Hartford Couramt -- January 7, 2022

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by  Hartford Courant

Trade gap widens DOT advice UConn basketball Morning snowfall
The U.S. trade deficit soars to a near-record Drivers urged to be patient on roads with Men’s team close to full strength for game Snow should end at noontime;
high of $80.2 billion. NEWS, PAGE 8 snow expected. CONNECTICUT, PAGE 1 at No. 24 Seton Hall. SPORTS, PAGE 1 high of 34. SPORTS, PAGE 6
VOLUME CLXXXVI CCOOUURRAANNTT..CCOOMM FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2022
CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT
Deaths highest in 11 months
Virus cases, hospitalizations continue to surge as 9,281 COVID-19 deaths during the hospitalizations approach record patients, particularly in intensive
hospital officials reiterate importance of vaccines pandemic, including 416 over the levels as well. On Thursday, the care units.
past six weeks . state reported a positivity rate “It still remains quite rare for a
The last time Connecticut above 20% for the fifth straight patient to be admitted to the hospi-
By Alex Putterman COVID-19 deaths have not reported more than 100 deaths in day, plus nearly 9,000 new cases tal who is boosted against COVID,”
Hartford Courant risen in Connecticut as quickly as a single week was last February, at and an increase of more than 100 Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medi-
cases and hospitalizations — a fact the tail end of last winter’s COVID- hospitalizations. cal director-infection preven-
Connecticut on Thursday experts attribute to the success of 19 surge. Hospital officials say unvacci- tion, Yale New Haven Health, said
reported 121 coronavirus-linked vaccines in limiting severe illness The recent increase in deaths nated people, as well as vaccinated Thursday.
deaths over the past week, the — but have nonetheless increased comes as the state’s coronavirus people who have not received The United States has now
most in a seven-day period in during the state’s recent surge. case counts and test positivity rate booster shots, continue to account
nearly a year. Connecticut has now recorded continue to hit all-time highs and for the majority of COVID-19 Turn to Virus, Page 3
JAN. 6 INSURRECTION
ONE YEAR LATER
State’s
officials
recall
horror

In retelling trauma,
delegation asserts
spirit of democracy
By Christopher Keating
Hartford Courant
HARTFORD — A year
later, some of Connecticut’s
top elected leaders Thurs-
day recalled the terrifying
moments when violent insur-
rectionists stormed into the
nation’s Capitol as Congress
prepared to certify Joe Biden’s
electoral vote win.
At a Hartford press confer-
‘RIGHT
ence, Sen. Chris Murphy
and Sen. Richard Blumen-
thal described rushing out of
THING the Senate Chamber as riot-
ers were within eyesight and
earshot. Rep. Rosa DeLauro
recounted lying on the floor
TO DO’ of the House and calling her
husband to say she loved him.
On Capitol Hill, President
Biden delivered a pointed
address aimed at former Pres-
After the federal Centers for ident Donald Trump, who he
said ”created and spread a web
Disease Control and Prevention on
of lies about the 2020 election.”
Wednesday recommended COVID- “We didn’t see a former pres-
19 booster vaccinations for 12- to ident, who had just rallied the
mob to attack — sitting in the
15-year-olds, Hartford HealthCare
private dining room off the
began giving shots to adolescents Oval Office in the White House,
watching it all on television
early Thursday. As they waited for
and doing nothing for hours
booster shots, Dr. Ulysses Wu as police were assaulted, lives
said the youths were “incredibly at risk, and the nation’s capital
under siege,’’ Biden said. “This
intelligent and mature kids who
wasn’t a group of tourists. This
know that this is the right thing to ABOVE: West Hartford teenager Yzzy Albert receives a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot was an armed insurrection.
Thursday morning at Hartford Hospital. TOP: Lisa Scranton hugs her daughter, Miya Scranton, They weren’t looking to uphold
do. Not just to protect yourselves,
after the teenager received her booster Thursday. “It is critical that we protect our children
but to protect your loved ones and and teens from COVID-19 infection and the complications of severe disease,’’ Dr. Rochelle Turn to Horror, Page 2
those around you.” About half Walensky, director of the CDC, said in a statement. “This booster dose will provide optimized
protection against COVID-19 and the omicron variant.”  INSIDE: President Joe Biden
of 12- to 15-year-olds in the U.S. are
slams former President Donald
fully vaccinated, the CDC said. PHOTOS BY MARK MIRKO/HARTFORD COURANT Trump on the anniversary of the
attack. NEWS, PAGE 4
CORONAVIRUS IN CONNECTICUT
UConn athletics to require vaccine proof or negative test for fans
Policy goes in effect for attendance policy amid record- “We have a greater burden to
games starting Jan. 15 high COVID-19 test positivity rates PROVING VACCINE STATUS: Fans can show proof in physical or think about as having these events
in Connecticut and an explosion of digital form, including by using the CT WiZ web portal or showing a on our campus,” Benedict said.
cases nationwide amid the spread photo of their CDC-issued card. The CDC defines a person as fully “Right now, students are not on our
By Dom Amore of the highly contagious omicron vaccinated as someone who is two weeks out from their second dose campus. This is an effort to take a
and Alexa Philippou variant. in a two-dose vaccine or two weeks out from a single-dose vaccine. level of precaution as it relates to
Hartford Courant “Although we’re checking vacci- trying to safeguard the university
nations,” UConn AD David Bene- community. That won’t be 100
UConn announced Thursday it dict said, “it doesn’t guarantee you May. Both the UConn men’s and combined canceled due to COVID- percent back until the end of the
will require athletic event specta- are going to have a 100 percent women’s basketball teams have 19 outbreaks, while the men’s month, but this is an extra step over
tors aged 12 and older to provide healthy fan base at your games. drawn sellout crowds at Gampel hockey team also had to resched- and above what we were doing.”
proof of COVID-19 vaccination It’s just not possible. We see this Pavilion and at the XL Center. ule several. The return of students Fans can show proof of vacci-
or, for unvaccinated individuals, as an effort to do the best we can to UConn’s athletics programs to campus was also delayed two nation in physical or digital form,
a negative COVID-19 test taken mitigate risk as much as we possi- have been among those affected weeks. including by using the CT WiZ
within 72 hours of game time start- bly can.” by COVID-19 in the last few weeks. Students, when they do return, web portal or showing a photo of
ing Jan. 15. Full attendance has been allowed The men’s and women’s basket- are asked to avoid indoor gather-
The university re-examined its at sporting events in the state since ball teams have had six games ings. Turn to UConn, Page 3
State to mandate boosters for health workers Opinion .....................News, 10 Puzzles ...Connecticut, 7, 9
Obits ...................News, 12-14 Comics ...Connecticut, 8-9
In response to rising COVID-19 cases, Gov. Ned Lamont said the state will mandate boosters Lottery ........................News, 2
for workers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities by Feb. 11. CONNECTICUT, PAGE 1 Classified ..................News, 11
2 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022
FROM PAGE ONE
Horror
from Page 1
the will of the people. They
were looking to deny the will
of the people.’’
Blumenthal and Murphy,
unharmed that day but still
shaken by the attack that
has led to more than 725
arrests and more than 150
convictions for rioters who
ransacked the Capitol.
“This is a pretty terrible
day,’’ Murphy told report-
ers as Blumenthal stood
next to him. “It was 2:30 in
the afternoon when Dick
and I were sitting in that
chamber, and a bloodied
Capitol police officer burst
through the swinging doors
and yelled at us frantically
that we needed to evacuate
the chamber and that we
needed to do it quickly. …
As we walked through the
Capitol, we were within
earshot and eyesight of riot-
ers who, had they been able
to reach members of the
Senate or the House, would
have done some tremen-
dous violence.’’
Blumenthal said he
feared he could have been
injured.
“This day will always
haunt me,’’ Blumenthal
said. “They wanted to kill
us. They wanted to hurt us.
And they said they wanted The U.S. Capitol is seen from the Washington Monument on Thursday, one year after the attack on the building. THE NEW YORK TIMES
to murder the Vice Presi-
dent of the United States. all right,’’ DeLauro said. “I said that the appropriations “We condemn the all people are heard.’’ still out of work five months
It was, in effect, a coup — remember hesitating before committee that she chairs violence of January 6, 2021 They added, “In afterwards.’’
seeking to overthrow the saying ‘I love you’ and hang- successfully passed nearly in the strongest of terms, Connecticut, we do not Courtney added, “The
government, stop the tran- ing up the phone — the $1 billion to increase Capi- just as we have contin- stand for violence or those cowards who assaulted
sition of power, and halt moment hearkened back to tol security, including the ued to do since the day it who incite division. That is these sentinels with bats,
the counting of votes that Sept. 11, 2001.’’ police. happened,’’ Senate Repub- not the Connecticut way.” poles, fire extinguishers,
would have changed our She added, “A year Around the nation, lican leader Kevin Kelly of U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, and pepper spray are being
democracy forever.’’ later, it is still difficult to Americans marked the Stratford and deputy leader a Vernon Democrat, said brought to justice. Over 700
Blumenthal added, “I comprehend the gravity of anniversary Thursday as Paul Formica of East Lyme the repercussions are still have been indicted, 151 have
am haunted by the sights this attack on our democ- they discussed the politi- said in a statement. being felt one year later for been convicted, and many
and sounds of that day. The racy. As we reflect on that cal divisions in the nation “A year later justice the victims of the violence. are still imprisoned.’’
blood, the broken glass, the horrific day filled with great and looked ahead to the moves forward, and the “Thanks to the coura- U.S. Rep. John B. Larson
physical injuries that we sadness and lasting trauma, midterm elections this year tarnishing on our democ- geous actions of the U.S. of East Hartford said, “I
saw. The sounds of doors may we recognize that, and the presidential elec- racy and the process that Capitol Police, the Wash- witnessed firsthand the
slammed, just 50 feet away above all, American democ- tion in 2024. Many voters occurred in Washington ington D.C. Police, and the mob overtake Capitol
from us.’’ racy is resilient. On that day, believe that Trump, who last year must serve as a D.C. National Guard, the Police officers from the
Like others, DeLauro, of our institutions withstood lost to Biden in the popular reminder to be ever vigi- mob was stopped — but window of my office. It was
New Haven, remembered the threat, and we over- vote and Electoral College lant and grateful for our not without a bloody cost,’’ a sad day for democracy
the day in personal terms. came the chaos. The prin- tally, will run again in 2024. freedoms provided to us by Courtney said. “One police and an eye-opener, but we
“On Jan. 6, 2021, I called ciples of our Constitution While some of Trump’s the brave men and women officer, Brian Sicknick, was returned to the Capitol,
my husband while lying not only survived this crisis supporters have down- who have sacrificed for our pepper sprayed and lost his we voted and defeated the
on the floor of the House but proved again that our played the violence and nation. We must not toler- life from the assault, and insurrection.’’
gallery in the United States democratic system works sought to whitewash the ate violence, and we must four others died by suicide
Capitol to tell him I was and remains a beacon of history of the insurrection, together encourage peace- within seven months of the Christopher Keating can
safe, to reassure our family hope for the world.’’ Republicans in Connecticut ful and respectful civil attack. A total of 140 officers be reached at ckeating@
that everything would be In response, DeLauro said it cannot be forgotten. discourse so the voices of were injured, and 17 were courant.com
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Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022 3
FROM PAGE ONE
Israeli prayer plan hits political wall
Bennett government
faces equality debate
at sensitive holy site
By Tia Goldenberg
Associated Press
JERUSALEM — When
Israel’s new government
took office last June, it indi-
cated it would press ahead
on an egalitarian prayer site
at Jerusalem’s Western Wall
— a sensitive holy site that
has emerged as a point of
friction between Jews over
how prayer is conducted
there.
But the plan is coming up
against the limits of Israel’s
fragile government, which is
struggling to move forward
on the issue due to its own
internal divisions. The inac-
tion has disappointed both
Israeli groups that promote
religious pluralism and their
American Jewish allies, who
view the issue as an import-
ant test of recognition from
the Israeli government.
“Anyone can topple the
government if they sneeze
in the wrong direction,” said
Anat Hoffman, chairwoman
of Women of the Wall, a
group that advocates for
pluralistic prayer at the holy Members of Women of the Wall gather around a Torah they smuggled in for prayers last month at the Western Wall. MAYA ALLERUZZO/AP
site. “They are very cautious
with the temperature of the tions, Israel approved a plan strained relations with tance he placed in the agreements that brought the reserved for men under
hot potatoes that come their in 2016 to officially recog- American Jewish lead- relationship with the U.S. coalition together, its lead- Orthodox Judaism. In what
way and the Western Wall is nize a special prayer area ers that continued until Jewish community. That ers have generally chosen to has become a monthly ritual,
a special hot potato.” at the Western Wall. The he left office last year. His his coalition excludes any sidestep divisive issues that they were met by young
The Western Wall is $9 million plan vowed to tight relationship with ultra-Orthodox parties only might rattle its stability. women shrieking in an
considered the holiest site expand an egalitarian prayer President Donald Trump heightened the feeling that Moving ahead with the attempt to drown out their
where Jews can pray. Under site and make it more hospi- further unsettled the heavily the time was ripe for the Western Wall plan could prayers.
ultra-Orthodox manage- table to prayer and religious Democratic-leaning Jewish plan to move forward. spark an outcry from In November, thousands
ment, the wall is separated events held by Jews who community. Under Bennett’s leader- ultra-Orthodox opposi- of ultra-Orthodox Jews
between men’s and women’s don’t follow Orthodox tradi- American Jews have long ship, contacts between U.S. tion parties, which, in turn, gathered to protest the
prayer sections. tions. lamented that Israel should liberal Jewish leaders and could exert pressure on Women of the Wall. They
Under the more liberal The deal was welcomed be as accepting of their reli- Israeli government offi- more sympathetic elements heeded a call by ultra-Or-
Reform and Conservative by Jewish American lead- gious practices as they are of cials have surged. Bennett of the coalition to oppose thodox leaders to not have
streams of Judaism, women ers and seen as a break- their financial and political himself met with the lead- the move. And while the the site “desecrated.”
and men pray together and through in promoting support. ers in what was perceived as government isn’t likely to Rick Jacobs, president
women are allowed to read religious pluralism in Israel, The new government, a major step in repairing ties. fall over the Western Wall of the Union for Reform
from the Torah, which where the ultra-Orthodox led by Prime Minister But Bennett heads an plan, a public brawl over the Judaism, said that if imple-
Orthodox Judaism prohib- authorities govern almost Naftali Bennett — the child unwieldy coalition of parties issue within government mented, the Western Wall
its. Those streams are a every facet of Jewish life. of American immigrants — from across the political ranks could wear down the agreement would open the
minority in Israel but make But then-Prime Minister brought hope that the plan spectrum — ranging from already delicate ties that door to other steps toward
up the majority of Amer- Benjamin Netanyahu never may be revived. nationalist parties to dovish bind the coalition. religious pluralism in Israel.
ican Jews. Israel’s refusal implemented the plan due As Israel’s minister of liberal ones and even an Tensions at the Western “This is an issue that won’t
to recognize these liberal to objections from ultra-Or- diaspora affairs at the time, Islamist faction — that was Wall continue to flare. change everything, but it
streams has long been a thodox allies who had Bennett voted in favor united behind the goal of On Monday, dozens of will change and symboli-
point of tension with Amer- initially endorsed it. of the plan when it was ousting Netanyahu and very women arrived to pray cally shifts things towards
ican Jews. He shelved the plan the initially tabled and repeat- little else. While the West- wearing skullcaps and more respect or legitimacy,”
After years of negotia- following year, leading to edly expressed the impor- ern Wall plan features in prayer shawls — items he said.
UConn alternative for those who
received medical or reli-
from Page 1 gious exemptions from
getting the vaccine. Seton
their CDC-issued vaccina- Hall designated its upcom-
tion card. ing game versus St. John’s
The CDC defines a on the men’s side as student
person as fully vacci- only.
nated as someone who is Some schools have gone
two weeks out from their a step further. Central
second dose in a two-dose Connecticut, for example,
vaccine or two weeks out said its two basketball home
from a single-dose vaccine. basketball games this week
Unvaccinated fans, will be held without spec-
including those who tators. Yale has taken simi-
received a medical or reli- lar steps.
gious exemption from Across the country, Stan-
receiving the vaccine, must ford and USC have closed
show proof of a negative athletics events to the
COVID-19 test adminis- public.
trated by a medical profes- Benedict said playing
sional within 72 hours of without fans was discussed
game time. The test can be a but not seriously consid-
negative PCR or rapid anti- ered. He expects the policy
gen test, but not an at-home will be revisited as condi-
test. Those test results can tions change between now
also be presented in either a and the end of the season.
physical or digital form. “There’s not any one in
“We felt like making the Big East, which I would
that change and not allow- consider our peers, who
ing [fans to get in with a have done that,” he said.
negative test] would elimi- “The situation is fluid, we
nate opportunity for some thought we made the best
to attend,” Benedict said. decision at this point in
“That is people who also time, but things obviously
have exemptions from the can change.”
vaccine. So I think it was The UConn men are set
middle ground that was to play at Seton Hall on
appropriate.” Saturday. The women’s
Fans must show identi- UConn and Providence played to a sellout crowd of 15,564 at the XL Center on Dec. 18. JESSICA HILL/SPECIAL TO THE COURANT basketball team has had
fication corresponding to four games canceled due
their vaccination record or Fans experiencing of now, the UConn women’s men’s team takes on Boston first three as a result of city to COVID-19 issues, with
test result. COVID-19 symptoms basketball team is still set University at the XL Center. requirements in D.C., New its next scheduled contest
As of Thursday, roughly should not attend games, to host Creighton Sunday UConn’s spring semester York City and Chicago, Sunday.
90% of Connecticut resi- the school says. Spectators in Storrs, while the men’s begins Jan. 18. respectively.
dents and 95% of those 12 aged 2 and older must wear basketball team will play Other Big East schools Xavier allows spectators Dom Amore can be reached
and older have received at masks unless they’re eating St. John’s Wednesday, also with vaccine requirements to submit proof of a nega- at [email protected].
least one dose of a COVID- or drinking. at Gampel. for spectators, with varying tive COVID-19 test within
19 vaccine, while 75% and There will be a handful On Jan. 14, the women’s age requirements, include the previous 72 hours or Alexa Philippou can be
83.3% of those groups are of games held before the hockey team hosts Boston Georgetown, St. John’s, proof of vaccination, and reached at aphilippou@
fully vaccinated. new policy takes effect: As College in Storrs and the DePaul and Xavier — the DePaul offers that as an courant.com
Virus 22.8%. The state’s seven-day Connecticut has now federal Centers for Disease 1,972, set on April 22, 2020. older were fully vaccinated,
positivity rate now stands averaged 7,635 daily COVID- Control and Prevention. According to the state, 68% according to the CDC.
from Page 1 at 22.4%, the highest of 19 cases over the past week, With this level of trans- of people hospitalized with Additionally, about 44%
any time since widespread up from an average of 341 mission, the CDC advises COVID-19 are unvaccinated. of fully vaccinated Connecti-
recorded 833,146 COVID- testing began more than 18 just two months ago and far people to wear a mask in Hospital officials say the rate cut residents 18 or older
19 deaths, according to months ago. more than at any other time public indoor settings. is significantly higher when have received a booster dose.
the Coronavirus Resource Gov. Ned Lamont noted of the pandemic. Unvacci- considering only patients The CDC warns that
Center at Johns Hopkins Thursday that Connecticut’s nated residents have been Hospitalizations with severe symptoms. booster shots are sometimes
University. positivity rate has remained about three times as likely to misclassified as first doses,
between 20 and 25% in test positive in recent weeks As of Thursday, Connecti- Vaccinations likely inflating the reported
Cases and recent days, after increas- as vaccinated residents, cut had 1,784 patients hospi- number of first-dose cover-
ing sharply last week. according to state numbers. talized with COVID-19, up As of Thursday, 89.5% of age and understating the
positivity rate “Still at 23% infection rate, All eight Connecticut 108 from Wednesday and all Connecticut residents true number of people who
a high infection rate, about counties — along with nearly up more than 600 in the past and 95% of those 12 and have received boosters.
Connecticut reported the same as where we’ve the rest of the country — are week. older had received at least
8,823 new COVID-19 cases been [this week],” Lamont currently recording “high” Connecticut is now fewer one COVID-19 vaccine dose, Alex Putterman can be
Thursday out of 38,674 tests, said. “If that’s flattening out, levels of COVID-19 trans- than 200 hospitalized while 75% of all residents reached at aputterman
for a daily positivity rate of that’s good news.” mission as defined by the patients shy of its record of and 83.8% of those 12 and @courant.com
4 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022
JAN. 6 INSURRECTION ONE YEAR LATER
‘Dagger at the throat of democracy’
Biden slams Trump, of Trump’s supporters
backers in speech on violently interrupted the
certification of Biden’s
anniversary of attack
victory.
Rep. Liz Cheney, chair of
By Mary Clare Jalonick, the House committee inves-
Lisa Mascaro tigating the attack and one
and Zeke Miller of the few GOP lawmakers
Associated Press attending the Capitol cere-
monies, warned that “the
WASHINGTON — Pres- threat continues.” Trump,
ident Joe Biden accused she said, “continues to
Donald Trump and his make the same claims that
supporters of holding a he knows caused violence
“dagger at the throat of on January 6.”
democracy” in a forceful She was joined by her
speech Thursday mark- father, Dick Cheney, the
ing the anniversary of the former vice president, who
deadly attack on the U.S. was greeted warmly by
Capitol. He warned that several Democrats. He stood
though it didn’t succeed, with her, the only Republi-
the insurrection remains a cans seen, for a moment of
serious threat to America’s silence on the House floor.
system of government. He said in a statement: “I
Biden’s criticism was blis- am deeply disappointed at
tering of the defeated pres- the failure of many members
ident whom he blamed for of my party to recognize the
the assault that has funda- grave nature of the January
mentally changed Congress 6 attacks and the ongoing
and the nation, and raised threat to our nation.”
global concerns about the The Senate also convened
future of American democ- a moment of silence.
racy. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris gave speeches to mark the Jan. 6 riot. EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL VIA AP On the House floor, where
“For the first time in our many members were evacu-
history, a president not just “The former president’s won the election. dismissing them as overly tion of January 6 by Pres- ated and some were trapped
lost an election, he tried to supporters are trying to “We must be absolutely politicized — some continu- ident Biden,” tweeted Sen. as the rioters tried to break
prevent the peaceful trans- rewrite history. They want clear about what is true and ing to spread false claims Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., a in, House Speaker Nancy
fer of power as a violent mob you to see Election Day what is a lie,” Biden said. about the election. sometimes Trump confi- Pelosi drew on history with a
breached the Capitol,” Biden as the day of insurrection “The former president of From Florida, Trump dant. Others, including hope that Americans would
said. “You can’t love your and the riot that took place the United States of Amer- revived his unfounded Senate Republican leader turn to their “better angels”
country only when you win.” here on January 6 as a true ica has spread a web of lies attack on the elections. He Mitch McConnell, were to resolve differences. She
His voice booming at expression of the will of the about the 2020 election.” accepted no responsibil- absent, with a contingent delivered private remarks
times, filling the ornate people. Can you think of a He said: “We are in a battle ity for egging on the crowd attending the funeral for to Hill staff who, as she said
Statuary Hall where riot- more twisted way to look for the soul of America. that day. Instead, in one of a former colleague, Sen. in an interview Wednes-
ers had laid siege, the pres- at this country, to look at “I did not seek this fight, several statements Thurs- Johnny Isakson in Georgia. day, had stayed a year ago to
ident called on Americans America? I cannot.” brought to this Capitol one day, he said Biden was trying Far-right Reps. Marjo- “protect our democracy.”
to remember what they saw The president’s remarks year from today. But I will to “further divide America. rie Taylor Greene and Matt On Tuesday afternoon,
Jan. 6: the mob attacking launched the start of a not shrink from it either. This political theater is all Gaetz stood by their refusal House Democrats took
police, breaking windows, daylong remembrance, I will stand in this breach, just a distraction.” to certify Biden’s election turns in sharing personal
a Confederate flag inside drawing a contrast between I will defend this nation. I Even among congres- that day — “We’re ashamed testimonials about their
the Capitol, gallows erected the truth of what happened will allow no one to place a sional Republicans who of nothing,” Gaetz said on a experiences on Jan. 6.
outside threatening to and the false narratives dagger at the throat of this condemned the attack in the podcast. Trump’s claims of wide-
hang the vice president — that persist about the Capi- democracy.” days afterward, most have The division is a stark spread election fraud were
all while Trump sat at the tol assault, including the Republican leaders and stayed loyal to the former reminder of the rupture rejected by the courts and
White House watching it continued refusal by many lawmakers largely stayed president. between the two parties, refuted by his own Justice
on TV. Republicans to affirm Biden away from the day’s events, “What brazen politiciza- worsening since hundreds Department.
ANALYSIS
Guarding against Trump
is Biden’s reluctant calling
By Zeke Miller of America” after watching don’t want to talk about him
and Colleen Long Trump deliver praise for anymore.”
Associated Press some of the white suprem- It is a paradox for the
acists at a violent protest in president: Biden is often at
WASHINGTON — It may Charlottesville, Virginia, his best when he takes on
not be the fight he sought, in 2017. Biden vanquished Trump, yet talking about the
but taking on Donald Trump fresher and more popu- former president also serves
is President Joe Biden’s call- lar faces in a contentious to elevate him in the national
ing. 2020 Democratic primary conversation.
Biden offered himself on the promise that he was There could well be a
as a guardian of American the most capable of unseat- rematch in 2024. Biden, who
democracy in a visceral ing Trump. And he was has said he intends to seek
speech Thursday discuss- sworn into the office just another term, told ABC last
ing the horrors of the Jan. two weeks after the violent month that he’s even more
6 insurrection that sought insurrection because he likely to run again if Trump
to overthrow his 2020 elec- convinced Americans that is on the GOP ticket.
tion victory. Trump’s refusal he could turn the page on a But there’s a simultaneous
to accept the reality of his turbulent four years. effort afoot to change how
defeat spawned a conspir- Biden didn’t mention elections are run, and that
acy that came close to shat- the former president by could portend a very differ- Capitol Police officers attend morning roll call Thursday, the first anniversary of the assault
tering the nation’s system of name even once in Thurs- ent dynamic in a contested against Congress by supporters of Donald Trump. AL DRAGO/THE NEW YORK TIMES
government and continues day’s remarks. But he fired election next time.
to ripple through society a off zingers and reprimands Republicans in numerous tion. More than 50 lawsuits ally publicly dwell on the to so forcefully criticize
year later. aimed directly at Trump and states are promoting efforts were filed in battleground conspiracy theories around Trump after shying away
“I did not seek this fight, the party that has increas- to influence future elections states alleging some type of the election, in part because from it for so long. “The way
brought to this Capitol one ingly cast itself in his image. by installing sympathetic election fraud, a push that it gives fuel to the fire. And you have to heal is you have
year ago today, but I will Trump, said Biden, is leaders in local election failed after judges named to it’s widely expected that, to recognize the extent of
not shrink from it either,” not just a former president, posts and they’re backing the bench by many differ- despite Biden’s pledge to the wound.”
Biden said in his 25-minute but a defeated one whose for elective office some of ent presidents — includ- help push voting rights legis- “You’ve got to face it,” he
address from Statuary Hall, “bruised ego matters more those who participated in ing Trump — rejected the lation to completion, he’s added. “That’s what great
where rioters had roamed to him than our democracy.” the insurrection. Democrats, claims. The Justice Depart- not going to look back at the nations do. They face the
one year earlier. The anniversary marked for their part, are pushing ment launched an effort events of 2020 much more. truth. Deal with it. And
Yet even in his own telling, Biden’s most forceful voting changes that would to investigate instances of His belief is that he’s more move on.”
Biden’s presidency has been condemnation of his prede- seek to undo those GOP widespread voter fraud, likely to win over Trump Much as Biden would
shaped by and in response to cessor, after a year in office efforts and enshrine in law only to have former Attor- supporters by governing, like to move on, though, the
his predecessor. spent trying, often unsuc- other longtime Democratic ney General William Barr and doing it well, than by future of America’s democ-
At age 75 and grieving the cessfully, to avoid talking priorities. tell the AP there was none. constantly re-litigating his racy is now tethered to the
recent death of his adult son, about “the former guy.” The violence on Jan. 6 Despite his insistent presidential win. events of the 2020 election
the former vice president “I’m tired of talking about was only a piece of the over- speech Thursday, Biden As he left the Capitol on and the ongoing fallout that
decided to reenter public Donald Trump,” he said four all effort by pro-Trump and other administra- Thursday, Biden stopped to show no signs of disappear-
life to battle for the “soul weeks into his presidency. “I allies to subvert the elec- tion officials do not gener- explain why he had decided ing.
FBI still hunting for hundreds of Jan. 6 suspects, including pipe bomber
By Michael Balsamo pipe bombs were discov- tol still haven’t been fully clear images of people who them as they fight to hold more than 400 leads. They
Associated Press ered. It quickly became one identified and apprehended attacked officers inside the back the riotous crowd have dived into the compo-
of the highest-priority inves- by the FBI, and another 100 Capitol. trying to break through a nents of the explosives and
WASHINGTON — tigations for the FBI and the are being sought for other “This investigation takes barricaded line of officers at have been working to try
The suspect was covered Justice Department. crimes tied to the riot. time because it is a lot of lot one of the doors of the Capi- to discern anything they
from head to toe, skulking But the trail grew cold More than 700 people of work, a lot of painstak- tol. can about the suspect, from
through the dark streets of almost immediately. A year have been charged with ing work that they look at The man, known only as analyzing the person’s gait
the nation’s capital before later, federal investigators federal crimes stemming the video kind of frame by “AFO114” — using shorthand to trying to collect informa-
methodically placing two are no closer to learning the from the Jan. 6 attack, and frame,” said Steven D’Antu- for “assaulting a federal offi- tion about purchases of the
explosives outside the person’s identity. arrests are still being made ono, the assistant director cer” — is still being sought. distinctive Nike sneakers the
offices of the Republican The suspect is among regularly. in charge of the FBI’s field In the search for the person wore.
and Democratic national hundreds of people still Agents and investigative office in Washington. person who left the pipe But they are still no closer
committees. being sought by the FBI analysts have been poring In one case, police body bombs at the RNC and DNC to finding the suspect’s iden-
Only 17 hours later — and following last January’s over thousands of hours of camera footage captures a offices, investigators have tity and are hoping renewed
just before the U.S. Capi- deadly insurrection. So far, surveillance video, going man using a cane with elec- interviewed more than 900 attention on the video of the
tol was stormed by a sea of 250 people seen on video second by second in each tric prods on the end jabbing people, collected 39,000 person may spark a tip to
pro-Trump rioters — the assaulting police at the Capi- video to try to capture at officers and shocking video files and examined crack the case.
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022 5
WORLD & NATION
EU tries to rein in Hungary’s Orban
After years of giving of migration, with support
in to him, bloc now in Germany and Austria and
the other Central European
views PM as a threat
states, and that gave him
power,” said Mark Leonard,
By Steven Erlanger the director of the European
and Benjamin Novak Council on Foreign Rela-
The New York Times tions.
It has helped Orban that
BRUSSELS — After long the EU has few and ineffec-
indulging him, leaders in the tive instruments for punish-
European Union now widely ing a backsliding nation. Even
consider Prime Minister the Lisbon Treaty, which
Viktor Orban of Hungary an gave enhanced powers to the
existential threat to a bloc European Parliament, has
that holds itself up as a model essentially one unusable tool:
of human rights and the rule Article 7, which can remove
of law. a country’s voting rights, but
Orban has spent the only if passed by unanimity.
past decade steadily build- In 2017, Frans Timmer-
ing his “illiberal state,” as mans, then the European
he calls Hungary, with the Commission first vice presi-
help of lavish EU funding. dent responsible for the rule
Even as his project widened of law, initiated the article
fissures in the bloc, which against Poland. The Euro-
Hungary joined in 2004, pean Parliament did the
his fellow national leaders same against Hungary in
mostly looked the other way, 2018.
committed to staying out of But both measures inevi-
one another’s affairs. tably stalled because the two
But Orban’s defiance and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban leaves a European Union summit in Brussels. The 27-nation bloc holds itself up as a countries protect each other.
intransigence has had an model of human rights and the rule of law, but it’s also funded what Orban calls his “illiberal state.” OLIVIER HOSLET/EPA The treaty also allows
important, if unintended, the commission to bring
effect: serving as a catalyst for utive branch, to exercise a saw Orban arriving and said, United States, as well. this is not an issue for the infringement procedures
an often-sluggish EU system new level of interference in “The dictator is coming,” On Monday, former member states,” said Reyn- — legal charges — against
to act to safeguard demo- the affairs of member states. before giving him a friendly President Donald Trump ders, who is now the EU member states for violating
cratic principles that under- How Orban has forced pat on the face. endorsed Orban for reelec- commissioner for justice. EU law. But the process is
pin the bloc. the EU to such a juncture, No one in power wanted tion, pledging “complete Orban’s party adopted slow, involving letters and
Early this year, the Euro- and why it seemed helpless to confront Orban over support.” Orban was an early the new constitution and a responses and appeals, and
pean Court of Justice will to stop him for so long, says issues like rule of law and supporter of Trump, endors- new media law that curbed final decisions are up to the
issue a landmark decision much about the bloc’s found- corruption — especially not ing him in the summer of press freedom. It overhauled European Court of Justice.
on whether the union has ing assumptions and why it his fellow national leaders, 2016 and again in 2020. the country’s justice system, Most cases are settled before
the authority to make its has stumbled in the face of who each have a seat on the Some European lawmak- removed the head of its reaching the court.
funds to member states populist and nationalist chal- powerful European Council. ers recognized early that Supreme Court and created But according to studies by
conditional on meeting the lenges. “At the council myself I Orban was trampling on an office to oversee the courts R. Daniel Kelemen of Rutgers
bloc’s core values. Doing so Interviews with more than felt the reluctance of Orban’s democratic norms but were led by the wife of a promi- University and Tommaso
would allow Brussels to deny a dozen current and former peers to deal with these stymied by national lead- nent member of the govern- Pavone of the University of
billions of euros to countries European officials show kind of issues,” said Luuk ers, particularly those from ing party, Fidesz. Election Oslo, the commission sharply
that violate those values. how sentiments toward van Middelaar, an aide to the European People’s Party, laws were changed to favor reduced infringement cases
The bloc has consistently Orban and his illiberal proj- Herman Van Rompuy when the powerful center-right the party. after the addition of new
worked on political consen- ect evolved from compla- he was council president. He political grouping that has External factors strength- member states in 2004.
sus among national lead- cency and incomprehension added that the council was dominated the European ened Orban as well, includ- With taxpayer money at
ers. But Orban has pushed to a recognition that he had “like a club, where Viktor is Parliament for the past ing in 2015 when a record stake, the next seven-year
Brussels toward a threshold become a serious internal just one of them — and they decade. number of migrants made budget in the balance and
it had long avoided: making threat — despite Hungary are political animals, and When Orban proposed — their way to Europe and the disregard for shared
membership subject to having fewer people than they respect each other for and later introduced — a new when the right-wing Law values shown by Orban
financial punishments, not the Paris metropolitan area the simple fact of having won constitution that violated and Justice party of Jaroslaw and Kaczynski on lead-
merely political ones. and a language that it bears an election.” European principles, Didier Kaczynski came to power in ers’ minds, Brussels may
The new frontier could no relationship to those of its Orban faces new elections Reynders, then Belgium’s Poland. He suddenly had have finally found a useful
help solve an old problem — neighbors. this spring against a formally minister of foreign and Euro- an ally there, and his tough tool toaffect domestic poli-
what to do about bad actors The willful neglect was united but very diverse set of pean affairs, said he tried to stance against migrants won tics, with a mix of lawsuits
in its ranks — while creat- encapsulated in 2015 at a opposition parties. But he has raise the problem in a meet- him support elsewhere too. charging infringement of
ing new ones. Not least, it meeting, when Jean-Claude become a model for the poli- ing with EU leaders in 2011 Orban “was suddenly European treaties combined
could invite the European Juncker, then the European tics of identity and religion, but was shut down. standing for more than with severe financial conse-
Commission, the bloc’s exec- Commission’s president, not just in Poland but in the “The reaction was that Hungary but for wider issues quences.
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6 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022
WORLD & NATION
JAN. 6 INSURRECTION ONE YEAR LATER
Trump maintains grip on GOP base
Ex-president sticks
to ‘the big lie’ 1 year
after Capitol attack
By Jill Colvin
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — As a
raging band of his support-
ers scaled walls, smashed
windows, used flagpoles to
beat police and breached
the U.S. Capitol in a bid
to overturn a free and fair
election, Donald Trump’s
excommunication from the
Republican Party seemed
a near certainty, his name
tarnished beyond repair.
Some of his closest allies,
including Fox News Chan-
nel hosts like Laura Ingra-
ham, warned that day that
Trump was “destroying” his
legacy.
“All I can say is count me
out. Enough is enough,” said
his friend and confidant Sen.
Lindsey Graham.
Mitch McConnell, the
Senate Republican leader
who worked with Trump to
reshape the judiciary, later
denounced him as “morally
responsible” for the attack. Supporters flock to see former President Donald Trump at a rally Oct. 9 in Des Moines, Iowa. THOMAS BEAUMONT/AP 2021
But one year later, Trump
is hardly a leader in exile. America Movement, a group there is no credible evidence would force Republicans ing Trump and continuing voters uncomfortable with
Instead, he is a leading trying to wrest the party the election was tainted. to abandon the Trump era with the challenge and the Trump are a key bloc.
contender for the 2024 pres- away from Trump’s control. The former president’s alle- once and for all. He became big lie.” Trump is also facing a
idential nomination. “His ego was never going gations of fraud were also the first president in U.S. Others, however, point flurry of investigations,
Trump is positioning to let him accept defeat and rejected by courts, including history to be impeached to fractures that suggest including in New York,
himself as a powerful force go quietly into the night,” by judges Trump appointed. twice. The second impeach- Trump’s power is waning. where prosecutors are
in the primary campaigns she added. “But what I am For Trump, the outcome ment centered on his role in Banned from Twitter investigating whether his
that will determine who gets surprised by is how deferen- is the product of sheer sparking the insurrection, and denied his other social real estate company misled
the party’s backing heading tial so many of the Republi- will and a misinformation but Trump was acquitted media megaphones, Trump banks and tax officials
into the fall midterms, when can elected officials” have campaign that began long in a Senate trial, an indi- no longer controls the news about the value of his assets,
control of Congress, gover- been. before the election, when cation that he would face cycle like he did in office. inflating them to gain favor-
nor’s offices and state elec- Rather than expressing he insisted the only way he few consequences for his He canceled a news able loan terms or mini-
tion posts are at stake. At any contrition for the events could lose was if the election actions. conference that was sched- mizing them to reap tax
least for now, there’s little of Jan. 6, Trump often seems was “rigged.” His refusal to “There was this hope uled for Thursday following savings. New York Attorney
stopping Trump as he makes emboldened and has contin- accept reality has flourished when we were in the safe pressure from some Repub- General Letitia James’ office
unbending fealty to his ued to lie about his 2020 with the acquiescence of room that we would go back lican allies, who warned that confirmed this week that it
vision of the GOP a litmus election loss. He frequently most GOP leaders, who and the Republicans would such an event was ill-ad- has subpoenaed Trump
test for success in primary — and falsely — says the tend to overlook the gravity see how crazy this was, how vised. and his two eldest children,
races, giving ambitious “real” insurrection was of the insurrection for fear fragile our democracy was, During last year’s most Ivanka and Donald Trump
Republicans little incentive Nov. 3, the date of the 2020 of fracturing a party whose what President Trump had prominent elections, Repub- Jr., as part of an investiga-
to cross him. election when Democrat base remains tightly aligned done, and that they would licans such as Virginia tion into the family’s busi-
“Let’s just say I’m horren- Joe Biden won in a 306-232 with Trump and his effort renounce that and we would gubernatorial nominee ness practices.
dously disappointed,” said Electoral College victory to minimize the severity of all come together,” said Rep. Glenn Youngkin kept Trump Meanwhile, on Capi-
former New Jersey Gov. and by a 7 million popular what happened on Jan. 6. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., at arm’s length. Youngkin’s tol Hill, the Jan. 6 commit-
Christine Todd Whitman, vote margin. The situation has stunned describing the events that victory created a possi- tee continues to investigate
a longtime Republican who Federal and state election and depressed critics in both day. Instead, she said, “there ble model for candidates the Trump White House’s
now serves on the advisory officials and Trump’s own political parties who were were people defending the running in battleground involvement in the deadly
committee of the Renew attorney general have said convinced the insurrection insurrectionists and defend- states where suburban insurrection.
NEWS BRIEFING
WHO: Record weekly
jump seen in COVID-19
cases, but fewer deaths
From news services cases is so huge and quick
that it is overwhelming
GENEVA — The World health systems around the
Health Organization said world,” the WHO chief said.
Thursday that a record 9.5 WHO officials called
million COVID-19 cases on the public to step up
were tallied over the last measures to fight the
week as the omicron variant pandemic like getting vacci-
of the coronavirus swept the nated, ventilating rooms,
planet, a 71% increase from maintaining proper physi-
the previous 7-day period cal distancing and wearing
that the U.N. health agency masks properly.
likened to a “tsunami.”
However, the number of Boston Marathon bomber:
weekly recorded deaths Federal prosecutors want
declined. convicted Boston Mara-
“Last week, the highest thon bomber Dzhokhar
number of COVID-19 cases Tsarnaev to use a $1,400
were reported so far in the COVID-19 stimulus
pandemic,” WHO Direc- payment he received as well
tor-General Tedros Adha- as other money held in his
nom Ghebreyesus said. inmate trust account to help
In its weekly report on the pay the millions of dollars
pandemic, the agency said he was ordered to pay his A pilgrim holds up a cross during a ceremony marking the Christian holiday of Epiphany on Thursday near Athens, Greece.
the weekly count amounted victims. Celebrations to mark what’s also known as Three Kings Day for Catholics and the Baptism of Christ for the Orthodox were
to 9,520,488 new cases — In a filing Wednesday, canceled or scaled back in Greece amid a surge in COVID-19 infections driven by the omicron variant. THANASSIS STAVRAKIS/AP
with 41,178 deaths recorded the U.S. attorney’s office
last week compared to in Boston asked a judge to
44,680 in the week before order the federal Bureau of that, all toward the assess- number in a decade, health Hayashi on Thursday asked outpost “subhuman.”
that. Prisons to turn the money ment, according to the filing. officials said Thursday. that the U.S. military in Yair Golan, a former
WHO officials have long over to the Clerk of the The Centers for Disease Japan stay inside its bases to deputy military chief and
cited a lag between case Court “as payment towards Ex-columnist off ballot: Control and Prevention prevent the further spread a member of the dovish
counts and deaths, with his outstanding criminal Oregon’s secretary of state released a report on three of COVID-19. Meretz party, has previ-
changes in the death counts monetary penalties, includ- ruled Thursday that former of the deaths, all stemming Hayashi said he spoke ously prompted a backlash
often trailing about two ing unpaid special assess- New York Times colum- from contact with bats. with U.S. Secretary of State for comments appearing
weeks behind the evolution ment and restitution.” nist Nicholas Kristof is not An 80-year-old Illinois Antony Blinken and was to liken the atmosphere in
of case counts. But they have In addition to the stim- eligible to run for governor man refused to take life-sav- promised utmost efforts to Israel to that of Nazi-era
also noted that for several ulus payment, Tsarnaev, because he does not meet ing shots because of a long- ensure people’s health. It was Germany.
reasons — including rising who’s being held at a maxi- the state’s residency require- standing fear of vaccines. An not immediately clear if a “These are not people,
vaccination rates in some mum security prison in Flor- ment. Idaho man and a Texas boy base curfew would be issued. these are subhumans. Despi-
places, and signs that latest ence, Colorado, has received According to Oregon law, did not get shots because of Maj. Thomas R. Barger, a cable people and the corrup-
variant affects the nose and money from dozens of a candidate must have been a belief that no bat bite or U.S. Forces in Japan spokes- tion of the Jewish people.
throat more than the lungs sources during his incarcer- a resident of the state for at scratch broke their skin. person, said he could not They must not be given any
— omicron has not appeared ation, according to the filing least three years before an A Minnesota man got the comment on the request. backing,” Golan told the
as deadly as the delta variant by acting U.S. Attorney for election. shots after being bitten by Hayashi’s request came as Knesset Channel.
that preceded it. Massachusetts, Nathaniel Kristof voted in New York a bat, but an undiagnosed the U.S. military is promising Golan, the deputy econ-
Any rise in hospitaliza- Mendell. in November 2020, raising immune system problem more stringent measures to omy minister, was referring
tions or deaths in the wake Tsarnaev was convicted questions about his eligi- hampered effectiveness, curb spreading cases. to Jewish settlers from an
of the latest surge in cases in 2015 of 30 charges in bility to run in Oregon in CDC officials said. The other The new measures illegal outpost in the West
isn’t likely to show up for connection with the 2013 November. victim was bitten by a rabid require all personnel, even Bank, which was evacu-
about two weeks. bombing at the Boston The Oregon Elections dog while in the Philippines when fully vaccinated, to ated as part of Israel’s 2005
While omicron seems Marathon finish line that Division said it notified the and died in New York. wear masks on base until a withdrawal from the Gaza
less severe than delta, espe- killed three spectators and Kristof campaign of the An estimated 60,000 third negative coronavirus Strip but where settlers have
cially among people who injured more than 260 decision. Americans are treated each test, and reiterate an order repeatedly rebuilt struc-
have been vaccinated, the others. The 62-year-old Kristof, year after possible exposure for all to wear masks when tures. Settlers and their
WHO chief cautioned: “It In 2016 he was ordered to a two-time Pulitzer Prize to rabies, the CDC says. off base, Barger said. supporters have also clashed
does not mean it should be pay a $3,000 special assess- winner, retired from the There were no rabies with Palestinians.
categorized as mild. Just like ment and more than $101 newspaper last year. deaths reported in 2019 or Israeli lawmaker ripped: An Golan said he was refer-
previous variants, omicron million in criminal restitu- 2020. Israeli deputy minister was ring to settlers suspected
is hospitalizing people, and tion. U.S. rabies deaths in 2021: under fire Thursday for call- of having defaced a nearby
it’s killing people.” So far, Tsarnaev has paid Five Americans died of Outbreak in Japan: Japanese ing residents of an unautho- Muslim cemetery, which he
“In fact, the tsunami of a little more than $2,200 of rabies last year, the largest Foreign Minister Yoshimasa rized West Bank settlement likened to a “pogrom.”
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022 7
WORLD & NATION
Dozens dead as unrest rocks
Kazakhstan, authorities say
By Jim Heintz
Associated Press
MOSCOW — Security
forces in Kazakhstan killed
dozens of protesters and 12
police officers died in an
eruption of violence that
saw demonstrators storm
government buildings and
set them on fire, authorities
said Thursday.
One police officer was
found beheaded in the
The Thwaites glacier in Antarctica is about the size of Florida and is putting roughly 50 billion unrest, which poses a grow-
tons of ice in the water annually. DAVID VAUGHAN/BRITISH ANTARCTIC SURVEY 2020 ing challenge to authoritar- Violence grips Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, on
ian rule in the former Soviet Thursday, a day after clashes left dozens dead. Above, a
Scientists on mission to probe republic. destroyed vehicle. ALEXANDER BOGDANOV/GETTY-AFP
Despite the severe
response by authorities Tens of thousands of called on a Russia-led mili-
Antarctica ‘doomsday’ glacier Wednesday, protesters took people, some reported to be tary alliance for help.
to the streets again Thurs- carrying clubs and shields, The alliance, the Collec-
day in the country’s larg- have taken to the streets tive Security Treaty Organi-
est city, Almaty, a day after in recent days in the worst zation, includes the former
By Seth Borenstein Antarctica’s western half, fractures like a damaged breaking into the presi- protests the country has Soviet republics of Kazakh-
Associated Press east of the jutting Antarctic car windshield. This is what dential residence and the seen since gaining inde- stan, Belarus, Armenia,
Peninsula. Pettit said she fears will be mayor’s office there. pendence from the Soviet Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.
A team of scientists is “Thwaites is the main the most troublesome with Police were also out in Union three decades ago. The operation is its first
sailing to “the place in the reason I would say that 6-mile-long cracks forming force, including in the capi- The demonstrations military action, an indi-
world that’s the hardest to we have so large an uncer- in just a year. tal of Nur-Sultan, which began over a near-dou- cation that Kazakhstan’s
get to” so they can better tainty in the projections of No one has stepped foot was reported quiet, and a bling of prices for a type of neighbors are concerned
figure out how much and future sea level rise and that on the key ice-water inter- Russian-led force of peace- vehicle fuel, but seemed to the unrest could spread.
how fast seas will rise is because it’s a very remote face at Thwaites before. In keeping troops was on its reflect wider discontent in Russia and Kazakh-
because of global warming area, difficult to reach,” 2019, Wahlin was on a team way. the country, which has been stan share close relations
eating away at Antarctica’s Anna Wahlin, an oceanog- that explored the area from Video from the Russian under the rule of the same and a 4,700-mile border,
ice. rapher from the University a ship using a robotic ship news agency Tass showed party since independence. much of it along open
Thirty-two scientists of Gothenburg in Sweden, but never went ashore. police firing on a street near In a concession, the steppes. Russia’s Baikonur
on Thursday are starting said Wednesday from the Wahlin’s team will use Republic Square, where government Thursday Cosmodrome space center
a more than two-month Research Vessel Nathan- two robot ships — her demonstrators had gath- announced a 180-day price is in Kazakhstan.
mission aboard an Ameri- iel B. Palmer, which was own large one called Ran ered, though they could not cap on vehicle fuel and a The CSTO’s general
can research ship to investi- scheduled to leave its port which she used in 2019 be seen in the footage. Late moratorium on utility rate secretary, Stanislav Zas, told
gate the crucial area where in Chile. “It is configured in and the more agile Boaty Thursday, Tass said protest- increases. Russia’s RIA-Novosti news
the massive but melting a way so that it’s potentially McBoatface, the crowd- ers had been swept from the President Kassym- agency that the full contin-
Thwaites glacier faces unstable.” source-named drone that square but that sporadic Jomart Tokayev has vacil- gent to be sent as peace-
the Amundsen Sea and Thwaites is putting about could go further under gunfire in the area contin- lated between trying to keepers would number
may eventually lose large 50 billion tons of ice into the the area of Thwaites that ued. mollify the protesters, about 2,500.
amounts of ice because of water a year. The British protrudes over the ocean. Earlier, Russia’s Sput- including accepting the He rejected as “complete
warm water. The Flori- Antarctic Survey says the The ship-bound scien- nik news service reported resignation of his govern- stupidity” suggestions
da-sized glacier has gotten glacier is responsible for 4% tists will be measuring that shots were fired as ment, and promising harsh that the troops would act
the nickname the “dooms- of global sea rise. water temperature, the police surrounded a group measures to quell the as occupiers rather than
day glacier” because of how Oregon State Univer- sea floor and ice thickness. of about 200 protesters in unrest, which he blamed peacekeepers. “The sincere
much ice it has and how sity ice scientist Erin Pettit They’ll look at cracks in the the city. on “terrorist bands.” wish of our states is real
much seas could rise if it said Thwaites appears to be ice, how the ice is structured In the unrest Wednesday, Severe interruptions help for Kazakhstan in the
all melts — more than 2 feet collapsing in three ways: and tag seals on islands off “dozens of attackers were to internet and cellphone difficult situation,” he said.
over hundreds of years. „ Melting from below by the glacier. liquidated,” police spokes- service made it difficult and However, White House
Because of its impor- ocean water. Thwaites “looks differ- woman Saltanat Azirbek sometimes impossible for press secretary Jen Pasaki
tance, the United States and „ The land part of the ent from other ice shelves,” told state news channel news of what was happen- said the U.S. has “ques-
the United Kingdom are in glacier “is losing its grip” to Wahlin said. “It almost Khabar-24. Twelve police ing inside Kazakhstan to get tions about the nature of
the midst of a mission to the place it attaches to the looks like a jumble of officers were killed and out. The airports in Almaty this request and whether it
study Thwaites, the widest seabed, so a large chunk can icebergs that have been 353 injured, the channel and one other city were shut was a legitimate invitation
glacier in the world by land come off into the ocean and pressed together. So it’s reported, citing city offi- down. or not.”
and sea. Not near any of later melt. increasingly clear that this cials. The Interior Minis- Worries that a broader “The world will, of
the continent’s research „ The glacier’s ice shelf is is not a solid piece of ice like try said 2,000 people were crackdown could be on the course, be watching,” she
stations, Thwaites is on breaking into hundreds of the other ice shelves are.” arrested. horizon grew after Tokayev said.
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8 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022
Fox, Hannity face ethical Trade gap
widens in
issues over Trump texts
November
to $80.2B
House committee investigating Jan. 6 insurrection seeks testimony from host
By David Bauder and allegiance to the public interest, said what concerned the host.
Associated Press Jane Kirtley, director of the Silha Center It was widely reported during the By Martin Crutsinger
for the Study of Media Ethics and Law at Trump administration that Hannity spoke Associated Press
NEW YORK — For years, Sean Hannity the University of Minnesota. frequently with the president. The texts
has skirted ethical boundaries with his role Just last month, CNN fired prime-time to Meadows put specificity to some of the WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit
on a television network with “news” in its host Chris Cuomo when it became clear communications. surged to a near-record high of $80.2 billion
name. his efforts to advise his brother, former Hannity’s identity as a conservative in November as exports slowed at the same
Yet it’s never been as stark as now, with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, were more talk show host has been locked in for two time that imports jumped sharply.
the committee investigating last year’s extensive than previously acknowledged. decades, both as a prime-time host on Fox The November deficit was 19.3% higher
Capitol insurrection seeking his testimony. In one text revealed by the commit- News Channel and on talk radio. than the October deficit of $67.2 billion
The Jan. 6 select committee has revealed tee this week, Hannity wrote to Trump’s His identity as a journalist has been and was just below the all-time monthly
a series of texts where Hannity privately former chief of staff, Mark Meadows, on murkier. record of $81.4 billion set in September, the
advised former President Donald Trump Dec. 31, 2020, that “we can’t lose the entire Fox refers to him as an opinion host. Commerce Department reported Thursday.
before, during and after the assault, and is WH counsel’s office” and said Trump In 2016, Hannity told The New York November imports, goods Americans
seeking his insight about what happened should announce he was leading a nation- Times that “I never claimed to be a jour- bought from other countries, jumped 4.6%
in those days. wide effort to reform voting integrity. nalist.” to $304.4 billion in November while exports,
The Fox News Channel prime-time In a previously-revealed text, Hannity A year later, he told the same newspaper those the U.S. sends overseas, edged up 0.2%
host hasn’t said what he will do, but he’s urged Trump on Jan. 6, 2021, to tell people that “I’m a journalist. But I’m an advocacy to $224.2 billion.
slammed the congressional probe as a parti- to leave the Capitol peacefully. journalist, or an opinion journalist.” Through the first 11 months of 2021, the
san witch hunt. His lawyer has raised First On Jan. 10, Hannity texted Meadows that He conducts interviews on his program, U.S. trade deficit is 28.6% higher than during
Amendment concerns about the request. Trump should never mention the election sometimes with people he’s been privately the same period last year with the economic
It’s not unheard of for journalists to offer again — advice Trump clearly didn’t take. advising. recovery in the United States outpacing
advice to politicians — history records Ben Noting that Hannity had texted Jan. 5 Fox News executives have not immedi- other nations, as is the readiness of Amer-
Bradlee’s friendship with former Presi- that he was “very worried about the next ately commented on the revelations of what icans to spend.
dent John F. Kennedy — but such actions 48 hours,” Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Hannity has been texting Meadows or criti- For all of 2020, the U.S. trade deficit stood
raise questions about their independence committee chair, said he wanted to know cism about his or the network’s ethics. at $676.7 billion, a slight 0.1% above the 2019
figure.
The politically sensitive deficit with China
in goods rose 2.9% to $32.3 billion in Novem-
ber and is up 12.8% for the first 11 months
of this year compared to the same period in
2020.
Michael Pierce, senior U.S. economist at
Capital Economics, said the sharp jump in
November’s trade deficit means trade will
be a small drag on the overall U.S. economy
in the October-December quarter.
Pierce forecast growth, as measured by the
gross domestic product, would be around
4.5% in the fourth quarter, an improvement
from the modest 2.3% in the third quarter
but below expectations for much stronger
growth before the omicron variant hit. Other
economists are more optimistic, predicting
growth of between 6% and 7% in the Octo-
ber-December period.
BUSINESS BRIEFING
Jobless claims
inch to 207,000
WASHINGTON — The number of Amer-
icans applying for unemployment benefits
rose last week but remained at historically
low levels, suggesting that the job market
remains strong.
U.S. jobless claims rose by 7,000 last week
to 207,000. The four-week average of claims,
Leah McGowen-Hare came up with pins a person can wear to indicate comfort with social interaction. SASHA MASLOV/THE NEW YORK TIMES which smooths out week-to-week gyrations,
rose by nearly 4,800 to just below 205,000.
Pins, bands make statements Despite the increases, the numbers show
that weekly claims are below the 220,000
typical before the pandemic struck the U.S.
economy in March 2020.
The omicron variant does not appear to
With workplaces reopening, force’s conference, public health condi- were shipping and he found an unlikely have triggered significant layoffs.
subtle attire silently signals tions have shifted; with omicron spreading culprit: commercial construction. These Altogether, nearly 1.8 million Americans
fast, hugging and fist-bumping might seem first-time Wristband Resources clients, were collecting traditional unemployment
workers’ personal boundaries even less enticing. Still, plenty of corporate which were reopening their construc- aid the week that ended Dec. 25.
workers are required to be in their offices, tion sites, wanted an easy way to signify
By Emma Goldberg or are returning in the coming months with the employees who had completed their
The New York Times new vaccine and testing rules in place. temperature screenings for the day.
At some workplaces, colorful wristbands It was a eureka moment for Gengler and Mortgage rates
Leah McGowen-Hare wants you to know have offered a way for people emerging his team, who realized the pandemic could
one thing about her: She is a hugger. If you from nearly two years of relative isolation shepherd in unexpected uses for a multi-
rise, but still low
just met, she’ll give you a hug. If you are a to silently communicate their boundaries. colored set of wristbands. By that summer,
Salesforce client, she’ll give you a hug. If you As an added bonus, wristband companies his company was shipping wristbands
are considering signing up for Salesforce’s whose sales plunged in 2020, when events to hundreds of offices as they reopened.
services then you, too, are in line for a hug. ground to a halt, are pleased to find business Wristband Resources ended 2020 without WASHINGTON — Average long-term
She extended a virtual hug in the middle of picking up again. A Wisconsin company, any losses in online retailing; COVID-re- U.S. mortgage rates rose in the past week to
a recent video call. for example, has sold tens of millions of lated wristbands made up about 60% of its start the new year. They reached their high-
But McGowen-Hare, a vice president at COVID-related bands to more than 3,000 revenue. The company finished 2021 with est level since May 2020, at the height of the
Salesforce, realized that even the people organizations over the past 18 months. better online sales than it had in 2019. coronavirus pandemic, yet remained histor-
who are with her on Team Hug might have For Wristband Resources, which is based Businesses that want more high-tech ically low.
changed their calculation on what is too outside Milwaukee, the second Friday in COVID protective measures have choices. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported
close for comfort these days. So for Sales- March 2020 was “D-Day.” There were Cisco, for example, which has made its Thursday that the average rate on the bench-
force’s convention in September — which no more concerts, nor festivals or school return to the office optional, equipped its mark 30-year home loan increased to 3.22%
she likened to a family reunion — she retreats. Mike Gengler, the chief infor- conference rooms with technology that this week from 3.11% last week. A year ago,
landed on a solution, something to separate mation officer, was shuttling between his notifies people when they have exceeded the 30-year rate stood at 2.65%. The average
the huggers from the mere fist-bumpers. home and the office, but he didn’t know the maximum occupancy limit. rate on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, popu-
The 1,000 attendees of the San Francisco what to instruct his employees to do. Sales But some executives said they have found lar among those refinancing their homes,
conference were greeted with three options dropped to nearly zero for the company, it easiest to let workers communicate their rose to 2.43% from 2.33% last week.
for pins to wear. Green: OK to hug. Yellow: which has 140 people on staff. office comfort levels, and colorful wrist- Many economists expect mortgage rates
Let’s do the elbow/fist bump. Red: Let’s About two weeks later, orders began to bands allow for that tailored approach. to rise this year after the Federal Reserve
wave hello. trickle in again. Gengler checked the deliv- Workers can elect for green wristbands one announced last month that it would begin
More than three months since Sales- ery addresses to see where his wristbands week, then swap out for red ones the next. dialing back its monthly bond purchases.
France fines Google, Facebook over tracking Trade
ANNUAL
0
deficit -$503.1billion
-676.7
U.S.exportsminus -400
By Kelvin Chan require websites to ask for permission Facebook, which has been renamed
imports,
Associated Press before tracking a user’s activity. That means Meta, said it’s reviewing the decision.
people face pop-up menus when they visit “Our cookie consent controls provide inbillions, -800
bymonth,seasonally ’10 ’20
LONDON — French regulators Thursday new websites, but there’s been growing people with greater control over their data,
adjusted:
fined Google and Facebook a total of more concern that many are configured to make including a new settings menu on Facebook
than $230 million for not making it as easy it confusing or tedious if they don’t want to and Instagram where people can revisit and NOV. NOV.
2020 2021
for people to opt out of online tracking as it give consent. manage their decisions at any time, and we 00
is for them to accept it. Visitors to Facebook, Google’s French continue to develop and improve these
The CNIL data privacy watchdog said it homepage and YouTube were being nudged controls,” the company said.
--2200
found that while the U.S. online giants gave to say yes, which meant they weren’t freely Google said: “People trust us to respect
French users one button to accept cook- giving their consent, a violation of French their right to privacy and keep them safe.
ies, there wasn’t an equally simple way for data protection rules, the CNIL said. We understand our responsibility to protect --4400
them to decline because “several clicks are The French watchdog slapped Google that trust and are committing to further
required to refuse all cookies.” with a $170 million penalty and Facebook changes and active work with the CNIL in --6600
Cookies are snippets of code used to with a $68 million fine. It also threatened light of this decision.”
toatrhgeert pinutrepronseets .u Eseurrso pfoera nd iggoitvael randms eanntds dmaaiklye fiitn seims opfle arb foour tu s$e1r1s2 i,0n 0F0ra, nifc teh teoy r defouns’et of Cporiovkaiceys hcaovnec beerenns ab leocnagusstaen tdhienyg csoaunr bcee --8800 Nov.2021:-$80.2billion
have stricter regulations than the U.S. that cookies within three months. employed to track users across the internet. SOURCE:U.S.CensusBureau TNS
Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022 9
BUSINESS
Fanatics buys Topps trading
cards in a deal worth $500M
By Lauren Hirsch
The New York Times
Topps, the business that
put bubble gum together
with baseball cards more
than a half-century ago, now
belongs to a fast-growing
sports memorabilia empire
that nearly knocked Topps
out of the baseball-card
game.
Topps announced Tues-
day that it had sold its sports
card business to Fanatics, a
The Danzhou government has ordered the demolition of the Evergrande project on the multibillion-dollar, 10-year-
southern island province of Hainan. Above, a section of the resort complex. CHINATOPIX 2019 old company whose licens-
ing business was built on
Troubled Chinese developer sports fandom, technology Topps sold its sports card business to Fanatics, the 10-year-
and networking. The deal old sports memorabilia empire. THE NEW YORK TIMES 2020
values Topps’ sports and
entertainment division at announced Tuesday also manufacturing company
told to raze resort complex
slightly more than $500 underscores the breadth valued at $18 billion. Beyond
million, according to people of businesses Fanatics has hoodies and hats, Fanatics
with knowledge of the situ- built, aiming to grow beyond has also begun gambling and
By Joe McDonald an announcement made but it has struggled to sell ation, speaking on the condi- ticketing and television, video game businesses.
Associated Press through the Shenzhen assets fast enough to keep tion of anonymity. both of which are difficult Its bet on trading cards
Stock Exchange in south- up payments to bondhold- Topps had previously to expand rapidly. reflects a pandemic-driven
BEIJING — A troubled ern China. ers. Construction of some announced a deal to go Topps cards will still carry interest in memorabilia. In
Chinese real estate devel- Evergrande said the bond projects was temporarily public. But in August, the the Topps logo, and the divi- January, a Mickey Mantle
oper that is struggling is due to mature in January suspended after contractors company was blindsided sion’s roughly 350 employ- card sold for $5.2 million.
with $310 billion in debt 2023. It gave no indication complained they weren’t when it lost its licensing ees will work for the Topps In August, a Honus Wagner
said this week that it has how long investors would being paid. agreement with Major brand independently within card sold for $6.6 million. In
been ordered to demolish a be asked to postpone repay- Tuesday’s announcement League Baseball and the Fanatics. But longer term, October, a Michael Jordan
39-building resort complex ment. said buyers in 2021 signed Major League Baseball Play- Fanatics hopes to create card sold for $2.7 million.
in a new blow to its finances. Economists say Beijing contracts to purchase prop- ers Association to Fanatics, for Topps the digital agility Topps has ridden that
Evergrande Group gave can keep Chinese lend- erty worth a total of $70 putting its future in doubt. that helped transform its wave, bringing in record
no explanation, but news ing markets functioning billion. Fanatics and Topps began licensed apparel business. sales of $567 million in 2020,
reports said the govern- normally in the event of an Beijing tightened discussing the acquisi- Fanatics started its play- a 23% jump over the previ-
ment of Danzhou, a city on Evergrande default, which restrictions on develop- tion of Topps’ card busi- ing card business last year, ous year.
the southern island prov- looks likely. However, they ers last year in a campaign ness roughly a month later, around the same time it Topps was started in
ince of Hainan, found it say Chinese leaders want to rein in corporate debt a person familiar with the struck deals with unions Brooklyn in 1938 as Topps
was improperly built and to avoid sending the wrong that is seen as a threat to situation said. for NFL and NBA players to Chewing Gum, an effort to
violated urban planning signal by arranging a bail- economic stability. The “Topps is synonymous produce football and basket- revive a struggling family
law. out at a time when they are ruling Communist Party with card collecting — it’s the ball trading cards. The busi- tobacco distribution busi-
Evergrande’s struggle to trying to force companies to has made reducing financial primary brand that people ness raised $350 million in ness. A little over a decade
comply with tighter offi- reduce surging debt levels. risk a priority since 2018. think of when you think of September in a deal that later, it began to package
cial restrictions on use of The company gave no The Danzhou govern- baseball cards and sports valued it at more than $10 its gum with “Magic Photo
borrowed money by China’s indication of the possible ment’s order said Ever- cards,” said Chris Ivy, the billion. With the acquisition Cards,” which featured
real estate industry have loss from the demolition grande’s project violated director of sports auctions of Topps, Fanatics has the Babe Ruth and other base-
prompted fears of a possible of the buildings on Ocean a national urban planning for Heritage Auctions. “So right to design, manufacture ball stars. It started its annual
default and financial crisis. Flower Island. It said other law. It said the government the fact that they will be and distribute baseball cards set of baseball cards in 1952.
Chinese regulators have buildings on the island will organize demolition if continuing going forward, I starting immediately. In 2007, Topps was
tried to reassure investors weren’t affected by the the company fails to act. think is a great thing both for Michael Rubin, the CEO acquired for $385 million
that any potential impact order. The Hainan government collectors and the industry of Fanatics, called trad- by Tornante, an investment
on financial markets can be Evergrande, the global ordered an investigation as a whole.” ing cards and collectibles firm founded by Michael
contained. real estate industry’s last year of Ocean Flower The Topps deal mirrors “a significant pillar” in the Eisner, the former Walt
Evergrande is also asking most-heavily-indebted Island, a complex of hotels, Fanatics’ purchase of the company’s plans to become Disney Co. CEO, and the
investors in one of its bonds developer, warned last an amusement park and apparel company Majes- a “leading digital sports plat- private equity firm Madison
to postpone when they will month it might run out of other facilities, according tic, which it acquired after form.” Rubin, whose circle Dearborn Partners. Topps
be repaid. cash to keep up with debt to news reports. They said winning the rights to make includes Jay-Z and baseball then started Topps Now,
Evergrande Group payments and other obli- some building permissions major-league uniforms, commissioner Rob Manfred, which sells of-the-moment
will conduct a three-day gations. were revoked and fines of contracts that Majestic had has in the past decade cards to capture a defining
online vote starting Friday The company says it $34 million were imposed previously won. The deal created a licensing and play or a pop culture meme.
for holders of the $700 has $350 billion in assets for planning and construc-
million bond, according to and $310 billion in debt, tion violations.
MARKET RUNDOWN
q Fpriday,January7,2022 q
DOW 10-YRT-BOND GOLD
36,236.47-170.64 1.73%+.03 $1,788.70-35.90
36,960 DowJonesindustrials Commodities
36,360 Close:36,236.47 FUELS CLOSE PREV. YTD
Change:-170.64(-0.5%)
CrudeOil(bbl) 79.46 77.85 +5.65%
35,760 10DAYS NaturalGas(mmbtu) 3.81 3.88 +2.20%
37,600 UnleadedGas(gal) 2.30 2.29 +3.41%
METALS CLOSE PREV. YTD
36,800
Gold(oz) 1,788.70 1,824.60 -2.12%
36,000 Silver(oz) 22.17 23.15 -4.95%
(Previousandchangefiguresreflectcurrentcontract.)
35,200
ForeignExchange MoneyRates
34,400 ForExin U.S.$ PREV.
U.S.$ inForEx CLOSE WK.
33,600
J A S O N D Britain 1.3525 .7393 Primerate 3.25 3.25
Canada .7856 1.2730 3-mo.T-Bill 0.10 0.08
DomesticIndexes China .1567 6.3830 6-mo.T-Bill 0.23 0.23
Euro 1.1288 .8859 5-yrT-Note 1.47 1.37
CLOSE CHG. YTD Japan .008624 115.96 10-yrT-Note 1.73 1.66
DOWIndus. 36,236.47 -170.64 -.28% Mexico .048750 20.5128 30-yrT-Bond 2.09 2.07
DOWTrans. 16,345.25 +1.10 -.81%
DOWUtil. 962.46 -6.74 -1.87% GlobalMarkets
NYSEComp. 17,156.52 +43.92 -.04%
NasdaqComp. 15,080.86 -19.31 -3.61% CLOSE CHG. %CHG. %YTD
S&P500 4,696.05 -4.53 -1.47% Frankfurt 16,052.03 -219.72 -1.35% +1.05%
S&P400 2,814.81 +13.74 -.96% London 7,450.37 -66.50 -.88% +.89%
Wilshire5000 47,542.79 +8.17 -1.90% HongKong 23,072.86 +165.61 +.72% -1.39%
Russell2000 2,206.37 +12.37 -1.73% Nikkei 28,487.87 -844.29 -2.88% -1.06%
StocksofLocalInterest
YTD YTD
STOCK(TICKER) CLOSE CHG. %CHG STOCK(TICKER) CLOSE CHG. %CHG
AMCEntertainmentA(AMC) 22.46 -.29 -17.4 MagellanHealthInc(MGLN) 94.99 ... ...
AT&TInc(T) 26.11 -.10 +6.1 MetaPlatformsInc(FB) 332.46 +8.29 -1.2
AdvMicroDev(AMD) 136.23 +.08 -5.3 MetLifeInc(MET) 66.45 +1.82 +6.3
AmphenolCorp(APH) 85.19 +.07 -2.6 MicronTech(MU) 95.65 +1.25 +2.7
AppleInc(AAPL) 172.00 -2.92 -3.1 MicrosoftCorp(MSFT) 313.88 -2.50 -6.7
AvangridInc(AGR) 49.66 -.27 -.4 NikolaCorp(NKLA) 10.21 +.33 +3.4
BankofAmerica(BAC) 48.13 +.95 +8.2
NovartisAG(NVS) 88.29 +.26 +.9
BarnesGroup(B) 48.01 +.09 +3.0
NvidiaCorporation(NVDA) 281.78 +5.74 -4.2
BarrickGold(GOLD) 18.02 -.55 -5.2
OtisWorldwideCorp(OTIS) 84.71 +.88 -2.7
BedBath&Beynd(BBBY) 14.43 +1.07 -1.0
BookingHoldings(BKNG) 2429.97 +16.67 +1.3 PalantirTechnol(PLTR) 16.74 -.22 -8.1
BristMyrSqb(BMY) 61.48 -.14 -1.4 PeoplesUtdFncl(PBCT) 19.87 +.76 +11.5
CVSHealthCorp(CVS) 102.59 -3.22 -.6 PfizerInc(PFE) 54.84 -.79 -7.1
CarnivalCorp(CCL) 21.07 -.10 +4.7 PitneyBowes(PBI) 6.55 -.07 -1.2
CarrierGlobalCorp(CARR) 53.50 +1.13 -1.4 PlugPowerInc(PLUG) 25.22 -1.05 -10.7
CharterCommunic(CHTR) 631.95 +7.09 -3.1 PlusTherapeutics(PSTV) 1.32 +.03 +25.7
CignaCorp(CI) 227.54 -8.98 -.9 PrudentialFncl(PRU) 113.22 +1.82 +4.6
Citigroup(C) 64.91 +2.06 +7.5 PubSvcEntGp(PEG) 65.89 +.06 -1.3
ComcastCorpA(CMCSA) 50.51 +.29 +.4 RaytheonTechnolog(RTX) 90.06 +.49 +4.6
ContextLogicInc(WISH) 2.72 -.07 -12.5 RivianAutomotiveA(RIVN) 87.33 -2.68 -15.8
DiDiGlobalInc(DIDI) 4.70 -.32 -5.6
RobinhoodMarketsA(HOOD)15.58 -.40 -12.3
Disney(DIS) 156.90 +1.71 +1.3
RogersCorp(ROG) 273.45 +.25 +.2
DraftKingsInc(DKNG) 25.80 +1.15 -6.1
SS&CTechnlogies(SSNC) 82.95 +.69 +1.2
EMCORGroupInc(EME) 127.86 +.76 +.4
SoFiTechnologies(SOFI) 13.78 -.32 -12.8
EargoInc(EAR) 7.28 +2.72 +42.7
EthanAllen(ETD) 26.68 +.24 +1.5 StanleyBlack&Deck(SWK)192.50 +1.14 +2.1
EversourceEnergy(ES) 88.90 -.33 -2.3 StarwoodPropTrust(STWD) 24.97 +.12 +2.8
ExxonMobilCorp(XOM) 68.32 +1.57 +11.7 SundialGrowersInc(SNDL) .58 -.03 +.7
FordMotor(F) 24.46 +.80 +17.8 TerexCorp(TEX) 46.18 +1.15 +5.1
FreelineTherapeutic(FRLN) 1.98 +.02 ... TeslaInc(TSLA) 1064.70 -23.42 +.7
FuelCellEnergy(FCEL) 5.14 -.18 -1.2 TilrayInc(TLRY) 6.44 -.19 -8.4
GenDynamics(GD) 211.74 +1.43 +1.6 TravelersCos(TRV) 162.33 +2.56 +3.8
GenElectric(GE) 99.95 +.58 +5.8 UberTechnologies(UBER) 42.03 -1.21 +.2
HartfordFnSv(HIG) 71.50 +1.14 +3.6 UnitedRentals(URI) 335.17 +.15 +.9
HoneywellIntl(HON) 210.82 -.24 +1.1 UnitedHealthGroup(UNH) 469.65 -20.04 -6.5
HorizonTechFin(HRZN) 15.79 -.08 -.8
VerizonComm(VZ) 53.76 -.26 +3.5
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10 Hartford Courant | Section 1 | Friday, January 7, 2022
OPINION
Helen Bennett
Executive Editor
[email protected]
COURANT.COM/OPINION
Ivies take stand against freedom
By Tyler Cowen teaches at George Mason University in eton policy restricts the travel of under- objection is more fundamental: They put
Bloomberg Opinion northern Virginia, is to be amazed that the graduates, but what of the other people universities in the untenable position of
life of the Yale campus and the life of New affiliated with the university, such as both panicking about COVID and treating
For anyone who believes that Ameri- Haven can be so readily separated. If Yale faculty, staff or contractors? The Yale COVID as trivial.
ca’s elite institutions of higher learning truly has evolved to be a separate enclave, policy prevents students from patronizing Given the purpose of a university as
are taken far too seriously — and I count then that is a sign of trouble, pandemic local New Haven businesses, but what if a an educational leader, a university that is
myself among the believers — the last two or not. My school is so integrated with professor wants to drive up to Cambridge? hypocritical and rhetorically corrupt is
years have been bracing. Of course I am the local community — including a large The assumption seems to be that the failing outright.
referring to COVID policy, in particular number of commuting students — that virus spreads in particular ways that can be The restrictions also show these univer-
the current efforts of Princeton and Yale to such a regulation would be unthinkable. controlled by a university with virtually no sities as content to treat their students
restrict the off-campus movements of their Princeton at least is recognizing that the enforcement apparatus. It is all but impos- much worse than their faculty and staff — a
students in fairly radical ways. university and the town are pretty much sible to imagine an enforcement of these faculty and staff that is typically older and
This week Yale sent out an email laying inseparable. rules that is in any way universal and fair. thus more at risk for COVID. The liberty
out requirements for returning students. My second reaction is that these two What about the risk from keeping the of Yale students to visit a local bookshop
According to the Yale Daily News, there elite American institutions have lost students together in dorms? Princeton has or grocer is less important than freedom of
will be a campuswide quarantine until their moorings. Can you imagine your a 20-student limit on gatherings, but if the movement for faculty and administrators.
Feb. 7, which may be extended. Further- school telling you not to leave the county? virus is that dangerous, can a group of 19 Imagine the reaction if a professor or a
more, students “may not visit New Haven (Though Princeton sports teams are some- students be justified? Masks are useful, but dean told a student: “I will go out and about
businesses or eat at local restaurants (even how exempted.) they are not a cure-all and not always of and do largely as I please. But you have to
outdoors) except for curbside pickup.” If Princeton or Yale took the position sufficient quality. Keep in mind that as of stay on campus, so you do not infect me.”
Meanwhile, in Princeton, the univer- that the current state of COVID is so poten- last semester, when the more dangerous It would be considered outrageous, and
sity issued this announcement on Dec. 27: tially dangerous that the entire university delta variant was dominant, Princeton’s rightly so.
“Beginning January 8 through mid-Febru- must be shut down, that would at least be eating clubs were open. Right now some of America’s top univer-
ary, all undergraduate students who have consistent (and, in March 2020, I agreed Perhaps the strongest defense of these sities are essentially sending that message
returned to campus will not be permit- with that view). But these policies do not policies is this: Universities can only do so — in the process telling the world that they
ted to travel outside of Mercer County or and indeed cannot insulate these universi- much. And if they don’t want to shut down, are not morally serious. They should not
Plainsboro Township for personal reasons, ties from the outside world. The omicron at least they can institute rules to help limit be surprised, then, when the world starts
except in extraordinary circumstances. strain is going to spread at Princeton and the spread of the virus until the omicron believing them.
… We’ll revisit and, if possible, revise this Yale regardless of whether students gather wave passes.
travel restriction by February 15.” at Hoagie Haven or Modern Apizza. I doubt these policies will signifi- Distributed by Tribune Content Agency,
My first reaction, as someone who The selectivity is stunning. The Princ- cantly limit the spread of COVID. But my LLC.
Texas
will test
Trump’s
influence
By Jonathan Bernstein
Bloomberg Opinion
It’s an election year — and Americans
will be voting sooner than many people
may realize. The first primary election is in
Texas on March 1, fewer than two months
away.
While there will be a handful of import-
ant Democratic primaries, the big news is
coming on the Republican side for several
reasons. For one thing, with Republicans
expected to have a good year, their nomi-
nees simply matter more, since they’re
more likely to be elected and share the
power of the majority. For another, one
of the things that can stop Republican
majorities is the possibility of extremely
poor candidates winning nominations in Gov. Greg Abbott faces a stiff challenge from within the GOP when Texas holds its primaries on March 1. JACOB FORD/ODESSA AMERICAN 2021
competitive seats. Control of the party is
at stake, and that’s currently a lot more of are claiming that Abbott is insufficiently indictment for most of his first two terms, Only a fraction of Republican party actors
a contentious question on the Republican conservative. (A few other minor candi- and having much of his staff resign and are enthusiastic Trump supporters, and
side. dates are on the ballot as well, including charge him with corruption in an unre- a smaller (and apparently shrinking)
Texas does not feature any of the one named Rick Perry. He’s not the former lated case during the current term. fraction are flat-out Trump opponents.
dramatic contests in which a challenger governor, but his name could attract a few All of this has earned him three signif- Most Republican party actors, including
endorsed by former President Donald votes anyway). Abbott is favored to win the icant challengers: Current land Commis- politicians, will support him if they think
Trump is trying to unseat an incumbent nomination, but if he falls below 50% on sioner George P. Bush, former Texas they need to. And nothing is interpreted
Republican. For that, we’ll have to wait March 1 he’ll be forced into a runoff, and supreme court Justice Eva Guzman and as showing a politician’s clout — or lack
until May, when 13 states choose their that will surely be looked at as a sign of House Freedom Caucus stalwart Louie thereof — as much as the fate of those he
nominees. In Idaho (May 19) and Georgia weakness even if he ultimately prevails. Gohmert. or she has endorsed.
(May 24), Trump-endorsed candidates Abbott has dominated the polling so Trump endorsed Paxton, although Bush If Abbott and Paxton dominate on
are taking on sitting Republican governors far. Should he win while Trump-backed has broken from his family and supported March 1, Republicans in other states will
and, in Georgia, the Republican secretary challengers win elsewhere, Trump would the former president, and the Freedom be more inclined to scurry for Trump’s
of state who refused to help the president have a good argument that his endorse- Caucus members have been Trump’s clos- favor before their own elections. If not?
overturn the 2020 election results, Brad ment was decisive. est allies in the U.S Congress. Paxton, for Fewer candidates will care about his
Raffensperger. We can be sure that such On the other hand, if Abbott gets his part, was a leader in lawsuits asking support, and even those in the May prima-
challenges will be interpreted as tests of dragged into a runoff, it would suggest the courts to overturn the 2020 elec- ries who already have it might be less
Trump’s influence within the party. that winning Trump challengers else- tion. It’s unclear what will happen, but likely to center their campaigns around it.
But Trump’s clout will get an earlier test where might be successful not because of Paxton’s renomination doesn’t appear to The tests of Trump’s hold on Republi-
in some complicated primaries in Texas, Trump in particular, but because of the be a sure thing. cans are sometimes subtle and will take
where he has endorsed incumbents. general direction of the party. The winners are likely to prevail some time to sort themselves out. But it all
Gov. Greg Abbott is being challenged by The attorney general contest in Texas is in November and govern the nation’s starts soon, in Texas.
two even more radical Republicans, former even more complicated. Scandal-ridden second-biggest state. Perceptions about
U.S. Rep. Allen West of Florida and former incumbent Ken Paxton is seeking a third the outcomes matter, too, because they Distributed by Tribune Content Agency,
State Sen. Don Huffines, both of whom four-year term despite having been under will influence what happens elsewhere. LLC.
Holmes verdict sends an oddly mixed message to investors
By Stephen Carter noted that her best chance for acquit- maceutical companies” wanted to license does not “attribute to investors a childlike
Bloomberg Opinion tal would be a jury that understood the it. The court ruled that the assertions were simplicity.” She will also surely raise once
language entrepreneurs must speak if they sufficiently vague that they were merely more the claim that every investor knows
Every criminal trial is unique, and in want to attract investors. In this sense, the predictions or hopes, and did not become Silicon Valley is a veritable hotbed of hype.
general it is a mistake to read too much into very culture of Silicon Valley was on trial — actionable simply because they never Don’t get me wrong. I’m not arguing that
a verdict. Still, the law professor in me can’t that is, the culture of puffing your inven- panned out. Holmes is innocent. We should always,
help but notice the oddly mixed message tion to the Moon and back. Drawing the distinction can be a chal- as a first approximation, trust that juries
delivered by the jury in the Elizabeth To be clear, entrepreneurs hyping their lenge. Courts in criminal fraud prosecu- have done their work correctly. I won’t be
Holmes trial. prospects beyond what they know for sure tions like to quote the old and delightfully surprised if the verdict is upheld on appeal.
The disgraced founder of Theranos was is a practice as old as entrepreneurship. convoluted rule that a hope or prediction But even if Holmes has to spend some
acquitted on four counts of the indictment, Certainly it’s part of the culture of Silicon about the company’s future becomes fraud time behind bars, one suspects that
including those related to the supposed Valley. Years ago, an investor told me that when it involves “expression of an opin- things will work out for her. Fairly or not,
misleading of patients. The jury reached no every tech pitch concludes with something ion not honestly entertained.” Such an she’s captured a corner of the zeitgeist,
verdict on three counts, and she was found like this: “I need your answer now, because inquiry is complex, because it requires the and is likely to retain a degree of celeb-
guilty on four counts — three involving her a mutual friend is setting up a meeting with jury to determine what was in the defen- rity — or perhaps notoriety — for years to
communications with investors, and one of Peter Thiel tomorrow.” dant’s head when she made a statement to come. Fans attended the trial in replicas
conspiracy. The investor was speaking half in jest, an investor. That’s why trial judges have of her iconic “plain black suit.” Jennifer
The odd part is that Holmes seems to but the tendency isn’t any secret. A couple traditionally been generous in permitting Lawrence has agreed to portray her in the
have been convicted of fraud only against of decades ago, the humorist P.J. O’Rourke prosecutors to introduce circumstantial movie.
investors who asked few questions. The was inspired by California’s search for evidence of what the defendant actually And because this is Silicon Valley, it’s
jury appears to have accepted the defense’s alternative energy sources to pen this bit believed. appropriate to close with what might be
argument that investors who sought and of acerbity: “With all the puffery from Sili- The Holmes jury, after two weeks of the strangest coda to the Holmes story:
were denied more data should have known con Valley dot.com start-ups, wind farms working its way through this thicket, Venture capitalist Marc Ostrofsky, an early
better. wouldn’t be a problem.” apparently decided not to punish her for Theranos investor whose stake was at one
This result might mirror existing law, Courts have long understood these supposedly false claims she made to those point valued at $22 million, is auctioning
but it creates incentives that are, to say the nuances of Silicon Valley culture. In 2015, a who pressed for more information. One a non-fungible token of his stock certifi-
least, peculiar. federal court in California dismissed most wonders, then, exactly how cautious the cate, good for 500,000 preferred shares in
One might read the verdict as suggesting of a civil lawsuit alleging that defendant jury believes investors should be. Is it Theranos.
that the less curiosity an investor displays had falsely asserted that its technology was better to ask questions or not? As of this writing, there are no offers.
before buying, the greater the protection a “proven concept”; that the technology No doubt Holmes will raise this paradox
extended by law. had been “vetted” by an unnamed biotech on appeal. She will remind the appellate Distributed by Tribune Content Agency,
From the start of the trial, observers company; and that “publicly-traded phar- courts of the adage that the law of fraud LLC.