Just One Thing: Nice university you have there; would be a shame if something happened to it
I'm really torn by this story: Columbia to pay $200 million fine to settle Trump administration dispute
Columbia SUCKS. I went there. It was bad then, and got MUCH worse after. For 25 years I've been telling my dad that it is a cesspool of antisemitism and anti-Americanism and anti-capitalism. Now he believes me. (He went there too but it wasn't nearly as bad in the 1960s.)
The Trump administration is right to go after all these schools that didn't protect Jewish students from harassment or the disruption of their lives.
But as with everything with the Trump administration, they take things VERY far. The actual dollar amount of federal research dollars at risk for Columbia was probably a LOT more than the reported $400 million a year. So a one-time $200 million fine seems like a reasonable bribe to make the Trump administration back off.
So, again, part of me feels like it's a bribe...and part of me feels like it's a just penalty for a school that has long forgotten what it should represent.
Meanwhile, Harvard is now seeing the whole "nice university you've got there...lots of money coming in from those full-tuition-paying foreign students. Would be a shame if something happened to them." State Department investigates Harvard international exchange visa sponsorship
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Today's Guests
Mark Baisley is a Republican candidate for governor of Colorado. Mark is a Colorado State Senator and former technology, especially national defense technology, executive.
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Dave Matheny is Founder and CEO of Silencer Shop, the largest distributor of suppressors in the nation, and they work with local dealers as well who rely on Silencer Shop to handle the gov’t paperwork.
Buy Suppressors & Gun Silencers Online | Silencer Shop
What exactly did BBB do regarding suppressors (sometimes called silencers) and short-barreled rifles? Big Beautiful Bill Passes House with Zeroed NFA Tax :: Guns.com
Why is Silencer Shop suing the federal government? GOA-One-Big-Beautiful-Lawsuit.pdf
Other Stuff
Yesterday's show got a little bit sidetracked (in a good way) with a lot of personal stuff from me and then a great conversation with Willie B about Ozzy Osbourne and basically I didn't get to many or maybe any of the "serious" topics I had ready to discuss yesterday. So quite a few of the topics you see here today were in the blog yesterday, but not all...a lot of national stories today but definitely getting a bunch of state/local stuff in as well.
Gotta be careful with jailhouse informants, but wow... Aurora dentist asked cellmate for help killing detective | News | denvergazette.com
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Following up on yesterday's National Vanilla Ice Cream Day (on which I ate mint chocolate chip ice cream), we have this disappointing information: America's favorite ice-cream flavors: vanilla, chocolate, and mint chocolate chip | YouGov
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They had to know this was going to happen. So now what? I wonder if the plan was to try to tell the base, "Hey, we tried but the judge shut us down...now let's just move along with life and stop talking about Epstein." But at this point, Trump has lost control of the base on this issue...first time I've ever seen it. And they won't accept that answer.
Judge rejects effort to unseal Epstein grand jury records in Florida | AP News
You can see that Trump is losing control based on this vote: Full list of Republicans who voted to subpoena Epstein files from DOJ
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I think the ruling is correct but the dissent is not ridiculous. I also note that people will read the fact that it was a 2-1 ruling as if it meant that one of the three judges believes that Trump can change the definition of citizenship but that's not what the judge said. He said simply that he doesn't think the plaintiffs have standing to bring the case.
US appeals court blocks Trump's order curtailing birthright citizenship | Reuters
Donald Trump Handed New Legal Loss Over Birthright Citizenship Order - Newsweek
The opinion and dissent are here: 25-807.pdf
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This is in the weeds but interesting: AG Bondi Fires Back After NJ Federal Judges Refuse to Extend Alina Habba’s Interim U.S. Attorney Appointment | National Review (may require subscription)
The ABC article doesn't contain Andy's info from the National Review piece that says that the executive branch can remove the judges' appointment if they don't agree with it. It's not as clear-cut as ABC makes it sound that the judges can appoint who they like.
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I have no idea what to think here...but I don't think the truth is even the point anymore. It's all politics, all "shiny objects", all the time: Gabbard declassifies new docs in latest push to cast doubt on Russia assessment - POLITICO
The problem with what the Trump administration is doing is that it's darn close to impossible that they'll be able to get even one case to trial, and definitely not against Obama himself -- even if what Gabbard is claiming is actually true, which is only 50/50 at most: The Legal Challenge of Prosecuting Alleged Russiagate Conspirators
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It’s just a snapshot of a moment in time but it’s still concerning if you’re a Republican: Trump is losing by winning
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I believe (and hope) they figure out a way, whether with donations from locals or wealth foundations, or by selling ads:
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The bond package gets even bigger: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's bond package now has a $935M price tag - Axios Denver
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Yes, we know: "Hidden" home ownership costs Coloradans thousands - Axios Denver
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The gains from this will not be nearly what Trump thinks. Meanwhile the costs to Americans are high. Such is the world we live in.
Trump says US has struck trade deal with Japan
Trump strikes tariff deal with Japan, auto stocks surge | Reuters
US automakers have serious concerns: Trump's 'massive' deal with Japan is giving US automakers heartburn - POLITICO
Summary from Grok:
Market Access: Japan has agreed to open its market to US cars and trucks, addressing long-standing concerns about non-tariff barriers. This includes removing additional safety tests previously imposed on US-made vehicles, which had been a significant hurdle for American automakers.
Tariff Reductions: The deal lowers US tariffs on Japanese automobiles and auto parts from 25% to 15%, making Japanese vehicles more competitive in the US market. However, it does not directly alter tariffs on US cars exported to Japan, as Japan has had no tariffs on imported cars since 1978.
Non-Tariff Barriers: Japan has committed to regulatory changes, such as recognizing US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, to ease the entry of US vehicles into the Japanese market. This addresses issues like the need for compact cars suited to Japan's narrow streets and pedestrian-focused safety regulations.
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I continue to believe that this will hurt Republicans in the next couple of election cycles unless they make a change: Noncriminal ICE arrests spike in Colorado under Trump - Axios Denver
That said, we must be very careful about appearing to endorse any sort of full amnesty for any and every illegal who doesn't commit a crime. This is NOT an easy balance.
Congressman Gabe Evans is taking a moderate position on the issue by sponsoring this bill: Rep. Gabe Evans signs on to immigration reform bill as arrests rise
One guy's opinion: Fix the Leak, Then the Flood: Gabe Evans Backs Border-First Reform - Scott K. James
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This guy...can he really become mayor of NYC? And if so, then what? ‘Capitalism Is Theft’: I Followed Zohran Mamdani’s Internet Trail
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Today's Video
Best product review ever