GOVERNMENT ENFORCED MONOPOLIES DON’T HANDLE THINGS PROPERLY? SHOCKED, SHOCKED SHOCKED. LOOK HOW SHOCKED MY FACE IS:  The unique, arcane accounting rules causing Postal Service’s massive losses.

THIS IS MY SHOCKED FACE:   Chinese Consulate in Houston Intervened in US Political Movement.

SO WHAT IS IT?  The Nature of Humans.

NEVER TAKE INVESTMENT ADVICE FROM ME:  Just for fun, I bought a modest amount of stock in Lowe’s about a year ago for about $100 a share.  When it got to about $130 in July I was astonished and decided it couldn’t possibly last, so I sold.  It is currently at $165.

IF THAT’S ALL YOU’VE GOT JAKE, YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO TO BED:

OUCH:

AT AMAZON, RCA RFR322 Single Door Mini Fridge with Freezer, 3.2 Cu. Ft. capacity – Stainless Steel.

INDEED:

HE’LL TRY, THOUGH, AND THE PRESS WILL TRY TO HELP: Biden can’t have it both ways on Sarsour and anti-Semitism: After a spokesman distanced the Democrat from a prominent anti-Semite who spoke during their convention, others in the campaign apologized to her supporters.

OPEN THREAD: Why should I think that?

RNC: ‘Legitimizing the SPLC Puts Conservative Groups … at Risk of Attack.’

I’M NOT SAYING THAT IT’S ALIENS. BUT IT’S ALIENS. Interstellar visitor ‘Oumuamua could still be alien technology, new study hints.

WE ARE LIVE AND THE COCKTAILS ARE COLD: Liveblogging the Republican National Convention.

COLLUSION: Texas A&M professor accused of secretly collaborating with China amid NASA work.

IF TRUMP USED LANGUAGE LIKE THIS THE LEFTIES WOULD GO OVER THE TOP — WHICH, IRONICALLY, IS WHAT PELOSI IS DOING WITH THIS LANGUAGE: Pelosi calls Trump, GOP lawmakers ‘domestic enemies,’ ‘enemies of the state’ over mail-in voting opposition.

That said, this language suggests that the USPS is the Dems’ last hope. If they were confident, they wouldn’t sound so desperate.

WAR ON THE COUNTRYSIDE TAKES ITS TOLL: Suicide rate spikes in rural U.S. amid nationwide increase. What does it say about the general character of modern society that it makes so many people want to kill themselves?

AT AMAZON, Shop Amazon Warehouse Deals – Deep Discounts on Open-box and Used Products.

Plus, Shop Amazon Outlet – Clearance, Markdowns and Overstock Deals.

MY USA TODAY COLUMN: Democratic National Convention Fell Flat with Viewers. “The Democratic National Convention failed to draw many viewers this year making things look worse for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris than expected.”

I was pleased that I was able to work in James Lileks’ “the soft bigotry of Joe expectations.”

RARE GLIMMERS OF SANITY FROM NYU: Yes, Black NYU Students Demanded Segregated Housing. No, the University Didn’t Agree to It. “NYU does not have and will not create student housing that excludes any student based on race.”

THOUGHTS ON Survivorship Bias.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “When globalism’s obituary is finally written, and the mourners file past in their crisp suits and pantsuits, the cause of death will almost certainly read, the People’s Republic of China.”

Read the whole thing.

WISCONSIN GOVERNOR CALLS IN NATIONAL GUARD FOLLOWING RIOTING SPARKED BY POLICE SHOOTING OF BLACK MAN.

S&P 500 HITS ANOTHER RECORD, CLOSES ABOVE 3,400 FOR THE FIRST TIME AS APPLE AND AIRLINES RISE.

UPDATE: Stock market news live updates: S&P 500, Nasdaq hit record highs as Covid-19 vaccine, treatment hopes rise.

RNC: ‘Legitimizing the SPLC Puts Conservative Groups … at Risk of Attack.’

FASTER, PLEASE: Doctors found a new drug that might block coronavirus infections.