The Headlines, 04/02/26
Source: New York Times
“Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Is Not America’s Problem, and How Musk May Get Richer.” (04/02/26)
Author: Thomas L. Knapp
Burnt Toast, Stoics, and Finding Growth in Small Frustrations
Source: The Daily Economy
by Barry Brownstein
“A viral mental habit about burnt toast echoes Stoic philosophy: adversity — no matter how small — is an opportunity to practice discipline, perspective, and self-mastery.” (04/02/26)
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/burnt-toast-stoics-and-finding-growth-in-small-frustrations/
The Evils of Paper Money: Roger Sherman and A Caveat Against Injustice
Source: Tenth Amendment Center
by Michael Boldin
“You are being ripped off. When it comes to fiat paper ‘money,’ Richard Sherman didn’t hold back. He saw it as an unjust and totally immoral weapon that turns government into a legalized protection racket for fraud. He made that case in his incredibly important, but almost completely unknown pamphlet A Caveat Against Injustice, where he called for criminal punishment for the perpetrators.” (04/01/26)
US regime lifts sanctions on Venezuela’s Rodriguez amid warming ties
Source: United Press International
“The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on Venezuela’s interim president [sic], Delcy Rodriguez, in the latest sign of warming relations between Washington and Caracas after the U.S. military ousted Venezuela’s former authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro. The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced in a post on its website Wednesday that Rodriguez, 56, had been removed from its Specially Designated Nationals list, unfreezing any assets that may have been under her name in the United States while allowing her to conduct business in the United States and with U.S. persons.” [editor’s note: The administration of which Rodriguez was a member was defeated in last year’s election; legally, she holds no position in Venezuela’s regime – TLK] (04/02/26)
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/04/02/Delcy-Rodriguez-sanctions/4721775114744/
Politico Playbook Audio Briefing, 04/02/26
Source: Politico
“20 minutes, few answers: Trump addresses the nation on Iran.” (04/02/26)
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast, 04/01/26
Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
“Social media = cigarettes?” (04/01/26)
https://www.fire.org/news/podcasts/so-speak-free-speech-podcast/social-media-cigarettes
Trump’s April Fools’ Address to the nation
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
“Expectations reached a fever pitch Wednesday, but he neither called for an end to the war nor announced a ground invasion. Bottom line: We’re not finished.” (04/01/26)
Pakistan: Regime Says It Is in Talks With Afghanistan to End Conflict
Source: US News & World Report
“Pakistan is holding talks with Afghanistan to end the worst conflict between the South Asian neighbours since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. The talks in the northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi were being held between senior officials of the two countries, the spokesperson said. China has been trying to mediate a negotiated settlement to the conflict between the allies-turned-foes that share a 2,600-km (1,600-mile) border. The fighting, that began last October, has killed scores of people on both sides.” (04/02/26)
Bulwark Takes, 04/01/26
Source: The Bulwark
“Tim Miller, Sam Stein, JVL and Mark Hertling React to Trump’s Iran Address.” (04/01/26)
The Science of Politics, 04/01/26
Source: Niskanen Center
“Can corporate scandals reinvigorate democracy?” (04/01/26)
https://www.niskanencenter.org/can-corporate-scandals-reinvigorate-democracy