(no subject)

The invention of the factory system back in the 18th century England proved that individuals working together at a specialized location were more productive than the same individuals working separately at their homes. It was a good social infection that over two centuries led to the elimination of many bad biological infections. If China were to continue its industrialization [which looks inevitable], they would have to deal with its biological consequences.

Textbook corruption

While speaking at Joint Base Andrews on Tuesday, he portrayed the clemency actions as an effort to address what he views as miscarriages of justice. Mr. Trump also said he has relied heavily on recommendations from friends and associates of those seeking clemency.

“I really rely on the recommendations of people that know them,” Mr. Trump said.
...
Mr. Milken has cultivated a rapport with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a personal friend who flew on Mr. Milken’s private plane from Washington to California in January 2019, according to Mr. Milken.

Attorneys for Mr. Milken have long sought a presidential pardon. They lobbied President Clinton before he left office, but the move faced strong law-enforcement opposition

https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-has-commuted-sentence-of-rod-blagojevich-11582051259

The only remaining mystery of the current administration is whether Trump will try to pardon himself before leaving the office of the President.

(no subject)

“...while our own men have to grind their hearts out in frost and snow, living under canvas and not permitted to sheathe their swords even in those months which have always brought a respite from all wars, whether by sea or land. To campaign upon compulsion, summer and winter alike? Why, this is slavery beyond any imposed by the kings, or by those haughty consuls in the old days before we tribunes existed; it is worse than anything done by the gloomy and remorseless power of the dictatorship, or by the self–willed and arrogant decemvirs.”
...
“For some reason or other – perhaps because of the sudden change from excessive cold to excessive heat – the hard winter was followed by an unhealthy summer. Plague was rife, and neither human beings nor animals were immune.”

-- Titus Livy. “The Early History of Rome.”