Understanding the US - Again

[Amber G.]

<Enjoy> This Hour Has 22 Minutes: It's definitely not about the oil.

[drnayar]

https://nypost.com/2026/01/08/us-news/d ... s-invaded/

Danish troops must open fire — even without direct orders — if invaders try to capture Greenland by force, Denmark’s Defense Ministry said as the US weighs military action to annex the land.

The ministry confirmed Wednesday that soldiers are required to uphold a Cold War-era rule to “immediately take up the fight” against any foreign force threatening Danish territory, local Berlingske reported.

The 1952 directive explicitly states that troops must fight without waiting for commands, even if their leaders are unaware of a formal declaration of war, Denmark’s Defense Command and Ministry told the outlet.

Their Army is half U.S, Half German. Air force is almost U.S. A tiny navy equipped with U.S missiles. Probably their bullets need to come from the U.S. A large portion of this will be deployed in Denmark. The rest to be taken out by the U.S in 2 days max, Greenland will become U.S territory.

Looks like France, Britain etc are coming to "bolster defences" against putin and china [ of all places ] and ah Trump as well

[A_Gupta]

This is a press statement from the US Federal Reserve Chairman.
There is video at the site.
https://www.federalreserve.gov/newseven ... 60111a.htm

Statement from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell

January 11, 2026
Good evening.

On Friday, the Department of Justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testimony before the Senate Banking Committee last June. That testimony concerned in part a multi-year project to renovate historic Federal Reserve office buildings.

I have deep respect for the rule of law and for accountability in our democracy. No one—certainly not the chair of the Federal Reserve—is above the law. But this unprecedented action should be seen in the broader context of the administration's threats and ongoing pressure.

This new threat is not about my testimony last June or about the renovation of the Federal Reserve buildings. It is not about Congress's oversight role; the Fed through testimony and other public disclosures made every effort to keep Congress informed about the renovation project. Those are pretexts. The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President.

This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.

I have served at the Federal Reserve under four administrations, Republicans and Democrats alike. In every case, I have carried out my duties without political fear or favor, focused solely on our mandate of price stability and maximum employment. Public service sometimes requires standing firm in the face of threats. I will continue to do the job the Senate confirmed me to do, with integrity and a commitment to serving the American people.

Thank you.

[g.sarkar]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/dougmelvil ... do-we-owe/
With The U.S. Debt A Staggering $38 Trillion Dollars, Who Exactly Do We Owe?
Doug Melville, Jan 04, 2026
Who exactly does America owe the US National Debt to?
As we enter 2026, there is no better time to review our finances. With the national debt surpassing $38 trillion, our fiscal liabilities are at a historically high level. The total reflects decades of fiscal stress and represents money the federal government has borrowed, much of it through Treasury securities. U.S. Treasury securities are considered safe because they're backed by the "full faith and credit" of the U.S. government, and as a result, they are owned by governments, institutions, and investors around the world.
While much of the debt is held domestically, roughly one-quarter of publicly held debt is held by foreign creditors. Here are the three largest
1. Japan – $1.13 Trillion Owed
For the past 10 years, Japan has been the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt. As of the latest Treasury data, Japan holds over $1.1 trillion in U.S. Treasury securities.
Japan’s motivation is driven by economic strategy. Treasuries' investments are safe and help Japan manage its own currency. Japanese institutional investors have invested in U.S. debt as part of reserve management and financial diversification.
....
2. The United Kingdom – $807 Billion Owed
In recent years, the United Kingdom has surpassed China to become the second-largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasury securities, with over $800 billion.
The UK figure reflects custodial holdings by the U.K. financial system, which holds Treasuries on behalf of other investors around the world, highlighting the central role London plays in global capital markets and how deeply integrated foreign sovereign debt markets have become.
.....
3. China – $750 Billion Owed
For much of the 21st century, China has been the largest foreign holder of U.S. debt. Today, it still ranks among the top three with roughly $750 billion in Treasuries.
In recent years, Beijing has modestly reduced its holdings in US debt. While China’s strategy has shifted to account for geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, and the need to manage domestic liquidity, its holdings are often spotlighted in global finance and leverage discussions.
.....
75% of the Debt is Controlled Domestically
While foreign holders own roughly 25–32% of public debt, the remaining 68–75% is held domestically by U.S. entities and institutions.
Domestically, intergovernmental holdings (social security trust funds, medicare trust funds, federal employee retirement and disability funds) control about 20% of our debt, The Federal reserve (U.S. Central bank) holds approximately 13% of our debt and domestic private investors control 42-50% (retirement accounts, mutual funds, ETFs, pension funds banks, insurance companies and state and local governments).
......
The special relationship will be expensive for that poor country. Karma, I suppose.
Gautam

[uddu]

https://x.com/nicksortor/status/2010504831274737773
@nicksortor
BREAKING: Another angle of the U-Haul truck plowing through anti-Islamic regime protestors in Los Angeles

PLEASE pray hard for these victims. It isn’t looking good