Cancer trials with patients over 65: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/71-year-old-cancer-patient-broke-trial-age-limits-for-a-chance-at-a-cure-11673124784 . People do age differently. Persons over 65 should be given a chance at promising experimental drugs, especially when the alternative is death.
Biden visits southern border: https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/08/politics/joe-biden-border/index.html . This has been a hot topic, particularly for the GOP. So what will they do now that they control the House? (After last week, “control” seems like too strong a word.) WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-heads-to-southern-border-facing-criticism-from-both-parties-11673150290 .
Russia claims to have killed 600 Ukrainian troops in barracks bombing; Ukraine denies any casualties: https://apnews.com/article/politics-russia-ukraine-war-donetsk-business-46a8599f1fa971b8c773af2745326540 . US intelligence should know the answer from satellite imagery. Offhand, it seems unlikely the Ukrainians would house 600 troops in barracks near the front, especially right after striking a Russian barracks.
WSJ: Ceasefire ends with no evidence it was observed: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-cease-fire-in-ukraine-ends-with-few-signs-fighting-abated-11673182029 . Note that the Russians claim the Ukrainians struck one of their power plants. This of course has been the focus of Russian artillery in Ukraine for several months.
Ukraine war prisoner exchange: a 50-50 deal: https://www.yahoo.com/now/russia-ukraine-exchange-50-soldiers-164232444.html .
Brazilian protesters storm legislature, high court over false election fraud claims: https://www.yahoo.com/now/echo-jan-6-attack-u-204826028.html . The Orange Julius poison has become an international export. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jair-bolsonaro-supporters-storm-brazils-congress-buildings-11673208386 .
WSJ: McCarthy’s deal with the devils: https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-in-kevin-mccarthys-deal-with-conservatives-11673188873 .
As expected, Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) resigns to assume college presidency: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/republican-sen-ben-sasse-officially-steps-opening-appointment-seat-rcna64818 .
WSJ: Financial advisors’ plethora of credentials leads to “alphabet soup”: https://www.wsj.com/articles/financial-advisers-credentials-meaning-11673037375 . Actuarial readers should reflect deeply on this mess, because it clearly applies to us. Many of you know that I spent significant time between 1990 and 2010 trying to reach some rationalization of our 5 US professional bodies. There was essentially nothing to show for it despite widespread support within the leadership of the various organizations.
In 2010, I co-led a team hired to do major actuarial review projects for 2 large Western states. At each of the first meetings with the state finance department clients, we were told by the senior state person, “We’re pretty sure we know what the answer is, but we don’t have your alphabet soup behind our names.” (And they did in fact have a very good idea of what the results would be.)
I continue to believe that the Society of Actuaries should limit itself to (global) basic education and examination. The practice organizations should organize as “colleges” under the umbrella of the Academy. This practice model is more than theoretical – indeed, the CIA in Canada comes close to this model in its relationship with the Society. Meanwhile, the actuarial profession has shrunk in recent years while data scientists continue to encroach upon our traditional turf. However, I’ve run my professional race. It is up to younger generations to determine the profession’s future.