Category: Uncategorized

In The “If Trump Said It — It’s Probably NOT True…” Dept.: MSFT & TikTok?!

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So — this is to be taken with a truckload of salt. Yesterday, Tangerine 2.0 said that Microsoft was “in talks” to buy TikTok. Sure.

That’s just so… 2020-21.

Back in the Tangerine 1.0 version, Trump had claimed he was pushing a deal between the two companies, not long after he’d signed an executive order himself, to BAN BOTH TikTok, and WeChat.

While it is still possible that Nadella might see value in adding TikTok to the stodgy Microsoft fold of products and services… I’d be more inclined to trust what Nadella himself said after the last Trumpian / TikTok set of false starts / flim-flams. Here’s that, from Reuters overnight:

…Microsoft emerged as a top bidder in 2020, but the talks soon collapsed, and Trump’s divestment push ended a few months later when he left office.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella called that deal the “strangest thing I’ve ever worked on.” The U.S. government had a “particular set of requirements and then it just disappeared,” he said in 2021….

Yep. That sounds about right.

So… this present rumor-mongering sounds (to me) a lot more like Tangerine just trying to stir the pot/find other bidders… and to seem… relevant.

H I L A R I O U S.

Onward. I still think it might be… Amazon — or Oracle.

It Was A Clear Morning, Exactly 39 Years Ago, As I Flew Out Of Miami… Headed To The Outer Abacos, On A Small Twin Prop…

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And… I think I was largely unaware that NASA’s shuttle program was launching Challenger, again — that morning (the launches were becoming more or less routine)… we were shocked, mid-air, to look backward, out toward Florida — from about 300 miles down-range… and see a horrifying but crystal clear plume of white smoke, at about 46,000 feet, overhead.

All the lil’ puddle-hopper pilot could muster… was “that doesn’t look… good.”

He was certainly right. When we landed at a small airstrip, an hour or so later, to board the sailboat — for the Outer Abacos, we saw on network TV there in the airstrip offices… that all seven shuttle astronauts were dead.

That was a very somber way… to start a long awaited break from big law, on the high tropical seas, indeed. [Next year — I will post in great detail, on the fortieth year, since that tragic day.] Yet and still, we all must move forward, even against longish odds — on all science fronts. Especially… now. This too, is a time of… chaos.

But it is chaos, of a different kind, to be sure, this time — entirely man made. Onward.

नमस्ते

As The First Jury Trial — On Merck’s HPV Vaccine Suits — Is Underway… Kennedy Jr. Is Likely To Be Paid Millions, In Additional Legal Fees — To Have Downed The Safety Of Gardasil…

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This jamoke is going to lead health care policy, in the USA!?

C’mon, man — this is just ridiculous. He cannot be confirmed. His conflicts of interest alone — to say nothing of his woeful ignorance of actual human health science — should be disqualifying. Here’s ABC News from last week, on him:

…According to financial disclosure documents released last week, Kennedy’s primary source of income in the past year were large sums of referral fees from multiple law firms, including Baum’s office, whose civil lawsuit against Merck’s Gardasil vaccine went to trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week….

Kennedy’s leading role in building a case against Merck is now raising questions about how he might wield his power as the nation’s next health secretary — a job intended as an impartial overseer in public health — while in line for potential payouts from a major pharmaceutical company….

“Even worse, if he is confirmed, his finances will still be tied to the outcomes of anti-vaccine lawsuits — even as he’d be tasked with regulating them as health secretary.

These are outrageous conflicts of interest that endanger public health,” Warren said in a statement provided to reporters….

A bit of disclosure, here: while we (back in 2009-2012) felt it should be up to parents of very young girls (under age 13) to decide for themselves about whether to vaccinate for HPV before age 16, we think it wise for all 16 year olds (and over) to be vaccinated. [At the time, Florida and Texas were trying to mandate by state law, that 13 year olds be forced to get the vaccine, even if they were not at all sexually active.] Times have changed, indeed.

Gardasil has repeatedly been shown in dozens of studies — in the ensuing decade plus, to be both safe — and effective, against some strains of HPV (which is more than occasionally a precursor to cervical cancers, in women). The Kennedy profiteering off of fear — is thus… deplorable.

नमस्ते

It Is No Exaggeration To Suggest That Marburg, Ebola Or Some Other Viral Dread May Slip Into The US Unnoticed — During Tangerine 2.0’s “Hiatus Period”.

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We have mentioned that CDC and NIH are presently forbidden from offering new grants (or renewing existing ones), and may not travel, to discuss science matters — at all, likely until well into February.

Even though this is someone with family (by marriage) connections to the outgoing Biden Administration, she is a well-respected medical doctor, and she is absolutely correct that these idiotic, mostly “show-boating” moves, by Tangerine 2.0 — are endangering US citizens’ very lives. Here’s the conservative UK Daily Mail, on it all:

…Dr Psaki continued: ‘As I’ve watched the Trump administration announce a series of actions that undermine our ability to detect and respond to biological threats… I wonder: Who is protecting the American people from Marburg right now?….’

Dr Psaki said: ‘The Marburg outbreak has continued to evolve since the transition last week, but we have little visibility into what is happening.

‘Scientific experts across the US government have lost access to many of the tools they would normally use to protect Americans.’

The WHO warned her team of the Marburg outbreak in Tanzania on January 11, citing ‘reliable reports from in-country sources’ and said [Ed. Nota bene] now nine six people had been sickened, eight five of whom had died.

By the morning after, her team had conducted a risk assessment — which found the risk was significant….

[It is chaotically unclear whether Tangerine can “impound” funds Congress has already directed be spent. In his attempt to “impound and redirect” funds Congress said could NOT be used for his wall, last time around… the federal courts ruled he couldn’t seize other military funds.] And all of this, before Tangerine ordered the US to “withdraw” from WHO — whatever his addled lil’ pea-brain might think that would mean. It is a certainty — he is putting American lives at risk, all for his Kabuki theatre antics.

Of course, much of what we do in being involved with WHO, is to try to help be “our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers…” but it cannot escape notice — that this effort benefits ordinary Americans, with travel warnings, etc., if nothing else. Damn.

Disgusting, he is.

नमस्ते

Federal Motion For Prelim. Injunction; Additional Deadlines, In Tangerine 2.0’s Complete LOSS On “Birthright” Matter…

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It really is all over, except for the shouting, now. Tangerine 2.0 has absolutely been bounced out of court.

The motion will be is now linked here — as it was not due until after 7 PM Pacific Time tonight, in the Western District of Washington.

Until then, here are those just published, and ordered… deadlines:

…The Citizenship Stripping Order deprives children born in the Plaintiff States of a foundational right enabling full participation in our democracy, as citizens may exercise their fundamental right to vote in federal, state, or local elections. U.S. Const. amend. XVI; ECF No. 1957 (citing state constitutions). They may serve on federal and state juries. 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1); ECF No. 1 158 (citing state statutes). They may become the President, Vice President, or a member of Congress, and hold offices in the Plaintiff States. U.S. Const. art. II, § 1; U.S. Const. art I, §$ 2-3; ECF No. 1 4 61 (citing state laws). Children subject to the Citizenship Stripping Order will be denied each of these rights and benefits they would have had if they were born earlier.

The vast majority of those subject to the Order will be condemned to the additional harm of living with undocumented legal status. Most of the babies denied citizenship will be left with no legal immigration status and no prospects for legalization. Oskouian Decl. 11 5-10. Children left without legal status “will be at immediate risk of removal from the United States,” including “being at risk of being arrested and detained” during removal proceedings. Others will likely become stateless, “left in legal limbo” with “no home country to return to voluntarily or otherwise.” Baluarte Decl. 49 8-15. Statelessness would assign these children “a fate of ever-increasing fear and distress.” Trop v. Dulles, 356 U.S. 86, 102 (1958)…

In light of the temporary relief already provided to the Plaintiff States, see C25-0127-JCC, Dkt. No. 43, and the pendency of a preliminary injunction hearing, scheduled for February 6, 2025, see C25-0127-JCC, Dkt. No. 44, the Court sets the following supplemental deadlines:

▲ The Individual Plaintiffs may supplement the Plaintiff States’ anticipated motion for a preliminary injunction, no later than January 29, 2025.

▲ The Individual Plaintiffs may file a supplemental reply to the Government’s anticipated response (due January 31, 2025) on or before February 4, 2025.

▲ The Individual Plaintiffs shall appear at the preliminary injunction hearing set for 10:00 a.m. on February 6, 2025.

▲ The Plaintiff States and the Individual Plaintiffs are ORDERED to file a consolidated complaint no later than February 10, 2025.

DATED this 27th day of January 2025…

Now you know. Onward.

नमस्ते

So… The Flinn Plaintiffs’ Lawyers Think The City’s “Lack Of Standing” Argument… “Failed”?! That Will Be News, To The Judge Handling The Case In Chicago…

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Well — I will only link this morning’s nonsense — but not quote it, from Ms. Svenson, et al.. And I do so, solely to maintain a complete record.

In the course of arguing that they were “put upon” — by having to read emails and texts — and listen to voicemail — over the ’25 King Holiday weekend… the lawyers for the drummed-up plaintiffs seem to forget that the city’s motion to dismiss has been on file for a full SIX four months, now.

Similarly, they seem to forget that they still have not provided the actual residential addresses of the purported plaintiffs — at any time in the last four years.

Being a resident of this city. . . is a prerequisite to filing for reparations, per the city council’s own undisputed moving papers.

Long ago, the plaintiffs’ lawyers filed what was only a draft, of the city’s application papers — upon which they stake their claims. [The “Draft” stamp appears on every page, as an underlay, BTW.] Tellingly, the plaintiffs have never responded to the city’s clear and concise allegation — that none of these people live in or pay real estate taxes in the city.

Frankly, the time when one could complain — as a litigator, in federal court — about having to read an email over the weekend… has long past. And I firmly believe the able USDC Judge in Chicago will say so. He is due to rule on the fact that these plaintiffs have never established standing by residence… under the city’s well-pled dismissal motion.

Finally — for the plaintiffs to say a motion has “failed” simply because the judge hasn’t yet ruled… is deeply misleading. This too, the able judge is likely to address — in his forthcoming ruling. [The fact that the able and busy judge has yet to rule on this motion, all while the plaintiffs have been left out in the cold, literally and figuratively, for almost a year — should be ample hint to these jokers… that their claims are at best… specious.] Onward, grinning.

नमस्ते

Now Seen In Ten States; 67 Patients: US ‘25 Bird (H5N1) Flu Updates.

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Collectively, we need to pay better attention to emerging bioscience mutations, in public health.

And sadly, Tangerine 2.0 cannot comprehend the lessons he should have learned as 1.0 (from COVID). He’s decided to stop NIH communications and travel expenditures, among other matters. Insane.

Per the NYT life sciences reporting team, overnight:

…An [H5N1] pandemic is not inevitable even now, more than a dozen experts said in interviews. But a series of developments over the past few weeks indicates that the possibility is no longer remote.

Toothless guidelines, inadequate testing and long delays in releasing data — echoes of the missteps during the Covid-19 pandemic — have squandered opportunities for containing the outbreak, the experts said.

In one example emblematic of the disarray, a few dairy herds in Idaho that were infected in the spring displayed mild symptoms for a second time in the late fall, The New York Times has learned. In mid-January, the Department of Agriculture said that no new infections in Idaho herds had been identified since October. But state officials publicly discussed milder cases in November….

Much of a like nature… occurred just a decade ago, now. [Twelve straight? Rapid fire?! Amazing!] Smile!

नमस्ते

The Idea Of US Govt. “Owning” Part Of TikTok Is Likely A Non-Starter…

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The manifold Constitutional and antitrust issues it would create are simply… not things Tangerine 2.0 is capable of comprehending. [Moreover, Xi almost certainly won’t allow it.]

But in a perhaps mostly whimsical effort to “square the circle“, here — an entity (appropriately!) called Perplexity has tonight revised its prior longshot bid to provide that, once it has raised $300 billion in an IPO(!)… it would transfer non-voting stock to the US government equal to a 50% ownership interest stake.

I assume all this is at least partly whimsical, given that the company is a start up — and mentions a $300 billion IPO, as a condition to meeting Tangerine’s request. Honestly, even Tangerine is not that naïve… Perplexity will never be valued in a way to allow a $300 billion IPO.

Here’s what is known — about this likely publicity stunt of a “bid”:

…U.S. search engine startup Perplexity AI has revised the merger proposal it had submitted to TikTok’s Chinese parent ByteDance to create a new entity combining Perplexity and TikTok U.S., a person familiar with the proposal told Reuters on Sunday….

The U.S. government would own up to half of the new structure once it goes through an IPO of a valuation of at least $300 billion….

Okay then. What it lacks in serious rigor, it more than makes up for… in entertainment value, I guess. Onward, to a sunny Monday morning in the markets, then. Grin.

नमस्ते

Well… Not To Go ALL Tin-Foil Hatted, Here… BUT…

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To be clear, this is all… absolutely… trivial at this point. There is no percentage in alleging election ’24 fraud by Elon, or people he could have hired, at high rates.

But as it is increasingly seeming likely that Musk himself engineered some sort of bot attack or hack, if you will, to get his own account listed as one of the world’s top players in some nonsense video game online (called Diablo)…

Would it really be so hard to believe that he was able to hire people to edit files in a few key Democratic stronghold cities, to reduce turn out just enough to allow the red collar counties to overrun them, statewide?

I do not think it feasible to bump up red rural districts — as each is too small, and would be noticed. [And would involve (impractically) over one thousand separate hack teams….]

But if one could cut/decrease Democratic turnout, in three or four large cities by even 3% each — that would have been enough to flip Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. And Nevada (via Vegas, Milwaukee and Philly, respectively).

Did it happen? We will likely never know.

In the mean time — we will all just hunker down and wait — wait for Tangerine 2.0 / Musk bromance to… implode. And it will — by Summer. Then Musk May start his own “dirty tricks” — on the Donald, and his acolytes. Hilarious.

Onward.

While Powerline Stays Mum On The Unraveling Gaza Cease-Fire, Mirengoff Notes Some Of The “Whys”…

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The whole of the latest Israel thing is looking to re-ignite, and we all know Tangerine 2.0 simply lacks any of the aplomb needed, to defuse the situation. Score that as a new Bibi/Tangerine… loss.

Trump’s “clean out Gaza” — and have Jordan and Egypt accept all former Gazans, as refugees… is so naive, and frankly silly — as to make even the low information voters… laugh. The man is manifestly incompetent — on the world stage, in every note. [Paul and John and Scott and Steve well know it — but they are too cowardly to say so. Each of them felt the Israel peace deal was too weak (for Israel, as hard Right radicals) and now its clear that Trump and Bibi are losing a grip of even that modest, temporary compromise. All it means is more Israelis will die, as will many more innocent Gazans. Awful.]

And so it is, that Mirengoff (while also avoiding any mention of how Tangerine 2.0 is going to definitively ruin, whatever peace might have looked like, for Bibi…) this morning notes that there are in fairly broad swaths of the mainstream (non-MAGA) GOP, people who are going to make Trump’s life… complicated, here at home, as well:

…Although McConnell’s vote [against Hegseth] had no significance. . . it might have important implications for other nominees. By voting “no,” the former Majority Leader confirmed that he is no longer an ally of President Trump, a man he seems strongly to dislike….

Well… duh.

While Paul is right (but is belaboring the obvious the rest of us have seen for at least four long years), I write primarily to say… the likely overall outcome of a second Tangerine sitting… is going to be a whole lot of side-ways muddling.

His grand vision is hate, only. And that will ultimately fall of its own bitter weight.

Three decades from now, historians will look back and say those MAGA voters deserved what they got — good and hard, too.

The rest of us?

We just tried to ignore him. What a putz. Out.