Pancreatic cancer increasing in under-55 women: https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/more-women-diagnosed-with-pancreatic-cancer-220627230.html . In my view, the article’s use of “spiking” is sensational and inaccurate when the increase is 2.4%. Still, the unexplained appearance of an often-fatal disease in a younger population is concerning.
Drug-resistant ringworm found in NYC: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/least-two-cases-drug-resistant-ringworm-infections-found-us-cdc-says-rcna83918 . Ringworm is transmitted by touching an infected person or animal.
As expected, North Carolina’s (Democratic) governor vetoes abortion ban: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-north-carolina-governor-veto-rally-52f5b182890d44552a3287dee2aaf5b3. As noted previously, the GOP has veto-proof majorities in both houses of the legislature, but only by one vote each. The Democrats are now furiously lobbying GOP legislators who had promised their constituents not to implement an abortion ban, hoping to flip one vote.
Montana Supreme Court extends abortion rights 7-0: https://lawandcrime.com/abortion/right-to-be-let-alone-montana-supreme-court-unanimously-extends-abortion-rights-against-latest-gop-efforts-rejects-excessive-governmental-interference-in-womens-lives/ . The court recognized the basic conservative principle that people have the right to be let alone by government. This emphasizes that the current GOP is waging a culture war which is contrary to their long-time support of small government and individual freedoms.
Housing costs largest contributor to US inflation: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/housing-costs-remain-largest-contributor-to-inflation-141429973.html .
WSJ: Debt ceiling talks continue over the weekend: https://www.wsj.com/articles/republicans-democrats-making-progress-in-debt-limit-talks-yellen-says-d9d4fbd9 . Our political system continues to struggle through this ridiculous self-imposed crisis.
Zelensky meets with Pope, indicates Ukrainian counteroffensive nears: https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/13/asia/zelensky-ukraine-counteroffensive-germany-italy-intl-hnk/index.html . This war is increasingly (and rightly) portrayed as a struggle between East and West. The credit for holding the West together goes (in my view) to both Presidents Zelensky and Biden. Zelensky has made himself into a media star, which is a desperately needed attractant in current society. Biden has patiently rebuilt the Western alliance and trust in the US as an ally after the prior “administration” brought our reliability into question globally. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraines-zelensky-visits-rome-to-meet-pope-francis-italian-leaders-26b58da8 .
WSJ: Ceasefire between Israel, Palestinians: https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-palestinian-militants-agree-to-cease-fire-after-five-days-of-fighting-1ea416d0 .
US southern border crossings remain orderly as Title 42 limits pass: https://apnews.com/article/immigration-border-title-42-mexico-asylum-cbf08ebd31acac598a887865acb56714 . However, we must remain vigilant against disorderly Canadians … WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/migrants-wait-along-southern-border-as-new-rules-go-into-effect-e73df3a6 .
Another lunatic legal theory from the right represents an early threat to the 2024 election: https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/13/supreme-court-isl-2024-00096311 . This crap that today passes as conservative thought is just another progeny of the Federalist Society, the place where conservative lawyers gather to attempt to maintain white power. In many ways, “state rights” is just code for white power, dating all the way back to the drafting of the Constitution. Here, even a liberal argues that the Supreme Court must dispose of the case one way or another quickly to avoid a confused situation which could result in a variety of conflicting interpretations by GOP-controlled state legislatures.
By the way, the Federalist Society link above is in a newsletter where I noted “Alito is not your average moron” well before his appallingly written and poorly reasoned decision in Dobbs overturning Roe v Wade.
Jane Roberts’ anti-abortion activism re-examined: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/jane-roberts-anti-abortion-advocacy-helped-her-husband-chief-justice-john-roberts-land-his-spot-on-the-supreme-court-years-before-roe-v-wade-was-overturned/ar-AA1b8H7U?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=53f7ca1caa0942cb9f054a1d60744c25&ei=34 . The article seems thin on facts that directly link Jane Roberts to promoting her husband for the Supreme Court. However, in the current climate of ethical lapses and shenanigans, it is useful to keep this history in mind.
DeMentis looks to reboot his presidential campaign before he announces it: https://www.rawstory.com/trump-desantis-2660119696/ . Do you hear me chuckling? Yes, actually, you do. The “failed personality” we’ve mentioned here before is back again in this article. But Ron has multiple other flaws which will hammer him in a general election. For example, Ron suggested Ukraine was not a national priority. Isolationism looks worse as a current concept every day.
Ron also picked a fight with Mickey Mouse, the name employer in Florida, and he appears to be losing while violating Disney’s First Amendment rights in the process. Flying migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard at the expense of Florida taxpayers was as nutty a stunt as we’ve seen in recent years. But who do the Republicans have if the special prosecutor indicts and convicts OJ? Chris Christie? Asa Hutchinson? Yes, you are hearing more chuckling …
Is air pollution making male flies gay?: https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/flies-pollution-ozone-pheromone-communication-air/ . Once we get past the “headline” idea, it is indeed alarming that air pollution may be reducing the numbers of many types of insects, as they are vital pollinators.
Peak Northern Lights viewing for the next 5 years: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/05/13/experts-predict-years-of-good-northern-lights-viewing-heres-why/70201435007/ .