The Frankish Reich

I thought this was amusing.

Yep. As everyone actually reads the EO and processes what's happened, it's a big nothingburger.

Well, the markets are certainly calling bs on this latest EO: https://www.investors.com/news/technology/drug-prices-most-favored-nations-pharmaceutical-stocks/ All bark, no bite. Honestly, it's just government by press release. Nothing here is enforceable. Any fool who tweeted "we finally got Big Pharma" should slink away in shame. Won't get fooled again. Except they always are.

Well, I guess you’re right, they’re competing on who can be the most socialist here. Does this allow importation of gray market drugs? Not that I can see. So what if Novo Nordisk says no, we’re not gonna sell Ozempic for $50/month (what it costs in France) in the US? Will it be embargoed? What happens? I do see room for a vigorous FTC to file suit. Is there price fixing, or is it just dumb luck that Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Zepbound all cost pretty much the same but compounding pharmacies can make and sell it for a fraction of the price? But you’ve got to prove collusion, and that ain’t easy when Big Pharma has the resources they do. So will I (well, my fat cousin) be able to get Ozempic for $50/month next month? Something makes me think “no.”

The uniquely American tradition of The Embarrassing Brother apparently applies to popes as well as to presidents. https://nypost.com/2025/05/11/us-news/new-pope-leo-xivs-brother-shared-gross-post-calling-nancy-pelosi-a-drunk-c/

No one knows. He most recently pulled a new number - 80 percent - out of his behind.

You seem to have studied this. What is the enforcement mechanism?

Well, we knew the game of chicken part of this would end with Trump (particularly) backing down. Good. But 30 percent is still outrageous. Paul Krugman's headline sums it up: https://paulkrugman.substack.com/p/when-an-arsonist-poses-as-a-firefighter

I read the actual Executive Order. I have no idea how this is supposed to be enforced if drug companies don't voluntarily play along. My guess is it will be through antitrust actions, which isn't exactly the same as "immediately." Still, I hope it works... eventually. This is a rare Trump initiative that almost everyone seems to like, at least in concept.

Seems to me they're fighting over Americans having to pay more - a lot more - for stuff.

Blessed be those who hunger and thirst for justice. (Jesus the SJW)

"Unrelated" - https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/qatari-diar-dar-global-introduce-trumps-first-real-estate-development-qatar-2025-04-29/

Vet starts small business selling a clever Shark Tanky playmat for high chairs. Product catches on. Manufactured in China, growing warehouse/supply business in Minnesota. Takes out SBA and personal loan to grow as she signs deal to supply Target and Walmart. Personal loan is secured by her family's home. Tariffs hit. Would have to pay $320,000 to get her next shipment from China. That's completely beyond the company's ability to pay. Inventory shrinks. Has no idea if the company will survive. Can't pay back loans with no future revenue stream. Now looking to see if she can go international - maybe sell in Canada, Europe (no special China tariffs) but that's a longshot. American dream/small inventor destroyed by silly tariff games.

The Noble Family Farm idea is still true for many, many farmers. For lots of others, not so much. Corporate owned farms are expanding rapidly. They’re not even called “farmers” anymore; they’re “growers.” And yes, the bundle of subsidies and price supports are with taking a close look at. Maybe your attempt to educate me wasn’t fully successful. Maybe you were relying on an antiquated view of American farming.

I don’t know how they came up with this stat. It isn’t true. It is true that a large number didn’t see an immigration judge because they did not request a hearing. That’s called expedited removal, and it still exists for people stopped along the border.

https://www.msnbc.com/top-stories/latest/trump-white-house-for-sale-crypto-rcna205142 Our UAE friends just happened to decide that the World Liberty (Trump) cryptocurrency is well worth a $2 million investment. Did I mention that they are also currently seeking a export waiver to buy NVIDIA chips?

Started with the Financial Times. About as mainstream/boring/conservative (when it meant something) as it gets. With real data showing how quickly those "early" purchases were sold. Get edumacated! https://www.ft.com/content/f5797d16-6299-444c-b990-5cbc6a7ccfca

A thread to collect the various scams, swindles, and self-dealing of our extended first family. Today: Melania. https://nypost.com/2025/05/06/business/crypto-traders-who-bought-melania-trump-coin-before-launch-bagged-100m-report/ 2.5 minutes advance notice = $100 million profit. Who got the tip? Could it be the Trump Familly Grifters themselves? That's for them to know and us to never find out.

TMI

Grateful you didn't say Buffalo.

Is it Finals Week? Can we get some extra time to study??

Was there a tariff on Diggs' coat? Why is this^^ here?

I think I found someone who doesn't really mind being called a commie. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/30/putin-renames-volgograd-airport-stalingrad-to-honor-wwii-battle-a88920 And the put up a new statue of Stalin. Communist nostalgia! The real kind.

Tranlation: Less (sic; should be fewer; I blame declining standards at Princeton, letting in mediocre white jocks) Generals = fewer high-level people to tell Trump he can't/shouldn't do stupid things.

What a surprise. The Alien Enemies Act declaration was based on total bs, contradicted by Trump's own administration. Oh yeah, he's lying to us. All the time. Thank you Tulsi. You will be fired. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/us/trump-venezuela-gang-ties-spy-memo.html