Quillette Podcast, 08/04/26
Source: Quillette
“Politicising the Humanities: Sociology as Case Study.” (08/04/26)
https://quillette.com/2026/08/04/politicising-the-humanities-sociology-as-case-study/
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
Trump’s hubris rivals the fallen heroes of ancient Greek mythology
Source: Los Angeles Times
by Jonah Goldberg
“If I considered Trump more heroic than reason and facts could allow, I would say his Sisyphean predicament has the whiff of Greek tragedy to it. Trump is vexed by the fact that the Iranians won’t honor deals or ratify his countless premature claims of victory — giving new meaning to his vow that his presidency would make people tired of winning. It’s almost like they’re out-Trumping Trump.” (08/04/26)
MO: Incumbent beats “Squad” member Bush’s comeback attempt in US House primary
Source: Roll Call
“Missouri Rep. Wesley Bell crushed a comeback attempt by his predecessor Cori Bush, a democratic socialist and sharp critic of the war in Gaza, in a high-profile Democratic primary Tuesday that drew millions of dollars in ads from pro-Israel groups. With more than 95 percent of votes in, Bell was leading Bush 59 percent to 37 percent in the Democratic contest for the St. Louis-anchored 1st District, The Associated Press reported. The result marks a victory for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel group whose campaign arm spent more than $2.5 million targeting Bush.” (08/05/26)
The Kyle Anzalone Show, 08/04/26
Source: Libertarian Institute
“Larry Johnson: Is WWIII INCOMING?! Zelensky Attempts to Merge Ukraine, Iran War.” (08/04/26)
Trump’s polls plunge, but delulu Donald doesn’t live in reality
Source: USA Today
by Rex Huppke
“Let’s take a moment to read some actual words posted on social media by the actual president of the United States of America. On Aug. 3, Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘My REAL Polling Numbers, not those made up by the Fake News Media, are the best they have ever been.’ It’s an insult to fiction to call that fiction. I’m not sure what you call something more fabricated than fiction – maybe ‘ludicriction’? – but that’s what Trump’s words are. … Trump isn’t living in reality. He’s not allowing real numbers or facts about war or struggling Americans or high food prices to permeate his bubble. He’s living in a world where everything is amazing, and he’s to thank for all of it, and any claim otherwise is fake news.” (08/04/26)
Trump’s Whining About Oil Companies Shows He Doesn’t Know Much About Free Enterprise
Source: Exiled Policy
by Jason Pye
“During a press conference yesterday, Trump had a Bush moment. An unidentified reporter asked Trump about the ‘record profits’ that Exxon and Chevron have supposedly seen. Trump complained that oil companies are ‘making too much money,’ while, in the next breath, touting himself as ‘a big free enterprise guy.’ … If Trump didn’t want oil and gas prices to rise, then he shouldn’t have started bombing Iran, the inevitable consequence of which would be to close the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil supply.” (08/04/26)
https://exiledpolicy.substack.com/p/trumps-whining-about-oil-companies
Ukraine: Russian attack “ongoing” after at least 17 killed
Source: Sky News [UK]
“At least 17 people have been killed and 44 injured in the latest Russian attacks targeting the Kyiv region. The number of dead continues to mount partly because of an air defence shortage in Ukraine. Speaking this morning, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that missile interceptors could have ‘saved the lives of those killed today’. … Russia’s latest attacks targeted civilian infrastructure, according to multiple voices in Ukraine, including Zelenskyy. Residential buildings, shops and warehouses were all hit. Russia said it targeted sites linked to the war effort, including warehouses storing drone components.” (08/05/26)
Red All Over? It’s Not So Black and White
Source: Garrison Center
by Joel Schlosberg
“In the month celebrating 250 years of red, white and blue, Americans were seeing plenty of red — and not just as part of commemorative trifectas or midterm forecast maps.” (08/04/26)
Cato Podcast, 08/04/26
Source: Cato Institute
“Iran: Schrodinger’s War.” (08/04/26)
https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-podcast/iran-schrodingers-war
MI: El-Sayed wins Democratic US Senate primary
Source: NBC News
“Abdul El-Sayed has won Michigan’s slugfest of a Democratic Senate primary, NBC News projects, clinching the nomination in a close race over Rep. Haley Stevens and establishing a Midwest beachhead for a progressive left on the march this midterm cycle. El-Sayed overcame a nearly $65 million onslaught of outside money and an establishment that had rallied around Stevens. Popular Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed Stevens late last month — a move seen as a last-ditch effort to stop a rising El-Sayed. El-Sayed, a former public health official, goes on to face former Rep. Mike Rogers, who claimed the Republican nomination without opposition Tuesday. Their race in November is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country, and it could determine which party controls the Senate.” (08/05/26)