Cato Daily Podcast, 04/21/26
Source: Cato Institute
“The Surveillance Program Congress Can’t Quit.” (04/21/26)
https://www.cato.org/multimedia/cato-podcast/surveillance-program-congress-cant-quit
Led by Republicans, Americans’ Support for NATO Fades
Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille
“President Donald Trump’s doubts about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) date back at least to the 1980s, when he took out full-page newspaper ads questioning the value of defending prosperous allies capable of paying for their own security. So, when he voices frustration with the alliance and the lack of support among its members for the U.S. and Israeli campaign against Iran’s theocratic regime, it’s not a new development. What’s new is growing disenchantment with NATO among Americans, led by the president’s Republican supporters.” (04/22/26)
https://reason.com/2026/04/22/led-by-republicans-americans-support-for-nato-fades/
Reality Proves Again & Again Trump’s Attack on Iran Was Horrible Decision
Source: Common Dreams
by Mel Gurtov
“As another week of Trump’s war begins, it becomes ever more clear that all his presumptions about how the war would go have proven wrong. Iran’s economy has bent but not folded despite a blockade of its ports. Its ability to control the Strait of Hormuz hasn’t been eliminated. Iran still has drones and missiles for retaliatory attacks. The regime’s control of the population remains. Gas prices and the cost of oil remain high. The war goes on. Trump’s deadline on the cease-fire expires April 22. Will Vice President JD Vance travel to Islamabad for a second round of talks with Iran? … The only certainty is in Trump’s mind: that Iran has ‘no choice. We’ve taken out their navy, we’ve taken out their air force, we’ve taken out their leaders,’ he said on his social media. He just doesn’t get it.” (04/22/26)
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/iran-war-was-trump-mistake
Nigeria: Tinubu replaces finance minister in surprise reshuffle
Source: Semafor
“Nigerian President Bola Tinubu replaced his finance minister, the architect of a radical economic policy overhaul, less than a year before elections in a surprise reshuffle. Wale Edun, a former World Bank official and investment banker, was replaced by Taiwo Oyedele, a junior finance minister who oversaw a revamp of the country’s tax system, in Tinubu’s most high-profile cabinet reshuffle since taking office three years ago. It was not immediately clear, however, if the move marked a change of direction at the finance ministry. Edun’s tenure has been marked by an aggressive push to overhaul sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy after two recessions within a decade, leading to an uptick in foreign direct investment inflows. However, Nigeria’s debt burden has shot up thanks to increased government spending.” (04/22/26)
The Headlines, 04/22/26
Source: New York Times
“Democrats Win Big in Election Map Fight, and Influencers Push Nicotine as a Health Hack.” (04/22/26)
Fountain Forum, episode 439
Source: Fountain Forum
“Jason Sorens on why housing is expensive.” (04/22/26)
https://rumble.com/v78toow-ff-439-jason-sorens-on-why-housing-is-expensive.html
The Untapped Potential of Organized Mainline American Protestantism
Source: Liberal Currents
by Holly Berkley Fletcher
“Around the country, Mainline Protestant churches are stepping up to help organizing the resistance to ICE’s incursions into their communities.” (04/22/26)
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/the-untapped-potential-of-organized-mainline-american-protestantism/
A Palantir Manifesto
Source: Libertarian Institute
by Alan Mosley
“Palantir CEO Alex Karp’s book, The Technological Republic, is a clarion call for Silicon Valley to abandon its consumer trinkets and rush headlong into the arms of the military-industrial complex. According to Karp, America’s future depends on wielding hard power through technology — arming soldiers, AI-weaponry, and mass surveillance systems — rather than on the ‘soft’ influence demonstrated by free markets and liberty-first principles. The book claims that ‘the survival of the American experiment depends on the technological revitalization of the military-industrial complex’ and urges the country’s engineering talent to focus on national defense. … This techno-militarism dressed up as patriotic duty presumes that concentration of power in the state and its corporate allies (isn’t there a word for this?) is not only desirable, but morally required.” (04/22/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/articles/a-palantir-manifesto
Trump Has Revealed MAGA’s Anti-Christian Nature
Source: The Bulwark
by Mona Charen
“It’s time for sincere believers to pull the wool from their eyes and see the truth about the president and his followers.” (04/22/26)
CA: Los Angeles becomes first major US school district to limit screen time for students
Source: People
“A Los Angeles school board has voted to be the first district to limit student screen time. On Tuesday, April 21, the Los Angeles Unified Board of Education (LAUSD) approved a measure to limit student access to screen time to ensure “developmentally appropriate guardrails” for all learners across the district, the board announced in a press release. The vote was passed 6-0 with one recusal, NBC News reported. According to the LAUSD, the new restrictions prohibit student-led use of YouTube and other video streaming platforms in the classroom. The board will also review a report of all classroom technology contracts, following the new measure.” (04/22/26)