Category Archives: Ridiculously obvious scams

Until 1968, Presidential Candidates Were Picked by Party Conventions – A Process Revived by Biden’s Withdrawal From Race

Biden’s “decline” and withdrawal from the race is already being blamed on voters and used as an argument to return the candidate-selection process to an elite group of party insiders.

Will Burying Biomass Underground Curb Climate Change?

Some climate experts say biomass start-ups will limit global warming, but major questions remain.

How Big Pharma Preys on Poor Countries – and Patients Pay the Price

New investigation reveals unequal access to life-saving meds across Europe thanks to Big Pharma system that favors the rich

Fear & Loathing on The Economist Subscription Trail

Satayjit Das’ penetrating and witty look at The Economist reveals a great deal not to like.

Analysis Shows How Surging Stock Buybacks Bolster Case for Corporate Tax Hike

The magnitude of corporate cash going to stock buybacks suggests reversing the Trump tax cuts poses little real economy risk.

British Government Invents Phantom Skripals to Refuse to Testify in the Novichok Inquiry

A new lawyer materializes in a London court to say the Skripals refuse to testify in Novichok Inquiry, but it appears as though counsel has had no contact with the Skriprals.

Private Equity Becomes Roach Motel as Public Pension Funds and Other Investors Borrow As Funds Remain Tied Up

Oopsie! Private equity firms are hanging on to investor money for an unseemly amount of time! What to do?

New York Cannabis Program Becomes Field Day for Private Equity Exploitation, Including Predatory Loans, Overpriced Leases to Store Owners

Staffers red-flagged inflated costs and default risks for startup cannabis retailers —to be ignored by officials keen to get money flowing

Data Centers Set to Consume 9% of U.S. Electricity by 2030

Electricity demand is set to increase markedly thanks to uses like AI and cryptocurrencies.

Private Equity Seeks to Foist Companies It Can’t Sell on Employees

Oh noes! Private equity is finding it hard to find buyers for all those deals it bought when interest rates were low!

National Grid Wants to Heat More Homes With Converted Food Waste — and Make You Pay For It

National Grid’s biogas plant is performing poorly, as shown by downtimes and methane flaring, yet it wants more consumer subsidies to expand.

US Affordable Housing Policy Works for Wall Street and Rich Developers, Not Renters

Current policy doesn’t provide affordable housing very well but does a good job of lining the pockets of real estate interests.

Defending Privacy in the Surveillance State and Fragmenting Internet

Governments and private entities are eroding privacy on the internet. Is it possible to safeguard both openness and security in cyberspace?

Game Finally On! Judge Denies Key Motions to Dismiss in Kentucky Retirement Systems Litigation, Subjecting KKR, Blackstone, PAAMCO, and Top Financiers Henry Kravis, George Roberts, Steve Schwarzman, and Tomlinson Hill to Discovery

The much-delayed Kentucky Retirement System cases are finally moving forward, causing heartburn to some top names on Wall Street.

AirBnB Again in Bed With Surveillance State Tactics by Asking for Biometric ID, Spurring Illinois “Mass Arbitration” Action

AirBnB seems determined to violate customer privacy by demanding government ID images, against the laws of some states. What gives?