New Zealand lifts COVID restrictions: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-08-14/new-zealand-removes-final-covid-19-restrictions . New Zealand was in a unique position because of its island status. Their tough entry restrictions saved the nation from the worst of the pandemic’s waves.
WSJ: Sotyktu: Curing your own disease: https://www.wsj.com/articles/he-was-a-scientist-could-he-find-a-drug-to-treat-his-own-disease-c6839236 .
WSJ: Biden’s Camp David summit on China: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bidens-first-camp-david-summit-looks-to-align-allies-facing-china-threat-89626785 . I really cannot conceive of this vitally important meeting occurring under the prior administration.
This could finally rid us of Orange Julius: https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/13/politics/coffee-county-georgia-voting-system-breach-trump/index.html . I know, I know, that’s a big claim. But this evidence (1) essentially clinches a RICO case; and (2) it proves OJ and his lawyers took aggressive action to overthrow the election. In other words, this is not a witch hunt and OJ is clearly a crook. People get convicted on this type of evidence. Here’s your line-up card for the upcoming indictment: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/key-players-trump-georgia-election-probe/story?id=102134672 . WSJ: To some extent, we agree that the sun is setting on OJ in Georgia: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-election-grand-jury-georgia-voters-4cd64c0 . Meanwhile, the co-conspirators are turning on each other: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-jack-smith-coconspirators-rudy-giuliani-1234806292/ .
Maui death toll now 93, still expected to climb significantly: https://apnews.com/article/maui-hawaii-lahaina-deadliest-wildfire-fb2ebf6cd39c149a582b82eed6ac3930 . As this article explains, cadaver dogs have covered only 3% of the 5 square mile search area. While the upset of persons unable to access their homes to search for prized possessions is understandable, the controlled access is appropriate in these circumstances. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-maui-fires-leave-at-least-80-dead-some-residents-return-a3b7d2a4 (again, this newsletter supplied this link yesterday, but the Journal has added significant new content).
WSJ: Collapse of Hunter Biden plea deal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/hunter-biden-says-prosecutors-reneged-on-plea-deal-d7a4cb1d . Biden’s lawyers tell the court they have written evidence that the government reneged on the plea deal in his case, even though the government largely dictated the terms.
Basically everyone thinks college football realignment is a total mess, and football should start over from ground zero. There’s an excellent article in The Washington Post today, but not accessible without a subscription. Here’s another, focused on the common element of most proposals: go back to regional conferences: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/861056-forget-college-football-realignment-what-if-we-just-start-over-risk-style .
Here’s a relegation proposal, contrasting with the suggestion previously made in this newsletter: https://thespun.com/college-football/college-football-relegation-proposal-is-starting-to-gain-traction . This variation is way too complicated. Furthermore, the regional element disappears, so most teams are flying all over the country.