Thursday, July 3, 2025

The Plebeian Council as an Example for Modern Citizen Empowerment

How the Roman Plebeian Council used tribal allegiances to curb the power of patricians.

Coffee Break: Rahm Emanuel’s Kayfabe Candidacy

Rahm Emanuel is teasing a run for President in 2028. His brother Ari, a Democratic power-broker and a Trump insider will be a problem.

The Rule of Law Is Key to Capitalism − Eroding It Is Bad News for American Business

It is a sad sign of the extent of libertarian propaganda that an apple-pie-and-motherhood issue like the rule of law needs defending.

Links 7/2/2025

Trust in Science, Public Health, and Politics: Lessons from COVID-19

Shortly after COVID-19 was recognized as a worldwide catastrophe, my much better half asked me how long I thought this would this last.  Based on my then 45 years of biomedical research experience I replied, “Three years.”  I was wrong.  That was more than five years ago, when the refrigerated makeshift morgues were parked on […]

Broligarchs Demand Silicon Valley Bank 2.0: What Could Go Wrong?

It seems no idea is too stupid not to get a following. This one is to recreate Silicon Valley Bank, a standout failure.

Sustainable Investment Stumbles on Uncertain Pace of Energy Transition

Green energy investment goes wobbly….again.

Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Are You Not Entertained?

We have entered an era in which warfare has departed from the conventional (Clausewitzian) concept of attaining clear objectives. Instead, modern armed conflict is characterized by limited and generally inconclusive military clashes motivated by factors disconnected from the practical concerns of the affected citizens. War has turned away from decisive conflict and embraced performative spectacle. […]

The Latest Trouble In Russian-Azerbaijani Relations Might Be Part Of A Turkish-US Powerplay

A look at how Turkish and US interests benefit from recent upset in the relations between Russia and Azerbainan.

Links 7/1/2025

Is Washington Trying to Provoke a Full-Blown Banking Crisis in Mexico?

This time round, it wouldn’t be just US banks that would be heavily exposed to the resulting fallout; so, too, would European lenders. 

CalPERS Retiree Group Launches GoFundMe for Investigation on Private Equity Fees

CalPERS retirees are raising funds to have a big go at private equity fee secrecy. Please chip in if you are a California taxpayer!

“Ex-CISA Official Warns: We’ve Gutted Cybersecurity—A Gift to Iran, China and Russia”

Cybersecurity expert Dr. David Mussington, explains why the clock is ticking on U.S. vulnerabilities under Trump.

Coffee Break: OpenAI as The Money Pit

OpenAI’s fatally flawed finances reveal a company that presents no serious threat to any of the tech incumbents, including Google.

Reverse Lysistrata: More on Men Cooling on Dating, Sex and the Role of Societal Denigration

More on how young men are having a hard time finding dates and romantic partners, and why this matters.