Social War Room Lounge Thread #325: PotWR Edition

[Rob Battisti]

I considered it way back when the price was a lot lower. When it first started getting popular in the news, I don't know around '18 or so, when that guy was pleading to rummage through a garbage dump because he threw away a hard drive that was worth millions. I know it's crashed once or twice since then but it seems to be going strong. My biggest hesitation would be my confidence in being able to liquidate into dollars as I'm an old geezer and have no concept of how it works.

It’s in ETFs now so it’s just another equity

 

[lsa]

At the very least everyone should allocate 5% of their portfolio to Bitcoin. Thats not a lot to ask.

I have a lot of my % in boner pills.
True story.
I am up 130% in less than a year.

Pun intended?

 

[irish_thug]

Not harsh enough, IMHO. Perp should be sentenced to Mandatory High-Fives/Bro-Hugs.

I'm not hugging any of those filthy criminals.

 

[KnightTemplar]

I'm not hugging any of those filthy criminals.

I didn't say what body part you had to hug.

 

[Rob Battisti]

I don’t need to start a thread on it, but at what point will any of you haters say I was right?

At least a few people bought when I told them to.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Where are my tariff experts?

100 Billion collected and lower inflation.

https://fortune.com/2025/07/13/who-pays-tariffs-inflation-trump/

• Economists have for months warned that tariffs would cause an inflation surge, but as of July, there’s little evidence of that in economic data, despite about $100 billion in tariffs already collected by the Treasury. Fortune asked economists to explain why. The possible reasons range from “it’s too soon” to “consumers won’t stand for it.”

 

[Islam Imamate]

Where are my tariff experts?

100 Billion collected and lower inflation.

https://fortune.com/2025/07/13/who-pays-tariffs-inflation-trump/

Just to be clear here, you're in favor of the tariffs?

 

[Rob Battisti]

Just to be clear here, you're in favor of the tariffs?

Just to be clear, not in every case. Also to be clear, are you a tariff expert? To continue with the clarity, did you think it would increase inflation?

 

[Islam Imamate]

Just to be clear, not in every case.

So which tariffs do you support?

Also to be clear, are you a tariff expert?

No.

To continue with the clarity, did you think it would increase inflation?

Yes.

 

[Rob Battisti]

So which tariffs do you support?

No.

Yes.

I’d have to go and look at each one and get back to you. On the whole, I’ve been on record here as being unsupportive.

Good.

Does this article surprise you then? If no inflation comes, would you reconsider your position?

 

[Islam Imamate]

I’d have to go and look at each one and get back to you. On the whole, I’ve been on record here as being unsupportive.

Off the top of your head which tariffs do you support?

Good.

Are you a tariff expert?

Does this article surprise you then?

No, read what economists have said about it.

If no inflation comes, would you reconsider your position?

Sure but way too early to tell.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Off the top of your head which tariffs do you support?

Are you a tariff expert?

No, read what economists have said about it.

Sure but way too early to tell.

I don’t know why my multi quote isn’t working…

The 25% on non USMCA goods on Mexico makes sense. It had little disruption and clearly targets Mexico to limit drugs and migration.

The steel and aluminum tariffs also have merit.

No.

“read what economists have said about it” yeah they and you have cried it will lead to high inflation and costs going to customers. It hasn’t happened while bringing in 100 billion.

Good.

 

[Rob Battisti]

Newsom seems to be one of the most vile disingenuous humans I’ve ever seen in my life

 

[Islam Imamate]

I don’t know why my multi quote isn’t working…

The 25% on non USMCA goods on Mexico makes sense. It had little disruption and clearly targets Mexico to limit drugs and migration.

You're in favor of the tariffs to limit drugs and immigration? Those seem like separate issues to me.

The steel and aluminum tariffs also have merit.

How so? Are you against Nippon Steel acquiring US Steel?

No.

Okay, I doubt anyone on this forum is so not sure if we should be engaging in credentialism on that point.

“read what economists have said about it” yeah they and you have cried it will lead to high inflation and costs going to customers. It hasn’t happened while bringing in 100 billion.

I mean read their explanation as to why the inflation hasn't hit and then get back to me.

Good.

Not something we can expect from you I imagine.

 

[Rob Battisti]

You're in favor of the tariffs to limit drugs and immigration? Those seem like separate issues to me.

How so? Are you against Nippon Steel acquiring US Steel?

Okay, I doubt anyone on this forum is so not sure if we should be engaging in credentialism on that point.

I mean read their explanation as to why the inflation hasn't hit and then get back to me.

Not something we can expect from you I imagine.

That’s the stated and intended purpose of that particular tariffs. Non-USMCA goods providing limited disruption but enough pressure to try and effect change.

Steel and aluminum are critically important to the US and having that particular tariff in place ensures higher quality materials are made here.

I’m for the deal. Biden stopped the deal.

I posted the article. I read it.

What?

 

[Islam Imamate]

That’s the stated and intended purpose of that particular tariffs. Non-USMCA goods providing limited disruption but enough pressure to try and effect change.

What kind of change? And what goods are we talking about exactly?

Steel and aluminum are critically important to the US and having that particular tariff in place ensures higher quality materials are made here.

Why not rely on friendshoring instead? Does it matter if we're getting steel from Japan?

I’m for the deal.

Oh that's good.

I posted the article. I read it.

Why do economists think the inflation hasn't hit yet then?

 

[Rob Battisti]

What kind of change? And what goods are we talking about exactly?

Why not rely on friendshoring instead? Does it matter if we're getting steel from Japan?

Oh that's good.

Why do economists think the inflation hasn't hit yet then?

electronics, some textiles and automotive parts etc. are you unfamiliar? The change would be them better controlling the flow of fentanyl and migrants over the border. From the illegal migration front, objectively Trump has done an amazing job stopping the flow. While more difficult to assess, it would be right to assume the flow of fentanyl has also been greatly stemmed with this new administration. Now, you could argue that if he’s doing such a good job why does he need the tariffs, you could also argue that the tariffs, or threat there of, brought about certain changes from the Mexican government which also aided in the changes.

Friendshoring doesn’t add American jobs. I’d rather the steel from Japan than China but better in the US, even if it’s from a Japanese company which is why Biden blocking it was wrong.

There are various reasons: too early, they imported and are using those goods not subject to the tariffs, it’s coming out of profits, fear of backlash, thinking people won’t pay higher prices. There is not consensus. What are you getting at? Which do you believe?

 

[Yoricks Wisdom]

On another note:

T showing up at the FIFA victory celebration was straight up cringetastic.
Clearly, none of the athletes wanted him there.
Slow your roll, el hefe.

 

[Islam Imamate]

electronics, some textiles and automotive parts etc. are you unfamiliar?

You think we should tariffs automotive parts from Mexico? Don't you think that'll make it more expensive to build cars in the US?

The change would be them better controlling the flow of fentanyl and migrants over the border. From the illegal migration front, objectively Trump has done an amazing job stopping the flow. While more difficult to assess, it would be right to assume the flow of fentanyl has also been greatly stemmed with this new administration. Now, you could argue that if he’s doing such a good job why does he need the tariffs, you could also argue that the tariffs, or threat there of, brought about certain changes from the Mexican government which also aided in the changes.

So in other words, using tariffs as a stick to strongarm other countries?

Friendshoring doesn’t add American jobs. I’d rather the steel from Japan than China but better in the US, even if it’s from a Japanese company which is why Biden blocking it was wrong.

The steel tariffs from Trump's last term had a net negative effect on jobs, why do you think even more sweeping tariffs would help this time around?

There are various reasons: too early, they imported and are using those goods not subject to the tariffs, it’s coming out of profits, fear of backlash, thinking people won’t pay higher prices. There is not consensus. What are you getting at? Which do you believe?

Given those reasons don't you think it's too early to celebrate the tariffs?

 

[Rob Battisti]

You think we should tariffs automotive parts from Mexico? Don't you think that'll make it more expensive to build cars in the US?

So in other words, using tariffs as a stick to strongarm other countries?

The steel tariffs from Trump's last term had a net negative effect on jobs, why do you think even more sweeping tariffs would help this time around?

Given those reasons don't you think it's too early to celebrate the tariffs?

The net impact of the steel tariffs were mixed with some 1000 to 5000 estimated new jobs added directly in the steel industry but during his administration the manufacturing industry had a flat growth rate. Some of that was due to Covid as well has there not being enough time to necessarily see the results of the tariffs to be fully realized.

The root issue is the poor quality steel from China which floods the market which the tariffs seek to address. They have a place.

Specific to the automotive parts, no I don’t believe that the costs will be automatically passed down to the consumers. This is evidenced by A. This not happening so far with that particular part of the tariff situation not being related to importing parts prior to the tariffs and B. Automotive industry having a large profit margin of which they can eat these costs. Fords CEO said they would eat the costs out of their profits.

It is a strongman tactic of which I believe the USA is in a position to demand Mexico clean up their act and help stop the humanitarian crisis of migration along with the drug problem that kills tens of thousands of Americans a year. Mexico needs to stop the cartels and universal pressure to make them do so it’s important. I’d support both air strikes and SOF strikes in Mexico against the cartels on top of tariffs which will have minimal impact across the board for Americans.

I think it’s reasonable given the fact that inflation is down and we’ve collected 100 billion from the tariffs, against economists expectations, is worthy of both saying perhaps they aren’t the end of the world, as many in your side of the isle were saying it was, along with being cautiously optimistic that we will end up in better trade positions specific to certain trade partners.