Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Advances in cancer diagnosis

We’re used to thinking about DNA in containers: nuclei, mitochondria, bacteria, viral particles. But there’s lots of DNA pieces flowing through our bloodstream all the time. This cell-free DNA can be captured and analyzed, just like the DNA in sewage can be tested for COVID. “UCLA scientists have developed a simple and cost-effective blood test […]

Is Iran Blockage Impacting Global Oil? Some Detail . . .

Economic Information from Oil Price.com concerning reserves and pricing based on global interests and actions. In a bit of a flux right now. Not much stability and a lot of rent taking by the oil and gasoline industry. Some detail. More at the Oil Price site. “Oil Ignores Escalation, Logs Biggest Weekly Drop Since 2025” […]

As expected, March consumer inflation packed a (possibly recessionary) wallop

 – by New Deal democrat As anticipated, the March CPI packed a wallop, up 0.9% for the month and causing the YoY% gain to increase to 3.3%, while core CPI was a tame 0.2% with a YoY% gain of 2.6%. Because of the impact of that big number, I am departing from my usual format to […]

The Exit Coalition: A Bipartisan Chance to Defend the Institution

Photo by Louis Velazquez on Unsplash J.P. McJefferson Thoughts – J.P. McJefferson In the year marking the United States Semi quincentennial, dozens of members of Congress—from both parties—will quietly make a consequential decision: they will not return. Most coverage treats this as routine political churn—retirements, career moves, the normal rhythm of electoral life. But in a Congress defined […]

Overdue Student Loans are on the Rise

All three of mine were in college at one time or another. We had the parental loans. In one case we had to take over a loan Both my wife and I paid off the double-digit thousands of dollars over time. It does not mean everyone else can do so. The overlying factor here is, […]

Global Disruptions Due to Trump’s War

Disrupting the Global Economy and Iran is Doing Quite Well Aluminum Disruptions Due to Bombing, Construction Physics The world’s largest aluminum smelter in Bahrain was hit by an Iranian drone, bringing production offline. [Bloomberg] Other aluminum smelters in the area have cut production due to inability to ship through the Strait. This, in turn, has […]

The laws of physics haven’t been repealed by AI

Political events have moved so fast recently that I’ve found it hard to crystalize my thoughts enough to write a post. When that happens, I turn to topics related to science, which are in my wheelhouse. You may have read about how a colonel was rescued deep inside Iran using a technology dubbed “Ghost Murmer.” […]

SCOTUS Opinions on Stops based upon race, ethnicity, language, location, or occupation

Newsweek article by Jenna Subdel. “Sonia Sotomayor takes swipe at Brett Kavanaugh over Supreme Court dispute.” I can not find the link to it. It is a Newsweek article which says a lot about arbitrary stops of people who look Hispanic, etc. because they may be in the United Sates illegally. Or you look like […]

Recessionary signals in February?

“Recessionary signals in February personal income and spending, but some bright spots as well”  – by New Deal democrat Personal income and spending are among the most important monthly indicators of all, because they give us a detailed look at consumption by the broad range of American households. And since consumption leads employment, they also […]

Losing in Iran?

It’s consistent with how other countries, organizations, and people have defeated him. We are supposed to negotiate before the war, not during it. Trump was not going to do it anyways. He had another 12 threats to make. Some remarks by Robert Reich. And the fool to both the world (and Israel too) is looking […]