Source: The US has never defaulted on its debt — except the four times it did
Summary
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen claimed that the US has never defaulted on its debt but this is untrue. If the US were to default now due to the debt ceiling, it would not be the first time. The US government defaulted explicitly four times before: demand notes in 1862, gold bonds in 1933, silver certificates in 1968, and the breaking of the gold dollar agreement in 1971, causing the end of Bretton Woods system.
Fact
💰 The U.S. government defaulted on its demand notes in 1862 during the Civil War.
💸 The U.S. government defaulted on its gold bonds in 1933.
💵 The U.S. government defaulted on its explicit promise to redeem silver certificate paper dollars for silver dollars in 1968.
🔒 The U.S. government broke its commitment to redeem dollars for gold under the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1971, causing the end of the system.
Source: Ask HN: What is new in Algorithms / Data Structures these days?
Summary
Recent research in fundamental algorithms and data structures is leading to hardware and software advancements, despite the current emphasis on AI/ML. Multiple fields are still making gains behind the computing surge.
Facts
Source: Departing Cook County Prosecutor Upbraids Kim Foxx in Searing Exit Letter
Summary
Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Poje resigned from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, criticizing the criminal justice system’s direction and the agency’s support for policy changes that lead to more crime and harm. He expressed disappointment in the impact of bond reform, shorter parole periods, malicious prosecution of law enforcement officers, overuse of diversion programs, and lack of pursuing prosecutions for lawfully documented crimes.
Fact
💼 Jason Poje, Assistant State’s Attorney for 20 years, resigned from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office.
💼 Poje established a distinguished record as an ASA, serving as Felony Trial First Chair for the last 10 years.
💼 His resignation e-mail to fellow Assistant State’s Attorneys criticizes the direction of the criminal justice system and the CCSAO’s support of policies that resulted in more crime and harm.
💼 Poje was disappointed in the impact of bond reform, shorter parole periods, malicious prosecution of law enforcement officers, overuse of diversion programs, and lack of pursuing documented crimes.
💼 Poje blamed the office’s failure to think before adopting one political agenda after another, which has put his family directly in harm’s way.