“Senate Republicans have struggled to move the ball on President Donald Trump’s voter ID and citizenship verification bill, but a late-night vote in the upper chamber breathed some life into an issue once thought dead. During the Senate’s marathon ‘vote-a-rama’ to advance the GOP’s $70 billion immigration enforcement package, Republicans tried twice to attach the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act to the massive bill. They failed both times, with a cohort of Republicans joining Senate Democrats to stymie the effort, which was destined to fail either way given that the amendments from Sen. Lindsey Graham [R-SC] and Mike Lee [R-UT] had to break through the filibuster.” (06/09/26)
“More than 300 migrants heading to the UK last summer were kidnapped, tortured and threatened with forced organ removal, the BBC has learned. The young men, all from Iraqi Kurdistan, were captured in Libya by a militia who demanded a ransom of $5,000 (£3,700) from each of their families, and threatened to harvest the captives’ kidneys if payment was not made promptly. We have spoken to some hostages who have since been released, and seen photo evidence suggesting that forced operations did take place. The former captives showed us evidence of torture, and said they had been kept in cramped conditions, with nearly 180 people sharing a cell. At least one hostage is known to have died, and it is unclear how many remain captive.” (06/09/26)
“TLast week, the flesh-eating parasite known as the New World screwworm was found in a calf in Texas; a second case was identified about five miles away shortly thereafter. (A third case was found in a dog.) Screwworm flies lay their eggs in the live tissue of warm-blooded animals, from livestock to pets to humans. These larvae ‘screw’ into the animal’s flesh, and while they are not very harmful to humans, in that the horrifying effects of maggots chewing into your skin are relatively easy to notice and address, they can kill a livestock host if not treated. In a widespread infestation, one of the last resorts would be mass culling, which would obviously have huge impacts on a diminished U.S. cattle herd.” (06/09/26)
“Amid a rapid escalation between Israel and Iran, Yemen’s Houthis have rejoined the Iran war, launching a volley of missiles at Israel and pledging to implement ‘a complete and total ban’ of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea. It’s safe to say that the tenuous ceasefire in the Middle East is now unraveling. President Donald Trump demanded that all parties deescalate, writing on Truth Social Monday morning that ‘Final negotiations on ‘Peace’ are proceeding’ so long as ‘ignorance or stupidity’ don’t get in their way. But the latest developments suggest that the United States has limited control over the path of the conflict, which is now entering its fourth month.” (06/08/26)
“The list of biblical absurdities from James Talarico, the Democratic Senate candidate in Texas, continues to grow. In addition to his claims that God is ‘nonbinary,’ that ‘the Bible is silent about abortion’ and that there are ‘six different genders,’ we now have his contention that Mary’s consent to the virgin birth is a story about her being ‘pro-choice.’ How should we respond? Well, sometimes someone else has already said it better than you ever could. The following is an abbreviated version of an open letter written by Jeff Mullen, a pastor from Nevada, and posted to his social media on May 29.” [editor’s note: Except for the six-genders nonsense, and the concept of “informed consent” for a minor, a case can be made for each of the other statements, if you view the Bible as an “inspired” metaphysical history book written by human beings – SAT] [additional editor’s note: Judaism, in the Midrash and Talmud, does in fact recognize six genders — Zachar, Nekevah, Androgynos, Tumtum, Ay’Ionit, and Saris – TLK] (06/07/26)
“We can blame the politicians. We can castigate them mightily, and we should, because they have — both parties — become a liability to the nation, wholly untrustworthy, corrupt and self-centered. Hey, Republicans: ‘If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small’ (Proverbs 24:10). Maybe no thought in human history describes gutless Republican Party politicians better than that. Here is one that perfectly pictures the Democrats: ‘Every intent of the thoughts of [their] heart [is] only evil continually’ (Genesis 6:5). Back to the days of Noah … But, yeah, while we can, and should, reprimand politicians of both parties, who is really to blame here? Who elects the politicians to office? Ultimately, the American people have no one to blame but themselves for the condition of their country.” (06/08/26)
“When I survey the long parade of presidents who led this country, from giants like Washington and Lincoln to the mediocrities and failures, one man stands apart as uniquely destructive: Woodrow Wilson. When he entered the White House in 1913, he brought unusual credentials: a doctorate from Johns Hopkins, a scholarly reputation, and experience leading Princeton University. Americans thought they were getting their first true scholar-president. What they got instead was the worst president in American history, a man whose toxic blend of intellectual arrogance, racial prejudice, and authoritarian instincts inflicted wounds on this country that we are still trying to heal. Wilson’s academic background shaped everything in his presidency, sometimes for better, often for worse. He approached governing like a professor addressing a stubborn class, convinced that if he explained things clearly enough, everyone would eventually see the wisdom of his vision.” (06/08/26)
“This year’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner should have been the same as any other: a beloved, annual tradition that brings together the media, politicians, and administration officials to celebrate our free press, build relationships, and honor the First Amendment. Instead, the event served as a reminder of the urgent need to modernize and secure the White House complex. The third assassination attempt of President Donald Trump proves these are no longer random acts. This is a pattern.” [editor’s note: And yet Trump is going out to a basketball game. Apparently security is only a considerration when he wants to build something – TLK] (06/08/26)
“Tech companies such as Apple and Google have been asked [sic] by the UK government to block access to naked images on smartphones and other devices for under-18s. Sir Keir Starmer has told firms to either activate built-in features or update software to prevent children from taking, sending or viewing sexually explicit images on their phones and other devices. Speaking at London Tech Week, the prime minister said: ‘This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it.’ The government said it will bring forward legislation to force firms to activate the features if they do not comply voluntarily [sic] within three months. This could include fines or, as a last resort, criminal liability for companies which do not comply.” (06/08/26)
“Lawyers for a young man who fatally stabbed a competitor at a Texas high school track meet called more witnesses Monday to try to support a claim of self-defense as a trial entered a second week. Karmelo Anthony, now 19, is charged with murder in the death of Austin Metcalf, 17, at a school stadium in Frisco, a Dallas suburb, in April 2025. Prosecutors say the stabbing was an unprovoked attack related to a dispute over whether Anthony could be under the tent of Metcalf’s team during a rainy track meet. Defense attorneys insist Anthony felt threatened and believed he needed to defend himself when physical contact was made. Metcalf’s death drew wide attention, in part because of social media posts that amplified the case in racial terms. Anthony, who attended Frisco Centennial High School, is [b]lack, while Metcalf, who attended Frisco Memorial High School, was white. Prosecutors rested their case Saturday in Collin County court.” (06/08/26)
