Author: condor

Once Again — In Maryland — Abrego Garcia’s Legal Team Is Busting The Federales’ — And Their Lies In Court…

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Mr. Abrego Garcia’s legal team pretty much has the DHS/ICE team pinned, in the Maryland federal trial courts — on habeas.

Overnight, the team asked USDC Judge Xinis to order limited document production, and discovery — into proving that (once again!) the Trumpians have filed false sworn statements in court, to try to dissolve her injunction and deport Mr. Abrego Garcia to. . . Liberia. Someplace he faces torture and starvation — and a place with which he has no connection.

In addition, the team could thereby prove that the Trumpians are/were lying under oath, about (the supposed non-existence of) Costa Rica’s existing “open arms” policy (as to Abrego Garcia, at least) — a place Abrego and his family could decamp to, until the Tangerine regime is at an end.

Here’s that — and a bit, of the sharp end of the spear:

…The Government now asks this Court to dissolve its injunction based on a memorandum and a declaration that rest on the same types of inconsistent and uncorroborated factual statements that have proven false in earlier phases of this litigation. Good cause therefore exists to take discovery to test the veracity of the factual assertions in the Lyons Memorandum and the Schultz Declaration.

Petitioner’s proposed discovery is closely calibrated to the specific factual claims the Government has placed at issue through its own submissions. It is limited to a discrete set of materials and testimony needed to evaluate those claims—namely, the facts underlying the Lyons Memorandum and the Schultz Declaration relating to Petitioner’s removability to Costa Rica and Liberia.

Responding to the document requests will not require searches of electronic communications across ICE, DHS, or the State Department generally. Rather, these materials are readily known to and held by specific agency officials who have already been identified in this litigation.
Any legitimate concerns regarding purportedly sensitive diplomatic information can be addressed through protective orders and by closing the courtroom for any sensitive testimony, as has been done previously in this litigation….

Now you know — onward, resolutely — and do root for the underdog, Illinois, tonight!

नमस्ते

With Trump Going After What He Falsely Calls “Woke” Governmental And Private Programs… It Is Important Tomorrow To Remember… Dr. King Literally Gave His Life For Them.

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The NYT is running a story tonight, on Trump’s renewed effort to attack anything that might let less fortunate people get even a toe-hold — in our economy… still by far, the most vibrant, and strongest — on the planet.

It is important to note that everything Trump says about what he calls “woke”… is a bold-faced lie.

It is important to note that, at base — it is simply his thin veneer… to dress up his openly racist-, and misogynistic- world views. We must… peacefully… resist.

That is what Dr. King would have urged — and that is ultimately, what got him killed — seeking a toe-hold, for brown and Black garbage pickers, in Memphis — simply seeking living wages. Do not buy Trump’s ugly lies. Here’s some of the NYT‘s coverage:

…Trump used his proposed budget for next year to continue his aggressive targeting of federal programs aimed at promoting diversity, helping Black and Hispanic students, and boosting minority-owned businesses, all initiatives the president derides as “woke.”

In section after section of his budget request, Mr. Trump sought to cut programs he connects to diversity, equity and inclusion programs…. The proposed cuts, which are tiny compared with the $1.5 trillion budget he suggested for the military, reflect the president’s focus on stamping out federal initiatives created to support disadvantaged groups….

The small gains won, by Dr. King, in short, as well. To honor his legacy — do go out and resist this.

All as he seeks $1.5 trillion, with a “T” — for warring, and wishes to cut all aid programs by another 10% across the board.

Damn. Onward, resolutely — just the same.

नमस्ते

In Reply, I Might Ask Hinderaker… “How Dumb Is Your Preznit/MAGA”?!

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John caught a typo in one of today’s headlines, at the NYT. Good boy, John — you figured out that it is “Atlantic” not “American”. You get a gold star, in third grade — at least.

From this typo — as ever — he vastly overstates his supposed conclusion: that all “liberals” (whatever that might mean to him, and him, alone)… are dumb.

Funny.

I might ask — who was it (i.e., the purported leader of the Free World — to the extent that term has any meaning, either any longer — after “confeve“… “Despite the constant negative press confeve [sic]….”) that just this week went on a five minute word salad, about Black Sharpies?! [More on that, in a sec.]

Right — the nearly octogenarian Adderall addict, with the keys to the nuclear football.

Who said “We will just bomb our little hearts out”?!

Who said “The moon is a very important part of… Mars“?

Who could not identify Alabama on a map?

Who made up the name of an entirely fictional country in Africa — mangling a name that starts with “T” and and ends in ‘zania‘?! [He added like six more syllables to the made up name.]

And who — during a Cabinet meeting on the war he is prosecuting… took five minutes to tell a loopy (mostly fictional) story about the supposed virtues of Black Sharpies?!

There is a story — about pots and kettles — also involving the color “black“. John should reflect — at length — on it, here at 3 PM on Good Friday. As he might be the one… justifiably crucified.

A junior copy editor at the NYT (maybe only 25 years of age) may be forgiven, this one slip-up.

But the occupant of 1600 Penn.?! Arguably the most powerful elected leader on the planet?!

We must — and John should — expect… better, from him.

Just how dumb / incontinent is… Trump?!

Out.

More People Without Papers To Be Added To The Ms. L Class Action — And To Be Released From ICE Custody, In San Diego — By USDC Judge Sabraw

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It does seem… somehow appropriate — to post this on a Good Friday, 2026. The able USDC Judge Sabraw has repeatedly insisted that Tangerine 1.0 and 2.0 respect the rule of law — insofar as it applies to all people present on US soil. I commend him for this — history will write him, and Judges Gee and Tigar, down as both patriots, and heros. [My backgrounders (probably 30 of them on this litigation, over the last eight years — use the search box for “Ms. L”) include this one, here — of five years ago.]

Now, we await the briefs — on this next phase — over these eight years, of rumbling federal class action litigation:

…The Court is in receipt of Plaintiffs’ motion to release Class Members and Qualifying Additional Family Members.

After reviewing the motion, the Court orders Defendants to file a response on or before April 9, 2026. If Plaintiffs wish to file a reply they shall do so on or before April 13, 2026.

In the briefing, the parties should address whether the individuals at issue in the motion have filed habeas petitions challenging their detention, and if so, the outcome of those proceedings. Oral argument, if any, shall be set after the Court has reviewed the parties’ briefs.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: April 2, 2026….

Onward resolutely, into a gray and quiet Good Friday afternoon. Smile.

नमस्ते

Bloomberg Reports That Singapore Has Seen Two “Hybrid” Cases Of Mpox — But The Portion Of The RNA Emblematic Of Clade 1b… Is Mostly Of Concern…

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We just keep banging this drum: without USAID to help track, trace and arrest this latest hybrid… the whole world will soon be at risk, as it spreads. And it will… spread.

That is what viral vectors… do. Here’s the latest from a paper in Southeat Asia / Singapore [but it was Bloomberg ($$ subs. req.) that first identified these cases as stemming from the “hybrid” variant.]

…Singapore has confirmed its first locally transmitted cases of mpox, the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) said on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The two cases — both men aged 30 and 34 — are also the country’s first reported infections of the more serious clade 1b variant, but also showed positive test results, bearing some RNA from the older Clade 2 strain, as well….

Both are believed to have been infected through sexual contact and are in stable condition.

“As mpox is predominantly transmitted through intimate or prolonged physical contact, including sexual contact, the risk to the general public is currently low,” CDA said in a media release….

The first man developed symptoms on Mar 26 and sought medical care on Mar 31. His infection was confirmed on Apr 1. He has been placed on home isolation until Apr 21.

“Investigations and contact tracing are ongoing for both cases,” said CDA.

“Their close contacts have been advised to monitor their health and seek medical care if they are unwell. High-risk contacts will be recommended mpox vaccination as post-exposure prophylaxis….”

Now you know — and here’s to hoping that the four members of the Artemis II crew enjoy a sweet (event free) ride — to the moon and back — over the next nine or so days… smile.

नमस्ते

It Turns Out That The Engine Running The Artemis II Capsule Now, Was Contributed By… The European Space Agency. Cool. [With A Digression.]

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And… after a warning light on the capsule’s toilet this morning, all is back to normal bio-ops, inside.

It apparently was just a software glitch (all resolved), but it allows me to run a favorite ‘Xmas Vacation‘ gif, at right.

Please forgive me the middle-school vulgarity. Ahem.

Anyhoo — here is more serious, and more sober science — from ESA:

Onward — grinning.

नमस्ते

Rahway To Run A Phase 2b/3 Clinical Trial, On MK-8748 / Tiespectus — For Wet Macular Degeneration…

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This continues to mark progress, on one of the more important of Merck’s other recent candidate acquisitions, toward ultimate FDA approval.

We will watch the outcomes closely, as diabetic / wet macular degeneration is a very high-burden condition in the US and Europe.

Here’s the latest, out of Rahway:

…Merck today announced the initiation of a pivotal Phase 2b/3 trial evaluating MK-8748 (also known as Tiespectus), a novel investigational bispecific antibody that directly activates Tie2 signaling and inhibits vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (NVAMD).

The study, known as MALBEC, is the first trial of a broader late-phase development program for MK-8748, with a second study in NVAMD scheduled to begin this year (NCT07496567). The decision to advance into pivotal studies is based on results from the Phase 1/2a RIOJA trial (NCT06664502), a two-part study evaluating MK-8748 in patients with either NVAMD, macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) or diabetic macular edema (DME)….

Now you know — onward, on a rather chilly gray day, here.

[And that seems apropos, as I lost my fifth-youngest brother on this day, exactly six years ago, to COVID-19 — right at the start of that awful US epidemic.]

नमस्ते

All “-Pox” Blood Testing At Federal Level Is Being Returned To The Individual State Health Authorities — Due To DOGE/Tangerine 2.0 Cuts… Ugh.

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As we are all certainly well-aware, the goal of having one central federal agency conduct public health outbreak screening tests. . . is to ensure that we are uniformly applying rigorous science — in a timely manner, to mistake proof the effort, across the vast 50 separate States.

A missed (or delayed) assay in Alabama (for example) could plausibly result in an epidemic, throughout the Southeast, and beyond. But due to Trump cuts, the CDC must now return responsibility to each state — for testing for suspected cases of rabies, chicken-pox, measles, small-pox, mpox and mumps and rubella, among others. Damn.

Here is the NYT on it all, overnight:

…The diseases were removed from a list of tests the agency conducts for state and local health departments. Experts worry that with drastic staff reductions, the testing may not resume….

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has temporarily paused testing for rabies and pox viruses, the family of viruses that includes smallpox and mpox, according to an update to the agency’s website on Monday.

The C.D.C. offers testing for dozens of pathogens to assist state and local public health laboratories that are not equipped to conduct them. The organization began evaluating its tests in late 2024 as part of an agency-wide review.

But widespread layoffs, hiring freezes and resignations have shrunk the number of qualified scientists who can assist state labs. The C.D.C.’s rabies and pox virus teams have lost many of their members. By July, the rabies team will be down to just one person with the clinical expertise to advise state and local officials, and the pox virus team will have none….

What a dark and senselessly self-destructive time we find ourselves in, indeed — due to an exceedingly poor choice in leadership. Damn.

नमस्ते

Doctors Without Borders Presses Gilead — To Provide Much More Of The (Discounted Price) Wonder HIV Drug Lenacapavir, For The Emerging Markets…

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This seems like one “access” argument Gilead could afford to bend a lil’ on.

The twice a year drug will make tens of billions in each year, in the post industrial world, for several years, now.

And in any event, with generic versions coming into at least some markets in about a year, Gilead could let Africa and South America receive near generic pricing.. today. The doctors’ charitable group is right: these vast advances in standard of HIV care should be made as widely available as possible. [Much like the river blindness drug Ivermectin, which Merck has made available for free in Africa for decades now.]

My buddy, Ed Silverman is excellent on this timely topic (but just FYI, that is a paid subscription link — for Stat subscribers, only). And so, here is the original MSF letter, to Gilead’s CEO, Daniel O’Day:

…Both the pace of the current lenacapavir rollout and the scope of ambition for future scale-up fall far short of what the moment demands and the needs of the world’s most marginalized communities. The plan to reach 2 million people over three years is a fraction of the estimated need. When requests for purchase are refused, access is restricted, and prices remain secret, it is hard to believe Gilead is committed to equitable access rather than maintaining control over the product for maximum profit….

MSF currently accesses a limited number of lenacapavir doses through the Global Fund, which Gilead has supplied with enough lenacapavir for 2 million people over three years. This is currently the only avenue available to us. Gilead has indicated that this is all the supply available for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) until generic versions come online in 2027….

We call on Gilead to respond by April 13, 2026 clarifying:

Whether you will sell lenacapavir directly to MSF?

If not, why, given your stated production capacity?

If yes, at what price and how soon can delivery begin?

The health of many people depends on your answers to these questions….

Indeed — and, onward, grinning — with our crew headed out, toward the Moon, with a “Wiley E. Coyote” move (and one to get back home!). Smile….

नमस्ते

[U, X2: Success — In High Orbit!] We Are (Again) Less Than Two Hours — From Launch Time… Will The Artemis II Crew Get Their Rocket — To Circle The Moon? We Shall See…

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UPDATE: At the 1:54 mark, the team has identified an issue with the emergency Flight Termination System software. They are seeing unexpected readings, and so the solution is to go pull a piece of hardware that was last used “live” during the Space Shuttle era, and see if it confirms that these readings are nominal — or okay to go, for flight. Wow. I suspect the window is going to slip a bit. Do stay tuned, to the YouTube Live, below. End updated portion.

The best news so far is that there have been no “call outs” — or unscheduled holds, either — relating to tanking / hydrogen leak issues.

And the launch “window” is ample… at least two hours — about two hours, from now (1 hour and 58 minutes, actually) — or around 6: 20 pm Eastern.

We wish the crew — and the brilliant working scientists and engineers at NASA… all the best.

I will be off grid when the launch window actually opens, but will report, later tonight — either way. Onward.


नमस्ते