Donald Trump indicted on federal charges: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-truth-social-indicted-classified-docs-probe-rcna79343 . As we refer to the former (thank God) president, Orange Julius made the announcement on Truth Social (which of course is both anti-truth and antisocial). Sources confirm the special prosecutor has indicted OJ on 7 charges. As is standard practice, there was no announcement from DOJ. The indictment is sealed, so the contents are unknown. The indictment will be unsealed at OJ’s arraignment; OJ is scheduled to appear before a federal judge in Florida on June 13 (next Tuesday, at 3 pm Eastern).
The back story is that Smith would have preferred to bring the case in DC, but so many of the actions involved occurred at Mar-a-Lago that Florida was the appropriate venue. The preference for DC is simple. The federal judges there and the jury pool are specially invested in federal matters. The Florida jury pool will have a greater percentage of individuals who feel loyalty to Orange Julius and may have voted for him.
I will speculate that the charges involve mishandling of the documents (removing them from DC and allegedly showing them to persons with no right to see them) as well as obstruction of justice (not returning the documents to the government when asked and swearing that all documents had been returned when something like 100 had not). Forgetting the politics for one moment, this is an almost unbelievable set of allegations against a former US president. This does appear to be a crime of ego.
UPDATE: The NBC article above indicates that the 7 count information has been confirmed by OJ attorney John Rowley, and it has been updated further while I attended an evening Zoom meeting (sigh, changes happen – this is huge, historic news). The article now includes information from OJ lawyer James Trusty on the nature of the charges. They include making false statements, obstruction of justice charges, and an Espionage Act charge (that act relates to misuse of classified materials and does not require actual espionage).
FURTHER UPDATE: We close with some balance from … Rachel Maddow?: https://www.mediaite.com/politics/rachel-maddow-pumps-the-brakes-on-trump-indictment-in-florida-might-not-be-the-worst-case-scenario-for-him/ . As you can see from my comments above, I agree with Maddow that this venue development is a plus for OJ. But I still don’t think it will save his bacon.
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(The above material was written after the announcement of the indictment around 8 pm Eastern. What follows is material concerning OJ written prior to that time, followed by the remainder of the newsletter. The material has not been edited to recognize the indictment. This seemed like to best way to show readers the thought process on OJ before the indictment hit)
OJ’s “dysfunctional” legal team: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-criminal-charges-2661135299/ . Of course, a central element of OJ’s very early announcement of his presidential run was to slow down the prosecutions moving toward him. As the article points out, should OJ achieve re-election, OJ will attempt to halt every investigation against him, federal or state. It’s shocking that this is not only possible but a real possibility to his supporters. This is also why I have long believed indictments would come before July 4 – these cases need to get to trial before the presidential campaign shifts into high gear.
More on the special counsel’s grand juries: https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/lawyers-explain-why-special-counsels-target-letter-for-trump-in-mar-a-lago-classified-docs-probe-is-big-bad-news-for-former-president/ . While this covers ground we’ve previously reported, it does offer a reasonable alternative explanation for having a second grand jury in Florida. I had assumed this had to do with consideration of indictment of Mar-a-Lago personnel who assisted in various actions relating to the documents at that location (see https://www.rawstory.com/donald-trump-mar-a-lago-2661090310/) . The first article suggests Orange Julius will face indictment in Florida to avoid venue objections if filed in Washington, D.C. More: https://apnews.com/article/trump-justice-department-indictment-classified-documents-miami-182ac44fde89767bc0c3e634f61686bd . [This article has been extensively updated since I first included it. It now indicates OJ immediately began fundraising after his announcement of the indictment.]
Also, we see that the OJ lawyers’ request for a meeting with DOJ was sent on the letterhead of the lead attorney on this meeting, John Rowley, of SECIL Law. Note that if you reverse the letters of SECIL and remove the C, it spells Orange Julius …
OJ’s legal team asks for a new trial on sex abuse damage portion of E. Jean Carroll verdict: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-asks-for-new-trial-in-e-jean-carroll-sex-abuse-case-court-filing/ar-AA1ciOu5?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=df085847e7c947be88c9b49487aee4a2&ei=10 . Here’s another dud from OJ’s lawyers. The jury reached a verdict. There is typically disagreement in the jury room about the amount of damages to award, and the jury’s determination is almost always final. Also, $2 million is not an excessive sex abuse award, even where rape is not involved. I expect this whole filing will be tossed, as no reason is stated for a new trial. More: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-lawyers-2661134555/ .
Meanwhile, OJ apparently moves from desperation to insanity in attempt to slow down DOJ prosecution: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-bribery-claim/ .
WSJ: We write what readers want: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-trump-indictment-adds-fresh-uncertainty-to-2024-presidential-race-179d979a . Here’s an alternate theory on Ron DeMentis’ comments: His lane in the GOP nomination race is to replace Orange Julius, not oppose him. Ron is praying hard that DOJ nails OJ. We also offer a timeline: https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-jack-smiths-mar-a-lago-probe-led-to-trumps-indictment-74ed9bfd . Here, the Journal mostly confines itself to facts, and this makes for a more honest presentation (!). Even with the Journal’s shading, clearly the documents in OJ’s possession were not promptly turned over to the government.
The Journal then tries like hell to highlight OJ’s cooperation with the agents (when caught red-handed), and even throws in Joe Biden’s classified document situation for good measure. The special counsel will devastate this fairy tale of orange innocence.
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Third COVID shot safe for children: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-06-08/reports-of-serious-adverse-events-after-3rd-covid-19-shot-among-young-children-rare-cdc-study .
Affinity estimates China COVID wave will peak at 11 million cases per week: https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3223383/chinas-new-covid-wave-expected-peak-june-11-million-cases-week . This is about 20% of the prior peak prediction of 65 million per week. This demonstrates how irresponsible China has behaved in clamping down on this data. The article also estimates that 80% of China’s 1.4 billion people had COVID in the last wave – that’s 1.12 billion COVID cases.
Scientists seek mystery Ohio COVID shedder: https://www.yahoo.com/news/scientists-trying-mystery-person-ohio-205750532.html . It is amazing that scientists think they know where this person lives and works. Based on sewage analysis, the person has a new strain of COVID (oh, sh*t). However, they think the person has long COVID (probably based on the duration of the sample appearances) and is not contagious. My reaction: FIND THIS PERSON YESTERDAY!!! (You THINK they’re PROBABLY not contagious …)
Study predicts deaths from Supreme Court rulings: https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2023-06-08/study-supreme-court-decisions-on-covid-19-guns-and-abortion-linked-to-nearly-3-000-deaths . Supreme Court rulings actually do have life-and-death effects. This really is a point the Court should consider more carefully. It is also something Democrats should consider the next time they are in charge of Congress and the White House.
Ashish Jha to leave White House COVID post June 15: https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2023-06-08/white-house-covid-response-coordinator-ashish-jha-to-leave-his-post . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/white-house-covid-19-czar-ashish-jha-to-leave-post-a48f6e50 .
Only 1 in 4 sunscreens offers protection without “worrisome” chemicals: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/only-1-4-sunscreens-offers-234331722.html .
WSJ: Interest in amino acid as life extender: https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-taurine-the-key-to-longer-life-it-made-monkeys-healthier-d26a4cb4 . Taurine has shown to improve health in middle-aged monkeys.
“Two axes” global economic model gains steam: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/08/rishi-sunak-joe-biden-landmark-deal-uk-us-cooperation-washington-declaration . This goes along with the “two axes” global military model that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is forcing on the world. Supply chains are adjusting to both models.
Biden, Sunak sign “Atlantic Declaration”: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/jun/08/rishi-sunak-joe-biden-landmark-deal-uk-us-cooperation-washington-declaration . Yet another “two axes” step, made with America’s foremost ally.
WSJ: Supreme Court rules widow of Medicare patient can sue nursing home for his mistreatment: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-rules-for-spouse-of-dementia-patient-in-nursing-home-case-8d86a719 .
WSJ: “More” on Merck’s suit against Medicare: https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-unconstitutional-offer-drug-companies-cant-refuse-merck-ira-innovation-5dba27e0 . As reported yesterday, I wanted to see what backing the Journal had for its position supporting Merck, as legal experts generally dismiss their suit as unlikely of success. This is it? Mr. Troy essentially repeats the claims of the Merck lawsuit, as if they’re logically required. Again, this is labeled “Opinion”; it is not journalism. Who is Mr. Troy? He is the former general counsel of GlaxoSmithKline. So we must ask again: What evidence is there in support of Merck’s viewpoint? Does the Journal feel no obligation to do actual journalism?
WSJ: Joe Biden’s update on the country’s economic situation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/never-bet-against-the-american-economy-president-inflation-manufacturing-jobs-287a006f . Um, wouldn’t the Journal be better off covering this guy more and his orange predecessor less?
Eurozone slips into recession: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/inflation-drags-eurozone-economy-into-recession-b6ff6158 . With the Eurozone in recession and China slipping backwards, we move closer to global recession.
WSJ: Worries increase about banking regulation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/it-is-time-to-admit-it-bank-regulation-doesnt-quite-work-9617d913 . There is an alternative solution to the liquidity issue. Give depositors a preferential interest rate on some percentage of their very large deposits, coupled with liquidity restrictions. While no one may like this solution, it can massively slow the “bank run” scenario, which has been the crashing event in recent failures. That slowdown will give regulators more time to act to prop up failing banks.
Binance.US pulls in its horns: https://money.usnews.com/investing/news/articles/2023-06-08/binance-us-suspends-usd-deposits-pausing-fiat-withdrawal-channels . Binance.US says it is (at least temporarily) converting to a crypto-only exchange.
The use of dollars in … North Korea?: https://apnews.com/article/north-korea-economy-dollar-currency-kim-251a6fee83845253da5b6e0309008a87 . This is absolutely remarkable. Our sworn enemy runs its economy with our currency …
WSJ: Our exclusive reporting stands … questioned by everyone: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cuba-to-host-secret-chinese-spy-base-focusing-on-u-s-b2fed0e0 . The Pentagon says it’s wrong. John Kirby says it’s not accurate. The Journal has edited the story but not retracted it. We’ll see, but rarely does the government come out so strongly against a media report. However, responds WSJ, as long as our “currency” is worthless, there’s no harm in printing more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cubas-spy-deal-with-china-has-echoes-of-cold-war-tensions-64e5022c .
WSJ: SEC cranks it up against crypto: https://www.wsj.com/articles/secs-gary-gensler-had-crypto-in-his-sights-for-years-now-hes-suingbinance-and-coinbase-dbeb79eb . Some folks focus on the security-commodity debate about crypto. Note that the government agencies regulating securities and commodities are both stepping up their efforts against crypto. One way or another, the government is going to regulate crypto.
Property insurance pullbacks where climate danger is high: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/home-insurers-curb-new-policies-in-risky-areas-nationally-c93abac0 . We’ve reported on this previously, as have the major media outlets. The Journal, as readers know, is routinely late on major stories. Often the lag is only a day or two, but now gaps of up to two weeks are appearing. Better late than never?
WSJ: The Nordic applicants to NATO: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sweden-finlands-about-face-on-nato-membership-was-years-in-the-making-8b86c324 . Finland is in, the exact opposite of what Russia wanted. And Sweden is still working toward completing its entry.
WSJ: Engineers discount structural failure of Ukraine’s Kakhovka dam: https://www.wsj.com/articles/engineers-weigh-in-on-possible-causes-of-ukraine-dam-collapse-8416db61 . Meanwhile, the Ukrainian counteroffensive powers up: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-zelensky-visits-flood-hit-kherson-as-battle-rages-nearby-1dc05260 .
Supreme Court refuses to totally destroy Voting Rights Act: https://www.aol.com/news/us-supreme-court-backs-black-143033732.html . This case would not have been brought 10 years ago. However, with the shocking damage the Court has recently done to this act, reversing prior precedent, conservatives took the opportunity to ask. And they got 4 votes! In case you had not thought about this, it does happen that some members of minorities are white supremacists. That explains Clarence Thomas’ vote here, and in many other cases. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-blocks-gop-drawn-alabama-voting-map-challenged-by-black-voters-33f10297 . Meanwhile, the Journal’s Editorial Board “weighs” in with airhead analysis of the Voting Rights Act: https://www.wsj.com/articles/racial-gerrymandering-supreme-court-allen-v-milligan-john-roberts-clarence-thomas-gingles-alabama-7b595b78 . “Airhead” was being kind – obscenely ignorant would be better. The next case demonstrates that the Journal’s reporters, who are much closer to journalism than the Editorial Board, are simply not up to the task of reporting legal decisions.
WSJ: Supreme Court refuses to see the humor in Bad Spaniels: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supreme-court-says-jack-daniels-can-sue-maker-of-bad-spaniels-dog-toy-2fc81862 . As reported in the Journal article, the cases cited represent situations where the parody was clearly distinguishable from the original, and there was no danger of confusion. But who is going to confuse a dog’s squeeze toy with an actual bottle of Jack Daniels? No one, except someone who’s just had way too much Jack Daniels. The fall-back argument (by Jack Daniels) is that the original was being degraded by its association with dog waste.
This reporting left me bewildered, so I read the actual opinion: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-148_3e04.pdf . The case is more subtle than WSJ represents. In short, this area is governed by a precedent called the Rogers test, which says parody is allowed for a trademark only if it is a “non-trademark use”. Here, the trademark is being used as a “source identifier” (meaning the use is so close to the trademark a consumer could think Jack Daniels itself made the parody). This is considered a trademark use, and so represents an infringement on the original copyright.
I then went back to the Journal article to see if it somehow covers the point of the case. It does not. Once again, the Journal’s word-burger does not constitute journalism or even reporting.
Republicans demonstrate once again they’ll say whatever it takes to get elected: https://apnews.com/article/ballot-harvesting-early-voting-election-2024-republicans-a844f375bb86b012cfba0e67b3f77fb7 . Let’s be clear. The GOP now “admits” that their prior, dishonest trashing of mail-in voting led to absurd claims of election theft. But they don’t highlight that admission, they just switch because it’s costing them elections. What do they have to say about all the election officials who’ve suffered intimidation and death threats over their bald-faced lies? Or Kari Lake and all the other nuts in Arizona and elsewhere? Diddly squat, apparently. Just another disgusting day in MAGA World …
We’ve had mail-in balloting in all elections in Oregon for over 20 years, with no proven instances of voting fraud: https://www.multco.us/elections/brief-history-vote-mail-oregon . Shouldn’t that system go nationwide? After all, both parties want it now, right?
FBI arrests real estate developer implicated in Ken Paxton impeachment: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/06/09/fbi-arrests-texas-businessman-linked-to-impeachment-of-state-attorney-general-ken-paxton-00101206 . This can’t be good for Paxton … WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donor-connected-to-texas-attorney-general-ken-paxtons-impeachment-is-arrested-9120594f .
Woman arrested after shooting and killing her black neighbor though a locked door: https://news.yahoo.com/advocates-call-for-abolishing-stand-your-ground-laws-after-ajike-owenss-death-192846780.html . What sort of depraved idiot would think “stand your ground” allows you to shoot the unarmed female neighbor who knocked on your closed, locked door? Oh, right, it’s Florida … More: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woman-charged-fatally-shooting-neighbor-history-harassing-children-res-rcna88138 .
Which animals kill the most people?: https://www.aol.com/animal-kills-most-humans-heres-010000967.html . Yes, mosquitoes make sense because they carry so many transmissible diseases, although 725,000 annually is a terrible death toll. Second on the list: freshwater snails? They carry a parasite which people can get from swimming. The resulting illness, schistosomiasis, kills 200,000 people each year.
A snake, the saw-scaled viper, remarkably kills 138,000 people annually. The assassin bug kills 10,000 people annually, apparently because its excrement can carry the Chagas virus. The remaining animals on the list kill 2,600 people or less each year. But note that the first 3 kill more than 1 million people each year.
The stunning effect of air pollution in Delhi: As disappointed as I have become in WSJ reporting, I’ve stuck with it for the newsletter because so many readers have access. However, I recently subscribed to the Washington Post (one year for $29) as I read that paper for many years (as I have with WSJ). Here is some reporting from the Post that blew my socks off:
“Delhi had an annual average of 107.6 micrograms of PM2.5 [a measure of fine particulates] per cubic meter in 2020, according to the University of Chicago’s Air Quality Life Index. By contrast, New York City recorded an annual average of 7.43 micrograms per cubic meter that year. The global standard set by the WHO, revised downward in 2021, is 5.
“If Delhi met the WHO guideline for air quality, Greenstone [Michael Greenhouse, director of the Energy Policy Institute] and his research team estimate the area’s life expectancy could increase by about 10 years.”
I’m just not seeing any analysis of this quality in the Journal – ever. Now, where are my socks …
Pope Francis doing well after surgery: https://www.aol.com/news/pope-francis-doing-well-first-065403815.html .
Amazing photos of Kilauea’s eruption: https://news.yahoo.com/hawaiis-kilauea-volcano-erupts-with-fountains-of-lava-photos-152221069.html .
Messi blows up Inter Miami, and he’s not even there yet: https://sports.yahoo.com/lionel-messi-brings-inter-miami-more-instagram-followers-than-any-nfl-mlb-team-183442647.html . While we can’t yet know Messi’s effect on MLS in the US, it’s safe to say MLS has received the largest one-day global boost in its history.
Family finds 1 million copper pennies when cleaning out home: https://www.koin.com/news/family-finds-1-million-copper-pennies-while-cleaning-out-los-angeles-home/ . Of course, this works out to $10,000 dollars. Now for the weight calculation: One copper weighs 3.11 grams. One pound is 453.592 grams. So there are 145.85 pennies in 1 pound. Therefore, 1 million pennies weigh 6,856 pounds, or just under 3.5 tons.
I guess they’re trying to publicize it to see if anyone wants to take a flyer on $10,000 of old pennies for $25,000. Offhand, I’d say this is not worth it unless the pennies are all 1945 or before. And that’s iffy when you’d have to hire people to get through 1 million pennies in any reasonable period of time. And you’d need a metal detector at the door. I wonder if a robot with AI could solve this problem? Oh, and the Coinstar story is lame – 8% of $10,000 is $800.
A needed chuckle from the Yankees tonight: https://www.aol.com/whopper-jake-burger-faces-michael-024708629.html . Head down to the “Awful Announcing” clip, and you’ll hear the live play-by-play.
Messi blows up Inter Miami, and he hasn’t even arrived: https://www.aol.com/sports/lionel-messi-brings-inter-miami-183442601.html . While we can’t yet know Messi’s effect on MLS in the US, it’s safe to say MLS has received the largest one-day global boost in its history.
James Watt passes at 85: https://apnews.com/article/james-watt-interior-secretary-dead-c9119f1ed545653ae8ccf4f7e14bf327 .
Pat Robertson passes at 93: https://apnews.com/article/pat-robertson-dead-christian-broadcasting-700-club-91299d0953c014ca6860fe545cac793e . More: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4040494-five-big-political-moments-from-pat-robertsons-career/ . I am decidedly not a fan of televangelism, particularly the promotion of the “prosperity gospel”. That doctrine asks poor people to send their contributions to the televangelist so they too (the poor people) will become prosperous: https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/9/1/15951874/prosperity-gospel-explained-why-joel-osteen-believes-prayer-can-make-you-rich-trump . This article provides a detailed background. However, I see the televangelists as more akin to P.T. Barnum: “There’s a sucker born every minute”. Sad, isn’t it?
WSJ: Less: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pat-robertson-influential-christian-broadcaster-dies-at-93-61648535 . The Journal completely ignores the seedy side of Robertson’s fleecing of the poor. The fleecing continues, with his son Gordon hosting “The 700 Club” on a nationwide group of local TV stations. This type of bias by omission is one more reason to question the Journal as a serious effort at journalism.
LASTLY, this is the longest newsletter in the series (so far) – I hope you found the information useful.