Afternoon newsbits

Bonddad - a good initial claims report. Also,

Bespoke - initial claims surprise to the downside. If you're still on the "America is doomed" trip, you're not paying attention to the data, so please let me know so I can put you on ignore forever.

Mining.com - Barrick takes a $4.2 billion writedown. CEO Jamie Sokalsky offers a free blowjob for every investor in an attempt to get someone to buy his shitty stock.

Biiwii - Gary reads Brent Cook's editorial and realizes he's been wasting the last two years tilting at the windmills of the apocalyptic loons. Seriously, all that crap on your blogroll - how has it done anything except blind you to what's going on in the market? Max Keiser, Jesse's Cafe Americain, Zero Hedge, Elliot Wave - anyone who uses the word "fiat"? What have you gained from reading those clowns? You do realize there's money at stake here, don't you?