COVID vaccine blood clot risk trivial: https://www.sciencealert.com/big-data-study-debunks-one-of-the-most-common-fears-surrounding-covid-19-vaccinations . Too bad science makes no difference to the anti-vaxxers.
XBB.1.16 now 12% of US cases: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-04-28/cdc-data-omicron-subvariant-xbb-1-16-or-arcturus-responsible-for-12-of-new-covid-19-cases . The rise of “Arcturus” continues.
WSJ: US COVID hospitalizations and deaths continue decline: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-covid-19-deaths-and-hospitalizations-near-new-lows-9151bc18 .
Pfizer maternal RSV vaccine pledge faces delivery obstacles: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-04-28/pfizer-pledge-for-more-equal-access-to-rsv-shot-faces-hurdles .
Children’s brain infections rise: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/unexplained-rise-life-threatening-brain-infections-children-worries-pe-rcna81763 . It should be possible to determine if a high percentage of these children have previously had a COVID infection – just examine the antibodies in their blood and ask the parents. Otherwise, the discussion here is little more than speculation.
Penicillin shortage limits syphilis treatment: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/shortage-penicillin-limits-access-go-drug-syphilis-rcna81777 . It’s the 21st century, right? How are we failing to produce a supply of basic medicines?
GOP women state senators cross party lines to defeat severe abortion ban: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/women-state-senators-cross-party-lines-block-proposed-south-carolina-abortion-2023-04-28/ . Some in the GOP are beginning to realize that they are on the wrong side of the abortion culture war they keep pressing.
WSJ: Europe’s economy barely avoids recession: https://www.wsj.com/articles/europes-economy-avoids-recessionjust-about-77e56ab4 . You will note that here the Journal uses the common standard of two consecutive quarters of economic contraction. So why didn’t that definition apply when the US had two consecutive quarters of contraction last year? It’s politics more than economics.
FDIC nears seizure of First Republic Bank: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jpmorgan-pnc-bid-to-buy-first-republic-as-part-of-fdic-takeover-aeb936a0 .
WSJ: Russia returns to the war crime of targeting civilians: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-missile-barrage-kills-13-in-ukraine-3c4dec04 . Multiple reports indicate the Ukrainians claim receipt of 98% of promised Western armament deliveries and near the launch of their expected spring counteroffensive.
Why did the leaker get security clearance?: https://news.yahoo.com/molotov-cocktails-assassination-vans-why-090009446.html . Obviously, the process failed in this situation, with unacceptable consequences. There is, however, a deeper problem. How was some IT kid in the Massachusetts National Guard able to read and copy incredibly sensitive information? Clearly, the government needs to improve the clearance process and reduce the number of people with access. But also, the government needs to improve its IT systems to stop the maintenance people from accessing content.
WSJ: AI is rapidly getting better at faking you: https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-cloned-myself-with-ai-she-fooled-my-bank-and-my-family-356bd1a3 . The possibilities for defrauding your bank or broker out of your assets seem endless. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/dr-chatgpt-physicians-are-sending-patients-advice-using-ai-945cf60b .
North Carolina Supreme Court permits gerrymandering: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-win-for-republicans-north-carolina-court-says-gerrymandering-is-legal/ar-AA1auJgZ?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6d80588969be4048b91711ee37cc6a41&ei=19 . This result was widely expected. Essentially, this is white supremacy in its naked ugliness. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-carolinas-highest-court-reverses-course-on-voting-decisions-ff926574 .
Alito’s dim bulb flickers on: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/alito-thinks-he-knows-who-dobbs-leaker-is-and-says-it-s-not-a-conservative/ar-AA1authP?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=713d8133764044af95a2818c588976ec&ei=14 . It is just irresponsible for Alito to try to elevate the conservatives on nothing other than his say-so. The main theory has been not that the conservative justices leaked the opinion, but that a conservative clerk did so to lock the Court into the Dobbs ruling. A person of ability realizes how small-minded this behavior is. Obviously, that’s not Sam. UPDATE: Others agree: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/04/rage-filled-samuel-alito-baffled-his-fairness-is-questioned.html .
Meanwhile, Roberts’ wife called out for clear conflict of interest: https://www.rawstory.com/john-roberts-wife-career-change/ . As readers know, I respect Roberts’ ability while strongly disagreeing with his jurisprudence. This story has been out there for quite a while.
Also, more questions arise about Kavanaugh: https://www.rawstory.com/brett-kavanaugh-assulat/ . The Court MUST adopt ethical standards. The obvious choice, as we have said repeatedly, is to adopt the Judicial Code of Conduct applicable to all other federal judges. If the Supremes feel some exceptions are necessary, state them with their reasons. But get this done – the Court is being destroyed by Roberts’ failure to act.
Special prosecutor nears Orange Julius January 6 indictment: https://news.yahoo.com/trump-jack-smith-special-counsel-investigation-mike-pence-testimony-180003920.html . We covered this ground yesterday, but now others agree.
Manhattan DA wants protective order shielding trial participants and discovery from Orange Julius threats: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-could-endanger-witnesses-at-his-criminal-trial-and-prosecutors-want-to-stop-it/ . As OJ has already threatened the judge and his family, his defense team was unwise to not reach restrictions with the DA’s office before now.
Fox Not-the-News ratings cut in half in Carlson slot: https://apnews.com/article/fox-carlson-fired-ratings-newsmax-0bc7a7690ccc7d18df2fc6e959004c06 . Presumably they are looking for another outrageous jerk, but one who won’t piss off management.
Newsmax and NewsNation want Carlson: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-could-endanger-witnesses-at-his-criminal-trial-and-prosecutors-want-to-stop-it/ . So why is “news” in their names? That is quite obviously not what “conservative” broadcasters are about. However, they cannot make an offer as long as Fox Not-the-News keeps him under contract, which may be until late 2024.
Jenny Craig looks to slash weight – of payroll: https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/jenny-craig-layoffs-company-warns-employees-seeks-buyer-rcna81757 .
Portland, Maine tries trashing Portland, Oregon. Really bad idea: https://www.oregonlive.com/trending/2023/04/portland-maine-tries-to-trash-portland-oregon-and-fails-spectacularly.html . We’re not even a port? Our massive production of liberty ships saved your ignorant lobster-fishing butts. They were built here precisely because we are an inland port and therefore more secure from naval attack. We apparently also have much better schools.