Saturday, June 14, 2025

Forcible Removal of US Sen. Alex Padilla Signals a Dangerous Shift in American Democracy

Trump’s war against the Constitution, Congressional oversight powers, and legislation escalates with the man-handling of Senator Padilla

Those Who Would Be King

Trump’s June 14 spectacle is an exploitation of the military for personal and political gain. Will No King protests make a dent?

Coffee Break: The Future and Follies of Science and AI as Automation, for Better or Worse

Part the First: Who Will Supplant the United States in Scientific Research?  Before going any further in answer to The Rev Kev’s suggestion from last week, it is important to note that while the US currently remains the acknowledged leader in scientific research, this is a matter of quantity as much as quality.  Other countries […]

Yanis Varoufakis: The Economics of Europe’s Descent into Warmongering

The long path that has led Europe to see big defense spending will be a lifeline, hence the need to stoke war fever.

Links 6/13/2025

Is A Soft Coup Brewing in Colombia, the US’ Long-Time “Israel of Latin America”?

In the space of just a few days, Colombia has been plunged into a political crisis that could end up toppling its first ever left-wing government.

Israel Launches Attacks Against Iran; Iran Begins Retaliation

Parsing emerging information on the Israel campaign against Iran, and Iran’s initial response.

Kennedy’s HHS Sent Congress ‘Junk Science’ To Defend Vaccine Changes, Experts Say

More on RFK, Jr. making shit up but attempting to wrap it in the mantle of science.

Gaza: The Sacrificial Ram on Capital’s New Altar

Gaza and Ukraine symbolize the death of an old ‘nomos’ and the rise of a new one shaped by war, capital, and collapsing ideals

Climate Adaptation and Inequality: Lessons from Cape Town’s Drought

Cape Town’s drought illustrated that when climate crises become acute, the rich care for themselves irrespective of bigger effects.

Links 6/12/2025

Rob Urie: Why Retaliation Rhymes with Negotiation, US – Russia Edition

On not-well-known elements of the US-Ukraine-Russia conflict, the fecklessness of the left, and the abject stupidity of Western leaders

Satyajit Das: A Fist Full of Dollars

Two recent books seem unduly complacent about the status of the dollar as reserve currency.

“Is All Economic Growth Good?”

It can’t be said too often: what most economists call growth is too often what we here call groaf.

Coffee Break: Trump Deploys National Guard to LA

President Trump deploys National Guard and US Marines to Los Angeles in support of ICE. Gavin Newsom files suit in opposition. Waymos burn.