Today’s Water Cooler
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
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.
The Counterinsurgency Myth
Counterinsurgency is an incoherent approach to conquest that the US has often attempted, with little in the way of success.
Why the Rich Get Richer and Interest Rates Go Down
A wrongheaded paper from the Jackson Hole conference that depends on the loanble funds fallacy lets central bankers off the hook.
Up to Half of the $14 Trillion Spent by Pentagon Since 9/11 Has Gone to War Profiteers
A new analysis shows that a “large portion” of Pentagon contracts in recent years have gone to just five companies: Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Raytheon, and Northrop Grumman.
Biden’s Speech on Covid Vaccine Mandates, Annotated
A very close reading of Biden’s speech on vaccine mandates, and the plan on which he has staked his Presidency.
Indigenous Resistance Instrumental in Stopping High-Profile Fossil Fuel Projects, Says Report
“The longer you fight them, the better chance you have.”
2:00PM Water Cooler 9/13/2021
~ Today’s Water Cooler: Open Thread ~
