Doctors publicize dangers of vaping: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/doctors-increasingly-discourage-vaping-amid-mounting-health-concerns/story?id=101784059 . In general, inhaling any smoke is a very bad idea.
WSJ: Manipulating medical device stock prices by delaying recalls: https://www.wsj.com/articles/medical-device-recall-ceo-study-cee7c04b . Bluntly, this study suggests CEO’s delay medical device recalls for their personal financial benefit. In other words, they risk injuring or killing people to feather their own nest. How appalling …
WSJ: Why is US inflation lower?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-the-drivers-of-lower-inflation-matter-fe3f165d . I agree that the causes matter and have policy implications. However, the Journal, as it often does, ignores a very important factor. Other economies in the world are struggling (in particular, Europe and China). As we still have considerable reliance on a global supply chain, the struggles elsewhere can easily draw us in.
WSJ: Fears of deflation in China: https://www.wsj.com/articles/while-everyone-else-fights-inflation-chinas-deflation-fears-deepen-4045cabf . Readers should review this thought piece from The Terry Group: https://terrygroup.com/can-an-aging-china-still-be-a-rising-china/ . As we know, China’s population has peaked and is in decline. In this piece, the authors point out projections that China’s population may be cut in half by 2100 – 77 years from now. This has very significant short- and long-term implications.
For one thing, China’s real estate sector is significantly overbuilt. This problem will get worse with population declines. Property values may go into additional decline beyond what the country is already experiencing. Also, as we have learned, China’s population data cannot currently be trusted. We have previously estimated COVID deaths in the country at 2 to 4 million. While those are relatively small numbers in comparison to a total population of 1.3 billion, as excess deaths they suggest significant mortality in the country over the last 2 years.
Lastly, China’s situation may not be as dire over the long term as The Terry Group’s article suggests. The American solution to gaining workers has been immigration. Japan, suggested as a model for China’s choices, has begun moving toward encouraging immigration to ameliorate its problems with an aging population. China, though much larger, could also move in that direction.
Monsoon rains may stop Phoenix swelter: https://apnews.com/article/southwest-extreme-heat-wave-922e965ba3d3e42cbffc2ece12d5c114 . Some aspects of this seem biblical. Severe heat (30 straight days over 110) will be washed away by a monsoon. Global warming accelerates. There is only temporary relief from the long-term water shortage. Are people still buying homes in Phoenix?
The Ugly American on social media: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/american-travelers-vent-about-their-trips-abroad-social-media-expectations-175742426.html . Going into international travel based only on what you read on social media was obviously their first mistake. Appropriate research and social media are two different (and apparently mutually exclusive) concepts.
Suicide bomber strikes in Pakistan: https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-bomb-bajur-maulana-fazlur-rehman-b655861c854ff086f118f18b69861ca1 . This region, on Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, has never been stable. This attack could lead to larger problems in the country. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bombing-in-pakistan-kills-at-least-40-a86aa839 .
WSJ: Niger’s neighbors threaten use of force to restore president: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bombing-in-pakistan-kills-at-least-40-a86aa839 . https://www.wsj.com/articles/west-african-leaders-threaten-force-against-niger-plotters-e046fae7 .
Will the GOP base take notice of any fact?: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-cabinet-endorsements-rcna96648 . The point is that the vast majority of people Orange Julius appointed to high level office oppose his re-election. They presumably base this conclusion on what they have seen. However, one can expect that the majority of the GOP base will dispute or dismiss this fact if presented with it. Yes, there is a lack of critical analysis on the tribal right. But there is also refusal to accept reality by those who should (and often do) know better.
Will Hurd blows up Ron DeMentis: https://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/video/hurd-responds-to-desantis-slavery-is-not-a-jobs-program-189578309678. Hurd is a decent, well-spoken person. Like DeMentis, he has no chance for the GOP nomination. But he is attempting to provide a dose of reality to the GOP base.
Federal judge tosses OJ defamation lawsuit against CNN: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/judge-dismisses-trumps-big-lie-defamation-lawsuit-against-cnn_n_64c54655e4b03ad2b898bd88 . This lawsuit never had any basis in reality, as OJ’s election fraud is in fact a Big Lie. The judge involved is an OJ appointee. However, he is required by his office and profession to apply critical analysis. I wonder who he’s voting for in 2024.
OJ calls on “clown” rivals to quit GOP nomination race: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-tells-2024-republican-candidates-drop-out_n_64c5d90ee4b03d9b515bb52c . Do OJ’s contributors understand that, as the article reports, OJ’s campaign has spent over $40 million defending OJ and his co-conspirators? However, as Jen Psaki argues, the rivals’ campaigns also make no sense.
OJ fake electors mad at OJ’s lawyers: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-fake-electors-2662600690/ . Uh-huh. And how are you doing your civic duty by signing your name to a lie?
Yellow Trucking spirals toward bankruptcy: https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-fall-of-a-trucking-giant-why-yellow-is-on-the-verge-of-collapse-3724f662 .
Eminem intros undisputed world champion: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/eminem-terence-crawfors-hype-man-boxing-title-fight-1234797466/ . I bring this up only to point out that Eminem is now 50 … he’s eligible to join AARP!!! WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/terence-crawford-boxing-undisputed-champion-77b45b2a .
Katie Ledecky now the greatest swimmer of all time: https://thespun.com/more/olympics/katie-ledeckys-national-anthem-decision-goes-viral-after-historic-performance . Ledecky is receiving great praise for breaking Michael Phelp’s career total world victories on Saturday. However, look in this article and you’ll see an even more compelling record. Ledecky won the 1500 in her third-fastest time ever (wow!), but in fact the 16 fastest women’s 1500’s ever swum all belong to Ledecky. I can’t think of anyone who has dominated any individual event in the way Ledecky has conquered the 1500.