Biden’s COVID diagnosis ends travel: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/bidens-covid-diagnosis-throws-wrench-white-house-midterm-push-rcna39358 . While this is something of a problem with the midterms just over 3 months away, Biden’s low approval ratings limit his utility on the campaign trail. Paxlovid is being used to manage his illness: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/bidens-covid-symptoms-improve-fatigue-congestion-remain-doctor-says-rcna39598 .
WSJ: Novavax COVID vaccine shipped to US: https://www.wsj.com/articles/novavaxs-covid-19-vaccine-doses-shipped-for-use-in-u-s-11658526945 .
Most Americans should consider masking indoors: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-07-22/cdc-87-of-americans-should-be-wearing-a-mask-indoors-or-considering-it .
Monkeypox found in children: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-07-22/u-s-identifies-first-cases-of-monkeypox-in-children . We have said all along that monkeypox is spread by close physical contact (which may or may not involve sex). So the recent description of the disease as an STD is not technically accurate. However, I still consider AIDS to be a more relevant comparison to monkeypox than is COVID because of its lower level of transmissibility.
WSJ: We are skeptical of Amazon’s latest entry into healthcare: https://www.wsj.com/articles/amazon-faces-fierce-competition-in-health-ambitions-after-one-medical-deal-11658482202 . Huh? UnitedHealth and other large players are hidebound bureaucracies. Amazon is nimble. Betting against Amazon does not seem like a good bet here.
World Bank gives African CDC $100 million: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-07-22/africas-top-public-health-body-gets-100-million-from-world-bank .
WSJ: Global implications of a strong dollar: https://www.wsj.com/articles/what-a-strong-dollar-means-for-the-rest-of-the-world-11658482200 . The article points out that higher interest rates in the US draw currency from other countries, thus reducing the capital resident in those countries. You may find their analysis of the details informative.
Two Americans die fighting in eastern Ukraine: https://abcnews.go.com/International/americans-dead-eastern-ukraine-officials/story?id=87275130 .
Ukraine, Russia sign deals to resume exports of grain and fertilizer: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-middle-east-global-trade-a2c89d94a0f8473b40a1fcde5710bda8 . One expects the exporters will spend a significant portion of the revenue blowing each other up. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/even-with-a-ukraine-deal-world-grain-supplies-are-tight-11658499686 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-ukraine-grain-deal-wont-translate-into-big-exports-immediately-11658502802 .
Why “Fox” and “News” have no place in the same sentence: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-sean-hannity-television-donald-trump-609dcc5bc158308d7bc633ad52462f3d . As readers know, I regard Murdoch’s brand of yellow journalism as the key threat to democracy in the US and around the world. This article does provide some interesting support for that view.
- Fox’s night-time viewership is double its daytime viewership. This tells us that a significant portion of their viewers want to listen to manure tailored to their viewpoint, not objective news.
- The hearings gained viewers as they went along. This is solely because the hearings had compelling new news about January 6, and presented it in a compelling and understandable way.
- Hannity and Carlson criticize the hearings because the truth shows them to be total clowns. That is especially true for Hannity, whose participation in the insurrection and attempted coup was discussed in the hearings. Hannity’s idiotic criticism of the hearings as “a cheap, selectively edited political ad” demonstrates his level of deceit. By any measure, that description does not apply to the hearings. However, it is a near-perfect description of his show.
- My view of Fox viewers as lacking critical analysis skills has been too kind. They are non-thinkers who look for a talking point to support their fantasy view of reality. They seek reaffirmation of their irrational anger. Can we export these losers to Russia? They can still watch Hannity and Carlson on Russian TV.
- Maybe the FCC should force Fox to air these clips of Orange Julius at noon, 4 pm, and 7,8 and 9 pm every day for a month. I wonder how many Fox viewers will comprehend what they are watching.
Murdoch’s yellow journalism infects WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-committee-hearing-to-focus-on-trumps-actions-during-attack-on-capitol-11658395800 . The Journal repeats OJ’s response of personal attack on Liz Cheney, which includes no specifics, counterarguments or facts. The committee presented videotape of OJ’s behavior real-time on January 7. A truly professional media organization would point out what I just said, even if some of their readers don’t want to hear it.
Are Journal employees satisfied to participate in this threat to democracy? The Conference needs to re-examine its expenditure of dues on this less-than-professional direction the Journal continues to take.
Missouri Democrats pick up on “You must be Joshing” Hawley’s laughable (and disgusting) behavior: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/missouri-democrats-are-planning-a-hawlin-hawley-5k-race-after-the-gop-senator-was-shown-running-from-january-6-rioters/ar-AAZRFXS?cvid=9cef633e51ce4d419970b504eca9190d . Hawley’s response is laughably (and disgustingly) out-of-touch.
Another OJ endorsement wakes up in trouble: https://news.yahoo.com/herschel-walker-dug-himself-a-hole-can-he-dig-himself-out-170308616.html . Walker should have been able to beat Warnock on name recognition alone. But he has made so many errors that people properly doubt his basic competence. Pivoting the campaign to have Walker discuss issues is a desperation move. Walker is not competent to defend any position, and as noted above a significant portion of GOP voters do not want issue-laden discussion.
Meanwhile, The Guardian stumbles past the obvious: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/22/january-6-hearings-analysis-donald-trump . We already know their economics editor does not understand basic economic principles. Apparently The Guardian’s legal analyst dozed off during part of the hearings. The committee pointed out that failure to act in these circumstances is a fundamental violation of the President’s Constitutional oath.
In fact, I challenge The Guardian to present any American attorney who would deny that analysis. They cite this article: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/10/merrick-garland-charge-donald-trump-january-6 . It most assuredly does not support their point. The question is whether the US has the political will to prosecute a former President (it’s a stain if we don’t). And, as we’ve already explained, Garland’s reticence to file charges before the election supports longstanding DOJ policy. Their experts also mention this in passing reference to James Comey.
Jury convicts Steve Bannon of contempt: https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/bannon-trial/?id=87038649 . So, “open and shut” properly described this case. But undoubtedly there will be an appeal, because Bannon is all about delay and getting press. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-bannon-contempt-charges-headed-to-jury-as-attorneys-deliver-closing-remarks-11658505250 .
Meanwhile, the SS Jeffrey Clark strikes a disciplinary land mine: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/former-trump-doj-official-jeffrey-clark-faces-legal-disciplinary-charg-rcna39592 . Yes, it’s a disciplinary process. However, an incompetent and unqualified lawyer seeking to head DOJ in order to promote the Big Lie has already toasted his buns.
The 2024 Fantasy Presidential Nomination League: For the GOP, it’s Ron DeMentis of Florida: https://news.yahoo.com/gop-insiders-think-de-santis-could-beat-trump-in-2024-heres-how-190820108.html . Who listens to Piers Morgan anymore? Note also that Ron is described as “a bigger jerk than [Orange Julius] ever was”. For the Democrats, it’s Gavin Newsom of California: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/california-gov-gavin-newsom-running-full-page-ads-texas-rcna39475 . It’s fair to say Newsom is moving his brand into national politics. However, Newsom is not contemplating a run against Biden. It is much more likely that Newsom is putting himself in position if Biden does not run in 2024.
Newsom signs bill allowing Californians to sue gun makers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/california-gov-gavin-newsom-to-sign-bill-allowing-citizens-to-sue-gun-makers-11658498491 . Newsom’s policies are more appealing to most Americans than those of DeMentis.
Evergrande ousts its executive leadership over $2 billion cash seizure: https://www.wsj.com/articles/evergrande-ousts-ceo-and-cfo-over-2-billion-cash-seizure-11658518540 . Every sign points to painful restructuring in the Chinese real estate market.