America’s life expectancy declines: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/column-america-s-decline-in-life-expectancy-speaks-volumes-about-our-problems/ar-AA19uSzz?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=0001f6e5607d4f8f854f4029625f0cf5&ei=66 . While this Los Angeles Times opinion piece is very much in line with our previous comments on the CDC findings, this is very much worth reading as it adds some additional observations. In particular, note the observation that among the 20 states with the lowest life expectancies, 8 are among the 12 (red) states that have refused Medicaid expansion.
North Carolina and South Dakota have now seen the light, but not yet implemented Medicaid expansion. The 10 remaining states refusing Medicaid expansion are Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The 7 in bold are indeed among the 20 states with lowest average life expectancy. The remaining 3 are Abbott’s Texas (at #21), DeMentis’ Florida, and swing state Wisconsin (with a solidly GOP legislature).
As Texas and Florida are by far the largest states in terms of population, Abbott and DeMentis are killing the largest numbers of poor people in refusing Medicaid expansion. These two apparently need to offset the deaths in their older GOP members caused by opposition to federal efforts to implement COVID vaccination.
So how do we get these states to not kill their citizens by denying them access to healthcare? The economics are the key. For every dollar the state spends, 9 more federal dollars come into their state’s health care system. This would undoubtedly improve their economy, but also it would save and expand both rural and inner city healthcare. This has to be a winner for the state’s economy, its healthcare system, and therefore the quality of everyone’s life, not just the poor. Of the original 19 holdouts, 9 have reversed their position, and the economics are a big part of their reasoning.
Eye drops factory not certified sterile: https://apnews.com/article/eyedrops-infection-outbreak-fda-1e266befa854dc7c0ce65def0da9a0bc . The consequences so far have been 3 deaths, 8 losses of vision, and 4 people with their eyeballs surgically removed. This company is in huge trouble, and rightfully so.
Gut bacteria link to Alzheimer’s: https://www.sciencealert.com/giant-study-pinpoints-specific-gut-bacteria-linked-to-alzheimers . This line of inquiry looks very promising. One wonders if one day bacterial supplements will help prevent Alzheimer’s. Since we already eat yogurt, for example, this does not seem like much of a stretch.
WSJ: The Medicare crackdown on Medicare Advantage: https://www.wsj.com/articles/medicare-cracks-down-on-deceptive-advertising-service-denials-by-privately-run-plans-97bab94b . It’s not okay to deceive seniors about their healthcare.
Post-pandemic changes in US health care: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-04-05/as-covid-emergency-ends-a-new-era-of-health-care-begins . Many will lose Medicaid coverage, telehealth is here to stay, and addiction care will be changed by telehealth and relaxed prescription rules. The article explores each issue in detail.
WSJ: Next-generation drugs complicated to deliver: https://www.wsj.com/articles/these-drugs-are-so-futuristic-that-doctors-need-new-training-d88c10dc . Just as we have visiting nurses, maybe we need visiting doctors on the most complicated drugs, or inclusion of patient transportation as part of the price of the drug.
WSJ: The weight loss drug battle: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ozempic-mounjaro-weight-loss-drug-wegovy-eli-lilly-66f2906 . Lilly will strap on Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic in the market for use of diabetes drugs for weight loss. There is now a huge appetite (sorry) for these drugs.
Indiana bans gender-affirming healthcare: https://apnews.com/article/indiana-governor-gender-affirming-care-ban-09bdabec268dbd8d79397a43f21694ed . The number of individuals needing this care is very small. However, the percentage then reversing this care is miniscule. Where are these states on control of your own body? Where are they are on giving parents control of their own family situation? The GOP culture war remains backward and illogical. Indiana’s ban follows by a day Idaho’s criminalization of delivery of this care.
Decades-long child abuse in Maryland Archdiocese: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/maryland-ag-documents-widespread-sexual-abuse-least-600-victims-baltim-rcna78378 . The AG’s report found 600 victims of at least 150 people. The Catholic Church has very clearly demonstrated institutional incapability of reforming itself. Pope Francis needs to go farther in allowing married priests, as the shortage of priests makes it easier for pedophiles to enter the clergy. That won’t fully solve the problem, but it’s an opportunity to reduce it and more aggressively police the clergy. WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/baltimore-archdiocese-long-failed-to-protect-children-abused-by-catholic-priests-state-report-says-4d4029fa .
WSJ: J&J offers $8.9 billion settlement over talc liabilities: https://www.wsj.com/articles/johnson-johnson-proposes-paying-9-billion-to-settle-talc-lawsuits-2fcc672a . After their stunt to create a “talc subsidiary” didn’t work, J&J must face the serious liabilities an unsafe, asbestos-laced baby powder creates.
EPA looks to reduce mercury and other power plant emissions: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/epa-to-tighten-limits-on-mercury-and-other-pollutants-from-power-plants/ar-AA19wj3Y?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=9412d88b2cf14082b65a3ed73960d12c&ei=17 .
Governor Gretchen Whitmer strikes 1931 Michigan abortion ban: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-michigan-whitmer-1931-repeal-2abb0525618a6ac5ee5a45b02ef4de3b . This action became possible after the vote of the people. The GOP governors and legislatures need to take note.
Governor Sarah Sanders blasted after request for federal aid: https://www.alternet.org/ask-god-for-the-money/ . Sanders, formerly Orange Julius’ spokesperson, gave the (pathetic) GOP response to President Biden’s State of the Union. She was apparently the best the GOP had to offer, and followed in a long line of questionable responses. At least with Mario Rubio, we learned he can’t drink from a bottle of water.
WSJ: Zelensky visits Poland: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-strengthens-defenses-in-occupied-ukraine-as-zelensky-visits-poland-62f32f22 . Meanwhile, Putin blames US for Ukraine war: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russias-vladimir-putin-blames-u-s-for-war-in-ukraine-f61cf634 . Also, Russia schedules one of its war criminals to speak to the UN: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-official-accused-of-deporting-ukrainian-children-addresses-u-n-74235db1 . A world with no shame does not work well.
Pence will not fight order to testify before special prosecutor’s grand jury: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/pence-will-not-fight-order-testify-special-counsel-grand-jury-rcna77948 . Front and center, we have previously stated that his defense was interesting but would lose. Fighting would have been a bad look for a presidential contender (although Mike won’t be a contender for too long after primaries start). WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/mike-pence-wont-appeal-ruling-compelling-his-jan-6-grand-jury-testimony-af12f6c3 . The Journal struggles to find a win for Pence here. A narrow exception to testifying in front of the grand jury is not a win, and is not what Pence was after.
Legal strategy in the Orange Julius indictment: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/04/04/donald-trump-lawyers-blast-bragg/11598646002/ . This article is in the ballpark, but the analysis fails to fully connect. Bragg is an experienced DA, and he certainly understands that a case brought against a former president has to be a near slam dunk. OJ and his lawyers are (rightfully) terrified of a trial, so their focus will be to kill or delay the case through pretrial motions. Bragg has left out critical details in the indictment in order to limit those motions. Simply put, his position is that the case is entitled to go to trial.
Everyone agrees this is the weakest of the major cases against OJ. But that does not mean it’s a losing case. It means some of the other cases do look to be slam dunks.
And here’s an infield single of analysis that misses the home run: https://www.alternet.org/alvin-bragg-donald-trump-melania/ . The key point is that one of the deals was structured not to pay if OJ lost the election. Yes, it was never about protecting Melanie – duh! She’s just arm candy to OJ. But this evidence proves that the deals were made because of the election. That is central to the charge of an illegal campaign contribution, and election law violation.
Meanwhile, OJ calls for Congress to defund the (federal) police: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/donald-trump-calls-defunding-federal-police-arrest-new-york-rcna78301 . The law and order GOP is now told by their Orange Furor to defund his “tormentors” – the DOJ and the FBI. Anyone who ever believed this increasingly unstable clown should take this opportunity to walk (actually, run) away.
OJ’s hush money trial will start in 2024: https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-trial-collision-course-start-130041042.html . The prosecutors want January, the defense April. As the next hearing is set for December 4, the trial for sure will not occur in 2023.
E. Jean Carroll’s rape case against OJ starts in 3 weeks: https://news.yahoo.com/trumps-next-april-court-date-in-ny-is-on-rape-allegations-193009519.html .
WSJ: Why Democrats want Biden to run against OJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-many-democrats-want-a-trump-biden-rematch-in-2024-b62062fe . OMG! Is the Journal just unable to tell the truth to its readers? OJ lost to Biden by 8 million votes last time, before OJ incited January 6 and a truckload of lawsuits and criminal charges arrived in his lap. Not only is OJ no longer viable as a presidential candidate, he will take every Republican in a close race down with him.
DeMentis’ Florida: Where woke (Gavin Newsom) goes to kick you in the ass: https://apnews.com/article/newsom-desantis-new-college-florida-8c707eb5b147aa9d465beae4315afacc . The bottom lines: DeMentis is not ready for prime time. Newsom bids his time for 2028 by polishing his brand.
WSJ: Judge allows Dominion to require Murdoch, top Fox brass to testify at trial: https://www.wsj.com/articles/judge-in-fox-news-defamation-trial-says-he-would-require-rupert-murdoch-to-testify-69b51042 . I think about the impact Murdoch’s testimony will have on the jury if delivered in person. It’s apparently my theory alone, but I think the judge is setting up the jury to deliver a major punitive damages award in this case. The evidence is just so shocking. Also, the judge is absolutely right to do this – Dominion is certainly entitled to a fair trial.
A new, cost efficient mechanism for carbon capture: https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/carbon-capture-ocean-mit-removal-bismuth-electrodes/ . This is absolutely right on. The carbon dioxide problem exists in both the oceans and the atmosphere. This technology has every possibility of reducing the acidification of the oceans, reversing coral decline and benefitting sea life generally. And it will reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere over time.
Cash App founder Bob Lee, age 43, stabbed to death in downtown San Francisco: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cash-app-founder-bob-lee-killed-san-francisco-stabbing-sources-say-rcna78265 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/cash-app-founder-bob-lee-fatally-stabbed-in-san-francisco-5c061716 . I love walking in San Francisco at night. Police found Lee at 2:35 am in the 300 block of Main, which runs off Market near the Hyatt Regency. I won’t be out after midnight down there for now … Lee was 43 and had two young daughters …
Will robotaxis make San Francisco safer?: https://apnews.com/article/driverless-cars-robotaxis-waymo-cruise-tesla-684556379bb57425c8fdf35268e8046d . Here’s an alternative solution to make nighttime safer … but the whole point of being out at night in San Francisco is walking … at least it was …
Bill Gates says self-driving cars will be fully realized in the next 10 years: https://www.thestreet.com/stocks/bill-gates-names-the-one-new-technology-to-soon-change-the-world . Among other things, this will wipe out truck driving employment.
Masters has an unbelievable Hole-in-One Contest: https://sports.yahoo.com/masters-2023-seamus-power-drills-back-to-back-aces-in-par-3-contest-194414961.html . An Irishman named Seamus Power hit – and I’m not kidding – back-to-back holes-in-one in the contest. Watch the video … maybe it’s the luck of the Irish, but incredible skill is involved here.