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Patient readers, once again I apologize for the dominance of news from Ukraine, but it’s a story not without interest, so here we are. –lambert
DNA Clears Hank The Tank!!! Now the Bear Will Be Spared TMZ
Do Birds Have Language? Smithsonian. Some would say yes.
Study finds elk are too smart for their own good, and the good of Utah Phys.org
Monkeys in Their Own Right Verfassungsblog. The Estrellita Judgement of the Ecuadorian Constitutional Court.
Climate
The digital world’s real-world impact on the environment High Country News
#COVID19
UK government has abandoned its own Covid health advice, leak reveals Guardian
New CDC Covid-19 metrics drop strong mask recommendations for most of the country CNN
Effectiveness of Face Mask or Respirator Use in Indoor Public Settings for Prevention of SARS-CoV-2 Infection — California, February–December 2021 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, CDC. From the Abstract: “Consistent use of a face mask or respirator in indoor public settings was associated with lower odds of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test result (adjusted odds ratio = 0.44). Use of respirators with higher filtration capacity was associated with the most protection, compared with no mask use. In addition to being up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations, consistently wearing a comfortable, well-fitting face mask or respirator in indoor public settings protects against acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 infection; a respirator offers the best protection.” It couldn’t be more clear that Biden Adminstration’s newest guidance does not “guide” the public toward protecting itself from Covid, but rather encourages the virus to spread, and continues the assault on all public health protections save waning vax before the next zoonotic pandemic respiratory virus predictably appears.
China?
How is Beijing Portraying Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine for the Chinese Public? Council on Foreign Relations
Outpost : If Biden intervenes militarily, in what ways will the Russian army be hit hard? What China Reads
US Officials Repeatedly Urged China to Help Avert War in Ukraine NYT
China’s SWIFT alternative may undercut US sanctions Asia Times
China’s Content Moderators Are Overworked and Chronically Stressed Sixth Tone
Here’s how the Russia-Ukraine conflict affects Malaysia and why we should care Malay Mail. Irredentism.
Syraqistan
A Dysfunctional Peace: How Libya’s Fault Lines Were Redrawn War on the Rocks. Another brilliant success for US policy.
New No-So-Cold War
Ukraine’s President Zelensky discussing ‘time and place’ for possible talks with Russia Independent. Twelve hours ago, as of this writing.
Ukraine Conflict Update 8 Institute for the Study of War
Russian offensive unexpectedly slowed by fierce Ukrainian resistance NBC. Another account:
I still don’t think anyone appreciates the significance of Russian operations at Hostomel airport.
It’s ~75 km from the river crossing at Chernobyl to the airport. Compare that to the doctrinal template of Soviet deep operations, which calls for airborne operations 80 km deep… https://t.co/q5zg3VT05C pic.twitter.com/I3A5cmgSAo
— Bazaar of War (@bazaarofwar) February 26, 2022
* * * NATO rushing to resupply Ukraine by land; no-fly zone all but ruled out Politico
NATO Activates Response Force for First Time as US Readies More Troops military.com
* * * The Coming Ukrainian Insurgency Foreign Affairs. Everything’s going according to plan.
Op-Ed: The CIA has backed Ukrainian insurgents before. Let’s learn from those mistakes LA Times. As I have said, I’m long stupid on this.
‘Ultimate test of brinkmanship’: US preps for high-stakes proxy war against Russia in Ukraine Washington Examiner. “High stakes” for whom?
* * * Didn’t vote for Kyiv to be bombed: Russian lawmaker who voted for independence of rebel regions in Ukraine India Today
Ordinary Russians Don’t Want This War Jacobin (Re Silc). Home before the wheat sprouts….
* * * In the curious absence of reporting, symbol manipulation is what we have:
Symbol manipulation (1):
This is Ukraine… ??
? Dmytro Murasky pic.twitter.com/qhhGFrVGiV
— Visegrád 24 ???????? (@visegrad24) February 25, 2022
The teddy bear is a very nice touch. Almost professional. On this tactic, see Taleb.
Symbol manipulation (2):
This photo of a dead Russian soldier outside Kharkiv reminds me of the Battle of Stalingrad. Images like these can have a huge impact. Please share it with any Russians you know and hope it impacts resistance to the war there.
Photo by Tyler Hicks/New York Times. pic.twitter.com/gmN8CgjQif— Anders Östlund (@andersostlund) February 26, 2022
If one corpse reminds you of Stalingradyou’re at best a fool.
Symbol manipulation (3):
? This is not a genuine video of a Ukrainian fighter pilot dubbed the “Ghost of Kyiv.” This video was created with Digital Combat Simulator, a simulation game that was first released in 2008. https://t.co/UveR7D125v
— snopes.com (@snopes) February 25, 2022
Symbol manipulation (4):
Three years ago, he was playing a president in a popular television comedy. Today, he is Ukraine’s president, confronting Russia’s fearsome military might. https://t.co/WTMSfulpJY
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 26, 2022
Jed Bartlet tropes deployed in 10, 9, 8….
Symbol manipulation (5):
RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT LATEST: https://t.co/D8MkUCvGDF
• Kyiv prepares for battle as Russian advance reaches Ukraine’s capital
• Pope Francis visits Russian embassy to express concerns over conflict
(Photo: Ukrainian National Guard in central Kyiv, ? Gleb Garanich/Reuters) pic.twitter.com/C7PvJAo21T
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 25, 2022
Readers will recall this photo is most likely staged.
Some Of The Most Popular ‘Ukraine Footage’ Is Actually A Video Game Kotaku
* * * Grab two cups of coffee:
Presumanbly YouTube won’t censor a talk given on Alumni Weekend at the University of Chicago:
Well worth a listen.
Scott Ritter (DS):
Sadly, no transcript; I am told that Ritter gives another account of the speed (or lack of same) of the Russian advance from Belarus to Kiev.
* * * 5 ways to cope with the stressful news cycle NPR. Tagline: “In this turbulent time, we invite you to do the same. It’s important for all of us to stay informed citizens of the world, and also to remember: take it easy on yourself, and on each other.”
Biden Administration
In historic first, Biden nominates Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court SCOTUSblog
Biden battles Putin in Ukraine — and Trump’s GOP in America NBC
Deficit Hawk Henry Cuellar Makes it Rain for His Defense Donors ReadSludge
Trump Legacy
62 percent of voters say Putin wouldn’t have invaded Ukraine if Trump were president: poll The Hill. Harris.
Supply Chain
Here’s Why the Russia-Ukraine Crisis Creates a Realignment of World Trade AgWeb
Asian refiners see uninterrupted Black Sea crude import flows for now Hellenic Shipping News
Russia bans ammonium nitrate exports until April to support domestic farmers Platts
Report: Russian missile hits Japanese freighter in Black Sea NHK. Headline: Missile. Paragraph one: Shells (no source). Pargraph three: “bombarded” (Ukraine). “Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is verifying details of the attack.” “So, we don’t really know what anyone is after.”
Health Care
Op-Ed: The anti-vax movement was already getting scary. COVID supercharged it LA Times.
The 1st public option health plan in the US struggles to gain traction NPR. “’The plans had a hard time getting networks put together because the hospitals wouldn’t play,’ said state Rep. Eileen Cody, the Washington legislator who introduced the public option bill in 2019. ‘They’re a big part of the problem.’” The same thing happened with MaineCare.
The Schools
Judge: New admissions policies at elite school discriminate AP. Fairfax County. The decision (PDF).
‘A very toxic environment’: Virginia students navigate ugly mask battle WaPo. My congratulations to the public health establishment.
Our Famously Free Press
Classy:
This morning the Associated Press tried to sell an NFT of a refugee boat drifting on the Mediterranean Sea. They’ve since deleted the tweet. pic.twitter.com/duaGU0s7r5
— Nanjala Nyabola (@Nanjala1) February 25, 2022
Blog Terminated Paul Robinson, Irrussianality. I respect Robinson’s decision, but he might have given consideration to waiting for David Frum to resign from his editorship of The Atlantic, and only then terminating his blog.
Fed Up With Google, Conspiracy Theorists Turn to DuckDuckGo NYT. Musical interlude.
The Bezzle
Startup founder says he lost his company and $100 million by relying on Facebook: ‘Sends chills down my spine’ to watch others build businesses on Instagram and TikTok Business Insider (JB). If your business depends on a platform….
Assange
The UK Wanted to Extradite Julian Assange to the US From the Start The Intercept
Class Warfare
Here’s What’s in the New Bill Jointly Backed by Uber and the Teamsters in Washington State Labor Notes
Not all oligarchs, of course:
Krugman: “Go after the vast overseas wealth of the oligarchs who surround Putin and help him stay in power.”https://t.co/zdtGssSI7c
— Barry Ritholtz (@ritholtz) February 25, 2022
Scratch a liberal….
Cryptographers Achieve Perfect Secrecy With Imperfect Devices Quanta
US Plans New Safety Rules to Crack Down on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning from Portable Generators Pro Publica. This gives me an opportunity to clarify: Portable generators are jackpot-readyin that they buy time if (when) the grid collapses. They are not jackpot-compliantbecause they assume the continued distribution of fuel; they do not comply with newly imposed rigors.
Antidote du jour (via):
See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour here
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