THE SHOW NOTES: The Lab Leak Racism Wasn’t Racism, But Reality
Welcome! Half of Americans say they are worse off than a year ago.
HEADLINE: So far, Trump’s rollback of regulations can’t be blamed for Ohio train wreck - The Washington Post (paywall)
NEW: Ron DeSantis' 2024 campaign emerges from the shadows - NBC
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Clip of the day:
COVID
The Department of Energy joined the FBI in confirming that the COVID pandemic was most likely the result of a lab leak from mainland China. This comes in direct contradiction with claims from National Intelligence Agency that COVID originated by natural transmission from an infected animal.
Why this matters: The Department of Energy maintains the nation's nuclear and bioweapons stockpiles and employs numerous experts in the field. If any federal agency would have the experts on hand to confirm this, it would be the Department of Energy.
Where is Tom Cotton’s apology? The New York Times assailed Tom for suggesting this very same theory in February 2020 claiming “The conspiracy theory lacks evidence and has been dismissed by scientists.”
The Washington Post published a parallel piece the same week stating, “Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) repeated a fringe theory suggesting that the ongoing spread of a coronavirus is connected to research in the disease-ravaged epicenter of Wuhan, China.”
Note: Insiders report the DOE came to this conclusion with a low level of confidence while the FBI claimed a moderate level of confidence. The CIA won’t take a position.
More Attacks on Kamala Harris
Another op-ed by a Democrat at The New York Times (paywall) is questioning Joe Biden’s age and Kamala Harris’s competence.
Mr. Biden is showing his age. Because he has been active on the national stage for so many decades, his current condition compares unfavorably with memories of his former self. People remember him when he didn’t whisper or mumble, when his gait was not that of someone concerned about tripping or falling.
The piece goes on to claim that concerns over Biden’s age are legitimate and should be taken seriously by allowing his running mate to be chosen at the Democratic National Convention. This is a major shot at Kamala Harris. Go read the full story here.
WSJ: SOS For The US Electric Grid
The warnings keep coming that the force-fed energy transition to renewable fuels is destabilizing the U.S. electric grid, but is anyone in government paying attention? Another S.O.S. came Friday in an ominous report from PJM Interconnection, one of the nation’s largest grid operators.
The PJM report forecasts power supply and demand through 2030 across the 13 eastern states in its territory covering 65 million people. Its top-line conclusion: Fossil-fuel power plants are retiring much faster than renewable sources are getting developed, which could lead to energy “imbalances.” That’s a delicate way of saying that you can expect shortages and blackouts.
Full story at The Wall Street Journal (paywall)
The rest of the news:
Elissa Slotkin announces candidacy for open Senate seat in Michigan - Fox News
Warren Buffett calls stock buyback critics ‘economic illiterate’ in Berkshire Hathaway annual letter - CNBC
GOP leaders, stung by losses, plan to wade into Senate races - AP
The deepening GOP divide on Ukraine - Axios
East Palestine residents’ shock illnesses after derailment - NY Post
Newspapers drop ‘Dilbert’ after creator Scott Adams’ racist remarks - AP
Even Democrats Like Me Are Fed Up With San Francisco - NYT (paywall)
Alone and Exploited, Migrant Children Work Brutal Jobs Across the U.S. - NYT (paywall)
G.O.P. Donors in New York Await a Parade of Presidential Hopefuls - NYT (paywall)
Tweets that caught my eye:
Market snapshot:
Did Scott Adam's make racist remarks, or just make rational, fact-based comments that caused the identity politics mainstream corporatist cabal to have him canceled?
I've read many of Greear's writings in the past--this is certainly one of his best. I'm not necessarily "overtly" emotional, but I had tears in my eyes as I finished. Everything you do is needful and it is your gift and calling. This was the most compassionate thing you can do. Thank you Erick.