We are witnessing today in America the symptoms of a culture going through the early stages of transition from pluralistic democracy to violent oligarchy.
Monday, September 20, 2021
2:00PM Water Cooler 9/16/2021
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Sports Desk: Top College Athletes Strike Endorsement Deals; Meanwhile, the NCAA Seeks to Influence Pending Federal Legislation
The NCAA has changed its rules so that student-athletes can profit from commercial endorsement deals that use their names, images, and likenesses.
New York Bans Sale of Fossil Fuel Vehicles From 2034 Onward
New York follows California to become the second state to set a firm deadline for phasing out fossil fuel powered vehicles.
Wolf Richter: Business Travel, Conventions, Office Occupancy Stuck in Collapse: Been so Long, People Forgot What Old Normal Was
Hotel business travel revenues expected to be down by 80% at top 20 destinations in 2021.
Over Half of States Have Rolled Back Public Health Powers in Pandemic
In the midst of the pandemic, more than half of U.S. states have passed legislation taking away the powers state and local officials use to protect the public against infectious diseases.
2:00PM Water Cooler 9/15/2021
Today’s Water Cooler
Forceful Vaccine Messages Backfire With Holdouts – How Can It Be Done Better?
Health communication researchers have found that simple changes to message wording can make a big difference.
CalPERS’ Long-Term Care Fiasco: Private Burial to Hide Malfeasance, Failure to Implement Legislation
A key fact in CalPERS’ long-term care debacle: the giant fund flagrantly violated the statute govening this progam.
Social Security COLA for 2022 To Be Near 5.8%, Could Match 2009, Biggest Since 1982
Seniors are destined to lose ground with cost of living increases, but how badly will they lag with 2022’s seemingly large boost?
Is the UK’s Cladding Crisis About to Get Even Worse?
As the UK government prepares to pass its Fire Safety Act, concerns are growing that it could leave even more apartment owners in limbo.
2:00PM Water Cooler 9/14/2021
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
18 Vaccine Experts, Including Top FDA Scientists, Publish Review in The Lancet Saying Current Evidence Doesn’t Support Need for COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters for the Fully Vaccinated
Top international vaccine experts contend current evidence does not support a need for boosters for the fully vaccinated general population at this time and recommending instead directing doses to previously unvaccinated populations.
