Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Sarah McLaughlin
“‘We shouldn’t accept that this is the end,’ Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said this week of the UK’s looming under-16 social media ban. ‘This is a staging post to what must be a very active interventionist state, policing and regulating the online space so that people are safe.’ Next March, the initial rollout will begin to keep teens under 16 from using ‘high-risk’ social media apps, and further algorithmic restrictions will later hit those under 18. After that, more restrictions will apparently follow. What new ‘policing and regulating’ powers will officials seek?” (10/02/26)
“Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called a snap election after facing mounting pressure from mass protests over the country’s housing crisis. Sánchez called the early election for November 29 during a televised speech to the nation from the Palace of Moncloa, his official residence in Madrid. … The announcement comes less than 72 hours after Sánchez’s government failed to secure parliamentary backing for two housing-related royal decree laws aimed at easing mounting public pressure over Spain’s housing crisis. … For days hundreds of people have camped out in Madrid’s central Puerta del Sol to protest the housing crisis gripping the country.” (10/05/26)
“Thomas Cromwell was the Lord Chancellor of England for much of the reign of King Henry VIII. He engineered the convictions and executions of many whom Henry wanted out of the way, including his two predecessors in office — one of whom was St. Thomas More — and even the king’s second wife, Queen Anne. When Cromwell’s son Gregory, who became sickened as he watched his father devolving from counselor to monster, learned that an executioner for the queen had been sent for from France a week before her trial, he asked his father what the purpose of her trial was if the king had preordained the queen’s guilt and prepaid the executioner. Cromwell replied that the king needed a jury to give the appearance of legitimacy to her conviction and prevent the public perception of ‘the tyranny of one man’s opinion.'” (10/02/26)
“Police in Moscow have detained around 60 people at a rally held by Russia’s Kremlin-friendly Communist Party, according to the organisation. A party statement said the arrests took place as the event was ending on Sunday, with its Moscow branch trying to secure the release of detainees, who were mostly young people. The gathering marked the anniversary of the Kremlin’s 1993 crushing of a parliamentary uprising. Telegram news channel Ostorozhno Novosti said protesters chanted slogans including ‘Freedom for political prisoners,’ ‘For fair elections,’ and ‘Down with the Tsar.’ The rally came as public frustration has been simmering in Russia during the intensifying Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside the country.” (10/04/26)
“There is no question that something terrible happened at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024. The question is what. Was it a brutal gang rape? Or was it something messier and more complicated, a sexual encounter that was unwise but nonetheless consensual? What facts we have are not enough to distinguish between the two possibilities.” (10/04/26)
“Ministers have scrapped plans that would have slashed the number of jury trials in England and Wales and replaced them with a judge sitting alone. The proposals had sparked a fierce backlash from lawyers, who have welcomed the U-turn. But the victims’ commissioner expressed concern about the abandonment of measures drawn up by the then justice secretary, David Lammy, under Keir Starmer’s government, to tackle the record backlog in the courts. … Legislation would have removed jury trials for defendants who were likely to receive a sentence of up to three years. Ministers have not abandoned judge-only trials altogether, but they will only be for a small number of especially lengthy and technical fraud cases where the judge decides a jury trial is not appropriate.” (10/04/26)
“Gypsy Rose and other cult killings :: Gypsy Rose’s ex fiancé Ken Urker found dead :: ‘If you let criminals vote it’s dangerous because there are a lot of people against Flock cameras’ Real quote by Sarah from NM :: lprmaps.com to check your state for license plate readers :: ICE to be turned around on the republicans by dems? :: The risk of super intelligence :: Executioners in TN literally had one job, says caller. Fewer people should trust the gov :: Government schools exist to make ignorant dependents :: Tom from NH calls to say squatting is okay if you can’t pay rent. Bonnie disagrees :: Houston has no zoning laws :: Michigan child abuse ring coming to light :: The profitable business of removing kids from their parents :: 2026-10-03 :: Hosts: Bonnie, Jay Noone, Chadd.” (10/03/26)
Source: Freedom and Flourishing
by Edward W Younkins
‘Behavioral Economics has emerged over the past seven decades as a significant development in economic thought challenging the idealized assumptions of perfect rationality that have long dominated neoclassical economics. Yet, for all its insights into human cognition and decision-making, the field has generated controversy regarding its normative implications. Should behavioral economists address their findings to public policy makers who could nudge citizens toward supposedly better choices? Or should they address their recommendations to individuals, empowering them to make better decisions for themselves?” (10/04/26)
“For more than a century, the Republican and Democratic parties have used ballot access laws and debate exclusion criteria to rig elections, making it as difficult and expensive as possible for ‘third party’ and independent candidates to even appear on ballots. Then when Republicans and Democrats lose, or look like they may lose, the whining begins. ‘Why, the nerve! How dare anyone but us seek political office? Those other guys can’t win — we’ve busted our butts to make sure of that! But here they come, ‘stealing’ our votes and ‘spoiling’ the rightful outcomes! There oughta be a law! Oh, wait, there is … why isn’t it working?'” (10/02/26)
“Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders took center stage in downtown San Francisco on Saturday, his latest appearance in the Golden State as he lends his star power to the effort to pass Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax on billionaires. Sanders, an independent [sic], is arguably the measure’s most fervent supporter and its most high-profile endorser. San Franciscans and health care workers filed into the 1,650-seat Curran Theatre on Saturday evening decked out in old ‘Feel the Bern’ merchandise and signs with the message ‘SAVE LIVES, TAX BILLIONAIRES.’ Most of California’s biggest names in Democratic politics oppose the measure. Sanders was also on hand when Prop 40 supporters kicked off their campaign in Los Angeles in February.” (10/03/26)
