Reader’s Links for August 10, 2021

Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.

This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.

So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.

This is the new Samizdat. We must use it while we can.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

52 Replies to “Reader’s Links for August 10, 2021”

  1. – A VERY IMPORTANT Court Case ruling expected –

    ** A Pfizer Win Against Uncle Sam Could Unleash ‘Gold Rush’ in Sales — and Cost Taxpayers Billions **

    A federal judge is expected to rule any day in Pfizer lawsuit that aims to erase an important control on pharma marketing after decades of regulatory erosion and soaring drug prices.

    Three years ago, pharma giant Pfizer paid $24 million to settle federal allegations that it was paying kickbacks and inflating sales by reimbursing Medicare patients for out-of-pocket medication costs.

    By making prohibitively expensive medicine essentially free for patients, the company induced them to use Pfizer drugs even as the price of one of those medicines, covered by Medicare and Medicaid, soared 44% to $225,000 a year, the Justice Department alleged.

    Now Pfizer is suing Uncle Sam to legalize essentially the same practice it was accused of three years ago — a fighting response to a federal crackdown that has resulted in a dozen drug companies being accused of similar practices.

    A Pfizer win could cost taxpayers billions of dollars and erase an important control on pharma marketing after decades of regulatory erosion and soaring drug prices, say health policy analysts. A federal judge’s ruling is expected any day.

    “If this is legal for Pfizer, Pfizer will not be the only pharmaceutical company to use this, and there will effectively be a gold rush,” government lawyer Jacob Lillywhite said in oral arguments last month.

    … At the same time, however, regulators have allowed the industry to help patients with copays by routing money through outside charities — but only as long as the charities are “bona fide, independent” organizations that don’t match drugmaker money with specific drugs.

    Several charities have blatantly violated that rule in recent years by colluding with pharma companies to subsidize particular drugs, the Justice Department has alleged. A dozen companies have paid more than $1 billion to settle allegations of kickback violations.

    Pfizer set up an internal fund at one of the charities, the Patient Access Network Foundation, to cover patient costs for a heart arrhythmia drug at exactly the same time it was raising the wholesale cost from $220 to $317 for a package of 40 capsules, the Justice Department said. Pfizer referred Medicare patients who needed the drug to the PAN Foundation, the government said.

    Under such arrangements, every $1 million channeled through a charity “has the potential to generate up to $21 m[illion] for the sponsor company, funded by the U.S. government,” Andrew Baum, a Citi pharma stock analyst, wrote in 2017.

    More: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/pfizer-lawsuit-win-could-cost-taxpayers-billions/

  2. One (maritime) perspective on U.S. military losing the next fight to China (Part II) – Liberty Unyielding
    J.E. Dyer
    17-22 minutes

    One (maritime) perspective on U.S. military losing the next fight to China (Part II)

    USS Princeton (CG-59) faces the giants. Pixabay background; USN image (MC1 Ace Rheaume); LU Staff

    In Part I, Another reason a woke U.S. military hunting ‘systemic racism’ will lose the next fight to China, we set the stage for Part II by reviewing the depredations of woke politics on U.S. military leadership, and setting that unfortunate trend alongside the recent history of war games in which U.S. “Blue” forces lose badly to “Red” teams representing China as a the opponent. The thread running through each iteration is a decisive loss of “information advantage” for U.S. forces, a problem that affects every aspect of warfighting. At a zoomed-out level, we considered one “ping” on that thread: our own-force perception of unity, cohesion, and morale, both as a force and as a people. Making it policy to keep the top brass absorbed in divisive social theory will have a significant impact on that facet of our information posture, and any warfighting advantage we seek for it.

    The second “ping,” promised in Part I, concerns a more particular slice of the information layer cake. This one would affects us most directly at the operational and tactical levels. But if it were misdiagnosed over time, it would have the potential to undermine our information advantage and confidence to a fatal degree at the strategic level. And we have reason to know that it is a capability China can already compass, and is likely to seek to wield.

    Herewith Ping Two.

    The slice: A second “problem ping”

    Trending: Pelosi didn’t make the cut when Obama’s birthday bash was downsized, and she’s livid

    Unseemly political obsessions (e.g., “systemic racism”; see Part I) can’t be ignored when our military leaders are being asked to focus on them, and apparently are willing to. I’m sorry we had to ponder the recent examples of it to introduce this information topic – but we did have to.

    https://libertyunyielding.com/2021/08/09/one-maritime-perspective-on-u-s-military-losing-the-next-fight-to-china-part-ii/

    https://libertyunyielding.com/2021/08/05/another-reason-a-woke-u-s-military-hunting-systemic-racism-will-lose-the-next-fight-to-china-part-i/

  3. MUHARRAM DAY 2

    Iran: 147-metre-tall flag raised in Tehran to mark Muharram

    SOT, Yousef Nouri, Flag hoisting event organiser (Farsi): “During the year, this flag is changed twice, which coincides with the day before Muharram. We greet the month of Muharram with a programme named “Hello to Muharram” with a black flag. At the end of the month of Safar, with the beginning of Rabi al-Awal, the black flag will be replaced with the flag of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

    SOT, Seyed Mohammad Hossein Hejazi, Managing Director of Abbas Abad Lands Company (Farsi): “This is the fourth year the Ya Hussein flag-raising ceremony is held, and it has tried to make this space and this viewpoint a symbolic move to remember the narration and memories that every Muslim turns his house into a small Hosseiniyah on the first day of Muharram. The Hosseiniyah of Tehran, in a sense, has been able to blacken the city of Tehran with this view, and God willing, this lasting event will remain a lasting and symbolic work for the city, the municipality of Tehran and the whole country.”

    SOT, Mohammad Mahdi Rezazadeh, Flag hoisting event organiser (Farsi): “The conditions of the coronavirus and the beginning of the fifth wave of the coronavirus made it more difficult for the processions and the mourning ceremonies which used to be held every year. But people are definitely trying to hold processions in accordance with health protocols. In particular, people try to keep the culture of Imam Hussein alive and blacken the atmosphere of Tehran out of respect for Imam Hussein. This shows that the people will continue to hold the mourning ceremonies of Hazrat Aba Abdullah Al-Hussein with enthusiasm, warmth and, of course, while carefully observing hygiene rules.”

  4. Flooding strikes southwestern China; Delta variant surge: Chinese city tops infection rates

  5. Afghanistan’s Indian embassy advises all Indians to return amid ongoing crisis | English News

  6. WION Ground Report: Third largest city of Afghanistan fears Taliban takeover | Herat | English News

  7. “LIVE STREAM VIDEO: Mike Lindell’s Cyber Symposium August 10-12 — Live At Frank Speech — Starting at 9 AM Central from Sioux Falls, South Dakota”
    by Jim Hoft – August 10, 2021
    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/08/live-stream-video-feed-frank-speech-mike-lindells-cyber-symposium-august-10-12-starting-9-central-sioux-falls-south-dakota/

    PETE SANTILLI LIVE @Mike Lindell’s CYBER SYMPOSIUM Aug 10-12
    The Pete Santilli Show – August 10, 2021
    https://rumble.com/vkxwco-pete-santilli-will-be-live-mike-lindells-cyber-symposium-aug-10-12.html

  8. Thai police, protesters clash at anti-government rally over COVID-19 handling #Shorts (?: Reuters)

  9. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Announces Resignation Over Harassment Allegations
    By Jack Phillips
    August 10, 2021 Updated: August 10, 2021
    biggersmaller Print

    New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat, announced Tuesday he will resign effective in 14 days after allegations of sexual harassment that were detailed in a state attorney general’s report last week.

    Cuomo’s resignation came as the New York Assembly started deliberations Monday on an impeachment inquiry into his conduct and as top Democrat officials, including President Joe Biden, called on him to resign.

    “The best way I can help now is if I step aside and let government get back to government,” Cuomo said in a televised speech.

    But Cuomo said that he did not intentionally show disrespect toward any female staffers or women, asserting that the claims against him were “politically motivated.” An impeachment, however, would thrust New York into a state of turmoil for months, the three-term governor said, explaining that’s why he’s resigning.

    Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a 62-year-old Democrat and former member of Congress, will become the state’s 57th governor and the first woman to head New York state.

    https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/new-york-gov-andrew-cuomo-announces-resignation-over-alleged-harassment-claims_3942097.html?utm_source=newsnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-2021-08-10-2&mktids=d7358f3ced7ca02eab2a534cde459497&est=hA6D6I%2FEPf6qx%2Bd7gJKzl6fXI1U0vjMb3fPjZe%2B8dd%2FLEkAnVS938PoLLqM%3D

  10. China in Retreat? – Frontpagemag
    Michael Ledeen
    4-5 minutes

    China seems to be reversing its long-standing policy of asserting its entitlement to global hegemony. This reversal dates back at least a year, when Chinese dictator Xi called for a change in Chinese diplomacy, following the arrival in Taiwan of an American C-17 military transport from a base in South Korea, with three members of Congress on board.

    The Chinese government lashed out at the United States, accusing it of violating signed agreements between the two countries. These agreements detailed a “one-China policy” that locked the United States into dealing only with China, and keeping its distance from Taiwan. So the decision to send three US diplomats to Taipei on board an American military transport provoked the People’s Republic no end. In their coverage of the event, the Chinese press failed to mention that the United States had provided a military transport for its three Congressional leaders. As a ranking expert on China put it, the goal of Beijing is “political warfare,” which is the “front line of (Chinese) efforts to achieve that number one position in terms of comprehensive national power.”

    https://www.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2021/08/china-retreat-michael-ledeen/

  11. Supreme Court Swings Wrecking Ball Into Democrat Plans – They Just Took Gerrymandering Away From Federal Courts
    By Adam Casalino|August 9, 2021
    Supreme Court Swings Wrecking Ball Into Democrat Plans – They Just Took Gerrymandering Away From Federal Courts
    Share
    What’s Happening:

    We all missed a bullet when Democrats’ “For the People Act” lost support in Congress.

    Why? Because Democrats wanted to take over the creation of congressional districts from the states.

    For years, Democrats have tried to stop Republicans from redrawing districts at the state level.

    They often took state lawmakers to court, so they could have an advantage in “gerrymandering” our states.

    But the Supreme Court just swung a “wrecking ball” into the left’s plans. Because they just ended a long-standing tactic.

    https://thepatriotjournal.com/supreme-court-gerrymandering/?utm_source=gjwhg&utm_medium=email

  12. Deutsche Pravda – Can the homeless be prioritized for vaccinations?

    Getting the homeless vaccinated should be a priority.

    One of society’s most transient groups.

    Exposed to COVID in crowded shelters and at risk of complications if infected.

    Health officials say it’s of the utmost importance to include the less fortunate in the vaccination drive to effectively combat Covid-19.

    They often have no medical support at all or are in poor health.

    Many have not seen a doctor for years.

    Charities are reaching out, but support varies from city to city.

    DW’s reporter Juri Rescheto found out, an initiative in Saint Petersberg is reaching out to those living on the streets.

    • Associated Pravda – COVID cases rising in unvaccinated children

      The number of children contracting COVID-19 is increasing rapidly and children’s hospitals are filling up with young patients not eligible for the vaccine now being used against the virus.

    • CBC – Children hit hard by COVID-19 surge in U.S.

      The latest surge of COVID-19 cases in the U.S. is mostly in the unvaccinated, especially children who aren’t eligible.

      With school about to begin, there is debate about how to protect them.

    • NBC – Tennessee Doctors Warn Of ‘Scary Times Ahead’ As Delta Variant Surges

      Pediatric hospital units in Tennessee are becoming overwhelmed with young Covid-19 patients as health experts in the state warn of “scary times ahead” due to surging cases of the delta variant.

      NBC News’ Maura Barrett breaks down how hospitals are coping with the influx of younger patients and whether increasing in cases could impact kids returning to school.

    • GMA – Former acting CDC director on how delta variant affects children

      Dr. Richard Besser discusses the rising calls by pediatricians for the FDA to authorize vaccines for kids under 12 and the battle over mask mandates in schools.

    • GMA – The latest on COVID-19 vaccine trials for kids under 12

      … the latest on Pfizer’s trials in the U.S., Finland, Poland and Spain.

    • the guardian -Sky News Australia deletes dozens of videos promoting unproven Covid treatments

      Broadcaster has deleted more than 30 videos, including those featuring Alan Jones and Andrew Bolt, ahead of Senate inquiry

      Sky News Australia has quietly deleted at least 31 videos that question the public health response to Covid-19 or promote unproven treatments as the broadcaster prepares for its chief executive, Paul Whittaker, to appear at a Senate inquiry on Friday, Guardian Australia can reveal.

      Sky News will face the media diversity inquiry after the broadcaster was suspended from YouTube for seven days for posting 21 videos that violated the platform’s Covid medical misinformation policies.

      Whittaker, presenter Sharri Markson and the Sky News digital editor, Jack Houghton, have all criticised YouTube for deleting the videos but Sky has given no explanation for scrubbing its own skynews.com.au website of what could be perceived as contentious content.

      The disappearing videos include Alan Jones saying Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is “wrong” on face masks: “that bloke is in need of medication”; and a Jones interview with a Canadian pathologist who claimed Covid was the “greatest hoax ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public”.

      After the interview Jones said: “well there you are, as I have said all along, there is no epidemiological justification for any of this. Lockdowns, face masks, social distancing”.

      Markson, whose content has not been targeted, called the YouTube ban “the most extreme cancellation of free speech imaginable” last week and Houghton said it was “tech giant censorship” when the popular channel was barred from adding any new videos up until Thursday evening.

      YouTube said: “We have clear and established Covid-19 medical misinformation policies based on local and global health authority guidance, to prevent the spread of Covid-19 misinformation that could cause real-world harm.”

      As a result of Sky removing the videos they have disappeared from all News Corp newspaper websites and Facebook pages where they were hosted.

      In another removed video Andrew Bolt says hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin should not be banned: “Listen I don’t know if these drugs work, but I do not see a good reason to ban or restrict them.”

      Outsiders co-host Rowan Dean has also spoken about the unproven treatments, going so far as to say governments are “directly responsible for the deaths of Australians” whose lives could have been saved by hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin.

      In another video which has been taken down Jones says Covid-19 is not a “unique disease” and the public is being lied to by authorities.

      “It does not appear to have a noticeably higher mortality rate than the so-called common cold,” Jones said in October last year. “Yet here we are with lockdowns everywhere. “I won’t be letting up on this because I am sick and tired of the nation being told rubbish. Or should that word be lies? “The point is, none of us are trusted. Governments are determining what we do about our health. And the consequences may be damaging indeed.

      “Can some of these politicians do some research of some scholarship, bury the alarmism, bring on the truth.”

      The former prime minister Kevin Rudd said Sky News should have explained to viewers why the content had been removed, and apologised if it was wrong.

      “Murdoch’s commentators have defended their pandemic misinformation as ‘responsible, informed coverage’,” Rudd told Guardian Australia.

      “This scrubbing of Murdoch’s websites proves the exact opposite. Sky News’s claims have been irresponsible, indefensible and dangerous – and they know it.”

      Sky commentators have labelled YouTube “left wing” and said that YouTube’s approach to policing debate around Covid-19 policies “appears arbitrarily focused against conservative voices”.

      Rudd, who will give evidence to the inquiry on Friday, said Sky should explain the removal.

      “When a serious broadcaster retracts a story, they explain their reasons and issue an apology,” he said.

      According to the health department there is currently insufficient evidence to support the safe and effective use of ivermectin and the use of hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of Covid-19 is not recommended outside of randomised trials with appropriate ETHICAL approval.

      The vast majority of the 31 videos contain positive comments about the use of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine for the treatment of Covid-19.

      Earlier in the year Jones was forced to publish a correction to his August 2020 editorial railing against Covid-19 restrictions in Victoria after the Australian Communications and Media Authority found he had “misrepresented the research” on the effectiveness of masks and lockdowns. However, Acma has been silent on the move by YouTube against medical misinformation and will face questions from committee members over its role.

      https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/10/sky-news-australia-deletes-dozens-of-videos-promoting-unproven-covid-treatments

      sky news australia – EMINENT PHILOSOPHER Peter Singer calls for compulsory vaccines

      … people who don’t want the vaccine are actually putting others at risk,” Mr Singer told Sky News host Andrew Bolt.

    • USA – Travel.State.Gov

      Israel, The West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory

      Do not travel to Israel due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution in Israel due to terrorism and civil unrest.

      […]The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Israel due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.

      […]

      https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/israel-west-bank-and-gaza-travel-advisory.html

  13. the gateway pundit – YouTube Suspends Senator Rand Paul

    YouTube has suspended Senator Rand Paul for seven days after removing two of his interviews for “COVID misinformation.”
    Last week, YouTube removed a video of the senator being interviewed by Newsmax and discussing the science behind cloth masks. Now, they have removed a second video in which he defended his comments on masks and blasted YouTube for their censorship.

    “Saying cloth masks work, when they don’t, actually risks lives, as someone may choose to care for a loved one with COVID while only wearing a cloth mask. This is not only bad advice but also potentially deadly misinformation,” Paul said in the video.

    “They are now banning all my speech, including speech that is given on the Senate floor, which is protected constitutional,” the Kentucky Republican senator told reporters on Tuesday. “YouTube now thinks they are smart enough and godly enough that they can oversee speech, even constitutionally protected speech.”

    The senator tweeted about the censorship and called for people to watch the video on other platforms.

    “A badge of honor . . . leftwing cretins at Youtube banning me for 7 days for a video that quotes 2 peer reviewed articles saying cloth masks don’t work,” the Kentucky senator said in a tweet.

    =====================================

    https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1425210718568202243

    ======================================

    Yahoo News reports that “this is not the first time Paul has faced censorship from YouTube. In 2019, the company took down a video that the senator uploaded in which he mentioned on the Senate floor the name of the alleged whistleblower, whose concern about former President Donald Trump’s call with the Ukrainian president led to his first impeachment.”

    Senator Paul said that YouTube is a private company and has a right to ban his videos if they want to, but added that YouTube is acting as “an arm of the government without any repercussions or push back.”

    “It is really anti-free speech, anti-progress of science, which involves skepticism and argumentation to arrive at the truth,” Paul said. “YouTube and Google, though, have become an entity so huge that they think
    they are the arbitrator of truth.”

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2021/08/breaking-youtube-suspends-senator-rand-paul/