Latest Omicron mutation strikes India: https://apnews.com/article/covid-science-health-india-united-states-e461b0c0db39707aab884378c24292ae . The new mutation is known as BA.2.75. Researchers are concerned because the new variant shows a large number of new mutations and shows very rapid spread. Also, because virus tracking has been reduced in recent months, we may not know the current extent of BA.2.75 spread. Humans may have brains, but the virus may win if we refuse to think.
Chuck Schumer has COVID: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-government-and-politics-efac27c833c69dd349b23c59dd8e8e24 .
Shanghai readies the next round of mass COVID testing: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-07-11/shanghai-braces-for-more-mass-covid-testing-amid-fresh-curbs-across-china . How do these near-daily reminders that Zero COVID is not viable constitute saving face? And yes, I asked the exact same question long ago, and many times since.
Shanghai COVID lockdown propaganda campaign: https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-07-10/chinas-shanghai-asks-public-to-share-heart-warming-covid-lockdown-stories . The Chinese government must be nuts to promote a stunt like this. “Hey, lockdown was driving me nuts, but when the loud widower next door died from COVID, things got a lot quieter.” Next month’s topic: “My joy-filled trip to the dentist.”
Chinese bank depositors face police: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-china-beijing-bad852e21bc4c5fbbbcc3996ab4bce91 . This protest has drawn attention because of earlier attempts by China to track the protest through use of a COVID tracking app.
WSJ: Macau closing businesses as COVID spreads: https://www.wsj.com/articles/macau-shuts-casinos-as-city-enters-weeklong-lockdown-11657460218 . Another verse is sung in the unending Zero COVID chorus.
Abortion ban comes to the HOV lane: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/pregnant-texas-woman-says-unborn-baby-count-car-passenger-receiving-ho-rcna37531 . The officer’s response is quite reasonable. However, we’re talking Texas here.
WSJ: The conflicts between state abortion laws, federal law and competent medical practice: https://www.wsj.com/articles/doctors-struggle-with-state-abortion-restrictions-at-odds-with-federal-law-11657445400 . Even before you read the article, what is the outlier between state abortion laws, federal law and competent medical practice? The result must be rewriting of state abortion laws, whether by the legislature or the courts.
Sri Lanka’s government has collapsed, along with the economy: https://apnews.com/article/covid-health-china-india-asia-c9a49428e9bad5c0bb087534c0d310f8 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sri-lanka-protests-economic-crisis-11657446163 . Still more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/sri-lanka-crisis-flashes-warning-for-other-indebted-economies-11657473277 .
The coming housing crisis: https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/real-estate/cities-in-danger-of-housing-crisis/ . This article names 40 cities of the largest 200 approaching a housing crisis. Only 1 is in the West. In 18, more than half the homes for sale come from foreclosures, with 9 in just 3 states – New York (4), Ohio (3) and Pennsylvania (2). In 18, homeowner vacancy rates are 2% or more, with 9 in just 3 states – Florida (5), Georgia (2) and Louisiana (2).
Five cities appear on both lists – Newark (74.96%/2.8%), Dayton (70.02%/3.6%), Miami (69.72%/2.2%), Syracuse (58.07%/3.2%), and Ft. Lauderdale (52.97%/4.1%). Soaring mortgage rates will slow sales activity, and also lock existing owners into their homes. Prepare for significant problems in these markets over the next 18 months. Also, cash has been king for some time – now it will approach godly status. Expect further decline in individual home ownership and further increase in rentals (and rents).
OJ waives “executive privilege” for Steve Bannon to testify before January 6 committee: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-waive-executive-privilege-ahead-steve-bannons-jan-6-committ-rcna37505 . Hahahahaha. EVERYONE knows the original claim of executive privilege was ridiculous, as Bannon left OJ’s White House way before the issues here. Also, executive privilege does not apply to attempts to overthrow the government, since it’s not part of anyone’s official duty. If Bannon testifies, it will be in private. We do not need any more of the Steve Bannon circus.
UPDATE: Latest news reports state Bannon now demands his testimony be in public. As I wrote before this latest news, any testimony will be in private. Other reports indicate the same: https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/10/bannon-jan-6-testimony-00044952 .
WSJ: More (or less): https://www.wsj.com/articles/steve-bannon-willing-to-testify-before-jan-6-panel-member-says-11657477500 . This alleged news organization is too spineless to tell its readers that OJ’s waiver is a joke. Of course, the Journal has been a joke under Murdoch’s ownership and continues its sink into untrustworthiness.
Here’s another nitwit demanding to testify publicly: https://apnews.com/article/capitol-siege-donald-trump-congress-government-and-politics-e7ad5f0a566bf332477ed223abdd5f12 . What egocentric universe do these fools live in?
Oath Keeper drove explosives to January 6 insurrection: https://www.aol.com/news/oath-keeper-brought-explosives-d-165717493-004057570.html . This dimwit tells us there is a mountain of evidence exculpating him. Okay, tell us what it is. A court would not stop you from proving your innocence publicly, and the DOJ does not have the power you allege. His statement was apparently forwarded by his attorney, but the attorney did not make a confirming statement. That tells you what you need to know.
The next January 6 committee hearings are scheduled for this Tuesday morning, and for Thursday, probably in the evening. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jan-6-committee-hearings-what-happened-so-far-and-whats-next-11655820182 .
In regard to yesterday’s comment on ending the Confederacy, I should have added: “Think this is not part of our current problems? I lived in South Carolina during the 2016 election. Orange Julius won every county in the Republican primary, vaulting him toward the GOP nomination. CNN did an exit poll in which 20% of OJ voters said it was a mistake to end slavery after the Civil War.” Again, the Confederacy needs to end.
President Biden to unveil first Webb telescope image at White House Monday: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/james-webb-space-telescope-first-images-expected/ . Actually, the first image has already been unveiled here, so we’ll see what Joe got.