Gold, Silver, PM's and Markets

So oil is $160 in the Middle East according to CNBC and $97 to $110 in the US due to our energy independence.

Summary:

First we blew up the pipeline that supplied Germany and other parts of Europe with Russian gas.

Second, Trump and his buddy Nuttiyhoo blew up the energy prices for Europe by attacking Iran. 

Is it any wonder we have no allies any longer?

We should be given a Nobel Prize in Stupid Human tricks not a Peace prize.

Chokepoint Madness: Iran Refuses Hormuz Talks As Houthis Threaten Red Sea Strait
FRIDAY, MAR 20, 2026 - 01:48 PM
Summary
Oil rises on news of a second massive Marine deployment toward Gulf in a week, as Trump calls NATO a 'paper tiger'.
IRGC contradicts Bibi: says missile production is ongoing, is of "no concern" - even as IRGC spokesman Ali Mohammad Naeini is reported killed.
Energy war ongoing: Major sites damaged across the region - Haifa refinery hit, Qatar LNG output cut 17%, Kuwait facilities ablaze.
Kharg Island escalation looms: Trump admin weighing seizure of Kharg Island to reopen Hormuz; Thousands of Marines in route, reports of low US jet strafing runs over strait.
Signal of zero restraint from Ayatollah & FM: Iran sends warning if energy sites are hit again, leadership structure grows opaque; supreme leader says enemies will be denied security.
Chokepoint concerns in Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb send Brent and WTI prices higher in late afternoon trading
*  *  *
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/hormuz-showdown-begins-us-warplanes-apaches-launch-sea-lane-offensive-trump-eyes-high

Off to mail our property tax bill for the entire year rather than chancing sending it in late at the 6 month interval.  It now costs us $134 per week just to stay in our own home that no longer has a mortgage payment.

Our local community now has an $84000 per year diversity equity and inclusion 'officer'.  At a local elementary school the teacher was 'teaching' her young charges that A is for activism.  I recall when A was for apple.

So much for that little gold recovery..It was sold into..It did back to $4600 fro a brief moment.

Flash back

Hank Paulson's request for a $700 billion bailout in 2008 faced significant backlash from Congress, with many lawmakers accusing him of misleading them about the plan's intentions and expressing concerns over the lack of oversight and accountability. Critics labeled the bailout as a deceptive "bait-and-switch" that primarily benefited Wall Street rather than addressing the needs of struggling homeowners and businesses.

And now

President Trump has proposed a $200 billion funding request to Congress, primarily aimed at supporting military operations in Iran. This figure has sparked significant debate regarding its implications for U.S. military engagement and budget priorities.

"It costs money to kill bad guys".

Shelter your savings while you still can.  These people are gangsters and they want it all.  The dirty secret that is out in the open now is that taxation is a combination of direct confiscation in April and systematic embezzlement through the inflation tax accomplished by continuously going further into debt and expanding money supply.