Wednesday, November 20, 2024

2:00PM Water Cooler 11/20/2024

~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, pandemic; Theories of Trump’s nomination nethodology; Treasury rumors continue; RFK Big Mac flap ~

Thomas Neuburger: Tulsi Gabbard’s DNI Nomination

Like Gaetz, Gabbard is a mixed-bag candidate. Should she get your support?

Links 11/20/2024

A Post-Election Reflection on Stolen Pride: Loss, Shame, and the Rise of the Right

On how the shame resulting from the loss of seen-as-meaningful and well-paid work led many to reject the rule of their PMC betters.

How the Wall Street Journal Blew the Story of the Democrats and Inflation

The firehose of affluent consumption continues to drive inflation, not the stimulus package

Requiem for an Empire

While historian Alfred McCoy made an early and accurate call on the erosion of the US empire, his current readings are a mixed bag.

2:00PM Water Cooler 11/19/2024

~ Today’s Water Cooler: Open Thread ~

Long-Running Kentucky Retirement Systems Case Surmounts Yet Another Procedural Spanner, Moves Closer to Discovery After Seven Years

The long-running Kentucky Retirement Systems case is clearing the remaining obstacles to getting to discovery.

Links 11/19/2024

Eight Reasons Why Marco Rubio Would Be a Disastrous Secretary of State

With Trump nominations like Matt Gaetz, RFK, Jr. and Tulsi Gabbard attracting lots of ire, Mario Rubio is being treated as sound. That’s a mistake.

Will Online Age Verification Be the Trojan Horse for the Mass Rollout of Digital IDs?

Online age verification threatens to trap everyone, not just minors, in its web, as the Australian government recently admitted.

Forget Snowbirds. These Sunbirds Are Flocking North

Hotter days and higher flood risk are prompting people across the South to consider moving north.

2:00PM Water Cooler 11/18/2024

~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, syndemics; About those camps… ; Blame Cannons: Biden staffers, Axelrove, Fetterman unload; Boeing’s management challenges., layoffs ~

Social Security Tackles Overpayment ‘Injustices,’ but Problems Remain

Moving away from withholding 100% of people’s monthly Social Security benefits to recover alleged overpayments has been a major improvement.

Links 11/18/2024