Becker Brief: Morning Report for 2-24-23
CDC admits Natural Immunity bombshell, China's 12-point Ukraine War peace plan, Biden slaps new sanctions on Russia, Alec Baldwin punished at trial & more!
COVID REALITY CHECK
Natural Immunity Better Than COVID-19 Vaccination Against Omicron: CDC Study
Post-infection immunity is superior to protection from COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new study from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) researchers.
Natural immunity, or postinfection immunity, provided 76 percent protection against COVID-19-associated hospitalizations while Omicron was the dominant virus strain in the country, the researchers found. A primary series of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, in people without a prior infection, provided just 39 percent protection.
Covid Vaccine Mandates in 9 Major U.S. Cities Found to Be Worthless: Study
Most supporters of the regulations claim that the benefits associated with the increase in vaccination rates as a result of the mandate—and its implied reduction in the spread of COVID-19—outweigh the costs of its disruptions. However, the authors find that indoor vaccine mandates had no significant impact on COVID-19 vaccine uptake, cases, or deaths across all nine cities that implemented the policy.
Pfizer Covered up Deaths during Covid Shot Clinical Trials
The falsified findings are from the same clinical trials that Pfizer has been battling in the courts to keep hidden from the public for 75 years.
Despite the best efforts of Pfizer’s powerful legal team, the company was forced to release clinical trial data via court order.
Corruption and COVID: We Are Not ‘All In This Together’
If corruption is not properly prosecuted, then constitutional democracy will inevitably be consumed by regimes or criminal networks that are willing and able to use methods such as bribery and blackmail to affect policy. No amount of institutional tinkering could avert this.
Is the United States Ready for Back-to-Back Pandemics?
A true postpandemic period may still arrive, perhaps even a real Roaring Twenties. But in recent weeks, as researchers have registered one after another mammalian outbreak of the avian influenza H5N1, or bird flu, another possibility has loomed into view: back-to-back pandemics — a new one potentially driven by a disease that over the past several decades has killed about half the humans with known infections.
Congress Prepares to Investigate COVID-19 Vaccines
The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is planning to investigate how possible side effects are being studied, the regulatory process of authorizing and approving the vaccines, and why the vaccines were mandated…
“I expect our oversight hearings will shed light on the FDA approval process, the potential for side effects, and ultimately the success rate and safety of the vaccine—each of which will help us to navigate future global health emergencies,” Rep. Meeks said.
EAST PALESTINE FALLOUT
Federal Investigators Reveal What Caused Ohio Toxic Train Derailment
The National Transportation Security Board (NTSB) released on Thursday a preliminary report revealing that the wheel bearings on a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals overheated before derailing in eastern Ohio earlier this month.
The train passed through hot bearing detectors (HBD) which detected it surpassed Norfolk Southern’s “critical” standard at several points, reaching over 250 degrees above ambient temperature, forcing the train to stop and leading to a fire, according to the preliminary report.
Crew tried to prevent toxic East Palestine train derailment: NTSB
Crew members tried in vain to prevent the train carrying hazardous materials through East Palestine, Ohio, from derailing, a government report released Thursday said. […]
“This is an explosion of cancers waiting to happen. And you won’t see it for years — sometimes five, 10, 20 years. This is scary stuff,” attorney Michael Barasch, who represented those sickened by the 9/11 collapse of the World Trade Center, told The Post on Wednesday.
Officials Release Update on Wildlife Killed by Ohio Train Derailment
The number of wildlife estimated to have been killed in the wake of the Ohio train derailment is nearly 44,000, less than officials first thought, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
Although dead animals remain in the affected waterways, ODNR Director Mary Mertz noted in an update Thursday that live fish have returned to some parts of the area.
“I don’t know why they would ever vote for [Trump], for somebody who, by the way, he placed someone with deep ties to the chemical industry in charge of the EPA’s chemical safety office. That’s who you voted for, in that district,” Behar said, looking directly into the camera. “Donald Trump, who reduces all safety, he did!”
“I think this is Donald Trump’s fault,” Hostin said.
“It’s his fault, and then he shows up,” Behar said.
THE MARCH TO WAR
Pentagon sending Ukraine these weapons in $2B package on war's 1-year mark
The Pentagon's latest $2 billion pledge was announced on the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
US slaps new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war, raises tariffs
Sweeping US sanctions target more than 200 individuals and entities from multiple countries that have ties to Russia's defense sector
In its 12-point plan, Beijing called for an end to Western sanctions, negotiations which would likely see Ukraine ceding territory, a NATO pull-back from its eastern borders and reconstruction efforts that would probably benefit Chinese contractors.
Meanwhile, US intelligence has warned that China is planning to supply Moscow with weapons and ammunition - something that Beijing denies.
U.S., China to hold deputy-level bilateral talks on debt
The United States and China will hold deputy-level talks between their finance officials on Friday to discuss debt and other issues on the sidelines of a G20 finance meet in India, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Thursday, ahead of a meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors near Bengaluru, that communication between the United States and China was important for "the sake of the entire globe".
2024 WATCH
DeSantis Comes Clean, Says Trump’s Endorsement Was Key to 2018 Election Win
DeSantis has a new book coming out, “The Courage to Be Free.”
In the book, the governor talks about the key endorsement which is now a point of contention between the two frontrunners for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination.
“I knew that a Trump endorsement would provide me with the exposure to GOP primary voters across the State of Florida, and I was confident that many would see me as a good candidate once they learned about my record,” DeSantis writes.
EYE ON THE WHITE HOUSE
Today in Washington...
• POTUS attends virtual meeting with G7 leaders & Zelensky
• VP holds meeting with abortion activists
• FLOTUS is in Kenya.
CRIME IN THE HEADLINES
Actor Alec Baldwin officially pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted. The Santa Fe D.A. claims he acted with “criminal negligence.”
The judge issued Baldwin’s first official punishment after allowing Alec to remain free without having to post bond. The court ruled that the Hollywood star cannot consume alcohol or possess firearms or dangerous weapons. He must maintain contact with his attorney and obey all “federal, state, tribal, local laws, statutes and ordinances.”
Alex Murdaugh expected back on the stand Friday for grueling cross-examination
Murdaugh admitted Thursday he lied to investigators but insisted he didn't kill his wife and son
Two bills that would grant felons voting rights and illegal immigrants the ability to obtain driver’s licenses were passed by the Minnesota Senate on Feb. 22.
Arizona Legislature Joint Election Hearing
3.5 year investigation of 2020/2022 election. (START AT 2hr18min)
Defiant Dem attorney Kim Gardner blasts AG move to remove her, blames 'voter suppression'
Kim Gardner, the embattled Democrat attorney in St. Louis, blasted Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey's push to remove her from office, and in a raucous press conference called Bailey's effort a "political stunt" that is "nothing more than voter suppression."
Soros Installed DA in Nueces Loses His Mind Over 118 Page Petition of Removal Filings
The 118-page petition, filed by Colby Wiltse, a Nueces County resident and Texas state director for County Citizens Defending Freedom, contends the two-term Democratic district attorney should be removed from office as a result of "incompetency, official misconduct, and failure to give bond."
Gonzalez has “mishandled and mismanaged murder cases, motions to revoke, criminal dismissal rates, and intentionally nullified duly enacted laws of his oath of office,” according to the petition. Under his supervision, the local criminal justice system is “in crisis with backlogged cases and a shortage of experienced professional prosecutors," according to the petition.
Lee, a Harvard graduate, had a net worth of roughly $2 billion at the time of his death, according to Forbes.
The financier struck gold in his career by acquiring midsized companies, restoring their worth, and then selling them for wild profits - and his technique and success at the time was described as the 'envy of Wall Street.'
Good Samaritan pins down drunk driver trying to run away after killing Euless cop
"You stay right there, mother f**ker! You see what you did?!" the good Samaritan said.
ELECTION ̶I̶N̶T̶E̶G̶R̶I̶T̶Y̶
Investigation Launched as Video Emerges Showing ‘Ballot Shredding’ on Election Night
A complaint about the video was originally filed by Carbon County poll watcher Chip Bennett and his wife, Lisa Bennett.
However, the case is now in the hands of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, according to KTVQ.
Judge Denies ‘Frivolous’ Motion to Dismiss Harris County Election Contest
A judge has rejected Judge DaSean Jones’ claim that the election contest infringed on his rights to freedom of speech and association
BATTLE AGAINST OUR FUTURE AI OVERLORDS
ChatGTP confession: Global warming? Not much since 2016
Junk Science's Steve Milloy published his combative exchange with the AI chatbot
"But you are still wrong since NOAA global temperature data for the period 2015 through 2022 show no warming trend at all," Milloy responded. "In fact, NOAA data report a slight cooling trend."
"I apologize for any confusion caused by my earlier responses. You are correct that NOAA global temperature data for the period 2015 through 2022 show that the rate of warming has slowed down and that there was been little net warming during this period," the bot conceded.