The Good Fight, 02/19/25
Source: Yascha Mounk
“Wolfgang Munchau on Germany in Decline.” (02/19/25)
The Libertarian Path?
Source: Common Sense
by Paul Jacob
“Donald Trump is launching so many initiatives to curtail government power and its abuse that even students of policy find it hard to keep up. I don’t always agree with what he’s doing, but I often do. Sometimes, a hundred percent. In his second term, President Trump is following what Glenn Reynolds calls a libertarian path. Say, what?” (02/19/25)
https://thisiscommonsense.org/2025/02/19/the-libertarian-path/
NY: US DOJ official urges quick dismissal of criminal case against NYC mayor
Source: SFGate
“A Justice Department official told a federal judge Wednesday that granting its request to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams was his only option after the Democrat said under oath that ‘no other agreement’ was made with the government in return for the charges being dropped. Judge Dale E. Ho ended Wednesday’s hearing by saying he wouldn’t ‘shoot from the hip’ and rule immediately but was aware that ‘it’s not in anyone’s interest here for this to drag on.’ Adams appeared in high spirits during the more the 80-minute hearing …. the judge asked Deputy U.S. Attorney General Emil Bove, who represented the government, whether he thought he could consider a written submission by three former U.S. attorneys and a separate one by a former Watergate prosecutor in making his decision.” (02/19/25)
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/justice-department-and-new-york-city-mayor-face-20174801.php
Declare Your Independence, 02/19/25
Source: Freedom’s Phoenix
“Paul Rosenberg (Freeman’s Perspective) comes on the show to discuss privacy rights, cryptos, censorship, future predictions, etc.” (02/19/25)
Is Iran Ready for a Nuclear Deal?
Source: Law & Liberty
by Max J Prowant
“There has never been a better time to talk with Tehran.” (02/19/25)
Elon Musk Only Has 100 Days Left in Government
Source: The American Prospect
by David Dayen
“On Tuesday, Judge Tanya Chutkan declined to issue a temporary restraining order sought by 14 states that would have blocked Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) teams from the internal IT systems of multiple federal agencies. The denial was mostly on standing grounds, with Chutkan ruling that the plaintiff states did not establish irreparable harm from funding shortfalls or data vulnerability, just the possibility of it. Yet the case has thus far yielded some valuable information about Musk’s role in the government. In her ruling, Chutkan states clearly that Musk was not appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate …. any appointee ‘exercising significant authority pursuant to the laws of the United States’ would need to receive Senate confirmation.” (02/19/25)
https://prospect.org/politics/2025-02-19-elon-musk-only-has-100-days-left-in-government/
Weekly US mortgage demand drops 6%, as homebuyers remain “on the fence”
Source: CNBC
“Mortgage rates dipped slightly last week, but so did mortgage demand, as housing affordability continues to sideline potential buyers. Total mortgage application volume fell 6.6% for the week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s seasonally adjusted index. The average contract interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with conforming loan balances ($766,550 or less) decreased to 6.93% from 6.95%, with points increasing to 0.66 from 0.64 (including the origination fee) for loans with a 20% down payment.” (02/19/25)
Antiwar News with Dave DeCamp, 02/19/25
Source: Antiwar.com
“US, Russia To Normalize Ties and Seek End to War, Israel Has Violated Gaza Truce 226 Times, and More.” (02/19/25)
Selfishly Speaking, Who Should Skip College?
Source: Bet On It
by Bryan Caplan
“The central thesis of my The Case Against Education is that actually-existing education is a terrible waste of taxpayer money. Since signaling, not building human capital, is the main function of education, the main effect of government subsidies is credential inflation. In economic jargon, my claim is that education has a low (indeed, negative) social return. Along the way, however, I also show that the private (or, as I prefer to call it, the ‘selfish’) return to education heavily depends on pre-existing student ability. Despite misleading statements by mainstream education economists, college attendance in particular is not a good career investment for most of the population.” (02/19/25)
Iran: UK Tourist couple detained, charged with espionage
Source: New York Post
“Two British nationals detained in Iran have been charged with espionage after they allegedly gathered information in different parts of the country, the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported on Tuesday. The two were named as Craig and Lindsay Foreman, and their family said on Saturday they were engaging with relevant authorities to ensure the pair’s well-being and safe return home. ‘The detained individuals entered the country as tourists and collected information in several provinces of the country,’ Mizan said, without giving further details. British media have said they are a married couple.” (02/19/25)