Don’t Try This At Home

Washing your car during a thunderstorm might seem like a clever use of nature's resources, but it's actually a risky and potentially dangerous activity. The primary concern lies in the unpredictable and hazardous nature of thunderstorms themselves. Thunderstorms are often accompanied by lightning, which can strike suddenly and with deadly force.

Another risk factor is the reduced visibility and increased likelihood of accidents during a storm. Thunderstorms bring heavy rain and gusty winds, which can severely impair visibility and make it difficult to control your vehicle. Washing your car under these condition distracts you from these potential hazards. Additionally, the combination of rain and cleaning products can create a slippery surface, leading to falls and injuries. This environment is far from ideal for any activity that requires attention and precision, like car washing.

Lastly, washing your car in a thunderstorm is counterproductive. The heavy rain associated with thunderstorms can undo your cleaning efforts, leaving water spots and potentially even more dirt on your car than before. The storm's winds can blow debris, leaves, and dirt onto the wet surfaces of your car, making it dirtier. It's far more practical and safe to wash your car in calm weather, ensuring that your efforts result in a clean, shiny vehicle without the added risks and dangers presented by a thunderstorm.

But You Would Never Do Such A Thing, Right?

In the world of investing, washing a car in a thunderstorm can serve as a striking metaphor for investing during times when a substantial market correction is long overdue. Just as washing a car during a storm can seem opportunistic but is fraught with hidden dangers, investing heavily in a market poised for correction carries its own set of risks, often overlooked in the pursuit of potential gains.

Much like the unpredictable lightning of a thunderstorm, market corrections can occur suddenly and with significant impact. Investors, buoyed by a long-running bull market, may feel a false sense of security, believing their strategies are foolproof or that they can predict or react in time to any market shift. This overconfidence is akin to the belief that a car's rubber tires will protect against a lightning strike. However, just as lightning can overpower a car's limited protection, a market correction can swiftly and drastically alter the investment landscape, catching overconfident investors off guard and potentially leading to substantial losses.

Moreover, just as reduced visibility and hazardous conditions during a thunderstorm make car washing impractical and risky, the obscured signals and heightened volatility of an overheated market can lead to poor investment decisions.

In such conditions, investors may find it challenging to discern between sound investments and overvalued assets. The "heavy rain" of market hype and the "gusty winds" of speculation can cloud judgment, leading to investments that are equivalent to washing a car in a downpour — efforts that are likely to be undone by market realities.

Finally, just as a freshly washed car can end up dirtier after a storm, investments made right before a market correction can suffer. Investments may initially seem promising, but when the market corrects, these can quickly depreciate in value, leaving the investor with less than what they started with. It's more prudent for investors to recognize the signs of an impending correction and adjust their strategies accordingly, just as it's wiser to wash a car under calm weather conditions. In both cases, understanding the environment and timing one's actions appropriately can mean the difference between a successful outcome and a regrettable one.

Grid operator sounds alarm as coal plant shutdown threatens power for millions

A power grid operator that serves millions of Americans across the mid-Atlantic is warning that a planned coal-fired power plant shutdown will severely threaten electricity supplies and occur before new power sources come online.

The 65 million customers served by PJM Interconnection, which manages the flow of wholesale electricity throughout 13 states and the District of Columbia, has warned that the impending closure of the coal-fired Brandon Shores power plant, which is located outside of Baltimore, will jeopardize the stability of the area's grid. Talen Energy, a Texas-based company that operates the plant, plans to deactivate it in June 2025 as part of a settlement with the left-leaning environmental nonprofit Sierra Club.

The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) warned this week that more than half the U.S. is at an elevated risk of blackouts this winter due to a combination of increased demand, regional power generation shortfalls and potential fuel delivery challenges in the event of prolonged cold weather events.

The findings came from NERC's annual Winter Reliability Assessment released Wednesday, which, for the first time in its 55-year history, pointed to energy policy as one of the top threats to the U.S. power grid due to the Biden administration's green agenda. Fox Business

Meet Victor Davis Hanson

Mr. Hanson was a National Endowment for the Humanities fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, California (1992–93), a visiting professor of classics at Stanford University (1991–92), the annual Wayne and Marcia Buske Distinguished Visiting Fellow in History at Hillsdale College (2004–), the Visiting Shifron Professor of Military History at the US Naval Academy (2002–3),and the William Simon Visiting Professor of Public Policy at Pepperdine University (2010).

I invite you to read his full bio at this link.

Paying attention to the world around us is essential for a multitude of reasons. It connects us with our environment, fostering awareness and empathy towards others and our surroundings. This heightened awareness can lead to better decision-making, as we become more attuned to the nuances and changes in our social, natural, and political landscapes.

By observing and understanding the world, we can anticipate challenges, appreciate diverse perspectives, and seize opportunities for growth and learning. Moreover, being attentive helps in building stronger relationships, as it demonstrates care and respect for others' experiences and viewpoints. In essence, paying attention is not just about receiving information, but also about engaging actively and compassionately with the world, enriching our lives and those of others.

The following is a 10 minute video Mr. Hanson recently offered, and is intended purely for informational purposes. I hope you feel the information he presents is helpful, and positive.