Just One Thing: It's still "the economy, stupid"
Coverage by the Gazette of the Common Sense Institute's "Eggs & the Economy" event last week where I was a panelist:
Earth to politicians: It’s still the economy, stupid | Colorado-politics | denvergazette.com
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Today's Guests
Mark Toth is an expert and writer on national security issues, usually with his writing partner Jon Sweet (who was on the show last week). We'll discuss their latest: Why WW3 is already here... and how the UK will need to lead in America's absence as Team Trump risks losing global conflict to the West's enemies following bust-up with Zelensky and concessions to Putin | Daily Mail Online
Follow Mark on X here: Mark Toth (@MCTothSTL) / X
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State Senator Byron Pelton joins me to talk about a change in a law that you might not even have heard of unless you're a farmer but I think it's interesting. We'll also discuss construction defect law, PERA board reform, and licensing electricians.
Byron Pelton | Colorado General Assembly
Colorado Senate votes to repeal part of farmworkers' rights | News | denvergazette.com
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Other Stuff
Here comes the global trade war: China slaps tariffs on Canada for leverage against US
A trade war with China will crush farmers. But politicians will never let farmers get hurt so they’ll pass a bill tro transfer billions – tens of billions perhaps – to farmers, adding to the national debt to subsidize stupid trade wars: Trade Study: How Potential New Tariffs Could Impact U.S. Soybeans and Corn
For econ nerds: China bought none of the extra $200 billion of US exports in Trump's trade deal | PIIE
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This sad story definitely violated Occam's Razor: Gene Hackman's cause of death was heart disease, wife died of hantavirus days earlier, officials say - CBS News
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Too many trends! (I actually feel a little bad for Gen Z. It's an insane amount of pressure on young people and it makes already challenging years even more difficult.) Gen Z Is Tired of Chasing the Trend Cycle - The New York Times
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This is worth remembering: 'Bloody Sunday' 60th anniversary marked in Selma with remembrances and concerns about the future | AP News
I'll add that DEI does not represent American values nor what the Civil Rights Movement was fighting for. DEI (at least the E part) is just racism by another name. It's unfortunate that some folks taint the important fight for equal rights with radical efforts to stratify Americans by race.
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Let's talk about my alma mater...
Trump pulled $400 million from Columbia, other schools could be next | The Straits Times
I despise this guy but the gov't better be able to prove that his actions amount to support of a terrorist organization and not just reprehensible speech: ICE arrests Palestinian activist who led Columbia protests, lawyer says | AP News
Interesting answer from Trump about whether he expects a recession. His answer was correct, basically "I don't know."
But his further statements implying that high tariffs will make us rich is likely to be very wrong. We'll probably find out.
But it can go to far and probably already is, despite the temptation toward schadenfreude: Fearing Retribution, Trump Critics Muzzle Themselves - The New York Times
Short version that doesn't require subscription: "‘People Are Going Silent’: Fearing Retribution, Trump Critics Muzzle Themselves" - Election Law Blog
And finally, the great Eugene Volokh lays out in more detail his position...that I share: ACLU on Campus Free Speech
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I'm sure SOMEONE would believe it: Flyers threatening "genital inspections" found in Jeffco restrooms
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Rep Jason Crow (D-CO6) is NOT running for governor: Jason Crow takes top Dem post, won't seek Colorado governor's office - Axios Denver
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He can say he's protecting these industries, or he can say prices will fall, but he can't say both because they can't both be true at the same time (at least not in the absence of massive federal subsidies which would punish taxpayers and add to the national debt in order to make up the losses to farmers and others: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick: 'There’s going to be no recession in America'
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I wish I knew why Trump was acting so pro-Putin. It's exasperating:
Deadly Russian attack overnight on Ukraine kills at least 20 and injures 55 more - ABC News
Trump: Ukraine 'May Not Survive' War, Even With U.S. Aid | National Review
Trump 'strongly considering' large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia
I agree with this: Why Putin isn't worried about Trump's sanctions threat - The Spectator World (May require subscription)
My friend Brian Wesbury asked me whether we are "responsible" to share intelligence with Ukraine after I said on X that I thought it was a dumb and evil move by Trump to stop such sharing. Here's my response:
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I love this:
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I hadn't heard of this young man but this is a touching story despite the royal titles: Prince Frederik dies from rare genetic condition at age 22. See his dad's emotional message
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This is a great note about trade and China (among other things). I cannot get a "gift link" so it's possible you won't be able to read it but usually this site gives one free article a month, or something like that: U.S.-China Decoupling: America's Zero-Sum Economics Doesn't Add Up
The inevitable result of central planning: China Struggles to Shake Off Disinflationary Pressure as Trade Threats Loom
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Horrendous: Missing woman found dead in suitcase, ex-boyfriend in custody - ABC News
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Egg prices: Egg prices may be high but consumers remain willing to pay
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Trump is massively boosting the political left in Canada (and Mexico): Trump turns Canadian politics upside down
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Holy moley: Bills Sign Josh Allen to Record-Setting Contract Extension
Speaking of the Bills:
14 years as an NFL edge rusher is amazing: Bills release eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Von Miller - ESPN
Buffalo Bills release Von Miller in salary cap-saving move (may require subscription)
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Interesting suggestion: Perks of a Burner Number: Fewer Spam Texts, Stronger Security and Privacy - WSJ
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Legally nerdy but interesting: Colorado Senate votes to repeal part of farmworkers' rights | News | denvergazette.com
Agricultural Worker Service Providers Access Private Property | Colorado General Assembly
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I probably won't talk about this on the show but it's an unbelievable story: He escaped the cartel that kidnapped him. Then he learned there’s ‘no more asylum.’
I note that I would not shut down asylum as Trump has...but Biden's insane open-border and anything-goes immigration policies make the backlash (including the increased public support for mass deportations) understandable. If I were an illegal alien who's been in the US for years and has been working hard and doing everything right (other than being here illegally), I'd be furious at Biden for putting a target on my back. Same for legit asylum-seekers who now have nowhere to turn.
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Today's Videos
The intersection of AI and online cat videos
This is kinda funny
Don't be this guy: drunk dude in Peru lies down by train tracks, gets run over, walks away with just a limp