Today in History: July 4, The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Philadelphia AP. Comment:
70 Songs for Your Fourth of July Playlist: Patriotic Tunes from Lee Greenwood, Bruce Springsteen and More on FOX. Not listed (alphabetically):
Lambert here: Even though X has the title “4th of July,” I tend not to run on this day, since the sad lyrics are about failed relationships, told from a male perspective, and who wants that? That said, Springsteen’s song “Born in the USA” was somehow a form of “patriotism”, despite its lyrics; perhaps people quietly approve of humor, more than I think; or they just play it loud. You can do either! Also, the words in the refrain – “Talk about a trip out!” – they are suitable for any scale, from the darkroom to politics.
Americans ditch high gas prices and prepare for record July 4th trip to Al Jazeera
Will the lightning bug show continue? The Kentucky Lantern
The weather
‘It’s a disaster’: Hurricane Beryl hits Jamaica BBC
We better rethink the way we live, and fast. Archeology can help. ArcheoThoughts
No, UK weather is not used by the BBC
Syndemics
Biomedicines: The Re-Emergence of Mpox – An Old Disease, Modern Challenges Avian Flu Diary
China?
Chinese deaths in Philippines clash with business plans already disrupted by maritime dispute South China Morning Post
Changes in US Grand Strategy in the Indo-Pacific and China’s Countermeasures Monthly Review
Does China still matter? Pearls and Outrage
Japan
Japanese Workers Among World’s Least Motivated Nippon.com
Mynamar
ICJ allows 7 states to intervene in Gambia genocide case against Myanmar Anadolu Agency
The Koreans
Young Men Are Throwing Hard Right in Korea. It would be an American Premiere. Politics
India
Stampede in northern India echoes similar tragedies in recent history Anadolu Agency
Syracistan
Israel plans to build another 5,300 housing units, expanding illegal housing in the West Bank Anadolu Agency.
Samson’s Choice: Israel’s Plan to End Their Adversaries Continuously
Holocaust Speech Taken From Israel Haaretz
About that pier:
With the news that the Gaza Strip is no longer operational after moving 6200 tons of aid in a month and a half, it would be easy for me to write another post and make fun of the DoD for its incompetence.
It can be boring too. Let me walk you through what needed to be done.⬇️
So… pic.twitter.com/khMPveDyUy— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) July 2, 2024
The breakup of Europe
More than 210 candidates withdrew from the French elections in favor of powerful peers to fight the Anadolu Agency. Comment:
This is the latest projection of seats in the post-election French Parliament.
Le Pen’s RN gets 190-220 seats out of 577, well short of the 289 needed to form a government.
Which means, as I’ve been saying, the most likely outcome remains that no government can be… pic.twitter.com/TzI4Dlxabu
– Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) July 4, 2024
Hello Old Blighty
Have we passed democratic care? Funding the Future
The New Cold War
Ray McGovern: Will Putin invade Poland and the Baltics? Consortium news
The most discussed outcome is the likely outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war, a major poll says The Guardian
Europeans are divided that accepting Ukraine into the EU is a “good idea” Ukrainska Pravda. And on NATO membership:
Wow, many international relations scholars in the US – including Stephen Walt of Harvard, George Beebe (former director of the CIA’s Russia analysis) and John Mearsheimer – signed this open letter urging NATO not to remove Ukraine from membership.
They warn that it may…
– Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) July 4, 2024
****** The famous American journalist Carlson announces an interview with Zelenskyy Ukrainska Pravda
****** The World Bank recognizes Russia as a high-income country TASS
Russian Government Oil Revenue Rises Nearly 50 Percent in June Bloomberg
****** Russia accuses the producer of Stolichnaya vodka of being an “extremist organization”, seizing its Russian property BNE Intellinews.
The Great Game
How China and Russia Compete, and Cooperate, in Central Asia NYT
Beijing and Moscow Go from ‘Limitless’ Friendship to Frenemies in Russia’s Backyard WSJ
Interviews with the Taliban – no women allowed BBC
Why the First Visit of the Mongolian President to Uzbekistan is Important for Diplomats
The Biden Administration
FTC Blocks Tempur Sealy, Mattress Firm Deal Over Competitive Concerns WSJ
Silvergate Bank did not adequately monitor $1 trillion in crypto transactions, SEC tells The Verge. Deck: “FTX collapse continues with new fraud suit.”
2024
Biden steps in as Democrats launch blame game as majority of party wishes he would bow to FOX
Bet on Kamala Harris Politico
Trump’s NATO Plan Is Growing Politico
One Day That Can Save the World’s Pluralia
White House touts efforts to lower gas prices ahead of July 4 tour blitz on The Hill
The Supremes
What could the Supreme Court decision mean for US foreign policy? Al Jazeera
A digital clock
Cloudflare starts with one-click web-scraping AI The Register
Sports Desk
Setting WWE records in and out of the arena as popularity rises in 2024 FOX
Restructuring and Eligibility
Dan Davies Explains Why Accountability Sinks Are Everywhere Now at Bloomberg. Stake: “And how the world lost its mind.”
Imperial Collapse Watch
Two Hands of the White Empire Indi.ca. Useful map:
2 injured, 1 missing after explosion at Arkansas ABC security guard
US military: We want to absorb private sector AI ‘as fast as you all build it’ Register. Comments (long):
The US military released a white paper a few months ago outlining its latest restructuring, in which it plans to cut 24,000 positions outside the military structure.
Let’s go with it.
First of all, it’s not a pure cut: The Army is adding 8,000 jobs and cutting 32,000.⬇️… pic.twitter.com/rfga2LzlnX
— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) July 4, 2024
When RAND Makes Magic at the Santa Monica Asterisk
Class War
US Jobless Claims Continue to Rise for Ninth Straight Week Bloomberg
Attack Finds Luxury Bags Made by Exploited Workers in Italy WSJ
Systems: How the Super Rich Think About Money Anil Dash
The Hustle of Financial Domination Susannah Breslin
Another Boxship Loses Power in Baltimore’s Harbor Maritime Executive
Antidote du jour (KetaDesign):
See yesterday’s links and the Antidote du Jour here
