News for May 28 — HPV Vaccination Age Range Extended

HPV vaccination age range extended: https://www.mskcc.org/news/think-you-re-too-old-get-hpv-vaccine-prevent-cancer-maybe-not . The upper age limit has now been extended from 26 to 45 as HPV is now also implicated in 70% of head and neck cancers. The vaccine has proven quite safe.

Why melanoma kills more men: https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/why-melanoma-deadly-men-why-130000810.html . Basically, it’s because men are stupid. They are less educated about the risks of skin cancer, and they take more unnecessary risks. And yes, the article was written by a woman …

WSJ: Improving the hospital experience: https://www.wsj.com/articles/url-hospital-patients-better-experience-800414d8 . Um, this is not your typical service environment. Most patients’ objective is to get out as soon as possible. Some percentage of patients do not come back, by definition.

Russia launches largest drone attack of the war on Kyiv: https://apnews.com/article/ukraine-kyiv-drone-attack-shahed-russia-war-57a856f99e8ec9760b78a2b0669b7383 . The Ukrainians shot down at least 40 drones. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-launches-largest-drone-attack-on-kyiv-since-start-of-war-a68c2daa .

WSJ: Details of the debt ceiling deal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/whats-in-the-debt-ceiling-deal-461b9822 . This is the hearsay version of the bill. We await final language. UPDATE: The text as it stands late Sunday evening is supplied in a link in this article. Warning: It’s 99 pages long. First, here is the article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-mccarthy-work-to-put-final-touches-on-their-debt-ceiling-deal-e4f68bf4 . Here is the link: https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/documents/BILLS-118hrPIH-fiscalresponsibility.pdf . And here is McCarthy’s sales job of the results: https://www.wsj.com/articles/wasteful-government-doesnt-have-to-keep-growing-mccarthy-house-gop-deal-14e1e295 . As readers know, I am not a fan. This “commentary” does not improve my view of Mr. McCarthy.

McCarthy defends debt deal: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/mccarthy-defends-debt-ceiling-deal-predicts-democrats-join/story?id=99660548 . We still need more analysis of the details, but it looks to me right now that the deal will pass with bipartisan support, losing some on the left and far right. As the Senate stayed out of negotiations (which McConnell was likely smart to do), they will be under pressure to pass it. It is possible, however, that both sides will try to amend it.

Again, I believe Democrats can take back the House in 2024, and retain a Senate majority. It looks like Orange Julius (bizarrely) will be the GOP nominee unless derailed by the coming indictments and convictions. This will turn out Democrats and independents against him. Also, between aging and COVID, the rabid GOP base has been shrinking, and I don’t see much that will grow it. Expect targeting of the Latino population, which while desperate looks like the most viable GOP strategy.

NH Governor Chris Sununu has a real shot: https://news.yahoo.com/hampshire-gop-gov-chris-sununu-194544657.html . In my view, a moderate Republican has the best chance of winning the general election for president. Sununu’s calculation appears to be like mine – he is waiting for OJ’s legal problems to damage OJ’s standing. Sununu then wants to swoop in, declare himself the original OJ criticizer, and push by the other candidates. More: https://news.yahoo.com/hampshire-gop-gov-chris-sununu-194544657.html .

A risky strategy in today’s GOP, to be sure, but of all of the GOP candidates (including OJ), he has the best chance to win the general election. Sununu’s main problem, as I see it, is that many current GOP politicians have staked themselves to their far right voters, and so will see Sununu as a threat to them personally. As these people put their careers ahead of party or country, Sununu will not complete this path without challenges from the far right.

Mom who challenged Amanda Gorman materials “not a reader”: https://news.yahoo.com/florida-mom-challenged-amanda-gorman-192830037.html . I said four days ago that the real problem here was that Amanda Gorman “was Black, young and smarter and more talented than the so-called adults involved in this lunacy”. USA Today has now provided damning evidence of the truth of that statement.

Erdogan returned to power: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/turkey-election-president-recep-erdogan-runoff-kemal-kilicdaroglu-nato-rcna86052 . Erdogan may now remain in office until 2028. In my view, he is a questionable prize for the West, particularly as it relates to NATO.

DOJ goes after contributions to January 6 insurrectionists: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-riot-fundraisers-fines-clawback-justice-department-3490da93a6bea505e76bd249eeab72ba . These people should not be allowed to profit from their misdeeds. One wonders if this will reduce the willingness of paid counsel to represent them.