To quote NBC News: President Donald Trump is set to preside this evening over the first   military parade   in the nation’s capital since the end of the Gulf War in 1991 — this time a celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday. It also happens to be Trump’s 79th birthday.  But the celebration will take place with clouds hanging over it, both figurative and real. The forecast calls for a high chance of rain showers or thunderstorms. The display of military might also comes against the backdrop of Trump’s inability, so far, to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. And, in a twist of timing, it comes as the U.S. began providing aid to Israel in shooting down Iranian missiles and days after Trump deployed National Guard and Marine troops to southern California to quell protests against immigration raids. So the answer to the question posed at the top is YES!  If not the weather, certainly those wars and nationwide protests.  The  predicted rain  will redu...

Those Trump tariffs are roiling the stock markets of the world .  From the New York Times this morning: From CNBC today: The   Dow   on Monday saw its largest gap in points between session highs and lows on record. The blue-chip average traded up as high as by around 892 points and as low as about 1,703 points in the red, as of shortly after 3 p.m. ET. That 2,595.24-point swing is the widest in the 30-stock index’s history, according to a CNBC data analysis. Today is the third straight day of of more negatives . Trump   said   Sunday evening on the market rout: “I don’t want anything to go down, but sometimes you have to take medicine to fix something.” Further: Trump then threatened China on Monday via Truth Social: “If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long term trading abuses by tomorrow, April 8th, 2025, the United States will impose additional tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concern...