case of the basic definition of insanity: forecasting the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result?

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@acrossthecurve Does that not sound like JFK redux from the steel companies in the early 1970’s…it exactly does.

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

He is the model governor in the US

[Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh]

🚨 NOW: Gov. Ron DeSantis says he can personally REMOVE any official in Florida who shields illegal aliens 🔥

"As of today, HALF half of all the immigration arrests done by state and local law enforcement across the country are in one state: THE FREE STATE OF FLORIDA." ☀️

"we're lapping the field in this."

"If a mayor or a sheriff does not cooperate and they try to be A sanctuary, I have the authority to remove them from office!"

"We got legislation that mandates in Florida, all state and local law enforcement to cooperate with DHS on deportations."

"All the sheriff's departments in Florida have these 287g agreements with DHS. We have different places in the municipalities as well."

[Alex Berenson @AlexBerenson]

People DECIDE to quit using drugs or alcohol or gambling when the cost of use (in every way) becomes higher than the pleasure they get.

Addiction is a choice. Not a disease.

No one knows this better than people who’ve quit.

A 12-figure industry depends on hiding this truth.

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@acrossthecurve And if we don’t raise rates when it’s required, you may get 1987 redux!

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@acrossthecurve @TrumpDailyPosts NY blinders on

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

@acrossthecurve @nickgiva1 Funny how many things do well when money is free

[AG @AGHamilton29]

A non-citizen vote is not only a crime, but directly impacts the rights of citizens. The government is responsible for protecting the rights of citizens and it's outrageous for NJ officials to knowingly promote a system that directly undermines them.

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

Same old pinko commie, though!

[Francesca Hong For Governor @FrancescaHongWI]

It's a new day in Wisconsin 🧡🩷

[Gad Saad @GadSaad]

Every single individual who has entered the West illegally should be deported. Every person who has entered legally and who is loyal to an ideology that is antithetical to the West’s foundational values should also be deported. This is a battle for the soul of humanity. Wake up. Grow a pair.

[Bill Maher @billmaher]

I'm not voting for anyone who thinks the wrong side won the Cold War or cheers for the Intifada like it's the World Cup.

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

Proving that she’s a lying commie sack of 💩

[Greg Price @greg_price11]

Perino: "Is there anything in the DSA platform you disagree with?"

Hong: "Abolish the Senate."

Her tweet calling for abolishing the Senate is still up.

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

From the Sea to the Sea! 🙄

[Noah Pollak @NoahPollak]

There's a lot more to achieving justice for Morocco than the map below. It is time for Spain to seize this historic moment and take risks for peace. Everyone knows what a two-state solution to the conflict looks like that ensures peace and dignity for all peoples of the Iberian region:
- Divide Madrid so that one half is a Spanish capital and one half is a Muslim capital
- Right of return for descendants of all Muslims expelled in the 15th century Nakba (also known by the settler-colonialist name "Reconquista")
- Spanish withdrawal from all Occupied Territories, including the Occupied Balearic Islands, the Occupied Canary Islands, and Occupied Ceuta and Melilla
- A full UN Human Rights Council investigation into five centuries of genocide and starvation carried out by the Spanish occupiers

[Russ Kampfe @OriginalBondman]

Perhaps Hunter can sell some more finger paintings?

[US Oil & Gas Association @US_OGA]

Hello Hunter Biden.

Thank you for sharing your views on the oil and gas business.

We know you worked for foreign oil and gas entities primarily Ukraine’s Burisma and China’s CEFC China Energy.

This is interesting given your lack of measurable talent or experience in this business.

Burisma Holdings is the Ukrainian natural gas producer that put you on their Board of Directors in April 2014 - again despite your lack of talent or experience - while your father oversaw U.S. Ukraine policy as Vice President.

You earned approximately $1 million per year ($83,333 per month) but that was reduced to roughly $500,000 per year starting March 2017 when your father was no longer in office.

You served until April 2019 - which is surprising despite your lack of talent or experience - but it was a good gig while you had it.

You and your associates (including partner Devon Archer) earned approximately $6.5 million for being your father's son.

Not too bad for not having any experience in the energy sector or any discernible talent in deal making.

But lets not forget your work with the Chinese.

You worked for CEFC China Energy, the Chinese oil and gas conglomerate with reported CCP and military intelligence ties from 2017–2018.

CEFC and related entities paid approximately $4.8 million to companies controlled by you and your Uncle.

Your total work for for CEFC and related Chinese energy entities to the Biden family/associates was over $8 million.

These figures come from bank records, IRS search warrant applications, congressional memos, court documents, and contemporaneous reporting.

(We will leave out your work with Kahzhakstan and other questionable enterprises.)

And what is surprising to all of us is that after earning nearly $20 million working for foreign owned oil and gas companies when you post stupid things like this it is clear that after 10 years and $20 million dollars.

YOU STILL DON"T UNDERSTAND THE OIL AND GAS BUSINESS.

But thank you for sharing your views anyway.

Good luck on your comeback tour.