1/10/23: Biden Caught W/ Classified Files, McCarthy Social Security and Medicare Cuts, America's Views On 2023, Twitter Files Pfizer Vaccines, Prince Harry's Afghanistan, Russia Twitter Trolls, Jordan Peterson, Tech Layoffs, Ioan Grillo Cartel Interview
Clinical psychologist and professor Jordan Peterson joins Krystal and Saagar to discuss the ongoing Mexican Cartel Wars. They also cover Biden's classified documents, Republican efforts to make cuts to social security and medicare, Americans' views on 2023, Twitter's uncovering of Pfizer's censorship push, Prince Harry's shocking memoir, future of the Tech industry amid layoffs, and Peterson's controversy over misinformation claims.
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Quick takeaways
There is concerning overlap between pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and the government, raising questions about transparency and financial ties of commentators like Dr. Scott Gottlieb.
The high cost of Moderna's COVID vaccine raises ethical concerns as it was developed with taxpayer dollars and given for free to the public, highlighting the profit-driven nature of the pharmaceutical industry.
The US government should retain ownership of the COVID vaccine intellectual property to ensure fair pricing and access, as the current system allows for price gouging and questions the role of public funding.
Medical commentators like Dr. Scott Gottlieb should disclose their financial ties to pharmaceutical companies when providing commentary to ensure unbiased information and allow the public to make informed decisions.
Deep dives
Dr. Scott Gottlieb Pressured Twitter to Hide Posts Challenging Pfizer's Vaccines
Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a board member of Pfizer, secretly used a Twitter lobbyist to hide tweets that questioned the safety and efficacy of Pfizer's COVID vaccines. He flagged posts about natural immunity and vaccine mandates as "corrosive." This shows a concerning overlap between the company selling the vaccines and the government pushing them. It also raises questions about the transparency of commentators like Dr. Gottlieb, who often appear on media platforms without disclosing their financial ties to pharmaceutical companies.
Moderna Plans to Charge Up to $130 for COVID Vaccine
Following in Pfizer's footsteps, Moderna plans to charge up to $130 for their COVID vaccine in the United States. This comes as they pivot from government contracts to commercial distribution. The high cost raises ethical questions, especially considering that the vaccine was developed with US taxpayer dollars and given for free to the general public. It highlights the profit-driven nature of the pharmaceutical industry and the need for greater transparency in drug pricing.
US Government Should Retain Ownership of Vaccine IP
Given that the COVID vaccine was developed with US government funding and fast-tracked by the FDA, it raises concerns that pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and Moderna now control the intellectual property and can profit from it. The US government should retain ownership of the vaccine IP and ensure fair pricing and access for the public. The current system allows for price gouging and raises questions about the role of public funding in drug development.
Conflicts of Interest in Medical Commentators
The case of Dr. Scott Gottlieb highlights the need for greater transparency in the media regarding conflicts of interest. Medical commentators like Dr. Gottlieb, who sit on the boards of pharmaceutical companies, should disclose their financial ties when providing commentary on topics related to those companies. This ensures that the public can make informed decisions based on unbiased information.
Capture of El Chapo's Son Ahead of Biden's Visit
The recent capture of El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzman, by the AMLO government has been seen as a stage-managed move ahead of President Biden's visit to Mexico. Ovidio Guzman had become a symbol of impunity after he was let go by the government during a failed arrest attempt in 2019. This capture was touted as a way for AMLO to showcase his efforts in combating drug cartels, particularly in light of the fentanyl crisis. However, critics argue that such actions have limited impact on the overall drug trade and that the recent capture was more of a political move for AMLO's image.
Popularity of AMLO and his Leadership Style
AMLO has maintained a high level of popularity in Mexico due to his populist approach and steady leadership during challenging times, including the ongoing pandemic. He has positioned himself as a nationalist leader focused on regaining Mexico's sovereignty and appealing to a broad base of support. While some criticize his leadership style and policies, many appreciate his efforts to address the country's deep-rooted problems, even if not all of his strategies have been successful.
Shift in AMLO's Approach to Cartels
AMLO's initial 'hugs, not bullets' approach to dealing with drug cartels has gradually shifted as the realities on the ground became clearer. Mexico's cartels are involved in various criminal activities beyond drug trafficking, such as human smuggling, arms trafficking, prostitution, etc. This has forced AMLO to adopt a stronger stance and support the military and law enforcement agencies in combating the cartels. However, the overall effectiveness of these measures in curbing cartel violence and drug trafficking remains a complex issue.
Limited Impact of Cartel Arrests and Seizures
Despite high-profile arrests and drug seizures, the flow of drugs across the border and the availability of drugs in the US market has not significantly decreased. The capture of individual cartel leaders or the seizure of drugs does little to address the structural issues fueling the drug trade. Furthermore, the severity of the fentanyl crisis and the rising number of overdose deaths highlight the need for comprehensive approaches beyond targeting individual cartels or drug shipments.
Krystal and Saagar discuss Biden being caught with classified documents in his office from his VP term, Republicans pushing to hold the debt hostage to make cuts to social security and medicare, Americans views on 2023 and the issues that matter most, Twitter Files uncovering Pfizer board members pushing to censor information on Twitter, Prince Harry's bizarre memoir about killing 25 people in Afghanistan, what the future looks like for the Tech industry among massive layoffs, Jordan Peterson takes fire for claims of misinformation, and an exclusive interview with journalist Ioan Grillo on the ongoing Mexican Cartel Wars.
