Contrary to what many say, running into the US debt ceiling will not make the US default on its debts. Rather, it will stop the US from doing the normal daily borrowing that is necessary to make daily payments that the government has to make.

Social security payments, like purchases, are rather payments that the US will have an obligation to make, but they are not for debts because they are not repayment of loans.

Failing to pay them could be considered a default in some sense, but it would not be defaulting on debt.

What the 14th amendment says about this, I don't know.

Hindus in Manipur burned 1700 homes of people in the mostly-Christian Kuki tribe. The victims have lost everything and believe they can never return to their old lands or recover their stolen animals.

I have to suspect that Modi's ruling Hindu naionalist party had a hand in this, but I don't actually know.

* Head of [UK's] Republic campaign group believes [his arrest] at coronation was premeditated attempt to kill protests.*

I have a feeling that someone on the spot improvised an aggressive response in violation of the agreement made by the "senior officers" who has said the protest plans were lawful.

Harlan Crow, whose corrupt dealings with Justice Thomas have been publicized, has also donated heavily to the Republican senators who refuse to support imposing a code of ethics on the Supreme Court.

Senator Feinstein is ready to resume duties in the Senate. This eliminates the reason to press her to resign now.