Will Economic Freedom End In July?

Above, Admiral Kirk and cashless society in the 23rd Century. Paramount Pictures.

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) touched on being a cashless society in a scene between Dr. Gillian Taylor, the marine biologist, and Admiral James T. Kirk in the 20th Century pizza restaurant. 

Dr. Gillian Taylor: Don't tell me you don't use money in the 23rd Century.

Kirk: Well, we don't.

It would be nice if things today would be nice and benign as the 23rd Century (where the adventures of the starship Enterprise take place) where governments can be trusted in a cashless society. But, given the power-hungry politicians and Deep State bureaucrats who are now in charge of the federal government, it would take away our privacy, not to mention one's freedom.  

This is the topic in an article today in the American Thinker.

They begin it with:

The scene is as old as history.  An individual fleeing persecution wants to cross a border. His or her life depends on being able to bribe a border guard, with some fungible valuable item: whether gold, cash, silver, diamonds, etc. Life depends on it.

If the trade is prevented, then all hope is lost.

From the dawn of time, currency was the one thing that governments had difficulty tracking.  I am not considering checks, bills of credit, something written. Those are easy to trace. I am  talking about real currency. Currency in one’s hand, cash pressed in the flesh.

Bribery was always the province of the dishonest, but it often became the last resort of the honest: a war refugee wanted to cross a border before an invading army swoops in, a Jew wanted to evade a Nazi patrol, an Irishman wanted to get out of Ireland one step ahead of the Crown’s authorities.

Cash became the vehicle of freedom.

So what happens when that option is removed… by digital currency? What happens when fungible cash is made null and void?

Long-awaited Fed digital payment system to launch in July -- CNBC

The government is already trying to track gun store purchases through credit card business classification coding. (When this plan came to light, the backlash started. Others advocated using only cash to buy guns.) This hasn't been implemented due to the outcry. If this plan is fully implemented, gun purchases can be traced and the government could use that data to confiscate those guns. 

To read more, go here.

Campervan Kevin Lock Out of Facebook

It looks like I'm not the only one with issues currently with Facebook.

Campervan Kevin has been locked out of his personal and Campervan Kevin accounts. Thanks to Nomadic Fanatic for helping him out.

I don't understand this. Campervan Kevin is one of the nicest folks in the YouTube camping world. 

Mark Levin: America Has Crossed The Rubicon

 What does the Trump indictment mean? Mark Levin lays it all out in the following video.

Superman Canyon

Above, the eastern end of Superman Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I decided to have dinner in Gallup. When I got on Interstate 40 to head into Gallup, I saw that there was a huge line of traffic in the eastbound lanes stretching from Coolidge to almost the McGaffey exit.

Anticipating that the traffic won't clear by the time I headed back (and monitoring the situation on my phone), I took an alternate route home.

This route, in the Navajo Nation, took me past Superman Canyon northeast of Gallup.

Why is this called Superman Canyon? Scenes from Superman (1978) were filmed there.

According to Filmedthere.com:

The scenes shown below are from when Lois dies in the earthquake. Superman turns back time to fix everything and bring Lois back. The location is located on Superman Canyon Rd, in Gallup, NM. From I-40, you need to be on Route 66. find State Rd. 43A also known as Superman Canyon Rd. About 4-4.5 miles up the road is the movie scene location.

 

Above, Christopher Reeve and Margo Kidder in Superman Canyon in 1978. Photo by Warner Bros.

My route took me past Superman Canyon at the eastern end from the route stated above.

Along the way, I pulled over and took a couple of pictures of the canyon. 

Above, another view of the eastern end of Superman Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.

Interstate 40 Problems Persist

Above, the long line of traffic going eastbound on I-40. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last evening, I decided to have dinner in Gallup. 

When I got to the I-40 bridge, I saw that a long line of vehicles stopped in the eastbound lanes. It appears that the two night closure of eastbound Interstate 40 for road pothole repairs in Coolidge (MM 44) this week didn't do much good.

As I headed down to Gallup (there were no problems with the westbound lanes), I saw that the long line of vehicles stretched four miles to milepost 35, four miles west of my Jamestown exit.

While at dinner in Gallup, I monitored the traffic situation so that, if necessary, I can take an alternate route through Mariano Lake on Navajo Service Routes 11 and 49 (these are in the Navajo Nation).

As it was somewhat expected, the traffic was still backed up, so I took the alternate routes home. Strangely, the Navajo Service Routes were almost pothole-free. I only saw a couple of them and they were already patched. 

Although the alternate route added 40 more miles to my drive home, I didn't mind it as it is a nice drive through the Navajo Nation. The area is mainly comprised of  Navajo ranches and rock formations. The route would eventually take me to Thoreau where I got onto Interstate 40 westbound to home. 

Although a longer drive, at least I didn't have to sit in traffic for hours.

Morning Snow

We received about an inch of snow last night.

Much of it has already melted, particularly on the walkways and some turned to ice since the current temperature is 28°.

I took a few snaps as the sky is clear and sunny.

 

Coin News: Morgan Dollars From Tombstone Hoard Up For Grabs

Above, 1889 Morgan Silver Dollar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's some Tombstone news.

No, it's not about the upcoming Lost Dutchman Chapter No. 5917 + 4 of E Clampus Vitus clampout next month in Tombstone. It is about the upcoming sale of the "Tombstone Hoard" of Morgan silver dollars.

According to Coin News:

Historic Morgan silver dollars from the extraordinary Tombstone Hoard will be made available in April 2023 by Rare Collectibles TV (www.RareCollectiblesTV.com).

All in high-quality mint condition with some graded NGC MS67, these century-old coins were accumulated over four decades by a collector in Southern Arizona. This is the same area of the state as the legendary Old West city of Tombstone, the heart of Arizona’s 19th century silver boom.

"This hoard had around 40,000 coins. My partner Rick Tomaska and I have carefully cherry-picked about 1,200 of the Morgan silver dollars for our strict standards of stunning eye appeal," said RCTV Co-Founder Jack McNamara. "Among these coins are some ultra-rare, high-grade Morgan dollars that had been hidden away in a private collection for over 40 years."

These coins are simply the best-of-the-best and they are the only examples submitted to Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) for certification with the Tombstone Hoard pedigree," explained McNamara.

 To read more, go here.

China, Brazil Deal Leading To Dollar Collapse?

Above, better start investing in precious metals in case of a dollar collapse.

The leftist government of Brazil and Communist China have struck a deal on Wednesday to ditch the U.S. dollar in trade transactions. The Saudis may also be involved.

According to Fox Business:

Brazil and China have reportedly struck a deal to ditch the U.S. dollar in favor of their own currencies in trade transactions. 

The deal, announced Wednesday, will enable China and Brazil to carry out trade and financial transactions directly, exchanging yuan for reais – or vice versa – rather than first converting their currencies to the U.S. dollar.  

Some are saying that if this trend continues and other nations join in on ditching the dollar, it could lead to a collapse of the greenback and lead to a new U.S. currency, controlled by you-know-who.

That is one reason why silver is pushing $24/toz spot price.

According to Monex:

The Biden administration say the banking industry is "just fine", while other see the bank crisis is "only just beginning." Glenn Beck discussed this on Tucker Carlson last night. To view the video, go here.

It would be prudent to look into investing in precious metals to protect one's financial health.

To read more, go here.

Glenn Beck's Dire Warning (Video)

 Last night on Tucker Carlson:

 

Soros Family Pushed DA Bragg Into Power

Since the latest round of the persecution of former President Donald Trump began, New York D.A. Alvin Bragg has been under closer scrutiny, especially his ties to the George Soros and his family.

Fox News posted an article on how the Soros family helped pushed Bragg into office within the past eight hours.

It begins with: 

The Manhattan grand jury indictment Thursday night of former President Donald Trump is sparking new scrutiny of the George Soros-supported district attorney who led the investigation into Trump's alleged violations of state campaign finance laws.

The former president is expected to surrender to District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office early next week, following his indictment stemming from Bragg's investigation into Trump's alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. 

Fox News Digital previously reported that in May 2021, financier George Soros pushed $1 million to the Color of Change PAC, which turned around and spent big, backing Bragg's candidacy. 

Soros' son, Jonathan Soros, and Jonathan's wife, Jennifer Allan Soros, also donated directly to Bragg's campaign, according to New York campaign finance records reviewed by Fox News Digital.

To read more, go here. 

RPNM Statement On Trump Indictment

 

RPNM Statement on Trump Indictment Trump indictment sets a dangerous precedent. Albuquerque, March 30 — Today, a Manhattan grand jury voted to indict former President Trump on charges believed to be associated with alleged hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels. The indictment has not been unsealed, and the exact charges are unknown. Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman and former Congressman Steve Pearce issued the following statement: "We've known from the beginning that this is a political witch hunt against the former President. We had a rogue, Soros-funded district attorney with a political agenda facing intense pressure from the left ahead of an election year. Many Democrats have criticized this case for lack of credibility and condemned the biased judicial system in New York. This indictment sets a dangerous precedent for the future of the nation. If a former chief executive officer of the United States can be arrested on dubious charges, the same thing can happen to others. It would be great to see the same fervor for the solid evidence against the Biden family and their ties to Communist China, or better yet, let's see an investigation into our Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and her alleged hush money payments made from her campaign funds. I wonder how long U.S. and New Mexico prosecutors will continue to sit on their hands with the precedent that has been set in New York."

Snow Has Returned

Above, outside when the snow showers started. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Yesterday was nice and comfortable with sunny skies and 60° (plus) temperatures.

It had been cloudy all day and the temperatures were in the 50s. Now, we are getting snow showers and light snow along with a strong southwest wind. 

It seems like every time we get a little warming trend or more seasonal temperatures, the snow returns.

According to the National Weather Service:

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 46. West wind 15 to 20 mph.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph after midnight.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 60. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon.

 

The Indictment

Above, President Trump and Gov. Abbott at the Texas border.

The indictment of former President Donald Trump today was not unexpected, given the political climate in this country. This is purely an unethical move on the Soros-backed district attorney's part and a continuance of the Democrat Party's weaponizing the American justice system. Nothing more.

Prior prosecutors looked into the case and found nothing there to warrant any prosecution. 

As Clint Eastwood said in Gran Torino, "What a load of shit!"

The Fox News story can be read by going here.

Gun Control Activists Storm Tennessee State Capitol

Above, gun control activists storm Tennessee Capitol.

Left-wing anti-gunners stormed the Tennessee legislature today. It took a British media outlet to tell the truth.

The Daily Mail posted:

Gun control activists were seen storming Tennessee's State Capitol Thursday amid rising fears of a left-wing uprising at a rumored protest in Washington, DC.

Footage of the ongoing insurrection, posted to social media just before 2pm, shows progressive protesters attempting to enter the Nashville legislation building, and being batted away by several members of the city's sheriff's department.

Such dramatics were not exclusive to Nashville, however - as feelings of unrest continue to boil over after a recent mass shooting at a city school involving a transgender gunman who once attended the institution.

Bo Snerdley said it best at Twitter:

When liberals storm a legislative house - like in Tennessee today - the MSM doesn't talk about the end of Democracy.  Will the FBI track down every single one of these insurrectionists -and put them in jail?  Will Biden call them terrorists?

To read more, go here.

Facebook Correctional Facility

My Facebook account was put on "restriction" this morning. I can comment on posts, but not much else. 

So far, these are the things I can't do there:

Of course, Facebook has not said what exactly was the offending post for the restricted status except for this:

The above was what I received when I tried to share a blog post on the 42nd anniversary of the Reagan assassination attempt. 

Apparently, someone snitched to the Facebook Gestapo for something. It would be helpful if they would specifically state what was the offending post. But they never do, which is cowardly on their part. 

The good thing is, the restrictions haven't dented my daily view numbers here. I'll just have to wait it out.

"QAnon Shaman" Released Early

Good news, folks!

Sebastian Gorka posted the following: 

Jacob Chansley, has been released 14 months early after Speaker Kevin McCarthy released January 6th footage that proved he committed no crime.

 

Silver Up Sharply, Gold Ticks Up

Indicators that gold and silver are performing today on a high note are getting some excited. 

According to Kitco News:

(Kitco News) - Gold prices are slightly up and silver prices are sharply higher and hit a two-month high in early U.S. trading Thursday. Bullish technical charts are fueling speculative buying interest in the two precious metals. However, gold is being constrained a bit by an up-tick in trader/investor risk appetite this week. April gold was last up $2.10 at $1,969.00 and May silver was up $0.459 at $23.93.

This has also caught the attention of Reuters, who wrote:

March 30 (Reuters) - Gold prices edged up on Thursday, helped by a softer dollar as investors lie in wait for economic data to gauge the U.S. Federal Reserve's rate-rise path.

Spot gold was up 0.3% at $1,969.13 per ounce, as of 1157 GMT. U.S. gold futures rose 0.1% at $1,986.30.

The dollar index eased 0.2%, making gold more attractive for overseas buyers.

Spot silver rose 1.8% to $23.76 per ounce.

To read the full Kitco News article, go here. 

To read the full Reuters article, go here.

Income Tax Done Until Next Year

Another tax year has come and gone and I just completed my 2022 federal and state income taxes.

Thankfully, I don't have to pay anything, but will get a refund (more than the above image, by the way). So I don't have anything more concerning taxes until the property tax bills arrive at the end of the year.

The refund will go towards paying for the fuel for next month's clampout in Tombstone, Arizona.

Facebook Censorship Is Alive and Well

Someone apparently got their panties in a wad over at Facebook.

My blog posts are on restriction until Saturday night.

 

Reagan Assassination Attempt 42 Years Ago

Above, the site of the Reagan assassination attempt in June 1981. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Today marks 42 years since the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan took place at the Washington Hilton.

From Firstpost:

1981 – Failed attempt of assassination against US President Ronald Reagan

US President Ronald Reagan was shot and severely injured by John W. Hinckley Jr. on this day in 1981. Hinckley Jr. was trying to assassinate Reagan, just two months following his inauguration as the 40th President.

I remember that day quite well. I was at my desk at United Pacific/Reliance Insurance Cos. offices in Los Angeles when one of our underwriters came over to me and told me that Reagan had just been shot. He knew that I was a California Reagan delegate at the 1980 GOP National Convention in Detroit.

People reacted at first much like they did when President Kennedy was assassinated and, realizing not much work would be taking place, we were released. Fortunately, the outcome was much better and Reagan fully recovered.  

The following year (June 1982), I was invited to the White House for a reception for the California Delegation to the 1980 Republican National Convention. 

Since my hotel was within blocks of the Washington Hilton, I took one of their shuttles into Washington, D.C. from Dulles International Airport to the Washington Hilton. Before walking to my hotel, I took some photos of the assassination attempt scene. At that time, it was unchanged from the previous year,

April Issue of The Numismatist

By joining the American Numismatic Association at the National Money Show earlier this month, my membership includes a subscription to The Numismatist magazine. It is a monthly magazine.

I received a copy of the March issue at the show in a carry bag that I was given when I registered for the show. Then, later, I was given another one when I joined the ANA. I gave it to a friend when I got home.

Last week, I got another one in the mail from the ANA. 

Yesterday, I received a big envelope from the ANA. I thought they were sending me another copy of the March issue. But, this time, it was the April issue (pictured at top).

The ANA's website has a lot of interesting information on coin collecting and one can join it through the website. 

In April, they will begin holding webinars:

Expand your numismatic knowledge with free webinars presented by top industry experts. Join us twice a month—on the second and fourth Thursday from 11am-12pm MT–for live webinars on all things numismatic. Register now — space is limited.

To access the American Numismatic Association's website, go here.

TikTok Ban Bill's Hidden Agenda

I am no fan of the Chinese Communist Party, but this goes way too far.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson gives his take on legislation to ban TikTok and explains a hidden agenda in the bill on 'Tucker Carlson Tonight.'

School Killing: Solitary Honest Headline

 

"The solitary honest headline about what just happened." - Dinesh D'Souza.

Jack Holder, R.I.P.

 

Above, the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the Associated Press:

PHOENIX (AP) — Jack Holder, a Pearl Harbor survivor who went on become a decorated World War II flyer who flew over 100 missions in the Pacific and European theaters, has died in Arizona. He was 101.

Darlene Tryon, a close friend and the executor of Holder’s estate, said he died at Friday at a hospital in the Phoenix suburb of Chandler. The Pearl Harbor National Memorial also announced the death. Born to a farming family in Gunter, Texas, Holder joined the Navy in 1940 when he was 18.

He was on duty at Ford Island within Oahu’s Pearl Harbor when Japanese aircraft bombed the U.S. naval base on Dec. 7, 1941.   

In December 2021, a nonprofit company took Holder on an honor flight out of Mesa’s Falcon Field to celebrate his 100th birthday. Asked at the event to tell his secret to a long life, Holder said “good heart exercise and two scotch and sodas every night.”

Why Silver Coins Will Always Be A Favorite

The turmoil in the banking industry continues.

The collapse of Credit Suisse in Europe has burned quite a number of people.

According to CNBC:

“The $17 billion wipeout of Credit Suisse bondholders has not gone down well in Europe.”

One section of Credit Suisse’s bondholders is set to be wiped out following the struggling bank’s takeover by UBS, causing them to see investments worth 16 billion Swiss francs ($17 billion) become worthless. The Swiss regulator FINMA announced Sunday that the so-called additional tier-one bonds, which are widely regarded as relatively risky investments, will be written to zero as part of the deal.

For the rest of us, protecting our wealth is becoming more urgent and there is one way of doing so.

From Insider Paper:

Silver coins have been around for centuries and have become the favorite of many avid collectors. Silver coins are a great way to start a collection and can be found in various shapes, sizes, and designs. Here are some reasons why silver coins are so popular among avid collectors.  

Investing in silver is one of the safest ways to protect wealth as its value tends to remain stable even during economic downturns or market volatility. By investing in silver coins, you can diversify your portfolio and offer better risk management capabilities than investing solely in stocks or bonds.

To read more, go here.