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MAGA: Trump Unleashes Offshore Drilling; Pissing Off Environmentalists

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(Via Zeorhedge)

In December 2017, during the twilight days of the previous administration, as one of Barack Obama’s last executive actions the former president formally blocked offshore oil and gas drilling in most of the Atlantic and Arctic Ocean, responding to a call from environmentalists who say the government needs to do more to prevent drilling in environmentally sensitive areas of U.S.-controlled oceans.

The move was not surprising: Obama had been expected to take the action by invoking a provision in a 1953 law that governs Outer Continental Shelf offshore leases, and he did just that to block drilling in federal waters in the Arctic’s Chukchi Sea and most of its Beaufort Sea. He also protected 21 underwater canyons in the Atlantic Ocean from drilling.

At the time, we said that the “move will likely be overturned promptly by the administration of Donald Trump.” And, a little over a year later, this is precisely what happened on Thursday afternoon, when the Trump administration announced it is proposing to greatly expand the areas available for offshore oil and natural gas drilling, including off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.


Speaking to reporters, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said that “the Trump administration is proposing to make more than 90 percent of the U.S. outer continental shelf available for oil leasing” adding that he is “proposing 25 of 26 planning areas on the Outer Continental Shelf be considered for responsible and regulated leasing” and that “nearly all of the nation’s outer continental shelf is being considered for drilling, including areas off the coasts of Maine, California, Florida and Alaska” in the first major step toward the administration’s promised expansion of offshore drilling.

The proposal, which environmentalists immediately panned as an environmental disaster and giveaway to the fossil fuel industry, is far larger than what was envisioned in President Trump’s executive order last year seeking a new plan for the future of auctions of offshore drilling rights. That order asked Zinke to consider drilling expansions in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans, according to The Hill.


The plan is part of Trump’s agenda to boost domestic oil and natural gas production to create “energy dominance” and unlock the nation’s “great energy wealth.”

There’s more to come as Thursday’s announcement was just one of three major steps the administration must take to write a new plan for offshore drilling rights sales. After taking public comments on the proposal, officials must revise it and put out a new proposal and then finalize it, a process that could take more than a year.

At each of those steps, Interior can remove areas from consideration for drilling, but cannot make new areas available.

In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, environmentalists slammed the proposal as a giveaway to the oil industry.


“The Trump administration’s dramatic expansion of offshore oil drilling is beyond reckless,” said Alex Taurel, deputy legislative director at the League of Conservation Voters.”Seaside communities, businesses, and elected officials from both parties have consistently opposed risky offshore drilling because of the grave threat it poses to their way of life, our climate, and local economies that rely on tourism and fishing,” he said quoted by The Hill.

“This radical offshore drilling free-for-all is a clear example of politics over people, ignoring widespread local and state opposition,” said Diane Hoskins, campaign director at Oceana.

The announcement also garnered some Republican opposition. Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) said he would fight attempts to allow drilling near his state. “I have already asked to immediately meet with Secretary Zinke to discuss the concerns I have with this plan and the crucial need to remove Florida from consideration,” Scott said in a statement.

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Business

Enjoy Your Tasty Wheat: How AI Corporate Greed is Killing Humanity

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Why the elite have decided it’s better to feed machines than humans.

We have a lower class of CEOs. And AI is making it worse.

In the past, these titans of industry would invest in their communities: libraries, public works projects, parks, or actual philanthropy.

Today’s C-suite “geniuses” engage in fake activism, bribery disguised as donations, and a complete nihilism from the communities they proclaim to serve at the safety of their gated communities.

It used to be a source of great pride for an owner to discuss how many employees they have. They would boast about how they put food on the table for families. They would talks about benefits, and how well they take care of their workers. Hell, they used to even describe them as “family.”

Now, they can’t wait to tell shareholders how they automate everything themselves, outsource to foreign countries for pennies on the dollar, and utilize AI to cut their entire labor force (we will get to this soon.)

The common thread is that those at the top are completely divorced from their workforce, the very people that happen to also be their consumers.

This was the situation largely even before AI. It’s gotten worse. They are absolutely foaming at the mouth to displace workers.

The only way to describe it is a race to the bottom. Investing millions into replacing humans with AI. This is already happening, and the reward has been big short-term gains from cutting jobs that look like more profitability to investors.

What’s more is that these AI data centers need billions of gallons of water, insane amounts of electricity, and tons of facilities to expand growth. It’s so astronomical they’re talking about moving it into space.

Think about it for a minute: companies would rather provide “drinking” water, “feed” electricity, and pay to “house” MACHINES instead of paying a living wage to people.

In fact, it might even be cheaper to pay a living wage. That isn’t stopping industry leaders from chasing their human-less dreams, despite it taking less energy and resources for humans. Yet they’re still choosing machines.

They are even willing to operate at a loss simply for the idea that they can save the cost of paying a wage.

There are a few outcomes that are possible:

Best case: AI hype is exposed as overblown and companies understand that it’s simply a tool and they need actual operators behind the steering wheel. AI starts creating more jobs. It seems unlikely, but given that AI in actuality produces more slop than creative, it’s possible.

Worst Case: The arms race of displacing workers continues. Their greed hasn’t ever really showed signs of waning. To supplement the slop it creates, they will use freelance labor from countries like India to extinguish the fires it creates and justify not needing a full time employee. They will stop at nothing to chase their goal of a technocracy to increase profits. (Note: They think they don’t need you to even buy their products with the top 1% buying 50% of the goods.)

They trained AI on your work, fired you to save money, flooded the world with soulless garbage, empty warehouses, and call it innovation.

To them I say: enjoy your tasty wheat.

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Business

MAGA: From Shopping Mall to Manufacturing Hub 2.0

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Title: America’s Transition: From Shopping Mall to Manufacturing Hub 2.0

In the past few decades, America has often been described metaphorically as a giant shopping mall or auction house, where consumption and commercialism have dominated the landscape. However, with the rise of the Trump administration and the ambition to “Make America Great Again,” a new vision is emerging—one that aims to transform the nation into the world’s greatest manufacturing hub ever seen, leveraging AI, blue-collar labor, and a combination of innovative technologies.

The shift from a consumer-driven economy to a production powerhouse signifies a strategic move towards self-sufficiency, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. This transformation is not merely about revitalizing industries of the past but embracing cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices to redefine the future of manufacturing.

At the heart of this evolution lies the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into manufacturing processes. AI-driven automation streamlines production, enhances efficiency, and reduces costs, enabling American manufacturers to compete on a global scale. By harnessing the power of machine learning and predictive analytics, businesses can optimize supply chains, minimize waste, and customize products to meet diverse consumer demands.

However, the vision for America’s manufacturing renaissance extends beyond technological innovation. It embraces a diverse workforce, blending the traditional blue-collar skillset with the expertise of engineers, data scientists, and software developers. This fusion of talent creates a dynamic ecosystem where creativity, problem-solving, and collaboration drive continuous improvement and sustainable growth.

Moreover, the resurgence of American manufacturing is not confined to a single sector but encompasses a broad spectrum of industries, from automotive and aerospace to electronics and renewable energy. By leveraging cross-disciplinary expertise and fostering strategic partnerships, the United States can position itself as a global leader in advanced manufacturing, setting new standards for quality, innovation, and sustainability.

One of the key strengths of this manufacturing transformation is its adaptability and resilience. In contrast to the volatility of global markets and supply chains, a robust domestic manufacturing base provides stability and security, mitigating risks associated with geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and natural disasters. By decentralizing production and embracing local sourcing, America can reduce its dependence on foreign imports and safeguard its economic sovereignty.

Furthermore, the transition towards a manufacturing-centric economy aligns with broader societal goals, such as job creation, workforce development, and regional revitalization. By investing in vocational training programs, apprenticeships, and re-skilling initiatives, the United States can empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive in the digital age and secure meaningful employment opportunities in the manufacturing sector.

As America embarks on this journey towards manufacturing excellence, it must also prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship. By embracing eco-friendly practices, renewable energy sources, and circular economy principles, manufacturers can minimize their carbon footprint, reduce waste generation, and preserve natural resources for future generations.

In essence, the vision of America as the world’s greatest manufacturing hub represents a paradigm shift—one that transcends partisan politics and embraces a collective aspiration for progress, prosperity, and shared prosperity. By harnessing the transformative power of AI, blue-collar ingenuity, and interdisciplinary collaboration, the United States can reclaim its status as an industrial powerhouse and pioneer a new era of manufacturing innovation on the global stage.

As the nation embarks on this ambitious journey, it must remain steadfast in its commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and technological leadership, ensuring that the benefits of the manufacturing renaissance are felt by all Americans and resonate across borders, shaping a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come.

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Business

Outrage As Robinhood CEO Confesses To Elon Musk: DTCC Shut Down Stocks In Gamestop; AMC Surge

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Did Congressional authority allow DTCC to help defraud middle-class investors buying Gamestop and AMC?

The CEO of Robinhood admitted to Elon Musk that the DTCC – The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation – halted trading during a call Monday morning on the Clubhouse app.

Proof: https://youtu.be/K2CEImKce6s

This is not the first time this has happened…

2008 case: https://casetext.com/case/pet-quarters-v-depository-trust-clearing

Sound familiar?

This appears to be Pet Quarters having the same issue Robinhood has today.  When Pet Quarters took it to court, the courts said something along the lines of: f*** you, don’t ever come back here (citing technicalities).

Why did they win? Well, DTCC is given the authority by Congress to regulate despite technically being a private organization

There’s more – “To date, except for one case where DTCC’s dismissal motion is pending, all of the cases either have been dismissed by the courts or withdrawn by the plaintiffs.”

Proof: https://boards.fool.com/federal-court-dismisses-lawsuit-against-dtcc-24179123.aspx

Every AG in the country should be made aware of these facts and open investigations into the matter.

Why does Congress get to deputise a private organization as eco-hitmen for the market?

UPDATE (2/3/20 5:09 AM):

(Reuters) – Robinhood Chief Executive Vlad Tenev is expected to testify before a U.S. House committee on Feb. 18, Politico reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The hearing before the House Financial Services Committee has not been formally announced, the report added

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