First, Glad Moms’ Day.
By John Stossel, Cause, Might 8, 2024.
Excerpt:
In 2020, then-President Trump mentioned he was succeeding: “We’re draining the Washington swamp!”
But it surely’s not true.
“He made authorities larger,” Economist Ed Stringham says in my new video. ‘That’s going within the mistaken course. Wanting by way of a listing of companies, each single one I might see, there have been extra staff after his presidency than earlier than.”
Trump added virtually 2 million jobs to the federal workforce.
Essentially the most beautiful quantity right here is the two million jobs quantity. I haven’t fact-checked it. Is it true?
by John V. Walsh, antiwar.com, Might 9, 2024.
Excerpt:
On the shut of his current journey to China, on April 26 whereas nonetheless in Beijing, Sec. of State, Anthony [sic] Blinken, made a particularly bellicose assertion to the press. Blinken’s phrases marked a brand new section within the narrative to organize the American and European public for extra battle with China. As Caitlin Johnstone has reminded us, “Earlier than they drop the bombs, they drop the narrative.” What, then, is the narrative that Blinken dropped?
In his assertion, Blinken tells us that the US has “critical concern” over “elements” from China which are “powering” Russia’s warfare with Ukraine. He goes on to say that China is the highest provider “of twin use objects that Moscow is utilizing to ramp up its industrial base, a protection industrial base…” It’s extensively accepted that the US is shedding its Ukraine proxy warfare. Blinken now informs us that the US-installed Ukrainian regime is shedding as a result of China is aiding Russia. Blaming China is nothing new within the argot of the West, however right here it’s put to a brand new use, as an excuse for yet one more embarrassing defeat for the US.
Blinken lists “machine instruments, microelectronics, nitrocellulose” as key elements that China supplies to Russia. However “twin use objects” is an ill-defined and malleable class. Probably, each merchandise of commerce could be subsumed beneath the time period. For instance, if Russia imports Chinese language machine instruments to make vehicles, then it may readily be claimed that they’re getting used to construct tanks. Or if Russia imports nitrocellulose to make fingernail polish, it may be charged that the chemical is getting used for gun powder or explosives. So, when the US calls for that China cease “oblique” help for Russia’s warfare effort, it’s in the end demanding that China reduce off all commerce with Russia.
Blinken provides no proof that such “twin use” objects are chargeable for the drubbing that its Ukraine proxies are taking. And China has no obligation to curtail its commerce with Russia. As with India and different genuinely sovereign nations which proceed to commerce with Russia, China will not be sure by the edicts of the USA.
by Colin Grabow, Cato at Liberty, Might 7, 2024,
Washington responded by rebidding the contract and altering its legislation so shipyards outdoors the state might compete to construct the vessels. That, nevertheless, has meant delays within the acquisition course of, mounting frustration amongst ferry customers, and the continuing change of barbs over the brand new propulsion system.
However this controversy misses the larger image. Washington’s chief impediment to value‐successfully buying new ferries isn’t rooted in know-how however protectionism. One solely must look throughout Washington’s worldwide border to see why.
In late 2019, solely two months after Washington introduced its plan to buy new hybrid electrical ferries, Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries ordered 4 vessels with the identical know-how from a European shipbuilder. All 4 have been delivered earlier than the top of 2021. That includes a capability roughly one‐third that of the vessels sought by WSF (450 passengers and crew and 47 automobiles versus 1,500 passengers and 144 automobiles), the ferries value about $38 million every—lower than a sixth of the brand new WSF ferries’ estimated worth.
I don’t have my traditional 4 highlights this week. I acquired a foul chilly on my return journey from Dallas final Saturday and have been sick or low-energy for a lot of the week. However I’m again!
