Odds and Ends — 29 June 2023
“It was a rare historical car crash that forensic reconstruction couldn’t make seem a successful emergency stop.” — Mick Herron, Joe Country
And if by some chance you’ve not yet started reading Mick Herron’s Slough House novels, get thee to a library or bookstore, online or brick and mortar.
Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, Business, and Debt:
Yes, because the world needs more Masters: Mastercard is Piloting Tokenized Bank Deposits in New UK Testbed
The company is launching what it calls a Multi-Token Network (MTN), which will begin by testing tokenized bank deposits and move onto experiments using stablecoins and CBDCs.
Is the “internet apocalypse” coming?
Girlfriends, murdered kids, assassin androids — is AI cursed?
Lordstown Motors Files for Bankruptcy
The electric truck maker Lordstown Motors filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday and sued business partner Foxconn for allegedly reneging on an investment deal, delivering a blow to a venture that Donald Trump hailed during his presidency as a boon for Ohio.
Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:
China engineered Covid-19 'bioweapon' to purposely infect people, Wuhan researcher claims
Swindlers Used Barbie Dolls to Rob COVID Relief Program
Florida Man:
DeSantis Criticizes ‘Jailbreak Bill’ Provisions He Supported
On the campaign trail, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has attacked Donald Trump’s signature prison reform bill, calling it a ‘jailbreak bill’ and claiming it ‘allowed dangerous people out of prison who have now reoffended and really, really hurt a number of people.’
But as a congressman, DeSantis voted for a House version of the bill in May 2018 containing some of the same provisions he and his campaign now condemn.
This Trump ad against Desantis is devastating. This is EXACTLY why I said he would fail. I saw his plan when he went up to do the rally for Mastriano in 2022. All telling people in PA how great FL is. Bad idea. Idiotic. Make America Florida! What a dope. pic.twitter.com/xFyUIhjtEb
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) June 28, 2023
What more proof do you need? Time traveller from 2671 says Ron DeSantis will be the next President.
Politics:
Russian General Knew About Mercenary Chief’s Rebellion Plans, U.S. Officials Say
A senior Russian general had advance knowledge of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s plans to rebel against Russia’s military leadership, according to U.S. officials briefed on American intelligence on the matter, which has prompted questions about what support the mercenary leader had inside the top ranks.
The officials said they are trying to learn if Gen. Sergei Surovikin, the former top Russian commander in Ukraine, helped plan Mr. Prigozhin’s actions last weekend, which posed the most dramatic threat to President Vladimir Putin in his 23 years in power.
INFORMATION FROM RUSSIAN MILITARY CORRESPONDENTS!!!
— MAKS 23 👀🇺🇦 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) June 28, 2023
According to preliminary information, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Forces Surovikin and his deputy, Colonel-General Yudin, were detained and taken to the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center. pic.twitter.com/IK5AEQcQNl
I have no way to verify if reports of Surovikin’s detention are accurate. Maybe Putin had his own intel. But Surovikin was seen by the U.S. to be an at least competent general so I suppose it’s plausible that the Americans leaked disinformation so that Putin would be tempted to have the guy defenestrated. Wheels within wheels?
Okay, yeah, it’s satire: Kari Lake Declares Herself New Leader Of The Wagner Group
Three Counties Where the 2024 Election Could Be Hijacked
Former President Donald Trump’s claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen has become a permanent part of the political ecosphere. It’s a lie, of course, invalidated by truth, facts and over 60 court decisions. There never was a steal of the 2020 election — but there could be a hijacking of the 2024 outcome.
A hijacking typically involves the planting of operatives to take control of a vehicle. I worry that in 2024 the vehicle will be the hyper-local agencies, boards and commissions responsible for counting and certifying votes. The hijackers will be MAGA Republicans, no matter who the GOP nominee may be.
Jon Huntsman, Trump's Russia ambassador, on claim he can end war in a day: “I would begin to laugh out loud, but that might embarrass me in front of your viewers. I just think that's just nonsense...To say I can fix this in a day is ridiculous & does not comport with reality.” pic.twitter.com/bNXqExRYbW
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) June 28, 2023
This is a key point that has to do with a core difference between liberals and conservatives. Liberals have a list of 50 things they want government to do, and they want those things done fast and to completion. Conservatives have a list of about two things they want government to do: Cut taxes, and punish people they disapprove of morally. For a presidential administration, satisfying that first group is a lot harder than satisfying the second.
So people will complain. That’s fine and proper for, say, The New Republic; where I see Biden falling short, I’ll say so, and my colleagues whose views are different from mine will make their criticisms as well. That’s the role of the press.
But the role of Democrats is different. They need to understand: Joe Biden is going to be the nominee (barring of course some major health issue in the next few months). He’s the most accomplished president since Lyndon Johnson, and without the immoral war.
Xi faces being humiliated by his 'no limits' friendship with Putin. But he can't back out of it now.
The New Republican Litmus Test Is Very Dangerous
Candidates who do not speculate about war with Mexico may be perceived as weak.
Trump Made Shocking Comments About Ivanka, Says Ex-Staffer
Republicans reignite the red scare in service of Trump
Serendipity:
Minneapolis cancels 4th of July fireworks. No, not because of our dry weather. Money.
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