Freedom Fuel? 

Plus: Platner is out, so is reading, Netflix is not a monopoly, and more...

Gas what? Something you eventually learn when you write about American politics for the better part of two decades is that a lot of it just comes down to the price of gas. This is something that Donald Trump, the American president now serving his second term, seems to have learned as well, albeit belatedly. 

This week on social media, the Trump administration touted the launch of Freedom Fuel, a network of gas stations "lowering the price at the pump to $3.47 for our 47th president." 

FREEDOM FUEL HAS ARRIVED. ⛽️🇺🇸

The FIRST Freedom Fuel Network gas station has LANDED in Philadelphia, lowering the price at the pump to $3.47 for our 47th President.

President Trump is leading the charge to lower gas prices this summer - putting more money in your pocket. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lcrCuioQv5

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 7, 2026

Technically, this wasn't the cheapest gas in the region. "At least two nearby stations started their prices at two cents cheaper per gallon," USA Today reported. But all things considered, it was a pretty good deal. According to AAA, yesterday's average price for a gallon of gas was $3.79 nationally.  

Inevitably, this initiative produced cries of socialism and comparisons to New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani's sure-to-be-a-boondoggle government-run grocery store initiative. 

But these comparisons were misplaced, at least if the Trump administration is to be believed. According to CBS News, the Freedom Fuel network "is private and owns 25 filling stations across New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The spokesperson said the Trump administration is not involved with the company and is not subsidizing the gas stations." 

So this probably isn't a case of government-run gas stations. Instead, it's another familiar feature of Trump-era politics and media: something happening that has little to do with the White House—and Trump taking credit. This is a branding exercise, not a policy. 

Trump is far from the first politician to boast about welcome economic outcomes he had little to do with. But Trump did play a causal role here, in a different way. Much of the recent increase in gas prices is a result of his pointless, fruitless, on-and-off war with Iran. We wouldn't need Freedom Fuel if the president had simply chosen not to start a quixotic bombing campaign in the Middle East. 

Strait and narrow. Speaking of the war in Iran, it isn't over.

The already-shaky ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran appears to have collapsed. Last night, the United States launched new strikes against the country. The strikes were intended to weaken Iran's ability to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping corridor for the global energy trade. The U.S. military said the strikes were in response to "recent unjustified aggression against commercial shipping and civilian crews," according to The New York Times. 

In other words, Trump started a war. The war (among other things) increased the price of gas. So now Trump is continuing the war—because of the price of gas. If only Trump had discovered that the price of gas was important a little bit sooner. 

The Maine event: Graham Platner suspended his campaign for Senate in Maine, saying he intended to withdraw from the race, which is viewed by many as critical for determining control of the Senate. 

The move was widely expected after a rape accusation earlier this week. (He denies the accusation.) 

On his way out, Platner blamed a rigged system, saying, "We live in a political system that is not built for normal people. It is a system that is built structurally to make sure that movements like ours cannot flourish, that if they begin to succeed, they can be crushed."

The Democratic State Committee of Maine said it would hold a nominating convention to determine who will replace Platner. 

---

Scenes from the greater Boston area: Massachusetts might become the first state to undo the legalization of recreational marijuana. Cannabis business owners in the state are fighting back.  

---

QUICK HITS

• Sorry, no, just no. Whatever you might think of Netflix, it is not a monopoly.
  

  Today, Demand Progress Education Fund put up a billboard outside the @FTC and @TheJusticeDept with one message: NETFLIX IS A MONOPOLY.

  These agencies can't ignore it any longer. pic.twitter.com/ZWZzKLMorl

  — Demand Progress (@demandprogress) July 7, 2026

  Not even close! But progressives like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D–Mass.) like to use that word because they seem to think it gives them permission to regulate and/or take public ownership of a company without any further argument. 

• Is the end of reading nigh? 
• Twinkies are bad business. 
• Obsidian, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas—possibly my favorite video game of all time—is reportedly working on a new Fallout game after a major restructuring at Xbox.
• There's a new trailer for Dune 3. 

Comments

[Fist of Etiquette]

FREEDOM FUEL HAS ARRIVED.

Haters will refer to it as French Fuel.

[Fist of Etiquette]

(If you get this joke, drop me a like and smash that follow button.)

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

It didnt work for the liz and Robbie show, it wont work for you.

[Nelson]

Well done, sir!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Inevitably, this initiative produced cries of socialism...

Better dead (engine) than red.

[Fist of Etiquette]

"...the Trump administration is not involved with the company and is not subsidizing the gas stations."

Well, why the hell isn't he??? We could be down to $2 a gallon!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Much of the recent increase in gas prices is a result of his pointless, fruitless, on-and-off war with Iran.

ONLY TWO OF THOSE THREE DESCRIPTORS IS ACCURATE. You decide which.

[Spiritus Mundi]

Yup

[Spiritus Mundi]

We live in a political system that is not built for normal people.

Woman beating communists with nazi tattos are normal? The dems are even more evil than imagined.

[Spiritus Mundi]

No sweep today fist!

[Fist of Etiquette]

I was dragging ass to give you people a chance!

[Spiritus Mundi]

*leans in and squints*

What is with this 'you people'?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

He meant “little people”.

[Fist of Etiquette]

NO. I mean my lessers.

[Fist of Etiquette]

The strikes were intended to weaken Iran's ability to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz...

Hopefully the administration is billing those ships' countries of registry or flag of convenience for the cost of the missiles.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

"we outlawed booze, yet we still get bombed! What a country!"

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

When gas prices spiked under the sleepy joe administration, the refrain was “Buy a Tesla”.

[Spiritus Mundi]

Democrats have always been out of touch with the trials and tribulations of the 'little people.'

Obama said this last week: "There are things that you can do individually though to save energy; making sure your tires are properly inflated, simple thing, but we could save all the oil that they're talking about getting off drilling, if everybody was just inflating their tires and getting regular tune-ups. You could actually save just as much."

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Remember when biden literally stated his goal was to end gas vehicles? Barely a mention here.

[Spiritus Mundi]

Taking your gas stove was initally treated as a 'conspiracy theory.'

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Hey ChatGPT, did Biden ever say his goal was to end gas vehicles?

There isn't evidence that Joe Biden explicitly said his goal was to "end gas vehicles" or ban gasoline-powered cars altogether.

What he did say, repeatedly, was that he wanted to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and set ambitious targets for zero-emission vehicle adoption. For example:

In 2021, Biden signed an executive order establishing a goal that 50% of new passenger vehicle sales by 2030 be electric, plug-in hybrid, or fuel-cell vehicles. This was a voluntary target developed with automakers, not a ban on gasoline cars.
His administration also adopted stricter vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards intended to encourage manufacturers to produce more EVs and other low-emission vehicles. Those rules did not prohibit the sale or ownership of gasoline-powered cars.

The claim that Biden's goal was to "eliminate gas-powered cars" often comes from critics interpreting the long-term effect of his climate policies. For example, members of Congress have characterized his agenda that way during floor debates, but those statements reflect political opinion rather than a direct Biden quote.

Independent fact-checkers reviewing claims that Biden promised to outlaw or ban gas-powered cars concluded that he did not make such a promise. His plans focused on emissions standards, incentives for EVs, and increasing the share of zero-emission vehicle sales rather than explicitly banning gasoline vehicles.

So the short answer is: No. Biden advocated a transition toward electric and other zero-emission vehicles, but there is no verified statement in which he said his goal was to end or ban gas vehicles outright.

[Zeb]

OK, so he didn't literally state it, but did strongly imply that that was the desired end.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Just because gas is $100 a gallon and you need a permit to buy a car doesn’t mean you can’t have one!

[Rick James]

Reuters:

U.S. government to end gas-powered vehicle purchases by 2035 under Biden order

WASHINGTON/DETROIT, Dec 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. government plans to end purchases of gas-powered vehicles by 2035 in a move to lower emissions and promote electric cars under an executive order signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday.
The government owns more than 650,000 vehicles and purchases about 50,000 annually. Biden's executive order said that light-duty vehicles acquired by the government will be emission-free by 2027.

I think the confusion here is that Biden wanted to end gas powered vehicles purchased by the federal government, and that was the executive of a party which supports such a policy, with 12 states urging him to pursue it. with at least two governors of those 12 states (one of whom is going to run for President in 2028) enacted those policies at a state level.

So no, he didn't send all the jews to the gas chamber, but he was definitely sympathetic with the idea.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

When Jesse claimed "Remember when biden literally stated his goal was to end gas vehicles", was Jesse lying? Yes or no?

[chemjeff radical individualist]

So no, he didn't send all the jews to the gas chamber, but he was definitely sympathetic with the idea.

lol, it is always amazing to me how quick you all are to use Nazi references on the people you don't like, but whine like stuck pigs when the same thing is done to you.

If it is wrong to casually throw around Nazi references, then it's wrong no matter who does it. That you continue to do it, means that you don't really think it is wrong.

[Spiritus Mundi]

Biden, in a Push to Phase Out Gas Cars, Tightens Pollution Rules

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

https://www.facebook.com/RepBrianBabin/videos/yes-biden-wants-to-end-fossil-fuels-if-he-says-otherwise-hes-lyingsee-for-yourse/1134987027340738/

[mad.casual]

The second-and-further-order Separation of Church and State aspect of it is nuts too.

Sub-wage Mexican driving his ICE to work because that's all he can afford? Apostate to Gaia who must be purged!

Twelver Shia theocrats amassing nuclear weapons with a stated religious policy of creating global calamity to bring back the 12th Imam and purge all non-believers? Meh. Just a religion of peace trying to manage a country the best they know how.

[Fist of Etiquette]

On his way out, Platner blamed a rigged system, saying, "We live in a political system that is not built for normal people. It is a system that is built structurally to make sure that movements like ours cannot flourish, that if they begin to succeed, they can be crushed."

The statement sounded better in its original German, aided by the acoustics of solid bunker walls.

[Spiritus Mundi]

And wild gesticulations

[Juliana Frink]

...with a red-lit background.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Im just shocked he didnt blame the jews for his loss.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Judeg Dugan was found guilty of obstruction. Faced 5 years. Recommended sentence about 20 months. Liberal judge ends up fining her 5k and not even probation.

https://redstate.com/rusty-weiss/2026/07/08/judge-hannah-dugan-who-helped-illegal-alien-evade-ice-gets-slap-on-the-wrist-n2204118

2 tier justice. Non violent J6ers averaged 14 months for parading. Tina Peter's got 9 years. Mackey a year. Pro lifers a year.

[Zeb]

Well, she's a felon and can't practice law or be a judge, so there's something, anyway.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

She's 67 and is apparently going to keep her pension. So not much of anything.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Modern liberalism. Black woman wins ben Franklin look alike contest.

https://thepostmillennial.com/black-woman-wins-ben-franklin-lookalike-contest-in-philadelphia

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Modern liberalism.

Western Lensman
@WesternLensman
Democrat Socialist Melat Kiros:

"Every single issue that I looked at…we already figured out the solution a long time ago."

"You solve homelessness by giving people housing."

"You solve hunger by giving people food."

"You solve health care by going to a single payer system."

“It is common sense, right?"

These are the people about to occupy seats in the US congress.

https://x.com/WesternLensman/status/2073031855075459470

[Mike Parsons]

"Why has no one thought of giving away things people want, for free?! I just dont understand it! How has no one thought of this?!"

They literally have the thought process of a 5 year old. That is in no way an exaggeration.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Black woman wins ben Franklin look alike contest.

Cultural appropriation.

[creech]

Ben owned seven slaves over a thirty year period. To his credit, he was a staunch abolitionist by the time he died in 1790.

[mad.casual]

My favorite part is the fact that she's from Philadelphia makes it more historically accurate than a Chris Nolan film.

[Mike Parsons]

Person holding up her hand in victory looks 1000x more like Ben Franklin.

We have lots of art and music festivals in our downtown. Some of them have award for best act.

Since George Floyd and the internet insanity of COVID, they almost universally choose a black woman, if one is present and doing a performance. Or a trans person.

A few years ago it went to some girl that did the worst anti-racist slam poem I have ever heard, in a festival that included lots of kick ass local bands that played some good originals.

Last year it went to a band that had a very not-passing tranny that was the bassist. One of the worst bands of the night. But their kick drum had the trans-pride flag art on the front of it, and they did a shitty cover of Lady Gaga "born this way".

I dont know when as a society everyone stops quietly eye rolling and keeping their mouths shut, but pretend awards for sub par performance because of identity is the most infantilizing shit

[Fist of Etiquette]

The Democratic State Committee of Maine said it would hold a nominating convention to determine who will replace Platner.

"Fuck you, Maine democratic voters." It's Beto's time to shine!

[Spiritus Mundi]

Platner was moving the overton window so the two spirit communist tranny they will pick in his place seems more palatable.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Bring back that luggage thief guy!

[Fist of Etiquette]

This guy gets it.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

Perhaps instead of fighting pot Boston should fight the racist mayor and the disgusting muzzies that live there

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Just a reminder to Molly. We are not controlled by the ICC.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-rejects-international-criminal-court-jurisdiction-over-us-persons

Wonder why a libertarian mag ignored this.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Massachusetts might become the first state to undo the legalization of recreational marijuana.

It's because Trump rescheduled it, isn't it?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

It’s not cool anymore, man.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Sorry, no, just no. Whatever you might think of Netflix, it is not a monopoly.

It doesn't even have a monopoly on race- and gender-swapping content.

[Rev Arthur L kuckland (5-30-24 banana republic day)]

They had one show where they race swapped to a white guy. Adolescence. The original story was a muzzi that raped a girl, so they switched the muzzi to a white guy.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Is the end of reading nigh?

tldr

[Nelson]

Even better than the French Fuel joke. Nailed it!

[Fist of Etiquette]

Twinkies are bad business.

Twinks, on the other hand.

Alternate joke (but somewhat related): Something about Harvey Milk.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Obsidian, the studio behind Fallout: New Vegas—possibly my favorite video game of all time...

WHO GREENLIT THIS MANCHILD TO DO REASON ROUNDUP TODAY?

[Fist of Etiquette]

There's a new trailer for Dune 3.

We need more worm-infested franchises. In my mind, Dune is part of the Tremorsverse.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Is it really possible to made a movie as bad as Tremors??

[BYODB]

Hey now, it's a camp classic and has Kevin Bacon in it!

[Zeb]

They did make Tremors 2 (which I haven't seen, but can only imagine is pretty bad). I'm with BYODB. It has Michael Gross as the gun nut guy too.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Supergirl?

[But SkyNet is a Private Company]

I wonder what Intel Superman has seen that proves attacking Iran is pointless and fruitless? Or did he just peer into the souls of the mullahs and the IRGC and find them all to be enlightened and misunderstood?

[Nelson]

All it takes is some common sense and an awareness that Trump A) doesn’t read intelligence reports and B) lies about anything that makes him look stupid (so virtually everything).

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Poor Nelson.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Yes yes we know. The plan to start a war with Iran was carefully crafted planned and considered with clear end goals in mind and an impressive strategy, both militarily and diplomatically, that is unrivaled in the history of the universe. The only reason why the whole war looks like such a clusterfuck is due to the Deep State which thwarts Trump at every turn. Damn that Deep State!

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

I thought this asswipe (^) had fucked off and died. Sure wish it would.

[Zeb]

It's possible and not contradictory to think that the Mullahs are terrible, backwards people and the war is pointless and fruitless. I try to keep an open mind these days, because what are you gonna do?, but what do you think that the point and the fruits of the war have been or will be (in terms of actual outcomes)?

[BYODB]

Technically, this wasn't the cheapest gas in the region. "At least two nearby stations started their prices at two cents cheaper per gallon," USA Today reported.

Did someone just discover how gas stations do their gas pricing?

They love to undercut each other by a few cents.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Did you hear that Japan is now an Islamic Republic???? Wow, those Muslims sure move quickly!

[Mike Parsons]

https://nypost.com/2026/07/08/world-news/brazil-parents-face-prison-sentence-for-homeschooling-after-court-accuses-them-of-intellectual-neglect/

A Brazilian court has sentenced a couple to 50 days in prison for “intellectual neglect” after they homeschooled their two daughters without a state-approved curriculum.

A São Paulo criminal court ruled against Audato and Ieda Denardi, alleging they had failed to include programs on “gender and sex education” and “tolerance and diversity” in the curriculum for their daughters, aged 15 and 11, Alliance Defending Freedom (“ADF”) International said.

According to the legal group, the court also ruled that the parents failed to properly integrate their children into Brazilian culture, citing the girls’ preference for religious and classical music over popular trap or “sertanejo” (folk) music.

Even the state’s own prosecutors urged the court to acquit the parents, concluding after an evaluation by an independent educational psychologist that the girls showed no signs of neglect and were thriving socially and academically....

...the judge accused the parents of “using their daughters as pawns in an ideological struggle, subjecting them to a form of unregulated education, the effectiveness and quality of which lack adequate metrics within the Brazilian legal system, while completely excluding the State’s involvement.”

[chemjeff radical individualist]

the judge accused the parents of “using their daughters as pawns in an ideological struggle

Well. It's not like Republican legislators would ever stoop to anything so low as THAT.

[Mike Parsons]

BoaF SiDeZ!

wHuT-abOUt?!?!

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Just copying your playbook.

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

No original thoughts at all.

[Mike Parsons]

They want you obedient or dead. There is no other option for authoritarians.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Too bad you don't recognize this for the authoritarians of all flavors.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know I had a call with Senator Mitch McConnell for about 20 minutes yesterday. He said he is recovering nicely and he should be back to work within just a few days. Also, he said he regretted not holding Trump more accountable for his role in the Jan. 6 riot. I appreciated hearing that admission from him. Just passing along the info!

[Rick James]

Tanned rested and ready?

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

Sharp as ever!

[chemjeff radical individualist]

I'm planning on having another 20 minute call with him today. I'll let you know if he's been able to get some tanning bed time in!

[jonnysage]

"Something you eventually learn when you write about American politics for the better part of two decades is that a lot of it just comes down..."

IGNORANCE

[Mike Parsons]

https://www.dailywire.com/news/medias-newest-race-hoax-victim-caught-exposing-herself-on-subway-train

Many on the Left have compared Bowlding to Rosa Parks and other prominent figures from the Civil Rights Movement after seeing Orr’s original photo.

“That’s basically like hounds surrounding her,”...

...The woman surrounded by members of the extremist group Patriot Front in Washington, D.C., has been linked online to footage appearing to show a 2024 incident that reportedly led to an indecent exposure arrest.

Commentariat is a fantastic mix of "safest subway ride ever" and, my personal favorite, "Rosa Farts"

I bet Iryna wishes she was in a subway car with Patriot Front cosplayers and not 1 insane black murdered and 5 black bystanders who watched and did nothing. Daniel Penny would have kept her alive

[Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)]

The 33-year-old mother of two sat alone on the Metro surrounded by a sea of Patriot Front members wearing face coverings and khaki pants.

Nerd convention during covid?

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Please, do keep this up. I want you to continue mocking the people who are appalled that white nationalist protests are actually a thing in 2026. It shows us all where your sympathies really lie.

[Sevo, 5-30-24, embarrassment]

Guy was a 'friend of the people', right?

"Obamacare costs keep climbing"
[...]
ON THE RISE — Obamacare enrollees could see double-digit premium increases again next year as health insurers cite rising medical prices and economic inflation, according to a Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker analysis published today..."
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-pulse/2026/07/08/obamacare-costs-keep-climbing-00989463