How COVID changed in 2023: https://www.salon.com/2023/01/29/why-this-years-is-different-according-to-experts/ . The writer’s basic point is that the latest variant, XBB.1.5, is much more transmissible than previous strains. She got serious about COVID after her family contracted it, which at the least is poor timing. So perhaps this article will motivate some of the 66% of Americans who are not fully boosted to take that simple precaution against serious illness.
WSJ: Drug-resistant gonorrhea appears in Massachusetts: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-superbug-strain-of-gonorrhea-is-outsmarting-most-antibiotics-11674947446 . We reported this development on December 27 (in the headline), the same day Forbes reported it, and again on January 20. The Journal staff really needs to read more …
The dope on MSG: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/is-msg-bad-for-you-health-stigma-140000726.html . This was a popular cooking additive in the 1960’s but fell out of favor due to so-called “Chinese restaurant syndrome”. However, it turns out that all of this was a hoax, apparently racially motivated. As vegetable chow mein is my go-to winter recipe for vegetable intake, I’m going to try MSG the next time I make this recipe. I do remember enjoying its flavor enhancement as a teenager, before the hoax took hold.
WSJ: The Fed debates what drives inflation: https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-debates-whether-wages-or-employment-rate-will-drive-inflation-11674961044 . Currently, people switch jobs to raise their pay (The Great Resignation). This does not affect the employment rate, but it does cause inflation. So that pretty much answers the question the Fed is apparently asking …
Ukraine takes credit for strike on Iran drone plant strike: https://www.jpost.com/international/article-729980 . Obviously, this is a setback for Russia’s weapons procurement. However, it seems more likely that Israel was involved: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/iran-says-drone-strike-targeted-military-complex-amid-ongoing-shadow-war/ar-AA16Sm6x?cvid=5119bafed7f649d399cd9e433a02072d . More: https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/01/30616234/israel-carries-out-covert-drone-strike-in-iran-against-advanced-weapons-systems-factory-report .
Western tanks create tactical advantages for Ukraine: https://thehill.com/policy/international/3834672-ex-nato-commander-says-west-sending-ukraine-tanks-creates-real-problems-for-putin/ . The ex-NATO commander would know, and he explains the consequences clearly. However, will there be full training and an adequate supply chain to keep these tanks going?
WSJ: Is time on Russia’s side?: https://www.wsj.com/articles/some-western-backers-of-ukraine-worry-that-time-might-be-on-russias-side-11674969063 . No. The performance of Russia’s military has been shockingly weak, and they have now lost their best units and much of their materiel. Throwing untrained boys into the meat grinder is not going to significantly alter the outcome. However, the West should pour weapons in to end the killing as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, however, the Russians work to encircle Bakhmut: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-asks-for-longer-range-missiles-as-it-awaits-tank-deliveries-11674990772 .
The House GOP has never given any thought to governing: https://www.rawstory.com/republican-sales-tax-bill/ . Do any of these people even read the newspaper? Attend hearings? The House GOP is proving to the world that red districts elect complete idiots to Congress … More obvious every day, “Leader Kevin McCarthy” is an oxymoron, with emphasis on the last two syllables.
Jim Jordan fails to make sense on “Meet the Press”: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-rep-jim-jordan-spars-chuck-todd-classified-docs-fbi-rcna68069 . More: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jim-jordan-chuck-todd-meet-the-press_n_63d6ecdee4b0c2b49add2122 . If this was a sparring session, Chuck Todd pummeled Jim Jordan with the facts. Watch for yourself. This fool shouldn’t be in charge of lunch, but he’s head of the House Judiciary Committee … Way to go, Kevin …
Just FYI, Jim Jordan graduated from Capital University Law School (Capital meaning Columbus, Ohio). US News ranks 192 US law schools, with the lower 46 just lumped together in the category 147-192. Capitol is in this bin …
UK’s Conservative Party head fired for ethics violations: https://www.jpost.com/international/article-729980 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-k-prime-minister-fires-top-official-over-tax-probe-11675009270 . Perhaps the Oxford English Dictionary will rewrite the definition of “conservative” as “see: crook”.
WSJ: Gun research center started at Wyoming law school: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-gun-research-center-funded-by-firearms-executives-aims-to-diversify-debate-11674953998 . The “research” center is funded by gun industry executives? So does anyone wonder what this center will conclude? My prediction: “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” But this is truly ignorant in the face of automatic weapons, isn’t it?
As I’d already written the Jim Jordan note, I went back to get the University of Wyoming law school ranking. They are “tied” with 4 other schools for #129. So, terrible, but still above the Jim Jordan rock bottom. More evidence for OED to consider …
WSJ: Chinese audiences boost “Avatar 2” box office: https://www.wsj.com/articles/avatar-the-way-of-water-climbs-box-office-ranks-with-help-from-chinese-audiences-11675000775 . They can relate well to a fantasy world … Also, the evil people in the movie are American military bullet-heads …
M&M’s now Ma&Ya’s?: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/mms-maya-rudolph-spokescandies-super-bowl-145727629.html . GOOD GRIEF!!! OF COURSE this is a marketing stunt, and a fairly silly one. The writing should drip with sarcasm, but the writer plays it completely straight. M&M’s is not going to rename its flagship candy (Ma&Ya’s – Maya), they are not going to pay Maya Rudolph a penny a pack to put her picture on it, and they are not going to risk their brand name on a person who could do any number of things to destroy it. Mr. Alter apparently lacks critical analysis skills of any kind, which may be why he’s assigned articles on candy …
WSJ: Super Bowl LVII set: Kansas City v. Philadelphia: https://www.wsj.com/articles/bengals-chiefs-nfl-playoffs-burrowhead-11675049173 .