Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:

Oh, great. My brother (heart transplant) takes these meds: Some transplant recipients aren't producing antibodies after getting COVID-19 vaccine

The Covid-19 origin story has massive political consequences

Melbourne lockdown: Fears over outbreak sparks restrictions

Local CA Official Prepares For Protesters To Swarm Her Home — Over COVID Mandates That Aren’t Real

Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, and Debt:

#bitcoin has no top because fiat has no bottom pic.twitter.com/Zl3AygwVsB

— PlanB (@100trillionUSD) May 27, 2021

Hong Kongers use blockchain to save evidence of anti-authoritarian struggles

Take it with a grain of salt, but “AK Crypto” has predictions for the price of Hive: Hive Price Prediction 2020, 2021, 2025, 2030, 2040, 2050 Forecast. The title notwithstanding, nothing past 2030?

Politics:

Senator Jon Tester Doesn’t Mince Words

We’ve got to get to the bottom of this shit. Jesus. It’s a nonpartisan investigation of what happened. And if it’s because they’re afraid of Trump then they need to get out of office. It’s bullshit. You make tough decisions in this office or you shouldn’t be here.

Judge Says Trump’s Big Lie Could Inspire Violence

The judge’s blunt assessment of the current, charged political climate came in a legal decision about a defendant who was drawn to Washington, DC, in January. And it adds to a growing chorus of warnings from the officials most closely weighing the aftermath of the Capitol riot about what the threat level still might be.

Conspiracy Theories Take Hold In the United States

Can Trump Run for President From Prison?

Wave of Afghan Surrenders to the Taliban Picks Up Speed

Since May 1, at least 26 outposts and bases in just four provinces — Laghman, Baghlan, Wardak and Ghazni — have surrendered after such negotiations… With morale diving as American troops leave, and the Taliban seizing on each surrender as a propaganda victory, each collapse feeds the next in the Afghan countryside.
Among the negotiated surrenders were four district centers, which house local governors, police and intelligence chiefs — effectively handing the government facilities to Taliban control and scattering the officials there, at least temporarily.

Where the Republican Party Is Headed

‘The Sickness Is Spreading’: MAGA’s 2020 Amateur Audit-Mania Is Sweeping The Nation

Fueled by a shambolic election recount in Arizona, the audit-bug is spreading, and, with it, the fantastical belief that President Trump’s 2020 electoral defeat could still be reversed.

When will America protect itself against EMP, cyber and ransomware attacks?

GOP Lawmaker Had Sex with Teen When He Was a Cop

A Missouri lawmaker allegedly used his position as a cop to receive a “sexual favor” from an intoxicated teenage girl in 2015 and his boss, the Pike County sheriff, is accused of attempting to obstruct a probe as the deputy ran for a seat in the Legislature last year…

Republicans Are United on Power

On the surface, the GOP is a party in disarray. Party leaders in Congress struggle to deal with elected nutballs such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.). Far-right extremists try to take over state parties. A member of the House leadership is ousted for refusing to pander to the lie that President Biden stole the 2020 election from Donald Trump.
But underneath, there is a striking — and frightening — degree of unity. For all the disagreement about the 2020 election, Republicans are in lockstep on the question of power — namely, that by rights it belongs exclusively to Republicans and steps must be taken to ensure that Democrats not be allowed to wield it, no matter what the voters might want.

Serendipity:

Watch Newly Resurfaced Footage of the Hindenburg Disaster

Astronomers create largest map of the universe’s dark matter: International team reveal vast cosmic voids over the Earth’s skies that could challenge Einstein

^{Badge thanks to @arcange}

^{Meme credit: haagman (source)}