A detailed look at some of the many mechanisms that translate poverty into sickness and shorter lifespans.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Coffee Break: Counterfeit Scientific Papers, Deep Fakes, CDC on the Ropes, MAHA, and Hope from the Middle of the Country
Part the First: Paper Mills and the Corruption of Research. No not Hammermill. I don’t think I have actually known of someone buying a “scholarly” paper for publication, and I remember reading (a few paragraphs) only a few that seemed to be purpose built. But following up on The Credibility Crisis in Science from earlier […]
England Is Splitting Apart as Labour Collapses
Labour, as many anticipated, is suffering an epic wipeout per early UK elections results. What might come next?
Are the US and Israel Planning to Use Morocco As a Weapon Against Spain?
If Trump was hoping his threats against Spain would trigger a shift in policy in Madrid towards the US-Israel war against Iran, he must be disappointed.
Iran War: Lull Before Expected Big Strikes or Is Trump Stuck?
Today’s Iran war news: More dithering and skirmishes. The calm before a big storm or a move to an end with a whimper, not a bang?
Who Gives a Hug – China Changes Its Position Towards Iran, US
China has revised its conditions for a Xi-Trump meeting. China will not be seen as backing US escalation v. Iran and requires negotiations.
Musk vs. Altman: The Feud of a New Elite Bidding for Power
As the new elite is merging with the power structure, expect more feuds; if they stop being public, then we should know why.
Russia’s Threat of a Massive Retaliatory Strike on Kiev Likely Isn’t A Bluff
Putin may be ready to act on a Zelensky assisted suicide request and hurl Oreshniks on Kiev if Zelensky defies Russia’s threat to retaliate.
Iran War: Iran Pushes Back Against Trump “Deal Is Nigh” as More Evidence of US Failure Emerges, Including Gulf State Mini-Revolt, Even More US Base Destruction, Jet Fuel Price Rise Damage, Conservative Opposition to Trump Climbdown
Today’s Iran war news: The US again engages in market-manipulating deal head-fakery as more evidence of its weak position accumulates.
Understanding the Rise in CEO Age
Just like government leaders, the CEO class is becoming more of a gerontocracy. What gives?
Heartland Institute Podcast Questions Whether All Americans ‘Should Have the Right to Vote’
Heartland Institute, an ultra-conservative, climate-denialist, Trump-adjacent think tank, questions whether all adults should vote.
Coffee Break: Self-Dealing and Self-Deluding Two Sides of Trump and His Ilk
The Trump regime’s flagrant corruption and obvious irrationality beg the question, ‘Are there any rational actors in power today?’
Economic Management in War: Professor Michael Hudson in Discussion with Ian Proud
An informative and wide-ranging conversation of how economic policies can neglect, support, or impede the prosecution of war
