What Is There to Celebrate on the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America?

Source: Common Dreams
by CJ Polychroniou

“On July 4, 2026, the United States of America turns 250 years old. Should the Left celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States with the signing of the Declaration of Independence? After all, this is a nation with a very dark and ugly past—with racism, genocide, and imperialism deeply embedded in its psyche. Surely Native Americans have no reason to celebrate. The history of the United States government’s treatment of Native Americans is one of cruelty, oppression, and extermination. Leaving aside the 56 million Indigenous people that were killed by European settlers across the Americas by 1600, since its independence in 1776, the US government has launched more than 1,500 attacks against various Indigenous people, slaughtering them, and taking their lands.” (06/30/26)

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/celebrate-250-years-of-usa

Steve Trinward

SCOTUS upholds state laws banning transgender athletes

Source: ESPN

“The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld state laws barring transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams, in another setback for transgender people. The court’s six-justice conservative majority, which has repeatedly ruled against transgender Americans in the past year, ruled that state bans in Idaho and West Virginia don’t violate the Constitution. The court unanimously agreed that barring transgender girls and women also doesn’t run afoul of the federal law known as Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education. … Left unresolved by the outcome are lawsuits challenging state laws and regulations in Connecticut, California and elsewhere that permit transgender athletes to compete consistent with their gender identity.” [editor’s note: Unclear whether the ruling applies to private, or just government, institutions – TLK] (06/30/26)

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/49225515/supreme-court-upholds-state-laws-banning-transgender-athletes

Thomas L. Knapp

Nazi Socialism: What’s at Stake?

Source: Bet On It
by Bryan Caplan

“After getting ChatGPT to score Nazi Germany’s economic freedom, I prompted it to ponder the bigger issues. … I wondered how many questions I’d have to ask to get the model to reach what I consider the correct interpretation of the historical facts. It’s like the classic ‘80s question, ‘How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?’ The answer, for both ChatGPT questions and Tootsie Pop licks, turns out to be exactly … three.” (06/30/26)

https://www.betonit.ai/p/nazi-socialism-whats-at-stake

Thomas L. Knapp

The Clouds Behind the Supreme Court’s Common-Sense Ruling on Postmarked Ballots

Source: Washington Monthly
by Joshua A Douglas

“The Republican National Committee (RNC) had hoped that its lawsuit challenging Mississippi’s mail-in balloting rule would end with a bang; instead, it fizzled into a whimper. But the Supreme Court’s decision yesterday—especially the dissent from four justices—still raises serious concerns about the Court’s fidelity to voters and their rights.” (06/30/26)

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/06/30/mail-in-ballots-supreme-court-ruling-postmarked-ballots/

Thomas L. Knapp

Inflation likely to stay “significantly above target,” top European central banker warns

Source: CNBC

“Inflation is at risk of remaining above target despite the U.S. and Iran agreeing to end their war in the Middle East, a top European central banker warned on Tuesday. Speaking to CNBC’s Annette Weisbach on the sidelines of the European Central Bank’s Forum on Central Banking in Sintra, Portugal, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said there is a probability inflation ‘will stay at an elevated level.’ … Earlier this month, the ECB raised its key interest rate for the first time since 2023, citing inflationary pressures arising from the U.S.-Iran war. Nagel said on Tuesday that the hike was the right decision, but it is too soon to make a call on the trajectory of monetary policy, with much uncertainty still lingering around the situation in the Middle East.” (06/30/26)

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/06/30/high-inflation-could-linger-despite-iran-war-ending-ecbs-nagel-says.html

Thomas L. Knapp