Odds and Ends — 10 June 2021
Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:
Russian Covid Cases Surge Again
New cases of Covid-19 in Russia surged over 10,000 today to the highest in more than three months as widespread skepticism toward domestically-developed vaccines undermines attempts to corral the pandemic.
The growing number of cases in Russia is unusual among countries that offer adults universal access to a vaccine, and belie official statements that the situation is nothing to worry about.
U.S. to Purchase 500 Million Vaccine Doses for the World
The Biden administration is buying 500 million doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine to donate to the world, as the United States dramatically increases its efforts to help vaccinate the global population.
Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, and Debt:
Call for a crack down on freedom, based on energy lies and fud .. pathetic. https://t.co/QkGvorAtII
— PlanB (@100trillionUSD) June 9, 2021
Hmmm..... This article seems to be a hint that the IRS is terrified of crypto: IRS needs congressional authority to handle crypto, says chief
One Fastly customer triggered internet meltdown
Developer pulls the plug on Keystone XL oil pipeline
After googling it, CFTC boss says DeFi is a ‘bad idea’ and probably illegal
Politics:
Nigeria's Twitter ban: Donald Trump hails Buhari
Closed cold case murder tied to ousted Tennessee governor
A former Tennessee governor’s administration helped fund a contract murder of a key federal witness decades ago while embroiled in the state’s largest political scandal, law enforcement officials announced Wednesday.
State bar investigating Texas attorney general
Trump Impeachment Lawyers Now Defending Rioters
Attorneys Michael Van Der Veen and Bruce Castor defended Trump at his Senate impeachment trial over allegedly inciting the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. Even as van der Veen, Castor and the Trump defense team called the impeachment ‘political theater’ and ultimately secured Trump’s acquittal, they condemned the rioters for bringing ‘unprecedented havoc, mayhem and death’ to the Capitol. They argued in a legal brief that the rioters’ actions deserve ‘robust and swift investigation and prosecution.’
Now, van der Veen and Castor find themselves on the other side of those prosecutions, defending at least three people charged in connection with the Capitol breach.
Arizona ‘Audit’ Backed by Secretive Trump Donors
Not a link to The Onion: Gohmert Asks If Agencies Can Change Earth’s Orbit
What Congress’ first official report on the Capitol riot leaves unanswered
Trump Is Sabotaging the GOP’s Senate Prospects
Former President Trump could have been an important asset for the GOP, turning out voters as it seeks to regain control of Congress in next year’s midterm elections. But, out of office, he’s continuing his destructive behavior, endorsing weaker candidates in contested primaries, squelching the campaigns of erstwhile allies, and elevating not-ready-for-prime-time contenders in must-win Senate contests.
His erratic behavior since losing the presidential election—exemplified by his conspiracy theorizing and suppression of the GOP vote in Georgia’s Senate runoffs in January, handing Democrats the majority—is only accelerating as the midterms draw closer. It’s leading to increasing Republican pessimism about their chances of retaking the Senate majority next year, even as the political environment is awfully favorable on paper to the party out of power.
Progressives draw red line on keeping climate provisions in infrastructure bill
How Far Are Republicans Willing to Go?
Determined to enforce white political dominance in pivotal states like Georgia, Arizona, Texas and North Carolina, Republicans are enacting or trying to enact laws restricting the right to vote, empowering legislatures to reject election outcomes and adopting election rules and procedures designed to block the emergence of multiracial political majorities.
Uproar after Argentina president says ‘Brazilians came from the jungle’
