The Good Fight, 07/11/26
Source: Yascha Mounk
“Deirdre McCloskey on What Really Caused the Industrial Revolution.” (07/11/26)
A Guide to a Muscular Liberalism
Source: Persuasion
by Roger Partridge
“Every political tradition faces the question of what constitutes a good life. But only liberalism struggles so visibly to offer a straightforward answer. Authoritarians promise order and national greatness. Socialists promise equality. Post-liberal writers promise meaning and belonging through restored religious and civilizational authority—a life ordered to faith, family, and place. Liberalism alone points nowhere in particular. Its answer—freedom—tells you what to protect, not what to do with it. Yet that silence is not emptiness. It reflects a wise limit: no one can know in advance the forms a flourishing life will take.” (07/10/26)
https://www.persuasion.community/p/a-guide-to-a-muscular-liberalism
The 2026 Midterm Vigil (No. 2): The Democrats’ “Failure to Miscommunicate”
Source: American Greatness
by Thaddeus G McCotter
“Many moons ago, while serving in Congress, I heard a senior member of the GOP House leadership offer this assessment of the Democrats’ strategy on a particular issue: ‘The Democrats always overplay their hand’. Heading into the 2026 midterm elections, however, it seems less a case of the Democrat minority overplaying its hand than of revealing it. Everyone is well-versed in the historical fact that a president’s party usually loses seats in a midterm election. As this is President Trump’s second midterm election, early projections suggest it will prove as disastrous for the GOP as the first one was in 2018.” (07/11/26)
Malaysia: PM’s Coalition Routed by Key Partner in Johor State Poll
Source: US News & World Report
“Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s coalition suffered a crushing defeat to a key partner in a regional poll on Saturday, raising questions over the strength of the blocs’ alliance at the federal level amid talk of an early general election. While the result in Malaysia’s southern Johor state will not directly impact Anwar’s majority in parliament, it could deepen strains between Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan grouping and the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition – rivals that joined forces to form a government after a hung general election in 2022. While Pakatan and BN insist their federal partnership can withstand differences at the state level, Anwar said in May he would consider calling a snap poll if internal divisions continued to widen.” (07/11/26)
US regime pays out $3 million to victims of mystery Havana Syndrome condition reported by spies
Source: BBC News [UK state media]
“The US government has paid nearly $3m (£2.2m) in compensation to victims of so-called Havana Syndrome, a mysterious neurological condition reported by spies, diplomats and their families. The payments are the first to be made to US agency staff in relation to the illness, reports of which began emerging a decade ago by CIA officers working in the Cuban capital. Since then, American staff based elsewhere, including China, have reported ‘anomalous health incidents’. Sufferers have described symptoms such as hearing a low hum, clicks, squeals and ‘grinding metal’ while others reported intense pressure on the skull, dizziness and nausea. The US Department of Defence said it would continue to prioritise ‘the care of affected personnel’ as it announced the compensation, paid out under the Havana Act which was signed into law in 2021.” (07/11/26)
The Unexpected Afterlife of Private Wealth
Source: The Daily Economy
by Kimberlee Josephson
“Private fortunes outlive their owners. The gardens, architecture, ideas, and institutions they finance often become part of the public inheritance.” (07/10/26)
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/the-unexpected-afterlife-of-private-wealth/
Trump: The Embodiment of American and Planetary Decline
Source: Common Dreams
by Tom Engelhardt
“Iran, Iraq, Irate. What a world! It couldn’t be much stranger, could it? And by the way, what is it about the Middle East? Since the Gulf War of 1990-1991, it’s just never really ended, has it? Who cares that the region is halfway around the world from Washington, DC? Yes, the US fought Iraq there from 2003 to 2008. And recently, of course, President Donald Trump has gone after Iran. If you want to spread out just a bit more, you could toss in this country’s relatively brief war in Libya and its almost endless one this century in Afghanistan. And don’t blame me if I left something out. After all, I’m almost 82 years old and starting to forget a few things. I mean, Iran makes particular sense, right? After all, it’s a mere 6,000-odd miles from this country.” (07/11/26)
https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/trump-embodiment-decline
Palestine: Khanna says he was abducted by Israeli squatters in the West Bank
Source: CBS News
“Congressman Ro Khanna said he was detained by Israeli [squatters] for over an hour while visiting the West Bank. Khanna also said members of the Israel Defense Forces spoke with the [squatters] and moved a car to block the road. Khanna’s experience was first reported by The New York Times. A spokesperson for the congressman confirmed the details of the Times'[s] report to CBS News. The Times said a photojournalist from the publication also witnessed the interaction. When asked to comment on Khanna’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces said it had received a report of Israeli civilians ‘unlawfully blocking the vehicles of foreign nationals and members of the media.’ The IDF said troops ‘were dispatched to the scene, quickly dispersed the Israeli civilians, and reopened the blocked road.'” (07/11/26)
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ro-khanna-israeli-settlers-west-bank/
Free Talk Live, 07/11/26
Source: Free Talk Live
“Dave Ridley calls in about Jason Osbourne making libertarian waves :: Sarah in NM calls about speed control for cars in Virginia :: Virginia man raided and charged for dismantling Flock cameras :: Frederick in MI calls about nanobot infiltration of his body and other mind control :: MasterPeace zeolite :: Who or what is running the world? :: Ohio law requires drivers and passengers to ID themselves :: Mitch McConnell :: Board of Peace (bored of peace) :: 2026-07-11 :: Hosts: Stu, Riley O’Bill, Angelo.” (07/11/26)
Musk v. USAID: The Complicated Legacy of America’s Aid Agency
Source: Libertarian Institute
by Patrick Pillow
“In 2026, the world’s first trillionaire—following the recent stock debut of SpaceX—Elon Musk has remained one of the most influential figures in American politics. After campaigning for Donald Trump in 2024 and initially playing a leading role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Musk has remained a constant presence in the headlines. One of his latest political clashes came with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) over the impact of DOGE’s cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Citing a 2025 Lancet study, Khanna argued the reductions were ‘potentially a death sentence for an estimated 4.5 million children around the world.’ … its projection of fourteen million additional deaths by 2030 assumes that other governments, NGOs, private charities, and international organizations would be unable to meaningfully fill the gap left by USAID. That distinction matters.” (07/10/26)
https://libertarianinstitute.org/articles/musk-v-usaid-the-complicated-legacy-of-americas-aid-agency