Lapado doctored COVID study findings: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/04/24/florida-surgeon-general-covid-vaccine-00093510 . This corrupt DeMentis appointee disgraces the medical profession and public service. Of course, DeMentis wanted this type of loyalty when he appointed this vaccine skeptic as Florida surgeon general.
Mexican president catches COVID a third time: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2023-04-24/mexico-president-self-isolating-after-catching-covid-19-under-medical-treatment-minister . It’s possible the COVID explanation covers an actual heart incident.
Cancer care delayed by pandemic: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/lockdown-s-cancer-bomb-may-soon-be-worse-than-covid-itself/ar-AA1agS4M?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=0a8805e662e943498025f284923e9711&ei=93 . This story has been around for several years, globally and not just in the UK. We do know that patients delayed care during the pandemic due to fear of going to the hospital or a doctor’s office. Data is sadly lacking. The review of excess death statistics so far indicates that they are the best proxy for COVID deaths in most countries. However, there is debate whether a death in a patient with an underlying condition who contracted COVID is or is not a death from COVID.
Those who analyze deaths by cause for the past several years must remember that the pandemic and its politics have muddled what should be straightforward answers to cause of death attribution.
WSJ: Weight-loss drugmakers want Medicare coverage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/weight-loss-drugmakers-lobby-for-medicare-coverage-69188697 .
Supply chain evolution: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supply-chains-have-changed-forever-819d9afd . The Journal does not quite get the big picture here. “Regionalization” and “redundancy” simply reflect the move to the “two axes” distribution system we have been pointing out for a long time. More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/nearshoring-shift-brings-production-hurdles-closer-to-home-6fc418ee . (ta, 4/22/23)
WSJ: Credit Suisse was rapidly unraveling before UBS acquisition: https://www.wsj.com/articles/credit-suisse-details-painful-final-days-before-rescue-f7a1a479 .
Fox-Not-the-News and “Rhymes With” Tucker Carlson part ways: https://www.nbcnews.com/media/tucker-carlson-leaving-fox-news-rcna81146 . Tucker will always be remembered for Fox’s famous defense – no reasonable person would believe Tucker Carlson. Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports Carlson was pushed out for “his comments about management”: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tucker-carlson-is-out-at-fox-news-after-dominion-lawsuit-disclosures/ar-AA1agXMB?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=e42a736b840d43ccb672823c096f168e&ei=14 . So 2½ years of election lies were fine because “it was about the green”, but making negative comments about the boss takes precedence over the money? It is hard to imagine Murdoch’s skin is that thin. However, one analyst noted that the lawsuit material had many redactions, which could be damaging material not directly related to the lawsuit. So if Tucker was e-mailing colleagues about Murdoch …
As Fox announced “his last show was Friday”, it certainly appears Fox dumped Carlson. While one hopes for immediate oblivion for Tucker, there’s still Breitbart and OAN and other nut networks. Still, hiring Tucker would ignore all that’s gone before. And with Smartmatic and other lawsuits, Fox will pay for Carlson for quite some time. Yay! The initial media reactions are shock and glee: https://www.rawstory.com/tucker-carlson-2659901769/ .
We go everywhere for news. The French press agency (AFP) aired an interview with a history professor who made two interesting points. First, Carlson may have been fired for the disdain he showed in private for Orange Julius. Fox Not-the-News’ business model, we now know, is to tell viewers what they want to hear. Carlson’s true attitude is not what viewers want to hear. I observe that the same is true for the more right-wing outlets, and so they may not want Carlson. Second, Fox believes the star is the network, not the host. They pulled Carlson out of “has been” status to replace Bill O’Reilly, and may well believe they can do it again.
Apparently Carlson is lawyering up. We may well learn more about this situation very soon. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/tucker-carlson-is-leaving-fox-news-db31f2fa .
Lunatics support Tucker Carlson: https://www.rawstory.com/marjorie-taylor-greene-fox-news/ . Tucker receives support from Marjorie Taylor Greene, who attributes his firing to the “woke mob” (how?), and from Kari Lake, who still thinks she’s governor of Arizona. These two, by the way, are campaigning to be OJ’s vice presidential running mate. Eeew!
Meanwhile, CNN pulls the plug on Don Lemon: https://www.nbcnews.com/media/don-lemon-says-fired-cnn-rcna78349 . And they’re bringing in … Gayle King and Charles Barkley? Are any of the cable news networks interested in reporting the news?
The stink around Clarence Thomas’ relationship with Harlan Crow continues to spread: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/clarence-thomas-s-billionaire-friend-did-have-business-before-the-supreme-court/ar-AA1ahfYE?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=671c66d0386e465eaee96d6b876c8524&ei=36 .
WSJ: Global military spending hits record: https://www.wsj.com/articles/global-military-spending-hits-record-amid-ukraine-china-tensions-e8224262 . Increased geopolitical tensions and the resupply of both sides in the Ukrainian war drives the new record.
Wagner Group boss says to take no more prisoners: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/wagner-group-boss-tells-mercenaries-163027597.html . Obviously, this would be an ugly escalation of the war.
WSJ: Western weapons manufacturers struggle to keep up with Ukraine’s needs: https://www.wsj.com/articles/weapons-makers-cant-hire-enough-workers-as-ukraine-war-drives-demand-d1b74bee .
WSJ: France criticizes Chinese ambassador’s remarks concerning Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-seeks-to-calm-storm-over-ambassadors-ukraine-remarks-6213f3fb . It really was incredibly stupid for the Chinese ambassador to question Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
Fulton County DA memo suggests Orange Julius will be indicted in Georgia: https://www.alternet.org/george-conway-2659903485/ . The expected timeframe is July 11 to September 1. More from WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/charging-decisions-in-trump-probe-will-come-in-summer-atlanta-prosecutor-fani-willis-says-8a830d9b .
WSJ: Proud Boys trial nears end: https://www.wsj.com/articles/proud-boys-seditious-conspiracy-trial-nears-conclusion-3fa8ef28 .
Criticism of Kevin McCarthy grows: https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/debt-ceiling-kevin-mccarthy-vote-rcna80950 . The author, however, has no recommended solution for this mess. Also, I don’t agree that it is inevitable that the Freedom Caucus will “inevitably” push him out. They own McCarthy, and have no apparent alternatives for Speaker. WSJ: It all turns on the House passing the GOP budget proposal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/kevin-mccarthy-house-gop-debt-limit-plan-face-crucial-test-this-week-ddaa66b4 . The Journal ignores the fact that the details of the House package are unpopular with most GOP votes.