Author: Thomas L. Knapp

The War on Drugs Has Come to the Maternity Ward

Source: Reason
by Tosin Akintola

“At first glance, a new mother taking part in a drug screening seems reasonable. For the sake of the mother and child, a doctor performs a clinical test to rule out any complications or signs of risks to the newborn. But the story quickly takes a dark turn. If there’s a positive test result, it doesn’t stay between the doctor and the patient. In 24 states and Washington, D.C., a positive test alone is enough to initiate a child welfare report, according to a report by the Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association. Depending on the state, that test could land the mother on a child abuse registry. Worse still, the mother may be notified the test has occurred only after the fact.” (08/11/26)

https://reason.com/2026/08/11/the-war-on-drugs-has-come-to-the-maternity-ward/

Thomas L. Knapp

Federal Social Service Spending Creates a Sense of Entitlement Among Bureaucrats

Source: Independent Institute
by Christopher J Calton

“Last month, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) suspended funding to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which quickly sued to block the decision. The controversy raises an important question: to what extent are local bureaucracies entitled to federal funds?” (08/11/26)

https://www.independent.org/article/2026/08/11/federal-social-service-spending-creates-a-sense-of-entitlement-among-bureaucrats/

Thomas L. Knapp

DOJ opinion extends executive privilege to president’s communications with private advisers

Source: The Hill

“A new Department of Justice (DOJ) memo argues the president can assert executive privilege not just over communications with his White House staff, but also with ‘private advisors’ outside of government, an interpretation that would broaden the number of people President Trump could try to shield from congressional investigations. The Monday opinion from the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) isn’t binding but nonetheless signals the Trump administration is thinking about how to respond to an expected bevy of investigations into the White House should Democrats retake the House. Traditionally, the president may assert executive privilege over communications only with executive branch staff. But the OLC argues the counsel the president might get from those outside the government could be just as important to the White House and also merits protection.” (08/11/26)

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6022381-doj-executive-privilege-outside-advisers/

Thomas L. Knapp

Colorado sinking fast

Source: The Price of Liberty
by Nathan Barton

“Colorado has been labeled as ‘increasingly blue’ for several decades. Not just the most recent governors (Hickenlooper and Polis) have been extremely liberal and left (‘Regressives’ as TPOL labels them), but the General Assembly (both houses) has had super-majority Democratic control for a long time as well. (Yes, the Colorado GOP is as much to blame for this, due to their own stupidity and lack of skills and internal cohesion, as the Colorado Democrats are. And don’t get us started on the worthlessness of the Colorado Libertarian Party.)” (08/11/26)

https://thepriceofliberty.org/2026/08/11/colorado-sinking-fast/

Thomas L. Knapp

WI: “Moderate” Democrat pulls off upset over socialist in gubernatorial primary

Source: NBC News

“Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley has won the Democratic primary in Wisconsin’s race for governor, NBC News projects, dealing a major upset to democratic socialist Francesca Hong. The result marks a dramatic turnaround for Crowley, who had dropped out of the race roughly a month ago after initially struggling to gain traction only to re-enter days later with outgoing Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’[s] endorsement. Hong, a state lawmaker from Madison, had led in the polls in the final stretch of the race, but faced growing scrutiny over her past controversial positions and general election viability.” (08/11/26)

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-election/francesca-hong-david-crowley-democratic-primary-wisconsin-governor-rcna592056

Thomas L. Knapp

The Jones Act Trap: Why Temporary Shipping Waivers Prove Protectionism Fails

Source: Karl Dickey’s Freedom Vanguard
by Karl Dickey

“Most Americans have never heard of the Jones Act, which is a protectionist law that has been on the books for over 100 years with the intent to protect U.S. based shipping and shipbuilding, put in place after World War I. As with many U.S. laws, it has backfired on the American people and business, with higher costs to consumers for their goods and energy. I argue that government should just get out of the way and let the free market run, which benefits both consumers and business. Now, the Trump administration has extended its 90-day waiver of the Jones Act, allowing foreign-flagged shipping vessels to transport fuel and energy commodities between U.S. ports (The Hindu). This 90-day waiver exposes the reality that the Jones Act helps to lower energy costs for Americans and helps to prevent economic bottlenecks, confirming my assertion to let the free market run.” (08/11/26)

https://palmbeachexaminer.substack.com/p/the-jones-act-trap-why-temporary

Thomas L. Knapp