"There are now 359,000 people without power in the Bay Area after phase 2 of PG&E's power shutoffs were implemented overnight. Parts of the East Bay, Peninsula, South Bay and Santa Cruz lost energy in the latest outages."
"Scientists in Siberia have discovered an area of sea that is 'boiling' with methane, with bubbles that can be scooped from the water with buckets. Researchers on an expedition to the East Siberian Sea said the 'methane fountain' was unlike anything they had seen before, with concentrations of the gas in the region to be six to seven times higher than the global average." We're boned. (Grokked from John)
"Musk has repeatedly stressed that he founded SpaceX back in 2002 primarily to help humanity colonize Mars. It's vital that we become a multiplanet species, the billionaire entrepreneur has said, citing both a much-reduced probability of extinction and the thrill that meaningful space exploration will deliver to billions of people around the world." A deeper dive into Starship and SuperHeavy thought processes and history.
Eating healthy, real foods isn't important as they're not different from processed foods… so they tell us. "There's fresh evidence that eating a healthy diet, one that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables and limits highly processed foods, can help reduce symptoms of depression." But, you know, I'm sure organic foods and dietary supplements still don't do anything for you at all (hint: yes, yes they do). "However, most of these studies show an association and 'can't imply causation,' cautions Sarris. In other words, the studies don't prove that changes in diet directly cause the improvement or decline in mood." You might recall that argument from the recent "red meat is really good for you" news cycle. So here's the thing. Eat a lot of different foods and become conscious of how you feel (physically and mentally) afterward. Write it down. And then eat the things that make you feel better physically. Comfort foods, which are not necessarily the best for you, might give you a better mental state for a short time. But improving your physical well being will be the most beneficial in the long run. For instance, I do better drinking green tea than drinking black tea. I'm not entirely sure why, but I've noticed the difference. Recently I've also noticed a difference between the tea I brew at home and store bought tea (or systems like Keurig). However, improved diet can help, but it's not a replacement for mental healthcare.
"Women may be more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, but men are typically diagnosed at earlier stages, when symptoms are mild. By tweaking memory tests a little, more women might be caught at an early stage of the disease, when they can benefit from treatment, a study suggests." Or, you know, we could change to a test that detects the disease instead of one that only tests for the symptoms. Unfortunately we don't have a way (yet) of testing for the actual disease in the early stages that is inexpensive. But then maybe we should adjust the test to a wider scope of areas instead of verbal cognition.
"The Hollywood Reporter reports tonight that Sesame Street… has begun working to help kids who have been affected by America’s opioid crisis, and substance abuse and addiction in general. The material—which, like the show’s efforts to address issues like the foster care system, homelessness, and being HIV positive, will air online, rather than in the show proper—is aimed at helping kids to understand what it means when their parents and caregivers are struggling with addiction." But only if you have HBO.
"Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several laws Wednesday aimed at increasing housing density by limiting cities’ ability to block new construction and making it easier to build so-called granny flats, part of a larger push to boost supply as California grapples with a severe housing shortage." Now do apartment housing.
Murder in the selfie-age. "A digital memory card found on a street in Alaska's largest city contained videos of a woman being strangled and pictures of her face down in the back of a truck, according to police and a charging document released Wednesday."
"Two people were killed (yesterday) following a shooting rampage near a synagogue in the eastern German town of Halle."
How go the Trade Wars? "U.S. stock index futures were slightly lower Thursday morning, as investors closely monitor the status of high-level trade talks between the world’s two largest economies." Dear Wall Street, you're being played.
"A small group of Activision Blizzard employees walked out of work Tuesday afternoon to protest the company’s actions against a gamer who expressed support for pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong during an official livestream." I put this with the trade war material because it illustrates some of the problems with our business relationship with China. Because they're an "important part" of our economy and through their government can exert censorship on non-Chinese entities. JFC, when South Park becomes a champion of American Values you know the world is fucked up.
"President Trump has dismissed concerns that Turkey's incursion into northern Syria could enable hundreds of hardened ISIS fighters to go free as a problem for other countries. There are more than 10,000 ISIS detainees held in jails across northern Syria run by America's long-time Kurdish allies, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Kurds had warned that a Turkish offensive against them, which began on Wednesday, would force them to turn their attention from ISIS, to self defense." I believe this is the 8th time the US has betrayed the Kurdish people. And this one will come back to bite us in the ass. This is so incredibly bad for the area, the greater world politics, and the US. Our president is a mentally-deficient madman. With this withdraw we are doubly screwed. Turkey is a NATO member, and if the SDF attacks into Turkey we will be treaty-bound to help Turkey. ISIS/DASH is not defeated, and with 2000-5000 trained fighters who might now be freed, along with the insurgency groups still active, they could quickly re-establish ground control.
"Republicans savaged President Donald Trump Wednesday for allowing Turkey to attack US allies in Syria as the President offered varying reasons for giving Turkey the green light, including the fact that Kurds did not fight alongside the US in World War II." And the concerned senators and congresspeople line up to be seen shedding tears, this won't change their political loyalty or calculus. So, GOP, spare me your concern and tears.
"NPR examined Trump's tweets, both positive and negative, about every single current member of Congress starting from his inauguration day until last week. As of October 4, Trump has tweeted more than 700 times about sitting members of Congress." And you won't believe what they found! (Sorry, been reading too much on the internets these days.) Gee, the president is a misogynistic racists (or at least acts like one on twitter)? Who'da thunk it?
"Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has been threatened with the possibility of jail after a judge deemed she was violating a court order for continuing to collect student debts on a now-defunct school." Silly people, she's too rich to go to jail. Although I'd really like to see it. (Grokked from Dan)
"'I had said for months that...Barr was a principled institutionalist,' said Chuck Rosenberg, who previously served as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia as well as the Southern District of Texas, during a segment of MSNBC's Morning Joe. 'I was flat-out wrong,' he continued. 'I had it wrong. I have been deeply disappointed by what I've seen.'" So many rats leaving.
"Are we in a constitutional crisis yet?" Oh we passed that point early in 2017. Try to keep up. But yes, when one branch of the government refuses to recognize the power of a co-equal branch, it is a new crisis.
"As President Trump has lobbed unsubstantiated and false claims of international corruption at former vice president Joe Biden and his son, he’s often turned to one source for ammunition: conservative author Peter Schweizer. So when the New York Times ran an op-ed on Wednesday written by Schweizer about Biden and his son Hunter, the Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign cried foul." So the disgruntlement surrounding the NYT op-eds have now reached the presidential campaign level.
"Vice President Mike Pence has been struggling to explain how much he knew about President Donald Trump soliciting election interference from Ukraine, repeatedly dodging questions from reporters on the issue on Wednesday… 'What I can tell you is that all of our discussions internally, between the president and our team, and our contacts in my office with Ukraine, were entirely focused on the broader issues of the lack of European support and corruption.'" Pence is up to his neck in this and will most likely be facing his own impeachment inquiry soon.
What, me, worry? "In private, Trump is increasingly leaning on the Republican leader in the Senate. In a return to the President's panicked behavior during the height of the Mueller investigation, Trump is calling McConnell as often as three times a day, according to a person familiar with the conversations."
"One of Donald Trump’s most prominent Christian supporters will argue in a book due out before the 2020 general election that American evangelicals 'have a moral obligation to enthusiastically back' the president." The book's original title was "Render to God and Trump." Yes, Ralph Reed just called Trump Caesar, misquoted the Bible, and labeled himself a false profit in that all-in-one shot. For in these later days there will rise false prophets. (Grokked from Cherie Priest)
Every time I think I've finally gotten rid of the urge to write Post-Rapture Industries, one of these assholes comes along and reminds me that I should really write that damn book.
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
Linkee-poo when the lights go down in the city
PG&E is enacting a blackout in Northern California to prevent wildfires. Which is a good idea corporately because of the huge amount of liability it takes during several days of dangerous weather conditions. But it's a terrible idea for those who are dependent on the flow of electricity for their lives (oxygen concentrators, home dialysis, CPAP, electric wheelchairs, those who require air conditioning and refrigeration, etc). So basically they're trading one liability for another. You know, instead of hardening the grid.
"Twenty new moons have been found to be orbiting Saturn — and scientists want the public's help in naming them, according to a Carnegie Institution for Science news release. The new discovery brings the total moons around the 'jewel of our solar system' to 82."
There's this joke in healthcare. When your friends and families ask you to diagnose something, it's always chlamydia. "U.S. infections from three sexually transmitted diseases have risen for the fifth consecutive year." The joke is eventually people stop asking.
"This week on Hidden Brain, we explore how the satisfactions of outrage affect our politics, our communities, and our minds." Outrage as entertainment and distraction.
"There’s (an Ohio) House bill that would demand schools post information about vaccine exemptions just as they put up immunization requirements. Acton said her agency's goal is to reduce or eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases, though there are exemptions in the immunization law for medical reasons or religious convictions." Because apparently we can't die fast enough for these fuckers. Also, at the end of the article there are these, "One (abortion bill) would require doctors performing medication abortions to tell patients of pills that can reverse them… Another bill would ban insurance coverage of abortion, but its sponsor Rep. John Becker (R-Cincinnati) said in an ectopic pregnancy, it would 'allow for removing that embryo from the fallopian tube and reinserting it in the uterus so that is defined as not an abortion under this bill.'" Those two things, the "abortion reversal pill" and the transplanting from an ectopic pregnancy don't exist in the real world.
"There were slightly fewer abortions performed in the Buckeye state in 2018 than the year before. Supporters and opponents of legal abortion disagree on the reason for the decline." Occam's razor applies here.
"Five young purebred bulls mysteriously showed up dead on the ranch this past summer, drained of blood and with body parts precisely removed." Aliens? Some government experiment? Someone perpetrating a huge hoax? Someone upset about the competition or a personal beef with the rancher?
"Three suspects have been identified in the murder of Joshua Brown, a key witness in the murder trial of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger." Well thank the gods it was about a drug deal… instead of police revenge. And, really, who the hell drives 4 hours to buy weed (which then was "left" in the apartment)?
"The campaign around Ohio's nuclear bailout law is intensifying with more reports of people intimidating signature gatherers who want to put the law up for a vote on next year's ballot." And then there's this, "Pierce says the opposition, which wants to save the subsidies for FirstEnergy Solutions’ nuclear plants, is offering to pay circulators to drop out and sometimes offers money for the signatures they've collected, which is illegal."
"According to HOLA Ohio, a non-profit Latino outreach organization, ICE agents in plain clothes and unmarked cars descended on Perry Trailer Park in Perry and arrested a man named Vicente Hernandez as he left for work. At least two other parents were also taken into custody."
"Immigrants are increasingly the targets of money-making scams. However there are a growing number of grassroots efforts to provide them with the information and tools to avoid these scams." And this is why you don't want that community to be afraid to contact the police.
"The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System has voted to ask lawmakers for permission to freeze a cost of living adjustment in 2022 and 2023 and to delay that increase for all new retirees. Michael Pramik of OPERS says that will eliminate a record high unfunded liability of $24 billion. Pramik says that’s the result of several down years for its investments and an increase in retirees who are also living longer. And he says OPERS isn’t alone." No. What it is a result of is several decades of the Ohio legislature (and local governments) constantly underfunding/underpaying into the retirement system to help balance their budgets all while betting on "future growth" to help make up the deficit. Now comes the piper wanting to be paid.
How go the Trade Wars? "Stocks fell on Tuesday as investor optimism around the upcoming U.S.-China trade talks faded… The indexes trimmed losses slightly after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank will expand its balance sheet “soon.” He noted this measure will be used as a response to the recent funding issues the bond market faced in recent weeks."
How goes Brexit? "Trade and customs experts have given MPs sharply differing opinions on the government's Brexit plan for the Irish border… The plan would involve a new customs border, albeit one where checks and controls happen away from the border."
"A No 10 source has said a Brexit deal is 'essentially impossible' after a call between the PM and Angela Merkel… Boris Johnson and the German chancellor spoke earlier about the proposals he had put forward to the EU - but the source said she made clear a deal based on them was 'overwhelmingly unlikely'." Although the propertied Merkel quote might be disinformation.
Conservatives are all about the free market and allowing business owners to "follow their conscience", unless it's to decide to not sell guns. And then, well, that's just anti-American.
"Turkish forces began crossing the Syrian border on Wednesday, launching an operation in Kurdish-dominated areas of the country's north, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced."
"The Kurdish-led civilian administration in northeastern Syria issued a 'general mobilization' call along the Syrian border with Turkey on Wednesday as Ankara poised for an imminent invasion of the area in the latest major escalation in the war-ravaged country."
"One person was arrested, police said, but other suspects were believed to have fled the Paulus area in a vehicle… A witness told German n-tv news that a gunman in camouflage opened fire with an assault rifle on a Turkish kebab shop… Shots were also fired near a synagogue in Halle, according to German media, but details have not been confirmed."
"Donald Trump has raised record amounts of money as a presidential candidate. But he’s still left a slew of unpaid bills in his wake… In city after city, across the nation, Trump has failed to pay local officials who provide thousands of dollars’ worth of security assistance to the president’s campaign during his Make America Great Again rallies." Oh, you thought he was supposed to spend that in places other than those he owns? I don't think you've been paying attention. (Note, his campaign has promptly paid the rent bill at Trump Tower.) (Grokked form Laura J Mixon)
"The Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee just released a report that states the obvious, but in these times is quite damning for President Donald Trump: Russia directed a disinformation campaign during the 2016 election to hurt Hillary Clinton and favor Trump." Captain Obvious finds his social drinking-club.
"'This is not about politics, this is about corruption,' Trump said last week. 'If you look and you read our Constitution and many other things, I have an obligation to look at corruption.'… But anti-corruption advocates say his administration's record of fighting corruption is weak and not in line with Trump's rhetoric." Okay Sparky, point out where the Constitution mentions corruption. I'll wait. And while you're looking, then why didn't you ask the Ukraine to crack down on corruption and then stop. Instead you specifically mentioned Joe and Hunter Biden and said that's who you want them to investigate. Still haven't found it? Don't worry. It isn't there. Also, why have you removed rules that were specifically anti-corruption actions?
"The White House told House Democrats it will not comply with demands for documents and testimony in Democrats' impeachment inquiry, setting up a legal showdown between the two branches of government."
"Meanwhile, in a less-noticed federal court hearing later in the day, the Department of Justice sought to block the release of the remaining redacted materials of the Mueller report and underlying evidence from Congress, arguing that if Watergate happened today, it would be able to prevent the release of grand jury evidence to Congress and the public." To quote the judge. "Wow."
Meanwhile, on Bullshit Mountain, "A newly unearthed document shows that Ukrainian officials had opened a new probe into the firm linked to Hunter Biden months before President Trump's phone call with that country's leader, Fox News contributor John Solomon reported late Tuesday." One, yeah, Imma gonna need to see some confirmation here. And two, this doesn't change anything about the president abusing his office and asking for a foreign government's help to create controversy around a political opponent. And three, it doesn't change shit about the whistleblowers' complaints. This is what's known as "throwing sand in the bull's eyes."
"Twenty new moons have been found to be orbiting Saturn — and scientists want the public's help in naming them, according to a Carnegie Institution for Science news release. The new discovery brings the total moons around the 'jewel of our solar system' to 82."
There's this joke in healthcare. When your friends and families ask you to diagnose something, it's always chlamydia. "U.S. infections from three sexually transmitted diseases have risen for the fifth consecutive year." The joke is eventually people stop asking.
"This week on Hidden Brain, we explore how the satisfactions of outrage affect our politics, our communities, and our minds." Outrage as entertainment and distraction.
"There’s (an Ohio) House bill that would demand schools post information about vaccine exemptions just as they put up immunization requirements. Acton said her agency's goal is to reduce or eliminate vaccine-preventable diseases, though there are exemptions in the immunization law for medical reasons or religious convictions." Because apparently we can't die fast enough for these fuckers. Also, at the end of the article there are these, "One (abortion bill) would require doctors performing medication abortions to tell patients of pills that can reverse them… Another bill would ban insurance coverage of abortion, but its sponsor Rep. John Becker (R-Cincinnati) said in an ectopic pregnancy, it would 'allow for removing that embryo from the fallopian tube and reinserting it in the uterus so that is defined as not an abortion under this bill.'" Those two things, the "abortion reversal pill" and the transplanting from an ectopic pregnancy don't exist in the real world.
"There were slightly fewer abortions performed in the Buckeye state in 2018 than the year before. Supporters and opponents of legal abortion disagree on the reason for the decline." Occam's razor applies here.
"Five young purebred bulls mysteriously showed up dead on the ranch this past summer, drained of blood and with body parts precisely removed." Aliens? Some government experiment? Someone perpetrating a huge hoax? Someone upset about the competition or a personal beef with the rancher?
"Three suspects have been identified in the murder of Joshua Brown, a key witness in the murder trial of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger." Well thank the gods it was about a drug deal… instead of police revenge. And, really, who the hell drives 4 hours to buy weed (which then was "left" in the apartment)?
"The campaign around Ohio's nuclear bailout law is intensifying with more reports of people intimidating signature gatherers who want to put the law up for a vote on next year's ballot." And then there's this, "Pierce says the opposition, which wants to save the subsidies for FirstEnergy Solutions’ nuclear plants, is offering to pay circulators to drop out and sometimes offers money for the signatures they've collected, which is illegal."
"According to HOLA Ohio, a non-profit Latino outreach organization, ICE agents in plain clothes and unmarked cars descended on Perry Trailer Park in Perry and arrested a man named Vicente Hernandez as he left for work. At least two other parents were also taken into custody."
"Immigrants are increasingly the targets of money-making scams. However there are a growing number of grassroots efforts to provide them with the information and tools to avoid these scams." And this is why you don't want that community to be afraid to contact the police.
"The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System has voted to ask lawmakers for permission to freeze a cost of living adjustment in 2022 and 2023 and to delay that increase for all new retirees. Michael Pramik of OPERS says that will eliminate a record high unfunded liability of $24 billion. Pramik says that’s the result of several down years for its investments and an increase in retirees who are also living longer. And he says OPERS isn’t alone." No. What it is a result of is several decades of the Ohio legislature (and local governments) constantly underfunding/underpaying into the retirement system to help balance their budgets all while betting on "future growth" to help make up the deficit. Now comes the piper wanting to be paid.
How go the Trade Wars? "Stocks fell on Tuesday as investor optimism around the upcoming U.S.-China trade talks faded… The indexes trimmed losses slightly after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank will expand its balance sheet “soon.” He noted this measure will be used as a response to the recent funding issues the bond market faced in recent weeks."
How goes Brexit? "Trade and customs experts have given MPs sharply differing opinions on the government's Brexit plan for the Irish border… The plan would involve a new customs border, albeit one where checks and controls happen away from the border."
"A No 10 source has said a Brexit deal is 'essentially impossible' after a call between the PM and Angela Merkel… Boris Johnson and the German chancellor spoke earlier about the proposals he had put forward to the EU - but the source said she made clear a deal based on them was 'overwhelmingly unlikely'." Although the propertied Merkel quote might be disinformation.
Conservatives are all about the free market and allowing business owners to "follow their conscience", unless it's to decide to not sell guns. And then, well, that's just anti-American.
"Turkish forces began crossing the Syrian border on Wednesday, launching an operation in Kurdish-dominated areas of the country's north, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced."
"The Kurdish-led civilian administration in northeastern Syria issued a 'general mobilization' call along the Syrian border with Turkey on Wednesday as Ankara poised for an imminent invasion of the area in the latest major escalation in the war-ravaged country."
"One person was arrested, police said, but other suspects were believed to have fled the Paulus area in a vehicle… A witness told German n-tv news that a gunman in camouflage opened fire with an assault rifle on a Turkish kebab shop… Shots were also fired near a synagogue in Halle, according to German media, but details have not been confirmed."
"Donald Trump has raised record amounts of money as a presidential candidate. But he’s still left a slew of unpaid bills in his wake… In city after city, across the nation, Trump has failed to pay local officials who provide thousands of dollars’ worth of security assistance to the president’s campaign during his Make America Great Again rallies." Oh, you thought he was supposed to spend that in places other than those he owns? I don't think you've been paying attention. (Note, his campaign has promptly paid the rent bill at Trump Tower.) (Grokked form Laura J Mixon)
"The Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee just released a report that states the obvious, but in these times is quite damning for President Donald Trump: Russia directed a disinformation campaign during the 2016 election to hurt Hillary Clinton and favor Trump." Captain Obvious finds his social drinking-club.
"'This is not about politics, this is about corruption,' Trump said last week. 'If you look and you read our Constitution and many other things, I have an obligation to look at corruption.'… But anti-corruption advocates say his administration's record of fighting corruption is weak and not in line with Trump's rhetoric." Okay Sparky, point out where the Constitution mentions corruption. I'll wait. And while you're looking, then why didn't you ask the Ukraine to crack down on corruption and then stop. Instead you specifically mentioned Joe and Hunter Biden and said that's who you want them to investigate. Still haven't found it? Don't worry. It isn't there. Also, why have you removed rules that were specifically anti-corruption actions?
"The White House told House Democrats it will not comply with demands for documents and testimony in Democrats' impeachment inquiry, setting up a legal showdown between the two branches of government."
"Meanwhile, in a less-noticed federal court hearing later in the day, the Department of Justice sought to block the release of the remaining redacted materials of the Mueller report and underlying evidence from Congress, arguing that if Watergate happened today, it would be able to prevent the release of grand jury evidence to Congress and the public." To quote the judge. "Wow."
Meanwhile, on Bullshit Mountain, "A newly unearthed document shows that Ukrainian officials had opened a new probe into the firm linked to Hunter Biden months before President Trump's phone call with that country's leader, Fox News contributor John Solomon reported late Tuesday." One, yeah, Imma gonna need to see some confirmation here. And two, this doesn't change anything about the president abusing his office and asking for a foreign government's help to create controversy around a political opponent. And three, it doesn't change shit about the whistleblowers' complaints. This is what's known as "throwing sand in the bull's eyes."
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Linkee-poo would like to walk you through a field of wildflowers, and I'd like to check you for ticks
"The number of elephants that died after falling down a waterfall in Thailand has increased to 11… It is thought the animals may have been trying to save a baby elephant that slipped over the edge."
"The aches, the sneezing, the sore throat, the exhaustion — flu season is here and you want to be prepared." Get the goddamn shot.
"But a new smartphone app takes advantage of parents' fondness for snapping pictures of their children to look for signs that a child might be developing a serious eye disease."
"Researchers analyzing data from the Rover are extrapolating from the data that rocks enriched by mineral salts are evidence of briny ponds that went through periods of drying out and overflowing. Those deposits serve as a watermark made by climate fluctuations as Mars’ climate changed from a wet one to the current frigid ice desert it is today."
Apparently Index Funds (full disclosure, I endorse investing in indexed funds because of their low fees), having gained popularity, are everything that is wrong with the economy.
"Index funds now control half… the U.S. stock mutual fund market, giving the biggest funds enormous power to influence decisions and demand better returns at the companies in which they invest trillions of dollars." But Index Funds aren't "activist investors", and they were never meant to be. "Actively managed funds also routinely support management in proxy ballots." But because they can sell the stocks to show their displeasure, somehow this makes them "better." I'm calling bullshit. In truth, hardly any shareholder movements change anything in the management of corporations. At best they can bring "awareness" to the board. Now there is a point about "selling" a stock as being a "message." But it's a very weak message. And it's not like a board thinks, "oh, wait, GQ Public sold their 0.5% stake, what are we doing wrong?"
"Burry recently told Bloomberg that he sees another massive bubble happening. This time, he says, it's in index funds. Instead of relying on financial experts to actively pick winners and losers, index funds buy everything in a market, passively going up and down as the entire market goes up and down."
This is a class-war moment. As many people realize the advantage of Index Funds and move their 401(k) investing to these, the people really being hurt are the investment banks who control the other funds (see, Index Funds are often "poo pooed" in the industry, at least in public) who are watching their revenues from those fees diminish. So now they're launching a PR campaign targeted at the least informed customers (ie. people without a lot of money), the people who want to invest "for the betterment of the world", people who won't see what they're doing. There are many "activist institutional investors" who would like to get support (looks at CalPers, TIAA, and a few other state retirement programs), who have people on staff to do the research and believe they need to act in the best interests of their investors. I applaud them (and have supported their efforts). But here's the hard truth (if you've ever owned stocks), your proxy statement doesn't mean very much. Most people don't return them or show up at meetings (and most companies have rules those un-voted shares automatically count to the direction of the board). And yes, there is a hellofalotata things with corporations that really need to change (you could write a whole book, and people have, about executive compensation and the relationship between the C-level officers and the boards and how they're always supporting each others' raises while they gut their employees' pay and benefits). But this attack on Index Funds isn't about those things. It's about who makes the money from your 401(k) and how they're not making enough. Also, since Index Funds are seen as the "redheaded step-child" of Wall Street, most investment companies didn't create any, seeing their marketing of "we know know who is going to win, give us 2%" as the best strategy. Well, those active market funds typically (yes, there are some outliers) don't perform as well as a broad indexed fund over the long run.
So here I'm just going to make my pitch. At best in this market your fund may bring in 5% (all number APR) over the long run (like over a decade, scrutinize any pamphlet that makes it seem like they're doing better because there's usually some heinous statistical fuckery going on, read the footnotes). If your mutual fund is taking 1 or 2% (seems reasonable, right… wait for it), that means your return is actually 3 or 4%. Now, if you're fund is taking 0.03%, you're back to a 4.97% return. Ask anyone who has paid a mortgage what the difference 1 or 2 percentage points can mean. And here's the thing, there's no reason why actively managed funds need to charge 1 or 2%. Their research doesn't really cost that much. However their yearly bonuses do.
"This year, Walmart is training more than 1 million employees using virtual reality. And moving companies, airlines, food processing and financial firms are all using VR in different ways. In the virtual world, cashiers are taught to show greater empathy, mechanics learn to repair planes and retail workers experience how to deal with armed robbery." VR, it's the new thing. So at the hospital we do a variety of training all year long including some that while not VR are computer simulations, so let me give you a hint about these things. Sometimes it's more advantageous to figure out the "game" of the simulation than it is to actually learn or practice the skill.
"The proposed rule from the Labor Department would allow employers to require more widespread sharing of tips with 'back of the house' coworkers, such as cooks and dishwashers. The rule makes clear, however, that employers cannot pocket those tips or use them to reward managers and supervisors." I'm sure this totally won't be abused and allow restaurant owners to pay their kitchen staff less than the regular minimum wage. I have a great idea, let's just get rid of the lower minimum for tipped employees?
"As Muslim Kazakhs, Zhanibek's mother and sister are among the targets of a sprawling security operation by Chinese authorities. Human rights experts estimate that 1.5 million Uighur Muslims and members of other ethnic minority groups, including Chinese-born Kazakhs, have been detained in Xinjiang since 2016. Former detainees say that while in detention they were forced to memorize Chinese communist propaganda and learn Mandarin and were occasionally violently interrogated or beaten." And now they're moving them to prisons that the Chinese government states are prisons, no "re-education camps."
"(Joshua) Brown, 28, lived across the hall from Jean and testified about the night he was killed… A preliminary investigation shows Brown was shot in the back and thigh, a government official said on condition of anonymity." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
How go the Trade Wars? "Goldman Sachs said the cost of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump last year against Chinese goods has fallen 'entirely' on American businesses and households, with a greater impact on consumer prices than previously expected." Captain Obvious gets a promotion. (Grokked from Elizabeth Bear)
"The IRS audits the working poor at about the same rate as the wealthiest 1%. Now, in response to questions from a U.S. senator, the IRS has acknowledged that’s true but professes it can’t change anything unless it is given more money." Also they're mandated by law during the GHW Bush years (IIRC).
Remember that story about the USDA allowing chicken processors to speed up their production lines? They aren't the only ones. "Workers are suing over a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that allows pork processing plants to speed up production lines, something their union says could endanger employees." Note that animal processing plants have a high incidence of cutting/crushing injuries and repetitive stress injuries. Also they are mostly staffed by immigrants. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, on Monday criticized President Donald Trump for requesting that Ukraine and China investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a notable break from the majority of congressional Republicans, who have defended the President or remained silent." Oh look, concerned Senators are once again concerned. Sorry, Rob, I've seen this play before and I'm not buying the ticket again.
"'President Trump was definitely out-negotiated and only endorsed the troop withdraw to make it look like we are getting something—but we are not getting something," the National Security Council source told Newsweek. 'The U.S. national security has entered a state of increased danger for decades to come because the president has no spine and that's the bottom line.'" The art of the deal, giving them everything they want. (Grokked from Joy Reid)
"Kurdish allies of the U.S. say President Trump's decision to pull troops from the Syria-Turkey border is 'shocking' and deflating — and they warn that the U.S. is duplicating a mistake it made in Iraq, where it has ceded partial control to Iran." His great and unmatched wisdomness is a fucking fool. Or, you know, once again he's making life easy for the Russians.
"'OK, OK! No, no, no! Before you judge Trump, he is technically correct: There is nobody who matches his wisdom,' joked (Trevor) Noah, adding, 'No other person had the wisdom to stare directly into a solar eclipse.'"
"Even Ivanka Trump, the 'princess royal' of the West Wing, is being sucked into the vortex of scandal that has encompassed her father’s administration. In the past week, her husband, Jared Kushner, lost his security clearance, lost his P.R. guard dog, was revealed as a top intelligence target for foreign spies, and was reported to have met with banking executives in the White House shortly before his family’s company received nearly half a billion dollars in loans… While the First Couple braced for an Intercept story that Kushner’s father had failed to secure a loan from the Qatari government just weeks before Kushner backed a blockade of Qatar, CNN dropped another bombshell: United States counterintelligence officials are probing a Trump Organization real-estate deal in Canada in which Ivanka played a leading role." What they didn't realize is that the office wasn't a get out of jail free card, but instead is a spotlight. (Editor note: as pointed out by Dan this is from 2018, it's from 2018, we've been dealing with this for so long now.) (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
Having a difficult time keeping up? "The talk from the Trump team is becoming increasingly hard to follow. This week, On the Media takes a look at the conspiracy thinking that’s taken over the executive branch. Plus, leaders at Fox News search for a path forward amidst infighting and impeachment drama. And, a deep dive into Ukrainian politics and the Trump connection."
"Democrats are weighing steps they can take to conceal the whistleblower's identity in a potential interview."
And then there were two. "This (second) whistleblower has first-hand knowledge of allegations listed in a previous whistleblower’s complaint, the lawyer representing this person, Mark Zaid, told ABC News on Sunday." What happens when people realize the jig is up and someone has squealed? They'll squeal themselves to save their own necks. It could also be someone who "thought it was wrong, but wasn't sure and couldn't talk to anyone." OR it could be someone who thought they might either be caught up in the mole sweep, or thought they were about to lose their job as Trump cuts the NSC staff in half.
Polls are a Rorchak test at best (note the Hill's poll is a week old), conformational bias at their worst. Just like the presidential race, these polls aren't good for anything but a baseline at this point. We'll see where we are closer to Xmas.
"The Trump administration has blocked Gordon Sondland, President Trump's ambassador to the European Union, from testifying before Congress Tuesday." So much for cooperating.
"The aches, the sneezing, the sore throat, the exhaustion — flu season is here and you want to be prepared." Get the goddamn shot.
"But a new smartphone app takes advantage of parents' fondness for snapping pictures of their children to look for signs that a child might be developing a serious eye disease."
"Researchers analyzing data from the Rover are extrapolating from the data that rocks enriched by mineral salts are evidence of briny ponds that went through periods of drying out and overflowing. Those deposits serve as a watermark made by climate fluctuations as Mars’ climate changed from a wet one to the current frigid ice desert it is today."
Apparently Index Funds (full disclosure, I endorse investing in indexed funds because of their low fees), having gained popularity, are everything that is wrong with the economy.
"Index funds now control half… the U.S. stock mutual fund market, giving the biggest funds enormous power to influence decisions and demand better returns at the companies in which they invest trillions of dollars." But Index Funds aren't "activist investors", and they were never meant to be. "Actively managed funds also routinely support management in proxy ballots." But because they can sell the stocks to show their displeasure, somehow this makes them "better." I'm calling bullshit. In truth, hardly any shareholder movements change anything in the management of corporations. At best they can bring "awareness" to the board. Now there is a point about "selling" a stock as being a "message." But it's a very weak message. And it's not like a board thinks, "oh, wait, GQ Public sold their 0.5% stake, what are we doing wrong?"
"Burry recently told Bloomberg that he sees another massive bubble happening. This time, he says, it's in index funds. Instead of relying on financial experts to actively pick winners and losers, index funds buy everything in a market, passively going up and down as the entire market goes up and down."
This is a class-war moment. As many people realize the advantage of Index Funds and move their 401(k) investing to these, the people really being hurt are the investment banks who control the other funds (see, Index Funds are often "poo pooed" in the industry, at least in public) who are watching their revenues from those fees diminish. So now they're launching a PR campaign targeted at the least informed customers (ie. people without a lot of money), the people who want to invest "for the betterment of the world", people who won't see what they're doing. There are many "activist institutional investors" who would like to get support (looks at CalPers, TIAA, and a few other state retirement programs), who have people on staff to do the research and believe they need to act in the best interests of their investors. I applaud them (and have supported their efforts). But here's the hard truth (if you've ever owned stocks), your proxy statement doesn't mean very much. Most people don't return them or show up at meetings (and most companies have rules those un-voted shares automatically count to the direction of the board). And yes, there is a hellofalotata things with corporations that really need to change (you could write a whole book, and people have, about executive compensation and the relationship between the C-level officers and the boards and how they're always supporting each others' raises while they gut their employees' pay and benefits). But this attack on Index Funds isn't about those things. It's about who makes the money from your 401(k) and how they're not making enough. Also, since Index Funds are seen as the "redheaded step-child" of Wall Street, most investment companies didn't create any, seeing their marketing of "we know know who is going to win, give us 2%" as the best strategy. Well, those active market funds typically (yes, there are some outliers) don't perform as well as a broad indexed fund over the long run.
So here I'm just going to make my pitch. At best in this market your fund may bring in 5% (all number APR) over the long run (like over a decade, scrutinize any pamphlet that makes it seem like they're doing better because there's usually some heinous statistical fuckery going on, read the footnotes). If your mutual fund is taking 1 or 2% (seems reasonable, right… wait for it), that means your return is actually 3 or 4%. Now, if you're fund is taking 0.03%, you're back to a 4.97% return. Ask anyone who has paid a mortgage what the difference 1 or 2 percentage points can mean. And here's the thing, there's no reason why actively managed funds need to charge 1 or 2%. Their research doesn't really cost that much. However their yearly bonuses do.
"This year, Walmart is training more than 1 million employees using virtual reality. And moving companies, airlines, food processing and financial firms are all using VR in different ways. In the virtual world, cashiers are taught to show greater empathy, mechanics learn to repair planes and retail workers experience how to deal with armed robbery." VR, it's the new thing. So at the hospital we do a variety of training all year long including some that while not VR are computer simulations, so let me give you a hint about these things. Sometimes it's more advantageous to figure out the "game" of the simulation than it is to actually learn or practice the skill.
"The proposed rule from the Labor Department would allow employers to require more widespread sharing of tips with 'back of the house' coworkers, such as cooks and dishwashers. The rule makes clear, however, that employers cannot pocket those tips or use them to reward managers and supervisors." I'm sure this totally won't be abused and allow restaurant owners to pay their kitchen staff less than the regular minimum wage. I have a great idea, let's just get rid of the lower minimum for tipped employees?
"As Muslim Kazakhs, Zhanibek's mother and sister are among the targets of a sprawling security operation by Chinese authorities. Human rights experts estimate that 1.5 million Uighur Muslims and members of other ethnic minority groups, including Chinese-born Kazakhs, have been detained in Xinjiang since 2016. Former detainees say that while in detention they were forced to memorize Chinese communist propaganda and learn Mandarin and were occasionally violently interrogated or beaten." And now they're moving them to prisons that the Chinese government states are prisons, no "re-education camps."
"(Joshua) Brown, 28, lived across the hall from Jean and testified about the night he was killed… A preliminary investigation shows Brown was shot in the back and thigh, a government official said on condition of anonymity." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
How go the Trade Wars? "Goldman Sachs said the cost of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump last year against Chinese goods has fallen 'entirely' on American businesses and households, with a greater impact on consumer prices than previously expected." Captain Obvious gets a promotion. (Grokked from Elizabeth Bear)
"The IRS audits the working poor at about the same rate as the wealthiest 1%. Now, in response to questions from a U.S. senator, the IRS has acknowledged that’s true but professes it can’t change anything unless it is given more money." Also they're mandated by law during the GHW Bush years (IIRC).
Remember that story about the USDA allowing chicken processors to speed up their production lines? They aren't the only ones. "Workers are suing over a new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) rule that allows pork processing plants to speed up production lines, something their union says could endanger employees." Note that animal processing plants have a high incidence of cutting/crushing injuries and repetitive stress injuries. Also they are mostly staffed by immigrants. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Sen. Rob Portman, a Republican from Ohio, on Monday criticized President Donald Trump for requesting that Ukraine and China investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a notable break from the majority of congressional Republicans, who have defended the President or remained silent." Oh look, concerned Senators are once again concerned. Sorry, Rob, I've seen this play before and I'm not buying the ticket again.
"'President Trump was definitely out-negotiated and only endorsed the troop withdraw to make it look like we are getting something—but we are not getting something," the National Security Council source told Newsweek. 'The U.S. national security has entered a state of increased danger for decades to come because the president has no spine and that's the bottom line.'" The art of the deal, giving them everything they want. (Grokked from Joy Reid)
"Kurdish allies of the U.S. say President Trump's decision to pull troops from the Syria-Turkey border is 'shocking' and deflating — and they warn that the U.S. is duplicating a mistake it made in Iraq, where it has ceded partial control to Iran." His great and unmatched wisdomness is a fucking fool. Or, you know, once again he's making life easy for the Russians.
"'OK, OK! No, no, no! Before you judge Trump, he is technically correct: There is nobody who matches his wisdom,' joked (Trevor) Noah, adding, 'No other person had the wisdom to stare directly into a solar eclipse.'"
"Even Ivanka Trump, the 'princess royal' of the West Wing, is being sucked into the vortex of scandal that has encompassed her father’s administration. In the past week, her husband, Jared Kushner, lost his security clearance, lost his P.R. guard dog, was revealed as a top intelligence target for foreign spies, and was reported to have met with banking executives in the White House shortly before his family’s company received nearly half a billion dollars in loans… While the First Couple braced for an Intercept story that Kushner’s father had failed to secure a loan from the Qatari government just weeks before Kushner backed a blockade of Qatar, CNN dropped another bombshell: United States counterintelligence officials are probing a Trump Organization real-estate deal in Canada in which Ivanka played a leading role." What they didn't realize is that the office wasn't a get out of jail free card, but instead is a spotlight. (Editor note: as pointed out by Dan this is from 2018, it's from 2018, we've been dealing with this for so long now.) (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
Having a difficult time keeping up? "The talk from the Trump team is becoming increasingly hard to follow. This week, On the Media takes a look at the conspiracy thinking that’s taken over the executive branch. Plus, leaders at Fox News search for a path forward amidst infighting and impeachment drama. And, a deep dive into Ukrainian politics and the Trump connection."
"Democrats are weighing steps they can take to conceal the whistleblower's identity in a potential interview."
And then there were two. "This (second) whistleblower has first-hand knowledge of allegations listed in a previous whistleblower’s complaint, the lawyer representing this person, Mark Zaid, told ABC News on Sunday." What happens when people realize the jig is up and someone has squealed? They'll squeal themselves to save their own necks. It could also be someone who "thought it was wrong, but wasn't sure and couldn't talk to anyone." OR it could be someone who thought they might either be caught up in the mole sweep, or thought they were about to lose their job as Trump cuts the NSC staff in half.
Polls are a Rorchak test at best (note the Hill's poll is a week old), conformational bias at their worst. Just like the presidential race, these polls aren't good for anything but a baseline at this point. We'll see where we are closer to Xmas.
"The Trump administration has blocked Gordon Sondland, President Trump's ambassador to the European Union, from testifying before Congress Tuesday." So much for cooperating.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Linkee-poo is now in Autumn
Rip Taylor, Ginger Baker, and so it goes.
"Around 3.5 million years ago, a gigantic energy flare punched out from the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The radiation it released erupted in two energized cones that were so powerful, the impact was felt 200,000 light-years away." Boom, there it is.
"(Nevada) Officials are testing dead animals and monitoring migratory elk and deer at the state line with Utah for signs of the sickness, Peregrine Wolff, a Nevada Department of Wildlife veterinarian, said." The spread of "chronic wasting disease", or "mad cow" but for deer.
"Typically, the 'season' starts in October, but there has already been flu-related deaths reported. Physicians say it's not too early to get a flu shot and they are available at many pharmacies and doctor's offices around the country." If you're able, get the goddamn vaccine.
"Whether its gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food, or all-organic, many people these days are committed to so-called 'clean eating' — the idea that choosing only whole foods in their natural state and avoiding processed ones can improve health." That's really a piss-poor description of "orthorexia". Look, watching what you eat is a far cry from intense control and limitation of dietary intake. Eating disorders are not a form of extreme dieting.
"Last spring, the world-class (Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts) was accused of racism after black middle school students said they were harangued and mistreated on a class trip by other museum patrons and a staff member who allegedly told the children: 'No food, no drink and no watermelon.'" Art is for all.
How goes Brexit? "Britain must provide 'more realism and clarity' if there is to be a Brexit deal with the European Union in time for the country’s scheduled departure date from the bloc at the end of this month, the Dutch government said Monday." That's diplomatic speech for "get real and cut the bullshit."
How go the Trade Wars? "For years, harvests in the three major cranberry-producing countries — the United States, Canada and Chile — have swelled, while many consumers have turned away from sugary beverages like cranberry juice. As a result, the global supply of cranberries has outgrown demand, and many Bay State growers have been pushed to the brink of failure."
"The nation’s business economists think President Donald Trump’s trade war with China will contribute to a sharp slowdown in economic growth this year and next, raising concerns about a possible recession starting late next year." Late next year?
"General Electric is making sweeping changes to its pension plan for approximately 20,000 employees, sending shares higher ahead of Monday’s opening bell." Nothing spells "stock run-up" like screwing over your employees.
"The United Auto Workers’ strike against General Motors could continue for the foreseeable future, as the union on Sunday said talks between the sides have 'taken a turn for the worse.'" Ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
"The White House announced late Sunday that Turkey is ready to launch an offensive in Northern Syria and that U.S. forces will stand aside, likely renewing fears that America is abandoning Kurdish allies who stood on the front line in the years-long fight against ISIS." Once again, the US will fuck over our Kurdish allies.
"The Supreme Court may be anxious to portray itself as an apolitical institution. But this term, political questions writ large are knocking at the high court door… The upcoming term will almost surely be a march to the right on almost every issue that is a flash point in American society. Among them: abortion, guns, gay rights, the separation of church and state, immigration and presidential power." And here we go.
"North Korea and the U.S. left their first nuclear discussions in eight months disagreeing about what was on the table and showing how far apart Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump still are." There are no real negotiations.
"Lawyer Mark Zaid, who is part of a team of attorneys representing the initial whistleblower, tells NPR that the new whistleblower has talked to the inspector general of the intelligence community but has not filed a complaint, which Zaid says is not necessary in order for the individual's account to be protected." Dear Democrats, I know having people willing to spill the beans is a great thing, but you have the president's own words and their account of the call which show him abusing his office for personal political gain.
"Democrats are moving quickly to interview key witnesses and lock down information as they explore the question of whether the Republican president compromised national security or abused his office by seeking dirt on a political rival from a foreign country."
"Trump said impeachment is a 'bad thing to have on your resume' in a call with House Republicans, a source on the call told Axios." Don't worry, Donald. It'll look good compared to Nazi and white supremacist.
"Yet nearly all Republicans, taking advantage of a congressional recess, are staying silent despite more and more evidence that the President used his power to pressure a foreign nation for personal political gain."
"Their aims were profit, not politics. This circle of businessmen and Republican donors touted connections to Giuliani and Trump while trying to install new management at the top of Ukraine’s massive state gas company. Their plan was to then steer lucrative contracts to companies controlled by Trump allies, according to two people with knowledge of their plans." Sure Trump was all about ending corruption in Ukraine. Well, at least "corruption" that didn't benefit himself and his supporters.
"A federal judge rejected President Donald Trump’s challenge to the release of eight years of his tax returns for a New York state criminal probe, saying on Monday that he could not grant such a 'categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity.'" No one is above the law, and the presidency is not a Get Out of Jail Free card.
"Around 3.5 million years ago, a gigantic energy flare punched out from the center of our galaxy, the Milky Way. The radiation it released erupted in two energized cones that were so powerful, the impact was felt 200,000 light-years away." Boom, there it is.
"(Nevada) Officials are testing dead animals and monitoring migratory elk and deer at the state line with Utah for signs of the sickness, Peregrine Wolff, a Nevada Department of Wildlife veterinarian, said." The spread of "chronic wasting disease", or "mad cow" but for deer.
"Typically, the 'season' starts in October, but there has already been flu-related deaths reported. Physicians say it's not too early to get a flu shot and they are available at many pharmacies and doctor's offices around the country." If you're able, get the goddamn vaccine.
"Whether its gluten-free, dairy-free, raw food, or all-organic, many people these days are committed to so-called 'clean eating' — the idea that choosing only whole foods in their natural state and avoiding processed ones can improve health." That's really a piss-poor description of "orthorexia". Look, watching what you eat is a far cry from intense control and limitation of dietary intake. Eating disorders are not a form of extreme dieting.
"Last spring, the world-class (Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts) was accused of racism after black middle school students said they were harangued and mistreated on a class trip by other museum patrons and a staff member who allegedly told the children: 'No food, no drink and no watermelon.'" Art is for all.
How goes Brexit? "Britain must provide 'more realism and clarity' if there is to be a Brexit deal with the European Union in time for the country’s scheduled departure date from the bloc at the end of this month, the Dutch government said Monday." That's diplomatic speech for "get real and cut the bullshit."
How go the Trade Wars? "For years, harvests in the three major cranberry-producing countries — the United States, Canada and Chile — have swelled, while many consumers have turned away from sugary beverages like cranberry juice. As a result, the global supply of cranberries has outgrown demand, and many Bay State growers have been pushed to the brink of failure."
"The nation’s business economists think President Donald Trump’s trade war with China will contribute to a sharp slowdown in economic growth this year and next, raising concerns about a possible recession starting late next year." Late next year?
"General Electric is making sweeping changes to its pension plan for approximately 20,000 employees, sending shares higher ahead of Monday’s opening bell." Nothing spells "stock run-up" like screwing over your employees.
"The United Auto Workers’ strike against General Motors could continue for the foreseeable future, as the union on Sunday said talks between the sides have 'taken a turn for the worse.'" Ah, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!
"The White House announced late Sunday that Turkey is ready to launch an offensive in Northern Syria and that U.S. forces will stand aside, likely renewing fears that America is abandoning Kurdish allies who stood on the front line in the years-long fight against ISIS." Once again, the US will fuck over our Kurdish allies.
"The Supreme Court may be anxious to portray itself as an apolitical institution. But this term, political questions writ large are knocking at the high court door… The upcoming term will almost surely be a march to the right on almost every issue that is a flash point in American society. Among them: abortion, guns, gay rights, the separation of church and state, immigration and presidential power." And here we go.
"North Korea and the U.S. left their first nuclear discussions in eight months disagreeing about what was on the table and showing how far apart Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump still are." There are no real negotiations.
"Lawyer Mark Zaid, who is part of a team of attorneys representing the initial whistleblower, tells NPR that the new whistleblower has talked to the inspector general of the intelligence community but has not filed a complaint, which Zaid says is not necessary in order for the individual's account to be protected." Dear Democrats, I know having people willing to spill the beans is a great thing, but you have the president's own words and their account of the call which show him abusing his office for personal political gain.
"Democrats are moving quickly to interview key witnesses and lock down information as they explore the question of whether the Republican president compromised national security or abused his office by seeking dirt on a political rival from a foreign country."
"Trump said impeachment is a 'bad thing to have on your resume' in a call with House Republicans, a source on the call told Axios." Don't worry, Donald. It'll look good compared to Nazi and white supremacist.
"Yet nearly all Republicans, taking advantage of a congressional recess, are staying silent despite more and more evidence that the President used his power to pressure a foreign nation for personal political gain."
"Their aims were profit, not politics. This circle of businessmen and Republican donors touted connections to Giuliani and Trump while trying to install new management at the top of Ukraine’s massive state gas company. Their plan was to then steer lucrative contracts to companies controlled by Trump allies, according to two people with knowledge of their plans." Sure Trump was all about ending corruption in Ukraine. Well, at least "corruption" that didn't benefit himself and his supporters.
"A federal judge rejected President Donald Trump’s challenge to the release of eight years of his tax returns for a New York state criminal probe, saying on Monday that he could not grant such a 'categorical and limitless assertion of presidential immunity.'" No one is above the law, and the presidency is not a Get Out of Jail Free card.
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Linkee-poo Saturday
"After months of monitoring the ice by satellite and several days of surveying specific ice floes in the central Arctic Ocean, the scientists of the Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) have selected the piece of ice they plan to freeze into for the next year."
"In the struggle to end global warming, one community in central Pennsylvania is having remarkable success. It's growing, with tens of thousands of people, yet its greenhouse emissions have been dropping dramatically… Perhaps most amazing: Those reductions have paid for themselves." Well, it's not amazing to those of us who have been watching and listening. Also, waves to my friends at Penn State.
For my Russian friends. "In 1959, the Soviet Luna program launched three missions that, to one degree or another, were successful. Luna 1 became the first spacecraft to enter a heliocentric orbit, Luna 2 struck the Moon, and Luna 3—quite incredibly, for the time—captured photos of the far side of the Moon and returned them to Earth. This final mission, Luna 3, launched sixty years ago (last Friday) on a converted intercontinental ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome." US dominance of the space race was never (and is never) a given. (Grokked from John)
"The NASA Insight lander on the Martian surface is equipped with an ultrasensitive seismometer to detect and record vibrations, from marsquakes to soft breezes to other unidentified vibrations."
"Musk thinks Starship could be the first fully reusable launch system. If his vision pans out, SpaceX may need only pay for fuel, minor refurbishment, and the system's development costs, which he told Rachel Crane of CNN Business on Saturday may be about $2-3 billion — not $10 billion, as he said in September 2018. The cost of sending one pound of stuff into orbit may, as a result, drop 100- to 1,000-fold, Musk has previously said." Isn't this the point where Bond discovers the lab creating toxins from orchids?
"Named Ferrodraco lentoni, the new fossil is far from a full skeleton; it includes parts of the upper and lower jaw, five partial neck bones, sections of both wings, and many teeth. But pterosaur finds in Australia are exceedingly rare, and these fossils are exceptionally well preserved." Ferrodraco, Iron Dragon (the soil was iron rich which likely helped in its preservation).
"But that goal moved further out of reach this week, when the World Health Organization quietly revealed that it has moved its expected Guinea worm eradication date, which had been 2020, ahead a decade, to 2030. The change was first reported in Nature." Life finds a way.
"The new deal means parents will have to sign up for HBO Max in order to get access to new Sesame Street episodes as they air, according to Vulture. Episodes will air for free on PBS “at some point” after the episodes debut on HBO Max, Vulture reports, but WarnerMedia plans to use Sesame Street to build out its family content offerings" Can't wait for them to add gratuitous nudity and sex. (Grokked from Seanan McGuire)
How go the Trade Wars? "The U.S. trade deficit grew to $54.9 billion in August, a 1.6 percent increase from July, and a spike over last year." Good thing winning this will be easy as the president says, because if not, oh man are we in a world of hurt. (Grokked from Jim Wright)
So, after pissing off the corn growers and ethanol producers by gutting ethanol requirements and seeing that about half of the ethanol plants would have to be shuttered… "The Trump administration unveiled a fuel proposal Friday that would buoy corn farmers and ethanol producers to the detriment of the nation’s oil industry… The proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would require oil refineries to blend more ethanol into gasoline, while also paving the way for year-round 'E15' fuels that are blended with 15 percent ethanol." There is so much wrong with this article it's hard to pick where I should start. First, I guess, is the president of the National Corn Growers Association crediting the president with telling the EPA to go back to requiring ethanol standards be enforced (note to Kevin Ross, the president is the one who directed them to drop the requirements in the first place, he even bragged about it). Next up is that the administration is still giving waivers to gas distillers. Also, when asked, the EPA says that it will enforce these new standards after making new rules (which is a year long process at least). (Grokked from Jim Wright)
That that person who yelled, "Eat the babies"? Yeah, she was a plant from the LaRouche movement. (Grokked from Ferrett Steinmetz)
"The identity of the U.S. government’s star witness in a high-profile trial—who subsequently fell out of a fifth-story Moscow window—was compromised in the course of a pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign run by Natalia Veselnitskaya, according to leaked emails." Keep safe, my Russian friends. Don't go near any high balconies. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Weeks before the whistleblower's complaint became public, the CIA's top lawyer made what she considered to be a criminal referral to the Justice Department about the whistleblower's allegations that President Donald Trump abused his office in pressuring the Ukrainian president, U.S. officials familiar with the matter tell NBC News." That's not a good look on him. (Grokked form Jim Wright)
"In the struggle to end global warming, one community in central Pennsylvania is having remarkable success. It's growing, with tens of thousands of people, yet its greenhouse emissions have been dropping dramatically… Perhaps most amazing: Those reductions have paid for themselves." Well, it's not amazing to those of us who have been watching and listening. Also, waves to my friends at Penn State.
For my Russian friends. "In 1959, the Soviet Luna program launched three missions that, to one degree or another, were successful. Luna 1 became the first spacecraft to enter a heliocentric orbit, Luna 2 struck the Moon, and Luna 3—quite incredibly, for the time—captured photos of the far side of the Moon and returned them to Earth. This final mission, Luna 3, launched sixty years ago (last Friday) on a converted intercontinental ballistic missile from the Baikonur Cosmodrome." US dominance of the space race was never (and is never) a given. (Grokked from John)
"The NASA Insight lander on the Martian surface is equipped with an ultrasensitive seismometer to detect and record vibrations, from marsquakes to soft breezes to other unidentified vibrations."
"Musk thinks Starship could be the first fully reusable launch system. If his vision pans out, SpaceX may need only pay for fuel, minor refurbishment, and the system's development costs, which he told Rachel Crane of CNN Business on Saturday may be about $2-3 billion — not $10 billion, as he said in September 2018. The cost of sending one pound of stuff into orbit may, as a result, drop 100- to 1,000-fold, Musk has previously said." Isn't this the point where Bond discovers the lab creating toxins from orchids?
"Named Ferrodraco lentoni, the new fossil is far from a full skeleton; it includes parts of the upper and lower jaw, five partial neck bones, sections of both wings, and many teeth. But pterosaur finds in Australia are exceedingly rare, and these fossils are exceptionally well preserved." Ferrodraco, Iron Dragon (the soil was iron rich which likely helped in its preservation).
"But that goal moved further out of reach this week, when the World Health Organization quietly revealed that it has moved its expected Guinea worm eradication date, which had been 2020, ahead a decade, to 2030. The change was first reported in Nature." Life finds a way.
"The new deal means parents will have to sign up for HBO Max in order to get access to new Sesame Street episodes as they air, according to Vulture. Episodes will air for free on PBS “at some point” after the episodes debut on HBO Max, Vulture reports, but WarnerMedia plans to use Sesame Street to build out its family content offerings" Can't wait for them to add gratuitous nudity and sex. (Grokked from Seanan McGuire)
How go the Trade Wars? "The U.S. trade deficit grew to $54.9 billion in August, a 1.6 percent increase from July, and a spike over last year." Good thing winning this will be easy as the president says, because if not, oh man are we in a world of hurt. (Grokked from Jim Wright)
So, after pissing off the corn growers and ethanol producers by gutting ethanol requirements and seeing that about half of the ethanol plants would have to be shuttered… "The Trump administration unveiled a fuel proposal Friday that would buoy corn farmers and ethanol producers to the detriment of the nation’s oil industry… The proposal from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would require oil refineries to blend more ethanol into gasoline, while also paving the way for year-round 'E15' fuels that are blended with 15 percent ethanol." There is so much wrong with this article it's hard to pick where I should start. First, I guess, is the president of the National Corn Growers Association crediting the president with telling the EPA to go back to requiring ethanol standards be enforced (note to Kevin Ross, the president is the one who directed them to drop the requirements in the first place, he even bragged about it). Next up is that the administration is still giving waivers to gas distillers. Also, when asked, the EPA says that it will enforce these new standards after making new rules (which is a year long process at least). (Grokked from Jim Wright)
That that person who yelled, "Eat the babies"? Yeah, she was a plant from the LaRouche movement. (Grokked from Ferrett Steinmetz)
"The identity of the U.S. government’s star witness in a high-profile trial—who subsequently fell out of a fifth-story Moscow window—was compromised in the course of a pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign run by Natalia Veselnitskaya, according to leaked emails." Keep safe, my Russian friends. Don't go near any high balconies. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Weeks before the whistleblower's complaint became public, the CIA's top lawyer made what she considered to be a criminal referral to the Justice Department about the whistleblower's allegations that President Donald Trump abused his office in pressuring the Ukrainian president, U.S. officials familiar with the matter tell NBC News." That's not a good look on him. (Grokked form Jim Wright)
Friday, October 4, 2019
Linkee-poo speaks about the monsters, I used to have demons in my room at night, desire, despair, desire, so many monsters
"The fast food chain Wendy's has released a full fantasy pen-and-paper tabletop RPG." Oooookay. (Grokked from John)
"One particular fungus was the most abundant in the pancreas: a genus of Basidiomycota called Malassezia, which is typically found on the skin and scalp of animals and humans, and can cause skin irritation and dandruff. A few studies have also linked the yeast to inflammatory bowel diseases, but the new finding is the first to link it to cancer." Again, it's relatively early research and they don't understand (or fake an understanding) of the mechanisms, but interesting. (Grokked from Dan)
"A new study, published in Fisheries Research, reveals that the sheer amount of tuna being taken from our seas, including some species considered 'vulnerable,' has increased by an astonishing 1,000% in the last 60 years — a rate that some scientists are saying is unsustainable."
"The Fieldale factory employs about 1,900 people. A lawn sign advertises jobs for $11-plus an hour and a big banner shouts 'Think Safe, Work Safe.' But in recent years, according to federal safety records obtained by ProPublica, the factory has been the site of several grisly accidents, resulting in hospitalizations, amputations and death… Those accidents didn’t prevent Fieldale from getting special permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to speed up its processing lines." Upton Sinclair is so old. So as the USDA and OSHA point fingers at each other, poultry line-workers are losing theirs. It's as if the pharaohs have returned, as they say. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"The executive order, which (Trump) is scheduled to discuss at a speech in Florida later Thursday, is intended to bolster Medicare Advantage, private Medicare insurance for seniors that currently covers 22 million people, senior administration officials said on a call with reporters. The plan would also offer more affordable plan options, increase use of telehealth services and bring payments in Medicare fee-for-service program in line with payments for Medicare Advantage, officials said." The Medicare "fee-for-service" is currently less than Advantage pavements. So he's talking about increasing outflows from Medicare, side-stepping the board which oversees payment schedules, and basically wrecking the program. Also, EOs can be overturned at any time. "'Medicare for All” isn’t “just impractical but morally wrong,' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma said on the call. 'I’m deeply concerned about proposals that eviscerate Medicare by indiscriminately stripping private health insurance.'" I'm just curious on how that works out in their head, because on the face of it they're speaking apples and whales here. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Square Inc. has become one of the first U.S. payments platforms doing business with CBD providers, just as the industry is booming."
"U.S. employers added 136,000 jobs in September — a sign of continued resilience in the labor market amid growing signals that the economy is losing steam… The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% — the lowest since December 1969 — but the pace of hiring has slowed from last year. The jobless rate was 3.7% in August… Job gains for the two previous months were revised up by a total of 45,000." Slowing seems to be the theme of the Fall.
"A civilian employee raged through Paris police headquarters with a knife Thursday, stabbing four police colleagues to death before he was shot and killed, French authorities said."
Just in time for the 2020 elections… "Last week, Facebook quietly changed the language of its advertising policies to make it easier for politicians to lie in ads." Guess s who is first out of the gate. It's no fun unless you guess. Good thing the FEC doesn't have a quorum or this might be trouble. Dear Facebook, you're doing this wrong. Political ads should be subject to twice the scrutiny. But then, you were never our friends and never gave a damn about the USA. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Attorney General Bill Barr and officials from the U.K. and Australia have penned a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg requesting the company not implement end-to-end encryption on its messaging services, citing concerns regarding threats of child exploitation and terrorism."
People say, "Oh the protestors these days, they're so violent. Why can't they protest like we used to." Really? "On this day in 1936, Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists were blocked from marching through the streets of East London by the Jewish community and its allies." In that tweet is a newsreel of The Battle of Cable Street. Today rioters look like pikers in comparison. (Grokked from Patrick Nielsen Hayden)
"Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Friday invoked emergency powers and banned face masks, saying the order goes into effect on Saturday, Oct. 5." What could possibly go wrong.
"Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has called for dialogue after a third consecutive day of deadly anti-government protests in the capital, Baghdad, and several southern cities." Here comes democracy.
"Large protests have triggered a state of emergency in Ecuador, after President Lenín Moreno moved ahead with his plan to end fuel subsidies. Moreno says he's ending the "perverse" gasoline subsidy after 40 years because it was distorting Ecuador's economy."
"Brandt Jean's extraordinary response to a convicted murderer — he hugged Amber Guyger as she was sentenced for killing his brother, Botham Jean — has provoked an array of reactions, from admiration to frustration. It has also deepened a national debate over regulating police use of force." Funny how the same people who are praising this forgiveness as an example for all also seem to be the same ones who tell us we need to keep the death penalty to give justice to the victims' families.
"Ocasio-Cortez posted a couple of tweets in response to this incident, saying the person in question might have been suffering from a 'mental condition'." In case you were wondering what the "eat the babies" thing was about. Oh look, a "constituent" said something crazy… and the politician in this case responded instead of just nodding and agreeing, like conservatives do these days.
What Fox News won't tell you (sorry, I've been reading my Facebook page again)… "A newly unearthed letter from 2016 shows that Republican senators pushed for reforms to Ukraine's prosecutor general's office and judiciary, echoing calls then-Vice President Joe Biden made at the time." I haven't actually looked at Fox to see if they have this or not. Disproving republican claims has become so easy, I feel like Jon Stewart when he said, "we've taken to hiding the tapes around the office, just to make it sporting." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
Diplomat caught telling the truth. "In newly disclosed text messages shared with Congress, the top U.S. diplomat to Ukraine writes to a group of other American diplomats that 'I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.'" Of course the person he was texting to responded that this was totally not the case, and that the conversation should be moved off of texting (where there is a record). (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
In case you were wondering how the Ukraine got the aid without investigating the Bidens… "That money had been blocked by the White House, but Smith says neither the Pentagon nor the executive branch made Congress aware of that decision. 'It is very unusual that we would not be notified,' he adds. 'They certainly move money around a lot and make decisions that are not completely in keeping with what we've passed, but they always tell us and they also have a legal justification for doing it. Neither was true in this case.'" And then the lobbyists called the Freedom Caucus, who pressured the president to release the funds. Curiouser and curiouser.
"Hillary Clinton called out President Trump on Twitter for telling reporters that Ukraine and China should investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter." Oh look, it is literally She Said/He Said reporting. So, for those of you not following yet, after a week of saying, "I never asked them to," the president now not only doubles-down in public, in front of the camera, but includes China as well. Hey Sparky, isn't Russia your go to dirt diggers? (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"President Donald Trump urged another foreign government to probe Joe Biden and his son Thursday, saying the Chinese government should investigate the former vice president and son Hunter Biden over the latter's involvement with an investment fund that raised money in the country."
"A NUMBER OF STORIES dropped Thursday night that confirm this thesis, including a batch of text messages that look damning for the administration."
"CNN, The New York Times and others reported Wednesday that the whistleblower had reached out to a House Intelligence Committee aide before filing the whistleblower complaint. The committee directed the whistleblower to report it to the intelligence community inspector general, which is standard committee protocol when intelligence community officials bring concerns to the committee. The committee had no role in the writing of the complaint and the whistleblower shared only vague allegations about the complaint with the committee aide, according to sources familiar with the matter." Which is entirely what they should have done. Why? Because if they moved with the complaint directly, this person would have zero protections and it would appear to be a political attack.
"Over the years, right-wing media has successfully managed to lock the Republican Party from access to its own base. Republican voters have been taught not to trust politicians or the mainstream media. So who have they been conditioned to trust? Media personalities like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Tucker Carlson, etc. Elected Republicans know that speaking out against Trump will result in facing a vicious wrath from the very people who their voters trust most."
"Text messages given to Congress show U.S. ambassadors working to persuade Ukraine to publicly commit to investigating President Donald Trump’s political opponents and explicitly linking the inquiry to whether Ukraine’s president would be granted an official White House visit." Waits for the inevitable "both sides" arguments. Uh, no. No they didn't. This is all on Trump. Note the stress on using the prepared statement. To bad our president didn't understand the same concept (well, not "to bad" because he basically said what he wanted which makes this an impeachable offense). What's actually surprising is the Ukrainians have more integrity than those conservatives in our government.
"U.S. President Donald Trump’s public attacks on the unidentified whistleblower at the center of a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry are complicating negotiations for the person to testify to Congress, according to three people familiar with the matter." If it was just a threat from Trump that would be one thing (although also incredibly a miss-use of the office of president), but there are many interested parties who would like this person silenced.
"A far-right activist tried to levy bogus and salacious allegations against Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday — but she apparently had a plan for that, too… The Massachusetts Democrat and 2020 contender tweeted a subtle jab at right-wing conspiracy theorist Jacob Wohl after the Trump supporter claimed that 70-year-old Warren had an affair with a 24-year-old sex worker and Marine." Why does any media outlet give Jacob Wohl the time of day anymore? Wait for the sudden but inevitable meltdown.
Tweet of my heart: @ManlnTheHoody this presidency is like if dick cheney shot someone in the face every day for three years and no one did anything (Grokked from Gabriel Novo)
"One particular fungus was the most abundant in the pancreas: a genus of Basidiomycota called Malassezia, which is typically found on the skin and scalp of animals and humans, and can cause skin irritation and dandruff. A few studies have also linked the yeast to inflammatory bowel diseases, but the new finding is the first to link it to cancer." Again, it's relatively early research and they don't understand (or fake an understanding) of the mechanisms, but interesting. (Grokked from Dan)
"A new study, published in Fisheries Research, reveals that the sheer amount of tuna being taken from our seas, including some species considered 'vulnerable,' has increased by an astonishing 1,000% in the last 60 years — a rate that some scientists are saying is unsustainable."
"The Fieldale factory employs about 1,900 people. A lawn sign advertises jobs for $11-plus an hour and a big banner shouts 'Think Safe, Work Safe.' But in recent years, according to federal safety records obtained by ProPublica, the factory has been the site of several grisly accidents, resulting in hospitalizations, amputations and death… Those accidents didn’t prevent Fieldale from getting special permission from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to speed up its processing lines." Upton Sinclair is so old. So as the USDA and OSHA point fingers at each other, poultry line-workers are losing theirs. It's as if the pharaohs have returned, as they say. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"The executive order, which (Trump) is scheduled to discuss at a speech in Florida later Thursday, is intended to bolster Medicare Advantage, private Medicare insurance for seniors that currently covers 22 million people, senior administration officials said on a call with reporters. The plan would also offer more affordable plan options, increase use of telehealth services and bring payments in Medicare fee-for-service program in line with payments for Medicare Advantage, officials said." The Medicare "fee-for-service" is currently less than Advantage pavements. So he's talking about increasing outflows from Medicare, side-stepping the board which oversees payment schedules, and basically wrecking the program. Also, EOs can be overturned at any time. "'Medicare for All” isn’t “just impractical but morally wrong,' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma said on the call. 'I’m deeply concerned about proposals that eviscerate Medicare by indiscriminately stripping private health insurance.'" I'm just curious on how that works out in their head, because on the face of it they're speaking apples and whales here. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Square Inc. has become one of the first U.S. payments platforms doing business with CBD providers, just as the industry is booming."
"U.S. employers added 136,000 jobs in September — a sign of continued resilience in the labor market amid growing signals that the economy is losing steam… The unemployment rate fell to 3.5% — the lowest since December 1969 — but the pace of hiring has slowed from last year. The jobless rate was 3.7% in August… Job gains for the two previous months were revised up by a total of 45,000." Slowing seems to be the theme of the Fall.
"A civilian employee raged through Paris police headquarters with a knife Thursday, stabbing four police colleagues to death before he was shot and killed, French authorities said."
Just in time for the 2020 elections… "Last week, Facebook quietly changed the language of its advertising policies to make it easier for politicians to lie in ads." Guess s who is first out of the gate. It's no fun unless you guess. Good thing the FEC doesn't have a quorum or this might be trouble. Dear Facebook, you're doing this wrong. Political ads should be subject to twice the scrutiny. But then, you were never our friends and never gave a damn about the USA. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"Attorney General Bill Barr and officials from the U.K. and Australia have penned a letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg requesting the company not implement end-to-end encryption on its messaging services, citing concerns regarding threats of child exploitation and terrorism."
People say, "Oh the protestors these days, they're so violent. Why can't they protest like we used to." Really? "On this day in 1936, Oswald Mosley and the British Union of Fascists were blocked from marching through the streets of East London by the Jewish community and its allies." In that tweet is a newsreel of The Battle of Cable Street. Today rioters look like pikers in comparison. (Grokked from Patrick Nielsen Hayden)
"Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam on Friday invoked emergency powers and banned face masks, saying the order goes into effect on Saturday, Oct. 5." What could possibly go wrong.
"Iraq's Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has called for dialogue after a third consecutive day of deadly anti-government protests in the capital, Baghdad, and several southern cities." Here comes democracy.
"Large protests have triggered a state of emergency in Ecuador, after President Lenín Moreno moved ahead with his plan to end fuel subsidies. Moreno says he's ending the "perverse" gasoline subsidy after 40 years because it was distorting Ecuador's economy."
"Brandt Jean's extraordinary response to a convicted murderer — he hugged Amber Guyger as she was sentenced for killing his brother, Botham Jean — has provoked an array of reactions, from admiration to frustration. It has also deepened a national debate over regulating police use of force." Funny how the same people who are praising this forgiveness as an example for all also seem to be the same ones who tell us we need to keep the death penalty to give justice to the victims' families.
"Ocasio-Cortez posted a couple of tweets in response to this incident, saying the person in question might have been suffering from a 'mental condition'." In case you were wondering what the "eat the babies" thing was about. Oh look, a "constituent" said something crazy… and the politician in this case responded instead of just nodding and agreeing, like conservatives do these days.
What Fox News won't tell you (sorry, I've been reading my Facebook page again)… "A newly unearthed letter from 2016 shows that Republican senators pushed for reforms to Ukraine's prosecutor general's office and judiciary, echoing calls then-Vice President Joe Biden made at the time." I haven't actually looked at Fox to see if they have this or not. Disproving republican claims has become so easy, I feel like Jon Stewart when he said, "we've taken to hiding the tapes around the office, just to make it sporting." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
Diplomat caught telling the truth. "In newly disclosed text messages shared with Congress, the top U.S. diplomat to Ukraine writes to a group of other American diplomats that 'I think it's crazy to withhold security assistance for help with a political campaign.'" Of course the person he was texting to responded that this was totally not the case, and that the conversation should be moved off of texting (where there is a record). (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
In case you were wondering how the Ukraine got the aid without investigating the Bidens… "That money had been blocked by the White House, but Smith says neither the Pentagon nor the executive branch made Congress aware of that decision. 'It is very unusual that we would not be notified,' he adds. 'They certainly move money around a lot and make decisions that are not completely in keeping with what we've passed, but they always tell us and they also have a legal justification for doing it. Neither was true in this case.'" And then the lobbyists called the Freedom Caucus, who pressured the president to release the funds. Curiouser and curiouser.
"Hillary Clinton called out President Trump on Twitter for telling reporters that Ukraine and China should investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter." Oh look, it is literally She Said/He Said reporting. So, for those of you not following yet, after a week of saying, "I never asked them to," the president now not only doubles-down in public, in front of the camera, but includes China as well. Hey Sparky, isn't Russia your go to dirt diggers? (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"President Donald Trump urged another foreign government to probe Joe Biden and his son Thursday, saying the Chinese government should investigate the former vice president and son Hunter Biden over the latter's involvement with an investment fund that raised money in the country."
"A NUMBER OF STORIES dropped Thursday night that confirm this thesis, including a batch of text messages that look damning for the administration."
"CNN, The New York Times and others reported Wednesday that the whistleblower had reached out to a House Intelligence Committee aide before filing the whistleblower complaint. The committee directed the whistleblower to report it to the intelligence community inspector general, which is standard committee protocol when intelligence community officials bring concerns to the committee. The committee had no role in the writing of the complaint and the whistleblower shared only vague allegations about the complaint with the committee aide, according to sources familiar with the matter." Which is entirely what they should have done. Why? Because if they moved with the complaint directly, this person would have zero protections and it would appear to be a political attack.
"Over the years, right-wing media has successfully managed to lock the Republican Party from access to its own base. Republican voters have been taught not to trust politicians or the mainstream media. So who have they been conditioned to trust? Media personalities like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Tucker Carlson, etc. Elected Republicans know that speaking out against Trump will result in facing a vicious wrath from the very people who their voters trust most."
"Text messages given to Congress show U.S. ambassadors working to persuade Ukraine to publicly commit to investigating President Donald Trump’s political opponents and explicitly linking the inquiry to whether Ukraine’s president would be granted an official White House visit." Waits for the inevitable "both sides" arguments. Uh, no. No they didn't. This is all on Trump. Note the stress on using the prepared statement. To bad our president didn't understand the same concept (well, not "to bad" because he basically said what he wanted which makes this an impeachable offense). What's actually surprising is the Ukrainians have more integrity than those conservatives in our government.
"U.S. President Donald Trump’s public attacks on the unidentified whistleblower at the center of a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry are complicating negotiations for the person to testify to Congress, according to three people familiar with the matter." If it was just a threat from Trump that would be one thing (although also incredibly a miss-use of the office of president), but there are many interested parties who would like this person silenced.
"A far-right activist tried to levy bogus and salacious allegations against Sen. Elizabeth Warren on Thursday — but she apparently had a plan for that, too… The Massachusetts Democrat and 2020 contender tweeted a subtle jab at right-wing conspiracy theorist Jacob Wohl after the Trump supporter claimed that 70-year-old Warren had an affair with a 24-year-old sex worker and Marine." Why does any media outlet give Jacob Wohl the time of day anymore? Wait for the sudden but inevitable meltdown.
Tweet of my heart: @ManlnTheHoody this presidency is like if dick cheney shot someone in the face every day for three years and no one did anything (Grokked from Gabriel Novo)
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Linkee-poo on a Thursday
The Good Fight's animated guide to impeachment in the style of School House Rock (song by Jonathan Coulton). (Grokked from John)
"Unilever, the consumer goods giant, is among companies using AI technology to analyse the language, tone and facial expressions of candidates when they are asked a set of identical job questions which they film on their mobile phone or laptop." Worst timeline ever. So I wonder if they ever do an audit on the people they "pass" through. You know, to see if they're all white, middle-class, etc? Probably not. Also, I love how they've based their algorithms on "successful candidates". Really? How did that work out with this new technology? (Grokked from Kameron Hurley)
"The fear is that thousands of workers in the United States who create countertops out of what's known as 'engineered stone' may be inhaling dangerous amounts of lung-damaging silica dust, because engineered stone is mostly made of the mineral silica." Silica dust is a known problem.
"He may be an outlier, still working at 89, but statistics show that there may be more people like him in the near future. About 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older is now in the workforce. That number is expected to increase, making it the fastest-growing group of workers in the country." Retire and let the next generation have a chance (that's actually why we have "retirement" in the first place). "Meanwhile, roughly half of private sector employers offer no retirement plans at all. That's one of the reasons about a quarter of retirees get 90% or more of their income from Social Security." It was only ever supposed to be less than 50%. Retirement, however, is out of reach of many. And for many more retirement means poverty. But here's another tip, if you are able to retire start planning about a decade before you reach that age. Have a plan for what you'll do, where your money will come from, how you expect to live. I've seen lots of people die just after retirement, underlying health issues cropped up when they suddenly became more sedentary.
"Walmart Inc (WMT.N) said on Thursday it will begin several healthcare pilot programs for its U.S. employees starting Jan. 1 as it looks for ways to cut healthcare costs - one of the largest expenses for the retailer after wages." Uh, sure. So, company doctor, limited provider lists, and "education." That'll work. Also, they're not "new".
"It's hard to imagine a more boring (and dreaded) word than "mortgage." But if you know where to look, you might find a mortgage that will save you thousands of dollars a year or discover that you qualify for a loan when you didn't think you could — and that's exciting. You might even find free money to help with a down payment."
So when you hear that canard about "farmers being good stewards of the land", just remember this. "Farmers have pumped so much water that in some places, the water table has fallen by more than a hundred feet. The water is now so deep underground that it can't flow into streams and rivers anymore. Streams dry up, and as a result, fish and plants and birds around those streams also disappear." Farmers of business men who grow crops and raise animals for money. They are slightly better business people because their horizon is anywhere from 4 months (a growing season) to a few years (fruit, wine, tree nuts, etc), which is longer than the 1 day to 3 month business cycle everywhere else. Poor farming practices brought about the Great Dust Bowl, have silted up some rivers, create the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, are responsible for the toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie, and the list goes on. So when they say, "We know how to manage our land", imagine me giving a giant raspberry. Most have no clue and are only focused on making their loan payments and paying bills.
"Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was sentenced on Wednesday to serve 10 years in prison for the fatal 2018 killing of an innocent man she shot when she mistakenly entered his apartment believing it was her own… But in a remarkable act of kindness, the brother of the victim took the witness stand and spoke directly to Guyger, saying, 'I love you like anyone else,' and later hugged her in the courtroom before she was led off to prison."
"A judge has ruled that a Philadelphia nonprofit group's plan to open the first site in the U.S. where people can use illegal opioids under medical supervision does not violate federal drug laws, delivering a major setback to Justice Department lawyers who launched a legal challenge to block the facility." Good.
"The Trump administration is moving to collect DNA samples from hundreds of thousands of people booked into federal immigration custody each year and to enter the results into a national criminal database, an immense expansion of the use of technology to enforce the nation’s immigration laws." Not a good idea.
"The Trump administration ratcheted up its feud with California on Wednesday as the Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice accusing San Francisco of violating the federal Clean Water Act."
"Hong Kong's government is set to announce a ban on wearing face masks at public gatherings, local media report… Officials plan to use emergency legislation dating from the colonial era to invoke the measure, aimed at quelling anti-government protests."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island… "North Korea said on Thursday it had successfully test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile from sea to contain external threats and bolster self-defence, ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States."
"St. Clare's ran into financial problems, and in 2008 it was folded into a larger hospital system. Workers like Bradley say they were told not to worry — the pension fund would still be there for them. But for Bradley and others, it won't be there." Ah, the old "raid the pension fund" gambit is back. This happened to my Mom twice (I'm looking at you, now Senator Rick Scott, you can fuck off and die for all I care). And I know a lot of friends who have the same problem. And don't think because you have a 401(k) or some other employer run retirement plan that you're immune. You've got to watch your deposits, watch where the money is invested and who has access to it. And this is why we have Social Security. It wasn't meant to do all the work, but it's never been "just 33%" (as the lawmakers and financial planners think about it).
How go the Trade Wars? "The US has been given the go-ahead to impose tariffs on $7.5bn (£6.1bn) of goods it imports from the EU." Ah, I see we're picking new fights. Actually it's an old fight, but the Trump administration is choosing this path (over others) and going from threatening to escalating.
How goes Brexit? "The plan, outlined in a seven-page document, would see Northern Ireland stay in the European single market for goods, but leave the customs union - resulting in new customs checks." How would that work, exactly?
In case you were wondering what all the kids are talking about with "moots" and snakes and stuff. "President Trump made building a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico a cornerstone of his 2016 presidential campaign. But when, after the election, efforts to build the wall stalled, he turned to other possible options — including constructing a trench filled with snakes and alligators — according to a forthcoming book."
"House investigators are looking into an allegation that groups — including at least one foreign government — tried to ingratiate themselves to President Donald Trump by booking rooms at his hotels but never staying in them." And that's why keeping you business was a bad idea, Sparky. And if it was by your request or not, it could still be a crime. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee took in a huge haul in the third quarter, which ended Monday — a combined $125 million… This means that this year alone, they've raised more than $300 million — double the total that then-President Obama and the Democratic Party had raised at this point in 2011 on Obama's way to a successful reelection bid."
"President Trump launched a broadside against Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) at a joint news conference Wednesday afternoon with the president of Finland, after the House Intelligence Committee chairman warned the White House that 'we’re not fooling around' on the impeachment inquiry." The "stable genius" facade cracks (not that it was fully there to begin with). Okay, so why would the State Department inspector general be able to find those folders full of conspiracy theories about the Bidens? That's election materials. It shouldn't be on anyone's government office desk, unless they're breaking election rules. Good thing the FEC doesn't have a quorum, eh?
"House Democrats are set to launch a new phase of their impeachment inquiry on Thursday when former Ambassador Kurt Volker, until recently a top State Department representative to Ukraine, is scheduled to meet with investigators."
"Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is canceling presidential campaign events 'until further' notice following a heart procedure, campaign senior adviser Jeff Weaver said Wednesday morning." I don't expect him to drop out of the race, but he's done.
"Unilever, the consumer goods giant, is among companies using AI technology to analyse the language, tone and facial expressions of candidates when they are asked a set of identical job questions which they film on their mobile phone or laptop." Worst timeline ever. So I wonder if they ever do an audit on the people they "pass" through. You know, to see if they're all white, middle-class, etc? Probably not. Also, I love how they've based their algorithms on "successful candidates". Really? How did that work out with this new technology? (Grokked from Kameron Hurley)
"The fear is that thousands of workers in the United States who create countertops out of what's known as 'engineered stone' may be inhaling dangerous amounts of lung-damaging silica dust, because engineered stone is mostly made of the mineral silica." Silica dust is a known problem.
"He may be an outlier, still working at 89, but statistics show that there may be more people like him in the near future. About 1 in 4 adults age 65 and older is now in the workforce. That number is expected to increase, making it the fastest-growing group of workers in the country." Retire and let the next generation have a chance (that's actually why we have "retirement" in the first place). "Meanwhile, roughly half of private sector employers offer no retirement plans at all. That's one of the reasons about a quarter of retirees get 90% or more of their income from Social Security." It was only ever supposed to be less than 50%. Retirement, however, is out of reach of many. And for many more retirement means poverty. But here's another tip, if you are able to retire start planning about a decade before you reach that age. Have a plan for what you'll do, where your money will come from, how you expect to live. I've seen lots of people die just after retirement, underlying health issues cropped up when they suddenly became more sedentary.
"Walmart Inc (WMT.N) said on Thursday it will begin several healthcare pilot programs for its U.S. employees starting Jan. 1 as it looks for ways to cut healthcare costs - one of the largest expenses for the retailer after wages." Uh, sure. So, company doctor, limited provider lists, and "education." That'll work. Also, they're not "new".
"It's hard to imagine a more boring (and dreaded) word than "mortgage." But if you know where to look, you might find a mortgage that will save you thousands of dollars a year or discover that you qualify for a loan when you didn't think you could — and that's exciting. You might even find free money to help with a down payment."
So when you hear that canard about "farmers being good stewards of the land", just remember this. "Farmers have pumped so much water that in some places, the water table has fallen by more than a hundred feet. The water is now so deep underground that it can't flow into streams and rivers anymore. Streams dry up, and as a result, fish and plants and birds around those streams also disappear." Farmers of business men who grow crops and raise animals for money. They are slightly better business people because their horizon is anywhere from 4 months (a growing season) to a few years (fruit, wine, tree nuts, etc), which is longer than the 1 day to 3 month business cycle everywhere else. Poor farming practices brought about the Great Dust Bowl, have silted up some rivers, create the "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico, are responsible for the toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie, and the list goes on. So when they say, "We know how to manage our land", imagine me giving a giant raspberry. Most have no clue and are only focused on making their loan payments and paying bills.
"Former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger was sentenced on Wednesday to serve 10 years in prison for the fatal 2018 killing of an innocent man she shot when she mistakenly entered his apartment believing it was her own… But in a remarkable act of kindness, the brother of the victim took the witness stand and spoke directly to Guyger, saying, 'I love you like anyone else,' and later hugged her in the courtroom before she was led off to prison."
"A judge has ruled that a Philadelphia nonprofit group's plan to open the first site in the U.S. where people can use illegal opioids under medical supervision does not violate federal drug laws, delivering a major setback to Justice Department lawyers who launched a legal challenge to block the facility." Good.
"The Trump administration is moving to collect DNA samples from hundreds of thousands of people booked into federal immigration custody each year and to enter the results into a national criminal database, an immense expansion of the use of technology to enforce the nation’s immigration laws." Not a good idea.
"The Trump administration ratcheted up its feud with California on Wednesday as the Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice accusing San Francisco of violating the federal Clean Water Act."
"Hong Kong's government is set to announce a ban on wearing face masks at public gatherings, local media report… Officials plan to use emergency legislation dating from the colonial era to invoke the measure, aimed at quelling anti-government protests."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the island… "North Korea said on Thursday it had successfully test-fired a new submarine-launched ballistic missile from sea to contain external threats and bolster self-defence, ahead of fresh nuclear talks with the United States."
"St. Clare's ran into financial problems, and in 2008 it was folded into a larger hospital system. Workers like Bradley say they were told not to worry — the pension fund would still be there for them. But for Bradley and others, it won't be there." Ah, the old "raid the pension fund" gambit is back. This happened to my Mom twice (I'm looking at you, now Senator Rick Scott, you can fuck off and die for all I care). And I know a lot of friends who have the same problem. And don't think because you have a 401(k) or some other employer run retirement plan that you're immune. You've got to watch your deposits, watch where the money is invested and who has access to it. And this is why we have Social Security. It wasn't meant to do all the work, but it's never been "just 33%" (as the lawmakers and financial planners think about it).
How go the Trade Wars? "The US has been given the go-ahead to impose tariffs on $7.5bn (£6.1bn) of goods it imports from the EU." Ah, I see we're picking new fights. Actually it's an old fight, but the Trump administration is choosing this path (over others) and going from threatening to escalating.
How goes Brexit? "The plan, outlined in a seven-page document, would see Northern Ireland stay in the European single market for goods, but leave the customs union - resulting in new customs checks." How would that work, exactly?
In case you were wondering what all the kids are talking about with "moots" and snakes and stuff. "President Trump made building a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico a cornerstone of his 2016 presidential campaign. But when, after the election, efforts to build the wall stalled, he turned to other possible options — including constructing a trench filled with snakes and alligators — according to a forthcoming book."
"House investigators are looking into an allegation that groups — including at least one foreign government — tried to ingratiate themselves to President Donald Trump by booking rooms at his hotels but never staying in them." And that's why keeping you business was a bad idea, Sparky. And if it was by your request or not, it could still be a crime. (Grokked from Kathryn Cramer)
"The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee took in a huge haul in the third quarter, which ended Monday — a combined $125 million… This means that this year alone, they've raised more than $300 million — double the total that then-President Obama and the Democratic Party had raised at this point in 2011 on Obama's way to a successful reelection bid."
"President Trump launched a broadside against Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Calif.) at a joint news conference Wednesday afternoon with the president of Finland, after the House Intelligence Committee chairman warned the White House that 'we’re not fooling around' on the impeachment inquiry." The "stable genius" facade cracks (not that it was fully there to begin with). Okay, so why would the State Department inspector general be able to find those folders full of conspiracy theories about the Bidens? That's election materials. It shouldn't be on anyone's government office desk, unless they're breaking election rules. Good thing the FEC doesn't have a quorum, eh?
"House Democrats are set to launch a new phase of their impeachment inquiry on Thursday when former Ambassador Kurt Volker, until recently a top State Department representative to Ukraine, is scheduled to meet with investigators."
"Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is canceling presidential campaign events 'until further' notice following a heart procedure, campaign senior adviser Jeff Weaver said Wednesday morning." I don't expect him to drop out of the race, but he's done.
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Linkee-poo Wednesday
Drive by alligators.
"Jimmy Carter celebrated his 95th birthday on Tuesday, becoming the first U.S. president to reach that milestone as he continues his humanitarian work and occasionally weighs in on politics and policy." Happy birthday, Mr. President.
Okay, you want a real Obama era scandal? "If the FDA ban had gone through, the kid-friendly vaping liquids would have been pushed off store shelves… Instead, over the course of 46 days, a deluge of more than 100 tobacco industry lobbyists and small business advocates met with White House officials as they weighed whether to include the ban as part of a new tobacco control rule… The end result: Senior Obama administration officials nixed the ban and much of the evidence supporting it, according to documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times." Now, before you get upset (and there is much to be upset over), "The officials told The Times that a cost-benefit analysis suggested the economic burden on vape shops appeared to outweigh potential health benefits of the ban." This is a rule that came into effect in the GHW Bush administration (IIRC). It's also why you can still buy products with aspartame (NutriSweet) in them. Also, while there is some evidence for e-cigs help in getting people to quite smoking, in a lot of cases that's just changing the delivery method and who owns the supply-chain (although being able to dial your nicotine dose has helped those that can "quite slowly"), there is no evidence that e-cigs aren't as dangerous as regular cigarettes (there's also no evidence to the contrary). (Grokked from Kelly Swails)
"If you’re overwhelmed by the prospect of saving for college for your kids, you’re not alone. A third of people are afraid they won’t be able to afford to send their kids to college, according to the most recent Marketplace-Edison Research Poll. That number is even higher among younger generations; closer to 60% for those between 18 and 34." The new American Dream. Also, $2 Trillion (some estimates are higher) is the amount of debt owed for college loans.
"Thankfully, it’s still 2019, so the 235 million to 240 million of us who do not now possess a 'REAL ID' compliant driver’s license still have 365 days, until the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline (2020 is a leap year, so there’s one extra day in it) to get one."
"A list of the 50 most miserable cities includes four from the state of Ohio." Oh look, I live right between 3 of them.
"After over a year of secret construction, Planned Parenthood announced its newest abortion facility on Wednesday: an 18,000-square-foot mega-clinic in southern Illinois. The new location is just 13 miles away from Missouri's last remaining abortion clinic, a facility in St. Louis fighting to keep its license." Reminds me of living near Cincinnati in the 90s where the people there were quite proud to boast of no adult bookstores, strip clubs, and many bars (there were a few, but not as many as other cities). However, you could find all of that literally across the river in Covington. As in, on the street next to the river in Covington.
How goes Brexit? "The offer, the key elements of which have been leaked to the Daily Telegraph's Peter Foster, is quite remarkable in that it appears to actually be designed for the EU to reject it… Every element of the plan runs against the EU's negotiating red lines." Points to rumors about Johnson's connections to people who will profit handsomely in a no-deal-Brexit on Oct 31.
How go the Trade Wars? "The World Trade Organization said Tuesday it expects volumes of traded goods to rise 1.2% this year, far below the 2.6% estimate it issued in April and the weakest since 2009."
"U.S. factory activity hit its lowest level in more than a decade, as President Donald Trump’s trade wars take a toll on American and global manufacturing."
"A surprise contraction in U.S. manufacturing last month knocked the stock market lower Tuesday, erasing an early rally."
"Manufacturing employment growth in Wisconsin and Michigan has already fallen below the 2015 rate. Pennsylvania is dangerously close. At best, this makes it difficult for Trump to claim that his policies have led to a revival. At worst, it suggests that his policies have backfired." I know, try to contain your shock.
"Without people working those overnight and backroom shifts, the backrooms in many Target stores have become overcrowded and, in some cases, unsafe, some workers said. As a result, the daytime workers, whose responsibilities also include helping customers, have been expected to pick up the slack." Welcome to the "do the important work in your spare time" economy. When I was working late night flipping hamburgers, the late night shift was the "manager break-in" shift. And all the new managers would come in with their ideas of how to "fix" the problems of overnight (when we do the prep work and clean the store). Funny how many of them didn't make it to 90 days because of the inefficiencies they imposed. Another symptom of the rise of the MBA manager.
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a series of final hearings before a decision is made on whether to charge him with corruption." Hang on, we're about to hit turbulence.
"Bolsonaro-backed highway targets heart of Brazil's Amazon."
"A white former Dallas police officer who said she fatally shot her unarmed, black neighbor after mistaking his apartment for her own was found guilty of murder on Tuesday." Actually this IS my shocked face.
"The Federal Communications Commission could dump rules that keep internet providers from favoring some services over others, but couldn’t bar states like California from enacting their own prohibitions, a federal court ruled." So a mixed bag. Can't wait to hear about how the conservatives will try and spin that it should be federally controlled with their stance on states' rights.
After calling Elizabeth Warren an existential threat to Facebook (and his own pocketbook) Zuckerberg said, "'It's just that breaking up these companies, whether it's Facebook or Google or Amazon, is not actually going to solve the issues. And, you know, it doesn't make election interference less likely. It makes it more likely because now the companies can't coordinate and work together.'" Yes, they can't coordinate, that's the point of breaking them up. Facebook is not neutral, they know which side their bread is buttered. Don't expect them to deal with politics evenhandedly (severe side-eye at twitter). (Grokked from Jim Wright)
"Trump tweeted 'billions of dollars' would be saved on military contracts. Then the Pentagon fired the official doing that." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"The impeachment inquiry into President Trump is tangled up in Ukrainian politics, but few Washington reporters understand the dynamics at play. This week, On the Media looks at what we all need to know to make sense of the news. Plus, why there are no whistle-blower protections for those in the intelligence community. And, how the Nixon impeachment makes a case for a more deliberate Trump inquiry." Much recommended listening about the history, the law, Hunter Biden and just WTF is happening in the Ukraine.
"President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani is still deciding whether he will comply with House Democrats’ subpoena to appear for testimony, and claimed he had 'video tapes' and other 'evidence' he wants to share with Congress." Fuck, I didn't bring enough breadcrumbs for this. (Grokked from Elizabeth Bear)
"President Donald Trump and his GOP allies are making groundless accusations that a whistleblower complaint by a CIA officer was improperly filed because it was not based on first-hand knowledge." Yeah, that's bullshit. Not in the "it's a bad answer", but in the "They’re wrong on multiple fronts."
"Taking a defiant stance in the impeachment inquiry, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday declared that House Democrats are trying to 'intimidate, bully and treat improperly' five current and former career officials in seeking information in the Ukraine investigation." Oh put on your big boy pants, Pompeo. It's just a delay tactic.
"Speaking with Fox News' Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night, Giuliani proposed bringing a lawsuit against House Democrats for investigating the president in the wake of revelations involving Trump's interactions with Ukraine." Talk about your frivolous lawsuits.
"Rudy Giuliani, personal lawyer to Donald Trump and a key figure in the Ukraine scandal, will no longer make a paid appearance at a Russia sponsored conference in Armenia, according to the Washington Post." Sure are a lot of Russians all of a sudden (again). (Waves to our friends in Russia; to my Italian friends, please tell them I said "Hi")
"Jimmy Carter celebrated his 95th birthday on Tuesday, becoming the first U.S. president to reach that milestone as he continues his humanitarian work and occasionally weighs in on politics and policy." Happy birthday, Mr. President.
Okay, you want a real Obama era scandal? "If the FDA ban had gone through, the kid-friendly vaping liquids would have been pushed off store shelves… Instead, over the course of 46 days, a deluge of more than 100 tobacco industry lobbyists and small business advocates met with White House officials as they weighed whether to include the ban as part of a new tobacco control rule… The end result: Senior Obama administration officials nixed the ban and much of the evidence supporting it, according to documents reviewed by the Los Angeles Times." Now, before you get upset (and there is much to be upset over), "The officials told The Times that a cost-benefit analysis suggested the economic burden on vape shops appeared to outweigh potential health benefits of the ban." This is a rule that came into effect in the GHW Bush administration (IIRC). It's also why you can still buy products with aspartame (NutriSweet) in them. Also, while there is some evidence for e-cigs help in getting people to quite smoking, in a lot of cases that's just changing the delivery method and who owns the supply-chain (although being able to dial your nicotine dose has helped those that can "quite slowly"), there is no evidence that e-cigs aren't as dangerous as regular cigarettes (there's also no evidence to the contrary). (Grokked from Kelly Swails)
"If you’re overwhelmed by the prospect of saving for college for your kids, you’re not alone. A third of people are afraid they won’t be able to afford to send their kids to college, according to the most recent Marketplace-Edison Research Poll. That number is even higher among younger generations; closer to 60% for those between 18 and 34." The new American Dream. Also, $2 Trillion (some estimates are higher) is the amount of debt owed for college loans.
"Thankfully, it’s still 2019, so the 235 million to 240 million of us who do not now possess a 'REAL ID' compliant driver’s license still have 365 days, until the Oct. 1, 2020 deadline (2020 is a leap year, so there’s one extra day in it) to get one."
"A list of the 50 most miserable cities includes four from the state of Ohio." Oh look, I live right between 3 of them.
"After over a year of secret construction, Planned Parenthood announced its newest abortion facility on Wednesday: an 18,000-square-foot mega-clinic in southern Illinois. The new location is just 13 miles away from Missouri's last remaining abortion clinic, a facility in St. Louis fighting to keep its license." Reminds me of living near Cincinnati in the 90s where the people there were quite proud to boast of no adult bookstores, strip clubs, and many bars (there were a few, but not as many as other cities). However, you could find all of that literally across the river in Covington. As in, on the street next to the river in Covington.
How goes Brexit? "The offer, the key elements of which have been leaked to the Daily Telegraph's Peter Foster, is quite remarkable in that it appears to actually be designed for the EU to reject it… Every element of the plan runs against the EU's negotiating red lines." Points to rumors about Johnson's connections to people who will profit handsomely in a no-deal-Brexit on Oct 31.
How go the Trade Wars? "The World Trade Organization said Tuesday it expects volumes of traded goods to rise 1.2% this year, far below the 2.6% estimate it issued in April and the weakest since 2009."
"U.S. factory activity hit its lowest level in more than a decade, as President Donald Trump’s trade wars take a toll on American and global manufacturing."
"A surprise contraction in U.S. manufacturing last month knocked the stock market lower Tuesday, erasing an early rally."
"Manufacturing employment growth in Wisconsin and Michigan has already fallen below the 2015 rate. Pennsylvania is dangerously close. At best, this makes it difficult for Trump to claim that his policies have led to a revival. At worst, it suggests that his policies have backfired." I know, try to contain your shock.
"Without people working those overnight and backroom shifts, the backrooms in many Target stores have become overcrowded and, in some cases, unsafe, some workers said. As a result, the daytime workers, whose responsibilities also include helping customers, have been expected to pick up the slack." Welcome to the "do the important work in your spare time" economy. When I was working late night flipping hamburgers, the late night shift was the "manager break-in" shift. And all the new managers would come in with their ideas of how to "fix" the problems of overnight (when we do the prep work and clean the store). Funny how many of them didn't make it to 90 days because of the inefficiencies they imposed. Another symptom of the rise of the MBA manager.
"Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a series of final hearings before a decision is made on whether to charge him with corruption." Hang on, we're about to hit turbulence.
"Bolsonaro-backed highway targets heart of Brazil's Amazon."
"A white former Dallas police officer who said she fatally shot her unarmed, black neighbor after mistaking his apartment for her own was found guilty of murder on Tuesday." Actually this IS my shocked face.
"The Federal Communications Commission could dump rules that keep internet providers from favoring some services over others, but couldn’t bar states like California from enacting their own prohibitions, a federal court ruled." So a mixed bag. Can't wait to hear about how the conservatives will try and spin that it should be federally controlled with their stance on states' rights.
After calling Elizabeth Warren an existential threat to Facebook (and his own pocketbook) Zuckerberg said, "'It's just that breaking up these companies, whether it's Facebook or Google or Amazon, is not actually going to solve the issues. And, you know, it doesn't make election interference less likely. It makes it more likely because now the companies can't coordinate and work together.'" Yes, they can't coordinate, that's the point of breaking them up. Facebook is not neutral, they know which side their bread is buttered. Don't expect them to deal with politics evenhandedly (severe side-eye at twitter). (Grokked from Jim Wright)
"Trump tweeted 'billions of dollars' would be saved on military contracts. Then the Pentagon fired the official doing that." (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"The impeachment inquiry into President Trump is tangled up in Ukrainian politics, but few Washington reporters understand the dynamics at play. This week, On the Media looks at what we all need to know to make sense of the news. Plus, why there are no whistle-blower protections for those in the intelligence community. And, how the Nixon impeachment makes a case for a more deliberate Trump inquiry." Much recommended listening about the history, the law, Hunter Biden and just WTF is happening in the Ukraine.
"President Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani is still deciding whether he will comply with House Democrats’ subpoena to appear for testimony, and claimed he had 'video tapes' and other 'evidence' he wants to share with Congress." Fuck, I didn't bring enough breadcrumbs for this. (Grokked from Elizabeth Bear)
"President Donald Trump and his GOP allies are making groundless accusations that a whistleblower complaint by a CIA officer was improperly filed because it was not based on first-hand knowledge." Yeah, that's bullshit. Not in the "it's a bad answer", but in the "They’re wrong on multiple fronts."
"Taking a defiant stance in the impeachment inquiry, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday declared that House Democrats are trying to 'intimidate, bully and treat improperly' five current and former career officials in seeking information in the Ukraine investigation." Oh put on your big boy pants, Pompeo. It's just a delay tactic.
"Speaking with Fox News' Laura Ingraham on Tuesday night, Giuliani proposed bringing a lawsuit against House Democrats for investigating the president in the wake of revelations involving Trump's interactions with Ukraine." Talk about your frivolous lawsuits.
"Rudy Giuliani, personal lawyer to Donald Trump and a key figure in the Ukraine scandal, will no longer make a paid appearance at a Russia sponsored conference in Armenia, according to the Washington Post." Sure are a lot of Russians all of a sudden (again). (Waves to our friends in Russia; to my Italian friends, please tell them I said "Hi")
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
Linkee-poo Tuesdays
Jessye Norman, and so it goes.
"The BBC dropped the first trailer for its upcoming adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. The three-part miniseries is set in Edwardian England—just a few years after Wells published his novel—and it looks like it will be a fairly faithful treatment of the source material, as the people of Earth fight to survive in the face of a Martian invasion." Finally it looks like the period piece will be handled well (that is the Martians don't reflect the technological state of Edwardian England). (Grokked from John)
"The Amery Ice Shelf in Antarctica has just produced its biggest iceberg in more than 50 years." The loss of the berg itself isn't that noteworthy (as it's been expected), but what such a large loss might mean to an otherwise "stable" Antarctic glacier.
"The journal Nature retracted a study published last year that found oceans were warming at an alarming rate due to climate change." That's a little misleading. Nature retracted one paper which supported the conclusion that the oceans are warming at an alarming rate because of a new statistical modeling based on off-gassing of aquatic plants (as I understand it) which had mathematical errors. The other papers published which show the oceans are warming at an alarming rate still stand.
"Our diets, however, are not like drugs. The impact of eating a meat-centric diet is tricky to measure. Unlike a pill, which can be measured against a placebo in a short-term trial, our diets are much more complicated. What we eat today may influence our health over decades. And teasing out an independent effect is tougher because our diets are varied and complex." Science denialism comes to nutrition (actually it's been there for a long time). About the new paper (note, it's not a new study) saying the evidence against red and processed meats isn't conclusive. Hate to tell you all this, but neither are the minimum recommended amounts, the food pyramids, diets in general, basically anything ingested over the long term has difficulties being studied. However there is a huge demand from industry to tell you, "everything is fine." Just like lead in paint and gasoline.
So there are some news stories going around about how this year's flu shot may be a "mismatch" with flu strains this season because (wait for it), the WHO is recommending different virus strains for the Southern Hemisphere 2020 season. No I'm not going to point to them, but understand this is a propaganda campaign. The flu strains are constantly mutating and which strains are more important in a season also constantly change. It's completely normal for different strains to be predicted. Why? Well let's say H3N1 hits the northern hemisphere hard (as predicted, it's one of the 3 viruses the flu shot is supposed to protect you from), because of immunity and the natural course of the disease, it shouldn't be in heavy transmission by March/April as the seasons change and the flu outbreaks change hemispheres. But other strains should be. The strains that go into the flu shot are predicted 8 months in advance to give manufacturers time enough to create the vaccines (could be done faster if we moved away from the egg model). Most often they get it right, or close enough. The flu vaccine, even if the prediction of the strains to hit the Northern Hemisphere are way off, will still give you limited immunity to other flu viruses. Those news outlets trying to scare you are actively working against your interests (either by complicity or sheer ignorance). Get the goddamn shot (if you can). This year will be a bad one. We're seeing it already (but we're not testing for influenza yet, because it's "not the season").
"Patricia Powers went a few years without health insurance and was unable to afford regular doctor visits. So the Missouri resident, who lives near St. Louis, had no idea cancerous tumors were silently growing in both of her breasts… If Powers lived just across the Mississippi River in neighboring Illinois, she would have qualified for Medicaid…" Just a reminder, access to healthcare is costing people's lives and their quality of life. and in this case, the delayed care for Mrs Powers ended up costing Missouri much more than covering her and finding the cancer earlier.
"The new law allows student athletes to make money from advertising that uses their name and image. The measure won't just benefit star athletes at elite universities." No transcript yet.
You know that urban myth about the big-oil companies suppressing patents of engines that can get 100 miles per gallon (or even better, run on water)? "Half a century ago — before climate change was a topic of much discussion and before Exxon was accused of deceiving shareholders and the public by downplaying the risks of climate change, prompting investigations and lawsuits — the company then known as Jersey Standard funded groundbreaking research into solar photovoltaic technology, which converts sunlight into electricity… Other oil companies would follow. While the amounts spent by these big firms were tiny compared with their vast resources, these early, critical investments in solar technology laid a foundation for what is now a growing, multibillion-dollar industry." Yes, big-oil was crucial at the start of the solar-cell technology.
"A natural disaster like a flood or a hurricane can destroy and severely damage property — something we’ve seen happen in coastal regions during every hurricane season. This has, among other things, a big impact on the value of those homes and the mortgages their owners take on. There’s a new paper out today from the National Bureau of Economic Research that says banks have been offloading more of those risky mortgages to the federal government, leaving taxpayers on the hook if homeowners default." A Marketplace audio report. Marketplace is just a frustrating outlet as most of their stories are audio, the do excellent content, but the infuriating thing is I hear stories on-air and then go to get them (to listen closer, or for here) and I can't find them.
Such as on the radio program of the Marketplace Morning Report they started off with several economic indicators pointing to as slowing global economy. But I can't find the actual story (and the posted morning report isn't the same as what I heard).
"A pro-democracy protester in Hong Kong was shot by police Tuesday — a sign of an escalating official response to months of mass demonstrations. The shooting took place as Beijing marks the 70th anniversary of modern China." First use of live rounds.
"A shadowy group that supports Syrian dictator Bashar-al Assad is giving thousands of dollars to far-right activists, conspiracy websites, YouTube personalities, and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange — all under the guise of an award for 'uncompromised integrity in journalism.'" This is how influence works, as well as how it brings down those who have been compromised. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"New York Republican Rep. Chris Collins is resigning, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office… Collins is expected to appear in court tomorrow and multiple news organizations have reported he is expected to plead guilty to charges involving insider trading." Sure, it's 3 people removed, but it's still insider trading. Collins shouldn't have shared the information with anyone.
"Brown, like many white liberal voters, appreciates that some Democratic presidential candidates have begun explicitly referring to Trump as a white supremacist. His top choice, Warren, told The NPR Politics Podcast in August that 'when the white supremacists call Donald Trump one of their own, I tend to believe them.'" This is what happens when you speak the truth. And that's the only way Democrats are going to take back this country and save it from the morass of fascism. "One possible explanation for the dramatic shift in racial attitudes in the last decade is that white Democrats who disagreed with the party's embrace of diversity have just abandoned the party all together." Yes, that's a part of it too.
JFC, the news surrounding Trump's corruption and the Impeachment Investigation (it's not "hearings" yet) is coming so fast and thick it's hard to keep ahead of it all. And it's now making me categorize the types and areas of the news.
"From Donald Trump on down, prominent Republicans used part of their weekend to falsely accuse Trump’s hand-picked intelligence community inspector general (IC IG) of secretly changing the requirements for intelligence workers to submit whistleblower tips as part of a “deep state” plot to clear the way for the Aug. 12 complaint about Trump’s phone call to the president of Ukraine." Bullshit Mountain has engulfed the Oval Office. (Grokked from Paolo Bacigalupi)
"House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) says he’s looking into making public a complaint by another whistleblower who claims to have evidence of misconduct regarding the Internal revenue Service’s auditing of President Trump, Bloomberg reports… The allegations, made by a federal employee, says there were 'inappropriate efforts to influence' the audit process."
"President Trump on Monday suggested House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) be arrested for treason, a crime punishable by death or prison time, for exaggerating parts of the president's call with Ukraine's leader." The was nothing illegal or treasonous in Adam Schiff's statement, it was just embarrassing to the president.
"Attorney Joe diGenova blasted Fox News on Monday after host Chris Wallace exposed his alleged work with Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine… 'According to a top U.S. official, all three were working off the books apart from the administration,' Wallace said. 'The only person in government who knows what they were doing is President Trump.'" The language is a little inflammatory ("exposed"), but what else would you expect from Raw Story? (Grokked from Jim Wright)
"Democrats subpoenaed documents from presidential lawyer Rudy Giuliani, citing statements from a CNN interview. We explore how TV appearances are driving events in the Ukraine whistleblower probe."
"Majority Democrats in the House subpoenaed President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani on Monday for documents related to his communications with Ukraine."
"President Donald Trump's recent tweet quoting a longtime evangelical pastor who warned of a 'Civil War' if Democrats seriously pursue removing him from office could actually be grounds for impeachment, one Harvard Law professor said."
"President Donald Trump and his allies advanced a conspiracy theory about the Ukraine whistleblower over the last few days alleging that the intelligence community had recently changed the rules requiring whistleblowers to base their claims on first-hand information." A form was changed to clarify and categorize the information, no law or rule was changed. This is a misinformation campaign designed to throw sand into the eyes of the charging bull.
"A former member of the Ukrainian parliament and adviser to Ukraine's president told CBS News it was a 'well-known fact' there that President Donald Trump wanted 'compromising' information on former Vice President Joe Biden. Serhiy Leshchenko added that Ukraine's president knew that U.S. aid to his country was at stake." What was the phrase I heard, "Like Tony Soprano, but without the therapy."
"A series of rapid-fire developments brought the House impeachment inquiry into clearer focus Monday afternoon, with Democrats issuing new demands for evidence and new revelations about the circumstances of the president's call with Ukraine coming to light." A slightly confusing article that doesn't carefully delineate between the president's call to Ukraine asking them to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden, and the newly revealed call to Australia in AG Barr's investigation into the start of the FBI's probe into connections between the Trump campaign and the Russians.
"Americans are about evenly split over impeaching President Donald Trump and removing him from office, as support for that move has risen among independents and Republicans, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS after the announcement of a formal impeachment inquiry by House Democrats last week." We're crossing into the territory of the margin of error in sample polling, but the numbers are moving.
"The Post goes on to note that 'it is not clear whether a memo documenting the May 10, 2017, meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak (and the president) was placed into that system, but the three former officials said it was restricted to a very small number of people.' Here’s the problem: That May 10 White House meeting was the subject of intense scrutiny by the Mueller probe because it went directly to the question of why Comey was fired." But there's no indication that Mueller had that memo or readout of the meeting.
"Lawyers for the House of Representatives revealed on Monday that they have reason to believe that the grand-jury redactions in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report show that President Donald Trump lied about his knowledge of his campaign’s contacts with WikiLeaks." Well, someone finally found their big-boy pants.
Sure, it's a partisan outlet, but… "Last week, Pompeo sought to deflect questions about the issue, saying he hadn't read the whistleblower's complaint in its entirety. That deflection might be more credible if Pompeo hadn't been in the same room… It's also worth noting that Pompeo initially opposed releasing the record of the call. That opposition takes on new import after learning Pompeo was opposing efforts that might expose his role." To be fair, there now appears to be so many instances that could have been a part of the whistleblower complaint that it would be hard to figure out which one it was until you had the complaint in front of you. (Grokked from Jim Wright)
"The BBC dropped the first trailer for its upcoming adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells science fiction novel The War of the Worlds. The three-part miniseries is set in Edwardian England—just a few years after Wells published his novel—and it looks like it will be a fairly faithful treatment of the source material, as the people of Earth fight to survive in the face of a Martian invasion." Finally it looks like the period piece will be handled well (that is the Martians don't reflect the technological state of Edwardian England). (Grokked from John)
"The Amery Ice Shelf in Antarctica has just produced its biggest iceberg in more than 50 years." The loss of the berg itself isn't that noteworthy (as it's been expected), but what such a large loss might mean to an otherwise "stable" Antarctic glacier.
"The journal Nature retracted a study published last year that found oceans were warming at an alarming rate due to climate change." That's a little misleading. Nature retracted one paper which supported the conclusion that the oceans are warming at an alarming rate because of a new statistical modeling based on off-gassing of aquatic plants (as I understand it) which had mathematical errors. The other papers published which show the oceans are warming at an alarming rate still stand.
"Our diets, however, are not like drugs. The impact of eating a meat-centric diet is tricky to measure. Unlike a pill, which can be measured against a placebo in a short-term trial, our diets are much more complicated. What we eat today may influence our health over decades. And teasing out an independent effect is tougher because our diets are varied and complex." Science denialism comes to nutrition (actually it's been there for a long time). About the new paper (note, it's not a new study) saying the evidence against red and processed meats isn't conclusive. Hate to tell you all this, but neither are the minimum recommended amounts, the food pyramids, diets in general, basically anything ingested over the long term has difficulties being studied. However there is a huge demand from industry to tell you, "everything is fine." Just like lead in paint and gasoline.
So there are some news stories going around about how this year's flu shot may be a "mismatch" with flu strains this season because (wait for it), the WHO is recommending different virus strains for the Southern Hemisphere 2020 season. No I'm not going to point to them, but understand this is a propaganda campaign. The flu strains are constantly mutating and which strains are more important in a season also constantly change. It's completely normal for different strains to be predicted. Why? Well let's say H3N1 hits the northern hemisphere hard (as predicted, it's one of the 3 viruses the flu shot is supposed to protect you from), because of immunity and the natural course of the disease, it shouldn't be in heavy transmission by March/April as the seasons change and the flu outbreaks change hemispheres. But other strains should be. The strains that go into the flu shot are predicted 8 months in advance to give manufacturers time enough to create the vaccines (could be done faster if we moved away from the egg model). Most often they get it right, or close enough. The flu vaccine, even if the prediction of the strains to hit the Northern Hemisphere are way off, will still give you limited immunity to other flu viruses. Those news outlets trying to scare you are actively working against your interests (either by complicity or sheer ignorance). Get the goddamn shot (if you can). This year will be a bad one. We're seeing it already (but we're not testing for influenza yet, because it's "not the season").
"Patricia Powers went a few years without health insurance and was unable to afford regular doctor visits. So the Missouri resident, who lives near St. Louis, had no idea cancerous tumors were silently growing in both of her breasts… If Powers lived just across the Mississippi River in neighboring Illinois, she would have qualified for Medicaid…" Just a reminder, access to healthcare is costing people's lives and their quality of life. and in this case, the delayed care for Mrs Powers ended up costing Missouri much more than covering her and finding the cancer earlier.
"The new law allows student athletes to make money from advertising that uses their name and image. The measure won't just benefit star athletes at elite universities." No transcript yet.
You know that urban myth about the big-oil companies suppressing patents of engines that can get 100 miles per gallon (or even better, run on water)? "Half a century ago — before climate change was a topic of much discussion and before Exxon was accused of deceiving shareholders and the public by downplaying the risks of climate change, prompting investigations and lawsuits — the company then known as Jersey Standard funded groundbreaking research into solar photovoltaic technology, which converts sunlight into electricity… Other oil companies would follow. While the amounts spent by these big firms were tiny compared with their vast resources, these early, critical investments in solar technology laid a foundation for what is now a growing, multibillion-dollar industry." Yes, big-oil was crucial at the start of the solar-cell technology.
"A natural disaster like a flood or a hurricane can destroy and severely damage property — something we’ve seen happen in coastal regions during every hurricane season. This has, among other things, a big impact on the value of those homes and the mortgages their owners take on. There’s a new paper out today from the National Bureau of Economic Research that says banks have been offloading more of those risky mortgages to the federal government, leaving taxpayers on the hook if homeowners default." A Marketplace audio report. Marketplace is just a frustrating outlet as most of their stories are audio, the do excellent content, but the infuriating thing is I hear stories on-air and then go to get them (to listen closer, or for here) and I can't find them.
Such as on the radio program of the Marketplace Morning Report they started off with several economic indicators pointing to as slowing global economy. But I can't find the actual story (and the posted morning report isn't the same as what I heard).
"A pro-democracy protester in Hong Kong was shot by police Tuesday — a sign of an escalating official response to months of mass demonstrations. The shooting took place as Beijing marks the 70th anniversary of modern China." First use of live rounds.
"A shadowy group that supports Syrian dictator Bashar-al Assad is giving thousands of dollars to far-right activists, conspiracy websites, YouTube personalities, and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange — all under the guise of an award for 'uncompromised integrity in journalism.'" This is how influence works, as well as how it brings down those who have been compromised. (Grokked from Laura J Mixon)
"New York Republican Rep. Chris Collins is resigning, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office… Collins is expected to appear in court tomorrow and multiple news organizations have reported he is expected to plead guilty to charges involving insider trading." Sure, it's 3 people removed, but it's still insider trading. Collins shouldn't have shared the information with anyone.
"Brown, like many white liberal voters, appreciates that some Democratic presidential candidates have begun explicitly referring to Trump as a white supremacist. His top choice, Warren, told The NPR Politics Podcast in August that 'when the white supremacists call Donald Trump one of their own, I tend to believe them.'" This is what happens when you speak the truth. And that's the only way Democrats are going to take back this country and save it from the morass of fascism. "One possible explanation for the dramatic shift in racial attitudes in the last decade is that white Democrats who disagreed with the party's embrace of diversity have just abandoned the party all together." Yes, that's a part of it too.
JFC, the news surrounding Trump's corruption and the Impeachment Investigation (it's not "hearings" yet) is coming so fast and thick it's hard to keep ahead of it all. And it's now making me categorize the types and areas of the news.
"From Donald Trump on down, prominent Republicans used part of their weekend to falsely accuse Trump’s hand-picked intelligence community inspector general (IC IG) of secretly changing the requirements for intelligence workers to submit whistleblower tips as part of a “deep state” plot to clear the way for the Aug. 12 complaint about Trump’s phone call to the president of Ukraine." Bullshit Mountain has engulfed the Oval Office. (Grokked from Paolo Bacigalupi)
"House Ways and Means Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) says he’s looking into making public a complaint by another whistleblower who claims to have evidence of misconduct regarding the Internal revenue Service’s auditing of President Trump, Bloomberg reports… The allegations, made by a federal employee, says there were 'inappropriate efforts to influence' the audit process."
"President Trump on Monday suggested House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) be arrested for treason, a crime punishable by death or prison time, for exaggerating parts of the president's call with Ukraine's leader." The was nothing illegal or treasonous in Adam Schiff's statement, it was just embarrassing to the president.
"Attorney Joe diGenova blasted Fox News on Monday after host Chris Wallace exposed his alleged work with Rudy Giuliani in Ukraine… 'According to a top U.S. official, all three were working off the books apart from the administration,' Wallace said. 'The only person in government who knows what they were doing is President Trump.'" The language is a little inflammatory ("exposed"), but what else would you expect from Raw Story? (Grokked from Jim Wright)
"Democrats subpoenaed documents from presidential lawyer Rudy Giuliani, citing statements from a CNN interview. We explore how TV appearances are driving events in the Ukraine whistleblower probe."
"Majority Democrats in the House subpoenaed President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani on Monday for documents related to his communications with Ukraine."
"President Donald Trump's recent tweet quoting a longtime evangelical pastor who warned of a 'Civil War' if Democrats seriously pursue removing him from office could actually be grounds for impeachment, one Harvard Law professor said."
"President Donald Trump and his allies advanced a conspiracy theory about the Ukraine whistleblower over the last few days alleging that the intelligence community had recently changed the rules requiring whistleblowers to base their claims on first-hand information." A form was changed to clarify and categorize the information, no law or rule was changed. This is a misinformation campaign designed to throw sand into the eyes of the charging bull.
"A former member of the Ukrainian parliament and adviser to Ukraine's president told CBS News it was a 'well-known fact' there that President Donald Trump wanted 'compromising' information on former Vice President Joe Biden. Serhiy Leshchenko added that Ukraine's president knew that U.S. aid to his country was at stake." What was the phrase I heard, "Like Tony Soprano, but without the therapy."
"A series of rapid-fire developments brought the House impeachment inquiry into clearer focus Monday afternoon, with Democrats issuing new demands for evidence and new revelations about the circumstances of the president's call with Ukraine coming to light." A slightly confusing article that doesn't carefully delineate between the president's call to Ukraine asking them to investigate Joe and Hunter Biden, and the newly revealed call to Australia in AG Barr's investigation into the start of the FBI's probe into connections between the Trump campaign and the Russians.
"Americans are about evenly split over impeaching President Donald Trump and removing him from office, as support for that move has risen among independents and Republicans, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS after the announcement of a formal impeachment inquiry by House Democrats last week." We're crossing into the territory of the margin of error in sample polling, but the numbers are moving.
"The Post goes on to note that 'it is not clear whether a memo documenting the May 10, 2017, meeting with Lavrov and Kislyak (and the president) was placed into that system, but the three former officials said it was restricted to a very small number of people.' Here’s the problem: That May 10 White House meeting was the subject of intense scrutiny by the Mueller probe because it went directly to the question of why Comey was fired." But there's no indication that Mueller had that memo or readout of the meeting.
"Lawyers for the House of Representatives revealed on Monday that they have reason to believe that the grand-jury redactions in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report show that President Donald Trump lied about his knowledge of his campaign’s contacts with WikiLeaks." Well, someone finally found their big-boy pants.
Sure, it's a partisan outlet, but… "Last week, Pompeo sought to deflect questions about the issue, saying he hadn't read the whistleblower's complaint in its entirety. That deflection might be more credible if Pompeo hadn't been in the same room… It's also worth noting that Pompeo initially opposed releasing the record of the call. That opposition takes on new import after learning Pompeo was opposing efforts that might expose his role." To be fair, there now appears to be so many instances that could have been a part of the whistleblower complaint that it would be hard to figure out which one it was until you had the complaint in front of you. (Grokked from Jim Wright)
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