Half the Answer, episode 97
Source: Liberal Currents
“Was Cultural Marxism Responsible for the Beatles?” (08/10/26)
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
The romance of fair use and fiction
Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Ally Duong
“‘Romantasy’ is a genre marriage of romance and fantasy that has been selling books like wildfire. And this year, your local bookstore’s romantasy section is likely lined with covers featuring a curly-haired brunette heroine next to a suave, silver-haired hero–all because fans who saw what an author couldn’t see decided to write stories about a couple that never came to be. … The attraction for publishers is obvious: a popular fanfic may arrive with a ready-made audience and social-media buzz. But that shift raises a serious legal question: What must an author change before an unauthorized derivative work becomes an independent — and lawfully marketable — novel?” (08/10/26)
FL: Homeowner shoots, kills alleged intruder
Source: Fox 35 Orlando
“A man was shot and killed by a homeowner after deputies said he showed up unannounced at a Lake County home where his ex-girlfriend was visiting and tried to force his way inside. According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, a physical altercation broke out between the man and the homeowner near the entrance to the residence. ‘The male subject attempted to force his way into the residence during the altercation,’ a sheriff’s office spokesperson said. Deputies said the homeowner then pulled out a gun and fatally shot the man.” (08/10/26)
https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/man-shot-killed-during-alleged-break-in-lake-county-home
The Kyle Anzalone Show, 08/10/26
Source: Libertarian Institute
“US COLLAPSE IMMINENT? The Middle East’s SHOCKING New Order!” (08/10/26)
What Research from Boston Zoning Can Teach Chicago
Source: Cato Institute
by Jeffrey Miron
“To economists, America’s housing crisis — in the form of high prices — is no surprise. For years, lawmakers have distorted the market through zoning laws that restrict new building and limit housing density. More recently, however, cities around the United States have been working to loosen restrictive zoning codes to increase housing supply. Chicago, meanwhile, has so far kicked the can down the road on zoning reform.” (08/10/26)
https://www.cato.org/commentary/what-research-boston-zoning-can-teach-chicago
Russia: Supreme Court bars last anti-war party from elections
Source: Washington Post
“The Russian Supreme Court has barred the country’s last remaining anti-war party from running in parliamentary elections next month amid an intensifying crackdown on dissent over Russia’s increasingly unpopular war against Ukraine. … Yabloko, which hasn’t managed to clear the 5 percent threshold to win seats in the Duma since 2003, was seen until recently as a fringe party. But as Russians become increasingly dismayed by the expanding reach of Ukraine’s drones and the growing impact of the war on the economy, the party appeared to be gaining support. Recent polls suggested it could win 9 percent of the vote next month, the Moscow newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported. … Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court on Monday and chanted ‘Russia Without Putin!’ After the ruling, security forces attempted to disperse them.” [editor’s note: Russia’s Libertarian Party got suppressed in July, thus the “last” modifier for Yabloko- TLK] (08/10/26)
The Socialist Surge Revives Failed and Hateful Ideas
Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille
“As democratic socialists in general and the DSA in particular take over the Democratic Party, it’s worth examining the positions they take, the enemies they pick, and who supports them to see what they have in store for us as they seek to remake the country. … Given that the rise of the DSA is likely rooted in disillusionment and resentment, it may be a losing proposition to point out that socialism’s nostrums are nonsense. Still, we need to emphasize that free-market [sic] capitalism is good and contributes to liberty and prosperity while socialism does the opposite.” (08/10/26)
https://reason.com/2026/08/10/the-socialist-surge-revives-failed-and-hateful-ideas/
Reason Roundtable, 08/10/26
Source: Reason
“Are Socialists Actually Leaving Wokeness Behind?” (08/10/26)
https://reason.com/podcast/2026/08/10/are-socialists-actually-leaving-wokeness-behind/
Trump whines some more about Iran’s surrender demands
Source: AOL
“President Donald Trump on Monday responded to Iran’s demand that the U.S. pay for war damages by calling on Tehran to compensate Americans and others harmed or killed by the country over the last 50 years. ‘I see that Representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran are asking for compensation for the damage done to them during the last five month Military Conflict … even though it was never mentioned in any of our negotiations or meetings!’ Trump wrote on social media. Trump said he is now ‘likewise demanding compensation from Iran’ for Americans killed or wounded in conflicts involving Iran and Iranian-backed groups. He said the demand should be included in any future negotiations with Tehran.” [editor’s note: Apparently he still hasn’t received the “loser doesn’t set the terms” memo from his staff yet – TLK](08/10/26)
https://www.aol.com/articles/trump-now-seeks-compensation-iran-172413000.html
Eurotrash and Holy Water
Source: Underthrow
by Max Borders
“It’s called the Fourth Political Theory (4PT for short). It’s gotten the Russian philosopher Aleksandr Dugin two major fans among throngs of minor ones. The first is Vladimir Putin. The second is Tucker Carlson. Each, in his own way, is important. But together, the three make for a subversive head-heart-gut triad: Dugin the thinker, Carlson the relator, and Putin the muscle. Much like the social justice left with its beachhead in the academy, these three are propagating their own form of ideological imperialism online. But don’t call it right-wing. Like most positions these days, 4PT defies a linear spectrum, despite the parrots of the progressive media calling him ‘far-right.’ Instead, Dugin searches through the ruins of history to put together pieces of something new.” (08/10/26)