“It took me a while to see it, but Ayn Rand had it right when she said that the suspicion of, if not hostility to, the free-market economy — capitalism — flows from a suspicion of the pursuit of profit, that is, self-interest. Despite the blinding fact that the Declaration of Independence lists ‘the pursuit of happiness’ as among man’s inalienable rights, a dominant, however conflicting cultural theme is that the pursuit of self-interest — egoism — is at best morally tainted and deserving of critical scrutiny.” (04/03/26)
“This article makes a straightforward argument. Europe’s refusal to back America’s war on Iran was not weakness, not anti-Americanism, and not the failure of an Atlantic alliance. It was a deliberate, rational response from governments that had been given no seat at the table yet were expected to share every consequence that followed. What follows is the case for why they were arguably right.” (04/03/26)
“Thanks in large part to President Trump’s disastrous policies, Democrats have a decent shot at not just retaking the House, but maybe even flipping the Senate. Here’s the thing to know: Midterms are a referendum on the incumbent president. And this is especially true when the president is Donald Trump, who dominates every news cycle. He creates weather. He is, in short, always the issue. But what happens when Trump is gone? What happens when Democrats have to defend their record of leadership? What happens when the referendum is on them? Even now — as Dems appear to be surging — polling suggests that fewer than 40% of Americans view the Democratic Party favorably. That’s not exactly a mandate. Yes, voters might choose Democrats as the lesser of two evils this November, but that doesn’t mean Americans are out there buying Democratic foam fingers.” (04/03/26)
“Smith was very much a free trader. He staunchly opposed tariffs designed to disrupt the natural flow of trade (revenue tariffs were less objectionable, but still not great). However, Smith’s approach allows for some exceptions. … Among those exceptions, there is ‘a matter of deliberation’ as to whether tariffs restricting freedom of trade are beneficial. If tariffs can be used in retaliation to open trade with another country (that is, remove their tariffs), then Smith argues temporary tariffs may be desirable:” (04/03/26)
“Sudan’s paramilitary forces killed at least 10 people on Thursday in a drone attack that hit a hospital in the south-central part of the country, said a medical group. Doctors Without Borders, also known as MSF, said the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, RSF, launched two drone strikes on Al-Jabalain Hospital in the White Nile province, hitting an operating theater and a maternity ward. The strikes, the latest in an intensifying drone warfare between the army and the RSF, killed 10 people, including seven medical staffers, and injured at least 19 people. Those injured were transferred to a hospital in Kosti, which is around 50 miles (80 kilometers) away, said MSF.” (04/03/26)
“Lindsey Granger gives her lens on Attorney General Pam Bondi being fired by President Trump, reportedly due to her lack of success in prosecuting Trump’s enemies and her handling of the Epstein files.” (04/03/26)
Source: The American Conservative
by George D O’Neill Jr.
“The latest American-Israeli aggression against Iran has exposed the United States’ inability to defend our big bases in the Gulf Countries and smaller bases in Iraq. For decades, these countries have had to endure the ire of their populations who are unhappy with the presence of U.S. forces in their lands. Their citizens are painfully aware of the U.S. and Israeli mass destruction and murder of their Muslim brothers. This may become a source of instability as war escalates.” (04/03/26)
Source: Indendent Institute
by K Lloyd Billingsley
“California’s highway overpass for butterflies and cougars is late and over budget. Curious observers might trace the project to the beginning.” (04/03/26)
