Source: Liberal Currents
by David Faris
“Primary season is closer than you think— can Democrats avoid their most damaging mistakes of 2020?” (07/12/26)
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/its-time-to-rethink-the-2028-primary-process/
Source: SFGate
“Social media companies might soon be forced to remove the addictive features that keep teenagers online for hours on end — including the ubiquitous infinite scroll. Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal, a Democrat from Long Beach, initially introduced Assembly Bill 1709 in February as a proposal that would prohibit teenagers from using social media platforms that are designed to be dangerously addictive. But after deliberations over several hearings in the California Legislature between lawmakers, advocates and a prominent Big Tech lobby, all agreed that age-gating the internet could ultimately do more harm than good. So, last month, Lowenthal amended his bill to instead require the companies, including behemoths like Meta and Reddit, to come up with an alternative, less addictive feed for underage users. If the companies can’t abide, then kids under 16 will be unable to make accounts on their platforms.” (07/13/26)
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/meta-social-media-teenagers-22337724.php
Source: Karl Dickey’s Freedom Vanguard
by Karl Dickey
“Senator Graham spent 23 years expanding government surveillance and funding foreign wars. Voters must now demand leaders who protect individual freedom and reject intervention.” (07/12/26)
https://palmbeachexaminer.substack.com/p/lindsey-graham-dies-at-71-a-libertarian
Source: The American Prospect
by David Dayen
“This week kicks off a 14-day sprint to choose the Democratic nominee in Maine, a race that could decide the U.S. Senate. When it became clear that Graham Platner wasn’t going to remain the nominee, I wrote that keeping the record number of Mainers who turned out for last month’s primary engaged and energized required a process that would allow them to participate, rather than a backroom affair. The Maine Democratic Party came up with something that I’m sure I can quibble with at the edges, but which recognizes that imperative and creates an organizing opportunity for the grassroots volunteers who really built the new kind of politics in the state. It’s a credit to state party chair Charlie Dingman, who so far has navigated a treacherous path pretty well.” (07/13/26)
https://prospect.org/2026/07/13/maines-hybrid-nomination-can-harness-grassroots-energy/
Source: Fortune
“The US Justice Department launched a grand jury investigation into allegations that the head of the United Auto Workers pressured another high-ranking union official to secure benefits for his fiancée and her sister, according to internal communications within the labor organization. A federal grand jury has subpoenaed the union’s court-appointed monitor as it probes the claims against President Shawn Fain, according to emails seen by Bloomberg News. The messages were sent to Fain, UAW Vice President Rich Boyer and members of the law firm representing the union. Fain called the allegations ‘false’ in a statement to Bloomberg and accused Boyer, whose complaints to the monitor drew early scrutiny to union leadership, of trying to influence the upcoming UAW election.” (07/12/26)
https://fortune.com/2026/07/12/doj-investigation-grand-jury-uaw-president-shawn-fain/
Source: Free Talk Live
“HB 1268 a major win for education freedom in NH :: Mark Edge joins us remotely :: Is NH the ‘most free’ place? :: New entry/exit policy in EU slowing down airport lines :: Sarah in NM calls about the Spanish/American war and driver licenses :: U.N. secretary general wants AI killer robots banned :: David in NM calls to ask about salt lending :: [email protected] :: web blocking not going as smoothly as hoped by those who demanded it :: 2026-07-12 :: Hosts: Stu, Mr. Penguin, Mark Edge.” (07/12/26)
Source: Eunomia
by Daniel Larison
“Sen. Lindsey Graham, the arch-warmonger from South Carolina, has died. He leaves behind a legacy of death, destruction, and massive human suffering. Graham cheered on every foreign war and every sanctions regime for at least the last thirty years, and he was among the loudest advocates for the criminal attack on Iran. He finally got that one last evil war that he wanted before the end. In a city full of bloodthirsty militarists, Graham distinguished himself as one of the worst.” (07/12/26)
https://daniellarison.substack.com/p/lindsey-graham-and-our-vile-pro-war
Source: CBS News
“Iran claimed attacks Monday on Persian Gulf countries that host U.S. military bases after another round of U.S. strikes the previous evening, as renewed fighting over control of the Strait of Hormuz continued into a second week. U.S. Central Command said Sunday that forces targeted various Iranian vessels and facilities, and it contradicted Tehran’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz is closed, insisting that ‘Iran does not control’ the vital shipping lanes. Oil prices shot up nearly 5% Monday after the weekend’s strikes, with benchmark crude prices nearing $80 a barrel again after plunging briefly to pre-war levels.” (07/13/26)
https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/us-iran-war-trump-ceasefire-attacks-strait-of-hormuz/
Source: Garrison Center
by Thomas L Knapp
“On June 9, Graham Platner won the Democratic Party’s nomination for US Senate from Maine with 72.1% of the primary vote. On July 10, Platner withdrew from the race, presumably due to popular demand by the same voters who nominated him. I’m tempted to a bit of schadenfreude toward those voters. This was not a case of ‘seems like a really good guy, very consistent, upright citizen … oh my God, I had no idea!’ Platner’s entire short political career — his whole adult life, in fact — resembles a locomotive, on fire, pulling boxcars stuffed full of dynamite, accelerating down tracks that terminate at a children’s playground.” (07/12/26)
Source: Unattended Baggage
“Weekend at Mitch’s.” (07/11/26)
https://unattendedbaggage.substack.com/p/episode-348-weekend-at-mitchs