Selfish, Ignorant Leaders


If you have selfish, ignorant citizens, you're going to get selfish, ignorant leaders. Term limits ain't going to do any good; you're just going to end up with a brand new bunch of selfish, ignorant Americans.  - George Carlin


DAILY SPECIALS




President Trump on Monday mocked immigrants for following the legal citizenship process, reportedly arguing that those who attended their immigration court hearings “cannot be very smart,” according to a tweet from BuzzFeed reporter Paul McLeod. After falsely claiming that only two percent of immigrants show up to court for their hearings, Trump reportedly added that “those people you almost don’t want because they cannot be very smart.. those two percent are not going to make America great again, I tell ya.” This leaves immigrants little recourse to win President Trump’s favor—because as he’s said nearly every day, he certainly doesn’t approve of them entering the country illegally either. [The Daily Beast: PM Cheat Sheet, January 14, 2019]







House lawmakers launch drug pricing investigation

The House Oversight Committee is launching an investigation into the pricing practices of a dozen drug makers, including many of the pharmaceutical industry's most prominent names. Here’s the rundown:
  • The details: Drug companies including AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer received requests for information about the pricing of specific drugs. Many of those drugs are among the most commonly cited examples of alleged price-gouging.
  • The goal: “The goals of this investigation are to determine why drug companies are increasing prices so dramatically, how drug companies are using the proceeds, and what steps can be taken to reduce prescription drug prices," committee chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said in a statement. The committee will hold a hearing on the issue on Jan. 29.
  • On a related note: HHS Secretary Alex Azar is headed to a Council for Affordable Health Coverage event today to talk about the Trump administration's efforts to bring down drug prices. [STAT: Morning Rounds, January 15, 2019]



HIDDEN IN THE ATTIC




today in history

Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger saved the lives of the 154 passengers and crew aboard a US Airways flight on January 15, 2009, in the so-called "Miracle on the Hudson." Read about what's being done to prevent another similar air emergency. [Good Morning from CNN, January 15, 2019]



WHIMSEY






SCIENCE





BOOKS








UNITED KINGDOM


Brexit
 
It's D-Day for Brexit. UK lawmakers vote later today on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal that was negotiated with the European Union. If it passes, that's the last big hurdle before the UK leaves the EU in March. If it fails, well, no one really knows what happens. And most political observers think May's Brexit bill will fail, possibly by more than 100 votes. If that happens, May could draw up an alternative plan, pro-Brexit lawmakers may push for the UK to leave the EU without a deal (a nightmare scenario for many), other lawmakers might try to engineer a "softer" Brexit or the pressure could ramp up for a second Brexit referendum. It really would be uncharted territory. [Good Morning from CNN, January 15, 2019]







DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO   







NOTE: I have no official connection to any organization from which information is shared.. Occasionally, I post informational material and/or an opportunity to donate or join as  a "community service" announcement.  These again are shared for their varying perspectives.


Any commercial or business interest information shared is purely informational, not an endorsement.  I have no connection with any such commercial or business interest.

Any books listed are random or topic-related to something else in the post.  Think of these as a "library bookshelf" to browse.  They are shared for informational or entertainment value only, not as being recommended.



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