Extra, Extra
Holiday Forecast: If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, you better keep dreaming. For much of America, you’ll be experiencing record warm temps. Temperatures aren’t the only thing rising. Covid is gearing up to be the grinch this holiday season. New COVID variant JN.1 surges to 44% of cases. The symptoms aren’t any more serious, but this variant seems to be spreading like crazy. Go deeper with Eric Topol’s Covid Update.
+ Justice Delayed: Supreme Court sidesteps decision on Trump presidential immunity claim in federal election interference case. “As a result of the court’s refusal to intervene, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit will take first crack at the issue; it is scheduled to hear oral arguments on Jan. 9.” (It’s only American democracy on the line, no rush.)
+ Tunnel Vision: In an effort to get to underground tunnels, Israel dropped hundreds of 2,000-pound bombs on Gaza. That is part of the reason for the enormous civilian death numbers. And according the NYT, “during the first six weeks of the war in Gaza, Israel routinely used one of its biggest and most destructive bombs in areas it designated safe for civilians.” The war has entered a new phase. The next few weeks will go a long way toward determining whether that phase leads to more hostage releases and/or the death of more top Hamas leaders. Here’s the latest from CNN, BBC, and Times of Israel.
+ You’ve Got Voicemail: “The revelation of the contents of the call with the former president comes as he faces four counts of criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States and its voters of the rightful outcome of the election.” Another day, another Trump crime uncovered. Trump recorded pressuring Wayne County canvassers not to certify 2020 vote. (Trump has more recordings than Willie Nelson.)
+ Gimme Shelter: “As the safety net has expanded over the past generation, the food stamp rolls have doubled, Medicaid enrollment has tripled and payments from the earned-income tax credit have nearly quadrupled. But one major form of aid has grown more scarce.” NYT (Gift Article): As Need Rises, Housing Aid Hits Lowest Level in Nearly 25 Years. Consider this stat: “In the past three decades, Medicaid has added more than 60 million people, but housing aid reaches fewer households than in 1994.”
+ Yacht Schlock: “Despite being false, the story reached members of the US Congress, where leaders say any decision on further aid to Ukraine will be delayed until next year.” Fake news (even from absurd sources) continues to infect the minds of cultish leaders in the US. How pro-Russian ‘yacht’ propaganda influenced US debate over Ukraine aid.
+ You Cannot Be Sirius: “Attorney General Letitia James’ office claims that SiriusXM’s own data reveals that it takes subscribers an average of 11.5 minutes to cancel by phone, and 30 minutes to cancel online.” I love SiriusXM. But their cancellation process is ridiculous.
+ Gym Dandy: We found something else Simone Biles is great at. Comebacks. Gymnastics star Simone Biles named AP Female Athlete of the Year a third time after dazzling return.
