Gardner Goldsmith

Welcome, fellow Conspirators!

Tonight followed a difficult afternoon saying farewell to a great guy with whom I grew up. Returning from his memorial service to stream a program that added to our pro-freedom coverage some positive news about cancer therapies was uniquely God-blessed timing. Thanks to everyone who joined us to investigate the news and exchange ideas, and thanks to all the fine journalists we got to mention, thanks for their excellent work and dedication to the Golden Rule. We also got to enjoy some "editor's eye" views of a piece of popular fiction and see some of the foibles, and to dig into the short Sci-Fi novella, "Fuel". Join us, m-f 6 PM on Rumble or on X! Audio pod shortly after the show, via Spotify and here, on Substack! - Here are some of the big stories we discussed tonight…

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As part of the “ceasefire-and-open-strait-of-Hormuz” agreement announced by the US and Iran, Israel was supposed to cease military hostilities against Lebanon at 5 PM eastern US time, yesterday. Not only did Israel fire off a series of massive bombings just hours prior to that deadline (LINK and LINK), the IDF (I-O[ffensive]-F) continued its blasting and killing, esp south of the Litani River.

This does not bode well for peace in Lebanon or peace with Iran (or the economic fallout from a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz). Trump claims that the Persian Gulf is open. This is not exactly right. It is under the control of Iran, and passage is allowed under specific conditions

THE INSANE US SANCTIONS ON IRAN ARE ALREADY BEING APPLIED AGAIN TO SOME, AND WILL RAMP UP - Bessent Claims is… because some of these people cited made deals for Iranian oil for Venezuelan Gold. As of today, April 17, 2026, the US is significantly escalating economic pressure on Iran through a combination of direct sanctions on its oil sector, threats of broad secondary sanctions on third-country buyers and banks, and enforcement of a naval blockade. This is part of what Treasury officials have described as “Operation Economic Fury” or the “financial equivalent of bombing Iran,” aimed at cutting off revenue to the Iranian regime amid ongoing tensions, including disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Recent Developments (April 14–17, 2026)

• Secondary sanctions warnings on oil buyers and banks (April 15): US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly stated that the US is now prepared to impose secondary sanctions on any countries, entities, or financial institutions that continue purchasing Iranian oil or hold Iranian funds in their banks. He explicitly warned: “We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions.” The Treasury has sent warning letters to at least two Chinese banks (and reportedly institutions in Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman) about potential secondary sanctions if they facilitate Iranian transactions (estimated at ~$9 billion in illicit flows). China, Iran’s largest oil customer (previously handling over 80% of its exports), is a primary focus.

• New direct sanctions on Iran’s oil sector (April 15): The US sanctioned more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to the petroleum shipping network linked to the Shamkhani family (prominent regime figures). These targets operate in Iran and the UAE and are accused of sanctions evasion. Additional designations hit a Hezbollah financier and entities involved in an Iranian oil-for-Venezuelan gold money-laundering scheme. Treasury Secretary Bessent described the moves as targeting “regime elites… that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people.”

• End of Iran oil sanctions waiver: The US is not renewing the temporary general license/waiver for Iranian crude oil and petroleum products (originally set to expire April 19, 2026). This ends limited authorizations for certain sea-based sales and tightens enforcement.

• Broader context and enforcement: These actions coincide with a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and enforcement actions in/near the Strait of Hormuz (initiated around April 13–14). As of April 17, Iran has declared the Strait “completely open” to commercial shipping, but the US has confirmed the blockade remains fully in effect until a comprehensive deal is reached. Earlier in 2026, the administration also issued an executive order framework for tariffs (potentially up to 25% or more) on imports from any country that acquires goods or services from Iran.

Impact on Any Nation or Entity Trading with Iran (“People in Iran”)

US secondary sanctions explicitly target non-US persons and third countries engaged in sanctionable activities with Iran’s energy, shipping, financial, or related sectors. This includes:

• Purchasing Iranian oil or petroleum products.

• Facilitating financial transactions involving Iranian funds.

• Providing services (shipping, insurance, etc.) to Iranian-linked vessels or networks.

Foreign financial institutions risk losing access to the US financial system or being designated. The policy applies even to indirect trade through intermediaries. Major buyers like China, as well as any resumed trade by countries such as India (which had paused but shown interest in reviving imports), are under heightened scrutiny. These measures build on longstanding US authorities (Iran Sanctions Act, executive orders, etc.) and recent OFAC designations. The latest Iran-related sanctions list updates occurred on April 15, 2026. The situation remains fluid, with fragile ceasefire/negotiations underway between the US and Iran (following earlier 2025–2026 conflict involving Israel). No major new sanctions announcements have emerged in the last 24–48 hours beyond the April 15 actions and ongoing blockade enforcement, but officials have signaled further tightening if Iran does not comply. For the absolute latest official updates, check the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Iran Sanctions page.

Buuuut, the US hypocrisy is rich. There are multiple credible reports of the US acquiring approximately $100 million worth of Venezuelan gold (physically transported to the US) as part of the Trump administration’s post-intervention economic engagements following the January 3, 2026, US military operation in Venezuela. This operation involved a strike that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife (who were transferred to the US for prosecution on drug-related charges), after which the US worked with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and asserted significant de facto control over Venezuela’s key resources, including oil and minerals.

Context of the “Regime Change” Operation

• On January 3, 2026, the US conducted an unconstitutional and immoral military raid in Caracas (described by officials and media as a “snatch-and-grab” or special operation under the broader “regime change” or “regime management” framework). Trump publicly stated the US would “run” Venezuela temporarily to rebuild its oil infrastructure and facilitate a transition.

• Maduro’s removal was followed by “deals” (as Trump called them) giving the US oversight of oil exports and expanded access to minerals. Critics (including some Democrats, international law experts, and left-leaning outlets) have called it “resource imperialism” or a “hostile corporate takeover,” while the administration frames it as legitimate commercial engagement and stabilization.

Specific Reports on Venezuelan Gold

• March 2026 gold shipment: US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Venezuela with US mining executives to promote legitimate mining and secure critical minerals. He announced that the US “brought home $100 million of gold — physically, the gold” for American refiners after meetings with Rodríguez. This was the first precious metals shipment between the two countries in over 20 years.

• Licenses and deals for gold exports: In early March 2026, the US Treasury/OFAC issued General License 51 (later expanded to 51A), authorizing US entities to deal with Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company (Minerven) for the export, sale, and transportation of Venezuelan-origin gold (and later broader minerals). This enabled a multimillion-dollar deal for up to 1,000 kg of gold destined for US markets (brokered via commodities traders like Trafigura).

• Broader policy shift: Venezuela passed a new mining law in April 2026 opening the sector to foreign (including US) investment. The gold moves are explicitly tied to the post-Maduro arrangement, alongside oil sales and sanctions relief. Burgum highlighted Venezuela’s vast untapped gold and critical minerals resources (estimated in the hundreds of billions).

  nytimes.com +1

These actions are not described in mainstream reporting as forcible “seizure” or confiscation of central bank reserves (unlike some older disputes over Venezuelan gold held abroad). Instead, they involve licensed commercial purchases, exports, and physical transfers under agreements with the Rodríguez government. However, the overall context—US military intervention followed by rapid resource deals—has led some critics and social media commentary to frame it as the US “taking” or exploiting Venezuelan gold as spoils of the operation. The situation remains ongoing as of April 17, 2026, with further sanctions easing on Venezuelan banking and minerals sectors. No major new gold-specific announcements have emerged in the past few weeks beyond the March events and April mining law. For primary sources, see US Treasury/OFAC notices or statements from Interior Secretary Burgum.

CANCER - IVERMECTIN, MEBENDAZOLE

This looks like something very promising. Out of all the COVID insanity, perhaps the Ivermectin research will turn around many lives.

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That’s it for now, all! Many thanks for supporting freedom, and for sharing the links! And remember, you can back us here by becoming a paid subscriber if you would like, and feel free to watch Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on Gardner’s X @gardgoldsmith and on Rumble! Spread the word! Thanks, again! Please feel free to SHARE the links, and join us every M-F at 6 PM on Rumble, and my X @gardgoldsmith — and you also can donate to help the Liberty Conspiracy, itself! Just visit PayPal to help out! You also can mail GG at:

Gardner Goldsmith
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LIBERTY CONSPIRACY NEWS NOTES:

4-17-26
PGG

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A brief note:

This is a unique version of the News Notes today, focusing on three key matters: WAR, the strangling of the world economy, and a positive report on the potential for Ivermectin and Mebendazol to dramatically help people suffering from cancer. I just returned from the memorial service for an old friend since we were kids, Kevin Maxwell. Kevin and I played hoop together, had lots of laughs, and knew each other locally, ever since. He died after a long fight against cancer. I liked Kevin so much, I used to sneak his name into TV scripts I was trying to sell when I worked in LA and Vancouver. Here is the Obituary information for Kevin R. Maxwell LINK

Now…

WAR

LEBANON

As part of the “ceasefire-and-open-strait-of-Hormuz” agreement announced by the US and Iran, Israel was supposed to cease military hostilities against Lebanon at 5 PM eastern US time, yesterday. Not only did Israel fire off a series of massive bombings just hours prior to that deadline (LINK and LINK), the IDF (I-O[ffensive]-F) continued its blasting and killing, esp south of the Litani River.

This does not bode well for peace in Lebanon or peace with Iran (or the economic fallout from a continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz). Trump claims that the Persian Gulf is open. This is not exactly right. It is under the control of Iran, and passage is allowed under specific conditions

THE INSANE US SANCTIONS ON IRAN ARE ALREADY BEING APPLIED AGAIN TO SOME, AND WILL RAMP UP - Bessent Claims is… because some of these people cited made deals for Iranian oil for Venezuelan Gold. As of today, April 17, 2026, the US is significantly escalating economic pressure on Iran through a combination of direct sanctions on its oil sector, threats of broad secondary sanctions on third-country buyers and banks, and enforcement of a naval blockade. This is part of what Treasury officials have described as “Operation Economic Fury” or the “financial equivalent of bombing Iran,” aimed at cutting off revenue to the Iranian regime amid ongoing tensions, including disputes over the Strait of Hormuz.

Key Recent Developments (April 14–17, 2026)

• Secondary sanctions warnings on oil buyers and banks (April 15): US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent publicly stated that the US is now prepared to impose secondary sanctions on any countries, entities, or financial institutions that continue purchasing Iranian oil or hold Iranian funds in their banks. He explicitly warned: “We have told countries that if you are buying Iranian oil, that if Iranian money is sitting in your banks, we are now willing to apply secondary sanctions.” The Treasury has sent warning letters to at least two Chinese banks (and reportedly institutions in Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman) about potential secondary sanctions if they facilitate Iranian transactions (estimated at ~$9 billion in illicit flows). China, Iran’s largest oil customer (previously handling over 80% of its exports), is a primary focus.

• New direct sanctions on Iran’s oil sector (April 15): The US sanctioned more than two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels tied to the petroleum shipping network linked to the Shamkhani family (prominent regime figures). These targets operate in Iran and the UAE and are accused of sanctions evasion. Additional designations hit a Hezbollah financier and entities involved in an Iranian oil-for-Venezuelan gold money-laundering scheme. Treasury Secretary Bessent described the moves as targeting “regime elites… that attempt to profit at the expense of the Iranian people.”

• End of Iran oil sanctions waiver: The US is not renewing the temporary general license/waiver for Iranian crude oil and petroleum products (originally set to expire April 19, 2026). This ends limited authorizations for certain sea-based sales and tightens enforcement.

• Broader context and enforcement: These actions coincide with a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and enforcement actions in/near the Strait of Hormuz (initiated around April 13–14). As of April 17, Iran has declared the Strait “completely open” to commercial shipping, but the US has confirmed the blockade remains fully in effect until a comprehensive deal is reached. Earlier in 2026, the administration also issued an executive order framework for tariffs (potentially up to 25% or more) on imports from any country that acquires goods or services from Iran.

Impact on Any Nation or Entity Trading with Iran (“People in Iran”)
US secondary sanctions explicitly target non-US persons and third countries engaged in sanctionable activities with Iran’s energy, shipping, financial, or related sectors. This includes:

• Purchasing Iranian oil or petroleum products.

• Facilitating financial transactions involving Iranian funds.

• Providing services (shipping, insurance, etc.) to Iranian-linked vessels or networks.

Foreign financial institutions risk losing access to the US financial system or being designated. The policy applies even to indirect trade through intermediaries. Major buyers like China, as well as any resumed trade by countries such as India (which had paused but shown interest in reviving imports), are under heightened scrutiny. These measures build on longstanding US authorities (Iran Sanctions Act, executive orders, etc.) and recent OFAC designations. The latest Iran-related sanctions list updates occurred on April 15, 2026. The situation remains fluid, with fragile ceasefire/negotiations underway between the US and Iran (following earlier 2025–2026 conflict involving Israel). No major new sanctions announcements have emerged in the last 24–48 hours beyond the April 15 actions and ongoing blockade enforcement, but officials have signaled further tightening if Iran does not comply. For the absolute latest official updates, check the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Iran Sanctions page.

Buuuut, the US hypocrisy is rich. There are multiple credible reports of the US acquiring approximately $100 million worth of Venezuelan gold (physically transported to the US) as part of the Trump administration’s post-intervention economic engagements following the January 3, 2026, US military operation in Venezuela. This operation involved a strike that captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife (who were transferred to the US for prosecution on drug-related charges), after which the US worked with acting President Delcy Rodríguez and asserted significant de facto control over Venezuela’s key resources, including oil and minerals.

Context of the “Regime Change” Operation

• On January 3, 2026, the US conducted an unconstitutional and immoral military raid in Caracas (described by officials and media as a “snatch-and-grab” or special operation under the broader “regime change” or “regime management” framework). Trump publicly stated the US would “run” Venezuela temporarily to rebuild its oil infrastructure and facilitate a transition.

• Maduro’s removal was followed by “deals” (as Trump called them) giving the US oversight of oil exports and expanded access to minerals. Critics (including some Democrats, international law experts, and left-leaning outlets) have called it “resource imperialism” or a “hostile corporate takeover,” while the administration frames it as legitimate commercial engagement and stabilization.

Specific Reports on Venezuelan Gold

• March 2026 gold shipment: US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum traveled to Venezuela with US mining executives to promote legitimate mining and secure critical minerals. He announced that the US “brought home $100 million of gold — physically, the gold” for American refiners after meetings with Rodríguez. This was the first precious metals shipment between the two countries in over 20 years.

• Licenses and deals for gold exports: In early March 2026, the US Treasury/OFAC issued General License 51 (later expanded to 51A), authorizing US entities to deal with Venezuela’s state-owned gold mining company (Minerven) for the export, sale, and transportation of Venezuelan-origin gold (and later broader minerals). This enabled a multimillion-dollar deal for up to 1,000 kg of gold destined for US markets (brokered via commodities traders like Trafigura).

• Broader policy shift: Venezuela passed a new mining law in April 2026 opening the sector to foreign (including US) investment. The gold moves are explicitly tied to the post-Maduro arrangement, alongside oil sales and sanctions relief. Burgum highlighted Venezuela’s vast untapped gold and critical minerals resources (estimated in the hundreds of billions).

  nytimes.com +1

These actions are not described in mainstream reporting as forcible “seizure” or confiscation of central bank reserves (unlike some older disputes over Venezuelan gold held abroad). Instead, they involve licensed commercial purchases, exports, and physical transfers under agreements with the Rodríguez government. However, the overall context—US military intervention followed by rapid resource deals—has led some critics and social media commentary to frame it as the US “taking” or exploiting Venezuelan gold as spoils of the operation. The situation remains ongoing as of April 17, 2026, with further sanctions easing on Venezuelan banking and minerals sectors. No major new gold-specific announcements have emerged in the past few weeks beyond the March events and April mining law. For primary sources, see US Treasury/OFAC notices or statements from Interior Secretary Burgum.

US ECONOMY

CANCER - IVERMECTIN, MEBENDAZOLE

This looks like something very promising. Out of all the COVID insanity, perhaps the Ivermectin research will turn around many lives.

That’s it for now, all! This had to be a slightly different News Notes, and I want to share those thoughts about Kevin. We will see you tonight for Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on RUMBLE AND X “AT” GardGoldsmith at 6!

Leave a comment

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Welcome, fellow Conspirators!

Immense thanks to Travis Knight of the David Knight Show, seen, m-f 10 to noon on Rumble, DLive, Kick, Odysee, and David's X, for joining us tonight for our debut segment of Theological Thursday, and discussing CS Lewis and grasping that the Gospels is woven into everything in the material world that we see. Big thanks, also, to our fellow Conspirators for their great comments in the chat, and to all the fine journalists whose work we got to feature tonight. - If you haven't been able to follow them, plz do! And join us, m-f 6 PM on Rumble, and on my X! Audio pods? Always shortly after the show, via Spotify or here at Substack! Here are some of the key items we discussed tonight!

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Let’s begin with what some might see as a lighter story, but the anti-Christian heart of it is a continuation of govt behavior that is deeply dark and evil. Hegseth, or his staff, but he is ultimately responsible, reads a fake Bible passage that was made up for the film “Pulp Fiction”. Someone along that chain had to have known what he or she was doing. This is a disturbing facet to a line of evil that includes extrajudicial murder in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, genocide, support for genocide, tax thievery, and utter lies.

Lebanon: Trump just announced what most people will not believe he or Israel will abide - a tend-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Hezbollah was not party to the agreement, and, as you will see at the end of the linked article, Hezbollah leaders have not agreed, as some news outlets are claiming. Hezbollah is signaling it will abide by the pause only if Israel fully complies with a complete halt to attacks and respects the group’s red lines. It has not issued an unconditional “yes” or formally signed on… Headline: “Trump says Israel and Lebanon agree to temporary ceasefire | US-Israel war on Iran News | Al Jazeera” LINK The Hezbollah position (as noted in the next link) from yesterday, seems to be unwavering, esp since they are not included in the talks. LINK This, from Daniel Davis, includes the live footage of Trump talking about it. The commentary after the Davis team returns to the camera is excellent

-The IDF systematically is destroying villages, schools, bridges, hospitals, and rescue teams across Lebanon and, in particular, in South Lebanon.

Congress disregards their rules, again: Hedline “Congress declines again to rein in Trump’s Iran War” LINK

Trump is building up more forces for what looks like an attempt either to breach into Iran with ground troops (a suicide mission, in the end) or to throw down a final “grand finale” of explosions, death, and US tax money burned before he pallidly and fraudulently claims he achieved some kind of “victory” with certain faux “goals” (such as “no nuclear weapons from Iran” which he had with the JCPOA that he dumped in front of his MAGA dupes). Here is some of what is happening, as Daniel Davis explains…

Meanwhile, Iranian tankers are moving through the straits of Hormuz and Oman, and the US is not stopping them.

This chart helps put into temporal perspective the sharp rising price curve since Trump took office.

Fertilizer Prices, YTD:

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And as they spend your money to perform for Israel, the US government prepares to pass a budget that contains more military (incorrectly called ‘defense’) spending than the also offensive “domestic” welfarism. Steve Ratner is on the collectivist left side of the political spectrum, so he doesn’t make the observation that the entire “debate” over the US budget is one caused by collectivism. And, by the way, how is it that the Congress members only recall ONE genocide? How about Cambodia, Rwanda, the USSR in Ukraine? The Trail of Tears?

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. appeared before a Congressional committee today, and fielded questions about matters such as the “health of America” (a wonderful collectivist term undercutting the health of every individual stuck in America), and RFK Jr’s appearance on a 2024 podcast interview where he stated something that alarmed many parents out there. First, we see in this clip a general assumption that the government has a “place” dictating to companies how they will check their quality and what they can say about their products. The assumption not only destroys rights, it perpetuates the false notion that the government-run system can be “reformed” to stop corruptive tendencies and incentives.

Next, the RFK Jr controversy re parenting. Confronted by a member of Congress to explain why he said that some parents would get the govt-funded “opportunity” to be retrained as parents, RFK denied saying what was quoted, attributed to him. Here is the explosive exchange.

RFK Jr. did make a statement on the 19 Keys podcast in 2024 that closely matches what Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) described. He did not explicitly say “black parents who give their children SSRI or ADHD drugs should see their children ‘reparented’” word-for-word, but he directly linked the over-prescription of those drugs to Black children with his proposal for them (or kids in similar situations) to “get re-parented” in screen-free communities/farms as part of his broader “wellness farms” idea. Here is the exact quote (widely reported and attributed to the July 2024 episode of 19 Keys Presents High Level Conversations, around the 1:25:00 mark in the relevant YouTube upload):

“Every Black kid is now just standard put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence,” Kennedy said. “And those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get re-parented — to live in a community where there’ll be no cellphones, no screens. You’ll actually have to talk to people.”

This was in the context of discussing overmedication of children (especially Black children, per his claim) with ADHD drugs like Adderall and antidepressants (SSRIs), and tying it to his vision of voluntary or alternative “wellness farms”/rehabilitation communities for detoxing from psychiatric drugs, reconnecting with communities, growing food, etc. (He has pitched similar ideas elsewhere, including in a Latino Town Hall podcast where he described spending “three or four years if they need it—to learn to get reparented.”)

This is controversial, but when it comes to the state v the feds, this is not a federal issue. Headline: “Federal judge delivers due process win against DOJ registry overreach” LINK

Products directly affected by a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz include crude oil and a range of energy, petrochemical, and agricultural inputs that transit the waterway from Persian Gulf producers (primarily Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iran). This chokepoint normally carries roughly 20 million barrels per day of crude oil and petroleum products (about 20-25% of global seaborne oil trade and 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption) plus significant volumes of LNG (20% of global LNG trade, mostly from Qatar).

Directly hit products are:

• Crude oil and refined petroleum products (gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, heating oil).

• Liquefied natural gas (LNG).

• Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) (used for petrochemical feedstocks, heating, cooking, and auto fuel; Middle East supplies ~30% of global seaborne exports).

• Petrochemical feedstocks and derivatives (naphtha, methanol (~1/3 of global seaborne trade), monoethylene glycol/MEG; these feed into plastics such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, resins, coatings, polyester fibers, packaging, and textiles).

• Fertilizers (urea (46% of global trade originates in the region), ammonia (20-30% of traded volumes), and related phosphate fertilizers; overall ~20-30% of global seaborne fertilizer trade).

• Sulfur (~50% of global seaborne shipments; key for sulfuric acid used in fertilizers, batteries, and metal processing).

• Other commodities including aluminum (~9% of global primary production from Gulf smelters), helium (Qatar supplies ~1/3 of world supply as a natural gas byproduct, used in semiconductors, MRI machines, etc.), petroleum coke/graphite feedstocks (for EV batteries), and minor volumes of iron ore/steel pellets.

• Plastic bags, medical devices (tubes, bags), plastic wrapping for foods, meats… diapers… lotions…

Price increases over the next six months are highly speculative and depend on the blockade’s duration, severity, alternative routing (limited pipelines), Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases, OPEC+ responses, demand destruction, and global economic conditions. In the context of the ongoing 2026 disruptions (which have already reduced flows sharply), analysts have noted crude oil prices surging above $100/barrel (up ~40%+ from pre-crisis levels in some scenarios), with forecasts for prolonged closure ranging from sustained averages of $120+/barrel to extreme spikes toward $150–200/barrel. This would translate to further U.S. gasoline and diesel rises (already up significantly to the $4+/gallon and $5+/gallon ranges in early 2026 reports), jet fuel and airfares soaring, urea fertilizer prices jumping 30%+ in short order (with risks of 50-100%+ sustained increases), and plastics/polymer prices rising sharply (e.g., polypropylene up ~24% in early reports). Broader petrochemical and fertilizer costs could add to food and manufactured goods inflation, though exact six-month outcomes remain uncertain and could moderate with offsets like stock draws or rerouting. Diesel and gasoline price increases raise transportation, farming, manufacturing, and distribution costs across the U.S. economy, acting like a broad “energy tax” that gets passed through to nearly all consumer products and services via cost-push inflation. Trucking moves roughly 70% of U.S. freight, so higher diesel directly elevates the price of groceries, retail goods, e-commerce deliveries, construction materials, and manufactured items; farm equipment and fertilizer (itself tied to natural gas) costs also rise, pushing up food prices (especially cereals, dairy, meat, and processed goods). Airlines pass on jet fuel hikes via higher ticket prices, while overall supply-chain expenses reduce business margins or lead to price increases for everything from clothing and plastics to household goods and electronics. This dynamic has historically added to headline inflation (e.g., 0.25 percentage points or more in some estimates) while dampening consumer spending and GDP growth, with lower- and middle-income households hit hardest due to limited ability to cut driving or absorb higher costs.

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

That’s it for now, all! Join us at 6 PM, m-f on Rumble or X “AT” gardgoldsmith to offer your thoughts. And thank you, to Jacob Hornberger, founder and President of the Future of Freedom Foundation (fffDotOrg) for joining us in our Mind Meld!! Spread the word about what we’re offering. :)Many thanks for supporting freedom, and for sharing the links! And remember, you can back us here by becoming a paid subscriber if you would like, and feel free to watch Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on Gardner’s X @gardgoldsmith and on Rumble! Spread the word! Thanks, again! Please feel free to SHARE the links, and join us every M-F at 6 PM on Rumble, and my X @gardgoldsmith — and you also can donate to help the Liberty Conspiracy, itself! Just visit PayPal to help out! You also can mail GG at:

Gardner Goldsmith



PO Box 581



Amherst, NH, 03031 :)

LIBERTY CONSPIRACY NEWS NOTES:

We got to celebrate spring weather and TRUTH tonight, with great help from Conspirators and excellent work by reporters whose work we got to discuss. Big thanks for their excellent output and energy. Join us, m-f 6 pm on Rumble, or at X, and get the audio pod after each show, via Spotify and here at Substack! - Here are some of the key matters we got to discuss tonight!

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FIRST, Trump claimed today that he is “permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz.” In a Truth Social post (reported around 8 a.m. ET), he wrote: “China is very happy that I am permanently opening the Strait of Hormuz. I am doing it for them, also – And the World. This situation will never happen again.” He made similar comments in a Fox Business interview, saying the war with Iran is “close to over” — Buuuuut the blockade continues…

The latest in the “negotiations” shows who is pulling the strings. Israel will not allow the US to agree to even a better deal for the US than the JCPOA represented (as far as their evil thirst to prevent Iran from using nuclear power is concerned). This indicates that those pushing Trump, and, likely, Trump, as well, want to make a negotiated deal impossible, and, as Netanyahu wants, fighting will escalate. Headline: “Trump Rejects Reports That US Proposed Iran Suspend Uranium Enrichment for 20 Years - News From Antiwar.com” LINK John Mearsheimer says it well

-Meanwhile, Lindsay Graham’s crazed rhetoric from Monday night is making the rounds. He, who is tied to rabidly aggressive Christian Zionists and the military-industrial complex, claims the leadership of Iran is filled with “religious zealots” who just want to kill Americans. It seems to me that he represents the real aggressive religious zealots, zealots who pick our pockets to murder overseas, to engage in genocide, occupy land, and torture people. He doesn’t even acknowledge that even IF some foreign nation were doing terrible things to its population or to others, his oath to his vaunted, haunted US Constitution mandates that he push for a Declaration of War to fight that, and even with one, the polis has no “authority” over my neighbor to make him pay for it.

AND, meanwhile, the US DC AIPAC shills engaged in some performance “art” - while you pay their salaries.

-This, from Paul Craig Roberts, is excellent LINK

Reason has a good piece on the war-state eating your earnings. LINK NOTE that the 4th Amendment is supposed to stop this kind of surveillance of your income and payments (See FISA, below)…

-Tres Sec Bessent shows his economic ignorance and immorality are about the same vile style as we reported re FLA Sen Rick Scott yesterday, he, Rick, saying he thought it was fine if China’s economy tanked. Incredible.

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Perhaps NATO is going the way of the Dodo?

If you heard from various sources that Israel had stopped its aggression against Lebanon (Beirut, or south of the Litani River), please know that this is not the case. Israel has conducted airstrikes, ground operations, and caused destruction in multiple regions of Lebanon today (April 15, 2026), including areas south of the Litani River. This is confirmed by multiple news reports, Lebanese authorities, and real-time posts from today. Key details include:

• Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River): Israeli forces continued airstrikes and bombardment in towns and villages such as Ainata (near Bint Jbeil), Qlaileh, Ansariya (coastal area near Tyre), Baraachit, Souaneh, Babliyeh, Seddiqine, Nabatieh El Faouqa, and areas along the Litani River. Reports describe strikes on vehicles (including in Tyre city), homes, and infrastructure, with smoke plumes and destruction visible in drone footage.

• Casualties and impact: Lebanese state media and the Health Ministry reported people killed (including in Ansariya and a drone strike outside Tyre) and injuries from today’s strikes. Ongoing ground operations and bulldozer activity have also been noted in the Bint Jbeil region, with bridges like Qasmiyeh previously damaged, further isolating southern areas.

• Broader context today: The Israeli military (IDF) has stated it struck over 200 Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in the past 24 hours, including operatives and infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu publicly confirmed today that forces “continue to strike Hezbollah” with focus on Bint Jbeil and expanding a “security zone.” This occurred on the same day as rare direct Israel-Lebanon talks in Washington.
  
  -Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced that Italy is suspending the automatic renewal of a long-standing defense agreement with Israel. Given the deal covered military cooperation, weapons trade, and intelligence sharing, this carries weight. Now it’s being paused. Meloni put it simply:
  
  “When there are things we don’t agree with, we act accordingly.”
  
  Noting that Israel’s attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 2,000 people since March, with no signs of slowing down. If dropping 150 bombs on Beirut in 10 minutes wasn’t enough, now there are excavators tearing buildings down, just like we saw in Gaza.

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  That’s it for now, all! Join us at 6 PM, m-f on Rumble or X “AT” gardgoldsmith to offer your thoughts. And thank you, to Jacob Hornberger, founder and President of the Future of Freedom Foundation (fffDotOrg) for joining us in our Mind Meld!! Spread the word about what we’re offering. :)Many thanks for supporting freedom, and for sharing the links! And remember, you can back us here by becoming a paid subscriber if you would like, and feel free to watch Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on Gardner’s X @gardgoldsmith and on Rumble! Spread the word! Thanks, again! Please feel free to SHARE the links, and join us every M-F at 6 PM on Rumble, and my X @gardgoldsmith — and you also can donate to help the Liberty Conspiracy, itself! Just visit PayPal to help out! You also can mail GG at:

  Gardner Goldsmith
  
  PO Box 581
  
  Amherst, NH, 03031 :)

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Greetings, fellow Conspirators!

We want to send biiiiiig thanks to Eric Peters, of EricPetersAutosDotCom for joining us on our Mind Meld to discuss the US warmongers, the fake peace talks, government blocks of free trade in many other areas, and more! Thanks, also, to our great audience, and to the fine journalists whose work we got to feature. Join us, m-f 6 PM on Rumble or on X, and check out the free audio pod, via Spotify and Substack! Here are some of the big stories we got to cover in tonight’s program!

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-The US govt goons claim that they are engaging in a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Oman. They claim to have more than 10K soldiers, sailors, marines, and a dozen US naval vessels at the southeastern tip of the Persian Gulf. This is admission to an act of war, another act of war (a blockade) without any congressionally declared War. Here, we see JD Vance (who took Israeli commands, it seems, while “negotiating” with Iran’s Araghchi and others) admit to engaging in ocean-based terrorism.

As Antiwar notes, and as Judge Napolitano and RT separately discussed today, the Trumpers are “briefing” Netanyahu, according to Netty, “every day.”
-and those “negotiators” Trump sent to Pakistan were directed to derail the “negotiations”

-NATO nations will not join the US in this block-headed blockade. “NATO Rules Out Role in Strait of Hormuz Blockade, Rebuking Trump - News From Antiwar.com” LINK
-US SEN Rick Scott (high on the list of APIAC recipients) says he is “FINE” with no oil going to China again. He loves the US using your money to block trade in the Persian Gulf - to commit piracy.

What if Captain Stubing wanted to get through?

Seyed Mouhammed Mirandi was at the negotiations and offers key details

-What about a US-Iran Strait Toll Sharing Deal? This is being bandied about - and a corporation tied to Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff could benefit. Headline “Iran wants $2M in crypto per ship through the Strait of Hormuz — and Trump is floating a ‘joint venture.’ What it could mean for gas prices” LINK
-Travel right now is slow, but is moving.

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So-called “representatives” from Lebanon are in the US to meet the US-Israeli goons and discuss “peace” — all without anyone from Hezbollah. And while the IDF continues to kill.
The IDF hit ANOTHER hospital last night.

The large scope of the death and destruction

One example - plz be warned of the terrible nature of this video.

Here is another post on it, with additional footage. This is a war crime, atop many.

More, on a mother and daughter, murdered by the IDF, in Lebanon.

And who might be surprised to know that Hillary C is in touch with the Israeli genocide machine re how to steamroll across Lebanon?

What a surprise that the Hillary-Israel-Trump-Zionist terror combo-pack should push for the destruction of civilization in Lebanon, especially south of the Litani River?

You might have seen this journalist covering Beirut and Lebanon. Here, she tells George Galloway that she believes, based on numerous instances, the IDF not only targets journalists, but that they have targeted her

The Hezbollah pushback against Israel is important and goes back decades, especially south of the Litani River. Formed in 1982–1985 by Shia Palestinians, Lebanese, and residents of the West Bank, during the Israeli occupation of Lebanon after the 1967 War w Lebanon and a renewed Israeli attempt to take the land in 1982, Hezbollah positioned itself as an armed resistance movement to end what it called foreign occupation of Lebanese territory. Drawing support from disaffected Shiites in the south and Bekaa Valley, Hezbollah waged a guerrilla campaign of ambushes, rockets, and bombings against Israeli forces and proxies until the 2000 withdrawal, which it claimed as victory. It has since evolved into a major political and military force in Lebanon while continuing in a conflict with aggressive Israel. The “Negotiators” in DC are embracing Israel’s desire to “disarm” Hezbollah, which will not happen, will see resistance and a possible civil was in Lebanon — something Israeli land-grabbers want.
(NOTE: After fleeing to Lebanon from Jordan, the PLO did not focus on “fighting to return control of southern Lebanon to the Lebanese away from Israel.” Instead, it established another “state within a state” (nicknamed “Fatahland”) in the south, using the area as a launchpad for cross-border raids, rockets, and attacks on Israel. This autonomy, combined with clashes against Lebanese Christian militias and the Lebanese army, helped ignite and fuel Lebanon’s 1975–1990 civil war. Israeli military responses—including the 1978 Operation Litani and the 1982 invasion—were claimed PLO operations as their pretext to capture Lebanese soil. Hezbollah later emerged in that context to resist the Israeli presence.

Another death in ICE custody. Headline: “Mexican migrant is 47th person to die in ICE custody during current administration” LINK
THIS, in the COURT of APPEALS AT DC, is stunning. Another blow against DUE PROCESS. Headline: “Appeals court shuts down criminal contempt probe over deportation flights” LINK
And the doctors who can help people? Better detain them and screw up their lives, right MAGA? Headline “ICE detains 2 doctors serving underserved Texas region” LINK
Remember Trump excoriating the Pope for not defending priests and parishioners during the LOCKDOWNS that Trump’s March 2020 “medical emergency” order triggered in state after state (even though there was a different Pope at that time)? Here, Donald. Here’s that “freedom of religion” thing meeting your immigration police state. LINK
Another horror story Headline “An 86-year-old woman detained by ICE after settling in the United States” LINK

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The Trump Tariff tax has been a powerfully destructive force, and it will continue to be. Of course, it’s important to acknowledge that inflation is the inflation of the money supply that drives up prices by diluting the buying power of the money, and it also inspires malinvestment because borrowers get the money more easily and gives borrowers a false impression that consumer spending will be high and investing in more supplies, expanding space, hiring new employees, would be wise. As the consumers start to pull back when they see prices rising, those who engaged in malinvestment have to liquidate their bad purchases, including the “hires’, who become unemployed. The tariff problem makes the prices rise as a function of it being a tax, stealing, stealing…

Real-World Effects continue to show Headline: “Trump administration won’t ease aluminum tariffs after Novelis fires squeeze automakers” LINK
-And more — Headline: “Tariffs are the new normal, and now most CEOs expect the import taxes to outlast the Trump administration, PwC report finds” LINK
AND

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Meanwhile, in Iran

This, from ERIC PETERS, is valuable! “Another Cost of the War - EPautos - Libertarian Car Talk” LINK

Congressman Robert Garcia (D-CA) has shown good instincts in pursuing Pam Bondi on her recalcitrance re the release of all Epstein Files in possession of Trump’s DoJ. Headline: “Bondi should come forward or she should face same consequences as Clintons: House Dem” LINK Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in late 2025, and that mandated the DOJ to release all Epstein-related documents while PROTECTING the IDs of the victims. Supporters (across parties, but especially victims’ advocates and online researchers) wanted full transparency on Epstein’s network, including any “client list,” flight logs, or investigative materials. Bondi, a longtime Trump ally, became AG last year and publicly stated early on that she had a client list “sitting on [her] desk.” Critics (primarily Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, some victims’ attorneys, and conservative influencers frustrated by delays) accused the DOJ under Bondi of, among other things related to Epstein (LINK):

• Delaying full release.

• Heavily redacting millions of pages.

• Botching victim privacy protections in what was released.

• Effectively running a “White House cover-up” to protect powerful figures (including Trump, who had past social ties to Epstein).

The House Oversight Committee issued a subpoena for Bondi to testify (deposition scheduled around mid-April, i.e. NOW) about compliance with the transparency law. The firing and the immediate fallout. Trump announced Bondi’s removal on April 2, replacing her with Deputy AG Todd Blanche as acting head. Official/administration explanations focused on general dissatisfaction with her leadership and her “botched handling” of the Epstein files (plus other issues like not aggressively pursuing Trump’s political opponents). Right after the firing, the DOJ notified Congress that Bondi would not appear for her scheduled deposition. Their argument: the subpoena was directed at her in her official capacity as Attorney General; once fired, it no longer applies to her as a private citizen. Democrats on the committee (e.g., Ranking Member Garcia and others) immediately pushed back, arguing she still has an obligation to testify, threatening contempt proceedings, and saying they would contact her personal attorneys to re-schedule or issue a new subpoena.

The German government is finding new ways to punish people for their political views. Now? No buying of property for members of AfD? Headline: “Statement - Buying a House in Germany May Soon Require the Right Political Views” LINK

Furb, of Smoove Foods, sent us this important news: “The Internet’s Most Powerful Archiving Tool Is in Peril | WIRED” LINK

That’s it for now, all! Join us tonight at 6 on Rumble and X for LIBERTY CONSPIRACY LIVE! X “AT” Gardgoldsmith! Share the links and your thoughts!

Greetings, fellow Conspirators!

We had a great time digging into the big news this evening, and if you missed the program, here is the audio! Big thanks to our fellow Conspirators for freedom, and to the journalists whose work we got to feature tonight. If you have yet to do so, definitely follow them - and join us, m-f 6 pm on Rumble or here on X! Audio pod is on the way, via Spotify and here on Substack!

Here are some of the big issues we explored tonight…

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WAR

IRAN

Over the weekend, Donald Trump not only continued to facilitate the IDF engaging in mass carnage in Lebanon and Gaza, not only continued to lie about Iran’s culture and relationship with neighboring nations (it is not the aggressive party), and he not only claimed he was going to blockade the Persian Gulf, as we suspected he might try to do, he posted, first, intense criticism of Pope Leo the 14th.

And on Orthodox Easter Sunday, he posted this. Daniel Davis’ response is very good.

When asked about the image, Trump claimed it was him acting as “doctor”.

Trump also said he didn’t think the Pope was ‘doing a very good job’

The Pope was very balanced in his response. Here are Judge Napolitano and Scott Ritter with the vid of Pope Leo.

-But remember, Trump and his Zionista pals attacking Iran is an attempt to stop the eeeeevil rise of religious fanatics. The vol on this is low, but it’s worth recalling Marco Rubio’s foolish rhetoric.

After his attack on the Pope, Trump doubled-down, even indicting himself again by mentioning the lockdowns, which his “medical emergency” announcement on March 13, 2020, facilitated on state levels (b/c many had adopted the cookie-cutter “Model State Health Emergency” statutes that were triggered by an “Executive Branch” in DC announcement of a “medical emergency”), and Trump did nothing to stop those (those lockdowns broke half of the Bill of Rights). Here, in low volume, you can see his nonsense. We have recorded this and will amp up the Vs for tonight’s Liberty Conspiracy LIVE at 6 PM

Trump’s attempt to engage in Lockdown 3.0 (2.0 was the tariff disaster, ongoing), will see him unable to do more than screech and put US lives and the world economy at risk. And, over the weekend, TN Congressman Tim Burchett added to the lies about Iran. Burchett calls himself a believer in Christ.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi lays out in plain terms why the Iranian government is not backing down from its valid claim to pursue nuclear power enrichment: Iran is a sovereign nation and its government need not bow to others over peaceful activity. In fact, under the 2016 start of the JCPOA (joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, from which TRUMP fled in 2018) Iran was able to engage in nuclear enrichment for power, was open to IAEA and US inspections, and was supposed to get back all of the tens of BILLIONS the US stole from Iran after the overthrow of the Shah. Trump dumped all of it, even as Israel, which has nuke weapons and is an aggressive OCCUPATION-GENOCIDE state, was/is receiving US funds-arms and was/is not open to inspections.

And when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz and international agreements, Trump, again, is in Never-Never Land. Yet, he is starting his attempt to block the Strait. Here is Antiwar on it “Trump Says US Military Has Started Blockade on Iranian Ports as Iran Calls It ‘Piracy’ - News From Antiwar.com” LINK But this ship appears to be challenging the US blockade. Let’s recall that TARIFFS are blockades, govt REGULATIONS are blockades. Licensing statutes are BLOCKADES. TAXATION IS A BLOCKADE, stopping you from doing with your money what you want with a voluntary recipient.

Trump’s current threat to create a choke point at the opening of the Gulf of Oman, for all the Persian Gulf region? It’s just as we expected and discussed on Liberty Conspiracy last month. And the Strait of Hormuz is only 21 nautical miles, from north to south, meaning that it is NOT international waters. Under international “law”, each nation can claim waters up to 12 miles from its coast. The Strait is under the control of Oman and Iran.
And Trump cannot hold it unless threatening people in home nations by claiming he will bomb them there or hit them with nukes. The water will be open, because Trump can’t keep any US naval force safe at the opening of the Persian Gulf or the Gulf of Oman. He can’t supply them.

And, as we mentioned yesterday in the Sunday News Assembly, if Trump tries to block the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthis will block the Red Sea at Bab al-Mandab

And the Iranian Speaker of Parliament offered this jab to Trump.

Here is excellent coverage, from RT:

and here is excellent coverage from Ron Paul and Daniel McAdams

You might be aware, of course, but Trump and his MAGA maniacs do not seem to care. Many of them claim the higher prices are for YOUR good. How kind of them.

BUT, since Trump moved on his threat, literally in the past 90 minutes, the oil price is in chaos

Martinson amplifies. ACTUAL V FAKE PAPER PROMISES

And the Chinese Government is warning the US that it has deals with Iranian and Omani forces to allow fuel shipments to China through the gulf.

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Curiously, Wesley Clark notes that the US has been hands off China delivering ROCKET fuel to Iran, via the Strait of H…

Here, Scott Ritter offers Trump a way to figure out an escape from the mess he and his deadly bluster have made. Ritter and Daniel Davis really got into some keen contemplation about the situation and ways to settle things

BUT, it looks like Trump and Netanyahu have grand plans to harm Iran’s economy, which also will harm the economies of other BRICS nations. Note here that Pepe Escobar reports that the US-IDF recently took out rail in Iran that is key to a Chinese-Iranian economic boon, a line that Israeli officials do not want to see rebuilt.

AND GET THIS, the US government appears to have created and sold a ton of oil “futures” contracts (promissory notes for future rendition and future supply, but put out now as a way to pretend there is more supply) This is incredibly devious.

Kudos to Chris Martenson there. Martenson asserts that the US Treasury and proxies are selling large volumes of oil futures contracts (”paper oil”) to artificially cap prices below $100 per barrel following a sharp reversal.

• The post references ongoing oil market volatility tied to US-Iran tensions, including a Hormuz blockade and fragile ceasefires that have caused Brent and WTI prices to swing above and below the $100 threshold in recent days.

• Martenson warns of future taxpayer losses if physical oil realities—such as supply constraints—clash with suppressed futures prices, echoing historical debates over government use of tools like the Exchange Stabilization Fund.

That’s it for now, all! Join us at 6 PM, m-f on Rumble or X “AT” gardgoldsmith to offer your thoughts. And thank you, to Jacob Hornberger, founder and President of the Future of Freedom Foundation (fffDotOrg) for joining us in our Mind Meld!! Spread the word about what we’re offering. :)Many thanks for supporting freedom, and for sharing the links! And remember, you can back us here by becoming a paid subscriber if you would like, and feel free to watch Liberty Conspiracy LIVE on Gardner’s X @gardgoldsmith and on Rumble! Spread the word! Thanks, again! Please feel free to SHARE the links, and join us every M-F at 6 PM on Rumble, and my X @gardgoldsmith — and you also can donate to help the Liberty Conspiracy, itself! Just visit PayPal to help out! You also can mail GG at:

Gardner Goldsmith
PO Box 581
Amherst, NH, 03031 :)

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