LETTER

It’s Wednesday, the midpoint of the week. In top news, the Washington Post reported that officials at the Defense Intelligence Agency determined that North Korea now has the capability to manufacture a nuclear warhead-carrying intercontinental ballistic missile, prompting a harsh rebuke from President Trump when asked about the matter on a golf course in New Jersey.
Elsewhere, South African President Jacob Zuma survived a no-confidence vote from his parliament, Kenya held its election for president, and country music legend Glen Campbell died at age 81.
As per usual, good luck with the day ahead and thanks for reading Wonks This Way.
Cheers,
The Wonks Team
Politics and Public Policy
- The New York Times evaluates the lack of progress made towards President Trump’s infrastructure proposal, citing the absence of clear-cut plans and a dearth of political will by the president and congress to raise taxes for financing such construction projects.
- Albert Burneko of Deadspin examines the effectiveness of Jared Kushner to shepherd the agenda of the Trump administration, pointing out the faults in the competency narrative that Kushner created for himself by anonymously speaking with the press.
Business, Science, and Health
- The Washington Post reports on a new study from the American Cancer Society finding rising mortality rose from colon cancer among white Americans under 50 while simultaneously finding decreasing rates of death for nonwhite Americans.
- Christie Aschwanden of FiveThirtyEight assesses mental health critiques directed at President Trump and clarifies the ethical standards of psychiatric and psychoanalytical groups for diagnosis of politicians established under the “Goldwater rule.”
- Franklin Foer of The Atlantic analyzes the discordant relationship between news outlets and tech companies, chronicling the flawed patronage of the New Republic by tech executive Chris Hughes as a case study.
Sports and Culture
- NPR writes this obituary for actor Haruo Nakajima, best known for playing Godzilla from the character’s debut in 1954 through 1973, who died on Monday at age 88.
- Bleacher Report determines ace pitcher Cory Kluber’s durability amid his American League Cy Young campaign, as the Cleveland Indians prepare for another postseason run and possible return to the World Series.

