The Third Slip: Issue 199 - Rewind the coup coup clock
by Chuck & Tony
Hello, Slippers! Welcome to The Third Slip - the weekly * newsletter that is to world news what Jasprit Bumrah’s reaction is to yet another catch that’s dropped off his bowling. He knows it’s unfair, he wishes he could replace the incompetent fellows doing the dropping, realises there’s nothing he can do about it, resorts to smiling about the whole thing while going about his business again.
This is issue 199. 199, of course, is the momentous number before 200 where you take stock and slow down. And so, we’ve organically arrived at a decision to keep TTS going without falling out of love with it or ourselves. Starting from issue 200, The Third Slip will come to you fortnightly*. But that’s two weeks from now. So let’s get going...
Made of Steal: It’s been a nice, peaceful week where nothing has really happened. So our top story is one of a burglar butt-dialing a landline and accidentally calling the cops on himself.
Just kidding! We hoped for a slightly calmer new year, but 2021’s first week looked like it’s going all out to put its predecessor to shame. We did try to return it, but Amazon said they can’t offer a refund in a year where Jeff Bezos is no longer the richest man. Oh well, on with the news...
Capitol Punishment
We said certify, not certifiable: So… Yeah, that happened. On the day when a routine process (certifying the next president) was to happen, the sitting president instigated a mob of loonies who went on and desecrated the US Capitol building. It was enough for even some of his closest acolytes to break ties and for Twitter / Facebook to take the ultra-mega-brave step of kicking Trump off their platforms, after he’s been stripped of all power. Before we outrage further, just take a minute to soak this in.
Social Distancing
Illustration by Harini Kannan.
Ah, beautiful. Let’s continue.
As many late night comics said, everybody could see that coming. As many a joker on Twitter said, about now is when America flies its troops to to install democracy.exe if this happened in another country. Let’s be clear. Years of online misinformation that culminated into this. Heck, many Republicans still support the Capitol invasion even as it looks like a second impeachment is on the cards.
The ramifications of this might be felt worst around the world. Democracy, already teetering like a 10th wicket partnership, faces a further dent worldwide. It would be like if Paytm were to suddenly say “Fintech is a silly idea” or TTS sold to OpIndia. Obviously, China & Russia are gleeful.
Still, in the middle of all this, Biden’s certified as president and on the same day, the traditionally Republican state of Georgia elected its first black and Jewish (Democrat) senators, meaning them Dems have control of both houses. Biden has an opportunity but quite a challenge, inheriting a world vary of America. Trump finally conceded, inviting hate from… his own supporters. Poor guy!
Further exacerbating the diminishing US image is its handling of the virus (now infecting 1% of the population every day). And Fauci expects it to get worse. The government’s response is so bad that local health officials are using ticketing platform Eventbrite to schedule appointments!
From we’re-US to Virus
As you might know, vaccinations have picked up around the world (fun fact: Palau could become the first country to inoculate its population completely). And there are improvements in treatments, too. Again, huge props to scientists and medical workers who continue to figure out mutations even as the pandemic rages.
Shooting our shot: In India, too, things are going to kick off on Jan 16 with priority for 3 crore health & frontline workers, and those over 50. It’s not going to be easy, and that’s even without the dangerous Atmanirbharisation of vaccines and the drug authority approving a vaccine that’s still in trial mode, something that’s made even the vaccine maker (Bharat Biotech) a little nervous.
Pilot project: And to make you smile, a German pilot flew and traced a syringe in the sky.
Chinese Whispers
To simplify half of geopolitics: The world hates China, but is dependent on China - best manifested by a trade deal signed with frequent critics, the EU. China continues to act as if the virus never happened, and that’s definitely what it seems to be telling the WHO (“what virus? Started here? Nonsense. Get out”). And in parallel to the attack on democracy in the US, Beijing cracked down on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. China is acting like that one uncle who was accidentally made admin of the Whatsapp group, has revoked everyone else’s admin rights, and now sends 50 good morning messages. And only he can speak. That, but human rights.
Meanwhile at home
The SC don’t have it easy
The top court has a lot of work to do. It’s agreed to hear pleas against the anti-conversion laws (aka the “can we continue slaughtering Muslims saying love jihad” case) and the government plans to take their ongoing impasse with farmers to them as well.
Still same kissan jam
Speaking of farm laws, there’s still no headway. But hey police are resorting to teargassing, and AAP has helped farmers send notices to loonies like Kangana. This is going to be a long fight, especially as it heads to courts. On Jan 26, farmers plan to hold a parallel “tractor parade”.
Another SC
UNSC, UN Security Council, where India will now be chairing three key committees. All you need to know, here.
Other things
Raajneeti can’t: Rajinikanth ends his political career before it even begins, and the jokes write themselves.
Ambambo: Did SEBI just have the temerity to fine Mukesh Ambani :O
Other things happening around the world
Diamond in the rough: A UK court ruled that Julian Assange cannot be extradited to the U.S, where some folks are interested in having a small chat with him. Meanwhile, Nirav Modi’s lawyers are using the Assange case’s arguments to stallhis extradition.
Mi-nion to U-nion: In a major move for the tech industry, some workers at Google formed the Alphabet Workers Union. Inquilab I’m feeling lucky! Here’s the A to Z.
BojoJojo: Famous cartoon villain, Boris Johnson has finally Brexited … And while everyone’s happy that the drama is finally over, there are tempered expectations as the UK no longer has access to the EU free market (we’re sure they have their reasons). The EU must be happy they can finally focus on other things now. Meanwhile, the majority of his countrymen think Boris Johnson should step down, so fuck knows what the UK wants.
Temperatured expectations: Despite staying indoors and not traveling and all, 2020 was tied for the hottest year on record. We have a long, loooooooooong way to go before climate change is solved, guys.
North star: Even Kim Jong Un is accepting reality and says he wants to build ties with the outside world.
Buenos heirs: Argentina became the largest country in Latin America to legalize abortion and it’s a pretty big deal for Catholic Latin America.
LinkedOut: Some great reads we came across this week
Munawar Faruqui, a standup comedian, was arrested in Indore (and still remains in jail) after being beaten up by Hindutva goons. Here’s his incredible story
For Muslims in Delhi, trying to get justice becomes a punishment by itself
Is guaranteeing wages for poor people a bad thing? Given its benefits, feel free to colour us commies. UBI FTW.
Hope and all is nice, but here’s why the world might be worse off by 2030.
On the rise (and acceptance) of LiveLaw and Bar & Bench on pop-legal-news in India.
Fascinating: The uncertain future of human reproduction.
The end of American exceptionalism?
Continuing on the above, an anti-Trump writer on his personal journey (including being ridiculed by others on the left) whenever he tried to hold a mirror. Really good read.
A reminder that NRC violates the rights of millions, and international law.
How the American far-right uses memes (“the left can’t meme” being a meme by itself) - a fascinating, short read.
Why is education and health in “richer Gujarat” worse off than “poor Bengal”?
This excellent read on “shifting baselines”. The ‘average’ in ‘above average temperature’ isn’t that average anymore.
Archivists have digital “parties”. Delightful
Superpower by 2020? Lol.
The top tech trends we can expect in 2021.
And that’s all for this week and fortnight! Say hello to the authors on Instagram (Chuck | Tony), Twitter (Chuck | Tony), or by replying to this email. Until next week, may your New Year's resolutions last longer and be more annoying to everyone around you than a Steve Smith innings.