Category Archives: Banana republic

“Biden’s Awkward Democracy Summit”

The US trying even harder to tout the virtues of its ideas of democracy is not winning friends or influencing people.

Crypto Mining at Gas Wells Sparks Regulatory Headaches, Outcry in Northwestern Pennsylvania

Before obtaining the required permits, Diversified Energy began installing cryptocurrency mining infrastructure on one of its thousands of well pads.

Austerity for the Plebes, Bank Rescues for the Rich

The bank panic is proving to be an exercise in class warfare that may well wind up further strengthening the right.

Artificial Intelligence in Medicare Advantage Plans Impedes Access to Care

Another reputable body reports more examples of Medicare Advantage plans using AI to engage in insurance fraud.

The Fed Accused of ‘Playing With Fire’ After Latest Rate Hike

The Fed confirms that its priority is crushing workers, and it believes it’s protected banks enough to allow it to continue.

How the Current Refusal to Deal Harshly with Failing Banks and Their Executives Will Create an Even Bigger Crisis

Why the expected official response to this bank panic wil make matters much worse, just not right away.

Lack of Grownups in the Room Exacerbates Bank Freakout

The bank firefighting squad seems to be out on a bender.

California’s Covid Misinformation Law Is Entangled in Lawsuits, Conflicting Rulings

California’s Covid censorship law has not yet been killed by the judiciary, sadly.

Were the Bank Bailouts the Result of Rising Wealth Concentration?

Are many of the explanations of the recent bank tsuris barkign up the wrong tree?

The High and Getting Higher Cost of Renting in the US

Why renting is even more expensive than ever, even pinching the soi-disant middle class.

The Not-So-Winding Road from Iraq to Ukraine

“Fool me once, shame on thee. Fool me twice, shame on me.” The Global Soutn has wised up in the wake of the war in Iraq.

A Feminist Demand on International Women’s Day: Fire Victoria Nuland

If feminists support this Bush-era neocon simply because she is a woman, Victoria Nuland might just burn down the world in a nuclear fire.

Secret Power and the Persecution of Julian Assange

Stefania Maurizi’s “Secret Power: Wikileaks and its Enemies” chronicles Wikileaks’ publications and the dehumanization of Julian Assange.

Salve Lucrum: The Existential Threat of Greed in US Health Care

A big reason US health sucks is that the government refuses to crack down on abuses like price gouging and billing games.

How Private Equity Bribes Public Pension Fund Officials: Subsidized/Fund-Paid Lavish Travel and Entertainment

Yet more private equity corruption! And see how little it costs to buy the assent of public pension fund employees.