Opinion
“The Pattern Beneath”
Originally posted on the author’s Substack USAID and the Architecture of Perception The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has long portrayed itself as America’s humanitarian aid organization, delivering assistance to developing nations. With an annual budget of nearly $40 billion and operations in over 100 countries, it represents …
“Trump’s Ukraine Plans Mean a $3 Trillion Bill for European Allies”
Whatever the US president decides is his goal for Ukraine, one thing is clear: Europe isn’t ready to shoulder its huge share of the burden. Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin met in Helsinki, Finland, on July 16, 2018.Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg SUMMARY: The article discusses Donald Trump’s evolving approach to ending …
“Democratic House Majority (or a Tie) Coming Soon​? A Simple Plan to Prevent It”
The Republican majority in the US House of Representatives is at risk of becoming a one-seat Democratic majority (or a tie) if US House Representative Elise Stefanik is confirmed by the Senate (and she vacates her seat to become the UN Ambassador) before it is known who is elected …
“US Aircraft Carrier Collides With Ship in Mediterranean Sea”
There are no reported injuries, nor is there flooding aboard the carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Cody BeamThe Exterior damage of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) following a collision with merchant vessel Besiktas-M, Feb. 12, 2025 while operating in the vicinity of Port Said, …
“Trump Announces Three-Way Talks on War in Munich”
A woman pays her respects this week at portraits of dead Ukrainian servicemen in Zavallia, central Ukraine. (Reuters) SUMMARY: President Donald Trump announced that U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials would meet at a security conference in Munich to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. However, Russia, which is not officially …
“Elon Musk Says He’ll Withdraw His $97 Billion Bid for Control of Sam Altman’s OpenAI—Only if Altman Agrees to Halt the Transition to a For-Profit Enterprise”
Elon Musk in the Oval Office.Andrew Harnik/Getty Images SUMMARY: Elon Musk, along with a group of private equity and venture investors, made an unsolicited $97.4 billion cash offer to purchase the nonprofit that controls OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. However, Musk’s offer comes with a condition: he wants OpenAI CEO …
“Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sworn in as Trump’s Health Chief After a Close Senate Vote”
SUMMARY: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in as President Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary following a narrow Senate vote of 52-48. Despite skepticism over his anti-vaccine stance, Kennedy received support from most Republicans, though Democrats unanimously opposed him. The only Republican to vote against Kennedy was …
“Belarus Releases Three Prisoners, Including US Citizen and Jailed Journalist”
Belarusian authorities released a jailed US citizen, a Belarusian journalist for a US-funded media outlet and an opposition supporter in what the White House on Wednesday called a “remarkable victory” for the Trump administration. The release is viewed as a bid by Minsk to repair ties with Washington. White House …
“The Most Dramatic Narrative Shift in Modern History”
Original article (via Brownstone Institute)Â The most dramatic narrative shift in this post-lockdown period has been the flip in the perceptions of government itself. For decades and even centuries, government was seen as the essential bulwark to defend the poor, empower the marginalized, realize justice, even the playing field in …
“RFK Jr. Clears Key Hurdle as Senate Tees Up Final Confirmation Vote”
Original Article (via Children’s Health Defense) The U.S. Senate today voted 53-47 along party lines to invoke cloture and end debate on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination for HHS secretary, moving the founder and former chairman of Children’s Health Defense one step closer to the nation’s top health post. The …
“After Putin Call, Trump Says Negotiations To End Ukraine War Will Start ‘Immediately’”
Summary: President Donald Trump announced that negotiations to end the Ukraine war will begin immediately after a productive phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The call was the first between the two leaders since Trump took office, and both sides expressed a conciliatory tone. They discussed various topics, including …
“Why Is Trump Pushing Classical Architecture?”
Originally published on the author’s Substack The past and future of American design On his first day in office, President Trump issued the executive order titled Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture, which reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritizing traditional and classical architectural styles in federal building projects. The order built on …
“Postcards from a Train, Part Two”
The Last of President Biden’s America I left you, dear readers, promising you a Part Two of my train journey West to East, across the country. Events have delayed me — thank you for your patience – and in retrospect I am glad. Because now I see that the last …
“Trump and Musk Move to Dismantle USAID, Igniting Battle With Democratic Lawmakers”
SUMMARY: The Trump administration, with support from Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is attempting to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a critical agency responsible for providing global humanitarian aid, education, and development programs. This move has sparked intense opposition from Congressional Democrats, who …
“Treasury Department Sued Over DOGE Payment Access”
Patrick Semansky, Associated Press file SUMMARY: A coalition of groups has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Treasury Department over the involvement of officials from the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a project led by tech billionaire Elon Musk. The groups, including Public Citizen Litigation Group, State Democracy Defenders Fund, …
“RFK, Jr. asks if nation can come together over health; Democrat senators say No.”
Originally published on the author’s Substack Furious Dems launch coordinated attack on the son of Dem hero Robert F. Kennedy in a two-day series of hearings before Senate committees. Everything now depends on Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana “Today, America’s overall health is in grievous condition. Over 70 percent of adults …
Letter to the Editors: FEMA
To the Editors, Congratulations on your show with Emerald. I was able to catch it today and have related comments on FEMA, particularly about the FEMA’s obstruction of progress and the difference after President Trump’s visit to the Appalachian region. FEMA has a lot to hide. Federal financial fraud and embezzlement of FEMA …
“Doctors Opposing RFK Jr. Rally in the Lead-Up to His Confirmation”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke during a hearing with the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government on Capitol Hill on July 20, 2023 in Washington, DC.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Summary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is set to appear before the Senate this week to secure his nomination …
“5 Key Takeaways From RFK Jr.’s First Senate Confirmation Hearing”
Kennedy’s confirmation vote in the Senate is sure to be a close one. If even just a few Republicans don’t support Kennedy, the bid could result in failure. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing on Jan. 29, 2025 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee | …
“Pentagon Revokes Milley’s Security Clearance and Detail”
President Donald Trump selected Gen. Mark Milley as Joint Chiefs chair in 2018, but the two quickly began to clash. | Carolyn Kaster/AP The article from Politico reports that U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) officials have revoked the security clearance of retired Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. Mark Milley, who served as the …