04/28 -- Russia: Drone attack causes fire at Tuapse refinery; Rule by Secrecy – How Covert Regime Change Shaped Our World
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Thomas L. Knapp
Apr 28, 2026, 6:15:35 AM (3 days ago) Apr 28
to Freedom News Daily
Freedom News Daily, 04/28/26
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Today's Freedom News:
1) Russia: Drone attack causes fire at Tuapse refinery
2) SCOTUS weighs unconstitutional “geofence warrants” for cellphone data
3) Lebanon: Regime says 14 killed in latest Israeli ceasefire violations
4) CA: Idiotic Tax Proposal Allegedly Gets Enough Signatures for Ballot
5) Sources: Trump disinclined to end Iran fiasco absent “victory”
6) Taiwan: Regime completes US tank deal as final Abrams shipment reaches port
7) FL: DeSatanist unveils new gerrymander map
8) Pope prays with Archbishop of Canterbury in historic encounter, vows dialogue
9) MI: Feds order immediate inspection of Cheboygan Dam powerhouse
10) Mali: Russian fighters confirm withdrawal from northern city after separatist attacks
11) SCOTUS Formally Reinstates Texas Gerrymander
12) IL: Robbery suspect charged with murder, attempted murder of Chicago police officers at a hospital
13) China: Regime blocks Meta’s $2 billion takeover of AI startup Manus
14) Sri Lanka: Monks arrested after 110kg of cannabis discovered in their luggage
15) SC: Measles outbreak is over, after sickening nearly 1,000 people
16) India: Modi’s BJP Gains Ground in Upper House After AAP Lawmakers Defect
17) Gunmen raid Nigerian orphanage and kidnap children
18) Trump whines at “60 Minutes” for asking about Hilton gunman’s manifesto
19) Surf contest postponed as warm Pacific Ocean drives unusual shark behavior
20) Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Today's Freedom Commentary:
21) Rule by Secrecy – How Covert Regime Change Shaped Our World
22) Someone please tell America how this ends
23) America Is Losing Its Allure for the World’s Migrants
24) Operation Choke Point Choked
25) Privatization’s the word
26) Progressivism’s attack dog SPLC blows itself up
27) Lawmakers want to force Californians to take anti-hate speech training
28) What Happens if America Nationalizes AI?
29) Reining in the Pentagon: Can the Military-Industrial Beast Be Tamed?
30) Continued Right-Wing Obtuseness on the Drug War
31) The “No Kings” Movement Is Sheer Hypocrisy
32) Those Fit to Rule
33) Trump’s Epic Stupidity Could Kill Millions of People
34) Trade Offensive
35) They Went Hard Against Woke. And Then … Went Even Harder Against Trump
36) After Machiavelli
37) Virginia Democrats’ map scheme faces judgment at the high court
38) Trump: When the only friends you have left are Bushies and neocons
39) When a Chicken Isn’t Just a Chicken
40) “The Wealth of Nations” and 250 Years of Economists Missing the Point
41) Active Shooters Swimming in Big Tech’s Swamp of Hatred and Division
42) Conscription Means Slavery, Not Unity
43) Is the Lebanon File the Key to Ending the Iran War?
44) Re-Radicalization in an Age of MAGA Remorse
45) How delusional Dems are creating an alternate left-wing [sic] universe
46) The Death of Gatekeepers
47) Are we all conspiracy theorists now?
48) Schools Introduce Hybrid Options As Homeschooling’s Popularity Persists
49) Bayer “Turns Over Every Stone” to Stiff Roundup Cancer Victims
50) A conversation with Dawn Deaner, a public defender running for judge
Today's Freedom Podcast and Video:
51) Reason Roundtable, 04/27/26
52) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/27/26
53) Rising, 04/27/26
54) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 04/27/26
55) This War Is Going To Starve People
56) EconTalk, 04/27/26
57) The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg, 04/27/26
58) Zooming In, 04/27/26
59) The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, 04/27/26
60) Fountainhead Forum, episode 440
61) Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp, 04/26/26
62) Pink Flame of Liberty, 04/26/26
63) Free Talk Live, 04/26/26
64) Politicks, 04/26/26
65) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/26/26
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_____ Today's Freedom News _____
1) Russia: Drone attack causes fire at Tuapse refinery
Source: Reuters
“A Ukrainian drone attack has caused a ‘large-scale fire’ at Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea, forcing the evacuation of nearby buildings, local officials said on Tuesday. The Rosneft-owned refinery delivers oil products mainly for exports but operations have been halted since April 16 following an earlier drone attack, industry sources said. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the reports. Kyiv has stepped up strikes on Russia since March, with U.S.-brokered talks on the war in Ukraine on pause and Washington mainly focusing on the Iran war.” (04/28/26)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/drone-attack-causes-fire-russias-tuapse-refinery-authorities-say-2026-04-28/
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2) SCOTUS weighs unconstitutional “geofence warrants” for cellphone data
Source: ABC News
“For generations, cops have obtained warrants to lawfully seek information from a specific suspect in a crime. The Supreme Court on Monday is considering whether investigators can also use so-called ‘geofence warrants’ to do the reverse — scanning cell phone data of thousands of innocent individuals in hopes of finding a suspect to apprehend. The landmark case is the first time the justices will consider whether [sic] the controversial practice of digital dragnets, which have grown in popularity among law enforcement with advances in technology, violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.” [editor’s note: There’s no ambiguity in “particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized” – TLK] (04/27/26)
https://abcnews.com/Politics/supreme-court-weighs-geofence-warrants-cellphone-data/story?id=132358022
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3) Lebanon: Regime says 14 killed in latest Israeli ceasefire violations
Source: The Guardian [UK]
“Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country’s south killed 14 people on Sunday, the deadliest day since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force over a week ago. The health ministry said the dead on Sunday included two women and two children, adding that 37 other people were wounded. Israel said one of its soldiers was also killed. The US-mediated ceasefire – which started on 16 April and has been extended to mid-May – has brought a significant reduction in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, though both sides have continued to fire at each other, trading blame over breaches.” (04/27/26)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/27/lebanon-israeli-strikes-deadliest-day-since-ceasefire-began
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4) CA: Idiotic Tax Proposal Allegedly Gets Enough Signatures for Ballot
Source: Forbes
“Organizers of a proposal to impose a one-time, 5% tax on the wealth of California residents with assets worth at least $1.1 billion say they’ve collected twice as many signatures as they need to get the measure before the state’s voters on November’s ballot — as a number of bold-faced billionaires have already change their residency. The union leading the effort said they’ve collected nearly 1.6 million signatures and will announce on Monday when they’ll be submitted to election officials for verification. The group needed the signatures of 875,000 registered voters, and must submit them to county elections officials by June 24, to get the controversial proposition on the ballot.” (04/27/26)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/04/27/billionaires-tax-closer-to-california-ballot-heres-who-has-already-left/
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5) Sources: Trump disinclined to end Iran fiasco absent “victory”
Source: New York Times
“President Trump has told advisers he is not satisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, according to multiple people briefed on discussions in the White House Situation Room on Monday. The proposal also called on the United States to end its naval blockade but would have set aside questions about what to do with Iran’s nuclear program, according to U.S. and Iranian officials familiar with details of the negotiations. Iran has repeatedly rejected American proposals to suspend its nuclear program and hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. It is not clear precisely why Mr. Trump is not satisfied with the proposal, but he has repeatedly insisted that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. A U.S. official also said that accepting it could appear to deny Mr. Trump a victory.” (04/27/26)
https://archive.is/Ac40Z
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6) Taiwan: Regime completes US tank deal as final Abrams shipment reaches port
Source: South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]
“Taiwan has received its final shipment of US-made M1A2T Abrams tanks, completing a long-delayed order aimed at modernising the island’s ageing armoured forces. Considered among the world’s most powerful tanks, these vehicles are expected to bolster the island’s defence amid rising military pressure from Beijing. … The delivery completes Taiwan’s 2019 purchase of 108 tanks from the US as part of a package worth about NT$40.5 billion (US$1.29 billion), which also included M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles and heavy transporters.” (04/27/26)
https://archive.is/CRYKH
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7) FL: DeSatanist unveils new gerrymander map
Source: CNN
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a new map for US House districts that appears to show Republicans gaining an advantage in four seats now held by Democrats. His proposal, released one day before the Florida Legislature opens a special session, targets a Tampa-area district held by Rep. Kathy Castor as well as an Orlando-area district held by Rep. Darren Soto. It also redraws districts in South Florida for Republican advantage. It’s the latest salvo in a coast-to-coast redistricting fight that President Donald Trump kicked off last year when Texas drew new lines at his behest. Just last week, Virginia voters approved a referendum that could give Democrats better chances at four US House seats in the state.” (04/27/26)
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/27/politics/desantis-proposes-new-us-house-map-florida
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8) Pope prays with Archbishop of Canterbury in historic encounter, vows dialogue
Source: Associated Press
“Pope Leo XIV prayed Monday in the Vatican with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, and vowed to keep working to overcome differences ‘no matter how intractable they may appear,’ in a historic meeting with the first female leader of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion. The encounter between Christianity’s two most famous religious figures would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, given the divisions between their two churches over women’s ordination in general and Mullally’s appointment in particular. Leo acknowledged that ‘new problems’ in their relationship had been added onto ‘historically divisive issues.’ But he nevertheless vowed to continue the tradition of past popes to continue to try to reunite the churches. Anglicans split from Rome in 1534, when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment.” (04/27/26)
https://apnews.com/article/pope-mullally-anglican-church-1bab05ed0b4224347fbd688d02fc6ee3
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9) MI: Feds order immediate inspection of Cheboygan Dam powerhouse
Source: SFGate
“Federal energy regulators have ordered immediate inspections of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse and other Michigan dams that faced the risk of failure in this month’s historic flooding. Separately, state officials said they plan to inspect dams under their oversight to check for damage from the high waters that nearly overtook several impoundments last week amid spring snowmelt and heavy rains. After similar flooding in 1986, ‘a couple of dams failed weeks later because they sustained damage that didn’t get adequately assessed,’ Luke Trumble, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s dam safety chief, told Bridge Michigan. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in a Thursday letter ordered Hom Paper XI LLC, the owner of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse, to file a report no later than May 15 detailing how it will keep operational a powerhouse that was reactivated as an emergency measure April 17.” (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/feds-order-immediate-inspection-of-cheboygan-dam-22228290.php
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10) Mali: Russian fighters confirm withdrawal from northern city after separatist attacks
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“After a weekend of co-ordinated attacks across Mali by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, Russian forces who are in the country helping protect the military government have confirmed they have pulled out of the northern city of Kidal. In a series of social media posts, Russia’s Africa Corps said they had ‘left the locality’ along with Malian troops. The separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) group said on Sunday the Russian troops had agreed to withdraw permanently, and claimed control of Kidal, declaring it ‘now free’. Mali has faced insurgencies for years from the separatists in the north, and groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. On Saturday, explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in multiple parts of Mali, including the capital, Bamako.” (04/27/26)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w3wyq4v14o
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11) SCOTUS Formally Reinstates Texas Gerrymander
Source: US News & World Report
“The U.S. Supreme Court formally reinstated on Monday a redrawn Texas electoral map that was designed to add more Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives, as President Donald Trump’s party seeks to keep control of Congress in the November congressional elections. The move by the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, formalizes an interim decision it made in December to revive the map of U.S. House districts in Texas. … The Supreme Court in February allowed California to use a new electoral map designed to give Democrats five more congressional seats after that Democratic-led state redrew its House districts in response to the action by Republicans in Texas.” (04/27/26)
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2026-04-27/us-supreme-court-formally-reinstates-pro-republican-texas-voting-map
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12) IL: Robbery suspect charged with murder, attempted murder of Chicago police officers at a hospital
Source: SFGate
“A robbery suspect now faces murder and attempted murder charges along with a long list of other felony counts in the shooting death of a Chicago police officer and the wounding of another at a hospital where they took him for treatment. Alphanso Talley, 26, was scheduled to make his first appearance Monday in Cook County Circuit Court, the state’s attorney’s office said. Officer John Bartholomew, 38, a 10-year veteran of the force, was pronounced dead just before 1 p.m. Saturday after being shot at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. A second officer was critically wounded in the Saturday morning shooting, police said. His name was not immediately released..” (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/robbery-suspect-charged-with-murder-attempted-22228152.php
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13) China: Regime blocks Meta’s $2 billion takeover of AI startup Manus
Source: CNBC
“China’s state planner on Monday called for Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singaporean artificial intelligence startup with Chinese roots. The decision to prohibit foreign investment in Manus was made in accordance with laws and regulations, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a brief statement. It added that it has asked the parties involved to withdraw the acquisition transaction. … The deal had attracted scrutiny from both China and Washington, as lawmakers in the U.S. have prohibited American investors from backing Chinese AI companies directly. Meanwhile, Beijing has increased efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving business offshore.” (04/27/26)
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/27/meta-manus-china-blocks-acquisition-ai-startup.html
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14) Sri Lanka: Monks arrested after 110kg of cannabis discovered in their luggage
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Twenty-two monks have been arrested at an airport in Sri Lanka after officials discovered 110kg (242lbs) of cannabis concealed in their luggage. Customs officials said each monk was found with around 5kg of Kush — a particularly potent form of the drug — hidden within ‘false walls’ in their luggage when they arrived in the capital Colombo on Saturday. The monks, who were mainly students, were returning from Thailand after being treated to an all-expenses-paid four-day holiday by an unnamed sponsor when they were detained. A 23rd monk, believed to have organised the trip, has since been arrested in a suburb of Colombo, police told BBC Sinhala. According to the acting police spokesman, the monk — who did not join the trip — had told the other monks that ‘these parcels are a donation’ and that a van would come to collect the packages.” (04/27/26)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4v4nzwj94o
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15) SC: Measles outbreak is over, after sickening nearly 1,000 people
Source: SFGate
“South Carolina’s measles outbreak — the worst in the U.S. in more than 35 years — is over, state health officials declared Monday. On Sunday, the state passed the threshold of 42 days with no new outbreak-related cases. In the end, 997 people were sickened by the vaccine-preventable disease since October and at least 21 of them were hospitalized, based on voluntary reports to the state. State health officials estimate the outbreak response cost $2.1 million. ‘The outbreak was predominantly contained to one area of one county and never went statewide, thanks to timely investigations, identification of those exposed, and people’s willingness to stay home,’ said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health.” [editor’s note: I caught the measles at around age 10 or 11; it was no fun, and I spent about a week in lowered light, running from bed to bathroom and back, but it was far from fatal – SAT] (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/south-carolina-s-measles-outbreak-is-over-after-22228292.php
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16) India: Modi’s BJP Gains Ground in Upper House After AAP Lawmakers Defect
Source: US News & World Report
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party strengthened its position in parliament’s upper house after seven opposition lawmakers joined it, a parliamentary list showed on Monday, a shift that could ease the government’s passage of legislation. All seven defectors are from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by one of Modi’s most high‑profile critics, Arvind Kejriwal. The party governs the northern state of Punjab and previously ran the national capital territory of Delhi. The defections leave the AAP with just three seats in the Rajya Sabha house, while Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party now has 113 members, 10 short of a simple majority in the 245‑member chamber.” (04/27/26)
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-04-27/modis-bjp-gains-ground-in-indias-upper-house-after-aap-lawmakers-defect
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17) Gunmen raid Nigerian orphanage and kidnap children
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Eight children are still missing after gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage in Nigeria’s north-central Kogi State and kidnapped 23, authorities have said. Kogi’s information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said 15 children were rescued due to the ‘prompt and coordinated response’ of security agencies. Sunday’s attack also saw the owner of the facility taken, he added. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security sources say the state has a functional Boko Haram cell, and that there have been several violent attacks in the area. Nigeria is also grappling with a kidnap crisis in many parts of the country, with criminal gangs abducting people for ransoms. The government has made paying ransoms illegal but this has not prevented the kidnappings.” (04/27/26)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8dmx41vko
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18) Trump whines at “60 Minutes” for asking about Hilton gunman’s manifesto
Source: Axios
“President Trump called CBS’ Norah O’Donnell ‘disgraceful’ during a ’60 Minutes’ interview Sunday, after she raised comments the gunman from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner allegedly made about him in a manifesto. O’Donnell asked Trump for his reaction to the manifesto, and allegations the suspect appeared to make about him, prompting the president to say: ‘I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you’re horrible people. … Yeah, he did write that. I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.'” (04/26/26)
https://archive.is/oPPOa
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19) Surf contest postponed as warm Pacific Ocean drives unusual shark behavior
Source: SFGate
“Southern California’s waters appear to be teeming this spring with white sharks, drawing the attention of fishers, surfers and biologists. A reportedly aggressive 10-foot shark off Huntington Beach led to a partial ocean closure and the postponement of a professional surf competition on Thursday. State experts explain that the extreme marine heat wave baking the Pacific Ocean likely prompted baby white sharks to arrive in February, at least a month earlier than normal, and that older and bigger sharks are now starting to follow. ‘Every year about this time, females are coming back from their open ocean migrations to give birth somewhere in Southern California, and then those baby white sharks show up at our beaches,’ Chris Lowe, the director of Cal State Long Beach’s Shark Lab, told SFGATE.” (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/white-sharks-california-pacific-22220577.php
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20) Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Source: Seattle Times
“Two Israeli political heavyweights on Sunday said they would join forces in upcoming elections in a shared effort to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid served as prime ministers in a rotation agreement as part of a coalition government they formed in 2021. They now plan to merge their parties into single faction headed by Bennett. … The two men have ideological differences. Bennett is an Orthodox Jew with hard-line views toward the Palestinians, while Lapid is secular and seen as more moderate. But they enjoyed a close working relationship during their short-lived coalition. Their alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu.” (04/26/26)
https://archive.is/6BLAJ
_____ Today's Freedom Commentary _____
21) Rule by Secrecy – How Covert Regime Change Shaped Our World
Source: Antiwar.com
by Michael Holmes
“The modern international order rests on a contradiction rarely examined in full daylight. Western states present themselves as guardians of international rules, democracy, and self-determination, yet the historical record of their behavior abroad tells a different story — one written not in treaties or speeches, but in classified cables, deniable operations, and shattered political systems. Covert Regime Change, first published in 2018, matters because it documents, with unusual rigor, how this contradiction became a governing method. Lindsey A. O’Rourke, Associate Professor at Boston College, does not ask whether covert intervention occasionally went wrong. She demonstrates that it became a routine instrument of statecraft, one whose predictable consequences were political collapse, mass violence, and long-term instability.” (04/27/26)
https://original.antiwar.com/michael_holmes/2026/04/26/rule-by-secrecy-how-covert-regime-change-shaped-our-world
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22) meone please tell America how this ends
Source: The Hill
by Harlan Ullman
“During the second Iraq War, General David Petraeus famously asked in his book: ‘Tell Me How This Ends.’ No question could be more relevant to Operation Epic Fury and the ill-advised and potentially disastrous undeclared war against Iran. Since the Korean War, no administration other than George H.W. Bush’s learned the lesson that while the U.S. military was proficient at winning battles, the U.S. was incapable of winning wars. The first Iraq War and operations Desert Shield and Storm were textbook examples of how to respond to armed aggression. And those who criticized the first President Bush for not marching to Baghdad in 1991 found out how catastrophic that would have been when his son, President George W. Bush, did precisely that. At some stage, someone will write the definitive story of how this misguided and misjudged misapplication of American blood and treasure occurred.” (04/27/26)
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/5849801-trump-iran-negotiations-strategy/
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23) America Is Losing Its Allure for the World’s Migrants
Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille
“A plaque on the Statue of Liberty features Emma Lazarus’s words urging the world to ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ In his farewell address, then-President Ronald Reagan referred to the United States as a ‘shining city upon a hill’ and added that in his vision, ‘if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.’ But despite its continuing success, the U.S. is becoming a less attractive destination for people around the world. Currently-ascendant nativists want to close America’s doors and turn away the huddled masses, and the message is being received loud and clear.” (04/27/26)
https://reason.com/2026/04/27/america-is-losing-its-allure-for-the-worlds-migrants/
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24) Operation Choke Point Choked
Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
“[I]n 2013 the Department of Justice and FDIC began pressing banks to cut off services to certain ‘high risk’ industries, like the gun industry. The initiative was called — with laudable candor — Operation Choke Point. … The Trump administration first sought to end this practice in 2017. But the urge to censor and punish viewpoints, including by debanking, resurged during the Biden administration. In 2025, President Trump, in his second shot at heading the executive branch, issued a new executive order directing federal agencies to review the situation and issue new regulations to protect customers. It was to be made clear to banks that despite the impression conveyed by other administrations, so-called ‘reputational risk’ — which boils down to hostility to certain views and enterprises — is not a warrant to fire customers.” [editor’s note: In the absence of binding contract, the only “warrant to fire customers” any business should need is its desire to not to business with them – TLK] (04/27/26)
https://thisiscommonsense.org/2026/04/27/operation-choke-point-choked/
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25) Privatization’s the word
Source: Adam Smith Institute
by Madsen Pirie
“George Monbiot once said that I claimed to have invented the word ‘privatization.’ Nothing could be further from the truth, in common with many (if not most) of George’s claims. I have gone on record several times to point out that the word was in use before I was even born, which in my case is a very long time indeed. I did say that I preferred to spell it with a ‘z’ rather than an ‘s,’ as is do with most ‘ize’ endings. The word privatization, specifically the gerund ‘privatizing,’ first appeared in English in April 1923 in the New York Times. It was used within quotation marks in a translation of a German speech regarding the potential for American companies to purchase German state railroads. While that was the first recorded instance of the word itself, its development as a technical term followed a more complex path.” (04/7/26)
https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/privatizations-the-word
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26) Progressivism’s attack dog SPLC blows itself up
Source: Washington Times
by Robert Knight
“‘He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.’ (Psalm 7:15) The Southern Poverty Law Center, famous for battling ‘hate groups’, helped stoke hate by funneling millions of dollars to the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other extremists and engaged in criminal activity to cover it up, according to the Justice Department. Announcing an indictment with 11 counts Tuesday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that from 2014 to 2023, the SPLC paid big bucks to leaders at the Ku Klux Klan, the United Klans of America, Unite the Right, National Alliance, the National Socialist Movement, the Aryan Nation Motorcycle Club, the National Socialist Party of America and the American Front.” (04/27/26)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/26/progressivisms-attack-dog-splc-blows/
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27) Lawmakers want to force Californians to take anti-hate speech training
Source: Expression
by Greg Gonzalez & Adam Goldstein
“California lawmakers are considering two bills that would make ‘anti-hate speech training’ a requirement. Assembly Bill 1803 would require employers with five or more employees to incorporate such training into existing, already-mandated sexual harassment prevention programs. Under Assembly Bill 1578, a similar training would be mandated for all state and local elected officials. … But ‘hate speech’ includes speech protected by the First Amendment — speech the government has no business trying to snuff out with legal mandates. But also, it has no clear or consistent definition. Because of that vagueness, efforts to regulate ‘hate speech’ risk giving the government sweeping authority to suppress views it doesn’t like.” (04/27/26)
https://expression.fire.org/p/lawmakers-want-to-force-californians
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28) What Happens if America Nationalizes AI?
Source: The Atlantic
by Matteo Wong & Lila Shroff
“AI companies are beginning to entertain the possibility that they could cease to exist. This notion was, until recently, more theoretical: A couple of years ago, an ex-OpenAI employee named Leopold Aschenbrenner wrote a lengthy memo speculating that the U.S. government might soon take control of the industry. By 2026 or 2027, Aschenbrenner wrote, an ‘obvious question’ will be circling through the Pentagon and Congress: Do we need a government-led program for artificial general intelligence — an AGI Manhattan Project? He predicted that Washington would decide to go all in on such an effort.
Aschenbrenner may have been prescient.” (04/27/26)
https://archive.is/fHUCU
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29) Reining in the Pentagon: Can the Military-Industrial Beast Be Tamed?
Source: TomDispatch
by William D Hartung
“Right at this moment, we are witnessing an unprecedented shift of resources from domestic investments in the United States to the military-industrial complex (aka the war machine). The only comparable period in our history was the buildup to World War II, when the United States confronted a powerful adversary in Nazi Germany with designs to control not just Europe, but the world. The current buildup is breathtaking in scope and will certainly prove devastating in its impact — not just on this country’s foreign and domestic policies but also on the economic prospects of average Americans. When, in 2023, my colleague Ben Freeman and I first conceived of our book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine, we viewed it in part as a cautionary tale about just how high the Pentagon budget might rise in the years to come (absent pushback from Congress and the taxpaying public).” (04/26/26)
https://tomdispatch.com/reining-in-the-pentagon
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30) Continued Right-Wing Obtuseness on the Drug War
Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Jacob G Hornberger
“The obtuseness regarding the U.S. drug war that has long afflicted American conservatives never ceases to amaze me. I just cannot understand how intelligent people can be so steadfastly ignorant when it comes to this manifestly evil and immoral federal program. Yet another example of this strange phenomenon comes from a right-winger named Joshua Treviño, who serves in two conservative organizations — the America First Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and the Texas Public Policy Institute in Austin, Texas. I’m not sure how old Treviño is but …. He obviously is a smart man and he’s clearly old enough to be able to figure things out. Unfortunately, however, when it comes to the drug war, he remains steadfastly obtuse, just like almost every other right-winger in America.” (04/27/26)
https://www.fff.org/2026/04/27/continued-right-wing-obtuseness-on-the-drug-war/
-----
31) The “No Kings” Movement Is Sheer Hypocrisy
Source: Town Hall
by Mark Lewis
“I’m convinced that the majority of people who take part in the ‘No Kings’ marches have absolutely no idea what they are doing. The Democratic masses are, sadly but inexcusably, nothing but ignorant, foolish sheep, being led to the slaughter by their ‘shepherds,’ who are wolves in wool. The sheep are taught to hate Donald Trump, and so, like Pavlov’s dogs, when the bell rings, they slobber and shout ‘Nazi!’ ‘No king!’ etc. Many of them probably actually believe Donald Trump wants to be king. It will never happen, even if Trump wanted it. You and I wouldn’t allow it. That’s what we rebelled against, remember. But while the Democratic masses are ignorant sheep, their ‘shepherds’ know exactly what they are doing and what they want.” (04/26/26)
https://townhall.com/columnists/marklewis/2026/04/26/the-no-kings-movement-is-sheer-hypocrisy-n2675051
-----
32) Those Fit to Rule
Source: Underthrow
by Max Borders
“On the Search for Our Rulers, Descended from Above.” (04/27/26)
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/those-fit-to-rule
-----
33) Trump’s Epic Stupidity Could Kill Millions of People
Source: Beat the Press
by Dean Baker
“Trump is both an incredibly ignorant person and incredibly dishonest person. As a result, when he claims ignorance of an obvious fact it is difficult to tell whether he really is as ignorant as he claims or he’s just lying. Such is the case with Trump’s claim that he didn’t know Iran might attack its neighbors and close the Strait of Hormuz in response to his joint attack with Israel. Trump insisted that none of the experts thought this possible when in effect just about every expert thought it was both possible and likely. Given Trump’s ignorance and propensity to lie, it is not easy to know whether Trump actually went to war totally unaware of the most likely consequences, or instead went to war anyhow, deciding that he didn’t care about the damage it would cause.” (04/27/26)
https://cepr.net/publications/trumps-ignorance-could-kill-millions/
-----
34) Trade Offensive
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Mark Nayler
“Despite US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning that anyone seeking stronger trade ties with Beijing would be ‘cutting their own throat,’ Donald Trump’s weaponized tariffs are causing many countries to seek closer relations with China. There has been a barrage of diplomacy in the first few months of 2026, especially from European leaders concerned about the effects of Chinese competitiveness on domestic industries.” (04/27/26)
https://fee.org/articles/trade-offensive/
-----
35) They Went Hard Against Woke. And Then … Went Even Harder Against Trump
Source: Persuasion
by Cathy Young
“Don’t blame the free speech crowd for Trump’s assaults on free expression.” (04/27/26)
https://www.persuasion.community/p/dont-blame-the-anti-woke-crowd-for
-----
36) After Machiavelli
Source: Law & Liberty
by Ferenc Hörcher
“The vision of prudence Francisco Suárez provides can save virtue from a Machiavellian faithlessness.” (04/27/26)
https://lawliberty.org/classic/after-machiavelli/
-----
37) Virginia Democrats’ map scheme faces judgment at the high court
Source: Fox News
by Jonathan Turley
“As Virginia heads to the state Supreme Court, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) will have to up his game a bit. For starters, he will have to actually defend the redistricting resolution as constitutional when prompted. In a recent interview with CNN, even the host of the friendly network expressed frustration that Jones could not seem to get himself to actually defend the dubious language of the ballot measure. Many of us have expressed skepticism over the process and language of the resolution that passed this week, effectively wiping out all but one GOP district in the purple state. Virginia was considered the gold standard among states rejecting gerrymandering with fairly divided districts in a state that is divided right down the middle.” (04/26/26)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/jonathan-turley-virginia-democrats-map-scheme-faces-judgment-high-court
-----
38) Trump: When the only friends you have left are Bushies and neocons
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Jack Hunter
“The warmaking president is shedding his base. But the last ones on the MAGA bus may be the first to leap off at any sign of political trouble.” (04/27/26)
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-base-iran-war/
-----
39) When a Chicken Isn’t Just a Chicken
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Patrick J Lee
“A man stands at a farmers market stall. His wife is talking to the farmer. He picks up a chicken. Paper-wrapped, no barcode, a handwritten tag on the twine. He holds it close to read the label and sets it back down fast. The price is an insult. What are these people thinking? A minute later, another man reaches for the same bird, reads the same label, and smiles. What a deal. Same chicken, same label, same words. … Mises was clear that prices don’t emerge from some objective measure of worth. They emerge from subjective valuations, each party to an exchange believing—at the moment of transaction—that what he receives is worth more than what he gives up. The price is not a fact about the chicken. It is the meeting point of two different minds reading the world differently.” (04/27/26)
https://mises.org/mises-wire/when-chicken-isnt-just-chicken
-----
40) The Wealth of Nations” and 250 Years of Economists Missing the Point
Source: The Daily Economy
by Daniel J Smith & Gabriel F Benzecry
“From trade policy to public debt, today’s economic debates echo those of 1776. The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge — it’s a failure to teach and apply enduring principles.” 904/27/26)
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-wealth-of-nations-and-250-years-of-economists-missing-the-point/
-----
41) Active Shooters Swimming in Big Tech’s Swamp of Hatred and Division
Source: Common Dreams
by Thom Hartmann
“The attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night shouldn’t surprise us. Not only does America have the world’s most active small-arms industry that essentially controls the GOP (the reporters got a taste of what American — and only American — schoolkids experience every few months from their ‘realistic’ active shooter drills), but we also host the world’s largest and most profitable hate-amplification industry. Algorithms that amplify hate and division in order to “increase engagement” have made Mark Zuckerberg into one of the richest people on the planet, complete with a super-yacht and a doomsday bunker estate in Hawaii; Elon Musk’s X has turned into a sewer of Nazi-style rhetoric while Musk himself has posted, according to The Washington Post, nakedly white supremacist slogans and statements over 850 times just in the past seven months.” (04/27/26)
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/big-tech-mass-shooters
-----
42) Conscription Means Slavery, Not Unity
Source: Libertarian Institute
by Brad Pearce
“While there is a disconnect between the general public and our professional warrior class, and one hears now and again that it would be good for our public to understand military life better, mandatory service would more likely create a false sense of understanding of our professional military that would be more irritating and divisive for everyone. Regarding the premise that mandatory service would build character, this is on its face nonsense.” (04/27/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/articles/conscription-means-slavery-not-unity/
-----
43) Is the Lebanon File the Key to Ending the Iran War?
Source: The American Conservative
by Ali Rizk
“One of the important conclusions to draw from the Iran War is how much importance Tehran attaches to Hezbollah, its long-time Lebanese Shiite ally. This is not to be dismissed as business as usual, but rather reflects a major shift whereby supporting Hezbollah has become even more necessary for Iran’s national security.” (04/27/26)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/is-the-lebanon-file-the-key-to-ending-the-iran-war/
-----
44) Re-Radicalization in an Age of MAGA Remorse
Source: exile in happy valley
by Nicky Reid
“Something very strange is shifting in the darker corners of the internet. Something serpentine slick and black as ink. While Donald Trump moves farther and farther to the right and much of his cultish base mindlessly follows him into the abyss, the farthest of the far-right appear to be turning against Orange-Man-Fash with a vengeance. The brazenly Zionist massacre in Iran was certainly the last straw, but this subterranean sea change was a longtime coming.” (04/26/26)
https://exileinhappyvalley.blogspot.com/2026/04/re-radicalization-in-age-of-maga-remorse.html
-----
45) How delusional Dems are creating an alternate left-wing [sic] universe
Source: New York Post
by Victor Davis Hanson
“It is difficult to determine whether the bizarro worldview of the current Democrat-media nexus can simply be attributed to its generic Trump Derangement Syndrome — but the crazy world of the left [sic] increasingly bears scant resemblance to reality. In this alternate universe, Eric Swalwell was a liberal [sic] icon and invaluable asset for years, though admittedly a bit randy and occasionally a serial sexual predator. Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner was, at last, the left’s [sic] ‘real thing’, the white working-class liberal stiff who could win back the hoi polloi — although he can’t get his story straight on whether his Nazi tattoo was an accident or proof that he was brainwashed by the toxic US military.”[editor’s note: I admit I can’t contest Hanson’s credentials when it comes to expertise in inhabiting strange alternate realities – TLK] (04/27/26)
https://nypost.com/2026/04/27/opinion/how-delusional-democrats-create-a-lefty-alternate-universe/
-----
46) The Death of Gatekeepers
Source: Infinite Scroll
by Jeremiah Johnson
“In an earlier age, gatekeepers existed to stop morons with puerile or reprehensible views from being heard. I’m not the first (or even the hundredth) person to note that all the gatekeepers are gone and we now live in a permissionless, anything-goes media environment. The death of gatekeepers is why you’re reading this blog on Substack, it’s why I can make my living from writing here and podcasting over at the New Liberal Podcast. There are real benefits to allowing anyone to create and distribute their work without having to break through a stultifying, bureaucratic system. But the death of gatekeepers also has downsides. Today, even the New York Times seems to be chasing clicks any way they can. Invite the hot doofus on your show to say blowing up stuff is cool and shoplifting is good but plastic cups are a moral travesty. Why not? That’ll go viral.” (04/26/26)
https://www.infinitescroll.us/p/the-death-of-gatekeepers
-----
47) Are we all conspiracy theorists now?
Source: UnHerd
by Ryan Zickgraf
“The gunshots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner had barely stopped echoing through the DC hotel before the internet had solved the case several times over. The leading theories: it was all staged, or all the Left’s fault. It’s another reminder that we’re in the era of the post-event event: something happens, and then the event is subsumed by its own interpretation.” (04/26/26)
https://archive.is/DCkow
-----
48) Schools Introduce Hybrid Options As Homeschooling’s Popularity Persists
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Kerry McDonald
“On the day the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, I wrote in this space about ‘the world’s homeschooling moment,’ projecting a spike in the number of families who would choose homeschooling and other alternative education options in the wake of school closures. I predicted that while most children would return to their conventional classrooms post-pandemic, some families ‘may start to wonder if homeschooling or other schooling alternatives could be a longer-term option.’ Six years later, it’s clear that many families wondered this. … Hybrid homeschooling programs, along with other creative schooling options, are expanding across the US. These models often provide more curriculum freedom, scheduling flexibility and individualization than traditional schools — public and private.” (04/26/26)
https://fee.org/articles/schools-introduce-hybrid-options-as-homeschoolings-popularity-persists/
-----
49) Bayer “Turns Over Every Stone” to Stiff Roundup Cancer Victims
Source: The American Prospect
by Wisdom Howell
“The executive order President Trump signed in February protecting and encouraging the production of glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Roundup, is a major victory for Bayer AG, the German biotech giant that produces the notorious herbicide. The company has been aggressively implementing its five-point plan to thwart the ability of cancer patients to sue over claims that it failed to warn them about the link between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But Bayer is not resting on its laurels, and is pushing for a more permanent win in the Supreme Court this spring — and eventually in Congress. By the time Bayer introduced its plan to stem a flood of Roundup-related lawsuits in 2021, the company already owed billions in verdicts and settlements.” (04/27/26)
https://prospect.org/2026/04/27/bayer-turns-over-every-stone-to-stiff-roundup-cancer-victims/
-----
50) A conversation with Dawn Deaner, a public defender running for judge
Source: The Watch
by Radley Balko
“The longtime Nashville public defender discusses what she’s learned from 20 years in the trenches, what needs to change, and what she would do on the bench.” (04/26/26)
https://radleybalko.substack.com/p/a-conversation-with-dawn-deaner-a
_____ Today's Freedom Podcast and Video _____
51) Reason Roundtable, 04/27/26
Source: Reason
"The Shooter's Manifesto Was Uncomfortably Normal." (04/27/26)
https://reason.com/podcast/2026/04/27/the-shooters-manifesto-was-uncomfortably-normal/
-----
52) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/27/26
Source: Libertarian Institute
“COL. Lawrence Wilkerson – Did Iran or Trump Cave?” (04/27/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/blog/the-kyle-anzalone-show-guest-col-lawrence-wilkerson-did-iran-or-trump-cave/
-----
53) Rising, 04/27/26
Source: The Hill
“Cole Tomas Allen manifesto revealed: WHCD suspect motivated by Epstein files?” (04/27/26)
https://thehill.com/hilltv/5847447-rising-april-27-2026/
-----
54) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 04/27/26
Source: Ron Paul Liberty Report
“Why The Debt Cannot Be Ignored!” (04/27/26)
https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1wxWjangyqDJQ
-----
55) This War Is Going To Starve People
Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone
“Caitlin and Tim discuss the global consequences the US-Israeli war on Iran is set to have on the weakest members of the poorest countries, the latest Trump assassination attempt, BBC headline shenanigans, and more.” (04/27/26)
https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2026/04/27/podcast-this-war-is-going-to-starve-people/
-----
56) EconTalk, 04/27/26
Source: EconTalk
“Claude, War, and the State of the Republic (with Dean Ball).” (04/27/26)
https://www.econtalk.org/claude-war-and-the-state-of-the-republic-with-dean-ball/
-----
57) The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg, 04/27/26
Source: The Dispatch
“Resiliency and Change | Interview: Liz Hoffman.” (04/27/26)
https://thedispatch.com/podcast/remnant/resiliency-and-change-interview-liz-hoffman/
-----
58) Zooming In, 04/27/26
Source: The UnPopulist
“Where Will the GOP — and Where Should Democrats — Go After Trump: A Conversation with Jamelle Bouie.” (04/27/26)
https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/where-will-the-gopand-where-should
-----
59) The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, 04/27/26
Source: The New Republic
“Trump Is on an Epic Losing Streak — and His Latest Is Truly Humiliating.” (04/27/26)
https://newrepublic.com/article/209519/trump-epic-losing-streak-and-latest-truly-humiliating
-----
60) Fountainhead Forum, episode 440
Source: Fountainhead Forum
“Tony D’Orazio on running for vice-chair of the Libertarian Party (USA).” (04/26/26)
https://rumble.com/v791lpo-ff-440-tony-dorazio-on-running-for-vice-chair-of-the-libertarian-party-usa.html
-----
61) Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp, 04/26/26
Source: Antiwar.com
“State Department: US in Conflict With Iran At the Request of Israel, IDF Kills 19 in Gaza, and More.” (04/26/26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq5MKd_XxU4
-----
62) Pink Flame of Liberty, 04/26/26
Source: Pink Flame of Liberty
“Let’s Discuss the Libertarian Party Bylaws Committee Proposals.” (04/26/26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvgpPArVys
-----
63) Free Talk Live, 04/26/26
Source: Free Talk Live
“Penguin hates the word ‘bro’ :: Is Ian autistic? :: Public school made Bonnie bad at math :: FreeIanNow.org :: Fidelity Investments lost a woman’s savings, Bitcoin fixes this :: Social media forcing ID verification in the UK, it’s coming here :: ‘For the children’ :: AI already helping people in Australia to bypass the ID verification :: It’s not immoral to lie to the police :: DARE caused more drug use but put money in police pockets :: School district in California sending kids ‘of color’ to enriching programs but not white kids on every tax payer’s dime :: Chris calls Bonnie racist but she’s not, just making a point :: Does LPNH or anyone else represent you? :: 2026-04-26 :: Hosts: Bonnie, Penguin, Rich E Rich.” (04/26/26)
https://soundcloud.com/freetalklive/ftl2026-04-26
-----
64) Politicks, 04/26/26
Source: Lions of Liberty
“SPLC and Democrat Dark Money.” (04/26/26)
https://www.lionsofliberty.com/episodes/politicks-splc-and-democrat-dark-money
-----
65) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/26/26
Sourc: Libertarian Institute
“Prof. Glenn Diesen: Trump’s Legacy: The Catastrophic Destruction of the American Empire.” (04/26/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/blog/the-kyle-anzalone-show-guest-prof-glenn-diesen-trumps-legacy-the-catastrophic-destruction-of-the-american-empire/
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Today's Freedom News:
1) Russia: Drone attack causes fire at Tuapse refinery
2) SCOTUS weighs unconstitutional “geofence warrants” for cellphone data
3) Lebanon: Regime says 14 killed in latest Israeli ceasefire violations
4) CA: Idiotic Tax Proposal Allegedly Gets Enough Signatures for Ballot
5) Sources: Trump disinclined to end Iran fiasco absent “victory”
6) Taiwan: Regime completes US tank deal as final Abrams shipment reaches port
7) FL: DeSatanist unveils new gerrymander map
8) Pope prays with Archbishop of Canterbury in historic encounter, vows dialogue
9) MI: Feds order immediate inspection of Cheboygan Dam powerhouse
10) Mali: Russian fighters confirm withdrawal from northern city after separatist attacks
11) SCOTUS Formally Reinstates Texas Gerrymander
12) IL: Robbery suspect charged with murder, attempted murder of Chicago police officers at a hospital
13) China: Regime blocks Meta’s $2 billion takeover of AI startup Manus
14) Sri Lanka: Monks arrested after 110kg of cannabis discovered in their luggage
15) SC: Measles outbreak is over, after sickening nearly 1,000 people
16) India: Modi’s BJP Gains Ground in Upper House After AAP Lawmakers Defect
17) Gunmen raid Nigerian orphanage and kidnap children
18) Trump whines at “60 Minutes” for asking about Hilton gunman’s manifesto
19) Surf contest postponed as warm Pacific Ocean drives unusual shark behavior
20) Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Today's Freedom Commentary:
21) Rule by Secrecy – How Covert Regime Change Shaped Our World
22) Someone please tell America how this ends
23) America Is Losing Its Allure for the World’s Migrants
24) Operation Choke Point Choked
25) Privatization’s the word
26) Progressivism’s attack dog SPLC blows itself up
27) Lawmakers want to force Californians to take anti-hate speech training
28) What Happens if America Nationalizes AI?
29) Reining in the Pentagon: Can the Military-Industrial Beast Be Tamed?
30) Continued Right-Wing Obtuseness on the Drug War
31) The “No Kings” Movement Is Sheer Hypocrisy
32) Those Fit to Rule
33) Trump’s Epic Stupidity Could Kill Millions of People
34) Trade Offensive
35) They Went Hard Against Woke. And Then … Went Even Harder Against Trump
36) After Machiavelli
37) Virginia Democrats’ map scheme faces judgment at the high court
38) Trump: When the only friends you have left are Bushies and neocons
39) When a Chicken Isn’t Just a Chicken
40) “The Wealth of Nations” and 250 Years of Economists Missing the Point
41) Active Shooters Swimming in Big Tech’s Swamp of Hatred and Division
42) Conscription Means Slavery, Not Unity
43) Is the Lebanon File the Key to Ending the Iran War?
44) Re-Radicalization in an Age of MAGA Remorse
45) How delusional Dems are creating an alternate left-wing [sic] universe
46) The Death of Gatekeepers
47) Are we all conspiracy theorists now?
48) Schools Introduce Hybrid Options As Homeschooling’s Popularity Persists
49) Bayer “Turns Over Every Stone” to Stiff Roundup Cancer Victims
50) A conversation with Dawn Deaner, a public defender running for judge
Today's Freedom Podcast and Video:
51) Reason Roundtable, 04/27/26
52) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/27/26
53) Rising, 04/27/26
54) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 04/27/26
55) This War Is Going To Starve People
56) EconTalk, 04/27/26
57) The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg, 04/27/26
58) Zooming In, 04/27/26
59) The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, 04/27/26
60) Fountainhead Forum, episode 440
61) Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp, 04/26/26
62) Pink Flame of Liberty, 04/26/26
63) Free Talk Live, 04/26/26
64) Politicks, 04/26/26
65) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/26/26
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_____ Today's Freedom News _____
1) Russia: Drone attack causes fire at Tuapse refinery
Source: Reuters
“A Ukrainian drone attack has caused a ‘large-scale fire’ at Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea, forcing the evacuation of nearby buildings, local officials said on Tuesday. The Rosneft-owned refinery delivers oil products mainly for exports but operations have been halted since April 16 following an earlier drone attack, industry sources said. Ukraine did not immediately comment on the reports. Kyiv has stepped up strikes on Russia since March, with U.S.-brokered talks on the war in Ukraine on pause and Washington mainly focusing on the Iran war.” (04/28/26)
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/drone-attack-causes-fire-russias-tuapse-refinery-authorities-say-2026-04-28/
-----
2) SCOTUS weighs unconstitutional “geofence warrants” for cellphone data
Source: ABC News
“For generations, cops have obtained warrants to lawfully seek information from a specific suspect in a crime. The Supreme Court on Monday is considering whether investigators can also use so-called ‘geofence warrants’ to do the reverse — scanning cell phone data of thousands of innocent individuals in hopes of finding a suspect to apprehend. The landmark case is the first time the justices will consider whether [sic] the controversial practice of digital dragnets, which have grown in popularity among law enforcement with advances in technology, violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.” [editor’s note: There’s no ambiguity in “particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized” – TLK] (04/27/26)
https://abcnews.com/Politics/supreme-court-weighs-geofence-warrants-cellphone-data/story?id=132358022
-----
3) Lebanon: Regime says 14 killed in latest Israeli ceasefire violations
Source: The Guardian [UK]
“Lebanon’s health ministry said Israeli strikes on the country’s south killed 14 people on Sunday, the deadliest day since a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah came into force over a week ago. The health ministry said the dead on Sunday included two women and two children, adding that 37 other people were wounded. Israel said one of its soldiers was also killed. The US-mediated ceasefire – which started on 16 April and has been extended to mid-May – has brought a significant reduction in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, though both sides have continued to fire at each other, trading blame over breaches.” (04/27/26)
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/27/lebanon-israeli-strikes-deadliest-day-since-ceasefire-began
-----
4) CA: Idiotic Tax Proposal Allegedly Gets Enough Signatures for Ballot
Source: Forbes
“Organizers of a proposal to impose a one-time, 5% tax on the wealth of California residents with assets worth at least $1.1 billion say they’ve collected twice as many signatures as they need to get the measure before the state’s voters on November’s ballot — as a number of bold-faced billionaires have already change their residency. The union leading the effort said they’ve collected nearly 1.6 million signatures and will announce on Monday when they’ll be submitted to election officials for verification. The group needed the signatures of 875,000 registered voters, and must submit them to county elections officials by June 24, to get the controversial proposition on the ballot.” (04/27/26)
https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2026/04/27/billionaires-tax-closer-to-california-ballot-heres-who-has-already-left/
-----
5) Sources: Trump disinclined to end Iran fiasco absent “victory”
Source: New York Times
“President Trump has told advisers he is not satisfied with Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and end the war, according to multiple people briefed on discussions in the White House Situation Room on Monday. The proposal also called on the United States to end its naval blockade but would have set aside questions about what to do with Iran’s nuclear program, according to U.S. and Iranian officials familiar with details of the negotiations. Iran has repeatedly rejected American proposals to suspend its nuclear program and hand over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium. It is not clear precisely why Mr. Trump is not satisfied with the proposal, but he has repeatedly insisted that Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. A U.S. official also said that accepting it could appear to deny Mr. Trump a victory.” (04/27/26)
https://archive.is/Ac40Z
-----
6) Taiwan: Regime completes US tank deal as final Abrams shipment reaches port
Source: South China Morning Post [Hong Kong]
“Taiwan has received its final shipment of US-made M1A2T Abrams tanks, completing a long-delayed order aimed at modernising the island’s ageing armoured forces. Considered among the world’s most powerful tanks, these vehicles are expected to bolster the island’s defence amid rising military pressure from Beijing. … The delivery completes Taiwan’s 2019 purchase of 108 tanks from the US as part of a package worth about NT$40.5 billion (US$1.29 billion), which also included M88A2 Hercules recovery vehicles and heavy transporters.” (04/27/26)
https://archive.is/CRYKH
-----
7) FL: DeSatanist unveils new gerrymander map
Source: CNN
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a new map for US House districts that appears to show Republicans gaining an advantage in four seats now held by Democrats. His proposal, released one day before the Florida Legislature opens a special session, targets a Tampa-area district held by Rep. Kathy Castor as well as an Orlando-area district held by Rep. Darren Soto. It also redraws districts in South Florida for Republican advantage. It’s the latest salvo in a coast-to-coast redistricting fight that President Donald Trump kicked off last year when Texas drew new lines at his behest. Just last week, Virginia voters approved a referendum that could give Democrats better chances at four US House seats in the state.” (04/27/26)
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/27/politics/desantis-proposes-new-us-house-map-florida
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8) Pope prays with Archbishop of Canterbury in historic encounter, vows dialogue
Source: Associated Press
“Pope Leo XIV prayed Monday in the Vatican with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, and vowed to keep working to overcome differences ‘no matter how intractable they may appear,’ in a historic meeting with the first female leader of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion. The encounter between Christianity’s two most famous religious figures would have been unthinkable just a few years ago, given the divisions between their two churches over women’s ordination in general and Mullally’s appointment in particular. Leo acknowledged that ‘new problems’ in their relationship had been added onto ‘historically divisive issues.’ But he nevertheless vowed to continue the tradition of past popes to continue to try to reunite the churches. Anglicans split from Rome in 1534, when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment.” (04/27/26)
https://apnews.com/article/pope-mullally-anglican-church-1bab05ed0b4224347fbd688d02fc6ee3
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9) MI: Feds order immediate inspection of Cheboygan Dam powerhouse
Source: SFGate
“Federal energy regulators have ordered immediate inspections of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse and other Michigan dams that faced the risk of failure in this month’s historic flooding. Separately, state officials said they plan to inspect dams under their oversight to check for damage from the high waters that nearly overtook several impoundments last week amid spring snowmelt and heavy rains. After similar flooding in 1986, ‘a couple of dams failed weeks later because they sustained damage that didn’t get adequately assessed,’ Luke Trumble, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s dam safety chief, told Bridge Michigan. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in a Thursday letter ordered Hom Paper XI LLC, the owner of the Cheboygan Dam powerhouse, to file a report no later than May 15 detailing how it will keep operational a powerhouse that was reactivated as an emergency measure April 17.” (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/feds-order-immediate-inspection-of-cheboygan-dam-22228290.php
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10) Mali: Russian fighters confirm withdrawal from northern city after separatist attacks
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“After a weekend of co-ordinated attacks across Mali by separatist fighters and Islamist militants, Russian forces who are in the country helping protect the military government have confirmed they have pulled out of the northern city of Kidal. In a series of social media posts, Russia’s Africa Corps said they had ‘left the locality’ along with Malian troops. The separatist Azawad Liberation Front (FLA) group said on Sunday the Russian troops had agreed to withdraw permanently, and claimed control of Kidal, declaring it ‘now free’. Mali has faced insurgencies for years from the separatists in the north, and groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. On Saturday, explosions and sustained gunfire were reported in multiple parts of Mali, including the capital, Bamako.” (04/27/26)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3w3wyq4v14o
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11) SCOTUS Formally Reinstates Texas Gerrymander
Source: US News & World Report
“The U.S. Supreme Court formally reinstated on Monday a redrawn Texas electoral map that was designed to add more Republicans to the U.S. House of Representatives, as President Donald Trump’s party seeks to keep control of Congress in the November congressional elections. The move by the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, formalizes an interim decision it made in December to revive the map of U.S. House districts in Texas. … The Supreme Court in February allowed California to use a new electoral map designed to give Democrats five more congressional seats after that Democratic-led state redrew its House districts in response to the action by Republicans in Texas.” (04/27/26)
https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2026-04-27/us-supreme-court-formally-reinstates-pro-republican-texas-voting-map
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12) IL: Robbery suspect charged with murder, attempted murder of Chicago police officers at a hospital
Source: SFGate
“A robbery suspect now faces murder and attempted murder charges along with a long list of other felony counts in the shooting death of a Chicago police officer and the wounding of another at a hospital where they took him for treatment. Alphanso Talley, 26, was scheduled to make his first appearance Monday in Cook County Circuit Court, the state’s attorney’s office said. Officer John Bartholomew, 38, a 10-year veteran of the force, was pronounced dead just before 1 p.m. Saturday after being shot at Endeavor Health Swedish Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. A second officer was critically wounded in the Saturday morning shooting, police said. His name was not immediately released..” (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/robbery-suspect-charged-with-murder-attempted-22228152.php
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13) China: Regime blocks Meta’s $2 billion takeover of AI startup Manus
Source: CNBC
“China’s state planner on Monday called for Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singaporean artificial intelligence startup with Chinese roots. The decision to prohibit foreign investment in Manus was made in accordance with laws and regulations, the National Development and Reform Commission said in a brief statement. It added that it has asked the parties involved to withdraw the acquisition transaction. … The deal had attracted scrutiny from both China and Washington, as lawmakers in the U.S. have prohibited American investors from backing Chinese AI companies directly. Meanwhile, Beijing has increased efforts to discourage Chinese AI founders from moving business offshore.” (04/27/26)
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/27/meta-manus-china-blocks-acquisition-ai-startup.html
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14) Sri Lanka: Monks arrested after 110kg of cannabis discovered in their luggage
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Twenty-two monks have been arrested at an airport in Sri Lanka after officials discovered 110kg (242lbs) of cannabis concealed in their luggage. Customs officials said each monk was found with around 5kg of Kush — a particularly potent form of the drug — hidden within ‘false walls’ in their luggage when they arrived in the capital Colombo on Saturday. The monks, who were mainly students, were returning from Thailand after being treated to an all-expenses-paid four-day holiday by an unnamed sponsor when they were detained. A 23rd monk, believed to have organised the trip, has since been arrested in a suburb of Colombo, police told BBC Sinhala. According to the acting police spokesman, the monk — who did not join the trip — had told the other monks that ‘these parcels are a donation’ and that a van would come to collect the packages.” (04/27/26)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4v4nzwj94o
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15) SC: Measles outbreak is over, after sickening nearly 1,000 people
Source: SFGate
“South Carolina’s measles outbreak — the worst in the U.S. in more than 35 years — is over, state health officials declared Monday. On Sunday, the state passed the threshold of 42 days with no new outbreak-related cases. In the end, 997 people were sickened by the vaccine-preventable disease since October and at least 21 of them were hospitalized, based on voluntary reports to the state. State health officials estimate the outbreak response cost $2.1 million. ‘The outbreak was predominantly contained to one area of one county and never went statewide, thanks to timely investigations, identification of those exposed, and people’s willingness to stay home,’ said Dr. Edward Simmer, interim director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health.” [editor’s note: I caught the measles at around age 10 or 11; it was no fun, and I spent about a week in lowered light, running from bed to bathroom and back, but it was far from fatal – SAT] (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/south-carolina-s-measles-outbreak-is-over-after-22228292.php
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16) India: Modi’s BJP Gains Ground in Upper House After AAP Lawmakers Defect
Source: US News & World Report
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party strengthened its position in parliament’s upper house after seven opposition lawmakers joined it, a parliamentary list showed on Monday, a shift that could ease the government’s passage of legislation. All seven defectors are from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), led by one of Modi’s most high‑profile critics, Arvind Kejriwal. The party governs the northern state of Punjab and previously ran the national capital territory of Delhi. The defections leave the AAP with just three seats in the Rajya Sabha house, while Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party now has 113 members, 10 short of a simple majority in the 245‑member chamber.” (04/27/26)
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-04-27/modis-bjp-gains-ground-in-indias-upper-house-after-aap-lawmakers-defect
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17) Gunmen raid Nigerian orphanage and kidnap children
Source: BBC News [UK State Media]
“Eight children are still missing after gunmen raided an unregistered orphanage in Nigeria’s north-central Kogi State and kidnapped 23, authorities have said. Kogi’s information commissioner Kingsley Fanwo said 15 children were rescued due to the ‘prompt and coordinated response’ of security agencies. Sunday’s attack also saw the owner of the facility taken, he added. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security sources say the state has a functional Boko Haram cell, and that there have been several violent attacks in the area. Nigeria is also grappling with a kidnap crisis in many parts of the country, with criminal gangs abducting people for ransoms. The government has made paying ransoms illegal but this has not prevented the kidnappings.” (04/27/26)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjd8dmx41vko
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18) Trump whines at “60 Minutes” for asking about Hilton gunman’s manifesto
Source: Axios
“President Trump called CBS’ Norah O’Donnell ‘disgraceful’ during a ’60 Minutes’ interview Sunday, after she raised comments the gunman from the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner allegedly made about him in a manifesto. O’Donnell asked Trump for his reaction to the manifesto, and allegations the suspect appeared to make about him, prompting the president to say: ‘I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because you’re horrible people. … Yeah, he did write that. I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody.'” (04/26/26)
https://archive.is/oPPOa
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19) Surf contest postponed as warm Pacific Ocean drives unusual shark behavior
Source: SFGate
“Southern California’s waters appear to be teeming this spring with white sharks, drawing the attention of fishers, surfers and biologists. A reportedly aggressive 10-foot shark off Huntington Beach led to a partial ocean closure and the postponement of a professional surf competition on Thursday. State experts explain that the extreme marine heat wave baking the Pacific Ocean likely prompted baby white sharks to arrive in February, at least a month earlier than normal, and that older and bigger sharks are now starting to follow. ‘Every year about this time, females are coming back from their open ocean migrations to give birth somewhere in Southern California, and then those baby white sharks show up at our beaches,’ Chris Lowe, the director of Cal State Long Beach’s Shark Lab, told SFGATE.” (04/27/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/white-sharks-california-pacific-22220577.php
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20) Two former Israeli prime ministers agree to merge parties against Netanyahu
Source: Seattle Times
“Two Israeli political heavyweights on Sunday said they would join forces in upcoming elections in a shared effort to unseat longtime Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid served as prime ministers in a rotation agreement as part of a coalition government they formed in 2021. They now plan to merge their parties into single faction headed by Bennett. … The two men have ideological differences. Bennett is an Orthodox Jew with hard-line views toward the Palestinians, while Lapid is secular and seen as more moderate. But they enjoyed a close working relationship during their short-lived coalition. Their alliance is aimed at uniting a fragmented opposition that appears to have little in common beyond their shared hostility toward Netanyahu.” (04/26/26)
https://archive.is/6BLAJ
_____ Today's Freedom Commentary _____
21) Rule by Secrecy – How Covert Regime Change Shaped Our World
Source: Antiwar.com
by Michael Holmes
“The modern international order rests on a contradiction rarely examined in full daylight. Western states present themselves as guardians of international rules, democracy, and self-determination, yet the historical record of their behavior abroad tells a different story — one written not in treaties or speeches, but in classified cables, deniable operations, and shattered political systems. Covert Regime Change, first published in 2018, matters because it documents, with unusual rigor, how this contradiction became a governing method. Lindsey A. O’Rourke, Associate Professor at Boston College, does not ask whether covert intervention occasionally went wrong. She demonstrates that it became a routine instrument of statecraft, one whose predictable consequences were political collapse, mass violence, and long-term instability.” (04/27/26)
https://original.antiwar.com/michael_holmes/2026/04/26/rule-by-secrecy-how-covert-regime-change-shaped-our-world
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22) meone please tell America how this ends
Source: The Hill
by Harlan Ullman
“During the second Iraq War, General David Petraeus famously asked in his book: ‘Tell Me How This Ends.’ No question could be more relevant to Operation Epic Fury and the ill-advised and potentially disastrous undeclared war against Iran. Since the Korean War, no administration other than George H.W. Bush’s learned the lesson that while the U.S. military was proficient at winning battles, the U.S. was incapable of winning wars. The first Iraq War and operations Desert Shield and Storm were textbook examples of how to respond to armed aggression. And those who criticized the first President Bush for not marching to Baghdad in 1991 found out how catastrophic that would have been when his son, President George W. Bush, did precisely that. At some stage, someone will write the definitive story of how this misguided and misjudged misapplication of American blood and treasure occurred.” (04/27/26)
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/5849801-trump-iran-negotiations-strategy/
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23) America Is Losing Its Allure for the World’s Migrants
Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille
“A plaque on the Statue of Liberty features Emma Lazarus’s words urging the world to ‘give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.’ In his farewell address, then-President Ronald Reagan referred to the United States as a ‘shining city upon a hill’ and added that in his vision, ‘if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.’ But despite its continuing success, the U.S. is becoming a less attractive destination for people around the world. Currently-ascendant nativists want to close America’s doors and turn away the huddled masses, and the message is being received loud and clear.” (04/27/26)
https://reason.com/2026/04/27/america-is-losing-its-allure-for-the-worlds-migrants/
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24) Operation Choke Point Choked
Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
“[I]n 2013 the Department of Justice and FDIC began pressing banks to cut off services to certain ‘high risk’ industries, like the gun industry. The initiative was called — with laudable candor — Operation Choke Point. … The Trump administration first sought to end this practice in 2017. But the urge to censor and punish viewpoints, including by debanking, resurged during the Biden administration. In 2025, President Trump, in his second shot at heading the executive branch, issued a new executive order directing federal agencies to review the situation and issue new regulations to protect customers. It was to be made clear to banks that despite the impression conveyed by other administrations, so-called ‘reputational risk’ — which boils down to hostility to certain views and enterprises — is not a warrant to fire customers.” [editor’s note: In the absence of binding contract, the only “warrant to fire customers” any business should need is its desire to not to business with them – TLK] (04/27/26)
https://thisiscommonsense.org/2026/04/27/operation-choke-point-choked/
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25) Privatization’s the word
Source: Adam Smith Institute
by Madsen Pirie
“George Monbiot once said that I claimed to have invented the word ‘privatization.’ Nothing could be further from the truth, in common with many (if not most) of George’s claims. I have gone on record several times to point out that the word was in use before I was even born, which in my case is a very long time indeed. I did say that I preferred to spell it with a ‘z’ rather than an ‘s,’ as is do with most ‘ize’ endings. The word privatization, specifically the gerund ‘privatizing,’ first appeared in English in April 1923 in the New York Times. It was used within quotation marks in a translation of a German speech regarding the potential for American companies to purchase German state railroads. While that was the first recorded instance of the word itself, its development as a technical term followed a more complex path.” (04/7/26)
https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/privatizations-the-word
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26) Progressivism’s attack dog SPLC blows itself up
Source: Washington Times
by Robert Knight
“‘He has dug a hole and hollowed it out; he has fallen into a pit of his own making.’ (Psalm 7:15) The Southern Poverty Law Center, famous for battling ‘hate groups’, helped stoke hate by funneling millions of dollars to the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis and other extremists and engaged in criminal activity to cover it up, according to the Justice Department. Announcing an indictment with 11 counts Tuesday, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said that from 2014 to 2023, the SPLC paid big bucks to leaders at the Ku Klux Klan, the United Klans of America, Unite the Right, National Alliance, the National Socialist Movement, the Aryan Nation Motorcycle Club, the National Socialist Party of America and the American Front.” (04/27/26)
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2026/apr/26/progressivisms-attack-dog-splc-blows/
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27) Lawmakers want to force Californians to take anti-hate speech training
Source: Expression
by Greg Gonzalez & Adam Goldstein
“California lawmakers are considering two bills that would make ‘anti-hate speech training’ a requirement. Assembly Bill 1803 would require employers with five or more employees to incorporate such training into existing, already-mandated sexual harassment prevention programs. Under Assembly Bill 1578, a similar training would be mandated for all state and local elected officials. … But ‘hate speech’ includes speech protected by the First Amendment — speech the government has no business trying to snuff out with legal mandates. But also, it has no clear or consistent definition. Because of that vagueness, efforts to regulate ‘hate speech’ risk giving the government sweeping authority to suppress views it doesn’t like.” (04/27/26)
https://expression.fire.org/p/lawmakers-want-to-force-californians
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28) What Happens if America Nationalizes AI?
Source: The Atlantic
by Matteo Wong & Lila Shroff
“AI companies are beginning to entertain the possibility that they could cease to exist. This notion was, until recently, more theoretical: A couple of years ago, an ex-OpenAI employee named Leopold Aschenbrenner wrote a lengthy memo speculating that the U.S. government might soon take control of the industry. By 2026 or 2027, Aschenbrenner wrote, an ‘obvious question’ will be circling through the Pentagon and Congress: Do we need a government-led program for artificial general intelligence — an AGI Manhattan Project? He predicted that Washington would decide to go all in on such an effort.
Aschenbrenner may have been prescient.” (04/27/26)
https://archive.is/fHUCU
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29) Reining in the Pentagon: Can the Military-Industrial Beast Be Tamed?
Source: TomDispatch
by William D Hartung
“Right at this moment, we are witnessing an unprecedented shift of resources from domestic investments in the United States to the military-industrial complex (aka the war machine). The only comparable period in our history was the buildup to World War II, when the United States confronted a powerful adversary in Nazi Germany with designs to control not just Europe, but the world. The current buildup is breathtaking in scope and will certainly prove devastating in its impact — not just on this country’s foreign and domestic policies but also on the economic prospects of average Americans. When, in 2023, my colleague Ben Freeman and I first conceived of our book, The Trillion Dollar War Machine, we viewed it in part as a cautionary tale about just how high the Pentagon budget might rise in the years to come (absent pushback from Congress and the taxpaying public).” (04/26/26)
https://tomdispatch.com/reining-in-the-pentagon
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30) Continued Right-Wing Obtuseness on the Drug War
Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Jacob G Hornberger
“The obtuseness regarding the U.S. drug war that has long afflicted American conservatives never ceases to amaze me. I just cannot understand how intelligent people can be so steadfastly ignorant when it comes to this manifestly evil and immoral federal program. Yet another example of this strange phenomenon comes from a right-winger named Joshua Treviño, who serves in two conservative organizations — the America First Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., and the Texas Public Policy Institute in Austin, Texas. I’m not sure how old Treviño is but …. He obviously is a smart man and he’s clearly old enough to be able to figure things out. Unfortunately, however, when it comes to the drug war, he remains steadfastly obtuse, just like almost every other right-winger in America.” (04/27/26)
https://www.fff.org/2026/04/27/continued-right-wing-obtuseness-on-the-drug-war/
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31) The “No Kings” Movement Is Sheer Hypocrisy
Source: Town Hall
by Mark Lewis
“I’m convinced that the majority of people who take part in the ‘No Kings’ marches have absolutely no idea what they are doing. The Democratic masses are, sadly but inexcusably, nothing but ignorant, foolish sheep, being led to the slaughter by their ‘shepherds,’ who are wolves in wool. The sheep are taught to hate Donald Trump, and so, like Pavlov’s dogs, when the bell rings, they slobber and shout ‘Nazi!’ ‘No king!’ etc. Many of them probably actually believe Donald Trump wants to be king. It will never happen, even if Trump wanted it. You and I wouldn’t allow it. That’s what we rebelled against, remember. But while the Democratic masses are ignorant sheep, their ‘shepherds’ know exactly what they are doing and what they want.” (04/26/26)
https://townhall.com/columnists/marklewis/2026/04/26/the-no-kings-movement-is-sheer-hypocrisy-n2675051
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32) Those Fit to Rule
Source: Underthrow
by Max Borders
“On the Search for Our Rulers, Descended from Above.” (04/27/26)
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/those-fit-to-rule
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33) Trump’s Epic Stupidity Could Kill Millions of People
Source: Beat the Press
by Dean Baker
“Trump is both an incredibly ignorant person and incredibly dishonest person. As a result, when he claims ignorance of an obvious fact it is difficult to tell whether he really is as ignorant as he claims or he’s just lying. Such is the case with Trump’s claim that he didn’t know Iran might attack its neighbors and close the Strait of Hormuz in response to his joint attack with Israel. Trump insisted that none of the experts thought this possible when in effect just about every expert thought it was both possible and likely. Given Trump’s ignorance and propensity to lie, it is not easy to know whether Trump actually went to war totally unaware of the most likely consequences, or instead went to war anyhow, deciding that he didn’t care about the damage it would cause.” (04/27/26)
https://cepr.net/publications/trumps-ignorance-could-kill-millions/
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34) Trade Offensive
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Mark Nayler
“Despite US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s warning that anyone seeking stronger trade ties with Beijing would be ‘cutting their own throat,’ Donald Trump’s weaponized tariffs are causing many countries to seek closer relations with China. There has been a barrage of diplomacy in the first few months of 2026, especially from European leaders concerned about the effects of Chinese competitiveness on domestic industries.” (04/27/26)
https://fee.org/articles/trade-offensive/
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35) They Went Hard Against Woke. And Then … Went Even Harder Against Trump
Source: Persuasion
by Cathy Young
“Don’t blame the free speech crowd for Trump’s assaults on free expression.” (04/27/26)
https://www.persuasion.community/p/dont-blame-the-anti-woke-crowd-for
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36) After Machiavelli
Source: Law & Liberty
by Ferenc Hörcher
“The vision of prudence Francisco Suárez provides can save virtue from a Machiavellian faithlessness.” (04/27/26)
https://lawliberty.org/classic/after-machiavelli/
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37) Virginia Democrats’ map scheme faces judgment at the high court
Source: Fox News
by Jonathan Turley
“As Virginia heads to the state Supreme Court, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones (D) will have to up his game a bit. For starters, he will have to actually defend the redistricting resolution as constitutional when prompted. In a recent interview with CNN, even the host of the friendly network expressed frustration that Jones could not seem to get himself to actually defend the dubious language of the ballot measure. Many of us have expressed skepticism over the process and language of the resolution that passed this week, effectively wiping out all but one GOP district in the purple state. Virginia was considered the gold standard among states rejecting gerrymandering with fairly divided districts in a state that is divided right down the middle.” (04/26/26)
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/jonathan-turley-virginia-democrats-map-scheme-faces-judgment-high-court
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38) Trump: When the only friends you have left are Bushies and neocons
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Jack Hunter
“The warmaking president is shedding his base. But the last ones on the MAGA bus may be the first to leap off at any sign of political trouble.” (04/27/26)
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/trump-base-iran-war/
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39) When a Chicken Isn’t Just a Chicken
Source: Ludwig von Mises Institute
by Patrick J Lee
“A man stands at a farmers market stall. His wife is talking to the farmer. He picks up a chicken. Paper-wrapped, no barcode, a handwritten tag on the twine. He holds it close to read the label and sets it back down fast. The price is an insult. What are these people thinking? A minute later, another man reaches for the same bird, reads the same label, and smiles. What a deal. Same chicken, same label, same words. … Mises was clear that prices don’t emerge from some objective measure of worth. They emerge from subjective valuations, each party to an exchange believing—at the moment of transaction—that what he receives is worth more than what he gives up. The price is not a fact about the chicken. It is the meeting point of two different minds reading the world differently.” (04/27/26)
https://mises.org/mises-wire/when-chicken-isnt-just-chicken
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40) The Wealth of Nations” and 250 Years of Economists Missing the Point
Source: The Daily Economy
by Daniel J Smith & Gabriel F Benzecry
“From trade policy to public debt, today’s economic debates echo those of 1776. The problem isn’t a lack of knowledge — it’s a failure to teach and apply enduring principles.” 904/27/26)
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-wealth-of-nations-and-250-years-of-economists-missing-the-point/
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41) Active Shooters Swimming in Big Tech’s Swamp of Hatred and Division
Source: Common Dreams
by Thom Hartmann
“The attempted shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner Saturday night shouldn’t surprise us. Not only does America have the world’s most active small-arms industry that essentially controls the GOP (the reporters got a taste of what American — and only American — schoolkids experience every few months from their ‘realistic’ active shooter drills), but we also host the world’s largest and most profitable hate-amplification industry. Algorithms that amplify hate and division in order to “increase engagement” have made Mark Zuckerberg into one of the richest people on the planet, complete with a super-yacht and a doomsday bunker estate in Hawaii; Elon Musk’s X has turned into a sewer of Nazi-style rhetoric while Musk himself has posted, according to The Washington Post, nakedly white supremacist slogans and statements over 850 times just in the past seven months.” (04/27/26)
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/big-tech-mass-shooters
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42) Conscription Means Slavery, Not Unity
Source: Libertarian Institute
by Brad Pearce
“While there is a disconnect between the general public and our professional warrior class, and one hears now and again that it would be good for our public to understand military life better, mandatory service would more likely create a false sense of understanding of our professional military that would be more irritating and divisive for everyone. Regarding the premise that mandatory service would build character, this is on its face nonsense.” (04/27/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/articles/conscription-means-slavery-not-unity/
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43) Is the Lebanon File the Key to Ending the Iran War?
Source: The American Conservative
by Ali Rizk
“One of the important conclusions to draw from the Iran War is how much importance Tehran attaches to Hezbollah, its long-time Lebanese Shiite ally. This is not to be dismissed as business as usual, but rather reflects a major shift whereby supporting Hezbollah has become even more necessary for Iran’s national security.” (04/27/26)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/is-the-lebanon-file-the-key-to-ending-the-iran-war/
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44) Re-Radicalization in an Age of MAGA Remorse
Source: exile in happy valley
by Nicky Reid
“Something very strange is shifting in the darker corners of the internet. Something serpentine slick and black as ink. While Donald Trump moves farther and farther to the right and much of his cultish base mindlessly follows him into the abyss, the farthest of the far-right appear to be turning against Orange-Man-Fash with a vengeance. The brazenly Zionist massacre in Iran was certainly the last straw, but this subterranean sea change was a longtime coming.” (04/26/26)
https://exileinhappyvalley.blogspot.com/2026/04/re-radicalization-in-age-of-maga-remorse.html
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45) How delusional Dems are creating an alternate left-wing [sic] universe
Source: New York Post
by Victor Davis Hanson
“It is difficult to determine whether the bizarro worldview of the current Democrat-media nexus can simply be attributed to its generic Trump Derangement Syndrome — but the crazy world of the left [sic] increasingly bears scant resemblance to reality. In this alternate universe, Eric Swalwell was a liberal [sic] icon and invaluable asset for years, though admittedly a bit randy and occasionally a serial sexual predator. Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner was, at last, the left’s [sic] ‘real thing’, the white working-class liberal stiff who could win back the hoi polloi — although he can’t get his story straight on whether his Nazi tattoo was an accident or proof that he was brainwashed by the toxic US military.”[editor’s note: I admit I can’t contest Hanson’s credentials when it comes to expertise in inhabiting strange alternate realities – TLK] (04/27/26)
https://nypost.com/2026/04/27/opinion/how-delusional-democrats-create-a-lefty-alternate-universe/
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46) The Death of Gatekeepers
Source: Infinite Scroll
by Jeremiah Johnson
“In an earlier age, gatekeepers existed to stop morons with puerile or reprehensible views from being heard. I’m not the first (or even the hundredth) person to note that all the gatekeepers are gone and we now live in a permissionless, anything-goes media environment. The death of gatekeepers is why you’re reading this blog on Substack, it’s why I can make my living from writing here and podcasting over at the New Liberal Podcast. There are real benefits to allowing anyone to create and distribute their work without having to break through a stultifying, bureaucratic system. But the death of gatekeepers also has downsides. Today, even the New York Times seems to be chasing clicks any way they can. Invite the hot doofus on your show to say blowing up stuff is cool and shoplifting is good but plastic cups are a moral travesty. Why not? That’ll go viral.” (04/26/26)
https://www.infinitescroll.us/p/the-death-of-gatekeepers
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47) Are we all conspiracy theorists now?
Source: UnHerd
by Ryan Zickgraf
“The gunshots at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner had barely stopped echoing through the DC hotel before the internet had solved the case several times over. The leading theories: it was all staged, or all the Left’s fault. It’s another reminder that we’re in the era of the post-event event: something happens, and then the event is subsumed by its own interpretation.” (04/26/26)
https://archive.is/DCkow
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48) Schools Introduce Hybrid Options As Homeschooling’s Popularity Persists
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Kerry McDonald
“On the day the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a global pandemic, I wrote in this space about ‘the world’s homeschooling moment,’ projecting a spike in the number of families who would choose homeschooling and other alternative education options in the wake of school closures. I predicted that while most children would return to their conventional classrooms post-pandemic, some families ‘may start to wonder if homeschooling or other schooling alternatives could be a longer-term option.’ Six years later, it’s clear that many families wondered this. … Hybrid homeschooling programs, along with other creative schooling options, are expanding across the US. These models often provide more curriculum freedom, scheduling flexibility and individualization than traditional schools — public and private.” (04/26/26)
https://fee.org/articles/schools-introduce-hybrid-options-as-homeschoolings-popularity-persists/
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49) Bayer “Turns Over Every Stone” to Stiff Roundup Cancer Victims
Source: The American Prospect
by Wisdom Howell
“The executive order President Trump signed in February protecting and encouraging the production of glyphosate, the primary ingredient in Roundup, is a major victory for Bayer AG, the German biotech giant that produces the notorious herbicide. The company has been aggressively implementing its five-point plan to thwart the ability of cancer patients to sue over claims that it failed to warn them about the link between Roundup and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. But Bayer is not resting on its laurels, and is pushing for a more permanent win in the Supreme Court this spring — and eventually in Congress. By the time Bayer introduced its plan to stem a flood of Roundup-related lawsuits in 2021, the company already owed billions in verdicts and settlements.” (04/27/26)
https://prospect.org/2026/04/27/bayer-turns-over-every-stone-to-stiff-roundup-cancer-victims/
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50) A conversation with Dawn Deaner, a public defender running for judge
Source: The Watch
by Radley Balko
“The longtime Nashville public defender discusses what she’s learned from 20 years in the trenches, what needs to change, and what she would do on the bench.” (04/26/26)
https://radleybalko.substack.com/p/a-conversation-with-dawn-deaner-a
_____ Today's Freedom Podcast and Video _____
51) Reason Roundtable, 04/27/26
Source: Reason
"The Shooter's Manifesto Was Uncomfortably Normal." (04/27/26)
https://reason.com/podcast/2026/04/27/the-shooters-manifesto-was-uncomfortably-normal/
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52) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/27/26
Source: Libertarian Institute
“COL. Lawrence Wilkerson – Did Iran or Trump Cave?” (04/27/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/blog/the-kyle-anzalone-show-guest-col-lawrence-wilkerson-did-iran-or-trump-cave/
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53) Rising, 04/27/26
Source: The Hill
“Cole Tomas Allen manifesto revealed: WHCD suspect motivated by Epstein files?” (04/27/26)
https://thehill.com/hilltv/5847447-rising-april-27-2026/
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54) Ron Paul Liberty Report, 04/27/26
Source: Ron Paul Liberty Report
“Why The Debt Cannot Be Ignored!” (04/27/26)
https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1wxWjangyqDJQ
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55) This War Is Going To Starve People
Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone
“Caitlin and Tim discuss the global consequences the US-Israeli war on Iran is set to have on the weakest members of the poorest countries, the latest Trump assassination attempt, BBC headline shenanigans, and more.” (04/27/26)
https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/2026/04/27/podcast-this-war-is-going-to-starve-people/
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56) EconTalk, 04/27/26
Source: EconTalk
“Claude, War, and the State of the Republic (with Dean Ball).” (04/27/26)
https://www.econtalk.org/claude-war-and-the-state-of-the-republic-with-dean-ball/
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57) The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg, 04/27/26
Source: The Dispatch
“Resiliency and Change | Interview: Liz Hoffman.” (04/27/26)
https://thedispatch.com/podcast/remnant/resiliency-and-change-interview-liz-hoffman/
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58) Zooming In, 04/27/26
Source: The UnPopulist
“Where Will the GOP — and Where Should Democrats — Go After Trump: A Conversation with Jamelle Bouie.” (04/27/26)
https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/where-will-the-gopand-where-should
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59) The Daily Blast With Greg Sargent, 04/27/26
Source: The New Republic
“Trump Is on an Epic Losing Streak — and His Latest Is Truly Humiliating.” (04/27/26)
https://newrepublic.com/article/209519/trump-epic-losing-streak-and-latest-truly-humiliating
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60) Fountainhead Forum, episode 440
Source: Fountainhead Forum
“Tony D’Orazio on running for vice-chair of the Libertarian Party (USA).” (04/26/26)
https://rumble.com/v791lpo-ff-440-tony-dorazio-on-running-for-vice-chair-of-the-libertarian-party-usa.html
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61) Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp, 04/26/26
Source: Antiwar.com
“State Department: US in Conflict With Iran At the Request of Israel, IDF Kills 19 in Gaza, and More.” (04/26/26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lq5MKd_XxU4
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62) Pink Flame of Liberty, 04/26/26
Source: Pink Flame of Liberty
“Let’s Discuss the Libertarian Party Bylaws Committee Proposals.” (04/26/26)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUvgpPArVys
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63) Free Talk Live, 04/26/26
Source: Free Talk Live
“Penguin hates the word ‘bro’ :: Is Ian autistic? :: Public school made Bonnie bad at math :: FreeIanNow.org :: Fidelity Investments lost a woman’s savings, Bitcoin fixes this :: Social media forcing ID verification in the UK, it’s coming here :: ‘For the children’ :: AI already helping people in Australia to bypass the ID verification :: It’s not immoral to lie to the police :: DARE caused more drug use but put money in police pockets :: School district in California sending kids ‘of color’ to enriching programs but not white kids on every tax payer’s dime :: Chris calls Bonnie racist but she’s not, just making a point :: Does LPNH or anyone else represent you? :: 2026-04-26 :: Hosts: Bonnie, Penguin, Rich E Rich.” (04/26/26)
https://soundcloud.com/freetalklive/ftl2026-04-26
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64) Politicks, 04/26/26
Source: Lions of Liberty
“SPLC and Democrat Dark Money.” (04/26/26)
https://www.lionsofliberty.com/episodes/politicks-splc-and-democrat-dark-money
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65) The Kyle Anzalone Show, 04/26/26
Sourc: Libertarian Institute
“Prof. Glenn Diesen: Trump’s Legacy: The Catastrophic Destruction of the American Empire.” (04/26/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/blog/the-kyle-anzalone-show-guest-prof-glenn-diesen-trumps-legacy-the-catastrophic-destruction-of-the-american-empire/
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