Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Trump Deploys His Tariff Wrecking Ball; How Much Will the US Suffer Along with Most of the Rest of the World?

 

at 4/3/25 8:28am

The latest Trump tariffs kick up the destructiveness of his administration up to a whole new level.

[Category: Banana republic, Currencies, Doomsday scenarios, Economic fundamentals, Free markets and their discontents, Globalization, Investment outlook, Politics]

— Links 4/3/2025

 

at 4/3/25 4:55am

[Category: Links]

— Iran Lacks the Leverage For a Fair Deal With the US

 

at 4/3/25 4:54am

The US seems intent on bludgeoning Iran into a very unfavorable agreement.

[Category: Doomsday scenarios, Guest Post, Middle East, Politics]

— Another “Covid Brain” Cognitive Impairment: Checklists?

 

at 4/3/25 4:30am

Are difficulties with mental checklist another manifestation of "Covid brain"?

[Category: Pandemic, Science and the scientific method]

— What Will Tech Moguls Do With Their Wealth?

 

at 4/3/25 12:21am

Tech billionaires are embedding themselves in U.S. economic systems while experimenting with new ways to manage their fortunes

[Category: Guest Post, Income disparity, Investment management, Politics, The destruction of the middle class]

— New Gallup Poll Finds Health Care Affordability Falling: One-Third Cannot Afford Care

 

at 4/2/25 7:55am

More bad, if predictable, news on the US health care front.

[Category: Banana republic, Free markets and their discontents, Health care, Income disparity, Politics, Regulations and regulators, The destruction of the middle class]

— Links 4/2/2025

 

at 4/2/25 4:55am

[Category: Links]

— The Trump ‘Threat’ Helps Sell the War Racket in Canada and Europe

 

at 4/2/25 4:00am

The plan has long been for Europe to dramatically increase military expenditures. Embracing international Trump Derangement Syndrome along with relentless Russophobia helps “give history a shove.” 

[Category: Doomsday scenarios, Europe, Politics, Privatization, Russia, Social policy, Social values, The destruction of the middle class]

— Advertising Makes You Unhappy – By Design

 

at 4/2/25 3:55am

Is advertising bad for you?

[Category: Guest Post, Media watch, Social policy, Social values]

— GOP Lawmakers Eye SNAP Cuts, Reducing Benefits for the Low Income at a Time of High Food Prices

 

at 4/2/25 1:17am

The GOP again has SNAP food assistance benefits in their crosshairs. How might they make cuts? Can they muster the votes?

[Category: Banana republic, Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post, Income disparity, Politics, Social policy, Social values]

— Coffee Break: Armed Madhouse – Bombing Yemen

 

at 4/1/25 12:00pm

Our warfare focused Coffee Break: The bombing of Yemen, a story of pernicious foreign policy and misguided military action

[Category: Coffee Break, Guest Post]

— Bracing for the Fallout from Trump Tariff Delusions

 

at 4/1/25 8:08am

Trump is about to drop another big tariff shoe, and pretty much no one but very hard core ideologues is on board.

[Category: Auto industry, Banana republic, Economic fundamentals, Free markets and their discontents, Globalization, Income disparity, Politics, Taxes, The destruction of the middle class, The dismal science]

— Links 4/1/2025

 

at 4/1/25 4:55am

[Category: Links]

— As Future of Panama Canal Hangs in Balance, Mexico Quietly Begins Testing Its Interoceanic Rail Corridor

 

at 4/1/25 4:53am

South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai just became the first company to use the rail corridor, which is being touted as a possible plan B to the embattled canal.  

[Category: Guest Post]

— Why Did the CDC Bury Its Latest Measles Forecast?

 

at 4/1/25 3:55am

The CDC planned to announce a new risk assessment that stressed the need for MMR vaccinations. Last week, it reversed course.

[Category: Guest Post, Health care, Media watch, Politics, Regulations and regulators]

— Europe Scrambles To Revive Metals Industry

 

at 4/1/25 3:50am

The dire state of Europe's metals industry is another example of the damage done by the loss of cheap Russian energy.

[Category: Commodities, Economic fundamentals, Energy markets, Europe, Free markets and their discontents, Guest Post]

— Coffee Break: Across the Pond and the Online Safety Act

 

at 3/31/25 12:00pm

The UK is attempting to set the rules for what and how information is served across the whole internet through the Online Safety Act.

[Category: Banana republic, Coffee Break, Guest Post]

— Trump Executive Order Calls for End of Paper Checks for Taxpayer and Government Payments by Sept. 30; Industry Official Snort About Deadline; What About User Payment Charges?

 

at 3/31/25 7:55am

Trump has mandated a Mission Impossible: getting rid of paper checks for Treasury receipts and payments by September 30

[Category: Banana republic, Currencies, Payment system, Politics, Privatization, Taxes, Technology and innovation]

— Trump Executive Order Calls for End of Paper Check for Taxpayer and Government Payments by Sept. 30; Industry Official Snort About Deadline; What About User Payment Charges?

 

at 3/31/25 7:55am

Trump has mandated a Mission Impossible: getting rid of paper checks for Treasury receipts and payments by September 30

[Category: Banana republic, Currencies, Payment system, Politics, Privatization, Taxes, Technology and innovation]

— Links 3/31/2025

 

at 3/31/25 4:55am

[Category: Links]

— Will Trump Deliver on His Threat of Taking Military Action Against Iran?

 

at 3/31/25 4:54am

The US has increased its threat display in the Middle East generally and versus Iran in particular. Will the US greenlight an Israel attack?

[Category: Doomsday scenarios, Middle East, Politics]

As of 4/3/25 3:49pm. Last new 4/3/25 8:57am.