Odds and Ends — 2 April 2022
At least in Silver, Yodin Zaku is not invincible.
Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, and Debt:
Crypto industry fires back after EU vote to block ‘unhosted’ wallets
Vitalik: In Defense of Bitcoin Maximalism
Elizabeth Warren Calls for US to Create a CBDC. We’re from the government. We’re here to help.
Real-Time Market Monitoring Finds Signs of Brewing U.S. Housing Bubble
Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:
Italy ends COVID-19 state of emergency, curbs to be lifted gradually
The effect of encouraging people to rely on ivermectin was the same as asking them to rely on wishing upon a star: Some would live and might credit ivermectin for their survival. But that was simply coincidental. Those who might have lived had they been vaccinated were not around to instruct people that ivermectin didn’t work.
This was the central problem. People believed this. That includes some legislators, certainly; just because you see something as politically useful doesn’t mean you are doing so cynically. Using a large platform to amplify claims about an unproven treatment, though, would have the predictable effect of people taking it seriously.
Those convinced that the drug worked — hearing it from trusted politicians or podcast hosts — saw conspiracy.
Politics:
Russia accuses Ukraine of helicopter strikes on fuel depot in Russian territory
I have no way of knowing if this is disinformation or fact. Either way though, So what? It’s not as if Ukrainian forces have any compelling reason to not take the war to Russia.
Devin Nunes Loses Another Lawsuit. Too bad, so sad.
On Cue From Trump, Kremlin Starts Dishing New Biden Disinfo
Trump asks, Russia delivers.
Two days after former President Trump asked the Kremlin for dirt on the Bidens, the Russian government held a briefing that spread a bizarre conspiracy theory about the Bidens.
It’s a different topic than what Trump asked for, but one that’s far more in line with the war that Russia may be losing in Ukraine.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense on Thursday held a briefing that largely picked up the thread from an earlier, bird-related Ukraine biolab conspiracy theory that it had spread. Now, Russian officials claimed, not only were birds, Ukraine, and communicable disease involved, but so was Hunter Biden.
Russia’s Diabolical New Approach to Spreading Misinformation
Americans Not Buying ‘Putin Price Hike’
Evidence now suggests the narrative is coming up well short. Domestic pricing concerns are far outpacing Ukraine on Americans’ list of priorities, and Biden’s poll numbers on his handling of the economy continue to hit new lows. Whatever stomach Americans had for higher prices to support the war in Ukraine, it doesn’t appear particularly strong.
Russians flee Chernobyl with radiation sickness, says Ukraine
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it could not confirm the claims by the Ukrainian state power company Energoatom and was seeking an independent assessment. It will send its first “assistance and support mission” to Chernobyl, in northern Ukraine, in the next few days.
Energoatom said the Russians dug trenches in the forest inside the exclusion zone at the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986, and that the troops “panicked at the first sign of illness” that “showed up very quickly” and began preparing to leave.
Is The Justice Department Finally Going After The Insurrection’s Big Fish?
Florida Voting Restrictions Are Unconstitutional
A federal judge ruled that multiple parts of a voting law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) last year are unconstitutional, striking down various provisions and prohibiting the Legislature from passing future forms of voter laws without first getting approval from a court.
In a sweeping 288-page order declaring the right to vote ‘under siege’ based on the Legislature’s record on voting laws, U.S. District Judge Mark Walker on Thursday forbade lawmakers from passing future laws involving drop boxes, third-party voter registration or efforts to limit ‘line warming’ activities at polling sites without the court’s approval for the next 10 years.
The Clearest Evidence Yet of Donald Trump’s Criminal Intent on Jan. 6
Donald Trump assumes Russia has dirt on his political enemies because of all the dirt it has on him.
— Middle Age Riot (@middleageriot) March 30, 2022
Putin’s Advisers Misinformed Him on Ukraine
President Vladimir Putin of Russia has been misinformed by his advisers about the Russian military’s struggles in Ukraine, according to declassified U.S. intelligence.
The intelligence shows what appears to be growing tension between Mr. Putin and the Ministry of Defense, including with the Russian defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, who was once among the most trusted members of the Kremlin’s inner circle.
Justice Dept. expands Jan. 6 probe to look at rally prep, financing
The criminal investigation into the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol has expanded to examine the preparations for the rally that preceded the riot, as the Justice Department aims to determine the full extent of any conspiracy to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory.
Russian Soldiers Refuse Orders
The head of Britain’s GCHQ spy service says new intelligence shows some Russian soldiers in Ukraine have refused to carry out orders, sabotaged their own equipment and accidentally shot down one of their own aircraft.
Georgia Legislature Approves Process for Banning Books
China Accused of Hacking Ukraine Before Invasion
…in an apparent sign of complicity in the invasion, Chinese attacks started before the end of the Winter Olympics and peaked on February 23, the day before Russian troops and tanks crossed the border.
Serendipity:
DC Police: 5 fetuses discovered in house where anti-abortion activist was staying
Sleeping with even a little bit of light isn't good for your health, study shows
