A little more than a week ago, it was revealed that the CEO of Reddit, Steve 'Cannibal' Huffman edited user comments that were mean to him. While he might've thought his actions were cute and funny, the community, especially in the very popular and active The_Donald subreddit, went apeshit and the people turned on him, in the most acrimonious ways possible. For those unfamiliar, The_Donald subreddit has grown into a community of truth seekers, delving into all sort of topics, ranging from John Podesta's alleged child trafficking ring (Pizzagate) to Donald Trump's cabinet appointments. In many ways, it has become ground zero for news and information -- often scooping stories first before the legendary Matt Drudge. Head Cuck and Chief of Reddit, Steve Huffman, isn't interested in any of that success and in a letter out today threatened an outright ban on The_Donald, in addition to announcing the corporate overlords at Reddit have identified many 'troublesome users' and will be taking action soon. Additionally, The_Donald will no longer enjoy the privilege of having their content featured on the r/all page -- due to uncivil and troll like behavior.

tl;dr: I fucked up. I ruined Thanksgiving. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. We are taking a more aggressive stance against toxic users and poorly behaving communities. You can filter r/all now.

Hi All,

I am sorry: I am sorry for compromising the trust you all have in Reddit, and I am sorry to those that I created work and stress for, particularly over the holidays. It is heartbreaking to think that my actions distracted people from their family over the holiday; instigated harassment of our moderators; and may have harmed Reddit itself, which I love more than just about anything.

The United States is more divided than ever, and we see that tension within Reddit itself. The community that was formed in support of President-elect Donald Trump organized and grew rapidly, but within it were users that devoted themselves to antagonising the broader Reddit community.

Many of you are aware of my attempt to troll the trolls last week. I honestly thought I might find some common ground with that community by meeting them on their level. It did not go as planned. I restored the original comments after less than an hour, and explained what I did.

I spent my formative years as a young troll on the Internet. I also led the team that built Reddit ten years ago, and spent years moderating the original Reddit communities, so I am as comfortable online as anyone. As CEO, I am often out in the world speaking about how Reddit is the home to conversation online, and a follow on question about harassment on our site is always asked. We have dedicated many of our resources to fighting harassment on Reddit, which is why letting one of our most engaged communities openly harass me felt hypocritical.

While many users across the site found what I did funny, or appreciated that I was standing up to the bullies (I received plenty of support from users of r/the_donald), many others did not. I understand what I did has greater implications than my relationship with one community, and it is fair to raise the question of whether this erodes trust in Reddit. I hope our transparency around this event is an indication that we take matters of trust seriously. Reddit is no longer the little website my college roommate, u/kn0thing, and I started more than eleven years ago. It is a massive collection of communities that provides news, entertainment, and fulfillment for millions of people around the world, and I am continually humbled by what Reddit has grown into. I will never risk your trust like this again, and we are updating our internal controls to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.

More than anything, I want Reddit to heal, and I want our country to heal, and although many of you have asked us to ban the r/the_donald outright, it is with this spirit of healing that I have resisted doing so. If there is anything about this election that we have learned, it is that there are communities that feel alienated and just want to be heard, and Reddit has always been a place where those voices can be heard.

However, when we separate the behavior of some of r/the_donald users from their politics, it is their behavior we cannot tolerate. The opening statement of our Content Policy asks that we all show enough respect to others so that we all may continue to enjoy Reddit for what it is. It is my first duty to do what is best for Reddit, and the current situation is not sustainable.

Historically, we have relied on our relationship with moderators to curb bad behaviors. While some of the moderators have been helpful, this has not been wholly effective, and we are now taking a more proactive approach to policing behavior that is detrimental to Reddit:
We have identified hundreds of the most toxic users and are taking action against them, ranging from warnings to timeouts to permanent bans. Posts stickied on r/the_donald will no longer appear in r/all. r/all is not our frontpage, but is a popular listing that our most engaged users frequent, including myself. The sticky feature was designed for moderators to make announcements or highlight specific posts. It was not meant to circumvent organic voting, which r/the_donald does to slingshot posts into r/all, often in a manner that is antagonistic to the rest of the community.

We will continue taking on the most troublesome users, and going forward, if we do not see the situation improve, we will continue to take privileges from communities whose users continually cross the line—up to an outright ban.

Again, I am sorry for the trouble I have caused. While I intended no harm, that was not the result, and I hope these changes improve your experience on Reddit. Steve

PS: As a bonus, I have enabled filtering for r/all for all users. You can modify the filters by visiting r/all on the desktop web (I’m old, sorry), but it will affect all platforms, including our native apps on iOS and Android.

The_Donald users aren't happy at all by Huffman's 'coming together' letter of healing.

Content originally generated at iBankCoin.com

THE hero of Nick Hornby’s novel, “High Fidelity”, cannot get enough of vinyl records. By day Rob Fleming runs a record shop where he spends his time sampling the stock and constructing fantasy compilations with his equally obsessive assistants. By night he moons over his favourite songs. “Is it so wrong, wanting to be at home with your record collection?” he asks himself. “There’s a whole world in here, a nicer, dirtier, more violent, more peaceful, more colourful, sleazier, more dangerous, more loving world than the world I live in.”

Rob is an example of what management gurus dub “super-consumers”, “lead consumers” or “high-passion fans”. Only a tenth of customers are super-consumers but they account for 30-70% of sales, an even greater share of profits and almost 100% of “customer insights”, says a new book, “Super-Consumers”, written by Eddie Yoon of the Cambridge Group, a consultancy.

These people are not defined simply by the amount of stuff they buy (though they tend to be heavy users), but by their attitude to the product. Like Rob, they regard the things that they consume as answers to powerful...Continue reading
First published here: http://j.mp/2gHEOPJ

By EconMatters

We discuss where Oil is headed over the next six months and how producers might want to buy back their hedges before they start losing money big time above $54 a barrel. Producers could lose big on all those hedges they thought were their friend in the oil market!

© EconMatters All Rights Reserved | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Email Digest | Kindle   

First published here: http://j.mp/2gH7uIt

Hold your real assets outside of the banking system in one of many private international facilities  -->    http://j.mp/2dmUweZ

 

 

 

 

The MAGA Trend Continues: Trump Convinces Carrier to Remain

Written by Nathan McDonald CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL)

 

 

 

 

Already, we have discussed the "Trump effect" that is gripping America. We are seeing people and companies turning theirbacks on globalism in record numbers and beginning to think about America first.

 

 

The time for the West to begin taking care of itself once again is now. The elite who have ruled over us for decades have gutted our jobs, siphoned off our wealth, and at the same time, made us feel guilty for our past successes. This trend is fortunately coming to a stop.

 

 

Already, Donald Trump has made deals to keep a Ford SUV plant in America and Foxconn is strongly considering moving their manufacturing back to the United States. Both of these are huge wins for Americans and have been discussed at length on this blog, but the MAGA trend doesn't stop there.

 

 

One of the strongest talking points that Trump uttered on his campaign trail was about Carrier, the massive air-conditioner company that decided to move its manufacturing to Mexico, during the election cycle.

 

 

This decision became a focal point of the Trump campaign, where he made very serious threats of imposing tariffs on the company if they decided to gut these coveted American jobs.

 

 

It appears he was serious, serious enough for the company to take notice and reverse this decision, as reported by the New York Times.

 

 

This decision has been confirmed by the heads of Carrier, as well as Donald Trump himself, who both state that after a lengthy discussion, the decision was reached.

 

 

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2016

Once again, this victory proves that Donald Trump is a man of action, a businessman who gets results, not a politician that simply jawbones and says what you want to hear, not what you need.

 

 

I predict that we are going to see this trend continue and we are going to see American business moving back to the United States at rates never before seen. This will be a watershed moment in history, as GOOD paying jobs return and help support this desperately failing economy.

 

 

Will this ultimately put off the ultimate collapse of fiat currency? Perhaps not, but it is worth a shot. Only time will tell if we can reclaim our past glory. We can hope, at least for now.

 

 

Please email with any questions about this article or precious metals HERE

 

 

 

 

 

The MAGA Trend Continues: Trump Convinces Carrier to Remain

Written by Nathan McDonald CLICK HERE FOR ORIGINAL)

First published here: http://j.mp/2gJoHPp

The greatness of The Donald is being praised and lauded almost everywhere. That's odd, just one month ago he was depicted by the media and most investment banks are the devil, literally.

Deutsche Bank is out with a note this morning, suggesting shares of $GS are about to soar -- thanks to a rip roaring economy and widening spreads.

source: CNBC

The rally in bank stocks has priced in higher interest rates, but there is much more upside in the sector's shares from the economic growth that will come from the Trump administration's plans for deregulation and lower taxes, according to Deutsche Bank. Goldman Sachs will be one of the particular beneficiaries of the second part of this rally, Deutsche said, upgrading the share to buy from hold.
 

"GS seems well positioned for a stronger macro environment given revenue upside, good cost control and a valuation below peers (despite similar/higher current and expected returns)," wrote analyst Matt O'Connor in a note Tuesday.
 

"A stronger economy should benefit many capital market businesses—incl advisory, equity capital markets, and both fixed and equity trading (all areas of strength at GS). This should also be a positive backdrop for investing and lending (even assuming no regulatory changes)."
 
The analyst raised his 12-month price target to $255 a share from $180. The new forecast represents a 20 percent increase from Goldman's Tuesday's close.
 
"GS shares have mostly kept pace in the post election rally, but this was after lagging peers since the February lows (GS shares are up 50% since the 2/11 bottom vs. a ~60% rise for Market Sensitives on average)," stated the note.
 
"We sense that leverage to higher rates is mostly reflected in stock prices, but that higher lending and fee volumes from a stronger economy may not be," stated O'Connor.
 
The analyst said he believes there is a total of 25 to 30 percent earnings upside for the banking sector based on "a combination of stronger economic growth (better loan growth and fee revenues), higher interest rates (driving higher net interest margins), less regulation and lower tax rates."

 
With Goldman's Mnuchin being tapped as the new Treasury Secretary, it appears the great vampire squid wins again -- in spite of their best efforts to support Hillary Clinton and prevent Trump from taking office.

They seem to be doing quite well.

Content originally generated at iBankCoin.com

Ulster Bank Parent RBS Fails Bank of England Stress Test

"Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS)(RBS.L) will cut costs and sell assets to boost capital levels, it said on Wednesday after failing this year's Bank of England stress test, which warned of a "challenging" outlook for Britain's financial system.

The state-backed lender rushed out a statement following the announcement to say it would take a range of actions, including selling off bad loans and cutting costs to make up the capital shortfall identified by the tests of around 2 billion pounds.

The unexpected result underlines the litany of problems RBS is grappling with, which include a mounting legal bill for misconduct ahead of the 2008 financial crisis and difficulties selling off assets such as its Williams & Glyn banking business.

The lender said it had agreed a plan of action with the Prudential Regulation Authority, the Bank of England's enforcement arm, that should mean it does not have to tap markets to raise the money needed."
From Reuters

We warned of the RBS, Ulster Bank ‘£100 Billion Black Hole’ and the bail-in risk due to the ‘danger of failing' in June 2014 here

Bail-ins can now be used in the UK, EU, U.S. and G20 countries. Banks internationally and especially in Europe remain vulnerable.

After Cyprus, which country will be the next to suffer bail-ins? Will RBS and by extension Ulster Bank, be the first UK and Irish banks to be subject to bail-ins?

Download Guide Here

Gold and Silver Bullion - News and Commentary

Gold prices firm as markets brace for OPEC meeting (Reuters.com)

Trump to tap ex-Goldman Sachs banker Steven Mnuchin as Treasury secretary (MarketWatch.com)

Trump to name Wilbur Ross as commerce secretary (MarketWatch.com)

Gold prices register third decline in 4 sessions (MarketWatch.com)

Trump is meeting with an ex-bank CEO who wants to abolish the Federal Reserve and return to the gold standard (BusinessInsider.com)

War on Cash and Gold In India to Benefit Silver? (TheConversation.com)

Trump Considers Strong Gold Standard Advocate for Treasury Secretary (AveryBGoodMan.com)

Italy Seen More Likely To Exit Eurozone Than Greece; Italian Bond Yields Surge (ZeroHedge.com)

What Investors Can Learn From Gold Priced In Yen? (Gold-Eagle.com)

Palladium: Signals of Market Supply Shortage (SafeHaven.com)

Gold Prices (LBMA AM)

30 Nov: USD 1,187.40, GBP 952.06 & EUR 1,115.44 per ounce
29 Nov: USD 1,187.30, GBP 952.45 & EUR 1,119.98 per ounce
28 Nov: USD 1,189.10, GBP 956.51 & EUR 1,117.99 per ounce
25 Nov: USD 1,187.50, GBP 953.30 & EUR 1,121.83 per ounce
24 Nov: USD 1,187.25, GBP 953.60 & EUR 1,125.04 per ounce
23 Nov: USD 1,213.25, GBP 980.00 & EUR 1,143.00 per ounce
22 Nov: USD 1,217.55, GBP 978.91 & EUR 1,144.98 per ounce

Silver Prices (LBMA)

30 Nov: USD 16.67, GBP 13.39 & EUR 15.66 per ounce
29 Nov: USD 16.54, GBP 13.26 & EUR 15.61 per ounce
28 Nov: USD 16.68, GBP 13.45 & EUR 15.73 per ounce
25 Nov: USD 16.47, GBP 13.21 & EUR 15.55 per ounce
24 Nov: USD 16.31, GBP 13.09 & EUR 15.43 per ounce
23 Nov: USD 16.56, GBP 13.36 & EUR 15.59 per ounce
22 Nov: USD 16.76, GBP 13.46 & EUR 15.77 per ounce

Recent Market Updates

- Peak Silver – Supply Deficits Mean Higher Prices
- Bail In Risk – €4 Trillion Banking System In Italy Poses Contagion Risk as Referendum Looms
- Gold Down 13.5% In 13 Days – Trump Bearish For Gold?
- War On Cash Just Got Real – India and Citibank In Australia
- Russia Gold Buying In October Is Biggest Monthly Allocation Since 1998
- Stocks, Bonds, Pension Funds “Will Be Wiped Out…” – Rickards
- Physical Gold Is A “Long-Term Position” as “Hedge Against Governments”
- Gold Sell Off On Fed Noise – “Interesting Times” To “Support Gold”
- Islamic Gold – Vital New Dynamic In Physical Gold Market
- Peak Gold Globally – “Bullish For Gold”
- Gold Price Should Go Higher On Global Risks and Trump – Capital Economics
- President Trump – Why Market Loves Him and Experts Wrong
- ‘Helicopter Money President’ Trump To Create Inflation and Gold Will Rise

First published here: http://j.mp/2g6KQ97

By EconMatters

OPEC did such a good job of putting many oil traders on the wrong side of the market for the last month, this short squeeze could go for a while. There is a lot of money positioned in the oil market for the deal not getting done!

© EconMatters All Rights Reserved | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Email Digest | Kindle   

First published here: http://j.mp/2g6MmrE

SOMETIMES an analogy strikes you on the head with the force of a plummeting cricket ball. On Radio 4 yesterday, Hamish Johnson, editor of physicsworld.com, had the brilliant insight to explain the British government’s policy in terms of physics; Schrödinger’s Brexit.

The poor cat is stuck in a box with a radioactive substance and a poison; when the substance decays, the poison is released. Since it is impossible to predict when the substance will decay, the cat may be deemed simultaneously alive and dead. The only way to know is to open the box.

Before Britain voted to leave the European Union in June, then prime minister David Cameron promised to trigger Article 50 (the exit mechanism) immediately. Five months on, Article 50 has yet to be triggered. The new prime minister, Theresa May, has promised to do so by the end of March. But in terms of what Britain wants, we have heard nothing but platitudes: “Brexit means Brexit”, or “have our cake and eat it”. Pushed for details, Ms May has said there will be “no running commentary” on negotiations. In fact, it is quite easy to do a running...Continue reading
First published here: http://j.mp/2g6KSxD

First published here: http://j.mp/2gkASnq

Trump selected Steve Mnuchin to be the next Treasury Secretary. Steve is a Goldman man. What else is new? Let’s have a look at the recent men who’ve filled this role in government and their affiliations.

Steve Mnuchin: Parter at Goldman Sachs, Yale, Dad worked for Goldman for three decades, brief gig at Soros hedge fund, Hollywood producer.
Jack Lew: COO of Citi prop trading unit that correctly bet on housing collapse in 2008, Harvard, Council on Foreign Relations.
Hank Paulson: Former CEO of Goldman Sachs, Dartmouth, worked at Pentagon and in Nixon administration.
John Snow: Former CEO of CSX, Chairman Cerberus Capital Management, served under several administrations and shilled on a sundry of boards.
Paul O’Neil: Former CEO of Alcoa, Member of Carnegie Mellon University’s dean’s advisory council.
Larry Summers: Former President of Harvard, managing partner at DE Shaw, Chief Economist at the World Bank.
Robert Rubin: 26 Years at Goldman Sachs, London School of Economics, Yale, Co-Chair of the Council on Foreign Relations, Chair of Citi
Lloyd Bentsen: University of Texas, WW2 Vet, promoted to Lt. Col and discharged in 1947, wanted to Nuke N. Korea, served on board of Lockheed Martin, helped convince republicans to pass NAFTA while serving under Clinton.

Nice group of guys.

Content originally generated at iBankCoin.com