Category: Uncategorized

In Which Hinderaker Claims Conservatives Are Disproportionately US Libel Victims. BS!

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Well, isn’t this… just precious?

John (falsely) claims tonight that “conservatives in the US are disproportionately singled out for libelous campaigns.

Of course, what he means (but does NOT say)… is that factual, but very damagingly accurate reporting has ruined many a right winger’s career. This he considers libel, as he’s long said (deeply ignoring that truth is an absolute defense, in the US — to claims of libel and slander).

In any event, the example he then cites goes on to ignore the common law public figure jurisprudence, in his telling.

Apparently, his ego is assuaged: he “won” one, from a small town newspaper. A small retraction. (My graphics recall just two of hundreds of people and organizations John himself has libeled. He “out-libels” most liberal news outlets on about a ten to one proportionate basis, all by himself!)

Even so, he neglects to mention that he will lose his breach of contract claim against the small town’s country club.

How very droll — all this has turned out to be.

Cheers, Johnny-boy.

Power-Alley/Tangent PSA: If You Are A Male And A Type-II Diabetic, And Trying To Have Children… Talk To Your Doctor.

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[In yet another narrative arc spanning over 12 years here, back in early November 2010, I noted a Merck stock price decline occasioned by the lunch-time FDA approval of Bristol-Myers-Squibb and AstraZeneca’s Kombiglyze® XR, which was approved by FDA for Type II diabetes. That novel combination is an extended-release version of the metformin diabetes drug (also in Merck’s Janumet®) with the companies’ Onglyza® (Saxagliptin). Onglyza was, in turn, cleared for U.S. sales in July 2010. Kombiglyze was then approved by the FDA to treat patients with Type II diabetes.

By the end of 2012, Merck had secured an approval for a competing once-a-day regimen for Type II diabetes. Both combinations contain metformin. And to be fair, so do a wide array of ensuing competitors, as the updated graphic at right indicates. There were (in the ensuing years) other off-target effects noted in some studies, but nothing of this magnitude, below. More backgrounders, here, and here.]

Now over a decade later, we are learning that if a man/hopeful father is taking a metformin-containing diabetes medication directly around, or at the time of conception, the couple’s child has an elevated risk of certain birth defects. This latest post-hoc analysis found a 40 per cent elevated risk — but only if the father was actively taking metformin right around time of conception.

So, if you know you take a metformin-containing medication for your diabetes, and you are planning to start a family, talk to your doctor, first. A medication switch is likely advisable. Here’s the latest — quite somber — warning:

…A large cohort study found that babies born to men who took metformin during the period of sperm development were at increased risk for birth defects, specifically genital defects in boys. These finding suggest that men with diabetes who are taking metformin should talk to their doctors about whether they should switch to another treatment when trying to conceive a child….

Babies whose fathers took metformin had an increased risk for birth defects. There were too few babies whose fathers took sulfonylureas to determine risks for birth defects with any certainty. Taking metformin before or after sperm development did not increase the risk for birth defects. Unexposed siblings were also not at increased risk.

According to the authors, the size of the diabetes pandemic suggests that treatment of prospective fathers with diabetes, including pharmacologic management and counseling on diet, physical exercise, and weight loss, should be subject to further study….

Sadly, Type II diabetes is — in the last half-century, in the US — a far more commonly-seen disease, at younger age in men, due in no small part to decreased exercise, and less rigorously healthy diets. So, the burden of this potential birth defect could reach epidemic proportions, if family-bearing age couples are not made aware, promptly. So, to check in on your friends with Type II diabetes, that may be contemplating having kids.

When you know better, you do better.

नमस्ते

This Opinion Makes Plain That Trump’s Felony Conduct Was Far Worse Than Nixon’s Erasure Of 18 Minutes Of Audio-Tape…

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Well. This is a moment unlike any in the history of the United States.

That is no exaggeration.

Today an able jurist, David O. Carter, a decorated Vietnam era veteran, ruled in a published federal memorandum opinion, that Trump likely committed felonies in his attempt to stop the election certification process. Thus the “crime fraud” exception removes attorney client privilege over a vast swath of documents between Trump people and the crackpot lawyer John Eastman.

Hiding evidence (by erasing 18 minutes of tape) pales in comparison to organizing a coup attempt, one well-known to be without legal basis (he’d already lost 60 lawsuits trying this nonsense) — and threatening the sitting Vice President, while the certification was underway — all to keep Trump in power at 1600 Penn., that’s what happened. And it was an affirmative act of sedition against the laws of the United States, and the peaceful transfer of power.

Here’s the full, very cogent 44 pager — and a bit:

“…Dr. Eastman argues that the plan was legally justified as it “was grounded on a good faith interpretation of the Constitution.” But “ignorance of the law is no excuse,” and believing the Electoral Count Act was unconstitutional did not give President Trump license to violate it. Disagreeing with the law entitled President Trump to seek a remedy in court, not to disrupt a constitutionally-mandated process. And President Trump knew how to pursue election claims in court — after filing and losing more than sixty suits, this plan was a last-ditch attempt to secure the Presidency by any means.

The illegality of the plan was obvious. Our nation was founded on the peaceful transition of power, epitomized by George Washington laying down his sword to make way for democratic elections. Ignoring this history, President Trump vigorously campaigned for the Vice President to single-handedly determine the results of the 2020 election. As Vice President Pence stated, “no Vice President in American history has ever asserted such authority.” Every American — and certainly the President of the United States — knows that in a democracy, leaders are elected, not installed. With a plan this “BOLD,” President Trump knowingly tried to subvert this fundamental principle. Based on the evidence, the Court finds it more likely than not that President Trump corruptly attempted to obstruct the Joint Session of Congress on January 6, 2021 [Ed. note — that’s a felony]….

Dr. Eastman and President Trump launched a campaign to overturn a democratic election, an action unprecedented in American history. Their campaign was not confined to the ivory tower — it was a coup in search of a legal theory. The plan spurred violent attacks on the seat of our nation’s government, led to the deaths of several law enforcement officers, and deepened public distrust in our political process….”

Hinderaker and his boys ought to be ashamed, for lying all these last 15 months about it. They knew — as licensed lawyers. They knew.

Of course, Hinderaker will claim it is “just politics”. But it is not. It is… sedition, on the hoof.

[U X3: Four Times, Now.] And… Speaking Of Small Chances… Hinderaker’s Narrative Won’t Take Hold.

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NOW FOUR TIMES Twice now in about 42 30 elapsed hours, Hinderaker would have us believe that Mr. Biden’s extemporaneous closing sentence in Warsaw… was some sort of treason against US interests. It was precisely the opposite. Perhaps it seemed a little blood thirsty… but only in that it called for the end of Putin’s regime — or him, personally. [Latest Hinderaker ravings, here.]

I’m not afraid to admit that it can be read that way. And… frankly, I don’t care.

What is striking in all of this is the way the hard-right white separatists like John feel that Putin’s tiny lil’ “fee-fees”… should be given primacy.

There is zero chance that this will become a longer term story.

And Hinderaker’s hypocrisy is palpable. He didn’t flinch when Trump attacked the leaders of NATO allies — allies! — in public, on foreign soil. Geez, John.

But here, he “feels bad” for a madman / butcher / dictator… someone who is increasingly our sworn enemy. [How much is Putin paying you these days, John — and do tell: is it in Bitcoin? It will be… traced. Heh.]

Wow.

And in closing here — for only the third time in 12 years, if either Duke or Kansas wins just one more game, I will best Mr. Obama’s brackets.

That is a small chance event for me, as well — obviously. Updated Monday night: I beat BHO, in the men’s tourney picks — but lost badly, on the women’s brackets, viz.

Grin.

It Is, In Fact, Only The Smallest Of Chances…

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Even a smaller set of chances than those awaiting Mr. Biden’s wealth tax — of being passed into law (in my opinion)… but I have been ruminating this weekend, and rewatched “Clara” last night… wondering.

Wondering… what if the Hubble images we will see Wednesday, from NASA suggest not just a light transit, across a distant star — in the habitable zone…

What if… the images suggest… a “second light dip” — of diminished size. . . one that follows a close path along the same period as the planet?

And what if that second dip shows signs… of being… controlled / driven? As in a… Dyson Sphere?

And that would be why the next-gen scope would first be trained on it, to perhaps definitively confirm that it was producing non-naturally occurring light and or heat energy… that would be precisely the closing sequences of Clara. And the greatest discovery in the history… of human history. Wouldn’t that be… something — something “for the record books“? Smiling….

नमस्ते

[U: Hinderaker Obliges.] Hard To See What’s Unfair About This… But Do Count On The GOP In Senate To Torpedo It…

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Updated @ 4 pm EDT on 03.29.2022: No surprise, Hinderaker opposes The measure… but not in principle (as he has none); just on pragmatics of the minimum. End, updated portion.

This proposed tax of 20% on all income, as a minimum payment, would actually affect only about 700 US “households” (multi-mansions, actually).

And to suggest that it is unfair is to ignore that most of these households pay less than two or three per cent per year, at present. But as I say, count on the GOP in the Senate (and Fox News) to try to torpedo it. The GOP has forever been positively allergic to any form of wealth tax. Here is the NYT on it all, tonight:

…The White House will ask Congress on Monday to pass a new minimum tax on billionaires as part of a budget proposal intended to revitalize President Biden’s domestic agenda and reduce the deficit.

The tax would require that American households worth more than $100 million pay a rate of at least 20 percent on their full income, as well as unrealized gains in the value of their liquid assets, such as stocks, bonds and cash, which can accumulate value for years but are taxed only when they are sold.

Mr. Biden’s proposal to impose a tax on billionaires is the first time he has explicitly called for a wealth tax….

Well… here’s to… hoping it might pass, in some form. Equity would be served — and the deficit would be cut appreciably. Onward, smiling… with ‘Nova headed to the Big Easy, now.

नमस्ते

In Which Hinderaker Complains About “Intemperate” Remarks — On Foreign Soil, About Dictators, From Our World Leaders…

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This is the most subtle-form of Putin-supporting nonsense we see on the regular now, from John Hinderaker.

Here he complains that Mr. Biden said something mean — off-script, even — about Vladimir Putin. He said… there needs to be a regime change in Russia.

To hear John tell it, this makes Mr. Biden unfit for leadership. In my mind, it slightly muddles our message — but only slightly. Does Putin deserve to be removed (for war crimes)? Of course. [But I’d rather we not call for destabilizing (oligarch-led) assassination teams in Moscow. That’s… messy.]

Now, my real punchline: for four long years, Hinderaker chuckled along, as (more damnably, by far!) Tangerine praised the North Korean leaders for their domestic blood baths, praised Putin, praised bloody dictators in South America… and yet… not a peep from John.

So it strikes a hollow note when he only complains when… that Putin might be/is being threatened.

Actually, more than a little hollow. Is Powerline (like Candace Owens?) now cashing Russian checks?

Seems likely.

[Happier News Dept.:] Some Exciting “Mystery” News, Scheduled As A Teaser — By NASA/Hubble For Next Wednesday…

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Once again, we have a celestial mystery on our hands.

But this one is… created from whole cloth, by the NASA PR mavens. They are sitting on some news, and likely creating videos and graphics, in a short plain English explainer — all before holding the press event next Wednesday. [They likely also do not want to overshadow the return of the US’s longest orbiting astronaut early in the week.]

In any event, our money is on the discovery of more promising exo-planets (we have found over 5,000 so far!), with a schedule to have the new next gen scope train its hexagonal mirrors on the candidate — for deeper analysis. Here’s the bit, from Space.com’s feed overnight:

…Officials with the Hubble Space Telescope program have some new science to share on Wednesday (March 30).

A NASA statement promises “one for the record books” and an “exciting new observation” from the nearly 32-year-old telescope. It’s tricky to guess what that discovery might be, given that the Hubble Space Telescope’s work stretches from exoplanets to galaxies to measuring the expansion of the universe. (That last bit garnered the multiobservatory team a Nobel Prize.)

NASA has offered little other information beyond promising that the “Hubble result not only extends our understanding of the universe, but creates an exciting area of research for Hubble’s future work with NASA’s newly-launched [name redacted] Space Telescope….”

We will keep you apprised, of that you may rest assured. Grinning — these little known, local Jesuit schools, year after year — just outperform all expectations at the big dance… and despite our philosophical differences, here — let’s hope that New Orleans… is kind to the Peacocks.

नमस्ते

Yeh — You should Definitely Sit This One Out, There… Champ.

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Tonight, Hinderaker asks us to trust his judgment, on masking matters.

We would remind the readership at Powerline that he was wrong by a factor of TENFOLD, on whether COVID-19 would be a continuously lethal problem.

Ten fold. But I get it: he’s a wanna’-be know it all, talking out his John Brown hind parts, ’bout stuff — that he don’t know d!ck about. He has no public health expertise whatsoever. So, yeah….

He should sit this one out — way out (per at right).

Cheers.

Things Hinderaker Neglects To Mention… Re Tangerine’s “Very Fine People” Charlottesville 2017 Remarks

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So — once again, Hinderaker is relitigating (with half-truths) the FACT that Tangerine waited almost two weeks after the 17 injured and one murdered in Charlottesville… to condemn the white supremacy movement soldiers who carried that premeditated act of domestic terrorism out.

John lies by omission, by here implying Trump quickly and unequivocally called them out. He did not — read his equating Nazis with very fine people, in context, in real time, right here — in full. You decide, did he? It took the Chairman and CEO of Merck resigning from his stupid manufacturing council, to get Trump to speak, without equivocating on the topic.

He did so, only because a firestorm among people of conscience erupted.

Sit down John. We remember — you do too — but you’ve been called by Tangerine for disavowing him this past Monday. And you now must bow to hisself. Damnation.