Cut to the News
Cut through the clutter to today's top news
April 1, 2021
Good morning
Welcome to today's top news.
Leading the News . . .
Biden's White House moves to reshape role of US capitalism . . . The White House is pushing an infrastructure bill that could reshape capitalism in America as it seems to re-establish the federal government as a primary driver of how the economy should grow and function. Biden’s $2.25 trillion “American Jobs Plan” would make government investments in broadband, electric vehicles, climate change, elderly care, child benefits,
housing and developing future technologies. It would redefine classic infrastructure projects to include investments in workers and families paid for by tax hikes on corporations.The ambitious proposal effectively transforms the relationship between the government and the private sector, making radical changes to key sectors of the economy that could be felt for years down the road.It places a big bet on the ability of the federal government to drive sustained economic growth at a time when
confidence in institutions is low. The Hill
Central planning economy run by the state is on the opposite side of the spectrum. Its key feature is abolition of private property. In the USSR, private ownership of a business did not exists as the state owned everything, including your home. The word 'business' existed only to describe, pejoratively, a feature of socialism/ communism's opposing ideology - "decaying" Western capitalism. Socialism inevitably leads to totalitarianism, which breeds leaders
like Stalin and Mao.
Biden’s infrastructure plan takes aim at Trump’s biggest economic achievement . . . President Biden is using his infrastructure plan to take aim at President Trump's signature economic achievement: his corporate tax cuts. The administration is calling for $2 trillion in new spending on roads, bridges and a myriad other projects, and sticking big companies with the bill. To defray its cost, his plan would roll back Trump’s cut in the
corporate tax rate — Biden would hike it to 28 percent, from 21 percent — while stiffening a minimum tax on multinational corporations. That will set the stage for a split-screen debate in Washington in the coming months: Even as Democrats haggle over how to divvy up that $2 trillion, they will simultaneously relitigate — and, they hope, overturn — the centerpiece of Trump’s economic legacy. Politico
Kudlow: Biden infrastructure plan poised to reinflate the swamp into a quagmire of central planning . . . 'Mr. Biden is dreaming of LBJ's Great Society and FDR's New Deal. ''Kudlow' host Larry Kudlow Wednesday warned that policymakers should be "careful what they wish for" when it comes to infrastructure, suggesting that President Biden's massive bill will "re-build and re-inflate the swamp into a quagmire of central planning." Fox Business
Shipments of Johnson & Johnson vaccine halted . . . Future shipments of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine have been halted while the Food and Drug Administration investigates after human error at a manufacturing plant ruined 15 million doses. The error does not affect doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that have already been distributed, as they were made in the Netherlands, but it impacts future shipments of the
vaccine. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one of three being used in the United States.The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were already the bulk of the U.S. supply, and those are proceeding as planned. The Hill
COVID mutations will make vaccines useless within a year: experts . . . Many infectious disease specialists say that the first generation of coronavirus vaccines will be ineffective within a year and that some populations will need new or modified shots. In a survey of 77 epidemiologists from 28 countries, two-thirds said coronavirus mutations could render most of the current vaccines ineffective within a year. Nearly one-third
predicted nine months or less and about 18% estimated six months or less, according to the People’s Vaccine Alliance. Washington Times
White House knew two weeks ago of J&J contractor vaccine-supply problems . . . Senior Biden administration health officials, including some within the White House, knew two weeks ago that a Johnson & Johnson contractor's production problems could delay delivery of a significant number of future vaccine doses, according to three senior administration officials. The news that the contractor, Emergent BioSolutions, had ruined 15
million doses of Johnson & Johnson's vaccine by mistakenly mixing it with ingredients from another coronavirus shot became public on Wednesday. It became clear earlier this month that there were significant problems at Emergent's West Baltimore plant, where the company was producing the active ingredient — or drug substance — for J&J's vaccine. Politico
Russia is testing COVID-19 vaccine for pets . . . A coronavirus vaccine for animals has been registered in Russia and could be rolled out to our pets next month. Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, said on March 31 that the drug’s development started last October on dogs, cats, Arctic foxes, minks and other animals as it followed clinical trials. The shots may be needed to
curb the spread of the virus in animals, scientists have warned. Research proved that the Carnivak-Cov vaccine was safe and effective in all vaccinated carnivorous animals as they developed antibodies to the virus. The shot is estimated to be 91.6% effective against symptomatic COVID and 100% effective against severe and moderate COVID cases for “no less than six months.” Mass production could potentially begin as early as April. New York Post
My dogs, cats, and a parrot said they'll just stick to masks and social distancing for now.
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Progressives Push Biden to Include $10 Trillion Climate Plan in Infrastructure Package . . . Progressive lawmakers and environmental groups are pushing President Joe Biden to include costly aspects of the radical Green New Deal in his administration's upcoming infrastructure package. Left-wing Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) introduced the THRIVE Agenda in February and urged the Biden administration to include the proposal
in any future economic plan. Like the Green New Deal, the THRIVE Agenda contains idealistic climate goals—notably a carbon-free electric grid by 2035. It is also wildly expensive, calling for $10 trillion in public spending to achieve "real full employment" and "reshape our society" through government jobs—a proposal that would cost five times as much as Democrats' COVID relief plan. Washington Free Beacon
RNC to intervene, defend Georgia, Iowa election laws in court . . . The Republican National Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee moved on Wednesday to intervene in lawsuits brought by liberal advocacy groups challenging Georgia and Iowa’s new election laws. The GOP organizations say the state laws will boost voter confidence and provide accountability for local election officials. “The Democrats have grossly
mischaracterized the provisions and impact of Georgia’s and Iowa’s recent election reforms,” said RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and NRSC Chairman Sen. Rick Scott in a joint statement. “The RNC, NRSC, and our partner committees look forward to fighting back against the Democrat lies and their lawyers’ incendiary and outlandish claims,” they said. Washington Times
How ‘Defund the Police’ Killed Police Reform . . . In a little-remarked vote in early March, House Democrats passed—again—the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, their signature proposal to "reform" policing in the wake of last summer's widespread protests. Two weeks later, the Movement for Black Lives came out against it. The coalition of more than 150 groups including the Black Lives Matter network blasted the bill, in a letter to
congressional leadership, as a recapitulation of "incrementalist reforms." This condemnation is a departure from the atmosphere of unity nine months ago, when Republicans and Democrats alike were floating proposals to overhaul policing nationwide. At the time, 95 percent of Americans endorsed the idea of at least minor changes to the criminal justice system, according to a poll conducted by the Associated Press and National Opinion Research Center. Washington Free Beacon
Trump may restart rallies . . . Former President Donald Trump says he is considering holding a rally in the near future as he continues to tease the idea of a 2024 run for the White House.
In an interview with his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, he also took a swipe at the media for playing down President Joe Biden’s recent trip and fall on the Air Force One steps, dismissed Twitter as “boring” without him, and said that the new administration’s green policies were so far to the left that even Sen. Bernie Sanders would not back them. White House
Dossier
John Durham issuing subpoenas and interviewing witnesses: Report . . . John Durham’s inquiry into the origins and conduct of the Trump-Russia investigation is chugging along during the Biden administration, with the special counsel arranging witness interviews and issuing subpoenas in recent months, according to a new report. President Joe Biden asked all Senate-confirmed U.S. attorneys for their resignations in early February, with
Durham being asked to step down as U.S. attorney for Connecticut but to stay on as special counsel. Durham resigned from his federal prosecutor post in late February but continues his investigation of the investigators. According to unnamed CNN sources, Durham’s investigators “are now arranging witness interviews” and grand jury subpoenas “also were being used to gather documents in recent months.” Washington Examiner
Facebook removes Trump interview with daughter-in-law Lara . . . A group of Trump officials received an email from a Facebook employee, warning that any content posted on Facebook and Instagram “in the voice of President Trump is not currently allowed on our platforms (including new posts with President Trump speaking)” and warned that it “will be removed if posted, resulting in additional limitations on accounts that posted it.” “This
guidance applies to all campaign accounts and Pages, including Team Trump, other campaign messaging vehicles on our platforms, and former surrogates,” the email, posted on Instagram by Trump’s son, Eric Trump, stated. The interview was eventually posted to Lara Trump’s Facebook page, but was later taken down. White House
Dossier
This is simply censorship. A former and possibly future president who is probably the most popular politician in the country is not permitted to speak on one of the major social media platforms.
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Data Leak Reveals 5,000 Foreigners Were Spied On by China . . . Over 5,000 foreigners were tracked during visits to mainland China between 2017 to 2018, according to the latest data leak from a Chinese institution. Some individuals on the list say they were only in China for a day or were transiting through Shanghai. One cybersecurity expert says the latest data leak is unique in its increased
sophistication, including the use of facial recognition and the collection of passport IDs. The information was compiled by the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, a local level branch of Beijing’s main surveillance body, the Ministry of Public Security. The data leak contains over 1.1 million surveillance records and includes information on 25,000 “persons of interest” in China, and 5,000 foreigners, including government officials and employees of Mitsubishi and U.S. manufacturing giant
3M. Epoch Times
Pentagon’s New Policy on Gender-Transitioning Service Members Is an Unforced Error . . . The Pentagon has released a new policy describing how the military will now conduct gender transitions for service members currently serving. It follows quickly on the heels of President Biden’s executive order that he signed on the fifth day of his administration, setting aside the previous policy that barred service by transgender individuals suffering
from gender dysphoria. Common gender transition medical treatments presumably authorized under this policy would include “hormone therapy; chest, face, genital or other gender affirming surgeries; hair removal; speech therapy; and fertility preservation.” Although the policy states that commanders are expected to “ensure readiness by minimizing impacts to the mission,” the policy is silent on how commanders are supposed to accomplish that task when service members go absent for
significant periods of time to recover from medical treatments or to receive associated counseling. Daily Signal
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Russian Troop Movements on Ukraine Border Test Biden Admin . . . Russia has begun mobilizing troops along its border with Ukraine, presenting a fresh challenge at the Biden administration and threatening to upend a cease-fire between Ukraine and pro-Russian fighters. The move follows escalated fighting along the demarcation line inside Ukraine, where one attack last week killed four Ukrainian soldiers and
wounded two. In response, Ukraine put its own forces on alert and was reinforcing units in eastern Ukraine and on the border with the Russian-occupied peninsula of Crimea. While Mr. Biden has wrestled with Russia's anti-US provocative actions such as a massive suspected Russian hack of US government computer systems and Moscow's attempted interference in the 2020 election, the situation in Ukraine is the first involving movements of Russian troops. Wall Street Journal
On Biden's watch, Putin almost certainly will conduct a provocation, to further solidify Russia's dominant role in Eurasia, because of the perceived weakness of current US President.
UK military relaxes recruiting rules to attract cyber specialists . . . The UK armed forces have relaxed hiring rules to allow candidates from the private sector to go directly into senior military roles, in a drive to recruit more cyber specialists as warfare expands into the digital realm. General Sir Patrick Sanders, head of the UK’s Strategic Command, told the Financial Times that the Command's new cyber career strategy will seek
to attract more cyber specialists as reservists, as military “regulars” — including for the new National Cyber Force — and as civilian staff. One of the most significant changes is a new “lateral” entry regime, which allows cyber experts to leave industry and transfer directly into senior military ranks without the need to work their way up the hierarchy. Financial
Times
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Toilet paper prices to rise . . . The maker of the Cottonelle, Scott and Viva brands announced Wednesday that it will hike prices on "a majority of its North America consumer products business," including toilet paper and baby care items. Kimberly-Clark Corporation blamed rising commodity costs for the increases. "The percentage increases are in the mid-to-high single digits," the company said in a news release.
"Nearly all of the increases will be effective in late June." The company's other brands include Kleenex tissues, Kotex hygiene products and Huggies diapers. The company is facing "significant" inflation on raw materials, lower birth rates and the need to invest in advertising and discounts. USA
Today
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Teacher Scolds Student for Failing to Point Out ‘Racial Differences’ Between Two Women . . . A teacher in a Loudoun County high school angrily scolded a student in class for failing to point out the race of two females in a leaked video shared on Youtube and Twitter. The teacher initially asked the class to tell “the story behind this picture,” displaying a photograph of women with different skin tones. One student
described the photo as “just two people chilling.” The teacher said “I don’t believe that you believe that” and then went on to accuse the student of being “intentionally coy.” The teacher was telling the student for roughly a minute and a half that he should acknowledge the races of the two individuals. Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) has been embroiled in controversy over the use of Critical Race Theory in the classroom. A secret Facebook group targeting parents who
opposed its use has sparked outrage and a recall campaign against six members of the school board. Daily Caller
Here's what we know about the reported federal investigation into Matt Gaetz . . . Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz said he is being investigated for alleged criminal sexual activity with a minor and claims a former Department of Justice official is behind a $25 million plot to extort him and his family. The 38-year-old congressman is being eyed as part of a broader investigation into Joel Greenberg, a political ally who was indicted in
2020 on charges including sex trafficking of a minor and financially supporting people in exchange for sex, at least one of whom was an underage girl, the New York Times reported. "I was not a target but a subject of an investigation regarding sexual conduct with women," Gaetz said. Gaetz is one of the leading conservative figures in the House and an ally of former President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, he spoke on Tucker Carlson's Fox News show responding to reports that he is under a
DOJ investigation over a former relationship. The 17-year-old in question "doesn't exist" and Gaetz has "not had a relationship with a 17-year-old. That is totally false," he told Carlson. Washington Examiner
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Arkansas Passes Controversial Bill To Ban Chopping Off Kids' Legs If They Think They're A Mermaid . . . In a huge blow to trans-species rights, Arkansas has passed a controversial law banning the dismemberment and surgical altering of children if they want to be a different creature. "I'll never forget the day my daughter Belle was splashing in the tub and said, 'Look at me, Mommy! I'm a mermaid!'" said local
progressive mother and part-time librarian Zindy Derple. "I knew that day she was different. A mythical fish-creature trapped in a human girl's body." Belle's dismemberment surgery has now been canceled due to Arkansas's new law.
"Now, we can't even get her the compassionate leg-removal medical care needed to turn her into her true mermaid self," she said, fighting tears. The bill will also prohibit whisker implants for kids who want to be cats, pouch surgery for kids who want to be kangaroos, and "dunking in a vat of chemicals" treatments for kids who identify as Batman's arch-nemesis, the Joker. "This is a cruel and inhumane bill," said Derple. "It denies the proven science that species is a fluid thing and
denies essential treatment to children, who are obviously old enough to understand what species they are." Hollywood has also spoken up, vowing to never film in Arkansas again. "Arkansas needs to learn we will never support a state that normalizes such hate and bigotry," said one director. "We will be filming Cuties 2 elsewhere, thank you very much." This will soon become NOT SATIRE. Babylon Bee
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Rebekah Koffler
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