Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Links 1/25/2023

KLG: Why Trust Science in the 21st Century? An Object Lesson

Despite the “trust the science” mantra during the current pandemic, everyone should expect to see the data, all of it, minus any selective gloss. Who pays and for what makes a difference.

Wolf Richter: “Wetsuit Shaming,” LOL: WOLF STREET Drags WSJ Through San Francisco Bay Mud for the Clickbait Flotsam it Published about Cold-Water Swimming

Kudos to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) for having excelled once again with such acuity.

2:00PM Water Cooler 1/24/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

German General Kujat Warns the Ukraine War Is Lost, Revives the Stab-in-the-Back Charge Against the US and NATO for “Exposing Germany to Russia”

Retired German general, former chairman of NATO Military Committee, warns Ukraine war is lost, accuses US of trying to supplant the German arms industry with their own companies.

Links 1/24/2023

Monroe Doctrine Redux: US Military Trying to “Box Out” China and Russia from Strategic Resources in Latin America

“In a lot of our countries in this region, [the PRC] is the number one trade partner, with the United States number two in most cases.”

German Greens on the Warpath

Washington’s favorite foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, undermines Scholz again and helps the US back the chancellor into a corner on Leopard tanks.

Abortion Debate Ramps Up in States as Congress Deadlocks

States across the country are either moving to protect abortion rights or further restrict them.

2:00PM Water Cooler 1/23/2023

~ Today’s Water Cooler ~

Links 1/23/2023

Washington Ratchets Up Maritime Disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean 

Pressure on Türkiye continues as US pushes F-16 deal that would see Ankara drop opposition to Sweden NATO bid, which became a long shot after Quran burning in Stockholm. Greece says it will expand its waters around Crete, enraging Türkiye.

‘Global Catastrophe’ Coming If West Keeps Arming Ukraine, Top Russia Official Says

Duma Speaker warns of powerful retaliation for weapons supplies to Kiev for attacks on Russia.

Debt Ceiling Arm Wrestling Targets Ukraine Spending

The upcoming debt ceiling fight has an unusual feature: Republican opposition to military pork, or at least the Ukraine variety.

Pests: Of Squirrels and Deer and Other Beasts of Burden

Yves here. Urban dwellers due to their limited contact with nature, are less afflicted by animal nuisances, with rats and pigeons as exceptions. However, given that focus, this post omits some favorites, like geese and invasive species such as rabbits in Australia. Animals routinely try to steal food from their fellows or other species; it’s […]