Bitchin Dave's Newsletter - August 19th


As you probably are aware, the World Cup was awarded to North America in 2026.  Meaning that there will be 45 teams representing their home country (plus the US, Mexico, and Canada) competing in one of the greatest spectacles in the world.  The games will take place at venues spread out between the three countries.  

Before T-rump took office, the estimate was that this summertime event is expected to bring many millions of visitors, and that those visitors would spend upwards of $15 billion while in North America (with most of the spend in the US).

However.  There are now some mitigating factors which surely will impact the success of this event.  I'll try and keep this brief, and encourage you to watch one of the YouTube videos on the topic for additional details. 

At the top of the list is the fact that FIFA embraces diversity, human rights, and various forms of expression.  They re-iterated that as recently as last week.  They noted certain values that the US is trying to distance itself from.  Human rights groups are asking FIFA to either secure some additional assurances (for whatever they are worth) or move the games out of the US.

Second, you have tariffs and supply-chain related problems.  Some of the materials needed to ready the stadiums for the games are going to cost more and/or are experiencing delays in finishing.  No one is sure of the specific impacts or who will pay for these additional costs. 

There's a potential for problems with qualifying teams securing visas to play in games.  We don't know all the participants just yet, but we do know that Iran has qualified - but the country is sanctioned; its unclear if visas will be issued to the team or not.  And if not, then what? 

And what of the spectators / tourists?  Some simply will be barred from coming, based on their country of origin.  Some will have to pay for a visa AND additional fees just to get said visa (there's the matter of the $250 visa security fee, for example).  The state department has a rather long backlog on issuing visas (due to budget cuts and stupidity).  Right now most visas take 300 days to get - meaning that if anyone applies for a visa today, it would likely be granted after the world cup ends. 

Oh and don't miss that Secretary of State Rubio has just told countries that it's their fault for the backlog, and they need to hire more people. 

The administration has made clear that fans are welcome for the duration of their visa - basically the few weeks of the games - but they must then leave! And the Border Patrol has hinted at "enhanced security."  Who will want to attend under these circumstances?  

Embedded in stories is a realization that major sponsors - Coca Cola, Emirates air, and Visa (the credit card company, not the aforementioned travel visas) being the biggest - are focusing more on the games in Canada and Mexico, because both nations are happy to invite fans to attend games.  These sponsors have contracts based on attendance and the like - if people don't come, they won't be paying.

So there you go.  Remember that the president of the FIFA organization did a tour of the White House and had T-rump on stage at the club world cup.  He's all about the big business of it all, and thinks like many of these billionaire CEOs in a way.

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Reducing pesticide


Engineers at MIT observed there has been a large increase in the amount of pesticide in use around the world. So they set out to try and see if they could reduce the impact. 

They developed a method of mixing water and soybean oil with the pesticide, so it would stick to the leaves of plants. 

The net result is better coverage, with less pesticide used. It's better for the environment. Better for farmers. Better for the plants (and planet). And the kicker is that it actually saves the agricultural industry billions of dollars because they have to buy less pesticide. 

Technology developed by MIT engineers makes pesticides stick to plant leaves | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology

https://news.mit.edu/2025/mit-engineers-develop-pesticides-stick-on-plant-leaves-0325


A possible replacement for plastic: Spinning bacteria create improved cellulose


Here's a look at bacterial cellulose - a sustainable material that breaks down easily - being used to shape containers. 

And these containers could replaces plastics. I do love scientific advances. 

https://phys.org/news/2025-07-plastic-bacteria-cellulose.html


Tennessee woman denied prenatal care for being unmarried


What manner of nonsense is this? You can deny care for stupid - and questionable - moral reasons? 

And the congressman has no obligation to listen to his constituents? This really is dystopian. 

https://nashvillebanner.com/2025/07/20/doctor-denies-pregnant-woman-care/




The EPA will wind up hurting us in many ways.

Now that the EPA has been ceded to people who don't care about the environment, and think protection is for suckers, we're about to see some significant changes coming. 

Among them are changes to any standards as it relates to car emissions. Who needs to regulate the gas mileage, having things like catalytic converters, or care about the toxicity of what's coming out of the tailpipe?

What matters is that car companies can choose what they want to sell and gas companies should be able to profit from lower gas mileage! Screw everyone. 

And there's a secondary problem that goes along with this. The EPA funds some efforts to reduce emissions, and as a result subsidizes the oil industry. 

When that funding source goes away, that means the subsidy goes away. And therefore, we as consumers will pay more at the pump. How much more? I saw an estimate that it likely would be about $.79 per gallon. Meaning that today we're paying $3.17 a gallon. But shortly we'll be paying 25% more - or about $3.96 a gallon. 

And gas mileage likely will go down on new cars, ensuring that you will have to fill up more often. 

But hey. "You voted for lower gas prices" and now you get to FAFO. 


Lets Do Nukes On The Moon 


For some dumb reason, the unqualified shmoke who is the acting head of nasa has announced that America needs to claim the moon and build a nuclear reactor there. 

I don't even know what to say anymore. 



Disney Products Generated $63 Billion in Sales in 2024, as Mouse House Again Tops Global Licensing Leaderboard

$63,000,000,000 in sales of licensed merchandise - a little over 20% of all licensed products - is astounding. 

And it shows the power the mouse has over everything. 



Bonus: A while ago, I posted a video about why fire trucks are so expensive. Here's more context on the topic. 

https://media.hubspot.com/americas-scary-fire-truck-shortage



Bitchin' Dave's newsletter is published weekly.  Please feel free to forward it around. If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe, send an email to geezergamer92@gmail.com

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