US malnutrition deaths double: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-04-13/deaths-from-malnutrition-have-more-than-doubled-in-the-u-s . So, the richest country in the world can’t properly feed its elderly? The article notes that because the elderly eat less, they miss certain vital nutrients. That problem also seems solvable. We should do better.
WSJ: US suicide rates increased in 2021: https://www.wsj.com/articles/suicide-rates-rose-in-2021-after-two-years-in-decline-c8e48b24 . Note that guns are involved about half of the suicides. Gun control, anyone? What else do you need to know?
The Adderall shortage continues: WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/adderall-shortage-update-patients-pauses-8e3fffb6 .
WSJ: Mifepristone availability: https://www.wsj.com/articles/abortion-pill-access-case-texas-judge-11651775689 . DOJ will appeal the Fifth Circuit ruling to the US Supreme Court: https://www.wsj.com/articles/appeals-court-rules-abortion-pill-mifepristone-can-remain-temporarily-available-912b03ad .
DeMentis signs 6 week abortion ban into law: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/florida-house-passes-6-week-abortion-ban-expected/story?id=98556766 . Since most women don’t know they’re pregnant 6 weeks in, let alone able to arrange a medical appointment in time, this law represents a near-total abortion ban. More from WSJ: https://www.wsj.com/articles/florida-abortion-ban-law-28c65d8c .
WSJ: US Latinos move away from Catholic Church: https://www.wsj.com/articles/catholic-share-of-u-s-latinos-continues-to-sink-study-finds-21ab806f . Note that the number not affiliated with any church has risen from 10% in 2010 to 30% today.
WSJ: US supplier prices drop: https://www.wsj.com/articles/supplier-prices-fell-in-march-adding-to-signs-of-moderating-inflation-20d61755 . This may signal a reduction in inflation.
FBI arrests intelligence document leaker: https://apnews.com/article/leaked-documents-pentagon-justice-department-russia-war-d3272b34702d564fe07a480598bcd174 . Yes, suspect, innocent until proven guilty. However, the evidence already public looks like enough to fricassee Mr. Teixeira. More: https://news.yahoo.com/who-is-jack-teixeira-the-massachusetts-air-national-guard-member-arrested-in-pentagon-leak-case-200012471.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-leak-classified-intelligence-documents-takeaways-6dd576b8 .
WSJ: US intelligence leaks won’t affect Ukraine’s spring offensive: https://www.wsj.com/articles/ukraine-says-u-s-leaks-wont-impact-its-planned-offensive-c66dd81b . Meanwhile, Russia continues Bakhmut assault: https://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-presses-attacks-in-eastern-ukraine-as-video-sparks-outrage-4ff90b15 .
Another (more than) questionable deal involving Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow: https://www.propublica.org/article/clarence-thomas-harlan-crow-real-estate-scotus . ProPublica exposes an even shadier situation than the hundreds of thousands of dollars in “hospitality” Crow provided Thomas over two decades. Crow quite obviously had no reason to buy and redevelop these properties outside of Savannah other than Clarence Thomas’ ownership interest. As the article details, this violates one of the few disclosure requirements applicable to justices. Did any of Thomas’ unnamed friends/advisors suggest it was okay not to disclose this deal, too?
My impression is that ProPublica had uncovered both of these failures disclose before going public. They wisely put out the first to see if Thomas would take the bait. Now that he’s hooked, can anyone reel him in? And is there more out there? I think the Court is now forced to adopt a Code of Conduct. But do we still have to wait for Thomas to die to wipe the stink off the Supreme Court? We have moved from an egregious deal to pattern of odorous and potentially illegal conduct.
Speaking of stink, “Lyin’ Ted” Cruz: https://www.aol.com/news/ted-cruz-fundraising-off-bill-153353363.html . As moronic and hypocritical as this “proposed legislation” is, are there still people out there who can’t smell Ted before he enters the room? Full disclosure: In the February 23 newsletter, I asked, How can Ted Cruz get uglier every time I see him? Here we are, 7 weeks later, and Ted’s done it again …
More stink from Texas: Dairy explosion kills 18,000 cows: https://www.aol.com/18-000-cows-killed-explosion-013001761.html . The mayor of Dimmit says he doesn’t know how they will dispose of 18,000 charred cattle carcasses. Burying them would seem to represent a major threat to the area’s groundwater.
WSJ: DeMentis tries to reverse sapping poll numbers: https://www.wsj.com/articles/down-in-polls-and-taking-flak-from-donald-trump-ron-desantis-looks-to-rebound-9bf13a27 .
Meanwhile, Orange Julius keeps up his busy New York court schedule: https://www.aol.com/news/trump-arrives-manhattan-ny-attorney-093749151.html . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-to-be-deposed-by-new-york-attorney-general-444dede7 . This relates to NY AG Letitia James’ civil suit against OJ for fraud. However, this is the same subject matter that Alvin Bragg is pursuing in his criminal prosecution – inflated valuation of real estate to improperly obtain loans. As a reminder, the evidence in these cases is generally very straightforward, making the cases relatively easy to prove. Also, judge in E. Jean Carroll’s rape civil suit won’t delay trial start of April 25: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-rape-trial-delay-request-denied/ .
Tech exec charged with Bob Lee murder: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/police-arrest-38-old-nima-195439019.html . I feel more confident about walking in San Francisco at night again. Meanwhile, we haven’t heard from Elon Musk on this topic again … but we have heard from the San Francisco DA: https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/san-francisco-da-blasts-elon-musk-reaction-stabbing-death-rcna79651 . WSJ: More: https://www.wsj.com/articles/suspect-arrested-in-fatal-stabbing-of-cash-app-founder-bob-lee-cf3a640b .
Good news, bad news for Elon Musk: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/elon-musk-made-time-s-100-most-influential-people-of-2023-list-but-was-called-an-online-troll-fiddling-on-a-toxic-violin-while-twitter-burns/ar-AA19Pj4J?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=36c540419edd4f5d830d29de730ac6ac&ei=36 . The reputation of “influential but incompetent” is not something most people aspire to …
FLL is FULL – of water: https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/12/weather/florida-flash-flood-fort-lauderdale/index.html . Torrential rains caused severe flooding in Broward County, Florida, and closed the Fort Lauderdale airport (FLL).
WSJ: Europeans send Juice to Jupiter: https://www.wsj.com/articles/jupiter-mission-launches-to-explore-icy-worlds-518e511a .