Source: Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression
by Tyler MacQueen
“They could have died. We forget that now. After appeals to history and self-evident truths and the long train of abuses and usurpations, the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to a cause that was not certain. To an idea as radical as their revolution. To a notion of a nation yet to be built.” (07/02/26)
Source: Brennan Center for Justice
“Power Grab: Supreme Court Delivers for Trump (with Sam Breidbart and Eric Petry).” (07/02/26)
Source: Washington Monthly
by Bill Scher
“The recent string of primary victories from left-wing insurgents are not ushering out moderates, but fellow progressives.” (07/02/26)
https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/07/02/dsa-democratic-party-the-left-vs-left/
Source: Foreign Policy In Focus
by John Feffer
“The Trump administration concluded a recent mineral deal with Kazakhstan that, not surprisingly, enriches not only President Donald Trump’s own family but that of his secretary of commerce, Howard Lutnick. Trump’s two eldest sons, part owners of Dominari Securities, are set to profit from the Kazakh tungsten deal. So is Cantor Fitzgerald, the investment firm run by Lutnick’s two sons. As The New York Times pointed out in its investigation of the scheme, ‘Their sons were soon doing business with partners in a deal that their fathers were negotiating, continuing a pattern of self-enrichment in the second Trump administration that has few precedents in American history.’ The phrases (‘self-enrichment’ and ‘few precedents’) are interesting ways of characterizing this latest instance of the administration’s corruption. Isn’t self-enrichment a good thing, in the sense of profiting from your own hard work?” (07/01/26)
Source: United Press International
“South Korea’s Hyundai Motor and Kia posted record first-half sales in the United States, driven by strong demand for hybrid vehicles and sport utility vehicles despite elevated borrowing costs and slowing electric vehicle demand. Hyundai Motor Group said Thursday that Hyundai, Kia and the Genesis luxury brand sold a combined 920,383 vehicles in the United States from January through June, up 3% from the same period last year.” (07/02/26)
Source: Politico
“Can the American experiment survive? (with Ken Burns).” (07/02/26)
Source: The Hill
by Brett Erickson
“The Trump administration is currently coming under fire for their decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Iranian oil, but the proposed alternatives have become detached from reality. The vocal opponents are treating the decision as though Washington willingly handed Tehran an enormous economic windfall beyond what they would earn regardless of sanctions being imposed. Some are now even pushing for the administration to retroactively amend the waiver by forcing Iranian oil revenues into escrow accounts, which is something Iran would never have agreed to. That may sound tough. It may sound politically appealing. It is also a great way to ensure the destruction of the agreement that reopened the Strait of Hormuz. Diplomacy is not about obtaining ideal outcomes. It is about obtaining achievable outcomes.” (07/02/26)
https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/5949142-trump-admin-iran-sanctions-waiver/
Source: Law & Liberty
by James Wallner
“This weekend, Americans will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country’s independence in nationwide celebrations featuring backyard barbecues, fireworks displays, and concerts. President Donald Trump echoed the sentiments of many patriotic revelers and underscored the Declaration’s centrality to America’s political identity when he described the event. ‘With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history.’ But America didn’t begin its journey by declaring its independence. Before those 56 men signed the hallowed document, important events had already made independence a reality. By the summer of 1776, America was well on its way.” (07/02/26)
Source: The Hill
“Robby Soave gives his radar looking at how many countries in Europe refuse to install air conditioning despite facing major heat waves.” (07/02/26)
Source: Liberal Currents
by Steven L Taylor
“Putting a meaningless distinction to bed.” (07/02/26)
https://www.liberalcurrents.com/is-the-united-states-of-america-a-republic-and-not-a-democracy/