Readers, I wish an excellent Fourth of July! –lambert
Hippos can ‘glide through the air’ says zoo study BBC
On the Time Benjamin Franklin, American Show-Off, Jumped Naked Into the Thames Literary Hub
American’s First Holiday is the Fourth
Today in History: July 4, Declaration of Independence adopted in Philadelphia AP. Commentary:
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70 songs for your Fourth of July playlist: Patriotic tunes from Lee Greenwood, Bruce Springsteen and more FOX. Not on the list (lyrics):
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Lambert here: Even though X titled this song “4th of July,” I tend not to run on this day, since the bitter lyrics are about a failing relationship, told from the male perspective, and who wants that? That said, Springstein’s “Born in the U.S.A.” somehow became a “patriotic” classic, despite its lyrics; perhaps people are silently attuned to irony, moreso than I think; or they just play it loud. You can do either! Also, words in the refrain — “Talk a walk outside!” — are appropriate at any scale, from the darkened room to the geopolitical.
Americans swat away high fuel prices and gear up for record July 4 travels Al Jazeera
Will the lightning bug show go on? Kentucky Lantern
Climate
‘It’s a disaster’: Hurricane Beryl batters Jamaica BBC
We better rethink the way we live, and fast. Archaeology can help. ArcheoThoughts
No, UK weather is not being manipulated BBC
Syndemics
Biomedicines: The Re-Emergence of Mpox – Old Illness, Modern Challenges Avian Flu Diary
China?
Chinese deaths in Philippines deal blow to business plans already frayed by maritime dispute South China Morning Post
Changes in U.S. Grand Strategy in the Indo-Pacific and China’s Countermeasures Monthly Review
Does China matter any more? Pearls and Irritations
Japan
Japanese Workers Among the Least Motivated in the World Nippon.com
Mynamar
ICJ allows 7 states to intervene in Gambia’s genocide case against Myanmar Anadolu Agency
The Koreas
Young Men Are Swinging Hard Right in Korea. It Could Be a Preview for America. Politico
India
Stampede in northern India echoes similar tragedies in recent history Anadolu Agency
Syraqistan
Israel plans to build 5,300 more settlement units, expanding illegal housing in West Bank Anadolu Agency
The Samson Option: Israel’s Plan to Nuke Its Opponents The Progressive
An Annihilation Discourse Has Taken Over Israel Haaretz
About that pier:
With the news the Gaza pier is once again out of action after moving a mere 6200 tons of aid over a month and a half, it’d be easy for me to write another post simply mocking the DoD for incompetence.
It’d also be boring. Let me walk you through what should have been done.⬇️
So… pic.twitter.com/khMPveDyUy— Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) July 2, 2024
European Disunion
Over 210 candidates withdraw from French elections in favor of stronger peer to counter far right Anadolu Agency. Commentary:
These are the latest projections for seats in the French Parliament post elections.
Le Pen’s RN getting 190-220 of 577 seats, well short of the 289 needed to form a government.
Which means that, like I’ve been saying, the most likely result remains that no government can be… pic.twitter.com/TzI4Dlxabu
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) July 4, 2024
Dear Old Blighty
Are we past caring about democracy? Funding the Future
New Not-So-Cold War
Ray McGovern: Will Putin Attack Poland & the Baltics? Consortium News
Negotiated outcome most likely result of Russia-Ukraine war, major poll says Guardian
Europeans divided on whether accepting Ukraine into EU is “good idea” Ukrainska Pravda. And on NATO membership:
Wow, many of the foremost US international relations scholars – including Harvard’s Stephen Walt, George Beebe (former director of CIA’s Russia analysis) and John Mearsheimer – have signed this open letter begging NATO not to move Ukraine toward membership.
They warn it could… https://t.co/wWxBcMeB9w
— Arnaud Bertrand (@RnaudBertrand) July 4, 2024
Notorious American journalist Carlson announces interview with Zelenskyy Ukrainska Pravda
World Bank recognizes Russia as high income country TASS
Russian Government’s Oil Revenue Was Up Almost 50% in June Bloomberg
Russia accuses Stolichnaya vodka producer of being an “extremist organisation”, moves to seize its Russian assets BNE Intellinews
The Great Game
How China and Russia Compete, and Cooperate, in Central Asia NYT
Beijing and Moscow Go From ‘No Limits’ Friendship to Frenemies in Russia’s Backyard WSJ
Talks with the Taliban – no women allowed BBC
Why the Mongolian President’s First State Visit to Uzbekistan Matters The Diplomat
Biden Administration
FTC Blocks Tempur Sealy, Mattress Firm’s Deal on Competition Concerns WSJ
Silvergate Bank didn’t adequately monitor $1 trillion in crypto transactions, SEC says The Verge. The deck: “The FTX fallout continues with a new fraud suit.”
2024
Biden digs in while Democrats launch blame game as much of the party wishes he’d bow out FOX
Betting on Kamala Harris Politico
Trump’s Plan for NATO Is Emerging Politico
One Day that Might Save the World Pluralia
White House touts efforts to reduce gas prices ahead of July 4 travel blitz The Hill
The Supremes
What could the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling mean for US foreign policy? Al Jazeera
Digital Watch
Cloudflare debuts one-click nuke of web-scraping AI The Register
Sports Desk
WWE setting records at arenas and stadiums as popularity soars in 2024 FOX
Realignment and Legitimacy
Dan Davies Explains Why Accountability Sinks Are Everywhere Now Bloomberg. The deck: “And how the world lost its mind.”
Imperial Collapse Watch
The Two Hands Of White Empire Indi.ca. Handy map:
2 injured, 1 missing after explosion at Arkansas defense weapons plant ABC
US Army: We want to absorb private-sector AI ‘as fast as y’all are building them’ The Register. Commentary (long):
The US Army released a white paper a few months ago laying out their latest reorganization, in which they plan to cut a net 24,000 positions out of the force structure.
Let’s walk through 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 Made Magic in Santa Monica Asterisk
Class Warfare
US Continuing Jobless Claims Increase for a Ninth Straight Week Bloomberg
Raids Find Luxury Handbags Being Made by Exploited Workers in Italy WSJ
Systems: How the Ultra-Wealthy 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 Antidote du Jour here
