Author: Thomas L. Knapp

Source: RealClearPolitics
by Jane Brewer & Pat McCrory

“For more than two centuries, the U.S. Constitution has left the administration of elections to the states. This principle of federalism is not an accident, nor is it an afterthought – it is central to the balance of powers our founders designed. Yet today, proposals in Washington seek to wrest control of election administration away from the states, including efforts to restrict time-tested practices like voting by mail. That would be a mistake.” (08/22/25)

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2025/08/22/mail-in_voting_trust_the_states_to_decide_153206.html

Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob

“Thanks, United Kingdom. Following pressure on UK officials by the Trump administration and some congressmen, British censors have caved — the U.S. Director of National Intelligence confirmed that the UK was abandoning its demand that Apple burn a hole in its iPhone encryption. So Apple may continue providing its flagship smartphone with robust encryption. Cyberhackers and autocratic regimes (including snoopy British officials) — who’d love a crashable gate into everyone’s private iPhone information — must now endure their extreme disappointment.” (08/22/25)

https://thisiscommonsense.org/2025/08/22/apple-to-keep-encryption/

Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Mark Nayler

“Catalan secessionists are extracting so many concessions from the Spanish government that soon there will be no need to strive for independence. Their latest victory came last month — a tentative agreement from Spain’s Socialist-led government to allow the wealthy northeastern region, also controlled by a Socialist administration, to collect its own personal income tax. Fiscal autonomy has always been one of the separatists’ key goals; if this deal becomes reality, they will be considerably closer to achieving it.” (08/22/25)

https://fee.org/articles/the-other-edinburgh-dream/

Source: Orange County Register
by Steven Greenhut

“In the not-so-distant past, politicians — especially at the presidential level — have showed some decorum. Part of Donald Trump’s appeal is his rejection of those long-standing ground rules, but his humor is reminiscent of that of a schoolyard bully. He tirelessly trots out dopey insults and types out long, conspiracy-laden all-caps tirades. They seem unintelligent and mean, but are indeed authentic. Trump has been posting nonsense for years. … Democrats keep taking Trump’s bait, expressing outrage and playing politics along Marquis of Queensberry rules. Democrats often play dirty and do so here in California regularly given their supermajorities, but they currently are outmatched by Trump’s backyard-brawl tactics and keep getting shivved during these street fights. So Newsom hired a brass-knuckled social-media team to fight fire with fire — and he has gotten Trump’s and MAGA’s attention.” (08/22/25)

https://archive.is/cHKx1