Author: Thomas L. Knapp

Source: The Daily Economy
by Tahmineh Dehbozorgi

“ICE claims agents can enter private homes using their own paperwork — without asking a judge first. The Fourth Amendment was written for moments like this.” ()2/18/26)

https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/ices-warrant-shortcut-violates-the-constitution/

Source: Washington Monthly
by Alex Bronzini-Vender

“Depending on whom you ask, Donald Trump has either heroically or horrifyingly declared open season on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education. During his first year back in office, the Department of Education launched at least 57 investigations into campus DEI initiatives it deemed illegal—and many more universities have preemptively complied by dismantling their own versions of such practices and policies. As such, it may come as a surprise that Trump and his underlings don’t want to get rid of DEI altogether. On some campuses, they’ve worked to preserve or even expand DEI programs. What they object to isn’t DEI itself, but who it’s for — which, until now, has been the ‘wrong’ kind of student.” (02/18/26)

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/18/how-trump-learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-dei/

Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Shana Marshall

“Traditionally, weapons expos are about putting producers in contact with buyers, and they feature large scale sites where companies set up booths to showcase hardware capabilities and include simulations and even live-fire demonstrations. In these spec-ops safe-spaces, government procurement officials and top brass could brush elbows with warlords and mercenaries to take turns shouldering JAVELINs and downing batch bourbons. But with the introduction of more Silicon Valley tech firms into the MIC, many industry gatherings feature asset managers and investors from venture capital and private equity firms who care less about the specs than the ROI. Gone are the ‘booth babes’ of yesteryear, replaced by baby-faced billionaires in Patagonia quarter zips. Spurred on by the advent of ZIRP (zero-interest rate policy), allowing investors to borrow money essentially for free, and the decline of consumer-focused tech products, investors have turned their focus to military markets.” (02/18/26)

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/defense-tech-silicon-valley/

Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob

“On her European junket, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.-D) elicited chuckles over her comments on the arrest of Nicolás Maduro by means of a military incursion, mistakenly identifying Venezuela as ‘below the Equator.’ The country lies entirely north of the dividing line between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Was this her ‘Aleppo moment?’ Hardly. Darlings of the major parties get away with faux pas that minor party challengers cannot escape.”

https://thisiscommonsense.org/tropic-of-aoc/