Reason Roundtable, 09/14/26
Source: Reason
“Is AI Really an Existential Threat?” (09/14/26)
https://reason.com/podcast/2026/09/14/is-ai-really-an-existential-threat/
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
Oil Prices Rise Above $107 as Middle East Supply Risks Remain in Focus
Source: Yahoo! Finance
“Oil prices rose on Tuesday as investors monitored further Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and continued uncertainty over the timing of talks concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Benchmark Brent crude futures increased 2.0% to $107.83 per barrel by 04:19 ET, while US West Texas Intermediate futures rose 2.1% to $103.50 per barrel. Talks between Iran and Gulf states concerning the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remained on hold after Oman said a planned Monday meeting had been postponed. Oman did not provide a new date for the discussions. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen carried out further strikes against Saudi Arabia on Monday and continued operations around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.” (09/15/26)
https://finance.yahoo.com/energy/articles/oil-prices-rise-above-107-093258084.html
No Emergency Exception in the Constitution
Source: Future of Freedom Foundation
by Jacob G Hornberger
“The Constitution called into existence a federal government whose powers were limited to those few powers that are enumerated in the Constitution itself (as well as the powers incidental to carrying its enumerated powers into execution). If a power is not enumerated, it cannot legally be exercised by the president, the Congress, the judiciary, or the national-security establishment. Notice something important: There is no constitutional provision that states ‘In an emergency, U.S. officials shall be vested with whatever powers they deem necessary to address the emergency.'” (09/14/26)
https://www.fff.org/2026/09/14/no-emergency-exception-in-the-constitution/
McConnell finally shows up
Source: Associated Press
“Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky returned to the Senate to vote on Monday for the first time in three months, looking noticeably more frail after he was hospitalized for a June fall in his home. … He briefly addressed reporters Monday from a wheelchair outside the Senate chamber, smiling but speaking slowly and with some difficulty. McConnell joked that he wasn’t sure how many reporters would be there after dodging so many questions during his almost two decades as leader.” (09/14/26)
https://apnews.com/article/mitch-mcconnell-senate-return-abe03e84e30a174da4076385692b5751
The Food Revolution Nobody Planned
Source: The Daily Economy
by Byron Carson
“From food trucks to farmers’ markets and beyond, entrepreneurs — not policymakers — are finding new ways to feed people, create value, and deliver much more than just cheaper food.” (09/14/26)
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-food-revolution-nobody-planned/
Ukraine: UK armed forces member dies in “road traffic incident”
Source: euoronews [EU]
“A member of the UK armed forces died in Ukraine on Saturday, the British Ministry of Defence has announced. The unnamed service member died as the result of a “road traffic incident,” the ministry said in a statement posted to social media. ‘The family have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released,’ it reads. ‘Our thoughts and sympathies are with the individual’s loved ones at this difficult time’. … Few details are available on the UK’s military presence in Ukraine, although Westminster has previously confirmed that British personnel are present in the country. These personnel support the security of the UK Defence Section in Ukraine and offer medical training and mentoring to Ukraine’s Medical Forces.” (09/14/26)
Jesus of Nazareth Wasn’t a Socialist. He Wasn’t a Capitalist Either.
Source: Exiled Policy
by Jason Pye
“One of my least favorite habits in American politics is watching people reach for the Bible to give moral authority to whatever economic views they already hold. Conservatives have spent decades talking about capitalism, private property, and limited government as though they fit naturally within a Christian worldview. Christian progressives do something similar from the other direction, pointing to the concerns Jesus of Nazareth had for the poor and his commands to love one’s neighbor as evidence for a much more redistributive economic order. I’ve never been particularly persuaded by either argument.” (09/14/26)
https://exiledpolicy.substack.com/p/jesus-of-nazareth-wasnt-a-socialist
EU pols fantasize that they can keep under-15s off social media
Source: Politico
“The European Commission will propose new rules to restrict minors’ access to social media and video-sharing platforms before the age of 15, according to preparatory documents seen by POLITICO and a person familiar with the matter. The EU executive on Thursday will unveil a new EU KIDS Act setting out age restrictions, along with new rules requiring covered products, such as social media and AI companions, to be safe [sic] by design. The proposal aims to create a tiered system for accessing social media under parental supervision before age 15, the documents said.” (09/14/26)
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-propose-new-legislation-on-minors-protection-on-thursday/
Punishing Israel-boycotters is even worse than boycotting Israel
Source: The Hill
by Austin Sarat
“Today, polls show that Americans are more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause than to Israel, a dramatic reversal in a short period of time. Demonstrating hostility to the Jewish state has also become a badge of honor among political progressives. … Boycotting Israel, whether on college campuses or elsewhere, is a bad idea in my view. It is not the way to change Israeli policy. … But as bad as the boycott movement is, U.S. House passage of the The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, by a 237-169 vote, was worse.” (09/14/26)
https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/6085347-bill-targets-campus-bds-boycotts/
Trump Jr. And Wife Defend Lavish Wedding ‘Gift’ From Russian Oligarch
Source: Forbes
“Donald Trump Jr. and his wife Bettina defended their friendship with a Russian oligarch linked to Vladimir Putin after a report that Umar Kremlev paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to help fund their wedding weekend at private islands in the Bahamas earlier this year. Calling Kremlev a ‘dear friend,’ the couple said in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram along with 20 photos of the event that he ‘very generously hosted two incredible nights of celebrations for us AFTER our wedding,’ calling it an ‘extraordinarily generous wedding gift from a friend,’ noting the two were married in a private ceremony a day before leaving for the Bahamas. … Kremlev has a longstanding relationship with the Russian government—days before the wedding Kremlev was part of Putin’s delegation on a trip to China … ProPublica reported …” (09/14/26)