Commentary on Republican lunacy, gold’s lack of value, religion and the 2012 Presidential election, energy independence and the US dollar, a bear view, and Vic Toews’ silly framing.

Lunatic fringe.

New York Review of Books -- Contraception’s Con Men
By a revolting combination of con men and fanatics, the current primary race has become a demonstration that the Republican party does not deserve serious consideration for public office

The weak hedge, gold.

Economist -- A gold puzzle
I can think of only two good reasons gold is valuable: it’s shiny and scarce. I reckon its popularity is a relic of the gold standard.

Religion takes centre stage.

New Yorker -- The Candidates at Prayer
“I wake up each morning and I say a brief prayer, and I spend a little time in scripture and devotion,” Obama said earlier this month at the National Prayer Breakfast.

Energy independence and the US dollar.

Financial Times -- Dollar bears in for shock if US cuts energy imports
 The future of the dollar is more likely to be determined in the shale gas and oilfields of Dakota and Texas than in the sovereign wealth funds of Asia and the Middle East.

David Rosenberg remains very worried.

zerohedge -- David Rosenberg - "Let's Get Real - Risks Are Looming Big Time"
Earlier, you heard it from Jeff Gundlach, whom one can not accuse (at least not yet) of sleeping on his laurels and/or being a broken watch, who told his listeners to "reduce risk right now" especially in the frenzied momo stocks.

Really?

Globe and Mail -- 'Snoop and spy' bill could be costly overreach
Vic Toews, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, has framed any debate of the Conservative government's new lawful access bill in the simplest terms: Canadians can either stand with the government, or with child pornographers.