Distracted by Books and Dragons
Source: Law & Liberty
by Rebecca Richards
“The Feast of St. George is a red-letter day for lovers of flowers and literature.” (04/23/26)
The Illegal News with Sarah Longwell, 04/23/26
Source: The Bulwark
“Kash Patel’s Lawsuit Could Backfire — BIG TIME (w/ Andrew Weissmann).” (04/23/26)
Turkey: Parliament passes bill to restrict social media access for under-15s
Source: ABC News
“Turkish lawmakers passed a bill late Wednesday that includes restricting access to social media platforms for children under 15, state media reported. The legislation is the latest in a global trend to protect young people from dangerous online activity. Its passage comes a week after a 14-year-old boy killed nine students and a teacher at a middle school in Kahramanmaras, southern Turkey, in a gun attack. Police are investigating the online activity of the perpetrator, who also died, in a bid to uncover his motivation for the attack. The bill will force social media platforms to install age‑verification systems, provide parental control tools and require companies to rapidly respond to content deemed harmful, the state-run Anadolu news agency said.” (04/23/26)
Rising, 04/23/26
Source: The Hill
“Wow: SPLC caught paying hate groups, conspiracy theorists win?” (04/23/26)
Underthrow Podcast, 04/23/26
Source: Underthrow
“We Are Living in an Invisible Debtor’s Prison.” (04/23/26)
https://underthrow.substack.com/p/we-are-living-in-an-invisible-debtors
A New Nobel Prize for War
Source: The American Conservative
by Doug Bandow
“With the Middle East in flames, President Donald Trump’s desperate lobbying campaign for the Nobel Peace Prize looks ever more bizarre. Of course, his claim to have ended and prevented numerous wars is more fantasy than reality. Worse, his surprise bombing of Iran amid negotiations, twice, demonstrated that his goal is anything but peace. Moreover, his proposal for a massive military buildup with no connection to American security suggests he is preparing even more reckless wars of choice. … However, it would be a shame to disappoint someone so desperate for public acclaim. It is time to create a Nobel War Prize, to denounce rather than praise the year’s most ostentatious warmonger or warmongers. Although 2026 is far from over, Trump would be a strong favorite this year.” (04/23/26)
https://www.theamericanconservative.com/a-new-nobel-prize-for-war/
Can the United States Be Trusted? History Says No!
Source: CounterPunch
by George Katsiaficas
“Sadly, the history of nations that defeated the US provides Iran’s current misgivings with even more reasons not to trust anything Washington might promise. Soon after signing peace agreements with both North Korea and Vietnam, the United States of America immediately violated them. In short, the US cannot be considered trustworthy, no matter who is president. Whether Democrat or Republican, presidents come and go, but US dishonesty and deception remain steady.” (04/23/26)
https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/04/23/can-the-united-states-be-trusted-history-says-no/
Scientists uncover identity of mysterious “golden orb” discovered miles underwater in 2023
Source: Fox News
“A strange ‘golden orb’ pulled from more than 2 miles beneath the Gulf of Alaska, once rumored to be everything from an alien egg to an unknown species, has finally been identified after a yearslong scientific investigation. Researchers with NOAA and the Smithsonian announced the unusual object, first discovered in 2023 during a deep-sea expedition, is a remnant from a rarely seen giant deep-sea anemone called Relicanthus daphneae, specifically part of the organism that anchored it to the ocean floor. The discovery was made using a remotely operated vehicle exploring about 3,250 meters (over 2 miles) deep, where it encountered an odd golden structure attached to a rock. The strange, mound-shaped mass with a small opening stunned scientists, who admitted at the time they had no idea what they were looking at.” (04/23/26)
Advisory Opinions, 04/23/26
Source: The Dispatch
“Overturning Religious Precedent.” (04/23/26)
https://thedispatch.com/podcast/advisoryopinions/overturning-religious-precedent/
The EU still has no guts when it comes to Israel
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Eldar Mamedov
“Despite rampant human rights violations, European elites refuse to break pact giving Israelis access to business and over a billion euros through 2027.” (04/23/26)