Omicron efficient in infecting children: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-08-02/omicron-better-at-invading-young-noses-than-other-variants-smell-loss-may-predict-memory-issues . In other news from recent COVID studies, long-term cognitive impairment from COVID is better predicted by severity of the loss of smell symptom than by the severity of the COVID infection.
WSJ: US monkeypox czar: https://www.wsj.com/articles/president-biden-names-monkeypox-czar-11659453748 . What a horrific moniker … it sounds like the Wicked Witch of the West … Meanwhile, US monkeypox cases grow: https://www.wsj.com/articles/monkeypox-patients-report-excruciating-pain-and-lack-of-guidance-as-u-s-cases-mount-11659432602 .
Monkeypox spreads in France: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-08-02/2-171-people-infected-with-monkeypox-in-france-minister . Ah, gay Paree … (for the whippersnappers, this is old-time reference to Paris which actually means Joyful Paris).
Senate FINALLY passes veterans’ health benefits bill: https://apnews.com/article/biden-entertainment-jon-stewart-health-care-reform-congress-a015fc694b7faa3227446bc9cf822441 . Here is another gift from the GOP to Democrats, “courtesy” of fist-bumping, “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/senate-tries-to-pass-burn-pit-funding-for-veterans-after-surprise-setback-11659464193 .
Why are mortgage rates falling?: https://fortune.com/2022/08/02/housing-market-correction-mortgage-rates/ . Importantly, note that bond rates are falling because the market is pricing in a high probability of a recession next year. The stock market is not doing that. This is more evidence that we have been seeing a bear market rally. Stock buyers beware …
Speaker Pelosi arrives in Taiwan: https://apnews.com/article/china-asia-beijing-malaysia-a5a6acc391511c99b1b4c2d69e67b133 . Why she went: https://apnews.com/article/taiwan-biden-asia-united-states-beijing-e3a6ea22e004f21e6b2a28b0f28ec4c5 . Nancy Pelosi has been a long-time critic of China, particularly on human rights abuses. She is also a supporter of Taiwan’s democracy. Congressional visits to Taiwan are not unusual. However, this is the first visit by a Speaker in 25 years. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nancy-pelosi-heads-to-taipei-as-china-warns-of-disastrous-consequences-11659442605 .
Orange Julius could have killed al-Zawahiri, but didn’t because he didn’t know the name: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/trump-had-the-chance-to-kill-al-qaeda-s-leader-but-didn-t-because-he-didn-t-recognize-the-name-report-says/ar-AA10dzMx?cvid=d5620189fc1a42958ac796d9db86d822 . If OJ’s dad hadn’t made a fortune as a slumlord, we would have never heard of this jackass … So here’s another reason to go after slumlords …
Georgia brings the culture wars to its tax code: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/georgia-residents-can-now-claim-embryos-dependents-state-taxes-rcna41111 . Assuming you believe the job of government is to govern, what can this possibly have to do with that job? What happens if mom gets pregnant in August but loses the baby in January? Does your answer change if mom flew to California and had an abortion? As we constantly note, stupidity has no limits.
Meanwhile, Kansas voters reject limits to abortions: https://www.yahoo.com/news/kansas-first-state-vote-abortion-034233062-024537041.html . In other words, red state voters told the GOP and the Supreme Court to stuff it. Polling indicates that this issue will turn out Democrat voters in November. As previously noted, Alito is certainly no politician, and he’s not much of a legal mind. Why does this fool have a lifetime term on the US Supreme Court?
Pat Cipollone subpoenaed by DOJ January 6 grand jury: https://abcnews.go.com/US/white-house-counsel-subpoenaed-federal-grand-jury-investigating/story?id=87845397 . The odds of a DOJ indictment of Orange Julius after the November elections are improving rapidly.
January 6 texts of Orange Julius’ Pentagon officials have also been wiped: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/02/jan-6-texts-of-trump-defense-officials-wiped-clean-by-pentagon-court-filing-shows.html . There are government records acts requiring all communications to be preserved. What the hell happened at the Pentagon and the Secret Service?
Water and power Armageddon approaches in the Western US: https://news.yahoo.com/western-us-faces-water-and-power-shortages-due-to-climate-change-un-warns-211255637.html . These problems could make Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Phoenix unlivable.
Broadcaster Vin Scully passes at 94: https://sports.yahoo.com/legendary-dodgers-broadcaster-vin-scully-dies-at-94-years-old-032152028.html . My second-favorite broadcast team of all time was Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola (just behind Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese). Scully’s voice is unforgettable and playing in my head right now. Is this a sign that the 2022 World Series will be Dodgers versus Yankees?