How the Democrats Betrayed the Legacy of FDR

Source: The Realist Review
by James W Carden

“For much of the eighty years following the end of the Second World War, there existed a healthy, sometimes fierce competition among Democrats regarding the US and its role in the world: On one side, there were what I call the Rooseveltians; on the other side, the Achesonians. The competition between the two camps shaped US foreign policy throughout the Cold War. It was only with the arrival of the post-Cold War era that the competition dried up—and turned into a rout in which the Achesonians triumphed. The dueling camps take their names from, of course, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) and Secretary of State Dean Acheson (1893–1971).” (06/28/26)

https://therealistreview.substack.com/p/a-legacy-betrayed

SCOTUS to weigh Trump-backed Republican appeal to enforce Arizona voting laws

Source: SFGate

“The Supreme Court said Monday it will consider a Republican push to enforce strict Arizona voting laws passed in the swing state after the 2020 election. The high court has allowed some similar rules to take effect as lawsuits play out, including Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for state and local elections and a Virginia purge of voter rolls that the state said was aimed at keeping noncitizens from voting. The appeal was filed by the Republican National Committee after lower courts found the measures violated federal voting laws, and it was joined by GOP President Donald Trump’s administration. ‘The RNC is proud to lead this effort, and we will keep fighting nationwide to defend election integrity and ensure only eligible citizens cast a ballot’, said Chairman Joe Gruters. The high court is expected to hear arguments in the fall and likely hand down an opinion after the midterm elections.” (06/29/26)

https://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/supreme-court-will-weigh-trump-backed-republican-22324997.php

My Confrontation with Rainbow Capitalism and the Pride Industrial Complex

Source: exile in happy valley
by Nicky Reid

“This! Dearest motherfuckers! Is the Pride Industrial Complex! A network of once-benevolent LGBTQ+ organizations, operated by rich old white lesbians, spending most of their time and millions of your donation dollars on throwing parades just so they can raise enough money to throw more goddamn parades, all of which serve little other purpose than to offer diabolical corporations and two-timing politicians’ platforms to celebrate themselves celebrating diversity while they murder entire populations behind the rainbow flag. What more can I say without literally smashing things? Big money does hideous things to beautiful people and beautiful things for hideous operations.” (06/28/26)

https://exileinhappyvalley.blogspot.com/2026/06/my-confrontation-with-rainbow.html

FBI Files Counter Government Argument in Texas “Antifa” Trial

Source: In These Times
by Adam Federman

“On the last day of testimony in the federal ​’Prairieland’ trial — wherein nine activists faced charges related to a protest outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center — the government called its star witness back to the stand. Kyle Shideler, director of counterterrorism research at the right-wing think tank Center for Security Policy, had been key to the prosecution’s case that ‘antifa’ is a violent, criminal organization bent on overthrowing the U.S. government. Shideler, an imposing figure with a cleanly shaven head and full beard, had attended nearly the entire trial, even sitting in the overflow room during jury selection. At the stand, Shideler read aloud the government’s definition of antifa, as well as an excerpt from President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring antifa a domestic terrorist organization — issued in September, less than two weeks after the assassination of right-wing pundit and activist Charlie Kirk.” (06/26/26)

https://inthesetimes.com/article/prairieland-antifa-trial-protest-repression-fbi

Australia: Regime doubles maximum penalty for defying its Internet censorship scheme

Source: Engadget

“After becoming the first in the world to implement a social media ban for those under 16, Australia isn’t doubling down. In a press release, the Australian government announced that it will double the maximum penalty for any social media companies breaking its minimum age law, from 49.5 million to 99 million AUD, or more than $68 million. … Along with the new penalty threshold, the Australian government is granting its eSafety [sic] Commissioner, Julie Grant, more enforcement power. Now, the commissioner can demand social media companies provide evidence of how they’re stopping children under 16 years old from starting an account. Notably, the Australian agency can gather evidence regarding compliance with the ban from third parties, like from age verification or app store providers, according to the press release.” (06/28/26)

https://www.engadget.com/2203358/australia-doubles-maximum-penalty-social-media-ban/

How the Constitution failed America

Source: UnHerd
by Michael Lind

“Next month, Americans mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from the British Empire. Although the present US Constitution was written in 1787, ratified in 1788, and first implemented in 1789, during the anniversary celebrations this summer we can expect to hear widespread encomia to the genius of the Constitution as well as of the eloquence of Thomas Jefferson’s preamble to the declaration. Don’t believe it. While it was a milestone for its era, the US Constitution is deeply flawed. The most successful contemporary democracies have learned from America’s mistakes in designing their own, more recent national constitutions. Pious American patriots sometimes say that ‘the Founders built better than they knew.’ In reality, the Founders botched the job.” (06/28/26)

https://archive.is/6KSRQ

Afghanistan: Dozens of civilians killed in Pakistani air strikes

Source: France 24 [French state media]

“Overnight air strikes by Pakistani forces have killed at least 36 civilians and injured more than 160 others, Afghan officials said Monday, as tensions between the neighbours further escalated. Pakistani security forces carried out a ground operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border late Sunday, followed by strikes against militant hideouts and safe havens, killing 29 fighters, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said. They said the operations were launched in response to multiple militant attacks across Pakistan. … The Pakistani security operation followed a militant attack targeting the regional headquarters of the paramilitary Rangers in Karachi that killed three soldiers. Security forces killed three attackers and arrested another assailant, whom the military identified as an Afghan national in wounded condition. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack.” (06/29/26)

https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20260629-dozens-of-civilians-killed-in-pakistani-air-strikes-in-afghanistan-officials-say

In defense of anonymity, the guard dog of free expression

Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Sarah McLaughlin

“Among social media commenters, columnists, and even heads of state, it’s a typical refrain: If we just rid ourselves of that pesky internet anonymity and pseudonymity, we will have a cleaner, better, happier world. Anonymity, the common sentiment goes, is the weapon of the evil and the cruel. Despite some prevalent misconceptions, anonymity is not an invention of social media, email, or the internet age. The American founding fathers, for example, took great advantage of pseudonymous and anonymous expression, as have denizens of Rome for hundreds of years on the city’s ‘talking statues.’ Opposition to anonymity is not new either — far from it. … Anonymity and pseudonymity are not weapons trained upon the vulnerable. Rather, anonymity is the protector of the vulnerable, the shield between them and consequences ranging from embarrassment to social fallout to the worst forms of government oppression.” (06/26/26)

https://www.fire.org/news/blogs/free-speech-dispatch/defense-anonymity-guard-dog-free-expression