Rematch from Hell: Yesterday, President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump basically made official what we already know to be true. That they will face each other in the worst rematch of all time in November. This is a real defeat for anyone who cares about freedom.
With Nikki Haley already out of the field, Trump campaigned as if he was already the candidate. Last night, he won the Republican primaries in Georgia, Mississippi, Hawaii and Washington state. Biden's victory in the Georgia Democratic primary put him ahead in terms of the number of delegates needed. Now technically both men are scheduled to be nominated at their respective party conventions this summer, but the results suggest they will face each other once again.
“Only 38% of American adults approve of the way Biden is conducting his presidency, while 61% disapprove.” Recent Surveys “The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research,” the Associated Press reports, “according to a RealClearPolitics polling average, 42% of voters said they favored Trump. This is up from a record low of 36% in December. Reported as '2022' Bloomberg.
“Yet the combined approval ratings of both major candidates are near historic lows,” it reported. bloomberg, “At least 18% of voters are dissatisfied with both candidates.” – Pollsters call them “double haters.” (I just call them “sane people.”)
Autumn people: “On Friday [Republican National Committee (RNC)] North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Michael Whatley has reportedly decided to appoint the former president's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, as co-chairs. Bloomberg. Then on Monday, more than 60 employees were laid off, a move that “essentially conflated the RNC with the Trump campaign.” This is not that uncommon. Campaigns and political parties must be able to work efficiently to advance their chosen candidates.
Choosing family members for major party roles is also not unheard of (although it probably shouldn't be). Ronald Reagan's daughter, Maureen, became RNC co-chair in 1987. The situation is a little different, but she, the recently deposed Ronna McDaniel, also comes from a political family. (McDaniel is the nephew of former presidential candidate and current Utah senator Mitt Romney.)
Nonetheless, the report said, “The decision to release a list of new RNC leaders before Trump has secured the delegates he needs to become the Republican nominee has angered some of Trump's critics.” Politico. “He did so in February, when Nikki Haley was still running for president, and she criticized both the RNC and the Republican Party. [former Chair Ronna] Trump continued to criticize McDaniel, blaming him for her decision to host a primary debate he did not want to participate in, and blaming McDaniel for the party's cash problems. Looks like it's going to be a fall guy, but watch out for a party comprised entirely of Trump sycophants with little eye for a post-MAGA future.
Ban Chinese-owned social media? The bill, sponsored by Reps. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), both members of the House Select Committee on the Communist Party of China, revives old fears surrounding TikTok and would see the app banned in the U.S. or taken to another (and government-approved) owner. It can be sold. The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on this today.
The bill would require the company to be sold or bar U.S. app stores from allowing users to access TikTok and other social media sites deemed “foreign-controlled applications.” foreign enemy Includes China, North Korea, Russia, Iran, etc. One problem among many is that the enemy list can expand at any time, and labels can be used in less wise ways in the future.
Other red flags include the fact that the bill does not ban all apps owned by foreigners or all apps associated with foreign enemies, but rather chooses to specifically ban social media companies, the very sites where speech is protected by the First Amendment. This is included. (But foolish) It spreads.
Worse, the bill's definition of “controlled by a foreign enemy” is overly broad. That is, “(A) an alien domiciled, headquartered, or having a principal place of business or organized in that country; (B) an entity in which at least a 20% interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by an alien or combination of aliens described in subparagraph (A); or (C) directing or controlling a foreign individual or entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B) that is subject to:”
Many people worry about possible espionage by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or about how the CCP could influence ByteDance (owner of TikTok) and change what American users see in the algorithm at critical moments. But this new law could raise concerns if lawmakers get their way.
New York scene: In New York, young migrant children sell candy on the subway to earn a few dollars to support their families. new york times I did a little digging to find out which agency children should be reported to. (Truancy is undesirable, but would NYPD involvement help the problem at all?)
quick hit
- It turns out there's no market for desecrating a 9-year-old wearing a Native American headdress at a Kansas City Chiefs game.
- Colorado's confusing laws:
So there are a lot of cybersecurity issues with any age verification bill.
It mandates that social media companies retain “all data and metadata about users’ identities and activities” for one year. This is a terrible security practice that attracts hackers and welcomes breaches. pic.twitter.com/AkYtcbA5E6
— Shoshana Weissmann, Sloth Committee Chair ???? (@senatorhoshana) March 12, 2024
- help. I just learned about the “TikTok accent” (basically uptalk and vocal fry). I don't want to reflexively object and be mean, but I hate it.
- A British taskforce is trying to crack down on black market Ozempic.
- A 66-year-old financial expert named Marty Dolan is trying to contest the primary against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY), calling her a “referendum on common sense.”
- Don't believe your lying eyes. DEI is actually great!
What I personally love is that an army of qualified groupthink enforcers from our most elite groupthink enforcement agencies are there to ensure that “everyone is encouraged to express their thoughts.” https://t.co/2MUUxRQgOh
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) March 12, 2024
- I wonder if this is partly because we've been spending so much more time outside.
In the past, deaths from lightning were much more common. pic.twitter.com/WX1YiWgRcJ
— Matthew Iglesias (@mattyglesias) March 12, 2024