Odds and Ends — 5 January 2025

in #oddsandends10 days ago

Coronavirus News, Analysis, and Opinion:

Data show 7% rate of long COVID in college students

Politics:

Republicans Now Plan ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

Speaker Mike Johnson told Republicans on Saturday that President-elect Donald Trump wants one reconciliation package, instead of the planned two that Republican leadership has been pushing.
Said Johnson: “Trump wants one big beautiful bill.”
Trump’s decision is a break from Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s pitch for a two-bill strategy that would have seen Republicans pass a border and energy bill first followed by a tax bill. Johnson had also previously indicated there would be two bills — though that was viewed as more of a deference to Trump’s perceived preference and a way to notch quick wins for his agenda.

Even if the House manages to do that, what makes either Trump or Johnson think the Senate will play along?

Johnson Wins Speaker Battle, but Proves GOP Has Little Room for Error

The central irony of the Republicans’ situation is that while the party is as unified and optimistic as it has been in decades, the arithmetic now is unforgiving. With just 219 votes in the 435-seat chamber, Johnson has just one vote to spare on party-line votes like Friday’s. Even if 99% of Republicans agree, it will not be enough to pass legislation; they will need not just unity, but virtual unanimity.

How Trump Inverted the Violent History of January 6

The president-elect and his allies have spent four years reinventing the Capitol attack — spreading conspiracy theories and weaving a tale of martyrdom to their ultimate political gain.

Biden to Hand Trump a Nation In Pretty Good Shape

To hear President-elect Donald Trump tell it, he is about to take over a nation ravaged by crisis, a desolate hellscape of crime, chaos and economic hardship.
Said Trump last week: “Our Country is a disaster, a laughing stock all over the World!”
But by many traditional metrics, the America that Mr. Trump will inherit from President Biden when he takes the oath for a second time, two weeks from Monday, is actually in better shape than that bequeathed to any newly elected president since George W. Bush came into office in 2001.

Ukraine launches new offensive in Russia's Kursk region


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One Possible Explanation for Justice Merchan’s Last-Second Decision to Sentence Trump

Serendipity:

The Battle Over What to Tell Americans About Drinking

Officials in other countries are warning about the health hazards of alcohol in any amount. Americans are still told that moderate drinking is safe. What gives?

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What a whizz to be able to get to NYC in less than hour: at the moment, I can't even get to London in less than an hour and I have an excellent mainline service. Not sure I could cope with the tunnel, though, hope they have a service that puts you to sleep for the entire journey.

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