The best thing I have read so far today:
If bond markets are so worried about the economy, why are stocks at record highs?
https://www.npr.org/2026/08/20/nx-s1-5937600/economy-bonds-inflation-debt-consumers
Flock Them
Some cops can’t resist the temptation to misuse Flock license plate readers for personal reasons. Here’s an example in a town that isn’t too far from here.
MIT Technology Review has some insights and suggestions regarding the Flock system.
https://www.technologyreview.com/2026/08/17/1142200/what-flocks-defenders-are-missing/
The Sound of Science
Tomorrow, I’ll be visiting a new wing at the Museum of Science to participate in sound system testing. Here’s a PDF about the as-yet-unopened space.
https://dograt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Boston-Globe_BPSC-Article-8.19.26.pdf
Harper Valley G.O.P.
Trump has a work wife, and her name is Natalie Harp. Will she be Mrs. Trump #4?
https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/natalie-harp-ossoff-ignites-personal-182025029.html
Trump having an attractive, much younger assistant doesn’t matter to me. The hush money to Stormy Daniels mattered. Trump owing money to E. Jean Carroll for sexual abuse and slander matters.
Donald’s latest girlfriend? She’s Melania’s concern, not ours.
Epically Challenged
The FTC and DOJ haven’t questioned Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Bros., because Trump favors the action. It was left to state attorneys general to challenge the merger.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/17/paramount-bond-merger-delay-costs.html
No administration since Coolidge has been less inclined to question mergers and acquisitions. And yet, the FTC is pursuing privately held Epic Systems. A company that achieved its market dominance without acquiring a competitor.
Aug 14 (Reuters) – Epic Systems, a healthcare database company that holds the medical records of hundreds of millions of Americans, is facing an antitrust investigation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/world/us-ftc-probing-health-records-company-epic-systems-2026-08-14/
One likely explanation is that Epic’s founder, Judy Faulkner, was an Obama supporter. Regardless of the reason, I’m glad the FTC is finally looking into Epic.
Fangirl
Colleen Doran at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. She was delighted to see this Prince Valiant original art, from Hal Foster’s peak artistic period.
