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Ian Welsh2 days ago
The Debt Trap That Helped Take Down Sri Lanka Was Not Chinese[image: The Debt Trap That Helped Take Down Sri Lanka Was Not Chinese]
Let’s put an end to this nonsense:
The Asian Development Banks is essentially a US proxy and the World Bank is
mostly controlled by the US. Market borrowings are almost entirely from
Western sources.
The article goes into more detail:
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who spent a significant part of
his life working in the United States, entered office in 2019 and
immediately imposed a series of neoliberal economic policies, which
included cutting taxes on corporations.
These neoliberal policies decreas... read more
Since the civil war debt slavery has been Republican policy.
2
Ian Welsh5 days ago
How Standard Media Skews Public Understanding[image: How Standard Media Skews Public Understanding]
I recently had a long conversation with a fellow Canadian about current
events, especially Covid and the economy. He read a lot of newspapers: he’s
well informed by normal standards.
But over the course of the conversation I realized he was terribly informed.
For Covid, he was convinced both that China had only controlled Covid thru
very long lockdowns and that they were lying about results. In particular,
he remembered Shanghai well, but didn’t realize Shanghai was an exception.
Most Chinese cities have locked down much less o... read more
The discussion displays an ignorance of social history.
Populations were not healthy until recently. (1948?)
3
Ian Welsh6 days ago
How To Think Clearly About Political and Social Issues[image: How To Think Clearly About Political and Social Issues]
One of the most useful things you were probably made to do in school is
argue for points of view you disagree with. Make the choice case if you are
pro-life, make the pro-life case if you’re anti-abortion.
Write the Palestinian case or the Israeli case, whichever you oppose.
Make the best case you can that Russia was right to invade, or the best
case you can that Russia was wrong. Make the case that NATO was
responsible, then make the case it had nothing to do with it. Make the case
Ukraine is Nazi-infested, make the ... read more
Most think with their emotions.
Recognize the effects.
4
Ian Welsh1 week ago
Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – July 10, 2022[image: Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – July 10, 2022]
Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – July 10, 2022
by Tony Wikrent
*Strategic Political Economy*
*Our Entire Civilization Is Structured Around Keeping Us From Realizing We
Can Do This*
Caitlin Johnstone [via Mike Norman Economics 7-9-2022]
Thousands of protesters outraged by the deteriorating material conditions of
the nation’s economic meltdown have stormed the presidential palace of Sri
Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and I guarantee you the aerial footage as
they poured into the building en masse has made every gov... read more
It is a slow disaster.
5
Ian Welsh1 week ago
Open Thread[image: Open Thread]
Use the comments to discuss topics unrelated to recent posts.
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp LinkedIn
read more
Sooner is better. As soon as you can is best.
Every thing starts with words.
6
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Review Finds Agents Used Unnecessary Force Against Black MigrantsFour Border Patrol agents face discipline over the confrontation last year.
But the 500-page report described deeper problems within the agency amid a
crisis at the border. read more
I.C.E. is a federal secret police
7
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Shinzo Abe’s Influence Was Still Evident Long After He Left OfficeJapan’s longest-serving prime minister became perhaps the most
transformational politician in the country’s post-World War II history. read more
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_MacArthur#Occupation_of_Japan
8
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
At BroadwayCon, Hillary Clinton Celebrates Women in the TheaterThe former secretary of state moderated a discussion on Friday afternoon
about successes and barriers for women working in the theater. read more
Hillary came later.
9
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Can Lisa Murkowski Fend Off Kelly Tshibaka in Alaska?Supporters of the senator hope that the state’s unique nonpartisan primary
system will help her, but allies of Tshibaka, a Trump-backed challenger,
see a path to victory. read more
Forecasting the weather in Alaska has been easy.
10
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Under Pressure, Biden Issues Executive Order on AbortionAfter the Supreme Court’s ruling, some of the president’s supporters have
wanted him to push harder to protect abortion access. But details about
what his new order will do remain unclear. read more
The President must "look busy".
11
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Russia Votes to Shut Down Last U.N. Aid Route Into SyriaMillions of Syrians whose lives have already been shattered by more than a
decade of war may be left without food, medicine and other supplies. read more
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bashar_al-Assad
Al-Assad and Putin are allied.
12
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Strong Wage and Jobs Growth Keeps Fed on Track for Big Rate IncreaseThe Federal Reserve is trying to cool down the economy to bring inflation
under control, but the job market is still going strong. read more
Prices are leading wages.
13
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Putting the Public Back in Public ServiceA group of academics and lawmakers, citing a new study that found voters
feel shut out of congressional deliberations, is pushing to engage citizens
more directly in the work of Congress. read more
People must talk to their representatives.
14
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Wisconsin Supreme Court Prohibits the Use of Most Drop Boxes for VotingThe ruling by the court, which has a narrow conservative majority, comes as
Republicans have tried to limit voting access in the state’s cities. read more
Wisconsin Republicans fear democracy.
15
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
I.R.S. Asks Inspector General to Review Audits of Comey and McCabeThe agency said its commissioner asked the Treasury Department’s inspector
general for tax administration to look into the audits after The Times
raised questions about them. read more
If Trump gave an order it was a crime.
16
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Simone Biles and John McCain Awarded Presidential Medal of FreedomRecipients of the nation’s highest civilian honor included the gymnast
Simone Biles; John McCain, the former Republican senator from Arizona; and
civil rights workers. read more
Looking busy.
17
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
James Murray, Secret Service Director, to Step Down and Join SnapThe director, James M. Murray, was appointed by President Donald J. Trump
in 2019 and is departing after nearly three decades with the agency. read more
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapchat
Trump dislikes being "on the record".
18
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Democrats Propose Raising Taxes on Some High Earners to Bolster MedicareThe draft plan, which is expected to be unveiled in the coming days, is
part of talks over how to salvage pieces of President Biden’s domestic
agenda. read more
Medicare is part of Social Security. It is covered by the full faith and credit of the Federal government.
19
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
Biden and the Increasingly Anxious DemocratsMichael D. Shear, a longtime White House reporter for The New York Times,
talks about recent staff turnover in the administration and frustration
around the president. read more
Biden is not like Trump.
Government should be boring.
20
NYT > U.S. > Politics1 week ago
E.P.A. Describes How It Will Regulate Power Plants After Supreme Court SetbackLast week’s ruling took away a major tool for reducing greenhouse gas
emissions. Many regulatory options still remain, but the path will be more
difficult. read more
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled against the administrative state.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Air_Act_(United_States)
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