US life expectancy drops again: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/us-life-expectancy-falls-lowest-levels-1996-due/story?id=95649464 . This feels like a loss of progress our society should not be giving up. The key causes of death are ongoing COVID fatalities and record drug overdoses. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-life-expectancy-fell-to-lowest-level-since-1996-11671667059 .
Schools plan for COVID outbreaks: https://www.wsj.com/articles/schools-prepare-for-rise-in-flu-covid-19-cases-tied-to-holiday-break-11671716362 .
COVID has crushed Shanghai quickly: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hospital-warns-tragic-battle-covid-spreads-china-rcna62902 . With over 5 million cases now, they expect over 12 million by year’s end (that’s 9 days). More: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-lacked-zero-covid-exit-plan-its-people-are-paying-price-2022-12-23/ .
WSJ: India COVID death undercount: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-india-leaves-covid-behind-families-say-their-dead-werent-counted-11671673720 .
DEA seizes enough fentanyl to kill every American: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dea-seized-fentanyl-kill-american-2022/story?id=95625574 . So among the mind-numbing statistics that assault us every day, this one stands out. No wonder we have record overdose deaths. However, think about how much money the fentanyl trade must generate for organized crime to lose this quantity of drugs and yet remain profitable.
Urine test for liver cancer: https://metro.co.uk/2022/12/23/urine-tests-for-cancer-a-step-closer-following-new-discovery-17983869/ .
WSJ: Bird flu devastates US egg production: https://www.wsj.com/articles/egg-prices-surge-to-records-as-bird-flu-decimates-poultry-flocks-11671689775 .
WSJ: Economic growth figures raise fears of continued Fed rate hikes: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jobless-claims-rose-by-2-000-last-week-remain-below-prepandemic-average-11671716760 . As we have been shouting for some time, the economic data indicates the Fed will have to go higher to slow growth and cool inflation. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-stocks-markets-dow-update-12-22-2022-11671711835 .
Jan. 6 committee issues final report: https://abcnews.go.com/US/house-jan-6-committee-releases-final-report-probe/story?id=95656950 . WSJ: Cassidy Hutchinson’s testimony: https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-allies-urged-her-to-limit-testimony-cassidy-hutchinson-told-jan-6-committee-11671741853 . This lawyer was paid by someone else, and advised her to limit her testimony. That is: (a) conflict of interest; and (b) witness tampering.
Senate confirms new US ambassador to Russia: https://apnews.com/article/putin-zelenskyy-eae5489b24a39fec4fbe09974a1efc38 . So Ambassador Tracy appears superbly qualified for this important role. The Senate vote was 93-2, the no votes being Rand Paul of Kentucky and Mike Lee of Utah, who are also no’s on thought and sanity.
WSJ: FTX collapse puts pressure on SEC crypto regulation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftx-collapse-puts-pressure-on-secs-crypto-enforcement-strategy-11671735703 .
FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried released on record $250 million bail: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sam-bankman-fried-bail-250-million/ . He was released, but not Freed. So he’s more like Fried.
WSJ: The role of errors in success: https://www.wsj.com/articles/christmas-movies-wonderful-life-serendipity-copyright-11671663411 . So the story of “It’s a Wonderful Life” is quite interesting. However, when will the Journal run the deserving follow-up: “Orange Julius: the role of abject stupidity in failure”?
WSJ: Advertisers shun Twitter: https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musk-twitter-advertisers-exodus-11671722594 . Rule No. 1 in business: Don’t piss off the people who pay to keep the lights on.
DeMentis to Florida voters: Hey, screw you!: https://www.aol.com/news/desantis-elevates-florida-judge-lost-155033228.html . Ron burnishes his anti-democracy credentials.
WSJ: Housing for the holidays: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cities-look-to-get-homeless-people-inside-as-temperatures-plummet-11671738576 . So I was out briefly this afternoon. It was 17 here in Portland with high winds, with freezing rain on the way. It is beyond inhumane to leave people outside in these conditions.