Links 5/28/2026

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1. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 7:20 am

   ‘Cat in the Hat 🐈‍⬛ 🎩 🇬🇧
   @_CatintheHat
   Apparently Spain have been allowing the ‘high risk’ hantavirus contacts to mix with one another in shared spaces during quarantine. One has just tested positive, meaning the others have had a NEW exposure. Will authorities now re-start the clock on a NEW 42-day quarantine? ⏰’

   (Checks the calendar. Notes that it is 2026. Bangs head slowly and repeatedly on keyboard)

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   1. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:20 am

      tsk. RFKjr has already invoked the PREP Act for this variant of hanta virus, and lo-and-behold there is already a new vax for hanta virus ready to roll under the emergency use authorization (eua) granted by the PREP Act, which means pharma cannot be held liable for any injuries the vax might cause when used under the eua designation. (Bangs head on desktop.)

      Wonder if lockdowns are coming. What the subprime and fraudulent foreclosures didn’t destroy in the black communities, the c19 lockdowns took out 41% of the remaining businesses.
      https://usblackchambers.org/black-business-owners-ranks-collapse-by-41-in-u-s-lockdowns/

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      1. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:30 am

         adding:
         Hantaviruses replicate primarily in endothelial cells, which are the cells lining blood vessels, rather than directly in the lungs.

         https://ubiehealth.com/doctors-note/hantavirus-pathogenesis-endothelial-overreaction4753q2

         This means hanta virus is not a respiratory virus as commonly understood. It does not replicate in the lungs.

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   2. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:25 am

      tsk. RFKjr had already invoked the PREP Act for this variant of hanta virus, and lo-and-behold there is already a new vax for hanta virus ready to roll under the emergency use authorization (eua) granted by the PREP Act, which means pharma cannot be held liable for any injuries the vax might cause when used under the eua designation. (Bangs head on desktop.)

      Wonder if lockdowns are coming. What the subprime and fraudulent foreclosures didn’t destroy in the black communities, the c19 lockdowns took out 41% of the remaining businesses.
      https://usblackchambers.org/black-business-owners-ranks-collapse-by-41-in-u-s-lockdowns/

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      1. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:32 am

         Sorry for the double post. Didn’t see it in time to delete this second one.

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2. David Mills May 28, 2026 at 7:43 am

   Re: Satellite Manoeuvres

   A “Dual Use” civilian object that is employed for military purposes becomes a lawful target under the Geneva Conventions.

   As an aside, with the impending SpaceX IPO, Elon should be concerned that Russia (or Iran) may start zapping StarLink Satellites. I would.

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3. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 7:48 am

   For some reason, when I scrolled down to the cat in today’s Antidote du jour I had a guilty feeling. Something about the way that it was looking. You follow up on the via link and find that that image was one of four with the text saying-

   ‘Chef’s reaction to hearing a screaming tea kettle for the first time’

   https://xcancel.com/sassykathy666/status/2058370984562794876

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4. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:00 am

   File under AI: From Pew Research last Octorber.

   What we know about energy use at U.S. data centers amid the AI boom

   https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/24/what-we-know-about-energy-use-at-us-data-centers-amid-the-ai-boom/#what-is-energy-used-for-at-data-centers

   One nugget: data center electricity use is projected to more than double by 2030, four years from now.

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5. Vicky Cookies May 28, 2026 at 8:21 am

   Re: Robinhood Launches AI Stock Trading, Purchases on Credit Cards: that’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. This platform is accelerating the exploitation of the retail investor, those not savvy enough to turn down an offer to have an algorithm they do not control trade in their name, on margin, at usurious interest rates. Silliness which ought to be illegal.

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   1. lyman alpha blob May 28, 2026 at 1:54 pm

      Indeed. Robin Hood’s business model has always been frontrunning – selling order streams to the big fish so they can take a few scales off the small fry. Adding “AI” to the mix should make it even easier to fleece the rubes. How any of this is allowed is beyond me.

      Although I do personally know a spouse of a high ranking Congressperson who has made the news in the past for dubious on the job stock trading who admitted to dipping a toe in the water on some sketchy crypto investments. As long as Congress gets their cut, what’s a little illegality here and there?

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   2. Mikel May 28, 2026 at 3:21 pm

      “Hold my beer,” Robinhood said to Polymarket.

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6. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 8:23 am

   ” American patriots have a plan to build giant statues of Lewis and Clark on the Missouri River like the Argonath from “Lord of the Rings” ”

   Yeah, man. This should totally get built. I’d kick in some money for that project myself. I’m a fan of short scifi stories and this would be great. Imagine a future where North America is a patchwork of kingdoms and some brave explorers in their canoes sail between these two statues. They would argue among themselves which statue was George Washington and which was Thomas Jefferson. The story possibilities would be endless. Of course it won’t get built as Trump would demand a statue of himself be built first which would be even bigger. People would be amazed as they would never have seen anything like it-

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94qniCsC7Co (1:26 mins)

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   1. BillS May 28, 2026 at 8:41 am

      I am Ozymandias, king of kings.
      Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!

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   2. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:42 am

      Eh, just put up statues on either side of St.Louis, Mo.’s Gateway Arch. / ;) St. Charles, Mo already has a fine bronze statue of the explorers.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gateway_Arch

      Map of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition#/media/File:Lewis_and_Clark_Expedition_map.svg

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      1. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 8:49 am

         Meh. Put in a second Gateway Arch beside the first and then build the world’s biggest McDonalds underneath it.

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         1. flora May 28, 2026 at 8:56 am

            heh.

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7. eg May 28, 2026 at 8:46 am

   “Why are we repeating the same mistakes with hantavirus that we made with COVID-19?”

   Someone needs reminding of the two rules of neoliberalism:
   1. Because markets
   2. Go die …

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8. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 9:01 am

   “Australian man accidentally walks a fashion show thinking it was beach stairs”

   Found footage of this-

   https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QHpCcDeF6HY

   To be fair, they do look like beach stairs. The same sort of board shorts and linen shirt that he was wearing are now currently in high demand by fashionistas around the world.

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9. Tom Stone May 28, 2026 at 9:05 am

   Here in Sonoma County it is raining, a bit late in the year.
   Gas is holding steady at about $6.20 per gallon and the mood is “No worries”, prices will return to normal.
   That’s the message, “Don’t worry, be happy, go shopping.”.
   It’s going to be a very rude wake up call and it is coming soon.

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   1. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 9:10 am

      It’s the Alfred E. Neuman economy.

      ‘What, me worry?’

      It’s the same here in Oz. A total disconnect with the oncoming train coming our way.

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      1. ambrit May 28, 2026 at 12:22 pm

         Down here in the Rancid Underbelly of the North American Deep South, that light in the tunnel is almost universally hailed as the light from the Tiki torches around the pool party we are all invited to.
         We here in the NADS have been having pretty heavy rains every day now for almost two weeks. Our yard is about ready for the introduction of the crawfish fingerlings. (When I typed in the query; Name for ‘baby’ crawfish, the ever inventive Googlr returned links to sites offering individual “cute” names for a personal baby crawfish pet. We are so Googled!)
         Stay safe.

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10. mrsyk May 28, 2026 at 9:33 am

    Nice antidote today. That’s a fine white cat on a choice Islamic carpet, the latter looks like a Heriz from the northwest corner of Iran.

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11. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 10:10 am

    “The Real Reason Tulsi Gabbard Resigned”

    If the position of Director of National Intelligence is just a figurehead without any power, you wonder why she took the job in the first place. She never really opposed Trump but is gone anyway. Was it because she thought that she would be the voice of common sense in that Cabinet? Or did she want to pad her political resume for an eventual run at the Presidency. Whatever the reason, she has now come out of the Trump admin as damaged goods so it is hard to think if she still has a political future at all. Not with the Republicans and certainly not with the Democrats either.

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    1. albrt May 28, 2026 at 11:45 am

       Perhaps as Massie’s running mate?

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    2. dave -- just dave May 28, 2026 at 12:33 pm

       Retired Lt. Col. Daniel Davis’s Wikipedia bio states

       In 2025, Davis was selected by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for appointment as deputy director for mission integration. Gabbard withdrew her selection after criticism from hawkish Republican lawmakers due to Davis criticism of Israel.

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       1. leaf May 28, 2026 at 1:08 pm

          Sounds like Ambassador Chas Freeman and the attempts to get him onto the National Security Council

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12. flora May 28, 2026 at 10:16 am

    John Campbell on utube has a very good rundown on ebola. He’s very worried this will kill a lot of people in the affected African countries. Part of the problem there is the cultural rituals around burial: touching the body by the mourners is expected. The problem is the bodies of the ebola deceased are highly infectious on the skin. Touching the body spreads the disease. Then there’s the lack of resources, and the failure of hospitals to isolate suspected ebola cases from the general wards.

    (Cambell is a PhD Nurse Science, not an MD. In Europe it’s common for PhDs to use the title ‘Dr.’ In the US the Dr. title is understood to mean MD. It’s a cultural difference that can be confusing.)

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13. Trees&Trunks May 28, 2026 at 10:58 am

    Sweden, Ukraine, NATO and Bankers

    Zelenskyi in Sweden – 16 planes are donated to Ukraine
    https://www-aftonbladet-se.translate.goog/nyheter/a/k0pX16/kristersson-och-zelenskyj-haller-presstraff?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp

    Saab Stck +6% today
    https://www.google.com/search?q=saab+stock&rlz=1C1FKPE_deDE994DE994&oq=saab+stock+&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOdIBCDgyMTNqMGo3qAIAsAIA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

    From Peace Nation to Battlefield, Sweden’s NATO Transformation w/ Mats Nilsson
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg84uEHYG2I
    The banker family Wallenberg stands to earn the most. Almost majority owners of Saab through Investor + direct ownership.

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    1. Trees&Trunks May 28, 2026 at 12:05 pm

       Here is an example of what the media employee idiots think about fighter jets for Ukraine

       ” This deal is not without risk. Military analysts are already in the press warning that Russia will single out Sweden as an active participant in the war.

       Let it be as it is with that matter. That asshole Putin winning the war is not an option.”

       It takes a special kind of idiot to think something like that.

       Zelenskyy landed, thanked and flew away
       https://www-aftonbladet-se.translate.goog/nyheter/a/0pLkBG/cantwell-zelenskyj-landade-tackade-och-flog-ivag?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=de&_x_tr_pto=wapp

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14. Wukchumni May 28, 2026 at 11:39 am

    We seem to be at late stage Caligula for Galligula…

    Gladiator matches on the White House lawn, triumphal arch and more ersatz monuments to himself, including a proposed $250 FRN with his mug on it.

    The ‘little boot’ was given the boot by Romans who tired of his antics, inflation up the wazoo should be the determining factor here.

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    1. LawnDart May 28, 2026 at 12:07 pm

       Re; Bread & Circuses:

       The Great American State Fair

       16-days of… I don’t know what to call it, but perhaps someone could close the event on the Fourth with a heartfelt rendition of Nearer, My God, To Thee.

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       1. ambrit May 28, 2026 at 12:30 pm

          Plus, make the closing ceremony a huge game of musical chairs. The promoters can helpfully continuously rearrange those chairs during the ceremony.
          Perhaps our heartfelt friends from certain Middle Eastern nations will supply the “rocket’s red glare.”
          As Polonius says in Hamlet:
          “This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any flag…”
          Stay safe.

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       2. flora May 28, 2026 at 12:42 pm

          State Fairs and County Fairs are a celebration of agriculture and farming, including animal judging for all manner of domestic livestock, fruit and veg production, farm equipment, home canned goods and homemade pies, etc. The carnival and the demolition derby and the music shows are add-on entertainments.

          I doubt there will be any livestock, fruits & vegs competitions, farm machinery, home cooking and needlework. D.C. is already a demolition derby. / ;) That leaves the Carnival. Call it the great DC Carnival. Oh, wait… we already have that nearly year-’round, too. / heh

          Oh, wait wait…. I’d love to see our Senators put in halter and led around a ring as a group to be judged by experts for their size, strength, beefiness, conformation, hair (coat) or plumage. The winner to be bought by the local big biz as a point-of-pride for the big biz. / ;)

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          1. LawnDart May 28, 2026 at 1:43 pm

             …The winner to be bought by the local big biz as a point-of-pride for the big biz…

             …and, per usual practice, the losers get butchered and sold-off by the pound?

             :-)

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             1. ambrit May 28, 2026 at 10:34 pm

                And then ground up to make sausage. AIPAC could guarantee it Kosher.
                I don’t know about halal.
                “Halal. Open the ‘K’ Street doors please.”
                “I’m sorry Don. I cannot do that.”

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       3. Bugs May 28, 2026 at 3:54 pm

          The organizers originally put out a list of artists playing that included Minneapolis funk favorites (and Prince acolytes) Morris Day and The Time. Within a few minutes their management put out a statement that denied they were on the bill. Whew, close one.

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          1. Wukchumni May 28, 2026 at 11:28 pm

             Hopefully Milli Vanilli will voice their concerns, too.

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             1. The Rev Kev May 29, 2026 at 12:13 am

                Bringing a whole new meaning to falsetto.

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                1. ambrit May 29, 2026 at 2:41 am

                   Ouch! That sounds like an industrial grade of pasta.

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15. Jason Boxman May 28, 2026 at 12:41 pm

    Prices in the U.S. Are Rising at the Fastest Pace in Years (NY Times)

    America is going great

    A measure of inflation closely watched by the Federal Reserve accelerated in April to a three-year high, reinforcing the central bank’s budding support to consider raising interest rates if price pressures do not ease.

    The Personal Consumption Expenditures index rose 3.8 percent from the same time last year. It was the fastest annual pace since May 2023, when the Fed was in the midst of raising rates to tame a burst of inflation that had emerged in the wake of the pandemic.

    A measure of underlying inflation that strips out volatile food and energy prices also notched a multiyear high. That measure, “core” inflation, increased at an annual pace of 3.3 percent, the fastest since November 2023.

    On a monthly basis, inflation rose slightly less than expected. Overall prices jumped 0.4 percent and those excluding food and energy prices ticked up 0.2 percent.

    Meanwhile SoFi bank just cut my savings rate again by 20 basis points.

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    1. Screwball May 28, 2026 at 1:18 pm

       Treasury Direct is your friend.

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       1. lyman alpha blob May 28, 2026 at 1:59 pm

          Seconded. If we’re going to run a sh*tshow, we should all have access to a little bit of the vig. I will admit, however, to checking my meager treasury direct account frequently just to make sure the Donald hasn’t converted my life savings into Melaniacoins.

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          1. Screwball May 28, 2026 at 2:42 pm

             Part of it was broke yesterday. I wanted to check my holdings and couldn’t get there. I could buy some bonds without a hitch, just couldn’t get to my holdings. I read it was down somewhere the day before so it was more than a day. Let’s hope that doesn’t become too frequent.

             One of the few places that hasn’t been crapifed as of yet. Let’s hope…

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             1. thoughtfulperson May 28, 2026 at 9:33 pm

                My mother had a few bonds, after she passed it’s taken over a year to get the funds to beneficiaries. I believe all the retail staff except a couple individuals were let go, so good luck if you can’t get your funds via ccomputer! This is for retail, no worries for JPM et al

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             2. Procopius May 29, 2026 at 3:27 am

                Alas, Treasury Direct isn’t available to me. I’m and American Citizen, I even vote in Michigan, but I don’t have an American residence.

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16. lampoon May 28, 2026 at 1:37 pm

    Just listened to a fascinating discussion from 5 days ago on the David Graeber Institute with Michael Hudson & Kathleen Tyson on the Post Dollar World Economy. Ms. Tyson debunks the notion of replacing the dollar with another world currency right away, then describes Keynes’ proposal for International Clearing Union and why it was rejected, and talks about ‘optionality’ in trade such as bilateral multicurrency trade (about which she has published a book: Multicurrency Mercantilism’) and barter . Lots to unpack in this hour long podcast, including the growing importance f gold exchanges and the important role of China in trade. A couple of interesting mentions: China has been swapping dollar debt for renminbi debt with several African countries with the advantages of lower interest rates, more stable exchange rates, and since these countries export to China, a reliable source of obtaining renminbi to service the debt; and Huawei and Argentina did a barter trade when Huawei installed a G5 network in exchange for Argentine beef.
    Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps6iOpG1Xek

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17. samm May 28, 2026 at 3:51 pm

    Wait a minute, Congress now has its own intelligence agency?

    https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/exclusive-new-intel-agency-eyes-ai

    And their target is people who don’t want data centers in their neighborhood? According to the article, looks like 7 in 10 US citizens are now the terrorists.

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    1. ambrit May 28, 2026 at 10:14 pm

       “We have always been at war with Middle America.”

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18. johnnyme May 28, 2026 at 9:03 pm

    Drone Hits Apartment Building In Romania, Sparking Fears Of Russian Attack On NATO Country

    A drone crashed into a residential apartment building in Galați, Romania, early Friday morning, triggering an explosion and a fire that prompted a large emergency response from local authorities. According to Romanian emergency officials, the drone struck the apartment block around 2 AM, with the impact followed by a fire inside an apartment located on the 10th floor of the building.

    Initial reports suggested the drone may have been Russian, although officials have not yet confirmed the origin of the aircraft.

    Investigations into the crash remain ongoing.

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    1. The Rev Kev May 28, 2026 at 9:10 pm

       More likely it was a wayward Ukrainian drone. If you let another country send aerial weapons through your airspace, then you should not be surprised that some of them will accidentally crash onto your territory instead. Ask the Baltic states. But yeah, lets blame the Russian for it.

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19. Wukchumni May 29, 2026 at 12:20 am

    Leavitt to Believer

    Eddie Haskell fills in for Karoline, with clear and Bessent danger being his fawning perma-smile that instantly disarms any would-be questioner of his intelligence briefing.

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