Favorites March 7th 2022

Timothy B. Lee @binarybits

The centerpiece of the Census Bureau's argument is an experiment they did a few years ago where they tried to reconstruct 2010 census responses. Officials say the reconstructed database was "highly accurate." I don't understand why they say this because it wasn't.

This is an excerpt from an entire article he's written about how the Census' new privacy protections are very poorly thought out. He's also not the only journalist complaining about it. Others go further yet, saying biden should fire the chief scientist of the US Census Bureau.

Noah Smith 🐇🇺🇦 @Noahpinion

Yes, how about save sanctions for countries that start wars, instead of using them to further punish countries that implement stupid economic policies

Natasha Bertrand @NatashaBertrand

Confirming NYT: Biden admin is weighing easing sanctions on Venezuela so that it can begin producing more oil & selling it on the international market. Move would be aimed at reducing global dependence on Russian oil & isolating Russia from one of its key allies in South America.

By setting a new bar for obviously bad actions, Russia has sorta forces us to reassess our other sanctions. Iran too, obviously.

Blake Allen @Blake_Allen13

While it still is essentially nothing, if Russia really did directly offer Zelenskyy remaining as President of Ukraine it is a step-down by Russia in their demands during ceasefire negotiations. So there’s a slight softening of their position

Christo Grozev @christogrozev

Two persons close to the Russia-Ukraine negotiations (including back channel talks) tell me Russia proposed (1) Zelensky remains pro forma president but Russia appoints Boiko as PM, (2) Ukraine recognizes L/DNR and Crimea, (3) No NATO. Ze told them emphatically no.

Certainly good news, but they're going to need to soften those demands a lot more before any progress is going to get made. And Ukraine continues to pursue EU membership.

Danylo Mokryk @DMokryk

The war in Ukraine is probably the most clearly black-and-white/good vs. evil situation in history since WW2.

Similar take to what Noah Smith said a few days back, just more explicit.

Manu Cornet @lmanul

goomics.net/375/ :-)

I guess I'm not the only one.

And again, more items that didn’t fit today:

• Thread of notable Russians speaking against the war and being silenced.

• Thread of pentagon updates on Ukraine, highlights include: Belarus forces not joining Russian forces in Ukraine, and some indications that Russia is not sending any more troops.• Details on how maps of military control are drawn.

• Short explanation of why Putin keeps calling Ukranians Nazis.

• Details on how Russia's military communications are being transmitted unencrypted, including details about the loss of another General today.

• Zelenskiy posted a video from his office in the capitol, folks are impressed.

Downtown Mountain View, May 2021