The U.S. State Department claims that it murdered Ayman al-Zawahiri last week with a James Bond-style bladed missile.

How do we know that's true? How do we know they didn't target some aid worker trying to give water to refugees?

The federal government has a credibility problem that can it never overcome.

McDonald's has ended its 800 store test of McPlant, a meat-like sandwich from BeyondMeat due to poor performance.

I guess it didn't occur to McDonald's that people who make extreme non-meat dietary choices don't shop at McDonald's – for any number of reasons!

Perhaps would-be customers aren't excited about buying a product made from synthesized proteins grown in a vat of mold.

Inflation is (modestly) 8.6%. The Fed will raise interest rates (if we're lucky) to 1%. The traditional equation says that interest rates should be 12% to stall inflation.

The problem is that nobody knows how many banks and lenders with CDO's and derivatives are teetering on failure. A sharp rise in interest rates would collapse the global economy – worse than in 2008. So, banks might pay 1% for loans. What are you paying? 6-8% for secured loans (house, car) and 18% for unsecured credit?

If you think the system is stacked against you, it is.

A Google engineer has claimed that one of Google's AI language models is sentient.

Google has responded that LaMDA is merely a computer algorithm that makes people think it is sentient - which is exactly what a sentient computer program would say!

American Airlines offers a $41 early-boarding fee.

But, you already have a seat assignment. Maybe you can ensure that you get to stow your carry-on forward of your seat (instead of behind you) - but many of AA's planes have upgraded overhead compartments that allow vertical stowage of roll-aboards, which is more than adequate for carry-on luggage on a full flight.

So, really, one is paying American Airlines for the privilege of standing in-line on an unconditioned jetway instead of a somewhat-conditioned terminal.

Caveat emptor.

“For the first time, this generation is going to go into a store and not be able to get what they want. And we have a very entitled generation that has never had to sacrifice.” – Blackrock President Rob Capito

I wonder what sacrifices a man who makes $22,000,000 a year and is worth $275M has made?