Politico Playbook Audio Briefing, 05/15/25
Source: Politico
“Why today’s SCOTUS blockbuster is so hard to predict.” (05/15/25)
https://traffic.megaphone.fm/POLL7277893501.mp3?updated=1747292350
The Fourth Ism
Source: Students For Liberty
by Deirdre Nansen McCloskey
“Three big political isms came to mind and language 1776 to 1848, and have had enormous influence right down to the present — liberalism, nationalism, and socialism. I’ve said this before. When put into action, especially in the 20th century, liberalism pursued vigorously had wonderful results. The other two pursued vigorously, by using the power of the big modern state, had terrible results. Liberalism resulted in human enrichment, from art and science to health and housing. Nationalism led to the Paraguayan War, and socialism led to Venezuelan impoverishment. There’s another big 19th-century -ism with 20th-century consequences, protectionism.” (05/15/25)
Keeping People Safe Online — Fundamental Rights Protective Alternatives to Age Checks
Source: Electronic Frontier Foundation
by Svea Windwehr
“When thinking about the safety of young people online, it is helpful to remember that we can build on and learn from the decades of experience we already have thinking through risks that can stem from content online. Before mandating a ‘fix,’ like age checks or age assurance obligations, we should take the time to reflect on what it is exactly we are trying to address, and whether the proposed solution is able to solve the problem.” [editor’s note: The “problem” starts with pretending that “content,” as opposed to actual conduct, can be “unsafe” – TLK] (05/15/25)
Powell cautions about higher long-term rates as “supply shocks” provide policy challenges
Source: CNBC
“Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Thursday that longer-term interest rates are likely to be higher as the economy changes and policy is in flux. In remarks that focused on the central bank’s policy framework review, last done in the summer of 2020, Powell noted that conditions have changed significantly over the past five years. During the period, the Fed witnessed a period of surging inflation, pushing it to historically aggressive interest rate hikes. Powell said that even with longer-term inflation expectations largely in line with the Fed’s 2% target, the era of near-zero rates is not likely to return anytime soon.” (05/15/25)
The Daily Blast with Greg Sargent, 05/15/25
Source: The New Republic
“MAGA Senator’s Stunning Admission: GOP Is Badly Screwing Trump Voters.” (05/15/25)
The Drug Pricing Scramble
Source: Brownstone Institute
by Jeffrey A Tucker & Aaron Kheriaty
“For the same pharmaceutical products, US prices can be anywhere between two and ten times higher in US markets compared to prices across the border. Nor is importation allowed, even though this would drive prices toward equilibrium by facilitating market competition. This problem has persisted for decades. US taxpayers and health insurance subscribers subsidize pharmaceutical products for the rest of the world. While many politicians have denounced this problem, and sworn to fix it with a genuine competitive market, the barriers have traced to the same source: entrenched industrial interests that like the rigged monopolistic system of price gouging as it is. This has long been the status quo. This has now been shattered by a new executive order from the Trump administration. The order requires government agencies to be better stewards of tax dollars by only paying the lowest prices for drugs on international markets.” (05/15/25)
The left tries to claim white South Africans aren’t worthy of refugee status
Source: New York Post
by Miranda Devine
“The very people who facilitated the invasion of this country by millions of illegal [sic] migrants for the last four years are now crying foul over 59 persecuted white South Africans coming here as refugees at the invitation of President Trump. The Episcopal Church, which parked itself on the southern border and received $50 million a year from the Biden administration for ‘refugee resettlement,’ has refused to help the South Africans, citing its ‘steadfast commitment to racial justice and reconciliation.’ Thousands of white farming families in South Africa have been robbed, raped, tortured and murdered in the most gruesome way as racial unrest escalates.” [editor’s note: Instead of deciding who is or isn’t a “refugee,” just stop letting the government interfere with immigration. “Problem” solved – TLK] (05/14/25)
Ancient reptile footprints rewriting history of when animals evolved to live on land
Source: SFGate
“Scientists in Australia have identified the oldest known fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal, dated to around 350 million years ago. The discovery suggests that after the first animals emerged from the ocean around 400 million years ago, they evolved the ability to live exclusively on land much faster than previously assumed. ‘We had thought the transition from fin to limb took much longer,’ said California State University paleontologist Stuart Sumida, who was not involved in the new research. Previously the earliest known reptile footprints, found in Canada, were dated to 318 million years ago. The ancient footprints from Australia were found on a slab of sandstone recovered near Melbourne and show reptile-like feet with long toes and hooked claws. Scientists estimate the animal was about 2 1/2 feet (80 centimeters) long and may have resembled a modern monitor lizard. The findings were published Wednesday in Nature.” (05/14/25)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/how-ancient-reptile-footprints-are-rewriting-the-20326933.php
AL: Pols render ritual obeisance to law enforcement lobby
Source: US News & World Report
“Alabama lawmakers on Wednesday approved enhanced legal protections for police officers, changes that Republicans said show support for law enforcement but Democrats called ‘a green light to kill [b]lack folks.’ The Alabama Legislature gave final approval to the legislation that sets legal standards for the use of force and provides for an immunity hearing. The bill states that an officer ‘shall be justified’ in the use of physical force as long as it is not constitutionally excessive force or ‘recklessly’ outside of the officer’s discretionary authority. Republicans, who called the legislation the ‘Back The Blue’ bill said it is needed to provide a clear legal framework and show support for law enforcement officers faced with making split-second decisions.” (05/15/25)
The Daily, 05/15/25
Source: New York Times
“The End of Fast Fashion?” (05/15/25)