Paralyzed man walks with brain implant: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/paralyzed-man-walks-again-using-implants-connecting-brain-with-spinal-cord/ . We mentioned yesterday Musk’s brain implant device. However, this is way more advanced. One hopes that we get to a brain implant for Elon Musk, not by Elon Musk.
Medical racism in America: https://apnews.com/article/black-women-maternal-mortality-rate-df872e86c4bb56ef222b19141dc377f8 . Racism has been part of the human condition for a long time. As America included slavery for over 200 years, including 75 years from the Constitution to the end of the Civil War, we have come a long way. But as we have had almost 250 years from the Declaration of Independence to promote equality, so too have the racists had that time to keep racism alive in ever more subtle forms.
A significant portion of poorer medical outcomes for Blacks has to do with lack of access to care – much of it the result of indirect racism. Here, however, the author discusses direct racism – doctors take the input of Black patients less seriously than that of other patients. This is not at all just the story of the woman quoted in this article. Many studies have shown this to be true. No one knows if or when our system will reach anything approaching equality of treatment. But we are most certainly not there yet.
WSJ: Ukraine launches airstrikes against a variety of Russian targets: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-launches-airstrikes-on-russian-held-targets-a367b44 . Standard tactics for an offensive is to first launch attacks along the full length of the battle lines, forcing the defender to spread its resources thinly.
Biden and McCarthy announce tentative deal to raise debt ceiling: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/biden-and-mccarthy-agree-to-raise-the-us-debt-ceiling-022654917.html . We really need to see the details before commenting, although the media of course does not work that way. While the article states the conventional wisdom that conservatives will attack McCarthy for not going far enough (certainly), I think it would be unwise to question his Speakership. They have no meaningful replacement for McCarthy, as weak as he is. Still, we all know they are not wise … WSJ: Our info on the proposed deal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-in-the-debt-ceiling-deal-461b9822 .
GOP-led Texas House impeaches Ken Paxton: https://apnews.com/article/texas-attorney-general-paxton-impeachment-d0fa9114868adca63d55a21a53765c45 . As the article notes, Paxton is a long-time crook. The vote to impeach was 121 to 23, including 60 of the House’s 85 GOP members, after a unanimous Committee referral to the full body. So who could possibly object to pulling the plug on this bum? None other than Orange Julius and Ted Cruz. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/texas-house-votes-to-impeach-ag-ken-paxton-5f20d126 .
What caused Paxton to be booted? Four of his 8 senior attorneys became whistleblowers against him. Paxton settled the case for $3.3 million, and then asked the legislature to pay the bill. This matter now goes to trial in the Texas Senate, where a two-thirds vote is required to convict. However, the strength of today’s vote, which only required a simple majority, indicates Paxton is in real trouble whenever that trial occurs.
Greg Abbott has remained silent on the matter. However, he has the authority to immediately appoint a successor. Stay tuned.
MAGA maniacs scammed on Orange Julius Bucks: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-bucks-promise-wealth-maga-loyalty-lose-thousands-rcna84965 . Scammers, of course, target the vulnerable. So why has OJ not denounced these scams? The only reasonable conclusion is that scamming is acceptable in MAGA World. See the article on Ken Paxton, above, if you have any doubts.
State Farm won’t sell property insurance to new California applicants: https://thehill.com/business/4023994-state-farm-no-longer-offering-home-insurance-in-california/ . Auto insurance remains available.
Boston Celtics come back to force Game 7: https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-playoffs-celtics-force-game-7-with-derrick-white-buzzer-beater-on-verge-of-historic-comeback-vs-heat-032123764.html . Just watch the video farther down in the article – there is an unbelievable put-back to win the game.
WSJ: A surprise club wins promotion to the English Premier League: https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/luton-town-premier-league-championship-playoff-promotion-d7b20645 .
Ed Ames passes at 95: https://apnews.com/article/ed-ames-brothers-obit-3f5ed098a460486d993c2e7d5834af88 . For the whippersnappers, Ed Ames, in addition to his famous singing career, starred as an Indian on TV’s “Daniel Boone”. This led to his appearance on “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson. Ames was front and center in one of funniest moments to ever appear on television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L5QC9ZJkM8 . In an odd twist, Ames’ obituary for the Associated Press was originally written by Bob Thomas, a famous AP reporter who died in 2014 at the age of 92: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Thomas_(reporter) .