Moderna COVID quality control lapses: https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2023-12-15/exclusive-us-fda-finds-control-lapses-at-moderna-manufacturing-plant . Given the importance to Moderna of the COVID vaccine revenue, sloppiness is particularly surprising.
WSJ: “Good news” reporting on life expectancy: https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/the-surprisingly-good-news-on-life-expectancy-its-still-going-up-239b6252 . So life expectancy can be defined in different ways, giving different results. This is news?
US homelessness up 12%: https://apnews.com/article/homelessness-increase-rent-hud-covid-60bd88687e1aef1b02d25425798bd3b1 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/mother-of-6-year-old-who-shot-teacher-is-sentenced-to-two-years-30130775 . In some ways, we could call this a small problem. After all, if these numbers are correct, 99.8% of the US population is in a home – only 0.2% is homeless. However, that’s an incredibly dismissive view of over 650,000 people. While Portland’s overall metropolitan population is over 2 million, there are only 600,000 within the city limits – including 8,000 homeless people. That’s 1.3% of our population.
We see these people everywhere, in tents in residential areas and under freeway underpasses. We have many motor homes, cars and trailers parked in our residential areas – with fulltime occupants. These people frequently have mental health and drug problems, but that is by no means the entire population. Our economic system is failing these people. We should be doing better.
WSJ: Eurozone economic activity continues to weaken: https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/eurozone-economic-activity-weakens-for-seventh-straight-month-pmis-show-8eff6ec0 .
Red Sea attacks hamper global trade: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/maersk-hapag-lloyd-rethink-red-sea-voyages-after-attacks-on-ships-f117b471 .
WSJ: Skepticism on China economic figures: https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/dont-buy-chinas-november-recovery-f24af0b2 . Even the Journal can figure out China is cooking the books. When economic numbers are not transparent, investors look for other opportunities.
Israel kills 3 hostages in friendly fire incident: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/3-hostages-in-gaza-killed-by-friendly-fire-israeli-military-says/ . But in this ugly incident, Hamas shoulders a large part of the blame. They abducted these people from Israel and used them as human shields. This terrible situation still indicates that Israel should try to eliminate Hamas. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/israeli-military-says-it-accidentally-killed-three-israeli-hostages-in-gaza-2acebecc .
WSJ: Drone warfare in Ukraine: https://www.wsj.com/world/the-race-to-defend-against-drone-warfare-plays-out-in-ukraine-96335409 . Using a $3 million Patriot missile to shoot down a $1,500 drone is not a sustainable strategy.
Giuliani jury message to Rudy: financial castration: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/3-hostages-in-gaza-killed-by-friendly-fire-israeli-military-says/ . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/rudy-giuliani-hit-with-148-million-verdict-for-defaming-election-workers-018781ca . Just to be clear, it is unlikely the jury verdict will be reversed. The most likely question is whether the punitive damages of $75 million are excessive relative to the $73 million of underlying damages. However, the 1-to-1 ratio is not excessive under current rules. In technical legal jargon, the Rude Dude is totally screwed. I would think his net worth was less than $10 million before the trial. He is financially bankrupt now, a perfect match for his moral bankruptcy.
My Christmas wish for these women is that they quickly and aggressively pursue enforcement of this verdict and strip Rudy of every dollar he has.
Kevin McCarthy message to Matt Gaetz: You are psychotic: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/kevin-mccarthy-takes-parting-shot-at-matt-gaetz-as-he-exits-congress-he-was-psychotic . The evidence is strongly in McCarthy’s favor on this one. Here’s an association test for readers. Of all of Jack Nicholson’s roles, which one does Matt Gates fit? Okay, please decide your answer before continuing. So I think two roles come to the top. In second place, my pick is Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance in The Shining. When the axe comes through the door, and Jack yells, “Here’s Johnny” (Carson reference), that level of insanity fits Gaetz’ style quite well.
In first place, my pick is Jack Nicholson as The Joker in Batman. Besides all of his devious BS, Matt Gaetz looks like he’s in permanent make-up as The Joker. I mean, check out the eyebrows. No one in public life has the distinctive look of violent insanity plastered on Gaetz’ face.
WSJ: Mom of 6-year-old who shot teacher sentenced to 2 years in prison: https://www.wsj.com/us-news/mother-of-6-year-old-who-shot-teacher-is-sentenced-to-two-years-30130775 .