Odds and Ends — 11 July 2023
Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, Business, and Debt:
Apple May Not Like It, but ‘Zapple Pay’ Finds Workaround for Bitcoin Tipping on Damus
The new third-party payment service claims to be independent of the Damus iPhone app that Apple has tried to restrict, and lets users tip one another on any app that runs on the Nostr protocol.
China's deflation pressure builds as consumer prices falter
The manufacturing backlash: No factory in my backyard
Bitcoin supply shock will send BTC price to $120K — Standard Chartered
Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:
Air monitor can detect COVID-19 virus variants in about 5 minutes
Proof-of-concept device could also monitor for flu, RSV, other respiratory viruses
Florida Man:
Trump Ahead of DeSantis In Florida
Politics:
Georgia Grand Jury to Consider Trump Charges
The selection of two Fulton County grand juries will be made Tuesday, with one of the panels expected to decide whether to hand up an indictment for alleged criminal interference in the 2020 presidential election.
One set of jurors is likely to be asked to bring formal charges against former President Donald Trump and other well-known political and legal figures. In a letter to county officials almost two months ago, District Attorney Fani Willis indicated the indictment could be obtained at some point between July 31 and Aug. 18.
U.S. Attorney Denies He Sought Special Counsel Status
David Weiss, the U.S. attorney from Delaware overseeing the federal criminal investigation into Hunter Biden, is denying allegations from an IRS whistleblower that he sought special counsel status but was blocked by senior Justice Department officials.
Weiss’ statement, made in a letter to Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), appears to undermine one of the major claims made by the whistleblower, Gary Shapley. Shapley told House Ways and Means Committee investigators that Weiss reportedly informed IRS and FBI agents during an Oct. 7, 2022, meeting that he sought special counsel status but was denied.
The Alternative Facts of RFK Jr.
Turkey will back Sweden's NATO membership - Stoltenberg
Republican Debates Are a Recipe for Chaos
With the first Republican presidential debate scheduled for Aug. 23 rapidly approaching, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the institutions and practices for choosing presidential nominees are a terrible fit for the choices the party has to make.
This is perhaps easiest to see in the loyalty pledge that the Republican National Committee is requiring candidates make in order to participate in the debates. The pledge to support whoever wins the nomination has already meant that Trump critic Will Hurd apparently won’t be allowed to participate. It also puts any other anti-Trump candidate, such as former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, in the nonsensical position of arguing that Trump is unfit for the office, yet he would still support the former president should he be nominated.
Indeed, the pledge institutionalizes as the Republican Party’s official position that neither attempting to overturn an election nor being indicted for multiple felonies is disqualifying for the presidency and that anyone who believes otherwise will be cut off from party leadership.
In America, a toddler has shot someone with a gun, every week, for 2 years straight.
— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) July 8, 2023
Yes, you read that correctly.
Trump co-conspirator seeks delay in Mar-a-Lago documents case
Former President Trump’s co-defendant in the Mar-a-Lago case, Walt Nauta, is pushing the court to delay a conference to discuss the handling of classified evidence in the case, teeing up a decision for Judge Aileen Cannon that could signal how quickly she plans to handle the case.
“Perhaps the saddest part of this story is the fact that now, in 2023, it’s not only the cynical, ideological zealots and their complicit lawyers who are willing to abuse the courts for political gain. Certain judges are in on it, too.” https://t.co/nNVVRysTNI
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) July 11, 2023
For any other judge, this would be an easy Request Denied: Trump wants classified documents trial delayed until after 2024 election
From the Department of Actions Have Consequences, Retailers Cut Ties with MyPillow
MyPillow is auctioning off hundreds of pieces of equipment and subleasing manufacturing space after several shopping networks and major retailers took the company’s products off shelves.
Major retailers such as Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond and Slumberland Furniture all said they will no longer sell MyPillow products as CEO Mike Lindell continues to falsely claim that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump.
Donald Trump is a vindictive little shit
Serendipity:
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