Notes From All Over, Part 1 -- December 21, 2019

First things first: this week in pictures, Powerline.

Flickr: tea leaves suggest this site will soon be under new ownership. At best.

Aftershocks: from Barron's today --

Some tech firms are having pre-wedding jitters ahead of the pending nuptials between Schwab and TD Ameritrade.

They’re concerned about losing their place on the technology platform of the combined mega-firm, Financial Planning reports.

Here’s why: TD Ameritrade’s Veo Open Access platform links to more than 150 fintech firms through API integrations, according to the firm’s website. This open architecture allows advisors to pick and choose among a broad range of applications to suit their needs. By contrast, Schwab links with slightly more than 80 fintech firms, Financial Planning reports, citing a Schwab spokesman.

While there’s no guarantee, it’s logical that the combined company could eventually select one platform over the other, and there’s speculation that, if this happens, Veo would be the one to go, prompting FOMO among a number of tech firms.

John, you had one job to do: Failed to dock? LOL The Starliner didn't even reach the correct orbit. The reason? Engineers set the timer incorrectly. Sort of like forgetting to set the timer when preparing soft-boiled eggs. It can't be that hard. How long have we been launching rockets to the Space Station?

Hillary's guiding hand: James Comey's daughter Maureen is one of three leading the Jeffrey Epstein prosecution team. What could possibly go wrong. By the way, the surveillance tape that was lost has now been found. The rumor is that the FBI couldn't find the receipt they needed to pick it up at Costco.

Chief Justice Roberts' guiding hand: just days -- two days? -- after a rare public rebuke of the FBI, presiding -- repeat, presiding -- FISA judge Rosemary Collyer announced that she will be stepping down due to "health reasons." Apparently her health is not all that bad: she will remain a FISA judge until her term ends in 90 days. I may have this a bit wrong, but if so, I'm sure I will be corrected: Judge James Boasberg will replace her, tapped by Chief Justice Roberts. Judge Boasberg, as you all recall, is overseeing the DAPL lawsuit(s).

Shadow government? Well, duh!