by Charles Hugh Smith, Of Two Minds:
I’m seeing lifestyles that are out of stock and no longer available, even in China.
Though every recession is unique, all recessions manifest in similar ways in the real economy. By real economy, I mean the on-the-ground economy we observe with our own eyes, as opposed to the abstract statistical model reflected in official declarations of when recessions begin and end.
One characteristic that never makes it into the abstract statistical representation of recession is the light switch phenomenon: business suddenly dries up, as if someone turned a light switch off. This is especially visible in discretionary purchases, which include everything from smart phones to vehicles to eating out.
The exit door begins to close. According to the latest leak 
The tremendous dynamic of the July 25-27 Johannesburg Summit of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), and especially the BRICS-Africa Dialogue Forum at the same venue, have united most of the world around several key concepts: peace through development; BRICS-Plus as a core for a new South-South relationship, or “Global South;” the New Silk Road concept as the basis for “new driving forces for development,” nuclear power for all nations, with Russia taking the lead; and the urgent need for international cooperation in the development of Africa and Southwest Asia from centuries of colonial wars and exploitation.
Public attention about 5G has been focused on the plans of telecom companies to install millions of small cell towers on electric utility poles, on public buildings and schools, on bus stop shelters, in public parks, and anywhere they want in national parks and on federally owned land.
As some media outlets venture out of the liberal bubble to get a flavor of Trump Country, what about the Acela Corridor? What about Clinton Country? What’s changed in this deep-blue slice of America since the 2016 election? Well, Adam Wren, an editor with Indianapolis Monthly, wrote a lengthy piece for Politico about his 72 hours in Clinton land and found pretty much that nothing has changed. These voters still love Clinton, they hate Trump, and nothing he can do could change their minds.
Video shows a Venezuelan supermarket selling ketchup, and not much else.
Two fatal shootings in two hours just two miles apart in Chicago is devastating news to some. But the city itself is becoming numb to the violence they cannot fight because good citizens have been disarmed by the law.
John McCain’s funeral turned into a political event where career politicians did nothing but used the opportunity to bash Trump. The hatred these people are spinning in the country is going to lead to bloodshed. They are convinced that if they can just keep talking shit about Trump they will get rid of him and restore the system to career politicians only who promise change with every election and then do the opposite. It is really becoming so blatant that they hate any outsider who will interfere in their private fiefdom. They could care less about the people and have no problem raising taxes and lowering benefits as they line their pockets from both sides.
