Thursday, July 21, 2022

@17:10, , 7/17/22

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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.
 

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
Review Finds Agents Used Unnecessary Force Against Black Migrants
Four 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
Shinzo Abe’s Influence Was Still Evident Long After He Left Office
Japan’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
At BroadwayCon, Hillary Clinton Celebrates Women in the Theater
The 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
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
Under Pressure, Biden Issues Executive Order on Abortion
After 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
Russia Votes to Shut Down Last U.N. Aid Route Into Syria
Millions 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
Strong Wage and Jobs Growth Keeps Fed on Track for Big Rate Increase
The 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
Putting the Public Back in Public Service
A 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
Wisconsin Supreme Court Prohibits the Use of Most Drop Boxes for Voting
The 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
I.R.S. Asks Inspector General to Review Audits of Comey and McCabe
The 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
Simone Biles and John McCain Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Recipients 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
James Murray, Secret Service Director, to Step Down and Join Snap
The 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
 
The texts of 1/6 are not recoverable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapchat
 
Trump dislikes being "on the record".
 
18
Democrats Propose Raising Taxes on Some High Earners to Bolster Medicare
The 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
Biden and the Increasingly Anxious Democrats
Michael 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
E.P.A. Describes How It Will Regulate Power Plants After Supreme Court Setback
Last 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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