I try not to be an MSM camp follower here, but the NYT hit one out of the park today, with this look at how easily grifters of all sorts — in this case, gold and silver peddlers — have found a place in MAGA world. It starts like this:
At a conference this month put on by Turning Point Action, a rising conservative activist group, 8,000 people packed into a Detroit convention hall to hear directly from Republicans’ presumptive nominee for president, Donald J. Trump.
But first, there was a word from a sponsor: Alexander Spellane.
Mr. Spellane, who federal regulators say is also known as Alexander Fisher and Alexander Overlie, sells investments in precious metals. Cash, stocks and 401(k)s could plummet in value, he warned from the stage, but he told the throng of Trump supporters that they could protect their money by buying gold and silver from his company, Fisher Capital.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission has been trying to shut down Fisher Capital’s sales for the past 14 months, alleging in a lawsuit that it sold gold and silver coins at such exorbitant, deceptive prices that virtually every customer had suffered “immediate and dramatic losses on their investment.” Fisher Capital has denied the allegations.
You have to scroll down to find a photo of Spellane, and he looks exactly like you’d expect — a greasy-haired young’un in a shiny suit, someone you’d warn your grandparents away from, if you were fortunate enough to meet them before they signed over their retirement savings to him.
Then I came to this passage:
Listening with interest was Jeff Strasser, 57, a former carpenter and truck driver who had traveled more than two hours from Northern Michigan to hear Mr. Trump. Mr. Strasser said he was intrigued by Mr. Spellane’s statement that anyone who stopped by the Fisher Capital booth in the adjoining hall would be eligible for up to $10,000 in free silver.
He came away from the booth thinking a precious metal investment was a slam dunk. “You kind of have to be a fool not to want to do it,” he said, adding “I’m talking about maybe switching my whole 401(k) over to it.”
And while I think I can be empathetic to almost anyone, my heart remains cold when considering the likely economic fate of Strasser. He, too, looks exactly like you’d expect, with his dagger beard and lanyard of TPUSA bling; I’m sure he has a Let’s Go Brandon bumper sticker on his F-150. And if he ends up collecting cans for deposit to buy food in his old age, I doubt my heart will melt.
If my heart were more tender, I’d advise him: Do you see rich people doing this? No? Then why are you doing it?
And the drumbeat of terrible news goes on:
WASHINGTON (AP) — From his home office in small-town Kentucky, a seasoned political operative is quietly investigating scores of federal employees suspected of being hostile to the policies of Republican Donald Trump, a highly unusual and potentially chilling effort that dovetails with broader conservative preparations for a new White House.
Tom Jones and his American Accountability Foundation are digging into the backgrounds, social media posts and commentary of key high-ranking government employees, starting with the Department of Homeland Security. They’re relying in part on tips from his network of conservative contacts, including workers. In a move that alarms some, they’re preparing to publish the findings online.
When you study repressive regimes, you’re supposed to remember the bad stuff as something to avoid, not emulate.
Oh, well. Man, did I sleep badly last night. I should hang it up for the day, maybe take a bike ride to clear the ol’ head. Think I will.
Later. Still grouchy. Let’s hit Publish and hope for a better rest tonight.
David C said on June 25, 2024 at 6:58 pm
“Would be eligible for up to $10,000 in free silver.” Nope, no wiggle room there. He knows he’s gonna get $10,000 in free silver. He probably sent in whatever you sent in when Ed McMahon said “You may already be a winner” too. I hear the ads on the radio, the ones that start with “Joe Biden, the IRS, and Democrats want to take all your money and impregnate your dog” and I wonder who buys into that crap. Now I know.
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brian stouder said on June 25, 2024 at 7:08 pm
I know that I’m not anywhere near the smartest human being in America…or Indiana….heck, even in this household (Pammy is a pretty intelligent human being, aside from her choice of a husband!), but where I worked offered a 401k program that looked like a pretty good bet (the tax reduction on dollars going in is, by itself, wonderful – and the index funds were pleasant enough, as the years eased by)……and indeed, it now makes me look like a smart person. So that’s my old-guy piece of wisdom for our young folks, as they ascend in their work-lives: take advantage of 401k programs from your employers!
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Deborah said on June 25, 2024 at 7:51 pm
I’ve been extremely crabby today, partly because it’s hot and partly because it’s been one of those days where I’m waiting, waiting, waiting on other people before I can get stuff done. Too long and boring of a story to go into but Lordy I hate days like this.
I’ve also had it with the Trumpers, they can all just go to hell.
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Julie Robinson said on June 25, 2024 at 8:27 pm
Crabby may not just be my middle name, it might also be my first. Lots of crap happening, but also just too much going on. I’ve just sat down to relax for the first time in three days.
We have one of those 401Ks too, and it’s performed remarkably well. So we were surprised to get a call from Vanguard telling us a bunch of blahblahblah that would make it do even better, by switching into a personal advisor fund, for a very small fee. He couldn’t really tell us the fee, or what we were paying now, that would be at the actual appointment. Something about it made my suspicious.
So, I drilled down on the Vanguard site, following link after link after link. Finally, I found it: 3% of our funds every single year. 3%. What we’re paying now? $14.50 per quarter, or $58 per year. We canceled that appointment.
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Suzanne said on June 25, 2024 at 9:11 pm
I know several people who have bought gold and silver and keep it in a safe in their home because when the economy completely falls apart, they believe they will have something to fall back on. In the case of a complete world economic crash, I can’t imagine who they think they are going to sell the gold or silver to, but maybe I am missing something.
I am so tired of all this idiocy. It’s like living with a toddler in the throes of the terrible twos but they never outgrow it. It’s exhausting.
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Dexter Friend said on June 25, 2024 at 11:42 pm
I was pissed off Monday when the roofing crew did not show, nor call. I called, “the shingles are back-ordered.” So today it rained, maybe I’ll get my new roof by Friday. I was going to get the steel roof but the contractor said at my age the investment would be not the best bet…when I sell eventually, I would not re-coup the cost.
Is CashApp safe? My two grandsons owe me money and both said I ain’t getting paid back unless I get the app, so I did. So far I have $200 back from the 3Gs they owe me. I have never had Venmo or any app like this…so are these apps secure?
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Mark P said on June 25, 2024 at 11:46 pm
I was never a fan of Dave Ramsey, the Christian financial advisor — a little too self righteous and a little too self satisfied — but I thought he got at least one thing right. He mocked the people who thought gold would save them in a general social collapse. As he said, people will want useful things like food, gasoline, guns. No one will have any use whatsoever for gold.
Trump cultists are beyond help. They are like alcoholics or drug addicts. They can’t be convinced of anything by anyone outside their cult. If they are going to get out, they have to do it for themselves. AA talks about alcoholics having to hit rock bottom before they can come to the realization that they have to do something. Unfortunately for us, the Trump cultists want to drag everyone else down to rock bottom with them.
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alex said on June 26, 2024 at 12:18 am
Brian, you’re absolutely right. I retired early in part because I couldn’t motivate myself to work anymore when I was sitting on enough money that I didn’t need to. My employer matched savings at 8 percent and I was there only 18 years.
And Julie, the stock market is wonderful right now and if you’re invested in S&P 500 index funds you don’t need an advisor. Financial products are the same kind of fool’s gold Alex Jones is selling but buttoned-down and respectable.
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David C said on June 26, 2024 at 6:05 am
At some point in my life I read Jane Bryant Quinn’s “Making the Most Out of Your Money”. She is a big proponent of index funds. I’ve had my 401(k) in Vanguard’s S&P 500 fund ever since. The lowest of fees and nobody to churn my account. It’s worked out well.
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Jeff Gill said on June 26, 2024 at 7:01 am
George Packer in The Atlantic has a near book-length essay on Phoenix and America that’s not going to brighten your day, but is certainly some hard-earned reporting. Trying to re-post an effective gift link:
https://t.co/mpbwBcMfyq
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nancy said on June 26, 2024 at 7:41 am
I think ammunition, liquor, cigarettes and food will be worth more than precious metals, but what do I know.
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alex said on June 26, 2024 at 8:14 am
I suppose you could use gold bars to clobber people if you’re trying to conserve ammunition.
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Jeff Borden said on June 26, 2024 at 9:02 am
Department of Unintended Consequences, Texass Division…
Have you seen what the total ban on abortions in Texass has created? A huge spike in infant deaths, of course.
https://apnews.com/article/abortion-texas-infant-mortality-birth-defects-b055ac35cdbc9ec13f400b4c3e1056e7
And the Houston Chronicle reports more than 26,000 pregnancies related to a rape. This after the QOP refused to allow any rape exceptions to the ban, a moment marked by the Texass governor promising they would basically get all rapists off the streets of the Loon Star State.
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Mark P said on June 26, 2024 at 9:58 am
Jeff Borden — I’m not so sure those are unintended consequences.
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Julie Robinson said on June 26, 2024 at 10:24 am
We were in an index fund until maybe 10 years ago, when we switched to a targeted retirement fund, so our current mix includes some bonds. But speaking of churn, I did wonder how much risk they would have to take to make up for that 3%, and the more I think of it, the angrier Ifeel. I think Vanguard is not quite the same company since its founder died.
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4dbirds said on June 26, 2024 at 10:53 am
We use Cashapp quite extensively to move money around in our family. It is how my kids receive their birthday gifts and, how I send them money for any reason. Once you receive your money from the grandkids, download it to your bank.
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alex said on June 26, 2024 at 10:54 am
Thanks for that link, Jeff G.
I clicked on the link for “The Tyranny of the Female-Orgasm Industrial Complex” following that gut-wrenching Arizona story, hoping it might be a light-hearted palate cleanser, but no luck. It wasn’t free.
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Sherri said on June 26, 2024 at 12:17 pm
The right wing has been driven by grift at least since Richard Viguerie built his first mailing list. Glenn Beck and Bill O’Reilly both promoted gold, Alex Jone had his supplements – what other kind of sponsors will stand alongside that noxious content? And once the marks are willing to believe that Sandy Hook was staged, they’ll believe anything.
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Julie Robinson said on June 26, 2024 at 12:22 pm
Dexter, the transfer apps are safe, except if you inadvertantly send to the wrong person through a typo, then it’s almost impossible to get it back. We’ve paid our handyman through one of them, hosted by our credit union. Our daughter had to walk me through the process, but it wasn’t difficult. If you’ll just be receiving payments, it should be much easier. Though I do wonder if not having checks was an excuse to not pay. You’ve been more than magnanimous with them.
Our great-nephew was home over break and came to dinner, having now completed two years as an English major at UCLA. He said nothing was resolved after the spring protests and UCLA is refusing to divest troublesome investments, so he sees more protests in the future.
He doesn’t think Biden will survive another four years, but is fine with Kamala Harris as President. We all agreed that the Biden administration is full of highly competent members, so have less concern with his age because of that. He says this will be the last old President. Of that I’m not sure, but we all concurred that a Harris/Whitmer tickets would be great in 2028.
This lad would always greet us when we visited, then disappear upstairs until it was time for us to leave. This may be the longest conversation we’ve ever had, and it speaks well of the maturing influence of age and college.
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Jeff Borden said on June 26, 2024 at 12:56 pm
Mark P.,
I guess given the callousness and cruelty toward women that all those infant deaths maybe are a feature not a bug. It’s still a horrible look, but Texass doesn’t give a shit what others might think of them. That said, I’m still surprised at how many companies relocate there. Are the lower taxes worth putting your women employees at risk in a state hostile to their health? I guess so.
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Scout said on June 26, 2024 at 12:57 pm
Jeff G, that article was De Press Ing. My life choices are now in question.
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Jeff Gill said on June 26, 2024 at 1:35 pm
Depressing, but in an epic way, Scout? There’s room even in Ohio for me to question many life choices, which keeps me working for the juvenile court long past where I probably should just cash in my retirement and focus on . . . eh, I’ll keep working a bit longer.
Alex, this should be a gift link.
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Brandon said on June 26, 2024 at 3:35 pm
Investopedia: “Why Gold Has Always Had Value.”
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Jeff Borden said on June 26, 2024 at 5:53 pm
I’m still thinking tRump bails on the debate tomorrow night. Or stage some kind of tantrum and a walk off to thrill the mouthbreathers. Would the debate go on with just Biden?
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brian stouder said on June 26, 2024 at 8:53 pm
I’m guessing it would. Biden could conduct an impromptu press conference, and occasionally reference Trump’s empty podium….and point out that when the going gets tough, Trump gets going the other way!
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Dexter Friend said on June 27, 2024 at 2:25 am
A very nice lady at my C.U. talked me through installing CashApp, no problem.
As for the future, I would love to vote for Whitmer and Buttigieg, or Buttigieg-Whitmer.
I honestly cannot envision which of the two will fly higher .
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David C said on June 27, 2024 at 5:53 am
Dexter, the only problem with that is that Pete and Chasten moved to Traverse City. Prez and VP can’t be from the same state.
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Dorothy said on June 27, 2024 at 7:30 am
Dexter we signed up for Venmo a little over a year ago when my husband had an unusual spring harvest of honey from his beehives. Lots of neighbors wanted to pay via Venmo so we really had no choice, but have had nothing but good results with it. We also have done PayPal for many years but it seems the young folk don’t really use it anymore. I’ve never had any bad issues with PayPal.
David I had no idea there was a rule about Pres/VP not being allowed from the same state. Can you explain why this is a rule? I mean I could Google it but thought maybe you’d have some intelligent insight that might cut to the chase.
We rented a movie that came out a few months ago and it did not exactly live up to my expectations. It was okay but I think I was just a little disappointed in it. Wicked Little Letters was the movie. I’m glad we waited to only pay $5.99 to rent it instead of $19.99.
Today we’re taking our granddaughter to a 12:05 pm Columbus Clippers baseball game, which will be her second baseball game. I hope to explain the intricacies of baseball to her in a way that won’t overwhelm her. She asked for us to bring a baseball glove because she’s convinced Zah Zah will be able to catch a fly ball (that’s her name for Grandad). She is a giant sponge these days and wants to learn about EVERYTHING. At the library on Monday she asked me to look for books about the Titanic and she picked out two to take home. Then I asked her if she wanted to look for some about the Olympics since they’re starting in a month. After a pause she said ‘No I don’t think so. I’ve already learned a lot about the Olympics and I don’t think I need to read anymore about it right now.’ So much honesty from a 7 year old.
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Deborah said on June 27, 2024 at 9:17 am
I had heard about the pres and vp not being from the same state rule when Trump began considering Rubio to be the possible vp. Rubio would have to move from FL and he’d have to leave the senate as a result.
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Jeff Gill said on June 27, 2024 at 10:20 am
Two debate questions: Kenya, please point out its location on a map. Bolivia, likewise. Thank you. (I think asking about a “Stan” is unfair since most of us have to look up which of those are where.)
Tie-breaker: Tibet.
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alex said on June 27, 2024 at 1:33 pm
Jeff G, thanks for the second gift link. It’s quite an entertaining read.
I got Venmo recently when I went to a Chicago restaurant not realizing that it was a cash-only business and my bank wouldn’t let me use my debit card at any of the nearby ATMs, but instead started texting me fraud alerts when I tried to withdraw money. I called the bank and was told they couldn’t do anything about it.
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Mark P said on June 27, 2024 at 3:08 pm
I heard part of an interview with an Atlantic reporter who had been talking to German officials. He said they are preparing plans to deal with three scenarios, Trump wins, Biden wins, and the U.S. sinks into domestic strife. He said they told him they weren’t really worrying much about the Biden scenario because they wouldn’t expect much change, plus they don’t think he will win.
All I can say is, when’s the last time anyone actually hoped for a military coup?
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Watson said on June 27, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Julie, I use Vanguard’s personal advisor service. You’re off by a factor of 10: The total fees per year are .3%, not 3%. I sure as hell wouldn’t use it at 3%, but for .3% I’m happy to have an actual person to talk with as I think about a retirement plan.
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David C said on June 27, 2024 at 3:58 pm
I don’t have any insight into why POTUS and VPOTUS can’t be from the same state other than it’s in the 12th Amendment:
The Electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves.
Maybe an early thing about fear of one state getting too much power in the government having both offices.
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Julie Robinson said on June 27, 2024 at 4:40 pm
There’s been chatter about this here because DeSantis was also in the veep running for a bit. Both can be from the same state, but the state’s electoral votes won’t count.
Watson, interesting; the website said 3%. It’s still a lot more than $14.50/quarter, and we’re happy NOT
thinking about it.
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Icarus said on June 27, 2024 at 5:20 pm
This is one of the more interesting reads about the POTUS and VP being in the same state.
https://www.history.com/news/can-the-president-and-vice-president-be-from-the-same-state
perhaps another reason to get rid of the Electoral College.
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David C said on June 27, 2024 at 5:27 pm
Florida’s electoral college votes wouldn’t count. Run, Pudding fingers, run.
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tajalli said on June 27, 2024 at 6:05 pm
Julie, I’d heard of investment advisors asking 2-3% of either annual income or total income as their fee. Absolutely did not sound like a good deal either way – just a method of skimming income from clients without personal risk.
The 0.3% figure is what an investment company might charge overall to hold your investments. Free access to an advisor may be part of that and then actual transactions can have a flat fee, in the vicinity of $25, unless you’re doing your own online investing.
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David C said on June 27, 2024 at 6:10 pm
My 401(k) is through Empower Investments. We used to have Fidelity which I preferred. They were a lot less aggressive pitching their personal investor option. I’m not sure why the company changed providers, other than I’m sure it was a better deal for them, not us.
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Sherri said on June 27, 2024 at 6:32 pm
1% of Assets Under Management (AUM) would be the high end of what would be reasonable for an investment advisor, and that would be with someplace that’s going to give a lot more service than a Vanguard personal advisor is going to give to a random investor. I’d be very surprised if Vanguard is charging 3% for a personal advisor.
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Suzanne said on June 27, 2024 at 9:31 pm
If you aren’t watching the debate, be glad you are being spared. We are doomed. Absolutely.
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Mark P said on June 27, 2024 at 10:14 pm
Suzanne – I’m afraid you’re right. Biden is blowing this big time, and all I can think is, we are so fucked. I wish he would preface all his answers with, “The convicted felon and adjudicated rapist is lying as usual.”
There’s a name for Trump’s approach: the Gish gallop. Throw out so many lies and so much bullshit that your opponent can’t begin to answer before running out of time.
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Kristen said on June 27, 2024 at 10:23 pm
I had a sinking feeling that the debate was going to be a shit show, and it’s even worse than I expected. Why, why! is Biden speaking so softly and hoarsely?? The entire format is a fiasco and only serves to allow tRump to lie – AGAIN – without being fact checked. This is so depressing.
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alex said on June 27, 2024 at 11:11 pm
Researching home prices in Ontario right now, boonies not Toronto. I’m sure the NYT and WaPo will be reporting about spikes on google and realtor.com in the next few days. Good thing real estate’s at a premium right now. I want to unload mine on some Republicans.
My God, this is how Hitler took over Germany and Western Europe. My dad lived through it. He says it’s happening again. He thought it could never happen here.
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Joe Kobiela said on June 27, 2024 at 11:34 pm
I think it was a year ago I said the best way for the dems to beat Trump was to replace Biden, after tonight do you agree? And who do you think the dems should pick?
Pilot Joe
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Jeff Gill said on June 27, 2024 at 11:37 pm
I think Kim Guilfoyle’s ex can pull this one out, but either Gavin or Kamala needs to get rolling tomorrow, as in Friday, as in now.
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alex said on June 27, 2024 at 11:56 pm
Joe, I think your concern trolling is the best in terms of spelling and grammar that I’ve ever seen. Thank you for taking the time to make it look halfway sane, even if the substance of it isn’t.
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Sherri said on June 28, 2024 at 12:30 am
Nobody is going to step in and replace Joe Biden and be the magical candidate. If such a candidate had existed, they had a whole primary race to step and demonstrate it. Gavin Newsom is not that candidate; his approval ratings in California are below water, and one on one Newsom-Trump polls in swing states aren’t in Newsom’s favor.
I like Kamala better than Newsom personally, but I don’t like the odds of a woman of color entering the race this late and having any kind of chance.
Stop worrying about Biden. He’s the candidate. What are you going to do to help him win?
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David C said on June 28, 2024 at 6:37 am
It’s pretty common in a Presidential race the the incumbent to have a really bad first debate. Remember Obama’s first debate with Romney? Romney took Obama on a lie filled Gish Gallop. Obama prepared for the wrong thing. After that, he knew what was coming and cleaned Romney’s clock. Quit moaning, get off the ledges, and get to work. There are over four months to go.
https://digbysblog.net/2024/06/27/this-time-in-2012/
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Deborah said on June 28, 2024 at 7:22 am
I didn’t watch much of the debate. It was obvious that Biden had a bit of a cold. He was off. Yes, I remember Obama’s first debate with Romney was disastrous but he won anyway. We have a lot to do. This is a never again Trump election, and Biden has had a good run so far. We can do this. It will take all of us.
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alex said on June 28, 2024 at 9:40 am
Biden’s biggest problem, it seemed to me, was his habitual over-reliance on rehearsed talking points (and trouble remembering them). When taking on a Gish Galloper, one needs to be equally spontaneous and theatrical and much better at calling out bullshit.
Remembering Obama v. Romney, the moderators called out Romney for much smaller lies than the firehose of shit emanating from the orange a-hole. Those two last night were total pushovers.
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Julie Robinson said on June 28, 2024 at 9:55 am
Didn’t watch the debate. Knew listening to the convicted felon would raise my blood pressure too much, and I could read the pertinent details today.
Which I have, now, and…gulp.
We’re electing an administration and a Supreme Court. Keep repeating those words.
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FDChief said on June 28, 2024 at 11:11 am
The shitshow last night hasn’t changed the choice between a cup of piss and a cup of poison. If voters are confused about that? We’re fucked.
I get that there’s about three to four of ten voters who WANT the poison. They’re lost.
The rest of the country has no excuse.
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Heather said on June 28, 2024 at 11:13 am
It’s depressing that we’re talking about replacing Biden and not focusing on the convicted felon who lied through the whole debate.
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Sherri said on June 28, 2024 at 11:43 am
Everyone should stop playing amateur campaign strategist, including all the pundits, and focus on what’s happening. Like how SCOTUS is dismantling government, gutting the regulatory state, imposing their idea of what government is for on the state and the other branches regardless of the Constitution.
Billionaires get jury trials for anything! Little people have to go to arbitration! Billionaires don’t like those unsightly homeless people, so lock ‘em up! Women should die if they don’t get pregnant the right way!
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Sherri said on June 28, 2024 at 12:16 pm
Why don’t homeless people just find themselves a friendly billionaire to buy an RV for them?
Why don’t billionaires understand that dirty air and water affect their ability to live forever? Oh, that’s right, they think they’re going to colonize Mars! With its pristine air and water!
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alex said on June 28, 2024 at 12:22 pm
I’m outta here for the next several days. Meeting up with Chicago friends at the Dunes where we’re going in on a vacay rental. Trying to get tasks accomplished including packing food and diabetes meds into coolers and not forgetting anything else important. Hope the fresh air and sunshine will clear my head from the turmoil that is politics.
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Julie Robinson said on June 28, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Agreed, Sherri. I’m working hard to not get caught in the weeds.
Alex, your trip sounds like a perfect reset. We’re not traveling, but tomorrow we’re going to our third show of the week, and Sunday a baby shower. I need to run laundry and wrap gifts and make food.
This is baby #4 so they really only need practical gifts like diapers. So diapers it is, and books from the local used bookstore; one for each of the other kids who will be there, and the rest for the new little guy. No more doom scrolling for me.
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brian stouder said on June 28, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Alex – that sounds marvelous! Here’s wishing you and yours safe travels, and one or two laugh-out-loud unplanned moments
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