Health insurance costs surge 6.6%: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/surge-in-health-insurance-costs-pose-next-challenge-for-finance-chiefs-bd25e25d . While the Journal leads with “about 6.5%”, they later say the number is 6.6%. Why even mention the 6.5%? Great job on the Kwality Kontrol!
Moderna reaffirms vaccine sales forecast: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-10-16/moderna-reaffirms-annual-covid-vaccine-sales-forecast . As readers know, vaccinations so far are trailing the poor performance of last year’s fall vaccine.
The Pentagon runs better schools than every US public school system: https://www.axios.com/2023/10/11/best-schools-students-pentagon-military .
Taylor Swift’s personal income from The Eras tours estimated at $4.1 billion: https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2023/10/14/taylor-swift-may-earn-41-billion-from-the-eras-tour-report/?sh=5786a08f3a88 . By almost any estimate, she will make more from this one tour than the entire net worth of Orange Julius. Also, she won’t be criminally indicted.
WSJ: US agrees not to separate migrant families at the border: https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/legal-settlement-bars-u-s-from-separating-migrant-families-415b8c79 . This is a major accomplishment by the ACLU, and another rebuff of the Orange Julius lunacy. This policy was unreasoning cruelty.
Hamas’ control of Gaza: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/15/middleeast/gaza-history-explained-intl/index.html .
US troops on Israel deployment alert: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military/2000-us-troops-told-prepare-deployment-response-israel-hamas-war-rcna120694 . This is more a notice to the world to stay out of this conflict than an indication of impending deployment.
WSJ: Violence surges in West Bank: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/violence-surges-in-the-west-bank-following-gaza-attack-on-israelis-f1393059 . The possibility of a multi-front war continues to increase. The effect on the global balance of power: https://www.wsj.com/world/how-the-israel-hamas-war-is-tilting-the-global-power-balance-in-favor-of-russia-china-6fe4710a . While much of what this article states is accurate, I’ve paired it with the first WSJ article to show that Russia, Iran and others have a significant interest in prolonging this conflict. This factor also suggests a widening conflict.
The Gaza death toll: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-war-781b3c63af4ae6e51c313a68f314e66d . With 2,778 dead in Gaza and over 1,400 Israeli deaths, the death toll is now well over 4,100. This article contains the important information that this war is already the deadliest of the five Gaza wars. And things are about to get much worse.
Good analysis from CNN: https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/15/opinions/israel-misunderstood-hamas-kobi-michael-bergen/index.html . Kobi Michael clearly knows what he’s talking about. He provides some reassurance that the conflict will not become a multi-front war because this is not currently in the interest of Hezbollah or the Palestinian Authority. However, unexpected things happen in the chaos of war. Should Israel mismanage the war, others may then enter.
China’s Belt and Road Project looks to reset: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-reboots-its-belt-and-road-initiative-99784632 . China’s struggling economy simple cannot support prior levels of spending.
WSJ: Russia returns two Ukrainian children to Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/world/return-of-ukrainian-children-seized-by-russia-raises-hopes-for-hundreds-more-22ca7025 . Two? I’m not getting my hopes up yet.
WSJ: Will Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel stop making fentanyl?: https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/mexican-sinaloa-cartels-message-to-members-stop-making-fentanyl-or-die-b96d3e09 . Maybe temporarily…
DOJ appeals length of Proud Boys sentences: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4259174-doj-appeals-sentences-proud-boys-members/ . As readers know, I agree with DOJ. These are extremely serious crimes, and there is no reason to not follow the sentencing guidelines as a minimum.
Teenage reporter removed from New Hampshire GOP event: https://www.aol.com/news/teenage-journalist-removed-republican-event-131709901.html . The 15-year-old was removed with no evidence that he had been or would be disruptive. The GOP is rotten top to bottom.
Will the GOP have to deal with Democrats to get a Speaker in place?: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4257216-turner-if-gop-cant-elect-speaker-then-deal-will-have-to-be-done-with-democrats/ . The Hill lately is showing a lack of political awareness. Turner is an Ohio representative and he supports Jordan for Speaker, which explains his comments in this article. It is an indirect attempt to force the GOP to coalesce behind Jordan.
The main thing this article demonstrates is the limits of Mike Turner’s abilities as a lawyer. He is remarkably inarticulate and not much on thinking things through. However, I like his quote (relating to the Ohio State wrestling scandal): “There’s not one person who ever said that they have knowledge of Jim Jordan having any knowledge.” As an assessment of Jim Jordan’s ability, I completely agree.
WSJ: Meanwhile, we still can’t count: https://www.wsj.com/politics/jim-jordan-wins-over-some-holdouts-ahead-of-planned-speaker-vote-7335ca30 . Opposition “crumbles”? Does the Journal understand that 5 opponents can sink Jordan? We will see tomorrow (Tuesday)(maybe).
Judge Chutkan issues partial gag order in OJ January 6 case: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/judge-hears-arguments-trump-gag-order-request-election-interference-ca-rcna119457 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/judge-issues-limited-gag-order-on-trump-in-federal-election-interference-case-f7620ff3 . The order appears well-crafted and the judge is completely justified in doing this. Meanwhile, OJ’s campaign fumes: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4258702-donald-trump-campaign-blasts-gag-order-jan-6-case/ . That’s because, intellectually, this campaign is running on fumes. If OJ violates the order, I suggest the judge order preclearance by OJ’s attorneys of all of OJ’s public speech for 3 days. But if that doesn’t work, the judge could order house arrest at a location of OJ’s choice, with compliance to be certified by the Secret Service. Then, if that doesn’t work, she should order jail time for contempt of court.
WSJ Editorial Board: We now just talk ridiculous smack: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tanya-chutkan-donald-trump-gag-order-mike-pence-jack-smith-83d8c42a . As readers know, I rarely comment on the flow of insane garbage the WSJ Editorial Board spews on a daily basis. However, here they agree that any ordinary defendant would be gagged for OJ’s behavior, but OJ should not because “there’s never been a criminal defendant like him”, and he’s the leading GOP candidate for president. The basic principle of the rule of law is that no man is above it. But the Journal wants to overthrow that foundation of American democracy for a narcissistic incompetent. No. Hell no.
Georgia election fraud trial jury selection begins Friday: https://abcnews.go.com/US/jury-selection-begin-friday-georgia-election-interference-trial/story?id=104018191 . This is the “speedy trial” chosen by Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesbro. I realize they are both lawyers, and know much about the facts that the rest of us don’t, but I still that this was an incredibly stupid move. The DA is prepared, and recently flipped a witness who will testify against them. (f, 9/29/23)
DeMentis fumbles his way to irrelevance: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4258290-ron-desantis-israel-hamas-florida-first-flight-executive-order/ . The goofball also states that importing large numbers of refugees would increase anti-Semitism in the US. That’s not a valid reason for denying these people humanitarian entry. As I’ve stated many times, the Ivy League wasted an education on this mental midget.
Jets beat Eagles: https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/jets-eagles-nfl-zach-wilson-aaron-rodgers-jalen-hurts-773d2a7c . The Journal asks, How is this possible? CBS and most news organizations know the answer: https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/aaron-rodgers-played-role-in-jets-upset-win-over-eagles-by-suggesting-play-calls-to-n-y-coaches-per-report/ . The Journal is just not trying to be a news organization.
MLB playoffs are just not delivering – today’s installment: The Rangers, up 1-0 in the AL championship series, went up 3-0 on the Astros in Game 2, with 2 more men on base, before the Astros got an out. That out was a missed-call strikeout (the pitch was clearly fouled off). The Rangers still got another run in the inning and were up 4-0 before the Astros got to the plate. The Rangers won 5-3 and lead the series 2-0.