Author: Thomas L. Knapp

The Cadaver Synod of Pope Donald

Source: CounterPunch
by Jerry Long

“At this very moment the President is at the peak of his cognitive powers. He will not get saner at 80, and the odds are pick ‘em that when he does shuffle off this mortal coil he will attempt to take all of us – and the copper wiring from the coil – with him. Yet Trump’s defenders sicken me more than Trump. They constantly claim deeper perspectives for his actions, as though the Trump Presidency were an inverse Picture Of Dorian Gray, and locked away in the Oval Office was a pristine portrait growing more fair with each act of indecency. But the moral leper behind the Resolute Desk is the reality, and no tacky amount of gold or cheap bordello flourishes can camouflage its pustules.” (04/24/26)

https://www.counterpunch.org/2026/04/24/the-cadaver-synod-of-pope-donald/

Thomas L. Knapp

Reggio Meets Axolotls

Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Kelsy Achtenberg

“Before we can improve school, we have to ask a deeper question: What is school actually for? For us at The Innovation School, that question didn’t lead to a packaged curriculum or a scripted program. It led us to a philosophy that has shaped how we see children, learning, and the role of a teacher. That philosophy is the Reggio Emilia approach. It began after World War II in a small town in Italy, when a community led by educator Loris Malaguzzi set out to reimagine what education could be. After the destruction of the war, they wanted a system that wasn’t built on compliance or rigidity. They wanted one built on curiosity, real-life experiences, and human potential.” (04/24/26)

https://fee.org/articles/reggio-meets-axolotls/

Thomas L. Knapp

Researcher breaks 15-bit elliptic curve key in “largest quantum attack,” wins 1 Bitcoin bounty from Project Eleven

Source: The Block

“Independent researcher Giancarlo Lelli derived a 15-bit elliptic curve key using a publicly accessible quantum computer, in what Project Eleven called the ‘largest quantum attack’ on elliptic curve cryptography to date, albeit at a scale far below that used in real-world cryptographic systems. Project Eleven, a post-quantum security startup, awarded a 1 BTC bounty, currently worth over $78,000, to Lelli as part of its ‘Q-Day Prize.’ The bounty program was launched last year by the project to break elliptic-curve keys ranging from 1 to 25 bits before April 5 this year. … Bitcoin uses 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography to secure wallets, which is far larger than the 15-bit key broken in this demonstration.” (04/24/26)

https://www.theblock.co/post/398792/researcher-breaks-15-bit-elliptic-curve-key-wins-1-bitcoin-bounty-project-eleven

Thomas L. Knapp

Judge rejects DOJ bid to delay Anthropic appeal in Pentagon dispute

Source: Politico

“A federal judge in California has denied the government’s request to pause its appeal of a March ruling that temporarily blocked the Pentagon from labeling Anthropic as a supply chain risk. Justice Department lawyers argued earlier this week that the appeal should be put on hold until judges at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals hand down a ruling in another case regarding Anthropic’s clash with the Pentagon. U.S. District Judge Rita Lin denied that request on Thursday, noting that the D.C. case was brought pursuant to a different statute. … Due to a quirk in federal law, Anthropic was forced in March to file lawsuits in both Northern California and the D.C. Circuit when it challenged the government’s action designating it a supply chain risk. On April 8, a three-judge panel at the D.C. Circuit rejected Anthropic’s request to pause the designation, creating a court split.” (04/24/26)

https://archive.is/ptUyL

Thomas L. Knapp

Declare Your Independence with Ernest Hancock, 04/24/26

Source: Freedom’s Phoenix

“Larken Rose (Author; Activist) comes on the program to provide an update on what he has been doing, geopolitics, The Activation Tour — Prescott, AZ with Derrick Broze — Friday, May 1, 6-10 PM (where he is a speaker), etc.” (04/24/26)

https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Media/394594-2026-04-22-2026-04-23-ernest-hancock-and-larken-rose-author-activist.htm

Thomas L. Knapp

We Can’t Agree on Inequality — Here’s Why

Source: EconLog
by Maurizio Bovi

“Centuries of argument have left a stubborn question unresolved: how much economic inequality is acceptable? Unlike inequalities rooted in race, gender, or disability — which typically attract broad moral condemnation — economic inequality in income, consumption, and wealth remains fiercely contested. That contestation does not result from a flaw in the debate; it is the debate’s defining feature.” (04/24/26)

https://www.econlib.org/library/columns/y2026/boviinequality

Thomas L. Knapp