Monday, September 15, 2025

Trump Declares Economic War on Just About Everyone That Matters. Is a Smash-Up a Feature and Not a Bug? Update: Mexico One Month Pause. Who Blinked?

Trump is opening up a multi-front economic war by imposing tariffs on America’s biggest trade partners, with the EU next in line. What gives?

How Do We Get Competent Politicians?

Richard Murphy argues that all prospective UK parliamentarians and councillors should have to take an exam to prove their competence.

Meditation and Mindfulness at Work Are Welcome, but Do They Help Avoid Accountability for Toxic Culture?

An update on corporate efforts to deploy seemingly beneficial practices like meditation for their benefit.

Links 2/2/2025

Will It Matter Who Wins Germany’s Upcoming Election or Will Country’s Fate Largely Be Decided in Washington?

If Germany stays under the thumb of Washington and living standards continue to decline under a new government, what happens then?

California Blesses Political Donors’ Strategy to ‘Multiply Their Influence’

Venture capitalists and tech execs strengthen control over Democrat-controlled California while they do the same at the national level under Trump’s GOP.

Links 2/1/2025

Migrant Vendors Park Carts as Their American Dreams Slip Away

Enforcement was already rising. Under Trump, street vendors have gone into hiding to avoid criminal tickets that could make them ICE targets.

Book Bans

A look at a historical example of a concerted book ban to assess its effectiveness and long-term impact.

2:00PM Water Cooler 1/31/2025

~ Today’s Water Cooler: Politics, Syndemics; Elon demands access to the Federal Government’s check-writing machine; DOGE’s IT; The DNC meets to pick a new chair ~

Kelp Farming Isn’t As Green As It Seems

Why kelp, hyped as a carbon sink, does not live up to its promise.

Links 1/31/2025

Remember Ukraine’s “Diia” Digital Governance System? Russian Hackers Brought It Down in December, and It Is Still Partly Down

The Zelensky government’s “state in a smartphone” model of digital identity and governance, once a source of pride and inspiration for other countries, has become a source of derision. 

Should the Government Be Allowed to Hold Bitcoin?

A terse debunking of the idea that governments holding Bitcoin or other private currencies is good for anyone other than their touts.

The Economic Benefit of Conflict: A Thriving Armaments Sector

Quelle surprise! Data supports the notion that defense contractors do well in times of conflict.