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2013

Bruce Krasting's picture




 

 

13

 

The following are my thoughts about things that might happen in 2013. This (Link) takes you to a discussion of my forecasts for 2012. I got a number of things right, and some important things wrong.

 

2013

 

- The bulk of the fiscal cliff issues will be pushed into 2013. This sets up a showdown in March when the debt limit can no longer be extended.

Americans will be exhausted by this process. The poll ratings for the Senate, House and Obama will fall to record lows. The commentary from every segment of society will be against the ineffective government the country has. The ratings agencies will chime in with more warnings that the US credit ratings are at risk. Foreign leaders will speak openly that the USA is losing its position of leadership. The foreign and domestic press will have a field day.

The threat of a government shutdown, and a chance for a “Hoover Legacy”, will force the President to fold in March. The resulting “Deal” will bring modest increases in taxes ($800b over ten-years) and introduces real cuts in both Medicare and Social Security (age eligibility, means testing benefits and changes in inflation adjustments). The debt limit will be extended until January of 2015 (after mid-term elections).

Liberals will hate this result, so will conservatives. The reality will be that the steps taken will have very little consequence to the economy, budget or debt profile in the first few years. A set of future promises will have been made to right the ship, but the “Grand Deal” will be well short of what is needed. What will come will be just another kick of the can down the road.

 

- Frustrated by the lack of results on the economy, Japan's Abe will push for the ultimate financial measure; he will call for the Central Bank of Japan to "extinguish" 20% of Japan's public sector debt. This will be the first official step toward the "Platinum Coin" solution to debt. This will be very controversial on a global scale. Liberal economists will love the idea, while conservative thinkers on money will hate it. This defining moment in modern finance will not happen in 2013, but the year will end will the prospect that it will.

 

- Tim Geithner will leave Treasury and join Wilbur Ross. Tim will become a distressed investor in his new private sector life.

 

- The Yen will trade cheap against all crosses and hit a high of USDYEN 98. It will end the year back below 90.

 

- There will be a total of four super-storms that make landfall in 2013. One will hit the USA, the other three will hit Asia.

 

-The European economy will struggle for yet another year. The weak Yen and the overvalued Euro will act as a drag on growth.

 

- The Euro will remain above 1.30 for the first portion of the year, and then weaken, ending the year at 1.20. The high for the year will be 1.37.

 

- Unemployment in Spain will push 30%. Youth unemployment will rise to over 50%. By the end of 2013 serious questions will be raised as to why Spain is tearing itself apart, and would the country be better off out of the Euro. The conclusion, by many Spaniards, will be that it would be better off leaving versus staying. This would represent a big change in thinking, and set up 2014 as the year of the Euro breakup.

 

-Several states will ban the sale of high energy drinks after more evidence the drinks can cause health problems.

 

- The Chevy Volt and the Tesla will not sell well.

 

- The Swiss National Bank will maintain the 1.2000 peg for another year, but 2013 will be the last year of the dirty float for Switzerland.

 

- There will be more lawsuits and premature deaths of professional football players. The NFL will introduce a series of steps to reduce the incidence of concussions. The new rules will change both the equipment players wear, and establish new, severe penalties for late hits (3 point penalty). Fans will not like the results; critics will say that the new measures do not go far enough.

 

- Around mid-year, the Fed will reduce its monthly POMO buys to $60B per month. Later in the year the purchases will be further reduced to $50B a month. The Fed’s balance sheet will increase by $700B (25%) during the year.

 

- The 10-year bond will trade above 2% by June, and stay above this level for the balance of the year. The 30 year will reach 3.75% at one point in the fall.

 

- Gold will trade in a range, below 1800 and above 1400. Boring.

 

- The US housing market will continue to improve, but at a pace that will be slower than that witnessed in 2012.

 

- Obama will force out Ed DeMarco as the head of the FHFA. The President's new appointee will attempt to put together a new debt forgiveness ReFi program for America's underwater home owners. The effort will produce negligible results.

 

- Barge traffic on the Northern Mississippi will be restricted due to low water in February. The drop in traffic will result in higher prices, and spot shortages of raw materials/energy in the upper mid-west. Later in the year agricultural commodity prices will be impacted by higher cost of transportation. The "trains" will be the beneficiary of this.

 

- Inflation will rise modestly in the US. Full year Core CPI will be greater than 2%. When food and energy are included, inflation will push north of 2.5%. At one point during the year Bernanke will refer to the higher rates of inflation, and suggest that this is a sign of "success". He will be widely criticized for this, as there well be evidence that higher inflation is having a negative affect on the bottom 20% in the country.

 

- Tiger Woods will win a major.Rory McIlroy will not have a good season due to new equipment. Jason Dufner will win the FedEx Cup.

 

- Denver will beat Green Bay in the Super Bowl. In the NBA, the Miami will lose to Oklahoma.

 

- The Mars explorer will find carbon.

 

- The US unemployment rate will fall from 7.9% to 7.1% during the year. The widespread conclusion will be that the Fed's effort to reduce unemployment was only marginally successful, and that structural problems in the economy are the real reason for high unemployment. Taken together, these results will undermine the Fed.

 

- Jack Lew will replace Geithner as Treasury Secretary. This choice will be driven by Lew's knowledge and experience with budget matters. But Lew knows nothing of the capital markets and this will be a problem when a non-budget crisis emerges. Lew will say something about the currency markets that causes a big flap. There will be calls for his resignation as a result.

 

- There will be no meaningful gun legislation in the US during 2013. But the threat of new restrictions will keep gun store shelves empty. Gun violence in America will, of course, continue.

 

- The S&P will hit a low of 1,250 and a high of 1,500. It will be an "okay" year for stocks, but nothing special.

 

- China’s GDP will grow by 7%, a rate that is near stall speed. China will continue to create growth through infrastructure spending; more empty cities and trains to nowhere.

 

- China’s new government will crackdown on corruption. The immediate consequences will be a drop in luxury goods consumption and continued capital outflow. There will be arrests and trials of government officials caught with their hands in the jar.

 

- There will be large losses for Chinese citizens who have invested in “Wealth Management” investments that promised returns of 10% a year. The widespread losses will result in social protests.

 

- Merkel will be re-elected as the German Chancellor. But the election results will raise the question of Germany’s political willingness to stay in the EU. The election will be a turning point for the Euro FX rate. The EURUSD will weaken after the election.

 

- Greece will not leave the Euro in 2013. The economy will continue to suffer. In the fall of 2013 the pressure for Grexit will rebuild. The final exit will not come until 1st Q 2014.

 

- Spain will resist a bailout from the ECB for as long as possible. By the end of the summer the pressure in the Spanish bond market will rebuild. The actual bailout will occur at about the same time as the German election. This will hurt Merkel.

 

- When Spain is forced to accept an ECB bailout, the conditionality that is attached to the request will be cosmetic and of no significance to Spain in 2013/14. The "conditionality" will be on future years, not the present. The ECB's Mario Draghi, will deliver "Unlimited bond buying", as promised. The IMF will be a reluctant participant. The markets will end up wondering, “Who’s next?” The surprise answer is that it will be France, not Italy, that will next come under the market’s gaze. (Mario Monti will stay in the political picture in Italy)

 

- French and German politics will worsen further. Socialist France, and Capitalist Germany will move father away from each other. The squabbles between the counties will go public.

 

-Switzerland will fail to get tax treaties with France and Germany on the issue of illegal accounts. Switzerland's refusal to give up the "names" will result in economic penalties imposed by the EU.

 

- Brazil’s inflation rate will push 10%. The country will blame the USA and the Fed’s cheap money policies.

 

- Argentina will default on some of its external debt.

 

- On average, 2013 will be a colder year than 2012 for the globe. Arctic ice melt will be less than that experienced in either 2007 or 2012. La Nina conditions will reoccur in September.

 

- The Mid-West drought will abate somewhat, but annual rainfall will still be below normal. US crop yields will be higher than in 2012. Weather related problems in China, Russia and Argentina will limit crop production. As a result, the global cost of basic food stocks will rise another 10% for the year.

 

- In a complete blow off to his political base, Obama will green-light the Keystone Pipeline and approve “safe” fracking on Federal land.

 

- Faced with new production sources and a generally weak global economy, crude oil prices will drift lower in the early part of the year. But Saudi Arabia will cut production to adjust supply. The low for WTI will be 78. The high will be next fall, at $95. The WTI/Brent spread will widen from $20, to $25.

 

- The cargo shipping industry will continue to struggle with excess capacity and slow growth in global trade. Several public companies will be forced into a restructuring by lenders.

 

- North Korea will fire more rockets over Japan. Iran will have military exercises around the Straits of Hormuz. The US will spend tens of billions on naval costs in the Straits. Israel will talk tough about Iran. But there will be no major hostilities in 2013.

 

- Although there will be no new wars, there will be several periods during the year where the prospect of something happening will look very real. When this happens, there will be spikes in crude. One spike will occur in early summer; Obama will open up the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to stabilize prices.

 

- There will not be another major "Flash Crash" in 2013. However, during the year there will be thousands of examples of individual stock names that suffer from Algo Attacks that last for only a few seconds. The Wall Street Journal will publish numerous articles that describes the Attacks. The SEC will promise a review of market practices on the topic of HFT, nothing will come from that. There will be numerous "fat finger" trades. One of which will cost the firm behind the finger more than $1B.

 

- The Exacta for the Kentucky Derby: Balance the Books & Power Broker.

 

- In the baseball playoffs, the California Angels will beat Tampa Bay, the LA Dodgers will beat Cincinnati. This will set up the first ever "All LA" World Series. The Angles go on to win, but no one outside of SoCal cares, the TV audience is the lowest in years.

 

- The 2012/2013 Hockey season will be completely lost. Pregnancy rates will increase as a result.

 

- Apple will spend a fair bit of next year below $500, but will end the year close to $600.

 

- There will be no financial crisis in 2013 that undermines bank stocks. However, the question will be, “Where’s the upside”. The big move in bank stocks will not be repeated in 2013.

 

- FB will not trade above $31. This busted IPO will continue to be a drag on other tech IPOs.

 

- Daniel Day-Lewis will win Best Actor for Lincoln. A nine year old, Quvenzhane Wallis will get Best Actress. Lincoln will get the award for Best Picture.

 

6615215025_ef12118afb_z

 

 

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Sat, 12/29/2012 - 19:14 | 3105463 DosZap
DosZap's picture

Why? The voters just said they want these clowns back in office, after a recent congressional approval rating of 13. The voters got what they wanted, so there is no reason at all to complain.

 

The voters had noting to do with the outcome of the election, it was O from the start.(and the GOP is complicit).

They just allow US to think we have a country, and any rights left.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 17:56 | 3105317 markar
markar's picture

Not a bad track record for 2012 Bruce, but I predict for 2013 you will bat at best 500. This will be the year of the black swan.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 17:22 | 3105248 Dollar Bill Hiccup
Dollar Bill Hiccup's picture

Ah, to be short EURUSD at 1.37, t'would be a dream trade.

Long crowded USDJPY, not so much.

It hard stampeding with the cattle. You just go, don't ask why, even if there are reasons ...

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:24 | 3105383 1100-TACTICAL-12
1100-TACTICAL-12's picture

The whole enchalada blows up before summer.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 19:46 | 3105515 The Swedish Chef
The Swedish Chef's picture

For how many years have we been seeing the same meme? Before spring, come fall, after Christmas... When I first came over to the well prepared dark side the constant predictions scared me, now I know the people making them has no clue what so ever. 

 

Will the enchilada blow up in the coming five months? Perhaps. Can you tell for sure? No and I´m betting it´s not the first time you publicly or privately made such claims. 

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 19:11 | 3105457 DosZap
DosZap's picture

1100-TACTICAL-12

The whole enchalada blows up before summer.

Bingo, and in more ways than WE can even imagine in our wildest of dreams.

STRONGLY suggest all who have not, to bite the bullet, and cash out all CD's Ira's/401k's ASAP, before Dec 31st, and buy Au,and some Ag.

Cash is going to crash, and on purpose.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 17:40 | 3107335 Hapa
Hapa's picture

The enchildada will splatter all over the place. It will be like looking at a squished frog on the road.  Everybody will be standing around with their fingers in their nose, wondering what comes next.  Then, in a moment of clarity, everyone will run around screaming...

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 17:23 | 3105244 falak pema
falak pema's picture

2013 BK prediction : Year of the Doldrums...Limbo. Rip Van Winkle YEar. 

China, Brazil and Russia worth watching. Eurozone and USa will be doldrums unless Potus pulls the Armageddon plug on Iran.

You never know with the MIC. 

Oil, quo vadis...big question there. It conditions commodities.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 20:49 | 3105635 BigDuke6
BigDuke6's picture

Happy Hogmanay FP.

Hope you've got a good scotch by your side for the NY.

Myself, i have obtained an upopened JW black label from the 1980's... apparently an interesting drop with those extra 30 years in the bottle.

 

Anyway my point.

I've got this far down the thread and no-one has commented on BK's prediction for gold trading down.

The fucking wierdo's on this site now talk about guns more than gold.

Its just like comin' back from 'nam.

i feel ' a lot of distance'...

 

i'll be buying platinum in 2013... if i can save the pennies.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 05:59 | 3106145 falak pema
falak pema's picture

Happy new year to ya! 

It'll be bubbly and oysters galore for me. Opening them and guzzling them down with smoked salmon and blinis to go with it.

Nothing like seeing the new year in with a glass of good bubbly or brandy to finish off the evening in good company.

Hasta la vista to all  on ZH! 

I'll keep my eye on the energy scene  in 2013 as this is interesting : 

5-Year Period Of Abundant Oil Supply - Business Insider

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 17:00 | 3105190 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

Phew! I'm exhausted. Again "all eyes on the war" cuz as per all the others "only disabledvet talks about that." and no it is not going "well." no wars ever do...the only "shame" of course is not talking about it. I have no prediction only 400 years of history. That would be "blessed are cheesemakers for they shall inherit the earth." we're simply not going to complete the mission unless and until the reality of the 411 is understood.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:31 | 3105099 Never One Roach
Never One Roach's picture

I like your summary, mainly listing issues we all need to consider even though I don't agree with all your conclusions, it's a great list......thanks!

I doubt rates will go up much and definitely the 10 year won't hit 2% for along time imho. The Fedd's cost on treasuries would be too high and mortgage rate rise would crush the illusion of a housing recovery further. Ads would no longer be able to yell, "Mortgage rates at all time lows...Buy now!"

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:29 | 3105088 notadouche
notadouche's picture

One thing Bruce, I can promise you one prediction that will never come true.  The California Angels will never win another baseball game.  Now the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim might do alright but California Angels will not even compete.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:21 | 3105374 Bruce Krasting
Bruce Krasting's picture

My apology to the Angels of Anaheim.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:14 | 3105059 notadouche
notadouche's picture

One thing Bruce, I can promise you one prediction that will never come true.  The California Angels will never win another baseball game.  Now the Los Angeles Angels of Aneheim might do alright but California Angels will not even compete.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:13 | 3105058 Blano
Blano's picture

I'd say this qualifies as "all over the map."  Nice read though, Bruce.

I hope you cross paths with Red Dress again.  Happy New Year.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 21:22 | 3105716 WmMcK
WmMcK's picture

Everyone should upvote this just for him to meet Red Dress again (without Green Jacket, of course).

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:11 | 3105051 Salon
Salon's picture

Indus Valley civilization looked great. Heavily urbanized. Now just a wasteland.

The rivers dried up and dense urban populations could not be sustained.

What happens if the Mississippi dries up for a decade?

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:14 | 3105060 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

"What happens if the Mississippi dries up for a decade?"

Build high speed rail there.  And make sure it doesn't flood again.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:07 | 3105046 riphowardkatz
riphowardkatz's picture

way way way off

 

carrot and stick. its stick time.

Admin inflicting pain to rally base. Look at what these republicans did. look at how they valued millionaires over you. Sorry about your loss I am doing everything I can.

He looks at people as if they need to be taught a lesson and this years lesson will be you need the government and the government you need is a Democrat controlled government. If you dont vote for house members you will get more pain from their roadblocks.

 

 

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:47 | 3104981 Bicycle Repairman
Bicycle Repairman's picture

"real cuts in both Medicare and Social Security (age eligibility, means testing benefits and changes in inflation adjustments"

This isn't happening, not even close.  Won't even be seriously considered. But if it did happen my prediction for 2014 would be a bloodbath for congressional incumbents.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 00:06 | 3105881 Dr. Sandi
Dr. Sandi's picture

How about a 2014 bloodbath for congressional incumbents and all challengers too. Then we could end the pretense and just let the owners run things directly without all the drama and bullshit.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:23 | 3104908 q99x2
q99x2's picture

Forgot to mention Q99X2 will complete his first non stop marathon by the end of the year.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:14 | 3104889 geno-econ
geno-econ's picture

In 2013 the Valhalla Dam ruptures as a result of an explosive charge detonated exactly according to the instructions of BK causing a water tsunami across Westchester County thereby canceling all Holiday cocktail parties. The President declares a state of emergency and has the National Guard transport truck loads of vodka , beer and hors dourves to surrounding Towns which insures a Democratic congressional victory in 2014. TV coverage has clips of BK kissing Obama and Cuomo while sipping his favorite wine. BK could be heard muttering "I told you so"

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:44 | 3104971 Bruce Krasting
Bruce Krasting's picture

Well, it might work out like that. Who knows.

One thing for sure. Your comment about me blowing up dams and causing a Tsunami is causing alarm bells to go off at NSA and DHLS right about now.

Anyway, I live near the Croton Dam, screw Valhalla..

 

Hold, State Police coming up the snowy drive as I write. I'll get back to you later, maybe...

b

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 22:37 | 3105829 Pharming
Pharming's picture

TURN OFF YOUR IPHONE!!!  THAT'S HOW THEY FOUND ME!!!

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 16:11 | 3105055 geno-econ
geno-econ's picture

I live in CT adjoining Bedford and also somehow in love with Red Dress. This is a plot to make Red Dress all mine. Thoroughly enjoy your writing and predictions.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:22 | 3104905 Getting Old Sucks
Getting Old Sucks's picture

LOL, But where's Red Dress? She's got to be in the story!

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:40 | 3104959 geno-econ
geno-econ's picture

Oh yes, Red Dress suddenly appears at the side of BK. and declares " my husband has been swept away by the water " Everyone sympathetically gives Red Dress an extended kiss including the President and Governor while BK pours her another glass of wine. Red Dress then asks the President if he extended the inheritance tax exclusion.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:58 | 3105021 Bruce Krasting
Bruce Krasting's picture

If you notice, I'm getting my head kicked in by most comments. And then there is you, who not only reads me, but understands me. Tks for that.

 

BK and Red Dress have a torrid love affair. No marriage, but a big pre-nup deal is signed. A month later, the bliss is settling in, when there is a knock on the door. Two FBI agents, both 6 foot 4 inches tall. They're wearing suits, but their 9's are on the belt.

They want to talk someplace private, so a walk around the property follows. The Feebs tell a sad story. Seems Red Dress is not what she appears to be. A total of six husbands over the last ten years. All of them dead. Suspicious circumstances in all deaths. The law men thinking that BK is next.

To nab the murder, the cops use BK as "Love Bait". CCTV are installed in the house.

Then one night, after...................

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 10:49 | 3106319 Wild tree
Wild tree's picture

Then one night after four hours of passionate love-making, red dress and BK were gazing into the embers of what had been a hot fire. A tear trickled down the corner of RD's eye.

 "What's the matter baby?" BK muttered as he shifted his position to better see her face. "Baby, baby I'm sorry." RD whispers. BK comes immediately awake as his danger sense switches from low to high as he remembered what the Men in Black (MIB) had said.

"What do you mean baby". "BK I have a secret to tell you, and I don't know where to start." "Start at the beginning baby." RD whimpers softly and then sighs. "OK BK, here is the real deal. My past lover was not my husband who was swept away by the water; but his bosses boss, Bennie Bernanke. He was the love of my life, and you were just a rebound meant to help get me through the night. But now I found that I'm falling in love with you. Now I don't know whether I am meant to rub Bennie's head until he falls asleep, or you.

Now you are in danger; for it is only a matter of time before the MIB come looking for me, and find you. Bennie is such a jealous lover; as all my other husbands have died under mysterious circumstances. I fear that even the New World Order may be in jeopardy, since Bennie spends so much time obsessing about me."

Next.....

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 23:07 | 3105885 andrew123
andrew123's picture

Bruce, can you elaborate on what exactly happens to the yen when/if age calls for 20% monetization? It sounds from your predictions that there are no significant consequences. Thanks in advance.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 10:08 | 3106266 Bruce Krasting
Bruce Krasting's picture

Nothing? I actually think that might be the outcome. I have not read anything on this (crazy) idea that convinces me that something will blowup if the coin becomes a reality.

 

There is no market consequence to this as there is no new buying or selling that must be done. The bonds that would be sterilized were bought years ago by the Bank of Japan.

In monetary theory, the idea has always been, "The QE will be reversed someday". That's not true at all. What the BOJ, Fed, ECB, BOE have done with QE is permanent, they will not be able to reverse what they have done for at least ten-years. So let's just face the facts and make a portion of the QE permanent. The coin does make it permanent.

 

Will this development cause speculators to sell or buy the Yen? Maybe, if so, that might move the Yen value up or down.

But you tell me, would the Yen strengthen, or weaken?

 

Day #1 Japan debt to GDP=300%

Day #2 Japan debt to GDP=200%

 

I don't see a weaker Yen based on that result. But there is the other side that I'm not sure of. Would the "coin" cause the market to lose confidence in the Yen? Afterall, this is a screwy idea, and a desperate one at that. So that would be the downside.

But the "downside" is what Japan Inc. wants.

I'm left wondering about this.

b

 

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 22:57 | 3105875 Dr. Sandi
Dr. Sandi's picture

 

Seems Red Dress is not what she appears to be.

She's a MAN, Baby!

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 10:14 | 3106274 geno-econ
geno-econ's picture

Actually Red Dress revealed her real name to BK and the President when he kissed her----its Monica Lewinsky

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 17:40 | 3105288 Ted K
Ted K's picture

I actually like this column overall.  I'm so glad your usual Pollyanna Republican outcry of inflation got toned down.  Did you figure Senator Boehner would be using less fuel getting lost 20 times on his way to Curbside Bum Liquor Store as he's busy haggling a Congressional pay raise with Pres Obama and this would bring energy costs down???? Either way it's good because whenever you use the word inflation now it reminds your readers what a dumbass you are on that particular issue.

 

Bruce, if you want to use humor that's great, but lets not do the usual "Oh I was right on this one, I'm Nostrodamus"...."oh I was wrong on this one, but the post was meant to be a joke". Either play the WHOLE thing straight, the WHOLE thing a joke or shut the fuck up when you got the one stray dart that didn't hit the drywall.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 17:12 | 3105209 Getting Old Sucks
Getting Old Sucks's picture

Then one night, after passionate sex, BK realizes that the fucking he got wasn't worth the fucking he was about to get.

 

The next morning...........

 

 

Let's keep the story going guys.  Next!

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 05:35 | 3106142 Inthemix96
Inthemix96's picture

The next morning.................

At pricicely 5.59 am there is a knock on BK's front door.  After the initial shock, BK approaches the door with some hesitation, grabs his glock from the side board, and opens the door.

Standing there in front of Bruce is a tall dark stranger, head slightly cocked to one side with an unusual gait in his walk.  A strange and disturbing smell is emanating from the pores of the dark interloper, as Bruce says, "Can I help?".

"Yes", he says, "Yes you can", "You don't know me, but I know you, and I am here to warn you about your 'Americanizms', and infernaling temptations of disturbing 'citezenisms chineese' helpings".

Bruce says, "Oh for fucks sake AnAnomymouns, would you fuck off for gods sake", and slams the door.

The dress lady shouts down the stairs what the fuss is, just as Bruce catches our eternal 'citizenism' friend squating down beside the beemer and curling a hot one down on the asphalt........

Next!

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:50 | 3104974 onelight
onelight's picture

Red Dress: "my husband has been swept away by the waters"

 

Brilliant -- a hearty laugh to begin the weekend - thank you

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:53 | 3104851 Cyrano de Bivouac
Cyrano de Bivouac's picture

A rule change that would help the NFL would be to allow forward laterals even for running backs who have crossed the line of scrimmage or receivers who have caught a pass. The DB's and linebackers wouldn't be able to focus on a running back or receiver but would have to be mindful of a lateral. 

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:42 | 3105413 snaphooker
snaphooker's picture

Go back to leather helmets. It would only take a few snaps before they figured it out.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:52 | 3104850 humblepie
humblepie's picture

One more 'muddle-through-kick-the-can-down-the-road' year. Yawn....

 

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:51 | 3104849 Pharming
Pharming's picture

I have predictions...

1.  My wife will continue to look at me with that puzzled look when I talk about the economy.

2.  My wife will continue to spend money like it's still worth something.  She will plan exotic vacations while I scramble to get that last order in for precious metals or occasional Aussie bonds...

3.  My children will continue to absorb my propaganda about politicians and they will perfect the scowl I observe them doing when Nancy Pelosi, Obama, The Bernank or Boner comes on television.

4.  I will continue to look for that perfect plot of land with enough real estate to handle a grass strip for my Cessna with oversized tundra tires.  

5.  I will continue to read Zerohedge.

6.  I will continue to post comments.  (Until they take us all away)

7.  I will continue to wait for the Zerohedge App so I can stay connected 24/7 with economic blogs/info streaming into my mind until I hear that sucking sound of my brain stem collapsing and my brain is tranformed into a smal pile of mush...Then I will be able to think like a politician / one world elitist.

8.  I will continue to turn my Ram 1500 into a Bug Out Vehicle.  (BOV for you prepper types out there)  

Now...I will get back to work.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 15:03 | 3104864 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

+1 I wait too for the Zerohedge Apps

In the Copper, Silver and Gold editions, each costing one ounce

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:45 | 3104837 THE DORK OF CORK
THE DORK OF CORK's picture

Tim Geithner new chief exec of Bank of Ireland.

Things can only get worse................

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:43 | 3104835 DR
DR's picture

Bruce,

 

No US GDP calls?

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 18:28 | 3104885 Bruce Krasting
Bruce Krasting's picture

This was a bitch to write, and as a number have already pointed out, it runs on too much. I got carried away...

Anyway, in a slightly different version of this on my web site, you will find the following re GDP. I'm not sure how this got left out in editing this version, but.....

 

 

- The US will not experience a technical recession in 2013. The 2nd Q will have flat growth. YoY GDP will be +2%.

Sun, 12/30/2012 - 00:04 | 3105868 Dr. Sandi
Dr. Sandi's picture

Thank you for taking the time. It was thought provoking, and I got a couple of guffaws out of it.

And pertaining to the NHL strike, I know those hockey players, or at least their bretheren. Hockey strikes and baby booms are just a natural combination.

Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:41 | 3104832 Miss Expectations
Miss Expectations's picture

- The Chevy Volt and the Tesla will not sell well.

First responders 'at risk of electrocution from hybrid and electric cars after serious accidents' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2254602/First-responders-risk-el...
Sat, 12/29/2012 - 14:40 | 3104830 CrimsonAvenger
CrimsonAvenger's picture

Where's the kaboom? There was supposed to be an earth shattering kaboom!

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