“Booster” becomes “updated COVID vaccine”: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/new-covid-vaccine-shots-booster-2023/ . So now we have government’s fingerprints on vaccine marketing. As there was only a 20% uptake on the last booster, they might as well try something new.
Progress toward universal flu vaccine: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-09-15/us-nih-begins-human-trials-of-universal-flu-vaccine . Remember that there is also ongoing work on a universal coronavirus vaccine, but it has not progress to the human trial stage.
West Nile virus reappears in Georgia, Maryland and Texas: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/states-issue-west-nile-virus-alerts-after-detecting/story?id=103218105 .
Scientists pinpoint how brain cells die in Alzheimer’s: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66816268 . Developments in understanding of Alzheimer’s seem to be occurring quite rapidly at the present time.
WSJ: Rethinking smoking warnings: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/before-you-light-up-see-the-smoke-alarm-on-your-cigarette-643db11e . Is this based on the idea that people who smoke will read a warning when lighting up? Rethinking, indeed.
Maui wildfire death toll revised again: at least 97 dead, 31 missing: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lahaina-death-toll-maui-wildfires-drops-hawaii-governor-josh-green/ . The previous death toll of 115 has been revised downward as apparently multiple samples represented the same DNA. Recall that for quite some time after the fires, the death toll was estimated at over 1300. This matter continues to look like a shocking lack of emergency preparation on Maui.
WSJ: The long-term decline of cereal: https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/cereal-decline-breakfast-trend-6dd591e8 . Note to the Journal: The bangs in the file photo look like they were cut with a bowl … a cereal bowl …
Details of UAW strike: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/united-auto-workers-strike-underway-ford-general-motors-stellantis-big-three/ . The UAW strategy reflects current economics. While striking only selected plants, the UAW will quickly disrupt each automaker’s ability to complete its vertically integrated assembly process. They also reduce the draw on UAW strike funds. By striking all of the Big 3 at once, they hurt the US auto industry in relation to the now much-stronger foreign companies, many of whom manufacture in the US.
The union demands seem like a moon shot to me, as they do to the companies. While the pension demands do reflect a UAW shortcoming relative to other unions (for example, the Teamsters), it seems unlikely to me that the companies will agree to sponsor plans again (a balance sheet headache) or divert that level of funds to a union program. The four-day work week will require more workers (and thus more union members) in a tight labor market.
Because of the automakers’ record profit levels, I expect the automakers will ultimately raise their salary offer (significantly). The result will be more upward pressure on US inflation. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/uaw-strikes-gm-ford-stellantis-plants-69b04c95 . But we don’t understand the UAW strategy: https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/strike-exposes-detroits-dysfunction-31e3c2f6 . Also: https://www.wsj.com/business/autos/uaws-strike-strategy-start-small-and-keep-em-guessing-5facd690 . You could analyze the strategy if you had anyone on staff who had basic understanding of history and economics … how far the Journal has fallen …
WSJ: China’s economy continues to sputter: https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinas-economy-shows-fresh-signs-of-fragile-recovery-f20b32f2 . As readers know, I see the property market problems as a major drag on growth. Meanwhile, a major banking trust brings in government help: https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/troubled-chinese-trust-company-brings-in-state-help-e995551a .
Chinese defense minister apparently removed from his office: https://headtopics.com/us/chinese-foreign-minister-li-shangfu-has-not-ben-seen-in-two-weeks-44409153 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/world/china/chinas-defense-minister-has-been-removed-from-post-u-s-officials-say-ae0761f4 . China may be less evil than Russia, but not by much. This is the Chinese version of defenestration.
WSJ: US trails in hypersonic weapons: https://www.wsj.com/politics/national-security/hypersonic-missiles-america-military-behind-936a3128 .
WSJ: US may provide ATACMS missiles to Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-closer-to-acquiring-atacms-long-range-missiles-from-u-s-this-fall-a2ea92b . Ukraine is having considerable success in Crimea and the Black Sea with homegrown long-range drone and missile attacks. We may accelerate their stock by adding a capable long-range US missile.
Meanwhile, Ukraine gains near Bakhmut: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-retakes-village-near-bakhmut-front-in-boost-to-counteroffensive-53ce4005 .
DOJ pushes back on OJ motion requesting Judge Chutkan recuse herself: https://apnews.com/article/trump-judge-chutkan-jan-6-special-counsel-87425b2199783648ca2bf48488da36db . Once again, this motion has no purpose other than delay. By its nature, it offends the judge – this argument for recusal says nothing the judge does not already know. DOJ took the opportunity not only to defend the judge but to point out that there’s no basis whatever for the defense claim. OJ has almost never offered substantive defenses to the civil claims against him over the years, but rather battered his opponents with expensive delays and then offered to settle. That is an unworkable litigation strategy in criminal law.
DOJ asks for limited gag order against Orange Julius to prevent trial participant intimidation: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/special-counsel-asks-narrow-gag-order-trump-election-interference-case-rcna105365 . An “established practice” of intimidation is essentially indisputable in this case, as OJ has disparaged the judge, the special prosecutors, the witnesses and the DC jury pool (the city’s residents). Indeed, OJ publishes his diatribes daily. The question is how to effectively craft an effective order. My suggestion would be to repeat her earlier threat to accelerate the trial if violations continue. She does have every right to protect the jury pool. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/justice-department-seeks-limits-on-trumps-inflammatory-statements-7cd5db0a .
Fulton County judge prepares for jury selection: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fulton-county-900-potential-jurors-trump-co-defendants-chesebro-powell/ . The speedy trial is on track … Chesebro has a month to flip …
The risks (foolishness) of the House GOP impeachment push: https://news.yahoo.com/how-the-biden-impeachment-push-could-imperil-republicans-201738517.html . I agree with the main points in this article. There’s no known or apparent evidence of an impeachable offense. This stunt may well cost more moderate (hah!) members of the House GOP their seats. As they’ve taken no active role in derailing the lunacy of their caucus, in my view that’s a just result. House districts in play for both parties in 2024: https://www.aol.com/districts-could-swing-2024-election-090146993.html . Meanwhile, the Journal looks for meat in this nothing-burger: https://www.wsj.com/politics/joe-biden-impeachment-inquiry-d0de2b7a . Again, the Journal does not practice journalism when the truth might upset its readers. But it does mention the risk to GOP seats: https://www.wsj.com/politics/impeachment-inquiry-looms-over-house-republicans-in-tight-races-e9896551 .
WSJ: Will time run out on Kevin McCarthy?: https://www.wsj.com/politics/kevin-mccarthy-government-shutdown-republicans-ca924c18 . We are looking at a government shutdown in less than 2 weeks. Kevin has no apparent plan at the moment, and a lot of angry colleagues.
Texas Senate deliberations on Ken Paxton impeachment continue into Saturday: https://apnews.com/article/ken-paxton-impeachment-texas-871fb9c57b38fbda5bec5c2e5f280755 . As mentioned yesterday, some odd things have gone on in this trial in public. It would not be a surprise if odder things are happening in private.
Princess Diana’s black sheep sweater sells for record $1.1 million: https://people.com/princess-diana-black-sheep-sweater-sells-auction-record-7970210 .
Webb Telescope pic of the outflow from a newly-formed star: https://www.aol.com/webb-image-shows-outflow-newborn-192047324.html . Our expanding ability to see and understand the universe really is breathtaking.
Notes to Readers: Yesterday’s newsletter did not go out to the mailing list because my internet provider lost service in my area early Friday morning; it’s posted here. The September 9 newsletter has just been posted, and can be found here. It did not post because my web hosting service went down that evening due to a “planned outage” (which the host did not tell its clients about in advance). As to the period September 10-12, stay tuned, there will be more news on events of that period soon.