Odds and Ends — 4 December 2025

@preparedwombat 78

2 months ago

oddsandends

Cryptocurrency, Investing, Money, Economy, Business, AI, and Debt:

Japan’s new crypto tax could wake ‘sleeping giant’ of retail investors

https://twitter.com/DarrigoMelanie/status/1996222972860772661

Private Hiring Sank in November

It was the third decline in four months and, taken at face value, would be a clear sign that the labor market, after months of cooling, had entered a new, more worrying phase.

Bitcoin is an ‘asset of fear,’ says BlackRock CEO Larry Fink

Coronavirus and Public Health:

FDA claims on COVID-19 vaccine safety are unsupported by reliable data – and could severely hinder vaccine access

https://twitter.com/DarrigoMelanie/status/1996255924114075975

Politics:

FBI Arrests Suspect in January 6 Pipe Bomb Case

In a stunning break in one of the FBI’s most high-profile unsolved cases, agents arrested a suspect Thursday morning who investigators believe placed pipe bombs outside Republican and Democratic headquarters in the hours before the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot.
The suspect has been charged with placing the bombs, which did not detonate. The allegations, if proven, would end a longstanding mystery that sparked a multitude of conspiracy theories over who planted the pipe bombs before a mob of pro-Trump supporters stormed the Capitol aiming to stop Joe Biden from being installed as president.

https://twitter.com/GregTSargent/status/1996202849387376854

The Extraordinary Logic of Netanyahu’s Bid for a Pardon

His case for clemency rests on the assumption that he’s irreplaceable.

“The graveyards are full of indispensable men.” — Charles de Gaulle

https://twitter.com/JohnFugelsang/status/1996252452505673932

Until last year, Congress required reports on the pregnant, postpartum or nursing women in ICE custody, including ‘detailed justification’ for their detention. This requirement no longer exists…

https://twitter.com/esjesjesj/status/1995998465512419833

https://twitter.com/BillKristol/status/1996213080376697315

US cancels citizenship ceremonies for migrants from travel ban countries

https://twitter.com/ReichlinMelnick/status/1995873832276570259

"A sickening moral slum of an administration"

There is a temptation is to describe what happened yesterday as somehow a ‘new low.’ Our somnolent, gibbering, incoherent, deeply corrupt President, surrounded by his fawning toadies, unleashed a torrent of dehumanizing racist bile, disinformation, and threats.
But it’s not a new low. It’s the same old low. A scene we’ve seen repeated so often there is a kind of numbness to it. Outrage did not ensue.

https://twitter.com/GregTSargent/status/1996232098076574097

https://twitter.com/steadystate2025/status/1996202383538299354

https://twitter.com/micah_erfan/status/1996074183743471708

———— Blatant In-Your-Face Corruption ————

https://twitter.com/RYP__/status/1996009748102349240

https://twitter.com/KDilanianMSNOW/status/1996265649736167692

https://twitter.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1996383498488476107

———— Putin&Krasnov vs. Ukraine ————

https://twitter.com/CanadianKobzar/status/1995915640058618027

https://twitter.com/Billbrowder/status/1996169721390027178

https://twitter.com/OstapYarysh/status/1996317979798286354

https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1996217658732171775

Two Pieces of the Puzzle

Understanding the Trump Con on Ukraine and Europe

https://twitter.com/maria_drutska/status/1996304699771826393

https://twitter.com/peterjukes/status/1996218408916918462

https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1996214322888913307

https://twitter.com/shashj/status/1996284814341570876

———— Hegseth on the Rocks ————

https://twitter.com/Amy_Siskind/status/1996393884868645340

https://twitter.com/just_steve_h/status/1996069447677964293

https://twitter.com/general_ben/status/1995910658865430937

https://twitter.com/RalstonReports/status/1995964830118031591

Pete Hegseth Should Be Charged With Murder

No matter how you look at the strikes on alleged “drug boats”—as acts of war or attacks on civilians—Hegseth has committed a crime and should be prosecuted.

https://twitter.com/BillKristol/status/1996246707986710974

Pentagon Report: Hegseth Risked Endangering Troops With Signal Messages

An inspector-general report finds that the defense secretary violated his department’s policies.

Don’t Overcomplicate the Scandal of Trump’s Lawless High Seas Attacks

———— Mors Imperii ————

https://twitter.com/mara_marinara/status/1995878278209675376

https://twitter.com/joshtpm/status/1996013653695365491

Republican Anger Erupts at Mike Johnson

Less than a year out from midterm elections in which Republicans’ vanishingly small majority is at stake, Mr. Johnson’s grasp on his gavel appears weaker than ever, as members from all corners of his conference openly complain about his leadership. Some predict that he may not last as the speaker for the rest of this term.
Republican women, in particular, have been publicly challenging Mr. Johnson and taking issue with his priorities and his style.
Their dissatisfaction is indicative of a broader splintering of a restive group of GOP lawmakers who are perpetually unhappy with their leaders, but appear to be reaching a breaking point with the current man at the top.

https://twitter.com/punishedpants/status/1995832005746196934

It’s not just THC gummies and drinks – CBD products on federal hit list, too

https://twitter.com/AwesomeNewsom/status/1996008713065255242

Trump’s Base Wants More MAGA

Confronted with a growing string of GOP underperformances in off-year elections, key pro-Trump activists see more MAGA — not less — as the only solution.
The reaction suggests a movement uninterested in grappling with the limits of its appeal — a departure from the panicked introspection both parties have traditionally undergone after off-year disappointments.

https://twitter.com/JohnJHarwood/status/1996243163556560969