EconTalk, 04/20/26
Source: EconTalk
“Adam Smith’s Warning About Wealth, Fame, and Status (with Ross Levine).” (04/20/26)
https://www.econtalk.org/adam-smiths-warning-about-wealth-fame-and-status-with-ross-levine/
Catholics finally splitting with Trump over Iran war and Israel
Source: Responsible Statecraft
by Jack Hunter
“It started with Gaza, but the admin’s fight with the pope and its insistence that Jesus blesses US bombing raids have put this pillar of the base at serious risk.” (04/20/26)
Pink Flame of Liberty, 04/19/26
Source: Pink Flame of Liberty
“Let’s Watch the April Special LNC Meeting.” (04/19/26)
SCOTUS rejects Massachusetts school gender-identity policy challenge
Source: Reuters
“The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Monday to hear a bid by parents to sue a public school district in Massachusetts over actions by teachers and officials to support the gender identity of students by not disclosing name or pronoun changes to parents without the child’s consent. The justices turned away an appeal by the parents of a student who had self-identified as ‘genderqueer’ while attending a middle school in the Massachusetts town of Ludlow after a lower court threw out their lawsuit. The plaintiffs claimed officials treated their child as nonbinary and hid this information from them in violation of their fundamental parental rights as protected by the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment promise of due process.” (04/20/26)
Why Gas Tax Holidays Backfire
Source: The Daily Economy
by Thomas Savidge
“Adjusting end prices can’t address the underlying shortage. In fact, waiving taxes may intensify demand when supply is already stretched.” (04/20/26)
https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/why-gas-tax-holidays-backfire/
I Am a Free-Range Parent. I Probably Won’t Be When I Move to America.
Source: The Dispatch
by Stephanie H Murray
“Safetyism looks more rational when public disorder enters the picture.” (04/20/26)
Trump Sabotages His Own Much-Exaggerated Iran Deal
Source: The American Prospect
by Robert Kuttner
“On Thursday and Friday, there seemed to be progress toward a war-ending deal. President Trump went along with an Iranian demand that Israel must cease bombing Lebanon as a precondition to talks. … on Friday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X that the Strait of Hormuz was ‘completely open.’ Trump claimed that a deal was at hand, leading the stock market to jump and the price of oil to fall. In ordinary diplomacy, this is how a deal unfolds. Each side offers the other something constructive, a process that builds confidence and trust, until eventually a firm agreement can be signed. But Trump is not a ordinary diplomat. Only a few hours after Araghchi proclaimed the strait open, Trump closed it again, announcing that the U.S. would continue its own blockade of the strait ‘until such time as our transaction with Iran is 100% complete,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social.” (04/20/26)
https://prospect.org/2026/04/20/trump-sabotages-his-own-much-exaggerated-iran-deal/
UK: Two arrested in London synagogue arson case
Source: United Press International
“British police overnight arrested two teens in connection with an attempted arson of a London synagogue, authorities said Monday as they investigate a rash of recent attacks targeting the Jewish community as possible terrorism. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told UPI in an emailed statement Monday that a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man were arrested overnight …. There have been at least five separate arson attacks in London since four ambulances used by the Jewish community in Golders Green were set ablaze March 23. … The Met’s Counter Terrorism Policing unit is leading an investigation into all of these incidents, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Vicki Evans told reporters outside Kenton United in a Sunday press conference, stating that the ‘nature’ of all the crimes has been similar — ‘arson attacks targeting Israeli- and Jewish-linked premises in London.'” (04/20/26)
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2026/04/20/synagogue-arson-arrests/1701776669549/
Free Talk Live, 04/19/26
Source: Free Talk Live
“Genitals stolen in Africa :: Will Bitcoin die? :: Issues gold, silver and bitcoin could face :: Mark Challenges Rich E Rich on Bitcoin maximalism :: Shopping malls making a resurgence? :: What demographic stealing from malls? :: Learned helplessness and the scientist that helped the CIA to torture :: Caller said repeal the 19th amendment and right to vote for Italians :: How the cops stole Bonnie’s spit :: They’re putting toilets in cars :: 62 year old won the right to wear a penis costume in public :: You deserve your whole penis :: James Wittekind calls breaking Mark’s restraining order :: Invideo.io for making AI videos :: 2026-04-19 :: Hosts: Bonnie, Mark Edge, Colin, Rich E Rich.” (04/19/26)
Israel’s Expansion Means An Unraveling of Middle East Stability
Source: Libertarian Institute
by José Niño
“The recent ceasefire between Israel and Iran may have paused the most intense phase of direct military confrontation, but it has done nothing to resolve the deeper questions about Middle Eastern stability that have emerged since October 7, 2023. Behind the temporary calm lies a profound transformation in Israeli strategic thinking, one that has moved from containment to active regional reorganization. Israel is not a normal democracy that abides by the rule of law or legal restraint. It is very much an expansionist state with bold ambitions and a demonstrated willingness to break international law. The events of the past two years have made this reality impossible to ignore.” (04/20/26)