WHO downgrades global COVID emergency: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/05/cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-leaving-00095583 . Again, this decision is more political than medical. We need an ongoing global effort to get people the latest mRNA vaccines. This announcement may therefore be counterproductive to the appropriate medical response to the ongoing threat from COVID. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/when-is-covid19-pandemic-over-11663613023 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/who-declares-covid-19-pandemic-emergency-over-23977772 .
North Carolina governor vows veto of abortion bill: https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-abortion-restrictions-legislature-fc7f84c6b4e4398da1b7ab920150fa27 . This was expected, as Cooper is a Democrat. It is also expected that the legislature will override the veto.
CDC director leaves June 30: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/05/cdc-director-rochelle-walensky-leaving-00095583 . It is unfortunate that she is not staying to see the CDC reorganization through. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cdc-director-walensky-to-step-down-1e5e6c42 .
DEA completes massive drug bust, arrests over 3,000: https://www.newsnationnow.com/crime/dea-3000-arrested-drug-bust/ . The action comes against two major Mexican drug cartels.
April jobs report shocks with high employment numbers: https://www.aol.com/finance/jobs-report-hiring-expected-slow-215956493.html . The market rallied on this news, but why? While the report showed 253,000 jobs created, 68,000 more than expected, the prior two months were revised downward by a total of 149,000 jobs. Also, while unemployment remains historically low at 3.4%, wage inflation remains high. These conditions not only suggest there will be no interest rate cuts this year, but also raise the possibility of another Fed rate increase. The market is not just ignoring the Fed, it is ignoring standard analysis of the data. More: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/biden-calls-participation-the-really-good-news-in-fridays-jobs-report-173933097.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-the-fed-done-raising-rates-4e12b11a . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/slowing-jobs-juggernaut-gives-fed-breathing-room-ae3a9874 .
WSJ: Meanwhile, bonds drop: https://www.wsj.com/articles/strong-labor-market-data-sparks-bond-selloff-45bc2fb5 .
WSJ: Jenny Craig gives up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jenny-craig-the-once-highflying-weight-loss-brand-is-going-out-of-business-after-40-years-97fa4092 .
Wagner Group threatens pullout from Bakhmut: https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-wagner-bakhmut-40eea0f86be16a77830c369acd0a9d9f . We can draw more conclusions besides the (appropriate) insight that Bakhmut is not ready to fall. While Wagner is indeed a small part of the Russian military operation – perhaps 15% (50,000/300,000) – they are taking the heaviest casualties. This does suggest the Russian military is not anxious to fight this war, and Wagner’s withdrawal from Bakhmut would put Russia’s overall war effort on its heels. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wagner-ukraine-russia-withdraw-6df13ff .
Conservatives piss off everyone with their defense of Clarence Thomas: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/justice-thomas-defenders-make-case-supreme-court-ethics-reform-rcna82846 . Let’s get real here. Of the questionable actions raised so far, two are of a different magnitude than the others. Thomas’ receipt of a variety of gifts from Harlan Crow has a value of hundreds of thousands and probably over a million dollars. That’s improper, period. That’s not “hospitality”, period.
The other questionable transactions of this magnitude involve Chief Justice Robert’s wife earning over $10 million in commissions for placements of lawyers at law firms who practice before the Court. The actions of a spouse are in a somewhat different category. I am more worried about Ginni Thomas’ advocacy of insurrection against the US government.
Breyer’s travel likely does not value to as much as $100,000, and he is retired. None of the remaining issues raised have a value of as much as $20,000. Yes, force a Code of Ethics on the Court by legislation, and let the Court strike it down. But conflating all these missteps with Thomas’ corruption is ridiculous, and everyone knows it. Those who have had their hand in the cookie jar deserve a slap on the wrist. Thomas has his arm in the jar up to his shoulder, and deserves amputation.
DeMentis-Disney dispute keeps going: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ron-desantis-signs-bill-nullifying-disney-development-agreements-df50416b .
January 6 defendant sentenced to 14 years, 2 months in prison: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/federal-judge-imposes-longest-sentence-yet-jan-6-defendant-rcna82982 . First, note that the sentencing guidelines call for 262 months – 21 years. I really do not understand why these defendants almost uniformly get lower terms than the sentencing guidelines. Secondly, this sentence does not bode well for the Proud Boys just found guilty of seditious conspiracy. This opens the door to 20-year (or more) sentences for the leadership of that group. Which, by the way, I totally support.
UPDATE: DOJ seeks 25-year prison term for Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/doj-seeks-25-year-prison-sentence-oath-keepers/story?id=99123996 . Again, the Proud Boys leadership is looking at a long time in prison. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/prosecutors-seek-25-year-jail-term-for-oath-keepers-founder-stewart-rhodes-for-jan-6-role-6127e4e5 .
Eight fake electors in Georgia accept immunity deal: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/05/trump-false-electors-immunity-00095664 . This suggests the Georgia case against Orange Julius is also moving forward. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/eight-trump-electors-granted-immunity-in-georgia-investigation-f557d950 .
WSJ: Special counsel may be readying Orange Julius indictments: https://www.wsj.com/articles/in-trump-probe-special-counsel-zooms-in-on-possible-criminal-charges-42f60b4 .
Fox lawyers demand Dominion investigate leaks of confidential litigation records: https://www.mediaite.com/tv/just-in-fox-news-issues-warning-to-dominion-amid-tucker-carlson-leaks/ .
Orange Julius moves away from Republican brand: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-looking-regain-2016-magic-moves-away-gop-brand-rcna82671 . This is precisely what the country needs. Right now the GOP is a cancer on democracy. It is hard to see what OJ can do to gain followers. However, destruction of the Republican Party could mean that some people on the right end of the political spectrum might consider telling (or listening to) the truth. And there is plenty of objective truth out there.
WSJ: SEC pays record $279 million whistleblower award: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-issues-279-million-whistleblower-award-its-largest-ever-517b9640 .
Alex Murdaugh in prison, but his legal problems continue: https://apnews.com/article/alex-murdaugh-satterfield-murders-lawsuits-01c287a42e68442887499a2d7a0870dc . Hey, prison covers his meals and housing for life. What does he need assets for?