Author | Lightnews

Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 13h

Link to transcript: www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/spe...

Radio Address to the Nation on Free and Fair Trade

042587a

www.reaganlibrary.gov

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 13h

Link to video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t5Q...

President Reagan's Radio Address on Free and Fair Trade on April 25, 1987

YouTube video by Reagan Library

www.youtube.com

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 13h

The Reagan radio address on free trade which Ontario used in a TV commercial that so upset Trump is interesting for another reason: A president spoke clearly and coherently about public affairs and didn't make it all about himself.

I suspect that's what really annoyed Trump.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 14h

Another good reason Russians should keep their windows closed. Was it a random apartment or was someone targeted?

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 3d

When AI execs talk, are they describing reality or trying to please the president? No one knows. And that's a problem. www.mauldineconomics.com/connecting-t...

AI and Hot Mics

AI is changing the way business leaders talk. Investors should change the way they think.

www.mauldineconomics.com

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 12d

It keeps backfiring because their alternative plan is "let the sick people suffer and die."

Why Republicans’ attempts to kill Obamacare keep backfiring

The White House and some Republicans are growing nervous that Democrats’ demand to boost Obamacare as part of a government funding bill has salience with voters.

wapo.st

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 23d

It’s also stupid. Millions of his own supporters still live in those states.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 23d

I spent 2 years commanding a mixed-gender company. My observation:

Soldiers are uncannily good at knowing who they can rely on in combat, and it has almost nothing to do physical fitness or personal appearance.

Female vets fire back at Hegseth over claims of lowered military standards

Federal law already prohibits gender-based standards for specific roles.

www.axios.com

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 23d

Wait, I was told the US would get out of Middle East quagmires and make other countries defend themselves.

Mark Chadbourn @chadbourn.bsky.social · 23d

Trump has signed an “Article-5-like” security guarantee following an Israeli strike in Doha, Axios reports.

“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States.”

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 28d

"Twenty-first-century authoritarianism keeps the public content with abundant calories and dazzling entertainment. Its dominant emotions aren’t euphoria and rage, but indifference and cynicism."

America’s Zombie Democracy

Its trappings remain, but authoritarianism and AI are hollowing out our humanity.

www.theatlantic.com

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Reposted by Patrick W. Watson

Dare Obasanjo @carnage4life.bsky.social · 28d

“It's fair to say that 80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on who are afraid of death and insignificance, and they won't let go. “ - Barack Obama
—
The root of a lot of our current problems are billionaires and politicians who won at life but then refused to sail off into the sunset.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · 28d

Wait, I was told tariff policy was stabilizing and the Fed should look through its effects.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 28d

President Trump’s latest tariffs sent shock waves throughout Asia, heaping additional turmoil on companies already grappling with uncertainty, while adding further complexity for trade officials ironing out the details of recently struck trade agreements.

Trump’s New Tariffs Shock Countries Reeling From His Chaotic Trade War

Throughout Asia, the source of about 40 percent of U.S. imports, countries have little to show for weeks of talks trying to finalize deals.

nyti.ms

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 21

It’s Sept 21. Do you remember?

Earth, Wind & Fire - September (Official Audio)

YouTube video by EarthWindandFireVEVO

youtu.be

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 19

Pretty sure Leo will send Dolan out to pasture soon.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 19

The new rule for Republicans: You can't say no to Trump. If he wants X badly enough, you do whatever it takes to give him X. The tiny bit of resistance we see is purely symbolic. No Republican will dare to be the deciding vote against him.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 19

Good look to Senate Democrats, but I'm pretty sure GOP will kill the filibuster if necessary to give Trump what he wants. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/09...

Trump Administration Live Updates: Shutdown Looms as Bill to Extend Funding Reaches Senate

www.nytimes.com

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 19

Hi and thanks! I'm remiss as well. We live in depressing times so it's easy to withdraw. I have to fight that impulse.

Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 6

Trump won't change any of his policies unless Republicans begin *openly* opposing them.

No sign of that yet, only some quiet grumbling. And it's usually hedged with things like "Harris would be been even worse."

America is getting the economy we voted for

The beatings will continue until someone comes in and fudges the data.

www.noahpinion.blog

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Sep 3

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Because the worst looks increasingly likely.

So What, Now What?

I think that I see what IS when it comes to the current gerrymandering efforts in Texas and in California. I’d like to ask readers

www.epsilontheory.com

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Aug 28

I'm not sure about that. Trump COVID response caused hundreds of thousands of needless deaths, yet he still got elected again.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Aug 27

👇👇👇

EconReporter @econreporter.bsky.social · Aug 27

Personally, I think the reason why the market is complacent is because many influential people like Dudley is still talk this problem with "if"

There is no "if" anymore, just "when"

Like.. before or after Powell (and May 2025 or Jan 2028)

EconReporter @econreporter.bsky.social · Aug 27

Bill Dudley says "Markets are too complacent."

"If Trump gained the power to reject and select regional Fed presidents via the Board of Governors, each reserve bank’s board of directors would face the difficult political question of whom to appoint"

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Aug 26

Here’s a question: *Why* is Trump so hell bent on making the fed cut rates?

I don’t believe for a minute he cares about balancing the budget or what people pay for mortgages. Everything we know about him says it’s probably something far more selfish.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump Team Weighing Options to Extend Influence to Fed Banks

The Trump administration is reviewing options for exerting more influence over the Federal Reserve’s 12 regional banks that would potentially extend its reach beyond personnel appointments in Washingt...

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Patrick W. Watson

Michael Derby @michaelsderby.bsky.social · Aug 26

If you like inflation and high borrowing costs, you like what Trump is doing to the Fed.

Justin Wolfers @justinwolfers.bsky.social · Aug 26

Yes, the stakes here are large. Very large.

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Patrick W. Watson @patrickww.bsky.social · Aug 26

If the bond market doesn’t have a major freak out tomorrow, Trump will conclude he can fire others, too.

And, then, by next spring, he will have full control of the FOMC and get those zero interest rates he wants.

Michael Derby @michaelsderby.bsky.social · Aug 26

Trump fires Fed's Cook alleging false statements on mortgage forms.

Trump fires Fed's Cook alleging false statements on mortgage forms

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday took the unprecedented action of firing Lisa Cook, the first African-American woman to serve as a Federal Reserve governor, over claims of mortgage borrowing impropriety.

www.reuters.com

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Reposted by Patrick W. Watson

Nacmtrader17 @nacmtrader17.bsky.social · Aug 25

these aren't jokes or distractions

i dont understand why more ppl aren't more concerned about this.. he has a sec of def and now with ICE his own personal army

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Aug 25

Trump: "A lot of people are saying maybe we'd like a dictator."

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