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.

[Zeb]

I'd subscribe to the Fist Headline Zinger show.

[Nelson]

Well done, sir!

[Fist of Etiquette]

If you people only knew the thought process behind these things.

[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!

[Quicktown Brix]

The only legitimate choices are $.47 per gallon or $17.76 per gallon.

We're on track to achieve one of those.

[See.More]

Since some gas taxes are in the hundredths, $1.776 is also legit.

[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.

[Dillinger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARyfq5Fhl2s

[Fist of Etiquette]

Maybe the last good Cusack movie?

[Square = Circle]

I would go with High Fidelity.

[Outlaw Josey Wales]

Two dollars...

[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.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Tell me, Zeb - do you think it would be a fair summary of Trump's tariff policies if I were to say "do you remember the time when Trump literally stated his goal was to end trade with China"? Would you consider that statement reasonably accurate, or would you consider it a lie?

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

Another bears in trunks analogy.

[Zeb]

I don't know. Haven't followed everything he said on the subject. What does chatGPT say?

[chemjeff radical individualist]

C'mon Zeb. It's not hard. Trump never said he wanted to end all trade with China, but it is definitely his aim for the US to reduce reliance on trade with China. Jesse is pulling the same trick here, but with Biden and gas-powered cars. It's a typical Jesse lie and below he tries to move the goalposts by claiming it's now about "fossil fuels" instead of the cars.

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

Fail.

[Chuck P. (Now with less Sarc more snark)]

Gas powered cars run on fossil fuels, dipshit. That is not moving the goalposts.

[Zeb]

I suppose there's ethanol and biodiesel, but we all know ethanol, at least, is a racket.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Well...

Biden: “I Guarantee You We’re Going To End Fossil Fuel”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slszva6kk90

[Medulla Oblongata]

https://apnews.com/united-states-presidential-election-9dfb1e4c381043bab6fd0fa6dece3974

Joe Biden is looking voters in the eye and promising to “end fossil fuel.”

The former vice president and Democratic presidential candidate made the comment Friday after a New Hampshire environmental activist challenged him for accepting donations from the co-founder of liquified natural gas firm.

Biden denied the donor’s association to the fossil fuel industry before calling the young woman “kiddo” and taking her hand. He said, “I want you to look at my eyes. I guarantee you. I guarantee you. We’re going to end fossil fuel.”

[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?

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

By ending fossil fuels, you would be ending gas vehicles.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Hey ChatGPT, did Biden ever say his goal was to end fossil fuels?

Yes, Joe Biden has made statements expressing a goal of moving the U.S. away from fossil fuels over time, though the context and wording matter.

One of the clearest examples came during the 2020 presidential campaign:

At a 2020 CNN town hall, Biden said:

"I would transition from the oil industry, yes."
When asked why, he responded:
"Because the oil industry pollutes significantly. It has to be replaced by renewable energy over time."

That exchange was widely reported and became a major campaign issue.

He also made statements such as:

"We're going to end fossil fuel."
"No more subsidies for the fossil fuel industry."

However, his administration's actual policies were more nuanced than an immediate end to fossil fuels. While it promoted renewable energy, electric vehicles, and stricter emissions standards, it also:

Approved some new oil and gas projects, including the Willow Project.
Oversaw record or near-record U.S. oil production during parts of his presidency.
Continued leasing federal lands for oil and gas development, although generally at a different pace than previous administrations.

So the distinction is:

Yes, Biden did publicly say he wanted to transition away from the oil industry and has spoken about ending dependence on fossil fuels over time.
No, his administration did not implement a policy to immediately eliminate fossil fuels, and U.S. fossil fuel production continued during his presidency.

These points are not contradictory: a long-term policy goal can coexist with continued production during the transition.

Wow, this one had an element of truth to it! But just an element. Keep up the good work though, you are doing better.

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

The link is provided below. Chat gpt isn’t the best resource.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Lol. He still denies multiple links to videos.

Jeff is a funny fat fuck.

[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.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

https://www.eenews.net/articles/bidens-regulators-poised-to-issue-rule-meant-to-drive-electric-car-sales/

This is on top of the hundreds of billions in estimated subsidies.

Here is him literally stating he will end fossil fuel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slszva6kk90

[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.

[See.More]

[...]Sub-wage Mexican driving his ICE to work [...]

LOL

I envisioned José riding a masked DHS agent piggy-back. I had to read that three times to get the "internal combustion engine" acronym.

[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.

[Zeb]

I'm just trying to find the silver lining. I do think that harsher punishments are warranted for officials abusing their power.

[Dillinger]

that sociopath never bangs a gavel again in America works.

[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.

[rbike]

Where is my government issued house?

[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

[mad.casual]

a very not-passing tranny that was the bassist... kick drum

Admittedly, I haven't been to any pop music concerts (Does Bush/No Doubt 30 yrs. ago count?) but what I have seen is that, despite all the rhythm and bass I can hear, there is seldom/never a drummer and/or bassist on stage. To wit, this sounds more "live action" than "cover". They're still pretty cartoon-y, but they were real people using real instruments to play music.

[See.More]

I wonder what would happen if a white woman won a MLK Jr. lookalike contest...

[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.

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

No. You can’t have chicks in charge.

Wait…..

[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!

[Jefferson Paul]

The French Fuel joke to me was fairly obvious. I expected to find it in the comments when I read the article.

This "tldr" joke, however, is great and peak Fist.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Twinkies are bad business.

Twinks, on the other hand.

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

[mad.casual]

Something about Harvey Milk.

Dragging ass and missing obvious jokes [dunks Twinkie wiener sandwich in milk] in favor of "something, something... jokes!"? We're paying you too much.

[Fist of Etiquette]

You get exactly what you pay for.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Also I ain't clicking that.

[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.

[Marshal]

There are at least 7 Tremors movies.

[Zeb]

I thought there were more than 2, but didn't realize there were that many.

[Marshal]

There was a TV show also, although it only ran 1 season.

Most people don't realize how much direct-to-video content there was during the 90s and 00s because most of it is targeted to children and tweens. People not in that group at the time (or with kids in that group) remained blissfully unaware.

[Fist of Etiquette]

Yeah nail his ass with a Community Note.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Supergirl?

[Rocinante]

The spice must flow.

[Dillinger]

Tremors was spectacular.

[EISTAU Gree-Vance]

Lol. Someone had to say it…

[mad.casual]

You really don't watch a lot of movies do you?

[See.More]

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

What about worse? There's a whole franchise to move the needle.

I mean... the juvenile forms were... in true juvenile fashion... "ass blasters".

[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)?

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

If you notice, the political pillar os supporting the ceasefire and working with the US and neighboring countries.

It is the whimpering IRGC and remaining clerics who keep trying to blow things up. Corporate media is helping in the latter by pretending irans military is winning.

This is what parties going out of power looks like. The cleric class is desperate to maintain power and blow up any end to the handover to the political branch in iran.

[mtrueman]

"It is the whimpering IRGC and remaining clerics who keep trying to blow things up. Corporate media is helping in the latter by pretending irans military is winning."

The whimpering IRGC wants to retain control over the Strait. That was outlined in the MoU which Trump signed. As long as they have control over the Strait, who enters, exits, how and where, and the US doesn't, they have won. Blaming corporate media for this state of affairs is absurd. Blame the president, who blundered into this mess, or the navy and air force who are spending billions yet lack the desire or ability to do what's required of them.

[mtrueman]

" The cleric class is desperate to maintain power"

It seems to be working. Maybe the problem is Trump isn't desperate enough to do what's necessary to win. And in all fairness, neither are the American people. They are faced with a choice - keeping gas prices low, or mounting a full on national effort to defeat Iran. They choose the former. Lesson learned: half-hearted war waging guarantees failure. Desperation pays.

[Quicktown Brix]

I wonder what Intel Superman has seen that proves attacking Iran is pointless and fruitless?

I agree. Clark Kent is mistaken here. There was a point (for Netanyahu) and Iran harvested a lot of Hormuz fruit.

[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.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Anti-capitalists call that "collusion".

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

Or wild west dog eat dog cut throat competition.

[Square = Circle]

We need some kind of anti-dog-eat-dog legislation.

[Zeb]

Yeah, we need gas stations to stop competing on price. Damn capitalists!

[Zeb]

Do they? That's really dumb (which isn't a surprise, I guess, given the source). Collusion would be all the gas stations agreeing to set their prices the same.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Yes. I got into a discussion with one some time back, where she insisted that gas station colluded to set prices. I posited two stations on opposites sides of an intersection owned by people that absolutely hate each other, never speak to one another, would just as soon as the other dropped dead rather than help them in any way. So of course, if one dropped prices, the other immediately lowered theirs too--out of spite if nothing else.

She insisted that sort of parallel pricing movements was collusion and needed to be outlawed, that everyone needed to follow a government set price.

[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.

[Its_Not_Inevitable]

Note that instead of acknowledging the assault on individual liberty this sentence is, cj the typical collectivist smarmily deflects and redirects to how awful Republicans are.

[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.

[Mike Parsons]

Republicans are better on school choice in almost every metric I can think of.

School vouchers, charter schools, home schooling, options outside of the state sponsored route. These are all championed by R's and hated by D's. Its not even close.

You think because Ron Desantis made it so you cant talk to an elementary schooler about how "by the way gay blow jobs and butt plugs are also super valid ways to have sex" that is equivalent to "you didnt let the state teach your kid so you go to jail now"

You dont really have a leg to stand on here

[chemjeff radical individualist]

I never said the two were equivalent. That is your invention. Also your deliberate misrepresentation of the Florida bill.

I simply note that you have a blind spot to right-wing authoritarianism. I note that while on the subject of schools, you notably lack any mention of continued Republican attempts to micromanage curricula, or their continued push to force Christianity back into the public schools. Weird huh?

[Marshal]

Notice Jeffey had nothing to say about Dems putting age inappropriate sexual material into elementary schools, but taking it back out is somehow "micromanaging". If this is micromanaging, how was putting it in not micromanaging curricula?

Every standard Jeffey asserts was created for the sole purpose of criticizing others, never applied to himself or his allies.

[Mike Parsons]

"I simply note that you have a blind spot to right-wing authoritarianism. "

Not at all, just currently if we want to make a medical analogy, left wing authoritarianism re:schools is a rapidly progressing malignant cancer, and right wing authoritarianism is some dyspepsia that could turn into an ulcer, that could be a problem at some point. Triage is important.

"I note that while on the subject of schools, you notably lack any mention of continued Republican attempts to micromanage curricula"

This is in the same vein as "but the Right does book bans!". Spoiler alert: every school district does curriculum micromanagement and every school district does book bans. They choose what they teach, they choose the material, they choose the books in the library. Lefties are more guilty of this than anyone. In fact, the first post of this thread is a prime example. The kids were learning fine, were doing fine by all metrics. The state intervened because they weren't being given specific indoctrination material about LGBTQ, and because the state wasn't adequately being forced down the throat of these kids.

The overreach is not even close to comparable, and you dont have the ammunition to back up your argument so stop while you are only 5 steps behind instead of 10. Dont make me dunk on you like I did in all of our CRT arguments.

[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!

[Quicktown Brix]

The 911 call summoning the EMS to his house noted a cardiac arrest with CPR being performed.

Now I'm not a veterinarian, but I assume they have to remove the shell to perform CPR. That can't be an easy recovery.

[Dillinger]

cocaine is a helluva drug.

[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.

[Mike Parsons]

Bro, there are daily protests where people are out and proud supporting Hamas. Not just against Israel, supporting Hamas. They get violent with anyone who gets in their way. They block traffic, they harass people, they tolerate no dissent.

If I grant you that these are actual white nationalists despite their glow, so what? The day Nick Sandmann had that iconic confrontation with the indian drummer, those catholic boys on a school trip were moments ago harassed by those weirdo black hebrew supremacist nut jobs. Who were there, in DC, shouting and harassing people.

Did Patriot Front hurt anyone, harass anyone, damage property, or do anything illegal?

Im sorry but save the "I cant believe this in 2026" pearl clutching for John Oliver. We tolerate so much garbage from so many identity groups in this country every day. When Patriot Front breaks the law, throw them in jail, same as for any other activist. Otherwise I dont much care

[chemjeff radical individualist]

When Patriot Front breaks the law, throw them in jail, same as for any other activist. Otherwise I dont much care

You don't care because it's a white nationalist group protesting. That's my point. But if it's any group that you can even remotely pretend is "pro-Hamas" you will clutch your pearls harder than John Oliver ever does.

[Zeb]

Well, I think the people supporting Hamas and the PF people are all fucking idiots with stupid beliefs. But there are a whole lot more people supporting Hamas than the handful of PF dicks (who look remarkably like plain clothes FBI agents), or even all no-shit white supremacists. Both should be allowed to peacefully demonstrate for whatever idiocy they support and be arrested and charged if they commit any crimes.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Of course all have the right to peacefully protest no matter how odious the cause they are protesting in favor of. I just find it noteworthy what are the causes that induce people like Mike Parsons here to clutch their pearls, and what causes receive nothing but a "meh" or even mockery of the critics.

[Zeb]

I think it has more to do with the uneven portrayal of the different groups in media. A tiny group of racist shitheads, who as far as I know haven't been violent or otherwise criminal, get all kinds of breathless coverage, but thousands of people supporting, sometimes with violence and vandalism, an explicitly genocidal group that actually has political power in Gaza is all good. Not to say that that is universal in how things are covered. But to the casual observer of mainstream news, I think that's the impression likely to be made.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

Oh c'mon Zeb. You are smarter than that. When it comes to the Israel-Gaza conflict, on the 'opposition' side, I can identify at least five distinct and independently defensible positions:

1. Opposition to Jews (anti-Semitic)
2. Opposition to the state of Israel (doesn't think it should exist)
3. Opposition to specific Israeli policies (thinks Israel as a state should exist but doesn't support some of its policies)
4. Support for Palestinians in some broad way (greater autonomy, protection of rights, maybe statehood)
5. Support specifically for Hamas (pro-terrorism)

It is possible for a person to have a mixture of these positions, but it is not necessarily the case that if a person holds any one of these views, then that person must hold ALL of those views as well. I would contend that most of the protestors in this conflict have been some mixture of #3 and #4 above. Are there some literal pro-terrorist protestors? Sure, probably. Do they constitute even a majority of those protesting? I think that would be highly unlikely. And so maybe - just maybe - the mainstream news coverage of these protests have been mostly decent in this regard. Not perfect of course, perhaps not even admirable, but at least recognizing that people protesting against government policies in general, or protesting on behalf of a group they view as being oppressed, is not some odious or extreme position. Of course no one is defending the violence or the vandalism.

The right-wing media, and their demagogues, and people like Mike Parsons and Jesse and their crowd, love to lump all of those positions together and claim that if one supports any one of those positions, that the person must support all five. So anyone protesting against Palestinians being bombed MUST necessarily be anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism. That's false and just wrong. Please don't fall for that garbage.

[Marshal]

The right-wing media, and their demagogues, and people like Mike Parsons and Jesse and their crowd, love to lump all of those positions together and claim that if one supports any one of those positions, that the person must support all five.

The interesting element of this assertion is how Jeffey does exactly what he criticizes about those he hates: he lumps all the possible positions together and therefore anyone holding any of them holds them all. Left wingers are capable of holding different opinions, but the out-group are not.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

Jeff also refuses to even admit how hamas controls most of the gazan government. He loves citing Gaza Ministry of Health using fake data provided by Hamas.

Yet pretends there is a fine hair that he isnt repeating hamas propaganda because ot was filtered through a hamas controlled entity or think tank.

[Zeb]

I think your point is fair that the pro-Palestinian protesters are not all full supporters of Hamas and everything they do and stand for and it's possible to oppose some actions of Israel without being an anti-semite. I think most protest participants in general are followers who want to be part of something more than anything else. Almost everything can't accurately be described by a simple binary good/bad dichotomy.

[chemjeff radical individualist]

By contrast, what exactly are the 'nuanced' positions with regards to Patriot Front? Of course, all of us here support their peaceful right to protest, and all of us here understand that supporting their rights is not the same as supporting their cause. But beyond that, is there any sort of nuanced take that one could take on white nationalism that doesn't make the person out to be just an abject racist? I suppose a position like "sure I suppose white nationalism but I oppose kicking out all the Blacks" is a defensible position, which is different than a position of "I support white nationalism and I support lynching all the Blacks", but either way, it's still just a shocking amount of racism on display. And I think that is what leads a lot of people to be taken aback by it all. Of course racism still exists in 2026 America, I don't think anyone would realistically deny that, but such a shocking, in-your-face display of racism, I thought we had relegated that to the past. Apparently I'm wrong, and that is what makes me profoundly sad.

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

Yes, racism is alive and well in 2026

Only Hiring Black People” — Brandon Johnson’s Racist Policy Backfires

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCZh2Ya_vvQ

[Mike Parsons]

the majority of racism that exist, and especially that is govt and media approved, is against white people. There really is no argument against it

[chemjeff radical individualist]

^^^this right here is why Mike Parsons is sticking up for his Patriot Front bros on the downlow, because he actually believes this

[damikesc]

Have they ever provided any listing of their views? You are big on nuance so I'd like to see your noted nuance here.

Note, you still have no problem with "anti-Israel" protests accosting Jewish students on campuses while I think PF --- if it is legitimate which I have doubts about --- are idiots and if any crimes are committed, punish them harshly.

[Marshal]

According to Jeffey opposing people who support terrorists is "pearl clutching".

If you pay a bit of attention left wingers will tell you what they are.

[Mike Parsons]

"You don't care because it's a white nationalist group protesting. That's my point. But if it's any group that you can even remotely pretend is "pro-Hamas" you will clutch your pearls harder than John Oliver ever does."

I dont care because they tend not to break the law or harass, pester, and inconvenience the public anywhere near as much as the pro hamas crowd is.

The pro hamas crowd, while arguing that "actually Israel shouldn't exist, and the jews are the problem", also tend to obstruct people's movement, harass them, and often assault them.

PF doesn't commit any of those crimes or inconveniences to the public, and its message, while you may think its the worst, is still not as bad (and doesnt matter, we have 1A they can all talk shit).

The issue for you, is the contrast in plain sight:

The gay jew, Scott Weiner got harassed 1000x harder, by his own people, at a trans rally, in SF, by pro-palestine goof balls, than that black girl on the bus, or anyone else did, by PF.

In fact, I bet Scott Weiner wished he was on the bus with PF. He would have had a substantially more peaceful day than when confronted by his own ravenous, feral democrat voters.

[damikesc]

This group nobody has heard of before Sunday. Then, all of a sudden, we are supposed to bemoan them?

ANY racial supremacist group sucks. White supremacist. Black supremacist. Hispanic supremacist.

But, what EXACTLY did they do? Leave two black people totally alone on a train --- in fact, getting the woman to stop acting like a raving lunatic. Say mean words outside then disappear before lunch. This is not occupying buildings for days on end nor does it involve accosting ANYBODY.

You, of course, did not condemn the "anti-Israel" protests. Did not condemn BLM.

[mad.casual]

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

Uh... you *do* know why hound dogs were originally domesticated and trained, right?

[damikesc]

I also wonder how "like hounds surrounding her" correlates to "leaving her the fuck alone. And the black man on the train as well".

Can jeff explain why white supremacists would not, for example, force a black woman to give up her seat to a white man? Why they did not accost her nor a black man on the train? "Anti-Israel" protests --- every single one of them --- are never that peaceful.

[mad.casual]

I also wonder how "like hounds surrounding her" correlates to "leaving her the fuck alone. And the black man on the train as well".

That's actually what I mean. "Hounding" is pursuing relentlessly. They track and tree or trap predators, scavengers, and vermin so that the hunter can capture or kill them (or a cameraman can "shoot" them as the case may be). Simply releasing the hounds to go dismember whatever their prey was isn't good hunting for meat or trophy/sport.

Bulldogs (English and Spanish), War dogs, and Terriers are the breeds that were traditionally tossed into a pit full of rats in order to see how quickly they could kill all of them or toss into an arena with a bull to see if they could subdue (and effectively kill) it.

Obviously, you could get just about any breed of dog (or predators or even mammals, like the bulls) to attack things, but as far as saying "Those animals look like they're going to rip her to pieces, she's in danger." you don't mean *H*ounds.

[JesseAz (RIP CK)]

It was a propaganda picture. Set up to create the very false narrative jeff is pushing. Look at her background.

[damikesc]

I am unclear why white nationalists would leave a black woman (and man, who was ALSO on the train) totally alone and, in fact, not make her give up her seat for one of them.

Does not make tons of sense.

[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

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

Evil insurance companies insist on staying solvent.

[Michael Ejercito]

It is like the ACA is a failure that keeps on failing.

[Marshal]

The tell is that Obamacare supporters make the exact same criticisms of the US health systems now as they did before Obamacare. This shows us even left wingers understand Obamacare made no improvements and we spent approaching $2 trillion for nothing. Naturally they believe this means we should let them spend $4 trillion on the same project next time.

The complete lack of introspection or post-mortem analysis tells us they don't even give a shit their plans are complete failures. MOAR! is the only response to failure.

[Murray Rothtard]

they like to play the "this wasn't REAL socialism" game. "This time we'll get it right."

in a way they might have a point this time. the ACA was mostly a huge handout to private insurers. I am self-employed and have been buying individual coverage for the past 20+ years, and holy shit did Obamacare bend me over and fuck me hard. But i'm well aware full single payer would be even worse. Fuck the Dems.

[Marshal]

But i'm well aware full single payer would be even worse.

By the metrics you value, healthcare, that's true. But by the metrics left wingers value, how many jobs can they hand out to their political activists, single payer is better for them. Once you understand their priorities their decisions all make sense.

That's why they pushed Obamacare. The handouts weren't just to insurance companies. Handouts were also to government employees who run the "marketplaces" and especially to public policy / public health "experts".

[mad.casual]

Solvent and not murdered which, in modern societies/economies, is usually more expensive than just solvent.

[Dillinger]

>>Speaking of the war in Iran, it isn't over.

it isn't over until the fat lady in the burqa says it is.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Most secure elections ever.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/australian-woman-who-has-legally-lived-in-the-us-for-30-years-is-arrested-for-alleged-illegal-voting/ar-AA27sOj6

'I have been here almost three decades, I had a pending application for citizenship, and I just considered myself a citizen,' she said. 'I just didn't realise that it was such a big deal.'

[Dillinger]

>>On his way out, Platner blamed a rigged system

that bisexual rapist douchebag is such a rapist douchebag I wouldn't even know whether to thank him for his service

[Medulla Oblongata]

What could possibly go wrong?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/stealing-from-cops-democrats-loot-pensions-for-green-slush-fund/ar-AA27tS0P

Gov. Bob Ferguson (D-WA) signed E2SHB 2034 on April 1, and the date suited the occasion. The law terminates the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Plan 1, creates a successor plan on paper, then sweeps nearly $3.9 billion in surplus out of a plan that was 160% funded, including $569 million directly to the Climate Commitment Account. Washington faced a $2 billion budget shortfall, found a pension sitting flush, and reached for it. Every yes vote was a Democrat.
Washington's maneuver is the clearest example of a national pattern. Public pension funds are being redirected toward political objectives — ESG mandates, DEI governance screens, climate commitments — with real costs absorbed by beneficiaries and taxpayers who had no say in those decisions.

[damikesc]

I question how that action is in the same ballpark as something legal.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Speaking truth to power? Tim is going to mad.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/minnesota-sheriff-sparks-fury-by-claiming-his-area-has-a-somali-gang-problem/ar-AA27v9Hv

A Minnesota sheriff is facing fierce backlash after delivering a rant linking deadly Fourth of July weekend gun violence to Somali youth gangs.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher ignited a political firestorm on Monday after declaring during a 'Live on Patrol' stream, that officials could no longer stay silent about what he described as 'a growing gang problem in the Twin Cities.'

The explosive comments were launched on the 20-minute livestream after a holiday weekend marred by violence that investigators say were connected to rival Somali gangs.

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

Those doctors and engineers always fighting.

[Marshal]

Left wingers believe everything is subservient to politics including violence and even mass murder.

[mad.casual]

He should've just put a positive spin on it and rage-baited:

As a public servant and law enforcement official I love all the work I have to do to support culturally-rivalrous, celebratory gunfire. It's unfortunate that sometimes the gunfire injures or even kills people, but we're here to celebrate diversity and keep people safe!

[Medulla Oblongata]

Seems partly a "domestic abuse" murder, but with the added twists.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/asylum-seeker-on-the-run-after-american-woman-beaten-to-death-in-ireland/ar-AA27wm4W

'Asylum seeker' on the run after American woman beaten to death in Ireland

An alleged asylum seeker is on the run after an American woman was beaten to death in Ireland.

Jamey Carney, 43, originally from New York, moved to Killarney, County Kerry, around five years ago and lived with her teenage daughter.

She was found dead at an address on Muckross Road on Tuesday - with the Gardai (Irish police) now appealing for witnesses.

According to the Irish Mirror, the suspect is a Middle Eastern man known to Ms Carney, who previously lived in France.

The suspect was known to Ms Carney and fears have been raised he could now flee Ireland after the attack, according to the Irish Mirror.

He is believed to have been living in Ireland since the middle of 2024 as a candidate for International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas).

[Z Crazy]

Maybe prejudice isnt ENTIRELY irrational.

[Medulla Oblongata]

Most secure elections ever!

https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2026/07/03/state-review-finds-probable-cause-green-bay-broke-election-law/

Wisconsin Elections Commission staff believe there is evidence that Green Bay violated state law when the city mailed duplicate ballots to more than 150 voters ahead of the spring election.

That comes less than a week after Green Bay said it may have issued duplicate ballots again, this time in some voting wards for the August primary election.

However, the Wisconsin Elections Commission’s review and analysis found “probable cause to believe that a violation of” state law “occurred regarding the issuance of duplicate ballots” for the spring election, according to the draft document.

[damikesc]

Obsidian making a Fallout game?

Microsoft got tired of losing billions and is forcing them to make games people want, rather than the drivel they have been making for the last few years.

The "bloodbath" in XBox was desperately needed and one basically every major developer will be undergoing in the next few years.

[damikesc]

NY, Pro-Palestine single mom moves to Ireland to live with her new love.

Her new love is, of course, a migrant from Jordan.

Her child is now dead. Her new love is the top suspect.

Ireland's main concern: That the US right wing might a big deal out of this and cause "racial unrest in Ireland".

Yes, a "migrant" murdering a kid is NOT the main concern. The reaction of Americans to it --- THAT is what they worry about.

...not saying I'd be all that upset if SHE died. She would have died doing what she fervently believed in and that would just Darwinism in effect.

[Philosophia Perennis Jr]

Even Darwin would hate you for that. His daughter died young and it was the most horrendous event of his life

My dear dearest Emma

I pray God Fanny’s note may have prepared you. She went to her final sleep most tranquilly, most sweetly at 12 oclock today. Our poor dear dear child has had a very short life but I trust happy, & God only knows what miseries might have been in store for her. She expired without a sigh. How desolate it makes one to think of her frank cordial manners. I am so thankful for the daguerreotype. I cannot remember ever seeing the dear child naughty. God bless her. We must be more & more to each other my dear wife— Do what you can to bear up & think how invariably kind & tender you have been to her.— I am in bed not very well with my stomach. When I shall return I cannot yet say. My own poor dear dear wife.

C. Darwin

[charliehall]

Sinn Fein has been a Jew hating political party since at least 1939 when it openly supported the Nazis.

[Philosophia Perennis Jr]

Virtually everyone I grew up with went to college. I know maybe 2 tops who do any serious reading. And that does not include the 2 English majors.

Some of that must be attributed to REASON-type diet of seeing everything through a very limited view. Now I grew up with journals of opinion, very different fare in that a person wanted a philosophical or religious or similar look at things. So you had Commentary, National Review, now City Journal or Civitas.

Since someone has already sifted the news (while avoiding the religious and philosophical aspects) you learn to read not to think but to see what attitude to adopt

In my short time here I've looked for a Catholic presence on here and not yet found it. That beats any one-sided university faculty you could name
That is the death of reading.

[charliehall]

"yesterday's average price for a gallon of gas was $3.79 nationally. "

That was yesterday. Today it is $3.88. Fill up today while you can still afford it. The Forever Wars continue.