What the hell other source is there? Let me get this straight, you only trust what confirms your own biases? Good grief - get a grip.

Just read the damn thing:

https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Unclassified-Summary-of-Assessment-on-COVID-19-Origins.pdf

Why do people claim to be left when they’re clearly not? And why do people latch onto one thing from the people they hate and ignore all the things from the people they like and then make extreme hypocritical arguments?

Geez, we’re all fucked.

My argument is for “not sure”.

They’re not saying much more:

https://www.dni.gov/files/ODNI/documents/assessments/Unclassified-Summary-of-Assessment-on-COVID-19-Origins.pdf

Dude.

4 agencies claim low for natural. 1 agency claims low for lab leak, 1 moderate.

4 > 2

Well, I think you’re taking that a bit too extremely

No, that’s not how that works. But if you really want to do it the wrong way, it’s still +1 for natural.

All the right can ever do is run rampant with their heads cut off believing conspiracy theories and scapegoating others. The instinct was right, but the practice was wrong. It’s not a cope to decry the situation.

From Director of National Intelligence:

Four IC elements and the National Intelligence Council assess with low confidence that the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection was most likely caused by natural exposure to an animal infected with it or a close progenitor virus—a virus that probably would be more than 99 percent similar to SARS-CoV-2. These analysts give weight to China’s officials’ lack of foreknowledge, the numerous vectors for natural exposure, and other factors.

One IC element assesses with moderate confidence that the first human infection with SARS-CoV-2 most likely was the result of a laboratory-associated incident, probably involving experimentation, animal handling, or sampling by the Wuhan Institute of Virology. These analysts give weight to the inherently risky nature of work on coronaviruses.

Analysts at three IC elements remain unable to coalesce around either explanation without additional information, with some analysts favoring natural origin, others a laboratory origin, and some seeing the hypotheses as equally likely.

Variations in analytic views largely stem from differences in how agencies weigh intelligence reporting and scientific publications, and intelligence and scientific gaps.

The prevailing genetic evidence suggests natural. Timing suggests natural. You can’t just cherry pick your evidence.

4 intel agencies believe natural with low confidence. 2 intel agencies believe lab leak with low and moderate confidence.

You and me? We have zero confidence.

There’s also plenty of evidence suggesting the opposite. The only reasonable answer to this question is “not sure” and the political polarization around it is unfortunate.

That’s not true. Just as many institutions believe it was natural, and none of them are especially confident in there conclusions. The more scientific leaning seem to think natural, whereas intel believes lab leak - not sure what is more prestigious.

I get your point, but if half the world’s population is ambivalent then that is worth noting. I don’t buy the idea that the nytimes is pushing Russian propaganda - that’s a stretch.

Conservatives would dispute being far right fascists, though. It’s a weird jumble of people.

It seems easy to believe that he gave to both parties, absolutely, considering his primary concern was regulation. Doing it in secret is also on brand.

We’re fortunate that is only a 5 minute walk away! It’s a great store for basic staples. I’ll never buy a bag of chips anywhere else without feeling cheated.

I do most of the most of the cooking / shopping and I usually spend about $50 each week - I added some to account for booze and miscellaneous stuff. It might help that we don’t buy meat and we shop at Aldi.

I have also accumulated countless bulk spices, dry beans, herb garden and what not that rarely needs to be purchased.

Fresh veggies, fruit and bread isn’t too expensive.

Damn, we probably spent $75 a week on groceries maximum.