By Lambert Strether of Corrente.
Glad Friday the Thirteenth to those that rejoice! –lambert
Chook Track of the Day
Northern Mockingbird, Siboney; BIOECO Estacion Ecologica Siboney-Jutici, Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. “That is all one steady minimize even by means of my announcement.” Seize a cup of espresso. Eighteen minutes (although the final two minutes or so are the “announcement.”
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In Case You Would possibly Miss…
RFK, Trump, and vax.
Covid “viral reservoir” concept recieves assist.
The place oil earnings went.
New Covid charts: Excellent news, however positivity uptick.
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Politics
“So most of the social reactions that strike us as psychological are in reality a rational administration of symbolic capital.” –Pierre Bourdieu, Classification Struggles
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Capitol Seizure
“Watchdog finds FBI intelligence missteps earlier than Jan. 6 riot, however no undercover brokers had been current” [Associated Press]. “The report from the Justice Division inspector common’s workplace knocks down a fringe conspiracy concept superior by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI performed a job in instigating the occasions that day, when rioters decided to overturn Republican Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the constructing in a violent conflict with police. The evaluate, launched almost 4 years after a darkish chapter in historical past that shook the bedrock of American democracy, was slim in scope, however aimed to make clear gnawing questions which have dominated public discourse, together with whether or not main intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether or not the FBI not directly provoked the violence.” • I’d be rather a lot happier if I might cross two oddities off my listing for the day: No person is aware of who constructed the gallows or took them away; and no one is aware of who left the pipe bombs on the DNC (when Kamala was there). For these two tales, take the Justice Division story as learn: It wasn’t the FBI. So, who was it?
“DOJ IG reveals 26 FBI informants had been current on Jan. 6” [FOX]. “Justice Division Inspector Basic Michael Horowitz mentioned there have been greater than two dozen confidential human sources (CHSs) within the crowd outdoors the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, however solely three had been assigned by the FBI to be current for the occasion, whereas stressing that not one of the sources was licensed or directed by the bureau to ‘break the legislation’ or ‘encourage others to commit unlawful acts,’ Fox Information has discovered.” • “We had been simply informanting. We weren’t agent provocateuring in any respect, completely.” OK, effective.
Trump Transition
“RFK Jr key adviser petitioned regulators to revoke approval of polio vaccine” [Ed Pilkington, Guardian]. “A key authorized adviser to Robert Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump’s decide for well being secretary, is on the middle of efforts to push federal drug regulators to revoke approval for the polio and hepatitis B vaccines and block distribution of 13 different essential vaccines. Aaron Siri, a lawyer who has been serving to Kennedy choose high well being directors as a part of the Trump transition course of, is deeply embedded in longstanding efforts to pressure the US Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) to withdraw a raft of vaccines which have saved the lives and well being of hundreds of thousands of Individuals.” • I don’t thoughts having an excellent religion dialogue about rolling again the childhood vaccination schedule; heck, it seems to be like a spreadsheet. However my concern has all the time been that the anti-vaxxers need to roll again all vaccines, together with the unique Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), i.e., those I used to be given as a baby, and an excellent factor, too. And now a RFK’s authorized operating buddy desires to roll again polio vaccines, so my “lack of fine religion” priors are closely bolstered. A bridge too far, for me. Perhaps concentrate on MAHA? Except eliminating polio vaccines is MAHA, in fact.
“Trump to debate ending childhood vaccination applications with RFK Jr.” [Reuters]. “He (Kennedy) doesn’t disagree with vaccinations, all vaccinations. He disagrees in all probability with some,” Trump mentioned.” • “Most likely” is doing a number of work there. And if Kennedy needed to preseve polio vaccines, then his mimion wouldn’t be making an attempt to revoke their approval. And if you wish to do away with the polio vaccines, you then would possibly as nicely “disagree” with “all vaccinations.” Trump ought to put RFK again in his field on this one.
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“Trump Transition Crew Needs To Finish Crash Report Requirement Opposed By Tesla, Report Says” [Forbes]. “President-elect Donald Trump’s transition workforce desires to scrap a regulatory order requiring automakers to report crashes involving automobiles with automated driving programs, Reuters reported Friday, aligning with opposition to the rule by Elon Musk’s Tesla, which accounts for many crashes reported beneath the requirement thus far.” • Oh.
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“SEC expenses Cantor Fitzgerald, led by Trump’s Commerce decide, with breaking securities legal guidelines” [CNBC]. • If we hadn’t simply had 4 years of Democrat lawfare, I’d be aghast.
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The #Resistance
“Democratic governors quietly prep in depth plans to counter Trump” [CNN]. “Diplomatic and depressed as they’ve been in public, a small group of Democratic governors are deep into behind-the-scenes preparations and deliberations over stability the politics of pushing again on what they’re anticipating from President-elect Donald Trump’s subsequent flip within the White Home. Since lengthy earlier than the election, they’ve been poring by means of Undertaking 2025 — it’s useful, a number of Democratic governors informed CNN, to have a blueprint in public. They’ve been learning their very own government powers and state legal guidelines…. They’ve been stockpiling the abortion remedy mifepristone [(!!)] in secret warehouses and rehearsing their solutions for if and when the incoming White Home tries to nationalize their state police or Nationwide Guard items to be used in deportation raids; some are planning to flat out refuse, whereas others intend to argue that the officers are busy with different work conserving the individuals of their states secure. (None have totally wrapped their heads round how it could work if items from different states are despatched in and set themselves up for showdowns on the state borders.)” And: “A number of have been operating tabletop workouts behind closed doorways for months, typically with state attorneys common and different related officers concerned. Officers in a number of governors’ places of work informed CNN the circles have been tight to maintain the incoming White Home from having the ability to put together for their very own responses, or for the proactive improvements they’re trying into.” • Value studying in full for the element. And what’s it with Democrats and these “tabletop workouts”? They maintain operating them, they usually don’t appear to be doing a lot good.
Democrats en déshabillé
“Democrats’ downside with working-class voters is larger than free commerce” [Eric Levitz, Vox]. “In gentle of deindustrialization’s most pernicious results, Democrats ought to make American employees’ entry to remunerative employment and collective bargaining rights much less contingent available on the market’s whims, whereas rebuilding the celebration’s status for sound financial administration.” • Daring! The issue is easy, from a 30,000-foot stage (the place certainly most issues are easy). The Democrats are the celebration of the PMC. Because the governing class, they’re within the enterprise of working the various and assorted rental extraction schemes that dominate our financialized economic system, and which enrich the (propertied) ruling class on the expense of the (enwaged) working class (medical health insurance being one such). Due to this fact, the category pursuits of the Democrats and the working class are diametrically opposed. The Democrat Occasion founders on this contradiction. “A home divided towards itself can not stand…. I don’t count on the home to fall — however I do count on it is going to stop to be divided. It’ll change into all one factor, or all the opposite.” –Abraham Lincoln.
Republican Funhouse
“Home Republicans launch investigation into CVS Caremark for potential antitrust violations” [The Hill]. “Home Republicans need to know whether or not pharmacy profit supervisor (PBM) CVS Caremark violated federal antitrust legal guidelines by threatening impartial pharmacies to maintain them from utilizing money-saving instruments outdoors the PBM’s community. In a letter to CVS obtained by The Hill, Home Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) requested the corporate for paperwork and communications about pharmaceutical hubs, a kind of digital pharmacy service that may streamline the method of accessing and managing advanced, high-cost specialty medicines for sufferers. Jordan expressed concern that CVS prevents impartial pharmacies from taking part in hub preparations, as a result of the corporate desires to move off potential competitors. If an impartial pharmacy works with a hub outdoors the PBM, it may very well be excluded from the PBMs community.” • Good.
Syndemics
“I’m in earnest — I can’t equivocate — I can’t excuse — I can’t retreat a single inch — AND I WILL BE HEARD.” –William Lloyd Garrison
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Covid Sources, United States (Nationwide): Transmission (CDC); Wastewater (CDC, Biobot; contains many counties; Wastewater Scan, contains drilldown by zip); Variants (CDC; Walgreens); “Iowa COVID-19 Tracker” (in IA, however nationwide information). “An infection Management, Emergency Administration, Security, and Basic Ideas” (particularly on hospitalization by metropolis).
Lambert right here: Readers, thanks for the collective effort. To replace any entry, do be at liberty to contact me on the deal with given with the crops. Please put “COVID” within the topic line. Thanks!
Sources, United States (Native): AK (dashboard); AL (dashboard); AR (dashboard); AZ (dashboard); CA (dashboard; Marin, dashboard; Stanford, wastewater; Oakland, wastewater); CO (dashboard; wastewater); CT (dashboard); DE (dashboard); FL (wastewater); GA (wastewater); HI (dashboard); IA (wastewater experiences); ID (dashboard, Boise; dashboard, wastewater, Central Idaho; wastewater, Coeur d’Alene; dashboard, Spokane County); IL (wastewater); IN (dashboard); KS (dashboard; wastewater, Lawrence); KY (dashboard, Louisville); LA (dashboard); MA (wastewater); MD (dashboard); ME (dashboard); MI (wastewater; wastewater); MN (dashboard); MO (wastewater); MS (dashboard); MT (dashboard); NC (dashboard); ND (dashboard; wastewater); NE (dashboard); NH (wastewater); NJ (dashboard); NM (dashboard); NV (dashboard; wastewater, Southern NV); NY (dashboard); OH (dashboard); OK (dashboard); OR (dashboard); PA (dashboard); RI (dashboard); SC (dashboard); SD (dashboard); TN (dashboard); TX (dashboard); UT (wastewater); VA (wastewater); VT (dashboard); WA (dashboard; dashboard); WI (wastewater); WV (wastewater); WY (wastewater).
Sources, Canada (Nationwide): Wastewater (Authorities of Canada).
Sources, Canada (Provincial): ON (wastewater); QC (les eaux usées); BC (wastewater); BC, Vancouver (wastewater).
Hat tricks to useful readers: Alexis, anon (2), Art_DogCT, B24S, CanCyn, ChiGal, Chuck L, Festoonic, FM, FreeMarketApologist (4), Gumbo, hop2it, JB, JEHR, JF, JL Joe, John, JM (10), JustAnotherVolunteer, JW, KatieBird, KF, KidDoc, LL, Michael King, KF, LaRuse, mrsyk, MT, MT_Wild, otisyves, Petal (6), RK (2), RL, RM, Rod, sq. coats (11), tennesseewaltzer, Tom B., Utah, Bob White (3).
Keep secure on the market!
Airborne Transmission
Phrase of the day (or the last decade):
WORD OF THE WEEK:
Ca•cough•ony
A portmanteau of the phrases ‘cacophony’ + ‘cough’.
An disagreeable refrain of loud of coughing.
Usually skilled throughout carol concert events, nativities, pantomimes, college assemblies & different indoor mass gatherings simply earlier than Xmas.@susie_dent pic.twitter.com/nDyRqpBfQB
— Cat within the Hat 🐈⬛ 🎩 🇬🇧 (@_CatintheHat) December 13, 2024
Maskstravaganza
“Days after Period Tour ends, Taylor Swift spreads vacation cheer at Youngsters’s Mercy Hospital in KC” [Knox News]. • And that’s not all she’s spreading, is it?
Vaccines: Covid
“COVID-19 vaccination and short-term mortality danger: a nationwide self-controlled case sequence examine in The Netherlands” (preprint) [medRxiv]. From the Summary: “We performed a retrospective data-linkage examine together with all Dutch inhabitants to analyze the affect of COVID-19 vaccination on extra mortality utilizing a modified self-controlled case sequence technique. We discovered a 44% decrease relative incidence of all-cause deaths within the first three weeks after the first vaccination in comparison with greater than three weeks after vaccination (IRR 0.56, 95percentCI 0.54-0.57). This decrease incidence was constant throughout vaccine sorts, doses, genders, age teams, and people with or with out prior SARS-CoV-2 an infection or comorbidities, and for non-COVID-19 associated deaths. For booster vaccinations, the relative incidence was related (IRR 0.49, 95percentCI 0.49-0.50). Compared, we noticed a 16-fold greater incidence of all-cause deaths within the three weeks following a registered optimistic SARS-CoV-2 an infection in comparison with greater than three weeks after an infection (IRR 16.19, 95percentCI 15.78-16.60). A decrease relative incidence of short-term deaths following COVID-19 vaccination assist that COVID-19 vaccination will not be related to the noticed extra mortality.” • “Not related” for that (comparatively quick) timeframe, as they certainly say.
Variants: H5N1
“Novel human-type receptor-binding H5N1 virus in dwell poultry markets, China” [The Lancet]. “In January, 2024, findings from a surveillance examine close to Poyang Lake in southern China revealed a excessive prevalence of novel H5N1 viruses that confirmed enhanced binding affinity for human-type sialic acid receptors…. Given the established position of [Live poultry markets (LPMs)] as a significant supply of human H5N1 infections, we spotlight the pressing want for enhanced surveillance and public well being interventions to mitigate the widespread transmission potential of those novel human-type receptor-binding H5N1 viruses in these markets.” • “Novel” within the headline and repeated within the textual content doesn’t sound good. Maybe a form reader can translate your entire summary.
Sequelae: Covid
“Multi-Organ Unfold and Intra-Host Variety of SARS-CoV-2 Help Viral Persistence, Adaptation, and a Mechanism That Will increase Evolvability” [Journal of Medical Virology (Jason Boxman). The Abstract:
Intra-host diversity is an intricate phenomenon related to immune evasion, antiviral resistance, and evolutionary leaps along transmission chains. SARS-CoV-2 intra-host variation has been well-evidenced from respiratory samples. However, data on systemic dissemination and diversification are relatively scarce and come from immunologically impaired patients. Here, the presence and variability of SARS-CoV-2 were assessed among 71 tissue samples obtained from multiple organs including lung, intestine, heart, kidney, and liver from 15 autopsies with positive swabs and no records of immunocompromise. The virus was detected in most organs in the majority of autopsies. All organs presented intra-host single nucleotide variants (iSNVs) with low, moderate, and high abundances. The iSNV abundances observed within different organs indicate that the virus can mutate at one host site and subsequently spread to other parts of the body. In agreement with previous data from respiratory samples, our lung samples presented no more than 10 iSNVs each. But interestingly, when analyzing different organs we were able to detect between 11 and 45 iSNVs per case. Our results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 can replicate, and evolve in a compartmentalized manner, in different body sites, which agrees with the “viral reservoir” theory. We elaborate on how compartmentalized evolution in multiple organs may contribute to SARS-CoV-2 evolving so rapidly despite the virus having a proofreading mechanism.
Yikes.
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TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts
Lambert: After repeated attempts, this is what I get for CDC’s wastewater page:
I conclude that CDC doesn’t know how to run a server, along with everything else they don’t know how to do.
Wastewater
This week[1] CDC December 2
Final week[2] CDC (till subsequent week):
Variants [3] CDC December 7
★Emergency Room Visits[4] CDC December 7
Hospitalization
★New York[5] New York State, information December 12:
★ Nationwide [6] CDC December 12:
Positivity
Nationwide[7] Walgreens December 9:
★ Ohio[8] Cleveland Clinic December 7:
Vacationers Information
★Positivity[9] CDC November 25:
★Variants[10] CDC November 25:
Deaths
Weekly Deaths vs. % Positivity [11] CDC November 20:
Weekly Deaths vs. ED Visits [12] CDC November 20:
LEGEND
1) ★ for charts new right this moment; all others aren’t up to date.
2) For a full-size/full-resolution picture, Command-click (MacOS) or right-click (Home windows) on the chart thumbnail and “open picture in new tab.”
NOTES
[1] (CDC) Excellent news!
[2] (CDC) Final week’s wastewater map.
[3] (CDC Variants) XEC takes over. That WHO label, “Ommicron,” has carried out an awesome job normalizing successive waves of an infection.
[4] (ED) A bit uptick.
[5] (Hospitalization: NY) Leveled out.
[6] (Hospitalization: CDC). Leveling out.
[7] (Walgreens) Leveling out.
[8] (Cleveland) Up!
[9] (Vacationers: Positivity) Leveling out.
[10] (Vacationers: Variants). Positivity is new, however variants haven’t but been launched.
[11] Deaths low, positivity leveling out.
[12] Deaths low, ED leveling out.
Stats Watch
There are not any official statistics of curiosity right this moment.
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Manufacturing: “Boeing Plans $1 Billion Enlargement in South Carolina” [Industrial Equipment News]. “Boeing yesterday introduced plans to take a position $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades at its Charleston County, South Carolina web site. The enlargement will create 500 new jobs over the subsequent 5 years. The announcement was made by the South Carolina Division of Commerce (SCDC). Boeing South Carolina is dwelling to your entire 787 Dreamliner manufacturing cycle and fabricates, assembles, and delivers the 787-8, 787-9 and 787-10. The manufacturing facility has been in operation for greater than ten years.” • That’s non-unionized South Carolina.
Manufacturing: “Boeing, Airbus nonetheless battle with provide chains and personnel shortages” [Leeham News & Analysis]. “Michael Haidinger, president of Boeing’s European and Center Japanese areas, and Juergen Westermeier, chief procurement officer for Airbus, agree challenges stay within the close to future. ‘There may be all the time a scarcity of expert aerospace expertise intensified by the pandemic,’ Haidinger mentioned this month on the annual Aviation Discussion board (2024) in Munich, Germany. ‘As all of the professionals retired, fewer new workers entered the sphere. Our business wants extra individuals who not solely carry experience but additionally embrace the mission of advancing aerospace.’ Haidinger added, ‘The deficit of expert engineers, technicians, and different aerospace employees has made ramping up manufacturing tougher. Attracting and retaining expertise has change into a high precedence for us. [We are] with many firms investing in workforce improvement, partnerships with universities, coaching applications, and apprenticeship applications.’”
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At the moment’s Worry & Greed Index: 50 Impartial (earlier shut: 48 Impartial) [CNN]. One week in the past: 52 (Impartial). (0 is Excessive Worry; 100 is Excessive Greed). Final up to date Dec 13 at 2:43:33 PM ET.
Musical Interlude
Toe-tapping goodness:
Groves of Academe
“Comparative lit class can be first in Humanities Division to make use of UCLA-developed AI system” (press launch) [Newsroom, UCLA]. “The textbook: AI-generated. Class assignments: AI-generated. Instructing assistants’ assets: AI-generated.” Once I ran a Literary Hub publish on this story, alert reader and significant thinker PJay requested an awesome query: “Are we positive this isn’t a Sokal-type hoax?” So I went and dug up this press launch; the chances of hoaxdom are vanishingly small. Right here once more, on your reference. is the AI artwork for the textbook. Put down your espresso:
The course is Comp Lit 2BW within the UCLA School Division of Humanities [sic]. Would some variety soul with a UCLA connection be capable of throw copies of the educating materials over the transom? I’m positive the readership would take pleasure in them. My e mail deal with is down by the crops.
Annals of Faith
“How a Story of Demonic Possession Predicted the Decline of an Early Medieval Empire” [Smithsonian]. “Historians can look again and see the tensions that resulted within the coup of 830, and the way its lack of decision led to a different coup try in 833 and in the end to a brutal civil battle within the 840s. However all through all of the homicide, treason and plotting, most historic sources, from the Annals of Fulda to the Annals of St. Bertin, stay dedicated to the parable of stability, inevitability and God’s blessing.” • Plus ça change….
Healthcare
“UnitedHealth Group C.E.O.: The Well being Care System Is Flawed. Let’s Repair It.” [Andrew Witty, New York Times]. Witty is the chief government officer of UnitedHealth Group, the father or mother firm of UnitedHealthcare. “He believed selections about well being care ought to begin with the person and championed plans through which shoppers might see prices and protection choices upfront, so they may determine what’s finest for themselves and their households.” • Oh.
“Brian Thompson, Not Luigi Mangione, Is the Actual Working-Class Hero” [Bret Stephens, New York Times]. “Thompson’s life could have been minimize brutally quick, however it is going to stay a mannequin for a way a proficient and decided man from humble roots can nonetheless rise to the highest of company life with out the advantage of wealthy dad and mom and an Ivy League diploma.”
“The Disaster of Elite Indifference to Company Mass Homicide” [Nathan Newman, Left Future]. The deck: “And a Modest Proposal to License No Greater than 10 CEO Murders Every Yr to Enhance Company Accountability” NOTE: Satire. Type of like Shirley Jackson’s The Lottery. Because the writer mentions!
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“Luigi Mangione’s Mom Spent Months Trying to find a Son Who Didn’t Wish to Be Discovered” [Wall Street Journal]. “Over the previous 12 months, the household was at a loss for the place Luigi was or what he was doing, based on the individuals near the Mangiones. Within the fall, his kin emailed lots of his buddies to hunt their assist. One buddy posted to Luigi on X, ‘Hey, are you okay? No person has heard from you in months, and apparently your loved ones is on the lookout for you.’ In November, his mom reportedly referred to as the San Francisco Police Division to report her son lacking. ‘She would have carried out every thing to seek out her son and couldn’t,’ mentioned a kind of near the Mangiones.” • Hmm.
* * *
“Lakeland girl threatens insurance coverage firm, says ‘Delay, Deny, Depose’: police” [WFLA]. “A Lakeland girl was charged Tuesday after police mentioned she ended a name to an insurance coverage firm with the phrases, ‘Delay, Deny, Depose.’ In an arrest affidavit, the Lakeland Police Division mentioned officers had been contacted by the FBI on Tuesday, Dec. 10 concerning an alleged risk revamped the cellphone. Briana Boston, 42, had reportedly positioned a name to BlueCross BlueShield concerning current medical insurance coverage claims she was denied. Your complete cellphone name was recorded, based on the affidavit…. Police made contact with Boston at her dwelling in Lakeland, the place she reportedly admitted to utilizing these phrases through the name, telling detectives that ‘healthcare firms performed video games and deserved karma from the world as a result of they’re evil.’ ‘My consumer is 42, married mom of three. By no means had any felony expenses or convictions. Might you launch her on her personal recognizance,’ her legal professional Jim Headley mentioned to a decide throughout her first look in courtroom. Nevertheless, the decide set her bond at $100,000, stating, ‘I do discover that the bond of $100,000 is acceptable contemplating the standing of our nation at this level.’ Boston was charged with threats to conduct a mass capturing or an act of terrorism, based on the affidavit.” • Hoo boy.
“Lady threatens BlueCross BlueShield, saying ‘delay, deny, depose’, then will get arrested” [WHAM]. “Boston is charged with one depend “Written Menace to Kill or Injure- Conduct a mass capturing or an act of terrorism.” • This seems to be just like the related Florida statute;
However cellphone calls are exempt, and Boston made the alleged risk over the cellphone. Maybe a authorized skilled from Florida can weigh in?
Guillotine Watch
“BioLab units deadline for claims over Conyers chemical plant hearth” [FOX5]. “Time is operating out to file reimbursement claims in connection to the BioLab chemical plant hearth in Conyers. The fires in September despatched chemical-filled smoke into the air for days, resulting in complaints a few sturdy chemical scent and haze and forcing 1000’s to shelter in place. The corporate is already dealing with a number of lawsuits, together with one filed by Rockdale County commissioners. The fee chair says that the lawsuit is at present in course of. As cleanup started, BioLab opened a web site for residents to file a declare for bills incurred on account of the fireplace. The corporate says it has responded to greater than 29,000 calls and 9,000 emails, and helped 4,000 individuals by means of its Neighborhood Help Heart since Oct. 8. With the excessive quantity of claims steadily lowering, BioLab has set a deadline for New Yr’s Eve for any new submissions. After that, the corporate will now not settle for new claims.”• The publish offers instructions on submitting a declare, which is helpful. Nonetheless, what about long run results?
Class Warfare
“Musk’s Charitable Basis Despatched Most of Its Hundreds of thousands to His Personal Entities” [Bloomberg]. “Elon Musk’s charitable basis ballooned to $9.5 billion in property final 12 months whereas handing out $237 million in presents, most of which went to different entities managed by the world’s richest particular person. The figures are a part of the Musk Basis’s newest tax submitting, obtained Thursday by Bloomberg Information…. The nonprofits Musk controls are a part of his huge and rising empire, which counts a carmaker, rocket firm, social media platform and, now, a significant political equipment…. Although Musk has widened his lead because the richest particular person ever, his philanthropy stays muted…. The IRS mandates that foundations deploy, on common, 5% of property a 12 months. Musk has repeatedly missed that bar. Through the years, at the same time as the muse has grown in wealth, he has stored the workforce small. Its newest submitting lists the identical handful of individuals, together with himself and his fixer, Jared Birchall.” • Lol, “muted.” “Fixer” can also be fairly a powerful phrase to make use of, particularly for Bloomberg. I imply, “fixer” is a Third World idea, no?
“Distributional implications and share possession of report oil and gasoline earnings” (PDF) [University of Massachusetts, Amherst]. “We estimate that globally, web earnings in publicly listed oil and gasoline firms reached US$916 billion in 2022. The US was the largest beneficiary receiving US$301 billion in fossil gas earnings each from home extraction and thru international shareholding, greater than U.S. investments of US$267 billion within the low carbon economic system that 12 months. Analyzing the U.S. distribution together with privately held US firms, 51% of earnings went to the wealthiest 1%, predominantly by means of direct shareholdings and personal firm possession. In distinction the underside 50% solely obtained 1%. The incremental fossil-fuel earnings in 2022 over these in 2021 had been sufficient to extend the disposable earnings of the wealthiest Individuals a number of % and compensate a considerable a part of their buying energy loss from inflation that 12 months, thereby exacerbating inflation inequality. Document fossil-fuel earnings additionally reinforce current racial and ethnic inequalities and inequalities between teams with totally different academic attainments. Our outcomes additionally present that solely a small share of general earnings advantages establishments that serve the broader public akin to pension funds.” • Useful chart:
NEW PAPER: The 2022 fossil gas worth jumps prompted an oil and gasoline revenue explosion. We present the US reaped the biggest revenue enhance (USD 275bn) of any nation. Huge Oil claims this advantages the American individuals. The truth is, 51% went to the richest 1%, just one% to the underside 50%. A 🧵 pic.twitter.com/2p1SVQqImO
— Isabella M. Weber (@IsabellaMWeber) December 12, 2024
“Man alleges Sean Combs drugged and raped him throughout a gathering at a New York lodge” [NBC]. • Been awhile since we heard from Diddy!
Information of the Wired
“People who find themselves good at studying have totally different brains” [The Conversation]. “Clearly, mind construction can inform us rather a lot about studying abilities. Importantly, although, the mind is malleable — it adjustments once we be taught a brand new ability or observe an already acquired one. As an illustration, younger adults who studied language intensively elevated their cortical thickness in language areas. Equally, studying is prone to form the construction of the left Heschl’s gyrus and temporal pole. So, if you wish to maintain your Heschl’s thick and thriving, decide up an excellent e book and begin studying. Lastly, it’s value contemplating what would possibly occur to us as a species if abilities like studying change into much less prioritised. Our capability to interpret the world round us and perceive the minds of others would certainly diminish. In different phrases, that cosy second with a e book in your armchair isn’t simply private – it’s a service to humanity.”
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Contact data for crops: Readers, be at liberty to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, to (a) learn how to ship me a test if you’re allergic to PayPal and (b) to learn how to ship me photographs of crops. Greens are effective! Fungi, lichen, and coral are deemed to be honorary crops! In order for you your deal with to seem as a credit score, please place it initially of your mail in parentheses: (thus). In any other case, I’ll anonymize through the use of your initials. See the earlier Water Cooler (with plant) right here. From timotheus:
Timotheus writes: “I took this picture of a monarch on a bee blossom bush in early September within the park in entrance of my constructing and solely simply now realized (by blowing it up) that it was tagged. I reported the quantity to MonarchWatch.org, which was simple. They mentioned thanks.”
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This entry was posted in Water Cooler on December 13, 2024.
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