“Whatever the outcome, the Epstein files controversy remains one of the most difficult internal political challenges that Trump has faced, and a stark reminder of the strength of right-wing conspiratorial politics within the Republican Party. While many commentators attribute the rise of conspiracy rhetoric within the GOP to Trump, the political style actually has deep roots in right-wing history.” (07/28/25)
Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
by Rindala Alajaji
“If you thought going to a Pride event or drag show was just another night out, think again. If you were in Florida, it might land your name in a government database. That’s what’s happening in Vero Beach, FL, where the Florida Attorney General’s office has subpoenaed a local restaurant, The Kilted Mermaid, demanding surveillance video, guest lists, reservation logs, and contracts of performers and other staff — all because the venue hosted an LGBTQ+ Pride event. To be clear: no one has been charged with a crime, and the law Florida is likely leaning on here — the so-called ‘Protection of Children Act’ (which was designed to be a drag show ban) — has already been blocked by federal courts as likely unconstitutional. But that didn’t stop Attorney General James Uthmeier from pushing forward anyway.” (07/28/25)
Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by William Harris
“One of the oldest and most respected liberal arts institutions in America, Haverford College has a long history of principled protest — from its abolitionist Quaker founders to the anti-Vietnam War movement of the 20th century. In recent years, that tradition has sadly curdled into a culture of censorship. But a new free-speech committee plans to restore this lost legacy.” (07/28/25)
“As the world is witnessing, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is devastating. One in three people in Gaza hasn’t eaten for days. People are being shot just trying to get food to feed their families. Children are wasting away. This is what we face on the ground right now. We welcome Israel’s decision to support a one-week scale-up of aid, including lifting customs barriers on food, medicine and fuel from Egypt and the reported designation of secure routes for UN humanitarian convoys. Some movement restrictions appear to have been eased today, with initial reports indicating that over 100 truckloads were collected. This is progress, but vast amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine and a catastrophic health crisis.” (07/28/25)
Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Walter Block
“I spend my summers in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Due to limited water availability, the municipality limits lawn watering to once per week between the ungodly hours of 6 and 9 A.M. But many other liquids are in limited supply, and no such rule applies to any of them. We do not have unlimited reserves of orange juice, milk, wine, gasoline, oil, soft drinks, or apple juice, either. Yet, the government of North Vancouver, happily, has not seen fit to restrict consumption or purchase of any of these other fluids — at least not so far. Why not? Why shouldn’t these central planners extend their insights about limiting consumption to other scarce liquids?” (07/28/25)
“It was 97 degrees outside, and Greg Casar was in a fragrance store, looking for an envelope. He had marched on that June evening with about 30 workers from two restaurants owned by the mogul Stephen Starr. They stopped first at St. Anselm, a steakhouse in the historic Union Market District in Northeast Washington, D.C., where 85 percent of the workers signed cards seeking union representation and later won an election. But the STARR Restaurant Group argued that the election was void because the Trump administration’s National Labor Relations Board had only two of its five seats filled, one less than a quorum, and therefore could not certify the results. (07/28/25)
“Boeing is struggling. The most recent round of bad news to hit the manufacturer came when, after Boeing’s project to build the next Air Force One was delayed again, this time until 2029, President Trump announced he would instead accept a jet gifted from the Qatari royal family. While the legality of that move has not yet been settled, the episode highlighted how slow and expensive Boeing’s Air Force One program has become. Although sluggishness is often lucrative for government contractors, Boeing had agreed to a $4 billion cap for the project, which the company has since exceeded. The Air Force One build is now costing Boeing money. Then, one of Boeing’s prized 787 Dreamliners went down in Ahmedabad, India. … Boeing’s problems stretch back much further. It has not posted an annual profit since 2018.” (07/28/25)
Source: Caitlin Johnstone, Rogue Journalist
by Caitlin Johnstone
“We’re back at the part of the news cycle where Israel tells the world it’s going to allow a bit more aid into Gaza in order to mollify its allies and reduce the public outcry as images of starving children draw objections from the west. This is just Israel giving the Kier Starmers and Anthony Albaneses of the western world just enough of an excuse to go silent about the starvation of Gaza again. They will then continue starving Gaza. … Israel’s announcement that it will allow more food into Gaza so people don’t starve completely debunks all its claims these last few days that people in Gaza are starving because of Hamas and the UN.” [editor’s note: Thankful for CJ and her consistent take on all of this; along with Matt Taibbi, Jimmy Dore and a small number of others she sees through the imperial screens – SAT] (07/27/25)
Source: Law & Liberty
by Leonidas Zelmanovitz & Gabriel Beckwith
“The image of a white picket fence and a house to call your own often comes to mind when discussing the American Dream, but this image is just a shallow reflection of a much deeper concept. It may be true that the dream is actualized through meaningful access to housing; however, it is ultimately about living freely and flourishing by adhering to the ideals of the American Founding, through which one pursues happiness and reaches one’s fullest potential. That dream is made possible when individuals have access to housing that is affordable, well-located, and suited to different lifestyles. Without these preconditions, the American Dream is much harder to achieve. Yet for decades, institutional barriers have threatened this foundation.” (07/28/25)
