Friday Open Thread
What's on your mind?
Politics
Should Libertarians Prioritize Their Own Communities?
Eric Brakey and Andrew Heaton debate whether libertarians should prioritize building local liberty-focused societies like the Free State Project or focus on reforming the federal government.
Short Circuit: An inexhaustive weekly compendium of rulings from the federal courts of appeal
Group chats, monopolies, and corporate espionage.
5 Times the Trump Team Told Americans To Accept Being Poorer
Trump's comment about how "dolls" will "cost a couple of bucks more" is the latest in a long trend of nationalist conservatives disparaging affordable stuff.
Alien Enemies No More
Plus: Depriving the children of toys, a curbside rat feast, China wants to talk, and more...
Did Mike Waltz Just Go Down John Bolton's Path?
Trump has hired a notorious hawk as his national security adviser—and fired that adviser after getting in the way of delicate diplomatic talks—in each of his two terms.
Trump's 'America First Antitrust' Policy Will Put America Last
The Justice Department is pursuing an antitrust policy inspired by Oren Cass and members of the New Right.
Ross Douthat: Why Digital Life Threatens Freedom and Family
The New York Times columnist warns that digital life may be eroding the cultural foundations needed to sustain meaning, family, and community.
Victims of Communism Day - 2025
May Day should be a day to honor victims of an ideology that took tens of millions of lives. But we should also be open to alternative dates if they can attract broad enough support.
Fewer Than 3 Friends
Plus: Growth forecasts slashed, Pravda time, fentanyl seizures, and more...
The Abundant Life of Manny Klausner
The Reason Foundation co-founder took seriously the idea that libertarians should win—not just in the courts but also in the broader culture.
You Will Work in the Factory and You Will Like It
Plus: Amazon vs. Trump, RFK Jr. gets in trouble, and more...
Americans Doubt Trump's Trade War Will Benefit Them
Consumers and businesses are already experiencing higher prices and economic pain.
100 Days of Trump
Plus: "Calm corners" in the subway system, mysterious 18-hour power outage, and more...
Brickbats: May 2025
News of politicians, police, and bureaucrats behaving badly from around the world.
Trump's Independent Voter Problem
Plus: A listener asks about possible book club books that are "subtly libertarian."
Deporting the Cancer Kid
Plus: Pell Grant fraud, New York mayoral candidate defaulting on student loans, and more...
Can America Get Out of the Gerontocracy Trap?
If voters so overwhelmingly prefer younger candidates, why are they underrepresented in politics?
Short Circuit: An inexhaustive weekly compendium of rulings from the federal courts of appeal
Electronic monitoring, secret GPS trackers, and a speck in the recesses of interstellar space.
As the Economy Tumbles, so Does Trump's Approval Rate
There isn't much public enthusiasm for the president's chaotic style.
Trump 2028
Plus: AEA deportations, Glenn Greenwald on civil liberties under Trump, and more...
Will the 'Abundance' Agenda Make California Great Again?
Democrats would have a stronger rebuke to Trumpism if civic service in blue states were the national model rather than a laughingstock.
Parental Opt-Outs for Controversial Books
Plus: Cornell's cancel culture case, Trump's immigration policy approval ratings, and more...
By Openly Retaliating Against Disfavored Law Firms, Trump Attacks Free Speech and the Right to Counsel
Two of his targets are seeking permanent injunctions against the president's blatantly unconstitutional executive orders.
Trump's Tariffs Are Causing an Economic Boom for D.C. Lobbyists
More lobbyists are spending more money to influence trade policy. The swamp is having a great time during the trade war.
This Man Just Disappeared
Plus: China's baby bust, tough talk on the Ukraine war, and more...
IMF Report: Trump Trade War Will Hurt Both U.S. and Global Economies
Predictions for U.S. and global economic growth are down since January.
Harvard Sues Trump Admin
Plus: Democrats visit El Salvador, Taiwan invasion possibilities, Hayek on rule of law, and more...
Treating Journalism As Consumer Fraud, Trump Claims Coverage of a Presidential Poll Was Not 'News Reporting'
The president's lawyers also conflate fraud with defamation, misconstrue the commercial speech doctrine, and assert that false speech is not constitutionally protected.
