Just One Thing: The debasement of the Heritage Foundation
Although I'm libertarian rather than conservative, I've long respected the Heritage Foundation. But the new-ish leader of Heritage, a Christian Nationalist (my conclusion based on his words below) named Kevin Roberts, just put out this video telling conservatives not to be critical of Tucker Carlson who, despite his claims to the contrary that are disproven by his show, has become either a raging anti-Semite or at least a willing enabler of such. He just had one of the nation's best-known Nazis, a guy named Nick Fuentes, on his show and barely challenged any of his hateful bigoted garbage. And Tucker has "platformed" multiple other idiot anti-Semites. And now Heritage is going to stand up for that? Seriously, what the hell is wrong with Roberts? I hope the Heritage board boots him...but I don't expect that.
Cliff Asness has it right, and so does Carol Swain. Actually, there are LOTS of comments pushing back on Roberts, including mine
A lot of swearing in here but he's on target
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One More Thing: Get your arguments straight
I saw a big push by conservative "influencers" on X to argue that our budget deficit is primarily caused by illegal immigrants getting welfare and by people who should be working getting Medicaid. There's a LOT wrong with that argument, but I am not implying that I support illegals getting welfare (mostly they don't) or people getting Medicaid who don't actually qualify (they shouldn't.)
Effects of the Immigration Surge on the Federal Budget and the Economy | Congressional Budget Office
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Today's Guests
Niklas Kleinworth is a Policy Analyst at the Paragon Health Institute, focusing on Medicaid and state policy initiatives. We'll discuss the truly massive losses to taxpayers from Obamacare fraud...as the Democrats try to get subsidies extended that surely exacerbate this problem.
Niklas Kleinworth, Author at Paragon Health Institute
Ghostbusting ACA Fraud: Millions Who Don’t Use Their Health Insurance Expose Abuse in the Program
Obamacare Fraud, by the Numbers
The GOP’s ObamaCare Opportunity - WSJ
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A few weeks ago when I was on vacation, fill-in host Jimmy Sengenberger interviewed a guest about ballot measure 3A in Littleton which would override the city's zoning changes to disallow multi-family residential properties in single-family neighborhoods (if I understand it right.) There's also a question about whether it would prevent the development of ADU's (accessory dwelling units, like "mother-in-law apartments"). The mayor of Littleton, Kyle Schlacter, got in touch with me to say he thought that the guest said things that weren't true about the ballot measure and also said things that weren't true about the mayor so I've offered Kyle the opportunity to correct the record.
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Other Stuff
Maybe his worst idea yet. There's a reason that at least some Democrats have been calling on Republicans to do this: Trump calls on Republicans to use ‘nuclear option’ and get rid of Senate filibuster
Rep. Ro Khanna: Republicans Could End Shutdown, Lower Healthcare Costs Today | Democracy Now!
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Need a watch? Francis Ford Coppola Is Selling His $1 Million Watch to Recover ‘Megalopolis’ Outlay
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For Berkshire Hathaway/Warren Buffet fans, his retirement plans and geopolitical events are a weight on the stock price: Berkshire’s New Normal: No Buffett Shareholder Letter and No ‘Buffett Premium’ - WSJ
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Tonight is Halloween!
The History of Halloween: Traditions and Meaning of the Holiday
Are Halloween costumes and decorations getting scarier? (Answer: yes!) Have Halloween Decorations Become Too Scary? - The New York Times
Did you buy candy? If so, did you buy less chocolate and more other stuff than usual?
Why more Halloween shoppers are skipping chocolate candy this year
Cocoa prices are falling fast, but not in time to help this year's Halloween, and it wouldn't surprise me if retail prices don't fall as much as you'd think...
Cocoa Prices and Cocoa Futures Prices - Barchart.com
Cocoa - Price - Chart - Historical Data - News
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On Saturday night/Sunday morning, we "fall back" to Standard Time and get an extra hour's sleep. Some people want year-round Daylight Saving Time. A few want year-round Standard Time. If I had to choose one it would be the latter. I think most Americans, including Trump, hate the time change and yet it persists. I do note that you'll typically find Florida taking the lead on year-round DST, in part because their golf courses make more money that way.
Cotton blocks Trump-backed effort to make daylight saving time permanent - Live Updates - POLITICO
What does 'fall back' mean for daylight savings? About the time change
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What's more important, the view or the revenue? (And does hurting the former also hurt the latter?) RTD bans ads covering windows of metro Denver buses and trains
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That's quite a fall: Prince Andrew to Be Stripped of His Royal Title - The New York Times
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Bill Gates' modest distancing from climate alarmism is still reverberating: Bill Gates Shakes Up the Climate Discussion
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Interesting story: How a London newspaper botched a story about New York’s Zohran Mamdani | Semafor
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I shared this basic idea with you a couple of weeks ago. I wonder why this angle wasn't thought of sooner by opponents of the forced wolf reintroduction: EDITORIAL: Colorado’s wolf plan flouts federal law - Denver Gazette
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Didn't get to this yesterday so will today:
At sixes and sevens - Wikipedia
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I wonder what Jeana thinks of this: Nearly one third of Gen Z singles are going on dates just for free food: 'A girl's gotta eat'
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I don't want people going hungry. AND I don't want 10% of the state of Colorado taking other people's money for food. How did we get here? I REALLY don't know. I'm not even sure who to ask but I'm gonna try to figure out who might be a good guest on this. State lawmakers approve $10 million to bolster Colorado food banks as SNAP benefits dry up - The Colorado Sun
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This is nuts
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I meant to get to this yesterday, after the Fed cut rates on Weds but signaled that the market shouldn't assume another cut in December. (I think a cut is still likely.) The yield on the US 10-year note spiked dramatically even though the Fed cut short-term rates.
Federal Reserve cuts key rate yet Powell says future reductions are not locked in
Fed Divisions Reveal New Caution Over Continued Cuts - WSJ
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Today's Video
What exactly is it?
Tyra Banks Says It’s ‘Hot Ice Cream.’ Everyone Else Just Says, ‘Huh?’ - The New York Times