Friday, April 19, 2024
Fog of Escalation: Israel Strike on Iran Sort-of Open Thread
The US says Israel hit Iran…..and Iran says the strike was from drones fired within its borders which it shot down. Not at all a clear picture.
Argentina Applies to Become a NATO “Global Partner” As Long-Time US Client State, Colombia, Eyes BRICS Membership
When it comes to foreign policy, Argentina’s Javier Milei government appears to have only one guiding principle: to align itself as closely as possible with the US and Israel, whatever the cost.
Medicare’s Push To Improve Chronic Care Attracts Businesses, but Not Many Doctors
A Medicare scheme to lower costs of chronic care patients gets a thumbs down from most MDs, perhaps because it was designed for middlemen?
2:00PM Water Cooler 4/18/2024
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, pandemics ~
Citizenship: Concept and Consequences
On different notions of citizenship and their implications.
Standard Chartered Says Peak Oil Demand Is Not Imminent
The much predicted peak oil is running behind schedule, to the detriment of the planet.
Mortgage Rates over 7% and Heading Higher, Housing Market Still Frozen, Lots of Buyers on Strike as Prices Still Too High
The US housing market is stalled, yet Biden fans insist that, economy-wise, we live in the best of all possible worlds.
Hoisted from Comments: The Colonialist and Anti-Semitic Origins of Modern Israel
Some observations about why modern Israel backs genocide, and why the US and Europe supported its creation.
2:00PM Water Cooler 4/17/2024
~Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, pandemics, Mayorkas impeachment, Tesla stops delivery of those stupid-looking trucks, wastewater testing expands its scope ~
Middle East Escalation: Financial Times’ Revealing Account of Israel Risk of Ukraine-Style Air Defense Attrition; Helmer on Possible Electrical Grid Campaign
US mixed messages continue: trying to check Israel’s suicidal conduct while providing military support. So what might happen next?
Can a New German Party Steer the European Left in a More Effective Direction?
Sahra Wagenknecht shook up the German political establishment with the January launch of her new left-populist political party. She’s now looking to do the same in the European Parliament.
A Brief History of Kill Lists, From Langley to Lavender
The AI targeting system, Lavender, tries to provide a tech gloss of legitimacy to hit lists, here one designed to kill bystanders.
